The Eagle

He sits perched on the very top branches of a high tree or a rocky crag–he sits perfectly still, but his eyes are searching the skies as huge storm clouds gather.  He doesn’t move one feather until he feels the burst of wind against his breast  He faces the oncoming gust, presses himself towards it.  The storm is what the eagle uses to soar upward, and heavenward.  Aloft, He has risen above the storm allowing the eagle to soar to new heights.

 

God wants me to “mount up with wings of an eagle.”  He wants me to rise above the storms–to use the storms as my vehicle to climb still higher with Him.  I press on by facing the winds of adversity, using them to soar ever higher, onward and heavenward. It is when I mount up on those wings and come up higher that I can get the right perspective on our storm–His perspective!

 

When I am doubting the outcome of the situations that face me day by day I can rest in the One who says, “Who will you compare me to?  Have you not heard, have you not seen, were you not told from the very beginning?”  My times are in His hands and no one can thwart the hand of God.  So, no matter how it “looks,” I just need to turn toward the adverse winds, counting on the lifter of my wings!  No one can compare to myGod!  My way is not hidden from Him, He knows me and calls me by name!  (thoughts from Isaiah)—Will you also choose to soar?

 

“Not looking backward, but forward, pressing onward and upward and heavenward.” Phil 3:13,14.

Does Our Faith “Leak”?

“ If only you had paid attention to my commands, your PEACE would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea.”  ISAIAH 48:17-19

One of our television commercials got my attention recently, when it said “our diamonds don’t leak.”  Frankly, I had never considered that it would be possible for a diamond to leak.  They are the strongest of gems and can cut glass; these are things I knew, but leak?  As I watched this infomercial more intently I could see that light was definitely “leaking” from the facets as the laser passed over it.  Ok, maybe diamonds do leak.  It isn’t often I am in the market for diamonds, but next time I am, besides asking about the four C’s, I’ll ask if it leaks.

My mind began to consider the idea of “leaking.”  What else might “leak” that I had never pondered before?  Yes, the standard things: water pipes, oil from the car, corporate and political “leaks”; but what else leaks?  With this simmering on the back burner of my thoughts, my Bible Study began to study some verses in Hebrews.  “We must, therefore, pay even more attention to what we have heard, so that we will not drift away.” (2:1) What we are not to ignore, from Hebrews 1, is that God speaks to us now through the Son.  The Son has made possible our salvation through his birth, death, resurrection and ascension to the right hand of the Father. This verse is a stern warning to pay very careful attention to what we know is true and then live the life of faith accordingly.

As I began to study this verse in particular, I was struck by what the “drifting” meant.  The obvious idea of a boat drifting from its moorings came to mind; the results of a poorly or quickly tied knot, perhaps?  But it also means to “evaporate” which is not as easily detected.  Leaking:  It is insidiously and quietly accomplished; it doesn’t need drama, nor does it need to be sudden.    I’ve thought of times that I’ve been busy and don’t take the time to sit with His Word in my lap, contemplating its application to my heart.    Too many days of doing that and leaking can occur—a slow evaporation of what is important.   Just like the car battery that has been allowed to sit unused for a period of time, when we finally “turn it over” there is only the “click, click” of a disabled power source.

Leaking occurs in my mind and heart when I am sloppy in how I handle the Truth because of unclear thinking or insufficient application or misunderstanding of its meaning.  Good ideas and good intentions can fail to mature, leaking out and then be lost forever.  Like the ideas we get in the middle of the night as we dream!  We get an answer or an idea, and are even excited about it in the dark- of- night, but by light of day it has evaporated into thin air! Even the note you scribbled in the dark at the time, means nothing.  Where does it go?  Evaporation?

So, how can I remedy this situation? How can I be sure I am not “leaking”? How can I not drift from what is important?  These I offer as a start:  A) Stay close to the One who wants me to be close to Him. B)Study and meditate on His teachings.  C) Ask Him to keep me aware when I first begin to “leak,” or “drift.”  D) Meet with my Accountability Partner. (If you don’t already have an “accountability” partner who asks you the hard questions, get one! )  Left to ourselves we can meander through the tides of life, without a lifeline of safety. And when we drift, we can end up where we never intended to go.  E) Focus on the shoreline (the foundation of Christ) and adjust your headings!  Evaporation leads to leaking, leaking to drifting or even drowning!  F) Tie a stronger knot and hold on to the Anchor of our Soul, our sure Hope!

Let’s be able to say together, “Our faith doesn’t leak!”

NO Other Gods?

No other gods?  Well of course not!  Do we really have to worry about whether we have other gods or idols in our life today?  At first glance it may seem the answer is a resounding NO!  But stop and consider: what could be a “god” in your life?  Do you carry a rabbit’s foot? A trinket of some kind that is lucky for you?  What about material goods such as: money, cars, houses, clothes, or gadgets?  How much time do you spend accumulating, thinking about, scheming to get, and purchasing some of these things? Own an ipad? Do you have a mobile phone?  Does it go off constantly? When it “pings” do you check immediately who is texting you–in a restaurant, at the movies, driving down the interstate? What about voice mail on your mobile phone or home phone? How many messages are waiting for you at the end of the day?   Do you have a Facebook page? How many “friends” do you have? (I didn’t know that was important until someone asked that question to a group of us having lunch—I had no clue how many I had, but I found myself feeling “competitive” when she disclosed how many she had!  Hmmm maybe there are some “gods” in our lives these days!  Here’s something to think about:  How we spend our time tells a lot about us! What is taking up the largest portion of your time?  Do your friends or spouse ever get irritated with your lack of attention?  Then, perhaps the problem is more real than we had once given it credit.

A few weeks ago, I was able to hear Brian Kluth, (see  http://www.briankluth.org) Generosity Expert, speak on the message, “Experiencing God as Your Provider as You Live Generously.”  During one portion of his message, he said we as Christians: care more about Facebook than God’s Book, more about text messages than Scriptural messages, more about voicemail than God’s voice and have spent more money on bottled water than spreading the Living Water to the foreign mission field. ($12 billion spent on bottled water in the U.S. and $11 billion spent in foreign missions.)

Brian’s excellent message really made me stop and think.  Do I spend more time on Facebook than in God’s Word or in my devotions each morning?  If we find that we are lacking in our “face time” with God, it will show not only on our face, but in attitude and in our relationships. Balance has always been the desired goal!  And when we put God first, everything else seems to fall into place.  Matthew 6:33“ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”(NIV)

Maybe all of us need some “time out” to consider our priorities?  Let’s start and end our day in THE Book, in Prayer, and Giving it all to the ONE True God who loves us so much, HE gave His only Son to save us! And praise Him, even in our “social media” tweets!

