Wings of Hope | United States | All That I Am Today

This month, I share how the still, small Voice of my Creator helped me with a major decision.

If you would like to comment on one of the articles you read here, there is an email form at the bottom of the page for you to do so. I look forward to hearing from you!

Sacrifice of Thanksgiving

Psalm 107:21-22

"Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his

wonderful works to the children of men! And let them sacrifice the

sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing."

When I think of the word "sacrifice", I think of something I'm giving up.

Something I'm abandoning or releasing from my life. Something which

will cause me discomfort when I give it away. But this Psalm sheds a

different light on the subject. If we see "sacrifice" through the eyes

of the Being to Whom we are making the sacrifice, the word takes on

a whole new meaning. In this context, "sacrifice" becomes a gift

we are giving . . . to the One Who has given us everything!

See you next time . . .

To His Glory . . . BJ

The Best Defense

THE BEST DEFENSE

October 14, 2022

It is often said that “the best defense is a good offense.” Seems logical; almost understandable. But what about when the person in question is a Christian? SHOULD we launch an offensive when we feel we need defended? Let me share a recent experience, and I’ll let you decide . . .

Beloved husband and I were enjoying our usual Sunday evening ritual: snacks and a movie. Well, the snacks were sort of hit-and-miss – nothing formal. Trying to satisfy my incessant sweet tooth, I got up in search of . . . something.

It was my second trip to the kitchen, and the second time I returned with a snack without asking beloved husband if he wanted anything while I was up. His playful sense of humor immediately came into play. Both times, he said, “Sure! Don’t bring me any.”

The first time, I didn’t think much of it, because he had a bowl of ice cream in his hands. The second time was a different story. I snapped. Accusing him of implying how selfish I was, I said some very angry, unkind things. Then, I cried, and sulked while I continued crying.

After a little bit, I realized how foolishly I had reacted. In reality, I was feeling guilty for not being more thoughtful and considerate toward my husband. The truth was, I hadn’t even thought to ask Rich if he wanted anything while I was up. On neither trip had I considered my husband. I FELT selfish! And ashamed. That’s what was behind my outburst.

When he came over to give me a hug, he apologized for hurting my feelings. “No. I’m sorry!” I said through my tears. “I should never have yelled at you like that. I’m SO sorry! I never even thought to ask if you wanted anything, and that was selfish of me. I’m sorry, honey.”

After owning my mistake, I immediately began to feel better. That started me thinking . . . my old habits of behavior no longer seemed to fit my life. They certainly didn’t make me feel good when I engaged in them! In fact, I felt horrible after my angry outburst. Maybe that wasn’t because my husband had been wrong.

Maybe I felt horrible because I was wrong . . . because I had offended God when I barked at my husband that way. Certainly, God wouldn’t let me get away with such an offense. The conviction He caused in my spirit led me to apologize. After I did, I felt unburdened almost immediately.

So, my friends, I leave it to you: IS a good offense REALLY the best defense when our feelings are hurt? Does it REALLY make us feel better? Vindicated? Superior? Or . . . does our walk with God nullify this popular old adage, once and for all? Think carefully, my dears . . . and let your heart be guided by the Spirit which God placed there.

See you next time . . .

To His Glory . . . BJ

Luke 8:24

Stand With God

Luke 8:24

"And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, 'Master, master, we perish.'

Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water:

and they ceased, and there was a calm."

In this chaotic, topsy-turvy world, there are those who would silence God's message . . .

but His plan for the world WILL be fulfilled. However frightening the storm becomes,

STAND firmly in His Word and know that He is with you.

See you next time . . .

To His Glory . . . BJ

Part of the story

PART of the Story

August 12, 2022

There’s a delightful Hallmark Christmas movie about a small cookie company that is going to be forced to succumb to automation. Although the people who work there oppose the idea, they feel powerless to stop it. The new owners insist it is necessary in order to save the company . . . that the change will save a lot of money.

As plans proceed, however, they run into a problem – which comes to light at virtually the last minute before the unwelcome change is to be implemented. Ready to step up to full automation, the new owners inquire about the company’s cookie recipes. It is then discovered that none of the company’s famous recipes are written down – anywhere. Each worker knows ONE part of a cookie’s recipe, and it has been committed to memory. When all of the memorized elements are combined, they produce a treat than cannot be duplicated.

I was reminded of this movie recently, when I was thinking about our current information age. We love the idea of being able to share or receive a story as soon as it takes place. We have the ability to spread that story, across the globe, in a matter of moments. We don’t even need special equipment: our cell phones will record the video AND share it with the world! It’s wonderful, but it also poses a problem.

“Instant” and “Quick” often result in “partial” or “incomplete” information. Sometimes, they even relay “inaccurate” information. Plus, the built-in ability to edit or modify an image means we can manipulate that image. We can alter it to suit our own viewpoint. I recall one powerful example of this.

A group of police officers are under attack by an angry mob of protestors. A group of men – of multiple races and backgrounds – form a line between the police officers and the protestors. An observer takes out his phone and records it on video – and shares that video on social media. In a matter of hours, the video has reached tens of thousands of people. Many viewers are outraged. Why? Because what they SEE – what the picture looks like – is an angry mob attacking men of color while the police stand back and do nothing.

