Friends

We took the day "off" yesterday, and went to Lansing to church and to the Meridian Mall to check in on the "He Cares, We Care" mall ministry.  When we got back home, we had friends that wanted to come over and share a fresh baked peach pie with us.  It was yummy with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.  Oh, the pleasures of life...friends and pie!!


One of my dear sweet ladies that I check on periodically, here on the campgrounds, went home to be with Jesus and her husband Saturday night.  I'm so happy for her...she's been a victim of strokes across the years and it was hard to walk and hard to talk.  Sharp mind, but so frustrating when you can't use your body the way you want to, or say the words you want to.  Therefore I have been praying God would take her home.  She was in her 90's, a former pastor's wife, and a saint of God.  Her funeral will be later this week.


I understand we have a pack of coyotes on the grounds, out in the woods and corn fields.  There's a momma and 4-5 cubs, we hear.  That's a pack, and that's a problem.  We will have to address that.  I had a talk with my porch cats yesterday and told them they need to stay under houses/cottages at night, where the wolves cannot get them.  I don't know if they understood me or not, but last night they didn't show up!  I do fear for their lives, especially as winter comes on.


I went shopping with a friend this past week.  I don't do that very often!  Not much of a shopper, and it's not in my budget, but we did have a very nice day out.   We had lunch at Applebees, where I like their soups.


We also had friends in for supper last week.  What a lovely time.  We ate the main course here at our house, and then six of us went to another's house for dessert and to watch a Southern Gospel DVD of Greater Vision, Legacy Five, the Booth Brothers, and Mark Trammel Trio.  Thoroughly enjoyed our evening with friends.  We don't do this often enough!!


The camp staff got together for a debriefing meeting last Thursday afternoon and then had sub sandwiches delivered for supper.  We talked about what we should do different next year to help the camps run more smoothly.  Lots of good ideas.  And now we have a few months to implement them into our camp organization.  We have a very good staff...some paid, some volunteers, but all working for the Lord in this camping ministry here at Indian Lake Nazarene Camp.


Let's take a look at what God had to say to me this past week in His Word:


Ecclesiastes
Here is my final conclusion:  fear God and obey his commandments, for this is the entire duty of man.  For God will judge us for everything we do, including every hidden thing, good or bad.  (12:13-14)


Psalm
What I want from you is your true thanks; I want your promises fulfilled.  I want you to trust me in your times of trouble, so I can rescue you, and you can give me glory.  (50:14-15)


...true praise is a worthy sacrifice; this really honors me.  Those who walk my paths will receive salvation from the Lord.  (50:23)


Create in me a new, clean heart, O God, filled with clean thoughts and right desires.  (51:10)


You don't want penance; if you did, how gladly I would do it!  You aren't interest in offerings burned before you on the alter.  It is a broken spirit you want --- remorse and penitence.  A broken and a contrite heart, O God, you will not ignore.  (51:16-17)


But when I am afraid, I will put my confidence in you.  Yes, I will trust the promises of God.  And since I am trusting him, what can mere man do to me?  (56:3-4)


This one thing I know:  God is for me!  (56:9)


The Word for You Today

• Do what you love to do, something that engages both your mind and your heart.  Ask God to give you a clear vision and an undivided heart.

Labor Day Weekend

For those of you following my blog, my apologies for taking a short break.  I have been in back pain again, and just not in the mood to blog.  Seems like I am tired all the time.  I have finally made an appointment to have my physical condition examined.  I'm sure I'm opening a can of worms, but I need to get back to good health while I'm aging, as much as I can.  


This has been a tremendous weekend for ILNC.  For the first time ever, the Nazarene Evangelists' Homecoming has been held here at ILNC.  There have been preaching and singing all weekend, and tonight there is a concert by the song evangelists.  The good news is that they have chosen to come back again next year and have plans to do a recording of a musical tribute to Jim and Rosie Green, who were song evangelists for 65 years, and a tribute to camp meeting choirs and music.  They plan to fill the choir loft as it used to be (100 people +/-) and sing the old camp meeting songs that the Greens used to sing.  I think it will be well attended, for there are people still living who used to be in those services and sang in the choir, and are hungry to hear the older songs once again.  I am one of them.  As a teenager I was in the choir under the direction of the Greens.  I still recall some of the choir specials, such as "There's Going to Be a Meeting in the Air".  This will be a great event, and we have a year to plan for it.


