Trust written by Donna (Ensign) Woods

Recently, Madison, my 4 year old granddaughter, went shopping with me.

It was a miserably hot day, like we have had so many of this summer.

Seeking as much mercy from the heat as possible,

I parked the van at the far end of the parking lot,

under a tiny little shade tree.

As we exited the cool comfort of the store,

we stepped out of the comfort zone into the blazing furnace-like heat.

Maddy immediately slipped her tiny little hand into mine.

She boldly announced that she was walking all the way to the van with her eyes closed!

I glanced down, and sure enough, her eyes wer squeezed tightly shut,

pony tail bouncing with every step,

face turned up toward the sky

with a beaming smile on her precious little face.

She walked confidently, with big steps,

keeping stride right along side of me....

absolutely no hesitation, no fear...in total trust.

I said,"Oh Maddy do you trust ME to lead you safely ??"

"Do you trust ME to protect you from moving cars?...

and to prevent you from running into parked cars?"

"Do you trust ME to catch you if you stumble and start to fall????"
She smiled even bigger, turning her head towards me,

eyes still tightly closed and said,"YEP!!!"

My heart flooded with an emotion that no words can describe !!!

....For her to trust my love so completely, without doubts...

without fears...without hesitation...

To boldly and confidently take one step after another....

without "seeing" where she was stepping...

Not knowing what dangers or obstacles may block her way

or threaten her from the left or right....

My heart danced a joy only a mother or grandmother can know....

....And somewhere deep in my soul, I heard my Father God whisper....

"Take MY hand and trust ME as fearlessly as Maddy trusts you..."

My heart skipped a beat, as I recognized the voice of All Creation...

and I realized, once again, God was using a little child to teach me.

I was not leading Maddy....SHE was leading me !!!!

So many treasured lessons we learn from a child !!

I guess that is why God reveals His secrets to little children....

Why He wants us to come to Him as little children....

Why a little child will lead them...lead us...lead me.

Because only a child can trust with all their heart....

The harder I try to teach my grandchildren about the love of Christ....

the more THEY teach ME about the love of Christ....

".....Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them,

for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these....

I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom

of God like a little child will never enter it."

Mark 10:14 & 15

I Turn the Page by Susan Shull

In just a few days, I will turn in my keys and walk out of Jasper County Junior High, never to return as a full-time teacher. I have loved being around kids for the last 20+ years, and, of course, like most educators, I think the subject I taught is the most important one. However, I have felt compelled the last couple of years to put down my library books and do something else. I have to admit though that it is a little scary.

                I really want to follow God’s plan for my life, so that played a huge part in my decision to retire early.  However, there have been some really unusual occurrences during the last two years that had me waffling between retiring or staying on. First, our economy took a free fall, then earthquakes, tsunamis, nuclear disasters, and now what seems like rain for 40 days and 40 nights. All of these horrible events had me quite worried about the financial state of our world. Then I realized that surely God wouldn’t go to those lengths to tell me to keep teaching 8^th graders another year. Even I’m not that egotistical! Everything that happens across the globe isn’t about me.

                So, I am trusting that God has a plan for me and have submitted my resignation. I’m packing up my room and will soon say good-bye to my 8 hour a day job. I’m trusting God to show me what He wants me to do next, and I pray that I’m wise enough to listen.

Holy Spirit - Lead us! by Theresa Zuber

I must confess. I have been looking forward to the day when we are able to hire a music minister. I love what I do and will continue to “work” in worship ministry but I am often frustrated when I visit larger churches and see how their worship blends so seamlessly with the pastor’s theme. How the meditations and specials and just everything flow together when there is a full-time staff person working on such things. We have the talent in our midst (praise God!) and given the time to coordinate that pool of talent – I am excited to see what God can do at Scott Avenue when that day arrives.

However, God convicted me this weekend that I am being discontent with where we are NOW. You see when we are Spirit-led, God can coordinate things in a way that no human can. He can see across time and lay groundwork that we are unable to predict there is a need for.

