5/13/21 5/13/21

Devotion Who is Number One in My Life?

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.--Philippians 2:3-4 (KJV) Read 2:1-11.

Radical words for today’s society. Radical words for a culture in which advertisers seek to twist, omit, imply or anything else in order to get us to purchase their product. The media is not much different, adding pure falsehoods to the mix. We live in a culture in which “self” reigns as supreme and the universe revolves around the repeated statement “me first.”

This self-centered philosophy finds its way into every aspect of society. “I’m not happy with my spouse. Time to move on. My spouse and kids will adjust.”

“I hate my job. I do as little as possible at work. Who cares what this will cost the employer.” The pain of a discarded mate, the rippling apart of children’s lives hardly merits a second thought.

All is rationalized with “They are better off with one parent than with two parents who don’t want to be there anymore.” Closer to home, a mother heads off to work, not out of necessity, not because she feels God call on her life in this regard, but to “expand horizons,” or to afford that larger house, car or vacations. The need for a child to have a parent at home is sacrificed to more “things” and “wants.”

How does this verse affect me? How about those times I have to finish this task or that one instead of spending time with my child who tries to get my attention? Do we spend time reading and cuddling our little ones and talking to and doing things with our older kids? Our grandkids?

What about getting so busy with good things in the community or at church that I neglect my spouse and family? What about church? Do I say no to teaching or helping in Sunday School because God said “Not now,” or because I didn’t want to take the time?

It is easy to point fingers at and judge others for their selfishness and greed. When I do that, I need to look at how many fingers are pointed right back at myself.

Help me, Lord, give you first place in my life by loving You and others with my heart, my attention, and my time--starting with my spouse and family. Amen.

Meditations:
Monday: Numbers 23:19-20
Tuesday: Luke 12:15, 22-32
Wednesday: Romans 13
Thursday: Ephesians 5:21-33
Friday: Ephesians 6:1-10
Saturday: Philippians 1:9-11

5/10/21 5/10/21

Blog Thankful for people, park, laughter

We live across the street from Collins Park. Keith and I have lived here since the early days of our marriage. The house is built for my limitations by my brother Paul Fredrickson who was a local contractor. Having the park across the street has been a blessing in so many ways.

I am a bit claustrophobic, but with the park across the street rather than more houses, I don’t feel hemmed in. When our kids were small, we could go hang out across the street at the park on nice days. Over the years, family friends have used the park for any number of get-togethers and picnics. We’ve even attended an Easter Sunrise Service at the park.

Every Spring the cars started filling the roadway as baseball practice got underway. Then came the games throughout the summer, lights on till long after dark, and individuals yelling and cheering until we couldn’t wait for the game to end. My kids would beg money to spend on candy, etc. at the canteen. Once in a while, I even gave in.

In the early days, some thought nothing about blocking our drive with their cars, keeping us from getting out, but this pretty much stopped after a while. (I’ve wondered if my article about the problem made a difference.)

Other than game times, kids and families used the park all summer long. Families had reunions and other gatherings. Sometimes we didn’t have far to view fireworks when families shot them off at the park on Independence Day. During the summer, the park was filled with excited yells and laughter as children played on the equipment meant for their enjoyment. The laughter made me smile.

Then in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, all was silent. The park was off-limits to the children who needed activity and fun. When the wind blew, I sometimes heard the rattle of swing chains, but it was a lonely sound without the children.

The next year, I once again heard laughter at the park. Many walk by with their dogs at their heels. Kids ride by on bikes with friends. Even baseball is gearing up. More cars line the streets and baseball calls echo across the ballfield. At times in past years, the lights, sounds, cars, the overall noise level irritated me.

After the silence of Covid restrictions, I am glad to hear the laughter emanating from across the street. It almost relaxes me now. I smile and give thanks that despite the heartaches and frustrations of fear-based restrictions, Americans are strong and resilient, and we will not only survive—but also thrive.

5/7/21 5/7/21

Devotion Safety Zones—Good or Bad?

Read: Matthew 25:31-46
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.--Philippians 2:3-4 (KJV)

Most of us today, despite a vast transportation system from coast to coast, despite airplanes and instant access through the Internet and social media, are still most comfortable in our own little cocoons, our own safe zones, our own safe spaces.

In school, at work, and even at church, our conversation seldom goes beyond the surface level of a few platitudes. “How are you?” And the, usual, responding lie, “Just fine.”

We play video games, listen to music, watch TV, send graphics and jokes on to friends on social media. Our contacts are often shallow or, really, non-existent. With our cell phones handy, we often don’t even communicate with each other at the dinner table.

