Life is Often Like a Wild Water Ride

Aw! Water! Refreshing, cool, thirst-quenching water. I’ve been packing a lot of water over the last week or so. The warmer weather and being outdoors requires it.

But, today, I’m talking about the beautiful water features that I’ve been enjoying. My Austin family and I spent the last week at the Gulf of Texas’ Port Aransas. The ocean, pictured here, was like I had never seen. Multiple waves were always billowing in. It was easy to stand in it and get cooled off. But in the early morning, it was always high tide which meant it billowed way into land. See this lovely sand castle being carved? I left the beach before this expert sand castle sculptor finished it. The next morning when I walked the beach, it had been consumed by the high tide.

Now, back at home, I enjoy my community's lake views -- still waters with a backdrop of magnificent sunrises. Over the years, our family has enjoyed every water feature you could imagine. We frequented lakes and rivers all over the U.S. and Canada where we camped, fished, skied, fished, river rafted and kayaked. And there are no adequate words to convey the beauty of the majestic oceans and seas that we cruised. I recall my sweetheart sitting back, delighting in the stillness and beauty of those moments in all of those water places. He loved taking it all in. He was "home" by the water. I'm quite sure he's made sure that our mansion in heaven is right by the River of Life.

What if life was like living by a pond or lake that represents stability and tranquility? It doesn't change much. With the exception of a severe storm (like the tornados we encountered many times), a lake is a secure place with clear boundaries, stable waters, and a quiet shore. There is a sense of order, control, and safe predictability about a lake, with few major surprises from day to day.

I have found life to be more like traveling down a river. It's extremely unpredictable and filled with many twists and turns, highs and lows, rapids and calms, unseen obstacles and unexpected objects. It can also be filled with exhilarating experiences that are packed full of adventure. You can ride the currents of a fast flowing river in a raft or kayak, but you have to avoid the potential dangers that can be devastating to a rider. We know that for a fact. When our kayaks tipped over, we were pulled into the rapids. But for the grace of God, we could have lost our lives. Our kayaks went on down the river….without us in them. Thank God, we had on life preservers.

As we journey on, we want life to be safe and secure for us and our loved ones, like my subdivision's lakes with borders -- no big changes or surprises. But, in reality, life is more like a river as it is continually moving in ways that we cannot control, predict, or expect. Doesn’t it feel like that’s exactly where we’re at right now? Every day is unpredictable – well, in our eyes – certainly not God’s. He is always in control.

The good news for us is that our security, stability, AND sanity are not found on the rivers of our lives, but in the Lord of our lives. Our hope is in Him who knows the way through the obstacles and the twists and turns. Our peace is found in the One who directs our course. Our hope is fixed upon the One Whose hands not only created the waters, but calms them, and He is THE ONE Who causes the unpredictability of the waters to work things together for our good. (Romans 8:28). I’m so certain – that all we have encountered in the last few months is a part of God's providence in our lives and through it all, we are secure in God's sovereign hands.
Isaiah 43:2 "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you....."

When Life Gives You Lemons – Make Lemonade

We’ve been making lemonade by the gallons during this season, haven't we? But, on the other hand, I'm sure we all have found some real positives. I’m thinking about those who put that quote to action by creating something needed and now have thriving businesses. For example, face masks -- the law of supply and demand sure kicked in for those who jumped on "making lemonade"! Dr. Rhys Thomas was desperately concerned at the lack of intensive care unit (ICU) ventilators. Along with engineering company CR Clark & Co., he created a machine that not only helps patients to breathe but cleans the room of viral particles. Wyn Griffiths designed a prototype 'arm' that attaches to an existing door handle, with a crook to open business doors. My son found his employees were more productive at home during this time, so now they are downsizing all that unneeded office space.

Over the last few years, families tended to see each other just in passing because of children running off to school or game practice or parents staying late at work. Family dinners were uncommon. I've loved seeing the social media posts about their love for family time together and plan on it being their new norm.

I’ve come to appreciate Amazon Prime because of a better price, next day delivery, and not having to leave my home. Zoom meetings have allowed us to stay at home. I have come to appreciate the great outdoors more and I’ve seen families walking together or riding their bicycles. Prior to the pandemic, not many people really appreciated the outdoor's beauty. I’m hoping we hold on to that feeling of getting out and breathing fresh air that's so natural and free. What if we spent more time in parks than malls? How much money would we save?”

And, add another glass of lemonade for the opportunity to watch church online for those who are homebound or out-of-town. Maybe the new normal will always include online worship events and long-distance conferencing which saves in time and expense from having to fly across country for a meeting.

