PRAY FOR OUR CHILDREN
I’ve been a child myself, so I know what it’s like. I’ve raised three of them, with the help of God and my husband. I’ve had the joy of watching my three grandchildren become wonderful young adults and followers of God. I’ve also had the opportunity to teach two generations of young people. Those qualifications don’t equip me to give parental advice. Most of what I’ve learned about parenting comes from God’s Word. Without it, I would fail miserably as a parent – and as a human being.
Looking back at my own childhood, I can see that the things kids face daily hasn’t changed much. I worried about my outward appearance. I never thought I was pretty enough, smart enough or perfect enough. I was unsure about my future. I was teased for being a chubby kid. I thought that God was a fierce judge who had decided I was going to hell. I would easily get depressed over small things and big things. I spent every Saturday at the movies and perceived that make believe world as a means of escape for me. I “ran away” from home at least five times, but always returned within a half an hour. Our country was involved in wars that required weekly air raid drills at school. Life was uncertain, yet we didn’t hesitate to leave our doors unlocked at night.
Children today are faced with even more difficult issues. They’re exposed to violent behavior in every venue. They struggle to make sense of a deranged mind that thinks nothing of wiping out an entire group of innocent victims. They begin to wonder if God is dead and that the truths they’ve been taught are really true at all. At the same time, they’re being exposed to sex before marriage, infidelity, divorce, more than two parent families and never knowing what a real family is. Men have been denigrated to a weakened position in society. Women are often the bread winners rather than the nurturers which God designed them to be.
Young men and women are expected to dress a certain way, explore all types of sexuality, tolerate every kind of behavior and support those who are clearly going against God’s commandments. Parents have become second class citizens, but they’re still a vital part of a child’s development and moral makeup.
The way we teach our children how to muddle through those years is critical. They need to them know that they are important to us as well as to the God who created them. We need to remind them that God has a purpose for their lives. We need to love them and let them know it. We need to pray for them. Never underestimate the power of prayer.
Our children have been gifted to us in much the same way as our salvation. God presents us with these little ones, to train up in His ways, to admonish when necessary, to love and cherish and to pray for. We only have them for a short time. Make the most of every second to let the know they have value and purpose in life. It doesn’t hurt to pray for yourself as you go through this journey of parenting. We can’t do it alone!
Posted in Christian daily devotion, parenting, Uncategorized
Tagged encouragement, FAMILY, Inspiration, morality, parenting, prayer, values
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SHAKESPEARE FUNNIES
In keeping with this month of Reformation and Renaissance, I thought we should hear from the bard himself
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SOMETIMES IT TAKES A WHILE
My husband is truly a prayer warrior and has been a great example for me. He’s always turned to God in thanksgiving, praise and times of pain and need. He’s also the kind of guy who wants everyone else to know the power of God’s hand in our lives. If we are at a garage sale, visiting with the sellers, he will use the opportunity to ask them where they go to church and tell them about ours.
Paul is also an avid sportsman – though his treks through the woods have diminished over the past few years, because of an aging body that has endured cancer and a stroke. In spite of that fact, this man is chock full of stories of his many adventures.
One of those stories emerged this past weekend. On this particular occasion, his best friend called him with a request. He was in the woods and had just injured a bear with his bow and arrow. He asked Paul if he could join him in the search for the animal. and of course, Paul was there in a flash.
As the two men followed a trail of blood left by the wounded bear, Paul asked God to be with them in the hunt. He asked that God would lead them to the animal so they could put it out of its misery. He also wanted to help his friend. Sounds like a silly thing to pray for, but God doesn’t really put limitations on our requests. In fact, He encourages us to come to Him in prayer for all things.
The hunt left both of these friends empty handed. The bear lived to see another day, but Paul was concerned for the struggle it would suffer because of its injury. Time went by – in fact another year elapsed – and bear hunting season was underway. This time, Paul was present at the onset. When he killed the bear that day, it was not of his own doing. The same bear that had been injured a year before, was the prize. It was revealed when the broad head from his friend’s arrow was found in the shoulder of the bear.
So, God answered Paul’s prayer. The animal had been granted another year of life and the two men continued to bind their friendship – a friendship that’s still alive and well today.
My point in this story is that sometimes we don’t get immediate answers from God. Sometimes it seems that He isn’t listening, or He doesn’t care, or we aren’t important to him. Sometimes we never witness the result of our prayers, because we are blinded by other things. There are also times that we pray without expecting results.
We should be bold in our prayer lives, knowing that God answers every prayer – even the seemingly insignificant ones – on His timeline, in His way and for our good.
1 John 5:14-15 “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.”
Posted in Christian daily devotion, confidence, prayer, Uncategorized
Tagged confidence, encouragement, Inspiration, prayer
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HAPPY WHATEVER DAY!
Today my calendar says that it’s Columbus Day. In my liberal state of Minnesota, the name of the day has been changed to Indigenous People’s Day? North of our border, my Canadian friends are celebrating Thanksgiving Day. I won’t challenge any of these holidays, though many folks out there might.
