40 Words for 40 Days: Day 25

Hello friends! Our word this evening, is KNOWN.

    When our grandson, Karsten, arrived with his mama and papa, he only knew a few of our names. With each new day, he’d hear his mama, Line, repeat a name, then she’d patiently await his attempts at pronounciation. When the aunt or uncle, who’s name he’d newly learned, heard, “Seesee, for Salomé or Zowee, for Zion,” they’d laugh and clap, smile and hug him! The joy on his face was indescribable!

    Just think, even before you were knitted together in your mother’s womb, you were KNOWN! God knew you and loved you then, even before you were KNOWN to a single earthly soul. And since that magnificent day of your birth, God has seen you, cheered you on and been present with you in your joys and sufferings, teaching you to walk with courage and compassion. He’s sent his angels to guard you from harmful things you’ll never know! And through his hands, he’s filtered the hardships you’ve faced to sculpt you into the beautiful human you are! Oh that the God of the universe would choose to KNOW you and me!

    He knows what’s ahead and in the past, and in this present moment! Rest, Dear One, rest with me, knowing that our Father loves us. He hems us in from before and behind and even darkness is not dark to him! Psalm 139 is deeply encouraging! Read it first thing when you start your day. Let the words wash over you and be of good cheer, you are KNOWN and loved from the tip of your toes to the very hairs on your head, counted by God himself!

    Blessings and great joy to you, incredible you, KNOWN and loved beyond measure! See you tomorrow!

40 Words for 40 Days: Day 24

Hello there!

    On this 17th day, how about guessing our word? I’ll give you a few hints.

___________is patient and kind;

___________does not envy or boast.

___________is not arrogant or rude.

___________does not insist on it’s own way;

___________is not irritable or resentful;

___________does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices in truth.

___________bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 

Did you guess it?

    Yes, from 1 Corinthians 13, it’s LOVE....but you know what else I think? Because you’re here, seeking as I am to trust God daily, there’s another answer to fill in the blanks. Your own name! YOU, beloved friend, are patient and kind...all the way to the last part...YOU can bear all things, hope all things and endure all things, because our source of LOVE is Christ. And when we call upon him to renew our strength he fills us with his LOVE that never ends!

    1 Corinthians 14 begins this way, “Pursue LOVE...” Let’s do this together and hold fast to all facets of LOVE to guide our minds and actions through today and every day forward!

    See you tomorrow!

40 Words for 40 Days: Day 23

Hello Dear Friends,

    How was your day, on this 18th day? Today’s word is ALIGNMENT.

    Have you ever read Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery? Words tumble off each page piling up delights to store away for rainy day blues. It was neither raining nor sad here in Post Falls today, but it was a day of both bright and tugging emotions, so I’ll turn to Anne Girl for a couple of quotes.

    “Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. It’s splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world.”

    “I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers!”

    “Tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it...Yet.”

    This time last year, a close friend braved the miles over the mountain to share face-to-face news that she’s engaged! It was wholly unexpected and unlike Salomé’s exuberant scream, I was silent, as I felt a wave of relief wash over me. Our friend’s dreams and desires of ten years have come to fruition. Earlier today I’d been pondering dreams, why would God give them if he didn’t mean to fulfill them in some way? This friend did marry her childhood best friend and they are now expecting a baby girl! This prayer of many years has been answered fully. She is a kindred spirit.

    The joys and transitions of the day, felt ALIGNed with good. As God gives us ample opportunities to trust him to turn chaos to order, he’s ever inviting us to reALIGN. Today the big life things about which I’ve worried, landed in sweet places of joy and peace. God orchestrates our days, even though we find ourselves making a muddle of things, in the end he reALIGNs all things and often with people who love, bless and serve immeasurably more than we can imagine.

    Kindred spirits, unexpected October (August or whatever other month it might be) day joys and living as best we can, trusting that God gives us a clean slate through grace: these were lessons in ALIGNMENT for me today.

    Have a blessed night, see you tomorrow!

40 Words for 40 Days: Day 22

 Hello Dear Friends,

    Our word for this day is COURAGE.

    Do you remember the passage in the book, Lord of the Rings, where Frodo Baggins offers The Ring to Galadriel for safe-keeping? For those of you who might not know the story, this ring was designed to rule all other rings (authorities), throughout Middle Earth. Frodo, the humble hobbit, carried The Ring through perils of great suffering to its final destruction. Of many possible bearers, Galadriel, an elven queen, seemed one who might benevolently carry it. She, however, knew the corruptability of its power forged in darkness and offered this answer to him, “In place of the Dark Lord you will set up a Queen. And I shall not be dark, but beautiful and terrible as the Morning and the Night! Fair as the Sea and the Sun and the Snow upon the Mountain! Dreadful as the Storm and the Lightning! Stronger than the foundations of the earth. All shall love me and despair!"

