LEARNING TO “DO WITHOUT” IS GOOD

The year was 1954. There were six children in our family between 15 and 3 years of age when Dad was laid off at Firestone. Thankfully, he didn’t see it as the end; he saw it as a new beginning. Being tired of the daily grind in the “rubber shop”, Dad took a leap of faith and started his own business, “Pavkov Sand and Gravel”, doing grading and excavating. Times were tough as he built his reputation and clientele. Not only did he have to provide for himself and mom, plus six growing kids; he also had to pay his employee/s and was buying machinery for the business, very often covering the expenses of costly repairs on the machines. Dad worked hard, putting in long hours to pay the bills and meet all of our needs. Under these circumstances, we grew up learning that there were things that we could “do without”; that was good!

Looking back on those years, I can see that God used them to train me for the future. As Jorge and I raised our family of three children in Argentina, we saw lean times and often had to “do without”. Just like in my childhood, our life was simple and God always met our basic needs. By the generosity of many family members and friends (to whom we are forever grateful!), God showed us His faithfulness over and over. Our children also learned to “do without”; and that was good!

And now?… We can appreciate that He used all those years of training to get us where we are now. There were a lot of things that we “did without”, but God never failed us; we never had to beg. Because we’ve learned to “do without”, out of necessity, we are choosing to continuously apply that wise principle of frugality and simplicity to our living. We realize more and more that everything we have is a gift of God’s grace, and we can totally agree with the Psalmist who wrote: “I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lends; and his descendants are blessed” (Psalm 37:25,26)…and THAT IS GOOD!

RESPONSE TO “WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I CHOOSE TO TRUST THE LORD”

Getting comments on my blog is encouraging; it confirms that someone is really out there on the other side of my computer screen. Every comment I receive is very much appreciated. I’m amazed at the feedback I got on the last post: “What Happens When I Choose to Trust the Lord”, and one in particular stands out. I asked my friend for permission to share that with you, and she gladly gave it.

My friend Janet is from Cinco Saltos, Argentina, where she lives with her husband and small daughter. She recounts an experience regarding the February 27, 2010 earthquake in neighboring Chile.  It was 8.8, and one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded. For those of you who read Spanish, I’ll copy and paste her e-mail exactly as she wrote it; that will be followed by an English translation. Here’s a link to see where Cinco Saltos, Argentina is in reference to Chile. Chile runs N-S on the west coast of South America. http://maps.google.com/maps?q=cinco+saltos,+argentina&hl=en&ll=-38.85682,-68.027344&spn=15.625359,39.331055&z=5

Janet wrote:

hola Kathy ! como sabras en febrero del año pasado hubo un terremoto en chile ,el mas intenso de los ultimos años, como las consecuencias de despues de esto son tsunamis, replicas ,volcanes. la gente estaba muy asustada. se aviso a la gente de cinco saltos de como podian llegar a ser las replicas del terremoto causado en chile, entonses yo prepare los documentos mas importantes y los deje en un lugar visible por las dudas y antes de dormir ore a Dios pidiendole que nos cuidara.

Al otro dia nos levantamos y nosotros muy tranquilos , la gente estaba muy asustada de que a las piletas se les salio el agua, los niños lloraban, de que los cuadros y espejos estaban corridos y que sintieron mareos por el temblor que hubo en cinco saltos, pero su mayor miedo era que se rompiera en chocon la central de que produce energia por que si llegara a romperse en una hora estaria inundada la ciudad de cinco saltos.

pero nosotros Kathy NO SENTIMOS ABSOLUTAMENTE NADA Y LA CASA EN LA QUE VIVIAMOS EN CINCO SALTOS ESTABA INTACTA TODO EN SU LUGAR .

yo encima pregunte cuando fui a un supermercado cerca de la casa ..de que hablan de que temblor?? me dicen no  sabias lo que paso anoche ,todos estamos asustados

cuando vuelvo del supermercado  a la casa mis vecinos estaban afuera y me dicen ustedes sintieron algo? les dije que la verdad no, 

me puse a pensar que solo pudo ser Dios quien nos protegio y me puse a llorar por que el es muy bueno y misericordioso y nos mantubo tranquilos y a salvo.

Te mando un abrazo…

 

Hi Kathy! As you know, in February of last year there was an earthquake in Chile, the strongest one of the last years. Since in the aftermath of this, there is a possiblilty for tsunamis, strong tremors, volcanos, people were very scared.

