"Oh, that looks nice there," I said to the cleaning lady when I came in. After dusting, she had made an artful arrangement atop a display case from a basket of decorative grapes. I am often surprised at how she puts things in back in place slightly differently from what I had done, but it is usually an improvement.
"You have an eye for that," I told her one day when I saw magazines stacked with a little swirl on an end table.
"Oh, I used to stage new homes for a realtor!" she announced proudly. No wonder, then!
Once I complained that our bed took up too much room in our small bedroom. "Turn it the other way," she advised, to which I replied that it wouldn't help. Then a few days ago I did change it, and it looks much better and roomier, too! She was happily surprised that I took her advice.
My helper's changes are nothing major, just setting something at a different angle, or the way books are stacked, or the novel placement of a set of ceramic storage jars in the bathroom. Nothing major, but they are always refreshing.
Reflecting on this made me think of songs we sing at church. For years we have revered and sung the old hymns, with Howard especially favoring them over anything new. But lately we have learned to love the new songs, as well! The meaningful messages, the bold exclamations of faith, and the jubilant joy of them!
One day I even heard my husband tell the pastor, "You're about to get me converted." Pastor looked puzzled, and Howard said, "To the new songs!"
Psalm 98:1 admonishes, "O sing unto the Lord a new song for He hath done marvelous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory."
Friday, August 31, 2018
Wednesday, August 29, 2018
I John 4:18
B-ringg! I saw it was our son on the phone and greeted him warmly. His response was, "Is Dad there?" I handed over the phone, figuring man-talk.
But when I followed the conversation, I heard the name of our granddaughter who had just started middle-school. Obviously Howard was talking to her, in a subdued and compassionate tone. When he hung up, he told me the story.
It had been a stormy day with lightning and thunder, resulting in a malfunction of the school's security system. Alarms went off indicating an armed intruder in the building. The frightened students were herded to specified areas of protection where they hid. Police from the station across the street received the alarm, and stormed the building immediately. Thankfully, it was a false alarm.
But our sixth-grader had something to tell Pa-Pa. She said when she was so scared during the ordeal, a scripture came to mind, "Perfect love casts out fear." She concentrated on that and it calmed her.
Then she said, "Dad said you claimed that scripture when your store was robbed one time!"
Yes, my husband has told that story many times, when he and his office staff were marched up the stairs at gun-point by
desperate men. Hands up as they marched, Howard glimpsed a TV screen with a preacher pointing specifically at him, it seemed, saying, "Perfect love casts out fear!" He said if he ever needed that, it was then!
So that's why she wanted to talk to Pa-Pa! The thread of a common experience connected them. She was awed that those words were dropped into her heart, giving her comfort and reassurance, dropped in by her heavenly Father, now shared by her earthly grandfather!
But when I followed the conversation, I heard the name of our granddaughter who had just started middle-school. Obviously Howard was talking to her, in a subdued and compassionate tone. When he hung up, he told me the story.
It had been a stormy day with lightning and thunder, resulting in a malfunction of the school's security system. Alarms went off indicating an armed intruder in the building. The frightened students were herded to specified areas of protection where they hid. Police from the station across the street received the alarm, and stormed the building immediately. Thankfully, it was a false alarm.
But our sixth-grader had something to tell Pa-Pa. She said when she was so scared during the ordeal, a scripture came to mind, "Perfect love casts out fear." She concentrated on that and it calmed her.
Then she said, "Dad said you claimed that scripture when your store was robbed one time!"
Yes, my husband has told that story many times, when he and his office staff were marched up the stairs at gun-point by
desperate men. Hands up as they marched, Howard glimpsed a TV screen with a preacher pointing specifically at him, it seemed, saying, "Perfect love casts out fear!" He said if he ever needed that, it was then!
So that's why she wanted to talk to Pa-Pa! The thread of a common experience connected them. She was awed that those words were dropped into her heart, giving her comfort and reassurance, dropped in by her heavenly Father, now shared by her earthly grandfather!
