Adventures In Faithful Living

MBM: Prayed Together!

2012-02-13T17:16:00.000-08:00

Linny over at A Place Called Simplicity started Memorial Box Mondays to help remind us of God's love and faithfulness. The stories written share those times in our lives where we have experienced God creating miracles, blessings, and provision just when we needed it. Even though she is not linking up MBM today, with Valentine's Day tomorrow, I am re-posting the story of how God brought my husband Joel and I together through the prayers of others.

When I was eighteen I left home to attend Bible college. The Lutheran Bible Institute, later known as Golden Valley Lutheran College, was a small 2 year college with around 250 students attending. It was nestled down in a valley of a suburb of Minneapolis, MN. The students came mostly from the Midwest and I was no different. It was a great atmosphere to live in and I enjoyed my two years there very much as we studied the Bible and grew in our faith.

On parents weekend, during my first semester, my older sister, who helped raise me, and her good friend came for a visit. They looked over the campus while I was studying, and then met me on the second floor of the commons building, near the chapel after their campus tour. We visited for a short while before they announced that they had "found the guy I was going to marry".

I was more than a bit stunned, but listened quietly as they went on about how nice the young man was that they had met, and that he wanted to be a missionary in Africa just like his cousin David Simonson. They told me that they could "just see us married, living in Africa and working for God as missionaries". Of course, I had been thinking about mission work for years as they already knew, but I was not so sure about them picking out my husband! I finally asked who this guy was and just when they were going to tell me, my sister said, "Oh, there he is! He just walked in the door!!"

I had already met Joel and my first impression of him had not been very good, so when I looked down to see who it was I was shocked, and said in a loud voice, "You have got to be kidding! He is loud, obnoxious, AND he wears BOOTS! (I was a city girl and he was a country boy after all...). My sister and her friend just smiled, and said, "We will pray about it."

Six months later we started dating and just 18 months from the day of our first day we were married with my sister's friend singing The Lord's Prayer at our wedding service! We have been married 43 years now and Joel still wears his cowboy boots. No matter where we have lived ~ in the West, Midwest, or across the ocean in The Philippine Islands~ whether he is at home, in the pulpit, or performing a wedding ceremony~ his boots are on his feet or nearby. I have come to love those boots along with his western hat, jeans, and denim shirts. And I would much rather be a country girl that a city girl any day. I have come to know how very blessed I am to have this man in my life.

When people ask how we met, we love to say we were prayed together, AND those who are prayed together stay together! God had a plan for our lives that including marriage vows that brought us together for quite an adventure in faithful living. Because of that plan, and of course my sweet Joel, cowboy boots will always hold a special place in my heart.

I am looking for a miniature pair of cowboy boots to put in my Memorial Box to remind us of of God's goodness in our lives. I often say, I know God loves me because he brought Joel into my life. I just had to share this story today ~ I hope God blesses you with it in some small way.

It Matters When We Pray

2012-02-08T14:20:00.000-08:00

Just a week ago we were praying for a man called "Big Dave" by his friends. He had been shot and robbed in Haiti while working on a project to build an orphanage. He had taken himself to the hospital he helped build, where he had two surgeries before he was medivaced to Miami for further surgery. People from around the world were storming the heavens for this man of God and his family, yet big Dave died even with good medical care and the hard fight by his body to survive.

When I googled this incident to gather information for our prayer group, I saw that another young missionary was shot in Haiti that same week. He also had two surgeries in Haiti before being medivaced to Miami, but he is at home now recovering.  Their circumstances were so parallel, yet one lived and the other died.

At first I found myself pondering the senselessness of these acts. And then I turned to the questions. Why, with thousands around the world praying for Big Dave, did he die? Why did the young man with the same injuries and circumstances as Dave, live?

There are many schools of thought on prayer and how God responds to our petitions to Him. I am not going to go into them here, but I am going to share what my husband Joel and I believe. Those beliefs have changed over the years...including the past few months. God is always teaching us.

I don't begin to understand why some prayers are answered one way and others are answered another. I would not want to presume I know anything about the mysteries of God. I cannot contain my God in a box of my own making. I would not ever tell anyone it was God's will for their loved one to suffer or to die.  I do not believe that God sits in the Heavens and decides each day who will be healed and who will not. He desires His best for all His children. He desires healing for all His children the same way He desires salvation for all His children. This is what I believe today.

We do live in a broken world where suffering happens, and disease strikes. We do live in a broken world where broken people do bad things to good people....and good people die.  Even when thousands of people from around the world are praying for healing...for a miracle.....good people still die. I do not know why, I just try hard to trust God and focus on what I DO know.

I know that our God is sovereign. I know God loves ALL His children. God hears our prayers. God weeps when we weep. He rejoices when we rejoice. The Bible tells us we are never alone. He was with Big Dave when he was shot and when He died. This I know. There are mysteries of God we will not understand, but His love and forgiveness we DO understand.

We can rely on His Word. God has a plan for our lives, a plan for good and not for evil. He wants us to pray. In fact the Bible says to "pray without ceasing". So in obedience we pray. We pray believing our prayers matter. When Big Dave's wife wrote on Carebridge to share that he had died, she also pleaded with people to not stop praying. She said there is great power in prayer. And she is right. She also shared that if anyone reading her words did not know Jesus as their personal Savior, that this was the day they should ask Him into their hearts.

Yes, it matters if we pray. Personally, I have seen healings take place when others pray. Our prayer group rejoices often with praises to our Lord for the many answers to prayers we see. This is where I try to keep my focus, while leaving the rest up to God. It matters. Even with the mysteries that surround our prayers at times, they DO matter.

It matters when we pray.

Memorial Box Monday: Always Enough Part 2

2012-02-06T14:10:00.000-08:00

Memorial Box Mondays posts started with Linny over at A Place Called Simplicity. I am linked up with her blog post today, so stop over there and read other stories of God's faithfulness to His people. Today I am sharing the rest of our story as a testimony of how God always provides!

As I sit writing this post, I can hear our new washer in the basement quietly spinning out the rinse cycle. Sitting right next to the washer is a matching dryer that we were not sure we would be able to purchase. God had other plans.

I wrote a Memorial Box Monday post a couple of weeks ago about our washer needing to be replaced, and how a gift of money we had given someone a couple of years ago was returned to us "with interest" just after Christmas. We were going to put it towards our medical when the washer took a turn for the worse, so we began to search for the right washer for us. We were also thinking and praying about a dryer too..ours had been purchased 22 yrs ago used from an estate auction. A matching set was on my agenda!

We went to Sears to check out what they had, and we could buy a nice washer and a cheaper dryer that did not match, and most likely be able to cover the cost, but we went home to look up ratings first. While doing so we saw a different brand, an LG that had 5 star ratings for both the washer and the dryer...we called Sears and they said they would have to order them as they did not have any in stock. It would take us out of our budget and we would have to go into our emergency fund to buy both but we were still considering it. I googled the LG and found out our Best Buy store here in town carried them so off Joel went to check them out. They were on sale quite a bit, and while looking at them Joel saw a washer that had a ding at the bottom side near the back. They told Joel they wanted a certain price for the washer, he called me and I suggested he offer them a lower price which he did. The guy went and talked to his boss and we were able to buy the washer for $520 LESS than the original price and $240 less than the sale price. AND because the washer is energy star rated, we will get back $100 from our electric company. It made it possible for us to buy the dryer too! Anazing! Only God!!

They are home, installed, and working well. We are giving thanks for how God provided us with just what we needed and for the right price. We were able to use the gift of money "with interest" and add just a little more cash and purchase the set!

God is faithful and loves to bless His children. We love when He provides a story to go with the blessings so that we can give HIM the glory!!

"Just Praise Me"

2012-02-02T11:31:00.000-08:00

So glad you came by....pull up a chair! I have been sharing with you the many times God has been encouraging and guiding me to praise Him over the span of several months. When I felt led to study the word obedience this year, praising God seemed to be filed under that catagory too. Recently I began to study the places in the Bible that speaks of "the sacrifice of praise". I am still pondering this and all that it means, but I have put it into practice this past week when I went through a needle breast biopsy. As a cancer survivor, the words "rule out cancer" from the doctor brought more than a little anxiety into my life. Truth be told I was left with a fearful heart as Isaiah speaks about in Chapter 35.

When I told my friend what was going on, she spent time praying for me and felt led to tell me that she had received what she felt were a few "words from God". One sentence that jumped out at me was....."Just praise Me." She had no idea that I had felt God telling me to praise Him for the past few months. She had no clue that I had been given written words from others that just "happened" to speak about praising Him and the sacrifice of praise. Those words "just praise me" began to melt my fearful heart.

I really felt more like pleading with God instead of praising Him, but I began to praise Him every time I started to worry, or think about the "what ifs". As the days went by until the biopsy, also during the procedure and in the day following as we waited for the results, which were benign, God kept reminding me of how much He loves me and that I am not alone. Not ever. As I praised Him, my focus changed. It was a struggle, but I believe that each time I praise our loving Lord, I come closer in my relationship with Him and peace and joy wash over me. God is amazing! I am a work in progress, but now I have taken what I have known in my head and applied it to my inner most being, and I have experienced in this area of my life, God releasing His power that resides inside of me, melting my fearful heart. What a difference that made for me this past week!

Isn't it wonderful the way God has made us~ Isn't it wonderful how much He loves us ~ He even provides the tools we need on our journey through life. His precious love and the love of others, the written Word, intercessory prayer, and the gift of praising Him.

Just praise me. These words are forever tucked away in my heart. My heart that today is listening to the words in Isaiah 35: 4

"Say to those with fearful hearts,

Be strong and do not fear

For your God is coming to destroy your enemies

He is coming to save you."

Linking up to:

Grace Cafe

Spiritual Sundays

Stop over and read inspirational posts thanks to Joan and to Charlotte.

On Our Way Rejoicing

2012-02-01T17:01:00.000-08:00

I am so glad you stopped by to chat. Let me tell you, the past week has been a roller coaster ride with good news, not so good new, more good news, and then a possibility of not such good news and then today.....GREAT NEWS! My breast biopsies all came back benign...no cancer.

I have looked back over the past week at how God has been blessing me every step of the way. It never ceases to amaze me how much He loves and cares for each of us and how He works things out for good.

Last Wed. I had my yearly mammogram, which I never skip due to having had uterine cancer two years ago and with my mom and sister having had breast cancer and my other sister cervical cancer. (They all survived their cancers.) It keeps me on my toes and, I confess, more than a bit apprehensive. I was called back in for a second mammogram to be magnified....and then told I would need a needle biopsy of an area that now looked mildly suspicious. Not words we like to hear. I remember having the same type of biopsy 4 years ago and the doctor was so nice, so I asked if I could request him to do this procedure too. With my "special health needs" ( reactions to so many meds, chemicals, etc.) they were willing to comply. The nurses were kind, caring and gentle. The doctor was very very good at what he does and after nearly 2,000 procedures over the years, he knows what he is doing. Again, it was all worked out by God. The procedure should have taken 1 1/2 to 2 hrs and took only 1 hr 5 minutes. We had prayed for it to go quickly and well. The woman who would be calling me with the results we knew from when her daughter and ours were friends in grade school. Yet, another blessing.

I was quite anxious about all this and trying so hard not to be. Joel shared with me his insights and when he laid hands on me and prayed for me....I felt a deep joy inside that it was all going to be okay. My friend Linny also shared with me some "words from God" she received while praying which while she had no idea they were of any importance, let me know that God was with me. God was still telling me to praise Him through it all. As I began to do so, praising Him and praying for others, the fears subsided quite a bit. Guess God knew what He was talking about!

So I had good news today~ I know that not everyone gets good news. I have been in that place too where the word I received was "malignant".....but not today. I had told myself that no matter what the day brought, I would keep praising God. Praising God for my countless blssings, many prayer warriors, and God's goodness which cannot be measured.

Today, I am giving thanks to God for walking me through this one week of unknowns. It could be so much worse. Believe me I know that. I think today I need to pray for those who did not get good news. Those who are fighting for their lives, those who mourn instead of rejoice. I will remember them as I am on my way rejoicing.

Prayer, Praise, And Standing In The Gap

2012-01-30T15:34:00.000-08:00

Today over at A Place Called Simplicity Linny has declared Monday as a day of prayer and fasting. People can stop by and leave their own prayer requests and also pray over those requests that are left in the comment section. There are a lot of hurting people in our world in need of others to be "standing in the gap" as Linny calls it.

I decided to look up the meaning of these words to see if I was understanding them, and found that standing in the gap means to pray on others behalf. Intercessory prayer. I like the way these words sound....."standing in the gap". I could visualize the person in need of prayers, those who are interceding....and God hearing them all.

Intercessory prayer is what we do in The Knee Team. The Knee Team is Linny's group of prayer warriors that she started in response to all the prayer requests that come to her. At this point I am helping her lead the group and it is such a blessing to be a part of such a committed group of pray-ers...and you don't have to literally get down on your knees, just be willing to pray pray pray. If you would like to join or leave a request stop over to Linny's blog and do so.

I find these prayer groups comforting. And today I feel in need of it myself as I get ready for a needle breast biopsy tomorrow morning. It is difficult to be once again wondering and waiting to "rule out" cancer. I have been praying and fasting today for others, but once in awhile anxiety has raised up to interfere with my intercessory prayers. God understands. Whatever tomorrow brings, I know I can TRUST GOD....my provider, my healer.

Speaking of my Healer, Joel and I have been prayerfully studying healing the past week in the Bible, with an evangelist online, and in an old book by FF Bosworth, who was a powerful man of God who believed God wants ALL His children to be healed and live their appointed time. Fascinating for an old Lutheran, and exciting for someone who has lived with illness for a long time. Over the years we have seen friends healed from diseases, but never pondered if healing is God's desire for everyone. In obedience to God's leading, we are opening our hearts to all God wants to teach us on this subject.

So, along with praying for others, I am also lifting up a sacrifice of praise to God..(last post) and focusing on our Healer in regards to those in need of restoration in their families, their finances, their bodies...adding my own needs, too.

Standing in the gap.

The Sacrifice of Praise

2012-01-28T16:04:00.000-08:00

Lately I have been reading scriptures that speak about the "sacrifice of praise" and pondering what is meant by these words. As I was reading a book entitled "Christ The Healer" by FF Bosworth, this came up again as he shared what he felt it meant in regards to asking and receiving....and the time in between.

Bosworth brought to the reader's attention that while Jonah was in the belly of the big fish he spoke with God and prayed for mercy~ to be saved, and even though he did not have visible proof that his prayer was answered, he STILL gave a sacrificial praise of thanksgiving for his deliverance. He firmly believed before he saw the results, lifting up songs of praise to God.

In Hebrews 13:15 we are told to continually give this sacrifice of praise. Hebrews 13:15a says,

"Therefore let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God,

proclaiming our allegiance to His name."

This verse brings me back to Bosworth's words that Jonah gave thanks, worshipping and rejoicing BEFORE he had seen God's mercy on his life. I could only imagine that this was really tough to do. Here you are spending three days in the velly of a whale for your disobedience to God, thinking your life is over. You are begging God for mercy, but not seeing it...nope..no light yet...just the inside of a big ol' smelly fish. Just maybe it was hard to give thanks before he was spit out of the whale with whale puke all over him!! Maybe it felt like a sacrifice to him!

From the scriptures, we know we are to give this kind of praise continually. All the time. No matter what our circumstances. No matter how hard it is to get those words out of our mouth or lift our hands high...we need to let go of our own feelings and surrender to God, believing His best is yet to come. We may need to wait months or even years for an answer to manifest. Our praises keep our focus on God, our Provider and our Healer and remind us that God is working on our behalf behind the scenes...beyond what we can see or feel.

The past few months God has been speaking to me about praising Him. I went back to writing in my gratitude journal, and spending time giving thanks at the beginning of every prayer to Him. Still God kept bringing to my mind the idea of praising Him. Then I came upon the words...sacrifice of praise......and I began to ponder if this is where God was leading me. Was there a piece missing in my prayer life...a piece between asking and receiving?

I found myself wondering just how do we keep going when life knocks us down. Just how do we overcome our fears and our worries. Just how do we wait patiently for God's answers. We know God LOVES us. He wants the best for us. He tells us if you ASK you shall RECEIVE. So what happens if there is a period of time....an empty space between the asking and receiving? I think, in obedience, we fill it up with praise. Giving thanks for God's promises ~ believing and rejoicing. We give to God our own sacrifice of praise!

Stop over and visit Charlotte at Spiritual Sundays to read inspirational posts or link up your own.

MBM: Always Enough

2012-01-23T18:21:00.000-08:00

Today is Memorial Box Monday, which Linny over at A Place Called Simplicity created. Linking up, we share our memories of God's faithfulness and provision in our lives in the past. Linny bases her MBM on the time God told Joshua to gather large stones and put them in one area to remind the people now and in generations to come of God's faithfulness. You can read more about it HERE on Linny's blog. Remembering all the times God has been faithful in the past is what helps to get us through tough times now.

The story I am sharing just happened, but let me backtrack a bit. A few months ago Joel and I made a prayerful commitment to buy anything we would need with cash...even big items. We have been working to become debt free, which is challenging with Joel on disability and both of us getting Lyme treatments that are not covered by insurance, BUT we believe God will provide more than enough as we follow through on our commitment to become debt free.

I wrote a post back then sharing that since making that decision, BOTH our TV's broke within two weeks, the dehumidifier quit working, the washer started leaking, our large clock stopped working, the CD player broke, and the bathroom sink plunger too. It was crazy! We could not help but laugh over all the things that went down for the count! We often shake our heads and say...this is a test...only a test......

We were able to fix the bathroom sink, dig out the old dehumidifier to use, and manage the water leakage from the washer. Our son and DIL came up for a visit and surprised us with their TV they brought from their own family room. What a blessing that is!

Now for the rest of the story.......

A couple of years ago we felt led by God to give a sum of money to someone we know well. They did not want to accept it, but decided if God had told us to give it to them, they would. Just a couple of weeks ago they returned that money to us "with interest"! That was unexpected~ we have given them a gift, not a loan, but we thanked them, and tucked it away thinking we would use it for our Lyme treatments. Then.......

Our trusty washing machine let us know it had little life left in it! Joel has fixed it several times over the years, but the repairs now would cost more than the washer. We had purchased the set USED at an auction 22 years ago. It had been faithful to us as we washed clothes for 10 people down to eventually just Joel and me!

Just a few weeks ago we would not have had the money for a washer.

God had it all worked out. In His perfect timing He provided for us just when we needed it. Just in time! So we are getting a new washer and due to the "interest" part of the gift, we may be able to get a dryer too! Isn't is wonderful how God provides! Always enought!

Trust Me

2012-01-22T15:38:00.000-08:00

These words from Sarah Young's devotional book, Jesus Calling, remind me where to turn when life is an uphill climb.

"Trust is like a staff you can lean on as you journey uphill with Me."

Sometimes life is an uphill struggle. So, when those times come, where do we turn? How do we keep going? Well, we Trust....we Lean. We Trust. The words of Proverbs 3:5, 6 come to mind:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight."

Yes, God promises to make our paths straight if we TRUST Him and lean not on our own understanding. Seems so simple...but it can be so hard! God's instructions are for our own benefit, though. Trust......Lean....Acknowledge and then.....and then! He makes the way clear. In His timing adn His way. And don't forget, He never leaves us alone...He always walks with us! It is a comfort to know God is by our side.

Oh God, oh God, you are our strength. You love us...your love for us is so deep and wide! You want what is best for us. We won't always understand your ways, but we trust you Lord. We will trust and obey.

