Jack Frost

By Charlotte Riegel –

What a glorious summer we had this year. Playing with plants in my yard and in our community was delightful. But alas, the seasons change and the flowers die as Jack Frost visits our little corner of the world. The warmth of summer always seems too short.

As I cleaned out dead plant material from flower beds and planters it was a struggle to feel positive. I was reminded autumn is part of the natural rhythm of nature.

Jack Frost, like John the Baptist, is a forerunner of what is soon to come. Autumn is the herald of winter, warning us to prepare. It’s time to make sure our furnace is working properly, to empty the water barrels, to turn off the outside taps, to collect any remaining garden produce, etc. I was also reminded to look for the beauty of this season.

I was still working on this attitude adjustment when, BAM, winter arrived. Earlier than I wished, but nonetheless, we had heeded the warning and were ready.

It all reminded me of the ten virgins and their waiting for the bridegroom, some were ready and others were not. These changing seasons are also a natural reminder to prepare for the coming of Jesus.

Will you be like the five wise virgins or will you be like the foolish ones? We don’t know exactly when He will come but we are reminded in His word that He IS coming again and we are to be ready.

Father God, thank you for the many warning signs you give us, both for the changing seasons and for the return of Jesus.

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut” (Matthew 25:1-10 NIV).

So What If I Miss Her?

By Peter Lundell

I recently sent my daughter off to a very good private university with our church denomination, for which we got enough financial aid to afford this privilege.

She’s working so hard at her schoolwork, and now a part-time job on campus that she can’t come home this weekend as she had originally intended.

People ask if I miss her. Of course I do. And so does my wife and the dog. But that’s not the point. She’s experiencing what she needs to grow into a capable, strong, and mature person. Would I really prefer to see her at home lying on the couch?

It doesn’t matter that I miss her. It matters that she is in school starting the teacher education program, with the faculty and student community, and in the spiritual environment that are all best for her. There are a lot of great schools; I’m only saying this is the best one for her, and I hope every student gets into the school that’s best for him or her.

Any good parent sees beyond feelings. Good parenting, like good relationships, work, habits, life choices, faith in God—every good thing we do in life—is not based on how we feel but on what’s the right thing to do.

My missing her is irrelevant because she’s experiencing what she needs—in countless ways. And for that I am grateful.

Whether we like it or not, our spiritual life is the same. From what I read in Scripture and see in life, God is not particularly interested in how we feel about things but rather in what’s best for us.

You could ask if God the Father missed Jesus when Jesus came to earth. Same answer: It didn’t matter. Because Jesus came to do what was best, what humanity needed.

What will you give up or let go for someone else’s good?

“O Lord. Work in me to get over whatever feelings I have that keep me from doing the right thing, especially when it concerns other people. . . .”

“I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me” (Philippians 2:23–26 NIV).

Our Connection to Animals

By Rachel Indihar –

I have a new cat in my household who is hiding beneath my desk. After spending her entire life (six whole years) with a kind human family, she was dropped into a strange environment with a strange new person. She stopped crying after an hour and occasionally lets out a pitiful, low “meow.”

My research from books and the internet tells me to leave her alone. Unlike humans, cats need to be left to themselves when frightened and upset. New territory and new company may be invigorating to some of us, but to a cat who prides itself on dominating its territory, such a big change can be depressing.

I play soothing music and try not to look her in the eye (cats hate a direct stare because they can see it as confrontational). It seems to work: she is sleeping and appears content. I feel a strange empathy with this animal, a sort of “connection” with her. I, too, have wanted to hide underneath something large and cower until the situation changes itself. I have felt abandoned and depressed, watching as the world swirls around me and uncomfortable situations present themselves.

My research tells me that a cat brought to a new home can stay in hiding for days or even weeks. Eventually, however, the animal will start to wander around its new environment and claim its territory. And, of course, human and pet bonding should start to develop around this time. Does a cat eventually forget about its previous household and companions? I can’t answer that question, but millions of cat owners have acquired an adult cat from somewhere else with no (permanent) harm done to the animal.

What about our own lives? Are our own lives as predictable as a cat’s? Do we know that eventually we’ll feel comfortable enough to come out from underneath the desk and explore confidently? This is perhaps where our connection with animals ends, for our lives and minds are more complicated than a household pet’s. But is there something we can learn from my cat’s experience?

Sometimes our lives seem out of control, as if God has lost the map for our lives and He is steering us off-course. Is this true? The Bible says it is not, for God knows the number of our days and exactly what happens in each of them (see Psalm 139:16). Nothing is a surprise to Him, and in that is our lifelong hope.

