It is a cold and rainy Friday afternoon! The wind is blowing and the leaves are falling almost as quickly as the raindrops. So, what is your normal reaction to that kind of day? Put on the old, tattered robe and curl up under a warm blanket? Fix a pot of soup? Pull out a good book? I would answer all of these! As a matter of fact, I love an occasional chilly, wet fall afternoon to have an excuse to hunker down and snuggle up!
When the storms roll in, there is something protective and comforting about returning to old habits. The danger here is that sometimes those old habits are not necessarily healthy habits. Sometimes they are, in fact, downright destructive. Like answering an emotional afternoon by returning to the pantry...seven times. Or cleaning out the freezer, and by cleaning I don't mean scrubbing. Or by extending the warm time under the blanket way past the rainy day.
It is why formulating these new healthy habits are so important. Drinking adequate amounts of water. Tracking our First Place week. Eating a diet full of God's great foods, varied and delicious. We must prepare! The storms will come in a myriad of ways. Let's get ready by ingraining these healthy choices into our lifestyle. So that they become our "old habits" that we return too!
Proverbs 3:5-8 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. "
Praise HIM!
Friday, October 24, 2008
Monday, October 6, 2008
Trust!
See that picture? That is my then 19 year old, sweet little daughter climbing 160 feet up Red Rock just outside Las Vegas, Nevada. She and my husband took a little trip out west last March and spent a day learning this new sport. According to my dear ones, it is quite a difficult yet exciting adventure. Acrophobics need not apply.They were blessed with a wonderfully skilled and seasoned climber as their instructor. They both donned special climbing shoes, a climbing harness complete with a belay loop, a carabiner(which looks like a keychain to me) and a helmet. After instruction time, they each began their ascent. Molly made two climbs and fell in love with the sport. My husband was satisfied with one attempt.
Now here is the interesting part. When you descend, you must put your hands at your side, and just sort of bounce back down using your feet only. The belayer below holds the rope. Talk about trust. Your life is literally in the skilled hands of the instructor below. Try taking back control of the return to ground , like my husband said he did, and you will find your moving shins introducing themselves to mr. solid rock wall, making life much more difficult. My husband made it down safely, but not without scrapes, bumps, and bruises on those legs of his. I admit, I would have been just like Chuck. Holding onto the rope for dear life. I do not know many who would relish letting go of the the life-line holding you 160 feet above ground. Surrendering both life and limb into the hands of an instructor who you met only hours earlier?
Obedience and trust. Huge issues in rock climbing. They mean the difference between a smooth return to ground and a bumpy ride down. Unharmed shins or bruised ones. Huge issues in Christ following too. Obedience. Deferring to the expert. Following the instructions. Submitting to another's will. And Trust. Placing yourself into the hands of THE skilled Expert.
Praise HIM!
Psalm 9:10 :" Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you."
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Tell Him!
Today was a beautiful day! The air was crisp and cool and the sun was shining so brightly. It was the kind of day that you let your car windows down and you just enjoy the breeze.
That is exactly what I was doing this afternoon, when along comes this adorable boy walking with his Dad. He was actually bouncing along, with his end-of-the-day, boyishly sweaty, brown hair and a big toothless smile. You could tell by that bounce in his step he was excited about something. His dad's car was parked next to my own so I overheard some of the conversation. The dad was busy loading up the jeep with the goods from Walmart. His son was holding what appeared to be a special purchase. This fellow looked about 7 years old and apparently had had a good math lesson today. He looked down at his purchase and read, "Dad, this has a one-seven-O on it. Dad, did you know that if you take away the zero you have 17?" He chattered on, "and if you add 3 to the 17 you get 14?" ( I am guessing he meant take away, not add.) Then as he was climbing in the car he said, "and Dad, did you know if you can't get the difference, you re-group?" Then the door to the jeep shut, and the excited youngster's conversation with his dad disappeared.
I keep thinking about that conversation. It was late afternoon. The end of probably a long day at school and work. But there they were. Dad listening quietly. Son voicing every lesson that he learned during the day...and with an almost ecstatic voice. This boy truly wanted his dad to know everything he knew. He wanted his dad to understand that this had been a momentous day, at least as far as math goes. You could tell this little guy just wanted to share, with his dad, the great joy that learning that math had brought him.
It made me sit quietly in that breeze I had been reveling in all day. And I wanted to tell DAD, my heavenly DAD, all about the joy that cool, crisp, sunny day had brought me! Praise Him!
Psalm 105:1,2
"Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts."
