Walk wisely, carefully, diligently

Sunday night my home computer got attacked by a virus and spyware. It got past Avast! anti-virus software installed and infiltrated territory where it was not wanted. Late Sunday night did not bode well at our house. Monday morning was not much better. I was angry and frustrated.

Monday's devotional reminded me of who I am -- A child of the King, and what I need to be doing:

• Walk as children of light.
• Let no one deceive you with empty words.
• Do not be partakers with them that do evil.
• Do not have fellowship with them that do evil - expose them
• Walk wisely, carefully, diligently; not as fools
• Make the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil
• Don't focus on obstacles

Spyware and viruses and such are evil. Don't spend money foolishly to take care of a problem if the problem can be taken care with no money. Not every useful thing to do requires money. Not everything God wants us to do and learn requires money. Money is not the necessity for everything.

This morning I read in Hosea. What I learned from that was God wants a love relationship with each of us personally. He talks of turning his back on us, his chosen, but He never actually does so. He is always present, waiting for us to return from our self-destructive ways to Him.

Are you one of the some?

Some people do not believe in a literal hell. Some people do not believe a child can know what it means to be a sinner and to fully accept Christ as their Savior. Some people think once you've accepted Christ it's over and done with and you can go on and do whatever you desire.

These are lies Satan has told repeatedly and unfortunately some people - a lot of people actually, have bit into them, believing whatever Satan dishes out past present and future. The Bible is not true to them, nothing in it speaks to their heart.

The devotional today talks of breaking the spin cycle and how political candidates' attempts to cast themselves in a positive light is often at the expense of the truth.

Truth. What is truth?

Lies.

Sin.

Death.

Life.

God is truth. Life.

Satan is the father of lies. Death.

God's truth stops the spin of Satan's lies. We must turn from wickedness, deceit, all evil, and look to God and ultimately Jesus, who is Truth.

Birthdays and Home Life

Today is Beanne's birthday. I no longer remember how old she would be, only that it is today. Beanne and her husband Dick were family friends. Dick escorted me down the aisle when Jim and I got married. But they live only in my memories now. Beanne was funny; she once gave me a book about growing old and being able to laugh. I found it - "It Takes A Long Time To Become Young" by Garson Kanin. Maybe I should read it again.

Today is also Moriah's birhday. She is 18. Oh to be that young again. What would I do? I don't know. I'm not sure I would want to start over, unless of course I could take all I have learned with me and proceed onward.

I receive the Home Life magazine through church and in thumbing through the October issue this morning settled on the article, "The Relief of Imperfection" by Joan Webb.

It hit home.

Webb says "You are not in charge of the universe; you are in charge of yourself."

Right. I am in charge of only me. You would have thought by now I would know that. Obviously, that is far from so. For many years I have tried to help family and friends. Even before I became a believer. Tried to come up with ideas, plans of action, to improve another's lot. Why oh why would I do that. I can't do anything.

I have even tried to help my husband.

Such futility. God is in charge. Not me. I need to remind myself of this daily if not more frequently.

In Matthew 16:23b Jesus says, "You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, and not from God's."

That is true. We have only a human point of view to see from and that in itself, is pretty darn imperfect. We are created by God - We are not God.

Webb also says, "A truly loving (yet admittedly) difficult action would be to let those we care about experience the consequences of their decisions. Then God can step in at the point of their felt need."

Does this apply also to those who do not know God?

"We cannot always know God's agenda for another's spiritual maturity or how God purposes to show His power," Webb says.

We are to follow the Lord, obey His commands, but not assume we are on a higher plain than He.

I may think this or that may help another, but instead of pursuing along those lines, I should first pray and ask God's direction. Then I should wait (and be still, quiet) until I hear from God. Waiting, whether for yourself or another, is so very hard to do.

God's lead is perfect. We are so very imperfect. He often points that out, and if we're alert to Him, we hear ... and learn.

Today ... what do you see?

Today is Tuesday. Yesterday was Monday. There was no mail yesterday. Of course I checked the mail box anyway. Yesterday was Columbus Day. Is that considered a holiday too? I thought Columbus Day was Oct. 12. This is week two of twinges of pain in my right wrist. I'm sure I'm supposed to learn something from God, but I haven't figured out exactly what yet. Sometimes I wear a brace, but the brace doesn't really help. Nothing helps it. Not even the arthritis medicine. Time will heal it. Until then, its terribly painful, painful to type, to write, to hold anything. Yesterday morning, when only God saw me, I cried it hurt so bad. Maybe patience, endurance is what I am to learn.

When people observe your life, do they see the love of Christ? ... Well, I wonder.
I wonder what people see about my life. I wonder if anyone would tell me. I wonder if I really want to know. What do you see in me? What I see and what I wish to be seen, it's not the same.

"...quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to get angry. Your anger can never make things right in God's sight." (from James 1:19-20)

"For if you just listen and don't obey, it is like looking at your face in a mirror but doing nothing to improve your appearance. You see yourself, walk away and forget what you look like. But if you keep looking steadily into God's perfect law - the law that sets you free - and if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it." (James 1:23-25)

My goal is to be obedient to the Lord's will.

A dining experience

Saturday afternoon Jim and I were among nearly 30 to participate in an European dining experience. Our church held its second annual Sunday School Appreciation Dinner at Galleria De Paco in Waterloo, Iowa. The restaurant is one of a kind. Owned by the Rosic family, son Paco spent months creating a replica of Michaelangelo's Sistine Chapel on the restaurant ceiling using spray paint. 5,000 cans of spray paint. The finished work is beautiful.

In addition to the unique atmosphere, the food was excellent. The luncheon menu consisted of soup (three choices, I had potato with leek) or salad, sandwiches and dessert. Very filling. Of course you had to meet them halfway and be open to tasting new things. Otherwise, you could leave still hungry.

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This picture is kind of strange. It's actually a skywalk, but I thought the lines and reflections were interesting. If you click on the photo you'll get a clearer idea of what I mean. Of course I probably could have cropped it different. But I didn't. So here it is.

Shining the Light

"You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it useful again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. You are the light of the world - like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don't hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all." - Matthew 5:13-15

My blog, I want to be salt, sharing you Lord, the light of the world, with all.

Help me overcome when I am selfish, help me to not be complacent, to think it is me that accomplishes great (and not so great) things. It is never me, never about me. Help me Lord to always remember the Truths, your truths, not mine. In your name, I pray. Amen.

Thank you

This afternoon Jim and I and friends went to the Christian movie, "Fireproof." I recommend it for everyone. The message of love and salvation is there for all. For more information: The movie ended around 6 p.m., and when we came out of the theater, the sun was just beginning to set. Since I had brought the digital camera with me, I decided to click this picture before heading home. God's beauty is so magnificent.

The four of us came back to our house, where we had a bite to eat and played a game of Scrabble (Jim won and I lost - that seems to be the case even when its just the two of us), and then took our friends back to their place.

As I was driving home on Edgewood Road, we had just gone through an intersection (light was green) and were in the left lane, when a car that should have been stopped, wasn't, and careened around that corner, aimed right at us. I saw him and I think Jim said something and I just put those brakes on immediately. Possibly said a quick prayer at the same moment. I was expecting a crash, but that car did not hit us. When I looked up, the car was being driven recklessly on the curb, speeding away; couldn't get away fast enough. I believe God's angels surrounded our car and prevented anything from happening to us. We drove away without a scratch, without a dent and without any anxiety. Thank you Lord Jesus.

