A Time For Everything

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 KJV A time to do without as hurricanes attack; But, also a time to celebrate. Happy Birthday United States Marine Corps and Martin Luther; warriors all.

Bless The Work Of Our Hands

Backyard in Aura, MI

Psalm 90:12-17 KJV

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

Return, O Lord, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants.

O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil.

Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children.

And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.

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Traveling no longer makes me glad in my days. Although, the land that God has given us is beautiful and I enjoy the scenery.  I do not enjoy the traffic.

We are back home in Florida with prayers that our home in Michigan is sold quickly.  There are things to do here; fruitful things things to do. For the next couple of days I will be unpacking, sorting things out, putting them away and doing a lot of cleaning. I am hoping that in the near future I will be able to plant a garden or two now that I am not having to rush things between our seasons of moving between two states.  

May God bless the work of our hands that He might be glorified.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Leviathans

Isaiah 17:12-13 KJV

There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast ma koide to play therein.                                                                                    (Psalm 104:26 KJV)

It is wise to give heed to the creatures of the seas and not just of the seas but all bodies of waters, even swamps.

One of my very few hobbies is kayaking. My first adventure in a kayak was a week long retreat kayaking a portion of the southern shore of Lake Superior. The water was pretty rough. On a couple of the days we were actually paddling during small craft warnings. It was awesome!  Pr. Peter sang hymns as he bobbed about in the waves a bit in front of me. We did have a couple of people fall out and get rides in vehicles to our following destinations. They were not comfortable and when you are not comfortable on the water you should probably get off of it. The winds and waves on the Great Lakes are another kind of Leviathan that can play pretty rough with small and large craft. It can be dangerous and the winds and the waves need to be respected. Know what you are doing if you are going to go out paddling on any body of water.

Lately, my kayaking is done in waters in Florida; mostly swamp lands and murky creeks. The leviathans that can be seen there are mostly snakes and alligators. They too need to be respected and kept a safe distance away. When I first started kayaking I did some internet searching to find out what to do if an alligator attacks your kayak. The state web-site says something to the effect of just hit it sharply on the snout with your paddle.  Thankfully, I have not had to try that!

There are Leviathans on land as well. They can be of the human kind. What they think is just fun or funny can often be dangerous to themselves and to others. The playfulness of these Leviathans does not always seem to be so playful to the victims of these Leviathans. It can be quite frightening. Hitting them on the snout with a paddle doesn't do much good. In times like that we trust in the ways of the Lord. We trust and we put our hope in Him because He, as He implied to Job  (Job 41 KJV), is the only one that can manage a Leviathan.

May God keep you from all danger and harm.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Time With God

Woe unto them that join house to house!

Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth! (Isa 5:8 KJV)

Isaiah makes it sound like it's a good thing to be alone and for some of us it is. Others, for some reason unknown to me, enjoy living side by side. I've tried it. It was bearable most of the time. I have also lived in places that were not quite so bearable. 

I am still trying to adjust to our latest home. It is a humble home on almost two acres. We really can't see any neighboring houses. The area surrounding our property is wooded areas and we have a small pond in the middle of it. I definitely appreciate those things! Yet, I find myself missing our home in Michigan. There is nothing expansive or extravagant about our property there, either. Yet, it is also mostly surrounded by a cedar swamp except for the bay that connects to Lake Superior in the backyard. There will probably never be anyone building in the swamp to the north of us as the Ojibway Tribe owns hundreds of acres there.  

I miss our secluded place in Michigan; but, when I consider the cold they are experiencing right now and the very slow economy that seems to be terminal there, I can really appreciate our home in Florida. We may not be as secluded as I like; but, it is secluded enough and I do not have to live on top of or below anyone in an apartment or condo. I do not have to live ten feet from my neighbor or contend with an HOA.

There is a time and a place for everything. There is a time and a place to be social. It is a very good thing to be in the company of others. But, there is also a need to be alone at times so that we can find rest in the company of none other than Almighty God. 

We; after all, need some quiet and alone time in order to hear God whisper. When Elijah was on the run and seeking to hear from God, he did not hear Him in the noise. In the sheer silence, he heard His whisper.

And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. (1 Kings 19:12)

There may be many who can shut out all the noise of living house to house. They may actually enjoy it. I am not one of them. I need the quiet presence of God to keep my heart and mind in Christ Jesus. I thank God often for the homes He has provided me with and for the opportunity to spend time alone with Him.

