Summer visits with my sister and brother

A special time at the Calaveras County Fair & Jumping Frog Jubilee with my sister's family!

My niece and nephew each held their favorite frogs.

The frog jumping competition is based on the 1865 short story by Mark Twain.

Bucket hats with my brother's family!

Celebrating my nephew's 13th birthday at a Dodger game.

I thank God for these times with my sister and brother and their growing families. 

Why? And God's Breath

Whether people ask this question or not when they or their loved ones are going through any form of suffering, I believe that many people wonder about the "why" on some level at some time, and it is very hard.

If there is a time when we wonder about a "why" in our present, could we understand and be encouraged by things that God breathed for us from the past?

Here are just a few -

  

Can we understand something spiritual in the suffering of Job when God revealed a heavenly perspective during Job's earthly experience?

Could we see God's work amidst the long years of suffering in the life of Joseph and David as they were tested and prepared for future leadership?

Can we recognize God's grace and power in Paul, who suffered, persevered, and praised, accomplishing God's great purposes?

Could we meditate on Jesus, who learned obedience by the things that He suffered, and then the most glorious outcome of all because of His obedience - our salvation? 

Can we too trust and obey God, no matter what suffering we, or our loved ones, face?  

When a "why" may not be answered in the now,  can we allow God to breathe encouragement on us from the past?

Life from the dead and light in the darkness

Jesus!!!

and that life was the light of men.

John 1:4

(a block print my mom made for her Easter card in the 1970's)

Local wildflowers after the long drought and then the rain. 

Happy Easter!

Traveling Prayers

Wesley Duewel, former missionary and president of One Mission Society, wrote a wonderful book called, Touch the World through Prayer. 

One of the things Duewel reminds us of is that we don't have to be physically present to "touch" (or embrace) anybody, or anyplace, or anything in need of prayer. 

Our prayers travel to the One who is omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent! 

My colleagues in Mozambique ask us to pray with them as (now 1.85 million people) have been affected by the rains (and subsequent flooding due to Cyclone Freddy). The local church and missionary group in that area are isolated right now.  

We don't have to be there physically to pray.

"We can reach our world, if we will." 

Wesley Duewel

Isaiah 12:2

Shortcuts

Have you ever taken a shortcut?

Early on in the midst of trying all kinds of medical treatments for my head pain, with no effect, I found out about a clinic in another country that did certain procedures which were very different from all the others. 

 

I prayed about it, and I researched the clinic. I spoke with the head doctor and a patient who is now pain free. 

I asked God for guidance, and was very excited at the possibility of an end to the chronic pain. 

But one night God reminded me of the promise He made to Abraham and Sarah that they would have a son. Sarah did not believe, and took a "shortcut" by offering her servant Hagar to Abraham to bear a son for them. 

Because of Sarah's "shortcut" to God's promise, so many challenges arose. God would still fulfill His promise; Sarah did have a son with Abraham, but her shortcut created many problems for her AND for others. 

  

In that moment, God put on my heart that the overseas clinic was not for me. He didn't show me why. But as I felt the sting of that, He reminded me of His promises to me for this situation and spoke to my heart, "don't take a shortcut."

Is there anything that God has promised you where you've been tempted to take a shortcut?

"Wait for the Lord;

be strong, and let you heart take courage;

wait for the Lord!"

Psalm 27:14

 

Check out the link below for this year's projects!

https://www.omsgivehope.org/