Wise mean still seek Him.....

Wise men ......still seek Him....

Down through the ages, wise men have been summoned.

One Pharaoh summoned them to to interpret his dreams....in the story of Joseph...

Another Pharaoh summoned them to do miracles against Moses and Aaron...

Moses chose wise men to help with the governing of the tribes as they were in the desert journeys.....

Solomon asked for wisdom.....rather than riches....

The books of Proverbs and ecclesiastes  have many descriptions of a wise men...

Wise men sought the child, Jesus......they were wise not only because they sought him but heeded warnings about their return....

Joseph, was a wise man, who heeded the warnings and took great care of his wife and her Son.....

We are asked to seek wisdom, to be wise.....to show and live the qualities of wisdom in the book of James......

I need to seek that wisdom daily, seeking Him, relentlessly,.....I want that same wisdom as the wise men who sought the child, Jesus, until they found him, presented their gifts...which were His due....discerning, understanding, pondering, heeding, listening, asking....from the Wisdom giver himself....

Thank YOU that you give wisdom  to those who seek it....help me the humble myself in order to ask, seek, find, and use it wisely....

Genesis 41:8
In the morning his mind was troubled, so he sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him.

Genesis 41:33
“And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt.

Genesis 41:39
Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you.

Deuteronomy 1:13
Choose some wise, understanding and respected men from each of your tribes, and I will set them over you.”

1 Kings 3:12
I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.

Esther 1:13
Since it was customary for the king to consult experts in matters of law and justice, he spoke with the wise men who understood the times

Psalm 107:43
Let the one who is wise heed these things and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord.

Psalm 119:98
Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies.

Proverbs 1:5
let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance—

Proverbs 3:35
The wise inherit honor, but fools get only shame.

Proverbs 8:33
Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it.

Proverbs 9:9
Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.

Proverbs 9:12
If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.

Proverbs 10:8
The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin.

Proverbs 11:30
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives.

Proverbs 16:21
The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction.

Proverbs 16:23
The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction.

Proverbs 18:15
The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.

Ecclesiastes 9:17
The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools.

Jeremiah 23:5
“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land.

Daniel 12:3
Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.

Daniel 12:10b
 .......but those who are wise will understand.

Hosea 14:9
Who is wise? Let them realize these things. Who is discerning? Let them understand. The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.

Ephesians 5:15
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,

Colossians 4:5
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.

James 3:13
[ Two Kinds of Wisdom ] Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
James 3:17
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

2013, another year of transitions...

2013, another year of transitions……

I think this year I have all been trying to get my feet of the ground and think more clearly…working through my attitude, moving forward in life….

Several of us took grief classes or support groups…it was helpful in talking through grief, seeing our  way out of the jungle of grief and that there really is light out there…

I went to New Zealand and Australia with family...we arrived at different times and took different parts of the trip.  Don and I had planned to see these countries two different times and I decided I still wanted to see them.. so did it…  Lots of miles covered and lots of things seen.  Was wonderful...but came home to rest!

The beginning of June, saw us sorting through the thousands of pieces of papers, Don had accumulated in our 40 years of business in NV.  Had a huge shredding pile, dump pile and some file cabinets to move here to Bend.  God’s timing was wonderful, as I needed part of the storage unit for my Father’s things as well…

Later, in June, all our children and families were here for a get together other than a funeral.. . was fun and good for all.  My father arrived that same weekend as well…So we all got to enjoy him as a family.  He stayed and went into hospice care and passed away here in Bend, the end of July…His memorial service was the end of August in Fortuna, CA.  So now, I am working on his estate as well as ours… It is slowing down and getting done piece by piece…

 For some reason, this year has been a building, remodeling or updating for every one of the families.  All look so good, refreshed, finished…

My grandchildren are growing like weeds…Jared finally topped me with height and is going with Teen Missions to Finland this summer…just seems like yesterday his father approached us about Australia…Emily is swimming… Ethan is diligently working through school and boy scouts…Kase had a pig at the fair with 4H…Digeo is talking…Natalie is running and Caitlin is growing….Russ and Lori, homeschooling and parenting pre-teens and a teenagers…Mary and Dustin, ranching in eastern Oregon….Amy and Nathan, working and going to Flight school….Matt and Melodie, parenting toddlers, moving west….

I just went to Maui for a wedding in November.  Was such fun to see this couple get married at a plantation in Hawaii.  My big travel adventure without family…

I have enjoyed writing this year and actually have a blog…suzi775.blogspot.com, it has helped me get out my words…each day…encouraging to me and maybe others…

I want to tell  you all that you each mean so much to our family this year and in years past….We are all thankful for your parts in our lives…God has chosen you especially to be there and us for you as well….thank you so much…

Enjoy the Joy of Christmas through the Savior’s birth celebration…Make it meaningful…

In Him,

Suzi Decker

Anxiousness...mindfulness

Anxiousness......mindfulness ......

