A Weekly Walk in the Word

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?

Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads and men who influence the lives of young people. You are changing the world through your love and care for others. And a special shout out to my dad and my husband who have both blessed their children with Christian training. Thank you for creating a solid foundation for our family.

1 Peter 4:10-11 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

This week I received a call from a woman requesting a haircut for her husband who resides in a local care facility. When I arrived, I learned that he was bedridden and on hospice. The CNA and I worked together to keep him comfortable while trimming his hair and beard. She gently held his head in her hands while I cut the wispy long hairs around his ears. It was an honor and holy experience to play a small role in preparing my friend to see Jesus. Cutting hair is a small way to serve, but what a privilege to make a difference in the life of this man and his family as they said their last goodbyes. Today he is running around heaven with a fresh haircut!

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

This verse of comfort in Jeremiah gives not only the captives in Babylon hope, but gives us hope for our future as well. This spring my friend Margie showed up on a day I was feeling lonely and sad with a beautiful pink geranium. She placed the blooming flower in a planter on my patio where I see it every morning as the sun comes up. The geranium is a reminder to me of how God sends just the right people into our lives when we need them most. No matter how dismal your circumstances seem today, God has big plans for your future which include the promise of a future with God who will walk beside you the entire way. Find comfort in God’s perfect timing as you rest in His promise of hope and a future.

Luke 12:22-24 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!”

For years, God has dressed the backyard birds with beautiful feathers. The colors of the Orioles, Cardinals, Blue Jays and Robins are stunning making them recognizable by even an amateur birder, like me. God provides their shelter in the trees and berries on the bushes. We are invited to be the hands and feet of Jesus by caring for God’s creatures. By feeding the birds and building birdhouses. By you donate clothes to the local clothes closet. By brining a plate of cookies to a busy family, or prepare a meal for someone recovering from surgery. You are sharing God’s love in the most practical way. So, this week when you are filling your bird feeders, remember to feeds the ones more valuable than birds!

1 Corinthians 3:6-7 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.

I am not sure who is breaking into my bird feeders, but whoever it is, they must be hungry. When we plant the seeds of Jesus, that is all we are asked to do….. plant the seed. People are hungry for Jesus’ love. Plant the seed….. God will take it from there.

2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction.

It is poppy season on my farm! My bed of poppies is such a magical sight every spring. The paper thin orange petals are only able to withstand the wind and rain for a few days, but when they bloom they are glorious. A sure sign that summer is close behind. And after freezing winters with piles of Minnesota snow, I long for the warm summer sun.

Seasons come, and seasons go. Life is always changing. But, the one constant you can count on is God’s Word. When you stay connected to His Word you will be prepared in every season of life.

John 7:37-39 On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.

Mike and I recently checked another item off of our bucket list. We visited Niagara Falls for the first time as part of our anniversary celebration. I was in awe of the power and amount of water constantly rushing over the falls. We slept with our hotel windows open to hear the roar of the moving water which never ended. No matter what time of the day or night, the water was flowing over the falls.

So, I love the analogy Jesus uses in today’s verses of the Holy Spirit being streams of living water within me! WOW – I am in awe of the power and never ending rush of love the Spirit sends through me. Thank you Jesus for sending the Spirit who flows in me today and always. Your love will never run dry.