Joyeful Things

Under Construction?

2010-03-21T12:17:00.001-05:00

I've been getting the itch to write again. So consider this blog to be continued...

Blob

2008-10-17T15:05:00.004-05:00

The word 'blog' sounds a lot like the word 'blob.' The former has become the latter on Joyeful Things. Just taking up space. I was talking to my friend, Jan. She noticed that I haven't blogged since June 28th. That makes about three people that have commented about my blogosphere absence, which probably constitutes my entire readership. :) So I thought I'd write something.

My days are pretty busy. And noisy, filled with voices; engines; a variety of alarms and ringtones. And when they aren't, I try to have days that are slow and quiet. Lately, I've had more of the busy ones.

But even if I only have a wee slot of time, the most quieting thing I can do is spend it hanging out with the Lord. How Someone so immense that He creates universes and fills the heavenly Temple with the train of His robe can be so communicative and so quiet at the same time is a miracle in itself. But He's the only One in whose presence I find total peace and quiet. So I like talking to Him.

"I will listen to what God the LORD will say; he promises peace to his people, his saints—" Psalm 85:8

V ery B onny S isters

2008-06-28T10:00:00.003-05:00

This was VBS week. The most exhausting and most enjoyable week of the year, because the gkids stay with us so they can attend. This week we

- played Wii

- saw Kung Fu Panda

- played in the fountain at Shops at HV

- swam

- ate at their fave restaurant (Mama's Daughter's)

- had a fantastic pillow fight

- attended the VBS carnival

I'm feeling every bit my age today. And I haven't even finished cleaning the house after our wild week.

Happy Saturday!

So I don't forget

2008-06-20T17:24:00.002-05:00

I wanted to write this down so I won't forget it.

One of the sweetest moments occurred while we were at my mom's recently. Mom, my brother, Mike and I watched the movie Amazing Grace together one evening. It's a powerful story. When it ended and the credits rolled, we all sat quietly. Then I clicked back to the main menu and selected the Chris Tomlin music video of the title song. The silence turned from thoughtful to prayerful with an unanticipated few minutes of worship as we listened to the music. I had my eyes closed as I praised God. When I looked around, the guys were looking intently at the screen and my mother was in tears.

When the song finished, we all muttered something lame like, "Wow."

Thank you, Jesus, for the gift of a family who loves You. I don't take that for granted.

THE BODY ELECTRIC

2008-06-13T13:01:00.002-05:00

I've been addicted to watching the Discovery Health network lately.

I'm fascinated by how the human body reacts to mysterious foreign invasions.

I'm awed by how it tolerates much and regenerates itself after sustaining life-threatening injuries.

I'm thoughtful of how precious and singular is each person's life.

I'm saddened by how one's physical trial can cause so much pain for the sufferer as well as the people who love him.

I'm maddened by the inexhaustible capacity and fervor of the prince of this world to inflict pain.

I'm thankful that the Creator of the human body is sovereign and brings order out of chaos.

I'm hopeful for the Day when our-wonderfully-and-fearfully-made bodies will function as they were intended.

My mom had eye surgery yesterday to relieve pressure from glaucoma. My dad received his second radioactive iodine treatment several days ago to kill the cancer from his thyroid. My stepmom was diagnosed with tick fever three days ago and is very sick.

Have you read Isaiah 64? Part of it says,

"Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.
But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy.
I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more.
"Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; he who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere youth; he who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed." Isaiah 64:17-20

I'm looking forward to that.

Our Choice

2008-01-29T22:04:00.000-06:00

My reading schedule took me to Exodus 25 today. It's the chapter in which the Lord instructs Moses to tell the sons of Israel what He requires as a sanctuary for Him, "that I may dwell among them." He proceeds with a very, long shopping list of the choicest materials. But the part that caught my attention was verse 2:

"Tell the sons of Israel to raise a contribution for Me; from every man whose heart moves him you shall raise My contribution."

He told them what He required to have fellowship with Him, but left it up to the individuals as to what they wanted to do about it.

Jesus does the same thing in the New Testament. He tells us what is required of us to have fellowship with Him, but leaves the response up to us. We can give a little or a lot. Or nothing at all.

Has that always been in the text?

2008-01-23T12:42:00.000-06:00

In the books of Matthew, Mark, and Luke the writers tell that Jesus was wrapped in clean, white cloth. When we celebrate Easter we always see the beautiful artists' renderings of the empty grave clothes, pristine and spotless like new sheets right out of the package, draped over a slab of rock. But John adds the little detail that Nicodemus brought 100 pounds of a myrrh/aloe mixture as well. ONE HUNDRED POUNDS. So I'm picturing these clean, white cloths being soaked or pasted with a hundred pounds of spices and wrapped around the body of Jesus.

It seems to me that it would've been a sticky, time-consuming mess for someone to go to the trouble of unwrapping a dead body to steal it. Or a body that had the added 100+ pounds of spices and linens being carried out unseen and carted off to who-knows-where.

Not that I needed convincing, it was just one of those things I've read over so many times that I didn't take notice before. My thoughts during my daily reading today.

Yep. He's alive.

So What's New?

2008-01-13T22:42:00.000-06:00

It's been a long time since I've posted anything. I tried a few times and just couldn't gather my thoughts enough to write something. But it's time to get back to it.

The new year has begun. Most people have a little bit of new stuff received as Christmas gifts; a few new hopes and maybe some goals for the year; and some have carried a few new pounds into the new year!

I love the idea of newness in Scripture. King David thought it important to have a lot of new songs to sing to the Lord. (Ps. 33:3, 40:3, 96:1, 98:1, 144:9, 149:1) I guess it was the musician in him. What other new things could we offer the Lord as often as a song?

The Lord Jesus was all about new. New commandment. (Jn. 13:34) New covenant. (1Cor. 11:25) New life. (Rom. 6:4) New names. (Rev. 2:17, 3:12) I love that! It seems humorous to me now that when I was young I thought Christianity was so old and stale. How wonderful to be so wrong! Thank you, Lord, for making life new every day.

Since we're on the subject of new things, my good friend Cheryl has started a blog called The Lord is my Light. Drop in and say hi to her.

Friends

2007-11-25T15:11:00.000-06:00

"It's friendship, friendship,
Just a perfect blendship,
When other friendships have been forgot
Ours will still be hot!"

I have a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (Prov. 18:24) That's saying a lot, because I know my two brothers would be by my side in a heartbeat if I needed them. But I love how the Lord has set up the church to fill that need for his children: the need for friendships.

Job needed friends. His friends were there for him, too. (Job 2:11-13) Granted, they would've been more help to him if they'd just stuck to their first reactions: "Then they sat down on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights with no one speaking a word to him, for they saw that his pain was very great." But it's a rare friend who doesn't offer advice in a well-meaning effort to 'fix' things.

We spent the last two evenings with different friends we don't see nearly often enough. It's funny how the relationship works. We share a meal or sip coffee together; we skim magazines in a bookstore or play dominoes at a kitchen table; we talk or we listen. But in those small pursuits, a connection develops. The more frequency, the more familiar and the more familiarity, the more intimacy and consequently we have friends.

Is it that easy? I think it's supposed to be. Christians have a ready-made community in their fellow churchgoers. The word 'friend' shows up in the New Testament only 15 times, but the word 'brother' appears 101 times. Call them friends or family, God expects us to develop relationships with one another that go even beyond friendship (see Monday, 3/13/06 post for ONE ANOTHER scriptures). He never addresses the issue of being too shy to make friends. He doesn't make allowance for us to spend life alone rather than interacting with one another, because the Christian life is lived in concert.

I'm thankful that God expects me to make friends. I'm thankful that He gives me what I lack to move past shyness and self-consciousness and ask someone if they'd like to talk over coffee or something. I'm thankful for people like the ones we passed the last two evenings with, who purposefully pursue friendships the way they do and include us in their pursuit.

Just the perfect blendship.

Our Precious Moments Boy

2007-11-20T16:36:00.000-06:00

Looking Back

2007-11-18T15:23:00.000-06:00

This is my anniversary. Or birthday. Or something. Anyway, it's a special day to me. It was on a Sunday, too. I was scared, nervous, determined, and by the end of the day, elated.

This was the day I determined to let everyone know I decided to follow Jesus. I didn't understand the full scope of what that decision meant, but I'd learned enough to know it was the right thing. I stepped out into the aisle of the church to make that profession, scared to draw attention to myself, nervous about what would come next, but determined to embrace a relationship with Christ. My legs felt like they'd give out on me before I reached the front of the church, but I made it.

It was also the day I met Mike. My dad introduced us before church. A hello-nice-to-meet-you sort of thing. I had two more encounters with Mike that day. He was the minister who waited at the front of the church to counsel anyone who walked the aisle to make that public profession of faith.

This was the day I was baptized during the evening service. My baptism followed that of my dad, my uncle, and my brother. It was a family affair. And afterward Mike walked up to me to congratulate me. The rest is history. Thirty-four years of it. The Lover of my soul and my soulmate given to me on the same day.

Looking back, I thought I loved Mike 34 years ago, but I never could've imagined how much love could grow over the years. I can say the same thing about Christ- I thought I loved Him 34 years ago, too, but my love for Him has grown and hopefully matured a little. Yeah, that's what I'm thankful for this Thanksgiving: knowing love.

What really stands out in my mind is God's faithfulness through all those years. And His patience. I tried to walk away from Him once. I put other people and other things before Him many times. But when I turned away, He didn't. When I drifted, He stayed. When I displaced Him, He remained faithful.

I still don't understand the full scope of our relationship. But I still know it was the right thing.

Hebrews 13:5 says, "... for He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU..." It's true, you know.

Birthday Alert

2007-11-11T10:56:00.000-06:00

Today is Mike's birthday. You can visit his blog here and leave a birthday comment.

He says that when he was a kid his dad took him to a Veteran's Day parade and told him the parade was for him. Of course it wasn't, but I sure think he's worth celebrating!

Happy birthday, honey!

Another Birthday

2007-10-27T13:09:00.000-05:00

Thank you all for the birthday wishes. It meant a lot. I've been part of the Crossroads family for seventeen years, longer than I've ever been in any community apart from my own family. The Lord has taught me more about relationship and service and love through you than by any other means. I'm sure thankful to be a part of the CBC family!

Yarn Therapy

2007-10-17T14:26:00.000-05:00

This is another proud mama moment. My gifted daughter was interviewed about her passion for yarn in a craft art blogzine. Check it out.

That's my girl!

$14 The Hard Way

2007-10-07T16:17:00.000-05:00

We went to hear our very talented son perform in the Denton annual Rock Lottery last night. He was selected as one of 25 musicians to participate. The names were drawn from a hat to form 5 bands yesterday morning; people who've never played together before. They spent the day preparing 4 or 5 songs to play.

Here's the concert review on their performance from Pegasus News:

$14 The Hard Way

Laura Palmer
Rob Schumacher - Ghoultown, Little Big Horn
Greg Altuna - Mescalero, 420 Blues Band
Megan Carroll - Nouns Group
Ian Messerli - Valve, 100 Proof Hero

"$14 The Hard Way opened with a solid, dirty rock song featuring the low pitched, singing/yelling/talking vocals of Greg Altuna, with a melody that sounded at times similar to The Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again," or at the very least the snippet that gets repeated on CSI Miami's theme song. In creating a different sound from the other bands, $14 had the advantage of a violinist (Megan Carroll), which meshed very well into the first rock song, and took a more commanding role in the ensuing country and folk inspired tuneage. The second song featured primarily Laura Palmer singing sillier lyrics about sinning and making confessions over a folksy, bluegrass-twinged song that later broke out into more of a hoe-down. The third song of the set, and one of the best songs of the night, was introduced as being "country death." Ian Messerli opened the lyrics, singing over a what sounded more like an indie, Americana sound with wailing violin sharing the foreground. Palmer then joined in with her own verses, switching back and forth to tell the story of a couple that's destined to fail, largely because the woman plans on killing the man. The song sounded as if it was professionally composed over far more than a day's time, and for me, was the best put together song of the night. Closing on a cover song (that for the life of me, I can't place), $14 featured songs that were rich in instrumentation and written with full lyrics, which was definitely an achievement given the short amount of time allotted to all the bands."

Great job, Ian! You've got the chops!

Mother-In-Love

2007-10-02T00:01:00.000-05:00

Today is my mother-in-law's birthday. She's one of my heroes of the faith. When I was a newborn Christian, she was the woman I spent the most time around. She didn't know I was watching her each day, but I was. What I saw was a woman who loves her Lord above all else, serves her family enthusiastically, and is genuinely interested in every single person she ever meets. She has a burden for lost souls and goes out of her way to share the gospel. Her influence in my life as my spiritual mentor and second mom has had a great impact on me.

It's funny that we're going through a lesson on Naomi and Ruth this week in our women's bible study. I'd be the Ruth to her Naomi any day.

