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“When I am afraid, I will trust in you.  In God whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid.  What can mere mortals do to me?” Psalms 56:3-4

Capt. Rosemary Mariner died on January 24th this year after battling Ovarian Cancer.  She is the first female Navy pilot to command a naval aviation squadron. For the first time in history, on Feb. 2, all female pilots flew the Missing Man Flyover to honor her in her final resting place.  Capt. Mariner was a pioneer for women in the military, not only was she the first female Navy pilot, she also fought for a congressional measure that lifted a ban on women serving in combat. When Rosemary joined the Navy, most women were assigned to hospital posts or clerical jobs.  In 1973, when she joined, she was already a licensed pilot with a degree from Purdue University. The military didn’t know it, Rosemary might not have even known it, but times were about to change.

As of 2017, women make up 16% of active duty military.  Because of Rosemary’s efforts to allow women to fight in combat, Lt. Marina A. Hierl became the first woman to command an infantry platoon in 2018 for the Marine Corps. Women have come a long way in the military, they have fought hard to be able to fight for our country.  Whether or not you agree with women in combat, there are women who are so passionate about fighting for our country they have gone to rigorous lengths to have the privilege to serve. And they have given their lives, as Beverly Sue Clark did on Feb. 25th, 1991 in Afghanistan during Desert Storm.  She was a bridesmaid at my brother’s wedding, serving in the reserves, called into action. She was killed with several others when a Scud missile hit their barracks. She was a daughter, a best friend, and a fiance. She died at the tender age of 23, her life had yet to begin.

In this month of kindness, let’s remember our military.  Let’s remember the women in our military who have given all to be able to be overseas, serving our country, giving their lives for our freedom.  The holidays are coming up, now is the perfect time to put together care packages for them to arrive just in time for Christmas. If you have a loved one in the military, you’ll know exactly what to send.  If not, and you’d like to honor one of the women serving overseas, Operation Courage is Beautiful has different ways you can help send care packages.  Let’s reflect God to them as they face their fears. Let’s help them to know in Whom they should trust. As they fight for our country, let them know they are appreciated and loved, by God and us.  With God on their side, what can mere mortals do to them? May God’s presence be felt in every note, every package, every act of love our military personnel receive this holiday season. Let us not forget their sacrifice for the freedom we get to live in Christ here in America.

“The one who had contempt for instruction will pay the penalty, but the one who respects a command will be rewarded.”  Proverbs 13:13 CSB

Steve Prefontaine is someone who impacted my life, years after his death.  He was a runner for the University of Oregon from 1970-1973. He was coached by Bill Bowerman, co-founder of Nike.  I watched a movie about him over 20 years ago, which has never left me. Bowerman made Steve running shoes, using his waffle iron to make the rubber bottom.  I can vividly see the scene where he takes the rubber waffle off of the waffle maker and forms it into the bottom of a shoe. Steve had an illustrious career in running.  He competed in the 1972 Olympics, while training for the 1976 Olympics he set American records in every distance from 2,000-10,000 meters. He, along with several others, is credited with starting the “running boom” of the 1970’s.  But that isn’t why he impacted my life, he impacted my life because of his death, a scene from the movie I have never forgotten.

He had run a 5,000 meter race in a NCAA prep meet at Hayward Field in Eugene, OR.  Afterwards, he attended a party for the Finnish and American athletes that attended the meet.  A little after midnight on May 29th, 1975 he left to drive a couple of friends home in his MGB convertible. His blood alcohol level was 0.16, as I recall from the movie, people had tried to stop him from driving, but he wouldn’t listen.  Not long after he had dropped off his friends, his little convertible crossed the center line while going around a curve, jumping the curb and running into a rock wall, flipping the car. A nearby resident arrived quickly afterwards and found Steve alive, on his back, pinned under the wreck.  By the time the medics arrived he was gone. A bright future ahead, evaporated in a moment. If only he had listened when they told him not to drive.