Tuesday, August 28, 2018
Bazillions!
"I have to go over to my mom's house tonight; she has a bazillion students over," my grandson told me one day, to which I said, "A bazillion! That's a lot of kids!" He said something inaudible and walked off.
The next day, I asked him how the visit went and how many students were there. "Just one," he replied nonchalantly.
"Just one?" I exclaimed in surprise. "When you said a bazillion, I thought there would be a lot!"
"I didn't say "bazillion," he replied, "I said a Brazilian! She's from Brazil!"
The exchange student came out yesterday with my granddaughter. They went to the pond to go fishing, then they had fun watching the antics of the baby goats. The teenager told us she speaks English and Portuguese, their native language. She was pleasant and enjoying high-school here, but a little homesick.
We didn't get to talk about her faith, but I'm sure that as she goes to church here she will learn a lot. There's more than one way to be a missionary!
Jesus tells us to go into all the world and preach the gospel. In these times, it seems as if all the world comes to us. Not only to us, but to other nations as well, with the message of salvation. With the internet alone, millions are reached with the good news of Christ. Not just millions, but bazillions!
The next day, I asked him how the visit went and how many students were there. "Just one," he replied nonchalantly.
"Just one?" I exclaimed in surprise. "When you said a bazillion, I thought there would be a lot!"
"I didn't say "bazillion," he replied, "I said a Brazilian! She's from Brazil!"
The exchange student came out yesterday with my granddaughter. They went to the pond to go fishing, then they had fun watching the antics of the baby goats. The teenager told us she speaks English and Portuguese, their native language. She was pleasant and enjoying high-school here, but a little homesick.
We didn't get to talk about her faith, but I'm sure that as she goes to church here she will learn a lot. There's more than one way to be a missionary!
Jesus tells us to go into all the world and preach the gospel. In these times, it seems as if all the world comes to us. Not only to us, but to other nations as well, with the message of salvation. With the internet alone, millions are reached with the good news of Christ. Not just millions, but bazillions!
Monday, August 27, 2018
The Real Thing!
For months, even years, I have admired a patriotic scene visible from the road as we drove into the country. The panoramic display was only intermittent, though, and I was always fascinated when I spotted it--a beautiful horse standing quietly in front of a trailer with an American flag floating in the breeze atop a tall flag pole. I reasoned that it was often taken away for a horse show or something.
I puzzled over it when it was gone, and recently I said to our son, "Look! The horse is back! I wonder why they take it away sometimes?"
"What horse?" he asked cluelessly. Then, "You mean the statue?"
"What? That is a statue?" I exclaimed in disbelief. Come to think of it, I realized the "horse" looked a little less resplendent today, even a little shabby and shop-worn! And to think I had revered it all this time!
Sometimes we envy or admire people who may be beautiful on the outside and seem to have it all together. But sadly, when we get to know them, they may be shallow and not all that perfect at all! Even what we may think is a devoted Christian may turn out to be counterfeit. Just a statue of a Christian!
Jesus tells about this kind of people in several scriptures: The Pharisee who was proud of fasting twice a week, and not like the publican, who actually asked God to be merciful to him, a sinner, Lk 18:12-13.
In Mark 7:6, He speaks of those who honor Him with their lips, but whose heart is far from Him. Jesus tells us to judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgement. Jn 7:6.
He mentions "whited sepulchres" to describe hypocrites, Matt. 23:27. That term makes me think of the pilllar of salt, the fate of Lot's wife for looking back. Let's always look ahead, keeping our eyes on the prize and recognizing the statues in our life for what they are!
I puzzled over it when it was gone, and recently I said to our son, "Look! The horse is back! I wonder why they take it away sometimes?"
"What horse?" he asked cluelessly. Then, "You mean the statue?"