We focus our time on ourselves. Our children take their cue from us. Instead of interacting with friends face-to-face, they isolate themselves with video games, music, and their cell phones. In doing so, they miss a whole component of growing into responsible, caring, mature adults.

For each of us, there is far too little interaction and communication with real people. In isolating ourselves, we miss out on recognizing the needs of those around us, including those of our own family. Most of all, we tune out the God who created and loves us and who desires a dynamic and living relationship with us.

Help me, Lord, break out of my comfortable zone to reach out to the world around me and discover needs. Help me be willing to spend real time with real people, sharing Your love along the way. Amen.

Meditations:
Monday: Mark 12:30-31; 10:42-45
Tuesday: Galatians 5:13-14; 6:1-6
Wednesday: Matthew 7:24-27
Thursday: James 1:22-27
Friday: James 2:14-26
Saturday: James 3:17; 4:8-17

5/5/21 5/5/21

Devotion Show Forth His Salvation—Being a Witness?

Read: Matthew 28:19-20
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.-
—-Romans 1:16

In a culture that discourages Christians and their point of view in public forums, it can be frightening to consider sharing the gospel. Yet, that is exactly what Jesus asks of us.

If we truly believe that Jesus came to bring salvation and new life, how can we rationalize not sharing His message of forgiveness and hope? How can we share without getting into trouble, without embarrassment, without getting harassed? Maybe you can’t.

God didn’t say, “Share my message quietly so you won’t have any repercussions.”

God didn’t say, “Ah, if you are going to have problems or lose friends, you don’t have to witness to others.”

God didn’t say, “Sure, I know it is tough. I’ll excuse you from following my express words of drawing others to me.”

Nope! If we truly believe that those without God are going to hell, then we need to figure out how to speak up. Do I love members of my family, friends, and co-workers enough to tell them about Jesus? If not, the question becomes, “Do I really care about them?”

How do I share? By being a friend. By reaching out to help in time of need. By praying for, and with, others. By knowing basic verses of salvation such as Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 5:8 and John 3:16- 17. By taking opportunities presented to share about Jesus who loves and cares and helps in time of need.

Do I, as Psalm 96:2 states, “Sing unto the Lord, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.”?

Help me, Lord, have the courage to share Your message of truth with those around me. Help me do so in Your will and Your way. Amen.

Meditations:
Monday: Psalm 98
Tuesday: Psalm 1
Wednesday: Romans 1:16-20
Thursday: Mark 8:31-38
Friday: Psalm 40
Saturday: Luke 15:1-10

4/29/21 4/29/21

Devotion How Shallow Am I? Spiritual Discernment?

Read:Matthew 15:5-12

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. --Colossians 2:8-9

Jesus sometimes appeared amazed at the obtuseness of his disciples. By then, they’d been with Him for quite some time. They’d witnessed miracle after miracle, including the provision of multiplying bread--twice!

They’d heard His teachings. Surely, they could have figured out Jesus didn’t need to chide them for not bringing enough bread.

They had seen His demonstration of power in healing the sick, casting out demons and stilling the storm. They knew Jesus explained present circumstances through parables and Old Testament prophecies. Nevertheless, when Jesus asked a question, they immediately assumed He spoke of physical needs.

The disciples showed little spiritual discernment and even less faith. It was for this reason Jesus chided them. Many of us have grown up with the Bible and the availability of Sunday School, church, and other Christian activities.

Yet, how much spiritual discernment do we have? Are we more shallow than the disciples? Have we allowed tradition and a bit of teaching here and there to substitute for spending time communicating with Jesus and getting into His Word?

Are we easily manipulated and misled, rationalizing our entertainment choices, as well as substituting our own desires for God’s? Do we shrug our shoulders at abortion, alternate lifestyles, pornography, debt, and divorce? By our choices, do we deny our Lord?

What we believe reveals the state of our hearts. When we separate ourselves from communicating with and listening to Jesus and His Word, we are no longer following His will, His way or His Word. We’ve become shallow, weak imitations easily led away in sin.

Help me, Lord, seep myself in You and Your Word that I might have spiritual discernment and not be misled or manipulated by my rebellious heart or to allow Satan to turn me away from You. Amen.

Meditations:
Monday: Philippians 4:6-9T
Tuesday: Galatians 1:6-9
Wednesday: Colossians 2:6-10
Thursday: II Timothy 2:15; 3:1-5
Friday: Psalm 119:1-11
Saturday: Psalm 42

4/27/21 4/27/21

Devotion God Hates Sin: Loves the Sinner--ME?

