why, God?

With all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to you both in person and by letter.

- 2 Thessalonians 2:15

Our faithful and compassionate God allows us to ask any question we want no matter how difficult. - Laura Story

Oh friends . . . the last few weeks there have been so many things happen, things that have us questioning our faith, asking why, God?

Here is a new song I recently heard by Austin French:

Why God

Do people have to die?

A daughter or a son

Sudden and so young

Long before their time?

Why God

Do people fall apart?

A promise and a ring

Becomes a broken thing

A road that got too hard?

I don't understand

But I understand

Why God, I need You

It's, why God, I run to Your arms

Over and over again

It's, why God, I cling to Your love

And hold on for dear life

And I find, You are right by my side

Why God

Do we feel so alone?

Every single day

Fighting through the pain

Hoping there is hope?

I don't understand

But I understand

Why God, I need You

It's, why God, I run to Your arms

Over and over again

It's why God, I cling to Your love

And hold on for dear life

And I find, You are right by my side, ooh...

Give me a faith stronger than I have

I need to know when it hurts this bad

That You hold my heart when it breaks

And I'm not alone in this place

That's why God, I need You

Why God, I run to Your arms

Over and over again

It's, why God, I cling to Your love

And hold on for dear life

And I find, You are right by my side

Always right by my side

Even here in the why... God

The thing is, crazy stuff happens.

People hurt.

We hurt.

But we have to stay strong.

We can ask God why, He lets us do that.

He may not answer right away, we may not understand, but we cannot stop believing, we cannot lose our faith.

Ever.

Stand firm and keep a strong grip on that which you know.

trust

The Lord your God will then make you successful in everything you do. He will give you many children and numerous livestock, and he will cause your fields to produce abundant harvests, for the Lord will again delight in being good to you as he was to your ancestors. The Lord your God will delight in you if you obey his voice and keep the commands and decrees written in this Book of Instruction, and if you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and soul.

- Deuteronomy 30:9-10

I have another oldie but goodie song reference!

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet.
Or we'll walk by His side in the way.
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there's no other way
To be…

Can you imagine, that you can have the world, as long as you live for Jesus?

It’s true, you can!

When the Lord delights in you, you will see the rewards.

I love living for Him!

time to prune

He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.

- John 15:2

Fall is on the way!

If anyone has a green thumb (I do not), this is the time of year that you start pruning back your azaleas and roses and fruit bearing bushes and trees.  

I often wondered why people do this (again, I cannot keep a plant alive), and I learned that they do this to get rid of unhealthy branches so that the plant is healthier and prettier next year, bearing more fruit or flowers.

Did you know that the Father does the same for us?

Sometimes this means ending a friendship, or moving across the country to start over.

You just have to remember that when you are going through difficult times, that God is pruning you to make you stronger, so pay attention and learn from the experience.  

See you at the Pole!

For where two or three gather in My name, there am I with them.

– Matthew 18:20

We will gather in His name.

We will shout His praises, we will give Him glory.

How lucky are we that we can praise the one who made us, out in the open, where others can see us, hear us, and just maybe, join us.

How blessed are we that we do not walk in this world alone, but He is with us!

Gather with us at the Flag pole today.

Pray for our nation, our leaders.

Pray for those who are oppressed, for the sick, for the weak.

Pray for those who defend our freedom, for those who are far away right now, and for those who did not come home when their tour ended.

Pray without ceasing.

Join us, He will be there.

trouble

For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

- 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

When serious problems come your way, where do you turn?

Do you worry and freak out, complain and just be negative and miserable?

OR

Do you lean on God, knowing that He is there for you, that this too shall pass?

Each time we face new challenges, it is up to us if we are going to waste time and energy on the things that today seem monumental, but tomorrow will be small.

So many times I have felt like I am climbing mountains on Monday, to look back Friday and realize that it wasn’t that bad.

Tomorrow is See You at the Pole!

why?

The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?

- Proverbs 20:24

To say that the last seven weeks have been a challenge for me would be the understatement of the year.

Absolutely nothing went the way I had planned!

Of course, MY plans are human plans, and not necessarily what God had planned.

I admit that there have been multiple occasions when I have asked “why”.

I don’t understand why I broke my leg on day one of vacation (yes, I know how it happened, but why? )

God directs us to see things more from His perspective, to try and view the world through His eyes.

Why waste time trying to understand everything and being upset about it?

Let’s just let God lead us, and know that Father really does know best!

(points if you get the old TV show reference!)