We had a mini family reunion a couple of weeks ago.  Paul's brother and his family (wife, four children) came from Washington State to visit, and we all met at Paul's sister's (and husband) house.  Her daughter was home from Baltimore, and an aunt came, as well as Paul's parents.  Nice time of visiting and eating together.


A week ago we spent the day with our cottage friends (up from Florida for the summer months and staying in our cottage) to celebrate our anniversaries.  We chose to go to Edsel Ford's Home at Grosse Pointe on Lake St. Clair (north of Detroit).  We did two tours...one was "Behind the Scenes", which gave us the maids and Butler's side of the mansion (30,000 square foot mansion, plus 80 acres of grounds), and the House tour, which led us through the side of the house where the family lived.  It took 3 years to build, and was completed in 1929.  Edsel was the only son of Henry Ford, and became the president of his father's Ford company.  


Edsel and Eleanor had three sons and one daughter.  The daughter had a play house that was 2/3rds the  scale of a real house, and cost $15,000 to build in 1932 when she was 7 years old.  We toured that house also, so cute...all the furniture and appliances and commode built to the scale appropriate for a 7 year old.  Whenever she went to the Playhouse to play, she was accompanied by her governess for security's sake.  This was the time period when the Lindbergh baby was kidnapped, and there were attempts on the Ford children.  When the little girl grew up and married, her wedding reception was held in the 25'x60' ball room in the house, designed for dances.  


The house was amazing, and built with the best money could find...many of the walls and items coming from Europe, Germany, China.  They would not give us the value of the house, but one of the antiques in the house was in the millions alone.  All of this built at the beginning of the depression.  Edsel Ford died of stomach cancer at the age of 49, and Eleanor lived 30 more years in that house.  She wanted to leave it for the public to enjoy, and set up a fund to provide $15 million a year to maintain the house and cover the expenses.  At one time the Fords had 25 on their housekeeping staff.  There is a tunnel from the house to the power plant, perhaps 500' long, which we also went through.  The Edsel Ford home was just something I wanted to see for a while, and this is the year we made the trip to see it.  Interesting how the rich and famous live!


When we got back to the camp grounds that evening, we had an outdoor concert with Smith and Smith, who both play guitars and sing the oldies (country, rock and roll, gospel).  I love to listen to them and sing along.  It was such a relaxing evening, so nostalgic and mellow.  


Last week I went to Shipshewanna, Indiana with my small group to shop, see a play "The Confession" (Amish setting, Beverly Lewis author), and have supper at the Blue Gate.  There were about 30 of us (more than just our small group went).  That was a neat treat...excellent musical/play.


We are cresting the hill and tomorrow, Labor Day, we will be descending into fall and winter in the life of the camp ground.  RVers will start to pull away, and soon after that our snowbirds will leave for the winter, and our crowds will be gone for another season.  We still have several families here during the winter, and we will have weekend groups, retreats, etc throughout the next nine months...but all the summer busy buzz will be gone.  Life will be quieter.  And that's okay.  We still keep busy in the office wrapping up this year and planning for next year.  Paul and I will have a fall and winter get away to refresh ourselves.  We've had a good summer, and look forward to the months ahead, just not the snow and ice.  It's pretty, but we don't like cold weather, and I fear falling on black ice again...as my back has been messed up since I fell last March.


Well, on to my devotions from the last two weeks...


"The Word for You Today":

• A good idea that is not God's idea can complicate your life, and not only will you suffer, but so will your loved ones.
• Others may give up on you, but God never will.  God will keep wrestling with you until your attitudes are changed as well as your words and actions, your willingness, your relationships.
• The pursuit of a dream is the difference between ordinary and extraordinary people.  A God-given dream will motivate you to make important decisions and changes in your life.  Your dream is both a goal and your change-agent.  The time to pursue your dream is NOW!

