One gift this Christmas took me back to my high school days and the box of mementoes I kept hidden under my bed. Gals, you know the one—with the ticket stubs, football programs, pressed petals, love notes, photo strips from the photo booth for 25 cents, the handkerchief he gave you to wipe away the tears, the key chain with a VW insignia, and many more! And it also brought to mind the sterling silver charm bracelet given by my parents for my 16th birthday that accumulated soldered charms over many years, such as: a cheer megaphone, a car, a diploma, a wedding cake, baby booties, a house, etc.

This gift I held was the latest version of that bracelet– making memories tangible—recounting events of meaning—preserving them forever. It’s a marketer’s dream, these trinkets of emotion, and evidently I am not the only one who is a sap for things like this, because you see this bracelet on the arms of females everywhere. This darling gift came with its own 90-page catalog of additional baubles and beads to add over time! Perfect, it keeps on giving and spending!

While I love the sentiment and idea of commemorating moments of our life, maybe I need to spend some time thinking about those spiritual milestones that brought those “ah ha” moments and so much growth spiritually!

A) The time when I first heard, during a sermon that “without faith, we cannot please God.” (Hebrews 11:6) Being a people-pleaser even then, it upset me that God wouldn’t be pleased with me. What had I done at age 9 to displease God? After talking with our pastor, and hearing about “original sin” and the plan of salvation, I prayed to make Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior from that day on, professing my faith.
B) The time when a lady named Grace knocked on my door and asked, “If you were to die tonight, why should God let you into heaven?” (As a young married couple, we had neglected regular attendance at church and were living a pretty selfish life, ignoring my earlier decision to follow Jesus.) After this encounter, my husband and I went back to church, renewed our commitment to Jesus and rededicated our lives to Him. God’s grace was evident; He was faithful even if we failed to be.
C) The time when our 5 year old was hospitalized because of an allergic reaction to a drug and nearly died. We were brought face to face with God’s promises of peace in Philippians 4:5-7, “God is near. Be anxious for nothing; but with prayer and supplication, along with thanksgiving, make your requests known unto God and the peace of God that passes all understanding will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” We prayed and He brought us His peace.
D) The time when God showed me I had “an anchor for my soul, a hope both sure and steadfast “ in Jesus, no matter how my boat was rocked on the Sea of Worries, whether for my loved ones or finances, or anything else this world offers. He was my Anchor of Hope. (Hebrews 6:19)
E) The time when I was first called on to serve at church in a leadership position. I Timothy 1:12, “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.”
F) The time when God showed me that it was His plan for my life that I was to follow, not my own plans. I could trust my Creator to work out His plan for me! “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you not to harm you, plans to give you a future and a hope.”

The milestones of Faith, Grace, Peace, Hope, Service, Trust …they are better than sterling… they are pure gold!

“These stones shall become a memorial to the sons of Israel forever.” Joshua 4:7

Reflect and Respond:
1. Take a moment to reflect on what you have learned about God this year. Often we learn these lessons during difficult times, bringing the most growth!
2. Think back to a time when you may have been shown something about: Faith in Him, God’s grace, the need for His peace, the source of your hope, your call to serve Him or when you put your trust in Him. These are your milestones!
3. Whisper a prayer of thanks to Him, or take a few minutes to write one!
4. What do you need from Him right now? Just ask the One who waits for us to call His Name!




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“Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name.  I will praise you, O Lord my God with all my heart.  I will glorify your name forever.”  Psalm 86:11-12

 

Have you ever noticed that road signs remind you of life itself?  A couple years ago, we were taking photos inside all the Arkansas Campgrounds, which took about 8 months.   Going down the road in our motorhome sometimes I get bored, just sitting!  I like multi-tasking!    Sometimes I am reading, sometimes I am crocheting, but sometimes I am lost in a daydream…others I am “observing” the signs of life!

