"Walking God's Way..."

2011-01-16T18:33:00.007-05:00

I know there are many followers of Christ out there! I trust that there are many (everyone) who at times get so full of JESUS that you just can't contain it!

Worshipping our Lord is one of the greatest 'events'/occurances in my life! While I love Him every moment of each day.....there are times when I connect with Jesus in a deeper and more intimate way; those times are unlike anything else this world can offer!

What a wonderful, supernatural, God-designed and fabulous occurance it is when our heart connects with the heart of God! I pray that YOU have experienced deep intimacy with the Living God!

May our EVERY DAY be filled with the power and person of Jesus Christ!

2010-10-23T23:32:00.011-04:00

"NONE of me and ONLY Thee"

...this is my prayer.

2010-10-15T08:30:00.008-04:00

"But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin." 1 John 1:7 nkjv

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9 nkjv

I've noticed for a few days now that my silver teaspoons were quite tarnished. This morning, as I made a cup of tea, I decided to tackle the task of polishing! I don't have much silver in my home, but what I have, I polished. It's a rather messy job and my nails will be a bit 'black' for the day, but it is worth the effort! Some of the more deeply tarnished areas required extra effort as I rubbed and polished! I now have a small array of sparkling silver and it is beautiful!

I've used this analogy before, but I ask, "How similar to the polishing of my household silver is the 'polishing' that God does in our lives"? JESUS (His shed blood) is the instrument of total cleansing in our lives, but we all know that we get 'dirty' and stained with sin on a daily basis. Some days we need a light buffing to clean away the sin, other times, if we allow sin to fester and grow, we need a major rubbing and deep polishing by God to get us back into 'sparkling' status with Our Father and Creator!

Oh, that we would 'get right' with God and SPARKLE for Him....for all the world to see! May the brilliance of Jesus Christ shine in your life today!

2010-10-13T09:26:00.006-04:00

"Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!" NKJV Romans 11:33

I screwed up.....and this morning I was meditating on the incredible mercy of our Lord. Not only His mercy, but His patience and astounding ability to endure the hurt and pain that our sin causes Him. I was keenly aware that my sin was akin to "turning up my nose" at my Father and I needed God's mercy.

I established through His word that God, indeed, feels emotions. (anger, grief, joy...) This fact made me all the more grieved at the sin I committed. The notion of God grieving over my sin and waywardness was unbearable. I was in great need of a reminder of God's great mercy and love. The Holy Spirit faithfully assured me of who God is and just how and why He is able to forgive, over and over, the sin we commit. Today I am thankful that my God is FAITHFUL and HIS LOVE ENDURES forever.

May this post remind us all, that in spite of the grief and sadness that we (and our Lord) feel when we sin, there is HOPE and FORGIVENESS through Christ!

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." NKJV 1 John 1:9

Do you know this familiar hymn? I'm singing it this morning!
How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

2010-09-30T09:49:00.016-04:00

The Holy Spirit ministered to me this morning from Psalm 31. I particularly love the image conveyed (to me) in verse 8b.

"You [God] have set my feet
in a wide place".

Ah, I can just picture myself standing in a large, grassy expansive area, hands raised and praising the Lord! Doing so in the freedom and yet strong SECURITY that Christ gives!
In my spirit I am there...
dancing and rejoicing in Spirit!

And here is the last portion of Psalm 31. (verses 23 and 24) These words are God's (and my) blessing for YOU today!

"Oh, love the Lord, all you His saints!

For the Lord preserves the faithful,

And fully repays the proud person.

Be of good courage,

And He shall strengthen your heart,

All you who hope in the Lord."

2010-09-21T09:34:00.008-04:00

The following portion from Oswald Chambers' "My Utmost For His Highest" profoundly hit me yesterday morning.

"The expression of Christian character is not good doing, but
God-likeness. If the Spirit of God
has transformed you within, you will exhibit Divine characteristics in your life, not good human characteristics. God's life in us expresses itself as God's life, not as human life trying
to be godly."

2010-09-19T18:20:00.003-04:00

Not sure why or how, but God has seen fit to give me a large dose of creativity! I am SO HAPPY and HONORED to be able to put that attribute to use for HIS glory! Today I took the sunflowers that I purchased last Sunday (and enjoyed in my home all week long...see previous post photo!) and arranged them into a bouquet in a basket to place on the altar at church today. I absolutely LOVE doing this type of 'craft' for God's pleasure and to honor Him! Following church, I went home and gathered a few supplies, did a bit of shopping and then headed back to the church to decorate the outside with Autumn flowers and decoration. Again....all for HIS glory!

One of my strong points just happens to be creativity.....yours may be any number of other attributes. Whatever you are GOOD at, and whatever attributes you have been gifted with....please find a way to put it to use FOR GOD and HIS KINGDOM!

Colossians 3:17 NIV
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

2010-09-12T18:59:00.033-04:00

Don't you just love Sunflowers?
I do!

When I look at a sunflower,
I can't help but feel HAPPY!
I love the cheery yellow color,
the large, black seed heads
and the fluffy,
almost curly leaves
that rest on top
of the tough, green pods.

Today I stpped at the local grocery store and picked up a few stems of Sunflowers to brighten up my living room and just because I enjoy them so.

Just now, as I was eyeing my sunflowers with a happy heart, the Holy Spirit reminded me of my fellow Christians and others throughout the world who would SO benefit from sunflowers. I'm not talking about the cheer that these flowers bring me, but more the FOOD and NUTRITION that a single sunflower can provide. Sunflowers are an excellent source of all sorts of healthy fats, fiber and vitamin E.

So, I'm thinking and find it quite interesting that I would be prompted to consider the needs of the poor and needy in the world, just by looking at a sunflower! There was a time, not even so long ago, that I simply would have enjoyed the sunflowers for their beauty and the comfort and pleasure they provide for ME. I believe that through my "Radical Experiment" the Holy Spirit is opening my eyes and heart to the needs of others much more than in the past.

I wish I could send some 'health', whether spiritual, physical or emotional, to those around the world who need it so desperately. I pray that from this time forth, the sunflower will serve as a lasting reminder to me to share the 'health' that Christ provides for all who trust in Him! May God be glorified in YOUR life and mine!

2010-09-09T09:58:00.022-04:00

A huge part of my journey through "The Radical Experiment" requires WAITING on God. I am praying about a variety of issues that have surfaced in an even more profound way since reading "Radical" by David Platt. To the right of this post are listed the five challenges that I have undertaken as part of "The Radical Experiment". I continue to pray and wait for direction to some degree in all five areas. God is awesome and is speaking to me in these areas also; my life is changing for the glory of God! It is a fantastic journey!

Psalm 25:4-5, 20-21 NKJV

"Show me Your ways, O Lord,
Teach me Your paths.
Lead me in Your Truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation,
On You I wait all the day."

"Keep my soul, and deliver me;
Let me not be ashamed, for I put my trust in You.
Let integrity and uprightness preserve me,
For I wait for You."

2010-09-08T16:47:00.002-04:00

I am thoroughly enjoying the moment I am experiencing!

I put in a full day of work then changed clothes and headed to the beach to enjoy some quiet time with the Lord. The surroundings are PERFECT; the sun is shining, breezes blowing and soft worship music is playing Fernando Ortega’s version of “More Love to Thee” through my ear buds! It is quite easy to WORSHIP our AWESOME GOD; I'm moved to get up and dance across the beach!! Instead, I'll just dance and rejoice in my spirit!

Just wanted to share the moment!

2010-09-02T17:29:00.013-04:00

Can you BELIEVE that it is September 2 already? The days pass by SO quickly!

Today I'm hearing and sensing a 'call to arms'. The Holy Spirit is really nudging me to be alert and aware and watchful, even armed and on the offense to seize every and any opportunity that can be used to advance the kingdom of God!

Here's the problem....I am surrounded by STUFF and PEOPLE and THINGS...just like we all are...and I am too easily distracted from the purpose and plan that God has laid out for me. How about you? Do you sense that God is calling and asking MORE of you than what you are currently giving, or doing? Do you feel that God deserves MORE from you?

JESUS is the "Lover of Your Soul". He is the One who gave His own life so that YOU could be restored to a loving connection and closeness to God. He is the One who paid YOUR debt of sin, so that you could be FREE to love and serve Him and others! HE is looking down from heaven, smiling upon you, waiting for you to grasp fully the life of purpose that is available to you! HE needs YOU to live a life of service and committment to the Kingdom of God! I know that *I* am humbled and even saddened to realize just HOW MUCH God deserves and HOW LITTLE I give to Him.

"Lord, awaken us all to what pleases YOUR heart. May we all make changes in our lives to accomodate and lift up YOU above all else. At all cost....I am willing. Direct my every step, O God and may I pay attention and thereby make my life SIMPLE and QUIET so that I can hear you speak! YOU are my Savior and Lord and I pray in your strong name....AMEN."

Anyone else feeling the call of God to live FOR HIM and forsake all else? To live a RADICAL life of love and service for the glory of God?

2010-08-26T12:11:00.006-04:00

CULTURE SHOCK!!
I have returned to life in CT and am a bit overwhelmed with the adjustment back to my previous culture and life. I'm actually considering that perhaps THIS life (in CT) is not where God will keep me at all! My newly awakened attitudes and a somewhat more difficult experience of readjustment might just be part of preparation for something to come!

I see so much all around me, including much excess 'stuff' that fills my own home, and it is all so NOT a part of my life during my (summer) life in Maine. I love the simplicity and freedom that living with LESS affords. My focus was much more easily centered on Jesus, who I desire to think of, love and serve every moment of my life. I confess that even this morning, I found it a bit difficult to 'focus' on prayer and worship with a house full of 'do-dads' and 'what-nots' all around me. Not to mention the NOISE LEVEL out in public places! I'm sitting in a 'fast food' restaurant and am using ear buds with music playing and can still hear NOISE! There is more 'hub-bub' occurring in this one location than I saw in my entire summer! (maybe an exaggeration, buy you get the point!)

I know that it is by God's hand that I am in the particular job and life situation that I am currently living. However, God is One of CHANGE and MOVEMENT and LIFE. Life in Christ means always growing, always experiencing, always facing new challenges and always overcoming! It will be very interesting, indeed, to see what God has planned for me in this coming year while I undergo "The Radical Experiment". I could elaborate quite a bit on just a few of the new attitudes I'm experiencing, but I will leave that for other posts. I may actually, do a series of posts on the various changes that are occurring within me. (as I make a note to do this!)

For now, the SHOCK of readjustment will definitely keep me 'on my toes' spiritually...and I guess that is a good thing!

2010-08-23T22:01:00.006-04:00

It is fascinating to be praying my way around (or through) the entire world! I am using the "Operation World" web page's daily suggestion as my prayer guide. I begin my prayer time by writing down important facts and information about the country as they are listed by "Operation World". I do some praying as I write and meditate on the information and then I write out the specific prayer concerns and special needs for the country as they are provided by "Operation World". Following some prayer time, I try also to do a little research on the country and look up missionaries who are currently serving in the country for which I am praying.

I have found some very interesting stories, blogs and web sites through this process and am seeing some of the actual work and ministry that is being done around the world for the Kingdom of God!

Today (and tomorrow) I am praying for the country of Nepal. Today I learned that Nepal is the only Hindu Kingdom in the world. Hindu is recognized as the national religion of Nepal, but it's constitution guarantees some religious freedom for other faiths. Interesting to me is that the people are free to choose their religion but it is illegal to convert others! Any infringing of this law could lead to imprisonment for nationals or expulsion of foreigners. The persecution index for the Kingdom of Nepal is 42nd in the world.

As I pray for the entire world, I am trusting God to flood my heart and give me a new passion for the unreached people of the world. I am very interested in the lives of the many missionaries that are working for the Kingdom of God all around the world! In addition to praying for the entire world during this next year, I am happy to be broadening my education of world history and geography! Praying for the world is a wonderful part of my "Radical Experiment"!

2010-08-17T11:56:00.014-04:00

I've had a familiar hymn in my mind the last two mornings when I woke up. Amazing how I was able to recall the lyrics perfectly!

I am very thankful that I was raised in the church and in a Christian home. I heard those wonderful words of hymns over and over again at church, Sunday School and at the dinner table! Many, many hymns permeated my mind over the years; their words and music have been a great comfort, encouragement and blessing to me since! (I didn't care for it much back then, but now, I can say, "Thanks, Dad, for all those supper hours and Sunday mornings with George Beverly Shea!")

"O God, Our Help In Ages Past"

O God, our HELP in ages past,

Our HOPE for years to come.

Our SHELTER from the storming blast,

And our ETERNAL HOME.

O God, our HELP in ages past,

Our HOPE for years to come.

Be Thou our GUIDE while life shall last,

And our ETERNAL HOME.

2010-08-14T10:26:00.006-04:00

Beginning the book of JOB today.

Praying for the country of Monaco.

Loving Jesus, my Lord.

Serving Him in all I do.

2010-08-11T11:36:00.017-04:00

One of my favorite passages in the Bible...

Psalm 1:1-3 (NKJV)
Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.

He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.

I love the way the “Amplified Bible” Version expounds on this scripture.

BLESSED (HAPPY, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather.

But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night.

And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity].

FULL of Christ Today!

2010-08-09T15:54:00.011-04:00

I cannot wrap my head around how much and how deeply the great God of all creation loves me! God loves me so much that He gave His own dear Son to suffer and die....so that *I* could be restored into a loving relationship with Him.

Many years ago I was enlightened with the Truth.

I learned that God created the world pure and without sin.

Man was able to walk and talk with God in a holy,

deep and intimate level until SIN entered the picture!

After that incident (called "The Fall" by many),

man was separated from his loving Father God.

Man is no longer able to walk and talk as he was created to do

because God can't tolerate any level of sin...

and SIN is inherent in every one of us!

I am SO THANKFUL that God saw fit to redeem His children.

God had a plan to restore His children because He loves us

and I am SO THANKFUL that I am one of His redeemed kids!

The Bible teaches, and I completely believe,

that it was JESUS who paid the cost for the sin of mankind.

Because of this gesture, it is only THROUGH JESUS

that we are able to be reconnected with our Father God.

If anyone thinks that there is another way to God...their understanding of God and His plan is flawed. I was in that same mindset many years ago. I will gladly share the story of how I came to know the Truth with anyone...just ask me!

I am thankful today that the Holy Spirit showed me The Way. I am thankful that a dear friend persevered and patiently taught the Word of God. I am thankful that, even though I was rebellious and filled with anger, my heart CRACKED and the power of the Holy Spirit began to 'melt' my icy heart. I am grateful to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit who performed a radical change in my life nearly 30 years ago. I am amazed that the same POWERFUL Holy Spirit continues to teach and transform my life! I am thankful that GOD is fully in control of all things in His perfect creation!

My heart leaps for joy today as I consider the blessing and honor of being a child of the King of Kings! I have been adopted, and am fully accepted and loved by God Almighty!

I pray that every person who stumbles on this writing will know and experience, in an intimate and personal way, the love of God and the sacrifice of His Son for their soul!

If anyone has any questions, please contact me....I am looking forward to knowing you!

2010-08-08T10:43:00.012-04:00

I’m reading a book written by Stormie Omartian entitled "The Prayer That Changes Everything...The Hidden Power of Praising God". This book instructs Christians on the subject of and the power of PRAISE and WORSHIP. While this blog post is not a book review, I must testify that am finding Stormie's teaching to be inspiring and a real spiritual "boost"! Perhaps the following quote will whet your appetite for some sound spiritual instruction! This quote is taken from the chapter on praising God “Because He Gave Me His Word”. [within quotes are my additional words for clarity]

“Nothing penetrates our souls or changes our lives more profoundly than true love. And His [God’s love] is the truest of all. When we read God’s love letter, we can better understand His heart of love for us.”

I challenge every Christian to begin a plan and committ NOW to read God’s Word in it’s entirety. My spiritual walk and relationship with God was transformed, intensified and deepened after I read the Bible from cover to cover for the first time!

GO FOR IT and GROW IN HIM!!

Just when you ask God for something...

2010-08-04T14:02:00.009-04:00

As I often do, I had a conversation with God this morning as I was driving my car. The conversation largely was about my appearance and ‘primping’ in the morning. (God had me examine WHO others see when they look at me and what (Who) shines forth from within me)
What sticks out from this talk with God this morning, now almost 5 hours later, is the sincere request that I prayed to God as I drove. I prayed that God’s Spirit would be ALIVE and FLOWING within me today. I prayed that people would see CHRIST in me; not ME, not my outward appearance or anything other than GOD! I share this, because it directly relates to the scripture that I've included at the end of this writing.

Following is an account of an incident as it occurred this morning:
I traveled to a nearby town to have breakfast this morning and as I sipped coffee, I opened my lap top and logged in to my Facebook account. Waiting for me was a message that told me that a long ago friend, with whom I am a “Facebook friend” but really have no contact on FB or otherwise, had responded in a very negative and vicious way to a link that I posted (last evening) concerning Muslim demographics in the world. The video that I shared contained some very startling facts and statistics about the world population and the growth of Islam vs. Christianity in the world. The video was a definite ‘eye opener’ for Christians. I posted the video in hopes of waking up fellow Christians to the importance of sharing the Gospel message with the world.

Anyway…as it turns out, when I attempted to access the coment or ‘angry attack’ that followed my video link, I found that the vicious comments had been deleted, probably by the writer, sometime between 3 and 4 am. I guess that’s the way God wants it! Interesting, that the person who viewed the post (and messaged me) “just happened” to be awake during the wee hours of the morning and “just happened” to view the post. (Nothing is by accident…”Thank you, Lord”!)

As I see it, this occurrence wasn’t so much an attack on me, personally, but an assault on Christ. I am sad that so many in the world are blinded to the goodness and the love and power of Christ, but it is reality. Satan is the prince and power on this earth and he has deceived the hearts of the masses. I hate it, but it is Truth. I hate that my old friend is hostile against the One who died for him and against the Master that his dear parents served and loved.