We all are like Steve.  We all ignore valuable instruction from others.  Even more so, we ignore instructions from God. Rick Warren says, “You only believe the part of the Bible you do.”  He is not wrong, none of us obey everything in the Bible. We lie, we steal, we cheat, whether we admit it or not. White lies are still lies, taking pens from work is still stealing, and eating the cake when on a diet is still cheating.  We suffer the consequences of our sins, whatever they are. Steve suffered the consequences of his that night in the most dramatic way. Having contempt for instruction is easy when it doesn’t line up with what we want to do. Often, when God is giving us instructions, there is an element of sacrifice involved, sacrifice of self.  We have to make the decision, are we going to obey God, or are we going to obey self. Teachers are anyone in our lives that help us to grow, whether school, church or friends. A diploma isn’t necessary to be a teacher, but a heart for God and others is. Whoever has helped you grow in your walk with Christ, take the time to thank them today.

“Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end.”  Lamentations 3:22 CSB

I am not one of those people who thinks about taking meals to others in need.  I’m not quite sure why I’m like this. But I have people in my life who have this gift, and it amazes me.  My tennis partner has this gift. If she hears of someone that is sick, she takes a meal. If there is someone who is coming home off of a long trip, she takes a meal.  Whether it’s newlyweds coming home from their honeymoon, or a friend who has lost her husband, she takes a meal. A few weeks ago, we had a friend who was struggling. When I found out I immediately called to let my partner know.  She stopped in for a visit two days later to see what she needed. I’m not sure if this comes from being a mom, which she is and I’m not, or if it’s just the way God makes us. I do know, her actions of love are so immediate, so sincere, and they always bring comfort.  My goal is to be more like her. Although, I can’t cook nearly as well as she does, so there is that.

Here are some tips to keep in mind when you’re sending a meal to someone, they come from an article on Thriving Home, written by Polly.  First off, do what you love. Whatever your go to dish is, do it. Mine is lasagna, it’s one thing I make well, if I’m making a meal for someone, they’re getting lasagna.  Polly’s second tip is drop off a freezer meal, something they can have later. Also why I do lasagna, easily frozen. Polly also suggests taking something that transports easily, or a dry meal.  A dry meal is where some of the ingredients are uncooked, so there is some prep work required with them. If you don’t have time or don’t want to cook, send or drop off a gift card to a restaurant, order a pizza to be delivered or pick up carry out.  Another option is to offer to go to the grocery store for them and pick up whatever they want or need. And, there are websites where you can actually send a meal to them with a click of the mouse.

When we reach out to someone in need, we’re being God in the flesh for them.  We’re extending His mercy to them, whatever their situation may be. The Lord creates people who deliver casseroles effortlessly because they are an extension of His love.  He is faithful, and they are His servants putting His word into action. If you’re like me, and not go to casserole girl, it doesn’t mean He isn’t using you in some other way.  A person can only eat so many casseroles, but they are always in need of prayer and support in other ways. I am the go to note girl, my first inclination is to write a note letting them know I’m praying for them, God loves them and so do I.  Today though, I’m going to try and take a meal to someone in need, or order them a pizza, it could go either way. Have fun with it!

“I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, Lord, make me live in safety.” Psalm 5:8 CSB

September 11th will always be a day of remembrance for a world that changed forever when four planes veered from their scheduled flight plans.  I was on vacation, sleeping in that Tuesday morning, when my sister-in-law called to tell me what had happened. I remember the fear that overcame me as I wondered what the world was coming too?  I thought of my friends who lived in New York and wondered if they were OK. By the time the plane flew into the Pentagon I thought we were at war. Then the plane crashed in Pennsylvania, led by Todd Beamer and other passengers who sacrificed their lives for those on the ground.  A nightmare unfolding before our very eyes. I remember that night as I lay in bed thinking, “The world will never be the same again.” I remember feeling afraid for what the next day would bring. But with God, we can lie down and sleep in peace, for He is our safety.

