THE NEW EWE

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'"

Luke 15:4-6

March 19, 2025

LIFE IN THE FOLD

As I've been typing the past few days, the letter "i" on my laptop has started sticking. You don't realize how much you use a particular letter, until it's causing issues. As I've worked on this newsletter, as well as other things I've typed recently, it has been a tad frustrating to have the "i" stick. I have to go back and retype words or make sure it doesn't leave a capitalized "I" out in a sentence.

Too bad it's not the a q or z or x that aren't working, which are letters I seldom use. But I'm sure the reason the "i" is causing me issues right now is due to overuse.

Sometimes I feel like that "i" on my laptop. I didn't know as you aged that you would start grunting when you stood up; and that if you have to get down on the floor, it's much easier to stand up if you're standing beside a chair or something you can hang onto as you push yourself up. I didn't know that I'd one day look at my arms and think, "When did my skin start turning crepey looking? Are those age spots?!" I didn't know that I'd start randomly getting those chin hairs or facial hairs, that I used to not have. I had no idea that there would be nights when I felt like I was going to fall asleep as soon as my head touched the pillow, only to lie there wide awake for the next two hours; or fall asleep, then be wide awake an hour or two later; or wake up at 5:00 in the morning, unable to fall back to sleep. I didn't know that I'd be unable to have any drinks with caffeine after a certain hour, or I'd have a hard time sleeping. I never knew that there would be so much joy on those rare, rare occasions when I happen to sleep through the night without waking up to use the bathroom.

I heard my older sisters talk about all of those things, but I didn't truly understand, until it happened to me. It's kind of like trying to explain those things to my nieces and nephews, who are mostly between the ages of early to mid 30's to around 50. The ones getting near or in their 50's now are starting to get it. The younger ones seem to think that they will never deal with such things as their old parents or aunts and uncles. One day they, too, will understand!

Sometimes in the body of Christ people become worn out or feel stuck. Perhaps they've had a lot of responsibilities within the church, without having times of rest so that they can refuel spiritually and be ministered to. Sometimes individuals teach that class or sing or are an usher or whatever it may be, not because they feel a calling or desire to do so, but because no one else will take up that responsibility. On the flip side, the ones who refuse to obey the calling and nudging of the Holy Spirit to get involved are miserable due to them sitting idle. Other times, there are those who feel as if their in a spiritual rut and their relationship with God and church just becomes meh. They've lost their enthusiasm and passion for spiritual things.

I've found myself in a few of the above places from time to time. I end up miserable or having lost my zeal for church or spiritual things. There have been times when I've found church boring because it's the same thing week after week. Just being honest! I already know what to expect before I get there. But perhaps my attitude is the problem! I don't go expecting to receive from the Lord and ready to hear His Word and be ministered to.

There have been times when I've over-extended myself by being too involved and having too many church responsibilities where I'm running from the time I walk in until I leave. It can become spiritually exhausting. And sometimes the more a person is willing to do, the more that just keeps getting heaped on them. Instead of people asking if perhaps they're the ones who may need to participate and become involved, it's easy to say, "Let that person do it! They won't mind."

Perhaps there are some things that we may not have much control over, such as aging. But we can control our attitude and outlook. I realize that sometimes health issues and various other things can have an affect on individuals, but here is something that I have observed. Many times the attitude of a person determines their quality of life. If someone is constantly complaining or negative or looking for something to be critical about or focusing on what's going wrong, then they tend not have a very good quality of life. Their mindset and attitude seems to age them. But I've been around and known some very enthusiastic and energized old people. They may have some health issues and everything isn't perfect, but they look for the good in life and enjoy themselves. They're happy!

If you're feeling stuck, here are some scriptures that perhaps will help you find that place of rest and restoration of joy and a restored enthusiasm for life and the things of God.

