Author: pastorevanaolcom

Sunrise is at 7:15 this morning. As I write this it is still dark.

The sun will set at 4:44 this evening.

The shorter days of winter can bring on the blahs. Add in the effects of gray skies, cold winds, with ice and snow and it makes for a long winter.

Instead of focusing on the negative I choose to see the positive.

 

The beauty in a snow covered landscape, the pure joy the dogs find in a romp in the snow, the beauty of the Christmas Season, the warmth of the fire, the candlelight that brightens the dark days, and so much more!

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD,

that I will perform that good thing which I have promised . . .

Even in the darkest days of winter, we can hold fast to the HOPE we have in Jesus Christ.

Keep your light burning!

Photo by Juhasz Imre on Pexels.com

 

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.    Genesis 1:1-2

 

The devotional reading for December 2nd from Living The Message by Eugene H. Peterson reads:

Those first verses of Genesis are paradigmatic for pastoral work, especially in the area of spiritual formation. The wonderful phrase “formless and void,” is a mess – and then in that mess, that chaos, the Spirit of God begins working and slowly creation and covenant begin to arise out of it: light, form, vegetation, animals, humans, love, virtue, hope, Christ. I once told a group of seminarians that the thing I like most about being a pastor is the mess. i do not mean I like messes as such, but I like that sense of being in a mess, held there by hope, knowing how God’s creativity works, slowly, slowly, slowly, but always with surprises. Creation, creative work, never ends up the way we thought it would. It is always a surprise.

Peterson’s words are not just for pastors. I believe his words are true for each and every person who claims the name of Christ. When we accept Christ as our Savior God does not immediately transport us to heaven. He does not take us out of this “mess” called life. No, He uses us where we are. Right in the middle of the mess. He works in us and through us to show others that He is still in the creation business.

Yes, we are in a “mess.”

Held there by HOPE.

Knowing that God is still working – SLOWLY – at least according to our timetable, but not according to God’s timetable. For God is always right on time and gives us exactly what we need. Even when we didn’t know we needed it!

This Advent Season, this time of waiting, is a chance to slow down, to be aware of God working all around you, everyday.

Stop! Look!  Listen!

Where is God wanting to use you this day?

Lord, You never cease to amaze me. What a journey You have led me on these past sixty-seven years, eight months, and five days! Thank You, Lord, for this new day. I can’t wait to see what You have in store for me this day.

This is the third day of this Advent Season and I have been reflecting on the message our pastor brought to us in the worship service yesterday. She read these passages from the Book of Habakkuk, 1:1-4; 2:2-4; 3:17-19.

The first candle on the Advent wreath represents Christ our HOPE and as the pastor read the words of the prophet we were reminded of others who have struggled throughout history and yet kept their faith.

The prophet cries out.

The prophet waits.

The prophet hopes.

Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and He will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places. (Habakkuk 3:17-19)

To make it more personal – if the summer is dry and the fall is wet and my garden does not produce as it should; if the roof leaks and the cellar floods; if my body seems to be failing me . . . I will trust in the LORD!

The answer may not come

when we want

how we want

the way we want

but we must remember

God always answers

Pastor challenged us to

have faith in the faithfulness of God

and to share this vision of hope

Jesus Christ

Be a light in someone’s darkness this day.

 

Hear the words from the prophet Isaiah, chapter 60, verses 1-3.

Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.

For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.

And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

 

 

We light this candle as a symbol of Christ our Hope.

May the light sent from God shine in the darkness to show us the way of salvation.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.

We can choose to live in darkness, apart from God.

And this is the condemnation, that the light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.     John 3:19

It is hard to fathom but there are those who prefer the darkness over the light. They rebel against God. Some deny His existence. They know that if they accept that there is a God, they also have to accept His judgment. For the wages of sin is death; (John 6;23). It sounds hopeless – but read on to the end of that verse. but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

There is hope!

We can choose to live in the light of His presence. We can share the good news with the world. God made a way for the relationship broken by sin to be restored by the blood of Jesus Christ. Let your light shine this Advent Season.

Christ is our HOPE!

 

 

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine

This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

Today is the first day of the Advent Season.

I have prepared the Advent wreath and it is on our dining room table ready for the first candle to be lit tomorrow.

Advent is a time of waiting and let us be honest, we don’t like to wait, for anything. However, some things are worth waiting for. Hear the words from the prophet Isaiah, chapter 40, verses 1-8.

Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.

Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD’S hand double for all her sins.

The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: and the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: the grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever.

God never forgets His people. God keeps His promises.

So in these days leading up to the Christmas Season let us STOP*LOOK*LISTEN.

STOP!     Take time to prepare for Christmas. Don’t allow the advertising hype to hurry you through this time of preparation.

LOOK!     Search the scriptures. Read God’s promises. Meditate on His Word. Learn what God did for His people in the past and know that He can do the same today.

LISTEN!     Be still and know. God wants a relationship with you. When was the last time you really listened for God to speak to you? For that to happen you need to get in a quiet place and WAIT.

 

 

 

It is our usual quiet Sunday afternoon. But the quiet today seems even more so because all of our visitors have left. This past week our home was filled with laughter and joy.

Last Saturday morning we picked up our grandson Josh and his friend at the airport in St, Louis and later that afternoon our son Doug arrived with a car full.

We put extra leaves in the dining room table, an air mattress on the living room floor, used our camper as an extra guest room, and took turns taking showers.

