8.1.16 Proverbs
6:28 GNT
Can you walk on hot
coals without burning your feet?
Can we do
stupid things without consequences? Not
usually. This passage is part of a long
lesson from King Solomon on fidelity in marriage, but the message holds true
for most anything: You can’t play with fire without getting
burned! Good advice to heed for
selfish reasons, but also because you can’t usually play with fire without
someone else getting burned as well. So
even if we don’t care about the blisters on our own feet, we should be careful
for the sake of those around us.
Forgiving God…I will try to keep from making stupid mistakes, but rest
in the comfort of your grace in spite of my errors. Amen.
8.2.16 Psalm
68:9 (Combo)
You pour out buckets
of rain, O God, and restore a parched land to an oasis.
Patience, Lord, fill me with patience.
8.3.16
John
7:37-38 VOICE
Jesus: If any of you is thirsty, come to Me and drink…. rivers of living water will flow from within you.
I love all
these passages on water while I am at the ocean and listening to the constant
roar of the waves just outside the window.
There is a renewal and restoration in water, in the changing tides, the
changes we witness each day along the shoreline and in the sand. Rivers of living water flow all around
us. Thank you, God.
When life
gets crazy, time to be alone, to meditate, to rest, is so important. We need to take the time to take care of
ourselves or we can’t really care for others very well. Good to remember. Good to practice. But it is a delicate balance between too much
‘me’ and not enough ‘me-care’.
8.4.16 Mark
6:31 GNT
There were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his
disciples didn't even have time to eat. So he said to them, “Let us go off by
ourselves to some place where we will be alone and you can rest a while.”
 |
| A good place to rest: beach walks! I loved the shapes in the anenomes clinging to the rocks yesterday. |
Caring God….help me take care of myself in order to care for
others. Amen.
8.5.16 Mark
6:49-50 GNT
…but they saw him walking on the water. “It's a ghost!” they
thought, and screamed. They
were all terrified when they saw him. Jesus spoke to them at once,
“Courage!” he said. “It is I. Don't be afraid!”
How many times in the Bible does Jesus
say, ‘Fear not!’ (Or perhaps God or the angels voice the words!) Over and over. In fact, a little Google research (ok, so
authenticity might be questionable) cites about 365 instances of Have Courage!
Fear Not! Be Not Afraid! Is that any coincidence? Once for every day of the year? Does God realize that we constantly need the
encouragement to place our faith and trust over our fear? We fear what we do not know – the future,
death, strangers. And yet God assures us
that the Holy walks besides us every step of the way and that is KNOWN. Fear not!
Good words to remember as our family
and Mom are facing perhaps some months of unknown in the days ahead. Understandably, Mom has some fears of the
diminishing energies she feels. Some of
her activities might have to be cut back; some of our activities might need to
be altered. But through it all, we can
take heart and KNOW, without a doubt, that God is not a ghost. God is with us.
God of all...give us courage to face the unknown with the confidence of your presence. Amen.
‘Focus of
my delight!’ I realize this is The Message interpretation, but I love
that image….God delights in us! We are
marked with love and joy! Why, oh why,
do we so often turn that delight into sorrow on God’s behalf, as we persist in
turning against one another? I think I
shall just revel today in the knowledge that God is smiling down on me,
especially when my actions show the ‘mark’ of God’s love for others!
God of all...give us courage to face the unknown with the confidence of your presence. Amen.
8.6.16 Matthew
17:5 MSG
This is my Son, marked
by my love, focus of my delight. Listen
to him!
God of love….may my actions demonstrate love and bring you pleasure and
joy. Amen.
We make so
much of the six days work and one day rest, usually in a selfish ME directed
attitude. But the day of rest was as
much directed to enable those who are oppressed, those in servitude, to have
that same opportunity. I always feel for
those who must work on Sundays and hope they are able to take a day of rest on
another day of the week. All need a day
of restoration, a day to recharge batteries, a day for emotional and spiritual
fulfillment. I am sensing another walk
on the beach beckoning to me this afternoon, even if the skies are cloudy! Thank you, God!
‘You need food
that sticks to your ribs!’ Such is the
spiritual food that we receive from God.
