SHELTER IN THE STORM

The Lord's our Rock; in Him we hide,
A Shelter in the time of storm;
Secure whatever ill betide,
A Shelter in the time of storm.
Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A weary land, a weary land;
Oh Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A Shelter in the time of storm.
Ira D. Sankey

Gone are days when we sang hymns in church that almost always painted a picture in our minds of God, His Son and His Spirit. Then, the music of the church said something to our hearts and spirits and not to our physical urges. The above words to an old hymn paints a picture of the Lord in our minds we cannot dismiss.

I can recall days when storm shelters were very familiar things, found usually in the back yard of houses. My Dad's parents had one that I don't think they ever used except to be a place to put jars of canned goods my Grandma had put up with veggies from her garden and cherries from her cherry tree. However, whether or not used for it's intended purpose, it was there should a weather calamity occur. A storm shelter was underground with a secure door on top. During a terrible storm or tornado a family was safe underground no matter the chaos that was occurring above ground. A family never knew how long they would be in that shelter so provisions had been made for food, lanterns for light and quilts to snuggle under. It was a place of safety, security and provision...all needs met. It wasn't a place where people lived...it was a temporary safe place until a storm was gone. It wasn't even a place we cousins could go into or play in. It was considered to be a shelter and shelter only...no playing.

There are in our day many dog shelters. I have known folks who have gone to such to find a new family pet and have had great success in that process. The dog in the shelter had perhaps come just from the streets, from abusive homes or having been a part of a litter of puppies owners just couldn't care for. Aside from the reasons, animals in a shelter have full provision...warmth, food, exercise, roof over their heads and perhaps medical help if affordable for the shelter. The dog isn't there because it wants to be. It's there because of great need and stays there until a permanent home can be found for it. A shelter whether for people or animals is meant to be only a temporary place.

In my recent review of Psalm 91, that is my favorite chapter in the Old Testament, I have been pouring over the first verse of that Psalm that also assures me of God's provision and protection:

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High
shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty

I am so blessed as I look at that verse and see the wonderful provision for shelter God has provided for my life. They may not be literal places in most instances but spiritually speaking, they are as real to me as the sun in the sky or the moon at night.

In that SECRET PLACE I am alone with Him and no one has to know I'm there or what is going on between me and my Father. I can pour out my heart to Him whether they be my concerns or yes, my joys as well. It's a place of comfort where I am accepted, loved and understood. I come apart frp, that place feeling refreshed where no one knew where I was for that moment. I was in my secret place where I felt sheltered.

All of us should appreciate SHADOWS. In the heat of a summer day, sitting in the shade of a tree in one's yard can be soothing. Folks who hike the trails in our mountains will tell you how much they love the trees along the way. Hikers can stop anytime along the trail and sit on a rock under the shade of a huge tree with many long limbs that are covered with leaves. There is protection from the heat of the sun bearing down, but are also refreshed by the breeze that comes from those rustling leaves while sitting in their shade. God has His way of providing shade for us in the heat of weary days. Shade from a tree too, is not permanent. It's meant to be a temporary stopping place to rest and catch one's breath.

We are such a blessed people as God has made every provision for our spiritual well being and safety if we will only learn to go to Him with our needs and yes, our fears. We must first feel the need of Him in those dire times. He's faithful in His watch care over us all the time but a shelter is a place we must voluntarily run to where God awaits with an open door.

For thou hast been a shelter for me,
and a strong tower from the enemy.
I will abide in thy tabernacle forever:
I will trust in the covert of thy wings.
Psalm 61:3,4

Thank You, Heavenly Father...for always standing ready with your open arms of safety and shelter for me. Help me to see You are the One to run to, not other human beings who can't begin to help and protect me like you can. I love you today and am so grateful for Jesus in my life....Amen.

THE JOY OF OLD LADYHOOD

So teach us to number our days,
that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom
Psalm 90:12

For the last several years, I have wondered why many women I have known, have resisted the inevitability of aging. It can be some of the best years of our lives or we can end up being bitter, miserable old ladies. Pardon my using the term “old lady” if you feel it isn't politically correct. Growing up, I heard most older ladies...50 and over...referred to old ladies all the time. They often would use the term with each other, but that would not be acceptable today.

I formed in my own mind what an old lady was when I was at the ripe old age of about 10 or 12 years old. I watched for characteristics of many older ladies it was my privilege to have any contact with. From so many of them, I picked up on things I saw I associated with being an old lady.

Tonight after my bath as I was putting lotion on my arms and hands I thought of a day I took our girls to see a dear older lady friend. Beverly wasn't in school yet as I recall. The sweet lady took hold of Beverly's hand and Beverly always having been an observant person looked at the back of the lady's hand. The lady noticed Beverly touching the skin on her hand and commented to Beverly “Those are wrinkles.” Beverly quickly said, “They aren't wrinkles, they are ruffles.” I looked at the back of my hands tonight and thought of that incident and quietly thanked the Lord for my “ruffles.”

