When the Soviet Union launched its Sputnik satellite in 1957, it shocked the United States and sparked the onset of the race to see which of the two Cold War superpowers could achieve dominance in space exploration.

The end of the 1950s saw the U.S.S.R. leading the way with the launch of the first manned spacecraft to successfully orbit the earth. But the U.S. was also working hard through its new federal agency dedicated to space exploration—the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or NASA.

In May 1961, President John F. Kennedy announced the ambitious goal of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to earth by the end of the decade. That goal was achieved on July 20, 1969, when for the first time in history a man walked on the surface of the moon.

In 1962, President Kennedy visited NASA for the first time. During his tour he encountered a janitor named Joe Byerly walking down a hallway with a broom. The President asked him what he did for NASA. Byerly replied, “Mr. President, I’m helping put a man on the moon.”

This janitor clearly understood the purpose of his work: to keep the building clean so the scientists, engineers, and astronauts could focus on their mission of putting a man on the moon. Byerly held a deep and inspiring connection between his daily tasks and achieving an overall larger goal.

What is the greater purpose of your daily work?

Do you carry a clear vision of why you do what you do? While at times we all tire of routines or experience frustrating moments, having a goal bigger than ourselves helps us stay focused to keep going, especially during trying times.

As Christians, our great mission is to share the good news of Jesus Christ.

Staying mindful of this helps us remember that our words and actions are to be seasoned with God’s love and bring Him glory. When we’re tempted to grow weary in doing good (Galatians 6:9) or spew unkind words, we can recall the healing power of God’s love that’s been freely given to us (Romans 5:5).

Whether we are constructing buildings, crunching numbers, serving food, or changing diapers, we can have the satisfaction at the end of the day that what we do matters.

Each action done with love holds eternal significance—as we keep our eyes fixed on serving Christ and making Him known to the world.

Copyright © 2025 Cheryl Elton

Photo Credit: Pixabay

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It’s said that to a child, love is spelled T-I-M-E. What means the most—and often the greatest gift we can give—is not another toy but simply our time and attention.

How a child’s eyes light up when we sit close and read a book together—or take the time to watch and listen while they show us yet another thing! Children need love, and crave attention.

In Scripture God calls us His “little children,” not His “little adults.” He made us to need each other—to be interdependent rather than independent.

Yet for many people today, time is a rare and precious commodity. With our endless to-do lists, continual activity, and quick bites of information flying from all directions into our ears and on our screens, we’re often left feeling unfocused,  anxious, and overwhelmed. When it comes to giving to others, we find our tanks on empty.

To counteract this recipe for isolation and loneliness, first and foremost let’s make sure we spend time in His presence daily. Here, we quiet and refresh our hearts with His love, His peace, and His perspective.

When we’re with others, let’s give more presence by being attentive and present in the moment.

Let’s seek to share His presence in all that we do! Take a moment to engage with someone in the checkout line; pay a short visit or call an elderly neighbor; listen attentively while someone is talking to us; send a quick text to say ‘I’m thinking of you.’

Small acts of kindness can not only display the Father’s love but brighten someone’s day–even change lives.

At Christmastime, we remember that God’s greatest gift to us was His Son. Our gift to the world is to show Jesus to all we interact with.

So this holiday season, let’s seek to give more presence (not presents!) to those around us each day–and like little children, enjoy the gift of T-I-M-E with others.

Copyright © 2024 Cheryl Elton

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In America, each year in November we celebrate our national holiday called Thanksgiving.

Every school child learns the story of the courageous Pilgrims who set sail on the Mayflower from Europe, braving the elements for two months before arriving in Plymouth, Massachusetts in November 1620. They came seeking a New World, religious freedom, and a better life.

A year later, the pilgrims celebrated God’s gracious gifts with prayer, thanksgiving, and a special feast. The tradition continued, and in 1863 President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday. The date was set as the fourth Thursday in November. 

The timing of Lincoln’s Proclamation was significant, being delivered during the height of the bloody Civil War. Nevertheless, Lincoln called all Americans to prayer with a message of optimism and genuine thankfulness, reminding them that even in the midst of dark days there is much to be thankful for.

The Proclamation began:

The year that is drawing towards its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.

As the Pilgrims journeyed in search of the New World, Scripture reminds us that as Christians our journey through life on this earth is also one as sojourners (those who stay somewhere temporarily) and pilgrims (those on a journey to a better, sacred place).

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light . . . Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims . . . that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God . . .   (I Peter 2:9, 11-12) 

Hebrews 11 outlines many heroes of the faith, concluding in verse 13:

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 

Despite the mounting troubles and distress in our world today, the message throughout Scripture is one of hope—of a better day coming when there will be no more sorrow, sickness, war, or death. A message of life eternal.

God encourages us to keep our eyes on what lies ahead:

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.  (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)

Is your journey focused on what lies ahead? Are you a pilgrim?

As we gather this Thanksgiving, may our hearts be filled with thanks for God’s abundant blessings—family, food, friends, another year. Throughout our darkest days we remember that our journey through this life on earth is only a part of our final destiny.

In Christ alone we have this Hope. In Him we give thanks.

