Fourteen Years

 

Last Friday and Saturday I was busy making my favorite dessert to give away: my chocolate chip loaf cake. For 30 years, while in Maryland, when I had a breakfast, lunch or dinner date with friends, I always brought them my chocolate chip loaf cake. It was a winner. 

Since moving to Pennsylvania, I haven't carried this practice forward. Baking a little less now and having a lot less dates. 

But today, I'm having lunch with the ladies I quilted with the first five years I was in PA. I'm baking the loaf cake for each lady. It's a day of celebration!

Fourteen years ago, on October 14th, I stopped working. Retirement was before me. And today is the 14th anniversary of my retirement!

I'm very thankful to God for taking care of us during these years. A slower life, less money and free days. I know many people do not get to enjoy retirement, so I don't take this time for granted. I'm thankful for these 14 years.

God has provided each step of the way, taking care of us and making sure we made good decisions, and helping us when we made wrong ones. 

As my blog friends know, the number 14 is my number! Born March 14th, saved November 14th, married December 14th and retired October 14th. None of these major choices were selected so they would be on the 14th. It's just how things played out.

I will celebrate today and thank God for His care during these retirement years. My next major destination is with Him. Maybe it will be on the 14th too!

By His Grace . . . 

A Little Rejoicing!

 

Emotions are greatly affected by words and music, and that’s what happened to me recently. We were watching a Gaither Homecoming video and the last song they sang was “The King Is Coming.” It’s a powerful song, written back in 1970.

It was the last line of the chorus that choked me up and caused my eyes to water. Powerful words. More powerful with music. “Praise God, He’s coming for me.”

Me. He’s coming for me. With all my failures and depression. All my heartache and brokenness. All my unsettledness. All my sin. But, He’s coming for me.

He loves me so much that He wants me to be with Him. And because I trust Him, and have given my life to Him, He’s looked at my heart and says: “I'm coming for you.”

Chorus
“The King is coming, the King is coming,
I just heard the trumpet sounding,
And now His face I see.
The King is coming, the King is coming
Praise God, He's coming for me.”

As Christians, this is something we believe and speak about often. We are assured that Jesus is coming back. He’s coming back for His church. And we are it.

Yet, sometimes, like the other day, it catches us unaware and affects our very being. We know it is true in our hearts, but knowing our inner self, it’s sometimes hard to believe.

The hope of heaven is what keeps us going. Charles Spurgeon: “Through the Spirit of God, the hope of heaven is the most powerful force for producing godly character, the fountain or source of joyful service, and the cornerstone of cheerful holiness.”

I think I’m going to listen to that last line a few more times. I may even have a good cry! I want to shout it out! Praise God, He's coming for me.”

By His Grace . . . 

An Embarrassment and God's Cathedral

The following post is from October 2023 when I went to a writer's conference in Cook Forest, a few miles from my home. I like this post because of the beautiful picture of "God's Cathedral" at the end of the post. I also like it because I went from embarrassment to glory that day. I hope you enjoy.

Beauty to Come. Walking through the woods.

I was at the writer's conference this past Saturday. The conference center was surrounded by woods in beautiful Cook Forest State Park. 

The conference didn't start out well. My confession: Sometimes I don't understand simple words, meanings and pronunciation. This has been a lifelong disadvantage. I've concluded that my brain just isn't able to remember words and meanings that I don't use often. That can be a disadvantage and an embarrassment.

The first session in the conference we had a simple assignment of a simile exercise. I couldn't remember what simile means. My written response was: "I have absolutely no idea what to write about. My imagination doesn't even come close to doing what I've been asked to do. I can't even remember what a simile is. Sometimes I feel stupid that I can't grasp what other people seem to have no problem doing. I just accept that these are my limitations and there is nothing I can do about it so why get upset. I know what I am able to do, so I will concentrate on doing that and be happy with my accomplishments. I have acceptance within myself and that is a good thing." Thankfully, we did not have to turn in our assignment.

I managed to get through the morning exercises. I was most interested in hearing advice and tips for writing. I tried not to let the exercises bother me.

The afternoon assignment was outside. We were to walk in the woods, choose an object and observe sounds, smells, textures, colors, shade and surfaces, writing about what it brought to mind. It didn't interest me. The only thing I could think about as I stood before the entrance to the woods was God.

"That's what I will write about," I decided. As I walked into the woods my first thought was, "I'm walking into God's cathedral. He is here, all around me." 

First, I heard the chirping of insects. I basked in the sound. The noise was smooth as a stone as they sang their song. I stood in one place, turning a quarter of the way around, looking and listening. Then I would turn another quarter around, until the circle was made. 