Like our fictional cookie factory worker, each viewer only has PART of the story. This one has the icing recipe (in this case the image in the video), but has no idea what’s in the cookie upon which she spreads that icing (the story behind the images in the video). Any time we see a news story or social media post, we need to remember the fictional cookie factory in our movie. We need to withhold our opinion until we can acquire ALL the information.

Also, we would be wise to avoid reacting to such a post until we can obtain more information. What happened before the camera started to roll? Why did that person commit that act? What took place before the shot was fired? Why are those men of color just standing there like that?

In Journalism class, we were taught that a story must answer several questions: who? what? why? when? where? and how? If the story we’re reading (or hearing, or watching) does not answer those questions, it is NOT complete. It is only part of the story.

As Christians, we are called to stand on the Truth. We owe it to the One Who saved us to make sure we ONLY speak Truth. If we only know part of a story, it would be best if we don’t participate in sharing that story at all, no matter how interesting it seems. It doesn’t matter how popular that partial story becomes, or how many people believe it. God calls us to protect the Truth . . . and to speak that Truth in a loving, gentle way.

See you next time . . .

To His Glory . . . BJ

Proverbs 22:6

Happy Father's Day!!!

Proverbs 22:6

"Train up a child in the way he should go:

and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

See you next time . . .

To His Glory . . . BJ

The End

THE END

May 1, 2022

Every time some significant event happens in the world, people talk about the end times with renewed urgency and concern. Each time, they are more certain than ever that the end is near. When I was growing up, what I heard about the end times always frightened me. All I remember hearing is statements like, “The end of life as we know it.” A terrifying thought, to a 10-year-old child.

Fortunately, my perspective has changed over the years. The closer I get to God, the more it changes. I still hear that same phrase – “the end of life as we know it” – but I hear it differently. For me, it has taken on a completely different meaning. Think about it . . .

Life, as we know it – as we have always known it – is full of awful things. Every day, this world is filled with hate, anger, crime, greed, violence . . . every form of fear and evil humans can dream up to inflict upon one another. The ugliness created by our sinful nature is all around us, all the time.

It's in our schools, our workplaces, our streets, our homes, our communities. Sometimes, it is even in our churches. It is everywhere we look. It is perpetrated by men . . . women . . . young people. No one, from any walk of life, is exempt. Would it be so awful if THAT ended?

If the end times is, truly, the end of life AS WE KNOW IT, imagine the potential magnitude of that phrase. No more hate, resentment, or bitterness. No more crime – of any kind. No one humiliating someone else, just so they can feel superior. No more greed or lust. No violence. Nothing that invokes fear in our hearts. No evil – of any kind – ever.

That doesn’t sound so bad to me. Today, when I think of “the end”, I think of these hopeful images. I imagine a world where love, compassion, and kindness have replaced ALL types of evil. Where people help each other achieve the amazing things God created them to achieve. Where we are excited about the wonderful things that happen to others, instead of being jealous and envious. I see a world at which God smiles because it is, finally, what He intended it to be.

Whenever I consider those changes to this world, I am filled with peace. My heart fills with joy as I realize I am no longer afraid. I don’t know when the end times will come, and that’s okay. Scripture tells us that only God knows when that day will come (Matthew 24:36).

I’m okay with that. I am perfectly content entrusting the end of all things to the One Who Created the beginning of all things. May I live my life in a way that shows Him how grateful I am for the peace He has given me about this. In a way that demonstrates what could happen when we reach “the end of life as we know it.” Thank you, Father, for taking away my fear.

See you next time . . .

To His Glory . . . BJ

Happy Easter

Happy Easter, Everyone!!!

Matthew 11:28

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

See you next time . . .

To His Glory . . . BJ

Don't Throw Stones

DON'T THROW STONES

March 1, 2022

In John 8:7, Jesus says, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.”

He is speaking to the scribes and Pharisees, who have brought an adulteress before Him for punishment. After He spoke, He looked away and, one by one, they all dropped their stones and quietly left the temple. When Jesus looked up, only He and the woman remained. His final words to her, before she left the temple, were, “. . . go, and sin no more.”

We’ve heard this story many times. We’ve heard these two comments from Scripture many times. Personally, I have the comment about the stone pinned on my prayer board. When I looked at it one recent morning, an important question crossed my mind:

How do I apply this statement to my daily life in the 21st Century?

Honestly, I believe the answer to that question is, perhaps, far more simple than we might think. In today’s world, we are inundated with opportunities to make assumptions about other people. We are surrounded by half-truths, one-sided stories, and information designed to manipulate our opinions. Homemade videos portray people’s difficulties as a form of entertainment – a chance to humiliate them.

Everywhere we look, we can find something to provoke us – to extract a strong reaction from us. Newspapers, billboards, magazines, bulletin boards. The news, the internet. Social media. Even phone calls from mechanical or digital devices. ‘The stories’ are virtually EVERYWHERE.

They all have ONE vital truth in common . . . we only know what we’re told. In NONE of the information sources I’ve mentioned can we possibly know the whole story. Therefore, how can we possibly justify passing judgment on ANYONE in that story?!?

