Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Get Out and Vote!

"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." Abraham Lincoln

We are a week from Election Day and the frenzied attempt by both parties to win next week is everywhere: TV and radio spots, signs on every street corner, mailboxes filled with candidate mailers, phone calls designed to encourage you to vote, pundits projecting victory. By this time in an election season, most people can hardly wait for the day after the election. I believe President Lincoln was correct in his assessment of a man’s character. It has been said that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. We certainly have evidence of the corruption in Washington as we see Congressional leaders hauled off to prison. However, does that mean we just give up? Do we stay home on Election Day because they are all just a bunch of bums? Does our vote count? Many elected good men and women serve us each day, unwilling to compromise their beliefs. They are being challenged with rhetoric intended to turn off voters and suppress the vote since voter turnout is key in any election. To illustrate, low voter turnout means that potentially only 15% of an entire state population would elect a candidate if turnout was 30%. We then have our leaders chosen by a small minority. I am a firm believer that if you are going to complain about a problem then you need to be willing to roll up your sleeves and be part of the solution. Casting your vote on Election Day is a first step. Be informed not inflamed by the choices presented. What are your key issues? Judge selection? Lower taxes? Choosing life? Immigration? The war? Pray before you head off to the polls for wisdom remembering that He that is in us is greater than he that is in the world. “But true wisdom and power are found in God; counsel and understanding are his.” Job 12:13 (NLT)

Saturday, October 28, 2006

The Spirit Prays

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:26-28 (TNIV)
As my tired body crawled into bed last night, it hit me that my personal time with God had certainly been curtailed this week. Crisis management consumed each day from early until late. Then I remembered the verse that the Holy Spirit would pray for me when I just could not do it. He knew the anguish of my heart and mind and proved it each day with angels of mercy and grace that walked into the hospital room. The Holy Spirit had interceded on my behalf to the Father who gave me more than I could even think to ask for. He is so gracious and kind to those who are hurting. This situation could have been so much worse but now it is so much better. The pain is controlled, the knee is working, the blood clots are diminishing, and we are home. We know we are loved by those near and far as expressions of care and concern flow to us almost hourly. And…we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him. Thank you, Heavenly Father!

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

The Land of the Living

I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living, Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27: 13-14 (NIV)


I received these verses in an email before I took off for the hospital today and claimed them as His promise for us. I printed them out to share with Mark and read them to him soon after I arrived. I had no idea what comfort they would be for me this day. Around 11 AM the cardiologist walked into his room and told us that the decision had been made to do a heart catheterization since the blood tests continued to show elevated heart enzymes. With his heart history they wanted to take no risks and felt that he may have had a small heart attack along with the embolism in his lungs. The only way to rule it out was an angiogram set for 1 PM. I struggled with this news hardly believing that this was happening to him again. There was barely time to make any calls to get the prayers going up before he was wheeled out. The doctor hoped that the best case would be just taking the pictures to assure that the blood flow was fine but the worst case would be inserting more stents. Again, my pastor/friend John had walked into the room just before the doctor and stayed with me the whole time. And the news is good! The angiogram showed that the heart was clear of any blockage and he was sent back to his room, all done in an hour. I WILL see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!!! (Taken from an email sent out tonight to family and friends.)

Sunday, October 22, 2006

Rest for the Weary

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:27-29 (NLT) We are weary around here. Mark’s surgery and recovery have been much harder than we anticipated. Not only is it difficult medically and physically for Mark but also for me as I watch him suffer with continuing pain…I feel so helpless. We have a fountain in our back yard and now I keep the door open because I love to listen to the to the sound of the water splashing as it falls from one bowl to another. It is a soothing sound and reminds me of the peace and comfort that Jesus offers when we come to Him for rest. He has experienced pain and will be there for Mark. He knows the rest that I need from worry and fear and will be there for me, too. What a relief to know that I don’t have to do it all. Again, I continue on the path of trusting my Heavenly Father in all things. He will take care of us.

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Trials

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. James 1:2-3 (NIV) Our friend and pastor, John, gave us this passage yesterday when he stopped by the hospital to visit with Mark who endured knee replacement surgery this week. Mark expected pain but nothing like he experienced. Finally, they discovered that he is part of the 25% of people that morphine does not help which meant that for the first 8-10 hours after surgery, he was without any pain relief. What a very long day! With the problem resolved, he spent the day recovering from all the medication he had been given in addition to getting this new knee to work. God has been so good to us with the new friends that have walked into our lives as evidenced during this recent trial. We know that He is working in our lives to produce that perseverance that will make a difference for the kingdom – even with detours to the hospital.