The third turn brought bright light shining down upon me. A break in the treetops let the sunshine through completely covering me, enveloping me in God's warmth. He came down from heaven for me. 

"How mighty He is," I thought. Strong as a rock and bold as a lion; gentle as a lamb. "How magnificent is His glory." I was standing in His sanctuary filled unashamedly with gratitude and thankfulness.

As I turned to my original position, color caught my eye, I looked up. Bright yellow and orange at the top of the trees shown through. Brilliant blue in the sky was behind the fall color. That's when I snapped the picture below.

 

The "Black Bear Trail."

I stood there for some time admiring God's creation. Smiling, I turned and walked out of the woods, my heart full and my mind at rest. I had completed the assignment in my own way and met God in the process.

The confusion and embarrassment of the morning evaporated for I had stood in God's cathedral and felt His presence. What a glorious experience! God shared His glory with me and encouraged my heart.

We all have our limitations and feelings of embarrassment and disappointment. Our God doesn't leave us there. If we just look and listen, we can hear His voice and see His splendor. Aren't you thankful for that!

. . . and hopefully see a deer or two!

By His Grace . . .

A Firm Foundation

Following is an article I wrote for my church's newsletter in 2022: 

Our foundation is firm in God. As the hymn "How Firm a Foundation" says: "His Word is our foundation." The first two lines of the hymn reveal this: "How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in His excellent Word."

Knowing our foundation is sure in Christ, we can live our life in total confidence of our faith. That helps me to always feel strong and able as I go about my day because I am strong in Christ.

The last verse of this great hymn should be steadfast in our mind and heart: "The soul that on Jesus doth lean for repose, I will not, I will not desert to his foes; That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I'll never, no never, no never forsake."

Every time I sing "I'll never, no never, no never forsake" I stop and consider those words. "Never" can be a tricky word. I've said "never" a few times in my life and found myself eating those words in the future. So when I sing that line, I always make a mental note that it is firm in my mind that I mean "never."

Kenneth W. Osbeck said this in his devotion book "Amazing Grace":  "A believer's stability in this life, as well as his confidence for eternity, rests solely on the written promises of God's Word. The direction of the living God for our lives is very definite. It is found in a firm foundation--the written revelation: 'Thus saith the Lord.'"

Another great hymn that shares about our firm foundation is "The Church's One Foundation." The first line says: "The church's one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord."

"We have everything we need in the foundation God planned for us. It stands firm. Our faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord cannot be swayed.  For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 3:11

With such a firm foundation to live by we are filled each day with strength, courage, stamina, confidence and truth.

With Gods foundation our life stands firm! Charles Spurgeon wrote: "May He be the foundation of everything, not only of the church, but of our hope, of our character, of every little thing we do!"

2 Timothy 2:19 says: . . . "God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: 'The Lord knows those who are His. And the Word is Jesus.'"

Stand with me and know in your heart that you will "never forsake" our Savior, Jesus.

 By His Grace . . .

 

This Old House

Last week I watched the Gaither Homecoming video called “Something Beautiful.” Near the end, J. D. Sumner, bass singer, sang, “The Lord Still Lives in This Old House,” as a tribute to God through his life.

As I sat there and watched, I thought: “I could sing that song.” I live in an old house, an old body, snow on my head and rusted hinges. I wonder how many of my friends could sing this song.

Here’s what it says:

“If this earthly tabernacle should be dissolved today,

I'd trade it for a finer one that would not pass away.

But 'til the day arrives when it's time for moving out,

It's such sweet peace to know the Lord still lives in this old house.

“The sweetest fellowship I've known has fortified these walls.

And peace has reigned since He's been won up and down these halls.

With snow upon the rooftop now and these hinges near worn out,

It's such a joy to know the Lord still lives in this old house.

“To Him it's been a dwelling place where He kept my hand in His.

To me a home away from Home is all it really is.

It sure ain't fine or fancy, and all I can boast about

Is after all these years, the Lord still lives in this old house.

“There were times He had the right to up and move away.

And there were times it took His great amazing Grace to stay.

But He never left this old building once, that's why I can sing and shout!

'Cause after all these years the Lord still lives in this old house.”

Yes, my house is getting old. I forget things I’ve been doing for years. I walk slower and hold on to more things so I don’t fall. I'm dropping things all the time. I can’t eat all that chocolate anymore or I’ll suffer the consequences

My house is not fine and fancy, but it’s been my home down here. If it wasn’t for God’s Grace, He may have left me for all the grief I’ve gave Him.

