Author: Jayne Lawson

“And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” – Romans 5:5

My track record is pretty dismal when it comes to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I know I’m not alone in that, but that’s not very comforting. Is there a way to change this? I think so… I hope so!

I chose to start with some personal reflection, which yielded some uncomfortable results.  I realize my previous health journeys have been laced with pride, selfishness, and laziness (ouch!), but this time I am implementing a different mindset. I am choosing to step outside my comfort zone by blogging about my health journey. This makes me very vulnerable to others, and this is extremely difficult for me. I have past issues (don’t we all?) that compound this, but holding on to my pride is not something I want to do. As Pastor Jackson said in one of his recent Sunday school lessons, pride is the root of all sin, and it should not be a part of my life. My health journey has to begin with a humble spirit. Clearly, this journey will be two-fold for me: physical and spiritual.

In order to move forward, I first must ask the Lord to forgive me for my pride, selfishness, and laziness, which have all contributed to a very unhealthy lifestyle. It is never easy for a prideful person to admit they have a problem with humility, but it is vital to do so in order to have the right relationship with God. I really am clinging to 1 John 1:9, which states, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

My next step is to be more pro-active in my health journey. I have started a program to help with the physical part, and I am working to improve my spiritual being. No longer will I be on my own or put the entire responsibility elsewhere. I am trying to do my part, while depending on God to do His part. As I improve physically (my part), I will trust Him to help me “get in shape” spiritually (His part).

Isaiah 12:2-5 states, “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. And in that day shall ye say, Praise the LORD, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. Sing unto the LORD; for he hath done excellent things: this is known in all the earth.”

The Scriptures promise that the Lord will never leave nor forsake His children (Deuteronomy 31:6).  He is our strength and our salvation.  He is MY strength and MY salvation. God knows my deepest fears, even those I don’t want to put into print. I have failed so many times, and it scares me to think that I might fail again, but looking back, I see that I either left Him out of the picture completely and tried to be successful without Him (prideful, selfish), or I put the entire burden on Him with me doing nothing (lazy). These choices led to failure. I now realize that if I continue to do the same things, there is no way the results will be different. Something has to change!

This time, I realize that I must work with God. I need to do my part, and trust Him to do His part, but I must be involved. My prayer is that God will help me be strong in Him and trust Him; help me depend on Him, and not lean on my own understandings. I must allow God to direct my paths to success in this health journey, as well as all the other areas of my life and do what He directs me to do (Proverbs 3:5-6). If I am faithful to trust and obey, He will be faithful to His part. He always has been; He always will be. I pray He will keep me on the right track, trusting and believing in the outcome – a body that is healthy and better fit to be a temple for His Holy Spirit. I know the saying is “failure is not an option,” but it has always been an option for me. Today, I am changing my mindset because frankly, “failure is not an option with God.” It is time for me to soar on the wings of eagles with the Lord (Isaiah 40:31).

Earthly friends may prove untrue, doubts and fears assail
One still loves and cares for you, One who will not fail.

In life’s dark and bitter hour, love will still prevail
Trust His everlasting pow’r, Jesus will not fail

Jesus never fails, Jesus never fails
Heav’n and earth may pass away, but Jesus never fails

(from “Jesus Never Fails” by Arthur Luther)

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1

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If the Lord brings me to mind, please pray for me, that I will be humble in spirit and faithful to His leading in this journey. Thank you!

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

If you had Aladdin’s magic lamp, what would be your three wishes? Would you ask for money? Love? Health? Fame? Maybe you would be a bit more noble and ask for world peace or the end of global warming. Some might even ask for extra wishes, but of course, that’s not allowed in the world of wishing!

In some ways, wishing is akin to praying. Wishing means to have a strong desire for something that is not easily accessible. Similarly, praying is defined as strongly hoping for something or a particular outcome. Yet, while they may have some similarities, there are definite differences between the two.

When I wish for something, it is an arbitrary thought for which I really have no basis to expect it to come to fruition. A wish is like a whisper on the wind. It is a thought that is there one moment, then gone the next. There is no tangible destination for a wish. When I blow out my birthday candles and make a wish, it simply vanishes into thin air. Likewise, when I see a falling star and make a wish, I have no real expectation of that wish coming true.

On the other hand, prayer is a specifically directed thought aimed toward the heart of God, and the expectation is for Him to answer. When people pray, God listens, and when He listens, He acts. “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” (1 John 5:14-15)

Prayer is also limitless. The Bible reminds us to “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) Unlike wishes, we are not restricted to only three prayers. God wants us to share everything on our hearts with Him. Why? Because He loves us, and He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).