Advantages and Blessings!

Perhaps it’s because my birthday is rounding the corner, but I’ve been thinking about the advantages and blessings of being the age I am.  I say advantages because I choose to look at the positive side of life; there really isn’t anything I can do to change what stage of life I am at, and it’s a lot better than listing all of the unfortunate maladies and issues of aging!

So here goes!

1)      I’ve survived and actually thrived during the very busy child rearing and career building years.

2)      After 43 years of marriage, I am still NOT sorry, but AM very happy and thankful for my soul-mate.

3)      I am familiar with my strengths and weaknesses and I am comfortable with them; I try to operate in my strengths.

4)      I realize I cannot please everyone and stay true to my principles; I wish I could please everyone, but I can live with it if I don’t.

5)      Interruptions and surprises don’t bother me as they used to, I’ve learned to appreciate the serendipity of the moment.

6)      Laughing about my physical changes and stories about my personal weaknesses lightens the mood and expectations of others; we may as well laugh and not get tense!

7)      When I get into my car, it isn’t as a chauffeur–I can actually pray, listen to music and put two thoughts together without any distractions.

8)      My feet are very happy!  No spiked 3” heels and pointed toes for me! Comfort and cushioning is what I strive to find! And I’m no longer worried about the fashion police.

9)      My sleep, though often shorter than I’d like, begins on at least 400 thread count sheets, several fluffy pillows, and cuddly comforter.  My bedroom is a cozy haven and retreat.

10)    My eyes thank me for the multiple pairs of cheater readers located in every room of our home.  I no longer consider them a flaw, but a fashion statement!

11)    My pocketbook thanks me for all the “senior” coupons and discounts at restaurants, theaters and Kohl’s on Tuesdays.

12)    Using my “free muffins” coupon at Mimi’s, my girlfriend and I can share about our family’s, our Bible Study, our favorite Nook Book, and solve the world’s latest crisis!

I am counting my “advantages” as blessings and I am thankful for good health, a happy marriage, children who love the Lord and good friends to help me celebrate another year of my life, knowing the Lord is in control of all of it!  How about you?  What “advantages” and blessings are on your list??

“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”
Isaiah 46:3-5

The Way We Were..

We like to reminisce about how it used to be.  We romanticize the way it was.  The good ole’ days are fondly remembered.  Life was simpler then; life was happy then; life was better then.  We have a selective memory.  We tend to make light of things now that were heavy then.  The boyfriend was perfect in high school; he is probably a millionaire today.  Oh to go back and relive the years of the past!

But are we in touch with reality?  Some of us might not have known the Lord in those days!  Perhaps our lives didn’t quite reflect the image of Christ we would have liked.  We have learned a lot since “those days” when we were all about everything but Him.  Maybe the “way we were” wasn’t all that great!  Let’s reflect for a moment:

Ephesians 2:  ¹ As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, ² in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. ³ All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh^[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.

Before (as unbelievers) the way we were:

followed the ways of the world,

gratified sinful nature,

followed our desire of flesh,

and our own thoughts.

We deserved to be the object of God’s wrath because of our “nature.”

But because He has made us believers:

Ephesians 2:  ⁴ But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. ⁶ And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, ⁷ in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰ For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

NOW, THE WAY WE ARE IS:

loved greatly by God,

rich in mercy,

made alive in Christ,

saved by grace,

raised up with Christ,

seated with Christ in the heavenly realm,

shown the riches in Christ,

treated kindly by Christ,

gifted by God,

and are created for good works, which were prepared in advance for us.

Ephesians 1: ³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.⁴ For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love ⁵ he^[b] predestined us for adoption to sonship^[c] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—⁶ to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. ⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace ⁸ that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, ⁹ he^[d] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, ¹⁰ to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

¹¹ In him we were also chosen,^[e] having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, ¹² in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. ¹³ And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, ¹⁴ who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

The way we were is not what we want to be!  The way He created us to be is complete in Him, and promises Life Everlasting starting today!  Let’s live in that!

Solitude and Rest

What do you think when you hear the words rest and solitude?  Do they seem unfamiliar to you?  Are they “words” you crave but never find?  Today’s world seems to shun the idea of rest as inactivity, leading to guilt.  Unless we are busy-busy, we feel we aren’t accomplishing what we “should” be about; and solitude, well there just isn’t time for that luxury!   There are too many responsibilities, too many expectations to take time for rest and solitude!

It isn’t a necessity to seek out a “totally quiet” spot, void of all people and activity to feel the REST and peace that we are aiming for here.  Have you ever been doing a particular task and been transported in your mind to another place?  Standing at the sink doing dishes, I’ve taken many a “mini-vacation” to an island or another wonderful memory or dream, only to find the task was completed in record time!  The clamor of pots and pans and children’s voices, or TV and music didn’t seem to detour me on my journey to peace and serenity!

Perhaps our idea of Rest needs reforming!  It isn’t inactivity as we think of it, but much like in a sheet of music, there is a “rest” where the obvious music pauses– all the while keeping time, waiting for the timing to say “continue on.”   Rest is realizing that God is orchestrating the music in our lives; sometimes it is chamber music and we love it!  Others, it seems to be a cacophony of blaring instruments, crashing cymbals and voices that are tone deaf!  Playing them as He intended, they are beautiful, but when we are out of rhythm and out of sync, they are only noise!  We can rest from our own manipulating, rest from trying to control situations and people from griping, grousing and complaining!  Resting allows God to be God and work out His plan. Solitude relates with silence; the silence that comes from trusting God to work His plan, that He is the one in control, and will be faithful to complete it for our benefit. (Read Jeremiah 29:11)

When God allows circumstances into our lives that appear to be “trials” to us, there is opportunity for us to see it as a REST; a pause in our lives, getting our undivided attention.   Most often we may look at these times as an emergency, a terrible turn of events, or a crisis of huge magnitudes, because it involves us and those we love.   If we take the time to Rest and let God work, we begin to see with a different perspective!  To do that however, we must get above the fray, to a higher viewpoint.  In spirit, if not in body also, we need to spend time with God in prayer and the Word just to listen.   We spend much more time speaking to God about what we’d like, perhaps even giving our opinion of what would work well!  Sometimes we will be able to physically take ourselves away from the din around us, sometimes we will have to find it within.  This is time needed to hear what God is speaking to your heart, to your spirit and unless our ears are tuned in to His voice, we will miss it.    God’s plan doesn’t just involve us; God’s plan considers a much broader view.   Taking time apart, we can lift our eyes, getting our focus off of ourselves and the circumstances surrounding us, and onto the One who sees all!  (Remember Peter in the boat!  He wanted to go out to Jesus on the Sea, and did just fine as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus, but when he looked down at the wind and waves, he began to sink!- read Matthew 14: 25-33)

******

Do you want to know how to begin the “exercise” of Rest?  Read on!   But first, let’s begin by bowing our heads asking our precious Lord to open our eyes and soften our heart to what He will show us this week through our time with Him!  He waits for us to call on Him; He wants our fellowship with Him.  He has plans for you and me and He desires us to know Him better and better.

