Yes, Sir, Yes Sir!

THREE BAGS FULL!  And we're not talking about wool here, as in the old English nursery rhyme.  No, sir, this time we are talking about garbage.  Road side litter.  Discarded trash.  Things which never should have been left behind by the litterbugs.  Sadly, as the winter snow disappears, the litter makes its appearance.  This year we had very little snow to start with, so it didn't take many warm days to bring it to light. 

It has become part of my routine to include an outdoor walk on days the weather is cooperative.  Although my route varies from time to time, I've come to enjoy some of the newer walking paths in our community.  Seeing the amount of litter along my ventures inspired me to bring along a plastic grocery bag on my walk last Friday.  Sadly, it was only half way through my walk when the bag was filled for the first time.  Finding a dumpster nearby, I emptied the garbage and continue on my way.

 

 

 



It wasn't long before the bag was once again full, and along the way I also found another plastic bag which also filled before my journey was completed.  Finding a second dumpster, I decided to unload both bags and call it good for the day.

It seemed there was a definite pattern to the types of garbage collected.  At the top of the list would be beer bottles and cans, followed by pop cans, water bottles and cigarette cases.  What is it that possesses someone to throw their garbage along the roadside?  I often find myself asking the question, "Didn't their mother teach them anything??"  Sadly, in many cases, she may have been the one setting the example.

Litter.  One of my biggest "pet peeves".  Although it irritates me to see it, I've found over the years it brings a certain amount of joy to my heart to pick it up and leave behind a prayer for the person who left it there in my path.  It may seem like a small effort, but I've always felt it better to be a part of the solution than the problem.  Which side of the issue do you find yourself on?  Hopefully this is one time I won't have to find myself saying a prayer for you! 



  

A Man From Troy

Troy Township.  The land of my birth and growing up years.  A fairyland kind of place where fathers worked hard on the farm, mothers worked in the home and kids ran around outside and had fun.  Neighbors were close by and visiting them was commonplace.  Everyone knew everyone and seeing each other brought a smile to your face.  When hard times came, there wasn't anybody who didn't pitch in and help.  It's just the way it was.

Over the past week, my thoughts have returned often to this place, not far from where I now reside.  Just a few miles away, it is still home to my oldest brother and packed with more memories than I can count.  Precious memories!  What brought them to light was the passing of Arthur Holm, our closest neighbor to the west for the first ten years of my life.

At 92, he had been living in his own home until just a few weeks prior to his death.  Twenty two years ago he had turned the "home place" over to his son and daughter-in-law.  This farm was originally occupied by his parents and was where he grew up.  Although he moved from this farm to become part of our small town life, they never were able to keep him away from farming and it was an active part of his life, even as he aged.

Random things come to mind when I think about visiting in the home of Art and his wife, Marie.  First was the confusion about his name.  Everyone called him "Bud" and as a child it made no sense.  What WAS his name anyway?  Art or Bud?  Their son was two years older than me and had two older sisters who where in high school at the time I was starting school.  (They were so beautiful and I dreamed of someday being like them!)  The toys at their house were always WAY cooler than the ones we had.  We had the standard eight color paint case, but I think the one at their house had about fifty choices.  I also remember lots of little plastic animal figures, fences and I think cowboys and Indians you could take on and off horses.  Later on, when they built a new house, there were roller skates you attached to your shoes and the open concrete floor of the basement became a great skating rink.  Yes, precious memories!

When I was in the second grade, my mother was expecting my little sister.  At the age of 42, she required several months of hospitalization before the baby arrived due to thrombosis in her legs.  I remember very little about this time of my life, however there are faint memories of my dad bringing me to the Holm farm to get my long hair braided.  Like I said, if there was a problem, neighbors pitched in to help!

As I attended Art's funeral, it was sad to look around the small, country church and realize there were very few of my dad's generation left.  In most cases, sons have taken over the family farm and are now the patriarchs of their families.  Driving to the church I found myself saying the names as I drove past the farms.  Something was different, with all the oil wells and new electrical lines, but still there was an element of "familiar" which brought peace to my heart.  Afterwards, I made my way past the farm which became our home at the time I was ten.  Even it has a "new look" with much bigger grain bins and farm buildings than when I was growing up.