The population of Cinco Saltos was warned that we might suffer tremors from the Chilean earthquake, so I got all of our most important documents together, and left them close by just in case, and before going to sleep, I prayed asking God to take care of us.

The next day we got up, very calm; people were very scared because the water splashed out of their swimming pools, kids were crying, pictures and mirrors were shaken and people were dizzy because of the tremors that Cinco Saltos experienced. But the greatest fear was that the hydro-electric dam that provides our electricity would break, because if that would happen, the entire city of Cinco Saltos would be flooded within the hour.

But Kathy, we DID NOT FEEL ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING AND OUR HOUSE IN CINCO SALTOS WAS COMPLETELY UNTOUCHED, EVERYTHING WAS IN PLACE.
When I went to the supermarket close to home, I asked “What tremors are you talking about?” The replied: “Don’t you know what happened last night? We are all frightened.”

Getting home from the supermarket, my neighbors were outside and asked if we felt anything. I told them, “We truly did not.” I got to thinking that only God could have protected us, and I broke down in tears because He is so good and merciful and kept us calm and safe.

Sending you a hug…

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I CHOOSE TO TRUST THE LORD?

We find the concept of trust over and over in God’s Word: we follow the stories of people who chose trust, others who did not, and the outcome in both cases. We know in our heads that we are encouraged to trust God in all circumstances. But what really takes place when I commit myself to full dependence on the Lord?…when my heart and my will give in to what my head knows? Here are some examples of what really goes on in my life when I choose to trust God. When I choose to trust Him….

• I make the right choice. “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.” (Psalm 118:8,9). There is no better choice!
• I will be safe.  “…but whoever trusts in the Lord shall be safe.” (Proverbs 29:25). There is no safer place!
• He shields me. “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.” (Proverbs 30:5) There is no greater protection!
• I will rise and stand upright. “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. They have bowed down and fallen; but we have risen and stand upright.” (Psalm 20:7,8) There is nothing and no one that is more trustworthy than the Lord our God!
• He will deliver me. “Our fathers trusted in You; they trusted, and You delivered them.” (Psalm 22:4)There is no greater deliverance!
• He prepares something very good for me. “Oh, how great is Your goodness,…which You have prepared for those who trust in You…” (Psalm 31:19) There is no greater goodness!
• He will keep me in perfect peace. “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” (Isaiah 26:3) There is no greater peace!
• I will be happy. “Whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.” (Proverbs 16:20) There is no greater happiness!
• Mercy will surround me.  “…he who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him.” (Psalm 32:10) There is nothing better to be surrounded with!
• I am blessed! “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” There is no greater blessing!

We know in our head that trusting God is the best choice in every circumstance. Now let’s do it. We just might be surprised at what He does in response!

The Jack – Discovery and Amazement

Ever since he was very little, our four-year old grandson Jehiel has had a fascination with tools. By far, his favorite place on our property is grandpa’s workshop. He would rather be there with “Lolo” (his version of Abuelo – Spanish for Grandpa) spending time together on a discovery adventure, than anywhere else. Power tools, hand tools, gadgets; wood scraps and absolutely everything arouses his curiosity. As Lolo patiently shows Jehiel what each tool is for and demonstrates how to use it, his already big brown eyes widen with wonder, and you can almost see the gears of imagination and creativity turning in his little head.

A few days ago, Jehiel discovered the jack. Lolo set it up under the cargo van, and together they raised up the back of the van. Jehiel nearly burst with excitement! He discovered that a jack can lift a very heavy vehicle, and no doubt he’ll always remember the day he helped Lolo do just that.

Jehiel’s discovery reminded me of Psalm 145:14, where the Psalmist declared that “The Lord upholds all who fall, and raises up all who are bowed down.” When we are “bowed down”, weary, discouraged, burdened with a heavy load, let’s let Him raise us up! When we turn to His life-giving Word, He raises us up!…When we cry out to Him in prayer, He lifts us up…when we share our burden with a godly friend, He lifts us up…when we choose to believe His truth (that we already know in our heads) and trust His promises, He raises us up! Just as Jehiel discovered the power of the jack to raise up the van, I am constantly amazed at the power of God that raises me up, and I praise Him for it.

Take a few minutes to be blessed by this beautiful song by Selah that so appropriately expresses God’s power to lift us up. http://youtu.be/H2sZuJbxi8Y  Remember the times He raised you up in the past, and trust Him to do it again…today. You’ll be amazed!

