Time for a Tuning!

This week a delightful woman by the name of Ann came to our house and tuned our piano.  It was interesting to watch as she opened the top of the piano and started inserting things which would aid her in the tuning process, made possible because God has blessed her with the gift of "perfect pitch."  Basically, she can plunk out a note and determine if it is playing the sound it is supposed to.  Although I spent much of the time in the back yard with my garden and flowers, I did get to listen to a portion of the process, which sounded something like this:  "Plunk, plunk, [adjust] plink, plink, [chord playing]" and so on, until the whole piano was in tune.

As I listened, it occurred to me we can compare our Christian walk to a good piano tuning.  The Holy Spirit is the "tuner," and the tools used include Bible reading, prayer, Christian fellowship, and sound Biblical teaching.  Without a regular adjustment process, our Christian walk may be in existence, but not quite "in tune" with the perfect plan God has in place for our lives.

Another activity I participated in this week was attending a unique conference in Williston, ND hosted by First Lutheran Church.  The speaker for the day was Dr. Richard Melheim, whom I first met 47 years ago [can we possibly be that old??] at the same Bible Camp which invited him to Williston to educate us on a new concept in the Christian world called, "Cross+Gen."  With my roots coming from the Lutheran Church, it wasn't as much of a stretch for me as it was for my 18 year old nephew who joined me for the day.  He grew up in the home of an Assembly of God pastor, so knew little about the "Lutheran ways."  Hopefully, by the end of the day, he discovered we really aren't so different after all!

The basis of "Cross+Gen" ministry is to combine the "wonder of the child" with the "wisdom of the aged."  Instead of dividing Sunday School and worship time into age appropriate segments, their desire is to see people of all ages gathered together to discuss and learn from the Bible and each other.  As our speaker showed us statistics showing the steady decline of the current Sunday School system, it was apparent some kind of "tuning" was in order.  Could "Cross+Gen" be the answer?

Another concept Dr. Rich presented was something called "Faith 5."  It is a tool which could be used in a church setting, but is also seeing great success in homes and families.  The idea is to do 5 things together every night.  First, share the highs and lows of your day.  Second, read a Bible verse or story.  Third, talk about how the Bible reading might relate to your highs and lows.  Fourth, pray for each other's highs and lows, and finally bless one another.  What a difference it would make in the world if each household would undertake to faithfully do "Faith 5"!

The final part of our time together at the conference was focused on learning about Martin Luther.  Unbeknown to this now Assembly of God person, the Lutheran world is celebrating the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther nailing his 95 Theses to the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, which brought about the start of the Protestant Reformation.  Dr. Rich and his team have put together a high quality comic book, a color book, and an animated musical detailing the life of Martin Luther.  I found I learned more about the roots of my faith than I ever had during my 19 years in the Lutheran Church!

If you are interested in "tuning up" your faith walk a bit, feel free to check out the organization Dr. Rich started called "Faith Inkubators" www.faithinkubators.com  It is filled with valuable resources for people of all ages.  Check out the remaining dates on the "Cross+Gen Tour" and see if they will be in an area near you.  It would be well worth your time to attend, if possible!

"Thank you, Richard Melheim, for the memories both then and now!"

Although I had a large collection of pictures from Bible Camp days, they were all taken by me, so I'm including my class picture from back then!

Thankful God crossed our paths once again!

  

This Man

To some he was known as "one of the Divide County farmers."  To others he was the one to call when their crops needed a round of aerial spraying.  To many, during the course of his lifetime, he was known as someone who was always willing to lend a helping hand, or offer a means out of a difficult situation.  To my mother, he was a faithful life partner, and to my 3 siblings and I, he was "Dad."
 
My children were blessed to know him as "Grandpa," if only for a short time.  He passed away when they were only ages 8 and 5.  This past week-end, we have been blessed to have our four grandchildren stay with us, with the youngest two being similar to those ages.  It was difficult to imagine them losing a grandpa.  This morning I was able to "introduce" the 5 year old to his "great-grandpa."  We happened to be in the living room at the time I realized it was July 3, my dad's birthday. 

"Today is my daddy's birthday,"  I explained, and proceeded to tell him this man was his mother's grandpa, making him my grandson's great-grandfather.  We took time to look at a picture of him and my grandson's response was, "So, not my great, great-grandfather?"  No, just one great.  Unless, of course, you are describing what kind of a great-grandfather he would have been.  Then it would be a GREAT great-grandfather!

