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Trusting in the Teacher

I became very ill on January 3rd . I had all the symptoms that led me to believe I had contracted COVID-19: a high fever, chills, body aches, coughing, and so on. Monday, my husband, Scott, took me to get a COVID test. On January 7th the test came back negative. My symptoms persisted on and off for the next week. Scott still believes I had COVID and that the test is not completely accurate. We really are dealing with the unknown.

This made me think about all the tests I have been subjected to throughout my life, or that I subject myself to: aptitude tests, medical tests, personality tests, vehicle crash tests (kidding!), pregnancy tests, stress tests, etc. Why do I take tests? Academic testing is a critical checkup to assure learning is on track. Medical tests are necessary to assess many conditions and discover
deficiencies or diseases. If testing helps me discover important things about myself, then when God tests me, He does it out of love.

The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts (Proverbs 17:3). The New Living Translation says, Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart. I am quite sure that I fear being tested because I am afraid I may fail, but my battle with sin was won through Christ’s death and resurrection. Christ has passed the test for me!

The objective of testing is to discover the truth. Have I learned what was taught? Am I healthy or do I need treatment? When the Lord tests me and I fall short, through His Word and Sacraments, He reminds me of His love and forgiveness, and I learn once again to trust in Him. My faith is precious to my Father in heaven and my faithfulness is rewarded as I experience His peace and joy. Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him (James 1:12). I may deal with the unknown in this life but my faith in Christ is grounded in Scripture. I know the Lord is my Creator, Christ is my Savior, and heaven is my home.

Let me be clear. I do not enjoy being tested, whether it’s a blood test, an intelligence test, or an event in life given to test my faith. I am certain, however, that I am weak and I need to lean on the One who I trust above all else. His strength becomes my strength. His victory is mine as well.

How have you been tested lately? Trust in the Teacher!

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

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:9–11).

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To Give or To Receive?

This week, in the grocery store parking lot, I received an offer of assistance from another woman. It was a kind offer, so why did I hesitate before accepting? I had unloaded all my groceries into the back of the Subaru and turned to look for the nearest cart return. This women, not much younger than me, asked if she could take my cart and return it for me. After a slight hesitation, I smiled and said, “Sure. Thank you!” That was it.

But, that wasn’t it. If you ask my family you will be told that I tend to overanalyze almost everything. I got into the driver’s seat and pulled down the visor, looked in the mirror, and wondered if I looked old and feeble. I prefer to be the person offering to help others in parking lots. I’m not the one that needs help — am I?

Do you have an easier time helping others or allowing them to help you? Do you find it easier to give than to receive? Think about it. When someone tells you they love your shoes, or your new jacket, etc., do you find that you tend to downplay the compliment? If we can’t receive a compliment with grace, we may find it difficult to show appreciation when receiving help.

When I need a fresh perspective, I often find it in the Scriptures. The story in Exodus 17 immediately comes to mind, where Aaron and Hur held up Moses’ arms during the battle with Amalek. Whenever Moses held up his hands, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hands, Amalek prevailed. Joshua led this battle, but it was the Lord’s victory. Moses needed
help, and the Lord provided it through Aaron and Hur.

I know that asking my Lord for help is good. I also need to appreciate that the Lord may ask me to give help to others, or He may ask me to accept help from others.

Looking back, in accepting the assistance of a stranger, God may have given her the boost she needed in that hour. God may have known that she would be blessed by heling. I know I feel blessed when I am able to help someone so, now, I will remember that I may, at times, be a different part of the equation.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him (John 3:16–17). Yup — help from God is
not only acceptable, but necessary!

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

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).

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Appreciating This World

I just listened to Andrea Bocelli sing “Hallelujah” in Italian. I closed my eyes and let the music lift me beyond my own English language to the universal language of praise and adoration to our Lord and Savior. I thought of all the different languages of this world and how my understanding of these languages did not limit my appreciation for the sentiment borne within the words, especially when they are carried on the notes of music. I thought of how God reached across the barriers of language, race, and culture, and stretched out His arms on that cross for all people. As Andrea sang the words in Italian, I sang along in English and felt my song ascending as a prayer of praise to God.

We have all just celebrated Christmas. My family has special traditions and I’m sure your family does also. I enjoy learning about various culture’s traditions for celebrating their Christianity throughout the year. Do you have neighbors or friends come from a culture other than your own? Is there someone in your congregation who may consider sharing their history and traditions? When we lived in Bismarck, North Dakota, we always sang one verse of “Silent Night” in German. Wouldn’t it be fun to learn a favorite hymn in another language?

I don’t know where I’m going with this blog. Even as I ramble, I pray that God will open my mind and heart to appreciate how the Spirit works in the hearts of all His people, in different ways, but for the same purpose of glorifying Him. My prayer is that I may appreciate every culture, language, and person as His creation, love them with His love, and understand that my traditions are good but are not all encompassing.

For nothing will be impossible with God (Luke 1:37).

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

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Mask — to Safeguard or to Conceal?

Debbie in her purple mask

I wear my purple (of course!) mask in public. It’s mandated in Colorado. I wear it because it’s the right thing to do, it protects others, and it reminds me not to touch everything in sight! Many of my sisters in Christ have made and distributed masks. Thank you all! This is a new and challenging world for us, and we are all doing what we can to safeguard ourselves, our families, and those with whom we come in contact.

Scott and I made a trip to Colorado Springs (an hour over the mountain pass) this last week. We picked up the windows for the shop he is constructing, and we ran other errands. Everywhere, people wore masks. It was entertaining to see all of the different styles and colors. “I do hope this ends soon, though,” I thought to myself.

Then I thought about how we tend to wear masks of a different kind. I certainly am guilty of wearing masks for the wrong reasons at times in my life. Have I worn a mask of apathy when I should disagree with what is being said or done? Do I wear a mask of conformity to the standards of this world when I should be protesting violence, hatred, and opposition to the standards of our Lord?

Sometimes it may seem easier to hide behind my own personal beliefs and my own ideas of what is right and wrong rather than to look to God for guidance. I searched for the word “mask” in the Bible — nothing. I searched for the words “conceal” or “cover up” and these verses, among others, came up:

In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered inprivate rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops (Luke 12:1-3).

Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy (Proverbs 28:13).

It made me think and, I hope, it will make me more aware of the times when I wear a mask that does not reflect Christ. Each morning, I ask the Lord to give me the strength to be the person He wants me to be, to say the things He would want me to say. I think I will add to that prayer that I always reflect His love and stand strong in His truth.

I looked up “mask” in the thesaurus, and some of the synonyms were to “shield, cover, camouflage, and disguise.” The masks we are now wearing in public are to shield and protect those around us. But I will seek my Lord’s guidance as I do my best not to wear masks that hide my Christianity.

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

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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