Shades of autumn

I live on a two-block street and most of the trees are still in various stages of green. But there are a few oranges lurking here and there, down the street, up the street. This one is across the street and up one. I like the way the green and orange come together. If I could capture that in a painting. I wonder how long the beauty of autumn will stay.

Thought for the day: You Must Be Born-Again

All the sharing in the world about God means nothing if you have not been born-again, if you have not accepted Christ as your personal Savior. Without a true relationship with God's son, Jesus Christ, you are far, far away from heaven. There is a place called Hell. Make no mistake. Not everyone is heaven-bound. You may want to be, but wanting doesn't make it so. Eternal Security. ... or Eternal Damnation. We, each of us, make the choice.

God's plan of SALVATION ... Admit to God you are a sinner - Believe in Jesus Christ as God's son - Confess your faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

We are ALL God's people, but ALL do not follow the Lord God almighty. God sent His son, Jesus Christ, to be the propitiator for our sins -- Jesus took ALL our sins on himself; He was bruised, beaten, nailed to a cross for ALL of our sins. He died for ALL, everyone, you and me. But not all care or believe; many are wayward and follow a different set of rules -- their own. To follow the Lord, you must obey His commandments. Jesus died and after 3 days, He rose again. And after 40 days, He ascended into heaven, where he sits at the right hand of the Father, making intercessions for us always. The Lord God created the world and mankind (male and female) and ALL that is in it. If you follow a different god ... don't be surprised or bewildered when the Lord renders judgement against you.

Baptist or Methodist or Lutheran or Catholic, any Protestant denomination, or Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Science, Mormoms ... No matter what you make claim to, IF you are not a born-again believer in Jesus Christ, you are destined for a fall.

Another look at forgiveness

Today's devotional is about forgiveness. I last wrote about this topic on Sept. 4.

Today's Scripture reading covers the Lord's Prayer; Matthew 6:12 specifically. "Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors" (New King James version) says basically the same thing as "forgive us our sins just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us" (New Living Translation). Our debts ... obligations incurred, sins of omission and commission. Not just money, but words and actions.

I have had a hard time with forgiveness. I think its because I always thought forgiveness meant forgetting and somewhere along the way I found that was untrue. I know the Lord forgave me - He died for me, He went through a lot of pain and suffering just for me. The very least I can do is forgive another. But ...

It's human nature. People say things, sometimes don't mean to, just comes out wrong! Sometimes they do mean it. They really do think you are up to no good. Sometimes you are, sometimes not. The words we say or don't say, the activities we do or don't do. The inflections in our voices. All can cause havoc for another in some form.

Forgiveness is farthest from our mind or heart. I don't like to go there anymore than I imagine you do. I don't like to say "I forgive you" when I'm feeling betrayed, angry...

The Lord Jesus was angry, and betrayed and abused, yet He went to the cross. He died for me.

It is hard to grasp. I know it is true. He forgave me and you. We are to forgive others. He followed His father's will for his life. We too are to be obedient.

When we forgive another, even when the fault remains, we feel cleansed. I feel cleansed. I don't forget, although I try not to bring it to mind again, because that will bring the pain afresh and renew in us a feeling of wrongdoing. We don't want to go there.

As long as I stay focused on Jesus and less on the event that caused me anguish, God's cleansing power within me will grow stronger and stronger each day.

Not today

No thought-provoking comments today. Just a regular day, although some regular days seem so "same-o - same-o." You know what I mean? Same thing day in, day out. I'm ready for a bit of variety ... a little spice.

I had to order some products online, but considering the funds that are dwindling in the checking account, I really wasn't sure how much of anything I was going to order. I did order one thing that we'll be out of before the week's over, and this is Wednesday. Should have ordered it on Monday or last week even. But oh no, that didn't happen. The other item, I got so far as the checking out page and then decided to scrap the whole thing. Wait until the right time. Which might be next payday. Or it might be tomorrow. It does not appear to be today.

On Monday, the property tax statements that are generally due Sept. 1 with a grace period of Oct. 1, arrived in the mail. The statements were delayed because of the June floods. It was one of the few good things resulting from the disastrous floods; for many, it provided more time to come up with the funds, unless of course you pay your property taxes monthly with your mortgage. We don't. Hence, every six months, we fork over hundreds of dollars to the county treasurer. Ours went up $7.52 from last year. Next year it will probably be considerably more.

I remember asking God to help us pay our property taxes. Enable us to pay them. And then I left it there. I did not always used to do this. I would stew about it, you know, fret, worry. I try not to go there as much. It's distressing, it causes stress. I don't handle stress well. I can't imagine anyone does. So I left it with God for the most part. He did come through. He always does. We just have to have faith that He will do what He says he will do. We have to have patience. We have to learn that waiting, yet doing, is the best thing to do.

Property taxes are due Oct. 31. The penalty starts Nov. 1. We'll have the money on the 31st and we'll be among many (I'm guessing) who will be standing in line at the treasurer's office at Westdale Mall. Maybe I should plan to bring a chair or food to eat.

It would be so nice if we could pay yearly what we now pay every six months. Jim and I often talk about moving, retiring to Hannibal, Mo. It's not exactly a retirement resort community, but it is a place we both enjoy. Missouri in general, Hannibal specfically because that is home to Hannibal-LaGrange College, where Jim is an alumni.

This year Jim celebrates 30 years since graduating from HLG. And this year HLG celebrates 150 years since it was founded as LaGrange College in LaGrange, Mo. We plan on attending reunion festivities in early November.

Well, I have some other putzing around to do. Nothing outstanding. Talk to you all next time. Tomorrow maybe. I've had two cups of tea. Have a good day in the Lord.

Don't

God wants us to use our spiritual gifts (God-given special abilities) to benefit others in the church (body of believers). When we work together, we keep the body strong. When some believers don't pull their weight, others far less gifted in those areas must pitch in. That is the theme of today's devotional reading taken from 1 Corinthians 12:14-27.

The Bible is filled with meaning that sometimes is obscure and hard to understand, but it doesn't have to be. Here we see an illustration of one's individual body to the church.

Lets look at the body, yours, mine. Each part of it - the head, ears, eyes, fingers, toes, arms, you get the picture. Each is useful and necessary for the body to work. When a part is missing, another part has to take over, sometimes not doing as well. Like you lose hearing in one ear; well, you still have the other ear, but it has to work harder. And if you have no hearing, some other part of the body has to come to your aid, such as your eyes reading your lips as they move in speech. We are not all whole. We make the best of what we have.

In the body of believers, i.e., the church, we also make the best of what we have. But people come and people go. Sometimes, absorption with self gets in the way of working for the common goal. I Corinthians 12:5-6 says, "There are different kinds of service in the church, but it is the same Lord we are serving. There are different ways God works in our lives, but it is the same God who does the work through all of us."

Teamwork divides the effort, multiplies the effect.

What we don't want to get caught up in is pettiness, trivial things/happenings that do occur within the body that in turn can cause anxiety and turmoil to individuals and possibly everyone else. It is harmful. What good does it produce? What happened to the common goal? Or is it only your individual goals that matter?

In Pastor Dan's message this past Sunday, "A Study in Avoidance" (2 Timothy 2:14-19), he makes four points that are worth remembering and taking to heart:
Avoid wrangling about words. Stop fighting, avoid contention, strife over things that don't matter, are irrelevant to the bigger picture.
Avoid shameful handling of God's word.
Avoid worldly and empty chatter.
Avoid wickedness.

We are responsible for the truth we are shown and we are all to work together for the good of all. Keep in mind God's word in all you do. It's all about Jesus you know. Remember that. It's not about us.

