A Weekly Walk in the Word

Acts 8:18-23  When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom  I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”  Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!  You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God.  Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord.  Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart.  For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.”

These verses hit me hard this week.  Simon found his security in his wealth.  His heart was not in the right place. We are all captive to sin.  I began questioning if I am using my money, resources, time and talents wisely – the way God wants me to use them?  Is my heart in the right place?  It is so easy to become distracted by things of this world.  My value is not measured in dollars.  My value is measured in my willingness to follow the path God is leading me to touch the lives of the people I meet along the way.

So, I pray for myself and my readers that our hearts may be right before God, full of love toward others.

Genesis 9:14-16  God said to Noah “Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood and destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”

I live in and work for the City of Northfield, MN.  We experienced torrential rains Wednesday night which have continued into today, causing the Cannon River running through the center of town to flood.  An Emergency Declaration was declared by the mayor launching the city into work mode.  It has been incredible to see the collaboration between police officers, city staff, local businesses, homeowners and volunteer groups.  The people of Northfield worked hand in hand filling sandbags, priming pumps, and moving furniture to prevent the flooding from overtaking the city and keep its citizens safe.

When I walked along the banks of the swelled river yesterday, I was in awe of the power of the water rushing past me.  Can you even fathom Noah’s flood?  They experienced torrential rains for 40 days, but the waters flooded the earth for 150 days!  That is a long time.  But, during that time, God provided for Noah’s family’s every need.  God has provided for the citizens of Northfield as well.  I have seen the best in people come out during these past days.  We have grown stronger as a community because of the flooding.  We can rest in the promise of a rainbow at the end of the flood.  God is good!

God Bless you and your communities this week.

Luke 10: 40-42  As Jesus and his disciples were on their way he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.  But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”  “Martha, Martha,” The Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

“Martha, Martha” So many of us are like Martha. We were raised to be doers. We strive to have a spotless house, a warm delicious meal on the table and perfect quiet children sitting around that table anxiously waiting to tell us about their day. I tend to fall into the Martha category, always striving to check another task off my “to do” list. Trying to do it all…

My fellow Marthas, we need to slow down.  We are missing the important. This week, take time to just be. Be a spouse. Be a parent. Be a child of God. When we get so busy doing we lose sight of the important beautiful things God has blessed us with.

Take time to BE with Jesus today!

Proverbs 1:7-9: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, for fools despise wisdom and discipline. Listen, my son to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.

It is that time of year again. School is starting. It doesn’t matter if you are beginning kindergarten or your senior year of high school, this is such an exciting time full of anticipation and promise. So, let’s begin the school year in prayer.  Praying for the teachers and aids, the administration, the janitors and food staff. There are so many people dedicated to providing a quality education for our children. But, one of the biggest pieces to a child’s education comes from their parents. School can be tough, but with a strong support system at home, all children will soar!

An education is something no one can ever take from you. What do you feel is the most important thing you have learned?

You are never too old to stop learning. How will you learn this year?

Enjoy another school year!

Exodus 20:9-10 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals nor the alien within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

Labor Day – the 1st Monday in September observed as a legal holiday in recognition of the working people.

I feel so good after a day of hard work at home. It is such a sense of accomplishment to see the yard mowed, the weeds pulled, the house cleaned or the windows washed.  I could go on and on. It seems there are always at least one more chore needing my attention. God knew this would happen to us when he presented Moses with the ten commandments. Because God knew the importance of rest, he created the Sabbath for his children.

Instead of checking one more thing off your “to do” list this week, spend your Sunday re-energizing your battery. You will be amazed how much more you will accomplish during the week when you give Sunday to God.

2 Timothy 1:7 – For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

Those 2 little words “Fear Not” can be found in every book of the Bible. Yes, all 66 books! It is the most repeated command we are given as Christians, and the most used tool of Satan. We become paralyzed by fear, keeping us from living out God’s plan for our lives.