Jesus made it perfectly clear, in Matthew 7:1 . . .

“Judge not, that ye be not judged.”

Before you post your comment to that story you saw on Social Media . . . before you assume to know all the answers . . . before you harden your heart with judgment and criticism . . . remember what Jesus said in these passages. Choose your words wisely. Or, better yet . . . put down your stones and walk away.

See you next time . . .

To His Glory . . . BJ

Protected

PROTECTED

February 1, 2022

During my prayer time one morning, I quickly realized I was riddled with anxiety over a myriad of foolish human concerns. When this happens, I try to be honest and transparent with God about it. On this particular day, I began expressing my feelings to Him openly. As I did, I was looking out my window.

Once again, my eyes fell upon a large tree that stands a half block away from our house. Often, I see some significant shape in its branches as I pray. Usually, the shape relates to my thoughts in some special way. This day was no different.

As I wept under the weight of my anxieties, pouring my heart out to God, I saw a curiously comforting shape. Surrounding the central-core branches of the tree – where the main trunk rises up and divides – a sort of dome shape seemed to appear.

Rather than being round, it was more . . . egg-shaped. Wide and sturdy at the bottom, the two sides curved upward, meeting in the middle just above those central branches. It looked as though it had formed a sort of force-field around those branches – shielding them from attack.

As soon as I saw it, I felt my spirit begin to relax. I felt encircled by God’s peace. In the imagery I saw, He reminded me that He always has His mighty arms securely wrapped around me.

This experience was a stunning reminder that I am perfectly safe within that embrace. In the amount of time it took for me to grasp that understanding, my anxieties completely dissipated. As God’s Word promises us over and over again, He is everything we need . . . and He is always there.

See you next time . . .

To His Glory . . . BJ

Last Man Standing

LAST MAN STANDING

January 1, 2022

My younger brother and I are the last of our generation – the eldest surviving members of our mother’s family. Before us, there were our grandparents – who had died before we were born. There were our mother’s siblings – all of whom have, long since, gone Home to the Lord. In 1999, when we were in our 40’s, Mama went Home to the Lord. Our older brother, Jim, joined them in 2011, and our sister, Barb, followed in 2015. With Barb’s departure from this mortal world, Ed and I became the heads of the family – the elders.

Realizing that makes me ponder the responsibilities that come with being in this position. How do we act? What do we do? How do we carry on? What does God expect of us? Good questions . . . and they need answers. After much discussion – and prayer – we have found some of those answers.

First and foremost, we carry on. We go on with our lives to the very best of our ability. We do our best to honor those who have gone before us. When we are missing one of them, we talk about them. Sharing some cherished memory or humorous story takes the sharp edge off of the pain. It also makes us feel closer to them, by keeping the memories alive. KNOW THIS: avoiding the discussion of a departed loved one – because it hurts so much – actually makes the pain worse. It makes the void in your life seem larger and more insurmountable. Those loved ones were REAL PEOPLE. Let your memories be real, too.

Secondly, remember WHY you loved that person. What qualities and characteristics did you admire in them? Adopt those qualities as your own. Was she a great listener, who always made people feel valued? In her honor, strive to become a better listener. Was he gentle and tolerant, never judging others? Keep him close to your heart by taking on a gentle, understanding nature that avoids being judgmental.

Did she make all holidays feel delightfully special? Don’t deepen your pain by avoiding the holidays she loved. Embrace them! Celebrate them with gusto. Make them special in your own unique way. You’ll feel her near to your heart every time you do.

Was there a particular phrase they used often, which always got your attention? Watch for opportunities to share their unique wisdom with others in your life. Most of all, be someone he or she would be proud of. Live your life in a way that would make them smile. The bottom line is . . . live. Grow. Learn. Teach. You learned glorious, fascinating things from that person. Don’t hide those lessons away in some dark, isolated corner of your heart. Share them with the people who are here! Spread that cherished knowledge into every corner of your world.

This is especially important if – like my brother and I – you find yourself ‘The Last Man Standing’. As the eldest member of the family, you are now the matriarch/patriarch of your family. That puts you in a unique and valued position. You are the only one who can remember things from the earliest years of your life. No one but you can share those memories and stories.

Furthermore, YOU are now the person to whom younger family members will be looking for guidance and direction. You are now in the position once occupied by your parent/grandparents . . . by your aunt or uncle, or your older sibling. As such, it is your responsibility to preserve your family values and traditions. No one else is left to pass them along.

So . . . grieve when you need to. Share your pain and sorrow with God (He already knows about it, anyway!) Then, let Him turn that sorrow into joy-filled pride . . . into treasured, sacred, beloved memories. Use those memories to motivate you to carry on in the best possible way. God has entrusted you to a position of great honor . . .

See you next time . . .

To His Glory . . . BJ

Anticipation

ANTICIPATION

December 1, 2021

On a recent morning, the devotions and related Scriptures encouraged me to approach all aspects of life with gratitude and anticipation. While I sat thinking about how hard that can sometimes be, my neighbor’s dog offered me a great visual of those concepts. As I sat, looking out the window, Roxie’s owner came home. As always, she approached him in eager anticipation of his greeting. Today, she was rewarded with a moment or two of loving, undivided attention. Then, he retrieved some parcels from the car and headed to the door.