Read the following passages.  After doing so, spend some time making each one  personal (write a prayer of your own based on the originals), or write out an example of what you are asking Him to do, or make a list accounting for what  God has done in the past.   Don’t miss out on what God will show you this week by skipping over the passages!  He wants to speak to your heart and encourage you!

REMEMBER

Psalm 105: 1-5, ….Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced O descendants of Abraham his servant, O sons of Jacob, his chosen ones.  He is the Lord our God; his judgments are in all the earth.”

Psalm 106: 1-3, “Praise the Lord.  Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.  Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord or fully declare his praise?  Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right.”

Psalm 77:11-15, “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.  I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.  Your ways, O God, are holy.  What god is so great as our God?  You are a God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.  With your mighty arm you redeem your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.”

**Write down in your journal or a blank sheet of paper what you remember about what God has done on your behalf.

EXPECT

Psalm 123:1-2, “I lift up my eyes to you, to whose throne is in heaven.  As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he shows us his mercy.”

Psalm 5:1-3 “Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my sighing. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray.  In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.”

** Write a prayer of praise, requests, and then be sure to have an attitude of expectation!

STAND FIRM

I Peter 5: 7-12 “Cast your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert because your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him, and stand firm in your faith and after you have suffered a little while, He will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, steadfast…this is the true grace of God, STAND FIRM in it.” 

Isaiah 50:2b “Was my arm too short to ransom you? Do I lack the strength to rescue you?”  (He is able!)  Isaiah 59:1, “Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.” 

                ** Make a list of what you need to “cast” off to Him.  Make another list of the attributes (traits) of God.  Close by writing a thank you note to Him.

THANK

I Thessalonians 5:18 “Give thanks to Him in all things.”

** What can you thank Him for today? From your past?  What about in advance—your future? Write your thank you’s right now!

Psalm 62:1,5 “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him.  Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him.  He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.  My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.  Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”            Amen!

Signs Along the Way

Curves Ahead!        By Pamela Stephens “Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name.  I will praise you, O Lord my God with all my heart.  I will glorify your name forever.”  Psalm 86:11-12  Have you ever noticed that road signs remind you of life itself?  A couple years ago, we were taking photos inside all the Arkansas Campgrounds, which took about 8 months.   Going down the road in our motorhome sometimes I get bored, just sitting!  I like multi-tasking!    Sometimes I am reading, sometimes I am crocheting, but sometimes I am lost in a daydream…others I am “observing” the signs of life! “Wrong Way” or “Do not enter”… are important signs when driving a 38’ motorhome! You really could end up where you don’t belong!  A one-way road is definitely hazardous!  “Watch for Falling Rocks!”—And what will you do if you see them falling…hey, good one..I’d give that a 7.5!  Yes, these could really damage our traveling home! “Dangerous Curves Ahead”—they are not talking about mine!  Curves are tricky in a stretch limo and most certainly in a 38’ motorhome! “Yield Right of Way”—to whom?  Oh that 53’ semi truck barreling down the lane we are trying to enter!      Yes that is a good thing to do! “Turn Lights on Next 5 miles”—is it dark for the next 5 miles?  Are there drivers ahead that are worse than the ones we’ve dealt with so far?  Well then what about the rest of our trip? “Run Away Ramp”—is this a ramp that is rebellious?  Just how does a ramp run away? And why?  Is this the ramp I take when I want to run away?  It put me in mind of a book I had read quite some time ago, Milo and the Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster.  Perhaps you’ve read it too!  It was a fun read with tongue in cheek humor.  But it absolutely had so many real truths about life! There were some very strange destinations!   A sign along the road said “Welcome to Expectations!”—We’ve all been there haven’t we?  “Expectations — the place you must always go to before you get to where you are going.  Of course, some people never go beyond expectations!”   (Yes, made that trip a few times!!) Or, “The Doldrums” was another area along this highway!  “The Doldrums are where nothing ever happens and nothing ever changes…where it’s  unlawful  to think, think of thinking, surmise, presume, reason, meditate, or speculate; where the daily schedule consists of: daydreaming, napping, dawdle, delay, linger, loiter, put off to tomorrows, loaf, lounge, dillydally with almost no time left for brooding, lagging, plodding or procrastinating!” (I’ve seen some teenagers spend quite a bit of time in this section.) Perhaps “Dictionopolis” would be more to your liking?  “A happy kingdom advantageously located in the Foothills of Confusion; caressed by gentle breezes from the Sea of knowledge, where the ‘word market’ does business and the Ministers Cabinet consists of the Duke of Definition, the Minister of Meaning, the Earl of Essence, the Count of Connotation, and the Undersecretary of Understanding.  In Dictionopolis you can pick fresh if’s, and’s, and but’s and get ripe when’s and where’s—juicy words for sale!”  (This is a writer’s heaven!) What about a visit to the “City of Reality”? Or to the “City of Illusions?”  In the latter, there are “mirages- things that aren’t really there that you can see very clearly—often easier to see than things that are!” (Yes, that sounds very familiar!) Or then there is the “Island of Conclusion”…so “how did we get here? You jumped, of course!—that’s the way most people get here…every time you decide something without having a good reason, you jump to Conclusions whether you like It or not.  It’s such an easy trip, I’ve been here hundreds of times, but getting back isn’t so easy.”   (Once you jump there is no return!) Suddenly, I sense the quietness I haven’t heard for awhile, and realize we have stopped for a break.  My husband asks why I’ve been so silent and where I’ve been:   ”Oh, first the Doldrums, the City of Illusions, where I jumped to the Island of Conclusions…and all the while I’ve been right here the whole time!”  He looked at me pretty funny, but then dismissed it…he knows me!  What “signs” have you seen this week? Reflect and Respond: Yield Right of Way—do we “yield” to God’s will?  Do we “yield” our rights even when we are right? Have you ignored the signs that say “Do not enter” or “Wrong Way?”  How can we make a U-turn back in the right spiritual direction? Have you ever wanted God to send down a beacon when you were confused?  “Turn lights on next 5 miles!” What “sign” would be appropriate for the path you are on right now?  “Watch for slow movers”? “Dangerous intersection”?  “Dead End?”   “Yield Right of Way?”  “Slow down for Children?”

