A Healthy Choice

Today I was inspired by Proverbs 17:22. A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.  

Three references explained a broken spirit. One indicated it could be sorrow, another anxiety, and the third mentioned bitterness (Proverbs 12:25, 15:13, and 14:10).

I thought back to 2007 when I was in Phoenix for treatments of Stage 3 Breast Cancer. We had purchased a small co-op the year before, thinking it would be a nice vacation place two hours from our place of ministry.

There, on my own, I pursued a daily Bible Study. *Intervarsity Press had some nice **inductive, topical study booklets with about eight lessons each.

I learned to appreciate the Psalms. David poured out his heart to God, and so did I. To this day, I thank God for the nearness of His Presence during nine months of chemo, surgery, and radiation.

But one day, the “merry heart” verse from my childhood came to mind. I was already practicing being thankful. At bedtime each night, I would count off ten things I was thankful for from THAT day, no matter how small.

I was at peace, but to me, a merry heart meant laughter. I thought back to some old sitcoms I had enjoyed, and purchased a season of Mary Tyler Moore. Then someone gave me some “Mayberry” episodes. It felt good to laugh out loud.

I refused to be downhearted, homesick, or depressed. I looked to the Psalms for help and focused on Psalm 34:4-5: I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant with joy; their faces shall never be ashamed.

Make a healthy choice. Choose to let go of despair. Seek to be cheerful. Improve your outlook. Perk yourself up and improve your mood.

Seek God in His word and through prayer. Do your part, and He’ll do His.

Pixabay: Emoji, Face, Smile; Mohamed_hassan.

*Check online for Intervarsity Press study booklets. I purchased mine from ChristianBooks.com.

**Inductive Bible studies are not complicated. They ask a question, you read the recommended scripture, draw a conclusion, and write your answer in the space provided.

 

Make Up Your Mind

Would you believe we are as happy as we make up our minds to be? When I was fighting breast cancer in 2007, I learned an important lesson: You can’t be both positive and negative at the same time.

Jesus said in the world we would have tribulation, but that in Him we could have peace, take courage, and overcome the world (John 16:33).

We can overcome in several ways. But one way is by carefully choosing what we let into our minds. To “let” means to allow something to happen. Thoughts, whether positive or negative, are what we choose to allow, tolerate, consent to, or even put up with at any given moment.

Here are three important overcomer guidelines:

1.    Don’t be anxious, pray to God about your concerns (Philippians 4:6)

2.    Let the peace of God rule in your hearts (Colossians 3:15)

3.    Let the word of Christ richly dwell in you (Colossians 3:16)

Question: How can the word of Christ dwell in you richly unless you know Scripture well? We can’t get by with only Sunday sermons and small group studies. Have you ever thanked God for a Bible in your language? Have you shown your appreciation by reading it daily?

We can get frustrated when non-godly thoughts, emotions, and attitudes seem to grip us.

But, we can also: 1) acknowledge our thoughts, 2) know God’s word, 3) ask the Holy Spirit to guide us to truth, and 4) speak appropriate scriptures out loud to rebuke Satan.

That’s what Jesus did in Matthew 4:1-11.

Joshua advised the people to: First, choose whom they would serve, then choose to serve Him in sincerity and truth (Joshua 24:14-15).

It’s not a one-and-done decision . . . it’s moment-by-moment…day-by-day.

Pixabay: Choice, Select, Decide; geralt. 

Keep On Walking

Don’t lose momentum! Serious walkers and runners stay focused. Standing or sitting around does nothing to enhance their consistent daily discipline to achieve their goal.

Psalm One talks about the gradual decline of momentum from walking to standing to sitting, but let’s look at the context.

Things worth pursuing require some kind of effort. Paul not only encouraged us to fight the good fight of faith, but at the end of his life, declared that he had also done it (1 Timothy 6:13; 2 Timothy 4:7).  

Psalm One, in only six verses, contrasts the godly and godless. Consider some of the differences:

The Godly are Blessed as They: (Verses 1, 2, 3, and 6)

• ·         Do not walk in the counsel, plans, or purposes of the ungodly.
• ·         Do not stand submissively or inactively in paths where the ungodly walk
• ·         Do not sit down to rest and relax with the ungodly who mock and scorn morality and spirituality
• ·         Desire God’s word, studying and meditating on it, keeping it in mind day and night
• ·         Prosper spiritually and are blessed as a healthy, maturing, fruit-bearing tree
• ·         Are fully known by God in all their ways, judged righteous before God

 The Godless, Wicked, or Morally Evil Are: (Verses 1, 4, 5, and 6)

• ·         Capable of doing great damage morally and spiritually
• ·         Disobedient, living without any consideration of God
• ·         Like chaff, worthless, no substance, easily blown about
• ·         Will not be able to stand before God’s righteous judgment
• ·         They and their ways will perish

Do you desire to be blessed by God?

