Week 3 September 2024

September 20, 2024

To be continued...

  I sometimes wait to be inspired by events that might be happening.  So Monday was a traveling day to Maine with Rachel, three children and the camper I have towed on 4 trips so far.

Now remember we are new to campering....and the friend who sold it to Rachel has been amazing in his advice and help. But we have learned new things every trip about camping, towing, campers, campgrounds etc.

After the events of Monday and Tuesday I will wait to see what else might happen.

So this blog is later this week.

Monday was supposed to be about 6 hours travel time. Arrive at the campsite, set up in daylight...which we never manage to do. And go find a beach...or 2 even!

Well......3 hours into the trip on Interstate 89S just passed Burlington VT a loud bang...we knew it was a tire and I got off onto the shoulder immediately.  It is an extremely busy highway. And no one...Noone..was going over into the further lane or slowing down!

The day before I left I remembered our insurance company had a number for roadside assistance! Perfect...I call...all automated, but had someone headed our way!  This is GOOD. So after about 40 minutes waiting and calming kids (the speeding traffic was pretty scary) a van comes. He assess, calls his boss and says "sorry, I can't do a camper".

I had been calling a few tire places to see if, once we got the spare on, I could get someone with knowledge and expertise to check and make sure we were good to continue on for the less than 3 hours we had left.

So I began calling those same places back asking about road side assistance.  At this point, it was just after 4pm. "Sorry, we can't help you today." "We might be able to send someone tomorrow." "We can't change a tire on the Interstate, if we tow you off the Interstate then we can change it."  "We can't tow it with a flat, change it first and then we can tow you." 

Now, I don't have a problem changing a tire and the spare was a full size camper tire...I was extremely concerned about safety...since the tire was traffic side, but both tire irons I had did not fit the lugs (chalk one up for not being prepared) it was now almost 5 and more places I called said it was too close to closing to come help. I explained we had children in the car and to far from home or our destination etc.

I did get one place, 40 minutes away that would come for $875. 

We were desperate,  but not that desperate. 

We decided we had to get the kids off the highway and me to a parts store for a proper wrench. But knew I couldn't just leave the camper " abandoned.  One "kindly" service place said "call the state police".

Which is what I ended up doing, to let them know there would be a disabled camper on the side of the road. They were kind, they may have heard the desperation and tears that were threatening to spill. But they would send someone with lights for safety and "would make some calls" I told her I tried at least 15 places, but I would appreciate anything. 

Vermont State Police Officer was there in 10, maybe 15 minutes. My insurance company called at this time wanting to send someone else. But the officer was on the phone too and said... "dispatch has someone on the way, be here in 10". I hung up with insurance! They were there in 5 minutes tire changed in 10, $115! I could have kissed both the officer and the service guy! 

A side note: The company that came out was one that had told me they "couldn't help me today". Interesting.

It wasn't the technician who came...he just knew his company put out a road side call and he was closest.  I guess state police are more influential than a woman on the Interstate with a flat and small children.

God took care....could things have gone smoother....yes....but could things have gone way less "smoothly' YES!

God takes care, even if it seems everything is wrong....there is much more going God's way than we can see sometimes.

Check back early next week to read the rest of God working things out... and scripture will be included..

To be continued....

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, 

. Jeremiah 29:11a

Week 2 September 2024

September 11, 2024

Roller Coaster 🎢 

  Sometimes we just don't know where this ride is going....we have to....Trust 

Things in life sometimes.....most of the time, seem to be careening out of our control.  Like riding on a Rollercoaster.  We feel there is nothing we can do but hang on, ride it out and close our eyes through the worst of it. 

But that Rollercoaster car is attached to tracks and we trust that we will reach the end of the ride.

As crazy and wild this ride of life is...our faith in God holds us to the track. 

When we put our trust in God He will hold us securely through all the crazy twists and turns life brings, the dark tunnels, even when things go upside down. 

📖 When I am afriad, I put my trust in you Psalm 56:3

📖  “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33

What goes along with trust?

📖 Trust in the Lord with all your heart

    and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight Proverbs 3:5-6

Giving up the notion that I may know best what the outcome should be.

Understanding that God has all of it, He knows the bigger picture ...He sees the whole ride.

I have to surrender my agenda, the way I think things should go. 

He will be with us through every moment 

📖 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20

We keep in conversation with Him. 