Friday, October 13, 2006

Sabbath Rest

We attended a Couples Retreat this week with new friends from our church. I discovered pine trees and mountains in the middle of Arizona and enjoyed near perfect weather with beautiful Fall days and nights. The topic for the retreat was Connecting with the Sacred. Our speaker encouraged us in one session to think about the Sabbath and God’s demonstration by his own pattern in creation of taking one day to rest. What is your usual Sunday schedule? As a child, I remember the whole day filled with church activities interspersed with maybe a nap, reading a favorite book, or visiting with family. Stores were closed, no sports on TV – the day was quiet. Can you imagine a world like that today? Now Sunday is often catch-up day: chores of laundry, shopping, yard work, or bills…and, don’t forget to catch the morning service at church, almost as an after thought. Time is a precious commodity but taking a breather must be part of our schedule including time to rest with our Heavenly Father. It seems reasonable to me that if a field profits from a year to lie fallow every seven years so that the soil can regenerate, our bodies, minds and souls also need time off once a week. Yet, we think we can’t afford the time. The fact is we must take the time. Taking a day to listen with our hearts to those we love brings balance back to the relationship increasing communication during the week. Spiritual fine-tuning occurs enabling us to match our heartbeats with the heartbeat of the Father. The rhythm of life is put back in sync. Monday morning hits and we are off and running again but with renewed energy and purpose. So as the weekend approaches, Remember that the Sabbath Day belongs to me. Exodus 20:8 (Contemporary English Version)

Thursday, October 5, 2006

Forgiveness

The clip clop of horses echoed along the dusty road as the families and community remembered and celebrated the lives cut short of four young girls this week in Pennsylvania. More funerals will follow this week. This story struck a nerve in me as I listened to each detail repeated over the TV and radio. My heart aches for the families and though I am not familiar with all the tenants of the Amish religion, their immediate forgiveness of the killer and faith in God’s sovereignty challenged me to look at my own life. I know from past hurts and sorrows that forgiveness is the key to wholeness and new life within. Holding a grudge leads to bitterness, which destroys the body, soul and mind and nothing is gained from hanging on to a hurt—no matter how large or small. Paul said in Colossians 3:13, You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. (NIV) These God-fearing people have demonstrated to the nation that forgiveness is the only way to respond to this tragedy even going so far as to invite the shooter’s family to one of the funerals today. What a picture of God’s grace and forgiveness! We can do no less.

Wednesday, October 4, 2006

Evil Continues

Tears flowed as I listened to Good Morning America as a friend of the wife of the shooter in Pennsylvania described the seemingly good relationship in that family. They were all members of a prayer group, Moms in Touch, and this friend said she was shocked and surprised as the wife had only good things to say about her husband. How could this happen? The other lead story focused on a congressman who took advantage of young pages and misused his position of power and prestige in an attempt to corrupt young men. How could this happen? Aren’t our children safe anywhere? In 1 Peter 5:8-9 (CEV) it says, Be on your guard and stay awake. Your enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion, sneaking around to find someone to attack. But you must resist the devil and stay strong in your faith. You know that all over the world the Lord's followers are suffering just as you are. Satan is constantly searching for ways to take us down and using our children is one of his most potent weapons. We must resist! We must be on guard! We cannot complacently send our children off to school each day assuming that all is well. I find it ironic that the wife was at a Moms In Touch prayer meeting because the purpose of this group is to pray for our children while they are at school. Satan must be laughing his head off at the coup he managed with this latest school shooting. However, do not despair…there is hope! You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4 (NIV) Remember that we have the Almighty God who will destroy this deadly enemy. Our task is to be aware, resist the temptations presented and stand firm. Please pray for the safety of our children, for the leaders of our country, and the families who are in anguish during this difficult time. Prayer DOES change things.

Monday, October 2, 2006

Three Little Ones

Don't you see that children are God's best gift?
the fruit of the womb his generous legacy?
Like a warrior's fistful of arrows
are the children of a vigorous youth.
Oh, how blessed are you parents,
with your quivers full of children!
Your enemies don't stand a chance against you;
you'll sweep them right off your doorstep.
Psalm 127:3-5 (The Message)


Spending seven days and six nights with three little girls (ages 2, 4, 6 1/2) reminds me why youthful parents are better equipped for the task. My heart fills with gratitude that my daughter spends her days taking care of my special girls rather than dropping them off at day care. It is a sacrifice but one she willingly accepts and is encouraged in by her husband. Raising children today is no small feat…just turn on the television. I am a news junkie but while there, I kept the TV off because if you watch with little eyes, the horrors of the world projected into the family room are enough to make any child have nightmares. Kate did see a clip about a fire out of control and asked if her parents were near it. I immediately clicked it to off and assured her of their safety. The family is God’s picture of love, security, and hope. Grandparenting is a special, wonderful, and joyous privilege but a role completely different from parenting. This hit home daily while we were taking care of the girls. My job is to love these girls and encourage all of the family to always listen and follow our Heavenly Father. See you next time, little ones. It’s good to be home!