God's Peace and Presence

 

For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth into singing before you, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. ~Isaiah 55:12

I'm so grateful to live where we do.  When I need to be reminded of God's peace and presence, all I have to do is step out on our deck, sit on one of our benches and look up.  The trees, their branches laden with a myriad of summer leaves, tower above me, their soaring heights forming a cathedral ceiling of green.  Their light-seeking faces lifted in prayer and praise to the One upon whom they depend for life and growth.

And in the winter months, when twigs and branches display skeletal features, still they stretch and strive to adown the sky with unique acclaim for the One who created them.

When the weather is inclement and precludes sitting outside, I can always find solace in God's word.  I keep my Bible, devotional and grace journal in what Danny and I unceremoniously call the "Middle Room."  This is originally Nicco's bedroom growing up.  Now it serves as a place of study and reflection for me, and the space where we break forth into singing as we practice the praise songs we sing at our church.  So many positive vibes and thoughts happen here.  It creates a quiet, yet palpable, spirit of peace.

The table itself is a source of joy for me.  Many a happy meal is shared by both my mom and dad when just Danny and I would visit.  Later, after dad's passing, Virginia and I would often go to their home in Oxford, Georgia, to stay with mom for the weekend.

Yes, that is a very little Virginia at age seven!  But she is seated at that very same table where memories continue to be made.

There is a part of me that wishes the both of us felt confident enough, health-wise, to travel like we used to, seeing sites that aren't in our own backyard, but those days aren't in the offing.  All the more reason to thank the Lord for all His past blessings that give us cherished memories, and to embrace the blessings of each new day He sees fit to give us.

And if you're planning a vacation away with your family or friends this summer, may you go out with joy, and be led out with peace in all your adventures.  I would love to hear about your plans in the comments!

As for me, I'll be content to sit on our deck, and hear the birds singing along to the rhythm the rustling trees create as they clap their hands for joy.

Amen!

God Shed His Grace

 

Why are you cast down, O my soul?  And why are you disquieted within me?  Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God. ~Psalm 42:11

When I happen upon this quote by the Reverend Billy Graham, I'm instantly inspired.  My word for the year - GRACE - clamors for my immediate attention.  But it's the way he links grace with mercy and hope that really gets my thoughts whirling.  How is hope even possible for our minds to grasp if our loving Father didn't place it there when He created us?  And how can we even begin to comprehend the depth of God's mercy and grace unless we confess that we are sinful beings in desperate need of a Savior?

It is all interconnected.  Inextricably intertwined.  A trinity without which we neither live, move nor have our being.

Simple, isn't it?  Then why, when we see the chaos and confusion in our world today, are so many people despondent and discouraged?  Their souls, as so aptly expressed by the psalmist, are cast down and despondent.  They crave solutions, release, happiness, freedom, but hopes placed upon anything other than God will never satisfy.

To paraphrase a popular song (or two), they are literally looking for love in all the wrong places, not realizing that they can't get no satisfaction outside of God Himself.

Blessedly, here in the United States, there appears to be a spiritual revival afoot, especially among the younger generations.  This could not happen at a more crucial time in our country's history.  In a Fox News op-ed written by the Reverend Samuel Rodriguez and published on June 1st, he states in part:

This is the age of Aquinas and Augustine, of Kierkegaard and Lewis, of Tolkien, Lennox, Wright, and others.  An age where orthodoxy is not an obstacle but a lifeline.  Young men and women are hungry for truth, tired of relativism, and ready for something real.  This is the pendulum swinging back.  Not toward nostalgia - but toward a rediscovery of eternal absolutes.

He goes on to highlight the cultural shift in perceptions about God and Christ as witnessed in American Idol contestants unapologetically performing worship songs, to the NFL players (and many college players, too) sharing prayer time before and after games.  Rodriguez attests:  The name of Jesus is being lifted - not with fanfare, but with authenticity.

If this trend continues to gather steam and attention, who knows how many lives can and will be saved for eternity?  A nation that places its hope in God will not just survive, it will thrive!

So, thank you, Reverend Graham.  The evangelism to which you committed your long and illustrious life has proved fruitful, indeed.  God's mercy is reigning over this land, so there isn't a reason for any of us to be downcast.  May we freely lift our unified voices to boldly and joyfully sing:  America, America, God shed His grace on thee, and crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea.

Amen!

Under Pressure

 

Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! ~Psalm 46:10

I am a homebody.  There is nothing I like better than to have an entire day stretching before me without one appointment or obligation that involves leaving the house.  I prefer, above all, being able to stick to a daily routine of meaningful activities balanced with quiet times of prayer and reflection.  While others might perceive this as boring, I find it completely satisfying.

Last week, however, is anything but routine.  Between Danny and me, there are three medical appointments.  That's three too many, if you ask me, but they aren't the kinds you should or could postpone.  On Monday, I meet with my cardiologist to review some recent tests I have done.  The next day brings my annual physical with blood work to boot.  Thursday, we are at the dermatologist so Danny can have her check for any possible signs of potential skin cancer.  No worries!  Everything is super-duper for two folks in their seventies.

