"Sense"

Ever been touched by another person? Of course, and depending on their approach it can be a rewarding experience. The wrong approach can put us on the defense. The right approach can make us feel accepted and loved.

Ever been touched by someone with out physical contact? How about God? How about Jesus? Haven't we all been touched by our own creator and felt his love and care?

Sometimes just knowing someone needs a hug or pat on the back is God's way of touching all of us. The wind on our faces can be God touching and reaching out to us.

Every time a small child reaches out and expects their hand to be held, they are trusting the other to take care of them. Aren't we all reaching out to one another and asking for love and care? God: Show us ways we can touch and impact their lives all around us. Verses: Luke 24: 36-49 Mark 9: 13-16 Matt 9: 18-26

"Smell"

Summer has this awesome ability to get us out and experience so many different things. A drive by any forest brings out an abundance of smells.

Pine trees and bubbling brooks all have their own unique odors. Sometimes we may pass a dairy farm and think "OH MY". The smell of rain is often a favorite of many.

There is nothing finer than the smell of babies. Just holding them and taking in their unique smell and feel is extra-ordinary.

Coffee brewing, bacon cooking, steaks on the grill, hops from the local beer brewery, all open up our minds to something soothing.

God, you designed us with the ability to smell. Thank you for this awesome and inspiring gift.

Verses: Psalm 148(all), Gen 1 (all)

"Do you see what I see?"

What does the world look like to a blind person? All of their inputs are from different sources. They know what a lot of things sound like. They also know what certain things smell like. They also know the particular feel of certain objects.

Every sunrise and sunset are God given and uniquely different. Try and explain or describe them to anyone. Pretty much near impossible to do so. Try and remember what last nights sunset looked like. Even when we see them, time after time, our memories still have a hard time on the last one.

Maybe those that have lost their sight are taking in so much more of everything else that we are missing out on?? Still to have that gift to see and experience all of Gods' creation is pretty special and inspiring. God: Thanks for our sight and the infinite things to see!!!! Verses: Isaiah 6: 8-13 John 9: 1-12 Hebrews 11: 1-3

"Sound"

Just being enlightened by a song can make the difference in the course of our day. I am always amazed at how music fuels the soul. There is great power in touching the human heart through song.

Worship bands can be as fulfilling as a great pastoral message. Maybe sometimes even more impactful. Where do we tune our radios to? I hope and pray we find a station that can be uplifting and spiritual.

What does all this mean to someone who is deaf? Their lives are forever silenced. How long can their memories provide an inkling to that great worship song? What if they were born deaf? Then they have no understanding of what a guitar, drum, piano, voice or other instrument sounds like.

We could all better ourselves to see their unique position in Gods' kingdom! Compassion and understanding can help them in their experience of the world.

Pray: God, Thank you for the ability to hear, allow all of us to be thoughtful and in servitude to those that can't. Verses; 1Cor 14: 1-25 Jer 30: 18-21

"Dog behind Fence"

I wonder how many of lifes' blessings we take for granted? Probably more than we can imagine. Most things we have are taken for granted.

I had a month this summer where I had no address or home. I made due with travel plans and good friends. There is still something about having your own bed and stuff. It is also handy to have an address to get mail and as a contact option.

I also like knowing things about where I live. Like where there are dogs that bark when I walk by their fence. It may seem trivial, but It scares the wits out of me when an unexpected dog is barking and clawing at a privacy fence!

God is the sole reason for all our blessings. We can do our part to recognize and appreciate all of lifes' perks!! Verses: Hebrews 6 : 13-20 Deut 28: 1-6 Gen 12: 1-3

"Summer"

I live for summer!! I love the lazy, hot days, and seemilngly endless activities available. There is hardly a day that doesn't offer more oppurtunities than can possibly be enjoyed.

Minimal clothing required , and sun and heat to bask in! I also love it when God has me on fire and my feeling of acomplishment is high. I want to be of value and be where God wants me to be.

