We Have Nothing to Fear Except Fear Itself

That was a line from Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Inaugural Address in 1933. But are FDR's words true, especially when we hear about the coronavirus more each day? No question -- if we only thought, read, studied and listened to the news about it, we could seriously get ourselves into a world of fear.

I loved hanging with my #4 grandson (in order of ages), my #3 grandson and #1 granddaughter the last couple of days. #4, Brennan, from Austin, is here as his school is closed because of the coronavirus outbreak, and next week is Spring break for him. Word has it that officials from his school are already talking about home-schooling. He loves that idea!

In the midst of the chaos, we are having intelligent family discussions about the pandemic. Most of the discussions are about “having no fear” because we have been inoculated with God’s Holy Word. Jesus said this in John 14: “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; also, trust in Me.”

But how can we trust, if we really don’t know what the Bible says? It’s time to get to the equipping station to power up on God’s Word. Look at what Psalm 91:1-16 says:

“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust Him. For He will rescue you from every trap and protect you FROM DEADLY DISEASE. He will cover you with His feathers. He will shelter you with His wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. Do not dread the DISEASE that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. Just open your eyes, and see how the wicked are punished. If you make the LORD your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; NO PLAGUE will come near your home. For He will order His angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone. You will trample upon lions and cobras; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! The LORD says, “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in My name. When they call on Me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.”

Those are words direct from Heaven Central. God ALWAYS presents reasons for us to TRUST in His sovereignty and power to keep us in peace when everything else in the world screams out for us to FEAR. Reality tells us that so much of what we spend our time worrying about never even happens. Living under the weight of the "what if's" is a hard place to dwell.

I struggled with fear and worry for years -- so much so that I developed acute colitis. My amazing Christian doctor coached me to healing by giving me the prescription of taking God's Word into my heart and meditating on it, when anxiety would come up. And, I did. I learned to call on the Prince of Peace (Jesus) to give me peace. Through time, I began to find that the things that once would have sent me down a spiral of fear, no longer had the same effect. I read words of life and truth like those above. I soaked them in, prayed them out loud, until they became so familiar, they replaced the other things in my mind that I had battled against.

Change happened. Anxious thoughts began to diminish. Worry let go of its constant grip. God's words became "life" words, soothing to my soul, calming my spirit, giving power to my days. It wasn't always easy, and it often came down to a choice. Choosing not to allow fear and anxiety to control my life. Choosing to guard my heart. Choosing to focus my mind on what is truth in the midst of uncertainty.

We are living in times when we can rationalize that it’s okay to be afraid, but not according to God’s Word. When we feel out of control and not able to make sense of it all, we can rest assured that God is IN control and already has a plan for keeping us safe and sound. .If FEAR has you in its grip, I urge you to take the same prescription that Dr. Gregory gave me. Over and over again, as many times a day as you can -- take God's Word in, speak it, pray it, meditate on it and be healed.

Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

PEACE be with you!

My User Manual & My Daily Medicine Dose

From TVs to cars, most everything we purchase these days come with user manuals. For most of us, we rarely read the user manual until something breaks down or isn’t working properly. But, then, we don’t even go to the manual first, we google our issue and find the answer there.

Today, I’m talking about my personal User Manual. It’s the Bible. It’s not just another book on the book shelf that we pick up once, read a little of it, and then be done. It’s not like other books we read and maybe read it a second time because it was such a good story. The Bible is our go-to book as a User Manual, as a daily source of inspiration that brings life to us. God’s Spirit inhabits God’s Word. He beckons us to sit in His presence and breathe in what we’re reading. If we would remember that everything in our lives hinges on God and His promises, then we can count on Him working in our lives. His purposes cannot be thwarted. Searching out His promises and setting our hearts on what He says to us, is truly how to "fix" what's wrong and make us right in every area of our lives.

Many people are in great fear about what tomorrow holds. The coronavirus, political voices, the negativity of the news, and all those fears that try to consume us every day. But I have a prescription for you that will cure you of all those ailments. I spoke to my women's group about the importance of taking this prescription daily in this illustration. I give it to you today from this medicine bottle. If I had the cure for stress and worry; for sadness, pain and guaranteed joy and peace and I kept it to myself, what kind of friend would I be? I do have the cure – and it’s found in the prescription of God’s Holy Word. It’s prescribed to "whoever" by Dr. Jesus. The supply is unlimited and the side effects are peace, joy, hope, love, patience, better health, abundant life and so much more.

I can't begin to tell you how many times I've read a scripture and I found the answer to my problem or question. I have daily “epiphanies” – aha moments from reading and soaking in God’s Word. In Luke 24, we read about two disciples who were sad and confused after the crucifixion of Jesus. Jesus was walking with them on the Road to Emmaus, but they didn’t recognize Him. They invited Him to come home with them and in Luke 24:30-31 we read that the disciples’ eyes were opened after Jesus took the bread, broke it, and gave it to them to eat.

Jesus is OUR Bread of Life, the Living Word, and we are nourished by Him when we open the Holy Scriptures to feed on his truth. Ultimately, it is Christ who feeds us with spiritual nourishment through His Word, but we must choose to come to the table. It is Jesus who feeds us through His living, powerful, and active Word of truth, but we must choose to open the Bible and search its riches, expecting to hear from Him.

On the evening of Resurrection Sunday, it was the Scriptures—being illuminated to the disciples—that burned in their hearts. That same power exists in God’s eternal Word. Does it burn within your heart today?

Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
Psalm 119:11 “Your Word have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against You.”

Guarding My Attic AND My Heart

Squirrel intruders started last year. So bad that they burrowed into my attic with a 6” x 3” hole. I heard them scampering around having a “heyday” all season long. Grrr! I surmised the enemy was out to get me and my peace! But, eventually, no more noise plus $150 bill from my handy man to seal the hole.

Again, this year, I hear the scratching and see the shavings on the ground. I run out like a crazy lady, waving my broom stick and rodent-spray. I'm done and ready to take him out. Still, he comes back. I decide it’s time for big guns. A $70 sure-fire deal, an Advanced Ultrasonic Rodent Repelling System is on its way. Can I just insert here “I love Amazon Prime!” Next day, the system is set up and I feel empowered. But, alas, the rascal comes back and I catch him in the act of burrowing a 1” hole. I call the repelling system company, explain my torment, and I’m sent an add-on device specificaly for squirrels.. I set it up. But, my foe is still bound and determined. I accelerate my wild west woman moves, taking after him with the spray and I put a metal shower rod up the hole. That was three weeks ago. I think (I hope) he may have found a less violent home! Whew!

