Selah

Holding Harrison

2010-11-18T21:34:00.000-06:00

The dancing light in his eyes and the smile on his face shouted of the revelation in his heart. It was a Kodak moment. Not an unusual moment for our Pastor, but it certainly had to be an "ah ha!" moment. He has done countless baby dedications, and I am sure, has enjoyed everyone of them. There are certain to be countless achieved scrapbook snapshots of Pastor holding Emma, Jackson or Bethany. Everyone of them special. But somehow, the look in his eyes on this particular Sunday morning, and the smile on his face, made my spirit leap as the ears of my heart welcomed the revelation of what God was speaking.

As the child's parents brought him down the aisle my husband made the comment, "He already looks grown up. Like a little man." I nudged him with my arm. "Of course he does, Honey. He has already experienced more of life than many adults."

I had been introduced to Rebekah, baby Harrison's mom, by our Pastor's wife many months before, and had been praying for a miracle. Baby Harrison had been born with omphalocele, a medical condition where some of his internal organs were protruding through the belly button, outside of his body. At his young age, He had experienced multiple surgeries and treatments and was still in a very fragile state. This birth defect triggers many other problems and severe risks.

His mom placed the baby in Pastor's arms. His hair was combed and his tiny suit and shoes added to his look of maturity for his size. Pastor told a little of Baby Harrison's story and how his parents wanted to have him dedicated. Then right in the middle he paused for just a second and seemingly, in a tone of realized revelation, he said, "I am holding a miracle!" From there, I am not aware of exactly what Pastor was speaking and what God was whispering to my heart. I think that he may have said something about it being amazing that we can hold miracles.

But in my heart of hearts I heard, "Yes! You are holding a miracle." And if you are thinking that this is not any big revelation...then, you just aren't hearing what I am hearing! Just think about it for a minute. We know that life itself is miraculous. Yet, we have become so accustomed to walking, working, living, breathing, and interacting with those who do, that we have reduced the miraculous to 'normal', 'everyday', and 'common'.

And what about those miraculous things that He is doing in and through you and those normal, everyday commoners you associate with. Even while writing this, as I thumb through my mental file of life experiences, I can think of healings, provisions, encounters, cancelations, and turns of events that are completely unexplainable without using the term miraculous.

Without even prying into the files of the 'commoners' in my inner circle of treasured friends, but sticking only to the confines of own life, I find things like a changed court date (therefore a different judge...therefore a different decree), unexpected monies and provisions, a butchered cow, healings, a timely interrogation in Beiging, China, and a tooth turned upside down and moved in a micro nanno second during a prayer meeting.

Looking back, I also see that in most of those situations, I had no knowledge that anything miraculous was going on until after the fact. I know that in the case of Mary being pregnant with our Savior there was prior knowledge of the miraculous, however, this is not always the case. For instance, do you think the mom that packed the little boys lunch had any prior knowledge that she was preparing lunch for 5,000? How about the little boy who gave the lunch? What about the fish and chips breakfast the disciples enjoyed on the beach, or the water turned wine? How about the Jews released, or the Bibles smuggled, the failed firing squads in missionary stories, or the car that narrowly missed you on the way to work this morning?

My mind is spinning as fast as the ceiling fan. What about the sunrise? Everyday? What about those ~~dying with~~, living with disease or cancer? Oh God! "Open my eyes, that I may see, glimpses of truth Thou hast for me; Place in my hands the wonderful key that shall unclasp and set me free. Silently now I wait for Thee, Ready my God, Thy will to see, Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine."

I am reminded that "we see through a cloud, dimly..." I pray for glimpses of eternity's perspective. And you are right, Pastor. You are holding a miracle! And so am I! The revelation is that we are all priviledged to be holding a miracle...or two! Perhaps several.

One of them may be just the fact that today you are reading this blog. (I wrote it the night before I was hospitalized over a month ago, and am just now getting to post it.) Perhaps today your eyes will be open to the most miraculous fact of all: That Jesus Christ gave His life that you might have eternal life, and live the rest of your life in the love of your Savior! (John 3:16, I John 1:9-10)

Thank you, Harrison. Through your life, God has unveiled my eyes, again!

A Cry in the Night, ReRun, Ditto, Again...and Still

2010-05-31T19:52:00.002-05:00

Someone asked me if my trip was uneventful. I flew out yesterday, arriving last evening. I am on a ministry trip. Are flights ever uneventful anymore? I am not sure. And I am not even ready to describe my 1 and 1/2 days away from home yet. I speak tomorrow evening and am really trying to focus. However, today, in the midst of an unbelievable 'computer storm', I was reminded of this little article I wrote a couple years back. Some ReRuns are just worth rerunning! What can I say? I hope you enjoy this one (or re-enjoy it), and remember on this memorial day: Our God truly never slumbers, and no matter where you are, He is there when we cry out to Him...in the day or in the night!

I have often wondered what it would take to get my husband to wake up in the night. Last night, I discovered that it will take more than a three inch glass bottle shattering on a tile floor, twenty feet from his pillow, a low decimal scream from his wife, watermelon ice nail polish plastering the bathroom, deep heart sobs (his wife's sobs), tears splashing (his wife's tears) in puddles, cupboard doors shutting, and furniture moving! Oh yeah! Much more!

And in case you think that this is a slight over dramatization of a minuscule moment of life…It is not! You can try it with your own nail polish; preferably a red tone.

It was about 10:30 p.m. I had scrubbed and cleaned all day to get ready for my out of town guest, and our family Fourth of July celebration. Before going to bed, I remembered that I hadn't paid the bills on line, so I quickly sat down to take care of those details. When my eyes were sliding somewhere into Sandman's land, I figured that I should probably go to bed. After washing my face and doing the required anti-aging regiments, I turned off the light and started out of the bathroom. That is when it happened. I wish that I could describe this picture as distinctly as it decorated the wall. You see, there were three bottles of nail polish there: white, clear, and watermelon ice. Only one fell. Watermelon ice! Get the picture?

I made several discoveries that night:

• A three inch bottle of watermelon ice nail polish holds enough polish to plaster a bathroom wall brightly painted with Behr lemon ice paint, the side of the tub, the front of the toilet, the white molding, and one entire left foot. And also have enough left to destroy a small white stand.

• The colors watermelon ice and lemon ice really go nicely together. I would suggest a Capri outfit rather than a wall.

• A three inch glass bottle free falling from a small three-foot stand, on a ceramic tile floor will make a dustpan full of crushed glass.

• You should always keep more than a capful of nail polish remover on hand. A capful drained from the bottom of the bottle will saturate only two cotton balls and will have virtually no effect on a watermelon ice storm.

• We really do not live in “the perfect world of Walgreen” and watermelon ice nail polish will dry thoroughly on all the above surfaces before one can get to a 24 hour Walmart to buy nail polish remover.

• The salt in tears, also, will have virtually no effect on the storm.

• Thank God! Awesome cleanser and oven cleaner does! (If that is what you happen to have in the house.)

• A watermelon ice storm of this magnitude takes approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes and tons of elbow grease to pass.

• My husband sleeps well through these types of storms.

• But hallelujah! My God never slumbers or sleeps. My God hears me!

I was extremely exhausted when I made these discoveries. My not so young, weary body collapsed dutifully to my knees in an immediate response to the disaster. Pain shot through my knees. (Oh, and glass pressed in them.) My arms and my back ached with the scrubbing movement. Fear gripped me. What if it doesn't clean up? Loneliness sunk in as I fought off Mr. Pity Party. I wanted to wake my husband up, but somehow I knew that in one small room, it takes just one person to clean up the mess. And I knew my husband would say, “What can I do?” And then he would laugh and say “That will teach you to put your nail polish away.” (And that is exactly what he said in the morning, when I told him about the storm.)

In the night, on my knees in my tears, I cried out to God! And He was already awake! He heard me. He strengthened my weary body, and gave me creative ability. It became a challenge. I found out what worked for tile, for painted walls, and for grout! The more I cleaned up, the more I worked to clean up the next spot. I laughed victoriously. Only the small white stand looks weathered. But I just turned it around to put the iced part against the wall. Not one drop of polish hit my stack of bright yellow and orange towels. Not one drop got on my clothes. You could not tell there was a storm in the bathroom except for a slight chemical odor…lasting only 3 days!

It was about 1:30 a.m. when I slid in beside my peacefully sleeping husband. He had not even felt a slight wind or wave of the storm that just about wiped out his house and his wife. Oh well. It was my colorful storm. It was also my calm assurance. It was my victory. And it was a blessed assurance that My God truly never slumbers or sleeps. My God hears my cries in the night. My God comes and strengthens me and enables me. My God causes me to triumph.

“O Lord, my God, I call for help by day; I cry out in the night before thee.” Ps. 88:1

Yes, in hind sight, my watermelon ice storm was just a minuscule moment in life. There have been, and will be much bigger storms. But this I know! He will always hear our cries in the night.

“Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing; thou hast loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness, that my soul may praise thee and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to thee forever.” Ps. 30:11-12

Pray it Again, My Friend...Pray it Again

2010-04-28T08:05:00.001-05:00

You can say that again! That is a statement you are apt to use when someone says something that bears repeating. A friend used to say: "Say it again, my friend, say it again! I am sure my uncle's rendition would be: "You can say that again. Yes you can. Yes you can!"

The other day, in the waiting mode, I was listening...well, maybe just hearing...the constant drone of yet another talk show, in the background. I was more than a little tired, and annoyed at the fact that I was in a position where I could not choose silence over seemingly worthless, 'informative babble'.

Today, our fingers, not only "do the walking", but through twitter, Face Book, Chat, Bing and Blog, and so much more, our "fingers do the talking". It seems that it is even more important that we repeat, or say again, only those things that really are worthy of repeating. So, when I came across this prayer, while cleaning my office, I thought: "You can pray that again! Yes you can!"

"Heavenly Father,

We come before You today to ask Your Forgiveness and seek Your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, ''Woe to those who call evil good,'' but that's exactly what we have done. We have lost our Spiritual equilibrium and inverted our values. We confess that; we have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it pluralism; We have worshipped other gods and called it multiculturalism; We have endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle; We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery; We have neglected the needy and called it self preservation; We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare; We have killed our unborn and called it choice; We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable; We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem; We have abused power and called it political savvy; We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition; We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression; We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, O God, and know our hearts today; try us and see if there be some wicked way in us; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Guide and bless these men and women who have been sent here by the people of this state and who have been ordained by You, to govern this great state of Kansas. Grant them your wisdom to rule and may their decisions direct us to the center of Your Will."

I ask in in the name of your Son, The Living Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen."

Pray it again, my friend. Please pray it again. In our nation "under God", you can pray! In fact, prayer is not only our privilege, and our unending duty, but it is our power! It is our hope!

(In the Kansas House, in Topeka on January 23, 1996, Joe Wright is the pastor of Central Christian Church in Wichita and was guest chaplain of the day. He prayed this prayer of repentance that was written by Bob Russell, pastor of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky. According to an article in the Kansas City Star from January 24, 1996, his prayer stirred controversy and one member of the legislative body walked out. Others criticized the prayer. The controversy didn't end there. Later that year in the Colorado House, Republican representative Mark Paschall angered lawmakers by using Joe Wright's prayer as the invocation. Some members there also walked out in protest. The story was aired a few times by Paul Harvey.)

Easter Haiku

2010-04-01T23:58:00.002-05:00

Extreme Sacrifice

Extravagant Provision

Exemplary Love

**Haiku is a form of Japanese poetry
consisting of 3 lines, made up of 5, 7 and 5 syllables.

April First or April Fourth

2010-03-30T22:19:00.002-05:00

It was a first for me. I don't think that I ever did it with my own kids, but grand kids somehow reach into a deep spot of your heart and bring out things you did not know were there. Therefore, on Saturday and Sunday I spent several hours going door to door, throughout our neighborhood, selling chocolate. Yes, you heard it right! Selling chocolates! Well, thankfully, they did the selling. (They are sooo cute...) I just walked along and gave the adult support. Well, I gave support and did a little teaching.

We learned what "No Soliciting" signs mean. We found a few and respected them. Cordel said, that it was OK, "they just missed some really good chocolate." Most "No Soliciting" signs, were just words on a colorful stone or plaque.

However, one sign especially disturbed me. It had no words, but rather was a simple yellow circle, with a man with a briefcase and a woman with a Bible inside the circle. They were standing side by side, and then there was a black line drawn through them. What it said, shouted its message: "Don't try to sell your product or your Jesus here." Wow! That poor household was not only going to miss some good chocolate, but the sweet presence of Jesus just passed by, totally unrecognized by them. I explained to the boys that I was sure they had no idea what they were missing. Time and needy time again, with their little wordless sign, they have turned away His love, His power, and His peace, the only real answer to the problems inside that door.

How do people make it day after day without God? This reminded me of the following little article that came from my uncle via email:

FLORIDA COURT SETS ATHEIST HOLY DAY

In Florida, an atheist created a case against the upcoming Easter and Passover Holy days.

He hired an attorney to bring a discrimination case against Christians and Jews and observances of their holy days. The argument was that it was unfair that atheists had no such recognized days. The case was brought before a judge.

After listening to the passionate presentation by the lawyer, the judge banged his gavel declaring, "Case dismissed!"The lawyer immediately stood objecting to the ruling saying, "Your honor, How can you possibly dismiss this case? The Christians have Christmas, Easter and others. The Jews have Passover, Yom Kippur and Hanukkah, yet my client and all other atheists have no such holidays."

The judge leaned forward in his chair saying, "But you do. Your client, counsel, is woefully ignorant."

The lawyer said, "Your Honor, we are unaware of any special observance or holiday for atheists."

The judge said, "The calendar says April 1st is April Fool’s Day. Psalm 14:1 states, 'The fool says in his heart, there is no God.' Thus, it is the opinion of this court, that if your client says there is no God, then he is a fool.

Therefore, April 1st is his day. Court is adjourned."

Which holiday this month brings a celebration of love, power and peace to your house? April 1st or April 4th? I am rejoicing that Chirst arose from the grave and He still lives today!

Happy Easter!

Cutting Circumstance with Consolations and Compassion

2010-03-23T11:31:00.000-05:00

Just wondering: Anyone out there in "Blog World" have any circumstances going on? Anyone out there in Blog City, living in a fog? Any stuggles, trials, or seemingly uncrossable rivers?

Of course, I know the answer. We are all bogged down under the weight of circumstances. Our lives are made up of them, and if we aren't extremely careful in our focus, we might even allow our progress to be stopped by them.

This morning, I was musing back to the early eighty's when I named our women's ministry "Arising to Excellence". The Lord had spoken very clearly to my heart about Isaiah 60:1-3.

"Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising."

Obviously, I had been walking through some adverse circumstances, and struggling to see my way out. Some of them I've walked through, and some are still present in my life. But I've learned that if I am ever to arise to the excellence He has for me, then I must arise above my circumstances. And we are living in a day when 'nations' will come to His light in us, and yes, even kings will look on in amazement as the church arises out of the dung.

However, there are still 'yesterdays'...like the one I just had yesterday...when I am again so bombarded by circumstance, that I must, 'of necessity', seek God for 'todays'...like this one, this morning, with a reminder that I shall not be defeated. For "there is a highway" for me to walk on, above the circumstances. I will press on to see and follow His steps to arise to excellence.

You see, creation must never question His Lordship. We must learn to ever lean, ever obey, and ever praise. Our fears must always bow to our faith in Him.

Ps. 94:19

"When the cares of my heart are many, thy consolations cheer my soul."

I am so thankful for His consolations. I am so thankful that He stooped to raise me up! In spite of the cares, the circumstances of my life, I am cheered by simply adjusting my focus to Him. It really is true: Joy does not depend upon circumstance.

Is. 66:13 and 14

"As one whom His mother comforts, so I will comfort you; You shall be comforted in Jerusalem; you shall see and your heart shall rejoice; your bones shall fourish like the grass; and it shall be known that the hand of the Lord is with his servants and his indignation is against his enemies."

Is. 54:10

"For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed says the Lord, who has compassion on you."

Ah ha! I shall once again arise and go forth and leave my circumstances cut down to size and cowering in the corner!

Maybe I'll go shoe shopping...and look for pointy toes...as a memorial stone...to keep them in the corner! Any excuse for shoe shopping! lol! Right ladies?! Now I hear you!!

Amazing Women

2010-03-15T23:33:00.000-05:00

Do you know any? I am sure you do. It just may take a moment or two to stop and think about who they were, or are, in your life. And what makes them so amazing? Is it the way they live? What they laugh at? Or perhaps just how they love?

I can think of several amazing women that I have had the privilege of walking or working with, and sharing lunch or stories. Sylvia, Sharon, Eunice, Esther, Vickie, Charissa, Linda, Laura, Debbie, Barbara, Claudia...and so many many more.