• “Wrong Way” or “Do not enter”… are important signs when driving a 38’ motorhome! You really could end up where you don’t belong!  A one-way road is definitely hazardous! 
• “Watch for Falling Rocks!”—And what will you do if you see them falling…hey, good one..I’d give that a 7.5!  Yes, these could really damage our traveling home!
• “Dangerous Curves Ahead”—they are not talking about mine!  Curves are tricky in a stretch limo and most certainly in a 38’ motorhome!
• “Yield Right of Way”—to whom?  Oh that 53’ semi truck barreling down the lane we are trying to enter!       Yes that is a good thing to do!
• “Turn Lights on Next 5 miles”—is it dark for the next 5 miles?  Are there drivers ahead that are worse than the ones we’ve dealt with so far?  Well then what about the rest of our trip?
• “Run Away Ramp”—is this a ramp that is rebellious?  Just how does a ramp run away? And why?  Is this the ramp I take when I want to run away? 

It put me in mind of a book I had read quite some time ago, Milo and the Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster.   Perhaps you’ve read it too!  It was a fun read with tongue in cheek humor.  But it absolutely had so many real truths about life!

  There were some very strange destinations!   A sign along the road said “Welcome to Expectations!”—We’ve all been there haven’t we?  “Expectations — the place you must always go to before you get to where you are going.  Of course, some people never go beyond expectations!”   (Yes, made that trip a few times!!)

Or, “The Doldrums” was another area along this highway!  “The Doldrums are where nothing ever happens and nothing ever changes…where it’s  unlawful  to think, think of thinking, surmise, presume, reason, meditate, or speculate; where the daily schedule consists of: daydreaming, napping, dawdle, delay, linger, loiter, put off to tomorrows, loaf, lounge, dillydally with almost no time left for brooding, lagging, plodding or procrastinating!”  (I’ve seen some teenagers spend quite a bit of time in this section.)

Perhaps “Dictionopolis” would be more to your liking?  “A happy kingdom advantageously located in the Foothills of Confusion; caressed by gentle breezes from the Sea of knowledge, where the ‘word market’ does business and the Ministers Cabinet consists of the Duke of Definition, the Minister of Meaning, the Earl of Essence, the Count of Connotation, and the Undersecretary of Understanding.  In Dictionopolis you can pick fresh if’s, and’s, and but’s and get ripe when’s and where’s—juicy words for sale!”  (This is a writer’s heaven!)

What about a visit to the “City of Reality”? Or to the “City of Illusions?”  In the latter, there are “mirages- things that aren’t really there that you can see very clearly—often easier to see than things that are!” (Yes, that sounds very familiar!)

Or then there is the “Island of Conclusion”…so “how did we get here? You jumped, of course!—that’s the way most people get here…every time you decide something without having a good reason, you jump to Conclusions whether you like It or not.  It’s such an easy trip, I’ve been here hundreds of times, but getting back isn’t so easy.”   (Once you jump there is no return!)

I sense the quietness I haven’t heard for awhile, and realize we have stopped for a break.  My husband asks why I’ve been so silent and where I’ve been:   ”Oh, first the Doldrums, the City of Illusions, where I jumped to the Island of Conclusions…and all the while I’ve been right here the whole time!”  He looked at me pretty funny, but then dismissed it…he knows me!  What “signs” have you seen this week?

 

 

Reflect and Respond:

1. Yield Right Away—do we “yield” to God’s will?  Do we “yield” our rights even when we are right?
2. Have you ignored the signs that say “Do not enter” or “Wrong Way?”  How can we make a U-turn back in the right spiritual direction?
3. Have you ever wanted God to send down a beacon when you were confused?  “Turn lights on next 5 miles!”
4. What “sign” would be appropriate for the path you are on right now?  “Watch for slow movers”?  “Dangerous intersection”?  “Dead End?”   “Yield Right of Way?”  “Slow down for Children?”

