Will You Gain In 2009?

I was sitting on the family room floor, engulfed by a rainbow of yarn skeins, when my yarn basket suddenly began to hover and float across the room. There in its stead was a small, velvety blue M&M bag that my daughter has carried as a purse for the last two weeks. No one taught her how to carry one and Lord KNOWS I did not teach her how to cock her wrist back in a supremely feminine fashion. (My purse has been a diaper bag for the last 19 months!) Nevertheless...she not only knows instinctively how to be a "girly girl," but how to be discontent with what you have and shed it for something seemingly bigger or better.

She walked from the family room to the workroom and said "Hi Da!" while teetering unsteadily from side to side. During her U-turn back towards me, she stumbled and quickly realized the basket was way too difficult to carry. She ran to me frustrated and perspiring and said "Peez peeeeez!!!!!!!!" Her two Lego blocks at the bottom of this monstrosity were unreachable for toddler arms so a "mommy rescue mission" was called for.

A few moments later, I was once again adding yarn to my prodigal basket and Maddie had her M&M bag stuffed with blocks and a couple of neighborhood dominoes. All was right with her world again.

There is no telling what the year ahead holds for each of us. Only God knows our tomorrows and He has promised that He's already in them waiting for us. We may go through similar times in that we live in the same area...same nation...have the same rulers, etc. Yet, on a personal level, 2009 may hold a vast array of joys and sorrows with treasure-filled memories or moments of regret. One scripture the Lord stamped across my thoughts this morning, while watching Maddie groan and stumble trying to carry an over-sized basket she exchanged for her pint-sized purse, 1Tim. 6:6-8 "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content."

2009 holds a promise of "great gain" for me...IF I rest in contentment with what I'm given from my God Whose name is "Jehovah-Jireh." My Provider...

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!

The Way the Wind Blows

After two different days of 50-60 mph wind gusts, our yard has become a mini obstacle course for the squirrels. There are long, Silver Maple branches, knobby knotted oak limbs and a variety of fall foliage tossed about like a wood salad. Maybe it was growing up in the south with annual tornado watches and warnings, but I detest high winds. I actually experienced a tornado touchdown within 1 block of where I was driving in Florida several years ago and the sound of an oncoming train still provokes me to dive for cover.

While I was surveying the damage to neighboring yards on the way to my in-law's last week, my husband said "Lord, blow the dead branches off of my life." Scott's comment has echoed in my heart ever since he said it. What's in my life that is a "dead branch?"

Only God can answer that question for each of us on a personal level. The branches that ended up on the ground were either detached from the tree to begin with, sick or diseased limbs, or extensions of the tree that didn't receive the water and nourishment it needed to thrive. When high winds shake a tree like a maraca, most of those limbs will come down.

The "winds of change" that blow across my life can cause me a lot of fear (like the tornadoes) or major frustration (since change is not comfortable sometimes). But I'm now inviting the winds to blow...

I know I'll feel the pressure of its push, the force of its persistence and the inability to know what will remain once it has passed through. But a God-sent wind is different than Satan's. Satan always means to kill and destroy while God is a life-giver...and that in abundance. If there are any "dead" extensions, sick sinful attachments, heavy weights not given by the Lord, and unnecessary burdens, I want the Lord to blow. No matter what form that practically means in my life...God knows the branches that need to come down...and the tree will be much healthier and able to thrive and grow in the spring.

Heb 12:1 Therefore...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us...

John 15:1b "...my Father is the husbandman."

Token Thoughts

I did my usual routine this morning and slowly meandered out into the kitchen. My internal GPS knows the most direct route to the coffee pot and sitting next to it, as usual, my favorite mug with a scripture placed over the top. Whoever wakes up first in the morning gets the coffee going, pulls out a cup for the other person, prays for them, then randomly picks a scripture out of the "Bread Box" to place upon their cup. We've done it for years and automatically do the same for anyone that may come to stay with us (tea drinkers equally accompanied). It costs nothing but a moment of consideration and time to pray for the other person...God does the rest with His Word. And yet, whenever I'm the recipient of this little token of love in the morning, it still blesses my heart.

I believe the Lord sends us little "tokens" of His goodness all the time. Small indicators of His love and reminders that His thoughts are towards us continually (Ps. 139). It's just that they can be easily overlooked, missed because we're in a hurry, or sometimes taken for granted. I don't know how many times I have prayed, "Lord, open my eyes to see You today! Help me to hear Your voice and to be sensitive to Your Spirit in everything that happens." To see that ANY Godly friends I have in my life are because You have given me favor in their hearts. To see that I am surrounded by good, imperfect churches that are filled with sinners saved by grace like me. To see that I have clothes on my back, food that You've provided and some form of shelter over my head. I inherited a huge family when You adopted me. If I'm in America, I have freedom to worship.

I just erased at least two full paragraphs. I realized I could go on and on for a very long time. It did my heart good to think this morning on the multitude of reasons I have to be thankful, rather than listen to my flesh groan and complain about what it wants. It does my spirit good when I rest in the promise of His provision, rather than to listen to the enemy who wants me fearful and to believe that I am lacking somehow.

Since you stopped by, here are some coffee cup scriptures for you today:

Ps 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

Ps 34:9 Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints! There is no want to those who fear Him. The young lions lack and suffer hunger; But those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing.

Ps 115:11 You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD; He is their help and their shield.

Only Two Things For Christmas

Not long ago, I did quite a bit of research on the "wise men" (or Magi) which are mentioned in the scriptures for a Christmas message I was going to give at a women's tea or something. I remember sinking into the reality of the 900 miles or more that those Gentiles traveled...leaving their homes, families, friends, jobs and country for at LEAST a year to get to a newborn King that was prophesied about by foreigners. Did I mention it was on camel back rather than an SUV? The age of no cell phones or Blackberry's? Charles H. Spurgeon writes:

“Traveling was extremely difficult in those times. There were hostile tribes to avoid, the broad rivers of the Tigris and the Euphrates to cross, and trackless deserts to penetrate; but they made nothing of difficulty or danger. They set out for Jerusalem, and to Jerusalem they came, seeking the King of the Jews."

All of that to do two things: to worship...and to give.

These men were not filled with the power of the Holy Spirit nor did they have the New Testament. They could not stand on all the promises of God when their lives were in danger or when they lost more than two years of their salary. Children were growing up without them while loved ones and friends were completely out of contact. They had no assurance that they would be allowed to get close to this promised King, but they were not content with just the knowledge that Jesus had come. They risked everything, including their own lives, to get to Him...to worship Him...and to give to Him.

We do not have to travel by miserable means across horrendous terrain battling enemies without and within to get to Jesus. It does not take a year to 18 months to be able to look up towards His face. It doesn't take incredible wealth and gifts of gold to bless this Messiah.

It takes a mere moment for the eyes of the heart to look across universes, skip through galaxies and traverse infinity into the very Presence of this gracious King. It takes one more moment for the heart to speak, with or without words, of its sincere love and devotion and gratitude to the One Who came 2,000 years ago.

I pray none of us are content with just knowing that He came this Christmas, but your heart makes a journey to worship...and to give...to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Elmo Needs Gram's House

My mother and sister-in-law have a running joke between them. If my niece or nephews are given a very loud, obnoxious toy, it's automatically labeled "Gram's House toy". My mom doesn't seem too deterred by this as she still buys battery-operated mayhem in a toy disguise.