I love you, Mom. Happy birthday!

Hmmm.

2007-09-22T13:38:00.000-05:00

Okay, so I ate Raisin Bran for breakfast this morning.

That's life. Putting one foot in front of the other, right? I've been reticent to post anything since my mind went south on me. Anything I write would be so ... ordinary. I don't have any pithy observations of life. I can't put into words what God is doing in my life right now. I have no pet peeves to air. But I miss blogging and being in touch with our little community out here in cyberspace.

The Lord had me in one of those phases that feels like you're sitting in the waiting room of a doctor's office looking at your watch. You know those times? Except instead of reading women's magazines while I waited, I felt strongly urged to prepare (for what, I had no idea, but I had hopes). So I waited. Read. Prayed. Fussed. Read some more. Looked at my watch. Prayed some more. Sighed. Squirmed in my chair.

But God doesn't call our names in turn and have us step into his office to be treated. Turns out the waiting room stint IS the appointment with Him. Then He directs our steps out the door and into the lives of people. So now I'm out there. Busier than I've been since I worked full time or had young children at home. Too busy to ponder and think and write. And loving it.

I like Raisin Bran. I like being ordinary and going about God's business. Maybe I'll post about some more of that.

Just hope my mind is enjoying the time off. Sure seems to be taking its sweet time!

Lifehouse

2007-09-06T23:02:00.001-05:00

This reminds me to thank Him anew

What a Trip!

2007-09-03T10:10:00.000-05:00

"A Korah psalm. What a beautiful home, GOD of the Angel Armies! I've always longed to live in a place like this,
Always dreamed of a room in your house, where I could sing for joy to God-alive!
Birds find nooks and crannies in your house, sparrows and swallows make nests there. They lay their eggs and raise their young, singing their songs in the place where we worship. GOD of the Angel Armies! King! God!
How blessed they are to live and sing there!
And how blessed all those in whom you live, whose lives become roads you travel;
They wind through lonesome valleys, come upon brooks, discover cool springs and pools brimming with rain!
God-traveled, these roads curve up the mountain, and at the last turn--Zion! God in full view!
God of the Angel Armies, listen: O God of Jacob, open your ears--I'm praying!
Look at our shields, glistening in the sun, our faces, shining with your gracious anointing.
One day spent in your house, this beautiful place of worship, beats thousands spent on Greek island beaches. I'd rather scrub floors in the house of my God than be honored as a guest in the palace of sin.
All sunshine and sovereign is GOD, generous in gifts and glory. He doesn't scrimp with his traveling companions.
It's smooth sailing all the way with GOD of the Angel Armies."

I love Psalm 84 in the Message, What really stands out to me is the phrase "whose lives become roads You travel." We often use the word, 'walk', to describe our relationship with Christ or our journey toward spiritual maturity. The truth is, it's God's walk too, His journey. Like the lyrics of the old hymn, In the Garden, "He walks with me and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own."

The realization that the living, sovereign God of hosts is my traveling companion through life is huge! He chooses to stay with me through lonesome valleys and up the mountain until I see Him in full view! And as verse 11 says, He's generous in gifts and glory and doesn't scrimp with His traveling companions.

I needed to be reminded of this today. How I'm feeling or whatever I'm experiencing have no bearing on God's presence in my life. He's right here with me. He never leaves me or forsakes me. (Heb. 13:5)

There Can Be Only One

2007-07-22T14:40:00.000-05:00

Mom came home with us from Arkansas so I haven't been spending much time on the internet. Here's an update:

She didn't win Ms. Senior Arkansas. This being her first time in the pageant, we discovered that the women who win have been in the pageant at least three times before. So now we (all of the family women who attended, that is) feel certain we know what it would take for her to win next year. We're already cooking up ideas for hairstyle, gowns, talent, everything. Next year, Mom! Next year!

The winner was an amazing 80-year old woman who performed a 2 1/2 minute Charleston dance with wonderful energy. She'll represent the Age of Elegance well during her reign as Miss Senior Arkansas.

We weren't able to get any decent pageant photos either, but when I receive her official photo, I'll post it. In the meantime, I've posted one of her at the pageant luncheon with her certificate of participation.

The next photo is from left, my step-niece Cassie, stepsister Sandi, Mom, me, Lindsay & baby G.

The last photo is of the Fat-Bottomed Girls (from a Queen song, "Fat bottomed girls, you make the rockin' world go round!")- three generations of Horton women plus one fourth generation, the soggy bottom boy.

The Girls

2007-07-12T23:40:00.000-05:00

Lindsay and I (and baby G., of course) are heading to Arkansas for the weekend to attend the Senior Miss Arkansas beauty pageant. My mom is a contestant.

I'm looking forward to some "face time" with my daughter. Usually we try to have conversations with the three mini-shes around, which proves a challenge if not an impossibility, so this will be nice.

I'm looking forward to seeing my mom in the pageant. I know she'll be a shining stand-out in the crowd of contenders, whether she wins or not. She's a very cool lady. One of her friends and a couple of my cousins have told her they want to be just like her when they grow up. I say, "stand in line," because Lindsay and I have the genetic advantage there.

I'm looking forward to a reception at my aunt's house after the pageant. We have all the Fat-Bottom Girls coming (the moniker we ended up with after last year's mother-daughter reunion: see The Family That Plays Together, posted 6.13.06) plus ten or twenty other relatives, some of which Lindsay has never met.

Mom's talent in the pageant is a monologue from the book, The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood. Seems appropriate. I don't think Lindsay and I will be returning with any secrets, but our Fat-Bottom Girls can definitely give the Ya-Ya's a run for their money!

I'll fill you in upon our return next week.

Not Cut Out For Religion

2007-07-11T09:54:00.001-05:00

I came across this poem by Jude Simpson on www.rejesus.co.uk, a great site. Tell me what you think of the poem.

I'm baack.

2007-07-09T11:59:00.000-05:00

I took a break for a bit from blogging. Too much time doing and not enough time thinking to compose a post, I guess. But as you know from reading Mike's blog, we just returned from a refreshing week in Colorado with the most wonderful friends. We walked up and down the roads of Breckenridge, gasping for air. We rode the motorcycles up, down, and all around. We visited with old friends and got to know new friends. It was great!

Captions for the pictures:

1. Mike and I at Turquoise Lake in Leadville, CO.
2. The gang at Loveland Pass: Mike, me, Darlene, Jay, Cathy, and Loy.
3. All of us stopping for lunch in Estes Park. That's Way Cool Caleb in the very front.
4. Yep, the only wildlife Mike saw. So he rewarded them with sunflower seeds.

I look forward to catching up with you all through your blogs and keeping up with mine, too!

Where I Live

2007-06-11T11:34:00.000-05:00

Having just finished the Nora Ephron book I referred to in my last post (it took me all of three weeks to read a 137 page book- I'm definitely slacking), I'm going to steal her idea for the book's 10th essay, entitled "Where I Live" and rewrite it to fit my own whereabouts:

1. I live in Lewisville, Texas. It isn't a city I would've circled on a map as one of the top ten places I'd choose to live. In fact, we used to pass through Lewisville on I-35 from Oklahoma as we headed to Dallas for Rangers games and family weekends at Six Flags, and I don't think I could've even told you the name of this town. I just remember watching the west side of the freeway for the funky little building with sea creatures painted on the eaves, before we passed the mall with the blue lights on top. But here I've lived for 17 years and watched it grow from a bucolic little bedroom community to a thriving city on its way to being a major shopping mecca in north Texas. I've also watched it grow in my heart from just another city in a long list of places I've lived, to the spot that's become more my home than anywhere I've ever lived.

2. I live in a tract home. It's built over a creek bed. The foundation is shot. We never know which doors will be stuck when we go to open them and which ones will refuse to latch at all. Every wall in the house has cracks in it. A typical deluge of Texas rain will flood our living room faster than a cockroach can outrun a shoe heel. But I love the smallness of it and the clutter of it and the giant birch and maple trees in our front yard and the fact that we're centrally located to just about everywhere we need to go. Our world shrunk considerably when Mike started working at CBC and I quit my job in Addison. Now we seldom venture out of our grooved paths to the church or the grocery store or the closest restaurants. Except for the groove we're working on ever since our kids moved to Denton.

3. I live on my 'chair-and-a-half.' It's located directly across from Mike's recliner and across the room from the TV. Half of my chair-and-a-half is covered with books: right now, they are the aforementioned Nora Ephron book, I Feel Bad about My Neck; two bibles; my journal; my planner; a Wiersbe commentary; Every Woman in the Bible by Sue and Larry Richards; a Nelson Illustrated Bible Handbook; and two yellow folders full of study prep papers and info. Perched over the pile of books is my IKEA side table which holds my laptop. Behind my head are the telephone and TV remotes, precariously balanced on the back of the chair. Behind the chair is a wastebasket, out of sight but oh, so handy. And to my right, a little table stocked with everything I could possibly need to fan myself, soothe a sore throat, mark my bible, do my nails, blow my nose, quench my thirst... You get the idea. This is my office. This morning I've already taken three calls, caught up on blog reading, used the online dictionary thrice, finished a book, and wrote this blog post. Hopefully I'll get to the bible reading next. I get a lot done in this spot!

4. And like Ms. Ephron, I live in my kitchen. I only cook a couple of times a week, but it's still the most important room in the house. Tonight I'm making taco salad. I've never counted how many times a day I'm in my kitchen, but I think I'll start keeping tabs. How many times and how long each time. Really, I do have better things to do with my time, but I AM curious. Sometimes I go in there to look for anything that would pass as a snack. I can get pretty creative since I try not to keep snacky stuff on hand. We do happen to have some pretzels and some Laughing Cow, which I've discovered make a pretty tasty combination. Usually I go in there to get something to drink- coffee, a glass of iced tea (made fresh daily, year round), or a bottle of water. Sometimes I go in there just to peek through the blinds. Right now the city is tearing up our street and every time the equipment pounds the asphalt to break it up, the house shakes. I have mental images of a giant sinkhole under our house from the bad foundation being jarred by the pounding, and our floor finally succumbing to gravity, pulling Mike and me and the dog down with it. Hopefully, we'll just end up with a nicer street.

I Feel Bad

2007-05-28T17:50:00.000-05:00

I'm still reading I Feel Bad about My Neck, by Nora Ephron. It's a hilarious collection of essays that address issues of middle-aged women. All the more humorous because I can identify with it. What is it about human beings that we find comfort in affinity and commiseration? I know we're created for community, but we carry it too far sometimes. In the extreme, it manifests as racism. In the everyday, as a living room full of friends who unwittingly divide themselves into groups of males and females.

Even in the church, we can choose to attach ourselves to a weekly small group made up of members with matching demographics. That can't always be good. Wouldn't it be better for us to congregate with people in different life circumstances? We have a lot to learn from each other.

I guess we do learn about ourselves by hanging around with people like us. We can compare and contrast the way we're doing life and see if we're doing okay or if we're completely abnormal. We find an affirmation of identity together. But we also tend to shy away from expanding our comfort zones to include people whose journeys differ from our own. What are we afraid of?

Drawing a Blank

2007-05-23T22:41:00.000-05:00

I'm sorry to you nice people who read my blog. I've just been SO blank-minded when it comes to writing a new post! The time I used to spend writing long posts is hard to come by right now, and when I sit down to free-write nothing comes to this old blank mind.

Do you ever have times when you know the Lord is teaching you stuff, but you just don't know what it is yet? I'm not a very observant person so it takes me a long time to catch on. But when I can put into words a truth that's worked its way into my head/heart, you'll be the first to know. In the meantime, I'll try to post bits about everyday life.

Right now, I am mostly very thankful that things are going well. I can boast that our God shows His love for us in each and every day, and I don't have to look too far to see His many blessings.

Psa 44:8 In God we have boasted all day long, And we will give thanks to Your
name forever. Selah.

Welcome

2007-05-17T09:52:00.000-05:00

Hey, y'all! Check out the newest member of our blogging community from CBC at Crumbs from Cookie! Great posts, C.

Proverbs 14

2007-05-14T12:27:00.000-05:00

Here's my paraphrase of Proverbs 14:4-

"Where no family is, the house is clean. But much joy comes by the presence of loved ones."

Acorns to Oaks, part 2

2007-05-12T18:08:00.000-05:00

Oops. I said I would post next about the discussion regarding how one grows in one's faith.

Thank you for the great comments on what helps you grow.

The late J. Hampton Keathley, III , Th.M., pastor, writer, and teacher, compiled a great list of bible verses on what he called the Faith-Rest Life:

Faith can and must grow or it will become inactive, non-functional, and dormant.

The classic illustration of this is James 2:14-20.

