KEEPING THE DREAM

By Marie Tschopp

“He will not grow tired and weary, and His understanding no one can fathom.” Isaiah 40:28 NIV

I could not believe it happened again. For the second time in less than a year my husband lost his job due to a plant closing.

I looked around my kitchen at the cabinets my husband installed a few years before. It was his dream to build his own home, doing the majority of work himself. Now, we were faced with selling. Thoughts of unfairness darted through my mind like shooting stars in a meteor shower.

“God, we thought it was your will to build. Why did you have us build only to sell?”

Needing an answer, I grabbed my Bible from the table and flipped pages. I sensed an urge to turn to Isaiah 40, so I did and read about the greatness of God. Verses like 18, “With whom, then, will you compare God? To what image will you liken him? “ And verse 26, “…He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name, because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.” (NIV).

To be honest, I felt worse—insignificant even. I doubted an all powerful creator cared what my family faced. Still, I continued to read on to verse 27, and it was as if God took my face in his hands as He said,

“Why do you complain, Jacob? Why do you say, Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord; my cause is disregarded by my God?”

I read the verse again and again, “…why do you say…my cause is disregarded by my God?”

I closed my eyes as the tears fell. God cared, and I knew my family would be okay no matter the circumstances.

I took a deep breath and prayed, “Thank you Lord. You are great and mighty and you really do understand.”

When I opened my eyes another verse caught my attention,

“….The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.” Isaiah 40:28 NIV

I fell to me knees and prayed, “Father, thank you for loving us so much. You tell us that nothing in our lives is insignificant to you. I choose not to worry, but to trust in your loving care.”*

*Within a week, Brian had a new job because the previous employee quit unexpectedly and without explanation). 

HOW A SOCK DRAWER SAVED MY MARRIAGE

By Marie Tschopp

Ephesians 5:33 NIV: “…and the wife must respect her husband.”

“God, I don’t want to be married if this is the way it’s going to be. Please help us,“ I pleaded.

I sat on the edge of the bed and twisted my wedding ring around and around my finger. I loved Brian, but didn’t want to be with him any longer. Yet, I had two children without a way to provide for them on my own. I was at my wit’s end.

If someone had told me a year before I would feel this way, I’d have said they were crazy. Our marriage was wonderful. We even had a new home. My husband had just accomplished his dream of building his own house doing most of the labor himself. But within months of completing the project, things changed.

He started to sleep a lot. I understood he was tired from building the house, and I didn’t push him. But, over the next few months I noticed other changes, too. He lost interest in things—his woodworking, friends, church, our kids, even me.

I sat on the edge of the bed imploring God for help.

“Show honor to your husband.” I sensed the Lord saying to me.

“But Lord, I don’t want to show him honor. The way he’s been behaving, he doesn’t deserve honor.”

Again, I sensed the Lord urging, “Show honor to your husband.”

I stared at the floor and wondered what I could do.

I looked up and noticed Brian’s chest of drawers. I remembered he once told me how his mother kept all the family’s dresser drawers in perfect order. I decided to completely organize his dresser. I sorted though his drawers and carefully folded everything, including his socks and underwear.

Over the next few weeks, my husband’s mood improved. Months later, he was back to himself. We now realize the stress from working his job while building the house caused depression. Silly as it sounds, the catalyst in bringing him out of the depression was the folded underwear and socks. Somehow that little bit of organization triggered a sense of control and well-being.

“Show honor to your husband.”

Thank you, Father, for giving my husband back to me.

Learning to Bend

By Kathryn Lang

I bend, but the storms have helped me develop the strength not to break. Unexpected ice storms cause me to creak. Strong winds storms push me to my limits. The heat of summer forces my roots down even deeper. Through it all I stand.

But there are days when the bending, creaking and stretching seem like to much to take.

It would be easier to quit. The stress and strain of it all seems like a ridiculous choice when the toughest times are at hand. There is an easier way. There is a better way. There is a way that would make me happier. There HAS to be.

Relax in the midst of it all and just bend. Do it right now. Bend your head forward and breathe. Bend to the sides and breathe. Bend just a little and soon you break the hold the storm has on your life.

Today it was working through papers for my dad that had to do with my mom. She died in March, but the pain of her absence hit me with a vengeance I could never have expected. One thing piled up on another thing and soon something as trivial as being put on hold caused me to break down.

Bend.

I cried. I bent over my desk and let the tears fall for a moment. It was too much.

Bend.

I wiped the tear and took a deep breath. Pain will happen. Tears will fall. But I will not break. I will keep bending and shifting and bending and shifting until the storm has passed.

Pushing on with a writing career, no matter what direction that career takes, is not for the weak. The attitudes and behaviors of people thrown at something you cared for and molded will cause some to want to fold. Cruel words, rejections, and the lack of sales can all drive you to want to give up. It can push you to the breaking point.

