Memorial Day 2011

Luke 7:1-10 (NRSV)

After Jesus had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. A centurion there had a slave whom he valued highly, and who was ill and close to death. When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave. When they came to Jesus, they appealed to him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy of having you do this for him, for he loves our people, and it is he who built our synagogue for us."

And Jesus went with them, but when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, "Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my slave, 'Do this,' and the slave does it."

When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, he said, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith." When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.

In Jesus' day, Jews did not enter into the homes of Gentiles. The centurion knew this, so he was being considerate of Jesus in saying, "I do not deserve to have you come under my roof . . . just say the word, and my servant will be healed." Isn't it amazing that this Roman had such faith in Jesus?

Further, when Jesus "healed the sick", it no where mentions that He healed 'some of the sick' or only those who had 'enough faith'. Not the 'righteous'. Not the 'deserving' among the sick.  But "the sick."

Each time Jesus healed, knowing the person's heart and mind, He had to forgive not only the past sins but those in the future too. 

I find this comforting. He heals me, too. Of my past sins and of my future sins.  May I live in accordance with what it is I believe!

Now, back to our Centurion - and to our soldiers of today: to those who are under the 'authority' of a commander and carry out the orders they are given.  Bless you! And may you be reunited with your loved ones soon.

My prayer:

Abba, Father~ hear my prayer! Help us to watch over your children near and far.  Help us to work for a world where wars end and soldiers fight no more. ~Amen.

Yours, because we're His,

Proverbs 11:30 (New International Version)
30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives.

Winter was difficult here in the Southwest. Freeze and thaw, freeze and thaw… I don’t recall how many times that happened this past winter but it took a toll on trees in our area. We contracted with a professional tree trimmer who came this week and fell our eucalyptus tree. We’d had the fast growing tree for 15 years, had it ‘topped’ at least twice and it was still probably close to 40 feet tall. It was a difficult decision to make, but it was more dangerous to let her stand. (Why have I given the tree a feminine pronoun?)

The tree doctor and his assistant came at 6 a.m. to begin their work. I left for work early as I knew I would fret and mourn the loss of this tree and its shade – a valuable commodity here in Arizona. Even though the tree did not produce leaves this year and was obviously dead, it was still a difficult (and let’s not forget pricey) decision.

So the contractor began laying out his equipment. The saws, the ropes, the harnesses, the safety belts and the spikes for his boots… That’s when I saw him, he placed the safety belt/harness around the tree, then held the tree with both hands, bowed his head and prayed. I was amazed and comforted!

I left for work and at the end of the day dreaded what I would find (or better - not find) in my back yard when I returned home. The contractor cleaned up so well and even stacked the wood for our later use in the fire pit. The tree trunk was level to the ground. My husband Dennis had planted some geraniums around the patio, moved the Mexican clay chiminea to a new spot and had moved the water fountain to a new spot where I can sit on the patio and look and listen to it.

Dennis said the tree doctor found three nests in the tree – two old and unused and one that still had eggs in it. He said the tree doctor prayed over the nest before removing it. We had some Mourning Doves that we’re thinking were the eggs owners/family.

I am comforted by the fact the birds are still visiting what we had deliberately designed as a sanctuary for them and for the care, comfort and concern of our contractor! What a blessing in spite of loss. The remaining portion of the tree trunk is now holding a bird bath.

And so I pray:

Abba, Father – thank you for Your provision in not only the tree but in also leading us to the right contractor for its removal. Thank you that it was only one tree that needed to be removed and not the other two in addition. May our back yard be a place of respite and comfort for our grandchildren and for the birds that come to feed. In Jesus’ name I pray ~AMEN!

Yours, because we’re His,

Wordless Wednesday

Hoarding

James 5:15-17 (NIV ©2011)

15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Have you ever watched any of the “Hoarder” programs on television? I have and I find them disturbing and somehow fascinating at the same time. Each time I watch a program like this I determine that I am going to minimize, down-size, and give-away those things that are cluttering up my life and home.  At least annually we have a Yard Sale.  I've been known to look at something I've placed in the sale and 'take it back'.

What strikes me about the program is how the person who is being focused on has trouble seeing their hoarding as a problem and will rationalize that the items may be needed at some point in time. Generally there has been some catastrophic event in their life that has caused them to go a tad bit 'over the edge' with regard to collecting (read hoarding here) items.