Take this Sunday for instance. I planned the song service as usual with the sermon in mind as well as the flow of the songs. A year ago I had introduced a song to the praise team called “Enough”; however, we did not learn it until this sermon series. Sunday morning I received a call to let me know that we would not be having the skit that was planned for that day – some of the participants were sick. I had a free video “Life is temporary” that I had Aaron Kurtz download at least 6 months ago but wasn’t sure when we would use it. It fit perfectly with Mark’s sermon on being content. The prayer I prayed between songs coordinated with a scripture that Mark would use in his sermon -unbeknownst to me. Jeff Ford’s communion meditation focused on the busyness of our lives and spending time having a personal relationship with God. This also coordinated perfectly with the “surprise” video. Jeff and I had not talked about his topic or our “theme” for the day. As I pondered how God had pulled all of this together Chad Marshall played “Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus” while communion was passed. I smiled. While I had been busy putting pieces together here and there – God had been busy, too; prompting thoughts and actions in others. It is sweet when we trust in Him to take control!

Then Mark began his sermon talking about “cooperating with the Holy Spirit”- working our part under His leading. Hmm. Okay, God, I get it. I’ll work on being content and allow you to use me – allow you to coordinate my efforts with those of others as we allow your Spirit to lead us where you WILL.

“Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him! How I’ve proved him o’er and o’er. Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus – oh for grace to trust him more.”

Praying Mothers (and Grandmothers) by Tana LeMay

One of my daily devotionals is titled Praying Grandmothers. These godly women were citizens of the country of Latvia. In the early 1940s, Latvia came under the control of the atheistic Soviet regime. Their church was taken over by the invaders and turned into a sports hall. These women began praying for independence from the Soviets and the freedom to worship in their church building. God answered their prayers……50 years later.

During those 50 years, these faithful prayer warriors refused to give up, trusting in God’s will and schedule. Though they were in their 80’s when Latvia gained freedom from Soviet control, they immediately went to work, securing a minister for their congregation of 2, then seeking others to help turn the church building back into a sanctuary. They knew their work wouldn’t end until God called them home.
I see similarities between their role and ours as Christian mothers. Our days begin while the rest of the family is still asleep and generally ends long after everyone has gone to bed. During our waking hours, we serve as judge, teacher, nurse, counselor, confidant, cook, maid, chauffeur…etc. We’ve spent many a night holding a sick child, praying for another who is hurting, crying out to God to touch those children who have gone astray. Like our Christian Latvia sisters, we refuse to give up, standing in the gap, holding firm to the promises in God’s word.
1 Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion,
which cannot be shaken but endures forever.
Psalm 125:1

To all of our mothers, grandmothers, sisters and friends – stand firm and keep believing. Happy Mother’s Day!

I Would Die for You written by Donna (Ensign) Woods

As I struggle with the "unfairness" of my little granddaughter's medical problems,
I write...and I write... in an effort to cope, to understand....to find comfort and peace.
I share this with anyone who is dealing with life that is often "unfair"....especially "unfair" to a child you love. I pray you will find peace within my words and rhyme.

especially for my little Madison

With Maddy, I snuggle and rock,
Sing "Jesus Loves Me", laugh and talk.
My precious little one,
We set and rock, when day is done.
I hold you safe and tight,
Ready to defend and fight.
But for the demons I cannot see,
I fight that battle from bended knee.

A kiss, a hug, a gentle touch
I love you ...so very much !
If I could spare you from tears you cry
...I would not hesitate to die.

With Father God, I plead my case,
Just let ME suffer... in her palce.
Let her grow healthy and strong
Living with peace and joy so long.

All the testing they put you through
With fear and uncertainty too.
If I could wipe away tears you cry
...So you would never suffer or sigh
I would not hesitate to die for you
This, for you...I would do.

If I could bless each tomorrow
and save you from pain and sorrow.
If I could face your fears...
...And I could own your tears
I would lay down my life for you
If that would bless your life anew.

As I search your baby blue eyes...
A million times, my heart breaks and cries.
Often times, I fall to my knees and cry....
"WHY GOD?? WHY ??"

I struggle to understand
...As my tears fall into His hand.
I humbly pray, down on my knees
And His gentle voice is carried on the breeze.

And He whispers.....
"I love Maddy...even more than you do."
"Trust Me... to carry her through."
"I love her...you can be sure" "...Because I...already died for her !!!"