Now, to the point of this blog – besides being able to vent about a varmint with the tenacity we all should have in going after what we want -- the device makes high intensity sounds that my grandkids detect right away. They complain about the shrill noise they hear coming from my back yard. We adults don’t hear the noise at all. I unplug the device and their pain is gone. They leave. I plug it back in. Payton comes over and "Nana, please turn off your device. It hurts so much." I did, until he left.

I read up on the ability to hear high-pitched sounds or not, and it seems children and teenagers can hear those sounds. As we age, our ability to hear high-pitched sounds wanes – a process that naturally occurs as the cells in our ears age.

Here's my wise sage advice at the end of this long saga. Like that annoying squirrel -- so is the enemy of our souls. My grandchildren heard those pesky, annoying sounds until I unplugged the devices. Maybe my older, wiser self with the inability to hear the taunts of the enemy is because I have learned to guard my heart. “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23

Our best defense against annoying intruders or circumstances that try to steal our peace is doing what we can to get on the offense instead of letting the enemy take over. Seal up and fortify the weak places, like in our attics AND in our hearts. We seal the vulnerable places and we apply prayer and God's Word to our heart. He will give us His peace that’s beyond anything we can understand. His peace will guard our hearts and minds against the anxieties that can be as persistent as that squirrel. I’m hopeful that the squirrel has moved on to greener pastures. I'm also hopeful and determined to be on guard against the enemy of my soul! "Be clear-minded and alert. Your opponent, the devil, is prowling around like a roaring lion (or a scratching squirrel) looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8)

Transformed by Being Informed

My grandsons were big fans of the Transformers -- the toys that could be converted from a robot to a car and vice versa. It didn't come as easy for me as it did for them. I just couldn't get all the parts tucked in to transform it into a car. Those toys are literally transformed from the inside out. Isn't that what God desires to do in us? He wants us transformed from the inside out. He works with us and in us so that what is in us.....comes through us to help transform others. Not only can we be changed, but we can be the catalyst for change in others. Those toys usually come with a guide to help slow learners like me. And so it is with God’s Word, our Guide, that helps us be transformed.

A couple of days ago I blogged about how diving into God’s Word is the way to be cured for what ails us and for transforming us. People ask me what the best translation of the Bible is and my answer is “The one that you translate into your life!” That’s what Bible study is all about. Being informed to transform.

I remember when my new Bible's pages had gold edges. Oh how beautiful those edges were. But those edges are long gone. They rubbed off on me and better yet, the words inside of it have rubbed off into my mind and heart. God gave us His Word to transform us, not simply inform us. James 1:22 says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says”. In other words, God wants our beliefs turned into behavior. God makes His purpose for the Bible even more explicit in 2 Timothy 3:16-17: “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”

The purpose of the Bible is more than just showing us what is wrong in our lives or how we should live. God gave us his Word to radically transform our lives. The Bible describes itself as a two-edged sword – a tool designed to make radical changes. God intends for the Bible to dramatically change our lives. The Bible also describes God’s truth as milk, water, bread, and meat. What do all those things have in common? If we don’t eat or drink them regularly, we’ll die. So it is with God's Word. We should hunger and thirst after God's Word so much so that we can't live without it. So excuse me...it's breakfast time -- I'm getting my nourishment -- physically AND spiritually. Transform me, Lord. Transform me to be more like You as I nourish on your Word today.

A Prescription for the Dumps, the Mulligrubs, & the Grumpies

Do you need a prescription today because you’ve had it, you’ve just drawn the “last straw that broke the camel’s back”, someone got on your last nerve, and you’re just D-O-N-E done! Well, I’m happy to write this prescription for you today – one that you don’t even have to go to the corner drug store to get it filled. You need a Word break. If you'll just pick up your Bible, you'll find the hope you need. “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope” (Romans 15:).

God gave us the Bible to encourage us. It's a mood picker-upper. Everything in Scripture is written for our encouragement. Even the tough parts of God’s Word are there to ultimately encourage our lives in the right direction. That’s why we need to spend time alone with God every single day. Whether it’s our quiet time, daily devotional, or our personal inspiration time, we need to be getting alone with God, reading his Word, and talking to Him. Psalm 119:114 says: “You’re my place of quiet retreat; I wait for your Word to renew me”.

I’ve become pretty good at diagnosing the dumps, the mulligrubs and the grumpies. Better put -- if you’re discouraged and have lost hope, I can tell you one thing about your life without ever “getting into your business” -- you’re not spending time in God’s Word. You’re not spending time with Him. From having personally lived in the pity party zones, I know if you’re down and out, and having a pity party – it’s because God has become an uninvited guest to your miseries. I know from firsthand experience. Know God – know joy. No God – no joy.

So, today, I give you this prescription. I give you Jesus. He’s the peace that passes all understanding. I give you Jesus. He’s the perfect love that casts out all fear; I give you Jesus, He's the water that you drink and never thirst again; I give you Jesus, my friend, I give you Jesus. You will find Him in His Word.

The more we read God’s Word when we’re down, the more He lifts us up. So the next time discouragement comes knocking on your heart's door, don't open it. Open up your Bible instead -- and read it. God’s Word has the power to change your life. It has God’s power in it. Nothing else does. The Bible will give you the “real stuff” — true encouragement. Start out with this "real stuff"!

Psalm 16:5-11 "You, Lord, are all I have, and You give me all I need; my future is in Your hands. How wonderful are Your gifts to me; how good they are! I praise the Lord, because He guides me, and in the night my conscience warns me. I am always aware of the Lord's presence; He is near, and nothing can shake me. And so I am thankful and glad, and I feel completely secure, because You protect me from the power of death. I have served You faithfully, and You will not abandon me to the world of the dead. You will show me the path that leads to life; Your presence fills me with joy and brings me pleasure forever."

Skills to Last a Lifetime

Here’s another one of my “back-in-the-day” posts. Please forgive my musings but I roll with what I believe are God’s bright ideas. This one came from my post yesterday when I mentioned the recipes I learned in Home Ec. A rush of memories flooded my mind. Those of us of a certain age (ahem) may remember a time period (or at least hearing about a time period) when high-school girls took home economics class, and high-school boys took shop. Men were going to grow up and work on their own cars or home repairs, while women would become homemakers and take care of their families. I must say that shop for my “high school” boyfriend and home ec for me served us well the rest of our married life.