Rain, rain, go away . . . I said that quite a few times this season! Gray appeared to be permanently painted upon the canopy of sky overhead. Each downpour added to already rapidly running streams; filled lakes and contributed to a plethora of puddles. Water, water, everywhere! Slicker-clad children walking, running and jumping gleefully through water-filled gutters, sloshing and splashing, throwing water hither and yon, “Singing-in-the-Rain” style. The years rolled back in my memory of my own childhood and slickers!

As children, puddles are an enticement promising delight and excitement. Squeals of joy resound in every neighborhood and it is great fun! But, we don’t often see adults rollicking in those same puddles, unless it’s Gene Kelly or Fred Astaire in an old musical. Unfortunately, other types of puddles have lured our loved ones. Looking for something more in their daily lives, they want escape or even a flirtation with danger. These puddles may deceive them at first glance, but they are life-threatening holes full of all types of mud, pain and sadness. And when they succumb to these mud puddles, anyone near them gets splattered with the consequences.

“Listen my son, (or daughter) accept what I say and the years of your life will be many. I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction; do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life. Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.” Proverbs 4:10-15

We all can veer off the path and venture into territory that leads to wrong directions. But we need to watch the road signs along the way, listening for HIS Voice saying, “This is the way, walk in it.” How many times have I heard a warning whisper, “Don’t go there; watch out!” I need to continually seek God’s direction, ask for wisdom, keep company with those who “know the way” and will encourage us when we are in doubt, and then walk straight ahead on our journey. Sometimes we need them to walk with us for awhile, until we can find our way, also. Can you hear King Solomon saying to us: “Choose wisely; it is your life”?

Reflect and Respond:

1. Think about a “puddle” you have been tempted to investigate. What stopped you from proceeding? Maybe you jumped in? What were the results? 

2. How can we encourage those around us when they are tempted to get off the right path?

3. Have you ever been splattered by a “mud puddle person”? How did you handle it?

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In memorium of Beverly Gean Lushbaugh, my wonderful mom; who went to be with her Lord, June 9, 1990.

 

Driving to the hospital unaware of reality around me;
Seeing freeway signs yet uncomprehending their meaning.
My mind races ahead to you…
What will I find when I get there?

There you are in the emergency room behind a temporary curtain
That keeps nothing private from anyone.
They come in wearing white coats, white shoes
And pull and prod and probe.
What will they find within you?

You writhe in pain that is relentless
And I can do nothing to help you.
I call for the nurse, the doctor;
They give you medication but it doesn’t help.
They order morphine and more tests.
What will they find with them?

Day after day goes by, six to be exact.
I drive back and forth listening to music
That I choose to sing along with
To keep my mind focused on Him.
Friends come and go, bring gifts, and call.
Flowers arrive with special messages of love
And loved ones sit and talk and wait. What will we find here tomorrow?
I tell you things I have always told you since I was a little girl:
“I love you, Mom. You’re the best Mom in the whole world!”
We recall moments of yesteryears
 And laugh and cry and we
Reluctantly say good-bye.
I release you to my Creator and Father.
What will He find there?

Awakened suddenly.   No reason.
I am compelled to get up, get dressed, and get to you.
I am not the only one; dad is there, too.
Yes, you are there, but is this really you?
Pale, frail, unaware of reality around you,
Eyes closed; a rattle in your breathing now.

And while we are watching you,
The Lord sends an Angel for you.
We were unaware of the true reality around us,
Yet you saw it clearly with your eyes tightly closed!
Ushered into Heaven by the Lord Himself;
What will you find there?  Peace!
And I will find my Mother.
       By Pamela Stephens, June, 1990

By Pamela Stephens

How did I get myself into this? This isn’t what I would do on a weekend away. Again, I had allowed myself to be talked into, coerced into doing something I really was afraid to do. I know in my head I heard the familiar “face your fears” mantra those who have no fear– proclaim. And I gave in, said yes in a weak moment. So, here we were ready to climb into a rubber raft with paddles and a “bailing bucket.” If it was so safe, why then did I need such a thing? Did I mention that I don’t swim? Dog paddling is too generous for what I do in a pool!