We have no idea when horrific events will happen in our lives, whether individually or as a nation.  But we do have assurance, God is with us when they happen. God was with Jean and Dan Potter that day.  Jean was on the 81st floor of the North Tower when the plane hit. She describes what came to her in that moment, “This is not your time.  We are with you. Your brother is with you.” Her brother had died 2 years prior. She describes her trip down the stairs, how she felt relief when the crowd she was with reached the 20’s and they started to see the fireman racing up the stairs past them.  She felt God pushing her on, encouraging her to keep going, and she did. Her husband Dan, a fireman at the time, was in Staten Island when the attack happened. He arrived just in time for the South Tower to collapse. Jean had passed his lieutenant, Vinny Giammona on her way out of the building as he raced up the stairs.  He was one of 60 firemen Dan knew personally who died that day. 343 Fireman died as they rushed in to save the lives of those in the building. There are no words that can do justice for what people endured that day.

Dan had to retire from firefighting as a result of the injuries he suffered.  They both had severe PTSD they had to overcome in the years that followed. Their book, “By God’s Grace: A Survivor’s Story of Love, Hope and Healing” details the events of that day in their life.  But this quote from Jean speaks volumes: “He was with all of us that day, and I don’t want people to think that we were so special because we were saved,” Jean said. “I mean it wasn’t our time, and He was with those who were passing over, and it’s just a great privilege to speak about Him.”  God only knows why some were spared and others weren’t, but He was with them all. In Him, we can find safety.

Today is a day the world needs encouragement, use social media today to help you spread it.

“Let a wise person listen and increase learning, and let a discerning person obtain guidance.” Proverbs 1:5 CSB

In an article titled, “Six Lessons on Good Listening” by David Mathis, he gives us some good advice on how to listen well.  In order to be a good listener, we need patience. We have to take the time to let the other person talk without interrupting them.  Remembering good listening is an act of love can help us have the patience to listen. Asking perceptive questions, questions that require more than a yes or no answer,lets the person know you are listening to what they are saying; they will know you want to hear more.  Another point David brings up, good listening is a ministry. Taking the time to listen to someone allows them to share their heartache, or their joys. Sharing our hearts is what ministry is all about. Listening allows us to speak well. When we pay attention to what is on a person’s heart, we can respond with words of love and grace.  Good listening also reflects our relationship with God. When we are listening to someone pour their heart out to us, we are reflecting to them what God does for us when we pray. If we want to speak more than we listen, we could be doing the same thing with God. We could be talking to God more than we are listening to Him. Patience is a virtue, but so is listening.

I was standing in line to weigh in at WW yesterday.  I ended up in a conversation with the lady behind me in line.  We started talking about marriage. She told me she had been married three times, twice to the same man.  I asked her how that happened, I never expected what she said next. She told me about her mid-life crisis where she left her friends and family and moved to Idaho.  Why Idaho? Because it was clean, she had driven through it once and liked it. She only stayed for about a year and half after divorcing her husband before she moved back to the area.  Her and her ex-husband re-connected and they will be celebrating 20 years of marriage this year, plus the 17 years they had been together the first time around, 37 years in total. This lady warmed my heart as she shared her life story with me.  The love in her eyes as she talked about how he had forgiven her and taken her back, melts my heart to think of now. But I would have never known her story if I hadn’t taken the time to listen and ask perceptive questions. Taking time to listen to someone is something I have to work at.  I tend to be an over-scheduler, so I typically don’t have much margin in my schedule. I’m learning though, if I leave more margin in my schedule, I have more time to stop and listen. When I stop and listen, God never ceases to amaze me with what I hear. Take time to listen to someone today, you won’t regret it.