Just bend. When it comes down to it, bend your head down. Now say a prayer. And let the peace that passes all understanding be the soothing water that makes it possible for you to keep bending until you find your way.

Investment

By Robin Steinweg

 Do I ever regret time in prayer?

Sadly, maybe before-hand. Like when the pillow is coziest, sleep beckons or I have tasks to check off my to-do list. 

Few things get interrupted like my time for prayer—at least initially. If I sit down intending to pray, the computer will blink at me, the phone will ring, an appliance will act up, the neighbor’s dogs will yap, the garbologist will take a break outside my house with the engine running, a plane will sound as though it’s going to crash, I’ll suddenly think of fifteen dozen things that need to be done without delay, and my dog will beg to go out. And that’s saying a lot, because I don’t have a dog.

The computer can wait.  In fact, I can turn it to face away from me. The answering machine can take a message or the caller can get back to me. I can unplug the appliance and check it later. I can close the windows. I can put in ear plugs. I can pray for the pilot. I can keep pen and paper next to me and add to my list as things pop into my head, and then keep praying. I can remind myself that I don’t have a dog, and tell the devil to get behind me, because I AM GOING TO PRAY anyway!

That’s what it might take—a commitment to pray no matter what. When my sons were little, they knew not to interrupt me from prayer unless one of them was choking or bleeding. Our day would be better if they let Mommy pray. As my wall hanging states, “A day hemmed in prayer seldom comes unraveled.”

And has there ever been a time that I wished instead that I had stayed in bed or run errands?

Just yesterday I nearly didn’t pray because of interruptions. Important things, you know? But I sent up some heartfelt requests for safety for my sons and husband.

In the afternoon my younger son perched atop the log ride at the amusement park where he’s worked for the summer. A sudden bolt of lightning scored the air close enough to him that he felt the static. They closed the park early, and he came home—safe.

Do I regret that I spent the time yesterday in prayer?

Hardly.

Instead, I grow more determined.  Not only to ask for things, but to thank God for listening to me, and to take the time to listen to Him.

Let me rephrase: it’s not taking my time. It’s an investment of my time, and it could continue to pay into eternity! 

YOU’RE TAKING A TRIP

WHAT WILL YOU  PACK?

By Nerola  (Rolie) Grady

My family is preparing for a trip in the next few days.  Isn’t it amazing how much work goes into planning for a few days of R and R?  That made me think of the following prayer exercise that you can do by yourself or with a group in the comfort of your own home.

Provide pencil and paper for each person.  Imagine you have arrived at a way-station on your spiritual journey.  Picture a lovely, relaxing place where you can become spiritually refreshed.  See yourself resting there with Jesus.  Let His peace fill you.  (pause)  When the time comes to continue the journey, everyone ponders these questions.

1.        What do I need to pack for the rest of my journey? 

2.       What shall I leave behind?

3.       What do I need to acquire so I can complete my journey?

After a time of silence, check to see if anyone needs more time.  Let each person share his/her answer to all three questions.  It seems best if you really listen to what others are saying from their heart.

Have you heard?

By Helen Knueven

There is a house that has church services in Glen Ellyn, IL.  It wasn't a one-time event; either.  It has been going on for over a decade.   The picture of the house was on the front page of the Glen Ellyn News.  Can you believe it?  People were assembling in their house with others who were of like mind.  They were not just talking or having a nice dinner, either.  Somehow they had the nerve to pray!  If you don't believe me, it was in the paper as if some covert operation was taking place.   People in a house - praying. 

After a government worker caught wind of it, they were told they needed a permit.  They complied with the government and sought a permit but still seems to be a topic of debate.  It is clearly a violation of the constitution to me, for the government to get involved with ‘the right to assemble’.  It is also an ironic twist on the interpretation of separation of church and state.

I often read of government intervention to prayer meetings in China and how this agitates the government.  You can read for yourself about in the Voice of the Martyrs magazine.

But in the last few years you can read articles cropping up in America that tries to can prayer meetings through zoning ordinances and religious harrasment laws. 

But I think there is a lot of good news here anyway.

I have a feeling they were not just praying for their houses to sell, their bosses to get off their backs, or that they woud have a more fulfilling job. No, I don't think that self centered prayers get too much attention.  I suspect they were praying for the salvation of souls and because of the power coming from those kind of prayers, it was felt within the community.

 Have you ever wondered if your little prayer made a difference?

There is a government higher than any one on this earth - and we can reach the One in charge!  He, who died for us, in front of a multitude, now sits on a throne.  Our prayers are welcome; especially when we want to see His kingdom come here on earth.  There is a promise attached with praying in secret - an open reward.