📖   Lord, you are the God who saves me;
    day and night I cry out to you.
2 May my prayer come before you;
    turn your ear to my cry.  Psalm 88:1-2

Not just when we are careening through an upending loop and a dark tunnel, but always

📖  pray continually,  1 Thessalonians 5:13

Remember remain seated and keep your hands inside the car.

This is for our own safety. Everything you will need to get through the ride is inside that car. Trying to find something outside of it is dangerous and can cause harm. 

📖  Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.  John 15:4-5

Trying to find solace in things that seem better or false things that you think could save you will actually, in the end bring you harm.

📖 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 1 Peter 5:8-9 

There are others around you going through the same thing. You can reach out to them.

🙏🏼I pray that if you feel life is a Rollercoaster right now, that things slow down, to the speed of a kiddie ride. ♥️

📖  He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”  Matthew 8:26-27

 Trust in Him...He has got this!

Week 1 September 2024

Labor For Him

September 4, 2024

Well, Sunday the plan was to publish this Monday...Labor Day. And Sundays message was inspiring!  Thank you Terry. 

 Labor for the Lord

📖 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

Colossians 3:23-24

📖 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58

Here is the Youtube link if you want to watch it.

📽 September 1

Then after Monday I was inspired by my Dad's 80th birthday celebration! (His actual birthday is the 6th)

80 years sees a lot of ....everything. 

Hard times, good times, sadness, tragedy, triumph. 

But Dad's (and Mom's) faith these past several years has been a beacon!

With the loss of my sister to cancer in 2021 and Dad's illness in 2022. We didn't think we would be celebrating anymore birthdays. But he knew God was going to heal him!

And mom said something Monday..."You worked hard to get back!" 

And I thought well doesn't that just tie in to "Labor Day"!

And doing all for the Lord. 

There were doctors and nurses and aids and specialist and physical therapists, dieticians, and speech therapists, my MOM..this list goes on!

But despite them all if Dad hadn't put in the work he wouldn't be where he is now. Celebrating 80 years, driving, gardening, mowing lawn, everything he did before! Maybe a bit slower, but he IS 80😉.

He did because he is a stubborn old farmer, but also because God gave him the will and the courage! He drew his strength from the belief that God was going to restore!

📖 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”  Matthew 17:20-21

And so for all of us...whatever God has before you today, it may seem an insurmountable mountain, but we belong to a God who moves mountains!

Commit to do the work He has set before you. He is with you every step of the way!

📖  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  Colossians 3:17

🙏🏼Our Amazing God, thank You for running the race with us, even carrying us when we grow weary. Encourage us to do the work you have put before us for You! For Your glory! Amen❤️

📖 but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

5th Week August 2023

BE Attitude

August 30, 2023

 Our message this past Sunday at church (thank you Terry Goodrich) was from Matthew 5 and what is known as the Beatitudes.

However, I looked at the word differently, 

These should BE our ATTITUDE....

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,  

{Those humble in spirit, those with the attitude of Christ}

📖Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:  Philippians 2:3-5

 for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, 

{those who grieve not only over loss, but over injustice, inhumanity}

 📖 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. . Romans 12:14-15  

📖Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:3-5

for they will be comforted.  

Blessed are the meek,

{those who are gentle, non confrontational}

📖 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.  Do not be conceited. Romans 12:16 

for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

{those who seek the Bread of Life and the Living Water}

📖Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:13-14

📖 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. John 6:35

for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, 

{those who treat others, not as they might deserve, but as Christ would}

📖Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ... 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone Romans 12:14 +17

for they will be shown mercy. 

Blessed are the pure in heart, 

{those whose motives are pure, as a child, aligned with Christ's}

📖 And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3-4

for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,

{those who choose love over enmity, compassion over criticism, stillness over strife}

📖 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18

for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

{Those who are vulnerable in their service for the Lord, regardless of personal comfort or even safety}

📖 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
    if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:19-21                

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 

📖 “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven. Matthew 10:32-33

Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

📖 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.  If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.  However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And,

So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. 1 Peter 4:12-19

🙏I pray that Christ's commands and attitudes can BE our ATTITUDES.  That we continue to do good and serve Him❤️

Week 4 August 2023

 A Comfy Place

August 23, 2023

 We all have them, that one spot we love to fall back into, that one chair on the porch, that certain spot on the couch, that perfect corner where we can close our eyes and be at peace, if only for a moment. 

For some of us it is a place we go daily for our quiet time, our time to recharge, to "center", to motivate for the day to come or decompress from the one we just had.

 

For some it isn't as much the place as much as it is Who we meet there.

