Yokemates

Change – it is inevitable. There are tons of jokes about change, some more funny than others. After all, no one typically embraces change really well unless the change was their idea in the first place. So, here’s the question of the week… How are you doing with all the change that has come your way amidst COVID19? How are you doing in your 'new normal'? It has been amazing to see the country - for the most part - and the Christian community pitch in to help others with a spirit of teamwork and solidarity. Many are sacrificing of their time and talents to help others. (And then there are those that simply stay in a state of panic from one change to the next.) I have a feeling we’ll never take the privilege of corporate worship and church gatherings for granted again. At least, I hope not! Our children and grandchildren have all been affected by the virus and its restrictions in one way or another. The world as we knew it has changed. The world as our children and grandchil...

Once upon a time there was a young maiden who was asked to go to the king’s palace. She was given fine clothes, beauty treatments and all the best the king had to offer. The king even made her his queen! Though it seemed as if she was living a fairy tale, fear soon struck her heart.  When she learned that the king’s aides planned to harm her family, she was so scared and she didn’t know what to do. No matter how hard she tried, fear kept creeping into her mind and heart. Every day, she was in fear for her family and even for her own life.  Now, even though the young maiden couldn’t see God, He was protecting her and her family. He even sent her cousin to her speak to her. (He was the same man who had adopted her as a daughter after her parents died.) He brought her words of wisdom. He told her that she could be brave, and with God’s help, she could find the courage to speak to the king. In fact, she was the only one who could ask the king not to harm their family....

As I stood in the hallway, I peeked through the crack in the sanctuary doors. My husband. My pastor. He was created to preach! I never doubted the gift that God had given my husband, but the reality of that gift rushed over me that day. He needs to preach God’s Word! He was created to be a preacher! A new prayer formed in my heart that day. It was based off of something I had just read in a study on the Book of Acts. In fact, it is found in the last verse of the book. Paul is under house arrest, but God keeps providing him with opportunities to preach. The verse says, “[For two years] he proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!”  (Acts 28:31) Since that day, over five years ago, that verse has been my heart-cry for my husband. Amazingly, I have seen that prayer answered over and over again. To preach with boldness and without hindrance can be a challenge in so many ways. Not because our husbands are unwi...

Who is that person in your life that makes you grin from ear to ear when you just think of them? The memories are so sweet! Who is the one that represents the enthusiasm and love expressed in The Message version of Philippians 1:3:  “Every time you cross my mind, I break out in exclamations of thanks to God”? Who are the ones who prayed for you? The ones who taught you God's Word? Those  who brought you a renewed sense of hope and purpose?   The ones that you knew would always love and care for you - no matter how bad you messed up? Those special ones in whom you can't help but  “break out in exclamations of thanks to God”? And…when is the last time you spoke to them? Perhaps you touch base each Christmas or they are a part of your life each and every week. A mom, a grandma, a teacher or a friend? Or, is it someone who you haven’t thought of for years, but when God brings them to your mind you know you owe them a debt of gratitude? I love the way The Messag...