Mystery Revealed

Merry Christmas!  How blessed we are…

"concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.  It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven.  Even angels long to look into these things."  I Peter 1:10-12.

Imagine!  The prophets of old longed to know and see what we have the opportunity to look into every day!  We hold the revealed and final Word of God -- His message of love to the world!  And through this word we can come to know the Living Word, Jesus Christ.  We can look back upon His birth, life, death, resurrection and glorification.  For centuries the ancients prayed to see what we have laid out before us.  What an awesome privilege it is to live in this time and celebrate the arrival of the Incarnation of God on earth!  May you be overwhelmed by the goodness of God in allowing us to see these things that "even angels long to look into.."

May Christ be the Light which brightens your holiday this year!  After all, His life is the light of men. (John 1:4)

Love and blessings,  Elaine

Singin' in the Rain

Like many of you, I spent many autumn days glumly staring out the window at dreary, rainy weather.  I don't think I can remember a wetter fall!  Our leaves turn and fall sooner than most places and there's nothing like a hard rain to bring them down even quicker.  Add to that the blustery winds which have buffeted our little house on the prairie and you've got bare-naked trees in no time!  But as I watched the gray sheets of rain folding down out of the heavens, I realized what a blessings it is.  It's crucial that the trees have abundant rain just before resting for the winter.  It gives them such a good start in the spring.  It's not the beautiful bridal lace of snow that replenishes the water table.  No, it's the drab blue collar rains of November that fill our wells and irrigation ponds for the future growing season.

"Truth springs from the earth, And righteousness looks down from heaven. Indeed, the LORD will give what is good, And our land will yield its produce."  Psalm 85:10-12  

God knows what is necessary and He provides it in spite of our petulant wishes.  Now I can look outside and see the fresh, new green of a winter crop covering the potato fields like a Christmas chia pet.  Flocks of starlings happily dig for worms, thankful for a reprieve from early winter.  I'm certainly grateful to have mild weather while I'm hanging the outdoor Christmas lights!  What a blessing to be able to travel to the chiropractor, the store or the bank without anxiously watching the skies for a sudden blizzard!

Rest assured, winter will be along soon enough.  Once again I'll sit at the window mesmerized by the silent flakes making muffled marshmallows of every feature in the yard.  Then we'll cancel our travel plans for the day and settle in for winter's rest.  Until then, I'll anticipate lush gardens springing forth from this abundance of rain.  God is soooooooo good!!

"He sends forth springs in the valleys; They flow between the mountains; They give drink to every beast of the field; The wild donkeys quench their thirst. Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell; They lift up their voices among the branches.  He waters the mountains from His upper chambers; The earth is satisfied with the fruit of His works.  He causes the grass to grow for the cattle,  And vegetation for the labor of man,  So that he may bring forth food from the earth,  And wine which makes man’s heart glad, that he may make his face glisten with oil, And food which sustains man’s heart. The trees of the LORD drink their fill, The cedars of Lebanon which He planted, Where the birds build their nests, And the stork, whose home is the fir trees."  Psalm 104:16ff

Love as always,  Elaine (singing His praises in the rain)

Flight Patterns

As the autumn weather lingers, the Canadian geese criss-cross the skies from morning till night.  Last night we heard them passing, nearly invisible in the gathering dark.  We hear them coming and know to look to the SW for them.  They cross over us going NE and later we'll see them crossing back in the opposite direction.  They won't be heading south until snow covers their feeding grounds and ice begins to close off their watery resting places.  But they are preparing for that monumental flight.  This year's youngsters follow their parents from field to field, fattening for their journey and learning the "rules" of flight.  Yesterday I watched several families flying together.  The young geese were obviously having a hard time getting the gist of the famous flying V.  They were so close I could hear the whooshing rumble of the "prop wash" tossing them around until they could organize themselves into formation.  I could imagine their sighs of relief as they settled into smoother flight.  After a full day of travel and feeding, they must return to open water, safe from predators prowling in the night.

Their restless meanderings reminded me of the diverse non-fiction I've read recently: the transcontinental flight of 2 teenage boys in a small Piper Cub; the life and religion of Eskimos on the northern coast of Alaska; the sad story of a young Muslim woman incarcerated for her father's attempted coup in Morocco.  In all these stories, I found the same desperate searching for meaning and purpose in this life.  It's as if we think that the more we DO, the more we MATTER.  But is that really true?
I suppose all of us struggle with that question.  Even in our faith, we chase after new programs, seminars, books and 30-day plans.  Is this really the path to purpose?  Don't we already have a purpose?  Are we spending too much time looking for what God has already given us?  Listen to Romans 5:1- 2 
 "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God." 
Read on through Romans chapter 6 and see that Paul is writing to Christians - buried into the death of Jesus, through baptism, and now under grace (Rom. 6:14).  Yet he speaks of these blessings - peace, grace, hope - as things we already have!  Why are we rushing about, seeking the blessings of God when they're already purchased for us and within our grasp?
 Paul visited Athens and, as a result, made a very famous speech on Mars Hill.  You can read the entire account in Acts 17:16-33.  But when he stood before the Areopagus he said, 
"Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.  For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you." 
This wonderful, awesome God has been proclaimed to us!  What a blessing and treasure that we've been given the wisdom of His Word, the life of His dear Son, His all-powerful Spirit.  What are all these "objects" we dash around collecting for ourselves?   Romans 6:22-23 reminds us,
"But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."


