Surprises Beyond the Gate

Along with fellow Rotarians, we were invited to join Carl's Rotary friend, Joseph, for a day at his ranch in Briggs, Texas.

Joseph and Carl are fellow Rotarians which is a wonderful organization dedicated to serving others both locally and around the world.

Rotary members tackle big challenges through acts of service, whether it's fighting disease, supporting education, providing clean water, mentoring young people, or helping communities thrive.

It's proof that ordinary people can make an extraordinary difference in this world.

What we didn't know was that Joseph had a surprise waiting for us!

After driving several miles down a dusty country road, we arrived at a gate. Joseph opened it with a grin that should have warned us something special was ahead.

And was it ever!

There before us were longhorns, cattle, goats, deer, donkeys, zebras, and my personal favorite -- the "zonkeys."

Apparently, somewhere along the way, a zebra and a donkey decided to combine family trees, and the result was something that looked like God was having a little fun with creation!

Soon we piled into off-road vehicles and bounced our way across fields bursting with wildflowers. Joseph showed us deer stands, cabins, and breathtaking views that seemed untouched by the hurried pace of everyday life.

The fellowship was just as wonderful as the scenery. Stories were shared. Laughter echoed across the ranch. Barbecue disappeared quickly. Friendships deepened.

As I looked around, I was reminded of Psalm 19:1:

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands."

Sometimes God's handiwork is found in majestic mountains.

And sometimes it's found in a zonkey.

The day reminded me that life is richer when we get involved in worthy causes, build meaningful friendships, and take time to notice God's creation all around us.

"Let us not grow weary in doing good." (Galatians 6:9)

Sometimes the greatest blessings are found beyond an unexpected gate. A day filled with friendship, service, laughter, wildlife, wildflowers, and God's amazing creation reminded me to never stop looking for His handiwork all around us.

Let's Keep Our Eyes Wide Open

While we were in London, we did a lot of walking. In fact, walking became our primary mode of transportation. But one evening we decided to give our feet a break and take an Uber to a theater.

We chose a comedy called "The Play That Goes Wrong".
And did it ever!
We laughed so hard we thought we might fall out of our seats.

But it wasn't the theater that inspired today's blog. It was the marquee next door advertising "The Devil Wears Prada".

That title stayed with me. Because these days, the devil seems to be wearing a lot more than Prada.

"Satan disguises himself as an angel of light." (2 Corinthians 11:14). He rarely shows up looking dangerous. More often, he appears attractive, harmless, and even helpful.

Many of us have watched friends, family members, and even some churches drift away from biblical truth toward a spirituality that feels more comfortable, more fashionable, and more accepting of whatever we want to believe.

A little astrology.
A few tarot cards.
Some crystals.
A touch of "manifesting."
A dash of "follow your own truth."

It all seems innocent enough.

After all, Adam and Eve weren't hanging around a witch festival. They were standing in a beautiful garden created by God when the enemy quietly questioned God's Word.

That's still his strategy today.
Not loud deception.
Subtle deception.

Peter warned us: "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8)

The good news is that God has not left us defenseless.
He has given us His Word, His Spirit, and His promises.

The Apostle Paul warned Timothy "a time will come when people will turn from truth and wander into myths." (2 Timothy 4:3-4).
Yet in the same passage, he declared that the Lord stood by him and strengthened him.

The same Lord stands by us today.
So let's keep our eyes wide open.
Let's stay grounded in Scripture.
Let's test every message against God's truth.

And let's remember that while darkness may seem fashionable for a season, Jesus Christ is still King AND the LIGHT of the world.
Thanks be to God!

We Are Wonderfully Complex

“Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous -- how well I know it.” Psalm 139:14

Isn't that a comforting thought?
God didn't create any of us on an assembly line.

He didn't make us cookie-cutter copies of one another. He created each of us with unique personalities, gifts, quirks, strengths, and yes -- even a few wrinkles, creaky knees, and occasional forgetful moments!

During our recent cruise -- when we had sea days, I enjoyed playing Mahjong with fellow passengers. It's, one of my favorite games -- and especially good for keeping this brain of mine intact!

I've been playing since 2012 and enjoy it almost as much as I enjoy visiting with the wonderful people around the table.

If you've ever played Mahjong -- or even a card game, you know one thing for sure -- you don't get to choose your tiles (or cards).

We play the hand we've been dealt.
Some days we look down and think, "Well, this looks promising!"
Other days we wonder if the dealer is holding a grudge.