This incident has caused me to see clearly and to experience, first hand, some of the hostility that is commonly directed toward Christians. I was bold in posting a video that promoted Christianity and I was attacked because of it. Just as I prayed this morning, I allowed CHRIST to shine forth and use me as He needed to advance His Kingdom and He did! It's all OK...I understand completely what is happening in this world and what is going on in the hearts of man. I understand because my heart was in the same condition, many years ago. I just pray that GOD may be glorified through this incident and so many incidents like this. May any suffering or hardship serve to spur me on to greater boldness and a deeper reliance on the power of God in my life!

God’s word gives me strength and hope in light of whatever persecution or hardship comes my way! The following scripture conveys exactly what my life has been about today:

2 Corinthians 4:7-10 (NLT)

”Therefore, since God in his mercy has given us this new way, we never give up. We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don’t try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this.

If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.

You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let there be light in the 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. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.

We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.”

AMEN!

2010-08-03T17:26:00.006-04:00

I love the story of Esther! I have been reading this wonderful book of the Bible the past few days and am in awe of how our amazing God used this simple Jewish woman to carry out His purpose for His people!

Esther, a young, orphaned, Jewish girl, was just 'doing her thing' as she was living in the custody and care of her cousin, Mordecai. Esther is described in scripture as being 'fair and beautiful'. As the story of Esther progresses, we discern that Esther was not only a beautiful and lovely virgin (the only criterion required by King Xerxes in the story), but she was a woman of faith and courage! Esther lived in obedience and devotion to her cousin and to our God. God used Esther and enabled her to carry out HIS WORK in His Kingdom! Esther responded obediently and loyally and GOD did all the rest!

It amazes me how God, the same yesterday and today, is completely and totally orchestrating the events of every day and the plans of His kingdom! May God find me loving toward Him, obedient to His Word, listening to His direction and willing to do whatever He leads! (and you too!)

2010-08-01T21:31:00.006-04:00

How did an entire week fly by? My last post to this blog was Saturday, July 24! Perhaps the following account will explain in part why I have been slow to post on this blog this past week.

Here's what happens....
I wake up in the morning, make a cup of tea and then spend time in the Word and praying. It's so wonderful to greet God in the morning, but lately, God and I have had a lot to talk about and it seems my prayer time becomes quite extended many mornings. Which is absolutely alright with me! Since I've been involved in "The Radical Experiment" I next turn to the "Operation World" website and learn about the country for which I will be praying that day. I take meticulous notes and keep every country's 'profile' in a little note book so I can go back to any one of them if I need to. I do some praying for this country and then move along to praying, planning and thinking about the responsibilities for the day ahead.

All that said, here's the reason I haven't blogged much this past week: Seems that all this studying and praying and learning and planning just plum consumes my entire morning! Before I know it, it is 11 am when I begin to 'shift gears' and get ready for my workday! My work schedule this summer at camp is from 11:45 am until 8 pm. I confess that after I shower and settle in for the night, my brain just doesn't seem to want to THINK about blogging. Seems all I'm good for are a few random posts on Facebook and a bit of web browsing. I fall asleep praying and seldom wake up until morning! I sleep very well, cause I'm TIRED when I lay my head on my pillow at night! Camp life in Maine is wonderful, but work still requires much activity and input throughout the day as I care for, entertain and serve as a 'nanny to three young children. The kids wear me out!

Please know I'm still here....still Walking God's Way and really being blessed as I do "The Radical Experiment". Today is DAY 19 for me!

Tick, Tick, Tick...

2010-07-24T10:13:00.008-04:00

Time seems to fly so fast in the morning hours before I head to work for the day that I have little time to write a blog post! Maybe that's a good thing, because it tends to keep the posts SHORTER and SIMPLER for the reader!

Today is day 11 of "The Radical Experiment" and I have been blessed as I follow the plan. Here's an update:

1. I am diligently praying for a nation of the world each day. (Today is the nation of Latvia....see my Face Book post of about 10 a.m. if you are on my friend list. If not...send me a friend request!! (see right margin for name).

2. I continue to read through the entire Bible (6th time now as I began this practice in 1996) and am in the early chapters of Nehemiah. What God is teaching me through His Word alone could make a good blog post!

3. I have also determined what funds I will be sacrificing and setting aside for a specific purpose this year. I have made a cute little container to collect my funds and have set aside $5.00 so far! Not much...but it is the act of sacrificing for others that is God-honoring.

4. I am working on the 'committing my life to a multiplying church fellowship' as well. This part is difficult while I'm in Maine for the summer, but I'm in prayer about and communication with my current home church in CT. I think God is leading me to hang in with them and remain with this fellowship, but I am still waiting and praying.

5. I am praying about how I will "spend my time in another context" this year. Should be interesting...I'd love to do a mission trip so we'll see what God does!

The experiment is going great...I am obdient and God is blessing. I'm still working on personal 'stuff' and issues as I pray and walk with Christ, but I am pressing in deeper to consider God's GLOBAL view of our world and His/my purpose therein. I am thrilled with who God is and that I am His!

2010-07-21T16:30:00.016-04:00

Today I am beginning my Bible reading in, and study of, the book of Nehemiah.

To gain background informatin, I turned to the internet and began to scan a study by David Pratte, provided by Gospelway.com. I did not get too far in the study when I noted references to the land of Judah as that of "Palestine". (see sentence two under the sub title, Historical Setting). I began wondering about the 'correctness' of this term and did a bit of research.

It took me little time to find a great web site, hosted by Zola Levitt Ministries, that provided a sound explanation and biblical understanding of the use of the term "Palestine". If you have ever questioned the term "Palestine", as I did this morning, please take a gander at this excellent article entitled, "Palestine vs. Israel as the Name for the Holy Land". The article is written by Thomas S. McCall, Th.D. for Zola Levitt Ministries.

As I grow deeper in Christ, I have developed a great love for the people of Israel. I consider them my 'brothers and sisters', since I am told in scripture that I have been ADOPTED into the family of God. If you, like me, also have a heart for the heritage and people of Israel, it is important that we understand the terms associated with this nation, as well as it's allies and foes. Again, please take a look at this excellent link entitled: "Palestine vs. Israel as the name for the Holy Land"

May God keep ALL of His children
in His Almighty Hand!

Day 6 of "The Radical Experiment"

2010-07-20T10:59:00.014-04:00

"Arise, for this matter

is your responsibility.

We also are with you.

Be of good courage and do it."

Ezra 10:4 NKJV

This is the scripture that jumped out at me today as I finished reading the book of Ezra in the Bible. Seems like a 'no bones about it' approach that Shechaniah, one of the many Israelite men who returned to Jerusalem with Ezra, spoke as Ezra weeped and repented for the sins of the nation of Israel.

Not wanting to draw out this writing, I will just say that I think many Christians often KNOW what God desires of them, but the task, instructions or walk just seems too difficult or challenging and they STOP. Ultimately, we are hindering the work of God's Kingdom! Every Christian, our gifts, personality and strength (ALL parts of us) is needed and is required to accomplish the work that God has lined up for each of us to do. If we don't obey, the Kingdom suffers! Others are dependent on YOUR and MY obedience! Next time you hear and know the action God wants you to take remember this verse from the book of Ezra and DO IT!

...And may we all

be found to be

FAITHFUL followers

in every command

of the Lord!

2010-07-18T09:08:00.009-04:00

A new addition to my repertoire of night time lullaby's for my three year old charge is the first verse of TAPS. Very appropriate while we are spending our summer at 'camp' in Maine. For whatever reason, this song gives much rest and peace to the little guy. He actually LOVES to sing along and 'echo' my singing. He does really well for a three year old and we do a pretty good rendition!

Today I researched the words to this song, just to make sure I had the lyrics correct, and I was surprised to find FIVE verses to the familiar song. As I read the lyrics, I sensed great comfort in these words. However, imagining that I did not know or trust Christ for my future....I believe I would find these words empty and even a bit 'haunting' to my soul. Taps is a familiar musical piece that is sounded by the US military to indicate "lights out" and also during flag ceremonies and funerals. If you have ever attended a military funeral or service, I am sure you have found this song, as it is traditionally played on the bugle or trumpet, to invoke a deep well of emotions.

I am trusting that YOU have the peace that comes through knowing Jesus Christ for your salvation and redemption!

May His Peace be with each of you.....

Taps

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hills, from the sky;
All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.

Fading light, dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright.
From afar, drawing nigh, falls the night.

Thanks and praise, for our days,
'Neath the sun, 'neath the stars, neath the sky;
As we go, this we know, God is nigh.

Sun has set, shadows come,
Time has fled, Scouts must go to their beds
Always true to the promise that they made.

While the light fades from sight,
And the stars gleaming rays softly send,
To thy hands we our souls, Lord, commend.

2010-07-16T10:32:00.028-04:00

I’m continuing “The Radical Experiment” and, as I pray for the world, I am finding myself a bit overwhelmed at the immensity of the situations and concerns out there; and this is only DAY THREE! Today I pray for Kenya and though the country is 78.64% “Christian”, there are many, many areas of concern.

Regardless if a nation or people are “Christian” or not, there is still a great need for prayer. I know my prayers are reaching the throne of heaven, but I also wonder how my, often times 'pathetic' prayers will even make a difference in God’s kingdom, considering the magnitude of the problems!

Because I feel a bit ‘snowed under’ as I pray today, I am asking God that I NOT become discouraged as I continue the challenge to pray for the world.

“Oh Lord, open my eyes to see the great need for prayer for the world, but keep me faithful and diligent, not losing ‘heart’, as I pray for Your will to be carried out in specific nations of our world. Your Kingdom is what counts and I pray that I would be renewed to have a compassionate heart and empowered by Your Spirit to be diligent, strong and bold as I faithfully pray for the people of every nation and tribe! May I not grow weary in well doing today.” Amen.

2010-07-14T16:59:00.005-04:00

I guess this is officially DAY ONE of “The Radical Experiment” and today I am in awe of God! It is amazing how the Holy Spirit knows us better than we know ourselves!

This morning I was driving and praying and, like most other days, I was asking God to take control over this day. I regularly relinquish control of the areas that I have unintentionally or unconsciously seized from God’s control. I do a visual thing in my mind as I ‘give over’ the reigns (steering wheel, or whatever) to God.

Today, as I prayed, a very wrong attitude and practice of mine was exposed. The Holy Spirit clearly showed me that on most every occasion when I ask God to control my day and life, I am really only asking Him to control the things that I can not control myself! The words from God that came to me were, “You only want ME to control the things that you can’t!”

WOW!!! WHAT??? Did I hear that correctly??? DO I DO THAT??? I immediately realized that this is exactly what I do! It was TRUE!

Of course, this attitude of mine is not deliberate. I truly love the Lord and always, quite sincerely, WANT Him to have full control in my life. You know…LORD OF ALL. But…that is not what has or was occurring in my life. The Holy Spirit revealed to me that even in my service to Him, I still maintained some level of “control”. Even though I prayed for opportunities to serve and minister, it was always *I* who made the final decision of when and where, even to whom, I would serve and minister. Again, not in a conscious way, but this attitude was more a ‘default’ mode. I guess that attitude is the ‘mode’ of our old man and sin nature.

It is a rare servant of Christ who totally allows the Lord to have FULL and TOTAL control of his or her life. I know very few. I believe that my method of operation was like that of most other Believers. We serve when it “suits our schedules”, when it “fits our profile and personality”, even serving only those people “with whom we are most comfortable”. In reality, what we are doing is dictating to the Lord just what WE will allow! YIKES!

Today the Holy Spirit has given me much to think and pray about. As always, there is much to CHANGE and UNLEARN in my life! I am so thankful that my Christian walk is a “walk in progress”. It is an active, moving, growing, changing and deepening process of getting to know God and of becoming more like Christ. Today’s lesson from the Holy Spirit is just the beginning of this “Radical Experiment”…and it’s only DAY ONE!

"The Radical Experiment"

2010-07-13T18:46:00.005-04:00

A few days ago I finished reading the book, “Radical” by David Platt. I must say, I have been profoundly reawakened by the Holy Spirit as He spoke to me through this author’s words, the Holy Scripture and to me, personally. I have come to see God’s true purpose for His people and want to live and serve Christ to this end. I could share with you the contents of this book and expound upon the Biblical principles that the book references, but I will TRY to keep my thoughts short and encourage YOU to read the book for yourself!

In this book, “Radical”, David Platt declares the God-ordained/Gospel rooted ‘claims of purpose’ for the lives of mankind, which are, in fact, contradicted by the American Dream that many Believers are pursuing.

Following are the claims as David Platt explains: (quoted from the book)

• “Real success is found in radical sacrifice
• Ultimate satisfaction is found not in making much of ourselves, but in making much of God
• The purpose of our lives transcends the country and culture in which we life
• Meaning is found in community, not individualism
• Joy is found in generosity, not materialism
• Truth is found in Christ, not universalism.”

Understanding that claims such as these actually are only “theories” until they are proven, the author suggests that the reader undertake a ONE YEAR program that he terms, “The Radical Experiment”. In an effort to ‘test’ the claims purported in this book, David Platt suggests doing the following FIVE things during the course of one year:

1. Pray for the entire world
2. Read through the entire Bible
3. Sacrifice your money for a specific purpose
4. Spend time in another context
5. Commit your life to a multiplying church community

I find myself (my inner, spiritual man) coming ALIVE as I examine the claims that David Platt makes in this book! I am in agreement that God is calling every Believer to the purposes outlined in this book and I agree that total surrender to live for Christ will ultimately manifest itself in a very RADICAL lifestyle!

Here’s my problem…Though I would like to take on this “Radical Experiment”, I am a HUGE procrastinator and continually find myself falling short of goals and plans that I make, no matter the subject area. I WANT to undertake the challenge that this author sets before me, but I’m a bit leery; afraid to start something (to the glory of God) and not successfully finish it!
“What is the next step?”, I ask. Just HOW could I realistically participate in this “Radical Experiment” and faithfully continue the experiment for one year? I KNOW that it is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that I am able to victoriously live for Christ! I know that I will need encouragement from fellow Believers, but most of all, the power from the Holy Spirit, to stay true to purpose for one year.

Conceivably, I could make THIS BLOG a vehicle of accountability for me. After all, it IS titled, “Walking God’s Way”! What if I ask readers to keep “on my tail” and to remind or ask me how my “Radical Experiment” is going? I am thinking about the movie Julie and Julia (or something like that) where a young aspiring “Julia Child Wannabe” committed to making a “Julia recipe” every day for one year...and blogging her journey! Did you see that movie? Perhaps I can include daily entries about my experiment in this blog?

A year is a LONG time! I SURE do not want to make a commitment and fail! Yet, I know I want to grow deeper in my commitment to serving Christ and living HIS WAY. What good is my Christian walk if I live for Christ, but do it MY WAY? I desire to have a heart that longs to share the Gospel, to see others come to faith in Christ and to see people grow in that faith. I am praying that by following “The Radical Experiment”, God will reveal and confirm His will and purpose for my life. I am praying that I will be so CONVINCED of the reality of God’s purpose for me that I will be forever changed and unable to live for Christ as in the past! I am praying that my eyes and heart would be open to whatever God has in store for me and at the end of this experiment, I pray that I will be more like Christ, fully committed to living HIS WAY and more committed to sharing Christ with the world!

I guess I can say, “Let the experiment begin”! You are welcome to come along side me for one year as I embrace “The Radical Experiment”!

From my quiet time this morning...

2010-07-09T21:17:00.008-04:00

Hear the words of King Hezekiah as he encourages his people of Jerusalem.

“With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.”

These words were spoken as the nation of Judah, of which Hezekiah was king, faced the very present danger of battle with Assyria. Though the people of Jerusalem were taunted and threatened by a much stronger army, Hezekiah prayed and encouraged his people to stand strong and take courage.

Again, hear the following words from 2 Chronicles 32:8. And may these words be close to your heart and mind when YOU are faced with a battle of any kind!

“With him is an arm of flesh,

but with us

is the Lord our God,

to help us and

to fight our battles.”

2010-07-06T17:41:00.006-04:00

I’m learning afresh of my requirement to OBEY GOD. (NOTE: I changed the wording from: NEED to obey God to REQUIREMENT to obey God!)

It sounds easy….right? Just walk in His footsteps, live right, be kind to others….you know the drill. I only wish that FOR ME it were that easy!

Yes, the gift of salvation may be given to us with very SIMPLE requirements, but FOR ME the daily “faith walk” sure is not easy. For me, the road seems difficult. I get pinched and squeezed and smashed…all in an effort, I know, to make me more like Christ. Could it be that, for whatever reason, I am called to more (a higher degree of purity, a more disciplined life, a deeper devotion) than others…or maybe it’s that I just ‘hear’ the call more clearly. I actually think we are all called to MUCH MORE than who we currently are and to what we are currently doing, but this writing is aimed at ME today!

I confess that I have been willingly disobedient far too often and it saddens me and causes a struggle within my soul. I often ask myself,” Just WHEN am I going to stop ‘playing around’ as a Christian and how many times am I going to (re)commit to seriously and genuinely following what God desires for me and to His instructions for me”? Daily, I wrestle with my flesh. At times I succumb to the temptations of sin and it throws me off track or causes me to veer off The Way of the Master. When I speak of this degree of calling and my desire to serve God in a more pleasing way, many people tell me, “I’m too hard on myself”. Yet, in my heart, I KNOW that it is not I who is setting the standard or doing the calling; it is my Father, God.

If you have read this blog lately, you know I am reading 2 Chronicles; another account of the history of the kings of Judah and Israel. Included in the history are the highlights of the life of each king. Some were good kings, most were evil. Disobedience seems to have come fairly easy for most. (Not unlike us today!) The consequences of sin and evil are exposed in 2 Chronicles. We may not break out with a case of leprosy, as King Uzziah of Judah did, but according to God’s Word, there will be consequences. The cost of sin sometimes is paid with devastating results not just for ourselves, but for others and those we love.

