Be ye transformed by the renewal of the mind!  Romans 12:2

Hello sweet tired one,

          I’m a truth-teller.  So here goes!  I’m tired, weary, and worn out.  According to Webster, to be “worn out” means damaged to the point of being no longer usable.  As you might well guess, my joy level is one degree above zero.  I’m tired of bad news about the Coronavirus.  I’m tired of racial strife.  I’m tired of political commentary.  I’m tired of being in quarantine.  My body is tired from by battle with PMR.  And from conversations with friends, you are feeling the same.  Clearly, you and I need some good news.  I am a great believer in bibliotherapy so I headed to Amazon books and perused books on renewal.  And low and behold, by coincidence or God-intervention, I found a book by Rebekah Lyons called Rhythms of Renewal: Trading Stress and Anxiety for a Life of Peace and Purpose.  Couldn’t wait for it to arrive and begin reading. 
          So here is my message for this week taken from Rebekah’s book.  There are four rhythms that help us regain life-giving peace:  Rest.  Restore.  Connect.  And Create.  Let’s you and I focus on the first renewal principle of rest.  It’s a biblical mandate.  God calls the day of rest holy.  Much of my stress is from an over-saturation of news.  So, for this week, I am limiting my access to technology to one hour a day. I will renew my mind with soothing music, walks in nature, and reading uplifting books.  So, friend, are you with me?  Do you want to re-capture your joy?  Let’s begin now. Say with me:

Affirmation:  I will quiet my mind and seek rest for my soul.
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                                                              Linda

 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
                                                                                          Proverbs 31:10

Virtue (noun)  a beneficial quality, feature, or trait leading to excellence; advantage or goodness.


Hello dear one,
  
         
            Friday I was the officiant at a memorial for a loved and wonderful wife and mother.  After speaking with her daughter, Proverbs 31 came immediately to mind as the topic of my message.  She was a faithful wife for 64 years and clearly “her children arise up, and call her blessed” (verse 28).  So, my question to you this week is, do you know a virtuous woman or man?                         
            What makes a person virtuous in our culture today?  I remember the good, old days when I was a young woman.  A first kiss was not payment for taking me to the movies or even out for a lovely dinner. Webster defines a kiss as a touch with the lips as a sign of love, sexual desire, reverence or greeting.  I have never greeted anyone with a kiss unless it was with a quick smooch on the cheek of a close friend or relative.  That first kiss on the lips was reserved as a sign of genuine affection.   And, oh my, how special it was!  And moving in together meant that your groom swept his bride into his arms and carried you across the threshold into your new home.  Did you catch the word “groom?”  Showing my age?  Maybe!  But I wouldn’t change a moment.
             Jim and I taught a course entitled, “Love is a decision” based on a book by Gary Smalley.  When a person tells me they are in love, I always ask, “What you do love?”  And the answers are telling.  I am always looking for virtuous qualities.  Not the, “He is so cute.”  Maybe I’ll write more next week about love as a decision.  For this week, think of a virtuous man or woman you know.  What do you admire about him/her?  Better question maybe?   Are you virtuous?  Not too late, start now.
                                                                        Linda

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
                                                                             Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)
Good Morning Sweet Soul,
          I have been known for my booming voice in the classroom or from the pulpit. Microphone not working, stressful for some, not for me.    My voice carries.  What you might not know about me is that I hate conflict and angry arguments.  In my childhood, my favorite place was my bedroom closet where I would often retreat from loud shouting matches between my parents. Dad would raise his voice and mom would raise her voice louder.  The situation would escalate and most often the declared winner would be the one who shouted the loudest and longest.  Therefore, it is probably no coincidence that I married a strong, silent type. 
            In our marriage we have disagreements as all couples do, but we do not fight.  In our first year of marriage I betrayed a secret I had been asked to keep for a very good reason.  This was the first time I had ever seen Jim angry.  And he wanted so badly to say something mean and that simply is not his nature at all.  So, in a somewhat raised voice, at least for him, he said, “You, you, you old hen.”  That was as mean as he would go.  And then we both burst out laughing because I was the ripe old age of twenty-one. 
            In marriage, parenting, friendships, heck, even with strangers there are scenarios that trigger our emotions and cause anger.  I find it is important to voice your opinion and defend your point of view.  But if you raise your voice and they raise their voice, the real issues become secondary to who can shout the loudest.  I love the Message Bible interpretation of the above scripture, “Fools are leaky faucets, dripping nonsense… Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim.”   Let’s you and I choose our words carefully this week and always.  Let us pray for peace to reign supreme in our homes and in our nation.          
                                                                                                         Linda

God gives wisdom to those who ask.  James 1:5

Dear friend,
            Wow, sometimes I feel like I am surrounded by negativity.  Our state now has over 13,000 hospitalized with Covid and over 4,000 new cases each day.   I wear my mask every time I leave the house only to be met with two men at Lowes who ridiculed me and called me stupid.  Job losses abound and many insist it is safe to reopen yet, restaurants are closing as fast as they are re-opening.  Many insist it is safe to eat indoors without social distancing.   Black lives matter marches on our streets are met with quite differing viewpoints also.    So, I feel like I must be careful in my conversations.  There does not seem to be a middle ground on these and other issues that is safe to discuss.  So, how does a Christian respond with love to those with differing and /or offensive views.