We just finished our Arising to Excellence Ministries Amazing Women women's gathering in Grapevine, Texas. It was the first one for 2010, and it was fabulous. We looked into the Word to see what made those women so amazing. My dearest friend, Vickie, my 'Ruth' shared some nuggets about entering into His rest instead of our own. She has been such an amazing woman...friend, sister, and encourager to me.

I asked my daughter to share a few words. Of course her response was "I'm not amazing." But being the single mom of three, overcoming cancer, role model that she is, I begged her with tears. She came and shared mid day on Saturday, and moved everyone of us to tears with her analogy of being in a seemingly waterless place, and realizing that we might just have to poke a cactus in the desert, but God will always provide! She has her daddy's personality, but I was so blessed when on the way home (he had been doing sound for us), he said, "You can sure tell that she's her mother's daughter!" Yes, thank you Lord, for this amazing woman, my daughter and my friend!

I shared the other sessions: "What Makes Me so Amazing?", "Where They Live", "When They Laugh", and "How They Love". God was good to us. Restoring us, refreshing us and filling us again.

You don't want to miss the next "Amazing Women -2010". We could soon be in an near you. If you are anywhere near Schoharie, NY on April 23 and 24, come join us: Amazing Women. Where They Live, When They Laugh, and How They Love. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=366742761964

2010-02-19T10:18:00.003-06:00

I am, along with members of our church, going through the "Prayers of Biblical Hope...Seek God for the City - 2010". This is a booklet of "Forty Days to Palm Sunday" daily prayers to help us to focus, pray and proclaim hope for our city and surrounding area.

Today is the third day of this prayer walk. Most of you know the cry of my heart for women. So today, when I opened up the prayer journal and it said: "Seek God on Behalf of Women", you can understand why my very core is awakened, shaken, stirred, and alert in every way. Again, I thought about the unifying strength and power as we pray together.

Can we today, join hands and hearts and pray for women. Women in our city, women every where...That healing, hope and restoration be unleashed in the heavenlies over women!

This is how the prayer journal words it:

""This woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did." Acts. 9:36

That women will be honored in their unique glory as those created by God; that injustice of every kind toward women will cease; for protection from sexual violence; that hope would be renewed for the beauty of marriage and children; that single women lay hold of the hope of great joy and purpose for God's glory.

PRAYERWALK: Without necessarily being demonstrative, pray prayers of blessing for some of the women you come in contact with today."

Seriously, think of the power of God being unleashed on these women, as we join together in prayer today. I do not know how this will affect you, but I know the power of prayer, and I know as we join together today, that

sickness of every kind, invading women, will feel the jolt of the power of God.
I know that as we pray together prison bars of hopelessness, despair, drug addiction, abuse, misuse, loneliness, depression, suicide, and untimely death will be shaken with the same power that rattled open the doors of the prison that kept Peter.
I know that lifelessness, apathy, neglect, spiritual blindness, and hindrances will see the glory of His light revealed in a new way.
I know that the power of God will reach out to each woman we pray for.

We may not know how, when, or where. We may not even know specific names or circumstances of some. However, truth is truth:

"The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects." James 5:16

We can expect the miraculous. The lives of women we pray for will be effected for the glory of the kingdom!

Today, please join with me in prayer for the women of your city.

We often read stories of the answered prayers of revival flames in cities, legislative changes, and historical events attributed to joint prayer. Believe with me for history notes that will be recorded of the future because of the prayer today.

While we join in prayer, please pray for our March 5th and 6th event in Grapevine, TX (Abundant Life Church).

"Amazing Women - Where They Live, When They Laugh, and How They Love."

Thank you for partnering in prayer with us.

One APP and Only One

2010-02-13T02:14:00.000-06:00

I just can't help it. I don't want one.

The more APPs they brag of, the less I want one. Without even mentioning a name, you know exactly what I am talking about. No, not Advanced Placement Programs, not an Accredited Purchasing Practioner, not the Association of Professional Piercers, and certainly not our Absolute Power Production.

Some of them brag of hundreds of APPs, even though there are really only 9 pages of 16 visible and the rest have to be stored in memory. If you can imagine it...you guessed it...they've got an APP for it. When my son got one, he proudly announced, "Look mom, there's an APP for finding a bathroom and you can choose 'stand up' or 'sit down'! You think I'm kidding? Oh no! There is a flashlight APP, a shopping APP, an APP for the weather, a calculator APP, a Road Trip, a Mating Call APP and one for Sun Seekers. There's a Chinese Dictionary APP and since the language consists of 47,000 characters, and 2,000 of them are needed just to read a page in the newspaper, that APP could prove helpful in China. But then there are wierd APPs like Trapster, Sygic, Dropbox, Shazam, Echofon, MiniGore, Yammer, and IRdesktop, which you probably need an APP to understand what they are. But be careful. If you try to use too many APPs from your memory you could encounter a total freeze up, or a complete crash.

No matter where you are, you are sure to have a friend reach into pocket or purse and instantly start a loving rhythm of finger petting the screen as if it were a new breed of miniature pet. And don't get me wrong. Everyone to their own! I'm not angry or jealous, it is just hard for me to understand, as the spread of these mini gadgets is engulfing the globe, how what is stress and confusion to me, can be a tool to widen the horizon for my neighbor.

As for me, there's one APP, and only one, that I could not live without. But you know what is so wonderful? That APP really covers it all! In fact, for over 2000 years, around the world, it has been proven, without a doubt, salvation and deliverance, direction and protection, knowledge and wisdom and power, hope and health, provision and restoration, love, comfort, peace, strength, joy, and everything you need comes through this one APP. The only one. The precious blood of Jesus!

In the day to day rush of your career, business, and schedule, you may love the gadgets and the ever increasing possibilities they give you, but never, never forget the power in the simpleness of One APP and only One!

"Then they shall take some of the blood, and apply it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the house...The blood shall be a sign for you, upon the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you and no plague shall fall upon you to destroy you..." Ex. 12: 7 and 12

"In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us." Eph. 1:7

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

2010-02-07T08:53:00.000-06:00

I woke in pain. Stiff. Couldn't remember where I was or why my leg was in such pain. I couldn't move. Momentarily, thank God! It all came back to me in a matter of seconds. I came home from the hospital yesterday, after having surgery to remove the hardware, rod and 4 screws, from my leg. The sudden, Monday-through-Saturday-happenstance of all that is a long story. I really only feel compeled to tell one fact of it, and that is that it was a 'God-send' and I am so thankful. It is over, and I feel pretty good...just a little 'cloudy' from the effect of the painkillers.

Yes, I stole my blog title today. I love titles, and this one sounded like a good one. I saw it on TV this morning advertising the children's movie coming up. Besides, it pretty much expresses exactly my day, all the way from how I feel to what my poor hubby could get served for dinner. (And just to be clear, that would be store bought meatballs!)

Yes, it is a Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs day. In fact, it has been a Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs week, but I am thankful to be heading to to the house of God, fellowship with the saints, and sitting at his lavish table again. I am blessed.

"Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest,so is my beloved among young men. I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste." Song of Solomon 2:3 Net Bible

Pouring to Plant

2010-01-16T09:41:00.001-06:00

This evening's quiet finds my entire being exhausted but inspired. I guess that is a 'good tired'. My 10 year old grandson had an outpatient surgery on his foot yesterday. Today, he had to stay off his foot, keep it elevated, but finish a few pages of homework and review for a math test. Mom had to work so the "Mi-Mi Force" was called in.

I love fourth grade. In fact, I love K - 4th. I've heard a well accepted statistic that in 5th grade they find out that they are about as smart as you are, and by 7th grade they are convinced that they know more than you do. My substitute teacher experience backs up this line of thinking. I treasure the moments of wonder and amazement I've enjoyed interacting with young children.

Today, Cordel and I examined his rock collection, read his science, and talked about fossils. We searched for nouns, proper and common, talked about prime numbers, did his math worksheets, and reviewed and re-reviewed decimals and place values. Granted it took breaks of French toast, grilled cheese, and ice-juice slushies in the blender (that probably will only ever be made by the Mi-Mi force). But the goal for the day was to get his homework done, and prepare him for his math test (in school this afternooon).

I was excited, and realized 'the pouring' only after his mom called me this afternoon to report that he felt the test was easy. Yes! It worked! I wondered if he would remember the days we spent together and the moments we have shared in learning when he becomes president...or a wonderful Christian man, bringing forth fruit. And then I remembered this quote I read the other day.

"It is not so much what is poured into the student

But what is planted that really counts."

I am not sure who wrote these words. I read them in a little book called The Heart of a Teacher, by Ruth Anne Muir. But they certainly express my heart. However, it is true that more often than not, we spend hours pouring and do not get to enjoy seeing what's been planted right away. It may take years to bloom.

I rarely do much with facebook, but from time to time, I do enjoy catching up with what others are doing. Last night, I was encouraged to read this comment from one of my friends in my Wednesday night Bible study at Abundant Life Church in Grapevine:

"Golden Nuggets from Sue's class: Don't be discontented with your present circumstances. Discontentment breeds mistrust. Satan is trying to deceive you if you are currently (1) struggling with the truth, (2) questioning the truth, and trying to (3) re-write the truth. We need to know Scripture intimately so Satan cannot lie to us. SAY THIS NEXT SENTENCE OUT LOUD: God is still God in MY current circumstances."

Wow! My own words come back to encourage me. There it is! Springing forth! Perhaps facebook is O.K. I see a plant blooming.! God of the day is still God in the night!!

And yes! And I do love "pouring to plant"!

Then Comes Monday...

2010-01-11T11:08:00.000-06:00

Sometimes, on the weekend, I manage to somehow escape from real life. I am not sure how I do it, but it is almost as if I crawl out of the box, shut the door, and play outside for a while. It is not a bad thing, for it truly allows me to sabbath. Somehow I manage to relax more, sleep a little later, enjoy my time with hubby, church and friends.

And then comes Monday. I don't particularily think: "Oh, it is Monday. I must get back to the responsibilities at hand." I don't ever even think of myself as being boxed in or out. But Monday comes, and I suddenly remember all the hard issues we are facing (and how I didn't think about them on Saturday and Sunday).

It is Monday. And I've been praying about some of the issues facing our life, and yours, and I was reminded of these thoughts I wrote a few days ago:

We are not of those who shrink back. And I am sure that the hard things that we face

are no more difficult than the enormous task of rebuilding the temple…we will not press on in our own strength and power, but by the spirit of the Lord, and He rules over all!

Zechariah 4:6

"Therefore he told me, “These signify the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by strength and not by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord who rules over all.”

And so we shout “Grace! Grace!”

Grace for the trials, the tribulations, the troubles, and the struggles.

By His grace we shall arise, we shall stand, and we will overcome!

Because His grace is always sufficient!

His grace brought us through 2009 and His grace will carry us through 2010.

Zechariah 4:7

“What are you, you great mountain? Because of Zerubbabel you will become a level plain! And he will bring forth the temple capstone with shoutings of ‘Grace! Grace!’

"His grace has no limit.

His love has no measure.

His power has no boundary, known unto man.

For out of His infinite riches in Jesus,

He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again!"

To Blog or Not to Blog

2010-01-09T19:58:00.001-06:00

That is the question. And I have been thinking about it for several days now. I had just about decided that I would start blogging again on January 1st, and make this my digital connect for the new year. Eight days of time have marched right under my nose nearly unnoticed. I have struggled to feel at home with twitter and facebook, but it just seems like I don't fit. It seemed that if I would set aside my magazine article, I could put all my eggs in one basket, and just keep up blogging. It is such a little thing. Sooooo...What hinders me?

I got up and with coffee in hand and computer in lap started out fresh at approximately 8 a.m this morning. It is now 12 hours later and I am questioning whether I should start blogging again or not.

How is that so many things can hinder my best intentions in one day? How is it that THEY can know when I get in position to write?

Twelve hours and one brocolli cheese omelet, shower, hair and make-up, 3 loads of wash, one bed made, 1 bathroom cleaned, 2 sweaters washed and spread to dry, one trip to the grocery store, 2 emergency phone calls, 2 non emergency calls, laundry room cleaned up, dishes done, hall cleaned, garbage emptied, lunch, one refrigerator accident (shelf in door let loose, shattered glass from 3 bottles of dressing: poppy seed, raspberry razsmtaz, and cranberry orange, and one jar spicy shrimp sauce coating the wood floor with salad oil) floor mopped, refrigerator cleaned, dressing cleaned off walls, chilli made, dinner, dishes waiting in the sink, 3 emails answered, Sunday School lesson awaiting review, and bubbles of a warm bath enticing me down the hall...and I am still yawning out the question of the day: "Should I blog?"

Stay tuned. Tomorrow is a new day.

Jimbo is Still Not Home

2009-09-07T17:44:00.002-05:00

It is hard to understand why in the nation in which we live, we need to concern ourselves with voting on more budget for education. Do you realize how much you can learn through FaceBook? And it’s free!

In just a few minutes a day you can learn
That Sally is changing diapers,
Billy has a fever,
Pauly’s at the Ranger game,
Dick loves Jane, and
Jimbo is still not home.

With just a few clicks of a mouse
You can see the fish that Laura caught,
Be directed to your pastor’s message,
Read the latest Obama joke, and
Find out that Jimbo is still not home.

With just a little more finger exercise
Even the most closed mind will be enlightened to understand that
The government is taking over,
Jimmy is cooking dinner for Jennifer,
Jack is still dating Joyce
And Jimbo still is not home.

A quick scan of the walls before bed brings restful sleep
Knowing John has already gone to bed,
Your kids are in (and on Facebook),
The baby napped and only had two poopy diapers,
And Debbie is O.K. with that fact that
Jimbo is still not home.

With just a little extra curricular study in the middle of the night
You can brag on Tuesday of the extent of your education, knowing
Where Jimbo buys molding
What Jimbo wears when he BBQ’s
Who sits on Jimbo’s legs when he hangs out of windows
What Jimbo had for breakfast, lunch and dinner…
But you may always be left to wonder
When did Jimbo get home?

Your Personal Invitation

2009-07-20T20:26:00.003-05:00

Mine came by Facebook...

After simmering (thoroughly cooking slowly) through several over 100 degree summer days, my husband installed a misting system on our patio. What a difference it has made. Texas summers birth lonely patios. And ours had been downright desolate. It's amazing how a small mist of water can cool, refresh, and bring life to lifeless Texas patios.

It was just a few days after the installation of our misting system when I received my invitation. My morning routine starts the minute I crawl out of bed with reading a morning devotional delivered by email from Anne Graham Lotz. I usually get out of bed, pick up my Blackberry, turn off my alarm, and read the devotional. Then, of course, I check the Blackberry for other messages. And there it was...my personal invitation...on Facebook:

"Meet me on the patio."

hubby

My heart thrilled. What could be better? Morning coffee and a few quiet moments with the love of my life first thing in the morning! (That was the morning he also gave me my traditional 'first rose bud of the year' off his bush.)

This personal invitation to get up and join my husband on the patio reminded me of the personal invitation we have from our Lord in Song of Solomon 2:10:

"My lover spoke to me, saying:
“Arise, my darling; My beautiful one,

come away with me!"

I really don't get into this Facebook stuff much. I read the messages, and once in a great while, write a little comment. But I really don't understand much of the workings. Was my personal invitation read by all my husband's friends? I know that there is a way to keep something from being seen by all, but I do not know how, and I do not know if he did it. I only know that the 'gang' did not come to the patio.

And this I know: My Lord's invitation in Song of Solomon was written to everyone. Everyone who cares to read His love letters has unlimited access. Yet His invitation is very personal. And if you respond, your heart will thrill within you...nothing could be better than those moments in His presence alone! Your Lord and Lover! And you can know His love, feel His touch, and hear His voice...if you answer the invitation.

"I am my beloved’s,
and he desires me!"

Song of Sol. 7:10

I'm Listening, Lord

2009-07-13T08:24:00.004-05:00

I awoke early. I am away from home and have set aside this day just to listen for my Lord's voice and accomplish what He wills. I love waking up early on mornings like this. It is as if I live in a different world and all my problems and distractions are somehow locked up at home. I am anxious to stretch my body awake and grab my Bible and journal.

"Good morning, Lord! I'm listening." And then, as clearly as if He was sitting beside me (because He is, you know):

Stand therefore

And having done all, stand

You have need of strength for the journey

I am your strength

Do not shrink back

But press in

Dig deep

Hold on

You have need of endurance

Persevere as a good soldier

The battle is the Lord's

He is your mighty victor

And He fights for you, on your behalf

What can mere man do

Stand therefore

And see the salvation of the Lord!

Yes, I will arise and go forth in your strength, O Lord. In your name we have the victory.

"As for me, I will sing about your strength;

I will praise your loyal love in the morning.

For you are my refuge

and my place of shelter when I face trouble.

You are my source of strength! I will sing praises to you!

For God is my refuge, the God who loves me."

Ps. 59:16-17

Some Glorious Daybreak

2009-07-09T00:12:00.002-05:00

"Be ready to leave by 5:45", he said. And that was all he said. No word of what his plans were or why so early. He didn't ask me if I wanted to go or give me any options, but there was a bit of excitement in the air and a twinkle in his eyes. Those twinkles get me every time.

