A Bit of This, That, and the Other

 Have I told you lately how much I appreciate you stopping by?  Well, I do!  Although today may not feel as though I've done much to prepare for our visit, because frankly... I haven't.  I couldn't.

I'm hoping we're good enough friends by now that you'll excuse the mess and clutter and come on in anyway.  Make yourself at home.

Unfortunately, this "whatever it is I have" went from bad to worse over the weekend.  I am not a pill taker, but you know I'm in bad shape when I'm calling a pharmacist to ensure that the medication mix I am wanting to take is safe.  Yep, it was that bad!

So, I hope you can understand a bit better why things are more in a bit of disarray this morning and not as well put together and prepared as I would have liked.

But then, it is what it is.  There are a couple of things I did want to mention:

Bible in 90 Days:
I realize I haven't recently given a shout out to those of you reading the Bible in 90 days.  I have not forgotten you or this amazing journey that you are on.  Some of you are even ahead.  I am so proud of each one of you and the time you are committing to get this done!  Many of you are now in week 9!

Jeremiah and Ezekial... this is where it got really difficult for me.  If you find these books to also be struggles for you, do not let yourself get bogged down here.  Just keep reading... one chapter, one verse at a time.

If you are behind in your reading, do not give up!  There is plenty of time to catch up.  Determine to do so.  Just read, read, read.  In fact, that is more important than what you are reading here, right now.  Believe me, I've got nothing over God's Word!  Now go... read!


How to Do a Bible Word Study
My friend, Mrs. Pear, has been doing an excellent series on how to do a word study from the Bible.  I have bookmarked each post and am eager to get my own in depth word study going.  It might be something you are also interested in learning more about.  Here is her series so far:   Introduction, Part II, & Part III


2011 Reader Survey
For those of you that have completed this survey, THANK YOU!

If you have not yet taken a minute to complete the survey, would you please do so?  I am thinking through and making decisions based on the information and feedback being given.  If you want to have a say in that, now is your chance.

It is quick, painless and completely anonymous.  So, please be honest as I am taking each and every response seriously.
~~~~~
Okay friends, that's all I can muster for now.

What's going on with you?

Willing to Help A Girl Out?

I'm feeling a bit better, but not enough to put many coherent thoughts together.  I thought I'd give my throat a rest and let you do the talking today.

I need your help.  Even better.  By helping me you will be helping yourself.

Have you ever felt like you wanted to share with me what would make my blog more applicable to your needs and what is of interest to you?  Or maybe you like everything as it is and hope there are absolutely no changes.

Either way, here is that chance!

I have created a survey that will help me get to know YOU better.  It will also help me make my posts more applicable to what you want and need.

WHY complete the survey?
* It's easy to fill out.
* The results are completely anonymous.   (Allows for complete honesty.)
* What you have to say matters to me!

Would you please help me out and take a few seconds to fill out the survey?

I appreciate it more than you know! Thanks all!  You're the best....

2 Days in 20 *

Crazy.

That pretty much sums up my last couple of days.  Just a quick check in to say that I had every intention of finding myself here, although life apparently had different plans.

* Business trip
* Flight delays, connecting flights missed, new flights re-booked
* De-boarding for a layover when a guy (who had been sitting on the other side of the aisle from me on the flight) immediately searched and arrested.  YIKES! 
*  Talk of next day snowstorm and city shutting down once arriving at my final destination.  GULP
* Day delayed by 4 hours

*  Middle of the night waking with sore throat, pounding head and hurting ears
*  To location of work next morning with symptoms continuing to present:  achy joints, chills... you know the drill
* Business tasks finished none to early.  Feeling quite miserable by now.
* Everyone still talking about predicted storm coming that night

* To airport hoping for early flight.  Early flight full.
* Last minute seat on early flight.  Felt like I had been given a great gift!
* Flights re-booked as early flight routing me through a different layover city.
* Word on the street in the city of my layover also of snow storm to hit the area.
* Another full flight.  Everyone trying to get out early.  I had a seat!
* Arrived home 3 hours before my originally planned flights.

* Home 10 minutes and the snow started here.
* Tucked into bed by my wonderful family praying to feel better.

* Schools closed today.
* The achy-ness and chills seem to have left my body, but the sore throat and pounding head remain.
* Thankful for today to spend with my children, rest and re-group.


How has your week been?  What's new with you?

What Language Do I Speak?

Blog, sidebar, blogroll, sitemeter, link, bloglines, feed, post..... it's amazing how many words one can learn and become familiar with in such a short time.

I have corresponded with various people new to blogging. I have realized that so often I use these words in my instructions to them.

By using these terms it seems I only add to their confusion. They e-mail back asking for clarification. The words are like a foreign language to them. I need to be much clearer in my choice of explanations.
 ~~~
Salvation, holiness, sanctification, minister, faith, obedience, belief.... these words have become a fluently spoken second language in the church.