Yes, our physical bodies must eat to live, but all too often we focus
far too much on our physical needs and forget or neglect the everlasting food
of the Spirit. Such is the nourishment
that will sustain far beyond a cheeseburger or slice of pizza!
8.7.16 Exodus
23:12 GNT
“Work six days a week, but do no work on the seventh day, so
that your slaves and the foreigners who work for you and even your animals can
rest.
We make so
much of the six days work and one day rest, usually in a selfish ME directed
attitude. But the day of rest was as
much directed to enable those who are oppressed, those in servitude, to have
that same opportunity. I always feel for
those who must work on Sundays and hope they are able to take a day of rest on
another day of the week. All need a day
of restoration, a day to recharge batteries, a day for emotional and spiritual
fulfillment. I am sensing another walk
on the beach beckoning to me this afternoon, even if the skies are cloudy! Thank you, God!
8.8.16 John 6:27
MSG
“Don’t waste your energy striving for perishable food. Work
for the food that sticks with you, food that nourishes your lasting life, food
the Son of Man provides. He and what he does are guaranteed by God the Father
to last.”
Fill
me up, God, with the food of your love, the nourishment that lasts far longer
than meal to meal. Amen.
8.9.16 John 10:11
GNT
I
am the good shepherd, who is willing to die for the sheep.
I love the images
of Jesus as the Good Shepherd – one who tenderly watches over us, yet fierce in
his battle on our behalf in the face of our ‘enemies’ – whatever evils they
might be. I am traveling today and
welcome my Shepherd to ride in the car with me.
Together we will safely head north to Portland. May the same Shepherd watch over the sheep I
leave behind – Mom, Luke, and Kady.
Falling behind in drawings….but I love sheep pictures, so maybe
this will eventually get done!
8.10.16 Psalm 23:2-3
MSG
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
you let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction.
you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
you let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction.
I thought this
was the text for last Sunday because it was the text for worship that
morning. But now I am remembering that I
am using a liturgy schedule from 2011 or so, so the dates won’t match up
necessarily! But while I was in church
and pondering this very passage in light of my Saturday walk in the labyrinth,
I changed the words to: “I find rest on
the soft warm sand, the lull of the waves washing over me. I can catch my breath and find the right
path.”
But today I am
finishing my sojourn to the coast and driving the second leg of my travels
toward Baker. In my absence the lush
green meadows of the Meacham area have burned, the waters of Unity area aflame
as well. May this part of the earth be
restored, O Lord, and all Creation be sent in the direction of your will.
Restoring
God….guide me safely home and grant me opportunities to catch my breath and be
restored. Amen.
8.11.16 Matthew
7:12 Voice
In everything, in every circumstance, do to
others as you would have them do to you.
The classic Golden Rule Reminder….maybe I will just
find this image and reuse it!
Another well
known passage of scripture loaded with meaning.
Come as a child, without the preconceptions, skepticisms, or baggage of
adulthood. Come with innocence and
trust.
8.12.16 Mark 10:14
MSG
“Don’t push these children away. Don’t ever get
between them and me. These children are at the very center of life in the
kingdom. Mark this: Unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a
child, you’ll never get in.”
Another well
known passage of scripture loaded with meaning.
Come as a child, without the preconceptions, skepticisms, or baggage of
adulthood. Come with innocence and
trust.
A busy time
trying to catch up on ‘home stuff’, prepare to leave again, and still keep
track of what is happening in Bandon. My
prayers may be audible for the week while I work.
God…
grant me the trust of a child. Amen.
And so I will come to you full of joy, if it is God's will,
and enjoy a refreshing visit with you.
8.13.16 Romans 15:32
GNT
And so I will come to you full of joy, if it is God's will,
and enjoy a refreshing visit with you.
How often do we
come to other FULL OF JOY? So many
times, it seems we are eager to bring our troubles, our aches and pains, the
sordid details of our lives, but we omit the JOY!! The key word after JOY in this passage is
REFRESHING! JOY refreshes others! It makes God’s presence more visible and
real; it uplifts! The biggest compliment
I can receive from others is a they see a smile on my face and a positive
attitude that puts joy in their hearts.
