Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. Psalm 119:18

I received a phone call from my oldest sister last week. She is amazing. She is 96, lives alone but loves Jesus with all her heart. When I shared with her that our small group was beginning again, she asked me what we were going to study. We are going to focus on worship and she said, “Please remind everyone to read their Bible’s slowly”. I could hear the conviction in her voice and heart.

So my friends, that is our focus for today. Please take the time when you are spending time in the Word and with the Lord, to not rush. This is something I have already discovered for myself, but I don’t always remember to put into practice. I have found when I deliberately slow down, I discover insights and encouragement that I miss while reading quickly. This gives you time to learn and study, not just scan the words you are reading.

Reading slowly helps you remember to look for the who, what, where and when situations. There are some great technics people have used to teach others how to study the Bible. She uses what she calls the 5 P approach. It covers the basics in some easy to remember steps. The first P has to do with positioning yourself. Find a quiet place where you can concentrate. You then move to the next P, pore. Pore over the passage or verses slowly and carefully. The next P is for pull. As you read, you begin to pull out what the text reveals about God, His character or any other timeless truths we need to remember. Then it can get personal (not her P, but mine) and she suggests you ask Pose questions about your own life. In other words, how can you apply this to yourself? The final P is to plan obedience. This is a serious time to give date and time to following any obedience revealed in your study.

The Word of God has been given to us as a gift. It can and will change our lives, if we allow it. For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to the dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 (NIV). Maybe that is why our flesh wants us to rush through reading it. But my friends, we do not have to fear what the word has to say–even if it pricks our conscious. The Holy Spirit working through the Word, is actually what our spirit wants and needs.

This morning I was reading in 2 Corinthians 6. Paul was recounting the hardships he endured for the gospel’s sake. I decided to write them down in my journal. (That’s another encouragement: journal while you read). Not only did it impress me with his perseverance and endurance, but it made my struggles seem weak and wimpy. But this time through, I realized the “tools” he used to get through those struggles were also listed! He went through them in purity, understanding, patience, and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left. When I got to the “weapons of righteousness”, it made me stop and ponder. The NLT writes it this way: We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense. 2 Corinthians 6:7. NLT. My friends we can use the righteousness God has given us by Christ Jesus as a weapon. The more we become Christ like–the better offense and defense we have! It made me pause and think–no matter Satan wants God’s people to sin and mess up their reputation. It hurts the Kingdom. By reading slowly it stuck in my spirit. If you have a Study Bible, take time to read the notes–you might learn something!

So my friends, I will share again, Betty’s wisdom: Read the Bible slowly. It is definitely worth your time!

Father, I ask that you open our eyes as we read your word. Holy Spirit teach us new things, remind us of old things and give us the power and grace to obey, because we trust you. In Jesus’ Name. amen.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1:2-3

In a nearby town there is a facility that is geared toward building stronger, faster, more resilient athletes, safely. It is called Gritworks Athletics. The reason I know about this place is because for a time they paid to have their FB ads show up on my feed. They are geared toward helping young athletes learn to develop safe movement, speed, agility to help them achieve growth in their preferred sport. Watching their ads to see the enrollees, young students are definitely being challenged to dig deep. You can tell from their faces they are having to dig deep to keep working out. I’ve also watched a documentary on how a Navy Seal is challenged and developed. It takes grit.

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, grit in the context of behavior is defined as “firmness of character; indomitable spirit.” Observing many western believers, I think we struggle in this arena. It is so easy to think “it is too hard”, I can’t do it. This past week end I had the privilege of taking a couple of ferries and enjoying Victoria, B. C. Canada. I went with my friend, Mary Smith and though it was a short visit, we met with some challenges… Mary found us a very nice affordable hotel, but it was supposed to be about an hours walk from where we go off the boat. I admit, I had asked AI if this walk was doable, but the reply was “not recommended” if you have luggage. I thought, I can walk an hour!

