Lily

...Do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on.  Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly father feeds them....Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.   Matthew 6:25-34

I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like the lily; he shall take root like the trees of Lebanon....    Hosea 14:5

His cheeks are like beds of spices, mounds of sweet-smelling herbs; his lips are lilies, dripping liquid myrrh.   Song of Solomon 5:13

My gardening efforts are more as an editor than as a creator; or perhaps I could claim that my gardening artistry is more as a sculptor than a painter.  Besides watering a few pots of herbs and flowers, my primary outdoor pursuits are weeding, mowing, and trimming.  

There is a wonderful John Singer Sargent painting of two girls in white dresses lighting paper lanterns among luxuriant blossoms, called "Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose". It has always reminded me of summer gardens at dusk; even more so because I spent many a summer twilight watching my two daughters chasing fireflies. The lilies in the painting are white and pink, and very trumpet-like. They seem to gather around the girls, focused on the lanterns. They echo the ruffles on the girls' white dresses. I have never seen lilies blooming like that; they show up in beautiful florist shop bouquets, but they are far more exotic than the day-lilies that show up in gardens I have tended.

The lily referred to in Biblical writings could have been any variety of flowering plants similar to what we know as lilies, including tulips and irises. It was probably any brilliantly colored, somewhat cup-shaped blossom that would have been noticeably elegant in order to be compared to Solomon's robes. It was also one of the symbols for Christ.  

Myrrh is an aromatic oil from a resin that does not come from lily pollen, but the reference in Song of Solomon refers to the sweetness of the lily-like lips of the beloved. Myrrh was a prized, so it can be assumed that the lily too was a symbol for something very desirable.

The rains of late June coaxed all sorts of jungle-like greenery to take over half of my back yard. By the time I was able to get to it, it looked like a tangle of vines from Sleeping Beauty's castle, or some malevolent botanical species from Harry Potter stories.  

When I cleared a section of the garden of these epic monsters, I was rewarded with a lovely area full of day-lilies, with strong stalks and bursting buds. Two of them broke heroically into bloom later in the day, shaking out layers of bright orange ruffles that were easily visible from inside the house. They gave me the courage to keep attacking the suffocating overgrowth, and for the moment I have restored some measure of peace to the garden.  

Anyone with an appreciation for nature's glories is moved by the splendid variety of blooming things. We should look at ourselves with the same wonder, appreciating the miracles that make us what we are.  

I tend to be overloaded with clutter and the noise of the world. I try to tend the garden of my life so I can breathe and reveal what God is making of me. It requires powerful resistance in this world to simply be the beautiful creatures we are. It seems that anxiety is always making a fresh attack on us. I try to keep those triumphant lilies in my mind as I fight what I hope is the good fight.  

As usual, when a symbol or metaphor takes root in my consciousness, I become aware of other references from day to day. I have recently been re-reading a Harry Potter book, and his dead mother Lily is always revered in Harry's and other characters' memories. Her sister Petunia, who was a vain and punitive character, is aptly named as the more common, less revered flower.   

Recently I worked with a voice student in some musical theatre workshops. She was trying to prepare a good cut for an audition piece, and she needed a lot of assistance from the workshop presenters. I accompanied her on the piano as they worked with her, and we talked afterwards about her music. She was so grateful, and asked if she could hug me. It was so touching - not just to receive that sincere appreciation, but to watch her blossom as we all worked with her.  I was tickled that her name was Lillian. 

My grown daughter has a close friend she met in grade school named Lily. I saw her recently and was struck again by her radiant smile and energy. I am aware of powerful community activities she is involved in. She has come through some immense personal challenges in her life, to be a person who guides and leads others with respect and a nurturing, positive attitude.  

Prayer: Wondrous Gardener, your lily is a beautiful reminder of your stunning creation and your ardent care for all of it; for all of us. Help me to revere your work, which is creating your world day after day. Help me to accept the care and nourishment that will make me continue to grow. When there is anxiety or other antagonists threatening the flourishing of your work, help me to prune those things from my life and my world. Thank you for the lily, and for the eyes to appreciate its infinite beauty. Amen.

