Freedom

      Bud and I have had our heads in the clouds. Literally. We’ve been in the Rockies since last Sunday taking in fresh mountain air and panoramic views that surely must be stair steps to Heaven.       

       We toured the Pueblo ruins at Mesa Verde, went four-wheeling on a road built between Durango and Silverton in the 1800’s (Yes, the mini boulders that probably broke many wagon wheels and axles are still there), and have taken a few scenic drives that offer a variety of colors and mountain peaks. We plan to return to Creede in the morning to observe their Hot Air Balloon Festival.

          God allows us these sabbaticals, and we are so grateful for the one we’ve had this week. However, the freedom we’ve experienced has been a little bittersweet as some we love are dealing with serious health issues and others with difficult decisions in their lives and in the lives of others. 

          We look forward to being home again in a few days when it’s time to return to the “real world” where prayers are requested and answers sought. There’s more work to be done for God’s earthly kingdom, and while we can’t solve any of the problems, we can join with them in prayer and offer friendship and support. And watch with them for the call to eternal freedom and joy.

 

"Let us not lose heart in doing good,

for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.

So then, while we have opportunity,

let us do good to all people, and especially

to those who are of the household of the faith."

(Galatians 6:9,20 NASB)

 

"Delight...

 

…yourself in the Lord”

carries one of His special promises:

 “…and He will give you the desires of your heart.”

And another one:

“If because of the Sabbath, you turn your foot

From doing your own pleasure on My holy day,

And call the Sabbath a delight, the holy day of the Lord honorable,

And honor it, desisting from your own ways,

From seeking your own pleasure

And speaking your own word,

Then you will take delight in the Lord,

And I will make you ride on the heights of the earth;

And I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father,

For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

(Isaiah 58:13-14,NASB)

 

That’s a pretty good return for simply loving the Lord and His special day!

  

 

COME

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” 

(Matthew 11:28, NISB)

 

  “Come...” 

“Move from where you are"

  “…to Me.”

“Jesus. I’m all you need. I can help.”

  “all”
               “Anyone. Everyone.”

“who are weary”

               “I want to be your strength.”

 “and heavy laden”

               “I carried the cross and then bore it – just for you. I can carry you, too.”

 “and I will give you rest.”

               “Rest for your mind, body and spirit.”

When the Good Shepherd Speaks

     A favorite card I used to purchase at Mardel carried a simple message about the Good Shepherd. I used to buy as many as were available and sent them often. I haven't been able to locate this particular card there in a while.
     There is no accreditation on the card, and I took the liberty of adding a title. I hope it blesses you with whatever you may be facing today.

When the Good Shepherd Speaks

When the Good Shepherd speaks to His own,
He never uses words of
     Despair,
          Hopelessness,
              Frustration,
                   Defeat,
                        Discouragement,
                             Fear,
                                  Confusion, or                                       
                                       Failure.
Instead, He gives His sheep words of
     Hope,
          Rest,         
               Victory,
                   Peace,
                        Power,
                             Joy,
                                  Triumph, and
                                       Love.

Baseball, Bricktown and Blood

          Living well into the sixth decade of our lives, we’re still finding that it’s fun to do new things – like go to a minor league baseball game for the first time ever. Oklahoma City has a beautiful baseball stadium in the heart of the city – Bricktown, we call it. And we have a great baseball team in the Oklahoma City Redhawks.

          Honestly, our new adventure came about with free tickets given by the Oklahoma Blood Institute in their recent donor campaign. Since I’m O+, I get scheduled reminders that it’s time to pay them a visit every 6 weeks. I feel blessed to be on the giving end of that procedure.

          OK, back to the game. The weather last Sunday night was quite a treat for Oklahomans coming out of two previous hot and record breaking summer seasons. Our seats were in the shade near third base and the breeze was an added pleasure.

 

          When I asked Bud how he was enjoying the game, his reply was that, well, it did give him time to think of other things. And he was so right. Baseball is relaxing to watch. And there’s just enough excitement built in with a couple of homeruns and a close-scoring game to keep relaxation from turning to boredom. Our minds did have time to think ahead – or back as the case may be. But the sound of a bat connecting with a baseball traveling 85 – 95 mph kept our thoughts from staying too far.

          Our Redhawks made us proud with two homeruns (one of them brought in a second runner) and won the game 4 – 3 over Iowa’s team.

         The tough part was inhaling the aroma of funnel cakes, hot dogs and nachos. Our new health-conscious lifestyle kept our resolve intact, and we just settled for the atmosphere of the wonderful food served up as only Oklahomans can.

          Another first? Singing along with “Take Me Out To the Ball Game” during the seventh inning stretch. It made the evening complete. We may even buy our tickets next time.