Category: Faith

For a moment or two, let your mind wander and picture this . . .

You finally managed to buy your longtime dream, a home deep in beautiful, wooded mountain country in California.

Tranquil lakes and streams. Towering evergreens up close or on the next hill. Room to breathe. Peaceful, blessed quiet, except for the calming sounds of Nature all around.

However you spend your days, whether hiking one of the many trails that thread through the forest or just sitting in your front-porch rocker, you're at peace.

Several times a day you think, All those years I (or we) worked hard to get here and it was so, so worth it!

At night, looking into the deep blue sky and counting stars or watching the logs in your fireplace ebb down into embers, you say, "Life couldn't be better. What a blessing!"

And then comes the horror

For some, it came late at night, for others, in broad daylight.

Engrossed in what you were doing–or perhaps sleeping soundly–you're roused by someone pounding on your front door.

There stands a frantic smoke-blackened firefighter. He yells, "You must leave! NOW! You only have minutes! You have no time to grab any belongings. Just go!

"Get your family members and RUN!"

For any of us, life as we know it can fall apart in an instant

All it takes is a phone call. A bad fall. A car accident with devastating injuries. Biopsy or lab test results we prayed never to hear. Someone we love hit by disease or a heart attack. Or a devastating injury. Or death that claims the earthly life of one we thought we couldn't live without.

Or it may be "impersonal," such as a business closing–and with it, the end of a job or career that enabled us to pay the bills. Job changes that call for retraining–or starting over. A landlord that sells the home we live in, leaving us with nowhere to go that we can afford.

Whatever the cause, many of us have lived it, sometimes more than once. Or we know someone who has. In times like that, tragedy can overwhelm our spirits and snuff out hope.

How do we go on?

Whatever comes, we cling to Truth that outlasts any trial, any catastrophe

When we're in pain because our world is falling apart, it feels natural to lapse into anxiety and fear. We're tempted to pull our pain around us like a warm quilt. Why not? Everyone would understand.

Here's the question each of us must answer for ourselves: Is that really how we want to live?

Most of us would answer "No."

Still, how do we hold it together? How do we find strength to go on?

Answer: We do the hard thing: We fight for it.

We deliberately–as if we were changing channels on a TV–fill our minds with reminders from the Bible that our kind and merciful God has not turned his back on us.

We repeat the verse or verses aloud if that's the only way to drown out the fear. We whisper them at night when we cannot go to sleep, sometimes over and over until sleep comes.

Start with reassuring Bible verses like these

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. –Psalm 46:1-2

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. –Deuteronomy 31:8

I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. –John 16:33

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.   –Isaiah 41:10

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. –John 14:27

Make these verses–and others like them–the refrain of your life

Promise yourself you will stop saying–and thinking, "I don't know how I will get through this."

Say instead, "With God's help, I will get through this. Moment by moment. Day by day."

When fear intrudes–and it will, mentally shout "Stop!" and emphatically turn your thoughts to the One who loved us enough to die on the cross so that we can be at peace with God.

He is the One who told his followers–and us: "Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." –Matthew 28:20.

We do not walk alone.

We do not face our troubles on our own.

Whatever comes into our lives, God will give us the strength to get through whatever comes.

In every situation, we depend on Him, not on ourselves. And so we survive–and get through–whatever comes.

Hanging on tight,

Lenore

Here’s help for when life falls apart

September 2, 2021
In this ever-churning world, how do we stay calm?

Years ago, during one of our weekly family trips to our public library, I picked up a book with an enticing title: How to Stop Worrying and Start Living, by Dale Carnegie.

Once I started reading it, his use of one phrase grabbed hold of me:

"Live in day-tight compartments."

Five unremarkable words, yet they kept playing in my mind. Later I realized they echo Psalm 118:24, which I learned as a child:

This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.  ESV

I had repeated those beautiful words many times, but for whatever reason, they had not yet "sunk in."