I pray you will

"May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God." - Ephesians 3:19

I pray this for all. Everyone I know, whether we've met personally or only through an E-mail or just a casual encounter in a grocery or department store. Those I've known all my life or just a brief while. I am sorry for the many mistakes, errors in judgement I have made in my journey thus far and how they may have affected you in some way. I am sure there will be more mistakes to come.

That is how we learn. God shows us the error of our ways and if we are obedient to His way, we will remember, turn aside, turn away, and begin again.

I pray you will accept God's gift of salvation through His son, be filled with the Holy Spirit and experience the love of Christ, and then begin your new life. Amen.

Today is Beautiful Christian Sisters Day

Beautiful Christian Sister
By Maya Angelou
(received in an E-mail)

'A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ
That a man should have to seek Him first to find her.'

When I say ... 'I am a Christian' I'm not shouting 'I'm clean livin''
I'm whispering 'I was lost, Now I'm found and forgiven.'

When I say ... 'I am a Christian' I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say ... 'I am a Christian' I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say.. 'I am a Christian' I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say ... 'I am a Christian' I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible but, God believes I am worth it.

When I say ... 'I am a Christian' I still feel the sting of pain..
I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say ... 'I am a Christian' I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner Who received God's good grace, somehow!

Pretty is as Pretty does ... But beautiful is just plain beautiful!

Everyone is ...

Do you know who everyone is? Everyone is all the people in the entire world. Not just the United States and not just those in your immediate circle. You and your neighbor.

Everyone is either Jew or Gentile. And who are the gentiles? All those who are not Jew -- the Muslim, the Buddhist, the Hindu, the Mormom, the Jehovah's Witness, the Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Catholic, other Christian denominations, the Christian Scientist, Wicca, the unreached. Every single one of us, if we're not Jew, we are Gentile.

And all of us, Jew and Gentile alike, need the Lord. All of us are lost in sin. All of us need the gift of salvation He so graciously and freely offers us. (To know more about this gift click here)

It is a choice we are all given - to accept or reject.

Who are you?

The Bible shows us a picture of who we really are. Of course you have to read it and really think about what it says. Thinking about it. So many times we really don't want to think about who we are, what we are. Sometimes we're unsure, so we ask other people. That can be good or it can be bad.

Someone could tell you you are cool. But why are you cool? Are you cool because you wear nice clothes, because you're cute or handsome? Cool because you drink, you're part of the in-crowd, because you're popular, because you are considerate of everyone around you ... well, there could be many reasons.

It's probably not the best plan to rely on what other people think. You really have to figure that out for yourself. It may take a long time. Or it may not. It's a journey regardless. Sometimes we have an idea of who we'd like to be and sometimes we attempt to be that person and sometimes we succeed. And sometimes we don't.

Still, the Bible has the answers. Look for them. Seek, and you will discover who you really are. And aren't and don't want to me.

Duh!

I talk about my pet peeves and then .... unfortunately, I'll say something that I feel awful about. You know, hoof and mouth disease, where you insert foot before brain is engaged. Well I did it. Not too many minutes ago. Someone called, asking for, you know, those people whose names we don't have. May I talk to so and so. Not if you can't pronouce our names. Then you hang up.

Well now I've started thinking about it. God just interrupted my thoughts to let me know its not a very good witness of my walk with Him if I'm not cordial and pleasant. So, guess I'll have to work on that.

... now I'm afraid to answer the phone.

This and that

I seem to have a lot on my mind today. This is my third post in an hour. When I was looking up the word dissipation in the dictionary, I came across a book I had never seen before and decided it must belong to my husband. The title: "Light From Many Lamps." It's a compilation of thoughts and sayings by famous people through the ages, edited and with commentary by Lillian Eichler Watson, copyright 1951.

For example, from Abraham Lincoln: "Without Divine assistance I cannot succeed; with it I cannot fail."

Arnold Bennett: "You wake up in the morning, and lo! your purse is magically filled with twenty-four hours -- the most precious of possesions."

Mary Pickford: "There is always another chance ... This thing that we call 'failure' is not the falling down, but the staying down."

I'll have to read more of this book.
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It really irks me when I get phone calls from people who have no clue who they are calling. They don't know how to pronounce your name, so they add letters. My thinking, if you don't know how to pronounce my name, first and last, I don't know how to find time to talk to you. So thank you and good-bye.

Be filled with the Spirit

"Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you." (Ephesians 5:18, New Living Translation)

All believers are sealed with the Spirit when they believe, but not all are filled. Our Christian walk begins the moment we accept Christ as our Savior. Through Bible study, prayer, worship, meeting together with fellow believers, we come to an understanding of what life with Christ is. To be filled with the Spirit, we must be obedient to God's commands and yielded to His will, control. As Ephesians 5:17 says, "Don't act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do."

Yielding to God's control in our lives is not normal, because we as humans want the control. We know what's right. We know how to make it work. We know everything. Well, we don't. You discover that as you walk with Christ. You can't learn it, you can't understand it, you can't have any inkling of an idea what its about until you accept and believe and are filled with the Holy Spirit.

I wonder if our boldness in reaching the lost is more so when we are continually yielded to God's will. Acts 4:31 makes me think this is so. "And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness."

When we are filled with the Spirit, "then you will sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, making music to the Lord in your hearts; giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Ephesians 5:19-20)

Be Strong In the Lord

One of my favorite contemporary songs is "Be Strong In The Lord," by Linda Lee Johnson (1947) and arranged by Thomas Fettke (1941). It goes like this:

"Be strong in the Lord, and be of good courage:
Your mighty Defender is always the same.

Mount up with wings, as the eagle ascending:
Victory is sure when you call on His name.

Be strong, be strong, be strong in the Lord:
And be of good courage, for He is your guide.

Be strong, be strong, be strong in the Lord:
And rejoice, for the victory is yours."

Ephesians 6:10 tells us as believers to "be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might." We are to "put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles (influences) of the devil." (v. 11)

Picture a Roman soldier preparing to go to battle. He is decked out head to toe in combat uniform to protect himself against the enemy. If he isn't prepared, death could be imminent. The same is true for the Christian soldier. We are to be prepared to do battle every day; not in the physical sense, but the spiritual.

Ephesians 6:14-18a says: "Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit."

The Armor:

The belt of truth (know, speak the truth, affirm belief in the truth, respond to life's problems and challenges with the truth)

The breastplate of righteousness (choosing to do what is right in God's eyes)

The shoes of the gospel of peace (readiness for action in His service)

The shield of faith (live by faith, continually choosinig to trust God and not believe the enemy's lies)

The helmet of salvation (eternally secure)

The sword of the Spirit (know and use God's Word)

An ongoing relationship with our Lord and Savior will enable us to always Be Strong in the Lord.

Tomorrow's world today

Tomorrow's world will be shaped by what we teach our children today.

If we teach them that intentionally killing or murdering is okay under any circumstance then that is what they will remember and will teach the next generation.

Children ... all of us ... are a gift from God above. Don't abuse it.

The 6th commandment of the Lord

On Monday, Sept. 29, my husband listened to the Jan Michelson show on WHO. A woman who said she was a Jewish lesbian was talking. According to my husband, she spouted that Governor Palin was not for women because she was against abortion and women being in a love relationship with each other. As a Jew, she reportedly said she followed the Old Testament.

These are the Ten Commandments, found in the Old Testament book of Exodus 20: 1-17:
1. Do not worship any other god
2. Do not make idols of any kind
3. Do not misuse the name of the Lord
4. Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy
5. Honor your father and mother
6. Do not murder
7. Do not commit adultery
8. Do not steal
9. Do not testify falsely against your neighbor
10. Do not covet your neighbor's house

The 6th commandment is today's topic.