I learned some great cooking techniques, recipes, table place-setting, measurements, basics of sewing, and washing and ironing techniques in those classes. Thankfully, for my young husband, I had a few “tools in my toolbox” that gave him some decent meals and awarded me the title of “World’s Best Cook” (love AND a hungry man may be blind). I could sew buttons on, hem slacks, take in some shirts, set a table with putting the silverware where it belonged and could wash clothes without turning everything pink. And, thankfully, for me, my young husband learned so many “tricks of the trade” that he became known as “Mr. Fix-it” man. He could repair any and everything.

If my granddaughter, Alexia, had been afforded the opportunity to have Home Ec classes, I don't think she would have taken them. She’s one of those “I’m going to marry a man that can cook!" But, I’m proud to say, “She loves to sew!” She finds inexpensive, second hand clothes and reworks them into some adorable outfits.” I bought her first sewing machine. I stopped sewing until my Alexia came along, and I picked up where I left off. I carefully made the christening gown pictured here and it represents the love I had and have for her when I see it displayed in their home. Most importantly, it represents the day that her Mom and Dad presented her to God and her church family, like Jesus was presented to God in the temple by His Mom and Dad.

Back to home ec and shop – those classes were a common part of our high school curriculum. Isn’t the whole purpose of school to provide children with life skills and knowledge that will benefit them….long term? I don’t know that I have used what I learned in chemistry, geometry and geography that much – but I sure appreciate what I learned in home economics and vocation office education (VOE). VOE was the in-school office training – filing, typing, shorthand, and general office skills – that opened the door for my first clerical job during my Senior year. I still use those skills today – even as I type this blog, do my monthly bookkeeping, filing and other administrative skills. Real life skills and knowledge. I’m truly grateful for what I learned in those classes. They have served me well.

And, as skillful as I became in doing life as a wife and mother in those early years, nothing prepared me for life more than my attentiveness to what I learned from God’s Word and women and men of faith. That training has equipped me for untold surprises, ups and downs of life, overcoming tremendous challenges and living in peace in the midst of some very tumultuous storms. I learned from faith-filled role models how to pray for my sick babies and stand on God’s promises for their lives and future. I became well-acquainted with being an encourager to my husband when he was down and even found the self-confidence to pray out loud for him, my babies and others. I learned those skills that still give me the bold courage to speak up and out for God as His devoted follower. But mostly, I am still in life skills training and daily I stay close to our Master Instructor Who seems to teach me something new each day about trusting, obeying, living in peace and joy, and most of all LOVE -- those skills that last a lifetime.

Be Fearless

Fearless in these days and times? Get real, girl! Who can be fearless when from the smallest fear (like a snake in a flowerbed -- that was me yesterday) to my friend's upcoming major surgery or another friend's livelihood being challenged after a hard fall that fractured some bones? I get it. There are plenty of reasons to be in fear about what tomorrow holds. But God has solutions for us to squash those fears. We can be fearless. It's not a suggestion from God -- it's an actual command! Isaiah 41:10 says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God..." God Almighty is our back-up and our back-up plan for being FEAR-less.

Clearly, God's solution for annihilating fear is Himself. He shows us how to be fearless. It is by trusting in His sovereignty and power which keeps us in peace when everything else in the world screams out for us to FEAR. My husband identified FEAR in an acrostic -- "False Evidence Appearing Real". Reality tells us that so much of what we spend our time worrying about never even happens. Living under the weight of the "what if's" is a mighty heavy blanket to live under.

My younger self struggled with fear and worry for years, so much so that I developed acute colitis. My amazing Christian doctor coached me to healing by giving me the prescription of taking God's Word into my heart and meditating on it as soon as anxiety showed up. I took that prescription, faithfully. I learned to call on the Prince of Peace (Jesus) to give me peace and I found it as I relied implicitly on what He promises in His Word. In time, I began to find that the things that I once feared, no longer affected me. Change happened. Anxious thoughts disappeared. Worry released its constant grip. God's words became "life" words, soothing to my soul, calming my spirit, giving power to my days. It wasn't always easy, and it often came down to a choice. Choosing not to allow fear and anxiety to control my life. Choosing to guard my heart. Choosing to focus my mind on what is truth in the midst of uncertainty.

If you're relating to what I'm speaking about today, and FEAR has you in its grip, I urge you to take the same prescription that Dr. Gregory gave me. As many times a day as you can -- take God's Word in, speak it, pray it, meditate on it and be healed. Our Master Physician is on call 24/7. Find Him in His Word that is full of His promises. Be assured that He is a promise keeper!

~ Psalm 34:4: "I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears."
~ Isaiah 41:10 “Fear not, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
~ John 14:27 "Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be ~ worried and upset; do not be afraid.”
~ Psalm 118:6-7 “The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The Lord is with me; He is my helper.”
~ Isaiah 26:3 "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you."

PEACE be with you! Be FEAR-less!

I’m So Hungry

We hear our kids say "I'm so hungry!" and we even say them ourselves. But, in reality, unless we have gone for days upon end without a morsel of food, we don't know the meaning of true hunger. Thank God!

Being, "hungry" took on a new meaning for me recently. I have a wonderful devotion book that comes with daily scriptures and a great, practical message to back them up. I also listen to the "Bible in One Year" scriptures from my phone app. I guess I'm an overachiever because I don't want to miss a day so that I keep my Bible-reading streak going on the app. I've also learned a wonderful way of reading the Bible called Lectio Divina (Latin for "divine reading"). Lectio Divina has four steps: read; meditate; pray; contemplate. First a passage of scripture is read, then its meaning is reflected upon. Then it's followed by prayer and contemplation on the Word of God. So many times when I read and pray this way, an aha comes. It encourages me so much that I'll note it in my Bible and my journal. It's not how many scriptures we read, but how our hunger is quenched when we really understand even just one.

This photo is the Bible my daughter gave me on Mother's Day, 1995. I know that by the inscription on this page. That was when she was still Staci (Sissy, as was called by her big brother) Michelle Wuerch. I had a moment of endearment because I hadn't noticed that page -- probably since she gave it to me back in 1995. It is a Bible that is very marked up.

I've resumed my deep dive into the Word daily. You see, I was hungering to know more, learn more, and live more by what this best-selling BOOK says. There is none other to compare with its wealth of wisdom and guidance for living an overcoming and successful life -- if we would but adhere to what it tells us. The Psalmist and Jesus said this about God's Word:

"Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands are always with me… Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path… I have put my hope in Your word". ~ David, Psalm 119:97-98, Psalm 119:105, Psalm 119:114
“Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” ~ Jesus, Matthew 4:4

The Bible is more than an instruction manual or a rule book. It is more than a random collection of stories, poems, and letters. It is the voice of God communicating with us. That is why the Bible is often referred to as “the Word of God.”

