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Posted on November 25, 2020 by beverlyeash

8I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. 9No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety.

Psalm 16:8-9

I am grateful for the continual presence of God by my side. He is always with me, teaching me, protecting me, changing me.

Recently, I notice that I hesitate to “show my joy.” In an effort to be sensitive to the difficulty of life right now, I feel obligated to temper my enthusiasm. And then I read this psalm.

These words were an “ah-ha” moment for me. I have had to develop strategies to ward off gloom and depression. Strategies such as daily meditation, deep breathing, exercise, monitoring what I eat, drink, watch and read; rehearsing truth, avoiding negative thinking, regular pauses in my day to recenter my thinking on Christ alone.

These strategies enable me to be aware of Christ’s presence, that I am not alone, that he is my safety and at my right hand. They remind me the Lord is aware of me and my situation. When I do that, my heart is glad. I no longer feel alone or forgotten. I rejoice in even the darkest days.

It seems there are three ways we can approach life: with anger, apathy (Eeyore), or acceptance. As often as possible, I am choosing joy and acceptance. I choose to believe that these are good days, that God is in them, that he is doing good things in my life and in those around me. He is in control of everything and nothing can separate me from his love. His plan for me is for blessing and not harm.

What strategies help you to keep your heart at peace? What needs to change? How are you approaching daily life? Anger? Apathy? Acceptance?

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Posted on November 24, 2020 by beverlyeash

16Always be joyful. 17Never stop praying. 18Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

This week, in America, we celebrate Thanksgiving. In elementary school, I learned it is a time to remember the blessings of the new land; when the pilgrims and Native Americans sat down together to share a meal of unity. We celebrated at school wearing costumes with paper hats, candy turned into turkeys, pumpkins, multi-colored corn cobs, and sheaves of grain. On Thanksgiving day at home we ate turkey, potatoes, stuffing, gravy, cranberries, pumpkin pie and olives!

Whatever else it is, this holiday emphasizes gratefulness. This year has been a tough one for many. Jokes abound looking forward to the end of 2020. As much as it is true that this year has been odd, I’d like to challenge my readers to take time to be grateful. What is the silver lining in this year for you?

I am grateful for slower days, longer evenings, eating at home, grilling and cooking with my husband, deeper relationships with friends and family. I am grateful for the growth I observe in my children and their families.

This year has been a tough one. It is during the most difficult times that we grow the most. How have you grown this year? What are you taking with you? What will you leave behind?

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Posted on November 23, 2020 by beverlyeash

13Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” 14How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. 15What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” 16Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil.

James 4:13-16

Years ago, my mother-in-law prefaced or concluded all her plans with the words, “If the Lord is willing.” As happens at times, it became a bit of an eye-rolling moment. It seemed unnecessary to plan something while always including the caveat that it might not happen.

I have changed my mind about that. I believe my mother-in-law may have been on to something.

If there is one thing this year has taught me, it is to hold plans lightly. Today I texted my children to share some winter plans with them. (I’m often accused of not telling them things. Oops!) I included the phrase, “If the Lord is willing.” To be honest, it was partly in humor; but mostly, it was where I want my mind to rest. I want to confidently look to each new day, season, year without fear, planning to live life to the fullest. I also recognize situations change quickly and I want to move with the bumps, not against them.

A few weeks ago, Dave and I visited Sedona, Arizona with my sister and her husband. One morning we rented a 4 x 4 ATV to visit some sights difficult to access on foot or in a regular vehicle. On one particularly rough stretch of road, my sister and I noted that in order to avoid injury, it was best to stay as loose as possible and roll with the bumps rather than bracing against them.

That is how I want to live. Rolling with what comes, but planning to live life to the fullest in every season. So, I continue to say, “if the Lord wants me to….”

How do you want to live these days? Are you struggling to look forward to the seasons? A new year? How will you remind yourself that your life is in His hands?

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Posted on November 20, 2020 by beverlyeash

6Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 23:6

Many familiar translations use the word “follow” in place of “pursue.” The Hebrew word translated here is stronger than follow. When I follow someone, I proceed behind him to observe or monitor behavior. When I pursue someone, I intend to catch him. I don’t just want to observe him; I intend to capture his attention, to accomplish the goal of reaching him.

If God’s love and goodness can be animated, it is in the business of pursuing you. It will continue until it reaches you, catches you, captures you. It is hot on your trail.

I invite you to stop and fall prey to the goodness and unfailing love of Father. Let him lead you to his house, take up residence in his presence, be overwhelmed by his goodness!

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Posted on November 19, 2020 by beverlyeash

5You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.

Psalm 23:5

Our best worst year was 2016. The months leading up to it were filled with some really great moments, but some really tough dynamics as well. Then in March, my husband was let go from a company he had worked with for almost 34 years. It was a dark valley.

In the midst of this dark valley, the Lord set a feast before us. We grew exponentially as a couple; we enjoyed season tickets at the Chicago Cubs and then they won the World Series; our first grandchild was born. In so many ways, it was the best worst year.

Anointing with oil was an ancient sign of choosing someone. Samuel anointed Saul as king before he had been publically chosen. He later singled out David as the second king and anointed him years in advance of actually reigning as king. I believe our Father also figuratively anoints our heads with oil as a symbol of choosing us.

Two years after my husband was let go, he received a call inviting him to come back to the company. After careful consideration, prayer and conversation he accepted the invitation. That was two years ago. This week in an unprecedented event, his cup overflowed with blessing as the CEO and the president of the company restored his seniority (he’s #20), awarded him his 35 year anniversary award (a milestone he would have reached in 2017), gave him back the two years he was not employed there. It was the most redemptive act he could have ever imagined taking place.

