I DON'T KNOW HER NAME

         She is nameless to me, and yet I am inspired by her influence each Sunday-my young  minister’s mother. 

I don’t know her name but each Sunday I am moved by the sound of music from our choir-my choir director’s mother.

 I don’t know the name of his mother or his wife, but I am encouraged each week by our worship minister’s creativity and sweet spirit. 

 So many nameless women who have given to our country that I might worship freely-the mothers and wives of our military. 

         Endless lists of inspiring women who have sacrificed that each day my life could be so blessed. The Scripture is filled with unnamed inspiring women-Noah’s wife, the woman at the well, the lady who touched Christ’s garment in the crowd,-all nameless-all inspiring But perhaps none more inspiring than the widow who gave her all.

    “And there came a poor widow, and she cast in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, This poor widow cast in more than all they that are casting into the treasury: for they all did cast in of their superfluity; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.” (Mark12:42-44)

         She gave all that she had.   What an inspiration!  When we give of our meager funds, our time, our family, our physical strength, we often feel proud. Many times we have given of our surplus, but Jesus said she gave it ALL!

         How often have nameless women given all that they had so that Christ and His kingdom might be lifted up? When I consider this widow, I am inspired to give more and pray that I might be counted as a nameless woman for the cause of Christ.

WALK THE TALK

Note:  The following post is a rewrite. I have been going through saved articles and posts as I work on a new proposal. I found this and thought how pertinent it is right now as we listen to all these promises from the political world. 

Walking for exercise and meditation seems to be for all ages, sizes, and nationalities. Magazine covers, book stores and videos are filled with stories of the rewards of a personal walking program.  Because I am a walker, I often reach for the magazine with “New Personal Walking Program” as its latest promise. Or the latest edition of Family Circle© that has emblazoned “WALK OFF MORE WEIGHT” in bright orange letters on the cover. Walking books are a part of my personal library, and every famous star seems to have an exercise or walking video available for $19.95. All are filled with good advice and excellent illustrations, but reading and watching give me little result.  I read them all (well not all, but probably too many).   Through experience I have discovered that reading the article or watching the video does very little except waste my time. I have “book learning” about walking, but if I don’t walk, my knowledge does me no good.  Talking the walk doesn’t make me a walker.

Isn’t it the same with those of us who call ourselves Christians?  Many today are naming the name of Christian, but reading the Book and watching the preacher don’t make us Christians any more than reading the article in the magazine and watching the video makes me a walker.  I tell people I walk, but if I wear out after walking a block, I surely haven’t done much more than read the instructions.  I can’t have been practicing too much.

 I claim the name of Christian, but ‘if I have not love, I am as a clanging cymbal” only good for noise”- (1Corinthians 13:1 NIV) I attend the services of the local congregation on Sunday, sing, pray, and greet my fellow Christians. But, if on Monday my tongue is cutting and cursing those same people, I am only reading the Scripture not practicing what I have read.  I have knowledge, but no action.  James says “To know to do good and not to do it is as sin.” (James 4:17 NIV)    

God’s Word tells us that even Satan know the Scripture.  Knowing and doing are different parts of the Christian walk.  Of course, we need to know God’s Word, but until we start walking it, His Word is useless.  As reading the books and magazines does nothing for my physical body, reading and studying do little for my spiritual well-being.  I must walk the walk.  I encourage you also to walk spiritually as well as physically. 

CHANGES

     Fields are beginning to be bare and geese honk as the shadow of their flight reflects on the water of the lake. Obviously the season is changing, and once again we will make the trip to our winter home in Florida. Even though I enjoy our home there, I find the change rather difficult at times. Perhaps it has something to do with age. I smile as I write that because I know it has much to do with age.

    My mother lived for 92 years, and we often discussed the changes she had experienced in her life. And as I walk this morning, many of the changes I have experienced in my lifetime come to mind.

    I once read my favorite book, Little Women, by kerosene lamp; after electricity came into our home, I listened to The Lone Ranger on our very modern radio; I was in the third grade before our family had a bathroom and running water; our ring on the party line telephone was two shorts and one long ring; and the changes went on.