This time, they did and changed the way I looked at life.

Life sometimes seems like too much to handle

Those five words hit me because they so neatly summed up what I needed to do. At the time, I was a busy young wife and mom who seldom sat down and never, ever got through my To Do list.

Don't get me wrong. Our life brimmed with joy and hard work and the blessed sound of four little girls giggling. I loved my husband and our kids with all my heart.

I had everything to be thankful for–and I truly was–but I often felt overwhelmed.

In quiet moments that nuisance inner voice whispered, "Are you sure you have what it takes? What about all you have to do tomorrow? And next week? And what will you do when all these girls become teenagers?"

Outwardly, I smiled. Inwardly, I low-level simmered with self-doubt.

Finding a new perspective

"Live in day-tight compartments" showed me a better way to think.

Carnegie used the analogy of an ocean liner, in which the captain shuts off any leaking compartments to keep the vessel afloat.

The rest of us can live that way, too, he says over and over.

Here's how. We close the door on yesterday and its failures, as deliberately as we shut the door to a room. Then–just for today–we block out our "what ifs" and fears and worries about the future.

That leaves this day, the one we actually are living in, the one the Lord has given us. From this 24 hours we determine to squeeze out every drop of joy and satisfaction.

What about problems and troubles? Carnegie promises any of us can deal with anything for one day. What sinks us is wondering how we will get through tomorrow and the day after that.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized he spoke truth. It sounded too simple, but then, great truths often are.

Jesus said it first

Remember the Sermon on the Mount? In Matthew, chapters 5-7, Jesus addressed the crowds. His words come loaded with wisdom for living, like:

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34 NIV

Jesus taught this centuries before Carnegie's "day-tight compartments." His words imply we are to leave our "woulda, coulda, shouldas" in the past, as well, simply because they are history.

As for our nameless fears about the future, they don't belong in this day, either. Deal with tomorrow, tomorrow.

Substitute prayer for worry

Prayer is simply talking to God, openly sharing what's on our hearts, giving him the whole load of it. The goods, the bads and yes, sometimes the uglies of it.

For many of us, prayer weaves through every part of our lives.

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 ESV

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7 ESV

I learned a lot from books but oh, so much more from spending time in the Bible and participating in good Bible studies. I discovered treasures like Philippians 4:5-7, which I copied onto a sticky note and posted it on my bathroom mirror. Here, it's from the J. B. Phillips paraphrase:

Don’t worry over anything whatever; tell God every detail of your needs in earnest and thankful prayer, and the peace of God which transcends human understanding, will keep constant guard over your hearts and minds as they rest in Christ Jesus.

Trust-worthy words that can change your life

If you're looking for words with power to change your life and give you peace, turn to the Bible.

Skeptics and naysayers have challenged and ridiculed and argued about it on all sides, yet the Bible endures over the centuries. What's more, no one has found any errors in it. In fact, recent findings by today's archaeologists simply back up the dates and facts as given.

Perhaps you've tried to read it, but didn't or couldn't understand.

Try again. Ask God to open your understanding, then start with the Gospel of Matthew or the Gospel of John. Take your time, but stick with reading it–and I promise, it will get easier.

If you have a smart phone or computer you can download the Bible through one of the many Holy Bible apps that offer the NIV or ESV translations, as well as others. Then you will hear the text, word-for-word all through the Bible, read by excellent narrators.

What next? Live out biblical truths as best you can and trust the Holy Spirit to gently change you from the inside out so that you will feel peace and calm within. Find a church where the Bible is front-and-center and held up as God's Truth, without error and reliable, and where you feel the joy as people of faith come together.

Will you still have questions and struggles? Probably, either ongoing or from time to time, because life goes on and none of us is perfect. Will they swamp your "boat?"

Never. You'll keep growing and you will notice less stress within.

Self-help vs. faith-on-the-grow

Carnegie and countless other writers teach principles and techniques. They tell us we have control over our thoughts and attitudes, not vice versa.