How critical it is to GET CLEAN and STAY CLEAN. God hates sin, and ANY degree of sin separates us from Him. Were it not for the sacrifice that Jesus paid, we would still be standing in our condemnation to hell. I am SO THANKFUL to Jesus who has washed me clean! It is now up to ME to remain IN CHRIST and to not mess up, dirty up or screw up the purpose for which He has called me! Yes, there is forgiveness for our sins, but I do not want to waste even one moment of serving and loving God as He desires! I don’t want God’s work and Kingdom to suffer because of my negligence, disobedience, selfishness, or idleness.

Today I am renewing my intent to go deeper and stay stronger in the power of the Holy Spirit and to walk faithfully as Jesus teaches!

A PRAYER FOR THIS DAY...

2010-07-05T09:57:00.013-04:00

Oh, God...

May my eyes be always on You this day.

May my thoughts, plans, ideas, desires,

hopes, dreams, attitudes, intentions,

actions and service be on

and for You, today!

Keep me ever attentive to

Your Commands,

Your law,

and Your precepts

so that I might live

RIGHTLY today.

May Your Word be always

in my mind and in my heart.

Take all that I am

and all that I have and use it

for Your work and glory.

I don't have much, but it is Yours.

May I find even greater ways

to GIVE to You,

to SERVE You and

to LIVE for You.

Keep me strong and fit,armored

with your weapons of warfare,

so that I may stand strong against the

temptations and evils of

satan, the world and the flesh.

May I look to YOU in all things and

may I overcome;claiming the victory

that is ours through Christ Jesus!

Keep those I love in Your embrace.

May they each come to know and

love You as Savior and Lord.

Through and in all things....

may YOU be glorified this day.

I pray

in the strong name

of Jesus, my Lord....AMEN.

2010-07-04T11:24:00.005-04:00

I don’t quite get it….maybe someone can shed some light on some questions I have? (shared at the end of this post)

I was continuing my reading in 2 Chronicles, chapters 19 and 20, this morning. (I have found the account of the reign of King Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles to be especially interesting.)

Particularly interesting today, was the account of a great and mighty display of God’s power and strength, on behalf of Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah. Faced with an impending attack with forces that far exceeded their own strength, Jehoshaphat encouraged the people of Judah to turn to Almighty God for direction and wisdom. The entire nation fasted and prayed and sought God with their whole hearts. The result of their loyalty and trust in God was that God defeated the enemy and saved Judah in the day of battle! Following this account in chapter 20, scripture notes that, "Then the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around." (vs. 30)

The fundamental point to this story was that Jehoshaphat turned to God, trusted Him and obeyed God, and in the end, God was victorious, showing all nations His power and might!

It’s interesting to me that throughout Jehoshaphat’s reign in Judah, he was known as a good and Godly king, and yet, there are accounts in 2 Chronicles of disastrous occasions when King Jehoshaphat lost trust in and strayed from God…and for extended periods of time!

My question(s) is this… (I never ask just ONE question!)
How could a king, such as Jehoshaphat, who was known to have great faith in God, have waivered in such obvious and mammoth situations, so as to upset his life, his entire kingdom and future? What am I missing in his life? Would there have been cultural conditions that I have overlooked that may have contributed to Jehoshaphat’s periodic and drastic plunge in faith in God? Perhaps Jehoshaphat’s faith in God was more a ‘show’; an external response to God, as opposed to an internal knowledge of God? I am wondering how this man, a great and mighty king from the line of David, could have displayed such a turning away from God.

I am not ‘tooting my horn’, but want to add another question into my quandary for the day: Why is it that I, a mere, weak, frail and sinful woman, have been able to maintain my faith in and reliance on God for nearly 30 years while a great and powerful king, with all things at his disposal, was unable to stand steadfast on God? While I, personally, have been tested in my faith many times, and have, at times, wavered in my faith, I have always come through any trials victoriously and with new insight and even greater faith in God!

Ah….as I type this, I am thinking that there is one thing that was NOT at his disposal, which is at mine! The HOLY SPIRIT residing within us! Ahha….that must be part of the answer!  (Thanks, God)

Have I ‘hit the nail on the head’ with my revelation about the Holy Spirit within us? I know that until Christ returned to heaven, the Holy Spirit was NOT residing within the hearts of Godly people. Wow! It’s no wonder that the people of God would have seemingly been so capable of turning away from God. Without the perfect Holy Spirit dwelling in me….what would *I* be???

Please feel free to add any comments or thoughts to this post!

2010-07-03T10:47:00.006-04:00

Have you experienced the ‘tearing or pulling’ of your devotion and loyalties AWAY from God and toward other things or people? Have you ever been faced with a situation where you compromised your behavior, language, message or person, just because those around you were not like-minded? I sure have. I admit that I am guilty of giving in to the ‘pulling away’ from Christ and to failure to stand strong on and for the Lord.

As I read 2 Chronicles 19 this morning, I looked at how Jehoshaphat, a king who sought and followed after God, experienced this same type of ‘pulling away’ from devotion to God and a ‘drawing toward’ relationships and people other than His God. As I see it, the problem started for Jehoshaphat when he married a woman who was from the family of EVIL king Ahab of Israel. That, in itself, did not need to be a problem, but later in life, because of these ties to evil, Jehoshaphat followed the advice and direction of evil King Ahab, and ultimately compromised his devotion to and trust in God.

Chapter 19 records how King Ahab summoned the strong and powerful King Jehoshaphat to aid him in a battle against his enemies. Against the warning of the prophet of God, both Ahab and Jehoshaphat listened to the voices of the “yeah- sayers” and “yes men” of King Ahab and entered into battle. Only through the grace and mercy of God was Jehoshaphat spared his life, although King Ahab met his death in this battle.

Following the battle, Jehu, a prophet of God, spoke the words in verse 12 to Jehoshaphat,

“Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the Lord?”

These words of God jumped out at me this morning and the Holy Spirit showed me how I am too often just like Jehoshaphat…giving in to “the crowd” and compromising my devotion to God. I love the Lord, I desire to follow His ways and serve Him, and yet, I find my message and conversation “watered down” and not always edifying to God or reflecting the Hope of the Gospel message as I would like. Even through my actions I show myself disloyal to God by presenting myself in a way that is not God-honoring. All this done, in an effort to ‘fit in’, to be accepted, or to simply ‘not make waves’, with people who are not like-minded! Where is my love and loyalty to the God I love? Why do I not, in times like these, draw on the POWER of the Holy Spirit that is mine through my confession and relationship with Christ Jesus?

Reflecting on this scripture and my behavior, I am reminded once again of my need to daily, even moment by moment, cry out to the Holy Spirit for strength to ACT as God wants me to act, SAY what God wants me to say and BE the woman of God that God wants me to be!

May we all seek the power of the Holy Spirit to keep us strong and fit in Christ, so we do not shirk nor alter our message, person or purpose in CHRIST!

2010-07-02T10:00:00.015-04:00

Continuing my daily Bible reading and meditation, it seems I am only able to take in a chapter at a time as there are so many wonderful nuggets of Truth and Wisdom contained in God's word!

You may read the details of 2 Chronicles, chapter 16 for yourself, but the overall message is about our need to always and continually seek God and His ways, no matter the circumstances. King Asa, described as a good and Godly king, eventually suffered greatly in his professional life (as king), in his personal life (with physical ailments) and in his spiritual life (out of God’s favor) because he turned to OTHER resources for answers and solutions to varied circumstances that he faced.

Too often, without first turning to and seeking God, on a matter, we, like Asa, turn to friends, professionals, books and ‘the world’ for answers and solutions to our problems or decisions. The “world” is more than ready to give advise and solve our problems, and often requires a hefty fee for the service!

How much wiser it is to follow the teaching of Jesus; to “seek first the kingdom of God”. It is true, that God can use varied sources to give us direction, but without FIRST laying the matter in God’s hands and giving it over to the Master to handle, we are showing disloyalty or distrust in our Heavenly Father, the God of All Creation! God deserves and demands total devotion, love, loyalty and trust.

I’m recalling the chorus of the old hymn, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face; And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace”.

The scripture to remember today is 2 Chronicles 16:9…

"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him."

WOW…what wonderful assurance and peace is given to us to carry us through each day and every situation!

2010-07-01T21:19:00.018-04:00

It was verse seven of 2 Chronicles, chapter 15, that jumped out at me this morning and the Holy Spirit has urged me to share the following encouragement:

In this account, Azariah, the son of Oded, who was a prophet, came to Asa, the king of Judah and spoke God’s word unto him. God gave this word to Asa to encourage and motivate him to continue the work of purifying Judah, thus honoring God. Asa was a good and Godly king and he took to heart this word from God. Take a look at the words spoken to Asa, as recorded in verse 7, NKJV.

"But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded!"

How very much each of us, as Christians in this fallen world, need to hear words of encouragement and motivation! I’m sharing this scripture passage today for that very purpose. May God’s word be as relevant and fresh to YOU as it was to Asa nearly 3000 years ago! May you be STRONG as you carry out the work of the Kingdom of God! *As a side note: I found it quite interesting that I should read this passage of scriptrue today, when just yesterday I was reading through (praying and planning) a book that I picked up at a local book sale, entitled, "Strength Training Over 50". Ha! God has a sense of humor!

Exodus 15:2
The LORD is my strength and my song

Habakkuk 3:19
The Sovereign LORD is my strength

OUR MIGHTY GOD!

2010-06-30T09:03:00.014-04:00

A vivid image came to my mind this morning as I read scripture and meditated. I remembered a scene from years ago, of my pastor’s wife seated in a circle on the floor of a Sunday School classroom. She was leading the children in singing, “My God is so big, my God is so mighty, there’s nothing that God cannot do…” Do you know that song?

It’s a great song for children because included with the lyrics are motions that include raising your arms and ‘making a muscle’…which the kids always love to do!

I remember thinking at that time how wonderful it was to be planting this song with lyrics of God’s power and might into the receptive minds of these children. I wondered also how many and how often in the future these children would draw on the words of this great classic Sunday School song. I, personally, have sung this song many times since, and even recently to my young charges! My little 3 year old (boy) charge, especially, loves to ‘make a muscle’ at the appropriate time in the song!

(This is a photo of children in the Bahamas singing, "Our God is so Big"!)

Today I read a scripture in 2 Chronicles that brought this memory to my mind.
2 Chronicles 14:11-12 recounts the story of Asa, a Godly king of Judah, facing the prospect of battle with the greatly overpowering forces of the Ethiopian nation. The scripture reads,

“And Asa cried out to the Lord his God, and said, “Lord, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O Lord our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O Lord, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!” So the Lord struck the Ethiopians before Asa and Judah, and the Ethiopians fled.”

What a powerful scripture! We are fortunate that God's Word is available to us to read, absorb and memorize!

Similar to today’s scripture are verses I memorized (in NIV) a few years ago from 2 Kings 6:15-17

“When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" the servant asked. "Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." And Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha."

Wow….this scripture still speaks to me of God’s great POWER and MIGHT!

I challenge you today to commit to memory some scripture or even a children's song that will help you to always remember God’s amazing power and might, then share it with others as needed!

2010-06-29T13:38:00.009-04:00

I am very blessed!

God is GOOD and He is FAITHFUL. I am so glad I am His child and have committed my life to living for Him and obeying His commandments. I continually strive; making changes, giving up and laying aside, learning new Truth, putting on the NEW life and putting God's Word into practice!

I LOVE this scripture from the Psalms!

2010-06-26T09:37:00.005-04:00

I am always amazed when God takes a very simple passage of scripture and through it, teaches me or reminds me of a Godly Truth! Allow me to explain…

Yesterday morning I was reading 2 Chronicles, chapter 9 of the Bible. I had read in previous chapters of the account of Solomon and the wonders of the marvelous temple that Solomon built to honor His (OUR) God. Chapter 9 relates the story of the visit to Solomon from the Queen of Sheba.(Are you familiar with the wonderful piece of music by G. F. Handel…”The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba”? Right here in scripture is the account of that story! Give a listen... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLrl-EkssCI)

Following the account of this visit, the chapter relates an account of the great wealth of Solomon. The passage that got me thinking yesterday was the last verse of this chapter…2 Chronicles 9:31. “Then Solomon rested with his fathers and was buried in the city of David, his father. And Rehoboam, his son, reigned in his place.”

Reading this brief passage, I was struck with the profound truth, that what is most important for each of us to consider is; Not what we have done in the past or what we will do or who we will become in the future, but what is most important to a strong and healthy Christian is what we are doing and who we are TODAY! Too often, I find myself thinking in terms of “someday”, “what if”, “perhaps”, “eventually”, “could have, should have, would have” and “maybe” instead of RIGHT NOW!

I once was given a copy of the classic essay, written by Charles Hummel in 1967, entitled “Tyranny of the Urgent”. I found it to be one of those ‘life-changing’ reads! I will include the complete essay following this post. Take a few moments to read and ponder on it! Every day, and ONLY TODAY, is a precious gift from God. The challenge is this; What are we going to do TODAY that will be of eternal significance? PRAY and seek direction from the Holy Spirit, so that EVERYDAY of your life will count for the Kingdom of God!

Tyranny of the Urgent
Charles E. Hummel

Have you ever wished for a thirty-hour day? Surely this extra time would relieve the tremendous pressure under which we live. Our lives leave a trail of unfinished tasks. Unanswered letters, unvisited friends, unwritten articles, and unread books haunt quiet moments when we stop to evaluate. We desperately need relief.
But would a thirty-hour day really solve the problem? Wouldn’t we soon be just as frustrated as we are now with our twenty-four allotment? A mother’s work is never finished, and neither is that of any student, teacher, minister, or anyone else we know. Nor will the passage of time help us catch up. Children grow in number and age to require more of our time. Greater experience in profession and church brings more exacting assignments. So we find ourselves working more and enjoying it less.

JUMBLED PRIORITIES…

When we stop to evaluate, we realize that our dilemma goes deeper than a shortage of time; it is basically the problem of priorities. Hard work does not hurt us. We all know what it is to go full speed for long hours, totally involved in an important task. The resulting weariness is matched by a sense of achievement and joy. Not hard work, but doubt and misgiving, produce anxiety as we review a month or year and become oppressed by the pile of unfinished tasks. We sense uneasily that we may have failed to do the important. The winds of people’s demands have driven us onto a reef of frustration. We confess, quite apart from our sins, “We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; and we have done those things which we ought not to have done.”

Several years ago an experienced cotton mill manager said to me, “Your greatest danger is letting the urgent things crowd out the important.” He didn’t realize how hard his maxim hit. It often returns to haunt and rebuke me by raising the critical problem of priorities.
We live in constant tension between the urgent and the important. The problem is that the important task rarely must be done today or even this week. Extra hours of prayer and Bible study, a visit with the non-Christian friend, careful study of an important book: these projects can wait. But the urgent tasks call for instant action---endless demands pressure every hour and day.
A man’s home is no longer his castle; it is no longer a place from urgent tasks because the telephone breaches the walls with imperious demands. The momentary appeal of these tasks seems irresistible and important, and they devour our energy. But in the light of time’s perspective their deceptive prominence fades; with a sense of loss we recall the important task pushed aside. We realize we’ve become slaves to the tyranny of the urgent.

CAN YOU ESCAPE…….?

Is there any escape from this pattern of living? The answer lies in the life of our Lord. On the night before He died, Jesus made an astonishing claim. In the great prayer of John 17 He said, “ I have finished the work which Thou gavest me to do” (verse 4).
How could Jesus use the word “finished”? His three-year ministry seemed all too short. A prostitute at Simon’s banquet had found forgiveness and a new life, but many others still walked the street without forgiveness and a new life. For every ten withered muscles that had flexed into health, a hundred remained impotent. Yet on that last night, with many useful tasks undone and urgent human needs unmet, the Lord had peace; He knew He had finished God’s work.

The Gospel records show that Jesus worked hard. After describing a busy day Mark writes, “That evening at sundown, they brought to Him all who were sick or possessed with demons. And the whole city was gathered about the door. And He healed many who were sick

with various diseases, and cast out many demons” (1:32-34).
On another occasion the demand of the ill and maimed caused Him to miss supper and to work so late that His family thought He was beside Himself (Mark 3:21). One day after a strenuous teaching session, Jesus and His disciples went out in a boat. Even a storm didn’t awaken Him (Mark 4:37-38). What a picture of exhaustion. Yet His life was never feverish;

He had time for people. He could spend hours talking to one person, such as the Samaritan women at the well. His life showed a wonderful balance, a sense of timing. When His brothers wanted Him to go to Judea, He replied, “My time has not yet come” (John 7:6). Jesus did not ruin His gifts by haste. In The Discipline and Culture of the Spiritual Life, A.E. Whiteham observes; “Here in this Man is adequate purpose…inward rest, that gives an air of leisure to His crowded life: above all there is in this Man a secret and a power of dealing with the waste-products of life, the waste of pain, disappointment, enmity, death---turning to divine uses the abuses of man, transforming arid places of pain to fruitfulness, triumphing at last in death and making a short life of thirty years or so, abruptly cut off, to be a ‘finished’ life. We cannot admire the poise and beauty of this human life, and then ignore the things that made it.”

WAIT FOR INSTRUCTIONS…

What was the secret of Jesus’ work? We find a clue following Mark’s account of Jesus’ busy day. Mark observes that “….in the morning, a great while before day, He rose and went out to a lonely place, and there He prayed” (Mark 1:35). Here is the secret of Jesus’ life and work for God: He prayerfully waited for His Father’s instructions and for the strength to follow them. Jesus had no divinely-drawn blueprint; He discerned the Father’s will day by day in a life of prayer.

By this means He warded off the urgent and accomplished the important.