Remember: Spiritual momentum is never lost all at once. It’s a gradual decline.

We let our choices get lax in things like Bible reading, prayer, church attendance, Christian fellowship, or moral purity.

To be blessed:

• ·         Choose wisely and keep on walking in God’s ways.
• ·         Choose to stand after you’ve fought a good fight of faith, wearing the armor God has provided (Ephesians 6:10-18).
• ·         When you choose to sit, remember to be careful about your choices of relaxation---where you go, what you see, hear, or do.

Pixabay: Walkway, Sidewalk; Openicons.

 

Your Roots Are Showing

Many people color their hair, and most are careful to touch up their roots. On a recent TV fashion show, a lovely blonde looked great until there was an overhead shot. Oh, those black roots! It was rather shocking.

I remember mom used to color her hair. One day my brother was giving us a tour of the town when he said, “Mom, when is your hair going to turn gray?” She laughed and said, “When I let it!”

We know roots are important. Without them, we would have no growing things, but we do need to nurture them. In a garden, they need good soil, water, and sunshine. But in our hair, touch-up color is needed at the roots to maintain a pleasant effect.

Now, let’s consider the roots of our personality. Some people can seem quite pious until they get careless and let their roots show. For example, Hebrews 12:15 cautions us to let no root of bitterness spring up to cause trouble and defile people.

There’s nothing pleasant about bitterness. It’s sour, harsh, acidic, and tart, and I don’t just mean on our taste buds. Our words can produce those effects, too.

But, if we become aware of a bitter root, there is a solution. Ephesians 4:31-32 says to get rid of bitterness and the harsh things it produces, and replace it with some positive things: First, choose to be kind, second be tenderhearted, and third, be forgiving toward each other.

Christ is our example, and in The Lord’s Prayer, He taught us to say, “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.” Paul clarified that in Romans 13:8. We are to be indebted to no none, except to love them.

People who care about their spiritual life will pay attention to their roots. There’s an interesting line in Zechariah 4:10 about not despising the day of small things. The small thing there is a plumb line. It’s an unimpressive item, but mighty important to the foundation of a structure.

So, let’s not get careless. Let’s keep our spiritual roots pleasantly colored and healthy through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Word, and prayer.  

Pixabay: Scissors, Cutting, Hair; Clker-Free-Vector-Im...

 

Be-Attitudes and Blessings

I love reading the Bible, God’s living word. Anyone reading the Bible over a length of time has probably read the same scriptures more than once. You may also have learned something new each time.

That’s what happened to me this week. I’m working my way through the Book of Matthew, re-reading it this time in the *Amplified Version.

One day this week, I read Matthew Five. Even though I’ve read it many times, I read it again the next day. I made some notes while I looked at it as a whole, instead of single verses.

Let’s look at the rewards first. Those who practice the “Be-Attitudes” will find:
1.    The kingdom of heaven is theirs; they shall be comforted, and inherit the earth.
2.    They will be filled with righteousness, obtain mercy, and see God.
3.    They shall be called the sons of God, and in the kingdom of heaven, they will have great reward.

Do you see anything undesirable there? I don’t. From the Amplified Version let’s consider how to obtain these blessings:

1.        First, we need to be poor in spirit (humble ourselves before God).
2.          If we mourn, we will be comforted by God’s matchless grace.
3.          The meek (the patient and long-suffering) will enjoy God’s favor regardless of outward conditions.
4.          Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, as born-again children of God, will enjoy His favor and salvation.
5.          The merciful will find satisfaction in God’s favor, regardless of outward circumstances.
6.          The pure in heart will enjoy happiness produced by God’s favor and the revelation of His grace.
7.          The makers and maintainers of peace will be spiritually prosperous with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor.
8.          Those persecuted for righteousness’ sake (being and doing right) will prosper in spirit as born-again children of God.
9.          When people persecute you (saying false things against you because you serve Jesus) be glad and remain joyful, for your reward is in heaven.

These “be-attitudes” and blessings are Jesus' teachings. But if you read John 12:44-50, you will find they are also the words of His Father in heaven. 

