Day 204 "Follow Me"

 

7/23/2025 

"As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus 

sitting at the tax office, and He said to him,

'Follow Me.' So, he arose and followed him.

Mark 2:14 

 

What was it that made Matthew (Levi) leave his job, no doubt a lucrative one, and follow Jesus? Just like that?! There's no indication in scripture that he had previous contact with Jesus, so what happened? 

I enjoy watching the series The Chosen, and the story of Matthew presents a possibility that seems plausible. Tax collectors were not well liked or respected, and choosing this profession, working for the Roman government brought shame on the entire family. In the series, the character of Matthew is portrayed as being autistic with noticeable quirks in his behavior, nonetheless a young man of unique capabilities - strategically sound wisdom, unmatched organizational skills, and a genius mathematically. He has done well for himself as a tax collector, and has become quite wealthy, but his father has disowned him, because of the shame he feels for Matthew's chosen vocation. Alphaeus, who once had his own business, lost it for the same reason, disgraced by his son's choices, so he had to travel from home with his new line of work. Once a respected member in the community, he also lost his status. But things changed when Jesus asked Matthew to "Follow Me." 

In the series, Matthew had observed Jesus with the people as He taught and performed miracles. He also witnessed the huge catch of fish Jesus had provided for Peter and Andrew. This was enough to peak Matthew's interest and bring more confusion to his troubled mind, as Matthew did not understand nor could he reason out the miracle he had witnessed. When Jesus passed by, looked eyeball to eyeball, and Jesus said "follow Me," Matthew heard the call and accepted it. Just like every other disciple. In John 10:27 Jesus, speaking to the crowd, said: "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." Somehow Matthew and each of the disciples heard and understood, and they chose to follow Jesus.

Whatever made the difference in Matthew's life, gave him the desire to radically change his life, giving up wealth, possessions, and a position with the Roman government, it took courage to throw it all away, to accept a life of poverty, having no home, traveling places where they may not be welcomed, entering the unknown. The other disciples had their own questions, I imagine, as total surrender did not come easy for any of them, and yet, He changed their thinking in an instant. For many, their testimonies are similar. When they encountered the living Son of God, they were blown away. The decision to follow Him was spontaneous.

For some, it comes naturally, no one's conversion to Jesus Christ has ever been the same. I was eight years of age when I made my decision to follow Jesus. For me it was an easy. I grew up going to church whenever the doors were open. My Mama and Grammy read their Bibles daily, served in church teaching the little children, giving to missionaries, tithing, and all the other things we are taught to do. They taught me to love the hymns. They taught me to pray, although I began to talk to Jesus at a very early age. He was my friend as I have testified before. I imagine it is the same or similar for many who are raised in the South, in country or rural areas, where we are protected from the outside in many ways. That is, until we become teenagers, and we become more aware of what was happening outside our four walls or those in the area around us. Our schools were country schools with teachers who lived in the area, were friends with our parents and grandparents, and many were school teachers, principals, deacons in our churches, or known locally. That's the way it was in rural America for me. I did not realize what a privilege it was until later in life. I wish more children were able to grow up loved and guided in this way. We still made mistakes, but we knew we were loved. But then, there are always exceptions, varying influences. Sadness and trauma. I know a bit of this also.

Television was not available to the public at large until the late 1940's and early 1950's, and I do not recall the first time our family had one. I was born in 1950, and we were not well off financially, so we may not have been able to afford a television until much later, and my Daddy was very protective of us when we did have one. Strangely, I do remember when Sputnik was launched by the Soviet Union on October 4, 1957, but as a small, tender child, I could not fully understand the significance of entering the space age. Children see "outer space" as the beautiful heavens we can see with our innocent eyes - sun, moon, stars, like a window to glimpse the face of God. We are taught of the kindly "man in the moon." Blessed with many creative gifts, my imagination had no boundaries, so I dreamed big dreams. God moved on my heart in so many ways back then in my early years.

I do not remember the first television evangelist, but I do remember attending every revival Central Baptist Church, Church Road, Virginia held when I was a child until my early adulthood. That's a lengthy legacy, and I am so grateful. When Jesus called me to give my life to Him, to follow Him, I was eight years old, and I approached the pastor to the following familiar words:

"Just as I am, without one plea, But that Thy blood was shed for me,

And that Thou bidd'st me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come! I come!"  

If my experience is like Matthew's, minus the mental challenges, although my son may say otherwise, then the power of the spoken Word, and the mysteries of the Gospel concerning Jesus Christ and His miraculous sojourn on this earth, are alone sufficient to draw a hungry and thirsty heart to Jesus when they hear Him say, "Follow Me." 

Day 203 Jesus, Have It All!

 

7/22/2025 

"He who dwells in the secret place of the

Most High shall abide under the 

shadow of the Almighty."

Psalm 91:1

 

My life is so full. And yet, a conundrum, a cacophony, a fractal. The important thing about my less than normal life is that I know that God smiles on me. He knows everything about me, naturally, because He created me to be "me." He knows what I'm thinking or if I'm not! He knows how I'm going to begin each day, and how it will end. He knows that even if I get a bit distracted and walk around in circles that I'll always be pulled back. Right now He knows that it's late, my legs are aching, because I cut grass and cut branches, and walked up and down the basement steps with laundry. He knows that I missed two prayer calls, one by mistake and the other from sheer exhaustion. He knows that I can "see" distractions, that I understand danger ahead, and He knows that my heart is aching for those who wait, who grieve, who are suffering, who need Jesus. He knows I'm spent, at the end of my proverbial rope as it relates to my family. He knows my heart, and He sees and loves me. I belong to Him. He is my Beloved, and I am His.

So I run into the secret place, and sit under the shadow of my Almighty God, and I silence my mind, crawl into His lap, and we discuss what's next.

"Awake, my soul, and sing of Him who died for thee,

 and hail Him as thy matchless King through all eternity."  

I received a text message Friday from my closest childhood friend, who at this moment in lounging with her family in blue Hawaii. And believe me, the waters are so blue and clean and amazingly beautiful. How I wish I could be there enjoying the grandeur of God's creation. And yet, I have traveled to so many places within our country, and regardless of whether the road takes me through lovely pastures with rolling hills, past countless lakes and streams, or through a dingy, dirty, traffic packed city, there is always something that is beyond imagination - "beautiful beyond comprehension; too marvelous for words" - when we consider the worlds His hands have made. Yes, I admit to having a tinge of jealousy, but it soon disappeared, and I can be content with where I am in this moment of time. I'm glad that she has a family who enjoys getting out of Dodge on occasion, and that three sisters, and sometimes the fourth, can enjoy time together for a much-needed rest.

After a morning of resting in God's glory, abiding in His grace, I soon return to the thoughts of the day. The Worship Watch at Kehilat HaCarmel in Haifa was a bit heavy, as was the prayer call with the embassy. Even my devotional, 60 Days of Prayer, urges us to be a voice for the voiceless, advocate for justice and compassion, and embrace the calling with joy. It's hard to think of suffering with joy, even harder to imagine when someone else is going through it, and we have no clue as to how it actually feels to walk their walk. On the call this morning, we had a mother of an IDF soldier/reservist who has been on active duty the past 270 days straight. She also has grandchildren in the service, so her heart is heavy. As Hannah spoke my heart ached for what she must feel and the strength she must have as she waits and watches. She said that the soldiers have to endure intense heat from the sun, dressed in their uniforms, armed with their weapons, although they do not always have the weapons they need. She shared that often they do not have enough food or water. There are those who are faithful to carry food to some areas, but they do not make it to all. The soldiers are not allowed to take their boots off while they are serving, for weeks on end. She prayed for protection and for their mental health. There have been suicides. Chaim Malespin, Sergeant Major of one of the ground units, who also runs the Aliyah Return Center, has been involved in the conflict since day one. He often speaks of the "lone soldiers" who are fighting in the war, but who do not have any family in Israel. The Aliyah Return Center provides rooms and support for these soldiers. Sadly, one committed suicide a week or two ago. Perhaps more, as there have been others who ended their lives, because they could not endure the thought of continuing in such a long conflict. Today marks 655 days since the war began. My heart bleeds for them, for their mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, wives, and children. For the lost and grieving. For the hostages who are in dark tunnels far beneath the ground, without proper nutrition, water, sanitary conditions, enduring torture, going without medical treatment. Hannah is a Messianic Jewish believer, so she has great faith to believe and trust God for her family's safety and return. But others do not believe, and this is another reason I am sad. Some of the released hostages have returned to serving God, but they still do not know Jesus, their Messiah. My hope, my prayer, is that as their faith in God has returned, so their hunger and thirst for more and more will lead them to find Jesus.