Mollie Manner (reprinted from 2018)

Words from Psalm 119

How I long for your precepts! In your righteousness preserve my life. Psalm 119:40, NIV 

All Creatures Great and Small

And God said, "Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the firmament of the heavens." So God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarm, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth." Genesis 1:20-2 

This week I saw the tiniest hummingbird I have ever seen at my hummingbird feeder. I have seen lots of these birds over time, but I have to wonder how it will fare on its long migration southward. Despite its size, it hovered at first and then landed perfectly on the feeder, ate like a veteran at the feeder flowers, and fought back the bees who patrolled the feeder. He will probably do well in the future, as he was perfectly and wonderfully made. This summer has brought an abundance of baby birds to my feeders. Some, like the doves, got dropped off by their mother and had to learn by themselves to hunt for the seeds. The baby blue jay had to figure out how to break into a sunflower seed. The baby sparrow had to give up begging from his parent and start fending for himself. On one of our hotter days, a baby sparrow landed on the birdbath and jumped in and just stood in the water.  

It is amazing to me how such small creatures can problem solve in order to survive and flourish. I have to remember that "God saw that it was good." When you observe the birds of the air, say thanks to God for their creation. Think if you have a favorite bird like a cardinal, a great blue heron, a loon, a hummingbird, or a multitude of others, and thank God again for the joy they bring to you.  

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you are our creator as well as the creator of the earth and all it brings to us. You have done wonderful things, your power is throughout the universe, and yet you watch over the tiny hummingbirds. Remind us of your love by observing everything around us. Thank you. 

Nancy Hall

Words from Psalm 145

 

Human Contentment

I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Philippians 4:10-12

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3

Shirley Pope Waite in the Women’s Devotional Bible says,“What a lesson Paul teaches me in Philippians, He refused to dwell on past ugly mistakes or unfair criticism. He put those things behind him, and kept his eye on what was ahead, saying ‘But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.’” Philippians 3:13-14

We have so many people, adults and youth who are struggling with life today, even to the point of taking their own lives. Many need psychiatrists and doctors to try to guide them into believing life is worth living. Let us follow the advice of Paul who wrote Philippians during his imprisonment. Can we learn to be content whatever the circumstances? Can we believe God will meet all our needs as Paul states in Philippians? Paul believed, even when he was in prison, that Christ Jesus came to earth and will call us heavenward. We can believe the Bible which tells us Christ has that power.

That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. This was said by Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:10.

Prayer: Dear Lord, please give us belief that you are with us all the time. Help us to get through challenging times and lift up others like Paul did. Remind us daily that Jesus is with us in this world and has prepared a place in heaven for us. Thank you for the answer to discontentment in our Bible. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Sandra Hilsabeck

A Thought for Today

 

Corona Bible snapshots

 

"Whatever you ask in prayer..."

Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” Mark 11:23-25 

Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it. John 14:13-14

 

After my mom’s transition from this world to heaven in April 2007, we spent time contacting relatives and friends about her passing. Travel plans were made by those coming from a distance to be with us and arrangements were made for people needing transportation from the airport in Denver to Kimball, where her memorial service was to be held. Everything was going as well as could be expected, under the circumstances, and Roger and I eagerly anticipated the safe arrival of family members who were coming from various parts of the country.

As the two of us waited in our motel room in Kimball, we spent time watching the weather reports on TV and flight information on our computer. Those of us living in the Midwest know the weather can change within a heartbeat. The more we watched the weather reports, the more anxious we became as the sunny skies in the Denver area were being replaced with the elements of ice, snow and intense wind. We began to worry about whether flights would be able to land in Denver. And if they did, would the roads be passable for our loved ones to make the three hour trip from Denver to Kimball?  

My heart became extremely sad thinking those who meant the most to my mom would not be able to be in attendance to celebrate her life. And, as much as I wanted them there, we just couldn’t encourage them to get on the roads and take the chance of not making it to Kimball safely. I began to pray, asking God to move the storm away from the Denver area so we could be together, as a family, to pay honor to our loved one, His child. One whose life revolved around being the Lord’s servant, doing the will of her heavenly Father and exemplifying Christ’s love to everyone. I ended my prayer with “and in all things, Thy will be done”. I can still feel the sense of calm and peace that came upon me at that moment with God, knowing everything was going to be fine. Within the hour, Roger shared the storm was moving south and losing intensity over the Denver airport. Within the next 6 hours, all of our loved ones were sleeping safely in the motel in Kimball. The following day, we were together to celebrate a life well lived and to give thanks, to God, for answered prayer.