Life can feel that way too.
We don't choose our birthplace, parents, talents, or many of the circumstances that shape our lives. Yet God, in His wisdom, has given each of us a unique combination of experiences, abilities, and opportunities.

The truth is, nothing on this earth is perfect. Bodies wear out. Relationships need work. The economy fluctuates. Even the weather can't seem to make up its mind.

But here's the good news -- God specializes in working with imperfect people and imperfect situations.

When we place our lives in His hands, He turns what looks like an ordinary collection of mismatched tiles into something beautiful.

He isn't asking us to play someone else's game.
He's asking us to faithfully play the hand we've been given.

One day we'll stand before the Lord, and He won't ask why we weren't more like someone else.
He'll simply ask what we did with what He gave us.

God didn't create us to be a copy of someone else. He made us wonderfully complex, uniquely gifted, and perfectly suited for the purpose He has for our lives.

Soooo -- let's play our hands well. After all -- our Master Creator gave us skills and wisdom to finish strong!

Heaven on Three Acres

While my website is taking an extended vacation and GoDaddy continues scratching its head -- life goes on -- and thankfully, so do wonderful friendships.

On Friday, we accepted an invitation from our dear friends, Evie and Jim, whom we met through a Tuesday night house church. It's one of those special places where people gather for home-cooked meals, heartfelt worship, and powerful testimonies of lives transformed by God's grace.

After every meal, Evie and I can usually be found at the kitchen sink, tackling dishes, pots, pans, and solving most of the world's problems through laughter.

Evie and Jim graciosusly invited us to visit their home outside of town on three beautiful acres.

What a delight!

They introduced us to their chickens, squirrels, deer, dog, and cat. It was obvious they weren't simply living there -- they were flourishing there.

As they gave us a tour of their home, every room reflected gratitude, faith, and love. Photos, keepsakes, and reminders of God's goodness filled their little corner of the world.

Then came my favorite story.

Evie showed us two beautiful Christmas ornaments given to her by her sister. Inside the wired ornaments were colorful balls inside. Years later, her sister asked if they had enjoyed the chocolates. Chocolates? Evie had no idea there were chocolates inside! She had spent years admiring them as decorations!

As we drove home, I couldn't help but think about what made their home so special.
It wasn't the acreage.
It wasn't the animals.
It wasn't even the beautiful surroundings.
It was contentment.

"Godliness with contentment is great gain." (1 Timothy 6:6)

Evie and Jim have discovered something many people spend a lifetime pursuing. They have found joy in simple things -- God's creation, meaningful friendships, a peaceful home, and grateful hearts.

"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24)

What if we all embraced the little things a bit more?

The flowers.
The birds.
The laughter.
The people God has placed in our lives.

After all, sometimes heaven on earth isn't found in grand adventures.

Sometimes it's found on three acres, with chickens, deer, good friends, and a bowl of "chocolates" that nobody realized were chocolates.

Sometimes the richest life isn't found in having more -- it's found in appreciating what God has already given. Friendship, laughter, creation, contentment, and a grateful heart truly are treasures. #contentment #Godscreation #SimpleBlessings #friendship

Let's Finish Strong

Running used to be my game.

I loved it so much that I ran half marathons, 5K races, and enough neighborhood miles to keep up with my grandchildren.

Somewhere along the way, however, pickleball decided to humble me with a few spectacular falls!

That’s when I turned over a new leaf -- or rather, turned toward a new machine. Enter the elliptical.

These days, I wear knee braces like badges of honor. In fact, I’m still wearing them from this morning’s workout. Stylish? Not exactly. Helpful? Absolutely.

And as long as I can move these legs, I intend to keep running my race. Bring on the apostle Paul who wrote:

"My only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me." (Acts 20:24)

I love that.

Paul knew hardship awaited him, yet he refused to quit. His mission was simple: keep sharing the good news of God’s grace and finish strong.

And, isn’t that what we all want?

Every fitness instructor I’ve ever known says something interesting near the end of a workout:

“Don’t quit now -- you’re almost there!”

Why? Because the temptation to slow down usually comes right before the finish.

The same is true spiritually.

After years of disappointments, delays, sore knees, unanswered prayers, and unexpected detours, it can be tempting to coast a little.

But God calls us to keep moving forward.

Keep praying.

Keep believing.

Keep loving.

Keep encouraging.

Keep showing up.

Galatians 6:9 reminds us:

"Do not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time you will reap a harvest if you do not give up."