Job:
But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and that he will stand upon the earth at last.  And I know that after this body has decayed, this body shall see God!  Then he will be on my side!  Yes, I shall see him, not as a stranger, but as a friend!  What a glorious hope!  (18:25-27)


It is not mere age that makes men wise.  Rather it is the Spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, which makes him intelligent.  (32:8-9)


I will speak the truth with all sincerity.  For the Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.  (33:3-4)


Ecclesiastes:
...so let your words be few...being a fool makes you a blabbermouth.  (5:3)


To enjoy your work and to accept your lot in life---that is indeed a gift from God.  The person who does that will not need to look back with sorrow on his past, for God gives him joy.  (5:20)


I Corinthians:
Keep your eyes open for spiritual danger; stand true to the Lord; act like men; be strong; and whatever you do, do it with kindness and love.  (16:13-14)


2 Corinthians:
...we have been pure and sincere, quietly depending upon the Lord for his help, and not on our own skills.  (1:12)


That is why we never give up.  Though our bodies are dying, our inner strength in the Lord is growing every day.  These troubles and sufferings of ours are, after all, quite small and won't last very long.  Yet this short time of distress will result in God's richest blessing upon us forever and ever!  So we do not look at what we can see right now, the troubles all around us, but we look forward to the joys in heaven which we have not seen yet.  The troubles will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.  (4:16-18)


Proverbs:
Teach a child to choose the right path and when he is older he will remain upon it.  (22:6)


Psalm:
Yet day by day the Lord also pours out his steadfast love upon me and through the night I sing his songs and pray to God who gives me life.  (42:8)


Stand silent!  Know that I am God!  (46:10)

It's the Cat Lady Again

Well, I trapped three more kittens this week.  One black, two gray, and I thought I had them all, when sure enough...a fourth one showed up on our porch, part of the same litter.  But my traps were already full.  Had them fixed and returned to us, healed for a couple of days, and now they are out roaming the campground, hopefully keeping our varmints under control.  They may be too young yet.  I guess they are about 4 months old.  My question is, when will it ever stop?  When will we quit having kittens?  I'm trying to catch the older ones who are producing these litters, and sending them to the "farm".  I just can't handle animals getting hurt, so I'm trying to do my part.


Had a good week, nice weather, final week of camp.  We had 2-3 weekend groups.  We are pretty well booked up on our fall weekends.  That's good, keeps the operating monies coming in.  


We took one couple out for Friday evening.  They have spent their summer volunteering in our camping programs (they live in Florida 9 months of the year).  We took them to Shipshewanna (Amish country) to eat at the Blue Gate Restaurant (family style...wonderful food), and then to a southern gospel concert in their theater after supper.  Greater Vision was there, hubby's favorite group.  It was a blessed night...God's presence was among us.  Greater Vision is a genuine, from the heart, group who believe in honoring God in all they do, say, sing.  They are funny and entertaining, but they also had us in tears as we worshiped and sang along with some of the old hymns.


You know, there is a large segment of us who miss the traditional way of worshiping...we are tired of the choruses on the wall and the rock and roll bands.  I'm sure that has it's place, and it reaches young people, but what about the rest of us?  Why do we have to change our method of worship?  Can there not be a blend of music?  I was told at lunch that the senior adults are the largest group of people leaving the church.  They can't worship with loud "rock and roll" type music.  It goes against the standards they were raised by, it goes against their traditional way of being led into the presence of God and ready for Him to speak.  I'm one of "them".  


During the three summer months we hold "Come As You Are' Sunday morning worship services on the grounds in our Learning Center.  I've seen more and more people coming to those services, because they are looking for church as it used to be.  They would like to have this become a year round church.  I don't think that will happen with a denominational church one mile down the road, but I understand their frustration, their hurt, their desire to worship in a way that is meaningful to them.   What's the answer?  Wish I knew.  I'll be searching for that answer as our CAYA services draw to a close after Labor Day.


Here are my devotional verses and thoughts from this past week:


The Word for You Today:


1.  "Don't jump to conclusions!  (I will guard my ways that I may not sin with my tongue.  Ps. 39:1).  Before you jump to conclusions about someone, stop and ask God for wisdom, then sit down and make a list of their best qualities.  That way you can approach them with the right attitude and say things you won't regret."