Major shift in the way we see and live life happened. I believe we are better because of the lemons that were thrown our way. I still have an absolute certainty that times are going to get better and we are going to come out better than we were before this. We've learned many lessons. If we would really believe that God is on our side, that He is for us, and He is cheering us on. He is making each of us into a refreshing glass of water. I said "water" because not all of us like lemonade.

Water quenches thirst. May we take all that we have endured and conquered and use it to take a thirsty friend a refreshing glass of water. That's what we'll look like to them when we show up with good news and encouragement.The tough times are the “things” St. Paul talked about in Romans 8:28 – “ALL things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purposes." As long as we keep the faith, the tenacity, the resilience and determination to conquer, we WILL conquer!

"And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of My followers, you will surely be rewarded.” Matthew 10:42

Are we Known by our Appealing or Appalling Fruit?

How easy it is to judge the likes of folks whose poor attitude, angry spirit and crankiness seems to bring a dark cloud with them when they step into the room. We randomly judge someone when they’ve made a bad decision that you warned them not to make or maybe we judge an outfit someone wore, a new hairstyle, the lack of someone’s personal pride, the way they handle their business affairs, and the good or bad language they speak. Whew! Oftentimes, it’s a workout to keep from being judgmental especially when we see the “fruit” of the actions of some of those folks.

But Jesus set the record straight about judging. He said in Matthew 7:1 “Judge not so you won’t be judged.” Yikes! I sure don’t want to be judged. On the other hand, maybe we should be Fruit Inspectors -- especially when we see fruit that causes us to check out our own fruit as to whether what others see in us is sweet and tasty fruit. Matthew 7:20 – “Therefore, by their fruits, you will know them.”

Having love for some unlovable folks, finding peace in the midst of chaos, experiencing joy when folks may be getting on our last nerve -- can be quite a feat any time, but most certainly, since the election of 2016, we’ve been given all kinds of opportunities to decide. Is it love or hate, peace or anger, bitterness or happiness, crankiness or joyfulness? Remembering the scripture… "What the heart is full of....the mouth speaks" (Luke 6:45) Doesn’t that give us pause for giving ourselves a good old fruit inspection?

When we opened the door of our hearts to God....He walked through the door with a treasure chest full of everything we would need to overcome and be successful in every area of our life. And, it is He Who inspects our fruit and says to us: I'm not asking you to be their Fruit Inspector. I'm asking you to inspect your own fruit." That's when I know God is telling me to amp up that fruit in my own life -- to be sure that what my heart is full of, bears the Fruit of the Spirit qualities: Galatians 5:22,23 "But the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control."

Let's be sure to pass the test on the fruits we are bearing. After all, as believers, we know Holy Spirit is in us so we already have the good soil, fertilizer, nutrients and everything else we need to be choice, bright, luscious, sweet, refreshing, top quality FRUIT bearers to a world that could sure use some.

The Sound of a Rushing Mighty Wind

As I made my way home from church, the skies began to darken and the wind started blowing hard. I was thankful to get inside before the torrential rain began. I thought that my trees might break because they were bent over so far. I started saying “Peace. Be still. In the name of Jesus”, over and over again. I decided to take a nap and when I awoke 45 minutes later, the sun was shining brightly and all was calm.

I saw that my neighbor’s patio chair had been knocked over and some tree limbs broke off and many clumps of leaves laying all over. On my FB timeline, I saw a friend’s post (pictured here): “A gust of quick wind came down and ripped out trees on the golf course, tore branches off the trees on the course into our yard and pool. Amazing how quickly it happened!”

Immediately I remembered, “Today is Pentecost Sunday, and these winds and their sounds hold no comparison to the winds that day!” Acts 2:1-2 says "And when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting." This was a noise LIKE a violent rushing wind. This “wind” is not violent that tears apart trees and patio furniture and shingles from a roof. It is better likened to a refreshing, cool breeze of the Holy Spirit.

When we were fishing at Beaver’s Bend, the temperature escalated on a couple of the days. It was warm but we were refreshed when all of a sudden we would feel a very cool, almost cold, breeze circle around us.

Jesus compared the Holy Spirit to a gentle breeze that blows through one’s life and changes everything. He first mentioned the Holy Spirit in a conversation with a spiritual leader named Nicodemus who had always tried to please God by following Him with precise scores of rules and laws. Jesus described a spiritual experience far more personal than that. “You can’t get to know God by anything you do yourself.”

Later, when Jesus was about to leave this earth to return to heaven, His disciples were sad and wondered how they could live without Him. He promised them: “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever -- the Spirit of Truth. He lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you." (John 14:16–18).
In other words, Jesus knew that a human body could be in only one place at one time. But through His Spirit, He could be with us all the time. And not just with us. The Bible says the Holy Spirit will, if we will let Him, live within us. “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?” asked the Apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 3:16).