For One Little Girl

2012-01-14T10:58:00.000-08:00

I have been meditating and writing about obedience the past ten days or so, as God led me to study what this means for my life in the coming year. In doing so, I shared last week about "radical obedience" and what I think that means....."Doing what God says, obeying Him when it does NOT make sense." Trusting God even when we do not understand.

Last week I mentioned my friend, Linny from A Place Called Simplicity and the radical obedience I have observed in her life. Linny and Dw have a passion for the orphans and believe that God has asked them to adopt children and help those in Uganda who are in need of not only parents who can love them, but food and medical care. Dw is also a pastor, and he and others have held leaderships conferences in Uganda to help pastors there who want to further their education and help their own congregations. They have 11 children that grace their family, and 4 more children in Uganda who as young adults call them mom and dad.

About 8 months ago Dw and their daughter Emma met little Ruby Grace when they visited one of the orphanages in Uganda. She was severely ill with hydrocephalus and other health issues and in need of medical care. Dw told the head of the orphanage that they would do whatever they could to make sure she had the medical care she needed. He came back home to an email asking that if they meant that would do anything they could, would they adopt Ruby Grace and give here the care she needed? After praying about it, of course they said yes. Fast forward (after all this is their story) to today. Ruby just had her 5th brain surgery yesterday, 4 of those taking place in Phoenix. They have to live within an hour of a highly trained neurosurgeon and facility in order to get Ruby the care she needs. Stop over and read how God has orchestrated the best doctors and even the best machine to help her brain heal. Here

Now here is where the radical obedience came in. Their home, until a few weeks ago, was in Durango Colorado where Dw was Senior Pastor of a congregation and Linny also was on staff. They lived in a newly built home with a view of the Rockies and were active in their church and community.

God had other plans.

When they were in Uganda talking with the neurosurgeon who did Ruby's first surgery, he told Linny they would need to always live near specialized medical care. This really shook up their life as they had no idea what was really involved in raising a child with hydrocephalus. By the time they were able to get Ruby home to the states they flew right in to Phoenix and she went right into the hospital to begin the surgeries needed to help her survive and thrive. Dw. was at home with the rest of the family, telling his congregation that he was resigning and they were all moving to Phoenix as God had led them. For one little girl....the whole family was moving.....Dw was letting go of his job as a pastor.....and they were venturing out from the Rockies to the desert and big city...for one little girl.

No job, no place to live, no secure future.....for one little girl.

Radical obedience. And how God has guided, shaped, and blessed this family in response to their obedience and His plans for Ruby (and the rest of the family) will humble you and knock your socks off at the same time. They can use your prayers!

I am already learning more than I ever imagined about obedience and what the Bible shares on this subject ~ and in just 10 days too. I was a bit apprehensive about what God would ask me to be obedient in...... but now I am looking forward with anticipation (well, most of the time anyway) ~KNOWING that God has a plan for my life and He and He alone knows what is best. I look forward to what He will show me in the written Word and in the lives of others and ourselves. I just ask God for the strength to obey even when it does not make sense.

Stop over and visit Charlotte at Spiritual Sundays to read inspirational posts or link up your own.

Obedience And Love

2012-01-11T14:00:00.000-08:00

Obedience

comes in

letting
GOD

love

Our response

HIS

love

sent

through

the

sacrifice

of His

own

Son

is to

love

Him

back

The

reflection

loving

God

love

one

another."

~~~~~~~~~~

Pastor Joel's

thoughts

1 John 4

MBM: It Changed Our Lives Forever

2012-01-09T11:35:00.000-08:00

I am studying and meditating on the word obedience this year, as I have felt led by God to do so. I just wrote a post about "radical obedience" and mentioned our friends Linny and Shannon in that post. I have observed how they obey God "even if it does not makes sense", how out of love they trust God in their obedience to Him.

I have been praying about what to write about today for Memorial Box Monday and have tried to look back and remember times when God asked obedience of us when it did not make sense to us or to others. In doing so, I cannot help but think about the time when Joel was in Seminary and his year of internship was coming up. It is a wonderful memory of how we were richly blessed in our obedience, and how it changed our lives forever.

Joel spent 8 yrs in the Air Force before leaving to attend Luther Seminary in St. Paul MN. We bought a very old house with an apt upstairs that we could rent out, and with our 4 children at the time, we settled in. After 2 years of study it was time for his year of internship to take place. For our family of 6, there were only 3 places we could go unless we stayed in the city. One was up in northern Minnesota which was not a good fit for our family. One was in my hometown which would have been so easy. The other was out in Malta Montana, where Joel would be part of a 4.5 parish, and serving churches on his own. Of course the easiest place for him to serve out his internship was right where we were. We would not have to sell or rent out our home, and the kids would not have to change schools. I could continue with my day care business and all would be well. So easy.

Yet....it just did not seem right to me. We prayed and talked about it, and I felt God leading us to Malta Montana. Joel thought the Montana internship sounded great, but he was worried about money. He was worried about selling our home and coming back with nowhere to live for his final year of seminary. His feet were in cement over what made sense to him. He struggled with taking the risk.

It just did not makes sense.

I remember sitting at the table with his cousin Luther one day and debating our situation. I had prayed hard on this and truly felt called to Montana....and I remember challenging Joel, " Do you want a true internship or not?" He said my question changed his mind as the Holy Spirit spoke to him through a few words in the form of a question.

This decision changed our lives forever

We sold the house very quickly, packed up our 4 kids and 2 cats and traveled across three states to Malta Montana. We moved into what we affectionately called "The Internage" and the pastor lived next door with his family in the parsonage! The whole year was filled with amazing learning experiences and great fun. Joel had never officiated at a funeral and had said it was one area he needed experience ~ unfortunately he was able to learn quickly, as 8 funerals occurred in the area in 3 weeks, 3 of which were murder victims. He preached in all 4.5 congregations over the year, as part of a wagon train traveling across the state and even at a rodeo. We took part in a cattle drive, country dances, and the like. We made good friends and developed important skills as a pastor and pastor's wife. The Senior pastor and his wife were our mentors and our friends, a relationship that continues to this day. This one year shaped Joel's ministry and blessed us beyond our own understanding or imagination.

It did not make sense to sell our house,

pull our kids out of school,

close my day care business for year

and move across the country

It changed our lives forever.

We were obedient to God when it did not
make financial sense

It changed our lives.

We were obedient to God when it did not makes sense

to take our kids out of their school

It changed their lives

We were obedient when we had no clue

where we would live or what the future would hold

It changed our lives forever

Oh, and not having a place to live for our final year of seminary? Well, we prayed about it......and.......
a couple of months before we were to return to seminary we got a phone call from a fellow seminarian that we did not know, who was heading out for his internship and asked us if we would like to rent their home for that year.. He had heard about us needing a place to live from the secretary at the seminary. We said YES, and then he said, "Oh, and when we sell it we will give you the profit for that one year!!!!

God is an amazing God!

We obeyed Him....trusted Him....

It blessed our lives in ways that still affect us.

He gave us more than we even asked for.

It changed our lives.

Forever

Radical obedience is doing what God asks you to do

even when it does not make sense.

Stop over and visit Linny at A Place Called Simplicity to read other stories of God's faithfulness or link up your own.

Radical Obedience

2012-01-06T14:09:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! Speaking of new years, I have been praying for God to reveal to me what word I could study and meditate on this year, and the word I feel lead to study and meditate on is obedience. Gulp!   This whole week Joyce Meyers has been speaking on it, and on Thursday she mentioned radical obedience, so I decided to explore that terminology more in depth. I googled "radical obedience" to see what would come up and came across a blog post by Jan Ross that defined radical obedience as obeying God when it does not make sense. It is doing God's will when our own agenda makes more sense. Ross also wrote, "Radical obedience demands I do whatever I do in a manner which emulates the attitude found in Christ Jesus as He gave His all, through life and through death, so the Father might be revealed through Him every moment of every day." I would also add that it can be defined as obeying God at all costs...all sacrifice.....TRUSTING Him when what we are asked or called to do is way beyond what we think we CAN do or again, what makes sense to the us or the world around us. A good example of that would be Noah when he built the Ark. It did not makes sense to him or anyone else.....but he obeyed God anyway and you can bet he was thankful he did when the world flooded.

The first people I know who came to mind when I thought about the radical part of obedience were Linny and Dw over at A Place Called Simplicity. Then my mind wandered to Shannon over at Throwing Our Arms Open Wide. I confess that in the past year I have found myself hungering for the kind of radical obedience to God's will that I see in their lives. They both amaze me. Linny with her passion for the orphan  or even being able to stand in the bitter cold watching her house burn to the ground...crying out to God to show her how He would use this terrible event for good and His glory. Recently her husband, a senior pastor, resigned from his job so they could move immediately to AZ to be near the kind of medical care their newest member will need. They know they are obeying God and have faith He will provide for them. Amazing faith and surrender in that family. And Shannon, who has two sweet girls with major health issues, and yet in obedience walks sometimes blindly forward every single day speaking and living out God's grace and ministering as a family to the orphans in Mexico. Then there's Joel's cousin David Simonson and his wife Eunice who worked for 50 years bringing the gospel to...and LIVING the gospel for the Masai people of Tanzania. I have met many others in person and online who also have touched me deeply with their surrender to God's will for their lives and their "radical" obedience to His plans for them.

Joel and I have spent our lives together praying for strength and wisdom to do God's will in our lives. Still, I admit, fear has held me captive at times, and I now hunger for more of a radical obedience in all areas of my life. I truly want to lay down my life in obedience and trust God for HIS direction and leading in EVERYTHING.

Serving God in churches in Montana, Minnesota, and Iowa was a big part of God's plan for our lives, and looking back over the years our lives were an adventure in so many ways, most importantly, an adventure in faithful living. They still are, but because we both battle Lyme Disease our dreams have shifted in many ways.We still rejoice in being able to serve God in the ministry no matter how limited it is, and we look forward to what God's will is for us in the future.

Which brings me back to the radical obedience Joyce Meyers spoke of. How can we serve God now? We much prefer to wear out than rust out.

Maybe His desire for us is to serve him in small quiet ways. Maybe it is to serve Him in a big city
which would require obedience on my hubby's part! Maybe it is to serve him somewhere far from our children which would require great effort on my part! Maybe it is to stay right where we are, which is not our first choice at all.  None of these options makes much sense to us...but they may make sense to God.  Still, do they fulfill the definition of radical obedience?

Radical obedience does not mean God will always send you off to distant lands, it does not mean God will ask more of you than you have to give, and it does not necessarily mean that you will be asked to do big and mighty deeds! It means, if I understand it, that we will obey God even when it does not makes sense.

Forgiving and embracing someone who has hurt you does NOT make sense......Giving away something you cherish does not make sense.......loving the unlovable does not make sense.....loving those who persecute us..... Just maybe radical obedience means different things to different people.

I am looking forward to what God is going to teach us about obedience in the coming year. So far it has been mind blowing and inspiring! With anticipation and a bit of apprehension I wonder what tomorrow's teachings will bring! Radical obedience~ certainly something to ponder.

Please stop over and visit Charlotte at Spiritual Sundays to read inspirational posts or link up your own.

The Obedience Adventure

2012-01-03T11:45:00.000-08:00

I have been praying for a few days for a word God would want me to meditate on this year. While talking to Joel about it a couple of days ago I shared that I felt the word might be surrender. At that moment the word obedience resounded in my brain. Really? Hmmmmm I told Joel about that word coming through but I did not think that was a very inspirational word...so I kept praying. I was hoping for something like....faith, joy, love acceptance.....something I was more comfortable with.

This morning when I woke up I prayed again about the word and asked God to let me know if obedience was the word or was there another word for the year. I turned on the TV to Joyce Meyers and she was speaking about......you guessed it! Obedience!

I came downstairs and decided to read a few blogs and came across a verse in Deuteronomy at Deb's blog, Jeremiah 29:11, that spoke about reading the Bible daily and obeying God's instructions. Okay. That was enough for me. Not only was I planning to get into some deep scripture reading on a daily basis once again, but now the obedience word was going to be a part of that.

So, I am going to be meditating on the word "obedience" this year. I don't know where it will take me, I don't know yet what God will reveal to me, but I know that He has a plan and I am looking forward with a bit of apprehension to what He is going to teach me through meditating and studying this word in His Word. I plan to share it here...as part of my adventures in faithful living. Let the journey begin!

Adventures Ahead

2012-01-02T13:52:00.000-08:00

After some considerable thought I have decided to change the name of my blog from "My Autumn Years" to "Adventures In Faithful Living". It just seems like there is an adventure around every corner when we are open to God leading us on our journey, and I wanted my blog to reflect that.

So, join me this year as I share our adventures in faithful living! God has already put us on a new path in our morning Bible study, and Joel and I are looking forward to what we are going to learn along the way! I wonder what else He has planned.

So Glad You Could Stop By

2011-12-23T15:06:00.000-08:00

Linny over at A Place Called Simplicity

asked if she could drop by and visit us

virtually

So I would like to invite all of you

to come by for a visit

as we prepare to celebrate

the birth of our Savior

Christ

the

King!

WELCOME TO OUR HOME

So glad you could stop by!

We are empty nesters

so our family is not here right now

and by the looks of this picture

that might be a good thing!

They will be here after Christmas

So for now, Joel and I would love

to have you come in and sit a spell!

Look around if you would like.

We are blessed to have a lot of

windows which comes in handy

with all the time I spend

in my sofa sanctuary

Our dog Levi keeps us company

Here is our tiny angel tree

Our other tree graces our deck since I am allergic to pine

I love churches and cardinals

so they fill our home at

Christmas and throughout the year

So glad you came by to visit.

Come back anytime

You are always welcome~

WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS
AND A YEAR FILLED WITH AN
ABUNDANCE
OF
JOY, LOVE, and PEACE

Love And Joy Abounds

2011-12-21T14:58:00.000-08:00

I have been reading many posts today and in each one love comes through...sometimes softly, sometimes loudly but it is there....the love people have for God and the love God has for people. Sometimes you can almost taste it...it fills your being when you read their posts. Two such examples are from dear cyber friends Shannon and Linny.

Shannon shared over at Throwing Our Arms Open Wide how radically challenged, changed and blessed they have been while working in an orphanage in Mexico. They have taken their family down there to give of their time and of their love to the children. A blessing for those children I believe. God is blessing their willingness to serve Him in so many ways. Love and joy abounds!

Today Linny wrote on her blog, A Place Called Simplicity about their latest adventure to Denver to have their 5 youngest become citizen of the USA. Out of love and obedience to God they have adopted many children and helped children over in Uganda. They have moved from their lovely home in CO to Phoenix so that their newest member can be close to the medical care she will constantly need. A radical change and a big step of faith. Love and joy abounds in that family! Check them out!

There are many other blogs I visit that fill my heart with joy and spill over with love for God and others. Today I give thanks to Jesus for giving me the opportunity to be inspired by those who love Him and are willing to serve beyond measure in order to love others and bring God the glory. I am blessed.

Memorial Box Monday: "You Will Hear A Voice"

2011-12-19T15:30:00.000-08:00

Today is Memorial Box Monday and I am sharing a story of God's faithfulness that I wrote for Spiritual Sundays in October of this year. It has been a good reminder for me of how God hears our prayers and goes to great lengths to protect and guide us. It is a comfort to me when I am feeling unsafe or God's voice seems far away. If you wish to read more Memorial Box Monday stories, stop over and visit Linny at A Place Called Simplicity.

"Your own ears will hear him,

right behind you a voice will say,

"This is the way yo should go,

whether to the right or to the left."

Isaiah 30: 21

In 1976 we were living in The Philippine Islands where Joel was stationed as a meteorologist with the US Air Force. We would soon be leaving Clark AFB and heading home, so selling our car was a priority and we listed it in the base paper that was also read by local Filipinos. Cars were hard to come by and we knew it would be easier and smarter to sell it rather than ship it back home to the states.

Joel and I had prayed about selling the car, asking God to guide and direct us in the process. Shortly after placing the for sale notice, Joel received a call at work that someone wanted to look at our car, so he set up a time and place to meet the prospective buyer in Angeles City outside the base. Two men got in the car ~ one in front and one in back and Joel began driving to let them see how the car was working. They started giving Joel directions on where to go, and when they came to an area that was unfamiliar to Joel and somewhat isolated, one of the men said, "Turn left here.". As Joel prepared to turn he heard a voice say from deep inside,

"DO NOT TURN."

He hesitated and he heard again,

"Go straight...do NOT turn."

The voice was so clear in his head he knew it was God speaking, so he went straight and drove into a heavily populated area and parked the car, quickly getting out and asking the men to leave the vehicle. The men did leave, stealing the calculator Joel had in the front seat. He firmly told them to put it back, sensing he needed to keep his distance from them as he spoke. They complied and left, at which point Joel got back in the car and drove home.

A couple of days later Joel heard about an officer who was in the hospital after being stabbed repeatedly by two men who he thought were going to check out his car for purchase. They had given him directions on where to drive and he ended up in an isolated area alone with the two men. It was sobering to realize that this could have been Joel. The men were able to steal this officer's car and had left him for dead.

There are times when hearing God's voice and obeying it can save our lives in a dramatic way. God gave Joel specific directions and Joel listened to the voice of God, which kept him from harm. We never forgot this, and have tried to be obedient to God's voice whether it comes loudly or in a whisper. He knows our future and He knows what is best for us. Just like that day so long ago, it is a comfort to know that God is with us just as He promised, hearing our prayers, guiding our steps, and watching over us night and day.

Remembering God's faithfulness and the promises in His Word

A Room Full of Gifts

2011-12-16T09:55:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I wrote a short post on the most wonderful gift anyone has ever been given~ the gift of salvation that came to us in the form of a tiny baby...Jesus...our King of Kings as a blogger friend described him....and Lord of Lords! A gift of love~

"For God so loved the world He gave His one and only Son,

that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

John 3:16

While reading inspirational posts this morning the subject of gifts came up again and I could not help but reflect on the many many blessings God gives to us each and every single day of our lives.

I think that is the first gift I am grateful for today, that each morning I open my eyes to the light of another day. Having had Lyme Disease for so many years, and cancer nearly two years ago, I am so thankful to still be here to make the most of every day. Of course, we don't have to have a disease to feel grateful as we greet the day ahead.

"This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it."

Psalm 18:24

Another gift I often take for granted is the gift of a warm and cozy home with lots of windows and good neighbors. We never go hungry, we travel in a nice van, and we always have enough... thank you Jehovah Jireh for your abundant provisions.

"And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:19

During the Christmas season family and friends are at the top of our list, aren't they! Their love, support, encouragement, and did I say love.....are a blessing we are so grateful for.

"Love one another with brotherly affection [as members of one family],

precedence and showing honor to one another."

Romans 12: 10

Some gifts come in ugly wrappings, but what they hold inside and what they teach us are things we are grateful for. Trials, storms, unwanted circumstances may be hard to receive, but sometimes they do bring the most precious gifts of all. Trust....Hope.....Faith....Patience....Love....Forgiveness...

"All things work together for good to those who love the Lord."

Romans 8:28

And then there are those gifts we do not even know about. Gifts from our Lord just waiting to be received and unwrapped. I once heard a story about a man who when up to Heaven where St. Peter greeted him and showed him around. They came to one room and when Peter opened the door it was filled to the brim with beautifully wrapped gifts. The man asked, "Whose gifts are these?" to which St Peter replied, "Oh, these are gifts that God had waiting for you, that you never asked for!"

"Ask and you shall receive, seek and you will find,

knock and the door will be opened."

Matthew 7:7

Gifts~ fun to give and fun to receive. They come in all different sizes, shapes, and wrappings and they bring us joy, excitement and sometimes even sorrow. Enjoy these treasures, and be sure to unwrap all the gifts God has for you!

Please stop over and visit Charlotte at Spiritual Sundays to read more inspirational posts or link up your own.

The Indescribable Gift

2011-12-14T14:51:00.000-08:00

I have been wrapping Christmas gifts today for our grandchildren. I always enjoy buying them a present, and then later picking out the paper, ribbons,and name cards for each. It is fun to watch their faces when they open their gifts.

Thinking about gifts, takes me back to the very first Christmas....the birth of baby Jesus. The gift of salvation ~ eternal life.....offered to the whole world. What a precious, and as it says above, indescribable gift. What joy! What excitement! There are not enough thank yous for God's gift. Just for us. Thanks be to God!

MBM: An Urgent Message

2011-12-12T13:57:00.000-08:00

My Memorial Box Monday story today just took place in the past few weeks. I am sharing how God whispered in my ear the urgency for Joel to go home and see his mom...and what followed.
.
In October Joel and I talked about the need for him to get back home to see his mom as it had been a year! With both of us dealing with late stage Lyme Disease, a lot of planning is required for a trip. I felt that Joel should go home for Thanksgiving, but he did not want to leave me alone and I was not too crazy about idea either.

Still, the thought would not leave my mind.

In fact I felt an urgency about it, but tried to ignore those feelings when Joel decided he would go in early Nov. He went for a 4 day visit right after Halloween and was not back home a week when his mom ended up in the ER. While there they discovered a large aneurysm next to her heart. She was not told about it though.

After some serious discussion we knew that the urgency I felt was from God so Joel decided he would go home for Thanksgiving. He left on a Tues. and spent all day Wed. with her, going out for lunch, driving around the country to look at the farm where she grew up, and visiting out at Joel's brother's cabin where he was staying. They had a wonderful full day together.

Mom mentioned that day that she did not think she would be living very long. When Joel asked her why she was saying that, she just replied that she did not know, but that is what she thought. Joel then asked his mom, "Are you ready to die mom?" She replied, "Yes, I am ready ~when the good Lord says it is time."

Later that evening when Mom was back in her apt. and Joel was getting ready for bed at the cabin , the phone rang and his mom had been taken to ER in terrible pain. While there they discovered a perforated ulcer. With the aneurysm and her age of 93, surgery was not an option. Joel told her what was happening and said to her, "Mom you will likely die from this." She said, "Okay. I am ready."

They put her on antibiotics and she started to improve enough that Joel came back home. He was home a week when the phone rang and his brother told him that they did not expect her to last the night. It was her 94th birthday. We packed Joel up as fast as we could, and off he went again for the 8+ hr drive north. When Joel arrived she seemed to rally once again, although she never regained consciousness.

Joel spent most of his time by his mom's side. The hearing is the last sense to go, so he talked to her about many things, read her favorite scriptures to her and prayed with her often. She died on Monday evening quietly and at peace. Being there was a blessing for him.

There were many blessings and provisions that occurred as God in His loving mercy worked all things out for Joel, his mom, and me here at home.

~God whispered in my ear more than once that Joel NEEDED to go home at Thanksgiving. And because Joel was there, mom got what she needed in the hospital and Joel was able to spend even more time visiting with her and comforting her when she was in pain.

~Joel was supposed to fill in for a pastor in the pulpit on Dec. 4th, but was able to call and have that taken care of on the 3rd so he could leave to be with his mom.

~Since I have a childhood fear of being alone overnight, God wanted me to know this was important for Joel and his mom so the voice of God spoke to me, not Joel. I needed to know it was God's will with the many nights Joel would have to be gone.

~Joel is on disability and not working, so he was free to spend all the time that was needed with his mom.

~Joel is a pastor, so he has been at the bedside of hundreds of dying people. He was able to make sure she got all the care she needed and was comfortable and at peace.

~ God provided Joel with amazing stamina and strength for the week he was there...and he also provided a quiet peaceful place on the lake for rest. When things were stressful, he could sit looking out over the lake and find a sense of peace. He slept better at night than he has in years !! The Lyme symptoms were not intense and many subsided for those days.

~At home God provided not one but two people to shovel out the driveway and steps after 5 inches of snow fell here. God provided a neighbor behind me who kept an eye on me...even calling one morning when lights were on late at night and early in the morning~

~ I had to take the dog out later at night which I dreaded, BUT it was not dark out due to all the neighbor's Christmas lights lighting up the block. And after a few times...I realized I kind of liked the quiet that filled the night when I stood out on our porch.

~ God provided me with a Bible verse that I just knew was from Him. Psalm 4:8 "In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe." I felt so loved and protected when God gave me that verse.

~Money is very tight due to being on disability and having high medical costs BUT God provided money in the form of a payment someone owed us AND a surprise gift so that the costs of traveling and eating during those three trips has been covered.

God loves us so much. He cares for us, he provides for us. He works all things together for good for those who love the Lord. He is awesome.

If you want to read more Memorial Box Monday inspirational stories of God's faithfulness stop over and visit Linny at A Place Called Simplicity

Are You Ready?

2011-12-09T07:05:00.000-08:00

"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has

prepared for those who love Him."

1 Corinthians 2:9

It seems during the weeks before Christmas we often here people asking each other, "Are you ready?" There are so many preparations being made for the holidays. Shopping, baking, writing out cards or the family newsletter, wrapping the gifts, and the list goes on. With a sense of intensity, people would ask~ "Are you ready?"

During Advent ~ while waiting~ the same question can be asked as we prepare for the coming of baby Jesus. We take time to pause in this busy season and bring our focus back to the birth of our Savior by asking, "Are you ready?"

This past week my mother-in-law died. At Thanksgiving Joel went to visit her and she told him she felt she would not live very long. When Joel asked her why, she said she did not know, but felt it was true. As they sat at his brother's lake home overlooking the woods and water, he asked her, "Mom, are you ready?" She replied, "Yes, I am ready to go when the good Lord decides it is time." It was not much longer before she was welcomed home by those who went before her. This year she will be celebrating Christmas in Heaven!

I have been pondering Joel's question to her, especially during this time of preparing for the birth of our Savior. A Savior who came to save the world. Mom T. knew she would go to Heaven. She was ready for death because she new about life everlasting. She was ready. She was at peace.

While we shop, wrap, and bake....while we celebrate with special church services, carols and hymns, and advent wreaths and devotions, we prepare our homes and our hearts for Christmas. Yes, this is a good time to ponder a very important question for today and for our tomorrows. Are you ready?

Please stop over and visit Charlotte at Spiritual Sundays to read inspirational posts or link up you own.

Memorial Box Monday: A Special Gift From Santa Who?

2011-12-05T05:47:00.000-08:00

It has been quite some time since I posted a Memorial Box Monday story. Linny over at A Place Called Simplicity thought it was time again for us to share stories of God's provision for His children. She has based her MBM on the Biblical account found in Joshua 4, where God instructs Joshua to build a memorial with 12 large stones representing the 12 tribes of Israel. In obedience Joshua gather and instructs 12 men to carry the stones and lay them in front of the Ark to remind the people of God's goodness. Linny and many of us who participate have our own special box or cupboard that holds items that remind us of times when God provided for us. When trials come, and they will~ it is always helpful to look back and remember those times. To read more stories of God's love and goodness or link up your own, visit Linny at the link above.

And now my story~~~

When Joel and I were first married he received his draft notice (1968)and to avoid the draft he joined the Air Force. He could have taken a seminary deferment, but did not feel right about that, so he enlisted and started out as a private in the Air Force. After basic training and some specialized training we moved to Albuquerque New Mexico where he was stationed at Sandia Army Base. Money was very scarce and I think his salary was around $200 a month. It was a long time ago! We found a two room apt. where other military lived, and settled in to await the arrival of our first child, Bethany.

When Christmas came around that year we used what little money we had to make ceramic gifts ( the base provided everything but the paints and postage) and we sent them home to family. It was hard to be so far from all of them during the holidays. After getting everything sent off to our family we knew we would not have enough money for a tree, gifts for each other, or a special dinner, but we would be together and not go hungry!

About 4 days before Christmas we received a card in the mail with $25 in it! There was no return address and it was signed in unfamiliar writing~ "Merry Christmas From Santa! For us this was a lot of money....we only paid $25 for our first (used)TV! We were so surprised and so very grateful. We found a small tree to put our ornaments on, bought each other a $5 gift, and purchased enough food to have a nice Christmas dinner for ourselves and a few other soldiers who had no where to go for the holidays. I was even able to make a few cookies.

We had our suspicions, but we never did find out who sent us the money, we just know that once again God provided us with just what we needed to make our Christmas special. That day we thanked God for whispering our needs to someone who became our Secret Santa, and for a gift we have never forgotten. God always provides and often surprises us with more than enough to share.

Waiting With Anticipation

2011-12-02T14:31:00.000-08:00

"I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord. Be strong and let your heart take courage. Wait for the Lord!"

Psalm 27: 13, 14 (ESV)

Advent is a time to prepare for the coming of baby Jesus. It is a time of waiting. As we enter into the second week of this tradition, I have been reflecting on all the waiting we do in our lives. We feel it is a time of doing nothing, but waiting is after all a verb. And in our relationship with God it is an action we are called to take as part of our faith journey.

When our children were young they would be so excited for Christmas. Every day the waiting seemed endless and it felt like that special day would never come! Even though our focus was on the Christ Child, there was anticipation for Christmas morning when they would be able to open their gifts. It was soooo hard to wait.

Sometimes I find myself in the same place as my children so many years ago. Waiting impatiently to open a few of my gifts from our Lord...waiting for my prayers to be answered.....waiting for healing to take place....waiting for God's promises to come to pass. Sometimes I wait with anticipation, but often I wait with impatience, which makes the journey much less joyful. It is hard to wait.

I wonder if God gets impatient waiting for us. Waiting for us to come to Him in prayer....waiting for us to surrender to His will....waiting for us to be still in His presence....read His word....obey His commands. I think God has a lot more patience than we do! He lovingly waits with open arms, a listening ear, and a loving heart for us, His children to come to Him. I wonder if He ever finds it hard to wait.

Lord, forgive me for keeping you waiting....

Please stop over and visit Charlotte at Spiritual Sundays to read inspirational posts or link up your own.

Advent: Remembering And Waiting

2011-12-01T17:49:00.000-08:00

Advent began this past Sunday. Our Advent wreath is out, and the candles are in place. The four candles are labeled promise, light, love, and hope. Since 1976 we have been reading from the same small advent devotional book entitled "We Light The Candles". Looking through it's pages today took me back to the many times when our family gathered for Advent devotions. As the kids got older each one would take turns reading devotions and opening a door on our Advent calendar. There was excitement in their eyes as they opened the tiny door to see what was behind it.

This was a time we set aside in the otherwise busy home of a pastor with a large family. Lots of concerts, Christmas programs, services, and of course the usual school events. The calendar would fill up pretty quickly with 7 kids at home! But this time right after supper was sacred, where we would gather together, read, open the calendar, sing a song and pray. I remember it fondly.

The house is quiet now with all the kids grown with families of their own. Joel and I have our devotions together ~ usually with our dog Levi snuggled up between us! We still have our advent wreath we had made special when we lived in the Philippines. We still have candles to light and songs to sing and our prayer time. Advent still plays an important part of our Christmas preparation as we wait to celebrate the birth of Christ. For us at this time in our lives, it is not only a time of waiting and preparing for the coming of baby Jesus, but it also a time of remembering.

Come Lord Jesus~

"You shall call His name Jesus. He will be great and will called the Son of the Most High. And

the Lord God will give to Him the throne of his father, David."

Luke 1:31-32

The Battlefield Of The Miind

2011-11-30T14:36:00.000-08:00

Joyce Meyer has a great book she has written entitled "The Battlefield of the Mind" that I highly recommend. Recently I watched her speak about this subject on early morning TV. It was just what I needed to hear!

Joyce shared that the first 15 minutes of the day are often the time Satan goes after our minds. For me this is true. When I wake up I find myself taking inventory of my aches and pains, and with Lyme Disease that can take awhile! I will often find myself worrying too, ~worrying about my health, Joel's health, finances, the family, etc. etc. etc. Oh dear! I confess, worrying is second nature for me and I have to work at turning all those things spinning around in my mind over to Him. I guess that is why Joyce's book resonates with me.

I am learning what helps change my mindset, and I hope you find it helpful for you too.

Giving Thanks and Praise: Giving thanks to God for each day I wake up to see the morning is a gift, and giving thanks and praise helps me to put aside my worries. Every time I start to think about something negative or the worry wheel starts spinning, I praise God instead.

Pray: Lifting up my worries and aches and pains to the Lord and again thanking Him for the healing that is to come.

Remembering: It is reassuring when we look back and remember what He has done for us in the past. It is good to look back and remember the worries that never came to pass...or the trials that He guided us through, the victories we have had with the Lord's help. Joshua built an altar to the Lord made of stones to always be a reminder to the people of God's goodness. I have a memory box to store mine.

Trusting: When we give thanks, when we pray, and when we remember it affirms that we can trust our Lord with our today's and our tomorrows. We know that He loves us and He is always with us.

Reading and Speaking Scriptures aloud: Yes, God's word is filled with messages and promises for each of us. The Bible instructs us on how to keep our thoughts pure and on God and His goodness. Speaking scriptures aloud keeps the Enemy at bay. When we speak scriptures aloud, he cannot stick around.

Giving Thanks...again!: This brings us around full circle ~ we giving thanks, we pray, we remember, we trust, we speak and read His Word, and we know that with God all things are possible..including victory over the battlefield of our mind!

Stuck On The "I Can"

2011-11-22T06:56:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Philippians 4:13