That is exactly what I was doing this afternoon, when along comes this adorable boy walking with his Dad. He was actually bouncing along, with his end-of-the-day, boyishly sweaty, brown hair and a big toothless smile. You could tell by that bounce in his step he was excited about something. His dad's car was parked next to my own so I overheard some of the conversation. The dad was busy loading up the jeep with the goods from Walmart. His son was holding what appeared to be a special purchase. This fellow looked about 7 years old and apparently had had a good math lesson today. He looked down at his purchase and read, "Dad, this has a one-seven-O on it. Dad, did you know that if you take away the zero you have 17?" He chattered on, "and if you add 3 to the 17 you get 14?" ( I am guessing he meant take away, not add.) Then as he was climbing in the car he said, "and Dad, did you know if you can't get the difference, you re-group?" Then the door to the jeep shut, and the excited youngster's conversation with his dad disappeared.
I keep thinking about that conversation. It was late afternoon. The end of probably a long day at school and work. But there they were. Dad listening quietly. Son voicing every lesson that he learned during the day...and with an almost ecstatic voice. This boy truly wanted his dad to know everything he knew. He wanted his dad to understand that this had been a momentous day, at least as far as math goes. You could tell this little guy just wanted to share, with his dad, the great joy that learning that math had brought him.
It made me sit quietly in that breeze I had been reveling in all day. And I wanted to tell DAD, my heavenly DAD, all about the joy that cool, crisp, sunny day had brought me! Praise Him!
Psalm 105:1,2
"Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts."
Monday, September 22, 2008
Seeking first
Have you ever gone looking for something, and on the way discovered a forgotten treasure? I set out recently to find a jounal to recall some of the ways the Lord had worked in my life. As I dug through my crowded drawers, seeking that old journal, I came across a letter that my mom had written me. My heart jumped as her familiar handwriting peeked through the stack of papers I was rummaging through. It was as if she was speaking to me again. I sat quietly and just stared at my name on the envelope. I read the short note and then finished by treasuring the closing."Love, Mommy", it said. A few precious moments spent re-reading a note sent many years ago. The note wasn't what I set out to find, but indeed it was an added blessing along the way.
Matthew 6:33 says "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Keep seeking Him first! You never know what he may add along the way! I learned that again!
Praise HIM!
Matthew 6:33 says "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Keep seeking Him first! You never know what he may add along the way! I learned that again!
Praise HIM!
Monday, May 26, 2008
Bad News, Good News
Soaring gas prices, declining property values, and messages of fear and dread are filling the world. I must admit, I too have succumbed to the nagging thought that life as we know it may soon disappear. I don't like that feeling. And so I remember. I remember my God.
I remember that God is my Deliverer. He is the "ever present help in trouble" (Ps.46:1). I remember that His faithfulness assuages the hangover of alarm left by the nightly news. "He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD."(Ps.112: 7) I remember that when these disturbing feelings of anxiety envelope me that I have a Savior who calls me to Himself, calls me to bring my burdens to Him. Phil 4:6-7"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. "
Yes, even though American Airlines has announced they will begin charging for each piece of luggage you check, we have ONE that has promised to carry all our baggage. The price to us: FREE. So when the world seems to be falling apart, and worry seems to be your constant companion,stand on the ONE who is not falling apart. Stand on the truth of HIS Word. No matter how you feel.
Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
I remember that God is my Deliverer. He is the "ever present help in trouble" (Ps.46:1). I remember that His faithfulness assuages the hangover of alarm left by the nightly news. "He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD."(Ps.112: 7) I remember that when these disturbing feelings of anxiety envelope me that I have a Savior who calls me to Himself, calls me to bring my burdens to Him. Phil 4:6-7"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. "
Yes, even though American Airlines has announced they will begin charging for each piece of luggage you check, we have ONE that has promised to carry all our baggage. The price to us: FREE. So when the world seems to be falling apart, and worry seems to be your constant companion,stand on the ONE who is not falling apart. Stand on the truth of HIS Word. No matter how you feel.
Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
Praise HIM!
Monday, May 12, 2008
Cry Out
I know that some of you reading this are going through "stuff". I know that it isn't fun. It isn't nice. It isn't good. I have been thinking alot about you today. I have called out to HIM with you. For you.
It hardly seems right to tell HIM some of the "stuff" of our lives. Even though He knows it all already, it still tears at our core to hear ourselves utter the wrongs we have done. Utter the pain we are in. Utter the despair that we feel. Rebellious wrongs. Unimaginable pain. Abysmal despair. This perfect God surely doesn't want to hear it all....again. Does HE?
I don't pretend to understand it all. But I trust HIM. He says to call out. To cry out. Over and over throughout His word we see it. Those lost, wandering, rebellious, hurting, shoulda-learned-the-first-time people found themselves in messes. The Israelites, Samson, the Israelites, Jonah, the Israelites, David, well you get the picture, they cried out to God. And not just once. Many times. And guess what? He heard them. He rescued them. He had mercy on them. He had compassion on them.