James 2:14-20 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can this kind of faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacks daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, keep warm and eat well,” but you do not give them what the body needs, what good is it? 17 So also faith, if it does not have works, is dead being by itself. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith without works and I will show faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; well and good. Even the demons believe that—and tremble with fear. 20 But would you like evidence, you empty fellow, that faith without works is useless?

As seen above, biblical faith does not operate out of a mindless vacuum. It is related to what we know and are thinking. The content of our minds, the stuff we think with, is that which gives validity, vitality, and growth to our faith. Bible doctrine gives faith the right object or direction, expression, power, and vigor. How, then, does our faith grow?

(1) Faith grows by hearing and learning the Word.
Romans 10:17 Consequently faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the preached word of Christ.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 And so we too constantly thank God that when you received God’s message that you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human message, but as it truly is, God’s message, which is at work among you who believe.

(2) Faith grows by the ministry of the teaching, verifying work of the Spirit of God.

John 16:11 and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.

Romans 8:16 The Spirit himself bears witness to our spirit that we are God’s children.

Ephesians 3:16-20 I pray that according to the wealth of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inner person, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, so that, because you have been rooted and grounded in love, 18 you may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and thus to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who by the power that is working within us is able to do far beyond all that we ask or think,

1 John 2:27 Now as for you, the anointing that you received from him resides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things, it is true and is not a lie. Just as it has taught you, you reside in him.

1 John 3:24 And the person who keeps his commandments resides in God, and God in him. Now by this we know that God resides in us: by the Spirit he has given us.
(3) Faith grows by the variegated trials of life which cause people to look to the Lord and His provisions for life.

James 1:2-4 My brothers and sisters, consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything.

(4) Faith grows through the encouraging, teaching, and supporting ministries of other believers.

Ephesians 4:11-16 It was he who gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, that is, to build up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God—a mature person, attaining to the measure of Christ’s full stature. 14 So we are no longer to be children, tossed back and forth by waves and carried about by every wind of teaching by the trickery of people who craftily carry out their deceitful schemes. 15 But practicing the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ, who is the head. 16 From him the whole body grows, fitted and held together through every supporting ligament. As each one does its part, the body grows in love.

1 Thessalonians 3:2 We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen you and encourage you about your faith,

1 Thessalonians 3:10 We pray earnestly night and day to see you in person and make up what may be lacking in your faith.

1 Thessalonians 5:11-14 Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, just as you are in fact doing. 12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who labor among you and preside over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them most highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish the undisciplined, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient toward all.

Straight from the divinely inspired Word of God, a well-rounded admonition of the faith-rest life.

Regarding my original questions, "How do I grow in my faith? Where do I go from here? What do I have to do," the focus is addressed in that very last scripture passage, 1 Thess. 5:11-14. The most important thing that happened in the lives of the women I talked to when they were new believers was that one or more mature Christian individual(s) stepped up to walk with them as they began following Jesus. They each had someone to help them discern truth, to show them how to find things in their bibles, to encourage them along the way. Someone who mentored them.

Mike and I were discussing the subject of mentoring. He mentioned the relationship between Paul and Barnabas, and Paul and Timothy. We cannot do it alone. He said, and I quote (because I thought it was great), "It's like trying to dress for the prom without a mirror!"

We do all need mentors in the faith. We need someone to admonish us when we're undisciplined, comfort us when we're discouraged, help us when we're weak. (1Thess. 5:14) We need to be that someone for somebody else, too.

Today's Q and A

2007-05-11T22:06:00.000-05:00

Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?

A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a lamb eat? Leaves and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a kabab is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken.

Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?

A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain. Its only the misconception, that narrow minded people have. So, Bottoms up!

Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?

A: YOU'RE NOT LISTENING!!! Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil.How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?

Q: Is chocolate bad for me?

A: Are you crazy? HELLO ...... Cocoabeans ... another vegetable ! It's the best feel-good food around!

Q: Is swimming good for your figure?

A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.

Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had About food and diets.......... Issued in public interest!!

Acorns to Oaks

2007-05-06T11:16:00.000-05:00

"How do I grow in my faith? Where do I go from here? What do I have to do?" My nephew, Joe, asked me those questions a few days ago. A day later, when I met with a group of women, I asked them how they would've answered Joe - what did they see as key to spiritual growth? I'll tell you what they said in my next post. First, though, I'd like to see how YOU would answer him. How do you grow in your faith? Where do you go from here? What do you have to do?

2Pe 3:18 "but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."

Broken People

2007-04-26T08:50:00.000-05:00

I was humbled by this chart and am still thinking and praying about the attitude of my heart since reading it. Hope it speaks to you as well. Click on each page to read it.

(Adapted from a message by Nancy Leigh DeMoss)© Life Action Ministries, P.O. Box 31, Buchanan, MI 49107-0031

And oh, the fun we had

2007-04-24T09:18:00.000-05:00

Monday at Grandpa Mike & Gran's

2007-04-24T09:15:00.000-05:00

In the Company of Women

2007-04-20T12:15:00.001-05:00

"Women always need other women to come alongside and speak their language: the language of the heart and of feelings. We shape each other's attitudes and self-definitions as we converse, and from each other we learn what it means to be female."
author, Brenda Hunter

I've spent four days this week in the company of women. For three of those days, I joined three other staff wives to attend a "wives of men in ministry" retreat in Tyler. As the retreat time grew closer, I vacillated as to whether I wanted to go or not, unsure that I'd be comfortable outside of my fishbowl for three days. But I'd paid my fee and committed to go, so I went. And my trepidations were unwarranted. I was blessed beyond measure.

There's something so healthy about hanging with other women who share some same life experiences as you. Women who "speak your language." Being in the company of other CBC wives was comforting and affirming, besides just being a lot of fun. And the camaraderie of pastor's wives from all over the country who could identify with my joys and frustrations gave me a sense of sorority and unity I've never before experienced . God knew it was just what I needed.

The fourth day was yesterday. It was the last day of our church's weekly women's bible study until we reconvene in new groups next fall. The last day is always bittersweet. We had a great brunch and some fun activities to end the year. But it was with the knowledge that our little group- in which we've all grown so close through sharing the Word and bearing one another's burdens and caring about each other's lives- would be disbanded.

Once upon a time in my life I was known to reveal in conversations that I didn't like hanging out with women. I felt I couldn't trust them and was loath to open up to any woman. But the Lord has so changed my heart over many years to love and appreciate people of my own gender as sisters and fellow travelers on a difficult journey. He loves me and speaks to me through countless women and gives me opportunity for blessing upon blessing to be used of Him in their lives as well. I am so thankful for the women in my life. And thankful to experience God's feminine side, as we are all created in His image.

"Iron sharpens iron, So one (wo)man sharpens another." Prov. 27:17

Secret Identity

2007-04-13T00:28:00.000-05:00

After a few recent conversations I've realized that many Christians, including myself, share something in common with comic book superheroes: a secret identity. There is a distinct difference, though. The legendary superheroes knew who they really were and kept it concealed, only making it visible when needed for the common good. We Christians tend to conceal the fact that we don't really know who we are. We know what the God of the Bible says about us, and we're very adept at talking the talk, but we don't truly believe it.

I want to believe it wholeheartedly. I want to be so secure about my identity in Christ that I passionately spark the same certainty in other believers!

We're prone to rail against Christians who pick random verses from the Bible and build a theology around them. But aren't we guilty of the same thing when we believe in creation; the virgin birth; the death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ and His deity and yet we don't believe we are who God tells us we are? We listen to that familiar voice in our heads, the voice born of sin and nurtured by every sinister word and deed ever perpetrated against us, and we find it easier to believe than the God-breathed written Word and the witness of the Holy Spirit. Sin's voice is strong. But Christ's voice is stronger still, and we know His voice. (Jn. 10:27-29)

Let's invoke the corny, old, Christian adage, "God said it. I believe it. That settles it." I think it was so popular because it rings true. Here are a few things which God does say about us, His children:

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy but now you have received mercy."
1 Peter 2:9-10

"For you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness."
1 Thessalonians 5:4-5

"For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance from until the end."
Hebrews 3:14

"You also, as living stones are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."
1 Peter 2:5

"You are the salt of the earth."
Matthew 5:13

"You are the light of the world."
Matthew 5:14

"Now you are Christ's body, and individually members of it."
1 Corinthians 12:27

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them."
Ephesians 2:10

"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household."
Ephesians 2:19

"Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ."
2 Corinthians 5:20

"And having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness."
Romans 6:18

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come."
2 Corinthians 5:17

I'm confident that God has begun a good work in me and will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. (Phil. 1:6) He wants me to know my true identity. He doesn't like secrets. Say it with me now, "God said it. I believe it. That settles it."

How I Spent Easter Sunday

2007-04-09T10:47:00.000-05:00

Thank you, Lord Jesus.

Who is Jesus?

2007-04-06T20:31:00.000-05:00

Consider the themes of the sixty-six books:

In Genesis, He is the Creator God.
In Exodus, He is the Redeemer.
In Leviticus, He is your sanctification.
In Numbers, He is your guide.
In Deuteronomy, He is your teacher.
In Joshua, He is the mighty conqueror.
In Judges, He gives victory over enemies.
In Ruth, He is your kinsman, your lover, your redeemer.
In I Samuel, he is the root of Jesse;
In 2 Samuel, He is the Son of David.
In 1 Kings and 2 Kings, He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords
In 1st and 2nd Chronicles, He is your intercessor and High Priest.
In Ezra, He is your temple, your house of worship.
In Nehemiah, He is your mighty wall, protecting you from your enemies.
In Esther, He stands in the gap to deliver you from your enemies.
In Job, He is the arbitrator who not only understands your struggles,—but
has the power to do something about them.
In Psalms, He is your song—and your reason to sing.
In Proverbs, He is your wisdom, helping you make sense out of life and live it successfully.
In Ecclesiastes, He is your purpose, delivering you from vanity.
In the Song of Solomon, He is your lover, your Rose of Sharon.
In Isaiah, He is the mighty counselor, the prince of peace, the everlasting father, and more. In short, He’s everything you need.
In Jeremiah, He is your balm of Gilead, the soothing salve for your sin-sick soul.
In Lamentations, He is the ever-faithful one upon whom you can depend.
In Ezekiel, He is your wheel in the middle of a wheel—the one who assures that dry, dead bones will come alive again.
In Daniel, He is the ancient of days, the everlasting God who never runs out of time.
In Hosea, He is your faithful lover, always beckoning you to comeback—even when you have abandoned Him.
In Joel, He is your refuge, keeping you safe in times of trouble.
In Amos, He is the husbandman, the one you can depend on to stay by your side.
In Obadiah, He is Lord of the Kingdom.
In Jonah, He is your salvation, bringing you back within His will.
In Micah, He is judge of the nation.
In Nahum, He is the jealous God.
In Habakkuk, He is the Holy One.
In Zephaniah, He is the witness.
In Haggai, He overthrows the enemies
In Zechariah, He is Lord of Hosts.
In Matthew, He is king of the Jews.
In Mark, He is the servant.
In Luke, He is the Son of Man, feeling what you feel.
In John, He is the Son of God.
In Acts, He is Savior of the world.
In Romans, He is the righteousness of God.
In I Corinthians, He is the rock that followed Israel.
In II Corinthians, He the triumphant one,giving victory.
In Galatians, He is your liberty; He sets you free.
In Ephesians, He is head of the Church.
In Philippians, He is your joy.
In Colossians, He is your completeness.
In I Thessalonians, He is your hope.
In I Timothy, He is your faith.
In II Timothy, He is your stability.
In Philemon, He is your benefactor.
In Hebrews, He is your perfection.
In James, He is the power behind your faith.
In I Peter, He is your example.
In II Peter, He is your purity.
In I John, He is your life.
In II John, He is your pattern.
In III John, He is your motivation.
In Jude, He is the foundation of your faith.
In the Revelation, He is your coming King.

And Jesus asks, "But who do you say that I am?" (Mat 16:15, Mar 8:29, Luk 9:20)

Marlie

2007-04-04T22:05:00.000-05:00

I have a friend who's a prolific paper artist. She can create beautiful greeting cards, bookmarks or picture frames with just about any paper material she can get her hands on. And she does it to the glory of God. She takes the opportunities the Lord gives her with her art, her generosity, and her very, sweet spirit to reach out to others and encourage them. She never complains about the hardships in her own life and she certainly has plenty of reasons to complain with debilitating health issues, financial hardships, losses she's suffered. She's a godly influence in my life. I'm proud to call her my friend.

"...whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." 1Cor. 10:31

Dinner and a Funeral

2007-03-28T13:12:00.000-05:00

Last night, Mike and I went out. We headed for Denton and pulled into an Applebee's parking lot for a quick bite, but there wasn't one parking spot to be had so we left, ending up in a small, upscale restaurant off the Square. Upon entering, we were seated at a small table against the wall and left to ourselves. We had time for a brief perusal of our menus before our server approached. The young man was clad all in black and had long, dark hair: a sort of rico suave kind of air to him. How he interjected the word "existential" into his query of what beverages we would like is a mystery. But he did, and we ordered, and he left. He returned with our meals and wished us a "bon appetit." Cheeky waiter. A philosophy or theater major at UNT perhaps?

