It's About Faith

Faith is not what we see,
what appears to be
Faith is not the spoken word of others
It is not what we view on television
or read in the newspapers.

Faith is
believing, accepting
God is in control
God has all the answers
God knows.

Faith is
Looking to Him for everything,
Thanking Him for everything.
Seeking answers to all our questions from Him alone.
Not questioning
the hows, whys, whens, wheres, what ifs.

Just knowing
Just believing

Faith
can be as tiny as a mustard seed
or as huge as a mountain

We each have a mountain or many to climb
Our successes are not really ours
We achieve through our faith
in Him alone.
My Jesus
My Savior
My Lord
My God

In His Name, Amen.

Cathy Orrick Luders

9.10.2007

Faith vs. Tradition

Following Jesus is all about faith, not about tradition nor what we feel nor what we experience nor what we accomplish in life.

Last night's Bible study message, Following Jesus: "Putting Tradition In Its Place," was taken from Matthew 15: 1-20. Earlier this week I started a personal Bible study in Romans.

Following Jesus begins with faith and continues onward and upward. When we accept that Jesus died for each and everyone of us and our sins, that He was buried and that He rose again, we achieve God's righteousness, we are in right standing with God. We are His children. Because of that righteousness God has given us through His son, we are enabled to produce more righteousness by how we conduct our lives and give service to the Lord.

There is nothing more, nothing additional needed for us to be in right standing with God. Some Christian denominations mistakenly think more is needed, by saying "we interpret the Bible according to experience, reason and traditon."

God clearly says He is in control, not us. The Bible is God's book for us.

I concur with my pastor's consensus, "we interpret our experience, reason and tradition according to the Bible." Three points he made make sense to me:
(1) Don't let tradition invalidate God's commands
(2) Don't let tradition blind you to God's call
(3) Don't let tradition hide the real source of your filth

What do you think?

Fear

Dear Lord,
The fear factor is setting in. Shouldn't, doesn't belong. Help me to overcome. Trust, only you can provide what I need. But somehow I've allowed disbelief to reign. No, not disbelief. But maybe so. With you I can do all things. With you I can overcome. With you, I can move forward. When I don't totally rely on you, but take it back, take it to myself, I will fail. Help me to overcome again Lord. Amen.

Being like Christ

I wish I could be just like Jesus . . . passionate, tenderhearted, kind, humble, gentle, patient, loving, and much more. Sometimes I am, but of course not all at once. But one at a time, and not every day nor every hour.
Being like Christ is not just something a Christian should be to another Christian. Its what we should be to every one, all the time, every time.
I get upset. I criticize. I step on people's toes. I say things that come out wrong. I put my foot in my mouth. At work, at home, at church, family, on the bus, at school. Everywhere.
Jesus says in Colossians 3:13 "we are to make allowances for each other's faults and forgive the one who offends us."
But its seldom that we do all that Jesus says we should do or should be. We act, react to immediate feelings. We don't first stop and think about what Jesus would do.
I'm supposed to be a representative of the Lord Jesus. After all, God chose me to be one of His.
Think first, speak - act - react second
If only I could remember that instead of react/speak/act first and think about it all second - that's how discontent, disheartedness, depression settles in us and around us.

"Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony." - Colossians 3:14b

It is God's world afterall

Do you hear?
Chimes a-ringing
over yonder
up above
God's chapel in the sky ... on the hillside

God's creation
down below
murky water
still
Turtles big
bigger than a hand
maybe two
paddling
swimming
Dozens there are.

Stillness,
quietness
mugginess
will come
Perhaps not
Perhaps so

Pleasant sitting
out on the porch
The heat of the day
is but a moment away.

Cathy Orrick Luders

8.4.2007

Scripture

I didn't know what to title today's commentary, so have the generic title of "Scripture."
Yesterday, last night, Sunday, my husband and I went up to Cedar Falls for the Bible Conference. Its in its 86th year. Still run by free-will donations. Still a wonderful blessing to us and numerous others. Last night's speaker was Bryan Loritts, pastor of Fellowship Bible Church in Memphis, Tenn. He spoke from Matthew 25, specifically verse 31 and his subject was "Engaging the Less Fortunate."

The less fortunate ... those who have less than we do. You may not have much, but there's always another who has just a bit less.