 

Prayer: God of our life and Lord of our souls, we thank you for prayer and the opportunity to ask and receive. Help us to more readily realize the power of prayer and more heartily embrace and believe in this wonderful gift you have graciously given to us.  Amen

Patty Niemann (reprinted from 2013)

Choose Joy

 

Your Servant is Listening

Now the Lord came and stood there, calling as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening. 1 Samuel 3:10  

Pastor Thomas’s sermon was on 1 Samuel Chapter 3. Samuel’s fourth response to the Lord’s calling was “Speak, for your servant is listening.” Eli, Samuel’s mentor, told him that was the correct response when the Lord spoke. That phrase has been on my mind. So I changed a few of my prayer times to saying that exact phrase: “Speak, for your servant is listening.” It is actually very peaceful to just be with God during those few minutes when I can practice pushing back all of the thoughts in my head and just simply listen. Practice is the optimal word! 

Prayer: Dear Father, forgive us for the many times we come to you in prayer with our thoughts and requests and yet you desire a two-way communication which requires us to listen. Help us to be still and listen to you and others each day. Amen.

Cathy Schapmann (reprinted from 2017)

Supporting Families

“Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.” I Thessalonians 5:11 

Joshua 1:9 “I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

 

A young mother posted this on Facebook (slightly edited): “Sweaty, baby strapped to my back, three-year-old insisting that her belly hurts and NEEDS her donut that she forgot to eat after lunch, six-year-old using everything in sight as a weapon, seven-year-old wanting to spend the only dollar he has. This was my trip to the grocery store today. While I was bagging up my groceries and trying to quietly keep from losing my mind, the lady next to me asked if I have one of those phones that takes pictures. Trying not to convey annoyance to someone else adding to the million questions that made up my day, I replied that, yes I do have one of those phones.  She asked to take a picture of me with my kids. At the grocery store. Together. She told me that she wishes she had photos of herself doing everyday ordinary things with her kids. She validated the fact that a simple grocery trip is hard. She told me that what I do matters. She doesn’t miss what made the days hard, but she misses what made them sweet. I will always cherish the picture she took and the message that came with it.”

 

After reading that Facebook post, I wondered what I could do to be supportive of families. Well, I could let a family go ahead of me in the checkout line. I could give them a smile of encouragement. I could pray for them.

 

What else could you and I do? As the school year begins, families can become overwhelmed by busyness and burdened by many back-to-school expenses. At Eastridge Presbyterian Church we are encouraged to take a prayer card for one child or youth and pray for them regularly. Each of us can do something to make a difference. See the September church newsletter and weekly Lamp for many opportunities to get involved in supporting families, children and youth.

Here are two examples:

Snack Provider – Prepare a snack for the after-school program. 

Teacher – Prepare and teach a lesson.

Prayer: God, we remember your promise to be with us always. Thank you for walking with us each day. Amen.

Lois Poppe (reprinted from 2017)

Words from Romans

 

Trusting God

How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. Psalm 104:24

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

{God} comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:4

In a recent Upper Room devotion, the author speaks of how God “perfectly takes care of each and every part of creation.” Which, of course, includes us.

Another Upper Room writer says we entrust ourselves to God’s safe presence throughout our lives.

In our current lesson for Wednesday morning bible study, we’re looking at the book of Esther. This particular lesson’s focus, in part, is on the fact that Esther trusted God even though death was a distinct possibility. Esther was willing to go to the King (in plea for her people), even if it meant her death. In Esther 4:16:…”if I perish, I perish…”

Our study’s author goes on to say that many times our trust in God is conditional: that is, we want Him to make things easier for us and make those troubles go away instead of trusting our lives to our “faithful Father”. She says, “Those times when our fears become reality we feel devastated. We think God is unfaithful.” Not wanting us to misunderstand her point about prayer (it’s not wrong to pray for what our hearts desire, or safety from harm), she clarifies that we should strive to “determine to trust Him no matter what, even if our worst nightmare befalls us.”

We don’t know what tomorrow may bring. We don’t know when tragedy or hard times may arise. But we can be certain that God will be with us, caring for us even through those valleys.