Lazarus’s death illustrates this principle. What could have been more important than the urgent message from Mary and Martha, “Lord, he whom you love is ill” (John 11:3)? John records the Lord’s response in these paradoxical words: “Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when He heard that he was ill, He stayed two days longer in the place where He was” (verses 5-6). What was the urgent need? Obviously it was to prevent the death of this beloved brother. But the important thing from God’s point of view was to raise Lazarus from the dead. So Lazarus was allowed to die. Later Jesus revived him as a sign of His magnificent claim, “I am the resurrection and the life: he who believes in Me though he die, yet shall he live” (v 25).

We may wonder why our Lord’s ministry was so short, why it could not have lasted another five or ten years, why so many wretched sufferers were left in their misery. Scripture gives not answer to these questions, and we leave them in the mystery of God’s purposes. But we do know that Jesus’ prayerful waiting for God’s instructions freed Him from the tyranny of the urgent. It gave Him a sense of direction, set a steady pace and enabled Him to do every task God assigned. And on the last night He could say, “I have finished the work which Thou gavest me to do.”

DEPENDENCE MAKES YOU FREE…

Freedom from the tyranny of the urgent is found in the example and promise of our Lord.

At the end of a vigorous debate with the Pharisees in Jerusalem, Jesus said to those who believed in Him: “If you continue in My Word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth,

and the truth will make you free… Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a

slave to sin…So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:31-36).

Many of us have experienced Christ’s deliverance from the penalty of sin. Are we letting Him
free us from the tyranny of the urgent? He points the way: “If you continue in My Word.” This is the way to freedom. Through prayerful meditation on God’s Word we gain His perspective.
P.T. Forsyth once said, “The worst sin is prayerlessness.” We usually think of murder, adultery, or theft as among the worst. But the root of all sin is self-sufficiency---independence from God. When we fail to wait prayerfully for God’s guidance and strength we are saying, with our actions, if not our lips, that we do not need Him.

How much of our service is characterized by “going it alone”?
The opposite of such independence is prayer in which we acknowledge our need for God’s instruction and supply. Concerning a dependent relationship with God, Donald Baillie says:

“Jesus lived His life in complete dependence upon God, as we all ought to live our lives.

But such dependence does not destroy human personality. Man is never so truly and fully personal as when he is living in complete dependence upon God. This is how personality comes into its own. This is humanity at its most personal.”
Prayerful waiting on God is indispensable to effective service. Like the time-out in a football game, it enables us to catch our breath and fix new strategy. As we wait for directions, the Lord frees us from the tyranny of the urgent. He shows us the truth about Himself, ourselves, and our tasks. He impresses on our minds the assignments He want us to undertake. The need itself is not the call; the call must come form the God who knows our limitation. “The Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust” (Psalm 103:13-14).

It is not God who loads us until we bend or crack with an ulcer, nervous breakdown, heart attack, or stroke. These come from our inner compulsions coupled with the pressure of circumstances.

EVALUATE…

The modern businessman recognizes this principle of taking time out for evaluation. When Greenwalt was president of DuPont, he said, “One minute spent in planning saves three or four minutes in execution.” Many salesmen have revolutionized their profits by setting aside Friday afternoon to plan carefully the major activities for the coming week. If an executive is too busy

to stop and plan, he may find himself replaced by another man who takes time to plan. If the Christian is too busy to stop, take spiritual inventory, and receive his assignments from God, he becomes a slave to the tyranny of the urgent. He may work day and night to achieve much that seems significant to himself and others, but he will not finish the work God has for him to do.
A quiet time of meditation and prayer at the start of the day refocuses our relationship with God. Recommit yourself to His will as you think of the hours that follow. In these unhurried moments list in order of priority the tasks to be done, taking into account commitments already made.

A competent general always draws up his battle plan before he engages the enemy;

he does not postpone basic decisions until the firing starts. But he is also prepared to change his plans if an emergency demands it. So try to implement the plans you have made before the day’s battle against the clock begins. But be open to any emergency interruption or

unexpected person who may call.

You may also find it necessary to resist the temptation to accept an engagement when the invitation first comes over the telephone. No matter how clear the calendar may look at the moment, ask for a day or two to pray for guidance before committing yourself. Surprisingly the engagement often appears less important after the pleading voice has become silent.

If you can withstand the urgency of the initial moment, you will be in a better position

to weigh the cost and discern whether the task is God’s will for you.

In addition to your daily quiet time, set aside one hour a week for spiritual inventory.

Write an evaluation of the past, record anything God may be teaching you, and plan objectives

for the future. Also try to reserve most of one day each month for a similar inventory of longer range. Often you will fail. Ironically, the busier you get the more you need this time of inventory, but the less you seem to be able to take it. You become like the fanatic, who, when unsure of his direction, doubles his speed. And frenetic service for God can become an escape from God.

But when you prayerfully take inventory and plan your days, it provides fresh perspective on your work.

CONTINUE THE EFFORT…

Over the years the greatest continuing struggle in the Christian life is the effort to make adequate time for daily waiting on God, weekly inventory, and monthly planning. Because this time for receiving marching orders is so important, Satan will do everything he can to squeeze it out.

Yet we know from experience that only by this means can we escape the tyranny of the urgent. This is how Jesus succeeded. He did not finish all the urgent tasks in Palestine or all the things

He would have liked to do, but He did finish the work which God gave Him to do. The only alternative to frustration is to be sure that we are doing what God wants. Nothing substitutes for knowing that this day, this hour, in this place we are doing the will of the Father. Then and only then can we think of all the other unfinished tasks with equanimity and leave them with God.
Sometime ago Simba bullets killed a young man, Dr Paul Carson. In the providence of God, his life’s work was finished. Most of us will live longer and die more quietly, but when the end comes, what could give us greater joy than being sure that we have finished the work God gave us to do? The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ makes this fulfillment possible. He has promised deliverance from the sin and the power to serve God in the tasks of His choice. The way is clear.

If we continue in the Word of our Lord, we are truly His disciples. And He will free us

from the tyranny of the urgent, free us to do the important, which is the will of God.

God is FAITHFUL!

2010-06-14T10:17:00.008-04:00

I woke at 6 am with a migraine headache (which has been common since my arrival in Maine). After my healing routine of a heating pad over my eyes and an “Excedrin Migraine”, I had some prayer time and exercises in bed. I then rose and began some idle tasks around my cabin; making a cup of tea, starting a load of laundry, folding a load of clothes from last night and just general ‘puttering’.

I then sat down with my tea and began to think about the day that lay ahead. Because today is the first day that the summer nannies will be working with my young charges, I knew it was timely to establish a daily routine for the kids…and the new summer nannies! One thing I wanted to accomplish this summer was to establish some new morning tasks for my charges to do in their new home; tasks that need to be completed before they head out for the activities of the day. I selected some very DOABLE tasks for each child and recorded these on 3x5 cards so everyone involved in the care of the children would be aware of this new plan.

I next moved my portable radio so I could better tune in a Christian radio station and then, taking notes and reading along, I listened to a message by Dr. David Jeremiah. Following this message, I began a quiet time of reflection and study for the morning. Beginning with prayer, I asked God to speak TO ME through His Holy Spirit and through His word. While I love to hear sermons and teaching and know that God speaks through many men of God, today I was especially longing for “fresh manna”, given personally to me, straight from the heart of God!

After prayer I turned to the page in my Bible where I had last stopped my daily reading. 2 Chronicles, chapter 4, is a somewhat tedious portion of scripture that describes the intricate furnishings of Solomon’s temple, and admittedly, I seriously questioned God, wondering WHAT He could possibly teach me, from these passages, that was relevant to my life TODAY? As I read this morning, I found myself doing some background research into the actual measurements that were described in this portion of scripture, and overall, as I read, I simply absorbed the text for what it was; not using my intellect to ‘read anything into’ the passages. I know that true, ‘fresh manna’ comes ONLY from the Holy Spirit, and not from any human efforts or work. As I always do, I scribbled some notes and even drew some pictures as I read scripture. I meditated as I read and studied.

I had only finished one chapter when the Holy Spirit started to teach me and give me a lesson for this day! As I read, I marveled at how intricately, completely and PERFECTLY God had planned and designed the structure that was to be His Holy temple. Every detail was given to Solomon and every timber, every piece of gold or silver, every laborer and every instruction was provided for by God! When God creates, there is always ORDER and PEACE and PERFECTION! By following every instruction that God gave, Solomon was assured to attain not only success, but also peace, ease, unity, order and joy!

This morning I was reminded that this same Godly principle applies to my young charges and their family life! As I had previously, this very morning, prayed about and established the new “work” responsibilities that each of my charges will have during the summer at camp, I now saw plainly how I should correlate the initiation of these new morning tasks for my charges with this profound Truth of God!

God’s plans are prefect and there is PURPOSE in what He ordains. The same applies to the new tasks the children will undertake. The tasks were created (by me) with a definite purpose; to insure ORDER, PEACE, HARMONY and JOY in the household. While each child will be following my instructions and accomplishing their task, they will be helping to create “success” or “health” in the household. As Solomon saw the incredible outcome of God’s instructions (the finished Temple of God), my charges, also, will be contributing to the well-being of the family and GOOD STUFF will be the outcome! PEACE, ORDER, EASE and even JOY...as there just MAY be a reward at the end of the day in the form of an evening or bedtime treat if the jobs are done in a satisfactory manner!

“THANK YOU, God, for faithfully teaching me and speaking to me through your Word and your Holy Spirit this morning! I pray for additional wisdom as I teach YOUR PRINCIPLES to my charges today in a very practical ‘life lesson’. May YOU be glorified in my life.” AMEN

VICTORY!

2010-05-06T08:59:00.005-04:00

Praying and studying about VICTORY and OVERCOMING this morning. Here's the verse that the Holy Spirit gave me...

This scripture is from 2 Samuel 23 - NKJV. The text refers to Eleazar, who is described in verse 9, as "one of three mighty men with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there for battle, and the men of Israel had retreated" Talk about courageously overcoming!!

"He arose and attacked the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand stuck to the sword. The Lord brought about a great victory that day." (verse 10)

"But he [Eleazar] stationed himself in the middle of the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. So the Lord brought about a great victory." (verse 12)

I want to STAND, victoriously over so many ugly habits and tendencies in my life. I resolved today to only look at TODAY! I am praying that I will OVERCOME in the name of Jesus today!

"But thanks be to God, who gives us the VICTORY through our Lord, Jesus Christ!" 1 Cor. 15:57

A Shelter in the Time of Storm

2010-04-24T11:08:00.005-04:00

As I prayed through various issues in my life this morning, God ministered and the Holy Spirit taught and comforted. While there are no MAJOR issues that I'm currently facing, I continually seek God for all things, large and small, and find REST in Christ.

Today I remembered the hymn, "A Shelter in the Time of Storm" and pondered various 'shelters'. I often visually liken God's protection and control over me to a HUGE umbrella (GOD) under which I am kept safe and dry, but today I let my thoughts roam to consider other types of shelter. I searched for a photo that would best convey God's SHELTERING nature. I found many; a cave hewn out of a massive rock, a 'nest' of twigs and branches, a commercially manufactured 'storm shelter', and many more. You can take your pick but I liked the one I have pictured today.

Imagine the storms of life as a thunderstorm, or even a wild animal, and you are facing that situation alone in the woods! Consider being 'stuck' without proper shelter or protection from those elements! What safety and security it would be to find a suitable shelter that would keep one SNUG and SAFE during the storm!

For me....CHRIST is my shelter. There is great comfort knowing that there is a Shelter prepared and waiting for me. I can turn to my Shelter, Jesus, anytime during the day, hectic or calm, and find great peace and security. Placing my trust and faith in Christ many years ago was the best thing I have ever done! Today, I walk securely in His power and protection.

2010-04-06T08:41:00.014-04:00

You know the new TV show...."Who Do You Think You Are"? Well, today as I read 1 Chronicles in the Bible, I was reminded that this show has nothing on the detailed and intricate pattern of genealogy as it relates to God's plan and the coming of the Messiah, Jesus! It's incredible to read the lineage of the very first man, Adam!

How I would love to do deeper research into the lives of all of these men of the Old Testament. The stories of these men and women show us God's power, His sovereignty and Hid purpose! I am reading the Bible through for the 5th time and each time I read it, I am better able to see the connection between people of Biblical history and God's awesome plan for mankind and ME. It is astounding how God so intricately puts every "puzzle piece" into place...all for His Glory. What's really awesome is that God is doing the very same work in my life and your life today! Each meeting, situation, relationship and occurrence in our lives is by His permission and, if we are walking in His way...by His very design!

May we all walk so closely in Christ, that we never veer from the plan that God has for us!

Have an exceptional and purposeful day today!

2010-04-03T21:01:00.008-04:00

I'm preparing to leave very early tomorrow morning for a quick visit with my family in PA. I will be rejoicing and praising God as I drive the 4.5 hours and I look forward to spending Resurrection Sunday with my family.

God's love for me (and YOU) is beyond our comprehension! There is no other relationship that compares to the relationship between God and His children. I am so blessed to know God through His Son, Jesus Christ!

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." John 3:16-17 NKJV

Palm Sunday

2010-03-28T09:03:00.014-04:00

Father God, how thankful I am for your perfect plan of redemption for your wayward children. Your works, your ways, your words are PERFECT and today I reflect on a small portion of this merciful plan of salvation for my soul. You are not only God, Creator of the universe and King over all, but you are my Father. Had there been no one else on earth, you would have gone to the same lengths to rescue ME and bring me into a right and intimate relationship with you! For that, I humbly give thanks and gratefully rejoice this morning! May I reflect YOU throughout this day and may YOUR LOVE be shed abroad through my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

I am finding it absolutely incredible as I dig a bit deeper and learn about this day which Christians recognize and celebrate today; the day we now term "Palm Sunday". To comprehend the fact that about 2060 years ago, the priest and prophet Zechariah foretold the events that actually DID occur some 500 years later is mind blowing! To be part of that very celebration and contribute to the celebration so many years later is an honor and privilege!

As the disciples and followers of Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem with Jesus, they shouted words of affirmation and proclamation, announcing JESUS as Messiah and King! I can only imagine how the crowds must have sounded as they chanted the Hebrew sentiments of Psalm 118:26 and Psalm 148:1 -

"Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the LORD; we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD" and "Praise ye the LORD; Praise ye the LORD from the heavens: praise him in the heights".

In today's translation we use the words, "Hosanna; Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord. Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest".

My prayer this morning is that, like these disciples of Jesus so many years ago, I would offer and convey the same enthusiasm and boldness as they displayed! May I HONOR Jesus, my Savior and Lord and be diligent to keep Him securely on the throne of my life. May the very person of Jesus be reflected in my life and may I live victoriously over temptation and sin. Yes, it is a lofty goal, but it is what I live for!

All glory and honor to Jesus, the King!

2010-03-27T08:29:00.007-04:00

"Oh, Lord, THANK YOU for the weekend! Though you blessed me with 10 days of vacation recently, I just did two LONG, 13 hour days of work! I'm ready to relax today with no added responsibilities. May I live THIS DAY for you and may you be pleased. To God be the glory. Amen"

2010-03-20T11:04:00.013-04:00

The lyrics to a simple worship song came to my mind after I read Oswald Chamber's "My Utmost for His Highest" this morning. Today's writing spoke of KNOWING GOD, which is something different and quite beyond simply praying to God for direction or an understanding of His will.

I must admit that I do not know God as I want to. Just like any human relationship, a relationship with God takes TIME and INTIMACY and a GIVING COMPLETELY OF SELF. Too often I simply rush through life, unfortunately following my own agenda, instead of intentionally seeking and spending time with GOD, the One I love.

This morning I will go to my family's church (as I vacation here in PA) to review and practice piano music before I play at the worship service tomorrow morning. I will set aside my practice time as an intimate time of worship and fellowship with God.

Following are the lyrics to the chorus of the worship song that came to my mind. Maybe I'll even search some song books for this song and incorporate it in my personal worship time this morning!

Oh, I want to know You more

Deep within my soul, I want to know You

Oh, I want to know You

To feel Your heart And know Your mind

Looking in Your eyes Stirs up within me

Cries that say I want to know You

Oh I want to know You more

2010-03-14T15:00:00.009-04:00

Just sharing a few photos from http://www.weather.com/ of the wind and rain and storm damage that has occured here in Fairfield County, CT.
I lost power at my home last night (Saturday, March 13) around 8 pm and the reports are that service may not be restored for days!

It's all ok because I don't really keep too much food in my fridge that would spoil and I'm now equipped with a broad-band card that gives me wireless internet anywhere there is a Verizon signal. So, except for hot water, I'm "good to go" as long as I can get out to hit the local eateries and re-charge my cell phone! Power outages during my summers spent in the woods of Maine have somewhat 'seasoned' me for this kind of experience so I'm taking it all in stride.

I have heard or read the scripture text from 1 Peter 5:7 at least two times today. "Cast all your anxiety on Him, for He cares for you" are words of encouragement and promise that are so appropriate for this day! For many people, there are serious concerns related to power outages. I overheard a young woman on her phone in CVS earlier today as she was trying to rent a generator. She mentioned that she has a young child that requires in-home oxygen and evidently the machine needs electricity to function properly. Other people keep a large supply of expensive food in their freezers and no power means SPOILAGE. We are all fortunate that the outside temperatures are not as cold as it could be in mid-March or hypothermia could be a serious issue!

I memorized this scripture in 1 Peter very early in my walk with Christ. I still cherish these words and practice the command as HE empowers me! I WILL NOT fear, I WILL NOT worry and I WILL walk in victory...not letting anything come against my relationship and personal walk with Christ!

GOD is an awesome God and today is an awesome day....no matter what come my way!

2010-03-12T17:55:00.019-05:00

I am officially beginning a VACATION right NOW!

I love my job and the children I care for, but I am really looking forward to a break from the stresses of being a nanny and household manager! I'm looking forward to 11 WORK-FREE days!

My employer is undertaking a 'road-trip' with the three children and will leave CT on Monday for 10 days of sight-seeing and stop-overs with family and friends! I am very blessed to have been given this time off work!

