strength

Strength and Courage

Last month I shared that my word for 2023 is courage and my verse is Joshua 1:9.  

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage;
do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. (NKJV)

To remind me of my word and verse for the year, I ordered this cup. (Notice my cat, Paka, looking out the window at the bird feeder!)

I enjoy a homemade mocha most mornings while focusing on God’s Word, praying, or writing.

Along with my word and verse, last month I posted this acrostic created using the word courage, reminding me of areas to focus on to draw closer to the Lord in 2023.

 Call upon the Lord with both big and little decisions.

Open my heart to Him in worship.

Unite with others for fellowship and accountability.

Remember the Lord is always with me.

Allow God’s love to lead me—not fear.

Grow in His Word.

Endure through the hard times and never give up.

Three weeks ago, the Lord directed me to step out in strength and courage to incorporate five of the seven letters above by doing one thing—joining a women’s Bible study. This Bible study is fifty miles away from my home. And if you remember from my last blog post, driving is not my favorite thing to do.

Which five letters? O—open my heart to Him as we gather together in worship; U—unite with other women for fellowship and accountability; R—remember the Lord is always with me even while driving; A—allow God’s love to lead me and not fear on the long trek; G—grow in His Word through participating in the Bible study.

Fortunately, after thirty miles, I’ll join a couple of other ladies and ride with them the rest of the way. And God will be with me ALL the way. Even while driving on the Interstate.

Although it’s a long way to travel, I’m looking forward to meeting new people and growing closer to the Lord through this time of study with other ladies.

I hope your 2023 is off to a good start and you’re growing closer to the Lord too. May He lead you into the truth of His Word and guide you with strength and courage to fulfill His plan and purpose for your life.

Top Photo by Greg Rosenke - Unsplash

Winding Roads

For the past three years, I’ve chosen a word and Bible verse to focus on during the new year. This year, my word is courage, and my verse is Joshua 1:9.

Webster’s New World Dictionary defines courage as the attitude of facing and dealing with anything recognized as dangerous, difficult, or painful, instead of withdrawing from it; quality of being fearless or brave; valor.

I dislike driving. The older I get, the more difficult it becomes. And the Interstate is the worst with people flying by me at fifteen to twenty miles per hour over the speed limit.

This week I had an eye doctor’s appointment. A drive that could have taken me twenty-five minutes took me at least ten minutes longer by avoiding the highways, and it was worth it to me. But I’ve found that I don’t care to drive the back roads either. Here in Tennessee, the roads I often drive on are hilly, narrow, and winding with drop-offs along them. Not wanting to drive causes a problem when I need to go somewhere or meet with someone.

I need to face this difficult situation before I become a hermit. I need courage. Fortunately, I know the Lord promises to be with me wherever I go. My strength and courage grow in knowing He is by my side.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage;
do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God
is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9, NKJV

I need courage in other areas of my life, too, but I’ll spare you that list. Below, I created an acrostic, using the word courage, of areas to work on to draw closer to the Lord in 2023 and to develop more courage in my life.

Call upon the Lord with both big and little decisions.

Open my heart to Him in worship.

Unite with others for fellowship and accountability.

Remember the Lord is always with me.

Allow God’s love to lead me—not fear.

Grow in His Word.

Endure through the hard times and never give up.

May your year be filled with love, joy, peace, and courage. And please share below your word or verse of the year for 2023 if you have one.

     Webster’s New World Dictionary, 2nd college ed. (1984), s.v. “courage.”

Photo by Jason Leung - Unsplash

He's Holding on To You

My husband and I like to hike. We spend time in God’s creation to appreciate His beauty, get needed exercise, and to be together as a couple. On an outing last week, we traveled over sixty miles to visit South Cumberland State Park here in Tennessee. We have hikes much closer to home, but we drove to a park near the setting of my fictional series, Love in Pleasant Springs. Though we didn’t see what we’d hoped to find.

We visited Foster Falls, where Luke, the hero in Book Two, plans to propose to Lanie, the heroine. But his plan falls through because of an interruption. Don’t worry! It’s a romance! He’ll get another chance.

Despite a glitch in his plans, they enjoy a lovely view of the waterfall, a picnic, and a kiss or two. They’re together and happy after several misunderstandings and disappointments in their stormy relationship.

Kenn and I endured a hiccup, too, on our hike. We made a steep, rocky climb down to the waterfall and crossed a suspension bridge near the base of the falls. But what we saw differed from my two characters. Only a trickle of water fell into the gorge below.

Were we disappointed after what some might consider a strenuous trail for two senior citizens? A little. But I got what I wanted—to see and sense the location for a scene in my story. What might the characters experience while there? Could they enjoy a picnic at the falls, or would they need to hike back to the trailhead to eat their dinner? Was the suspension bridge wobbly? How could that play into my story?

Kenn and I shared special moments that day. We were alone to appreciate God’s goodness and peace. After several minutes and many photos, we made the trek back to our car. The upward climb out of the gorge was steep, but worth it. We even found another trail to hike. We weren’t ready to quit.

Life is like that, isn’t it? Our plans don’t always turn out as we envisioned. Disappointments come, and we may want to give up. But God gives us strength to keep going.

I love the Bible’s stories of faith and trust. Stories of people with problems and triumphs we can learn from. God hasn’t changed. His Word applies to us today. We find hope and determination to persevere. God walks alongside us through our disappointments and struggles. Hang onto Him and don’t let go! He’s holding on to you!

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he increases strength.
Isaiah 40:28-29, ESV

Are You Weary or Soaring?

On a trip to the Oregon coast, my husband and I watched as a bald eagle swooped down, snatched a young bird from a cliff, and carried it off in his talons. As symbols of strength, freedom, and victory, eagles are powerful both in flight and with their vision. They fly at impressive heights and wait patiently for their prey. They also have excellent eyesight and focus with clarity.

Perhaps the imagery of power, patience, and focus is expressed in the following Scripture.

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow
weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31, NIV

The New King James version reads, wait on the Lord. This is not a passive waiting but a faith-filled expectancy as we hope in Christ and what He is doing in our lives.

As we wait on the Lord and pray for Him to move in our situation, He renews our strength. That’s one way we grow in our faith walk with Christ.

Eagles soar without using much energy. They don’t tire or grow weary easily. If we keep our focus on Jesus, and what He endured for us, we won’t give up either.

Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners,
so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:3, NIV

Jesus knows the obstacles we meet each day. He knows what’s happening around us and understands our turmoil, angst, and impatience. He gives us strength to overcome every obstacle in our path.

Covid-19 may have disrupted our lives and normalcy and caused us to feel perplexed and struck down. But according to 2 Corinthians 4:8-10, we are not crushed, in despair, abandoned, or destroyed when we are in Christ Jesus.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18, NIV states—

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting
away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen,
but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary,
but what is unseen is eternal.

I believe Paul was saying we shouldn’t give up or give in to discouragement, for our spirit is being renewed each day. In the grand scheme of things, our troubles here are temporary, but our hope in Christ and eternal life are so much greater. As we place our hope and faith in Him, may we eagerly await our future joy together.

We can soar on eagle’s wings if we stay focused on Christ.

Title photo by Sean McGee - Unsplash

Photos below by LuAnn K. Edwards.
Mama bird was not happy with Mr. Eagle!

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