God, bless American farmers as spring planting begins
This past weekend Ed and I traveled west of the Mississippi to visit our son and his family. They just added their fifth daughter in December with an age range of 3 months to seven years old. THAT is a busy household! Can't wait to see what life holds in 10 years for them.
First, the crop report. The wheat fields are greening up nicely making the fields look like a gorgeous lawn almost ready for mowing. I love that stage of wheat growth.
We saw one farmer out disking his field with only one field actually planted. A little too wet for most of the area. However, this area of our country gets warmer weather than we do, so in the next week or two, many farmers will be out doing what they do best - growing food for people and animals. God, bless the American farmer as spring planting begins!
I must admit I was a little jealous of the daffodils in full bloom and the lovely forsythia bushes in yellow glow. I kept telling myself, "That will be at home soon. Be patient!" I love the brave spring plants which put forth the first colors of the season after a long winter of drab colors. There is hope after winter. Bring it on!
Second, I want to share a praise report. That spring storm which created many tornadoes in the Midwest and southern states came knocking where we were. We watched the radar as this storm barreled our way. We didn't exactly have the safest place to honker down in, but we did our best. Wouldn't you know, there was a narrow strip where the storm broke up which is exactly the place we were. The storm was very severe to our north and our south. We experienced some strong winds, a little bit of lightning and thunder, but no hail, no tornadoes and no severe damage. THANK YOU, LORD, for your protection in this storm!
If you or any of your loved ones experienced this storm that affected the whole nation, I trust all is well with you and yours.
Gail loves the Lord most of all. She delights in her calling to be a wife to Ed Malick and a mother to seven children ages 26 to 42 and grandmother of nineteen. Ed is sixth generation on the homestead family farm in Ypsilanti Township, Michigan.
Seeds of Hope
It began as a day like any other day. James Galway, a brilliant flutist, was happily walking to his morning rehearsal. While crossing a street, a speeding motorcyclist hit him and shattered the bones in both of his legs and one arm.
He was rushed to the hospital and the orthopedic surgeons immediately began a lengthy operation as they attempted to repair the damage. Unfortunately, the bones did not heal as quickly or properly as they had anticipated. As a result, he had to remain in the hospital for many months. He was once known to have said, “It took quite a while to pick up the pieces.”
Upon his release from the hospital and while he was still recovering from the accident, he is quoted as saying, “I decided from this moment on I will play every concert, record every album, give every performance and live every day as though ‘it may be my last.’” Someone who knew him said that his new goal in life was to “make sure that every time he played, his performance would be as near to perfection as God wanted it to be!”
No doubt that is what Paul had in mind when he wrote, “Whatever you may do, do all to the glory and honor of God!”
There is a two-fold implication here: Whatever we do is a choice. And with the choice is an opportunity to bring honor and glory to God. So, not only are our choices critical but that Christ is exalted in the things we do.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, guide us in our choices and make us conscious of whatever we do, knowing that we are always representing You by the way we live. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Scripture For Today: So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31
Seeds of Hope
Dr. Jonas Salk, one of the world’s foremost microbiologists, was the first person to discover and develop a vaccine against polio. It was not an easy process and took years.
Once he said, “Ideas come to me as they do to everyone else. But I take each one of them seriously, consider them carefully, examine them thoroughly and study them endlessly. I do not allow anyone to discourage me, though many try.”
For the Christian, discouragement overcomes us when we are no longer aware of the presence of God in our lives, become unconcerned for the plans He has for our lives, refuse to believe that He will provide for our every need and doubt that He will fulfill the promises He has made in His Word.
God told Moses to “be strong and very courageous…to study and obey His law…” and then, and only then, could he count on being successful. Why? Because then, and only then, could he count on God to be with him, protect him and empower him wherever he went.
God wanted Moses to know, understand, believe and accept the fact that it was important for him to be obedient and following “all that is written.” He also wanted him to know that faithfulness to God is not a guarantee that he would be successful in the eyes of the world. God did, however, assure Him that He would be successful in His eyes and that type of success lasts throughout eternity.
Prayer: Thank You, Heavenly Father, for assuring us of Your presence and power in our lives if we obey Your Word. Give us strength and courage as we follow You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Scripture For Today: This is my command — be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9