Why keep reading the Bible?

   For many years, I recited Psalm 91 as I made my bed each morning. Then recently as I read it, verse 2 popped out at me:

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,

    my God, in whom I trust” (NIV). 

     Oh, my. How many hundreds, even thousands of times had I said this? Yet am I really trusting the Lord? Or am I trying to do life on my own, worrying when things don't work out the way I know they should, or as fast as I think they ought? 

     I'm not talking about impatience in the grocery store line or having car trouble. I'm talking wayward loved ones, family members who refuse to hear about Jesus, and issues of global dimensions. Situations that I know are God's will to change, but that are delayed. 

I worry. 

I fret. 

I manipulate. 

I get upset. 

But do I trust? 

Sometimes a Scripture will grab you around the heart and ask, 

"Do you believe this enough to live it?"

     This is why we keep reading God's Word. It's not just a book. It's alive, and it speaks into our lives the message we need at the exact time we need it. If we are wise and listen, we are changed. 

Have you had this happen with a Bible verse? How did it change you? 

A fun phenomenon to ease pain

     Although I'm still experiencing pain from the shingles outbreak last October (almost ten months ago), I discovered a fun phenomenon:

When I'm doing something I enjoy, like sharing God's Word, singing, exercising, or gardening, I'm not aware of the pain. 

Wow. 

       I'm sure there's a word for this in the medical field. To me it shows the power of the brain God created for us. 

        When we engage in an activity that makes us happy, we feel no pain. As we focus on what we love to do, that feeling of pleasure pushes out the feeling of pain. 

Amazing. 

What makes you happy? 

What activity frees you from pain? 

I'm Rich! How did this happen?

   

     When my 95-year-old Mom died in May, 2022, she left few possessions. Yet I can definitely say, "I'm rich!"

     As I sorted through the boxes and bags of clothes, kitchen utensils, and old photographs, I realized the treasures Mom gave me consisted not of things, but of everlasting qualities: 

A love of God and His Word

A commitment to hard work

A thoughtful spirit toward others

         At Mom's celebration of life I said, "If I love giving to foreign missions, if I'm a hard worker, if you tell me you like chickens and I give you chicken-themed gifts, all of those qualities came from Mom." 

          I only hope I can follow in her steps, and leave behind a heritage of goodness and love for my own  kids.  The qualities Jesus is proud of are the ones that last. 

     

If you lose a sock in the dryer

I've always wondered about this phenomenon...

A hug for you

I thought you might need a hug today.