Read: I Corinthians 10:1-14, 23, 31

There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it. --1 Corinthians 10:13

Eve listened to the serpent and ate of the forbidden fruit. Did she smile when she turned and tempted Adam? Did he merely wish to please his wife when he chomped his teeth into the fruit and ignored God’s plain admonition to not eat it?

The serpent said doing so would enlighten them. It did that. What he failed to mention were the consequences, already clearly laid out, that disobedience would open them to the world of evil as well as good. They found death, terror, and fear. They lost their innocence, their security, and their dependence on their Creator.

They forfeited an intimate relationship with God and a perfect world for momentary pleasure and a world twisted by evil, hate, loneliness, and death. Is it any wonder God hates sin? He knows the devastating results.

Joseph’s older brothers became so consumed with hatred and jealousy, they lost their reason and critical thinking skills. They were so focused on hatred they planned to murder their own brother until they found a horrifying alternative--sell him into slavery. They meant what they did for evil. From then on, uncertainty, fear and guilt followed them—even after discovering Joseph was alive.

What of Korah? Was he not as important as Moses? He thought of himself so highly he chose to not only defy the leader God had chosen, the man who led them out of years of slavery in Egypt but also misled others in his rebellion. The consequences were grave--death for the rebels and their immediate families.

God hates sin because it leads to harm of self and others. It is destructive, and a vehicle for more evil. Out of fear, the Israelites refused to go in and conquer the Promised Land. Their disobedience brought them 40 years of wandering in the desert until the adult population died. Their sons and daughters were the ones who entered the land promised by God.

David committed murder out of fear his adultery would be exposed. It was revealed anyway. The son of that affair died soon after birth. Though his repentance restored his fellowship with God, the seeds of his actions took their long-term toll on his family and his people. God really does hate sin, because he knows there are always negative consequences.

How lightly do we take sin--if we admit that word into our vocabulary at all? Do we fudge on taxes, cheat on a test? Have we taken towels from a motel, glasses, etc. from a restaurant? Have we taken the mind we gave to Jesus and filled it with a profusion of adultery, fornication, violence, greed, and other sins in our search for “entertainment?”

Do we rationalize our sin, calling it by some other name? Excuse ourselves? Do we not realize there are consequences for not following God’s principles? Our choices matter for ourselves, our families, and who knows how far our choices for good or evil will reach. What we do in the privacy of our homes, with our families, and on the internet does matter.

Help me, Lord, maintain a clear and clean conscience before others and before You. If there are things in my life that do not please You, show me and give me the courage and strength to eliminate them from my life and home. Amen.

Meditations:
Monday: Numbers 16:1-14
Tuesday: Deuteronomy 1:19-36
Wednesday: Genesis 3
Thursday: Exodus 20:1-17
Friday: Romans 6:23; I Peter 4:12-19
Saturday: Psalm 37:27-40; Acts 24:16

c) 2018, 2021 Carolyn R Scheidies
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From Listen! Who me?
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4/26/21 4/26/21

Blog Politics Tolerance should always be in fashion

I almost don’t want to get on the Facebook pages of our representatives at any level of government. The vitriol is almost unreal. It is as though, for many Americans, tolerance and basic decency aren’t part of their thought processes or behavior.

For example, what many individuals say on Representative Adrian Smith’s public page should make them hang their heads in shame. Many express opinions with name-calling, accusations, and absolutely no tolerance for someone with another point of view.

This has been building for years as our culture of respect and tolerance has disintegrated. It became especially nasty with those whose hatred for President Trump became almost pathological. Didn’t help when certain Representatives and Senators egged this on by encouraging the public to get in the faces of those in the Trump administration to the point some were accosted on the streets or run out of restaurants.

Have Americans become little more than an angry mob with no sense of looking for facts beyond rumors before reacting? This goes for too many media outlets that spread little more than innuendoes and half-baked assumptions instead of fact-based news.

Such behavior certainly does not speak well for us as citizens. Liking or disliking a president should not lead to such hatred. Even though I really saw Obama and now Bidden as destroying our Constitutional Republic, I refuse to hate them.

I may seek to change things, but never with name-calling, threats, or the spewing I see and read constantly now—behavior that is anything but tolerant. Such behavior changes nothing.

Want to make a difference? Get involved and make changes in a positive way. One way is to get involved with the candidates you like. Another way is to communicate with those who’ve been elected.

But there is a right and a wrong way to do so. It starts with letting go of irrational fury which freezes rational thought.

I have written articles, shared at conferences, and included in my book “Especially For the Christian Writer” how to communicate in a way to be “heard”—in a way others won’t turn you off. This includes letters to businesses, government representatives, and letters to the editor.