Yes, time marches on.  Things change.  But the passing of a dear neighbor has done much to dust the cobwebs out of the corners of my brain and make me pause, reflect and realize I really did grow up in a wonderful place and time.  Something tells me they're probably still celebrating the latest Troy Township homecoming in heaven, and it helps to picture my parents right there with Jesus as he welcomed Art with a hearty, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant!"

All in a Day!

The clock radio was set to go off extra early this morning.  Our daughter and her children were coming for the day since they had no school (Presidents Day).  I wanted to put a roast in the crock pot so the preparation for our noon meal would be out of the way.  Once the potatoes and carrots were peeled and sliced into the bottom of the crock pot, the roast went on top and I went back to bed, resetting the alarm to go off at 8:00am so there would be time to get to the morning "Women on Weights" session at 9:00am.

Preferring not to be awakened by an "alarming" noise, the knob was moved to the "music" setting.  This way the sound of the radio playing would awaken me.  Or such was the plan.  Apparently, after being up to get the meal ready, I went into a deep sleep.  When I finally did hear the music from the radio, the time on the clock was 9:10am.  So much for "Women on Weights"!  Instead I chose to use one of the elliptical machines for my morning exercise.

While waiting for the grandkids to arrive, there was frosting to make.  Today is my sister-in-law's birthday and I had committed to providing a cake.  Doing the baking yesterday, I whipped up the buttercream icing and was just spreading it on the heart shaped cake when my little helpers arrived.  I recruited my granddaughter to help with the decorating and was quite pleased with the final result.

 

 

 

It seems when the grandkids come to visit, there is never enough time to do all the things we'd like, but we managed to squeeze a lot into the day.  Since the weather was ideal, we paid a visit to the playground at our elementary school.  It was the first time they had been there, and they were excited to check out the various equipment.  

 

                          

It was fun to see them playing on the same monkey bars I played on as a child, and which also entertained their mother when she was growing up.

                                  

The snow was a perfect consistency for making a snowman and besides leaving one at the school playground, they also made one in our backyard and another at great grandma's house, where an assortment of relatives had gathered to celebrate the birthday.

The minutes were ticking away, but we squeezed in a short visit with Aunt Mabel prior to returning to our house.  It had started snowing lightly, and our daughter felt they needed to be leaving soon, but Faith was insistent she wanted to have a quick sewing lesson.  The last time they had visited she left me a note, indicating her desire to learn:

 

Knowing there wasn't much time, I did a quick search through my fabric remnants and found a piece of yellow fleece.  Folded in half, it would make a perfect small pillow with very little effort, giving Faith a chance to experience her first sewing project.  She listened so carefully when I explained how to thread the machine and add the bobbin.  Although I helped guide her, she excitedly stitched around the edges making a case to fill with stuffing (her favorite part!)  Since the material was plain, she decided to add some decorations with markers.  Can you tell she was quite pleased with the results?

 

Once they were on the road, we were back to Grandma Ardis' house for supper with Bert's four sisters and two of his brothers in attendance.  It seems food, family and fellowship always seem to go together in the Anderson clan.

From there it was back home to bake two batches of brownies for a political event we will be attending tomorrow.  The last batch is in the oven, and soon I will call it a day.  You will find the following recorded in God's Word:

"All the days planned for me

were written in Your [God's] book

before one of them came to be."

~Psalm 139:16

 

It certainly was a busy one He planned for today. . .and I enjoyed each part of it!  I'm so thankful I can end the day, as David did, saying:

 

"I lie down and sleep;

I wake again, because the Lord sustains me."

~Psalm 3:5

 

Kung Fu Panda-ing

In our community there is a "Dakota Theatre" which plays one movie three nights a week.  Supported and run by our local Meadowlarks Art Council, it is nice to have the option of a movie date now and then.

With tomorrow being Valentine's Day, we decided to take in the movie currently showing, entitled "Kung Fu Panda 3".  Being an animated children's movie, much of the crowd was parents or grandparents with their kids, and it was fun to listen to the enjoyment evident in their laughter throughout the movie.

As the movie plot was unfolding, I found myself asking, "What kind of a message is this sending to those watching?"  To most, attending a movie is simply a form of entertainment.  For me, however, being a "seeker" by nature, I usually find myself analyzing the storyline to see what hidden message might be lurking.

The movie tonight was a classic "good vs. evil" plot, which rotated between the "spiritual world" and "mortal world".  It made me think of a similar scheme of events which plays out throughout the pages of the Bible. . .God and His forces of good battling satan and his forces of evil.  Often I am reminded of the verses in Ephesians 6 which encourage us to "suit up for battle":

"Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm."

