Set the Table

Set the Table

 Psalms 23: 5 CSB

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies, you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

As I prepared the table early this morning for our Christmas meal at 1 pm. Resonating inside of me was the phrase, "Set the table." As a kid, I often hated hearing that said to me. A chore! As an adult, it was never ending, three times a day, till you could pass it off to one of the kids, and let them 'set the table.' Now a days, living alone, I rarely 'set the table,' like why bother? It's just me, eat out of the pan if I want to. Less dishes to wash. 

But today, there was an anticipation. There will be people around my table to share this Christmas meal. I won't be alone this meal, like most of my meals throughout the year. I could set the table. I could prepare, make it pretty, and hope everyone enjoys the time spent sharing the good food and stories that I'm sure will be passed around about favorite Christmas' past and present. 

Even while I was setting the table, I wasn't quite sure how my places to set, as a couple were gonna let me know later this morning if they could make it or not. I still prepared for them whether or not they come. I'd love to have them around my table today.

In Psalms 23 the good shepherd sets a table in the presence of our enemies. I hope today there's not enemies around your table, but there might still be other enemies. Sickness, loneliness, anxiety, sorrow... the list can go on and on. But Jesus is still setting a preparing a table for you. Join the meal, even if there is an enemy present in your life right now. He will anoint your head with oil and let your cup run over. I know anointing your head with oil might not make a lot of sense to our modern world, but with sheep or cattle, you anoint the head with 'oil' to keep off those things like lice, ticks an other things that make life miserable. Those little things in life that keep your minds being miserable. So come to the table take a dip in the oil, and let the cup of blessing overflow to you. There's a table set for you!

There's another table being set today. The one Jesus is preparing for us. The marriage supper of the Lamb. Will you show up for it? Will you be there? You don't want to miss this meal.

She Believed Mini Retreat at Buckstop Junction

 

Worship Leader and Speaker

Kelley Reuer

Keynote Speaker Brandi Waples

Unfolding Grace Ministry is excited to announce our 

She Believed Mini-Retreat to be held on Saturday, November 8, 2025, 

at Buckstop Junction in Bismarck, ND.

This is a one-day event.  Registration (to pick up your name tag) starts at 8:30 am.  Fellowship and a continental breakfast will be available. Lunch is also provided.

At 9:00 am, we will begin the retreat.  The retreat will conclude around 5 pm.

Pastor Brandi Waples from Break Forth Bible Church , Dickinson, is our Keynote speaker, along with Kelley Reuer, who is our retreat leader, speaker, and worship leader.  

Your young daughters/granddaughters are welcome if they can enjoy a full day.  There are no children's services or childcare.

Dress is casual. 

Please fill out the online registration. Although you can come without registering, preregistration is greatly appreciated.  (Preregistration helps me know how much food to provide and also gets your name tag preprinted nicely. 😉)

Registration is $20.00.  You can register online with the QR code below or mail a check.  (Message me for address)  You can also copy and paste this URL code to get to the online registration.  Registration deadline is November 1st. 

https://forms.gle/ABXu9GcbHVW7RNaUA

A free-will offering will be received during the Retreat for the Speakers.

Thank you, and see you soon!!

Scan this QR code to register online.

No Crap, No Crop

 I was reading in my Bible this morning and came across this verse; 

"Where no oxen are, the manger is clean, but much revenue comes by the strength of the ox." (Prov. 14: 4 NASB) 

For some reason, I wasn't getting the whole picture in my mind of what that actually means. I know it was saying you got to have the oxen to get the crop, but I thought there must be a little more. Then I read the same verse in the Passion Translation. 

"The only clean stable is an empty stable. So if you want the work of an ox and enjoy an abundant harvest, you'll have a mess or two to clean up." Prov. 14: 4 TPT

   Somehow, the picture became clear in my mind. No crap in the stall, no crop in the field. If you want to have that abundant crop, there's gonna be some crap to clean up to get it. I also saw that a great crop can come from where there's been a mess. That mess that stinks in your life can be the very thing that's going to bring an abundant crop of goodness in your life. What creates the stink in your life can be the very thing that gives you the strength to bring about an abundant, good crop. So don't despise the mess, just clean it up, and let it help fertilize your crop. God is great at turning your lemons into lemonade. Also, remember, No crap, No crop!

Brave

   I woke up in the middle of the night, thinking, "Man, she's brave."  Then I got to thinking, "What is brave?" According to the dictionary it's possessing or exhibiting courage.  So what is courage?  Again, according to the dictionary it is the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain etc.without fear.   

