Hope-Full Living

If you’re like me, I could name 10 losses in a minute. When I focus on losses, my spirit loses all awareness of God with me. What if I remove the gray loss-glasses and put on undimmed gains-glasses? I spied a young squirrel frisking away and up a tree. While I can’t frisk, I do enjoy young things: chipmunks, chickadees, children. Enjoyment counts as a gain. What else? A neighbor walked up, and God...

In economically challenging times, people become interested in restoring what is old. Used furniture is sanded and painted to look new. Old homes are renovated. Even vintage clothing may become popular! Renewal through faith in our crucified and risen Lord is deeper than an outward restoration. It is not merely a matter of changing our appearance. We are transformed by the renewal of our minds. Th...

The psalms often invite us to sing a “new song” to God. Do you ever wonder, like I do, “Why a new song? What’s wrong with the old ones?” We all have favorite songs. They express our thoughts, our emotions, our reactions to life’s experiences. Music and words together have a powerful impact. But why a new song? Perhaps because God’s gifts come new to us each morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). Also, Go...

I saw a man come out of a coffee shop with two cups of coffee. “Must be thirsty,” I mused silently. The man walked to the curb and sat next to someone I had not noticed — someone without a home. I entered the coffee shop, and when I came out with my cup of coffee, the two were still seated, side by side, talking. I wished that I had two cups. One of the blessed ways that the Lord refreshes us is w...

Let’s take a trip down memory lane. What do you remember about the first car you purchased, your first house, or how about that first computer? It all brought about change. Then what about your wedding day and your first child? Can you stroll even further back in time to your first day at college, or high school, or even kindergarten? Hopefully, most of your remembrances bring back fond memories....

As a believer, what is your greatest hope? Proverbs reminds believers that we have a sure hope in the Lord. Trusting in His plans gives us a sure foundation on which to stand. God’s promises are steadfast and His plans are good and upright. By placing our hope in God, we can face the challenges of life as seniors with confidence. By God’s grace, there is a definite future for believers who live ac...

It has often been said that “Hindsight is 20/20.” It is always easy to look back at the past to see how our plans have failed. Often times, I will lie awake at night replaying how my choices went awry. What I usually realize is that when things have gone wrong, I have made plans according to what I wanted or thought was best without turning to the Lord first. What I have failed to do is seek the L...

The clothesline stretched along the classroom wall. Each week my students clipped on another Bible story picture as a reminder of God’s continuing love for His people: Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, and so on. Near the end of the school year, the children realized that they also belonged in God’s family. He chose them and cares for them daily. They each added their photo to the clothesline. We, too,...

As time goes on, we reminisce about the “good old days.” One of my most cherished memories is of my grandma who was a five-second prayer warrior. She prayed about anything at any time and with a few heartfelt words. I remember the hot, humid summer days when the only cooling equipment was an electric fan. One summer afternoon, my grandma decided the kitchen was too hot to peel potatoes. So, we mov...

Mo is a hero who no longer wears a uniform. At 51, he is a former New York City police officer. Mo retired on disability due to breathing issues suffered during work at the 9/11 site. But he’s a hero, because of his service in Manhattan ... and swim paddles. Although Mo admits he’s “relatively new to swimming,” a willingness to try something new reflects the words of Isaiah who said, “I am doing a...

My church home means so much to me. It’s not as though it’s the only one where I’ve been a member. It’s the fact that it is my safe haven, my Sunday morning spiritual retreat, my meeting place with loved ones, and the place where I come heart to heart with the Lord. Having gone to church my entire life, I find it such a pleasing excursion to enter my place of worship, and to share Christ’s body an...

We learn in Genesis that God makes promises and keeps promises. He made a promise to Sarah that she would have a son, even in her old age. We also know how Sarah responded, with good intentions, although her resolution was not God’s promise. We are a lot like Sarah — intent with our efforts to help God fulfill our dreams, desires, and plans with our timeline for preparing and reaching goals ... un...

