SelahV Today by hariette petersen

GOD IS JEALOUS

for me.

and you...

He wants us for Himself.  He does not like the world that draws our attention away from Him.  He loves us beyond any love that anyone can give us.  He gave His only begotten Son to die in our place for the sins we alone commit.  He did that because He wants to have us live with Him eternally in Heaven.  Eye hath not seen what God has prepared for us in Heaven.  Can you imagine? 

Sometimes I try.  I go to places and collect pictures of the majestic, the miraculous, the beautiful, the serene, the calming, the mystical, the glory.  I do that. 

And I marvel at all I see. 

Then God reminds me that all the glory that I see, and all the joy I have experienced and all the love I've ever felt, and the pleasures I have cradled, are nothing.  Absolutely nothing compared to what he has prepared for me.  And you.

It's true. 

"For as it is written, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love him." 1-Corinthians 2:9

Go take a peek as some of my collected photos of wonder and glory, here.

Only God can give to you what the world withholds and selfishly hordes... only God loved us before we first loved Him.

 

When God Restores What We Have Lost

it is a beautiful thing. 

Last Summer I tried to grow geraniums at my back door.  I placed several pots on my rustic country bench and wanted so much to have their beauty blooming all summer and into Fall.  Ah, but the pesky grasshoppers loved them as much as I did.  My vision was to I enjoy their beauty each time I walked outside, or see when I pulled into my driveway, but the carnivorous cousin to locusts believed they were put there especially for their breakfast, lunch, dinner and anytime snacks.  We had millions of bug-eyed creatures in Oklahoma.  They were so thick it frightened my 6 year-old granddaughter to walk outside from her house to mind just 12 feet away.  Insects flew right in your face and didn't care how rude they were at all-- an experience that inspired another devotional /link.

Every day, I'd go out and spray the plants with vinegar water.  I'd toss Cayenne pepper on them, but those creepy green and brown monsters continued to chomp, chomp, chomp.  Nothing fazed them.  I'd stand and stare them down, and they'd stare right back at me.  I'd move toward them and they'd crawl under the ladder rung where I had hung a few pots.  They dared me to move them away from their perches.  They played hide-n-seek with me each time I shot them with squirts of vinegar water (which only deterred them for a little while).

They didn't just eat my geraniums.  They took over my glider and climbed all over my window panes and screens. In fact, they ate three holes in one of my screens; they sat on the iron porch-posts for hours on end and never moved.  Guess they had a iron-deficiency or something.  It was futile to keep the flowers blooming, the moment a blossom sprout appeared, the monsters chewed it off.  I don't know why I kept watering them, but...

I did....and

...It wasn't until the latter part of October I decided to bring the pots into the house and separate the individual plants.  I bought some fresh potting soil, filled various clay pottery and mason jars with gravel on the bottom, added the soil, then stuck pathetic shoots of leftover geraniums on top.  It took a while.  But within a couple of weeks the worn-out shoots grew leaves, and then flowers blossomed.  It was so exciting to see the first blossom, the second and on and on.  Today, there is snow on the ground for the fifth or sixth time since November.  The temperature was near 9 degrees this morning and has hovered around 15 all day-- and this is Southwest Oklahoma, folks!  The groundhog suggests we're in for another 6 weeks of frigid temps and more snow and icy weather is predicted for this weekend.   However, now...as I look out my Eastern window each day, God has given me back the day the locust had eaten last Summer.  And it is a lovely blessing to behold.

"I will repay you for the years that the swarming locust ate, the young locust, the destroying locust, and the devouring locust--" Joel 2:25

HE GOES BEFORE ME...link.

Keep the Story Alive

It's our job.  It's our responsibility.  It's the least I can do in light of what Irena Swendler did so long ago. 

We each come across incredible stories as we meet and greet on social network sites. Heartwarming as well as heart-breaking stories. Today I read one of those.  Amazing that as much as I read (and I read a lot), I have not come across this remarkable account of human courage:

"During World War II, Irena Sendler, got permission to work in the Warsaw ghetto, as a Plumbing/Sewer specialist. She had an ulterior motive.

Irena smuggled Jewish infants out in the bottom of the tool box she carried. She also carried a burlap sack in the back of her truck, for larger kids. Irena kept a dog in the back that she trained to bark when the Nazi soldiers let her in and out of the ghetto. The soldiers, of course, wanted nothing to do with the dog and the barking covered the kids/infants noises.

During her time of doing this, she managed to smuggle out and save 2500 kids/infants.

Ultimately, she was caught, however, and the Nazi's broke both of her legs and arms and beat her severely. Irena kept a record of the names of all the kids she had smuggled out, in a glass jar that she buried under a tree in her back yard. After the war, she tried to locate any parents that may have survived and tried to reunite the family. Most had been gassed. Those kids she helped got placed into foster family homes or adopted.

In 2007 Irena was up for the Nobel Peace Prize. She was not selected.

Al Gore won, for a slide show on Global Warming.

Please share Irena's story to honor her sacrifice and courage--such a fine human being who gave so much and saved so many."

*************************Such irony, don't you think?

A woman of such courage, such heroism, such love for her fellow man that she'd risk her life and eventually be beaten unmercilessly, ends up on the world stage of honor.  She stands on the precipice of being rewarded by the world for her acts of hope and mercy, only to be passed over for Al Gore and his mythical madness of Global Warming. So grateful to know that one day we will see her rewarded by the King of Kings on the heavenly stage of honor. What a wonderful day that will be.

For there is another who gave His life in sacrifice to save each and every one of us-- including the Nazis who beat poor Irena-- for sins against a Holy God. We've all fallen short of His glory-- His perfect righteousness. Many of us will go unnoticed for our acts of kindness and love. Many will be forgotten for their sacrifices.  But Jesus makes the way for us to live eternally with Him.  What an honor to anticipate-- such joy to imagine.

For more about Irena Sendler go here/link

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Tranquility and Peace

If not, then silence is the answer to your quandary.

Turn off your mind.

Stop fretting.  Stop searching for needless phrases.

Words can be futile.  Thoughts can be wasted.  Emotions can be exhausted.  And silence becomes the balm of Gilead for your soul.  Do not fear it.  Embrace the stillness.  Let the Holy Spirit make intercession for you; give Him free reign in your mind. He knows better than you what you need.  He has you covered.  He knows your heart, your mind, and is acquainted with every portion of your being-- your likes, your dislikes, your hopes and disappointments. He fills all the gaps because He is enough when words are empty and worthless.  Therefore...

"Be still and know that I Am God." Psalm 46:10

Visit A Shared Moment of Tranquilty. 

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When You Get Good News

it's so heartwarming.

Sometimes we fail to recognize good news.  We are so accepting of the mundane, the routine, the every-day situations which the whole world goes through that we simply don't notice.  We're busy.  We're hurting.  However....

my good-news moments come smack dab in the middle of bad news sometimes. 

For instance:

When my husband got a chip of some kind in his eye, it led us on a chaotic, painful journey to the emergency room (expensive), and to the eye-doctor the next day (not so expensive). After a rather miserable night with a scratched cornea, my husband got relief with steroid drops to his eyes this morning.  Finally, his swelling has subsided, his pain is gone, and the perpetual feeling of sand in his eye has dissipated.  THAT is good news.

I went to the doctor for my own appointment, after I got my husband taken care of at his emergency appointment... I wondered.  Will my tests be bad?  worse?  better?  Never have I had a doctor so encouraged by my test results. After months of personal chaos, painful muscles and lack of sleep, I really was expecting bad news.  Generally, stress and turmoil breeds bad cholesterol counts, high blood pressure and lousy numbers.  In my case, my auto-immune diet offset all the opposing factors to those numbers.  My cholesterol dropped over 50 points.  Bad went down and good went up.  Triglycerides dropped too.  Folks... this is good news for me.  Really good news.  I'm in a health battle extraordinaire at the moment.

