Page 189 of 368

December 23, 2020

December 23, 2020 / Judy Hendrickson / 0 Comments

Dear Ones,

Hope you are having a good day of preparation for Christmas. It is very blustery out and we are choosing to stay in today as it continues to snow and blow.

I was busy in the kitchen this morning making pie, cauliflower potatoes, egg dishes and 2 kinds of cookies. Tomorrow we are going to Canaan to be with Ann’s family for Christmas celebration. We plan to get home again in time for the Christmas service at church.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

Do we see the world around us from God’s perspective or our own limited one? Could it be that our own way of seeing things gets clouded by our attitudes of negative thinking, anger, jealousy, and unfulfilled desires? Maybe we evaluate ourselves better than we ought! Paul said in Romans 12:3 (NRSV), “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned to you.” It’s good to have healthy self-esteem as our identity is in the Lord, but we must not overestimate ourselves by using worldly standards. You may have seen online, the comic strip of the woman sitting by her husband and looking out their window. She notices that her neighbor’s wash hanging on the line looked dirty. (That was back in the days when women hung their wash outside to dry in the fresh breeze) She wondered if her neighbor didn’t know how to wash clothes or if she needed a different laundry detergent as her wash always looked gray. But one day she noticed a big change as her neighbor’s wash looked sparkling clean and she wondered what happened. Her husband solved the mystery and piped up to say that he had gotten up early and cleaned their window! What a revelation! What we see in others is dependent on the clarity of our own windows through which we look, and we must be careful not to judge. Perhaps what we see in others doesn’t define them as much as it defines us. What is in our own hearts is what we need to deal with. The closer we draw to the Lord, the more we will see things from His perspective and not our own limited one that is distorted by the things that we need to take care of. When the Lord shows us things in our own lives that need to change, let us be quick to repent and let Him cleanse us so His light can shine through us.

Challenge for today: Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit as He shows you what needs to change in your life.

Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

December 22, 2020

December 22, 2020 / Judy Hendrickson / 0 Comments

Dear Ones,

Hope you are having a peace filled day. Al and I left early this morning and I visited a friend in Hackensack and then went on to my former Bible Study group while Al visited a friend. We had a great video, singing of carols, and a luncheon; it was a wonderful time of fellowship.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

God puts others in our lives to help mentor us and show us a way that draws us closer to Him. Some have a spiritual director who knows just the right questions to ask to help us know the direction the Lord may be leading us. Sometimes we read a book that seems to be exactly where we are in our walk with the Lord and it gives us the courage to take the next step on our journey. As we observe the lives of those that have a close relationship with the Lord, we learn from them as we see their deep faith walked out in their lives. I love to read the lives of saints who have gone through so much and found joy in the midst of their suffering, and experiencing that Jesus is more than enough. From them we learn the importance of seeking God for Himself alone and not what we can get from Him. Prayer is a way of life and their whole day is one of being present to the Lord and receiving His love, not trying to earn it or achieve something. It’s not about what we do but trusting what He has done for us. Our part is to surrender to Him our will and plans and to receive what He has for us. St Therese of Lisieux lived close to God and saw her poverty and nothingness. She looked for opportunities for self-giving and wanted to please God. She died of Tuberculosis before she reached 25 but left behind a way of love for others to follow. I also read about Saint Elisabeth who was a Carmelite at 21 but died at 26 of Addison’s disease. Her life was one of surrender to God and letting God love her. She knew the importance of removing obstacles to God’s love and being attentive to His will. She wrote of how we are holy as we let God love us and desire to do everything with Him. We are all a unique creation of His love so there is no place for competition but only the desire to receive and express His love and beauty in our own unique way. Let us not be so concerned about praying the right words or saying a lot but rather loving much. James 4:8 (God’s Word) says, “Come close to God, and He will come close to you.” Our Heavenly Father desires that we come to really know His love so let us draw close.

Challenge for today: Spend some time just enjoying His presence and with few words.

Blessings on the rest of your day and prayers and love, Judy

December 21,2020

December 21, 2020 / Judy Hendrickson / 0 Comments

Dear Ones,

Hope you had a good weekend. We enjoyed the children’s Christmas program during church but not the Vikings loss in the afternoon. I am writing on my new computer and had to have the geeks install a couple more things yesterday but I think we are up and running now. PTL. This morning I went to Fitquest and Aldi’s and made a wild rice hotdish for a potluck at my former Bible Study group in Hackensack tomorrow. Do you suppose we will see the Christmas star after sunset tonight? I hope so!

