Well everyone, it is October.  It remains my favorite month after all these years, for the lovely colors strung up and blowing everywhere—so abundantly that there is no need for added decorations for my annual celebration on the fourth.  

This month enters with a mixture of joy and stress for many each year.   

• lovely colors,  
• homecoming festivities,  
• being settled into a routine,  
• cozy sweaters and jeans back in action.   

And stressors:  

• looming mid-terms,  
• needing to act on that developing fall relationship before someone else does,  
• wrapping up quad one classes,  
• the sleepover stage of life with a roommate long gone.   

Some years, we tire from sprinting throughout September and realize sprinting isn’t sustainable all schoolyear long.  We’d better slow our pace and find a way to not burn out by Halloween…or Harvest Festival…or Trunk or Treat Ministry Night—whatever is or isn’t deemed acceptable both theologically and pandemically speaking at this calendar flip in history… 

Lift yourself—lift your eyes, your chin, your prayers, your weary body out of bed for an early stroll—and receive the gifts around you.   

• The beautiful sunrise through the trees.   
• The dew-dripping leaves and grasses.   
• The mercies of a new morning.  
• Companionship with the Creator.  
• Your breath hanging in the air.   
• The pumpkins and squash and ever-changing leaves. 

Have faith that if you look up, He will be faithful to show you His goodness. His beauty. His powerful hand to redeem ALL things. As Psalm 24 reminds us, this world and all who dwell in it are the Lord’s. In these verses, we are reminded to seek God’s face and lift our heads. 

Psalm 24 

¹The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof,
    the world and those who dwell therein,
² for he has founded it upon the seas
    and established it upon the rivers. 

³ Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
    And who shall stand in his holy place?
⁴ He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
    who does not lift up his soul to what is false
    and does not swear deceitfully.
⁵ He will receive blessing from the Lord
    and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
⁶ Such is the generation of those who seek him,
    who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah 

⁷ Lift up your heads, O gates!
    And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
    that the King of glory may come in.
⁸ Who is this King of glory?
    The Lord, strong and mighty,
    the Lord, mighty in battle!
⁹ Lift up your heads, O gates!
    And lift them up, O ancient doors,
    that the King of glory may come in.
¹⁰ Who is this King of glory?
    The Lord of hosts,
    he is the King of glory! Selah 

This Psalm brings the simple song “This is My Father’s World” to my mind as well as a new favorite “Be Alright” by Evan Craft with Danny Gokey and Redimi2.  Check it out on You Tube and be comforted remembering God’s promises to us in Isaiah 41:10: 

Fear not, for I am with you;
    be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 

Isaiah 41:10 

https://youtu.be/9NLnlPs-m58  

Dear Lod—Creator, Sustainer, Giver of Wisdom and Joy—I pray for your direction, protection, intervention and JOY to penetrate our lives as we lift our heads to you. Fill us with your strength, Truth, and joy as we seek to walk with you, Christ, each day.   

Help us to be wise in our use of our time, our words, our relationships, and all our other resources that we may honor your creation in us by taking good care of our bodies, lives, and relationships.  We are weak and need your strength.  Please work in us to grow in Joy and strength as we rest in you. Nehemiah 10:8. 

In Jesus’ name and under the covering of His grace we pray. Amen. 

With deep confidence in Christ, 

October 1-2
Homecoming  

October 14-15
Quad 1 Finals 

October 18-19
Fall Break (no classes)