As always, Roxie beat him to the door and blocked his path, obviously hoping for more attention. Impatiently, he ordered her to move, gently scooting her aside with his foot. He opened the door and went inside, offering no invitation for her to come in. As the door closed, she sat down on the step and waited.

A variation of this scenario plays itself out almost every day. Whenever a household member comes home, or comes outside, Roxie greets them with eager, joyful anticipation. Whenever they dismiss or ignore her, she tries persistently to get their attention. When they’re out of sight, she waits. When she sees them again, she shows no sign of remembering their previous rejections. Her joy and anticipation are fresh and new every single time. As I watched her this morning, I realized I can learn a lot from Roxie.

Whenever someone speaks harshly to me, I back away. I sulk in my wounded feelings for hours - sometimes for days. Each time it happens, I feel its sting more intensely. Over time, the pain drives itself deeper and deeper into my being. Eventually, it robs me of the joy I should feel when I see that person.

In contrast, Roxie’s reaction offers me a living picture of the mercy God offers us, brand new, every morning. Wouldn’t it be nice if I could be more like Roxie? Isn’t her reaction a lot like what James told Peter, about forgiving? (Matthew 18:21-22) In fact, most dogs behave as Roxie does. Every time they see someone, their joy is overwhelming. Whether it’s been five minutes, five hours, or five days, the excitement is the same.

No grudges over what you said to them yesterday. No fear that you might say it again today. No anger when you don’t spend as much time as they’re hoping for. No hesitation at all. Just genuine, unbridled joy at the chance to see you.

Roxie - and most of her canine counterparts - offer us all a valuable lesson. They show us how to let today’s disappointments lay, right there on today’s ground. They demonstrate how to express brand new, fresh happiness and appreciation for everyone in our lives . . . every time we see them.

The next time I’m struggling to find gratitude, or I can’t seem to muster up any eager anticipation for anything, maybe I should just stop and look out my window for a while. Perhaps I can remember by watching my neighbor’s dog. She makes it all look so easy.

See you next time . . .

To His Glory . . . BJ

Disconnected

DISCONNECTED

November 1, 2021

A recent devotional I read invited the reader to imagine his life without prayer. The suggestion caused me to pause, and really think about that possibility. About what it might be like.

As I have grown in my walk with God, prayer has come to feel – more and more – like having a conversation with a dear friend. I’ve come to see Him as a constant companion. Therefore, I address comments to Him throughout the day, whenever something provokes me to make a comment.

Imagine life without that? I realized I could imagine what that might feel like. Well, the beginnings of how it would feel, anyway.

Anyone who’s ever had a loved one die knows what it is to suddenly lose contact with a treasured friend. Over the years, several of my relatives have gone Home to the Lord. In each case, a treasured friendship was severed. When I think of their absence, I can still FEEL the vacant spot they left behind in my heart. Each one left a gap that can never truly be filled in the same way ever again.

As I tuned into that feeling, I thought about being separated from God . . . a life without prayer would include being separated from Him, wouldn’t it? How much deeper would the pain go if I were denied access to God? That pain has to be on a level many, MANY times deeper than anything I’ve ever experienced. On second thought, maybe I CAN’T imagine how that would feel.

I know how deep the pain goes when I think about how much I miss my mom, or my sister, or my older brother. I KNOW how much THAT separation hurts. But . . . to be denied access to the One Who gave me this life? The One Who Created those people, and the relationships I had with them? The One Who Created the Love we shared? To never, EVER be allowed to talk to Him . . .?

I can’t even find the words to finish that thought. I know the pain of losing a human loved one. If I were to multiply that pain – multiply it so many times that the number won’t even fit on a sheet of paper – I still won’t come close to truly understanding disconnection from God.

Sadly, there are still people who have not found their way to God . . . who have not yet discovered the joy of a relationship with Him. We all know someone who fits that statement. We know we can’t force them . . . we can’t make them want Him in their lives.

Still, there must be something we can do. There is. We CAN make sure that we represent Him well – every moment of every day of our lives. We can LIVE the wonder and joy that a life of faith offers. As people around us witness that, someone is bound to become curious. In that curiosity, they might even ask us about it.

“But,” you may ask, “What if it only happens with ONE person I know?”

Good question. Let’s take a simple, easy-to-calculate look at the answer. There are over two billion Christians in this world today. If each one of us helps only ONE person receive Christ, that number would double.

Matthew 18:12-14 tells us how God - and all of Heaven - rejoices when one ‘lost sheep’ is found. Can you imagine the celebration in Heaven, knowing that two billion more people will avoid having to spend an eternity . . . disconnected?

Wouldn’t it be glorious to be a part of that?

See you next time . . .

To His Glory . . . BJ

UNanswered?

UNANSWERED PRAYERS???

October 1, 2021

Have you ever really thought about the phrase, “unanswered prayers”? ARE they unanswered? Who decided that, if the answer wasn’t “yes”, there WAS no answer? Let’s look at it in terms other than prayer for a few moments.