When my alarm went off at 5 the next morning, I thought about the reasons one would get up at this hour: 1. To go to work. (No, he had the day off.) 2. To leave on a trip. (No, we were staying in town.) 3. Easter sunrise breakfast. (Again no! It was July.) With just 45 minutes to shower and get ready, I quickly pushed aside all thoughts of spoiling his surprise and believe it or not, I was ready to go by 5:40!

When the car turned toward the lake, just a few minutes from home, I knew his destination, but was still vague about his plans. He parked by the boat ramp and jumped out telling me we had come to see the show. God's show! He opened up the back of the SUV and began to unload the car. Obviously, while I took my shower, he had been a very busy man.

He pulled out two chairs, setting them up with a small table between them. The back of the car became a treasure chest. I watched with amazement as he pulled out a large thermos of coffee, my creamer, spoons, small bowls, banana muffins, pineapple, strawberries, blueberries and napkins and then, right there in the parking lot, overlooking the lake, our breakfast theatre took form. I kissed him, and he asked me if he forgot anything. I smiled and said "perhaps my Bible." He smiled and reached into the side pocket of the cooler and pulled it out.

The temperature was perfect. There was a gentle breeze. We could hear the fish as they jumped up to say their good mornings. Quiet and peace enveloped us like a soft blanket. We snuggled in. Little by little the eastern sky began to display undertones of pink and red. The fishing boats, barely visible, began slithering into the quiet waters.

And then, it happened! Out from the folds of the horizon, with no fan fare at all, yet with unmatched splendor and glory, the sun rose! Who said we couldn't have our Easter sunrise service in July?

In my heart strains from the song "Some Glorious Daybreak" broke through the silence and somehow filled my ears.

(1) Some glorious morning, sorrow will cease,

Some glorious morning, all will be peace;

Heartaches all ended, Labor all done,

Heaven will open, Jesus will come.

CHORUS:

Some golden day-break, Jesus will come;

Some golden day-break. Battles all won,

He’ll shout the vict’ry, break thro’ the blue,

Some golden day-break, for me, for you.

(2) Sad hearts will gladden, all shall be bright,

Goodbye forever to earth’s dark night;

Changed in a moment, like Him to be,

Oh, glorious day-break, Jesus I’ll see.

(3) Oh, what a meeting, there in the skies,

No tears nor crying shall dim our eyes;

Loved ones united, eternally,

Oh, what a day-break, that morn will be

We were watching and expecting that sunrise. I couldn't help but think, are we watching and expecting the Son to rise? (I have put in my order for a twice a week repeat...and am still waiting for an answer.)

Awake Angry and Appalled!

2009-06-17T08:01:00.001-05:00

Awake, angry, appalled and arising is a perfect description of my feelings this morning. And those of you who know me, know that this description really does go against my personality. So let me explain myself. (This blog is a little long, but worth the read.)

In spite of my phobia of technology, this year I became a 'blackberry carrying citizen'. I don't usually carry it in a holster on my hip, but it is usually not far from me. One of the benefits of my blackberry is that I can get my emails instantly. And just because I can, I have developed the habit of checking my emails first thing every morning. This morning, the minute I awoke, I became angry and appalled, and decided to arise and tell you about it. I believe that if you are a true American, this news ought to cause you to also awake, be angry and appalled and arise to do whatever you can do to declare the word of the Lord. And let me remind you we do 'declare the word of the Lord' through our lifestyle, however, if we listen, there are times that He will direct us to stand up and speak, write, and publish!

Allow me to quote part of the email I awoke to this morning:

Our President Obama has declared June, 2009 as "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month". I am not "proud" in any way of this sin in our land. As a ministry friend has stated "There is nothing gay about being host to a sodomite spirit"! We are a Nation founded upon Judeo - Christian principles. We are a Christian Nation "if" we stand and declare Christ and His Word without compromise. Joshua famously stated "as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord".

I am encouraging each of you to proclaim from your pulpits that as Christians, we are not in agreement with the above proclamation. To repent, to apply the blood of Christ to your life, family, and property, declaring release from this proclamation (even though we are citizens of America) for our personal land and property. We are in this world, but not of it! Also, encourage men and women -as voting, tax paying citizens - (not in the name of Christ as it puts you in a box that is to often ignored) to contact their own congressmen or women and personally express displeasure with the proclamation.

If we don't arise, who will? If we don't speak truth, who will? Isaiah 40:9 "Get yourself up on a high mountain, O Zion, bearer of good news, lift up our voice mightily ---- lift it up, do not fear, say -- Here is your God" We do have good news to release - the blood of Christ will cleanse us of all unrighteousness, and the grace of God has appeared and will / can teach us what is right and what is wrong! Don't be afraid to speak truth concerning these life and death releasing issues!

Ezekiel 22:30 " I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found none". Be the man / woman God is looking for. Build a wall of righteousness, make a separation between life and death, and then take a stand praying for the unrighteous, redeem your land, and fight for America and your descendants! Sam Pratt, Pastor

As a very young children, we memorized the months of the year. June has always represented the month of summer, swimming, picnics, and the month of WEDDINGS!

I am a Christian, and an American, and I am opposed, in direct opposition, to this 'presidential declaration'. I I hope that each of you will awake, be angry, (sin not), be appalled, and arise to do as the Lord directs you!

mmmm...Thinking Quietly Outloud

2009-05-20T11:26:00.005-05:00

This morning I was chatting online (skype (ing) mind you!) with my friend in Japan. She was tired (midnight) and I was drawing a blank, so we were kind of skype breathing for a few seconds.
I asked her if she was expecting me to come up with something encouraging or inspiring, and she responded, "Yes, some great wisdom."
It was then that I realized that wisdom does not usually come in 'great' size. Wisdom usually comes in tiny tidbits that could be easily overlooked or ignored. And even when you do see a little piece, it is not often recognized for what it is until one is watchful of the lifestyle it comes from. True wisdom does not call attention to itself, but to Him, who is Wisdom. Wisdom is applied knowledge, or applying the knowledge He gives to the way you live.
That is because knowledge and skills that are not walked are simply knowledge and skills, but true wisdom, whether heard or not, is applied and is seen walked out in a lifestyle that shouts praise and glory to Christ, who is Wisdom.
We have been instructed to get wisdom (Proverbs 1-8) and we get wisdom from listening to, and keeping His words. Oh how we need wisdom today. mmmm....just Thinking Quietly Outloud.

Royal Flush

2009-05-12T11:46:00.004-05:00

No, I do not play poker! I have never player poker, and have no desire to learn. However, a close friend of mine likes to insist that since I gave an article in my book "Designed for Destiny, A Women's TeaVotional" a title including the words "Royal Flush" I must have a secret 'poker past' somewhere deep in my closet. Let me just tell you right up front, don't dig. It isn't there. I have played cards like Rook and Old Maid. I've seen enough to realize the importance of letters in the corners like J,Q,K, and A. But until I wrote the article Royal Flush, Flourish, and Finish, I did not know just how important they were when you had them in your hand with a 10. My husband gave me a quick understanding by telling me that it was the best hand you could have and no one could beat it.

I have played a little Yatzee with my kids and my grandkids. I know about the 'Full House' roll in Yatzee. I am telling you this to say that I am kind of hanging somewhere in the balances of a royal flush and a full house at my house right now. It is a good hand, a decent roll, I'm doing o.k...and it gives me a kind of excuse/apology for writing so spasmatically on my blog.

Things have been a little on the overload side for a while. My own household has gone through its daily struggles...broken fridge, leaking washer, sickness, stress, etc, and then I have begun to go out to speak again, and I am still writing monthly for Heartbeat, an online magazine (my column is called Gleanings for Legacy) and am still working on two books, have just finished another small book and sent it to the printer, and Laura continually tries to squeeze a few lines out of me for Facebook and Twitter. Sometimes my blog just gets left in the fog.

Hopefully you can understand and are enjoying the magazine articles.

My word of encouragement for the day comes from Exodus 9:4. It says that the Lord 'made a distinction that day', between the cattle of the Egyptians and the cattle of the people of Israel. Yes! I still believe that in all the doom and destruction we see around us, our God has made a distinction between those who are not His people and those who are. And that His eye is ever upon us and His plan is for good and not for evil!

"The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup; thou holdest my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage." Ps. 16:5-6

2009-04-30T07:42:00.000-05:00
How Thick is That Wall?

We never thought to ask that question. And since experience is a good teacher, we really should have. At the very least, at my age, and
being a woman of experience, I should have realized the flexibility in the meaning of the word 'beyond'.

Early Thursday morning, Laura and I flew out of DFW, heading to our Arising to Excellence Women's Gathering in New York. DFW is a massive
airport, and I have always been of the opinion that it was well thought out and planned. Living only ten minutes from the airport, it is normally
a breeze getting to and from the airport. We have a toll tag, and don't even have to stop for the toll booth. (Thursday morning it didn't work.) With
the terminals so spread out, we rarely have a problem with parking, and only face long lines at holiday times and spring break.

Thursday was different day. We arrived an hour and a half before our flight, as usual. I kissed my hubby goodbye at the curb,, and insisted that we
would be alright to get our luggage inside the door and to the counter. After all, we are women on the go! But stepping through those glass doors,
we realized we were going nowhere fast!

The counter for the airline we were flying was waaaaaaay down there. After 'dragging our bags and two carry-ons each' through christmas-length
lines, and mobs of confused people, we found that our flight was operated by another airline, which happened to have merged with the airline
'just beyond that wall'.

No problem, just go out those glass doors, down the sidewalk to the next door and "it is just beyond that wall". This was what brought me to the
realization of how fluid the word beyond is. Did he mean an inch or a mile beyond? How thick is the wall?

We went out the glass doors and began our journey 'beyond that wall', dragging our baggage, straining every muscle, racing time. Let it suffice for me
to say that it was a long way. The wind was so strong that my coat was blowing open and creating a sail to help push me backwards. Progress was
extremely slow.

We did make it to our destination safely and in time to get on our plane, but it really got me thinking about the walls we push through, the hardness
and thickness of those walls, and the continual struggles and hindrances to every day life. I couldn't help thinking about Paul's journey in Acts chapter two.
I had a new understanding of his words "the winds were against us" and "arriving with difficulty".

Today I am reminded that God is with me and through His strength we will make it to the other side. He is our EVER PRESENT help in time of
trouble. God is in our midst, and will help us "right early". We can be still and know that He is God. Before you attempt to get through today's walls
at your house, you may want to re-read Psalms 46.

When God Shouts…I Listen

2009-02-21T14:06:00.001-06:00

Sometimes God shouts and sometimes He whispers. Last night He shouted. I was making tea for my friend Laura. We were exhausted and had worked hard all day. We got back to my house late, and I asked Laura if she would put the water on while I went in to kiss my hubby, and then I would make tea. She did. She used an old, chipped, glass quart measuring cup to put the water in the microwave to heat. (Just like I’ve done many times before.) I came out of the bedroom, took the water out of the microwave, added the teabags, and plopped a saucer on top to steep the tea. (I admit, I have done that before too, just usually not when my friends are watching.)

You see, I am ‘the tea lady’. I know the right way to make tea, and what’s more, I own way over 100 teapots! Literally, from where I was standing making tea in a glass measuring cup, I could have taken two steps and had my hands on seven of them!

That’s when God shouted. Shouted silently to me. Laura was beside me, but she did not hear him. I broke out in a chuckle that said “Yes, Lord, you are right!” That’s when Laura knew there was something else going on. I explained to her the message I was getting, and of course she immediately wanted to take a picture, but I did not let her.

I often tell people that God talks to me through teapots. This time He used a ‘teapot wannabe’ to silently shout these questions into my spirit:

Do you find it easy to do things your way, skirting the very gifts that I have given you to use to bless others?

Do you forget to show value and respect, or take for granted the closest friends that I have given you?

Are you willing to put forth a little extra effort to do it my way?

You get it now, don’t you? Sometimes God shouts. Are we listening?

This morning the wannabe still sat on the stove to remind me: The tea was good. The fellowship was sweet. The lesson was learned!

Walk Through the Wall…

2009-02-18T16:47:00.001-06:00

of my heart, Lord. Walk through the wall of my heart.

Have you ever stood and laid your hand on the outside of a door to pray for a person on the inside? Now, come on…be honest. I am sure that I am not the only mother who has done this before. And at the risk of everyone thinking that I might be a little crazy, I must admit that I have done it many more times than once!

Many of those times were probably in the turmoil of my son’s late teens. I remember one particular day of stress when I was in my study, with both my hands pressed firmly against the wall separating the study and the bathroom. I couldn’t touch him, but I knew that God could. My son was in the shower, and I was in a closet all of my own…my prayer closet! “Go through this wall, Lord. Touch him now. Let him hear you…see you! Touch him today!

How like Thomas we are! Each in our own little world, our own little way, wanting to see Him! Needing to see the scars. Longing for just a little proof that He is really there. Without seeing Him, we can wonder if He really knows. We might find ourselves questioning His love for us, or whether He really died…for ‘me’!

Last night, I was thinking about the walls of our own making. The ones we unknowingly put up that keep Him out. Sometimes I am not sure that I can even identify those barriers in my life. I am just so thankful that He is accustomed to walking through walls!

Lord, walk through the walls of my heart today! Whatever walls I have put up that keep me from hearing you, knowing you, and seeing you! Today,Lord, I ask you to walk through the walls of my heart.

“My beloved is like a gazelle, or a young stag. Behold, there He stands behind our wall, gazing in at the windows, looking through the lattice. My beloved speaks and says to me ‘Arise…and come away.’” Song of Solomon 3:9-210

I Don’t Wanna Grow UP

2009-02-14T22:16:00.001-06:00

Laura and I are sitting here watching Princess Diaries. I have never watched it before, and she was sure I would like it. Those of you who know me, know that I often take notes during movies. I enjoy the quotes and the analogies that can be drawn. I’ve already got a legal page filled. I’ll save most for another day…after all, I’m still watching the movie.

However, I grabbed my note pad at the beginning, when Amelia said to the queen, “My expectation in life is to be invisible, and I’m good at it to…I don’t want to be a princess!”

I was immediately reminded of the Toys R Us commercial line: “I don’t want to grow up, I’m a Toys R Us Kid”. Both lines are about what one might ‘wanna be’. Here we go again. The same old problem. We all ‘wanna’ something, don’t we? So often, it is something that is impossible anyway. Like, how can you avoid growing up? (Although some people…on some days……seem to manage.) And if you are the princess, how can you not be? Most of the time we put our own ‘wannas’ in front of who we really are or what He really wants.

Another conversation a little further along in the movie: “I don’t want to run a country…I want to graduate from 10th grade…Can’t I just quit (being a princess)…You can’t quit who you are!”

Although, like Queen Vashti, our behavior might well grant our royal position to another. (That’s good food for thought. Almost as good as the carrot cake I just ate.)

Isn’t it wonderful to know that we are His, and that we are heirs of His throne? And isn’t it wonderful that He knew that when we were still invisible…before we were born. (Ps. 139)

Lord, help me today, to put aside what I ‘wanna’ or don’t ‘wanna’ and simply accept who you say that I am. And may I represent your kingdom in a way that brings glory to your Name. Amen.

Mr. President, Does This Make Sense?

2009-02-10T23:15:00.001-06:00

Mr. President, does this make sense?

Today, I called TXU. (You may not know that TXU is our electric company.) I called to transfer electric from one apartment to another to facilitate a move. I thought that it would be a simple thing to do. Just a phone call. Perhaps 10 to 15 minutes tops. One hour later, I got off the phone. You could say that I was a little mystified…yes…perhaps even a little confused…upset. You see, I spent an hour trying to make a simple change in the electric service. I called the 800 number on my electric bill. I struggled for one hour to understand someone who obviously did not understand the English language. She struggled to read from a script answers to questions I was not asking. She had to start over twice. She had to delete and re-enter the account. She asked me to identify what language I would like my bill in, I had to explain how the address should appear on the line, and when I asked her a question, she had to start reading the script again to find where she was. After 50 minutes, we seemed to have accomplished my intended purpose for the call, so I asked if she would tell me where I had called. She said ‘TXU!’ I asked her what city she was in. She gave me a name I had never heard of. I asked where that was. In very broken English, she said Manilla.

Manilla?? Now, Mr President, can you tell me how it makes sense that I have family members and friends without jobs, while she is teleworking for TXU. How does it make sense that we have countless people in our church and community, who have been laid off, but she is working for TXU? I am not prejudice and I certainly have nothing against her…but does this make sense? Is it really cheaper to pay her wages, and then to pay our jobless population unemployment and government benefits beside?

I was just wondering. The words to this song just came to mind.

My country ‘tis of thee

Working across the sea

What have we done?

While lines of jobless wait

Reaching from state to state

We try to stimulate

Our economy!

Morning Prayer

2009-02-06T01:07:00.001-06:00

Ahhh…Umm…

Thank you, Lord!