But there is one concerning issue that only applies to me.  When the medical assistant takes my blood pressure at the two appointments previously mentioned, it's WAY higher than it has ever been.  Am I alarmed?  You bet!  I'm already on a regimen for controlling blood pressure, so this isn't the news I want or expect to hear.

The remedy?  I'm taking my blood pressure at home for several weeks to see if it returns to what I consider the normal range for me.  Danny, with his love of spread sheets, faithfully tracks the daily tally.  After a while, we'll send the results to both doctors to see what their verdict is.

Surprisingly, neither my cardiologist nor my primary care doctor show undue concern at the numbers recorded in their respective offices.  Perhaps, both suggest, it's a bad case of the dreaded White Coat Syndrome.  Only time, and a quieter, less stressful schedule, will tell.

We don't begin recording the at-home blood pressure until last Friday.  Yes, we are out and about for some errands that day, but basically, the blood pressure is better.  I'm feeling hopeful, and the fact that Danny is leaving the blood pressure cuff in plain view helps me feel less anxiety and trepidation.  That's because it's now a part of the daily routine.  By Saturday (the day I'm drafting this post), I can joyfully state that all has returned to normal!

Yes, we will continue to record the readings, twice a day, if need be, and at approximately the same time each day.  I'm feeling optimistic as the week ahead holds nothing pressing in the way of out-of-the-ordinary activities.  There will be plenty of opportunities to simply be still, immerse myself in God's Word, and know that He, and only He, is in full control of whatever may happen down the road.

Whether you're a stay-at-home type like me, or a person who can't wait to tackle the next adventure out in the world, know that God cares for you, infinitely and intimately.  When the pressure's on, depend upon Him to relieve you, taking your every burden on Himself.

Amen!

Hand in Hand

 Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. ~Isaiah 41:10

If you are age 50 or above, your eyes, more than likely, require help in order to comfortably read a book or focus on the details of a photo.  I can't function if I don't have my readers with me everywhere I go.  They are indispensable to me.

So, why do I wait so long to put them on a lanyard?  Honestly, it is a preconceived notion of mine that only "old ladies" wear their readers around their necks.  I don't want glasses dangling from an outdated-looking chain, advertising my age faster than my face can.  How vain is that?  I know I need to get over myself because I tire of leaving my glasses in another room or having them flip out of my shirt collar and crash onto the floor every time I bend over to empty the dishwasher or make the bed.

Resigning myself to the prospect of attaching a chain to my readers, I'm pleasantly surprised to see a friend at church wearing a much subtler lanyard to hold hers.  So unobtrusive, in fact, that I have never even noticed it before.  And there is NOTHING old lady about her!  When I ask where I can find a lanyard like hers, W. actually sends an Amazon link to my phone right then and there.  I place my order that very afternoon, and I'm so pleased with the purchase!

Yes, wearing the lanyard does take some getting used to after all these years of going without, but the relief of securing my readers so that I know where they are at all times makes any adjustment required of me seem trivial.  The glasses are upheld by the firm grip of the lanyard and the fear of being dropped is dispelled.

When we trust in God completely, we are held securely by His righteous right hand.  We know beyond the shadow of a doubt that He is who He says Hi is.  We can lean into His strength when we are weak, and rest assured that He will help us through every earthly struggle.  Just as the lanyard's hold on the readers is sure and certain, God's hold is infinitely firm, tenacious and forever.

Jesus is always there to offer His righteous right hand.  Will you accept it?  Are you already walking hand in hand with the Lord?  Please share in the comments.

Amen!

Extra! Extra! Read All About It!

 

Sing to the Lord, bless His name; proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. ~Psalm 96:2

Do you watch the news on cable television?  I certainly do, but I'm a one-trick pony when it comes to my choice.  It's Fox News, hands down for me.  Why?  Because I know I will see and hear different views and impressions about the news of the day, and even see clips from other major news outlets.  Fox truly lives up to its slogan - Fair and Balanced.

Now, am I so much of a news nerd that I watch it from dawn to dusk?  No way!  But there are a few go-to favorites that reliably grab my time and attention.  As I tend to rise early in the mornings, I like to wake up with Fox & Friends as I sip my coffee and get my bearings for the day ahead.

The hosts are always entertaining and informative, down-to-earth, and just plain likeable.  Their camaraderie and candor with one another are so refreshing to see.  And the special human interest features are always a plus that can add a lighthearted feel to any news of the day.

My other choices are The Five and Jesse Watters Prime Time for many of the same reasons.

I mean, honestly, how many news shows can you name that are able to interject good-natured humor and some laugh-aloud moments along with the actual news?  I know I can't think of any that beats out these two in my book.

And why, might you ask, do I even like watching the news at all?  Is it an obsession with FOMO, the Fear of Missing Out?  No, for me it's FOBU - the Fear of Being Uninformed.  I like to know what's going on in the world so I can look it straight in the eyes and deal with it accordingly.  Even when the news is bad, it isn't an options for me to run away and bury my head in the sand.

Today's news cycle changes constantly.  What grabs headlines on Monday may very well be tossed out of the media window by Tuesday.  And if we perceive it as bad news, we gladly bid it farewell.  But the good news?  We wish that it could linger just a bit longer.