The Great I AM Changed Everything through Jesus!

Genesis:
The sun is created          
Satan is victorious
Sin enters the human race
People run and hide from God
People are cursed
Tears are shed;sorrow for sin
The garden and earth are cursed
Fruit from tree of life forbidden 
Paradise is Lost
People are doomed to death	    

Revelation:
The sun is not needed
Satan is defeated
Sin is banished
Believers live with God forever
The curse is removed
No more sin, no more tears or sorrow
God’s city is glorified;earth made new
God’s people eat freely from tree of life
Paradise is regained
Death is defeated; believers live forever!

Changed, and Exchanged!!
These are changed because God sent His Son to pay the penalty for 
mankind, something we cannot do for ourselves.  He is the only sinless 
lamb,the offering that can redeem believers by the shedding of His 
blood. He did this willingly, obediently in order to make possible our 
redemption.  He exchanged His holiness for our unrighteousness, becoming
sin on the cross. But afterwards, He rose from the dead, forever to live 
at the right hand of the Father.  Because of His great sacrifice, 
He exchanged death for our lives! And so believers celebrate this great
exchange every Easter. He lives and because He does, we will also!  Amen

Heart of Ice (Triple Threat Club Series)

Heart of Ice—Lis Wiehl and April Henry, Thomas Nelson Publishers

Heart of Ice aptly describes the murderous sociopath who nearly puts an end to one of our Triple Threat Gals!  While the youthful rival of Cassidy Shaw, Crime Reporter at Channel 4 tries to get a career-building story, Nicole Hedges, the FBI agent, fights a double threat of crime and health scare leading her to distance herself from her current boyfriend.

Allison Pierce, Federal Prosecutor, labors to build a credible case that will get the desired results, while taking in her drama-queen sister.  But her sister will play an integral role in providing information that will help Allison.

Cassidy’s loneliness sets her up for the wiles of Elizabeth, a physically gorgeous trainer who has ulterior motives and a dangerous history.  Bodies show up in motel rooms, city parks and dark apartments, but how do they connect?  The Triple Threat girls are challenged in their personal lives and careers as well as in finding the missing pieces to the young Channel 4 intern’s murder.

I’d recommend the book to anyone who has already gotten hooked on the Triple Threat Gals, and to all who like solving mysteries!  Lis Wiehl and April Henry have done it again!

++Thanks to Thomas Nelson for providing this book for me to review. No special consideration was given, however.

A Pageant in Persia or How Esther Became Queen

One Night with the King, Tiffany Dupont, 2006

 

 

A Pageant in Persia– or–How Esther Became Queen and Saved Her People From Perishing!
Our prolific parable opens at the palace, where a party has been planned for the Princes (Royal men) of Persia. Power and much pride prevailed at this plush affair! The King proposed that the pretty Queen present herself so praise and applause would be his, BUT the Queen, prim and proper, preferred not to — it was her PEROGATIVE!

Those Princes (Royal men)  in attendance pondered this problem and had a plan for the King: Produce a new Queen for Persia!  So, a Pageant was proposed and all pubescent beauties from far and wide planned to be there. Esther, a pretty Jewess was one of them and a preponderance of perfuming, primping and preening was perpetuated upon them so they could parade before the pagan King.  Esther pleased him profusely and the pearl seeded tiara was placed upon her head — it fit —PERFECTLY!

It was purported that a plot to replace the King was afoot and it was being perpetrated by a cast of perilous evil doers. The guilty pair was painfully disposed of by the powers that be!  Put into a place of Political power was a proud, prejudiced person named Haman! He prescribed that people should prostrate themselves before him profusely –it was PROTOCOL!

This perplexing prospect put panic and palpitations into Mordecai’s pumper! He was a person with principles– it was a PRECARIOUS PREDICAMENT!  Haman persuaded the King with plunder aplenty to pass a proclamation persecuting the Jews, which sent pandemonium to this population. Haman was a parasite, but also a pillar of persuasion– oh POOH! At this particular pause in our story, the Patriarch Mordecai appeals to our pathos. He’s publicly pleading and pulling on his apparel.  He’s upset and it was PATHETIC!

Esther has pity on him and permits a messenger to pass on a message: Perk up, Patch up, and Pull up his Poise and quit this PESSIMISM!  But when this Pollyanna teen Queen hears of the perverse plan, put into perspective by her paternal cousin, Mordecai…Esther turns PALE!
This pagan Haman plans a massacre for his own profit and Esther is PETRIFIED!  To plead for pardon in the King’s palace could be precarious; she was a PANSY!

However, Esther, lying on her pillow upon pins and needles, ponders the perilous possibilities paramount on her mind. This paralyzing preoccupation with fear pales, when she providentially thinks:  ”Pleasing God is the pinnacle for which I was put here!”  Thus, Peace and Patience along with Prayer became her Possessions!  Providence and predestination play a big part in every person’s life!  Esther says to her kinsman Patriarch, Mordecai, “IF I perish, I PERISH!” It was PRECIOUS!

God’s plans pan-out because His people have purpose!  He positions people in places of power, providing a plan to procure protection by using a pair planted in the palace– Who could’ve Predicted? HE Preserved, they persevered and posterity penned forever the Pious celebration of PURIM … Paranoia departed, the perpetrator’s passion passed (As did Haman, I might add!) Poor Persian!

The penitent people of Persia were peaceable and became proselytized; some turned to Judaism!  Praise the Lord and all Prospered!  Which only goes to show you: It pays to participate in the plans of God … pity the poor person who practices –pooh- poohing them!
The End!!

This Thing is From Me…

Perspective.  Vantage Point.  Focus.  Several years ago someone changed my viewpoint on struggles, trials and even on conversations with someone who wanted to “set you straight” or “share what the Lord had told them” was just for me.  Instead of focusing on the event, the stress, and the “fix,” she challenged me to look at these things as coming directly from the Lord.  Imagine Jesus saying “This thing is from Me.”

