As this shortest month of the year, which sometimes wearily drags on the longest, passes the halfway point, I extend “Time for February” with a recent incident.
Over the holidays, I decorated our fireplace mantel. In typical fashion, I decked it with Christmas-y greens, lights, and ornaments. Also in typical fashion, a mantel clock usually sits centered there. I moved the mantel clock off to the side on a nearby bookshelf, planning to keep it running, visible and audible in a temporary spot.
This clock was built in a train station in Paris, now the Musee d’Orsay art museum.
The clock is mechanical. I wind it monthly and it keeps relatively good time, ticking in a calming, familiar way. I gave the clock a few winds as I set it on its new perch and gently pushed the pendulum to restart it. After a time, I realized the clock had not restarted. I again gave the pendulum a little shove to get it going. Again, some time later, the clock was not ticking, not keeping time. Just to make sure, a third time, I wound it a bit more and started the pendulum. This attempt also failed.
Now, I realized something else was awry. I suspected the bookshelf where I placed the clock might not be level. When the holidays ended and I put all the decorations away, the mantel clock went back on the mantel. With no prompting from me, the clock began its ticking, meting out its normal timekeeping. Apparently, the carpenter did a better job on the mantel than on our bookshelves!
Where do I take this time-keeping anecdote? I think of one of Jesus’ more familiar parables: The Wise and Foolish Builders (Matthew 7:24-27, Luke 6:47-49). Many know it well from the Sunday School ditty, “… the rains came down … and the floods went up!” What happened? When the winds and the rain came, as they certainly will, the house built on the sand collapsed, similar to my clock on the unlevel bookshelf. The house built on the rock foundation stood firm in the flood: my clock was perfectly functional on the solid mantel. In this construction story, Jesus says our lives must be founded on something solid, namely Him and His Truths, or there will be “destruction” (Luke 6 v 49). Storms are inevitable but grounding ourselves in Him stands the tests of time.
Happy New Year! You see, September always feels like New Year’s to me after my school years, then college, then becoming a teacher. Later, it felt like New Year’s when I sent my kids back to school … which at that time was September, but now, for many students, is mid-August. You financial types also experience the fiscal new year at this time.
This New Year’s (September) started with a bang for us: an early morning phone call on Labor Day weekend with a list of woes to be righted! Nothing life-shattering, but there were matters to attend to, nuisance issues to handle, on a holiday weekend. Frankly, troubles continue to pop up and I share this because I know you, my readers, face the same, and you’ll understand why I’m finally getting back to my blog.
We are thankful for a few days in the NC mountains recently. We were at The Cove (Billy Graham Training Center, hence our nametags). What could be better than September in the mountains? October! But it was so refreshing.
September, like New Year’s, urges a return to routine. My “A Writer’s Daughter” blog encourages the routine of being in Scripture, the book God authored for us. I came across some good insights on Bible reading this summer that I would like to share, written by J. D. Walt* (Wake-Up Call).
“’Meditate on it day and night.’ (Joshua 1 v 8) Do you know when that is? Yep. Always. It is always either day or night. But this little word – meditate– might mean more than you think it does. Many Eastern religions have laid claim to the concept of meditation. The biblical idea of meditation, as I understand it, is quite different. Meditation is often an attempt to empty one’s mind. The biblical practice of meditation is about filling one’s mind- with the Word of God.
“The Hebrew word (transliterated) hagah is pronounced “daw-gaw.” It means “to growl, utter, speak, or muse.” And, yes, you read it right, “to growl.” The biblical concept of meditation carries the image of a lion growling over, eating, and savoring its freshly caught prey. We so often think of the Word of God as duty we must exercise. The Spirit teaches us that the Word of God is a meal to be savored and enjoyed. Recall the signature instruction of Psalm 1: “But whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night.” (bolding mine)
“I have a working rubric that helps me engage the Word of God over time, and it has led me from a disciplined, dutiful reading of Scripture to a deeply delighted and desirous appetite for God’s Word. The hand is the mnemonic device with each finger representing a sequential step of engagement. And, of course, it is alliterated, each beginning with the letter r.
Little finger: Read (mouth)
Ring finger: Ruminate (meditate)
Middle finger: Rememberize (slowly load the long-term memory)
Index finger: Research (dig deeper)
Thumb: Rehearse (do it)”
May we all be encouraged to make time in God’s Word this New Year as part of our regular routine, in a delighted, enjoyable set aside time, and through on-going, joyful meditation.
*Walt, J. D. “Growling in the Word of God,” August 1, 2025. Wake-up Call, Seedbed.com
Niagara Falls is stunning! My family stopped at the Canadian Horseshoe Falls many times as we vacationed and visited family nearby. The Falls always scared me. The edge’s height, and the rushing forceful river plummeting to a deep drop below was nothing I wanted to be close to! I feared the power and danger of it all. Recently someone close to us shared a momentous waterfall experience. It is deep, personal, and worth passing on to you, but I’ll not use his actual name.