Anywhere can be our comfy place when our intention is to spend that time with Christ.

He is our quiet time

📖 He says, “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

Our recharge

📖   Even youths grow tired and weary,

and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in the Lord

will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:30-31

Our center

📖 Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight Proverbs 3:5-6

He is our motivation for the day ahead

📖 In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;

    in the morning I lay my requests before you

    and wait expectantly Psalm 5:3

and Who we can decompress with 

📖 Evening and morning and at noon

I will pray, and cry aloud,
And He shall hear my voice. 

He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me,
For there were many against me. Psalm 55:is-18 (NKJV)

Jesus is my comfy place....I can fall back into Him, nestle down in and feel at peace....IF I take the time to! 

📖 He will cover you with his feathers,

 and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day, 

nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,

nor the plague that destroys at midday. Psalm 91:4-6

🙏Lord I pray we all find You as our place of rest and peace today!❤️

Week 3 August 2023

I Would Rather

August 16, 2023

 There is a statement "I would rather be anywhere but here...."

"anywhere but here"....wishing we were in another circumstance. 

but sometimes the circumstances we are in can be one of learning, leaning, longevity. 

Learning patience as we wait upon the Lord

📖 Wait for the Lord;

    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14

📖But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, Galatians 5:22 (ESV)

wait for direction, or we wait and be still 

📖He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;

    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 47:10

Just spending time with Him, learning all we can.

Leaning. It may be a time that we practice relying on Him, growing our faith and trust in His plan and power. 

📖  Trust in the Lord with all your heart

in all your ways submit to him,

and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

Drawing from Him all we need

📖And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

Leaning on His everlasting arms.

Longevity....perseverance 

📖 Not only so, but we  also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5

Coming to that deep understanding that God has the whole picture, He holds our future.

📖For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

We have the perseverance to stick it out, stick with it, see it through, trusting God is with us through it...and He is at the end!

📖 So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

 📖 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6

📖 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

I want to be anywhere God places me...because I know He is with me everywhere. 

📖 “I am a God who is everywhere and not in one place only. No one can hide where I cannot see them. Do you not know that I am everywhere in heaven and on earth? Jeremiah 23:23-24 (GNT)

Always 

📖Trust in the Lord forever,
    for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal. Isaiah 26:4

🙏Lord today I pray we all are IN  the place You want us to be. That we can learn to lean on You for the duration. That You will see us through the circumstances we are in. Amen❤️

Week 2 August 2023

 Spiritual Workout

August 9, 2023

Our society seems obsessed with "working out".

The commercials and infomercials are numerous; cardio, low impact, high impact, workout in your chair, use equipment, use bands, use the wall....and on and on it goes!

Not that being physically healthy isn't important,  it is...my doctor says so every time I go.  

But does anyone ask you about your spiritual health?  Is your spiritual condition lacking a workout regimen?

A daily practice of scripture reading, bible study and prayer (which can be a physical workout if you get to your knees daily!)

But one thing that is part of our spiritual 

workout is to wait, which seems the opposite of a "workout".

However, we can gain strength and spiritual muscle while we wait for His direction. 

It doesn't mean that we aren't serving in the meantime. But sometimes, there are seasons or times in our lives when we are called to wait.

And as I have blogged in the past, that doesn't mean an inactive state, but one where we actively wait in our spiritual journey...reading, praying, praising, listening, serving, living.

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord.

🎵 Strength Will Rise Chris Tomlin

📖 But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV)

Our strength comes from the Lord, so we need to be training with Him every day.

📖My flesh and my heart may fail,

    but God is the strength of my heart
    and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26

The less we rely on Him, spend time in His word; listening, worshipping...the weaker we will become and the more susceptible to the devils attacks

📖 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 1 Peter 5:8-9

Even when we may feel or even be physically weak, we can be a spiritual strongman!

📖 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

So today start a new exercise routine, before or after you have your physical workout,  get your spiritual workout in!

You can also carry your spiritual workout into the physical by listening to praise and worship music while you do your physical workout (there are several Christian workout programs on YouTube e.g. PS1493 Fitness) or listen or watch inspirational programming while you walk or peddle.

Today my prayer;

🙏Lord, help us to feel challenged,  motivated to include our spiritual workout into our daily routine. That it becomes something we can't get through our day without. I pray that we become spiritually and physically fit (Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.1 Corinthians 6:19-20) with the purpose to better serve you. Amen❤️

Here is something I created for those who like the challenge sheets (let me know if you want a printable version)