May God grant you enough quiet to spend quality time with Him.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Moving Forward

"...but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 

                                                                                      (Phil 3:13b-14 KJV)

So far 2020 has been a rough year for many people. While we keep in mind things that have transpired we continue to go forward. But, getting stuck dwelling on the past will only serve to keep us from moving forward. Look back, when we must, to remind ourselves not to repeat the mistakes of the past. Look forward with hope to a future of peace in the presence of Almighty God and with one another.

I keep hearing that this country is a mess. It appears that in some parts of the country it really is. I spent a good part of the summer in Michigan. I mostly stayed home due to the many COVID-19 restrictions. It was stifling. It was depressing to not be able to move. I am now in Florida and it feels much different. I am comfortable again; able to start each day considering what I might possibly want to do or accomplish today and have the freedom to do it.

We can begin each day anew. Let us rejoice for the opportunities and gifts that God has provided us with to go forth glorifying His holy name.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

The Light Shines In The Darkness

For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 

                                                                                 (Eph 5:8-14 KJV) 

The sun has not yet begun to shine this morning. I rose a whole lot earlier than I would have liked as at 4 am I woke up to find that we had run out of propane. I curled up under an extra blanket; but, didn't stay there long. Although we live in Florida, it can get pretty chilly at night. So, I put on my robe and went and connected the other propane tank and got the heat going again. I was up so figured I may as well start moving and do something.

It may be dark outside; but, that does not mean we should hide in the darkness. Even in the dark a light always shines. There have been many times that we lived in the darkness of the world. But, it do not have to be. We do not have to cower in the darkness. The light of Christ shines at all times and in all places. The light of Christ is with us always to show us the way; to show us the way of fruitfulness to the glory of God our Father.

"Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light."

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Praise God for the Rain

"O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; 

To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.

Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.

                                                                                     Psalm 63:1-3 KJV

The land may be dry and thirsty as many of our desires are larger than our abilities to fulfill those desires. However, it is raining outside and the land around me is thriving. We are home in Florida. The temperatures are wonderful and I have been outside under the canopy drinking my morning coffee, praying, and listening to the rain. 

It is good to be back in Florida. I have a lot of unpacking and reorganizing to do. Over the last few years we have been working on down-sizing. We live in what many would call a tiny house here and I love it! But, it is a little trick to find a place for everything that we still do have. I get restless inside of buildings. It is hard for me to sit still. But, when I am outdoors I can relax as I am reminded of not what man has made; but, what God himself has created.

To see the beauty of what He has created brings me peace and a greater knowledge of His presence.

May all God's children praise the Lord for the abundance He has given us!

God's Peace - Pr. J

Winds Blow

The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. (John 3:8 KJV)

Hurricane Dorian has definitely proven the statement that no one can tell where the wind is going to blow! I have children and grandchildren and many friends in Florida, Georgia, and in South Carolina. They all live within close proximity to the shore, so I have been avidly watching the tracking models and praying. This morning the Bahamas is suffering under great winds and may for many more hours to come as Dorian is moving at only about one mile per hour. The Grand Bahama International Airport is under five feet of water! 

The latest forecast for this morning is that Dorian will probably not make landfall on the east coast of the United States. However, that does not mean there won't be a lot of damage from the wind and water. Matthew never made landfall in Florida and it caused tremendous damage. Our home and a vehicle were damaged when the carport roof was ripped off and a tree fell on the lanais. Everything was repairable. We were more fortunate than many.  

Dorian has had everyone wondering where it will go for over a week now. Who can tell where the winds will blow! So, be prepared!

And, so it is with the Spirit. The Spirit moves in unexpected ways when we least expect. These are two things that humankind cannot control: the blowing of the wind and the movement of the Spirit of God. Regardless of the turbulence we might encounter; we know that whatever happens God is with us.

May God be with us, filling us with the Spirit of Christ, as we face every wind; every storm, that might assail us.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Beginning The Journey Again

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.

They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

                                (Lam 3:22-23 KJV)

Last week I was in the Keweenaw and had a few minutes so drove up to the beginning of US 41 as I usually do when I am in Copper Harbor. This sign reminds me how much life has changed over the ages. I am grateful that I have a vehicle to drive from Michigan to Florida. That was not so for those who traveled ages ago. To get where they wanted to go; they simply put one foot in front of the other and kept on going. They may have stumbled and fell a few times. But, then if they wanted to get where they were going, they would pick themselves up and kept on going. 