I remember being at this spot as a child. Photo by Ken Lund, wikimedia.org
Matt, as I’ll call him, told us his story of a dangerous edgepoint in his life. He was young and making choices; temptation teased him, and he was caught in its rush. Matt shared that as circumstances swelled around him, an older confidant reached out to him. The mentor spared no words in confronting Matt regarding his precarious situation. Matt said that he counselled him with words something like this: “Matthew, you are nearly at a point of no return. It’s as if you’re headed toward a Niagara Falls. You’re so close to being swept up and thrown over. You’ll plunge into disaster and be dashed on the rocks and tumult below. You’ve got a choice to make. It’s almost too late.”
Matt reflected on the mentor’s wise words, spoken out of love and concern. Time and proximity were opportune, so shortly after the conversation, Matt drove to Niagara Falls. He walked to the viewing edge. Looking over into the swirling depths far below, Matt shared that the gorge looked peaceful, something his life was not. I sensed that it was a moment of crisis: maybe he even considered taking that plunge; I was not sure what he meant.
But Matt continued his waterfall story. The following day, alone and still contemplating his future, he turned on the TV. In his channel surfing, he came across a preacher, who was standing in front of a waterfall backdrop – probably the filming magic of a ‘green screen’! The preacher blurted out, “Do you want to know the secret of real joy?” Matt did not want to know what the preacher’s idea of joy was, so he quickly changed the channel. A few moments later, Matt thought maybe he did want to hear the preacher’s answer. He clicked through the channels again, but he found no waterfall and no sermon. Without the TV message, the Lord brought to mind a little ditty his father had once told him. You probably have heard it too: JOY is found when you order your life with Jesus, then Others, and then Yourself. It seems trivial but it is truthful. Jesus must come first for a right life.
The rest of Matt’s story is that he edged away from the rushing whirlpool he faced. Instead, he turned toward the safety of solid ground although we know that shoreline can be steep and rocky. It was a victory for him because of Jesus’ victory over sin and death. We all admitted with Matt that we are always nearer a dangerous water’s edge than we realize.
This morning, I read these words in Psalm 94, “When I said, ‘My foot is slipping,’ your love, O Lord, supported me” (v 18), “ the Lord has become … the rock in whom I take refuge.” (v 22). Turbulent temptations rage at times, but we can claim the calm of Jesus’ victory on the cross. (See 1 Corinthians 10 v 13
Fun waterfall frolic at the NY State Fair last summer!
Sometimes appointments, introductions, and gym training sessions are divinely scheduled. When my husband and I joined the gym with the silver set membership, a trainer gave each of us an initial assessment. I enjoyed the gym overview and felt comfortable with the experienced trainer, Max. We agreed to schedule four paid sessions to learn about proper equipment usage, as well as develop targeted workouts.
The front desk staffer (see Part 2 below) pulled up the trainers’ schedules and informed us that Max was not available but suggested Andrea, also an experienced trainer but new to the gym. “Great,” I thought, “bait and switch – this will be crummy.” I shared my disappointment with a friend at the gym, but when she heard that we got Andrea, a huge smile broke across her face. Our friend assured us that Andrea was not only a qualified instructor and a nice gal to work with, but she knew the Lord and had a radiant faith.
Our friend was right. Andrea was a knowledgeable trainer who followed Jesus and a lovely person to work with. She taught us exercises suited to our needs, and we enjoyed getting to know her. About the third session in, Andrea said she had something she wanted to share with us. Her husband had been experiencing back pain for several months. He had tried various medical and exercise options, but he worsened to the point of being taken to the Emergency Room, being admitted to the hospital and finding out he had serious cancer – it was just days before Thanksgiving. She asked for prayer.
My husband and I finished our paid sessions with Andrea and got updates on her husband Greg. Diagnoses and treatments took over their lives and it was rough with their jobs and teenagers at home and being so new to the area. In a twist that seems unlikely yet clearly divine, my husband started driving Greg to some of his cancer treatments. We have had appointments and experience with the same facility, so it was easy to say yes to their need. To me it was an embodiment of the Scripture which says that because of our troubles, “we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” (2 Corinthians 1 v 4)
Full credit to Coastal Fitness where we work out.
The transport trips lasted only briefly due to Christmas travel and then a similar caretaking situation for my father-in-law. We still see Andrea at the gym; Greg continues to face medical challenges. Their faith in Jesus is intact, and we are thankful to God for His Divine introduction at Coastal Fitness through our silver set gym program! AMEN
Part 3
The sport of boxing has emerged as a good form of exercise, even for the silver set. While visiting my mother in June, I chatted over breakfast with a couple who are fellow residents. They told me they were headed to a group boxing class specially designed tor folks with Parkinsons. I agreed that the punching and quick footwork would be good for the mind and body, but they clarified that this boxing is done sitting in a chair! The participants ‘fight’ a volunteer opponent but the sport is obviously modified. Nevertheless, the gentleman was pumped up by his opportunity to box.