Something truly miraculous occurs all over this country that I have never seen nor read about in any periodical, medical journal, or Discovery Health show. As a mother gives physical birth, many grandparents give birth to a strange new level of tolerance and patience for clamor, noise, incessant blinking lights, and repetitiously high-pitched voices from dolls and characters. Yes...it's a miracle for grandparents and it's wrapped up and tucked in their love for the grandchild.

Our little miracle girl is 18 months old now and while shopping at Target two months ago, her eyes fastened on a large Elmo doll. I lost my rational thinking when I saw her eyes light up just as round as her opened mouth. I reached over and pushed Elmo's foot then watched him bow down and tell my daughter how much he loved her and then blew two kisses. Two chubby arms snatched Elmo out of my hands and wrapped themselves tightly around Elmo's box. Behind the box came the familiar words "Ohhhhhhh wwwwooooooowwwww!!!" and a relationship was made without my permission yet with my assistance.

Elmo arrived at our house two weeks ago via her Grandma visiting early for Christmas. He is not leaving because "Gram's House" is too far away...so he's a permanent resident. I haven't lost my sanity, nor my relationship with the Lord, but I believe I may be on to something that Jesus MUST...MUST...have coming in the very near future for me. My 24 year-old son is about to find a wife! This way, I can quickly become a grandparent and have birthed within me that miraculous patience, tolerance, and overall sense of peace and joy when Elmo says for the 6,824,369th time..."Elmo fell down. Can you help Elmo?" Yes, it might be all about me, but I can now imitate that little voice to perfection and that's not something you put on a resume.

Yes...I know. Bad theology, wrong doctrine, self-centered and not Biblical. Humor just helps me avoid harmful thoughts of small, red, furry mechanical puppets with high-pitched, loud voices is all. :)

A Tasty Reminder

Oh myyyyyy....I estimate that there were at least 800-900 delicately decorated Christmas cookies, melt-in-your-mouth slabs of fudge, bakery-style sweet breads ...even chocolate dipped cherries mascarading as mice, sitting on the church counter this morning. A complete subalpine display of sugar coated calories. Yummmm. As women, don't we find near soulmates by our sweet tooths and fellow artisans in food decor? It was such a "sweet" time of fellowship after Bible study today. (Bad pun, I know.)

Driving home with Maddie, I thought about carrying her around all that temptation for 45 minutes this morning and not once did she ask for a bite. She didn't take a crumb from the corner of my mouth nor do her normal "back arch" when she wanted down to get her hands on what is close herself. Someone said "Wow! Maddie isn't crying for a bite of a cookie?"

I then told my friend how she'd never had a cookie before, plus she is highly allergic to nuts. Sugar doesn't make her hyper, (I can definitely handle hyper), it makes her very angry and upset, prone to cry for no reason and not easily comforted.

Isn't it such a great parallel to us as well? Since she'd never bitten into the amazing taste of a cookie, she was not tempted by it at all. God not only warns us about sin, he says "Don't even taste it." He tells us that it is only pleasurable for a season. Then, like that Lay's Potato Chip commercial aptly says, "You never can eat just one." And so one bite into sin usually leads to two...and before you know it, you want your own bakery.

The effects of sugar in Maddie are just like what sin does to me. I get miserable, frustrated, angry at others, touchey and not easily comforted. I can never receive true comfort when my heart has a prideful sin issue. But Satan loves to tempt us. I found one small cookie that actually looked a bit healthy. It had oatmeal, raisins, and what looked like apple bits in it and I thought "Oh THAT looks ok for her to try." When I picked it up though, I saw the little nuts and knew one bite could send her into anaphylactic shock and be life threatening if not immediately treated. Satan has a way of hiding the harmful, dangerous effects of sin within a sweet appearance.

I tell you nothing you don't already know. The Lord just needed to remind me this morning and I take His warnings to heart...and now I've shared them with you. May you be so "full" from eating His Word, feasting on His faithfulness and tasting of His love, that you can walk by a counterfeit feast of the world's delicacies and Satan's dainties and find that you are not tempted in the very least.

Psalm 34:8 "O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him."

My Friend Mary Barrett

Everyone has gone to bed but myself. I've been trying for weeks now to write some type of memorial for one of the greatest friendships I've been given by the Lord. I can't do it. It may be too soon....but every time I write a sentence or hover over a paragraph, it turns out to be a poor reflection of what I want to say, portray or convey. The "backspace" button is nearly worn off my keyboard. I'll just upload a brief video I made tonight with a few pictures I have of Mary over the last few years. The majority of my pictures aren't digital. Her awesome "big hair" days are absent...

The song behind the pictures is special. As most people know, Mary primarily played the guitar. Though I completely believe she could've played a tennis racquet because it had strings on it, she also plunked around with several other instruments. A while back, she told me she was "learning" how to play the piano. Every now and then, she'd give me a piano update and I thought that I'd get to hear a perfect rendition of "Chopsticks" when I saw her later at the East Coast Pastor's Wives conference. One of the days of the retreat, I went to find her so we could eat lunch together and was stopped by the worship I heard in the main auditorium. When I peeked in, I was STUNNED to hear the incredible music that Mary was playing on the piano. I quietly snuck up behind her, jumped out and knocked her off the bench saying "Learning? You are LEARNING to play the piano?!" It would take me a brief eon to learn how to make my fingers dance on a keyboard like hers were in such a short time. Over the next 30 minutes, she sang and played several songs for me. This is the one that drew me to tears. The next week, I got an e-mail with the song recorded and attached. It's called "I Will Care For You."

No...I don't think I'll ever be able to express what Mary's friendship meant to me, nor adequately reveal the permanent imprint she's made upon my life. God's friendships are one of the most special "good gifts" He loans us by His grace. May yours be just as cherished, God-centered, and life-changing as mine was...I certainly can't wait to pick up in heaven where we left off on earth.

True Homeland Security

Since I was born and raised in KY, with family and friends still living there, my heart sunk this morning when I saw the headline "Atheists Want God Out Of Homeland Security". Here are the first few lines...

FRANKFORT, Ky. — A group of atheists filed a lawsuit Tuesday seeking to remove part of a state anti-terrorism law that requires Kentucky's Office of Homeland Security to acknowledge it can't keep the state safe without God's help.

American Atheists Inc. sued in state court over a 2002 law that stresses God's role in Kentucky's homeland security...

Of particular concern is a clause requiring the Office of Homeland Security to post a plaque that says the safety and security of the state "cannot be achieved apart from reliance upon Almighty God" and to stress that fact through training and educational materials.

The plaque, posted at the Emergency Operations Center, includes the Bible verse: "Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain."

Aren't times changing at roller coaster speed? The South used to be appropriately called "The Bible Belt," Christian colleges used to believe in the inerrancy of scripture, only a blink of time ago we were able to say "Merry Christmas" and the name of Jesus could be worn on a kids T-shirt without suspension from school.

If a small group of people that hate God in KY win their case and strip any reference to security, defense and help mainly coming from the Lord, it still will not change its fact. I sat on a couple of wonderful verses this morning...

