Michael Brandt

He's here! Michael E. Brandt arrived on August 23rd, 2007. He's adorable as you can see--blonde and cute as a button. Michael is my third grandbaby, but my first grandson.

We are enjoying him have him close by. I can run over to squeeze him anytime I want. What a blessing!

Pins and Needles

I jump every time the phone rings. “Is it time?” I wonder.

My son and daughter-in-law are expecting their first baby within a week. My daughter-in-law, Wendy, looks ready to pop. Her belly button is pointing straight out and up. It salutes the world announcing, “A baby boy is about to arrive!”

They promised to call the minute they think she is having regular contractions. So, I linger by the phone with anxious expectation. I wait for it to ring and praise the Lord for His faithfulness in life.


But from everlasting to everlasting
the Lord's love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children's children. (Psalm 103-17.)

10,000 Boxes

I just moved from one house to a new home. It wasn’t far. Only about five miles, but it was exhausting. I felt as if I packed 10,000 boxes. Then, I needed to unpack them. One week I emptied endless boxes into the correct cupboards and closets. I am still not finished. It seems as if I still have 500 boxes to go. Moving is overwhelming.

However, it has given me a new appreciation for Abram and Sarai.

Then the Lord told Abram, "Leave your country, your relatives, and your father's house, and go to the land that I will show you. So Abram departed as the Lord had instructed him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. He took his wife, Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all his wealth—his livestock and all the people who had joined his household at Haran—and finally arrived in Canaan.
Genesis 12:1, 4-5 (NLT)

Abram and Sarai moved “all his wealth” which would have included camels and sheep. They couldn’t rent a moving truck. The couple slept in dusty tents. Sand filled their sandals as they traveled to their new home. Plus, Abram was seventy-five years old. YIKES!

My moving adventure has caused me to pause and consider “all my wealth”. Although, my wealth fit into tidy cardboard boxes the move truly did seem as if I had 10,000 boxes of stuff. Stuff, I really do not need or use very often. I admit I have grumbled about the inconveniences of moving all my wealth.

However, after reading about Abram and Sarai, I think I will stop the grumbling and with gratitude go unpack my last few boxes. I will be thankful for my new home and for the abundance that God has blessed my family.

Now which room is box 499 in?

Susanne

A Rejuvenating Summer...

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.”
(Ecclesiastes 3:1)

Summer—a time for a break from the ordinary day-to-day grind! The hot summer days make me lazy. But at times I feel guilty for not being on the go every minute. It’s hard to be still and just be. I'm reminded that even Jesus suggested His disciples needed rest, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” (Mark 6:31 )

Let’s take time to rejuvenate. Enjoy the priceless moments of sunshine. Dance in the shade. Leave footprints in the sand. Squirt the hose and make water drop rainbows. Sleep in a hammock. Play “kick the can” with the kids. Read a book just for fun.

Time flies and before we know it, we will be hauling out the Christmas boxes. (Only six more months!) Yikes!

So, as you run into the arms of Jesus this summer, let Him swing you around and around. Have fun and enjoy your summer!

Staying in touch with God...

“I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:10-11 NIV)

I attended Bible Study Fellowship for six years. The study ran September through May. I would study and learn so much about God’s Word during those nine months. My thoughts were fed with Scripture. In response to that daily study time, my attitudes and behavior were much more Christ-like.

Each year when summer arrived, I resolved that I would study one of the books of the Bible on my own. You know, nothing too rigid or outlined. But what I discovered was that without a Bible study book to work through, I drifted away from reading the Bible all together. By the time September rolled around, I was grumpy, crabby, and not so Spirit-filled. Hmmm . . .

I admit I am a slow learner. Finally after years of this cycle, I realized my personality change had something to do with my lack of quiet time spent with the Lord and His Word. This needed to change! What I discovered worked best for me was to have a Bible study picked out before Memorial Day. I chose studies that were not too in-depth, but ones that still kept me in God’s Word.

I would encourage you to do the same thing. Find a Bible study to do this summer while vacationing, sitting by the pool or one that fits your daily routine. I have listed a few great summertime studies. Let’s continue to run into the arms of Jesus this upcoming summer.

No Bones About It...

Spring is in the air! However, more importantly this is the month we celebrate the foundation of our Christian faith—the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Regardless of what James Cameron spouts on TV, there are no bones to be found, because Jesus Christ resurrected from the tomb.

Recently, my home church held a service to help explain the Christian faith. There was a panel of four people who are now believers in Christ. Three of the people on the panel came from different religions. A Jew, a Muslim and a Mormon, explained their previous belief systems. Each religion held one thing in common and that was good works were required to please their god and to enter into heaven. I was the person who represented Christianity. I didn’t have much to say except that Jesus Christ died for our sins, was resurrected, and now sits at the right hand of God, the Father. He did the good work for us, so we might have eternal life. We just have to accept Jesus as our Lord Savior.

Many people said after our Sunday services, “It just seems too easy.”

Yes, hallelujah! It is that easy!

“All honor to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for it is by his boundless mercy that God has given us the privilege of being born again. Now we live with a wonderful expectation because Jesus Christ rose again from the dead.” (1 Peter 1:3 NLT)

Let’s celebrate Easter!

Linking Arms...

This month as we run into the arms of Jesus, let’s consider whom we might link arms with and bring to the heart of God. Is there someone in your life that needs to know the love of Jesus?

Today, I pondered what my life might have been like if someone had not cared enough to tell me about Jesus and the Cross. The very thought frightens me. I can guarantee I would not be the woman I am today. Jesus rescued me from a life of complete chaos and self-destruction.

Please read the following verses and allow them to speak to your heart.

Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I'll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age (Matthew 28:19-20 MSG)

Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. (John 4:35 NIV)

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. (Acts 20:24 NIV)

Do you know someone who is lost in the crowd? Do you have a friend who needs you to run with them to the heart of Jesus?

Linking Arms with you,