“The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of our God remains forever.” Isaiah 40:8 CSB

The Bible was written in three languages: Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek.  There are approximately 611,000 words.   Over 40 authors contributed to it’s writing, which took place over three continents: Asia, Africa and Europe. Jeremiah is the longest book in the Bible, 3 John the shortest.  No one knows who wrote the book of Hebrews, there are several books in the Old Testament that the author is unknown. There are 21 dreams recorded in the Bible, and 185 songs.   Genesis is believed to be the first book actually written down, somewhere around 1450 B.C., approximately 3400 years ago. Prior to writing down the books of the Bible, they were passed from generation to generation orally.  The entire Bible took over 1500 years to write. Between 1946-1956 in Qumran caves north of the Dead Sea, the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. 981 manuscripts were found in 11 caves, 40% of them were from the Old Testament, confirming its validity.  Every book of the Old Testament with the exception of Esther and Nehemiah have partial or complete manuscripts found in these caves. Thank God there wasn’t texting back then, we may not have any of this information.

The digital age is a wonderful time to live in for its convenience.  However, there is power in the written word. There is character in the written word.  When someone puts pen to paper, they are putting their heart into their words. Taking time to write someone a note, like God did for us through the written word of the Bible, shows love.  Writing a note takes time, much more time than it takes to send a text or email. The beauty of writing is the attention it requires. When we write our thoughts down, we have to focus on what we’re going to say.  Unlike when we’re in a conversation and words come flying out of our mouths before we have time to think about what we’re actually saying, writing gives you the time to give your words thought. Then we have time to go back over them and ask ourselves questions.  Is that really what I’m trying to communicate? How will this be received by the recipient? Once we answer those questions we can edit our words to be more precise in our meaning. And written letters last much longer than a text. Letters can be held, re-read, even hugged.  I have cards my Mom sent me over the years, now that she has passed, I can re-read them and for a moment, feel her presence again. Her hand written letters bring me comfort long after she is gone.

Take time to write someone a note today.  If you have one, insert a Scatter Card for them to pass onto someone else.  Do as God did, write from your heart how much they mean to you, how much you love them, how grateful you are for their presence in your life.  My favorite part of writing notes is when I slip it into the mailbox. I always smile, knowing I’m sending someone else a smile in the mail. Let’s send some smiles today!

“This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”  Romans 5:5 CSB

Leaving change on a wishing fountain is giving someone hope.  Whoever picks up the quarter will have a momentary sense of wonder as they decide what they will wish for, before flipping the coin into the fountain with hope of its fulfillment.  Hope is a commodity this world can use more of, as evidenced by Hayden Philpot when he stood by a flag pole and prayed. “See You at the Pole” is a movement which started a few years ago.  Students all around the world gather at flagpoles at their schools and pray for the upcoming year. Wed, Sept. 25th is this years “See You at the Pole Day,” it falls in the middle of Global Week of Student Prayer from Sept. 22nd-28th, more information can be found here.  Hayden was the only one to show up at the flagpole at Lake Minneola Highschool in Sept. of 2017.  He thought others would show up as well, but when they didn’t, he simply asked God to use him. He was the coin that God left on the wishing well for the rest of Hayden’s community.

A passerby noticed Hayden praying by himself and took a picture and posted it on Facebook, the post went viral.  The post said: ““I commend the young man that stood alone at Lake Minneola High School’s ‘See You at the Pole Day.’ I weld up with tears, happy tears, proud tears. I honestly didn’t know that it was today until after I had left and heard it on the radio. Please take a moment today to pray for our children, school, teachers, and administrators. Pray for protection over them, guidance, wisdom, and a wonderfully blessed year.”  Hayden gave hope to a community by his obedience to God. Hayden prayed specifically as he stood alone at the pole; ‘God, as people drive by, let them wonder, let their hearts be pricked.’ Hayden’s prayer was answered, people did wonder, their hearts were pricked.  He stood physically alone that day, but God saw him. God knew his heart, He answered his prayer, Hayden’s wish came true.