In church the other day, the pastor spoke of mindful ...."attentive,heedful." how God is mindful of us, how he considers us.  He knows us and thinks about me....and everyone..personally...

As opposed to anxiousness....for which I am guilty of...I want that mindfulness .....I want Him to think of me and me to be fully attuned to Him...

But I have to admit,I have been anxious...I don't want to be...but lately, I am again...
"anxious

Uneasy and apprehensive about an uncertain event or matter; worried.
Attended with, showing, or causing anxiety.
spent an anxious night waiting for the test results.
Eagerly or earnestly desirous."

How do I manifest my anxiousness, .....eating anything and everything, headaches, restlessness, lack of focus, worry over the future, withdrawal,.....I go back and forth between mindful and anxiousness....I admit it.....I want that pondering, attentive attitude and am striving for that, with its peaceful lifestyle, but fall easily into the anxiousness....I want things all cut and dried, quick , neat solutions for everything, with no work....as I lay awake, I revert back and forth..praying, thanking, the worrying, anxious.....hoping that the answers would be forthcoming....

Am I the inky one like this????   I think not....otherwise the verses would not be there for the learning....mindfully seeking, rather than anxiously worrying....

Thank You for being in the night watches, reminding me that you do think of me, care for me...even in my anxiety...my humanness...help me to go quickly to you...not creating more anxiety by time afar....

Psalm 139:23
Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.

Ecclesiastes 2:22
What do people get for all the toil and anxious striving with which they labor under the sun?

Luke 2:48
When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you...

Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God...

Psalm 8:4
what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?

Psalm 26:3
for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.

Luke 1:48
for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed,

Hebrews 2:6
But there is a place where someone has testified: “What is mankind that you are mindful of them, a son of man that you care for him?

Matthew 10:31
So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Written in stone.....

Written in stone....


Several years ago.....oh wait, that was 22 years ago,  where have they gone?.......we loaded up our suburban and and travel trailer with 5 kids, no dogs, and two adults and drove cross country...two of the riders were only going as far as Atlanta, Georgia to catch a bus the Teen missions in Florida.

We drove down through Colorado to New Mexico through Utah....the arches, the rivers, .....canyons....ancient Indian ruins....all written in stone....over time....by men and by God.......with one of our first stops in Gallop to visit a gravesite of a team member of our son and his friend.  Written in stone...his name , young age....

Drove across the continental divide, written in stone...a marker.....

Roads going on and on, written and made of stone...across the country.....

Leaving our adventurers in Atlanta, enthused about another summer with TMI...one to Nepal and the other to New Zealand ......we headed for Washington, D.C., and other historical spots....

Every monument, statue had words written in stone, the majority----words from the Bible....whole verses quoted.....chiseled into the hard stone for all to read down through time.....a testimony to the lives lived, their foundation.....our foundation.....

The Ten Commandments raised over the heads of government ....verses, over and over again....

During the whole trip, we remarked, over and over....do people read these inscriptions...take In the meaning of these words....or are their hearts, stone as well...
Gods word promises not to come back void when sent forth.....it is living, working, alive.....

Now our names are written in stone....my grandparents, parents, husband were real living people....names in stone forever to be remembered...what do those words say....tell others.....

Do they lead others to desire to have their name written in the Book of life....to be opened later...that is where we ultimately want our names....not just to be remembered but for eternal life....in heaven with God.....not stone, but life everlasting....

Thank YOU that You know those whose names are written in stone, but more importantly those whose names are written In the book of life...having believed in the risen Savior...let those words of scripture written in stone show others the way to those written in your Holy Bible, desiring You.....

Exodus 24:12
The Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain and stay here, and I will give you the tablets of stone with the law and commandments I have written for their instruction.”

Exodus 32:16
The tablets were the work of God; the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets.

2 Corinthians 3:3
You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.


Philippians 4:3
Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life.

Revelation 3:5
The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels.



http://hawthornephoto.com/walk.htm      

Scars.....

Scars....

Last spring, several of us started taking grief classes at various times and places..we were all still reeling from grief, scarred...wounded...this word resonated in my soul,   Scarred....

"Scar
1.
a mark left by a healed wound, sore, or burn.
2.
a lasting aftereffect of trouble, especially a lasting psychological injury resulting from suffering or trauma.
3.
any blemish remaining as a trace of or resulting from injury or use."

 I realize we all have scars of various sources, physical, emotional, soulful....we look at our physical  ones and remember when we got them, the exact day,  moment and why and how we got them at the time....my husband had one on his hand from holding a piece of kindling and his brother chopping with the ax..not a a good idea...or our various surgeries, our "zorro" moments...our falls, whatever....

Our emotional scars may or may not be so distinct in memory.   It may be an illusion, expectation, unmet need,  a word or time that hurt, sometimes we can pinpoint it and others not so easy...

