A Weekly Walk in the Word

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.

Psalm 37:23-24  If the Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.

I love this time of year! The days are getting shorter and the nights are getting colder. A sweater in the evening and an extra blanket at night feel comforting. Not to mention the colors of fall. Is God showing off or what, with the vibrant reds and yellows popping up in trees? What an incredible display!

Another sign of fall is routine. We tend to slip back into a much needed routine after a season of carefree summer. Classes have started, Sunday School is in full swing, and the fall sports seasons have kicked off.

Fall is the prefect time to evaluate your involvement in structured activities. It might be time to bow out of commitments that don’t add value anymore. Take a hard look at your priorities and changes in your life. This fall may be the year to replace those old activities with ones of more importance.

I have recently resigned from two committees I served on to replace those with becoming a member of the Minnesota Christian Writers Guild, leading a women’s Bible study and teaching a section of Sunday School.

How will you spend your time this fall? As you make changes, remember that if you stumble, fall into Jesus. He will hold you.

John 1:6-8  There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 

Believe in God, even if it costs you everything.       #justdoit

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?