Let There Be Peace on Earth

Many Christmas songs call for “Peace on Earth.”  As much as we would like a peaceful world, it’s easy to feel helpless when we see so much war and turmoil all over our planet. Maybe we need to look within to find peace in our own lives before we can impact our world.

In 2015 my friend, Tanya Hall, and I collaborated in writing 28 Advent devotionals for our church members to use during the weeks leading to Christmas. We used a stanza from the beloved Christmas song O Holy Night for each devotional. I’m pleased to post one of Tanya’s devotions where she shares her thoughts on the true source of peace.

O Holy Night

“His law is love and His gospel is peace.”

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14

What does peace mean to you? Is it the absence of conflict?  Is it really possible to experience peace in the midst of great conflict? According to the Bible, the peace given by God transcends all understanding. In other words–it doesn’t make sense. But we know God loves to work in the impossible. Many years ago I struggled with a situation that I could not move past. I was stuck. For seven years my mind and emotions were tormented. I could not enjoy the present, because I was stuck in the past. God did a healing in me that only He could do. He gave me a peace that transcended my understanding. I knew it was from God because nothing else I tried worked. His peace wrapped around my mind and emotions until I could rest from the battle.

God’s peace doesn’t make sense to the world yet it’s the world’s greatest need. Everybody is looking for peace. We all seek peace on earth, but it’s only in God that true peace resides. HE IS PEACE. He longs to fill you with His peace which abides in spite of earthy conflict. It truly transcends ALL understanding. The peace the angels proclaimed at the birth of Jesus has yet to be realized. It didn’t make sense to the chaotic world of Jesus’ time and makes no sense to our world today.

If you are lacking true peace, turn to Him. It’s the best gift you can give yourself.

 Lord,You are my peace in this chaotic world. Amen.

Wise men and women still seek Him.  

A Time for Everything

“There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens …” 
Ecclesiastes 3:1

The writer of those words in the Bible goes on to explain the joyful and tough events that can occur in the journey of a lifetime. Our Thanksgiving week 2016 was filled with so many life events, I experienced mental and emotional whiplash before the end.

A time to mourn:  One week before Thanksgiving, I boarded a plane to head to Western New York State to attend my brother’s funeral. I visited my brother, Jack, in May and knew it would be my last time with him. His passing was not a surprise and I am glad he is not suffering anymore. It was good to spend time with his extended family and cousins I hadn’t seen in years. 

A time to rejoice:  My annual check in with the liver transplant doctors was very encouraging. After 18 plus years, my liver is functioning better than anyone expected. I remain amazed at my second chance to enjoy a longer and productive life.

A time to feast:  It was a day to enjoy family members and a table-full of turkey and all the fixings with enough leftovers for the weekend. It always amazes me that women have energy after all the cooking and clean up to hit the Black Friday sales on Friday.  I did my shopping online. 

A time to celebrate:  My late bloomer husband’s birthday is always on Thanksgiving weekend. He received birthday cards and gifts and spent enough time with several of our children to make him not mind turning a year older. I’m very thankful that he continues in good health and can enjoy these later years of life.

A time to laugh: In the next few weeks our fourth great grandchild will be born.  Charles’ grandson Jesse and his wife will welcome their first boy after three girls. We laughed over some of the possible names they are considering for the little fella. I think they were teasing us and already have a great name picked out. 

A time to dance: My granddaughter said “Yes to the Dress” on Thanksgiving Day. Her family lives in Toronto, Canada and since they don’t celebrate the US holiday, they went wedding dress shopping. She’s been looking for months and finally found the right one. July 1, 2017 and that first dance seems more real than before.

What a week—A funeral, a potential wedding, a birthday, a future great grandson, a healthy report, and a national holiday. I am so thankful for the good health and the ability to participate in all these life changing events. 

The writer of Ecclesiastes sums it up in 3:11-12:

“He [God] has made everything beautiful in its time.  He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live.”

Swinging On A Star

“Would you like to swing on a star?

Carry moonbeams home in a jar …”

“Swinging on a Star,” by Jimmy Van Heusen & Johnny Burke was introduced by Bing Crosby the year I was born.  World War II was winding down and people were looking for lighter music and hope. That song was propelled to the top of the charts for much of 1944.

Maybe that’s why I’ve always loved to observe the stars and other celestial bodies.  As a child I was fascinated by the constellations and the Greek and Roman mythological figures that identified each one.

As I grew older, I was amazed by how the stars spoke of God’s hand in creation.

Psalm 8:1&3

“O LORD, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth,

Who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens!

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
    The moon and the stars, which You have ordained …”

My late bloomer husband, Charles enjoys going outside on a clear night to marvel at the expanse of the heavens and feel the presence of God. He often wishes we lived away from the city lights so he could have a clear and unobstructed view.