This evening I turned my focus to worship, as this is where I find my rest, my peace, my enduring hope, especially after such a heavy day. I was listening to Jesus Image, Sunday evening service, where Steffany Gretzinger was speaking about seeking Jesus. Jesus as our living water, our source, our well. In His Sermon on the Mount Jesus said: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." (Matthew 5:6) When He encountered the woman at the well in Samaria He said to her: "Whoever drinks o this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:13-14)

Because this woman heard the message Jesus spoke, understood, and accepted Him as the Source of all living water, as Messiah, upon her testimony, and entire village came running to hear the Good News from the Author and Finisher of our faith. 

"The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
The righteous run to it and are safe."

Proverbs 18:10

This woman at the well became the first evangelist when she spread the Good News throughout her town. Before she encountered Jesus at Jacob's well, she was a notorious sinner, shunned by her own people, as you may recall from her story in John 4. But Jesus changed her life, and He changes ours. I know He changed mine. The message is "never stop seeking Jesus." He alone is the giver of life who satisfies all our longings.

 

Day 202 Walking Well

 

7/21/2025 

 

Yesterday I spoke a little about the early church, and how the disciples turned the whole world upside down sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When Saul of Tarsus, whose name was changed to Paul, encountered Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus on his way to arrest Christians, his life changed dramatically. Paul, a Pharisee, persecuted the early Christians, dragging them out of their homes, arresting them for believing the message of Jesus Christ. When he met Jesus, all that changed, and Jesus called Paul to take the message to the Gentiles. I find it interesting that there has been a misunderstanding regarding God's chosen people and Israel's importance in end time prophecy. Replacement Theology has infiltrated the church and theological seminaries teaching that the Christian Church has replaced the Jews as the chosen people, and the Old Testament writings are thought to be no longer of importance. When the disciples set out to share the gospel, they did not have the New Testament, so they shared from personal experience of knowing Jesus and witnessing the miracles, hearing His teaching, and from the writings of the Old Testament prophets. The entire Old Testament prophesies of the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and from their testimony and the Word of God many were added to the church daily. Based on their experience and the writings of Paul, it is hard to believe that the church could become so confused. Paul write the book of Romans in response to wrong doctrines infiltrating the early church, and Romans 11 clearly states God's truth regarding the Jews as God's chosen people. This will never change, and the Old Testament as well as the New testifies of this truth.

On Mondays on the Christian Embassy call from Jerusalem, Dr. Jurgen Buhler, our CEO, has been sharing about how antisemitism seeped into the church nearly 1700 years ago when the the Council of Nicaea met to safeguard foundational beliefs, such as the identity of Jesus Christ and to set the date of Easter. Prior to this, Jews and Christians were on friendly terms, and they even worshiped together and were allowed in the synagogues. The Nicene Creed was written, but rather than make the relationship stronger, it lead to division. Fast forward to today, and we can see that the division has increased with antisemitism on the rise. It is important that the church get back to their Judeo-Christian roots.

In the afternoon I turned on an episode of Little House on the Prairie, about Nellie Olsen meeting the love of her life, which had always been the desire of her parents, particularly her mother, Harriet, who often is the life of the series with her antics. In this episode Nellie has already met and married Percival Issac Dalton Cohen, and his parents are coming for the birth of their first child. Harriet is upset about the parents being Jewish and if they will accept Nellie and her family. She is discussing this with her husband, Nels, when she makes a comment about their heritage. She said everyone had a country, but that the Jews were scattered all over the place. That made me sit up and take notice, and it made me think about how things are today about the country of Israel. People can grow up reading the Bible, and yet, they cannot understand that God gave the Jewish people the Promised Land through Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. I don't understand how this can be difficult to understand, as I have mentioned many times. I pray that this will change. Soon. For the sake of America.

I forgot to mention that yesterday, after Pastor Jonathan's message about service to one another, someone reached out to me in kindness. I had walked to church, as I live across the road, so it's not that far to walk, and I enjoy it. My cousin usually attends the first service, so we usually cross paths as he is leaving, and I am arriving. Everyone said it was hot, but I guess I don't notice it as much having lived in Northern New Mexico in dryer climate. Besides, there was a nice breeze. I had crossed the highway and was headed down the road when a truck almost passed me, but it stopped, and the young man asked if I wanted a ride home. I noticed that he was the man who generally sits behind me during the service. I thanked him, and told him that I lived just across the way and pointed to my house, as I was almost home. He insisted that it was too hot to be walking. I assured him that I was enjoying my walk, but I did appreciate his kind offer. He eventually went on his way. My legs were aching from work I had done in the yard on Friday, but I still was pretty brisk as I ventured along. Still it's nice that someone heard the message, and better still that someone reached out to me. It gave me hope.

Many thoughts pass through my mind. It seems as if my mind never rests, not when it comes to human suffering. I champion the rights of those the Lord loves and calls as His own, those who choose to walk the narrow road I have talked about so often. Each day Pastor Greg has a question from his daily devo or from the most recent message. The online community is growing and considering questions we cover in our groups. I think questions can be very beneficial for anyone, at any stage of their walk with Jesus. This is how we grow or why we stagnate. The one for today was:  "How do you know if you’re on the right road, spiritually speaking?" So, any thoughts?//

 

Day 201 Love Costs

 

7/20/2025

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud 

of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that so easily ensnares us, 

and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking

unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set 

before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down 

at the right hand of the throne of God." 

 Hebrews 12:1-2

 

Last night at Angel Stadium Harvest Ministries hosted their annual Harvest Crusade with 45,000 in attendance. This is Pastor Greg's 35th year of holding these crusades, but this year they had to turn people away, as the stadium was already filled to capacity! This morning we learned that 6500 made decisions for Christ. This included in person and those viewing online. At Angel Stadium there were so many people coming forward that the Fire Marshal had to stop the crowd. This is also a first, Pastor Greg shared. This should be exciting news in a world where there is such bad news daily; however, later today fellow Californian, Sean Feucht, a young worship leader, who founded the ministry Let Us Worship during the pandemic, sent a message saying that there have been disparaging comments posted by social media  regarding the Harvest Crusade. Sean has been holding his own meetings in every state and in certain countries in the world. He's excited about what God has been doing in California, as many have been praying for a great end time revival, but he is growing tired of the rude, judgmental comments of others, especially those who are in the body of Christ. Sean is not a stranger to criticism, but it never seems to stop his momentum, his zeal for the Lord. Still, his concern is well understood and well-said, as the Word of God is very clear about criticism made against His anointed. Life and death are indeed in the power of the tongue. 

The mission statement of Harvest Ministries is "To Know Jesus and Make Him Known." The crusade will be followed by baptisms at Pirate's Cove on August 16. Pirate's Cove is the site of the Jesus Movement baptisms and the location of the movie Jesus Revolution, detailing this movement in the 70's. This gathering for baptism at Pirate's Cove will be the 3rd Annual Jesus Revolution Baptism, where thousands of people will flock to take their next step of faith in their walk with Jesus. During the filming of Jesus Revolution, many spectators who were sitting on the rocks watching the baptism scene, and many who were in the crowd observing came forward to be baptized themselves. There have been other groups baptized at Pirate's Cove, and I have heard similar reports. It is amazing to watch what God is doing in the hearts of many today, mostly the youth. May the fire continue to fall!

