The rest of the story...

 📖 “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

If you missed last week's blog "To be continued" you might want to read that first.

🔗 https://coffeetimewithafriend.blogspot.com/2024/09/to-be-continued.html?m=1

So, after a flat tire that took 3 hours to get help with.  We got back on the road,  but knew we needed to find some air. First gas station air wasn't accessible with the camper, but filled the gas tank!

Back on the Interstate MY vehicle tire pressure light came on, we had to pull off the highway again and found air that I could get to. By then my light had gone off. I videoed messaged my son so he could check tires visually and we discussed air pressure. He felt it was a tire pressure sensors since all my tires were good with their air pressure.

At this point it was decided we would avoid the Interstate as we continued to Maine, incase we had another mishap we would not be on the busy highway but closer to people and possible help.

So with everything combined, we rolled into our campsite at 11:30pm trying to set up quietly as to not disturb our neighbors on either side.

Got hooked up what was needed for the night and we went to bed. 

Come morning the fridge was throwing a low voltage code and we didn't seem to have power???

When I went to the office to register our vehicle I mentioned it and the woman told me she would send someone over. 

Tom came right over, checked the box...all good (which I figured). He checked the voltage on my battery...low. He then explained to me how the system works.(my "something new" this trip).  It must be the camper's inverter. When I was under the bed getting the camper ready I had noticed a random cord unplugged. Never had noticed it before. So now I wondered....I had to pull some plywood coverings off...but found what I believed to be the inverter and sure enough that unplugged cord came from it. I found an empty outlet...plugged the cord in and... Everything clicked on and began working as it should! Praise God it was that simple! As I was putting things back together, covering the outside battery and securing the lid with it's bungee  cord ...the other end let loose and stuck me in the face...just under my left eye. At the moment I wasn't sure if it had gotten my eye...Rachel looked and there was no blood, my eye was intact!  All good! Except for the "shiner" I sported around the rest of vacation!

There are other things that happened that we know God was taking care before vacation week even started.

Over the weekend Marah and Andrew's car wouldn't start twice...Sunday night a new battery installed, they could still come over to Maine on Tuesday. Then Monday as the first od us were traveling, Andrew was stranded in PA, his tractor trailer wouldn't start!  With a consultation over the phone he got it running and took it to his repair shop in Watertown and his parents picked him up there. Marah, Andrew, and Kevin  could still leave on scheduled Tuesday!

My parents arrived without incident, other than getting lost.

But when they left on Friday with their map all set... God protected them as there was a very close call with another vehicle. And my mother realized she had left her mother's ring on the hotel bed. She called the hotel and they went right to the room, it hadn't been cleaned yet and there was her ring, right where she had left it. I went right over to the hotel to get it. 

Things like high winds and rain which prompted Coastal flooding and high wave warnings beginning Thursday night. I closed the awning and shuttered windows and other than being pummeled with acorns the camper was fine.

No roads or beaches closed for our final day of vacation. 

Most of this seems minimal or even insignificant.  But all wrapped up in one family vacation....

To God nothing is insignificant and all of it could have gone differently. 

📖 “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

We are grateful that His mercy and grace were with us even before our trip began. 

God goes with all of us, He is with us in all things. And He is working even if we don't "see". 

📖  In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” John 5:17

We have to trust.

📖 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
    whose confidence is in him. Jeremiah 17:7

Even in the midst of the difficult and confusing we keep moving and working because we know He is doing the same.

📖 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. 1 Corinthians 12:6

🙏🏼 Lord, help us to remember, that whatever our circumstances, You are working for our good️. I pray we are  humbled and grateful ♥️

📖 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

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

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!

Labor for Him

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

Emotions 🤨🤔😠😡😱

 Up until Wednesday I was headed in a different direction with CoffeeTime.  (for another time I guess).

Emotions...that is where I am headed now.

We all know about them, we all have them. 

Sometimes we are made to feel emotions (or intense ones) are negative, bad or wrong. 

We try to suppress, control or hide our emotions. 

But I believe scripture says that our emotions are normal, natural, inevitable. 

However;

😡We can be angry ...but can't let it cause us to sin

📖  “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Ephesians 4:26-27

😭We can be sad and grieve, but can't let it turn into a drowning despair.

📖 Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.... 22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. John 16:20+22

📖 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

😠We can feel hurt but not let it take root and cause bitterness.

📖 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32

🤔We can feel betrayal, but not let it fester into retaliation 

📖  Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:17-18

😟We can be concerned but not let it spread into an all consuming worry.

📖 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.   Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:31-34

🫢We can support and even hold others accountable but we are not to judge.