Encouraging words.

We all need them.  Some come in this form I've illustrated--with health matters.  Often overlooked in the scheme of life.  Little blessings which make all the major difficulties a little less difficult--those are the ones we need to count.  We need to focus on that which is pure and good.  When we do, we see so many more good things than bad.  Our hearts are strengthened rather than crushed.

A few days I wrote a post in the midst of some overwhelming circumstances going on in my life.  Rarely do I get many comments on my posts.  It's fine.  I don't write for comments.  I write because God's called me to write. Sometimes I don't think He's all that happy with what pumps out on the screen from my fingertips.  But this time, a stranger took the time to comment on the post and tell me how encouraged she was from it.

FRIENDS... that blew my mind.  She lifted my spirit.  It's like God rubberstamped my thoughts about someone being out there somewhere who was just like me, and who might feel the same way and we'd cross paths and encourage one another.  SHE DID IT.  Mary from New Zealand.  It was an awesome God-thing moment for me.  Had no clue how she'd found my little blog.  But there she was.  A God-filled encourager.  See how God blesses us?

"A word spoken at the right time is like gold apples on a silver tray." Proverbs 25:11

I need to practice this more.  I need to be one who speaks a word at the right time that helps others.  Take today.

Today I wore this funky macrame beaded necklace that looked like a throw-back to the hippie era.  Compliment after compliment came my way on that necklace.  I put it on at the last minute to accent my jean skirt and vest that made me feel like I was a big fat walrus.  Yet, the necklace was noticed.  Perhaps no one really noticed my bulging body.  Perhaps my God knew I needed to hear that to make me feel better about myself today.  I don't know-- but I like to think He cares that much.  He loves me.  He loves me as I am.  I need to love me like that, too.  And then I need to love others likewise...no matter what I'm going through.  Why?

Because... most likely, they are going through something, too.  Just like me.  I need to remember that.  I'm not alone on this planet.  Others may need my compliment, too.  Others may need a bit of good news.  Don't you think?

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THE FIRST GREETING OF THE DAY

CAN SET THE STAGE FOR EVERY MOMENT TO FOLLOW.

The first greeting of your day can often set the atmosphere for the remaining 18 or so hours till you rest your head upon your pillow at night.

Wouldn't it be lovely to wake each morning to a room full of roses and pure delight?  to hear the sweet melody of your favorite song in the background?  rather than a blaring alarm clock?  to have someone deliver a bowl of sweet luscious strawberries and blueberries to begin your breakfast?  to have a back massage following your shower?  ah... sweet bliss.

Some people are not morning people. And what I described would not interest them in the least.  Others, like me, wake with fog-brain.  When I awake with fog-brain, it takes immense effort for me to part the mist of mush within my mind.  Coffee does not do that for me...anymore.  I drink decaf.  Glazed donuts do not do it either--sugar rushes are a thing of my past.  The thing that opens my eyes and starts my day like the first push of a domino in a line of multiple events, is a Word from God. And the quickest way to receive that Word is to wake with childlike wonder and say, "Good morning, LORD, what shall we do today?"

Peter Lord, in his book, Hearing God, writes that:

"The Lord does not force you into goodness or anything else, but He can and does work through every possible means to get your attention.  He calls.  He woos. He makes Himself known to you.  He knocks on the door and comes in with your permission when you open it."

Therefore, if we rise each morning with an attitude that immediately lifts the blinds of our minds, throws open the windows of our soul and praises God from Whom new mercies are found at the rising of each sun, the doorway to God's complete presence is there to greet us with assurance and confidence.

I find myself so much better off if I take a moment and dwell on God's goodness and mercy and thank Him for another day of life, another day to praise Him-- and then watch my day unfold as He would have it unfold for me. Praise is a catalyst.  It is the fuel in a heart which seeks God's presence.  And yes, I mean presence.  Not some faraway mystical out-of-body experience.  When we talk with our family or friends we do not need to be catapulted to the moon to connect with them.  However, when we take a moment to tell another how much they mean to us, it makes their day.  It opens the portal of communication.  If it didn't, we wouldn't be so affected by a smile, or conversely, a scowling frown and grumpy attitude.  It's the same with our relationship with God.

When I choose to begin my day with thoughts of me, me, me--and all my sorrows and pain and struggles of yesterday, or my upcoming challenges, I leave God out. Then the day begins with a succession of trials and obstacles--emptied of optimism.

I don't know about you, my friends.  But I need God.  I need His strength to meet my weakness.  I need His competence to meet my incompetence.  I need His joy to meet my sorrows.  He and He alone can fill the void of my day.  He is my only hope in the hopelessness that life offers at times.  And often God meets me with a specific reminder from His Word, "The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me..." Psalms 138:8; "Fear not, for I am with thee..." "...lean not to thine own understanding...".  Other times He gives me a friend who writes a word of encouragement--often meant for others in the facebook of social media--yet, there all the same for me, too.  Sometimes it is a song...that comes in a sweet melodious whisper to my soul.

Life is a beautiful opportunity to show the world that God is love and the instrument of renewal.  Nothing that occurs today is routine.  We can have routines.  But God fits new things, new people, new circumstances into our day-- every day.  We merely need to open our eyes and hearts to them and to Him.

"One of the surest ways to recognize God's voice is the effect the words produce in you.  The results of hearing God's voice center around increased faith and gratitude."~~Peter Lord, Hearing God

Are you grateful today?  Are you thrilled to be a part of God's plan and purpose?  Are you?  Or are you listening to the morning news, reading the latest catastrophe, and questioning His watchcare? Are you blocking out His voice and failing to see His goodness? Is your Gethsemane as difficult as His?  Are you waiting in the garden with Jesus?  Are you watching and praying? Won't you walk with Him today?

Before I Was Born

I was still on God's mind.  Even though my parents had never even given thought to my birth, my life. 

If we each could look at our lives and realize how much our Creator loved us to spend time with every molecule of our being, we would know that even though the world rejects us, people betray us, and life is not always kind, that God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son (Jesus), that whosoever believes in and relies upon Him for their salvation, turns from their wicked ways, and accepts the forgiveness that God liberally gives, then they will receive eternal life...and live with Him forever and ever and ever.

Before I ever loved God, He loved me.  and YOU.

Jesus came that we might have life and life more abundantly.  When we are born, we each have the gift of life.  But when we are told about Jesus and we accept that Jesus died for our sin, because He loved the Father and wanted to give us each the gift of grace and mercy and forgiveness and righteousness, then our lives are given new meaning... and we are filled with His Spirit.  We can never be separated from the love of God.  He walks with us, and guides us, and strengthens us, and provides for us, and teaches us, and we are never alone.

So much to be thankful for this season... this day... and every day the rest of our lives.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow.  Praise the everlasting King of kings.  Emmanuel-- God with us.  selahV

Pleasure At Your Fingertips

Sometimes the things which pleasure us most are the least noticed until they are removed from our lives.  Water, fresh air, electricity, comfortable temperatures, sunshine, rain.  When storms and turmoil rob us of these physical comforts, we tend to place higher value upon them than we do when we have them at our fingertips.  When it is routine to have them without question, we hardly notice.

This can be true of relationships, also.  Often we take for granted the smiles, the laughter, and the wit and wisdom of someone who is dear.  We let a joy they give us go unrewarded.  We fail to express gratitude, to reciprocate or acknowledge how much they mean to us.  When we lose the familiarity of their smell, their touch, their presence, we are overwhelmed with regret and sadness.  When I consider the people I've lost in my life:  my son, my dad, and friends, I mourn their passing. No longer can I pick up the phone and call my dad and hear his voice and get his advice.  No longer can I invite some friends over for tea and share troubles or celebrate achievement.  No longer can I feel the bear-hugs and see the brilliant smile of my son as he talks about his little girls.