At present, my only scheduled plans include my weekly Bible Study tomorrow morning and worship on Sunday morning followed by the first (of 6) "New Member" classes at my church in Darien. Yes...after attending Calvary Baptist Church for nearly 2.5 years, I will be officially joining that church family!

Monday and Tuesday of next week I'll spend just puttering around my house and working on some miscellaneous craft projects. It will be nice not having to be anywhere or, on the other hand, being able to be anywhere! (Some of my favorite places to "be" are the beach, Barnes and Noble, Panera Bread or Joann Fabrics!)

Wednesday morning I'll be driving to PA to visit family and friends! My grandsons are growing and I can't wait to see them! The oldest is now 1 year and 10 months and his little brother is 9 months old! Get ready, Tucker and Evan...Grandma's coming to visit!

I will also be visiting my daughter who works in State College and will be having a 'sleep over' at her apartment in Bellefonte on Thursday night!

Next weekend I will be enjoying some fun activities in Central PA with my daughter, sister and whoever else wants to go along! We'll be hitting antique shops, yard sales, a local garden center's Spring Open House, along with shopping and eating! Sunday morning I will play the piano for early worship at my family's church then out for Sunday brunch with my mom and church friends! In between all that, I will be visiting with my mom and relaxing at her home in Beaver Springs! I am looking forward to trying out my new Verizon broadband card for my lap top while in the 'sticks' of central PA! I hope to find a strong Verizon signal at my mom's home!

Most of all, during this vacation time, I'm looking forward to the promise of uninterrupted time when I can dig into God's word, pray, meditate and spend some quality time with my Lord. I am anticipating a rich and spiritually full eleven days!

I am SO ready!

It will be great to enjoy some R & R!

2010-02-28T15:02:00.019-05:00

Onward....MARCH!

Today is the last day of February, and oh, how I love the beginning of a new month!

I'm not sure just what it is, but for many years I have been known to get excited at the dawn of a new year, new season and even a new month! It must have to do with the anticipation and hope of what is to come. You know, sort of "out with the old and in with the new"! I always thrill at the prospect of a "new beginning" and I find hope in the reality that every day is new!

Many years ago, when I placed my trust in Christ, I was graciously given a NEW BEGINNING. As scripture teaches, I was born again; spiritually reborn, this time! Perhaps the sheer gratitude of that wonderful gift from God has caused me to be even more profoundly aware of the many "new beginnings" we experience on a daily basis.

It may be a bit 'simple-minded', that I get so excited as each month, season or even a new day unfolds, but it is a helpful example that serves as a reminder of what Christ did for me on the cross of Calvary. Christ has given me a new beginning, a fresh start, a new life and the promise and Hope of life eternal with Him! Jesus restored my relationship with God, my Father!

There is no onset of any season, month or day that can ever compare to the onset of my new life in Christ, but I will continue to embrace these small reminders of new beginnings as I enjoy the onset of each new month!

Happy March 1, 2010!

2010-02-23T12:41:00.010-05:00

Facebook is famous for not only social networking, but the many applications that are available to utilize and 'play with'! Some of these applications are, to say the least, very questionable, if not even downright dangerous! Be careful and think and pray before you subscribe, haphazardly, to some of these applications!

A particular application that causes me apprehension is that of "Anita, the Online Psychic". I see quite a few of my Facebook 'friends' who refer to the "predictions" of Anita for strength and power for their daily lives. I HOPE that many of my friends, who use this application, do it in innocence; ignorant of the dangers associated with this form of occult practice. Today I took the opportunity to share the Truth with a dear friend and former co-worker of mine. Beyond my short note to my friend, I felt the need to expound on this practice because even the slightest reliance or reference to such 'powers' is troubling to me.

I believe, as scripture teaches, that any acknowledgment or trust in something or someone OTHER than the One, True God, is very dangerous and plainly dishonoring to God.

Today I searched the web a bit and found a very good link to the Biblical teaching and Truth about the occult, psychics, witchcraft and such. It is a study that is quite easy to read and absorb and well worth the time to review. For anyone who has questions...please take a look at this study, entitled, The Bible and the Occult: Witchcraft, Wizards, Wicca, Sorcery, Magic, Spiritualism, Paganism, and Psychics at Gospelway.com.

Time is so short and our lives are so fleeting, I pray that we, who profess the name of Christ, would truly consider how God wants us to live and that we would put into practice the example of Jesus, the Christ in our daily lives! Even the seemingly insignificant or innocent actions and acknowledgements may have negative effects in our lives and the lives of others.

2010-02-20T18:05:00.005-05:00

Bible study today was just great! Twenty-five people showed up this morning for our morning Bible study!

We meet every week in the food court of the mall in Trumbull/Bridgeport, CT and today was one of our most attended studies yet! I am so blessed to be part of this body of Believers! This study is sponsored by Homeward Bound Ministries and it's an awesome witness at the mall!

The teaching was excellent, focusing on how we are to relate to each other. The challenges that came from the Holy Spirit were inspiring and motivating! I can only pray that I will walk with Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit so that God can pour HIS LOVE through me and into the world!

Now, if only I had taken my camera today!

2010-02-19T20:24:00.018-05:00

It is a rare occurrence for me to work on a Sunday, but this week, my employer is taking a quick trip to Maine and asked me to work from 8:30 am Sunday until 6 pm on Monday evening. I was happy to help her out since, except for my summer schedule at camp, this is the first Sunday that my employer has asked me to work.

Today I asked my employer if she minded if I took the children to church with me on Sunday and she was very happy to agree to that! She was very encouraging so I am really looking forward to taking the kids with me this Sunday to the 11:15 am service, where I play the piano!

My charges (girls - ages 5 and 6 and a little boy - age 2.5 years) have attended various church suppers with me in the past and have even assisted at my church by helping to sharpen all the pew pencils!

These two photos show the kids and I at the annual Harvest Dinner at Calvary Baptist Church in November 2008.

It will be fun to take these three wonderful children to the 11:15 a.m. worship service with me this Sunday! (And there IS a nursury if we need it!)

We are all looking forward to this Sunday AND to the annual Spaghetti Supper at Calvary Baptist next Saturday night!

Kids, Car Seats and Cop-Outs!

2010-02-13T18:14:00.016-05:00

I was praying this morning, talking with God and confessing how I, too easily, end up pushing God off the throne of my life. As I asked God's forgiveness and continued to pray, a simple but profound picture came to my mind.

As I meditated, I thought how God's reign over my life is very similar to that of a pilot or driver who is in control of a passenger in their vehicle. In my mind, I was the passenger and God was the chauffeur! In a somewhat jovial, yet serious plea, I asked God if He wouldn't just "strap me in" so I wouldn't be able to MOVE (in His car)! Thinking this might be the only 'sure fire' way of keeping my hands off the wheel and allowing God to be in full control!

Being a nanny, as I prayed, I was picturing my 2 year old 'charge' strapped into his car seat in my mini-van! Daily, I carefully lift this little boy into his almost 'too small' car seat, arrange the straps over his shoulders (now covered with a bulky winter coat!), buckle the shoulder straps together and then fasten those upper straps to the bottom clasp that securely 'locks' this little guy safely into place. Of course, knowing it is the law and keeping my charge SAFE are the primary reasons for using a car seat, but keeping this busy 2.5 year old boy SECURE and unable to freely move around in the car while I'm driving is a huge benefit of a car seat!

As I meditated on the mental picture of this little boy sort of 'squished' in his car seat, the Holy Spirit immediately pointed out to me that being tightly 'buckled in' is NOT the way a follower of Christ is to live!

I then received a picture of a woman (me, I guess), sitting in the back seat of a limousine while being driven by a chauffeur. This female client was sitting freely in the back seat reading a newspaper without a care as to directions, traffic flow, parking spots, toll fees, gas gauge or any other incidental details that go along with driving a limousine! THAT, the Holy Spirit revealed, is what walking the Christian life looks like! FREEDOM to move! Every Believer has freedom to live, work, experience joy or sorrow, make choices and decisions and to love His way.....but we do it all while GOD IS IN CONTROL!

"Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me" is a song I often sing as I drive.....today I received a visual lesson of this Truth!

2010-02-12T20:31:00.011-05:00

Life is sure interesting. Tonight I'm pondering the many, many people I have met and gotten to know in my 55 years of life. I have been truly privileged to have formed many loving relationships and to have served and interacted with many wonderful souls! I must admit, though, that, for whatever the reason, there are also many relationships in my life that I have allowed to fade away, weaken or even become broken.

I was reading a local newspaper that serves my former hometown in PA and was struck by the announcement of the passing of a wonderful Christian man who resided for a time in the nursing home where I was employed as Activities Director.

Mr. Bill Owens passed away on Wednesday of this week and his wife passed away just a few months ago, on November 8, 2009. This Sunday, Valentine's Day, Mr. Owens would have celebrated his 95th birthday. Valentine's Day also marks the wedding anniversary of this wonderful couple....they celebrated 75 years of marriage in 2009! Pretty amazing!

Bill Owens and his wife, Ethel, were truly an inspiration and it was a joy to have served these folks for the years that I was employed at Buffalo Valley Lutheran Village. I cannot recall a single occasion when Bill wasn't joyfully sharing the love of Christ, the Gospel or just extending a comment of encouragement or support.

I am moved as I ponder the importance of not only cherishing every relationship that we are privileged to experience, but also of cultivating and nurturing those relationships! Looking back, I am glad I took time to get to know Bill Owens and to talk and interact with he and his wife on a personal level. I use Mr. Owens simply as an example of the many, many people we come in contact with on a regular basis. Too often, I am too quick to brush aside a relationship because I am too busy, or at time I have even shied away from certain relationships because I feared they might involve more 'maintenance' than I wanted to undertake. Shame on me!

"Lord, forgive me for self-centeredness; for thinking more of ME than of others. Please help me to be more sensitive to other's needs and to truly take time to get to know people, to share your love and to share the Good News of Jesus!"

May we all EMBRACE others with Christ-like love and may we be open to God-ordained relationships and the joy and fullness that come from genuine relationships!

2010-02-10T20:01:00.009-05:00

The beauty of the pure, white snow that fell on us today inspired me throughout this day. I thought of the purity and holiness of God. As I read Isaiah 1 tonight, this prayer came from my heart.

“Oh Lord, hear my prayer as I lift my eyes to You. I have been complacent and ‘busy’ with life. On too many occasions I have sought my own desires and have followed my own choices in life. I’ve done what I wanted to do, I’ve harbored thoughts that were not centered on You and I have walked in ways that were prompted by my sinful flesh. Hear my confession and receive my repentance in forgiveness and mercy. I point my face to look on YOU. I commit to seeking after You, to keeping my eyes upon You and to resting in You. May I order my life so as to insure the nurturing and growth of my love for You. I have never stopped loving You, but I have failed to demonstrate my love as You desire. I allowed LINDY to nudge and push You as You reigned on the throne of my life. My Lord, I step aside once again and move clearly out of the way of Your leading. You are my Savior, may YOU be fully Lord of my life as You reign in power and glory! Amen"

Isaiah 1:15-19 NIV

“When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood; wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.

"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword." For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

2010-01-30T13:37:00.013-05:00

Some of you may know that I play the piano in my church. I am always available to play whenever I am asked mostly because the music itself is such a great blessing to me and I am confident that God is ultimately blessed; it's a small thing that I can do to contribute to His Kingdom! I'm currently 'filling in' for the church organist who needed a bit of a break during the month of January. In February, I will join the organist to play the piano during the singing of hymns.

When I select music for a prelude I have to cut and re-cut my list of favorite songs to use! I pray during the week prior to the worship service and ask for God's leading so that I will use exactly the right music that will be a blessing to the Lord and to others. As I create my prelude, I read over the lyrics and sing or play the songs, then I put many short choruses or hymns together to create one complete offering of music.

As I play, others might occasionally see me 'move my lips' as I VERY quietly sing along with portions of the music! I 'sing along' in spirit with all the songs that I play but there are just some song lyrics that I can't help 'verbalizing' to the Lord. Tomorrow's prelude will include: Step by Step, Jesus, Draw Me Close, You Are the Mighty King, In His Time, He Is Lord, Father God, I Just Want to Praise You, Great Are You, Lord, I Come to the Cross, For His Name is Exalted, Beautiful, Ancient Words and He Is Exalted.

I am pretty sure I'll be singing along to the song, "Father God" which was written by Jack Hayford (also the author of the wonderful song, "Majesty").

Father God, I give all thanks and praise to Thee.

Father God, my hands I humbly raise to Thee;

for Your mighty pow'r and love amazes me, amazes me

and I stand in awe and worship, Father God.

Another recent favorite is "Ancient Words" written by Lynn Deshazo.

Holy words, long prepared,

For our walk in this world;

They resound with God's own heart,

O let the ancient words impart.

Words of life, words of hope,

Give us strength, help us cope;

In this world where e'er we roam,

Ancient words will guide us home.

Ancient word, ever true, Changing me and changing you;

We have come with open hearts, O let the ancient words impart.

Holy words of our faith,

Handed down to this age;

Come to us, thro' sacrifice,

O heed the faithful words of Christ.

Ancient words, long preserved,

For our walk in this world;

They resound with God's own heart,

O let the ancient words impart.

I'm looking forward to playing the piano tomorrow. I pray that GOD will be blessed and honored! May He be exalted in all we do!

2010-01-24T18:49:00.017-05:00

What a neat blessing I experienced today!

Allow me to share some background details about a situation in the life of a sister in Christ who attends church with me. Don't panic...this information isn't anything confidential, so please know that I am sharing the information to convey an amazing testimony of God's mighty power!

My friend, Lisanne, recently booked a flight to visit extended family in Norway. This, in itself, may not seem to be a God-ordained occurrence, but what is incredible is that prior to even knowing of an opportunity to visit Norway, my friend, nearly 6 months prior, had submitted a request to take her two week vacation from work during the coming weeks of January 31 - February 14, 2010.

Lisanne's mother passed away earlier in this past year and I learned today that the death of her mother now leaves my friend all alone in the United States with all of her extended family living in Norway. Turns out, my friend's mother and her brother (Lisanne's uncle) had been separated during World War II and though attempts were made to reconnect the family over the years following the war, it was not until 2004 that my friend was finally able to gain definitive information about her mother's family in Norway. Following the death of her mother, Lisanne continued communication with her extended family via phone and Internet. What is very exciting is that as a birthday gift to Lisanne's "Uncle Olaf" (in Norway), Lisanne's extended family offered to fly their 'long lost relative', my friend Lisanne, to Norway to meet Uncle Olaf in person! What a treat this will be for Lisanne AND for Uncle Olaf! This visit will provide a sense of closure in the midst of continued grieving, as well as offer a new beginning for this family! Now....take a guess when "Uncle Olaf" will be celebrating his birthday? You got it....smack in the middle of the two week period that my friend had requested for her vacation time over six months ago! Only GOD could have arranged such a perfect scenario for my friend!

Following is the account of the neat blessing I enjoyed after church today:

After worship, following a nice time of conversation over a cup of coffee with a sister in Christ, I was heading out the door to depart for home when my friend, Lisanne, who had been working in the computer room at church, came hurriedly running toward us asking for prayer! As we chatted, I began to piece together the incredible God-ordained details of Lisanne's unique situation!

It turns out that Lisanne had just learned that the car service she had planned to use to transport her to the airport next Sunday (for her flight to Norway) had increased their rates from $120.00 round trip to $420.00 round trip! My friend was shocked and devastated to learn of this hefty price hike and began to panic, fearing that her planned trip might be effected!

Interestingly, I have another friend who recently suffered an injury at work that forced him to be out of work for an extended period of time. Wouldn't you know, this friend's profession is that of a limo. driver! I quickly conveyed my friend's unemployment situation to Lisanne and suggested that, though injured, he may be available to drive her to the airport. One quick phone call and VIOLA all was arranged for my friend Lisanne to be transported to the airport next week! On top of it all, this occasion to drive my friend to the airport will provide an excellent opportunity for conversation and ministry for the three of us....each of us being part of God's big family!

I am always blown away when I see first-hand how PERFECTLY God moves in the lives of His children! Our lives are like a huge jigsaw puzzle, with every piece fitting perfectly in place, all at the hand of God! I am so blessed to be able to have friends who are also walking in the Light of Christ, seeking His will and ways.

It's a joy to be part of God's family!

2010-01-22T20:50:00.016-05:00

I've been reading and studying about Elisha, the prophet, for the last few days.

Today I wondered just how likely or 'ordinary' it was for Elisha to have been used by God in so many amazing miracles. I wondered if Elisha was, himself, amazed to see God's mighty power displayed through his life, or if Elisha was so immersed in the nature and character of God, that to see God's miracles in action simply seemd like 'second nature'? As I meditated, I was pretty sure it was the latter, and if so, I wanted to review just HOW it was that Elisha had become so immersed and consumed in the love of and service to God?

I know that Elisha walked with Elijah for some time, surely watching, learning and growing in his faith and dependence on God. Being partnered with a bold and secure person of God definitely is a support for our Christian walk. When we doubt, stray or feel discouraged, a kind word, an encouraging hug or perhaps even a good 'kick in the pants' is what we can expect from a devoted and loving brother or sister in Christ. The sincere encouragement of a fellow Believer boosts our faith and helps to better enable us to walk faithfully and lovingly as we serve God and preach His Truth and the Hope of the Gospel. Observing the ways of a strong Christian gives us practical examples to better love and serve God and our fellow man. Experiencing the teaching and exposition from a mature Christian mentor or engaging in discussions on spiritual Truth with another Believer also helps us develop deep spiritual roots and to grow strong in our faith.

I realized that the word FAITH is key! It was the FAITH of both Elijah and Elisha through which God was able to work His power into the lives of the nation of Israel and beyond! As I read again the book of Hebrews, I was struck by two words, spoken again and again, to convey that very truth; "By Faith..." (And on goes the account of the saints of old, as recorded in the book of Hebrews, who were used by God in so many powerful ways!) Another scripture that I had recorded just a few days ago as I was reading the account of Elijah was 1 Kings 18:41 (NKJV)

"Then Elijah said to Ahab,

"Go up, eat and drink;

for there is the sound of abundance of rain".