     My high school graduation present was a very modern electric typewriter; and later my children wore cloth diapers that I washed in a wringer washer and hung on the clothesline to dry in freezing winter weather. I taught myself about a computer on a new TRS 80 with DOS. I wore high-heeled shoes and skirts to teach school. Dial-up Internet was a miracle in Grandview, Illinois. And the changes went on.

    Our son is now a grandfather. Our great-granddaughter celebrated her second birthday in September. She changes so quickly. What will she know in her lifetime? What changes will she experience as she walks into the future?

     I can make few promises to her about her future. Changes will be many, but one promise I can make. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” If her faith is in Him as she walks through life, she can face any and all changes that come into her world. I walk on praying that she and all young children facing our changing world will realize this truth.

ANOTHER SEASON

Some of this devotion may seem familiar to my readers as I have used portions of this description in past years.

ANOTHER SEASON

            The musty smell of harvest dust filters into the breeze. Farming families eat in fields; wives and children become errand boys and hired hands. The grain market and the weather report develop into the major news. The geese fly south again. Leaves fade into brilliant reds and golds and the harvest moon rises in the October sky. Fall festivals are rampant, school is in full swing and the high school football season dwindles to one game and the play-offs. Autumn in the Midwest.

            Little chipmunks and bushy tailed squirrels invade my lawn. One little fellow struggles defiantly with the acorns falling among the leaves on our patio. As I step out quietly for my walk, I stop to watch his struggle. He finds them much more appealing than we do.

            Across the way, the geese are strutting around the edge of Eads Lake, staking their claim to our neighbors’ yards. Soon they will huddle, honk to one another and begin their journey across the sky. I pause to watch and listen as they rise into the blue October sky.

            On around my circle, I notice that the neighbor on the corner has planted several mums-the full-blown bushes are swathed in blooms glowing in the light of the afternoon sun. I return to our house and note how all of my summer blossoms are beginning to fade to rusty brown. It is time to remove them from the pots and plant them for next season.

            “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1

            Sitting with the sun soaking my shoulders, I reflect on the seasons of my life.  I have decided that each season of my life has had its sunshine and its rain, its clouds and its storms; however, much like God’s creation prepares this morning for the season ahead, I, too, continue to make preparation for winter. Of course, just as the seasons of nature come upon us rather quickly, so, too, do the seasons of life. It’s  almost Winter for me-in nature and in life. Am I prepared for the coming season?

            Today’s society seems so absorbed with today and the issues of the day that no preparation is made for the coming season. Planning and preparation are a part of God’s plan. He has made plans for us in this life. (“I know the plans I have for you…”Jeremiah 29:11) and for eternity (“I go to prepare a place for you” John 14:3), but we need to prepare for both. Perhaps I need to slow down, take a deep breath, and prepare for winter.

            PRAYER FOR THE DAY: Lord, slow me down as I walk with you through this life. Help me to realize I need to take time to notice the small things you have prepared for me to do and not become so involved in “ busyness” that I neglect the little things of life that are so important. In Jesus’ name Amen
Enjoy your Preparation-I am  
Clella

A QUIET LIFE

A QUIET LIFE

            I read my devotion verse today before I started walking. The verse for the day was “Aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, “1 Thessalonians 4: 11 NIV.  Later, when I turned the corner on the road toward Crestwood, I saw Mr. Boyer mowing his yard. I often see him working as I walk. Watching him working with his hands reminded me of the verse I had read earlier about working with your hands and leading a quiet life.

            Christians are to aspire to lead a quiet life and mind our own business.  A QUIET LIFE???  And how do I do that in our culture today?  How can I mind my own business when so many put so much “business” out there for the world-Facebook, Twitter, evening news, talk shows and local newspapers.

            My desire is to lead a quiet life and mind my own business, but I want to help my neighbor and to pray for the problems of the world. I want to rejoice when my friends are happy and cry when they are sad. How can I do both? What does Paul mean when he writes “mind my own business?” Perhaps he is talking about all the petty quarrels and gossip that circulates even in our churches. Maybe he is reminding us again about judging our neighbor’s action before removing the beam from our own eye.