The trouble is, each one maintains that WE can change ourselves if we just try hard enough.

The truth is, we all need help and inner change is an inside job.

The Bible tells us again and again that when we trust in Jesus, his Holy Spirit in our hearts gently changes us from the inside out. Changes us for real.

Jesus said in John 10:10b:

"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." NIV

Consider the Bible a storehouse filled with good words for living. Words that can transform your life because they testify of God's grace in Jesus Christ, the Savior.

By now I've lived long enough to know this goes way beyond theory. This is truth. Take these words to heart, my friend, and be at peace.

God bless you,

Lenore

To raise your quality of life, start with these five words

August 5, 2021
What to do when life knocks you around and you're reeling? When doubts fill your mind and you want to quit?

It can happen to any of us at any time. We reach our limits. Of patience. Or money. Or hope.

"I don't know what's wrong with me," we may say to a friend.

Or to ourselves. Or God.

Our life may be good, at least from the outside, but disquiet nibbles away at our hearts.

That's a lonely place to be.

Sometimes we also feel distant from God. We can't seem to pray or feel connected to the Lord we love, whom we know loves us.

Then we have two choices: Wrap ourselves up in our frustration and fretting–OR change the way we look at our life.

I hear you saying, "Talk is cheap. You don't know how hard it is for me!"

No, I don't. But I know how hard it is for me to climb out anytime I let myself get mired in that pit. Then I have to relearn this basic lesson of life:

In every situation, we choose how we think.

Call a halt

By now I easily spot the red flag thinking that leads me into risky territory. It comes sounding harmless enough, just random phrases that stoke my fears or my pride, words like these:

What if ____ ?

Why doesn't he–or she– ____ ?

Why must I always ____ ?

How long must I put up with this?

Where is God in all this?

Thoughts or words like this pull us down as surely as gravity makes the apple drop.

Finally, I know what helps. I've learned to catch myself and say, "Stop!"

How does this work?

Here's a listen to my (now) typical self-talk:

Q: What if?   A: Why spend my time and energy worrying about something that may or may not happen? If or when something happens, deal with it then.

Q: Why don't they care? A: Maybe they do. Each individual may be speaking and acting in ways that feel right to them.

Q: Why must I always ___? A: Stop with the "poor me" stuff. Is it really always? Think of times this other person gave in or came through, even when it cost them. Did I discount that simply because they didn't react as I would?

Q: How long must I put up with this? A: Am I really the only one "putting up with this"? Or does it work both ways? What's a mutually fair way to handle the situation?

Q: Where is God in all this? A: He's right here with me, always, keeping me alive and safe from day-to-day. Even those times I feel far from him, I can know that in Jesus Christ I am forgiven for all my mistakes and failures and I have eternal life.

Even if I'm the only one who hears it, restating the situation in a more balanced way calms me and helps me think straight.

Fill your mental reservoir with the Good Stuff

I freely admit it took years of reading and praying–and trying and failing–before this finally became my way of thinking. I know now to make my mind switch over to what lifts my heart and eases the tension in my shoulders.

Many people advise using positive affirmations, but that doesn't do it for me. I've tried repeating phrases like, "I am at peace with the world," or "I am calm in every circumstance."

Before long my inner nag taunts me with, "Oh yeah?"

Real peace comes when we connect with the Source:

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27

Other Bible verses to lift us up

When we feel swamped, it helps to repeat truths like these:

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear …    –Psalm 46:1a

I am the LORD, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?   –Jeremiah 32:27

Cast all your anxiety upon him, because he cares for you. –-1 Peter 5:7

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. —Philippians 4:13

Put the Good Stuff in and gradually you'll feel the heaviness in your spirit melting away.

Even if everything about your life situation stays the same, you will be changed. And trust me, that makes all the difference.

Still learning,

Lenore

Find peace when you’re feeling overwhelmed

March 3, 2021
The debate never ends.