2.  "Live as God intended.  (1) Guard your tongue, say less than you think.  (2) Make promises sparingly, and keep them faithfully.  (3)  Always say a kind word.  (4)  Be genuinely interest in others.  (5) Be cheerful.  (6) Keep an open mind, get all the facts.  (7) Discourage gossip.  (8) Be sensitive to feelings of others.  (9) Pay no attention to ill-natured remarks about you.  (10) Don't worry about the credit, just give your best and be patient!"


I Corinthians

• ...no temptation is irresistible.  You can trust God to keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it, for he has promised this and will do what he says.  He will show you how to escape temptation's power so that you can bear up patiently against it."  (10:13)  (sent this one to my granddaughter as she starts back to Middle School.  I can't imagine all that she is up against in her world, but I pray God leads her through the maze, and she comes out strong!)
• ...you must do everything for the glory of God, even your eating and drinking.  (10:31)
• I try to please everyone in everything I do, not doing what I like or what is best for me, but what is best for them, so that they may be saved.  (10:33)
• Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, never haughty, or selfish or rude.  Love does not demand its own way.  It is not irritable or touchy.  It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong.  It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out.  If you love someone you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost.  You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him, and always stand your ground in defending him.  All special gifts and powers from God will someday come to an end, but love goes on forever.  (13:4-8)
• Let love be your greatest aim; never the less, ask also for the special abilities the Holy Spirit gives, and especially the gift of prophecy, being able to preach the messages of God.  (14:1)
• But one who prophesies, preaching the messages of God, is helping others grow in the Lord, encouraging and comforting them.  So...the one who prophesies, preaching messages from God, helps the entire church grow in holiness and happiness. (14:3-4)

Psalm:

• Do you want a long, good life?  Then watch your tongue!  Keep your lips from lying.  Turn from all known sin and spend your time in doing good.  Try to live in peace with everyone, work hard at it.  (34:12-14)
• The Lord is close to those whose hearts are breaking; he rescues those who are humbly sorry for their sins.  (34:18)
• Be delighted in the Lord.  Then he will give you all your heart's desires.  Commit everything you do to the Lord.  Trust him to help you do it and he will.  (37:4-5)
• Rest in the Lord, wait patiently for him to act.  Don't be envious of evil men who prosper.  Stop your anger.  Turn off your wrath.  Don't fret and worry---it only leads to harm.  For the wicked shall be destroyed, but those who trust the Lord shall be given every blessing.  But all who humble themselves before the Lord shall be given every blessing, and shall have wonderful peace. (37:7-11)

Proverbs:

• Keep your mouth closed and you'll stay out of trouble.  (23:23)

Seems like this week there was quite a bit of instruction about guarding the tongue and the way we speak.  I am forever trying to learn this.  In fact, I have written a verse and put in over my desk to remind me:  Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders, and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. (I Thess. 4:11-12)  God has been speaking to me in many ways and means the past eight years since we have been here on the campgrounds.  Perhaps I'm listening better now that I have lots of time to myself, less distractions. May I continue to learn, and put into practice that which I learn.  May God keeping working on me!!

A Sunday Getaway

We took a break today and got off the campgrounds for the majority of the day.  Felt good.  Hubby is watching the St. Louis Cardinals against the Colorado Rockies at St. Louis ballgame right now, and I'm going to join him as soon as I finish this blog.  Having lived in St. Louis (hello to my Maryland Heights blog follower...drop me an email sometime!), for ten years, we still consider the Cardinals "our" team.  That team in Detroit hasn't caught our attention yet.  We enjoyed going to the games in St. Louis...that's one of the things I miss about not living there any longer.


So, last night we heard that Dr. Dobson was going to speak at Central Wesleyan Church in Holland.  We were there in time for the 9:15 a.m. service (left home at 7:20).  Large church...guessing it seats 4,000, and it was almost full, plus there was a second service. We enjoyed the worship, led by Melinda Priest, a daughter of some friends of ours, and the worship director at "Come to the Fire", an annual ladies weekend event for holiness women across the nation.  It was powerful music, full orchestra, huge choir.  We enjoyed hearing Dr. Dobson speak again.  He talked about leaving a legacy to our children, grandchildren, and beyond.  He talked about his own heritage.


