Musings from My Sun Porch

                 Music has always been very important to me, even though I’m tone-deaf.   I love to sing, especially when there is a crowd that can help to drown me out when I get off-tune, which happens more often than I would like.   One of the things that I love about music is that the words often speak to our hearts.   That came to mind on Sunday as we raised our voices in praise to the Lord.   Here are some examples of what I mean.             When I was growing up, our congregation sang “Just as I Am” at the end of every Sunday evening service.   The verses of that song remind me that God invites each one of us to come to Him just as we are.   So many people think they must get their lives in order and be close to perfection before Christ will accept them.   Nothing could be farther from the truth.   He calls us to come to Him just as w...

                 This past Sunday, our minister asked the question:   who is Jesus?   As I thought about it this week, several things came to mind.   Some religions think He was a great prophet.   Another religion thinks He was a blasphemer.   Some skeptics say He was just a good man, and other cynics say He is just a prop for weak-minded individuals who need someone to lean on.               I say that none of those opinions matter.   What counts is who each of us says Jesus is.   That is a very personal question that we each must answer for ourselves.   For me, there is not one single answer to that question.   Rather, I have a multitude of answers that point to not only who He is but what He is in my life.               My answer begins with He is God!   He is a v...

                 At my doctor’s visit today, I complained that even though I have been trying to exercise more and be more careful about what I eat, I never seem to lose more than a pound or two.   The doctor’s answer was not what I wanted to hear but the more I think about it, the more sense it makes.   She said, “You are just maintaining.   To lose more, you must do more.”   That means more exercise and better food choices, not exactly what I had in mind.   I was looking for a quick fix but like most things in life, there isn’t one.             The same thing applies to our relationship with God.   If we pray and read a few Scripture verses every day, we will maintain a relationship with God, but we won’t grow in that relationship.   Ideally, none of our relationships with God should be the same as they were a year ago, or five years ago, or ten...

                 I begin today with a confession:   I am not a patient person.   Patience has never been one of my virtues, but God has been working on me in that area and I have seen some improvement.   This morning was a test.             After a routine doctor’s appointment for which I had to fast, I decided to treat myself to my favorite breakfast food, McDonald’s sausage and egg burritos.   I pulled into the drive-through, delighted to see that the line was relatively short.   I moved through the ordering process very quickly and the line kept moving steadily until it didn’t.   As I approached the pay window, the truck in front of me sat there and sat there and sat there.   Cars were backing up behind me, and even though the sign clearly said, “Have your payment ready”, it was obvious that he did not.   After a few minutes, I began to wo...

                 Believe it or not, this is my 100 th blog post.   When I began this project at the end of September 2022, I was still looking for purpose after my retirement.   Writing has always been an interest of mine, and over the years, I have accumulated notebooks and notes of various things that I have written.   Nothing sensational.   No publishing credits so far, but often I read a verse or hear a line on TV and my creative juices start to flow, so a blog seemed to be a good way to help put purpose back into my life.             I never expected to have a huge following or make money from this blog.   That wasn’t my purpose, which is a good thing since on a great day, maybe 15 people read it.   On an average day, two people read it.   So, you might be thinking, “Why bother?”   After all, it generally takes me at least an hour, usua...

                 As I was reading my devotion this morning, I came across John 10:10, where Christ says that He came that we might have life to the full or as some translations say, abundantly.   I’m sure that I’ve heard that verse a million times, but I don’t think I have ever stopped to consider what it means.   What does it mean to have life “to the full” or “more abundantly”?             It’s easy for us to describe what it does not mean because we live it every day.   Walking with Christ does not mean that everything will be perfect!   Our loved ones may still get sick and die.   We may still lose a job or be financially ruined.   Dreams may still be shattered.   Relationships may be torn apart.   In short, life may be a bed of roses, but you can be sure that the thorns will play a significant part.   Jesus told us that’s how it wo...

                 This week my friends and I studied the life of Gomer from the book of Hosea as we wrapped up our study of the women of the Old Testament.   I think we all agreed that this was one of the most difficult readings for us but once we began to understand the parallelism between the story of Hosea and Gomer contrasted against God and His relationship with the Israelites, it all became clearer.             Gomer betrayed her husband Hosea by committing adultery and having children with other men.   Yet, Hosea still redeemed her by purchasing her back from her life of prostitution.   Similarly, the Israelites turned their backs on the God who had saved them and instead worshipped idols.   Still, God ultimately redeemed them.               As we read and discussed the events of Hosea and Gomer...

                 We just completed the celebration of Labor Day, a day that has been set aside to recognize those who labor to make our society function.   Everyone would agree that we need electricians, plumbers, waiters and waitresses, truck drivers, airline pilots, and the list could go on.   In today’s culture, we might have a little more difficulty agreeing on whether we need cashiers (self-checkout has taken over), policemen (although the crime rate seems to be reminding more people that they are necessary), and lawyers (they sometimes cause more trouble than they solve.   I can say that since I am one.)             While all these roles and so many more may be needed, unfortunately, many of us find ourselves in jobs that we hate or that give us no satisfaction.   We stay because we need a paycheck or insurance, or we just need to feel productive in some s...

                 Tough days and even tougher nights.   We’ve all had them.   Those are the times that we wish Christ had skin so we could just cuddle up in His arms and let Him make everything right again.   Knowing He is with us doesn’t always keep us from asking “why”.   Why me?   Why another problem, especially when you feel like you have already had your share?   The “why” can almost overwhelm us at times.             Paul, in II Corinthians, gives us one possible answer to those questions.   Perhaps it is so that we can comfort others who are experiencing the same kinds of trials and problems.   I’ve often watched as ladies rally around another lady who has been diagnosed with cancer or has a child with an addiction.   Why?   Because they have been there.   They’ve experienced those sleepless nights not knowing if the trea...