Loss limits happiness and leaves us with lingering desire to make amends, to call back the moments, to retrieve that which we cannot retrieve.

All the more reason to appreciate the constant presence, the unfailing steadfastness, the fullness of joy I have in the Lord. 

"You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joys; At Your right hand are pleasures." Psalm 16:11

The path of life is filled with loss and gain.  In the presence of Christ we have the fullness of life--we have His joy ...His peace... His goodness  ...His mercy and grace.  In Christ we sit and rest at the right hand of perfect pleasures.  At His fingertips we experience enough... enough joy to strengthen, enough grace to meet each need. May we not take these for granted.  selahV

Too Soon To Consider

But when I saw this photo below, I just had to post it on my blog.  I just love cardinals.  I've loved them since I was a child.  I saw them on a regular basis in my home state of Virginia.  They are our state bird.  I suppose on a desolate winter day, when snow covers the earth, these delightful wisps of red are the perfect ornament to see perched in the grey world of hibernation.  Such is the case with this photo I saw on Pinterest today.  It may be too soon to contemplate a Winter's day; it's still hot and dry in Oklahoma. The parched ground begs for rain.  Yet, just this morning, on the way to church I saw a group of small cardinals being led by a lone feathered scarlet dad.  The tiny flock were startled into flight by a group of four young deer that crossed the road.  My heart fluttered with praise and appreciation at the glory of God's creatures. I could not help but consider the color they brought to an otherwise desolate thirsting world.  It may be too soon to consider a snow-covered earth, but it's never too soon to consider the blessings God brings to us in so many ways, every season of the year--no matter how dry or desolate our world may seem.

"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." Romans 8:18

Source: flickr.com via Susan on Pinterest

A Butterfly Greeting

Just as I bent to add purple hydrangeas and tiger lilies to my son's grave arrangement, a bird started singing in a nearby pine tree.  The entire time I added flowers to fill the spaces, the bird continued its serenade.  I kept looking into the trees and couldn't see what kind of bird it was; then all of a sudden it flew to a different perch and started singing again.  It looked like a mocking-bird, but I'd never heard a mocking-bird sing like that.  Nowhere in the Bible is it written that a person can issue forth birdsongs for a loved one on earth.  I know that.  But I couldn't help but wonder if God wasn't blessing me a little more than normal on this 7th anniversary of Chad's entrance to heaven.  I laughed at the thought, that Chad was elbowing Gabriel and saying, "See her? That's my momma, putting those flowers out."

I began taking pictures to post on Facebook for my granddaughters to see the new arrangement.  And just as I began snapping photos, a spotted butterfly came and landed on one of the yellow roses.  Again I laughed.  The Lord sent us a butterfly to remind us of the new life Chad has in Jesus now.

"but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life."  Romans 5:8-10

I took a few more pictures and noticed an array of yellow, striped, and small orange butterflies flitting from one yellow daisy to another in the cemetery and adjoining field.  The daisies reminded me of how much Chad loved to pick wildflowers alongside the road with his girls.  In fact, Abby (now 10), remembered that when she spotted some Texas Bluebonnets on the side of the highway just last month.  It was a good memory.  And that, my friends, is exactly what all those little acts of love created while Chad was here with us.  Sweet loving memories of his presence--memories to cherish today as we wait to join him some day.  One of Chad's favorite sayings was "Don't forget, take time to smell the flowers."

So, in honor of my son, I began picking daisies, and Indian Blankets for an arrangement at home.

Life is a beautiful thing...and memories are blankets of God's mercy in times like this.

I love you, my son...

Momma

 

GOD'S "ELECTING LOVE" REQUIRES A FEW THINGS...

Are you elected to receive God's love? Are you among those chosen by God to live eternally in His presence? Have you met the requirements?  God has some set up, you know?  When a candidate is elected to office, he has to meet certain requirements in order to be "elected"--a certain age, a residency, be on ballot within a specified time period, etc.  If he doesn't meet those requirements, then the election process (no matter how popular, how kind, how generous, how noble, how honest, a person he is), is null and void.  Even if the man receives the majority of votes in the election process, he still must meet the requirements or he cannot be elected to serve.  God's desire in His election for the kingdom of God, is that no man be a loser in the process.  So what are the requirements of God's elected ones?

But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:8-13

"EVERYONE."

Everyone?

Everyone who confesses with his mouth and believes in his heart.

"Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ."  That's right.

"...if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."

Each and every person who hears the word of the Lord, and professes the Lord, and believes with their heart, then they are saved.  God makes no distinction...each person receives the benefits of His glory and is given the privilege to serve the risen Lord and coming King.  We receive the presence of His Holy Spirit in our lives to guide us, teach us, edify us, bless us, give us specific gifts, comfort us, and pour out faith, hope, mercy, love, forgiveness, self-control, meekness, kindness, gentleness, and peace. 

"All of these spiritual blessings are ours because of the electing love of the Father, the redeeming work of the Son, and the sealing of the Holy Spirit.  These spiritual blessings encompass everything that Christ Jesus has purchased for us."  Mike Leake SBC Voices

Who receives the spiritual blessings of God's love?  Who becomes the benefactor of the redeeming work of the Son of God?  Who inherits the wealth of the kingdom purchased by Christ's sacrificial death upon a cruel cross?  Who is sealed by the Holy Spirit and guaranteed the spiritual blessings in Christ the Lord?  Who gets to spend an eternity in heaven with the Lord?

Everyone who meets the requirements of God's election, that's who.

Do you meet those requirements?  If not, will you confess with your mouth today that Jesus Christ is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead?  Be elected today; let the Holy Spirit validate your election and seal you today forever. selahV

A Stranger In My House

It sounds like some stranger is living inside me when I talk.  Who is that person?  She could sing bass for the Oak Ridge Boys.  

Will the real me ever return?  That is debatable.  Each morning my husband says good morning, and the woman who replies to him sounds more like Suzanne Pleshette than me.  Actually, I kinda like my lower voice-- if it wasn't quite so manly.  Would love to keep that raspy Suzanne Pleshette effect if it didn't come with so many other annoyances.  When I cough, it feels like someone is pulling my brains out through my left temple.  I guess that's one way to get my attention.

Perhaps it is a good thing to have a stranger in our houses at time.  It causes us to slow down and give more attention to details we rarely notice.  Sometimes we take for granted the everyday blessing of health.  We forget how blessed we are to think clearly, to speak without effort, to laugh without setting off a jack-hammer coughing fit.  Intrusions give us a deeper appreciation of normal.  Of routine.  Of balance.

I don't know about you, but sometimes I tend to forget how blessed I am when life rolls along with ease.  I get complacent.  I can become apathetic to what is really important...what really matters.  Perhaps it is good for God to allow Babylon to capture our well-being and self-reliance.  Perhaps we need a reminder to thank God in all things.  Paul reminds us to be thankful "in", not for, all our circumstances.

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV

While Paul was encouraging us to be grateful to God in the difficult times, through our trials, I think we'd do well to remember His watchcare during the calm moments of life, rather than feel so entitled to be blessed.  The will of God in Christ Jesus for us is to give thanks and remember to Whom we owe due appreciation.  It's not our economy.  Our bank accounts.  Our pension plans.  Our doctors, or health insurance policies.  It's not our government --or a declaration-- that guarantees our right to pursue happiness, life and liberty.

It is the Most High God to whom we owe our gratitude--the Supplier, the Protector, the Shield, the Giver of and Anchor to Eternal life.  The Great Physician who heals all wounds, wipes all tears, and soothes all sorrows. 