I believe God is in the business of redeeming. He takes really difficult situations and turns them around for his good. In the midst of the darkness, he sets a feast before you. When others push you aside, he prepares a banquet. He shows your chosenness by anointing you with oil, he pours the blessings out until your cup overflows.

Ask him for eyes to see the banquet table, ears to hear his words of choosing, open hands to receive the blessings. And then walk like you already have it!

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Posted on November 18, 2020 by beverlyeash

4Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

Psalm 23:4

The translation of this verse is particulary comforting to me. Years ago, my sister and I housesat for a friend while she was on vacation. She had a son a few years older than us who didn’t live at home, but liked to bring friends there to party. After an unpleasant encounter with him the first day we were staying, we felt uneasy about being there alone. My dad came and stayed with us. Sure enough, the son showed up in the middle of the night with a friend. Dad greeted him at the door, asking what he needed. The young man was surprised to find my dad there and retrieved a few things from the bathroom and hurried on his way.

I often think of that night and remember how comforted I was by my dad’s presence. He didn’t threaten or hurt anyone, he didn’t wave or gun or a club, he was just there.

No matter how dark the valleys, knowing I am not alone comforts me. The shepherd is with me, his rod and staff not only keep me safe, but comfort me as well. It isn’t his presence that is missing in the valley, it is my awareness of his presence.

Are you in a dark valley? Pause and allow the presence of God to wash over you. See the rod and staff in his hand, know he is close beside you.

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Posted on November 17, 2020 by beverlyeash

3He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.

Psalm 23:3

Recently, I find my strength depleted. Not so much my physical strength; but my emotional charge. A pandemic is exhausting, political unrest is wearisome, always wondering what is coming next drains me. I need help on a daily basis.

But I have all that I need… this includes renewed strength to meet the day. As I sit and meditate on that truth, my shoulders relax, my breathing slows, and I take comfort knowing my way is known and designed by him. I say yes to the invitation to take his hand, gaze deeply into his eyes and follow where he leads me. Forgetting about all the other voices around me, I free myself to enjoy this day, this path, this moment.

Does your battery seem to drain before the day is finished? Not enough strength for the tasks at hand? I invite you to pause and be recharged in his presence. Allow him to re-energize you and lead you along paths designed just for you.

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Posted on November 16, 2020 by beverlyeash

Last week I invited you to reset your mind by reciting/reading Psalm 23 five times throughout the day for seven days. Did anyone try it? How did it change your outlook?

I did pause throughout my day to focus on the psalm. I didn’t count how often nor did I pause at regular intervals. I simply turned to it whenever my mind wandered there. Sometimes I recited a compilation of several translations; sometimes I opened my Bible app and read it from the New Living Translation. I found I resonated best with that particular translation.

This week I want to walk through it a bit more slowly and savor all the truth along the way. Too often I read very quickly, skipping words or entire phrases and I neglect to soak in the truth of the psalm.

1The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. 2He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.

Psalm 23:1-2

It is pretty easy for me to get distracted with my to-do lists or expectations for myself and others. Here, I am reminded I have all I need and because I do, I can rest. He lets me rest… I am the one hurrying about, refusing to stop for even a moment. He says, “You are completely provided for so let’s sit for awhile.”

What distracts you or keeps you from pausing during the day to just breathe? Take a few moments now to read the two sentences above and take a few deep breaths to slow yourself down.

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Posted on November 13, 2020 by beverlyeash

17For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. 19So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.

Romans 14:17-19

5May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. 6Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.

Romans 15:5-7

More than anything, I daily desire to walk in peace and joy, in harmony with those around me. Too often I am waylaid because I mistakenly think it is something I need to do, something I can work up within myself.

The ability to love others, to live in harmony, to walk in peace and joy, trying to build others up — that’s a work of the Holy Spirit. It is God who enables me to do the unnatural. Earlier in Paul’s letter to Rome he said this:

…For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

Romans 5:5

Trying to love others and live in harmony with those I disagree with is impossible on my own. Thanks be to God, he has given me all the resources I need, if only I access it. It is the Holy Spirit who fills my heart with HIS love, enabling me to live a life of patient encouragement.

The worst thing is not that I can’t love others on my own, it’s refusing to admit it; pretending that I have the resources to make it possible. But I don’t. Perhaps my daily prayer ought to be this: Father, make me a Romans 5:5 woman — fill my heart with your love and let it overflow and spill on everyone I meet today!

Every day, every where we go, we splash something on those we meet. What are you splashing out? Is it fitting for a follower of Jesus?

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Posted on November 12, 2020 by beverlyeash

1Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. 2For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables. 3Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them. 4Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive his approval.

Romans 14:1-4

As I continue to read Paul’s letter to the church in Rome, I pause at these words of admonition. Arguing about what type of food one eats may not feel relevant, but there are so many issues, like this one, that could easily be substituted here for food. Think masks, political party, social distance…our society is a hot bed of volatile issues.

I am continually brought back to my responsibility to love deeply regardless of my differences with others. Years ago someone told me that the condition in our society is a reflection of the church. As the church goes so goes our communities. I don’t want that to be true, but I am wondering if it isn’t spot on! If we can’t love and respect those we call brothers and sisters, how can we expect our communities to live in harmony?

I want to be more concerned with approval from my Master than with being “right” with my fellow servants. He is the one who declares me righteous. We don’t all see life the same, we don’t all eat the same food, we don’t all walk out our faith in the same way. But we all have one Master and it is before him that we stand or fall.

Is there a hill on which you have taken a stand? Are you sure the issue is worth the fight? How can you love others more deeply and disagree at the same time?

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