So whether you’re running marathons, walking carefully with knee braces, pedaling an elliptical, or simply trying to stay faithful through life’s ups and downs, remember this:

The goal isn’t perfection.

The goal is perseverance.

And by God’s grace, let’s finish strong -- with faith in our hearts, joy in our spirits, and maybe a little ice pack nearby just in case.

The goal isn’t to finish perfectly -- it’s to finish faithfully.

Keep moving, keep believing, and keep trusting God for strength to finish your race strong!

#finishstrong #faithrace #keepgoing

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Let’s Fill Our Lives with Love

Remember that old song sung by Dionne Warwick -- "What the world needs now is love sweet love. It's the only thing that there's just to little of...."

If we truly want lasting change in our lives, perhaps the answer is simpler than we think -- we need more love.

Not the syrupy, movie-kind of love that disappears when life gets difficult. I’m talking about the real kind of love that heals wounded hearts, strengthens weary souls, refreshes tired minds, and reminds people they matter.

After all, “God is love.” (1 John 4:8) -- and because He is love, He created us to love and need one another.

That explains why isolation feels so heavy. God never intended for us to journey through life alone. The New Testament uses the phrase “one another” 58 times:

Love one another.

Pray for one another.

Encourage one another.

Support one another.

That sounds a lot like God's prescription for a healthier and lovelier life, doesn't it?

Romans 12 says we all belong to each other. I love that thought. It means when one person hurts, others gather around. When someone celebrates a victory, we cheer loud enough to make heaven smile.

And honestly, isn't it wonderful to have people who celebrate our good news instead of secretly wishing we fail?

The Bible tells us:

“Take delight in honoring each other.” (Romans 12:10)

What a beautiful way to live.

One of the greatest surprises in life is discovering that when we pour love into others, God somehow pours strength back into us. There is healing in helping. Joy in encouraging. Comfort in comforting others.

Just look at Job. After unimaginable loss, Scripture says:

“After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes.” (Job 42:10)

Imagine that.

Sometimes our own healing begins while we're helping someone else heal.

So today, let's fill our lives with love.

Call someone.

Pray for someone.

Celebrate someone.

Encourage someone.

The world has enough anger.

Let’s give it something better.

The world may be filled with bitterness and division, but God still changes lives through love. Let's love like Him!

#loveoneanother #LoveLikeJesus #Godislove #FaithHopeLovePeace

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Enjoy the Ride

Yes, we were like two kids embarking on a field trip when we decided to embark on a grand adventure of a lifetime – to London -- navigating and walking more than we thought possible.

Then taking trains, Ubers, taxis, the Tube, double-decker buses, endless walking, and fifteen glorious days aboard the Nieuw Statendam ship.

There were moments when our hearts nearly beat out of our chests.
Especially when we ignored the safe and sensible option of taking an Uber and instead decided, “Let’s walk there or let's take the train like the locals!”

There were times we walked so far trying to find our destination that I was certain we were testing both Carl’s pacemaker and my prayer life simultaneously.

But somewhere between the missed turns, crowded stations, aching feet, and unexpected detours, we learned something:
Life is like a roller coaster.

There are thrilling climbs, unexpected drops, sharp turns, delays, and occasional moments when we wondered why we ever got on the ride in the first place.

One evening aboard the ship, we were enjoying a high-energy production with incredible singers and dancers when suddenly -- everything stopped. The lights went out. The music quit. The performers hurried offstage. The show was canceled.

Yet no one panicked. Our gracious cruise director walked out and calmly assured us the issue would be fixed, just not that night.

Isn’t that life sometimes?

Just when we think everything is finally flowing smoothly, a giant “TEMPORARILY OUT OF ORDER” sign appears.
A disappointment.
A delay.
A diagnosis.
A detour.

Aw! But God gently reminds us:
"All things God works for the good of those who love Him." — Romans 8:28

From experience, when, like us – YOUR roller coaster suddenly jerks, rattles, or pauses --don’t give up.

Take a deep breath. Pray. Laugh when you can. And if necessary, carry a spiritual “barf bag” for those moments when life gets a little queasy and….

Release the fear.
Release the frustration.
Release the disappointment.

Then – let’s throw up our hands back up in the air and enjoy the ride again.

Because our God -- Who designed the journey is still in control of every twist and turn. And, He isn’t rattled by interruptions.

#Godisincontrol #enjoytheride #ReleaseFear

The Cashless Conundrum

Before we left for London and our grand adventure through the United Kingdom, we spent time deciding the important things to see and do.