November 2016 will be filled with celestial events, with the most enjoyable being the supermoon that will appear on November 14. As the moon’s orbit brings it into close proximity to the earth, it will appear 14% larger and 30% brighter than a regular moon. The supermoon will be the largest it’s been since 1948–68 years ago–and will not make another close up visit until 2034. With clear skies promised here in Georgia, Monday should be a good night for moon watching.

As the moon fades and once again becomes a crescent in the sky, it will appear in close proximity to Jupiter on November 25. That sighting will probably require a telescope.

When you tire of watching the skies, you can tune into the National Geographic six-part fictional television mini-series about an astronaut crew on a mission to Mars, the red planet.  Or maybe watch the Comedian John Stewart pack for his outer space trip.  He told People magazine in August of this year that if Donald Trump is elected President, “I would consider getting in a rocket and going to another planet because clearly this planet’s gone bonkers.” Maybe he’d like to join singer, Cher, who has declared her intention to go to Jupiter.

When I look up into the heavens, I know without a doubt that God has it all under his control. I hope you will join me in resting in that assurance.

Good News for Dry Bones

“New Dinosaur Discovered in Australia”   “Huge 13,000 Year Old Mastodon Found in a Michigan Field”   “Lucky Beachcomber Finds Giant Tooth from Huge Prehistoric Shark” 

These sensational headlines were posted online this past week. A nice change from all the political controversy about our “Really Big” election just two weeks away!  Here are the interesting details.

Savannasaurus is the name given to the skeletal bones of this monstrous plant eater that measured one-half the length of a basketball court. It is speculated that this creature lived 95 million years ago and migrated from South America before the continental drift separated Australia from the prehistoric land mass.

The mastodon unearthed in Michigan was an extinct relative of the elephant. Around 65% of the skeleton was found in the State’s thumb region on a stream bank.  Researchers will carbon date the bones and try to determine if humans intervened in the animal’s death.  I’m reminded of that proverbial bit of wisdom. “How do you eat an elephant?”  Answer – “One bite at a time.”

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina made news when a lucky tourist strolling through the waves found a giant shark tooth measuring five inches long.  Officials determined the tooth was from Megalodon, a 60 foot shark that became extinct 2.6 million years ago.  It appears that Jaws wasn’t so scary after all. 

These ancient skeletal remains make the human skeletons on display during this Halloween week look pretty pitiful. They remind me of the insignificance of man compared to the magnitude of God’s creation. Will people in the distant future, be digging through our civilization, trying to determine why we no longer exist?

What could be unearthed—the foundations of once magnificent skyscrapers; portions of tumbled down bronze statues that proclaimed freedom; rusted girders from bridge spans that crossed mighty rivers; granite remains of famous presidents fallen from mountains and monuments.

In the Bible, God set the prophet Ezekiel down in a desolate valley of the dry bones and asked him, “Son of man. Can these bones live?” Ezekiel 37:3

The Good News is that God wasn’t done with Israel in Ezekiel’s day, and I don’t believe He is done with us today, if we will follow His ways.

“Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live.  And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord.” Ezekiel 37:4-6

Escape to the Mountains

Every October like a siren call, the small cities and towns of North Georgia beckon me to explore their beauty and bounty. It doesn’t take much convincing for me to escape the traffic and congestion of metro Atlanta and head north to see the changing leaves and breathe the refreshing air of Fall.

WinShape
Conference Center

In late September, I visited the rolling hills of Rome, Georgia and the Chick-Fil-A WinShape Conference Center in the Appalachian Piedmont. The conference center on the campus of Berry College is located on the former dairy farm of the college. The dairy was constructed in the early 1900’s to teach farming skills to the isolated students of the region.  Each barn was built to resemble the architecture of the French countryside. Careful restoration converted the brick and tile dairy barns into meeting places and hotel-type accommodations. I was raised in cow country in Northern New York, but I wasn’t brought up in a barn nor did I ever spend the night in one. But I finally got to do just that and what a delight it was.

The purpose for our visit was to attend a writer’s workshop that focused on writing narrative non-fiction. Both Charles and I received great instruction and ideas for enriching his life story, Chasing a Whirlwind.  We came home with enthusiasm ready to tackle the rest of his book. The beauty and serenity of that place will stick with us for months to come.

On my next venture into the mountains I headed with my friend, Libby, to the foothills of the Smoky Mountains and the quaint town of Blue Ridge, Georgia. We ate a delicious lunch before checking out all the gift and boutique shops lining Main Street.  Stores with their colorful fall—and Christmas—decorations were a reminder that the holidays are just around the corner.  We visited a roadside produce stand and were amazed at the beautiful displays of pumpkins, gourds, and flowers.  I never knew pumpkins came in so many shapes, colors, and varieties. 

We couldn’t resist stopping at the Panorama Farm Market in Ellijay before hitting the Interstate and heading home. A cold drink of complimentary apple cider and a sample of a variety of fresh apples and deserts was a perfect way to end our day at the “Apple Capital of Georgia.”

The Psalmist best expressed the spiritual refreshment that comes from a visit to the mountains.