The bottom line? We know the sound of God’s voice in our lives when we read His Word. Need direction? Need peace? Need hope? Need joy? Need answers? Everything you and I need is found within the pages of the Word of God (the Holy Bible). It is the most definitive way we can know and hear the voice of God! I'm hungry! How about you?

I’m Looking at the Woman in the Mirror

Yesterday, my morning prayer was: “Lord, please make me a reflection of You! May others see You in me!” Immediately, I heard, in my head, Michael Jackson’s song “I’m Looking at the Man in the Mirror”. I knew why. Days before, my debonair grandson who knows how to get to me, will either talk about his Papa or he'll pull up a song from my era (Elvis, the Beatles, Michael Jackson, etc.) on his iPhone playlist while we're driving. He asks: “Nana, do you remember this one?” Oh yes I do! He is a charmer and knows how to “ring my bell”! Michael's song went like this:
"I'm starting with the man in the mirror.
I'm asking him to change his ways.
And no message could have been any clearer.
If you want to make the world a better place.
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change."

Certainly good words to live by – being honest about who we are and what we can do to change our ways. Instead of looking at the faults in others, to look inward at ourselves. I get that, but my prayer yesterday was for the reflection I see to be my Lord.

Every day, we come face to face with a glance or a hard look at ourselves in a mirror. That first glance can often be a bit scary – our hair going every which way, eyes dazed, faces with creases from a hard sleep. Sometimes, facing our mirror and our reflection isn’t exactly a pleasant experience. Mirrors are brutally honest. They don’t lie. They don’t hide the wrinkles, the flaws, the signs of aging. They don’t typically say back to us “You’re looking good today!” They usually tell us to make some adjustments: comb your hair, put on a little make-up or for men – shave that “5 am shadow”. Actually, mirrors are a good thing. We face the truth, make some changes and feel a little better about facing the world.

But, this day – I wasn't asking God for that mirror. I asked for the mirror, or the reflection, looking back at me to be a reflection of Jesus. That can be a difficult reflection to see. Like that Michael Jackson song, looking at the man or woman in the mirror is more about the inside than the outside. Getting a clear vision of what needs to change. To look with eyes wide-open at the character flaws or the obvious lack of the Fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control that is needing some adjustments.

James 1:23-24 says "Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.” That scripture implies we don't want to seriously confront that "man or woman in the mirror".

When we look at the mirror for exterior perfection, we'll never find it. But, if we start our day, each day, with that first prayer of asking to be a reflection of Jesus, we'll start to see His character, His beautiful grace and love to a hurting world instead of placing importance on make-up, shine-up, or dress-up.

The best mirror for checking out ourselves is the perfect mirror of God's Word ... Holy Scriptures. And, the only perfect image is Jesus. From that perspective, we can daily examine ourselves in THAT mirror and ask the question: Am I being all that God that God has called me to be? Am I allowing Him to mold me? Instead of looking at the man in the mirror and asking him to change his ways, we look to our perfect Make-up and Shine-Up Artist (for inside and out perfection) to transform us into His reflection by filling us full of His light and His glory! Then we will reflect His love, His truthfulness, His joy, His forgiveness and mercy to others, His selflessness, His servitude. That's the woman in the mirror I want to see and be! How about you?

Taking One Day at a Time

Yesterday, my sis-in-law and I caught up on each other's lives. She’s in Tulsa. For now, I’m in Austin. We both have very active, on-the-go families and there’s much to talk about. My years of caring for elderly parents have passed, but she and my bro-in-law are still caring for their 96 and 97-year-old mothers. Though George’s mom is in a skilled care facility with around-the-clock oversight, there are still high demands on his part for attending to her needs outside of that care. And Karen, has my 96-year-old mom-in-law living with her. She updated me on mom’s new hearing aids and now she can hear birds chirping. Thank God! But there are still so many needs in geriatric care. I say those words so respectfully, and you should, too! Unless God chooses otherwise, we'll be there ourselves one day! Karen and I agreed -- it's simply -- taking one day at a time!

Can you imagine how Moses felt – day-after-day spending 40 years in the wilderness? He simply obeyed and heeded God's call. But God, Who specializes in doing the impossible, was with him. He had no choice but to follow the Lord one day at a time, and in the process, God used him to save an entire nation. His greatest strength was knowing he was totally dependent on God. The One Who called Him, enabled him -- one day at a time.

As a young wife, mother, business woman and ministry leader, I remember the stresses that accompanied each station of my life. I remember the desperation in decision-making, the financial hurdles and health challenges. But, even in the anxiety, God's Word would rise up in me: "This is the day the Lord has made. I WILL rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24), even if nothing changes!” That was my declaration then AND now!

"THIS is the day. Today. Live today. Don't waste today dreaming about tomorrow or reminiscing about the past. Make the most of today. We can't change the past. Yesterday is gone forever. I remember my Mama’s famous line as a single mom raising me: “You can’t get blood out of a turnip!” She was saying “What’s the worst thing that can happen? We still have US! This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!"

I began to focus on this day -- not the past and not the future. I set my heart on God's will for this day. I determined to be glad in this day. I confess: "I will live for God THIS day. I will overcome by the blood of the Lamb THIS day. I will do my best in everything my hand finds to do THIS day. I will trust God with all my heart THIS day."

Why THIS day? Jesus focused on doing the will of the Father on a daily basis. Jesus’ perfect prayer includes this line: “Give us THIS DAY our daily bread.” I am now living in my tomorrow, but the truth I learned many years ago remains. I still need to plant seeds of obedience for a continual harvest, one day at a time.

In all of life’s changes (and I’ve had many), one thing remains constant. That is the peace that comes from following Him -- one day at a time. If you are going through some difficult times and are uncertain about what tomorrow holds for you -- don't let the joy of THIS day be stolen from you. Take hold of God's hand and His Word, and it will give you the calm and ability to make it through whatever is up ahead -- one day at a time.

That Annoying Fly and Our First Line of Defense

It is Saturday morning and my blog inspiration is slow in coming, Soon the creative juices start to flow. It starts with an annoying, over-sized, buzzing horse fly that overflew his bounds since the night before. I attempt tactical warfare -- swatting and spraying – but the beast lives on. Then, while sitting at my desk, he has the nerve to land on me. I think: “This is one of satan’s little imps on assignment to steal my joy and annoy me!” He, obviously, doesn’t know I am in “beast-mode” after a week of faith-filled injections of God’s Word at VBS. I grab my trusty flying insect spray and nail him. He is down for the count! Victory!