When you toss a coin into a wishing well, it causes ripples.  Ripple effect is the ripples that keep expanding outward when an object is dropped into it.  Hayden caused a ripple effect when he stood alone by the flagpole. The first ripple was the passerby that saw him and snapped a picture, then posted it.  From that ripple hundreds and thousands more spread throughout the world as the picture went viral. God dropped Hayden by a flagpole and used him to ignite a movement and spur it on.  The ripples are still going, this devotional is another ripple of a teenage boy having the courage to stand alone and pray. He’s giving me hope, and I’m sharing it with you. If there isn’t a wishing well for you to leave a coin at today, you be the coin.  Let God drop you where you need to be today. If you don’t know what to do when you get there, pray like Hayden. Ask God to use you, wherever you are, then watch as the ripples begin to flow from you. Ripples of hope that comes from a heart full of Jesus.

“Each person should do as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or out of compulsion.” 2 Corinthians 9:7 CSB

Benjamin Franklin, renowned scientist and politician, had a rival in the legislation back in his day.  He had a unique way of dealing with him, he asked him for a favor. He asked him to borrow a book. Franklin had heard his rival had a rare book that he wanted to read; Franklin wrote him asking to borrow the book, he let him.  A couple of weeks later when the guys run into each other, his rival isn’t as hostile as he had been previously. Not only is he not hostile, but they ended up becoming friends. This story, found in Franklin’s autobiography, is known as the Benjamin Franklin Effect.  Researchers have found, when you do a favor for someone, especially someone you slightly dislike or feel neutral towards, you will like them more. And you’re more likely to do a favor for them again.

Paul is talking about the same thing in his letter to the Corinthians, he’s talking about giving without expecting anything in return.  When Benjamin Franklin’s rival lent him the book, he wasn’t expecting anything in return. Franklin had made a request and he responded to it.  The book however, became they’re meeting point. The book gave them something to talk about, these two rivals had finally found neutral ground. Neutral ground is where friendships are formed. Whether or not that was Franklin’s motive when he asked to borrow the book, we’ll never know.  Often, when we do favors for others, we really are expecting something back in return. Rarely do we do things without ulterior motives, whether we realize it or not. We do things out of guilt, worry about what others will think, trying to impress someone, trying to impress ourselves, the list could go on and on.  What Paul is imploring us to do, is give for the sake of giving, because you want too. Don’t give for any other reason, don’t expect anything in return. Do a favor for someone, just because it’s the right thing to do.

And do it for someone you slightly dislike or feel neutral towards, see if it makes you like them better.  Find out if providing neutral ground through a favor gives you a commonality to connect with someone with whom you want to connect. Find out if, like Franklin and his rival, having something to talk about helps you form a friendship you never thought would be possible. Give without receiving, like Jesus did for us.  Do a favor for someone without asking for one in return. A favor doesn’t have to be big, it can be simple. A favor can be pulling your neighbors trash can in off the curb, picking up mail for a friend out of town, or watering their plants. If lending a rival a book can repair a friendship, it’s immeasurable what God can do with a willing heart and a favor.

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1 CSB

I had an interesting conversation with a friend of mine who is a deep water diver.  He was explaining to me when you dive, you can sink as fast as you want to the bottom.  However, you can’t rise up as fast as you go down or the pressure will kill you. You have to rise up in levels, allowing your body to equalize to the pressure as you go.  The fastest you can rise up, in an emergency situation is no faster than the bubbles you blow. In other words, think of bubbles floating to the top of a glass, if you were a diver at the bottom of the glass, you couldn’t beat the bubbles to the top, you have to wait for them to get there first.  What does this have to do with Jesus? We can fall into sin very quickly, but we don’t recover from it as quickly as we go into it.