Jesus separates the sheep from the goats. The sheep represent the saved, the righteous; the goats the unsaved, unrighteous. It is not the separation of those who care for the less fortunate vs those who do not. For there are many who care (for the less fortunate), but do not know Jesus. And until you do know Jesus, have accepted Him as your personal savior, all the works you do mean nothing. If you don't know Jesus, all the help you provide for another may be good, but it doesn't get you across the bridge ... to eternal life.

~~~~~~~

Today's Scripture reading from Our Daily Bread brought me to James 1:19-20, which says:

"... Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Your anger can never make things right in God's sight."

Oh to learn and remember. Remembering is the key I think. When you don't remember, Satan, who is always lurking in the shadows watching and waiting, pounces on you, and then by the time you remember God's words, Satan has succeeded in causing anger in raise its ugly head. Fortunately, Satan's claws don't stay implanted long, and he is crushed until the next time we cave in.

I read all of James 1. About faith and endurance. Always something new to be gleaned from God's word, every time. Verse 2: "...whenver trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy."

Trouble ... trials come in many dimensions. Our finances, our jobs and careers, our health, our relationships. Individually, don't we tend to think we have it worse than another? But then we share with each other and often discover another has it far worse than we do. What have we to complain about... yet we do. An opportunity for joy ... we should be thankful for the trials at the work place? thankful for the pain we undergo in our bodies?

Verse 12: "God blesses the people who patiently endure testing..." Patiently endure. Learning patience in the midst of our trials.

How important is it?

How important is it?
Living as the world lives
or living as God tells us
Knowing one from the other

Having what we need
Knowing what we need
Thinking, wishing
What one has is not realistic thinking
that is what another needs or doesn't need

Each is different
Each person
Each family

Follow the Lord
Follow Him alone
Listen to His words, His widsom
Only He knows
He sees all.
He knows our needs and our desires.

Some will attempt to meet
their needs and desires
by themselves.

Some will succeed.
Some will not.

Some will rely on Scripture, on the Lord
...follow His lead.

The Lord made us.
We are His.

Some have much
Some have little
Some make do
Some falter

Some complain
worry

where does it get you?
what have you accomplished
with worry and anxiety?

Listen, obey, do ...
The Lord will guide you.
He will show you the way

In every aspect of Life,
God is present.

Reach out
grab hold
He is there.

YOU must believe
YOU must seek
YOU must reach out and hold on

Where are you in your walk with the Lord?

Are you walking with Him at all
or
are you walking on your own?

Cathy Orrick Luders

7.28.2007

"With God all things are possible." - Matthew 19:26

Dark ... light

"When it is dark enough, men see the stars." - Emerson

Psalm 42, verse 5 and 11 say:

"Why am I discouraged? Why so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again - my Savior and my God!"

I say:

No matter what comes my way
Daytime
Night time
God is always there
ever present
at work
I have but to reach out to him, seek him
always there to listen
He Is Listening
answering,
if we but hear, acknowledge, understand.

Air conditioning

Does anyone out there know of a mechanic in the Cedar Rapids area who can add freon to an older model car? We have a 1991 Olds Cutlais Calaiss with just under 52,000 miles on it. Bought it a year ago. We know someone who has some freon he has never used, so that's not a problem. The problem lies in getting the freon into the car. Don't know how to achieve this or if it is even achievable. If anyone has any anwers or suggestions, please let me know. Thanks.

Good-bye, hello

Thought: once you die and are in heaven, are you aware of those still on earth who have not accepted the Lord as Savior?

I asked my husband about this and after some discussion, we determined that since heaven was a place of joy, there could be no sadness. If a loved one was not saved, that would be oh so very sad, but those in heaven would not be aware of it. That is why, while there is still time, those of us who know the Lord - have accepted His offering of salvation - must actively show others the way to the cross. We can't just sit on our duff and hope someone else takes care of it.

Friday the 13th

Friday, the 13th. It brings negative thoughts to mind I bet. It shouldn't. I was born on Friday, the 13th. A friend also. Many born, many die. Surgeries, tests, job starts and endings. Life goes on.

I especially thought of writing because of individuals requesting prayer. I thought of names and thought I would list them here and perhaps you too would pray for them.

• There is my husband Jim, who is scheduled to have his fifth MRI tomorrow morning. MRIs are costly tests - $2500 for each and this is no. 5 just this year. Of course our deductible has been met. And of course, so far with each successive MRI, the swannoma tumor the doctors are looking for cannot be found. There is one somewhere, because that is what is felt is causing his pain. So I pray the results will be positive.
• A friend, Jan, is having eye surgery tomorrow. She and her family operate a funeral home. She has been told she has to lay flat on her stomach for seven days.
• Jan's husband Short has recently been diagnosed with acute leukemia.
• An elderly neighbor of friends George and Jani has also been diagnosed with leukemia
• Molly McCoy, wife of Steve McCoy (http://www.stevekmccoy.com), whose blog I just happened across, was recently diagnosed with chiari malformation, which affects her brain functions. She is scheduled for surgery tomorrow.

As the Lord leads, His will be done. Amen.

Greed

Luke 12: 15, 21: "...Don't be greedy for what you don't have. Real life is not measured by how much we own. Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God."

Don't live for the moment. This is your income that the Lord has enabled you to make. If the Lord has also prompted you to follow through on something, He will show you how to make it happen.

Money is a necessary component for many things to happen, but it is not the most important component. Our relationship with Jesus is foremost.

All the wealth in the world can not buy true happiness ... joy.

My Anna

My friend
a special one
I've adopted
as my mommy

A relationship
started
nourished
bloomed

She walks
with the Lord
She cares
for the sick
and disabled
She talks
of her childhood
of her years
married to Ray

Of present pain
of past hurts
of a future time
with her Lord

She is my friend
my very special friend
my adopted mommy
Anna

Cathy Orrick Luders

6.12.2007

The proof

In John 10, the Jewish leaders said, "If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly."

Jesus said, "The proof is what I do in the name of my Father."

The Jews considered Jesus to be a blasphemer because of his claims of kinship with God, even though they saw (were witnesses to) or heard about the miracles performed in God's name. None of his works mattered to them because they saw Jesus only as a man, son of Joseph and Mary. They did not remember the miracle birth. They had forgotten all the prophecies foretold in Isaiah.

Intervention

Do you ever watch the television show "Intervention?" It's about individuals who are caught up in drugs and other bad life choices and are given a second chance at turning their life around.

We all desire second chances.

I thought of all that after hearing yesterday's sermon message "Divine Intervention." Pastor Dan's text was from Acts 9: 1-9. He made four points:

1. Jesus can intervene
2. How you are treating believers is how you are treating Jesus
3. An encounter with God is costly
4. If you wonder if it's God, use Scripture as your guide

Anna's squirrel

A little thing
bushy tailed
Obstreperous ... into everything
... her flowers
climbing the tree
Causing havoc
and providing endless entertainment
for two years

until one day
not long ago
a few weeks
he met his master
out on the roadway
... hit by a car

Good-bye Mr. Squirrel

Cathy Orrick Luders

7.7.2007

Suicide

People give in
give up
Quit
There are some
who do that
Why?
What have they achieved?!
nothing.

Tired of fighting
of repeated attempts
of trying

Give in
give up
Don't do that.
We were given life
You, me
Everyone of us.
It is not for us
to take it away

Only God.

We must persevere
Persist
Endure
... to make life worth living.

Cathy Orrick Luders

7.7.2007

Death

Death comes
like a thief
in the night
silently
tiptoeing
ever so quietly

We hardly know
it has come

Except
in the aftermath

Our loved ones
family, friends
gone.

Only our memories
will keep them
alive
within us.

Cathy Orrick Luders

7.4.2007

Struggles

On Monday, when my husband came home for lunch, he commented the alternator light came on in the car and we needed to take the car to the shop. I thought that interesting, considering just a few hours earlier after reading the day's devotional, I had written about struggles. Of course, in my writings, I had neglected to mention our vehicles and the struggles we have with them. Following is what I wrote:

Struggles
Always
Never ending
No matter who we are
What we hope to accomplish
God's will
or our own

Struggles
Small or big
All important
to us
individually

Life's challenges
where we work
the place
the type
the accomplishments
the process
the ending
the beginning again
where we live
how we live
the friends we have
the people beyond ... that we meet
at work
our neighbors
at church
at businesses we frequent
Everywhere.
the foods we choose to eat
the words we read
the choices

Struggles
never ending
morning to night
over and over
and over again

Aging
not just in years
But our bodies
wear down, wear out
We can get
new knees, new hips
new legs, new arms,
new teeth, new eyes
new heart, new kidney,
new, new, new
Only a replacement.
Struggles

God waits
He is ever present
He will carry our burdens ... IF we ask
He will show us the way ... IF we seek
He will fill us, renew us again and again ... IF we accept, IF we believe, IF we obey

Struggles can be overcome.

Our God, my God is an awesome God. He is with me always.
But,
unless I actively seek Him,
obey Him,
follow Him,
He waits ...

Cathy Orrick Luders

7.2.2007

And .... its sold!

The 1957 Chickering has been sold.
Moving on .....
A new life
Another chapter
It's good-bye.......

And ....

And what now?
What to do.