Under the original letter of the law, the Ten Commandments, as given to ancient Israel, and recorded in the Old Testament, the 6th commandment, "You shall not murder," refers to intentional killing or murder. In pagan countries of long ago and perhaps of today as well, children were burned alive or eaten as a human sacrifice to their gods. Are we here in the United States any better? We claim to be a Christian nation, but if that is true, why is there abortion? Isn't abortion the taking, the killing of innocent life? Abortion is not an accident; getting pregnant can be an accident, but that doesn't mean we should stamp out that accident by intentionally killing what is growing inside.

Each person has a choice. Right or wrong. God's choice is for life. God created life. He alone has the right to say when a life shall be taken. We can not, should not be making this determination ourselves. Jesus declares hate and anger to be the source of intentional killing or murder. We think - we act. We do not realize the consequences of our actions ... or do we? Maybe we don't care. Judgement will still come. Not from our peers, but from the Almighty. You don't see it? Watch, wait. It will come and it will be too late. "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord (Romans 12:19b).

Related article: The 4th commandment of the Lord

Are you a dissatisfied Christian?

So much woe is me. Not enough looking to Jesus. People come to the church, people get saved, people join the church, become members. But they're not really members (some are).

Always people leave. Some leave because of the "woe is me" attitude - because they're dissatisfied - they're not getting what they think they should ... dissatisfied with other people within, with the pastor, with the numbers.

It shouldn't be so. Jesus too was dissatisfied. Did you see him walk away - No!
He reached out. He continuously prayed to the Father. He is the example we are to follow. But do we follow Him? Heck no. We're on a pitty party.

It's not about numbers. It's never been about numbers, but yet it has been. Churches all over the country seem to always be concerned with having more members. It's just not about how many join a church or how many stay. It shouldn't be anyway.

It's about reaching out - reaching the lost, bringing them to a saving knowledge of Jesus. It's also about reaching out to your fellow believers. Reaching out - encouraging one another, showing compassion, being kind. Not back-stabbing, not talking about one another behind their backs, not ridiculing.

If you're going to profess to be a follower of the Lord Jesus, then be a follower of Him alone.

Don't follow the sound of your own voice, reason. It isn't always the Holy Spirit who guides you on a given path. ... there is another ... and he leads down a path of destruction. Don't allow Satan to become your king.

Jesus says, "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." (Matthew 18:20) He doesn't say more and more is necessary for the Lord's will to be done.

Jesus also says to go forth, preach the word.
When we go, when we follow the Lord, those who stay behind should not dwell on the whys and wherefores. People come. People go. The judgement is between each of us individually and God alone. We are ultimately responsible to Him, not to each other. He is our Master ... we are each other's brother and sister.

James 1:5 and 6a says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting."

We need to have a sincere desire to follow God's direction and faith that His way is best. Not our way. Not another's directions.

ONLY JESUS.

Outing at Palisades-Kepler

Today was a glorious day, well actually, the weekend was simply splendid. This afternoon, from about 3:30 to 7 p.m., we and a couple of friends, who are celebrating their second anniversary on the 29th, traipsed around Palisades-Kepler State Park near Mount Vernon.

Here are some digital shots. We also took prints, but they won't be ready for at least a week. Enjoy.

We took the Cedar Cliff Trail, which my husband so documented. It looks like a big pencil.

The second photo is a reflection - I love reflections - as the Cedar River meanders through the park.

The third photo is a glorious meeting of the sun and sky - a Skywatch post.



Our outing also took us into downtown Mount Vernon, where we found the Lincoln Highway Arts Fest was just winding down, closing up shop actually. But we found ample things to do just the same. These pretty flowers were sitting in a tub next door to an antiques shop, which of course was closing soon after we got there. Jim and I will go back there again and take a longer tour through vintage-era goodies.

Here's a quite impressive shot of King Chapel on the campus of Cornell College. Such a pretty campus it is.

Our last stop was at the Abbe Creek School Museum.

The seedling mile of the Lincoln Highway was near this spot and a marker shows it. The Abbe cemetery is across the street.

The day ended, driving home along the Lincoln Highway, with the sun beginning to set.

Always learning

I'm always learning something new, even when I'm feeling crummy and my disposition is considerably under par. The verse on this blog, "Morning by morning he (The Lord) wakens me and opens my understanding to his will" is from Isaiah 50:4b. I have read this before many times. It wasn't until a week ago that it hit me, that it sunk in. That no matter how often we study a given passage, we learn, glean something from it that supersedes whatever we learned before.

Here are some of the things I learned this week through the Scriptures:

• Because Christ bore the reproach of others, so should we. That even though we often disagree with the beliefs of others, we are to live as Christ did. We are to look to Him for all our answers and be obedient to His will. Even though there are (and will continue to be) many differences between Jews and Gentiles, the common bond is faith in Christ. That common bond is much greater (or should be) than their difference.

• In discerning false prophets, each of us needs to figure it out for ourselves. I John 4 says, "Do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world. This is the way to find out if they have the Spirit of God: If a prophet achnowledges that Jesus Christ became a human being, that person has the Spirit of God. If a prophet does not acknowledge Jesus, that person is not from God. Such a person has the spirit of the Antichrist (of deception)."

Living the new life

Living the new life is hard even as a mature Christian. We are to fill our thoughts about godly things, not just about things here on earth. That's what Scripture tells us in Colossians 3:1-2.
We strive to follow what the Holy Spirit urges us - if we are studying God's word, praying, seeking His wisdom, listening, being obedient to His commands. We are not all so fruitful at all times. Doing these things brings us into a much closer relationship, union with Jesus Christ, but it can never happen because its right or because you should. Love needs to be at the center. Love for Jesus and what He did for us individually; love for others because of His love.
We are to "put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking with you. Have nothing to do with sexual sin, impurity, lust and shameful desires. Don't be greedy for the good things of this life, for that is idolatry." (v. 5)

Galatians 5:16 and following talks about living by the Spirit's power. Verse 17 says, "The old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is just the opposite from what the Holy Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite from what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your choices are never free from the conflict."
Never free from conflict. Every single step we take (or don't take) is a choice - leading us to do good or evil.
The evil that results from our sinful desires is more extensive than that noted in Colossians 3:5. It is also more extensive than that noted in Galatians 5:19:

sexual immorality
impure thoughts
eagerness for lustful pleasure
idolatry
participation in demonic activities
hostility
quarreling
jealousy
outbursts of anger
selfish ambition
divisions
the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group
envy
drunkenness
wild parties

Verse 22 tells us that by allowing the Holy Spirit to control us, guide us, we will produce good fruit:
love
joy
peace
patience
kindness
faithfulness
gentleness
self-control

Where are you? Are you walking with Christ? Are you striving to live a holy life, but not a "holier than thou" one?

It is not easy. But it is worth it.

Priority: skin color or character?

Another interesting article from the Christian Newswire service regarding the upcoming presidential election arrived in my e-mail box today: "Black Conservatives Join to Warn Fellow Believers About Making Skin Color Top Priority in Presidential Election" Read it here or click on the above title.

CHICAGO, Sept. 24 /Christian Newswire/ -- While polls indicate up to 96 percent of America's Black constituency plans to vote for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama this November, a growing number of African-American conservative leaders are exhorting Christians not to vote based on skin color, but on character.

The latest edition of Freedom's Journal Magazine, which poses the soul stirring question, "Are we more Black than Christian?" is published in Obama's south side Chicago backyard; and warns that Black Americans bright future could be irreparably dimmed if Obama and his radical leftist political agenda emerge victors come this Nov. 4th.

