Month: September 2020 (Page 3 of 3)

September 10, 2020

September 10, 2020 / Judy Hendrickson / 0 Comments

Dear Ones,

Hope you are enjoying this day. Al’s sister came yesterday afternoon and we are enjoying catching up with her. This morning we are going shopping at JoAnn Fabrics as there seems to be so few left open. We are also going out for lunch afterwards and spend a leisurely day together. Fun!

Devotions from Judy’s heart

I don’t know if you are like me, but I often find myself praying to be less self-centered and more focused on the Lord and others. We are all on a life-long journey and each season has challenges. I am reading Ronald Rolheiser’s book, Sacred Fire and he writes about what lies beyond the essentials of discipleship and shares about the different stages. In the first stage of Essential Discipleship we struggle to get our life together. We may start out life in a secure home but when we hit puberty, we are insecure; we try to find our own identity and acceptance and go on to seek a career, mate and ask, “Who am I and where do I find meaning?” We want to make a name for ourselves and live a meaningful life, but of course, only God can give us significance. The second stage is Mature Discipleship which is the longest season and a time we work hard and have responsibilities. But it is also a time we struggle to give our life away more deeply, and more generously and meaningfully. It is usually in our 20’s to 30’s that we begin to experience this but for some it is far older and lasts until retirement. We begin to live more for others than ourselves and think of what we can contribute and not what we can get. The third stage is Radical Discipleship and this is where we struggle to give our deaths away. As I wrote recently, how we leave this earth has an impact on those we leave behind. We want to make a deeper life-giving contribution to them and the world. If we do it with faith and in peace, it is likely that our death may be our final and best gift to them. But whatever stage we are in, Jesus is always inviting us to a deeper relationship with Him and to open our hearts in new ways to all that He has for us. Col. 2:7 (Amplified) says, “Have the roots (of your being) firmly and deeply planted (in Him, fixed and founded in Him), being continually built up in Him, becoming increasingly more confirmed and established in the faith, just as you were taught and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving.”

Challenge for today: Take time to spend with the Lord and to know Him in deeper ways.

Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

September 9, 2020

September 9, 2020 / Judy Hendrickson / 0 Comments

Dear Ones,

It seems like we have entered a new season as it is only 37 degrees out today. Hard to believe family was swimming only a few days ago. Today I am doing food preparations and going to my exercise class this morning. Al is leading the Band of Brothers Soul Care group right now at church.This afternoon Al’s sister from Upper Michigan is coming for a visit and we enjoy times with her.

Devotions from Judy’ heart

It’s exciting when God answers a need we have even before we are aware of what we lack and would be necessary for the future. When that happens, we are so grateful and in awe of how He looks after us with the utmost care. But there are other times we pray and pray and wonder if God is really listening to us, for the answer doesn’t seem to come, at least not as quickly as we would like. I read an article from Jennifer Waddle on “Why don’t you hear God when you need Him most.” She gives several possible reasons and one is that we may not be listening. We are a very distracted culture today, especially by social media, and phones that seem almost attached to us day and night. We are left with wandering minds and interruptions even when we read the Word and pray. She suggests having a special place to go to meet in quiet with the Lord; it can be a study, a closet, a place in nature, but a place to be alone. The second reason we may feel the Lord isn’t speaking, is that He may be asking us to wait for the answer. It was certainly that way for Job who suffered and wanted an answer long before it came. But for all of us, we are to rest and trust Him as we wait in anticipation until the time is ripe. The third reason we don’t hear God, is because the answer may already be given in the Word. There are some things that are very clear in the Bible and we don’t have to wonder about; we are not to steal, not to commit adultery, not to speak falsely etc. But for anything in question we are also told to ask Him, as it says in Matt. 21:22 (NRSV), “Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.” That means according to His will and timing. The last reason Jennifer gives is that God is asking us to trust Him, especially when our faith starts to waver. It helps to remember how God has been faithful in answering us in the past; or reading the lives of others who trusted God in times of testing. We can also ask for a verse to hang on to and then wait in confidence, knowing that He hears us. Let us not doubt but believe that God hears even our whispers.

