Joy in the Journey

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers they will not sweep over you. Isaiah 43:2a O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth. Psalm 8:1 Last week I was blessed to have a five day vacation at the beach with my husband, my daughter and granddaughters. I love the beach! If you are now picturing me jumping into the surf, choosing the biggest, highest wave, stop right there and let me tell you, I. Can't. Swim. That's right, I can't swim and beyond that, I have an outsized fear of the water. Still, I love the ocean and the pool in my backyard. Love them! Over the last year I've been blessed to be at the beach several times. Each experience has been different. Last September I was at the beach with my husband and pretty much o one else. In the early mornings we would head to the beach and while my hubby did his metal detecting I would walk the beach, stopping every now and then to just

  Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18a Yesterday on my way to church I was thinking about prayer, about the way that people pray, when we pray and why. Oddly enough, that was the message of our pastor's sermon, prayer, the when, why and how of it. He took a wider view than what I'd been thinking but still affirmed some of my thoughts. Driving along I thought of my children. I raised the four of them together, same expectations, same boundaries, differing approaches, based on their personalities but with the same standards. Each one of them addresses me differently, approaches me differently and each relationship is unique. Sadly at this point in time I don't hear from all of them but when I did the greetings were all so different. The phone rings and I see the name. “Hello” will be spoken in a semi-formal way and not followed up by any remark until I respond and initiate a conversation. Next ri

  “ I am the vine and you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit. Apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 “ Apart from me you can do nothing.” Do you read the news? I don't but even at that, the news is inescapable. There are horrors and tragedies everywhere and sadly that's all we want to talk about. Surely there are triumphs, victories, kindnesses but if they make the news it's the small print on the back page. In John 15:5, Jesus said, “Apart from me you can do nothing.” I think that may be the biggest problem in the world today. We have, as my Gram would say, gotten too big for our britches. Look at all “we've” accomplished! We, as my friend Bella says, is too many. A few brilliant or clever people have advanced technologies and medical sciences to a point where too many of us feel as if we can take care of ourselves. We cannot. When we fall into the trap of thinking that we can handle a challenge, situat

  Here I am, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me. Revelation 3:2 “ 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this; 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'” Mark 12:30-31a I am a long time Neil Diamond fan. Frankly I'm fonder of his peppy, upbeat songs and one is my absolute favorite. That is “Brother Love's Traveling Salvation Show.” When I first listened to it, many years ago, I had no concept of revivals or tent services. I just loved the song. Even without any experience in that area, I could picture the scene because the lyrics are just that strong. Listen to it. You can see it, smell it, feel it happening. Recently I heard it again for the first time in years. The first line that got to me was, “And when you'd almost bet you could hear yourself sweat, he walks in.” Sud

  Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14 Years ago I heard a pastor say, “if you see a 'therefore' in Scripture, find out what it's there for.” I believe that is very true of the verses above and would advise that you also read verses 1-11. For now, let me just say, we're all guilty of the behaviors listed in those verses. We're not all guilty of all of them but we are all guilty of some of them. The point being, that before we judge and accuse our brothers and sisters we want to take a long look in a clear mirror. There is so much hate in the world now and here in the good old USA we are so very guilty of promoting it. Name a group of people, a lifestyl