"Dr. Martin Luther King's dream that future generations be judged by the content of their character would be set back decades if Obama wins based on racial loyalty alone. Obama's skewed approach to traditional Judeo-Christian values and his obvious inexperience in leading through times of crisis would spell disaster for the black community and our nation as a whole," Dr. Eric Wallace, founder of Wallace Multimedia Group, LLC and Freedom's Journal Magazine said today.

FJM, which premiered in January 2008, is an emerging political voice for conservative Black leaders. This month's edition features a compelling op-ed by nationally syndicated columnist Star Parker on the topic of racial and gender politics. Other noteworthy highlights include how religion influences politics, and the contrast of Obama's policies with that of Republican candidate John McCain's.

"Christians who are tempted to support Barack because of a feeling that we aren't doing enough to fight poverty, racism or sexism, etc. need to realize that the government cannot (and should not) do the work of the Church," Wallace writes in his editorial "Unto the Least of These." "As a matter of fact, government will, in almost every case, limit what can be done."

Freedom's Journal Magazine's exciting interactive online digital format offers the latest in news, commentary and opinion with a biblical worldview. Wallace Multimedia Group, LLC will soon release its first full-length video presentation featuring national Black leaders speaking out on issues of faith, race and politics.

For more information, see www.freedomsjournalmagazine.com

For or Against

Pro-Choice . . . Pro-Life . . . perhaps better is For Life or Against Life

God desires us to use all we have to further his kingdom, BUT you and I have the choice.
God created life, thus He is for life. Unfortunately, through some of the choices we make in our lives, the phrases "Pro Choice" and "Pro Life" came into being.

We always have a choice. Since Adam and Eve, humans have had a choice - good over evil.

I am for life. And that is my choice.

God understands

Psalm 33:13-15 says, "The Lord looks down from heaven and sees the whole human race. From his throne he observes all who live on the earth. He made their hearts, so he understands everything they do."

It's a good thing He does, because I certainly don't.

Today is a downer. God knows that. I want Him to pick me up and encircle me with his love and comfort. I want to not feel the way I do.

Distressed
Today.
All because
I remembered
what today was.
Of what it became.

I imagine.
I know.
God knows my thoughts.

Life ends
Life begins
What is sandwiched inbetween
is what is important.

Get me past Lord
these remorseful feelings I have

Gone, but not forgotten.
Help me keep the memories
of her life alive
and
bury the memories
of her death/demise

We all have loved ones die

Help me Lord
stay focused
... on You

Flood my soul with love
Encircle me ...

Cathy Orrick Luders

9.23.2008

My mom

This is a picture of my mom, taken July 29, 1990, at Bever Park in Cedar Rapids. The occasion was her 80th birthday celebration. I thought the photo a fairly good one, in that she looks happy. My mother was born on July 31, 1910. She lived 86 years and a few months. She went home ... to heaven on Sept. 23, 1996.

Sometimes it is hard to imagine her being gone for 12 years already or that in 2010, just two years from now, she would be 100.

Jim and I were thinking of her the other day, when we saw all the Halloween candy at the store.

We grew up in rural southwest Cedar Rapids and it wasn't until the early 1970s that my mom moved into town. The move enabled her to enjoy the little kids coming to her door on Halloween night, dressed in cute costumes and asking for a treat. She enjoyed that so much during those years. The funny thing is, the treats she bought for them was often consumed long before Oct. 31 arrived, and she'd have to buy more bags of candy. Instead of two bags, it would be four!

Spin Art

My husband is responsible for this spin art creation. I think it is the best he has ever done, but then I could be a bit bias. We spent today at the National Cattle Congress in Waterloo. We have been attending it for years, at least the 17 or so that we've been married, and Jim a long time before that too. He grew up in Cedar Falls and on kids day, secondary schools in the area let the kids out early to go to the fair. The spin art booth has been a mainstay. Last year though the booth wasn't there and no one seemed to know why not. This year, we discovered the couple who had been doing it retired, and sold it to a younger couple. It is good this fun and inexpensive way to create art will remain for more generations to come. Another mainstay of Cattle Congress which we enjoy is the AMVETS Noodle Nook -- oodles and oodles of chicken and noodles, plus boiled potatoes, coleslaw, rolls and butter, and milk or coffee, all for $7. Its very tasty. Jim says they've been at the Cattle Congress grounds for well over 50 years - they were there when he was a little boy.

If you have never been to the Cattle Congress, think about it for next year. Or you could go tomorrow - Sunday is the last day of a 4-day run. Something for everyone.

God's beauty

This is a SkyWatch Friday post! You can click here to to view Sky Watch shots from here and there.

A godly life

1 Peter 2:12 says, "Be careful how you live among your unbelieving neighbors. Even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will believe and give honor to God when he comes to judge the world."

The most powerful testimony is a godly life.

Am I ungodly? I am unworthy. I was once ungodly. I was once among those who do not call you Lord Father, whose aim in life is to follow their own whims and desires. The journey we travel is sometimes short, out before we start; sometimes long and winding. We all travel a different route. We each have different opinions, sometimes, perhaps more frequently than we should, those opinions are voiced too loudly, not thinking about what we're saying.

The political arena doesn't much interest me. I tend to watch from the sidelines, then make my choices. To back someone when nearly everyone around you is criticizing that very person or team makes you want to cower in a corner. I hear my husband frequently say, "Why would anyone want to run for public office, to be criticized about every little thing all along the way. Taking everything out of context." Why indeed.

I have a blog, two actually. The first one I started in 2005 and hardly anyone read it. Still I voiced my thoughts, my feelings, my prayers. The second one I started this year. And I have readers - no one comments on it, but I know its read. Plus its linked to http://www.gazetteonline.com/ The Good, The Bad and the Ugly. Readers know where I stand.

I read the "Our Daily Bread" (http://www.rbc.org/) devotional. Sometimes I have read other devotionals. Each offers insights, reminders. Sometimes the short devotional study develops into a longer Bible study - of a specific word or thought. I've found Jesus' teachings in parables to be rather interesting. The longer I walk with Christ the more I get an inkling of what he's teaching ... what the symbolism he uses means. It is exciting.

I hope I do not offend anyone. However, because I am human, I probably will. And because of what I believe, I probably will. That's just the way it is. I'm not going to reneg, back down just because you don't like it.

Am I ungodly? I accepted Christ as my savior, I am one of His children. The route I have chosen, to follow Christ, is under construction. My hope, in the end, is He will be pleased with me.

"If God be for me, who can be against me?" No one. No one.

Christians - don't be speechless, be heard

I watched with intent interest the last half of a program titled "Speechless: Silencing the Christians'' www.silencingchristians.com on insp.com Saturday night. Christians should not become downtrodden and squashed, 'speechless,' but stand up for what they believe.
Commentator Janet Parshall talked about separation of church and state and that its not absolute and the double standards allowed in schools across our country, i.e., such as its okay to study Islam and pray to Allah but not to study Christianity and pray to God.

The U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights were discussed, especially the First Amendment, which says: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
That to me includes Christianity, not everything except. No one should prohibit the free exercise of Christianity, the right of Christians to peaceably assemble, the right of Christians to petition the Government.

The program is a must see, whether you view it on television or online. Check it out. Take a stand. Make yourself heard.

A prayer

Dear Lord,
I am blessed you came into my life, turned me around, surrounded me with loving Christian people to teach me your ways and to grow in closer fellowship with you.

I thank you for your love for me.