~~~

"I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me"

or paraphrased~

"I can do all things through Christ who continually pours His strength into me"

What I have learned about myself is that I often get stuck on the first few words of this well known verse. "I can do all things"....and I tend to forget that what I can do is only possible if Christ continually pours HIS strength into me.

Recently I read about a woman with a debilitating chronic illness, who prayed and gave thanks for God's strength throughout her days. If she was making breakfast she prayed for strength for that task. While caring for her children she prayed for strength to do so. Every single task took great effort and she had learned that without Christ's strength being continually poured into her she could not accomplish these things. Without Christ's strength being renewed on a task to task basis, she was too weak to function as she needed to. What an amazing testimony!

I believe that the "I can" attitude keeps us from giving and receiving some of God's greatest blessings! We are not in this life alone. When we rely on Christ not only in our times of need, but every single day in every single way, we are able to be used more for HIS glory, and we become closer to Him. We know without a doubt, that He loves us and we are blessed!

I can??

HE can!

Attitude of Baditude

2011-11-18T19:07:00.000-08:00

"Praise the Lord......"

Psalm 150: 1-6

I was watching Joyce Meyer Friday morning and when she looked at her audience and firmly said,
Your problem is NOT your problem....your attitude and perception are your problem", I felt the earth shake and tremble. Okay, not really, but her words resonated in me! Problems will come, but how we respond to those problems will make a big difference in our daily lives.

Sometimes I just feel overwhelmed by the way the storms of Lyme Disease beat upon our lives. I can easily be swept away by the mighty winds of illness and loss which sets me up for an attitude of baditude...instead of gratitude. You know...the "poor me....poor me...." song that brings about a change of posture~ my nose in my bellybutton~ which blocks out all the Sonlight!

God never leaves me in that place for long. He reminds me that He is with me, He loves me, and that He wants me to have an attitude of praise and gratitude. Lately I have been hearinig from a number of sources the need for me to praise God in all circumstances...more praise...more gratitude...never too much praise! Get rid of that baditude, girl!

Do any of you find yourselves with a baditude attitude? If so, ramp up the praise and thanksgiving, not just this week, but year round. And remember Joyce Meyer's words~ Your problem is NOT your problem~your attitude is your problem!

Stop over and visit Charlotte at Spiritual Sundays and read inspirational posts or link up your own.

A Regular Monsoon

2011-11-17T07:45:00.000-08:00

I have not been here much lately. I apologize for that...to you readers and to God, who gave me the gift of writing to use for His glory. Today I write from a place of transparency. Life is not always a bed of roses, which everyone knows if they live for any length of time! Today I share with you from my heart.....and ask for prayers for Joel and myself, and for those I will list at the end of my post. Storms are raging in the lives of many.......but Jesus can calm the storm.

~~~~~~

The sun is shining, the sky is clear but it is storming here. It is raining hard. The house is warm, the windows are closed, but it is storming inside our abode. It is raining in sheets. A regular monsoon.

Joel and I are both feeling the storms...soaked and chilled to the bone by the heavy rain. We are hunkered down, subdued, worried and trying not to be. I am exhausted.....so very very tired. So weary. I want to ask the same old questions that come to me too often of late.....the "whys" and "hows" that reverberate in the air and are never answered to my satisfaction. I remember the words....

LIFE is not about waiting for the storms to pass,
it is learning how to DANCE in the rain.

~~~~

We are trying Lord.

Please pray for others in the midst of storms:

Georgia who is having heart problems again.

Leon and Marilyn~ Leon's cancer spreading and Marilyn is having heart problems

Ruby Grace~ in need of several surgeries from hydrocephalus and healing from a PICC line that was misplaced

Linda~ healing from flu and needing a new caregiver and place to live

Rose~ in need of a special wheelchair so she can get outside

Autumn~ brain tumor

T and L ~ healing from divorce

Hear our Prayers O Lord....Jehovah Rapha

In Jesus name

Amen

Her First Bible

2011-11-06T14:47:00.000-08:00

"You have been taught the holy scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus."

2 Timothy 3:15

Our granddaughter Isabel is in 2nd grade and this year she was presented with her first Bible during church a few weeks ago. She was soooo excited she went home and spent that Sunday afternoon reading the "how to read your Bible" instructions that came with her Spark Bible, made just for children. She even told the family she needed quiet time so she could read! Last I heard she was in the 8th chapter of Genesis.

Isabel could hardly wait to tell Papa and Grandma Na about the Bible. Her excitement was palpable when we talked to her on the phone. She also shared at the same time that her Sunday School class was memorizing all the books of the Bible. Yikes! I think I was 12 when I did that.

I have been pondering Isabel's excitement. Here in America we take it for granted... we can find a variety of Bible translations, concordances, and more to be purchased easily online or in a bookstore. There are countries in this world where that would not be true. I wonder, do I appreciate the freedom I have to read from the Word of God so easily and openly?

I also was reflecting on how I feel when I open my Bible. Do I have the excitement Izzy has? Do I look forward to exploring its pages? Am I determined to take or make the time to open its cover every day and discover what God has to share with me?

Oh, Lord, thank you for using the excitement of a child to remind me of the blessings Your Word holds for me. Let me never forget to be excited when I open Your book, and let me always be reminded of what a privilege to share the gifts of what is within with others. Amen.

All I Can Do Is Nothing?

2011-11-03T10:08:00.000-07:00

"The Lord will fight for you, you need only be still."

Exodus 14:14

I was reading a post written by a friend today and one sentence she shared took on special meaning for me as she spoke about her chronic illness. "All I can do is nothing". Do you ever feel like that? I know I do. Sometimes we come to a place where we feel we can do absolutely nothing to change our circumstances, like when life has handed us a huge challenge, and we do all we can to fight the battle for as long as it takes, even becoming exhausted from our own efforts ~ But nothing changes. So we try another tactic...hanging on with sheer determination and endurance. But nothing changes. We ask God for help in our cause. But nothing changes.

There is nothing left to do..."All we can do is nothing", so we let go, crumbling into a heap, weeping in sorrow and frustration, giving up the battle. Surrender. Surrender to our circumstances, surrender to our God who tells us in Exodus that there are times when all we need to do is be still and let the Lord fight our battle for us! A place of acceptance like my friend spoke about. A place of surrender.