"What? That is a statue?" I exclaimed in disbelief. Come to think of it, I realized the "horse" looked a little less resplendent today, even a little shabby and shop-worn! And to think I had revered it all this time!
Sometimes we envy or admire people who may be beautiful on the outside and seem to have it all together. But sadly, when we get to know them, they may be shallow and not all that perfect at all! Even what we may think is a devoted Christian may turn out to be counterfeit. Just a statue of a Christian!
Jesus tells about this kind of people in several scriptures: The Pharisee who was proud of fasting twice a week, and not like the publican, who actually asked God to be merciful to him, a sinner, Lk 18:12-13.
In Mark 7:6, He speaks of those who honor Him with their lips, but whose heart is far from Him. Jesus tells us to judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgement. Jn 7:6.
He mentions "whited sepulchres" to describe hypocrites, Matt. 23:27. That term makes me think of the pilllar of salt, the fate of Lot's wife for looking back. Let's always look ahead, keeping our eyes on the prize and recognizing the statues in our life for what they are!
Sunday, August 26, 2018
Wake Up!
Visiting with our daughter, Amy, on the phone today, I told her about going to a get-together for ladies from church the other evening. "Howard was supposed to pick me up at 8:00 o'clock, " I said, "I kept looking for him, as most of the people were going home, so I called him. He sounded a bit groggy, so it was obvious he had fallen asleep!"
"I told Julie (my other daughter) about this when I phoned her earlier," I said to Amy. "Then she had to tell what happened to her!"
It seems Julie was visiting at a daughter's house a few days ago, and Steve (her husband) was to come for her at a certain time. Time went by as she waited expectantly as the day wore on. Finally her son-in-law got home from work, and still no husband to take her home. Turns out he fell asleep!
Then Amy laughed and said, "Corrin (her daughter) and David (Corrin's intended) came down from college yesterday, and David was to ask her daddy if he could marry Corrin." Amy told me the women of the house left to go shopping, leaving the guys at home.
"When we got back, Corrin asked David if he got to ask the question," Amy went on.
"David answered, 'No, your dad dozed off and slept the whole time you were gone, and I didn't get to ask him!'"
Needless to say, there were three disgruntled females in the family lately, thanks to these heavy-eyed, slumberous men!
Several incidents of sleeping are referred to in the Bible: Jesus sleeping during a storm, the disciples falling asleep in the garden, a little boy going to sleep and falling out a window during a long sermon, and the ten sleeping virgins, to name a few.
Natural sleep is necessary, but being spiritually awake is even more so. Paul writes of the importance of this: "Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light," Ephesians 5:14.
"I told Julie (my other daughter) about this when I phoned her earlier," I said to Amy. "Then she had to tell what happened to her!"
It seems Julie was visiting at a daughter's house a few days ago, and Steve (her husband) was to come for her at a certain time. Time went by as she waited expectantly as the day wore on. Finally her son-in-law got home from work, and still no husband to take her home. Turns out he fell asleep!
Then Amy laughed and said, "Corrin (her daughter) and David (Corrin's intended) came down from college yesterday, and David was to ask her daddy if he could marry Corrin." Amy told me the women of the house left to go shopping, leaving the guys at home.
"When we got back, Corrin asked David if he got to ask the question," Amy went on.
"David answered, 'No, your dad dozed off and slept the whole time you were gone, and I didn't get to ask him!'"
Needless to say, there were three disgruntled females in the family lately, thanks to these heavy-eyed, slumberous men!
Several incidents of sleeping are referred to in the Bible: Jesus sleeping during a storm, the disciples falling asleep in the garden, a little boy going to sleep and falling out a window during a long sermon, and the ten sleeping virgins, to name a few.
Natural sleep is necessary, but being spiritually awake is even more so. Paul writes of the importance of this: "Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light," Ephesians 5:14.