I’m thankful for this old house. I’ve never known fellowship with anyone like I’ve known with Him. The kind of fellowship that sustains you through all the years of heartbreak, pain and grief.

I hope you can sing and shout with hallelujahs because God has never left you. After all these years He still lives in this old house.

By His Grace . . .

Celebrating Lillordag

Early Fall in NW PA . . . fields of goldenrod.

 

Recently I read an article in “The Cozy Issue” by Bella Grace that changed my idea of Wednesdays. The article title was “Celebrating Lillordag.” Now just what is Lillordag?

It’s compared to America’s “hump days” for Wednesdays. Also know as “little Saturday.” It is a Nordic cultural tradition whereby Wednesdays are viewed as opportunities for little weekend celebrations. Instead of trudging through a five-day week, why not break it up with a little indulgence, a big of fun, every Wednesday?

“Hump day” is sometime known as “the toughest day of the week.” Or “just getting through the week.” The “longest day between the weekend.” When you’re working it does seem to be a long day.

I remember as a new Christian my church had services on Wednesdays. There was a meal before the meeting and singing and prayer before the study. Then each person went to a specific class to study other topics.

It was during these Wednesday meetings that I attended the “Sermon on the Mount” class. My pastor taught a nine-month class on the “Sermon on the Mount” for new Christians. It was a highlight of my week. It was a celebration to me!

I attended the class two years because I enjoyed it so much and I learned so much about being a Christian. I even purchased the 30 cassette tapes of the class and listened to them several times through the years. I don’t know what happened to them, but if I had them, I’d listen to them again.

Those are special memories that I will always consider with fondness.

We love a reason to celebrate, even when it’s for the tiniest moments, like making it halfway through the week. Do you have something you do each week to celebrate? Something that inspires you, encourages you or teaches you? It might be time to schedule a little celebrating into your week!

It’s always fun to add something different to your day. A little fun. Some relaxing minutes. A change to make the day happier.

Give it a try! Celebrate Lillordag!

By His Grace . . .

Desires of Your Heart

 

I enjoy reading fiction stories. One of the writers I’ve read is Beverly Lewis. She writes Amish fiction. I hadn’t read any of her books for a number of years and decided to read them again and then pass them on.

One of my favorites is titled “The Fiddler.” I enjoy the story, but this time as I read, something popped out at me that I missed the other times I read it. “The desires of our heart.”

This is from Psalm 37:4 which says: “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

When we read about the desires of our heart, we mainly think of those things that we want that make us happy. I’ve thought of seeing a glorious sunrise, a visit with far away friends, a good meal to celebrate a happy occasion. But the words I read in the story caused me to pause. I’m sure I’ve heard a sermon about this before, but I just don’t remember. Here’s what was written:

“She [the Wise Woman] once quoted a Bible verse from a psalm to me: ‘Delight thyself also in the Lord: and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.’ Then she went on to explain that when our lives line up with God’s will, the desire referred to means Him. The Lord Himself.” Michael paused, eyes brighter now. “It’s not so much that we desire things or circumstances to change, she says, but that we’ve always desired our heavenly Father. He is our first true love.” Beverly Lewis, The Fiddler

I looked the verse up in some commentaries and found this to be true.

ExplainingtheBible.com: “When we read Psalms 37:4, we encounter a powerful promise that comes with a beautiful condition. At its core, this verse encourages us to delight ourselves in the Lord. This means that our joy, satisfaction, and happiness should come from our relationship with God. It is a reminder that our true happiness can be found in following Him and embracing His will for our lives.

“The next phrase, “and He will give you the desires of your heart,” emphasizes the relationship between our hearts and God’s will. God is not only interested in our immediate wants but desires to establish a deep connection with us. As our hearts change, so will our desires, demonstrating a beautiful exchange where we begin to want what God wants for us. We experience fulfillment not just in getting what we long for but in a deeper walk with God, filling our hearts with His joy and purpose.”

Studylight.org, Gill’s Exposition of the Whole Bible: “And He shall give thee the desires of thine heart; such as are according to the will of God, and for the good of His people; such as relate to communion with Him, and to the communication of more grace from Him, and to the enjoyment of eternal glory.”

These words gave me the opportunity to reconsider the desires of my heart and what God is really communicating in this verse. It’s not about me and my wants. It’s about Him and His purpose. When I read this Scripture again, I will be more inclined to stop and consider what God really wants.

And all this from a fiction book. God can reach you anywhere. You just have to be open to His appearance wherever you are.

By His Grace . . .