(For the sake of this discussion, please forget that we could all check our cell phones.)

1) You run into an old friend you haven’t seen in a while, and you begin catching up on each other’s lives. After a

few minutes, you remember an upcoming appointment. You ask your friend for the time. She says she doesn’t

know because she forgot her watch.

Has your question gone unanswered?

2) The weekend is finally here, and your children are eagerly hoping to do something special. They ask if you’ll

take them to the park. You smile knowingly at your spouse and respond, “Actually, we thought we’d go to that

carnival over by the lake.”

Their reaction tells you they like your idea better. But, did you fail to answer their question?

3) Your best friend calls on Tuesday, to invite you to a movie the next night. You have a previous engagement

Wednesday, so you ask if he’s free Friday instead.

Have you answered his question?

When did we shove God into a box and decide that the only answer we will accept from Him is, “Yes”? Why have we done that? Certainly, it isn’t because that limitation makes us feel any happier. Perhaps it makes it easier for us to blame God when things don’t go our way.

But, let’s be honest with ourselves here. “Yes” and “No” are not the only possible answers to any question. True, God doesn’t always say, “Yes”, but I believe that He DOES always answer. In our human craving for control, we have forgotten all the other responses we might hear.

Some of them are: “Not yet”; “Not here”; “You’re not ready”; or “Actually, I have something else in mind.” If we are willing to accept something other than “Yes” from people, isn’t it time we recognize God’s other answers?

The next time you start to talk about an unanswered prayer, I challenge you to stop and think. Did you, in fact, receive an answer? Perhaps one that wasn't what you wanted to hear? That you hadn’t anticipated? Do yourself a favor. Take God out of that box. Listen for . . . recognize . . . and trust the answers He sends you . . .

See you next time . . .

To His Glory . . . BJ

Threshold

THE THRESHOLD OF A DREAM

September 1, 2021

There’s an old John Denver song that brings a hopeful, yet wistful, tear to my eye every time I hear it. Especially when he sings this part:

“. . . We are standing on the threshold of a dream, yes.

No more hunger; no more killing;

no more wasting life away.

It is simply an idea, and I know its time has come!”

~ “I Want to Live”, John Denver

This song popped into my head one day, as I was reflecting on all the wonderful events of my life. As I sang these lyrics out-loud, tears ran down my cheeks, and I realized something.

The message it brings feels perfectly connected to the message God gave us to deliver through our new ministry . . . a message of love and kindness. More than that, my team and I have been invited to be a PART of that idea whose ‘time has come’. We get to be participants in the amazing chain of events God has planned for this time in history. No, we don’t know specifically what those plans are, but we can feel the excitement.

The excited anticipation of ‘standing on the threshold of a dream’ is almost palpable. I feel it taking on a life of its own as I realize something else. I have lived my entire life in eager anticipation of the dream John Denver’s song mentions. It is an integral part of my character make-up – as though it were engraved on my very soul. I have been anticipating this dream all of my life.

Suddenly, all the years of “fanciful”, “unrealistic” ideas and wishes – all the decades of hopeless, “Pollyanna” optimism – make perfect sense. My Father planted this dream in my being the day He created me. It is a part of who I am, and it has always been there. And now . . . it is taking shape.

God has spent my whole life leading me to this very moment. Looking back, I can see how all the pieces fit together in this puzzle that is taking shape before my very eyes. I struggle for adequate words to describe the feeling. Even though I can’t find any, I know one thing for certain. It completely takes my breath away . . . every. Single. Time.

The Bible tells us of a world of perfect love – a world that begins when Christ returns. In that world, the vision in John Denver’s song will become reality. In this moment, as I write this article, I can FEEL that dream coming true. We are on the threshold.

I don’t profess to know when, and I won’t ask. God alone knows the day (Matthew 24:36) that Jesus will return . . . and I’m okay with that. I don’t need to know. I am thrilled with the joy and peace I feel as I focus on what God’s Word tells me. I am perfectly happy to stay right there.

There, in those pages, I can become lost in the promises that God made to humanity. Locked away from the heartbreaking images projected by this fallen world. Safe in my Father’s arms, I am content to be . . . on the threshold of a dream.

See you next time . . .

To His Glory . . . BJ

Jouney, conclusion

THE JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME

(Conclusion)

August 1, 2021

In December, 2007, my older brother, Jim, came to visit us for Christmas. By that time, he’d been living near Seattle, Washington, for 21 years. Rich and I had been through there on the truck a couple of times and had stopped to visit with Jim. This would be his first visit to our home in South Dakota . . . and my first Christmas with Jim since 1989.

Jim and Richard hit it off very well, and became fast friends. By the time Jim’s visit ended, January 7, 2008, he had applied for a job driving for the same company Richard drove for. By January 27, he was back out here, going through orientation. He was on the road by January 30. In March of that same year, Jim moved his belongings here and joined our household.

When I graduated from college in 2009, we planned a party here at the house. Younger brother, Ed, and his family again came to visit – so they could join the celebration. Jim and Richard were both able to make it home that weekend, and we had a big party in our yard. It was glorious to be surrounded by family for such a special event. Son, Mike, and his family joined us, but sons Tony and Kevin were not able to come. Military duties had them both occupied somewhere else.