"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth." Ps.121:1-2

Sometimes, we seem to be on "mountaintops" in life where the air is fresh, the view is vast, and the sun seems closer. When in battle the mountain also provides protection and advantageous positioning to see and attack a vulnerable enemy below. Yet, the psalmist wrote from the valley. We've talked about valleys before-those places where shadows of death like to taunt, darkness often covers the pathway, or a vague sense of fear can pursue the traveler's thoughts.

Yet here is the place we are encouraged to find comfort and safety. Let me speak practically.

Our help will not come from a mountain of finances, a strong portfolio or a strategic position in some place of business. Our security and safety will not be because of military might, technological advances, governmental intervention or your own shotgun. It will not come from the very best physicians, the most knowledgeable experts, nor the most intelligent advisers.

"MY HELP comes from the LORD"...the One that MADE the vast expanse of the heavens and the earth. The One that made the mountains and the valleys, the nations and the rulers, the physicians and the medicine. Can you picture any source of safety and security in this world sitting next to the Lord...and then hear Him ask you "Where do you want YOUR help to come from?"

"Lest the Lord keep the nation, the city, the home, the family, the marriage, the children...they watch and labor in vain that try and keep it." Slight paraphrase of Psalm 127:1...but true.

We're Being Watched...

I don't have a little boy and I'm not a father...but this struck me and ricocheted in a dozen different heart directions.

1Co 11:1 "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ."
Eph 5:1 "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children..."

Weakness

2Cor. 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

The words "weakness" and "infirmity" are the same in this verse. In the original language it also means "frailty, feebleness of mind or body, or sickness." So weakness in us is the doorway for God to enter in and display His power and strength. There have been many times that I have detested my weakness, abhorred my feebleness and denied my frailty. But by the Lord's grace, we can see from it from a different perspective. It's an unattractive door until you glimpse past it to what lies on the other side. All God asks is that we open our hearts in trust and invite Him into our situation. He will never fail us.

A Heart For Disaster Relief

If I were to say the word emergency or catastrophe in reference to a situation in my life, what kind of scenario would you imagine? If I were to post "We have had a disaster at home and would appreciate your prayers," I can just imagine the types of thoughts that would go through your mind.

According to the media, that oft-sought resource that helps shape American's thoughts, ideas and understandings of truth, I have sorely under-estimated the trauma that so many are going through these days. I turned on the TV this morning and saw "The Today Show" for the first time in years. They were doing a segment on "Quick Fixes For At-Home Disasters" and I stopped what I was doing to pay attention. Here is what they labeled as "disastrous" situations that can happen:

1. Your wet bar glass sticks to the napkin from moisture. (Salt is their quick fix for such trauma.)
2. If you break a glass, use several slices of bread to pick up the shards. (About half a loaf for a small glass)
3. When you have unexpected guests and need to chill champagne or wine very quickly...they gave some dry ice advice.
4. For the trauma of your dog traveling too long in a car or plane, a circulation rub-down can help.

After watching a Shih-Tzu get massaged in his designer pet bed, the TV went off. Where am I? Is this truly what Americans are struggling with today? It was "The Today Show" so I guess I am completely out of touch. My mind recalled what I heard from a British woman a year or two ago, "We see Americans as very weak people. The majority are in therapy needing drugs and analysts while we find gardening more than therapeutic." I then thought of a missionary pastor who said "In America, you think nothing of wasting the food we only dream about. We would never need a food disposal in our sink." Yes...I saw several slices of bread used to pick up a broken bar glass...home "disaster" averted. Lord, help us.

Before I went on the mission field, my pastor gave me the most excellent advice. He said "Shannon, if you stay on the mission field for a lengthy period of time, be careful that you don't come back to America with an attitude. You'll see poverty, tribulation and suffering like you've never seen or experienced here in the States, and it can tempt you as a missionary to come back with an attitude towards everyone around you. It's not other's fault that they haven't been exposed to what you have and their views have not been changed by what you've been privileged to experience." And don't you know...it was phenomenal and needful advice.

If you're a Christian, remember that you too, are a missionary (1Pet.2:11; Heb.11:13; 1Pet.1:17-19) while here on earth. We may get tempted to be cynical and sarcastic with those around us (like I did this morning!), but our exposure to true suffering, trials and difficult circumstances vary one from another. My "mountain" may be someone else's "mole hill" in comparison. The important thing is that we be like Jesus in a country that has taken much for granted. I need to remember that I'm an ambassador from heaven on a temporary mission trip to point as many people to salvation as I can. If your neighbor is like the rich, young ruler, Jesus response to his questions was, "Mk. 10:21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him..." and spoke the truth to him. Your neighbor or friend might be like the poor widow (Mk.12:42) to which He honored by using her as an example to his disciples. Jesus said we will always have poor people around us.

To this day, Jesus doesn't look down in disgust or frustration at our inability to understand what HE suffered on our behalf, so I pray we have the same heart towards one another in these last days. Your neighbor may go from the disaster of a broken wine glass to a broken marriage...and I pray that we are people they're drawn to for help. Fixing our eyes on our heavenly home, let's take as many people with us as possible.

Heb. 11:8-10 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Thanksgiving Post-Part 2

Ah well, it's confession time. For 3 days, I have scoured the Internet looking for some amazing Thanksgiving story, picture, quote or video, just so I could "copy and paste" it here (giving credit wherever it's due, of course). I have watched military slide shows that would melt the Grinch, read memoir's that were both inspiring and depressing, been refreshed with perspectives on gratitude only to become mentally coagulated from all kinds of poetry. I even read a nice pink floral blog on selfishness that made me feel like I'd been spanked with a giant turkey leg. Honestly, there is an abundance of material to "feast" on by people all over the web who write so much better than I do.

Like this for example:

May your stuffing be tasty

May your turkey plump,

May your potatoes and gravy

Have nary a lump.

May your yams be delicious

And your pies take the prize,

And may your Thanksgiving dinner

Stay off your thighs!

In all seriousness, I want to encourage you to "surf" despite the winter weather. I've begun to compile a list of blogs I like to visit periodically. (Look down along the left-hand column of this blog). I never fail to find myself hitting links to blogs that THEY read and before I know it, I've traveled across the country eaves-dropping on Godly people's thoughts , conversations and personal reflections without ever leaving my chair. They have terrific Thanksgiving entries to enjoy.

I have to get back to my sad attempts at baking but want to wish everyone a very joy-filled Thanksgiving. My husband asked me last night, "Tell me the first thought that comes to your mind, straight from your heart, when I ask you the question 'What are you most thankful for in this last year?'" Immediately, my mind raced past the four children I've miscarried, my two half-sisters that died, my dear friend who just passed away and my dog that had to have a new home two weeks ago. I turned around and said, "I'm so thankful that I have Jesus. In spite of one of the most difficult years of my entire life, He has given me hope and is bringing me through it by grace. I have absolute faith that He is going to use all of these things in the future-somehow-for my good and His glory." I just stood there for a moment and realized that God was answering the cry of my heart...that though there has been much loss, I would feel no lack. Psalm 23...He's filling my life with more of Himself.

