Impacting lives for eternity

 "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians3:12-17

Do you ever stop to think about the impact you have on other people's lives? Surely there are those that we recognize as we interact with them and see that we have impact. But there are others that we truly are unaware. The privilege is when those whose lives we have impacted turn around and have impact on ours.

This was the case for my husband and me in 2019. He was in the hospital having suffered a stroke and heart attack. Our world changed in that moment, and the questions of what our future held loomed heavily over head. As I sat in the hospital with him, prayer was my main focus. Seeking comfort in the Presence of my relationship with Christ kept the worry of the unknown away. Yet there were stll questions of uncertainty that pestered my spirit.

On one particular evening when the heaviness of doubt was pressing hard against my soul, the Lord sent messengers of hope. 

I had nodded off in the chair next to his hospital bed, when I heard someone clear their throat. A young woman who we have known for years stood in the doorway. When I invited her in, she laughed nervously, glancing back into the hallway. 

"There's a few of us." she said. "I don't think we can all fit."

Getting up and going to the door, I looked out in the corrider. Lined up on either side was a group of the young people Dale had been leading in weekly Bible study.

Touched deeply by their love and concern, I thanked each of them and went to the nurses staion to see if their was a place we could all gather. The floor nurse quickly assessed the situation, found us a room and then went to get Dale to bring him in by wheel chair. The look on his face when he saw them and the nurses reaction to their reaction to him will always be a sweet and precious memory.

Several tears, lots of hugs, prayers and songs of worship filled the room for over 30 minutes. As I recount this sweet memory my heart is once again flooded with joy.

Life can tumble us pretty hard at times. The enemy of our souls works continually trying to steal, kill, and destroy the love, joy and peace that God wants us to have. 

But God is greater.

Never under estimate the work that He is doing, even in trying times. 

Celebrate His goodness at all times.

Pray without ceasing and share His love.

You never know when it will come back and wrap His loving arms around you.

May you find continual comfort and peace in His presence.

Quietly in His Presence

 

I was fighting a restlessness in my soul that I couldn't identify. I had done my Bible reading, prayed, and knew Lord had heard my prayers, but still, the restlessness continued.  Trying to gain some type of focus, I'd done some chores around the house and even a small craft project. Thinking I would dive into another project, I turned on praise music and dug out an old journal with the thought to decorate some of the pages. I wasn't too many pages in when I realized the purpose was not to continue adding floral colors to the pages. 

At the top of the page written in purple ink was the passage from 2 Chronicles 20:17 "Position yourself, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD who is with you." as well as Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God."

Stopping what I thought was the purpose of being in the journal, I began reading what I had written nearly 20 years previously. I smiled as I realized God was reminding me to rest in His sufficiency and not allow the enemy a foothold. The page was describing the importance of quietly dwelling in His Presence. I share it here in hopes that it may offer someone else the same sense of peace it has afforded me.

Journal entry from August 20, 2007

The greatest difficulty in dwelling lies in one's ability to be obedient to the command to "Be still". Resting and allowing another to do the work, (and gain the glory) isn't easy (especially on one's ego). But that is what the Lord desires. He knows we don't have the capacity to do what He's asked us to do without His help. After all, He made us. It is our pride that rises up like the defiant two year old who stamps her foot and says 'I do it myself" that prevents the free flow of His grace. He knows our limitations - but He wants us to recognize them and our need for His intervention and help. It's humbling, and yet that's exactly what we need to be in His presence.

And then the amazing happens. 

As we bow humbly before Him and acknowledge our helpless state He bends down and lifts us up and beckons us to meet His gaze-which is filled with the most marvelous mercy and grace-beyond our wildest imagination. 

And as we meet His gaze He fills us to overflowing with His Spirit; cleansing, purging, empowering grace and love beyond human comprehension. 

There is no better place to stand, albeit weak kneed, before Him, marveling in the majesty and glory of all He does and is continually doing. 

The most powerful position we will ever claim is when we recognize we are being held in a standing position before Him and gazing on His unveiled face. 

That, and that alone is true power and position. Power that will blow your socks off as we choose to stand Barefoot with God.*

"Take off your sandals for you are standing on Holy ground."

Here I stand once again quietly in His Presence overwhelmed by His deep love for me.

                ><>   <><

*Barefoot with God is available on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Barefoot-God-tyranny-unresolved-child-like-ebook/dp/B07BPSDS7D

Are you listening?

"He who has ears let him hear." Matthew 11:15

"'We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or the rulers of this age, who are coming to noting. No we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if the had, they would not have crucified the Lord  glory. However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, nor ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him." (Isaiah 64:4) but God has revealed it to us by His Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him" In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual man makes judgements about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgement: "For who has known the mind of the Lord that He may instruct Him?" (Isaiah 40:13) But we have the mind of Christ." 1Corinthians 2;6-16 

Years ago when my boys were younger, I intervened in a loud ruckus from the back seat of the car. My youngest son was trying to tell his older brother something, but became frustrated and  more loudly vocal when his brother failed to respond. I finally spoke up from the driver's seat telling him, "Your brother can hear you."