I have been at this place many times over the years, but I have trouble staying there. I rest, pick myself back up and spend all my energy trying to change my circumstances ~ thinking~ " I can do this!" I search for answers, for cures, for ways to change my situation. with sheer determination I plod forward. I wonder how often I get in the way of what God wants for my life by not shifting my focus, by not sitting still before God and hearing His voice and embracing peace in where I find myself.

All I can do is nothing? What does that mean? Giving up? Not hardly. It means I let go of my plans, my timing, my actions and reactions so I can be obedient to His. It means sitting still before God and surrendering my will to His, living from a place of acceptance with hope. It may seem like we are doing nothing..but we are really doing something...surrendering to the most powerful Someone in our lives. Letting Him fight our battles when we are weary. Trusting in His love for me and His plan for my life.

Let Our Light Shine

2011-10-28T11:18:00.000-07:00

"For God who said, 'Let there be light in darkness', has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ."

2 Corinthians 4:6

Recently my husband Joel went out in the dark and took pictures of the flowers in our yard. Everything looked dark when he focused the camera on this hot pink geranium, but when the light from the camera flash hit the flower, it's beauty was visible. What a difference the light made!

It is the same for us who come to know Christ. The darkness of sin, the broken world we live in, and the emptiness we feel all leaves when we let Christ into our hearts. Our sins are forgiven and we become people who live in the world but are no longer of the world. With His light shining on and in us, our beauty becomes visible too!

A chorus that comes to mind for me..

"Let our light shine is glory....glory

Let our light shine in glory to the Lord

Stop over and visit Charlotte at Spiritual Sundays to read more inspirational posts or link up your own.

The Power of Words

2011-10-27T11:33:00.000-07:00

As a child I remember hearing this phrase ~ " Sticks and stone may brake my bones but words will never hurt me." I don't know who wrote this, but they were not very enlightened! Words are powerful and can be very hurtful. You cannot take them back once they come out of our mouths. They have the power to build up and the power to break down. Words can be as cutting as a sword, or as healing as medicine. They are a precious gift to be used with care....they tell people alot about who we are and whose we are.

As children of God, we have the privilege to use our words to pray. To lift up our voices in praise and in petition before our heavenly Father. Today I am giving thanks for a sweet little girl who wants to help orphans (she herself having been one). Ravenna has a web site where her mom is helping her to raise money again this year to help buy food and Bibles for children who live in an orphanage in Mexico. You can find her story here at Kids Blessing Kids. I am giving thanks for Ruby Grace now officially belonging to her forever family, for a visit with my sister Jan and her husband, for being able to wish our daughter happy birthday, for continued healing for Nick, Tron, Karl, Ruby, Ravenna, Georgia, Jubilee, and many others. Thank you Lord for the words of others that encourage and express love and for your written words ~ The WORD of God, the Bible.

We lift up to you today, those in need of healing...physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. We lift up to you today ourselves, surrendering our will for Yours, surrendering our plans for Yours, surrendering our life to You. Thank you Jesus, our Jehovah Jehri ( provider) our Jehovah Rapha ( our healer). With the words you lay on our heart, may we be a blessing to others.

The Son Is Shining!

2011-10-23T07:48:00.000-07:00

Good Sunday morning to you from our corner of the world in the Midwest! The sun is shining and we are heading for a nice fall day with temperatures rising into the lower sixties. Nice for mid October!

It is also Sonday morning here~ Being homebound, I enjoy worshiping God from my living room...watching morning services on TV and later on the Internet with Rick Warren. The music, the scripture readings, and the sermons all glorify God...giving us pure SONshine to fill our souls.

The sermon I heard today spoke of remembering, recognizing, recounting and rejoicing over all the miracles God has brought into our lives. Like Joshua, we need to remember and rejoice over what God has done for us. It is a wonderful way to bring SONshine into our souls. How can we help but smile when we look back at the precious promises of God coming true for us and those we care about. Thank you Jesus!

Today, as sunshine fills our homes, let us give thanks for the SONshine that fills our home too. We are richly blessed!

Let the Sunshine....let the SONshine!

Resting On His Promises

2011-10-20T17:00:00.000-07:00

As I sat before my Lord, petitioning in prayer for the many requests that come my way, I was humbled and grateful that God asks us to bring all our burdens to him. So grateful that He bends a listening ear and promises to answer our prayers. We can rest on His promises as we bring before our Lord needs and the needs of others. We can rejoice in the knowledge that He is there for us....always.

I am giving thanks for Karl who is doing so well after His brain injury, for Tron who has been able to come back to his hometown now and be near family during his brain injury recovery. Prayers of praise for Nick who is doing so very well after his accident that I wrote about a few weeks ago....for Georgia who continues to do well.....for Leon who is still living life to the fullest, for our Sarah who had successful surgery, for God bringing Andrew off the ventilator and into recovery, for God protecting our friend Linny from being grabbed as she was walking back to the guest house in Uganda, for a visit with old friends. I am rejoicing and giving thanks that Linny has been able to get through all the paperwork for adopting Ruby Grace and she is now officially theirs to bring home from Uganda~!

We come before you lifting up the following people Lord~

Dominique's dad ~ full healing from heart surgery
Ravenna ~ a rare blood disorder
Deb's mom over at Jeremiah 29:11 blog
Leon ~ cancer
My brother and family

We rest on Your promises. Lord we ask that we may receive...in your holy name...Amen

How Then Shall We Live?

2011-10-18T15:58:00.000-07:00

There is a time to be born and a time to die....

Ecc. 3:2

I have been reading a book by Wayne Mueller entitled, "How Then Shall I Live?" and today's chapter asked the question,

"Knowing we will die, how shall we live?"

Pastor Wayne Mueller works with many people who are at the end of their life from cancer, kidney failure, AIDS, etc. and he found that they changed how they viewed life once they knew they were dying. Suddenly everything they did in their remaining days becomes precious. Relationships became very important and such things as money and material goods did not.

The thing is, we are all going to die. We just don't know when or how. So living each day from the perspective of knowing that we will die makes every sunrise amazing. Like many of you who have faced illness, when I got cancer in early 2010 I was frightened. I already felt like I was fighting for my life with Lyme Disease, and then along came the big "C". Life became more precious. Oh, it has taken me awhile to not live in fear of it returning and there are still times I become anxious about that possibility. It took awhile for me to not be looking behind me, or running into the future trying to grab hold of all life has to hold. I am learning to accept where I am on my journey with Lyme Disease and as a cancer survivor. Slowly I am learning that today is all I have and it is precious from the moment the sun rises until it sets in the evening. Mindful living. Focused on God and those I love and care about. It is a process during which I am finding this book and its questions very helpful.

Maybe we need to ask ourselves some important questions? How do we want to live the rest of our lives? Do we want to be kinder? Do we want to be more loving? Do we desire to serve Jesus in a special way? Do we hunger to worry less and laugh more? So many questions for us to answer as we contemplate the fact that death will come to all of us.

So, I ask the question one more time....

Knowing we will die, how shall we live?

Tugging On God's Arm

2011-10-14T11:07:00.000-07:00

"Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, "This is the way you should go," whether to the right or to the left."

Isaiah 30:21

A year ago Joel and I decided it was time to make plans for our retirement move. Joel is on ELCA disability until he is 66 due to Lyme Disease and CFS, so we thought it was a good time to move. We started talking about where to retire, packed a box here and there, and prayed hard for direction, asking for this house to sell and the right house to buy.We made the decision to move back to Joel's home town to be close to his aging mother, and contacted his cousin and a realtor. We prayed, read scripture, and prayed some more all the while working hard at moving forward in our plan. We were sure we would be moving this summer and we just knew God was on board!

Even though we were looking online at houses, not one felt "right". Then the end of May I had a strong reaction to a new treatment that kept me mostly horizontal for 2 months. I finally started to get better in August and at my last appointment the doctor was seeing good improvements in me ~ and Joel? He had regressed and our doctor suggested he not work even 15 hrs a week. We know treating chronic Lyme is a roller coaster ride, but we were still very disappointed.

We began to reassess our plans. Sitting still before God this week, we suddenly could clearly see how we each were acting like an impatient child ~ you know~ a child who has hold of his or her daddy's hand and is trying hard to pull them forward. "Come on Dad...hurry up!" A child that was impatient to get where he or she wanted to go.

With the patience and guidance of a loving Father, we had an aha moment of understanding and came to a place of acceptance. This is where God wants us to be for now. From a practical point of view it makes sense. The economy is down, the housing market is bad here, our health is still at a challenging level, and if Joel does get well enough to take another pastoral interim position, this would be a good place for that. More importantly for us is God's point of view.......HIS plan. And we believe His plan is for us to stay put. Sometimes God must just shake His head at how hard we try to "make things happen"!

Certainly, we all have times in our lives where are impatient for our plans to fall into place. Sometimes we believe we are in God's will, and find out later that our own desires were getting in the way. Maybe we are so eager to move forward that we don't take the time to sit quietly before God, and listen for His guidance. Thankfully, if we are asking for His guidance He will close doors and open windows, as He tells us to "go to the left...or go to the right...or "be still". He does know best.

"Be still and know that I am God"

Psalm 46:10

Guess it is time to unpack those Christmas dishes! And I plan to sing praises while doing so~ believing that we are right where we are supposed to be, and in His perfect ways when it is time to move He will lead the way. I am guessing we won't need to tug on His arm at all!

Stop over and visit Charlotte at Spiritual Sundays and read inspirational posts or link up your own.

Laughter Lightens The Load

2011-10-13T14:18:00.000-07:00

"Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy."

Psalm 126:2a

Joel and I deliberately bring laughter into every day. Life can get pretty heavy at times with our health issues, finances, loss of ministry work, our country's economical crisis and loss of unity, and then there is the world at large. Oh, boy! It is endless drama and so easy to get caught up in it.

Laughter lightens the load. It boosts the serotonin levels in our body, it changes our perception of life, and it is just plain good for a person. When we do something ridiculous or forget something we usually just sigh, say..."Lyme brain" and laugh it off. We tease each other often, and last night Joel did something that could only be attributed to brain fog and we giggled about it for most of the night. No one else would find it funny and some would think, "oh no, dementia is not far behind..." We laughed....and laughed....and laughed! Somewhat like the people below that did a laughing meditation at their Christian Bible camp! Remember laughter is good for the soul!

You Will Hear A Voice

2011-10-07T13:39:00.000-07:00

"Your own ears will hear him,

right behind you a voice will say,

"This is the way yo should go,

whether to the right or to the left."

Isaiah 30: 21

Joel and I had prayed about selling the car, asking God to guide and direct us in the process. Shortly after placing the for sale notice, Joel received a call at work that someone wanted to look at our car, so he set up a time and place to meet the prospective buyer in Angeles City outside the base. Two men got in the car ~ one in front and one in back and Joel began driving to let them see how the car was working. They started giving Joel directions on where to go, and when they came to an area that was unfamiliar to Joel and somewhat isolated, one of the men said, "Turn left here.". As Joel prepared to turn he heard a voice say from deep inside, "DO NOT TURN." He hesitated and he heard again, "Go straight...do NOT turn." The voice was so clear in his head he knew it was God speaking, so he went straight and drove into a heavily populated area and parked the car, quickly getting out and asking the men to leave the vehicle. The men did leave, stealing the calculator Joel had in the front seat. He firmly told them to put it back, sensing he needed to keep his distance from them as he spoke. They complied and left, at which point Joel got back in the car and drove home.

A couple of days later Joel heard about an officer who was in the hospital after being stabbed repeatedly by two men who he thought were going to check out his car for purchase. They had given him directions on where to drive and he ended up in an isolated area alone with the two men. It was sobering to realize that this could have been Joel. The men were able to steal this officer's car and had left him for dead.

There are times when hearing God's voice and obeying it can save our lives in a dramatic way. God gave Joel specific directions and Joel listened to the voice of God, which kept him from harm. We never forgot this, and have tried to be obedient to God's voice whether it comes loudly or in a whisper. He knows our future and He knows what is best for us. Just like that day so long ago, it is a comfort to know that God is with us just as He promised, hearing our prayers, guiding our steps, and watching over us night and day.

Please stop over and visit Charlotte at Spiritual Sundays to read inspirational posts or link up your own.

Mountain Moving Miracles

2011-10-01T07:27:00.000-07:00

Moving a mountain is impossible for anyone but God,

but nothing is impossible for God!

Lately Joel and I have been praising God for some amazing mountain-moving miracles! A former parishner, Nick, had only a small chance to live after a horrible accident that damaged many organs and required 90 units of blood. (that is right, 90) His recovery has astounded the Mayo Clinic doctors and they are calling him a walking miracle. Karl continues to heal from his traumatic brain injury after a bad accident, thanks to God's mercy, and the two month prayer vigil involving people from around the world. My son's friend and fellow police officer, Tron, continues to recover from a severe head injury and resulting stroke even though doctors told his wife he would probably not make it. Mountains moving!! Our friend Linny is over in Uganda bringing home two precious daughters to add to their loving family, and the way God has moved to bring this to pass can only be called a miracle! Sweet little Jubilee Promise had surgery to remove tumors in her head....BUT they could find none when they went inside!

Mountains were moved. Boulders crumbled. The earth shook under God's command.

Dominique is back to being active and even dancing after 8 months of being homebound and very ill ~ move mountains, move! Sweet little Georgia (side bar) has her parents doing the happy dance with the changes in her since her heart procedure. The doctors went in and opened up a valve that was nearly closed and Georgia is becoming healthier every day. This surgery was very risky, but all is well. A mountain moved! Our neighbor Roger was diagnosed with Leukemia and had his first PET scan after only a few weeks of the months of chemo ahead...there is NO SIGN OF CANCER! Doctors are amazed! Praise God for another mountain-moving miracle!!!

God is mighty to save. God is our Jehovah Rapha. God is a mountain-moving God! On bended knee I give thanks for His loving mercy and the hope it gives all of us. Let us never forget the words of Ephesians 3:20 in The Message.

"God can do anything you know....far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request

in your wildest dreams."

Ephesians 3: 20

Please stop over and visit Spiritual Sundays to read inspirational posts or link up your own.

A Pace of Grace

2011-09-27T15:19:00.000-07:00

I have been re-reading the book, "A Pace of Grace" by Linda Kavelin Popov, who is also an international speaker on The Virtues Project. Amongst other things in this book, she shares how a medical crisis brought her to a place of living an easy, grace-filled life. She challenges us to become loving stewards of our own energy, to find joy in the simple pleasures of life.

I often ponder when the idea of over extending ourselves became so "normal". When did we start wearing a badge of honor for being "sooooo busy"? When did the lazy hazy days of summer disappear?

When I was active in the world outside my door, I took great pride in over extending myself. The more I had to do, the better I felt about myself. I had a list for every single day, and would drop into bed exhausted as night came calling. I even went to college full time at night while raising 5 children, keeping the house up, sitting on community boards, and staying active as a pastor's wife. I took the mantra, "We are what we do" very seriously. Unfortunately, it led me down a path to poor health and a stressful life. And certainly, it did not all bring me joy ~ and what about my family? I am sure at times God just shook His head as I crammed a month's worth of activity into a week.

Today's families are busier than ever. Life rushes by with school or work, music lessons, year round sports with school and outside of school, sleep overs, play dates, meetings to attend and social events to look forward to. Seriously, when I observe my children and their families I wonder when there ever is any down time.

And yet, God asks us to "Be still and know that I am God." Be still and take a breath,,, care for yourself...leave time to ponder a flower or snuggle with loved ones. It still is possible. It may have to be scheduled like everything else in the daily routines of those who are on the move, but it is possible. It is necessary. It is renewing.

Maybe it is my age, maybe it is my illnesses, or maybe it is just looking back and seeing how little time I took to be still~ probably it is all three! I know that I am grateful for the time I have now. And I am hopeful that in this season of my life I can live with a pace of grace~ I certainly have plenty of opportunities! I hope we all take the time to live life with a pace of grace.

Autumn's Amazing Attributes

2011-09-23T16:09:00.000-07:00

"Praise and thanksgiving, Father we offer

for all things living, you have made good.

Harvest of sown fields, fruits of the orchard,

hay from the mown fields, blossom and wood."

Even though God has created beauty for us to enjoy in each and every season the of the year, fall is my favorite! I just love all the colors~ oranges, rusts, and golds. I love the smells outside...the dry crisp air~ and I love the sounds of the dry leaves rustling, the squirrels hunting for food to store and the geese flying overhead on their way from the river at the end of our block to the nearby field and lake. Of course fall is also a time for gathering what the farmers and ranchers have sown. Harvest. And what's not to love about pumpkins, gourds, and squash picked from our gardens, too. Autumn has so many attributes to offer us.

It is so beautiful up here in the upper Midwest, I would like autumn to last 6 months of the year. Yet, God in all his majesty, has created the 4 seasons for us to enjoy. I just enjoy fall a little more than the others! It is a time to pause and give thanks for the beauty of God's creation and the bounty of our farmers and ranchers hard work. Thank you Lord for another fall season that is filled with your glory!

Please stop over and visit Charlotte at Spiritual Sundays to read more inspirational posts or link up your own.

Now Thank We All Our God

2011-09-22T10:33:00.000-07:00

I love that hymn, "Now thank we all our God....With heart and hands and voices..."

Giving thanks today for so many blessings~ Thank you Lord that sweet Georgia came through her heart procedure and is doing well! Thank you Lord that Karl continues to make progress with his traumatic brain injury, and that Tron is making progress with his TBI also. Thank you Lord that Linny made it to Uganda safely with Emma, and thank you Lord for moving mountains in their desire to bring home their daughters. Thank you Lord for Nick's improvement each week...a walking miracle! Thank you Lord for the release of the two young men held prisoner for 2 years in Iran. Thank you Lord for the many blessings you bestow upon us with provisions and you unconditional love.

Continued prayers for:

Karl~ Traumatic brain injury from accident
Tron~ Traumatic brain injury and stroke
Nick~ recovering from severe injury to organs
Jubilee Promise~ surgery went well..healing from infection inside head
Ruby Grace and Sarah Jane able to come to their forever home
Georgia's recovery from heart procedure
Leon and Marilyn~ cancer and brain injury
Roger ~ chemo
Grant~ personal
Ciel~ chemical imbalance
Katherine~ healing from Lyme and coinfections

We lift up to you all those our readers are keeping close in their heart.

Lord God, Jehovah Rapha, we bring before you all these people and more, asking for your healing touch. We give thanks for the miracles you are sharing with your children and we wait with expectation for more....after all you are our miracle-making God as Linny says. In Jesus Name...Amen

One Cash Only Day At A Time

2011-09-20T15:57:00.000-07:00

Lately Joel and I have been spending time in prayer over the subject of money...and it has gone right along with the Sunday morning sermons I listen to online with Saddleback Church and Rick Warren. This past week a guest preacher spoke on Malachi 3:10 and how we cannot outgive God and how and when he blesses us. Malachi is the only place in the Bible where God says, "Test me on this!"
Pastor Morris made one comment that really spoke to Joel and I. TITHING is the money we return to God (and His ministry)....GIVING is beyond the tithing. It is giving from our heart to those in need. I just love when I learn something knew or get a new perspective on something!

This is a good subject for us right now as we also learn to live on Joel's ELCA disability salary. He has gotten worse the past few months and the doctor did not feel he should be working even part time..just healing. It was sobering to hear, and of course we wondered how we would manage with 1/3 less income and so many out of pocket medical treatments bills.

To go along with this, the disability check came and was $500 short this month!

And here is the real kicker! Do to our large out of pocket medical expenses for two Lymies, we had recently made a decision to NOT buy anything we could not pay cash for~ part of our get out of debt plan ~ and then our newer dehumidifer broke, the 20 yr old washer started leaking, the the bathroom faucet broke, and both of our 27 in. TVs broke all within two weeks!! Seriously!!!! We actually got the giggles as we figured "this was a test"!!!