So, what are you afraid of? You have been given a spirit of power. Make the phone call, visit your cranky neighbor, apply for the job, write the blog, reach out to your friend, attend the bible study, sign up for that mission trip. Our God is great!  There is nothing we can not do through Him…  Fear Not.

Proverbs 16:31 Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained by a righteous life.

This weekend my husband and I attended his 35 year high school class reunion. Where does the time go? It was an incredibly fun weekend catching up with classmates and their spouses. It has been interesting to watch how the conversation has changed from the 5 year reunion, to the 20 year reunion and now the 35 year reunion.  At the 5 year reunion, we all compared college stories and were excited about what the future held. At the 20 year reunion everyone compared jobs, houses, and what vehicles they drove trying to out-do the next classmate. By the time we attended the 35 year reunion, none of those things really mattered. The conversation revolved mostly around our children and grandchildren and the blessings we have received over the years.

I am not sure why it takes us so long to settle into our lives to realize what is really important? I heard from one wise classmate last night, that he never dreamed he would be involved in the vocation he is, but the hand of God leads you in ways you never imagine! Amen to that!

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

Last week our oldest son was married. This week we sent time with the newlyweds looking for a new house in Iowa. We were shown older houses with lots of character, new cookie cutter style houses, quirky houses, and houses in the country on a few acres for livestock. Any of the houses we looked at would work for a newly married couple, but this was the first major decision they would have to make together in their marriage. I enjoyed listening to the two of them debate the pros and cons of each house, slowly eliminating the houses they didn’t care for. Soon they were down to only two options, and continued to discuss those as they boarded their plane……

I am thrilled, because either of the two final houses will be perfect for our son and his new wife as long as Christ is the center of their home. A home built around the Lord will stand forever. Think about the house you live in. What is your house built around? Is it time for a home makeover? A home built by the Lord will stand the test of time!

Matthew 19:4-6  the Creator made them male and female, and said, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become on flesh so they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.

This is wedding weekend for our family!  The weekend we travel to North Carolina to celebrate the wedding of our oldest son to his beautiful bride, Galina. We are over the moon excited to welcome her into our family.

God’s timing is perfect. Many prayers have been said to get us to this point. My husband and I prayed and prayed for two years before God blessed us with the titles of Mom and Dad when he entrusted us with Seth. Those were anxious days, wondering if we would ever become parents. And from that day, we began praying for an additional 28 years before God blessed us with our daughter, Galina! There were anxious moments during those years as well, wondering if Seth would be blessed with the title of husband. Through it all we have learned to trust God in this world of instant gratification because his timing is perfect.

My prayer for the newly married couple going forward is for contentment. Don’t be so driven to get to the next level that you miss out on the blessings God sends you every day. A bigger house, or gym, a faster truck, more guns, a higher paying job won’t always make you happier. Instead, be content with what you have been given. You have already been given much. Just look at all the friends and family attending your wedding. Look into each others eyes. Not everyone is blessed with the kind of love that you two share. You are blessed and we have been blessed to share in your special day! Congratulations!  I love you both so much!

John 11:33-35  When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled.  “Where have you laid him?” he asked.  “Come and see, Lord,” they replied.  Jesus wept.

Thursday night I held a grieving mom who had only hours before received news that her 25 year old son had taken his life. We cried together that night, because there were no words. The entire ordeal, just didn’t make sense.  In times like this, my comfort comes from Jesus.  He understands.  Jesus experienced grief when his friend Lazarus died.  He struggled with the pain Mary and Martha were feeling.  So this week as obituaries are written, pictures and songs are chosen along with all the additional arrangements, I will lean on Jesus to walk with me through the upcoming difficult days that just don’t make sense.

One more thing for any of you out there feeling desperate…..  It is never that bad.  Things will get better.  And, YOU ARE LOVED!

(this weeks photo was taken by my daughter, Hannah)