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Posted on September 2, 2020 by beverlyeash

21This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. 22Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.

Colossians 1:21-22

8If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. 9But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 10If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.

1 John 1:8-10

When I was a child, I disobeyed. One time in particular was in the fourth grade. A new girl moved to town and she was all that! Everyone wanted to be her friend, including me. Finally she invited me to spend the night. Her family was going to an event in town advertised as a “circus.” I asked mom about going, but it was a hard no from her. But I was still invited to my friend’s house. When I arrived at Veronica’s home, she insisted it was okay for me to go. And I went.

The next day I returned home, carrying the awful secret of disobeying my mom’s directives. It didn’t matter that it wasn’t a bad place, it didn’t matter that nothing happened. It only mattered that I had disobeyed. My heart was in turmoil.

It wasn’t until I had a broken, repentant heart that I found peace. I needed to confess to my mom before I would find the peace and intimacy I longed for; to know forgiveness.

It is much the same with our Father in heaven. The intimacy we long for, the peace we desire so strongly, the desire to be heard won’t happen if we resolutely stand in our arrogance. Without a broken, contrite heart change will not happen.

The way I see it, brokenness is a gift. A gift from God. And sometimes, that brokenness comes at his hand. Psalm 51 says, “Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me—now let me rejoice.” David acknowledged that his brokenness was from God and it was a gift that brought him to a place of hope, joy and change.

It isn’t my job to point out when another needs to repent. But if I am submitted to God, he will speak to my heart when I have gone astray. It is my job to follow through, respond with a broken heart and confess (which means agreeing with what God is already saying) and then I will find what I am looking for in life.

Where are you today? Are you experiencing the deep intimacy, peace and joy God intended? Or are you hiding secrets (that God already knows), refusing to humble yourself and be broken? Contrition leads to life through repentance. Follow that path today!

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Posted on September 1, 2020 by beverlyeash

22A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.

Proverbs 17:22

17The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.

Psalm 51:17

As these scriptures point out, there are two kinds of broken spirits. One is helpful; one is not.

In the first scripture, the broken spirit points to losing the drive, energy, desire to continue the task of living often as the result of an influence outside of ourselves. There are many reasons our spirit might be broken but the word that comes to mind is LOSS. Loss has the power to break, or crush, our spirits. The psalmist has this to say about the Lord’s response to this type of broken spirit:

18The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.

Psalm 34:18

The second scripture speaks to a different kind of broken spirit. It is the kind of brokenness that is necessary for healing to begin and originates from within ourselves.

Psalm 51 is David’s response to the sin he committed with Bathsheba and the subsequent murder of Uriah. Written later, perhaps even a year later, it is filled with strong words of anguish as David wrestled with the intense emotional consequences his sin brought into his life.

Sin is not something we talk a lot about. We talk about God’s grace, mercy and love. We talk about Jesus yearning for our hearts. And all of that is true. But without acknowledging our sin, we will never truly know intimacy with God as he intended through Jesus death on the cross.

Jesus going the distance, crossing from heaven to earth, confining himself to a human body with all its frailty, dying a painful death on the cross so that God declares my debt paid –that’s a big deal. And I fear I take it too lightly. I, somehow, have the idea that God needs me. Then I read Acts 17:25 where it says, “and human hands can’t serve his needs—for he has no needs.”

The truth is, I need him. I need him to rescue me from myself and my wayward thinking. I need him to keep me out of the ditch of despair. I need him to open my eyes to the wonder of creation, to teach me how to celebrate life, to show me how to live a life of worship. I need him to show me the way to live fully alive. He doesn’t need me.

Years ago, my husband took a job where he did a significant amount of travel. Obviously, I had to take more initiative with our home and children when he was gone. After a few months, I said to my friend, “I find that I don’t really need Dave. I can do the work around home; the kids and I developed a new routine. I don’t feel like I need him like I did before.” She wisely replied, “Okay. So maybe you don’t need him to be there, but what if you just want him to be there.” That one little word made all the difference to me.