What to think.
Does anyone think, does anyone care?
Where are we?
Where are we going, heading, anywhere?
What is the end?
Where, when, why.
So many questions.
Do you know ...
Do I know.
Who knows?
Who cares?

God.

Cathy Orrick Luders

6.18.2007

Do I learn?

Do I learn from the Lord's discipline?

He says Don't
He says No
He says Wait
He says In My Time
He says Not Now

And what do I say?
What do I do?

Am I learning?
Am I even listening?
Am I paying attention?
Do I care?
Well, ...... do I? Am I?

Something to think about isn't it.

Life.

It's not just day to day existence.
It's living in obedience
to God,
His rules.

After all, its His world and we are His people.

6.14.2007

Cathy Orrick Luders

Piano for sale

I have now gained posession of the family piano - a Chickering console. It was built in 1957, so this year it is 50 years old. It is in good condition and is played occasionally, although it does need tuning. Asking price $1500. Please call if you are seriously interested. (319) 378-0830 - Cedar Rapids, Iowa

God's creation

It's the first time
The very first time
Mother Robin
made her nest
and laid in it
Didn't move away
but stayed nearby
Keeping her precious eggs warm

Until one day
The eggs hatched
Two little baby robins ....
God's creation.

The wonder of it all.
His love
His glory

Cathy Orrick Luders

6.5.2007

The Truth

The Truth ... according to Scripture
The Truth ... about Jesus' death
The Truth ... do you know it? Do you have it? Are you truly free?

Can you fill in the blanks to the following and do you believe what it says?

Luke 23: 46 = Jesus literally ________ on the cross .

John 1: 29 = Jesus came to take away the _____ _____ _____ ______.

John 3: 16 = Jesus is God's ____ and ____ Son.

Romans 8: 23 = God sent Jesus to accomplish His plan of ____________.

1 John 5: 10-11 = Jesus __________ so we could have eternal ________.

A place in heaven

"When everything is ready I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am." John 14:3

Jesus will come for me, I will be with Jesus forever. When everything is ready, when it is time, Jesus will come. I will go with him, home, my eternal home, to heaven. What a glorious day that will be.

Why?

Why oh why would anyone want to beat up one of God's creatures? Whether human or animal, all are God created. All deserve life.

Hope Eternal

Hope Eternal
I have it
Yes. I have it.
I know.

God showed me the way
Through others
My heart was open
Ready to receive

Walking, running, skipping
joyously, excitedly
Through the Scriptures
Wondering what the Lord
would say
To me

Something new
every time.
How to live

Trust and obey
His will
Not mine

Cathy Orrick Luders

6.3.2007

That time is here

2 Timothy 4: 2-4 says, "Preach the word of God. Be persistent, whether the time is favorable or not. . . . For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to right teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear. They will reject the truth and follow strange myths."

Now is that time. Past ... present ... future, failure to listen to right teaching has been consistently present down through the ages.

The Lord knows all, is all. Who are we, what are we doing, when we follow our own desires?

Insight ... understanding ... wisdom

We may think we know so much about this and that, but until we seek God's wisdom by listening, studying, praying, doing, what we know is so very shallow.

Thoughtful ramblings on God's leading

If God leads us to an unfamiliar place of obedience, He accompanies us and provides for our every need.

God is faithful when we are obedient to His will. We must act on that realization, not be fearful. Not do something because of our fear, but do it because God said so. When we are fearful, our faith is damaged. We are not believing what God has said --- "With God, all things are possible."

Fear is fueled when we focus on the limited information gained from our perceptions about a situation.

God is with us when we are following His commands, pursuing His will. When we rebell against Him and do our "own thing," we must not assume God will be there with us, helping us.

Wait on God. Trust His timing.

When we defy God's directive, thinking we know what's best for ourselves, we risk forfeiting or delaying the blessings God has reserved for us.

When we are impulsive, we go round and round and get no where.

The Lighthouse

It was rather small,
snug to the coastline,
This Lighthouse,
with a tiny window near the top
to view the skyline.

Not many ship's captains
nor boaters near.
Off the beaten path
It was
With only birds and animal critters roaming.

Traveling up above,
zooming along the highway,
high overhead,
Like an airplane
Cars, vehicles of all descript, whizzing by.

Look down. Look to the right.
See the magical, the imaginary fixture
in swirls of black and dull white ...
guarding its lone section
of earth against would-be attackers.

Birds - so generic
sunning themselves
on a slim section of beachfront property
smack dab in the middle ....
of a lake,
where people fish around its perimeter.

Cathy Orrick Luders

5.23.2007

Purpose - Glorifying God

Today's Scripture reading was II Corinthians 3: 11-18 and 4: 3-4.

If I understand it right, the Old Covenant is known as the Mosaic, with laws and rules set forth to follow in obedience to God. With Jesus' coming, death and resurrection, we have the New Covenant.

When you live within the confines of the Old Covenant, a veil covers your mind so you cannot understand the truth. But when we believe in Jesus Christ, accept Him as our Savior, that veil is lifted, removed.

Freedom. With the veil removed, with our minds opened, we can follow Christ more fully. We can reflect the glory of Christ more and more as His spirit works within us.

Having the New Covenant doesn't mean the veil is removed from everybody. The key is "when we believe in Jesus Christ, when we accept Him as Savior."

When that has happened, then our life begins anew and we glorify God by putting His character, His will, His ways into action in everything we do.

Satan is always present, always at work. See what II Corinthians 4 : 3-4 has to say:
"If the Good News we preach is veiled from anyone, it is a sign that they are perishing. Satan, the god of the evil world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe, so they are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News that is shining upon them. They don't understand the message we preach about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God."

Resolving Conflict

Scripture for Jesus' process for resolving conflict with another believer is found in Matthew 18:15-17:

"If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the fault. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If that person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. If the church decides you are right, but the other person won't accept it, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector."

Step 1 - confront the person by yourself

Step 2 - confront him or her with one or two other believers

Step 3 - bring the situation before the church

Step 4 - remove the person from church leadership/fellowship

I think sometimes we skip some of these steps. An individual may be afraid to confront another, even though they are a believer, so goes immediately to step 2. A group of believers, such as deacons, may decide its better not to bring the situation before the entire church, so skips step 3 and goes immediately to step 4.

I think it is very unfortunate when the church is not involved in the decision making. Except for a few, we have no idea why someone in our midst is ostracized and are often told, its of no concern. Doesn't this open up a whole new can of worms?

Love

Love is an attitude, Love is a prayer,

For a soul in sorrow, a heart in despair;

Love is good will for the gain of another

Love suffers long with the fault of a brother.

-- Anonymous

Give to the Winds Your Fears

Words to this song were written by Paul Gerhardt in 1653 and translated by John Wesley in 1739. Here it is:

"Give to the winds your fears;
In hope be undismayed;
God hears your sighs and counts your tears,
God shall lift up your head.
To him commit your griefs.
Your ways put in His hands --
To his sure truth and tender care
Who earth and heav'n commands
Who earth and heav'n commands.

O put your trust in God;
In duty's path go on.
Walk in his strength with faith and hope,
So shall your work be done.
Leave to his sov'reign sway
To choose and to com-mand;
So you shall, faithful, seek His way --
How wise, how strong His hand,
How wise, how stroong His hand!"

Looking back

It's hard to believe, but its been nearly 2 months since I have written anything in my blog. That's not to say I haven't done any journaling. I write every day - about what has gone on or hasn't in my life, about what God has said to me, about anything and everything.

Tonight while looking in my journal, I came across what I wrote Feb. 25. That day was when snow and ice bombarded Iowa and most churches across the state did not hold services.

The Scripture reading that morning was Hebrews 3:12-14. What I gleaned was ..... Today I must listen to His voice. Today I must not harden my heart. I must not turn away from the Lord.

Looking back is good when it is to recall what God has done on our behalf.

Looking ahead is good when we remember God is ever present. When we follow Him and obey His commands, He is always with us.

But when we see only obstacles and react to them out of fear we have taken God out of the picture.

Fear hinders faith, but trust kindles confidence.

Christian vs. Christian

So what does it mean? Christian vs. Born-Again Christian.

To me, a Christian is a follower of Christ. If you are following Christ you are born-again. You turned away from your old self, past mistakes, your sins, and turned to Jesus. If you haven't done that, how can you make any claim to be a Christian?

Unfortunately, however, there are many people who profess to be a Christian simply because they believe in God.

But a Real Christian
an Authenic Christian
a True Christian ....

.... believes in, accepts and follows God the Father
Jesus Christ the Son
and The Holy Spirit

as One.

Power

We have to turn to God, to Jesus, to have the full power to destroy the enemy Satan.

When we do not believe all God says He is and can do and has done, when we do not believe Jesus is the son of God or God himself, we do not have the power.

THOUGHT TO PONDER: ... The Lord decided long ago what now He has caused to happen.

This 'n That

When we trust in what Jesus has done for us, a relationship with God begins and sin no longer has control over us.