Harvest's message this morning was entitled "Now What?: Being a Disciple & Making Disciples." We are ending our study of the book of Jonah, where the nation of Ninevah witnessed a mass revival in response to the reluctant prophet Jonah's call for repentance or destruction. Ninevah was a brutal nation, and they were given 40 days to change their ways. I believe that America has been given another chance to change our ways, but many do not seem to notice or pay attention to the many signs God is sending us. In my writings I have mentioned many times the increasing advance of the prophetic time clock as relayed by scripture. They are not my words, rather those spoken by God Himself in the Bible, God's written word. Jesus said many, even the very elect, would turn away from the truth, and I must say that I am witnessing that happen with increasing alarm. Jesus said many times in scripture that things hidden would be revealed, and they are. 

The early church formed by the disciples of Jesus, after He resurrection and ascension, was said to set the world on fire. The book of Acts describes the devotion of the early believers and their growth as they went out and fulfilled Jesus' last words found in Acts 1:8: "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." But following Christ came with a huge cost, as the religious leaders and others did not receive the message, as they did not while Jesus was on earth. All the disciples, except John, gave their lives for the Gospel. Although the enemy tried to kill John the Apostle many times, once by boiling him in oil, he was unsuccessful. John was eventually exiled on the island of Patmos where he authored Revelation - the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

Pastor Jonathan, Western Heights Baptist Church, continuing in our study of the gospel of Mark, spoke Sunday on The Cost of Compassion. The text is found in Mark 1:4-45, where it relayed the message of Jesus' encounter with a leper, who was supposed to remain a safe distance from others, and not to be seen in public. Leprosy was an incurable disease that presented with whitish or yellowish spots on the skin, then spread over the body. As the condition advanced it would literally eat up the tissues and bones causing extensive disfiguring and loss of finger, toes, and other parts of the body and face. Because it was highly infectious, the ill had to be quarantined. One location where lepers were isolated was the island of Molokai, an island of Hawaii. Pastor Jonathan mentioned Father Damien, the priest who served the lepers on this island, the priest I mentioned yesterday in my post on My Heroes of the Faith. His story is quite remarkable, and his life was one of selfless devotion to the most vulnerable of his time. After contracting the disease himself, he chose to remain on the island serving the people he loved, rather than leave for treatment. He died among those who loved him and whom he loved. His one request over the years he was on Molokai was for nuns to come and assist him. Prior to his death his dream was realized.

The cost of discipleship is indeed very high. There are many ways to serve, as not all can go to the mission field, and not all are willing to put themselves in harms way. I learned also this morning that Pastor Khaled Mezher of Good Shepherd Evangelical Church in Suwayda, Syria and his family and others were brutally murdered in church, during a proposed cease fire. Pastor Khaled had been converted from the Druze faith to Christianity for several years and was well loved. Over one hundred others have been murdered by this tyrannical regime now in power in the country of Syria, and in spite of the cease fire, the murders continue. This is one modern day example of the cost of living for Jesus. The author Tertullian said "The blood of martyrs is the seed of the church."

Silence in the face of such brutality has been the normal response. I make every attempt to post current news, but honestly, it comes so fast, from every country, every direction, that my head swims. It literally makes me sick knowing such brutality exists in this world. A world that has so much to be grateful for, yet it is never enough. The thirst for power is so great and so corrupt. I have said many time that there will come a time when a line has to be drawn in the sand. Jesus is coming back. The time to draw the line is now! 

Day 200 My Heroes of the Faith

 

7/19/2025

 "Each of you should use whatever gift you have

received to serve others, as faithful

stewards of God's grace."

1 Peter 4:10 

 

Yesterday I shared about the cost of following Christ, and I spoke of serving others as our highest call as followers of Christ. I spoke of intercessory prayer as it relates to laying down our lives, standing as mediator on behalf of another. Using the gifts God has given us in service to others. I ended by saying that I had heroes of the faith, those men and women, foreign missionaries, who have touched my life, because of their selfless love. I'd love to share a few with you:

 

 Father Damien de Veuster of Molokai

1840-1889 

  

 

 

I was first introduced to Father Damien from a movie about his life, Molokai - The Story of Father Damien, available on Amazon, Netflix, and YouTube. I have watched that movie over and over, and today I will watch it again. As I have said so many times, since early childhood my heart has been two fold, missions and prayer. When I see a movie about someone who risked it all for others, it captures my eye rather quickly. From the movie's account Father Damien was the only priest who accepted the call to go to America's only leper colony located on the Hawaiian Island of Molokai. The colony was controlled by the government, and people diagnosed with leprosy were relocated and quarantined, often without the needed medical supplies or suitable living conditions to make their lives as comfortable and up to human standards, meaning they lived in squalor. Not only did Father Damien selflessly go to the aid of these precious people, but he physically embraced them. He, like Jesus, was not afraid to touch them or breathe their air for fear of contracting the then incurable disease. "In September 1881, Princess Lili'uokalani, the future Queen of Hawaii, visited the leper colony of Kalaupapa n Moloka'i to present Father Damien with the Royal Order of Kalakaua. She was deeply moved by the suffering she witnessed and was unable to deliver her prepared speech, instead expressing her profound sorrow. This visit significantly increased awareness of Damien's work and the plight of those living in the settlement, leading to increased support from both within Hawaii and internationally." Father Damien served the citizens of Molokai for 16 years. In 1884 he contracted leprosy, but he refused to leave, remaining to care for the people he loved. He died from the painful, debilitating disease six years later. I will never forget him. How I wish I could have known him. 

 

 

I have long been acquainted from books with Jim Elliot and his wife Elisabeth, whose devotionals I enjoy and share on Facebook on occasion. I have read Jim's journals written by Elisabeth (The Journals of Jim Elliot by Elisabeth Elliot) detailing their lives as missionaries to the Auca Tribe of Ecuador, the Waorani or Huaorani people, along with four other evangelicals and their families. The journal, however, details Jim's earlier life, his call, his passion, his friendship with Peter Fleming, marriage to Elisabeth, and continues until the end of his life. The four missionaries accompanying Jim to Ecuador were Pete Fleming, Nate Saint,  Ed McCully, and Roger Youderian. Their deaths in January 2, 1956 shocked the world. After their deaths, Elisabeth stayed and lived and served as a missionary for two years in the very village of those who murdered her husband. Elisabeth Elliot has written many books since that time, Through Gates of Splendor being one of my particular favorites. Although Elisabeth died in 2015 her devotionals and books are loved by many, including this writer.

 

 Mother Teresa

 

 

 Saint Francis of Assisi

Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone, known as Francis of Assisi, was an Italian aristocrat who fell in love with Jesus through the help of a leper God strategically placed in his life. His father was a wealthy merchant of cloth, so Francis was accustomed to a life of affluence. After meeting a leper, Francis gave it all up to serve the underprivileged and poor, and he became a friend and caretaker to all animals and a nature lover. He founded the Franciscan Order in the Catholic Church and became an itinerant preacher. Later, he was called Patron Saint of Animals. He did not live an easy life, as he was called to live in poverty, and his family did not take kindly to this extreme transformation. There are several movies available on his life and ministry, as well as one regarding his friendship and love for a nun named Clare. I have not delved into this friendship, but the movie shows the close relationship they shared. I believe there is also a movie called Clare and Francis. Francis was famous for the quote: "The deeds you do may be the only sermon someone may hear today." He was also quoted as saying, "Preach the Gospel at all times and if necessary use words," but there has been some dispute regarding whether he said these words or not. They are, nonetheless, in keeping with the initial quote above.

