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Be Prepared

As drivers approach Woodland Park, Colorado, from the west, there is a warning light that is activated and says, “Be Prepared to Stop” if the traffic light ahead is red. Because of a hill and a curve, drivers cannot see the upcoming traffic light so this is an important notification.

As we passed this warning light on the way to town today, I thought about other ways we are reminded to be prepared. During this pandemic, we are reminded to bring our mask and wear it while in public. Throughout the winter months, here in the mountains, we are reminded to check the weather report before traveling. Our wonderful LWML president at Faith Lutheran, Woodland Park, reminds us to bring our Bible and mite offerings to our local Bible study gatherings.

Every day I prepare in many ways. As I leave home to buy groceries, I put a cooler in the car (for the 30-minute ride home). I check to make sure I have my sunglasses and my grocery list. I prepare when I have an LWML event. I plan my wardrobe, print my agenda and any travel documents I need, and I make sure I have my laptop and phone chargers packed. When I prepare
a meal, I plan it out so everything is ready at the same time.

How do I prepare for the day I leave this world and meet Jesus face-to-face? I think I do this by living for Christ each day. Paul, in Philippians, stated his desire to leave this world and be with Christ, but he knew his time on earth produced fruitful labor to the glory of God. He said, For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21). I pray that this would be my heart’s desire also but, I must confess, I am very often not that noble.

I do find comfort and strength in God’s Word. I find understanding and direction when I go to the Lord in prayer. If I live each day to Christ’s glory, I believe I am prepared and eager to meet Jesus face-to-face. In Luther’s Morning Prayer, I pray that God keep me from sin and evil so my
very life and all that I do may please Him. I remember when I first realized that when I spoke those words, I was literally giving my life and day to God and to His glory.

As sisters and brothers in Christ, let’s continue to encourage one another, holding each other accountable as Christians. The busier our lives, the more time we need to spend in prayer and in the Word. When we look forward to an upcoming event, we prepare with pleasure. Can any event be more important than our eternal life? I am ready and eager to meet this day, whatever my Lord has planned.

Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace,
Debbie

Luther’s Morning Prayer

I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may
have no power over me. Amen.

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Marigolds and Lavender

Lavender Plants

I probably don’t garden like most of you do this time of year. First, I live at 8,500 feet above sea level in the middle of the Rocky Mountains, and just last week (June 9), we received four inches of snow. Second, it’s very dry here, and watering a garden every day is not an option unless I want to run our well dry. Third, we have deer. Lots and lots of deer, and they love almost anything that grows in this soil.

I decided several years ago to grow plants that the deer will leave alone and that can survive in this climate. I’ve planted several different grasses, a variety of ground covers, irises, lavender, and marigolds. I am rewarded with green plants and splashes of color.

I do miss all the flowers I was able to enjoy in my garden in North Dakota, but I don’t want to fight the deer. I have seen flowers and flowering shrubs surrounded by tall fences to keep the deer at bay, but the flowers lose their appeal if you can’t get close enough to enjoy their scents. I prefer to work in harmony with these deer.

I wondered what God had to say about harmony so I looked it up.

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all (Romans 12:15-17).

May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 15:5-6).

And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony (Colossians 3:14).

No, I do not believe God was referring to harmony between animals and people in these passages. I do believe that the pleasure I receive from my garden would be diminished if I was constantly upset over a deer’s dinner. So I prefer harmony with nature.

I pray for harmony amidst this tragedy of racial injustice. I pray we look to Jesus and follow His examples of love and grace. I pray, and sometimes my emotions can’t be expressed in words so the Holy Spirit intervenes for me. I pray for harmony. Please pray with me!

Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace,
Debbie

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Laundry Day

I did laundry again yesterday and, as I was putting clothes away in our closet, I saw that the hamper was already half full. Hmmm, how do two people amass so much laundry? I’ve been known to wear a pair of jeans for 3–4 days in a row, because I can think of many ways to spend my day other than doing laundry. My husband, on the other hand, wears a pair of pants and promptly throws them in the laundry at the end of the day. “I get dirty working outside,” he reasons. Yes, he does, and dirty clothes must be washed before they can be worn again.

