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Put Your House in Order

Put Your House in Order

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Put Your House in OrderIt’s probably too late to put this old house in order. We see signs of decay all over it:

  • Weeds, trees, and vines growing near and on it
  • Cracks in the wood, windows, and door
  • Parts of it leaning, preparing to fall

To put your house in order, you try to return everything to good condition. You don’t usually mean a house. You may want to:

  • Get your finances in good shape.
  • Improve your behavior.
  • Prepare for death.

We see the last meaning in Isaiah 38:1 when Isaiah told King Hezekiah, “This is what the Lord says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die.”

Sometimes when people criticize you, you might say, “Put your own house in order.” This tells them to solve their problems instead of criticizing you.

All of us have problems. We can prevent many of them. With houses, we can:

  • Keep weeds, trees, and vines cut.
  • Repair cracks as soon as they appear.
  • Keep the foundation and support strong.

With our lives, we can:

  • Avoid harmful activities.
  • Correct mistakes as soon as they occur.
  • Make God our foundation.
  • Help one another stay strong.

“The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock” (Matthew 7:25 NIV).

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Put Feet to Our Prayers

Put Feet to Our Prayers

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Put Feet to Our Prayers
Sculpture on Campbellsville University campus

Many of us believe in the power of prayer.

  • We pray for one another.
  • We pray for our own concerns.
  • We share prayer requests.
  • We report answers to prayer.
  • We keep prayer lists.
  • We pray at meals.
  • We pray before we go to bed.
  • We pray at church.

We can pray anytime and anyplace. We can also pray from any position:

  • Hands together
  • Hands apart
  • Standing
  • Sitting
  • Lying down
  • Kneeling

However, we sometimes need to get off our knees (or whatever our position). We need to put feet to our prayers. When we put feet to our prayers, we exercise more than our feet.

  • Our ears listen for God’s direction.
  • Our eyes see problems around us.
  • Our minds decide what to do.
  • Our feet go where needs exist.
  • Our hands reach out to help.

We often think or say, “Somebody ought to do something.” Well, take a good look in the mirror. We are somebody.  So let’s get out there and do something. Let’s put feet to our prayers.

“If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?” (1 John 3:17 NIV).

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An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure

An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure

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An Ounce of Prevention-morgueFileAll my life I heard that an apple a day keeps the doctor away. That sounds good to me. I’m for whatever we can do to prevent problems. Plus, I love apples.

We credit Benjamin Franklin with saying an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. His quote contains wisdom we all need.

We can either spend a little time preventing a problem or a lot of time curing it.

If we have the ability to prevent something bad, why not do it? If eating apples will keep us out of the doctor’s office, let’s eat apples!

Some people have revised Franklin’s quote to say an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. I tend to agree.

Consider our choices:

  • Exercise and eat well now or treat health problems later.
  • Save for emergencies now or deal with debt later.
  • Develop strong relationships now or have few friends later.
  • Work well now or find a new job later.

Do you see a pattern here?

Our choices today affect our lives tomorrow.

What kind of future do we want?

“Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones” (Proverbs 3:8 NIV).

Thank you to Karen Atwood for this suggestion.

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Photo courtesy of morgueFile.

Garden Spot of the World

Garden Spot of the World

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Garden Spot of the WorldI live in the garden spot of the world. In my opinion, Central Kentucky is the greatest place on earth.

Of course, many other people claim they live in the garden spot of the world. Our world offers much beauty, and I love to explore it. Nevertheless, nothing compares to my Kentucky home.

Consider all her advantages:

  • The beauty of four seasons
  • Friendly people
  • A great combination of countryside and towns
  • Hills, valleys, lakes, meadows — so many choices for homes or vacations
  • A variety of animals, both tame and wild

From the window near my desk, I watch the seasons change.

  • Flowers and trees turn green and bloom.
  • Sunshine, rain, rainbows, clouds, sleet, and snow come and go.
  • Rabbits, squirrels, turkeys, deer, butterflies, and birds pass by.

Many people who explore our area choose to remain here. Others return for frequent visits.

Our family loves to invite visitors from other countries to our home. We enjoy sharing with them our little spot in the garden spot of the world.

“But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding” (Jeremiah 10:12 NIV).

Where is your garden spot of the world? Please comment below.

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Jump from the Frying Pan into the Fire

Jump from the Frying Pan into the Fire

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Jump from the Frying Pan into the Fire 2If we touch a hot frying pan, we let go fast.  We want to avoid the pain and scars. Holding on does not make good sense.

We suffer far worse if we touch the source of that heat. We definitely want to stay out of the fire. Therefore, we don’t touch:

• Hot stoves
• Bonfires
• Fireplaces
• Torches

Yet, how often do we try to solve one mistake by making another? In the process, we make our bad situation worse. We jump from the frying pan into the fire.

• We cover one lie with another.
• We hurt people and then avoid them.
• We do poor work but blame someone else.

