Shoot Your TV

I remember seeing those bumper stickers around...they were popular a few years ago. I always thought they were a little overboard...but I am starting to agree with them.

My dad is a TV watcher. Always has been. It's on at least 6 hours a day. This is tough for me to get used to. We haven't had cable for over 10 years now, and we like it that way.

My mom was never quite able to handle the TV watching with dad. I remember her being so frustrated because we were sittling at the dinner table eating and dad wouldn't switch off M*A*S*H or Star Trek. I handle this a little differently. I get up and shut it off.

My dad's older now...and I can outrun him.

He Will Strengthen Your Heart

Finally, the last chapter of my brief devotional series:

Wait on the LORD;

Be of good courage,

And He shall strengthen your heart;

Wait, I say, on the LORD!
Psalm 27:14

What does trusting in His strength look like in real life? It remembers these verses:

Lord, I cry out to You; make haste to me!...Psalm 141:1
My strength is made perfect in weakness…2 Corinthians 12:9
Without Me, you can do nothing…John 15:5

Strength in the Lord comes from recognizing
our dependence upon Him,
our need for Him,
and our utter failure and destruction without Him.

In response to our needs, there are numerous well-known and often-quoted verses in the Bible with references to God’s strength. Here are just a few:

O Lord, My strength and my Redeemer…Psalm 19:14
The Lord is the strength of my life…Psalm 27:1
Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength…Isaiah 40:31

Do you feel weak today?
Do you feel as you can do nothing?
You’re right!

But God, who is infinitely strong…He is your strength!

Update (and a lame joke)

All is progressing well on the packing, sorting, and throwing out front.
Also progressing on the training of the replacements at work.
Yes, replacements.
My job is being divided between two people.
I feel smug.
Of course, they have other duties as well, so I won't get too cocky.

And now I am sick. I mean rip-roaring-headache-fever-sore-throat sick. And yes, I'm at work. Hugging everyone. Well, not really, since I work with all guys.

Here is the funny part. I have a women's retreat this weekend at which I am leading worship. But I can't talk. One of the young guys at work (who thinks he's funny-and there is only one funny person here) says, "It's obvious God loves me more, since I haven't been sick all winter."

To which I replied, "Yes, but I'm a bigger threat to the Devil".

And some other smarty says..."Why, are you trying to take his job?"

Ha ha.

Oh, wait...that was a slam.

I'm too sick to care. Or to retaliate.

Be of Good Courage

Devotion 2 of 3. For part one, Wait on the Lord, click here.

Wait on the LORD;

Be of good courage,

And He shall strengthen your heart;

Wait, I say, on the LORD!
Psalm 27:14

It’s easy to be courageous when you know that you are in a position of strength.

When I was 11, a man approached me with the intent of doing violent harm. I reacted by yelling at him and running away, which involved pushing right past him. I remember the interviewer telling me how brave I had been. I didn’t feel brave. The offender thought he had me at a disadvantage…but I knew something that he didn’t…I was less than a block from my house, and both my mom and my 6-foot-4-police-chief dad were at home. My security was nearby. All I needed to do was get to them. They were the source of whatever courage I had in that situation.

The Lord tells us clearly to be courageous and brave. In Joshua 1:9, He says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage! Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

We should remember this. In any situation, the Lord is with you! We have an advantage over our enemy. He may be unseen, He may be quietly waiting, but He is there. Even closer than my mom and dad were…He is there for you!
So be of good courage, because your security lies in His presence.

Mike...Wanna Come Over for Dinner?

People with a sense of humor are my favorite. And I always judge a candidate at least partly on whether or not I can imagine sharing a meal with them (without wanting to shove their face in the food.)

Here's Mike Huckabee on Saturday Night Live last weekend.

A Clip Worth Watching

Here is a clip from a recent episode of ER. How sad that this liberal chaplain had no answer for this man. Many of today's chaplains in the hospitals and military of today have this same psychological babble that has attempted to replace the Word of the Lord. It's 2.5 minutes and worth the time to watch.

What would your response be to this man?

I'm Back...Almost

I've been sick in bed since last Wednesday afternoon. I'm almost back up and running...half day at work today. I have no voice. Very pleasant for everyone else in the office I think! Not that I would have the energy to boss them around anyway...

One would think that I have spent the last week confined to my sickbed thinking deep thoughts about my existance and using the time to read the Bible and commune with the Lord.

Sorry to disappoint. I didn't have that many working brain cells.

I did however, watch the entire first season of ER on DVD from the library. I couldn't read anything, as all books are too heavy. Yes, really. Holding them up would have been too much. The remote is much lighter.

Lincoln's Birthday

We are indeed going through a trial--a fiery trial. In the very responsible position in which I happen to be placed, being a humble instrument in the hands of our Heavenly Father, as I am, and as we all are, to work out His great purposes, I have desired that all my works and acts may be according to His will, and that it might be so, I have sought His aid--but if after endeavoring to do my best in the light which He affords me, I find my efforts fail, I must believe that for some purpose unknown to me, He wills it otherwise.
~Abraham Lincoln, October 26, 1862


If you intend to go to work, there is no better place than right where you are.
~Abraham Lincoln, November 4, 1851

Lincoln

Like a gaunt, scraggly pine

Which lifts its head above the mournful sandhills;

And patiently, through dull years of bitter silence,

Untended and uncared for, starts to grown.

Ungainly, laboring, huge,

The wind of the north has twisted and gnarled its branches;

Yet in the heat of mid-summer days, when thunder clouds ring the horizon,

A nation of men shall rest beneath its shade.

And it shall protect them all,

Hold everyone safe there, watching aloof in silence

Until at last, one mad stray bolt of the zenith

Shall strike it in an instant down to earth.

~John Gould Fletcher

from Silver Pennies 1926

They're Back!

The Food Fairies have been on haitus for a while. I have missed them. But I do understand, as we have three single, male Air Force officers that live in our building, and they probably need the fairies more than I do.

But, twice in the last month, they have left treats! Last night, it was salmon patties, which I am going to have for lunch tomorrow.

What a blessing!

Mediocre Tuesday is Over

I say that rather tongue-in-cheek. Is it just me, or is this the Longest-Campaign-Ever?

I did go to caucus last night. Here in Minot, they were expecting between 200-300 voters at the Republican caucus, and were surprised with a final total of 877. They ran out of ballots midway and had to run and print more. Which made me roll my eyes, but feel pleased with the large turnout.

Democracy in action is a good thing. I have very strong political views, but ultimately, because all, yes, all, of my political beliefs are formed and influenced by my faith, I choose a candidate who best matches those beliefs. This, for me, is voting my conscience. I realize, though, that in the general election I may not have the same liberty, but I am praying that the candidate who realizes the party's nomination is one that I can support.

There is one that I will not....but that's a whole other post!