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Summer is over for the children in Southern Indiana. School started yesterday, the end of July. Yes, really that early. My oldest grands, twin girls, are already in sixth grade. They have grown into lovely young women. My grandsons are both riding the bus to school. One is in third grade and the other begins Kindergarten. Such big boys they both are. Our Kindergartener is a sweet, cheerful, happy special needs boy named Isaac. His big brother is Isaac’s biggest fan.

As Isaac starts school I can only hope and pray he won’t be teased and bullied.  The same with my older grandson, Alex.  My prayers are that he isn’t bullied.  Isaac might not fully understand why kids bully him, but his big brother will.  His heart will be broken that someone is being mean to his little brother. Alex has a sensitive spirit and cannot understand why people are want to intentionally hurt. He only wants to protect and love. His heart breaks when he sees someone or some animal hurting. Once when we were talking about bullying he told me “I hate it. It makes no sense at all.” I agree, my sweet grandson. Totally.

 

No one is exempt from bullying.  Kids can be bullied for a variety of things. Home life, grades, illness, having an impediment, a disorder, wearing glasses, or “just because” are some of the reasons given for bullying another. Jealousy and greed are two others.  Even adults continue the bullying with politics and religious views.  It needs to stop.

Were you ever bullied? Are you now? In school I was. A lot.  Elementary through High School. There were three reasons that I was bullied although back then they called it teased. I was overweight, wore glasses, and raised in a single parent home. My Daddy died when I was twelve and I was bullied because I had no father. Kids can be mean, cruel actually. The good news is that I lived through it and I survived. Unfortunately we hear about many kids that don’t want to continue life because of it.

Have you talked to the children in your circle, really talked to them, about how to treat others? There is no shame in being different or weak. Some things in life happen that hurt without having others continue to remind us of them.  Enough already!  Everyone has problems.   In actuality bullies are the ones with bigger issues. They tease, knock down, and mock to make themselves look better. Self esteem is what they lack and confidence, most likely love, too.  Isn’t it unfortunate that bullies need to make others feel bad in order to feel good about themselves?

Bullying is a serious thing not only from a physical aspect but mental and emotional, too. Those words and wounds can stick with people for years. I still remember the majority of names I was called and things said to me. Oh, but I can also remember my friends, my true friends, coming to my aid and giving me support.

Join me in praying for the sweet innocents that need sheltering from being bullied. Pray for a shield of protection around them.  We also need to pray for the big old bullies, too. They need help. Bullies have gotten way off of track and need help getting back on. Let’s pray for them, too.

School should be filled with learning, fun, giggles, friends, and carefree times. It shouldn’t be a time of dread, gloom, frowns and heartache. We can lead by example. Let the kids hear positive, nice words from us. They mimic what they see and hear. Teach them to be a friend and helper not a bully.  This is a lesson for life.

“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.” Matt. 5:11 ESV

“Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
Psalm 82:4 ESV

“There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Prov. 12:18 ESV

School starts this week here in Southern Indiana. Our grandchildren have a very different schedule than we did back in the days when summer vacation lasted from a Memorial Day to Labor Day. Isn’t that when summer is? Things continue to change so here they are going back to school. Short summer for my grands.

One thing that doesn’t change is God.  What God said yesterday holds true today, tomorrow, and always.  If He says it, you can believe it.  God made the Earth and gave its care to man.  Scripture says:  “Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” (Gen. 1:26)  Since we are stewards, our Master (God) will one day require us to give Him an accounting of how we have done with what He has given us (this land). In your opinion, how are we doing?

A friend had posted on Facebook about garbage and littering in our area the same day my son phoned to talk to me about it. My twin grandgirls had been taking a wonderful day camp provided by the Harrison County Purdue Extension. The camp extended their knowledge of our land and nature. Both girls soaked in the information and are now Junior Master Naturalist!  Awesome.  After a canoe trip they cleaned up lots and lots of trash. None of that garbage was dropped by the class but every bit was collected by them. They were being good stewards of our world that Abba has entrusted to us.

