Simple Thoughts

Driving home, on a road in the middle of nowhere. No signal on my phone. No access to the web, Facebook, text messages. It’s quiet. My hands are free. My mind is able to just think. Think about my life, marriage, children friends, family, job. Lots of available time. Listening on the radio to one of just a few stations that are able to reach us. Mac Powell, a favorite christian artist of mine, lead singer of Third Day. Now doing a “Mac Powell and Family Reunion” tour. One of my favorite songs by Third Day, “Cry Out To Jesus.” I know the back story of the song from hearing it at a Third Day concert but he quickly shares the story. A couple telling Mac of their son who is struggling with life, with addictions and he wants to end his life. He, too, is in the middle of nowhere. Decides to turn on the radio to help him pass. The only station he gets is a Christian station and on the radio playing is “Cry Out to Jesus.” The son hears God through this song and does just that. He cries out to Jesus, pours out his heart and turns his life over to God.

In the middle of nowhere, in the thick of things, wherever you are, God has a signal, always strong. There is no place to run, to hide that God is not there. What are you going through today? I pray you cry out to Jesus. Pour out your heart, your troubles, your hurt to Him. He can heal your brokenness. He can make you whole again. God is able to do more that we can even imagine. When you surrender your life to Him, He will teach you of His ways through His word. Look for a church to plug into that preaches His truths. Fill your heart and mind with His word. His signal to us, in written form, is a book that gives life to all who cry out to Jesus.

Psalm 61:1-4 “O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer! From the ends of the earth,  I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me.  Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings! “

Bridges are connectors. Over water, they connect two pieces of land. Over land, they take you over something: roads, railroad tracks. I recently had the opportunity to walk a path through the woods that had five plus bridges. They were short, taking me over creeks and streams. Some were made of wood with stairs and railings. Others were fallen logs put together with another log as a railing. No matter their construction, I was thankful for them. It made the walk a little easier to traverse.

In spiritual terms, Jesus is our bridge to God. The cross is connecting us, through Jesus, to God. Our faith, our trust in Jesus and His finished work on the cross, gives us access to God, connecting the earthly to the heavenly. To access the Bridge, put self behind, confess your sins, and believe that Jesus is The Savior, The Bridge, that puts you in a right relationship with God. Once you do, He is with you, guiding your path, walking alongside, directing your thoughts, actions, and attitudes to do His will each and every day.

1 Timothy 2:5-6: “For, there is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity-the man Christ Jesus. He gave His life to purchase freedom for everyone.”

A walk in the woods. A hike. Walking with a purpose. A strenuous walk. Uphill. Looking out. Amazing views. Getting to the top. Catching our breath. Turn to the right and go to the falls. Turn left and keep going up. To the falls first. Relax. Breathe. Enjoy the view. The amazing power of water as it cascades down the rocks. Onward. Upward. Lots of steps. My fear of heights kick in. Stay focused. One foot in front of the other. Get to the top. Step back and look out.

We see lots of families on our excursion today. Most parked at a higher elevation, knowing their young ones would only be able to walk so far. Lots of smiles, laughter, memory making on the trail. Some tears… “Mom, I’m tired. I can’t go on.” Encouragement. Rest. Here we go.

For some, these walks need an end point: What will we see? What will we do when we get there? For others, including myself, it is the joy of being out there, walking in the woods, on an adventure. It’s like being a kid again when you were outside with friends, exploring, biking, walking. I find that same joy as I walk these trails and see these sights.

Focal point. End point. Where is your joy point? Do you have to go somewhere, be with a certain someone? Joy comes from within. Bubbling inside you. Knowing God intimately brings joy. Puts a smile in your heart. Abiding in His presence, no matter where you are. He is there! Being present with God, wherever we are, is our joy point.

Romans 15:13: “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Feet in the sand. Tea in the cup. Wave rolling in. Taking the opportunity to slow down, reflect. Enjoying the company of family. The laughter of children, stories with my husband, son and daughter-in-law about life, love, events. Realizing that the hustle and bustle of life is waiting for me when I return so I am savoring this time away, time with loved ones. Not feeling guilty about the pace. Thankful for these precious moments that are so fleeting but so important in my life today.

James 4:13-15: “Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.”

Surfers out in the early morning. Watching. Waiting. Anticipating. The perfect wave is just over the horizon. What about you? Is the perfect job, perfect mate, perfect life just over the horizon, around the corner? What is life? It is more than the next big wave, the next big job promotion, the next big house. Life is in Christ Jesus. Our hope is in Him. He has already done the work. He asks for our life in return. To love. To serve. To share the gospel. To live out our faith as we point to Him. He is in the perfect wave for He created it. He is in the perfect relationship for He designed marriage for us. He is in your life if you let Him. He is where we need to be.

Making bacon and eggs this morning, I am thankful for thick-cut bacon. Having bought “other” bacon the last time, it just didn’t satisfy. It was thin, breaking into many pieces as I took a bite. I ate it because… well, it was bacon after all! This morning, though, I am enjoying thick-cut bacon. More satisfying. What have you tried that caused you to not go back to the “other?”

The same is true of my walk with Jesus. When I first saw myself as a sinner in need of a Savior, when I first was looking at myself with eyes wide opened, at that moment, I said yes to Jesus and His saving blood. I said yes to a life with Him. There are days when I look back at my old life, old ways, old thoughts and I know life today is better with Jesus. I don’t want to go back to my “other” life. I want to enjoy a life filled with Him, trusting Him, following Him. To some it may seem simple. To some it’s a head-scratcher. But for those that believe, it (HE) is life!

If you have “tried” Jesus and have gone back to your “other” life, I ask you to take another look. If you have fallen away, I encourage you to come back to your first love. If you have never thought about your sins and your need for a Savior, He is waiting patiently for you!

Ephesians 2:1-10 ” Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. ² You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world.^[a] He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. ³ All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. ⁴ But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, ⁵ that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) ⁶ For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. ⁷ So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. ⁸ God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. ⁹ Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. ¹⁰ For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

All three of today’s devotionals have to do with God. Not surprising, since I am a professed born-again believer. In Him I have strength, wisdom, peace, joy, knowledge. I affirm that apart from Him, I can do nothing(John 15:5).

Psalm 16:2 “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.”

Psalm 42:5 “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”

Psalm 119:89-92 “Your eternal word, O Lord, stands firm in heaven. Your faithfulness extends to every generation, as enduring as the earth you created. Your regulations remain true to this day, for everything serves your plans. If your instructions hadn’t sustained me with joy, I would have died in my misery.”

It is very hot outside. Minor chores are done. Nothing too strenuous. Kind of a down day. The Blahs. I could roll around in the blahs, succumb to less than joyful thoughts, OR… I can take the opportunity to slow down, to enjoy the tortoise pace, and give thanks for this down day, a quiet day, a day to recharge and refocus. I am reminding myself that it is okay to have these days. It does the mind, body and soul… good.

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.”