by Alison

Noisy

Stomp. Thud. Whack. The ceiling sounds like it’s ready to rain down on us.

I smile and look down at my little hound dog, Daisy. Ruff! [Whimper.] She can’t decide if she’s defending our home or needing to cower.

Roofers rule the top of our house, showing the old, damaged shingles no mercy. The noise and commotion sound great to my ears. I know we’re getting the shelter of a much-needed new roof in return.

Daisy’s not convinced. I wish I could explain it to her. Wish she’d trust me when I tell her over and over, “It’s okay.”

She tucks her tail and paces anyway.

Do you think God ever feels like we do?

He allows noise and scary commotion in our lives to grow and benefit us. Out with the old, damaged bits. In with the new and improved things we need to heal and to carry out His will.

But we don’t understand or glimpse the big picture. We just feel the confusion.

He knows that. And He tries to comfort us. “It’s okay,” He whispers to us over and over. He wishes we’d just believe Him.

We’d do well to listen to the whisper and take shelter in His arms.

Even if we won’t understand this side of heaven.

 

 

Review: Whisper on the Wind

Once a month I offer a review– usually fiction, sometimes non-fiction, sometimes movies/TV. Grab your favorite hot beverage (mine’s a mocha), and let’s talk!

This month we’ll whisk away to World War I in Belgium, 1916, in Maureen Lang’s Whisper on the Wind.

Rating: 5 out of 5 mochas

What it’s about: Isa and Edward have known each other forever. Now the terrifying German army occupying their homeland makes this war feel like it’ll go on forever. Can they operate their underground resistance newspaper and survive? Will it bring them together or will the war tear them apart?

You might like this if you like: Historical fiction in general, Downton Abby, the movie Swing Kids (even though it’s about World War II)

What I’ve liked: Whisper on the Wind sticks with the reader long after “The End.” I read this, oh, maybe two years ago. Even now I see the streets of their Belgian city and feel the desperate tension from the deadly enemy’s occupation and all-seeing eyes. Lang combines vivid detail and action with the emotion of well-developed characters. This is one of those stories that makes you feel like you have an idea of what it was like to live during this terrible time. It also illustrates inspiring bravery and heroism borne from necessity.

I’m not crazy about: Maureen Lang can’t help this, but I didn’t like that real people had to endure such conditions during this war. It’s sobering, but we can’t ignore what happened.

The bottom line: I’m so glad I picked up Whisper on the Wind. Lang wove a rich tapestry of story featuring characters who mirrored real-life homeland heroes.

What about you? Do stories based on real events, like this book, draw you or make you shy away?

 

Say It! Three Reasons to Praise God

If someone knew God based solely on what you said about Him, what would they know?

He’s put it on my heart lately that too often I’m silent about Him–His work, His worthiness, His love and care for us.

Can you relate? It’s not that I’m mute on the subject on purpose. It’s that a day, a week, can go by and I don’t realize that ears around me haven’t heard two words from me that praise Him specifically.

David didn’t have that issue. The Psalms bulge with his specific praise of God. Here are just two:

I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.  ~Psalm 34:1

We praise you, God, we praise you, for your Name is near; people tell of your wonderful deeds.  ~Psalm 75:1

And did you notice something about these verses? Verse one, both of them. David kicks things off with praise of God. It’s not an afterthought. How often do my friends and family hear God’s praise first from me, not last?

But it can be a win-win for God and for us:

1. God deserves our praise and acknowledgment, period. When we speak highly of Him, it blesses Him.

2. It’s gets us outside of ourselves. Have you ever noticed that it’s easy to focus on ourselves and our problems? Telling about what God has done gives us the gift of perspective. We’re reminded that God is faithful and loving. It’s hard to wallow or be negative when we look up at Him.

Not only that, but…

3. Praising God in our everyday life holds out hope to those who need it. You never know when something seemingly insignificant that we mention is just what someone needed. It may even point them to Jesus for the first time.

I think it’s high time I loosen my lips and invite God into the conversation.

How about you? Do you find it easy or challenging to bring God into your daily conversations?

 

 

 

 

Speaking out loud about what God is doing.

Why? God commands it, it blesses others, it blesses us

How? Awareness, then everyday conversation

 

Time Travel: VE Day!

“Germany Surrenders”

“It’s All Over”

“It’s V-E Day!”

“VICTORY”

The headlines and crowds shouted the good news. The war in Europe was finally over! This week marks the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day.

Only in my imagination can I guess what that felt like the world over–the joy that came at a staggering price. At least we have pictures, recordings, and some precious folks who lived through it to tell us. Here are a few of those reminders.

Video: The History Channel’s World War II in HD

How about you? How do you think you would’ve celebrated? And if you remember that day, tell us about it!

 

 

 

“But I Don’t Have Time!”: 3 Ways to Fit More Bible into Your Day

Do you wish you had more time to read your Bible? Okay, let me flip that around: Do you know anyone (who’s a Christian) who doesn’t wish they had more time for the Bible?

We’ve been in youth ministry for 21 years next month. At the mention of reading the Bible and spending time with God, almost on cue one of  the teenagers pipes up in a sincere voice, “But I don’t have time to read my Bible or pray every day!” I’m sympathetic, but I also suggest that if they don’t make time now, they won’t have time as adults, either.

At least they’re honest. And if we’re honest, it’s easy to find ourselves at the end of a hectic day and realize we didn’t so much as give God a “What’s up?” nod. Here are some simple ideas to add more Bible to your day.

1. Bedside Bible. Keep your Bible, or your Kindle/reading device with the Bible loaded, by your bed. Having it close will make it easier to read before your go to bed or, my preference, as soon as you wake up. Nothing starts the day like laying eyes on scripture as soon as they open.

2. Take advantage of throw-away minutes. Read during pauses in your day–the ATM line, the doctor’s waiting room, or the checkout line at the store. So often it’s easier to do mindless things like catch up on Facebook or browse magazines. We do need those mental breaks, but try using one of those times each day to read the Bible instead. See how it affects your outlook.

3. Post verses somewhere visible. Think about your daily routine. Where does your gaze land each day? The bathroom mirror, your car, your phone, the medicine cabinet? Try posting a verse each week in one of those places. Once, I took a picture of a passage with my phone and made that the “wallpaper” photo. I saw it each time a picked up my phone.

A long time ago I told my dad, “But I don’t have time for [some task I’ve now forgotten].” He shared this wisdom: “You’ll make time for the things that are important.” That stuck with me. Spending time in the Bible each day is crucial, and we’re blessed when we take advantage of reading God’s messages to us.

How about you? What tips do you have for adding more verses to your day?