~Ephesians 6:12-13

 

Back to our movie, there was also an element of father/son interaction which reminded me of the relationship between our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.  The panda son was ultimately the one to win out over the evil perpetrator, and likewise, Jesus will be the one to defeat satan in the end.  If you'd like a glimpse as to how it will all play out, reading the book of Revelations would be a good start.

 

Another message of the movie was encouraging each individual panda to discover what it is they were good at, and then putting their talent to use to benefit the entire community.  It's a lesson we could learn from if applied in the real world.  In the book of Romans, Paul made it clear we each have been granted special gifts to be used for God's glory.

 

^"For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;  if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully."

~Romans 12:6

 

One final insight I had from the movie came when the pandas discovered their "inner power" began when they put their paws together.  As Christians, we have access to God's power through the avenue of prayer.  Often, however, like the pandas, we have forgotten how to use it.  In the end of the movie it was a united effort which brought about victory, and so it is in our Christian walk. 

 

Was this the intended message of the creators of "Kung Fun Panda 3"?  Most likely not.  But the Bible encourages us to seek, and this is what my seeking brain came up with! 

 

Be a "Giving Heart"!

It comes around once a year here in North Dakota.  A proclamation is made by the governor and a day is chosen as "Giving Hearts Day".  Reading through the proclamation gives insight into the formation of the annual event, as well as how effective it has been in raising funds for organizations throughout our region.

Giving Hearts Day

Effective Date: 

February 11, 2016

WHEREAS, Giving Hearts Day was started in 2008 by the Dakota Medical Foundation and Impact Foundation as the first one-day ‘virtual’ fundraising event of its kind in the region; and

WHEREAS, this 24-hour online fundraising event in North Dakota and western Minnesota is dedicated to inspiring online donations for charities at impactgiveback.org; and

WHEREAS, Giving Hearts Day raised $325,000 for local charities in its first year and donations topped $1 million in 2011; and

WHEREAS, last year, $6.9 million was raised through more than 30,528 individual donations, with $4,645 donations per minute, directly benefitting 287 charities – and since its start, over $22.7 million has been raised; and

WHEREAS, the Dakota Medical Foundation and Impact Foundation developed impactgiveback.org to create a powerful regional user-friendly site for donors to find and connect with charities; nonprofits profile their organizations on the site, receive donations, recruit volunteers and take event registrations; and

WHEREAS, North Dakota citizens are encouraged to support Giving Hearts Day and to take action by volunteering or making financial donations to local charities.

NOW, THEREFORE, as Governor of the State of North Dakota, I do hereby proclaim February 11, 2016, GIVING HEARTS DAY in the state of North Dakota.

It is a win-win situation.  Donors have an opportunity to give to the causes of their choice, while having their donations matched dollar for dollar.  Organizations are given an "easy access" method of promoting their cause and get the benefit of receiving double for each gift offered.  Those who came up with the idea back in 2008 certainly started a good thing!

 Giving was an example set for us by our Heavenly Father.  We are reminded of this each time we hear the words of the much quoted John 3:16.

For God so loved the world

that He gave His one and only Son,

that whoever believes in Him shall not perish,

but have eternal life. (NIV)  

Another passage comes to mind, one which encourages us to be generous and giving when God has provided us with the resources to do so.  These words are found recorded in 1 Timothy 6:17-18.

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth,

which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.

Verse 19 also gives us good reason to do so, stating those who are generous "will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so they may take hold of the life that is truly life".  There is also a promise in God's Word offering a reward to those who give.  This is found in Luke 6:38.

Give, and it will be given to you.

A good measure, pressed down, shaken together

and running over, will be poured into your lap.

For with the measure you use,

it will be measured to you.

You can be sure we will be checking out www.impactgiveback.org tomorrow.  This year we were excited to learn Trinity Christian School, where our grandchildren attend, is among the organizations listed.  We also have a burden for ND Teen Challenge, which rehabilitates those with alcohol and drug addictions and the Anne Carlsen Center in Jamestown which helps those with disabilities. 

Take time to check over your budget and see if God has allowed you any excess to share with others.  Then read through the list of possible recipients and find which causes touch your heart.  Take advantage of this opportunity to turn your ordinary heart into a giving heart.  Your effort will not go unnoticed by God and will reap benefits beyond what this world can offer!