I get spiritually “dirty” in this world every day. Each morning I start out fresh, thanking God for forgiving this penitent sinner. I ask Him for the opportunity to serve Him another day. Then I receive a request for something that I may not want to do or that I feel will take too much of my
time, and a little bit of “dirt” sticks to me and gnaws at my soul. As the day progresses, I sin in thought, word, and deed. I am dirty laundry, a sinner inside and out.

I also know that every single sin has been paid for in full by my Savior, Jesus Christ. I am washed clean by the blood of the Lamb. How absolutely amazing is that? Forgiveness is the grace of God washing away our sins. Forgiveness is a gift given out of love. And forgiveness is a treasure God gives us to share with others.

Again and again, I sin. Again and again, I go to the foot of the cross and seek His forgiveness. He cleanses me of my iniquities.

I am God’s laundry. You are God’s laundry. In Scripture, David prays to the Lord, wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow (Psalm 51:7b). Only Christ can forgive sins and promise eternal life in heaven but I can share Jesus’ mercy and grace with others. If it is the Lord’s will, the Holy
Spirit will work in their lives and they will understand that Jesus is their Savior too. Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Laundry day — it’s looking better all the time!

Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace,
Debbie

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Living in Difficult Times

Several times, since I began writing this blog, I have included text written by Jan Schmidt, a dear friend and member of our church. Today will be one of those blogs. Jan writes daily devotions and sends them out via email to her friends and I save them all. I often refer back to them for inspiration. Jan wrote this last fall (my thoughts are interspersed in blue text):

Living in Difficult Times

Living as we do in a world saturated with sin, tough times are no stranger to any of us. (Tough times — we view the pandemic as “tough times” and I love how Jan brings my focus back to the real issue, which is sin!) How do we survive? How shall we then live — truly live? Habakkuk observes, Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. So the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth (Habakkuk 1:3b-4a). It sounds like he is talking about the 21st century. When God answers him, He has two things to say:

First — wait. We want God to act now, on our schedule. But more often than not, God’s clock and ours are in different time zones. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay (Habakkuk 2:3b).

Second — faith. the righteous shall live by his faith (Habakkuk 2:4b). Faith is not in what is seen but in God who acts both within and outside of our vision.

The psalmist has similar advice. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us (Psalm 62:8).

Paul, likewise, encourages Timothy, I know whom I have believed (2 Timothy 1:12a). He lived what he preached. Paul operated, not out of a spirit of fear, but of faith, power, love, and self-control.

Finally, in the Gospel of Luke we are encouraged to forgive one another, even seven times in one day! We are told that even the tiniest bit of faith, like the grain of mustard seed, is enough to do what we may feel are impossible things.

So as we go about this day let’s remember that our difficult times are a direct result of sin. Our hope lies in Christ. Let’s wait on the Lord, trusting His schedule. Difficult times are a part of this world but we won’t just survive, we will thrive because Jesus said, “But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33b). That says it all. Thanks, Jan!

Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace,
Debbie

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I Did This for You

Each time I go to town (Woodland Park, Colorado — about a 30-minute drive from the ranch) I am given an incredible view on the ride home. As I pass through Divide, Colorado, I am treated to a vista — a panoramic view of the snowcapped Collegiate Mountain Range in the distance and a picturesque valley surrounding me. It never fails to take my breath away. Each time (I’m nothing if not repetitious) I say, in a low-toned voice, “You’re welcome, Debbie. I did this for you.” Scott knows I’m imitating the voice of God.

I am continually amazed at the beauty that surrounds me here in Colorado. But I was equally amazed when I lived in North Dakota, Washington State, and Texas. The plains, the mountains, and the oceans are astonishing in their complexity and beauty. One can’t help but acknowledge only the Lord could create such magnificence.

So I give Him the credit and mimic His voice. Yup, it may seem pretty silly. I was with a neighbor on the trip back to the ranch a while ago (before the pandemic limited social interaction) and said my usual, “You’re welcome, Debbie. I did this for you.” She looked at me and asked if I really thought God created that scene just for me. It made me realize that I do believe I matter that much to my Father in heaven.

I believe. I believe that God loves me despite my sins and, because of those sins, He sent His only Son to suffer and die in my place, for my salvation. When I confess my sins, my God who is faithful and just, forgives my sins. I can hear Him say, “I did this for you, Debbie.”