His response has caused me to pause then and many times since.

"He can hear, he's just not listening."

From the mouths of babes.

How often have I been guilty of hearing someone or something, but failed to really listen, to actively participate in what I've heard.

As I sit here at my desk typing, I find I am straining to hear something that is yet inaudible, but with such a sense of urgency that I want to pay close attention.

We are living in turbulent times with a history unfolding before our eyes. Things that have been spoken of in the Bible are being played out in real time.

Now I am not a biblical scholar, nor will I pretend to be, but I find the words that I have heard and studied from the Bible compelling to pay close attention to what is currently happening.

My eyes scan the horizon and sky.

My soul waits in hopeful anticipation. 

The Bible has laid out God's full plan for mankind from Genesis to Revelation. We have seen much evidence of those things which have come to pass, and now look forward to what is to come. I personally long for the Day when those who love the Lord will be reunited with Him in heaven, and yet I grieve for those who won't. But I also know God won't drag people into His embrace against their will.

All I can do is continue to share what I know about the marvelous grace that has been bestowed on us through the birth, life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I won't be silent about how God has captured my heart with His love, and how He desires that none should perish. 

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. This is the verdict; Light came into the world, but men loved darkness instead of the light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." (Jesus as quoted in Joh 3:16-21)

The Bible clearly warns: "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-His eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." Romans 1:18-20 (I encourage you to read the whole book of Romans if you are unfamiliar with it).

My hearts desire is that people I know and love, and those I reach personal encounters and  through the things written here, will understand just how much God love's them and desires for them to come to Him. But all I can do is immerse myself deeply into the waterfall of God's amazing grace and pray for Him to speak to their hearts through my obedience to serve Him.

He's calling to all who will hear and respond.

Are you listening?

Keep your eyes on the Lord

 "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye." Psalm 32:8 NKJV

It's been a bit since I've sat down to write. Life has been busy. In September we moved from the place we'd lived for nearly 15 years, into a place closer to town. The drive up and down the canyon had become less easy, and the family was concerned for our safety. Moving is never easy, but at our age it definitely took a physical toll. We are extremely grateful we have family and friends who worked together to make the transition as smooth as possible. Moving a 700-pound upright piano was one of the scarier things I watched them do. We had to stay in a hotel for a few nights in between places, and when we were checking out, the cat in the picture above, disappeared.  Literally. Although there was no way for her to escape the room, when it came time to put her into her carrier, she had simply vanished. After looking under the bed and every other conceivable place where she might have hidden, we figured she must have found a way out of the room.  Saddened by her disappearance, I had no other choice but to ask the hotel to keep an eye out for her.  I returned the next day to look again, but no sign of her, even though the hotel staff once again helped lift the mattress to look under the bed. Shortly after I got back to our new place, I got a call from the hotel saying they'd found her.  She had managed to wedge herself in between the wall and the base of the bed.  Not an easy feat for our plump girl.  She was quite happy to be reunited with us and her sisters.

Getting things unpacked and organized has been an ongoing operation.  In between all the crazy of the move, the pastor of our church resigned suddenly, leaving all of us surprised and grappling to get our footing.  Added into the mix was Thanksgiving and Christmas, and then just like a blink of the eye the new year was upon us. I am just now beginning to feel like we're settling in.

As we traveled through this place in our journey, I continually leaned deep into the Lord's embrace. There was so much change going on and I needed the constant of His Presence. 

One of the hymns that kept coming to mind was Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.  It is one of my favorites. I found myself playing Alan Jackson's rendition of it regularly. The sweet tune offers assurance of God's peace as we look to Jesus for comfort. 

Life can be hard. Trying times are part of our journey here on earth.  There will be seasons where life doesn't play out the way we think it ought to go. People will respond differently than we expect. Things will seem lost, that aren't. We might find ourselves in changing situations, or stuck (rather like my cat). But the one beautiful constant in every situation is God's love and His desire to teach and guide us. 

That is why it is imperative that we keep our eyes on Him.  How can He guide us if we aren't looking to Him?  How can we hear Him speak if we aren't listening? How can He teach us if we aren't regularly studying His word?

My cat got scared and hid because things weren't the same as they had been in all the years of her life. In her desperation to protect herself from the things that frightened her, she hid and got stuck.  She hid herself so well, that we were unable to find her for a season. But when I came and called her the third time, she answered me from between the wall and the bed frame.  Although she was pretty tightly wedged in her hiding place, when she called out to me, I was able to find her.

I found her because I was diligently searching for her, and when she called out to me, I was able to rescue her from her self-imposed prison and bring her safely into our new home.

God will do the same for everyone who calls to Him for help.  He is continually looking for those who are lost, frightened and stuck in their own crisis. He is our constant source of help and peace.

Don't let the world consume, distract of cause you to hide you from the One Who loves You best. He is diligently searching for you.

