Another Break – Day 6

 

It’s Father’s Day! I am blessed to be with my Dad today and to worship with him. But I also have the privilege of hearing him preach the gospel. This is truly a blessing!

 

Top of the WorldI pray that you will make the most of every moment you are with your parents…especially on this special day to honor dad’s.

 

Also, if you’re in Colorado today, Carlos Whittaker will be speaking at Rocky. You won’t want to miss hearing his message about moment makers.

 

Have an exceptionally blessed day!

 

All-Stars

 

If you are a baseball fan, you know the Major League Baseball All-Star game was played last night. You might also know a few details about the importance of this game. When the players break for the All-Star game, the baseball season is officially half over. The All-Star game also determines the home-field advantage for the World Series each year.

 

Whether you’re an American League or National League fan, the All-Star game brings together all the great players of the year onto one field, at the same time. It is usually an exciting game to watch.

 

I love the idea of selecting all-stars. Maybe it’s the people who have made an impact upon my life. Some of these all-stars might include grandparents, parents, spiritual mentors, or close friends. When I think of these folks who have come along side me on this journey, I’m thankful for each of them. For their words of encouragement, as well as for their honesty when my life didn’t line up with God’s vision. These are the people of whom I can say, “I thank my God every time I remember you.” (Philippians 1:3 – NIV) I pray that you have some of these all-stars in your life as well.

 

It would be difficult to name all of the all-stars of the Bible, but perhaps I can share a few of my favorite all-stars.

 

Joshua – there is so much about Joshua than meets the eye. My Mom usually is sure to mention that when Joshua is spoken of in Scripture his heritage is mentioned as well. Joshua son of Nun is repeated over and over. While not every family has a great tree, for those of us who do, let’s not take our God-believing heritage for granted. I am blessed to have generations of faithful believers to remember as I sit and read Scripture or write a piece about my faith. I thank God for their faithfulness.

 

Rahab – living in a pagan world among pagan people, Rahab heard stories about God. Maybe it was like a fairytale of old, but something inside of Rahab believed in the Hebrew God and she turned against her own people and city to come face-to-face with those who followed God. In the end, her belief saved her and her family. It also got her into the best family lineage ever!

 

Tabitha – this godly woman was always doing good and helping the poor. She was the woman in town who was always ready to lend a hand to help others in need. Then one day, she got sick and died. Those whose lives had been affected by Tabitha were moved to ask for assistance. Peter arrived at their beckoning and raised her from the dead. I’ve often wondered if Tabitha wasn’t a little ticked off, but perhaps her servant heart flowed with grace in this situation. Either way, Tabitha makes my all-star list for her willingness to help those in need.

 

If you’re like me, you have your own list of all-stars. Who are they? Why have they made your list? What lessons can you learn from your all-stars?

 

The sweetest news today is that we are all all-stars in Jesus’ book and He will always be there cheering us on. He urges us to be better at what we do and He encourages us to get into the game. Are you ready to step up to the plate?

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Another Break – Day 5

 

We’ve finally arrived at the day for a beautiful baby shower for my newest (not quite born) grandchild, Liam Daniel! I can’t wait to introduce you to this little one in a few short weeks.

 

Enjoy today’s repeat blog post…what a fun experience! Blessings!

 

Climb the High Mountain

 

IMAG2196mOver the weekend, my husband and I took a trip to the mountains. It was a beautiful time to be in the Rocky Mountains. Everything is so green right now and the wild flowers were out in abundance. It was a wonderful trip.

 

At one point, I was sitting in the car by myself on the passenger side (this is unusual when we’re in my vehicle). The driver’s door opened and a woman got in. She was surprised and embarrassed. We laughed. She got out and walked to her red vehicle. It was a great encounter.

 

Further on, we walked around Sprague Lake. There were two couples who seemed to be having a wonderful time reconnecting. They were laughing, snapping pictures, and anyone around them could not help but be infected with the joy they were experiencing. They asked if I could take a group picture of them, so I did. Afterwards, we sat on the same bench and they took a few pictures of my husband and me.

 

God taught me a few things on this little venture.