 However we may need to stretch our idea of that word.  Some have been counted worthy to suffer for the sake of Jesus.

 Matthew 6:6  But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

"Do Unto Others" Even on Black Friday

By Shelly Akins

The holidays have now officially started. Tomorrow people will crowd the malls and fight each other for big screen TVs and some random toy that their child has to have. When I heard that some stores were starting their sales at midnight, my first thoughts were not of the sales or of the deals that stores are offering. Rather, I’m thinking about those people who have to work all night trying to keep mothers from killing each other over a game. Those people need to be mentioned in our daily prayers from now until after the first of the year. They don’t get paid enough to put up with someone screaming at them at 2 a.m. on Black Friday about why there are no more 62 inch plasma TVs left on the shelf.

I must admit that I have never gone and camped out and waited for sales. As a result, I’ve probably spent more money than I could have for Christmas presents. I did accidently go to Wal-Mart once on the afternoon of Black Friday to pick up something like toilet paper. People had been waiting in the layaway line for four hours. FOUR HOURS to put something on hold that they don’t have the money to buy. Think about that.

Don’t get me wrong, I love to shop. My mom and I have been known to spend hours in the same store. I find shopping cathartic. There’s something simple in getting something new, especially if it’s something that you’ve saved for or have been looking for a long time.

Christmas shopping is different. There’s pressure with Christmas shopping. There’s a deadline. There’s things that have to be done and bought and wrapped and shipped and opened and put away. There’s the endless lists and hoping that you’re getting the right thing and wondering if $20 is enough to spend on your mother’s cousin’s best friend’s daughter who always seems to show up unannounced Christmas afternoon.

The meaning of the season is lost in all the pushing and shoving. I know that Advent is the time to wait and prepare for the coming Christ, but it’s more than that. It’s time to spend with family and friends, eating, laughing, catching up. It should be more about a few perfect moments than about how much money we spend and who wins the retail wars.

So, over the next few weeks when you’re out and about, tired, trying to cross everything off your list, remember those who are working in retail helping you find tie for Uncle Rick or standing at the register listening to Jingle Bells for the 4,563rd time today. It’s not their fault the line is long or that someone ran over your foot with a cart, or that there are no more copies of The Help on Blu Ray. Smile, thank them and let them know you empathize with them. And say a little prayer for them when that mother with the out of control kids starts screaming behind you.

Pray Like You Are Happy

By Lori Boruff

“Don't pray like you're sad, pray like you're happy.”

These are words of wisdom from my four year old grandson to his daddy as they pray before bedtime.

I'm imagining myself in his tiny tot shoes or should I say Buzz Lightyear jammies to understand what he heard daddy say.

Was it the words or tone of voice prompting that observation from a preschooler? Certainly quiet, reverent prayers before bed could sound cheerless but have great meaning. But I wonder if God ever wants to say Child, don't pray like you're sad, pray like you're happy!

I'm sending the challenge to all my praying friends to belt out prayers of gratitude with verve and vigor. Yes, God does know the depths of joy in your heart, but today if you are happy and you know it shout Amen!

Have a truly Happy Thanksgiving!

Hallelujah! Thank God! Pray to him by name! Tell everyone you meet what he has done!

Sing him songs, belt out hymns, translate his wonders into music!

Honor his holy name with Hallelujahs, you who seek God.

Psalm 105:1 The Message

Google, God and Me

By Gail P Smith

“Oh Lord,

There are so many wonderful things to know in this world.  But Your knowledge is better than any other-- timeless, true, and never changing.

Help me to FOCUS-on You and Your Truth. 

Help me to prioritize the incredible flood of information that comes at me

as relentless as waves of the ocean,

as demanding as a screaming child,

and as uncontrollable as a run-away train.”

I prayed this prayer last week as I sat on my porch one morning trying to corral my own run-away thoughts for my time alone with God.

I opened my Bible to Proverbs 23, verse 1 and what I read is in italics. (What I heard, in my heart, is in parenthesis.)

When dining with a rich man (when online on your computer)

Be on guard and don’t stuff yourself, though it all tastes so good: (Watch out, you don’t have to read everything that looks interesting, funny or so good)

For he is trying to bribe you (Cyber space would steal your time and your attention from, the crucial, the eternal to the trivial and meaningless.)

And no good is going to come from his invitation. (It will not help you become the person you want to be.)

I joyfully wrote in my journal:

"Wow, Lord, even as I pray today in October of 2011, You had already answered my prayer thousands of years ago, speaking to my heart through the wisdom you gave to a king so long ago.  You are an awesome, amazing and incredible God.  There is none like You!"

Dear Father,

Let neither my head nor my heart be bribed away from You, for reverence for You, Lord is the beginning and the ending of all wisdom.