Christians - brothers and sisters washed in the Blood of the Lamb - we are on the road to holiness, resulting in eternal life!  Let's live our lives as victorious conquerors, not as clueless sheep chasing after every new thing.
Love as always,  Elaine (taking off my running shoes!) 

Giving Thanks

Although the election may not have turned out the way I had hoped, I’m certainly thankful it is over and our country can get back to business again.  I have been thanking God that we live in a nation where a tightly contested election can occur without violence and bloodshed!  There are many nations in the world where that would not be true.  During the election process our electricity continued without interruption, we were able to travel about and shop, stores carried the usual supplies and we fell asleep at night without a background of gunfire. 

At this time of Thanksgiving perhaps we need to remember to be thankful for those things we often end up complaining about.  And for the freedom to complain about them!  America is a nation of complainers but God has different instructions for Christian citizens:

Jesus laid down the new groundwork in Matthew 5:44 –

“But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.  He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”

Romans 13:7 – “Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.”

1 Peter 2:17 – “Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.”

Romans 12:17-18 - "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."

Unlike our early Christian brethren, we are neither imprisoned nor being thrown to the lions – shame on us if we do less than the early Christians to honor God and lead others to salvation!

Love as always,  Elaine (praying for our leaders)

In God We Trust

In this year of outspoken political upheaval, I was reminded of a Bible verse which became a rallying cry following 9/11/01. 

                    

2 Chronicles 7:14 - "…if My people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My Face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

Once again we'd do well to remember this sage advice from the Old Testament.  Although it is inappropriate for us to post political signs on the church property, a message from scripture speaks volumes.  So I gathered up my paint brushes and a can of black outdoor paint to spend a hot afternoon making good use of our garbage bin at the roadside.  It's time for all parties to seek God's leading for the future of our nation. 

Whether you are glad or sad with the election results it's time to pray, seeking God's guidance not just for each of us individually, but also as a nation.  Paul, in the midst of a century dripping with the blood of Christian martyrs, was still inspired to write to Timothy about our responsibility to secular leadership, 

"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness."  1 Timothy 2:1-2.

May God continue to bless America!

Love as always,  Elaine

Change for the Better

What an unusual summer we've had.  Syracuse beat a record for their hottest day this year.  Yet we had long stretches of rain rather that our usual drought conditions as summer wanes.  The spring strawberries were nearly ruined by too much rain and all the crops came up so fast in the heat that the season's produce ended early.  Elsewhere in our country, there was massive flooding.  Violent storms occasionally interrupted our power while we prayed for others in our nation in much more dire circumstances.

September was a mild, warm month with no hint of frost until the last week.  Our first hard freeze didn't occur until November began!  But October was a dreary, rainy month.  The leaves barely had a chance to change before the chilly rains brought them down.  We thank God for the late rain that is so good for trees and shrubs.  Early this week we had two beautiful but chill days of sunshine.  I was thrilled to work outside basking in the sun despite sharp northern winds.  Perhaps we're finally catching up with our seasonal weather?

  All this has me thinking about change.  Isn't it a blessing that our seasons change so regularly?  It's easier to endure extreme conditions when we know they aren't permanent.  We have the chance to shift our focus and work at something different.  Our bodies get a rest from the strain of heat or cold.  Let's face it, it's just great to look out on a different scene from time to time!  The earth itself can be renewed during its winter slumber to better receive the spring planting.

God allows change in our lives for the same reasons.  In 1 Cor. 10:13, we are promised, 

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." 

Think of how often that 'way out' is a change of circumstance?  God knows that we can stand just about anything, if it's just for a little while.  Can we remember that ourselves when faced with bitter trials or even petty annoyances?

Psalm 30:5 "weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." 

Nothing stays the same -- there will always come a change, often for the better.

Sometimes the change is from peace to turmoil.  What then?  As Job asked,

"Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?"  Job 2:10b.

Even such unpleasant change can be good for us.  It stretches our understanding and strengthens our resolve.  When at last our lives return to peace, we appreciate it all the more!