 

 

Betsie ten Boom 

 

Corrie ten Boom

 

 

Corrie ten Boom and her sister Betsie are very well know from Corrie's popular story The Hiding Place written about her experience during the Holocaust. Corrie was a watchmaker along with her father, Casper ten Boom and lived in Nazi-occupied Netherlands with her father and sister, Betsie. During the Nazi occupation the ten Booms sheltered 800 Jewish citizens in their home, and they were successful for four years until in 1944 a Dutch informant turned them in. They were transported to the concentration camp in Ravensbrück, where both her father and her sister died. Corrie was miraculously spared by a clerical error in the records, and she was released on December 30, 1944. Her book is a memoir of this experience. Corrie has written several books, traveled, and lectured for many years until her death in 1983. I still love listening to her conversations that can be found on YouTube. She lived a remarkable life, and God has used her to teach others what it means to forgive those who mistreat and abuse others. In fact, at a meeting she attended, Corrie met and forgave the man who mistreated and horribly abused her sister, Betsie, while in the camp. He was a transformed man who had found the forgiveness of his Savior and would find forgiveness from one of those he mistreated at the camp. Corrie had said in her talks that she never thought she would be able to forgive the one responsible for her sister's death, even though before her death, Betsie forgave him and asked Corrie to do the same. Betsie's soft-spoken words to Corrie were: "No, don't hate, Corrie. You must love and forgive." God provided the opportunity, and both Corrie and the former Nazi soldier found the peace of God.

 

 

 Katie Davis Majors

 

 

Katie Davis (later married to Benji Majors) is probably not known by most people unless they are familiar with the story of a young, 18 year old young lady who made her first missionary trip to Uganda in December 2006. In short, Katie fell in love with the people and after returning home from her missionary trip, she returned to Uganda in less than a year to stay, and she founded Amazima Ministries in 2008. Her story is incredible, as she used the money she had saved for college to accomplish the impossible. Because of the severe needs of the area, the poverty, lack of nutrition, homes, and the people's need for medical attention, Katie began to champion the rights of the people of Jinja, and she eventually became the mother of thirteen young girls. Today she is the mama to 15 beautiful children and her adoring husband, Benji, her best friend. If you desire to read an incredible story, read Katie's first book, Kisses from Katie. Katie had other plans for her life, but on her first missionary trip Jesus showed her a better plan.

So there you have the names of only some of the people I've come to know, missionaries who selflessly gave of their lives for others. How I wish I could have been Katie back in the day, as she is living the dream I had for my life. But God...! Somehow every opportunity that came my way from youth to adulthood did not lead to the path I had chosen. God in His grace and mercy finally made a way in a series of disappointments for me to experience ten days of service to the Mayan Indians in the jungles of Belize in 1986, before we moved to Northern New Mexico, where I remained for 35 years before coming home to Virginia. But God had done so much more for me on my path, my right road. Since I have been alone, God has healed my health and restored my life in ways I could never have dreamed possible. As I have testified before, He made it possible for me to be handed jobs where, though I did not hold the required proper credentials, yet the experience in life God had provided along the way proved of greater value than academic accolades. Jesus always makes a way where there seems to be no way. I am a living testament. 

This year in August I will welcome 75 years of life, and although it has not been an easy one, it has been one amazing adventure, and although I would never want to repeat one day of it, I thank God for my life. It has taught me to love Jesus as my first Love, my only Love. Without Him I would never have lived, and He has given me so much more love for other people. We live in a depraved world, devoid of love, true love. If I can give back something to others, even if only one learns the love of Christ, my life will have been worth it all. Never give up on your dreams. I won't, and I'm not done yet!

 

Day 199 It's All About JOY

 

7/18/2025

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,

that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, 

acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed 

by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove 

what is that good and acceptable and 

perfect will of God."

 

Romans 12:1-2 

Today, when I was trying to look back over my blogs, I realized that I had never posted the one for the 7/13/2025 Embrace Silence. I attempted to read back over it to make sure it sounded right, but my efforts were fruitless, as I couldn't remember the point, until I looked back through my minimal notes and added a closing remark. Hopefully, it makes sense, but then, there are those times when I wonder if anything I write makes sense. I've been trying so hard to get posts written daily, but it seems that all my best efforts are not cutting it. One day, when my book is written, or perhaps a few of them, I will laugh when I remember how frantic I was just trying to be obedient in my "day of small beginnings." Somehow, knowing the Lord, as I believe I do, I don't think He's nearly as concerned with my messing up as much as He is about my obedience. He sees the desires of my heart, and He knows my intentions are pure, so I guess I just need to breathe, and keep writing.

The scriptural reference for today was one I had on my mind, then, as is God's way, the same verse was in my 60 Days of Prayer devotional and in a message I heard. That's the way many of these posts begin, with nudging from God. It seems to open up the "theme of the day," so to speak, as my days always begin with a briefing in my quiet times with the Lord. Everything eventually ties in and wraps itself around what I need to know or to pay attention to for the day, or maybe just for a moment, a phone call, or a text message. It's about being ready to give the reason of hope within me (1 Peter 3:15).

This morning Dutch Sheets in Give Him 15, presented a short message called "God's 'Kiss' for Suffering Humanity." Dutch began by sharing about his and a friend's attempts to climb Pike's Peak, with an elevation of 14, 114 feet, a major feat, attempted by many, as it is a popular tourist destination. He shifted to Mount Calvary, and Jesus' amazing "climb" while bearing our burdens on His back, the weight of every "sin, sickness, suffering, despair, rejection" strapped to His back as He hung on the cross and died, sacrificing His life for ours. As Christians we come to Christ, recognizing our sin, seeking forgiveness, accepting His sacrifice, surrendering our lives to a life hidden in Christ, forever changed, transformed! When someone makes a profession of faith, deciding to put off the old life and be born again, the price is high, the sacrifice costly. Jesus does not promise us an easy life. In fact He says that they (the world) hated Him, so they would hate us all the more. That can be a chilling thought, I guess, but somehow, it never registered with me. I never thought about someone hating me, because I chose to follow Jesus, but this reality seems to be more obvious every day, all over this world, and even on the streets of America. 

In sharing the suffering of Christ, the laying of our burdens on Him, Dutch shared that the Hebrew word for "laid upon" is the Old Testament word for "intercession." As intercessors we stand in the gap for others, we "bear the burdens" of another in prayer. We share in their suffering, taking their place in prayer. I've mentioned before how Moses and Daniel stood in the gap for the people of Israel, taking on the sins of the nation, even though they were not personally involved. We approach the throne of God humbly seeking forgiveness, first for ourselves before we offer one prayer. Each day, I ask God to search me, try me, see if there is anything wicked, wrong in any way, and if so to clean me up. I don't want anything between God and me. I need that relationship unhindered by personal sin. So, we examine ourselves daily. 

Recently in a discipleship community we were asked how our lives had changed since becoming a follower of Christ Jesus. Each day has always been a new adventure for me. I've been a Christian for a very long time, but as a child I talked with Jesus about everything! And I still do that. From start to finish of a day, and each time I wake up in the night. Sometimes, when asked to pray, I just start talking to Abba as if I'm finishing up an ongoing conversation. Once I started out like that after reading a few Bible verses, and all of a sudden, I stopped praying, and said, "Oh, Father, forgive me, I didn't even praise You," and then I began to thank Him and praise Him as I do when I begin to pray. I guess they thought, "what is this ole lady doing?!" I can laugh about it now, but at the time, after the call, the enemy came tip toeing in, bringing it back to mind, suggesting I made myself look foolish in front of seasoned intercessors. I must say he had me going for a very brief moment, but then, it really doesn't matter, does it? I'm not praying so anyone can check out my style, or see how "holy" I am. Intercessory prayer is like all prayer for me, because I'm talking to my Father. I don't need to pretend anything. It's from the heart.

What has changed in my life is the compassion and mercy I feel towards others who desperately long to live their lives for Christ, those who are seeking, and even those who don't have a clue! They know they're in trouble, but they need help we know only Jesus can give. When Jesus died on the cross, and when Stephen was stoned, they both said the same thing, "Father, please don't hold this against them! They don't know what they're doing!" And the lost do not understand, they cannot see. The enemy of this world blinds the world from the truth, the truth that can set them free. I've mentioned before that I asked God to break my heart for what breaks His, and He answered that prayer. But again, it is a costly sacrifice. 

While Dutch was talking, I was thinking about my heroes of the faith, who gave up their lives to answer the call of God. I always wanted to go into full time ministry work, a desire since childhood. Reading was one of my favorite hobbies, and reading about missionaries was a regular pastime. In my mental travels I have been on more adventures, even into more hostile countries, but I have always had a heart for the continent of Africa, the small country of Kenya. I love to watch movies set in Africa. There are so many heroes of the faith, those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to others. That's really what we're called to do, isn't it? Serve? 