This man's life was cut short, but only after he survived a quadruple bypass heart surgery, a stroke, and prostate cancer which eventually made its way into his bones.  He left this life at the age of 72 and would have been 103 today if he were still counting years by earthly standards.  It is a comforting thought to know he will be among those to welcome me "home" when it comes time for me to transfer to a "heavenly home."

What comes to mind when I think of my dad?  Perhaps farming, flying, and fireworks rank near the top.  When I worked as a bank teller, the drive-thru window often let in the fumes of diesel pickups, and instantly my mind thought of the man who supported our family by long hours on tractors, trucks, and combines.  Another smell, the scent of spearmint, brings to mind the many times we flew as a family, and Wrigley's gum was the ammunition we used to avoid popping ears.  The sound of an airplane overhead usually makes me look up and say, "Hi, Daddy!" 

With his birthday on July 3, and our country's birthday the day after, there was always a nice display of fireworks to delight us.  To this day, the sound of fireworks and sparkle of lights in the sky bring a smile to my face as I think of the planning he did to make us "oooh" and "aaah" as he lit off the fireworks. 

And so I end the day saying, "Happy Birthday, Dad!  Thanks for the precious memories!!"

Pieces of My Past

Today is Memorial Day.  As is our custom, we attended the Memorial Day service put together by the American Legion and Auxiliary of our community.  Our pastor was the guest speaker and he did an awesome job using some very moving videos, reading from a collection of his dad's letters written home during WWII, and featuring a flag he puts in a window when he knows his son is deployed as an Army Chaplin.  Add to this some great musical selections and a special presentation to a local man honoring 50 years in the American Legion and we had some good reminders of the fact freedom is never free.

Later in the day, after having a hamburger barbeque at my mother-in-law's house, I decided to take a drive to the cemetery where my maternal grandparents, two uncles and an aunt are buried.  Each year I buy flowers to decorate their graves, and I had not done so.  Earlier in the week we made it to the cemetery where my parents and some of my husband's family are buried, but a busy week had squeezed out the time I had intended to make my trek to Corinth Cemetery.

Heading south on Highway 42 from Crosby, the memories flooded my brain of the many times we traveled this road on visits to my grandmother's farm.  Just across the pasture was another farm where my uncle and aunt lived.  A short distance beyond the second farm is a quaint little cemetery.  Coming from the north you don't see it until you are right beside it, because it is nestled on a hillside.  It is such a peaceful place surrounded by the beauty of the North Dakota prairies.

 

A walk through the gate toward the middle of the cemetery and just to the east is a large monument with the name "OLSON" on it.  Just beyond are four small rectangular markers, one each for my grandpa and grandma and two more for an uncle and aunt.  On the other side of these is a larger rectangular stone marking the burial site of my other uncle.  His wife still lives on the farm and will someday be buried beside him.

 

As I took a few minutes to add my flowers to the cross decoration already in place, I found myself "talking" to each of them.  Grandpa Oluf was someone I never knew.  In fact, he died when my mother was only 11 years old.  That is the age of my oldest grandchild.  It is hard to process losing a parent at that age. 

Next comes the marker for Grandma Ellen.  She was the only grandparent I ever knew, as my dad's mother had died before I was born and I was only 2 when his dad passed away.  Needless to say, Grandma Ellen capsulated everything wonderful there was about a grandparent in my eyes!  I miss her smile.  I miss her warm heart.  I miss the wisdom she accumulated over her 100 years of life.  Yes, I miss her!

Third is the marker for Uncle Henry.  His life had a tragic ending when he took his own life at the age of 66.  Only after my own diagnosis with bipolar did I learn of his struggle with the same highs and lows during his lifetime.  Growing up and even into my adult life I was unaware of the challenges the other adults in the family experienced with his ups and downs.  More than any of them, however, I could understand the confused brain used in his final decision in life.  Thinking of Uncle Henry, my mind went back to the man who picked up the mantle when his own father died.  Just shy of his 19th birthday, Henry was thrust into being the "man of the house" with three younger siblings and a mother to watch over.  He was a "grandfather" of sorts for us nieces and nephews, and is remembered for the twinkle in his eyes and his devotion to his mother and the farm.  That, and Nesbitt's orange pop, which always seemed to be waiting to treat us above the cistern!