You know the questions: Hasn't psychiatry replaced religion? How can the Bible, written so long ago, be relevant for today?

After years of medical practice an American psychiatrist named J. T. Fisher offered his opinion.

"If you were to take the sum total of all authoritative articles ever written by the most qualified of psychologists and psychiatrists on the subject of mental hygiene, if you were to combine them and refine them and cleave out the excess verbiage, if you were to take the whole of the meat and none of the parsley, and if you were to have these unadulterated bits of pure scientific knowledge concisely expressed by the most capable of living poets, you would have an awkward and an incomplete summary of the Sermon on the Mount. And it would suffer immeasurably through comparison.

"For nearly two thousand years the Christian world has been holding in its hands the complete answer to its restless and fruitless yearning. Here rests the blueprint for successful human life, with optimum mental health and contentment."

— A Few Buttons Missing: The Case Book of a Psychiatrist, by J.T. Fisher, M. D., and L.S. Hawley

Obviously, Dr. Fisher liked long sentences.

True, but he didn't waffle and spoke in definite terms. (Kind of refreshing, don't you think?)

He referred to Jesus' words in Matthew 5:1 to 7:29, commonly known as the Sermon on the Mount. Exactly where Jesus spoke these words remains uncertain. Many scholars think the crowds listening to him sat on the gently sloping hillside at the northwest corner of the Sea of Galilee.

Read through these verses and you'll find much that's familiar like the Lord's Prayer. Phrases often used by believers and non-believers are here, too, like "salt of the earth" and "let your light shine."

Suppose we could consult Dr. Fisher

We might ask for a prescription to stay sane in the midst of the craziness all around us.

Based on his writings it's likely he might answer:

"Read a few verses from the Sermon on the Mount every day.

"Spend some time thinking about what you just read, then live it out.

"Do this every day and your mental and emotional health will improve greatly."

Any of us can fill this prescription and take this medicine–with or without medical insurance. You see, there is no co-pay. It' has been paid in full, in advance, for every human being, for all time.

Let the debate rage on–and it will

Let it swirl around you, but don't let it color your outlook on life. Counter it with verses like these:

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? … Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? … Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:25, 27, 34

I know from experience that if we focus our minds on Bible truth it's an effective way to stay calm.

What matters most of all is that we know Jesus, the One who spoke those words and offers us peace-in-the-midst.

Or as Dr. Fisher put it, the One who holds out the answer to all our restless and fruitless yearning: Himself.

He knew an old truth that's still true now, even with all the advances in knowledge and technology: It matters what we allow into our minds.

In a time when our choices are dizzying, here's to filling our minds with the Good Stuff!

Still learning,

Lenore
Psychiatry or the Gospel, which one brings mental health?

February 24, 2021
Let's declare a break in playing and replaying what's behind us–or ruminating on what may be coming next.

Let's focus instead on the little woman the whole world seemed to love during her lifetime and even now: Mother Teresa.

No need to go into all the ins and outs of her life, except to say she spent her days serving the poorest of the poor, mostly in Calcutta, before she died September 5, 1997.

Mother Teresa lives on through her timeless words, the deep truths she spoke in simple words. I'm not Catholic, but I admire the unselfish way she lived.

She is said to have had the following lines posted on the wall of her office. They're worth a careful reading, because these truths have value for us all, no matter our age or life situation.

To me, they seem especially fitting for right now. See if you agree:

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some enemies. Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you. Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spent years building, someone could destroy overnight. Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow. Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God. It never was between you and them anyway.

May love touch your heart, may peace lift your spirit and may you find happiness in all your endeavors.

Mother Teresa's words are enough to keep us thinking for quite awhile

Obviously, she was a woman of faith and she lived a life of service. Some people wonder what motivated her to spend her life caring for those the rest of society walked right by. I think the answer can be found in Bible verses like these, from 1 John 4:

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God …

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him …

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another … We love because he first loved us.