We can be sure that progress, civilization, population, commerce, trade, money and wealth, maltreatment of many and the disbursement of an entire race for the benefit of another will always get in the way of our thinking. It’s part of the nature of man to want more – to search for better- to climb to greater heights – and often the wealthiest of us win, because we have the wherewithal to do so.
However, I think that we’ve become so blistered by political correctness, we keep flogging ourselves for our past sins and that hinders us from moving forward. There is no question that the Native American was forced out of their lands by a greedy people, but the truth is they began their relationship as friends – teaching and helping one another.
There is no question that African Americans suffered great agony during the time when men owned slaves. The Irish immigrants were seen as rabble rousers. The Chinese were looked down on, but they were responsible for building most of the railroads which united the country from one coast to the other. The Japanese were sent to internment camps in America after Pearl Harbor, but they continue to contribute to our land in the fields of medicine and technology. Our history isn’t always pretty, but it is still a part of who we are. By changing the name of a certain holiday, we cannot undo the wrongs of the past. Those things will always be a black mark on our nation, but we can change the course of where we’re going.
Today we’re a nation of many people – with many backgrounds and heritages. We could look at this as a disadvantage, but in the formation of the most powerful nation in the world today, it has been a true blessing. Every nationality – every culture – every race and religion has had something to add to the mix. Without our diversity, we would still be living in countries ruled by dictators, despots and those who have no value for human life.
So today, instead of dragging up the ugly side of the exploration of America – instead of dwelling on past sins – instead of looking back – lets look at where we’re going. In my opinion, there are still many in America who continue to cherish her. There are those who stand in honor of her flag. There are those willing to die to protect her. We are a united nation and in spite of our differences, we are Americans. It’s time to start acting like it. God bless America!
Posted in America, Christian daily devotion, Uncategorized
Tagged encouragement, Inspiration, Patriotism
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NO MORE TEARS
Another funeral – another of our friends laid to his final rest – a time of sadness – a release from the desperation of fighting for life – for the Christian, a time of great joy.
As my life seems to revolve around saying goodbye to old friends lately, I can’t help but wonder when my day will come. Am I ready? Will my existence have had any merit in the scheme of things? We all face this difficult time in life – when we must look at that possibility. Death is as sure as taxes. We will all face it at some point.
For those of us who know that this place is just our temporary living quarters, death doesn’t hold the same sting that it does for others. When we’ve placed all our apples in this basket of living, we can bet that those apples are doomed to the rottenness and finality of decay. For those who know that life doesn’t end when death comes, we can look forward to our final day with joy.
Still there is a fearfulness connected with death. What will become of those we leave behind? Will they have the strength to go on living without us? Even though we’re guaranteed a place in heaven, we may still wonder. There may be even the slightest hint of doubt. We are basing all of this on faith in something that we have no experience with. We’ve never seen the other side of eternity, yet we have been assured that it exists in the Word of God Himself.
God’s comfort comes to us as He describes heaven in Revelation. It is a place where death doesn’t exist. There will be no tears, no pain, no loss. Everything we need will be provided by the Creator of the Universe. It’s so much more than a promise. It’s true. It’s the best life insurance we can have and it doesn’t cost us a thing.
This is why the Christian can rejoice in the face of death. This is God’s perfect plan for His people.
Posted in aging, confidence, Daily inspiration and devotions, Uncategorized
Tagged death, encouragement, Heaven, Inspiration, Peace
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BEGINNINGS
One man, one kayak and paddle,
Cutting through the early morning stillness,
With each pull, inches turn into feet as windows open,
Fresh, clean, vibrant air forces its way into your nostrils,
The smells of autumn permeate,
Crisp, lifeless leaves fallen suddenly from their place of origin,
A bonfire with smoke swirling to the heavens,
The smell of s’mores lingers,
Tiny scents off summer are now replaced with approaching decay,
Yet the beauty of this season is most glorious,
A majestic array of God’s colorful palette, dabbled across the landscape,
A sea of geese flies overhead in pursuit of warmer winds and peaceful valleys,
We look at autumn and see the ending of things, but
Really it is just the start.
Posted in art, Christian daily devotion, Christian Poetry, Uncategorized
Tagged Art & Poetry by Paul & Kathy Boecher, encouragement, Inspiration, seasons
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CHAIN OF EVENTS
Ripple effects of every day, can change or drive us down,
The way to find contentment is in every perfect sound,
The breath of the wind entwines you, the grip of hate hangs tight,
No matter how you battle it, it’s right there in your sight,
A chain of events can start it, a stone thrown in the lake,
The repetition swirls around, with every step you take,
If we can control the patterns, we can enrich the path,
If we can decide our futures, or we subdue the wrath,
Alone we cannot achieve it, it takes a greater force,
A hand divine is most needed, to help us chart the course,
Our only hope is in Jesus, Beginning and the End,
He’s our only true foundation, our everlasting friend.