Prayer: Dear Lord, I am so thankful that your holy presence guides me and directs me daily. Some days are a struggle, and some days are a joy. Help me to remember that you are there through the hills and valleys of my life. Be with me always. Amen.

Donna Gustafson

Pictures

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.

And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.

And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.

And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.

And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.

And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good.

And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.

And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.  Selections from Genesis 1

I have loved to take pictures from a very young age. Years ago while I was in high school, I was on the yearbook committee. In my second year our sponsor asked if I would be interested in taking pictures for the yearbook. I loved taking pictures but had never used a professional camera. She gave me the school’s square box camera, I don’t remember the brand but it was not digital! Every shot counted as there was no preview, no second chances, and film was expensive so there was no taking multiple shots. The film had to be loaded through spools and loaded correctly or you could ruin the film. Taking pictures was interesting, you looked down the top of the camera, no automatic focus, no automatic shutter speeds. To help me the school sent me to Hastings College for two weeks in the summer. There I learned how to take pictures, develop film and choose your shot. I spent the remainder of my high school years attending all the activities, sport events, plays, etc. as there was only one photographer and one camera. All my pictures were in black and white. The picture had to tell a story without the beauty of yellow, green, blue...I love the contrast in black and white pictures, but it made me notice the brilliant array of colors. The distinctive shapes of each leaf, rock and creation. 

God's creation is so amazing, breathtaking and it is impossible to capture the complete picture as only God can do. I think that’s why I love taking pictures to share the view I see through God’s work.  

Prayer: Thank you Father for the breathtaking beauty on this earth. Only you can create such divine beauty. Thank you for the colors, shapes, aroma, and feel of all the earth and seas. Amen

Lori Hood (reprinted from 2018)

Words from Proverbs (for a new school year!)

To get wisdom is to love oneself; to keep understanding is to prosper. Proverbs 19:8

Storm Insurance

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and mountains quake with their surging. Psalm 46:1-3

“Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”  The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Psalm 46: 10-11

As we Midwesterners think about the storms in our lives, we may conjure up thoughts or images of severe weather—especially this time of year.  Lightning, thunder, floods, hail, and high winds frequently threaten destruction to our crops, property, or sometimes, our lives.  We often take assurance from the idea that we can and will be able to recover from these misfortunes by rationalizing, “After all, we do have insurance, right?”  What happens to us when we face storms and damages that are not necessarily alleviated by this monetary safety net?  We often reach out to those displaced by natural disasters through financial relief efforts, but how do we muster the spiritual strength to bounce back from deeper storms and scars left by physical injuries, debilitating diseases, broken relationships, or even loss of loved ones?  It is tempting to believe that we have protected ourselves from harm by covering our financial bases, but the Lord is truly the one we must rely on.

Prayer: Creator God, in the quiet stillness of this hour and in the midst of life’s storms, help us to find comfort in laying down our concerns and troubles before you.  We humbly ask for your help to strengthen us and give us hope as we navigate each day.  Thank you for the knowledge and assurance that you are always with us.  Amen.

Barry and Alinda Stelk (reprinted from 2018)

God's Creation

 

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? Psalm 8:3-4

The heavens declare the glory of God: the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. Psalm 19:1-2

In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat. Psalm 19:5-6

What would happen if the earth did not turn on its axis? We count on it. The sun shining on us is what we expect every day. We know that no man could set up the days and nights to be continuous year after year like God did in the beginning.

John D. Morris writes this about the sun in “Days of Praise” devotion book. “The sun’s energy, radiating out in all directions, not only energizes the earth but the entire solar system as well. Furthermore, it is now known that the sun traverses the galaxy in a gigantic orbit with its energy bathing each part. Truly, ‘there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.’”

Modern science acknowledges what the sun does every day but has no control over it.

Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, thank you for lighting each day for us, for providing energy to grow our crops and gardens, and for being consistent year after year. In Jesus name Amen.

Sandra Hilsabeck (photo above submitted by Sandra)

What’s in the Box?

In it stood the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were a golden urn holding the manna, Aaron’s rod that budded and the tablets of the covenant. Hebrews 9:4 (New Oxford Bible)

While reading in one of my bibles recently, I started to think about the first time I ever heard a sermon preached on the contents of the Ark of the Covenant. I remember when it was because I was visiting the Methodist church my brother attends in Virginia.  

