Tracy's Blog

Life is a whirlwind right now with the end of school and many special events (at work, church, and school) .... the biggest one being our oldest son's Grade 12 graduation coming up on Monday.  I find that when I am in a "whirlwind" time of life, one of the things I need most is to be still. To obey His command to " be still and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10) To be able to " be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him" (Psalm 37:7) To trust that "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still .” (Exodus 14:14) How do we practice this when there is so much to do?  When our schedules and brains are so full? When the challenges demand more time than there are hours in the day and more work than we are capable of? In the moment... in the now... by faith. A simple way would be to take a minute and pray through one of the three verses above.  Telling God about what has you "moving" and asking Him for the trust and...

Sometimes kids do things that make us laugh and sometimes they do things that make us think.  Awhile back, a delightful three-year old I know did both.  It was during a special service at church where the children were sitting up at the altar for part of it.  The particular thing that made me laugh and think was during the prayers of the people when part way through she said, in a not so quiet voice, "When is this going to stop?"  Now, she was just expressing how she felt ('this is going on way too long') and that made me smile.  But why did this get me thinking?  Basically because her words struck a chord.  Isn't that what is underneath many of the prayers that we pray and pray and pray?  The prayers that we keep bringing to God over the weeks, months and years.  The prayers that haven't been answered yet.  The prayers that are often prayed in tears or anger. We want to know when the pain or suffering or trial or war or ill...

The Psalm appointed for last Sunday in the lectionary was Psalm 138.  I found it very encouraging.  Here it is from the ESV: I give you thanks, O Lord , with my whole heart;      before the gods I sing your praise; 2  I bow down toward your holy temple      and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,      for you have exalted above all things      your name and your word. 3  On the day I called, you answered me;      my strength of soul you increased. 4  All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O Lord ,      for they have heard the words of your mouth, 5  and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord ,      for great is the glory of the Lord . 6  For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly,      but the haughty he knows from afar. 7  Th...