After the morning service we drove around Saugatuck and Douglas, both touristy towns.  Then we headed cross country to my husband's parents place to visit them, after having lunch in Hastings.  We were back home by early evening, just in time for all the rains.  Chatted on the cottage porch with our Florida friends who are staying in the cottage for a couple of months, and now home to blog and watch a ball game.


Boys camp ended well, we had beautiful weather all week.  It's been a mild weekend, relaxing.  Windows are open instead of AC running.  This is Michigan at its best.  We have one more camp this week, a women's soccer team.  Then we head on into our big Labor Day weekend hoopla with the Nazarene Evangelists' Gathering, and many weekend guests throughout the fall season.  It's been a good summer over all!


Not much from my devotional journal, since I blogged on Wednesday, but here goes:


The Word for You Today

• I have been crucified with Christ. (Gal 2:20)
• Coming alive means dying to self
• You can only bear fruit when you are willing to die

I Corinthians

• But although being a 'know-it-all' makes us feel important, what is really needed to build the church is love.  If anyone thinks he knows all the answers, he is just showing his ignorance.  But the person who truly loves God is the one who is open to God's knowledge. (8:2-3)

Wednesday Night Blog Update

I did not post a blog on Sunday, as is my normal routine, so thought I would catch up tonight.  We flew through Girls' Camp last week, lots of hot and humid weather, one stormy night.  All went well, girls went home with happy memories.  This week is Boys' Camp, our last official camp of 2011.  We will host a college soccer camp, but they sort of run their own camp.  We house and feed them.


This week is much nicer camping weather.  It was in the 70's today, down in the 50's tonight.  The boys are enjoying so many activities, as did the girls.  ILNC has much to offer now.  Canoeing, Zip-line/Climbing Wall, Archery, field games, Frisbee Golf, swimming in the lake, Gaga court, Tether Ball, Dodge Ball court...the list goes on.  There's something for everyone.  


Both my sweethearts started school this week.  I talked with them tonight, and they both like their schools.  That's good!!  I asked Little Princess if she made a new friend at school, and she replied, "I have a lot of new friends!"  Good deal!!  Big Sis has got her group of friends back together.  She really likes her school, she tells me that often.  I'm glad she looks forward to each day.


I woke up in the mood to clean today.  I had a long list, but I ended up only getting the front porch cleaned.  It looks good.  I spent the afternoon on the boat with the canoers and out at the zip-line.  I swept floors tonight, but I was intending to do much more in-depth cleaning today.  The weather was so great, I started outside, and didn't get beyond the porch.  Oh, well, I have the rest of my life to clean, right?


Here's my devotional verses and thoughts from the last week and a half:


"The Word For You Today":
1.  God gave us discernment to enable us to pray for one another, not criticize.


2.  Let your spouse know how much you appreciate him/her.


3.  God is doing a work in you.  You can count on tribulation as you walk with God, but you can also count on God's grace to see you through.  Whatever you ask God for (patience, wisdom, strength, success), He works in you to develop you through His process so that you might grow into that for which you asked.


4.  Are you a good listener?  (a)Listen actively:  paraphrase, restate what you hear; Clarify:  ask questions; Feedback:  share your own thoughts without judging.  (b)Listen with empathy, put yourself in their shoes.  (c)Listen openly, try to understand.  (d)Listen with awareness.  Are they consistent, factual, honest?  (e)If you don't understand their point of view, don't attack them; just thank them for sharing with your their perspective.


5.  Love cares more for others than for self. (I Cor 13:4)  Here's some hints on building good relationships:  (a)Disagreements will either give you ulcers or understanding.  (b)Make conflict a time to learn, not loose.  (c)Be gracious to others as God is gracious to you. (d)Allow those who fail to keep their dignity.