I pray for all those who are afflicted this day - in addition to Jim and I - because there are many. Afflictions vary. We often wish they would just go away. But that's not always possible. Sometimes the affliction is there to help us learn something about our life - with you, or possibly without you, and thus our need for you.

I pray you will enable us to make the property tax payment due. $800 something and we need an additional $300. Through you this payment has been realized the last two times. Help me with my unbelief. I am fearful. Help me to rely totally on you, to not jump the gun, to know what to do and when.

Help me Lord to NOT move out ahead of you, thinking I alone have the answers. I do not. My answers are never quite enough. My reasoning is based on being human. There is more to life than breath.

Help me Lord with my struggles. Keep my fears beyond reach, be with me always, be my constant companion, my Father, the Father I never really had fully here on Earth.

In your precious name I pray. Amen.

The pain of it all

Today pain is with me. Yesterday too. I have arthritis in my wrists as a result of an auto accident 15 years ago. It doesn't bother me all the time and some people think it is carpal tunnel, but I know differently. It doesn't matter if I'm using the computer or reading or drinking a cup of tea or doing absolutely nothing. It just hurts. Plus I'm cold. Nice outdoors, nice indoors too. But I'm cold. The sweater feels good on my arms. Having thyroid disease doesn't help the situation. Much like having diabetes doesn't make things any better. Just makes you more conscious of what is around you. I'm not especially hungry either, but Jimmy will be home soon for lunch, and we're having vegetable beef soup. So, until another post....

Persecuted Christian?

I think Christians in America are persecuted. Not the way they are in other countries though ... more subtle.

There are hundreds of thousands of people in the U.S. who do not believe what the Bible says or that Jesus was born of God and man or that Jesus died for ALL of our sins or that He takes care of us. Those people think its a disgrace on our (us Christians) part, that we would stupe to such lies. This is just like Biblical times. God said it would happen and would continue until the end of time. And so it is.

Perhaps too few American Christians stand up for their beliefs. Perhaps too many of us stay in the background, on the sidelines, professing only silently what we believe. I don't know.

Fear of the unknown plays a big part. Be gentle, be compassionate, be patient, be honest. Be true to the Lord. Be obedient to His teachings.

I am a Christian
an Evangelical Christian
I believe the Lord Jesus
saved me from my sins
He gave up the ghost
laid down His life
ALL for me.
ALL for me.

I am a Christian
an Evangelical Christian
I have many fears and doubts
I am much like another
But different you see
for I have Jesus
And He means more to me
than whatever you have to offer.

I am a Christian
an Evangelical Christian
I believe in God's power
His holy word
He is my Father
up in heaven
Understands me better
than any being here on Earth.

I am a Christian
an Evangelical Christian
I reside in the United States of America,
in Iowa
in Cedar Rapids
But its only for a while
Someday I will go home ...
to my Father up in heaven

I am a Christian
an Evangelical Christian
a child, daughter
of the King
For Jesus died for me.
ALL for me.
ALL for me.

Cathy Orrick Luders

9.10.2008

R E M E M B E R God's Truths

This was originally written in my first blog, In...Sight, on Oct. 26, 2006.

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 one 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.

Accepting responsibility

A way to please God and grow spiritually is to accept personal responsibility for our actions, not blame them on another. Passing the buck gets us nowhere.

Sin began with Genesis 3:6 when Eve listened to the serpent (of which Satan spoke through), believed the lie of Satan, thereby disobeying God, and ate from the tree in the midst of the garden. Eve offered the fruit to Adam who partook. It wasn't the act of eating that was the sin. Satan tempted them; they both accepted the temptation, placing their own wills above God's. Adam didn't sin because of Eve - he made his own choice. He could have said NO. Eve also could have said No, but she did not. Cannot say it's because she's the weaker vessel. They are both weak - we are all weak.

God gave us choices. What we do or don't do determines our character. When we do something wrong, when we think even we've done something wrong, whether we have truly or not, a sense of guilt comes upon us. Then we want to cover it up, figure out a way to hide from it. But we need to acknowledge it - the sin. We need to come clean.

When we don't acknowledge what we've done and continue to make poor choices, eventually you will discover your choices have imprisoned you - if only in your mind. That will be enough. The turmoil within will destroy you.

Seek out God. Know Him in your heart. Head knowledge is worthless if you do not have a very personal relationship with Him, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Resist, Repent, Renew.
REMEMBER God's Truths

Is he the anti-Christ?

During morning fellowship Sunday at church some of us were discussing the presidential candidates. It was suggested Obama could be the anti-Christ. That's scary. What are your thoughts?

Success

Success makes it harder to depend on the Lord.

Very true. It's much easier to stay true, to pray, wait on the Lord when we don't have much, if anything. The more we make, the more we think its all our own doing. It isn't.

All we have is because of God's grace. If we make more money it is because God enabled that to happen. If we don't thank the Lord for what He has given us, If we don't obey His commandments, we're facing His judgement. Don't think you are above reproach. Don't think because you are not a believer or you follow some other god, you are free from the wrath of the Lord Almighty. We are all under His judgement. Every single one of us. No one is exempt.

Political polls and Christians

I receive regular emails from the Christian Newswire and one which I found particularly interesting had to do with the Top Three Election Issues for Active Christians, with poll results from NationalChristianPoll.com Politics is not my cup of tea, it never has been; I do not keep up-to-date with the affairs of the world. The upcoming presidential election was no different. The candidates did not excite me. Sometimes they do. It was more interesting when there were more choices, but then my selections were never chosen. And so I decided I would vote for Mickey Mouse, unless something drastic changed of course. The change came, with the forum meeting of Barack Obama and John McCain with Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church and well-known in Christian circles of the "Purpose-Driven" books. I watched, I listened and I determined I would vote for McCain. No longer was Mickey Mouse in the running. And then he picked for his running mate an Evangelical Christian, whose beliefs mirrored his own and mine as well. And that set it in stone. McCain and Sarah Palin became my choice for the next president of the United States.

What I want to share are the highlights of that poll. You can go here http://nationalchristianpoll.com/poll/vpsurvey.html to view the results yourself and download the entire report.

• Nearly all (97%) Active Christians are registered voters.
• Almost all (97%) Active Christian registered voters are planning to vote in the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election.
• Three out of twenty (15%) Active Christian registered voters would vote for Barack Obama while about seven out of ten (71%) would vote for John McCain.
• Healthcare (78%), economy (77%), and war (76%) are the top three issues for those who will vote for Obama.
• Abortion (73%), moral issues (70%) and terrorism (68%) top the issues for those who will vote for McCain.
• Slightly more than half (53%) of the Active Christian registered voters who would vote for Barack Obama had a more favorable view of him after he chose Joe Biden as his running mate.
• Top issue influencing Active Christian registered voters more favorable view of Obama after he chose Joe Biden is the war.
• Nearly two-thirds (65%) of the Active Christian registered voters who would vote for John McCain had a more favorable view of him after he chose Sarah Palin as his running mate.
• Top issue influencing Active Christian registered voters more favorable view of McCain after he chose Sarah Palin is abortion.
• Approximately half (52%) of the Active Christian registered voters describe themselves as Evangelical.

Make your own determination. But don't decide not to vote.

Today is .... what?

Today is I think Thursday, but it seems like Saturday. It's been a strange week. Holidays help that feeling along. Last weekend I had Friday and Saturday off, worked Sunday; then had Labor Day off (a rarity); then I worked Tuesday and Wednesday. And now I have today (in exchange for working this Saturday) and Friday off.