You mean that difficult person who always has a sour word for everyone?  What about the pink slip that wasn’t deserved?  Or even the financial development that I had zero control over?  Consider that the Lord has a bigger plan than just me?  (Which reminds me of a Charles Schultz’ cartoon one Sunday, which had Lucy on a swing and Charlie Brown pushing her, listening to her rant!  After a time Charlie says, “You know Lucy, the world doesn’t revolve around you!!!”  And she says, “Why not??”)  Perhaps when such events occur, and they do—we need to get some PERSPECTIVE, a new vantage point!  We need to lift our eyes up (beyond our own belly button) and think about some questions other than “Why me.”

There are several blog writers that I especially enjoy and learn so much from, but in particular Michael Hyatt, CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers. He shares a similar story about a hard lesson when he lost an author to another publishing company.  He struggled with questions about the “why” and what he had done or hadn’t done to cause this.   Listen to Michael Hyatt’s suggestions here:

“I learned a valuable lesson: the answers we get are often determined by the questions we ask. If we ask bad questions, we will get bad answers. If we ask better questions—empowering questions—we will get better answers. If you are going through a difficult, uncertain time, here are seven better questions you can ask yourself and your team:

 What if this isn’t the end but a new beginning?

 What if the answer to my prayer is just over the next hill?

 What if this is necessary in order for me to be prepared for the next important chapter in my life?

 What if God knows exactly what I need at this particular time?

 What if God is speaking to me through means I would not have chosen for a blessing I cannot see?

 What does this experience make possible?

 What will I be telling my grandchildren that I learned was so valuable in this season of my life?”
Considering Michael’s questions above, how would you answer each one?  “This thing is from ME.”  Will you trust Him with it? Trust Him for the coping skills, and the Perspective to view it as He intends?

What is the Melancholy Personality?

What is the Melancholy Personality?  The Melancholy is the PERFECT personality!  They love order, schedules, charts and plan in great detail!  They avoid attention, dislike opposition.  The Perfect Melancholy seeks an ideal mate, is a deep thinker, and a faithful friend!  Often they are insecure socially and tend to live vicariously through others (friends or their children).  Because they like things perfect, they will procrastinate until they can complete a project perfectly.  They are known to control situations and people by their moodiness.

If you have a Perfect Melancholy in your life:  Recognize they thrive with perfection.  Know they are sensitive and get hurt easily–and they have a long memory for disappointments.  They love order, and don’t be offended when they tell you they can’t come out and “play” because today is “wash day.”  Accept their need for silence, space and time alone.  Neatness is necessary for their sanity; they are self-sacrificing (martyrs) and will remind you of how much they’ve given,hiding their true feelings of resentment.  Appreciate their devoted loyalty and sincere caring.  They really will carry your burdens and feel needed by your sharing problems with them.  Often, the weight of the trials, problems will send them into depression.  They could use a friend that brings lightness to their life!  Are you cleaning out your cupboards or closet?  They know how to do it perfectly!  For more on Personalities, See: Personality Plus at Work by Florence Littauer and Rose Sweet.

One scripture verse all Perfect Melancholy Personalities love is:  ”You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest.  Every moment you know where I am.” Psalm 139:3

Melancholy

Plant: In full shade, away from busy areas with

plenty of quiet and space.

Care: Will grow best when given support, sensitivity

and others meet her very high standards of perfection.

Feeding:  Fertilize with perfection, silence and understanding

and space.

Watch Out For: She can become withdrawn, depressed, when others

don’t comply with requirements; growth can be stunted by lack of energy

and moodiness!

What is a Phlegmatic Personality?

What is a Phlegmatic personality?  The Phlegmatic is the PEACEFUL personality that avoids chaos and conflict!  They are very pleasant, good listeners and have a dry sense of humor.  Sometimes this exhibits itself with “one-liners” which can sound sarcastic if not careful.  Watching life, rather than active participation—people watching, uninvolved but interested in how things are going—could describe the phlegmatic personality.  They are great peace-makers in families, on committees, and seem to always “explain” people (i.e. “She really didn’t mean that the way it came out. You know she is under some stress lately.”) to the one who may have been hurt by another.  The Phlegmatic resists change because they like the “routine;” however if the reason for change is understood first, they are more likely to be in favor.  This personality can tend to “dampen” enthusiasm because it takes way too  much energy to get “all worked up” over something that may never happen anyway.  They are the original “couch potato” and relax by watching T.V. or reading; they are very content to sit in a cozy corner and read undisturbed.  As much as the Phlegmatic doesn’t enjoy change, they adapt well  to many different job assignments.   The Phlegmatic will mentally calculate how much energy it will take for the various responsibilities during the day and take naps if needed to keep them calm.  This personality can control others by procrastination.  When you ask this Phlegmatic personality where they want to eat lunch, likely they will say “I don’t care.”  Often they just don’t want to make the decision, but if your suggestion ISN’T suitable to them, they will say, “Oh, there?”  When they finally do make a decision, please don’t try to change their mind!  That is when you will find the “quiet will of iron.”  Everyone needs a peacemaker in their family, on the job, in their church, on their committee.  They are usually very well liked and so pleasant to be around!

If you have a Phlegmatic in your life: Recognize their need for peace in their environment.  Encourage them to accept responsibilities; and don’t take their first “no” as a final answer.  Appreciate their even disposition, help them to make decisions when asked, because they will take the path of least resistance in life, often missing great opportunities for growth!  Help them set goals, and give reward for accomplishing them.  Don’t expect overt enthusiasm, because they try not to get all excited about your idea—it may not happen anyway—and then they will have wasted all that energy!  Phlegmatics will put things off, quietly controlling by procrastination; they don’t want to come right out and tell you they aren’t going to do it, because that would cause conflict—they dislike that even more!  If you have a Phlegmatic friend, they listen to all of your stories, problems and try to help you see the best outcome.

Strengths carried to extremes become weaknesses. Their easy-going and peaceful nature is admirable yet it can become or appear to be apathetic, indifferent, and indecisive.  Peace at any price often means resentment and conflict later! (For further study, Personality Plus at Work, by Florence Littauer and Rose Sweet)

An apt Scripture for the Peaceful Phlegmatic is “How wonderful it is, how pleasant, when brothers live together in harmony.”  Psalm 133:1 (TLB)

The Care and Feeding of the Phlegmatic Personality:

Plant: in shady area with lots of peace; away

from the chaos, but will adapt to surroundings.