Wednesday, September 25^th is See You at the Pole!

what's inside?

A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit.

-Luke 6:43

Have you ever cut open a beautiful apple, to find that the inside is full of worms and mush?

Do you blame the tree?

Of course not, it is not the tree’s fault that a worm got into the apple!

The outside of the apple may have been pristine and shiny, but the horror that lurked within – ew!

Eventually the worm would have done his damage and the outside of the apple would have also become ugly.

It is essentially the same with people.

What is inside our heart will eventually show on the surface.

If you love Jesus and live for Him, this manifests itself into kindness and caring.

But, if you are showing jealousy and bitterness, hatred and selfishness, well, maybe you should check your heart.

People know what is inside your heart by the way you live.   

joy!

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!

- Philippians 4:4

You know there is a song reference here!

I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy
Down in my heart (where?)
Down in my heart (where?)
Down in my heart
I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy
Down in my heart (where?)
Down in my heart to stay

I have learned that if I keep my heart focused on Jesus, that it is a happy heart.

I might be sad, but the joy in my soul will come forward soon.

It is well, with my soul.

are you humble?

Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude.

- 1 Peter 3:8

Recently I learned a lot about being humble.

I feel like I have always been the one with the “shoulder to cry on”, and I know that I hurt when my friends hurt.

But this humble thing?

I thought I was humble.

I found out differently last week.

So let me just say that I am not as good at some things as I thought I was, and I’ve been knocked down a notch or two.

And I am ok with that, I consider it my lesson in humility.

you can’t hide

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

- Psalm 139:7-10

Did ya’all notice that it is Friday the 13^th?

I did.

It’s my favorite day.

Come on, for real, there I nothing anywhere that proves that Friday the 13^th is unlucky.

Many think that the reason for the number 13's bad luck comes from the Bible!

Judas, who betrayed Jesus, is thought to have been the 13th guest to sit down to the Last Supper.

There is even a word for it: paraskevidekatriaphobia.

So if you have paraskevidekatriaphobia, go ahead and stay in bed today, hide under the covers or in the closet.

But know this – you can’t hide from God.

God is always with you.

A good quote that I don’t know the source is “stop telling yourself how big your fear is, and tell your fear how big your God is.”

Pretty good advice, I think!

peace

Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

- 2 Thessalonians 3:16

My favorite time of day is anytime when everything around me is quiet.

It used to be weekend mornings, when I was the first one up and could enjoy my coffee and my cats in peaceful silence.

Song reference (this is an oldie!)

Peace (peace like a river) like a river (peace like a river)

Flows (flows through my soul) through my soul (flows through my soul)

I've (I've been forgiven) been forgiven (I've been forgiven)

Cleansed (cleansed and made whole) and made whole (cleansed and made whole)

Peace like a river so gently is flowing

How sweet to my soul is this marvelous peace

Sweeter and sweeter each day it is growing

Like billows of glory it never shall cease

Filled (filled with the spirit) with the spirit (filled with the spirit)

I (I am so glad) am so happy (happy and glad)

Jesus (Jesus has given) has given (sweetly has given)

Wonderful (wonderful peace) peace (wonderful peace)

Peace (peace gently flowing) gently flowing (peace gently flowing)

Sweet (sweet and divine) and divine (sweet and divine)

This (this the assurance) the assurance (this the assurance)

Jesus (Jesus is mine) is mine (Jesus is mine)

Peace like a river so gently is flowing

How sweet to my soul is this marvelous peace

Sweeter and sweeter each day it is growing

Like billows of glory it never shall cease

Glory forever to Jesus my Savior

For wonderful, marvelous, heavenly peace

Peace overflowing much sweeter is growing

What wonderful, wonderful peace

What wonderful peace God gives us.

I hope you get to enjoy a bit of peace every day.  

remember

I trembled inside when I heard this; my lips quivered with fear. My legs gave way beneath me, and I shook in terror. I will wait quietly for the coming day when disaster will strike the people who invade us.

I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!

- Habakkuk 3:16,18

I will never forget where I was on this day 18 years ago.

Most people won’t.

I have connections to this day even before 2001, as it was this day in 1992 that my 17 year old brother was killed in the crosswalk in front of his high school because some guy was speeding through a school zone, talking on his cell phone.

The younger generation, they don’t understand, but my generation does.

My generation and above, we still mourn the people that were lost that day.

We still remember how we felt, shock, fury, fear, anger.

Hug your families every chance you have, you never know when it will be the last time.

I will never forget.

i'm trying to be still

Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.