Today's agenda was being cold, wet, damp, crummy. But outside of that, it was a nice day. My husband Jimmy had the afternoon off from work, so he and I spent it together, walking around at the mall, and just enjoying being together. Then we came home. We were going to attend a high school football game this evening at Kingston Stadium between C.R. Washington and whoever, but the weather dampened that idea considerably and we didn't go. Besides the sophomore game was cancelled. Another time we'll try.

So I made some hot tea and called a couple of friends. Spent two hours on the phone chatting. It was most enjoyable. A good day for visiting, ... and playing games. Jimmy and I had leftover pizza for supper and then played dominos and Rack-o. It seems to never fail, he must cheat (not really), but we played seven games of dominoes, and he won the first four! Then we played Rack-o, a card game of sorts, and of the three games played, I only won the second one. It's just luck. He doesn't cheat, but I always say he does.

And now its after 9 p.m., how fast the day has gone by. I feel I have not accomplished much, but perhaps I have.

Forgiveness

The Sunday School lesson for this week has to do with forgiveness, with Scripture in Matthew 18 : 21-35. There were several interesting points, but those that I will share here have to do with what forgiveness is and what it is not.

I found it an eye opener. I have believed ... it has been pointed out to me repeatedly it seems, that when you forgive another, that's it. You're supposed to forget, get past it, don't think about it, don't go there. All pain is supposed to vanish. Well, I found out that isn't true.

Forgiveness DOES NOT mean:

• forgetting the whole thing ever happened
• ignoring the pain / pretending it never happened
• there will be no justice / they'll get away with what they did
• feelings don't count

Biblical forgiveness means releasing the offender from making it up to you. It is not an emotional release, not something we feel, but a mental and spiritual release. Different. Biblical forgiveness acknowledges the offense. If we're not honest about our pain, if we can't share that, we can't heal. Biblical forgiveness affirms we trust God to handle the offender and removes us ourselves as the punisher. Meaning there will be justice, but not our way. God's way.

If I bring mention of the offense up again or if I am reminded of the hurt as a result of something else said, does it mean I have not forgiven the offender? -- I'm not sure, I don't think so. I think the pain is still there and I have to re-acknowledge that and again give it to the Lord for Him alone to handle. What would not be a good idea is to renew the offense with the offender, to rehash things. I can't be the judge. I can't bring the judgement. God will handle it. You just have to give it to Him. It's not that easy. But its the best way, best thing to do.

I need to mention here, and why I haven't before now I don't know. But lest I forget, you need to know .... Jesus forgave me of my sins. Jesus paid the ultimate price for the sins of us all. It is right that I forgive others as He forgave me. Still, it is not always easy to do.

"Consider your ways!"

Today's Scripture brought me to Haggai 1 : 2-7. In verses 5 and 7, the Lord says, "Consider your ways!" (New King James version) or "Consider how things are going for you." (New Living Translation)

We say one thing - we say the time isn't here to do this or that for the Lord. We don't really know. How are we to know what is, when is time. Only the Lord knows. He tells us, but we don't listen well.

Verse 6 (NJK version) says,
"You have sown much, and bring in little;
You eat, but do not have enough;
You drink, but you are not filled with drink;
You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm;
And he who earns wages, earns wages to put into a bag of holes."

Look to the Lord always, center your focus on Him and Him alone, don't veer off to this or that, don't think too heavily on other things that only distract you, keep you away from the one true focus. It is hard. Sometimes when it is hard it is easy to stay focused; other times that is not so true. We all have struggles. My struggles may not seem as big or as important to you as your struggles, but that matters little. Anything and everything is important to the Lord.

The more I study the Bible the more I see how it is all woven together. It is not separated, mixed up, jumbled. It flows smoothly. My life is jumbled, in disarray. But with the Lord in control ... when I allow the Lord to take the reigns of my life to lead me, I will be able to overcome all that pains me. The struggles may still be apparent, but they won't rule over me. God will be in control. The hurdles will not be so cumbersome. God will be in control. God is in control. I am not ... no matter how much I think I am. I only falter. God must be. Here.

IF I would remember

If children, or anyone for that matter, are to find their way to God, we Christians must point the way. Always, all the time. Unfortunately, I am not always God's best servant. I sometimes let my personal wants and desires get the best of me and become outspoken, and, as a result, sin. Oh what grief I imagine this causes my Father. If only I would remember and follow His teachings regularly. I can only begin again, strive anew...

Labor Day / Freedom Fest

We spent most of the day at home, watching the Muscular Dystrophy telethon or working on various projects on the computer. But around 4:30 we got our lawn chairs and other stuff together and drove down to Ellis Park for the Five Seasons Ski Team show. A lot of people came out for the belated Freedom Festival event. The day was enjoyable, not too hot nor cold. We had a good seat for visiting and watching both seasoned participants and beginners perform.

Our next stop was out at the Veterans Memorial Stadium. The Cedar Rapids Municipal Band played their last concert of the season, mostly patriotic tunes, all very good. The Stars and Stripes brought everyone to their feet. My husband frequently comments that it should be our national anthem.

By 8:20 p.m., the 20-minute fireworks display started. Displays actually. One inside the stadium, and the other near the ice arena. It was spectacular. For the first time we had front row seats - we could see down low. When it was held downtown we sat in front of the court house and you could only see what was up high. So this was different and a nice different too.

It seems every event always has a down side. Don't know why that is. The down side for our visit to the stadium was you could not bring drinks or food inside. Food and beer is one thing, but no water?! Even the vendors outside the stadium - if you wanted to eat or drink their stuff, you did so outside the gates. I didn't think it was fair. Therefore, we did not buy anything inside the stadium.

Reminders

My favorite verse in the Bible is from Proverbs 3: 5-6. I use it on nearly all of my E-mail correspondence and have it placed various other places as well. This morning I decided to review past journal entries of this year. Of course I came across that verse again. It reminded me of what I should be doing and what I should not be doing. God is in control at all times. Not us. Not me. We may think we have it all together, but that's far from true. I get frustrated. It dawned on me yesterday, last night, that in all likelihood, God knew something I didn't. Of course. He knows what's going on. He knows where things are going. Just because we don't doesn't mean a darn thing. Things don't go the way we think they should. We think we know everything. How stupid can we be? I need to rely on God, on the Lord Jesus at all times, not just occasionally, but always. In good times, sad times, happy times, difficult times.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding,
Seek His will in all you do,
and He will direct your paths."

When I keep my focus on Jesus, I see how He provides for our needs, all our needs. There is no usefulness to be found when we carry our doubts and fears around with us.

Yesterday's events ... today's thoughts

Friday was an eventful day.

The photo exhibit open house for Gazette employees at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art was very moving. Still hard to believe how the flooded waters moved in and took over. Peoples' lives - of those thousands affected - will be in disarray for some time to come.

Thought payment had been made to Midwestern for Jim's seminary studies but come to find out that isn't so. Frustrated about how to proceed, what we have to do. Classes have begun. More waiting.

I sometimes, oftentimes, feel it is my fault when things don't pan out the way we think they're going to. Guess that's not real smart thinking. The Lord knows what is going on. We are to pray always. What appears is not always so. Guess we can't pre-suppose anything. It is true - what comes around, comes around again, but not always when we think, and not on our own time table.