Food was good. Conversation was good. We enjoyed dinner and a chance to catch up on the day's events. We lingered over our iced tea. Lingering in a restaurant is a rare happening for us. I liked it.

Our dining experience at an end, we left for our next engagement. A funeral. Or more accurately, a viewing. Mike's doing the funeral this morning. The mother of our son's friend went on Sunday to be with Jesus.

We walked up the steps of the funeral home, parting a sea of strangers who were lounging about, smoking and talking. When we entered through the front door we were greeted by an army of uniformed county jail detention officers crowded into the small space of two rooms, all eyes on the newest comers. They were paying their respects to one of their own. Our son's friend stood in the doorway to a side room. We made our condolences.

I followed Mike into a back room in search of the director to confirm details for the impending service. We found him, in a viewing room empty but for the elderly woman at rest in her casket, probably looking more elegant than she had in years. As he and Mike conducted their business, I kept stealing glances at the lady in the box, wondering where her family was; pondering her life and what suffering led to her ending up in this place; hoping she was with the Lord for her eternity. To say it was a surreal moment would be an understatement. Two men casually talking, the funeral director making light-hearted banter, with a dead person not ten feet away.

We eased our way back through the wall of beige uniforms and emerged from the smoky swell of people outside to our car and drove away. Mike said, "Dinner and a funeral." I said, "Yeah, the typical life of a minister's wife!"

Holding Hands

2007-03-28T12:22:00.001-05:00

I love otters. I'd call these two Mike and Joye.

Pac-Man Live Action

2007-03-24T14:47:00.001-05:00

Pac-Man returns!

Bother

2007-03-23T15:04:00.000-05:00

Have you heard of the psychology of Pooh? As in Winnie The? Mike and I have a tendency to categorize some people as one of the Hundred Acre Wood inhabitants. Helps us love even the hardest to love when we see them as cute, cuddly plush toys in Christopher Robin's nursery.

I always fancied myself as a Winnie the Pooh: never flustered, always practical, simple in his wants and needs. I'd love to be a Tigger, though, bouncing my way through life as if it were one long party and pulling everyone in my path along with me. I took three different Pooh personality tests online to categorize myself. Three different ones because I was surprised and disappointed with the results each time. Turns out in two of the quizzes that I'm an Owl: the one who spouts inaccurate trivia and struggles with dyslexia. The third test I took didn't have an Owl option for a result, so I ended up being an Eeyore.

"Good morning, Eeyore," said Pooh.
"Good morning, Pooh Bear," said Eeyore gloomily.
"If it is a good morning, which I doubt," said he.
"Why, what's the matter?"
"Nothing, Pooh Bear, nothing. We can't all, and some of us don't. That's all there is to it."
"Can't all what?" said Pooh, rubbing his nose.
"Gaiety. Song-and-dance. Here we go round the mulberry bush."

Enough said.

I tried to find an online Apostle Personality Test, but I didn't. Just sounds loftier to be able to say, "I'm a Peter," or "I'm an Andrew," than to say, "I'm a WOL (Owl's spelling of his own name)" or "I'm an Eeyore."

Personality tests aside, I want to see myself as God sees me. Not the bad part of me, I do a good enough job of being keenly aware of that (maybe I'm more like Eeyore than I care to admit), but the good part. The part that's like Jesus.

Oh, to be more like Jesus. It isn't anything I can accomplish in myself, of course. The more I desire it, the more aware I become of my true corrupt condition. I guess I'm in good company. (Rom. 7:18-24) I'm just thankful that God can use me such as I am. And He's working in me to be more like Jesus as much as is possible until That Day. (1Jn. 3:2)

A Psalm of David

2007-03-20T22:11:00.000-05:00

I will give You thanks with all my heart; I will sing praises to You before the gods. I will bow down toward Your holy temple And give thanks to Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word according to all Your name. On the day I called, You answered me; You made me bold with strength in my soul. Psalm 138:1-3

You gotta smile

2007-03-19T12:56:00.000-05:00

Church Bloopers

2007-03-19T01:04:00.001-05:00

We attended a beautiful wedding on Saturday. It brought back great memories of my own wedding, including the blooper! Our pianist waited for me to start down the aisle before he began the Wedding March and I waited for him to start playing before I came out. So, the minutes ticked by and I didn't come out. A young man came back to check on me and told me Mike had left the room. Mike and I both thought the other had decided not to go through with it! I finally stepped out and the rest is history. Was there a mishap at your wedding?

Proud Momma Moment

2007-03-14T23:13:00.000-05:00

Our children are artists. I'm quite proud of their latest endeavors. Daughter started a knitting/spinning group which meets once a week. Son has started a sketch/tag artist's group which meets once a week on the same night of the week as Daughter's group. I think it's amazing that they think so much alike in some ways, and that they wanted to combine art and social connection. Makes a mother proud.

How to fold a shirt

2007-03-14T22:44:00.001-05:00

A few people have asked me to explain how I fold t-shirts, so I thought I'd post the video that showed me how. It's very quick and easy once you get the hang of it.

Risky Business

2007-03-09T11:46:00.000-06:00

"O, how I love Jesus, Because He first loved me," we used to sing on Sunday mornings. It's true I love Him because He loved me first. How deep does my love go? Am I willing to take a risk for Him?

RISK. I don't like that word. I am unambiguously a comfort-seeking, risk-fearing, pain-avoiding coward. But God challenges me to stretch myself. It isn't a challenge for a particular exploit, just that gentle nudging to be willing to take a risk if He asks.

In the parable of the talents (Matthew 28: 14-30), Jesus told the story of the master who entrusted his possessions to his three servants while he went on a journey. The two who respected their master and took the risk increased his assets. The one who thought ill of the master and couldn't be bothered to even put the money in the bank, was not willing to risk anything. The first two lived happily ever after, while servant number three ended up weeping and gnashing his teeth (maybe because he missed out on the partnership the master promised the two faithful ones!).

So there's that word. Risk. Jesus never told a story for the sake of storytelling, so when He tells of a master rewarding his risk-takers, we should pay attention. Why didn't He add one more servant to the story: one who risked everything the master entrusted to him and had only a pittance left when the master returned? I think it's because it was a sure thing for the servants. If they loved their master and were willing to take a risk for him, they couldn't lose. The master did leave on a journey, but returned unseen and worked behind the scenes to ensure that the talents would most certainly be multiplied. He did all the real work. The servants only perceived that they were risking their master's treasure, whereas the lazy servant was actually the one risking his master's wrath.

I'm reading a book called, Women as Risk-Takers for God, by Lorry Lutz. It tells twelve stories of "women who have dared to exercise their God-given gifts." These women are not Super-Saints. They are not intrepid adventurers for the Kingdom. They are very real women with real fears and obstacles who love Jesus so much that they were willing to take significant risks in obedience to Him. There were costs. But the cost was nothing when compared to what it cost the Master to offer them partnership (Rom. 8:17) in His Kingdom. The cost was nothing when they considered what they were willing to do for Someone they deeply love because He loved them first.

I'm inspired by all women who are risk-takers for God. I'm humbled and encouraged by the parable of the talents. I'm challenged by God to be willing to take risks in my weakness and see what He can do in His strength. His grace is sufficient. (2Cor. 12:9)

Back in the Zone

2007-03-07T15:22:00.000-06:00

Feels like I've been absent from the blogosphere for a long time. I've been sidelined with an inconvenient virus. But now I'm back and looking forward to catching up on my blog reading. And hopefully posting a few now and then.

From my reading today, one of the loveliest verses in Scripture:

"The Spirit and the bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And
let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life
without cost. Rev 22:17"

On Prayer

2007-02-28T01:00:00.000-06:00

The subject of prayer is on my mind. As important a part of the Christian life as it is, the Bible isn't filled with many how-to tidbits on prayer. We know we're supposed to pray in secret (Matt. 6:6); we're given a model of prayer (Matt. 6:9-13); we're told in what attitude we should pray (Mark 11:24-25); and we're assured that the Holy Spirit helps us pray (Rom. 8:26). Maybe we aren't given a manual of instructions because it's just talking to our heavenly Father about whatever is on our minds. I will never forget the story Jill Briscoe shared with our women's studies group about how Corrie Ten Boom conversed aloud with the Lord Jesus at the breakfast table, confounding the Briscoe children because she seemed to think Jesus was actually there at the table with them.

In the book A Severe Mercy, Sheldon Vanauken shared a conversation he had with C.S. Lewis on the subject. Vanauken wrote, "In the course of a discussion about the efficacy of prayer, he (Lewis) made the point that it was altogether healthier to find yourself being used as the answer to someone else's prayer." I felt convicted when I read that, although I'm not sure I quite understand it. I don't suppose I would know whether or not I'm being used as the answer to someone else's prayer unless they tell me. The only possibility of being an answer to prayer is to be obedient to walk in the good works God prepared for me to do. (Eph. 2:10)

That led me to look up other sagacious quotes on prayer by C.S. Lewis. Here's one: "The primary object of prayer is to know God better; we and our needs should come second." How can we know God better through prayer? The words 'praise,' 'worship,' and 'adoration' come to mind. And again, just talking to our Abba about every little thing throughout the day. (1 Thess. 5:17)

This last quote is my favorite. Mike and I have had many conversations about the purpose and efficacy of prayer. This is pretty much the gist of those conversations, but certainly it's articulated so much better by Mr. Lewis than we could ever do.

"Can we believe that God ever really modifies His action in response to the suggestions of men? For infinite wisdom does not need telling what is best, and infinite goodness needs no urging to do it. But neither does God need any of those things that are done by finite agents, whether living or inanimate. He could, if He chose, repair our bodies miraculously without food; or give us food without the aid of farmers, bakers, and butchers, or knowledge without the aid of learned men; or convert the heathen without missionaries. Instead, He allows soils and weather and animals and the muscles, minds, and wills of men to cooperate in the execution of His will... It is not really stranger, nor less strange, that my prayers should affect the course of events than that my other actions should do so. They have not advised or changed God' s mind -- that is, His overall purpose. But that purpose will be realized in different ways according to the actions, including the prayers, of His creatures."

What an unbelievable relationship we have, that we can talk to the God of all creation at any given moment! What an unfathomable privilege to have even some small part in affecting the course of events in God's plan! It isn't any wonder Jesus made time to go to the wilderness or the mountains and spend time in prayer, no matter how busy his schedule was. He depended on the relationship. He appreciated the privilege. And He set the example for us to follow.

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 comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Bullet Points, Vol. V

2007-02-22T22:55:00.000-06:00

~ I haven't had time to practice writing, so I'm very rusty. Hope I can get back in the groove.

~ My daughter has a new blog called See Lindsay Knit.

~ Today I was privy to an interesting discussion on the non-essentials of the faith. It was good to re-examine my thinking on the subject. Spiritually healthy.

~ Overheard during a conversation on why four-year-old Squeak always has to be the boy when she plays 'pretend' with six-year-old Squeal:

Squeak: "A-- always asks me if she can be the boy, she likes to be the boy."

Squeal: "Squeak, A-- never asks me if she can be the boy, and she's my best friend, so she never says that to you!"

Squeak: "Well, Squeal, sensations is sensations!"

Squeal: "What does that mean?"

Squeak: "If it's right, it works out right!"

Philosophy from a four-year-old. Go figure.

~ Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for HE IS GOOD; For His lovingkindness is everlasting. (Psalm 106:1)

Time Flies

2007-02-15T15:07:00.000-06:00

Thirty-three years ago today, I married a guy I had only known for three months. So far so good! No, really. It was a decision made straight from the heart, and sometimes those are the best ones. It was the smartest thing I've ever done. Apart from the Lord Jesus, my husband is the greatest gift God's ever given me.

In Review: Joyeful Things Blog

2007-02-14T00:02:00.000-06:00

While the new format I've adopted for this blog provides a few interesting tidbits here and there, it lacks something. Me. It seems a little impersonal, not to mention slightly lazy. So I've decided (with a little help from my friends) to revert to the old willy-nilly style of posting a few times a week on arbitrary topics. More work, but more fun and more me. For those of you who like to learn new words, I've added a word of the day feature on the left side of the blog.

Oh, and happy Valentine's Day!

On Her Shoulders: Edith Schaeffer

2007-02-13T00:09:00.000-06:00

"Our lives are statements - for better or for worse - revealing to those who follow after what we have lived and stood for, what had been most meaningful in our experience, and how successfully we have been able to instill that into the hearts of our children."

Edith Seville was born in China, where her parents were missionaries serving under Hudson Taylor with China Inland Missions. She married Francis Schaeffer in 1935, and worked as a seamstress to help pay his way through seminary.