Thank you for hot water

And bubbles…

Lots of bubbles.

Thank you for this little bathroom.

Thank you that there is a time for everything…

Like a time for this moment, in silence, behind closed doors.

I am soooo thankful for hot water.

Bless all the missionaries and those who do not have hot water.

Thank you for this new morning.

Thank you for this old red Bible

Faded, with pages worn and frayed.

Thankyou for truth…for your promises

On which I stand.

Thank you for health and peace.

Yes, thank you for health, Lord.

Thank you for your healing power at work today in

Charissa, Sydney, Jennifer, and MaryAnn.

Thank you that that same healing power is working

in Julie, and the other Julie,

and Susan, Laura, Vickie, Sylvia and Eunice.

Thank you that you are Lord.

That everything that concerns me is under your feet.

Thank you that there is nothing outside of your control.

Not even my finances.

Bless my hubby today. Bless the work of his hands.

Thank you for protecting my children and grandchildren.

Thank you for You.

For your friendship.

Thank you for never leaving me.

I am so thankful that you are not poor,

and that your riches are lavished upon me.

Thank you that your mercies are new every morning!

Help me to be a wise steward of this new day,

Of every minute, every hour, and all that fills them.

Lead me in your paths of righteousness today.

Let me hear your voice, afresh…

That I might follow; quickly to obey…

Yes. Quickly…how fleeting is the time!

Thankyou for cooling waters, Lord…

Waters that remind me that your new day awaits me.

And thank you for bubbles that last,

And for fragrances that linger

And speak of your presence.

Thank you for hot water, Lord, and

For how it saturates every bone in my body.

Thank you, Lord for embracing all of me,

As I embrace you.

Amen

Hung Up on Hang-ups!

2009-01-31T09:56:00.004-06:00

Hung up on hang-ups! That's what I say! This is sad. It is hard to believe! This is just what I read in a (nameless for now) popular Christian magazine:

Americans who mentioned the enjoyment of their relationship with God
is their greatest source of spiritual fulfillment: 3%.

I checked out a few Barna statistics myself. I found out that in 2001, 77% of America's population considered themselves Christian. Only 7% of the adult population was considered evangelicals. 1 out of 5 born again, could meet evangelical criteria. In 2002, 54% of our population was protestant. In May of 2007, 71% considered themselves to be religious, and by 2008 that number had drifted below 70%. None of these statistics sound like the news of revival that we hear of in other lands. And then to read that only 3% of Americans mention the joy of their relationship with God as there greatest source of spiritual fulfillment?? Am I reading this wrong? What could their greatest source of spiritual fulfillment be? What can the enjoyment of spiritual fulfillment come from?

Even while I ask these questions, I am so thankful for my relationship with Jesus Christ. There is no greater enjoyment than Joy, Himself, living in, filling up, and running over you!

No! I do not live in Walgreens...the land of Perfect! The forceful power of our countries economical struggles has pounded down my door, plundered my cupboards, and stolen my purse daily now, for a season too long to define. My family and friends have suffered illness and abuse in ways that I never dreamed would come 'nigh' my house. I have literally had my feet knocked out from under me, but my Joy, the only way to spiritual fulfillment that I know, has never left me!

Perhaps the 97% of Americans who are getting their spiritual fulfillment from something other than the enjoyment of their relationship with God, simply don't know what enjoyment is.

You have to keep the main thing the main thing! The main thing about 'enjoyment' is keeping 'Joy' as its center. And it seems that their could be some confusion between joy and happiness. It is helpful to remember that happiness is based on what happens. Our circumstances make us happy. When all our bills are paid, on time, the phone stops ringing, we can shop (with cash) till we drop, and have some left over, the kids are well and busy elsewhere, and all is quiet and settled on the homefront...we are happy. Happiness may come and go. But, too often, we forget that joy is meant to stay, and that true joy comes deep from the center of the enjoyment we possess in our relationship with Jesus Christ.

Dr. Seuss said it quite well: "I'm sorry to say so but, sadly it's true, that bang-ups and hang-ups can happen to you."

Yes, spit and sickness happen. Plunder and poverty happen. In fact rain, sun, parties, prizes, broken bones and broken hearts, and summer romances and summer droughts all happen. Presidents, senate seats, jail-outs and bail-outs happen. The happenings in your life and the ones that touch your life, will joggle between the good, the bad and the ugly, and the number of belly laughs and countless giggles may be adjusted accordingly. But don't get hung up on hang-ups!

But your joy will never leave you, in spite of circumstance. In fact, He will rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17) He will rest on you. He will dwell in you. He will fill you up and overflow you! And His sufficiency is not limited or adjusted according to circumstance.

"Though the fig tree does not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.
God, the Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet like hinds' feet,
he makes me tread upon my haigh places."
Habakkuk 3:17-19

Soul Searching to Sole Shopping

2009-01-17T07:02:00.004-06:00

I tried it. In secret, of course. Both sitting in my chair and leaning against the wall...I couldn't do it. I tried flat ones, high ones, low and medium height, and my foot just stubbornly refused to slide into a shoe. That is a scarry realization to a shoe lov'in lady! I am trying to convince myself that it is just too early, and that once I get walking more on my foot, it will learn to bend again, but it is hard to imagine when there is no indication of flexability at all. I even tried a pair of 1" pumps with no back. My foot did not have to bend at all to slide in...but the minute I put a tiny little bit of weight on it, I felt that little pump attach itself to the steel rod running up through my leg, and the pain brought tears to my eyes. It just looks impossible. Will I never wear a 'pair' of shoes again? Not the pink ones? Not pointed toes? Not even fancy flats? Did you ever realize that shoes only make the outfit or the woman when she is wearing two matching ones??
Thankfully, as I sat down, exhausted from my bottom of the closet shoe search and struggle, I remembered the Word that my husband had given to us the other night. And I relish the scriptures that my husband gives. I know that the Word is true! But when my husband gives it, I know that he is right there with me, facing what I face, day in and day out. He is truly part of me and sees it from where we are. If this Word is working for him, it is working for me.
As we were sharing with our Arising to Excellence board, he said that this was the scripture that the Lord had impressed upon him for this year. "Bretheren, I do not consider that I have made it my own, but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Phil 3:13
Paul, THE apostle, was saying that he knew that he hadn't 'made it' and was determined to forget what lies behind and press on toward the goal of knowing Christ.
Paul, MY hubby-apostle, was sharing with us that God was again showing him the importance of "forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead". He told us that we must forget the seemingly failures, struggles, trials, nevers, and unfulfilleds of the past, and press on to what God has ahead.
That is a 'life word'! Oh how often we get discouraged about what hasn't happened, looks impossible, or happens only to them. Whoever they are. The problem is that we must learn to "focus forward". And I know that as easy as it sounds, it is difficult for us to focus on what has not yet happened, because we obviously cannot see it.
Ummm...that is where faith comes in. That is where we begin to walk in the evidence of what is unseen. And the only roadblocks to that are either looking back (at the impossibles and nevers) or not looking at Christ. Yes, those are the roadblocks that have stumped me more than a few times. It is when I compare what I long for or need, with what has not been that I get discouraged. Or when I try to figure out how something could happen in my own strength, with my own checkbook, or in our 'as is situation', without looking at it through Christ, through whom all things are possible.
Thank you, Paul, THE apostle, and Paul, my hubby-apostle, for reminding me to forget what lies behind and press on to what lies ahead. Today, I am making it my aim to "focus forward". In fact, today I am putting away the wheel chair and the walker, grabbing my cane, and thrusting forward...today soul searching...tomorrow (sole) shoe shopping! And if not tomorrow...the tomorrow after that! I'll race you to the sale racks!

JUST WRONG...

2009-01-09T16:07:00.002-06:00

I started blogging Feb. 29th of last year. At least I believe that was one of my first blogs. I believe the title was "Sunshine on my Toes". In it I described sitting on my patio with my toes in the sun! I love that feel...warm sun! Well, I felt that it would be just wrong of me not to share my day in the sun. Today! Jan. 9th! Over 80 degrees on my patio! After being forced to wrap my foot in ice, over and over again, for the last two months, I was...including my bare feet... lavished with sunlight on my patio today. It was wonderful! Thank you Lord.
Now, I will admit, that the weather forecast is only in the 60's for the next 4 days, and after that they are predicting an "artic blast", but for today, I'm enjoying the sun!

"O how abundant is thy goodness, which thou has laid up for those who fear thee..."Ps. 31:19

It's Not Too Late

2008-12-29T20:02:00.002-06:00
Remember, it is not too late to get 2008 tax credit for your charitable donations to Arising to Excellence or our InnHope fund.

Credit card donations can be made through the 31st. Checks must be postmarked by Weds. You can also donate on line at: Arising to Excellence.org. Arising to Excellence Ministries is a 501-C-3 non profit organization.

Arising to Excellence Ministries
PO Box 3784
Grapevine, TX 76051

Great Grandma Would Be Twittering

2008-12-27T21:39:00.002-06:00

If you had known her! If she were here today, she probably would be twittering!

My earliest memories of my Great Grandma C. are found in her home with the big porch on Vinton. I remember Sunday dinners around her dining room table. From my view, as a young girl, her chin seemed to barely reach the table. (Her back was rounded and we were told that her spine was shrinking with artheritis.) That didn't seem to stop her. Under her chin, I can remember the shape of her folded hands as she bowed head and said, "Pa, say the blessing!" I remember how he did. I have a memory of opening my eyes and thinking she had fallen asleep. I remember how she made her tea and held her cup with both hands. I also have vivid pictures in memory of wash day at great grandma's. I remember the hand pump at the kitchen sink. I remember the wringer washer being pushed into the middle of the kitchen floor. I remember the sheets and clothes coming through the wringer, like thin stiff ribbons. I remember my mom, my grandma, and my aunt folding them back and forth, stacking them in the baskets. And then I remember putting the baskets on the wooden wagon that Uncle Charley made, and pulling it up to the clotheslines to hang the clothes. I cherish my childhood memories.

In the rare moments of my memory when Great Grandma C. wasn't cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, quilting or resting her chin on the dinner table, she was twiddling.

That's right. she was twiddling. She might be sitting in her chair in the living room, or swinging in the big hanging swing on the front porch, but she would be twiddling. With her hands folded, she rotated one thumb around the other, in continuous motion. With absolutely no plan or timing, she'd reverse her thumbs and keep twiddling and then reverse again. Sometimes, she'd even sing or whisper "twiddleley dee twiddleley dum" over and over.

In all my memories, there is one memory that I do not have. I do not remember a single moment ever when my Great Grandma C. was bored. Never! She always had something to do, and if she didn't, she would...cuz she'd twiddle.

Now Great Grandma C. is swinging, singing and twiddling around the throne in glory, but I know that if she was here she'd be twittering.

I just learned about twittering. Rather, I just heard about it. I do not know a good definition of twittering. I do not know how to twitter and have no desire to learn, or plan to start. But I do know that people who twitter (a computer activity two steps higher than blogging, and one step higher than facebook) must have found little moments where they must keep their thumbs busy. So like Great Grandma C. and her twiddling...they have taken to twittering.

I don't twiddle and I don't twitter, but like those who do, I will not be bored. For I am determined that what my hands find to do, I will do heartily as unto the Lord.

Also Lavished

2008-12-20T19:33:00.003-06:00

I enjoy decorating my home for Christmas. Since this is one of my joys, I am amazed at the grace of God, which He has lavished upon me, as I have literally sat through this season with my leg propped in the air...able to do NO decorating! I have really been at peace. Amazing! Now, grant it, God has provided me with Laura, and my darling husband to do some decorating in my place. However, any of you who truly have an eye for, and enjoy decorating, certainly know how difficult it usually is to not decorate, or to allow someone else to do it for you! But this peace has been amazing!
It is my custom to decorate my tree in the living room with passion. I make a custom topper with miles (slightly exagerated) of ribbon, feathers, and glitz. My tree is themed: Last year and this year with crosses and pocket watches (it is time to return to the Christ of Christmas)...all golds and glitz with touches of burnt red ribbons and feathers. The bottom is wrapped with an antique hand crocheted bedspread. It is beautiful. I have a tall and narrow tree in the kitchen, which is decorated with teacups, teapots, china, and a custom made topper. I usually decorate my mantle heavily with beautiful garlands, topped with snow, pine cones and ribbons. I also put garlands, icy crystals, and burnt red touches on the top of the china cupboard, the guest room bed and antique dresser, and the top of our huge western bed in the master bedroom. I put out a large display of clear glass snowmen, more than a few Christmas arrangements though the living room, dining room and kitchen, and I lavish my dining room table with red and gold chargers, dishes and gobblets that I have collected over the years. I love decorating!
That is why I know that it is by God's grace that I have been so relaxed with just instructing and pointing directions to Paul and Laura to accomplish minimal decorating this season. They have done an excellent job at decorating the trees and Laura even did the mantle. A friend stopped and put out the snowmen. That was plenty for me. I felt perfectly comfortable skipping the outside hedges, the inside (17 foot high) and outside wreaths, the china cabinet, the master bedroom and guestroom, and all finishing touches. We have less than a week before Christmas, so what is the need to add more now. It was finished.
You know that you have been 'also lavished' when your husband gets up on the last Saturday before Christmas and starts decorating. "Honey, you don't have to do that! It is fine the way it is." I tried to convince him to stop from my ring side seat on the couch. But he methodically continued. He has decorated the hedges, got out the ladder, put up the two wreaths, and finished the china cabinet and dining room in nothing less than 'Southern Home' style. (Of course, he has learned from the best. He said that it took him the last 37 years to earn his decorating degree.) But it is beautiful!
I didn't need to have it done. I was completely at peace. I have actually enjoyed the refreshing rest of refocussing on Christ. But Paul knew that it would make me happy to see things decorated, so he 'also lavished' it upon me.

(Note: Ladies love being 'also lavished'.)

I was reminded today of how Christ 'also lavished' us. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. He destined us in love to be his sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he also lavished upon us." Eph. 1:3-8
In this Christmas season, remember...the Christ of Christmas has 'also lavished' you.

Is Your Church Handicapped?

2008-12-12T10:47:00.007-06:00

Have you ever heard anyone make the comment that so-and-so "doesn't have a leg to stand on"? Most likely they were telling you that whatever so-and-so was claiming or trying to prove would not hold up. This not "having a leg to stand on" has obviously been something that has come up every day, many times a day, over the past five weeks. Sitting here with my broken leg propped high on pillows, I have had many moments to meditate on how important it is to have a leg to stand on.
Knowing that I still have one good leg, I thought that I could still hobble around and do most anything. Wrong! The constant reminder of my handicap pops up in a continual popping-corn fashion, as I try to just carry on simple tasks. I can stand (balanced against the stove with one hand on the walker) to make a cup of tea in the microwave. But try as hard as I might, I cannot carry the tea, via walker or via wheel chair, to sit down and enjoy it. And there are many such simple things I tend to take for granted, that I just cannot do in this season of life. (Season -- this too shall pass...Amen and Amen!)
I have learned to employ my teeth, my 'arm pit grip', and 'my between the thighs grasp'. I have discovered the most important use for a recycled Walmart bag: If my husband puts one on the counter, I can put the peanut butter, raspberry jam, plate and knife in the bag. Then balancing my toast in my teeth, I can carry the bag hanging from my walker, and hop to my chair to have my breakfast. All the while...trying to not bite my toast and lose it. Sometimes, I have decided that it is just too hard to have breakfast.
Needless to say, little things that are part of our daily regime have become mountains that sometime seem uncrossable.
This morning, I lay on the floor, forcing my leg to exercise as it must, if I will walk again soon. I suddenly thought, "Is the church handicapped?" In I Corinthians 12, we read that each part of the body has a function to carry out and that each part must function for the other parts to function unhindered. I get it! I mean, I really get it. I am now wearing a brace on my left hand. My shoulders and my wrists are suffering because they are trying to carry the weight of my body. Yet shoulders and wrists were not made to carry that weight. Legs were! Because my left leg is doing nothing, but hanging there, my right leg is struggling to remain balanced and is having to stand holding double the weight it was created for. My right hip is groaning and complaining. My whole body is affected because one part is basically caught up with itself (finding comfort and healing for itself). This is not new revelation to anyone. We know these things. But do we get it? Is your church handicapped?
The church is the body of Christ. So, is the body functioning properly? Is each part doing its part? What is your part? Are you operating in your gifting, or in your place of service? This morning, as I was lifting my left leg, and straining to get it to straighten with my right leg, the thought occured to me that it is time for the body of Christ to exercise, to prepare, to correct, or to work toward each member operating fully and completely as they were created to do. You see, it would be so easy for my leg to settle with the fact that it is handicapped...not able to function as it should. But the handicap does not stop there...it is passed on to my whole being. And that is just what the scripture says about the body of Christ: "If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together." I Cor. 12:26
Are you functioning? Or is your church handicapped?
Just some challenging questions I thought I'd pass on to stir up the gift within you.