📖 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? Matthew 7:1-3

📖Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor? James 4:11-12

😱We can be afraid, but don't let it over shadow trust

📖 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

📖 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18

♥️LOVE....THERE MUST BE LOVE!♥️

📖 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.1 Corinthians  13:4-7

We aren't asked to do anything that is impossible

Or to do anything that Christ hasn't done Himself. 

📖 We love because he first loved us. 1  John 4:19

📖 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  John 13:34

📖  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

☺️We can be pleased with our accomplishments and even in who we are, but we are not to become filled with pride.

📖 ...God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:6b-7

And that is the key to all this...not letting our negative emotions grow into negative behavior....humility 

📖 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:10

📖  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.  Philippians 2:3-4

😔Out of a truly humble heart comes love.🤎

📖 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:2-3

🙏🏼 Our gracious Father, thank you so much for continuing to love us and forgive us even when our emotions get the better of us. We pray that you remain our focus everyday and we can humbly love others so that our emotions don't control.our behavior.  May all we do be pleasing to You. 

📖 Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression. May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.♥️

Take Me Back

 A song by Cochren & Co., Take Me Back, has stirred the thoughts.  I had the blessing of hearing this performed live at Kingdom Bound this season!

I love the sentiment " I want to go to church!!! And what going to church means..or can mean... But I couldn't atop thinking.....

I used it in our worship service this past Sunday and the words just struck me and the more I listened and mused more thoughts and ideas poured in. 

So, there are two sides/perspectives we can look at with this song....side A💿 and side B📀 so to speak!

The chorus is what stood out the most.

And I truly don't know which side to start with.

💿Individually....or 📀corporately 

Take me back
To the place that feels like home
To the people I can depend on
To the faith that's in my bones
Take me back
To a preacher and a verse
Where they've seen me at my worst
To the love I had at first
Oh, I want to go to church

💿As an individual believer we represent the church of Christ.  Are we someone that others can depend on? Are we Christ - like enough to not be judgmental? Are we a soothing balm to a hurting soul?

Tried to walk on my own but I wound up lost
Now I'm making my way to the foot of the cross
It's not a trophy for the winners
It's a shelter for the sinners
And it's right where I belong

Take me back
To the place that feels like home
To the people I can depend on
To the faith that's in my bones
Take me back
To a preacher and a verse
Where they've seen me at my worst
To the love I had at first
Oh, I want to go to church
I want to go to church

📀Now, as a church body; are we a family that people can depend on? Are we loving and accepting no matter what sin we may have seen or see? When people walk in the doors do they feel the love of Christ and hear the word of God? Are we there to show and share and BE Christ or are we there for our own programs and agendas?  We can say "God loves everyone and so do we", BUT is it felt? What do our actions, our eyes speak? Christ loved ALL, He came for the sinners and the condemned "of which I am the worst". We love the people and let God take care of the sin!

 📖 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:15-16

Oh, more than an obligation
It's our foundation
The family of God
I know it's hard
But we need each other
We're sisters and brothers

I love this section; going to church HAS to be more than an obligation.  Loving individuals in the name of Christ HAS to be more than an obligation.  It needs to come from the Foundation built on a personal relationship with Jesus.   

📖 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,  out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.  Psalm 40:2

📖 Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 7:34

This line especially; "the family of God, I know it is hard"!!!  Amen to that!  "But we need each other" and should love one another. It is alright to disagree and to have different opinions,  but love should rule over all. 

📖  Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 1 Peter 4:8-9

Oh, take me back
To the place that feels like home
To the people I can depend on
To the faith that's in my bones
Take me back
To a preacher and a verse
Where they've seen me at my worst
To the love I had at first
Oh, I want to go to church

For people to WANT to seek you out because they see and feel Jesus when they are in your presence.  They feel love and peace.

For people to WANT, for ME .. YOU to WANT to be at church..to listen, sing, love, pray.

Sunday morning (or whenever your church service is) should see us saying; "It's Church today!!!😃😍😊"

Not "Ugh, It's church today 😒🥱🫤"

Yeah, I want to go to church (take me back)
Oh, I want to go, want to go, I want to go
Oh, I want to go to church (take me back)
Oh, I want to go to church

📖 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25

We shouldn't be too discouraged if we aren't what God has in mind for us as His church; individually or corporately... "Take Me Back" because we ALL fall short, drift away, from that God centered place at times. But we should want to go back, get ourselves and our church family back to that Christ centered passion, to that first love.

📖 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. Revelation 2:4-5a

🙏🏼 Lord, I pray that we want to be the people and church that others can depend on, that are loving and forgiving, and encouraging.  That individually we love others in your name and corporately we are a family that is a safe, soothing place. And if we are not, that you convict our hearts and guide us to change. I want to be that place that people want to go back to. I I want my church to be that place. Amen♥️

🎵 Take Me Back. Cochren & Co.