I was talking with a friend. She has been wrestling and working through what these words mean to her personally versus what she perceives the church's (as a whole) explanation and expectation to be.

As we were talking I realized that I, for one, am probably guilty of this more than I'd like to admit.

How often do I use this second language with others in my explanations, sharing and even encouragement to them? When I use this language am I just adding to the confusion?

How can I speak so clearly that other's understand and yet still have the same message?

To sit by and watch my friend wrestle through this is difficult for me. It is not fun to watch anyone struggle or wrestle!

I wonder, could this battle have been made any easier if the words used were more carefully selected and explained?

And yet, I know on the other side of this, she will have claimed these words for herself personally. That is a blessing and benefit of this time she faces.

It was a good conversation. She challenged me. I am searching my heart in a few different areas.

One of the areas I find myself challenged to assess, examine and be aware of relates to this question: "What language do I speak?"

Do you think the words we use make a difference?  Have you recently paused to consider what language you speak?

Hymn Sing... Blog Style

Have you ever been to a hymn sing?  The service has no agenda. Everyone just shows up and obtains a hymnal.

The time is comprised of singing one hymn after another all by request of the congregation.  And with the hymn, often a testimony is given as to what makes that hymn a favorite, or what God is doing in that person's life.

Oh how I remember hymn sings of days gone by! What fun those are!  Does anyone even do those anymore?

I have decided to host a good ol' fashioned hymn sing, right here, right now... blog style.

I'm sitting at the piano ready to play for you all to sing out.

What hymn is a favorite of yours? Care to give a testimony?  What makes that hymn a favorite? 

And if you aren't familiar with a hymn, share any song that is resonating deep within your heart right now.

Everyone together now... "La La La La"...

"Let us sing even when we do not feel like it, for in this way we give wings to heavy feet and turn weariness into strength."  ~~Streams in the Desert

How to Fall... When All Seems Dark

Have you ever...

* received devastating news?
* felt that the world was suddenly closing in around you?
* sensed that the events before you were too much to face?
* felt like darkness was consuming you with no hope of escape?
* felt like you couldn't catch your breath, that the news you just encountered left you gasping for air?

I was reminded of a man that must have felt each one of these things. I know I have felt such things and yet, I can't even begin to imagine facing what this man faced.

The first messenger brought news that the oxen and donkey's had been stolen. The farm hands had all been killed except one. That one was standing before him giving him the news. While this one was still speaking another messenger arrived.

This was the second messenger's words, “The fire of God has fallen from heaven and burned up your sheep and all the shepherds. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.” As if that wasn't enough, while he was still speaking yet another messenger arrived.

The camels had been stolen and the servants killed. This servant messenger was the lone survivor. And what was that on the horizon? While this servant messenger was speaking... still another messenger.

There had been a terrible storm causing a house to collapse. A house that belonged to his oldest son. A house that had all of his children in it having a feast. A house that now contained no survivors... except the messenger now standing before him.

As impossible as this sounds, it really happened. I know this story to be a fact. I have read and heard of this man's story before. Maybe you have too. Did you recognize these events that are recorded in the Bible in the book of Job... about Job (Pronounced "Jobe") ?

As I was reading the first chapter again, something stood out to me. It was so profound I stopped. I couldn't help but stop.