During Jim’s time here, he mended virtually all of his relationships with various family members. Our sister, Barb; Ed; me; and several others: he had made peace with everyone who had once been estranged from him. He also fell in love with a very special woman named Debbie. For the first time in all his 66 years, he was totally devoted to only one woman.

In April, 2011, our family faced yet another tragedy. Jim was dying of liver failure. All three of my boys managed to get here to see him, and were able to stay for his funeral. Ed and his family also came, and so did Debbie. The Lord had seen to it that we were all together when it was time to send our brother Home.

Shortly after returning home, Ed and his wife, Lee, made an unexpected decision – one that contradicted what he had told me in 1999. They were making plans to move to South Dakota. Those plans bore fruit in the late summer of 2012. Around the same time that Ed arrived, Tony’s Army duties ended and he joined the ranks of the civilian world.

He and his family moved back to South Dakota and ended up in a house only a mile from ours. This was a joyous surprise because he had always dreamed of settling in Kentucky. Jim’s death had caused him to rethink those plans. He told his wife he wanted to be closer to here, in case something happened and I needed them. Sadly, just weeks after their arrival, Tony’s marriage fell apart.

Not long after that, Kevin left the Marine Corps after serving eight years. He and his second wife lived in North Carolina with their three children. Michael lived in Gillette, Wyoming for several years and, when his marriage ended, he was awarded custody of his two children. He and his second wife, and the kids, also moved here to South Dakota. Many of us, who’ve been drawn here, were now living within a mile or two of one another.

I have watched with fascination since 1990, when a vague dream to move out West first began. Slowly and steadily over the years, the Lord had drawn almost all of our family here, also. Some of those who are not yet here, are planning to be.

My stepdaughter, Melanie, has finished raising her boys and now has an ‘empty nest’. Her plan is to move here after she sells her house. Although Ed’s family went back to Spokane, they hope to return here one day. His son, Chris, has also talked of making a home here some day. After Barb’s husband died, she often said she would move here if she were younger.

I have often wondered why God had chosen this place in which to gather our family. But, it has become vividly clear to us that that is exactly what He's been doing. One by one, He has gathered us here over the years. Even though some have come, lived here a while, and then left again, their time here was rewarding. Relationships have been repaired. Each loved one who has come here has been drawn closer to all the others. Despite all the hardships and heartaches we’ve been through, our family is closer than ever. In this special place, God has restored so very much – to all of us.

The changes and growth didn’t stop there, either. Each of the boys went through a divorce . . . but has found a powerful, new love, and has remarried. Their new wives are all wonderful additions to our family. Each one of them had children by their first marriages, so we have grown exponentially. Richard and I have found a church we absolutely love and have been attending regularly since 2005. Much to my sheer delight, all three of my boys have also found a church they love, and are attending it with their families.

I still have no idea why God chose this place, out of all the places He could have chosen. But I DO know this: every year here has shown us that I made EXACTLY the right choice when I followed Him here in 1999. Everything that has happened here has served to reaffirm that decision and prove that it was a good one. God has blessed our family in countless ways here. I am immensely grateful to Him.

There are also some other things I know for sure . . . Frank was meant to live long enough to help God to prepare me for this move. He was to make sure I knew to come here. As soon as that was accomplished, his job was finished and God called him Home. Mama needed to live long enough to see us make this move, and to know I would be alright here. As soon as that was done, God called her Home. This understanding has led me to a belief that may sound a bit self centered.

Looking back over all the years since 1999, this all seems so deliberate. I truly believe that God’s intention, all along, was to bring me here. And, eventually, to bring the rest of my family here. A lot of fences have been mended along the way. A lot of relationships have been healed. That, in itself, is a glorious gift --- a wondrous miracle. Whatever else God has planned, I will wait obediently and, maybe, a bit anxiously. The rest of this journey has been absolutely fascinating to watch. I look forward to learning what else God has in mind.

See you next time . . .

To His Glory . . . BJ

Journey, Part 2

THE JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME

(Part 2)

July 1, 2021

I spent the summer preparing for our move, and making plans. Rather than try and manage a rental truck alone, I chose to hire a professional moving company. On August 1, we flew my mom to Spokane. She would stay with my sister until our move was completed. The movers came and loaded our possessions into the truck, except for those items we would take with us in the car. The items in the moving truck would be placed in storage until I found a place to live.

The morning of August 6, we were finally ready. My youngest son, Kevin, and I had the car loaded and had cleaned the house. We spent some time saying good-bye to the old farm house, walking through it one room at a time. Then, we walked down to the creek that wound through the seven acres of property that the house sat on. When we had finished our good-byes, we climbed into my old Ford station wagon and backed out of the driveway. We were finally on our way to South Dakota.

We arrived here the night of August 11, and spent a few days taking care of business. We also took some time to visit some of the local tourist attractions. By early September, we had set up bank accounts and address changes, and had found a place to live. Kevin was registered for school, which was only four blocks from the house. On September 10, we had Mama flown here, and life began in the little rental house we had found. It seemed to take no time at all for me to start to feel settled here. I felt like I was home.