~~~~~~~~~

God always stands between the Christian and the enemy.

~~~~~~~~~

Our new life begins the moment we accept Christ died for us. Our sinful self died, was crucifed with Christ, so sin no longer has power over us. Unfortunately, so many of us fail to realize this and continue to allow Satan the controlling hand of influence. If we would only realize that God is the controlling power, not Satan, we would, could live as Christ desires us to live.

Negativity is not part of Christ's legacy, nor is fear of unknowns. Thoughts that you're not good enough, you'll fail, the church by-laws say no, all this and more get in the way of living for Christ and in Him.

~~~~~~~~~~

Romans 6:12a in New Living translation says "Do not let sin control the way you live."

v. 13 "...Give yourselves completely to God since you have been given new life. And use your whole body as a tool to do what is right for the glory of God."

~~~~~~~~~~

If you say you love God, then why would you not believe Jesus is the son of God? Why would Jesus lie? Why would those he miraculously healed lie?

John 8:42 says "Jesus told them, 'If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God.' "

~~~~~~~~~~

Individuals born with disabilities .....

John 9:3 says "It was not because of his sins or his parents' sins,' Jesus answered. 'He was born (blind) so the power of God could be seen in him.' "

Seeing and being blind is not always about "sight."

Isaiah 35

When Jerusalem / Zion / The Holy City is restored, all will be rejoicing, singing, abundance of beautiful flowers, green lushness everywhere - the Lord's splendor will abound.

A main road through that once deserted land - called Highway of Holiness:

Only for those who walk in God's ways,
Only the redeemed,
Only those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return to Jerusalem.

My dad's birthday

Today is my dad's birthday - 97 years ago he was born. Nearly a century. So long, so very long, and I didn't know him really at all. The family unit of four lasted until I was 8 and my sister was 5. I did converse with him from time to time over the years -- when I was in my first year of college we talked on the phone. In 1972, the year my sister graduated from high school and I had finished my junior year in college, he died. And that was 35 years ago.

Temptation

My devotion this morning was from Matthew 4: 1-11 and although only three temptations are actually listed, the Devil tempted Jesus way more times in those 40 days and 40 nights.

Temptation ... distracting enticements ... destructive lifestyle

Its more than ... its less than ... drugs and gangs, alcohol and drunken driving, obesity, anorexia, bulima, smoking cigarettes or marijuana or crack cocaine, swearing, robbery/stealing, pornography, abuse -- maiming, killing.

When the powers of darkness comes in like a flood (and it is all around us), the Battle belongs to the Lord!

To conquer sin, nip it in the bud of temptation.

Tiredness

Well, for crying out loud. You get tired, and then you say things you regret. Your bad side shows up. Who you really are comes out in what you say or don't say. Will I never be the person God wants me to be? It's an ongoing growth experience, and I often have failing moments, when my growth is stunted. Such as tonight, after I got home. Worked nearly 2 hours later than usual, and both my husband and I were owly, putting in mildly.

I'm really sorry Lord. The moment I said what I said, I regretted it. Really should think before I act, instead of the other way. Emotions should not get the best of you. But it did, it does. And I am sorry Lord. I can't say it won't happen again. But I can say I don't want it to happen again and I will strive for that not to happen. Please forgive me. Help me to learn from my mistakes and not make them repeatedly. Help me to be your faithful daughter. In your name I pray. Amen.

We can live!

The Lord - He is God,
The mighty King
The Prince of Peace
The Holy One
The Only One

We are but dust - like that found in corners
or underneath beds

Our life span is limited
Tomorrow may or may not come
We are destined to die

But through the grace of the Lord's son Jesus
We can live!

By Cathy Orrick Luders

2.19.2007

Thought for Today

Spending quiet time with God will bring quiet rest from God

Those who truly believe in God also believe in His son Jesus Christ

This week's Bible study is from John 5: 16-47 "Like Father, Like Son."
Question: Why can't I believe in God without accepting Jesus as His Son?
Answer: Because the two are one.

God rested on the seventh day, after creating the world, animals, humans. He rested, yet he still was at work.

That is what we have heard for centuries - we are to rest on the Sabbath, the 7th day. No work. Keep it holy, sacred.

God's intentions were for people to focus on Him, celebrate Him and His work. Not about rules and regulations as the Jewish leaders determined it to be.
Focusing on God / Jesus should be a day-to-day thing, not just one day a week. Because of how the Jews interpreted the law, albeit wrongly, they looked for anything (and everything) that violated that interpretation and declared punishment. They were blinded by self-righteousness and misconceptions of God. Felt God was an entity above all; no one could claim to be equal to Him. When Jesus professed to be His Son, the Jews considered this blasphemy and consequently condemned Him.

So it is really, the Jews who took it upon themselves to sentence Jesus to death - death on the cross - God allowed this to make a point on just who Jesus was and is and is to come. And to show us the way to heaven - only through His son Jesus.

If you believe not in Jesus and what He has done, you do not believe in God Almighty. It is not one without the other. They come together. And when Jesus the human died and rose again and ascended into heaven it was as God designed it. It was God / Jesus who sent to Holy Spirit. His holy spirit, to be with all those who believe(d) in and followe(d) Jesus His Son and the Father.

The Trinity - God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Hard to understand, yet very clear.

We must come to Jesus, not just read the words of Scripture or attend Bible study. If we believe what the words say, if we say we believe the Bible, we must also believe in Jesus and God. They are a package deal. Not one without the other. The Bible points to how we are to live the Christian faith.

