by Peggy Brown

Dear Blog Readers,

I have decided that since we have a very hectic and “unplannable” summer coming up I am going to take the summer off from writing for Sojourner's Journal.

I have been enjoying putting my thoughts on “paper” for you each week but for it to be useful, like most things, it takes time. It takes time to sit down and collect sometimes-errant thoughts and get them captured in a coherant manner and it takes time to get said thoughts down in writing.

Let’s make a plan, you and I. I will pray for you over the summer and I will come back to blogging in September. In return will you pray for me as we travel, visit kids (and grandbaby), possibly relocate my mother-in-law here from Sacramento (anyone have an inexpensive apartment to rent in SLO?) just to name a few.

Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to encourage me with feedback, both written and verbal.

What you might not realize is that the goal we have as writers is to encourage and bless you with the thoughts that God puts in our minds and hearts. Feedback lets us know that we are meeting that goal.

So, until September, I will leave you with this:

Eph 3:14-21 (the Message) My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit - not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength - that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you'll be able to take in with all Christians the extravagant dimensions of Christ's love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God. God can do anything, you know - far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Glory to God in the church! Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus! Glory down all the generations! Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!

Dear Father, thank you for the opportunity to give words to your work in my life. I ask that as I step away for this time that eah reader will be blessed with the encouragement of the other writers. I ask that you would bless our summers with rest, recuperation and renewal. Help us to have eyes to see the “extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love”. Amen

The Majesty of God

by Peggy Brown

Well, a week in Yosemite can really focus your thoughts on the majesty of God! Close your eyes and picture the majestic granite rock walls towering high above you. Hear the sounds of the gentle breeze rustling the leaves on the trees, the river, swollen from melted snow, rushing through the valley, the squirrels scolding one another as they protect a bit of food and the birds chirping and squawking in the sky overhead. God seems so big and mighty in this place.

We were blessed with two new, amazing sights while we were there this year. One night we hiked up to the base of Yosemite falls where we saw a “moonbow”. The full moon shining on the mist, rising as the raging fall plunged into the pool below, created a bow (like a rainbow). It was ever so slightly rainbow colored, but mainly it was a silvery arch rising up over the pool. We were cold and wet from the mist, but we were awestruck!

The second sight was an actual rainbow. While we stood looking at Bridalveil Fall from across the valley, the sinking afternoon sun struck the mist at the bottom of the fall. There, where it looked like the trees were sitting at the bottom of the fall, color spread in the mist over the tops of the trees. Orange began to rise up the waterfall bringing behind it yellow, then green, followed by blue and finally purple. The colors kept rising fluidly up the fall as the mists were blown side to side by the wind, until finally it disappeared. It disolved, one color following the other until only purple remained momentarily and then faded away.

Every now and then it is good to take time to contemplate our God in ways that take our breath away. I could not see this wonder without thanking God for being bigger than I am, for knowing more than I do and for being in charge of my life, my family’s life, and even our world. The reminder that nothing comes to us without first coming through His loving, all-powerful hand is a comfort and a reassurance.

Isaiah 55:8-11 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Dear Father, You are a mighty God. You rule over all the earth in ways I cannot even imagine. Thank you. Increase my faith as I see You in new ways. Help me to trust You more with every detail of my life.

Amen

by Peggy Brown

If you are reading this on Monday, I am on my way home from a week camping in Yosemite. I am sure I will have a lot to tell you when I get home, since as I write this, the rain is falling and the snow is melting. That bodes well for some wonderful waterfall action!!

Here are some verses to ponder.....until next week.

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light "day" and the darkness "night." And evening passed and morning came, marking the first day. Then God said, “Let there be a space between the waters, to separate the waters of the heavens from the waters of the earth.” And that is what happened. God made this space to separate the waters of the earth from the waters of the heavens. God called the space “sky.” And evening passed and morning came, marking the second day.” Genesis 1

Anchored or Drifting

by Peggy Brown

Imagine floating in the ocean on a raft along the beach, eyes closed, listening to the gentle crash of waves along the shore and baking in the warm sun. You don’t have any cares or worries until you open your eyes! Then you realize that the shore is alarmingly distant.

