I was ten years old in 1952 when General Dwight D. Eisenhower became the Republican Nominee against President Harry S. Truman. I remember listening to Republican Convention speeches over our oval-top radio. That’s when I learned Daddy was a Republican.
 
Eisenhower and Truman had become embittered by political and other differences. When Eisenhower won, he seemed to be going out of his way to irritate the outgoing President. On Inauguration Day, contemplating the trip the two would make from the White House to the Capitol, Eisenhower wondered aloud, “Can I stand sitting next to that guy.”
 
Political mud slingin’ is as old as dirt. King David could bend your ear with hair-raising stories.  I’m thankful for the freedom to vote. Pray for America.

What’s this about joy through temptations, trials, and tribulations? How can that be? The remainder of James 1:2, 3, and 4 says, “Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
 
So we are to be joyful, not because of the trial itself, but because of how God is holding us up through the wilderness – the stormy trial. When we've been through the fire, we come out stronger. perfect, entire, wanting nothing.
 
Sometimes trials make Christians bitter instead of better. In that case, they don’t grow spiritually. It’s the victory over the trial that brings spiritual growth maturity, and joy. These are the Christians God can use the most. They can help others in the same situation.
 
I never felt so close to God as I did the night he wrapped his arms around me in recovery after cancer surgery in 1997. I came out stronger.
 
Through it all, I’ve learned to trust in Jesus – I’ve learned to depend upon His word.

Our Ladies Bible lesson today quickly stepped on our toes. We never gossip or judge people, do we? No, this lesson crushed our feet. Actually, it was about how to have a quiet peaceful life, unbothered by worries or caught up in busyness. Guidelines, taken straight from the Holy Scriptures, are listed below.
Study to be quiet.
Mind your own business.
Don’t glare at the mote in another’s eye without considering the beam in your own.
 Don’t be busybodies, tattlers, idle or grudgers.
 Keep unity of spirit in the bond of peace.
Forbear one another.
Minister to one another with the gift God so graciously gave you.
Be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving.
Love one another.
Bear one another’s burdens.
Comfort and lift up each other.
 
Lord, I need help with this.

Christians can be depressed. Jailed for prophesying gloom and doom for Israel, Jeremiah fought depression, weeping and wishing he had never been born.
 
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. I Corinthians 10:13
 
God will never put more on you than you can handle. Depressed believers need to cling to that promise, to know God is in control. Jeremiah wanted to stop prophesying but couldn’t.
 
Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay. Jeremiah 10:9
 
Christians need to forgive folks who battle depression. Depressed people need to be motivated to give it to God. Daily bible reading helps us to focus. Stay connected with your church family. Don’t be ashamed of depression. Some types of diagnosed depression may also be treated with medicine.

I had forgotten about teasing Laura in 1990 on Christmas morning in Arkansas. Gale and I delighted in watching the video today. Her eyes had brightened when she got keys to a Ferrari with a note to look outside.

"Do you think I really got a Ferrari?" she asked her college sister as they raced out the carport door. 

"They cost $100,000. No," Penny replied.

The shiny red toy Ferrari in the driveway drew screams of laughter. Chris, her college brother, teased her as she moved the car with a remote, dodging empty boxes.

Years multiplied and my college kids followed different paths. Laura, a drama student, went to New York City, worked in publishing, and is married to a graphics artist. Chris moved to Texas as manager of a Hancock Fabric Store and married a sweet Christian girl. Penny married a missionary and lives on the other side of the globe.

Though scattered, they are in my daily prayers.