Thank YOU....
Psalm 50:14, 23 “Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High,
Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me, and to the blameless I will show my salvation.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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.
Over thirty-five years ago, this lesson of thanksgiving was imbedded into my soul...not that I wanted to say thanks by any means, but it was a loud voice, not a still quiet voice...I can remember the place, the time, the reason...we were living in the mountains, with only one phone for a whole camp of workers...my grandfather was dying....I had just read the Philippians verses for morning devotions...and I didn't want to give thanks in all circumstances...but, through tears, I acted on obedience and did it...
There have been innumerable times since then that I didn't want to give thanks, but was reminded over and over again of that scene, those circumstances, those emphatic words...."with thanksgiving", "give thanks"... With the peace that followed....honoring the God who alone gives the peace that is only from Him....
Thank YOU....
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Sunday, August 28, 2016
You've got mail...life...
You've got mail....life...
I was watching the "chick flick", "You've Got Mail". The scene where Meg Ryan closes her store, she envisions she and her mother dancing like they did when she was a child with the sign hanging on the closed door, "we are closing after 42 years, we loved serving you" came after a weekend of reminiscing with family and long ago friends...a reunion on many levels...
Stories were told that some remembered and had forgotten, laughter over antics done, cars driven, couples of long ago, teachers dreaded and liked, classes of interest and disinterest, who looks like they did or not after so many years, lives lived well and not so well, memories of those who lives have ended...body changes, acceptance or not of who we are after 50 years of life after high school...are we still asking the question-what will I be when I grow up.....now it is, " how do I do this retirement?"... "How do I take care of aging parents"..."how do I enjoy my grandchildren or more free time?" ... All kinds of questions....but, going back to the movie, I saw the "dancing with mother" in the memories that were shared, the "what were's" of life...the doors have closed in those years and we are marching ahead into new chapters in all of our lives...
Thank YOU for friends and family through the years...through growing up times, the hard times, the paths we have taken, lives lived....let them glorify You in some way....
Psalm 47:1-9 Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.
For the Lord Most High is awesome, the great King over all the earth.
He subdued nations under us, peoples under our feet.
He chose our inheritance for us, the pride of Jacob, whom he loved.
God has ascended amid shouts of joy, the Lord amid the sounding of trumpets.
Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises.
For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise.
God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne.
The nobles of the nations assemble as the people of the God of Abraham, for the kings of the earth belong to God; he is greatly exalted.
I was watching the "chick flick", "You've Got Mail". The scene where Meg Ryan closes her store, she envisions she and her mother dancing like they did when she was a child with the sign hanging on the closed door, "we are closing after 42 years, we loved serving you" came after a weekend of reminiscing with family and long ago friends...a reunion on many levels...
Stories were told that some remembered and had forgotten, laughter over antics done, cars driven, couples of long ago, teachers dreaded and liked, classes of interest and disinterest, who looks like they did or not after so many years, lives lived well and not so well, memories of those who lives have ended...body changes, acceptance or not of who we are after 50 years of life after high school...are we still asking the question-what will I be when I grow up.....now it is, " how do I do this retirement?"... "How do I take care of aging parents"..."how do I enjoy my grandchildren or more free time?" ... All kinds of questions....but, going back to the movie, I saw the "dancing with mother" in the memories that were shared, the "what were's" of life...the doors have closed in those years and we are marching ahead into new chapters in all of our lives...
Thank YOU for friends and family through the years...through growing up times, the hard times, the paths we have taken, lives lived....let them glorify You in some way....
Psalm 47:1-9 Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.
For the Lord Most High is awesome, the great King over all the earth.
He subdued nations under us, peoples under our feet.
He chose our inheritance for us, the pride of Jacob, whom he loved.
God has ascended amid shouts of joy, the Lord amid the sounding of trumpets.
Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises.
For God is the King of all the earth; sing to him a psalm of praise.
God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne.
The nobles of the nations assemble as the people of the God of Abraham, for the kings of the earth belong to God; he is greatly exalted.
Saturday, August 27, 2016
Facing fears...
Facing fears....
I know that for some facing fears is no big deal, but for those of us who have lived with various fears it is a foreboding task...
My mother was filled with fears and anxiety. She did face most of them, but as I was growing up, I thought fear was a way of life, fearful of this and that...
So over my life time, especially in adulthood, facing fears has been an issue, which I have both ignored and met head-on...
-getting married after being sexually attacked as a preteen
-Having children after being an only child
-simple walks in the woods
-Flying
-crowds, I am a one on one person, as well as my husband or father would carry the conversations, while I observed/listened...I became a very good questioner and listener ...
-not wanting to try something new if I thought I would fail
-not feeling worthy of anything...
-not wanting to get out of my comfort zone
As years go buy, I am finding that God really wants me to face those fears...whether I wanted to or not...the nudging to move forward becomes a large push rather than a simple tap...move into the fear, examine it, face it with His help...gain His peace over it...give it over to Him...move forward....