Another girlfriend of mine takes a kickboxing class at our gym. She says kickboxing is a rigorous class, leaving her huffing and feeling the stretch and pumps afterward! I think I’ll skip that class and stick to the easy elliptical for now. How surprising to me that Rocky’s famed sport worked its way to fighting the effects of aging!
The phrase “Your Arm’s Too Short to Box with God” wanders in my mind. It is not from Scripture: it is the name of a 70’s Broadway musical based on the Gospel of Matthew. There is however a Biblical reference to the reach of God’s arm. Isaiah 59 v 1 says, “Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save.” The statement seems inquisitive, as if someone is having doubts and wondering if God can come through for him. The Isaiah passage then unfolds a list of numerous grievous wrongs happening at the time. Although the verse promises that God’s arm is never too short or too weak to knock the breath out of any obstacle we face (“nor His ear too dull to hear”), He may choose not to engage when He has been disregarded, or His ways disobeyed.
The other day, I stopped by our gym to suspend our membership. We have been out of town frequently and we have had a lot going on when home. Rather than lose our ‘senior’ gym privileges, I put our membership on hold with hopes of getting back to workouts next month. God is in control. Gloves on, He’s in the ring for me!
Here’s a similar song of encouragement I heard at church a couple of weeks ago. The Lord Will Provide
Part 2
In part 1 of Gym Wonderings, I shared my observations as a new gym member, part of the silver set who exercise against aging. I noted with amusement the people-types at the gym. The physically fit gym regulars are known as gym rats. I try to get to the gym often, so I do not lose my membership, but my level of working out does not fall into the gym rat category.
I have noticed a gym employee who also does not fit the usual gym rat stereotype. She wears loose t-shirts and jogging pants rather than spandex athletic wear. Her body type is not the muscular, toned variety of most of the staff, but she is cheerful and confident in the uber fitness environment where she works. I admire her courage, her confidence to be who she is, though she stands out from her lean and lithe coworkers. I will add here that I understand there are many body types; not every figure is built to be lanky and trim. In fact, I’m sure she exercises regularly and has a healthy heart rate.
Honestly, not everyone at the gym should be in good body shape. Exercisers like me are there working out to become more fit. Our muscles need strengthening, we need to build stamina, and we want to firm up flab. We go to the gym as we are … in our not-so-haute workout attire!
There’s a spiritual parallel here. Many people think they will return to God once they clean up their act. They feel they must do better before they exercise any spiritual muscle. But like going to the gym, you don’t get spiritually fit first. Nothing we do fixes us spiritually. Instead, the Bible tells us to release ourselves to God, then the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ will do its transforming work. “Wash me [God], and I shall be whiter than snow,” declared David the Psalmist (Psalm 51 v 7). And Jesus said, “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5 v 32) Just like you can’t put on a trendy Under Armour outfit and call yourself fit, you can’t put on a Christian face and think you are saved. God’s power works in us from the inside out. Take courage, as the front desk gal at the gym does, and show up at a good workout place (a personal Bible study, or a church community group, or a worship service at a Bible believing church would be good starters for you). I would love to hear your story and how things are going!
Part 1
Last fall, my husband and I joined a local gym. Thanks to an advantage of our health insurance, we, the Silver Set, get free membership! It’s a great deal and we are blessed to have a very nice facility close to our home.
This is a new experience for me. I was not a high school athlete, so I did not work out in a gym, except for the required P.E. classes. In my adult life, I’ve taken various exercise classes, but it is a first for me to frequent the gym for personal workouts.
A few things immediately stood out to me. I noticed the types of folks at the gym and the types of workout outfits they wear. Many gym goers are younger than me, with buff bodies, seemingly very fit. They flaunt well-defined muscles in spandex-tight workout clothes. I now recognize gym regulars, the body builders, and the staff trainers. While that crowd is miles ahead of me in fitness, I’ve found them to be friendly and respectful.
I’ve noticed another set of gym types. They are older and less fit. They work out in outfits from their drawer: maybe stretchy pants and a t-shirt but I saw one guy in denim jeans, with a leather belt and flannel shirt. Bless his heart, at least he was exercising! I am more aligned with this group: working out on a basic level, dressed in something less than Under Armour.
So, what am I wondering, you’re wondering? Does the Bible say much about fitness? Yes, fitness is addressed in Scripture. New Testament events took place in Greco-Roman times, when body building and sports competition were popular, and there are Scripture references to both. The Apostle Paul told young Pastor Timothy to train for a godly life because “physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is valuable in every way” (1 Timothy 4 v 8). In Hebrews, believers are encouraged to “run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.” (Hebrews 12 v 1)
As summer approaches, I will continue my gym visits and not neglect to train spiritually as well. Of course, I love that the Hebrews quote above calls Jesus our Author! I encourage you to exercise the habit of reading His Word regularly. “How to Read the Bible” on my Pages tab provides ideas for Bible reading. I also added a new quote on the Testimonial page.
If you subscribe to my blog via email, thank you. Posts are best viewed at “A Writer’s Daughter”