The fourth marker is that of my mom's sister who died when she was 19.  My mother, at the time, was only 16.  From what I've been told, she had some kind of heart defect which ultimately took her life.  Someday I will get to know her, too.

Uncle Melvin is the other one buried in this cemetery.  He was the quieter of the two brothers, but equally devoted to his mother and the farming.  His interests moved on to include marriage and eventually the adoption of three children, but in my childhood he provided us many happy memories.  Precious memories.

 

Just beyond the cemetery lies what is left of the small town of Corinth, North Dakota.  Once a thriving little prairie community, it had a school, church and "general store" I remember visiting as a child with Uncle Henry.  A special frozen treat could always be found when you lifted the top from the freezer unit.  The church eventually closed and was moved to a Bible camp, but there were many Sundays we attended services there.

 

Stopping by my aunt's farm, I found only their daughter, who now lives with her, at home.  We had such a nice visit about growing up years and the memories we shared because of these special people in our lives.  The drive home took me once again past the "castle barn" which was the sign we were "almost to grandma's house!"

As I got closer to Crosby, I found myself taking a bit of a detour into Hawkeye Township where my paternal grandparents had homesteaded.  The drive back to town from that direction took me past the Crosby Cemetery where my parents are buried and I felt my "Memorial Day Journey" was complete.   

 

 

                       Precious in the sight of the Lord
                     is the death of his faithful servants.

                                      ~Psalm 116:15

Surrounded!

Our time in Bismarck for North Dakota's 65th Legislative Session is coming to an end.  While Bert concentrates on the last few bills at the Capitol, my job has been tidying up the condominium unit we have been staying in over the past four months.  Once again I find myself amazed at the intricate details God planted throughout our "home away from home" to make me feel, well, "at home"!

Today I took the time to snap a few pictures to document the many "reminders" scattered throughout the living space, and as I did so a song came to mind.  The song, "Find Us Faithful" begins with words found in the 12th chapter of Hebrews:

Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses

We must run the race not only for the prize

Yes, today I felt surrounded.  Everywhere I looked there were reminders of special people in my life. I felt like God wanted me to know they are cheering me on and encouraging me each step of every day, even though most of them are no longer a part of this earthly world.

 

 

 

 

   

A slice of rock with a deer painted on it, reminds me of my dad & the gold leaf is identical to one my mother brought back from Alaska.  Two very special people who gave me the best start in life!

   

 

 

 Lanterns, and a wreath with cups and saucers. . .pieces of my grandmothers world!

 



They tell me my grandfather was a cobbler who made shoes. . .did he use something like this??

 

Cardinals which bring my mother-in law to mind, and an eagle which makes me think of my

father-in-law

Afghans  reminiscent of the ones both my mother and grandmother made!

 

A butterfly. . .reminder of my dear aunt and godmother!

 

A turtle AND a football. . .both bring our son to mind!

Crocheted snowflakes similar to the ones made by both my grandmother and Bert's grandmother



Can you believe our landlady also collects Nativities?

 

Hummingbirds. . .more reminders of Aunt Mabel! 

                     

 

Jim Shore lamp brings my sister to mind!

 

   

"THANKS, LORD FOR MAKING ME FEEL LOVED!"

And one final reminder of the One who is with me always. . .can you make out what it says??

Palm Sunday Reflections

It was not the traditional Palm Sunday in my world.  Although I attended church, there were no Palm branches waved by children as they paraded down the center aisle.  It is the memory I carried with me from my childhood into the years my own children were the ones carrying the branches.  I even recall having our grandchildren participating in the event at times.

Still, I take time at the end of the day to look back on the original Palm Sunday as recorded in God's Word:

The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival

heard that Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem.  

They took Palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,

"Hosanna!  Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!

Blessed is the King of Israel!"

-John 12:12-13 NIV

It must have been an exciting time for everyone. . .except, perhaps, for the one riding on the donkey.  He knew what was coming later in the week when the "Hosanna!" would turn to "Crucify Him!"

Somehow, seeing these events in retrospect gives me hope.  It speaks to me of the fact there will be times in our lives filled with excitement and celebration, followed by other days of uncertainty, pain and suffering.  

Ultimately we can find comfort in knowing the cycle of events will always end with the words of the angel saying, "He is not here!  He is Risen!" proving Jesus will reign victorious over any attempt of the enemy to defeat us.   