In a world where people come and go, money has swift wings, health is fleeting and fear levels are rising...the Lord is a faithful, unchangeable, immovable Rock that has rescued, relieved, revived and refreshed me. My thankfulness is tucked deeply within the invisible reality of all that is in Christ...the food, family, friends, etc are all of God's bonuses because of His goodness. He is SO GOOD...worthy of all our praise and thanksgiving. I guess I did start to ramble a bit didn't I?

Have a happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Help-Part One

I've just learned that there are 30 days, 15 hours and 57 minutes until Christmas...that leaves me only a few seconds to talk about Thanksgiving before you're out shopping for gifts. Since I know the vast majority of you are going to be beyond busy these next few days, I'd like to help in some small way. Obviously, I'm limited with only a cyber connection...but I'll do what I can.

For Day One, how about some cooking help? No, no extra hands available, but there is a cornucopia of web resources I can pass along. I have found that "Allrecipes.com" is a great website for recipes that you can count on without trying them ahead of time. BUT...the secret is to look for recipes that have been reviewed by numerous people with a 5-star rating. For example, this VERY simple recipe for a Thanksgiving Turkey has been reviewed and rated 5 out of 5 stars by nearly 700 people. For their Top 20 T-giving recipes, including pies and side dishes, click here.

Don't forget that you can check out my friend's developing website and homemaker's forum called Twig & Feather. There are already recipes posted, but I bet there will be special Thanksgiving recipes. (I did post my mom's Southern Pecan Pie recipe). I made the unforgettable Homemade Granola recipe the other day...I confess...I've eaten it plain, with yogurt, with milk, and craved it with Breyer's vanilla ice cream. It's near idolatry.

Now, no matter what you think about Martha Stewart, she has a "Thanksgiving Workshop" on her website that is pretty good. It helps you pick your menu, offer decorating tips, choices for centerpieces, how to set a table, and recipes for every single food you would want (and some you don't). I really like what Epicurious magazine did online-The Ultimate Thanksgiving Guide. I don't know what they missed as far as food is concerned and they offer a host of instructional videos for those of us who need to "see it" before we ruin it. :)

Finally, here's a link to "How To Freeze Anything" from Good Housekeeping Magazine online. If you have a host of leftovers and don't want to throw them out (after you've eaten 5 days of turkey and 6 pounds of stuffing), then GH offers a printable PDF chart for freezing fruits, veggies and meats. I've been buying things in bulk with the higher food prices and learned that properly freezing food has produced a huge savings for us overall.

If you don't happen to have HGTV, the Food Network, and all those yummy channels on cable, they are still posted on the web and you don't have to miss a thing. Just click here for their all-time favorite recipes.

I hope these little tidbits help. I spared you my opinions on cooking and all the homegrown KY recipes I have that necessitate bacon fat in nearly every dish but the pecan pie. (For the BEST pecan pie...instead of light Karo syrup, use dark and half the sugar called for). Sorry about that. I couldn't help myself.

Ya Gotta Love Snow!

People have really strong feelings about snow. You wouldn't think that frozen water would be able to surface more emotions than an hour with a psychologist, but it happens.

Take, for example, the depth of love and height of joy a child has when snow makes a "blizzardy" appearance on test day at school. Yet that same snow tempts the meekest man to erupt in anger or vent frustration in an airport terminal when it cancels his flight. Think of the longing and desire to see it on Christmas morning, yet the absolute abhorrence of it 3 months later. We have to admit, it's a "love-hate" relationship with snow...and with all kinds of conditions attached.

Since it's made such an early appearance this year...since global warming has not only been proven to be false, it's said we are about to enter "global cooling" soon...since we MIGHT see a whole lot of snow this winter...I'd like to try and start us off with a positive perspective. Call it mild delusion, but I say, whatever it takes to help us appreciate our little, white crystallized-friends-who-tend-to-overstay-their-welcome, then let's go for it! Feel free to add your own comments at the end. I bet we could all benefit.

1. Snow is the best color. "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow." Isaiah 1:18

2. Snow is a great blanket to cover all of the ground's brown grass, dead leaves, decaying flowers and dormant spring life.

3. Snow makes me think of marshmallows, which makes me think of hot cocoa, which makes me think of cozy time with a snuggle blanket, family and friends.

4. Snow brings a great excuse to make a less laborious dinner called "soup."

5. Snow brings the material for snowball fights, igloos, snowmen, sleigh rides and ski accidents...I meant to say "challenges."

6. Snow provides FREE exercise rather than paying a gym membership for lifting heavy weight, tossing it from one side to the other, pushing it, pulling it, while traversing over and through it. This works essential muscle groups, benefit overall health and gives a sense of well-being...when taken in conjunction with Advil, Tylenol, or Ibuprofen.

Well, the baby woke up right when I'm on a love-fest with this white stuff. So how about your input?!

Wait and Trust

Spiders and Good Phobia

I hate spiders. I can handle snakes, rodents, bugs, and even slimy things of every shape and color. They are mere "inconveniences" in my life...and gardening. But when a spider crawls into my peripheral vision or I know the presence of one is close, my entire body goes on red alert and the "flight" reflex is at maximum warp. It wasn't always this extreme, but two things happened as a kid that have stayed with me into adulthood.

First, when I was really young, I saw a large spider crawling up the side of my neighbor's brick house. Inches away from it, I looked at all of the fascinating markings and big red dot on its back and yelled out to my friend Cindy, "Look at this spider! We gotta keep it!" As I went to capture the new friend in my hand, Cindy screamed "NOOOO!" and hit my outstretched arm so hard that I nearly fell on the concrete patio. "Are you crazy?! That's a black widow spider! You'll DIE if you touch it!!!"

So that was a little traumatic. Then the clincher came while watching a nature special on TV one day. A man had been laying on his couch snatching a quick nap before he had to go to work or something. When he woke up, he noticed some kind of "bite" on his stomach that itched and seemed a bit harder than a mosquito bite. Every day the bite grew larger until he finally went to the Dr. (Why I kept watching can only be attributed to a defect in my DNA.) In a split second, the Dr. pulled out a scalpel, lanced the oval mound and baby spiders poured out like a scene from a horror movie. Yep...that did me in..."arachnophobia" for life.

So what's the point? I was reflecting this morning on women's Bible study yesterday and our discussion about sin and repentance. The Lord told Adam and Eve to eat of any tree in the garden freely, but not to eat of the one that would certainly bring death. They did it anyway. The pain of their violating God's one command was sure and immediate. Romans 5:12 speaks of the generations of people that have followed Adam and Eve for 1,000's of years that have seen with their eyes, heard with their ears, and experienced in their lives the reality of the effects of sin. Clearly stated, "Sin against God brings separation, destruction, pain and death with certainty". (1 Cor.15:56a; Jam.1:15)

Back to the beginning of my story...the mere glimpse of a spider or the sense of its presence triggers heart palpitations and an immediate response to run to the next county. It was instilled in me years ago. I want to have that same fear in regards to sin in my life. The fear that grabbing hold of it and getting bitten by it will bring poison into the bloodstream of my relationship with God, my spouse, my children, family and friends. The fear that if not dealt with immediately, it will not stay dormant, but sin is fertile and breeds all kinds of horrible offspring (Gal.5:19-21; Col.3:5; 1 Cor.3:3).