I hope today’s post inspires you to take your Bible and review Matthew 5:3-12.  Ask yourself: How do I measure up?

*The Everyday Life Bible by Joyce Meyer: Unless otherwise noted, all scriptures in The Everyday Life Bible is taken from The Amplified Bible (AMP) and is used by permission of the Lockman Foundation and the Zondervan Corporation. Additional text copyright 2006 by Joyce Meyer. Amplified Bible copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by the Lockman Foundation.

*Pixabay: Winner, Champion; Conmongt.

  

If Jesus Came To Your House

Do you ever have drop-ins? You know, friends or family who just happen to be in the neighborhood . . . on their way somewhere when you came to mind.

Jesus was a drop-in many times because there was no way to call or text ahead. Today we’re looking at just such a visit by Jesus to the home of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus (John 11:5, Luke 10:38-42).

Are you always ready for company? I know I’m not. But if I get a drop-in, I also know that’s not the time to clean house.

Perhaps Martha knew Mary always tried to learn from Jesus. So, she just kept on with her housekeeping. But then she decided it was time for Jesus to tell Mary to get to work.

I wonder if Martha was surprised when Jesus said her name twice. He understood she was worried and upset about many things. Not that they didn’t need to get done, but it was a matter of priorities.

Jesus commended Mary’s choice. Why? Because she took time to learn spiritual truths. Perhaps she was familiar with Psalm 119:162 NKJV: I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure. 

Scriptural teaching in the home has great value. God’s truth is for everyday life, not just Sunday. Did you know parents are to be the “first responders” in their children’s spiritual education? (Deuteronomy 11:18-21)

I always loved hearing missionaries and evangelists share their stories and personal testimonies around our table. As ministers, Dad and Mom hosted many.

What I learned in my home impacted what I learned in church, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School (VBS), and youth camps.

Jesus comes to your house every day. He said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5 BSB). Paul said, “Nothing can separate us from God’s love” (Romans 8:38-39).

Are Jesus’ teachings and words important to you? Revelation 3:20 says He’s knocking at your spiritual heart’s door. Invite Him in . . . make Him a priority.

Rest assured all those other things you are concerned about will get done (Ecclesiastes 3:1 BSB.

Pixabay: Old door, Arc, beauty; makamuki0

 

I'm Giving Thanks

I know it’s not Thanksgiving Day, but why wait? We give thanks to people every day.

When someone holds the door open, we say, “Thank you.” Or, when a friend treats us to lunch, gives us a ride, or listens to us with compassion while we share a personal struggle, then offers to pray with us or give an encouraging word.

We’re to give thanks to God, too. It couldn’t be made any simpler than three short verses in First Thessalonians 5:16-18 (BSB): Rejoice at all times; Pray without ceasing; Give thanks in every circumstance.

That last one is more of a challenge than the rest.

Why am I focused on thanks today? It’s because of something that happened a year ago. On March 21, 2024, I fell and broke the ball off my right femur. That required a partial hip replacement.

One of the caregivers at the rehab facility had a funny comeback. I said, “I was eighty before I took my first fall.” He said, “Why’d you wait so long?” I said, “I could have waited longer (which in my mind was NEVER!).

I would love to wipe that day out of my mind, but I can’t, for several reasons. A best friend and caregiver, reminds me I need to be thankful for all the good things God has done for me this past year. She’s right!

So . . . I’ve been counting my blessings: (1) No pain while waiting for medical transport . . . I was probably in shock, (2) a good surgeon, (3) friends who came to ER, (4) good hospital care, (5) helpful rehab therapy, (6) friends and family scheduled 24/7 for three weeks of home care, (7) rides for six weeks of therapy, and (8) consistent encouragement and prayer from my church, family, and friends.

Furthermore, I’m thankful I can drive, and I only need a cane when I leave the house.

My two Goddaughters and Best Friend often tell me how good I’m doing. I take them seriously because they saw me at my worst, before surgery and during recovery.

Giving thanks is part of my chosen lifestyle. God is good and so are His people.

James 5:13 says if we’re happy, we should sing. I do! But I also say, “Thank you, God, for Your excellent provision and the way You met my needs during recovery this past year. Amen.” 

Pixabay: Thank You Note, Message; Maklay62.

From Inside Out

It’s hard to tell what a person is thinking if they are quietly resting somewhere. If they were dancing, singing, or waving their hands we might guess they were happy. If they wore earbuds, we might think they were listening to some moving music.    

Some people are more outgoing than others; I’m one of the quieter people. My friends like to tease me about my phlegmatic attitude, but I’m not without opinions. They see me riled up now and then.

