In the early morning, I went outside to get the newspaper that had been thrown across the driveway. It was a perfect summer day. The dew was sparkling on the lawn that my husband had freshly mowed the afternoon before. The crepe myrtle bushes were showing off their deep purple blooms.

Around the hummingbird feeder were a couple of those tiny birds with the long beaks that are so much fun to watch. A streak of brilliant blue flew past my face. I turned around to see papa bluebird flying into the bluebird house.

When I looked up to the heavens, there was not a cloud in the sky. "Thank you, Jesus," I found myself praying as I picked up the paper and headed back into the house.

Driving back from the grocery store later in the day, I noticed that the sky was dotted with clouds. Getting out of my car, I continued to gaze at those clouds "messing" up my beautiful view.

This is often the way our day begins. So clear. So clean. And then before long, it gets "messed" up with the frustrations of a job, raising a family, and maybe just living.

Sometimes, clouds turn into thunder and lightning, and become turbulent storms. Also, sometimes, the problems of the day become turbulent, and we feel like our lives have been turned upside down in a few hours' time.

But today's Scripture says that God owns it all. He still controls the storms of the air. In the same way, He also controls the storms of our lives.

Prayer: We bless You, O God, that You own it all. We praise You, Jesus, that You move the clouds of darkness right out of our lives when we turn to You for answers. Thank You that we are once again clean, clear, and forgiven. Amen.

The storm clouds were raging all across our state!

For most of the afternoon, one of the network channels had suspended regular programming to broadcast information about the inclement weather. Over and over, we watched the radar light up in vivid multicolour due to the wind, rain, hail, and lightning in the storms.

So, we were not surprised when storm watches and warnings reached us in the north-eastern part of our state. Already, I had been praying for God's protection as we made the appropriate preparations for a time like this.

Our seven-year-old granddaughter, Mary Kathryn, soon sensed our apprehension. With her usual quiet, gentle spirit, she came to me and asked me to pray with her. I gathered her close in my arms and asked God to put His protective angels around our family and keep us safe from the storms.

Soon, the tornado sirens began to sound their alarm. The long and loud sound just heightened the fear I had begun to see in Mary Kathryn's eyes.

Memories began to surface as I was reminded of a similar situation many years before. Jerry was a young college student at that time. We were newlyweds living on campus when a giant storm began to brew in the dark night.

There were no weather channels and no sirens back in those days. But there was no mistaking the ferocious winds with a noise that sounded much like a giant train coming through our backyard. I still remember the comfort and protection I felt in my husband's arms as he gathered us in our small hallway until the storm passed over.

There in the middle of the huge storm in which we found ourselves, I asked God to remove Mary Kathryn's fear and to replace that fear with peace. Right before my eyes, I saw the fear disappear. The storm still clapped with thunder, and the tornado sirens rang out again, but I saw only peace in Mary Kathryn's countenance.

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for opportunities to pray with our grandchildren. Thank You that Mary Kathryn's child-like faith was much increased on that stormy day as she literally lived out today's Scripture. Thank You for making "So do not fear; for I am with you" become a reality for us. Help all of us to realize the peace of Your presence. Amen.

Who could believe the summer had slipped away so quickly? Less time would now be spent on the swing set and riding bicycles in the neighbourhood. The swimming pool was being covered until the next year. The new school year was beginning, and now most extra hours would be spent with homework and basketball practice.

Our only grandson, Levi, would start his new school year in the first grade. His little sister, Brooke, would make her first appearance in the four-year-old preschool class.

Uniforms and school supplies were purchased, and opening day arrived. Levi knew his way around because he had attended the small Christian school during his preschool and kindergarten days. But I was a tiny bit apprehensive about Brooke's first full day. Would she miss her mom or become too tired before school was dismissed?

I was pleased that I would be picking them up after school, and I could hardly wait to see their smiling faces. Gradually inching my car in a long line of parents and grandparents waiting, I spotted Levi and Brooke. They were standing by one of the teachers helping with after-school duty. I could tell Levi was being very protective of his little sister when he said, "Come on, Brooke, I will show you where to go. I am your big brother, and I will take care of you." Her face was very peaceful because she felt the security in her brother's voice.

Here I was: the grandmother anxiously searching Brooke's face to see how her first day of school had gone. As they piled their backpacks and lunchboxes in my car, Brooke was happy to see me, but it was her brother, Levi, who was the hero of the day. He had been there at the end of the long school session to help his younger sister in her time of need.

God is that kind of big brother to us. Perhaps you have a lot of fair-weather friends who stick around when things are going well, but manage to remove themselves when things are turning tough. The greatest evidence of genuine friendship is loyalty.