We knew God would provide. He always has, and He always will. We just wondered how. ( Don't misunderstand me~ God blessses us continually in many ways, not just with what we need financially....but today I am speaking on the subject of provisions.)

Like most people, we have more things than we need. We were able to find the old dehumidifer and use that, fix the faucet, AND bring out the 20 yr old 19 in. TV. I have cataracts so we just put it closer to us...in the middle of the floor and it worked fine! Then two weeks later, it turned out our son and daughter-in-love could not imagine us watching that small of TV, so they came for a visit and brought with them a gift ~ a 40 in. TV from their family room! (Being I have severe allergies, a new TV would cause me lung problems for quite awhile.) We went from a 19 in. to a 40 in. TV ~ our only form of entertainment since I am homebound. We were grateful for their generosity and more than a little overwhelmed by the gift.

And then an unexpected check came in the mail!

Yes, we cannot outgive God! He always provides! He has us doing the happy dance and wondering what surprises await us! We look forward to figuring out how to be debt free on less money~ just like the two fishes and 5 loaves of bread we look for it to happen! We look forward to all God has to teach us on this part of life's journey. One cash only day at a time.

It Is Well With My Soul

2011-09-16T09:25:00.000-07:00

"It may not be well with our circumstances,

but with Jesus it is always well with our soul!"

Recently I read this quote in the comment section from a blog linked up to Spiritual Sundays. It came to mind for me today as I recalled all the posts and emails I have read this week where friends have asked for prayers as they go through great trials and emotional and mental health struggles. Add to that news this week from a long time friend who has had her cancer return after 6 yrs. along with another friend who is once again battling cancer. It saddens us to know what these dear people are going through. Our circumstances can shake us to our very core, and because we live in a broken world, we can expect life to hold more than a few of those shake-ups for each of us.

Yet we know we are not alone. We know that with Jesus by our side, we can do all things through Christ who continually pours His strength into us. (Phil.4:13) We know that even though the world around us is in turmoil, and our own circumstances seem overwhelming, with Jesus ALL is well with our soul.

God loves us unconditionally. His son, our Savior, died for our sins. And accepting Jesus into our lives brings to us eternal life. No matter what comes our way, eternal life awaits us at the end of our earthly journey. It is well with our soul. With Jesus it is always well with our soul.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

It is well with my soul,
it is well, it is well with my soul.

Please stop over and visit Spiritual Sundays to read inspirational posts or link up your own.

Beauty From The Ashes

2011-09-09T18:49:00.000-07:00

The 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on our country has created a flurry of TV shows, magazine articles, and news broadcasts that have us reliving that terrible day. I don't know about you, but my husband and I find ourselves experiencing many of the same emotions we had on Sept. 9th and after, and in many ways it is physically and emotionally draining. My heart is heavy for those who lost loved ones in NYC, the Pentagon, or the field in PA. It must be so difficult for them to move on from an event that changed not only their lives, but the lives of our country...the world.
Six months after the terrorist attacks, Joel and our son Matt went to NYC to participate in a national gathering of Lutheran pastors who wanted to show their support. Our synod asked Joel to be a representative for our synod, speaking with and preaching at a congregation in the New York area. Hundreds of clergy joined together in worship with the people of NYC and then were sent out to churches. Not only were they able to show support and listen to congregational members tell their stories, but they were able to give overburdened pastors some time off. Needless to say, this was an experience that Joel and our son will never forget. They both felt blessed to be able to participate.

As time passed a couple of the people Joel met would email him and share what was going on in their lives ~ how they were finding joy once again as they walked through tough, tough times. We have also watched others share their stories of finding joy once again this past week. It reminded me so much of the verse in Isaiah 61:3~

"To all who mourn in Zion

he will give a crown of beauty for ashes

a joyous blessing instead of mourning

festive praise instead of despair."

Watching the news coverage once again of the towers falling, the Pentagon burning, and the scorched field in PA, I cannot help but lift this verse up as a prayer for all those who were personally touched by this horrific event. God keeps his promises, and I pray this day for all those who mourn...May they all have beauty now for those ashes ten years ago...may they be blessed with joy instead of mourning...

Amen and Amen..

Stop over and visit Charlotte and Ginger at Spiritual Sundays to read encouraging posts or link up your own.

Miracles From A Miracle Making God!

2011-09-08T15:08:00.000-07:00

Recently Joel and I have been a part of three different stories of people we know and know only from the internet that has us giving thanks and praise for the awesome way God has worked in their lives. If you want to be inspired by God's love and power just read the tidbits of these stories below.

Karl ~ Karl is a young man who was in a terrible motorcycle accident when an elderly couple crossed in front of him on a highway in CO. A number of God-incidences brought him through and saved his life when he should have died according to doctors. His traumatic brain injury is major, but the doctors keep seeing unexplained and impressive strides as he stabalized and lived and is now in rehab. I was able to be part of an online prayer vigil where thousands of people around the world prayed round the clock for him. AMAZING GRACE!

Jubilee Promise is a little girl from China ( recently adopted) who just had major surgery on her head. Her parents took her to San Diego for this surgery as only 2 surgeons in the country can do it. They had seen several growths on the CAT scan and the family was told there was also infection and possibley cancer. After hours of surgery the parents were told that there were NO tumors found at all. Anywhere. They were gone. She had major infection and is still fighting some of that, but we are all praising God for this miracle...Isn't God amazing!

A member of one of Joel's former parishes was in a freak accident while nowing the ditches on his farm. He was in an old tractor without a cab and somehow a fence stable got caught up in the mower and went like a projectile into Nicks body. It went through an artery in his back through his liver into his heart tearing an inch and 1/2 rip into his heart and then through the nerve in his chest wall. A neighbor found him and they rushed him to the small town hospital...where they stablized him and gave him some blood and medivaced him to St. Mary's in Rochester. The doctors gave him over 90 units of blood!!!!!!!! They told his wife he should NOT have lived.. Told her, God still wants Nick here...no other reason for him to have lived!!! He is home and a walking miracle that the doctors are shaking their heads over. God is a miracle-making, mountain-moving God as my sweet friend Linny says..

Lets give thanks for these stories of healing and miracles and add a few more to our list. Please pray for:

Georgia who will have heart surgery on this coming Monday
Ravenna her sister who has a rare as of now undiagnosed blood disorder
Ruby Grace who is in need of a surgery for her brain
Linny who will fly to Africa to try to get Ruby Grace home for surgery.
Elaine's husband Rob went in for an angiogram and expected heart surgery after he failed a stress test...NO surgery needed!!! Praise God!
Dominique's health has improved a great deal and she is up and about again! Praise God!!
Renee's health continues to improve and strength is returning~ Praise God!
Joel's energy is coming back slow but sure. ~ Praise God!
Leon, a good friend is in need of prayers as his cancer has returned and is growing.
Marilyn his wife needs prayers for strength and continued healing
Jan, Renee's sister and her husband are flying to Europe on Sept. 11th.

Lord God, Jehovah Rapha, we bring before you all these people and more, asking for your healing touch. We give thanks for the miracles you are sharing with your children and we wait with expectation for more....after all you are our miracle-making God as Linny says. In Jesus Name...Amen

Feeling The Love?

2011-09-01T07:47:00.000-07:00

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—

not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.

No power in the sky above or in the earth below—

indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God

that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8: 38,39

I was watching one of my favorite shows the other night, and one of the characters turned to his crime solving partner and said, "I'm not feeling it." "Feeling what? his partner asked. He replied, "I am not feeling the love". It struck me funny at the time, but the more I thought about it the more I realized the truth in this statement.

There are many times throughout our lives where we do not feel the love...the love of our family or friends, our community, the world, or even the love God tells us to have for ourselves. Aren't we often our worst critics? In our broken world, we will not always feel the love...but what about with God?

God's love is never ending, it is unconditional, it is perfect. When we open ourselves up to His presence in our lives...we can ALWAYS feel the love! Can you feel the love?? The past few months when I have my morning quiet meditation time, I "enter" into a garden to sit with Jesus. I often visualize Jesus saying, "I love you Renee", and I always respond back, "Oh I love you too Jesus!" This practice is a good reminder of how much God loves and cares for me....no matter what the day may bring.

"For God so LOVED the world He have His only begotten son,

that whosoever believes in Him will not parish,

but have everlasting life."

John 3:16

When we are going through a trial or challenges come into our lives, we may find ourselves questioning God's love. The answers for why God allows adversity in our lives may be "shrouded in mystery" as Sarah Young says in her devotional "Jesus Calling", BUT God has promised to always be with us and to always love us. No question about it. His love never ends and is unfailing. Amen. It is so.

I am feeling the love!

Please stop over and visit Charlotte and Ginger at Spiritual Sundays to read inspirational posts or link up your own.

Shelter In The Storm

2011-08-26T13:26:00.000-07:00

"God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the sea,
though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.
The Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our stronghold."

Psalm 46: 1-3, 7

Watching all the news coverage on the hurricane bearing down on the East Coast has had me remembering when we lived in the Philippine Islands during the late 70's. Typhoon season was in the late fall through November, and the first year we were there we went through several typhoons in just a matter of weeks. One was particularly strong, and although our home was safe during the storm, we ended up living several days without electricity or tap water. Even with the continual warnings of what was coming, we were not well prepared and our first Thanksgiving dinner there consisted of jello, chips, and luncheon meat!

There have been many times in my life where I have not been prepared for the storms that have blown in. God's word gives us ample warnings of what could lie ahead, and also tells us how to prepare, but I have not always taking the warnings seriously, or completely trusted God to shelter me and walk with me through the storms. The result was often unnecessary hardship interwoven with worry, fear and anxiety.

It is so important to fill our minds with God's promises, rejoice in all circumstances, and lean on Him to see us through all the challenges that come our way. We do not always have time to prepare for life's storms like we do for a hurricane, but if we stay close to God at all times and let Him be our shelter, we will be ready to weather what comes our way. Believing in God's promises, we will be prepared.

Stop over to visit Charlotte and Ginger at Spiritual Sundays to read inspirational posts or link up your own.

Miracles In The Making

2011-08-24T16:48:00.000-07:00

I have been rejoicing over the miracles taking place in the lives of a young man named Karl ~ you can read his story at A Place Called Simplicity. Karl was on his way to pick up his girlfriend for church when the actions of someone else brought him to the hospital fighting for his life. The way God has orchestrated His plan for Karl's life and recovery from a motorcycle accident is amazing, humbling, and faith building. What a might God we serve.

We are also giving thanks today for my son's friend and fellow police officer who was hit by a drunk driver while on duty, and is in critical but stable condition right now. He has a terrible head injury and we are so thankful he has survived and is getting excellent care. We continue to pray for Tron and for a miraculous recovery!

We lift up to God today with praise, a past parishioner, Nick, who was in a strange accident where a nail went through his back and through an artery, through his liver and up into his heart and out again to lodge in his chest wall. He was in critical condition and not expected to live, but he is defying the odds and God's response to the prayers of many are bringing him back to health! Thank you Jesus for this miracle!

We also lift up to you our friend Leon who has had a return of cancer after a miraculous disappearance of it several years ago. Prayers are going up for another miracle! And for his wife Marilyn who walks with him on this journey.

God is the God of miracles! We have heard about quite a few this week....and we continue to petition for more. You have told us to "ask and we shall receive!"

We pray for more and more miracles, Lord. We pray for Your healing in the lives of the people listed below.
Georgia
Ravenna
Leon
Marlene
Ron
Elaine and her husband
Dominique, Laurel, Gail, and Linda
Karl
Nick
Tron
Ruby Grace and Sarah Jane

Thank you Jehovah Rapha~ Our God of healing.

Porch Sitting

2011-08-19T16:47:00.000-07:00

One of the blessings Joel and I have experienced while living with illness is the gift of porch sitting. We love to have our morning devotions and breakfast on our covered porch, and sometimes we take our mandatory naps there too. We live in a quiet neighborhood and sitting on our porch in the silence brings us in touch with nature ~ with what we see, smell, and hear. It is so relaxing and peaceful!

In our world of over planning, rushing, and doing more and more, people often do not take time to be still. At one time Joel and I were a part of that, while Joel served as a pastor, I often worked outside the home or as a volunteer, and we raised 7 children. I am not sure we took much time to rest and enjoy our surroundings. Then illness came calling. God's command to "Be still and know that I am God" has taken on special meaning for us now, as we rest in the hope of restoring our bodies. The time of resting has also renewed our spirits. Porch sitting has become our favorite thing to do!

So, just why does a person wait for illness before taking God's advice? Dont' you wonder? Throughout scriptures God speaks of how important it is to take time to renew our bodies, minds and spirits. Maybe we are afraid of what we will find when we are still with our own thoughts...or maybe we live so unconsciously on the treadmill called life that we are not even aware of time passing. Possibly we have the false believe that things just won't get done if we don't keep going. We think about taking the time....but it "just gets away from us." We are constantly busy and it seems always connected to some form of technology.

I wonder if God would hear from us more often if we were able to reach Him by email or a text! Oh dear! Oh, how God longs to hear from us. How he longs for us to take the time to be still before Him. He desires us to rest and restore our bodies and minds. Psalm 23 says:

"He makes me lie down in green meadows

He leads me beside still waters

He restores mys soul"

Taking time to rest, renew, and restore ourselves is a good thing. May each of you find your own time for porch sitting!!! I think God says it best!

"Come unto me ye who are heavy laden and I will give you rest."

Matthew 11:28

Stop over and visit Ginger and Charlotte at Spiritual Sundays and read more posts or link up your own.

Prayers and Praises

2011-08-18T14:22:00.000-07:00

"Devote yourself to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart."

Colossians 4:2

I like to post prayer requests and praises on Thursdays....and we have much to be thankful for this week...We are praising God that Karl is doing so well after his TBI from a motorcycle accident....we are praising God that Ravenna has so far tested negative for rare blood disorders....we are praising God for a financial gift that came today......and for beautiful weather and open windows and doors to let the fresh air in. We give thanks for Joel coming out of a bad relapse, and we give thanks that my energy is returning! I am praising God that I could cook a few meals, walk for a few minutes each day, and help Joel out this past week. Oh, and thank you God for visits with our youngest daughter, and our middle daughter and her family. Nothing like hugging grandkids to brighten our days!

Prayer requests:

Georgia~ serious heart concerns continue
Ravenna~ that doctors can discover why her blood clots so slowly
Shannon, Doug, and Parker~ strength and joy as everyone waits on the help needed for their sweet girls and sisters.
Karl~ continued prayers for his healing and praise for how far he has come
Ruby Grace~ gain wt so she can have surgery and come home to her forever family
Sarah Jane~ stay safe until comes home to her forever family
Joel ~ continued healing and interim position IF it is God's will
Renee~continued healing from stomach issues and Lyme
Dominique~ healing from severe relapse of ME/CFS
Gail, Laurel, and Linda~healing and strength with ME/CFS
Friend~ return of cancer
Friend~ heart issues
Ron~ stage 4 colon cancer
E. and husband~ health issues
All those who visit this blog~ strength, healing, deep joy and knowledge of how much God loves them!

We give thanks Lord for your gift of prayer and the power that is released in Your name when we pray. Thank you Jesus for the many blessings you bestow on us. Thank you Jesus for answering our prayers. Thank you Jesus for walking with us each and every day.

Lord Jesus, we lift up to you your children, your faithful servants. We ask that you reach out and touch each one of them and bring healing into their lives. You are a God of miracles, a God of healing, our Jehovah Jehri ~ our provider, our Jehovah Rapha~ our Lord of healing. We ask that you move mountains on behalf of them and grant each one healing, wholeness and peace.

In Jesus name
Amen

Taffy Pull

2011-08-16T19:38:00.000-07:00

The past few months I have been stretched one direction and then another by life as God has been teaching me about trusting Him in spite of, because of, and through my circumstances. I have been learning more than ever to lean on God as He guides me. Sometimes I have listened as I sat by His side, other times I have taken His hand as we walked together on an uphill path....and then again there have been times I have just sat in silence, not only at His feet but at the foot of a mountain while I contemplated how to get over, under or around it.

Through it all I have never been left alone. He has always been there for me...through thick and thin..through the tugging, stretching, and pulling. It has reminded me of a taffy pull. The taffy needs to be stretched and pulled in order to become soft and pliable. In order to become its best.

So do I. There have been moments where I have struggled with God's plan for me, but mostly I have taken comfort in feeling His presence every step of the way. I have felt His deep love for me with every stretch and pull. His gentle hands molding and shaping me in order to become my best. Shaping me to become more like Christ.....one stretch and pull at a time!

The Gift of Fragility

2011-08-12T13:58:00.000-07:00

The gift of fragility~ I read these words in a devotional book by Sarah Young recently and found myself wanted to disagree. How can fragility or weakness be a gift? And who would want such a gift?!
Certainly no one wants to be weak or fragile, although we all are in some way or another.....so is it possible to look at our weaknesses as gifts? It did not take me long to start to shift my mindset. Our weaknesses draw us closer to God when we learn we cannot do things on our own. Our weaknesses keep us from becoming arrogant or from having the mindset that we can are doing just fine without God's help. Our weaknesses bring us into a deep relationship with our Mountain-moving God.

Paul shared in 2 Corinthians 12 that he had asked God to remove the "thorn" he lived with 3 different times, but each time Jesus responded with, "My grace is sufficient for you. My power works best in weakness." Paul's weakness, his thorn, was never removed. Instead God gave him the grace and strength to preach the good news, bringing the gospel to all he came in contact with in spite of his weakness.

God's power is within us, too, enabling us to live the life God has planned. Paul spoke again in Ephesians 3 about God's power within us. Ephesians 3: 16-19 says:

"Pray that from His glorious unlimited resources he will empower you

with inner strength through his Spirit.

Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in him.

Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong.

And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should,

how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is,

May you experience the love of Christ thought it is great to understand fully.

Then you will be made complete

with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God."

The power comes from God's love for and in us. Philippians 4:13 (paraphrased) speaks more on this subject of strength.

"I can do all things through Christ

who continually pours His strength into me."

Weakness~ fragility~ maybe it is a gift. A gift that brings us closer to God and His abiding love for us. A gift that lets God work in and through us to His glory. A gift that is beyond our understanding, but makes us complete.....weaknesses and all.

Please stop over and visit Charlotte and Ginger at Spiritual Sundays to read more posts or link up your own.
I am still unable to leave comments on several blogs..hope this gets resolved soon!

Don't Look Back

2011-08-10T09:31:00.000-07:00

I have been reading a great book the past week written by Eunice Nordby Simonson. Eunice is the wife of Joel's cousin David Simonson who died last August. David and Eunice were missionaries in Tanzania for over 50 years and Eunice and some of her family still live on the land in Africa that was given to them by the Massai tribe. David is a legend in those parts and we have enjoyed reading about their lives for years.

As much as I have enjoyed reading, I Count My Blessings, I have felt it to be bittersweet too. From the time I was 13 I have been fascinated with missionaries and the work they do. Joel felt the same way as a teen, and when we met at Bible college and married two years later it was our plan to be missionaries in Africa. Then the draft board called and Joel spent 8 years in the Air Force. Four kids later Joel went to seminary and then we fell in love with Montana where he did his internship and spent a few years there....and then Minnesota...and then Iowa.  We had always struggled with putting our children in boarding schools after some of our friends shared with us what growing up as missionary kids. So we decided to wait until our kids were grown and then do mission work....and then Lyme Disease came into our lives.

We have periodically struggling with knowing if it was God's plan for us to go to Africa or just our dream. We do know that God has blessed and used Joel's ministry to help others and that we have lived a good life. We have wonderful kids and super fantastic grandkids (of course) and our special in-loves complete our family.