Francis and Edith Schaeffer founded L'Abri Fellowship in Huemoz, Switzerland in 1955 as a place where men and women could come for answers to life's questions. They hosted hundreds of students in their home, Francis leading debates and discussions about God, Edith running the household which included four children, and overseeing the preparation of meals. She was known to teach visitors about Christ as they worked alongside each other baking bread or tending the gardens. The Schaeffers complemented each other in their responsibilities at L'Abri as well as in the many books they authored.

I first read an Edith Schaeffer book when I was in my 20's, A Way of Seeing. She was one of the first Christian authors I read, and made a strong impression on me as a model of what a Christian woman was like. Through the years I read others of her books: What Is a Family, Commonsense Christian Living, The Hidden Art of Homemaking. I learned a lot from her about family, prayer, raising children. She has a very unique, practical, spiritual way of looking at every day life. I consider her to be one of my mentors of faith whose books gave me godly guidance when I needed it.

Growing in Grace: How?

2007-02-12T01:25:00.000-06:00

"but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To
Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." 2Peter 3:18

How can I grow in grace? Here are some good suggestions:

If you want to grow in grace, meet God every day. Oswald J. Smith

Cultivate humility and a passion for praise if you want to grow in grace. James Packer

...what we do is the fruit of what we are on the inside. It’s the issue of root and fruit. Change in the Christian life is from the inside out and it does not generally occur overnight. Growth and change is a process. In our society we want ‘cure-alls’ and we want them overnight— but God’s Word says, “but grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ” (2 Pet. 3:18) and “as new born babes, desire the pure milk of the Word that you may grow in respect to salvation (i.e., in the sense of deliverance from sins power)... It’s a life-long process. bible.org

What would you add to the list?

For a Laugh: Judson Laipply

2007-02-10T00:17:00.001-06:00

I wish I had half the energy this guy has!

Words Worth: riposte

2007-02-09T00:01:00.000-06:00

A lovely, French word which I've seen used in countless books through the years, but have never used in real life. "A witty riposte" sounds much more elegant than "a great comeback!"

ri·poste \rih-POST\,

noun:
1. A quick thrust given after parrying an opponent's lunge in fencing.
2. A quick and effective reply by word or act.

intransitive verb:
1. To make a riposte.

(Riposte derives from Italian risposta, "an answer," from rispondere, "to answer," from Latin respondere, "to promise in return, to answer," from re- + spondere, "to promise.")

She had an agile, teasing sense of humor that included a sure grasp of the absurd and an instinct for punchy ripostes.-- Sally Bedell Smith, Diana in Search of Herself

It was an inelegant riposte, especially for one so quick-witted as Neumann.-- Peter Gay, My German Question

When she told him how much she hated being called an old trout, he'd riposte: "The trout is the most beautiful of fish."-- Angela Carter, Shaking a Leg

Optique: An Observation

2007-02-08T00:01:00.000-06:00

For some reason, I'm busier than I was when I first began blogging. It has become increasingly more difficult to actually write something. I'm a slow thinker and when I do have the time to write, it takes me two or three hours to tweak the product to my liking. Even though I am now following a posting schedule, a once-a-week essay is not easy to come up with.

So for this day, I really have only one observation, such as it is. And it is this: people all around us are hurting. Their pain comes in all kinds of forms. If you can stretch yourself even a little, reach out to someone today and be a friend; say a prayer; give a hug; make a phone call; make a lunch date; send a card; extend a kindness of some kind. It's that 'love one another' thing. And your joy might be full.

"If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you." John 15:10-12

In Review: Way Too Cute

2007-02-07T00:01:00.000-06:00

Cuteoverload.com may not be everyone's cuppa tea, but I love it. I check back every couple of days to see the latest so-cute-I-can-hardly-stand-it animals. Sometimes I get really lucky and catch new photos or video of otters. Yeah, I have a thing for otters. So check this one out, but make sure you have a little emergency insulin on hand in case of sugar overdose!

Happy Birthday, Schweers Mom!

2007-02-06T09:04:00.000-06:00

Stop by a very cool lady's blog today and wish her a happy birthday!

On Her Shoulders: Amy Carmichael

2007-02-06T00:01:00.000-06:00

"You can give without loving. But you cannot love without giving." Amy Beatrice Carmichael (1867-1901)

When we think about women of great faith on whose shoulders we stand, Amy Carmichael should come to the forefront. A selfless missionary and prolific author, she inspired others to go on the mission field, including Jim and Elisabeth Elliot.

Ms. Carmichael started the Dohnavur Fellowship in 1901, rescuing children in India from "moral and physical danger" on the streets and in the temples of India. She blended with the people there by wearing the native saris and staining her skin with coffee, so that she was able to go into the temples and find little girls sold into prostitution as temple girls. She chose a life of singleness in order to devote herself to her work. Even debilitating neuralgia did not keep Amy Carmichael from ministry. She is truly one of our greatest heroes of the faith. And I must add, my daughter's greatest hero as well!

Growing in Grace: Just Follow the Rabbi

2007-02-05T00:01:00.000-06:00

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest.
Walk with me and work with me--watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.
Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly. (Mat 11:28-30 MSG)

Has anyone ever asked you, "What's the Lord teaching you right now?" I asked myself that question this morning. I don't have an answer. Should we always know what He's teaching us at any given moment? I know what I'm reading in His word right now. I know what I'm studying in bible study. But I don't have my finger on the pulse of what God is working out in me.

I like what O.C. said in Utmost:

"Jesus Christ does not give us rules and regulations; His teachings are truths that can only be interpreted by the disposition He puts in. The great marvel of Jesus Christ's salvation is that He alters heredity. He does not alter human nature; He alters its mainspring."

That makes sense. Whatever I'm in the process of learning right now, it doesn't have anything to do with rules or regulations. It has everything to do with how to walk with Jesus. What's the Lord teaching me right now? He's teaching me how to keep company with him and how to live freely and lightly. Whatever else I learn will emerge from that mainspring.

For a Laugh: Thanks, Dar

2007-02-03T00:01:00.000-06:00

My dear friend Darlene, being a fellow granny, sent me these funnies last August. I love a chance to see things from a child's perspective. Do you recall any nuggets of wisdom imparted to you by a kid?

After putting her grandchildren to bed, a grandmother changed into old slacks and a droopy blouse and proceeded to wash her hair. As she heard the children getting more and more rambunctious, her patience grew thin. At last she threw a towel around her head and stormed into their room, putting them back to bed with stern warnings. As she left the room, she heard the three-year-old say with a trembling voice, "Who was THAT?"

*

A Sunday school class was studying the Ten Commandments. They were ready to discuss the last one. The teacher asked if anyone could tell her what it was. Susie raised her hand, stood tall, and quoted, "Thou shall not take the covers off thy neighbor's wife,"

*

When my grandson, Billy, and I entered our vacation cabin, we kept the lights off until we were inside to keep from attracting pesky insects. Still, a few fire flies followed us in. Noticing them before I did, Billy whispered, "It's no use, Grandpa. The mosquitoes are coming after us with flashlights."

*

When my grandson asked me how old I was, I teasingly replied, I'm not sure."
"Look in your underwear, Grandma," he advised. "Mine says I'm four to six."

*

A second grader came home from school and said to her grandmother, "Grandma, guess what? We learned how to make babies today." The grandmother, more than a little surprised, tried to keep her cool. "That's interesting," she said, "How do you make babies?" "It's simple," replied the girl. "You just change 'y' of 'baby' to 'i' and add 'es' "

*

Children's Logic: "Give me a sentence about a public servant," said a teacher. The small boy wrote: "The Fireman came down the ladder pregnant." The teacher took the lad aside to correct him. "Don't you know what pregnant means?" she asked. "Sure," said the young boy confidently. "It means carrying a child."

Words Worth: perigee and apogee

2007-02-02T00:01:00.000-06:00

Two for the price of one! Actually, I came across 'perigee' in my reading the other day and when I looked it up in the dictionary, 'apogee' came up as its antonym.

per·i·gee [per-i-jee] noun

the point in the orbit of a heavenly body, esp. the moon, or of an artificial satellite at which it is nearest to the earth.

[Origin: 1585–95; < F perigée < NL perigéum, perigaeum < Gk perígeion (sémeǐon limit), neut. of perígeios near, of the earth, equiv. to peri- peri- + -geios, adj. deriv. of gaǐa, gê the earth ]

"right hand holding the Seven Stars, His mouth a sharp-biting sword, his face a perigee sun." (Rev. 1:16 MSG)

ap·o·gee [ap-uh-jee] noun

1. Astronomy. the point in the orbit of a heavenly body, esp. the moon, or of a man-made satellite at which it is farthest from the earth. 2. the highest or most distant point; climax.

[Origin: 1585–95; alter. (after F apogée) of earlier apogaeum < href="http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=apo-">apo- + gáïos of the earth, deriv. of gaǐa, var. of gê the earth ]

Still Sick

2007-02-01T18:54:00.000-06:00

Squish will be in the hospital overnight. She's extremely dehydrated and receiving IV fluids. She also has a fever. She's been able to hold down some liquids this evening, so she's getting better.

Optique: Sick, Sick, Sick

2007-02-01T00:01:00.000-06:00

Enough already with the sick. Our daughter had an attack of Norvirus last week. Our little Squish is in the E.R. as I write this because she's been sick since 4:30 this afternoon and can't keep anything down. Our friend's tiny newborn is still receiving breathing treatments for RSV after being hospitalized at 2 weeks old. (Please pray for both little ones. I'll update on Squish tomorrow when we know more.) So many of us are suffering so many winter illnesses. Winter stinks.

January and February are the most contagious months of the year for viruses, and this year in particular seems to have produced some pretty virulent strains of evil germs. The best defense is still washing your hands, so as a redundant but never overstated reminder:

INDICATIONS FOR HAND WASHING

After using the restroom
After blowing or wiping the nose, coughing or sneezing
Before and after eating
When hands are obviously soiled

Soap and Water Hand Wash
Turn water on to moderate flow, use warm or hot temperature. Faucet is considered contaminated at all times.
Apply soap to wet hands and lather well.
Wash thoroughly all surfaces, including wrists, palms, back of hands. Use vigorous friction by rubbing hands together. Pay attention to nail beds and web spaces. This should take at least 10 to 15 seconds (to validate the appropriate wash time without looking at your watch, remember 10-15 seconds is approximately the length of time it takes to sing one chorus of “Happy Birthday”).
Rinse hands thoroughly with water and leave water running.
Dry hands with paper towel. Pat the skin rather than rubbing to avoid chapping and cracking.
Turn off faucet with paper towel. Dispose of towel in proper receptacle.

Alcohol gel hand wash (Purell type products)
If hands are obviously soiled, a soap and water wash is necessary
Apply a small amount of gel to the palm of the hand.
Rub hands together vigorously until hands are dry. Make sure the product has covered all surfaces of the hands and fingers.
These products are alcohol based and flammable.

Feel like you're back in grade school? Hey, maybe somebody out there learned something new! I never thought of leaving the faucet running till I could turn it off with the paper towel!

In Review: Not Too Late

2007-01-31T00:01:00.000-06:00

Today I downloaded Norah Jones' new CD, Not Too Late. I've read reviews that called this album a cure for insomnia. It is very mellow in the bluesy/jazzy style that we've come to love in Ms. Jones' music. But I don't buy her CD's for their ability to make my blood pump faster. I found it pretty reminiscent of her first album, which I still play over and over again. I do have to say that most of the lyrics are downers, full of pain and sorrow, but then why else do they call it the 'blues'? "Rosie's Lullaby" is the sweet exception, being a childlike song that recalls the innocence of "Seven Years" from her Come Away With Me album. Even with the melancholy lyrics, it's all wrapped up in the velvety package that is her lovely, dulcet voice.

On Her Shoulders: Lucy Lee Mabery-Foster

2007-01-30T00:16:00.000-06:00

Before our church women's retreat a few years ago, I had never heard of Dr. Lucy Mabery-Foster. She taught from the book of Jeremiah about walking by faith. I was the richer for it. I purchased her book, Women and the Church: Reaching, Teaching and Developing Women for Christ, and it is one of the most important books I've read on the subject of women's ministry. She also has the distinction of being the inspiration for the name of my oldest grandchild.

Dr. Mabery-Foster became the first woman professor in the history of Dallas Theological Seminary. She was Professor of Pastoral Ministries at DTS from 1990 until her death in 2002.

Here's an anecdote from Peter Culver at Christian Leadership Ministries: "It was at a time when many thought that a woman should not teach there. But her demeanor and life was so Christ-like that it did not take long for her to become one of the most popular professors there. In her success she always remained humble. For example; Dr. Swindoll asked if that first year was tough. “No, not really,” she said, “Whenever I met a critic, I would invite them to lunch. It is hard to be mad at someone who pays for your lunch.” Also, she said, she won an award at the end of that year. “Really,” Chuck said, “what kind of award?” “I won the best-dressed female faculty member in the whole school.” With that she threw her head back and laughed."