Beverly's daughter Madelyn, has proven to be as perceptive as her mom. When Madelyn was three or there abouts, she and her mom were visiting with us for a few days. We went out on a mountain trail. I walked several feet in front of the three of them, and when I did, Brian said to Madelyn, “Who's that old lady up there?” I loved her reply as did Brian and I think of it often. Madelyn replied, “That's not an old lady...that's Grandma.” We've all in our childhood had the same observations at one time or another as we looked at those dear ones of age we loved and respected.
 

Let me share some things I observed at that young age by just watching old ladies I knew. Many of those things I would hope to incorporate in my own life, but I will pass on some of them.

I learned that one can pray out loud anytime, not just in church. I learned that from Aunt Ida who I could hear praying through her open front door when I would walk by her house. I also learned the same from Mrs Vineyard who often prayed in her chicken house down the alley from my house. I could hear her as clear as could be.

I thought when a old lady, you had to have a big, old, torn up Bible you carried to church. They also carried huge purses. When one is old, I didn't think they would want to carry heavy things. Some of those purses held candy that was passed out to us kids. I never saw one of them with kleenix...only nice cloth handkerchiefs sometimes with crochet trims on them.

There are some things I observed that I haven't adopted for myself at this stage of my life. Older ladies almost always wore hats to church...morning and evening. They all wore lots of perfume. They wore odd black, lace up shoes to church with small heels on them. The shoes didn't come above the ankle. They loved being with God's people and always seemed to be very pleasant to everyone.

If I saw older ladies during the week, they wore house dresses with an apron and many times a sun bonnet if they were working in their gardens. I just knew they all did crochet or knitting in their spare time. Some had health issues but for many, those issues amounted to bad colds. You didn't hear then of health issues like we hear of today.

There's more I could review but it causes me to look at my life, my activity, my spiritual walk and what service I can be in the Lord's work. I want to be a prayer warrior like many of those dear ladies were, faithful to God's house and feeling such a family spirit in my church family.

I love the promises of God regarding the aging process that we can claim in our everyday lives.

And even to your old age I am he;
and even to hoar (gray) hairs will I carry you;
I have made, and I will bear; even I
will carry, and will deliver you.
Isaiah 46:4

No matter our stage of life, God promises to be with us every minute of those stages. He wants us to stay in close relationship with Him. He wants us to seek His wisdom with all of life's decisions we are called on to make in these days. We need not resent or resist this wonderful stage of life. God isn't finished with any of us. We have the wisdom of life experiences to share with younger folks who ask. I choose to glance at the back of my hands, hands that have served in more ways than I can count, and be grateful to God for every “ruffle”.
 

Now also when I am old and grayheaded,O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation and thy power to every one that is to come. (Psalm 71:18)

Amen and Amen

DECISIONS, DECISIONS

Call unto me, and I will answer thee,
and shew thee great and mighty things,
which thou knowest not.
Jeremiah 33:3

We all have decisions to make in this life. Some are of great importance while others are everyday events. I think of the important decisions that have been most meaningful in my life...to accept Jesus as my Savior, where to go to college, where to work after college, who to marry and a few career choices that were of life-changing importance.
 

Every day, we make decisions. We decide what to eat, what errands to run, spiritual habits of the day, what phone calls to make, household chores to be done and after that mix, we decide when we're going to go to bed. Those decisions seem so routine, we don't even consider them to be decisions, but they are.

The older we become, it's amazing the decisions we are called on to make. With age, there are decisions to be made that may be physical in nature. For years, I went occasionally for physical checkups, didn't know what prescription drugs were and was a pretty healthy woman. With the years, those things have changed. I now decide about medications and types of doctors I need to see. Fifty years ago, we saw one doctor who did everything from treating bad colds to taking out tonsils. Such is not the case anymore. It's not unusual for our primary doctors to send us to ENT's for sore throats or ear aches, or to a cardiologist for a heart check. Everyone these days, it seems needs a specialist for whatever ails them. This creates even more decisions that have to be made.

The medical decisions don't bother me though as much as those things that affect my spiritual life. All decisions are important, no matter their nature, and God is interested in every decision. Every decision I'm called on to make is going to affect my life in some way. For instance, Scripture speaks to this activity of decision making that are of great help:

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE HEARD ALL THE FACTS ABOUT A SITUATION BEFORE MAKING ANY DECISION.