Reading about the Simonsons has once again stirred the pot. Like Lot's wife, I have struggled with looking back. Looking back and wondering...looking back and saying...what if....maybe we should have....It is not a comfortable place to be.   Well, we KNOW what happened to Lot's wife....she turned into a pillar of salt. Stone cold.

So, I am learning to let go of a life I once desired vs the life I now have. I am letting go of dreams that did not come to pass and giving thanks for the life I have had....and even the life I live now mostly from my living room. It is still a good life, and I mostly believe it is the life God had planned for us. Well, minus a couple of ticks that have wrecked havoc in our bodies!

We all need times like these to draw us closer to God, to learn and to grow as we question and reflect, but I certainly don't plan to spend the rest of my life looking back....wondering, mourning, questioning.  I just don't want to take the chance that I could turn into a pillar of salt!

The Words Of My Mouth

2011-08-05T14:28:00.000-07:00

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart

be pleasing to you oh Lord. my Rock and my Redeemer."

Psalm 19:14

Do you every say unkind things about others, or find it hard to forgive people who have hurt you, or treat them with love? I confess that at times I am still a work in progress in these areas, but recently God spoke to me using this verse in a new way. At the time I was beating myself up for not coping with an ongoing problem the way I thought I should. I was blaming myself for circumstances beyond my control. When I asked God to forgive my feelings of being overwhelmed, this verse came into my mind. In my heart I knew God was telling me to speak kindly about myself. God was telling me to love and forgive myself. God was telling me to care for myself as much as I do others.

Sometimes we are hardest on ourselves, aren't we. But God does not make junk. God does not make mistakes. He created you just as you are and He loves and delights in you, His creation. Words have power, and we need to make a decision on whether we are going to speak words of kindness and love, or words of negativity and hate over ourselves.

We certainly are not where we need to be in our walk with Jesus, but we are not where we used to be either...and how we treat ourselves will make a difference on our journey.

This week Joyce Meyer spoke about how she knew that Jesus died for her sins and set her free from any condemnation. She made a commitment to not put herself down any longer or treat herself unkindly. She made a commitment to let go of all her guilt and forgive herself the way God has forgiven her. Amen!

Let the words you speak about yourself and others from your mouth be acceptable to God. Let what you dwell on in your heart be acceptable to God. He will be pleased, and you will be more at peace.

Please stop over and visit Charlotte and Ginger at Spiritual Sundays to read inspirational posts or link up your own.

PS: I am having trouble leaving comments at certain blogs, so if you do not hear from me as a friend in Spiritual Sundays or other days of the week, just know I am reading your posts but cannot comment!

The Gift of Prayer

2011-08-04T10:03:00.000-07:00

"Devote yourself to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart."

Colossians 4:2

As I read this verse today, I felt God speaking to me about spending more time in prayer. I think I probably have more time than many due to having to sit in my recliner so much. It is a great opportunity to devote myself to prayer. Unfortunately I often get caught up in a book, the TV or my own symptoms and can easily neglect this precious gift God has given us. Today I would like to lift up some people for your prayers.

Georgia and Ravenna continue to need prayer. Georgia's heart symptoms may be due to a pulmanary valve...continued prayers for the doctors to figure this out and get it taken care of! Ravenna is still going through testing as blood disorders are eliminated and the search continues on. These two sisters and their parents Shannon and Doug, and brother Parker need prayer.

Karl needs continued prayers as his body works to restore itself due to a serious motorcycle accident. He needs to respond to more than one command from doctors and needs prayers for recovery from surgery he had again today. Prayers for Autumn, his girlfriend, and his family too.

Marlene needs prayers for uterus biopsies to rule out cancer.

Dominique needs continued prayers for severe ME/CFS and how it has affected her eyes. She is living in darkness most of the time now.

Linda needs prayers for an immediate new place to live as her caregiver fell and broke her hip. Linda has severe Fibromyalgia and is bedridden.

Friends Leon and Marilyn need prayers for their health issues. We ask for healing, Lord!

Gail, Laurel, Tonja, Rose, and Karen, all need healing from severe ME/CFS.

E. and her husband need prayers for health issues.

Roger needs prayers for the chemo to get rid of his cancer.

Ron who has stage 4 colon cancer.

Ruby Grace who is being adopted by Linny and Dw (A Place Called Simplicity) and needs healing and surgery for enlarged head with fluid.

We give thanks Lord for your gift of prayer and the power that is released in Your name when we pray. Thank you Jesus for the many blessings you bestow on us. Thank you Jesus for answering our prayers. Thank you Jesus for walking with us each and every day.

Lord Jesus, we lift up to you your children, your faithful servants. We ask that you reach out and touch each one of them and bring healing into their lives. You are a God of miracles, a God of healing, our Jehovah Jehri ~ our provider, our Jehovah Rapha~ our Lord of healing. We ask that you move mountains on behalf of them and grant each one healing, wholeness and peace.

In Jesus name
Amen

Delightful!

2011-08-02T17:11:00.000-07:00

"Don't take a single day for granted.

Take delight

in each

light-filled

day!"

Ecclesiastes 11:8

Our son and grandkids came for a short visit on Monday while our DIL was working. Visits with our children are few and far between due to distance, busyness, and our health issues. When one of our sweet families comes to visit, we are delighted! We find ourselves smiling all day long and for days after. Catching up on hugs and chatting is such a joy.

In my Jesus Calling devotional today, which is written as if Jesus was talking, Jesus said he is blessed when we come into His presence. That He is glorified when we delight in Him. I pondered this wondering if I show delight in Him like I do with my children and grandchildren. If my joy is expressed with those I love and care about, and I love the Lord ~ I need to express that love, not taking one single day for granted. Taking pure delight in each Light(Jesus)filled day!

Obstacles

2011-07-29T17:20:00.000-07:00

"In spite of the obstacles placed in my path, life is good....very very good."

The quote above came from a friend's blog as she was reflecting on her life the past year. Obstacles. We all encounter them. It is just a matter of seeing life as very very good inspite of them....and maybe because of them. It might make life just a little easier if we accept that obstacles are as much a part of life as waking up to the sun or going to sleep by moonlight. We know they will show up as we journey through our lives, we just need to find ways to deal with them when they do.

Hebrews 12;1,2 instruct us on how to do that:

" Therefore, since we are surrounded by a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who inititates and perfects our faith."

Our race is set by God. Each one of us has a different course to run, but we are all given just what we need to finish our race and see life as very very good. Obstacles or not, keeping our eyes of Jesus will get us across the finish line!

Stop over and visit Spiritual Sundays to read other inspirational posts or link up your own with Ginger and Charlotte.

Thursday's Prayers

2011-07-28T11:09:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since I posted prayer requests or praises. My summer has been hijacked by my illness, so each day is different and energy is hard to find. Today I want to share a few requests. There is great power in prayer~!

~ Prayers needed for Georgia and Ravenna who are sisters. Georgia continues to have mysterious heart symptoms ( had heart surgery once at age 2) and Ravenna is being tested right now for rare blood disorders. Prayers for mom and dad and brother Parker too.

~ Prayers for a man named Karl who was in a terrible motorcycle accident about 10 days ago. He is the boyfriend of Linny's daughter, Autumn, over at A Place Called Simplicity. Prayers for his brain and lung injuries to heal. For necessary surgeries to go well.

~ Prayers for a friend who has a return of cancer
~ Prayers for a friend who is having heart problems
~Prayers for Dominique who has severe CFS/ME
~Prayers for Marlene, who is having stomach issues
~Prayers for Renee who is still having strong stomach issues and Lyme pain
~Prayers for traveling mercies for Al, Judy, Evan, and Abbi
~ Prayers for our government
~ Prayers for Norway and the healing needed there
~ Prayers for all you readers and your loved ones.

Lord Jesus, we lift up to you your children, your faithful servants. We ask that you reach out and touch each one of them and bring healing into their lives. You are a God of miracles, a God of healing, our Jehovah Jehri ~ our provider, our Jehovah Rapha~ our Lord of healing. We ask that you move mountains on behalf of them and grant each one healing, wholeness and peace.

In Jesus name
Amen

Hands Held

2011-07-26T11:19:00.000-07:00

As I was reading my devotional book, "Jesus Calling", I was reminded of a chorus from a song we used to teach our Sunday School kids....

Put your hand in the hand of the man who stills the waters

Put your hand in the hand of the man who calms the seas

Take a look at yourself and you can see others differently

When you put your hand in the hand of the man from Galilee.

I really enjoy reading "Jesus Calling" because it is written as if Jesus were speaking directly to the reader. I have found that it speaks so often to me with just what I need to hear, that I look forward to reading it each day! Sarah Young's creation is a blessing from God. One of my favorite devotionals talked about holding the hand of Jesus and the two of us walking forward through the day together. I sat back the morning I read it, closed my eyes, and envisioned Jesus and I walking together holding hands. It brought a smile to my heart and comfort and courage to my day. Since that day, I try to remember to envision walking hand in had with my Lord. His warm strong hand wrapped around mine.

If you are in need of a bit of comfort or courage today, and if you can use an extra smile for your heart, remember.....put your hand in the hand of the Man of God who calms the sea...who stills the water. Put your hand in the hand of our Lord who is here to help us!

"For I hold you by your right hand ~ I the Lord your God

And I say to you, Don't be afraid

I am here to help you."

Isaiah 41: 13

Dancing In The Rain

2011-07-23T10:27:00.000-07:00

Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass

it is about learning to dance in the rain!

I grew up in a family where dancing at home was just part of our daily lives, and as a teen I liked to go dancing on the weekends and my siblings and I would often dance in our living room. In college I took modern dance and for most of my adult life I could be found dancing alone around the house. When my mom would come to visit us we would often do the two step together. The last dance we shared was at our daughter's wedding, when I twirled her around in her wheelchair. I love to dance!

Unfortunately, Lyme disease has robbed me of my ability to do much of anything right now. Dancing is still in my heart, but has not yet returned to my feet. That is why the quote I shared means so much to me, and when my daughter recently gave me a candle holder with these words on it I found myself smiling. The day will come when I can physically get up and dance~ even in the rain, but until that time my desire to dance remains in my heart.

Dancing equals joy for me, and God promises that joy will return in the morning. He also tells us to rejoice in all circumstances.. and when we rejoice, an amazing thing happens. We begin to smile! We begin to see things with God's eyes. We are renewed. We are filled with hope. We dance in the rain.

Shall we dance?

Stop over and visit Charlotte and Ginger at Spiritual Sundays to read inspirational posts or link up your own.

Wednesday's Words of Wisdom

2011-07-13T10:00:00.000-07:00

GOD

In
The

Details

Just Stay Calm

2011-07-12T09:34:00.000-07:00

"The Lord Himself will fight for you. Just stay calm."

Exodus 14:14

As many of you know, the past couple of months have been rough for me. A number of medical tests and procedures, stomach issues, and strong reactions to a treatment for Lyme put me back to a low level of health that I have not seen for several years. This past week was especially challenging. I realized how sick I was when both my doctors, who were going on vacation, gave me their cell numbers just in case. One asked me to check in with her every two days. We are blessed to have very caring doctors!

One night as I lay in bed tremoring, jerking with spasms, extremely weak, and struggling to get a full breath, I remember thinking, "I could die tonight. I am so glad Joel is here with me, I don't want to die alone." Treating Neurological Lyme Disease is a war with endless battles and many surprise attacks. It is easy to become weary. The above verse was one I learned a few weeks ago, and I took comfort in it that long night.

Just stay calm. It is not always easy to do. Sometimes our circumstances warrant a fearful response. Whether we are worried about finances, a loved one, or our own health, it is difficult to stay calm. But it is not impossible. Jesus is not only with us, but he fights for us. We are never left facing life's challenges on our own.

Take comfort today in knowing that whatever you are facing, enduring, or fighting, that God HIMSELF fights for you. Just stay calm, friend. Just stay calm.

Celebrating 43 Years!

2011-06-30T14:10:00.000-07:00

In the fall of 1966 my sister and her good friend were

visiting me at Bible college in Mpls. MN

They took a tour of the campus and met Joel.

Later they told me they met the man

I was going to marry....

when they pointed him out to me, I said

"You have got to be kidding!"

" He wears boots and he is loud"

They said, "OH we will pray about it!"

Just 18 mo later we were married

And today we are so thankful for the

prayers that brought us together!

Happy Anniversary Honey!

The You-And-I-Together Factor

2011-06-29T08:02:00.000-07:00

This morning as my husband and I were having devotions, we read from Sarah Young's devotional, Jesus Calling. One sentence stood out for me. "It is this you-and-I-together factor that gives you confidence to face the day cheerfully." Isn't that the truth!

Each day we wake up to another 24 hours to celebrate life. Some days it just does not seem worth celebrating, other days our hearts burst with the joy of being alive. The sun may be shining, or storms may be on the horizon. At times the storms may be so loud and heavy over us that we wonder if they will ever end. It is easy to feel we are alone. Not so. Whatever comes our way, we have the you-and-I (the I AM) together factor to get us through.

Yesterday I wrote an honest post about my journey the past few months. It has been up and down physically and emotionally I have put myself through the gamut, choosing to worry, to focus on my circumstances, to try to get God to heal me my way and right now. I am no longer in that dark place. I have come through the heavy depression I felt for the first time ever. I am resting more in God's loving arms as I wake up each morning. My resistance has turned to resting in Him.

One thing I am learning over and over is that I am not on my own. Inviting Jesus into our thoughts as Jesus Calling says, gives us the best perspective. What a precious gift that is ~ the you-and-I-together factor.

Broken Down By Life And Broken Open By God

2011-06-28T15:52:00.000-07:00

For everything there is a season

a time for every activity under heaven...

Ecclesiastes 3

I have been struggling for months to write here on my blog...or to express myself in the written word as I have done for so many years. I have been going through a dry season where life has broken me down. So many health issues, so many diagnoses, so many worries, so many changes and challenges.

I have been dealing with stomach issues since the end of January. I have gone through several doctors appointments and tests to rule out cancer and seek answers. All tests came back normal which we are so grateful for, yet the stomach keeps complaining! A month ago I started a new treatment and it was just too much for my body to handle. I ended up sitting in my recliner or laying in bed, feeling at times like I was dying. After 3 weeks, I began to function once again at a very low level, but function I am. Still, the stomach issues continue. My Lyme doctor believes that one of the co-infections that came with Lyme has entered into the lymph nodes in my stomach and that along with the Lyme have caused me to be unable to digest normally....and nerve pain is now in my stomach too. I could go on, but you get the idea....Not fun and not going away, for awhile at least.

Broken down by a tiny tick. Broken down by my fears. Broken down by shattered dreams and expectations. Broken down physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

I am a person who likes to know what I am dealing with, fix it, and move on. This is not an easy fix. There is mystery involved with no rhythm or reason behind the ups and downs of symptoms. Each day is a surprise and out of my control. Ahhhh, there is the catch. Control.... I cannot make it go away.

God has allowed me to be broken down in order to be broken open. It is a slow and sometimes painful process. It is also an opportunity to grow, stretch, and become closer to my Lord Jesus. I am hanging on to His promises and the knowledge that He loves me so much that He would never leave me broken without using it for good and His glory. He is reshaping me, renewing me, restoring me. In due time this dry season will produce fruit.

Thoughtful and Thankful Thursday

2011-06-23T16:54:00.000-07:00

It has been a challenging week again with my health, so it is a good time to give thanks for the blessings that surround me ~a dog that is our companion and makes us laugh, a laptop that I can use right from my recliner, soft rain on the windows, clean sheets, and a new Angels on Earth magazine. I also am so thankful for my sweet husband who is 65 this week! As the Bible tells us....pray without ceasing!

Prayer Requests:

*Joel's extreme Lyme fatigue

* Linny and family~ as they begin a new ministry to support orphans on a larger scale in Uganda and her husband Dw who came home from Africa sick.

*Georgia ~ her heart concerns to be resolved with healing

* Dominique~ her ME/CFS relapse and severe light sensitivity
* Ron ~ colon cancer

* A friend who is having heart problems

*A friend who's lung cancer has returned

*Prayers for our grandson Evan's 20% loss of hearing to be restored.

*Prayers for my low levels of health and energy to resolve with new treatment

*Joe needs a kidney transplant

Lord Jesus, we lift up to you your children, your faithful servants. We ask that you reach out and touch each one of them and bring healing into their lives. You are a God of miracles, a God of healing, our Jehovah Jehri ~ our provider, our Jehovah Rapha~ our Lord of healing. We ask that you move mountains on behalf of them and grant each one healing, wholeness and peace.

In Jesus name
Amen

Thankful Thoughts and Prayers

2011-06-16T11:06:00.000-07:00

Oh, it is a beautiful day here today in Iowa with sunshine, a gentle wind and temperatures heading for 80. The grass is greener than green after all the rain off and on the past few days, and flowers are praising the Lord with their vibrant colors. It is a good day to pause and give thanks for all the blessings of nature. A few days ago a deer walked across our lawn and crossed the street on it's way back from the river. I always enjoy seeing these visitors, although I confess I worry about the Lyme ticks they carry. Our resident male Wren is back and was able to bring a female to nest in the birdhouse Joel made, with his special song. Now as they await their babies to arrive, he sings yet another song of joy. Today I give thanks for the solitude and quiet that bends my ear to his song.

Prayer Requests:

* Linny and family~ as they begin a new ministry to support orphans on a larger scale in Uganda
* ~ protection for her husband and two older children on a mission trip in Uganda
* Georgia ~ her heart concerns to be resolved with healing
* Dominique~ her ME/CFS relapse and severe photophobia
* Ron ~ colon cancer
* A friend who is having heart problems
*A friend who's lung cancer has returned
*Prayers for our grandson Evan's 20% loss of hearing to be restored.
*Prayers for my low levels of health and energy to be completely healed.
*Joe needs a kidney transplant

Lord Jesus, we lift up to you your children, your faithful servants. We ask that you reach out and touch each one of them and bring healing into their lives. You are a God of miracles, a God of healing, our Jehovah Jehri ~ our provider, our Jehovah Rapha~ our Lord of healing. We ask that you move mountains on behalf of them and grant each one healing, wholeness and peace.

In Jesus name
Amen

A Trip To The River

2011-06-15T13:53:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we took a trip to the river!

Granted our river is only 3 blocks away by foot path

and one mile by car~

But it was the first time I had left our home in 28 days.

It felt wonderful!

Our cleaning lady was here so we grabbed my devotional basket

and headed out to the van for a short trip to the river park

where we drove in under a tree,

cracked the windows

took in the fresh air

and enjoyed the view of the river.

For at least 15 years whenever we would travel I would

take along with me my basket.

My handwoven basket holds my devotional books, a Bible,

a couple of tablets and pens and pencils.

It was made by a tribe that lives up in the mountains of Baguio

in The Philippines.

We spent 2 yrs living there.

I have had this basket for over 30 years

and carried it with me in the car for over 15,

The rest of the time it sits in my living room~

It is a companion so to speak~

It holds things most dear to me

It holds memories I cherish.

I have hope and dreams for the days ahead

when I can pack it up and travel once again.

For now I am just thankful I was able to take a trip to the river!

Sabbatical

2011-06-04T14:30:00.000-07:00

I am taking a week off from my blogs due to my low level of health. Have not felt this sick in 5 years and need to rest, reflect, and adjust to this new reality. I am bonding with my sofa, bed, and recliner with my PJ's and pillows keeping me company.

Until later.........

Thoughtful And Thankful Thursday

2011-06-02T11:39:00.000-07:00

It has been another challenging week for our country with weather causing so much destruction. It has been another challenging week for me health wise too. My usual 40% of 100% energy levels have plummeted to 20% on a good day. It has given me great pause and the burden of worry is adding to my heaviness. It is a good time to look back at the past week and give thanks.