Still, as believers, we know the good news of God's salvation day after day.  It never fails or fades away, but is new every morning.  And best of all, this good news is eternal.  It is our go-to headline when the world seems to have lost its collective mind.

When it comes to the Lord's good news, we can joyfully proclaim:  "Extra!  Extra!  Read all about it!"

Amen!

Rain or Shine

 Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven.  He answered and said to them, "When it is evening you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red'; and in the morning, 'It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.'  Hypocrites!  You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. ~Matthew 16:1-3

Unusual weather we're havin', ain't it? ~The Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz

The month of May here in Georgia is usually one replete with warm temperatures to herald the hot, humid, sticky, wall-of-heat summer in the offing.  But if you look at the header photo, you can see for yourself that this May is off to an anomalous start.  Yes, here it is, 4 o'clock in the afternoon, and our high is 64 very cool degrees.  Since neither Danny nor I are partial to Georgia summers, this is a welcome, if temporary, respite from stifling temperatures and high air conditioning bills.

According to our local weather prognosticators, this entire week should feature highs only in the low 70s.  Talk about a breath of fresh air!  Now, to be fair, there will be rain for most of that time, but in my book, that's not a downside.  I love the rain, and with it, our moss transforms into a thick carpet of emerald green - a joy to behold!

Weather is the one topic that everyone talks about, but there isn't anything we can do to change it.  Yet, it can change much about us.  For example, we can grumble and complain about that washed-out picnic or rain delay in a baseball game.  Or, we can accept the inclement day with gratefulness for an opportunity to put our feet up and read that novel or watch that movie we've been putting off for far too long.  It's all about attitude and outlook.

In today's fast-paced world, we have all kinds of computer models and sophisticated technology that allow meteorologists to predict the weather for the weeks ahead with astonishing accuracy.  The people living in Jesus' day depended on the signs given in the natural world to know when to prepare for sun or rain.  Even in the 21st Century, the saying in the scripture above is paraphrased this way:  Red sky at morning, sailors take warning; red sky at night, sailors' delight.

But Jesus isn't idly chatting about the weather with the Pharisees and Sadducees.  He's chastising them for their inability to see, right before their eyes, the very manifestation of all the scriptures they claim to understand and interpret better than anyone else.  Despite their immersion in the law and the prophets, they miss the Sign to which all are pointing.  They, like the elite in our time, are so consumed by their prestige and power, they cannot accept that this no-name, itinerant preacher from Galilee, with His rag-tag followers, is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God, the One for whom they have been waiting.

Jesus IS the sign from heaven.

Like the blind Pharisees and Sadducees, do we fail to see Him?

Do we fail to see Him for who He truly is?

Do we fail to follow Him in obedient joy for the grace He has so lavishly poured out upon us?

Since of of us sin and fall short of God's glory, the answer to the questions posed above is a resounding YES.  But when we confess our sins and run to Jesus, He will wrap us up in His arms of love and compassion, and forgive us those sins.  He isn't a fair-weather friend, but a forever one.  Rain or shine, we can rejoice because the Lord Jesus is with us.

Amen!

The Power to Heal

 

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. ~Matthew 4:23

I take the photo featured in the header last week.  Why?  Because I spy it hanging on the wall in one of the last places I would expect to see something like this.  Yet, there it is, as plain as day.  Care to guess where Danny and I are?

Believe it or not, this plaque is on display in the patient check-out area of a doctor's office.  I must admit, I do the proverbial double-take, then whip my phone out of my purse to document this anomaly.  Like dear Doubting Thomas, I have to confess that until I see this with my own eyes, I would never take someone else's word that this plaque is proudly displayed in a doctor's place of business.

Will wonders never cease?

In our predominantly secular society, God is rarely given the credit when it comes to healing.  That's become the domain of physicians, nurses and medical researchers.  We humans have a dangerous tendency to posit our trust in those who have more knowledge, education and training in the field of medicine than we could ever hope to understand.  Sadly, from this worldly perspective, we put our faith in perceived professionals instead of the One who created us all.

This plaque, with its succinct and truthful statement about healing turns our upside-down thinking into right-side-up understanding.  Our competent and skilled doctors are just that because they've been endowed by God with the gifts of healing.  It is their calling.  But they are only the vessels of those gifts, not the source.

In the end, whether it's by divine intervention in this life, or not until we enter our eternal rest with the Lord, we will be healed, fully and completely, as God assures us in His Word.  I have some dear friends who struggle with pain and its debilitating effects on their wee-being each and every day.  No amount of medicine or therapy can change that for them.

But they know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that God walks with them every step of this earthly journey.  They don't complain.  They lose neither faith nor hope.  They continue to pray.  I continue to pray for them.  God hears all of our prayers, and will answer them in His impeccable timing.

Jesus may no longer be physically among us, teaching, preaching and healing in person, but He knows every pain we endure and each diagnosis that causes us suffering.  He's gone through it all, and more, Himself.

May we be truly thankful for our medical professionals, but remember always the only One who has the lasting power to heal us.

Amen!