String A Pearl

Hunt for the Treasure

2012-01-25T07:14:00.000-07:00

Parable: A traveler,fleeing a tiger that was chasing him, ran till he came to the edge of a cliff.There he caught hold of a thick vine, and swung himself over the edge. Above him the tiger snarled. Below him heheard another snarl, and behold, there was another tiger, peering up at him.The vine suspended him midway between two tigers. Two mice, a white mouse and a black mouse,began to gnaw at the vine. He could see they were quickly eating it through.Then in front of him on the cliff side he saw a luscious bunch of grapes. Holdingonto the vine with one hand, he reached and picked a grape with the other. Howdelicious! That’s the end of the parable.

Huh??? That's it??? Well how does the story end? Does theman get eaten by one of the tigers? Does he manage to find a way of escape?That's the fun thing about parables. They are stories that don't have a traditional beginning, middle or an end. You have to hunt for the treasure.

A pearl to string: I know myself that I can sometimes be sofocused on wanting to know what's going to happen in the future that I fail toenjoy what I have right here, right now. There will always be good times as well as plenty of trials in life andcountless difficulties to overcome. Butlook up from your trouble and see that you are surrounded by countlessblessings from God: a breath taking sunrise, a blanket of snow, seeing yourbreath on a frosty morning, a steaming cup of aromatic coffee, the fireplaceflickering, my husband in his easy chair reading God's Word and our little dogscurled up beside me.... now that's a bunch of grapes!

Is it possible to focus on the blessings at hand even whenwe are bobbing in a sea of difficulties and we don't know how the story willturn out? For a child of God, it is not only possible, it is essential that welearn to do so. "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned tobe content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and Iknow what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content inany and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plentyor in want." (Philippians 4:11-12)

Are you surrounded by tigers today? Take a moment to enjoythe grape that God has placed right in front of you.

Know you are loved,

Lyndi

Coyote Solution

2012-01-18T05:16:00.000-07:00

Environmentalistsand the U.S. Forest Service were presenting an alternative to Wyoming ranchers for controlling the coyotepopulation.

Itseems that after years of the ranchers using the tried and true method ofshooting or trapping the predators, the environmentalists had a "more humane"solution to this issue. What they were proposing was for the animals to becaptured alive. The males would then be castrated and let loose again.

Allof the ranchers thought about this amazing idea for a couple of minutes.Finally an old fellow wearing a big cowboy hat in the back of the conferenceroom stood up, tipped his hat back and said; "Son, I don't think youunderstand our problem here... these coyotes ain't having sex with our sheep...they're eatin' 'em!"

The meeting never really got back to order.

I look out around our world and I see satan doing the samething to God's people - eatin' 'em alive. The religions of the world are NOT going to save anybody, no where, nohow. Nor are any of the smart thinkers scattered across our planet. The triedand true method through the ages holds true today. It is only by the blood of Jesus that we aresaved.

"For the life ofthe flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make anatonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement forthe soul". (Leviticus 17:11)

A pearl to string: It's baffling too witness thehate and mistrust of those who bring the message of forgiveness & eternallife. I suppose it is because we are all flawed and imperfect. Maybe some can be over the top with theirenthusiasm, some may be boring and some may be annoying - imperfect people canbe like that. It's not, however, thepeople that are knocking at the door of your heart. It's Jesus! We are instructed in 1 Peter 5:8 to be sober and vigilant for satan walks aboutlike a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. So don't be devourable! Stay in His Word.... Hear His knock!

He came that we might have life

Know you are eternally loved,

Lyndi

Earth Sick

2012-01-11T04:44:00.000-07:00

What on earth is going on? Not much good I can tell you that. If you want to be cheered don't tune into the 5pm news. If you want to feel safe don't read thenewspapers. If you want to feel encouraged don't listen to talk shows. If you want to know the truth don't believepoliticians.

So how do you stop yourself from feeling helpless inuncertain times? The same way you keepfrom getting seasick when on a sea cruise. Don't look at the waves crashing aroundyou. Look at the horizon far away. Look at that stable, stationary line. When you fix your eyes on the unshakable,unwavering line, even though the ship bobs up and down in the rough sea yourstomach will stabilize. I learned that lesson growing up in California during my days as a Sea Scout/MarinerGirl Scout. The same holds true in our spiritual lives.

A pearl to string: Don't keep the eyes of your heart focused onyour circumstances or the appalling things happening in this world... it willmake you earth sick. Steady your heart and harvest peace for yoursoul... look to the unshakable, eternal Word of God. Watch "...my God {will} supply all your needs according to His riches inglory by Christ Jesus". (Philippians 4:19) From temporal needs to spiritual needs ..including our need in suffering, for many of us are called to take our turn inthe Lord’s prison-house. Here we need patience under pain, and hope underdepression of spirit. Who is sufficient for furnace-work? Our God will supplyus with those choice graces and consolations which shall strengthen us toglorify His name even in the fires. He will either make the burden lighter, orthe burden stronger; he will diminish the need, or increase the supply.