We owe Lucy Lee Mabery-Foster a debt of thanks for her legacy of wisdom, character, and biblical womanhood at its best.

God's nature does not change according to our circumstances; He is always a good God. -Dr. Lucy Mabery-Foster

Growing in Grace: A Little Help

2007-01-29T00:21:00.000-06:00

Now when the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?"

So he answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them."

Then Elisha prayed and said, "O LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." And the LORD opened the servant's eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2Ki 6:15-17

O, Lord, I pray, open our faith-eyes to know that You still dispatch angelic forces to work on our behalf.

3 Times the Fun

2007-01-27T15:34:00.000-06:00

Squeal, Squeak, and Squish spent the day with me yesterday since their mommy is down with a virus. We had the most fun. We went to a coronation party, picked flowers from a garden, sculpted in an art class, saw a movie, practiced our reading skills, and all without ever leaving the house!

For a Laugh: Rabbit vs Snake

2007-01-27T00:13:00.001-06:00

Are all rabbits as intrepid as this one or is he just crazy?

Words Worth: axiom

2007-01-26T00:01:00.000-06:00

ax·i·om (āk'sē-əm) n.
[Middle English, from Old French axiome, from Latin axiōma, axiōmat-, from Greek, from axios, worthy; see ag- in Indo-European roots.]

A self-evident or universally recognized truth; a maxim.
An established rule, principle, or law.
A self-evident principle or one that is accepted as true without proof as the basis for argument; a postulate.

I decided to post a word that we might actually use in conversation this week! This is not a new word to me, but while listening to a guest speaker last weekend who said it several times, I "noticed" it. It's usually used in reference to math and science, but Dr. Reynolds used it to define words we live by such as the sayings of this country's most prolific axiom writer, Benjamin Franklin. A sampling of some of Mr. Franklin's axioms:

"The squeaky wheel gets the oil."
"Haste makes waste."
"No gains without pains."
"One rotten apple spoils the whole barrel."

Here's an axiom from Proverbs 15:1, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger."

Dr. Reynolds' main point was that we need to think beyond axioms for truth to live by. Okay, now go use the word axiom in a sentence!

Optique: Book Musing

2007-01-25T00:01:00.000-06:00

I saw a movie a couple of weeks ago in which two of the characters were a married couple who were both famous novelists. They had a most extensive book collection in their home. Stacks of books as high as five feet tall lined the walls of every room, and up the staircase. Ooh, I thought. That is so cool. Of course, I'd rather have bookcases lining every wall in my house, it would be much easier to get to the books rather than the Herculean effort it would take to fetch one from the bottom of a five-foot-tall stack on the floor.

This book obsession is a genetic thing, I think. I remember when my dad was single; his king-size bed was covered in books except for a narrow margin on one side where he slept. My mother told me that when dad took her out on a date, it was usually to a library.

I don't fill up the bed or line the walls, but I do have a good start on a few stacks around the house. The bookcases are full, so I've taken to lining books in front of books on the shelves. I have stacks of the next books I'm planning to read; books I've read recently and am not ready to relinquish to a shelf yet (still emotionally involved, you see); books I may have need to refer back; you see what I mean.

There are courses out there that can teach a person to read more quickly. If I could read faster, I could take in more books. Ooh.

One Week

2007-01-24T22:36:00.000-06:00

It's been one week now since I changed my posting format. What do you think? Thumbs up or down?

In Review: Normal Kingdom Business

2007-01-24T00:01:00.000-06:00

OK, I admit it. I'm too wiped out to come up with anything fresh on my own right now. But I do want to recommend a book and a site that are excellent, so I'll do it with one post. Here is a review by Mindy Withrow (please visit this outstanding literary review site) of the newest book by my favorite essayist, WORLD Magazine's Andree Seu.

"Well, if I learned anything from my exclusive interview with Andrée Seu a few weeks ago, it’s that she has a lot of fans! In just two days, hundreds of readers from all 50 states and several countries dropped in to read it, and they’re still coming. Thanks for leaving comments and emailing me, and special thanks to my fellow bloggers who linked to the post, including BitterSweetLife, Semicolon, Brandywine Books, Juxtaposition, and WORLD Mag Blog.
I mentioned that I had previously reviewed her first essay
collection here, and that her most recent collection, Normal Kingdom Business, was next on the list. Like the first, this one contains much instruction, wisdom, and humor. Here’s a taste:
On Writing: “Thou shalt avoid clichés.” “Thou shalt not hold out for the perfect lead—a good lead will do.” And “Don’t freak out at a lousy first draft; no one sees it but you and God.”
Death by Detail: “I’ve asked the Lord to make me smarter, or diminish my need for sleep, so that I can be more efficient, but I’m not sure He works that way. He’ll probably say, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, My power made perfect in weakness.’ As it is, the present situation curtails my independence and keeps me nagging God for help all day long—which I suppose is the whole idea.”
Puppy Love: “Aimee wanted to name the dog ‘Artemis’ and I drew the line there, citing conscience objections and Acts 19. Aimee thought that ridiculous, but I told her I will not open the front door every day and call out the name of an ancient Ephesian goddess in the hearing of my neighbors for whom I’m praying knowledge of the true God. I won this one; the dog’s name is Spider.”
Strike up the Lyre: “Turns out there are all kinds of reasons why one likes or hates a song that have less to do with theology than with where you were when you first heard it.”
Get Real: “Story is how we learn theology…Reminding yourself of the real story is good for what ails you. If you’ve gotten too high and mighty, it reminds you that you are ‘dust.’ If you’re feeling like dust, it reminds you of your glorious destiny.”
The Older Woman (on mentoring younger women): “You will not want to be one of those ‘fruitless trees in late autumn’ (Jude 12). For in that late autumn, you are meant to bloom still. The orchard of God wants ancient sequoias whose ‘leaves remain green, and [are] not anxious in the year of the drought, for [they do] not cease to bear fruit’ (Jeremiah 17:8; Psalm 92:14). Where is the permission to dye your hair blue and grab a free senior-citizen bus pass to the Showboat Casino in Atlantic City?”
And some of the best are from the essay titled “Andree’s Aphorisms”:
“A lot of what I thought was my personality was just sin.”
“Thinking a lot is not the same as praying a lot.”
“God is the better chess player. Just obey.”
“Talent is good, but faithfulness is better.”
“My kids have a foggy recollection of things I tried to teach them, and total recall of my phone conversations they overheard from the next room.”
“If you’re not dead yet there is still time to repent.”
The spiritual weight of this volume belies its slimness!"

On Her Shoulders: Sojourner Truth

2007-01-23T00:01:00.000-06:00

Sojourner Truth is famous in history for being an ex-slave and a Suffragette who was counted as a friend to the likes of Susan B. Anthony and as a challenger to acclaimed abolitionist Frederick Douglass. I first read about her in an issue of Christian History and Biography magazine (one of the best magazines out there, in my opinion). I was so inspired by her strength and determination. Her story made a lasting impression one me. I love strong women. Most inspiring is how she remained strong through the worst of adversity by her faith in Jesus Christ. She had absolutely no fear of speaking her mind in a time when a black woman was the least among people to have a voice.

Born Isabella Van Wagener as a slave in New York, she took the name Sojourner Truth in her 40's after a life of great suffering. She lost most of her thirteen children to slavery. She escaped slavery herself one year before emancipation. She became caught up in two popular "Christian" cults of her day. She ultimately felt the strong leading of God to head East, spreading the simple gospel message of a loving God, and became a well-known speaker (with the strong Dutch accent she'd picked up in her youth) at women's rights events.

Here's an excerpt from her most famous speech:

" Then that little man in black there, he says women can't have as much rights as men, 'cause Christ wasn't a woman! Where did your Christ come from? Where did your Christ come from? From God and a woman! Man had nothing to do with Him. If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back , and get it right side up again! And now they is asking to do it, the men better let them.

"Obliged to you for hearing me, and now old Sojourner ain't got nothing more to say."

Growing in Grace: Continual Surprise

2007-01-22T00:08:00.000-06:00

Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. Prov. 16:3

You know that "staleness" we sometimes experience in the things of daily life; days when our routine tasks seem inevitably doomed to boredom and banality? Part of the curse, we tell ourselves.

King Solomon certainly must have suffered more than his fair share of tedium to have written, "Everything's boring, utterly boring-- no one can find any meaning in it. Boring to the eye, boring to the ear. What was will be again, what happened will happen again. There's nothing new on this earth. Year after year it's the same old thing." (Ecc. 1:8-9 MSG)

Must we, as followers of Christ, resign ourselves to dreary perspective on driving to work, changing a diaper, or sorting through a stack of bills? Do mundane tasks have no meaning? Oswald Chambers viewed daily living through the perspective of the exchanged life, describing it as "freshness all the time in thinking and in talking and in living, the continual surprise of the life of God." "Staleness," he said, "is an indication of something out of joint with God."

If I'm to find meaning in the little things, I have only to remind myself of what Christ has given me for life and godliness. (2 Pet. 1:3) I want to live that continual surprise of the life of God!

Here is a reminder of what we exchanged when we decided to follow Jesus:

(the following is excerpted from Association of Exchanged Life Ministries message, What Is the Exchanged Life?)

What do we exchange?

What we give up / Reference / What we get in return
Our sin / II Cor. 5:21 / Christ's Righteousness
Wrath of God / Rom. 5:1 / Peace with God
Condemnation (Hell) / Eph. 2:6,19 / Father's House (Heaven)
Death / Gal. 2:20 / Life
The Old Man / II Cor. 5:17 / The New Man
Law / Rom. 7:4-6 / Grace
Our weakness / II Cor. 12:9-10 / His Strength
Our Impurity / Heb. 10:21-22 / His purity
External morality / Eph. 1:4 / Holiness of God
Self strength / Is. 40:31 / God's Power
Hopelessness / I Cor. 1:30 / Redemption
Tribulation / Eph. 2:14 / Peace
Defeat / I Cor. 15:57 / Victory
Sorrow / John 15:11 / Joy
Despair / Col. 1:27 / Hope
Emptiness / Col. 2:9-10 / Fullness
Evil / Gal. 5:22 / Goodness
Loneliness / I John 4:16 / Love
Insensitivity / Gal. 5:22 / Kindness
Bitterness / Col. 2:13 / Forgiveness
Busyness / Heb. 4:10 / Rest
Lack of Discipline / Gal. 5:23 / Self-Control
Bondage / John 8:36 / Freedom
Darkness / Col. 1:13 / Light
Lies / John 8:32 / Truth
Poverty / Col. 2:2 / Wealth
Insecurity / Eph. 1:6 / Total acceptance
Carnal mind / I Cor. 1:6 / Spiritual mind
Harshness / Gal. 5:23 / Gentleness
Fear of Judgment / I John 4:17 / Boldness

For a Laugh

2007-01-19T23:38:00.001-06:00

I love Bollywood song and dance numbers. Here's a spoof Zach sent me. If you want to see the original song, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9l2J1I7eZk8

WORDS WORTH: umbrageous

2007-01-19T14:26:00.000-06:00

When I was a kid, one of my pastimes was reading the dictionary. My dad told me I was pedantic about words. I had to go look up 'pedantic.' He may be right. (pe·dan·tic (pə-dān'tĭk) adj. Characterized by a narrow, often ostentatious concern for book learning and formal rules: a pedantic attention to details. Synonyms: a pedantic writing style; an academic insistence on precision; a bookish vocabulary; donnish refinement of speech; scholastic and excessively subtle reasoning.)

I've decided to devote Friday's posts to a word-of-the-week. I'll post a new word each Friday, one I've recently learned or just like its wow factor (what can I say, some words have a wow factor for me!). In fact, on a trial basis of course, I'm going to devote each day of the week to a different topic. The hope is that it will spur me on to post something new each day. If I see it's too much of a bore to my faithful blogging buddies as evidenced by absolutely no comments, or not fun for me as evidenced by lack of diligence in posting, I'll revert to the old status quo: the hit-or-miss style. Give it a week, let me know what you think.

Here's the schedule:

Mondays: Growing in Grace. A short devotional.
Tuesdays: On Her Shoulders. A glimpse of historical and contemporary godly women who inspire me.
Wednesdays: In Review. Books, movies, websites, etc. Some written by me, some gleaned from the media.
Thursdays: Optique. A short essay.
Fridays: Words Worth. The word of the week.
Saturdays: For a Laugh. Things I think are funny.
Sundays: I follow God's example. On the 7th day I rest.