Psalm:

• Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him.  With them alone he shares the secrets of his promises. (25:14)
• Assign me Godliness and Integrity as my bodyguards.  (25:21)
• The one thing I want from God, the thing I seek most of all, is the privilege of meditating in his Temple, living in his presence every day of my life, delighting in his incomparable perfections and glory.  There I'll be when troubles come.  He will hide me.  He will set me on a high rock out of reach of all my enemies.  (27:4-5)
• Don't be impatient.  Wait for the Lord, and he will come and save you!  Be brave, stouthearted, and courageous.  Yes, wait and he will help you.  (27:14)
• Weeping may go on all night, but in the morning there is joy.  (30:5)
• You alone are my God; my times are in your hands. (31:14)

Proverbs:

• Don't repay evil for evil.  Wait for the Lord to handle the matter.  The Lord loathes all cheating and dishonesty.  
• He who guards his...tongue keeps himself from calamity.  (21:23)
• We can justify our every deed but God looks at our motives.  (21:2)
• God is more pleased when we are just and fair than when we give him gifts.  (21:3)

I Corinthians:

• But, strange as it seems, we Christians actually do have within us a portion of the very thoughts and mind of Christ.  (2:16)
• Now the most important thing about a servant is that he does just as his Master tells him to.  What about me?  Have I been a good servant?  Well, I don't worry over what you think about this, or what anyone else thinks.  I don't even trust my own judgment on this point.  My conscience is clear, but even that isn't final proof.  It is the Lord himself who must examine me and decide.  (4:2-4)

"Sail On....."

I'm listening to KHYM Christian radio on my computer, and they were just playing that song "Sail On"....so I used it for my title.  I never know what to use for a title in my weekly devotional blogs.  I would just say that "It is well with my soul" (now playing), and I intend to "sail on" to my heavenly destination...taking life as it comes and giving it to Jesus.


I need to kill about 20 minutes before I head out to church, so thought I would try to get my blog done this week before church.  It's been a terrific week.  We had 225 campers and workers in from Chicago Central District Church of the Nazarene this past week.  This group returned to us for their second year, and we so enjoy them being here.  They are quite organized, and clean up after themselves...always putting equipment away and keeping the grounds clean.  Plus, they just seem to appreciate being here.  


They come to us on four large chartered buses, and when they leave we stand there waving goodbye, almost with tears in our eyes because we enjoyed having them here, and hate seeing them leave.  We look for them again next year!!  We had only one day of severe weather in the middle of the day, so they switched their cabin time and chapel time to the afternoon, and had their outdoor activities after supper.  Worked out well, and everyone got to use the zip line and do archery.


This weekend is our annual "Eagles' Wings" biker group....motorcycles.  They are a group that keeps decreasing in size each year...a group of only 25 or so.  But they will use the tabernacle for their morning service, and ride their bikes in to the altar.  They are a good group, but I've chosen to check out another church this morning instead of joining the tattooed group.  I am on a quest to find a church that is Spirit filled, and where I can sense God is at work.  I so enjoyed the family camp meeting services we had this summer, and it only makes me hunger for more of Spirit anointed services.


My four cats that were neutered, spayed, and given rabies shots (Cole, Marley, Shadow, Smokey) keep coming around for food and water and to lounge on the porch or play in the yard.  That's the only cats I've seen for quite a while, after having 12 on my porch last winter.  However, this morning two new kittens (obviously weaned) showed up...another totally black one and totally gray one...they are smaller replicas of Cole and Smokey.  Haven't seen them before, so I wonder if someone dropped them off?  Or are they Emmy's babies?  I sent four of hers to animal control a month or so ago, and I haven't seen her since.  But these would be about the same size as the ones I sent off would be.  I hate to hurt animals, or see them hurt.  I hated sending the four kitties to an unknown destination...probably cat heaven, but we just can't keep that many wild cats on the grounds.  People complain.  But I guess I now have a reputation for being the cat lady.  


We made our fall get away plans this past week.  Going to do something totally different for us.  We are going to take the train from Kalamazoo to Shelby, Montana, where some Canadian friends will meet us and take us to their home four hours north, and an hour east of Calgary.  We'll spend a week with them, and then return by rail.  It's a 32 hour trip, and I'm counting on it being a pretty time of the year to travel through the north.  It will be a very nice break from the camp grounds, and well deserved after a busy, hot summer.  It has been much warmer this year than the past few years.