He gave me a wonderful understanding husband, four terrific children, grandchildren, time to heal in the surrounding woods, courage to fly, friends to go into crowds, ability to listen, worthiness, larger comfort zones...and so much more
No, I am still not over all the fears, but I have a God who goes before, with and after me through each one...thank YOU....I am sure there are more to conquer ....
Psalm 46:1-11 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
I know that for some facing fears is no big deal, but for those of us who have lived with various fears it is a foreboding task...
My mother was filled with fears and anxiety. She did face most of them, but as I was growing up, I thought fear was a way of life, fearful of this and that...
So over my life time, especially in adulthood, facing fears has been an issue, which I have both ignored and met head-on...
-getting married after being sexually attacked as a preteen
-Having children after being an only child
-simple walks in the woods
-Flying
-crowds, I am a one on one person, as well as my husband or father would carry the conversations, while I observed/listened...I became a very good questioner and listener ...
-not wanting to try something new if I thought I would fail
-not feeling worthy of anything...
-not wanting to get out of my comfort zone
As years go buy, I am finding that God really wants me to face those fears...whether I wanted to or not...the nudging to move forward becomes a large push rather than a simple tap...move into the fear, examine it, face it with His help...gain His peace over it...give it over to Him...move forward....
He gave me a wonderful understanding husband, four terrific children, grandchildren, time to heal in the surrounding woods, courage to fly, friends to go into crowds, ability to listen, worthiness, larger comfort zones...and so much more
No, I am still not over all the fears, but I have a God who goes before, with and after me through each one...thank YOU....I am sure there are more to conquer ....
Psalm 46:1-11 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
Downcast .....
Downcast...
This summer has found me, even though busy, on the downcast side...there are stresses of still dealing with business things that I really have no control over, activities that fill time, lack of purpose, re-editing my grief blogs-which, Though needful, has dredged up and opened past wounds and the loneliness of widowhood. The Griefbook is finished and published, a remarkable journey of odediance...travels for business taken, times filled, family visited as fall approaches with its exciting events to which to look forward...so the "downcast" is fleeting in and out of life...
I have been reading slowly through the book of Psalms...42 and 43 repeat the same verse three times, coming to the same conclusion each time..."put your hope in God". Not just any god, but "my Savior and my God"...
Then fast forward...to the road to Emmaus, where Jesus joins the downcast men who walking away from the city discussing the cruxifixction events...He enlightens them with His Word....giving hope in the God in whom they need to trust.
He Always brings us back to his Word...through His Spirit who teaches us truth in our lives...in the up times and the downcast times...or sending us those with whom we are encouraged as in Corinthians, Titus came...
thank YOU...for your words of encouragement, those who sometime travel with us, encouraging us along our path...
2 Corinthians 7:6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus,
Psalm 42:5, 11 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
From the Bible Panorama , the comment was made that even though the psalmist was downcast, he knew he could put his trust in a personal God, "my Savior and my God"...
Psalm 43:5 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Luke 24:17, 27, 32, 36 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast.
And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
H While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
"Thank you, Lord, that you have called me to walk by faith and sometimes that means in acting in ways that make no sense to the world around me. Help me to trust that you will establish your word and show yourself faithful."
Ray Stedman...
This summer has found me, even though busy, on the downcast side...there are stresses of still dealing with business things that I really have no control over, activities that fill time, lack of purpose, re-editing my grief blogs-which, Though needful, has dredged up and opened past wounds and the loneliness of widowhood. The Griefbook is finished and published, a remarkable journey of odediance...travels for business taken, times filled, family visited as fall approaches with its exciting events to which to look forward...so the "downcast" is fleeting in and out of life...
I have been reading slowly through the book of Psalms...42 and 43 repeat the same verse three times, coming to the same conclusion each time..."put your hope in God". Not just any god, but "my Savior and my God"...
Then fast forward...to the road to Emmaus, where Jesus joins the downcast men who walking away from the city discussing the cruxifixction events...He enlightens them with His Word....giving hope in the God in whom they need to trust.
He Always brings us back to his Word...through His Spirit who teaches us truth in our lives...in the up times and the downcast times...or sending us those with whom we are encouraged as in Corinthians, Titus came...
thank YOU...for your words of encouragement, those who sometime travel with us, encouraging us along our path...
2 Corinthians 7:6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus,
Psalm 42:5, 11 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
From the Bible Panorama , the comment was made that even though the psalmist was downcast, he knew he could put his trust in a personal God, "my Savior and my God"...
Psalm 43:5 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Luke 24:17, 27, 32, 36 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?” They stood still, their faces downcast.
And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
H While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
"Thank you, Lord, that you have called me to walk by faith and sometimes that means in acting in ways that make no sense to the world around me. Help me to trust that you will establish your word and show yourself faithful."
Ray Stedman...
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
Realease....
Release...