I guess sometimes it takes a stranger in the house to show us how blessed we are with familiarity and common things--to point us to the "perfect will" we all, at times, fail to notice.  selahV

[THOUGHT TO PONDER: Today, no matter how pressed you are by life's circumstances, someone, somewhere else, is crushed, and facing far greater trials.  Sometimes we think the world is picking on us alone.  But life does not discriminate upon whose space it brings forces to move the earth beneath our feet, or the air around us.  Pray for those in life who feel like you do today--be it good or not so good. Then give thanks that God is with you in the midst of yours.]

NEAT SLEEP

It amazes me how easily a child falls asleep.  They run, they play, they eat, they sleep.  It's that simple.

Yet, me?  Well, I couldn't sleep again last night--three nights in a row.  At about 3 a.m. I wondered if morning would arrive before I even felt sleepy.  I wasn't worried about anything.  I wasn't upset.  I wasn't anxious.  Just couldn't get sleepy.

So I started talking to God about how wonderful He is.  I thanked Him for His awesome, hallowed name.  I praised Him for His goodness and glory.  I thanked Him for His protection and provision.  I didn't ask Him for anything.  In fact, I didn't even ask for sleep.  I just talked to Him about how great and powerful He is.  The next thing I knew...

it was morning.  Isn't that neat?  selahV

WHEN FIRES RAGE

It saddens me.  Even though fires are what give my grandson his vocation, and the possibility of fires demand more firemen be trained and employed, it still breaks my heart to see the destruction a raging fire causes.

I've shared photos with you two days ago of a place here in Southeast Oklahoma that takes my breath away each time I see it.  It's so serene...so pure and clean.  The photo on the left is one I plan to make into a greeting card.  However...

...yesterday afternoon a fire which had burned over 4,000 acres near Medicine Park, jumped a road and headed straight for this little community.  The photo of the tarantula (right) I took that was crossing the road with a couple of partners just outside of my lens. Over and over I heard of more engines and water being needed on the scanner-radio.  I also heard of trailers burned to the ground.  The entire community of businesses and homes were evacuated.  With 35-mph winds prevailing, and drought in our area, it will be a miracle if the fireman from over 20 stations are able to hold the fire at bay.

My grandsons, Ryan and Jordy, were two of the many firefighters battling the blaze.  I've prayed for them alot through the night.  My daughter has prayed....and listened anxiously to the online scanner.  It's not easy to fight fires anytime, let alone in temperatures topping 104.  Even the evening held temps of 96.  Tomorrow there's no relief in sight, either.  Firefighters will deal with heat exhaustion.  Many of these men are volunteers.  They don't get paid to protect our lands and homes from fire.  They do it because they care.  They care about their community, and their neighboring communities.

It's rather surreal.

One week a place is at peace and blossoming with the serenity of heaven on earth.  The next week it is a charred and ruined land...tarantulas gone, the roadrunner I saw chasing something (most likely a snake), into the brush, is probably gone, too.  Houses, trailers, homes...gone...structure fires is what they are called.  Homes are what residents call them.  I do feel sad.  My husband preached in a little church in Medicine Park when we first came to Oklahoma.  They are sweet, dear people.  I know some are now homeless.  Just as they were homeless years ago, when a tornado ripped through the town.  Some residents packed up and moved on.  Others stayed and rebuilt--much like these Okies will do when the fire has taken all it can take. 

All across America, people are homeless.  Floods throughout the heartland.  Tornadoes dotting the nation.  And soon it will be hurricane season.  I've watched as families cried at the loss of their loved ones...of property...and livelihoods.  It makes me see how blessed I am to have what I have.  I am so grateful for my grandsons who brave the elements and fire which threaten to destroy the peace of my neighbors.  I am so grateful for the volunteers who fight tirelessly all night then go to their jobs each day.

How much we take for granted in life.

I listened to the dispatch report a domestic disturbance.  A husband and wife arguing.  I wonder if the officers will be okay as they approach these two discontented people and enter their dysfunctional lives.  I pray so.  I pray they'll all be fine.  I pray for the families around our country who are hurting and unemployed.  I know their pain, their fear, their anxious thoughts.  It is not fun.  May God grant to all the peace that passes all understanding as they stand the trials upon their faith.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7. 

To get a BETTER idea of how gorgeous this place is, take a virtual tour of  Medicine Park, Oklahoma (/link)..  It's beautiful...or it was.  Today's light will bring a clearer picture.  May God be with them all, and may we be there for them before the embers cool.  selahV

THIS photo was the bridgeview as my friend, Karen, and I left Medicine Park a couple of weeks ago.  I hope I can still cross this wooden bridge next week and see some green still growing.

[To VIEW an ENLARGEMENT, just click on the photos] 

BLOGGER'S REFRESHMENT

All Things Heart and Home

An open jar.

Empty.  Shine it up...clean away the sediments and dust.

A few hydrangeas.  Blue and taupe.

Drying.  Three.  Dying.  What pleasure in the air.

Fill me up, Lord.  Fill me with Your love and goodness.  Fill me with Your fruit of gentleness, kindness, peace and hope.

A zinc lid.  Placed upon the jar.

Lock Yourself inside me, Lord.  Close the jar and use me for Your purpose and Your plan.

Ah...I needed this just now.  The quiet.  The waiting is not hard at all.  I have been still, and now I know.

I know that You are God.  selahV 

BLINDED TO BLOSSOMS

I noticed the lone surviving lavendar plant from the twelve I had planted (5 years ago). It had wild morning glories twisting its way amongst its purple stems--what a stranglehold it had.  I'd seen the daisies clustered behind my pecan trees, but their presence did not bring the usual excitement typical for me.  From my kitchen window, I barely gave a glance to the array of giant Foxgloves growing by the fence.  A smile...a nod of praise to the Lord for their perennial presence in my life.  Scripture came to mind..."Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." Luke 12:27

Yeah, Lord; I know.  But lilies don't have chronic back pain, I reasoned.  And lilies don't outgrow their attire.  And lilies don't get bronchitis.  And lilies don't have company coming and have a tub to scour and tables to dust. 

Recent weeks of pain had robbed me of enthusiasm.  Oklahoma's sweltering heat discouraged a walk outside.  A messy neglected house simply did not deserve a bouquet to grace the dining-room table cluttered with bills, books and my grandchildren's art renderings. Thoughts of company coming this weekend and the need to clean my home gave little room for musing about the backyard.  All I saw was the need to mow the lawn, the desire to secure my hammock before my friend arrived on Saturday.  Then...

...then my granddaughters came to visit.  They skittered to the patio doors and spotted the giant multi-colored foxgloves.  Maroon, magenta, peach, and pink.  They saw the purple Rose of Sharon.  The "oohs and aahs" punctuated the air with awe and wonder.

"Grama, did you know you had flowers out there?" Haylee informed me. "Can we pick some?"  Within moments she and Kinsey emptied a basket of its wooden blocks and found their scissors and headed out the door.  Normally, I would grab my camera and follow them.  Yesterday I simply slid the door closed to keep out the flies and bees and headed back to my recliner, grabbed a tissue and waited out my three-minute coughing spasm.  My head hurt.  My chest hurt.  My stuffy nose leaked out of my eyes as tears covered my cheeks.

I sat there thinking how little I cared about flowers.  But how wonderfully warm and soothing it felt to have my granddaughters visiting.  Their mom had kept them at bay for days because I'd been feeling so lousy.  And now, their enthusiasm and joy touched a need inside me I had not realized was there.  I knew the girls would soon bounce through the doors with their basket of glory, so I got up and went to the kitchen and filled a clear bowl with water.  I went back to my recliner, blew my nose and waited.