I look back on a time where I felt I was in a different season and longed for summer. God knows I needed a balance of all seasons to be of value to his kingdom. And like the earth he brought me to summer when I was ready. Praise God for being the creator and king of the universe! All of it is perfectly run by the only one that can. FFT No matter what season we find ourselves in, all of them offer some thing God wants us to experience. Verses: 1Peter 3: 8-12 1 Cor 15: 50-58 Psalm 50: 1-6

"Spring"

Here is a time filled with a lot of hope and yet a lot of uncertainty. You can never tell what may or may not happen? Sometimes it is picture perfect. Other times it unleashes down pours and crazy winds!!

It does however open up a new and exciting growth. Things are coming back to live ,and grow, and blossom. We too will experience this kind of growth and rebirth. I would guess all of us have been through stages of a new us. Sometimes we decide on life changes, sometimes we allow God to change and offer us growth.

There is hope in this era, and a pleasant sense that God is taking care of all things, including his children. FFT Spring always comes eventually and things look awesome again!!! Verses: Gen 1: 14-19 Matt 13: 1-9 2 Sam 23: 1-7

"Fall"

I have numerous friends that prefer fall over all other seasons. They like that it is cooler, beautiful, and more enjoyable for them.

As in the fall of our walk with God we are moving into another season. It could be winter, although it could be summer or spring! In our earths' cycles it is always winter that follows fall. My own recognition is that fall will be followed by shorter days and cold temps. I will miss long hot summer days.

The beauty of fall is to be admired! No other time of year can equate with that. It is uniquely fall that fills our senses that way.

Fall, during our walk with God has all of that beauty and grace to offer all of us! FFT Enjoy Fall for the season in our lives that God has provided us. Verses: Daniel 2: 20-23 1 Thess 5: 1-11 Psalm 42(all)

"Winter"

I will start with the one season I struggle with the most: Winter! The worship Pastors' idea was that we all experience winters' of faith. Nothings growing, and sometimes it seems pretty bleak.

Of course there are good and preferable things about winter in either context.

The earth needs a break and time to refuel and replenish. We too may need a blanket of snow on everything so we can take care of our selves.

I used to dread winter and then I realized it wasn't winter that was the problem, it was me! I had to change my attitude and find new ways to embrace winter. I have been much better these last few years in all areas of my life. Winter is full of wonder and awe and does build up our appreciation for Spring, Summer and Fall. FFT Winter: When you're there, how do you cope? Verses: Psalm 27: 1-6 Isaiah 40 : 1-8 Acts 1: 6-11

"Seasons"

I once attended a Wednesday night worship practice group. We always opened with prayer and then the leader prepared a lesson for all of us. He was quite talented in a lot of ways.

One of the lessons I was most impacted by was the one he did on seasons. Seasons of our faith and how we experience them. I guess up to that point I had not really thought much about our faith going in and out of season?

His interpretation was quite helpful. I will do my best to reflect the main ideas in his teachings. As a sign off he always ended with "Food For Thought". I will plagiarize that this week. FFT- what season are any of us in right now??

Verses: Gal 6: 6-10 Eccl 3:1-8 2Tim 4: 1-8

" Sing Celebrate Rejoice"

"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy"!! There is a quote we could all learn from. If our only focus is to be successful and accomplish lots, we will be quite dull!!

We all need to have fun, sing songs, dance and worship God. What a cool party it is when we invite God in and he is the guest of honor!!!

All of our abilities to dance, sing , and kick it up come from God.We need to use and enjoy all of them. I believe strongly that when we let our guard down and act joyfully, God joins us and fills our hearts with more joy!! Song: " Song of Hope" (God of heaven come down) Verses: 2 Sam 6: 14-15 Ecle 3: 1-8 Psalm 100(all)

" Success is Guaranteed"

I spent one winter season(Dec,Jan, Feb), trying to bend hard, brittle Ebony wood around the body of my sons' guitar. I was building him a guitar for his 18th birthday and I was years behind schedule. ( he was 21). He wanted it trimmed in black. I could have used a plastic edging but was determined to use wood.