Lean on Him,

Keep your eyes in His Word

And know you are loved,

Lyndi

Blinker Fluid

2012-01-04T04:37:00.000-07:00

If your mechanic is telling you that you need blinker fluid...friend, you are getting ripped off. But if you really want to see what is goingon in this world of yours..... feed your faith: that's true blinker fluid.

“Now faith is the substance of things hopedfor, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)

Faith is your lifeline to the Lord.

Lose your faith inthe Lord,

and you will lose all contact with Him.

It is very easy to have high levels of faith in the Lordwhen all is well in the kingdom of you, but let someone face a heavier type ofstorm cloud, and all of a sudden their high levels of faith in the Lord couldtake a major nosedive. People in pain start yelling at God as to how He couldhave allowed this kind of heavy storm cloud to come into their life in thefirst place. That's when the whisper lie begins, "Yeah if God loved you He wouldn't let anything hurtful or painfulor bad happen to you." Beenthere, heard that whisper lie! Can we get a grip on reality here? Life is notfair... period! From God's lips to your ears, "In this world you will havetrouble, (John 16:33) but be courageous-I have overcome the world!" So throw all of thetemper tantrums you want, wrestle with God over certain issues you are reallystruggling with – but please do not ever lose your faith in the Lord and thenquit and walk off His playing field.

God has already laidthe ground work for faith in you and His Word tells you how to grow it:

1. “… as God has dealt to each one a measureof faith …”

(Romans 12:3)

2. “… because your faith grows exceedingly.” (2Thessalonians 1:3)

3. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearingby the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)

A pearl to string: You can sum all of this up in one simplelittle statement – as you grow in the knowledge of God through your study ofthe Bible, then your faith will start to grow right along with it. But stopgrowing in the knowledge of God (stop taking time to read God's Word) and yourfaith will stop growing right along with it.

The deeper your faith grows

the wider your peace flows

regardless of circumstances

Don't let your soul go naked into the new year.

May your faith grow exceedingly in 2012

Grow your blinker fluid and

Know you are loved,

Lyndi

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T00:01:00.002-07:00

Turn It Around

2011-12-28T06:53:00.000-07:00

Are you center stage? Does every moment of every day depend on whether things are going your way or living up to your expectations? If daily life seemsto be all about you then turn itaround. It takes practice. “Blessed bethe Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, the God of oursalvation!” (Psalm 68:19)

"Oh rat feathers! The electricity must have gone off inthe night and messed up my alarm clock, now I'm going to be late". Would that start your morning wrong? Wouldyou grouch and growl speeding your way through your morning routine? Would anexpression sit on your face that would scare children, domestic animals and theelderly? Well turn it around. See theblessings. The electricity came back on. (Blessed) My niece in Connecticut lost herelectricity for three weeks with that last storm. You had to take a fast shower? (Blessed) thehomeless man who slept under the bridge last night won't have a shower. Ireally don't like those 'get your guilt on' comparisons. I'd much rather youjust see the multitude of blessings around you and let them light you up. Gettingout of the shower you reach for a clean fluffy towel... ummm... smell good.(Blessed) Clothing enough to make choices. (Blessed) Rush into the kitchen tograb a quick bite.(Blessed) Food, home,all your basic needs God has provided. You look up and see smiles ... of coursethey are fifteen feet away because of the expression on your face. Your smilecan decrease the distance and get needed hugs. (Blessed) You sprint out thedoor and jump into your car. Oh my goshyou've got a car (Blessed) that's parked in a garage (Blessed) that has gas init (Blessed) that working at your job (Blessed) provided the funds to put intothe bank to pay for that gas (Blessed) and all your other expenses.(Blessed) Do you have enough for everythingyou want? No???, then you are (Blessed) Weshould never get everything we want! You back out and drive down the street.(Blessed) neighbors (Blessed) rain??? Huh???? oh no that will slow me..... turn it around (Blessed) The swish andslap of the windshield wipers will keep good time to the music.. so SING(Blessed) laugh (Blessed) and the glow on your face will bless everyone you runinto at work (Blessed)

A pearl to string: My grandmother use to say"Count your blessings". Wellnow I am a grandmother so I'm saying, "Counting your blessings will turnyour attitude of self-focus around to a gratitude that unlocks the joy of theLord. It turns what we have into enough,and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion toclarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger intoa friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, andcreates a vision for tomorrow." “Blessed bethe Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, the God of oursalvation!” (Psalm 68:19)

Turn It Around

Know you are loved,

Lyndi

All Roads Lead to Jesus

2011-12-25T03:03:00.079-07:00

by Phil Ware

If we are honest,there simply are a lot of things that we get wrong about Jesus' birth. It's notthat we don't care about the facts, we just seem to lose them in the mix ofsentimentality and the re-telling of a story precious to us. Aswell-intentioned as we may be, we just get some things wrong:

* The time ofyear -- Jesus was probably born in late
    September or early October,though the explanation
    of that would take too long to put here,just take
    this one verse and do some investigation on when
    shepherdswould have been out in the fields at
    night watching their flocks (Luke 2:8).