The Lord rules

In the future, the future of yesterday, of today, of tomorrow, in the future, as in the present and the past, the Lord rules. Not people. International disputes will be settled by the Lord, not You, not Me. Wars will stop. Alliances made with people from other countries that are out to destroy will meet their own destruction. The Lord rules. The Lord has the final say. Idol worship will end. Idols will be destroyed.

A new study

I received a new translation of the Bible for Christmas - the New Living Bible and on Jan. 15 started a study of Isaiah.

Do not return to your old ways

Being made right with God comes by faith, not by any requirements a church or individual adds. We should not return to our old ways. It is those ways that get us in trouble. We need to look to the Lord for our answers, not to our past. The past is part of who we are, the present is also part of who we are and the future is part of who we are as well. To be complete, we need to be in Christ. With faith in Christ, we have a bridge to a new you, a new me.

It's New Year's Eve

10:38 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, 2006. The last day of this year. A year of new beginnnings, new starts, new life is but minutes away. Accept Jesus Christ as your Savior. You don't have to wait until next year. Do it now. Believe He died for you, for your sins. He died so that we may live. Jesus is the Messiah! Jesus is the only way anyone will get to heaven. If you believe you are going to heaven and do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you are mightily deceived. If you do not know the Lord and die without Him, you will surely know it at your death. But by then it will be too late! Death seals your fate. Don't wait for tomorrow to come. Don't put it off for another time. It is later than you think.

He got an "A"

Jimmy got an "A" in his seminary class "History of Christianity II. We received his papers and grades in the mail today. Hallalujah!

Onward we go

Well, we're not going to have a Korean child in our midst - Josh nor his mother are comfortable with being in a home that has a bunny as a house pet. Perhaps another time, but not now.

Jim did receive a call when we got home this afternoon from a local funeral home requesting his services. So he will meet with the family Tuesday afternoon and the funeral will be on Wednesday morning.

Tomorrow - Sunday - is Christmas Eve Day. Christmas is in the heart, not what's on the ground. But you know, if you grow up with snow at Christmas time you tend to think of it as going hand in hand. But not so really. You also tend to think of families and Christmas going hand in hand. But that's not so either. Traditions we acquire are a result of families ... and friends ... and snow.

But I don't miss the slippery streets of snow or ice. Or unhappy thoughts. My family, albeit small, is enough, and I have Jesus ... and that makes life worthwhile. Jimmy, my husband; BeeJay, our dwarf bunny; me and Jesus.

We hope you have accepted God's gift and will have a

M E R R Y

C H R I S T M A S !!!!!!!!

What have I to give?

Good question. Reminds me of the song "The Little Drummer Boy" - poor as I am what have I to give? I'll give Him my heart, I'll play my best for Him.

I only worked 4 days this week and it was the longest week in history I thought. And now I am off today, Saturday, Sunday and most of Monday - Christmas Day. Jesus's Birthday - the day we Christians celebrate His birth.

Later this morning I have to take the bus to the women's center at the hospital - for a mammogram. Our health insurance deductible has been met, therefore I don't have to worry about paying for it. Thank goodness! This afternoon my husband and I are going to a funeral visitation for one of Jim's hospice patients. And then later we are having friends over for homemade chicken soup and bread and veggies and a gift exchange. It should be fun.

Today, this morning, I will hear whether our desire to be a host family to a Korean boy has been approved or not. It seems there is a concern about the type of house pet we have - which is a bunny. He weighs just over 1 pound. Apparently in Korea, dogs and cats are common, but bunnies are not. God knows best. Whatever. It's frustrating to say the least.

Saturday morning we get our regular 6-week hair cuts.

Sunday - Christmas Eve. In the morning we have Sunday school and church, then more friends are coming over afterward for Kentucky Fried chicken, cranberry salad, veggies, etc. Then we will return to church for evening services.

Yesterday, Dec. 21, was the one-year anniversary of Jim's dad's death, my daddy-in-law.

Monday - Christmas Day. It will be Jim and I and BeeJay and Jesus.

God's greatest gift

God had promised for years, centuries that He would send His messiah to deliver His people. But the way He did it and when resulted in many many people questioning, disbelieving.

Jesus had come. God's greatest gift was here, is here. BUT he was mocked, beaten, crucified. Mankind thought that was the end of him, that he was no one special, spectacular, but they, we were proved wrong.

Jesus died and was buried, but HE rose again.

Of course, why wouldn't he? He is God's own son.

So many have missed the boat - I'm so glad I didn't.

Thank you Lord Jesus for coming into my life, for giving me new life. Amen.

Love

Love bears all things. Love covers another's sins. It does not have an easy tolerance of wrong but extends compassion to the wrongdoer.

Love believes all things. Love places faith in God and chooses to believe the best about others -- to give them the benefit of the doubt. It is an attitude of trust.

Love hopes all things. It does not have unrealistic optimism or rely on positive thinking but faces the future with confidence in God's ability and faithfulness.

Love endures all things. It has the sense of bearing up under a load, of being able to deal with pressure without collapsing. Love faces hardships and perseveres.

Arthritis - how good is Fosamax?

My husband has recently been diagnosed with arthritis - rheumatoid and osteoporosis. This morning he started taking Fosamax and within 30 minutes started getting a severe headache and a sour stomach. Is this a side effect? He doesn't need more problems just to feel better for another. None of us do. I pray the Lord will help him cope and for us to know what to do.

"Facing the Giants"

My husband and I went to the movies this afternoon and saw "Facing the Giants," a Christian film produced by a church in Atlanta, Ga. If you have not seen it, we recommend you do. It's wonderful. Its about football but yet its not about football. It's about facing your fears, having faith, believing in God, believing in what He has for you, remembering what your purpose is here - why are you here? It's not about YOU. It not about ME. It's about Him. It's about giving glory and honor to our Father in heaven. It's about God - with God all things are possible. Nothing is impossible when God is driving, directing, leading and we are following.

Census dropping

My husband works in home care, specifically with men who are dying. Today we found out one of his patients is in the hospital and will probably be moving to a nursing home instead of back home. It's becoming too hard for his wife. Another of Jim's patients died this morning.

I get used to a routine, whether I like it or not, but when something comes along to disrupt it, then fear sets in.

My prayer this morning is this:

Dear Lord,
Keep the fear growing within me away. Keep me mindful of you Lord, help me not stray from your guidance. Remind me of the promises you have made to me, your daughter, keep me mindful of them daily. You know all, are all, you know what will come my way, our way, keep your loving arms around me so I will be comforted and forever and always surronded by your boundless love. Help me, show me how to best utilize the money you have given us for your glory.
In your precious name I pray.
Amen

Listening

God is always listening to His sons and daughters when they are abiding in His will. Sometimes, maybe frequently, God's answers are no or wait, and we are so brazen as to wonder if God is listening at all, because we think the answer is so clear. When he doesn't respond the way we think He should, we open ourselves to questioning doubt and worry. What we perceive is not necessarily an accurate picture. We need to trust, have faith in the Lord to bring good through whatever we are dealt. He is always in control.