Copyright © 2024 Cheryl Elton

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There is no greater joy than when you know God has given you an assignment and you carry it out. Today, I am basking in the peaceful satisfaction of completing such a task.

My heart overflows with thanks to our heavenly Father—for life, His love, the blessing of family, friends, and fellowship, and for His faithfulness through every season.

I’m thankful for the desire God put on my heart as a teenager to be a writer. As the years unfolded, it gradually came to fruition as I began writing for a local newspaper, then magazines, and websites—leading to the day 10 years ago when He told me, “it’s time to use your writing for me.”

Recently, God gave me the assignment to write three 40-day devotionals—on the themes of JOY, PEACE, and TRANSFORMATION. Each book in the Moments with the Master series aims to help readers live in union with Christ more.

God gives each of us assignments. They may change throughout the seasons of our lives, yet each is timely, precious, and valuable in His sight.

Daily we have opportunities to serve Him in those assignments. Whether you are setting up chairs for a meeting, cooking for others, building shelves for the homeless shelter, or taking care of grandchildren—when done with love, it yields profit and blessing.

In His eyes, it matters.

What assignment has God given you?

Copyright © 2024 Cheryl Elton

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As a Blogger Grid member of Bible Gateway (#BibleGatewayPartner), I was recently given the opportunity to receive the new NET Eternity Now New Testament Series Box Set in exchange for an honest review.

The set presents all 27 New Testament books categorized  in 5 slimline easy-read paperback books: e.g., the books written by Luke in one volume, Paul’s epistles in another, books by John in another, etc. Put together, they tell the story of how Jesus Christ changed the world, and what it means for us today.

The books offer a new way to read the New Testament as a continuing story. For traditional Bible-reading folks like me, I don’t know if I would have looked into this series, but I’m glad I did. Key points I most enjoyed follow:

• A short 1-3 page Prologue opens each individual book of the Bible, setting the background of when and how it came to be written. This is both interesting and helpful before delving into the text.
• The section titles are well done and make it easy to find familiar gospel stories, for example.
• There are no verse numbers in the text! This makes for a refreshing read—more like a novel or an ongoing story.
• The volumes are easy to handle. Each of the five books are small in size (4 ¼” x 7 ½”), have a nice soft feel, and are easy to hold and read. They are small enough to tuck away to carry with you.
• The text is dark and a good readable size—unlike the tiny print found in many Bibles.
• The NET (New English Translation) version is excellent. I’d describe it as a happy medium between the traditional King James Version and the New Living Translation or The Message.

For a different reading experience of the New Testament, I recommend checking out the NET Eternity Now New Testament Series. You’ll find God’s Word come alive in a new and refreshing way!

(See the Faith Gateway Store for more details.)

Copyright © 2022 Cheryl Elton

Photo courtesy Faith Gateway Store

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Several years ago I had the pleasure of meeting author Peter Lundell at a Christian writers’ conference. Since then I’ve been enjoying his monthly blog called Connections. With permission, I’m happy to share with you his latest post. I hope you find it as meaningful as I do.

Here’s a challenge: Don’t criticize anything or anyone for twenty-four hours.

If you think, What a dumb idea! You just lost it.

Start over.

When I first heard that and tried it years ago, I challenged myself to not criticize anyone for twenty-four hours. And I failed every day.

But I was making progress—-at least I was now aware. And I was surprised at how critical I was of others. Simply becoming aware of how critical I was made a huge impact on me.

I mentioned the challenge to others and was surprised at how many laughed at its impossibility. Then one day I got through twenty-four hours without criticizing anyone or anything. Wow!

A few days later I did it again.

I kept it up, and eventually it became normal to not criticize others and simply not make judgments. I’ll still call something what it is—but without criticism and simply as representing what Scripture says. It’s keeping myself out of the judgment seat that belongs only to God. The New Testament is full of verses that tell us to adhere to God’s righteousness and yet leave the judging to God.

This practice applies when you’re driving, reading the news, speaking about people who aren’t there with you—whatever. Let’s lose that critical attitude the way people want to lose weight.

I still have days when I catch myself criticizing, but at least I catch myself. And my wife says I’m a far more positive and less critical than I used to be. The choices we make will steer our lives.

It’s amazing how deciding to make a small, specific change—without excuses—can adjust your personal character. And it’s amazing how intentional and repeated practice can develop a new nature in that part of your character.

I find that when I choose not to criticize others, I don’t miss anything. Because there was never any value in it in the first place.

Would you take the challenge?

www.peterlundell.com

Photo credit:  geralt/Pixabay

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George Müller’s ministry to orphans began almost 200 years ago, yet the example of his uncomplicated trust in God for every daily provision continues to inspire people around the world today.

In The Autobiography of George Müller, his richness of faith is on full display. The book gives a rare glimpse into Müller’s life through excerpts from his personal diary. We see his early life of rebellion lead to a striking conversion as a young man. We share his daily struggles and triumphs as he answers God’s call to establish the first orphan houses in Bristol, England.

During his lifetime (1805-1898), Müller cared for more than 10,000 orphans as the director of the Ashley Down orphanage and provided Christian education to over 120,000 children in the 117 schools he established.