When I wrote that passage a few days ago, I didn't realize what it's significance would be to me, until TODAY, when the Holy Spirit connected that scripture with the Truth I was learning! WOW...what FAITH Elijah had to make such a statement, and that was after 3 and 1/2 years of continuous drought!

In the book of Matthew, scripture recounts Jesus speaking to His disciples, saying, "If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ' move from here to there', and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you."

Oh, to have the faith like the saints of old, even those in more recent years as such giants of Christian faith as George Mueller or D.L. Moody and many others! Oh to be used of God and seen by HIM as being a fit vessel through which to carry out the work of His kingdom!

I resolve this day to not SHIRK or COWER when trials come my way or when hardships bring me down with discouragement! These are but the building blocks of our Christian faith....the very substance upon which God works and moves! I will say to the mountain, "move" and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for God!

2009-11-06T18:20:00.015-05:00

I just viewed and thoroughly was blessed by a worship video posted on YouTube. I am including the link so you can check it out and be blessed!

(Please allow the following YouTube link to open and wait until a brief introduction/ad plays....THEN be blessed by this Korean Worship Team) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMNQg3qzqL8#watch-main-area

For many years, I have been worshipping the Lord in song and dance. Periods of the last 20 years I have spent in various churches that place a great emphasis on expressive worship. During those time periods and in those church families, I have enjoyed a freedom in worship that some may not understand nor have experienced, but for me, the worship and adoration of my Lord has been very rich and intimate. There is nothing more refreshing and powerful than extended periods of deep, intimate worship of Christ! I can't even IMAGINE what heaven will be like!

If you love to worship the Lord, as I do, with music and movement, you will be blessed by this beautiful presentation of worship. Be blessed!

"Let them praise His name with the dance;

let them sing praises unto Him with the timbrel and harp."

Psalm 149:3 NKJV

2009-10-31T22:22:00.006-04:00

Sitting at my desk I am looking over some of the odds and ends and bits of paper and notes that surround me! It seems that any time God speaks profoundly to me I simply MUST put it in writing and tape it or lay it some place of prominence! Many places throughout my home I have little post-it notes, taped messages from God to me and more.

Just now I looked at a tattered strip of paper with the scripture from 2 Timothy 1:7. I can recall the very time in my life when God gave me this verse as a powerful encouragement to press on! In the King James version, the scripture reads,

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

When I am feeling confused or 'wishy-washy'...this scripture reminds me of how I am made and just how God has equipped me and wants me to serve Him!

NO FEAR but...

POWER

LOVE

and

SOUNDNESS OF MIND.

2009-10-18T09:57:00.012-04:00

Off the top of my head....or shall I say, from the bottom of my heart....I'm sharing what the Lord impressed on me this morning.

As I am reading through the Bible yet again, I am currently reading about the reign of David in the book of 2 Samuel. Today I spent quite a bit of time in chapter 15. As I read this chapter, the Holy Spirit immediately spoke to me about the attributes of a heart of a SERVANT.

I quickly realized that I am nearly CLUELESS when it comes to knowing the life or heart of a true SERVANT. As I pondered, I realized that during this time in history a servant was completely at the total mercy of his master. So often in scripture we can read of the foolishness or disobedience of a servant and the dire consequences that follow those selfish choices. EXECUTION often followed. What seem to me, as I read these accounts, to be insignificant or often minor acts of disrespect or lies or disloyalty, are actually very MAJOR indications of a heart that is bent toward insubordination, selfishness and disloyalty, all traits that can not be tolerated or allowed if a person is to be fully under the authority of another.

As a nanny, I often find myself asking my three young charges, "Who's in charge?" My intent is to teach the children respect for authority and to help them learn submission and the need to follow rules. I have learned over the years (of raising my own children and seeing other examples) that if the authority allows the breaking down of respect and obedience, TROUBLE is not far behind.

It is essential to learn to respect and honor authority....as God teaches. The heart of a true SERVANT captures and exemplifies this principle and position of authority and submission. God has not ordered a true Godly authority to be harsh or cruel or unfair, but God's example of authority is JUST along with attributes of mercy, love, compassion, honesty and goodness. Subjection and submission to a Master who reigns and rules like God does should be entered into with great humility, gratitude and thanksgiving, even joy. To be under the leadership and rule of One who cares and loves us more than we can imagine is to be truly FREE. (Odd, that we are looking at the heart of a servant, yet talking about FREEDOM. Paul teaches about this very concept throughout many of his letters in the New Testament.)

Two examples that jumped out at me during today's reading were verse 15 of 2 Samuel 15 and verse 21 of the same chapter.

Verse 15 - "And the king's servants said to the king, "We are your servants, ready to do whatever my lord the king commands."

Verse 21 - "But Ittai answered the king and said, "As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, surely in whatever place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also your servant will be."

Wow.....talk about the heart of a servant! If my own heart were even CLOSE to this complete devotion to the Lord as the examples in 2 Samuel! I would also be ready at every moment to greet life or death, joy or trials, comfort or hardship with total abandonment and submission and obedience to God's will and ways! That is my prayer....

"O Lord, give me a servant's heart to love and serve YOU more and more like You desire and teach us".

2009-08-05T14:53:00.001-04:00

Hey blogging friends.... anyone wonder where I've been?

Truth be told, I spend what little internet time I have checking email and visiting Facebook! Seems I have little time to write blog entries. Another factor is that my days here in Maine, as I continue my job as a full time nanny, focus pretty much on my three young charges and daily life at camp. To honor my employer's request to keep "camp" life discreet and non-public, I do not post photos or camp happenings on my blog or elsewhere....so that leaves little else in my life to post about! :)

Well, I'm not entirely immersed in work ALONE...I do have other interests and activities...so perhaps the greater deterrant is the lack of internet accessibility! If any of you blog, you know that writing a post isn't always quick and easy....it takes thought and time....and these days...I'm just plum short on both!

I've been working on completing (now in editing phase) the material I have compiled for Nursing Home (or other) Visitation Ministry. This project has been years in the making and takes a big chunk of my time. I love doing this and I'm following what God laid out for me to do....so I am not complaining....just explaining where I've been and why no posts!

My life is full and rich and God-centered and I really would have it no other way! Sometimes I get weary and SELF-centered....but it's then when I have to press on and dig in and be the woman God wants me to be! Hope you all are blessed and experiencing God's Presence and Power today!

2009-06-19T11:32:00.017-04:00

This morning in my devotions the Holy Spirit brought a word to my mind.

OASIS
o·a·sis (-ss) NOUN: pl. o·a·ses (-sz)

1. A fertile or green spot in a desert or wasteland, made so by the presence of water.
2. A situation or place preserved from surrounding unpleasantness; a refuge: an oasis of serenity amid chaos.

I awoke about 5 a.m. this morning and literally had to FIGHT my flesh to drag my self out of bed. I knew that I was awakened to pray and spend time with the Lord, since I had this very issue on my mind the previous day. Knowing I had fallen asleep sometime after midnight, I was convinced that I needed more sleep, although truthfully, I felt rested and wide awake! It was a struggle for a few moments as today is a day off work for me, and on top of that, the Maine rain was falling very softly on the trees outside my open window. It was the kind of morning when you want to linger in bed, snug under the covers, for just a while longer! However, I pressed through and, in an effort to honor and obey my Father, I got out of bed.

During my time with the Lord this morning, I was praying about my life and this day that lies before me. Knowing that TODAY or even this very moment is really all that I have to give the Lord, I was seeking the Lord's wisdom regarding "making my life count". I have learned that while it is God who leads and controls my life, it is ultimately ME who makes the choice to obey and follow or to turn aside and serve my own agenda for the day and each moment. Seeking the Lord's direction on a deeper level, is when the word OASIS came to my mind. As I listened, the Holy Spirit spoke to me saying that my life, particularly this summer, is to be an OASIS where HE can abide and dwell so that others may find His refreshment, rest and peace. The Holy Spirit reminded me that all I really need to do is remain connected to The Vine (Christ) and to be pure and holy and USABLE for His glory. It is GOD who will be doing the refreshing and nurturing in the lives of others. My role is to point others to Him and to be His temple where He may dwell!

Just thought I'd share this instruction with any readers who happen onto this blog. Feel free to keep me accountable and 'check up' on this new mission that the Lord gave me for the summer! I will definitely be doing more praying and studying about this new purpose and direction and it will be exciting to see just what God does during the next months! May HE be praised and glorified in all things!

2009-06-08T17:13:00.007-04:00

What a thrill to be back in Maine for the summer! I'm thanking God for His gracious protection and guidance today!

Here I am at the Maine Welcome Center! It feels like I never left for the winter!

Another photo of beautiful Pleasant Lake in Casco, ME. I am SO blessed to be able to bask in the beauty of God's creation all summer long!

2009-05-31T07:16:00.006-04:00

Happy Lord's Day!

Periodically I 'clean out' the many notebooks and journals that I keep...this morning I did just that. Mixed in with my notes and thoughts I found this poem that I wrote on April 30, 2009.

That day, in my devotions I read Numbers 20:1-13. This is the account of Moses's disobedience to God's command to "bring water out of the rock", which was God's answer to the complaining nation of Israel to provide for their own thirst and for the needs of their livestock. In this account we read of the great sin of Moses. Read and study closely this passage and you will find that even in his effort to serve the Lord, Moses took his eyes off God and became arrogant and prideful. Moses dishonored God in his actions, as scripture (verse 12) records God's response, "Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them." This was a sad passage of scripture for me to read. Not only had Moses (just previously) lost his sister, Miriam in death, but he had also lost his cherished companion, helper and brother, Aaron, in death as well. As God brought down punishment upon Moses for his disobedience, I could feel a small portion of the great sorrow and remorse that Moses must have experienced. The greatest desire of Moses's heart was to enter the promised land and yet his own rebellion and disobedience incurred God's judgement and punishment. (As you know, Moses was only permitted to view the Promised Land from afar).

With those fore thoughts, I share this poem with any readers who stumble across this blog.

FORGIVENESS

Eyes and heart sting with sorrow
Tears well up in pain
How my sin and waywardness
Must break God's heart again.

Repentance brings me to a halt
Upon my knees I fall
Confessing, crying and sorrow filled
To my Lord I call.

God knows my pain and sees my tears
He hears my deepest cries
His mercy flows, His grace pours out
With love, my tears He dries.

Renewed, refreshed, yet humbly taught
And to my Lord I cling
It's only through the blood of Christ
I now rest, serve and sing!

2009-05-28T20:19:00.006-04:00

Today, in my daily Bible reading, I began the book of Deuteronomy. In Halley's Bible Handbook, Henry Halley describes the writing of Deuteronomy to be unsurpassed in genuine eloquence in any of the greatest literature!

The word Deuteronomy means "Second Law" or "Repetition of the Law". As the law had been given and recorded throughout the books of Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers, now, in the book of Deuteronomy, the laws were "rehearsed and expounded" (as Halley notes), in anticipation of and with application to the entrance and settlement of life in the Promised Land of Canaan.

As I read, the passage that jumped out at me today was in Deuteronomy 4:35.

"To you it [God's greatness and power] was shown, that you might know the Lord Himself is God; there is none other besides Him." NKJV

This passage caused me to stop and review my life and the MANY MANY occasions when God has revealed His power and greatness to me, personally, as He led, directed and controlled my life.

What an awesome review that was and what great HOPE this verse provides for my every "NEXT" moment of living!

2009-05-17T13:27:00.006-04:00

Interesting statistic I found when reading the New York Post yesterday...

The Post reported, as per a May 15, 2009 Gallup Poll, that "a greater percent of Americans now call themselves PRO-LIFE rather than PRO-CHOICE on the issue of abortion".

Also noted was the fact that this is the first occasion that a major poll has produced such results in the 15 years that Gallop has been asking this question!

Last year the results of this opinion poll on the abortion issue were 50% pro-choice, while 44% called themselves pro-life. In this 2009 poll, the same question resulted in 51% of Americans calling themselves pro-life, while 42% labeled themselves pro-choice. (there was no mention in the brief article about the remaining percentage of Americans)

I found those statistics to be eye opening. I think the main stream media (to which I seldom listen) portrays American opinions on this issue differently. If asked, I would be listed among those who consider themselves PRO-LIFE. I am PRO-LIFE not only as it relates to the abortion issue, but as it relates to other areas of life's sanctity as well.

I place a high value on EVERY LIFE because that is how God views EVERY life He creates! To assume control over another life, (regardless of the situation) places God under OUR OWN control and that is a dangerous position in which to live. May everything we do bring honor to God!

2009-05-14T16:57:00.004-04:00

I started a new book last night. "It's Not About Me" by Max Lucado. This is a book that I found in a 'free' pile at my church, after they cleaned out the library. Can't beat THAT price!

I learned the life lesson that, "It's not about me....but about GOD and HIS will that truly matters", quite a few years ago. Over the years, many incidents, people and teachings contributed to my coming to terms with this Truth. The essay entitled "Tyranny of the Urgent" was one such writing that contributed to my understanding of who God is and what is truly important in life. Another occasion in life specifically forced me to 'abdicate' lordship of my life! I was "de-throned", so to speak! The Holy Spirit teaches us in many ways, every time in line with God's Word. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus spoke saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth".

I try to live my life doing ALL THINGS for the Glory of the Father. Of course, I fall short....but this basic tenet superintends my thinking and actions. A reminder of who *I* am and who *GOD* is will do me much good in my Christian walk.

2009-05-09T22:44:00.002-04:00

Another great Bible study today! This morning's teaching was on discipleship, specifically the 'terms of discipleship' for a Christian. The Holy Spirit was convicting our hearts and illuminating scripture for us!

We meet in the food court of a nearby mall (Trumbull, CT) every Saturday morning at 10:00 am! It is so wonderful to see people stop by to encourage our group, ask a question, pick up a tract, pamphlet or business card or just stand nearby and listen! We have definitely established the Presence of God at this mall on Saturday mornings! I am so blessed to be part of this study group.

2009-04-19T17:14:00.011-04:00

You may wonder just why I am posting this photo today. Yes....it's my purse hanging on the bathroom door of Panera Bread!

Well, here's the story...

Today, following church and fellowship and then a little 'solo' picnic lunch at a nearby park, I spent a few hours at the local library. About 1/2 hour prior to leaving, to go to Panera Bread, where I'm now continuing my project work, I used the restroom. This awesome new Darien library has two great (single toilet and co-gender) restrooms located on the second floor, where I always do my work. Inside the 'spic and span' restroom there is a hook for one's purse, coat or whatever. The single hook is located on the far wall (not on the door as is most common) of the fairly generous sized restroom. As usual, I went into the restroom, hung up my purse, "used the potty", washed my hands and left the restroom. I immediately went back to my work, knowing that I had only a little time to finish my work before the library closed for the day.

Ten minutes before closing time at 5 pm, I began to pack up and gather my belongings. I quickly realized that my purse was nowhere in sight! It didn't take me long to remember that I had carried with me to the restroom.....in an effort to prevent it's being stolen (good plan, huh?). I was, of course, very concerned and, praying, I quickly returned to the restroom in hopes that my purse would still be hanging on the hook. It was NOT there! Thinking I may have overlooked the purse, I returned to my table where I had been working. My eyes scoured every inch of the area but still did not see my purse. My keys, wallet, cell phone and much more were GONE! Still praying, and begging God for my purse, I went to the librarian's desk on the second floor to inquire if a kind soul MAY have found the purse and turned it in to the desk.

PRAISE GOD....the purse was, indeed, turned in and was placed in the library's lost and found! I was THANKING GOD! I stopped at the main desk and sure enough, I spied my purse behind the main desk! I was SO THANKFUL that the next person who used that restroom today at the Dairen library did the right thing! GOD is so good and I know that it was only by His Hand that the person who found my purse was moved to turn it in to the proper authorities. I checked all the contents....and EVERYTHING was in place!

WOW......what a wonderful ending to a few moments of great CONCERN!! Many times, I have done the same thing or similar acts of honesty or kindness. I am rejoicing that God saw fit to reward my goodness by working HIS GOODNESS in this potentially dreadful situation! Just wish I could thank the person for their kindness.

"Praise God from whom all blessings flow"!

2009-04-16T09:25:00.004-04:00

I was reading Romans 12 today. WOW...now this is a FULL chapter of 'how to' live a life that pleases God!

Verse 2 tells me to NOT be conformed to this world, but be transformed, by the renewing of my mind...so that I will know the will of God. I asked God just what that meant....for me. How do I "renew my mind"? God revealed that it is the power of the Holy Spirit, at work within me who does the RENEWING, REGENERATING and REFRESHING! When I allow the Holy Spirit to renew my mind and CHANGE ME, from the inside out...the result is a transformed life that looks totally FOREIGN to the 'world'.

As a follower of Christ, I am well aware of the fact that many view me as a 'weirdo', a strange bird, a fool or whatever term they may chose to use! Rightly so, from their perspective: I purposely avoid most forms of entertainment (simply for entertainment's sake), I speak in a manner that is unfamiliar, even offensive, to most people (mentioning the name of Jesus in many sentences and discussions), I cover my hair/head during weekly, corporate worship (as well as occasionally in private prayer times), I value the things that have eternal significance more than those things that are temporal....and so much more. Lately He is even speaking to me regarding modesty and my outward appearance...not an area I am looking forward to altering, so that is a SLOW transformation! YET, though I am called 'crazy' or 'out of touch', I have confidence that my Creator and King is pleased with many of my choices. Of course, I fall short of how I would like to live...100% of the time....but I can rest knowing that I am growing and learning and sinking my roots of faith deeper every day. I have come to understand and accept that it is OK to NOT conform to the world. I continue to pray daily for a new and fresh filling of the Holy Spirit, (a renewing of my mind) to teach and train and guide me in the ways that will please my Lord.

