THE BLESSING OF HAVING A DRESSER

 

I must be related to Jerry Seinfeld. See the above video. I've often had the very same thoughts about clothes. Why can't we all just wear the same uniform every day? We'd have six identical outfits for everyday wear and then one pure white one reserved for Sunday.

Fortunately, I've had someone to dress me all these years, so it has never been much of a problem. When I was growing up, my mom picked out my clothes. If I wanted something different, I'd borrow my sister's. In college, if my mom hadn't packed something I needed, I'd borrow clothes from anyone willing to loan them to me. (That ball gown was 2 sizes too small but I squeezed into it.  Thanks Phyllis.)After I got married, my husband became my fashion consultant. (Sorry about those mini skirts now.) I wore his  waist 36" pants with suspenders for maternity clothes. These days, my daughter has taken over the job, and she's doing a wonderful job of keeping me presentable.

Looking back, I suppose I've never really been interested in fashion—only in being appropriately dressed. Having someone else make those decisions has saved me countless hours of standing in front of a closet wondering what goes with what. Maybe Jerry Seinfeld is onto something. A simple uniform would eliminate one more unnecessary decision from our day and leave more time for the things that really matter.

As for me, I'm perfectly content to let my daughter keep me from becoming a fashion disaster.

Proverbs 31:22 — "She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple."

FAITHFUL IN LITTLE THINGS

 Natalie--  4th of July parade

After traveling all over the world by jet, train, boat, bus, and car I realized that I loved the good old US of A. This is where we have freedom.  This is where we don't have government interference. This is where we have choice. But I have been saddened lately to find out that people want the government to run their lives. They think that the government knows better how to spend their money.  

At one time it was families and churches who took care of the poor, widows and orphans.  But slowly as families split up,  and churches withdrew from helping, the government was left to pick up the pieces. Unfortunately the government became so big that oversight was lost and dishonesty was rampant.

What was it that we forgot?  We forgot God. We have been told in Luke 16:10 “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. 

 A nation is built one person, one family, one church, and one community at a time. When we neglect personal responsibility and place our trust in institutions rather than in God, we should not be surprised when those institutions fail us. Lasting freedom depends not only on the laws we pass but on the character of the people who live under them. My travels taught me to appreciate America's blessings, but they also reminded me that those blessings cannot be taken for granted. They must be preserved by citizens who value faith, integrity, personal responsibility, and the freedom to care for one another.

Matthew 10:32-33 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.

FATHER'S DAY AND REMEMBERING

 

Grace, Brad, Ruth, Dave, Evelyn, Jack. My mom Grace's sisters and my dad Dave's in-laws Redwood City, CA

Memories about Father's Day are few for me. Father's Day wasn't celebrated widely until the 1920s, and while I was growing up, our family simply attended church on Father's Day. Beyond that, we didn't do anything particularly special.

Like many fathers of the World War II generation, my dad seemed to believe that children should be "seen but not heard." Because of that, I can't remember having many conversations with him. Yet there were small moments that revealed his care and affection.

We enjoyed watching the TV show Mannix together and predicting how many times Mannix would get hit on the head during an episode. When I was in my twenties, Dad sent me a subscription to Christianity Today. Years later, after retirement, he took up baking cookies and regularly mailed us some of his delicious creations. On a visit to Chinatown, he surprised me with a pair of earrings. Another time, he hauled a piano crate out of storage for us. After we unloaded it, my mother put the box to good use as a storage shed.

Those gestures may seem ordinary, but they spoke volumes. Dad wasn't a man who expressed his love with many words. Instead, he showed it through faithfulness, hard work, and a willingness to help whenever he was needed. He worked diligently to provide for our family and spent countless hours repairing things around the house. Looking back, I realize that his steady presence gave me a sense of security and stability. Because he was always there, doing what needed to be done, I was blessed with a good childhood—and for that, I remain grateful.

I Corinthians 1: 26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 

HOW TO SERVE MAN

 

For years, movies and television shows have explored the possibility of life on other planets. We have heard stories of unidentified lights in the sky, reports of crash sites where non-human beings were allegedly found, and accounts from people who claim to have contacted or even been abducted by aliens. These reports naturally lead to an important question: Are such phenomena ultimately working for the good of humanity or for its harm?

Popular culture has often portrayed these mysterious beings as dangerous. The above clip from The Twilight Zone, a television series broadcast from 1959 to 1964, suggests that these non-human entities are working for evil rather than good. Interestingly, when we turn to Scripture, we also find examples of non-human beings that oppose God's purposes.

One of the earliest examples is the serpent in the Garden of Eden, who tempted Eve to disobey God. Likewise, Revelation 9 describes terrifying locust-like creatures emerging from the bottomless pit. They are given power like scorpions and are commanded to torment those who do not have the seal of God. These passages remind us that not every supernatural encounter is beneficial or trustworthy.

However, the Bible also presents non-human beings who serve God's purposes and bring help rather than harm. Angels are perhaps the best-known example. In Genesis, angels were sent to Sodom and Gomorrah to warn Lot of the coming destruction of the cities because of their wickedness. They urged him and his family to flee so that they might escape God's judgment. Throughout Scripture, angels often act as God's messengers, protectors, and servants.