            God tells us to “be still” and the Psalmist writes about “still waters.” Jesus drew away from the crowds in order to pray. He told us to go into “our closet.” All of this reminds me not to be so caught up in my daily living and other people’s business (even though I may have good intentions) that I forget to take that quiet time for my own spiritual and physical well-being.

            “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” Paul admonishes the people at Thessalonica to keep busy so that they would not become busybodies. (Don’t you love his play on words?)  An old adage states “idle hands are the devil’s workshop.” God intends for us to work. He tells us if our work is for the Lord then our labor is not in vain. (my paraphrase) I pray each day that I might mind my own business and do some work that will bring honor to my Lord.           

As I walk and think, I decide that I actually do “aspire to lead a quiet life” and because I do the rest will follow.  May you, too, seek to lead a quiet life as you continue your walk.

IT'S HERE AGAIN

             It’s here.  The cool, crisp air has finally arrived. I stepped out in a short-sleeved t-shirt and shorts, went across to the Crestwood track, walked one round and headed back. I wanted something a bit warmer on my arms and legs. Wonderful isn’t it?

            After the siege of hot weather through July and August, cool breezes and lower temperatures are a welcome break. I grabbed a light jacket and started again with a little quicker step than last week when the heat had seemed to push me into the blacktop with every step (even in early morning.)

            The weight of the hot summer has lifted. I can breathe deep again. Rejuvenated and refreshed. I anticipate walking even longer and farther in the next few mornings. I am still walking the same route, but the coolness of the morning, the rustling of the dry leaves and the geese honking across the lake encourage me that Fall is on its way.

            I had known it would happen because God’s world continues to work in the way He created it, but for a while, during those hot summer days, I had almost forgotten the caress of cool breeze, the whisper of dry leaves and the harsh honk of the geese that suggests a new season.  I welcome the day with a prayer of thanksgiving for all the seasons and the joy each one brings, but today I thank God for my favorite season-Fall.

            Life has it seasons, too. Seasons that weigh us down much like the physical heat of this past summer.  Days of grief or physical pain or worry and concern for loved ones. Long periods of days when putting one foot in front of another seems an effort. Seasons when we are so burdened we forget the caress of children, the whisper of love and the sound of laughter.

            But, if we trust Him, God takes us through that long hard season and brings us back to those times of joy. I am reminded this morning that He is still in control of His Creation, whether it is the seasons of the physical world or the seasons of our life. And I am thankful.

Stumbling Into Grace

Something new for me on this corner.  I have been praying about adding to this blog and sharing other things with my readers about my Christian walk. Since I am an avid reader and many programs are offered for free books to anyone who will review the book at least two places on the internet, I have decided this will be my next route. I will continue to share my walking experiences but at intervals will include a new book review. I hope you will enjoy them. 
Keep walking. 




Real life, Real Gifts and Real Growth divide Lisa Harper’s STUMBLING INTO GRACE. Lisa confesses quite frankly that her goal “is for the lisping prose to compel readers to lean further into the strong, safe embrace of our Redeemer.” Lisa may not quite have me leaning on the Redeemer’s shoulder, but she certainly causes her reader to lean closer and grow in a relationship with the Savior.
Her refreshing admissions of her own stumbling in life are so easy to understand because we have all stumbled in the same daily areas. She opens Chapter 3 “So, today I’ve been thinking about fattening things.” Well who hasn’t done that? Lisa continues to discuss temptations and addictions both physical and spiritual. 
In another chapter she discusses real growth. She relates her struggle to depend more completely on God. Her acknowledgment of her grief at the death of her step-father and her need to depend on the Lord during this time. Each personal illustration is one that as a woman I can so easily relate to and her use of Scripture gives me answers to those stumbling times. 

Three sections at the end of each chapter are the exercises that make me lean “into the strong, safe embrace” that she refers to in her opening words. Reacting to the sections Living in Light of His Story, Personal Reflection and/or Group discussion, and Journal Entry helps me to recognize that I ,too, have stumbled into Grace.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”