AN OCTOGENARIAN’S SECRET TO A LONG, HEALTHY LIFE

Dad worked on his tractor till he was well into his 90's!

When Jorge and I married and moved to Argentina, my parents were in their early 60’s. We are very thankful that they visited us often in the following 20+ years. Instead of shoveling January and February snow in Northeastern Ohio, they chose to endure our summer heat and humidity in Argentina – without air conditioning – to be with us! Saying our farewells at the airport in Buenos Aires was hard for me after their first few visits. Waving at them as they went up the escalator to their gate, my eyes always filled with tears. I thought I’d never see them again in this world.  When they kept coming back, I decided I wouldn’t bother to cry anymore, so I didn’t. They did come back, again and again. Mom made her last trip to Argentina when she was 73, but Dad…well, he loved it too much NOT to return, and so he did. He was a healthy 85 years old the last time he visited us in Argentina.

On one of his last trips, when he was already well into his 80’s, we spent a day at a church youth camp. There were teens and twenty-somethings from all over Argentina, and part of the afternoon’s program was a Q – A session. (Q – the young Argentines… A – Dad.) Observing the vigor and enthusiasm he still had at that age, one of the questions they asked him was: “What’s the secret to enjoying a long, healthy life?” Immediately Dad replied: “Four things: Work hard, drink plenty of water, sleep peacefully, and leave all your cares in the Lord’s hands.” He answered quickly, because those four concepts were his life; they worked for him.

I don’t know if the young kids “got it”, or if they ever thought of his advice after that day. But I did! And I often thank God for having given me a dad who loved me enough to give me a lot of advice – not only that day, but throughout my life – on a broad array of issues. I also am thankful that God allowed us to enjoy being with Dad until the Lord suddenly and unexpectedly called him home when he was 94 years “young”. (As one of his granddaughters remarked) Dad was born 98 years ago today, and with God’s favor, did indeed enjoy a long, healthy life!

BEAUTY FOR ASHES – In God’s Time

 The prophet Isaiah wrote that Jesus came to give beauty for ashes (Isaiah 61:3), and in Ecclesiastes we read that God “has made everything beautiful in its time.” (Ecc. 3:11)

It takes time for a squiggly, crawly caterpillar to be transformed into a dainty butterfly with fragile wings.
It takes time for a miniscule seed to grow into a healthy plant and produce a plethora of vibrant colors.
It takes time for seemingly dead branches to burst into a lush shade tree or a flowering shrub.
How does that beauty happen? God takes the unattractive and makes it beautiful…in His time.

We look at Joseph, Job, Esther, Peter and see that they, along with many others throughout history, experienced seasons of “ashes” in their lives. We marvel that God transformed their unpleasant circumstances into something beautiful…in His time.

How about us? Maybe we don’t see anything beautiful about what we’re living. We may be in a season of confusion, change, uncertainty or loss, and it seems as though we are camping out on top of an ash heap. We wonder if things will ever be different. They will be…in His time.

Let’s trust in the One who came to give beauty for ashes. Our Father God specializes in making everything beautiful in His time. We just have to wait. He will do it! He promised! One day our ashes will be a thing of the distant past and we will rejoice in the beauty that replaces them…in His time.

MAKING LISTS (God’s Strength)

Everyone makes lists. To-do lists and grocery lists probably top the list of lists. Lists are good. If you follow my blogs, you may have noticed that I like lists. They help me focus. They simplify otherwise complex issues. Often when I read the Bible, I find myself making lists of several verses related to a certain topic and organizing them; lists of promises with who, why, when and where along side of them; lists of God’s attributes in a certain passage; and the list goes on…

Not long ago I listed and organized verses about God’s strength, and with each one, WHEN I need His strength. I want to share my list with you, just in case you need His strength. The list looks like this:

 WHEN I NEED DIRECTION:
2^nd Samuel 22:33. “God is my strength and power and He makes my way perfect.”

WHEN I SEEK WISDOM:
Job 12:13. “With Him are wisdom and strength.”

WHEN I AM AFRAID:
Psalm 27:1. “The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

WHEN I NEED HELP:
Psalm 28:7. “The Lord is my strength and my shield; I trusted in Him and I am helped.”

WHEN I NEED PEACE:
Psalm 29:11. “The Lord will give strength to His people. The Lord will bless His people with peace.”