Yet in all these endeavors Müller never asked anyone for financial support, held a fundraiser, or went into debt. He only petitioned God for his needs and waited for him to move through people. Often he received food donations only hours before they were needed to feed the children. Through countless struggles God supplied every need—each victory further bolstering Müller’s faith.

Christians can find inspiring takeaways sprinkled throughout this book. Mine follow:

Müller spent much time in prayer. He learned that his first concern of the day was not how to serve the Lord, but to have his soul nourished. Müller found rising early in the morning to do so worked best.

Müller meditated on Scripture before praying. Thus, he said his heart was “comforted, encouraged, warned, reproved, and instructed.” This also helped him combat a wandering mind while praying.

Müller trusted God’s timing. Müller faced continual challenges and uncertainties in ministry just as we do. He persisted in prayer for more than 3 years for enough funds to come in to begin building the large Ashley Down orphanage. Because he was certain that the assignment was from God, Müller fully trusted He would supply. When money didn’t come in as soon as he would have liked, he adjusted his thinking to trust God’s timing, which always proved right.

Müller never borrowed money. Frequently he was questioned as to why he didn’t buy supplies on credit and trust God to pay for them later.  “I could buy a considerable amount of goods on credit, but the next time we were in need, I would turn to further credit instead of turning to the Lord,” he said. “We consider it our precious privilege to continue to wait upon the Lord instead of buying goods on credit or borrowing money from kind friends. God is now in the tenth year of feeding these orphans, and He has never allowed them to go hungry. He will care for them in the future also.”

Let God work for you. Müller learned that when we work deliverance to a problem solely on our own and don’t wait patiently for God’s help and solution, with every subsequent trial our faith decreases. He shows us that God will prove His willingness to help and deliver at the perfect time. Our faith then will increase.

At first glance this book could be viewed as a dry and boring read, but it progresses into an inspiring testament of unwavering faith. Müller’s words of wisdom on how to trust God in life and ministry will inspire any Christian who wants to wholeheartedly serve the Lord they love. It’s a book I’m glad I read, and will continue to glean inspiration from throughout the coming days.

Copyright © 2021 Cheryl Elton

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“Peace is something that we all desire, yet often feels elusive in today’s world. Even before the pandemic hit, the fast pace of American culture combined with the ever-increasing usage of technology has many of us feeling frantic and frazzled. Cheryl Elton has made it a life goal to pursue Christ’s perfect peace, and today she shares what she has learned through Scripture and experience about finding peace in a chaotic world.” (From Hope Unyielding podcast show notes)

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January 6, 2021 is a day we will never forget. Watching a massive mob of angry and violent protestors break into our nation’s Capitol, while Congressmen and women cowered on the chamber floor was horrifying and heartbreaking.

It left Americans shaken, scared, uncertain.

Later that day I went out for a walk to think, pray, and try to process what was happening. The beautiful sky and setting sun reminded me of God’s supremacy.

What came to mind were the words on a poster I had as a teenager:

 JESUS CHRIST

Certain in the midst of uncertainty

A firm rock in the sea of speculation

A safe anchorage in the ocean of doubt

Yes, the days we live in are troubling and uncertain. But in the midst of the world’s chaos, Jesus Christ is our certainty. He never leaves us or forsakes us. He gives us a peace the world cannot provide.

In the sea of swirling news and internet speculation, Jesus is the firm Rock on which we stand. All else is sinking sand.

When doubts arise and anxiety grips our hearts, Jesus remains our safe anchorage. His presence is our refuge. The Hope of His coming, our anchor.

Do not neglect your quiet time with God each day. Be salt and light to a troubled world.

That you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.  (Philippians 2:15-16 NKJV)

As the days grow darker, the light shines brighter.

Copyright © 2021 Cheryl Elton

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Normal days are no longer normal.

The world is caught up in a storm, the winds of change fiercely howling; while we’re swirling, swirling, unsure of when we might land.

Bravely venturing out, we find empty shelves in familiar stores, businesses and restaurants closed, church services cancelled. The economy is in a tailspin, with nothing guaranteed but an uncertain future.

Meanwhile, people remain sheltered in their homes, riding out the storm while gripping tightly onto all they thought they knew.

Jesus warns us such trouble is inevitable:

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NIV)

In this world there will be tribulation. But Jesus Christ has overcome the world! He alone extends victory and hope in the midst of trials. When the volatility of the world around us brings  anxiety, in Him we find peace.

As we draw close to the Lord in the secret place of His presence, He covers us with His feathers. As the tempest swirls around us, He hides us under the shelter of His wing. While the winds howl, we remain securely with the Lord in the eye of the storm—and in this quiet oasis there is rest.

In Him alone, we find peace to guard our hearts through troubled times. In His presence we hear His quiet whispers, gaining the wisdom and strength we need in the moment.

“Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.” (Psalm 91:9-11 NKJV)

Do not forsake the One who requires no social distancing. Do not neglect the precious time you spend with Him. Living in the eye of the storm—in His presence—there is peace.

Copyright © 2020 Cheryl Elton

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