You Can Pour A Wall To Hold Back A River But You Can’t Pour One To Make It Rain

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10

My title is  a quote from a documentary I was watching on public TV about the Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell and lack of sufficient snow melt having created a huge problem. Made me think that man is not really in control of anything even though the illusion exists he is. The big HE is the one in

control ultimately.

Interesting concept that God gave man the knowledge and intelligence needed to create many things one of which were huge concrete dams to hold back rivers like the Colorado to generate electricity. But dams can fail and skies may not open and produce precipitation. Then what next? 

Never take anything in life for granted. Give thanks for those skills He has blessed you with and your problem solving abilities to figure things out but don’t get so high and mighty you think you are a one man or one woman show. God created all things and He is behind it all. 

PRAYER: Father you alone are almighty and glorious. Thanks for the gifts and abilities you give to all humans to do things and create things. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

SNDHLP

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 NIV Bible Gateway

Yet another vanity tag gives me an idea for my writing this one means ‘Send Help’ and it would be great in passing a note to someone if you passed them walking and were being harmed but what was the vehicle owner trying to get across by this hidden message? 

Perhaps the verse for today brings enlightenment in that God is always with us and is a sort of flotation device if you feel you are sinking. He is ‘ever present’ meaning always there. Wow! 

What are you dealing with in life where you need help? Reach out in prayer to God as He will send help. 

PRAYER: Lord God help me stay grounded in your word and I know you are always there in all situations. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Oh To Be Rich

 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21

One day I had been out shopping in downtown Boise and stopped at a high end coffee shop attached to a boutique hotel and watching the ‘rich and famous’ checking out and thinking how great it is to live in America and have the opportunities we do where you can literally have the chance to do anything you want. 

Furthermore Romans 12:16 states "Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but associate with the lowly. Do not be conceited.” Before arriving at this coffee shop I passed what the world would call a bum on the street. I smiled and said hi. He did not ask me for anything. 

If you have riches do you share with others or do you only heap up things for yourself? Do you tithe and help others in need and do it cheerfully?The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. This is 2 Corinthians 9:6-7. My friend don’t live like this is all there is. Some day you will die. We all will.  Enjoy life but be thankful and give money away and help others. 

PRAYER: Lord use me to help others not expecting anything in return. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Being Calm, Cool, And Collected

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14

Someone trying to get you in a dispute? Best thing is to stay calm and not enter in to this and don’t fall for schemes to blame you for starting a fight. Be still. 

One of the hardest things to do is wait for something. You want to orchestrate things and take matters into your own hands and you feel like screaming. I know it is hard to wait but know God is working in you while you learn to be still. 

Breathe in, breathe out. Give thanks. Pray. Read your Bible. Be still. Now go have a great day. 

PRAYER: Lord help me to learn to trust your ways and not mine. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Are You Doing Life Full Of The Spirit?

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 5:18

Attitudes, judgments, ugliness, refusing to admit wrong, starting arguments and so forth can deplete your spirit filled life.

Do your spiritual fruits need to be pruned because too much of the world has seeped in or your pride has caused you to not want to make amends with a person in your life? It takes courage to admit wrong but to seek peace you have to be willing to do this.

Go into the second half of 2026 determined to walk in love and to make peace your aim. A good tip is to stay off the social media merry go round which can contribute to angst. Now go run hard after God.

PRAYER: Today Lord help me show kindness to others. Give me the ability to not troll on social media and to give thanks. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Engulfed By Sin

The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head.Jonah 2:5

The word engulfed is a good word picture for we folks who live in fire country out west. Literally a dry hillside can be engulfed in rapidly spreading flames in a matter of minutes. Sin is like that. 

If you don’t do what you need to do to keep your heart and mind pure you literally could be engulfed in a torrent of sin that will sweep over you until you cry out to God to release you and get you out. 

This sin doesn’t have to be obvious ones people see as sinful but it could be judgements towards people, jealousy, anger at political opponents,  gossip, hatred, and so much more. Often you might think you are pretty good because your life isn’t like so and so but then you catch yourself being high and mighty and elevating yourself or your perfect church which is sinful too. Today listen to God’s voice. If your attitude towards people is less than honorable seek to be more like Jesus. If you have judged someone wrongly remember it is not your job to point out wrong but simply to pray and show love. 

PRAYER: My heart aches for people who can’t forgive and move on. I pray for healing of hurts and I pray for God to take His rightful place in peoples lives. Set people free who are following the wrong path of life. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Are You Doing Life Full Of The Spirit?

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 5:18

Attitudes, judgments, ugliness, refusing to admit wrong, starting arguments and so forth can deplete your spirit filled life.

Do your spiritual fruits need to be pruned because too much of the world has seeped in or your pride has caused you to not want to make amends with a person in your life? It takes courage to admit wrong but to seek peace you have to be willing to do this. 

Go into the second half of 2026 determined to walk in love and to make peace your aim. A good tip is to stay off the social media merry go round which can contribute to angst. Now go run hard after God. 

PRAYER: Today Lord help me show kindness to others. Give me the ability to not troll on social media and to give thanks. In Jesus’ name. Amen.