Mom....

Mom....


Jesus calling-August 6

When things seem to be going all wrong, stop and affirm your trust in Me. Calmly bring these matters to Me, and leave them in My capable hands. Then, simply do the next thing. Stay in touch with Me through thankful, trusting prayers, resting in My sovereign control. Rejoice in Me—exult in the God of your salvation! As you trust in Me, I make your feet like the feet of a deer. I enable you to walk and make progress upon your high places of trouble, suffering, or responsibility.

Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.
—Job 13:15 nkjv

He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights.
—Psalm 18:33

Though the fig tree does not blossom and there is no fruit on the vines, [though] the product of the olive fails and the fields yield no food, though the flock is cut off from the fold and there are no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will exult in the [victorious] God of my salvation! The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]!
—Habakkuk 3:17–19 amp

I turned to this today...again it was spot on...

Four years ago today, my mother passed quickly, unexpectedly away.....

Oh, she had not been feeling well...had put off surgery, going to the doctor, etc....because she wanted to continue to drive, teach, live...

When she finally made the surgery decision, she was joyous...finally an end to the headaches, dizziness....the doctor assured her that all would be well quickly and she would regain her health...back to her active life...

But, even as I packed my things to got help her heal  for a month, I packed a dress for a funeral, thank you cards.....not out of fear, but.....

The surgery went well...the recovery was speeding along ...she began talking and smiling again...and then boom, an infection raged and total collapse of her system and she was gone....quickly, quietly....slipping away...

My dad and I said our goodbyes and began the process of memorials, recreating his life as a widower....mom was not there to do all those things she had done...

God was our strength .....we had but to trust His timing and in hindsight it was.....

Thank YOU for your strength in the hard surprising times of life....

Babies....

Babies....

New born animals are so cute to watch.  The calves as their gangly legs work erratically to stand, pushing up first on leg then the other, only to fall back to,the ground....then trying again and again until finally success ....all the while the mother is lowing, encouraging ....then the hunt  begins for that first nourishment...the miracle of it all...

Baby goats are similar, only they seem to have springs in their legs, hopping up and down, up and down, starting their bouncing through life....the miracle of it all...

Baby chicks, turkeys, quail, fowl in general, pecking their way out of those shells into the cold air, wet, cold, slowing drying the fuzz that covers their bodies...launching into life...the world unknown...the sky...the miracle of it all....

New born human babies are so helpless...extending their arms in the air, grasping for something, tensing, not seeing well, needing warmth, nourishment, needy in every way.....the miracle of it all...

I had the privilege to watch my fifth grandson enter the world yesterday...he was ready on one level, not so much on others.  "It is cold out here...the lights are bright....and so many people....I think will cry and let them know..."  So pink, soft, precious, helpless...blessed with life...care...

Another generation.....small enough to be held in two hands ....big enough to let the world know he had arrived....

How did Eve feel  when she held that first baby?....in awe, wonder, blessed....scared?

Or down through the ages, each new mother, did they see the miracle of life that they held in their hands...that first look, that first toe count, that first snuggle, that first cry, that first smile....beyond comprehension how that miracle happens, is woven to precisely in the womb...

Mary, the mother of Jesus....she had other promises with her small newborn son...those things she pondered in her heart and mind...the Emmanuel, Messiah....the sacrifice for all mankind...the lover of our souls....still a newborn to be cherished and cared for...

Thank YOU for babies,,,a reminder that we are all so dependent on You for life and breath at any age...the miracle of it all...

Genesis 4:1 [ Cain and Abel ] Adam made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, “With the help of the Lord I have brought forth a man.”

Psalm 139:13 For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
    when I was made in the secret place,
    when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
    all the days ordained for me were written in your book
    before one of them came to be.

Luke 2 New International Version (NIV)

The Birth of Jesus

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them..

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived.

Jesus Presented in the Temple
22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord” 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
    you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31     which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
    and the glory of your people Israel.”
33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem .

Surrounding of many.....

Surrounding of many....

Today a friend has a memorial for her husband.  He read the obituary at my husband's memorial and then shortly thereafter, found he had cancer..so here we are two years later,  his memorial celebration of a life well lived...

They had coffee many times together, distributed Bibles for Gideons, talked of investments, business, how to retire ....how to live...we helped one another move and helped others move....played Mexican train dominoes, traded travel experiences...in life and now in death....

What they must be doing walking those streets of gold so pure it is clear.   On earth, one  had searched for it and the other had hauled it in trucks...now they get to walk on it, without having to work....those memorial Bibles that have been gone out in memory of both are worth so much more than the gold they strived for here on earth.....
the Word is the real treasure...and they acknowledged that in many ways....

My friend may not remember much of  today but through a blur, an impression, a blessing...a celebration of sorts...and may have to read back through the guest book to see who was really there...but she will receive a multitude of hugs, handshakes ...cards..and maybe plants and flowers...but she will be surrounded by many, both the seen and the unseen....who will strengthen her and her boys...through the crying times, the grieving times and even the joyous times...

