Sundown

Sundown

by | Nov 18, 2022 | Faith, Forgiveness, Hope

Across the soccer field Wednesday night, the evening sun sank on the horizon creating pink, cotton candy-like clouds across the eastern sky. As I watched the fading light, I remembered another sunset — years ago and thousands of miles away — that took my breath away.

After a week-long meeting in San Diego, I was restless to leave the building and breathe in fresh air. Outside the hotel, a bike rental company caught my eye. I looked at a few routes and decided to take the 13-mile path to La Jolla. Drawing near to my destination, the route wove me through a neighborhood that had the Pacific Ocean as its backdrop.

I stopped to watch the sun melt into the dark water as residents walked out of their homes to do the same. Incredible hardly describes the scene.

What does sundown say to you? A closing chapter in your life? The end of a particular season?

This is my son Garrett’s senior year of high school. In a way, it is the end of a season for him. For all of us. But it also points to the excitement for what is in store for the future.

For me, sundown — the end of the day or the end of a season — brings about a new beginning and hope for tomorrow.

A new beginning

Jesus’ ministry on earth did just that. With His sacrifice, the old covenant God handed down through Moses became obsolete.

Living under the old covenant, the priests would enter the outer room of the sanctuary to carry on their ministry. But only the high priest could enter the inner room and that was only once a year. And he could not enter without a blood sacrifice for himself and the people.

But when Christ made the ultimate sacrifice, He entered the Most Holy place once and for all by his own blood, offering eternal redemption. (Read Hebrews chapter 9)

Christ entered heaven itself to appear for us in God’s presence. (Vs. 2:24)

But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. (Vs. 9:26 NIV)

Christ’s end of His season on earth — he sacrificed himself to do away with sin —began His next when He sat down at the right hand of God. (Hebrews 10:12 NIV)

Hope for the future

Are you at the end of a season? Can you look beyond sundown in your life and see the hope that Christ brings through His sacrifice?

  • Hope for salvation. You can receive Christ’s gift today.
  • Hope for a brighter future. Hold on to the hope His promises bring.
  • Hope for peace. Trust His plan and receive peace.
  • Hope for another day of strength. Claim the power of the Holy Spirit in your life.

Hope believes in a better tomorrow.

Make the most of the season you’re in and when sundown comes, grab hold to a new beginning and rest in the hope you have in Christ.

Cayenne pepper chaos

Cayenne pepper chaos

by | Nov 11, 2022 | God, Hope, Support

Attempting to discourage our puppy from digging small crater-sized holes in the backyard, I bought more cayenne pepper. Unfortunately, as the wind blew, I got more on me than the holes in my flower bed. Sitting at my computer later, I began to rub my eye. Boy, did that ever backfire.

I can also recall a time shortly after Matthew passed away when I needed to discipline our oldest son. He was probably 13 or 14 and at the time, our mode of discipline was the spanking spoon. A long-handled wooden spoon from the kitchen was always handy. About 6’ tall at the time, much bigger than me, he was obviously too big for the spanking spoon.

However, I was determined to get the upper hand. He was determined to get away and ran. What did I do? I chased him around the room until, eventually laughter set in. That plan didn’t work. Even the younger brothers were laughing. Talk about a plan going awry!

Has that ever happened to you? Have you ever been going about your day, thinking you’re doing the right thing, then surprise! The result was not what you expected. As a matter of fact, it was the opposite of what you were expecting.

God’s not surprised

It’s a good thing that nothing takes God by surprise. Jesus was not surprised when . . . 

  • Satan showed up to tempt Him in the desert. (Matthew 4:1-11)
  • Judas showed up with a kiss, starting a chain of events that led Jesus to the cross. (Matthew 26:47-49) 
  • Demons begged Jesus to allow them to enter a herd of pigs. That certainly backfired when the pigs ran down a steep bank and drowned. (Luke 8: 26-37)
  • Mary showed up and anointed Jesus’ feet with oil. (John 12:1-8) 

Jesus knows all about our pain, too, my friend. I have talked with many people this past week – people sharing stories of heartbreak, people looking for hope and comfort, people searching for answers and desperate for peace.  

We are not alone

Jesus knows we will go through hard times, but he doesn’t want us to go through them alone. He’s here for us. He’s not surprised by our situation and wants to be the one we run to.

He brings order out of our chaos, too. God took the earth that was without form and void, a dark empty mess — chaos — and turned it into light and life.

Our lives may seem a picture of chaos at times. But God’s word brings life and peace, undoing the chaos and bringing beauty and order.

For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. (1 Corinthians 14:33)

Everyday blessings refresh and restore

Everyday blessings refresh and restore

by | Jun 4, 2022 | Belief, God, Hope, Support

Texas-sized offer

He dropped off his business card at my house the afternoon of my husband Matthew’s memorial service. I didn’t see him, but he left a message. With a heart as big as Texas, he offered to mow our yard for a season and teach my boys how to maintain it when they were older.

And he did just that. While my head was spinning with the events of the previous few days, God sent someone to lighten my load.

Ziplock treasures

He shows up at my back door every few months with a Ziplock bag in his hand. His words are few, just “I went fishing today and brought you some white perch.” His demeanor is quiet, his actions loud. He wears generosity admirably, and I am blessed by it. I’ve learned to accept the gift and appreciate the giver (and to pan-fry white perch like a pro).

A box of chocolates

She calls every year around Father’s Day checking if we’re in town. “I want to drop off something,” she tells me. The first few years were a variety of chocolates, which the boys and I devoured. Later, she left a healthier choice.

Many people are generous and thoughtful following the death of a loved one. But it’s uncommon to continue blessing someone for six years. Her consideration of my boys, especially during a time when they feel loss, refreshes my spirit.