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace....... His word will not fail you He promised, believe Him and all will be well, then go to a world that is dying, His perfect salvation to tell." (A few of the words from that marvelous hymn.)

Peace with God

"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;  and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." Romans 5:1-5

I am writing this post on my phone as I sit at an auto dealership waiting on a scheduled oil change. The day started out with a heaviness of heart over the events of the past week in the senseless murders of innocent people, as well as a look at Calvary last night in Bible study. And then, right before we left the house, I got a call from my sister informing me our brother had been taken to the hospital with symptoms of a stroke.

When we got to the dealership for the oil change there were additional hiccups that stretched my spirit even more. Nothing major, just things that make me eternally grateful for God's grace and His peace that surpasses all understanding.

Our world is desperately in need of His peace but so many have no clue of Who He is, or the life changing grace offered through His Son Jesus Christ. As I sit here waiting on the car I look around at the diverse people groups in this space and ask God how I might be a withness for Him in this moment and time. I have shared the gospel preveiously with individuals here, and pray for the discernment and courage to do so again.

What I can do in this moment is see people as Jesus sees them.  

May His grace, peace and love shine through my eyes, and if dialogue takes place, may He be glorified. 

Confidence in God's plan

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;"

Proverbs 3:5

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me (Jesus) you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."John16.33.NKJV

Written late Saturday evening 

It's been quite a week. Last Snday evening our youngest son called to tell us our medically fragile granddaughter was on her way to the hospital with respritory problems. We prayed with him and sent prayer requeats to prayer warriors and placed our concerns in God's hands. We were updated that tests revealed she had RSV. By God's grace the kid's quick action got her the needed care. They called us on the way home with her 3 days later. They were delighted that she was had recovered and this stay at the hospital was a record short one. Her last one earlier this year was 10 days. 

As we finished the call, my sister called from Colorado to tell me our brother had been taken to the hospital. He has heart issues and had apparently passed out and she hadn't been able to revive him, so she called 911. The paramedics arrived, and after some difficulty, revived him and then transported him by ambulance to the hospital. I prayed with Susan, let my prayer warriors know and put my trust in God for the answers needed for his future care.

Today we were on our way to a memorial service of a young man who was very dear to our family. Our daughter was driving us so I didn't have to navigate freeway traffic. As we were pulling into the parking lot I got a call from a neighbor telling me there was a fire up by our place. I prayed with her and immediately sent out a prayer request to my prayer warriors, once again putting my trust in the Lord. A bit later we learned the fire was not by our house but actually near our daughter's house....the one they had just rebuilt after fire destroyed their home seveal years ago. I prayed once again and leaned deeper into God's embrace. I watched the faces of our daughter and two sons as they talked with one another over the current events. I knew they were consoling and encouraging each other.

Blessedly because my son-in-law had chosen not to go to the memorial service he was at home and was able to start putting the fire out before Calfre got there. They  helped him extinguish it when they arrived, remaining on site for some time to make sure there were no flare ups.

As I prepare to go to bed tonight my prayers are of thanksgiving. I am thankful that my granddaughter is home from the hospital, thankful my sister was able to be there to help our brother, thankful that my son-in-law was home and the fire is out and everyone is safe.

I am most thankful that I serve a God Who I can depend on. I know I can run into Hs embrace at all times, and no matter what comes my way, it is well with my soul.

Navigating through the storms of life

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." ~Jesus as quoted in John 16:33

My heart has been broken over the recent flash flooding in Texas and other states. The amount of water that swept through that took and devastated so many lives, is beyond my ability to completely process. There is a deep feeling of helplessness in response to all the reports, and a yearning to try to make sense out of all it. My only recourse is to run to my Savior in prayer and petition for all who have been affected.

The fact is there will be storms, and in many cases, those storms will cause disaster. So how do we manage when they do?

My mind goes to Scripture and the situations Jesus allowed the disciples to experience. My first thought goes to Mark 4:36-40 where the disciples and Jesus were in the boat when a great windstorm arose, beating upon the boat. The boat was beginning to fill with water and the disciples were afraid. Jesus however was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. Terrified, the disciples awoke Him and asked "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"  He arose, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. His question to them "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?" 

I then think of another event on the stormy seas recorded in Matthew 14:24-32. The disciples had just experienced the miraculous feeding of over 5,000 men, women and children with five loaves of bread and two fish, with enough left overs to fill twelve baskets.  Jesus then sent them ahead of Him by boat, while He went to the mountain by Himself to pray.  When the boat was in the middle of the sea, the wind became contrary.  About the fourth watch (which is described as being between 3am and 6am) Jesus came walking to the disciples on water.  Now you know they must have been weary and feeling quite a bit overwhelmed.  They were even afraid that they were seeing a ghost and cried out in fear. Jesus spoke to them "It is I; do not be afraid." This next part is my favorite.  Peter, being Peter, answered and said "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." And Jesus did just that saying "Come." This part is where it becomes so real to me. Peter got out of the boat and walked on water.  That is until he became distracted by the wind and the waves, took his eyes off of Jesus, and became afraid. 