The beginning of US 41 is a reminder to me of the journey we as Christians make. It can seem long and it may be very hard at times. We may and most likely will stumble and fall at least a few times. But, God is with us. His compassion is great. He picks us up and we keep going, yearning for the goal at the end of the journey. 

I am reminded when I visit the "Beginning of US 41" that there is always the opportunity to begin again. When we falter on the journey, we can start again. We can put our past behind us as we have been forgiven through the sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus and begin again. 

Each and every morning we can begin the journey anew because the Lord's mercy and compassion fail not.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Needing Some Peace?

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Rom 15:13 NRSV)

He is the God of hope. There is no true eternal hope found outside of him. There is no real joy or peace outside of Him. You may feel them for awhile. But, they will not last as you walk on path that is not the path that He prepared for you.

There is so much turmoil in the world. There is so much turmoil within individuals. There is way too much turmoil even within the church on earth. 

Wanting for peace? Wanting for joy? Need hope? Live life in Christ!

God's Peace - Pr. J

According To His Purpose

We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.. (Rom 8:28 NRSV)

Let's just remember that it says for those who are called according to his purpose. God does call each and everyone of us. However, we must remember that he will gifts us individually gifts to serve according to his purpose. To take on a call that we have not been called to is not in the least bit fruitful. To say no to a call that He has called us to is also not fruitful.

Many congregations are on the decline. Could it be that many who attend have chosen to ignore the call to serve? Could it be that others are answering a call that they may not be gifted for?

All things work together for good when we work together according to the gifts that God has given us according to his purpose.

Just something to consider on this glorious God-given day...

God's Peace - Pr. J  

Order Out Of Chaos

My husband and I usually spend a bit of time watching television every evening together. It becomes very difficult for me at times to actually sit there as some of what comes through the media is quite disturbing. The world around me has enough chaos within it so I do not find observing more chaos on the television to be very relaxing. I simply do not like the drama. I have gotten to the point where if we are watching even a simple family type program and anyone says anything that I know is going to cause drama or negative consequences; even though I know this is just fiction, I go and sit in the Florida Room and play with Izzy, my bearded dragon. Izzy does not cause drama. Izzy just is.

Last night, my husband was preoccupied with Michael Cohen's testimony regarding President Trump before the House Oversight Committee.  Personally, it is gut-wrenching for me to listen to allegations (gossip) that cannot be backed up by evidence. In addition to this being so contrary to Christian ethics, I view these types of occurrences, which seem to be happening nationally more frequently cause division. They cause chaos. On the other hand, there was international news that could genuinely further world peace and less chaos was barely touched upon in contrast to the hearings in Congress. Even in this act of reaching out to bring peace to countries across the world that have been enemies for years and years, there are those who have only disparaging things to say. Does the world love chaos and division so much that we gravitate toward those things which disparage anything and anyone that we don't personally agree with? 

So much drama and division in this world and why? Do we really enjoy the hatefulness; the anger that seems so prevalent today? How do we get out of this dark place that we seem to have become so deeply entrenched? I would suggest that the better way is to entrench ourselves in the Word. For, in the beginning, there was darkness; there was a great void and that darkness disappeared when the Word spoke. 

In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day. (Gen 1:1-5)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. (1 John 1-5 NRSV)

It was through a positive; an affirming word; that the Word created all things. It was through the Word that the void was filled; that the light came into the world and overcame darkness. Jesus Christ is the Word. Jesus Christ is light of the world. We must seek him so that the chaos of darkness does not overwhelm us.

May God help us to stay in His Word so that the darkness, the chaos, will not overcome us; that order will come out of this chaos. Let us speak words of peace and reconciliation; not gossip that leads to division.

God's Peace - Pr. J

He Is With You!

"I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

(Joshua 1:9 NRSV)

The servant of the Lord told Joshua to be courageous; the Lord is with you wherever He sends you and no matter what He asks you to do. We are reminded that we too should be courageous in doing the Lord's will. Things will happen along the way; things that don't always feel so good. That should be expected. But, God has a plan. "We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose." (Rom 8:28)

Do not worry. Trust the Lord for He is with you wherever you go; wherever he sends you.

God's Peace -Pr. J

Ask For Wisdom

If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you. (James 1:5 NRSV)

This verse from James came to my mind as I was reading the news and some social media this morning. 

Here is a major problem: If someone lacks wisdom, will they be wise enough to ask for wisdom?  Sometimes, it just does not seem like that will happen for some. There are those whose eyes nor their ears nor their hearts nor their minds are open to the truth. So, we must ask for wisdom for others as well as for ourselves.