Mother Teresa wasted no time proclaiming who was right or who was wrong. She simply loved and gave of herself

Here are three of her quotes that also speak to us today:

"If you judge people, you have no time to love them."

"Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.

"Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin."

You and I can help make our world a better place if we follow her example and live out what the Bible teaches us right in the place where we live. Where God has planted us.

As she said, We have only today. Let us begin.

May God bless you,

Lenore
What we can learn from Mother Teresa

January 13, 2021
Ahead of us lies the great unknown. Another 365 days of … what?

Sometimes the steady stream of What-ifs seems like too much, doesn't it? We want to hunker down and wait for it to blow over.

Our friend "Jim" found out dogs can feel that way, too.

During his growing-up years he loved to roam the California hills. One blue-sky Saturday he set off to go exploring. His faithful sidekick "Marley" tagged along at his heels.

As they came over one hill Jim heard a high-pitched, unfamiliar drone. Marley heard it, too.

The usually fearless German Shepherd crouched on the grass and refused to budge. No amount of coaxing or scolding could get him moving.

At last Jim gave up. The teenager picked up Marley and staggered over the next hill, where the noise barely registered.

Only then would Marley resume walking on his own.

You and I may wish we could do what Marley did

If only we could refuse to budge.

We can't, of course, because we have responsibilities and people who need us. Need us to be strong, even when we're quaking with fear inside.

We survived 2020. Yay! But here we are, still living under restrictions, wearing masks and washing our hands. Still wondering what comes next–and when.

Frankly, we are tired of this routine. We want to get past it and go on.

And fear lurks everywhere because we don't know what comes next.

But here's the thing: We never did. Neither did countless generations before us.

Like them, we must take one step at a time, one day at a time, fully aware we cannot make it on our own.

Like them, we're never left to get through all this on our own strength:

"For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid, for I myself will help you,' declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel." Isaiah 41:13-14

Surprises along the way are guaranteed

We know by experience we won't like some of them. No matter. We need to keep walking if we're to get through our days.

This calls for courage–and where do we get a dose of that?

For starters, look back to one dark night outside Bethlehem.

The shepherds out on the hills outside Bethlehem were just living their usual lives, watching out for their sheep. Then one night, suddenly angels filled the skies, singing praises to God. The glory of the Lord shone around them and lit up the darkness with dazzling light.

The shepherds fell to their knees. Fearful. What could it mean?

The angel's words to those humble men apply just as much to you and me today:

"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today . . . a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord."   (from Luke 2)

Fear and apprehension can turn to laughter, even in the night

Once they heard and saw the angels the shepherds were filled with joy and rushed off to Bethlehem to see for themselves the Baby in the manger. They abandoned their sheep because their desire to see the Baby Jesus crowded out every other thought.

What if you and I had the same single-minded yearning to see and know Jesus?

Would it change the way we look at our lives and what we consider important? Would we leave fear behind?

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."  John 14:27

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

Where is the darkness in your life?

Every one of us has some sort of "darkness"–difficulty and struggle–in our life. We know by experience that times of calm usually don't last, that danger lurks just off the scene.

Life is uncertain. All it takes is one false step. One drunk driver. One bad report from the doctor and our life could turn from happy to sad in an instant.

So then how shall we cope with the uncertainty of being alive?

The same as all the Christians who went before us, living one day after another, trusting God every step of the way.

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

Let's leave the shadows behind

Because we know the Source of joy, we can live fearlessly. Joyously.

The Bible tells us how.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

We can't know what lies ahead, but we can know God is faithful and His promises are true

Marley had an owner who loved him enough to carry him past what troubled him.

We have so much more. We have Almighty God, our loving Father, who promises to never leave us alone and to strengthen us and carry us through whatever comes.

It is enough.

Count on it and be at peace,

Lenore

Take your pick: Will you live scared? Or will you live at peace?

December 30, 2020
Many of us wake up every morning feeling anxious and drag our load of uneasiness to bed with us, too.

