All in Faith/Trust
I didn’t deserve to go on this mission trip. My registration occurred during the same month of the deadline. Some choir and orchestra members had prayed, saved their money, and rehearsed the repertoire of almost 90 songs for two years. Six concerts were to be performed throughout Italy to sing the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Have you ever listed the women who have most influenced your life? Luke’s list makes me wonder why Mary, Joanna, Susanna and the many others who served Jesus during his life were notable in first century AD. Surely these women suffered. I’m not sure if I could have endured an exorcism administered over Mary to cast out seven demons. Who would have the stamina to serve and live in the household of Herod?
Nestled in the middle of the Psalms are three verses that describe the blessed life of a believer. The psalmist begins by describing a believer’s heart. Blessed are those….who have set their hearts on pilgrimage (Psalm 84:5). In other words, blessed are those who have a longing in their souls and a determination in their minds to journey through life with Jesus.
“Why does someone so good and nice suffer a painful death and die young, when others do bad things and live long?”
Seeing a church right down the street from our house delighted me. I could not wait to go there. After our visit, I had no doubt about the “God-centeredness” of it. Friendly members, ministries reaching out to the community and the world, great worship, I could go on and on.
Many “several years ago” when I had a hard body and long hair, I did some mountain climbing and rock climbing. During those times, I heard many climbers making pleas and promises to God such as: “Help me, Jesus! Lord, if you just get me off this mountain, I promise I will never do this again.” Sometimes during climbing the fear level on a Richter scale of 1 to 10 can be a 25.
Sometimes it is the smallest of words, the tiniest breath of a phrase that hits like a truckload of bricks. This particular truth hit me, not like a load of bricks, but like the door in a dark room opening to the bright light of a brilliant day. It was blinding. It was beautiful. It was breathtaking.
Jesus’ “I am the gate”, and “I am the good shepherd” metaphors bewildered His listeners. At the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) their questions continued: “If you are the Christ, tell us plainly” (John 10:24). Again they tried to stone Him, and again He slipped away, across the Jordan, where many believed (10:31-42). He was there when news came that His friend Lazarus was sick.
The crowd by the Sea of Galilee was mystified. First, they had been fed well the previous evening, all 5000 plus of them, from “five small barley loaves and two small fish” (John 6:9). Then Jesus had sailed across the lake without a boat—how in the world (6:22)? Miracles were foremost on their minds. Give us more they said, manna for this day too, "bread from heaven”, so we can believe you were really sent by God (6:29-31).
Jesus often attracted massive crowds. Passionate onlookers scrambled with reckless abandonment of their personal schedules and comfort to find a position to hear him teach. They even risked the possibility of being injured. The chaotic scenes were fueled by rumors of Jesus’ numerous miracles and healings.
In Spring when the Dogwood trees bloom, I think of Christ’s death and resurrection. This year I collected two trays of blossoms for drying in an attempt to hold on to their fleeting beauty and to extend my reflection on the amazing story.
As a young wife and mother, I thought I had the perfect blueprint for our family. My intention was to have two children. No more. Within a few years we had two wonderful little boys. When I learned that I was expecting baby number three, I was extremely upset.
What are you waiting for right now? Your coffee to kick in? Your kids to finish their breakfast? The traffic light to turn green? We are always waiting for something. Life just kinda moves like that, doesn't it? It's such a "hurry up and wait" world.
My parents live in an historic home settled on fifteen acres surrounded by thick woods and a beautiful pond. It is a wonderland for my girls to explore and play because there is always something happening. Whether it is watching deer by the back door, riding on the tractor to pick up tree brush, or walking to the pond to check the turtle trap, it is a place of adventure and excitement.
My husband and I closed the back of the U-Haul truck with the final load from our home. We were moving hours away to be close to family. Before driving away from my hometown, we had to make one final stop to my friend Natalie’s house.
My girls were invited to a homeschool Christmas party at a local church. Arriving at the event, we could see that the other students were playing on the playground while the adults were setting up the activities for that afternoon.
My family and I received some terrible news a few months ago. My nephew was no longer with us. The event shook my family to the core.
My five year old loves to sing. One particular morning she was in the bathroom looking in the mirror, brushing her hair, and singing. She was belting out a tune at the top of her little lungs. It was a song she put together using truths she had learned in school.
Those who walk closely with the Lord will at times find their paths taking unexpected turns. That is God’s design. He plans our walk with Him to be faith growing. And so, He leads us in directions that challenge us and force dependence upon Him.
As a young wife and mother, I thought I had the perfect blueprint for our family. My intention was to have two children. No more. Within a few years we had two wonderful little boys. When I learned that I was expecting baby number three, I was extremely upset.
