A new phase in our lives-empty nesters

     In a couple of days our daughter will be starting a new chapter in her life and so will we. Our daughter will be starting college! Even though we are ready to let her go out into the world, our life as we have known it is changing. For the last 18 years our focus has been on what has been best for her. We have been able to lavish much of our time and attention on her. It has really paid off! She is a very confident and very intelligent young lady. We are very confident that she will do great things in the world. My faith tells me that God will protect her and help her make independent choices. If she falters in the future, God will give her the strength to figure out a good solution, too,

Daily advice from reading the Bible.....Stay balanced

As some of you have figured out I am still on vacation in beautiful Northern Michigan. I have had lots of time on my hands for reflection. During the year I am a teacher and I don't sit still very often. It seems I am always trying to stay caught up with paperwork, housework, exercise and raising a family. Because of being so busy during the school year, my life sometimes gets out of balance. Sometimes I don't exercise as much or balance my checkbook as often as I should. So next year will be about balance as the new school year will begin in the middle of August.

One thing I have figured out these past couple of weeks is maybe I  need to be a little more selfish with my time. I need to make time to exercise, handle money wisely and keep the house in order. One of the ways that I can do this is to read the Bible daily to stay on the right course. Even though I have read those words before I always learn something new. I know God wants me to succeed and have the best possible life ever. I have to trust in his mercy and goodness for my life and the life of my family. I have to take a big leap of faith and let God show me the correct path for my life.    

Beautiful surroundings and God's creation...... Up North Michigan

Apologies to those of you who have come back to my blog and haven't seen any new entries for the last couple of weeks. I am on vacation and haven't had easy computer access.

For anyone who has ever been in the upper section of Northern Michigan, you know it is a hidden gem. One of the most beautiful and peaceful places that I know. So today I am going to reflect on the beauty of where I am.

Psalm 96: 11-13 "Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea and what fills it resound; let the plains be joyful and all that is in them. Then let all the trees of the forest rejoice before the Lord who comes, who comes to govern the earth. To govern the world with justice and the peoples with faithfulness.

For a long time, almost 15 years I have been coming back to the same spot to vacation every summer. When I tell people where I am going they say to me "Why are you going back there?" Being by water is very healing for the soul, especially the water here. It doesn't matter whether it is an inland lake or Lake Michigan, the effect is the same. This healing water has been here long before I was here. It will be here long after I am gone. There are Petosky stones on the beach that have been around since the time of the dinosaurs. There is power in God's creation!!!!

We are here for such a short time on Earth compared to the waters of Lake Michigan or the Petosky stones. God rejoices in his creation and those who take pleasure in it. It is amazing to me how something so simple as water and stones can satisfy my soul and the longing that resides there. I feel very close to God here. God uses his glorious creation to connnect me to him. Even though I am a very small piece of His creation, I am so very grateful for the peace of his simple gifts of water and stone.     

The answer to prayer.....

Luke 11: 9-11 And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who ask receives, and the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks the door will be opened.

Sometimes we are afraid to ask for things for fear of being told no. What does that no mean? Does it mean that one door is closed, but another door might come open? When we get a yes for an answer I think to myself,   I shouldn't have been afraid to ask in the first place. So it is with asking God, God wants to hear everything that is on our hearts. Keep bugging God! Don't be selective in what you bring to Him, He wants to hear all of it! So ask away, God wants you to! 

Money worries? What does Hebrews tell us?

One of my favorite books in the Bible is Hebrews. It's a book that I've just discovered in the past year. I like it because the teachings are for people who are at risk for giving up their faith because of persecution. It's a sermon by an unknown author to tell us to be strong in our faith and never to give up hope.

Personally one of the struggles that I deal with is money, or lack thereof. I am in a very rewarding profession. My rewards are greater spirituality and joy! But I struggle with making ends meet. Just when I get back on track financially, a money crisis comes up like car repairs or medical bills. Then I get very frustrated! That's when I call upon God for assistance. Sometimes he answers in subtle ways. I went to buy a sandwich today at a local supermarket and got a coupon for a free sandwich! That was a big surprise. I think He is trying to tell me not to worry, he has got a plan to get me back on track. I have to trust in his mercy and grace! I know he has a plan for me!

What does Hebrews say about money woes? Hebrews 13: 5-9 Let your life be free from love of money, but be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never forsake you or abandon you." Thus we may say with confidence:

                    
                             "The Lord is my helper, and I will not be afraid.
                               What can anyone do to me?"

Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. JESUS CHRIST IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND FOREVER.

I put that last sentence from scripture in bold print because it speaks to me of consistency and hope for the future. Christ will never change and He will always be there for us. So I need to daily put my trust in Christ to help me with my money worries. I know He has a plan for me, my job is to trust in his plan! Amen!          

The strength of the Holy Spirit

One of my favorite Bible stories is from the Acts of the Apostles. It is the account of Pentecost. Jesus had ascended into Heaven already. Before he left he told the apostles to do two things for Him. He said to teach people about Him and to baptize people in his name. It was a very dangerous time to be a Christian and a believer in Christ. The apostles were in a upper room when all of a sudden the Holy Spirit was upon them in three different forms: wind, fire and speaking in tongues. The flame of the Holy Spirit appeared above their heads, a wind swept through the room and the apostles started speaking in their native tongues.

The Holy Spirit came to give the apostles strength to do what Jesus commended them to do. It takes strength to carry out the word of Jesus. Most times we can't do it alone. The Holy Spirit is our helper. The Holy Spirit is a bearer of strength and courage for us. Sometimes carrying out the will of Jesus isn't the popular decision of the time. We live in a very secular world where people think of their needs before others. Those of us that put God first in our lives tend to do things for other first before doing for ourselves. It takes daily affirmation to keep God first in our lives. That's where the Holy Spirit can help. When we are tempted by the desires of the secular world ask the Holy Spirit to keep you on the right path, God's path. When others persecute you and scoff at you for following God's will ask the Holy Spirit to put Godly people in your life to assist you. The Holy Spirit hasn't failed me yet! My help comes from the Lord!  and the Holy Spirit..... 

We are created in God's image and likeness....

From the book of Genesis 1:26 Then God said: "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." Each one of us is created in God's image no matter who we are and what we have done in this life. Those are very heavy words for the average person. We tend to think we are better than others, especially those people who live ungodly lives. We converse amongst ourselves saying "At least I am not that person... Can you believe how they have messed up their life?"

But that isn't what God says. He says all people are his children even the most broken among us. We all have room for growth and redemption.

I think being created in God's image and likeness helps me treat others with respect. We think others have it easier than we do but that isn't always the case.
We have no idea what it is like to walk in another's shoes. Try to see Jesus in others, even those who have disrespected you. I know how difficult this can be. Just maybe you could be the light in the darkness for them. Maybe they are waiting for someone to see God's image in them. Ask God for guidance and grace to be a light for others!