A Journey to Bethlehem...a Long, Hard Journey

2008-12-06T11:00:00.008-06:00

My grandson called last night and asked me if I would go with them on "A Journey to Bethlehem." I should have just taken for granted that "a journey" meant a journey, and that "to Bethlehem" meant a long, long way. But my me-me heart strings were pulled, and all I thought about was the fact that I have not been able to spend any time with them, and that it would be a help to my daughter. Besides, my grandson reassured me that they could push me in the wheel chair. What could a little ride hurt?

We donned our heavy clothes, (we were warned that part of the journey was outside) grabbed a blanket and headed to the local church that was hosting the "Journey to Bethehem". Somehow I should have connected the idea that someone who has to park in handicap parking to get into the church, ought not be heading on a journey to anywhere...but that slipped right on by me too.

At the check in table, we were all given passports. (Another missed clue: you only get a passport for long, long trips.) We were told that we must keep our passports with us at all times, and that at any time, we could be required to present them. I did ask for a wheel chair for my daughter also, as she was rather weak, and I am so glad I did. Perhaps one of the greatest blessings of the evening, was that they provided men to push the wheel chairs, or chariot drivers as they called them. So three grandkids, mom and daughter, and Laura began their journey to Bethlehem.

First we were led (some of us pushed) into the church sanctuary to listen to a few Christmas carols. Then we began our passage in a Jewish home, where we meant the family, Ghadel and his wife Naomi, and their two children. We soon found out they would be traveling with us. When they were welcoming us to their home, Roman soldiers, with real armor and spears burst through the door, grabbed Ghadel and shouted commands that he must take his family to Bethlehem to pay taxes. We were commanded to stick together, keep our passports in hand, and beware of soldiers, thieves, and rough roads on the way to Bethlehem. Our group of about 20 was then herded down a dark hallway, and then after a brief stop at the carpenter's shop to get directions, we stumbled out the door and into the darkness. Immediately after heading into the dark, the two (wheel chairs) chariots were turned and backed down a steep hill.

Now, I was beginning to worry. My daughter's chariot was more like a Mercedes, and mine was similar to a bug. Hers had a wide seat, big chrome wheels, steel foot rests, and seemed to glide more easily over any terrain. She also had an experienced chariot driver. My "bug chariot" had smaller black rubber wheels, plastic foot rests, a smaller seat, was lower to the ground, and I had a driver who had never driven a chariot anywhere.

The Roman soldiers on horse back, kept circling back with special chariot instructions. I was stuck in sand once, nearly dumped out of my chariot twice, my leg was rammed twice, I was stuck in ruts, grabbed by my hood by my chariot driver to prevent me from falling, rattled to bits, shivering severely and completely exhaused before getting to Bethlehem. We were told that it was a five or six day journey, but it seemed like one long night with only one rather low star in sight.

As our journey progressed, we were attacked by Roman soldiers, herded by horses with more soldiers, we stopped to rest by many campfires (one minute rest stops), came upon camps of other travelers and their livestock, overtaken by thieves, saw an angel declaring the birth of the King, were verbally abused by an ornery census taker (startling my grandson before declaring that he was legal and could pass), and then finally permitted to enter the town of Bethlehem.

The journey through the town of Bethlehem was not much easier. The shops were open, the livestock was being sold, the meats were cooking upon open fires, and everyone was busy. We arrived exhausted at the inn with no rooms and of all things, no ramp. From there we were led to the manger and were among the first to see the Christ child and hear the salvation story.

Believe me, after this long, long journey over forty rough acres of church property, I was ready for the treat of hot chocolate at the end. I just could not find that part of the Christmas story in the book of Luke.

Later, home, with my iced leg propped on pillows, I had a new appreciation for all the characters in Christmas pagents...especially the chariot drivers. I also was deeply concerned about the fact that I could not keep up with the horsemen or the chariots in anyway. However, my weary body fell asleep refreshed knowing that though some may trust in chariots, I will trust in the name of my God. (Psalms 20:7)

I'm Do'in That...

2008-12-01T09:33:00.003-06:00

I remember the cover of a popular Christian magazine from years ago. In the picture, Kay Arthur was sitting on a swing, on a gracious looking front porch. She was relaxed, with her feet up, covered with a little afghan, reading her Bible, with her pen and journal by her side. I remember my immediate thought: "I wish I could do that!" My children were young, at that time, and my life was set on 'hectic' speed.
Now, I'm do'in that. Not on a gracious country porch...not covered with a dainty afghan...not dressed with make-up in place...in fact, not fit for pictures anywhere...but I'm do'in that! I have plenty of time to sit with my legs up, (literally) Bible open on my lap, and pen and paper along side. Yes, I'm do'in that!
Laura has returned from NY for the month. (What a blessing!) Often (real often) while she is sitting with me and keeping me company, she is on her computer...googlin, researching, checking stats, on facebook, and now her new thing: twittering. I can't explain it, but supposedly you can get on this twitter site and just write: "I am..." and then write what you are doing at the moment. Like "I am eating soup." Or I am watch T.V." (I haven't figured out exactly why you want someone to know what you are doing at the moment, but...) Anyway, this new activity of Laura's has given birth to this blog. I thought that maybe someone would like to know what I'm doing.
Also several years ago, I read one of Beth Moore's books, where she told that one morning in the snowy mountains of Colorado, where she was hiding away trying to finish a book, the Lord told her to stop working, and go out and lay in the snow and make snow angels. At first, she resisted, and tried to get back to work, but when she could not rid herself of the thought, she put the work away, and went out and made snow angels. I thought, "I wish I could do that."
I'm do'in that! And you guessed it, I am not in the snowy mountains of Colorado making snow angels...but with mounds of work and writing around me, trying to focus to begin to finish many projects, I'm learning how to put down my work and get up and...well, the marks I'm making are not in the snow, but rather in the carpet. They do not resemble snow angels at all, but the wheels, and two tennis balls on my walker do leave their distinct mark all through my house, as I leave my pile of work to change positions and move about to give my body and my brain a rest. Yes, I'm do'in that!
I have also found a few other relaxing treats and techniques. On Saturday, Laura and Paul took me 'wheely shoppin'...'wheely' they did! We stopped at a few places looking for Laura's Christmas tree, and Laura would get out and scout to see if the store had a wheel chair so I could 'wheely shop' with them. There was one store that did not have a wheel chair, so in that store I went 'shoppin hoppin' on my walker. (Needless to say, I did not make it too long.) When I am strong enough for the malls, I will probably resort to 'scooter' shoppin'....but I'm do'in that!
Also years ago, as a young and struggling Pastor's wife, holding a baby, with a toddler dangling on my leg, I remember hearing from other Pastor's wives how the Lord sent them someone to clean their house, or bring in meals for the month. I thought, "I wish someone would do that for me." And now, without babies or toddlers dangling from my leg, my husband, Laura, and ladies from the church are doing that for me. And yes, it is very uncomfortable for someone who is used to being in the background surrounding and covering to sit in the center uncovered. And it is very, very hard, extremely hard, for a servant to learn to enjoy being served!! But yes, I'm do'in that too!
Although not from a platform, I am beginning to be able to teach a little, and I see a few teaching opportunities coming in the next couple of weeks. I taught Laura (with absolutely ZERO experience) how to paint my toenails. RED! From a pile of pillows, I taught my husband how to make Grandma's gravy. I'm teaching my granddaughter and others how to decorate, as I direct them how to move, adjust, and angle things that bug me in my living room. And in the next few weeks, I am going to be teaching Christmas Decorating 101 and 102!!! I am! I'm do'in that!
Grant it, I'm learning and doing at a much slower pace these days. It seems that one day of doing requires two following days of doing nothing. But while it may not look like, sound like, feel like, or be like what I thought it would. I'm learnin to do it. And "With God we shall do valiantly" (Ps. 108:13)
Yes, I'm do'in that!

"24"...Realizing Reality

2008-11-25T09:29:00.003-06:00
I do not like "24".
I will not watch it in my house.
I will not watch it in a store.
I can not watch its blood and gore.
I simply cannot, will not, watch it anymore!!!

A few years back, the show "24" became popular. My husband loved the show, and every Monday night, that first season, we faithfully watched "24". I have never had to get up and leave the room so many times in one hour of T.V. I got so that I dreaded Monday night. I had trouble sleeping Monday nights. And every Tuesday morning I awoke with sores in my mouth, where I had nervously chewed the inside of my lip through the gore of "24" the night before. By the end of that first season I made up my mind: I will not watch "24".

Now, let me make it clear, my darling husband still loves the show. We have just agreed that I will find something else to do while it is on. And this season will be no different. (For those of you who don't know about the show, you can investigate for yourself, but you are only missing blood, gore, and terror. And who needs it anyway.) So, Sunday night was a two hour "24" special to set the stage for this season. I assured my husband that I would be fine in the other room, and he could watch the special. However, being that I am moving a little slow, and needing his help to carry pillows, water, blankets, phone, and whatnot into the other room, I got stuck in the living room chair for the first 2-5 minutes of the show. It was hideous! It was violent and bloody! In a chaotic scene of natives of India or Africa, screaming, dancing, drums, knives, and gore...a mere child, sitting behind a bloody and bound man, lifts a huge knife and with one giant sweep, beheads him. A child beheads a man!! For the first time ever, I thanked God for the commercials. My husband then helped me back to the bedroom, assuring me that the rest of the show would not be like that, and that "that" was just setting the scene for the months of Monday night mystery ahead.

I'll never know. I never care to know. "I will not watch it anymore!

Allow me to switch gears for just a moment and then I'll explain my rambling thoughts this morning. (Those of you who know me, or who read my last blog, know that these last few weeks have not been my most productive. Praise God...I am finally off the pain meds, and beginning to be able to take my mind captive again.) And soooo...my brain gears are just beginning to rattle and roll a bit again.

I've been thinking about what has happend to me...the fall...3 broken bones...and all. God is my protector. I know that He protects me, watches over me, is always with me, never leaves me, upholds me, surrounds me, interceeds for me, loves me, puts His angels round about me, guards me, protects my very bones, works all things together for good, causes me to run through a troup, leap over a wall, soar like an eagle, and triumph over the enemy! I know it! It is truth! Nothing will change my mind! I am convinced! Persuaded! Amen!!!

"If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, let Israel now say--if it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us, then they would have swallowed us up alive, when their anger was kindled against us; then the flood whould have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us; then over us would have gone the raging waters....Our help is in the name of the Lord...Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever." Ps. 124:1-5, 8 and 125:1

"If the Lord had not been my help, my soul would soon have dwelt in the land of silence. When I thought, "My foot slips," thy steadfast love, O Lord, held me up. When the cares of my heart are many, thy consolations cheer my soul. Ps: 17-19

So how can it be that I would step down a four inch step, and break three bones?

Now, I am not God. And I am certainly not trying to imply that I understand all His ways, even in this one little mishap. However, I have had many hours to let my mind wander, and there have been a couple of thoughts that have rumbled through it, that I would like to share with you.
1. We see our lives so finite. We see what happens here on earth, what seems to be good or profitable for our careers, or families, or day to day activities here. But God...God sees all. Eternity. Life before death and life after our earthly death. And He, as only He can, works 'all' things together for 'all' times, seasons, and reasons that we have no way of understanding. He truly walks ahead, sees ahead, and leads and guides. I can trust Him with my life.

2. The Bible also teaches us that we wrestle not again flesh and blood, but against principalities,
powers and rulers of darkness. There is a kingdom of darkness battling the kingdom of light continually. We don't always see it...but the war will not stop until our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ stands to declare that it is over, and returns to take us to forever reign with Him for eternity. We know that until that specific moment in time, wars and rumors of wars will increase, sin, darkness, terror and demonic oppression will intensify, and the tactics of the enemy of our souls will be more bloody and terror filled than we could ever imagine.

"24"... My little 2-5 minute glimspe has reminded me that as the end approaches, more evil will be unleashed on the earth. Remembering that has filled me with a security, and a peace. He is my protector. I only see what happened...but until eternity, I may never know the attack, the terror, the pain, and the suffering that the evil one intended for me, when my loving Savior put His hand up and said "Enough!" And as with Job: "You cannot touch her there!" Life is real. We are flesh. Mishaps happen. But He protects us! Halleluiah!

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, who abides in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress; my God , in whom I trust." Ps. 91:1

Random Thoughts and Scooter Dusting

2008-11-23T09:54:00.003-06:00
It is Sunday morning. Oh, how I miss worship with the saints. It is so hard to believe that this is the 3rd Sunday in a row that I have missed.

Just 3 days before my fall, my 9 yr. old grandson told me about a dream that he had had where a "random man" had just appeared. I'm quoting him. I won't tell you the dream right now, but I do believe that it is one of those where God is speaking peace to us. However, I was intriqued by my grandson's use of the word random.

–adjective
1.
proceeding, made, or occurring without definite aim, reason, or pattern: the random selection of numbers.

My last blog was posted on the 7th. As I reread it this morning, I am amazed how God was speaking to me about being delayed. And yes, I do feel that I am being delayed. But I have a sweet new peace knowing that in God, nothing is random...without aim or purpose...and even out of this He will reveal His goodness.

For those of you who don't know: On Sat. the 8th of November, I stepped off a 4" step, fell, broke my leg in three places. Went through surgery on the 9th to have a steel rod and screws placed in my leg. Needless to say...I am delayed.

Laying in bed, with one's leg stuck straight up in the air is a position which produces random thoughts:

I am so thankful for the prayers of the saints...it seems when I go to pray, I sleep.
I am so thankful for my husband, who has served me endlessly, lovingly...as if he had nothing else to do.
I soooo wish I could just get up and do one thing for him....
How in the world am I going to make apple pies for Thanksgiving?
Looking out the window, I can see where I fell...there is no way that little fall could have affected my life, our household so severely....
Oh Lord, guide my steps...physically, spiritually....to bring you glory!
How I wish I could serve my daughter in her struggles right now.
Reveal yourself, Lord, to my grandson who was with me and saw my mangled leg.
Every day, the ceiling fan above my bed thickens with dust...perhaps at a rate as high as 1/4 inch this week. (I can't tell...my vision is clouded on these drugs.)
My times are in your hands, Oh Lord.
You said, Lord, to occupy until you come. Occupy means to possess, hold, and fight, if necessary, to keep your ground. I may be down, but I am not out. I will continue to fight.
Perhaps tomorrow I can get something done..........
How could this happen?
Why would this happen?
Should I tell my husband I prefer my applesauce warm??
My body is sore from doing nothing.
Forgive me for the times that I wished I had nothing to do.
Face it Susan, life can go on without you.
I don't want to wake my husband up to ask for a cracker...but I am so hungry...
What would happen, If I just got up and started walking?
But for the mercy of God....Did you ever feel like you were left to the mercy of the storm? When you are His, you are always left to His mercy...not the mercy of the storm. What love! What magnificent love!
My protective husband let me help with the housework yesterday. Scooter dusting!!! Who would have thought? Maybe it's fodder for a new article? Forget technology for saving time...How about "SportChores"? Although, I must practice, (twice I got myself dusting in a corner that I could not back the scooter out of) this could be a future wave. It was almost like being on the Flintstones.But instead of calling out "Fred..." I'm calling "Paul...honey...?"
Back to bed...leg up...ice...ahhh...sleep.
There must be something I can do....tomorrow....

Delayed but Never Late

2008-11-07T07:41:00.002-06:00

I wish that I could say that about myself. Delayed but never late. However, I have arrived late, a time or two, or three or four, or many more, because I was delayed. Not to say that it has always been my fault and not to say that it has never been my fault. I just would like to be able to say that my delays have not made me late.

I got to thinking about this the other day when I got a message on my Blackberry that my sent message would be delayed for "two days before it will be delivered". What? Was cyberspace so overloaded that my one little message could not be sent? Was the would be receiver of my message on an 'out of the universe vacation' for just a few days? Or was I just randomly picked to be held back?

Did you ever feel like that? Like you had been randomly picked to be held back? If you are reading this silently or alone, you can go ahead and answer that question. I am sure that if we were all honest, we have all felt that way at times. There are hours, days, and seasons in our lives when it just seems like 'things' just aren't going our way, or 'something' just came our way that hit like a ton of bricks and delayed us big time! Whether for an appointment or an accomplishment, delays are part of everyday life and in the hard times can even seem to hold us captive.

However, time is never delayed. It just marches on. It is hard for me to believe that it is November already. Where has this year gone? Time moves so quickly these days that the story of Rip Van Winkle can seem more like a biography than a fairy tale.(Now, I must be careful or I'll be on a bunny trail or weasel route, and writing about another topic altogether.)

Yes, time marches on. And November is well into its first lap. Since this is the season of Thanksgiving, and in our culture, everything around us trys to jump from Halloween to Christmas in one giant leap, I have decided to make a conscious effort everyday this month to specifically find something to be thankful for. So without delay (I had to put that in there), I got up this morning thinking about this: I am so thankful that my Lord is never delayed!
I am bringing my righteousness near,
it is not far away;
and my salvation will not be delayed.
I will grant salvation to Zion,
my splendor to Israel.
Is. 46:12-13
Now, while I am very sorry that my blogging is often delayed, our Lord, is always on time. Even when it seems that my inner clock screams with immediate needs, and seemingly needless and random delays, I know that God is in control, not sleeping, and will come through for me in time. Right on time! His perfect time.