We are quick at times to “jump the gun” and make quick decisions without getting all the information we need. Prov. 18:13 tells us
He that answered a matter before he hearth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

WE SHOULD NEVER LEAVE GOD OUT OF OUR DECISION MAKING

God stands waiting for us to seek His wisdom and guidance as can be seen in
Psalm 25:4
Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.

NO MATTER THE DECISION, WE SHOULD ALWAYS MAKE A HABIT OF FLOODING OUR LIVES WITH.

Such can relieve us great anxiety not just during times of decision, but at any time in life. Philippians 4:6 gives wonderful words of advice.

Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

SEEK DIRECTION FROM GODLY PEOPLE
Sometimes in desperation, we seek out the quickest and best council we can find without regard to their walk of faith. I'm not talking about roofers, plumbers, etc. even though a Christian workman may be more trustworthy. Prov 12:15 speaks of wisdom as being a spiritual thing...wisdom being from God Himself.

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes; but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

TRUST IN THE LORD
Our world today doesn't encourage trust. There are folks who will let us down. No matter who those people are, they may not mean to break a trust with us, but it does happen. Jesus is THE One who will never let us down or lead us astray. He can be trusted through the thick and thin of life. Prov. 3:5-6 says:

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Notice that last phrase. In acknowledging Him, we are including Him in everything in our lives that affect us. It's a precious promise of His direction in our decision making.

Decision making where some really important things are concerned will come to us more often than we might wish them to. Jesus wants to be a part of all that concerns us. His offer of trust is just another way He shows His deep love for us. He will lovingly lead us in the right directions for our lives. He may use His Word or may bring others into our lives who become “Jesus with skin on” to be of valuable assistance for us.

Thank You Father, that You don't want to leave us drifting around with no direction in our lives. Help us to have such lives of prayer that it won't be a sudden event when we need to ask You for guidance at special times. We thank and love You for the love You shower on us that we don't deserve. In Jesus precious name....Amen

A GOOD NAME

A good name is rather to be chosen
than great riches, and loving
favour rather than silver and gold.
Proverbs 22:1

It was always interesting in high school watching girls writing boys names on their notebooks. The guy didn't have to be someone they were even dating...it could be just a crush. There was something of meaning for a girl just writing that name. When my husband and I were dating, I must admit I didn't even give a thought to doing that. Of course, I also wasn't in high school at the time. The day came when Brian proposed, I accepted and a wedding was planned.

About two weeks before the wedding, Brian brought me a bank card. He was opening a checking account for us and I had to sign the card. He may not remember that moment but it's as vivid to me as if it were yesterday. In that moment, I absolutely froze. It suddenly dawned on me that at the age of 30, I was taking on a new name. From anything I could learn about Brian, he was a godly man of character and integrity. His name wasn't mine quite yet, but I remember thinking I didn't want to bring any shame to that name. Once a name is tainted, it's very difficult to clean it up.

As I write, we are at our daughter Beverly's home in Florida where they have been for about eight weeks. Yesterday, she took us to the Holy Land Experience near Orlando. I had heard of this place and wanted to go to it but never had reason to even visit Florida until now. So much of it was wonderfully fascinating and all was done with great class from the surroundings to presentations. While walking across the temple plaza, I looked up and on a huge wall in front of me written in various scripts were those holy names of Jesus. I just stood there for a moment gazing at that wall. When reading any of those names, only clean and holy thoughts have to run through the minds of those reading that wall.

Just in looking at some verses in Scripture, it's refreshing see some things said about our Lord's name:

The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

Proverbs 18:10

Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O Lord; tho art great, and thy name is great in might. Jeremiah 10:6

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12

There are so many other verses that speak of our Lord's name that would be too many to list but in the final analysis, Philippians 2: 9-11 is the capstone for me with regards to that precious name.

Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him,
and given him a name which is above every name;
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
of things in heaven, and things in the earth,
and things under the earth.
And that every tongue should confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of
God the Father.

Why do some folks curse using God's name? I believe it's because it's the most powerful name anyone could possibly use to make their point. It also speaks of who and what they are in their standing before God.

What about our names? When someone hears our name spoken in a group of people who would know us, what would come to their mind? This is where our testimony is at stake not just before Christians but before the world. A good name, once smeared through worldly activity and associations, is easily damaged perhaps for a lifetime. The loser of the good name is often oblivious to what is involved in such a loss. Solomon tells us in his book of Proverbs, 22:1:

A good name is rather to be chosen than
great riches, and loving favour rather
than silver and gold.

Any time our name is mentioned, it should speak in the mind of others the things of God and goodness. We aren't perfect but Jesus in our lives and His Words on our lips should be of notice to others. May it be so in our lives.

Dear Father, I never want to besmirch Your name in any way. May I always bring honor to it in all I do or say. Thank You for all of Your precious names I see in Your Word. I love you Amen.