I used to try and figure out the best answers when something happened in our lives. 2020 has bombarded life with problems that I simply have no answers for. I found myself quickly getting weary trying to handle what’s next. So as I turned to God for the answers I do not have, I found it’s easier to pray using God’s names to remind me who He is. Here are just a few of God’s names:
Elohim -means “God”. Simply God. Have you ever thought about how huge and all-encompassing that name means? He is the one and only God, He is Sovereign, He is the one we can fully rely on. Yahweh - means “Lord”. The name means the One of authority, the One with great power, the “I AM”. Abba - means “Daddy, Father”. This name shows His love for us as His children. When we are facing difficult times, we can run to his open arms for comfort and safety. El Elyon - means “God Most High”. This name shows that He is bigger than any problem we face in our lives. It shows us that he is fully in control. El Roi - means “God Who Sees”. This name shows that He watches over us. El Shaddai- means “God Almighty”. This name reminds us that He is all-powerful. We can rest and find comfort in Him. There are so many names for God in the Bible. I hope to learn more of His names over time because they remind me about who He is and that He cares for me. He has showed me that no problem is too small or too much for God. He knows what we need even when we do not. In His Name, Stephanie
2 Comments
I set those thoughts aside when I became one of the many who contracted the Corona virus this past week. Plans change. So, with so much negative news and events how can we shift our thinking?
So I thought that instead of dwelling on my aches and pains, I should share this list I found of eight things to think on. Good things to think on.
By: Pastor Hal Seed It’s difficult to focus on the good if our heads are filled with what is bad. On the other hand, our head can’t be filled with ‘news blues’ if our minds are filled with true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, praiseworthy thing! Dr Eger found a way to to turn horror into healing and forgiveness. Can we do less?
So, as I recover from my bout of COVID and pray for my friends who are also afflicted, I WILL spend my days thinking positive thoughts. I will hope and pray for a better, loving and healthy world. In His Name, Janet
what I was trying to save. Despite knowledge and experience that should help me to know better, I still pursue shortcuts. This past month, I have found myself saying, “I just want to get over this year!” Or, “I just want to get past 2020!” But, there is no magic time machine that will get me over or past the next few months. The only way to get to 2021 is to go through the rest of the year.
Psalm 23 has long been a source of comfort and encouragement in difficult times. This weekend, I suddenly realized that in my search for that elusive shortcut past the rest of the year, I was missing the key concept in this Psalm: the Shepherd. Verse 4 immediately came to mind: Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. I realized I have been looking for spiritual shortcuts. This year has been filled with shadowy places worldwide. People around the world have faced sickness, natural disasters, social unrest, violence, polarizing political ideologies, and there seems to be no end in sight. With all of the daily reminders of the shadows of death, turmoil, and evil, it has been easy to fall into fear and wanting to bypass any more heartache. My eyes can’t see the end of this dark valley, so my natural tendency is to seek out a shortcut and bolt like a frightened lamb. My reaction is the opposite of the beautiful picture in Psalm 23. God is willing to go through the difficult places with me and He knows the best way. He is with me so there is nothing to fear. These trips through the valley are opportunities to spend time with a Good Shepherd who cares for me. Shortcuts around the difficult times will not save any time or spare me any heartache. It is only when I remain close to the Shepherd, and follow His guidance that I will find safe passage through the shadowy places. In His Name, Bonnie
However, I can’t imagine great artists, inventors, and statesmen were anything but serious when hard at work, and so much good has come about because of their dutiful, creative, and serious work. So there’s a case to be made for each: be more serious, or laugh more. As a follower of Jesus I’m torn. Then again, like the hymn says, he accepts me, “Just as I am.”
After church recently someone asked me if I was the new choir director. She had a request: would the choir please do music that was more upbeat, zippy, and fun. . . like Gospel music. I found myself wondering if she meant instead of serious and slow, more contemplative music? That brought up the question, what does scripture say about light-heartedness and laughter? Ecclesiastes says, “There is a time to weep, and a time to laugh,” which clearly tells me there is a time for zippy music and a time for somber music. Whenever appropriate, I’ll always choose to lighten-up and laugh. After all, Proverbs 17:22 says, “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.” In His Name, Kent |