Now, it is time to head out for a 7 am appointment. I turn the ignition on my car. It does not start. All the lights, music, and a/c are working just fine. I know it's not the battery. I call my children for help, but, alas, this is their morning to sleep in. No cell phones on. One last attempt before canceling my appointment. I call my grandson who picks up the call. He is gracious to get me. It is worth the annoyance to have this precious few minutes together. He fills me in on his new real estate career and so much more. He waits while in my appointment. We go for breakfast at Chick-Fil-A where my granddaughter serves us. Then, we’re back to my home where I start to figure out what to do about my car. It’s Saturday and my auto repair shop is closed. I call and leave a message that I’ll have AAA to tow the car to them on Monday. I call and ask my family to please take me to church tomorrow because I’m on for serving this Sunday. I think “This is all a hassle with towing, a repair bill that I’m not looking forward to, and my family going out of their way for me, but I’ll get it done and soon this will be behind me!

I sit down for my morning devotion and prayer time when suddenly, I remember that on Thursday night I was the speaker for our Rejoice Healing Night at my church. I spoke about our “first line of defense” when trouble comes. Jesus used it for those who approached Him for healing or help. The example I used was from Mark 5 -- the story of Jairus, a synagogue leader, who came to Jesus begging Him to come and heal his dying daughter. After the interruption of a crowd and a woman with an issue of blood for 12 years who was healed as she touched the hem of His garment, Jairus and Jesus were on their way again. But Jairus was met by people from his home who said: “Don’t bother the Teacher – your daughter is dead!” Before Jairus could say a word, Jesus said to him: “Do not fear – only believe!” The first line of defense. The little girl was healed.

An "aha" hits me. I start praying for my car right here in my chair. “Nothing is impossible with You, God!" I go to my car and pray. “Please heal my car, Lord. I am not fearing. I am believing that nothing is impossible with You!” I turn the ignition. Nothing. But, something (actually, Someone), tells me to look to my right. I see that my car’s gear stick is in neutral – not in park. I put it in park, turn the ignition, the car starts -- and in my heart, I hear bands playing and choirs singing “Alleluia” and so am I!

Oh me. Had I not prayed and just pondered “What do I do? Who do I call? Where do I go?” instead of applying my "first line of defense", I would be waiting for the tow truck on Monday and no telling what charges would have been incurred. So many repercussions when, instead, I use Jesus' tips for quick answers to prayer: "Do not fear; only believe!"

I think back on my Saturday morning fly and car annoyances. I feel that way about the enemy of our souls – how annoying he can be. But, when we use the right plan of attack on him, he and all his tactics to “steal, kill and destroy” (John 10:10) will be swatted and lambasted out of our lives. Remember. Jesus and I told you so: "Do not fear; only believe!"

Welcome to my Wild Frontier!

Maybe not the frontier, but it’s sure been wild at my place. I have felt like Annie Oakley in my determination to rid my home of an outlaw squirrel. This wildlife adventure began several weeks ago when I heard scratching outside my window. I went out to my patio and saw all kinds of wood shavings on the ground. I spied the evil varmint who was cozy in-between my pergola and roof eaves. I shewed him away using a can of bug spray (not harmful to animals) to deter him and he was gone for a week. The next week he returned. I shot my spray and he left again. This went on for a few weeks but no more wood shred because of my keen eagle eyes and ears. But when I went to Austin for a week and returned home, that critter had succeeded in chewing out a 6” x 3” hole, quite adequate for his home in my attic! His tactics were made clear when I heard rustling above my bedroom."Vengeance is mine" saith Donna (rather Annie!).

I sought Dr. Google's advice and found others who had squirrel invasions and how they rid themselves of the nuisance and destruction they can cause. They said, "Use mothballs, fox urine (gasp), animal deterrent spray, a cage trap or get a remove-a-pest company (and plan to pay $250 to $500)." A friend told me I should be glad that I only have one squirrel. He had two squirrels and a possum in his attic! WHAT???

My accomplice, Denise Gerrich, and I went to Lowe’s and found an animal deterrent spray. When an animal smells it, it triggers their natural instinct to escape. When we got to my home, we made sure the rascal wasn't in the attic and then in my best Annie Oakley sharpshooter form, I proceeded to spray the animal deterrent all over the eaves and pergola. The smell was ghastly. I can see why it makes an animal run in terror!

That was a week ago. It's quiet now at Donna's wild frontier. When scurrying up trees, that cute, little furry guy was a friend, but when he started messing with my domain, my peace, my comfort, and MY frontier, he became my foe. Like that annoying squirrel -- so is the enemy of our souls. He pesters us and gnaws away at our hearts and minds trying to invade our thoughts with concerns, doubts, and worry. It can be incessant and troubling -- just like that pesky squirrel. We can let our concerns get to us or we can let go, and let God do what He is best at. What I’ve come to know is worrying gets us nowhere and gives us nothing but sleepless nights and destroys our peace of mind. God’s Word says: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

Our best defense against annoying intruders or circumstances that try to steal peace is doing what we can and get on the offense instead of letting the enemy take over. Seal up and fortify the weak places, like in my roof AND in our hearts. We apply covering to the vulnerable places to protect our roof and we apply prayer and God's Word to our heart. He will give us His peace that’s beyond anything we can understand. His peace will guard our hearts and minds against the anxieties that can be as persistent as that squirrel. I’m hopeful that the squirrel has moved on to another frontier. I'm also hopeful and determined to be on guard against the enemy of my soul! "Be clear-minded and alert. Your opponent, the devil, is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8)

I Voted, and I'm Glad I Did!

I did it! I voted on the first day of early voting for the mid-term elections. By the way, Texans, you can early vote right through to November 2nd. Outside of Texas, check your state’s early voting times. I stood in line a while with this mama and her sweet baby until I went to the front of the line and asked if they'd let her cut-in. Those folks welcomed her. I was pleased to see the happy faces of so many voting early. I met some really fine people and none of us were discussing our political persuasions. We were all pleased with the opportunity to vote on a beautiful, sunshine-filled day. At least we were all united and in common on that!

I never know where I’m going to be in any given day, so why take the chance in missing out on my civic duty and my personal belief that when I vote I’m making a difference? Really? How can my one little vote make a difference in the grand scheme of things? Actually, voting can be a hassle. It takes time to register, learn about the candidates’ views, understand the questions and standing in a long line, knowing all the while that the chances my individual vote will make a difference among the thousands or millions cast are pretty much zero. So, why even bother?