The songs of the service will fill people's hearts, souls and minds...the words spoken will be refreshing, even though they maybe hard to listen to...the Kleenex will be distributed and the food will be wonderful...but the essence of the people will be the most remembered...the embracing of those who cared, befriended, listened, learned, visited, encouraged, were encouraged....that will the strong undercurrent through it all....


Take heart, my friend, you are loved as was your husband...
God is there for you to draw on in night's darkness, the day times, the laughing times, and the crying times, the blurry times, the overwhelming times...He never leaves or forsakes....He carries.....speaks in a multitude of ways....

Thank YOU....God for Yourself...your comfort, guidance....peace...stillness...

Psalm 5:12 Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

Psalm 32:7 You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.

Drawn by the light.....

Drawn to the light.....

Whenever I turn  on the porch light outside, the moths are immediately drawn to it as well as other bugs flying around..and pretty soon the whole porch ceiling is  covered with bugs until  the light is turned off and they are drawn to someone else's light...and they go away...leaving the dark for light....

 I noticed that again this morning when I turned my bed light on..along came a little moth fluttering toward the light, from somewhere out in the darkness....

At night we have night lights, to lead the way....street lights, house lights, run way lights, watch lights, flash lights, car lights , head lights,.....
Lights of all kinds....either directing,,showing the way. Illuminating something....so that we can see what is important...and keep the darkness away....

John 8:12
[ Dispute Over Jesus’ Testimony ] When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Genesis 1:4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.

Exodus 10:23 No one could see anyone else or move about for three days. Yet all the Israelites had light in the places where they lived.

Exodus 13:21 By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.

We have had light since the beginning...God saw to that....God gave the Israelites light during the plagues when all the land was covered with so much darkness you couldn't see you hand...He lead them with light .....they were instructed to have lights in the tabernacle .....

2 Samuel 22:29 You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into light.

2 Samuel 23:4 he is like the light of morning at sunrise on a cloudless morning, like the brightness after rain that brings grass from the earth.’

Job 33:28 God has delivered me from going down to the pit, and I shall live to enjoy the light of life.’

Psalm 18:28 You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.

Psalm 19:8 The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

Psalm 27:1 Of David. The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 36:9 For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

Psalm 119:130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

The Bible speaks of light from Genesis to Revelation....
God is Light....Jesus is light....am I walking in it, am I drawn to Him, His Light..His Word ....His Lamp...is He my light or do I flit from one thing to another,,not finding the true light, and burned along the way....?


Thank YOU for Your light....help me to follow  and be led by Your
Light.....

Welcomed....

Welcomed....

One of the neighborhoods we moved into was less than welcoming....not one person came over to say, "welcome".  So I determined that when people  moved in anywhere in the neighborhood, i would not do the same...cookies or casserole or even just a simple, "hello, welcome" had to be the order of business...at least a name...and a smile...

We did not become bosom buddies, but at least on speaking terms...a smile here and there, a "hello".....

When I visit my children's neighborhoods, it is nice to meet their friends that they have made in new areas..as well as the churches they attend to meet friends accumulated in those places as well..or the communities ..networks that they maintain or are building...as well as going back to old neighborhoods where I have lived or worked...welcomed again...

Now I live in a new neighborhood, and I still try to meet and greet new neighbors, at least say hello...a new church, a new town...and maybe a word or two in greeting....

Lord. Help me to welcome those around me as I want to be welcomed...not to be afraid to intrude, but greeting others in love and kindness...in Your name...

Judges 19:3 her husband went to her to persuade her to return. He had with him his servant and two donkeys. She took him into her parents’ home, and when her father saw him, he gladly welcomed him.

Judges 19:20a, "You are welcome at my house,” the old man said. “Let me supply whatever you need....

Matthew 10:40 “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.

Luke 8:40 [ Jesus Raises a Dead Girl and Heals a Sick Woman ] Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him.

Luke 9:11a but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God.....

Luke 9:48 Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.”

Luke 10:8 “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you.


Luke 15:2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

Luke 16:9 I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.

Luke 19:6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

Acts 15:4 When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.

Acts 17:7 and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.”

Acts 18:27a When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him....

Acts 28:2 The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold.


August 1 -jesus calling
Nothing can separate you from My Love. Let this divine assurance trickle through your mind and into your heart and soul. Whenever you start to feel fearful or anxious, repeat this unconditional promise: “Nothing can separate me from Your Love, Jesus.”
Most of mankind’s misery stems from feeling unloved. In the midst of adverse circumstances, people tend to feel that love has been withdrawn and they have been forsaken. This feeling of abandonment is often worse than the adversity itself. Be assured that I never abandon any of My children, not even temporarily. I will never leave you or forsake you! My Presence watches over you continually. I have engraved you on the palms of My hands.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 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.
—Romans 8:38–39
No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
—Joshua 1:5

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.”
—Isaiah 49:15–16

Bucket lists....

Bucket lists.....

There has been a movie out for several years called, "the Bucket List", About two men who meet  in the hospital. They each have some things they wanted to do before dying and decide to do them, checking themselves out and go about checking off their adventures as they do them...