We started strong. It was warm and a bit humid for this area, but it was exciting and fun to explore. My problem, which became Mary’s, unfortunately, my heart rate kept getting too high and I would have to stop and rest. She was such a good friend, and kept asking how I was doing. It took us over two hours (with all my rest stops!), but we made it. As we were walking along, I found myself declaring, “this is hard, but I can do hard things”. It began to change my perspective. I also added singing some out of date chorus’s to encourage me. I kept checking my body and the only problem my fit bit told me I was having as a raised heartbeat, so as I rested, it came back down. No other symptoms, so I knew I could keep going.

My friends, we walked the 4.6 km it seemed like it took forever with the heat and humidity, but I realized some of our challenges don’t have an “end destination” or “end date” and we just have to keep walking. If your current emotional, spiritual or financial challenges seem like this–take breaks, rest, revive yourself but don’t give up. Mary and I stopped and prayed a lot along the way. We turned out negative thoughts to positive. We encouraged each other and we made it. There were some definite inclines to our journey and those were hard. I found “resting” places and even discovered my rolling bag’s tall handle was helpful in rising from various retaining walls. We passed through some skanky places with poor folks nodding off. We prayed for them as we carefully passed by.

If you are in a challenging valley remember you are not alone. I met someone at the hospital this morning. Her husband had taken too many pills, and though she was a woman “of faith”, she did not have a local church family to help encourage and pray with her. She gladly let me pray for her and her sister in law. I was there to support one of church family, and they saw first hand that blessing. God is with you. I received a message from my friend, Mary, in India. They are facing another strong bout of persecution–this type of trial is so difficult. They can be arrested simply for sharing the gospel. How do you go through those types of trials and testing? By trusting, praying, resting in Him knowing the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect, and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:3-4. God is working good things in our lives through the testing and trials, my friends do not quit. Do not stop walking in obedience. …we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5. NIV. Oh dear friends, my little walk that day was nothing compared to those who have suffered and are suffering for Christ’s sake. God build grit (perseverance) in each of us differently. But it is His will that we have an abundance of it, so we don’t quit. So we can bring the light of His love, faithfulness to others. He wants to turn your ‘hardships’ into your testimony, but He can’t if you quit before the fruit is born.

Keep walking through the fire, the flood, the plains and the mountains…He is with us. I need you to keep walking and so does the rest of the body of Christ. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you. When you walk through fire you shall not be burned, the flames shall not consume you. Isaiah 43.2

Father, teach us to keep to keep going, we love you and trust you will teach us how to walk this life out strong for your glory. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

I know nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to good in their lives, and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of al his labor–it is the gift of God. Ecclesiastes 3:12-13. NKJV

August 9 I was invited to join in celebrating a new season/milestone adventure in my oldest daughter and husband’s life. They were installed as Senior Leaders at Celebration Foursquare Church in Renton, WA. It was my first time visiting the church so everything was new. They sure do live up to their name–Celebration! To watch my children be honored by their “new” family and the installing Foursquare Supervisor brought a deep joy and appreciation to all the prayers we have prayed over 30 + years of their being a couple. They are an unique team couple. Watching them “team” teach the message was a joy. All I could do deep in my heart, was bow my head in worship to our faithful God.

During Rosanna’s teaching time, she referenced God’s faithfulness in drawing her atheist father to Him. She shared how he began to love Jesus so much, he followed Him into ministry and how God brought us together–which produced her! Our family had the joy of celebrating God’s legacy in both her and Andrew’s lives. I am amazed at how each of their children are choosing to follow Him in their own unique ways as well. Each of Rosanna’s siblings chose to take time from their lives to come and celebrate this milestone in their sister’s lives. Another reason to celebrate.

I know I am blessed to have all three of my children, their siblings and their children choosing to walk with Him. I have too many friends who are longing for that day to happen in their children/grandchildren’s lives. Please know–we were not perfect parents. Raising pastor’s kids is not easy as they are subject to the fishbowl of the congregation. One of the things we attempted to do was not be “religious” but we authentic believers. With Darryl not being raised in church with “religious trappings” helped us avoid that trap. He loved Jesus and His ways with every fiber of his being. We No comparison, but simply trying to help them understand “what the will of the Lord is”. There are two scriptures that were the foundations of our life, one we were given during our wedding ceremony. Whatever He says to you do it. John 2:5 NKJV. And this one in Ephesians 5:19. So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.

