God's Friend

Isaiah 41:8-9
“But you, Israel, my servant,
Jacob, whom I have chosen,
you descendants of Abraham my friend,
I took you from the ends of the earth,
from its farthest corners I called you.

James 2:23
And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.

"We'll be friends forever, won't we, Pooh?" asked Piglet. "Even longer," Pooh
answered. 

I’ve had a few book signings recently. At each one, I’ve met new people, and visited with returning readers and fellow writers. When I went back to my hometown, to the building where my library career started, I had the joy and honor of being in the presence of three of my dear high school friends.

They may cringe when I say this, I might too, but next year marks our fiftieth anniversary for our high school graduation. Time goes too fast.

Even though I moved away from Lynchburg, I’m blessed to have communication with so many I graduated with. Bev, Colleen, Garnet and I reminisced, shared updates on our families, travels, and books we’ve been reading, and simply enjoyed seeing each other.

There’s a song I remember from childhood, “Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold.” We may have sung it in girl scouts. I’m not sure, but it still rings true. Those friends from our youth are precious indeed.

One friend I discovered in my youth was Jesus. He’s a friend who sticks closer than a brother. In Isaiah and James, we read of God calling Abraham his friend. How incredible to be known as a friend of the Lord God, who created the world.

Even when I have failed in my friendship with Jesus, he stuck with me. He loved me and called me closer to him. I’m beyond grateful for Jesus’ love and kindness and the sacrifice he gave, so I might be called God’s friend.

Take good care of your friends and seek Jesus, who loves you more than anything.

 

The Beauty of Summer

Using cliches in writing is frowned upon.

So instead of "Stop and smell the roses," 

how about, stop and appreciate the beauty.

Even in the extreme heat that's hit Ohio, 

I can enjoy the beauty of the last flowers of summer.

How about you? What loveliness is around you?

 

When Fear Overwhelms

Luke 8:22-24
One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So, they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.

The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”

He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples.

Lake Erie tossed and turned.

The waves rose and crashed after tornados had attacked the northeastern shores. Tim and I happened to spend a few days at the lake, in Marblehead, after some tough storms went through the area. We watched the water rise and wash the shore like hands reaching to grasp whatever the waves could steal.

The next day, a sailboat ventured onto calmer, yet choppy waters. The boat bobbed up and down and I thought, if I were on it, I might be seasick.

The Sea of Galilee tossed a boat around when Jesus and some of his disciples sailed. Jesus fell asleep and the storm frightened the men. When Jesus woke and settled the waters, he asked, “Where is your faith?”

I may not sail in a boat, but it seems like storms attack our shores too often. A spiritual battle rages around us as good and evil fight for dominance. When fear overwhelms, Jesus asks, “Where is your faith?”

It’s then I understand, this life was not meant to be lived alone. Yes, I’m surrounded by friends and family, but I need more. I need Jesus. I don’t want him to wonder where my faith is. I want him to know my faith remains in him, every day.

When life rocks the boat, and even when it doesn’t cling to Jesus. Have faith in the one who makes a difference.

Shades of the Seasons

The ironweed surrounded by black-eyed Susans 

created a beautiful picture of August.

As we hiked along the path at the park, I noticed several plants

blooming in shades of purple or yellow.

It's interesting to me how the seasons show off their 

various array of colors.

I'm so thankful God created color in this world. 

Some colors offer calm in the chaos, while others 

encourage vibrancy and joy.

Enjoy the many shades of the seasons.

 

All My Hope

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

What do you get when you add three friends, a beautiful day, an outdoor venue, and the Christian musician/singer Crowder?

An amazing night of worship and renewal. 

My friends, Bev and Krista, and I traveled to the Fraze Pavilion in Kettering, Ohio. White clouds billowed in the blue skies, the temperature hovered around eighty and the place was filled with people ready to worship Jesus.

If you aren’t familiar with David Crowder and his music, he’s a multitalented musician who is one of the most humble and down-to-earth performers I’ve seen. He offers a variety of music that touches the heart. From a few rock/rap songs to gospel to the music I sang with my grammy, no matter what music came from the stage, it all pointed to Jesus.

To be able to sing along and see the open sky filled me with joy and reminded me of the many times I attended church camp and sang outside under the stars. As the words of the songs echoed and we offered a joyful noise, my imagination pictured Jesus returning on the clouds to receive God’s children. What a glorious day that will be.

One song that especially touched my heart, All My Hope, encouraged me. In this broken world, we still have hope.  When nothing else makes sense,  hang on to hope in God and his plan to call his children back to him through Jesus. Even as sin and despair try to separate God’s children from him, Jesus provides the path of grace back to his Father.

Don’t give up. In Jesus, we have hope.

I hope you'll give the song a listen:

Pray for Them All

With August comes the beginning of a new school year.

Let's pray together for-

administrators

teachers

staff

students

parents

homeschoolers

and all involved in educating our children.

Talk to the kiddos going to school about-

being kind

having confidence

showing courtesy

and doing their best.

Pray for the children who need a little extra care, and

the teachers who touch their lives.

Blessings!

 

A Thousand Shards

Psalm 31:12b, 14-18
I have become like broken pottery...

But I trust in you, Lord;
    I say, “You are my God.”
My times are in your hands;
    deliver me from the hands of my enemies,
    from those who pursue me.
Let your face shine on your servant;
    save me in your unfailing love.

Shattered into a thousand shards.

I know what it feels like to have my heart broken like pottery. Don’t you? If you live on this earth long enough, something will most likely shatter your heart and throw you into a tailspin.

Recently, our family endured a difficult situation. Many of us, along with friends and acquaintances, spent the night praying, seeking God’s help when we felt helpless. Thanks be to God, the results were positive and a blessing even in the midst of stress.

My heart still hurts for my family, but I know God’s comforting hand is on us. When someone in my family hurts, I want to take the burden from them and carry it myself, but because I’m not the one who has the strength for such a task, I seek Jesus and ask for his help.

God's servant David struggled and lived a life of turmoil, even in his dedication to God. At times, his heart shattered over the suffering he endured. In the Psalm, he broke down and cried out to his Father to deliver him.

In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Jesus carries my burdens when I can’t. He takes the exhaustion and worries and lifts them on his shoulders and walks beside me. I am so grateful for his care for myself and my family.

Seek Jesus.