Every one of us has the tendency to drift spiritually. I guess there are a variety of reasons, but I think one of the main reasons is summed up in the previous paragraph. We relax, eyes closed, floating unattached, at the whim of the water’s ebb and flow!

I find myself in one of those times right now. Life has been busy and I have been lazy! I have floated and drifted with the current and I have not taken the time to anchor myself tightly to Jesus. I have been drifting unattached. My relationship with my Lord has not taken first priority in my time and my thoughts. It’s not that I have drifted into major sin, or become an evil person; I have just drifted away from the closeness that comes from being firmly anchored in relationship with Him.

Staying close to anyone doesn’t just happen. If I want to stay close to my husband, I have to talk to him, spend time listening to him and enjoying his company. If I want to keep a close tie with my children who live away from me, (and have I mentioned I have a new grandson???) I have to pick up the phone and call them from time to time. I also have to check the mailbox, the email inbox and my Facebook to see if they’ve contacted me.

Doesn’t it stand to reason that if I want to stay close to my Savior, I will need to spend time with Him and search for His words to me?

I heard this as a kid and I think it makes a good point: A husband and wife were driving in the car, him on the driver’s side and her on the passenger side. The wife looks at the husband and says “Remember when we were first married and we always sat right next to each other when we drove?” (For those of you under 40, there used to be bench seats in front seats of cars and no seatbelts!) The husband looks at the wife from behind the steering wheel and answers “Who moved?”

If I am drifting from closeness with Jesus, who do you think moved? The good news is that He hasn’t moved and He is right where He’s always been, waiting for me to anchor myself back in the harbor of relationship with Him! Not that anything I do has any bearing on His love for me, or His grace of acceptance and salvation. But I want that closeness, so I must run to Him.

Hebrews 6:19

"This hope (the promise of salvation) we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil," (parenthesis mine)

Jesus, lover of my soul, let me to they bosom fly,

While the nearer waters roll, while the tempest still is high.

Hide me; O my savior, hide, till the storm of life is past;

Safe into the haven guide, oh receive my soul at last.

Other refuge have I none, hangs my helpless soul on thee;

Leave, ah! Leave me not alone, still support and comfort me.

All my trust on Thee is stayed, all my help from Thee I bring;

Cover my defenseless head with the shadow of Thy wing.

Thou, O Christ, art all I want, more than all in Thee I find;

Raise the fallen, cheer the faint, heal the sick and lead the blind.

Just and holy is Thy name, I am all unrighteousness;

False and full of sin I am; Thou art full of truth and grace. Amen

(Jesus, Lover of My Soul by Charles Wesley)

Family

by Peggy Brown

It is very common to hear the people in church referred to as the “church family”. In years past, we referred to one another as “brother Bob” or “sister Sue”. Scripture is full of references to the brothers and sisters in the faith, and it reminds us that we are all part of one body.

In our Sunday school class a few weeks ago, we saw in Acts how the infant church gave of what they had so that no one in their group would have need. They took care of one another as if they were family.

Acts 4:32, 34-35

"All the believers were of one heart and mind, and they felt that what they owned was not their own; they shared everything they had. There was no poverty among them, because people who owned land or houses sold them and brought the money to the apostles to give to others in need."

It seems to me like we may have lost sight of the importance of the concept of the church as Family. I don’t know if it’s the culture we live in, or maybe we’ve become too self-centered. We come and go to church semi-regularly; we have difficulty committing to regular attendance of a Sunday school class, or a Bible study. Some may even feel like all that is needed is to attend on Sunday morning and that’s going to do it.

I’m here to tell you that that isn’t the case. This past weekend, my family packed up and drove to San Jose to hold the memorial service for my aunt Alma. (I can see you scratching your head and wondering what this has to do with anything…have faith, I’m getting there!) We held the service at the church where my family attended for over 55 years. I went there my entire life (I think I was about a month old when I went to my first service). My aunt attended there for 53 years!