So, having muddied the waters, I present to you the word of the week:

um·bra·geous (ŭm-brā'jəs) adj.
1587, from Fr. ombrageux, from O.Fr. umbrageus, from umbre "shade," from L. umbra (see umbrage.)

Affording or forming shade; shady.
Easily offended; irritable.

"The fellow and the tree being both umbrageous, he sulked in the shade of the giant oak."

Is that not a cool word? Reminds me of another word. Umbrella.

Bullet Points, Volume IV

2007-01-16T23:39:00.000-06:00

~ not hanging out with my grandkids because of my onset of cold symptoms is a real bummer.

~ Squirt looked at me today! He actually looked at me! Over his mom's shoulder, but still... I'll hold him again when I'm not contagious. It's impossible to hold him without smothering the little guy with kisses.

~ I've just discovered a Christian satire website: LarkNews.com. Here's a representative article:

Homeschooler Discovers The Simpsons

AZUSA —
Andrew Griffin's grades have sagged this semester. He blames Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie. Until he entered college, Griffin barely knew The Simpsons existed. He was homeschooled in rural Idaho and had a VCR but no television stations. Now "I've got a lot of catching up to do," he says. Griffin was vaguely aware of the yellow cartoon family but thought they were "generalized symbols of cultural decadence." He believed the popular Bart Simpson "Don't have a cow, man" t-shirt was a pro-vegetarian slogan. He thought Homer Simpson was the Home Depot mascot. But Griffin is now "hooked" after discovering his roommate's collection of Seasons 1 through 12 on DVD. "We call him Rip Van Griffin" after the storybook character who slept for twenty years, says one dorm-mate. Students enjoy watching the show with Griffin because of the innocent pleasure he receives. "It's like taking a kid to Disneyland," says his roommate. "The rest of us have moved on to Family Guy, but he gets such pure joy out of The Simpsons that we turn it on just to watch him." Griffin schedules Simpson watching like a class. "I can't wait to see the next Halloween Tree House of Terror," he says. "Don't tell my folks." His roommates say they will spring Seinfeld on him next year.

~ I think my newly acquired music teacher will make learning to play hammered dulcimer a fun venture. My first impression of her - she's a very, cool lady.

~ Just once, I'd like the Lord to let me see the angels working on our behalf like Elisha did. (2 Kings 6:17)

~ There's still one Christmas decoration left to take down in my home, but it's all over the place: oodles of paper snowflakes. I promised Mike and my mom I wouldn't climb up to remove them (although I did get them up there!) until Mike can help.

~ Bleak House has turned out to be a very enjoyable book, though it took a while to endear itself to me. It might just end up in my Top 10 of all-time favorite novels, what with the quirky Dickensian characters (that Mr. Smallweed cracks me up, evil little stinker) and the mysterious case of spontaneous combustion. Also, I never knew smallpox could so disfigure a person as it did a certain young lady, and thank God I live in a time and place in which I can be ignorant of it.

~ Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for HE IS GOOD; For His lovingkindness is everlasting. (Psalm 106:1)

Day Off

2007-01-15T11:38:00.000-06:00

We’re sitting around with books in our laps and computers at our fingertips, just enjoying the day. Outside is frigid, ice-coated, uninviting. Inside is much better with a hot breakfast warming our innards and a pleasant fire from the hearth warming our 'out-ards.' I like these short-lived Texas winters.

Romans 12:9-18

2007-01-12T20:41:00.000-06:00

This is one of my favorite passages.

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;
not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the
saints, practicing hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in
mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.
Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men.
If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.

No qualifiers. No codicils. Just overcoming evil with good. Let it be so, Lord. Let it be so.

Dusty Strings

2007-01-10T10:50:00.000-06:00

I'm so excited! I'm beginning hammered dulcimer lessons next week! I don't expect to be a Rich Mullins on the thing, but it'll be great to be able to plunk out a few tunes on it.

Any one else taken any baby steps toward something you want to accomplish this year?

Pardon me while I go dust off those dusty strings and attempt to tune the ol' girl.

By the way, the actual company name on my dulcimer IS Dusty Strings.

Lady Macbeth Should've Read James

2007-01-08T17:15:00.000-06:00

Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. James 1:27

Unstained. Unblemished. Without spot. A stain does not come out. If it does, of course, then it wasn't a stain in the first place.

We are definitely touched by this world, in the world, rubbing up against the dark colors of the world. Even made dirty by some of its ungodly influence. Smudged and sullied by it. We must not let the world taint us in such a way as to leave its permanent mark. How do we keep it from soaking into our souls?

James told us. In verse 21 of the same chapter, he said to:

~put aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted. (v. 21)

~ prove ourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude ourselves. (v. 22)

~ look intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abide by it, don't become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer. (v. 25)

Rather than the world's stain, I want the word's implant. Those are my two choices. In the world but not of it. (Jn. 17:14-16) The word implanted IS the stain repellent.

Lord, help me hear your word and see filthiness and wickedness through Your eyes. Don't let me ever delude myself and forget your perfect law, but make me an effectual doer.

More on Forgiveness

2007-01-06T01:11:00.000-06:00

Christian author Dave Burchett just completed an excellent series of posts called God's Weight Loss Plan in his blog, Confessions of a Bad Christian. With his permission, here's a list from that series on things he has learned about forgiveness:

Fact 1: Our ability to forgive is rooted in the depth of our gratitude.
The parable discussed in yesterday's post (see Matt. 18:23-35) is the basis for our first fact. The foundation of forgiveness is our gratitude for the undeserved forgiveness we have received through Christ. Take some time to meditate about how much you have been forgiven. In the gospel of Luke we read about a sinful woman who washes Jesus feet with her tears and dries them with her hair.

Jesus said, "Impressive, isn't it? She was forgiven many, many sins, and so she is very, very grateful. If the forgiveness is minimal, the gratitude is minimal." (Luke 7:47) Phillip Yancey wrote about how Jesus always demonstrated forgiveness to the hurting. "I can't help noticing the tenderness with which Jesus treated people with wounds caused by moral failure. A Samaritan woman with five failed marriages, a dishonest tax collector, an adulteress, a prostitute, a disciple who denied Him-all these received from Jesus forgiveness and reinstatement, not the judgment they deserved. Jesus saw in people not what they had been but what they could be, not their past but their future." Christ has extended the same forgiveness toward us. It is an awesome act of grace that should make us overflow with a gratitude that influences our willingness to forgive others.

Fact 2: Forgiveness is an act of trusting God for justice.
Forgiving is not the same condoning or diminishing an offense. Forgiving a person who has wronged you does not mean they are "off the hook" for any consequences or judgment that may result from their actions. Forgiveness is a personal act of your will that releases the other person from your condemnation. That is all Jesus asks of you; the offender is still responsible to God for the rest. By extending forgiveness you are not saying the offense was insignificant or unimportant. You are saying that you trust God to see that justice is dispensed according to His Holy judgment and timing rather than yours.

Fact 3: Forgiveness does not require amnesia.
Forgiveness is not forgetting. The old "forgive and forget" admonition was one of the biggest barriers I faced in my journey to learn how to forgive. You know the old mental challenge: Try not to picture an elephant in the room. You can't do it. Instantly the image pops into your mind. The more I tried to be spiritually mature by forgiving and forgetting, the more my offender became an elephant in the room. That person or event was all I could think of. In time, if you entrust your need for justice for God, you will think less and less of the hurt the offense. C. S. Lewis wrote to a friend late in his life. "Dear Mary…Do you know, only a few weeks ago, I realized suddenly that I had at last forgiven the cruel schoolmaster who so darkened my childhood. I had been trying to do it for years." To try to achieve a state of forgetfulness is to set yourself up for failure and frustration.I must add, however, that while it is impossible to instantly forget we cannot to use past hurts as hammers against others. A man was complaining about his wife to his buddy. "Whenever we get in a fight she gets historical." His friend corrected him, "You mean hysterical." He said, "Nope, historical. She dredges up my past and reminds me of every thing I've done wrong in our marriage." You may not forget the offense, but you can choose not to hold it against that person. Don't get historical.

Fact 4: Forgiveness does not require reunion.
Forgiveness and reconciliation are not the same. Certainly it is a worthy goal to have the gift of forgiveness lead to the restoration of a damaged relationship. But it takes two people to reconcile, and you have no control over anyone's response except your own. Your offender may not respond graciously to your forgiveness. He or she may not be ready to acknowledge their part in the offence, accept forgiveness, or desire to be reconciled. Again, all that is required of you is to extend the grace of forgiveness. Remember, forgiveness is an overflow of gratitude for how much we have been forgiven. If I put on a mournful face and declare that I will forgive my brother "because someone has to be mature and take the bullet," well, that is not quite what Jesus had in mind. Puffing myself up with the false humility of martyrdom (e.g., heavy sigh…I guess I have to be the "Christian" here) is not "forgiveness." That cannot restore me to my brother or to my Lord.

Fact 5: Forgiveness is an act of the will.
It is not a response to feelings. Forgiveness requires choice and faith, just like every miracle. If we decide to wait until we "feel" like forgiving (or worse, wait until the other person makes the first move) we will remain spiritually stuck. We must choose to forgive, and to trust God to eventually change our feelings. The Holy Spirit will reshape our feelings over the course of time.

Fact 6: Forgiveness does not mean you do not acknowledge the offense.
Jesus is not asking us to ignore reality. After all, if we have not been wronged, there is nothing to forgive. He is asking us to acknowledge how much we have been forgiven and to extend the same courtesy to others. Forgiveness is acknowledging the offense without cover-up or excuse and still choosing to forgive.

Fact 7: Forgiveness is not denial of the hurt.
Pride will often cause us to "not allow the person who hurt us the satisfaction" of knowing we are wounded. That is absurd. Acknowledge the reality of the injury, but make the choice to be healed.

Fact 8: Forgiveness eliminates revenge as an option.
The late author Lewis Smedes makes a brilliant point about revenge. No matter how much we try "we cannot get even; this is the inner fatality of revenge." When we start trying to get even, we have lost. How many times must I gossip about you to get "even" for the hurt you caused me? When is the scale even? Or do I need to have the scale tip a bit toward me to be satisfied? What a self-defeating pursuit that becomes! And the truth proclaimed by author Josh Billings is "there is no revenge so complete as forgiveness."

Fact 9: Forgiveness lets go of the need to know why.
Forgiving hurt without explanation is part of the faith-tour contract we signed when we decided to follow Jesus. Author David Stoop notes that, "People choose the Path of Bitterness when they get caught up in trying to understand the reasons for the offense. They think, if only they could understand why the other person did what he or she did, they could get over it and let it go." I have three words for that approach: does not work.

Fact 10: Forgiveness lets go of the need to be right.
Forgiveness requires humility. We can be 100 percent right about an issue and lose every relationship around us in the process. Or we can be just as right but exercise grace and humility and not leave a trail of battered sheep in the dust.

Fact 11: Forgiveness requires praying blessings on those who have wounded us.
Begin to bless and wish good things for those who hurt us. This may be my least favorite requirement. But Jesus said: "When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person." (Luke 6:28)

Wise words. I'm going to remember them as I work through my own forgiving. I hope you find them helpful as well.

Forgive

2007-01-05T00:20:00.000-06:00

I don't usually write about such personal topics. But in light of recent conversations I've had, it seemed an appropriate subject. I pray the Lord can use it.

One of the first biblical principles I learned when I followed Jesus was of forgiveness. I sat in a church pew and heard for the first time- I say, "heard for the first time," though it wasn't the first time I'd been told- that if I confessed my sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive me my sins and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness. (1Jn. 1:9) I did confess. He was faithful. He forgave.

Then I grew in wisdom and knowledge. (Prov. 2:6) I understood that the Lord expects me to forgive others. So I worked at doing that very thing as an act of my will on an 'as needed' basis. In my very, best Pharisee-reminiscent Christian maturity - as I denied that forgiveness to one individual.

I believed that I'd forgiven Person years ago. Person believes I've forgiven. But I'm saying it... "it ain't so." God is showing me differently.

The Holy Spirit is so gentle. He lets each of us learn a thing at our own pace. He allows us to discover truth in such a way that it becomes a part of us; the newest and better version of our renewed minds. (Rom. 12:2)

He brought someone to my attention that harbors unforgiveness in her life. I thought, "I could teach this young woman something about forgiveness. After all, I've been there, walked in her shoes, and suffered the same hurts. I even have a book I could send her that would really be helpful." And the Holy Spirit asked me, "But have you truly forgiven? Don't you deliberately refuse to stay in touch with Person as a way to withhold love? Haven't you kept account of the wrongs?" My first thought is that I have a right to feel anger or even indifference. Person gave me that right when they committed the offenses. Not so, says the Lord. Forgive. (Matt 6:14, 15) Forgive seventy times seven. (Matt. 18:21-35) Forgive anything against anyone. (Mk. 11:25) Forgive everyone who is indebted to you. (Lk. 11:4) Forgive as God in Christ has forgiven you. (Eph. 4:32)

So now I'm starting at Square One. Ground Zero. It's harder than I thought it would be. I hope I'll lose any resemblance to a Pharisee. I hope I can speak honestly to Person and feel authentic love toward them for maybe the first time. I hope I can reach out to that young woman with a genuine heart and help make her journey a little easier than my own. If you feel so led, I would value your prayers.

res•o•lu•tion

2006-12-31T10:18:00.000-06:00

(rěz'ə-lōō'shən) n.
The state or quality of being resolute; firm determination.

