…the Bible does not have an expiration date. If you need to get rid of a stain or scum in your life, or just want your life to shine more, open your Bible and experience its cleansing words of forgiveness, hope, and love. The words of God are sure, they do not change, and they are completely dependable.

When I was a child, my dad loved to dance. Obviously, my mother was not into dancing much, so as soon as I was able to stand on my feet, I stood on Dad’s feet and together we’d dance to whatever music was on the radio! Dad had this great grin of joy on his face.

Jeremiah received a call from God to do just that. God reminded Jeremiah that he was special in God’s eyes. God created Jeremiah to be a prophet; God would give Jeremiah the words to say; and God would protect him through it all. Jeremiah was to respond to what he saw and heard with the Word of God which would warn those who heard it of the danger before them. Some things just had to change, or the consequences would be disastrous for them or those around them.

I recall the biblical story of Luke 17—the healing of the 10 lepers. Ten were healed but only one said, “Thanks!” We often use this story as a reminder to give God thanks for his many, many, continuous gifts. However, it might serve us well to remember to give thanks to the many, many people around us who are making a difference in our lives or that of our community or church. Give it a try! Say “THANKS!”

Still quite early, I drove north along the Hood Canal as the sun began to peep over the hills and then flood the blue waters with the clear sky above. My heart sang, “This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!” (Psalm 118:24).

Aunt Evaline, in her off-white apron, carefully embroidered with colorful flowers, would be standing on the porch beyond, ready to welcome us into their home. I loved to come to her house because she always made lots of good food, had a real player piano in the sitting room, and the upstairs was a haven for little girls to play with her many dolls.

When we considered the Fresco in the Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo, the art historian, William Kloss commented that the artist had created the face of God and that of Adam in such a way that they appeared clearly to be father and son!

Chaos is usually not “pretty, harmonic, or inviting!” And that’s the point! In the beginning, into the chaos of void, disorder, and confusion came God to bring an abundance of goodness!

Sometimes the only way God can get my attention, communicate with me about what God needs or wants me to do, is through unusual or unsettling experiences. They become my burning bush moments. It is what I do with them that counts.

It was a special day for us. We found the places where our family were laid. We found a gardener who cared about this special place. We found a Christian man, serving God in his own humble way. I have thought, what an example for all of us—doing what he does the best he can and serving God through his work and caring.