Day 198 Promises to Keep

 

7/17/2025 

"It is better not to make a vow than to

make one and not fulfill it."

Ecclesiastes 5:5

 

One of the lessons my daddy taught me, one I have never forgotten, is to always keep promises, to be a woman of my word. I remember him telling me that he purchased his home with a handshake before the promissory note was ever written. Things were different back then, but good character was  known and respected. Back then daddy wasn't attending church; that happened later after the birth of his first grandchild, my daughter. How her life made such a difference I will never know or understand, but he was transformed. When I was young he always made sure we were in church whenever the doors were open, and he never forbid my mama or us from attending church services or any event. He worked the 3 pm -11 pm shift, so he slept in on his days off which happened to be Sunday and Monday. I remember we had to practically tiptoe through the house on those days, and oddly, even a friend remembered we had to be quiet when he was home. But I never remember him saying a cross word if we did awaken him, because he did have a tempestuous side, and he could flare up at times.

Things have changed considerably since the days my parents and grandparents lived. People still make promises, but they seldom remember making them, I guess. A handshake may be exchanged, but even so, the promise to get back to you never happens. I think the world moves too swiftly, and most everyone has to balance things and plan strategically. Even then, some things don't work out, and people are left wondering what happened. There is seldom follow up as a reminder of an appointment or an event or pledge to do work. There are fewer reminders of appointments by doctors' offices. We tend to take things for granted, expect people to understand when we never tell them differently, when we don't show up. Sadly, sometimes I feel that my best intentions of trying to keep in touch with folks seldom works out. I feel as if my life is out of control many times, and no matter how hard I try to "fit in" every thing or every person, I can't. It is simply impossible, so I should not expect more of myself than I am able to actually commit to do.

This morning I spent some time thinking about letters I want to write. People I want to call. When I first moved back home I had more time to call friends in New Mexico, but as time went on, the calls became less frequent. Writing has become a lost art, but I do still love to send cards with notes inside. I seem to get lost in my thoughts or prayers often, so what I start I seldom finish. I need to be more intentional. In Ecclesiastes King Solomon says that there is a time for every season:

"To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: 

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pluck what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to gain, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war and a time of peace." (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)  

I wonder what season of life I am in. I know that chronologically I am a senior, but mentally I don't feel as if I'm ready to be put out to pasture. Since I've been here I have fallen several times, because of my own antics, not necessarily because I am clumsy from advancing age. God has mercifully kept me safe, and if I did fracture something, at least it healed on its own. The chronic pain from some accidents do come back to haunt me at times, but there is little that can be done, so I have learned to grit and bear it. Plus I bounce back every time, in short order. I am determined to go on and finish my race. Trying not to look back, only forward, focusing on the Captain of the Armies of Heaven. On this one thing I am steadfast.

I don't have promises to keep, at least none that I recall, except those made to myself which do affect others or influence them possibly. God has promises He will keep. I have no doubt. There are things that need doing, and those to get done. People to write and people to see. The Rowland reunion will be a promise to keep, as I would only miss it if there was a reason I could not. Making time for people is never a waste of time. 

When I moved back, several people made promises to visit, to come, to call, and for one reason or another, the promise did not pan out. But I wait, and I won't give up hope. One day I'll be pleasantly surprised. For now, I intend on doing better locally, catching up with friends and family. Planning my strategy for taking a road trip in autumn. My eyes are focused forward, trained on the Captain of the Armies of Heaven. Promises to keep. 

Day 194 Embrace Silence

 

7/13/2025 

"You are my hiding place; 

You shall preserve me from trouble;

You shall surround me with

songs of deliverance."

Psalm 32:7  

 

Sunday morning, and the sun is up and glowing! It's been a still, quiet night of rest, and although I feel a little tired from my late night on the wall, it didn't take long to shake off the fatigue and embrace the day. I'm anxious to get to church to worship and fellowship with friends. It's been slow going for me meeting ladies, making friendships, renewing old ones. Thirty-five years away is a long time, and people forget, as have I, but once our names are shared, memories return. Friendships are revived, and new memories  begin. 

Pastor Jonathan has been teaching from the book of Mark, and as always, his message was delivered in strength, clarity, and passion. My parents would be so pleased with their pastor who is growing up spiritually to be a mighty man of God, in love with his Savior. There's so much going on in the church with opportunities for ministry, service to the community, personal discipleship, and on and on. I do hope I will be able to adjust my overly busy schedule to be able to become more involved, because community is vital to the growth of the church and the individual. Besides, I have been absent, living far away, and it's time to catch up.

I was very excited to catch up with an old friend at church this morning, whom I'd not seen for years. She's a friend on Facebook, but that is not a place where I hang out much, except to post ministry stuff, but I think I might start paying a little closer attention. As I mentioned in yesterday's post, I have been overly suffocated with all the work this old house needs, and yet I am grateful to have a home, and my parent's home at that. Now, I just need to get it rejuvenated! I was sharing with my neighbor this morning that my mama and daddy always had such beautiful flowers. The yard was perfect with rose bushes strategically landscaped, azaleas graced the front of the house, and crepe myrtle and forsythia bushes lined the boundaries of the yard. Mama and daddy worked endlessly to keep the flowers in peak condition, and they also managed to plant a small vegetable garden. They loved sharing their bounty with neighbors and family. Both had giving spirits, and I guess that character trait rubbed off on me and my sister as well. I'm grateful for the heritage, the blessed memories, and the ability to share with others. 

This afternoon I finished with our study of Jonah with Pastor Greg at Harvest Ministries. Whenever the book has been studied before, the focus was always on the great fish, but there's much more to the story than the fish. Whatever we study, the focus is always on developing our character so that we grow to be more and more like Jesus each day. Jonah accomplished his task, howbeit somewhat reluctantly, but it is my prayer that he repented in the end and found peace. God's forgiveness of Nineveh lasted for 100 years before they reverted back to old habits, but their repentance upon hearing the message of the Lord, delivered by Jonah, was true, and every person in that land took part in that prayer meeting. 

From Nineveh I traveled to Redding, California via livestream, where I attended the 25th anniversary of Brian and Jenn Johnson's ministry through worship and song. Their gifts and talents are beyond miraculous, and their ability to truly worship in spirit and truth, as Jesus described to the woman at the well, goes beyond words I can utter. They usher in the presence of Holy Spirit who draws us into the very throne room of God. And it's not just music, but their ability to empty themselves of anything that stands in the way of loving God, loving Jesus, and abiding in His presence. I know that personally their songs come from lives surrendered to Jesus, in true reverence to God as the Author and Finisher of our faith. Pastor Bill shared a message about extravagant worship, sharing from Mark 14:3-9 when Jesus was at Bethany visiting the home of Simon the leper. A woman came into the home where they were sharing a meal, coming uninvited, not considered a woman of good reputation. Other passages suggest she was Mary, Lazarus' sister, but in Mark her identify was vague. What is known is that she brought with her a flask of spikenard, a costly oil, that she poured on his head:

"And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, 'Why was this fragrant oil wasted? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.' And they criticized her sharply. But Jesus said, 'Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial. Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her." 

After this Judas Iscariot was filled with the desire to betray Jesus, the scriptures say. He was indignant about this woman spending money that could have been used to feed the poor, when in truth, he could care less about that. He was stealing from the group purse already. This lady came uninvited to someone's home, and she anointed Jesus, wiping his feet with her hair, she pouring her love out on Him, and it cost her dearly, because culturally this type of behavior was not tolerated. She gave Him her all, holding nothing back.