Isn't that us?  We walk in tremendous faith until the storms of life distract us with the noise of the wind and the waves of adversity.  Suddenly feeling overwhelmed by our circumstances or the circumstances of others, we shift our focus off the face of the One Who controls the wind and the waves, and sink in the storm itself.

Oh but blessed Savior that He is, just as he stretched out His hand to Peter and caught him when he cried out in fear "Lord, save me!", He will do the same for us.

Again and again, He calls out to us to keep our eyes on Him and walk with Him in faith. 

It's hard. Our eyes see and ears hear things that cause us to shrink back in faltering faith and fear. Faith is tested when we are asked to shift our focus from what we see and trust what we have learned about Jesus and His character. That is why it is imperative to get to know Him intimately through Bible study and prayer.

There is an old hymn that is running through my head as I write this. "Oh, soul are you weary and troubled, no light in the darkness you see? There's light for a look at the Savior, and life more abundant and free. Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace. His word will not fail you, He promised. Believe Him and all will be well. Then go to a world that is dying, His perfect salvation to tell. Turn you eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace."

Just as Peter learned when he became distracted by the storm but was rescued when he cried out "Lord, save me!" we too can find refuge and safety in life's storms. The second verse of the song Turn your eyes upon Jesus, reminds us "Thro' death into life everlasting, He passed, and we follow Him there; over us sin no more hath dominion-for more than conquerors we are!"  We can walk in victory even in the storms. Cry out to Jesus. He longs to give you a place of refuge in the midst of life's storms.  He is faithful and loves us beyond what we can possibly imagine. He simply wants us to follow Him in faith.

In doing so, we can "walk on water" and in His perfect timing, we will all make it home.

 

The Sideways Glance

I have a confession to make.  There is something I struggle with much more than I'd like to admit. It's the problem of the sideways glance. Perhaps you struggle as well as you endeavor to follow after the Lord.  Our eyes are fixed on Him and the path He is laying before us, when suddenly something catches our attention out of the corner of our eye. We know the importance of keeping our eyes fixed on the path Jesus is leading us on, but the temptation to look away is strong, so for a moment we give the distraction a sideways glance.

And trouble always ensues. Maybe not for long, but the briefest glace away from the Savior delays our journey with Him. It created chaos in the beginning when Eve was distracted by the serpent, and he put doubt in her mind by asking her "Did God really say..." (See Genesis 3:1). Later in John 21:18-22 we see Peter getting distracted as he saw John following them as he and Jesus talked. And in one of my favorite accounts in Matthew 14;13-32 we see faith, failure because of distractions and restoration. Jesus had just finished feeding 5,000 people with five loaves of bread and two fish and then sent the disciples ahead of Him by boat to the other side. In verse 25 we read that in about the fourth watch they saw Him walking towards them on the water. Thinking He was a ghost they cried out in fear. He assured them it was Him. Peter, being Peter said basically...prove it Lord, if it's You tell me to come to You on the water. Jesus said "Come".  Emboldened by the Lord's command Peter got out of the boat and walked on water to Jesus.  

But then...distracted by the wind and the waves he began to sink.

Blessedly the Lord is gracious when we cry out to Him to save us.

Distractions are always around us.  The key to victory is to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. But I know from experience that it's hard at times It takes a concentrated effort not to get distracted.

Years ago, I was leading a ladies Bible study group, and we were discussing the difficulty with getting distracted. At the time, my sister was raising horses, so I knew the way they kept a skittish horse from being distracted when teaching them to a trail, was to put blinders on the horse's bridal. The blinder was a piece placed on the bridal at the side of the horse's eyes; that kept the horse from seeing anything that might cause it to shy and throw the rider. I used the example as an illustration of how we must put on "spiritual blinders" so as not to be distracted by the things the enemy throws in our path. Our spiritual blinders are more necessary every day. It is imperative that we spend time in God's word and in prayer.

A myriad of distractions vie for our attention daily, seeking to pull us off the path the Lord is putting before us. I know I must deliberately put on "spiritual blinders" daily to keep me from giving a sideways glance to the things that cause me to stumble and sink.  My journey with Jesus continues upward, and I want to be with Him always.  He is faithfully leading me each step of the way.  Our job as believers, is to keep our eyes fixed on Him and follow where He leads.

Me He grant each of us the courage and wisdom to stay focused on Him and may our fixed focus draw other eyes to Him.

To Him be the glory and honor forever. 

                                 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~~*~*~*~*~*~

"You follow Me." ~Jesus 

Lessons from a splinter

It was the tiniest speck of a splinter in the heal of my hand, but was causing me frustration. I got it while doing work in the yard and used the normal route of tweezers to remove it. Although I managed to get the larger portion out, a tiny, nearly invisible piece remained imbedded in my hand. And it hurt!