Can we even begin to make a list of the gifts our Lord has given us? Baptism, sight, laughter, salvation, hope, family, tears, faith, love, Scripture, … we could fill pages. Maybe we all need to do that — maybe we need to make a list and add to it each day. This God who created the universe and all in it created you and me and loves us enough to send His only Son so that we may be saved. He did this for me — and He did this for you. This I believe!

Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace,
Debbie

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I Love Rock and Roll

I should never fall back asleep when I wake a little too early in the morning. I should just get out of bed, but I curl up under the covers and fall back asleep. It’s during this time that I have the most outlandish dreams.

When I wake, sometime between 6:30–7 a.m., Scott gets to listen to me sharing my dreams while they are still fresh in my mind. He shakes his head a lot, and I am sure he finds me quite entertaining. I know my dreams are not unique because many times he also shares his dreams with me.

Do you ever wish you could remember your dreams verbatim? Or fall back asleep so you could find out how the dream ends? I had a dream this week and I’m quite sure I could become famous— if only I could remember the words to the song I composed!

Before I tell you about the song, I should tell you that as I was sewing yesterday, I was listening to 60s and 70s music. Dreams tend to intermingle various scenarios; my dream combined the words from Joan Jett and the Blackhearts’ I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll with words from Bob Seger’s Old Time Rock and Roll. Easter was obviously also on my heart, because I wrote new lyrics to that tune, with Jesus as the subject!

The “rock” in my lyrics was the rock that was set in front of the tomb where they laid Jesus on Good Friday. The “roll” in the lyrics was when the angel of God rolled the stone away. Jesus was not there. He had risen, just as He said! The lyrics I wrote were clever, genius-like! The words
flowed and depicted the story of Holy Week from the Lord’s Supper, to His suffering and death, to His resurrection from the dead, and to His triumph over sin, death, and Satan.

I wish I could remember the exact words — or maybe it’s best that I can’t. If I did remember, I’m sure the lyrics would not be clever or genius in any way. It was a fun dream though. I’m not positive, but I think one of the verses went something like this:
Jesus started all this rock and roll!
Rose from the dead and He saved my soul!
My faith is worth more than solid gold.
Thank you, Jesus, for that rock and roll!

I know, you’re saying, “Don’t quit your day job, Debbie.”

I’m not sure I have a point to make with this blog, unless it’s that I am so glad that my faith is not a dream. My faith is founded in Scripture, solid as a rock. That’s just how I roll!

Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace,
Debbie

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How are You?

I am a pretty cheerful person, for the most part. I tend to look at the positive side of a situation. But I woke this morning, thinking of writing this blog and found that I’m struggling a bit. When this coronavirus disease (COVID-19) began, I made the decision to fully comply with the travel restriction guidelines as well as with the suggestions for social distancing from others. I encouraged others to do the same. Today, I’m struggling because I want to celebrate Easter with my daughter and my neighbors. I don’t think that’s going to happen.

I am keeping really busy. I have lots of hobbies and many conference calls and emails for LWML to keep me entertained. Yet, I miss socializing with neighbors and worshipping with my church family. It’s OK to admit that. This mood will pass. It’s time to get busy with today’s list of to-dos. But I wonder, how are you?

Are you finding enjoyment with extra time at home? Are you reaching out to old friends and family members just to say hello? Are you catching up on reading or cleaning out closets? Are you sad once in a while, missing your friends, and wondering when life will return to normal? I want you to know you’re not alone.

We’re all in this together. We may be separated but we are still the body of Christ. We are bound together in faith with the common purpose of glorifying our Lord and sharing His love and mercy, His grace and forgiveness with others. Just thinking about that helps to remove the focus off of ourselves.

Thanks be to God for this gift of purpose He has given us! As we go about our lives, sheltered in place or out in the world, we have the privilege of praising our Creator and sharing His story. How are you? … sharing HIS story today?

Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace,

Debbie

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Separation — But not from God!

I slept in this morning. I’ve just settled myself on the couch with a fire in the hearth (courtesy of my husband, Scott) and a cup of coffee warming my hands. (Yes, Scott also made the coffee. I know. I’m blessed.) My prayers began, as they always do, with my version of Luther’s Morning Prayer. I call it “my version” because I insert personal petitions as I include prayers for family members, myself, and others. 

It’s snowing heavily right now. Spring is officially upon us but, here in the Rockies, warmer temperatures are several months away. We are in the season of Lent and in the middle of a pandemic. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) dominates the news. Many of my activities continue even as we have been directed to isolate ourselves from others. Morning devotions are one of those activities.