- Psalm 46:10

This broken leg stuff is for the birds!

I am a relatively active person, meaning I am involved in a lot of stuff.

Between my responsibilities at work, church and the non-profit groups I work with, I am on the go probably 18 hours per day.

And then, poof – broken leg.

Forced rest, no weight bearing.

OK, God – I think you are telling me to slow down.

I have a little more down time now, I’m trying to spend it with God.

I know He is talking to me - maybe I need to be still, and listen to Him.  

are you ok?

When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.

- Romans 5:6

A friend or acquaintance passes you in the hall and says “hello, how are you?”

The natural response is “fine” or “good” or “ok”

But what if you are not fine or good or ok?

Many of us struggle with depression, whether it is short term or long term, it is there.

It is OK to not be OK

Song reference!

Shame says you've gone too far this time

Shame says you've finally crossed the line

Shame says you have to hide away

But shame is shattered by amazing grace

So come just as you are

Bring your broken heart

Your secrets and your scars

You were never meant to carry all this weight

Let your walls come down

And let the tears fall out

And know that Jesus loves you just the same

It's ok not to be ok

It's ok not to be ok

This, this is where the healing starts

This is where the light can crush the dark

Here, inside your pain, inside your doubts

Here is where He's gonna meet you now

Bring your broken heart

Your secrets and your scars

You were never meant to carry all this weight

Let your walls come down

And let the tears fall out

And know that Jesus loves you just the same

It's ok not to be ok

It's ok not to be ok

You don't have to have it all together

You don't have to have it all together

You don't have to have it all together

So come just as you are

Bring your broken heart

Your secrets and your scars

You were never meant to carry all this weight

Let your walls come down

And let the tears fall out

And know that Jesus loves you just the same

It's ok not to be ok

It's ok not to be ok

It really is.

Whenever you feel unloved, unimportant, or insecure, remember to whom you belong.

You are loved more than you will ever know by someone who died to know you.

no more tears

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.

- Revelation 21:4

I have commented several times that when I hear something more than once, I feel like it is God telling me to pay attention, cause this is important.

This verse keeps popping up everywhere over the last few weeks.

It comes at a time in my life when I am doing a lot of crying and having a lot of pain.

I think God is telling me that it is ok to cry, for now.

Because things will get better.

Maybe not today, tomorrow, next week, month or year, but things will get better.

Good things will come, because God is in control.

don’t give up

I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing.

- Ezekiel 34:26a

It is so easy to get tired and discouraged when you are waiting for things to happen.

Think about how Peter felt, after a long day of fishing to come home with empty nets. 

Fishing was his job, how he supported his family!

But Jesus told Peter to throw the nets out one more time, and even though Peter was doubtful, he did as Jesus asked.

What happened next was a net so full of fish that Peter and his shipmates could barely pull it in!

It is hard to get up every day and praying for the things you need and want.

But don’t give up, because you never know when you are going to be blessed in abundance.

That’s a lot of fish!

what are you doing?

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.

- Romans 7:15-17

That is a pretty profound thought, isn’t it?

How many times have you been in the middle of a situation and thought “what am I doing”?

How many times have you looked back at things in your past and asked “what was I thinking”?

We all start out each day with good intentions, right?

But then our bodies decide to switch directions and even though our spirit wants to love and be kind, we end up falling to temptation and sin.

This is not surprising, because we as humans are pitifully weak.

One of my favorite lines from a movie is something like “Your ego is writing checks your body can’t cash” (flashback to the 80’s and points if you know the movie!!)

Jesus tells us to stay close to Him, stay focused on Him and He will guide us when we stumble.

I want to be able to look back knowing I did the right thing by Jesus.

foreigners in a foreign land

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of His household.

- Ephesians 2:19

All over the news we are hearing about immigration, legal and illegal.

This is not a new concept, think about the number of times that God’s children traveled to foreign lands.

When Israel fled from Egypt.

When Israel took back the promised land.

When Jesus was traveling, preaching, He was often in foreign land.

After His death and resurrection, the disciples continued to travel and teach of Him.

We are not foreigners and strangers, we are children of God.

This is not “our” land, it belongs to God.

So if this is God’s land, who are we to determine who gets to be here?

looking ahead

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.

- Philippians 3:13

We often take what has happened in the past and dwell on it.

Stop.

Don’t live in the past, you can’t change it.

Move along, nothing to see here.

Move forward, build your relationship with God, let go of the hurt and anger of the past.

Forgive and be forgiven, love and be loved.