Challenge for today: Carry I John 5:14 with you today. “And this is the confidence that we have towards Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”

Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

September 8, 2020

September 8, 2020 / Judy Hendrickson / 0 Comments

Devotions from Judy’s heart

What an awesome God we have and One that we can put full confidence in, for He is in control, and we are not. Watching the news on T.V. is not the most uplifting thing, for it seems the whole world is a mess and spinning further away from what God ever intended. We have gone so far from life in the beautiful garden of Eden to this day of chaos and destruction. When God is left out, evil is rampant and causes so much heartache. We were made for God and to bring glory to Him. We need forgiveness for how we have overlooked Him in our lives and nation, and gone our own way. We must acknowledge that He is God and the One who is in control over all, and put our lives in His capable hands. Max Lucado wrote about God’s power and control: “What controls you doesn’t control Him. What troubles you doesn’t trouble Him. What fatigues you doesn’t fatigue Him. Is an eagle disturbed by traffic? No, he rises above it. Is the whale perturbed by a hurricane? Of course not, he plunges beneath it. Is the lion flustered by the mouse standing directly in his way? No, he steps over it. How much more is God able to soar above, plunge beneath, and step over the troubles of the earth!” It’s in surrendering our lives to the One who is sovereign over us that we find all peace in this world of chaos. Let us give up our self-centered lives and place them in His capable hands. David said in Psalm 9:10 (Amplified), “And they who know Your name (who have experience and acquaintance with Your mercy) will lean on and confidently put their trust in You, for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek (inquire of and for) You (on authority of God’s word and the right of their necessity).” Let us give up control over our own lives and rest confidently in His hands

Challenge for today: When you become anxious over things out of control, remember who is really in charge.

Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

September 7,2020

September 7, 2020 / Judy Hendrickson / 0 Comments

Dear Ones,

Hope you have been having a wonderful Labor Day weekend. You can get a glimpse of our weekend from the devotion today. I did some food prep and made a quick trip to Aldi’s and then took some choc covered raspberries downstairs again for our coffee time this morning.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

When we came home from a day at the lake with all the relatives, I felt so filled up with love. We gathered by the lake shore Saturday morning, on two docks and some in their boats, to be socially distanced while we spent time to catch up with one another. Because of COVID it had been months since we had seen some of them and we had time to ask questions and to find out what it was like to live close to the riots; what was it like to work from home, or what it was like to no longer even have a job etc. Later there was time to swim and sauna, pray together, fish, and eat together as we roasted wieners and had smores. This is the family God put me in and I am grateful, especially that they know Him. And as wonderful as that is, I was reminded the debt of love we owe not just to our family but all those God puts in our lives. Romans 13:8a & 10(The Message) says, “Don’t run up debts, except for the huge debt of love you owe each other. When you love others, you complete what the law has been after all along…Love other people as well as you do yourself. You can’t go wrong when you love others. When you add up everything in the law code, the sum total is love.” Jesus loved us with such great love that He was willing to take our place and die for us. We can never finish the debt of love we owe Him. The only way to begin is to love others and help meet their needs. There are so many around us that can use help and our eyes need to be to open to see their physical and emotional and spiritual needs. Sometimes it just means beaming a smile or speaking an encouraging word to someone who feels down; or asking someone if they would want you to pray for them. Maybe it would mean providing a meal for someone just returning from the hospital or mowing the lawn for a widow. It could be giving child care so a busy mom can have a breather. Then there is also our finances; they can be used to help support missions, dig new wells, rescue children sold in trafficking etc. Love is shown in many forms and we have only to ask the Lord how He would have us express His love. Let us love not only in word but in our actions.

Challenge for today: Find a new creative way to show God’s love and just keep it between Him and you.

Blessings on your week and prayers and love, Judy

The Tonic of masculinity

September 7, 2020 / Alan Hendrickson / 0 Comments

“The tonic of masculinity” caught my attention while reading an article by Bill Donaghy about men. “If we have been steeped in the lies of porn, if we’ve let ourselves be defined by the hashtag “toxic masculinity”, then we have work to do,” declares Donaghy. He exhorts us to, “go back to the beginning to discover that primordial call to the tonic of masculinity ! (my emphasis)

The intention of toxic masculinity is to deny and do away with what is the natural strength of men, which is, of course, expressed differently in each man. While it is true that men need to live in the awareness of how their natural male strength has done great of harm to women since the fall, our task today, as never before is to walk humbly with our Lord, asking Him for the grace and mercy to rightly exercise our place in the social order as God intended it. We must not deny who we are.

