Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far has the LORD helped us." 
           
  I Samuel 7:12

In our Sunday School lesson this last week we studied how God defeated the Philistines for the Israelites because they had repented and turned back to Him. As a result Samuel, the leader of the Israelites, took a stone, moved it around, and set it up as a kind of memorial marker. He called it, Ebenezer-"a stone of help." He dedicated that stone and that spot saying, "Thus far has the LORD helped us."  The word Ebenezer is made up of two words; eben means "stone," and ezer means "help". The name would remind future generations that at this place, the LORD helped Israel win a great victory.

This account helped to prompt an important question. What are our "Ebenezers"? What are our grateful memories of God's deliverance or help or blessing or presence? As we look back over our lifetime we can see opportunities for many Ebenezers.

Blessings and Encouragement,

Paul and Gail

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
                                                                                                      I Cor. 10:31

We regret that we were unable to blog last week, but we were in Commerce, Georgia helping our daughter and future son-in-law prepare for their wedding. There was much to do including painting, hanging pictures, planning seating for the wedding as the wedding is going to be in Rick's back yard, and preparing for the reception.  So there was plenty to keep us busy while we were in Georgia. Fortunately, our daughter, Christiane, gave us some of her Sky Miles so we were able to fly to Georgia rather than drive. Because we had so much to carry on, we didn't take our lap top to do any computer work. (Checking bags gets very expensive.)

Most mornings we get up early and go to the Lenawee Christian School campus to walk and pray for the school. This morning we happened on the pavers at the entrance of the track and football field. On one of the pavers was written, "To God Be The Glory." This is a good reminder that whatever transpires in our lives we need to pray that God will be glorified. So, whether it is in sickness, retirement, weddings, or just day-to-day living, we should seek to glorify God with our lives. A perfect example would be the life of Joseph in the Old Testament. Even though he went through some very difficult times, even spending years in prison, he glorified God with his life. As a result, God rewarded him by elevating him to a very high position in the Egyptian government. We may not always be rewarded in that way, but we need to seek to glorify Him in whatever way we can.

Blessings and Encouragement,

Paul and Gail

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does not bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."  John 15:1-2

For more than twenty years we have lived at Amsler Drive, and during this time we have personally attempted to do all the trimming of our shrubs and trees. Recently we have noted they have needed a good pruning, but we do not have the equipment to do the job correctly. So, we called on Cliff and Janet Marr, who are professionals, to reshape the trees and shrubs the way they should be. Last Saturday they spent several hours trimming and shaping the follage, which restored the look of our home that has been missing over the past few years. We were in awe at how much this pruning enhanced our total landscape.

John 15:1-2 tells us that God does a pruning process in our lives. This pruning is important so that we can bear more and better fruit. In other words, He can remove things from our life that make us ineffective in our walk with Him, or He has brought things into our life which has allowed us to trust God more. The surgery that Paul recently underwent is an example of pruning in that it helped to bring perspective and clarity on life's priorities. Pruning is essential for the overall health of a plan,t and God's pruning is essential for the abundant life of a Christian.

Blessings and Encouragement,

Paul and Gail