I bother because my morals and values are so closely tied to my Christian faith and what God’s Word says. How can we not vote when there are such critical issues of life and death and of God’s Word taken seriously or not? Voting confirms my commitment to stand-up for those morals and values and in so doing I get to choose who aligns or comes the closest with those beliefs. It is a privilege to live in a democracy-led country which enables us to vote in or vote out candidates that align or don’t align with our principles. If I don’t vote I shouldn't complain or whine about anything that's going on in our country.

The fact is, I'm quite reserved when it comes to my political voice. I have my own opinions but I rarely voice them publicly. That could be seen as a wimpy way out of controversy, or it may mean that I choose to live "above the fray" by recalling my Mama's favorite quote "If you can't say something nice, say nothing at all!" Aligning myself with particular political figures has been a private matter for me, especially on social media. I am a professing Christian so my primary voting guide is the Bible. I do my best not to be driven by the media, politics, or personalities, but I carefully weigh out the "heart of the matter". I weigh out their stances, but I don't know the true hearts of candidates, so when the time comes to vote, I trust in my tightness with God and His Word: "My sheep know my voice", and that I'll hear THAT voice and vote according to what I hear.

I’m ready for this mid-term election to be over. According to the campaign signs I see in my neighborhood and on the streets, it looks pretty even. It would be wonderful if the election meant an end to the rancor and tackiness. No question, there is deep down angst about the result. What if THAT party takes over the House and/or Senate? When we wake up November 7th, post-election, when the election is finally over, what will we see?

I have a prediction. I know exactly what November 7th will bring. Another day of God’s perfect sovereignty. He will still be in charge. His throne will still be occupied. He will still manage the affairs of the world. Never EVER has His providence depended on a king, president, senator or ruler. “The LORD can control a king’s mind as He controls a river; He can direct it as He pleases” (Proverbs 21:1). As followers of Jesus, we possess the power and comfort of God’s Promises as we face an unknown election and future for our country. We can ask a different set of questions because we are called to live by a different reality: hope, love, and peace. No matter what happens on November 6th, remember God’s words of encouragement. “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

How Does How Does YOUR Garden Grow -- With Pretty Flowers or Pesky Weeds?

After a week away from home, I was overwhelmed when I saw the weeds that had popped up in my flower beds in such a short period of time. Whew! Dear God, why did you create weeds to grow so well and oftentimes grow so much healthier and stronger than the beautiful flowers and plants that have difficulty growing?

I remember reading a friend’s post when she asked for advice for getting rid of weeds in her garden. Some of the comments and recommendations from others were: “Put newspaper around the plant – it will suffocate the weeds”; “Put grass clippings around the plant”; and I loved this one “Don’t plant a garden!” LOL!

Those garden weeds caused me to think about the weeds that may have grown in our heart’s garden – weeds of selfishness, pride, self-centeredness, laziness, bitterness, anger, envy, doubt, unbelief, sadness, fear, etc. I don’t know about you, but I recognize those weeds that creep into my heart’s garden when I haven’t watered my heart with prayer enough or focused enough on God’s “Light” (His Word).

As soon as I sense THOSE heart weeds, I get out my “weed eater/annihilator” out and I:
1) First, cultivate the soil and add a good mixture of fertilizer (prayer).
2) Plant the seeds of God’s Word (Bible reading, meditating and speaking the words) into my heart.
3) Give the plants (my heart) plenty of sunshine (speaking the light of God’s Word over the situations that may be troubling or concerning me)
4) Give the plants plenty of water (thanking, praising, trusting in God’s goodness and mercy to complete what He started).

It was a beautiful, cooler and rainy morning here in Frisco yesterday. I made up my mind that as soon as the rain would stop, I’d go out, while the soil was wet, to easily pull the weeds out of my flower beds and herb garden. I did. No doubt, those little weeds will show up again one day soon, but, no problem – I’ll be the weed eradicator once again. And in the same way, I’ll keep monitoring my “heart” garden and I’ll make sure it is “weed” free so that an abundant harvest of sweet and beautiful fruit shows up daily. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.......” Galatians 5:22,23

St. Paul said it so well. Once we plant the seed…..God will make it grow! "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow." I Corinthians 3:6,7. God is the Master Gardener, and what He plants, always yields a great harvest!

God’s Road Map -- the Surest Way to Stay on Course

Road Map – a map, a plan or strategy intended to reach and achieve a particular goal...........A couple of weeks ago I was asked to share my favorite daily devotion with a group of new Christians. It was easy for me to share, because this “book” has been my daily "road map" all my life.

We don’t use road maps too much these days with the advent of technology and GPS systems, but I remember, even as a child, loving to hold one of those paper maps and with my finger follow along the roads that my daddy was driving to West Virginia to visit my oldest sister and her family. Then I was promoted to being the navigator, using the Atlas Map Books, as my husband & I and our ministry team traveled the U.S. and Canada in our 28 ft Winnebago. But, my navigating skills were tested to the core as we flew in our Cessna 182, as my husband’s Co-Pilot and Navigator. Flying took mapping to a whole new level as we had all kinds of other considerations besides roads. We had to consider the weather, coordinates, the wind velocity, and we used ground landmarks, shorelines, rivers, mountains, things other than just roads to consider. Of course, today, GPS systems for flying and driving changed just about everything.

If only we would be as attentive to the “road map” that God gave us for our lives. That road map is found in God’s Word, the Bible. The Bible is not just some musty old book that we can just ignore because it was written ages ago. It is the Word of God, written down by those individuals who were inspired by Him. The texts are about us and our lives, even though they are thousands of years old. Every time that we read or hear scriptures from the Bible, God speaks to us and touches us in a new way. Of course, the Bible’s most important message is God’s love for every person, including you and me.

I told the group that I’ve used the Bible as my “end all” in all the ups and downs of my life and it has never failed me. When I had been in fear – I would turn to the concordance in the back of my Bible and look up scriptures on courage; when I was sad – I would look up scriptures on joy; when I was sick, I would look up scriptures on healing. God was speaking directly to me as I read those words that were His PROMISES to us.

Now, what’s so easy and simple for us to do in this information age – no matter whether we’re carrying around a hard copy of our Bible or not, we can google scriptures on our laptops or phones: scriptures on love; scriptures on healing; scriptures on joy – and a host of scriptures will pop up.

If I had the cure for stress and worry; for sadness and pain and kept it to myself, what kind of friend would I be? I do have the cure – it’s found in our Road Map for Success in Life…..and it’s called “The Bible” – God’s Word. I can't begin to tell you how many times I've read a scripture and my perspective completely changed and the navigation I needed to go from Point A to Point B in decision making was given to me. Like a good road map, God's Word points us to the best roads and places of insight and illumination so that God's Spirit can shine His Light into our minds and hearts. And that "road map" NEVER needs updating. The roads, the destinations, the promises and the treasures are as sure today as at the time they were written when He illuminated them to His transcribers.

Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

2 Timothy 3:16 “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness…”

Satisfy Me, Oh Lord

Satisfy Me, Oh Lord
Satisfy: meet the expectations, needs or desires of someone; gratify, fulfill

I've returned home to Frisco, after a packed-full week in Tulsa, and before that, many trips there and back to get Mom's estate sale all ready to go and completed. Our customer, Mom, was completely SATISFIED with the sale that brought in wonderful opportunities to bless a lot of folks with her lifetime of treasures and with the proceeds that came from the sales that will definitely help with her care and budget. Now, her grandson and family can close on the home, get the house ready to move in to make new memories in that wonderful home. All around satisfaction!

As customers shopping and buying in the marketplace, we shop until we drop and we get home and find that important item we purchased to be defective. We have to return to the store and we get less than great customer service. We wait and wait for a service technician to come and repair something in our home, and when they get there, they don't have the part or don't know how to repair it. We just want to be SATISFIED.

We drink a protein shake as a meal to help with weight loss but within minutes, we’ll say “That meal sure didn’t SATISFY me!”

As employers who are responsible for the products or services they represent, they want and must have respectful, efficient, and trustworthy employees. They want to be SATISFIED.

Let’s be real -- from the Moms whose day-to-day activities are mind-boggling -- feeding kids, running errands, wiping faces and bottoms, checking homework, driving carpool, scrubbing toilets -- to the Dads that work from sun-up to sun-down on a J.O.B. to make ends meet for their growing family -- they want to be SATISFIED with their accomplishments.

In the midst of all of that -- we ALL want and need the Lord to SATISFY us, feed us and make us full before life empties us.
The Psalmist David wrote "Relent, LORD! How long will it be? Have compassion on your servants. SATISFY us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days." Psalm 90:13-14. That's a paraphrase of Moses’ words when he was pleading with the Lord for relief from those demanding, whiny, difficult people.

Moses gives us valuable insight for how to pray those desperate prayers: "Satisfy us in the morning." He knew about the Lord’s daily satisfaction. Each morning, the Israelites would gather enough manna for the day. They were fed, filled and satisfied by the Lord’s supernatural provision of food in their desert wanderings.

Moses knew the Word of the Lord would give him hope for the day’s struggles with those complaining people. God’s Word would give him patience as he waited. God’s Word would turn his eyes from his day’s circumstances and fix them instead on the character of his Lord.

God's Word is the answer for our SATISFACTION, too. It is powerful – so powerful, in fact -- just reading a small portion of the Bible every day will be like the Israelites receiving the Lord's satisfying care every day, and that's what we need, too. We don't have to read chapters and chapters to sustain us for the week. We just need our daily portion. And just like the Lord was faithful to the Israelites, He is faithful today to all who turn to Him.

Oh Lord, we feel like we are running on empty. We need to be filled, but sometimes we try to fill ourselves with rest, television, social media or food. Nothing fills and prepares us for today’s demands like Your Word. Help us feast daily on Your Word so that we are SATISFIED. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I’ve Hidden His Word in my Heart

I’m so grateful for my upbringing in church because that’s where I received the “solid rock” foundation for my life. My parents were wise in that “church” was our “go to” place for friendships, worshiping God, hearing His Word, AND in my opinion – the best place EVER to hang out with my girlfriends and check out the “new guy” that started coming to our church! Church was where I met the love of my life at age 12 that started a life-long romance.

It was at church where I was taught the “treasure” of not only reading God’s Word, the Bible, which contains HOLY SCRIPTURES (my word of the day) – the sacred writings of the Old and New Testaments, but also from my earliest years I was taught to hide God’s Word in my heart by memorizing SCRIPTURES. For extra incentive, in our Sunday School classes and Vacation Bible School we were given awards for memorizing certain scriptures. In our youth group we played Bible Sword Drills. The leader would call out a SCRIPTURE passage, for example “John 3:16”, and the first one to find it in their Bible and stand and read it, was the winner of a point. Most points got the prize.

Those times of scripture memorization paid off well for me. To this day, those scriptures are still embedded in my heart, and at a moment’s notice of weakness, temptation, concern, etc., one of those scriptures I learned would pop up on the screen of my mind and I’d give the enemy “what for” by quoting it to him. The enemy’s voice “You are afraid to do that!” God’s voice from His Word and in my heart is “God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

I had the BEST role model. Jesus quoted SCRIPTURE to the enemy when he said to Jesus, (Matthew 4:3-4) “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered from Deuteronomy 8:3, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.”

Maybe you weren’t raised the way I was, but it’s never too late to start memorizing some of those "life-line" SCRIPTURES. I know, I know. You don’t have time. Your memory isn’t what it used to be. You tried before and gave up. You think it’s too hard. I get it. Totally. Still, here’s what the Bible says: “Keep my words and store up my commands within you.” (Proverbs 7:1) Keep and store. That’s memorizing Scripture in a nutshell. You can do this, and it’s so worth it.

The benefits of having His Word in your heart? Huge. Some day, you may not have access to the Bible. What happens if you lost your sight, your hearing or even your Bible? I remember holocaust survivor, Corrie Ten Boom’s remarkable story and her witness of the power of memorized SCRIPTURE while she was in captivity. It was her life-line. Literally.

You’ll be able to share God’s truth with confidence. You’ll be able to refer to a scripture to a hurting friend. If we don’t know scripture, we’ll only be giving our opinion. Plus, when temptation knocks on your door, the verses you’ve memorized will come to your rescue. Countless times God’s Word has stopped me in my tracks before I veered down the wrong path. Like the Psalmist said, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you”. Psalm 119:11

Here’s a few ideas on how to get started. Start with really short verses or ones you already know. It’s okay. The Bible Memorization Police won’t be stopping by your house.
~ Use your smart phone. Record your verses, so you can review them anytime, anywhere.
~ Aim for one verse a week. If you learn just one a week, that’s fifty two verses a year.
~ Say the verse out loud. Practice the verse while you’re walking, gardening, cleaning, exercising, bathing, dressing — anytime your mind is free to focus on God’s life-changing Word.
~ Teach the verse to others one-on-one or around the table with your family—and share what it means to you.
~ Finally, post your verse on social media. We all need as much wisdom as we can get.

The truth? It’s a tremendous blessing to have the Bible app on our cell phone, our laptop, and our bookshelf, but where it makes the most difference…..is hidden in our hearts.

Army VALUES. Family VALUES.