After my husband and I watched this movie, we talked about our bucket list...what were the things we wanted to do before we died?  We weren't trying to be morbid or anything, but were there some places we wanted to see or things to do that we wanted to accomplish? Our bucket list.....we found out his were more "adventurous" than mine...I wanted safety...assurance that whatever we did was safe...peaceful...ministry type things...but travel as well....

He wanted to go to Africa, the Holy lands...I wanted cruises to Australia, the Amazon...places that sounded "safer"...we wanted to do more ministry related things, to be determined as time allowed....

As it turned out, we didn't make it to Africa or the Holy lands, or the Amazon....I have the opportunity to do some ministry related opportunities  through his legacy of giving...our children are having the opportunity to do some of their buckets lists in giving as well.....

We never know when our buckets are full...or we have done the last item...but need to dream anyway...we might get to do some or all of them...or help others do theirs....all of it is an adventure...

Thank YOU for dreams, ambitions, plans...buckets to fill...dwelling in You...places to go and see, things to do...help us to know Your bucket list for our lives....

Psalm 4:8 In peace I will lie down and sleep,
    for you alone, Lord,
    make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 15
A psalm of David.
1 Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
    Who may live on your holy mountain?
2 The one whose walk is blameless,
    who does what is righteous,
    who speaks the truth from their heart;
3 whose tongue utters no slander,
    who does no wrong to a neighbor,
    and casts no slur on others;

Psalm 122
A song of ascents. Of David.
1 I rejoiced with those who said to me,
    “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
2 Our feet are standing
    in your gates, Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem is built like a city
    that is closely compacted together.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
    “May those who love you be secure.
7 May there be peace within your walls
    and security within your citadels.”
8 For the sake of my family and friends,
    I will say, “Peace be within you.”
9 For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
    I will seek your prosperity.
New International Version (NIV)

http://www.coolestone.com/media/9724/The-Most-Rewarding-Journey.../#.U9jjpmK9KK0

Seashells....

Seashells ...

I have a collection of seashells...from Australia, New Zealand, South America, Hawaii, the Caribbean , Alaska, Florida, the Pacific coast, the north and south Atlantic coast....wherever I have been on a beach...a sign next to them says, "Come gather seashells with me"...or to me it means "come and gather memories ".. ....which is what I did at each place...

Also, with this collection are blown glass balls which were used in times past for fishing floats. They came out  of my grandmother's things...a picture of a turquoise iceberg floating in the sea of blue...a beautiful abalone shell shined to show the blues under the white calcium outer shell....a piece of solid copper tree shaped from our 10th anniversary...seashell necklaces from Hawaii .....gathered memories.....seashells...

The other note in a sea-like bottle says" cherish yesterday, dream tomorrow, live today".....

I do cherish the yesterdays...never repeatable...no going back..but remembered, cherished, treasured...with treasures to show for them...

We do dream of the tomorrows...what will happen...who we meet along the way...what sights will we see..things to do ....places to visit, enjoy...plans to make...

But living today is so important as well...what we say to others, what our actions show or whom they represent, what memories are we making today that will be remembered later in time...things collected along the path...friends made,...all to cherish as well...like the seashells ...gathered...here and there...

Going through my parents things, treasures from times past....some thing had meaning only for them...and usually not for keeping... Trinkets from their  travels, lives....some have history and family value handed down generations.....cherishing the yesterdays....

It is amazing how God has us doing life which is so intertwined .....my seashells and my parents things, sorting, learning life's lessons....what to cherish, what to dream, what to live, what to gather.....coincidence?   I don't think so!   Life lessons are everywhere .....

Thank YOU for the seashells of life, those lessons ...collected along the way....to make a whole jar full of "cherishes"....lessons....either to pass on or sorted by future generations....

Psalm 119 New International Version

33 Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees,
    that I may follow it to the end.
34 Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law
    and obey it with all my heart.
35 Direct me in the path of your commands,
    for there I find delight.
36 Turn my heart toward your statutes
    and not toward selfish gain.
37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
    preserve my life according to your word.
38 Fulfill your promise to your servant,
    so that you may be feared.
39 Take away the disgrace I dread,
    for your laws are good.
40 How I long for your precepts!
    In your righteousness preserve my life.

49 Remember your word to your servant,
    for you have given me hope.
62 At midnight I rise to give you thanks
    for your righteous laws.

64 The earth is filled with your love, Lord;
    teach me your decrees.

105 Your word is a lamp for my feet,
    a light on my path.
108 Accept, Lord, the willing praise of my mouth,
    and teach me your laws.

114 You are my refuge and my shield;
    I have put my hope in your word.

135 Make your face shine on your servant
    and teach me your decrees.

144 Your statutes are always righteous;
    give me understanding that I may live.

147 I rise before dawn and cry for help;
    I have put my hope in your word.

160 All your words are true;
    all your righteous laws are eternal.

165 Great peace have those who love your law,
    and nothing can make them stumble.

169 May my cry come before you, Lord;
    give me understanding according to your word.