There is a big new building now, with a huge new sanctuary, but we held the service in the old sanctuary…where I grew up, was baptized, married, and began my “grown-up” life. What struck me was that even though the building had changed some, it seemed like I was walking into my old home. As I stood, transported back in time, the people began to arrive. Familiar faces began surrounding me, looking 25 years older, but flooding my heart with an amazing feeling of being loved. If there was any question of my still being loved, the hugs and tears of joy were there to remove all doubt! There was my mom’s friend who knew me “before you were”! There was the mom of a high school friend in whose home I had been a frequent visitor. There were the friends who got married the same summer we did, with whom we have stayed in contact over the last 35 years. Then there was Dom…he and his wife were youth sponsors when I was in high school. I babysat their children. He nicknamed me “Alice” because I had a yellow jumper and long blonde hair and he said I reminded him of Alice in Wonderland. He helped me feel like I was special during a period of life when most of us don’t feel very special (those turbulent teens!). There were the people that became our friends as newlyweds. What a precious flood of memories came over me as I reconnected with all of that family.

What made those people family? Time together, relationship, fellowship around the Word, caring. It wasn’t a magic formula, it was life. It was being involved in each other’s lives, not just on the surface, but deeply involved.

It grieves me when I hear people say things like “my needs aren’t being met so I’m going to another church” or “I’m not happy with this decision, so I’m taking my family to worship elsewhere”. Not to say that there’s no reason for leaving a church, but I think we run away too easily.

Our pastor is fond of saying that being involved in each other’s lives is “messy”, but so does having parents, siblings and children. Most of us don’t run away from our children when they don’t treat us well. (Put them out with the dog, maybe, but I digress! ) Most of us continue to have relationships with our parents, even though they aren’t perfect.

If you don’t have a church home, why not? If you have one, but have never gone any deeper than the Sunday morning worship service, why not? Please consider what you are giving up by not getting in and getting “messy” with the family! There are friendships waiting, there is encouragement to be found, and there is even the occasional exhortation (that word means to spur on) in our Christian walk. I can’t think of anything better or more crucial for your spiritual growth.

Once you find a “fit”, plan on staying. Don’t be so thin skinned that you run at the first sign that the people there may not be perfect (you will fit in, and besides, it’s good practice for the eternity that you’ll be spending with those very same folks!) Grow your roots down deep into the family. Make it a place where you can know and be known. I know for a fact, from experience, that it doesn’t get any better than that!

Lord, thank you for the refreshment of my “old” family. Thank you that the love that was cultivated for so many years still grows strong. Please remind me of that when I become impatient with my “new” family. Remind me that it’s only been 15 years with them and we still have time to go. Please help me to remember that life together is messy and don’t let me be easily offended by the mess. Show me where I can help and lead me to where I can be helped! Thank you that the church is your plan, not man’s. Amen

Jesus is My Hero

by Peggy Brown

I LOVE Easter Sunday! This morning at church was a wonderful celebration of Christ’s resurrection! I love the message of Easter. This year, leading up to Easter, I had been especially thinking about the magnitude of Christ’s sacrifice for my life, so Easter service was especially meaningful to me.

When I got home from church, I learned that there was big news in the world. The ship Captain captured by pirates off the coast of Somalia had been rescued after 4 days of captivity. I, along with everyone, was greatly relieved that this story ended happily. The newsman reporting the story kept referring to this Captain, who voluntarily went with the pirates in order to save the lives of his crew, as a hero.

The similarity of this story to the Easter story caught my attention. The captain was willing to give his life as a sacrifice for the lives of his crew. He didn’t consider his own safety or well being, but offered himself to be held for ransom in place of his ship and it’s crew. The world considers him a brave hero to be lauded and admired by all. I agree.

As I listened to the story, I suddenly said to Wayne, “Then, Jesus is a hero!” I said it half in jest, but then as it sank in for a moment, I decided that, indeed, if a ship Captain willing to sacrifice his mortal life for the mortal lives of his men is a hero, how much more of a hero is Jesus. He sacrificed His glory and His heavenly life for the eternal life of every person who will ever live. That’s heroic! Jesus suffered when His Father turned His back on Him because of the filth of the sin He bore for us. That’s heroic!

The good news of the story, of course, is that Jesus rose again. He went farther than mere mortal man could ever go. His death didn’t simply spare our lives. His death gave us eternal life. What mere man could offer so much? So I have decided that Jesus is my hero. He is worthy to be lauded and admired by all.