God grant that we should receive the wisdom and the courage to accept the truth of His Word.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Built Upon A Solid Foundation

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its fall!” (Matt 7:24-27 NRSV)

This past year I've questioned the wisdom of the powers that be that determine construction codes. Years ago, we put a mobile home on a piece of property in Gay, Michigan; a little town on Lake Superior. To prepare the spot we used concrete runners under the mobile home so that it would not sink or shift. Our son, just put a mobile home on land in Flagler County. Here in Florida the pad that the mobile home will sit on is made of sand. There is no concrete slab or runners under the home. I am sure that the engineers and others more knowledgeable about building in Florida know what they are doing. Yes; of course, there are some really good tie downs and concrete blocks securing and leveling the house. But, when I first heard that there must be a pad of sand laid first, I was a bit confused. But; then again, we don't normally put a slab of concrete under a wood home, either. Blocks are usually used to hold it up and level it and that has worked for a very long time. 

So, houses are normally built on something solid; like concrete slabs or blocks. There has to be a sturdy base to keep the home from crumbling down. Likewise; our faith must be built on something solid. The foundation of our faith is the truth, who is Jesus Christ. Jesus is the cornerstone that holds the house of God together. If the house of God, if the church, is built on anything less than Jesus; if it is built on egos or greed or upon our own self-righteousness; then it will surely fall.

Paul wrote to the Ephesians:  "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God." (Eph 2:19-22)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Love The One Who Loves You

Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. 

(Deut 6:4-5 NRSV)

Lonely, frustrated, tired?

Thoughout my life I have spent a lot of time alone mainly due to either my husband's career or mine careers. I am often asked if it bothers me to be alone. The answer is no. I am never alone. I have lived long enough to know that there is One who loves me more than all others. He is with me always. He is there for you always.

When we find ourselves tired and weary; lonely or frustrated, there is one we can turn to. Love the Lord your God, who loves you, with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your might even when you think you don't need him. That is when you really need Him the most.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Live Your Life In Jesus

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. (Col 2:6-7 NRSV)

What is the sense of receiving Jesus Christ and then not living in him? If you acknowledge and receive him as your savior; they why would you turn your back on the privilege of living in him? What could possible be worth more than being united with Jesus?

The world really has nothing better to offer than Jesus. But, in Jesus, we can live life in the world in a much more peaceful place.

If he's good enough for you want to be with after death takes you from this world; then he ought to be good enough to live with and in now. Live life in Christ!

God's Peace - Pr. J

The Word Is Truth

"Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth."  (John 17:17 NRSV)

So how exactly does the Word of God say we are to be sanctified? We are sanctified in the truth which is in the word of God. To know the truth means we must immerse ourselves in his word. We are to read it daily. We are to hear it often. We are to think on his words. 

Half asleep in the pew on Sunday morning is not exactly hearing anything, let alone the truth. Rise up and hear the word of God. Be filled with his truth, not your truth; but, God's truth. And, please don't be presenting your opinions as truth. There is really no such think as your truth or my truth. What we represent to be our truths are really only our opinions of the truth. Jesus is the only truth. He is "...the way, and the truth, and the life." (John 14:6)  Listen to him and follow in his way.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Lead The Way

"For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God. May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light."  (Col 1:9-12 NRSV) 

We pray for one another. But, what do we pray for? 

I know that I pray for a lot of people for a lot of things. Some of the things I'm asked to pray for sometimes seem a bit worldly to my senses. That does not stop me from praying for them. I include in all of my prayers that their ears, their hearts, and their minds might be opened so that they might know God's will for them. I pray that they will have a better understanding of the way in which God would have them go and that God would empower them to follow in that way.

I know of no greater gift that one could have than to be able to live the life that God intends for them; today and for all of eternity.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Seek The Lord

Seek the Lord while He may be found,

Call upon Him while He is near.
                             Isaiah 55:6 NKJV

It would be easy to give up and let the world have it's worldly way with you. But, the Word of the LORD reminds us to seek Him and His Way. God's ways are not our ways. His thoughts are not our thoughts.

We must trust in the good will of God our Father and the good works of our Lord Jesus Christ and not in our own power or strength. We must always remember that no matter how bad things get, God is still in charge. He can turn the greatest tragedy into the most marvelous triumph. From the most troubled time, He can lead us out in joy and lead us forth in peace; the peace that only He can give.

Seek the LORD and call upon Him.

God's Peace - Pr. J