However, I soon found that my challenges were not over. On November 20, Mama became ill and had to be hospitalized. When the immediate crisis had passed, they transferred her to a nursing home so she could regain her strength before returning home. Apparently, she was never meant to rejoin us in our little rental house. She passed away peacefully the morning of December 23. I ended the year 1999 reflecting on all the changes.

Kevin’s two older brothers, Tony and Michael, were both adults and had chosen to stay in Pennsylvania. They had lives of their own to pursue. Here we were, just over four months after our arrival in South Dakota, and everything seemed different. A family of six people had spent eight years planning this move. In the end, only two of us would actually begin that life. Whatever God’s plan was, it must be a doozy! I guess I’d find out, sooner or later.

Despite my grief over all the loss we’d endured, I was never once sorry for coming here. From the day we’d arrived, I felt at home. It was as though this place had opened its arms and welcomed us. Still, it was just the two of us. All of our friends were back east, in Pennsylvania. Kevin’s brothers were still there. My sister and brothers were all out in Washington state. No matter how at home we felt here, we were in a new place where we knew no one.

My brothers were both puzzled. They couldn’t understand why, after 26 years on the East Coast, I hadn’t come all the way home to Washington when I finally came west. I didn’t really have an answer for them . . . I didn’t know, either. I only knew that I was exactly where I was supposed to be. My sister’s attitude was different. She was happy for me, and glad I had settled some place where I felt so comfortable.

During a brief visit in 1999, my younger brother, Ed, had expressed his bewilderment. “Well, I’m glad you’re happy here, Sis! There’s no way in hell I would ever move here!”

My older brother, Jim, seemed more annoyed than anything else. “I don’t understand why you didn’t come all the way home,” he’d said in one of our phone conversations. “If you were here, we could at least see each other more often.” While I respected their opinions, I didn’t share them.

In the summer of 2001, a new friend helped me secure the financing to purchase a home of my own. That was no easy feat, considering the bankruptcy. Even more surprising was the fact that it was a brand new house. The property I had chosen was prepared over the winter, and I moved in on May 1, 2002.

Later that month, my son Michael’s long-term relationship with his girlfriend ended. He decided that he wanted to get out of Pennsylvania once and for all. In June, I made the trip back east to get him. He moved in with Kevin and me until he could get on his feet here.

In August, my son Tony returned to the States after his National Guard unit completed a tour in Germany. After visiting with an old friend in Kentucky, he drove to South Dakota. His marriage had ended and he decided to make his home here, too. By the time I had been here only three years, God had woven my family back together. Of the family who had spent eight years planning this move, four of us were still alive. Now, all four of us were together again, and living here. God is SO good!

Three months after Tony arrived, I met a man named Richard. He was a long-haul truck driver, whom I had met through the online personals. We hit it off instantly, and he soon became a regular part of my life whenever he was in town. We became engaged in March, 2003.

That May, Kevin graduated from high school and left for the Marine Corps a month later. Tony married a woman named Skyler in July. Kevin married his long-time girlfriend, Amber, in January, 2004, and immediately shipped out to Okinawa, Japan. Richard and I committed our lives to each other in February, 2004. Michael married a woman named Sara in August, 2004. With all those weddings, our family was growing by leaps and bounds. In the span of just 14 months, we had grown from a family of four to one of eight. But God was not yet finished with our growth.

(Read the conclusion next month . . . )

See you next time . . .

To His Glory . . . BJ

Journey, Part 1

THE JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME

(Part 1)

June 1, 2021

I moved to South Dakota in 1999, but my journey here was not, by any means, a direct one. I was born in Spokane, Washington, and married a military man about a year after high school. He was stationed in Baltimore, Maryland. We lived there for 4 1/2 years, then transferred to Maine. When that marriage ended, three years later, I went home for a while. About a year after that, I married my best friend, who was also a military man. He was stationed in New York City.

While we were there, we moved my mother in with us and, eventually, bought an old farm house in northeast Pennsylvania. For 15 years, we made our home there - with Mama and our three youngest children. By 1990, East Coast life was beginning to bother us. We craved a slower, more connected way a life. Because of that, we began researching places out west to which we could relocate our family. Finally, in 1991, we decided to inquire about western South Dakota. We’d been there a couple of times on vacation, and we both liked it.

Unfortunately, our massive, 14-room farm house wasn’t easy to sell. There just isn’t much demand for something that large in a financially oppressed region. It would take eight more years for God to put all the pieces in position for our move to take place. Through all the waiting, our attraction to South Dakota never wavered. We were sure that’s where we were meant to go.

Financial difficulties seemed to hover over everything we did, making it virtually impossible for us to fund our move. All parts of our plan hinged on selling the old farm house; there was no other way to come up with the money we would need for such a major relocation. Still, we continued to feel drawn to South Dakota. We held fast to our goal, despite one stumbling block after another. Year after year, finances kept us from getting any closer to our dream. Still, the dream held. “Some day . . .” we told ourselves.