You might think it is sacrilegious of me to call ‘the Ark” a box but the word “ark” comes from the Latin word “arca” which means “box.” However, “the Ark” is arguably the most beautiful box ever on earth. 

I think it was while reading the part of that battle led by Joshua against the Amalekites that made me think of “the Ark.” I was reading about how Aaron and Hur supported Moses’ arms in the uplifted position with the “rod of God” (his staff) in Moses’ hands. 

Anyway, I started to wonder how many Christians know what was placed inside the “Ark.” I’m guessing that number is a small one. Perhaps it is just a little detail that no one remembers even though the “Ark” was designed by God and its contents were commanded by God.  

Each of the 3 items was a miracle in itself. Only God could inscribe the words of the law on the stone tablets instantaneously. Only God could preserve the manna in a golden jar (in the desert the manna disintegrated overnight), and Only God could preserve Aaron’s “flowering rod of almond” inside the darkness of the Ark.

Not all sources I consulted agreed on the significance of the contents of the Ark but basically the manna represents lifesaving food, Aaron’s rod represents God’s blessing on the Levitical priesthood and the tablets of the law represented that God’s moral law would stand forever before His presence. Some argue that the broken tablets were also placed in the Ark but I could find no proof of that in scripture.

When the Ark went before the Israelites during the exodus, God was leading them physically, spiritually and morally. He cares so much for all his people. Why, I wonder, are we always amazed by God’s designs?

Prayer: Father, we praise You for all the places we find You and we thank You for the blessings You bestow on us unworthy as we are, but most of all we love You for all the ways You show us how much You love us. In Your Son, Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

Judy Welch

A thought for today

Savior, teach me day by day love's sweet lesson to obey, sweeter lesson cannot be, loving him who first loved me. ~ Jane Eliza Leeson (1842) 

Words from the book of Exodus

 

Creating Ripples

"I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples." ~ Mother Teresa

Words from Romans

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God. Romans 12:2

Joshua: A Faces of Our Faith story

It was the second Sunday in June when I reread our pastors’ request that members of the church submit the names of their favorite bible characters with an explanation as to why they are our favorites. I knew then that I wanted to write about Joshua. It is an amazing choice for me to make because Joshua is known as one of the greatest warriors in the bible and I have always had an aversion to learning history through bloody battles and body counts. 

When I reached the end of the 4th rewrite, I realized that my story was too long and it really wasn’t working because my story is not so much about “Why” Joshua is my favorite OT character but “How” Joshua became my favorite. 

The story of my journey through the scriptures is a long one simply because I’ve lived a really long time – more than 8 decades. As a child growing up in the 1940’s, I started my journey hearing the stories of the heroes and heroines read to us in Sunday school. 

My method of study changed in my early 20’s because we were worshiping in the nondenominational chapel on the Air Force base where my husband, Gary, was stationed. That was where I first learned that not all Christians believe the same things in the same ways. There seemed to be no end to the number of things disagreed on. For example: the only true way to be baptized or to take communion – you mean you weren’t immersed and you eat bread with yeast in it?

In November of 1964, we moved to Lincoln and we joined Eastridge in 1965. I was invited to a circle and started studying the EPW bible studies. My method of study changed again when Reverend Tom Huxtable asked me to teach Sunday school the FIRST time. I tried to decline because I didn’t feel I knew enough about the Bible to teach children. Rev. Huxtable said, “That’s okay. We’ll START you in kindergarten, and by the way, find something in the bible you love and read about it. The rest will take care of itself.”  

Those of you who remember Tom remember that saying “yes” to accepting a job in the church meant you had just made a 3-year commitment. In fact, some 35 years later after both Tom and Gary had gone home to be with Our Lord, a member of Gary’s first Stephen Ministry class came up to me after church one Sunday and said, “Can’t you just see the two of them up in heaven organizing everyone and writing their names on one of Tom’s 3-year charts?”

I’m no bible scholar by any stretch of the imagination, and the way I study the scriptures via different topics is a rather unorthodox way to study. However, it led me to another new way to enhance my biblical knowledge. I had done a lot of reading on various subjects, i.e., the symbolism of flowers, trees of the field versus trees of the forest, and grain which the ancients’ called corn. Nothing proved the constancy of God’s love to me more than reading about the vegetables that grew in the gardens in the Book of Numbers and finding that some of those same vegetables are still found in present day gardens all these thousands of years later. 