Who was I thinking is brave? My sister Debbie. This past few weeks, she has had to face incredible fear, and still pressed on. Then just a couple of days ago, she willingly submitted to open heart surgery, knowing full well what it entails, but did it to pursue the outcome of being alive on the other side, and being able to breath again, and for her, most of all, to be able to sing again. Her heart was failing, and her lungs had been filling with fluid from her failing heart. Now with her heart fixed by the hands of a skilled surgeon, guided by God Himself (I know this to be true, because we prayed), she will again be able to sing and live healthy and whole. She's brave.

   I thought of the scripture that said of Jesus, ..." who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross..."  Jesus knew what was ahead of him, what he had to suffer physically, to obey His Father's command.  What was the joy?  We were.  The redeeming of all mankind.  He took on all that pain and suffering because that was what was required to redeem us.  He kept His eyes on the goal, and off the pain, just like my sister is now having to keep her eyes on the goal of a healthy fixed heart, so she can sing and live.  She holds on to knowing God is with her through the pain of recovery, and the outcome will be worth it.

A scripture given to Debbie on the day of her surgery is, "My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is steadfast and confident! I will sing and make melody." Psalms 57:7 When we shared that scripture with her following her surgery, she had a huge smile. She even said, "This is the first smile I've had in quite a while." We were smiling with her! Her heart is fixed! She WILL sing and make melody!!!

   

Who's Report? Fact vs. Truth

 I woke up this morning with the old song running through my head. 

"Whose report will you believe? (We shall believe the report of the Lord)

Now tell me, Whose report will you believe? (We shall believe the report of the Lord)

His report says I am healed

His report says I am filled

His report says I am free

His report says victory!"

   How can one believe the report of the Lord, which, by the way, is the Word of God. How can you believe what the Word says over what you're feeling, your checkbook, or the doctor's report? It comes down to Fact versus Truth.

The fact may be that your checking account is almost empty, and there is not going to be enough to make a looming bill. But the 'Truth' is that God is your source and He will supply. So, if you believe what He says, things can and will turn around, and an unexpected provision can and will happen when you trust what He has to say. God owns the cattle on a thousand hills, so he can certainly sell a few head and provide for you! 😉

How about our health. Our bodies feel sick and show every sign that they are not well. The doctor's report confirms those signs. Those are facts. But remember facts can always change, but truth can not change. That's why we can confidently trust in the truth. It's not denying the facts; it's believing that the truth is truth, and that's what will be the guiding force in your life. We can believe that by the stripes of Jesus, we were healed! If we were, then we are! Jesus already paid for our healing. That is truth, and truth does not, and can not change. 

So who's report will you believe? Choose to believe the report of the Lord! If you don't know what God says about your situation, look into the Bible for the truth. His Word is truth!!

Signed, Sealed, Sold, but Not delivered yet...

 The last almost three years, has been a constant roller coaster ride trying to sell my house in Kenmare. From the initial immediate buyer three years ago, and their failed contract, to the next five contracts that failed, to the final closing yesterday. Yes, I know I should be jumping up and down, it finally sold, but so far, I haven't seen a penny due to the late time of the closing appointment yesterday. Today, I hope to see some final paper work and money in my bank account. Did I get what I wanted? NO! I actually didn't even break even. Plus add to the expenses; three weeks ago, my furnace quitting due to a dead battery in the thermostat and the temperatures outside being about -25. The house froze up, including the pipes, and a couple of other things in the house. The last three weeks, has been constant phone calls, and repair men, lots of money spent, trying to get the house back in a livable condition. All the while I was in California seeing my new granddaughter, so all of this was done long distant. Thank God for wonderful neighbors, that opened up my house for repair men, etc. 

   Then I returned home last night, to find my new house here in Bismarck, the garage had totally flooded with the snow melt while I was gone. That would be ok, except, I had emptied my storage unit after Christmas, and everything that hasn't made it into the house, yet, is still in the garage. Anything touching the floor of the garage, is now soaked and water damaged. Today, I will head out there to assess the mess.

    Frankly, I've been extremely discouraged, angry, and just down right upset. Like what else is gonna happen? Someone told me this was only a test? Well, I "feel" like I've been failing a VERY long test. 

   

   Then this morning, I had a song stuck in my head. So I searched for it on YouTube, and found the lyrics online, and sat down and started to play and sing along with it. "I'm so Blessed" by Cain. As I sang this song, I was reminded, it doesn't matter about this mess, because I am blessed, because of Jesus. I'm still alive, my heart is still beating, and there will be better days.

   So forgive me, if you've been one of the ones that heard me complaining, crying or just being discouraged lately. Know, that on my worst days, I'm still a child of God, and my best days I'm a child of God, Every day is a good day, and Jesus is the reason why!!