I tried getting it out with a needle and peroxide, but to no avail.  So I waited.  I knew the body's natural healing would take its course and make the splinter fester.  When it did, I was finally able to remove the speck of annoyance from my hand.  Although it is still tender, I know the wound will now completely heal. Looking at the speck I thought of how the tiniest things can create enormous pain and frustration.  I realized there was a lesson deeper than the physical splinters we try to avoid.

As I prayed and pondered, the Lord brought to mind how anxiety is the splinter in our souls. The tiniest worry that God is not in control or able to meet our needs, creates a festering wound that only He can heal. This immediately brought to mind Philippians 4:6&7 "Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your heart and mind through Christ Jesus."

Isn't the peace of God what we all desire? 

His peace, which surpasses all understanding is available to those who find comfort under the shadow of His wings. He will heal us of the splinters and wounds in our souls if we will let Him. So when that little speck of anxiety pokes your soul - pray.  Thank God that He is showing you there are places He wants you to allow Him to heal. Ask Him to reveal the root and then rejoice as He brings about healing. 

He loves us more than we can possibly imagine and wants to heal us of everything that keeps us from living joyfully in His presence and peace. Turn to Him with your anxieties.  Trust Him to do an awesome work.

He is always faithful.

Meeting in the livingroom

 I recently had a lovely hour long conversation with my sister on the phone.  She lives in another state, and we don't get to see one another often. We do our best to stay in touch with one another and call our conversations "meeting in the living room". Because of our age difference and experiences, we don't always share the same viewpoints on things. The "living room" is a place where genuine conversation can take place. Our different thoughts and ideas are easily expressed here without concern of the others approval or disapproval. It is where we can talk candidly about things that we are rejoicing over, or are troubled about, without reservation. 

It is a safe place of acceptance and love.

Because there is a four year difference in our age, we see things from different angles. Although we were raised in the same house with the same parents, our experiences and take on life are different. We're different people.  Even though we have many common experiences and situations, we have traveled different roads in our journey of life.  The living room is where we get to share those  things and invite the other into our place on the road.

We understand that the other has a different view of things, and it grants us the opportunity to learn and see things from a new perspective. It is a place to learn and question, and to the best of our human ability, come to mutual agreement on important issues. It is also the place where grace is lived, accepting the other for their view point with no need to try to persuade or change them. It is a peaceful place of communication.  Talking, listening, pondering and loving one another.

Oh, if only more people could understand the pure joy of being able to meet there.

The well grounded soul

"You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in YAH the LORD is everlasting strength." Isaiah 26;3,4

Recently the static of the world began invading my peace of spirit. 

Last week there was a fire nearby in the canyon and the smell of smoke brought back harsh memories of four years ago when we had to evacuate, and even though our house was spared, our daughter and her family lost theirs. The fire was brought under control, but the acrid smell as we drove to town filled our noses as we drove past on our way to church and the static noise of life made my flesh respond in the momentary fight or flight. At church a friend asked how I was doing and I responded as well as possible in the current situation. When I asked her the same, she started to tell me things weren't well, but then caught herself placed her hand on her heart and said "in here, I'm OK." We both smiled and agreed.  Things around us can be difficult and make us feel momentarily unsettled, but in our souls we are well grounded.

Later that afternoon after a great lunch and sweet time visiting with our oldest son and his family we were preparing to drive back home when our daughter called us to see where we were. When I told her we were still in town, she said, "You might want to wait before trying to drive home. The road to the canyon is closed. There's another fire." My heart dropped. The thought of not being able to get home if we needed to evacuate again was foremost on my mind. Not only were all our important papers and treasured keepsakes there, but our animals. A quick call to one of our neighbors who was home gave me a bit of reassurance as she said the fire was closer to town than to our place.

Still, the static in my mind and heart persisted.

Our daughter and her family joined us at our son's house and we began discussing whether or not we would try to take an alternate route home. We then received a call from our other son that his wife had taken their youngest boy to the emergency room because he had fallen and it looked like he'd broken his arm. 

ZZZZzzzzzttt!!! the static noise of life made me flinch and groan only slightly.  My daughter across the table from me and my daughter in law sitting next to me saw my reaction.  As she touched my arm she asked "Are you ok mom?"

Fighting the rush of tears I responded. "No...not here." I said indicating my head. Putting my hand to my heart I said "but in here, I'm OK." Both girls smiled and acknowledged they understood.

We stayed a bit longer at our son's house and then decided to take the alternate route home. It meant and additional hour drive. After an already long day, physically I was beginning to feel the effects, but knew I didn't want to wait any longer. At the road block to the canyon we were told the fire had been put out (thank You Lord) but it would still be some time before the mop up was complete and the road reopened. Making the U-turn and getting on the freeway we headed home.

When we had phone reception our youngest son's wife called to tell us that it was a confirmed break on our grandson's arm. We spoke with him briefly and as only a four year old can, he informed us about all that had happened.  He sounded much cheerier than anticipated.