The world and Satan don't want you to be afraid of sin. I actually found a web page that CNN, NBC and ABC news have all mentioned to help a person "overcome the fear of sin." From their own words, "we reprogram your unconscious mind to understand that sin is illogical with negative emotions attached." Ick. Romans 3:10-18 says MUCH about this. As well as Ps 36:1 "The transgression of the wicked says within my heart, There is no fear of God before his eyes. For he flatters himself in his own eyes, That his sin will not be found out and be hated."

But...a healthy dose of "sin-ophobia" and hatred of more than just spiders would be a great thing in my own life. Praise the Lord for His healing antidote when I reach out and get bit.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

1John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Memorial for Mary Barrett

Seeing I'm unable to travel and be there in person, would you like to join me in making the trip by prayer? It would be a great gift for Mary and her dear husband Joe, if we could lift up the service, memorial, and all of Mary's family and friends in loving remembrance before the Lord.

Click Here for more details...

After the Fire

Somewhere between stage 2 and 3 of sleep last night, I was jolted awake by our phone ringing. When it's close to midnight, people don't normally call to chit-chat. The voice on the other end sounded familiar, frightened, and told me through tears...my youngest niece was caught in a fast-moving fire engulfing houses and buildings on Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California. I realized it was my oldest niece and asked her to repeat what she had said. The kids were scattered about the college campus on a typical gorgeous evening when fire alarms went off to the shock of nearly 1,000 students. Within a matter of minutes, pine-filled embers were flying through flames 100 feet high, eucalyptus trees were bursting and kids were running to reach the temporary safety of the gymnasium. My niece called her sister from the gym and tried to talk to her amidst the chaos, cries and confusion but her phone was not well charged and soon disconnected. There were a few texts which followed with the last words "I love you so much" before the phone battery died and contact was lost. Hence, my phone call.

I immediately dropped to my knees in the dark and we began to pray together. The story in Daniel 3 was not just a Sunday school coloring page...it was the cry of my heart. For a young teenage girl with no parents or grandparents left alive, she needed to know the Father was there with her in that moment as no one else could reach her.


Dan 3:24,25 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, "Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?" They answered and said to the king, "True, O king." "Look!" he answered, "I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God."

The Lord gave me peace that He was there in the midst and she would be delivered. When we finished praying, my born-again niece and I had prayed that all of those kids would see the reality of God and His power in the midst of destruction. They would know His grace, His protection, His goodness, mercy and that HIS beauty would be brought out of the ashes that remain today.

That school is not the same Christian college it used to be...it seems much like any other secular college around the country today. But I have hope. Just about an hour ago, we heard a testimony that in a particular area of the campus, some buildings (including the psychology and arts buildings), trees, and beautiful gardens were completely destroyed by flames, but in the center of it all...untouched...remained the original 40-seat "prayer chapel". As described on their website, the chapel was built to provide "a place to spend time with God and to pray and meditate in a quiet spot away from earthly noise and distractions."

God's protective hand was a shield over that place of prayer and quietness with God while everything around it was burned up like chaff. Click HERE for photos.

I don't want to cut this short...but I think if I stop here and just allow the Lord to finish this entry for you...He'd do a much better job than I ever could. Bless you.

Dan 3:28 Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying, "Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him...

Psalm 34:7 The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them.

A Stroll to Repentance

I was the last one to go to bed last night and the first to wake up this morning. The Lord had some things He wanted to discuss and He needed my undivided attention. (Once the baby wakes up my focused attention turns into multi-tasking and "division" is a necessity). So I grabbed my coffee, kept all the lights off, and cozied up in the corner of the couch to pray.

Prayer began like a nice morning stroll discussing different areas of life with the Lord until I began to think about the price that He had to pay for my sin. It had been a while since I truly stopped and meditated on that truth outside of a sermon. When I taught through the Gospel of John with the women's study a couple of years ago, the scene with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane had touched me in a fresh way. One of the blessings was the realization that even the Son of God had a time when He did not like the will of His Father for His life. He had asked the Father to not only take the cup from Him, but if there was any other way to accomplish His will, could He have "Plan B" so to speak. That uncovered a fresh reminder of the Lord's grace and understanding when I sometimes wrestle with "the cup" of the Father's will that He wants me to drink from. I tried to think about and visualize the intensity of Jesus' prayer, hear the cries of His heart and see such depth of wrestling in the spirit that sweat came out as blood. Yet...for love's sake...there was an ultimate surrender to the will of His Father in the word "nevertheless".


Then in prayer I revisited the cross and thought about Jesus' scourging, His beaten face, torn garments, the mocking, spitting, nails, weighted pressure of every sin of every human being placed upon Him, the torment from hell and torture of separation as His Father's face turned away in rejection. I prayed "Lord, I can't grasp it! It's too deep, high and wide in scope. I can't even imagine...but I want to be slain by the reality of it. Why don't I immediately repent when I think about the price You had to pay for my sin?"

The scripture immediately came to my mind, 1Cor. 13:12 "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know..." Sunglasses...we have to wear them now because our eyes are too weak to handle the full radiance of the sun into our eyes. But there will be a day when there will be no need for the sun, nor glasses to protect our vision...the Lord and His radiance will provide all the light we need and we will NOT want to take our eyes off of Him. Yes...our vision of spiritual things is like trying to look through dark glasses or dust covered mirrors. Very limited.

But...love is not blind unless it's driven by the flesh and then should be called "lust." Love "sees" very clearly when it's from God. It doesn't see through dark glasses nor dirt covered reflections. Love is what motivated Christ to live a sinless life, resist temptation, persevere through affliction, obey His Father's will, and endure the cross while despising the shame. The Word says that Jesus could see past the cross to the reward of joy in Heb.12:2. Love. 1Cor 13:13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

"Repentance"...the Lord had me come back full circle and sit there for a while. My sight of things may be dimmed in life. My understanding of circumstances may be skewed and unclear. The revelation of the cross cannot be accurately depicted by a movie nor described well enough by a book..or "blah-g." But God's love...that heart of pure love which looks on the object of its love with a vulnerable, abandoned, passionate sense of surrender. God wants my love for Him to be like that...rather than calloused, tainted, clouded, cold and dark. If this is my heart towards God, it's only because there is sin somewhere...which has brought death...which has not been repented of.

He pointed out something in my heart that was sin in His eyes...I repented immediately.

1Cor. 13:8 Love never fails...

Heaven's New Choir Member

My very dear friend Mary Barrett went home to be with the Lord last night. After speaking with her briefly only days ago, hearing her struggle with every breath and the pain attached to each word, I rejoice that her suffering is over. She is looking into the face of the One she has sung to for years. The joy she must be experiencing! But I'm going to greatly miss my friend. I'd like to do something special on this blog in the future about her...there are many wonderful pictures and years of memories and funny stories I can share...I just need a little time. I know you all understand. Prov. 10:7a "The memory of the righteous is blessed." Click here if you would like to go to her website.


A friend sent me a devotional from the Updated Version of Streams in the Desert. It follows the same "flow" of encouragement the Lord has been speaking to all of us lately. I pray you are as encouraged and blessed by it as I was.

Seek Communion

"They that dwell under his shadow shall return; 
they shall revive as the corn and grow as the vine" (Hosea 14:7).