God
of sunshine and smiles…..may I bubble forth with the joy of your grace and
presence! Amen.
8.14.16 2 Timothy
1:16 GNT
May the Lord show mercy to the family of
Onesiphorus, because he cheered me up many times. He was not ashamed that I am
in prison,
I know some men that are in prison from the Bandon
church. They are basically good people,
who made some very poor choices. They
love God. They love their children. I know my mom makes an effort to write to
them while they are in prison. Those who
are incarcerated are sometimes very dangerous and mentally unstable, but just
as often they are men and women like you and me, who made a big mistake. Does God love them any less? No.
Are they deserving of our love and support? YES!
Loving God….help me to better remember
and respond to those in prison.
Amen.
8.15.16 Proverbs 11:25 MSG
Peterson’s Message puts this verse into very
concrete terms. Other translations are a
little more gentle: ‘It
is kindness that I want, not animal sacrifices.’ I have not come to call
respectable people, but outcasts.” (GNT) or ‘I desire mercy, not
sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.”
(NRSV) For me the key phrase is ‘mercy,
not sacrifice’. Jesus was referring to
those who felt they were religious because they followed the ‘rules’ of animal
sacrifices. They went through all the
motions without the heart of mercy and compassion. The rules became more important than
grace. And I think we get caught up in
this same failing today. Too many ‘religions’
arguing this or that practice or rule all while ignoring the cries of the
outcast, the poor, the suffering in their midst. I struggle at times with our Presbyterian ‘decently
and in order’ when order battles with grace, when structure negates compassion,
when rules overcome common sense and doing what ‘right’! ‘Nuf said, I’ll get off my high horse and
attempt to practice what I preach!
“Be especially careful when you are trying to be
good so that you don’t make a performance out of it. It might be good theater,
but the God who made you won’t be applauding.
8.18.16 John 4:24
MSG
How often did our
parents attempt to clean our face with a washcloth and our first impulse is to
turn our face away? We didn’t like the
harsh cloth or the firm wipe! We didn’t
like to admit our face was dirty! Do we
do the same thing with God? It is
difficult to confess sin or perhaps the forgiveness demands we do something
that is hard. We can’t receive the grace
of forgiveness, however, without turning and facing our God, without presenting
ourselves fully before our Savior and admitting we just might have made a few
mistakes along the way (ok, perhaps MANY!)
And the beauty of God’s grace? God will wipe our face clean OVER and OVER
again!
8.15.16 Proverbs 11:25 MSG
The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed;
those who help others are helped.
those who help others are helped.
There is the
saying that God helps those who help themselves. I prefer to think of this in terms of the
Proverbs scripture: God helps those who help others!! When we give, our gifts are returned in
abundance; when we help, we find we are
the true receivers. May we be generous
in our offerings.
God
of abundance….may I continue to look for ways to give of my wealth, my time,
and my energy.
8.16.16 Matthew 9:13 MSG
‘I’m after mercy, not religion.’ I’m here to
invite outsiders, not coddle insiders.”
Peterson’s Message puts this verse into very
concrete terms. Other translations are a
little more gentle: ‘It
is kindness that I want, not animal sacrifices.’ I have not come to call
respectable people, but outcasts.” (GNT) or ‘I desire mercy, not
sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.”
(NRSV) For me the key phrase is ‘mercy,
not sacrifice’. Jesus was referring to
those who felt they were religious because they followed the ‘rules’ of animal
sacrifices. They went through all the
motions without the heart of mercy and compassion. The rules became more important than
grace. And I think we get caught up in
this same failing today. Too many ‘religions’
arguing this or that practice or rule all while ignoring the cries of the
outcast, the poor, the suffering in their midst. I struggle at times with our Presbyterian ‘decently
and in order’ when order battles with grace, when structure negates compassion,
when rules overcome common sense and doing what ‘right’! ‘Nuf said, I’ll get off my high horse and
attempt to practice what I preach!
8.17.16 Matthew 6:1
MSG
 |
| I realized the other day that the purple columbine was blooming for a second time this summer! So beautiful!! |
How often do we
desire to call attention to ourselves when we are being ‘good’! How often do we turn a worship service into a
performance rather than an offering? Instead, we should practice ‘stealth’ giving, ‘secret’
service, and attend to the anonymous factor.
