A Weekly Walk in the Word

Romans 8:28  We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

One of the items on my Black Friday shopping list every year is a jigsaw puzzle for both of our moms. I am not a puzzle person, but my mom and mother-in-law both enjoy the challenge of putting a puzzle together. They sort through the pieces handling each one individually to make sure it is right side up. Then begin with the outside pieces and work inward until all the pieces are in place creating a picture more beautiful than the one on the box.

As we move into the Christmas season, it feels like there are so many pieces that need to come together before Christmas morning…. the tree, the decorating, the baking, the cards, the shopping, the wrapping, the parties. How will all of the pieces come together?

As you move forward one step at a time, one piece at a time, know the hand of God will put all the pieces together with Christ at the center of your puzzle.

May your Christmas puzzle be a beautiful one this year!

1 Timothy 4:4-5  For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

How will you spend your Thanksgiving this year?

We will be traveling to my sister’s house, to celebrate with my parents, sisters and their families as well as all of our children. I feel blessed beyond measure! It feels like a little piece of heaven on earth, when family comes together to eat, laugh and catch up on life.

We have had years when our extended family wasn’t able to come together for Thanksgiving. On those years, we enjoy hosting Friends-giving with others in our community unable to be with family. One of those years, we volunteered to serve at a community Thanksgiving dinner. It was one of our favorite Thanksgivings.

This Thursday, no matter where or with whom you celebrate Thanksgiving, thank God for the community of people he has placed in your life. People are the greatest blessing of all.

As you quickly move from your turkey dinner into Black Friday it would be the perfect time to start a gratitude journal. Every night before you go to sleep, jot down two things that you are thankful for and at least one person that you are thankful for.

Receive all God has given with a grateful heart.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hebrews 12:2-3  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Considered him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 

Last week, I went in for my annual eye exam. I had perfect 20/20 vision until about 4 years ago when I was prescribed my first pair of glasses. This year, I wasn’t having head aches or experiencing any problems with my eyes…. it was just a routine visit. The optometrist put me through a series tests like which row of letters on the chart can you read and which is better, one or two?

At the end of the exam, my optometrist explained that my eyes had gotten worse. She showed my how much more clearly I could see with the new prescription she was writing.

How healthy are your eyes? Has your sight become blurry? When we fix our eyes on Jesus our life becomes much less blurry. We can see His face with 20/20 vision, no matter how strong our prescription may be.

God bless you and give you eyes to see Him!

1 Timothy 2:1-2  I urge, then first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for Kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

Tuesday, November 6th is voting day. Please take the time to do your civic duty and get out to vote. This year before heading to the polls in your district, take time to pray for the men and women on the ballot.

For months on T.V. we have seen the smear campaigns against candidates. For the next three days before the election, every time a campaign ad is aired, instead of listening, rolling your eyes and being frustrated…. take that time to pray for that candidate and their family.

This election season, instead of insults and bringing candidates down, lets lift them up. Pray for all those elected, even the people you did not vote for. Pray for them that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

John 1:4-5  In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

The City of Northfield’s Public Works Department begins work at 7:00 am. Which means, these days I am commuting to work in the dark.

Early this week we were blessed with a beautiful full moon and clear skies. It made my commute so much easier to have the moon lighting up those dark skies. Navigating the roads and turns on my route made the drive effortless.

Life works the same way! On our dark days, when it is hard to see the good in anything, Jesus lights the way making it much easier to navigate the twists and turns of life.

Allow Jesus be the light in your life!

Hebrews 11:3  By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. 

Last weekend I was in Colorado for my daughter’s last homecoming football game. As we drove from our hotel to the stadium I asked her what she was going to miss most about living in Colorado after she graduates in December. Her response was “I will miss the mountains. I love all their shades of grey!”

As I get older, I realize life is not all black and white. We live every day in shades of grey. The black and white areas of life are easy, it’s in the grey areas that are more difficult to navigate.

When we put our faith in God, the grey areas of life aren’t as scary. Because our God who formed the universe sees everything. We do not need to be afraid. God is in control.

Praise God for the grey in your life. Celebrate all the beautiful shades of grey in your world, knowing that God is in control of all things!

John 10:1-4  “I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. the man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. the watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 

Have you ever had one of those days, or weeks when you feel too overwhelmed to move forward? Life seems to be pulling you in every direction as you try to be everything to everyone….

STOP! You were not created to be perfect.

STOP! Listen to the Shepherd’s voice.

STOP! Follow Jesus.

He is leading you out of the sheep pen into a life full of opportunity.

Genesis 6:7-8  So the Lord said, “I will wipe mankind, who I have created, from the face of the earth – men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air – for I am grieved that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.

Do you ever wonder if the Lord is grieving for our generation? With all the corruption and evil displayed on the news every day, it is easy to become disheartened. Look for the Noahs in today’s world. Or better yet, jump on the boat and become a Noah on your journey through life.

I found the poem below tucked in a pattern I purchased at an estate sale. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

Everything I need to know about life, I learned from Noah’s Ark

1. Don’t miss the boat.
2. Remember that we are all in the same boat.
3. Plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the Ark.
4. Stay fit. When you’re 600 years old, you may be asked to do something really big.
5. Don’t listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.
6. Build your future on high ground.
7. For safety’s sake, travel in pairs.
8. Speed isn’t always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.
9. When you’re stressed, float a while.
10. Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic was built by professionals.
11. No matter the storm, when you are with God, there’s always a rainbow waiting!

Luke 8:22-25  One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.” 

Just over a week ago, the Weather Service confirmed 10 tornadoes touched down in our area of Minnesota. The tornado sirens sounded, alerts came over the phone, T.V. and computer for a full thirty minutes before the eerie calm was overtaken by 86 – 135 mph winds. Slowly, one by one, the neighbors came up from their basements as we met in the middle of the street to make sure everyone was safe and to assess the damage to our properties. A couple of trees were uprooted and several branches were down, but we were all OK.

The City Engineer called asking if I could make it to the Police Department where a command center was being set up. The two mile drive through town was difficult as I weaved between downed electrical wires and trees ripped from ground by their roots. Upon arriving at the P.D. I began taking phone calls from residents reporting down trees. For over a week, I have answered hundreds of phone calls, recording storm damage and listening to the residents of Northfield.

The calls were all incredibly similar. They were calls of gratitude. One call after another shared their story of how trees fell in their yards missing their house by inches. Trees fell in every direction, but there were no injuries! God is good.

Over the past week it has been incredible to watch our community come together to help each other with chainsaws, pickups and food. Through the storm, our community has grown closer one another and to God.

Don’t wait for a storm to blow though your town. Meet in the street to visit with your neighbors. Take the time to help one another with fall yard work or bake cookies to share. May God be with you and your neighborhood this week.

Hebrews 6:10  God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

Have you all seen any of The Church Basement Ladies plays? They are incredible. I had the privilege of attending my first performance this weekend with my sisters and cousins. We belly laughed through the entire play. Mostly because the actors were spot on portraying the roles women play in supporting the church.

The women of the church have come together as a community for years to support each other and their congregational families. The work women do in the church is important. God will not forget the work you are doing and the love you show through your calling.