Author: Christine

Philippians 3:13b-14: “…I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”

I have found a favorite pen to write with. It flows easily over the paper. Brings joy to me. One day this week, I misplaced it. In a hurry to leave, I left my favorite pen on the counter and not with my notebook. When I returned and wanted to write, I gathered my notebooks, my devotionals, and then… no pen. Remembering my hurried departure, I then looked on the counter. No pen. Sigh… disappointment. It’s just a pen. Get another one. I do, but it’s not “the” pen. I wonder, “Did my husband see the pen, pick it up and put it with his books and notes?” Oh well, moving on. Chores to do. Dinner to get ready. It is, after all, just a pen. Fast forward a couple of days. I’m getting ready to make dinner. Steak and cheese subs. I open the cheese drawer and there it is! My pen! No kidding. I am standing there, amazed. Then, I’m thinking, “Boy, I’m losing it if I am putting my pen in a cheese drawer. In the refrigerator!” How many of us can read this and say, “Yep, been there, done that.” This is not the first time I have lost something only to be found later. I also find myself walking into rooms and then wondering, “What am I doing here?” I get lost in thought, distracted from my original purpose.

How pleased would God be if my single focus, my thoughts, were locked on Him. To read His word. To meditate on His word. To commit His words to memory. Living out His commands, speaking His words in love, caring for others, teaching His truths to those in need. Our goal, as Christians, is to be focused on Jesus. To follow Him, obey Him, be imitators of Him. To grow each day in our walk, being drawn closer to Him.

Philippians 2:12-13: “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”

Money. Buys necessities. Gives way to wants. Some people are frugal. Some are spenders. Most are somewhere in between. Everyone spends money, though some spend it more freely than others. A $400 vet bill (yowzers) for 2 dogs, shots, medicine, prescription food… keeping them healthy. I’ll gladly pay. Thankful I am able. Looking at garage doors- my heart is drawn to one with pretty designs. I then look at the price tag: $2400- gulp! Keep looking. $600 is better and Pinterest tells me I can make it beautiful for much, much less. I’ll believe Pinterest and will engage my very crafty daughter-in-law for help with this project.

God wants us to work. Some work in the home, some outside the home. To earn a days wage. Either way, money is needed to buy necessities: food, clothing, shelter. If we have the means, to be a giver, to use our money for our good and God’s glory. To tithe. Giving back to Him that which He has blessed us with, gladly.

1 Timothy 6:17-19: “Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.”

Mowing the grass. My twin sister and I began mowing the grass for my dad years ago. With a push mower. With slight hills. We did not mind doing this. We enjoyed being outside. Once married, I continued to help my husband with yard work, including mowing the grass. As our children grew, they took over the weekly mowing. Now, it’s just the two of us again. I am helping with yard work, with mowing the grass. Thankfully, it is now a self-propelled mower. Lawn mowing has a progression.

Push mower—> self-propelled—> riding lawnmower

Being outside, in the heat, I am reminded I am not as young as I once was. I am accepting, that as I age, there are some physical limitations I must adhere to. I am okay with that. Aging, as a Christian, has its own progression.

Youthful believer—> student of the word—> mature faithful walk

^{Ephesians 4:11-13:} “Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.  This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.”

A man decides to build a garage. He has the plans, permits tell him he has the “green light.” He is assisted by another skilled workman. He then employs unskilled youths. The work will go slower, training and teaching will have to take place. He has to deal with youthful emotions, youthful inexperience. Yet through it all, the man remains calm. He counsels when the emotions run high. He teaches life skills of respect, hard work, getting along with others, reading a tape measure, how to hammer, .

The man is skilled, older, wiser. He is teaching by example. He is also their pastor. Not only are these youths learning lifelong skills, they are also seeing a faithful servant of God in action. This man takes his responsibility that God has placed him in and works at it to the best of his ability, honoring and thanking God all along the way.

As Christians, wherever God has placed you, know that people are watching, listening, drawing conclusions based on your words, your actions. Be mindful where God has placed you. Be content. Be joyful. Be the servant He has called you to be.

Vacations. Holidays. Reunions. Gathering together. Eating well. Too much. We are fortunate to live in a country where food is plentiful. Coming together, planning meals. Lots of food. We laugh, share memories, eat. Food is central. Food is nourishment. Food is life.