Devotions from Judy’s heart

How does God look at us? Always with love, even when we fail. When Jesus was speaking to a huge crowd of people, he told them He knows the very number of hairs on their head; and that since He loves them, they didn’t have to worry what they will have to eat or wear as He will provide. In Luke 12:29-32 (God’s Word) He says also to us, “Don’t concern yourself about what you will eat or drink, and quit worrying about these things. Everyone in the world is concerned about these things, but your Father knows you need them. Rather, be concerned about His kingdom. Then these things will be provided for you. Don’t be afraid, little flock. Your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom.” In the Message translation it says we can just relax and not get preoccupied with getting so we can respond to God’s giving to us. We are not to fuss over how He is going to do it, but we will be surprised at the many ways He meets our needs. Jesus goes on to say “Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.” Just think of how He provided for all the needs of the Israelites when they left Egypt for the Promised land; they had manna provided every day, their shoes didn’t wear out, and they lacked nothing. Jesus tells us not to worry for He doesn’t ignore our needs; as we seek Him and His kingdom, He will give us all that is necessary. Even more importantly than our physical needs, He provides our spiritual needs and gives us abundant life here and now. But we can also look forward to an eternity with Him. Let us not get side tracked with consuming more and more things or worrying that we will have enough, but let us bask in His love and trust that He will give us what we need.

Challenge for today: Spend some time just thanking God for his blessings and provisions for you.

Blessings on your week and prayers and love, Judy

Rescuing a Brother

December 21, 2020 / Alan Hendrickson / 0 Comments

I meet with a group of men at my church; we call ourselves “a band of brothers.” During a recent gathering, we talked about the spiritual decline of America and abandoned, wayward brothers. We agreed that one of our missions is to “rescue” other brothers, living with broken hearts, who could be influenced by cultural lies. Many could be sinking into despair, resigned to riding out the storm alone.

As I prayed about this, I was drawn to Jude 22-23: “Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire, to others show mercy, mixed with fear – hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.”

“Jude wants us to become involved in the painful, yet merciful, work of helping those who are wondering about falling, who are falling, or who have fallen” (Bible Speaks Today). Jude seems to be describing believers who were in the various stages of falling away. “What has happened is that some people have infiltrated our ranks (our Scriptures warned us this would happen), who beneath their pious skin are shameless scoundrels. Their design is to replace the sheer grace of our God with sheer license – which means doing away with Jesus Christ, our one and only Master” (Jude 4 MSG).

Oh, how easy it is for men to have their minds filled with teaching that denies the grace of God, only to get caught up in being religious and in the process moving further and further away from Jesus as Lord. These men need to be rescued by other brothers. They live in confusion and brokenness, having lost their way home, now living in the far country (Luke 15). Who will go and rescue them?

According to Jude, men need to be rescued from three conditions: First, those who are wavering. “Some were in the early stages of wavering in their commitment to faith as a result of false teachers” (NIVZSB). Brothers need to be shown mercy, needing loving encouragement. “Those driven into doubt need mercy” (N. T. Wright). Learn to encourage struggling brothers.

Second, those who are in danger, “becoming so persuaded by the false teachers that they were in imminent danger of condemnation” (NIVZSB). Some brothers will need rescuing from actual spiritual danger. Fire is an instrument of God’s judgment. “Those seduced by the intruders need rescuing” N.T. Wright).

Third, those who are caught. This group “probably consists of those who followed the false teachers” (NIVZSB), who are now caught in false teaching. We are to show mercy but be cautious, so as not to be enticed. “They must be urged to repent and warned of judgment” (N. T. Wright). “Christians must be extremely cautious when showing mercy to false teachers and their followers because their sins can be enticing” (NIVZSB).

Jesus gave us fair warning of being taken in by false teaching. “For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect – if that were possible. So be on your guard. I have told you everything ahead of time” (Mark 13:22-23). Men, you will be tempted to compromise your faith. Satan wants to take you out of the fight.

We who are committed to Jesus need to be aware of our wounded brothers. There will be many in the days to come. Paul gives us this charge and warning, “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted” (Gal 6:1).