If you wish to be taken seriously, make sure you have the facts, let go of the anger that stops rational thinking, and write with passion, but with respect, without name-calling, intimidation, or nastiness. Why should anyone listen to an angry rant that is full of emotion but devoid of facts?

Consider how you want to be approached or treated. Think tolerance. In other words, communicate with respect for the office if not for the other person. If you would not spew garbage to the person face-to-face, then it is certainly not appropriate in print where everyone sees you at your irrational worst.

Ask. What do you really wish to convey? What is the best way to do that in order to be taken seriously? How will I feel about this rant five, ten, and more years down the road? Is this what I wish to teach my kids?

Respect and thoughtfulness will get you much further than spewing anger. Wish to communicate? Calm down, think beyond your anger, and consider long-term consequences. Then communicate in a way to gain a listening ear.

Remember tolerance should always be in fashion.

4/23/21 4/23/21

Blog Politics Are we harming, not protecting our children with Covid mandates?

Note: I know not all schools are this restrictive. I will not argue or discuss. Use this for information and consideration only.

In our desire to protect our children from Covid-19, we’ve placed them in a protective bubble. Our school children are told to self-distance and teachers no longer give a hug, pat a back, or touch the students in affirmation.

Parents have been told this is for the safety of the children. But this lack of personal interaction and touch goes against decades, even hundreds of years of research, study and common sense.

I’ve read about orphan children in places like Russia and China where there are too many children and not enough caretakers. These children are left without physical love and attention. When these children are adopted, many show signs of detachment disorder.

Kids, especially younger children, absolutely require constant physical interaction in order to be mentally as well as physically healthy. Mental health must precede physical health but in our rush to “protect,” adults have totally forgotten this important connection.

Because of their isolation from teachers and each other, how many of these children may exhibit long-term mental and emotional health issues? This isolation is even more peculiar since Covid-19 does not target children. Data reveals, most children do not get nor pass on the virus.

In fact, why are we taking such drastic steps considering Covid-19 has up a 99%, yes 99%, survival rate? That is more than the survival rate for the usual flues passing through each year that often clears out schools due to sick students. Many of these yearly flues DO take the lives of quite a few children, yet we don’t force kids to wear masks or self-distance.

As for masks, the virus particle is smaller than the open weaves of masks and can easily pass right through. I don’t know how many stories I’ve heard about adults, including teachers, who can’t wait to get out in the hall, out of a store or other place where masks are mandated, and tear off that mask so they can breathe deeply.

Yet we force even young children to wear masks all day in school. Young children are just learning how to breathe. They need to be able to breathe deeply in order to develop and strengthen their lungs. Wearing masks short-circuits healthy breathing and lung development.

Will these children end up with bronchial problems due to muzzling them with masks not even adults can tolerate long-term? Also, how often do the children change masks during the day?

Masks are quickly saturated with bodily germs and discharges. If masks are not changed regularly during the day, it is like blowing your nose in a tissue, then holding that tissue to your nose for the next hour, two, four, etc.??? In effect, we’re forcing children into an unhealthy, unsanitary situation.

Masks are not a magic bullet and data on their usefulness from around the world is mixed. (The data is now in. States and countries that masked against states and countries that didn’t. Result NO significant difference. None! Wearing masks is useless. Too bad even medical doctors and medical persons don’t do more than follow instead of doing their own research.)

What appears to be a positive solution, isn’t a solution at all. So why force children to wear a mask when they are not the target of this virus?

Then there is the fear factor. We scare children. If they don’t wear a mask they will get sick. If they play or interact normally with other students or friends, they may get sick. This fear is much worse than the usefulness of the protective measures. Fear, once instilled, will affect these children for a lifetime.

What effect will this fear have on the ability to bond, and on long-term relationships, such as marriage? Worse is the anger and nastiness toward those who, for health reasons, are unable and are not supposed to wear a mask. Are parents informed that if their child has respiratory difficulties or is unable to put a mask on and take it off by themselves that they should not wear a mask?

If a student doesn’t wear a mask, is that student shunned or vilified by teachers and other students? It certainly is happening in the general populace. Generally, nice people have become vicious over this issue.

My question is this? Are our protective measures actually harming our children? Are these measures, in effect, abusing the very ones we wish to protect? These factors are worth exploring--rationally and without the jump to automatic denial or fury.

© 2021Carolyn R Scheidies
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https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/associated-press-finally-admits-lockdowns-dont-reduce-covid-19-infections-deaths?utm_source=LifeSiteNews.com&utm_campaign=cc201215c5-Daily%2520Headlines%2520-%2520U.S._COPY_995&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_12387f0e3e-cc201215c5-401438845

4/22/21 4/22/21

Blog Derek Chauvin Trial and a Broken System

Note: This article not for argument or discussion, but for consideration and thought

One headline screamed, “Derek Chauvin Found Guilty Of George Floyd's Murder.” Let me be plain right now. Did Chauvin do something wrong? Yes.

