A Weekly Walk in the Word

Job 12:7-10 But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.

The Smoky Mountains at the peak of leaf season is God showing off. I traveled to Gatlinburg, Tennessee last week to see this seasonal marvel in person. Well, it did not disappoint. As I hiked through the Smoky Mountains, around every bend in the path was another breathtaking sight. Not to mention the sound of the water trickling over the boulders in the crystal clear creeks which added to the splendor of it all.

Can’t you just imagine the smile on God’s face as he paints the colors of fall. He didn’t need to create such beauty, but he did. He created all of this for our enjoyment. I pray that you are able to get outside today to enjoy the beauty of God’s great creation in nature.

Have a blessed week!

Philippians 4:4-8 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.

Have you ever had one of those nights where you just can’t sleep because you have so many things running through your mind? Well, I had one of those last night. So, here I sit writing to all of you at 3:00am. It is so easy for me to let the cares of the world overtake my mind and life. And I don’t think I am alone. There is a reason self help books like “get your SH*T together” are showing up on New Your Times bestseller list.

In this world of craziness and uncertainty, it is much wiser to turn to God’s word. Philippians 4 is the perfect road map of how we should live our lives. When we give our worries to Jesus, we no longer have to carry them and a huge weight is lifted.

When I become stressed, I love walking through our peaceful pasture to pray. Where is your happy place? I pray that this week you let Jesus walk alongside you as you think about whatever is true, noble, right, pure lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. May the peace of God allow you to view the world through Jesus’ eyes. Rejoice in Him!

Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.

Fall is a wonderful time of the year, but it is also the busiest time of the year with school beginning and other scheduled activities starting up again after the long warm days of summer.

I was blessed to spend the last two weeks with my parents as my mom healed from a surgery. The picture above is one that mom stitched herself and hung above my bed. What a great reminder to slow down enough to hear God.

I pray that you take the time to be silent in this noisy world. That you may hear the whisper of God as he speaks to your heart.

Hebrews 10:23-25 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

We all remember where we were on the morning of September 11, 2001. But do you remember September 12?

I miss September 12, 2001… when the USA came together in peace.

I miss September 12, 2001…. when strangers worked side by side.

I miss September 12, 2001…. when neighbors leaned on each other.

I miss September 12, 2001…. when people flocked to church.

I miss September 12, 2001…. when families gathered in hope.

I miss September 12, 2001…. when classrooms prayed for those lost.

I miss September 12, 2001…. when the world stood still.

Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Happy Labor Day!

Today as you enjoy a break from labor, think about of the way you work. I pray that you glorify the Lord in all you do. May your work be completed as a labor of love to God and all those around you. God bless you as you go out into the world doing great works!

(A special thank you to my dear friend who encouraged me to blog again. I forgot how much I missed sharing God’s word. You are a blessing!)

Psalm 103:13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.

Happy Father’s Day! I thank God for blessing me with my dad. You were the perfect dad to your little girls, and you continue to be the perfect dad to your grown women. God knew exactly the dad I needed when he brought us together. I am forever grateful. You are simply the best! I love you. Happy Father’s Day!

Matthew 9:37-38 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

“Make hay while the sun shines” is a quote I have heard often. Now I find myself saying it too! This week we filled our barn with fresh cut hay. (If only I could send the aroma through my laptop) We are preparing for our fiber flock to arrive later this month. Preparation and time are everything. I researched for months to find just the right breed of fiber sheep for our flock. I found a builder who specialized in pasture fences to construct a safe environment for our lambs. I worked with farmers who delivered their first cutting of alfalfa hay which arrived on a 98 degree afternoon. It was hot and sweaty, but we unloaded and stacked each bale in the barn. Everything will is ready for the lambs come home.

Jesus has been diligently working for the arrival of his sheep to come home. But, he needs help in the harvest field. How can you help with the time and talents you have been given. Now is the time to take action. “Make hay while the sun shines.” To God be all the glory. Amen

Ephesians 4:1-2 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

This week as I was planting my garden, I was reminded of a sermon story that has stuck with me since I was a high schooler with Pastor Dragt in the pulpit. I would like to share it with you today. It goes something like this……. A farmer was in the field contemplating life and what his calling in life was. So, he started to pray. God please give me a sign so that I know what you want me to do. After finishing his prayer, he looked up to the sky. He saw the clouds clearly form the letters P C. He knew instantly that God was telling him to “Preach Christ”. He sold all of his farming equipment and land. He became a pastor, but his ministry never really took off. When the farmer got to heaven, he asked God about his P C sign in the clouds. God responded that the sign he had given in the clouds meant ‘Plant Corn’ not ‘Preach Christ’.

I used to get so wrapped up in finding God’s will for my life that I became paralyzed trying to choose the perfect path. It took me years to realize that God doesn’t care what profession I choose. Doing the will of God has nothing to do with my vocation. It has everything to do with loving Him and sharing his love with others. Praise God, wherever you are planted.

Ephesians 3:16-19 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Dear friends in Christ…. I pray that your roots grow deep. That no matter how harsh the winter storms may be, you continue to bloom every spring. May your established love be unwavering in times of darkness. And may you never forget the unconditional unfailing love God has for you.

1 Corinthians 3:6-7 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 made it grow.

Springtime is garden time. In the past I have frequented the local farmers market to supply our family with fresh grown vegetables throughout the summer. Since we live on a farm with plenty of space, I decided this year to try my hand at raising my own vegetables. Last Sunday (just one week ago) I planted seeds in dirt. This week, I have beautiful plants sprouted and growing. Each seed is a miracle. I planted it in the dirt, watered it, but God made it grow.

We are called to plant the seed of Jesus in the lives of people. We are called to water the seed of Jesus in the lives of people. That is all. God will make it grow. Each life is a miracle.

I planted 13 different types of seeds. Of those, 9 have sprouted. The cucumbers are the tallest and growing the fastest. Several others are just poking through the dirt, while 4 types haven’t made it up at all yet. I planted the seeds on the same day, and placed them in the same warm spot to grow. But they grew at different rates. We all develop at different rates. Don’t rush God. He will grow the seeds that are planted in his perfect timing.