I read a devotional lately that was immediately convicting because she describes me. It was entitled “Reach” by Jenny Gehman. I would like to share it with you.

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Jesus uses everyday objects to teach important truths. One of my lessons came from a measuring tape—the carpenter’s      variety, where the tape is encased in a hard shell and can be stretched out and snatched back at the press of a button.

The measuring tape image was offered to me as a picture of my love. While it has the capacity to be far-reaching, it’s also true that one little touch of the button can send it retreating, retracting, and recoiling inside its hard little shell.

When people push my button (that button) my love can go from reaching to retracting, moving farther away from them, and becoming all wrapped up in me. Suddenly, those who may need my love no longer have access to it. It is, quite literally, out of their reach.

God’s love reaches; it doesn’t retract. When we don’t measure up, it reached further still.

“Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens” Psalm 36:5 (NIV)
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Unlike the tape measure, I, unfortunately have many buttons that when pushed cause my love to come whizzing back. My love tends to extend or retract based on how I feel or how I am treated. Fortunately, God’s doesn’t.

Oh, to be more like Him and a whole lot less like me.

​(Taken from Pray a word a day: volume 2 --Guideposts:2023 — day 145)

He was a president who in the nation’s eyes (and perhaps the world’s) would best be remembered for the Iran hostage crisis and its botched rescue attempt. But he was so much more than that.

President James (Jimmy) Earl Carter’s state funeral was held on Thursday, January 9, 2025, a national day of mourning for our 39th and longest living president.

I watched all of it . . . and here is what I learned. 

Though a state funeral, this was not a funeral for a man of power but a man of prayer. Not a man of fame but a man of faith.

As one of his grandson’s commented (and I might not have it exactly right but the thoughts were conveyed), he held public office for only 12 of his 100 years, but he was a husband, father, and grandfather for 78 years and a man who lived his Christian convictions every day.

As the eulogies unfolded, yes, the world was reminded of the successes of his administration (e.g. the Camp David Accords), but that was not the focus of this funeral. What was on display that day was Jimmy Carter’s faith. His lifelong commitment to serving his Lord from the moment he woke up until he laid his head on the pillow that night.

It doesn’t matter if we are/were politically aligned with Jimmy Carter or not; we can all take away the lessons of his life. First and foremost, he never let the hostage debacle define him. He lived out the verse --

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24

Second, his long life is testament to following God’s laws:

Gray hair is a crown of splendor;
    it is attained in the way of righteousness. Proverbs 16:31

Proverbs 3:1-2: My son, do not forget my teaching,
    but keep my commands in your heart,
for they will prolong your life many years
    and bring you peace and prosperity.

Third, humility always trumps pride: Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Matthew 23:12

On Thursday—January 9, 2025—in front of an audience of millions around the world as well as the powerful few in the first few rows, a man’s faith and lifetime commitment to his Lord and Savior was remembered.


James Earl Carter, like Paul, could say with confidence: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7

We all heard about it. Hurricane Helene. The devastation. The lives lost.

No matter where in the U.S. you live, you have, no doubt, been affected by or known those who have been affected by natural (or manmade) disasters: hurricanes, earthquakes, tornados, fires.

And, like everything else, as time passes or another tragedy takes its place, we forget. We forget just about everything: the images, the pain, the continued suffering and lack. And we forget about those who have helped.

This is a shout out to those who have helped. 

The attached video arrived in my email a few days ago. It is from Samaritan’s Purse, Franklin Graham’s organization of volunteers who go into these disaster areas to walk along side the hurting and to help in the cleanup and the distribution of supplies. The Army of Orange some call them. I have a friend who is a part of that Army of Orange working with the relief effort in Asheville, North Carolina. 

I encourage you to watch the video. It’s about 30 minutes, which may cause some of you to put it aside. But we watch 30 minutes of a sitcom, or 2 hours of a movie. I think once you begin, you will be compelled to continue. The stories of both the victims and the volunteers will grab your heart as you see God working in the midst of such pain. (Storms of Life)

We know as we near Christ’s return, earthquakes will become more frequent, famines and pestilence will increase, which could make us numb or depressed. But as Christians we should be neither. We should be very much aware and involved. God has called us to come along side Him in His work in whatever way we can. While God works on hearts, we need to be his hands and feet, putting our faith to work wherever we can. 

Not all of us are able to travel to Asheville to assist in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, but there are many ways we can still be a part of God’s work and share his love for people in need much closer to home.

(Photo by Stephen Smith/Associated Press and printed in The Los Angeles Times)

I was driving home from my mother’s the other day, a route now very familiar to me after 36 years of living in the NorthState. I know every curve in the road, and so accustomed have I become to the sights on each side that I view them with a routine familiarity. Until . . .
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The Central Valley is flat — very flat — so why there are rises in the highway, I’m not sure, but there is one in Willows, and as one crests the rise there is a beautiful orchard off to the right. 


This last journey, after Christmas, however, I noticed something. A house. A house I used to see and admire before the orchard grew and blocked my view, hiding the house behind a sea of green. But now because it’s winter, I was able to see it again.


Which made me think. Winter gets a bad rap.


Yes, it is cold, bleak, and pretty monochromatic—gray. It can’t compete with the peaceful beauty of fall foliage or the exuberant explosion of spring blossoms. (It does, however, beat summer if only because our winters are about two months shorter than our summers and the cold is not as intense as that summer heat.)


But on this trip home, the lack of leaves and my sudden awareness gave me a new appreciation for a season that many would like to avoid.


Life is similar. We don’t like those winter seasons — when things are not going well for us. When life is cold and barren. When the leaves of happiness, money, opportunities, and love all seem to have vanished and our lives seem bare indeed, BUT . . .


It is also at times like these that we often see God much clearer. His mercy and love. His faithfulness and power. His perfect wisdom and goodness. And, of course, His presence, which has never left us but is something we may have forgotten because of the earthly clutter between us.


​So when life seems to be cold and void of beauty, remember not to stare at the barren trees but instead, as the old hymn reminds us, to "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.”