My breath caught in my throat. I re-read the line to make sure I hadn't misinterpreted what my eyes believed they had just read. I could hardly comprehend Job's response.

Me?

I would have fallen to the ground in utter grief, in desperation, in overwhelming devastation. I think if any of us were to react in such a way after hearing such news we would understand it. We would not question it. We would probably almost expect it.

What I saw is not what I remembered seeing before. What I saw challenged me.

I saw how Job fell.

After receiving these reports one right after the other, we do know that he fell to the ground. The Bible tells us very clearly that he fell to the ground.

There are now two words that will forever impact how I see Job. Two words, that I pray, will embed so deeply in my own heart that they will now impact how I respond in the face of my worst imaginable circumstances. Two words that caused my reading to stop and my thoughts to center here.

Two words: "In Worship"

After rising and tearing his robe in grief, he shaved his head. He then "fell to the ground in worship."

Job had just received devastating news. I'm sure he felt the world was suddenly closing in around him. I'm sure he wondered if he would be able to face these events.

I can only imagine he sensed that darkness was consuming him with no hope of escape. I have no doubts his breathing became a bit more labored and left him gasping for air as he faced this news.

And in spite of it all... he fell to the ground... in worship.

Oh that my heart might be so trusting of God, His goodness, and His sovereignty. I pray that regardless of what I might face, I, without hesitation, will fall to the ground... in worship.

(This account can be found in Job 1:13-22)

An edited post from the archives

Grace in 4 Chapters... 3 Quotes

 I have two very ill children.  That hasn't left me much time to do anything else.  However, I didn't want this week's Grace Notes post, hosted by Stacey, to completely pass me by.

As we are reading through Andy Stanley's book "The Grace of God", there are some thoughts from chapters 5-8 that have kept circling in my brain, even as I tend to my children.  I wanted to share the three that I have found most challenging to my own heart.

"We are all tempted to ask the same question Adam and Eve asked: 'Is God trying to keep something good from me?' That question changes the subject from obedience to trust."

Once again I find my thoughts turning to the goodness of God.

~~~

"The Law confronted humanity with both the seriousness of sin and the depth of God's grace."

~~~

"The purpose of God's discipline was not to pay him (Jonah) back but to bring him back.  In this way, the discipline of God was simply an unexpected extension of His grace.  Even if it didn't feel like it at the time."

These three alone could have me challenged and thinking for quite some time.

Your thoughts?  Which of these three most stood out to you?  Which one do you find most thought provoking and challenging?

Love... In Real Life

So, it's Valentine's Day.

For many a day full of chocolate and flowers and teddy bears and cards.

My day started quite differently.  In the first wee hours of this morning, I was woke by a child in tears who has been sick since Friday and still not feeling well.  I got up to give medicine, tuck her back into bed, and settle myself back down.

Just a couple of hours later, waking for the day found me not only waking to her cough, but to coughing coming from the monitor in the little guy's room.  It was official.  Two down.

Conversations of last night continued this morning between hubby and I.  Nothing tragic, or majorly upsetting... just the needed communication regarding the stuff of life.

He glanced at me this morning surrounded by ill and coughing children, sent a wink and a smile my way with a loving "Happy Valentine's Day".

I have been considering since what Valentine's Day is really about.

My day will be filled with dosing medications, taking temperatures, wiping runny noses, keeping gatorade cold, serving warm soup, and loading up on vitamin C for myself.

It will find my heart continuing to process through the conversations with my hubby and the direction to head with the stuff of life. 

And then I consider, perhaps the things that will fill my day will be celebrating Valentine's Day after all... in it's truest form.

The things of life...

Not likely to bring the most happiness.  But rather demonstrate love at it's core.

Love... In Real Life.

What is one way you could demonstrate love at it's core to someone today?  Not something normally expected for Valentine's Day.

In fact, it may even be something that wouldn't necessarily provide for you the most happiness, but would meet the heart need of another.

Why not share what you plan to do, or share what you did. 

Let's encourage and inspire each other today to not love because it's Valentine's Day, but love because loving is what life is about.

Happy Valentine's Day to YOU!

The Valentine Lie

In case you hadn't noticed, this weekend ushers us into Valentine's Day.

I am mindful that for some, many perhaps, this does not seem to be a holiday worth celebrating. I am conscious of the fact that some people may find themselves feeling downright miserable.

Of course, this is probably not uttered as much as it is experienced. When others are basking in flowers, chocolates and teddy bears, how could one possibly share of their own disappointments, rejections and loneliness?

A day focused on love and significance to another person somehow so easily gets distorted into meaning one must have a significant other to be celebrated.

You may be a reader today that is feeling lonely. You may feel rejected, wondering what's wrong with you. You may find yourself disappointed... yet again.

Not so long ago my young daughter said the following, "Mom, sometimes girls think they need a boyfriend to feel special."

This broke my heart!


I am saddened as I realize my daughter has already learned of this ugly lie that struggles to be passed off as truth. How is it that we so easily find ourselves looking to others to affirm our need for value?

It angers me to think of the energy that it takes to fight this lie. But I will do it. With everything in my being I will stand... and fight.

I know the personal fight within myself that this lie has generated. I know the battle that rages in the depths of my soul as I continue the war to sort truth from deception.

I refuse to let her be swept away in this horrible torrent of looking for and hoping in people to gain her value when that is a great lie.

I invite you to eavesdrop on some of the words we exchanged as we rode in the car together that evening that she shared that thought with me... my beautiful daughter created in the image of God... and I.

You are significant.
Zephaniah 3:17 (NLT) "For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs."

You are loved.
Jeremiah 31:3 (MSG) "I've never quit loving you and never will. Expect love, love, and more love!"

You matter.
John 3:16 (Amp) "For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life."

You are never forgotten.
Is. 49:16 (Amp) "Behold, I have indelibly imprinted (tattooed a picture of) you on the palm of each of My hands."

You are never alone.
Ps. 139: 11(MSG)"Then I said to myself, "Oh, he even sees me in the dark! At night I'm immersed in the light!" 


To each and every reader today... whether you classify yourself as having a significant other or not... may I have the honor and privilege of wishing you a very Happy Valentine's Day weekend...

all because of HIM!


Originally published Feb. 2010.  I felt that this truth was worth repeating.

The Goodness of God

Lately I've been challenged by thoughts on the goodness of God.

They really started to become consistent in the book of Job as I was doing my reading through the Bible in 90 days.  I just finished the book of Job again as I am now reading through the Bible chronologically.

So often I mention the goodness of God when things are going right. An answer to prayer, health restored, protection noticed... and the words "God is good" slip across my tongue.

Then I am challenged.

Should those same words not pass through my mouth when things don't seem to be going right? Answers to prayers seem silent or even opposed to what I had hoped for, continuing illness with no restoration in sight, tragedy strikes...

Do things and situations alter the goodness of God?

Does God simply just do good? or is He good?

In the classic by C.S. Lewis "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe", Aslan represents Jesus. Mr. and Mrs. Beaver begin describing Aslan to the children, and this is part of their conversation:

“Then he isn’t safe?” said Lucy.

“Safe?” said Mr Beaver...; Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.


Jack Modesett Jr. gives this definition of the goodness of God:

"Wise. Loving. Strong. Gracious.
Wise enough to know what's best for me.
Loving enough to want what's best for me.
Strong enough to do what's best for me.
Gracious enough to give me all that goodness would provide."

Ps. 34:8 (NLT) "Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!"

Ps. 145:9 (NLT) "The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation."


Circumstances of sin and this fallen world do not change the goodness of God.

"The presence of sin means that sometimes we don't get the good that we deserve."           ~Andy Stanley

Being good is not something God does, rather something He is.

Good or bad, ecstatic or tragic... God is Good!

It is part of His character. Just plain who He is... all the time.

God IS Good.

Just this morning as I was preparing to post this, a situation came up that was far from ideal.  As I sensed my frustrations rising within me and the tears coming to my eyes... I knew this was a perfect time to put this truth to practice in my heart.

"Even now, in the middle of this...God, You are still good."

The situation still has not resolved itself.  There is a plan B, but it is not what we would have preferred. 

And yet, I wonder, if perhaps the events of this morning were part of the lesson?  The opportunity to state, in fact, that God is good regardless of the situations that find themselves in my days.

What about you?  Have you ever thought or been challenged to remember the goodness of God, even when it appears that things are not going so well?  Or especially when things aren't going so well?

When was the last time you were reminded and able to say that God is good?  Not finishing the sentence with "when"...  

Instead, just using these three words to sum it all up.  

God IS Good.

Grace is Not Fair

Have you ever heard the phrase, "It's not fair!"... usually said in some type of a whiney voice?  Perhaps you can even recall saying it yourself?

When my children have uttered this phrase, my typical response is, "Who lied to you and told you that life would be fair?"

As I began reading through Andy Stanley's book "The Grace of God", this phrase has completely turned with new perspective.  I find myself increasingly grateful and awed that life, in fact, is not fair.

"Grace is the offer of exactly what we do not deserve.  It (grace) cannot be recognized or received until we are aware of precisely how undeserving we really are." ~~ Andy Stanley

When I consider the choices I make, the thoughts I think, the things I do... and then put those in contrast to the life I live, the blessings I receive, the state and peace of my heart... it does not look right.

If I am completely honest with myself, I have to admit that...it is not fair.

It quickly becomes apparent that I have not received what I truly deserve.  Death.  Instead, I have been given exactly what I do not deserve.  Grace.

"God chose to wade in hip deep and clean up the mess sin had created."  ~~ Andy Stanley

I continue to find fairness thrown out the window. Instead of leaving me to suffer the mess and destruction that I have created, He again extends an unexplainable offer... Himself... in a personal relationship with me.  Despite my mess.  In my mess.

"He (God) initiated a relationship.  He asked an undeserving man (Abraham) to trust him.  And when that man did, God gave him what he needed most and deserved the least- friendship with God.... In making that offer, God offered hope to the human race." ~~ Andy Stanley

Grace extends the exact opposite of what I deserve.  Not because of anything I've done.  All because of Him.

"Grace is not reserved for good people; grace underscores the goodness of God...  He made a choice to make us his own by grace." ~~Andy Stanley

Grace is not fair.

I am Undeserving.  Thankful.  Humbled.  Blessed.

"Grace is the vehicle God uses on occasion to ensure that we get precisely what we don't deserve." ~~ Andy Stanley

Grace. 

For the Love of... Teenagers

I'm a little late in getting here this morning.  My weekend has left me with the need to gently enter this day to start my week.

I will share about the activities of my weekend that required my time, energy, focus and attention causing me to step away from the computer.

But first, I wanted to thank each and every one of you that not only stopped  by, but joined the conversation of introductions last week.  I will be taking some time to get to know each one of you a bit better now that life should again be returning to some sense of normalcy.

Now to the last few days around here.  I accompanied 17 teens from our church as the adult female to our district wide youth ski retreat.

My weekend:

Traveling in a bus filled with excited teenagers for 5 hours: energy filled

Arriving to meet up with 70 other teenagers: energy multiplied

Sleeping on the floor of a gym with only a gym mat beneath you: bearable 

Waking at 5:15 AM (after getting to sleep at 12:30 AM) in an attempt to beat the girls to the shower in hopes of some hot water: crazy

Helping teenagers don ski's, snowboards, and learn the "bunny hill rope tow", repeating the process for an entire day: unplanned exercise

Slipping on the ice covered parking lot and falling to the ground:  painful

Spending an entire day on a ski hill taking pictures and helping others: cold and wet

Applying butterfly bandaids to torn skin, dressing wounds, and caring for sick tummy's and blistered feet:  second nature

Surviving an entire weekend on only 10 hours of sleep: exhausting

Standing shoulder to shoulder with teenagers singing and worshiping Jesus as Lord:  unexplainable

Coming alongside and praying with teenagers as they prayed prayers of salvation and surrender at the evening rally:   priceless
~~~
Long and loud drives, sleeping on a hard mat on a hard floor, early mornings, cold showers, falling on the ice, being cold and wet, little sleep and additional activity leading to exhaustion....

Eternal decisions make it all worth it.

Skiing is used as the avenue to get them away to be immersed in truth... and lives are changed.

Would I do it again? You Bet!

How did you spend your weekend?

Introductions All Around

Some of you have recently joined us here.  I can't begin to tell you how thrilled I am to have you with us as we gather together! 

With that in mind, I am declaring this a welcome and de-lurking post. 

If you have been coming around, hanging out, reading… if you have been here but have never joined in the conversation… go ahead.  If you are new here, join in.  

I’d love to give you an “official” hello!

And to those of you that come to "chat" with me often, go ahead and join the conversation also.  I always enjoy hearing from you! Let's introduce ourselves to the new friends coming to this corner of the blogosphere.

 It's introductions all around...

I'll start and get the conversation flowing with a few very informal "get to know you" questions:

*  What is your favorite ice cream?  Mine is a toss up between Mocha Almond Fudge and Chocolate Peanut Butter.

*   What is your favorite season?  Mine is the fall.  I enjoy the crisp breezes and snuggling around a bonfire in sweatshirts and jackets with a cup of something warm in my hands.  Although I am so ready for spring I wonder if it might not be my favorite right now.

*What is your favorite time of day?  Mine is when my husband gets home from work and the children have come home from school.  After going our own way during the days, nothing beats the family all being together once again!

Now it's your turn.  Share something about you.  Use one of the questions above or share something else completely unrelated.

Due to some items requiring a large majority of my time, energy, focus and attention this weekend, I need to step away from the computer.  However, I am working on some things for when I return.

It's COLD outside but the fire is blazing.  I've left the coffee on and the muffins are out.  Help yourself to whatever else you might find.

Kick off your shoes, grab a throw, put up your feet and make yourself at home.  Feel free to talk amongst yourself. 

I'll join back in on the other side...

In Him There is No Darkness

Are you facing a situation that seems so very dark?  Does it seem hopeless?  Do you feel lost, forgotten, abandoned...

I am personally coming out of some dark days.  I have found myself clinging to the following as a promise.

I have been repeating and praying this when the moments of darkness seemed to weigh heavy on my heart and soul. 

Psalm 139:12

(AMP)  "Even the darkness hides nothing from You, but the night shines as the day; the darkness and the light are both alike to You."

(MSG)  "It's a fact: darkness isn't dark to you; night and day, darkness and light, they're all the same to you."

Though it may seem darker than night, rest assured it is as light to God.

Dark and Light.  Light and Dark.  It's all the same to Him.

If you can not see a way out, how it could change, or what lies ahead... know that you don't need to.

God is not engulfed in the darkness.

He sees ahead. Rest in Him today.

Grace... Behind Bars

Have you ever discovered something where you least expected it?  Have you ever been caught so off guard that an audible gasp actually escaped your lips when you realized what had just happened?  That happened to me yesterday morning.

I discovered grace.  It was in a place that I least expected it.  In fact, I wasn't even intentionally looking for it.  When I noticed it, a a brief gasp left my mouth.  I went back to look again.  Yes, there it was.

Grace... in a prison cell.

Not just any prison cell.  I found grace in the prison cell of an innocent man.

Genesis 39:20b-21a (NIV) "...But while Joseph was there in the prison, the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor..." 

Synonyms:  Favor.  Chen.  Grace.

 It got me to thinking.  Thinking about things that bind.  The potential prison's of a heart.  A soul held captive, maybe even against their will or falsely accused.  

Perhaps hopeless.  Discouraged.  Overwhelmed.  Distraught.  Uncertain.  Lonely.

I was encouraged when I took the time to look again.

Even in the darkest, loneliest, and most unfair of situations... grace can be found.

Even in my darkest, loneliest, and most unfair of situations... grace can be found.  

Grace is found.

Favor.  Grace.  Even in a prison cell.

Where have you recently discovered grace?

Click to learn more about this journey of grace we are taking.