            First, humility is crucial, and your perspective is critical to handling the person as Jesus desires. Try not to view the person as a “negative person” but respect, pay attention to, and love them. Do not violate his dignity—no matter how aggravating he is or has been.

            Next, it’s important to pray for the negative person in question. Also, pray for wisdom and for God to reveal to you what to do next and about how to proceed. Be aware that the best way to deal with a negative person may simply be to limit your contact with him, if possible.   If they are family, it is still okay to reduce the amount of time you spend with them.  It’s also important not to feel guilty about this, argue with them, or get drawn into their drama.  This is your life.  You have a right to your opinion.  You have a God-given mandate to “Choose Life” (Deut. 30:19).  You’ve got to accentuate the positive—eliminate the negative.  Do it today.    I wish you joy today and always.
                                                               Linda      
                                                                          

​Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, -Colossians 3:9-11
 
Hello Dear one,
 
          Was watching an interview with Megan McCain this morning and she was lamenting that she doesn’t know what or who to believe anymore.  I’m with her.  For instance, pick a topic like wearing a mask. At the onset of Covid only first responders had to wear a mask and it had to be an N19. A few weeks later an announcement came out that everyone should be wearing a mask in public.  Lying or just new information.  Not sure. 
 
          Are you having trouble believing your friends?  When I am on Facebook it looks as if no one has an imperfect family or child.  Happy birthday to a talented, sweet, and straight A student who loves to clean her room and help her little brother with his chores.  Really!   Boasting or wishful thinking.
 
          Where do you draw the line on lying?  Do you pretend not to hear your cell phone ringing and not answer?  Is that lying?  Do you say you can’t help with the latest fundraiser because of work commitments?  Is that true or a little white lie?  Isn’t a white lie “a lie?”
 
          Let’s start a new trend.  Let’s promise each other that for one week only, we tell the truth.   Praying for a spiritual awakening of moral values.                                                                         Linda

​My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.                                                         John 15:12-13
 
Good Morning weary one,
        It seems on the surface that the world is a frightening place.  Jim and I are still quarantining.  Going outside in public seems daunting.  And now racism is once again rearing its ugly head.  It was always there, but now its headlines on the news, on our streets, and occupying our mind space.  If you are like me, I weigh the right to protest with abhorring the violence and rooting. How can we make our voices heard? How can we make a difference? The issues loom so large; change seems out of reach. As I lay in bed last night, this verse from John keep swirling in my head and I had a new understanding of this verse.  It brings me new hope.  Let me explain.
        To lay down one’s life does not necessarily mean to die.  It means to die to self interest and truly demonstrate love for another.  I see this in the brave first responders.  They are putting aside their lives, their wants, their desire for fun and distraction and lovingly serving their fellowman.  Nurses leaving their families and risking their lives to care for Covid 19 patients.  Clerks in stores are loving as Jesus commanded to make sure we have food on our tables.  And protesters leaving their homes and the comfort therein and walking in the streets demonstrating their love for people of color who are denied basic rights.  If we really look carefully, we see love in action.  Thousands upon thousands laying aside their lives in the service of others.  Let us look for the good.  The innate goodness in all of us.  Look deeply into your own heart.  Drop the idea of separateness and think, “Just like me.”  He desires love and respect, just like me.  He wants a good paying job, just like me.  She wants equal opportunity, just like me.  She wants quality healthcare, just like me.  When we confess with our mouth and lay aside our wants to work to achieve equality, we are loving as Jesus commanded us to love.  What can you do?  How do you lay down your life for your friend?  Please start by being kind in your words and actions to those who differ from you in color, sexual orientation, or political affiliation.  Start a revolution of loving others who crave acceptance; just like me.   Be the change you want to see.  I ask you this week to see the good, loving people laying down their lives for their friends and the world becomes a better and less scary place for us all. 
                                   Spread the love, see joy in the possible,
                                                        Linda
       

Just what do you want me to do?    
                               
