Hope-Full Living

Our insurance company refused to renew our homeowners’ policy unless we replaced the roof. Their aerial photo indicated a dark area on the back. I panicked. How much would a new roof cost? Was there time before the policy expired? As I walked through the kitchen, the Holy Spirit whispered in my heart: “All you have belongs to God. The house, the furniture — and the roof. Count it all joy in trials...

Growing up in the Midwest, I had no experience with earthquakes. However, after visiting Pompeii’s devastation from a volcanic explosion in 79 AD, I have a better sense of the effects of a mountain being shaken. How terrified the residents of Pompeii must have been when the ground beneath them began to shake as the mountain roared! We remember God’s promise to be our safety and strength in time of...

School bells are ringing again as students return to the classroom. Those days seem far away for many of us, but we have memories that will never leave us. New shoes, binders, and notebooks were part of preparing for a new school year. How are you preparing for a new season in your life? You could join a book club or take a craft class. Or maybe you could plan an additional 15 minutes each day to...

The simple fact is that people tend to live longer these days. There is blessing in that but also challenge. More and more in our increasing age we find ourselves in a position of added responsibility and stress. Maybe we, or someone we know, assumes the role of caregiver for a spouse, parent, or maybe even a child. It is a tremendous burden and fills a person with anxiety and fatigue. The love an...

I used to be adventurous. As I’ve aged, I’m less comfortable with new experiences. A change of address, or a trip into an unfamiliar place will raise my stress level. Will I make a wrong turn? Will I get lost? Recently, while driving in unfamiliar surroundings, my anxiety level spiked until I remembered to send out a quick prayer to God the Father. He always answers. While I gripped the wheel, ver...

During a recent visit with my daughter’s family in Colorado, I had the “opportunity” to go sledding with my granddaughter. My instinct would have been to overcompensate steering down the bumpy, steep hill. However, heeding the advice of my experienced son-in-law, I remained steady and glided down successfully! Trusting my son-in-law’s advice meant following his directions rather than my own instin...

There it is, straight off the page of my favorite Bible. A momentary, hourly, and daily message from God as I maneuver through this gift called old age — through the challenge of daily living — as I plan for the end of old age. The God of hope, Jesus, meets me at the empty tomb and fills me with hope, joy, and peace. Peace is found in knowing that the heavenly peace beyond my comprehension awaits...

As an elementary school student, I wanted to play ball like Patty. She regularly hit home runs, ran like a deer, and outplayed everyone in our class. Therefore, we all sought Patty for our team. Patty never had to worry about rejection. She was guaranteed a position and the opportunity to play. In sports and in life, not everyone makes the team. Even if chosen, we may spend all or most of our time...

I keep this verse on an index card behind my toothbrush, so I see it several times a day. Praying Scripture back to God is a promise God will answer. One unexpected way God answered this prayer for guidance and truth was at my dear mom’s visitation. I didn’t expect it to feel like a foretaste of heaven, but the outpouring of grace and love by those wonderful people who loved my mom was life changi...

One of my Christmas gifts was a Digital Picture Frame. I can watch unlimited photos slowly scrolling on the screen. Looking at the faces of loved ones from the past and present brings me peace and joy. I’m always reminded how many people have shaped my life. Some of my earliest memories are of sharing my bed with my great-grandma when she visited. As I drifted off to sleep, I could hear her softly...

As a child, I recall we sang a song, the words of the stanzas have escaped me, but it had a chorus that went something like this: "Standing, Standing, Standing on the promises of God my Savior. Standing, Standing, I’m standing on the promises of God." To verbally recite a creedal statement is taking a stand. To refuse to be a participant in a conversation that could damage the reputation of anothe...

The psalmist has questions that we, in difficult times, may have asked for ourselves. Has God stopped loving me? Do His promises still apply to me? Then the Holy Spirit provides the way to find the answers we need: “I will remember the deeds of the Lord” (Psalm 77:11). As we turn to Holy Scripture, listening in worship and reading in our own devotions, we can clearly see all that God did for His p...