Let's look at my devotional reading highlights from this past week:


The Word for You Today:


1.  "God Will Fulfill His Promise":  between praying for a miracle and getting one, you'll be tested you'll grow, and you'll learn to trust God more than you thought possible.


2.  "Use Your Authority":  When Jesus died and rose from the dead, He took away the devil's power and said, "All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me (Matt 28:18)...so go in His power and strength and name and you will reinforce His defeat over satan.




Psalm:

• God's laws are perfect.  They protect us, make us wise, and give us joy and light.  God's laws are pure, eternal, just.  They are more desirable than gold.  They are sweeter than honey dripping from a honeycomb.  For they warn us away from harm and give success to those who obey them.  But how can I ever know what sins are lurking in my heart?  Cleanse me from these hidden faults.  And keep me from deliberate wrongs, help me to stop doing them.  Only then can I be free of guilt and innocent of some great crime.  May my spoken words and unspoken thoughts be pleasing even to you, O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer!  (19:7-14)
• Who may climb the mountain of the Lord and enter where he lives?  Who may stand before the Lord?  Only those with pure hands and hearts, who do not practice dishonesty and lying.  They will receive God's own goodness as their blessing from him, planted in their lives by God himself, their Savior.  (24:3-6)

Romans:

•  (10:9-10)
• Oh, what a wonderful God we have!  How great are his wisdom and knowledge and riches!  How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his methods!  For who among us can know the mind of the Lord?  (11:33-34)
• And, so dear brothers, I plead with you to give your bodies to God.  Let them be a living sacrifice, holy---the kind he can accept.  When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?  Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think.  Then you will learn from your own experience how his ways will really satisfy you.  (12:1-2)
• Don't just pretend that you love others, really love them.  Hate what is wrong.  Stand on the side of good.  Love each other with brotherly affection and take delight in honoring each other.  Never be lazy in your work but serve the Lord enthusiastically.
• Be glad for all God is planning for you.  Be patient in trouble, and prayerful always.  When God's children are in need, you be the one to help them out.  And get into the habit of inviting guests home for dinner, or, if they need lodging, for the night.
• If someone mistreats you because you are a Christian, don't curse him; pray that God will bless him.  When others are happy, be happy with them.  If they are sad, share their sorrow.  Work happily together.  Don't try to act big.  Don't try to get in the good graces of important people, but enjoy the company of ordinary folks.  And  don't think you know it all!
• Never pay back evil for evil.  Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honest clear through.  Don't quarrel with anyone.  Be at peace with everyone, just as much as possible.  (12:9-18)
• Pay all your debts except the debt of love for others---never finish paying that! (13:8)
• ...love your neighbor as you love yourself.  Love does no wrong to anyone.  That's why it fully satisfies all of God's requirements.  It is the only law you need. (13:10)
• You have no right to criticize your brother or look down on him.  Remember, each of us will stand personally before the Judgement Seat of God.  For it is written, "As I live," says the Lord, "every knee shall bow to me and every tongue confess to God."  Yes, each of us will give an account of himself to God.  (14:12-12)
• For, after all, the important thing for us as Christians is not what we eat or drink but stirring up goodness and peace and joy from the Holy Spirit.  (14:7)

Proverbs:

• It is a wonderful heritage to have an honest father. (20:7)  (I agree with this whole heartedly.  My Dad was a person of utmost integrity.  His word was his honor, and lying nor deceit had any part in his life.)

Hot and Humid

We are having a bit of break in our hot weather today.  It's 84 currently, and feels like 91.  Not too bad.  This past week we have been in a hot and humid spell here in lower Michigan.  It was in the high 90's every day, with a three digit heat index.  So glad we did not have a camp going on...it would have been almost dangerous to be outside doing high energy activities.  I know we don't have it as bad as Oklahoma or St. Louis, but the fact that it stayed so hot for so long is what made some new records around here.  The week ahead should be just slightly cooler.  Good thing, as we do have a camp coming in from Chicago...about 225 campers.  For their sake, I hope it's not too wicked out there.   


