Midweek Meditation with Pastor Edith
September 17, 2025
John 8:12 + Matthew 5:16

Yesterday I was visiting at the hospital and had an opportunity to chat with the Chaplain. I asked him how he could manage moving from crisis to crisis in the midst of many quiet moments. He shared how he simply has to live in the moment, remembering that God is a very present help in all situations. He admitted it gets wearisome, but he knows where to find rest. We chatted about our churches and I was happy to share how I get to be part of a wonderful church family known as Hursttown Church. I shared how one of the many blessings I enjoy at our church is when we are asked to pray, and we do. Many times, prayers are shared on our “prayer chain” and often our prayers are spontaneous, maybe even in the middle of the grocery store.

He looked at me and then leaned forward and told me, one of the saddest things he has ever been told during his visitations came from a patient who told him that the only time anyone ever speaks with him about spiritual things is when he is in the hospital.

That is truly sad. I felt a new motivation not to be so shy about sharing a simple prayer with anyone who is willing to chat. Our scriptures for today remind us to be the light of Christ wherever we are; “Jesus said ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” And; “’Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.’” Someone may cross your path today and need a bit of light to brighten their day, how about taking a moment to pray a simple word from the Lord that will encourage them and lighten their load. I find whenever I do, I feel lighter too.

AMEN and Pray on!

Midweek Meditation with Pastor Edith
September 3, 2025
Matt.25:34-36

I stumbled upon a book that was hiding amongst other paperback books on my very messy bookshelf. I must have inherited it from my friend who owned this home and bookshelf before we bought it. I am thankful that my friend was a committed, faithful follower of Christ and had so many wonderful books for spiritual and Godly growth. The book I found this evening is titled; “In My Father’s House-The years before “The Hiding Place’” by Corrie ten Boom. I opened it to chapter 10; “Reach Out” and read the following; “Europe was devastated at the end of World War I; there was danger of starvation in war-torn countries, and yet there was also a resurgence of hope in the world. ‘Make the world safe for democracy’ was the slogan of the Allies. The humanitarian compassion of the United States and the victor nations in sending supplies and food prevented millions from going hungry”. I felt like I had stepped into a time machine and was hearing my father and father in law discussing their time during the war. I remembered how my dad, a Dutch immigrant, shared with my father in law how grateful he was to the U.S. military for their “food drops”. It seems my father in law was one of the many Airmen who participated in the dispensing of tons of food through strategic “drop zones” and it was very possible that my dad received food for his family from one of those missions.

Many are experiencing the effects of war even as I type this meditation. Please pray with me that the leaders of those countries in conflict will sense a way of peace. That the hungry will be fed, that the injured will be healed, and the lost will be found. I know it must sound like an impossible dream, and yet, I only know to pray and act in accordance with my God who created us all to begin with. Perhaps, peace begins at home, and then can flow out to meet the desperate need of others. Our scripture reading for today says; “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me’”.

If you are part of changing the world with a helpful mission or ministry to comfort, house, feed and heal, would you reach out to me so that I may pass such opportunities on as well as pray and support however the Lord leads? You can, of course, find me on Facebook or through Hursttown.com. Now, I will close with the words of a song titled “Help Somebody Today” by Mrs. Frank A Breck and Charles H. Gabriel; “Many have burdens too heavy to bear, Help somebody today! Grief is the portion of some everywhere, Help somebody today! Help somebody today, somebody along life’s way. Let sorrow be ended, the friendless befriended, Oh, help somebody today”.

AMEN and Pray on!

Midweek Meditation with Pastor Edith
August 27, 2025
Psalm 73:28

From where I am sitting, it is a beautiful day in the neighborhood! But, in case from where you are sitting, or standing, the day seems far from beautiful, let me encourage you. The Psalmist in our text for today sings; “But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds”. That seems like a good place to be, near God, and yet, I wonder; what comes before the “but” here at the end of this Psalm.

He writes things like; “When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you” (vs. 11-12). Also; “But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked” (vs. 2-3). What do you think? Could it be that none of us is exempt from moments, maybe even days or months of feeling far from God? Here’s the thing; God hasn’t moved away, even when you feel like you are going through “the valley of the shadow of death”. Please understand, I am not saying that all our troubles are caused by ourselves, what I am saying is that God is there in the midst of our troubles.

If you or someone you love is going through a dark and lonely time, take a moment to sit with Psalm 73:28 and ask the Lord in the power of his Holy Spirit to bring comfort, and guidance through the difficulties. It may not change the situation, but it can change you and I believe, someone will find their way closer to God. “There is a place of comfort sweet, near to the heart of God; A place where we our Savior meet, Near to the heart of God. O Jesus, blest redeemer, sent from the heart of God, hold us, who wait before thee, near to the heart of God” (From the “Hymn Near to the Heart of God “ by Cleland McAfee).

AMEN and Pray on!

Midweek Meditation with Pastor Edith
August 20, 2025
Acts 5:27-42

Today started off a little differently than I had planned, have you ever had mornings like that? My life is relatively scheduled and I am blessed to be available should the schedule change, still, I find comfort in having a plan and sticking with it. When things suddenly change, It’s best to A.S.A.P. (you may recall this from an earlier post ), Always Stop And Pray. Sit for a bit, if circumstances allow, and make the changes necessary to proceed with your Kingdom work, no matter where you currently find yourself.

Today’s scripture reading includes just such a situation with the Apostles who were arrested for preaching, teaching and healing in the name of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. When they were questioned why they continued even after they had been instructed by the Pharisees to stop, Peter and the other Apostles replied; “We must obey God rather than human beings”! Then in verses 33-38 a well-respected teacher of the Law named Gamaliel tells the court privately (The Apostles were told to wait outside), that these Apostles should be left alone; “Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God”.