Tuesday, August 21, 2018
Banner Year
Sitting on the front porch with Howard this morning reading our Bibles, I raised my eyes to see an American flag waving across the prairie from a house that wasn't visible over the hill. It cheered my heart to see this symbol of liberty for "The land of the free and the home of the brave."
Sadly, many people today don't respect our flag.
In the Bible, a flag is called a banner. "He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love," Solomon 2:4. Sometimes it is called a standard, a symbol of strength and protection. A familiar example of that is Isaiah 59:19, "So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him."
When my husband was in the Army, their battalion leader carried a banner with their company name on it when they paraded or marched. It identified them and was an emblem of pride to their group. Howard was regularly chosen to carry our country's flag for parades. He recalls the command, "Eyes, right!" when the flag was lowered sharply to a 90 degree angle to hang smartly in front of the General.
I have read the story of Francis Scott Key, who wrote the lines to what would later be known as "The Star-Spangled Banner". A lawyer and a poet, he found himself on a ship which gave him the view of the battle on shore. As he watched the fire-storm and the bursting bombs lighting up the night sky, he was able to see Old Glory still flying. He jotted down verses that would become the beloved anthem.
Although our country was founded as a Christian nation, there are many non-believers and scoffers today. We must remember that Christ is our standard bearer. I think of the words of a song we used to sing that goes, "Love is a flag flown high o'er the castle of my heart, for the King is in residence there." It used to be the custom that when the king or ruler was at home, their flag would be flown above the castle. May the words be true for all!
Sadly, many people today don't respect our flag.
In the Bible, a flag is called a banner. "He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love," Solomon 2:4. Sometimes it is called a standard, a symbol of strength and protection. A familiar example of that is Isaiah 59:19, "So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him."
When my husband was in the Army, their battalion leader carried a banner with their company name on it when they paraded or marched. It identified them and was an emblem of pride to their group. Howard was regularly chosen to carry our country's flag for parades. He recalls the command, "Eyes, right!" when the flag was lowered sharply to a 90 degree angle to hang smartly in front of the General.
I have read the story of Francis Scott Key, who wrote the lines to what would later be known as "The Star-Spangled Banner". A lawyer and a poet, he found himself on a ship which gave him the view of the battle on shore. As he watched the fire-storm and the bursting bombs lighting up the night sky, he was able to see Old Glory still flying. He jotted down verses that would become the beloved anthem.
Although our country was founded as a Christian nation, there are many non-believers and scoffers today. We must remember that Christ is our standard bearer. I think of the words of a song we used to sing that goes, "Love is a flag flown high o'er the castle of my heart, for the King is in residence there." It used to be the custom that when the king or ruler was at home, their flag would be flown above the castle. May the words be true for all!
Monday, August 20, 2018
Barnyard Observations
Howard invited a friend out to see one of our new baby goats the other day. Their common interest is goats, one in which this guy is very knowledgeable. He gave my husband several helpful tips about them, and when he saw one of the goats licking Howard's arm, he said, "That means they need salt."
Well, we knew that cows liked to lick salt, but we hadn't thought about it for goats. The next day found us in the farm supply store looking for blocks of salt. We were also advised to get mineral salt too. Who knew?
In the store, we were directed where to find them, and we were surprised that they weighed 50 pounds apiece! Since Howard's heart surgery, we try to be a little more careful with lifting, so a strong, young employee loaded them, and we got help unloading them at home.
Sure enough, the goats loved them, and it was reassuring to know they were getting the minerals they needed as well.
I was reminded of a verse in the Bible in which Jesus says, "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt has lost his savour, werewith shall it be salted? It is henceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under the foot of men," Matthew 5:13.
We know that salt is essential to our bodies: it maintains fluid levels, affects our vital organs and prevents low blood pressure, among other benefits. I read that animals will eat dirt, chew on rocks or drink urine if they are deprived of salt.