Be refreshed

Paul tells us that the Christians in Corinth refreshed Titus’ spirit.

By all this we are encouraged. In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you. (2 Corinthians 7:13; emphasis added)

That is what God has done for me, and I bet He’s done the same for you. He refreshes us through people. He restores our hope with kindness given. It may be through family, friends or acquaintances, or the warmth and thoughtfulness of a good neighbor.

Don’t miss the encouragement God delivers at your doorstep. And take a moment to be a blessing to someone today.

He Calls You By Name

He Calls You By Name

by | Apr 13, 2022 | Belief, God, Hope, Redeemed

“Mary.”

When she heard him tenderly call her name, her search for Jesus at the tomb was over. She had left close friends at home in search of Jesus’ body, but what she found was Christ the risen Lord.

In his book, Mornings with Tozer,  A. W. Tozer says “Christ’s resurrection brought about a startling change of direction for the believers. Sadness and fear and mourning marked the direction of their religion before they knew that Jesus was raised from the dead.”

That direction changed with the sound of three simple phrases. “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.” That day, their focus shifted away from the tomb to the telling of the good news. He is risen indeed! Tozer goes on to say “Thankfully, the resurrection morning was only the beginning of a great, vast outreach that has never ended – and will not end until our Lord Jesus Christ comes back again!”

The Bible is the voice of God calling us to new life. Leaving our sin life, we can live a new, redeemed life. Where we spend eternity depends on how we respond to that voice. My friend, is today the day to experience the power of Christ’s resurrection?

For believers, Satan would have us still beside the cross, mourning instead of proclaiming that Christ has risen. Because He lives and did not stay in the tomb, we can face whatever tomorrow holds. Because He lives, we can live without fear but with a sense of purpose and significance. Because he lives, we are called to act, to tell others about the saving power of Jesus.

For those who have not yet believed, is today the day to loosen your grip on the world and reach out to receive the salvation Jesus offers? He is also calling you to act, to accept His gift of eternal life and experience an Easter like none other.

___________________________

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him. Now I have told you.” Matthew 28:5-7

The Presence of Wonder

The Presence of Wonder

by | Apr 6, 2022 | God, Hope, Joy, Moments

What a day that will be, when my Jesus I shall see.

When I look upon His face, the one who saved me by His grace.

Then He’ll take me by the hand, and lead me through the promised land.

What a day, glorious day that will be.

The verses from this old hymn popped into my head as I drove home from a basketball game late one night. This seems to be much of my life – ballgames, tennis matches and long drives. The moon was out, striking and bright. And there was a multitude of tiny feathery clouds floating over and around it. It made me think of an army of angels gathered around the Father. I tried to take a picture while driving but that became almost disastrous, so I decided it best to pull over and capture the moment.

Moments. I am learning to enjoy moments like these again. It seems I’d lost my way over time, forgetting to enjoy the little things life has to offer. Instead, I allowed the stress of situations around me to consume my mind and thoughts. Although many times I’d asked Jesus to speak to me and show me his presence, I would often miss it. That night, God showed up and I worshipped him in song, enjoying the brilliance of the moonlit sky above me.

E. B. White (American essayist and author of Charlotte’s Web) penned these words that carry a similar theme. “Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder.”

No matter the season or difficulty, don’t miss your moments. Take time to slow down and enjoy them so you don’t miss the presence of wonder and the beauty of this life.

Look for them in every circumstance or conversation. Look for them in nature around you and in every aspect of your day. They can be found in the form of a smile or a kind word. They can be evident through the gentle nudging of a friend. Or through the brilliance of the sunset at the end of the day. They can even present themselves in a moonlight night on a dark road headed home.

____________

The heavens declare the glory of God;
 the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1

Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens:
 Who created all these? 
He who brings out the starry host one by one
 and calls forth each of them by name.
 Because of his great power and mighty strength,
 not one of them is missing. Isaiah 40:26

 

God Sees Us

God Sees Us

by | Mar 30, 2022 | God, Grace, Hope

I have successfully loaded a ski lift for 30 plus years. Until today. Today, that lift got the best of me. It’s a special lift – I call it the magic carpet lift. When you enter, you stand still, and it takes you to the place where the seat picks you up. Except when my ski tips hit the slushy ice, my feet took an unnatural turn. Knees pointed together, I fell backward, the seat hitting my head while I lay there calling out “my knees, my knees.” Oh, I’m going to feel that stiffness tomorrow. Now, that was embarrassing enough. But that wasn’t enough. I did the very same thing again. The very same thing twice! Poor Parker. He was so embarrassed.

Sometimes life just gets the best of us. We may be enjoying a normal day when we’re struck by a sad moment. That moment can throw our whole day – or even week – out of whack. We could receive a dreaded call about a family member. Or things seem to fall apart around us.

In one month alone, Garrett, 15 at the time, ran into a barbed wire fence, our roof leaked, termites swarmed our neighborhood, our water heater needed repairing and we found a rodent living in our attic, just to name a few! Lord help us all when those types of weeks or months rain down on us.

If you’re like me, you just need to talk to your person to face the days when our hearts are heavy, our minds a cluttered mess.

I don’t know all the whys and answers to our questions, but I do know that God sees. He sees us, he knows us and he’s beside us during our painful moments. Scripture even tells us directly that God hears our prayers. “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayers.” 1 Peter 3:12.

We may not always feel this way, and our feelings are likely to get in the way, but this is truth. He is attentive to our prayers.

I may not have voiced the words to the Lord, please save my knees, but God heard the cry of my heart. My knees will recover, eventually, and the young man who picked me up from my disarranged limbs was patient and kind. For that, I am grateful.

Side note. My boys talked me into trying that lift again the next day. I did not want to, but I survived it. I can leave Spring Break knowing I conquered my fear.

;