My Scripture reading included this passage from 1 Peter 1:24-25: for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you. This passage has nothing to do with a pandemic — or does it? As we deal with the cancellation of many events, we feel like we are losing control of our lives. If that’s how you are feeling, then I suggest you pick up the Bible and read. We have never been in control of our lives, and I thank God for that truth! Our Lord has been and remains in control. I take comfort in these words Jesus spoke: “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Let’s not look at our confinement — let’s look to the cross for what true separation was like for our Savior as He hung on the cross for our sins.

Let’s not look at the stock market and despair — let’s look to the empty grave and find joy in the treasure of heaven.

We’ve been asked to isolate ourselves from others for our safety and theirs. God assures us we are never separated from His love. Look up Romans 8:31-39. God’s love is an everlasting love!

Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace,

Debbie

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Comfort and Strength Found in the Word

I once had a warrant issued for my arrest. How’s that for an attention grabber? When bad things happen — and they do — we find comfort and strength in His Word. 

I should explain why I had a warrant issued for my arrest. From 1991–1996, Scott and I lived in Houston, Texas, and I worked at the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church bookstore in Nassau Bay. It was south of our home and I drove through a school zone each day on the way to work. One day, I was stopped by a patrolman for speeding through the school zone. That morning they had increased the zone by two blocks and set up a speed trap. I traveled that way each day and was not in the habit of slowing down to 15 mph on that particular block. I was issued a speeding ticket, which I fully intended to fight.

I wrote the court date on my calendar and told Scott I was going to explain my situation to the judge and tell him/her that a flashing light, identifying the new speed limit, should have been in place or they could have issued warnings the first few days of enforcement. I was an advocate for enforcing speed limits in school zones but felt this speed trap was unfair. I felt I was justified in challenging the ticket.

One morning I picked up the mail and opened a letter from the court. Yes, a warrant had been issued for my arrest because I missed the court date. I checked my calendar, realized I had written down the wrong date, and promptly panicked. If I was stopped, the Houston police would have me on the ground with my hands cuffed behind my back in less than a minute. I was scared. What would you have done next?

Without realizing, I began to recite Scripture. God was holding me in His arms.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23).

I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears (Psalm 34:4).

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39).

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid (John 14:27).

No, I did not recite these versus perfectly or in any particular version, but I knew the intent behind them and they calmed my fears. With tears streaming down my face, I called Scott. He told me to get cash and drive downtown to the courthouse. Everything would be OK. I did just that, paid my fine, took a required course in driver’s safety, and resumed normal living. I did not, however, forget the comfort His Word provided. 

My dear friends, begin each day with God and feel the comfort and peace that being Held by HIS Word can provide. Absorb HIS Word, and the Holy Spirit will bring to mind the very words of the Lord when you need them most. And be more observant than I was while you are driving, especially in the area of schools!

Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace,

Debbie

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No Bad Side

Have you ever worked on a needlepoint or cross-stich project? When we first got married, Scott and I lived in a hotel for three weeks until we could get into an apartment. To keep busy, I bought an embroidery project and worked on it each afternoon. I was pleased with how it looked until I peeked at the back. What a mess — knots and threads going in every direction! This project definitely had a good side and a back (or is it bad?) side. 

Many projects look like they have a good side and a bad side. I’ve sewn dresses, decorated fancy cookies, and stained dressers. Each project is meant to look better on one side. 

I received a canvas with my CHRIST logo on it from all the LWML district presidents while we met in St. Louis in January. I just love it! As I admired it, the district presidents told me to look at the back of the canvas. To my delight, each of these incredible women had signed their name with the district they represented, along with their years of service. 

In the center of the canvas back it says:

President Debbie

You are H.I.S.

Presidents Assembly 2020

I’m not entirely sure which side of this canvas to display. There is no bad side. And, as I think about the projects I’ve done, the side we don’t normally show to the world isn’t always the “bad” side, but it is the side that reveals the handiwork and the function. This beautiful canvas with the colorful CHRIST logo will be displayed proudly, but the heart of this piece is found on the back, in the hearts of my dear sisters in Christ. 

I thank God for all my sisters in Christ and for the opportunity to serve our Lord alongside these special servant leaders!

Today, and always, we are surrounded by HIS grace,

Debbie