Presenting God’s will as the best will for our lives encouraged our family, even in the hard hard times, to turn to Him and trust Him. Bringing our children into the battles at their level to pray with us, helped them turn to Him during their own struggles. Celebrating this win for their sister was easy because they continue to pray for each other and genuinely want each other to succeed. Every celebration–birthday, anniversary, graduation or even celebration of life involves stories. I’m choosing to bring you into our celebration because it is better to celebrate together than alone. I know some of the cost it took for Andrew and Rosanna to get to this new chapter. I celebrate their faithfulness and surrender to our Lord. Darryl and I laid the best foundation we could–always trusting our good God to do the rest.

If your family story has more heart ache than heart joy, I am sorry. That doesn’t mean God doesn’t have good plans for you and yours. Try not to compare your story with ours. Scripture encourages us to mourn with those that mourn, and rejoice with those who rejoice. I pray you find it in your heart to rejoice with us. There were many mourning days to get to this point, trust me. Keep trusting and surrendering, “not my will, but Your will, O’ Lord”, will bring you to His good place. Keep sowing love, forgiveness and obedience–they always bear good fruit. This week, along with the church installation celebration, I get to celebrate my sister’s granddaughter before she leaves for her first year of college and a friends special birthday. What a joy to celebrate others as well. In a couple of weeks I will celebrate turning another year older. I am so grateful to make it this far. I know Darryl would have been so blessed to watch the answer to prayer this past Sunday. Although I know heaven is amazing, I was so grateful I was here to celebrate with my family!

Father, I thank you for allowing me to witness this milestone in my children’s lives. The prayers, the trust the obedience they have walked through was all worth it. You have been using them for years, this is just a bigger platform. Thank you for helping my friends celebrate the good things in their lives as well! In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires. Romans 13:14. NLT

Sunday, our Associate Pastor, Josh Hubbard, preached a sermon from Colossians 3:1-17. It was the final message in a series called “Healthy Home”. This topic has already been on my heart for all the marriages and families in our world today. One of the statements that hit me came from our Senior Leader, Pastor Michael Hurley. “Good can get in the way of godly. We don’t just want good marriages and families, we want godly marriages and families”. The only way we can achieve godly marriages and families is if we surrender to our God.

This led me to think about the “put on, put off” scriptures. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires: to be made new in the attitude of your minds: and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4: 22-24. Getting up in the morning, putting off my nightclothes and putting on my day clothes, I got to thinking. I usually think about what my day’s schedule is like and dress accordingly. My closet has some dressy clothes, winter and summer choices, and even some stay home and lounge clothes. As I have gotten older, I realize comfort is my go to outfit. If I don’t think I am going to leave the house, I gravitate to comfy slouch. If the day holds appointments or even grocery shopping I will opt for a bit more presentable look.

The question I pondered this week was, what does my attitude closet look like? What are my go to thoughts? In writing more to the Ephesians, Paul goes one to say: Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. Ephesians 4:25. If I want to speak truthfully to my neighbor, friend or family, how do I speak about them in my own heart? Colossians 3: 12, Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tender-hearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. When was the last time you woke up and said, “Hmmm, where is my tender heart? I must have misplaced it!” Paul’s admonition was given not only to the Colossae church, but also the church at Ephesus. Put on your new nature, created to be like God–truly righteous and holy. Ephesians 4:24. To the Romans he encouraged: But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. Romans 13:14. The Thessalonians he wrote: But since we belong tot he day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. I Thessalonians 5:8. Reading each of the scriptures, scattered throughout the New Testament, makes me understand it wasn’t just something for “them”, but it is for all of us believers to not only take notice of, but do.

Much of our American culture have relaxed their dress codes. The honor of dressing up for church, travel and even business meetings has slowly slipped to what we can get by with. Giving honor by using formal names such as Mr. or Mrs. has given way to George and Sue, no matter their age or status. Mrs. Rodman sounds so formal, but when or if I’m called by that name, I do feel a bit honored. Could it be even speaking with honor and respect instead of using cusswords would help us reflect on how we are spiritually dressed? My friends, if we put on the Lord Jesus Christ every day, how we might influence our world. So many are short tempered, given to abusive language, and contempt and still want to represent Him. I think this makes Him sad.