Cool don’t you think! Even the authorities who refused to accept Jesus Christ as their redeemer and Messiah sensed the authority and power of God over these simple men. It may be a stretch here, but this is how I am encouraged today. I will close with a quote from my study bible concerning this very thought; The Apostles “kept right on proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus, and God kept on doing mighty miracles. And the number of believers kept on growing”. Hear that repetition; They and God kept on. I’m singing a little chorus that encourages me to do just that; “Lord lay some soul upon my heart, and love that soul through me, and let me ever do my part to win that soul for Thee” (written by Leon Tucker, music by Ira Sankey).

AMEN and Pray on!

Midweek Meditation with Pastor Edith
August 14, 2025
James 1:5

Our Scripture for today reads; “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you”. Do you perceive yourself to be wise? I suppose I would say yes part of the time, but I can’t honestly say yes all of the time. This makes me wonder if I choose to ask God every time I make a decision, and if not, why? Perhaps we get ourselves so busy and caught up in life that we don’t take time to be Holy (as the old hymn goes). Even if you find yourself unable to do much, it can still be a problem controlling your thoughts which then leads to a false perception of God’s will for your life. You are not alone. We all struggle with staying on track with the Lord. Let me encourage you today to A.S.A.P.; Always Stop and Pray (My daughter gave me a cup that has this printed on it).

I try to keep a bible and a hymnal close by for times when I’m caught up in “doing” instead of “being” in the presence of God and yesterday and even again this morning, I needed to check in with the Lord. Here are some words from a hymn that was published in 1924 written by George Webster and Charles Gabriel that helped me and I pray it helps you;

“I need Jesus, my need I now confess; No friend like Him in times of deep distress; I need Jesus, the need I gladly own; Tho’ some may bear their load alone, Yet I need Jesus”. How about you today? He’s just a prayer away.

AMEN and Pray on!

Midweek Meditation with Pastor Edith
August 6, 2025
1 Peter 5:6-7 and 1 Corinthians 10:13

As I was driving in my car earlier today, I stumbled upon a sermon being preached on my radio that caught my attention. I can’t remember the preachers name, but I got a lot out of the few nuggets I could listen too as I was running errands and kept getting in and out of the car. I would so love to become the kind of preacher than can give repeated nuggets of God’s wisdom so that when folks are running errands, maybe even just in their own minds during my sermons, they would have something significant to carry them through their week (smile).

Here is what I remember; “God allows for our trials to develop us. The devil brings us temptations to destroy us. But God uses both to mature us”. Let that soak in a bit, you might want to read that out loud a few times, I know I have.

I didn’t get to hear his scripture references, but I found two that fit pretty well. 1 Peter 5:6-7; “Humble yourselves under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you”. We will face trials in this life, but God cares for us in the middle of them.

1 Corinthians 10:13; “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it”. Facing temptations is simply a part of the human condition, but God is also right there showing us a way out. I would say the way to deal with trials and temptations is to take it to the Lord in prayer. Seems to me I remember an old hymn about that; “Have we trials and temptations. Is there trouble anywhere. We should never be discouraged, take it to the Lord in prayer…”

AMEN and Pray on!

Midweek Meditation with Pastor Edith
July 30, 2025
Psalm 46:10

I must have been quite talkative as a youngster, because I can remember the adults telling me over and over; “Just be still Edith”. I don’t suppose the adults understood how hard that can be for a kid, especially an anxious kid like me. Nevertheless, I have grown into a very talkative adult (I can almost hear some of you from my church saying “true that” ).

In the ministries with which I am involved, there are many who are elderly and often not feeling well. It is a challenge for me to be both sympathetic and encouraging the Joy of the Lord at the same time, but, alas, I am responsible to do just that. Today, I received word that yet another of the folks in my sphere of influence has passed on to heaven. While rejoicing that her pain and suffering are done, there is still the sorrow of the loved ones left behind, particularly her devoted husband. It’s ironic that I have just recently been the officiant of a young couples wedding where they requested the traditional vows that include; “in sickness and in health”. I remember counseling with them to take these vows to heart and trust that the Lord will see them through it all. Maybe you can relate how you have been challenged with sickness. Perhaps these times of illness or caring for someone who is ill is God’s way of reminding us that we are never alone, no matter how we feel and we can use these times to encourage someone who feels as if no one can understand what they are going through. Just a thought.

I find comforting words in the last stanza of an “oldie, but a goodie”; “Be Still My Soul” written by Katharina Von Schlegel in the early 1700’s and inspired by the Psalmist who wrote; “Be still, and know that I am God!” Katharina writes:

“Be still, my soul! The hour is hastening on. When we shall be forever with the Lord. When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone. Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored. Be still, my soul! When change and tears are past. All safe and blessed we shall meet at last”.

AMEN and Pray on!

Midweek Meditation with Pastor Edith
July 23, 2025
Psalm 62:5-8

Do you ever have nights when you are awakened by your own thoughts? Troubling thoughts, anxious thoughts, sad thoughts? What do you do? Do you get up and find a snack, or maybe watch the television, or perhaps read a book? Maybe you just lay in the bed hoping the thoughts will go away. Whatever you do, you probably feel restless and conflicted.

Today I want to encourage you to pray the words of our text. Perhaps you could write these verses on a notepad or note card and keep it by the place you sleep. Psalm 62:5-8;

“Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge”. You might even find yourself singing yourself to sleep. Try this one for example; “Rock of ages cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee; let the water and the blood from thy wounded side which flowed, be of sin the double cure; save from wrath and make me pure”.

Sweet Dreams and Pray on!