His Eye Is on the Sparrow and He Watches Me

Next door, my neighbor feeds birds.  She does not intend to but she also feeds squirrels. They hang upside down every morning eating from her “squirrel proof” feeder. She rants and raves but nothing seems to help her problem.

She does try many kinds of homemade solutions. She greases the pole but the squirrel still just finds another way. Sometimes jumping from a nearby limb instead of climbing the pole. It reminds me of humans trying different ways of climbing mountain tops or even advancing in their workplace.

Another solution is to raise the pole higher but this only makes the squirrel’s drop from a nearby limb easier. The squirrels race along the fence to enter my yard and dig deep holes in the mulch or sod to bury their acorns. Again, I think of people burying their heads in the sand instead of looking out for others. Or amassing fortunes to be used later. 

The squirrels also can take the easy way out and just eat the cherries in my tree or the strawberries before I can pick them.  Again, man comes to mind.  Just take the easy way out and not plan for tomorrow.

As fall approaches, I see the squirrels scurrying around carrying acorns from under my tree to nearby holes in other trees. They are planning for the winter just as humans plan for tomorrow.

I laugh as I see the squirrel hanging upside down from her bird feeder. But I know that God’s eye is on the sparrow and he is probably watching those squirrels. Which means his eye is also on me and you and just as I enjoy and laugh at the squirrels, he is probably watching you and me and I can only hope he is laughing not crying at what you and I are doing today and tomorrow. We all have this in common, God is watching us.

Carolyn Olsen

(photo shared by Donna Gustafson)

Words from the book of Joshua

But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15 

The Tests in Our Lives

Consider it pure joy, my brother, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-5

Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in time of testing they fall away. Luke 8:13

For many years I worked beside a colleague who, after frustrating conversations or interactions, would observe ruefully, “That ______... he/she is a test.”  Then we would chuckle, knowing that each of us had been at some point (or many points) a similarly disconcerting test to our students and coworkers. In fact, even after retiring, I’ve continued to be a test to others. A high-spirited 7th grader, with whom I worked this spring as a volunteer tutor, didn’t always appreciate my encouragement to attend to conventions for pronouncing consonants. Sighing, he announced, “Mrs. Stelk, you are running my battery down.” After a momentary pause, we both shared a laugh before getting back to the text. 

Tests have been part of the human experience since recorded history began.  I’m sure that, like the Israelites, 40 years of wandering in the desert eating manna and quail every day would have run any of our batteries down a bit. Likewise, many current events feel as though they present a test of faith. I must admit, I don’t always (or even often) consider such tests pure joy. Guess I still have some maturing to do….

Prayer: Gracious God, thank you for providing strength to persevere when we face tests and trials. Help us to comprehend the joy that comes through cultivating true and deep roots of lasting faith in you. We ask for your forgiveness when we fall away in times of distress. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Barry and Alinda Stelk (reprinted from 2018)

Thy love has broken every barrier down

 "....and the one who comes to Me, I will by no means cast out..."-John 6:37

Just As I Am, Thy love unknown

has broken every barrier down... 

One of my favorite sermons Pastor Melodie preached was during my first few weeks my family and I came to Eastridge. She preached earnestly about falling in love with Jesus again and caring most about "the least of these" meaning the children in our church family and community. 

I was reminded of this last night when we joyously had a choir rehearsal that Brian put together. Each person who came in the room, new or old choir friends, children of choir members, people who had sung in choir many years or those who it was their first time, each person was greeted by Brian and by other choir friends. The smiles on their faces as we sang hymns filled my heart with such joy.  When we got to the verse of Just As I Am about love breaking down every barrier and then sang Jesus Loves Me, I couldn't but help feel tears in my eyes. After the choir rehearsal, my kids ran down the hall and were greeted so enthusiastically by choir members. I was reminded once again of the amazing way a church choir lives out the gospel of Jesus Christ! Breaking down those barriers in love, from a hug, or a smile, or helping someone learn their notes. A church choir is such an amazing thing! People from the congregation gathering to prepare for worship!

Brian always lets us know about something happening on Sunday. What the sermon is about, or if there is a baptism, or helps us think about the text of a hymn or anthem. What a blessing it is to prepare our hearts for what God has laid on the hearts of Pastor Melodie or Pastor Thomas to share. What a blessing it is to enter that sanctuary on Sunday to hear the Word, to celebrate the sacraments, and to see a group of our congregation at the front helping, not only to lead us in worship, but remind us that ALL are welcome. To remind us that God, who is LOVE, has broken every barrier down! 

Thanks be to God.

Brent Shaw (reprinted from 2021)

GBR (Go Big Red) - Fall is Approaching

"As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease." Genesis 8:22 

The last days of summer are upon us. School has started, and the weather swings between hot and rainy. In the Bible, God often speaks about the changing of seasons, a reminder that change is inevitable, though it can be challenging for many of us. We each have a favorite season, cherished for different reasons.

I used to love summer because it meant my kids were out of school, giving us endless days at the pool, long trips to Broken Bow, and late nights together. But now, summer is my busiest time of year for work, and I don’t get to enjoy those moments with my little ones as they are young adults now. Just as the seasons change, our feelings toward them can change too, and that’s okay.

I have a friend who dreads winter because it triggers her depression, while another friend struggles with the holidays because she is alone. The seasons of life shift, and with them, our experiences and emotions, but God is present in every season, guiding us through each change.

Becky Rankin (reprinted from fall 2024)

Words from Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength, a very ready help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 

Words from the book of James

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. James 1:19