However what most do not realize, many don’t want to realize, is that there were mitigating circumstances. Floyd was so pumped up on drugs that he was already a possible “dead man walking.” (Floyd had fentanyl, methamphetamine and more in his system.)

The media went out of its way to paint this drug addict as a mild person seeking to get his life in order. Of course, he wasn’t all bad. Yet, Floyd served five years in prison for aggravated robbery--with a weapon. He was also arrested on drug and theft charges.

Still, the media hammered and hammered their manufactured version of the story, including racism, inciting violent protests across the country. Few even tried to find the truth beyond the media twists on the truth. Racism was not a factor in the court case. The racist twist was manufactured by the media and violent protesters.

It is easier to get angry and use that anger as an excuse to burn down property and assault others, causing untold damage physically and emotionally. How many realized when people were seriously injured or may have even died that their protests, their actions, were at least as egregious as the original cause--the horrifying death of Floyd. Are not the violent protesters also guilty?

Worse was the hit to a justice system that first is supposed to assume a person is innocent until proven guilty by the preponderance of the evidence. Second, all evidence pro and against is to be considered seriously. Third, jurists are supposed to find on the evidence, not on assumptions, not due to an agenda, and, certainly not because they feel intimidated and threatened.

Do you believe jurists felt threatened when blood was smeared on what was believed to the home of one of the defense witnesses, though, he no longer lived there? What was the jury supposed to believe when both violent protesters and the media made threats, letting the jury know their lives and the lives of their loved ones, as well as cities, persons, and property, were in jeopardy if Chauvin was found anything but totally and irrevocably guilty?

These threats very much affected the trial. How could they not? Mob rule and intimidation are scary. Such tactics mean you may not ever have a fair trial in this country again, because your participation may well put a target on your back.

Chauvin was isolated and locked up with a verdict given by scared jurists and a court system no longer able to function with truth, balance and safety. This court case was little more than a vigilantly hanging. Chauvin did not get a fair trial.

If his sentence is not mitigated through appeals, we can no longer call ourselves a civilized country. Watch out, those of you who were sure of their hate. Next time, the mob may come after you or those you love, Who is going to be there then to protect your person and your rights?

(c) 2021 Carolyn R Scheidies
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https://www.foxnews.com/politics/candace-owens-slams-democrats-media-for-mob-justice-in-derek-chauvin-trial

4/13/21 4/13/21

Biographical Blog We appreciate instant access with cellphones

I don’t leave home without my cell phone. Having the phone, especially since we’re geezers, gives me confidence that if we have a car or health emergency, we can quickly summon help.

I have a reason for being uneasy. Years ago, after our daughter graduated from college, she spent a year south of Branson working with at-risk youth in a leadership program. She was in charge of putting together a weekend for parents to come and learn about the program.

It was a long drive from Kearney, but we planned to do it all in one long day. However, our car died south of Kansas City. Without my cell, we would not have been able to contact AAA for assistance. Our car was hauled to a nearby town.

We hoped it wouldn’t take too long to fix as we were on a tight timeline. After carefully checking over the car, we were told the car was dead. No amount of “fixing” would make that car go. The garage helped us get ahold of Enterprise.

Thankfully, the garage agreed to keep the car until we returned in a couple of days. (We ended up buying a car to get home.) We made it to the opening function in Branson while everyone was still eating.

When we lived in Wisconsin in the 1950s where my father pastored a church, we were thankful to have one phone in the house. When my father took a church in a dying oil town, Lance Creek, Wyoming, north of Lusk, there were no phones when we arrived.

The town consisted of small settlements named after the oil companies that owned them. Other than housing, there wasn’t much more than a filling station, a garage, a café, a bar, a Walmart-style store (groceries and much more), a Catholic church with a once-a-month service, “downtown.”

Our church, next to a lumberyard and another grocery store, further west in another enclave, served a wide area. Even further west was an elementary school, a lumberyard, and an IOOF Hall.

If we needed to contact dad at the church where he had his office, one of us had to walk or ride a bike the uphill mile and a half to the church. Mom didn’t drive and dad had the only car. We were often out of contact with dad when he visited the ranches in the area. He’d be gone the whole day.

A few times I got to go with him. We went from paved to gravel to almost footpaths at some points. We found few bridges. We crossed streams that during rainstorms would become impassible.