All that reading helped me write devotionals not only for the Eastridge page but also for the Presbyterian Church of Canada’s webpage. It was there I learned to work with an editor and to validate what I wrote with scripture references.  Writing for the Canadian page was at first a scary proposition because each time I hit the send key all I could think about was how many thousands of daily subscribers they had worldwide who would be reading what I wrote. What amazed me the most was that that editor could make me sound pretty good in 7 languages besides English. The international feedback was very uplifting, but getting used to spelling words in the King’s English was difficult. American English is not always the same. Words like Savior had to be spelled Saviour and words like “While” became “whilst.” Then being addressed as “Sister Judith” was something else again. Actually, it always made me smile.

Concurrently, I was in a neighborhood nondenominational study group. We were using the Stonecroft series of booklets which were very popular studies at that time. It was in one of those studies that a leader said it was her opinion that the stories of the OT heroes and heroines were word pictures of Our Savior to come. I wasn’t sure I could agree with that so I started reading all those old stories again. 

First, I read about Abraham’s deep faith and obedience to God, but he had one little slip up. He lied when he was afraid of Abimelech saying Sarah was his sister (Gen. 20:1-16). Well maybe it was just a stretch of the truth because Sarah was his half-sister as they shared the same father (Terah) but not the same mother and Sarah was indeed his wife which Abraham omitted to mention. Then I read about Jonah. He was disobedient, running in the opposite direction God told him to go and not long after, he found himself in the belly of a whale (Jonah 1:1-17).  The next story I chose to re-read was about Jacob the father of the 12 tribes. He tricked his twin brother, Esau, into selling his birthright (Gen. 25:29-34). Everybody loved David the little shepherd boy who killed the giant, Goliath, with his slingshot and a rock (1 Sam. 17). He later became King of the Israelites but he committed adultery and made things worse by plotting a murder (2 Sam. 11).  Though all of these heroes were sorry for their human mistakes, and God forgave them, stretching the truth, cheating, disobedience, adultery and murder were a part of so many stories. Not one of which painted a portrait of the Savior I worshipped. 

Then I read Joshua’s life story. My only frame of reference for Joshua at that time was the Battle of Jericho (Josh. 6:20). I had a lot to learn as Joshua’s life was about so much more than one miracle battle at Jericho.

According to my Bible dictionary, Joshua was born a member of the tribe of Ephraim. His lifespan was 110 years. He was born in the Land of Goshen which is in Egypt. It is the beautiful, fertile land the Pharoah gave to Joseph and where Joseph brought his father and brothers to save them from the famine and where they lived until the Exodus. 

Joshua’s father’s name was Nun and he originally named Joshua Hoshea, but when we first meet Joshua in the book of Numbers (Num. 13:16) Moses had already changed his name to Yehoshua (God is deliverance). It’s a form of the name Yeshua in Greek or Jesus in English. Both names have similar meanings, “The Lord Saves or The Lord delivers.” 

By then, Joshua was already a member of Moses’ inner circle and was a heroic warrior having been chosen by Moses to lead the battle against the Amalekites (Exodus 17:8-16). It was a pretty unforgettable battle as Moses, Aaron and Hur watched from the top of a hill. When Moses raised his hands holding the “rod of God,” (his staff) the Israelites would win. When his arms were tired, he put them down and the Amalekites would win. So, they brought a rock for Moses to sit on and Aaron and Hur supported his arms in the upright position. By sundown, the battle was won. 

When Moses went up Mt. Sinai to receive the tablets of the laws, Joshua went with him. Part way up the mountain, God told them to wait. Then on the 7th day God called to Moses to come the rest of the way up the mountain alone (Ex. 24:13).

When The Promised Land was in sight, Moses sent Joshua and Caleb with the 10 spies to explore Canaan (Num. 13). The 10 spies brought back produce showing it was truly the “land of milk and honey,” but they were afraid to take on the conquest of The Promised Land. Only Joshua and Caleb gave the report that they should take the land because God would help them. Because the Israelites were afraid to enter the Promised Land, their 40 years of wandering in the desert began. They would not see The Promised Land again until all the members of the original generation of the Israelites who began the Exodus were dead. God decreed that only Joshua and Caleb from the original generation would be allowed to enter The Promised Land. 