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.”  Psalm 121:1-2 (KJV)

I hope that each of you will experience a mountain moment during this beautiful season of the year.

Grandparents as Mentors - Part 2

Grandparents have a wealth of wisdom that can positively impact their families and others in their communities. My last blog post covered how grandparents can work with their home

schooled grandchildren. This week’s focus is on grandparents and other seniors who want to make a difference in their communities.

For several years our church has provided a ministry to our local elementary school to help provide school supplies for needy students and teacher breakfasts on the first day back at school. This long-standing relationship opened the door for church members to participate in a new mentoring program for at risk students. The school selects the students they feel would benefit, parents give their permission, and the school matches a volunteer to work with a child on a weekly basis. The child leaves the classroom and interacts with the mentor in the media library for 30 minutes at least once a week. (In the stories below, the names of the two grandparent mentors have been changed to protect the privacy of all the parties.)

 

I asked John to tell me about his experience as a mentor to a 5^th grade boy. He expected to help him with math or English, but the counselor explained that this boy just needed a friend. As they met together, John worked to break down the age barrier so they could become friends.  He thought for sure that an eleven year old boy would be interested in sports.  He was surprised to discover than his mentee wanted to talk about politics. John was a history and political junkie, so the two clicked right away. At the end of the school year luncheon for the mentors, John’s assigned student gave him a big bear hug and said he hoped he could come to his new school and continue to be his friend.

Mary’s experience as a mentor was with two 5^th grade girls at first, but one dropped out of the program. Mary and her remaining student spent time talking about her experiences at school.  She learned her student was an artist, so Mary brought her a paper tablet for drawing. During other sessions they played UNO or worked on Mary’s electronic tablet playing puzzles and games.  As they met and talked, they bonded making a memorable experience for both parties in spite of the wide age difference.

Seeds planted tend to bear fruit in due time, and the contribution of these grandparents is yet to be fully realized.  No matter how old we are there are ways for our older generation to make a difference in our communities. 

I would love to hear from you if you know of other ways seniors can positively influence the younger generation. Enter your comment below and please add your name at the end of your comments. 

 

Grandparents as Mentors - Part 1

In 1979, President Jimmy Carter officially designated the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents’ Day. This year’s celebration will be held on September 11, 2016—also the 15^th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. National Grandparents’ Day is a secular holiday celebrated to honor grandparents for their contribution to our lives, and to give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children’s children.

Because of instant communication and easier travel, today’s Grandparents have many opportunities to influence the lives of their grandchildren. One of the most beneficial is to encourage their education. Those with financial means might choose to contribute to a 529 Savings Plan that will provide funds when college time rolls around. Another worthwhile way to support their education efforts is to encourage and support those grandchildren who are home schooled.

My guest blogger this week is Jennifer Henn. She desires to see home school mothers flourish. Sharing from fifteen years of experience, she seeks to support others through the challenges of schooling at home. Jennifer speaks to home school groups large and small. Her true passion is fulfilled when the mom who feels alone or defeated is encouraged.

Even though her life is full being a wife and mother of teens, she makes time to escape with a book, coffee, and chocolate.  Welcome, Jennifer.  www.JenniferHenn.com 

5 Ways Grandparents Can Help to Home School

The concept of homeschooling can be hard for grandparents to understand since it isn’t something they grew up with. Even if they can’t understand why their adult child decided to homeschool, they have an abundance of patience and experience to share with the next generation. Homeschooling is rewarding, but at times, a daunting task. These are some ways you can help.

Be a Positive Encourager:  Your children could be struggling with the decision themselves, but need to homeschool because of a bullying or learning problem. Let them know you support their decision to homeschool. Encouraging words will go a long way to strengthen their confidence.

Financial Help:  Homeschool is less expensive than private school, but still isn’t cheap.  Consider buying a year’s pass to the zoo, an amusement park or museum. Some grandparents help by paying for music lessons or sporting activities. If that’s too much, consider purchasing school supplies or fast food gift cards for a treat when the kids are on an outing.

Tutoring:   Brush up on your skills and teach a new math concept, conduct a science experiment, or complete a building project together. Read aloud a favorite book from your childhood or one of their favorites.  Out of town grandparents can Skype, use Face Time, or text to be part of the learning environment.

Field Trip:   Here’s the chance to share your passion like your favorite museum or hiking trail. Taking the kids on a factory tour while mom stays home would be a nice break for her. Need an idea? Start your search for field trip ideas on the internet.

https://www.thehomeschoolmom.com/homeschool-help/field-trips/

Baby Sit:   If you live nearby, offer to take your preschool grandchild for a morning or two. Preschoolers are full of love and life, but pose a challenge when older kids need a one-on-one lesson.

Grandparents enjoy time with their grand kids and have a role in the family’s activities. More than just spending time and helping out, they’re building a memory, and everyone is blessed.

Psalm 127:3 Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him. (NIV)

Grandparents as Mentors – Part 2 will focus on how seniors can work as mentors within the public school system.