No wonder. Every day "they" announce some new reason to be afraid.

Disturbing news seeps into our awareness, even though we think we're tuning it out. "What ifs" buzz around in our minds like pesky gnats, hatching into fears for our children and ourselves.

This isn't the first time cause for anxiety slithered into our world, it's just the most recent display. Perhaps you, too, have wondered how fear got such a hold on our culture. I think Oswald Chambers, who wrote My Utmost for His Highest, explained it best:

"When you fear God, you fear nothing else. When you don't fear God, you fear everything."

Fear of God means standing in awe of who he is and what he can do

The Bible makes it plain:

For thus says the Lord, who created the heavens (he is God!), who formed the earth and made it (he established it; he did not create it empty, he formed it to be inhabited!) "I am the Lord, and there is no other." Isaiah 45:18 ESV

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10 ESV

In our "enlightened times" the very idea of God and even more, of Jesus as the Savior of the world, seems to have been declared irrelevant.

Thank God individuals still can profess their faith and some we see and hear on our screens regularly do so, but that's a small percentage of the whole.

Looking for peace in all the wrong places

None of us are immune to fear. It's part of being human.

If you're having sleep problems, you have lots of company. Physical therapists report most patients complain of tight shoulders and neck problems. Why? Because that's where so many of us unconsciously hold our tension.

Even the calmest among us will admit to an underlying low-level sense of concern that won't leave.

That's why we need to remind ourselves over and over that ultimate power rests in God's hand, not with Covid.

Here's what Jesus told his followers–and if we're Christians, this includes us

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, nor let them be afraid." John 14:27 ESV

The Apostle Paul had every reason in the world to be anxious, but he told the Philippians in Chapter 4:6-7 ESV:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

His peace in our hearts and minds is ours for the taking. But here's the question: Are we willing to give up feeling anxious?

That sounds like an odd question, but for some individuals, living all churned up with anxiety means feeling more alive. More in touch with their emotions and with what's going on in the world, a bit more sensitive than people around them who don't seem as troubled.

More faith verses

Some of us grew up believing we shouldn't "mark up" our Bibles. Once I broke free of that lie I discovered what a joy it is to underline verses that speak to my heart, verses like these.

The LORD is my light and my salvation–whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life–of whom shall I be afraid?   Psalm 27:1 NIV

Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me. Psalm 50:1 NIV

When I am afraid I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. Psalm 56:5-6 NIV

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NIV

You gotta put the good stuff in if you want to get the good stuff out

That folksy sense saying applies in all of life, especially to our minds.

Adult or child, what we feed our minds is what we live out.

Always, always, the greatest answer for troubled hearts is found in John 3:16-17.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Filling our minds with thoughts of God's mercy in sending Jesus to be our Savior is the remedy that shrinks our deepest fears and fills us with calm.

Even if. Even when. Even though.

Lovingly,

Lenore

Helps to staying calm in fearful times

July 1, 2020
Every news broadcast reminds us that just breathing could be dangerous.

Covid-19 is everywhere and it feels as if everything changed overnight.

We are smack up against the truth that life is hard and beyond our control.

It's astonishingly easy to be a sponge and absorb the constant stream of bad news and scary warnings on all sides.

Then we fall into the trap of expecting the worst, justifying it by explaining we just want to be ready for what comes.

Who wants to live that way?

Re-think your thinking

You and I cannot change the world or what's happening, but we can change where we fasten our thoughts.

Whatever our personal situation may be, here's what we know for rock-bottom sure:

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. –Hebrews 13:8

Does that make us immune to hurting when someone we love becomes ill or dies? Do we laugh at job loss? Do we feel nothing when crises wipe out retirement savings?

Of course not. The difference is we don't give in and park our minds in Pity Land.

If anyone knew about suffering, it was the Apostle Paul. Try reading his words aloud and listen with your heart.