"When you release loved ones to Me, you are free to cling to My hand. As you entrust others into My care, I am free to shower blessings on them. My Presence will go with where ever they go and I will give them rest. This same Presence stays with you as you relax and place your trust in Me. Watch to see what I will do..." Jesus Calls, August 23...
Exodus 33:14 The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
It seems like I have had to release a lot of things, people, expectations, dreams in the last few years...possessions have just become "stuff"... Dreams have faded or had to be discarded....expectations/ plans which were "mine" have changed or been exposed as false...people who were to "live forever" have died....past decisions were not as good as I thought...I am not the person I thought I was...my faith has been tested and found small...false ideas exposed...filthy rags...I have been enabling, instead of empowering...I realize how much I wanted things to go "my way"...of course it had to be the right way...which may or may it be God's way...so much laying things at the cross for Him to carry as His burden instead of mine...thank YOU...You put your hand of heart healing on life , You hold those around me more closely than I could ever hold...I am so undone...
Isaiah 64:6 All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.
Psalm 94:18-19 When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.
Sunday, August 21, 2016
Lion King....
Lion King....
The play, Lion King, came close to my home for a time this summer. it was a pleasure to take some of my family to see it during this time.plus another family with children. It is too much for children under 4 or 5. A friend and I saw it in New York four years ago and I wanted timeshare it with others ..the puppetry, the colors, the story, the music...what fun...
Watching it again gave me pause to the many life stories that unfold in the story line, even Biblical ones...I am not saying that it is a Bible story nor that it totally depicts The Bible...no....no...
But there are the depictions of good and evil, temptations, lying , the fleeting pleasures of sin, the passing on of values from one generation to another, parenting with love and vision, following the right or wrong paths, the effects of evil, doing the right things, turning away from evil, the contrasts of the wicked and good .....a really good discussion story for families....
Thank YOU for the opportunity to spend time with family, but also to see the lessons You can portray in everyday things...to show Your Light....
Psalm 36:1-12 I have a message from God in my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked:
There is no fear of God before their eyes.
In their own eyes they flatter themselves too much to detect or hate their sin. The words of their mouths are wicked and deceitful; they fail to act wisely or do good.
Even on their beds they plot evil; they commit themselves to a sinful course and do not reject what is wrong.
Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.
Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep.
You, Lord, preserve both people and animals. How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!
People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights.
For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.
Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart.
May the foot of the proud not come against me, nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.
See how the evildoers lie fallen— thrown down, not able to rise!
The play, Lion King, came close to my home for a time this summer. it was a pleasure to take some of my family to see it during this time.plus another family with children. It is too much for children under 4 or 5. A friend and I saw it in New York four years ago and I wanted timeshare it with others ..the puppetry, the colors, the story, the music...what fun...
Watching it again gave me pause to the many life stories that unfold in the story line, even Biblical ones...I am not saying that it is a Bible story nor that it totally depicts The Bible...no....no...
But there are the depictions of good and evil, temptations, lying , the fleeting pleasures of sin, the passing on of values from one generation to another, parenting with love and vision, following the right or wrong paths, the effects of evil, doing the right things, turning away from evil, the contrasts of the wicked and good .....a really good discussion story for families....
Thank YOU for the opportunity to spend time with family, but also to see the lessons You can portray in everyday things...to show Your Light....
Psalm 36:1-12 I have a message from God in my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked:
There is no fear of God before their eyes.
In their own eyes they flatter themselves too much to detect or hate their sin. The words of their mouths are wicked and deceitful; they fail to act wisely or do good.
Even on their beds they plot evil; they commit themselves to a sinful course and do not reject what is wrong.
Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.
Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep.
You, Lord, preserve both people and animals. How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!
People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights.
For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.
Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart.
May the foot of the proud not come against me, nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.
See how the evildoers lie fallen— thrown down, not able to rise!
Thursday, August 18, 2016
Gardens ...
Gardens...
Yesterday, I spent part of my day at the Oregon Gardens. A plot of land that had nice been a simple field which became someone's dream of beautiful gardens with descending ponds down a sloping hill overlooking the Willamette valley. There are many kinds of gardens within a huge 100 acre plus garden all with different themes but connecting pathways, five venues for weddings or gatherings, thousands of plantings, changing seasonal plants...peaceful...
My question this morning was, "what refreshes you?" One of my answers has to be, gardens...not working in gardens, but the well tended gardens that others open to me and my wanderings wherever I roam..from China, Australia, New Zealand, South America, Central America, Canada, various states in the United States, the Caribbean....where ever we have traveled, I have desired to see the gardens. Whether for just the peacefulness or the beauty, it refreshes my soul in the quietness of the beauty found there....the intricacy of the flowers reminding me of the Creator who designs with order and precision...the minute details He cares for...as He care for me...
Thank YOU for the opportunity to walk amongst your designs, your quiet gardens amidst the hecticness of life..You speak words of care and love to me...
Genesis 2:8-9a Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food.....
Genesis 3:8a Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day....
Isaiah 58:11 The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
John 15:1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.
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