I have this connection to things only God has created. Our creations as man never seem to be quite as good. Wood just happens to be one of my favorites! The grain,color smell, and feel of wood is like hanging out with God in the work shop.

After 3 months of breaking many pieces of wood, and ordering more from up-state N.Y., I was finally able to accomplish the goal. I believe God wanted me to perservere and succeed.

Pray: God: thanks for giving all of us desire, patience, skill and the ability to learn and grow.

Verses: Psalm 56 (all) Psalm 118 (all).

" Using energy wisely"

What options should we pursue? Some will be more advantageous than others. If I start out with the wind on my back, it will be easy at first. When I turn around it can be a long hard ride back.

Either way works but It's nice when you are tired and spent, to use the energy you have saved up.

Pray: God, Teach us how to use all the resources you give us to maximum advantage. Teach us how to have a reserve when we are tired and need your power in us!

Verses: 2Chr 32: 7-8 Isaiah 40: 25-31 2 Cor 4: 7-18

"Fueling the Train"

Once we are on the right track we need the power to propel ourselves along. Modern day engines use diesel and electric power. I doubt either one of these would be very effective for us.
As in all times of concern in our lives, our best and only option is to pray. Pray to God above to fill our hearts and minds with all we need to succeed.
Often the response and encouragement are quite different from what we expected! Once again we will have to trust God to provide the fuel and power we need to accomplish our goals.
Verses: Romans 8: 26-27 Psalm 54(all) James 5: 13-20 Song: "I lift my eyes up" ( Brian Doerksen)

"Getting on Track"

After all this change in my life, I have to stop and ponder, What for? My original goal was to simplify and streamline my life. Slowly it seems I am getting there. Now the question is , What next?

One of my goals: to tandem bike with a blind person happened. We just rode the MS 150 at the end of June. She still would like to ride as often as possible. I am sure we will as time and distance allow.( she lives in Lakewood Co).

New goals:? How do I meet with Gods' goals for me? I know what I would do left to my own desires and passions!

The Pastor at church says God gives all of us gifts. Gifts we are to use to help and serve others. If I am doing that and at the same time pursuing my passions, that would be a win/win for all.

Pray: God, show us how to live our lives for the glory of you God, and the benefit of all your creation. Verses: Eph 2: 8-10 1Cor 7:7 1Peter 4: 7-11

"Living Life"

I had a a bike experience last week on my way home. As I turned the corner my front tire rolled on the rim and down I went!! Apparently the tire was low enough on air to come off the rim. The road rash I received on my left leg was my worst ever. Ten days later and it is still healing.

Yesterday I got caught ten miles from home inn a cloud burst. Once again my body was subjected to adverse conditions. I wondered as I rode in a wind and rain pelting me, should I just stop this activity?

I believe instead it's all a part of living. Jesus said " You will have trials". Maybe these experiences teach me to continue on and pursue my goals and dreams. In order to serve God, all of us will meet with scrapes,bruises, and sometimes drenched spirits. We can only pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, clean our wounds and continue on with our quest.

Verses: James 1: 2-3 John 16: 33 Psalm 34 : 11-22 2 Tim 4: 6-8

"Lost in Life'

I feel like I have been lost in my life. Since April I have been absolutely caught up in all it takes to sell a house. I had no idea how it would affect me? All the prep for showings and then prep for the new owners, seemed endless. Expecting a relief at closing and instead I was faced with a delay in our new residence. Thirty days later it all became available. That still takes a toll on our time and energy. We are close now and soon will be all settled in.

Where does that leave me with God??? It almost seems like I abandoned God for three months? Why??? Just to busy and focused on one thing? I so want to be in a tight relationship with God, don't we all? Prayer: God I need and want you in my life, forgive me for my absence and draw me closer and deeper in relationship with you!!

Verses: Prov 22: 17-21 1Tim 4: 1-8 1Peter 4: 1-6