The Plumbline

No matter what...  These words create a picture of determination, don't they? When we proclaim them, we are usually acknowledging there will be hurdles in our path that must be tackled and even mountains that must be scaled. We are not willing to allow what stands in our way to impede our progress. When we say we are determined, we are indicating we have made a decision - one we will stand upon 'no matter what'. We are 'firm' in our commitment and are committed to the course, even though it is going to challenge us. In healthcare today, we have to exhibit this kind of determination against all manner of viral, bacterial, or combined attack. It also seems that we must exhibit great determination just to find groceries, necessities, and ways to keep our children busy right now. Regardless of the course ahead of you, determination is called for!

But blessed is the one who trusts in Me alone; the Eternal will be his confidence. He is like a tree planted by water, sendin…

I remember when my kids were quite little and they just knew the flavor of breast milk, but they also needed water from time to time. They weren't all that fond of the 'lack of taste' the water had - often turning away from the offered water because it was flavorless and 'not the same' as what they were used to taking in. Over the course of time, they experimented with new 'tastes' as we added in cereals, ground up veggies, and fruits. What happened was that they began to taste and found that what they were offered wasn't all that bad! We started with veggies and worked our way up to fruit. If we'd have started with all the sweet stuff first, they likely would not have developed any appreciation for the other stuff in life that provided ongoing nourishment for their bodies. Sometimes we just need to 'taste and see' in life. We need to know there will always be things that aren't all that appealing to our 'taste', but they may ver…

Whether you call it social-distancing, self-quarantine, or deliberate-isolation, it all equates to us spending time away from the ones we may see on a regular basis at work, church, school, or in other social settings. I have observed many getting very creative about how to occupy their time, creating all manner of funny social posts, baking, and even creating fun activities for the kiddos who are bored out of their minds right about now. I also observed some being very creative in sharing their interests, like the online choir that all log in at the same time, practice their song, then create a lovely multi-state, multi-nation choir online! Now that is creative and what an awesome outlet for your talent. Thank you to all who are listening to the advice of our medical leaders across this country and abiding by the social-distancing / self-quarantine practices. You may not ever know how many times your steps were kept from passing through the path of this disease. Our soul may desire t…

Mom always taught me to treat others as I wanted to be treated myself. If you have seen how some of the grocery store staff are being treated today, you might just realize there are a whole lot of people out there who didn't learn this lesson very well when they were growing up! Complaints, anger, and even disgust at not having enough of this or that on the shelves, as though it were the fault of the cashier, stocker, or even the store manager! Have you ever written a letter of complaint? Perhaps you received less than stellar service, or the product we received just did not live up to your expectations - instantly launching into the "complaint" mode. Our psalm today begins as a letter of complaint. His observation: Things just weren't working out as well as he'd hoped - either for himself or the evil people around him. We all have expectations of how things should work, but does that mean they will always work that way? Not likely!

Whom have I in heaven but y…

Stop for just a moment to consider a well-worn path - one that has become hardened because of the frequency of the passage over that path. As I hike in national and state parks, I look for the well-worn paths because I know someone has gone down that path enough to have 'carved out' that path. The only problem with always traveling the well-worn path is that sometimes it isn't going to lead you exactly where you'd like to end up. I know that there are hardened paths, well-worn ones, that are the result of sinful choices in my life. These are the ones I'd really not like to continue to travel!

The Eternal is my shepherd, He cares for me always. He provides me rest in rich, green fields beside streams of refreshing water. He soothes my fears; He makes me whole again, steering me off worn, hard paths to roads where truth and righteousness echo His name. (Psalm 23:1-3)
Why does a path become 'well-worn'? Isn't it because it has been traversed so many times t…

The man who is swimming against the stream knows the strength of it.  (Woodrow Wilson)
What is the 'stream' you are attempting to navigate right now? Is it more like a raging river about to overflow the banks? Or is it more like a babbling brook? Either way, there is still a 'current' to your day. The 'stream' you are navigating doesn't have to have a strong current to make it hard to maintain 'stability' in the midst of it. Right now your 'stream' might be 'sheltering in place' with a house full of kids, spouse, and even an elderly parent. You are attempting this 'work from home' thing and your patience is being tried by the slowness of your internet connection, or the lag VPN can have. Whatever your stream - it has a current - but you don't have to be carried away by it!
I have told you these things so that you will be whole and at peace. In this world, you will be plagued with times of trouble, but you need not fear; …