Again, for your prayers...

            I was going to write this morning about what a blessing, albeit mixed, social media has become. There were two high schools in my home town, each of them in the third highest strata of enrollment – which, in Nebraska in the late seventies, wasn’t all that large. We knew kids from each school and got along well in our small town of 3500 souls. 

            But it’s been in the last couple of years that, through Facebook, I’ve grown in appreciation for the faith of a number of the people in the other school. We have interacted with one another more through posts or messages than we ever had face to face. And, while I sheepishly admit that, I am truly thankful for that gift.

            Here ends the post, however. I’ll continue with that thought, or perhaps another one, after we return from Omaha. Our son just called to let me know that he and his expectant wife have gone to the hospital for delivery. Please enfold Krista, Chase, and baby Winter in your prayers – and the grandparents on each side as they travel to rejoice in this wonder.

For your prayers...

            Part of the news shared at worship this weekend was that Pastor Philip Doublestein has received a call to be a missionary in San Antonio, Texas. As Pastor and Kate prayerfully deliberate where they and their son, Wyatt, could best serve God we ask all to keep them in prayer, as well. God grant them wisdom and discretion as they seek to do His well, and peace in the outcome. 

Things you know - but it's worth being reminded.

            It’s surprising to me that at this age I would need to be reminded of certain things. I’m well aware that my mind doesn’t retain things as easily as it did when I was in my teens and twenties. Back then I could listen to a song on the radio (which was how we listened to popular music in those days) a couple of times and have the lyrics memorized. And they are easily recalled to this day!

            But that’s not really what I’m talking about. What I have in mind is that I need to be reminded of truths that have been a part of my existence for decades. Lately, I’ve gotten into a bad habit of neglecting exercise. I know that good stewardship of my health requires portion control when I eat. But exercise – e.g. cardio and load-bearing workouts – is also good for the body’s systems. Whereas I used to spin (cycle) 3 to 5 days a week, I’d gotten to the point that I rarely even walked. 

            It’s been good to be out on the roads and trails these past few weeks. My mind is fresher, I wake up earlier and more easily, and those measures of better health (blood pressure and heart rate, for example) are better readings, too. 

            Saying “I love you” to those people who are dearest to us is an important practice, too. We can fall out of that habit when we take life’s good things for granted. We know that our spouse/child loves us, and they should know we love them. As for the former, we promised that at the altar and we haven’t changed our minds! But it’s always good to hear it aloud. 

            That is also true regarding the love of God. We need to hear that love for us, a love which moved Christ Jesus to sacrifice Himself on Calvary’s cross for our forgiveness. It’s easy to ignore that powerful Gospel, or to lose sight of it, living in a world where there is no such thing as a free lunch. The Gospel is unique in that it works in a completely different direction: it’s all gift. That’s why it is so important to be in God’s house (worship) and be in God’s word (scripture reading and devotions). 

You’d think you wouldn’t need to be reminded of that truth that has been a part of your existence perhaps since your infant baptism. But that’s something of which it’s always worth being reminded!