I love the way the Message describes God. In Nehemiah 9:26-31 God, Our God, is described as the God of "bottomless compassion". So think this black hole of pain, suffering, or sin is your eternal abyss? Not with Christ. Because His mercy trumps our failings every time. His peace is the soothing balm for our pain. And His "bottomless compassion" goes deeper than any despair. Cry out to HIM. Maybe for the first time. Maybe for the millionth. He will hear you.
It is just who HE is. And He is who HE is no matter who we are. That is the simple truth of it all. No matter what dilemma we face. No matter what sin we have committed. No matter what unknown future awaits us. No matter what. HE IS. HE will always be. Rest on that friend.
Praise HIM!
It hardly seems right to tell HIM some of the "stuff" of our lives. Even though He knows it all already, it still tears at our core to hear ourselves utter the wrongs we have done. Utter the pain we are in. Utter the despair that we feel. Rebellious wrongs. Unimaginable pain. Abysmal despair. This perfect God surely doesn't want to hear it all....again. Does HE?
I don't pretend to understand it all. But I trust HIM. He says to call out. To cry out. Over and over throughout His word we see it. Those lost, wandering, rebellious, hurting, shoulda-learned-the-first-time people found themselves in messes. The Israelites, Samson, the Israelites, Jonah, the Israelites, David, well you get the picture, they cried out to God. And not just once. Many times. And guess what? He heard them. He rescued them. He had mercy on them. He had compassion on them.
I love the way the Message describes God. In Nehemiah 9:26-31 God, Our God, is described as the God of "bottomless compassion". So think this black hole of pain, suffering, or sin is your eternal abyss? Not with Christ. Because His mercy trumps our failings every time. His peace is the soothing balm for our pain. And His "bottomless compassion" goes deeper than any despair. Cry out to HIM. Maybe for the first time. Maybe for the millionth. He will hear you.
It is just who HE is. And He is who HE is no matter who we are. That is the simple truth of it all. No matter what dilemma we face. No matter what sin we have committed. No matter what unknown future awaits us. No matter what. HE IS. HE will always be. Rest on that friend.
Praise HIM!
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Adopted
The unknown womb. The place the Lord decided to "knit me together". The place I was "fearfully and wonderfully made". Yet, though my bones were formed, my limbs grew, and my body was nourished by an unknown woman, HE knew. He knew exactly whose womb He chose to have me grow in. And after I was born, He knew exactly where I would continue to grow. You see I was adopted. Until I was four months old, I was a child without parents, living in foster care. Abandoned by a mother who I assume could not take care of me. But there were parents who were waiting and praying for me to be their own. Parents He chose.
I will tell you what my parents told me when I was a little girl. Actually,they told me all of my life, how much they wanted me. "Of all the babies in the world", they said, they chose me. In my own mind, as a young child, I imagined that my parents walked along a long corridor with all the young babies lined up in bassinets behind a large picture glass window. I could just imagine them walking slowly along, just a few steps at a time, until they spotted just the right baby. Then they stopped, pressing their faces up to the glass to get a closer look. They pointed me out to a masked angel, disguised as a nurse, who brought me over to the window as they shook their heads yes, yes, that's the one! That's the baby girl we came for!
Isn't that just what Christ did for us all. When the world says we are abandoned, orphaned, or destined for nothing, Christ Jesus,with outstretched wounded arms, peers down from the cross. I can almost see HIM scanning the faces of the crowd. Looking, looking until His eyes rest on you. Or me. Can't you just imagine the moment. When no more are you abandoned, or lost. Because He calls to you....Yes, yes, that's the one! That is the child I came for!
Praise HIM!
Ps. 139
I will tell you what my parents told me when I was a little girl. Actually,they told me all of my life, how much they wanted me. "Of all the babies in the world", they said, they chose me. In my own mind, as a young child, I imagined that my parents walked along a long corridor with all the young babies lined up in bassinets behind a large picture glass window. I could just imagine them walking slowly along, just a few steps at a time, until they spotted just the right baby. Then they stopped, pressing their faces up to the glass to get a closer look. They pointed me out to a masked angel, disguised as a nurse, who brought me over to the window as they shook their heads yes, yes, that's the one! That's the baby girl we came for!
Isn't that just what Christ did for us all. When the world says we are abandoned, orphaned, or destined for nothing, Christ Jesus,with outstretched wounded arms, peers down from the cross. I can almost see HIM scanning the faces of the crowd. Looking, looking until His eyes rest on you. Or me. Can't you just imagine the moment. When no more are you abandoned, or lost. Because He calls to you....Yes, yes, that's the one! That is the child I came for!