TIMING
Esther 4:14 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, He knew that many would be gathered there for the Passover celebration. When Esther became queen of Persia the Jews were held in captivity and needed an advocate to gain their freedom. When a group of thirteen new colonies got together to form their own independent nation, the time was just right. When the Renaissance was just getting underway and the Roman Catholic Church had a tight hold on the politics of Europe, a monk came forward to challenge that grip and started a whole new way of thinking.
The invention of the printing press made it possible for the Bible to be available to the masses in their own language and the truth of the Gospel spread across the country like wildfire. That truth was hidden for years under the guise of doing good works, buying your way to heaven, and listening to the church’s view rather than God’s perfect message of grace by faith.
Today God is setting the stage for another reformation of sorts. Our world has become consumed with greed, hatred, violence and selfishness. We have so much new technology available which keeps us instantly informed. The devil has gotten into our schools, our government, our everyday living and even in our churches.
The time is ripe. Is God going to change the course of history? Is He going to bring the masses back to His Gospel? Are we doomed to a time of suffering, disease and war? Something spectacular is on the horizon, because He is in control. He always works things together for the good of His people.
“All who call on God in true faith, earnestly from the heart, will certainly be heard, and will receive what they have asked and desired,” Martin Luther
Posted in Bible, Christian daily devotion, Uncategorized
Tagged Inspiration, Renewal, timing, wakeup call
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CELEBRATING LUTHER OR CELEBRATING TRUTH
Within a few short weeks, the Lutheran church will celebrate the 500th anniversary of the nailing of the 95 Thesis on the church at Wittenburg, Germany and the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. My church is planning an outreach celebration next weekend and our pastor will dress like Martin Luther and welcome newcomers to our church. The flavor of the event is in the form of a festival – a fall gathering – a time of fun and getting to know each other.
Martin Luther was a simple man, who struggled deeply with his conscience from little on. He never wanted his followers to be called Lutherans, because the movement was not about him, but about God and the truth of His Word. He preferred that they be called Christians.
Born at a time of renaissance, renewal and restoration were to his advantage, because it allowed him the use of new inventions, like the printing press, to spread his message. Luther had many influential friends as well. All of them played an important part in the Reformation.
When I think of this man, I can’t help but think about my own journey as a Christian. This young lad grew up in the Catholic church and was submitted to the wages of sin on a daily basis. His conscience ate away at his soul for many years, causing him to enter a monastery in hopes of finally achieving peace through his own sacrifice. He would pray for hours, fast and beat himself to a bloody pulp. None of it would take away the guilt he lived with. None of it would salve the pain within his troubled heart.
When Luther went to confession, the listening priest could count on hours rather than minutes. This poor child had not been given the truth of the Gospel in all his childhood. He didn’t know that His sins were already forgiven. He didn’t realize that the ransom for his soul had been paid in full.
His years as a priest allowed him to search the scriptures thoroughly. He was a scholarly theologian, who shared his knowledge with others, but still he suffered – never feeling good enough, saved enough, redeemed enough. He always felt that he must do more.
At this time in history, the Roman Catholic church was involved in corruption to the max. They sold indulgences – “get out of purgatory” worthless pieces of paper to the population in order to support the enhancement of the physical church. This was a time when the arts were esteemed and valued. It was also a time when pomp and circumstance took the place of the simple truth of redemption.
So this year we celebrate the Reformation and its 500th year. Many more changes have occurred over time, but the truth remains. By faith alone we’re saved, through grace from God the Father. It is a free gift. I know this because God’s voice is in His Word.
Posted in Bible, Christian devotion, Uncategorized
Tagged encouragement, God's Word, Inspiration, Martin Luther, Protestant, reformation
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CARVING A PATH
“As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives.” Henry David Thoreau
The seams of a broken road are split and divided. A path once ‘most traveled’ has now become obliterated by the darkness of time. Weeds infest the road. Death overtakes it. That which was once a path to somewhere has become a road to nowhere.
As we examine our journey through this life, are we merely laying a path for someone else to follow, or are we carving out the future with our dreams – our plans – our hopes?
To those of us who wish to find the good in things, we could look at this road as our final destination – our means of reaching it – our desire to overcome obstacles to get there. Yet the roadblocks can often obscure the outcome. When we become so deluded with the darkness, we’re hindering the light that leads the way. We are standing in the way of the one ray of hope that still exists. Even a tiny ember can reignite if it’s nurtured.
A road becomes a destination point, when it has been used and reused and used again. The weight of a wagon, the heaviness of booted feet, the blisters that accompany them – all perils of traveling and carving a road. Yet without those constraints, there would be no value in the journey.
We will endure pain. We will suffer the sting of death. We will be hindered, snagged and deterred – yet if we persevere, the road will become visible in time. As the ground is pounded deeper down a road emerges.
God gives us His road map. He provides the coordinates. He has laid out a plan for our life which He has promised to be good. Our job is to continue to follow the road. He’s taken care of the rest.
Posted in Christian daily devotion, Inspiration, Uncategorized
Tagged encouragement, Hope, journey, light, path
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