God promises that if we pray, He will show us great and mighty things. Through answered prayer, God’s power and glory is displayed. “I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause:Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number:” (Job 5:8-9)

When Jesus died on the cross, the temple veil was torn in half, giving us access to the throne of God, so we can pray in confidence. Jesus said in Mark 11:24, “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them,” and again in Matthew 21:22, “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” The only caveat is that we ask in faith, according to God’s will (1 John 5:14), and then we can know that He will answer, and it will be in the manner that is best for those concerned.

We don’t need an Aladdin’s lamp; we have God. All we need is a humble spirit, a trusting heart, and a prayer of faith to see the great and mighty things of the Lord!

I must tell Jesus all of my trials,
I cannot bear these burdens alone;
In my distress He kindly will help me,
He ever loves and cares for His own.

I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
I cannot bear my burdens alone;
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
Jesus can help me, Jesus alone.

(from “I Must Tell Jesus) by Elisha A. Hoffman)

“Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.” – Jeremiah 29:12

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“Prayer is a sincere, sensible, affectionate pouring out of the heart or soul to God, through Christ, in the strength and assistance of the Holy Spirit, for such things as God hath promised, or according to the Word, for the good of the church, with submission, in faith, to the will of God.” – John Bunyan

“O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.” – Psalm 30:2

I was thinking about the changes that I need to make to have a healthier lifestyle, and one of these is to incorporate more water into my diet. While water is not usually my first “go-to” when thirsty, I know it is better for me than soda or coffee or even… sweet tea! (I know my southern friends are shuddering at that thought right now!) I am supposed to drink 6-8 cups of water each day (48-64 ounces), and while that seems like a lot, it’s becoming easier for me since I’ve chosen to give up soda for now.

According to H.H. Mitchell, Journal of Biological Chemistry 158, the brain and heart are composed of 73% water, and the lungs are about 83% water. Our skin, muscles, and kidneys are each more than 60% water, and even our bones are approximately 30% eater! As a whole, our bodies are approximately 60% water, so it makes sense that water is an important part of healthy living.

Water helps our bodies get rid of poisonous substances. When these toxins accumulate, the tissues in our bodies begin to break down and die. Water helps flush out these harmful substances so our bodies can continue functioning as they should.

Water is important spiritually as well. In John 4, Jesus talks about our need for “living water.” He tells the Samaritan woman in reference to the well water she is drawing, “Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst;” (John 4:13-14)

Similar to toxins that invade our physical bodies, sin attacks us spiritually. When our spiritual lives are polluted by sin, it can also lead to death. The Bible tells us in Romans 6:23, that “The wages of sin is death.” In order to rid ourselves of sin and its consequences, we must avail ourselves of the living water that Jesus offers. Just as water cleanses our physical bodies of poisonous substances, the living water that Christ offers cleanses us of the spiritual toxin of sin.

Jesus said, “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:14)

How does one obtain this “living water”? Simply put your faith in Jesus. Ask Him to forgive your sins and become your Saviour. Once you are saved, you will have a bountiful supply of His living water springing up from within your heart… enough that you will be able to share it with others!

I thirsted in the barren land of sin and shame,
And nothing satisfying there I found;
But to the blessed cross of Christ one day I came,
Where springs of living water did abound.

How sweet the living water from the hills of God,
It makes me glad and happy all the way;
Now glory, grace and blessing mark the path I’ve trod,
I’m shouting “Hallelujah” every day.

Drinking at the springs of living water,
Happy now am I, my soul they satisfy;
Drinking at the springs of living water,
O wonderful and bountiful supply.

(from “Springs of Living Water” by John W. Peterson)

“He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” John 7:38

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Open your Bible and have a cup of living water today!

“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” John 10:28

There is a wonderful serenity in knowing the Lord’s got me in His hand. In the midst of all the uncertainty of today, God is certain. He is and always will be. He is the same today as He was yesterday and as He will be tomorrow. There is no changing with Him. Knowing this relieves any anxiety I have about this virus.

Yes, it’s inconvenient having to “shelter-in-place.” I admit I was a bit taken aback for a moment when I heard that if a person was 65+ or had underlying health issues that would make the high risk, they were to remain under the “shelter-in-place” order until the middle of June. I was looking forward to rejoining my church family on Mother’s Day, but for me that will not be happening. As I pondered this, I was reminded that God’s got it all under control. My responsibility is to trust Him in all things. So, I will.

I will continue my worship privately with my family and with my “livestreamers,” rejoicing that I have a God who wasn’t caught by surprise with covid-19. His plan for me goes on, and I am excited to see where He is taking me!