The ranchers were glad for a visitor. At times Dad comforted, counseled, or simply listened, finally offering a passage from God’s Word and prayer. What if it had stormed while he was gone? What if he’d had an accident? No one would even know where to look for him.

I viewed those trips as adventures, never considering the possible risks Dad took back then. It did not matter to him. He was a pastor who cared about the needs of people, even if they never darkened the door of the church. For many ranchers, Sunday attendance was just too far and complicated.

I look back with a shiver as I slip my cell phone into my purse before heading out the door. I can’t help but wonder how today’s generation would handle the inability to readily connect. I am thankful for my memories because they remind me to be thankful as I turn on my cell and let our daughter know we’re on our way.

4/11/21 4/11/21

Poetry How do I start my day?

What a way to start the day.
Did I start today?
With a groan and complaint?
Growling through the day.
Or did I start with
Blessings and Praise,
With God’s Word open,
Letting the Holy Spirit speak into my life?

Starting my day with peace, and hope, and light.

I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart;
I will tell of all Your wonders.
I will rejoice and be jubilant in You;
I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.—Psalms 9:1-2 (NASB 2020)

4/8/21 4/8/21

Devotion Salvation more than a single action

9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
10 who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.
11 Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you also are doing. —1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 (NASB 2020)

Christians talk about Salvation as though everyone knows what it means. Yet over time, the meaning has been simplified and dumbed down until even many individuals of faith have only a small inkling of the depth of what this word implies.

True. We are SAVED when we realize our need to accept Jesus into our lives as our Savior, our center, and our hope of eternal life with Christ. This original decision is a work of God’s grace, His unmerited favor called Justification —just as though we never did wrong.

This is a past action for those who’ve made this choice. But if this is all you know, it will be difficult to grow in your walk of faith. Salvation means so much more than a single action.

Salvation is also a present action as we allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives. The work of Sanctification is growth as we deepen our relationship with Jesus and our knowledge of His Word.

Salvation is also future. When He takes us home with Him and we share in His final triumph, we are saved forever in him.

Glorification is another element of Salvation. What we need to know is that God has this. He cares, is there, loving us and working for us past, present and future. How can I not trust the One who died and rose again to offer me such a gift?

That is Salvation.

3/29/21 3/29/21

Blog Easter--it's our day of hope

We live in a time of fear and hopelessness as many are losing hope that getting back to “normal” will ever happen again. What we forget along the way is fear is no way to live. When we fear, we stop thinking and acting rationally.

Fear and Easter do not mix. In fact, Easter is all about freedom from fear. Easter is the culmination of a very special plan for humankind. We are the creation of a loving being, that chose to give those created a very special gift. Instead of making robots who slavishly did whatever the Creator demanded, the Creator created human beings with minds and hearts and gave those humans the gift of choice.

Since the Creator wished to have a real relationship with those created, the Creator included the choice to say no. Being able to say, “No,” meant humans early on made devasting choices that separated them from the loving God who created them. They began to quarrel and fight and steal and kill as they turned their backs on the very one who had a better plan—one of caring, peace, and hope.

Yet, some strove to follow, even when following proved difficult, even when it meant suffering. The life and love they found in their Creator were worth anything. But these humans only had a glimpse of God’s plan, one that looked forward to a day when the Creator would be revealed as Someone very special. That person was and is Jesus.

Jesus didn’t come simply to show His power but instead came not as a king, but as a servant. He showed how to reach out to care, heal and set free those held captive in pain and hurt and bad choices.

For His actions and teachings, the government and religious leaders hated Him and eventually executed Him. They had no idea Jesus came for that very purpose. He did no wrong. Yet took on Himself all the mistakes, flaws and fears that burden and destroy those He’d created. Jesus died that we might live and proved His power to do so by rising again, as attested to even by the secular sources of the day.

Our Creator is not dead. In power and purpose and love He lives, interacting with and changing lives for the better from that time to this. The cross has become a symbol, not of evil and suffering, but of salvation, peace, and hope. I John 4:18 (NASB) reads, There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.

Love casts out fear when we allow our Creator to become our savior. John 3:16-17 is the key to life, love, hope, and Easter. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him.”

Get rid of fear? Remember love and peace, as well as fear, is a choice. Ask Jesus to show you a love that doesn’t change with circumstances; a love that casts out fear as Easter morning dawns in your heart.

Happy Easter!

Published in Kearney Hub 3/29/2021
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3/21/21 3/21/21

Devotion. Victor or Victim

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; —Hebrews 5:8-9 (KJV)

Who am I to get mad at God when life gets difficult, tragedies happen and things don't go as planned? Jesus was God. He didn't have to go along with His Father's program for humankind.