The day closed with heavy showers. The plants in my garden were beaten down before the pelting storm, and I saw one flower that I had admired for its beauty and loved for its fragrance exposed to the pitiless storm. The flower fell, shut up its petals, dropped its head; and I saw that all its glory was gone. "I must wait till next year," I said, "before I see that beautiful thing again."

That night passed, and morning came; the sun shone again, and the morning brought strength to the flower. The light looked at it, and the flower looked at the light. There was contact and communion, and power passed into the flower. It held up its head, opened its petals, regained its glory, and seemed fairer than before. I wonder how it took place--this feeble thing coming into contact with the strong thing, and gaining strength!

I cannot tell how it is that I should be able to receive into my being a power to do and to bear by communion with God, but I know It is a fact.

Are you in peril through some crushing, heavy trial? Seek this communion with Christ, and you will receive strength and be able to conquer. "I will strengthen thee."

Lessons From Our D.Q.

I wonder how many books have been written over the years regarding the lessons God teaches us from children. When I worked in the school system, there was a book and poster that quickly became popular entitled "All I Ever Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten." But from working with kids for years, I think it should have been "All I Ever Needed to Know I Learned From God Through Kids" God loves children and He'd use them as visual examples for adults quite often. It was humbling...and needful.

He decided that my husband and I needed a visual this morning. Our 17-month old had to have an ultrasound to make sure there was no kidney damage after wading through a bad infection. Scott and I both lost our peace about a second test that was scheduled by the Dr., so when we got to the hospital and checked in, I told the nurse we were canceling the second procedure. I was just about to duck under the counter expecting a scorn of disapproval, when I heard "Good for you! I had that test done when I was 4 years old and I still remember the pain and trauma to this day." While she went into more details than I really needed, in my heart I shouted to the Lord, "Thank you Jesus for leading us as her parents!"

God gave us a theatrical child. I purchased a pacifier with "Drama Queen" inscribed across it to subtly warn others of the show that might appear. The ultrasound required a parent to hold her down while they slathered her with gel like a turkey gets buttered for Thanksgiving. Then the attempt to get decent pictures amidst thrashing, screaming, and crocodile tears.

When we got into the van and started to drive home, her daddy turned around in his seat and said something very sweet and tender to her. The picture above shows the punishment she returned. She was very angry at what she just experienced...clueless to all she'd been helped with and saved from. That second test would have been more horrifying and painful than that little mind and heart can begin to comprehend. She doesn't know...but her Daddy does.

Scott looked at me and said what I was thinking, "Aren't we just like that? We get mad at what suffering our Father does allow into our lives and don't realize a fraction of what He has saved us from." But He does. He knows one day we will see the reality of hell and understand that in every one of our moments here on earth, God was working EVERYTHING for our good, His glory, and His love governed it all. Our scowls, turned heads, furrowed brows and hardened hearts do not quench, dampen, or diminish a bit of God's love for His children.

I have written within my Bible pages a quote from Joni Erickson Tada, "God permits things He hates to accomplish things He loves much more."

So...as the saying goes...who's your Daddy?

Storms

Not long ago, I mentioned to a friend that I too often feel as though I dog paddle in the shallow water of God's Word and tread content in the knowledge of His ways. I'm very familiar with the hypnotic apathy that can come from rocking on the raft of easy times and calm rivers. But when the winds begin to pick up and the gentle waves from rhythmic predictability in life transforms into whitecaps...I'm searching for the lifeguard.

When I was around 10 years old, I was out on a ski boat with my Dad, little brother, uncle and cousins. We'd been boating out in the gulf bay when a storm quickly arose. The waves were fun as long as the sun was out, but the darkening sky and my father's furrowed brow made me increasingly nervous. We were still a bit of distance from the shore when lightening bolted through the sky, the wind snapped the boat's flag on its rod and a big "BANG" came from the boat's hull.

My uncle scurried about the boat searching for a flashlight while my dad gazed at the back motor.

"We've lost one of the engine's propellers!" my father shouted. One minute later the second "bang" came and all the kids were told to go quickly to the front of the boat. The tears cascaded down my cheek and at that moment, I wished 3 things:

1. That the storm would pass as quickly as it came,
2. That I knew how to swim in turbulent waters, and
3. That my father's face did not look so foreboding.
   

The same thing happens to us as Christians today though the scene may look a bit different. We find ourselves either wading through incredible "storms" of our own or are watching others in them from the shore. The sky is dark and camouflages the sun, while unpredictable, unseen winds are felt with such vehement force, tall strong trees are bent low in their wake. That's a great posture for us to imitate...bent low...with the remembrance that our God is in control of our storms.

Ps.107:28, 29 "Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he brings them out of their distresses. He makes the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still." The Lord taught His disciples incredible lessons, as well as reveal His character to them in the midst of storms.

He has also promised and reminded me this morning of Isaiah 42:3a "A bruised reed shall He not break." Our God is more than familiar with the bruises and wounds that can pain us (Isa.53:5) and a "reed" is very fragile. Maybe you are bent over by the sheer force of the winds in your circumstances. He has promised...His trial is not meant for our destruction.

I've also discovered that the Lord does not want us to just "drift along" in life nor stay shallow in our understanding of His Word, ways, and wisdom. Spurgeon had this to share in his devotional:

To us the promise is, "the rivers shall not overflow thee," but no such word of consolation was vouch-safed to him. My soul, thy Well beloved endured all this for thee. Many waters could not quench his love, neither could the floods drown it; and, because of this, thou hast the rich benefit of that covenant assurance, "as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee." He stemmed the torrent of almighty wrath, that we might for ever rest in Jehovah's love.

I know I'm stating the obvious, but the face of our Heavenly Father is never frightened, doubtful, nor anxious. It never conveys uncertainty nor indecision. We know that...so could it be that we do not "look" at Him, but like Peter, the crashing waves demand our attention and we submit? For in the face of our Abba Father, we may find what Noah found, Gen. 6:8 "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD." Yes, it means God was merciful to him, but is it not also that God's eyes conveyed grace to Noah in his need? Ps.80:3 "Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved." God's face can shine upon those whose heart is right towards Him and in His face is salvation and glory. Maybe you can find great comfort in His Word today from Psalm 46,

Ps 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.

Occupied Throne

Do you happen to remember Psalm 136? There are 26 verses which have a continual echo at the end "for His mercy endures forever." Even though it was written 1,000's of years ago, the Lord's mercy is still just as abundant today since the reality of "forever" has not, nor ever will be, finished. There's also a truth about God that seems to have a consistent reverberation at the end of nearly all my thoughts this week..."the Lord is on the throne."

It began one morning after talking with my husband about a situation I'd like to jump right in the middle of and solve in the flesh. I sat there swimming in frustration when the Holy Spirit reminded me...the "Lord is on the throne." He's not ignorant of the situation and is going to take care of it. I have been hearing disturbing things today in the news of who the new governmental appointees and advisers might be for our nation. My heart took a nose dive as I rehearsed their spiritual perspective (or lack thereof)...so the Lord did what he often does...pull my eyes upward to gaze at God in His ultimate authority, His exalted position, His infinite power and His eternal perspective. 2Tim. 4:18 "And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto His heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

So when you are at work today and discouraged with what is going on around you...remember "the LORD is on the throne".

When your children are rebelling and won't listen to a God-given word you say...the LORD is on the throne.