We are blessed to have good doctors and practitioners who care and are concerned about our health and my increase of symptoms. I am blessed to have a husband with a deep love for and commitment to me. A faith that sustains and a love that at times carries. I am blessed to know that God is with me no matter what the circumstances...no matter what my today is or my tomorrow brings. We give thanks that little Georgia got through her difficult challenge at the hospital with the tests and is recovering as they await the results. Giving thanks that Giving thanks that my post cancer check up was good ~ no sign of cancer! Praising God for my beautiful view, my laptop, a good TV with remote, and more books than I need!

Thank you for coming by ~ please join me in praying for the following requests, and leave me any you would like to add.

Prayer Requests:

~ Three year old Georgia is now having bouts of hives. Prayers for insight into this and healing from it.
~ Continued prayers for John and his health issues and for Mildred his wife.

~ Continued prayers for Dominique who is having severe light sensitivity and increased symptoms due to severe ME/CFS.

~ Prayers for a friend who's cancer has returned

~ Prayers for a friend who is having heart problems

~ Prayers for our grandson Evan's loss of hearing to be restored.

~ Prayers for all those who lost loved ones and/or their homes in the tornadoes across our country.

~ Prayers for my low levels of health and energy to be completely healed.
~ Joe needs a kidney transplant

~ Ron has colon cancer stage 4

Lord Jesus, we lift up to you your children, your faithful servants. We ask that you reach out and touch each one of them and bring healing into their lives. You are a God of miracles, a God of healing, our Jehovah Jehri ~ our provider, our Jehovah Rapha~ our Lord of healing. We ask that you move mountains on behalf of them and grant them healing, wholeness and peace.

In Jesus name
Amen

Food For Thought

2011-06-01T14:36:00.000-07:00

I was reading a book today and one of the chapter titles was, "Our Thoughts Create Our World".....
Another favorite quote of mine involving this topic is...."Food for thought"....and we all have heard someone say, "We are what we think" ~   So, what ARE our thoughts focusing on?

I think Maxine may have something here. Don't believe everything you think! We can't always control our thoughts, but we can control how we respond to them, or whether we accept them as real or not. Do we believe everything that pops into our head? Do we dwell on the negative words that fills our heads at times? Oh, it is so easy to see the glass as half empty.  It is so easy to believe the worst about a situation, someone, or ourselves. It is so easy to turn a thought into a hurricane in our head!

The Bible tells us in Philippians 4:8, "And now brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."

Certainly, God knew that it would not be easy to tame our thoughts, and He has provided the encouragement and instruction we need to help us. Next time negative or worrisome thoughts start a hurricane in your brain, take a deep breath, turn your focus on His living Word, and just breathe in everything that is pure and lovely.  And remember ~ don't believe everything you think!

Be Still....Know...And Remember

2011-05-26T17:03:00.000-07:00

"Be still and know that I am God"

Psalm 46:10

In today's world, it is often difficult to find time to be still. Truth be told, we are not always comfortable with stillness, and yet God's word encourages us to do so. I believe that God created us with the need for our spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental health to take the time to be still.

I am not talking about the yearly vacation we take, or even plunking down in front of the TV at the end of a long day. I am talking about daily sitting in silence, listening for the voice of God, reflecting on God and our life, and truly resting.

When worry or busyness fill our minds, it would do us good to take a moment to be still, and know. Know that God is God. Know that He is with us. Know that he delights in talking with us. Know Him.

When you come to that place of peaceful stillness, remember. Remember what God has done for you in the past. Remember how He has taken care of you. How He has the best plans for your life...Loves you deeply. Remember how he was there when things looked dark...or darn right scary. Remember how he walked you through a storm....remember how he carried you when you no longer could walk. Remember His faithfulness.

Be still......Know......Remember......

Thoughtful And Thankful Thursday

2011-05-26T10:08:00.000-07:00

It is a beautiful day here today with Sunshine and a high of 66 forecast. A nice day for Iowa. I am so thankful for the rain we had yesterday as it soaked the neighbor's chemicals he had sprayed on his grass right into the ground making it possible for me to open windows once again after several days of confinement. I am thankful for our new doctor who is using homeopathy to help our immune systems heal. So thankful for little Georgia getting through her first day of hospital testing. ( Prayers for her and photo below). Giving thanks today that my stomach and small intestine biopsies came back benign...Thank you Jesus. Giving thanks today for the prayer/fasting time I am having with 39 other people who are living with Lyme Disease. A time to grow closer to God and petition for healing for so many.

Prayer Requests:

~ Three year old Georgia is having an EEG and EKG with two days of testing to figure out why she keeps having heart episodes. She had open heart surgery a year or more ago too. Please pray for healing for this sweet child who loves life so very much and for her mom Shannon, dad Doug, and siblings Ravenna and Parker.

~ Continued prayers for John and his health issues and for Mildred his wife.

~ Continued prayers for Dominique who is having severe light sensitivity and increased symptoms due to severe ME/CFS.

~ Prayers for a friend who's cancer has returned

~ Prayers for a friend who is having heart problems

~ Prayers for our grandson Evan's ears to completely heal from years of ear infections

~ Prayers for all those who lost loved ones and/or their homes in the tornadoes across our country

~ Prayers for me as I am having major pain, fatigue, stomach issues, and weakness from Bartonella bacteria die off.

~Prayers for discernment on when to travel to look for a house to buy for retirement

~ Joe needs a kidney transplant

~ Ron has colon cancer stage 4

Lord Jesus, we lift up to you your children, your faithful servants. We ask that you reach out and touch each one of them and bring healing into their lives. You are a God of miracles, a God of healing, our Jehovah Jehri ~ our provider, our Jehovah Rapha~ Lord of healing. We ask that you move mountains on behalf of them and grant them healing, wholeness and peace.

In Jesus name. Amen

God, You Are Amazing!

2011-05-24T11:27:00.000-07:00

I just was over visiting Linny at A Place Called Simplicity where she has posted the answer to a prayer request that many readers had been praying and fasting for.

A family was trying to bring home a little boy from Russia who had down syndrome, believing they were his forever family. The judge has denied them adoption siting the "fact" that this child was unadoptable and needed to be kept in an institution. Linny rallied a prayer and fast time for this little guy, not the first we have all prayed for. The Supreme Court just overruled the judge and this sweet boy will be coming home to his forever family. Our mighty and amazing God intervened and the laws of Russia crumbled!

God, You are amazing! We bow before you with deep thanksgiving and praise. We are humbled by how your hand moves to bring loving families to the orphans....we are humbled by the power and love you bestow in response to those who pray.

Let us never forget the power that lies in prayer. Let us never forget the importance of prayer. Let us never forget how much God delights in our petitions and desires us to come to Him.

God, You are amazing!

"No Piggy"

2011-05-20T12:06:00.000-07:00

Once when our daughter was upset about something, her daughter, Abbi, who was a young child at the time said, "Don't worry, mommy, no piggy!" Of course she meant "no biggy" but what she heard as a toddler was "no piggy". My daughter could not help but laugh at this, and her worries soon disappeared I am sure.

God gives us phrases to respond with when worry comes for a visit too. They are found in His Holy Book, and we are blessed to have a number of translations to use to find just the right words to help dissolve our worries with a smile, or kick them right out the door! It may not be a child's "no piggy" but it holds as much faith, love, and compassion.

God knows just what we need. Words have power and God's words have the ultimate power to break down our fears, remove our worries and bring laughter and joy to our days.

Matthew 6 tells us in The Message, " Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes."

My favorite verses come from Isaiah 41 in the Message. It seems God reads my mind~~imagine that! "Don't panic. I am with you. There is no need to fear for I'm your God. I'll give you strength. I'll help you. I'll hold you steady and keep a firm grip on you."

Even though our granddaughter is no longer a toddler and her days of saying "No piggy" are long gone, I still whisper them to myself at times to remind me to lighten up, and to the keep the faith of a small child. So, if today a worry comes to sit on your shoulder, pick up God's word to read and store in your heart, and try whispering to yourself, "No piggy!" I guarantee you will smile~

Stop over and visit Charlotte and Ginger at Spiritual Sundays to read inspirational posts or link up your own.

Delight In The Day

2011-05-17T13:28:00.000-07:00

"Don't take a single day for granted.

Take delight in each light-filled hour!"

Ecc. 11:8

The Message

Isn't this a great verse to start our day with~ I like to begin my days by saying a favorite verse..."This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.." This verse in Ecc. that I read recently on a notecard, goes right along with that.

So often we get caught up in the busyness of life, no matter our age or abilities. We often take our tomorrows for granted..or wish for tomorrow, losing what is offered to us today. Certainly, there is a precious gift offered to us each day~ and as this verse implies, we can really find something to be delighted about every single hour. We need only look around us to be inspired.

I can see my neighbor out trimming his lilac bushes while his sweet grandson plays at his feet. I miss my own grandchildren so much, and am delighted to watch this little toddler move about,

We have a bird feeder and hanging basket of flowers right outside our window to enjoy throughout the day. So far I have seen finches, sparrows, cardinals, a morning dove and an Oriole eating there. The squirrels have given us more than a few laughs, too, as they try to eat from the feeder.

I can look over and see our 11 yr old miniature schnauzer sleeping on the loveseat. He brings me companionship every day.

The phone connects me to all those I love and care about around the country!

To my left is a pile of books I am reading and re-reading. Do we realize how many people do not own one single book? I am so thankful to have a friend whom I call my "book fairy" who sends me book cards as special gifts. She has no idea the joy her gifts bring to me.

I can watch TV, turn on the radio, or put in a CD all at my fingertips.

Hearing the doctor tell me "everything looks normal" gives me more reason to delight in all the days I have been given.

My husband is on disability due to Lyme disease so he is home quite a bit of the time. I love having him home and even though I do not desire for him to be sick, I truly delight in his company.

My laptop connects me to the world and my blog to all of you. I delight in knowing you and writing until my heart is content.

I could go on and on and on.....

Yes, each day is a gift from God. Don't take a single one for granted. DELIGHT in each light-filled hour!

Be Close My Child

2011-05-14T14:39:00.000-07:00

This past Wednesday I went in to the local surgical center for an endoscopy. Everything went like clockwork...and at this point things look normal. The precautionary biopsies will come back in a couple of weeks. My reactions were minimal and recovery has gone well for someone with several chronic illnesses. Thank you so much for your prayers!

My husband and I felt I was in capable hands ~ well skilled technicians doing their job. They do these type of procedures all day long and see so many different people moving in and out..they do not get attached to any of the patients. I saw the Dr. for 3 minutes before the procedure, and he talked to my husband for a whole 15 seconds afterwards to let him know things were normal. This man never once looked into my eyes or Joel's. Just did his job and did it well which is what you want....but.....yet....the detachment we both felt was unsettling to say the least. He had my life in his hands, and he never saw me as the person I am.

I found myself comparing this experience to my relationship with God. Wouldn't it be awful if our connection to God was distant....detached? He is, after all the God of the Universe. Powerful, all knowing, above us in all things. He holds our lives in His capable hands, but He desires more from us than just a distant connection. He desires a true personal relationship. One on one. He knows the very number of hairs we have on our head. He formed us in our mother's womb. We are important to Him. He loves us....He delights in us! He wants us to "Be close, my child."

Lord, let me never take your relationship with me for granted. Thank you God for loving me, caring for me, wanting me close. Thank you God for delighting in me. The reassurance I feel realizing this cannot be measured. May we all hunger for this type of relationship, and never distance ourselves from such a loving Father. In Jesus name.....Amen

Please stop over and visit Charlotte and Ginger to read other inspirational posts or link up your own. http://www.bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/

Thankful Thoughts

2011-05-13T10:10:00.000-07:00

My post I wrote for Thursday disappeared amidst the blogger glitches that were going on, so I am just going to give a praise report here ~ giving thanks that the endoscopy on Wed. went well, and the scan looked normal. They took precautionary biopsies in my stomach and small bowel which will take two weeks for a report. I did not react to the meds except for my usual headaches, brain fog, and increase in pain. Yahoo for that!

Many thanks for your prayers and support. I appreciate it so very much...

Precious Pansies

2011-05-06T18:58:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day

It is Mother's Day weekend and as is my usual request, I asked Joel for pansies. They have special meaning for me and remind me of my mother, who died 9 years ago at the age of 92. Every year since her funeral I have planted pansies in memory of her. This year we found this beautiful combination ~ love the purple and yellow velvety petals!

Charlotte and Ginger mentioned sharing ways our mothers nurtured us spiritually. First of all I must share that I had more than one person "mothering" me as I grew up. My two older sisters each took turns parenting me along with my mom when she was able. My oldest sister, who raised me for 9 yrs. as part of her family, provided me with the spiritual teachings I needed to become a follower of Christ. Sunday services and Sunday School, choir, family devotions and prayer time, and helping others are just some of the ways I remember being nurtured as a child. Thanks to my older sister, I was active in church and went to a Bible college. When she and her friend met my husband Joel at the college, she told me she had met the man I was "going to marry". I was not thrilled when she pointed him out and told her so. She and her friend said, "We will pray about it" and 2 yrs later Joel and I were married. Joel is the very best answer to prayer I have ever received. I have been blessed throughout the 43 years of marriage to this special man.

There have been other women in my life who have nurtured my faith ~~ some I have called friends and others I have been inspired by when reading about them. And some I have called daughter. As a mother of seven I pray I have nurtured my own children's faith.....I know I have learned much from my own girls who are mothers, and with how they live their lives as women of God.

On this Mother's Day, may you remember with fondness your own mothers, sisters, and friends who have helped to nurture your faith. May we all pause to give thanks for those special women that God has blessed us with, while at the same time asking God to keep us open to being a spiritual mentor for others.

Speaking of prayer, would you pray for me as I go in this Wed., May 11th for an endoscopy? I do believe in the power of prayer!

Stop over and visit Charlotte and Ginger at Spiritual Sundays. http://www.bloggerspirit.com/

Thankful and Thoughtful Thursday

2011-05-05T14:17:00.000-07:00

I have not posted for awhile as I struggle with health issues and the emotional turmoil connected to them. Easter was a busy time for Joel and he is also dealing with the physical "aftermath" of this. God is faithful and seeing us through. During all this, we have also started looking for a home to buy in Joel's hometown where we plan to retire. God is leading us back to the very place we started our married life together 43 yrs ago!

Yesterday I fasted from TV and spent time praying. Last night I was part of a conference call prayer group where we pray for over 500 with Lyme disease and other challenges. God hears our prayers and delights in them!

On this National Day of Prayer it is fitting to give thanks and pray for our country. Thank you Lord for the privilege to live in a free country where we can vote, worship, and live such good lives. We are blessed beyond measure. We also lift our country up in prayer. We ask that you bless our leader and his family. Bless all those in office and serving our country in the Armed Forces. May they always walk with you Lord.

Giving thanks that we can rely on your promise to not turn a deaf ear to our prayers. This day I ask, Lord, for you to bless and heal the following people:

Joel ~ having bad symptoms from Lyme bacteria die off.
Renee~ thanking God my stomach is a bit better. Prayers for endoscopy next Wed. morning. NO reactions to the meds used, no cancer found and healing of the stomach completely.
Linny and family~ Praising God for her prayer and fasting days and open heart of deep faith
H. ~ prayer of praise she is staying sober and working now
Sisters Georgia and Ravenna ~ health issues continue but have seen some improvements at times.
Ron ~ colon cancer
John (and Mildred) and his health issues
Dominique, Laurel, and Gail ~ severe relapses from ME/CFS
Joe~ in need of a kidney transplant

Lord Jesus, we lift up to you your children, your faithful servants. We ask that you reach out and touch each one of them and bring healing into their lives. You are a God of miracles, a God of healing, our Jehovah Jehri ~ our provider, our Jehovah Raphe~ Lord of healing. We ask that you move mountains on behalf of them and grant them wholeness and peace.
In Jesus name. Amen

Ressurection Power

2011-04-23T05:57:00.000-07:00

He is risen!

Christ the Lord is Risen indeed!

To know Christ, His love for us, the gift of eternal life offered to us, His power within us~ We are richly blessed to serve a risen Savior!

Wishing all of you a Joyful Easter.

~~~~~~~~~~

Stop over and visit Charlotte and Ginger at Spiritual Sundays to read inspirational posts and link up your own if you wish. http://www.bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/

Thankful And Thoughtful Thursday

2011-04-21T16:32:00.000-07:00

It is Maunday Thursday. I am giving thanks today for all that God did for us when He sacrificed His own son on the cross so we may have eternal life. Thank you Lord for the hope of Heaven and life everlasting. Thank you Lord for bringing Linny and her group home safely from their mission trip to Africa. Thank you that Dw's legs are healing from the clots. Thank you for your continual guidance with Shannon and her family. Thank you Lord for guiding my Lyme doctor and for walking with me on this journey.

Shannon, Doug, and their children Ravenna, Parker, and Georgia:

Dominique. Upnorth, and Laurel who are in severe relapses with their ME/CFS

A sweet boy in Russia who needs to go home with his adoptive family

Renee~ needs complete healing for H-Pylori and a coinfection in her stomach. Prayers the stomach pain and acid reflux will go away! Insights with her local doctor and appt. for Monday to request an endoscope.

The right house for Joel and Renee to retire in

Ron who has colon cancer

Joe on kidney transplant list

Dr. V ~ keep her healthy and cancer free

Connie~ trip to Cuba for mission work

Lord Jesus, we lift up to you all these people, your children, your faithful servants. We ask that you reach out and touch each one of them and bring healing into their lives. You are a God of miracles, a God of healing, our Jehovah Jehri ~ our provider, our Johovan Rophe~ Lord of healing. We ask that you move mountains on behalf of them and grant them wholeness and peace. In Jesus name. Amen

ROC vs The Rock

2011-04-20T08:14:00.000-07:00

"Come let us sing to the Lord. Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our Salvation!"

Psalm 95:1

For the past 3 months I have been having stomach problems, and the last 6 weeks acid reflux. I have been doctoring for this with my local doctor, once at the ER, and with my Lyme specialist. She found H-Pylori and probably small ulcers which she has been having me treat for the last 4 weeks. Symptoms continue on and my last phone consult with her she told me it was time to have an endoscope to rule out cancer. ROC ~ Rule Out Cancer. I expect due to having had cancer last March, I will hear those words more than I care to during the rest of my earthly years. To be honest, they frighten me. You would think they would lose their power after hearing them several times in the past 10 months, but they only seem to gain power over me instilling in me more fear and worry (which does not help my stomach issues). Ahhhhh...there they are again....my unwelcome companions of fear and worry.

Today when I was having devotions, I thought ~ Well, where am I going to put my focus? On the ROC (Rule Out Cancer) or on the ROCK of my salvation! I have a choice. I am choosing to shout joyfully to the Rock giving thanks for His perfect plan for my life! I don't know what tomorrow will bring, but I need not worry because God is already there.

Today I ask for your prayers for my current health issues, and I ask that you will pray for me to be reminded to keep my focus on the Rock of my salvation. My Lord and Savior!!! Where does our help come from? Our help comes from the Lord!

Obedience And Love

2011-04-15T16:39:00.000-07:00

"Three things will last forever~faith, hope, and love~and the greatest of these is love."

I Corth. 13:13

This week a friend spent time in an orphanage holding a tiny little baby girl who was fighting to for her life. Several of the women who went to Uganda together on a mission trip, held this precious baby and others, giving them the love and comfort they so lacked. Unfortunately, this tiny little baby died during the night. The women were heartbroken at this turn of events.

With distance between me and their heartfelt pain and sorrow, I thought about this. For a short period of time, in obedience to God, these women far from home, gave love to some of God's orphaned children. For one little sweetheart it was an experience that prepared her for her heavenly home. Her death broke Linny's heart. No longer is she able to hold this little one, but as she said, "God is holding her in His arms now." One of the other women said the pain she felt was so great, she did not think she could go back and do it again. I can only imagine what these women felt during their mission trip.

Obedience to God can be painful at times. He can ask things of us that we would rather not experience. Because, really, it is not about us. It is about obedience to God's will for our lives. It is about loving others. It is about GOD!

Lord Jesus, what a precious gift you gave those tiny bundles when they were held with love. What a precious gift you gave your servants in Uganda. What a precious gift you gave me in reading about their journey. What a wonderful welcome home I am seeing for the little one who died. The angels sang I am sure, and oh what love and comfort she feels now. Beyond our imagination. To God be the glory.