It’s easy to “gussy” up for strangers with our attitudes. But what about our family? Those close to us? Do they receive our tender-heart, kindness and patience? It isn’t easy, but I think they should receive the best of our first fruits. What fills your attitude closet? God’s ways? Or your ways? I once was a member of a holiness church. There was a dress code–especially for women. Unfortunately there was deep sin in the camp. As I look back I can only wish they would have talked about dealing with our heart dress instead of focusing so much on the outer dress.

Father, help us clean our closet. Show us the right attitudes that bring glory and honor to You. Forgive us for falling so short of these exhortations, in Jesus

My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways. Proverbs 23:26.NKJV

Is that a funny phrase? A given heart? As I was reading this verse in Proverbs it caught my attention. My son–what a joy to have a father that is asking for our hearts. He isn’t taking it, expecting it or demanding it. When children are small, they usually have a natural affinity to their parents. They are their heroes, no matter what. Later, as they grow it is a decision they can make. This father is asking for his sons heart.

The next part, “and let your eyes observe my ways”. As a parent it is so hard to do everything right, and that is ok. “Observe my ways” can also include learning from the father’s mistakes. But our Heavenly Father is a different matter. We can and should observe His ways. How do we do that? First, of course is the Word of God. I love watching how He interacts with His people in both the Old and New Testament. Observing His care, provision and wisdom in the scriptures is something we can all learn from.

Another way we can ‘observe’ His ways is reading about the saints that have gone on before. I recently watched a movie about George Whitfield, so inspiring. The Wesley brothers, William Booth, and Billy Graham are such inspirations. They help me living taller and stronger. I’ve gotten inspiration from reading about Corrie Ten Boom and her family’s courage to put their faith in action by hiding Jews in their home. They were then betrayed by a fellow Dutch folks and the whole family imprisoned. Her struggle to forgive and keep faith while watching the Nazi’s kill and torture so many gives my own struggles a hefty swat of perspective.

There are current heroes to my faith. Sheila Walsh and her openness about dealing mental illness. Joni Eareckson Tada, a 76 year old quadriplegic, who speaks, writes, draws and encourages many to keep their focus on the Lord and trust Him. She was paralyzed in her late teens and I have followed her story since then. The other day I heard to say, “I had to have a very long conversation with the Lord when I lost my ability to feed myself”. She doesn’t think it too hard that she is not only a quadriplegic, but a two time cancer survivor! Observing how our God helps her bear and get through these challenges is aweinspiring.

What about closer to home? I’ve observed His goodness this week, when we thought Becca’s aunt was going home to Jesus…but she has rallied and we get to celebrate her 85th birthday today. At the ER the other day, she was encouraging us not to complain but to praise the Lord in everything. Do you have a community of believers close and personal that you can observe Him in and through? How about yourself? Do you observe His goodness in and through your life? Acts 28:26 Paul wrote: Go and say to this people: when you hear what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend. For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes–so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them. My friends, let us freely given Him our hearts. Do not harden them, do not close your ears to His words of life or shut your eyes to His faithfulness. He is able to take you through, like He has these others. A given heart is a trusting heart. It is not always easy, but it is always good.

Father, I thank you that you receive our double minded, hard, deceitful hearts and turn them into soft hearts that you can write your words of life upon. Please help us listen to you, observe your ways so we may become more and more like you, in Jesus’ name. amen.

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you to but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8. ESV

I have a confession to make. I sometimes overthink life. The should’s, the could’s the what if’s try to sabotage my peace, my direction and my life. This verse is one of my “reset” verses. It brings me back to what actually our God does actually require of us, as His children. He wants us to follow Him.