 

Surprises

While there are some bad surprises in this world, the good surprises are what bring joy to our lives. Those chance encounters with old friends or a phone call out of the blue. Maybe a card in the mail or a bouquet of flowers. These surprises warm our hearts and bring a smile to our faces.

 

And you know how much you enjoy these surprises, so why not surprise a friend or a loved one in the same way you’ve been surprised? Share this joy with others. You will be encouraged as well.

 

Encounters

The folks that Mason and I encountered on this journey were from all walks of life. Young families just starting out to grandparents caring for their grandchildren to everything in between. Some were laughing, some were quiet, some were skipping, some were hobbling. But when eyes met and a smile was shared, each person felt the connection.

 

The connection that we are all on a journey. Where we are headed is important, but what we do with our lives on that journey is what counts. Our words, our actions, our attitudes, these are what make our journey sweet or bitter.

 

And we know that God is with us on this journey. Look at what the Israelites were told. “The Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast desert. These forty years the Lord you God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything.” (Deuteronomy 2:7 – NIV) I believe that as faithful sojourners, these words apply to us as well.

 

As we head out into our day-to-day lives, let’s keep in mind that we are going to have surprises and encounters along the way. But we can be assured that we are not alone. If you need to be reminded of this, take a look at Psalm 16:11, Psalm 23:3, Psalm 119:35, and Psalm 142:3.

 

I’d like to share a poem I found about climbing a mountain. I pray that you will be inspired to live life to its fullest and to make this journey with Jesus by your side.

 

Climb the High Mountain

 

Climb the high mountain

Up God’s pathway

Looking unto Jesus

Lest you go astray.

 

Climb the high mountain,

Hard it may seem.

With Jesus as your guide

You will find your dream.

 

A life that is filled

With His love and His peace,

A life now and beyond

That will never cease![i]

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] Climb the High Mountain, Perry Boardman

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Another Break – Day 4

 

It’s prep day…pretty busy, but loving being with my family. Have a great Friday!

 

“Lord, I Lift Your Name on High” – Monday Musical Musings

 

???????????????????????????????Today, our 4th and 5th graders from Rocky Mountain Christian Church have joined kids from LifeBridge Christian Church at church camp. I’ve never been to the facility where these kids will be spending the week, but from what I’ve heard, it’s one of the top camp locations in the country! I’m sure the pure beauty of Camp Como will lift their spirits, but I pray that these young students will absorb the biblical principles that our teams have put together for them.

 

My early church camp experiences were pretty similar. On top of a mountain in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York, we would gather at Mountainview Christian Camp to enjoy God’s beauty, learn of His guidelines for our lives, rekindle friendships, and sing. Yes, music was a large part of the church camp experience.

 

Some were silly songs like “Doodle De Do” or “Georgie,” but when we got down to the real important moments in life music became the catapult from silly to serious. Once we turned our focus to God, we’d sing songs like “His Name is Wonderful,” or “God is So Good,” or “He is Lord,” or “He’s Everything to Me,” or “Goodnight.”

 

As the years changed, so did the music we sang. “How Majestic is Your Name,” “Emmanuel,” “This is the Day,” “I Will Call Upon the Lord,” and “Open Our Eyes, Lord” would be the music that filled camp chapels and night air around campfires. I have no idea what songs will be sung today, but I suspect these young folks will remember them long into their adult life.

 

Regardless of what music has been sung through the years, God’s love and grace has burst forth from church camp grounds since their inception. Church camp makes a difference in kids’ lives and nothing will ever be able to replace the experience.

 

It’s difficult for me to choose one song to share today. There have been so many camp songs that have touched my life. But I need to make a choice. So I choose…

 

“Lord, I Lift Your Name on High”

 

Lord I lift your name on high
Lord I love to sing your praises
I’m so glad you are in my life
I’m so glad you came to save us.

 

You came from heaven to earth, to show the way
From the earth to the cross, my debt to pay
From the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky
Lord I lift your name on high.[i]

 

Click here to listen to this fun tune…maybe you remember the motions that go along with it. If so, let’s do them together!