Before the afternoon was over we'd had a teaparty, sat cuddled together watching Popeye and Ben Ten, drank hot chocolate and talked about Vacation Bible School coming up next week.  Haylee was particularly excited.

"I can hardly wait.  We are going exploring.  It won't be like when we went to Australia and saw the animals, or the other year when we, uh...I can't remember now, but we are going to some place new."

"I think you are going to New York this year," I informed.

"WHAT!  Wow, that will be fun!  That's where the big buildings are, and...", and on and on she exolled all she knew about New York City.  "But we don't really go there," she reminded me, "we just explore it in pretend."

I thought about that precious moment.  The wonder of a child.  The expectations. Life.  Joy oozed out of every pore.  Kinsey was caught up in the excitement even though she had no idea why.  Joyous memories of past VBS explorations thrilled Haylee and provoked undiluted positive anticipation.  Oklahoma's heat didn't matter.  Insects didn't matter.  And I'm certain if she had a Summer cold, it would not matter.  Life was a bouquet of grandeur and a rainbow of promise.

Oh, to be young again.  Oh, to let my spirit ride the wings of butterflies and bumble bees.

Later, when the chatter, the joy and the busyness of two little girls surrendered to the stillness of the house, I could not help but stop and try to smell the blossoms in the middle of my dining room table. I'd been all but blinded to the array of maroon, magenta, purple and pink blossoms before my granddaughters came to visit.

"From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger." Psalm 8:2

What a blessing to have the lips of children.  The hope in their hearts.  God knew this day would come when Satan tried to rob me of health, to blind me to the blessings of His glory.  God knew that when each seed from every flower in my backyard died last fall and burst forth in new life this Spring that the girls would come and marvel at their splendor.  God knew they'd offer praise because of the enemies in my life--weariness, illness, and depression.  He knew.  And so He prepared for this day for me to see the blossoms of His love.

How about you?  Do you see Him today?  I hope so.

PRAYER:  Lord, give those who are weary.  Those who are blinded by the sin of life.  Those who cannot lift their eyes.  Give them a child to come and show them the way...to offer praise for Your goodness...to remind them of Your watchcare and to silence the foe and avenger in their lives.

BLESSED? Through this?

"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him." James 1:12

Blessed?  because I persevere under trial?  Abandonment.  Abuse.  Criticism.  Hatred.   Threats.  Poverty.  Discord.  Because... once I have "stood the test", I will receive "the crown of life"?

For some, that seems so far away.  That "crown of life".  That intangible promise of future reward.  What about life now?

It's not easy to endure discomfort.  Pain.  Heartache.  Grief.  Betrayal.  Broken relationships.  Yet, somehow we do it.  We get through the most unbelieveable difficulties.  I know.  I've lived through many and I am still here.  I've been strengthened by those I have endured.  God has given me wisdom and insight through them.  I do not envy those with greater patience, strength and seemingly unfailing faith.  I know to receive those things one must go through the trials of fire to attain them on this earth.  They must persevere.

It seems to me that the more I persevere, the more that comes my way.  And sometimes I'm too weak to persevere.  I find endurance nigh unto impossible.  So how?  How do I survive the cords of darkness that seek to strangle the hope in every utterance of praise?

I do not know.  It's a mystery to me.  But God gives me His strength when I am weakest, and His wisdom when I am witless, and His peace when my emotions take me to the edge of a cliff.  Before the abyss of pain swallows me, HE comes.  Before the ravaging waves of emotion engulf me, HE comes.  Before the threats of uncertainty drive me insane, HE comes.

HE stills my soul.

HE quiets my mind.

HE adds extra power.

HE gives the exact thing I need at the exact moment I cannot breathe another breath, or walk another step, or cry another tear, or utter a word of prayer.

HE brings the person to encourage.

HE highlights His Word and breathes life into my weariness.

I pray HE comes to you now.  This very moment.  May you know HE is able...that "faithful is HE who has called you, who will also do it."  selahV

[WHEN YOU ARE TROUBLED BY DOUBT AND UNCERTAINTY/link]

Mother's Day In Review

For many, yesterday was a day of remembering Moms.  In fact, on Facebook (the world-wide social network site), I saw precious tributes.  One gal even asked everyone to change their profile picture and replace it with one of their mothers til Monday.  I thought that was sweet.  I didn't do that.  I have no idea where any pictures are of my mothers.

My biological mom is barely a memory...she abandoned us when I was just three, the three or four times I saw her afterwards leave fanciful feathers fluttering in my mind.

Step-mother #1 stirs memories of sadness as a whole--although, one cannot toss aside the years in which she washed my clothes and cooked meals.  I have to give her credit where credit is due.  Most of what she was in my life was not her fault.  Albeit hard to suffer the anguish of abuse, mentally ill people need our forgiveness, especially when they let you pull taffy on a cold winter night.

Step#2 didn't really consider me much more than my father's daughter. She and her children got some of the better parts of my dad's time, money and affection.  Enough said.

Step#3 was a gem.  I do call her blessed for giving my father the best 4 years of his heartbreaking 82 years of life.  When I watch others share how much they miss their mothers, the heartbreak they have without them, I often think I may be more blessed for never having known the joy of moms. In a sense I have been spared that kind of pain.  Admittedly, it makes it harder to empathize with another's burden...that makes it easier for me to understand how folks feel who cannot fathom my loss of a son...two babies.

Given the post I shared on Mother's Day, and due to the prayers so many offered on my behalf, I thought I'd take a few moments to tell you how things went for me yesterday (and also share some family photos).  Before I do that I want to acknowledge the gorgeous flowers you see pictured above.  My son's dear childhood friend (and a former youth I taught in the first pastorate we were blessed to serve), sent them to me.  She's been rather faithful to me as a friend and sister-in-Christ since Chad's death.

[Karen Pollock contributes to Devotional Christian now and she wrote one of the sweetest tributes to my son (HERE).  But make sure you subscribe to Devotional Christian while you're there so you don't miss any of her moving devotionals.]

So...the flowers come in the middle of the night, at about 8:15 on Saturday night.  Such a gift I stumble to explain.  You see, Karen doesn't know this, but one of the hardest times I have through the Mother's Day extravaganza is May 7th...the night before Mother's Day.  That was the night six years ago I last spoke to my son--last heard his voice.  As usual, he had a story to tell, and part of it was his joy in going to see the Texas Rangers play ball in Dallas.  That evening at around 10:15 was the last time I heard his sweet words, of good-bye and "I love you, momma."  So often at that hour of each Saturday before Mother's Day, my heart fills with a bitter-sweetness of gratitude and regret.  Gratitude that God gave me that last "I-love-you, Momma" --- Regret that we hung up before I said I love you too, my precious son.  It's hard to forgive myself for that lapse in motherhood.

So, Karen...you are, my friend, another portion of Chad's never-ending story of a life. The love he shared with you nearly 30 years ago in friendship, blossomed into a basket of roses and daisies for me on a day only Chad, and I, and God would know is a day I find especially difficult.  Your flowers blessed me more than you'll ever know.  It was like a gift from heaven above.  I can almost hear my son say, "forgetta bout it, Momma; just stop and smell the roses today."

Secondly, my friends and new readers, that is just one facet of what I call God's divine interventions in life...a comforting Balm through a love cultivated years ago in a little country Kentucky church.  Corrie ten Boom was right when she wrote, "Every experience God gives you, every person He puts in your life, is the perfect preparation for the future, that only He can see." 