Years ago my daughter graduated from then, Whitworth College (it is now an university). The President of the school gave an impactful graduation message. He admonished the students: some of you have chosen to follow Jesus Christ and His ways, others for whatever your own reasons have chosen not to follow Him. I would encourage both sets to make sure that it is the real Jesus you are following, or it is the real Jesus you have chosen not to follow. He went on to encourage those who chose not to identify with Jesus to make sure they weren’t rejecting Him because of His representatives on earth. It is my heart cry to be such an example of a believer that I wouldn’t hinder others from knowing our precious Lord by my behavior. But this week I began to examine maybe there are flaws in my thoughts about this REAL Jesus. Do I really comprehend Him in His fullness?

This week I meditated on Luke 12:49-50: I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning. I have a terrible baptism of suffering ahead of me, and I am under a heavy burden until it is accomplished. Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No. I have come to divide people against each other. When I pray and think of the Lord, I don’t think of Him as a divider. But, obviously, He is.

As I read these verses I found myself praying Father, will you show me the real Jesus? Who you actually are, instead of maybe the one I have pieced together for my own benefit. I used to think of you first and foremost as Savior and friend. Savior from my sins and myself. Friend so I would not be alone, a friend is someone we can talk to, share with and if needed cry with. Each of these are very self centered and immature. They are all about me. Very self-centered.

Then I began understanding His Lordship. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. I Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV. I am only beginning to understand what this means. Sunday morning I surrendered this week to the Lord in a different manner than usual. I simply prayed: Father lead and guide this week for me, to do much or little. I thank you for ordering my days and interactions as you will. In Jesus’ name, amen. The interesting thing was I wasn’t (anxious about this week. I wasn’t concerned or worried about anything. But the peace that descended on my heart went to a new level. Surrender is such a key part to a life that includes the REAL Jesus. If you love me, keep my commandments. John 14:15. NIV.

As Monday came around, I found myself making phone calls, meeting with people and flowing from one thing to another. The same thing happened on Tuesday. A chance encounter led to going to the movies and watching Young Washington! What a surprise blessing. I haven’t been to a movie theater in years. Wednesday plans got switched and my son’s in-laws brought lunch over so we could eat together, and then I was able to help my sister. So far today, Thursday, I had a surprise blessing from one of my granddaughters. So surrendering to the Lord and His will is not always denial, hardship and limitations. I don’t know if all of these blessings would have happened if I hadn’t prayed, but I do know I was much more aware of HIs leading because I did. The REAL Jesus we follow leads us through valleys and up to mountain tops. The good news is He shows up as Savior and Friend when we allow Him to be Lord. Keep on my fellow believers. As for God, his way is perfect. Psalm 18:30. NIV

No matter your circumstance, He is with you my friends. Stop and take a moment, seek Him in the midst of your circumstance and ask Him to show you what is good, how to act justly, to love mercy and most of all walk humbly with your God. You will never go wrong.

Father, I thank you for helping us understand how to follow the Real Jesus. Not one we make in our own hearts, but the one you truly are. Thank you for helping us be a light in the darkness to lead others to this real Jesus, In Your Name, amen.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 NLT

Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. This is not easy. My mind has been assaulted lately with regrets. Memories of things I can’t change. Wanting do overs in so many areas of my life. I mentioned one particular regret to my Life Group ladies last night. They were very quick to remind me to put on the helmet of salvation and let it go. The blessing of surrendering our regrets to the Lord is freedom! James 4:7 instructs us so humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. These condemning regret thoughts are definitely not my God’s thoughts toward me or the situation. As I humbled myself before the Lord, resisting the devil’s taunts he ran. The Holy Spirit began to show me God’s perspective, what a shift–from death to life! My choice: surrender to the condemning thoughts, or to the freedom of forgiveness and release? The end of Romans 12:2: then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. I know I have dealt with the issue of regrets before–but the learning obviously was not complete. I am grateful our teacher keeps on teaching us!

Another blessing of surrendering can be found in James 4:10. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. Our brother Joseph is such a good example for us. Sold into slavery by his brothers. Exalted to leadership in Potiphar’s house, then jailed on false accusations. Historians think he was in prison for 13 years, before he was given the opportunity to interpret Pharoah’s dreams. Here is a man who served humbly no matter where he was. As we learn to serve the audience of One–our Savior, He will advance us to where we need to be. Do your best and trust Him with the rest was one of my husband’s mottos. It brings the best peace into your lives.

