Blogging A to Z Challenge "Gravel Roads"

“Gravel Roads”

Gravel roads are a part of living in the country. They can be unpredictable, with washboards, unexpected dips, and areas of deep gravel. Any of these can pull a vehicle from side to side, spin it around, and even cause it to go off the road completely.

Many days as I travel on our gravel road to the highway, I’m all alone and more likely to see a deer, rabbit, wild turkey or pheasant than another vehicle.

The road grader periodically comes down our road, first smoothing one side and then coming back to smooth the other side of the road. If I go on the road before his second pass, there’s a big pile of dirt and gravel down the center of the road. Sometimes it’s too high to drive over, so I’m stuck on one side of the road until the barrier is lower.

One thing I know about driving on any gravel road—it always ends, either at the smooth, predictable paved highway, or at home, in my garage.

Life can be like a gravel road—with bumps, unexpected dips and barricades which make it difficult to get over to the other side. In life, situations can take us by surprise and pull from side to side, spin us around, or throw us completely off the road we were on.

However, because of our faith, we can be confident that we are not alone as we travel the “gravel roads” of our lives. God is ALWAYS with us—through the dips, deep places, and barriers, even when we spin out or go off the road. He is with us through trials, and right there beside us, ready to guide us back to where we should be.

Just as I know any gravel road will eventually lead to a smoother path or home, I know that the sometimes rough road of my life will always, eventually, lead to a smoother path…and at the very end of my last trip on a gravel road, I will arrive safely home, to my eternal home, in heaven.

Jesus said, “…small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” 

Matthew 7:14

“I will guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.”

Proverbs 4:11

“Make level paths for your feet and take only the ways that are firm. 

Do not swerve to the right or the left…” Proverbs 4:26-27

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I'm also blogging at Home is Where the Mom Is. Check out the post today, which gives guidelines for and steps to setting "Goals" so you'll be able to have the satisfaction of reaching them! 

Blogging A to Z Challenge

“Good Friday?”

Good Friday? I think for most of the people there it was the worst Friday ever.

Mary lost her son.

Judas had already killed himself as a result of his involvement in the capture and death of Jesus.

Peter had denied Jesus—three times!—the night before.

The disciples were losing their leader.

Pilate had washed his hands (literally!) of the whole thing, knowing that Jesus did not deserve to die.

Two thieves were also being crucified.

A multitude of people were mourning Jesus’ crucifixion.

And Jesus…Jesus had been betrayed, beaten, tortured, mocked, crucified, and felt His Father, his God, had forsaken Him.

On that day, the only person who would count it a “good” day would be the thief to whom Jesus promised, “Today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43)

Today we can call it Good Friday because we know the rest of the story. We know that the sadness of that Friday on earth, the sorrow turned to happiness on Sunday, when Jesus rose from the dead, means unending joy in paradise for all who believe in Him.

During the last few years, even the last few months, I have known many people who have died. Young and old, sick and healthy, expected and unexpected deaths…for their loved ones and family members, these deaths marked a very bad day.

But again, we know the rest of the story, and along with mourning the “bad” day, we have that hope, that knowledge, of the rest of the story. We know that because Jesus endured that terrible, terrible day, our sorrow at the death of a loved one will one day, on the most joyous day, the “good” day of all “good” days, we will be reunited with our loved ones in heaven.

We can call “Good” Friday good, knowing that in just a few short days we will again celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior. Because He endured that “bad” day, we believers will have the joy of spending eternity with Him in heaven.

Happy Good Friday.


Thank You, Lord, for the rest of the story.

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Jump over to my other blog, Home is Where the Mom Is , where it’s FREEBIE FRIDAY! Leave a comment and you’ll be entered to win one of three autographed copies of Home is Where the Mom Is; A Christian Mom’s Guide to Caring for Herself, Her Family, and Her Home. 

Blogging A to Z Challenge

“God’s Ears”

“Give ear to my words, O Lord; consider my groaning. Give attention to the sound of my cry, my king and my God, for to You do I cry.” Psalm 5:1-2

Every mother is affected by the sound of a baby—particularly her own baby—crying. The sound immediately wakes a mother from the deepest of sleeps or pulls her from whatever task she is doing to her baby’s side.

In this Psalm David is asking the Lord to give attention to his cry, to listen to him, to give consideration to what he, David, is asking.

And God heard David’s cry, just as a mother hears the cry of her baby. God pays attention when a child of His cries out. He turns His attention to us whenever we ask.