If I had a palm branch, I just might be tempted to wave it and shout out a "Hosanna!" or two!

The Prayer of Daniel

The table prayers of my grandchildren started out pretty simple, as yours likely did, too.  "Thank You, Jesus, for this food.  Amen."  This was the basic pattern until the granddaughter decided to add her own twist to the prayer adding the phrase, ". . .and bless it to our bodies."  It became the "go to" prayer for all four grandchildren until Daniel, the youngest, added an interesting ending.  After the "Amen" he threw in a "Hut! Hut!"

No one knew what prompted him to say it, [was it football season??] and naturally everyone at the table burst into laughter!  Being the "entertainer" personality of the family, the laughter was the applause he needed to continue adding "Hut! Hut! to all of his future prayers.  It still makes me smile every time I hear it!

In a way, the phrase added to his prayers makes sense when you look at it from a football analogy.  Typically, "Hut! Hut!" is a phrase used by the quarterback to bring his team members to attention and signals the start of their play.  It is a short and sharp command similar to the "Atten-HUT" used by the military and signals to the players it is time to battle it out on the field.

Translate this to Daniel's prayers and we see him handing things off to God, allowing Him to direct the future events tied to the prayer.  This is probably something many of us forget to do at the end of our prayers!

Today my dear friend Alice directed me to read the prayer of another Daniel, one who lived in Bible times.  You can find the prayer recorded in the book of Daniel, chapter 9 and verses 4-19.  In this prayer, Daniel is pleading for the Israelite people who are in captivity in Babylon.  His is a prayer of repentance followed by a cry for mercy.

Alice encouraged me to pray this prayer of Daniel, inserting the names of our current leaders, states, counties and cities.  When I did so, I was challenged, humbled and made very aware of the fact we face difficulties as a nation because of unrepentant hearts.  Worse yet, it uncovered the fact we are in the shape we are because we have not given attention to God's truths (see verses 11 and 13 of Daniel's prayer).  Without God's Word as our absolute "true north" everyone ends up doing whatever they feel is right in their own eyes, leading to a chaotic and jumbled atmosphere in which to live.

Take time to read Daniel's prayer from the Bible and use it as a model to pray for our nation.  Make it not only a corporate prayer, but also a personal one as you ask God to point out in your own life areas which do not align with His Word.  Here is a link to the passage in Bible Gateway's online Bible:  Daniel 9 - Bible Gateway  Although I prefer to read from my Bible which is actually a book I can hold, the beauty of reading from Bible Gateway online is you can easily change to a variety of translations, giving you a broader perspective of the passage.

Your assignment for the day?  Go ahead and pray the prayer of the Old Testament Daniel, and while you're at it, add a resounding "Hut! Hut!" at the end, leaving the outcome in God's hands!  This Daniel will be ever so pleased you've chosen to follow his example:

     

 

Sun Going Down

It was good to be home in Crosby over the weekend.  We were blessed with great weather allowing me the opportunity to take an evening stroll.  The beauty of the sunset around two iconic landmarks, (the Courthouse and water tower) led me to snap this picture:

It also brought to mind the lyrics to a song, one I discovered was made popular by Elton John in 1974, the year I graduated from high school.

*************************************************

SUN GOING DOWN ON ME

I can't light no more of your darkness
All my pictures seem to fade to black and white
I'm growing tired and time stands still before me
Frozen here on the ladder of my life

Too late to save myself from falling
I took a chance and changed your way of life
But you misread my meaning when I met you
Closed the door and left me blinded by the light

Don't let the sun go down on me
Although I searched myself, it's always someone else I see
I'd just allow a fragment of your life to wander free
But losing everything is like the sun going down on me

I can't find the right romantic line
But see me once and see the way I feel
Don't discard me just because you think I mean you harm

But these cuts I have they need love to help them heal.

Don't let the sun go down on me

Although I searched myself, it's always someone else I see

I'd just allow a fragment of your life to wander free

But losing everything is like the sun going down on me

*************************************************************

As I listened once again to the song, I couldn't help but think of a classmate whose life ended tragically last week.  Although it seems the "sun went down" in his life, my faith assures me a sunset from our perspective only leads to a sunrise somewhere else.  

"Rest in peace, Larry, and allow the love of Jesus to be the healing balm you need!"