As C. S. Lewis so famously said, “In a sort of ghastly simplicity we remove the organ and demand the function. We make men without chest and expect of them virtue and enterprise….we castrate and bid the geldings be fruitful.” The challenge becomes that of knowing how our strength and passion as men, can be used of God, rather then being misdirected into harmful, and even destructive patterns of behavior. We have to do this work, without the help of the dominant culture.

To meet this challenge in the gender wars of our time, men need to be able to receive by faith the gift of their God given masculinity ( being a man). After God made both in his image we read, “God saw all that He had made, and it was very good” (Gen 1:31). Because of the contemporary narrative, which is highly critical of maleness, men will need help in being affirmed in their masculine roles as being “very good.”

Pope Benedict XVI gave this wise pastoral advise for men. “Man comes to the profoundest sense to himself not through what he does but through what he accepts. He must wait for the gift of love, and love can only be received as a gift……One must wait for it, let it be given to one. And one cannot become wholly man in any other way than by being loved, by letting oneself be loved….”

These are words of gold, offering tonic for many men living in shame and disillusionment. Let me brake this statement down. May these words sink into your soul and help you rise up with new tonic for your masculine soul.

First, spiritual tonic cannot be applied to the crisis in masculinity by relying on our effort. Men simply cannot fix their problem. The culture also cries out to men, “fix your problem.” We can’t do it. We are part of Adam’s fallen race. Let this sink in – men need to learn to receive. It is by the grace of God that we are given to capacity to change.

Second, even more difficult is the necessity of waiting. God is able to mold and make us into the men we are intended to be. Let this sink in – it is a process. I personally know. God has been reshaping me for over many years.

Thirdly, always remember that you are his “beloved.” Let this sink in – it about receiving love. Like the Pope said, “one cannot become wholly man in any other way than be being loved, by letting oneself be loved….” There is nothing we can do expect to receive the gift.

September 5, 2020

September 5, 2020 / Judy Hendrickson / 0 Comments

Dear Ones,

Hope you are having a wonderful holiday weekend. We are soon going to the lake and stopping on the way to see and pray with a friend at Birchview Gardens. Then on to the lake for a boat gathering around two docks where we can see extended family with social distancing. Later a picnic is planned and we will have to see about swimming in the afternoon as it is not predicted to be very warm.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

It is no surprise that there are difficult people in the church! Of course, we might be one of them as someone could be having trouble with us and finds us hard to love. On Crosswalk.com Brittany Rust writes about 10 Ways to Deal with Difficult People in the Church; but her helpful ways may include others we deal with at times as well. Since we are all so unique with varied personalities and not like anyone else, we may end up rubbing someone else in the wrong way. They may struggle to know where we are coming from and can’t understand our logic and thinking. Brittany said we should expect conflict because it is inevitable. When those times come, we need to keep our cool and not lash out. It is an opportunity for us to be an example. We should also not fuel the fire and be defensive but give a gentle answer. Sometimes our pride gets in the way as we try to protect ourselves but we need to just own our part and ask forgiveness. We’ve all been in a group when someone says something critical. Rather than adding to it, we can show ignorance and may respond with, “Isn’t that nice!” or “What a surprise!” We must not forget that we are all broken in differing ways and have struggles in life, many with hurts as far back as childhood; so we need to show grace and mercy. We can choose to take the high road and respond in a positive way. If there is a lot of tension, Brittany says we may have to take a break to gather our thoughts and cool down. It’s a good thing to pray for the person as our own heart gets soften in the process. Finally, she said to practice Matt.18:15 (God’s Word) where Jesus said, “If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone If the member listens to you, you have gained that one.” She goes on to say that if that doesn’t work, we should bring one or two other believers along and if the person refuses to listen then tell the church. Let us not turn away from others when conflicts arise but forgive and love, and show mercy.