When your expectations of leaders, the government and those in authority tempt you to get discouraged...the LORD is on the throne.

When you feel like you are going through more than you can possibly handle...please remember, the LORD is on the throne. He not only has ordained the boundaries for the oceans, seas and all the waters on the earth (Job 26:10), He has ordained the boundaries of the waters that hit your life-Isa 43:2 "When thou pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you."

Yes...the Lord is on the throne and He does not leave, take a break or stop ruling over all. From the nations which are to Him as a drop in the bucket, to the smallest concern you have tucked in the corner of your heart. Look up...and notice Who sits mighty on that throne of grace, ruling out of His infinite love.

Rev 5:13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.

What a great God, Lord and King we have...

Friend or Foe?

I have a friend who has an accounting background. Many years ago she used to tell me every year around tax time, "numbers are your friends." No matter how they were decorated, I never saw anything attractive about them but that's because I was irresponsible and didn't take care of my bank book very well. I've grown since then and tend to appreciate and embrace all they stand for in my world. Until this morning...

My husband gave me a sentence that was hard to receive last night. He said that I was beginning to murmur and was forgetting to "count" my blessings. I took that quietly, in total contradiction to my Irish, passionate flesh, and went on to bed. Then I asked the Lord if that was true. I didn't sense any kind of answer right away, so i began to thank Him for all the blessings I could think of. But I have to shamefully admit-I hadn't fully received that correction. I actually thought..."I know how to count my blessings". I began listing them more to prove my husband wrong, rather than REPENT and soften to the rebuke.

This morning, as the echo of the words "unthankful" came to mind in prayer, the Lord softly spoke to my heart "You've learned to count your losses and griefs more than your blessings and mercies." Ugh...so true. I literally had begun a habit in my thoughts of mulling over, day after day, things in my life that were painful or losses or areas of great trials. I didn't know I could use counting to mount up evidence of difficulty...and sure enough...taking daily tallies of troubles are an invitation for "self pity". The Lord challenged me...do you see where you're heading? Second ugh.

God hates self-pity. The foundation of it is an accusation that God is unfair, too harsh, and everything contrary to His nature. Self-pity wants to be coddled and find others who will agree with its accusations and then put on garments of "victimization". Self-pity is the pavement that a soul can walk down and find darkness, discouragement, and quietness from heaven. It isolates and invites a person to turn inward, so that vision in life becomes very short-sighted and myopic. Rom. 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. It's a characteristic of those who turn their back on God completely and I don't want to even slightly resemble that kind of person.

Counting. Numbers are our friends as long as we use them as vessels for good and not evil. Psalm 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. Col. 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Yes, Thankfulness Avenue...Count My Blessings Street...definitely the roads I want to travel today. Wanna take a walk?

Honesty...it's messy

Hello friends. Our chapter this week for the ladies study is on "Honesty." In light of this, I'm going to be the first to walk down that light-filled highway with this confession. Rather than a few thought provoking reflections or deep pondering in the Word or whatever else would be praiseworthy, I have a seriously hungry stomach after only 24 hours of no food. I love my pastor. I believe it's the Lord's voice he heard when he called us all to fast "for such a time as this." But I've had an hour to myself this evening...after a long day with a sick little one (again)...and I have tried to ignore my flesh. It has screamed, growled, rumbled and roared. To retaliate, I've prayed, cleaned, prayed some more, ignored, then reminded myself of all the starving children in other countries my dad always told me about as a kid. It never worked then...it isn't working now. I'm cranky and we have 2 more days.

Pep talk has not worked. Ridiculing myself with internal mocking about my weakness and how pathetic I'm being (inside where no one can see) has only caused me to do Matthew 5:25 "Agree with thine adversary quickly...lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison." Prisoners have food. I'm not watching TV but I bet if I did, there would be a big, thick, juicy hamburger on the screen or something. Am I the only one that gets consumed with what I cannot have? Is it not a constant demand of our flesh to give it 100% attention in one way or another?!!

Ahhhhhh....so thankful that the Lord wrote Romans 6 and 13:14 "But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh." And Galatians 5:24 "And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." Feeling better yet? Gal. 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."

Ok...I'm doing better. I was just being honest...this is who I am. See why I'm so thankful Jesus gave EVERYTHING for me?! This flesh has been crucified! Not even gonna think about food. And to think I'm whining about a few days fasting with the Holy Spirit's help when the future of our nation, etc. is at stake. Or is that "steak?"

I'm getting a houseguest soon. They will want to eat.

Warm Weather & Elections

I'm sitting at my kitchen table in a short-sleeved shirt watching ladybugs inside (where did they come from?) crawl along the window that wasps are trying to penetrate from the outside. Giant flies are buzzing and bonking along the walls looking for an escape route into the sun that floods the room. Poor creatures are entirely deceived about the season. It's in the upper 60's only 48 hours after I sat on the front porch steps watching snowflakes melt on multi-colored leaves. In just a brief moment the weather did a full illusive tilt on its axis. This kind of thing is what the Lord doesn't want us to be taken aback by. He wants us to know the times and seasons we are living in so that a temporary gust of comfortable air, cozy temperatures, and pleasant surroundings do not provide the backbone of our stability, contentment and joy in life.

Dan 2:20 "Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever...He changes the times and the seasons: He removes kings, and sets up kings..."

This is one of MANY scriptures I need to remember concerning this upcoming election. The church dropped into prayer and fasting four years ago when the consequences of a democratic nominee seemed dire. Afterwards, maybe we felt as though the sun came out and we'd be okay for the next four years while our nation was following a king we felt we could trust. But this year? Oh my...I can barely conceive of what may happen to our country under a President that can approve the killing of a little baby who has survived an abortion. His foundations of belief, principles and perspective of God's Word horrify me.

YET, after we have done the most we can personally, to stand for righteousness in a Christ-like manner, the Lord has instructed us to get our eyes off of leaders, governments, nations and fix them upon Himself because our times are the last days...and our help was, is, and forever will be, in God alone.

2Tim.3:1-5 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

Now I see no regard as to WHO is ruling at the time...it is a condition of WHEN...and that being "the last days". Today it may be warm and the air filled with aroma's of baking pies, sounds of children laughing, and the sun warming our shoulders. But don't be deceived and don't be shaken when the brisk air suddenly blows and a cloud covers the sky. Your God is still God. He is ruler of all. He is equally your loving Father whose eyes never blink. His care is sure, His promises steadfast, His provision continual and His sufficiency for EVERY situation available.

1Th 5:1,6,8 "But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober...let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation."

Jer 17:7,8 "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit."

Praise the Lord...no matter what happens...because Jesus is closer today to calling us home than He ever has been.

Invitation to "Twig and Feather" Forum

Within the last few months, I have gotten to know a wonderful woman named Shannon Woodward. She's a pastor's wife, writer, speaker, and overall joyous woman to be around. You'd love her. She and some friends of hers have started a website forum called "Twig and Feather". It's so much what I had hoped our "Keeper's at Home" ministry could offer on a website. I'll let her own words describe what this site is all about, ok? God bless you all.