I Believe by Donna (Ensign) Woods

I believe in the moon and the stars, of the Heavenly night,
Even when they are hidden from my sight.
And in the hope of a bright new tomorrow,
Even if today is filled with sorrow.
I believe in miraculous growth and healing,
Even when tired and hurting is what I'm feeling.
I know there are angels hovering near-by
Even though I can't see them, as I cry
I believe in the rainbow promise, arching in the sky,
And in a Heavenly home when I die.
I believe Christ was born through a virgin birth,
Even though He no longer walks upon this Earth.
And in God's awesome mercy and grace,
As He sent His Son to die....in my place.
I believe He died on a cross to save you and me,
I didn't have to see Him hanging on the tree.
I know I've been forgiven for each and every sin,
As I walk each day, keeping my eyes on Him.
I believe He rose from the dead, on the third day,
To give us hope, and show us the way.
He now sits, in Heaven, at God's right hand,
And daily prepares me for what He has planned.
I believe, one day He'll return, in radiant glory,
For the final chapter, of this Earthly story.
I know He will judge our lives one day,
That's why I ask for guidance, each time I pray.
I believe, my sinful-self was left in a watery grave,
I was given new life, as He lovingly forgave.
And I will one day walk the streets of gold,
With His nail-scarred hand, to hold.
I believe He answers each and every prayer of mine,
Perfectly...in His way, and His time.
He is in awesome control, I do believe,
Wheather I dance with joy, or sadly grieve.
He is with me on the mountain tops of blessed cheer,
And in the dark, cold valley of each painful tear.
I believe we each have a purpose, that's why we're here
So, I eagerly listen, when I feel Him near.
I know in my heart, I truly do,
He has a very special plan, for you too.
I believe every promise that Jesus made
Rejoicing with the angels that my debt is paid.
Celebrating His wonderous, eternal love,
As He touches my life every day from above.

.....But, do you believe, in eternity through Him ???
Or have you shut Heaven's door, and allowed Satan in ?????

What If by Glenna Shryock

It 5:30 a.m. Friday, April 18, 2008. I’ve been up since rudely awakened by my shaking bed and trembling house and contents. EARTHQUAKE! I quickly got Matt and Leah out of their beds and under the doorway of Leah’s bedroom.

Randy has been working nights so he had a different experience of alarms going off at the refinery where he works. They initially thought that something had exploded and were headed for their bomb shelters. He was pretty excited when he called to quickly check in.

The internet news tells me it was centered at West Salem and registered a 5.4.

I tried to lay down afterward. My body was tight and stiff as a stretched drum and wouldn’t relax enough to let me go back to sleep. I thanked God my family was safe and my home seemed to be intact. My usual sense of mis-directed pride was congratulating myself that I so quickly reacted in the proper way in that I knew what was happening and what to do about it. But then I started thinking about the WHAT IF’s. WHAT IF if I hadn’t been at home with my kids? I wouldn’t have been here to protect them. WHAT IF the house would have twisted and turned and torn apart? Did I have them in an area where they would have been protected? I should have taken them outside. WHAT IF they would have been sleeping in the basement, as they sometimes do if friends are staying over? Would I have been able to get to them to get them out? I’m always shuddering at the site of Leah’s room, which is a cluttered obstacle course. WHAT IF some of the vases and books and picture frames would have vibrated off her bookshelf fell onto her head as she lay in her bed? WHAT IF the picture above Matt’s bed would have fell on him? Lord, I’ve been WHAT IF-ing most of my life as a mother. I sometimes drive my family crazy when voicing my WHAT-IF’s. Matt calls me "crazy-pyscho mom" in his attempt to dismiss my fears for their safety.

Lord, this morning has again reminded me that these children are in Your hands. I am powerless to protect them from all the world’s evil. They are best protected by You, not me. Thank You for the precious gift of my children, but help me to always remember they are in Your hands, the most wonderful place of all. Guide me, Lord, in their care and guide my thoughts to You and away from the WHAT-IF’s.

“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 "Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27 "And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? 28 "And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, 29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 30 "But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! 31 "Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32 "For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6: 25-34)

The WHAT-IF’s are worry and my worrying does nothing to protect them. Forgive me, Lord, for my lack of trust in You.