So I will gladly dig out the boots and mittens, keeping the snow shovel handy by the door.  Winter IS coming, but that can be a good thing after all.  Hope it finds you anticipating the blessings of change.

Love as always,  Elaine 

Seeds of the Future

Today is a beautiful, bright fall day!  Clear, blue and fresh!  Yes, I did say "fall" day.  After three weeks of temps. dipping into the 40's at night, summer seems to have given up.  The leaves are turning and my gardens are going to seed.  Farmers are complaining that we barely had any summer at all this year!  There's hot debate over whether this means a long, hard winter or a light, short one to match the summer.  I've come to realize those wooly worms lie about the weather, so I can't depend on them!

  To perpetuate my flower gardens without added expense, I gather my own seeds each fall.  I find it a quiet outdoor activity I can pursue while sitting down.  It gives me lots of time for introspection concerning the cycles of life.  Everything bears seed after its own kind.  It's been that way since the beginning when God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." in Genesis 1:11.  And it was so.

I am amazed that these natural cycles, established by God, repeat over and over throughout man's history.  Nothing we do ever changes that!  God is faithful to the promise He made after the worldwide flood in Genesis 8:22,  "As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease."

  Now that we're living in farm country, our lifestyle revolves around the seasons.  Depending on the month, we could be feasting on asparagus, strawberries, beans or corn.  Since a number of our members are farmers, church activities and even the budget are affected by the business of planting and harvest.  Then everything slows down as the deep cold of January settles in.  Each household works hard to hold winter at bay until spring melts its icy grip.

I find such great comfort in the circle of the seasons, don't you?  They attest to the faithfulness of God.  To know that new, green life will arise out of the cold of winter.  And that the muggy heat of summer will always give way to the fresh winds of autumn.  Winter's blanket will tuck in the spent leaves of fall so the earth will sleep and be replenished.

Finally, in spring, the seeds I've harvested, saved and scattered burst forth in tiny green sprouts.  How could these frail little stems support a riot of waving color in July?  Is it possible those narrow slips of leaves will soon tower over our heads, laden with ears of corn?  I am lost in the wonder of the miracle of growth!  The seed, the sprout, the blossom bear no resemblance to one another.

The apostle Paul uses this illustration in I Corinthians 15:37-44, "When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else.  But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body... So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.  If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body."  But here he describes the change that will come after our earthly bodies die.

This shell I walk around in is only a seed.  This "seed" must die in order for the new "sprout" of immortality to arise.  Who knows what eternal flower will blossom from it in the Heavenly realm?  This is the promise which gets me out of bed each morning!  This "seed", saved in the Hand of God will one day burst up out of death into glory!  Oh, what a wonderful, wonderful day...!

Love as always,  Elaine (sorting those seeds)

The Nocturnal Swarm

The Nocturnal Swarm August 30, 2010

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The parsonage where we live sits on 6 acres surrounded by farmland. We have a large bird feeder on the back patio just outside the kitchen window. It's more for the little birds so I keep it stocked with black oil sunflower seeds. Unfortunately. I found that chipmunks and squirrels will cross acres of open land for such a tempting, easy meal. But, as the superior species, I have cleverly outsmarted them! By wrapping aluminum flashing around the sturdy feeder post I keep them from climbing the pole. I don't mind them eating the seed that falls to the ground. They are my clean-up crew -- that is, until the skunks arrive at night! I assumed that we have all come to an uneasy peace of sorts.




Early this summer I found that the birds were rapidly cleaning out the feeder. It got pretty expensive but I figured they were busy feeding young and needed more energy. Late one night Richard heard some commotion out back and turned on the light to see what was going on. Imagine his surprise at finding four raccoons swarming all over the feeder! A mother had brought her three kits to enjoy an easy meal. He snapped these photos of the feeding frenzy. No wonder our seed budget was on the rise!

It was an illustration of the story Jesus told in Luke 11:24-26:

"When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first."

Here I thought I was so clever foiling the squirrels and chipmunks but had completely overlooked the larger, bolder wildlife. In much the same way, we consider ourselves impervious to sin just because we've overcome some temptation in the past. We become content with our tidy little spiritual accomplishments, never suspecting or preparing for possible future onslaughts. When a swarm of adversities hit us, we are picked clean by the evil one! And so our "final condition is worse than the first", just like my empty bird feeder. Our lack of preparation and watchfulness costs us dearly!

In verse 23, just before Jesus told this story, He reminded the crowds, "He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me, scatters."

There's only one way we can be properly prepared for the 'hungry mouths' of life that would leave us overwhelmed and empty. We must allow Jesus and His Word to fill our hearts!

Love as always, Elaine (filling the feeder one more time)