I've been catching up at work this past week, with the granddaughters gone, and Family Camp being behind us.  By Friday afternoon I was just ready to get off the grounds.  Was going to visit a cousin in Hastings, but she had other plans.  I went out to lunch with a couple of friends, but then I didn't know what to do with my time.  I went into a few stores looking for a sweeper for my kitchen, but I just wasn't in the mood to shop or spend money.   "Stuff" almost gets to me sometimes...and the stores have way too much stuff!!


I took off driving, stopping by McDonald's to get an ice cream cone and a sweet tea.  I didn't go that far, but spent a couple of hours just meandering down some country roads.  Driving makes me sleepy, so I don't like to get too far from home.  If I could have done what I was in the mood to do...I would have found a motel on a beach and taken a good book to read...just spending a day or two in solitude.  When I got back that afternoon, I curled up on the couch with a book, and took a nice nap.  


Hubby and I spent Saturday cleaning the grounds and mowing, between rains, getting ready for the next camp coming in.  I also cleaned out my vehicle finally.  Been meaning to do that all summer.  I took the dogs for a golf cart ride...they love the wind blowing in their faces.  At one point we got caught in a down pour, and Miss Kefli looked over at me as if to say, "Mom, I'm getting wet over here....can't you see?"


Well, I've entered into Romans into my daily Bible reading, so I have some good scriptures to share from my Daily Devotions Journal.  Here's my weekly update:


The Word for You Today:


"Life Stabilizers":

• decisiveness - choose to serve the Lord
• faith - mediate on and live by God's Word
• submission - to the will of God
• self-sacrifice - give yourselves fully to God

"What Sank the Titanic?"

• they thought they were immune
• they were asleep at the wheel
• it wasn't one big thing, but a series of small things
• the problem that finally destroyed them was hidden out of sight beneath the water line
• no one is immune to failure - stay close to God

Psalm:

• But as for me, my contentment is not in wealth but in seeing you and knowing all is well between us.  And when I awake in heaven, I will be fully satisfied for I will see you face to face. (17:15)

Proverbs:

• Kindness makes a man attractive.  And it is better to be poor than dishonest.  Reverence for God gives life, happiness, and protection from harm.  (19:22-23)

2 Chronicles:

• ...If my people will humble themselves and pray, and search for me, and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear them from heaven and forgive their sins and heal their land.  (7:14)

Romans

• So you see how it is:  my new life tells me to do right, but the old nature that is still inside me loves to sin.  Oh, what a terrible predicament I am in!  Who will free me from my slavery to this deadly lower nature?  Thank God!  It has been done by Jesus Christ our Lord.  He has set me free.  (7:25)
• So there is now no condemnation awaiting those who belong to Christ Jesus.  For the power of the life-giving Spirit -- and this power is mine through Christ Jesus -- has freed me from the vicious circle of sin and death. (8:1-2)
• So now we can obey God's laws if we follow after the Holy Spirit and no longer obey the old evil nature within us.  Those who let themselves be controlled by their lower natures live only to please themselves, but those who follow after the Holy Spirit find themselves doing those things that please God.  Following after the Holy Spirit leads to life and peace, but following after the old nature leads to death, because the old sinful nature within us is against God.  It never did obey God's laws and it never will.  That's why those who are still under the control of their old sinful selves, bent on following their old evil desires, can never please God.  (8:4-8)
• You are controlled by your new nature if you have the Spirit of God living in you, (and remember that if anyone doesn't have the Spirit of Christ living in him, he is not a Christian at all.) (8:9)
• For his Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts, and tells us that we really are God's children..  And since we are his children, we will share his treasures -- for all God gives to his Son Jesus is now ours too.  But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.  Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will give us later. (8:16-18)
• And even we Christians, although we have the Holy Spirit in us as a foretaste of future glory, also groan to be released from pain and suffering.  We, too, wait anxiously for that day when God will give us our full rights as his children, including the new bodies he has promised us -- bodies that will never be sick again and will never die. (8:23)

So may we walk in the Spirit this week and defeat the enemy who wants to destroy us!  

Thank you, Father, for the gift of the Holy Spirit...may I listen intently and follow closely as you guide me through daily life.  I want to please you most of all!