Prayer: Thank You, heavenly Father, that we can trust You like Brooke does her brother, Levi. Friends may come and go, but You are faithful and will always be waiting to help us in our time of need. Amen.

Gone are the fierce storms of last evening. All day, the meteorologists warned us of the impending danger of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. About dusk, black clouds, with a hint of that strange green hue which normally means hail, rolled across our area of the country. Lightning lit up the sky and the wind blew fiercely.

Finally, the rumble of the thunder went farther and farther away, and we could no longer hear rain beating against our windows. Once again, God had brought us safely through a huge storm.

Today, I am having my quiet time on the front porch where the storm blew so ferociously during those turbulent minutes. The chairs have been turned upright after being tossed against the side of the house. The air is clean and pure, as my husband gathers up fallen limbs from the trees. Leaves blow gently in the air, and the warm sun kisses my face as I say a prayer of thankfulness.

Sometimes the storms of life come upon us with the same fierceness experienced last night in the rain and the wind. Unready to completely surrender our lives to God, we hang onto seemingly innocent encumbrances. We become stagnant in our prayer life and study of God's holy Word. Worship time diminishes until it becomes a secondary consideration. Then storms of doubt and fear and unbelief begin to choke our relationship with God.

If we cry out to Him, He will answer us. As our heavenly Father, He longs to bring us back tenderly into the fold.

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, that You restore us after the storms of life have passed over. There may be a period of sifting days while You ever so gently remould and remake us into Christ's likeness, but peace and joy can be ours again when we call upon You. Amen.

For several weeks, my ninety-one-year-old mother-in-law has been adjusting to her new life in a long-term care facility. She soon became involved in the daily activities around her. Being a "people person" herself, she enjoys the interaction with staff and residents. The game of bingo is one of her favourites, and she delights in meeting twice a week to play.

When we walked in one day at the close of game time, she greeted us with a big, wide grin and said, "I am the champion." Questioning her, we discovered she had been the winner several times that day and was declared their champion.

Now on this earthly planet that we call our temporary home, there have been several champions. Goliath from Gath was the first one I recall. He was killed quickly by David. In football there is a Superbowl champion. Golf has its Masters' game, NASCAR drivers pursue a championship during each racing season, and usually a different basketball team is named the NCAA champion when "March madness" rolls around.

And then there is my mother-in-law, who is the bingo champion of her long-term care centre.

But the greatest champion of all ages is Jesus. John 14:6 tells us that He is the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to God except through Him. Jesus is the way to live eternally. By accepting Him as our Saviour, our lives will be joined to His forever.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, today we accept the truth of Your promises. We will trust You, and each enjoy all the benefits of being Your child. Thank You for being our champion. Amen.

It was Dedication Day for our new building in the church where my family and I have been members for many years. Over seven years before, the church voted to relocate from the downtown location occupied for more than half a century.

"This has truly been a miracle of God," the chairman of the building committee shared with an overflow congregation on that first Sunday. One of our senior citizens, who has been a member of the church since 1931, told the happy congregation, "God has led all the way."

A former minister, who was with us when the building program began, challenged us never to forget, "It's all about Him."

The new building was raised up during a time when there were many months without a pastor. Yet, God revealed His mighty power during the long process through His question, "Is anything too hard for me?" (Jeremiah 32:27 NIV)

Today, many of us face uphill decisions in our life. It seems there is a long, hard road ahead of us. But if we know we are being obedient, God can keep us moving with the same question, "Is anything too hard for me?" We are called to plunge into the very area to which God calls us. He will help us to accomplish much.

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for guiding all congregations currently undergoing construction projects. Help all of us never to forget that it is all about You. May others see Jesus in us as we minister through new or expanded buildings. Amen.

"Grandma, I have my coupons. Can we go eat pizza?" It was my seven-year-old granddaughter, Brooke, with a handful of coupons in her purse.

I couldn't keep from smiling. Many times in her young life, Brooke had seen me presenting coupons to the cashier. We had used them for groceries, burgers, gas, and many other items. Now here she was with coupons she had found on a new calendar. It pleased me immensely that she was following in the steps of her grandmother.

"Brooke, I would love pizza," was my reply. What an enjoyable time we had as we selected our favourites and ate our cheese bread sticks while waiting for the pizza to cook.

I am grateful Brooke chooses to emulate her grandmother in using her coupons, but it is more important that we pass on from one generation to another God's faithfulness in our lives, share answered prayer with our children and grandchildren, read to them about God's great miracles found in the Bible, and tell them all that we see Him do in our lives daily.

Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for the responsibility You have given us to instruct our children and grandchildren from one generation to another. Enable us to keep our spirits open to opportunities You provide which will help us tell them about Your mighty love. Amen.