Philippians 2:5-11

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

The Rest Of The Story

by Peggy Brown

Easter, the Resurrection, the joyful celebration of the most significant event to Christians, is preceeded by sadness. Sunday's happiness is the result of Friday's grief. If Christ hadn't died on that sad Friday, we could not celebrate the opening of Heaven to all who will come!

Reflecting on that Friday's sadness, my mind goes back to those moments 2 weeks ago sitting at the side of my Aunt Alma's grave. The mixture of the sadness of loss and the joy of Heaven is still fresh on my mind.

As I remember the agony of Christ's death, the reality of who He was; the man, the teacher, the healer, God with us, is a joy to my heart. But, unlike earthly partings, the real joy comes when I focus on who He is now; risen, sitting at God's right hand interceeding for me! Now that is Joy!

Will you join me this Friday, whether at a Good Friday Service or elswhere, in thinking about the sadness of that Friday? But then, turn your mind to the joy of Sunday...

Man of Sorrows! what a name for the Son of God, who came
ruined sinners to reclaim. Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Bearing shame and scoffing rude, in my place condemned he stood;
sealed my pardon with his blood. Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Guilty, vile, and helpless we; spotless Lamb of God was he;
full atonement can it be? Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Lifted up was he to die; "It is finished!" was his cry;
now in heaven exalted high. Hallelujah! What a Savior!

When he comes, our glorious King, all his ransomed home to bring,
then anew this song we'll sing: Hallelujah! What a Savior!

("Hallelujah, What a Savior" by Phillip P. Bliss)

Thank you Jesus for your amazing sacrifice! Thank you that we know the whole story now, you didn't stay in that tomb, but arose the victor!! Amen

He Is Risen!

by Peggy Brown

Mark 16:6

“And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him.” (emphasis mine)

My thoughts about Easter are different this year than in years past. My focus is not just on the Easter story, but also on what that means to me as a believer in the Easter story.

We spent Thursday sitting at the viewing for my sweet Aunt Alma, and then Friday we laid her to rest. As we walked through the cemetery, we walked by the headstone of Lilian Wind. I chuckled at the memory. Mrs. Wind was a woman that my grandparents drove to church each week when I was a child. On the nights when I slept over, I was in the car with them and Mrs. Wind. The thing I remembered most was that she could talk and talk and talk and….well you get it. But I also remember that she loved the Lord with her whole being!

When we arrived at Alma’s grave site, we were seated right next to the headstone of Flavy and Bess DeWitt, my grandparents! I remembered how they loved me and my sister (their only, and might I add most amazing, grandchildren!) But I also remembered how they loved and walked faithfully with their Lord and Savior.

Over the last few days, I have been thinking about what a joy and comfort it is that I KNOW that because Jesus has risen, we too shall rise! Aunt Alma and Grandpa and Grandma DeWitt and yes, Mrs. Wind, are already risen to be with Him. (Now for those theologians out there, I know that their bodies won’t rise till Jesus comes again…) I was comforted by the fact that I know that they are in Heaven, happy, whole and rejoicing.

I AM so comforted to know that I will see them all again, and what a wonderful reunion it will be!

I am looking forward to celebrating Easter this year. I am planning on celebrating Christ’s resurrection with a new and fresh thankfulness for His amazing gift of life to us!

Dear Father, thank You for the sacrifice of the cross. Thank You that Jesus didn’t stay in that tomb! I praise You for the gift of Eternal Life and the promise that it holds for us, your children. We will see You face to face and all will be well. Amen

The Nearness of God

***UPDATED***


by Grandma Peggy

Well, I have had quite a week to say the least!! I can hardly believe everything that has happened. Let me bring you up to date on the life and times of the Browns.

We had our immediate life all planned out! Our grandson had passed his due date with no signs of eminent (or non-eminent) arrival and his doctor scheduled him to be induced on Friday, one week past his due date. I had a some stuff ready, my list made and plans for getting the last laundry done and the clothes packed on Thursday for departure on Friday morning.

Sunday night I had started coming down with a cold. Monday I spent on the sofa taking Airborne, using Zycam in my nose, drinking water till my pee ran clear and often, and praying that God would make me well by Friday. Why NOW God?

I’m sure you’re guessing, if you don’t already know, that Jake had different plans. Tuesday morning, our son Ryan called and said “Did you pack your stuff like I suggested?” Sandy had gone into labor! I dragged myself off of the couch, jumped (rather crawled) into the shower and got out of the house in 1 hour and 15 minutes start to finish! That’s got to be some kind of record.