When Moses was 120 years old, God told him he would soon “lie down with his ancestors.” God asked Moses to bring Joshua to the tent of meeting and God commissioned Joshua to take Moses’ place. He chose Joshua to be the one who would bring the Israelites into The Promised Land (Deut.31:14 & 23). Very little seemed to be made of Joshua’s promotion and I have always wondered what it was like for Joshua to try to fill the shoes of so great a man as Moses.

It was early one spring morning in about the year 1250 and the Israelites were ready to cross the Jordan into The Promised Land. When the spies returned with a good report, Joshua gave orders to break camp. “Sanctify yourselves,” he ordered, “for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.”  The next morning, they formed a long line with the Ark of the Covenant at the front of the line. As they stepped into the Jordan the waters stood and rose up in a heap far off allowing the Israelites to pass over on dry ground (Joshua 3:4). 

The Battle of Jericho was the second of God’s miracles in the conquest of the Land of Canaan. They lost the first battle at Ai because some of the men had kept spoils from the battle at Jericho in direct disobedience to God’s orders not to do so. It was God’s punishment for their having done that. Joshua, himself, led the 2nd battle against Ai which they won. Then the city-states were conquered one by one. Some were won through fierce battles where everyone and everything was destroyed. Joshua himself executed each of the city states’ kings. Some were conquered through covenants as they did at Shechem. 

Another miracle was to come in their battle with the Amorites. The sun stayed in the midst of heaven and did not go down for about a whole day so that Joshua could have extra hours of daylight to pursue the retreating Amorites (Joshua 10:13).

Once the conquest of the whole land of Canaan was complete, God told Joshua to allot the land for each of the 12 tribes. This he did and each of the tribes claimed its own district and began to settle there.

Some years later when the Lord had given rest to Israel from all their enemies Joshua gathered all the tribes together to give his farewell address. That address contains one of my favorite scriptures. Joshua was reminding the people to stay true to their God. Then Joshua said, “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). Joshua chose to be a servant of the Lord until his last breath. 

I had gone in search of a word picture of Our Savior and I found Joshua. It has been written that Joshua was “A type of Christ,” and that the early church fathers considered Jesus to be a “better” Joshua. I had found my “word picture,” a portrait of Our Savior to come.

Judith Welch

Road Map to Happiness

“For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29: 11-13

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” Matthew 16: 24-26

Ever notice how many books have been written about Happiness? Just in my Nook library I have two – The Happiness Project and Delivering Happiness. I thoroughly enjoyed the story of the development of the online business Zappos in Delivering Happiness. At the close of the book, the author, Tony Hsieh, writes “I learned that one of the consistent findings from the research was that people are very bad at predicting what will actually bring them sustained happiness. Most people go through their lives thinking ‘When I get ___, I will be happy, or When I achieve ____, I will be happy.’…but the happiness they thought they would achieve fades fairly quickly.” He then writes about three types of happiness – Pleasure, Passion, and Higher Purpose. Research has shown that of the three types of happiness, the longest lasting is Higher Purpose. He defines this as “…about being part of something bigger than yourself that has meaning to you” and says, “Many people go through life chasing after the pleasure type of happiness, thinking that once they are able to sustain that, then they will worry about the passion, and if they get around to it, look for their higher purpose.”

Jesus wrote this story a long time ago – “…whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” Isn’t it wonderful that in Christianity, we have the opportunity, indeed the command, to build our lives on the foundation that ultimately leads to the longest lasting happiness? This has been God’s hope and plan throughout the Bible. This prosperity is not to be confused with pleasure in every moment, not even happiness in every moment, but the kind of happiness that lasts through time.

Prayer: Dear Lord, You wrote the book so long ago and we, as humans, keep trying to improve upon it. Thank you for providing not only the road map to happiness, through devotion to you, but the Holy Spirit to help me stick to the road. Forgive me for the times I try to develop my own road to happiness and thank you for welcoming me back to Your road when I realize how futile mine is. Most of all, thank you for the lasting happiness that comes from following You. Amen

Lori Snyder-Sloan (reprinted with permission from her devotional book, Faithfully Devoted to God, originally shared in 2018)