We are then truly giving from a heart with the right intentions, rather
than a self-serving desire. How easy to
write, how hard to practice.
Keep me on a ‘stealthy’ path, Lord, as I attempt
to serve all your children. Amen.
8.18.16 John 4:24
MSG
God is sheer being itself—Spirit. Those who
worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true
selves, ….
We
cannot hold back our heart and soul from God, all while professing our faith
and commitment in following rules and regulations of ‘religion’. The Spirit of God is everywhere and in
everything, including our heart and soul.
May my worship, my service, my prayers reflect an intimate relationship
with the God-Spirit within.
Fill me up, Lord, with your spirit. Make us one.
Amen.
8.19.16 Acts 3:19
MSG
Now it’s time to change your ways! Turn to face
God so he can wipe away your sins….
How often did our
parents attempt to clean our face with a washcloth and our first impulse is to
turn our face away? We didn’t like the
harsh cloth or the firm wipe! We didn’t
like to admit our face was dirty! Do we
do the same thing with God? It is
difficult to confess sin or perhaps the forgiveness demands we do something
that is hard. We can’t receive the grace
of forgiveness, however, without turning and facing our God, without presenting
ourselves fully before our Savior and admitting we just might have made a few
mistakes along the way (ok, perhaps MANY!)
And the beauty of God’s grace? God will wipe our face clean OVER and OVER
again!
May
I once again turn my face to you, O God, that you might wipe it clean. Amen.
You can’t have
one without the other. It not the God
withholds the grace of forgiveness from us, it’s there! But unless we have that same forgiving
attitude, we fail to realize the freedom such grace allows. Our failure to forgive doesn’t cut God from
us on God’s part, but we CUT OURSELVES from God and hence fail to receive the
gift that is waiting. Our pride, our
self-centeredness, gets in the way of peace.
Today
is a busy day. Worship this
morning. I have arranged for communion
preparation, I will provide worship music, and we have a 4 hour Session retreat
this afternoon. AND Rick and I leave for
a three week trip tomorrow morning with the trailer. Produce to harvest,
watering, final food packing. Preparations to be wrapped up for
departure. On top of that, I worry for my mom and her health. May I turn it all over to God
this day and find rest in worship, find calm in discussion within a natural
setting, find peace in the assurance we haven’t forgotten something
major, and assurance that Mom is in the BEST of hands.
8.20.16 Matthew 6:14
MSG
You can’t get forgiveness from God …. without
also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from
God’s part.
Forgiving
God….may I stay within your touch and freely forgive others without
reservation. Amen.
8.21.16 Matthew
11:28 GNT
Come to me, all of you who are tired from
carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest.
Today
is a busy day. Worship this
morning. I have arranged for communion
preparation, I will provide worship music, and we have a 4 hour Session retreat
this afternoon. AND Rick and I leave for
a three week trip tomorrow morning with the trailer. Produce to harvest,
watering, final food packing. Preparations to be wrapped up for
departure. On top of that, I worry for my mom and her health. May I turn it all over to God
this day and find rest in worship, find calm in discussion within a natural
setting, find peace in the assurance we haven’t forgotten something
major, and assurance that Mom is in the BEST of hands.
God…may I approach today with peace and find
relief from stress in you. Amen.
As
we drove today through the “Bread Basket of America – the Palouse wheat fields
of Eastern Washington” I truly was seeing the abundance with which God can
satisfy our hunger. Fields that were a
myriad shade of greens in June were now golden – wheat, lentils and dried pea
colors of gold and brown. All had the
tell-tale lines of harvest following contour lines in and around the
hills. Grain elevators, abandoned barns,
and a few combines still hard at work harvesting. So much wheat, so much flour. We could only guess at how many loaves of
bread!
How many of us
walk away again and again because we don’t like some particular teaching of the
Gospel? Because it demands too
much? And then we come running back when
it is convenient or we feel the ‘need’ for God?
A relationship with the Almighty must be a two-way street with our trust
and faith and God’s blessing and guidance.
Everlasting
life. Life that comes back again and
again from troubles and pain and even death.