God hears us even when we do not have words to describe what we are going through or what we need. The Spirit hears us when all we can do is groan in sorrow or discouragement or pain; “We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” Romans 8:26

We are so blessed to be able to go to the Lord in prayer with the confidence that He will hear us, and that He will give us attention, even if we don’t have the words.

Thank You, Lord, for turning Your attention to me when I cry to You. Thank you for hearing my groaning. Thank you for hearing my prayer, and hearing Your Spirit when I can’t find the words to express what I need. Amen.

The Nebraska Family Times is a pro-life, pro-family monthly newspaper, with a mission to “inspire, encourage, and motivate you in your Christian walk.” Would you like to receive this positive newspaper in your mailbox every month? Check the sidebar to order           your subscription today!

I’m also blogging at Home is Where the Mom Is. Today’s entry is titled 

“Expectations—Revising Unrealistic Ones.” 

Blogging A to Z Challenge

“Spiritual Discernment”

To be “discerning” means to be discriminating, critical, knowledgeable. Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, said, “This is my prayer: That your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ...” Phil. 1:9-10

King Solomon asked God for wisdom and discernment, and God granted it to him; “’Now O Lord my God…give your servant a discerning heart…to distinguish between right and wrong…’ The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. So God said to him, ‘…I will give you a wise and discerning heart…’” 1 Kings 9-12 (excerpted)

Be discerning in your spiritual life. Even well-known authors and Christian speakers can be led astray and lead you away from what the Bible really says and means. In this election year, candidates often speak of their religious beliefs. Do they really know what they’re talking about?

How can you be discerning?

• Know, for yourself, what the Bible says. Read it and study it. Paul told Timothy, “All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16. The words of the Bible are God’s words, and He has given them to us so that we can teach, correct, and be competent and equipped to share His Word. (Go to The Bible Tells Me So! for tips on Bible study.) Ask your pastor or religious leader to suggest reference books that will help you better understand the Bible—but remember, use the Bible itself as your primary source.
• Question what you read and hear, from “regular” people as well as from well-known leaders. Test what they say and write against what the Bible says and the theology of your denomination.  
• Ask God for wisdom and discernment—and believe that he will give it to you. James writes, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt…” James 1:5-6

The book of Proverbs (which is believed to be mostly written by King Solomon, after he asked God for wisdom and discernment) speaks of discernment several times, including the following:

“The discerning heart seeks knowledge…” Proverbs 15:14

“The wise in heart are called discerning…” Proverbs 16:21

“The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge…” Proverbs 18:15

Use your discerning heart to acquire  the Truth, God’s Truth, as you grow spiritually.

(I’m also blogging for the A to Z Challenge at Home is Where the Mom Is . Today the topic is “Distractions”.)

Blogging from A to Z Challenge

Communicating with God

 By Shelly Burke

“O Lord, I call to You; hasten to me! Give ear to my voice when I call to You!” Psalm 141:1

When I want to communicate with friends or for business, I turn on my computer. After it gets all warmed up (it’s an old computer so takes a few minutes) I click on the e-mail program, enter my password, click a few more buttons and finally get my messages.

When I want to communicate the “old fashioned” way, I write a letter, address it (sometimes a time-consuming process if I can’t find my address book), stamp it and take it to the post office.

Communicating by phone is easier—as long as I have enough bars and am in close proximity to a cell tower (we live in a rural area where coverage can be spotty)—hit a few buttons (or just one if the person is on speed dial), get connected and hope the call isn’t “lost”.

After a day of frustrating communication attempts, I’m so thankful that I can talk to God in the most old-fashioned way of all—through prayer.

•  No passwords to remember.
• He is always “in range.”
• He never drops my call!
• His battery is always full—and He can recharge me!
• I never go over my minutes with Him.
• He is ALWAYS on speed dial—but I don’t have to remember a number or even press one button.
• I don’t need an envelope, address, or stamp.
• My prayers are never lost or returned for more postage.

 Lord, I thank you so very much that all I have to do to talk to You is…talk to You. I don’t even need the “right” words…if I don’t have them, You will give them to me.

I’m also doing the Blogging A to Z Challenge at www.achristianmomsguide.blogspot.com. Today’s post is all about “Caring for Your Spirit.” Check it out!) 

A to Z Challenge Day 2, the letter "B"

The Bible Tells Me So!

By Shelly Burke

How often have you heard someone say, “The Bible says…” or, “Jesus would {or wouldn’t}…”

                                                    

Do you take these statements at their word, or do you seek The Word to find out if they are true?

