Star-fish

      In Acts 26:15-21(NIV), Paul (Saul), who formally persecuted the Christians as a Jewish Pharisee, is making his case against the Jews, who are now persecuting him, to the Roman King Agrippa: "Then I asked, 'Who are you, Lord?' [to the voice in the bright light speaking to Paul on the road to Damascus] "'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,' the Lord replied. 'Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'  "So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven...I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by t...

      We were taking our puppy to training classes and noticed more and more homeless camps set up in our area. Along with the camps, seems to come piles of trash and an increase in graffiti. In our state,  property owners bare most of the burden of costs due to no sales tax. As I looked around, I wondered where our tax dollars were going. It's not sheltering the homeless, cleaning up the debris or graffiti, or enforcing the laws.      I read Proverbs 17:5 today and it made me think about how we are caring for our poor, "Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished." Yet, Proverbs 17:12 provides a warning, "Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool bent on folly." How do I help, and if I do so, how do I do it safely? Many homeless in our area have issues with mental illness and drug use, both conditions can carry with them "folly" in the individuals.      The B...

      When I wake up, I think through the day and the plans that I've made. Most of the time, I run things by God, but today as I read Proverbs 16 it occurred to me, that I may not have the purest of motives. By telling God my plans and asking Him to bless them, I am leaving out what He may have in mind and what is best for me and those with whom I come in  contact.      The following scriptures from Proverbs 16 (NIV) speak to the issue of Who is really in control of my daily plans and schedule:     16:1 "To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the proper answer of the tongue."      16:2 "All a person's ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the LORD."     16:3 "Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans."     16:33 "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD."     What great reminders that ultimately, Go...

          Listening to the news yesterday, it seemed there was very little about which to be happy. Once I turned off the  monologue of dirge with its constant reminder of lives lost to COVID-19 and the shortage of vaccines, my shoulders relaxed and mind felt calmer. I started going through my refrigerator preparing food and cooking soup. My hands were busy and my heart was happy.     The Bible tells us this about happiness: Proverbs 15:13, "A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit;" Ecclesiastes 3:12, "I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live;" and Ecclesiastes 5:19, "Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil--this is a gift of God."     Happiness is a gift from God, take it and embrace it! We don't have to dwell on the sadness around us. We can shut it off...

      I am asking all of you to pray for the people in Texas, Oregon, and other states who have suffered during the recent ice and snow storms. They have lived without electricity, water, food, as well as had water damage due to broken pipes, trees falling on their homes and vehicles, etc. I know we could "pray continually" for all the trials, tribulations, and losses that people around the world suffer every day, every hour, every minute due to evil and injustice (1 Thessalonians 5:17).      Knowing the little I do know about the problems around me and around the world, it is no wonder, I worry, yet I am called to "not worry"(Matthew 6:25-34). How is that possible? The very seams of the earth seem to be unraveling. But I am reminded, that He created the world in six days, not me (Genesis 1:31). God is in control.      The apostles began to worry when the boat they were in was being tossed about by a sudden squall. They woke Jesus up an...

      This passage written by King David in Psalms 23 is what is needed today. It's a reminder that God is the One who is in charge, yet He isn't a demanding master, but One who quenches our thirsts and resets our souls: The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake.  Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.  You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.     It doesn't get any better than that...I yearn to "dwell in the house of the LORD forever." How about you? If you want to join me, "in the house of the LORD forever," it is simp...

      In today's society, the term "pride" is widely used as a good thing. Cheers as ballgames even note their mascot pride and remind students to have "Pride Inside." Teachers tell students how proud they are of their accomplishments. Parents tell their children that they are proud to be their parents. These all sound like positive praises and compliments. So why does the Bible admonish the proud?     In Isaiah 5:21, we are told, "Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight." If you thought of yourself as wise and clever, wouldn't that bring you pride? How about what Proverbs 11:2 tells us of the consequences of pride, "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." Another problem with pride is stated in Proverbs 13:10, "Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice."      Dictionary.com defines pride as "a feeling of deep pleasur...

      I don't know about you, but sometimes I can be a chattering fool. I feel the need to fill the void in conversations, especially with people I don't know well, or when I am nervous. Much of the time I come away from those moments, wishing I could erase my words from the participants' minds, never to be remembered or spoken of again.      Proverbs 10 has a lot to say about why lack of constraint when talking (or foolish chatter) can lead a person to a multitude of problems:      Verse 8: The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin.     Verse 10: Whoever winks maliciously causes grief, and a chattering fool comes to ruin.     Verse 11: The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.     Verse 14: The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.     Verse 18: Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spread...

      Today is Valentine's Day, a day of letting those you love know how you feel about them. I was reading in Romans  this morning and noticed a very valuable Valentine, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). The gift of a life time...an eternal offering of hope.      Today, if you want to know true love, simply read and apply the steps offered in Acts 2:36-39: "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah." When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are  far off--for all whom the Lord our God will cal...