Rejoice, your salvation cometh...right on time...everytime...just when you need Him most! Today, where I live, I am so thankful that my God is never late.

All Opinionated Up and No Place to Blow

2008-10-20T13:12:00.004-05:00

Did you ever feel like that? And isn't that what blogs are for? Now don't get me wrong...I am not generally considered a very opinionated person. I have mine, but usually keep them pretty much to myself. Then again, it seems that sometimes, one's opinions come close to merging or colliding with one's convictions, and then there is nothing else to do...but blow...explode...speak...vent...share, or let it out in some way. Since you do have the option of closing this blog without reading, I will resist the feeling of imposing my opinion upon you, and just let it 'blow'.
With the elections just around the corner now, I have been asked more than a few times what I am thinking about this whole arena. I've already told you that I am not usually considered opinionated, and please know that I am never considered political. But this year has been different. Call it the 'signs of the times' or a 'spiritual urgency'. Just know that when speaking of the importance of this year's election, almost any way of putting it would be an understatement.
Since I was asked outright who I was going to vote for, I answered the question clearly: "I am voting for McCain/Palin." Now here is where my opinions are merging with my convictions:
There seems to be very little said in the Bible about which health care plan we should support. I don't find a lot about the tax breaks, or their increases, in the sixty-six books of the Bible either. And it seems that in my study from cover to cover, I don't find much about separating classes of people, trying to decide what kind of things benefit which class, or points for picking a leader based on how they will inflate my wallet. So one might say that the Bible has little to do with the election.
Wrong! Like it or not, the Bible does say that I should pay my taxes, obey my leaders, and take seriously my rights and responsibilities in doing what I can, to take care of what I have been blessed with...and that would include our freedom in this country 'under God with life and liberty for all'.
So how did I come to decide who I should vote for? The Bible does teach that when leaders, rulers, judges and kings follow the laws of the Lord, the people under them are blessed. And when leaders do not follow the laws of the Lord, the people under them are condemned, or to say the least, the people are in 'sore straits' (Judges 2:15). Although the Bible is not clear about healthcare, it is extremely clear about the sin of abortion, the sin of homosexuality, the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman, and the freedom of prayer and worship. There is only one candidate who clearly stands on the side of the Bible concerning these issues. I want a president who would lead this nation according to these values, so I will vote for John McCain.
Another issue that has brought this usually politically silent voice screaming out of me, is the company the candidates keep. Years ago, the president of a Bible college stood in my kitchen. He was an older gentleman of quiet and deliberated speech, white hair and the Biblical wisdom and soundness to go with it. He told me that it isn't just a man's knowledge or learning that makes Him wise, but that wisdom will be seen by the friendships a man keeps, the advisors he seeks, and the relationships he joins himself with. (Yes, the Bible does teach that you will become like those you spend your time with.)
I won't release my opinion to name names here, but an evening or two with the news, (the fair and balanced one) listening to the names of the company that Obama keeps, will raise the hair on the back of your neck and cause you to lay awake in fear.
I am not saying that we have a perfect man running for president, and I am not making any claims to the salvation or Biblical beliefs of either. I am only saying that I will vote for the one who most clearly stands for Biblical principles.
This weekend we heard that there are approximately 60 million people in our country who claim to be evangelical Christians. Of those 60 million, it appears that only 30 million are registered to vote. But the real travesty is that only approximately 15 million of those who call themselves Christians voted in the last election.
My prayer is that this will be an unprecedented year for Christians to vote! We must all take seriously our right, responsibility, and freedom to vote. (Our seriousness in voting reveals our
stewardship.) And I pray that we all vote according to Biblical principles.
Let us pray for our leaders and pray that God will continue to bless America.

Welcome Aboard!

2008-10-11T20:57:00.002-05:00

We stopped to get pizza for the grandkids after the little league ball game today. It was a good game. They played hard and it ended in a tie, but it seemed to go so slow. It seemed like we were at the one hour and forty minute game all day. So needless to say, the 7-11 next to the pizza joint was shouting HAZELNUT COFFEE long before the pizza settled in our bellies. While we finished up, Laura headed next door to get them to put on a fresh pot, and with piping hot cups in hand we headed home. But as we drove past the lake it seemed too inviting to pass up. Laura and I dropped my hubby off, picked up the chairs, and headed back to the lake. (What a blessing that it is less than 5 minutes from the house.)
With our chairs planted just feet from the lake, we let the next couple of hours slip by just like the sand in an hour glass. It seemed so good just to stop. We faced the sun just beginning to head down, shared some, listened much, and simply rested.
At some point in the quiet, it seemed that the only thing that I heard was the sound of the little waves rushing to the shore beside me. I looked out over the water. Peace. A few sail boats. A couple of fishing boats. A small island. Quiet. Dampened sand surrounded us. The gentle winds were picking up a little. Suddenly my spirit was in the boat on the Sea of Galilee.
It has been several years since I have been there. One of my fondest memories of my trip was just soaking in His presence as I sat silently on the boat taking us across the lake. I let my mind try to fathom what it would have felt like to see Jesus walking across the water to your boat. The word says that it was dark, and that the winds were causing the sea to rise. At first they were frightened when they saw someone walking on the water. But when they recognized that it was Him, it says they "were glad to take Him into the boat" (John 6:21) "And immediately the boat was at the land where they were going."
Stirring from my day dreaming I heard the waves lapping faster. The wind was increasing. The sun was slipping in the sky. What an understatement I thought. "They were glad to take Him into the boat." They were glad?! They were glad?!
Me too! In the dark areas of life where I can not see...when the winds pick up...and the waves begin to rock my world...I too am glad...so very glad to take Him into my boat. But far too often I'm not still enough to hear the waves and feel the breezes blow. When the sun is sinking and the winds increasing, help me to see You coming. And I will gladly welcome you aboard, Lord. And we too shall make it to the other side.

He knows my Name

2008-10-07T19:13:00.002-05:00

Today was a rough day. I don't need to go into the reasons. It just was. It seems like one thing led to another...starting off with one and one half hours on the phone to figure out a phone plan ...not my idea of a good start anyway. Then one thing led to another...time ticked on and my strength trickled out just as quickly. When Laura called to asked if I had had lunch, I suddenly realized that I not only had not had lunch, but I had not had breakfast or coffee yet either. Being the responsible armor bearer that she is, she immediately said, "I'm picking you up for lunch."

Lunch, coffee, sitting in the beautiful fall sunshine, and a little writing began to turn my day around. We finished homework with the grandkids (it was my day), and headed back to my house to get dinner. As we pulled in front of my house, Laura exclaimed, "Look, Sue. You are on the map."

Right! I thought. And then I looked. I saw it! As clear as could be, 'Sue' was printed right in the middle of Ms. Weasel's screen. Sue...right between 'right on Sonnet' and 'left on Choteau'. 'Sue'. There it was.

"She knows my name," I heard myself say. "Ms Weasel knows my name."

And at that precise minute...instantly, I heard my Lord say, "No. But I know your name. I know who you are. And I know that you are mine. And in the scope of eternity, that knowlege washes away the all the troubles of your day."

O LORD, you have searched me and known me.
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
you discern my thoughts from far away.
You search out my path and my lying down,
and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
O LORD, you know it completely.
You hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
it is so high that I cannot attain it.
Psalms 139:1-6

I Know Who Hung the Moon

2008-09-23T10:32:00.003-05:00

My Proverbs chapter for the day was chapter 3. I don't read through Proverbs every month, like some, but at different seasons in life I just decide to read through Proverbs again. Today, I struggled to get through chapter 3. Oh, I read it all, but I couldn't get my heart past verse 8. Each word of those first few verses seemed to hammer me (in a good way) with affirmation. So often I struggle with finding enough time to accomplish what I need to do. And right here in the beginning of this chapter we are promised, not extra minutes, but length of days and years and abundant welfare if we do not forget His teachings! Wow! You want to know how to lengthen your day, or be sure to get the full length out of it? Remember His teaching!
Once I got past that Wow, I stopped again at verse 5: "...do not rely on your own understanding". This one was big for me this morning. We all know this. We all try to act upon it. But most likely, we all still find ourselves saying: "But Lord, I don't understand..." This morning I felt His presence, and heard Him whisper, "I know. But I do. And you can trust me."
Then in His fearful, awesome presence, I moved to verse 7-8 and found healing for my flesh and refreshment for my bones. What a mighty God we serve!
Last week, when we told our grandchildren that their mommy had a brain tumor, we all struggled to make it through the rest of the evening and face bedtime. After dinner and baths at my house (Charissa was still at NIH) we headed back to their home to sleep. At the stop sign, in the clear sky, right in front of us, the full moon hung as if you could reach out and touch it. I ask the grandchildren if they knew that our God was so big that he could hang that giant moon (all by itself with no support) way far out in space, and yet make it that we could see it right here. They assured me that they understood that. "And did you know," I asked, "that same big God is the one who will take care of and heal your mommy?" What blessed peace knowing Him brings. We may not understand (be able to explain the process) of how the moon hangs there, but we know who hung it! We know Him! And He knows us, right where we are, right now!

"Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. He sent His Word and healed them, and delivered them from destruction." Ps. 107:19-20

Looking at My Feet

2008-09-18T10:25:00.002-05:00

Within the hour we will be leaving for the airport. It is hard to believe that less than two weeks ago, I was just returning from a magificient mini getaway with my honey. What a wonderful trip we had. Today, my daughter and I will board a plane taking us to NIH (National Institute of Health) where we will meet with a team of doctors to discuss her prognosis. Wow! How did we get from there to here?
Just last week, during a routine exam, my daughter was told that after 13 years, it appears that the cancer is growing in her brain. As many of you know, when you get news like that, you just don't know how to progress...how to think...how to act...and how to walk.
When I am out walking, and trying to make it up a hill, I have developed a habit of keeping my eyes and my focus directly on my feet. If I keep looking at my feet, and not the top of the hill, or how far away it is, I find that I make it up the hill just fine.
It seems to me that this might just be the way we walk through the trials and tribulations in our lives too. We have to just keep our focus on making it through one step at a time. I just keep looking at my feet and walking.
After all, in all of my study, and all my experience (such as it is), I have only ever found two options to facing a trial. 1) Give up. Sit down. Deny that there are miracles and that God loves you and has a plan to carry you through. or 2) Keep walking. Having done all, stand. Believe that the God who created the universe and all its beauty, loves you, and has a plan for you...a plan for good and not for evil.
In case you are wondering how we are making it through these days of not knowing what is next...we've chosen option 2. We are walking. I just keep looking at my feet and focusing on His Word: He is a light to my feet...He leads and guides me...He prepares a way for me to walk...He will not leave me...and He makes my feet like hinds feet...able to make progress on the steep slopes of difficulty!
If its hilly around your house...Look at your feet...You'll make it to the top just fine!

Splendor Reflected

2008-09-09T13:33:00.009-05:00

From tumbling waterfalls, moss coated forests, beautiful San Juan Islands, bustling Vancouver city, glazier covered mountain tops, the deep blue ocean, restaurants on the bay, small town boutiques, and oh, did I mention unbelievable sunsets over the waters?...I have now returned to my desk. Yes, just my desk. No flowery adjectives, except that it is mine. It is hard to believe that we crammed all that and more in between the 4th and the 8th. But it was magnificent! My mind just kept trying to process: God you are amazing! And, I have been sooooo blessed to see all this!

We got several of these beautiful reflection shots, (above) which seemed to change by the moment...with every little breeze on the water, and every moment of setting sun, more of the reflection of His beauty could be seen.

On the way up Mt. Baker, we stopped by this 'little' mighty rushing stream. (I cannot operate putting in these pictures and so I am struggling to arrange this as I'd like, but perhaps somehow, someday we can share my pictures.
(I am afraid my husband was tired of me seeing just ONE more thing I wanted to have a picture of.) But standing next to this mighty rushing water...I wanted to stand sooo still and try to capture the mighty sound, the scent, the picture and all the analogies shooting through me. I could not take enough shots.

We went to the same restaurant on the harbor, had the same waitress, and got the same table, as we did 5 years ago on our anniversary. But enjoyed ANOTHER beautiful sunset. They are never the same. And even though our God never changes...He is also new every morning...from the rising of the sun to its setting!

It is hard to believe that He can bring beauty out of the mire. Thank you, Lord! My life is forever in your hands!

Perhaps more pictures in a few days!
The earth declares the beauty of the Lord. Enjoy Him.

Away with Red Overalls...and More!

2008-09-02T11:15:00.005-05:00

God has blessed me this morning with a beautiful quiet spot to meditate, focus, write and begin a desperately needed catching up. It has been kind of a rare thing for me just to have a few hours in a row of alone time. Schedules, mine, and I am sure yours too, have a way of filling up and speeding up. Sometimes they even scream at you. My schedule lately has been kind of like my cell phone. My phone has an escalating ring. If I don't hear it at first, it will keep increasing until I must throw it in the river, or pay attention to it.

Now I know that throwing it in the river is not really an option, because I don't live close to a river. And those who need to call me, can be glad about that. I could really be the type of woman that would throw those tangible things that annoy her into the river. My mom and my aunt have told me that one wash day when I was playing under the the clothesline on the riverbank, they looked up and found me running under the sheets in my diaper. I had taken off my red overalls and there they were floating down the river. They said that I hated those red overhauls.! I am sure I did and still would. What a thing to put on a future woman of worth!! Anyway...

O.K. I digress! But I am enjoying a morning where I have thrown my schedule into the river: The river of God! I have been totaling relaxed now for over three hours. Reading, praying, and meditating on the notes I have made in the last month.

I just found a note that I had jotted down while listening to a message. The speaker had shared that Michelangelo had once said that when carving, he simply removed what did not look like a man.

Selah! Think about it for a minute. When I am carving...right...like I ever carve! Well, when I am trying to make something, my concentration is usually upon what I am trying to make. But it seems that he was not concentrating on carving a man, but rather on removing what did not look like a man. He was not striving to produce, but striving to remove what was not productive!

What a life lesson! If we would just start carving away, removing and throwing out that which is not productive for us. (I'm talking more serious than red overalls. here.) We need to have an idea, the vision, or the plan for our lives, and then focus on removing what does not look like it. If we get distracted, we look back to the plan and then again begin taking away what does not resemble the goal we are planning on achieving.

Oh, come on, I know it is not new, but come to think about it, I bet we all have some carving away to do. I challenge you to try this today in just one area: We know that as Christians, we are to be more Christ-like. O.K...so what about you isn't Christ-like? Don't look for only the big chunks. You'll probably find some little chips of impatience, unkindness, or jealousy first. I for one, am taking up carving.

And BTW...if you are trying to make more time, don't look for longer days or more minutes to put in an hour. Just look for what you can cut out of your day that will bring the result of more time. Yes, we are all artists! We simply must begin carving!

Let Us Pray

2008-08-17T17:13:00.000-05:00

During WWII, there was an advisor to Churchill who organized a group of people who dropped what they were doing every night at a prescribed hour, for one minute, to collectively pray for the safety of England, its people and peace. This had an amazing effect as bombing stopped.

There is now a group of people organizing the same thing here in America . The United States of America and our citizens need prayer more than ever! If you would like to participate, each evening at 9:00 PM Eastern Time (8 PM Central, 7 PM Mountain, 6 PM Pacific), stop whatever you are doing and spend one minute praying for the safety of the United States, our troops, our citizens, for peace in the world, the upcoming election, that the Bible will remain the basis for the laws governing our land and that Christianity will grow in the United States.

Someone said if people really understood the full extent of the power we have available through prayer, we might be speechless. Our prayers are the most powerful asset we have. Thank you. Please pass this on to anyone who you think will want to join us. God Bless You!