God doesn’t need us. He wants us. He wants us so much that he sent Jesus to do the really hard job of saying no to Satan and his schemes so that we can ultimately say yes to God’s invitation to relationship. Unfortunately, Satan doesn’t give up easily. Even though he is a defeated foe, he continues to make every attempt to draw us away into self-centered, autonomous living. In short, he entices us to sin. And many times, we do it.

Sin separates me from God. Jesus brings me close to God again, but a broken spirit – a repentant heart – is a prerequisite to coming into God’s presence.

The problem lies in my hesitancy to admit I sinned; I don’t want to admit I sinned. Have I lost sight of the importance of repentance and confession? Is it not acceptable to admit I missed the mark? Is making excuses for my behavior more acceptable? Is there no Truth, no right or wrong?

These are the thoughts I wrestle with these days. Where it will take me, I do not know, but I invite you to tag along and make the discovery with me.

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Posted on August 31, 2020 by beverlyeash

Yesterday our sermon was the second in a series entitled, “Talking Points.” The series addresses the difficult subject of politics and religion. Really! Doesn’t every family have a few topics they quietly agree to not talk about and the top two have to be religion and politics, right?! Well, Senior Pastor Jay Shetler is bursting all the rules and hitting it head on! If you want to listen for yourself, headon over to Maple City Chapel. You won’t be sorry.

The message yesterday contrasted human concerns with kingdom concerns, highlighting Jesus’ teaching in Luke 9:18-56. There are two take-aways I want to share with you today. First, as a society, we are pretty concerned about what is taken from us. Regardless of which party a person aligns with, there is concern that they (whoever “they” are) are trying to take away our _____________________ — you fill in the blank.

Secondly, when I begin to get vocal about something, I need to step back and ask if this is a kingdom concern or a human concern? (Not all human concerns are kingdom concerns, but all kingdom concerns should concern humans — did that make sense?)

Tonight, Dave and I went to our daughter’s house for a hotdog roast. Emily allowed her youngest daughter to stay up later than normal (7 p.m.), so around 8:15 I started giving her a bath. She played a while and then I started washing her. She didn’t mind being washed as long as it didn’t intrude on what she was doing. At one point, I had to took away her washable bathtime crayon so I could wash her hair. To say that didn’t go well is an understatement. She screamed so loud it brought her father and uncle in from outside to see what had happened. They thought she might have hurt herself. Nope! She just had her crayon taken away.

Sometimes I act like that.

And it isn’t kingdom concern.

After the sermon, we had a couple of songs to close out our service. Passion’s song “More Like Jesus” was one of them. As I joined in worship, I marveled at how easily the words were sung when in every day life very few people live like these words are true. Take a few minutes to listen here, and then join me on my knees. Do we really mean these words? Are we willing to give up everything to be more like Jesus? Are we acting like it? How are we showing the world that our deepest desire is to be more like Jesus?

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Posted on August 28, 2020 by beverlyeash

I spent most of this month on vacation. Nine days camping with my family: children, spouses, grandchildren. Eight days in Montana with my mom. Getting into a routine again is historically difficult for me. I always tell myself: “Four days of grace. That’s how long it will take to make the adjustment from travel to home. Be kind to yourself.”

Today as I pondered what to write in this post, my thoughts went like this: “I don’t know what to write for tomorrow. Getting back to normal is always so tough. Hey! I’ve heard that so often lately – ‘I want to get back to normal.’ What is normal anyway? Some say it’s a setting on the dryer. That’s clever. Will life ever be ‘normal’ again? Everything feels so chaotic and scary. Am I scared? What am I scared of? Do I need to be scared? What if the wrong person is elected in November? But wait, isn’t that what they say every year? Isn’t every candidate the wrong one for someone? Is it really an eternal event? Is God still in control? How do I know that he is? Why do I feel so unsettled then? Maybe it’s the dream I had last night…”

What do you do when inertia takes hold and harrassing thoughts fill your mind threatening to drag you into the mire and mud? I saw two possible choices. I could be swept away by the thinking based on speculations and human reasoning, or I could stop and focus on what I know to be eternally true. Then, from that place of rock solid foundation, I can make my next best move. These are the words that came to me. I show it in three different translations with phrases highlighted that stand out to me in each one.

25But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. 26And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! 27I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!