I don’t know about tomorrow, I just live from day to day
I don’t borrow from its sunshine, for its skies may turn to gray
I don’t worry o’er the future, for I know what Jesus said
And today I’ll walk beside Him, for He knows what is ahead

Many things about tomorrow I don’t seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow, and I know who holds my hand

(from “I Don’t Know About Tomorrow” by Ira F. Stanphill)

“Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself…” Matthew 6:34

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If you find yourself becoming anxious, take a look at where you are. Are you following Jesus or leading Him?

“I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.” 2 Samuel 22:4

Have you ever really looked at the natural world around you? Have you noticed the mountain peaks? Their peaks point upward to God! Look at the trees. Their branches point upward to God! See the flowers? Their blossoms and leaves reach upward to the Lord! Why? I believe they are praising the Lord for He is worthy of worship and praise! He is worthy because He is God!

What Does the Bible Say About Nature’s Worship?

• Isaiah 55:12 states, “For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.”
• Luke 19:37-40 records, “As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”
• Isaiah 35:1-2 reads, “The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing…”
• Psalm 69:34 confirms that all of God’s creation praises Him. “Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and every thing that moveth therein.”

Why Should We Praise and Worship God?

• He is our Creator – “Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” (Psalm 100:3-4)
• He commands us to praise Him – “Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.” (Psalm 150:6)
• He has unending mercy – “Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” (Psalm 118:28-29)
• He is great – “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.” (Psalm 145:3)
• He provides salvation – “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

What Does Praising God Accomplish?

• Praise removes our focus from ourselves, and puts it on God. It’s important to remember that life is not all about us. We were made to worship God and have fellowship with Him.
  • “Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.” (Psalm 150:2)
  • “Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.” (Psalm 48:1)
• Praise keeps us in the right place. We need to remember that God is our Creator. He sustains us; He saves us. We are dependent upon Him. Praise helps us understand that it is God that meets our needs.
  • “Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.” (Psalm 95:2-3)
• Praise protects us from the enemy. Satan will do anything he can to destroy our relationship with God. He will do anything to stop us from serving God.
  • “The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence. I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.” (II Samuel 22:3-4)
• Praise allows God’s power to be displayed.
  • “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.” (Acts 16:25-26)
• Praise prepares us to approach the throne of God.
  • “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” (Psalm 100:4)
• Praise elicits God’s blessings.
  • “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:” (Ephesians 1:3)
• Praise elicits God’s presence in our lives.
  • “But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.” (Psalm 22:3)

Praise Him! Praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer!
Sing, O Earth, His wonderful love proclaim!
Hail Him! Hail Him! Highest archangels in glory;
Strength and honor give to His holy Name!
Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard His children,
In His arms He carries them all day long.

Praise Him! Praise Him! Tell of His excellent greatness;
Praise Him! Praise Him! Ever in joyful song!

(from “Praise Him, Praise Him” by Fanny Crosby”

“Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.” Psalm 150:6

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When was the last time your prayer to the Lord was only an offering of praise and worship? Perhaps now would be a good time to do just that!

“And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.” – Exodus 23:25

Journeys to better health always begin with food. As I think about improving my health status, I know I must make food choices based upon what is beneficial to attaining my goal, not upon what I happen to be craving at the moment. I must choose lean meats and vegetables and nutritionally balanced meals over fast food lunches, sweets, and “empty-calorie” snacks. As I incorporate wiser choices in my food, my heart and lungs will become more efficient, my muscles will become stronger, and I will have more energy!  Over time, I hope to establish healthier habits when it comes to choosing and preparing my food, leading to a healthier lifestyle.

My spiritual life is much the same as my physical life. If I want my mind and my soul to be at their best, I must be wise about how I “feed” them. If I spend my time inputting ungodly materials into my mind, the results will be a soul that is starving for the things of God. John 6:35 records Jesus saying, “…  I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” When I take the time to nourish my soul with the Word of God, my faith will grow strong. If I should neglect my time of Bible study and prayer, my soul will suffer. I will lack the strength I need to do what God desires of me, and I will be easily waylaid by sin and the world’s temptations. I won’t have the ability to “stand against the wiles of the devil” or “quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” (Ephesians 6:11,16) With a sound spiritual diet of godly habits, I will develop the faith I need to “…take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:13)

As I incorporate healthy servings of Bible study, prayer, and personal worship into my life each day, my faith in God will grow strong and healthy. I will have the spiritual energy I need to run the race set before me (Hebrews 12:1), and to run it well.

Break Thou the bread of life, dear Lord, to me,
As Thou didst break the loaves beside the sea;
Beyond the sacred page I seek Thee, Lord;
My spirit pants for Thee, O living Word!