Cool, refreshing
water. The waterfalls we hiked yesterday
were like those cool drinks of water in the sweltering heat of the fired
landscape. I imagine they continued to
flow last summer in spite of the wildfire raging around them. Abundant water crashing down through rocky
chasms and clefts. A refreshing reminder
of God’s presence.
A familiar verse
and a disturbing verse. Those of us with
abundance (compared to most of the world) don’t find this an easy thought. Sure we can!
We just write a check occasionally so we can say we have ‘done our part’! Nope.
It takes a little more sacrifice than that. A sacrifice I have to ask myself daily if I
am willing to make more often.
Be happy and
content with what we have! It is so easy
in the RV park to envy the big rigs of others, the comforts they enjoy while on
the road. But we have what we need! When life throws a loop at us, it is so easy
to turn against God and say why? But to
find the good in that discomfort or distress will lead to content.
8.22.16 Jeremiah
31:25 GNT
I will refresh those who are weary and will
satisfy with food everyone who is weak from hunger.
As
we drove today through the “Bread Basket of America – the Palouse wheat fields
of Eastern Washington” I truly was seeing the abundance with which God can
satisfy our hunger. Fields that were a
myriad shade of greens in June were now golden – wheat, lentils and dried pea
colors of gold and brown. All had the
tell-tale lines of harvest following contour lines in and around the
hills. Grain elevators, abandoned barns,
and a few combines still hard at work harvesting. So much wheat, so much flour. We could only guess at how many loaves of
bread!
Now, somewhat
weary from travel, we are refreshed with the sound of the gurgling creek just
five feet from the back of the trailer.
The bank is lined with yellow flowers.
There is nothing like falling asleep to the gentle rippling of water,
washed clean from the trials of the day.
Thank
you, God, for safe travels and the bounty for body and soul you provide. Amen.
8.23.16 Mark 9:31 MSG
 |
| Trying out a tessellation pattern I found for my last Crossroads Class! |
“The Son of Man is about to be betrayed to some
people who want nothing to do with God. They will murder him. Three days after
his murder, he will rise, alive.”
Betrayed
by those who don’t understand, who don’t WANT to understand. But there is HOPE in Jesus’ words. Read past
the murder to LIFE.
Genia
is being betrayed by her body. But in
her living she is showing hope of life.
May we all be moved to live in such a way. On to Kalispell today.
God of hope…may I live in the promise of the
resurrection, moving past betrayal and death. Amen.
8.24.16 John 6:65-66
Voice
Jesus: This is why I have been telling you that no one comes to
Me without the Father’s blessing and guidance.
After
hearing these teachings, many of His disciples walked away and no longer
followed Jesus.
How many of us
walk away again and again because we don’t like some particular teaching of the
Gospel? Because it demands too
much? And then we come running back when
it is convenient or we feel the ‘need’ for God?
A relationship with the Almighty must be a two-way street with our trust
and faith and God’s blessing and guidance.
I said a few
prayers of blessing today for Rick as he hiked over the pass - especially after I heard so many of the
nearby trails were closed for bear activity.
But God is good and all went smoothly ….6 ½ hours after I dropped him
off at The Loop, Rick emerged at the Swiftcurrent Trailhead on the ‘other side’!
Guiding
God…Thank you for your blessing and presence.
Amen.
8.25.16 John 6:68
Voice
Lord, if we were to go, whom would we follow? You
speak the words that give everlasting life.
Everlasting
life. Life that comes back again and
again from troubles and pain and even death.
We wandered today
through the black stick forests of the 2015 wildfire that swept through the
forests at the north end of St. Mary Lake in Glacier NP. I was prepared for an ashy walk devoid of
color. But the power of rebirth after a
fire is part of God’s miracle of creation!
The trail was lined with green –
thimbleberry and beargrass, fireweed and spirea. If we had hiked a month earlier the colors
would have been amazing with bold patches of white and pink. We overheard a snatch of a ranger hike and
her words, “Two weeks after the smoke and the chaos, our summer inalterably
changed by the havoc of the fire, I was absolutely moved to see the tiny green
shoots of beargrass already poking up through the ashy ground. My whole perspective of the fire shifted.”