As far as years go, 365 days is only a way to measure time. But we start each of those measures with fresh hopes and plans, and maybe a little uneasiness about the unknown.

Personally, I'm very good at the hoping, not so adept at the planning, and pretty matter-of-fact about trusting God with the unknown. At my age, I've learned not to make impossible New Year's resolutions.

So for 2007, I hope I will:

~ grow a little more in the knowledge and grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Pet. 3:18)
~ make a new friend.
~ practice Phil. 4:6, 7 a bit more.

For 2007, I plan to:

~ complete the seminary program I've been working on.
~ learn to read music (again) so I can play that dusty hammered dulcimer that's been in the corner of the front room for I-forget-how-many-years.
~ visit my dad.
~ be content in whatever circumstances I am. (Phil. 4:11)

If I accomplish little in the new year, I'll still maintain my first goal and purpose every year, which is to know the Lord Jesus better and be more like him. And I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in me will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. (Phil. 1:6)

Christmas Is Over

2006-12-29T12:06:00.000-06:00

Christmas is over, my mom has safely arrived back home, and my grandson has, well, safely arrived. It's been a good month. I'm sitting here with my feet up; sipping a cup of freshly roasted and ground French pressed coffee and reviewing the month for the first time. I'll wait a couple more days to reflect on the entire year.

I came into the month of December with trepidation, to say the least. Concern for the well-being of my daughter and the impending birth of her son was foremost on my mind. Silly me, I missed that event entirely since the baby made such a madcap entrance into the world before anyone could even think "what if" thoughts.

Then there was anxiety over leaving town for a respite so soon after Squish was born. We left on Tuesday, stayed Wednesday, and came home on Thursday. What can I say? The allure of R&R wasn't nearly as strong as that of baby Squish.

Although I fuss about the stress of the Christmas season, all the important things on my list always get done. This year was no exception. I didn't get Christmas decorations up until a week before Christmas, but I did get them up. I didn't finish gift shopping until two days before Christmas, but most years I'm still shopping on Christmas Eve. So all in all, December 2006 has been a good month.

We made it through the Christmas busyness just fine, in spite of me. It was quite wonderful, actually. I have mental images to enjoy forever of my family together to celebrate the Lord Jesus' birth: watching my Mom's tenderly emotional meeting of her great-grandson for the first time; all of us sitting together in church as Mike presented a Christmas message and Squeal's excitement when she saw him walk out onto the dais, then drawing a picture of Grandpa Mike presenting a Christmas message; gleeful chaos of the minis as they tore open their gifts and 4-year-old Squeak exclaiming, "I've always wanted (fill in the blank)," each time she opened something; my mom cradling tiny Squish in her arms; squeezing into a group photo with our extended family that are our son's in-laws.

I hope someday when I grow up, spiritually that is, to trust God with the details. We don't always see eye to eye, my Father and I. I like to focus on the obstacles. He looks at the Big Picture. I get stuck in mires of my own invention. He waits patiently to pull me out and set me on my feet again. (Prov. 3:5, 6)

The new year will be another year of increments. No matter what happens I will continue to press on toward the goal (Phil. 3:14) not by leaps and bounds, but step by step. And start planning in JANUARY for Christmas 2007!

Celebrate His Birth!

2006-12-25T09:40:00.000-06:00

What did you give Jesus for his birthday this year?

Merry Christmas, everyone!

When you don't want to sit still...

2006-12-20T00:17:00.000-06:00

I have a new addiction. Rodrigo y Gabriela. I saw them on Craig Ferguson's Late Late Show in October and tracked them down online.

They're from Mexico, but have lived in Dublin for several years. The style is kind of flamenco guitar crossed with rock/heavy metal. They play very fast and knock out a lot of percussion on their guitars. Not music to relax by, but very driving, exciting talent. So I downloaded their self-titled album. I lllike it!

Here's their MySpace.

Holly Jolly Christmas

2006-12-18T09:57:00.000-06:00

As usual around this time (a week before Christmas), I'm finally starting to get into the spirit of the season. Tonight we'll take the granddaughters Christmas shopping, and then drive around to see the lights and stop for hot chocolate somewhere. Then we'll come home and wrap gifts. If they ask, we'll make more cookies. And they'll probably ask.

* * *

Here's a Christmas groaner for you:

A Russian couple was walking down the street in Moscow one night, when the man felt a drop hit his nose. "I think it's raining," he said to his wife.
"No, that felt more like snow to me," she replied.
"No, I'm sure it was just rain," he said.
Well, as these things go, they were about to have a major argument about whether it was raining or snowing. Just then, they saw a minor communist party official walking toward them. "Let's not fight about it", the man said, "Let's ask Comrade Rudolph whether it's officially raining or snowing."
As the official approached, the man said, "Tell us, Comrade Rudolph, is it officially raining or snowing?"
"It's raining, of course!" he replied, and walked on.
But the woman insisted: "I know that felt like snow!"
The man quietly replied: "Ah! But Rudolph the Red knows rain, dear!"

Ho Ho Bah!

2006-12-14T23:06:00.000-06:00

I know I'm not the only one that feels stressed at Christmastime. I found a truckload of articles about it online. Click here to read a good one. I teeter on the verge of coming unhinged when I start to sweat the Christmas card deadline; the unending list of people we want to show appreciation to with a gift or baked goods; the groceries I need to stock up on and cooking I need to do; the decorating; THE PERFECT GIFTS; etc., etc……

Every year I grinch and scrooge about Christmas and what it has become in our culture. I'd like to "rein it in" for our family; make it a simpler time of reflecting on Jesus' birth over a meal, express our thanks, and maybe share one token gift as a remembrance of the season.

We already have our traditions. Christmas Eve service. Tamales and chili. The Christmas story. Happy Birthday to Jesus. Blow out a candle on His cake. Open the gifts.

I like our traditions. I just don't like the expectations that I've put on myself. (Pause) Ahh, the truth comes out. I don't make New Year's resolutions, but I think I need to make an exception for 2007.

Do you savor this time of year or do you just survive it?

Lord, I do want to savor the season of Your birth and the true Light that is You. Help me to pitch the unnecessary expectations I've picked up along the way and distill Christmas to its essence.

"And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14

We baked Christmas cookies.

2006-12-10T11:18:00.000-06:00

You didn't suppose there'd be no more photos, did you?

2006-12-10T10:43:00.000-06:00

The Rest IS the Story!

2006-12-07T22:58:00.000-06:00

Ah, rest: the 'refreshing ease or inactivity after exertion or labor.' The 'relief or freedom, especially from anything that wearies, troubles, or disturbs,' or so the dictionary defines it for us. I suppose 'rest' looks different to each of us. Mike and I just returned from a few days of rest at our friends' lake house. I really think the only way to truly gain rest from a busy life is to leave home for a bit. Even in seclusion it's hard to get away from worrisome thoughts and responsibilities that characterize one's life. Finding "neutral ground" seems a good way to set those tendencies aside if just for a brief moment. We were pleasantly refreshed by walking around the lake, watching ducks paddle by, and enjoying the beautiful serenity of our surroundings.

In his book, The Call, (a book which I cannot recommend too exceedingly, by the way) Os Guinness addresses the pluralization of American life which leads to too much busyness. Bear with me:

"Pluralization is the process by which the proliferation of choice and change rapidly multiplies the number of options.

"Some of the effects of pluralization are devastating but subtle. For example, the increase in choice and change leads to a decrease in commitment and continuity - to everyone and everything. Thus obligation melts into option and givenness into choice. But other effects are terribly obvious - above all the way in which choice and
change lead quickly to a sense of fragmentation, saturation, and overload. In the modern world there are simply too many choices, too many people to relate to, too much to do, too much to see, too much to read, too much to catch up with and follow, too much to buy.

"Each choice sprouts with its own questions. Might we? Could we? Should we? Will we? Won't we? What if we had? What if we hadn't? The forest of questions leads deeper and deeper into the dark freedom, then to the ever darker anxiety of seemingly infinite possibility.

"At some point different to us all a cut-off switch kicks in. We are overloaded, saturated. There is too much to do and too little time to do it. But life goes on. Neither planning nor juggling can span the gap. But life goes on. At the level of our relationships alone, their sheer number, variety, and intensity become impossible. But life goes on. One minute we feel the vertigo of unlimited possibility and the next the frustration of superficiality. But life goes on."

Does Guinness's description hit a nerve with you? It does me. I stretch my physical, mental and emotional attentions to extreme degrees and easily lose sight sometimes of the goal. The goal being to know God and reflect his glory until the day I breathe my last breath and enter into His Ultimate Rest that Paul wrote about in Hebrews chapter 4, when I will receive my full inheritance. Hebrews 4:10 says, "For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His." As God did from His. Wow.

Guinness goes on to say that the only way to have a truly focused life is to tune in to the voice of Jesus and let all other voices fall by the wayside.

"Do you lead a saturated, overloaded, and fragmented life? Are you pulled around
by the nose through appeals to need? Are you frustrated at yourself over the times the best in your life is diverted by the good? Do you long to know the overriding passion and purity of heart of willing one thing? Listen to Jesus of Nazareth; answer his call."

If I believed in making New Year's Resolutions, this would be mine: to listen to Jesus of Nazareth above all other voices. But I don't make resolutions. And I know in this fallen state of being, that even when I do listen to the Lord's voice, I have the attention span of a gnat, and most certainly will be "pulled around by the nose" in the new year as I have been in this.

My great encouragement is that as I practice listening to His voice, He will help me stay open and laid bare to the eyes of Him (Heb. 4:13); that the voice of His word will keep me focused, "for the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Heb. 4:12)

I am encouraged, too, that He sets the standard to incorporate rest into our lives, as on His seventh day. Maybe next year I'll be able to mute a few of those competing voices and the call of Jesus will resound a little louder in my spirit. A bit more freedom from anything that wearies, troubles, or disturbs will undoubtedly make any rest a bit more restful.

About 12 hours old

2006-12-02T15:12:00.000-06:00

Welcome, sweet baby boy!

2006-12-02T03:45:00.000-06:00

Meet our new grandson, Squirt (if you want to know his name, just call us). He was born this morning at 12:54, about three minutes before the midwife arrived! He weighs 8 lbs., 13 oz. and is 21 inches long. He already has a voracious appetite and he makes cute, little puppy noises. He has a head-full of curly hair which looks like it will be mostly blondish!

Sorry for the quality of the photo. I took it with my cell phone. We dashed out of the house so quickly, we forgot the camera after Zach called and told us he was already born.

Thanks to all of you who've been praying for Lindsay and the baby. Her labor was very short and Squirt is just perfect!

Boo-Boos

2006-11-29T00:09:00.000-06:00

Four-year-old Squeak was happily hopping across a storefront sidewalk today when she stumbled, fell down, and skinned both knees. She cried. Her mama doctored her scrapes with ointment and bandages. We soothed her as best we could, and she was okay by the time we got home. About thirty minutes later, after she calmed completely and had time to think about it, she said, "Gran, I asked God not to let me get boo-boos anymore, and it didn't work!"

I didn't know what to say to her. As a grownup Christian I struggle with the same thing. I know what the bible says: God loves me. (Jn. 3:16) He cares for me. (1Pet. 5:7) I can ask anything of Him. (Jn. 14:14)

But I still get "boo-boos".

Someday I hope to have conversations with Squeak about life in a fallen world, and about trusting God in the midst of trials, and about the theology of John 14:14. For now we're both old enough to know that prayer is not saying magic words that will get us what we want from God (although a 'pain-free' life seems like a wonderful idea to me!). Prayer is talking to Him, listening to Him, getting to know Him better. It should be enough to know His plans are good whether we understand them or not. Some days it is enough. Some days it isn't.

The LORD sustains all who fall And raises up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to You, And You give them their food in due time.
You open Your hand And satisfy the desire of every living thing.
The LORD is righteous in all His ways And kind in all His deeds.
The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth.
He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He will also hear their cry and will save them.
The LORD keeps all who love Him, But all the wicked He will destroy. (Psalm 145:14-20)

A Bunch of Turkey (s)!

2006-11-25T18:09:00.000-06:00

We had a fun, thankful Thanksgiving with our children and grandchildren. If it's true that a picture is worth a thousand words, this one of chocolate-smeared Squish "helping" in the kitchen says it all!