2 Chronicles 7:14:'If my people, which are called by my name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.'

Master of Freshness

2008-08-14T10:41:00.002-05:00

Laura and I went to church last night. Laura has just moved to Texas and has been praying and looking for the church that will become her home. She called last night and asked if I would visit the Wednesday night service of a small local church with her. I didn't get to go to church on Sunday, and yesterday was a little bit of a rough day for me. I was more than ready for a change of pace...so off to church we went.
What a wave of refreshment. God is so good. (I know that is not new to you...) But isn't it amazing that we do not have to have all of our ducks in a row or a certain number of people in the crowd for God to reveal Himself afresh to us?
Because the church had choir, boys and girls clubs, and a few other things going on on Wedsnesday night, there were probably less than twenty in the sanctuary to hear the guest minister and his wife, pastors from Poland. Less than twenty listening; but what a refreshing!
He spoke on "speaking to your mountain"...not talking about it or complaining about it...but speaking to it. It was excellent. I love the Word, but I also love words. He spoke with very broken English and struggled some to use the word or words that we would use in different expressions. I am not sure that he even realized how fresh and refreshing his limited English was to me. There were several things that He said that settled as "selah" moments in my spirit.
He said that "you can have a heaven holiday". It is time to arise and work in the kingdom now, and it is not time to be on vacation until you reach heaven. He wasn't speaking against vacations, but rather that sometimes we sit back on our lees so easily instead of pressing in. We are not on vacation yet. Amen!
Three kinds of people were presented: the pioneers...those with passion, the settlers...those tied to the ground who don't move much, and the museum keepers...always talking about the past. He urged us to be pioneers.
"God is the Master of freshness" he proclaimed. I have never heard it put that way, but He is the Master of Freshness. Behold He makes all things new, He brings change, He renews us like the eagles, He renews my soul, He is new every morning, and He breathes into us new life.
His wife closed the service by singing a beautiful song about our having a reason to praise because He is God even of the desert.
I am not sure how your day is going, but this I know: You can call on the Master of Freshness.
Thank you, Lord. You are the Master of Freshness to me!

Wrestling with Ms. Weasel

2008-08-06T21:26:00.003-05:00

On our trip we wrestled not with flesh and blood, but we literally wrestled with Ms. Weasel at every turn of the road. Who is Ms. Weasel?

My friend Nancy always suggested that I needed to name my GPS unit. Up to a few days ago, I hadn't spent enough time with my GPS to give it a name. No longer my problem!

We have been locked in the car with a 'GPS with PMS' for 800 grueling miles. We have traveled roads not known by Map Quest, twisting through farm tractor trails with the corn fields brushing the sides of the car, only to arrive back on the main road having gained nothing and lost time.

Ms. Weasel, my newly named GPS, must be a kin to Peter Rabbit because Peter Rabbit couldn't wait to get over the fence to run into the garden. Ms. Weasel can't wait to get off the main highway to weasel her way cross country. For example on Monday, our destination was the PA Grand Canyon. Sue was in agreement with Ms. Weasel's directions until we hit the first fork in the road. Two choices were before us: Sue's: stay on the main road or Ms. Weasel's: Take the fork to the right onto a dirt road consisting of two tractor tire tracts separated by a ridge of raised rock. Laura, being the balanced, logical one, felt compelled to make a decision. Knowing Sue's limited experience compared to the wealth of knowledge compacted in the concise brain of Ms. Weasel, took the obvious course of action: follow Ms. Weasel's direction.

In an instant of positive direction, Laura veered the car to the right. The maze through the cornfields commenced. The tractor trails seemed to snake endlessly ahead with no turning back possibilities. After probably close to twenty minutes, we crossed a smaller tractor trail. Ms. Weasel pointed confidently straight ahead. Straight up another steep strand of the tractor trail. And it was posted! Sue, by now had entered into intercession moaning. Laura was in agreement and turned the car around. Ms. Weasel was unhappy and shouted "Recalculating, recalculating!"
Retracing your steps through a corn maze is not easy, but Laura reprogrammed Ms. Weasel and we were on our new route. Because of Ms. Weasel's determined nature, the scenery was looking familiar again. Sure enough, we ended right back at the same steep strand of posted tractor trail that we didn't want to go up the first time. This time Laura's adventurous spirit took over and followed Ms. Weasel's directions. Sue's intercession increased and Laura forged on up the steep slope, carefully positioning the wheels of the car so as not to rip off the oil pan. (We were helpless since there was no cell phone signal and out in the middle of now where with Ms. Weasel's attitude problem).

As we continued, Ms. Weasel blurted out "turn right on Route 660 in .25 miles" Sue was relieved since she recognized Route 660 as the paved road that she wanted us to stay on in the first place. On the corner of Route 660 and the tractor trail was a familiar landmark, a red brick church.

This was only the first round of the wrestling match we have endured with Ms. Weasel. She continued to guide us off the main roads, weaseling over the country and through the woods. However, as of tonight, we have laid hands on her and prayed for Ms. Weasel. In faith, we look forward to a better day of traveling tomorrow.

Weary from wrestling.
Laura & Sue
Tag team post from Johnson City, TN.

Quotable Quotes

2008-07-29T08:22:00.002-05:00

I'm still decorating. Rounding the corner on both jobs. Nearly done. But not quite.

I was in a little shop, reading signs the other day and I came upon two well-worth quoting quotes. The 'people' quoted do not seem to be very important. We do not even have their last names. But what they each say has probably made an impact all all of our lives. (Which, on a side note, should make us think twice about what we say. You never know when someone may be quoting you!)

The first sign that impressed me was:
There is no place like home.
Dorothy
Now I am sure that is something we have all said many times, and may not even have realized we were quoting someone.

The 2nd quote that I read:
One shoe can change your life.
Cinderella
I love it! And it is so true. Think about it. Selah! One shoe...two small, too big, too flat, too high. One shoe with a pebble in the toe, a torn buckle, even the wrong color!!! One shoe can change your life. One shoe can cause you to walk with a limp, get a blister, cause your feet to swell, or cause you to just plain give up and sit down! One shoe!

I could go on and on, and might on another day, but you may want to think about this quote today. After all, our God is looking for balance and endurance.He is looking for someone who is not 'limping' between two opinions. He is looking for someone who knows that He is God and who will willingly walk in His ways. He is waiting to answer our prayer "Shod my feet, oh Lord, with the preparation of the gospel of peace. You are my solid foundation!"

Well, I must get my shoes on and get busy. The decorating awaits.

Here's Hoping

2008-07-22T09:04:00.003-05:00

I am in the middle of a couple of decorating projects...kind of big ones. As I am going 90 miles an hour, each day racing toward the 'must-be-done-by' one, I keep 'hoping' that I finish on time. Last night as I sank into the couch, I released a "I hope I can finish" sigh to my husband.

I've been thinking again about hope a lot lately. I say 'again' because hope is kind of my thing. I've always needed to have hope. I have a few decorator items with the word hope on them. Some people have love, or faith, or joy...I have hope. My desires is to inspire or impart hope to others along the way.

In the Old Testament, Rahab hung a cord from her window to say to the spies that she was waiting in the house for them. Without going into a long study (which the teacher in me would like to do...but my projects await...) the Hebrew word for cord or rope in this passage comes from the word 'hope'. Her hope connected what she did not know...her faith...with what she was expecting...her deliverance. Hope connects what is unseen or hard to understand with what is (Who is) truth and our solid foundation.

Today I read Ps. 119. Just for the fun of it, I counted approximately 167 times in that one chapter where the phrase 'thy words', 'thy statues', 'thy commandments', 'thy precepts', 'thy ordinances', 'thy promises' or other phases for God's words are used. His words are obviously very important. One of these days I'll blog some of those, but this morning my heart is singing verse 114 and verse 147.

Ps. 119:114 "Thou art my hiding place and my shield; I hope in thy word."

Ps. 119:147 "I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in thy words."

His words are the solid connection that we have, from the unstable position we find ourselves in, whatever that may be for you now, and the absolutely, restfully, sure foundation we have in in Him. His words, His statutes, His ordinances, His precepts, His promises!

"Your words are life to my soul, Oh Lord, my portion! Oh, how I love sitting here with you. And now, I must get busy on these projects, and I sure am hoping I get finished on time. And Lord, I was hoping...ah expecting you'd go with me...O.K? Yes!! I knew you would! Thank you, Lord. Amen."

How Firm a Foundation

2008-07-11T09:16:00.002-05:00

I woke up with that line of the old hymn waving through my brain: "How firm a foundation if Jesus my Lord..." I allowed myself a few moments (o.k...maybe more than a few) to just be still and keep mentally singing that old classic. What hope! What glorious hope!

Hopeful harmonies of Hebrew joined in: "Consider Jesus..." (Heb. 3:1) "...There remains a sabbath rest..." (4:9) "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (4:16) "We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope..." (6:19) The hope continues to roll: 'Therefore, since we have this confidence', and 'seeing Him who is invisible', and 'what more can I say', and 'let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken', and confidently say ..."The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid..." (13:6)

These days, it is uncommon to go more than 24 hours without hearing or seeing some unhelpful, hopeless, or unhappy news. It is so easy to get our minds on the economy or the political scene of the day.

But let me remind you how refreshing it is to look at the way He sees it. He who sees all, knows all, and is in control of all things concerning us...has quite a different vantage point. His kingdom will not be shaken...though the earth be removed and cast into the sea.

I was reading in the Psalms yesterday morning and was impressed several times with David's positive declarations. And I know that with the lonely days and rough nights he experienced, they were based on faith and securely anchored in that firm foundation of Jesus! In Psalms 84:5, he is talking about the blessing for those whose strength is found to be in God, and in verse 7 we read, "...the God of gods will be seen in Zion." My whole spirit zeroed in on that word 'will'. "The God of gods WILL be seen in Zion." Not if the Dow is up. Not if so and so is president. Not if all wars cease, uncle who is released from prison, sister doesn't get a divorce, my husband gets a huge raise, and all my kids get scholarships to college. No! Regardless of any of our circumstances, God will be seen in Zion! "For the Most High himself will establish her." (Ps. 87:5) What hope! What glorious hope!

Yes, I'll just keep singing "How firm a foundation is Jesus my Lord..." It is one tune I don't ever want to get out of my head!

For the Remarkable Women I Know

2008-07-06T21:47:00.002-05:00

I am sure many of you have seen this before on the internet, but I was reminded of it this week, while I was praying for one of those women who just never complains. Perhaps it will encourage you today, or encourage you to encourage a sister.

Remarkable Women

They smile when they want to scream.

They sing when they want to cry.

They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous.

They fight for what they believe in.

They stand up for injustice.

They don’t take ‘no’ for an answer when they believe there is a better solution.

They go without new shoes so their children can have them.

They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.

They love unconditionally.

They cry when their children excel and cheer when their

friends get awards.

They are happy when they hear about a birth or a new marriage.

Their hearts break when a friend dies.

They have sorrow at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left.

They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart.

Women come in all sizes, in all colors and shapes.

They’ll drive, fly, walk, run or email you to show how much they care about you.

The heart of a woman is what is what makes the world spin!

Women do more than just give birth.

They bring joy and hope.

They give compassion and ideals.

They give moral support to their family and friends.

Women have a lot to say and a lot to give.
Thank you for being one who gives.

Blind Sided by a Garbage Truck

2008-07-02T20:44:00.002-05:00

It is interesting how our little day to day trails lead us. The other day, in my moment of utter frustration my sister sent me the article "The Law of the Garbage Truck". It hit home and so I posted it on my blog. Thought it might hit home to you too. That night I got a comment on my blog from Chris, who works for the man who wrote the original "Law of the Garbage Truck". (Check it out: bewareofgarbagetrucks.com) It is excellent!
Wow! To think that someone I don't know, actually read that little ole blog, from little ole me, sitting in little ole here. Recently, I realized that my book "Designed for Destiny" is now in five countries and many states! Just 6 months after publication! To think that something said by little ole me could go that far. The possible power of influence that each of us hold is simply amazing!
Back to garbage trucks. Recently, while out running my errands, I was nearly blind sided by a garbage truck. I was sitting at a stop sign, ready to pull out and make a left hand turn. The enormous blue front loading monster was slowly plodding toward me with its right turn signal blinking. What was I to think? I assumed that he would turn in beside me as I pulled out. I let my foot off the brake and just in time slammed it on again, as he laughed, shut off his blinker, and sped in front of me! Thank God that I saw him! Thank God that my brake worked! I thought about how little I was compared to how big he was. Yet because I was awake and quick, (and most of all had Jesus on my side), I avoided being blind sided!
In the season we are living in, there is a truck load of garbage coming at us! Deception is on the rise! Many of you have heard me talk about some of the feminism, the 'oprahnology' and the other trash that is plastered on every form of media known to man! The trash trucks these days are definitely bigger and better. But let us never forget, though we may be smaller, we have what it takes. We have Who it takes! The devil's best shrinks and shrivels in the face of Jesus Christ. We must only remain awake, watchful and obedient and we will not be blind sided by the devil's biggest load of trash.
Luke 21:36/ I Thess. 5:6-9

Law of the Garbage Truck

2008-06-26T10:35:00.002-05:00

My sister sent me this little lesson this morning. Funny, that this spirit check popped up on my email just as a super duper front loader dumped into my head. I was on a heart racing hold with our well known tv, internet, phone network, to try to make a correction on my bill. Last month an agent approached me in the local wireless store and proudly announced that he could save us over $50 on our monthly bill. After retrieving my phone number, he came back beaming with the news that he could save us $52 dollars, just because the rates had changed since we signed up. I asked every question known to man, and the business suited 'teny-bopper' with the pink tie was undaunted. He knew he would save me $52 and I would be looking him up to thank him. Yesterday, our bill came in at a hair raising $62 increase! You just better believe me that this was a well needed spirit check. Perhaps you are in that on-hold-waiting-to-boil-over position too. Regardless, the following is an apt reminder!

Law of the Garbage Truck

How often do you let other people change your mood? Do you let a bad driver, rude waiter, curt boss, or an insensitive employee ruin your day? Unless you're the Terminator, for an instant you're probably set back on your heels. However, the mark of a successful person is how quickly she/he can get back her/his focus on what's important. Five years ago I learned this lesson in the back of a taxi cab in Denver. Here's what happened: I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his breaks, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean he was really friendly. So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!' This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.' He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets. The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so . . . 'Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't.'

2008-06-11T20:35:00.000-05:00

Musings, Memories & Mashed Potatoes

Today when the crack of dawn shot across the St. Lawrence Seaway and burst into our hotel window, I was already sitting up and resting my writing brain against the poofy pillows. A little too sleepy, and far too comfortable, to get up and get my glasses off the table (a whole three feet away), I started sloppily jotting down my Father’s Day fodder.

“She has her father’s eyes.” I know I’ve used this one many times myself. Even in babies, it is often very easy to see ‘the eye’ resemblance first. It could be the color, the shape, or simply the twinkle in the eye. It might be the brightness, or the deepness, or the way the eyes are set that cause one to make this comparison. True to this saying, I really do have my father’s eyes.

It has been said that through the eye, one can see the soul. I wonder, do I have my heavenly Father’s eyes? When others look into my eyes, do they see that I resemble my heavenly Father? Can they tell that I love Him with all my heart? Ps. 57:7 “My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast…”

Another ‘father phrase’ that I’ve heard many times is: “She’s a spitten image of her father.” Now I’m not sure how the ‘spitten’ got in there. I’ve not studied that part out, but the meaning of the phrase should be that everything that you see in her resembles her father. Perhaps it implies that if you are close enough to spit…you are close enough to see every tiny detail of resemblance?

It is sad to say, but sometimes when we are that close to a person, we don’t always see the resemblance of the heavenly Father that we are expecting. I want to walk like Him, carry myself like Him, talk like Him, and love like Him, in every way. I have a picture of my twin grandsons with their hands in their pockets, just like their pop-pops. They are right next to him. Everyone can see that they are copying him. And they are not ashamed or embarrassed that they are just doing what he is doing. They’re proud of it. My desire is truly to reflect, or mirror my heavenly Father. “We who first hoped in Christ have been destined and appointed to live for the praise of His glory..” Eph. 1:12

How about the “If her father could see her now” one? I think we’ve all heard this one referring to the good, the bad, and the ugly behavior of someone. And depending on the behavior, the father’s heart might be filled with shame or delight if he were there. The Word tells us that He dances with delight over us, and He sees our downfalls and our uprisings. I Peter 3:12 “For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer; But the face of the Lord is against those that do evil.”

“She’s following in her father’s footsteps” usually refers to a job, career, or vision. Sometime during or just after high school, a doctor’s daughter might just decide to enroll in school to become a doctor. Perhaps you’ve lived in the same place long enough and are old enough to see your teachers’ children teaching in the local elementary school. I have followed in my own father’s teacher, preacher, and author shoes. “Like father like daughter.” And now, I am following my heavenly Father’s steps on a fishing expedition for men. Matt. 4:19 “And He said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

When I was growing up, we were taught well. We all sat down to dinner together. All eight of us. We waited for mom to sit down. We all bowed our heads to thank our heavenly Father for the food. When dinner was over and we were excused, we’d put our plates on the counter, and get our Bibles and sit back down. We all read and we prayed all the way around the table. There were no cell phones to reach for, and if the one phone hanging on the wall rang, it usually waited for mom or dad to call back after prayer time. Table manners were taught and kept.

Ps. 32:8 says: “I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” I have a vivid ‘at my father’s table’ memory of this Psalm in action. One night, we were having company for dinner. The rule was that each dish would be passed all the way around the table, until each one was served. If we finished our first helpings, we were not to take seconds until they were passed to our guest. On this particular night, as on most, my only brother finished first. “Could you please pass the mashed potatoes?” he asked. Immediately, the passing commenced. But before the potatoes reached my brother, my father’s eye caught his. It was just for a brief second, but in that second, my brother changed his mind and lowered his calorie intake. The potatoes reached his hand at the same moment that his mouth breathed, “Ah, no thanks. I don’t think I’ll have any more.” His mind was changed, by the counsel in the eye of his father, and my life was forever impacted.