Thou art the bread of life, O Lord, to me,
Thy holy Word the truth that saveth me;
Give me to eat and live with Thee above;
Teach me to love Thy truth, for Thou art love.

(from “Break Thou the Bread of Life” by Mary A. Lathbury and Alexander Groves)

“For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.” – John 6:33

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Need a coach in your corner? Jesus is right there, waiting to help you in every aspect of becoming healthier in body and soul!

“God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.” – 2 Samuel 22:33

I have noticed some serious changes in me during this quarantine. One that is particularly distressing is that I have become even more sedentary than before this virus, and unfortunately I have regained some weight, lost muscle strength, and found that fatigue is a constant “friend.” I’d like to blame it on my age, or the virus, or the fact that the gyms are still closed, but the bottom line is that I have chosen to partake in an unhealthy lifestyle.

I’ve had lots of ups and downs when it comes to dieting and weight loss. One thing I have realized is that I have a tendency to do things the same way (the easy way), but I expect different results. That doesn’t work. To get different results, I must do different things. I am not referring just to a particular program because the fact is that weight loss is mathematically simple. Output must be more than input to lose weight. Unfortunately, being mathematically simple does not make it physically, mentally, or emotionally easy to accomplish that because there is so much more to being healthy than being attentive to what one eats or doesn’t eat.

There is a very famous poem entitled, “Footprints in the Sand” by Mary Fishback Powers. It speaks of the footprints made in the sand when walking with God along the beach. Sometimes there are two sets of prints, and at other times, there is only one set of footprints. The one set initially seems to indicate God has left the person alone, but as you read on, it is revealed that those times are actually when God is carrying the person through the most difficult times of their life.

Like many others, I have had some serious troubles in life, and God has carried me through them all. Cancer, financial struggles, family issues… He has always been faithful to see me through each situation; He has never abandoned me. Even in this newest journey on which I am embarking, I know He will be with me because He said He would never leave me. When I falter (and I will), He will be faithful to carry me. When I am overwhelmed (and I will be), He will encourage me through His Word. When I can’t go on (and I will feel like it), He will give me His strength, and when I want to quit (and I will want to), His Spirit will whisper in my ear, “You can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth you.” (Philippians 4:13)

I cannot say that I am not scared of the challenges ahead of me, for I have started this journey many times in the past, and I have never been successful. Today, I begin this health journey with the acute awareness that God walks with me. I know when I stumble, He will lift me up as He has always done, and when I am too tired to go on, He will carry me. When fears come, I will remember that I am not alone. “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” (Isaiah 41:10)

In myself I failed the Lord, then was afraid to try once more
That fire in my soul had fled, that’s when Jesus came and said
My spirit, gives the strength you need, to raise you up and to succeed
And for vision in the night, to you I’ll give these words of light

He said my child don’t look behind, discouragement is all you’ll find
Don’t watch the waves that roll the sea, just focus your eyes on me
And I will make you strong and then your shattered courage I will mend
And if you fall and should get hurt, remember these eternal words

Fear not my child, I’m with you always
I feel every pain and every tear I see
Fear not my child, I’m with you always
I know how to care for what belongs to me

(from “Fear Not, My Child” by Carman D. Licciardello)

“Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?” – Jeremiah 32:27

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If you have a certain journey you must walk, invite God to come along with you. You’ll be so glad you did!

“But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.” – Deuteronomy 4:29

I’ve heard a lot about entitlement lately. It is the belief that a person fundamentally deserves privileges or special treatment. It’s a “give-it-to-me-because-I’m-me” way of thinking, which is a very worldly, prideful way of thinking. This way of thinking leads to individuals who are no longer active, contributing members of society because they believe they no longer should be obligated to earn something by their labors. instead they should receive it simply because “I’m me and I deserve it.”

God doesn’t see it that way. In fact, in His eyes, we are totally unworthy of anything. We do receive from Him because He loves us, but we do not passively receive. I have yet to find anything in the Bible that is passively given… not even salvation. I imagine many of you are shaking your heads as your mind screams, “What? I have to earn my salvation?” NO! That’s impossible for us to do. I simply said it was not randomly tossed out for anyone to grab and claim. So, what is it we have to do? We have to believe and ask. We perform the action, and then God reacts. Acts 2:21 demonstrates this. “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord (action) shall be saved.” (reaction)

Throughout the Bible, there are conditional promises God makes to us. This means if we obey His Word, He will fulfill His promise. Take a close look at today’s key verse. If you want to find God, you can’t just sit on your sofa all day and expect Him to appear before you in a puff of smoke. Instead, you must seek Him through prayer and His Word (action), and then you will find Him (reaction). Here are a few other action-reaction verses in the Bible.