December 19, 2020

December 19, 2020 / Judy Hendrickson / 0 Comments

Dear Ones,

Hope you are having a good weekend. This morning I cleaned the apartment and made a new chicken dish and went to get my new computer. I can’t use it yet until we call in and get certain things hooked up so I am using my old one now, Hope it won’t get too complicated. Tomorrow is the S.S. Christmas program and that is always a special time.

Devotions from Judy’s heart,

Our gatherings for Christmas will all be smaller this year but even in the smallest get-to-gathers, I would suspect forgiveness is needed. We all get wounded by remarks said to us over the past years, things done to us and hurtful attitudes towards us; and some may feel relieved that this Christmas they are excused from seeing the ones who have caused their pain. But no matter what, we need to forgive! But forgiveness doesn’t mean we condone what they did or in any way approve of it, but it is really a gift we give ourselves as Father Haase writes about. He had to forgive his father for committing suicide when he was a young boy which left his mom, who had been a stay at home mom, to support him and his siblings. Forgiveness didn’t happen until years later when he was preparing for the priesthood and received therapy. He discovered deep down he was angry and had to not only forgive his father for leaving the family in such a dire situation but he had to forgive God who allowed it to happen. Forgiveness doesn’t mean we forget things done to us but that we extend mercy for the demand for justice. Our flesh nature wants to get even, to play the victim, to feel justified in our responses, but forgiveness is really a decision we make and not a feeling. It starts with an act of our will but is more like a process that influences our heart. Just as Father Haase had to come to the realization that he blamed God and needed to forgive, maybe we need to forgive God as well. For some, the hardest person to forgive is ourselves as we have deep regrets. Our part is to confess those things which seem to lose their power when we admit it to another as well. We also have to quit ruminating over the past and just celebrate God’s grace. Paul came to know that as he says in II Cor. 12:9 (The Message) “My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.” He experienced God’s forgiveness for persecuting His followers and went on to experience much grace. Let us forgive others, forgive God and forgive ourselves.

Challenge for today: Recall someone who has hurt you and choose to forgive.

Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy

December 18, 2020

December 18, 2020 / Judy Hendrickson / 0 Comments

Dear Ones,

Happy weekend to you! I am writing early as I have to bring this computer in and have everything transferred over to my new one. They may keep my computer for a couple days but hopefully will get it back soon. So you won’t hear from me during this time and will resume when I can. Pray all goes well!

Devotions from Judy’s heart

There are many people hurting and grieving losses of family and friends they miss, situations that have changed dramatically, and sadness for what once was. What do we do with our griefs that seem to be spilling out in various ways? We can lament! I remember when Al was teaching on lament from the Psalms and how honest King David was before the Lord. One third of the Psalms he wrote were lament. He didn’t sugar coat how he was feeling but just let it all spill out. He said in Psalm 6:6-7, “I am worn out from my groaning. My eyes flood my bed every night. I soak my couch with tears. My eyes blur from grief. They fall because of my enemies.” That’s telling it like it is. Lori Ann Wood wrote an article in Just Between Us magazine on Learning to Lament. Perhaps we all need to do that, especially during this pandemic. She said that lament is a passionate expression of grief and sorrow, admitting to God our pain and confusion. Why God why? We don’t like what is happening but underneath we still have faith and choose to trust in the Lord. Lori wrote that if we didn’t believe He existed, why would we even complain to Him? And if we didn’t believe He was all powerful, why would we think He could have changed the circumstances and done something about it? She goes on to say we also believe He loves us or why would we think He was listening as we open our hearts and tell Him our griefs? We don’t have to suffer in silence but we can honestly tell Him just how we feel rather than keeping a stiff upper lip. It is not a failure of faith but an act of faith for we go directly to Him. Lament makes room for God and invites Him into our deepest pains. Jesus himself, experienced so much pain and sorrow in His short life on earth and can identify with us. He enters our suffering and it’s alright to tell Him all. Often, we find that after we have let out our pain and lamented, praise begins to well up in our hearts.

Challenge for today: Tell the Lord how you honestly feel and then leave everything up to Him.

Blessings on your weekend and prayers and love, Judy

December 17, 2020

December 17, 2020 / Judy Hendrickson / 0 Comments

Dear Ones,

Hope you are having a wonderful day. This morning I got shopping and spent some Kohl’s dollars and also delivered a fruit basket from our church to a widow. This afternoon I also hope to shop a little more with Christopher and Banks dollars.

Fun!