Then, in early 1999, our big break came. It came in a very unexpected way, but it did come. After consulting a financial advisor, we made the painful decision to file bankruptcy. A meeting with a lawyer led us to an even more painful decision. We would give up our efforts to try and sell the house. Instead, when the time came, we would sign a ‘Deed in lieu of foreclosure’ with the bank. When the bankruptcy was discharged, the house would become the bank’s property and we would have to move. Whether we would stay in Pennsylvania or go elsewhere was up to us, but we would have no choice but to move.

As hopeless and defeated as all of that sounds, there was a silver lining. That came as no surprise to me: I had long since come to expect them in many sad situations. This time was no different. For every debt we listed in the bankruptcy papers, we were told to stop making payments as soon as those papers were filed with the court. Continuing to make payments, the lawyer explained, constituted fraud. Since we were going to surrender the house, that meant we would also stop making house payments. The very ‘defeated, hopeless’ situation we were facing was actually going to provide us with the chance we had been waiting for. By not paying on all of those bills, we could save up that money to finance our move to South Dakota.

We filed for bankruptcy in February. Beginning in March, we stopped making all those payments every month. We began setting aside every penny we could, for funding our move. We figured it would take only a few months for us to have enough money saved to rent the moving trucks and pay travel expenses. A strange twist, indeed. But we saw it as the Lord showing us a way to achieve our dreams. We calculated, and figured, and gathered estimates on truck rentals. Gradually, the picture began to take shape. In late April, our calculations were finally completed.

Our best estimates showed that, by early August, we would have enough money set aside to pay for our move. We would rent two moving trucks, and two tow dollies for our cars. We would pick up the trucks around August 1, and spend two days getting them loaded. We would also spend some time cleaning the house once it was empty. By August 6, we would be ready to say good-bye to Pennsylvania and head for South Dakota. We were thrilled! After eight years of dreaming and hoping, there was a plan . . . and we had an actual moving date!

Barely two weeks later, on May 10, tragedy struck. Frank collapsed from an apparent heart attack in the kitchen. Only an hour later, he was pronounced dead at the hospital. Despite the shock and devastation I felt, I knew one thing for sure: God intended for me to complete our plans and move to South Dakota. Nothing anyone said could convince me to change my mind.

When I did, briefly, become confused by people’s warnings, I turned to God. I asked Him to place the answer in my heart, because I couldn’t trust myself to accurately respond to human comments at that time. If I was still supposed to move, I asked him to teach me what to say to people. As had happened many times in my life, God faithfully answered my prayer and provided for my needs. From that day on, I knew just what to say to any naysayers I encountered.

I also had a much better understanding of what God was trying to tell me. For whatever reason, He still intended for me to make this move. I couldn’t begin to fathom why Frank wasn’t supposed to go with me, but that was okay. I knew what God wanted, and I would follow Him. I knew I could trust Him. Besides, I was curious to see what He had in mind. Why had we, as a family, gone through so much, only to have me make this move without my best friend by my side?

(To be continued next month . . . )

See you next time . . .

To His Glory . . . BJ

DO You Believe?

DO YOU BELIEVE?

May 1, 2021

A recent conversation with an old friend has been on my mind for over a week. There have been several times when my friend Tim told me that my faith had helped him reconnect with God. He freely expresses his gratitude for that. On this particular day, however, Tim’s doubts and fears were showing. He wondered if he would actually be welcomed into Heaven when he died, because of some of the things he’s done and the attitudes he sometimes expresses.

I asked him some questions about his faith, and did my best to encourage him. I told him that, if he truly believed Jesus was his savior, Scripture promised him a place in Heaven. I urged him to begin searching for a church home . . . and I encouraged him to get into his Bible. “Everything you need is in there, Tim," I told him.

Why has this discussion lingered on my mind? It was the first time I’ve ever had such an adamant conversation with someone about their salvation. Then, I realized that I often hear some Christian express doubt about where they’ll spend eternity . . . “I hope I get into Heaven” or something along those lines.

So, I started thinking about how this discussion should go the next time it comes up. Maybe it would be more helpful if the conversation went something like this . . .

(friend) “Well, I hope God lets me into Heaven when my time comes. I don’t know, though – I’ve done some pretty bad things.”

(me) “Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your savior?” (up to this point, I had done okay with Tim, but there needed to be more.)

(friend) “Yes.”

(me) “Do you believe He died for your sins?”

(friend) “Yes.”

(me) “Do you believe He was raised from the dead, and now lives in Heaven with the Father?”

(friend) “Yes.”

(me) “Then, you need to believe the promises found in the Bible:

- Romans 6:6 “For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.”

- Romans 6:4 “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

- John 14:2 “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”

“You see, my friend, you cannot believe only part of the story. If you have TRULY accepted Jesus as your savior, you are bound, by the Word of God, to receive the WHOLE story. Everything Jesus did during His life on Earth was so we could come Home. God wants us to come Home to Heaven.”

The next time I’m faced with someone who doubts if they’ll be allowed into Heaven, I pray I will remember this imaginary conversation . . . that I will have the right words to help them see how COMPLETE our Lord’s sacrifice was. No one should doubt that they will be welcomed in the Father’s House.

See you next time . . .

To His Glory . . . BJ

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