Weeping may last for a night,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Psalm 30:5
                                                    
Good morning, my dear ones,

          It has been several months since I last sat at my computer to write to you.  My messages have always been entitled Joy in the Morning as inspired by God many decades ago.  And if you are one of my followers, you know I always try to keep it real, telling stories and trying to help you find inspiration and encouragement to experience joy in your life.
          As such, I am sharing my very personal struggle to find glimpses of light in my season of sorrow.  I have had three different types of cancer in the last two years, two surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation and continue on meds.  Jim was my rock as he always has been.  I could not have traveled on this journey without his support.  He was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer and a bacterial infection in his lungs about the same time so we were both fighting serious illnesses.  And just when we both appeared to be recovering and gaining strength, Jim’s body could take no more treatment and within two weeks, he was gone.  Oh, God, help me continue to write.  It’s so painful to share but if it helps one person to know that they are not suffering alone and that God has not abandoned them and is, in fact, very near holding you tenderly in his arms, I’ll continue on with my story. 
    Losing my dear Jim, my partner of 56 years, well, the pain is excruciating.  I struggle to be functional. I also understood that I desperately needed help to begin healing.  Grief is not a problem to be fixed, but a journey one has to travel step by stumbling step for the rest of life.  I knew I needed guidance so I found, with I am sure God’s help, a grief counselor who spent most of his career helping cancer patients and their families. What an amazing fit!  I joined a weekly support group.  I bought recommended books and a study guide and began the hard work of facing my uncertain future.  I would be remiss if I did not mention my close friends who provided little glimpses of sunlight by carefully and lovingly listening and not judging.  My oldest son and his wife put their house on the market and moved in with every animal in Noah’s ark.  Just kidding, it only seems like it, but activity and bustle have returned to this so silent house.  My youngest keeps me busy with lunches, dinners, and outlet shopping.  In these ways, God has blessed me and I am grateful.
          My faith in a good God has not wavered.  In fact, I am so comforted by Jesus’ words, “Because I live, you shall live also” (John 14:19).  My Jim has a new healthy spiritual body, have no idea what that looks like, but I believe.  The Holy Spirit is my comforter reminding me of God’s promises. 
This weeping season is a daily struggle even with all the amazing support.  My message to you is:  Whatever you are currently going through, you are not alone.  I could not pretend that I was okay. As difficult as it may be, be real.  Christians suffer greatly on this earthly journey.  Don’t walk alone.   Reach out for help.  Please don’t give up.  Jesus said, “In this world you will have tribulation. . .” (John 16:33).  The “be of good cheer” part reminds us to look for glimpses of sunlight, to seek The Light. Weeping may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning.
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Prayer:  Lord, in this season of darkness, help us, your children, embrace you as our Loving Father trusting in your protection and guidance.  Be the lifter of our heads.  Amen and amen.
                                 Your, keeping it real, friend,
                                                    Linda   

Never before or since has there been a day like that one                                                                                                   Joshua 10: 14 (NLT)
 