So, can humanity prepare itself for encounters with extraterrestrials or other non-human beings? I believe the answer is yes. Whether such encounters are physical, spiritual, or something we do not yet understand, Christians are called to remain grounded in their faith. We prepare by spending time in prayer, studying God's Word, and fellowshipping with other believers. When we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus rather than on the fears and uncertainties around us, we can face whatever comes with confidence.

The Apostle Peter gives this warning and encouragement:

"I Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 

MODERN CONVENIENCES AND TIMELESS TRUTHS

 

Heather and Samantha read together.  Photo by Chris.

Oh no! It broke! How am I ever going to survive?

Over the course of our married life, the microwave, dishwasher, washing machine, TV set, and blow dryer have all broken at one time or another. How did I function without these so-called modern conveniences? Surprisingly, I persevered.

Instead of warming my coffee in the microwave, I heated it on the stove. I washed dishes by hand. There was always a laundromat available. I could read instead of watching TV. And my hair would dry eventually. So I survived.

Of course, having a husband who was a good repairman helped tremendously. Chris became quite skilled at jerry-rigging broken items. He once repaired a washing machine by taking parts from a Whirlpool and parts from a Kenmore and combining them into one working machine. Goodwill provided a decent replacement blow dryer, and TVs were frequently on sale. While I could live without these conveniences, they certainly made life better.

Now, however, I am facing a new dilemma. My Kindle is no longer supported by Amazon. Thankfully, it just occurred to me that I can still read books checked out from the library. Even so, I'll miss my Kindle. It held hundreds of books without taking up precious space in our new, smaller living quarters.

Perhaps that is why I have always loved electronics. I would rather receive a new gadget than a piece of jewelry. Years ago, I even encouraged my son to pursue robotics. While he didn't choose that career path, he did give me a robot that vacuums and mops the floors. I'm still hoping someone invents a robot that can load and unload the dishwasher, washer, and dryer!

Looking ahead, technology has the potential to make life easier in many ways. Robotic assistance in childcare and elder care could relieve physical strain on caregivers. Self-driving cars may increase mobility for many people. I am already fascinated by the "people movers" found in airports and other locations. And I can only imagine the ways artificial intelligence may help us in the future.

Yet this raises an important question: What will all this convenience do to our character development?

When my children were growing up, I often told them they needed to do housework because it helped build character. Responsibility, perseverance, and diligence are often developed through ordinary tasks. On the other hand, if technology frees us from some household duties, perhaps it will give us more time for worthwhile pursuits—gardening, caring for animals, conservation efforts, recycling, inventing new ways to help people, and many other creative endeavors. And no matter how advanced technology becomes, there will likely always be employment opportunities for people who can repair what breaks. But cuddling up with your family and reading is still needed for bonding. The human touch is very important for well being. 

For that reason, I hope AI and other technological advances will be used wisely and for the good of humanity. Every tool can be used for good or ill, but when used well, technology can be one more way that life is improved and burdens are eased.

As James reminds us:

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." — James 1:17

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LIFE IS A MAZE ING

 

Me in 1975--  photo by Chris

Have you ever played peek-a-boo with babies? They have no idea where you went. Or have you ever been on a Zoom call when you are suddenly put into breakout rooms? The large group disappears and a smaller group appears. Perhaps you have even been in a maze and couldn’t find your way out. And sometimes, like the words of Dr. Seuss say, “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...”—yet you still have no idea which way to go.

In many ways, life feels like that. One moment things seem clear, and the next moment everything changes. At times you can feel like a silhouette—no clear features, just a shadow trying to find its way. Life begins with small owies when you are a child, but as you grow older the hurts often become much bigger. Small problems turn into heavy burdens, difficult decisions, and painful disappointments.

So where do we turn when life feels confusing and uncertain? King Solomon gives a simple but profound answer:

Ecclesiastes 12:13–14
“The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.”

When the path ahead seems unclear, Solomon reminds us that our purpose is not found in having every answer, but in trusting God, obeying Him, and walking faithfully one step at a time.

TRUTH, BEAUTY, AND THE GOSPEL

 

Photo by Chris

I have often wondered why God would make only one planet habitable. When astronauts view Earth from space, it appears as a beautiful blue-and-white swirled marble. If God made everything for His glory, why did He not make all the other planets capable of supporting life?

I found this thought-provoking answer on Bible Hub: “Biblical teaching frames humanity as the centerpiece of God’s plan for redemption, not as the only point of cosmic scale. A large universe invites humanity to contemplate the nature of God.” The relationship between Earth’s size, its distance from the sun, its magnetic field, and its atmospheric chemistry all reveal that our planet is uniquely positioned for life. Rather than being “wasted space,” the vastness of the universe points to careful design and showcases God’s personal investment in creating a world that sustains life.

Another question I think about is this: Why do some areas of our world flourish—producing food, clothing, shelter, and stability—while other places struggle with poverty and starvation? Reflecting on the beauty of creation and the condition of humanity, Voddie Baucham, in his sermon Three Trees , emphasizes how the beauty of the gospel highlights truth, beauty, and goodness, along with its transformative power in the world. He says it is not East or West, nor particular ethnic groups, that produce good things, but rather the places where the deep impact of the gospel and a Biblical worldview are present.

So this is all the more reason that God wanted the gospel to go to the ends of the earth. He wants the very best for us. Those are my thoughts today. More later.

Matthew 28: 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”