We drove down to Mount Pleasant mid-afternoon for the Old Threshers Reunion and to visit Larry and Dorothy Gillespie, our friends from LaGrange, Mo., who were spending a couple days there. Arrived around 4 and left at 8:30 p.m. The cost to get on the grounds was more than we anticipated, at $12 each. It cost substantially less if you were staying for all five days ($20 per person). Parking was an additional expense, ranging anywhere from $3 to $5 per vehicle. We got in on the lower end of that deal. The four of us enjoyed visiting and seeing all the sights, from antique engines to automobiles and even snowmobiles - some of them were really huge! And crafts galore. Plus of course there was lots and lots of walking. We enjoyed supper on the grounds by one of the many church groups - St. Alphonsus Catholic Church provided choice of chicken, meatloaf or turkey tender with beans, mashed potatoes, roll, jello and drink - all for $7.50 each. It was an excellent meal.

Dorothy brought with her reprints of photos taken when their family came up Aug. 2 for Jim's surprise 60th. Looking through them I realized some of the stupid eating choices I've made in the past eight months have added poundage that I had previously lost. Have you ever noticed or felt that what you can't see isn't really there? Not true. Not all all. The pictures proved to me what I've tried to avoid. Now I'm left to start over so to speak. I started on a low carb eating program, small meals, eating more frequently, then I got away from it - in the past year especially - when I've reached for peanut m&ms and bread, particularly in times of stress. No more. Must strive to overcome. Must pray, ask for God's wisdom in the process. No more buying things which I'll end up eating in quantity instead of just one. I've noticed too on the internet that the process of managing diabetes (which I don't have) involves low carb, small meals. I need to get back to that regiment.

Now is the time to Act, or Re-Act or perhaps the word is Re-New, Re-Strengthen, Re-Solve, Re-Make, Re-Learn, Re-Think, Re-Turn, Re-Juvenate.

Colossians 1:10 says The Lord wants us to have a walk with him "fully pleasing, being fruitful." I'm sure some of my habits are far from pleasing and they're not particularly fruitful either. Fruits of the spirit include gentleness, patience, humbleness, perseverance, self-control. I am a continual work in progress. I'm sure glad the Lord doesn't give up on me even when I do.

Silence

Silence after a rain
Birds singing
Squirrels, rabbits about
in the stillness,
freshness of the day
Memories
of childhood
on the farm
in southwest Cedar Rapids
So clearly
in my mind's eye

Cathy Orrick Luders

8.28.2008

Real comfort

What is your idea of comfort food? Currently, at this particular point in time, I consider peanut m & m's, ketchup sandwiches and hot tea. Strangely bizarre I know. Anyway... not the most healthy choices (especially the first two) for me, unless of course taken in moderation. That too comes and goes.

Comfort food is not what we eat or drink. There is no real comfort there. Only a habit that we continue to gravitate toward because we think it brings comfort. Eating is good for physical health; eating because you are stressed or you simply desire it so must have it, is not good. The same goes with drinking and getting drunk and a lot of other choices we make.

Real comfort can be found in the Bible. Romans 15:4 says, "For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." But how often do we go there to seek it?

Every morning I read my devotional and the Scripture passage and then reflect on it. Sometimes what I learn excites me to want to dig deeper, other times not so. But whether or not I dig deeper into His word, I am at peace and comforted by the knowledge that He (the Lord Jesus) is with me wherever I am (go). He will guide me and instruct me in His way. I must be open to listening/hearing, obeying/following, praying, abiding always with Him, and there within I find "real comfort."

Scenes from Clear Lake

Jim and I took a day-trip to Clear Lake this past weekend (Aug. 22-23, 2008). We left Cedar Rapids Friday afternoon and returned home Saturday evening.

(1) Storm clouds were gathering Friday evening, hence no beautiful sunset, but still made for an interesting photo.
(2) Seagulls
(3) A lake scene
(4) A 1946 trolley to be restored at the Iowa Trolley Park in Clear Lake. Restoration takes lots of volunteer hours.
(5) Jim and I and our friend Kwallie on a hand car we operated around the 1/2-mile track at the Iowa Trolley Park. In back of us is the railroad depot formerly located in downtown Clear Lake. It is in various stages of restoration.

Still and quiet

I read Psalm 131 this morning. Verse 2 was an interesting passage: "But I have stilled and quieted myself, just as a small child with its mother. Yes, like a small child is my soul within me." The picture that came to mind was even as adults, we want to become like a small child again, being close to our mothers, cuddled, stroked, feeling calm and quiet, peaceful.

David, the psalmist, reflects on this stillness and quietness; finding a way to achieve it through the Lord's power and strength.

• Be humble.
• Stay or keep your mind on the Lord, not seeking ambitious things that may only overwhelm us.

Not saying we shouldn't be ambitious. Depends on the reason. Why - for the glory of God or for our own self-worth? We all want to grow I'm betting. Grow and be important. Like others to look up to us. But we shouldn't be on a pedestal. It really isn't us who is so important. It is God. God alone.

It is hard to be like Jesus.

Jesus and God are one, yet separate. Jesus is God and Jesus is the son of God. And Jesus is the Holy Spirit as well.

Jesus showed us the true meaning of being humble. Be, do unto others as you would have them likewise unto you. Jesus is love. Jesus is the example of what we should be and how we should live.

Never more important than God. The Father of us all. Each and every one.

Do not write for an audience. Write for God alone. Be content to do his bidding, not seeking your own.

What you will and what He wills is never the same. One wins out. Who is the winner - who is the owner of your life - who rules? Is it God or is it Self, and ultimately Satan? It is a constant struggle, constant surrendering of your will to God's.

It's when we refuse to surrender, when we give in to our whims and desires, that Trouble starts and runs rampant.

Returning to reality

It's Sunday night...8.21 to be exact. Eating fresh Colorado peaches - oh are they ever sweet and scrumptious. We returned from our brief but grand trip to Clear Lake early yesterday evening. The unfortunate moments were when a storm blew up and the beautiful sunset was only a dream. Saturday was sunny but rather cool right near the lake and in the shade, but as time crept on the other side of noon, it warmed considerably. Jim and I got lots of walking in from the time we arrived until we left. We even played a game of miniature golf - been in the same family for 46 years - and also visited the Iowa Trolley Park, where we worked! the hand car around a 1/2-mile track. That was fun, but not as easy as it looked and I got a blister on my hand to prove it! We drove around the lake, stopping frequently for exercise - such as sliding down the slide, and picture-taking. When I have more time, I plan to put up a slide show of some of our weekend fun.

Sunday was the day of our church's pre-Labor Day picnic at Cherry Hill park. It used to be held Labor Day weekend, but about 5 years ago it was changed and so far we haven't changed it back. Fellowship, food, fresh air and Bible; what more could you ask. Even a little bit of competition - for the gals we have a rolling pin throw. Gals of all ages can participate - from pre-school through the eldest. I didn't participate this year. You could say I ate too much. And then probably 20 years or so ago, we used to have a hammer throw for the guys, but that got out of hand, so to speak.

This afternoon I worked at the office. Although from the looks of things, especially if you read Monday's Gazette, you might question that - there weren't too many deaths. Ah well, you never know when death comes knocking.

And that brings to mind something else. Death comes, sooner or later, springtime and fall, young and old, fit and unfit. Best be ready. Are you? Reflections on Jesus

New blog

Click on the link above. It will take you to my new blog created just 7 days ago. Check out the articles on both blogs and the Web site too: Window To Christian Ministries ... in Iowa.

Ah ... the weekend

The weekend is here. Friday and Saturday are my usual days off, so I am officially done with work (at the work place) for the week. My husband and I are planning a day trip to Clear Lake. It's about 2-1/2 hours drive from here and we plan (barring no complications) to leave around 3 p.m., spend the night near the lake, take in the sights and do lots of walking. Then come home around 6 p.m. Saturday. It's been at least two years since our last visit there, so needless to say, we are looking forward to going and being and enjoying.