For anyone who may want to refute my thoughts in this blog post, please understand that I recognize that one's faith walk is about knowing and loving Christ....not solely about external signs. I would hate for anyone to misinterpret this post and think I am promoting a 'salvation by works' message. Not so...I am speaking of the process of sanctification. The change that continues within AND without in the life of a follower of Christ.

I am interested in ways that YOU have been transformed and what verse 2 of Romans 12 means to you, personally? Has the Holy Spirit spoken to you in specific ways as to various measures to use to keep you 'pure' from the world or set apart...for His will and purposes?

It's a thrilling walk....yet the road seems narrower as I continue with Him. What about you?

2009-03-29T18:01:00.006-04:00

PRAISE GOD!

I am seeing signs of Spring!

2009-03-29T14:48:00.000-04:00

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

It is an awesome thing to experience the presence of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and abounding in our lives! I have been walking more closely to Him these days and throughout each day, I sense Him, hear Him and completely KNOW that through the person of the Holy Spirit, the very God who formed me, is abiding within my heart; guiding, keeping and loving me! I have SO FAR to go, but it is so sweet to experience more and more of God in my life each day!

If you do not intimately know God, through the redeeming Savior and Lord Jesus, the Messiah, I would encourage you to SEEK God. Scripture says that God will draw near to those who seek Him and to those who come near to Him. “Come near to God and He will come near to you….” James 4:8a Many years ago I experienced this very precept worked out in my life. I didn’t quite have the whole person of God figured out, nor was I even fully aware of how much He loved me or what He did for me, but I called out to Him and He sure drew near to me, revealing to me all I needed to know! I learned about my need for a Savior and I eventually met Jesus, The One who gave His life to set me free from the bondage of sin. God continues to teach and mold me through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. (There is SO MUCH to learn!!!)

The Holy Spirit IS GOD, in Spirit, living and dwelling within the heart of every person under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. I believe that the Holy Spirit can be experienced in small or large doses…all dependent upon our willingness to surrender and allow God to have His way in our lives! The person of God and the power of the Holy Spirit HAS NOT CHANGED since the beginning of time (and before that!). So why aren’t we Christians living lives even remotely similar to the New Testament Christians about whom we read in the Bible? Have you ever asked yourself if, say Paul or Peter were to observe your life, would they recognize you as a Christian? And even more, would they see the Holy Spirit ALIVE and fully at work within you?

I have often wondered if Christians aren’t experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit because they are “afraid” of what God may do in their lives! I remember the occasion when I came to realize the magnitude of what God is waiting to do for and in His Kingdom through us! It is a humbling and yet awesome thing to know that God needs us to work out His plan and He is waiting for us to let Him move! How diligently are you (and I) involved in the work of God’s plan? Are we truly doing the work that HE directed us to do, not so much the work that we decide and chose to do?

I write to encourage you to talk with God. If you are not trusting in and experiencing the POWER and PRESENCE of the Holy Spirit in your life dig deeply into the well of God’s refreshment! Get to know God through reading the Bible, His Word. When I first read the Bible through in it’s entirety, my spiritual walk was revolutionized! A person can’t help to know God better by spending more time with Him and learning more about who He is!

I am rejoicing today in the Presence of the Holy Spirit. I am sure that the Holy Spirit has put forth these words for MY BENEFIT as well as for any reader who stumbles upon this writing. I sorely fall short of allowing God to have FULL CONTROL of my life. I SAY that I have completely surrendered to the Lord (and I MEAN IT in my heart) but… when “the rubber meets the road” I fall short of trusting solely in God to do all things in me and through me. Too often, as I examine my life in the light of Jesus Christ, well…you know the scenario. I end up catering to my ‘flesh’; allowing ‘Lindy’ to live her life as SHE wants to do!

Every person is at a different place in his or her walk with Christ. I am not suggesting that every word that I write is what the Holy Spirit is saying TO YOU today. I’m simply sharing with you what the Holy Spirit is saying to me and FOR ME! If any of this writing is used by the Holy Spirit in your life, praise God! My heart is overflowing today with the Presence of the Holy Spirit and it is an awesome thing that I wanted to share!

2009-03-28T14:51:00.014-04:00

Hi friends,

Some of my 'facebook friends' have inquired about my walk of faith and specifically, how I came to know Christ. A year or so ago I created a brochure that shares my story as well as the message of how YOU can come to know Jesus as well. Since I can't get the MS Publisher file to you, I've copied at least a portion of this brochure for you as a blog entry.

The following excerpt is written in my words and from my heart. (and please excuse the absense of editing, as my 'blogger' account won't let me add edits when I copy something into the posting format lately. ?? not sure what's up with that!) Anyway....here it is:

My Story

I was a young mom, busy with responsibilities, trying to manage a home, marriage, job and kids and in the midst of it all, finding myself unfulfilled, empty and discontent. I was doing my best to ‘grab all the gusto’ I could to make life full, and satisfying, thinking that was the process through which I would find fullness and joy. To many, my life appeared as though everything was fine, yet on the inside I was in personal turmoil, yearning for wholeness and peace that was so elusive. My life became a quest to discover the key to fulfillment, purpose and peace. I searched for meaning and answers in all the wrong places. Though I was attending and participating in a local church’s services and programs, (often red-eyed and hung-over) the LAST place I would have sought answers was in a church! At the mention of the name of JESUS, other than expressions of anger or frustration, I cringed, criticized, mocked and ridiculed. I was a lady (to use the term loosely) who had no time for “Jesus Freaks”, “Holier Than Thou Church Goers” or “Bible Thumping Preachers”!

Into my life and comfortable country church came a former ‘bar room buddy’ who spoke about JESUS as if he knew Him! My friend Jack shared the Truth; about life and my existence, about God’s love and His Son Jesus and about SIN and my need for a Savior. Though I didn’t like the message, I DID like Jack’s style and I listened. For many months I challenged, criticized and rebelled while Jack lovingly and patiently introduced me to God, the Master and Maker of the Universe! As Jack taught, I eventually recognized my need for a Savior which ultimately changed my entire perspective and freed me to hear and receive the Truth Jack was sharing! I learned that the emptiness I felt was due to a void in my soul that could only be filled by the One True God who created and loved me and who was waiting to use me and direct me into a life of purpose, power and hope! I no longer needed to fake it through life or ‘do it on my own’. I took my hands off the wheel of my life and asked Christ to lead the way!

Nearly 25 years I’ve been living as a NEW creation…
thanks to the redeeming power of Jesus and the renewing of the Holy Spirit!

God gave me the Real Thing…
JOY, PEACE and PURPOSE…
like nothing else the world can ever give!

2009-03-26T10:18:00.001-04:00

In my devotional time this morning, as always, I include the daily reading from Oswald Chambers’ “My Utmost for His Highest”. Today’s word was on seeking/attaining God’s vision through personal purity.

Instead of trying to surmise the teaching, I will simply copy it and allow you to read, what for me are, the very penetrating words of the Holy Spirit through the pen of Oswald Chambers.

"Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God." Matthew 5:8

Purity is not innocence, it is much more. Purity is the outcome of sustained spiritual sympathy with God. We have to grow in purity. The life with God may be right and the inner purity remain unsullied, and yet every now and again the bloom on the outside may be sullied. God does not shield us from this possibility, because in this way we realize the necessity of maintaining the vision by personal purity. If the spiritual bloom of our life with God is getting impaired in the tiniest degree, we must leave off everything and get it put right. Remember that vision depends on character - the pure in heart see God.
God makes us pure by His sovereign grace, but we have something to look after, this bodily life by which we come in contact with other people and with other points of view, it is these that are apt to sully. Not only must the inner sanctuary be kept right with God, but the outer courts as well are to be brought into perfect accord with the purity God gives us by His grace. The spiritual understanding is blurred immediately the outer court is sullied. If we are going to retain personal contact with the Lord Jesus Christ, it will mean there are some things we must scorn to do or to think, some legitimate things we must scorn to touch.
A practical way of keeping personal purity unsullied in relation to other people is to say to yourself - That man, that woman, perfect in Christ Jesus! That friend, that relative, perfect in Christ Jesus!

From the very first line of this devotional, I was cut to the core. "Purity is not innocence, it is much more. Purity is the outcome of sustained spiritual sympathy with God". Sustained spiritual sympathy with God!

You know, as I type this post today, I realize I could go on and on….but I will resist and simply utter a prayer that you would be open to what the Holy Spirit may want to teach YOU through these words. May we all grow in the knowledge and into the perfection of Christ Jesus!

2009-03-25T22:02:00.006-04:00

Hi friends....I'm still around!

I've had some recent trouble with my photo editor which put blogging on a back burner for awhile. Also have been visiting facebook...which has consumed probably too much valuable time. In addition, I've been setting up an Etsy account. Etsy is a web site that provides a venue for crafts people to share and sell their original and handcrafted wares. I've decided that Etsy might be a good way to generate some additional income that I will designate to support Christian ministries. The needs are so great and I find that even the smallest amount of funds helps needy people and helps to contribute to spreading the Gospel! My Etsy shop is called "Fancy Bands".

I recently decided (well, recently submitted to the Lord's direction) to UNPLUG my TV. :) I've lived UNPLUGGED in the past, but recently found myself growing more attached to the 'idiot box' and knew it was time to re-examine my life and leisure. About a year ago I actually gave my TV to my daughter, but when she decided to 'live with mom' for a few months during the '08 holiday season, I purchased another TV so she could keep up with her TV viewing interests. BIG MISTAKE! Daughter moved out and "mom" ended up with a new lifestyle of brainless evening activity...watching TV! Interestingly, I have not had cable TV since I moved to CT, but nonetheless, I found there were sufficient number of programs that could keep a person 'busy' even with just using rabbit ears for tuning!

I write this post not to point fingers at anyone who enjoys TV viewing...but simply to keep others abreast of my recent change in leisure activity! God has His ways of molding and shaping and refining us until our eyes are pointed back toward HIM! FOR ME....television was one huge distraction from the face of Christ.

Yes, I occasionally will catch a taped video of a television program online....but that's within the boundaries that God has given me. His concern for me was my growing distraction AWAY FROM HIM. Praise God for quiet nights and constructive activity! I have such a very very long way to go, but I am moving closer to the One to whom I have given my life! UNPLUGGING THE TV has helped!

2009-02-19T17:43:00.007-05:00

Our weather in CT has been crazy lately! We have snow, ice and freezing temperatures and yet, we have recently enjoyed some great spring-like days! It has been so refreshing to feel the SUNSHINE and be able to take my young ‘charges’ to the local parks to play! Today’s high temperature was 51 degrees!.

Just yesterday, I was a bit surprised to see HUGE, but very lovely snowflakes falling from the sky during the afternoon hours. I think because the snow was wet and mixed with rain, the flakes stuck together and created some amazingly big flakes! This photo, unfortunately, doesn’t capture the beauty of this snowfall, but for me, it was a real treat to see!

As I watched the snowfall from indoors, I thought of the “manna in the dessert” that God provided for the Israelites as they wandered in the dessert for 40 years. As I pondered, I realized I wasn’t quite sure just WHAT manna actually consisted of. I wondered what the manna of the Old Testament looked like and if it actually fell like snowflakes? What I have always envisioned in my mind was that that manna spoken of in the Old Testament was white and similar to a light wafer-like substance. (a lot like snow that doesn’t melt!) After searching the scripture I learned that my notion of manna was quite off track. (Not sure WHERE or HOW I ever came up with my preconceived idea). What do YOU envision ‘manna’ to look like? Ever thought of it?

I learned that the manna that God provided was actually in appearance of coriander seed and was the color of ‘gum resin’ or pale yellow.

“The manna looked like small coriander seeds, pale yellow in color.* Numbers 11:7 NLT

I’ve read the scripture in Numbers many times, but for some reason, I never truly LEARNED (or remembered) what the manna looked like. I DID remember that the manna fell at night (or early in the morning when the dew fell) and that every morning, except the Sabbath, the Israelites were instructed to gather just the amount that they needed for that day.

“And when the dew fell on the camp in the night, the manna fell on it.” Numbers 11:9 NKJV

The lovely snow of yesterday afforded me not only the opportunity to view a beautiful moment of nature, but to dig a bit deeper in the scripture and study more about manna and to gain an accurate understanding of God’s provision for His chosen people. This experience just goes to show how wise it is to STUDY and RESEARCH or ASK QUESTIONS!

I pray that the every day experiences of life will strike an inquisitive spark in you and you will use the opportunities to learn more about the things of God and His kingdom! I just love digging into the Word of God!

2009-02-11T09:49:00.003-05:00

Weeks ago (in the previous post on this blog) I raised a question that a friend asked me to consider. "Why was no one present to see Jesus, during the time (at the moment) that He rose (was rising) from the dead?" I prayerfully did just that and emailed him a response. That was quite some time ago but thought I'd still post my response to him on this blog. Here is what the Holy Spirit taught me:

John 20:29 NKJV
"Jesus said, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

Our entire relationship and walk with Christ is (are?) based on FAITH. As it seems to apply to Thomas (and thus to each of us), we are MORE blessed because we do not see and yet we TRUST in the One who is, the Great I AM.

You know, as I do, the times that we have stepped out in pure FAITH in Christ....the blessing that was on the other side of that step. Had we waited until we SAW or KNEW....we either never would have moved (taken the step) or would have never realized the immense joy and blessing that is in FAITH. What amazing testimonies we have....only AFTER we step in faith and are blessed! Perhaps another reason that contributes to the purpose of no one SEEING Jesus rise from the dead is the incredible testimony that acting in FAITH provides for us to share. Can you imagine any of the New Testament without the amazing testimonies of FAITH of the early apostles?

Guess my answer then is two-fold: (so far)
1. To require a step of FAITH for those who follow Christ....which then BUILDS more faith and devotion.
2. To provide or deepen a/the testimony of those who know and follow Jesus.

It all is "part of the plan"......God knows what He is doing."

Any additional thoughts from you bloggers out there?

2009-01-15T05:09:00.004-05:00

A dear Christian friend asked me to ponder then answer this question:

"Why was no one present to see Jesus, during the time (at the moment) that He rose (was rising) from the dead?"

Quite a few people were privileged to walk and talk with Jesus AFTER his resurection, but no one was present when He actually rose and came back to life. Why's that? Any thoughts? I've just begun to ponder this question and possible answers. I'll keep you posted!

2009-01-02T08:59:00.007-05:00

Hi blog friends...

Back on December 14, I wrote a post referencing cold symptoms and feeling 'under the weather'. T oday is January 2 and I'm STILL battling that same cold and it's many symptoms! It seems what started as minor chest congestion has moved from one thing to another. Currently it's a stuffy nose and watering eyes....and still coughing. I've had so many symptoms, I'm not even sure what medicine to be taking! I was to the Dr. just prior to Christmas and was given antibiotics and asthma medications. Who knows....since that Dr. visit the symptoms have changed once again! It's sure a strange "bug", whatever it is!

I'm praying and simply trusting our Lord to heal and restore my body to HEALTH! I'm not too concerned, as I know God's healing power, but it is sure a nusiance to be ill!

May you each be healthy, refreshed and ready to serve Christ in 2009!

2008-12-24T19:42:00.006-05:00

Here's an interesting quote that my daughter found and read to me some time ago. I saved it and thought these words by Ben Franklin were appropriate for tonight, Christmas Eve 2008.

"How many observe Christ's birthday!

How few, his precepts!

O! 'Tis easier to keep holidays than commandments."

~Benjamin Franklin~

2008-12-21T20:34:00.005-05:00

Today begins the eight-day celebration of Hanukkah. Earlier in the day I thought of how nice it would be to have a menorah and to start the tradition of lighting a candle on each day of Hanukkah. The weather got bad and I ended up staying home...but I did make a mental note to pick up a Menorah while the sales are on next week and to prepare for next year's celebration!

Any Christian should be ever aware of the great love that God had for His chosen people, the nation of Israel. Hanukkah celebrates a time when the Jewish nation survived persecution and destruction of the temple and all things associated with the worship of our God.

I am drawn to many of the Jewish celebrations and festivals. I don't really 'practice' these events and traditions (yet!) but I certainly have a great respect and love for the culture and heritage of my brothers, the Jews. Knowing that my Lord, Jesus, having been raised a Jew, also practiced the many traditions and practices of this faith, really"brings home" (to my heart) or personalizes the rich history and significant practices of this chosen nation. I cherish and embrace this culture and religious heritage and desire to know more!

To any of my Jewish brothers or sisters....Happy Hanukkah!

2008-12-18T02:14:00.011-05:00

"Country Mouse and City Mouse " (my other blog that I've been adding to lately)

I can't determine if it's a waste of time or not to do blogging. :) What do ya' think?

I ask myself...

"What eternal significance will any of this have?"

In light of that, it seems that I could find much more productive things to do with my time. But what? :)

I suppose I could be:

continue working on and FINISH a brochure project that the Holy Spirit moved me to develop quite some time ago

reading and studying scripture....which I truly love and know the many benefits from this activity

praying

phone calls of encouragement (if I'm not able to actually visit)

crafting (with the purpose of giving and encouraging)

reading material that would teach, equip and train me as a Christian

writing......which leads me back to blogging.

I guess I answered my question. For me....I try to live making my life COUNT for God's Kingdom, that's a basic tenet of my life. I know I fall very short of that principle, but figure if I can envision some 'eternal significance' coming from whatever the chosen (or contemplated) activity might be (of my work AND play), I might be headed in the right direction. :)

1 Corinthians 3:12-14 (NIV)
"If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward."

2008-12-14T08:17:00.008-05:00

It shouldn't effect my walk with the Lord, but when I'm sick I just want to "crawl in a hole and hibernate". I admit that when I'm feeling "under the weather" I find it difficult to pray, study or read God's Word, or worship. I frankly don't feel like talking to anyone at times!