Once we arrived home (thank You Lord for a safe and easy drive) we let everyone know we were safe and that everything up here looked good.

This morning I spoke with all the kids and got updates. The road had been reopened allowing my son in law and oldest grandson passage to work, the four year old had slept well and didn't seem in pain, and that, in spite of the crazy day yesterday, everyone was doing well.

All this got me thinking about how static makes us react. Not only the static of dry air and rugs, hair rubbed with a balloon, but the fun of watching the response of one's hand placed on Tesla Plasma ball. (For a great demonstration of how the Tesla plasma ball works you can Google it or look on You Tube).

Static can be shocking.

It can make our hair stand on end. 

It can be sticky.

But according to Google "Grounding is a process that removes static electricity from an object by connecting it to the earth. This is done by transferring electrons between the object and the ground using conductive materials like wires, cables, clips, or clamps. Grounding can also be called earthing."

My "grounding" when life's static causes things to be shocking, sticky or even make my hair stand on end, is the faith I have in the solid rock of Jesus Christ.

My friend and I both acknowledge that when we placed our hands on our hearts and said "in here I'm OK."

Because in Him, it is well with my soul.

May the static in your life cause you to remember you are standing on the Solid Rock and are well grounded in Him.

This is not a picture of a Tesla Ball but it was the closest thing I had in my camera. May God richly bless you now and always.

Triumphs that grant us the courage to keep marching

Hooray!! I finally beat the snags that were preventing me from using my new computer effectively.  With the help of a dear friend, we were able to navigate our way through the the technological mine field and won.

Little victories make the battles worth fighting.

It is true in our spiritual journey as well. 

I don't know about you, but there are seasons where it seems like we are deep in the enemy camp and there is little or no hope of escaping unscathed. The army before us seems daunting and we have little courage to effectively battle against them.

But then God reminds us that the battle is His and all we need to do is trust Him to guide us.

I love the accounts we are given in the Bible where the impossible became a  reality. They are the triumphs we are given that grant us the courage to keep marching forward as we follow the Lord. Some of my favorite accounts are  found in the Old Testament. Like Joshua 6  where the people marched in silence around the walls of Jericho for six days and then on the seventh day shouted and the wall came tumbling down. Or  Judges 7 where Gideon and his small army defeated  a much larger army with the element of surprise using torches and trumpets. Then there's the account in 1 Samuel 17 of a small boy using a sling  and a rock to take down a giant who had been harassing the army sent  out  to defeat him.

But my favorite is told in the New Testament  in Luke and John where a miraculous conception and birth and a death and resurrection brought redemption for all who are willing to believe and receive the precious gift of grace God has given us through His Son Jesus Christ. Marvelous news of a victory that nothing can defeat.

As we prepare to celebrate what is marked on the calendars as Easter, let us remember that it is NOT about fuzzy little chicks and bunnies, or colored eggs and an overload of candy. Although these are fun  they are not the message of the true celebration. Jesus is alive. He conquered sin and death and is coming back for His people.

Celebrate the triumph. Share the good news.

The victory is ours because the battle has already been won by the Lord. 

Press on and keep your eyes on Jesus

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. For we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. " 2 Corinthians 4:17, 18 NKJV

"I would have lost heart unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD, be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart. Wait, I say on the LORD." Psalm 27:13,14 NKJV

Today is the first day in a long time that I have had a PC to use to write my blog.  My old computer finally said "enough" to my poor computer skills, and I had to say farewell to it.

Learning the ins and outs of this new PC has been challenging for this old lady, but I finally managed to get some of the things I desired up and running on it.

As I was struggling to overcome my own frustrations, I was continually reminded the importance of persevering in the face of adversity.  It's easy to give up when we feel as though there is no end in sight to the battle we are facing. That is why it is imperative to keep our eyes fixed on the Savior and not the difficulty.

 Whenever I run into a rough patch in life, I am reminded of the account of Peter walking on the water in the midst of the stormy seas. (Matthew 14:25-33) You see, I am very much like Peter in my desire to do what the Lord tells me to do and have great boldness as I start out. Like Peter, I have seen the Lord do amazing things in my life and the life of those I love. But then I get a bit distracted by the wind and the waves and the noise of the storm, and suddenly my focus shifts. And of course, when it does, I begin to sink, and the at times, wallow, in the adversity rather than returning my gaze to the Savior's face and to cry out to Him for help. But, just like Peter, when I do cry out, immediately Jesus reaches out and rescues me from my self-imposed difficulty.

Oh, what a blessed relief to know He will always save me. I am His beloved and He desires the very best for me, working all things together for my good and His glory.  (Romans 8:28)

And so, once again, I will adjust my position so I am better suited to see Him in all things and will press on. As long as I keep my eyes fixed on my Savior's face, I know I will have continual victory and peace of spirit.

May you find the same in your journey.