My granddaughter was sitting next to me in church when she noticed I didn’t need the hymnal for some of the songs. “Nana, do you have all the songs memorized?” I chuckled. No. Not all by a long shot. But many of them.” “That’s amazing” she said.” Well honey bunch when you’ve sung them as long as I have, you’re bound to know many by heart.” Later, I realized it’s the same with the promises of God....

“God bless you,” said the woman behind the deli counter. What did she mean? What does it mean to be blessed? When I bless someone, I’m thinking, “Make everything okay in their life. Keep them safe. Let them be healthy. Let them receive God’s love and also give love to others. Fill their life with joy, thankfulness, and contentment.” It’s not just the woman behind the deli counter who blesses, is i...

As I reflect on my life, I have learned through ups and downs, trials, and mistakes that my plans and solutions don’t offer contentment and peace with life situations. The Lord repeatedly provided wisdom and solutions when I prayed for guidance. He became my light. His Word gives the promise of heaven: “... whoever believes in him may have eternal life” (John 3:15), “Your word is a lamp to my feet...

How often do we sing the words of our hymns, and consider how deeply meaningful they are? Instead of noticing whether our neighbor is singing sharp, flat, or not at all, let us, with concentration and purpose, consider what prayers our hymns contain! The writers of our hymns wrote thoughtfully and carefully Let us remember Whom we are praising, and like Miriam and Moses, after their deliverance fr...

As a Michigan farm boy, “walking beans” — pulling and chopping weeds from our navy bean fields — consumed many hours in late summer. I learned to stay focused, so I didn’t miss a weed. Good gloves, a sharp hoe, and a swig of water every round were essential. God encourages us to be watchful ... for His many blessings through the changing seasons ... for opportunities to share our wisdom and experi...

How long is forever? There is an old joke that says forever depends on which side of the bathroom door you are standing on. Anyone who had to share a bathroom with siblings growing up knows that is not really a joke. I know the Lord has been and is with me during my earthly life. He gave me a loving family who taught me about Him. He comforted me at the passing of my parents and others I love. He...

“I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy - Down in My Heart to Stay” is one of my favorite songs. Written by George W. Cooke in 1925, it has been bringing the message of joy to people for the past 100 years. What brings us joy in our elder years? Is it the joy of seeing a friend or family member’s smile, visit, or letter? Is it found by looking at old photographs? Is it the joy of seeing flowers bloom? Or is i...

Paul’s words of encouragement can be difficult to follow. It’s hard to rejoice after hearing a scary diagnosis. How can we sing for joy when loneliness engulfs us? What can we be joyful about when trouble overwhelms us? We can use the word JOY to help us refocus. “J” reminds us that JESUS is always faithful. We rejoice in His constant love and care. “O” helps us recall that our mission is to care...

It’s nice to think the furnace we just purchased might well last the remaining years we’re in our home. But not so pleasant to think our years of independent living might be shorter than the life of a furnace! When our future plans are uncertain or fearful, it’s good to remember God’s plan. Beginning in the Garden of Eden, it peaked in the death and resurrection of Jesus. God’s plan continues now,...

During Women’s Fellowship we shared the challenges of aging. We may have all had different journeys in life, grew up in different places and times, different ethnicities, and ages ranging from our 60’s to late 80’s, but we had long ago discovered we have more in common than not. Each one also testified during her lifetime she had learned to find rest in God’s promises. That’s something we all have...

Recently, I was going to visit someone in one of our larger hospitals here in North Carolina. The person at the desk gave me directions to the person’s room which had me going from one building to another. There was a man who overheard the person giving me directions and said to me, “I’m going to that building. Why don’t you come with me.” As I went with him, I realized that I would have gotten lo...

We say “how true” in agreement, or with awe, and sometimes with joy. At night, if the day’s troubles weigh heavy on me, I go to bed thankful that I can pray and rest, but the Lord grants me more than rest. He changes the storm to strength for the day. The turmoil turns to confidence that the Holy Spirit never leaves me. That feeling I call joy. The older I get, the more certain I am that turmoil w...

My church sponsors a village in Honduras. A donation table provides an opportunity for members to contribute items others can purchase. The money obtained is designated for this project. Ninety-year-old Mrs. Virginia sews tirelessly to create handcrafted treasures for this need to help these precious people. Jesus illustrated the correct use of our abilities with a parable. Two servants increased...