Jesus didn't have to leave Glory to live in poverty, be ridiculed, and have no earthly home. He didn't have to allow Himself to be tortured and murdered and treated like a common criminal.

He did it out of trust in His Father and love for us. Nothing that happened to Jesus was His fault. Can we say the same? Nothing that happens to you or I rises to the level of what Jesus went through. He took responsibility. He lived without recriminations, or turning His back on His Father. He trusted, and in that trust offered a way for you and I to know life—now and forever.

Jesus was, is a victor, not a victim. In Him, we can be victors, too. It's a matter of trust—and obedience.

Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve the LORD. —Joshua 24:14

3/19/21 3/19/21

Devotion The Trust Factor—Respect

There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass. —Joshua 21:45

We don't trust or respect God. We don't trust He is good, that He has our ultimate best in His plans, that He actually cares enough to answer our prayers. We don't trust or we'd make different decisions.

Often, we are determined to do things our way, in our time and on our schedule.

We consult and listen to those we respect and trust. The truth of how much we truly honor God is in time spent with Him, time in His Word, time seeking His will, listening when He speaks, and following His principles and guidance.

When was the last time you asked...and waited for an answer. When did I? It is a matter of respect, of trust--and choice.

Help me, Jesus, not just claim to follow You, but actually do so. Amen.

3/15/21 3/15/21

Blog Bio: Finally, a doctor helps me, a maskless patient

Has fear erased the need to accommodate those with disabilities?

Those who know me, know I am put together with artificial joints, metal, plastic, glue, and screws. I have lots of limitations. My throat is compromised. I can only touch my face with one hand. I also have any number of allergies and sensitivities to medications and food.

In this era of masks, I am part of a subset of persons who cannot safely wear a mask—and that’s according to both ADA and CDC. As long as everyone was masking. it meant I pretty much stayed home.

However, I still had doctor appointments. I needed to see my regular doctor at Family Practice and have my yearly labs. I called my doctor’s nurse and, talked to her about my problem. My doctor said to come in.

When Keith took me in, a couple of ladies in the entry let us know we needed masks (Keith already had one on) and to use the hand sanitizer. I said I could not do either, but that I’d already called. They checked and let me go in. Not one person stopped me or even glared at me during my appointment. They made a reasonable accommodation.

More recently, I tried to set up an appointment with a podiatrist at Platte Valley Medical Group. However, when I let them know I couldn’t wear a mask, you would have thought they’d never heard of such a thing. After 15 or more minutes, I was passed onto another person who asked why? I explained. I was treated with politeness, but nothing I said mattered. No mask. No seeing a doctor.

The next day someone else called and, nicely but firmly, grilled me as to why. It didn’t matter. They made absolutely no accommodations for people who like me can’t wear a mask but who wish to see a doctor.

Yet, not being able to wear a mask is very real. According to this Disability Issues Brief Developed by the Southeast ADA Center and Burton Blatt Institute (BBI) at Syracuse University entitled The ADA and Face Mask Policies, “The CDC states that a person who has trouble breathing, is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the face mask without assistance should not wear a face mask or cloth face covering.”

Other reasons include claustrophobia, PSTD, and severe anxiety. What about businesses? According to the above article: If a person with a disability is not able to wear a face mask, state and local government agencies and private businesses must consider reasonable modifications to a face mask policy so that the person with the disability can participate in, or benefit from, the programs offered or goods and services that are provided.

Platte Valley Medical Group offered no accommodations, which means they were not ADA nor CDC compliant. This medical establishment made no way for me to see the doctor. No mask. No medical care. No accommodations for those who require medical treatment.

I tried another clinic in Kearney with a podiatrist. The woman at the front desk who answered my call took my information, but before we settled on an appointment I explained I couldn’t wear a mask.

She reiterated what became the party line. “Everyone has to wear a mask.”

However, she offered to have the manager call, which she did. She offered a semi-reasonable alternative—to stay in the car until called. I accepted and made the appointment. Since the appointment was in early March, I hoped for a day that wasn’t freezing cold.

Still, though I still felt like a second-class citizen again, I am thankful this medical establishment was willing to follow ADA guidelines to make reasonable accommodations. Let’s hope others, medical establishments as well as stores and other businesses, start doing the same.

3/12/21 3/12/21

Devotion poetry My Will—Yours Lord

Lord Jesus,
You are my Savior
I pray to and praise Your name
Even though the path is rough
I will trust You care, are there

Remembering how Your presence in the past
has protected,
provided,
and brought peace.