     Today, as I finished the Book of Exodus, the craftsmen stuck out to me. There were people who did construction and metal work for the tabernacle or dwelling place of God, but Exodus 37:29 tells of those that were gifted in scents, "They also made the sacred anointing oil and the pure, fragrant incense--the work of a perfumer." So the objects weren't the only sacred things, but even the smells needed to be just right for God.      Then Exodus 38:18 tells of more intricate details that God felt were important, "The curtain for the entrance to the courtyard was of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen--the work of an embroiderer." Who would have imagined that the craft of embroidery could be a skill that God would want to use for His holy dwelling place?     Exodus 39:27-28 tells about other unexpected craftsmen, "For Aaron and his sons, they made tunics of fine linen--the work of a weaver--and the  turban of the fine linen...

      I love crafting! I'm not an artist by any means, but I enjoy playing with paints, papers, photos, colors, and all things that include ribbons and stickers! So this morning as I was reading about the assembling of artistic elements of the tabernacle, it intrigued me as to where the craftsmen got their abilities.      It says in Exodus 36:1 (NIV), "So Bezalel, Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the LORD has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work of constructing the sanctuary are to do the work just as the LORD has commanded." It doesn't say, "To all who got a degree in art," but rather, "to whom the LORD has given skill and ability," those people will carry out His work.      So now when people tell you, "If God brings you to it, he will bring you through it" (Robert C. Crowder), you know there's more to that catch phrase than meets the eye. But notice the word "work" in that scripture and th...

    Reading Proverbs this morning, I was reminded that even a loving God has things that He hates. How can love and hate come from the same God? Let's look at what Proverbs 6:16-19 says, " There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community."      Haughty eyes are listed first and can mean extreme pride or arrogance. Why would God hate a prideful person? Proverbs 11:2 tells us, "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." Throughout the Bible the pitfalls of pride are elucidated. Pride causes "strife" ( Prov. 13:10), "destruction" (Prov. 16:18) and ultimately, Psalms 10:4 concludes, "In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for ...

      I've been reading in Exodus about the furnishings in the Temple and the garments for the priests. It struck me that God was very specific about the colors he wanted used throughout the process. Exodus 26:1 notes, "Make the tabernacle with ten curtains of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, with cherubim woven into them by a skilled worker." The type of metal was also included as in verse 37, "Make gold hooks for this curtain and five posts of acacia wood overlaid with gold."      In Exodus 29:10-11, another color is introduced, but not specifically named, "Bring the bull to the front of the tent of meeting, and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on its head. Slaughter it in the LORD's presence at the entrance to the tent of meeting." What color do you think of in this scripture? Red, the color of blood, and the color of sacrifice is brought to mind.      These colors: red, blue, and yellow (gold) are calle...

      In this era of social media, where we know way more than we should about other people's personal lives, I appreciate 1Thessalonians 4:11-12, "...make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands...so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody."      The word "mind" in this case meaning, "to pay attention to" your own life. When we were traveling in Europe, I saw signs noting to, "mind your head," in other words, pay attention to those things above you to protect your head. That actually applies pretty well to social media, "mind your head," but in this case, it means to keep in mind your head or thinking, don't let your mind wander the internet without protecting it.      What would it look like to mind our own business in this new day and age of everyone having an opinion about everything and everyone? And how ...

      Our puppy has been tearing her way through stuffed animals. I had never thought to sew up a stuffed toy verses tossing it, until I visited my stepson's girlfriend's home and her grandmother was sewing up a stuffed chew toy. That seems like an obvious and inexpensive fix, but somehow until I saw it, it didn't occur to me.      There are good and bad ideas out there waiting to be learned. If we see others doing good then we are more likely to emulate them, but what do we do when we see others making poor choices and getting involved in bad activities? I had a friend visit and she asked where I kept the extra toilet paper. I replied that it was stored in the hall closet. She responded, "That's a bit inconvenient, isn't it?" In other word, if someone were to run out of toilet paper while in the middle of using the  restroom, going down the hallway would have been awkward at best. I hadn't even considered that scenario, as I had always ...

          As a new year unfolds, diets are being compared and contrasted, which work and which don't for weight loss. Most people have learned, that the reality is weight gain or weight loss is a simple matter of calories in verses calories out. Period. You consume more calories than you burn up, you gain. You burn up the calories you consume, you maintain your weight. You burn up more calories than you consume, you lose weight.          I found it interesting in my Bible reading today of a reminder from God of another reason to consider what we eat and drink (1Corinthians 10:23-33): "I have the right to do anything," you say--but not everything is beneficial. "I have the right to do anything"--but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.  Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, for, "The earth is the Lord's and everything in ...

      With COVID-19 now mutating into more virulent viruses, the fear of exposure continues and causes us to hunker down and spend much of our time at home. I do love our home and feel blessed to have it and to have a wonderful husband and crazy puppy to keep me company. That being said, the days seem to run into each other like a stream into a river. Before I know it, it's a new day, or a new month, or the next holiday, and I wonder where has the time gone?     It reminds me of 2 Peter 3:8-9, "But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." Some of my days seem like a thousand years! But that's because in my case, I am focusing on my needs, rather than those of the lost.      See God i...