I am a retired teacher. Teaching was more than a career — it was a lifelong journey of service, structure, and soul- shaping moments. My lesson plan book became a reflection of my life: semesters broken into weeks, weeks into days, and each day with its own set of goals and objectives. Why such careful attention to detail? In teaching, every day mattered. Every interaction held eternal potential....

Face it. Nobody likes being sick. For many seniors, sickness disrupts life more than we would like. That’s why today’s verse is so comforting as it foresees the time when no one, ever again, will say, “I am sick.” No one will say those words in heaven, the new Jerusalem. Of course, we’re still here on earth, where sickness and all manner of physical problems can bring frustration and fear. What ca...

We’ve had to buy several new things recently — a new car, a new hot water heater, and a new air conditioner. Because of the unanticipated expenses and hassles, I must say that purchasing new things is getting old! It’s easy to take for granted a car that transports you around, a cool house on a summer day, a hot shower in the morning. When things go wrong, however, we realize the value of the thin...

I remember being chosen for a game in my grade school days. In the game, the first two children selected chase the others shouting, “Pump, pump, pull away!” as all are asked to run between goals. When tagged, the caught children help catch the rest. The last one caught is declared winner. Our being tagged by God depends completely on God’s grace, given to us in Christ Jesus, not pumping or chasing...

Oh, what I could have been … I could have been more confident in athletics. I could have been more socially adept. I could have asked my parents more about themselves. I could have balanced work and home better. I could have been a better witness of Jesus. Couldn’t I have been a better version of myself? Do you ever participate in the second-guessing game? Jesus doesn’t. “Jesus Christ is the same...

As a left-hander, I have learned how to deal with a right-handed world. I appreciate meeting another left-hander. I used to groan when I heard about God’s right hand in the Bible, such as when God says in Isaiah, “I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Why this emphasis on His right hand? But then I heard that in Bible times, the king would raise his right hand to show that he would keep...

The king in Jesus’ parable had been busy. He planned a feast for his son’s wedding, drew up a guest list, sent invitations, slaughtered livestock, and prepared dinner. When the original invitations were refused, he revised the guest list — twice! Yet when he entered the banquet hall, he ejected a guest for not wearing the proper wedding garment. Extreme behavior? Take another look. All actions in...

Growing up in the late 1930s and early 1940s was so calm and simple even though a world war was occurring. Parents and teachers in a Lutheran school guided me with love. I enjoyed frequent family gatherings with just a radio or newspaper as the entry into the outside world. I got married and had three sons. What happened to those simple days? The days are gone forever, but their memories remain as...

After the small-town festival, we found a pricey parking violation on our windshield. Staring at the sign, which stood on a truck bed in front of our car, we all quoted aloud, “Free parking today — Special Event.” WE felt violated!! In my angst, I submitted a complaint describing the scene. The response explained that particular sign was in transit, and we could bring our case to court! How would...

Life is different for all of us. We each have hopes, dreams, and goals we want to accomplish. Sometimes, life goes well, and things fall into place. Other times, our best hopes, dreams, and plans get derailed, and we must start over. It may have been because of a job loss, divorce, natural disaster, or death. We are left in the aftermath wondering, “What do I do now?” As humans, we find ourselves...

Habits and traditions give us a sense of comfort. They make life feel less stressful. They can also be a trap. We settle for the old and comfortable even when life feels stale and stagnant. Looking back, some of the best times in our lives required immense change. The birth of a child. Marriage. A new job. These changes, and many more, serve to revitalize our lives. They can lead to new seasons of...

My daughter recently asked, “What does ‘aging gracefully’ mean to you?” I thought of a friend who lives with chronic pain. She is a “people person” who, despite limited mobility, just keeps giving to others. Her husband does, too, as he also cares for her. Other friends — a husband with multiple health issues, including cancer, and a wife who cares for him 24/7 — are boundless in their interest an...

I’ve given up on making New Year’s resolutions. Years of experience have convinced me that the practice only leads to failure and guilt. Yet, like the Psalm writer, I long to honor God by keeping His commandments. My resolve to walk in His ways happens not yearly, but daily. Like New Year’s resolutions, however, my ability to remain steadfast falls short. I could give up trying, knowing that I wil...