A Goldilocks Life

What Do You Need?

Being part of our church’s worship team for the past year has been a privilege and pleasure. I’ve been singing all my life. First, I sang in Brownies and Girl Scouts and school programs. In fifth grade I got to sing a solo. After high school, I became lead singer in a number of rock bands, and I lived that lifestyle, too. But the Lord Jesus finally drew me to Himself around my 30^th birthday, and I left the rock music scene behind. I joined a church, and soon I was singing special music and joined the choir.

Last Sunday, we on the worship team led the congregation in a song titled, “Isn’t the Name,” recorded by Jeremy Camp, a well-known Christian artist. The whole week before as I rehearsed, the song just grabbed my heart like it has every time I’ve sung it with the team.

The lyrics contain many kinds of blessings that followers of Jesus Christ receive in His name—God’s love, forgiveness for and freedom from sin, healing, salvation giving eternal life, and provision of every kind. When I come to the part where we sing, “There is freedom in the name, there is healing in the name, there is power in the name,” my heart and voice soar to the stratosphere.

I know the healing touch of Jesus. Nearly twenty years ago, I felt ill and went to my physician. Numerous tests were run, and the diagnosis was lymphoma. Surgery took place a few weeks later. As the surgeon rolled me to the recovery room afterward, he leaned down close to me with a huge smile and said, “There was nothing!” After I was out from the anesthesia fog, that surgeon confirmed that the growth in my abdomen was no longer there. He removed my appendix and stitched me back up. So many friends prayed for me, and Steve and I were praying. The Lord took away my lymphoma and freed me from what may have been years of treatment.

Since then, I am assured that God has whatever it is I need. All I need to do is pray in faith and tell Him what I need. When I sing, “Isn’t the name of Jesus wonderful, powerful, beautiful, and all you need,” I personally know that is true. He’s brought me through so much more than I can write in this blog, but praise the Lord, He healed me from lymphoma!

As “Isn’t the Name” says, Jesus is the way, the truth, the life, and the only way to God. Isn’t the name of Jesus all we need? And I say a resounding, Yes! I encourage you to please come to Jesus for everything you need.

I hope you enjoy listening to “Isn’t the Name” by Jeremy and Adrienne Camp. Link below.

Finding Rest in Jesus

In Exodus Chapter 20 we find The Ten Commandments. I’ve been considering the importance of the fourth commandment as I’ve read the book, “Rhythms of Rest” by Shelly Miller ©.

Exodus 20, verse 8 says, “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” Practicing Sabbath isn’t new to me. For several years, I have skipped checking social media and emails on Sunday and we eat a simple lunch rather than cooking.

Reading further in Exodus 20, verses 9-11 describe a day “dedicated to the Lord your God” and “in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day…”

Don’t get me wrong, I am not in the habit of following the Old Testament laws to the letter. Jesus came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it. I believe honoring the Lord’s Day is worthwhile, by that I mean Sunday rather than the Jewish practice of Friday night through Saturday night.

In reading Miller’s book, I’ve gained insight into making it more of a day of true rest without feeling duty-bound by it. For example, she describes planning meal preparation for Saturday so that no cooking is needed on Sunday. No washing of dishes, which I appreciated getting a break from last Sunday. Most of all, she emphasizes finding time for listening to the Lord and reflecting on His words. She says it has been found that sabbath and optimum health are linked. I’m looking forward to making Sundays dedicated to the Lord by attending church followed by resting in a spiritually attentive way and/or spending time with friends, doing an activity I find refreshing such as biking, etc. My sabbath since choosing to be more intentional has felt peaceful and quiet. I’ll update you after I settle into a new routine of rest.

Memorial Day

My husband, Steve and I usually visit our loved ones’ graves over Memorial Day weekend. This year we have other plans, but I can’t forget my mom and dad, my brother, Jim, Steve’s mom and dad (his dad died before I met Steve), and our grandparents. I plan to take time to remember them while reflecting quietly at one of my favorite parks.

At the same time, I will pray for the families of men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives in wartime for our freedom. I am thankful that the United States of America maintains organized, efficient, and effective armed forces.

My dad served in the U.S. Army in the occupying force in Japan after WWII. Steve’s dad served for three years in the U.S. Infantry during World War II. He later served another 17 years in the U.S. Army Reserves. My mom’s second husband was in the Naval Reserve and was discharged in 1942 due to disability. I am proud that Steve was in the Army Reserves for thirteen years. My son-in-law served in the Air Force for twelve years, and though he never faced any war, it took a toll on his health. My brother, Fred served in the National Guard. He missed having to go to Viet Nam as did Steve.

Here’s one memory that Steve’s mom recorded about her husband’s service: “One incident while he was on active duty made the news. While transporting materials to the front lines in the Eastern Theater, a bullet entered his backpack and invaded a can of beans. As the red sauce oozed out it was thought he had been injured. That was the narrowest escape he ever mentioned. How he thanked the Lord for safety over those three years and a few days.”

Thank the Lord for their willingness to serve, especially Steve’s dad as a WW II veteran. I’m glad to say he lived to talk about his experiences, passing away from natural causes at the age of 73.

This Monday, Memorial Day, as we celebrate the unofficial start of summer, let’s take time to remember and honor the people who died serving in our military. Thank God for their sacrifice.