Job 19:25-27 NLT

25I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. 26And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; 27I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!

Job 19:25-27 NIV

25As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, And at the last He will take His stand on the earth. 26Even after my skin is destroyed, Yet from my flesh I shall see God; 27Whom I myself shall behold, And whom my eyes will see and not another. My heart faints within me!

Job 19:25-27 NASB

My father passed away 11 years ago in an ATV accident. At his funeral, someone shared that he knew Dad liked to debate. One time, he sparred with someone regarding the upcoming presidential election. Dad loved a good disagreement, but a few minutes into this one he wisely chuckled a little and said, “I don’t know who will win the election, but I do know that in the end King Jesus will reign.”

It’s funny, you know. I didn’t really intend to write about the election. You see, I believe the most important element isn’t who wins the election in November, but how we live every day before and after that One Day in November.

But for the next few days, I am going to get lots of sleep, be gracious with myself, enjoy slow mornings on the deck with my coffee and long evenings over dinner with those I love.

How about you? Are harassing thoughts filling your mind? Are you weary and worn out? Do you need to be more loving to yourself? More gentle to those around you? Take time to remember that OUR REDEEMER LIVES! And one day He will stand on the earth!

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Posted on August 27, 2020 by beverlyeash

It is said that truth is truth no matter where you find it. On my flights home yesterday, I read a novel and it contained these wise words.

“When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you.”

I find that to be true. I have worked tirelessly to make friends with myself. As that has become reality, I find not only are there less enemies without, the ones I encounter no longer have the same power to manipulate or control me. I am set free from discouraging forces.

Jesus said this:

“‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.””
‭

Matthew 22:37-40

Loving oneself is the key to eliminating the enemy within. When I am able to love who I am, I love others more fully. When I am loving others as people with potential, created in God’s image, I no longer see them as my enemies.

That’s a win-in for everyone. Who can you love unconditionally today? Consider extending an olive branch to someone you have previously considered an enemy. If it’s difficult, perhaps the problem is within rather than without so take a moment to consider who the enemies within might be.

Now that’s deep thinking for this Thursday morning.

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Posted on August 26, 2020 by beverlyeash

There was a song we sang when I was a child about the great state of Montana. It went like this: “Montana, Montana! Glory of the West. Of all the states from coast to coast you’re easily the best. Montana, Montana! Your skies are always blue! M-O-N-T-A-N-A! Montana, I love you!” It was sung to the tune of a school fight song. And in my heart, that is how I feel. I will always love Montana.

While shopping for thread, I met a woman who moved to Montana from Minnesota. The thing she missed the most from the midwest is Western salad dressing. I didn’t know, but it is not available in Montana. Her family is missing it. It made me smile that when she learned I was from Indiana, she was compelled to share her love of Western dressing with me.

Years ago, at lunch with new co-workers, I attempted to make connections with the women by sharing something about my previous employer. Impatiently, the matriarch in the group told me I didn’t work there anymore so I didn’t need to worry about that work environment. I was silent the rest of the meal.

It’s difficult to let go of attachments. It might be a place we lived, a hometown, a job, a salad dressing – whatever our heart attached to; the thing that gave meaning, purpose or enjoyment. Just as my co-worker harshly pointed out to me, letting go is necessary to successfully embracing the next step. Paul, in kinder words, said it like this…

…but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Philippians 3:13-14

I wonder how often our longing for the past, even distant past circumstances, hinders me from truly living in and embracing the present moment. I don’t believe I can be fully present in the NOW if I am longing for what used to be, even if it is just the place where I once lived.

A few years ago, arriving in Indiana after a few weeks in Montana, I realized my heart was home. I reveled in that feeling, knowing that it was the place my children call home, the only thing they know. I was happy to be home in Indiana.

I am grateful for my heritage. Montana — and everything that word means to me — will always hold a corner of my heart. To borrow scripture, I keep these things and ponder them in my heart, while at the same time, holding dear my present circumstances.

But for now, Montana, I bid you adieu! Until next time!

How about you? Is there anything that has your heart’s attention? It might be your place of origin, a relationship, a job, an ex-lover. Can you let go of what lies behind so that you can grab what is ahead with both hands?

