Help Us Lord! We Don't Know What to Do!

We've all been there. There -- where the answers don't come -- where the plans are uncertain. Where everyone is counting on us and we want to count the steps to the exit. Where there is a mob raising havoc in our lives -- the relentless, negativity mob we hear bashing our president, screaming ugly and hateful remarks against we pro-lifers, Bible-toters, God and country lovers. Did I at least cover one of the areas where you need to know what to do next instead of our usual responses:
~~ "I don't know what to do...so I'll eat another cookie."
~~ “I don’t know what to do…so I’m going to listen to the latest news commentator."
~~ “I don’t know what to do…so I’m going to try harder to please everyone.”
OR -- in big red, bold lettering......"I don't know what to do....but I'm going to find out what God's Word tells me what to do at times like this!"

Maybe we don't know what to do, but we go to our WHO -- Who does! We need to follow our Leader and leaders He used to show us the way. One such leader is King Jehoshaphat who spoke those same words when a vast army was approaching. But, in that scary moment he said this: “Lord, we don’t know what to do…but our eyes are upon You.” 2 Chronicles 20:12 At times like that -- it's not the WHAT but the WHO we go to.

Jehosaphat does something we won’t find in any military briefing. He puts the worshippers in front of the army and leads with the singers and the praisers. Their attention is on God -- our great Defender -- Mighty in battle -- our Rock -- our Shield -- our Fortress -- our Victor -- our great I AM -- our Hope -- our burden removing, yoke destroying Waymaker, Miracle Worker. That's Who He is and He is the answer to "I don't know what to do!" And King Jehoshaphat's armies watched the enemy forces fight and destroy each other. When the army of Judah overlooked the battlefield, they saw only dead bodies on the ground. No one had escaped.

What an amazing testimony to the power of faith, prayer, and praise, and that same power is available to us today. Praise is the voice of faith. So if you are unsure about what to do today, if the enemy is coming and the battle is raging and maybe you have even been wounded -- stand your ground and raise your voice. Speak the truth about Who God is and what He has done. About how big He is. How much He loves us. The ways He has always held the universe and our little part of it in His hands.

We cannot lose with Him. We cannot be overcome. As I type this I think of the stories of some of my champion friends who have plenty of battle scars but they are still raising invisible swords as they praise and worship God. To be a worshipper is to be a warrior. Jehoshaphat won his battle. We will too. We think we must know what to do. But in reality all we really need to know is Who. Because that is what makes the difference. That is what matters. When it looks like you’re surrounded, remind the enemy how you fight your battles – not with a sword or spear or fear or worry – remind him that you are surrounded by the Lord God of hosts by praising and worshiping Him.

Forward.....MARCH!

In honor of this month of MARCH, and in honor of our service men and women who, on our behalf, are MARCHING to the beat of the love of their country, my word for today is MARCH.

It’s MARCH 4th -- the only day of the year that can also be a sentence -- MARCH Forth! Time is marching forth and so are we! An Army platoon marches FORWARD, not backward. Whether soldiers are at their home base moving from one post to another, or on the battlefield, they are on assignment until their mission has been accomplished. St. Paul wrote "One thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining FORWARD to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14

My daily goal is to MARCH forward. No backward marching for me because I want to make daily progress. Some folks have lost their hope and expectancy for good things to come their way so they HALT, and are at a stand-still. I get that because for over 44 years, my assignment included a partnership with my dear husband and his earth assignments ended when Heaven called his name. My life could be HALTED, too, but Heaven hasn’t called my name. I’m still here! I'd lose momentum in accomplishing my assignments if I stayed in backward thinking.

My precious 95-year-old mother-in-law often asks “Why doesn’t God take me home? I’m ready to go!” And we always tell her “He’s not finished with you here, yet! Keep sharing your love with others, pray, and be here for us! That’s your assignment until you get called home!” You and I are still here and we, too, must complete our God-given assignments. Keep marching!

Everyday we have the opportunity to MARCH to the beat of our Divine Drummer who has perfect rhythm so we can make daily progress on our journey of faith. No more rear-view-mirror glimpses of regret, unforgiveness or shame from the past. No MARCHING backward. We have assignments to complete. This year, with its surprises and joys, AND with some bumpy roads along the way, let's keep MARCH FORWARD to conquer whatever comes our way, hand in hand with our Commanding Officer, Joy-Bringer, Deliverer, Comforter, Guide, Peace-Giver.

What are the assignments that God has given you? What are you going to accomplish with YOU? Life is worth LIVING. We’re still here and we’re “on assignment” – let’s get our MARCH-ing orders today – our MISSION is possible!

Happy Memorial Day!

Happy Memorial Day!
I live in a 55+ community of 2,000+ homes, and this Memorial Day, I am recognizing incredible patriotism as American flags are lining the main roadways and nearly every home has a flag in their yard or on their home. I'm quite sure many of those who live in this community are veterans and/or they have family members who are serving our country today. There are not enough words of gratitude to express to those who have gone before us and to all of you serving today, who have been willing to sacrifice your life for our freedoms.

There was a news story on NBC in which some high school students (as it happened, they were all African Americans with a patriotic teacher), rode a bus to put flowers on the grave sites of fallen soldiers. An elderly Korean War vet and his wife watched from a distance, then approached the kids. He tearfully thanked them for their gesture and shared a bit of his story. The students (boys and girls) were soon in tears, too. His service and that of all who had been laid to rest around them became very real. That story should make us all think about the men and women who fought for the freedoms we enjoy every day. At this moment, none of us should take their sacrifice for granted.

Our gratitude seems insignificant in comparison to their storming the beaches of Normandy and Iwo Jima, freezing in Korea, wading through rice paddies of Vietnam, braving the heat of Kuwait, Afghanistan and Iraq. What if we intentionally showed our appreciation to our military heroes? Here's some ways we can:

1. Fly Old Glory (there's one on my home)! Fly the flag in your yard, or display it in a prominent place where passersby can easily notice it. If veterans driving by your residence see the stars and stripes proudly waving in the breeze, they will be reminded of the patriotism that citizens harbor in their heart.

2. Say “Thank You” -- If you personally know any veterans and want to make their day, call them on the phone and thank them for their service to our country. If you see a soldier in uniform, thank him/her. Pay for their meal. This simple action on your part will be long remembered, and hearing and seeing your appreciation can make all their sacrifices seem worthwhile.

3. Write a Letter to a Soldier -- Any letter a soldier receives from their homeland is precious to them. There are wonderful organizations that help with that endeavor. The whole family could get involved.

4. Help the Family of a Serviceperson -- The family of a serviceperson is often overlooked, but their loved one’s active duty in the military involves plenty of sacrifices on their part, too. Help them by offering to do yard work or make home repairs or give them a restaurant gift certificate.

5. Pray -- We can petition God for the safety of our military who are in harm’s way, along with asking Him to comfort the families of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

6. Donate to Charities That Help Veterans -- We can make a monetary contribution to one of the charities that help veterans and their families.

Throughout his eight years in the Oval Office, President Ronald Reagan brought a renewed sense of optimism to a weary nation disillusioned by war and scandal. He repeatedly described America as the “shining city upon a hill.” Were it not for the work of our veterans down through history, America wouldn’t shine as brightly or perhaps would have ceased to shine at all. Because of them, the glow of democracy still beams out for all the world to see.

On this Memorial Day, may we put aside all the petty things we complain about, and sincerely be a people who humble ourselves and pray and offer thanksgiving to God Almighty for our great country and for those who served and continue to serve us so unselfishly! God bless America! And, God bless our service men and women from yesterday, today and tomorrow!