* The place whereJesus was born -- probably not a

    barn, but a cave for keepinganimals, especially
    sheep, and in this cave would have been a carved
    out stone for watering them, and this watering
    trough was called amanger (Luke 2:7).

* Joseph and Marydidn't go to the cave to have
    Jesus because the local inn wasout of rooms --
    it was because they were outcasts to their own
    families: folks to whom they were related wanted
    to have nothing to dowith them because Mary was
    pregnant and not married and there wasno
    explanation of her pregnancy that made sense
    (Luke 2:4-7 --literally it says, "FOR THEM
    there was no place in the [family] guestroom").

* Mary doesn'tride a donkey or a camel -- there

    is no mention of her riding. Donkeysand camels
    were expensive. Walking was the common mode of
    transportation.

* The magi didnot show up with the shepherds at
    the manger -- they came to thehouse where Joseph,
    Mary, and Jesus were living (Matthew 2:11),
    probablyseveral months after Jesus' birth
    (Matthew 2:16) and quitelikely because there
    were still unkind things being said about
    Mary'spregnancy.

* The magi werenot three Kings -- they were
astrologers from the East (Matthew2:1-2
likely Iran), who used a forbidden practice

    (astrology) tofind Jesus whom they identified
    as king of the Jews (Matthew 2:2).While we
    know they brought three gifts -- gold,

frankincense,and myrrh -- we don't know how
many of them there were.

When you strip these down and hear the story in itssimple yet brutal beauty, it may lose some sentimentality, but takes on evengreater power. A young engaged couple, expecting a child conceived by the HolySpirit, goes back to their ancestral home and has no one who will take them inbecause they are unmarried and pregnant. They find an abandoned cave normallyused to keep sheep safe. It is abandoned because the shepherds are in their fieldsat night during this special time of year.

Baby Jesus is wrapped in strips of cloth and placed in astone watering trough for his bed. (For those who first heard these stories andknew the culture, this would sound eerily like the tomb in which he was placedin death!) The Lamb of God is rejected by family and people in power. The Lambof God is welcomed by those who tended sheep as he slept where baby lambs wouldhave slept. The shepherds in the fields could have been the very same shepherdswho watched over the lambs slain at Passover, because that is what manyBethlehem shepherds did.

God with us, Immanuel (Matthew 1:23), was not welcomedinto this world by those who knew Mary and Joseph. Jesus, who would save hispeople from their sins (Matthew 1:21), yet he and his family were rejectedbecause everyone suspected he was conceived under "sinfulcircumstances" in the minds of many people. Shortly after Mary becamepregnant, she left her home in Nazareth and went to be with Elizabeth in thehill country of Judea, probably because of her questionable pregnancy while shewas engaged to Joseph (Luke 1:39). Even years later, Jesus would still hear thetaunt that he was Mary's boy, implying that Joseph wasn't his real father andMary's supposed sin had somehow tainted him (Mark 6:3).

At the end of Mary's pregnancy came the required trip toBethlehem.

Where is Joseph's family during this journey? They wouldhave made the trip, but Joseph and Mary journey alone. After the long hard walkfrom Nazareth to Bethlehem, Mary had to give birth without the love or supportof family -- not because they weren't there, but because they had spurnedJoseph and Mary! Mary had risked everything to follow the call of God --including the risk of losing the love and companionship of Joseph (Matthew1:18-19). And Mary did all of this to offer herself to God as the servant ofthe yet to be born Messiah (Luke 1:38). And when Joseph joined her in this riskof obedience, he was ostracized, too!

The story of Jesus' birth is a powerful testimony to theamazing obedience of two simple people who were willing to risk everything tohonor God. And this story is a powerful testimony to the amazing love of God torisk everything to the faithfulness of these two people.

Such is the love of God for us … for all of us … thosenear and far from God … to show us that Jesus came to include us … each of us …all of us … in his mercy and grace.