"Not ours to know the reason why

Unanswered is our prayer,
But ours to wait for God's own time
To lift the cross we bear." - Anonymous

Psalm 51

This morning I read Psalm 51 from The Living Bible paraphrased. One part of verse 12 especially caught my eye -- "..., and make me willing to obey you."

God does not care about the sacrifices we bring to His altar (feet) if our attitude is not right with Him. The ritual is only a mockery - it is not real, it is not because of who we are in Christ, but only because we think this is what we are supposed to do. Those who are not Christians think this way (and possibly some Christians do too, I don't know) - that God requires a sacrifice to become one with Him. Not so.

God wants our repentance, being truly sorry for our sins, not merely getting caught, but truly sorry for what we've done against our Father.

It is only when we have turned from our sin, repented, asked for the Lord's forgiveness and for Him to make us whole and one with Him again that our right relationship returns.

Thanks be to God when all is well between you and your Father in heaven.

Brilliant thinking ... or stupidity?

I should not have bought the chocolate mix earlier in the week. Hot chocolate is one thing, but this is NOT it. A bargain buy does not mean it is an appropriate buy, nor in reality, a real bargain. It's just something I bought that I didn't need, that was 60% off the original price. This is without a doubt a place where many of us find ourselves. Thinking we have a bargain when we really don't.

If you are seeking something that is real, look for Jesus. He is ALL you will ever need. Keep your mind set on Him and Him alone, He will bring you through all sorts of trials you undergo. Jesus is the real bargain. He paid a BIG price for our salvation. Don't go off and look elsewhere. There is no bargain to be found. Jesus paid it all. Our allegiance is to Him.

Memorial Keepsakes

It's been nearly a year since starting my business of laminating obituaries. The process itself is not a new thing, but there are many newspapers and/or funeral homes who do not provide this service. It is my hope that the word will get out, particularly in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa area, and that people who are seeking this service, will find me.

God knows

It's amazing - God knows our limits and He never permits more than we can bear. He knows far more, far above anything we think we ourselves know, because we frequently think our strength is nothing, that we have far more to carry than we ought and our burdens seem so so heavy at times. They range from health to jobs to education to our children, our siblings, our parents to ... anything. When we ask God for help - He offers - and we accept it, our burdens are less heavy, our footsteps are not as downtrodden for we have Jesus in our midst, guiding us on the way, making pathways straight, and light.

Thank you for being my protector heavenly Father.

Control

I lack self-control, especially when it comes to eating the wrong stuff. I have no problem eating that which is good for me. I practice it day in and day out. Unfortunately, I also have no problem eating that which is not good for me. I don't do that daily - that's good! but it would be better if I didn't do it at all, or allowed myself a sweet only as a special treat and not whenever I felt like it.

Today's Scripture reading was Titus 1: 1-9, but I read the entire 3-chapter book. My devotional book said this: When we discipline ourselves to keep our ordinary desires under control, we make a habit of virtuous living and practice the reality of Romans 6:18 -- "And having been set free from sin, you become slaves of righteousness."

Giving Christ control over everything is a daily thing or minute thing. Whenever we realize we have taken over the reigns, we must give it back, because we can do nothing of ourselves, only through Christ who strengthens us. I know this, I'm more than aware that this is true. Yet I allow Satan to tell me its not gonna hurt you, chocolate is not a problem, you won't gain any weight. Who am I fooling? Life is more than eating.

Endurance

In Sunday School we have been studying 2 Timothy. Today's devotional reading was 2 Timothy 3, which was part of yesterday's S.S. lesson as well. Verse 1 says "In the last days perilous times will come." Last days... the days before Christ returns ... many hundreds of years have already passed; perilous, grievious times will come - have come - there will be / we are in its midst.

I generally read the New King James version of the Bible, but occasionally The Living Bible paraphrased provides a clearer understanding. Here is what verses 1-9 say:

"You may as well know this too, Timothy, that in the last days it is going to be very difficult to be a Christian. For people will love only themselves and their money; they will be proud and boastful, sneering at God, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful to them, and thoroughly bad. They will be hardheaded and never give in to others; they will be constant liars and troublemakers and will think nothing of immorality. They will be rough and cruel, and sneer at those who try to be good. They will betray their friends; they will be hotheaded, puffed up with pride, and prefer good times to worshipping God. They will go to church, yes, but they won't really believe anything they hear. Don't be taken in by people like that. They are the kind who craftily sneak into other people's homes and make friendships with silly, sin-burdened women and teach them their new doctrines. Women of that kind are forever following new teachers, but they never understand the truth. And these teachers fight truth just as Jannes and Jambres fought against Moses. They have dirty minds, warped and twisted, and have turned against the Christian faith. But they won't get away with all this forever. Some day their deceit will be well known to everyone, as was the sin of Jannes and Jambres."

We are to persevere. God allows trials in our lives not to impair us but to improve us. Sometimes its hard to see, usually its hard to see what God has planned for us. But He knows best. Some of you may remember that old TV show, "Father Knows Best." Well, its true. Our Father does know best. Our heavenly father, the one who is always looking out for His children, for what is best for them.

Memories

This afternoon my husband and I drove from Cedar Rapids to West Branch to see the 60's exhibit (before it closed) at the Herbert Hoover Museum & Library. Admission was $12. Some of it was quite a fun trip down memory lane when we were teenagers, with the TV shows, music and dress. But, there was a lot of pain and sadness during those years, things I had forgotten or had buried - such as Kent State, riots, black inequality, Vietnam. Some things today have not changed much. Some things remain the same, we just get older, not necessarily any wiser.

I changed my post name to LauraMae Joy. Why? Laurie or Laura has always been a favorite name. I always thought if I was to have children, a girl, I might name her Laura Mae - Mae was my mom's first name and my middle name. But it didn't happen. There were/are no children. I like the name Joy as well. In my dreams, my imagination, my blog I can call myself whoever I want. So I am.

Remember

These dark, dreary days we've had of late bring to mind that I really am older. For years I would joke with my Sunday School teacher that she was "old," but she and I both knew I was teasing. I have certainly stopped the teasing and like I said, think more of myself in that vein, so it is no longer funny. Getting older is certainly better than the alternative ... in a way. I'm not ready to die, however, if the Lord deemed it the right time, then I would be ready to go to Him. I know of many much older that are ready to be with the Lord.

The dark days, the dampness, bring on all the joint aches you know you have but don't miss when they are away. Tiredness is all too evident as well.

We have been studying 2 Timothy in Sunday School. This week it's on Endurance. I remember writing about remembering God's truths. I don't think I've written them here before. I can't find it anyway. So am sharing them with you now.

R E M E M B E R God's truths

REJOICE in the Lord always for He is with us

ETERNALLY when we have

REPENTED of our sins past present and future and accept Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Saviour.

MEDITATE on the Scriptures - the word of God - for they are our instructions for living, an

EXAMPLE of how God wants us to live and not to live.

MAJESTIC BEAUTY of God's wondrous creation surrounds us - the mountains, sunrise and sunset, rainbow after a storm and much more.

