Month: May 2025

Statue of Liberty

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Known worldwide as a symbol of American freedom, the Statue of Liberty was actually a gift to us from the nation of France, with donations coming from around the world. When I had the chance to visit there a few years ago, I saw a plaque with words written by the poet Emma Lazarus. Emma originally used her poem to raise funds for the project and though the statue was opened to the public in 1886, she was forgotten. But friends of Emma remembered her words and continued to lobby for them to be included until finally her they were added in 1903.The second verse which we most remembered says:

Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
Emma Lazarus

Yesterday at our community clubhouse, we observed a moment of silence in remembrance of those who had given their lives in defense of the liberty spoken of on the base of that statue. But we must not lose sight that even more than those freedoms, Jesus came to offer an even greater freedom: and He, instead of raising a torch, was Himself raised up on a cross to die. Today, Jesus is calling out to you and me with words that are not written on a bronze plaque but are spoken to our hearts by Holy Spirit.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30 ESV
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An Unexpected Gift

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I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. Philippians 4:18 ESV

Last week our small group had a party to signal the beginning of a summer break. Each person brought a dish of some kind, and we even invited some of our neighbors to join us. What a wonderful time it was talking about our summer plans and upcoming travels. Towards the end of our get-together, one woman asked offhandedly if I might be interested in her old guitar which she was thinking of donating to the thrift store. I didn’t hold out much hope about her instrument, but I offered to take a look, expecting a worn-out guitar in a dilapidated case. How surprised I was when Ginger walked with carrying a professional case, which when I opened revealed a very nice Yamaha in near perfect condition. Though the strings were overdue for changing, when I put a new set on I was delighted with the tone. Unknown to our friend Ginger, I had prayed a while back for a new guitar but had forgotten about it. Excitedly I called and thanked her for such a beautiful and unexpected gift! That got me to thinking about other unexpected gifts we read about in the Bible. Of course, we must begin with God’s amazing and unexpected gift of salvation, but in today’s verse, the Apostle Paul also shows his gratitude for a gift from friends. He had neither asked for nor expected them to send him anything, but when they did, he wrote to say thank you. He says that gifts like these are a fragrant offering an acceptable sacrifice and they make the heart of God glad. Let’s be thankful for those rare moments when we receive such gifts, because in them we see a tiny reflection of the heart of Jesus who came as the most unexpected gift of all! I do hope you will enjoy one of the first songs I got to play with my new gift. Have a blessed Sunday everyone!

Driving Through the Notch

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Even though I walk through the valley of death I will fear no evil for you are with me. Your rod and your staff they comfort me. Psalm 23:4 ESV

During times of crisis, it is natural to be fearful. A few years ago, our airwaves were filled with the constant reports of quarantines and businesses shutting down. There had never been anything like it in our lifetimes, and we wondered what would happen next. Today, there are other crises happening that are like the dark valley of death in today’s verse. Each of us faces a little different valley, but what remains the same is that as we go through them, we have a hope because we have a good shepherd. whose name is Jesus, and He has promised to walk with us all the way through.

Outside the city where I was born lies a long valley called Sugar Hollow. It is a notch between the hills through which the main road coming up from the South runs into town. It is a pretty stretch of road, but one strange thing about Sugar Hollow is that as you drive into it during afternoon rush hour, it gets dark early. Everyone begins to flick on their headlights because the surrounding hills block out the sun, in the Hollow. All around it begins to look as if night has fallen; but as you round the final bend of the road that leads out of the valley, the shadows draw back, and the sun reappears as if saying “You made it through the notch again! Welcome home!” 

Prayer: Father God, help me to trust you in the valley I am walking through today and to remember that you have promised to be with me all the way through!
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