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Posted on August 25, 2020 by beverlyeash

Since I arrived at Mom’s last week, we have worked on finishing a quilt for my sister. Part of the time, we watch TV. HGTV and Food Network are my choices this week. On Food Network, I found a common theme among the competitive chefs — losing the way due to drugs and alcohol and then finding the way back from these addictive behaviors. It was the third chef sharing the same journey that I began to put this together with my hiking experience on Sunday.

Most people don’t set out to get lost and stuck in the mud. It happens one step at a time, missing one sign post, not listening closely, ignoring a warning. Until one day, the sun comes up and realization that life is a nightmare rather than a dream come true becomes glaringly clear. What does one do?

The overwhelming lesson I learned listening to the stories of these people is this: there is a way back. It isn’t easy. Scars incurred in the roughs stand as reminders of the past — not as signs of failure or shame, but as proof of overcoming. Paul says it like this in his letter to Rome…

12Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. 13For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. 14For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.

Romans 12:12-14

Simply put, changing who one listens to makes all the difference. If I continue to listen to my broken, sinful desires, I will stay in the mud. In order to rise above the chaos, I need to be led by God. But I don’t do it by myself. I am empowered by the Spirit of God.

Are you struggling to find your way? Sit and think for a second. Who has your ear? Do you need to change what you are listening to?

The other day as I walked in the early morning hours, a very old song ran through my mind. It went like this, “Listen to the Lord as he speaks softly. Listen to the words of a perfect man. Listen to the words of God Incarnate. Listen even when you don’t understand.” And it’s been my mantra all week. May it also become yours.

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Posted on August 24, 2020 by beverlyeash

Sunday morning my sister and I decided to do a short hike in the early morning hours. Okay, so it was 7:30. That seemed early!

The hike we selected was not long, but was said to be quite steep in places, so we decided to take two cars and park one at the top and go to the bottom to begin the hike. Armed with enthusiasm, we hit the trail with gusto.

Hiking is a great opportunity to talk and neither of us were particularly concerned about choosing the right path. We assumed there was just one and it would be obvious. The first fork in the road was not far into the hike and said “Hikers Only” with an arrow to the correct path. Well, we were hikers, so we followed the arrow up a narrow, steep path, even though the path we didn’t choose was much wider and seemed to meander lazily off in the other direction.

The first bit of the hike was quite strenuous so spotting a bench overlooking the valley was a welcome sight. We detoured just a bit to enjoy the lookout and then turned back to the hike. Now we had a decision to make. My sister pulled out the trail map and we tried to make sense of all the little dotted lines and landmarks. Certain we were armed with good information, we chose a trail and continued walking.

Again, this was a narrow little trail for “hikers only” that meandered down into a little valley and up again on the other side. It was quite pleasant. Soon we encountered another bench and more trail options. About this time, we noticed trail markers inconspiciously placed on the trees. We were attempting to follow the red trail and we noticed red markers on the trees to the right. So we went that direction. Now the trail was wide and mostly downhill. It was a bit puzzling as we were trying to get to the top of the hill. But talking, and our certainty, kept us going.

About this time, another hiker came along. We decided to ask directions. To get to the top of the park and the visitor center, we needed to go back the way we had come and continue past the bench. So, we turned around. Now the trail was an uphill grade. The portion we had just come down so easily, became quite challenging. Returning to the bench, we discovered we were only five minutes from the parking lot when we took the downhill path.

Later that evening, we looked over the trail map again. The path we wanted to take was the wide path we had ignored in the morning. The signs that warned “hikers only” were to indicate paths meant for humans, not horses.

I wonder how much longer our hike was because we didn’t understand the signage, we didn’t read the map right, we were distracted by conversation and didn’t notice the trail markers.

It’s easy in life to ignore the most obvious signs pointing me to good and pleasant outcomes. I have the Word to guide me – but sometimes I don’t read it until I am in trouble. There are signs along the trail, but I don’t see them because I am distracted. I don’t question the terrain, because I assume it is the right way. Recently, I realized I made choices in the past because I believed the hardest way must be the right way. In retrospect, the hardest way didn’t align with the truth of the God’s Word.

105Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

Psalm 119:105

5Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Are you wandering through life without direction? Does the way seem long and difficult? Why not stop at the bench, take a look at the map (God’s Word) and see if there is a different way. I think you might be surprised how peaceful the journey can be.

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Posted on August 21, 2020 by beverlyeash

My first day in Montana began earlier than usual for me. Awake by 5 o’clock, I laid in bed until 6:20 when I realized if I got up I could watch the sunrise. I rarely get a chance to do it — partly because I don’t have a good eastern view and mostly because I am not up. Just keepin’ it real!

As I sat in Mom’s driveway, coffee in one hand and my morning meditation in the other, I watched as the sky came alive with morning colors. I thanked God for the morning sun, his watch over the earth, the way he reveals himself through nature.

Mom and I shared conversation over breakfast, doing the simple things I don’t often get to experience with her. We ran out for a few groceries, planned dinner together, walked through her neighborhood. I thanked God for these few days with Mom and the beauty of time together.

Today my day was marked with gratitude. Gratitude for all things large and small. Other things my heart sang with joy over today…

…fresh cherry tomatoes from Mom’s window box garden — crisp, juicy and fresh.

…cherry pie hot from the oven waiting for me when I arrived Wednesday night.

…dinner with two sisters, one brother and one brother-in-law recalling memories of frozen Ding Dongs, Spam from the can, chopped roast beef sandwiches, apples from the tree for school lunches, uncles that scared us, redemptive moments with people from the past, shared laughter over spiders in coffee cups.

…growing relationships with my own children and grandchildren as we all learn what it means for them to be adulting and sharing lives and responsibilities.

18Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Today the Holy Spirit led me to be grateful for all things large and small. What are you grateful for today? What are you experiencing that, covered with a spirit of gratitude, is a stepping stone to God’s will for you?

Happy Friday everyone! Remember, it might be Friday, but Sunday is coming!

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Posted on August 20, 2020 by beverlyeash

Today I am going to Montana to visit my mom. As I observe people and situations, I will listen for what the Holy Spirit wants to teach me along the way and share them as my Montana musings. Thanks for joining me on this adventure!

My travel day began with more adventure than I intended. Considering myself a seasoned traveler, I tend to be impatient with the foibles of less seasoned companions. But this morning, I was the novice.

I arrived at the airport in plenty of time, I dropped my bag off and moved through security in record time. As I collected my belongings, I realized I left my Yeti in the bathroom outside of security. Immediately turning to go back to the bathroom, I checked with TSA to ensure it was okay to go out and come through security again. Cleared to do so, I hurried through the automatic doors with the recorded voice advising me that I was moving into an unsecured area and I MUST NOT TURN AROUND. At that same moment, the sickening realization that I left my driver’s license in the grey security bin hit me. Without considering the ramifications, I turned around!

The alarm instantly made me aware of my mistake and the hurried movements of the TSA personnel confirmed I had erred. The doors automatically locked and six pairs of eyes trained on me as I apologized profusely, explaining I left my ID in the grey tubs.

Looking frantically with no sign of my ID unnerved me but just that quickly one of the TSA personnel spied it in a tub coming down the conveyor. After retrieving it, another kind TSA employee called the police officer who was coming to assess the threat, letting them know she had me in her sights and it was okay to unlock the door again. She led me through the doors to meet the officer and assured him the threat was neutralized.

I walked quickly to the bathroom, retrieved my Yeti from another kind airport employee and returned to do the whole security thing again. They were just as thorough the second time through but this time I didn’t forget anything. Two passages came to mind as I pondered the adventurous beginning to my day.

19Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. 20Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.

James 1:19-20

…don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 

Philippians 2:3

Today I was reminded to approach all of life with humility, understanding that we all have foibles. It is what makes us human and lovable. Too many times, impatience, annoyance and even resentment wells up when others slow me down. Today, I caused a stir, slowing down the security lines, making others wait because of my humanness. Everyone was so gracious with me. I want to pass that on to someone else, too!

What about you? Is your righteous indignation necessary? Are you impatient with others, forgetting that you do the same things? How can you be gracious to others today?

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