Praise HIM!
Ps. 139
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Please pray
Mike Starnes, who many of you prayed for, passed away on Thursday afternoon. Please pray for his family. Thank you.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
The Oreo
A friend came into the room I was sitting in this morning. Totally out of breath. I was almost afraid for her. She told me in sentences, broken with deep breaths, that she had just climbed a flight of stairs to try and get to church on time.
I was there just one short year ago. Explaining to others why my conversations were stilted. Why I couldn't walk up the stairs any more quickly. Why I couldn't play basketball with my son. It is amazing what extra weight does to our bodies. It is amazing that it took me so long to do something about it.
But here I am, one year later. Although this weight loss journey is FAR from over, I am closer than I could have imagined 13 months ago. Sometimes all it takes is to take the first step to health. The first day of healthy eating. The first moment of surrender.
Just over one year ago, I surrendered "oreo" cookies. Not that there is anything inherently wrong with those delicious creme filled chocolate cookies. But they were representative to me of all that was wrong with my diet. I tell you this, and you can laugh if you want, but in my spirit I heard the need to lay them on the altar. So I got off of the couch, where I had planted myself along with the cookies and milk, and physically put the package on the fireplace...the closest thing to anything resembling an altar in my home. I knelt before the Lord and surrendered to HIM. I couldn't do it my way any longer. And as my friend Lauren at Faith Fuel http://championyourdreams.blogspot.com/ writes: "He takes the white flag of surrender out of your hand, and in replacement,He puts His own Hand in yours. " What a beautiful picture!
Waving the white flag is not a sign of defeat to HIM, it is a request for victory. Victory in HIM. It is a sign of our hope in HIM. And in that hope, we are promised renewed strength.(Is.40:31) Please know that surrender, for me, is not a one-time event. It is part of my daily walk with HIM. I guarantee you that everytime I attempt to do this weight loss dance without HIM, I end up with egg (or is that ice cream) on my face and extra pounds in my pockets. But with our GOD, we can begin again. And I do.
Oh, I am so very thankful for HIS invitation to surrender. Grateful that His invitation is open to all. For I have learned that I am a winner when I walk in Christ's victory. And in HIS victory I am a loser....of pounds that is! Thank you Jesus! Praise HIM!
Please read the prayer request post below this post. Thank you!
Is 40:31: "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
I was there just one short year ago. Explaining to others why my conversations were stilted. Why I couldn't walk up the stairs any more quickly. Why I couldn't play basketball with my son. It is amazing what extra weight does to our bodies. It is amazing that it took me so long to do something about it.
But here I am, one year later. Although this weight loss journey is FAR from over, I am closer than I could have imagined 13 months ago. Sometimes all it takes is to take the first step to health. The first day of healthy eating. The first moment of surrender.
Just over one year ago, I surrendered "oreo" cookies. Not that there is anything inherently wrong with those delicious creme filled chocolate cookies. But they were representative to me of all that was wrong with my diet. I tell you this, and you can laugh if you want, but in my spirit I heard the need to lay them on the altar. So I got off of the couch, where I had planted myself along with the cookies and milk, and physically put the package on the fireplace...the closest thing to anything resembling an altar in my home. I knelt before the Lord and surrendered to HIM. I couldn't do it my way any longer. And as my friend Lauren at Faith Fuel http://championyourdreams.blogspot.com/ writes: "He takes the white flag of surrender out of your hand, and in replacement,He puts His own Hand in yours. " What a beautiful picture!
Waving the white flag is not a sign of defeat to HIM, it is a request for victory. Victory in HIM. It is a sign of our hope in HIM. And in that hope, we are promised renewed strength.(Is.40:31) Please know that surrender, for me, is not a one-time event. It is part of my daily walk with HIM. I guarantee you that everytime I attempt to do this weight loss dance without HIM, I end up with egg (or is that ice cream) on my face and extra pounds in my pockets. But with our GOD, we can begin again. And I do.
Oh, I am so very thankful for HIS invitation to surrender. Grateful that His invitation is open to all. For I have learned that I am a winner when I walk in Christ's victory. And in HIS victory I am a loser....of pounds that is! Thank you Jesus! Praise HIM!
Please read the prayer request post below this post. Thank you!
Is 40:31: "But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Please pray
Please pray with me for this wonderful family. Visit their website where you will find their story.www.thelatestonmike.blogspot.com. Mike is our athletic director at the high school where I work. His wife, Diane is the daughter of a dear family in our church. I know you have seen GOD work HIS mighty hand in many ways. We are asking HIM to comfort, strengthen, and heal. What a God who hears our prayers! Praise HIM!
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