Another time in scripture we see an example of extravagant giving. In 2 Samuel 24 when the prophet of God confronts King David about his sin in taking an unauthorized census, the Lord sends an angel to destroy Jerusalem, but Daniel begged God not to destroy the people for his sin. When God heard David's plea for mercy, the angel was standing near the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. So God spoke to the prophet Gad telling him to instruct David to make an altar on this threshing floor to atone for his sin. When Daniel goes and speaks to Araunah about buying the property, Araunah tells David to take it, but David will not:

"Now Araunah looked, and saw the king and his servants coming toward him. So Araunah went out and bowed before the king with his face to the ground. Then Araunah said, 'Why has my lord the king come to his servant?' And David said, 'To buy the threshing floor from you, to build an altar to the LORD, that the plague may be withdrawn from the people.' Now Araunah said to David, 'Let my lord the king take and offer up whatever seems good to him. Look, here are oxen for burnt sacrifice, and threshing implements and the yokes of the oxen for wood.. All these, O king, Araunah has given to the king.' And Araunah said to the king, 'May the LORD your God accept you.' Then the king said to Araunah, 'No, but I surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God with that which costs me nothing.' So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. And David built there an altar to the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD heeded the prayers for the land, and the plague was withdrawn from Israel." (2 Samuel 24:29-25).

David knew he could not offer a sacrifice to God that cost him nothing. It had to be costly, extravagant, and not so much as monetary, but in his act of sacrifice, an act of worship, David gave his best.

My day from start to finish was one of thanksgiving, deep gratitude, for the lessons I learned, the journeys I enjoyed, the grace of God I received. It was a day of silence as I listened, as I remembered, and as I learned. A wonderful way to spend Sunday, a day of rest and reflection, in the presence of God and friends. A day of silence with my extravagant King who gave His very life for me. He gave His all.

Day 197 It is Enough

 

7/16/2025

"I will praise You with my whole heart; 

before the gods I will sing praises to You.

The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; 

Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever;

do not forsake the works of Your hands."  

Psalm 138:1, 8

 

As I read through the Psalms my heart is full of praise and adoration to the One who loves me, who gave His life for me, the One who holds me in the palm of His hand, and the One who crafted me in my mother's womb before time began. It is easy for me to exalt His name. If He had only breathed the breath of life into my lungs, it would have been enough.

 

That phrase, "it would have been enough" reminds me of a Jewish tradition that I first heard while watching the fifth season of The Chosen. As part of the Jewish tradition, on Passover, during the seder meal, the Dayenu (It Would Have Been Enough), a traditional song, is sung or recited during the sharing of the story of the Exodus. It is a series of stanzas describing moments during the exodus from Egypt and what follows as God leads His people to freedom and gives them His laws to govern their lives. The Dayenu:

"If He had taken us out of Egypt and not made judgements on them; it would have been enough for us.

If He had made judgments on them and had not made them on their gods; it would have been enough for us. 

If He had made them on their gods and had not killed their firstborn; it would have been enough for us.

If He had killed their firstborn and had not given us their money; it would have been enough for us. 

If He had given us their money and had not split the Sea for us; it would have been enough for us.

If He had split the Sea for us and had not taken us through it on dry land; it would have been enough for us.

If He had taken us through it on dry land and had not pushed down our enemies in the Sea; [it would have been] enough for us.

If He had pushed down our enemies in the Sea and had not supplied our needs in the wilderness for forty years; it would have been enough for us.

If He had supplied our needs in the wilderness for forty years and had not fed us the manna; it would have been enough for us.

If He had fed us the manna and had not given us the Shabbat; it would have been enough for us.

If He had given us the Shabbat and had not brought us close to Mount Sinai; it would have been enough for us.

If He had brought us close to Mount Sinai and had not given us the Torah;  it would have been enough for us.

If He had given us the Torah and had not brought us into the land of Israel; it would have been enough for us.

If He had brought us into the land of Israel and had not built us the ‘Chosen House’ the Temple; it would have been enough for us."

When I think of all He has done for me, for my family, I could write a similar song, and perhaps one day I will. Maybe it is worth considering by each person who reads this post. What would you say to God? We don't have to wait for Passover, or Easter, if you're a Gentile believer, thank Him for all He has done. There are books written on gratitude, and it is a character of Christ that I want to develop better. I have had to adjust my attitude more than once this week. The past two weeks have been particularly stressful for me. I am discovering that I just cannot do as much as I used to do, so I pray that I can learn to adjust my expectations for myself to better accommodate my seniority status. And then, why settle for half a life! Trees here I come! Maybe I'll buy some new roller blades too! Now all I need to do is get a few of my sedentary friends out of their rocking chairs and off the sofa!

Let's see...I have a high school get together coming up this month, and a family reunion the week before the high school gig, so I have concrete plans. On the invitation for the family reunion it reads: "Let's gather for laughs, hugs, and catching-up that is long overdue." Plus food!! It will be nice to see all my cousins again. Many I have not seen since we were little, and the others mostly at the last funeral not too long ago. When we were kids we got together at my grandparents' house, but I've already written about that, right?! So many years ago, and the memories remain fresh. It brings a smile to my face, and a bit of laughter, depending on which cousin!!

Who knows, I may come with a Dayenu just for the occasion.  

Day 196 More of the Same?

  

7/15/2025

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me

you may have peace. In the world you will

have tribulations; but be of good cheer,

I have overcome the world."

John 16:33

  

As usual, I got a late start on this tonight, so I'll be posting tomorrow. The rain was supposed to come this afternoon, then later, much later, but it never came!! I decided to avoid the outside work with the exception of watering plants, checking for cucumbers, encouraging my zucchini plants to rise and shine, and to feed and brush Alex who happened to come looking for food. That rascal cat does not seem to notice that the berries he has been rolling in have matted his fur so badly that I will have no choice but to cut them out. He did the same thing last year, but gradually I was able to groom him without leaving obvious bald spots. He has his dignity!

Today we spent the morning looking at the flooding in the basement, on the side my daddy had carpeted, that now is my son' beloved dungeon. There is a crack in the foundation which may have been from normal settling over the years, but I am sure it was aided by the rock quarry blasts that have shaken our homes for all the years I can remember. The house is brick, and the walls are plastered, and more than once I have witnessed a crack spread across the wall or ceiling in response to the blasting up the road. Other neighbors report the same experience, but there is little we can do. There was also a split in the tubing to the sump pump, so Daniel had to race against time, as the water rose to replace the damaged tubing with a new one. Fortunately, we keep those things on hand. In spite of the spewing water from the split, the sump pump managed to keep the water down. It has rained so many days, but fortunately other than the basement, we are in good shape. My maple tree hasn't lost any more limbs, and the crepe myrtles are blooming!

Monday night, around supper time, I noticed that we had a little visitor camping out under the stove. So, this afternoon I had to pull out all the pans in the drawer beneath the stove, clean the floor and then the drawer. We set a trap, and I proceeded to scour the pans. Noticing that some of the older muffin pans and flat pans belonging to my mama needed a little extra tender loving care, I decided I'd spend some extra time scrubbing. Before mama passed away she became a little despondent, so perhaps that's why things were not as tidy. My mama and daddy had always been sticklers for tidiness, so this gave me much to consider as I tried my best to restore the old friends. This ole place needs so much work, and all I want to do is to make it sparkle and shine again. One day at a time, I guess.

I managed to fit in vacuuming dead bugs from the windows, and a few dead ones Mia had enjoyed and abandoned for me to clean up on the floor. Next, the bathroom floor and a little nick and tuck. At least it's a good start...or finish seeing that it is late now. 

I missed a couple of online meetings, but I did attend a new training for Harvest, and I tuned in to the Faith Advisory Council prayer time. Fortunately, I did not have to "make an appearance" as the calls were audio only; I was a little messy from the day's cleaning. 

Things like this may be unpleasant, like flooding in the basement and the smells that accompany it, or my little visitor who left me a few memories of his visit under the stove. Most things are just life, and regardless of how tedious mundane things become, we praise God for the blessings He has given to us.

The day began with praise and it ended the same. There were a few emails and news bulletins that disturbed me, and I prayed that God would divinely intervene. Jesus warned us that things were going to happen, and people would be deceived. I must admit that it is very disturbing to see people I care about and love struggle over the basics of faith in God. Wars and rumors of war, changes in weather conditions increasing rapidly across the globe, many people are dying, most I pray are ready to meet Jesus. Only He knows the number of our days.