Of course the museums to visit and what landmarks to see -- but even more so -- we were trying to figure out how to pay for everything!

Cash or credit card?

As it turns out, in the United Kingdom, credit cards reign supreme. Tapping a card or phone is often faster than finding our reading glasses, locating the correct bill, and trying to remember which pocket we put it in.

So we embraced modern technology and headed off to conquer London.

Then someone told us, "The fastest way around the city is the Tube."

The Tube? It sounded harmless enough.

The London Underground has been transporting passengers since 1863 and is the world's oldest underground railway. Millions of people use it every year. We quickly discovered they all seem to be in a hurry!

People zipped around us like they were training for the Olympics. Escalators moved. Trains (the Tube) arrived. Crowds flowed.

Meanwhile, Carl and I were trying to determine which direction to go, where to tap our credit card, where to retrieve the ticket, and whether we had accidentally boarded a train headed for Scotland.

Miraculously, we survived!

Better yet, after navigating the Tube several times, we realized we still had a few functioning brain cells left. In fact, we felt rather accomplished.

The experience got me thinking about today's cashless culture. More and more businesses prefer digital payments. Some don't accept cash at all.

While I still appreciate the wisdom of saving pennies, I've learned a little flexibility goes a long way.

Most of life's frustrations aren't worth losing our joy over.

So whether we're paying with cash, a credit card, our phone, or whatever comes next, let's remember this -- money is simply a tool. What matters most is how we use it and the attitude we carry along the way.

And if life suddenly moves faster than we're comfortable with -- we don't panic.
We take a deep breath.
We smile.
We ask for directions -- a lot.
We trust God.
And we keep moving forward.

God's got us -- summer, spring, winter or fall.
AND, when it all gets too complicated, too hurried, too worried -- we call on our ALL KNOWING, ALL LOVING Father God Who is there to direct us, guide us and helps us find those green pastures where all is sweet peace and comfort and joy!

After all, if Carl and I can successfully navigate the London Tube and all the means of transportation we took in our grand adventure -- I assure you -- there may be hope for all of us!

The London Tube taught us more than transportation -- it taught us flexibility, patience, and a lot of humility! Sometimes life moves fast, but with a smile, a credit card, and God's help, we can navigate the journey just fine.

#TravelLessons #londontube #FaithAndFlexibility

At Last -- the Prodigals Came Home

Hallelujah! After nine long days, our missing luggage finally arrived home. We checked websites, made phone calls, saved claim numbers, and searched for answers. Every day I told myself to trust God. Every day I reminded others to trust God. Every day I quoted Scripture.

AND every day I worried. There. I said it.

Let me be honest. I have NOT mastered faith. I am not a spiritual giant. I doubted. I whined. Ever felt that way?

Truthfully, most of us don't need another story about someone who never struggled. We need reminders that ordinary people can wrestle with worry and still discover God's faithfulness on the other side.

In fact, I suspect some of my readers are carrying burdens far heavier than delayed luggage. A health diagnosis. A prodigal child. Financial pressure. Loneliness. Grief. Unanswered prayers.

And when you all read my blogs –- you aren’t really into whether my suitcases arrived or not.

I am a woman who loves God's Word, writes about faith, and encourages others to stand on His promises. Yet somewhere between day three and day nine, I began imagining my belongings living permanently in someone else’s closet.

My faith wasn't gone, but it certainly wasn't strutting around confidently either.

Suddenly, I remembered an important truth: God was faithful every single day they were missing. And it wasn’t because I was faith-filled – trusting in God’s promises.

I really did want to believe as I read this scripture: “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.” Psalm 56:3

The luggage was delayed, but God wasn't.

His faithfulness never depended on the strength of my faith. He remained faithful because that's who He is. He knew exactly where they were the entire time.

Perhaps that's the lesson.

Faith isn't pretending we're never anxious. Faith is bringing our anxieties back to God -- again and again -- until peace finally outweighs fear.

So, if you're waiting for an answer, a breakthrough, a healing, a provision, or a miracle, don't give up.

Keep praying.

Keep trusting.

Keep believing.

Your answer may be delayed, but God's faithfulness never is.

AND – if luggage could speak, I think they’d say: “Sorry we're late. We were just helping you learn to trust God a little more."

And honestly, I'd have to admit -- they did.

#TrustGod #Godisfaithful #FaithOverFear #answeredprayers

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Donna Wuerch Noble

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