 
Hello Dear Friend,
          Have you discovered the child within you that is yearning to be free?  Children take great delight in the simple things of life.  Running around in the backyard with a canning jar with holes punched in the lid and catching lightning bugs was one of my favorite summer pastimes.   Or mom would tie a towel around the neck of my brother and his imagination would soar as he raced from room to room waving his light saber.  Every day is an adventure when you’re three. 
          How about you?  Do you wake each day ready for an exciting journey?  What a miracle we have been given—twenty–four hours to savor new quests and discoveries!  If you are in a pattern of living whereby each day is the same, change it up, rev it up, and get excited.  As adults, too often we focus on the broken faucet, the Visa bill, or the looming sneer on the face of our boss. I know you have those bone-tired, doomsday moments, or months, or years.  You and I need to lighten up.  God says, “He will fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy” (Job 8:21). Laughing and shouts of joy are not just childhood utterances.  When was the last time you had a good belly laugh?   Trust God with your troubles.  In truth, there is always something we can choose to worry about.  Let’s make a new choice.  Let’s choose a new attitude.   God wants you to laugh—to enjoy your life—to experience wonder and awe at each sunrise and praise and thanksgiving at sunset—to say “never before or since has there been a day like that one.”   Isn’t it time you tried something new? 
          Ask God to fill you with enthusiasm and power.  Tell him you’re ready for an adventure.  Then get off the couch, tie that terry towel around your neck, grab your light saber, and prepare to go where no man has gone before.   Let’s enjoy being a child of God!    Linda
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​Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.  Luke 9:62
Good morning, dear one,
          Our scripture today in Luke 9 comes after a section in which Jesus is addressing several who had made excuses as to why they must delay following Jesus.  When we “put our hand to the flow” we must be ready for a lifetime relationship with Christ.  Many approach the altar and accept the Lord as their Savior.  But will they follow Him?  When you look back, you are not all in. As a follower, you must do it with your whole heart, not looking back with regret on earthly pleasures, wealth, position or honors. My Bible’s heading for this portion of scripture is “The Cost of Following Jesus.”   Christ will not accept a “conditional” servant.  Matthew 7: 24 says, “Anyone who listens to my words and follows (is convicted by, believes them, writes them down and puts them into practice) is wise.”  Jesus asks each of us, “Will you live this way?”  Are you an almost follower or all in follower?  In Matthew 5, Jesus tells you and I that we are to be the light of the world and warns us not to hide our light under a basket, but place our lamp on a stand where it spreads light to all. So, my question for you this week is:
List three ways your light is impacting the world?
1._______________________________________
2. ______________________________________
3._______________________________________
          Or, list your excuses.  Would Jesus accept your excuses as to why you are not following?    I have decided to follow Jesus.  Have you?  Linda

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  John 8:12 NIV

Good morning my dear friend,
​
          Well, I am on a roll this week.  A friend came to our house to visit and only mid-conversation did she say she was unvaccinated and she was also not wearing a mask.  She was well aware that Jim and I both have health challenges and yet chose to put us at risk for Covid.  Clearly that is not, according to my definition, loving and caring for your neighbor as Jesus commanded. According to Jesus, He wants us to follow him.  Not just believe in Him.  Not just sing hymns about Him.  Not just wear a cross around our neck to identify ourself as a believer.  He clearly said, “Follow me” which implies an action; to step out in faith, out of our comfort zone, into our neighborhood, our community to show Christ’s love in action. He also commanded us to look after the orphans (young children unable to get the vaccine) and widows (the elderly). Get your vaccination and/or wear a mask to protect your neighbor from this deadly virus.  Getting immunized has nothing to do with politics and everything to do with being a follower of Christ.  Love your neighbor.  Are you?   Here is my challenge to you this morning: 
List three active ways that you are following Jesus:
1.___________________________________________
2.___________________________________________
3.___________________________________________
Would you be comfortable telling Jesus, “I can’t ___________________ because_____________?”    Would Jesus accept your excuses as to why you are not following?   More on excuses next week.  Be ready!
          I have decided to follow Jesus.  Have you?
                               Linda

Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Proverbs 4:25

​Just for you, dear one,

          One day at a time, one choice at a time. I am learning not to look back and think about the good old days.  Maybe they weren’t as wonderful as I remember them to be. LOL!   And I certainly can’t predict the future. So being in the moment each day, even one morning or moment at a time is my goal. There calm in my soul by “just being.”  Just to be is a blessing.  Just to live is holy. 
          Each day I let go of all scary thoughts and concerns.  When my hands are formed into tight fists, I cannot open my hands to receive anything God is trying to send my way. It is then that I ask myself this question: “Does this support the life I’m trying to create?”  When I practice letting go of fear, I feel calm and courage flows into my soul.  Friends, I can assure you that if you are spending your days worrying about what the future holds, you are not allowing God’s presence to fill you with peace.  Jesus said, “Peace, I leave with you.”  The life I am trying to create in 2022 is peaceful and joyful.  It truly takes practice to stop living in fear or entertaining worry thoughts.  But the reward of peace is so worth the effort.  Practice deep breathing.  Do this several times a day or whenever you feel Satan trying to disrupt your day.  Turn your eyes upon Jesus, and the things of this world will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace. Linda