Yesterday morning at church, a man from my neighborhood and I visited a few minutes and our conversation led to his two sons who have made serving in the Air Force a career. One was just promoted to Colonel. He quickly pulled up a photo of his sons and two of his grandsons, who all serve in the armed forces. Those four men are bringing such pride and joy to this man, who is himself, retired from the army. I was inspired enough to hone in on some of those values that this family lives by.

My word for today is VALUES -- a person's principles of behavior; standards, ethics, moral code, morals. VALUES are those specifics that define who we are and are the absolute non-negotiables in our lives.

I am always touched when I see a young man or woman in their military uniform or fatigues. They represent such commitment and selfless sacrifice. The Army's 7 Core Values are: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Courage. It causes me to look introspectively at my own values..

When God made us, He planted within us certain things that we value deeply. They’re hardwired in our heart. Through our life experiences – from the environment we are raised in, the schools we go to, the friends we associate with, and the religious foundation we receive, God made them clear to us. These are the things that we would be willing to die for. They explain how we come by our personal priorities AND the absolutes . If our values include the 10 Commandments, God’s Word and God’s love….I’d say, “We’re making this world a better place.”

Every one of our politicians came from families – either they were taught the Golden Rule or they weren’t. They were taught character, honor, respect, human dignity…..or they weren’t. If family values are instilled in each other, all those qualities of how we want to live our family life will be passed down through all generations. Values help define the way we behave in various situations. They help us make right and good choices, and they solidify the bonds we have together. If our family members respect each other – chances are very good, they’ll respect others. If they live by “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” that’s how they’ll treat others. If they support each other, they’ll support their fellow man. If they respect their family’s lives, they’ll respect other lives.

Moses delivered God's Ten Commandments on a tablet of stone and if those commandments were followed, the Israelites would experience God's favor and blessings. Just imagine the blessings that would be on our families if we not only followed God's Ten Commandments, but also the family values (non-negotiables) that we stood for in our homes and lives.

Perhaps it's time to put a stake in the ground on behalf of our families and define those things that matter most to us and when we do, then we'll be blessed in our homes and we'll pass them on to our children and their children. Indeed it would be a HOME SWEET HOME.

Psalm 128:1 “Blessed are you who fear the Lord, who walk in His ways!”

What's Wrong With Me?

I had three siblings that graduated to heaven; two of them had Alzheimer's disease and the other had Diabetes so severe that she lost one foot to the disease. My Mom, now in heaven, had congenital heart disease. My Dad, also in heaven, had a malignant brain tumor. Goodness gracious. With all that medical history, you'd think I'd be saying "What’s wrong with ME?”

Honestly, when I forget someone's name or where I've put my keys or where I was headed in my house and forget why I was going there.....my mind tries to tell me "You've inherited your family's issues." I take a baby aspirin each day to fend off heart problems. I take mineral and herb supplements to help keep me healthy. I walk and work out to keep my body strong. I do the things that I can do to be healthy and strong as though it depended on me, but I've learned to pray, speak God's Word and BELIEVE God as though it ALL depends on Him. The best antidote against the lies of the enemy and the threats he tries to place over me when it comes to my health and well being is I purposely change my thinking to keeping my mind on the ONE who paid the ultimate price for my healing, my freedom and my victory.

BUT, stuff happens, regardless of our strong faith. How do we handle those times? I really am a very healthy gal. Thanks be to God. I've refused to get a Flu Shot because I hear feedback more about the negative side effects. So this week, right when I was making my move to my new house, the pain in my throat, the fever, the coughing and the lack of energy assured me I needed to go the doctor. Sweet Denise Gerrich was a life saver for me as she directed the movers in my absence, has been an incredible nurse and responded to my every phone call for picking up things I need. It would certainly be easy to question God about this timing, because it most certainly is not without His knowledge. And to make matters worse because this flu is so contagious, I had to cancel going to Tulsa to see Mom, attend my godson's little sister's First Communion and to spend time with my besties, Mick & Sheila Michie.

I have a choice -- to wallow in self pity or to BELIEVE and stand on God's promise that “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us…” (Romans 8:37) Period. The end.

Jesus paid the ultimate price for our healing and our victory in every area of life. All those sicknesses, diseases, challenges in every area of life were broken and paid for on the cross. It's time we lay hold of the victory Christ brought us in overcoming and defeating the enemy. A little shepherd boy, David, defeated the giant with his words and his slingshot. The same holds true for us today in defeating the giants in our lives. It starts with a simple word....BELIEVE...and you shall receive! Matthew 21:22

Here are the TRUTHS of the ONE who loves and ONLY speaks TRUTHS to us: "But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:57
"Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10
BELIEVEELIEVE

Where Do You Get Your Daily Nourishment?

Where Do You Get Your Daily Nourishment?
My breakfast usually consists of fruit, yogurt and granola. It helps me get my day off to a good start. But, more importantly than what I eat for my physical well being, is what I feed on that keeps me strong mentally and spiritually – that which builds my soul and spirit and sustains me in tough times.

Romans 10:17 says “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” Our faith hungers for that food that will cause it to grow. Faith feeds on the Word of God and faith grows stronger the more the Word of God lives in us and through us.

Our Creator made it so that our faith works much the same way our bodies work. He designed us to require daily nourishment. So, a few cups of coffee in the morning, a protein bar at lunch and another before we go to bed isn’t enough to sustain us physically. We need real food — fruits and vegetables, proteins and carbohydrates — to supply the fuel we need to carry us throughout each day.
Similarly, a diet lacking a steady intake of God’s Word doesn’t provide the sustenance we need in facing those giants of doubt, unbelief, and worry. Our faith weakens. Again, that verse in Romans says “Faith comes by hearing the Word of God.” How do we heart it? We attend church where faith is taught. We read it and it becomes alive in us.

A couple of days ago I referenced Jeremiah 17:7-8 "But blessed are those who trust in the LORD and have made the LORD their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and never stop producing fruit". When we read, study and meditate on God’s Word, we become like those strong, unbendable trees. Trees that bear bountiful fruit AND they never die.

I don’t know about you, but I notice my faith barometer drop drastically when my pursuit of God’s Word slackens. And, when I’m intent on not just reading God’s Word, but even memorizing scriptures, I’m able to counteract the fiery darts of the enemy when he comes barreling in to my life.

Maybe it’s time we increase our daily intake of God’s Word. It will be like medicine to our bodies, souls and spirits – and if ever we needed to be operating at full capacity, our fuel topped off for the day’s long haul, with our hearts renewed and filled with the Word of God – it’s today.

“Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"