Politics As Usual. . .or Another Way

Has anyone noticed it is a Presidential election year?  With the election still about nine months away, it seems there is no end to the bombardment of political jargon.  Thinking about the principles our country was founded on and comparing them to the focus of the current candidates makes my head spin.  Could it be there is another way of doing things besides "politics as usual"? 

Our local newspaper has a weekly column called "Pastor's Corner" in which our community's clergy take turns sharing their thoughts.  The article in last week's paper really spoke to my heart, and I'd like to share it with you here.  It reminds me there is another way. . .a better way. . .God's way!  Thank you, Pastor Zach, for nudging us to search for a fresh approach to sharing the freedom we enjoy having been blessed to live in these United States of America!

What's Your Uniqueness?

Tonight we had a planning meeting of sorts at our church, attempting to figure out what direction we should take to minister to the women who attend Crosby Assembly of God.  After throwing around some ideas, we've decided to create a questionnaire/survey to circulate, hoping to find a common ground on which we can put together a plan.

Prior to the meeting I came across a writing I did back in 2010 about uniqueness.  Perhaps part of the challenge in bringing together a bunch of women is acknowledging the unique ways God has created each of them.  The secret will be challenging each one to seek God's direction in their own life, while focusing on what they have to offer to the group as a whole. 

In what ways has your church ministered to women in the past?  What insights might you have for what is needed in today's church world?  Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section!

01/23/10 Uniqueness

There has been a lot of “weather talk” happening around town this week. Everyone has been bracing for the huge snowstorm predicted by those who understand the science of forecasting. Yet here we are, halfway through the week-end, and it hasn't materialized. There has been a slight accumulation since yesterday, but nowhere near the volume of snow we were expecting.

This morning I came across an interesting article about snowflakes in the Minot Daily News. It seems way back in 1885 a Vermont farmer by the name of William A. Bentley figured out a way to combine the use of a microscope and a bellows camera to produce photographs of individual snowflakes. By 1931 he had captured 2,500 such photos and combined them into a book called “Snow Crystals”. According to the article, Mr. Bentley referred to snowflakes as “miracles of beauty”, each a masterpiece of design, with no one design ever repeated. He also claimed when a snowflake melted, the design was forever lost.

Having lived in North Dakota my entire life, I've seen many a snowflake. Just this evening, as I walked under the street lights, I looked up to see a new batch gently swirling through the air. Could it possibly be true they were all unique? More amazingly, as I thought back over the 50+ years of my lifetime, and the many piles of snow I've encountered, could it be God was still coming up with new designs? In our human mind, this would seem impossible. What I've learned over the years, however, is when we think “impossible”, it's then God comes through with possibilities beyond anything we could imagine. Luke 1:37 assures us “nothing is impossible with God”. 

My reading drifted in another direction this afternoon. I came across a Hallmark gift book I had picked up at a sidewalk sale last summer. The name of the book is “YOU! God's Brand-New Idea” with a subtitle of “Made to be Amazing”. It is a compilation of excerpts from author Max Lucado's many books. His purpose in putting the book together was to bring focus to the “unique-to-you” design God has used in creating each one of us. Much like the snowflakes, God works into each person a special masterpiece of design. As we look back over history, we see multitudes of different people and are amazed how God keeps coming up with new designs.

A passage I often come back to is Acts 17:26-28. “From one man God made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. For in Him we live and move and have our being,” What I read into these verses is, “Hey! God made me as a part of His creation. He set the time of my birth and the time of my death. He even decided where I would live”. The King James Bible uses the words “hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation”. Not only did God choose for me to live in Crosby, ND, but He even determined I would live in a little green house at 303 South Main Street. 

Somehow, if He placed me here, at this particular time in history, He must have a reason behind it. Oh, yes, He did give the reason. . .so that I would seek Him, reach out for Him and find Him. What a wonderful assurance we have in knowing He is not far from each one of us! As each of us continues to seek God and His purposes for our life, we will find we can better understand each person's uniqueness and accept it as part of God's great plan. 

Next time you find yourself feeling like “one of the crowd”, think about snowflakes. Each one is unique, and so are you. Seek God and His purpose for designing you the way He did. Look for your strengths and use them to accomplish great things for Him. Remember, when you are gone, there will never be another you. Accept God's offer to make you whiter than snow and make the most of your uniqueness. Together we can create a storm capable of changing the world.