BLESSINGS flow from above when we are on with Him. We must run the race set before us with

ENDURANCE. God enables us to continue on, to

ENDURE, to

RESIST the Devil. We are

RENEWED daily when we seek God's will, look to Him.

Cast ALL our BURDENS upon Him and He will give us REST.

It's autumn, but summer days are here

It's autumn and the leaves are changing colors. How beautiful is God's creation. Here in Iowa we're in Indian Summer - temperatures in the 70s and 80s. And how sweet it is. Soon though, these summer days/daze will be gone and winter will be creeping in. It will still be beautiful. Just cold. Brrrrrrr!!

A wedding ...

Today my husband Jim performed the wedding ceremony for his Little Brother. A new chapter as husband and wife begins for 21-year-old Rocky and his bride, Christina. Jim helped Rocky grow up; he became Rocky's Big Brother when Rocky was 12-1/2 and when their weekly visits with each other ended 5-1/2 years later, they maintained they would remain friends and they'd always be lifelong brothers in Christ. The wedding was very nice. Just a handful of friends and relatives gathered for the 6 p.m. ceremony at the gazebo at Ellis Park in Cedar Rapids. Pictures were taken with the Cedar River in the background, the sun still bright and glowing. The weather was cool but pleasant. We wish them happiness and many blessings.

Don't Worry ...

You've probably heard the song, "Don't Worry, Be Happy," but a better thought to live by is Don't Worry, Have Faith in our Lord, Jesus Christ, in His word, His promises, His love.

Whatever ...

Thoughts to ponder, to remember, to keep within:

Whatever we are in the midst of, wherever we are, our focus needs to be on the Lord, not on the circumstances surrounding us. If we focus on these circumstances, we will become bound by them, we will falter. However, if we stay on Jesus with our heart and mind, He will help us see it through, complete the task before us.

If I focus on God's presence rather than the presence of difficulties then I will be victorious over fear and discouragement. God encourages me to meditate on and obey His instruction.

Character traits

In 2 Peter it talks about the character traits of Christ. It mentions virtue and what should be added to that, with seven things total mentioned. Do you know what they are and the meanings of each? So often I think we kind of skip over words and we miss the meaning, because we don't stop and contemplate what is actually there.

I've been doing a personal Bible study on 2 Peter for several weeks. I used the book "Peter's Principles," and then I came across another book "You Can Beat Those Spiritual Blahs" - Your Personal Strategy for a Rejuvenated Faith ... based on Second Peter, written by Lew Miller. We have had this particular book in our home library since 1988 and this is the first time I picked it up and read it. Lew Miller was the first pastor of the church I am a member of, have been a member of for the past 24 years. I never met the man, but have gleaned much from his writings. He explains verse-by-verse what Peter has to say and he explains it in easy to understand terms.

Many times over many years we have all heard about the character traits of Christ and how once we are saved/born again we too receive these character traits. But we sometimes wonder if we really have. We hear the words virtue - knowledge - temperance - patience - godliness - brotherly love - love, and question whether we really have any of those, because sometimes it just doesn't seem like we do. I think the problem is we don't live like we have those traits. We don't purposely live for Christ, striving to be what He wants of us and for us. We live for ourselves.

So I looked again at these character traits.

Virtue is a quality of life which enables us to respond immediately when God speaks. Its courage, moral strength and purity. Its a lot of things all wrapped up in one. Giving God our all. God gave His son for all of our sins past present and future. Why is it so hard for us to give Him our all. If we have accepted Christ as our personal saviour, then why do we not accept that He can and will take care of all we have need of. If we live in Christ, if we follow Christ at all costs, if we go when He says go, if we wait when He says wait, we have virtue.

Knowledge is more than knowing, its understanding what the Scriptures say and then its applying it to specific situations. We need to have a personal devotional life of Bible study all the time, not just occasionally. Sunday school is good - there are many churches who do not have Sunday school for adults. Knowing what the Bible says and how to apply it to your personal situation is necessary for every last one of us. But stopping there or believing just coming to church on Sunday is enough is wrong thinking. We need to get into His word, think about what He is saying to us.

Temperance is the mastery of temptations which come from within. I haven't mastered this by any means. I imagine there are a great many of us who haven't really mastered this.
Temperance is keeping a reign on/ holding in our passions, appetites and instincts so that they are our slaves instead of our masters. Lew Miller uses the example of losing your temper ... as a Christian its a definite no-no. As are griping/complaining, self-pity, jealousy, grouchiness.
Being depressed isn't good. Doesn't mean it doesn't happen. Just means you shouldn't let it control you. Because once it controls you, God takes a backseat in your life and He needs to be the driver.

Desires for material things, for sweets, are temptations that can be mastered. But it takes more than our personal willpower to make it happen. Willpower doesn't work. Remember, we can do all things through Christ which strengthens us. We can do nothing by ourselves. We do not remember this enough.

Patience is the mastery of problems which come from without. Yielding to God without complaint, in spite of our circumstances. A brave, courageous acceptance of everything that life can bring to us. I am forever learning patience. Sometimes it gets the best of me and you can see where my lack of it has gotten me. Other times I have found peace and joy. Joy is a fruit of the spirit that brings calm assurance and victory in every circumstance. That doesn't mean the circumstance has necessarily gotten better. But it does mean because we have stayed in tune to Christ and His word, God has enabled us to endure whatever the circumstance.

Godliness is acting and reacting as Christ would in every circumstance. Nope, don't think so. It would be good if I did, but of course I get my self-will in the middle of things and then its not God I am listening to and obeying at all, but my own selfish thoughts.

Lew Miller says the best way to witness is by our actions. Interesting. Frequently you hear witnessing is door-to-door, visiting folk, sharing your testimony. I don't really like to witness for that very reason. I'm scared to death. Fear factor numeral uno. But when you talk about witnessing by how we live, it makes it easier. At least I think it does.

Brotherly Love is a genuine affection and concern for our Christian brothers and sisters. A willingness to bear the burdens of others with a desire to move in and help. Everywhere we see people in desperate need of kind words, kind deeds, kind friends.

Love is looking at all people from God's viewpoint. God loves you. God loves me. He does not love many of the things we do. He does not love the sins we commit. But He does love the person you are, because He created you.

When we allow the spirit of Christ to control our lives, others will be spiritually refreshed.

Things

The things we have are of no consequence. Things are handed down from family member to family member for safe-keeping, but in the very end, there is no need for any of it. Only what we need - that should be enough. But our human desires play a huge part - if we were not human, but God, we wouldn't see a need for these things we think, we believe we need, when they are merely desires.

Why? Because its pretty or simply put "I like it. I want it. I don't have one. I want one too. It tastes good. One little bit won't hurt. It doesn't cost a whole lot."

Satan often whispers these things to us and we listen to him instead of turning our minds and hearts to Jesus where all of our focus should be at all times, not just when it appears convenient for us.