Hello family,

          I mean that in the best sense of the word, “family.”  We are family, red and yellow, black and white, we are precious in his sight. Jesus loves his children all over the world.  In our scripture this week, Micah pictured a court of law with Israel on trial before the Lord. God asked, “What have I done to you?  I have done nothing but good to Israel, and have been repaid with rejection and rebellion.”  Then God tells the people “remember” and He lists all that He has done for his people.  So, the people reply, “What do you want me to do?”  The prophet Micah asks this most crucial question in the midst of injustice and violence in 8th century B.C.E. Judean society.  Seems society hasn’t changed and God’s challenge is the same to us in May 2020.  God’s requires us: “To do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Do Justly means to act in a just, fair way toward others.  Treat them as you would want to be treated.  Love Kindness  is not to just show mercy, but love mercy; to give the kindness and mercy you want to receive from others.  Walk Humbly.  Don’t just act humbly.  Humility must be in your heart and overflow in every act you perform.  Black lives matter.  All lives matter.  And God calls each of us to a ministry of reconciliation with God and with our neighbor.  We don’t need a new leader to rise us to lead our country, we have such a leader: God. 
​Heed His word.                                                                                                                                                    Praying for the healing of our nation,                                                                                                                        Linda

​But, You O Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.                 Psalm 3:3
 
 
Good Morning Sweet One,
     I love to imagine in my mind Jesus seated beside me, maybe with his arm around my shoulders and, with a tender hand, he gently lifts my chin and softly, reassuringly smiles as I gaze into his tender eyes.  I have needed to visualize this scenario often during these weeks of quarantine.   It has been three months since I have even been in a grocery store and while I value my solitude for creative endeavors and study, this is getting a bit much.  At this time, I remember a bit of homespun wisdom from my mother.  One of her favorite sayings was, “God helps those who help themselves.”  We all want to complain, I get it!  But there comes a time for action.  Let me ask in the most loving way I can, “What are you doing to help yourself?”  We all need to reach out to help others but first we need to make sure that the help comes from a full heart.        What fills you up?  What takes your mind off of the virus?  If we don’t fill our minds with the good, Satan is ready and waiting to “steal, kill, and destroy your joy” (John 10:10).  Now is the time to practice self-care.  Read.  Draw.  Sew.  Do puzzles. Garden.  Walk. Give yourself a facial.  Do whatever it takes to draw your mind away from scary scenarios.  Jesus will not take your chin and force it upward.  He needs your cooperation. Do something today that will put a smile on your face and a song in your heart.   Let’s find joy today and every day.
                                                   Linda
 

 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask, dream, or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.    Ephesians 3:20

Good Morning Sweet One,                                                          
            Last week, I wrote to you about my new dining room:  the driveway.  These lovely six-foot distancing, seeing your lovely face visits continue to bring me such joy.

               It’s Sunday morning and, in my mind, I am sitting with you on my porch sharing Jim’s freshly brewed coffee and heartfelt conversation.  I so love talking with you and sharing our lives.   Living in quarantine, that is not possible right now.  But in my imagination, you are here with me and I wonder what would we be talking about.  Yes, we could spend precious time lamenting about our losses because of the Coronavirus.  And the losses are real and scary.  And we should grieve lives lost way too early.  And job losses.   And the inability to leave our homes without masks and gloves.  But out of every tragedy, comes wisdom if we allow ourselves to go deep within and seek truth.   I believe that is our task right now.  Re-imagining our lives. 

              Let me ask you a question.  What are you imagining and dreaming right now?   Pause and really reflect.  Are you imagining the worst thing that might happen? The “what if’s.” Or, are you wondering what your life will look like when this virus is no longer a threat?  And that time will come.  I have talked with many of you and there are parts of this quarantine that are a gift.  One very busy friend is biking with her son six miles every morning.  Great exercise and quality time never imagined before.  Another friend has found a great resurgence of energy and purpose making masks and distributing them to friends and first responders.  This blessing of solitude can spawn great dreams.  Don’t fixate on the negative.  God promises you more than you can every dream or imagine.  Don’t settle for mediocre.  Re-invent your life.  Re-ignite your passion.  Spark that ember of enthusiasm.  Live joyfully on purpose.  And that, my friend, is our morning conversation.
                                                                                                                                                                                  Dreaming of wonderful days ahead,                                                                                                                                                            Linda
 

    I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  Philippians 4:11

Good Morning, seeking one,
​
          We are facing a new normal.  Wearing a mask.  Social distancing.  Groceries being delivered to our doorstep. No hugging. No family dinners on Sunday.  And when circumstances are quite different, we tend to become agitated, depressed, and/or lament our fate.  And that is a choice.  We can agonize or strategize.  Jim and I are really self-quarantined because of our age and health challenges.  But this week, we have super enjoyed a new normal:  driveway visits.
          Tara, a friend, brought us ice cream (and wine).  We put lawn chairs in our driveway and donned masks and enjoyed a lovely visit.  What a blessing.  Audrey dropped off toilet paper and protective gloves.  We drove to Bev’s house.  She had made us the cutest masks and we socially distanced a driveway visit there.   Matt picked up curbside delivery for dinner and we ate on Tv trays in our new dining room, the driveway.   Driveway visits are our new normal and I am content.  So, let me ask you a question.  As you are seeking your new normal, might there be pieces of your new life you might want to embrace? What blessings have come from this self-quarantine?  What are you learning about down time?  Being with family 24/7?   Now is a great time to re-set your life.  And a good starting question to ask yourself is, “What makes me feel content?”                                                                                                                        Praying for your safety and contentment always,                                                                                                                                           Linda







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