For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this is all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed … Therefore, we do not lose heart.    –2 Corinthians 4:6-9, 16a

I believe every word of these passages, yet I confess, this "jar of clay" sometimes gets discouraged, too

That's why I love this phrase from Psalm 103:14:

. . . for he remembers that we are dust.

Whenever I start beating up on myself for not being the shining strong example of faith I want to be, I think of these wonderful words and remind myself I am only dust.

Imperfect.

Human.

But loved by God, who knows my weaknesses and loves me simply because I love Jesus. That means I can forgive myself and move on.

So can you.

We see what we look for

Once the question of who we are in Christ is settled in our minds we look at life from a different perspective.

We let go of the "victim mindset" and accept that life can be hard but like Paul, we may be down but we are are not destroyed.

Here's what God said to His people through Moses–and to you and me.

I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life . . . –Deuteronomy 30:19-20

That means every morning–every moment, really–we decide: Will I choose life?

Because that makes all the difference.

Still learning, too,

Lenore

Encouragement for our down times

May 3, 2020
Are we a nation of wimps or what?

It's as if we assumed our technology and enlightened thinking guaranteed our society wouldn't have–shouldn't have–big challenges that dodge easy solution.

That's understandable, I suppose, since for quite some time now, we've been strutting around feeling proud of all we have achieved. On our own.

This Corona virus, also known as Covid-19, has knocked us off our perch and brought us down to reality with a deafening thud.

Here's the shocker: As amazing as we may be, we are not in control.

This is not the first and it won't be the last time disease and disaster show up out of nowhere. We live in a sinful world, remember?

For example, in 1347-1352 the Bubonic Plague, a.k.a., Black Death, ravaged Europe and killed 25 million people, which was 30% to 60% of the entire population.

No treatment existed. A person who contracted the Plague either lived or died.

It didn't stop there.

Step back into Wittenberg, Germany, in the year 1527

You are Martin Luther and the dreaded Plague once again is barreling toward your town.

There's nothing to do but wait. And read your Bible. And implore God to keep you and your loved ones safe and alive.

Luther was known for spending hours in prayer and reading his Bible. During this time he pored over texts like Psalm 46 and drew on it to write, "A Mighty Fortress is Our God."

Here are the first two verses:

"A Mighty Fortress is our God"

A mighty fortress is our God,

A trusty shield and weapon;

He helps us free from ev'ry need

That hath us now o'ertaken.

The old evil foe

Now means deadly woe;

Deep guile and great might

Are his dread arms in fight;

On earth is not his equal.

With might of ours can naught be done,

Soon were our loss effected;

But for us fights the valiant One,

Whom God Himself elected.

Ask ye, Who is this?

Jesus Christ it is,

Of Sab-a-oth Lord,

And there's none other God;

He holds the field forever.

This hymn speaks to our fear and uncertainty, as well

After all, what can we do other than obey the Government directives that come out and try to stay healthy?

We Christians read our Bibles. We pray most earnestly that our loving Lord will watch over us and our loved ones.

Just as surely, we pray God's protection over our Nation and the world, and that he will keep medical personnel and caregivers safe.

And please, may we unite in prayer that God will guide all our leaders, whoever they are, in every level of authority.

Here are a few verses from Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,

though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. …

The LORD of hosts is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress.        Psalm 46:1-3, 11 ESV

Dear reader, I pray that you know the truth of these words and that you trust in Jesus Christ as your Savior.

And when fear wakes you in the night, call this verse to mind and be at peace:

"For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, 'Fear not, I am the one who helps you.'" Isaiah 41:13 ESV

Despite the unknowns you and I can choose to place our hope–our certainty–in the LORD. Today. Tomorrow. And for eternity.

Trusting, too,

Lenore

Holding onto Hope while we Hunker down

March 20, 2020
The day started off to be a good day. Sunshine. Warm temps. Blooming trees.