Surrendering trust in His lifting you up or promotion frees us from competition with our brothers and sisters. It allows us to celebrate their wins and achievements. We become a better teammate because it is not about us, but about Him and His Kingdom, not ours.

The blessing of surrendering to His will not our own means we have access to His wisdom not our own. Many years ago, Darryl and I felt a change in the air. We spent time before Him asking for clear direction. It was such a difficult season with our choices affecting not only our family, but our church family in Oregon. During this season, my mom passed away. While we were meeting with her pastor, he said, “why don’t you come and help us here?”. He knew nothing about our prayer, but it ended up being the answer to our prayer. It has been thirty six years since we went through that door. We served and supported that church for twelve years, when once again the Lord said it was time to move. In 2002, we followed His leading to Lighthouse Christian Center (now Life Church). The blessing of surrendering to the field He calls is priceless.

The best blessing of surrender is no matter how difficult, we have the opportunity to fellowship with Him and His sufferings. That I may know him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, begin conformed to His death. Philippians 3:10.NKJV. There is something that happens when our surrender brings us to the opportunity of suffering. I watched my husband endure physical assaults twice while loving someone. It was hard. I have cried with the Lord over poor choices His children have made, knowing it broke His heart more than mine, was just a very small taste of fellowshipping with Him. Praying for our brothers and sisters in other lands who are being outright persecuted for His namesake, is part of fellowshipping with Him. Denying yourself because He said to use your finances differently is a blessing–then watching Him repay with untold joy and even more finances is an amazing blessing of surrender.

His road is the best road, no matter what it feels like. His road always leads to life eternal. Choose to surrender to His will, there will be no regrets in the end. He knows the cost for us and His knew the cost for himself. I believe it is always worth it…who else has the words of eternal life?

Father, I thank you for the blessing of surrender. No matter what my friends are facing, I ask you to give them the grace to say yes to your will. Thank you for the promise as we say yes you will change our thinking. We will learn to know your will and that is good and pleasing and perfect. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Pip: Faith Encounters is the kind of site that hands you a verse, a personal story about a lost blog draft, and a Greek word — and somehow you come out the other side thinking harder about your own week.

Mara: Martha Rodman has been writing her way through a wide stretch of territory here — trust and courage when trouble stirs, joy and what depletes it, and the whole texture of how Christians live and grow together in community.

Pip: Which, when you lay it all out, is basically the entire interior life plus everyone around you.

Mara: Let's start with what she returns to most — what it actually looks like to trust God when your heart is already troubled.

When Trouble Stirs: Choosing Trust Over Fear

Mara: The anchor question across several posts here is this: when bad news arrives and the heart starts to boil over, what do you actually do with that?

Pip: And the answer comes straight out of a personal disaster — a blog post that didn't save. She frames it against John 14, where Jesus tells the disciples, "Don't let your hearts be troubled," right after warning Peter he'll deny him three times.

Mara: The post "Faith and Choices" traces exactly why Jesus said it when he did. The disciples had just heard that one of them would betray him, that Judas had slipped away, and that Jesus was leaving somewhere they couldn't follow. Then comes the instruction: "Trust in God, and trust also in me."

Pip: So the command lands in the middle of maximum disruption. That's not coincidental placement.

Mara: She unpacks the Greek word for trouble — tarasso — which means to stir or agitate, like roiling water. Her point is practical: "If we continue to let the pot boil, it may boil over and others can be hurt by it."

Pip: The grocery store smile is doing real theological work there.

Mara: "Faith and Dealing with Discouragement" extends the same territory — she names discouragement as something Satan uses deliberately to stop forward movement, and she's specific about the tools: identify where it's coming from, replace the lie with truth, use worship, ask for prayer from other believers.

Pip: The Elijah-needed-a-snack moment is in there too, which is both accurate and deeply relatable.

Mara: "Faith and Distress" adds the Hebrew root — tsar, a sense of tightness or a narrow place — and holds it up against David in Psalm 18 and Paul in 2 Corinthians, both of whom cried out and were delivered. The through-line is: don't wait to call on him.

