Category: Sister Judy (Page 62 of 270)

Happy Thanksgiving weekend! Hope you had a wonderful meaningful celebration yesterday. We came home from our daughter’s veery full and blessed by the day with family. I just made cookies and am now in the process of making bars as my freezer was depleted of any sweets.

  On Thanksgiving we went to our daughter and son-in-law’s home on the lake to celebrate together with all 3 grandsons present. After a wonderful feast, while still at the table, I introduced a game that had $10 prize for the winner. Each of us was to tell one thing we were thankful for each member of the family. The one receiving all the complimentary comments then chose what remark meant the most to them, and that particular individual was given a point. Of course, the one who scored the most points won the money. It was interesting how what each person was thankful for so accurately described who the person was. But most interesting was that Leif got the most points as the boys chose their dad’s comments as being most important to them. Some of you moms might groan, thinking of all you do for your kids and yet what dad does seems to make the most impression on them.

  But God has placed the man as head of his family and so many are abandoning their roles. It has an effect on the family but on the whole culture, as many males today feel lost and lonely and depressed. Let us not fall prey to how our society views family and the roles each of us is to play but rather what God says. In Ephesians 5 we read that the husband is to be the head and provide leadership and the wife is to summit in the same way her husband must be submitted to the Lord. Christ was also submitted to His Father, and we are protected as we are under God given authority. There is a call today, as never before, for men to take their rightful place.

  I am getting on in years, and I don’t want to miss the One thing in life that is most important…to really know the Lord and to let Him transform me to be like Him. That is a big order and the transformation process takes time and cooperation with the Spirit. I hope you are also paying attention to your soul and want to go below the surface of just asking the Lord for your requests, but rather going on to know Him in a deep way. For all of us that will involve change and to give up lesser desires so we may cooperate with the Holy Spirit. But the journey is personal and how He leads me may differ greatly from how He directs you and also the pace for each of us. Al and I have recently observed the transformation of a friend changed from an anxious indecisive person to one that just glows in her trust and love for the Lord.

  We all need to stay open and when the Lord shows us things that need to change, we must have a willingness to let go of them. We can only do this if He is our focus. Our lives shift from dwelling on what we want, to asking what the Lord desires for us. He knows exactly what we need and wants what is best for us. Perhaps the bottom line is trusting Him. Do we believe He has our best in mind and wants to free us from our old self to become more like Him. Let us open ourselves up to the Holy Spirit, give up our resistance and receive His grace to be changed and more like Him.

  Today I was reading from I Chron 16 when King David brought the Ark of God to the tabernacle. It was a big occasion and there were trumpets blowing, singers singing, cymbals sounding and many dancing. David’s song to the Lord is recorded and he remembers the works that God has done. Verses 8-12, “O give thanks to the Lord, call on His name, make known His deeds among the peoples. Sing to Him, sing praises to Him, tell of all His wonderful works. Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice, seek His presence continually. Remember the wonderful works He has done, His miracles, and the judgments He uttered.”  David not only remembers what God has done but he tells others about it, just as it should be natural for us to do. When we see God’s hand at work, we need to share those things with those around us that express His glory and greatness. Ohers also can join with us in thanksgiving to the Lord and be amazed at His works.

Happy weekend to you! It’s almost hard to believe the beautiful weather we have been having. Soon the snow will fly again, so let us enjoy the mild weather while we have it. Today is Party Day here so Al and I will be going to Costco soon for the cake and setting up for the party! 

Challenge for today: Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with His words and express His compassion to others.