Never doubt the power of God

Never doubt God's power. Never doubt His promises. We should never. We should never question anything about God. He is. That should be enough. 2006 has been the most miraculous year. So much has happened, not necessarily good/bad, but the walk with Jesus has been joy-filled. My faith has doubled, tripled. Not because of the prayer requests that He answered, but because I chose to walk with Him, focus on Him, stay in His word, study His word, look to Him for everything. Yes, Satan works harder when your energies are focused on God, but with the Lord before you and behind you and all around you, Satan can be defeated. He'll still strive to overpower you, make you fight with your spouse, but he doesn't win. God wins.
Thank you Jesus for dying for me. Thank you Jesus for sending the Holy Spirit to live inside me on the day I accepted you as my Saviour and Lord. Thank you Jesus, thank you God for never quitting on me, always being by my side, always helping me to see things from your perspective. Thank you for the joy that fills my heart. Thank you for all the people you have brought into my life to enable me to see all that you are. Thank you for loving me, when I have been so unworthy of your love, yet have needed it so much.

COMPLAIN ... not

When we cry out to the Lord, we should not then complain about where He has brought us, but PRAY. We cry out ... in pain ... and we seek help. We pray and continue to seek help. We listen, we wait ... we seek guidance continually, we do not give in or give up. WE SHOULD NOT COMPLAIN.

Easier said than to accomplish. Have to work at it, day in, day out. Minute by minute.

Seek CHRIST always

DO NOT become CENTERED on yourself or another being or object

DO NOT CONDEMN those who actively pursue the Lord's will

Show COMPASSION

Be CONFIDENT that the Lord Jesus Christ is with you when you become overwhelmed with the pressures of the day, the trials, the tribulations

DO NOT OFFEND another

OBEY the Lord and follow His lead

Be MERCIFUL

DO NOT MOCK another

DO NOT PERSECUTE another for your losses

DO NOT PUT DOWN another. God loves us all. It is the sin which is hated

DO NOT become LAZY. Go about your Father's business, knowing He is with you

DO NOT become ARGUMENTATIVE. Discussion is one thing, but arguing is an act Satan tells you is okay. Arguing only makes life worse.

DO NOT work AGAINST what God is doing ... whether it be in your life or that of another.

DO NOT worship some other god - be in money, prestige, job, etc. That is called IDOL WORSHIP/ IDLE WORSHIP. It gets you no place worthwhile, no place eternal.

DO NOT become IRREVERANT of our Lord.

DO NOT become IGNORANT and think you alone can accomplish great things

DO NOT become NEGATIVE-minded, finding fault at every turn

Be positive. Look on others as Christ looks on you.

Happy Birthday

July was a busy month when I was growing up. My grandpa's birthday, my sister's birthday, my mom's birthday. All within a week to 10 days of each other. My grandpa's birthday is today. He was born July 20, 1880, 126 years ago and he's been gone 45 years. My sister's birthday is July 23. I will forgo saying how old she is, but suffice it to say she is younger than I am. And my mom, her birthday is July 31. She has been with the Lord for nearly 10 years. She would have been 96 this year.

The days go by

The days go by. In and out. Day and Night. Night and Day. Breathe in, breathe out. Go to bed, wake up, go to work, go home. Start over. Another day. Another night. Much more to anything than just that. But the days do go by. It's life. Sometimes life is wonderful. Sometimes life is not so wonderful. It's sorta irrelevant. God created life and I'm glad of that. Because I am His and that's really what's most important.

June 6 I started a Bible study on the book of Hebrews. Today, July 20, I finished the study.

A lot has happened since my last writing on June 20. For one thing, my husband Jim and I visited Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Mo. Jim had attended there for a year-and-a-half many years ago, but this was my first visit. It's really a small campus. Actually its the smallest of the Southern Baptist seminaries in the United States. Yesterday, two weeks after sending in the application for admission, all of the necessary pieces were in hand to forward to the Admissions Committee. We continue to wait. Wait, wait, wait. It has not always been one of my stronger suits. It still isn't really. But I am better at waiting than I have been. I am more patient. I can not nor will I ever really be able to say I am a patient person. Because I'm not. But I am more patient thanks to Jesus being in my life. I am because He is.

Detours

"Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth." (Colossians 3:2)
"For God hath not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7)

I have been battling food habits (that I thought I had broken) since late April/early May. I had lost over 100 pounds during a 2-year period and now my cravings for sweets have gotten the best of me. I have allowed it. It's my own fault. Why I have allowed it I don't know. It certainly doesn't do me any good. It does taste good, that first moment when it touches my tongue. But in the long run, I can't keep saying yes to sweets and no to better choices.

It's a detour. All of life offers detours for us to take or not take. If we keep our focus on God, we won't get off track. We will obey the Lord at every turn, always seeking His will for our lives and the detour will vanish or we will be able to overcome what seems insurmountable.

Food is necessary to the body, for sustaining physical life, but not all food, not all the time. It is among "the affairs of this life" and its not good to stay entangled upon it, to be focused on it. It can become a hindrance to what we should be doing. Philippians 3:18-19 says, "For many walk, ... whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly (sensual indulgences, such as food), and whose glory is in their shame - who set their mind on earthly things."

Today is the day. Dear Lord, help me stay away from that which is harmful to my body. Only allow me to only take in that which is useful. Keep me from harming myself. In your name I pray. Amen.

"God wills it!" ... ?

I've been reading about the Christian Crusades between 1096 and 1272. The book was written for young people and with that, it seemed somewhat easier to grasp what was going on during that period. The pilgrimage of the first crusade may have had good intentions, but by the time of the last crusades, any good intentions lay in ruin, deceit, disgust, death.

Historian Steven Runciman noted "The triumphs of the Crusades were the triumphs of faith. But faith without wisdom is a dangerous thing ... ... the Crusades were a tragic and destructive episode. There was so much courage and so little honor, so much devotion and so little understanding. High ideals were besmirched by cruelty and greed, enterprise and endurance by a blind and narrow self-righteousness; and the Holy War itself was nothing more than a long act of intolerance in the name of God, which in itself is a sin against the Holy Ghost."

Faith without wisdom is a dangerous thing ... have we yet learned that today, hundreds of years later?

"God wills it!" -- how can any of us presume we know what God wills. Just by saying it, does not make it so. Just because you believe God is behind anything you do, does not mean it is His will. To have even an inkling of what God's will is, you must have a personal relationship with His son, Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. You must seek His will for you, praying always, continually.

This Is God's World

This is God's world
All that is is His
It is not mine
Nor is it yours
It is God's
and only His.

No other power
nowhere no how
in times past,
present or to come
God has it all.

We - you and me
created in His image
to rule
the fish of the seas
the birds of the air
and all the animals.

But, alas,
it was not enough
We - you and me
wanted more
and more
and more.

And now,
we have more
don't we?
Or do we?

We - you and me
wanted so much
more
that destruction and utter chaos
settled around us.

And now
we - you and me
struggle to find a balance.

God provided that balance ...
in the beginning.

Why wasn't it enough?

by Cathy Orrick Luders

6.2.2006