By maintaining our Christian "saltiness," we may affect the lost who eat the dirty filthiness of the world, futilely feeding on "rocks," or drinking alcohol and using drugs. But if we have lost our savour, our effectiveness, Jesus said that then we are useless and discarded, trodden down by men. It reminded me of the salt that is put on roads during bad weather. Soon it is slush and mud.
"Please pass the salt," is a request at many tables. It adds flavor to the food. May we sprinkle savour from the way we live our lives for Him!
Well, we knew that cows liked to lick salt, but we hadn't thought about it for goats. The next day found us in the farm supply store looking for blocks of salt. We were also advised to get mineral salt too. Who knew?
In the store, we were directed where to find them, and we were surprised that they weighed 50 pounds apiece! Since Howard's heart surgery, we try to be a little more careful with lifting, so a strong, young employee loaded them, and we got help unloading them at home.
Sure enough, the goats loved them, and it was reassuring to know they were getting the minerals they needed as well.
I was reminded of a verse in the Bible in which Jesus says, "Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt has lost his savour, werewith shall it be salted? It is henceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under the foot of men," Matthew 5:13.
We know that salt is essential to our bodies: it maintains fluid levels, affects our vital organs and prevents low blood pressure, among other benefits. I read that animals will eat dirt, chew on rocks or drink urine if they are deprived of salt.
By maintaining our Christian "saltiness," we may affect the lost who eat the dirty filthiness of the world, futilely feeding on "rocks," or drinking alcohol and using drugs. But if we have lost our savour, our effectiveness, Jesus said that then we are useless and discarded, trodden down by men. It reminded me of the salt that is put on roads during bad weather. Soon it is slush and mud.
"Please pass the salt," is a request at many tables. It adds flavor to the food. May we sprinkle savour from the way we live our lives for Him!
Friday, August 17, 2018
Lost!
We were so excited about the baby goat! It was a few days old by now and was venturing out of hiding. I called Howard to the window at breakfast to see it frolicking in the pasture by its mother. We watched laughing and marveling at the little creature's cute antics, until finally I left the window to begin the day.
Shortly, Howard called with alarm in his voice. "The little goat is gone!" he announced ominously.
"But you were watching it!" I exclaimed, although by this time he was at the sink washing the breakfast dishes.
"I just left for a minute, and when I looked again, there was no sign of her!" he said grimly. That was strange, for Mama goat was grazing unconcernedly nearby.
"We have to go look for her!" I decided. We got in the car, drove through the pasture gate and looked in sheds and out-buildings. She was nowhere to be found! We even looked down by the pond, to no avail.
All day we worried in frustration at the little goat's disappearance. Since there was a stand of thick, tall grass directly behind their grazing area, we concluded that a wild animal or a soaring eagle must have grabbed her. We went about our day with heavy hearts.
Later that day as the sun was about to set, we heard a commotion outside. Our son Greg was yelling something, and we heard bleating from the goat's mother as she dashed around frantically in the pasture.
"I heard the little goat!" Greg shouted, heading for that tall grass in the pasture. We rushed out just in time to see our hero son, striding along with open shirt and the young goat in his arms! He looked like Hercules just then!
He told us he heard bleating under a pile of boards from a dismantled barn in the over-growth. He reached in and pulled the baby out! Evidently she had fallen through and had been there all day! What a happy reunion for mama and baby!
I couldn't help but think of the story in the Bible that Jesus told of the lost sheep. The shepherd would not give up until he found him, as the parable goes.(Matthew 18:12-13, Luke 15:4-6). The song had been going through my head all day, and I found myself singing it as I prayed and thought about the missing goat.
May we be just as diligent for a lost soul! Jesus said in Luke 18:14, "Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish."
Shortly, Howard called with alarm in his voice. "The little goat is gone!" he announced ominously.
"But you were watching it!" I exclaimed, although by this time he was at the sink washing the breakfast dishes.
"I just left for a minute, and when I looked again, there was no sign of her!" he said grimly. That was strange, for Mama goat was grazing unconcernedly nearby.
