Category: Sister Judy (Page 212 of 279)

Devotions from Judy’s heart

Today we have been at the Boone Hall Plantation and saw so many people dressed in costumes and telling stories as if they were a person that lived long ago. I thought of how often we may play a part or fill a role but are not our real self with others. We may even dress the part, trying to appear to be someone we truly aren’t. As a pastor’s wife, I’m sure I have fit into a role many times that was not truly me.   I find the more I grow in my spiritual life, the more I become my authentic self.  And to me that is freedom. For “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Gal. 5:1. Let us live in authenticity and freedom!!

 Devotions today is from our son Kurt. Hope you enjoy!

Our pastor had an interesting sermon last week and I thought I would share my notes.  The series is Called “The Legacy of Life” and the 2 big ideas of this particular series is:
        1.) My number one opportunity to leave a legacy in this world is my home
        2.) Family is God’s number one tool for helping us become more like Jesus

The big idea for this Sunday was: Every life teaches a lesson.  My greatest gift to my family is me.  The life I live is my legacy.  

My initial reaction to this was one of “Oh man, what will my story be? and how will I be remembered by my family and friends…..by those that know me best?”  I thought of a funny motivation parody poster that showed a picture of a haunting, half sunken ship in a harbor, left for years with a caption at the bottom that read “it may be that the purpose of your life is a warning to others”  :  )

Here are the 3 points:
1.) VALUE your life lesson –  The life you live will speak to your family and friends for generations after you die.  He gave several examples of this, one was what he called the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11 that speaks of Abel’s gift and how it was better than Cains and “how his faith speaks even though he is dead.”  I think this is true with members of my family.  I think of my Grandmother that is now in heaven, but her example of faith, stewardship and giving still speak to me.

2.) EXAMINE your life lesson –  2 Corinthians 13: 5 says “examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine”
He said we should ask ourselves, our friends, our family and God.  He even asked if there would be one word to describe you what would it be?  I know what I would like it to be, but is it?!

3.) CHANGE your life lesson – Mark 10:27 says “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God”

He made me laugh when he said in a very matter-of-fact manner “if you could fix you, you would, but you can’t, so you won’t”.   Jesus is in the life-changing business.  What I can’t change, Jesus can change.  Repent and believe that he can change you. If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature!

  How will you be remembered?   What is your legacy?
        Kurt

Devotions from Judy’s heart

 When we left home in Northern Minnesota on Sunday, the trees were almost bare. The farther south we have come the more leaves and color we have seen. By the time we got here to Charleston the leaves are at their peak.

I thought of how barren it is when we live on the surface ( north) and don’t go deep ( south) into our hearts. Life is then dull and superficial. But when we allow our minds to sink into our hearts, life becomes rich and full. We are like  the colorful leaves at their peak.  Eph 1:18 says, “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints.”  May our hearts be enlightened and flourish at their peak!

Devotions from Judy’s heart

Today I noticed how many signs we saw along the road and even ones put into the mountain sides. Some were warnings, some were informational, some were points of interest, some were invitations to eat at a restaurant etc. We were especially alert to the ones for hotels as it got dark and we were getting tired. But I thought of the spiritual signs and how aware of them are we?  One sign we saw today said “Jesus is coming again, R U ready!”  Jesus wants us prepared for His coming again and has given us signs. In Matt 24 He tells his disciples as they were sitting on the mount of Olives, what signs to look for: wars and rumors of wars, famines, earthquakes, persecution of Christians etc. etc. Mark 13 gives more signs like the gospel being preached to all nations, being betrayed by your family, false prophets performing signs, the sun and moon darkened, stars falling from the sky etc. Let us be alert and on guard, paying attention to the signs so that when He comes we are watching and waiting and ready!

Devotions from Judy’s heart

I don’t like good-byes as it is hard to let go of what was and yet to savor it. We had to say good-by to the dear congregation in Nevis and our hearts were filled with gratitude for the 15 months the Lord gave us with them.

