Take Care to Wonder

"Take care to wonder at the world through which you wander." 

This is the first line of a song from my elementary school years. It's running through my mind this morning as I pen notes to send in the mail. In a couple cards, I include the "Missing Moose" collage and this photo. I snapped the image on the way back from my trek to the hilltop. After the vehicle passed by, I realized more than a person was along for the ride. So this truly was a "lucky shot" - one that reminded me of my buddy who used to hang his head out the window too. The encounter occurred February 5th, one week before the next one with the moose pendant around my neck.  I didn't realize this "sign" until I began reviewing my photos and put the two instances together. 

When we "take care to wonder," we begin to understand the incredible orchestration of our Creator. 

And in case you're wondering, here's the link to the song . It's a production I created seven years ago to fulfill a request in another of my blogs. Enjoy the journey and keep an ear out for His whistle...

Missing Moose

Nearly four years have passed since my last entry on this blog. Today God's whistle calls me to start again. During this season of Lent 2018, I hope to connect with at least one person each day. Maybe you are that one today? If so, here's a haiku for you.

Missing Moose

On the Road to Town

I feel his presence near me

laying on my heart.

Driving in the car on the gravel road, I stopped to take a few photos. I don't often walk this way anymore since the northwest wind blows bitterly cold and fast freezes my nose. Covered, it steams up my glasses. Since Moose passed late last summer, I walk the opposite way protected by the forest cover and up to a scenic hilltop overlook.

Anyway, as I snapped pictures of old haunts, my heart ached. I reached up to my chest and cried, “I miss Moose!” At that moment, I felt the Scandinavian moose hanging from my neck. I hadn't worn it in years, but felt moved to find the necklace this morning. Why? I didn't know until this moment.

Moose was with me laying on my heart – in name and in spirit. Look at my pup's pose and how it matches the pendant moose's stance. I took the photo of Moose on the Road to Town almost one year ago to the day of my encounter with his spirit on Monday, February 12, 2018. 

I am always amazed how God can connect us with others when we open our eyes, ears and minds to His call. It reminds me of the Bible verse from Zechariah 10:8a: "When I whistle to them, the will come running for I have redeemed them."

Think about that the next time you whistle. Maybe God's calling you too?

Today's Prayer

 

A Sign of Spring

A Sign of Hope

Resting in His Love

It's the message from a grandson-in-law who sang at yesterday morning's celebration-of-life worship service for his wife's grandpa.







It's a message we saw demonstrated at last night's basketball game when our own team was down by 26 points at the half and rallied to win after their coach asked them to BELIEVE.

It's a message we begin to fathom when we put God's Will before our own, trusting in Him to draw us closer to His loving heart.

Light of the World

Editor's Note: I shared this reflection in our church's December newsletter.

Christmas is coming. In Sunday School, we prepare our hearts for the coming of God’s Son – as a baby who came to grow, teach, and save; as a king who came to rule and reign. God called His Son, Jesus, to bring light into the world, to shine in the darkness, to open our hearts, to teach us heaven’s ways. We call the four weeks before Christmas: The Season of Advent. It’s a Latin word meaning “coming.” Christ is coming.

Let’s pray: Come Lord Jesus. Come into our hearts. Open our minds. Let your Spirit fill us with faith, hope, joy, love and peace as we await your coming. Help us to serve you by reaching out in love and forgiveness to others so that our lives reflect you – The Light of the World. Amen.

Chasing After Answers

I had an awful "morning-after" feeling when I read the election results today. I asked myself: How could this happen? Where is God in this muddle?

I wanted to talk to someone who might provide insight and comfort. Then I remembered many of the people close to me hold different ideas about various issues that were on the ballot. That's when I took time to pray: "Lord, help me understand."

I knelt beside my bed, opened my Bible and I prayed that the Word would shed light on our current situation. The pages fell open, and I began to read: "The book of Hosea is a tragic love story with a happy ending."

I soon learned that Hosea was called by God not only to be a messenger to His people, but also to marry an unfaithful woman. And so, Hosea married Gomer. After bearing three children to Hosea, Gomer acted unfaithfully and shattered their marriage. In the end, Hosea urged Gomer to repent and receive forgiveness and restoration. The second half of the book draws lessons from this symbolic story comparing God's people, who had turned to other gods, to Gomer who had turned to other men. Like Gomer, God's people would receive forgiveness and restoration if they would return to God.

Through its 14 chapters, the Book of Hosea brought me the comfort I was seeking. "We the People" are just as human as God's people were thousands of years ago when this book was written. We all have our own idols, call them what you will: money, status, power, work, political and social agendas, material goods, hobbies, television, sports, video games, the internet, drugs, alcohol, food, and much more. If something distracts us from spending time with God, it's an idol.

God wants a relationship with each one of us. He wants us to acknowledge: He is God and that we need His help. At times, we sink into the darkness - similar to Gomer and God's people thousands of years ago. We're here today...

To answer my earlier questions: "How could this happen? Where's God in this muddle?" I realized "We the People" are like Gomer chasing after something not meant for us. And sometimes, it is necessary to stumble in the darkness and feel hopeless.

In these difficult times, we gain an opportunity to realize: God is right beside us. He's waiting for us to call so that He can reach out, meet our needs and lead us into the light. Meanwhile, we wait patiently and obediently as Hosea did, prayerfully, urging others to return to God too.

"Let those who are wise understand these things. Let those who are discerning listen carefully. The paths of the Lord are true and right." Hosea 14:9a-c