Walking through the Valley

Psalm 23 has long been a passage loved and memorized by believers. One of the interesting things about the passage is that it covers the wide spectrum, from times of difficulty to times of plenty. This summer has had its share of ups and downs. And yet, even in the valley, God is ever-present and always able to meet our needs and to show that He is God. Valleys are no fun, but they are a necessary part of life.

This week has had two wonderful blessings -- on Sunday we were able to spend a bit of time with the Santos family. After church, we went to get pizza ... and sat and talked for about an hour and a half. It was a wonderful time to sit and chat with Eremer & Esther and with Ralph & Narrisa. The kids sat and talked with the Santos kids, so all enjoyed themselves. Then on Tuesday, we had Chick-fil-A with Russell and Debbie Raymer. After dinner, we went back to the house and talked for a couple of hours. It sure was great being able to spend some time with friends.

Friday, we took a day and went toward Lancaster, PA to spend to some time. It was Josie's first real car trip - she did quite well. We went to A&W -- what a fiasco. The service was polite, but the order fulfillment was pathetic. Orders were wrong, it took forever to get food, and worst of all, the rootbeer was not right. How can I go to A&W and get bad rootbeer? The only redeeming quality of the stop was the deep-fried cheese curds. They were, as Goldilocks would say, "Just right."

Saturday pm Brie made a peach cobbler. A couple of weeks ago she made a blueberry pie. All I need now is a pecan pie and a shoofly pie and she will have hit for the cycle. Sweet!

I realized the other day that I did not give thoughts from Philippians 4. Here they are:

• Paul admonishes the believers to “stand fast” in the Lord
• The believers are instructed to rejoice.
• We should have a testimony of moderation, or forbearance.
• Paul warns us to take our concerns to God and not to worry or fret.
• After we commit ourselves to prayer, the peace of God will encompass our hearts.
• God wants us to filter those things that find entry into our minds. Here are the criteria for what is allowed into our thinking.
• We are to listen and learn, all so that we can put into practice what we have learned.
• God will provide, though not always what I want or in the way I expect. He expects me to be content.
• I need to know how to fit into any situation, whether I am lifted up or brought low.
• It is God who empowers me to perform His will.
• The same God who used you to meet my need will meet your need.

Walking toward the Goal

The next installment in the study of Philippians in upon us. Here are some ideas from Philippians 3.

• The rule of teaching is Teach, Review, Learn. Paul is in the review stage.
• We need to be aware of the influences in our lives. There are those who would harm us, whether intentionally or not.
• My background does not guarantee my continued service. Each day I need to be committed to following the Savior.
• The things that I consider important so often are anything but important. I need to emphasize the things that God thinks are important. Everything else is inconsequential.
• My greatest goal in life should be to know Him better. To truly know Him means that I will partake even in the sufferings, acknowledging that His will and way are perfect. I trust that He will always do good.
• I need to strive for the goal that God has for me - His calling.
• God desires a unity within the church; a unity that comes from having a common goal and a common way to reach that goal.

Paul wrote about our walk with God and the many forces that will try to turn us from accomplishing that goal. We need to maintain a right focus and devotion as we walk each day with the Savior.