Muck and Mire

Psalm 69:14: Step out of the muck and mire and change your course.

What A Gift!

Silver River, Aura, MI

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: 

he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: 

he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: 

thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: 

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Psalm 23 KJV

What a way to begin to my birthday. I'm not into big birthday celebrations. But, I am into waking up to such a beautiful morning. I slept in until about 7:30. that has not happened in a very long time! This is such a peaceful and relaxing place. I have always affirmed that it was a gift from God to me.

When we first purchased the place, only two people affirmed that it was a wise choice. Pete and Jean Suomela said that they thought it fit me perfectly. Even my husband was not thrilled. The mobile home was condemned. But, I was convinced we could fix it up. After all, we had time. We were living nearby and this place was meant to be a retreat for me. 

When Pete and Jean said it fit me they were not looking at the house. They were looking at the river and the woods surrounding it. They were sensing the peace that I sensed here in this place. Over the years, the mobile home has been renovated. Due to zoning laws and since we are so close to the river, tearing it down and rebuilding was not an option. 

The house was remodeled and we lived in it for quite a few years. It has once again become a retreat for our retirement. Winters where we don't have to shovel snow and freeze. Summers here in this place. 

I thank God for this beautiful morning and for another birthday to enjoy His gifts.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Peace Like A River

Peace Like A River - At Home For The Summer

This is what the Lord says—

your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:

“I am the Lord your God,

who teaches you what is best for you,

who directs you in the way you should go.

If only you had paid attention to my commands             

your peace would have been like a river,

your well-being like the waves of the sea.” 

                                    (Isa 48:17-18 NIV)

The hymn "When Peace Like a River" or "All Is Well With My Soul" is a favorite among many. It is one of my favorite hymns. It was written by Horatio G. Spafford in 1873. Not long before he wrote it; his four daughters had died in a collision with another ship as they crossed the Atlantic. His wife survived and sent him this message, "Saved alone." Later, as he, himself, crossed the Atlantic and neared the spot where his daughters had died, he was inspired to write this hymn. The LORD, in His mercy has taught us that no matter what befalls us, it can be well with our soul. All who abide in Christ will know the peace that only He can give.

We have returned to Aura for the summer. It is my peaceful place. I do not recall a day that I have been here that I have not thanked God for landing me in this awesome place. I still haven't figured out what I'm going to be doing in my retirement; but, I know that many of those days will be spent in peace.  Since Lake Superior and it's bays appear to be at an all time high water level, I will be able to launch my kayak right from the back door! I will not have to navigate around anything to get out into the bay; no dragging it through the marsh. Smooth sailing! Peaceful paddling.

Thanks be to God for all that He has given us!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Time For Change?

The grass is long. The water low.

There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the

    heavens.

                                         (Eccl 3:1 NIV)

 

There is a time for everything. I absolutely thank God for the years I've been able to spend on the beautiful Silver River and Huron Bay. This morning; though, I'm wondering if it is time to make a permanent change. My husband and my intentions for retirement were to be able to spend the summers in the Upper Peninsula. But, this is getting a little old.

 

We pulled into the yard that looked more like a hay field. The grass is long. The water in the river was very low. For those of you who do not realize it; but, the Silver River has tides coming in and going out. So within an hour the river was back up to the back porch. There was not too much damage from the rising and receding water levels. Logs piled up and the bridge to the river is slightly damaged. Nothing much changed about that. We have gotten used to it over the years. Upon entering the house, we noticed a slight mildew smell. We were relieved as last summer the entire house had to be scrubbed in bleach which took my entire two weeks of vacation. So, we were pretty happy with the way we found the place. But, then the lights started flashing on and off and within a short while the power went completely out in half the house; to include the kitchen, two bedrooms and the bathroom. The office and most of the living room are still up and running. So, today hoping we can find an electrician who can find the problem and maybe even fix it before I head back to work.

 

In the meantime, I am beginning to wonder if this spending summers up north is going to work for us. Howard mentioned last winter that maybe we ought to sell. This property really deserves year round care and as it is looking right now; it is something that we cannot do. This morning I find myself considering it. This morning I find myself wondering if it is the time and the season to move totally on.

