The events of recent days are enough to depress and confuse anyone. Covid numbers are rising just as another school year is starting, inflation is causing prices to go up on everything, and the situation in Afghanistan is growing more chaotic and tragic by the day. My prayers have gotten longer as I remember family, friends, the military and their families, and our nation repeatedly. It’s heartbreaking at times, and the questions come. Why? When?

I am reminded when I can see no immediate answers, that God’s timing is not ours and we must wait for His moving in His time. The Bible story of Lazarus comes to mind. Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus to come and heal their brother who was very sick. Jesus waited for several days before He came, saying that the illness was for “the glory of God, so that God’s son could be glorified through it.” (John 11:4) The sisters got their answer, but it came after the grief of the death of their brother. Jesus healed Lazarus by raising him from the dead – an answer that no one expected!

If, like me, you need a little encouragement today, listen to the song, “Rise Up,” which I discovered this morning when someone else shared it on the Upper Room devotion site. In His way, in His time, God will answer our prayers because He hears every one.

Another weekend is here as this troubling year is passing quickly. Daily more prayer requests are coming to me for situations involving disease, turmoil, job loss, and other challenges. I fear that I don’t remember them all, but my Heavenly Father does and He’s only a prayer away.

If you are experiencing troubling times, I hope the song I’m including will encourage you. The Bible says in Lamentations 3:22-23: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “

Trust Him . . . day by day.

Sue

My husband and I have just made it through a very busy month. Preparation and participation in our church’s Vacation Bible School “Concrete and Cranes,” a weekend trip to our hometown (8+ hrs away) for a family reunion, and other family issues have kept us very busy. I kept telling myself, “If we can just make it through July . . .,” and we have.

How’s your summer been? Have you noticed in the midst of ordinary events, our country and the world continues to seemingly spin out of control. I find myself praying more for God to intervene and save us from ourselves. II Chronicles 7:14 comes to my mind often:

“If my people, who are called by My name, will humble

themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their evil ways,

then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will

heal their land.”

We so need God’s healing touch against disease, dishonesty, and hopelessness. He alone has the answer. Please join me in praying for this nation and the world, that more will come to know Him and His ways. As I taught in VBS, Jesus is our strong foundation and is ready to help us in any difficult circumstance. He is only a prayer away.

I have included songs from Lifeways VBS “Concrete and Cranes” below. Enjoy.

Blessings,

Sue

If we can’t take a stand in our homes, we can’t do so in society.

Good morning, everyone. The sentence above has been waiting to be posted for a while. Since Deidre and I published our first book in 2004 (For Such A Time As This . . . We Are But Small Voices) and updated it into the 2016 One God, Two Voices, this thought has resonated in our hearts and minds. We still talk about it occasionally. 

Are parents instilling Godly values into their families at home? Do they stand for such values in their community, “speaking the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15), or do they remain silent and accommodating to avoid being “cancelled?” We have been called to be Salt and Light to a lost world (Matt. 5:13-16). We do this even in difficult circumstances, speaking and acting in love, not judgement, even though it may be perceived as such. It’s hard because it’s so much easier just to go along with current view on the culture. I would ask you: what does God expect of us and how are we to live our lives?

The answer is that He has called us to be different, to be in the world but not of the world (John 15:19, Romans 12:2). This pleases our Heavenly Father, but doesn’t make us too popular. However, being popular doesn’t bring lasting results for God’s kingdom. Standing for His truth does.

Are you ready to stand, starting at home? Can you say, “no” to clothing styles, violent video games and movies, and current acceptance of all things sexual? I hope so because our children deserve better.

Blessings . . . Sue

Where are your roots? Do you have spiritual roots? Fortunately, I have both.

This past weekend, in a flurry of activity, my husband and I got to experience both the beautiful outdoor wedding of our great-niece and the 100th Anniversary celebration of the church where we grew up – the Evangelical United Brethren Church, now St. John’s United Methodist. This building became my spiritual home where I learned the basics of my Biblical background, attended catechism classes, was baptized by immersion, attended Sunday School, sang in the choir, was married, and christened both of our sons when we could make it home on military leave. It truly was the physical root of my faith.

Do you have such a foundation? I hope so because it’s good to let the memories take you back to where you started on your walk with God. Even though I accepted Christ at another church as a young child, I grew here where loving adults nurtured and invested in me. They are gone now, but I am so grateful for how they helped me become who I am today. I dedicate this post to them.

God bless,

Sue