As I drove to my doctor's office a bit of anxiety caught in my throat, so my prayer held extra intensity. Lord, my times are in your hands. Please watch over me and our family. Keep me calm whatever he says and keep me safe, I pray.

Good lab test results sent me floating out of the office, my mind shouting Thank you, Lord!

Next I headed to a nearby big-box store, grabbed a cart and as usual, deposited my handbag in the kid-carrier.

I meandered through the store, then headed toward Checkout. That's when my heart stopped. My purse was not in the cart!

You can imagine my thoughts

My inner critic scolded: Idiot! You've heard the warnings from police. You know better.

I hightailed it to the Service Desk. Had anyone turned in a purse? No.

I recited my tale to the nice young man from Security. He took off to do a store walk-through. Rather than stand and wait, I walked through the store, too, but found nothing.

Back to the Service Desk to wait.

Security Guy returns. He found nothing. Calls his boss, who tells him to come view security camera footage.

I wait some more, leaning against a counter.

Security Guy finally returns and reports they saw nothing unusual or questionable on camera footage.

Well, it's just a purse, Ma'am. Yes, but . . .

What did I have in my handbag?

Billfold

Driver's License

I.D.

Bank debit cards

Credit cards

Cell phone

Auto key fob

Auto club membership card

House key

My business cards

Put another way, my handbag held my "life." When I had it.

As I mentally ticked off all the agencies I'd have to try to connect with my head started to pound.

What next?

Store personnel were kind. Could they call someone for me? Sure, except now that I have a smartphone I never have to remember a phone number, so I don't.

One daughter lives near me, but she kept her Midwest cell phone number through two moves and has no land line phone here. Forget looking up her number.

By then it was past noon and I hadn't eaten since early morning. No wonder I felt like I couldn't concentrate.

Thank God for a happy ending

Just then Security Guy came around the corner, holding out a black purse. Was it mine?

Yes! Where did he find it?

Answer, "I walked the store again and looked closer. Something didn't look quite right, so I investigated. I found a black purse wedged behind a display. I don't know how your bag could have flipped out of the cart because the strap isn't long enough to catch on anything. Please, Ma'am, check to be sure you have everything."

I did. Thank you, Lord!

Later I checked the cart and found no cracks big enough for my bag to slide through. How did it get on the floor behind a display? I'll never know.

The lesson to learn–for each of us

How could I make sure this didn't happen again? Here's my plan. (Feel free to borrow anything useful.)

Never, never, never deposit a handbag or billfold or cellphone in a shopping cart.

For women, only carry a cross-body bag or a waist bag–and don't lay it down.

Carry a list of essential phone numbers plus a bit of cash, separate from your bag.

OR carry cellphone, cash and key fob in a waist bag.

One friend suggested putting the list in a plastic bag and sticking it behind one's bra. Or in a sock or a pocket.

Another suggested using a small travel money pouch. They're easily available, they're flat and inconspicuous and can be worn underneath clothing.

For me, the point is to always have access to what I need to stay in touch with loved ones, be able to drive and unlock my front door.

It's up to me to be prepared. If not me, then who?

Was this a time God stopped watching over me?

I don't think so because He keeps His promises.

The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.  -Psalm 121:18

Besides, I didn't lose my "life" for good and I didn't have to call all those contact numbers to get licenses and cards reissued, nor have my locks changed.

I experienced a couple of trying hours, but my loss was temporary.

Was God teaching me through all this? Probably. (Doesn't He always?)

I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with my eye on you. –Psalm 32:8

Did this experience have a point? Yes. Loud and unmistakable: I need to be watchful–not paranoid, just watchful.

Make no mistake

I was humbled that day and embarrassed, but I don't consider it a waste. If nothing else, I can pass it on as a caution to others. People like you.

Perhaps you, too, have heard official warnings a million times and you didn't listen, either.

Maybe it's time.

Still learning, obviously,

Lenore
The day I lost my life and got it back. It could happen to you

February 28, 2020