Both yesterday and today I've had to take control of my flesh and FIGHT! My flesh is the part of me that wants to crawl in the hole and hibernate when I'm sick, yet my spirit is still healthy and wants to soar and "mount up with wings like eagles"! It is unfortunate that, too often, we Christians let our FLESH dominate and rule our choices and actions. That's so wrong and contrary to what Jesus taught and lived! Take a look at the book of Philipians, a favorite of mine, for encouragement and a good "kick in the rear" when you are struggling with the flesh vs. spirit.

I really like the translation of the New Living Bible for the verse of Isaiah 40:31, a portion that I referenced in this writing.

"But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint."

Today.....I'm waiting on the Lord.

YES!!!!!!!!!!! GOD IS GOOD!

2008-12-10T05:37:00.014-05:00

I am thrilled today to announce that God, being ever faithful as He is, has answered my prayers in an awesome way!

As you may recall, I recently (Nov. 1) had an emergency visit to the hospital and overnight stay, to do tests and more. At that time, I surely posted here that I was without medical insurance since September 15. Of course, I received a HUGE bill and I'm currently involved in the hospital's standard procedure to reduce the bill....then I will be paying on the bill forever! I'm wasn't too concerned about that part of my dilemma, but was more concerned with my critical need to secure health insurance at a decent price, with decent coverage.

To clarify, let me add that my Cobra insurance plan (through my previous employer) expired in May of this year and during the summer months I was fortunate enough to be able to enroll in a small health insurance plan that is offered to employees of the camp where I work. Upon my return from camp in Maine, and even previously in the spring, I had searched out information regarding an affordable yet adequate health insurance plan. HA! None to be found for individuals! Anyway, after many months of searching and praying, I decided on a plan offered by Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield. I was pleased to find out that my employer would be, again, providing a monthly monetary contribution to help cover the cost of the health insurance plan! I'm VERY thankful for my wonderful employer!

It was at this point, however, that I then made an error in judgement. I figured that due to a fairly significant deductible that goes with this plan, it seemed to make sense to me to wait until the beginning of the new calendar year to initiate the plan. Who'd have thought I'd need to be HOSPITALIZED in the meantime!!?? I learned a hard lesson, once again in life!

Following the ordeal with the hospitalization, and being slapped with over $8,000.00 in medical bills, I was compelled to 'get on the ball' and secure health insurance, no matter the time of year! I very abrubtly realized that I could not remain without medical insurance, no matter the cost! I once again phoned a local insurance agent and provided to him my necessary personal information. When the agent and I got to the section of information containing previous health conditions and hospitalizations, he STOPPED! There was a huge hesitation as the agent found out that I had been hospitalized as recently as within the month. The agent advised me, quite frankly, that there was a strong likelihood that I may be denied health insurance at the quoted price and through this particular company. He was nearly certain that the insurance company would request the medical records of this recent hospital visit and dig deeply into the surrounding medical condition and diagnosis. So certain of the insurance company's request and review of my hospitalization, the agent even suggested I speed the application process by going to the hospital and signing theform for release my medical records. I was BUMMED, to say the least! With some pending medical conditions that need attention, I began to panic! What if I would be deemed unfit for medical insurance?

I soon realized there was nothing I could do from this point on, except to place the entire matter in God's hands and seek His Divine intervention. I did just that and asked others to pray as well.

Yesterday I received a phone call from a VERY surprised insurance agent, informing me that I was ACCEPTED for medical insurance from the company through which I applied! He told me, once again, that he was really shocked at the speed of the application process and restated that it is nearly unheard of for a company NOT to examine more closely a recent hospitalization such as I had in November! PRAISE GOD! I am SO SURE of God's perfect intervention and provision in my life and in this particular situation! I made a point to let my insurance agent know about the power of prayer!

I'm rejoicing in who God is and how perfectly He cares for us when we seek Him with all our heart!

"The Fear of God"....Lengthy but worthy!

2008-12-07T12:48:00.017-05:00

**This post is a bit long...you can always copy it into a Word document to read and review when you have more time! If you'd like me to email you a copy of this post in a Word document, just leave me a comment requesting that with your email address!

A scripture verse has been running through my mind throughout the past week and I’ve been praying and pondering just what it’s significance is for me TODAY. As I searched scripture, I found many verses that speak of “The fear of GOD”. The particular verse that has been on my heart is: Proverbs 9:10 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

In my daily Bible reading this week, I have been reading in Exodus, currently in chapter 20 and beyond. As I read chapter 20, verse 20, I noted that, to the nation of Israel; “Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning." (NIV) Wow…..how well Moses must have known God and His plan! It only took me about 5 days, but I have finally grasped just what the Lord is teaching ME in this text! Allow me to expound. This may not be significant for you, but when I learn a great Truth, I have to share it!

This section of scripture in Exodus 19 and 20 recounts the story of the nation of Israel, a mere 3 months after God miraculously led them from captivity and slavery in Egypt. Under the leadership of Moses, the Israelites (an estimated *2-3 million people), had approached the Wilderness of Sinai. God had previously instructed the nation of Israel on the importance and the need of obedience to God, as recorded in Exodus 19:3-5; “Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, "This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 'You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession.” Verse 8 of the same chapter recounts that: “The people all responded together, "We will do everything the Lord has said."

It was in this setting that the Lord God gave The Law (The Ten Commandments and much more) to the people of Israel. Following a three-day period of consecration, commanded by God, the nation of Israel was prepared to meet God. Moses, under God’s instruction, led the people to the foot of the mountain of Sinai. “On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the Lord descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, the whole mountain trembled violently, and the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder. Then Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him.” Exodus 19:16, 18-19

As the Lord gave the LAW to the nation of Israel, the people recoiled from the mountain and trembled with great fear. “When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, "Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die". Exodus 20:18-19 The following verse, Exodus 20:20, is the one that initiated my week-long study: “Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning." (NIV)

I believe that scripture, though given and recorded thousands of years ago, is quite relevant for people TODAY! My quandary arose as I was reading the same verse in the New King James Version (which I normally read every day) of the Bible. “And Moses said to the people, "Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.” (NKJV) Notice the difference in wording of the two versions…

I got stuck on the word FEAR being used twice in the same passage (as in the New King James Version); in the first instance, saying DO NOT fear and in the second instance saying that “His fear may before you”. Hmmm….I wondered, how I was to follow the instruction, given by Moses to God’s people, “do not fear”, yet also follow the many Bible passages that speak to us about “fearing God”? As I stated in the beginning of this writing, particularly the scripture of Proverbs 9:10 came to my mind. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Because I know that I DEFINITELY need wisdom to carry out my daily living, it was extremely important for me, personally, to work through what I experienced as a quandary and seek God’s instruction about “fearing God”.

My help came through prayer and study. As I read the New International Version, along with other translations and study tools, the Holy Spirit taught me just what Moses was saying in Exodus 20:20. I learned a key principle; that in order to effectively live for and serve God, it is ESSENTIAL that we know who He is! The better we know God, the more we understand His ways and will! The second part of Proverbs 9:10 (often omitted from memory or recitation) says, “…knowledge of the Holy One is understanding”.

That precept fully grasped, it was now easier for me to comprehend what Moses was telling the people of Israel…in Exodus 20:20. My new understanding is this; while we do not have to tremble in fear, to the point of becoming unproductive or paralysed, we DO have to cultivate a solid understanding of God, thereby holding Him in deepest reverence and utmost awe (FEAR).

During my study this week, I was prompted to ponder, WHY I should fear God? What would your answer be, if you were asked that question? I was recently asked, “Why do you fear God?” and though, in my HEART, I knew the correct answer, in my HEAD I was not able to adequately verbalize the proper answer. Perhaps this week’s study was given to me to help me formalize a solid response in both my HEART and MIND. Why should we fear God? Simply put, the answer is: Because HE holds the keys to LIFE and DEATH for each of us! Scriptures that I found that support this answer are in:
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Hebrews 9:27 "…man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment…"
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Romans 2:5 "But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when His righteous judgment will be revealed."
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Romans 1:32 "Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death…"
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2 Peter 2:4-9 "For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment;
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if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others;
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if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly;
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and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)
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if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment."

As I consider who GOD is, and who I am, in light of God’s will, plan and purpose, as well as in light of the preceding scriptures, I am humbled and can do nothing more than fall before Him in deepest, repentance and reverence. Actually, the best word in the English language that I can come up with for this state of being is: FEAR. This is not a ‘scary’ fear or a fear that makes my heart race or my blood curdle….but a fear that is composed of all of the following: awe, surrender, submission, reverence, worship, respect, gratitude and much more. How well do YOU know God? Well enough to truly FEAR Him? Do you hold HIM in deepest honor and value, and yet live in a manner that is not FEARFUL or ‘scared’ of our most gracious and loving God? For me, this study truly deepened my understanding and solidified in a greater way, my relationship with God. I pray you may gain some valuable insight also.

The instruction from Moses urges us to become OBEDIENT servants of God, keeping the ‘fear of God’ always before us, so that we would not sin. Though saved, I believe that a Christian CAN drift into a lifestyle of willful sin and that SIN can keep us from entering heaven. I happen to believe that one’s salvation is only as “secure” as their faithfulness to God. Without repentance from willful, on-going sin, I believe that a person can fall from grace and be unfit to enter heaven. God is HOLY, heaven is PURE and there is no room for SIN. It is only through the atoning blood of our Savior, Jesus Christ, that we can be made ‘fit’ for heaven. Because God loved mankind, He provided His remedy, JESUS, to atone for our sin. If we fall from faith in Christ, including LIVING for Christ, we will not receive eternal life in heaven. God is unchanging; He is full of grace and mercy, yet He is JUST and HOLY.

The instruction in Exodus 20:20 was given from God so that He could ultimately BLESS us! God designed a plan whereby He could bless His children! He loves us so much and is waiting to bless, but He will only bless OBEDIENCE. In order to receive God’s BLESSING we need to carry out our end of the covenant, which is to follow His ways and Word, living out His precepts and instruction in all aspects of our lives. Whew…..how thankful I am that we serve a merciful God! God created humanity and knows our weakness and frailties. Yet, He will ALWAYS provide a way out when we are tempted to sin and God always has an open embrace when we repent and turn back to follow Him!

Though my study this week was arduous and time consuming, it has been both refreshing and rewarding to go deeper in my understanding and knowledge of God! This type of study is much like going through a conflict with a loved one; after all is said and done and misunderstandings are resolved, you end up growing closer to the person and gaining a deeper understanding and respect in the long run! This week’s study even included the reading of a long, but very powerful sermon by Jonathan Edwards…”Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”. I recommend reading this sermon if you have never read or heard it! It may give you a greater understanding of just how precious your salvation truly is! How I love the Lord and cherish His every precept and instruction! May YOU gain wisdom and be blessed by the Lord as you grow in your knowledge of Him!

Additionally: I found the following commentary helpful as I studied the passage in Exodus 20:20, I’ve included it for your study and review. Commentary- Matthew Henry’s “whole Bible commentary”

The encouragement Moses gave [the Israelites], by explaining the design of God in his terror (v. 20): Fear not, that is, "Think not that the thunder and fire are designed to consume you," which was the thing they feared (v. 19, lest we die); thunder and lightning constituted one of the plagues of Egypt, but Moses would not have them think they were sent to them on the same errand on which they were sent to the Egyptians: no, [the thunder and lightning] were intended,

1. To prove them, to try how they would like dealing with God immediately, without a mediator, and so to convince them how admirably well God had chosen for them, in putting Moses into that office. Ever since Adam fled, upon hearing God's voice in the garden, sinful man could not bear either to speak to God or hear from him immediately.

2. To keep them to their duty, and prevent their sinning against God. He encourages them, saying, Fear not, and yet tells them that God thus spoke to them, that his fear might be before their face.

We must not fear with amazement-with that fear which has torment, which only works upon the fancy for the present, sets us a trembling, genders to bondage, betrays us to Satan, and alienates us from God; but we must always have in our minds a reverence of God's majesty, a dread of his displeasure, and an obedient regard to his sovereign authority over us: this fear will quicken us to our duty and make us circumspect in our walking. Thus stand in awe, and sin not, Ps. 4:4.

*Footnote: Although there is no record of the precise number that left Egypt in the Exodus, a military census taken not long after listed the number of men 20 years of age and older who could serve in the army as 603,550 (Exodus 38:26). From that number, the total Israelite population of that time has been estimated at approximately 2 to 3 million. Taken from “How Many in the Exodus” by Wayne Blank

2008-11-30T14:31:00.017-05:00

Well, here we go...

...into the rush and fuss of the Christmas holiday season, and I'm plum tired of all the craziness!

I have, for a few years now, been growing weary of all the "fuss" that surrounds this highly commercialized, man-made celebration that supposedly was designed to honor Christ! HA! You can call me a "wet blanket" but I have honestly become quite disenchanted by the entire holiday season and all it's "trimmings". I just want to say, "Bah, Humbug"! (Nonsense!...as per dictionary.com)

In all honesty, I am skeptical, not only of the many practices and traditions that have come to symbolize Christmas in America, but of the very roots on which the holiday was created. The entire holiday is MAN-made (not God-ordained) and I fear that the paganistic roots upon which this holiday has been built have permeated through all aspects of it's celebration and festivities. Though Christians have tried to conjure the holiday as a Christian "holy-day", you don't have to look too hard to identify just what the holiday has become!

As one who strives to honor Christ in all things, I am rethinking my celebration of the coming holiday and Christmas season. I'm praying about just what God would have me participate in during this season and how I can best convey to the world (or those who see and know me) that I choose to honor Jesus EVERYDAY, not just during the season of Christmas! I'm suggesting that all of us be wise and seek God's direction and guidance (not our own desires or the prompting of the world) as we enter this holiday season.

I have recently read various articles about the origins of the Christmas holiday and the origins of many of the symbols and traditions of Christmas, and found this web link to be helpful in my understanding of Christmas.

(The link is contained in a web site called, The Refiner's Fire; a site designed by a network of Messianic Jewish Rabbis, teachers and followers) I urge each of you to do a bit of research and to keep an open mind and heart, as you seek God's will and ways.

2008-11-29T16:13:00.010-05:00

Hi bloggers...

As you can see, I've been learning to create great mosaics on the Big Huge Labs (Home of Flickr Toys) website. It's SO FUN! Here is a mosaic collection of my adorable grandson, Tucker, his dad (my son, Tim) and Tucker's mother, Emily....and Grandma (me!).

Also are a few photos I took as I began my return trip to CT just before 8 a.m. on Friday morning. The air was quite brisk and the frost looked very lovely on the ground; it was sure a joy to stop and shoot a few photos of my beloved central PA!

My brief visit to PA went very well. I will do the trip again in a few short weeks when Christmas rolls around!

2008-11-26T13:30:00.013-05:00

Well, the Thanksgiving season is upon us and I am spending a few short days in the heartland of Pennsylvania, visiting with family and friends.

I am always torn when I have some "free" time off work, struggling with:

My desire make the most of my 'free time' to stay at my home in CT, doing much needed tasks around the house, as well as enjoying R & R within the comfort of my own home and surroundings AND...

Wanting (and even NEEDING) to visit family and friends in PA and enjoying the peace and quiet and simple life back home in rural PA

As I prayed about this struggle that I faced, I realized that part of my desire to remain in CT was probably a bit more selfish than I wanted to admit. Granted, there are necessary tasks that I should attend to around my home, but much of what I struggled with in remaining in CT were self-indulgent desires to 'feed the flesh' in laziness or self-pampering. When I seriously compared each scenario of my impending vacation, I realized that the most self-LESS (and therefore GODLY-est) thing I could do would be to reconnect with family and loved ones, encourage family and friends (even strangers) in the faith and simply get my focus off SELF and onto OTHERS; those goals would be best served traveling to PA to spend Thanksgiving Day. My plan that I came up with for my current 6-day vacation was to spend the first 3.5 days in PA and the second 2.5 days in CT! Amazing how God really comes through when we seriously lay our dilemma or concerns before Him and allow HIM to guide and direct our path! "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." Proverbs 3:5-6 Words of TRUTH!

All that said, I am enjoying day #2 of my vacation in PA. Included here are a few photos taken while traveling!

I praised God as I drove since it was my first occasion this winter to see SNOW! I was also granted SAFE travels and am very thankful for God's protection; traffic was VERY heavy even yesterday.

After 4.5 hours I arrived in my hometown of Beaver Springs, PA and I was able to spend some "dinner" time with my son, daughter-in-law and 6 month old grandson. (see photo of this HUGELY HANDSOME little guy!)

I am tickled to announce that my son and wife are expecting baby #2 and was excited to view an ultra-sound photo of my next grandchild!

This morning I enjoyed a late breakfast at my favorite (one of TWO) restaurants in town! While there, I spotted a local Amish farmer having a meal with another 'local'. I discretely snapped a photo. *Please excuse the poor quality, as I didn't want to stand in front of the Amish man and fool with focusing or flash, etc.!

God is GOOD and right now I am enjoying some quiet time at my sister's home, using her spare computer (forgot my lap top!). Next in my plan for the day is to go to the church where I grew up (and where my sister works) to spend a few hours playing the baby grand piano in the sanctuary. I recall that last Christmas vacation, I popped into that church to spend some time praying and was blessed to find this beautiful new piano! Playing this piano was a 'dream'! What's the expression....about the piano playing "like butter"? Well, I am SO looking forward to a bit of quiet time with the Lord today, worshipping Him AND enjoying this lovely instrument of praise!

I will pop in an give an update later during my vacation in PA. For right now, I am praising God for clarity and wisdom in my choice to visit PA and to be His instrument of service.

May you all seek His will for YOU!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

2008-11-25T09:05:00.007-05:00

"Thanks [be] to God for his indescribable gift!"

NKJV 2 Cor. 9:15

As the Thanksgiving holiday is approaching, I trust that each of us will put Christ FIRST and give HIM all of our thanksgiving and praise!

May God's angels surround you... to all who are traveling!