You are faithful, Lord,
I will stand on Your Word
And offer You what You want most
My heart,
my mind,
my will.

My hands I raise to You
In grateful praise.
Find in surrender that
I know forgiveness,
peace and hope...
Abundantly.

Isaiah 25:1 O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt You, I will praise Your name; for You have done wonderful things; Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.

3/3/21 3/3/21

Devotion True & Honest Witness?

Deuteronomy 19:15 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sins: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.

Even our courts no longer hold to this standard. What about me, do I accept what someone says without investigating the matter for myself? Do I pass on something I heard from media reports, a whisper, or a word and end up harming reputations or hurting relationships because I eagerly accepted the unconfirmed information?

Am I too eager to pass on a juicy tidbit? Am I too willing to become part of the cancel culture without checking out the truth beyond media agendas and spin?

Deuteronomy 19:18b-19 ... if the witness has lied, and has testified falsely against his brother; Then shall you do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shall you put the evil away from among you.

Passing on falsehoods whether in court or daily life is evil. God judges such behavior harshly. Am I careful in conclusions reached, in checking things out, before passing things on?

Help me, Lord, not be a gossip and always be an honest witness to the truth.

3/1/21 3/1/21

Blog Before Speaking or Writing--Think

On the death of commentator Rush Limbaugh, I am disturbed by the vitriol pouring out through media sources, even from those I know. It is disheartening to feel such hatred for a man who is now dead.

The rejoicing is not that much different from terrorists in other countries who celebrated when the towers collapsed, and thousands died. What happened to common decency and respect, if not for the dead, at least for the loved ones left behind?

Whether a person is a pillar of the community or the dregs of society, death is not something in which to rejoice. Even terrorists are human beings. Yes, some criminals need to be stopped permanently. Still, death saddens me because it means the criminal, the terrorist, those who want to tear down instead of build-up will never have the chance to turn their lives around and become people who have positive rather than negative goals.

Do we really want to encourage this attitude in ourselves or others—like our children? Will we become so hateful our loved ones will sigh with relief, not grief when we pass on? Thoughts matter. Attitudes matter. Words matter.

Where we focus our thoughts will end up showing up in what we say and do. Focusing on real or supposed complaints, problems, and situations, allow them to germinate into unresolved anger. Such anger spews out to everyone around us in one way or another.

Bottling up such anger without resolving it with truth, rational thought and consideration or with forgiveness will burst out. We stop considering the consequences of our anger whether we feel justified in our anger or not. Responding in fury seldom solves the situation or problem.

When a situation makes us furious. If we respond in anger, the incident will, most likely, escalate. When we're furious, why not stop, think and consider short and long-term consequences before allowing anger to dictate our words and behavior--before we speak or act?

If what we say does not accuse or add fuel to the fire, most likely, the situation de-escalates, and we can deal rationally with the situation. Though we live in a vengeful, payback, culture, we don't have to feed into that philosophy. It is not God's way and nor the way for a civilized society to behave.

Want peace? Don’t nurture anger, feeding it like it is some sort of pet. Peace is a byproduct when we choose to show tolerance for opinions and voices outside our own, without forcing others to follow our way. When we cut off access to other voices, we narrow our own viewpoint.

Peace at the point of silence or intimidation is not peace. That is a form of slavery. I am not saying duck conflict. Stand up for truth, yes. Stand up for faith, family, and freedom, but do it with the right spirit.

Most of all, start by thinking before speaking, writing, texting, and speak “soft” words to defuse. These verses from the Bible are a blueprint for peace with truth.

Proverbs 15:1-2 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. (NIV)

Romans 12: 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (NASB 2020)

Are we going to spew anger and look like fools or think and consider before we speak or act (or pass something on social media) and show ourselves wise, tolerant, civilized, and persons of peace? Meanwhile, let us be kind and “…mourn with those who mourn.” Romans 12:15 (NIV)

2/22/21 2/22/21

Devotion A Time to Rest and Refresh

How often do we give and give until we have nothing left physically, emotionally, and spiritually? Even Jesus got away to refresh and recharge.

Jesus, while on earth, didn't reach out simply on His own strength. He knew the source of strength, of hope, of compassion was His Father. We try to reach out in our strength and wisdom and exhaust ourselves.

We forget it isn't about us, but about God working through us. It is relying on Him. It is also taking time to communicate with Him, absorb His Word and allow times of refreshing.

Sometimes we just need a break. When guilt assails, we need to look at Jesus' example. If He needed time away, how much more do we? We are no good to anyone totally depleted.

Give yourself permission to be refreshed. One way is to start each day in God's Word and with prayer.

II Corinthians 1:4 Who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

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