Amen

I will answer their prayers before they finish praying (in my case about 3,000+ years before) 

Isaiah 64:24

It's our choice, isn't it?

A Vicarious Life or a Vivacious Life?

By Helen Knueven

Matthew 14:22-33
Jesus went alone to pray after sending His disciples on a ship. While they were there a great storm developed. At some time of the night, Jesus’ returned to them. He walked on the water, and met up with the tossed ship that rocked the frightened followers.

They were afraid they saw a ghost, but Jesus reassured them. “Don’t be afraid; it ‘s me!”

Peter, struck by the adventure and sight of Jesus walking on water requested, “Jesus, if that is you – tell me to come to you!” Jesus complied – and Peter walked on the water for a short time until the ravishing waves caught his attention and then he began to fall.

Jesus realized Peter’s faith was wavering. He extended His hand and lifted him up. After they entered the ship, the storm subsided. The vote was unanimous amidst the disciples: Jesus was the Son of God!

Many sermons have been preached on this passage. Some point out the necessity of faith and urge us to have more faith and to be less like Peter.

Some say, “Be like Peter! At least he walked on water for awhile.”

Others emphasize the graciousness of our Lord . Though He chastised Peter for doubting, He did not hesitate to extend Himself in two ways: in calling out to Peter to join Him in the water walk, and in holding him up when he began to sink.

Today I would like to share another thought. I would like to focus on what Jesus was doing after He sent the disciples away. He was praying. Time with the Father was valued far above everything else. Of all the people He could be healing, of all the storms He could be calming, of all the profound sermons He could have been preaching – Jesus’ priority was His relationship with the Father.
Jesus could have handled this situation is so many different ways. If He relied on experience instead of relationship, He may have spoken to the waves as He did in Matthew 8:26-27. If He did, Peter would have never walked on water. Nor would the others have witnessed the available power of God for everyone who believes.

Because of His constant communion with the Father – He always knew the best way to handle every situation. Although experience is a good teacher – the Holy Spirit is the best teacher.

Has God placed you in some form of leadership? Can you trust the Lord to develop the faith of the people in your life? Do you unintentionally stop those you lead from growing by managing? Or do you lead from the outflow of your relationship with the Lord? Have your best lessons in life been learned from lecture or by experience? Though Jesus Christ was fully human and fully divine - He walked as a man in obedience to the Father; thereby becoming our example.

Let’s be honest. Human nature is walking on concrete, not water. But we are in this Christianity for the magnificent nature of God.

Only in His presence are we truly transformed.

Jesus does not want us to live on the edge of experience but in the joy of God’s ability and presence through us. My prayer is that our communion with the Father will precede our decisions and life’s occurrences.

Introducing Marie Tschopp

Stargazing

A star appeared in the eastern sky.  The Magi were known for their astrological studies, and they recognized the star for what it was—the King of the Jews birth announcement. For years theologians have tried to explain the appearance of this noble star declaring it was a planet, nova, comet, or a conglomeration of planets.  Although we don’t know the exact means God used to create the star, the most important facts we do know:  a star led the way to Christ, and wise men followed. 

As we continue to read the gospel story, we discover the Magi lost the star. (They must have forgotten to program their GPS—Gaza Pack-animal System).  The wise men ended up at Herod’s palace asking, “Where is the one who was born King of the Jews?”  After much discussion and Herod’s consternation over the constellation, the Magi left the palace and were “overjoyed” to see the star appear again, and “…the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was.”  Matthew 2:9 NIV

Can you relate to the wise men’s predicament?  Do you believe God gave you a star of promise, whether it be a job, a ministry, or direction, but now the once brilliant star has disappeared and a black hole has taken its place?  Are your eyes bleary and your soul weary as you search the heavens for a glimmer of hope? 

When night envelops like a shroud, pray for guidance, stay on course, and don’t lose faith.  Even though the sky is dark now, take comfort in knowing God is still God.  Hold tight to the truth that one day the star will either reappear or you will be pointed in the direction of another shining more brightly.  And when God finally illuminates your path, you, too, will find joy. 

Father, forgive me for the times I’ve questioned you and for the times I’ve felt afraid and discouraged.  Help me to have faith and courage when things don’t go the way I think they should or when they don’t happen in my timeframe.   May I never doubt your loving care for me.  Amen

~~~

Marie Tschopp is a Quad City native and has been a professional storyteller/speaker for more years than she cares to admit.   Her most popular presentation is a dramatic portrayal of Laura Ingalls Wilder.  Marie is the drama director for her church, Bethany Baptist.  She is a member of the Mercer County Christian Writer’s Group and is the founder of Watermark Women, a conservative women’s organization in Mercer County.  In her free time, Marie enjoys the pursuit of the perfect pair of shoes.