What we carry on the inside matters. Sometimes angry people seem calm until something sets them off. Have you ever been the shocked recipient of such an outburst?

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible. Read it sometime. While writing about the value of God’s word, David said, “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:11). 

How much time have you spent reading, studying, or meditating on God’s word this week? We make time for things that are important to us. A daily devotional is good, but it’s more like a spiritual snack. You need a more nourishing scriptural meal sometime each day.

Here’s another question: Have you listened to any Godly music lately? Paul said we could encourage one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, while at the same time giving thanks to God in our hearts (Ephesians 5:19-20). Remember Psalm 100? Praise and thanksgiving help us enter into God’s presence.

There is a time for everything (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Sometimes I meditate quietly on the goodness of the Lord, and sometimes I join with others in outward worship.

At church, I want to be actively involved, not just stand there and never move my lips even if I don’t know the song well. The amazing thing is that I often have one of the worship songs come to mind at home. And here I thought I wasn’t learning anything!

*All Scriptures from The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible (BSB), Published by Bible Hub, Pittsburg, PA, USA, Copyright 2022; Used by permission.

Pixabay Photo: Seagull, Man, Sea; sahinsezerdincer.

 

Me First

Do those two words bring negative thoughts to mind? They do me. Starting with toddlers whose favorite word is “Mine!” In other words, "Me first! No sharing with you!"

But as we grow, we learn that sharing can make the world a better place. Caring parents teach manners. Courtesy shows up as “you before me.”

I was surprised when my mind jumped to "me first" as a positive thing. In that sense, it meant, "Please allow me to let you go first." An example of that would be what we call "The Golden Rule." Does this ring a bell? Do to Others as You Would Have Them Do to You.

But other "Me Firsts" could include:

1. Refresh Others/Be Refreshed (Proverbs 11:25)
2. Cast Bread/It Returns (Ecclesiastes 11:1, Proverbs 19:17, Acts 10:1-8)
3. Sow/Reap (Galatians 6:7; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7)
4. God: The Example (Romans 5:8; John 3:16)

Let’s briefly explore these:

 1.       True refreshing gives careful consideration to other’s needs. They can turn up when least expected. When I fell and broke my femur, I was refreshed with three weeks of much-needed care (24/7) by friends and relatives.

 2.      Let’s consider “bread” as money. Many charities need bread cast their way; however, you can also cast your bread as kindness to people in your circle of acquaintances. God takes notice of those who give to the poor. In Acts, the story of a Roman Centurian illustrates this. He was a devout believer who gave to the poor and prayed daily. He was told God took notice and was answering his prayers.

3.       Sowing and reaping is such a basic illustration, who could miss it? Any gardener or farmer knows that sowing seeds sparingly results in a sparse harvest. But, little or much, it’s important also to be a cheerful giver.

4.       God set the “Me First” example. How? Paul said that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. God didn’t wait for us to earn salvation. He lovingly sent His Son, and the Son loved the Father and obeyed His Father’s will.

Since “Me First” can be negative or positive, here’s the challenge. How many ways can you avoid "Me First" as a negative this week, and make it a positive?

All scriptures from BSB (Berean Standard Bible)

Pixabay Illustration: Selfishness, Egotistical, Self-Love, by RosZie. 

 

Sawdust and Two-by-Fours

I don’t know much about lumber, but my dad was quite a builder. Watching him at work I saw plenty of sawdust and two-by-fours. Lumber was never a problem, but I was aware that a speck of sawdust could blow up into my eye.

Jesus told parables to make His life lessons easy. *Matthew 7:1-5 is a kind of reminder to live and let live. Or, to put it another way, beware of judging others because you will also be judged.

The Apostle Paul said we live and die to the Lord. He made a specific point of asking, “Why, then, do you judge your brother? Why do you belittle your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat . . . (Romans 14:10).  

We humans all have flaws. While relating to one another, we do have to judge and make decisions. But what concerns me is the clouded superficial judgment illustrated by sawdust and two-by-fours whereby we try to correct one another, or sometimes cancel one another.

Do these sound familiar . . . anger, rage, malice, slander, or filthy language? They are to be put aside (Colossians 3:8). Today it seems people jump to conclusions, quickly responding with sarcastic or caustic comments (aiming to correct the speck in another’s eye). Then they move on, totally ignorant of their bad vision . . . a beam blocking good judgment (and perhaps even common sense).