For instance, falling into debt is one of the easiest things to do in today’s world.  Credit card applications are in abundance, even if you have bad credit, they’ll find a way to get you more credit.  House loans, car loans, student loans, debt is very easy to find for all of us. Debt is a very easy sin to fall into, but it can take a long time to recover from it.  You can only go as fast as the dollars when it comes to getting out of debt. In the same way, gluttony is a sin. I am a glutton, I over eat and I have weight issues.  I have found in my gluttony, putting on weight is much easier than taking weight off. You can only go as fast as the calories when it comes to weight loss. When we are turning our lives over to Jesus, we can only go as fast as He allows us to go.  Jesus knows, if we rise too quickly, it’s too much pressure. Jesus knows if people get out of debt too quickly, they never learn how to manage money. Jesus knows if it was easy for me to lose weight, I wouldn’t learn how to manage calories. Jesus knows, we can’t rise too fast.  Jesus knows, life is a journey with lessons along the way. We can’t learn the lessons all at once, we can only learn them when we’re ready to learn them. Jesus knows.

But “There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1), that is the bottom of the ocean for us.  When there is no condemnation, it means all sins have been forgiven. The moment of forgiveness is when we start to rise back up with the bubbles.  Every moment after that is God perfecting us, God teaching us, God raising us up to who He created us to be, for His purpose. We can sink quickly to the bottom, but when there, we can always look up.  We can find the forgiveness we need, we can begin the journey back to wholeness. And as we’re following the bubbles up, we can enjoy the journey. We can embrace the lessons, we can love the people, we can enjoy the adventure.  Life with God is always an adventure, you’re always rising up. Today’s adventure, let someone go in front of you in line!

“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it” Hebrews 13:2 NIV

In the Presidential race of 1860, it came down to two men, Abraham Lincoln and William H. Seward.  The race was tightly contested, but as we all know, Lincoln won. What you may not know is the man who was behind Seward was Thurlow Weed.  Weed dedicated his life to Seward, getting him elected as President was his life’s mission. At a pivotal point in the election, Lincoln was behind Seward by 1 1/2 votes, when it was announced that Ohio had changed it’s four votes from Chase, another candidate, to Lincoln.  This shift in votes is what gave Lincoln the victory. The loss was devastating for the Sewardites, they looked to Thurlow Weed for consolation, He had none. He later acknowledged, Seward’s defeat was “the great disappointment of his life.” (Excerpt taken from ““Team of Rivals: the Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln” by Doris Kearns Goodwin)   Weed’s statement got me to thinking about disappointments in life, and I realized, one of my disappointments in life was missing opportunities to be hospitable to strangers, who may very well have been angels in disguise.

Disappointment is something that doesn’t get discussed.  In the quest I’m on to better define my emotions, I’m learning disappointment is one of them.  Disappointment is part of life, it’s part of every day, yet we don’t identify it correctly. When we go to lunch at our favorite restaurant and they are out of our favorite meal, we get angry.  But we’re not really angry, we’re disappointed. When our spouse doesn’t respond to a situation the way we think he should, we mask our disappointment behind anger or another type of emotion. Disappointment is an emotion, as Weed expressed it in the midst of his grief for the loss of the election.  He was disappointed that his hard work did not result in the victory he had wanted for Seward. I’m sure there were a mixture of other emotions he felt, but he was wise enough to understand, the leading emotion was disappointment. When things don’t go the way we want them to in life, when we have done everything we can to achieve a result and we don’t, among other things, we are disappointed.  And that is part of life.

Showing hospitality to strangers has always been difficult for me, but when I read the verse above, it turns into missed opportunities.  What angels have I missed because I have been focused on my life to notice them? What strangers have I not been hospitable too, that I should have been? As I ponder the verse above, my overwhelming emotion is disappointment for the divine appointments God arranged for me in the form of a stranger. When I asked myself, what is a great disappointment of my life, my answer is different than Seward’s.  His disappointment was losing an election, mine is missing out on the opportunity to serve an angel. Let’s not miss our chance today, buy a stranger coffee or a meal. You never know, you may be entertaining an angel.