It was a special day with Al’s sermon preparing them for the next pastor, a pot luck, beautiful cake, cards and a special number dedicated to us by the choir.( I almost lost it then).  Afterwards we began the first leg our journey  to South Carolina and we saw a few leaves on the trees that refused to let go. It was a reminder for us to move on into the next chapter of our lives.  We must let go of the wonderful past and float to the ground like the leaves, letting the Spirit carry us where He wills. “One thing I do: forgetting what was behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” ( Phil 3:13-14)  We want to let go and press on for the new things He has for us, with hearts full of thanks. We feel so richly blessed.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

When Al was gone on Saturday to St. Scholastica, I decided to have my devotional time with the Lord by the wood stove.  As I looked up while sitting in the recliner, I was aghast at how dirty the vaulted ceiling was and the ceiling fan. I don’t know how it escaped my notice but as I reflected, it had been a while since I had tried to clean there. I thought of how we need to deal with the sinful things the Lord reveals to us in our lives. We can’t deal with everything all at once or it would be too much for us. But when we see what needs changing, God’s grace is already there to meet us and we need to act on it. I remember once a friend asked me to pray for her as she wanted to get rid of a bad habit. She had lived with it for some time and wanted to be set free in that area. We prayed and God’s grace was upon her and she said she never had the desire for that bad habit again. Now it is not always that easy, but grace was there and we need to receive that grace when God is putting His finger on things in our lives. Maybe others can see what needs changing even before we do,( like people who may have seen my dirty ceiling)  but when we see we need to act. I went out to the garage and got the long extension pole and cleaned away and afterwards I had to vacuum again. Sometimes our messes affect others too, but how wonderful when we get clean and are freed. “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”…..”Restore to me the joy of your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit.”  Ps. 51:10 & 12

Devotions from Judy’s heart

Life is not always comfortable and pain free, but our struggles can teach us so much about…..endurance, faith, trust, perseverance etc. We can become stronger through our trials if we get our eyes fixed on Him. IN Heb. 11;27 it says of Moses, “He endured because he saw Him  who is invisible.” When we lived in Brunswick my favorite thing was to walk the long winding prayer trail through the woods to the river. Often I would stop at a deer stand and sit high in the tree where I got a far reaching view. It is amazing how much our perspective can change when viewed from above.  Things look so different when we ask to see more from His high perspective. Let us lift our eyes above our daily struggles to see Him who always has his eye on us and worthy of our trust. PS. 141:8 “My eyes are toward you, O God, my Lord.”

Devotions from Judy’s heart

This week I have made 5 trips to our church in Hackensack, and as I traveled, I noticed the power line poles along the road are in the shape of a cross. What a wonderful reminder of the power of the cross as it says in I Cor. 1:18 “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”  We need to be connected to the power line of the cross.  I can think of so many hymns about the cross as well and how important it is to embrace the cross. I have many crosses in my jewelry box and one lady from our church wears 3 of them all at once. Can we fully comprehend what it cost the Lord to die for us and to think He would have done it just for one of us? Let us ask Him to keep us connected to the cross and let His healing power and love flow into us. As it says in one hymn, “My past with its sin and stain; My guilt and despair, Jesus took on Him there, and Calvary covers it all.”

Devotions from Judy’s heart

 I have been helping to make Lefse lately and last time I did the grilling and turning of them. I had 2 griddles going at once and 2 or 3 people rolling and giving me their Lefse to brown and turn. I had to keep a close watch on each of them or they could get too done and not be good for the sale.  I thought of the balance of giving and receiving….both are important but they have to even out. Someone who only receives,can soon become a self-centered person. On the other hand, one that only gives may become proud and self sufficient. Each one of us may tend to go off balance in one of these areas more than the other. I think I have more trouble receiving.  There are many scriptures on giving and we are to do it without reluctance or under compulsion for God loves a cheerful giver. (II Cor. 9:7) But what if we did not receive God’s grace, God’s mercy, and all of His good gifts to us through others too?  We would be off balance and burned out. So let us be good givers and receivers.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

On my prayer walk I often walk by a new cabin that has a rusted metal wild boar at the entrance to their road. To me it seems very unwelcoming and rather startling each time I pass. It caused me to think of what it means to be a welcoming presence in the Body of Christ. Are people “put off” ( startled)  or welcomed by our presence?  In our present church we had a Meet and Greet time for a new prospective pastor that will be voted on soon. Al is also preparing the congregation where he is interim, to welcome their new pastor coming soon. I know it made such a difference when we moved to a new congregation when they welcomed us with open arms. Some were waiting at the parsonage to unload our van, even set up our appliances and arrange our furniture. It helped knit our hearts to theirs right away. It is important to ask the Lord how we can be there for another.  How can we go out of our way to make someone else feel comfortable and to think of their needs above our own?  How can we best show His love to those He has placed in our lives?  I think Rom. 15:7 says it perfectly, “Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”