Challenge for today: The next time a believer hurts you, take the high road and practice mercy.

Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy

September 4, 2020

September 4, 2020 / Judy Hendrickson / 0 Comments

Dear Ones,

Happy weekend to you! I went early to the store today to avoid the many who will be getting ready for the holiday. I also made G.F. cookies and pork chops smothered with an apple topping and the house smells so good. Tomorrow we are heading to the lake and the forecast isn’t for very warm temperatures.

But thankfully it isn’t rain.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

Loneliness is a big problem today and made worse by COVID-19. Today there are 35.7 million Americans that live alone and loneliness is only exacerbated during this time of isolation. But we don’t have to live alone to have feelings of separation from others, for many going through divorce and traumatic times are left feeling depressed and separated as well. Our health is often affected, for our bodies feel the effects of loneliness that can result in anxiety, heart conditions, dementia, chronic health problems etc. We would think that since we have cell phones, zoom and video chats that it would help solve the problem. But if we see others enjoying fun times on Facebook, it can make us feel worse for what we feel we are missing. But we have a place to go, someone who understands and One who is there for us. Jennifer Slattery writes about how God deals with us in our anxiety and gives the example of the prophet Elijah. After his victory over the 450 prophets of Baal he was threatened by Jezebel and fled to the desert. He felt so alone and depressed that he wanted to die. But instead of rebuking him, God sent an angel to strengthen him and gave him food and water; he slept and was renewed from exhaustion and ate and was nourished. Or when Jesus was in the garden of Gethsemane before his death, he agonized to the point of sweating drops of blood. God sent an angel to strengthen Him. When we feel alone and abandoned, we can look to the Lord and He will use whatever means He chooses to help us and to give us peace. We are told in Isaiah 41:10 (The Message), “I’ve picked you. I haven’t dropped you. Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.” Even when we may be by ourselves, we are not alone for the Lord is with us and will fill those empty places inside us.

Challenge for today: When you feel lonely, take time to spend with the Lord and hear His comforting words.

Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy

September 3, 2020

September 3, 2020 / Judy Hendrickson / 0 Comments

Dear Ones,

Hope you are having a good day. It is sunny here but windy and cool and high of 65. Hope it warms up for this holiday weekend. This morning I made individual egg dishes and bars and went downstairs for coffee. I need our walk today as I didn’t have time for it yesterday.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

Our lives on earth are just the prelude to the biggest day of all, our homecoming. But how we make the transition also has a great effect on our loved ones we leave behind. We don’t have a choice of when that will happen to us, but only that it will happen to all of us one day.

We have had several funerals recently, and for two young dads, death came suddenly from a heart attack without warning. Another man was elderly and sick, and had time to plan his funeral as he knew he didn’t have much time left. Al was able to pray with him several times and they talked about death in peacefulness as he was ready to go to his home to glory. Another man who is dying is questioning if there is an after-life and he cannot rest in peace yet and so we pray. Ronald Rolheiser writes in his book, Sacred Fire, about how our deaths can be a final gift to our loved ones. He said we choose if will we struggle against death in freedom or in clinging? Graciousness or bitterness? In anger or in forgiveness? Our attitude towards our final journey will leave a lasting impression with our loved ones.

Just yesterday Al and I visited my 94 year- old aunt who is in hospice now and staying with her daughter. She is very special in my life, like a second mom; we prayed together and talked about when the Lord would take her home one day and also the joy of seeing loved ones etc. She has no fear of death and is looking forward to that day in being united with the Lord. My own mom was taken suddenly with a heart attack and my last memory of dad is tucking the covers around him and telling him I loved him before he was going to sleep. He responded with words that he loved me and I treasure that. Rolheiser said that we in many ways don’t fully appreciate others until after they go away; for later we sense that they are still with us for we are connected in spirit. Jesus told His disciples in John 14:3(The Message), “And if I’m on my way to get your room ready, I’ll come back and get you so you can live where I live” Let us live in peace and look forward to the day the Lord comes back for us, for we will be with Him for all eternity.

Challenge for today: Live today with eternity in mind!

Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

September 2, 2020

September 2, 2020 / Judy Hendrickson / 0 Comments

Dear Ones,
Hope you are having a good day. We just got home and left 11 hours ago to head to the cities to see my special aunt who is now in Hospice and staying with her daughter.What a blessed time together as we talked about heaven. We spent the rest of the day shopping at St John’s and many bookstores and out to eat. My book loving hubby is purring tonight!

Devotions from Judy’s heart

I woke up today with the words going through my mind, “God sees”. He knows and sees everything that is going on in our lives and all around us and doesn’t miss a thing. It’s likely we all had experiences when we were young, of times we got blamed for something we didn’t do and wished our parents had been there to see what was really going on. But God is El Roi, our God who sees and knows everything and nothing is hid from Him. We can remember Hagar, an Egyptian slave, who was mistreated by Sarah, and ran away. Being pregnant and alone she despaired of life but an angel appeared and gave her a message. She responded and it says in Gen. 16:13 (The Message), “She answered God by name, praying to the God who spoke to her, ‘You’re the God who sees me!’ “ Yes! He saw me; and then I saw Him!” She went back to her mistress and was encouraged by the message given her. Isn’t it comforting to us to be assured that God sees all and knows every need we have? He isn’t asleep, He is always aware of our circumstances and knows our needs better than we do. Maybe others have failed us in our lives, or maybe we are sick or in a difficult situation. He knows! He is on the lookout and it says in II Chron. 16:9 that he his eyes range throughout the earth to help those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. That doesn’t mean that bad things don’t ever happen to us but that He takes us through them and gives us the help we need. None of us know what is ahead of us and what tomorrow may bring, but if we know the One who holds our future, we can rest and be at peace. God sees us so let us pray that our spiritual eyes be opened more and more to see Him who is our God of miracles!

Challenge for today: Sit quietly before the Lord and picture His eyes of love on you.

Blessings on your evening and prayers and love, Judy

September 1, 2020

September 2, 2020 / Judy Hendrickson / 0 Comments

Dear Ones,

Hope you are having a good day. The weather is cooler and seems like Fall is here and summer is over. This morning I made blueberry/cinnamon bread which we are anxious to try. I also went shopping with a friend from church to decide on decorations for an upcoming women’s event. But then we topped it off at the Mall and hit super sales! On the way home we saw a man collapse near his car and went over to help him and 911 was called. Like my devotional today, we never know what may happen in a day.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

We don’t know the future or even what is ahead of us today but it is comforting to know that God does. He is aware of everything that will touch our lives and is our solid rock.

I just read today on Facebook about my cousin’s granddaughter, Maci, who is overseas with YWAM. She called home and shared with her folks how she lost everything except what she was wearing and a few items in her backpack. She told how they had a dryer hooked up by a technician and everything looked properly done. However, there was a leak in the pipe somewhere, and when one of her roommates went to take a shower the spark from the water heater caused an explosion. One of Maci’s friends was napping at the time in Maci’s room, and it was that room that took the brunt of the explosion. Maci had to pry the door open to get her friend out and quickly carried her out to the street where they loaded her in a car and took her to the hospital. She is undergoing skin grafts for 2nd and 3rd degree burns from head to toe. Maci told her folks that she felt God had been asking her for the past few months if He is enough. Through all this she responded that “Yes, He is.” If you are prompted, pray for her as she will be going to a different YWAM base in two weeks and needs to replace her passport, glasses, guitar and many things. When Maci woke up that morning, she had no idea what was ahead of her but the Lord strengthened her, as He promises.

We can also think of the Apostle Paul who endured so many hardships, beatings, ship wrecks etc. And he said in Phil 4:11b-13 (The Message), “I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.” He goes on to say that God will take care of everything we need according to His riches. Let us face each day with confident trust that He is with us and will take care of all of our needs, no matter what the day holds.

Challenge for today: Thank the Lord that He is faithful and entrust this day and your whole future into His hands.

Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

Month: September 2020 (Page 3 of 3)

September 10, 2020

September 9, 2020

September 8, 2020

September 7,2020

The Tonic of masculinity

September 5, 2020

September 4, 2020

September 3, 2020

September 2, 2020

September 1, 2020

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