 

May God help us to discern the times and the seasons in each of our lives.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Faithful and Joyful Worship

Worship is to be God focused. We worship God; the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
No man or woman should be lifted up in worship;
but, only Christ alone who was lifted up on the cross for us.

Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous;
    it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
Praise the Lord with the harp;
    make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
Sing to him a new song;
    play skillfully, and shout for joy.
                               Psalm 33:1-3 NIV

Thanks be to God, yesterday I had the opportunity to worship with two congregations that were focused on giving thanks and praise to God. These Yoopers definitely know why and who it is that we worship. The preaching was God centered. The music; those old hymns (that so many find so boring) were played and sung as though the people really meant it. It was awesome! Bertha Hommer can make the keyboard at Zion and the pump organ at Aura praise the Lord like you've rarely heard before!

Both Zion Evangelical Lutheran in Skanee, MI (NALC/LCMC) and Aura Lutheran, L'Anse, MI (Independent Lutheran) are small congregations. A Lay Pastor Peter Suomela is a member of Zion and leads the congregation at Aura. Pastors Peter Gunderson and Jimalee Jones are the interim pastors at Zion. Zion is looking for a pastor. I served then for eighteen years and I can tell you for certain that if you are a pastor looking for a call and would like to serve in a spirit-led congregation, you might want to give this congregation consideration. It is ideal for a retired pastor as the congregation itself is very active in ministry. They will not expect you to do everything. In fact, if you think you're going to do it all, they will probably be offended. Their focus is on reaching out to all people in word and deed.

I thoroughly enjoyed seeing old friends and neighbors yesterday. I even more enjoyed seeing their love for the Lord in their exuberant worship.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Worship All The Time

Worship at all times
and in all places.

 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”

 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”  (John 4:19-24 NIV)

 

This morning I am preparing to worship God with the congregation at Zion Lutheran, Skanee, MI. This afternoon I hope to worship with the congregation at Aura Lutheran. It will be very good to worship and fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ who I have not seen in over a year. But, worship is not restricted to Sundays only. Many congregations meet to worship on other days of the week as well. Worship should also not be restricted to one hour or even a few hours on designated days of the week. Worshipping God is for every day and every minute of every day. When the Spirit abides in us; when Jesus who is the truth abides in us and we in him, worship occurs. We cannot help but worship and give thanks to the Lord our God if we are united with Him through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

 

May God help us to always worship in Spirit and in truth no matter where we are.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Yielding Fruit?

Blessed is the one
   who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
    or sit in the company of mockers,
but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and who meditates on his law day and night.
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
    which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
    whatever they do prospers. (Psalm 1:1-3 NIV)

At the least change or disruption to life there are those who cause so much drama one would think the world was ending. These ones not only do not bear good fruit; but, often cause more disruption. They are like grass blowing in the wind; mowed over at the landowners earliest convenience. Afraid that their personal sovereignty will end with change, they will fight it tooth and nail, interfering with growth; interfering with the bearing of much fruit.

But, the one who loves the Lord and considers the way He would have us go is like the tree that is firmly planted in soil beside streams of water. On the riverbanks of my home in Aura and on the canal where I now live in Flagler Beach, many of the trees have been blown about by the winds. They are old and have been bent down by the winds of time. They have changed immensely since they were seedlings. Yet, they continue to grow with their roots planted firmly within the soil. The winds nor the waves have been able to take them down.

Change does not necessarily mean death. It often means new life. Even as the trees change with the season, so do all living things. When winter comes, the trees often look like they are dying or even dead. But, then comes spring and new life begins to bear another season of fruit.

The one who drinks of the water of life will live and yield much fruit. Such is the person who delights in the law of the Lord. They change and adapt to the various seasons. They bend from time to time. But, they will not break.

May you drink abundantly of the streams of living water provided by Jesus Christ, our Lord that you might follow wherever he would lead bearing much fruit.

God's Peace - Pr. J