WHEN I’M IN TROUBLE:
Psalm 37:39. “But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble.”

WHEN I NEED A REFUGE:
Psalm 46:1. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though….(fill in your own ending)”

WHEN I NEED MOTIVATION:
Psalm 71:16. “I will go in the strength of the Lord God…”

WHEN I DON’T HAVE ANY STRENGTH LEFT:
Isaiah 40:29. “He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength.”

WHEN I AM AT THE END OF THE ROPE:
Psalm 73:26. “My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

Notice that the very last word of the last verse is FOREVER. That’s how long we can trust God for His strength! This isn’t simply a list. It is a guarantee that He will always be our strength…FOREVER!

DIALOGUE BETWEEN DOUBT AND TRUST

When Mr. Trust focuses on GOD, who He is and what HE promised, Mr. Doubt is totally squelched. He’s a loser. Listen to the following dialogue:

DOUBT: “I don’t know why this is happening to me…”
TRUST: “But God knows! He has a plan for me, and He will perfect it!” (Philippians 1:6)

DOUBT: “I sure can’t see any good that will come of this.”
TRUST: “But God is working everything for my good – to make me more like Christ.” (Romans 8:28)

DOUBT: “I’m afraid…”
TRUST: “But God is my strength!” (Psalm 18:1,32)

DOUBT: “I’ll never be able to do that; it’s way too hard!”
TRUST: “But God can do exceedingly, abundantly more than I can ask or think!” (Ephesians 3:20)

DOUBT: “My resources are so few…I don’t have enough…”
TRUST: “But God is the Maker and Owner of everything. His resources are limitless!” (Psalm 95:1-5)

DOUBT: “I just can’t go on anymore.”
TRUST: “But God gives me strength and grace!” (2^nd Corinthians 12:9)

DOUBT: “The future looks bad. Really bad.”
TRUST: “But God is with me, and promised never to leave me. EVER!” (Matthew 28:20)

FLOODS OF UNGODLINESS

Because the accumulation of the heavy snowfalls in the past few weeks is finally melting, the Midwest is being ravaged by floods. Add a few days of rain to that scenario, and the conditions become perfect for disaster. Headlines in our area today read: “Cuyahoga River Flooded…” Evacuations, closed roads, sand bags and flood damage are reported in many places. It’s not a pretty picture.

While all that is happening, there are other floods that are even more destructive, and are threatening the stability of marriages, families, institutions, our country and even our entire world: the Psalmist referred to “floods of ungodliness”, and that is what we’re seeing today. Not a pretty picture. We don’t have to look far to see the violence and immorality that characterize our times. Uprisings in different parts of the world, legislation that is being passed (or not being passed); the media and entertainment industry all add to the floods of ungodliness, and cause me to agree with the Psalmist: “and the floods of ungodliness made me afraid.” (Psalm 18:4) But in his fear, the Psalmist’s solution was to cry out to the Lord, being certain that his prayers were heard. He knew that only the Lord could save him from the treacherous floods of ungodliness.

Looking around, we see our children and grandchildren. The “floods of ungodlinesss” are worsening at an alarming rate, and if we aren’t standing on our Solid Rock of Refuge, JESUS, we are in danger of being swallowed up by those floods! Let’s get more serious about our daily walk with Him; be more intense in our prayers for ourselves and our loved ones as those destructive “floods of ungodliness” rise around us. Let’s fervently cry out to Him for help in these perilous times and trust in HIM for help!

“Then the waters would have overwhelmed us, the stream would have gone over our soul…Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” (Psalm 124:4)

PRAY. NO ANSWER….Then Good News!

Pray. No answer.
Pray harder. Still no answer.
Keep praying harder.  No sign of an answer.
Read Psalm 40:1: “I waited patiently for the Lord, and he inclined to me and heard my cry.”
OK, God hears.
Pray. No answer yet.
Pray harder. Still no answer yet.
Keep praying harder. No sign of an answer yet.
Read Psalm 9:10, 12. “And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; for You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You…He does not forget the cry of the humble.”
Pray. No answer.
Pray harder. Keep praying harder. Heaven is still silent. Nothing has changed. Or has it?…
The good news is that God hears our cry.
More good news: He has never forsaken those who seek Him.
The most very good news transforms us: He does not forget our prayers.
And knowing that is VERY good news!
Pray. No answer. Good news…