Care: will grow best when shown her value and

worth in the garden.

Feeding: fertilize with encouragement to stretch

beyond her fears and comfort zone.

Watch Out for:  indecision to bloom where planted;

may lack self-esteem, tends to lie dormant if not

moved to the hot house first!

What is the Choleric Personality?

What is a “choleric” personality?  The Choleric personality is POWERFUL.  You know this person…definitely “in charge” and “in control!” They are a natural leader; make quick decisions, and are organized so that they produce results. They produce, whether it be a great business plan, a shopping “hunt” (they hunt they don’t shop! They know what they want, seek it out, buy it!) They have a plan for everyone and they work it, even if it kills them and you! Choleric personalities are impatient and have difficulty apologizing—their apologies are more “sorry if you were so immature to take offensive at what I said” than a true ” I’m sorry.” Sit down and relax? Watch a movie? They will sit, provided while doing so, they can accomplish something—be it crosswords, knitting, making lists for tomorrow, etc. Cholerics can walk into a room, know what needs to be done, and promptly set to work! Committees? The choleric (from root word “cholera”) doesn’t want to waste time getting a consensus, and listening to every scenario—they innately know what to do!

If you have a choleric in your life: Recognize they are born leaders, usually have THE logical, correct answer (though that fact irritates the other personalities). Their judgments are very acute and they always share them, sometimes hurting those they unload on. They believe everyone truly wants to know how to be “better” and cannot understand when they seem reluctant to listen. Realize if it’s compassion you need, the choleric personality will really have to work at it, and not too successfully. If you are looking for someone to take charge, get things in shape, and produce great results, the choleric is the right choice. Realize they like one way conversations: they talk, we listen –you will need to add to the conversation quickly to get your point across. Do not add colorful stories. Appeal to their logic, with short, concise answers.

Strengths carried to extremes become weaknesses. Their gift for quick, decisive leadership is desperately needed, but can become bossy, controlling and manipulative!  (For more on personalities: Personality Plus at Work, by Florence Littauer and Rose Sweet)

Perhaps the Powerful Choleric has memorized this verse, “Quick Lord, answer me–for I have prayed!”  Psalm 141:3

Choleric

Plant: in the center of the garden so she can

direct others and call the shots!

Care: will demand production, loyalty; give them

their way now!

Feeding: fertilize with appropriate credit for jobs

well done and dedication to production.

Watch Out for: abundant thorns can be lethal for

– those close by; can crowd others out of the garden

prune very carefully!

The Sanguine Personality

What is a Sanguine Personality? They are the POPULAR personality and love to have fun; they make friends easily, love people, and like center stage!

They thrive on compliments and attention. They are popular with others; they are storytellers; and there is never a dull moment when they are near!

They are a spontaneous personality and tend to interrupt a lot with their own “interjections” or “one-up” stories. They have a flash in the pan anger, but don’t hold grudges—they tend to forget easily. They can be fickle, look for credit, and make excuses for being late, forgetting they volunteered to help you, and they can make any “job assignment” sound like a party!

If you have a Sanguine in your life: Recognize their need to have fun! They have difficulty accomplishing tasks; they get distracted and often have a poor follow through in completing jobs. Realize they speak without thinking first—they often open their mouth –and are surprised to find out that is what they are thinking.

They enjoy variety since they get bored easily; they appreciate when others are flexible and can accommodate their plans. Help them to learn to say “no” to: addictions, shopping, and scheduling “fun” before finishing a task. They are controlled by circumstances, not responsibility! Appreciate their sense of fun, bring them gifts, and remember they mean well!

Strengths carried to extremes become weaknesses. For the Sanguine, colorful conversations is a plus, but can turn into constant talking, monopolizing, interrupting, exaggerating, or just plain lies!  (For more, see “Personality Plus at Work” by Florence Littauer and Rose Sweet)

Perhaps the Popular Sanguine should memorize this verse, “Help me, Lord to keep my mouth shut and my lips sealed!” Psalm 141:3 (TLB)

The Care and Feeding of the Sanguine Personality:

Sanguine

Plant: in full sun, spotlights if possible, for

full effect!

Care: will thrive with continued approval

and attention from all.

Feeding: fertilize with personal compliments

and fun activities.

Watch Out for: wild paced rapid growth; can

become overwhelmed by saying yes

to requests for her presence at every function.

Stay tuned for: Choleric, Phlegmatic, and Melancholy Personalities!

Learning to Rest

“This is what the Lord says: ‘Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is and walk in it, and you will find REST for your souls..’” Jer. 6:16

When we’re overburdened the world seems a colder place—the sun could be shining but from our vantage point (because we are focused inward) we never even notice! The birds may be singing, but all our ears hear is the tune of our own grief—our heart crying out our pains, weariness and sorrows.

When we are deluged with our own dilemmas, it puts distance between ourselves and others, and between us and God. Oh HE is still there, but the distance is one felt by us because we are not calling on Him, because we are too self-absorbed.

The weight of all our life’s concerns can become such a burden that it’s difficult to be at REST. The issue may be unmet expectations, finances, relationships, or fear of the future. But calling out to us, if we can clear away all the clamor of the pressing problems, is the Voice of God with an invitation to REST in Him!

He wants us to trust Him to take care of us, to work on our behalf—to ask at our crossroads, “where is the good path?” and then to walk in it. If we do this, He will give us REST for our souls. “My soul finds REST in God alone!” Ps. 62:1

HOW DO YOU REST?

1) REMEMBER what God has done for you in the past. (Psalm 77:11-12) “I will remember the deeds of the Lord;yes, I will remember Your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all Your mighty deeds.”

What has God done for you over the years? Make a quick list of at least three specific instances that come to mind.

2) EXPECT God to work again on your behalf! He has done it before! (Psalm 5:1-3) “Give ear to my words oh God, consider my meditations; listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. Oh Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.”

What do you want to ask God to do? (Our intent and motives always should be in line with God’s will.)

3) STAND FIRM in your faith. (I Peter 5:7-12) “Cast your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert because your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, and stand firm in your faith and after you have suffered a little while, He will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, steadfast..this is the true grace of God, STAND FIRM in it.”

Don’t waiver, don’t quit! Don’t turn and run! DO put on the armor of God and having done all, stand! Read Ephesians 6: notice there is no armor for the backside, only the front! We are not to run.

4) THANK God for another opportunity for Him to show Himself faithful to you again! (I Thess. 5:18) “Give thanks in all things.”