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] “Lord, I Lift Your Name on High,” lyrics and music by Rick Founds, 1989.

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Another Break – Day 3

 

Today I’m heading to Ohio for some family time…and today is my Mom’s birthday! Happy birthday Mom! Can’t wait to see you in a few hours.

 

As I read through this older blog post, I realize how relevant it is for today. I pray that you will find some comfort in knowing that Jesus has overcome the world.

 

I pray many blessings upon your day.

 

In This World…

 

flowers-1325012_1280I’m reminded this morning that we live in a fallen world. Pain, death and meanness have invaded my world and I’m reminded of just how difficult life can be.

 

How blessed I am to sit here and type about God’s goodness as I hear sirens rushing toward someone in need. How cocooned in my office when I know there are others who are desperately hurting this morning. And yet, I’m not immune to the troubles of this world.

 

However, I know that regardless of what I encounter today, God will be with me. That’s how I am able to move past the junk I know will come into my life.

 

Paul understood this as well. We see a few passages of Scripture that lead me to this belief. In 2 Corinthians 11:23-33, Paul shares some of the things he suffered. The hardships that he endured. And on into 2 Corinthians 12, Paul shares his “thorn” with his readers. His conclusion is that there will be pain in this world, but God’s grace will be enough.

 

Perhaps you’ve heard that God will not give you more than you can bear. I will disagree. God will allow for us to escape temptation and will even provide an escape (1 Corinthians 10:13), but Jesus clearly stated that “in this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 – NIV)

 

Paul believed these words of Jesus, even as he was enduring the hardships listed in 2 Corinthians. He also believed his own words recorded in chapter 1 of 2 Corinthians.

 

“We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raised the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us with your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.” (2 Corinthians 1:8-11 – NIV)

 

Like me, I’m sure you feel discouraged when troubles invade your world. But I also know that when I turn my eyes to the One who is able to deliver me from these troubles, there is hope. When my reliance is upon God instead of myself, when I depend upon God’s grace, and when I believe that Jesus is the Overcomer, I am able to face the day’s grief with a renewed assurance that I will not face it alone.

 

And here is more great news. There are people who love me so much that they are praying for me. Like Paul, I am surrounded by a great crowd of witnesses who lift me up in prayer. I can almost guarantee you have some of those prayer warriors in your life as well.

 

If you are going through a difficult situation, please let me know. I’d be honored to offer prayers to God on your behalf.

 

Our world is filled with conundrums. There is beauty and ugliness. Good and evil. Life and death. I pray today that as you encounter the bad in this world that you are able to rejoice in the good that God has given you. Don’t overlook the gifts that God has provided. And most of all don’t look past your Savior. He is the Overcomer of this world.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

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Another Break – Day 2

 

Thank you again for your patience while I’m gallivanting around this country of ours. Can’t wait to see family tomorrow! Have a blessed day and enjoy these words from a previous blog post.

 

Thoughts for the Day

 

Some things to remember today:

 

DSC02392mIt is going to be a great day – Psalm 118:24

Joy is a choice – Psalm 30:5

God is able – Ephesians 3:20

A positive attitude is critical – Proverbs 4:23

Freedom comes from God’s truth – John 8:32

Perfect peace comes from trusting God – Isaiah 26:3

God has prepared a path – Proverbs 15:19

The Golden Rule – Matthew 7:12

Encourage someone – Proverbs 15:23 and 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Be thankful – 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Trust God completely – Proverbs 3:5

Don’t forget to be courageous – Psalm 27:14

God is on your side – Romans 8:31

God created you for a purpose – Ephesians 2:10

God’s grace is enough – 1 Corinthians 15:10

Press on – Philippians 3:13-14

God’s favor is abundant – Psalm 5:12

Every good and perfect gift is from above – James 1:17

Be prepared – 1 Peter 3:15

Walk in the Light – 1 John 1:7

Hearts and tongues should be guarded – Proverbs 4:23 and Proverbs 10:11

Praise God – Jude 24-25[i]

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

[i] Adapted from facebook.com/worldwidefriendsofJesus

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