    When Galadriel refuses to keep The Ring, even as temptation rages through her, you feel the evil power loosen its grasp, then release her, with a jolt. The freedom she gains by denying the tyrannical power over her soul, restores her COURAGE and confidence in who she is, a kind guide, wise woman and purveyor of good.

    What evil on earth is like this? I believe it’s the tyrannical binding of moral rebellion that tempts us to side with destruction. Our words and actions can build up or break down, speak death or speak life, bless or curse. When our COURAGE holds steady on the righteousness of our Holy God, no power on earth can steal our identity as his beloveds. Temptations arise on all sides, seeking to steal our allegiance, luring us to live in enmity to our fellow citizens. When we remain COURAGEOUSLY rooted and grounded in the love of Christ, God’s boundless hope flows through us. We’re not swayed by the power of evil, nor do we pick up tools of battle forged by hatred, to fight for good, because this won’t work! We choose love, as the only defense AND offense, on which our COURAGE holds strong.

    Can we COURAGEOUSLY love and bless others without their reciprocal kind response?

Of course, we can freely do this!

    Can we COURAGEOUSLY speak gently when aggressive words feel like piercing arrows?

Of course, kind words turn evil away.

    Can we COURAGEOUSLY trust God’s promises even when evil seems to have the upper hand.

Yes absolutely, the battle belongs to God, his victory is secure.

    While we wait on the Lord, we do so with COURAGE, battling spiritual foes on our knees, loving well the faces before us. Our perspective is formed between our ears, if we fill that space with God’s promises, the overflow will be his love!

    “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and COURAGEOUS. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

    God bless you! See you tomorrow!

40 Words for 40 Days: Day 21

 Hello! On this 20th day our word is WELCOME.

    We’re always better together. So, will you please write your first thoughts when you consider what the word WELCOME means to you? I WELCOME you here to speak, just as on every other day you WELCOME me!

    I can’t wait to read your thoughts—each encouraging thought is a WELCOME joy!

40 Words for 40 Days: Day 20

 FAITHFUL. That’s our word, dear friends, for this beautiful 21st day.

    Can you think of a person who has modeled this trait in your life? Learn their secrets and follow their lead.

    My 54 year example of FAITHFULness is my dear mom, Aase. Born and raised in the exquisite countryside of Norway, she experienced war in her tiny village, her father’s year of captivity by Nazi’s, the death of her mother at an early age, then traveled to America for a mini adventure—one that would last 60 years and counting! Marrying my dad in 1961, they vowed to never argue about money, sacrifice for their three children and spend every Sunday in church! Each morning, for all of our growing up years, she’s modeled FAITHFULness to God’s Word by beginning each day with her Bible on her lap and coffee in hand. She advised, “If you ever wonder about churches or doctrine, just remember what Jesus said and did, and follow that!”

    In the fall of 2020, my mom sold her house, gave half of all she owns away, packed up a Uhaul with Leo, Dennis and my sister Kristi’s help, and here she is in Idaho! At 85, she’s full of joy, knowing that God has never failed her; he’s always FAITHFUL.

    If my mother can leap into the unknown, trusting God’s FAITHFULness, so can we! Magdalene has a plaque that reads, “We don’t know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future!” This is my mother’s mantra!

God is good! See you tomorrow!

40 Words for 40 Days: Day 19

Hello, how are you beloved friends?

    Two poignant images from the same sky, combined with a spare moment, on this 22nd day.

It is NECESSARY.

    The first photograph looks like a spiritual ozone covering earth, seeking to hide The Light. It reminds me of the NECESSARY role of prayer, and what it feels like when we don’t engage. When I live in denial of the battle before and within me, my spirit feels captive, dark towards others and despairing of the future. Satan is the source of any lies I believe. He seeks to create fear, separating and devouring us, like isolated sheep outside the pasture. He dwells in a dark layered fog, manipulating truth, while tempting us to feel powerless.

    The second image is my idea of the spiritual ozone split open when children of God lift their hearts and voices in prayer! Light breaks through, piercing the darkness, revealing heaven’s expanse and God’s omnipotence. The lost are found, courage is restored, sin is vanquished! We are called to bring everything to God in prayer. He invites us to do so and guides us with it. Prayer is NECESSARY, opening our souls to commune with our Creator while we are strengthened by his love.

    Philippians 4:5 encourages us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

    And Romans 12:12 empowers us, “Be joyful in hope, be patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.”

    Would God tell us to pray if it didn’t matter? It is NECESSARY for each and everyone of us to be alert and in prayer in these days. Who will pray if we don’t?