Thirdly, My daughter did what she does naturally for her--she loves through acts of service.  She prepared a brisket dinner for me and her own family.  Every single Sunday (for the most part) she makes Sunday dinner.  I couldn't help but think of how much I appreciate her gift of love.  A menial task, some might say.  But special because I have her in my life to share my heart, to embattle, to love, to plan stuff, to undergird and etcetera, etcetera.  Some folks wonder why I don't write much about my daughter.  I realize that it a curious thing considering the attention I give to the relationship I had with my son.  I'm simply following orders.  You see, as precious as my daughter is, and as much as I would love to give you all the nitty-gritty details of her life and her older children, Holly is a private kind of gal.  She makes me keep my thoughts closer to my chest, my fingers holstered, and for the most part, pictures stored in scrapbooks. 

To say she doesn't like to call attention to herself rather belies the kook she is at ladies' retreats. But she doesn't like to announce to the world all the things she does as she serves the Lord.  She doesn't tweet, friend, or blog.  This world is rather foreign to her.  It's doubtful she even reads a single thing I write--go figure.  But she owns a humongous portion of my heart, always has, always will.  I'd die for her.  She could have both kidneys and my liver.  I know she loves me...and while she's never stood up in the city gates and called me blessed, I know.  I know she cares.  I know because no matter how heated we may get over trivialities of life, she and I are on the phone talking and sharing by 10:00 a.m. the next day.  It's just the way we are.  It's not how we've always been.  And most of that is my fault.  I have learned a lot about motherhood from my daughter.  I think most mommas do.

Lastly...yesterday...Mother's Day was one of the most peacefilled, comforting, blissful, and God-infused days I've had in a long long time.  Here is just a sampling of things that held my attention.  Most of it is pictures.  I hope you have as much fun looking at them as I had cropping and adding captions today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Click to enlarge me

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  
So among others, these were some of the sweet memories the Lord brought my way because of you, my friends who prayed for me.

Life is not always a happy time.  It's not always perfect.  It has moments, though -- snapshots in the course of living which we need to be vigilant not to miss.  Moments flash before our eyes, and can be blurred before our cameras grab the perfect shot.  Often in our desire to have the perfect day, we waste time trying to catch the perfect smile, the perfect pose.  Then we miss the seconds of love and lose a memory we could capture and lock inside our hearts forever.  Enjoy today.  Enjoy tomorrow.  Be like my son...stop and smell the roses.  Smell them today.  selahV   

On A Scale Of 1 to 10, The PAIN Is...

...at least 15.  I can't imagine what number I'd assign my pain without the aid of hydrocodone and aspirin.  If it's this bad with the medication, it's a good chance I would not be writing to you.  As it is, I am keeping my eyes closed as I type and check for typos now and then.  How'd it happen? It's freaky.

At a few minutes before noon, I simply reached across the dining-room table for a piece of paper. Pain ripped through my lower back. I couldn't breathe.  Bright light flashed in front of my eyes then darkness seemed to blind my mind.  Nausea grabbed me by the throat; I almost passed out. I stood perfectly still.  Didn't move a muscle.  I held my breath and waited for the searing, wrenching pain to ease.  It didn't.

At present, I need hubby's assistance to walk; he's my crutch. 

I take tiny steps.  Actually it's more like a shuffle. It's excruciating just to get up and stand still.  Suffice it to say, we canceled plans to go junking in Duncan.  All afternoon, I laid back in my recliner trying not to move anything but my fingers.  The simple intake of breath causes pressure pain to hit my back.

This evening I'm praying I don't sneeze--still a bit queazy.  Don't want to wiggle my toes, scratch my leg, or flex a muscle. Most any movement causes greater pain. 

Still, I am compelled to praise the Lord as I consider how good I have it--how much better off I am than all those poor tornado victims in Alabama and Mississippi. I think about the folks in Japan and am grateful.  So grateful.  Though my pain is worse than any I've felt in a long time, it's still less than what others suffer each day.  It's far less than my brother-in-law is enduring with his mouth and throat cancer.  He's on morphine.  I think of the heartache and misery our military face because of lost arms, eyes, legs and more in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Blessed, I am.  Blessed I'll be.  Ever mindful ot the sufficient grace of God that meets the weakness of my temporary trial.  Yes, temporary.  Should the good and merciful LORD decide to leave me in this state for years, it is still but a single intake of breath in comparison to the eternal bliss and comfort I shall have in heaven one day.  So,

"This suffering is all part of the work God has given you. Christ, who suffered for you, is your example. Follow in his steps." (1 Peter 2:21)

Odd, when I consider "suffering is all part of the work God has given" me.  I never really thought about suffering as work.  Yet, here it is.  And all I need do to follow Jesus is endure it.  It's easy to recall the suffering of Jesus so close to Easter--so much emphasis has been on His crucifixtion and resurrection.  Not once did Jesus complain in His suffering.  No pity parties.  No grumbling.  Not even an irritable spirit.  Yes, now....now, I can discern how suffering is part of the work that God gives.

"And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."Along with Paul, I stake my hope on resurrection, a time when Christ will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." Philippians 3:21

Suffering is not about me.  It's about glorifying God--working through it, submitting to it as Christ Jesus did during His scourging, mockery, and tortuous death.

Need I even pray about my pain?  The suffering?  In light of "Your Father knows what you need before you ask."?  Matthew 6:8

Of course I pray.  I pray that I do not enter into the temptation to grumble, complain and whine.  I praise God for the opportunity to do the work He has given me to do.  Though I cannot stand and cook dinner, fold laundry, or even bend to brush my teeth, I can accept the "work God" gives me. I think the whole purpose for this suffering is so I'd search for scriptures to convey to you, my friends, that God is supplying.  So, this is fine...this is good. I am a woose for the most part, but I can do this.  Yes, I can.

"I can do everything through Him Who gives me strength!"  Philippians 4:13

I know I'm not alone.  I know my Redeemer did more than save my soul.  He left me with the Holy Spirit.  He gifted me with His strength and He assures me with:

"My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 2:9)

What a mighty, prepared, think-ahead God we have!  What a peace is mine!  Amazing, don't you think?  selahV 

MONDAY MOURNING MOANS

It's official.  Today is Monday and it is one of the least loved days on the weekly calendar.  For most folks it is the first day of a work week.  For others, it's just another day and is sometimes their "saturday".   Antique shops are notorious for taking Mondays off.  I don't really have any complaints about Monday to speak of.  I have a deadline for my newspaper column on Mondays, so that makes it a rather significant day to remember.  Other than that, I try to take it easy on Mondays and spend a lot of time writing for the week.  For me, it's easy to sense the presence of God and hear Him speak when I read His word on Mondays.  I attribute that to the time I spend focusing on Him in Sunday School, Worship and such.  So Mondays are kinda sweet for me...a day of reflection...a day of planning the week ahead.

Never fails when I go to Facebook, the moans and groans are almost audible.

My blogposts get the most readers on Mondays, too.  So I suppose there is a lot of folks leaning back in their recliners, sipping coffee, sweet tea or energy drinks.  I have it on pretty good authority, if there is any leftover cornbread from Sunday dinner, that a dear friend of mine might even be spooning the soggy stuff out of a glass of buttermilk while he reads Monday-morning bloggers rant, rave, moan, groan, grumble and complain about everything from theology to rain on their parades.

It's odd when you think about it.  We have been given only so many days appointed on earth to breathe, to love, to enjoy, to pursue happiness, yet so often we are found begrudging the existence of the hour at hand.  Wouldn't you think after a Sabbath day of rest, we'd appreciate another day of living with the blessings of God? 

I remember one of the sweetest prayers my elderly daddy ever prayed on a Monday morning.  It was at breakfast as his feet dangled over the edge of his nursing-home bed.  His hair was rumpled, his tee-shirt stained from midnight snacking, and he bowed his head.  In between oxygen-fueled breaths, he says, "Thank you, O Lord for another day of living.  Thank you for Your protection last night.  I especially thank you for this food before me, and pray You use it to nourish my body.  Watch over Shirley and my family and give Hariette a safe trip home.  In Your precious son's name, I pray.  Amen."

