(Amazon)

With all the cold wintry storms in places that normally have milder weather, my husband and I have been watching local and national news more than usual. After a few days of non-stop negative, upsetting, and divisive reporting that didn’t involve the weather, I soon remembered why I decided months ago to avoid such broadcasts. How in the world are you supposed to have a positive mindset with one troubling story after another being reported? Is it any wonder that the occurrence rates of depression among American adults has reached historic levels with roughly one in six (about 18%) experiencing or actually being treated for it.

You can ignore the news and turn to social media for some enjoyment – right? Not such a good idea with all the different opinions being expressed in posts or the argumentative comments that follow. So much information online is also misleading or outright untrue, which also leads to the cultural division we are currently experiencing.

What about sports? Watching competition on the football field or from the Olympic games could be a positive alternative to the other choices. This past weekend we had the Super Bowl where unfortunately, the halftime show got more attention and press than the actual game. Once again we were a divided nation with millions tuning into an alternative halftime offered by Turning Point USA, instead of watching the performer chosen to entertain for the NFL championship. Later I decided to change the channel to watch the Olympics and enjoy watching athletes from around the world competing on a world-wide stage. I love to watch skiing and ice skating, and was lucky enough to catch the pairs ice dancing competition. It was wonderful! Then news broke about a controversy involving a French judge giving the U.S. pair a unusually low score, which resulted in the skaters from France winning the gold medal. Do you see a pattern here? The world today is filled with tension, anger, and bitterness, no matter where you turn. It can affect us all.

This post has a title which leads to a different mindset. It comes from a scripture selection written to help us survive the spiritual warfare we are experiencing today. Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” I am to intentionally fill my mind with “good stuff” to help minimize those negative influences. This is the battle plan – filling our minds with positive things will help to overshadow whatever seeks to pull us down. So think on those things.

God bless – Sue

How many of you get up in the morning, plod your way to the kitchen to make yourself a cup of “morning elixir,” and then switch on the TV to hear the latest news or weather? After listening for a minute or more, do you feel better or worse? One of my new year’s resolutions has been more firmly cemented this month. I have decided to pray more and avoid those things that disturb my peace, trusting that God has allowed it for a reason and I can trust Him.

The One who created all things can indeed be trusted to control every situation, even those things that we just can’t understand. Whether it’s “wars or rumors of wars,” citizens protesting and fighting against one another, many having no regard for human life, dangerous weather happenings, health challenges, or upsetting family situations – there’s more than enough to keep us upset and on edge. Why are things so difficult?

The Bible teaches that it’s because we have an enemy, satan, whose job it is to keep us stirred up and at odds with one another. My job is to know that and refuse to believe he has the last word. That word belongs to God and His plans for me are good. He provided a Savior for me and will one day take me to live with Him forever in a place with no turmoil, sin, or upsetting situations. All will be perfect, living in the home created just for me.

So instead of focusing on the divisive news, I will read my morning Bible devotion and learn more about how to trust God in the midst of troubling times. Then it will be well with my soul.

God bless – Sue

(photo credit: @Sola_Chad on X)

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” 🎶

Christmas is almost upon us, even though we have been bombasted with store displays and TV commercials for weeks. Radio stations are playing carols non-stop and new social media ads for the latest must-haves are appearing daily on our devices. Is it the most wonderful time of the year for you?

I think the answer to that question depends on how you view the true meaning of Christmas. Is it really all about the gifts, decorations, parties, and special food, or is there something more meaningful involved? Let me encourage you to consider the reality of the term “Immanuel” which means God with Us. God’s Son became flesh and was given to us as the most precious gift ever. It doesn’t really matter what the actual date of His birth was, the important aspect of His coming is that His Father, Almighty God, sent Him to earth in the form of an innocent infant because of His love for us . . . and because we needed a Savior. That Savior was and is Jesus. It was the perfect gift that would pay for our forgiveness before a holy God.

What a God! What a gift! What a Savior!

Looking at Christmas in that way truly makes this time of year wonderful.

All glory to Immanuel – God with us.

Merry Christmas and God bless – Sue

I went to bed early last night – the result of 5+ hours on my feet serving at our church’s Fall Festival. There was lots to do for those attending from bouncy houses and a train ride outside to cookie decorating, musical chairs, a cake walk and lots to eat inside. People from our church neighborhood and even those just driving by stopped to enjoy what was provided. I greeted many of them while helping my husband make and hand out cotton candy. I was most grateful for the reality that we were turning back the clocks last night, resulting in an extra hour of sleep.

That brought to mind this morning a thought: what would I do with an extra hour every week or even every day? Would I spend it on my phone or tablet, pick up a good book, watch a recorded program or just sleep it away? An extra 24 hours – what a gift!

There are so many needs today. People are hurting physically, financially, and emotionally. How can I or you help? One person at a time as God leads. The Bible tells us in many ways to use our time to help others and bring glory to Him. “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.” (Colossians 4:5) “Be very careful how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16) “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galations 6:9) Jesus himself gave us a Golden Rule to “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” (Matthew 7:12)

Since we won’t have the gift of an extra hour for another year, I guess we need to plan for those opportunities to serve others. Believe me, you will be blessed as you use your time to serve others. One extra hour can definitely make a difference.

God bless – Sue

The last three weeks have been brutal. Starting with the Minnesota Catholic school shooting in late August, followed by the horrific stabbing of a young lady in North Carolina, the assassination of Charlie Kirk, and several school shootings – it has been a tragic and emotionally exhausting time. Some people can shrug off tragedy that doesn’t affect them personally, but we as a country have experienced far too many in a short period of time lately. I really wasn’t prepared to also remember 9-11 just one day after Kirk’s death. It added another layer of sadness to the grief I already felt.

How are you doing and what are you doing to get through your days? Did you watch any of the Charlie Kirk Memorial service televised yesterday, September 21? It felt like salve to an open wound, especially the music and worship by the overflow crowd. Songs of praise to God and remembering a life lived for Him reminded me that in the end, God is in control of it all. When I don’t understand and the “whys” are too many, I have to trust in my Heavenly Father’s nature and remember how good He is.

It still hurts to see what is happening in my country and around the world. Then I consider what the Bible says: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and the spiritual force of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12). We are in a spiritual battle daily, and must choose which side we’re going to be on – God’s side or the world’s side, which is evil. Jesus told us to love in order to overcome hate. The most overwhelming example of that premise for me came yesterday as I watched Kirk’s widow, Erica, address the tens of thousands of people at State Farm stadium and tell them, “My husband, Charlie, wanted to save young men, just like the one who took his life. I forgive him because it is what Christ did. The answer to hate is not hate.”

What a difficult thing for her to do, but it was such a merciful action filled with grace and a lesson to all of us. May we choose God’s way to overcome the darkness of this world.

God bless – Sue