Pip: And "Faith and Trusting Faith" puts Moses at the Red Sea — army behind, water in front — and lands on God's response: why are you crying out to me? Move. Lift the staff.

Mara: She connects that to her own broken car and her college-bound grandchildren navigating choices. The instruction is the same in every scale of problem: take the first doable step and trust him for the next one.

Pip: From Red Seas to zip ties — which brings us somewhere worth pausing.

Joy Levels and What Depletes Them

Mara: The question these posts are asking is whether joy is something that just happens or something that requires active maintenance.

Pip: And the answer is firmly: maintenance. She uses a car oil light as the entry point in "Faith and Your Joy Level" — the warning wrench that says oil at fifteen percent — and asks why we don't pay the same attention to our own joy level dropping.

Mara: The anchor quote comes from "Faith and Restoring Joy," where she describes waking up feeling heavy and the Holy Spirit cutting through: "What would the outcome be of your cowering under the covers? You still have to face those things. Why not deal with it now?"

Pip: That is a very direct internal voice.

Mara: She traces the path back — prayer, worship music, gratitude for already-answered prayers — and lands on the song "Way Maker" as the thing that broke it open. Walking in joy, she writes, is contagious: "It not only helps strengthen ourselves, but also others."

Pip: "Faith and Healthy Eyes" takes a different angle on the same problem — where you fix your gaze determines what you see and where you drift.

Mara: She describes watching a children's talent show, growing bored and critical, and then hearing the Holy Spirit say: look at them, really look at them. The vision shifted. The point is that an unhealthy eye isn't just a vision problem — it shapes what flows out of the heart.

Pip: Joy and sight, it turns out, are the same conversation. Which opens directly into how we live that out alongside other people.

Rooted Together: Community, Resilience, and Christian Life

Mara: This is the widest stretch of ground — what it looks like to build a life of faith not just internally but in relationship with a church, a marriage, a neighborhood, and the next generation.

Pip: "Faith and Developing Resilience" kicks it off with an adult summer camp in February, which is exactly as cold and challenging as it sounds, and exactly as useful.

Mara: She defines resilience as the capacity to bounce back and adapt — then quotes Paul directly: "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed."

Pip: The physical therapy analogy earns its place — keep doing the reps even when you want to stop, because the strength comes from not quitting.

Mara: "Faith and Sowing and Reaping" is where the stakes get very personal. She describes her husband Darryl's stroke at an airport — the strangers who began CPR, the friend who drove her to the hospital, the church family who prepared the house, the occupational therapist who moved in and helped him learn to walk again.

Pip: That is an extraordinary catalog of the body of Christ showing up in real time.

Mara: Her point is that she spent years as a sower and then had to learn to be a reaper — and that both require faith. "Don't be afraid to sow, and don't be too proud to reap."

Pip: "Faith and Marriage Thoughts" is her fifty-second anniversary reflection — she shares the unlikely story of how she and Darryl met, and then pivots to the practical: see your spouse as God sees them, watch your tone, forgive quickly.

Mara: "Faith and The Gift of the Church" argues that the local church is a gift people too often walk away from wounded, and she takes that seriously — she asks anyone carrying church hurt to go back to the Lord rather than stay away.

Pip: "Faith and The Blessing of Kindness" makes the case that kindness benefits the giver, not just the receiver — Proverbs 17:11, and apparently also dopamine.

Mara: "Faith and Attitude" is built around Philippians 2:5 — have the same attitude Christ had — and she's honest that keeping a right attitude toward God is easier than keeping it toward his people.

Pip: "Faith and Listen" is a quieter post, almost a list of modes of listening — through the Word, through prayer, through pastoral teaching, through the still small voice — each one paired with a scripture.

Mara: "Faith and National Day of Prayer" comes out of her being asked to pray for the media at a local gathering. She's candid about the disillusionment in that space, but the post is ultimately about releasing faith in prayer rather than giving in to cynicism.

Pip: "Faith and Rooted" returns to the stroke story — this time her brother-in-law Mike — and uses her mother's hydrangea cuttings as the image: roots need time, care, and tamping down before they can hold against the elements.