Be ye transformed. . . Romans 12:2
 
Just for you, dear one,

          Another amazing year! What a blessing.  All of us wish to thrive, prosper, and find wonderful joy.  Many of us make new year’s resolutions which may or may not result in lasting change.  We are all trying to recreate our lives:  lose weight, find friendships and /or love, get our finances under control, whatever may be on your wish list.  The problem is that a wish is not a plan.  And plans sometimes get put on the back burner to deal with the urgent, the necessary, the pressing issue of the day.  Try asking yourself this question when faced with a choice:   "Does this support the life I’m trying to create?" Should I eat this cake?  Make this purchase? Say these words? 
          One day at a time, one choice at a time. If you throw a pebble into the water on one side of the ocean, it can create a tidal wave on the other side.  When you drop a new idea into the pond of your day, be aware you are creating a cascade of change. God bless you this coming year.  May your plans come true.
                                                                         Linda

Better one hand with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.  Ecclesiastes 4:6
Good morning, friend,
                   Twas the day after Christmas and all through the house. . .   You fill in the rest.  What are you feeling the day after? Relief? Sadness?  Regret? Loneliness?    What I can say safely say is that it’s over.  No need to dwell on the yucky details.  Speaking with friends yesterday and this morning, many of my dear ones had similar experiences.  Sometimes, I think trying for a Norman Rockwell experience is very much like chasing after the wind.  Better one handful of tranquility.
          So how does this apply to this moment?  This is no denying that our country, neighborhoods, and families are experiencing extreme stress.  Political unrest. Violence.   Covid overload, etc.  In a church I attended for many years, the service ended with everyone joining hands and singing Let there be peace on earth.  The last lyrics of the hymn remind us, and let it begin with me.  Peace begins when we go deep within and find the calm under the turbulent storm.  Practicing the Presence brings tranquility regardless of what is going on around us.  Stillness.  Peace.  Calmness.  Oh, Lord, let it begin with me.  The storm continues to rage around me.  I cannot control my circumstances in the outer, but I can go deeper and as I practice minute by minute returning to a centering Presence, calm sweeps over my soul, even if just for a moment.  My dear one, I wish you peace in the new year.  Don’t chase the wind. Just a handful of tranquility is enough for the moment.         Linda
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There were very many in the open valley and indeed they were very dry. Thus said the Lord to these bones, “Surely I will cause breath to enter into you and you shall live.                                                                                                                   Ezekiel 37:2-6
Good morning sweet ones,

          Twas the week before Christmas and all through the house, everyone was stressed and rushing bout the house, The cookies not baked, the stockings aren’t hung, the presents unwrapped, and ne’er a Christmas carol has been sung. 

          I can hear you, “Oh gosh, I have so much left to do including cleaning the house for guests, mountains of laundry, grocery shopping, and so the list goes on.”  For many years, I was right there with you.  Not this year.  I have choices to make.  I can kill myself getting everything perfect and be tired and grumpy and miss the magic and wonder of Christmas.  Or I can do what I can reasonably do and feel rested and joyful.  S0, I have a I’m not going “to do” list.  
          So, I ask you a simple question:  What can you cross off your long to-do list?  Now cross off more.  The Lord wants to breathe life into you and grant you peace.  Make time for the essential.  Christmas will come regardless and I want you to be rested and joyful.  You have a choice.  Stress or be blessed.  God said, “I set before you life and death, blessings and curses.  Now choose life so that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him” (Deut. 30: 15-20).   Choose wisely,                                                                         Merry Christmas,  Linda