On one such program the person of interest eventually became so belligerent, she sent the organizing/cleaning crew away. She was actually keeping chickens in her living area, a lot of them and a number of them were dead. I was mortified by what I was witnessing on this program! How could someone possibly live their life in this manner?

Later, as I was reflecting on this program, God moved my heart into the realization of the things (read sin here) that I am quietly hoarding away and allowing to pile up in the quite recesses of my soul. I wonder if He ever wonders how someone could possibly live like this… Yes, the seven deadly sins are alive and well and being hoarded in my spirit. So what to do? Confess. Repent. And find someone I can trust and become accountable to and with.

My Prayer:

Abba, Father, hear my prayer. Forgive me the many sins I commit. Forgive me those sins of omission. Help me to purge, eliminate and clean up my life. Help me to rid my spirit and my soul of all the debris I have willing collected. Guide and direct my steps this day. In Jesus’ name I pray ~AMEN!

Yours, because we’re His,

Hope

Job 4:6 (New American Standard Bible)
 

6 Is not your fear of God your confidence, and the integrity of your ways your hope?

It’s been busy here in the southwest. Last week was the Law Enforcement Torch Run or LETR. My agency participates by giving of funds or walking, riding a horse, a bike and carrying the “torch” through town for the Special Olympics. All funds raised go to that most honorable event. Then we also had appreciation week for the Corrections Officers.


Cinco de Mayo was celebrated this week and culminated with a parade today. So much of the SW is filled with the Hispanic culture in the form of architecture, art and of course - food.


The Relay for Life event was held last night beginning at 6 p.m. and ended today at 8 a.m. This annual event is held in conjunction with the American Cancer Society where the lives of cancer survivors are celebrated and those who lost the battle are honored.


Then we celebrate Mother’s Day tomorrow.


Our grandchildren spent the night with us and wore us out! We bought them roller skates, helmets and made them wear kneepads. I believe our granddaughter Abby will be training for the Roller Derby.


As I look back over this list of events, I’m struck by how in some manner that all exude hope. Hope for the continuing understanding and acceptance of those in our communities who are mentally challenged; hope that our Corrections Officers know how appreciated and honored they are, not just during this week, but all year long; hope that tolerance and understanding will be afforded to different cultures and different ‘tribes’ in our communities; hope for those who battle a most formidable foe – cancer, and finally hope for the Mothers who believe that life must continue on.

And so I pray:

Abba, Father – fill us with hope. Grant us compassion and tolerance for those who are different. Grant us empathy and understanding for those who suffer in one form or another. Grant us the energy and stamina to raise children and grandchildren. In Jesus’ name I pray ~AMEN!

Yours, because we’re His,

I Lift Up My Eyes...

Psalm 121 (New International Version, ©2011)

A song of ascents.

1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.


3 He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.


5 The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.


7 The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;
8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

The commute with my new position is quite substantial now. Sometimes there is a group of us who carpool together and then there are other times when I make the trek alone. It is a beautiful drive into the mountains and when I am alone the first two verses of Psalm 121 are what come to mind.

Living in the valley as we do, we are surrounded by mountains. If I’ve been away for awhile, I always feel comforted when I return and see the mountains; it is as if God is surrounding me with His love and protection.

There have been times when I’ve been at the community medical center for some rather unpleasant medical tests. During those times I look out the window and focus on the mountain and those verses that have given me so much comfort. Some of those tests have been a spinal tap and the most recent a physical cardio stress test. Not fun, but necessary at the time. Even now when I think I am facing something unbearable, I recall the spinal tap and remind myself – if I got through that, I can get through anything with God’s help!

When I am depressed and cannot pray I sometimes read the Psalms as prayers. Other times I write them out in my journal in my own words and offer them to the Lord as a sacrifice of praise.

What is it you find yourself doing when the times get rough?  Do you have a favorite scripture you cling to?  A special prayer you resort to or perhaps a devotional or meditation?

My Prayer:

Abba, Father, hear my prayer this day. Thank you for the beauty of the mountains and the comfort I feel in them. Thank you for the opportunity in this new position and for the chance to ‘stretch and grow’. Guide and direct my steps this day and may I be a blessing to those around me. In Jesus’ name I pray ~AMEN!

Yours, because we're His,