When I was growing up, I had a children’s paperback with short character-building stories. I still remember the story of two sisters who constantly fought like **Kilkenny Cats. They were warned that if they kept it up, they would destroy each other.

Consider healthy solutions to avoiding problems with sawdust and two-by-fours: Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, forgiveness, love, and the peace of God (Colossians 3:12-14).

When it comes to social media, these apply to both sides of the coin: Writing and Response.

Let’s be honest. I’m not perfect, and neither are you, but we each impact our world. So, let’s try to recognize our blocking beam before rushing to remove specks of sawdust.     

*All scriptures are from the BSB (Berean Standard Bible) 

 **In the 19^th century, In Ireland, The Kilkenny Cats story is that they fought so ferociously only their tails remained. The Kilkenny Cats became a simile for any conflict that could ruin both combatants. (Wikipedia)

Photo on Pixabay: Woodworking, Carpentry by LazarCatt. 

A Valuable Life Lesson

 

We learn many lessons throughout our lives. Experience is a great teacher, but sometimes we know to do something and must train ourselves to do it.

This week I was asked, “What does it mean to be content?” Perhaps most people would agree contentment is when we’re not worried about things; we have a sense of peace and satisfaction.

Some would argue contentment is in content, things they own. They want to accumulate even more. Their focus is entirely earthly, not a heavenly thought is hiding anywhere in their mind.

Jesus taught that one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions (Luke 12:15). In fact, the parable He shared to make His point is titled “The Parable of the Rich Fool.” A farmer with an abundance of crops decided to build bigger storage barns, and then take it easy. He thought I can eat, drink, and be merry for many years (Luke 12:16-21). He was entirely self-focused.

Jesus had another occasion to teach that eternal life was more important than things. A rich young man was interested in eternal life and asked Jesus about it. When Jesus said it was important to keep the commandments, he felt pretty good, because he already did that.

But when questioned further, Jesus said, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me” (Matthew 19:16-22). The young man was very unhappy because he had great wealth and didn’t wish to part with any of it.

You can read more about eternal good deeds, generosity, and giving to others in 1 Timothy 6:17-19. But the Apostle Paul, a dedicated missionary/evangelist/and church planter said he had learned to be content. He found Christ gave him strength to do what was needed; it did not depend on his circumstances (Philippians 4:10-13).    

How far have you come in this life lesson? Our first option is to learn to give freely to God. 2 Corinthians 9:6-12 says God loves a cheerful giver and that giving is a way of thanking God for His provision.

Next, comes a focus on others. That could include your local food bank, missions, your care for a family in need, thrift store donations, Christmas projects, or donations through wills and trusts.   

It’s a personal choice (2 Corinthians 9:7). Feel free to jump right into the Contentment Learning Pool, even if you try the shallow end first.

Swimming Pool by gbeaty on Pixabay.

The Holy Bible, Berean Standard Bible, BSB, Copyright 2022 by Bible Hub, Used by Permission, All Rights Reserved Worldwide. 

A Source of Heat and Light

Imagine our world before the invention of electricity. The best source of heat and light would have come with the rising of the sun. Is it any wonder that people would go to bed with the chickens and get up with the roosters?

I lived in the Southwest desert for over fifteen years, and though I lived in an air-conditioned house and drove an air-conditioned car, they were only temporary escapes. Nothing could eliminate the outdoor heat, but I learned to be thankful for anything that could give me a shadow or some shade.

The Creator of the Universe made two great lights. *Genesis 1:14-18 (NLT) says the larger light was to govern the day and the smaller was to govern the night. The word “govern” denotes a certain power. While mankind has learned to harness the sun’s power, no one has yet eliminated its light or its heat.

As hot and dry as the desert gets, or even as humid as summer gets in other places, I don’t think anyone would vote to eliminate the sun or the moon.

According to *Genesis 1:14, they are signs to mark the seasons, days, and years. They do their assigned jobs so well that Robert B. Thomas, a schoolteacher and bookseller in 1792, created a yearly bestseller called **The Farmer’s Almanac.  

It’s fun to read David’s description of the sun: Psalm 19:4b-6:

 God has made a home in the heavens for the sun.

It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding.

It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race.

The sun rises at one end of the heavens and follows its course to the other end.

Nothing can hide from its heat.

We can temporarily evade the sun’s heat with our A/C, shade trees, covered porches, and beach umbrellas, but we can never permanently hide from it. That’s good since the sun causes seeds to grow, develops healthy Vitamin D, and helps people avoid SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) from lack of sunlight.