There were five or six other rafts, also filled with eight middle school youngsters, one guide and a couple of adult sponsors. We donned our life jackets, (really non-essential I was told—nothing will happen!) and found our places in this flimsy, motor less craft. Chickens to the front, ah I mean, adults to the front! That was definitely me, and my much more adventurous husband! We listened as our guide (a woman, I think, though I wasn’t certain) who spoke like a prison guard, told us what NOT to do and what we MUST do: everyone must paddle—no slackers! Everyone must do as she told us: paddles up, paddles in, paddles out, forward paddle, back paddle (I liked this one and planned to use it often). We set out, following our “leader” in the first raft, hoping he knew the way ahead; what choice did we have?

Actually, the first day (yes, there was more than one!) was pretty nice: warm weather, splashes of refreshing spray, great meals cooked by our hosts, the Adventure Connection (I wasn’t really looking for adventure). My husband had been right, this wasn’t that bad,  I had to admit. Day two began calmly enough; we met for prayer and listened to our guide’s further directions. Today, she says, we would continue down river and it will be a little more technical—great! We will really need to listen because we would come to a drop of about five feet, (a WHAT?) negotiated between two very large rocks where only one raft will fit at a time; its name was “Satan’s Cesspool.” This might not be good, I remember thinking. I looked toward my husband, and seeing the terror in my eyes, he said, “Don’t worry, I will save you, trust me!” I’d heard that before, but I don’t remember enjoying it. I wasn’t reassured! Oh, yes our guide had said, when we get to “Satan’s Cesspool,” remember to keep smiling! We will have company; four wheelers and campers like to gather there and watch the rafters come through. There will even be a local photographer taking photos, so SMILE! Terrific and we will be the Sunday afternoon entertainment?  Lovely!

Reluctantly, when my turn came, I boarded the life boat, I mean raft! We wound our way down river and at the final rapids of the day, our guide called out, “This is it! Satan’s Cesspool!” This is it, all right I remember thinking. I knew something was amiss because I heard sounds of loud, rushing water. I tried to steady myself as I watched the first raft head for the narrow space between the two rocks, trying to place it just right. Unfortunately for us all, they missed! When you are in a wet rubber boat, and you hit a large rock that is very hot, it’s quite similar to “seal a meal.” The wet raft wraps around the hot rock and glues itself to it. The passengers all bailed out, clambering for the safety and stability of the rock. There was no amount of back paddling (which we were all doing now) that would keep us out of harm’s way, and now there was half of the first raft filling the passageway. The current continued to bring us directly into the back of the first boat. We slammed into it, knocking my husband and me onto our backsides, feet in the air. “High side, high side!!” our guide shouted. We tried to get up, but by then I could hear what no non-swimmer wants to hear in their ears (gurgle, gurgle); I was going under and the front of the raft was coming up over my head. I remember pushing it off, and the next thing I knew, and was headed down stream; we all had gone down the “drop” without a boat! We were told if ever we are out of the raft, in the river, to lie flat with our feet pointed down river. Never had I planned to be “out of the raft,” but never-the-less, I was! Quickly, I rearranged myself, so as not to hit “bottom” on any protruding rocks. I looked around for the man who had said, “Don’t worry, I will save you. Trust me!” I spotted someone a little further on. Ah yes, that appears to be him, now, floating quickly down river ahead of me– So much for that! We were in the very middle of the river, with outcroppings of rocks near the shore, and sure enough, there were four-by-four trucks parked with lots of people cheering us on and yelling. SMILE, she had said, but I wanted to cry!