~~~~~~~

Please stop over to visit Charlotte and Ginger at Spiritual Sundays to read inspirational posts or link up your own. http://www.bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/

Thankful and Thoughtful Thursday

2011-04-14T19:51:00.000-07:00

Giving thanks today for the many blessings God has given us this week. Thanks you Lord for the conference call prayer group I am able to be involved in. Thank you Lord for the time we have for morning devotions and "Garden Time" with God. Thank you Lord for continuing to be with Georgia, Ravenna, Parker and their parents. Thank you Lord that John's biopsy went so well! Thank you Lord for giving us the green light for our future move. Thank you Lord that the H-Pylori is healing in my stomach along with acid reflux. Thank you that Alyson is doing better. Thank you that Joel is stronger this week.

Prayers for:

H. In need of prayer for addiction

Shannon, Doug, and their children Ravenna, Parker, and Georgia:

~Ravenna has just been diagnosed with a rare blood clotting disorder

~Parker has asthma

~Georgia~ healing for her heart

Dominique. Upnorth, and Laurel who are in severe relapses with their ME/CFS

Linny and the twenty women who are doing mission work in Uganda
Linny's husband Dw. who has injured his leg and is being treated for blood clots in three veins there.

A sweet boy in Russia who needs to go home with his adoptive family

Renee~ needs complete healing for H-Pylori and a coinfection in her stomach

The right house for Joel and Renee to retire in

Ron who has colon cancer

Joe on kidney transplant list

Dr. V ~ keep her healthy and cancer free

Connie~ trip to Cuba for mission work
Lord Jesus, we lift up to you all these people, your children, your faithful servants. We ask that you reach out and touch each one of them and bring healing into their lives. You are a God of miracles, a God of healing, our Jehovah Jehri ~ our provider. We ask that you move mountains on behalf of them and grant them wholeness and peace. In Jesus name. Amen

Heaven Is

2011-04-08T11:45:00.000-07:00

"Then I saw a new Heaven and a new earth......

Revelations 21:1a

I have been reading two books recently that have given me glimpses into Heaven. "Heaven Is For Real" is a true story about a 3 yr old boy who nearly died from a ruptured appendix. During this time he went to Heaven and describes it in vivid detail to his parents over the years. The second book is called, "Flight To Heaven" and tells the true story of a man who was the sole survivor of a plane crash resulting in life threatening injuries. Forty years later he tells the story of his trip to Heaven while on the operating table, and what he saw while there. Both of these people~ a toddler and a man who was 19 at the time, were profoundly changed by their experiences. Their concern for the salvation of others is always a priority for them. The love they felt while in Heaven is seen in others by how they live every single day.

Most of us will experience a taste of Heaven before we leave this earth for good. We can only imagine from what others say, and from what we read about in the Bible. Still, to know that it is a wonderful place....filled with glory and grace, as a Sunday School song says.....this is knowledge that we can tuck away in our hearts. And we don't have to wait to experience Heaven to manifest the desire to bring others to Christ so that they may one day too, be amazed by what Heaven has to offer!

Some day we will all be filled with all the glory and grace Heaven has to offer. Until that time comes, may God give us all a hunger to tell others about Christ. May we be willing to open our hearts to those in need and share the good news!

"Heaven is a wonderful place

Filled with glory and grace

I'm gonna see my Savior's face

Heaven is a wonderful place....

.....I'm going there........."

Stop over and visit Ginger and Charlotte at Spiritual Sundays to read inspirational posts or link up your own. http://www.bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/

Thankful and Thoughtful Thursday Prayers

2011-04-07T11:22:00.000-07:00

Praise The Lord:
Thank you Lord for blessing sweet little Georgia with a normal MRI. Thank you for walking with her and her family through trying time and health issues. Thank you for guiding and directing the doctors for John's salivary gland tumor and what is to be done. Thank you Lord that H. is holding her own with recovery. Thank you Lord that one of the two children hoping to leave Russia with their adoption family was able to do so! Thank you that our DIL's finger is healing well. Thank you Lord for a week of slow but steady progress in our health issues. Thank you for walking with us through tough times. Thank you Lord for books that inspire, music that lifts, and scripture that strengthens.

Prayers Requests for This week:

John and Mildred: John needs a biopsy on his salivary gland
H. In need of prayer for addiction
Shannon, Doug, and their children Ravenna, Parker, and Georgia:
~Ravenna has just been diagnosed with a rare blood clotting disorder
~Parker has asthma
~Georgia~ healing for her heart
Dominique. Upnorth, and Laurel who are in severe relapses with their ME/CFS
Linny and the twenty women who are doing mission work in Uganda
A sweet boy in Russia who needs to go home with his adoptive family
Michele~ our DIL who had surgery on her finger
Renee~ needs complete healing for H-Pylori and a coinfection in her stomach
Joel~ strength and less exhaustion from Lyme
Ron who has colon cancer
Joe on kidney transplant list
Dr. V ~ keep her healthy and cancer free
Alyson~ going through a strong die off reaction with Lyme disease

Lord Jesus, we lift up to you all these people, your children, your faithful servants. We ask that you reach out and touch each one of them and bring healing into their lives. You are a God of miracles, a God of healing, our Jehovah Jehri ~ our provider. We ask that you move mountains on behalf of them and grant them wholeness and peace. In Jesus name. Amen

Delight!

2011-04-06T11:01:00.000-07:00

"Don't take a single day for granted. Take delight in each light-filled day! "

Ecclesiastes 11:8 (Message)

I love this verse~ It is a great reminder for us to truly wake up and give thanks for this day~ delighting in the LIGHT that fills it..the Light of Jesus Christ....the day that the Lord has made, created.... for us, His children.

"This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!"

Psalm 118: 24

If you have read my blog for any period of time, you know that I am a worrier who has struggled with a stronghold of fear to be safe and protected, among other things. God has been helping me to deal with this and find the freedom from fear that I hunger for. He has been gracious to reveal to me through scripture, inspirational books, prayer, visualization and other amazing resources His deep love for me and His desire that I trust Him completely. I feel such joy in walking through this journey with my Lord and Savior.

The above verse from Ecclesiastes really spoke to me. Delight~ Finding each day a delight...no matter the circumstances...no matter the symptoms....no matter what our future holds.....because this IS the day that He has made...and His power fills it with light...His Light. Don't take today for granted...delight in it!!!

Children Of The Light

2011-04-01T11:12:00.000-07:00

"Walk as children of the light."

Ephesians 5:8b

The Bible tells us Jesus is the Light of the world. He is the beacon that ships sail towards on a stormy night. He is the porch light that leads us home. He is the streetlight that keeps us from the darkness. He is the headlight that leads the way. He is the Sonlight that warms our days. Jesus is the Light of the world.

The Bible also tells us we are children of the light. Children of God, saved from death by salvation through God's only son. Ephesians 5: 8 says, "For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of the light!"

So, how do children of the light live? Ephesians 4 and 5 gives us insights into this answer. We throw off our old nature, and we let the Spirit renew our thoughts and attitudes. We carefully determine what pleases God, imitate Him in everything we do, and live a life full of love. We are able to do this by putting on the full armor of God!(Ephesians 6) While walking as children of the light, let us never forget where our help comes from.......our help comes from the Lord.

Thank you Jesus for your sacrifices and your deep love for your children. Children of the Light!

Stop over and visit Charlotte and Ginger at Spiritual Sundays to read inspirational posts or link up your own. www.bloggerspirit.blogspot.com.

Thankful And Thoughtful Prayers

2011-03-31T08:24:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking a lot about sharing some prayer requests once a week that can be open for others to pray for, while at the same time giving thanks for the many blessings God has given.

Today I am so thankful for the snow being gone, for having a good day health wise yesterday where I actually felt more "normal", for my sweet hubby Joel being able to preach for Lent, for laughter, for tears, for walking, for resting, for the gift of prayer, for another day.

Requests:

John and Mildred: John needs a biopsy on his salivary gland
H. In need of prayer for addiction
Shannon, Doug, and their children Ravenna, Parker, and Georgia:
~Ravenna has just been diagnosed with a rare blood clotting disorder
~Parker has asthma
~Georgia has a weakened heart. Needs a sedated MRI tomorrow.
Dominique who is in a severe relapse with her ME/CFS
Linny as she and others prepare for a trip to help the homeless boys of Uganda
A sweet boy in Russia who needs to go home with his adoptive family
Michele~ our DIL who had surgery on her finger
Ron who has colon cancer
Joe on kidney transplant list
Dr. V ~ keep her healthy and cancer free

Lord Jesus, we lift up to you all these people, your children, your faithful servants. We ask that you reach out and touch each one of them and bring healing into their lives. You are a God of miracles, a God of healing, our Jehovah Jehri ~ our provider. We ask that you move mountains on behalf of them and grant them wholeness and peace. In Jesus name. Amen

A Lap for Levi

2011-03-30T16:52:00.000-07:00

In the past couple of days our 11 yr old Miniature Schnauzer Levi has been feeling a bit out of sorts. I know this because if I sit on the loveseat, he sits next to me. If I am in the recliner, he often tries to climb in and lay with me. Today when I said no to his attempt to jump up on my lap, he climbed into the chair right next to mind and tried to climb over the arm into my lap! Persistence! Levi definitely was looking for some TLC, and seeking assurance that all is well.

There are times we all are in need of a little TLC. We may feel vulnerable or out of sorts. Where to do we find the assurance we need? From God of course! He is there for us. He is waiting for us to ask for help ~for some tender loving care, and unlike my response to Levi, he never says no to our need for assurance. He promises to be with us always, and we can trust His promises.

"And, lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Matthew 28:20

Continually Pouring

2011-03-25T11:57:00.000-07:00

"I can do all things through Christ who continually pours His strength into me"

Philippians 4:13

(paraphrased)

This is one of my favorite verses, shared with me by one of my online friends. I find great comfort in knowing that God is giving me His strength to do all things.

Just what does the word continually mean? Webster's Dictionary defines it as "going on without interruption...unbroken." And to pour? "To cause to flow in a continuous stream.....to flow freely."

What a powerful gift for us. Christ's strength ~ His OWN strength flowing freely in a continuous stream without interruption into us, His children. Unbroken flow.

Oh, Lord, let us never take this for granted. Let us never forget that when we feel weak and unable to keep moving forward, we are not alone on our journey. You have given us this precious promise ~ this amazing and powerful blessing. Lord, having this knowledge, let us always call upon you and open our arms wide to receive your strength...continually...freely. In Your name, Amen.

Please stop over to visit Ginger and Charlotte at Spiritual Sundays and read inspirational posts or link up your own. www.bloggerspirit.blogspot.com

God's Amazing Love and Strength

2011-03-23T08:14:00.000-07:00

A trip to the ER last week resulted in a trip to my specialist Monday, and a switch in one treatment plan for the Lyme Disease and a new plan put into place for my latest health issue ~ H-Pylori and Acid Reflux~ it all has me in my PJ's and under my Woolie (wool comforter). The pain and weakness are not my biggest issues though, it is the discouragement I feel. I told God today in our "Garden Time" that I was so tired of fighting all the bacteria in my body. A quiet voice whispered, "Let me help you fight."

An hour later I turned to my online devotionals from Saddleback Church and Joel Osteen. BOTH devotions today were about God's strength in us. Joel Osteen's entitled "God Is Strong In You" reminded me of the Holy Spirit within and the strength given to us through the Comforter. So often we use so little of the Holy Spirit's power within us!

"And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness....."

Romans 8:26

The devotional sent by Saddleback Church was entitled, "God Is Stronger Than You Think" and spoke of how as Christians we often feel we can do all things through Christ...on our own. Not so. God within us gives us the strength we need in our weaknesses. He continually pours His strength into us.

"But the Lord stood by my side and gave me strength..."

2 Timothy 4:17

Today as I rest in my PJ's under my Woolie, I can be assured that God is fighting this battle within me...both the physical and the emotional. Discouragement has no place when God's amazing love blesses us in such wonderful ways. Health issues have no power when God's super strength gives us what we need to move forward....or rest in His loving arms. God's love provided me with a specialist who understands and cares, a treatment plan to help heal, but also the words not only whispered in my prayers but written in two seperate devotionals. It is humbling and so reassuring. Thank you Jesus.

May you, too, find comfort in these words today.

Our Own Breath

2011-03-19T07:34:00.000-07:00

"God is as near to you as your own breath."

Father Tim

I came across this saying in Jan Karon's book, "In The Company of Others". It gave me pause and I found myself pondering these words.

Our breath is what keeps us alive. We rely on our breath to sleep, rest, move, talk, laugh, cry, to exist. It is so much a part of us that we don't even think about it, unless we live with asthma or another condition that affects our breathing.

God is interwoven with breath. We have heard such sayings as "He who gives us breath" "Breathe on me breath of life". Genesis 2: 7 says, " The Lord formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and the man became a human being." Beautiful.

Our breath comes from God. He gave man breath. He is as near as our breath.

When God feels far away.....when turmoil fills your world...... when you cry out in need with your very own breath...Remember ~God is as near to you as your own breath.

Warm

Loving

Sustaining

Life giving

Reliable

Continual

Near

Always

Stop over to Spiritual Sundays to visit Ginger and Charlotte. Read inspirational posts or link up your own. www.bloggerspirit.blogspot.com

An Old Irish Prayer

2011-03-17T07:28:00.000-07:00

Deep peace of the running waves to you.

Deep peace of the flowing air to you.

Deep peace of the smiling stars to you.

Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.

~~~~~~~

Deep peace of the watching shepherds to you

Deep peace of the Son of Peace to you.

~~~~~~~

Whispers And Shouts

2011-03-15T08:22:00.000-07:00

Sometimes God whispers to us, and sometimes He shouts. Today is one of those shouting days...I .guess I really needed to hear the message.

During my morning time with God as I visualized sitting at His feet, I asked God what I needed to do concerning a certain situation. I just did not know what to do anymore.... What came to my mind were these words ~ "But you do know what to do." I sat with that awhile trying to figure it out....."I really don't, God" was my response.....BUT After spending more time visualizing and meditating on these words, "Forgive" came into my mind. One word. Forgive.

A short time later Joel and I had our morning devotions together. We read from 3 different daily devotional books and spend time reading Max Lucado's book, "Outlive Your Life". As we began each devotion today, either the scripture or the devotions itself were ALL about forgiveness. When we opened to the 3rd chapter in Lucado's book the verse was about forgiveness of sins. Could it be any clearer???

Forgiveness. I need to forgive others and I need to forgive myself. This will bring healing and change into my life and it seems I better start working on it right now. I got the message God.

Sometimes God whispers, but when necessary He shouts~ loudly! Over and over!

Thank you Lord for Your patience, Your love, and Your forgiveness. As I bring others and myself before you and openly and willingly repent and forgive, heal me in the deep places of my soul. In Jesus name, Amen.

A First Taste Of God

2011-03-11T15:37:00.000-08:00

I have been reading Jan Karon's latest book in her Father Tim series. There is so much to like about these books, including the fact that they teach us much about life, and often challenge our beliefs while strengthening our faith.

In Karon's book, "In The Company of Others" she takes us back to Ireland with Father Tim and his wife Cynthia. During one of their conversations Cynthia talks about a teacher she had as a young girl, and how this teacher gave her encouragement and love when she needed it most. She says, "I think she was my first taste of God".

There are always people in our lives who give us a "first taste of God". Often it is our parents, but there are those who need to find it elsewhere....or does it find them? When I read this sentence, I thought about who gave me my first taste of God and one person that came to mind very quickly was a pastor from my church ~ Pastor Hauge. He was a gentle man who radiated love and kindness. I can still visualize him handing me one of my first Confirmation papers back with a bright and shiny A written across the top. He quietly praised me for my good work and gave my much needed self esteem a boost. He is my first memory of church, which came to be my second home. He was in many ways my first taste of God. He also worked behind the scenes to encourage my mom to let me live with my oldest sister and her family. You see, my mom was a practicing alcoholic when I was a child, and I was in need of a safe place to live. Years later I ran into Pastor Hauge in a church far from our original home town. He asked me about my mother. I was able to tell him she had stopped drinking when I was 20, our relationship was restored, and more importantly my mother was healthy and whole again. Pastor Hauge dropped his head and shook it from side to side. He sighed deeply and said with the wisdom and humility of an 85 yr old Christian man, "I gave up on your mother, but God never did!" Those words were a taste of God too. God brought us back together and reminded us both that he hears our prayers and is faithful.

So, I ask, who in your life has given you "a first taste of God"? Have you been that first taste of God for someone else? Every small and simple gesture can be used by God to show His love to someone who needs it. He desire to use His children to be the first taste of God to others.

Lord, keep us open to being used by you, and if I may so humbly ask, let me be the first taste of God to someone else. Amen

Stop over and visit Ginger and Charlotte at Spiritual Sundays to read inspirational posts or link up your own. http://www.bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/

Weeds of Worry

2011-03-08T14:17:00.000-08:00

As I just shared, for several weeks I have been taking time in the mornings to visualize myself going into a garden to sit with Jesus. Often it is a time to experience His love, or just listen for His voice through thoughts that come into my mind. I also visualize myself going through a door of healing and "explore" what is inside this door. It is really a gate and when I walk through it I enter a beautiful garden. Usually there are flowers everywhere, lots of trees, birds, etc.

About two weeks ago I thought to myself, hmmm...I always go to the right when I enter this place, so I looked to the left and saw it was not very light on this side of the path. No sunshine to speak of and very little green areas. There were few trees but the ground was broken up, kind of brown, and not easy to walk on. I felt strongly that this was a place in me that needed healing.

Switching gears for a moment ~ This past Sunday I watched the early morning service with Rick Warren online and he spoke on the parable of the 4 kinds of soils. One thing he said really stood out for me~ the fact that the one healthy soil took in seeds, but the weeds overtook the soil and nothing grew well. He went on to say that weeds keep us from hearing the voice of God speak to us. One of the biggest weeds in our lives he share, was worry. That got my attention.

Now, moving ahead to this morning, I did my usual prayers and scriptures and then visited Jesus in the garden...I posed a question to Him today ~How do I get rid of my fears, Lord? It came to my mind~ one fear at a time ~ Then I went through the door of healing. When I entered I noticed once again the bright sunny area that fills me with joy and then behind me the darker area with the lumpy ground. As I looked down at this ground it took my breath away. I finally got it! What I had been seeing all this time were weeds. The weeds of worry, fear, etc. in my life. I realized that I could not turn my back on these weeds, that I needed to take the time to remove them one by one. Otherwise they would just follow me into the future and interfere with what God wants for my life.

Weeds of worry. We may all have them. I find this habit of worrying has kept me from God's best for far too long and I am going to start removing these weeds of worry one at a time. Weeding is hard work, but it is worth the results.

Isn't God's love for us wonderful! He speaks to us in the most amazing ways.

Amazing grace. Oh, grace me again and again, Lord!!!