On our drive down, Ryan called to let us know that they were taking Sandy in to do a c-section because Jake was so big. (He arrived on March 17, 2009, 2:52pm 10 lb. 10 oz. (yes, you read that right!) 22 inches!) Long story short, we arrived 3 hours after Jake’s arrival to discover that he was having some lung problems that required him being kept in an incubator in the nursery for observation. After a long night of waiting, we finally went home to bed. I was so disappointed that I could only see my first grandchild through a window and couldn’t get my hands on him… This is frightening Lord!

I did get to hold him the next morning, but I was still sick, so I had to wear a mask every time I held him. It was so amazing to get to hold my child’s child! I kept crying, and those of you who know me know that I don’t do that very often. I was only disappointed that I couldn’t kiss him…that darn mask was so frustrating! Why Lord? Other than the mask thing, everything else was amazing. We were able to visit the little family every day in the hospital, and stay all day with them and the other set of grandparents. You are AWESOME God!

Fast-forward a day to Thursday morning when I received a call that my dear Aunt Alma had slipped into a coma in the nursing home. Why now Lord? Coincidentally (You planned that didn’t you Lord?) my sister and niece were visiting her from Oregon and were in the car on the way to see her when I reached them by phone. They were able to visit her and sit with her for most of the day before leaving to drive home. I kept wondering about God’s timing as I was fielding phone calls from my sister, the nursing home and hospice. What should I do, go up there, stay where I am?????? . Oh Lord, what’s the right choice?

We finally decided that we would go to her on Saturday, knowing that we had already said our goodbyes and that we couldn’t be of any “help” to her should she not live until then. Is that OK Lord? She went home to be with her Heavenly Father on Friday afternoon, with the caring hospice people in attendance. Thank You for her release God!

The baby and his parents came home on Friday afternoon and we all rejoiced and enjoyed holding him snuggling him and just being in awe of what God had done! I highly recommend becoming a grandparent.

My emotions were running all over the place as life just kept “happening” and I was completely out of control. I had to spend most of Saturday on the phone making arrangements for Aunt Alma. I never knew how much there was to arrange. Thankfully, my cold was getting better by then. God is good.

We spent most of the week with Ryan, Sandy and her parents and were able to revel in this new little miracle. We drove home today, and I’m ready for a nap!

Through this time, I have been constantly reminded that God is near. God is sovereign…He knew about the cold, the c-section, the baby’s lung problems, the mask, the coma, the death and the arrangements! He walked through every moment with me, my family and especially Aunt Alma. God provides. He provided Alma’s pastor to minister to me over the phone as he wisely and gently advised me, visited Alma and walked me through the process. God provided my son and daughter-in-love with tender hearts to recognize that “Jake is very good medicine, why don’t you hold him?” after I found out about Alma’s coma. He provided my friend Lisa to pray with me and ask God to “cuddle Peggy as she walks through this time in the same way that she is cuddling Jake” and other friends who were on their knees with me at the touch of my cell phone.

I am here to tell you that God is near! His nearness is very real and very tender. I praise Him again for proving Himself faithful even when my faith is not nearly big enough. I am glad that He is big enough!

Ps. 145:18 “The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.”

I thank You God for Your amazing and unfailing love and nearness. Thank You for the gift of new life on earth and the blessing of new life in Heaven. Thank You for letting me glimpse them both this week and see the joy of both! Amen

PS.... As you read my thoughts dear "bloggies" I must ask forgiveness. First, and most importantly, from my husband for neglecting to share his tender and constant involvement in the entire process of the week, and second from you for not giving you the blessing of having insight into how my Godly husband ministers to me so faithfully.

I was so blessed by Wayne's tender heart through the whole week . Before one call ever went out to family and friends for their prayer and support, it was my loving husband who was standing with me. He was my partner in celebration, he was the one to hold me, cry with me, pray with me and for me. He knew just the words to share, the memories of Alma to recall and the loving thoughts of Alma that would bless and encourage me as she left this world.

