A Weekly Walk in the Word

Psalm 23:4-6 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

My heart is breaking this week as I lost my cousin to cancer. He leaves a void here on earth for his wife, mother, sons and grandsons. But, heaven is brighter than ever when Russell saw Jesus at the gates. He was also reunited with his dad, grandparents and even my mom. What a celebration they are enjoying. We will also be celebrating his life next week as we all come together to share stories of how Russell touched our lives with is gentleness, kindness and love.

God bless you this week as you remember those you love who have gone ahead of you into heaven.

Psalm 23:1-3 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

I have had a busy week antiquing, which I love and am very passionate about, but moving cupboards and crocks can be exhausting. It always brings me back to the 23rd Psalm where God encourages rest as we enjoy peace and quiet. He makes us lie down in nourishing pastures of his presence. He does not leave us in the desert, but leads us directly to the banks of quiet pools of refreshment, if only we follow. I had a new gate installed on the south side of our pasture. When I open the gate into the fresh new pasture, my sheep joyfully run through the gate to the tall grass where they frolic all day. When we cooperate with the rejuvenating rhythms he has ordained for each day, we will be physically, emotionally and spiritually restored.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like aa man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

The Olympic Games have been exciting to watch over the past two weeks. Witnessing the world come together as we rally around the athletes. My favorite part of the Olympics are the backstories. The hope, passion and determination of these athletes is beyond commendable. Each one made huge sacrifices to have a chance to win gold, to stand on the podium.

It is an honor for any athlete to be chosen to participate in the Olympic Games. You have been chosen to compete, to run a race. But, your race is not run on a track. Your race is run in your daily life. Your prize isn’t a gold medal, but to live every day with Jesus. What a world this would be if we continued to cheer on our neighbors across the street and across the world. Let’s run the race to Jesus together with the hope, passion and determination of a world class athlete.

Psalm 66:1-2 Shout with joy to God, all the earth! Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious!

I had the privilege to attend St. Olaf’s Conference on Worship, Theology and the Arts earlier this week. The event began with worship on campus in Boe Chapel. I sat towards the front with a friend from my congregation and our pastor. When the organist began playing and attendees began singing, I couldn’t believe my ears. “How many people came in behind us?” I asked. The acoustics in the chapel are like nothing I had heard before. I am not a signer, but as I belted out the words to every song, I felt like I was part of a heavenly choir. If you ever get to St. Olaf College, make sure you participate in worship. Boe Chapel is truly a little piece of heaven on earth. It is glorious!

John 10:7-10 Therefore Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal, and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

On Wednesday I had a new gate installed on the south side of the sheep’s pasture. The gate allows the sheep to safely move from their original pasture to the temporary fenced pasture with long grass where they graze safely all day long. When evening comes, I am able to call them back through the gate into their original pasture to keep them safe from predictors at night. It is a perfect set up. But, the sheep need to be willing to listen and trust me. When the ewes follow my direction, they graze peacefully during the day and sleep safely at night. The same happens when I listen and follow Jesus. He is the gate. He feeds me daily. He keeps me safe. I am content. I pray that you are listening and willing to walk through the gate to find pasture. Stay safe in Jesus’ flock!

Genesis 9:12-17 And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 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 to 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.” So God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth.”

God is good. He is faithful, loving and caring. He isn’t a judge sitting on a throne in the clouds. He is our loving Father who is alive and active in the world today. God sends us signs everyday…. in the rainbow over our barn after a storm, in sunrises every morning and sunsets every evening. But where I see God most is in the special people he brings into my life just when I need them most. Have you had a God sighting this week? Where do you see signs of God moving in your life?

Mark 11:22-24 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

What mountain are you trying to move in your life? You can’t do it alone. Have faith. Take your mountain to God and watch him change your world. Nothing is too big for our God, so Pray Big.

Genesis 1:31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.

I had the privilege of spending the 4th of July weekend with my dad, sisters and their families. We were all together at my sister’s lake house. She has talked for years how the lake is her happy place. After our time together on the lake, I have to agree with her. Spending time in nature with family is just the best. I saw what God has made, and it is very good!

1 Peter 1:24-25 “All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever.”

I usually steer clear of politics in my blog posts. But, was anyone else frustrated with this week’s presidential debate? It was hard to watch no matter which side of the aisle you find yourself. My only hope comes from God’s Word. Leaders will come and go, but God and His Word will stand forever. Take comfort in His promise as you celebrate Independence Day this week.

Genesis 1:1-10 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day” and the darkness he called “night”. And there was evening, and there was morning – the first day. And God said, “Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water.” So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so. God called the expanse “sky”. And there was evening, and there was morning – the second day. And God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear”. And it was so, God called the dry ground “land”, and the gathered waters he called “seas”. And God saw that it was good.

We just returned home from Maui where we celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary. God was definitely showing off when he created Hawaiian islands. We biked down a volcano, zip lined over a rain forest, discovered waterfalls, walked along the beach and watched the colorful sun rises and sun sets every morning over the ocean. And to think that God created all of it for our enjoyment. I urge you to get outside to explore this great big beautiful world. Where will you see God this week?