Then with his feeble, shaking, Parkinson's-afflicted hand, daddy would lift up the rubbermaid lid to find his usual runny tasteless, scrambled eggs, dried out cold toast, and bowl of grits.  No salt allowed.  No sugar.  No fat.  I'd look at that tray and watch my father's labored breathing, and wonder how in the world he could be so thankful for another day of living.  Yet, he was.  Today, he is fully whole and feasting on the bounty of the Lord.  What a neat thought the LORD just put in my head.  It's enough to make me want to count my blessings for awhile.  How about you?  selahV

We Are Talking FOREVER, Gang, FOREVER

People are turning away from faith, from God, from all they've known and believed true.  They mock; they scorn; they ridicule.

But the LORD endures forever.

The government in Illinois passed a law that prohibits kids from bringing a homemade lunch to school.  Prayer is forbidden.  Children are taught other religions are sacred and to be respected, but Christianity is taboo.

But the LORD endures forever.

Japan's nuclear plant is melting down and will destroy life as Japan once knew.  But the LORD endures forever.

America's politicians are so puffed up with power and self-deception that our blessed country is on the brink of economic collapse.  But the LORD endures forever.

All sin is now categorized in some disease form or another, and people are excused from their sinful immoral actions and choices.  But the LORD endures forever.

Christian churches are being burned in places all around the world.  Christians are literally losing their lives for the sake of the Gospel.  But the LORD endures forever.

Wars upon wars are being waged in the Middle East.  The world is unfaithful.  The governments are unfaithful.  Little is trustworthy.  But the LORD endures forever. 

 ¹ Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
    His faithful love endures forever.

² Let Israel say,
    "His faithful love endures forever."

³ Let the house of Aaron say,
    "His faithful love endures forever."

⁴ Let those who fear the LORD say,
    "His faithful love endures forever."  Psalm 118:1-4

Forever, my friends.  His faithful love endures forever.  Heaven and earth shall pass away, but the LORD and His faithful love endures forever.

Forever is a long, long time.  People carelessly say they stood in line "forever" at the check out.  They've been waiting "forever" for their tax refunds.  They sat "forever" without being served.  But friends...as long as we've lived, we've only lived a second in the eternity of forever.  I was allowed to have my precious son on earth for 33 years before his appointed time on earth came due.  But that 33 years was but a blink of an eye in comparison to the eternity I get to spend with him and Jesus because "His faithful love endures forever."

Give thanks to the Lord while you have breath.  Give glory to Him Who gives you faithful enduring love--forever.  Say it, my friends, say it.  "His faithful love endures forever."  selahV

AS THE NEW YEAR LOOMS

My broken toe is healing, though shoes are still impossible to wear.  My car is totaled and I still don't know how much Allstate insurance is going to give me for their fella hitting me the first part of December.  Despite those two minor aggravations, I reflect upon yesteryear and realize the blessings God has given.

No one was seriously hurt in the accident.  My two little granddaughters hardly knew the car was hit.  Amazing, considering that it is totaled, huh?

My husband's health is stable and he's feeling well.  Though he tires a bit more easily, he's learned to pace himself.  For a workaholic, that is quite an achievement.

My back problem has not improved, but I've managed to figure out ways to do things with minimal stress on my spine.  A stool in the kitchen helps ease the cooking tasks.  If I take my time and do not get impatient with my limitations, I am able to dust, tidy-up the house and feel more useful as a wife.  My grandchildren are very considerate when I can't do what I use to do...they make allowances for my inabilities and revel in my abilities to laugh, do crafts, take them to the movies, and cuddle them as we read books and watch cartoons.

Even though my brother undergoes radiation treatments for his lung cancer, our relationship is revitalized and deepening.  And, now that he has a computer, I'm sure it will be a lot of fun.

I discovered I love teaching my granddaughter, Haylee, reading and math lessons.  I look forward to undergirding my daughter as she homeschools her and Kinsey.  My daughter is going to give me crafts to do that contribute to their studies.  I love being a grandmother.

I'm excited about learning new skills with painting and hope to help teach my grandchildren techniques that give them greater perspective into the world around them.  Since beginning painting classes I seem to see things in glorious scenes of color, height, and depth. 

I've concluded that life can be much nicer with less instead of more.  I look forward to putting that into practice in big ways this year as we downsize our living situation.  (I'm sure you'll hear of the wisdom and folly of that experience in days to come.)  Should be fun.

I am resolved to do a lot more Bible study, devote myself to more intercessory prayer, write more devotionals, and complete the book I started.  In between grandchildren, study, prayer, and writing, I look forward to deepening relationships with people I know and finding new friends throughout the year.

What about you?  Any reflections or resolutions?  selahV

PRAYING FOR A MIRACLE

Some of you know I volunteered to help teach an Iraqi lady conversational English.  Linda came here with her husband and their 4 year-old little boy.   Her husband was an interpreter with our soldiers while they served in Iraq, and is here on a 10-year green-card.  He hopes to become an American citizen.  Unfortunately, because of some very tangled circumstances, Linda was unable to bring her two little girls with her.  Her girls are 6 and 7 years-old.  Linda misses them so much.  It tears my heart out for her.

Each week she and I work on learning how to talk English, and Linda is doing really, really well.  She can read very well and pronounces words clearly.  She's so excited to be learning our language and she goes to our Friendship Internationals ministry on Tuesday at a local church to further her ability to speak our language.  Today after Linda and I had read some of her lesson book, I asked her if she had any pictures of her family in Iraq.  She did and she showed me photos of her two little girls.  As we both wept for the pain she feels because of the separation from her girls, I told her I would pray for God to open the doors and bring them to her in America, soon.

Linda really loves it when I bring my granddaughters to visit with Abodda.  He gets to play with them, and she loves to watch them play.  Below is a photo of them playing with playdoh that I brought to Abodda. [continued after photo]

 

Please pray for this miracle with me.  It will literally take a miracle for this to happen.  I cannot imagine what she must feel being in a strange country and not being able to see her little girls.  Her mother and father are their care-takers in Iraq and by their laws, they are the guardians--almost as if Linda was not the mother.  It will take a miracle to change that situation, too.  Please pray God moves in a way to release the girls from this guardianship so that they can come here.

I sense the Lord doing something extraordinary in Linda's life.  My heart goes out to her in this time of separation.  Pray for me as I try and minister to her...I know God has placed her in my life for far more than lessons in English.  selahV    

GRACE UPON GRACE

Jesus was full of grace and truth.  "Full".  And He came to give it to us in all its fullness.  We do not deserve it, but He loves us and wants us to know Him through His grace.  It is absolutely glorious to contemplate--to ponder this truth.   

^"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' " From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known." John 1:14-18

"The Word..."

God Himself, the incarnate, only begotten Son of God..."became flesh and made his dwelling among us."  Here on earth, Jesus came and dwelled.  He left the comfort, joy, majesty and glory of heaven and became a mortal so we could have everything in Him.  He showed us exactly Who the Father is: sacrificial, loving, compassionate, righteous, holy, miraculous, gracious, forgiving.

"From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another." John 1:16

"From the fullness..."

We have "all" received.  Each of us has been given "one blessing after another".  Think about it.  Our lives are full of difficulty, challenges, obstacles, trials.  We can probably list every negative thing in our life--one right after another with no hesitation.  But do we really see the blessings we have through the grace and truth of Christ?  Can we list them as readily?  Someone asks us to give a word of praise, and crickets can be heard all over the room.

