I’ve spent a very busy and exhausting week. My normal Bible study meetings on Monday and Tuesday usually require a slower Wednesday to recover, but this past week that didn’t happen. Due to a scheduled family vacation, I was in charge of granddaughter’s and granddogs’ care for seven days. I was glad to be able to help and enjoyed doggy snuggles and extra time with my growing-up-too-fast grand girl, but boy have I felt it!

Of course last week was also election time with the results being historic in terms of the amount of voters and the result. My prayers continue for this country as we move forward with new leadership. My hope is that people from both sides can come together in strengthening the U.S. as “One Nation Under God.” Many of us prayed for this election with some people voting for the first time in years. Now let’s continue to pray for the leaders of both parties to work for all of us.

As for me, I look forward to a good, long nap!

God bless – Sue

Several years ago my co-author, Deidre and I, recorded four radio discussions to publicize our book, One God, Two Voices. The first one shared the title of this blog post, as we talked about the strange and troubling things that were going on in our country and the world. Looking around at today’s world, it’s gotten many times worse since then.

Why do you think we are experiencing wars, inflation, increased lawlessness, and political and personal chaos? How many more devastating storms do we have to go through before we realize that life is spiraling out of control? Could it be that something or Someone is trying to get our attention?

Those of us who believe in the Bible’s teaching realize that over the last several generations in our country, many people have either turned their backs on God and His word, or have never been exposed to it. Church attendance has steadily declined over the years as fewer people “remember the Sabbath” to worship their Creator. Not learning about the God of the universe and His instructions for living life – Love Him, Love others as ourselves – result in unwise choices. From calling abortion “healthcare,” to people being so self-absorbed that they consistently run red stoplights, our citizens are frequently turning to selfish choices that result in the chaos we are experiencing.

Unfortunately, some Christians are not immune to this type of behavior, demonstrating reckless driving and making choices based on cultural norms rather than Biblical principles. In the political realm, I was astounded to discover that up to 50% of Christians don’t vote, thinking that religion and politics don’t mix. I beg to differ on that point. How do we change our world for the better if we ignore choosing those who make/approve our laws and spend our tax dollars? Some issues are definitely right or wrong, not just red or blue. Christians should familiarize themselves on the issues and where each party stands on them, then make sure to vote. It’s much more than simply voting for a person. I lean on what God says in the Bible as He speaks about knowing us before we were in the womb, blessing those who support Israel, and telling us to serve Him by serving others. That knowledge helps me decide who gets my vote.

Our world is a mess! We need to do better. Why not start with learning what God says we should do and following His teaching. Most everyone has a cell phone. Start asking your phone what God says about topics that interest you and scripture verses will appear that will teach you the right way to go. Day by day, step by step you will be led by Him who loves you.

Blessings – Sue

Several days ago America marked the 23rd anniversary of 9-11, when the Twin Towers of NYC were attacked by our own airplanes, and nearly 3,000 people died, over 400 of them first responders. It was my generation’s equivalent of Pearl Harbor; another “day that will live in infamy.” People vowed to never forget what happened, and for about three weeks the churches in our country experienced significant gains in attendance. It was as if people were trying to understand why and how this tragedy could have happened, seeking answers from God’s Biblical wisdom contained in sermons spoken by His pastors.

However, too soon, things returned to the same pattern established before our nation’s loss, and once again Sunday became just another day. Church and the Bible were left behind as sports, children’s activities, and relaxation took precedence over worship. Then, as years passed, many people forgot to remember that date. September 11th slipped up on them and the generation born after 2001 wasn’t taught “to remember.”

I am reminded of Old Testament accounts telling about the Israelites in the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah who forgot the God who brought them out of Egypt. They broke His first commandment to “have no other gods before him,” as they worshipped idols brought into their land by foreigners. Then they broke the fourth commandment to “Remember the Sabbath to keep it holy,” just like many people do today. Have we forgotten to honor God on Sunday because we too have made idols – anything we put before God – of other things or events. There is nothing wrong with children’s sporting events, golf outings, family picnics, etc., but do they take priority over church gatherings to worship and honor God?

Over the years since I was raised, a lot has changed. Do you remember a better time in America? Maybe it’s past time to return to the things that matter. The Bible says in a verse I quote and pray a lot these days that God will restore us if we repent and turn back to His ways. Let’s remember and find our way back to Him.

This morning before making that first cup of coffee, I changed my perpetual calendar. As I turned it from August to September, the thought entered my mind that a lot of unknowns could be lurking just a day, week, or month away. A momentary feeling of fear came over me as I thought of what could lie ahead: election chaos, continuing war in Ukraine, rocket attacks and reprisals in and around Israel, threatening actions from Russia, China, and Iran against our country – I just stopped thinking and headed to the kitchen.

Coffee on the table beside me, I pulled up my online devotional and realized that my thoughts of what could await us in the coming days was nothing I needed to fear. The scripture was from Isaiah 41 and spoke about the Lord strengthening and protecting His people, Israel. As a Bible-believing Christian, I am one His own also. Just as He promised to protect Israel then and forever, He will protect me here according to His will, and then take me to the home He has prepared for me. My belief in Jesus as my Savior assures me of that because I have been “grafted” into His family (Romans 11); I am one of His own. What a promised blessing!

So if the morning news or your night time thoughts disturb your peace, look to the One who created you in the first place. He has a plan for you (Jeremiah 29:11) and that plan can be trusted (Proverbs 3:5-6).

God bless – Sue

I have lived long enough to see a lot of things change. Raised in a small town in the 1950s, I can remember a traditional family – Mom, Dad, me and my younger brother. We lived in a small ranch-style home right by the local elementary school. My family wasn’t well-off, but every night we sat down together to a home-cooked meal. I was one of those “play outside until the street lights come on” kind of kids, riding my bike everywhere I wanted to go. Sunday was church day, and getting the big edition of the newspaper that contained lots of ads and the multi-colored comic pages. Most businesses were closed for this day of rest and worship. Life was simple, enjoyable, and, looking back, surprisingly safe.

Fast forward to today when life is much more complicated and filled with many distractions. We have a multitude of TV and streaming channels, all kinds of ways to communicate via cell phones, tablets, and other devices, yet loneliness and depression are at all-time highs. If you watch the news, the amount of negative reporting about politics, weather emergencies, and world-wide wars is enough to cause that depression. Children are being exposed to all kinds of inappropriate sexual situations and often indoctrinated by teachers and counselors into the mantra of the day, instead of being taught the subjects they need to succeed in life. Truth has become subjective, not reality. Might I suggest that we have lost our way as a society and culture. How did this happen? Simply, because we have turned our back on God and His teachings from the Bible.

A famous quote says that “the only thing necessary for evil to flourish (exist) is for good people to do nothing.” I think that’s been happening for years. Good people, even Christians, have refused to stand for the truth of God’s word lest they be labeled hateful, or in today’s society, cancelled. It’s just easier not to say or do anything.

This reminder from the Holocaust Memorial is chilling: “First they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the Socialists and I did not speak out because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me.”
– Pastor Martin Niemoller

Isn’t it time for those of us who know that what is going on in our country today is wrong to speak out or at least vote. A recent Barna study showed that evangelical Christians are no more likely to follow the news about politics and government than anyone else, and that around one-third of them do not vote (Family Policy Alliance).Talk about doing nothing!

I pray that people wake up soon and follow the teachings of 2 Chronicles 7:14 that I posted last time. It’s past time to turn back to Him.

God bless – Sue