• Exodus 20:12 – “Honour thy father and thy mother: (action) that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” (reaction)
• 2 Chronicles 7:14 – “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; (action) then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (reaction)
• Proverbs 22:6 – “Train up a child in the way he should go: (action) and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (reaction)
• Proverbs 3:5,6 – “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, (action) and he shall direct thy paths.”(reaction)
• Isaiah 40:31 – “But they that wait upon the LORD (action) shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (reaction)

Get the idea? There is no such thing as an “entitlement” when it comes to being a Christian. We must have an active faith, which will yield results because we have a God who loves us beyond measure and always keeps His promises. When we obey His Word, there is nothing our Father in heaven will withhold from us. All we have to do is put our faith into action, and then wait for God’s reaction!

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

(from “Trust and Obey” by John H. Sammis)

“Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” – Proverbs 37:4

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In physics, every action has an equal and opposite reaction. When God reacts to our actions, His reactions are always abundantly more than we could ever imagine!

“Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.” Proverbs 17:6

Today I watched my two granddaughters head out to play a round of golf with their two grandfathers. Pappy, my husband, is from California, and Papa, whose birthday happens to be today, is from Georgia. These two wonderful men are helping shape the lives of these two precious young ladies, and I couldn’t help but feel such great joy in my heart as they drove to the golf course.

Neither my husband nor I was raised in a Christian home, so in a sense we are “first-generation Christians for our families. On the opposite end of the spectrum, my daughter’s in-laws were brought up in homes that have been well-grounded in the faith for generations.

When I look at our grandchildren, I see a blend of social cultures (one from the bustling suburbs of Los Angeles, and one from the quiet countryside of rural Georgia) and ethnic heritages (Scottish-Irish-English-Scandinavian-Japanese).  But there is more to it than just the familial backgrounds of the girls.

I also see the melding of a common faith that has been nurtured and passed on from both sets of grandparents. As our grandchildren grow, I see in them a faith that is developing its own ground, where one day, if the Lord should tarry, they will pass that same faith to their own children and their children’s children!

My husband and I also have a special relationship with our grandchildren’s paternal grandparents. We all worship together in the same church, and often do things together outside of church, like meeting for lunch or celebrating a birthday or holiday as a family. But there is more than our common grandchildren that makes us a family.

We are all part of the family of God. While we do have a physical bond through our grandchildren, we also have an eternal bond through Jesus, God’s Son. Each of us has professed a faith in Christ for the forgiveness of sins and an acceptance of Him as our Saviour. There is no greater joy in life than to see your children and grandchildren receive Jesus as their personal Saviour. There is no greater responsibility or privilege for a parent or grandparent than to nurture that faith and help each generation grow in their relationship with the Lord.

I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and his glory, of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story because I know ’tis true;
It satisfies my longings as nothing else could do.

I love to tell the story, for those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest.
And when in scenes of glory I sing the new, new song,
‘Twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.

I love to tell the story; ’twill be my theme in glory
To tell the old, old story of Jesus and his love.

(from “I Love to Tell the Story” by Kate Hankey and William Fischer)

“We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.” Psalm 78:4

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Has Jesus made a difference in your life? Why not tell your grandchildren how He did it?

“God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;” – Acts 17:24

I heard God today. I heard Him in the early morning songs of the birds around my campsite. I heard Him again when the wind softly blew through the trees, rustling the leaves ever so gently.

I felt God today. I felt Him as the warm rays of the rising sun kissed my face. I felt Him as the breeze swirled around me as I watched the flickering flames of the campfire

I saw God today. I saw Him in the faces of my granddaughters as they sang songs of praise to him this morning around the campfire. I also saw Him in the lifted hands of a woman, who, as she passed by, began to sign the words to “The Old Rugged Cross,” the song we were singing!

I know I can find God everywhere when I earnestly look for Him. His Word tells me, “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:” (Isaiah 55:6) Sometimes I don’t even need to actively seek Him; He’s right there. I just need to open my heart to His presence.

In the midst of His children the Lord said He would be.
It doesn’t take very many, it can be just two or three.
And I feel that same sweet spirit that I felt often times before.
Surely I can say I’ve been with the Lord.

Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place.
I can feel His mighty power and His grace.
I can hear the brush of angels wings.
I see glory on each face.
Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place.

(from “Surely the Presence of the Lord” by Lanny Wolfe)

“I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.” Proverbs 8:17

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Where do you find God?