Devotions from Judy’s heart

I am very rich and so are you if you know the Lord…that’s because we have an inheritance that is beyond what we can even imagine. As Paul says in Romans 8:16-17 (God’s Word), “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. If we are His children, we are also God’s heirs. If we share in Christ’s suffering in order to share His glory, we are heirs together with Him.” Many years ago, I inherited a cabin on lake property which was a gift to me because I was a member of the Seburg family. I didn’t earn it, I didn’t buy it, I simply received it from my parents with much gratitude. It was the same piece of land that we later built a retreat house, Canaan’s Rest. And then the day came when we gave it to our children and they inherited what we had been given at one time and I hope one day they will pass it on to their children. I remember often kneading bread on the counter at Canaan as I looked out over the trees and lake. I was always struck by the beauty before me and reminded of the gift given me… and this was just an earthly gift. Now even though it is a wonderful gift, there is one that is far greater and can’t even be compared and that is our inheritance of eternal life. We cannot earn it, we can’t buy it, we must simply receive Jesus by faith and the inheritance is ours. He makes it all possible because of His sacrifice for us. But as Paul said in Colossians three, we are to respond by doing everything whole heartedly, knowing we will one day be given our inheritance. Whatever we do in this life is really peanuts compared to the inheritance that is ours. There is no reason to see ourselves as paupers for we were chosen and given eternal glory with the Lord forever. Let us live whole-heartedly and gratefully, knowing how rich we are!

Challenge for today: Express your gratitude to the Lord for the inheritance you have been given as His child.

Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

December 16, 2020

December 16, 2020 / Judy Hendrickson / 0 Comments

Dear Ones,

Hope you are having a good day. Al had his Band of Brothers group this morning and soon we are leaving for Hackensack. Our first stop is to see a friend at Birchview which is so wonderful that it is now open for visitors. I am going to Share and Care before having my hair cut and then on to meet Joe for his birthday and transfer gifts and birthday cake etc into his car. Ann isn’t feeling good so we have to cancel our plans to go to the lake to celebrate there.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

What is your image of God? We all have different images of Him but none of them are inadequate to describe our great God who is so beyond words and our understanding. We try by using visual words such as rock, shepherd, lover, potter, guide, deliverer but none of them can fully capture His greatness. Our image of Him is often formed when we are very young and how we related to our parents. For some it may seem like God is a policeman who is watching us, or a Santa who gives us what we want, or a distant person who we can’t get close to etc. Many images we have are unhealthy and hopefully we grow to see God more like what we find in the Word. Our image of God is important as it has a lot to do with the direction of our spiritual journey and seems to point us in a certain way. In my own life, I think I felt like God was going to require of me things that were too difficult and I remember being fearful. We gest that it was because my mom expected that I would walk by myself from the cabin to the outhouse at night; and at 3 years old, I could only imagine what animals were lurking by, and especially the possibility of a skunk or bear. But hopefully we outgrow the kind of images that illicit fear or limit God and our view of Him changes. He is mighty and great and powerful and yet love! We are influenced also by the teaching we get in our churches, songs we sing, and even the culture we grew up in. On our wall in the dining area we have Rembrandt’s painting of the Prodigal Son returning and notice that the father’s left hand is masculine and his right hand is feminine to help us realize God is beyond male and female in our understanding too. We need to ask ourselves if our image of God brings up feelings of fear and dread or if it floods us with love and grace. One thing we do know is that God is seeking us and wants to bring us into a close relationship. Jeremiah 29:13-14, (The Message) says, “When you come looking for me, you’ll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.” May we let go of our false images of the Lord, and see Him as our loving Father pursuing us.

Challenge for today: Spend some time picturing yourself as the prodigal son returning home and being welcomed by your loving Father.

Blessings on the rest of your day and prayers and love, Judy

December 15, 2020

December 15, 2020 / Judy Hendrickson / 0 Comments

Dear Ones,

Hope you are having a good day. Kurt and Bo stopped to see us on their way home this morning and showed us pictures of Kurt on the ice after a sauna with only a towel on. ( And that also means walking all the way from the sauna down the hill too!) They got lots done at the Silver Chateau and time to relax. I got cookies baked, went to Aldi’s, and getting things ready to go to the Lake tomorrow to celebrate Joe’s birthday.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