“She’s got her father wrapped around her little finger.” I know that this one has always carried the implication that the child was spoiled, but this morning, I’m musing about the miraculous fact that our heavenly Father is ever present. Psalms 23 tells us that He is ever with us, He guides us, leads us, and provides for us. I just want to reach up, take His hand, and wrap my fingers around His.

Thank you to my own father, for introducing me to my heavenly Father.
Happy Father’s Day! I love you!

2008-06-06T21:07:00.008-05:00

River of Water, Pool of Mercy, Fountain of Grace
When I look at this vessel, I see such grace and poise.

Its delicate shape is further enhanced with the silver strokes

left by the creator. His final touch of glaze has produced a shimmering

vessel whose delicate beauty has stood the tests of time.

Even as I pour my tea, I think, of how often this vessel has been emptied.

This very vessel.

This vessel, in spite of its stateliness, its grace, its beauty,

and my protective care, will be poured out.

It will be emptied.

And I see again Your plan Lord.

You have created each of us, beautiful in Your sight, to

Be filled with Your richness.

You have Designed us for Destiny…

To house Your glory, and pour it out. To be filled to serve.

Ah yes, and when we do, there You are…

River of Water,

Pool of Mercy, Fountain of Grace…

Fill me.

Today, I know who I am designed to be.

I am Your vessel,

River of Water, Pool of Mercy, Fountain of Grace.

I open up to Your plan, today,

Please fill me.

Amen

This prayer is an excerpt from my book Designed for Destiny.
You may purchase a copy of Designed for Destiny at Arisingtoexcellence.org

2008-05-28T08:47:00.004-05:00
The God of All Comfort

I was asked to call an out of state friend today. A friend in desperate need of comfort and encouragement. It is so hard to know what to say when you already know that no one has anything to say, and everything that could be said has been said...When you know that there really are no pat answers...

God reminded me that He would be faithful to flow through me when I flipped on Beth Moore, just in time to hear her say that your calling will take you where you are not comfortable. Yes, Lord.

I was reminded of this scripture: "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too." II Cor. 1:3-5

The fact that "He is the stability of our times" (Is. 33:6") is such a source of comfort in my life. No matter what I am going through, or no matter how rough and rocky things seem, I try to remind myself that He is the stability of my times. First, because He knows more about 'my times' than anyone else. He sees the seen and the unseen. So He knows the source of what is blowing me over, even when I can not see it. And secondly, He knows how to quiet the storm, stop the wind, level the mountain, or whatever it takes. He knows just what to put under the table leg!

Yes, He has...He is all comfort. And though the "rod and staff" in our lives, most often seem to be His means of discipline, yet, even His rod and staff..."they comfort me". (Ps. 23) Oh, thank the Lord for the many times we've 'been saved by the staff'. It is easy to look back and see a picture of ourselves 'dangling securely' from the hook of His staff, as He has pulled us to safety yet more time! Or perhaps you are one who can still feel that little snapping sting on your ankles, as He lovingly moved you over to where you were meant to be. It is good to remember, that He is the God of all comfort, and that even though it may not always seem comfortable...If we let Him, He will bring us to comfort...completely resting and trusting in Him.

Ps. 119:50 says: "This is my comfort in my affliction that thy promise gives me life."

2008-05-21T11:58:00.007-05:00

Who for the Joy...
Do you ever listen to yourself talk? Sometimes, if you intently listen to yourself, you can hear someone else talking. Like God. That's right! God!

Just this morning, I was sharing with a friend. She is struggling through some God things. (That's how you do it, by the way. You struggle through. All the way through. Kind of like a butterfly emerges on the world.) Anyway, forgive the rabbit trail. My friend is struggling through some God things, and I found myself in one of those "take no thought" moments. You know the ones where God just gives you what you are to say?

Right in the middle of my 'taking no thought', I shared Heb. 12:2: "...looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."

And that is when it happened. I was sharing, but I was so clearly hearing God speak to me: "'...who for the joy that was set before him'. Jesus endured the cross for the joy that was set before Him. He endured the cross for the joy of being one with his Father."

And God didn't stop talking to me there. "You don't always do that, you know. You seek other joys when you struggle through things", He said.

I've been thinking about this all morning. When we struggle, why do we seek as joy, what will make us comfortable, what feels good or right, makes us look better, or somehow makes us wealthier. When we struggle through to be obedient to His will, why is the joy of being one with Him not enough? Why are we so dependent on what we feel, instead of being dependent on the Truth and what we know?

Yes. Selah! Think on these things.
"Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you!"
Ps. 116:7

Released from Captivity...Captivated by Love

2008-05-16T10:40:00.003-05:00

I love to listen to my heavenly Father talk.

Just this morning, I was praying for women who have been captured, held against their will, or have had their mind, will, or emotions robbed from them in some way. (This is so in the news right now.) All the statistics tell us that when these women are rescued or delivered, most often, they will seek a similar live style, as that is what they are accustomed to. I was praying, "Lord, please protect them, hide them, take them captive...."
Wow! Here I am praying the statistics into place...spiritually! That is just what the Father wants...for them to seek a place, a hiding place, His secret place; a place where they are surrounded and protected...A place where they are held.
Not against their will. But by shedding His love, He has created a trusting place where they can dwell.
These past few weeks we have seen many women set free of spiritual strongholds, darkness, confusion, hurts and abuse. These women have been delivered! Delivered to a stronghold, a refuge, the solid rock, a hiding place. These women are part of a strong city, a walled city, a lasting covenant. Hidden...Protected...Held...Taken from a place where they were held captive, to a place where they are captivated by His love. From a place where they couldn't leave, to a place where they don't want to leave.
I opened my Bible and read: "Thou art a hiding place for me, thou preservest me from trouble; thou dost encompass me with deliverance." Psalms 32:7 The Amplified version adds that we are surrounded with songs of deliverance. Think about that. Surrounded by, encompassed with deliverance. Enclosed in deliverance! Walls that aren't walls. No longer a captive...I am captivated.
"Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing; thou hast loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness, that my soul may praise thee and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to thee forever." Ps. 30:11-12 (Ps. 31:19 Ex. 15:17)

Is That Your Hat?

2008-05-14T19:48:00.003-05:00
I was truly exhausted, but that really wasn’t an excuse for the way my mind was wandering. I think in my day dream, I had wandered so far that I might have lifted my arm in real live time to hold on to my only-in-my-dream hat. Actually, I was sitting hatless, in a women’s conference, listening to a beautiful, stately woman of God, teach on trusting Him more. And she was good. Real good. It might have been her illustration about her beautiful, wide brimmed yellow hat that sent me a dreamin. The last thing I heard her say was “…you don’t mess with a black woman and her hat.” That did it. Suddenly, I was wandering through a beautiful countryside of wild flowers. My long skirt was swaying in the wind. I reached up to hold my beautiful, wide brimmed hat…

I love hats.
There is something about this season…spring, Easter, May flowers and hats…

I’ve worn a few hats in my day. I clearly remember the hat that drew so much attention to me that I gave it its own seat on the pew beside me in church. We had traveled for a couple of hours in the hot car to get to the church where my husband was to preach. Our children were young and fussy. (That dates this story to be about 30 years old.) We arrived a little too late for Sunday School and sat in the car while my husband reviewed his message and the kids had a little snack. I’m not sure if it was wonder, amazement, horror, curiosity, or some conglomeration of thoughts that raced through my mind as I watched women coming and going to church barefoot! We were in the states! New York to be exact! Instantly I began to feel conspicuous in my white heels, white and yellow dress and you guessed it – my sassy, wide brimmed hat. Needless to say, by the time I sang my solo, I was not only clueless, but hatless and barefoot. This was in my ‘securely insecure’ days, and the hat that should have been a fashion statement, was still making a statement I am sure, but probably not of fashion. Why did I wear that hat anyway? Why did I always try to please everyone else?

I am also not sure why our son walked in the house one day in his teen age years, wearing a weird hat. Another fad, I guess. Well, there was really nothing at all weird about that hat. Weird was just what I called it. It simply did not seem like the hat and the son matched. My father taught us the little rhyme “My hat it has three corners; three corners has my hat; and had it not three corners, it would not be my hat.” And this one just did not seem like his hat.

Have you ever caught yourself judging a hat? What are the standards used to justly judge a hat? Or how often have we judged the person wearing the hat, and used the hat as the judging standard? “He must be_____ because look at the hat he’s wearing.” Or “She surely is _________because look at her now.”

There are hats of necessity. (In my view, a motorcycle helmet would be one. I tried to put that message into a young man last week. His smile said, “Yah! Sure…uh…uh…right.”) A few years ago, on a mission trip, on the morning we were to catch our plane from the island back into Belize City, our alarm clock did not go off. Vickie and I wore hats of necessity. With no time for shower and blow dry, our little visors did just the necessary thing to make our hair appear ‘done’.

Then there are also cover-up hats. Often, a ‘cover-up hat’ is only a cover-up to you. Most people knew that my daughter wore her classy turbans because the cancer treatments had taken her hair. But she felt covered!

And of course, there are hats like those of a chef, a policeman, or a nurse that do speak clearly of who you are suppose to be, and what you are supposed to be doing.

A few years ago, a pastor spoke the word of the Lord to me. Then he said, “When you move to Texas, God is going to require you to wear many hats. Some of them will be bigger than you’ve ever imagined, or wanted to wear. They may not even seem like you or your style. But you will wear them. You will get comfortable in them. And God will use every one of them to bring you into what He desires and to bring others into His plan.” I knew he wasn’t talking about hats, but about places I would serve the Lord.

Now, years later, I look back and think of all the hats (figuratively) that I’ve worn. Sometimes I feel that I’m collecting hats. Some I wear daily, some regularly, some once in a while, and some only when I must. There are also some that I’ve only gazed at through the window of life, and longed for the time they would be mine. And there are others I wish I had never worn. But isn’t it interesting that often hats seem to change with seasons.

I think that one of the reasons that we get weary in well doing, is that in the real world in which we live, we rarely get to wear only one hat at a time. Most of the time, we have nothing less than a small stack on our head and extra weight on our shoulders. Even as you read this article, you may be wearing a chief’s hat, a hard hat, a taxi driver’s cap, and a nurse’s cap all at once.

Regardless of what hat (hats) you are wearing, or what position you find yourself in, it is only by God’s grace that you stand. It is His peace, His confidence, and His joy that cause the hat to fit. His grace and His beauty make that hat look good on you, or make you fit that position. The Word even tells us that it is God who gives us promotion, success, and position. Even if you don’t think you fit, if He places you there, it will be right, for you, and those around you.

I think that the main question is: Is that your hat? Is it in season? Is it the one you are to wear today (this hour)? Is that what you are supposed to be doing? Too often we get so busy that we forget that it is o.k. to say ‘no’. Instead we just keep adding to our to-do list. Sure, I’ll get my house cleaned, laundry done (including ironing), dinner made, speak at the meeting, make the handouts, oh yes, I can pick up sister Mary, and sister Cathy, and yes, I’ll pray for the women and I’ll be back in time to babysit the grand children. Wow! Just thinking about it makes my shoulders sag, and my head lean slightly out of balance. But I’ve been there…worn that one. You’d think that when we can’t “serve the Lord with gladness”, we might not be serving Him.

As if it was yesterday, and not thirty years ago, I remember the words of a well-seasoned
saint, that fell into my weary, overwhelmed heart. She said: “Gal. 1:10 says:…”

Now am I trying to win the favor of men, or of God? Do I seek to please men? If I were still seeking popularity with men, I should not be a bond servant of Christ (the Messiah). (Amplified Version)

I am not trying to please people. I want to please God. Do you think I am trying to please people? If I were doing that, I would not be a servant of Christ. (Contemporary English)

When we find ourselves weary and overwhelmed, we need to remind ourselves that it is Christ we are aiming to please. And stop to look in the mirror of His Word. It might just be that the hat you are wearing is not ‘in season’ at the moment. Or perhaps after a glance or two you may just realize… “No. That is not my hat.”

Sunshine on Ma Toes Makes Me Happy

2008-02-29T13:34:00.002-06:00

Now don't get too religious on me. I know what true happiness is and who it comes from. I'm just telling you...Today, I'm lovin the feelin of 'heat on my feet'.

I have piles of work waiting just inside the door, and even deadlines that must be met yet today. But when I walked through this patio just a few minutes ago, something just fell on me. Sun on my toes, here I come!

I quickly brewed a pot of my favorite Hazelnut coffee and grabbed my Bible, notebook and pen and headed for my enclosed patio. And here I sit..shoes off...yes, pant legs rolled up...just baskin...lovin it!

Feb. 29th and 88 degrees! Oh, perhaps we should have a moment of silence. I do feel sorry for those of you who live in less desirable climates. Close your eyes with me. Perhaps you can imagine the warmth. Ohhhhhh...but this feels good!

Last week, I donned my sandals a time or two. I knew it would soon be warm enough for sun on my toes. There is something so soothing, so relaxing, about this. The best part of a pedicure is soaking in that warm foamy water. AhAhhhh. I just love this feeling of heat to the feet. This is my moment.

I remember as a child, walking the warm sands of Michigan's Sleepy Bear Dunes. Ooooh! And yes, sometimes my feet can get too hot too. At the dunes, we'd stop and bury our feet for just a few minutes in the cool sand just under the surface. At night, sometimes you'll find my toes sticky out from under the edge of the blanket for a cool breathe. But for right now, I am so happy to have sun on my toes!

Ummm. Yes, Lord. I am reminded too, that your Word surrounds me, covers me, protects me and encourages me. And that your "Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Psalms 119:105) May I always be drawn to the comfort of staying in and enjoying your guiding light. Thank you for this moment with you in the sun. Amen.

O.K. Coffee cup is drained, work is calling, and time marches on. Oh, and I promise to briefly lift my cold New York and Pennsylvania friends in prayer. Seriously, May our Morning Light dawn on your hearts and homes.

2008-02-23T20:27:00.001-06:00

Still Waiting…

We all know what it is like to wait. Sometimes it seems like we spend the majority of our days waiting. My grandfather had a saying which he used often: “Now, I have to hurry up to wait.” And most days, that is exactly what we do.

We wait for the traffic lights to change. We wait for the phone to ring, or to stop ringing. We wait for dinner, our ride, test results, packages to arrive, flights to take off, the sun to shine, spring to come, or just for the coffee pot to finish dripping the last of our brew. Hardly a day goes by without waiting. In fact, I now realize that waiting is not always measured in short segments with precisely placed and securely in sight beginnings and endings. And while much patience is needed to wait for lights, phone calls, rides and coffee breaks, the waiting that truly chisels our character is the waiting on God.

If I get impatient and want my coffee now, I can pull the pot out and clean up the dripping. Deciding not to wait for the traffic light might result in a ticket. The flight will eventually take off with merely minor discomforts and adjustments.

What about the waiting that I can do nothing about? What about the five year old prayer, still dangling answerless? What about the life altering situations that must yet take place? What about the God imparted hopes and dreams? What about the expectations built on His solid Word? There are things that may not be so clearly timed, and those I can do nothing about; and a lack of trust, or denying Him, will leave me desolate and still waiting. And yet, we are so prone to need to do something, instead of simply trusting.

Here I am again. Still waiting. Thank you, Lord for reminding me that you will ‘not rest until you finish the matter today’. And I can simply wait. Ruth 3:17-18

“Commit your way to the Lord, trust in him, and he will act…Wait for the Lord and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land…” Ps. 37:5 and 34

Let Be

2008-02-16T09:05:00.000-06:00

I was reading Psalms 46 this morning, from the Amplified version. In this version, it says: “Let be and be still, know, recognize and understand that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.” Ps. 46:10

“Let be”…interesting words. Lord, teach me how to ‘let be’. Even the natural, right now, that is such a hard lesson for me. If I see something that should be done, I am often, bending, picking it up, moving it, rearranging, or whatever, knowing full well, I will suffer later. I know that with my back limitations, I have no business lifting, and with that knowledge, I have moved mammoth furniture to pick up some small item left under it.

I wrestle with the same problem in the spiritual. Change is coming. I see things on the horizon. Something needs done, must be accomplished, and in my strength, I want to do it. Now. There it is. I don’t know how to ‘let be’. I really don’t think that I would have a problem with the “let God” problem, if I could just learn the let be part.

Oh God, help me to learn that in the letting be and being still, I will be able to hear, recognize and know that You are God. Ah yes. My God. The only true God. The one who moves mountains, separates waters, and changes nations in a day! Forgive me, Lord. I want to ‘let be’. And I do know that you will order my steps, open doors, and lead me in the way I should go. It is the mental stillness or letting be that I must learn. I am so thankful that my life, including what I do not see, is in Your hands. Be exalted in my life today! Amen

“God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God will help her right early.” Ps. 46:5