God has much to say about His food… spiritual food that nourishes the soul, gives knowledge, wisdom. Let’s start our day being filled with God’s word, His truths. Seeking knowledge of Him, to know Him more. Putting our faith into action: sharing, serving, teaching. His words are words of life, here and on into eternity.

1 Peter 2:2 ” As newborn babies, yearn after the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow.”

Matthew 4:4 “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'”

The land of plenty. A melting pot. Pilgrims journey to a new land. Ocean waves crashing against the shore. Rippling rapids tumbling downstream. Clear blue waters of northern lakes. Swamps alive, a sustaining ecosystem. Hills. Valleys. Prairies. Mountains. Flatlands. Corn, corn and more corn. Wheat. Fruit trees. Vegetables. Cows. horses. Sheep. Goats. A blessed land for sure that holds its lamplight to the world and says, “In God we trust.”

HOT is the word of the day. Heat index to reach 105+ degrees. The need to stay cool, stay hydrated is a must. Outdoor activities should be limited. Shade, water close by. It’s summertime. We expect this but are still surprised when it hits. We are mindful of the heat, our bodies, our liquid intake.

Just as we are mindful of self, God is mindful of us. Psalm 8 reminds us of the glory, majesty, power of God. We praise Him for who He is. We praise Him for what He has done. We praise Him for His creation. He has blessed us and we glorify Him when we speak His truths, seek His counsel, and testify of Him.

Psalm 8: English Standard Version

O Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.
²     Out of the mouth of babies and infants,
you have established strength because of your foes,
    to still the enemy and the avenger.

³ When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
    the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
⁴ what is man that you are mindful of him,
    and the son of man that you care for him?

⁵ Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
    and crowned him with glory and honor.
⁶ You have given him dominion over the works of your hands;
    you have put all things under his feet,
⁷ all sheep and oxen,
    and also the beasts of the field,
⁸ the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea,
    whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

⁹ O Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Fitness. Nutrition. Healthy Living. This doesn’t just happen. You have to get out of bed early. Change your eating habits. Keep moving forward. In my case, I am an aging athlete who loves junk food, chips mostly. Some days it is just easier to sit on the couch, binge watch tv, chips and salsa by my side. Since I’m not as young as I used to be, changes need to be made.

I am intentional with meal planning, making nutritious meals. I am focused when shopping. No chips in my grocery cart. The night before, I set my alarm so I can work out first thing. I am a great procrastinator so this works for me.

Thankfully, I don’t do this by myself. My husband enjoys eating just like me, so we work out together most days. Friends encourage me to work out (Tracy, Brooke, Jessica). My daughter-in-law is the queen of couponing so I try to look for deals when I shop.

Don’t let the naysayers hold you back. You are doing this for you. You will encourage others. People will be watching. Some days will be harder than others. Make a commitment. Be intentional.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20: “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.”

Being gone for 10 days has been great for the mind, body, and soul. Not so much for our window boxes filled with impatiens. The right window box is coming back, the left, well, we still have hope. We are giving it special attention. It is a burden we gladly bear to make our front porch pretty. A little pop of color.

Are you carrying burdens with you today? A health concern? Relationship issues? Career opportunities? From where does your counsel or help come from? Maybe you seek out your spouse, a trusted friend, a parent. You want advice, a guiding hand to lead you through the turbulent waters. Seek out your trusted family and friends. Listen to what they have to say. But also, turn your burdens over to God in prayer. His hands are leading. His way is sure. His counsel is wise.

Psalm 77:19 “Your path led through the sea, Your way through the mighty waters, though Your footprints were not seen.”

Psalm 85:6 “Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?”

Vacations are nice. Going. Seeing. Doing. Relaxing. Taking it easy. I enjoy traveling. The excitement of visiting new places. Little gems to discover. New activities to try. Most of all, it’s the “memory making” with family that fills my heart.

Being on the long road home, little side trips as we journey to our final destination, I think Dorothy said it best: “There’s no place like home.” Happily unpacking, hugging our fur babies, settling back into familiarity with friends and family, back to the day to day, routines that fill our day. Our hearts are full. It’s been a good trip. So much to be thankful for as we reflect on time spent away.

Not only have our bodies been able to rest (sort of), our minds have been able to, as well. No deadlines, no meetings, no agenda, etc… Phones are put on silent, silence is available. Thoughts to meditate on. Minds slow down. Our souls are refreshed, as well. Spending time communing with God, seeking Him, enjoying His creation while embracing the solitude.