Salvation--reconciliation, fellowship, justification, sanctification, righteousness, and some day--glorification.  They're such big words.  Yet, forgiveness, faith, power, wisdom, discernment, goodness--we can relate to these words.  Hope, love, joy, peace, patience, humility, kindness.  Provision, protection, watch-care, guidance, compassion.  Blessings--"one after another".  It's mind-boggling.  All these blessings are wrapped up in the Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ who is full of grace and truth.  Do you ever take His blessings for granted?  What blessings can you claim for yourself today?

I have one I shall write about on Tuesday.  It is, perhaps, one of the most overlooked blessings we have.  Want to guess?  selahV

WHEW! THREE WHOLE HOURS!

Somehow, the Lord allowed me to sit here at this crazy computer for 3 hours today.  I've written and posted a new devotional for Devotional Christian (won't be posted till approved by the editor,though).  Tony Kummer must be ready to give me the old heave-ho.  Can't blame him. I've been soooo remiss in writing for his site.

I've sent my Thursday column off to the editor of County Times.  By the grace of God I've managed to give Stacy something each week to share with her readers.  Now here I sit writing to you.  My neck and back have about reached the end of their staying power, but I wanted to say a little something to you:

Life is good.  God is so very wonderful.  He is blessing me far beyond measure.  He's teaching me so many little lessons of His steadfast love.  He's giving me so much peace amid the wackiness of life.  He's opening doors to my life that I never dreamed possible.  He's testing me to the outer limits.  It's exhilerating.  It's mind-blowing.  It's fabulous!  I feel more alive with my miserable degenerative disc disease and other maladies than I ever felt with perfect health.  Ever feel that way?  Ever feel so grateful to be alive that you actually praise God that you feel pain?  Unbelieveable!  His grace is so sufficient.  So very, very sufficient.

Well, that's it.  Time to go rest my back and have another cup of java. No sugar. No cream. Just java.

May the grace, favor and blessing of the Lord Jesus Christ--the Messiah, the Redeemer and only Saviour of this world, surround you and fill you up and carry you through this day!  Amen?  selahV

Oklahoma Acres of Gold

Now is the time of year that Oklahoma springs to life with an abundance of color.  So much of Native American pottery must have been inspired by the glory of fields God graced upon this land.  Through open plains of red earth and wheat-planted fields there rises a splendor of golden daisy-like flowers, and an orange "parasitical" beauty.

Amazing what one man designates a "parasite", a child sees as beautiful bouquets to grace Mommy's kitchen window sills. These brilliant orange flowers set the fields ablaze each Spring. What glory! What beauty and splendor our Creator bestows.

Indian Paintbrushes. Such an appropriate name for the orange blossoms that fill the fields in my daughter's back yard.  Yet, even in their beauty, they rob the nutrients of other plants in the fields when their roots race across the fields and meet with other plants which brands them as hemiparasites.  I've often seen them on my way to Texas blooming quite happily with brilliant Bluebonnets that bless their fields and roadways.

 

Beyond the Grave

  

No Trash Talk Allowed, But In Honor of Michael Spencer

I had fun this year with the March Blog Madness that SBC Voices sponsors every year and gives away $200 dollars worth of books to the winner.  I never expect to win.  I am simply honored to be in the listings. I'm a tiny little blog in the sea of Southern Baptist writers such as Michael Spencer of iMonk and Tom Ascol of Founders, and Ed Stetzer, Trevin Wax.  Imagine my shock and awe when I went to the Final Four and none of those names were there.  I said, What?  iMonk's not here?  I can't tell you how much that saddened me in light of Michael's condition and love from so many in the blogging sphere.

Tony K. suggests that in this Final Four competition that we do a bit of "trash talking" to boost the votes for each of those in the race to make it more fun and interesting.  Folks, I think it would be a great thing for the final four SBC bloggers who were honored enough to be listed in the competition, to declare Michael Spencer the Honorary winner of SBC Voices blogging this year.  What about the prize?

Maybe Tony, the SBCVoices blog owner, could solicit that the WTS bookstore donate $200 to Michael's wife, Denise, in honor of the InternetMonk. 

Instead of kibbitzing one another with "trash talk" jabs, could you join me in encouraging the Final Four to suspend the game now in honor of Michael.  What say ye? 

[As a side note: I am going to be offering a few books I've gotten from the WTS Bookstore for sale and all proceeds will go to Michael's wife.  Watch for my next post to see if you'd like them.  They'd be great for your church library.]

  

A Message From God

This Little Heart of Mine

Early last December I purchased the heart in this picture as a gift for a friend.  It just seemed appropriate at the moment.  One of those "she would like this" moments.  Then I got it home.  I wondered.  What in the world would she want with this?  It was cute, sure.  It had roses on it and I know she likes roses.  But she's not one to collect a bunch of fru-fru things to hang around her house and collect dust.  Or was she?  Hmmmmn.  I tried to remember. I recalled conversations we had recently about all the junk she and I wanted to get rid of in our homes.  This particular heart might not be considered junk.  I think it would make a pretty neat paperweight.  But wait.  My friend doesn't work in an office; she's a homemaker like me.  Oh, fiddle.  Why did I buy that silly decoupaged piece of heart-shaped stone?  I placed it on my counter.  It sat there for weeks....uh, months.  Every time I looked at it I would think of my friend.  And I'd giggle to myself.  What a goof-ball I am.  So impulsive.

One particular day, Haylee Jae was visiting, and she saw the heart on the counter.  She picked it up and asked, "Grama, what is this?"

"It's a heart."

"Whose heart is it?"  Just like a 5 year-old.  Laying claim right away.

"Why, it's mine."

"But what is it for?"

"Uh, to look at.  I bought it for my friend.  Don't you think it is pretty?"

"Unh huh.  It's heavy.  I like the roses on it."  End of conversation.  It continued to sit on my kitchen counter.

I purchased that silly heart in a moment of giddy delight.  I pushed the heart aside and let all the ooey gooey feelings I had, rest upon my counter.  Days went by and I nudged that little heart around on the counter when it needed cleaning.  As mundane activities demanded attention, I ignored that little heart.  I set it atop some bills I didn't want to go flying off the counter.  It got buried beneath another stack of coupons I would get to sometime.  It definitely fit the category of needless items hanging around the house that my friend and I were trying to get rid of.  I got tired of shoving it around when trying to clear the counter of the dishes, so I placed it on my wooden barrel in the living room.  There!  It looked at home on my make-shift country side table. 

Then came February.  The Valentine month!  I thought, I know.  I will put it with my grouping of red candles and it will look pretty as a centerpiece on my dining room table.  Haylee came to visit again and saw it amongst the candles.  She picked it up, and said, "Grama, when are you going to send your heart to your friend?" 

That's when it hit me.  That silly heart I'd purchased was symbolic of the love I have for my friend.  When I saw it in the store it grabbed my heart and I thought what a nice gift this would make.  Instead of acting upon my impulse and sharing my thoughts with my friend about the heart, I kept it to myself.  I ignored the warm feelings it brought to me.  I pushed it aside and went on about business as usual.  Isn't that how we do one another at times?  We have a great moment happen in our life and need to share it and when we do, the person ignores the joy in our voice?  We have great intentions and then shelve them because we rationalize them out of motion?  That's me.  The great procrastinator.

After Haylee left that day, I placed the heart in a box I was preparing to send my friend.  Last week, along with the various items I'd been collecting, I sent my heart to her.  At times my heart may seem as heavy and cold as this rose-covered stone.  It happens to all of us.  It's only when we share our hearts with another and the hearts are received with love, that hearts become lighter and warmth is restored.  Perhaps my friend will feel all the giddiness I feel in our relationship with this little heart of mine.  selahV