SINGING FOR JOY

My Great Dane, Zeke, sleeps at the foot of my bed on his own giant doggie bed. I'm an early riser; usually I'm up while it's still dark. When I turn on the light, Zeke often pushes his huge head under my bed as far as it'll go, trying to hide from the harsh glare. it takes some convincing to get him to show his face long enough to go outside to do his business and start the day.  Like Zeke, there are many times I just want to hide away in my bedroom. I'm an introvert, and it would be easy for me to do so. It would be so much simpler than facing the day's trials and tribulations. We all know that things can be tough, especially now. Yet, God Himself gently coaxes me out, reminding me that He is all I need. There is great comfort to be found in facing the day with Him. Psalm 32:7: You are my hiding place;  You shall preserve me from trouble;  You shall surround me with joyful songs of deliverance. Selah

  Be still and know that I am Lord…  Psalm 46:10 I know, it sounds like the title to a bad movie, right? The past couple of weeks have been hectic with the deaths of my mom’s best friend, and the brother-in-law of one of my good friends. I did my best to assist in both those situations. In addition, one of my closest friends got married, and I was a joyful participant in all the festivities of the wedding weekend. (See my prior post for a fun story on that!). I’m high-strung in the best of circumstances, so with all the extra stuff going on, I was a bundle of nervous energy for days. The wedding was on Sunday after church. Coincidentally, I was also on the worship team for both services prior and I was frantically running around attending to many details in between stints on the stage, greeting the slew of visitors, and attending Sunday School and the second service. My bladder demands attention about once an hour, and I was making a mad dash to the potty when a friend stopped me and

I was delighted and honored to be asked to play the flute for my dear friend Margaret’s wedding to her wonderful new husband, John. The plan was for me to perform a selection of songs starting about ten minutes before the ceremony and continuing through the time when our pastor, the groom, and the groom’s family made their entrance. The day was lovely with a few puffy clouds and moderate temperatures. However, I was a bit concerned with the reasonably strong breeze as the whole event was to take place outside. Knowing from past experiences that my sheet music would be prone to blow away or at the very least flip to the next page before I was finished with the current one, I put each page in a plastic sleeve in a notebook, and at the last minute I also asked a friend to hold and turn the pages for me if it became evident that it was a problem. I even clipped the first page to the stand. Also, since the flute tone is made by blowing across the mouthpiece (like blowing across a glass

John and I had the wonderful experience of visiting a chimpanzee sanctuary near the town where we lived in South Africa. https://www.chimpeden.com/  There we got to witness the poignant sight of one chimpanzee comforting another (who was feeling threatened with a third chimp’s bullying behavior) with a soothing embrace. This behavior is well-documented in the wild and serves as a stress reliever for both participants.  I’ve been surprised (though I shouldn’t be) from the responses from quite a few friends when I greeted them with a hug over the past year. Almost universally I have heard, “I really needed that.” Yes, I know there’s a pandemic, and I know we’re supposed to keep our distance from one another. But, if you need a hug, I’m here for you. And hopefully, I won’t get stoned like Stephen (see my previous post!) for my offer. 

  But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:24 King Solomon’s story; found primarily in 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, and 2 Chronicles; is one of tragic decline. He began well. We are told in 2 Chronicles 1:1 “Now Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him and exalted him exceedingly.” Under his rule, the Israelites lived in abundant peace and prosperity. And yet, despite all these blessings, he took his eyes away from God and God’s ways and began catering to his own vulgar desires. Towards the end of his long life, Solomon uttered such bitter words as “I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind.” (Ecclesiastes 1:14). God’s Word makes it clear that the further Solomon fell from God’s ways, the more disillus

I have been hearing stories of devastation from Cyclone Eloise from many friends in southern Africa. Homes have been destroyed, communities are under water, and villagers cannot keep their feet dry and their flesh is rotting. Yet they are no strangers to such storms, and they have admirably and resolutely begun recovering and rebuilding.  We have been enduring a global pandemic and all its ramifications. God bless those who have devoted themselves tirelessly towards ways to combat this plague.  In both these instances, humans are using their God-given skills to serve and to work towards the greater good, and such efforts are to be applauded, for sure. I am thankful He has given us the means to help one another. Yet it seems to me we are missing the point. God’s own people are placing their ultimate hope the efforts of human hands. Instead, God is calling us to recognize, to acknowledge, and to praise Him alone as the only sure Hope. He alone deserves our trust. He alone is worthy of a