My son was so inspired by these Junior Master Naturalists and their duty to our land that after a few hours kayaking he too went on a search for trash. It wasn’t hard, he said.  It was everywhere.  In a short time he gathered quite a bit.  Sad, isn’t it? Why would someone carelessly and irresponsibly throw an empty cup, can, or broken chair away on a beautiful creek bank? Why do people drift by, drive past, or walk over trash? We should stop, collect it, and dispose of it properly. Don’t get me wrong, I am guilty of this, too. While I might wait and throw my garbage in a can, seldom if ever do I take the effort to clean up after someone else. I should.

It is going to take a joint effort from us all to get our beloved planet cleaned up. Big task, I know, but we could take baby steps. Start by picking up that soft drink bottle or can instead of walking around it. Keep a trash bag in your trunk just in case you get inspired to clean up as you hike. God gave us, mankind, the responsibility of caring for this land. What kind of job are we doing?

We started this with speaking of changes. The truth is we cannot change others but we can change ourselves. We can also change our world.  Think about being a good steward and cleaning up litter. I know I will. It is time for action.  Time to change.  Past time.

“Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.” I Cor. 4:2 ESV

“The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.” Gen. 2:15 ESV

“The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein” Psalm 24:1 ESV

I am a word person. Not much or numbers. I leave those to my parents, retired banker and mathematician, and sister, accountant. Numbers are so final. Black and white. Give me words any day. Don’t misunderstand me. There are some words that drive me bonkers or make my skin crawl. Obviously what my sweet Grandmother would call “ugly” words are tops on that list. Back then I didn’t appreciate her calling foul language “ugly” but now I see perfectly why she did. That language is so offensive it even takes away from the beauty of the one speaking those words.

One word that makes me cringe is step. What about you? How are you with steps? I don’t like that word at all. Stairs hurt my knees, but that is not what I mean. Let’s talk step in regard to family relationships. Growing up I heard about stepparents and siblings….through Cinderella. Those steps were horrendous! It would scare any child away from wanting a stepparent or step sibling. Do you remember how they treated poor Cinderella? They worked her endlessly, gave her no love or affection, and laughed while doing it.

My husband came into our marriage with two children. They easily slipped into my family, life, and heart. At times people tell me how my daughter favors my sister or cousin. One person commented on how she gestured when speaking. “She does that just like you and your mother.” Remarks have been made that things my son said were straight out of my mouth. “He has your values.”

The stories of a wicked stepparent were found to be untrue when my mother married Dad. Yep, they were quickly shot down. He is a sweet, gentle giant and loves us like his own. Doctors we both go to caution me about health issues “because of your Dad” only to laugh when reminded he is my second Dad and not the first. When people find out they are shocked. He is never called step nor are we.

In my family we have a lot of steps. They are the good kind that I love dearly. I have banned the word from my house and vocabulary. My children are my children. Dad is my father. I have more cousins than I can count. When someone asks me how many nieces and nephews I have, it takes me a while to add them all up. Why would I put “step” into a discussion that doesn’t really need it? Family is family. Love is love. Speak it and believe it. Get off those steps.

Proverbs 16:24 “Kind words are like honey–sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.”

Have you ever had trouble with your phone service? How about with your home phone and cell phone at the same time? I am. They are with different companies, too. Both companies are very sympathetic and courteous, even offering a refund on service not received. That’s great, but I just want my phones to work. Sometimes I need to call someone and I have people calling me.

Thankfully talking to God is not like that EVER. God is always available. No dropped prayers. No busy signals. No dead lines. With God everything always works. The only problem is me. I have to remember to go to Him and pray. Recently someone asked me why I pray everyday. Because my spirit needs to talk to my Creator. I crave Him. This life is too much for me to manage on my own. I need His help and guidance.

I pray for myself but I also pray for others. Sometimes people ask me to pray for them and other times I just can tell they need prayer. Perhaps things aren’t going well for them or a family member is sick. Those are great reasons to pray for someone. Maybe they or a family member needs salvation. No better reason to pray. Is a friend in need of a job promotion, send up a prayer. There is no end to why we pray.