 The physical or emotion scars may fester, untended, or never heal.  Or they may heal and be a remembrance of a time or event gone by....none of us look forward to earning more scars....for whatever reason....

God says we are engraved on the palm of his hand....did that hurt to have them engraved there,,, there was a price to be paid....

Satan tried to pound them out by the nails in  Christ's hand...but that healed...the disciples saw the prints, the scars...

Our scars can remind us of
Christ's scars for us...he dealt with them, he heals....they still may show , but the healing has taken place...we have to seek that...not doubt...even when  we see them....grab onto that nail scarred hand....

John 3:35
The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands.

 John 20:20
After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

John 20:25
So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!”But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

John 20:27
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

 Those hands, they held everything, the scars, the world,
As Christians, we are held in those hands, our names are written in the palm of His hand,.....

Isaiah 49:16See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever
before me.

Romans8:35-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?( Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
    we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future,nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

But, those scars are for us....they were still visible after Christ came back from the grave for those days before he ascended . The scars weren't gone. Thomas needed to see them, feel them...He used them to help others...

Thank YOU for the scars, a reminder that you do heal...maybe now, maybe later.....

Deer tracks and quail wings....

Deer tracks and quail wings....



Last year I saw my first quail angels...instead if snow angels by people, this is by quail...

When they take off from the snow, the prints of their wings and bodies is fluttered into the snow, looking like an angel...(in my view)....

I have been shoveling snow for the last three days, making paths for myself, the dogs, the neighbors, the deer and the birds....yesterday , I went out to clean up after the wind rearranged the snow yet again, and found the deer had been interested in my bird feeder and reached over the fence to lick it clean, their prints all around.   The quail, who are ground feeders, benefitted by the deer feeding frenzy. Their prints were all over the ground, with their perfect snow angels several different places...looking like I had been visited by small angels....

What a thought, we had all benefitted by one another...the deer liked the shoveled out trail, the bird seed, the quail liked the seeds as well and I appreciated the exercise and the sightings of the visitors....

It seems like life is like that a lot of the time, we do something simple and many benefit by the act....giving, a smile, a hug, a gift, a listening ear, a word of encouragement,  a pedicure,  time, a wander through a store.....so many little things.....

Probably, the deer and the birds didn't realize they were helping one another,  but that is what the picture was for me....one another with angels....

Thank YOU for all of the ways You teach us if we watch, wait and listen....thank you, thank you...

Psalm 147:16
He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes.

Isaiah 55:10
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

Psalm 34:7
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.

Psalm 91:11
For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;

2 Corinthians 13:11b
.....encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

Galatians 5:13b
..... serve one another humbly in love.

Ephesians 4:2
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 5:19
speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,

Colossians 3:16
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

Fall trip, part two....

Fall trip,  part two.....

Yesterday, I had to write about my fall trip last year.  There is more to it...so am doing a part two....as I watched the tree lighting show on tv last night at Rockefeller center...So many good singers...but my favorite one was the one who starred in the  "sound of music" earlier this week, singing, "Climb every Mountain"... What a beautiful voice...and as the people were panned with the cameras, you could see the dreams on the faces of those people listening....climbing, searching, achieving.....hope...

In reading my notes about the trip, I wrote that the  theme seemed to be Care and Courage during these times of change....and finding new ground of who I am as a widow and now an orphan...or the matriarch on one side of my family...of my generation.... Hope...

I want the daily strengthening of Gods word, His manna....care for each day as it comes...lesson learned daily..hope...

We spent some time in New York City, Manhattan....taking tours of Rockefeller center, the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis island, the town and the 911 site, plus others....reminded me of Nehemiah, with ideas planted by God, courage to fulfilled them, a vision of better things, accomplishments, teamwork ...remaining faithful to a call....hope...

Quotes from notes...

From my devotional books along the trip
"The   Lord's ways aren't always immediately clear to us...we need to trust...God will make it right...."

"God never asks anything of us that He doesn't give us sufficient strength to do...and He never ever asks us unless  it is for our own good"

"You have been on a long uphill journey and your energy is almost spent...as you open up to me, I will put my thoughts in your mind and My song in your heart"

The final city, Quebec City, was a place of spires, leading the eye heavenward...to God...for His inspiration....hope...

Thank You that your hope is written in so many dreams, pictures, life itself...and that YOU remind us...in so many ways...


Matthew 12:21
In his name the nations will put their hope.”

Acts 2:26
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope,

Romans 5:3-5
3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Romans 12:11-13
11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor,  serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

"Hope means more than a vague wish that something will happen. It is a sure and confident expectation in God’s future faithfulness and presence. The horizon of Christian hope extends beyond death into an eternity prepared by God himself, the reality of which is guaranteed by Jesus Christ."