To everything there is a season

Today is a bittersweet day. This is the day our oldest granddaughter will be moving out of our home and back with her family. She has been with us off and on for the past 3 years. Ever since Covid and her 18th birthday when her grandfather fell and broke his neck and she rode to the hospital with us. She also waited outside in the car in the parking lot with me for hours waiting to hear an upsdate as we couldn't go in becauase of C0ovid mandates. Afterwards she stayed off and on to help me care for him as he recovered. In that same tine frame fires tore through the canyon and burned her family's home to the ground and she moved in with us.  Rebuilding has taken time, not only for my husband's physical strength, but for the new structure for her family and for her as she has adjusted to life as an adult. 

It will be a good move even though we will miss her. Especially her hugs in the morning and at night. Last night when she came home from work the hug was a little bit longer. We knew today would be bittrrsweet.

But I know her siblings and parents are especially happy they will all be together again. And for that I am happy. 

It's been quite a season. 

But as Ecclesiastes says..to everything there is a season.

So now aa I see this one close I look to the future with confidence that all things are working together for our good and God's glory. Nothing is outside of His notice or care.

So as we enter this season of thanksgiving I will thank Him for the privilege I have had to spend extra time with her. I pray it will have made a positive impact in her life and that whatever seasons she faces in the future she will be able to do so with strength.

As the oldest grandchild she has a role of leadership and I know God has great plans for her and all those whose lives she touches. 

May His blessings be upon all of them.

The Velveteen Grandma: Why I want to be the Velveteen Grandma

The Velveteen Grandma: Why I want to be the Velveteen Grandma: The Velveteen Grandma One of my favorite stories is the Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams. The story is the journey of a stuffed rabbit ...

Living the "Is" not the "What if'"

"...the just shall live by faith." Habakkuk 2:4b

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not yet seen." Hebrews 11:1

Every day I need to remind myself to live in the now. As one who likes to "have a plan" and often has a full calender, staying in the moment can be difficult. In part I think it was the way I was raised.  There was often the question mark of the"what if?" that loomed over many of us during the late 50's and 60's. (Yes, I'm that old.)  When I was in grade school I remember the drills in case of nuclear attack. As I high school student the concern was whether or not friends would be drafted to fight in the Vietnam war, and if they would survive if they were forced into service. As a young wife who saw too many families split because of divorce there was always the question of whether my marriage could survive. (I am happy to report 48 years into it we are still madly in love and holding strong.) 

The battle to avoid the pit of the"what if" continues though. The question of which one of us will proceed the other in death is frequently put before us as we age.  Worry could easily consume if we let it, 

But we have chosen instead to embrace everyday that we have together with joy and live well in the moments we have. Tomorrow isn't guaranteed for any of us.

I like how Jesus reminds me not to worry.  " Therefore I say to you do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. It's not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither so nor  reap, nor gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to their stature? So why do you worry about clothing. Consider the lilies of the field how they grow, they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?" For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all theae things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all the things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Matthew 6:25-34 

 I am continually reminding myself that it takes faith and trust to live in the "is".  But God is faithful and trustworthy and my "mustard seed" size of faith is enough. For that I am eternally grateful. May you find His grace sufficient, His love trustworthy, and your joy in Him complete.

When worry turns into wrong words

"Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth keep watch over the door of my lips.

Psalm 141:3

"Whoever guards his mouth and toungue keeps his soul from trouble."

Proverbs 21:23

"A soft answer turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness." Proverbs 15:12

The past week has been a bit stressful for our family. It was a different Thanksgiving this year as  our youngest grand daughter is currently in the hospital and other family members have been  ill.

We have faced the reality of what is, and will gather together  as soon as we are all healthy enough to do so.  Lots of prayer and communication with one another has been vital during this time. 

Sadly, I have been made aware that some of my "communication" is not as kind as it should or could be as I have allowed worry to creep in. Although I have felt the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, the splinter of doubt and the "what ifs" festered in my soul. Without warning, harsh words flew out of my mouth over something trivial. Thankfully the one to whom I spoke sharply to knows me well and is loving and forgiving, but still, I was shocked by my tone and my words.  They are not representative of who I desire to be.

Oh how well I understand Paul when he struggled with his own humanity and trying to live as Christ would have us live. (See Romans 7:10-24)

Perhaps that is the beauty in every trial we face.  God in His mercy and grace allows us to see that we need Him in every moment, in every detail of our lives. There is nothing we can do to make ourselves into His likeness other than living transparently so He can shine through us.

And so, I will offer this bit of my struggle with my own humanity in hopes of being transparent so that He can be seen. 

It is His grace that is sufficient. Nothing of myself.

And for that, I am deeply thankful.

May He grant each of us the wisdom and discernment needed each day to live in the grace He has so graciously given.