It doesn’t matter what age we are, God hears our prayers. He hears the child’s prayer just as He does the great-grandparent’s one. Abba loves to hear from His children. Don’t you like to talk to your family? I do. When my phones were not working I had one of things I wanted to ask my parents, children, family, or friends. It wasn’t possible to call them and I missed their voices. It made me think how God must miss His children when we don’t pray for a few days. I hate to disappoint Him. Don’t you?

Remember, the line to God is always working and He is always available. You won’t be put on hold or asked to wait while He does something else. He will listen and talk to you immediately. Try it today. Your call (or prayer) doesn’t need to be a long one. Just keep in touch with your Creator.

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Eph. 6:18 NIV

“Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.”
Jer. 29:12 NIV

I love music. Songs speak to me when mere words just cannot. The old hymns run through my mind and soothe my soul when I am troubled. A song written by a friend for me is never forgotten and always in my heart. Sometimes songs get stuck in my head for one reason or another and keep playing over and over in an endless loop. Have you ever had that happen? Today the words that will not leave my mind are to the chorus of “Will the Circle Be Unbroken”. Do you know that one? It is an old hymn written in 1907 by Ada R. Habershon with music by Charles H. Gabriel.

“Will the circle be unbroken 
By and by, Lord, by and by
There’s a better home a-waiting
In the sky, Lord, in the sky”

Those words made me think of family members long gone but not forgotten. They are very missed. It would be so sweet to be able to chat with them one more time. See their precious faces. Get invaluable advice or a reassuring hug. We all know that is not possible in this world. It is in the next one though because God promises eternal life to all that believe and accept. In fact when I was down because of this silly little verse, God whispered in my ear that I will indeed see those three family members again.

Talk about turning a frown upside down, that certainly did it. After that I am now more determined than ever to pray for those in my family that are as of yet unsaved. It would be a tragedy for them to miss the biggest and best family reunion ever. They would be forever missed. I am speaking about all ages, young to old. I have spoken of my faith and relationship with Jesus to family and friends. It is something I gladly do but do not want to force the conversation. Praying is different. I will pray for them daily, multiple times, to be saved. That their stubborn, hard hearts will soften so that they will accept Jesus is my prayer for many family and friends.

Are you like me? Do you have family and/or friends that would keep your circle from being complete? Keep showing them God’s love. Pray for them. One of my favorite ministers used to tell me to “keep dripping on him, Nyla Kay, because sooner or later he will get wet.” This is my advice for you, too, my friend. Keep dripping, little by little letting Jesus shine through you, until the one you are working on is suddenly washed in the blood. Be a good example. It is easier to argue and fight, but you “catch more fli with honey than vinegar” my sweet Mammaw always said. Work on keeping your circle unbroken as I am working on mine. Contact me if you need help praying or a partner.

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.” John 14:1 ESV

 

Do you like change? Are you excited when you get a new phone or job? When a new restaurant opens in town do you rush to try it or stay with your favorite one? How about trading one loved thing in for something unknown. Most people are mixed when it comes to change. They do not really like it unless they control it or the outcome.

I do not like change. Familiar is comfortable to me. A new phone or computer is a nightmare for me….and my kids! I call them for help all of the time when I need to get a new one. There have been times in my life God has given me change. Sometimes I willingly accept and other times hold on tightly to my cheap pop bead necklace. Do you know that story?

“A little girl sees a beautiful necklace a the discount store. She begs her mother to buy it for her each time they go. Finally the mother lets the girl buy the inexpensive pop bead necklace kit with money from her piggy bank. The girl is thrilled and makes the necklace immediately. She wore it everywhere, even to bed.

Her father loved his daughter very much and after tucking her in one night asked “Daughter, do you love me?

“Yes, Daddy, you know I love you,” the little girl giggled.

“Well, then, give me your necklace.”

“Oh! Daddy, not my pretty necklace!” she cried and pouted. “You can have Emma, my favorite doll. I will let you have her glittery outfit, too.”

“No sweetie, that’s okay.” Her father brushed her cheek with a kiss. “Good night, sleep tight.”

A week later, her father once again asked her after reading her a bedtime story, “Do you love me?”