What is unbelievable to me is that people are not aware, regardless of the warnings from people who know, that advancements in technology or science are not necessarily better or of God. I am extremely concerned with the introduction of AI into every area of life. The pop ups on my computer with Windows 11 are aggravating to say the least. I have denied access to these programs, but they continue to show up asking if I need help. The same with the advent of TikTok the social media god of this age. It was developed by Chinese entrepreneurs, but the majority of the company is owned by "global institutional investors," according to Google. Still, so many young people have been exposed to evil on this app, yet adults find it to be as popular as the younger generations in spite of warnings. Your will, Father, be done on earth as it is in Heaven.

Over the months, and at least two years, I have stopped following certain ministries, as I am witnessing fear over faith. There's been talk of storing up for the tribulation to include arms and munitions. It almost sounds like the movie, Red Dawn! Another concern is about buying gold and protecting our 401k. Honestly, my 401k is so small that it wouldn't exchange for much. Plus one has to have money in order to exchange for gold or silver. The point is there is incessant chatter about this subject. I was appalled that a leader I follow, who had scheduled a meeting to pray for the floods in Texas began by speaking of purchasing gold. Scripture is being used, and I am getting dizzy by it all. I don't understand panic, and I have witnessed more and more. My Bible says to keep my eyes on Jesus! He is the Commander of the Army, and the one who watches over me. He tells me to cut the head off the snake. There are many things that I do understand, and I still prefer sitting in God's presence, talking to Him, listening. I have faith that God will guide in what I may or may not need to do.

There are other things, I probably could go on all night. Tomorrow is another day!  

Day 195 Ceaseless Chatter

 

7/14/2025

"Why do the nations rage, and the 

people plot a vain thing?"

Psalm 2:1

  

Monday already? Like I said, these days are flying by! On Mondays we have been revisiting the Nicene Creed, and learning how antisemitism crept into the church at the meeting of the Nicaean Council. Something seemingly beneficial and God-honoring turns around and causes great harm to the Jewish and Christian people. It's just that, only the Jewish people realize it! That's because many Christians have believed the lie that they have replaced the Jewish people as God's chosen, and salvation is coming through the church. This is an obvious error that comes when someone does not know the word of God. It is called Replacement Theology, and it's been around as long as hatred has. Romans 12:1 exhorts us "To study to show oneself approved unto God, workmen who need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." So, why don't we? 

Antisemitism is another form of racism, another form of prejudice. It has been present in our world since the beginning of time, beginning with the Tower of Babel when people are dispersed over the earth to do what God had told them to do in the first place, be fruitful and multiply." But no, just like man today, they wanted to "be" God, not obey Him.

I think I became more aware of evil involving certain events in history when I was 13 years of age. I formulated my thoughts about the assassinations of President Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert Kennedy as a young girl just watching people and listening to the things they said. I could see a lie in an eye way back then, and it's pretty much the same today. In fact, I make people uncomfortable at times, because I look into the face of the one speaking with me, and I can tell a lot. Over the years the skill has grown, and God has given me an education I wouldn't have easily learned in medical school, had I gone, or in the educational or mental health fields. I also worked using my creative, entrepreneurial gifts, again God-given when I needed to earn a living and take care of my kids. Just to be clear, my husband of 25 years wasn't shy about doing any honest work that would put food on the table and keep us in our home and bills paid. I worked to make additional income needed for other necessities - like clothing, healthcare. We worked together back then. And, I wish I had just gone to work at the college when I moved there, as a door was open working in the lab. I was trained in electron microscopy, and they needed one. I don't know how they learned about me, but I chose to remain home, help out at the store, and acclimate the children to a new culture. The point is that we used the good sense and the talents God had instilled into us in order to take care of our children, and we helped others who needed help. I come from a long line of service-minded folks who help others. I do not intend to change my ways.

Going back to the intention of my comment above regarding being able to "read" people, it turns out, as information is becoming public, that I had some things right, that is for a 13 year old who thought John, Martin, and Bobby could do no wrong. Hey, wasn't there a song written with a similar name? Oh, yes, Abraham, Martin and John by Dion, about Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, and John and Bobby Kennedy. That was one thing about the days when I was growing up, songs meant something. I guess that was called rebellion, then activism, and now it is plain ole fanaticism and misconceptionalism. That's my word for it.

I have another gift - mercy, and I can see the character of a person in their eyes, what they say, and mostly what they do. I wish more people would take the time to learn to listen, and to understand before jumping to conclusions and making false judgments: "For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment." (James 2:13). Imagine how things might work a lot better if all people learned to play well together.

Working with people with disabilities, physical, mental, educational, traumatic, and on and on, taught me to become an even better listener. I can understand changes in the Medicaid and Medicare systems, because I've seen waste, fraud, and abuse, in fact in our annual trainings, case managers and others involved in providing services were taught to identify fraud, waste, and abuse. There were days I would become very agitated observing potential clients who could perform tasks without a hint of disability or impaired acuity or anything! Since I lived with chronic back, hip, and neck pain and constant headaches - spinal, migraine, sinus, and cluster, I did have a few bad days. That list did not include the diagnoses and surgeries to correct things or years of insomnia. Have you ever had a doctor tell you that you should be dead? And all this is only the tip of the iceberg, but the experience of learning to cope aided me in assessing the needs of a person. There are many variables. So having said all of that, I want to say that I think change is due, and I am glad Robert Kennedy, Jr. is making some changes. I pray it turns out well. I just wish people would wait and see instead of speculating and talking about things they know nothing about. Please learn to check out facts yourself, and if you need help, let me know. I'm a researcher too. Care to know a bit about the SARS-CoV-2?

So, let's see - all of the above complicating life as we know it - lies, cover ups, wrong assumptions, and blah, blah, blahs! But that wasn't the worst of it. I'd already been watching Little House on the Prairie too much last week, reliving some of Laura Ingalls Wilder's stories of growing up on the prairie, told by Michael Landon, who wrote Highway to Heaven. I wonder what stories he'd tell today if were still alive...about mistreatment of others because of age, status, or race? The fact that children are taught to spread such hatred, contempt, total disregard for a person's needs, abilities, or rights to be treated fairly, respectfully, or with human kindness, or Christian love. That aside, I was checking my daily news feed to see how my boys and girls (IDF soldiers) were doing, and an article caught my eye. 

 

'Kill All Jews': Elmo's X Account infiltrated by antisemitic hacker

The article included more vile words aimed at Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump and towards the nation of Israel. It is a horrible shame that such moral depravity exists in our world. The article said that it was "tweeted" which I assume means it was plastered all over the web. This is bad enough, but children see this and are affected by it. We are surrounded by young generations filled with so much confusion that adults have allowed to infiltrate society through their immoral, lawless, godless ways. There is no compassion, certainly no love or regard in any way for the well-being of another. Just because someone may choose to live their lives in the cesspool doesn't mean they have to drag everyone else with them, nor does it mean we splatter it all over the world as if it were good news. Especially the young, impressionable youth, who, if Jesus tarries, will be leaders in this world. What kind of world will that be? We who walk with the Lord are responsible to set righteous examples for the world to see. Jesus said to love God and love each other. It doesn't mean agree with everything they say or do, but loving everyone regardless is what He said do. Pray for a heart of compassion, and show this example to the world, rather than the latest gossip about which pastor fell from grace this week. 

Day 193 Buyer's Remorse?

 

7/12/2025

"A man's heart plans his way, but

the LORD directs his steps."

Proverbs 16:7   

 

I find myself at a loss for words again. This entire week has gone by so quickly that I forgot what day it was. I have been so messed up at times, confused and not knowing what to do first. There's so many things I need to do and want to do, that it becomes seemingly impossible to formulate a basic plan. Besides that, I cannot seem to find anyone who wants to work or friends who want to help. I guess I have lived too long, and the days of Little House on the Prairie, when friends helped friends, are long gone. The sad part is that even my widowed or single friends can't find anyone to help them either. So, I am determined to do the work myself, with the assistance of YouTube videos and a lot of prayer. 