We can do better:

• Admit our mistakes.
• Apologize and repair relationships.
• Do our best, and help others do their best.

Let go of the frying pan. Stay out of the fire.

“Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright” (Proverbs 14:9 NIV).

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Photo courtesy of morgueFile.

Out of the Blue

Out of the Blue

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Out of the BlueA friend recently sent me a gift out of the blue. I was not expecting it. I did nothing to deserve it.

Like lightning striking unexpectedly in a clear blue sky, events sometimes happen out of the blue.

  • They occur suddenly.
  • We receive no notice.
  • They may be good or bad.

Occasionally we understand why events occur out of the blue.

  • Scientists can usually explain sudden weather changes.
  • My friend knew of my interest in her gift.

However, other events remain a mystery.

We may not always understand events in our lives. We can make a positive difference.

Try secretly performing an act of kindness. You may plan it or do it out of the blue. For the other person, it will definitely appear out of the blue. What a great way to start any day!

“You will not be afraid of sudden disaster, or when destruction overtakes the wicked; for the LORD will be the source of your confidence” (Proverbs 3:25-26 NET).

What are your favorite acts of kindness? Please comment below

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Hang On for Dear Life

Hang On for Dear Life

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Hang On for Dear LifeAn older cousin taught me to swim here. Her first lesson: how to kick.

She told me to find holes in the rocks to get a grip. I then raised my legs and kicked. If I let go, I went under the water. After falling and choking a few times, I learned to hold tightly – to hang on for dear life.

Occasionally my sister or another cousin yelled “snake.” Of course, I screamed and would hang on tighter then.

Eventually I finished my lessons. I still love to swim.

Sometimes our lives seem to fall apart at the seams. When that happens, we hang on for dear life to what matters most. Those hard times can teach us the most valuable lessons.

I now hang on to:

  • Family
  • Friends
  • Faith

I know if I lose the first two, I can survive with the third. The best part of placing my faith in Jesus: I don’t have to hang on for dear life. Jesus holds on to me and will never let go.

“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand”  John 10:28 NIV).

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Golden Years

Golden Years

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Golden YearsMy parents entered their golden years (retirement) several years ago. Free from work responsibilities, they enjoyed extra time for several interests:

  • Travel
  • Family
  • Gardening
  • A huge orchard
  • Woodworking
  • Church activities

Family and friends always gathered at their home. That continues today. Some people visit for fun. Others desire prayer and spiritual support.

Although their bodies have grown weaker, their faith has remained strong. They understand God has a purpose for them, and they continue to fulfill that purpose.

They are not perfect, but they come as close as anyone I know. By following God, who is love, they can love everyone better:

  • One another
  • Their children
  • Family and friends
  • Acquaintances and strangers

Their strong commitment to faith and family inspires those who know them to:

  • Share love with words and actions.
  • Take time for one another.
  • Work through problems as they arise.
  • Focus on the positives.
  • Help people in need.

What a great example they provide.

Happy anniversary, Mom and Dad! Keep enjoying your golden years.

“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love” (1 John 4:16 NIV).

Thanks to Gail Gosser for help with the post and Robbie Childress for the photo.

Do you have special family memories? If so, please comment.

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March to a Different Drummer

March to a Different Drummer

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March to a Different Drummer CU Tiger Drumline 2
Campbellsville University Photo

We all know them. Perhaps we are one of them: people who march to a different drummer. (We may also say they march to the beat of a different drummer.)

However we say it, such people are different from what society calls normal. We may see those differences in behavior, beliefs, or both. Unusual habits can appear in almost all areas, including:

  • Clothing
  • Hobbies
  • Food
  • Routines
  • Homes

Henry David Thoreau said, “If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.”

For some reason, most of us think we have to be the same as everyone else. That often causes no problem. Yet, on matters of importance, we must stand firm. We must risk being different. We must march to a different drummer.

Let’s be certain we choose our drummer carefully.

“I know the greatness of the Lord—that he is greater far than any other god. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! It is amazing to think about. Your workmanship is marvelous—and how well I know it” (Psalm 135:5; 139:14 TLB).

Special thanks to Shirley Cheatham for the suggestion and to Campbellsville University for the Tiger Drumline photo .

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Fresh Start

Fresh Start

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Fresh StartWe all need a fresh start occasionally.

  • We lose a job and need a new one.
  • We hurt someone and need forgiveness.
  • We make bad choices and need another chance.

A fresh start means a new beginning. We start over.

A fresh start gives hope. We look for better days ahead, much like:

  • Springtime arrives after a long hard winter.
  • We build a new fence after the old one falls apart.
  • New flowers bloom through dead grass and leaves.

The message of Easter offers the greatest fresh start of all. Jesus died on a cross on Friday, but he rose from the grave on Sunday. He defeated death and sin.

When we choose to follow Jesus, we receive new life. We gain God’s love, peace, hope, and joy. We still have problems, but the problems will not defeat us. In addition, we have the promise of an eternal home in heaven.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV).

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

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