Author: Judy Elmer

Have you ever been faced with two unpleasant situations and you had to choose one? Torn between which unpleasant situation to choose is like being between a rock and a hard place. I don’t like being there. It’s a difficult decision. I can take a deep breath, choose one, and hope for the best. Or, I can ask God to help me make the right choice. Our LORD, the Rock Eternal centrally locates Himself even in our hard times. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal. Isaiah 26:4

I think it’s significant that the bird in this picture is looking down and not moving. I’ve found that when I look at the things that frighten me or seem too hard, I’m not moving either. Like the bird it’s easy to look down in the hard times instead of up. Although, when I make a deliberate choice to look up and praise God for who He is and for being my help, things don’t seem as big. The truth about who God is enables us to rest in His hands regardless of our circumstances.

Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand uphold me. Psalm 63:7-8

I met Carl in Bellarmine’s gym at a Bellarmine/Spalding “mixer.” He kept getting a drink at the water fountain. It was getting late and I wanted him to ask me to dance. I decided I would get a drink too. The plan was to position myself right behind him at the water fountain so when he turned around he had to say something to me. His first words to me was only “Hi.” After I finally stopped talking (I was nervous) he asked me to dance. When the mixer was over he walked me to the car and asked for my phone number. Two years later on July 26, 1969 we were married. I loved this guy from the start and now here we are celebrating 54 years of marriage! Where does time go?

But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hands. Psalm 31:14-15

Past hurts and harmful lies are good at enclosing a “fence” around hearts and minds. When this kind of fence is placed around a broken heart or a closed mind, that fence can become a barrier for regaining one’s peace. If you’re sitting on the fence and dealing with past hurts and harmful lies and don’t know what to do next. Ask the LORD to help you get off the fence. He is able to make those fences fall!

Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea—the LORD on high is mighty. Psalm 93:4

Have you ever been in a hailstorm? It’s loud, damaging and frightening. When “personal storms” blow in causing me to feel anxious or scared I like going to this scripture. He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. Luke 8:24 God’s Word calms me down to think that Jesus is standing up and reprimanding whatever it is that’s making me feel anxious or scared. Jesus and His Living Word can bring a calmness to you too as you walk through whatever “personal storm” you may be going through.

Jesus has been compared to the Bridge between people and Holy God. Jesus was crucified and willingly died on a cross to pay the penalty for our sins. He is Savior and Lord. He’s the Way to eternal life. In repentance and faith have you taken the Bridge to eternal life? Are you ready to live life full of God’s spiritual blessings? Jesus’ unconditional love, overflowing forgiveness and true authority empowers us to live life with a sense of joy and peace even in hardships and loss.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10

These two men I didn’t get to know personally. My Dad died when I was 2 years old, and Carl’s Dad died when Carl was 15 years old. Family members have told me that my Dad was kind, had a great sense of humor and hard working. Carl remembers his Dad as being soft spoken, warmhearted and kind. Both of these Fathers were known for their integrity and love for family. I’m thanking God for these two men of honor.

Honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself. Matt. 19:19

As you can tell from the picture there’s a lot of celebrating going on. Our granddaughter graduated from high school and will be attending the University of Florida in the fall. We’re so proud of her. She has worked hard and done a great job. God likes celebrations too. This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24 We’re definitely rejoicing and glad!

On June 3rd 1997 Carl and I gave the first “Potter’s Message.” Using a potter’s wheel and a lump of clay we demonstrate how clay in the hands of the potter can be compared to our lives in the hands of God the Master Potter. The presentation is about God’s grace and transforming power and how God does not throw broken people away. In 2013 Carl had a massive stroke that affected the right side of his body. He was right handed but now has learned to use his left hand for everything. To our amazement God has enabled Carl to make bowls on the wheel using only one hand! We’re so thankful God has kept the door open to HIS amazing ministry.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 2 Cor. 4:7

When I came across this picture of Carl taken many years ago at Ft. Campbell in Clarksville, TN, I got to thinking of how the boys and I have always felt protected by him. I remember how Carl kicked away a collie dog that was coming after me. I’ll never forget how he pulled down a runaway horse to its knees because our 8 year old son was on that horse. Even a stroke hasn’t stopped him from protecting me. He may not be able to kick a big dog away or pull a horse’s reins to bring the horse down, but regularly, and importantly he covers me in prayer. I’m so thankful for his service, but most of all I’m thankful for his persistent and loving prayers asking Jesus to protect me.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Cor. 13:6-7