The Eyes/'I's" say it all

I have a picture of my parents that I keep where I can see it daily. Of all the pictures I have of them it is one of my favorites. Not only because it is it one of the last pictures of the two of the together, but it is the expression on their faces that makes it most dear. At the time it was taken Daddy's health was already beginning to fade and they knew they had limited time together and with the rest of us here on earth. Yet you wouldn’t see that in their faces. In the photograph they are both looking intently into the lens of the camera, so they appear to be looking you right in the eye. Oh, the message their eyes send. Even though you can detect the slightest discomfort (hers knowing her time with Daddy was drawing closer to the end and in his, the sorrow of leaving her and the rest of us) the greater reflection is of deep, deep love.

On the days when the weariness of the world threatens to steal y peace, one look at their picture and I am encouraged to continue to fight the good fight – just as they did. Neither of them was particularly “religious” in their faith, but the love for Christ and family was demonstrated daily in their lives. They lived what they believed. The “Golden Rule” “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” was carried out daily in their lives. As I ponder the deep love they showered upon e during my childhood and as an adult I am overcome with longing for their presence. I miss them. And yet, because to the courageous way they faced life and death, I am encouraged to do the same. You see, both knew the power of God’s gift in the life, death burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. They knew that His “I’s” carried the power of God, and they followed Him in confidence.

His “I’s” say: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

“I am the vine; you are the branches. He who abides in Me and I in him, bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, shall live. And whoever believes in Me shall never die.” John 11:25,26

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” John 10:11

“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” John 10:9

“I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” John 6:35

My parents’ eyes reflected confidence and love in the I’s of the One Who loves us best. It is the message I desire that all will see. In His grace and mercy we rest in confidence.

The Path we leave behind us

“He leads me in paths of righteousness, for His name’s sake.” Psalm 23:3

My husband and I have reached the age where we need to look carefully at what to save and what to purge from our lives. Even though we downsized from a larger home to a smaller one several years ago, there is still a lot that could, and probably should be eliminated. Complicating the task, in the time frame from when we moved to the smaller living space, we have also acquired things from family members who have gone to their eternal resting place. Going through our own items is difficult enough. Having to sort through the emotional attachment to theirs as well as ours often makes the task seem insurmountable.

But procrastination only makes things more difficult.

Tackling the task isn’t easy. There are a lot of memories attached to so many things, but if we don’t make some effort to let go of what is behind, we become weighed down with too much stuff. Not only that, but we will create a heavier burden for the children and grandchildren to bear. Making the right choices on what to save for them and what to get rid of isn't much fun. Although I am making a genuine effort to remove that which is no longer beneficial, I know there are many items that I won’t get rid of yet. Some of the things, like my grandmother’s 20-piece glass punch bowl set, are simply too precious. Old photos of people who I have no idea who they are, are not.

Little by little, piece by piece, I choose to leave a less cluttered path for those who come behind me to walk on. There are certainly times when I simply want to give up, but I won’t. Instead I will press forward and ask myself these questions as I do so:

• Is it useful/helpful?

• What is its value? (Emotional or financial)

• Is it worth saving?

I can’t see into the future, but I can do my best each day to make today count. Choosing to be productive in some positive way has immense benefits. Not just in the day to day feeling of accomplishing something, but more importantly, to do my very best with the time the Lord has given me. The thing I desire most to leave my children and grandchildren, is a path that leads them into a deep and meaningful relationship to Jesus Christ.

I will do everything I can while I am living to make sure that path as uncluttered as possible.

Things to remember

Learning new things in my old age hasn’t been easy, but that doesn’t mean I am unable to do so.

I spent the better part of the day working on my computer so I could use the Word program to continue my writing. It meant figuring out how to remove old unused programs and move photos to a thumb drive. I was successful in doing that (yay me) but needed my oldest granddaughter’s help to reset the computer to our new wi-fi network.

Technology has never been my strong suit as it requires using a different side of my brain. However, here I am now finally able to use my computer again after months of it being nearly inoperable. It had been sluggish and new programs wouldn’t load because of lack of space. My brain feels that way a lot sometimes. Too much information assaults me daily and I must choose the things I am going to save to my memory and the things I am going to delete.

There is immense value in remembering. After all, we need to remember our passwords and pin numbers. We want people to remember our name and things we have done that are pleasing or helpful to them. If we have done a job for an employer, we want them to remember to pay us and possibly even reward us with a bonus for a job well done. We want to remember where we parked our car when we come out of the grocery store, where we put our glasses or shoes, or the items we bought from the grocery store. We love it when people remember our birthday or during the holidays.

We don’t want to be forgotten.

And yet how quickly we are willing to forget. Or maybe our brains are simply overloaded like my poor computer and need a reset.

The news media and much of the world around us sends a negative message every day. We are bombarded from nearly every angle with things that can quickly make us feel overwhelmed. It is no wonder that people simply want to shut down or try to change things. The best way to overcome the negative is by removing what isn’t helpful and inserting something positive in its place, a reset.

Scripture tells us to have peace of spirit we are to meditate on what is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, of any virtue and anything praiseworthy. (Philippians 4:8)

For me, this has proven to be beneficial 100% of the time.

May God richly bless you today and always and may all your memory be filled with good things.