It's been raining off and on most of the week, so the grass has grown up, and has been badly in need of cutting. We have a self-propelling push mower, but at times it just cannot make it through the dense grass in the back yard close to the ditch. Between the wind and the birds, most of the grass seed has ended up in that part of the back yard, making it almost impossible at times to cut. It certainly is becoming a work out for me, but I do eventually get it done. I must admit that the grass is beautiful, because I do not see one weed, although I'm sure that a little wire grass may be hiding between the blades. Yesterday I was able  to get the back yard mowed, and I managed to pull some more vines from the trees, but the mosquitoes were hard on my heels! I believe those little critters lay in wait for me, listen for the storm door to open and line up for their afternoon snack. One five minute trip to the cucumber patch, and I gained three huge whelps on my upper arm. I had to put ice on it for relief, but it's only temporary. My son wasn't feeling well from an old back injury, so he wasn't able to lend a hand with the yard work this time. I had hoped it would be different, but perhaps another day. I wasn't able to finish it, so it will have to wait until Monday now. So my yard is lopsided, so to speak, but at least the worst is done...until the rain comes again. With all the work and repairs needed around here and so much grass to cut, I sometimes feel cursed. Perhaps I am once more having thoughts of buyer's remorse, but then I remember my folks, and it's okay. It seems as if some things never pan out well in the end for me, and I'm an optimist! 

I've been watching Little House on the Prairie again, but it does my soul a lot good when I see Mrs. Oleson get her comeuppance. Like today, Laura had acquired a billy goat, the last of his kind she was told, but what she didn't know was the Fred had a bad habit of butting anyone who bent over in his clear view.  I had so much fun watching Mrs. Oleson fly through the air into a mud puddle created by her freshly hand-washed clothing water. It made me think about other adventures the Ingalls family encountered whenever Harriet Oleson was doing her best to bully the town, spouting her self-importance. But then, there were a few times she needed the friendship offered her, although it was hard for her to accept kindness from people she considered lower than her. Through the experience she would learn important lessons, only to be quickly forgotten by the next episode. Still, it does my heart good to giggle.

So, what have I learned today? What nuggets of truth have I gleaned? 

In my quest for sanity and self defense against mosquitoes I did a little research, and I found out that the little buggers prefer O blood. They are attracted by sweating, and on these hot, muggy days I am defenseless. They don't like peppermint soap, and I use it to bathe daily, many times before I go outside, but I think what I need to do is use liquid peppermint soap, diluted a pinch, and applied to the skin. They also hate lavender, and I just happen to have a bar of lavender soap and spray. This is getting exciting. They are attracted to carbon dioxide that we exhale as part of the cellular respiration. At least now I have some things I can try. In fact I may just try it in the evening before I go to bed, because they seem to love my room too. My windows are very old and worn, like the house in general, so I need to reseal them. Another "to do" for my list. See what I mean?? Buyer's remorse. But then, home maintenance is a given, and every home has its challenges. At least I am blessed enough to own a home, and I am still healthy enough to do some work, even if the mosquitoes do take advantage of the situation. 

So, another nugget that I tend to glean every day is to maintain an attitude of gratitude for the things I DO have. And I really do, but itching tends to make me irritable and forgetful at times. Still, it would be handy and dandy if I could find reasonable help. Oh well, that's a topic for another day. 

Day 192 Why, Lord?

 

7/11/2025

 "Why do You stand afar off, O LORD?

Why do You hide in times of trouble?"

Psalm 10:1 

 

When I was a child I remember my grandfather, Papa, always discussing various topics, most of which were over the head of this small child; however, I always listened intently hoping to glean some nugget of truth, because my Papa always spoke the truth, in my eyes. Many times, after exhausting the topic, he would say that he was going to ask God about it when he got to heaven. I always thought to myself that he must be making a long list of questions, because he was curious about a lot of things. Maybe that's why I developed such an active imagination, curious about most everything! I have never lost my childlike wonder, and I hope I never do.

In Pastor Greg's "daily devo," this morning, "Questioning God," he began by asking questions that children in Sunday School may ask as, "Why did You make the giraffe with such a long neck?" Then he progressed to adult questions found in scripture regarding heroes of the Bible or situations where God may not have responded as hoped. At the end of the devotional Pastor Greg asked a question for the Harvest Discipleship group to consider and discuss with each other. He does this every day as part of his daily devotional to engage the discipleship community in lively discussions. Today's question was "What questions would you like to ask God?" Many of the members asked heartfelt questions about death, life, struggles, and whereas I may have some "wonder why" questions for Abba, I tend not to ask, because I know He has His reasons, plus I'd be asking questions all day. I do ask Abba about things He's shown me or asked me to do, so this is how I responded:

"Lord, am I doing it right? I mean, You said write the story, am I doing that or am I spinning my wheels? Please enlighten me. Lord, do You like The Chosen and The House of David? Is it okay that I watch them? I know You guide my every step, and I don't want to be hard of understanding, I trust You, Father. Am I missing something? Is there anything else I can do for my children? All I want is to do it right, Lord. And I want to see all saved and sharing Your love. Lord, ... You know. You know."

I do seek God's counsel about what I watch, and we do discuss it, or at least I feel that He answers my feeble, often ridiculous, incredulous entreaties. After all He does care about everything that concerns us, or so the Bible says, right?! Later on, after a little time had passed by, and I had scratched and scratched my itching skin, applied hydrocortisone cream, salve, even forbidden alcohol and witch hazel solution and applied ice to almost every square inch of my body (okay, I'm exaggerating...a little!), I decided to ask God another question:

"Why, O Lord, did You make mosquitoes? and botlass flies in Belize? These carnivores are vicious! Why, O why are these blood sucking mosquitoes hanging around me?? I am one huge bite!!" 

I also posted a link to a website called Bug of the Week, by Michael J. Raupp, Ph.D., Professor of Entomology, as a point of reference and to add some fun to the questions, which I accomplished. One of the guys, who is also a host for a Harvest Group, agreed with that question. So I had a bit of fun with my side tracking.

The question Pastor Greg asked is one many people shun, unless of course, there's someone who is going through something serious or have to make a decision or a myriad of potential subjects about which we could drill God for an answer. When the movie The Shack came out, it was controversial, because at the start the author used a black woman to portray God's maternal side, but it was very well done. The story is very sad, but I have watched it more than once over the years. It has helped me through some rough places.The main character, outside of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, was a man who had lost his small daughter to a merciless serial killer who preyed on little girls, murdered them savagely, and hid them. The movie is about healing, discovery, and drawing closer to a God who is infinitely wise and all knowing, but whose ways we cannot begin to comprehend. When we question why God allows the guilty to kill innocent children, then allows them to live, it seems as if God must not care, and yet He is the God of unconditional love. When the father, Mack, of the little girl, Missy, spends a weekend with the Trinity at the shack in the woods where her clothing and evidence of her murder were discovered, he comes face to face with God as Judge. He encounters Wisdom in a cave who changes Mack's opinion of God. The movie has a strong message, and I think it is one everyone should read, because sooner or later, in life, we will need to seek the counsel of Wisdom.

One of my favorite portions of scripture is found in Colossians 4:2-6: "Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every one."

As I was writing the words of that scripture, I thought about King Solomon, who asked God for wisdom to know how to rule his people. Solomon realized that as a man he needed the counsel of a omnipotent God guiding him in the way he should go. Thanks to the Jewish nation we have the written word to turn to for wisdom, because everything we need for life and godliness can be found in the pages of His Word. Most times it takes awhile for the light bulb to come on when we are facing challenges, but God hears our prayers, and He answers them. The answer may not be what we had hoped to hear, but the word says He is not slack concerning His promises. Again, mysteries. 

As we walk with Him, abide in His presence, or as I've written before - "Find the love of Jesus, and love Him back," we begin to see in part and know in part, but we grow in faith to trust God more and more, and our questions take on new meaning.

So, what are some questions you have for God? You can ask Him anything!