“Yes, yes, Daddy, you know I love you.”

“Well, then, give me your necklace.”

“Oh, Daddy, not that! But you can have Teddy, my bear.  ‘Member him? He’s my favorite. He is so soft, and you can cuddle with him and everything. You can have Teddy if you want him, Daddy,” the little girl said to her father nodding her head.

“No, that’s okay,” her father said and kissed her cheek again. “God bless you, my daughter. Sweet dreams.”

Several days later, when her father came in to tuck her in bed, the girl was sitting on her bed and her lip was trembling. “Here, Daddy,” she said, and held out her hand. She opened it and her beloved pop bead necklace was inside. She let it slip into her father’s hand.

With one hand her father held the plastic necklace and with the other he pulled out a red velvet box from his jacket.  Inside the box were real, genuine, beautiful pearls.
He had them all along. He was just waiting for her to give up the cheap things willingly so he could give her the real thing that she deserved.”

Are you holding onto something that our Heavenly Father wants you to release?  Holding tightly to something or someone that just is not good enough for you? An abusive person, a bad habit, someone that uses you and doesn’t respect you, drugs, or…..? What are you hanging on to that you should not be attached to as much as you are that goes against God or His commands? Change is hard, but you have help.

Let go and let God replace that cheap plastic pop bead necklace with an expensive genuine pearl necklace in a beautiful velvet box that you certainly deserve. He will not take things away without rewarding you with something better. (I know first hand.)  He loves you, too much.

“Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4

“Beneath Copper Falls” by USA Today bestselling author Colleen Coble is one of her Rock Harbor novels. This 304 page paperback published by Thomas Nelson Publishers is a contemporary Christian crime thriller novel that takes readers ack to Rock Harbor, Michigan. While several of her old characters make appearances in this familiar place, this can be read as a standalone book.

Author Coble has woven suspense, intrigue, mystery, and romance intricately into the pages of this novel. Twists, turns, and surprises are thrown in to keep readers on their toes. It is a fast paced, page turning book. I love the author’s writing style. (And she’s a fellow Hoosier!). Her characters are extremely well rounded. Some are so likable I want to e friends and stay connected with them. Others are despicable and totally unlikable. She knows how to write nice and mean guys. Conversation flows effortlessly and never seems forced. The description of the setting takes me away on a mini vacation while I am reading to a place I have never gone. There is a reason she is a best selling author – she is a gifted storyteller.

This is the story of Dana Newell and Boone Carter. Dana, a 911 dispatch operator, returns to Copper Falls in the middle of winter. She needs to escape from her controlling ex fiancé and wants to get back to small town life. Bree Matthews, her old friend that trains search and rescue dogs, helps her settle in along with Boone, a new friend, and confront the manipulating man she left. Sparks fly immediately between Dana and Boone. Things are happening in the little town that reveal it be be not a cozy, quiet little place. Dana receives a 911 call from a friend that whispers “he’s going to kill me.” A secret is uncovered, mysterious things happen, and women kept being murdered.

Life lessons appear in all of author Coble’s books. This one is to judge people on who they are on the inside not on their appearance. It is about how beauty is more than skin-deep and evil can be in good looking, attractive packages. Mention of God and Christ is in this book but infrequently. This is not a scripture filled novel.

A great many endorsements, 4 pages, are at the beginning of the book for the author. You might recognize some names: Cara Putnam, Terri Blackstock, Denise Hunter, DiAnn Mills, Dani Pettrey, to name a few. These are followed by a Prologue, the forty chapter story itself, and concludes with a Note from Author Coble. I was excited to see that she includes Discussion Questions in this book. That makes study and reading groups easier. Acknowledgements and book covers of some of her series follow the questions, then an excerpt from her “Haven of Swans” novel, and information about the author closes the book.

I would highly recommend this book. If you enjoy page turning suspense, crime mysteries with romance this is your book! It gets a 5 out of 5 star rating from this reader. For reading groups, the discussion questions are great. If you need a gift, this book would be well received. It is really good! I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author but was under no obligation to post a review. This is my honest one.

“Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.”  Prov. 31:30 HCSB