 

On Sunday we filled a pew at church and then enjoyed dinner at Heartland.

 

On Monday it was off to Hannibal for a ride on the river and a walk through the cave. Followed by a delicious dinner at the Brick Oven.

Tuesday Olin and Doug did errands gathering the material for a project of Olin’s and Linda, Josh, Tori, Emma, Charlotte, and Emersyn went to the pool for an afternoon swim and a soak in the hot tub.

 

Wednesday morning the guys went fishing – one fish – one turtle!

 

Tori went out with me to take pictures on the dogs’ morning run.

 

In between we filled the days with activity,

We worked in the garden . . .

Emma baked zuchinni-lemon bread. Josh & Tori made “squash cookies ” . . .

 

Charlotte found lots to do . . .

 

Emersyn was kept entertained  . . .

 

and memories were made!

But all good things must come to an end.

 

 

Our visitors have returned home to Delaware.

It is quiet once more on Windmill Farm.

Just Olin & I, three dogs, one house cat, five chickens, one rooster, and lots of barn cats.

God of the continuing journey . . . .

These are the words I wrote in my journal six years ago while traveling across the United State with my parents in our RV.

The journey continues and what a journey it has been.

Lord, You have lead us on some amazing adventures. Our life in Delaware, traveling with my parents, finding a home here in Missouri . . . .

Every day is a new adventure.

Yesterday I experienced the satisfaction of washing our laundry and using our solar-powered clothes dryer – the clothesline that our neighbor, Fred blessed us with. Last night we slept on sheets dried in the sun, smelling of fresh air!

Later Olin and I rode the fence-line, trying to discover where the cattle were escaping the pasture. What a wonder is Your creation, O Lord.

We found no breaks but we did discover two young calves enjoying their moment of freedom!

Ms. Pepper abandoned her perch on the Gator to protect me from these dangerous critters!

 

We ended our day with some front-porch sitting.

We watched as the hummingbirds performed aerial acrobatics for our enjoyment.

Thank You, Lord, for a good day.

And the journey continues . . . .

 

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”  Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.           (John 8:31-36)

 

Today we celebrate the birth of our nation. The United States of America. A nation like no other. A nation that draws people around the world, seeking freedom, to work, to worship, to live as they choose.

With freedom comes responsibility. We are responsible for our words, our actions. We are accountable for how we live out that freedom that is so dear to us.

You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.          (Galatians 5:13-15)

I have been praying for my country for many years because I was concerned for the future of America. Long before the current upheaval there were many things that concerned me about this nation and the road we are on.

Lord, I trust You.

You brought this nation into being.

You will preserve it or You will allow it to destroy itself.

Either way – I TRUST YOU. I trust Your plan.

Lord, show me my part in Your plan.

I still pray. I pray that people will recognize what a gift our freedom is.

I pray that people will come to know the “Source” of our freedom – for to be free in Christ is to be free indeed.

 

Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.          (I Peter 2:16)

The things that make God dear to us are not so much His great big blessings as the tiny things, because they show His amazing intimacy with us; He knows every detail of our individual lives.       

 These words from Oswald Chambers were a part of my devotional reading yesterday and they reminded me of a time when God whispered to me “I’m here.”

Because we lived in the RV for eighteen months after selling our home in Delaware, I left behind many plants in my garden that had special memories for me. Hostas from Doug and Linda, a rose bush from Carrie, and flowers that Olin’s mother had given me from her garden.

One was especially dear to me, a Spiderwort that I had nurtured over the years. From that one plant she had given me I had divided and replanted until I had them all around the house.

How wonderful to discover our first spring in Missouri a Spiderwort plant tucked under the rose bush. And it was the same color as the ones I left behind in Delaware.

 

Thank You, Lord, for that tiny blessing. A welcome to our new home. Thank You, Lord, that You know me. You know my heart. That little flower is not so important in the grand scheme of life, but it is important to me. The discovery of that flower brought me JOY!

I find in my walk with You, Lord, many things, tiny things, that bring me joy –

a sunrise

a sunset

watching the birds in the yard, watching the dogs play, watching a seed planted in the earth break through the soil and unfurl its first leaf, tasting a sun-ripened tomato fresh from the garden

 

most of all

knowing that You are with me

I am Yours

You are my JOY!

 

 

^{Isaiah 2:2-4} 

 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.

 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

 

In a garden at the headquarters of the United Nations in New York City there is a sculpture of a man “beating a sword into a plowshare,” a symbol of the hope of the world that if people would come together to discuss their differences, they could put an end to war and use those resources for peaceful purposes. The United Nations was born out of the desire for peace. After two devastating world wars people wanted to believe that reasonable people could resolve their differences without destroying one another.

But they did not take into account the sinful nature of man.

Peace – true peace – will only come in God’s time and by God’s plan.

Until that time there will be wars and rumors of wars as people try to gain power over others. Until that time good people will die in the battle to protect the innocent victims of the power struggle.

And we will continue to honor those who die in that struggle.

As long as there are those who are willing to kill for what they want, there will be others willing to die to defend the rights of all people. It is those  we honor this day. Men and women who chose to defend the cause of freedom and the pursuit of peace even at the cost of their own lives.

 

 

^{Micah 4:1-5} 

But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.

 And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

 And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

 But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it.

 For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever.

 

 

 

Lord, I long for the day when there will be no more war.

Shalom

Shalvah