Hello ladies,
Some time ago, I got an idea for a .com which would not only encourage women toward creating a warm home environment, but also help them to organize their lives. Playing around with names and thoughts, I came up with "Twig and Feather," which lent itself nicely to the concept that as homemakers, we each are responsible for taking care of our particular "nest." Some of the functions of that nest are sturdy and foundational (twigs), like budgeting, storage, menu planning, etc. Some are soft and comfortable (feathers), like making a cozy haven for your family and adding touches that are beautiful and warm.

I know we're all inundated with social networking groups, and this may sound like just another ... but we hope to make this a site that will both enrich and simplify your life.

If you would like, you can click on the "FAQ" across the top of the site and learn all about operating in a forum and such. It may not be for everyone, but I am certain that it will be a blessing to so many of you. Especially as the winter is approaching and many of us are about to spend more time in our "nests."

Tit 2:3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

Treasure where?

I love my Bible. Maybe yours is like mine: pages full of highlights, scriptures underlined, notes penciled in along the sides, and cross-references squished between verses. It also has become my journal...there are dates next to promises, prayer requests and praise reports. In the front and back are sections with plain white pages...at least they used to be...filled with things like poetry, hymns, special quotes and devotional clips. Small treasures picked up while walking along the path of life with Jesus.

I have to admit, there are a few things I've written that have tiny ringlets where tears dropped on the page. Those special things that the Lord speaks of in Isaiah 45:3 "And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel." Notice the two blessings God speaks of: treasures and hidden riches or something buried of great value. But how do we obtain these from the Lord?

They are given to those who are living in or walking through "darkness" and to those who are in secret places. Darkness literally means "death, sorrow, misery, or wickedness." The secret place is a place of concealment from others-hidden. In both of those descriptions, I can think of countless friends and family who are going through their own darkness with grief over the loss of a loved one, a time of personal illness or chronic pain, or those who work in wicked and harsh environments daily. I can also think of a dear feeble woman who loves the Lord, but she is limited in her ability to get around. "Housebound" is how and where her days are spent. Concealed from her family who does not visit and limited in friendships and visitors.

There are many applications...maybe you see yourself or someone else in them? Don't worry-I won't drop into a long Bible study, but I did want to show you one particular gold nugget I found by digging a little deeper during my own "night time" experience. There is one scripture that uses this exact term "darkness" in Exodus 14:20, but it is unique to all the rest. The cloud of God's Presence that led His people by day, became at one point "darkness" between them and their enemy for protection. Wherever God's Presence is, that's where I want to be...and sometimes, that means my days are going to be shrouded in a canopy of black. I'm thankful that He showed me it's a place of protection when I am following Him. In HIM...there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5) yet He may dwell in thick darkness (Ex.20:21) and Ps 18:11 He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies.

In that place where fears may surface, God's face seems hidden, tears drench my pillow, I can't see the way where I'm to walk...I have put this treasure in the pocket closest to my heart...

Isa 50:10 Who is among you that feareth the LORD,

that obeyeth the voice of his servant,

that walketh in darkness, and hath no light?

let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.

Deliverance in Trouble

Morning Friends. Due to illness, I'm laying low today, but after reading this morning's devotional, I had to share with you. It's so rich...I just had to "spread the wealth around." Better than germs...

“Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou will glorify me”—Psalm 50:15.

How varied are our days of trouble! Sickness, with its hours of restlessness and languor. Bereavement, with its rifled treasures and aching hearts. Loss of substance; the curtailment or forfeiture of worldly possessions; riches taking to themselves wings and fleeing away; or, severer than all, the wounds from friends; abused confidence; withered affections; hopes scattered like the leaves of autumn!

But “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Tried one! He leaves not your defenseless head unsheltered in the storm. “Call upon Me!” He invites you into the pavilion of His presence! Better the bitter Marah waters with His healing, than the purest fountain of the world and no God! Better the hottest furnace flames with one there “like the Son of God,” than that the dross should be suffered to accumulate, and the soul left to cleave to the dust! He, “the purifier of silver,” is seated by these flames tempering their fury: Yes, He gives the special promise, “I will deliver you.” It may not be the deliverance we expect; the deliverance we have prayed for, the deliverance we could have wished. But shall not the most severe trial be well worth enduring, if this be the result of His chastening love; “You will glorify Me.” “Glorify Him.” How? By a simple unreasoning faith; by meek, lowly, unmurmuring acquiescence in His dealing; these dealings endearing the Savior and His grace more than ever to our hearts.

The Day of trouble led His saints in all ages to glorify Him. David never could have written his touching Psalms, nor Paul his precious epistles, had not God cast them both into the crucible. To be teachers of the Church of the future, they had to graduate in the school of affliction. If He is appointing similar circumstance, let it be our endeavor to glorify Him by active obedience, as well as passive resignation; not abandoning ourselves to selfish, moody, sentimental grief; but rather going forth on our great mission; our work and warfare; with a vaster estimate of the value of time, and the grandeur of existence.

A Gracious Condition

I received a few heart-breaking phone calls this week. Both brothers and sisters in the Lord that are going through very, very difficult trials. Not one of them has faith that is wavering nor love that is waning. They have no doubts about God's goodness or faithfulness. They are just hurting and growing weary in their circumstances.

I have a wonderful devotional that I was given by my father-in-law called "The Bow in the Cloud" or "Words of Comfort for Hours of Sorrow" reprinted from 1880. It is one of the most incredible devotionals I have read in a very long time for this season of loss in my own life. I'd like to share an entry with you and provide a link at the end, if you'd like to read more. I found a transcribed copy of the book online for free and it may bless some of you.

Day 7
A Gracious Condition
“If need be”—1 Peter l:6

What a blessed motto and superscription over the dark lintels of sorrow! “If need be!” Every arrow from the quiver of God is feathered with it! Write it, child of affliction, over every trial your God sees meet to send! If He calls you down from the sunny mountain-heights to the dark glades, hear Him saying, “There is a need be.” If He has dashed the cup of prosperity from your lips, curtailed your creature comforts, diminished your “basket and your store,” hear Him saying, “There is a need be.” If He has ploughed and furrowed your soul with severe bereavement; extinguished light after light in your dwelling; hear Him therefore stilling the tumult of your grief—“There is a need be.”

“Yes! believe it, there is some profound reason for your trial, which at present may be indiscernible. No furnace will be hotter than He sees to be needed. Sometimes indeed, His teachings are mysterious. We can with difficulty spell out the letters, God is love!—we can see no “bright light;” no luminous Bow in “our cloud.” It is all mystery; not one break is there in the sky! No! “Hear what God the Lord speaks.” “If need be.”

Be still, and know that He is God! That “need be,” remember, is in the hands of Infinite Love, Infinite Wisdom, Infinite Power. Trust Him in little things as well as great things, in trifles as well as emergencies. Seek to have unquestioning faith. Though other paths, doubtless, would have been selected by you had the choice been in your hands, be it yours to listen to His voice at every turn in the road, saying, “This is the way, walk in it.”

If, even now, afflicted one, these clouds are gathering, and the tempest sighing, lift up your eye to the divine scroll gleaming in the darkened heavens, and remember that He who has put the Bow of promise there, saw also a “need be” for the cloud on which it rests!

“And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be in the cloud.”

If you'd like to read the 31 day devotional or see the entire entry from today,click here. May God bless you and encourage you...

1Peter 1:6-9 "...though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls."