Family Weekend

At the end of my Spring Break week was the best weekend ever - time spent with our kids and grandkids! We spent Friday afternoon and evening with our daughter,Carrie, and our grandson, Micah. On Saturday we picked them up and went to a robotics competition where my son-in-law (Carrie's husband, Mardo) was a coach. 

The robotics competition was so interesting! Teams of high school students had designed, built and programmed robots to perform the tasks necessary for the competition. Then the teams made alliances with other teams so that both could score more points during competition. Finally, with 3 teams on each side of the "ring" the robots (with the students directing them by remote control) raced against time to score as many points as possible. When the teams weren't competing they were in the "Pit", working on their robot or talking with spectators.  It sure was fun to see it all!

When we left the competition, Carrie took us to the Midtown Global Market for lunch. 

There was quite a bit to see at the market, and it reminded me of Antigua, Guatemala. 

I fell in love with this giraffe...

.....while Craig really liked this gas pump.

But the we both loved the food. After looking at all the food booths, we decided to eat Mexican. Carrie said that Mardo gave this place his "stamp of approval" when they had eaten here a few weeks earlier. He said that the food tasted like authentic Mexican food.

I decided to order the enchilada platter. Craig ordered the torta, a Mexican style sandwich. Everything was delicious!

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Later that afternoon we went to our meet our boys and their girlfriends for supper and a MN Wild hockey game on TV. We met them at our son's (Aaron) house and had a super evening.

Sunday was Easter. We started off the day by visiting our oldest son's church.  Brenton and Stephanie met us there. Brenton and his son, Andrew,  were volunteering in the nursery - so Micah stayed in there with them. Stephanie had gone to the earlier service, so after saying hello to us she, Jacob and Isabelle went home to start lunch. After church we all went back to their home - and Aaron, Jeff and their girlfriends met us there. We had a wonderful lunch - but the best part was having the whole family together. It was fun watching Isabelle give Micah an Easter egg hunt. It was great watching Jacob and Andrew play outside. It was so nice to see the "girls" - Stephanie, Carrie, Whitney, and Jamie- talk as they got the food ready, and to see Brenton, Aaron, Jeff and Mardo hanging out together. 

I just love being with my grown up children (and their spouses/girlfriends.) I am so thankful for the adults they've become. I appreciate their advice, enjoy their humor, love the fact that they care about each other, and most of all, I am so happy that they all are believers. They trust God, they pray and they believe in the power of prayer, and they are working at being the men and women that God wants them to be.

I  also love my grandchildren. They are beautiful kids, they are talented, they are loving, and they have great relationships with their parents.  

We ended the afternoon with a walk around Brenton and Stephanie's neighborhood. It was nice to be able to be outside together without needing boots, gloves, snow pants, etc. 

The perfect weekend after a perfect week. I am sorry it's over - but I have great memories because I have a great family! I am already looking forward to our next family gathering.... maybe on the 4th of July?

Put On Your Armour

Last Sunday the youth leader at our church gave the sermon. His text was Ephesians 6 and he used his experiences as a Marine in the reserve corps as examples. He talked about how we are in a battle - a spiritual battle. We know that God has victory, but we will still have battles on our lives. He had these three main points to have victory over the spiritual battles in our lives:

1. Know your enemy. Satan, the father of lies, is our enemy. His main weapon is lying. He gets to know our weaknesses and uses lies in targeting those weaknesses. We need to learn where our weaknesses are, so that we can begin to strengthen ourselves and be ready.
2. Know the chain of command. Marines learn that their chain of command starts with the President of the United States, and goes on down from there. They learn to take orders from all superior officers. The Marines know that they are fighting for the freedom of all Americans. As Christians, we take our marching orders from God. We also know that we do not battle on our own, but that the battle is really God's.
3. Know your weapon. When someone becomes a Marine they are issued a M16. That weapon is to go everywhere with them. They eat with it, they sleep with it. They learn how to clean it, shoot it, repair it. They know that weapon inside out. As Christians we have been given a weapon - the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. As I thought about this, the picture came to my mind of the light sabres in the movie Star Wars. That light sword is bright with the power of "the force". Since we're fighting a spiritual battle, we need a spiritual weapon and it's a powerful because it's from God. It's the Word of God. Hebrews 4:12 says,

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged

sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

We need to know our weapon. How do we do that? We need to read God's Word, the Bible, every day. We need to meditate on it, and memorize it. Finally, when the lies come (and they will) we need to use the verses we've studied and memorized to combat the lies. God's word is TRUTH. God's Word is LIGHT - just like the light sabre from Star Wars. The lies cannot stay in the light and truth of God's Word. They are defeated in our lives as we use our one offensive weapon- the Word of God.

Read Ephesians 6:10-17 for yourself. 

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God,so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Now get in the ready position - put on your armour, take up your sword and experience victory in your life through the power of the God of the universe, who loved you so much that He sent His Son to die on a cross to win the ultimate battle against sin.

Hymn for Today

1.            Higher Ground
2. 
   
3. I’m pressing on the upward way,
   New heights I’m gaining every day;
   Still praying as I’m onward bound,
   “Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”
   • Refrain:
     Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
     By faith, on Heaven’s tableland,
     A higher plane than I have found;
     Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
4. My heart has no desire to stay
   Where doubts arise and fears dismay;
   Though some may dwell where those abound,
   My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.
5. I want to live above the world,
   Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;
   For faith has caught the joyful sound,
   The song of saints on higher ground.
6. I want to scale the utmost height
   And catch a gleam of glory bright;
   But still I’ll pray till heav’n I’ve found,
   “Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

Sometimes we don't know where the Lord is leading us. Like the path in the picture, we can't see the destination. We know, however, that God is leading us to higher ground - and not only will He lead us, He will help us and even carry us when we can't go on alone. Pray the prayer from this hymn, "Lord, plant my feet on higher ground." 

A Thousand Little Things

I heard Point of Grace on the radio singing a song called  "A Thousand Little Things."  The song talks about seeing how much God loves you in the little things around you. It reminded me of a book I read a couple of years ago called One Thousand Gifts. I wrote a post about it on February 26, 2011. For a while I did a good job of seeking and recording the "gifts" in my life - the little things that make me happy, the things that are gifts from God.
But, as so often happens, I slowly drifted away. I stopped recording the little blessings in my life.
I was reminded today that if I want to be content, I need to cherish the little things. I need to cultivate an attitude of thankfulness.
So here's the beginning of a new list - I may not record all the little things, but I'm going to try to see, appreciate and be thankful for all of my blessings.

1. Sugar-free vanilla caramel Coffeemate in my morning coffee
2. Dry roads (no snow or ice)
3. A fire in the wood stove
4. Watching the chickadees at the bird feeder
5. A Diet Coke - any time of day!
6. An email from friend or family
7. Sunshine
8. Light from a full moon
9. Our new, large screen TV
10. A good night's sleep
11. The smell of meatloaf and au gratin potatoes cooking in the oven
12. A hot shower
13. Fresh Rice Krispie bars
14. Skyping with my daughter, son-in-law, and grandson
15. Spending the evening with my husband

I Will Rejoice and be Glad

Psalm 118: 24 says,

"This is the day which the Lord has made. 

Let us rejoice and be glad in it."

Today I said goodbye to my daughter, her husband, and their son. They are on their way home to Guatemala. They have been here since the beginning of December, and it's time for Mardo to go back to work. 

I drove them to the airport, collected their winter coats - since they don't need them in Guatemala- hugged and kissed them and told them how much I love them. And then I drove away. I began the drive home with tears streaming down my face. I prayed for their safety. And I asked God why. Why do they have to live so far away? Why is saying goodbye so hard? Why?

God said to me, "You are in the place I want you to be. Carrie is in the place I want her to be. I am enough for you. Lean on me."

I drove the 3 hours home, and the first thing I did was to take our dog, Percy, for a walk. I continued to pray and think about the day. And Psalm 118:24 came to mind. God wants me to choose to rejoice in the day. I can rejoice even when I'm sad. I can rejoice even when I don't understand. Rejoicing is a choice I can make. I'm not rejoicing that I had to say goodbye, or that I may not see Carrie, Mardo, and Micah for a long time. I am rejoicing because God is God. He is faithful. He is unchanging, and He is more than worthy of my praise, my time, my life.

Earlier in Psalm 118 it says,

"The Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and song: And He has become my salvation.."

He will help me to rejoice. He will help me to trust Him. He will be my strength and He will give me a song.  The Psalm starts and ends with this:

"Give thanks to the Lord for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting."

I choose to start and end my days with thanksgiving to the Lord. I will rejoice and be glad because He is my God and I am His child.

And I will cherish the memories of the last 5 weeks - and look forward to Carrie, Mardo and Micah's next visit.

Psalm 23

I have been working my way through a book entitled, 100 Bible Verses everyone should know by heart by Robert Morgan.  I highly recommend this book! Not only does it give you a list of Bible Verses to memorize and organizes them by topic, but it also gives a commentary or devotional about each verse.
I am now on numbers 87 - 92: the Twenty Third Psalm and I have learned so much about a psalm that I memorized when I was a child. Robert Morgan gives a couple of different ways to look at this psalm. Here is the first....

Psalm 23:1 says, "The Lord is my Shepherd; there is nothing I lack."

Notice first that it says my Shepherd.  The Lord is my Shepherd. It doesn't say "a shepherd" or "the shepherd." I am a sheep. I can't fight on my own. I can't provide for all my needs. I need someone to care for me. And Jesus is my Shepherd. He cares for me - and since He is, I will not lack.

The rest of the psalm describes the things He provides for me....
Verse 2 - I shall not lack peace and provisions because He takes me to green pastures and still waters.
Verse 3 - I shall not lack hope and encouragement because He restores my soul.
Verse 3 - I shall not lack guidance.  He leads me in paths of righteousness.
Verse 4 - I shall not lack  help during hard times, because He's with me in the valley of the shadow.
Verse 4 - I shall not lack protection - because His rod and His staff comfort me. He even prepares a table for me in the presence of my enemies.
Verse 5 - I shall not lack healing, for he anoints my head with oil.
Verse 5-6 - I shall not lack blessings, because my cup overflows, and goodness and mercy follow me all the days of my life.
Verse 6 - I shall not lack eternal life. He promises that I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
(100 Bible Verses, p. 222)

Isn't that cool?

One other thing that Robert Morgan commented on, on pages 231-2, is the last verse of the psalm.

"Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live." (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

If the Lord is my Shepherd, then I am surrounded by Him. His goodness and mercy (faithful love, steadfast love, mercy, acts of kindness we don't deserve but He gives us because of His loyal and royal love for us) chases me from behind and His eternal home (the mansion Jesus went to heaven to prepare for us) is my destination. It's before me. Jesus, my Shepherd, my Savior went before me to prepare it for me - just as the shepherd goes before the sheep and prepares the way, prepares a table.  Goodness and mercy are like sheep dogs, helping me to keep going in the right direction.

I hope these thoughts encourage you as they've encouraged me.

Saturday Date

"Come Saturday morning, I'm going away with my friend".... (If you know the song, sing along!)

Last Saturday I went away with my best friend, my husband, to Crosby to go biking on the Cuyuna Trails. There are miles of trails, with views of the goreous mining lakes and beautiful forests. I envisioned a leisurely bike ride, time to enjoy the views and time for conversation.
We loaded up our bikes and headed out. When we got to Crosby and unloaded our bikes, we found that we had a choice to make. Should we take the paved trail that we'd already biked on a few years back, or should we take the dirt trail? I could tell that Craig wanted to explore, so I agreed to "hit the dirt" trail. Little did I know the challenges that lay ahead.  We missed the sign that said, "more difficult." We hadn't gone far when we realized that this was no leisurely riding trail. The trail was narrow, and there were often rocks, roots, and stumps on the trail. The trail was also windy, with lots of switchbacks. We had to be careful to stay on the trail, because if we veered off we'd end up tumbling down a steep hill if we didn't hit a tree first.
We did find several spots where we could stop, catch our breath, and view some spectacular scenery.  There were also road maps along the way, and more decisions - do we take the "more difficult" trail, or the "most difficult" trail? Should we keep going or turn back? I felt a real sense of accomplishment when we reached the paved trail at the end.

Looking back, I see some lessons in all this...

1. Just as we had a choice between the wide, easy path or the narrow, more difficult path... we have choices in life.  Do we take the easy way out? In school do we only take easy classes so we don't have to work too hard? Do we choose a job that's probably boring but is easy, not too much work? Do we stay silent because we'll be ridiculed or challenged if we speak the truth?

2. When life is difficult do we persevere, or do we turn back and quit?

3. If we take the easy path, we miss out on some special things. We miss out on the best views. We miss out on the feeling of a job well done, a fear conquered, a new experience... we miss out on the abundant life God promises.

4. When we were biking on the dirt trail we had to stay focused on the trail, we didn't have much time to look around. If we didn't keep our eyes on the trail, we could end up hitting something and we'd get hurt. We couldn't look back, only ahead. In life we need to keep our eyes focused on the road so that we can avoid the rocks, roots and stumps that could hurt us like temptations, bad habits, friends who aren't good friends, etc.

5. We took time to get off the trail, rest, and enjoy the view. The same is true in life. Every once in a while we need to stop, pull off the trail, and rest. We need to stop to see the beauty and blessings around us. We need to "stop and smell the roses." Have a drink of water - drink of the living water that only God gives.

6. Finally, we celebrated a job well done. We finished the trail. It felt so good to have gone the distance, to persevere in spite of my fear, in spite of how tired my muscles were, in spite of the difference between the path I thought we were going to take and the one we explored.

And what about Craig? He loved every single minute of it. The trail was exactly what he wanted- challenging, fun, beautiful.

We had a great Saturday morning together.

A Word To My Sons

I have three wonderful sons who have grown up to be men of character, men who love God and love others. This past Sunday we sang this hymn in church, and the lyrics are just what I want to tell my boys to remind them to be men of God  first and always. Brenton, Aaron and Jeff - you are always in my prayers!
And to my grandsons, Jake, Drew and Micah, I urge you to follow the examples of your dad, grandpa and uncles.  Ask Jesus to be in your heart always, read the Bible, pray always and you will grow up to be true men of God too. You are in my prayers as well.

Rise up O men of God, (click on this to hear the song)Have done with lesser things.Give heart and soul and mind and strength,To serve the King of Kings.

Rise up O men of God,His Kingdom tarries long,Bring in the day of brotherhood,And end the night of wrong.

Rise up the Lord is callingRise up this is the dayRise up and seize the momentRise up O men of faith

Rise up, O men of God!The church for you doth wait,Her strength unequal to her task;Rise up and make her great!

Rise up the Lord is callingRise up this is the dayRise up and seize the momentRise up O men of faith 

RISE UP... RISE UP...

Lift high the Cross of Christ,Tread where His feet have trod,As brothers of the Son of Man,Rise up O men of God.

Rise up the Lord is callingRise up this is the dayRise up and seize the momentRise up O men of faith 

RISE UP... RISE UP...

An afternoon on the lake is good medicine

This morning was a good morning. We went to church, and it was a good time of worship. We stayed for Snack Attack - a time for coffee, snacks and fellowship. That was good too. So I couldn't figure out, after coming home, why I was feeling blue. I told Craig about it - and he suggested that we have a picnic lunch out on the boat. We packed up some sandwich stuff, pop and chips. We put on our bathing suits, grabbed towels, books, and our inflatable kayak and put it all in the boat. We got Percy too, and headed out onto the lake. We puttered around the lake, and then stopped out in the middle to drift. It was a wonderfully relaxing afternoon - and it really lifted my spirits.

If you're feeling down today:
1) tell someone
2)ask them to help you find something to do that is different from your normal routine
3)go outside and get some fresh air, sunshine, and exercise
4)start counting your blessings - make a list of them, big and small -and thank God for them all.
It worked for me, and it can work for you.

This Is My Father's World

When I look out the windows of the cabin toward the lake, my heart is so full of thanksgiving to God for allowing me the opportunity to live here and experience so much beauty in nature. What a magnificent Creator He is!

And then an old hymn comes to mind:

This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears

All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.

This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world, the birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker’s praise.

This is my Father’s world: He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong, 

God is the ruler yet.

This is my Father’s world: the battle is not done:
Jesus Who died shall be satisfied,
And earth and Heav’n be one.

How My Faith Makes Me Different

My son wrote a blog yesterday with this title, "How My Faith Makes Me Different".   You should pop on over to his blog and read it... and I say that, not because he's my son and I'm proud of him (although I am), but rather because it's a question that deserves an an answer. How does your faith make you different than the people around you who don't have faith in God?
I looked up the word faith in a couple of dictionaries, and the Cambridge Dictionary says this:
Faith is a high degree of trust or confidence in something or someone.
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary has this definition:
allegiance to duty or a person; belief and trust in and loyalty to God; firm belief in something for which there is no proof; complete trust.
The Bible says this:
Hebrews 11:1  "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."

These definitions have a common thread - it is trust or confidence in someone - and that is God. We cannot see Him, but we can trust Him, because of what He has said in His Word. There is lots of proof that the Bible is true - lots of historical documents that support the events in the Bible. But I trust Him because of what He has done in my life. He has answered my prayers. He has kept His promises to me. I have experienced joy and peace that could only have come from Him.

So, I have faith, absolute faith, in the One who made me, who redeemed me, who loves me. But how does that make me different? It makes me different because I am not depending on myself, my own strength, my own wisdom, my own patience, my own love. I fail when I try to have those things on my own. But when I trust Him, He gives me all that and more. When I take myself out of the center of my world, and put God in the center - His rightful place - then not only do I experience those blessings, but I am able to bless those around me. My faith makes me different because it helps me to be the person I was created to be - a child of God. It doesn't take away the trials, the sad times, the frustrating times, the bad times... but it gives me everything I need to overcome them, to persevere, to have joy and victory in the midst of them.

Most of all, my faith makes me different, because it is the only way I have can please God.
Hebrews 11 is all about faith, and verse 6 says, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
Over and over in the Bible it talks about men and women of faith, and how their faith pleased God. My faith in God pleases Him, and He blesses me. And that makes me different.

A Wonderful Mother's Day

Today was a wonderful day -

• Worshipping at Emily Wesleyan Church.  The congregation recognized the importance of mothers and honored all the moms. Then the focus of the sermon was the hope and joy we have in Jesus:
  
  "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13
  
  What a great reminder and encouragement for the day!
• Lunch back at home with my husband, Craig - fresh salad, baked sweet potato and grilled chicken.
• Visited Craig's mom and wished her a happy Mother's Day.
• Spent the afternoon at the shop with Craig, getting ready for our garage sale next weekend. I was able to get almost everything priced, and did a lot of arranging to (hopefully) more artfully display things so people will be able to see how they could use something, and want to buy more.
• Received phone calls from all my boys. It was so good to spend a few minutes talking with each one.
• Pizza for supper and lemon blueberry cake with fresh strawberries on top for dessert.
• Skyped with my daughter, who lives in Guatemala. We had a good chat, and I got to see my grandson, Micah, even though he was fussing and tired. 
• Went for a walk with Craig and Percy, our dog. It's chilly outside, but the snow and ice are gone. The frogs are croaking, the trees are budding, and the grass is getting green.
• Heard the loons for the first time this spring. What a wonderful sound!

I am so thankful for the moms in my life -my mom, who is now in heaven with Jesus; my mother-in-law, Marcy, who lives just three miles away; my daughter-in-law Stephanie, who is a great mom to 3 of our grandchildren; and my daughter, Carrie, who is a brand new mom to our youngest grandbaby. These 4 women are incredible. I am so blessed to have them in my life. In addition, there are many other fantastic women (moms) who touch my life in many ways - coworkers, Christian friends, etc.

 Happy Mother's Day to you all!

Sunday is for....

• raspberry pancakes and a good cup of coffee
• worshipping God at Emily Wesleyan Church
• snacks and fellowship after church
• hamburgers on the grill
• afternoon nap

• watching Twins baseball
• a walk down the road with Percy
• sitting on the deck (yes, I think spring is finally here)

• pizza for supper
• resting, refreshing, renewing - body, mind and soul

Thank you, Lord, for this day of rest and for all our blessings.

Building a cabin, Building a life

Back in 1997 we bought our cabin. It was partially finished, and we were excited to put the finishing touches on it ourselves. We designed the kitchen, built a couple of decks, and enjoyed being up north. After a few years we realized that we needed more room (not to mention a better way to keep the critters out since the cabin was on posts and exposed underneath.) So we had a basement built underneath, and added a family room up above. We had contractors do the outside work, the electric and the plumbing, but decided to do the rest ourselves.
That was 8 years ago, and we are still finishing the inside. But I've learned a lot along the way, and it's been rewarding to see our dreams become reality. Here's just a couple of things I've learned along the way:

1. When walls are just studs, they aren't very sturdy. But cripple studs in between add strength. And sheetrock or siding adds even more strength. Every time one piece is added, the whole structure becomes more sturdy. I realized that life is like that. We need relationships with others, and we especially need a relationship with God to make us strong. Each time we get together with friends the relationship grows. Each time we read God's Word to learn more about Him, and each time we pray our faith grows. 
2. Building is hard work and takes time and knowledge. Craig and I have read many books to learn how to do each task - from building a deck to wiring a three-way switch, sheetrock and taping a wall, and building a bookcase. We have learned that it takes time to do something well, especially when you're just learning. But the hard work and the learning give us such a feeling of accomplishment. Living the Christian life is hard work too. We need to study God's Word daily to learn how to live. We need to die to self, to love others, and to worship Him and pray without ceasing. But the joy and peace that we receive as we grow spiritually is worth all the work.
3. Building is messy, and sometimes we make mistakes. Cleaning up is part of the job. We've vacuumed up more dust, moved piles of wood, and equipment. But usually, when the cleanup is done, we can enjoy the progress we've made. Living is messy and we all make mistakes in relationships, in decisions, etc. But we just need to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and see the progress we are making in becoming more like Christ.

Here's the progress we've made in our cabin - Craig has been doing most of the work lately since he's retired and I'm working long days at my job.

Craig finished the wall coming up the stairway in pine. Now he's working on the trim around the doorway into the dining room and kitchen. You can see the doorway from the dining room side below. 

Today we made plans to build bookcases on either side of the doorway on this side, with a shelf running above the bookcases and above the doorway. It's going to be awesome!

Our other project for today was to move a kitchen cabinet to make way for a new large kitchen window.

 Here's how it looks now. Imagine a big window to the left of the cabinet, and a refrigerator in the corner on the right. The next steps are - installing the window, and taking off the counter top to see how we can re-use the base cabinets. We want to get rid of the peninsula and add an island. We need to extend the base cabinets all the way underneath the upper cabinet and move the sink to the right, centered under the new window.

There's lots to be done in this kitchen - new appliances, new counter, island, and flooring. But at least we've made a start, and we have a plan and a dream of what it will be like when we're done.

There's lots to be done in my life too - growth and change that needs to happen so that I can be the person God wants me to be. But I am making progress. I am a bit more like Him today than I was yesterday. I am reading His Word, practicing obedience, loving others, praying. The work in my life to become the person He wants me to be, the person He created to be, is not easy. I want to be lazy and selfish. But every time I get a glimpse of the life He wants for me, it spurs me on. So I clean myself up by confessing my sins, and I read His directions for life. I get stronger as I spend time with Him. He gives me strength and He gives light to my path. I spend time with other Christians, and they encourage me. Finally, I keep my eye on the prize, the goal - blessings here on earth and  life eternal in the presence of  God.

Be Brave

This week I began rereading the book of Joshua. God tells Joshua 3 times in the first chapter to be strong and courageous. Then in verse 9 He adds, "Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

After the elections Tuesday I was tempted to fall into discouragement and depression. And then God reminded me, "Be strong and courageous. I am with you wherever you go."

It was kind of a hard week at school this week. I was tempted to run, to quit... until I read these words again. God wants me (and you) to be strong and courageous. He says to me "Do not tremble or be dismayed, because I am with you wherever you go."

On Friday night Craig and I watched an old movie on TV called, "Nobody's Fool" starring Paul Newman, Jessica Tandy, Bruce Willis, and Melanie Griffith. It was rather a slow movie, but had some good messages. One scene Craig and I especially want to remember was when Sully (Paul Newman) gave his grandson a pocket watch. He explained how to tell when I minute goes by. Then he tells his timid, fearful grandson that anyone can be brave for one minute. And after you're brave for one minute, then you can be brave for one more minute. Later in the movie there's a time when the grandson must be brave. Sully asks him if he has the watch, which he does. And he becomes brave for one minute and experiences how good it feels to be brave.

We don't need a watch to help us be brave. We just need to remember God's words to Joshua:

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

We just need to keep our eyes on Him, trust Him, and obey Him.

Big Changes, Big God

It's been a long time since I written a blog. But there's a good reason....

I got a new job in a new town. We put our house on the market, and are moving to our cabin. Finally. After years of talking about it, praying about it, and wondering if we would ever actually do it. Here's what happened:

( I should tell you that for quite a while I have felt like I was in a holding pattern - just going through the motions, wondering if I was really doing what God wanted me to do. I had been praying about it.for about a year.)

Back in May we were up north for the weekend, and Craig saw an ad in the paper for a school secretary. He told me about it, and I read the ad. After a day or two I told him I didn't think I would apply. The job was in a very small school district, and I just didn't think it was what I wanted to do.
But I couldn't stop thinking about it. So I started praying about it.

The next weekend we were back up north, and we got together with our small group from church for lunch. So I told them all about the ad. A couple of the people already knew about it - and they all agreed that I should apply. "What do you have to lose?" they asked. "Trust in God. If He wants you to have the job, you will get it and it will be the right job for you."

The next day I wrote a cover letter, and rewrote my resume. The day after that I faxed it to the school district, and within 12 hours I got a call to set up an interview. Was I surprised! But not really - for this is the way God sometimes moves.
The next week I interviewed, and they week after that I was offered the job. And so the move began.

(I have to say that this was not an easy decision to make, to take this new job and make this move. I loved my job in the cities. I had been there 3 years and was just finally feeling comfortable and accepted. I liked our house, and especially our yard there. I liked being close to stores and restaurants, and not too far from our kids. But every time we came to the cabin I felt like I was home. I want to experience living there through all 4 seasons. I want to be involved in a church again. Most of all, I want to come home every night and spend the evening with Craig. I realized that I will still see my kids - after all, we're only moving 125 miles north.)

We put our house on the market, and began moving things to the cabin. After just 12 days we got an offer on our house which we accepted. In just two more weeks our house will be sold, and everything we have will be in one town.
(Isn't God amazing? He works out all the details!)
 We've had the cabin for 15 years - we've dreamed for almost the whole time of living there "someday." And that time is now.

Craig is so excited. My wonderful husband, who has worked so hard, so many long hours, long days of driving a semi, for so many years is ready to retire. He's tired of being gone, of traffic, and truck repairs, of fast food and very little sleep. With this new job for me he will be able to retire. We will be able to live on a lake up north.We will be able to get more involved in our church. We will be together. It's my time to work, and Craig's time to rest.

God is so good. When we wait on Him, when we pour out our hearts to Him, when we honor Him with our lives, our finances, our hearts, He pours out His blessings.

Two Sundays ago the pastor at our church spoke about how important it is to be refreshing to others - to offer them "a drink of water in Jesus' name." And I knew at that moment, that I am exactly where God wants me to be - I am to be that breath of fresh air, that drink of cool water, to the people I work with at my new job.

Big changes? Yes. But when those changes are God ordained, He gives us the strength, encouragement, and wisdom to move forward.

Friday Photo

Life is full of days with sun and clouds - times of joy and sorrow, sometimes mixed together - times when when it's hard to see God, but we get glimpses of the Sonshine and the joy to come.
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Memory verse for today: Ephesians 2:4-7

 ⁴ But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ ( by grace you have been saved), ⁶ and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ⁷ so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Rules for Living

Give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you.
Regard them very highly in love because of their work.
Be at peace among yourselves.
Warn those who are irresponsible,
Comfort the discouraged,
Help the weak,
Be patient with everyone.
See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.
Rejoice always.
Pray constantly.
Give thanks always in everything, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
 Don’t stifle the Spirit.
Don’t despise prophecies, but test all things.
Hold on to what is good.
Stay away from every kind of evil.
(Holman Standard Bible)

In 1Thessalonians 5 Paul gives the church in Thessalonica - and us! - this great list. One commentary suggests that Paul was running out of parchment or ink, so he became very succinct. Sometimes we all just need straight talk. We need to be told what to do, how to live.
So these verses are my memorization "homework" for the week...will you join me?

Breathing In

I am learning that if I want to stay close to God, to have a real relationship with Him, then I need to be reading and memorizing His Word. Last year I was working my way through a book called, 100 Bible Verses everyone should know by heart by Robert J. Morgan. I stopped about half way though...and I'm not really sure why. I guess the important thing is for me to start again, to breathe in God's Word, to breathe in the teaching and presence of the Holy Spirit.

So - some of my verses for this week are Galatians 5:22-23. These verses talk about the fruit of the Spirit.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

I like Morgan's notes about these attitudes: (from 100 Bible Verses, p. 163)
Love - first on the list because it's the fountainhead of all the rest; conveyed (given) to others
Joy - an attitude that lights up our own lives
Peace - quality of calmness and inner strength keeping us steady during tough times
Patience - two kinds: perseverance is patience related to circumstances. Being even-tempered is having patience with other people.
Kindness - the practical side of love - love expressing itself in countless ways big and small
Goodness - being morally sound - the practical side of holiness
Faithfulness - trustworthy of character (because we trust Him who is worthy)
Gentleness - strong of spirit yet warm and friendly in our dealings with others
Self-control - This is the knot at the end of the string of fruit - it is the quality that keeps us from falling back into sin.

Robert Morgan points out that it's one fruit - and he compares it to a cluster of grapes. Jesus said, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5) So, as we remain in Christ, this cluster of attitudes will grow in us!

Breathe

At the beginning of the year I read some blogs about choosing a word for the year, instead of setting goals. I have been thinking about the word, "breathe" for a couple of weeks now so I have decided that it is my word for 2012.
Breathe - here's Merriam Webster's definitions:
1 : to draw air into and expel it from the lungs
2 : Live
3 : to blow softly
4 : to send out by exhaling <breathe a sigh of relief>
5 : to bring by or as if by breathing <breathe new life into the movement>
6 : to say quietly or softly <don't breathe a word to anybody>
7 : to allow to rest after hard work <breathe a horse>
8 : to take in in breathing <breathe the scent of roses>
9 : to allow air or moisture to pass through <a fabric that breathes>

I also looked up Bible references for the word, breathe. In addition to many verses which used the phrase "breathed his last" in reference to dying, I found these:
Genesis 2:7
Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
Ezekiel 21:31
I will pour out my wrath on you and breathe out my fiery anger against you;
Ezekiel 37:9
Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’”
John 20:22
And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness

Here are a few of my thoughts - my applications - after all this research:

• You can't breathe in without breathing out. It is just as necessary for exhale to rid your body of carbon dioxide as it is to inhale oxygen.
• There's no life without breath.
• God breathed life into Adam, and He breathes life into each of us - physical life.
• God also breathes spiritual life into us, when we accept Him as Lord and Saviour.
• We need to breathe out our sins and breathe in God's Word.
• We need to breathe ourselves - allow ourselves to rest after hard work.

This year I am going to breathe.