I just had to write another blog today about the Holy Spirit Who has been my mainstay. It is surely the most wonderful and most mysterious blessing of all! If you’ve ever prayed in grief or discouragement and suddenly felt comfort or if you’ve asked God for help in making a decision and felt a dawning awareness of what the right choice should be, then you’ve already met the Holy Spirit. The Spirit does the very things that Jesus Himself did while He was with us: He comforts us, helps us to understand truth, provides direction and healing, helps us to admit when we’ve sinned, and reassures us of God’s love. The Holy Spirit is the presence of God in the lives of those who love Him. What makes all the difference is knowing that the Holy Spirit is always here, always watching, always encouraging, and always ready to help us when we really need Him.

Perhaps, today, you’re feeling the soft, gentle breezes of the Holy Spirit drawing you into a relationship with Jesus Christ. Scripture says “I have loved you with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn you”. Jeremiah 31:3 He’s nudging you to commit your life to God. If you are already a Christian, the Spirit may be calling you to a more devoted life to Christ and even to a life of greater service to others. Whatever He might be saying to you, God asks you to believe that His Spirit is there, near you, watching you, giving you the power to overcome, be more faith-filled and drawing you closer into Himself. Go ahead. Lean in. Experience those cool, gentle breezes of Holy Spirit right now, this very day!

This is NESTING -- Preparing, Waiting, Anticipating

This is NESTING -- Preparing, Waiting, Anticipating
On Saturday, I went outside to water some plants and I was startled by the fluttering away of a mama dove that had laid two eggs in my fireplace vent outside. I quietly left that area because I wanted her to return to her nest. Then yesterday morning, I was about to clean my BBQ grill when I looked up and there, patiently, peacefully and undisturbed was this mama dove sitting on her soon-to-be-hatched babies. How significant to see such a beautiful wonder of creation on Mother’s Day. That adoring and devoted mama was waiting, anticipating and, obviously from the well-built nest in a cozy spot, preparing for her brood. I kept going outside, and Mama had not moved from her spot. She is on a mission to bring life into this world, unconcerned at all by the bird watchers that would check her out throughout the day -- and especially, when my children and grandchildren came over to power wash my porches right near her..

We, women relate to “nesting”, not only in birds, but when we, as expectant mamas, are getting close to that day when our baby will arrive. We wake up one morning feeling energetic and have the distinct urge to clean and organize our entire house. It's that overwhelming desire to get our home ready for our new baby. Sometimes, that urge is from boredom or frustration from still being pregnant, as well as knowing that the baby’s care is going to take lots of time and energy, and we want everything to be ready before the baby arrives. I recall the excitement and anticipation of that bundle of joy AND I knew the hours of love and care that I was about to give. There would be little time for much else, so, like that mama dove, my "little nest" needed to be just right.

On this Mother’s Day, I was pondering about the thoughts I had before my babies arrived. We already had their names picked out long before their arrival day. I worked tirelessly on their nursery, being sure it all set up and ready to go for the tiny, new occupant. All the gifts of clothes, nighties, and underclothes were washed and folded into the little dresser drawers. The hanging diaper holder was filled and all the tiny items were all organized for the imminent arrival of our baby. I would open those drawers and smell that sweet baby aroma.. My house was clean. My bags, with my baby’s "going home" outfit, was packed and ready to go. With our girl's arrival, we had all the plans made for taking her big brother to Granny & Papa's to stay until we came home with her. Everything was ready for her debut. The excitement was building for the BIG day!

Though I am no longer in that “season” (Thanks be to God!) of nesting because a baby is on the way, I still find myself nesting in times of sweet reflection, peace and quiet, and really pondering God’s goodness and mercy to me. Aw, pondering. Mary, the mother of our Lord, perfected that term – she pondered all those angelic messages in her heart.

This little mama dove reminded me about the importance of "being still" nesting in our Lord. It's a given that He abides in us, but when we spend time refreshing and reviving our relationship with Him, to really know Him, His peace (like the dove) comes over us and all the clamor and activity around us is as nothing. That dove really looked like a decoy -- unshakable and unmovable. Her babies were her preeminent responsibility. Nothing else mattered.

Today some of our precious family from Winnipeg, Canada are coming for a visit. I've prepared for them. I baked and cooked and made sure my house is clean. I even ordered the hockey channel on my TV for watching our Winnipeg Jets play their second game in the Stanley Cup Western Conference finals. In essence, I’m nesting and I’m preparing, waiting, anticipating, and preparing for their arrival. Maybe “nesting” is the mindset we should always have with our relationship with Christ. Peacefully, thinking about what He means to us, being still enough to know His indescribable love for us and preparing, waiting and anticipating, with joyful sense of expectation of His return. Oh, what a DEBUT that will be!