A Weekly Walk in the Word

John 16:21  A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 

The Minnesota State Fair is in full swing. Our family visited the fair on Friday. We ate everything possible on a stick, rode down the big slide, spun for prizes, and admired the beautiful exhibits.

One of the most popular attractions at the Great Minnesota Get-Together is the CHS Miracle of Birth building. The large crowds of people made it hard to navigate through the building of newly born piglets, lambs, calves and chicks. We actually were able to watch a sow give birth to piglets. It was a miracle happening in the middle of the state fair, with hundreds of people watching.

Every birth is a miracle from God! There is no other way to describe it. My niece gave birth to a perfect, healthy, beautiful baby boy a week ago. He is a blessing and a miracle from God! God is good.

Where do you see miracles happening in your every day life?

Psalm 127:1  Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.

On Wednesday of last week contractors showed up at our house and asked if we were ready to begin the face lift. We are undertaking the large project of updating the exterior of our house which will include painting, brick work, adding shutters, new lighting and flower box, deck repairs and staining.

Of course we are excited to update the look of our house, but we also realize that a beautiful exterior does not make a happy home inside. A happy and beautiful home can only happen when Jesus Christ dwells in the house and lives with the family.

The exterior of our houses and bodies are just a shell. Invite Jesus in, to live with you and dwell in your home.

Revelation 3:20  Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

While set up at a flea market this weekend in Oronoco, I found this large advertising tin “His Master’s Voice”.  The asking price was $1850, so I decided to take a picture instead of purchasing the piece. But, it did get me thinking…..

With so much noise in the world, whose voice am I listening to? And am I listening to my master as intently as this dog?

Jesus is calling me and you. Listen to him, to hear his voice. Then, let him in to be an intimate part of your life.

Psalm 119:130  The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. 

Walking into a lighting store to choose an exterior light to update our home, is no easy task. The options were a little overwhelming! We wandered aimlessly, looking upward with our mouths open, until a sales person came to lend some assistance. She directed us to the exterior section, where she left us to evaluate our options. By the time she circled around to check on us, we had our choices narrowed down, but had several questions. Now that she was a little clearer on our desires, she took us to the counter where she paged through a thick lighting catalog. She helped us to design a custom light, with all the right elements to be perfect for our home and taste.

When we walk into a church, it too can be a little overwhelming. But, keep moving forward. God has placed people in your life that will direct you to where you need to go. They will help you as you navigate through God’s word, and that is where you will find the light! Take time to unfold God’s word this week.

Psalms 5:3  In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.

For the past two years, I have been in the routine of waking early in the morning to dig into God’s word and write……  two of my favorite things! Earlier this summer, I made it through Revelation 22 and finished the rough draft of my second book. As a “reward” for completing this phase of the book, I decided to sleep in every morning.

Big mistake! BIG mistake! (as Julia Roberts would say in Pretty Women) I fell into a funk. The pleasures of summer, and life had disappeared. I desperately needed to get back into the Word. So, this week I set my alarm clock to the earlier hour. I woke up and started reading the Psalms. Tears filled my eyes on the second day as I read Psalms 5:3.

How do you stay connected to Jesus? What time of the day works best for you? If you are interested in a guide to help you read through the New Testament, let me know. I would love to share my book Walking in the Word, A Daily Journey Through the New Testament with you.

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12  Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

My daughter was home earlier this month for a family wedding. When she was here, she asked if I could teach her needlework. It warmed my heart for her to ask for my instruction. So, I found a pattern, thread and needles to spend a sweltering summer afternoon indoors creating bunny needle holders. I taught my daughter the running, stem and blanket stitches along with securing a snap and button.

God smiles when he sees his children working with their hands. God is the original creator, and it warms his heart to see his children interested in doing the same. Draw close to God to listen for his creative teachings. You have so many opportunities to be work with your hands.

The best part of stitching our bunny needle holders was the time we spent together! Learning, talking and laughing. My challenge to you this week is to learn a new craft, or dust off an old one. What could you create with your hands?

Psalm 119:9-10  How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

Did you all watch the World Cup last Sunday? We hosted a little “Cup” party at our house, which included family, friends, berets, brunch and of course…. cheering. GOAL!! Every time the persistent striker was able to get the ball past the goalie. It didn’t matter if it was France or Croatia, I was in awe as we watched the footwork and teamwork of the players throughout the tournament. These athletes are talented, athletic individuals. But, they don’t just run onto the field without years of training and preparation.

This week on my way to work, I saw a teenage boy practicing his soccer techniques. He was on a municipal soccer field by himself at 7:00 a.m., in the rain, running through footwork drills. That is dedication! He may never be a famous soccer player in the World Cup, but he is learning the discipline of working toward a goal.

How much time are you investing in your goal? As a brother or sister in Christ, you are called to ministry. Maybe your call doesn’t include speaking from a stage, or writing a book or weekly blog, but you have been called by your Father. I pray that you are dedicated to reach the individual goal he has especially for you!

Psalms 84:3  Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young – a place near your alter, O Lord Almighty, my King and my God.

Last weekend, we traveled home to Wisconsin for a family wedding. Wisconsin is beautiful, and where my husband and I grew up, so we call Wisconsin home. But, truth be told, I am not home until I am in the company of my parents and sisters and cousins. When I am with my family, I am home!

This weekend, our three children traveled home to Minnesota to celebrate their dad’s birthday. Our kids grew up in Wisconsin and Iowa. But, truth be told, they were at home this weekend, because they were in the company of their parents and each other!

Times have changed. Families don’t live just down the street anymore. They are spread out throughout the country and even the world. If you find yourself feeling alone and distant from family. I encourage you expand your family to find a strong church family. You are not alone. God your father is with you always and everywhere you travel.

God bless you, your families and your brothers and sisters in Christ.

Matthew 13:31-32  He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches.” 

As you plant the seed of faith in the lives of others, it will be watered by the Holy Spirit and harvested by God.

One of my favorite quotes is from Tom Ziglar. “God doesn’t call us to be successful; He calls us to be significant.” And the best way to be significant is to sow the seeds of faith through sharing the story of Jesus and his love.

Plant the seed of faith today and watch it grow in your life and the lives you touch!

Romans 8:19-21  The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

I found an opened robin’s egg in our yard this week. If you look closely, you can see where the newly hatched robin began pecking its way out of its protective shell. The shell is so fragile, yet it provides everything needed for the bird to survive until it is developed enough to survive on its own. At just the right time, that baby robin is freed from its shell to become a nestling. In just a few short weeks the young robin is ready to fledge (or begin to fly). Although some people think a fledgling is a fully trained flier, this is not the case. Fledglings are merely old enough to attempt flight; it usually takes them a bit of a practice period to become proficient. During this time, fledgling birds will leave the nest but mostly stay within view of their nearby parents.

You were a fledgling at one point in your life. Leaving the nest for only short periods of time until you were strong enough to fly longer distances to find food and shelter.

Under God’s close supervision, you have matured and been given the freedom to fly. As an adult Christian, you are encouraged to take a fledgling under your wing to help them grow.

May you continue to soar to new heights in your faith.