Write a prayer of thanks IN ADVANCE for what God will do for you in your situation!

“The NAME of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” Proverbs 18:10

Isaiah 44

“Remember these things…for you are my servant….I have made you, you are my servant; I will not forget you. I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.” Sing for joy, O heavens, for the Lord has done this; shout aloud, O earth beneath. Burst into song, you mountains, you forests and all your trees, for the Lord has redeemed Jacob, He displays his glory in Israel.” Isaiah 44:21-23

Psalm 42

1 As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, my God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?
3 My tears have been my food
day and night,
while people say to me all day long,
“Where is your God?”
4 These things I remember
as I pour out my soul:
how I used to go to the house of God
under the protection of the Mighty One[d]
with shouts of joy and praise
among the festive throng.

5 Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.

6 My soul is downcast within me;
therefore I will remember you
from the land of the Jordan,
the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.
7 Deep calls to deep
in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers
have swept over me.

8 By day the LORD directs his love,
at night his song is with me—
a prayer to the God of my life.

9 I say to God my Rock,
“Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I go about mourning,
oppressed by the enemy?”
10 My bones suffer mortal agony
as my foes taunt me,
saying to me all day long,
“Where is your God?”

11 Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.

Grow UP! (What’s Behind the Door?)

It had been a glorious time of discovery and we arrived safely back home from a long vacation to Eastern Canada. We had been to Montreal and seen the Cathedral of Notre Dame, to Quebec–the grand walled city on the St. Lawrence, to PEI (Prince Edward Island)–where Anne of Green Gables dwelled and wrote, to Nova Scotia near St. John and the Cape of Breton–all wonderful, stunning memories to seal within our scrapbooks in our mind!

We were unloading the motorhome of clothes, books, laptop and the perishable foods as night was falling. But as I approached the area next to our pantry at home, an unpleasant odor assaulted my senses. Opening the door, there was no denying something had been decaying for some time! I had overlooked two random potatoes on the bottom shelf! Nearly liquid by now, oozing mold and a few flying insects, they were turning my stomach and my nose was begging me to be rid of these awful leftovers of weeks before! I quickly put them in a plastic grocery bag and ran out to our trash cans with the offensive deposit. After much soap and water and a dose of Lysol disinfectant, all was returned to normal and declared, “clean” once again.

In order to avoid making this error again, I tried to think about how I had missed them in the first place. I had begun my “cleansing” ritual with the refrigerator, which I figured was the biggest issue for that period of time. I rid it of any remaining fruit, greens, milk, cheeses, freezing what I didn’t want to put into the motorhome. The refrigerator-freezer was my first priorities. Next, I tackled the pantry, looking through the shelves which were mostly canned goods, jars of unopened items, and boxed cake mixes–those would be fine. Taking a sack of potatoes, bread, muffins, onions, I transported these to the motorhome. However, I had missed two straggler potatoes that had fallen behind the toaster oven stored on the bottom shelf also. They had somehow jumped right out of their home–a wire basket next to the toaster oven. My quick surveillance of the shelves had missed them, but a month or so later my nose didn’t miss them. Locked away in a dark pantry, unattended, unobserved the decay process didn’t wait to begin. By the time I returned six to eight weeks later, it was in full bloom; eating away at the once-nutritious, tasty, carb-filled, tan orbs.

Thinking about what I discovered hidden away, decaying behind that pantry door, I started to consider what other things we “close the door” on because they are difficult, messy, painful, smelly and left long enough– bitter and rancid. Remembering a relationship in my own life that started great but turned toxic as my teen years progressed, I thought about the many months and, regrettably, years it decayed because of alcohol on his part and anger and hurt on mine. To cope with the hurt of his wine-laced barbs, I spent many hours burrowed away in my room with my books and music as consolers. “In My Room” by the Beach Boys made me cry then and today in reverie, it still does!

“There’s a world where I can go and tell my secrets to…
in my room…in my room.
In this world I lock out all my worries and my fears…
in my room, in my room.
Now it’s dark and I’m alone but I won’t be afraid…
in my room, in my room.” (Beach Boys, 1963)

I spent too much time in my room,however; too much resentment, and not enough talking and not enough kindness or love. Too much remembering, replaying of exact phrases, disdainful looks and spiteful communication–not enough understanding and not enough forgiveness.

Not until I myself had children of my own and shared some very personal information with a spiritual mentor and friend was I aware of the “decaying left-overs” from my teenage years that were fermenting within. You may have something you’ve closed the door on, hoping to ignore, deny or forget it is there. Unfortunately, like the potatoes molding and liquefying into a bitter, smelly mess– it will not go away without dealing with it and taking out the trash and cleaning it all up.

There is no denying it isn’t pleasant work; it will take getting your hands dirty perhaps; it will challenge your maturity and will present you with some uneasy choices. Should you choose to accept the challenge ahead, it can bring relief, forgiveness and spiritual growth. It may take examining closely your own attitudes and words. It may take speaking with a counselor to help you through it. It may take accepting that the other person won’t change. (We can only choose forgiveness ourselves not for someone else!) I encourage you to accept the challenge–you won’t regret it– on the other hand, if you say no, expect lingering heartache and a lifetime of growing resentment and anger which can rear its ugly head when others push those buttons. Given the alternatives, I pray you also will choose to: “Grow Up” in the things of the Lord….He can do amazing things when we open the “pantry” and take out the trash!

Stay tuned for the next installment: “Get Over It!” (For the first part of this series, See “So what?”

Have You Seen This Little Girl?

Written years ago when my now grown daughter was a teenager! Lots has happened in between, but I am happy to say she knows the Lord and attends BSF with me today! Perhaps you will relate in some way!

Have You Seen This Little Girl?
By Pamela Stephens (written about 1983)

Have you seen this little girl? No, she isn’t a run away. She is not a photo on the side of a milk carton, but she is missing. She lives here, occupies space here, does her laundry here and sometimes even eats a meal here, but this little girl is missing.

Where is the innocent little face that used to look up into mine and smile and say, “I love you, mommy.” Where is the little girl that hunted for Easter eggs and waited on the stairs to get her first glimpse of Santa’s visit? Where is the little girl who went happily to Sunday School and couldn’t wait to tell mommy what she’d learned? Where is the little girl who raised her hand to ask Jesus into her heart?

