Roseau Times-Region - Serving Roseau County for over 100 Years - The Official Roseau County Newspaper

The title of this column says a lot. I had to write it down as soon as I heard it, lest I would forget. So much snow! I have banks of snow along the boardwalk in the backyard. And in my front yard I have a huge pile of snow from my driveway which Nate Roseen has been making. Every time I look out my front window, I am thankful, so thankful! I haven't started my snowblower yet. I plan to figure that out. So many things to figure out, but I am doing well. However, I have time and good neighbors. So thankful. The other day a friend and I were chatting. She kept saying the word "however." Again I immediately wrote down the thought which came to me. "We need "HOWEVERS" to have hope. The word however, to me, means there may be a "plan B, or C, or D etc." To have no hope would be an excruciating way to live.

Psalms 25: 3 says, "No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame.

Psalm 42: 5-6 Why are you downcast Oh my Soul? Why so disturbed within me PUT YOUR HOPE IN GOD, for I will yet praise Him my Savior and my God.

Psalm 62: 5-6 Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

In days past when there was a wood stove heating a home, the occupant may have needed to get up in the middle of the night to make sure the stove still had wood in it. Most of the time more wood would have to be added. It takes a lot of time to restart a fire. The spiritual maintenance of our lives is just like that. You can't be "fed" once a week at church and expect to have the inner spiritual resource you need to maintain stability in a crisis. Years ago I went through a very difficult time. I battled fear 24/7. I packed recipe cards with scripture written on them in my pockets both in my jeans, shirt,& my jacket. I had twelve plus cards with me no matter where I went. I would whip a couple out, and would be strengthened. I would be good for about 4 hours, and then would need to whip them out again. It was a battle!

There is a verse in Luke 12: 35-36 which says "Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning. Like men or women waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when He comes, and knocks, they can immediately open the door for Him."

When things go south and they will, time and time again, you will need to prepare yourself with knowledge of the scripture. I'm not talking about drugs or alcohol. Like eating healthy food, you need to feed yourself every day. Spiritual slothfulness will leave you unprotected.

1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.

I'm not using this verse as a scare tactic, but things happen and you need to pull your head out of the sand!

In order to have daily stability, DAILY time in the scripture is a must! Never let unconfessed sin create a ditch between you and God.

There are people who say "God never answers my prayers, then in their next breath, they go off slandering others and mock people who trust in Christ.

I have a notebook which I write the days date on the top of my morning thoughts, and then every morning as I read the scripture, I write down the scripture that speaks to me. I love this. It sets my day. I battle fear every day, and this is how I keep it from overpowering me. You will find out soon enough to plan ahead. Be wise and stay safe, cause "baby it's cold outside"!

Blessings

Julie