There was a
beauty in the fire landscape as we hiked that I didn’t anticipate. God had sculpted trees into statues of odd
shapes. Far reaching vistas normally
shrouded by trees were visible through the black skeletons. Life after death.
God
of life and death…may we be ever reminded of your promise for Eternal Life in
you. Amen.
8.26.16 Proverbs
25:13 MSG
Reliable friends who do what they say
are like cool drinks in sweltering heat—refreshing!
are like cool drinks in sweltering heat—refreshing!
Can I be a
waterfall for a friend? A cool drink on
an otherwise stressful day? I know of
friends who have been such a drink for me.
God
of waterfalls and blessing….may I be a refreshing source for my friends and
family. Amen.
8.27.16 Mark 10:25
MSG
I’d say it’s easier for a camel to go through a
needle’s eye than for the rich to get into God’s kingdom.”
A familiar verse
and a disturbing verse. Those of us with
abundance (compared to most of the world) don’t find this an easy thought. Sure we can!
We just write a check occasionally so we can say we have ‘done our part’! Nope.
It takes a little more sacrifice than that. A sacrifice I have to ask myself daily if I
am willing to make more often.
Today is
relaxation day. I am going to continue
my prayers with the vistas and scenes from Glacier NP. Today…Going to the Sun Road Prayers! (This design is the one that inspired this ‘style’
of drawing – I saw the line drawing on a T-shirt Wed at Logan Pass.)
God…through
all my efforts, may I continue to wiggle my way through the needle and find
YOU. Amen.
8.28.16 Philippians
4:12 MSG
I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether
full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I
can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.
Be happy and
content with what we have! It is so easy
in the RV park to envy the big rigs of others, the comforts they enjoy while on
the road. But we have what we need! When life throws a loop at us, it is so easy
to turn against God and say why? But to
find the good in that discomfort or distress will lead to content.
How can you not
find peace with the vista at the Wild Goose Island overlook at St. Mary
Lake? And Friday morning I was able to
enjoy it ALL ALONE! (A very rare occurrence
on this busy road, but it was early!)
Help
me, Lord, to be content with all your blessings, large and small. Amen.
“This is why I tell you: do not be worried about
the food and drink you need in order to stay alive, or about clothes for your
body. After all, isn't life worth more than food? And isn't the body worth more
than clothes?
8.30.16 1 Timothy
6:17 GNT
Kearney’s, you
have no idea how good your welcome made me feel yesterday when I visited your
house! I was filthy dirty and yet Angela
insisted on giving me a hug anyway. She
refilled my water glass twice, and excitedly gave me sizes for their
shirts. I will prepurchase for them
since she doesn’t get paid until Friday.
Part of the joy of returning to the Kalispell build over and over is the
relationships we have established with the homeowners. The kids remember Rick …..he plays with
them! Mahrias had a gift for me today of
a set of paint tubs for poster paints. I
may see if Amanda can use them in her classroom. Mahrias remembered I like to do art! Such love is returned from the grateful
homeowners.
8.29.16 Matthew 6:25
GNT
 |
| Glacier Prayers: St. Marys Falls |
When it gets
right down to it, we need very little in the way of provisions and clothing to
survive or thrive. We think we need fancy clothes and fancy
foods, but in truth, we don’t. Some of
the CAVs we have met today are traveling FULL TIME in trailers not much bigger
than ours. They have stream-lined the
necessities down to what really counts and invest their time and money and
energy in those things that really matter.
God
of plenty….may I trust in your provision enough to focus on more important
things.
 |
| Glacier Prayers: East side tunnel and Mt. Clements |
Command those who are rich in the things of this
life not to be proud, but to place their hope, not in such an uncertain thing
as riches, but in God, who generously gives us everything for our enjoyment.
Reinforcing
yesterday’s scripture! God is generous
and good. May we be the same.
Generous
God….may we be as free with our riches as you are with us. Amen.
8.31.16 Philemon 1:7
MSG
Friend, you have no idea how good your love makes
me feel, doubly so when I see your hospitality to fellow believers.
 |
| Glacier Prayers: Avalanche Gorge |
God…you
continually remind us that our service is rewarded over and over by the love we
receive from those we meet along the way.
Amen.