Right in my path straight ahead of me, a kayak with one man in it, offered me the oar. “Grab hold, I’ll toss you toward shore!” Grab, I did! Because I had my lifejacket firmly attached, I dog-paddled to the closest outcropping of rocks where my husband and many of our “group” were hanging on. We were all safe! But there are some morals to this true story: 1) Beware of anyone who says they will save you—it’s every man or woman for themselves! 2) Be sure the one you are following knows the way and can lead you there safely! 3) Never trust anyone who puts a lifejacket on you, hands you a bucket for bailing, and sends you off to a place called “Satan’s Cesspool.”

Here’s a bit of vital spiritual information:
1) Jesus alone saves; we may be the instruments He uses along the way, but it is He who saves souls; “There is no other name under heaven, by which we must be saved—Jesus” (Act 4:12)

 2) In our spiritual journey, we need to be careful that those we are traveling with know The Way, and are following Christ; “His sheep hear His voice and follow Him.”  John 10: 27-28; “Follow my example as I follow Christ. “ I Cor. 11:1

3) While we are here on this earth, we come upon places and people that aren’t wearing signs that say “Satan’s Cesspool”, but they aren’t safe and don’t want the best for us.  Be sure you are putting on the whole armor of God, so having done everything, you will stand! (Eph. 5:13)

“We must pay careful attention therefore to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away!” Hebrews 2:1

By Definition: Outlook: n. 1. Attitude; or point of view; 2. Likely future; expectations with respect to a particular situation.

What are your expectations for today?
When you got up this morning—what was your outlook?

Depending on your personality, you may be more optimistic or more pessimistic by nature or somewhere in between an incurable optimist and a total pessimist! Do you sing “Oh what a beautiful morning…everything’s goin’ my way!” from Oklahoma…or quote Murphy’s Law, “Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong!”

We can look down in disappointment, around in judgment, within in self-pity or we can look up in expectation and in hope!

When things don’t go our way, we mumble and grumble and have temper tantrums (at least inwardly) and can sulk in self-pity as well as any two-year old! With high expectations, link-by-link we construct a chain of obligation that will bind us in a dungeon of disappointment and depression and put others on a guillotine of guilt if we allow it!

In II Chronicles 20, Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, hears that a vast army is advancing intending to annihilate all in Judah. Now that is a very bad day! Wisely, Jehoshaphat looks UP! He goes to the Lord, acknowledging that only He is all-powerful and that none will be able to withstand HIM! Power!

Jehoshaphat further pleads to Almighty God that they alone do not have the power to face this vast army, that they do not know what to do, but “Our eyes are upon YOU.” And we see God give his answer, “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but mine….You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you; do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out and face them tomorrow and I will be with you!”

Jehoshaphat assigned singers to sing and to praise God and as they did, they saw the LORD set ambushes for those attacking Judah. When they looked over the scene, all they saw were the bodies of their enemies lying on the ground. No one had escaped!

I don’t know about you, but I can begin to look at a particular circumstance and start feeling uneasy, sad, worried, and upset. Looking around for others to blame, taking on false guilt or rationalizing why it isn’t our fault does no good! But when I look up to my God, it puts everything into perspective! We have a very big God! It’s easy to get caught up in our daily lives looking all around at those who may “surround” us! We need to remember to LOOK UP! That is where our Help will be!

Reflect and Respond
1) What was your OUTLOOK today?
2) Where are you looking? Around, within, down? Or UP?
3) Spend a few minutes in prayer, asking the Lord to change your outlook!

Oh Lord, help me to lift up my eyes to You daily to get your perspective! Amen

The Well Watered Tree

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river and will not fear when heat comes; buit its leaf will be green and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8

“The wind that blows can never kill the tree God plants;
it blows east and it blows west,
the tender leaves have little rest,
But any wind that blows is best.
The tree that God plants strikes
deeper root, grows higher still,
spreads greater boughs, for God’s good
will meets all its wants.

There is no storm hath power to blast
the tree God knows;
no thunderbolt, nor beating rain,
nor lightning flash, nor hurricane;
when they are spent, it doth remain,
The tree God knows
through every tempest stands
fast and from its first day to
its last, still fairer grows.”
(Author Unknown)