I know that I have been blessed beyond anything I could ever have imagined to have this tender man by my side for all that our life has brought to us. God has been good to me and I thank Him for Wayne and wanted to make sure that you all could give thanks with me.

Looking Forward to Easter, pt. II

by Peggy Brown

This is the second half of an Easter project that I wanted to share with you. It is a wonderful, hands on tool for helping our children (and us too) begin to focus ahead of time on what Christ did for us!

You can find Part I on my blog entry from March 9. My prayer is that this simple tool will be a blessing to you, and that even if you don’t make the project, just reading through these precious scriptures will bless your heart!

#7- Object: Piece of sponge

Verse: Matthew 27:48 – Quickly one of them ran and got a sponge and filled it with vinegar and tied it to a stick and gave it to Jesus to drink.

#8- Object: Small spear (we used a plastic olive/hors douvres toothpick, but a Lego spear would work!)

Verse: John 19:34- But one of the soldiers stuck his spear into Jesus’ side, and at once blood and water came out.

#9- Object: One die (that’s the singular of dice!)

Verse: Matthew 27:35 - After they had nailed him to the cross, the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.

#10- Object: Piece of white fabric

Verse: Matthew 27:59 - And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth.

#11- Object: Round stone

Verse: Matthew 27:60- He put Jesus’ body in a new tomb that he had cut out of a wall of rock, and he rolled a very large stone to block the entrance of the tomb.

#12- Object- NONE!

Verse- Mark 16:6- But the man said, “Don’t be afraid. You are looking for Jesus from Nazareth, who has been crucified. He has risen from the dead; He is not here. Look, here is the place they laid Him…”

God of the universe it amazes me that You desire also to be Lord of my heart! Thank You for drawing us to Yourself with tender love. Let my heart be overwhelmed by the cost of Your sacrifice for me. Amen

Focusing On the Goal

by Peggy Brown

Wayne & I love bikes! We love bike riding, we love watching bike racing…we pretty much love everything about bikes. So, imagine how excited we were when we read in the paper 3 years ago that there was going to be a prestigious bike ride in California AND that it would be coming through the central coast!

The first year, the Tour of California ended one stage and began the next stage in San Luis. What an opportunity for an up close encounter with those world class riders that we’d been watching in the Tour de France all these years! When the riders came into town, sadly Wayne had to work, so our daughter Bethany and I went to watch them come screaming into town. The next morning when they were taking off again, there was that “work” thing again, so I took Bethany out of school and we went to watch! We were standing at Mission San Luis Obispo, not 2 feet away from the guys on their bikes as they got lined up to start. (The guy by us actually handed me his empty Coke bottle since he couldn’t figure out what else to do with it! We watched the results all week and he finished 2^nd to last!).

For those of you not into bike racing, being this close to the riders would be the same as standing on the baseball field when your favorite major league team comes out to start the game, or sitting in the front row during the Academy Awards, or sitting in a chair in the orchestra pit when the Philharmonic comes out to perform…get it?

This year, we went down to Solvang for the day to watch what’s called a time trial. That is where each rider rides one 15 mile circuit alone. They are competing against the clock but of course the fastest time wins. One of the cool things at the time trial is that they don’t restrict the access of the fans, so you can actually wander through the team areas and watch as the riders sit on their training bikes (which are stationary) and warm up before their turn.

I have had several observations over the last 3 years that really came into a clear focus this year. The first observation is how strong and muscular these men are. When you watch them up close you can see the well defined muscles in their legs and arms. It is obvious that they have trained long and hard, specifically for the task of bike riding.

The second observation is that they clearly watch their diets. These men don’t have an ounce of fat on their bodies. I swear they must be about 1% body fat! Their goal is to win races, so they choose not to indulge themselves in a diet that would hinder their riding.

And what is the third observation? These men are focused! When they warm up, despite the noisy crowds 6 deep around them, they sit on that trainer, pedaling fast and hard, seemingly oblivious to their surroundings. People are often calling their names, requesting autographs, etc. but they have their i-pods in their ears and their heads down in concentration on the task at hand.

Are you beginning to see where I am going with all this? Yep, check out these verses:

Philip. 3:14- “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

1 Cor. 9:24-27- “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. And everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air;” (emphasis mine)

The Christian life is a long and difficult race. The prize ahead of me is of way more importance than anything these riders could obtain! Scripture calls me to press on, to run with endurance in such a way that I may win!

