Author: Judy Elmer

This is my husband. He’s known as Dad, Pops, Hero and Miracle Man. His two sons call him Dad. His five grandchildren call him Pops. The neighbors call him their Hero. I call him my Miracle Man. I’ve seen in my husband’s life the evidence of God’s presence in suffering and God’s healing power. As you can tell from the pictures he is recovering from a massive stroke and look how far he has come! To get to where he is today has required: pushing through rehab despite difficulties, no pity parties and not quitting, in other words, perseverance. I’ve heard it said that the most important way to impact the world for Jesus is to persevere through suffering. That’s not easy! But I’ve seen evidence that the empowering, miracle working God will be with you all the way.

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:3-4

Where does the time go? How could I be as old as I am? It sure seems like time is going faster and faster these days. I’ve heard that old saying, “Time flies when you’re having fun.” I guess I’m having too much fun! But seriously these are days of grace…days for repentance and belief in Jesus. Time is moving and as God’s Word unfolds we can be encouraged that God’s holy justice is coming.

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. 2 Cor. 6:2

I love music and I love to sing. I can get the volume but quality is another story. What I’ve found to be true is that singing Biblical truth is like a spiritual weapon. When I feel scared or overwhelmed, yet choose to sing praises about Jesus, things don’t seem so scary or big anymore. When I saw this picture of the squirrel with his head turned and eyes focused, it reminded me of the song that’s been rolling around in my head this week. The song is “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.” Here are the words:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace. (Words and Music by Helen H. Lemmel, 1922)

This book is a call to action encouraging you to focus on the loving character of God no matter what happens. Praising God in the midst of hardships and loss probably sounds downright impossible. But I’m learning that there’s nothing quite so powerful as proclaiming the truth of who God is—especially during tough times.

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name. Heb. 13:15

I will never forget when God spoke to me through my two-and-a-half year old grandson. My husband’s future looked very grim after his brain bleed and stroke. My heart was broken. In a way that a young child would understand, my daughter-in-law shared with my grandson that Pops was sick. Without hesitating my grandson said, “Jesus loves Pops. Jesus helps Pops feel better.” After hearing those words, a sense of well-being filled my heart. I knew God was speaking through this precious child. Even though my circumstances didn’t change, God gave me a needed reminder that with His help, Carl and I could ride the waves of this raging storm. There’s no greater joy than knowing that you’ve heard from God.

“Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Neh. 8:10

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Eph. 5:1-2

I want my life to smell pleasant before God. No stink of sin, just the pleasing aroma of the Spirit of Jesus. I choose to delight God and give Him my life as a fragrant offering. Will you join me? Let’s offer ALL we think, say and do to Him. Let’s submit our body, money, things, praise, prayers, worship, study, service and suffering too. The aroma of our sweet-smelling offering pleases God.

Have you heard the song called Happy Together by the Turtles? Many years ago when we were dating, that song was popular. We call it “our song.” The words make us smile and think about the love we share for each other. Over the years the skies have not always been blue, but the blue skies have far outweighed any gray skies.

Let love and faithfulness never leave you. Proverbs 3:3

If you were to ask me to fill in this blank…I hate_______. My answer would be “lies.” I think the biggest reason why I hate lying so much is because when I was growing up I believed the lies of the enemy and I didn’t even know it. I needed to know more about Jesus and who I am because of my faith in Him. I didn’t know the truth found in the pages of the Bible. As I grew older I decided to seek and study the truth from God’s perspective. God’s Word exposes lies and replaces lies with the truth. His Word has changed my life and continues to do so. Here are some whispering lies followed by the truth of His Word.

The lie: You’ll always be a worrier. The truth: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Cor. 5:17

The lie: You don’t have the strength. It’s just too hard. The truth: So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isa. 41:10

The lie: You’re too scared. The truth: When I am afraid, I will trust in you. Psalm 56:3

The lie: You’re alone. The truth: “Never will I leave you.” Heb. 13:5

Carl and I used to take dance lessons. We learned how to two-step and waltz. Those were our favorites. But because of Carl’s stroke we’re learning a different kind of dance. This dance is not a typical dance that requires movement of your feet and arms. Instead, this dance is called “life” and requires childlike trust and a laser-like focus on Jesus, the Leader of this dance. A childlike trust enables us to rest in His arms. The laser-like focus enables us to live beyond the suffering. Even in our brokenness we are held together and carried step by step. The Leader of this dance called life will never lead you in the wrong direction. He will hold you tight. His love is unconditional and His eyes of grace will ease your suffering.

You turned my wailing into dancing. Psalm 30:11

For those who have children, grandchildren, nieces, or nephews, do you remember how you felt when they first said your name? I repeated the words “Ma-Ma” to my baby boys over and over. Then when the day finally came and they said “Ma-Ma” on their own, my heart almost popped. Those words meant so much to me. If that’s the way we feel when our children echo back the words we want them to say, can you imagine how delighted God is when we pray back His Word! Echoing back the words of God with a childlike faith is a powerful prayer. We can rest knowing that He hears our prayer because we’re trusting in what HE says.

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 1 John 5:14