God sees us when we’re hiding underneath the desk, and He beckons with love for us to come out and face life confidently. Remember all of God’s promises in the Bible concerning His loved ones: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea” (Psalm 46:1-2 NIV).

If God will never leave us and all of our days are in His capable hands, why do we even seek a hiding spot? For “God is our refuge and strength”, ready to hold our hand when we stumble and when we seek an escape.

God calls us by our own name, just like I call my cat by her name: Minou (which means “kitty” in French). Are we going to respond to the Lord when He calls us, or are we going to hide? The choice is up to us.

Boldly Go

By Hally Franz –

“To Boldly Go Where No Man Has Gone Before.”

As the 13th motion picture of the Star Trek franchise is scheduled for a 2016 release, this charge still elicits thoughts of the unknown, adventure, danger, courage and fear. Only persons uniquely equipped qualify for those missions. Only the very elite dare travel to such untold places.

Likely the most significant unknown many of us will enter is the adventure we call parenting. Unfortunately, though, that particular journey is not always faced with the bold confidence displayed by our favorite Star Trek heroes. In fact, sometimes the bombardment of expert parenting information, unnerving financial expectations, and frightening news-making scenarios leave parents disabled and dumfounded. And, potential parents, after a bit of exploration, may decide to avoid the proverbial parenting abyss altogether.

Let’s consider these confidence killers. It’s great to read the latest advice in preparation for the birth of a child, but it’s equally important for young parents to keep things in perspective. The little fellows are resilient, and a precisely-orchestrated bedtime routine or an ergonomically-correct binky won’t matter much in the scheme of things. Don’t sweat the small stuff.

Now, who of us hasn’t gotten caught up in the idea that kids need a perennial birthday bash or new clothes each school year (whether old ones fit or not) or a periodic room re-do or the newest phone or… or… or… It’s tough! We need to fight those feelings and get over it. They don’t!

The final threat to bold parenting is fear. Parents just can’t shake off worries about our children’s physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. Rather than trying to escape terrifying thoughts, we should simply cling to His word for reassurance.

The Bible offers clear instruction about parenting. We are to love, train, discipline, and provide for our children. These four simple, and not entirely simple, tasks work together in the process of child-rearing. He prescribes this combination of ingredients to parents throughout time, and none of us should neglect or favor one component over the other.

While parents will, not may, encounter difficulties along the way, we should proceed boldly into the parenting realms with Him at our side.

PRAYER: Thank You, Heavenly Father, for parenting instruction provided in Your word. May we set aside doubts and fears, and courageously parent. For we are fully armed with Biblical guidance, fully supported by Your love.

“And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” (Genesis 1:28 KJV).

Where is the Merry in Christmas?

By Susan Dollyhigh –

Rehab center, jail, and illness, greet my waking mind. I throw off the covers, put my feet on the floor, close my eyes, and take a deep breath. I trudge into the living room where a Christmas tree, gifts, and stockings greet my eyes. I can’t wrap my mind around the extremes of Merry Christmas and the despondency I feel in my heart.

An epidemic of anxiety, fear, and grief has spread through my family. My litany of sorrows is mind-numbing – my daughter in rehab, my eight-year-old granddaughter wondering why Mommy won’t be home for Christmas, my brother in jail, my sister’s brush with death from an unknown illness that lingers still. Each of these maladies alone could paralyze a family, and each of these situations is so foreign that my family never dreamed of experiencing any of them. Where is the hope, the peace, the joy, of the season?

I pour a cup of coffee, sit down on the couch, and my eyes lock on the Advent wreath adorning my coffee table. The words of the prophet Isaiah, later spoken by Jesus, come to mind, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free…” I gaze at the Advent candles representing Hope, Love, Peace and Joy, and feel Christ’s peace gently infuse my spirit.

I know Who the Hope is. I know He is Love. I’ve experienced His Peace. When I focus on Him instead of my circumstances, I feel the constant Joy He gives me, even in difficult circumstances. I’ve found the Merry in Christmas, even Christmas this year. The Merry in Christmas is Christ.

I hope you have Christ in your heart this season – no matter how difficult your life circumstances may be.

Bible Verse: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6 NIV).

Prayer: Father in Heaven, I pray for my family, and all families who have heavy hearts this Christmas. I pray that You will comfort us, and grace us with your peace. Thank You for the gift of Your Son. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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