Mara: "Faith and Generational Hope" closes the loop by asking what gets passed on. She points to Psalm 22:30-31 — "Our children will hear about the wonders of the Lord" — and presses the question: how do they hear if we don't share?

Pip: And "Faith and My Savior, Jesus" is the most personal of the group — a straightforward account of her own faith history, from a nine-year-old asking Jesus into her heart to the moment at the University of Washington when she asked him to be Lord, not just Savior.

Mara: It reads as the foundation underneath everything else in this collection.

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Pip: What holds all of this together is that the interior work — trust, joy, healthy eyes — and the relational work — church, marriage, generosity, the next generation — turn out to be the same work.

Mara: You can't separate them. The roots that hold you steady in a stroke storm are the same ones that make you capable of showing up for someone else's.

Pip: More from Faith Encounters next time — same territory, more ground to cover.

Mara: We'll be back.

Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness. Luke 11:35 NLT

Wow…This is quite a statement. The NIV version says: See to it then, that the light within you is not darkness. Our natural eye lets in light. God created our natural eyes to to take in light. That light is then focused by the cornea and the lens, which in turn is detected by sensors in the retina which sends nerve impulses to the brain. Our brain is wired in such a way that it interprets what all that means and we comprehend what we are looking at is a delicious cookie!

It is quite a gift He has given us–the gift of sight. Your eye is the lamp of your body (Luke 11:34 NIV). As I have gotten older, my eyesight has changed. I need prescription glasses to see both near and far. Soon I will need cataract surgery. It’s part of aging. But the good news is with adaptions I can still see to go about my life. Because of my glasses, I can drive safely, read warning labels on my medications and enjoy God’s creation. Vision is a gift from the Lord we should never take for granted. However, there are warnings embedded in these verses we need to heed.

Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness. See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. Luke 11:33-35.NIV. When we receive Jesus, the Light, our eyes are opened and the light comes in. We see things in new ways. Our perception shifts and we truly “see” for the first time. The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130. ESV Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105. These two verses are so true, but only if we allow the Word of God to enter our hearts.

The truth is where your eye looks, it is where you go. Trying riding a bike and look to the left–you will naturally drift to the left. It is the same with our spiritual walk. If we do not keep our eyes focused on Jesus and His ways, we will drift away from Him. Our eye must be single, not focused on the ways and things of this world. Too many Christians today try to live with one eye on Jesus and the other eye on the ways of the world. We can try to fool ourselves, but our vision will begin to be polluted-thus partial blind. However, Jesus is very clear that either we will be full of light or dark. The Bible Commentary uses the term: there is no twilight Christians. In other words we will not be able to see clearly. We may think we are, but it takes the Holy Spirit to interpret correctly what we see.

A few weeks ago I attended a Home Connection Talent Show. My granddaughter was on the program to sing one of her original songs. This program opened with the students from the tumbling class. As I watched I became bored and critical. Watching children performing similar variations on the forward roll became monotonous.I wanted the program to move on so I could hear my granddaughter. I started timing this act. Then very quietly, I heard the Holy Spirit speak to me. He said, “Look at the students. Really look at them”. My vision shifted and I began to see that most of these students would never be able to be on a stage, performing for their loved ones if they did not have this opportunity. It stopped being about me, and began to be about them. My friends, when our eyes are not focused on Jesus and His ways, we will often misinterpret what we should be seeing. Like me, your world vision may become critical, negative and harmful. Words of doubt and unbelief will flow from your heart, because is what you are seeing. Definitely and “unhealthy eye”. The only way we can keep clear vision is if we allow the Word of God to enter our hearts and illuminate all the dark corners. The truth of God’s Word can only set us free if we know it, trust it and walk in it. Developing faith eyes is the best way to walk through the valleys and mountains of life, my friends. Please stay in the Word…all of it. Take the time to read and study the convicting parts as well as the uplifting parts. It is the only way to develop healthy God vision.

Father, please help us develop healthy eyes. We want to see how you see. Forgive us for trying to develop dual vision. You are the Light that we need. In Jesus’ Name, amen.