Have you seen this little girl? Now she seems to care less about what mom and dad say, because they are from a different generation or even a different time zone. This little girl, who used to believe in her mommy, now, thinks mom is out to ruin all her fun, her day, and her life. This little girl who used to love to have mommy help her clean her room, now hates mom to touch anything of hers. This little girl who would listen as mommy and daddy told her about strangers and dangers in this world, now seems to enjoy toying with things that bite, go bump in the night and potentially could hurt her.

Where is the little girl I nursed as a baby, the one I walked the floors with many a night when she was sick, the one I comforted through the fears of kindergarten and making new friends, the one I sat with for days on end when she was hospitalized. Where is the little girl I prayed for and taught Bible verses? This little girl is missing. Have you seen her? Where has she gone?

Someone seems to have taken her place, and she is missing. I search for her only to find someone else I don’t recognize. But I will keep on looking, I am almost without hope of ever finding her again, but I will keep on searching. If you see her, tell her I miss her and long to hold her in my arms and kiss her and love her.

Perhaps someday she will come home to me. Perhaps I will never see my little girl again… because she’s a teenager now and I am only her mom.

A Prayer from Proverbs for My Children

A Prayer From Proverbs for My Children~~ No matter what age!

Lord, please grant them:
The good sense to choose friends carefully
The wisdom to act prudently
Godly fear
A wholesome tongue
Slowness to anger
Diligence and industriousness
Honesty
Direction in their steps
Wariness of alcohol
Awareness of your Presence
Purity of Heart
A tender conscience
Wise counsel by others
An excellent character
Thank You, Lord—that they are never beyond your power to influence!

So What???

So what? We—-you and I— have not escaped experiencing the dailies of life—the consequences sometimes of a stumble into sin or its effects on us and others. I have willingly and reluctantly sinned at times, bringing shame and sadness and thankfully, remorse and repentance in the end. I have asked forgiveness of the Lord and the strength not to repeat it.

You and I have also been on the receiving end of someone else’s weaknesses and sin, whether deliberate or unrehearsed. It is unavoidable if we have family, friend or a vocation and are participating in life. We can stew over insults, spin scenarios of possible reasons and motives for these assaults on our feelings and we can blame them and everyone else for how they have made us a target or a victim. We can waste a ton of energy and time within ourselves and get literally “stuck” in the mud and mire of unforgiveness and bitterness, OR we can get over it!

Guess what? We are not alone! Isn’t it interesting that when we have been on the receiving end of something like this, we truly cannot believe anyone else could possibly understand our situation because no one else could EVER have felt this bad, over this thing! First of all, by now our focus has become so inward that our head doesn’t come up long enough to catch a view of anyone else~~~ even if they are sitting right beside us!

No one can ever say they have not had, at some point in life, a devastating or perhaps even paralyzing incident that even now…thinking back on it brings anxiety or a sick feeling in their stomach or causes them to think, “I never want to go there again!”

Okay, so what? Do we want to dwell in that black hole of insidious “if only’s”, “ what if’s”, and “oh, Wells”?—It did happen and we cannot change it now; it can’t be undone. Yes, it was sad and unfair perhaps— whether you created this past or someone else created it for you— don’t you want to move on? Isn’t it time??? Stay tuned for the “grow up” and “get over it” installments!

Psalm 29~~~Ascribe and Worship!

Psalm 29

Ascribe to the Lord:
glory and strength
due His name
Worship the Lord in the splendor
of His holiness.

The voice of the Lord
is over the waters
is powerful
is majestic
it breaks cedars in pieces
it strikes with flashes of lightning
it shakes the desert
it twists the oaks
it strips the forest bare

The Lord sits enthroned over the flood
is enthroned as King forever
gives strength to His people
blesses His people with peace

Blessed be the Name of the Lord!

Cravings!

Cravings~ we all have them from time to time: Hot fudge sundaes, chocolate chip cookies, coffee, popcorn, shopping…new shoes! Then there are these cravings: to be heard, to be right, to be loved, to be thin. Or the cravings for: change, status quo, forgiveness, fulfillment, peace.

We crave or desire things that are comforting when we are distressed or unhappy or feel an empty spot inside; we seek to fill it sometimes subconsciously, sometimes acutely aware that it is there. We fill it with whatever seems to satisfy it at the moment. Needing mom to kiss it and make it better? Mom’s mashed potatoes and fried chicken at home or a nearby replacement restaurant call out to any lonely or sad Southern gal!

But perhaps as we approach the New Year, instead of chocolate chip cookies or chicken pot pie there is something more lasting for our emotional empty spot? The holidays often affect us in the aftermath, don’t they? All the busy-ness of the season with its social events, gatherings, and giving of gifts last for a short time, coming to an abrupt, screeching halt. Often a week or two later, we have a feeling of “need”—loneliness, or sadness—and we can’t quite put our finger on what is wrong. Let’s stay ahead of the game this year! You know all those “resolutions” we always talk about for a week or so? Here are some terrific thoughts about how to fill ourselves with a fullness that is impossible to beat!

1) “Honey from the comb is sweet to your taste. Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you and your hope will not be cut off.” Proverbs 24:13-14
2) “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” Proverbs 1:7
3) “My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my Help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.” Psalm 63: 5-8
4) “O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” Psalm 63:1
5) “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” Psalm 42: 1-2

We crave a relationship with our God, a lasting filled-up relationship with the only One who can satisfy our every longing. It isn’t really chocolate or new shoes we need—it is simply and profoundly – a close and intimate, heart relationship with the One who craves to have one with us! Seek Him diligently and He will be found…”I have come that they may have Life—and have it to the full.” John 10:10 Happy New Year to all!

Spiced Applesauce Bread

Spiced Applesauce Bread has been part of our Christmas traditions! You can use this recipe to make “give aways” in smaller loaf tins (4 mini’s-or 2 mediums) or you can make one big one, in the regular size loaf pan! Going caroling this year? A great gift to leave with those you call on! Enjoy! Merry Christmas! What are your favorite traditions??

Ingredients for Bread— In small bowl combine:
1 1/4 c applesauce 1c gran. Sugar 1/2 c cooking oil
2 eggs 3 Tblsp milk
In larger bowl combine : 2 cups sifted flour, 1 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1/4 tsp allspice, 1/4 c pecans, chopped.
Add the applesauce mixture to well combined flour mixture. Beat well. Pour batter into well-greased loaf pan (can be used in smaller “give away” loaf tins). For topping: In small bowl combine 1/4 c brown sugar, 1/4 c pecans, chopped, and 1/2 tsp cinnamon. Mix well. Sprinkle over top of the batter. Bake in normal size loaf pan at 350 degrees for 1 hour.