Whatever time of day you wake up and see the sun, be personally thankful. Remember *Psalm 113:3: Everywhere---from east to west---praise the name of the LORD.

*All scripture quotations are NLT, taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by Permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

**The History of the Almanac: Editors; Old Farmer’s Almanac, https://www.almanac.com.history

Pixabay Photo: Sunrise, Desert Landscape, Public Domain 

Can't Stop the Rain

CAN’T STOP the RAIN

As a child growing up on Midwest plains, I was always happy when it rained. To my mother’s dismay, that also included stomping through muddle puddles. It was fine if I had on my rubber boots. But one rainy day created an indelible memory.

As a first grader, I was walking home from school when it started to rain. I was so happy at seeing a big muddy puddle, that I actually sat down in it. I had great fun splashing the water around . . . until mom saw me.

She was extremely upset and brought me inside the house. While changing clothes I got the clear message NOT to do that again! But mom used a real clincher to make her point. She sent me to bed without supper.

That was a first! Mud puddle fascination disappeared on my empty stomach. But it didn’t destroy my joy of rain.

More Rain

In adult years we moved to the coast of northwest Washington. As a newbie, I decided to enjoy a walk in light misty rain. Even with an umbrella I got chilled to the bone. I looked forward to home and a nice hot shower.

Here in northern Arizona, I’m presented with another type of rain. Flashes of lightning and pounding thunder are preludes to cloud bursts. I own umbrellas, but at this stage of life I prefer to wait it out. Cloudbursts are many, but they don’t last long.

A Rainy Day Song

I used to enjoy B.J. Thomas singing “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head.”* The melody and rhythm were catchy, though I never caught all the words.

I recently looked up the lyrics and enjoyed the story line. First, the guy acknowledges that annoying raindrops are falling on his head. Then he decides not to get the blues.

He doesn’t believe you can stop the rain by crying over it or complaining about it. So, he chooses to stay positive and believe for a happier (dry) day. With that attitude, he’s free to enjoy life in spite of the rain.

Rain . . . Now What?

I was thinking about the old platitude “into each life some rain must fall.” Rain seems to be a code for troubles, with many variations. Have you ever truly known a person who lives a totally trouble-free life?

Jesus even told his disciples they would have many trials and sorrows on earth. He also gave words of encouragement with no exclusions.

First, He said, Peace is available in Me.” Second, He said, “Take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33NLT). After being crucified, God raised Him from the dead on the third day. What could be more powerfully overcoming than that?

We can't stop the rain, no matter how it comes. But we can decide how to respond to it.

*Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head, written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, 1969.

Attitude is Altitude

Attitude is Altitude

Though I haven't flown very often, one flight I will never forget. Close friends had promised us a night flight over San Diego, California as a Christmas gift.

They drove us to a small airport in a suburb to the east. The husband was a trained pilot, so we waited while he checked out the plane.

At his direction, we four piled in and he taxied down the runway. A low mountain seemed to be looming ahead of us. The pilot kept pulling on a lever which we later learned was to give more lift.

Let's Get Some Lift

In aeronautics, lift is the position of the aircraft in relation to a given plane. It was quiet in the cabin as we stared at the mountain. What a relief to see it go under us.

We were now going higher and could look down on the lights of the metropolitan area. The night seemed exceptionally clear and beautiful. It was easy to distinguish the city and the suburbs, the bay and the mountains.

In the air, there was a feeling of peace, no turbulence or hesitation. No need for more lift. We later learned the plane had been fueled with more than the requested amount. The pilot knew about lift, but we were clueless. Our trust was totally in him.

The landing went smoothly The beauty we had seen gave us a lot to talk about. There were also happy memories to tuck away

I've never been on such a small plane again, though I've been on larger planes for longer flights. In daylight hours I've enjoyed clouds, sunshine, ocean, mountains, desert and river views. But my night flight over San Diego has always been special.

Up and Over

Life is kind of like that evening flight. You know it's coming and you prepare for it the best you can. Then suddenly you're staring into a mountain and must pull a lever for some lift.

One pull . . . a scripture verse. It helped, but you need to go higher. Another pull . .  prayer. Good choice, but you need to go higher. More scripture . . . good. More prayer .  . higher.

Faith is the lift that keeps you in flight. Soon the mountain is under you. Then it's behind you. You are flying like an eagle. Isaiah 40:31 says, "Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength . . . They will soar on wings like eagles . . ."

Just remember attitude is altitude and faith is the lift that can get you soaring.