I’ve done all I can think of to prepare for the icy storm barreling down our way. Got my laundry done and ran my dishwasher. Charged my electronics. Bought a few extra groceries and made sure I had enough drinking water. Also stored extra water to flush toilets if needed. Outside faucets are insulated, hoses are stored. I’ve got batteries and candles. But whatever comes, I’m so thankful I’ve got a roof over my head, warm clothing and plenty of food. Not everyone out there can say that.

In some states the Ten Commandments are being placed in public places. Some are happy about this and others protest that in a country proclaiming freedom of religion this isn’t right. As a Christian I wonder why they don’t put up Jesus’ two commandments instead. Jesus has raised the bar. Love the Lord with all your soul and all your mind and love your neighbor as yourself. He even made clear who your neighbor was. No one can argue with those commandments, and they’ll find they are a lot more difficult to keep.

Are you old? I’ve told my kids don’t call yourselves old before you are. I’m old. Yes, senior, aged, elderly, old, all the adjectives. I’m grateful I’m still functioning, good genes, but I can’t do what I used to do in serving God and others. I feel frustrated sometimes and wonder why I’m still taking up space. What’s my purpose other than taking care of myself so others don’t have to. That’s when God reminds me that even if I were bedridden and helpless, I still have purpose. I’m made in the image of God and God is love. My purpose is and has always been to love him and to love others, just as he loves me.

When Jesus as a tiny child was threatened by Herod’s murderous hatred, God could have sent archangels Michael and Gabriel to be Jesus’ bodyguards, but what did God do? He told Joseph, a mere human, to take Jesus and Mary and move to Egypt to get out of harm’s way. The same is true of us today. He could have used any means to bring the gospel message to the world, but he looks to us as his human representatives to shine the light of Jesus’ love on all we encounter. Let’s take this responsibility as seriously as Joseph did.

After a minor heart issue, my cardiologist nurse told me I needed to drink more water. I’ve always drunk plenty of water. Then I researched and learned older folks like me need much more water than when we were younger. So now I’m drinking eight full cups of water a day. It occurred to me what if I’m dehydrated spiritually too! Maybe I think I’m fine when I’m not! C.S. Lewis says at the time you’re feeling really good about yourself spiritually is when to seriously examine yourself.

Remember the hymn, “Holy Spirit, you are welcome here.” The lyrics continue, “Fill this place…” and so on. One of my favorites. I was singing it the other day, not out loud, when I thought, I don’t need to invite the Holy Spirit into my home. The Holy Spirit is not a guest whom I must invite in, the Holy Spirit is a resident in my home. He lives here. Thank you, Lord! And, may that same Spirit reside in all your homes and in all your hearts this season and forever!

The Scriptures reveal Christ’s life as the light of all humanity. In this dark world, he brought the only light. He didn’t stop there. He continues to bring light to the grimness of our world today. How? Through each of us and through his body the Church as a whole. The light he’s put within us isn’t there just for our comfort and joy, it was meant to be shared.  No hiding our light, his Light, let it shine! Let it shine out in generosity, service, patience, joy and kindness. The world needs us. It needs him!

I drove slowly by the lake near my house, trying not to startle them. Two large cranes were fishing in a cove near the road. But they saw me and both, one white and the other a dark gray-blue, lifted gracefully and flew to other parts of the lake. I watched them fly, their large wings rising and falling rhythmically, so slowly it was hard to imagine they could lift those heavy bodies. What a wonder nature is!  As the psalmist writes, the birds and animals, the sea creatures, even the trees, flowers, hills and valleys, all reflect the glory and creative genius of our Creator.

“Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” A quote from the Dalai Lama reminding me again that God’s grace is at work throughout the world, in all countries, in all religions, in all peoples. I learned a new word a few weeks ago, prevenient. Prevenient grace means God’s grace is available to all regardless of race, religion or creed. All have access to his grace allowing each and everyone to be able to respond to him. I knew this was true but wasn’t familiar with that theological term. The door is always open, all we have to do is knock!

A former pastor of mine loves fountain pens. He even collects them. I’m not that keen on fountain pens but I do have one nice one. I enjoy writing with it because the ink flows so beautifully, especially if I’m writing cursive. The problem with fountain pens is you have to continually use them or their ink dries up, so I write a little with it almost every day. This made me think about how important it is not to let our communication with God dry up. His love is always flowing toward us. By our continual prayer to him the spiritual flow between our Father and us keeps moving unhindered throughout our daily lives.