"See, God has come to save me. I will trust in Him and not be afraid. The Lord God is my strength and my song; He has given me victory. With joy you will drink deeply from the fountain of salvation." Isaiah 12:2-3

Know that you can trust in God and you don't have to be afraid. Allow God to be your strength and song. In fact, scripture says that God sings over you! Receive the victory that He has given you. Then drink deeply from the fountain or well of salvation; and do it with joy!

"He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness, for His name's sake." Psalms 23:2-3

Perhaps you need rest. It's okay sometimes to say no. It's okay to rest. It's during those times of lying down in green pastures and beside still waters that God will restore your soul. Do you need restoration? Then listen to the Lord and rest when He says rest. It's only then that restoration and strength will come.

JON'S PERSPECTIVE:

I was out sick most of last week. I was achy and feverish, but only occasionally had pain. Honestly, I could have gone to work. But I didn't have any duties that needed done, so I took the week to relax and recover without trying to make myself sicker.

It was a good time. And I think I needed the rest. But if I hadn't been sick, I wouldn't have take off.

Psalms 23 says, "He makes me lie down...". Not that He encourages, or orders me. He makes me. Sometimes I need to be made to lie down. Last week was one of those times.

But it isn't meant as a hardship. He wants us to relax from time to time. So take time to watch a sunrise this week, and relax and enjoy it.

ON THE MENEWE:

Brown Sugar Maple Glazed Bacon

Line two baking sheets with foil. One pan will be used to prep the bacon.

Place a baking rack onto the other pan and spray with cooking spray. Set aside.

Separate bacon strips and line up on the pan without the rack.

Drizzle maple syrup over the slices and using a pastry brush, evenly distribute it over the top of all the slices. Flip the bacon slices and repeat.

Sprinkle about 2 Tablespoons of brown sugar evenly onto the tops of the maple-coated bacon. Use the pastry brush to distribute evenly. The brown sugar will begin to mix with the syrup already on the bacon.

Flip the bacon over and transfer the slices to the baking sheet with the rack. Sprinkle another 2 Tablespoons of brown sugar over the tops of the bacon, using the pastry brush again to distribute it.

Place baking sheet in a cold oven on the middle rack.

Set oven temperature to 350 and allow to come to temperature while the bacon is in the oven. Check at 15 minutes, then every 2-5 minutes until bacon is deeply browned and shiny.

Keep an eye on it so that the sugar doesn't burn. (It will likely take between 25-30 minutes, depending on the thickness of the bacon slices.)

Remove from oven. Allow to cool for a couple minutes, then serve.

Store covered in refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can reheat the bacon in the microwave, loosely covered with waxed paper or plastic wrap, for a few seconds per slice.

THIS, THAT AND THE OTHER:

I was a horrible traveler when I was a kid. We didn't go long distances very often. But my oldest sister got married a few weeks before my 6^th birthday and moved to western Kansas. During the 2-3 years that they lived there, we went out to visit them a few times. I was one of those kids who would constantly ask, "Are we almost there?" "How much further?" "Where are we?" We had those big old cars, with no air conditioning, so would ride with all the windows rolled down, in the summer. It was Daddy, Mama, my three other sisters, and I in the car..... which totals 6, if you don't want to do the math. At least one time, we took one of our cousins with us on the trip. So we had a full carload of people! I think we usually would leave late afternoon after Daddy got off work; so Mama would make up sandwiches or fry some chicken or something to eat on the way for supper. I'm pretty sure we girls were probably talking and/or singing the majority of the trip..... our poor, poor parents! There's probably several reasons my parents liked to travel at night -- it would be cooler in the summer; but also, probably so my sisters and I would sleep part of the way so they could enjoy some quiet.

THOUGHT TO PONDER:

God is not in a hurry. You are.

It is why you are tired. It is why you are anxious, stressed, and disappointed.

Surrender your timeline in favor of His peace. - TobyMac

OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO YOU:

We love you!

Loretta & Jon

http://www.graysheep.org