Unfortunately, many of the people who say “The Bible says…” or profess to know what Jesus would do, do not. Recently I’ve read several articles critical of well-known Christian authors who are distorting God’s Truth. Even pastors, priests, and other religious leaders can mislead, whether intentionally or not.

Last fall I realized that although I’ve read through the whole Bible several times, I’d never taken the time to really study and take notes on what it says. I decided that this year (and probably next year as well) my Bible study time is going to focus on the Bible, and only the Bible.

Every day I am awed, surprised, or  shocked (sometimes all three) at what I learn. Many times I find that the Bible narratives that (I thought) I knew from childhood have a very different lesson than what I learned in Sunday School. For example, the narrative of Jonah and the Whale has very little to do with a whale (or “large fish” as it’s referred to in most translations).

I’ve been amazed at the ancient people and how they truly put God at the center of their lives.

I’ve discovered words to live by in every area of my life.

The Bible is full of great narratives, mysteries, advice, reassurance, encouragement, and instruction. The more I read and learn, the more I want to read and learn!

I challenge and encourage you to learn what the Bible says—not what other people say it says--but what you yourself see that it says.  

2 Timothy 3:16 tells us, “All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that they man (and woman!) of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” Every single word is written for a reason. 

There are no “rules” to reading the Bible! You can start with Genesis and read a chapter every day or you can skip around between the Old and New Testament. Make a goal of reading the Bible in a year (type “read the Bible in a year” into your search engine for a plan to do so). Consider reading the chapter of Proverbs that corresponds to the date (today is April 2, so you’d read Proverbs 2). Next time you’re at a bookstore, check out the different versions of the Bible and reading plans.

Remember to write down what you’ve learned, questions you have, or insights you gain from every reading. You can journal in full sentences and paragraphs, or just jot down a few words, in a special notebook or right in your Bible.

Below are several links to suggested study methods.

The important thing is to, as the Nike ad says, “Just do it!” You will be rewarded with understanding, knowledge, and leading that you need to live every day…and discern the Truth whenever you hear or read, “The Bible says…”

Bible Study Resources

Inductive Bible Study – this is a method of marking key words and thoughts in your Bible. “Inductive” means that the Bible is the main source of learning about God and what the Bible teaches. http://www.precept.org/about_inductive_bible_study

Simple Steps to Bible Study http://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/simple-steps-to-solid-scripture-study-1295702.html  —I’m using the guidelines in this article. 

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Check out my other blog, www.homeiswherethemomis.blogspot.com, where I'm also taking part in the A to Z Blogging Challenge. Today's post will give you techniques for Getting Through a Bad Day. 

Blogging from A to Z April Challenge

When I saw this challenge (http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/) I immediately knew I wanted to join!

I will be blogging every day – except Sunday (with the exception of today, since it’s April 1^st) – throughout April. I will be posting on both of my blogs—Nebraska Family Times – www.nebraskafamilytimes.blogspot.com and Home is Where the Mom Is – www.achristianmomsguide.blogspot.com.

Each day’s theme will correspond to the letter of that day; today, April 1^st, the letter is “A” and the theme is “About the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.”

Tomorrow is “B” and the theme on the Nebraska Family Times blog will be “The Bible—My Favorite  Book.” The theme on the Home is Where the Mom Is blog will be “Bad Days—Surviving Them”.

Other days will feature devotions I’ve written, devotions by other authors, excerpts from my book Home is Where the Mom Is; A Christian Mom’s Guide to Caring for Herself, Her Family, and Her Home, links to my favorite websites and blogs, and more! Be sure to check in on “Freebie Fridays” where your comments might get you—you guessed it!—a freebie!

“Like” the Nebraska Family Times and Home is Where the Mom Is Facebook pages, or sign up to “follow” each blog and you’ll receive notification when the blog entries are posted!

Part 2 of the “A” theme: “A few of my favorite blogs—check them out!”

• “Fragrant Offerings” by Deb Burma at www.debburma.blogspot.com (my FAVORITE Christian author and speaker—and I get to sit by her in church and Bible class too!)
• Proverbs 31 www.proverbs31.org (many Christian writers and books)
• “The Happiness Project” www.happiness-project.com (I loved the book too!)
• “168 Hours; You have more Time than You Think” (a great book as well!)     http://lauravanderkam.com/
• http://www.nebfc.org --the Nebraska Family Council—keep up-to-date on issues important to Nebraska Families, including legislation to watch

See you tomorrow!