"We have to go look for her!" I decided. We got in the car, drove through the pasture gate and looked in sheds and out-buildings. She was nowhere to be found! We even looked down by the pond, to no avail.
All day we worried in frustration at the little goat's disappearance. Since there was a stand of thick, tall grass directly behind their grazing area, we concluded that a wild animal or a soaring eagle must have grabbed her. We went about our day with heavy hearts.
Later that day as the sun was about to set, we heard a commotion outside. Our son Greg was yelling something, and we heard bleating from the goat's mother as she dashed around frantically in the pasture.
"I heard the little goat!" Greg shouted, heading for that tall grass in the pasture. We rushed out just in time to see our hero son, striding along with open shirt and the young goat in his arms! He looked like Hercules just then!
He told us he heard bleating under a pile of boards from a dismantled barn in the over-growth. He reached in and pulled the baby out! Evidently she had fallen through and had been there all day! What a happy reunion for mama and baby!
I couldn't help but think of the story in the Bible that Jesus told of the lost sheep. The shepherd would not give up until he found him, as the parable goes.(Matthew 18:12-13, Luke 15:4-6). The song had been going through my head all day, and I found myself singing it as I prayed and thought about the missing goat.
May we be just as diligent for a lost soul! Jesus said in Luke 18:14, "Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish."
Thursday, August 16, 2018
When You Least Expect It...
"Have you ever had a blessing from an unexpected source?" I was teaching a Sunday School class recently, and this question was posed by the lesson. Immediately my husband's hand went up.
"I have!" he exclaimed. "I was making a purchase at a store, and they were having trouble with their card machine. Over and over, I inserted my card, finally giving up, as the line behind me grew longer."
"I don't have any cash," I said, ready to put back the merchandise I really needed. "Just then the man behind me thrust bills into my hand to cover the tab!"
Actually, I had gone into the store first and experienced the malfunction, returning to the car with nothing but an explanation and sending Howard into the store. "Did the machine work?" I asked, and he told me the story!
Other people in the class told of their unexpected blessings, and I reminded Howard, "What about the cane?"
"Oh yes," he said. "We were on a trip to Texas, and I had forgotten my cane. Going into a Cracker Barrel, I asked a friendly hostess if they sold canes. She shook her head and said they didn't carry them. Then after lunch, she brought me a nice cane!"
"Oh, you found one!" I exclaimed, "How much is it?"
"It's yours!" she replied. Maybe a traveler had left it there, but it was a blessing that I have enjoyed ever since!"
The original question was related to the blessing the Jews received following their Babylonian captivity from those such as King Cyrus, Zerubbabel and others who helped them return to the land of Israel.
Watch for your unexpected blessings!
"I have!" he exclaimed. "I was making a purchase at a store, and they were having trouble with their card machine. Over and over, I inserted my card, finally giving up, as the line behind me grew longer."
"I don't have any cash," I said, ready to put back the merchandise I really needed. "Just then the man behind me thrust bills into my hand to cover the tab!"
Actually, I had gone into the store first and experienced the malfunction, returning to the car with nothing but an explanation and sending Howard into the store. "Did the machine work?" I asked, and he told me the story!
Other people in the class told of their unexpected blessings, and I reminded Howard, "What about the cane?"
"Oh yes," he said. "We were on a trip to Texas, and I had forgotten my cane. Going into a Cracker Barrel, I asked a friendly hostess if they sold canes. She shook her head and said they didn't carry them. Then after lunch, she brought me a nice cane!"
"Oh, you found one!" I exclaimed, "How much is it?"
"It's yours!" she replied. Maybe a traveler had left it there, but it was a blessing that I have enjoyed ever since!"
The original question was related to the blessing the Jews received following their Babylonian captivity from those such as King Cyrus, Zerubbabel and others who helped them return to the land of Israel.
Watch for your unexpected blessings!
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