One of my daily prayers is that I would be more aware of God’s presence throughout my day; that I might see the Lord in all that is happening and experience His grace. Some of you know I love greeting cards; I love getting them but I really love to send them. The Lord also knows that, and just yesterday Al took a call from a friend whose lovely Christian mother died and she is going through all of her things. She invited us and others to help ourselves to some things left that she needs to dispense with. I had only 10 minutes before I had to go to an appointment but His gift was waiting for me under a table. What do you suppose I found? Bags of cards of all kinds to send! I felt as if the Lord was smiling and I just gave Him thanks. Later I went back with a friend, whose health does not permit her to go shopping any more. And she found a whole new wardrobe of clothes that were just her size and even shoes and slippers. I rejoiced even more as I had remarked to Al in the morning that I felt sad for her as I could no longer take her shopping to the Mall. Isn’t the Lord full of surprises? He wants us to be awake and recognize His hand in our everyday life. Sometimes it is peace in the midst of what normally would be a tense situation and we know it is Him. There are many practices that also help us be mindful of Him since we have a tendency to drift and miss what God is up to in our lives. Some feel fasting helps them to be more awakened, humble and open to the Lord. But that doesn’t just have to be fasting from food; it could be from e-mails or the TV or our phones. Some find it helpful to journal as they see a pattern in their life of how God may be leading them. Others practice hospitality or spiritual formation. There are many spiritual practices that help direct us back to the Lord and to wake us from our routines and become mindful. In I Thess. 5:6 we are told to keep awake. We are to be alert and awake to what God is saying and wants to do in our lives. Each of our journeys is unique and planned out by the Lord, so we have to see what works best for us at this time in our lives. As we grow in Him, we may need to let go of some practices and go on to something that is new to us. But we will know as we will experience His grace and be drawn closer to Him.

Challenge for today: Ask the Lord to help you be mindful and aware of His presence in your life.

Blessings on your day and prayers and love, Judy

December 14, 2020

December 14, 2020 / Judy Hendrickson / 0 Comments

Dear Ones,

Hope you had a wonderful weekend. We had church virtually yesterday even though we all gathered together, our pastor’s son was sick so his family stayed home as a precaution. Today I made cookies and a big pot of chicken stew. I had trouble with my computer again yesterday and they think it is in the hardware. I ordered a new computer and when it comes I will be without a computer for a few days while they transfer things over to my new one… so no devotions on those days.

Devotions from Judy’s heart

We all like to think of ourselves as honest and truthful but are we that way with God? Do we pray and tell Him what we think He wants to hear or do we tell it like it is? Jesus was very open with His Father and expressed all kinds of emotions like grief, anguish, anger, compassion etc. Since He didn’t suppress what He was feeling inside, neither should we, for after all He knows even our thoughts. It is helpful to own our emotions, even negative ones, and welcome them as a guest for they tell us a lot about ourselves. They are like an alarm that goes off as the Lord is trying to tell us something. As we learn from them, we can then release them and say farewell, knowing the Lord is seeking to draw us closer to Him. Of course, we’d all love to live continually in deep connection with the Lord, experiencing joy and peace and sensing the warmth of His love. But there may be times when we go through what is called desolation or a dark night when we feel isolated from God and others. Saint Teresa lived for 50 years in spiritual darkness, feeling cold and forgotten, but she walked by faith and didn’t let her feelings control. She let go her images of God and served Him with much love. We may not go through a dark night but we sometimes go through times of confusion and wonder what is God up to. Certainly, Job must have wondered that when so many catastrophic things happened to him and his family…but He still trusted even though He didn’t understand at the time. Or what if we were in Joseph’s place and trying to make sense of Mary’s pregnancy when he knew the child was not his; yet He obeyed the angel’s message and followed God’s leading. The more we grow in the Lord, the more we realize we don’t know. There is so much that remains a mystery and may not be explained to us, but one day we will know. For now, our part is simply to keep moving forward with the Lord, even if it is baby steps, and all the while, trusting Him. May our prayer be as Paul’s in Eph. 1:17 (God’s Word), “I pray that the glorious Father, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, would give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know Christ better. Then you will have deeper insight. You will know the confidence that He calls you to have and the glorious wealth that God’s people will inherit. “

Challenge for today: Be honest with the Lord and trust Him in things you don’t yet understand.

Blessings on your week and prayers and love, Judy

Canaan's Rest

Page 189 of 368

December 23, 2020

December 22, 2020

December 21,2020

Rescuing a Brother

December 19, 2020

December 18, 2020

December 17, 2020

December 16, 2020

December 15, 2020

December 14, 2020

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