I am challenged by these thoughts:

Am I becoming strong and muscular? Do I exercise my will? Do I choose to be obedient when it’s hard? Am I willing to exercise my spiritual muscles to the point of exhaustion, so that I can go the whole distance? (Bible time and prayer are hard work aren’t they?)

Am I watching my spiritual diet? Do I avoid those things in my life that will hinder me? Do I choose not to indulge myself in those worldly “goodies” that will make me spiritually fat? (inappropriate TV, books, radio, do I gossip….)

Am I focused? Do I have the i-pod of Scripture in my ear so that I don’t get distracted by the world and its values? Do I know how to pedal fast and hard after God? (When was the last time I memorized a verse, sang a hymn or worship song to God, inconvenienced myself for the sake of someone else?)

I am so aware of my shortcomings and my spiritual laziness! But I am also becoming so aware of God’s grace that says to me over and over again:

“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me”. 2 Cor. 12:9 (KJV)

He is the giver of second (and third and fourth….) chances!

Father, you know my weakness better than I do, but you still draw me to Yourself! You never get tired of me doing it wrong, You just keep encouraging me to get up and go on. Help me to train myself to become stronger for the race I am running. Thank you that Your power is shown in my weakness! Amen

Musings on Adoption

by Peggy Brown

Scripture tells us that we are adopted into God’s family at the time of our salvation. Adopt: “to take by choice into a relationship; especially: to take voluntarily (a child of other parents) as one's own child.”

I have been pondering this recently in light of the fact that both of our children are adopted. I think that I have a unique perspective on this precious relationship with God. My prayer is that as you read you will be touched by the enormous love our Father has lavished on us.

Wayne and I had a great desire to have children. We longed to be “family”. When we were unable to have a biological child, I think our desire became even greater. There didn’t seem to be anything more important than having that precious one come into our lives.

When we decided to adopt, we had great anticipation about the child that God would bring us…boy or girl? fussy or calm? What would he/she be like? What would it be like to be a parent? But there was also the anticipation of becoming a family, somehow complete.

What we didn’t anticipate was the waiting! It took many years before our son was born. I must admit that they were LONG years, and at times it seemed like it would never happen. Then came the phone call!! A baby had been born, would we like to come and see? Would we like to adopt it? We had a choice at that point. We could have said no. (Yeah, right!) Sidenote: I was so excited when the caseworker called that I forgot to even ask if it was a boy or girl. We didn’t find out until we got to the hospital!

The moment I held that baby in my arms, he was mine! I was caught hook, line and sinker! Oh, I get a bit weepy just thinking about it. From that moment, everything we had was his; our time, our home, our food (lots of food I found out as the years went by), our money (lots of that too), our property, everything.

Six months later, we went to court and a judge confirmed it. He made us take “vows” affirming that this child was ours in every way that a biological child would be, he was heir to everything, forever.

Seven years later, after almost despairing of hope, another call from a caseworker, “a baby has been born, are you still interested in adopting?” (Note: My first response, albeit unspoken, was “well, duh!!!) This time I did remember to ask if it was a boy or girl! Who’d have believed that when I held that little pink-hatted squirmer in my arms I had the EXACT same reaction as the first time…I was a goner!

Six months later, a judge confirmed it again. This child, too, was ours in every way. She was ours to care for, support and raise. She also was heir to everything, forever.

God, the perfect, eternal parent, has anticipated us, His children, from the beginning of time, He predestined us to be His. Before we ever were, He sent His son as the official adoption declaration. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Talk about waiting a long time!

He waited for us to be born, to grow and to respond in faith to His great love and sacrifice for us (I wonder if He ever became impatient with the waiting). When we accepted that sacrifice as our own, He adopted us “officially” into His family…heirs to the kingdom, forever. Eph. 1:4-5 “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will”

It amazes me to think that God feels about me like I feel about my kids! He felt overjoyed beyond words when I arrived into His family! (Remember that there is rejoicing in Heaven at the salvation of a soul?) He feels that tremendous thrill that I felt at the moment each of my children became mine! They were never mine physically, but they have always been mine in my heart! I have always been God’s in His heart.

Wow!