So we see Jesus welcomed, worshiped, and proclaimed byJewish shepherds (Luke 2:15-20), Iranian astrologers (Matthew 2:1-11), andangels from heaven (Luke 2:8-14). We see his birth recognized and feared byKing Herod and his religious experts (Matthew 2:3-8). We find precious anddevout servants Simeon and Anna, both long in years, rejoicing in his birth andproclaiming God's loving mercy in the Temple (Luke 2:22-28).

We see his birth set in history in Roman time (Luke 2:1)and Jewish time (Luke 1:5-7). We see Jesus' genealogy traced through David andAbraham (Matthew 1:1-17) -- with some Gentile detours through Gentiles likeRahab and Ruth -- and we see it traced through David to Adam (Luke 3:23-37).

Bottom line, no one is left out. Whether we get somethings wrong or we research every bit of minutiae, all roads lead to Jesus --whether those roads are traveled by Jews or Gentiles, the pitiful or thepowerful, the righteous or the rebellious! Jesus is the story of God's love,the testimony to God's gritty grace, and the living witness of God's costlykindness for all people (John 1:14-18). And that story is consistent frombeginning to end -- from cave to grave, from heaven and back to glory.

May he be born in us this day and not lost insentimentality or sanctimony of our season!

You can find the video here: http://hlt.me/tmlFpr

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(c) 2011 PhilWare <phil@heartlight.org>. Allrights reserved.

It's Christmas

2011-12-21T03:31:00.003-07:00

December 25–Christmas Day–has been a federal holiday in the United Statessince 1870.

Thousands of people know that holidays like Christmas andEaster have pagan origins, but we don'thear of the holidays being celebrated in pagan fashion like days of old. It is kind of creepy knowing that though. ewe!For whatever reason the church leaders had for choosing the dates they are thedates we celebrate. Christmas... MerryChristmas. Say that in public a few times these days and watch heads spin. Christmasis obnoxious to some because it represents the combination of two words,"Christ" and "mass." The word means "the mass ofChrist." But what does"mass" really mean in the compound word Christmas? The dictionaryreveals that the English term mass evolved from the Anglo-Saxon word maesse, which derived in turn from theLatin missa, which is a form of theverb mittere, which means "tosend." Consequently, the root meaning of Christ-mass is "to sendChrist," or "Christ is sent." There is nothing inherently obnoxious in the name Christmas. The termaccurately represents what the holiday is all about--the sending of Christ.

In doing that little word study Idiscovered another thing that sets my teeth on edge like fingernails scratchinga black board. Xmas!?! The abbreviation Xmas takes Christ out of Christmas right?That's what I thought. Certainly some who use the abbreviation may do so forthat very reason. But the abbreviation did not originate either to take Christout of Christmas or as an "irreverent modern substitute forChristmas." The X in Xmas did notoriginate as our English alphabet's X but as the symbol X in the Greekalphabet, called Chi, with a hard ch. The Greek Chi or X is the first letter inthe Greek word Christos. Studies reveal that as early as the first century theX was used as Christ's initial. Certainly through church history we can tracethis usage. In many manuscripts of the New Testament, X abbreviates Christos(Xristos). In ancient Christian art X and XR (Chi Ro--the first two letters inGreek of Christos abbreviate his name. This practice entered the Old Englishlanguage as early as AD 100.

A pearl to string:.God planned and executed the first Christmas. No matter how flagrantly men mayabuse this holiday, they cannot rob devout believers of its wonder and glory asexpressed by the angel of old, "Fearnot: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to allpeople. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which isChrist the Lord" (Luke 2:10, 11).

Christ IS sent...

Because God loves you

MerryChristmas my friends

Ilove you too

Lyndi

Enjoy this fun song: ChristmasWith A Capital C http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAckfn8yiAQ

Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne

2011-12-19T09:20:00.002-07:00

A very old Hymn my Grandmother Chase use to sing to me.
Text: Timothy R. Matthews
Music: Emily E. S. Elliott
________________________________________
1. Thou didst leave thy throne and thy kingly crown,
when thou camest to earth for me;
but in Bethlehem's home there was found no room
for thy holy nativity.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
there is room in my heart for thee.

2. Heaven's arches rang when the angels sang,
proclaiming thy royal degree;
but in lowly birth didst thou come to earth,
and in greatest humility.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
there is room in my heart for thee.

3. The foxes found rest, and the birds their nest
in the shade of the forest tree;
but thy couch was the sod, O thou Son of God,
in the deserts of Galilee.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
there is room in my heart for thee.

4. Thou camest, O Lord, with the living Word
that should set thy people free;
but with mocking scorn, and with crown of thorn,
they bore thee to Calvary.
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
there is room in my heart for thee.

5. When heav'ns arches shall ring and its choir shall sing
at thy coming to victory,
let thy voice call me home, saying "Yet there is room,
there is room at my side for thee!"
And my heart shall rejoice, Lord Jesus,
when thou comest and callest for me.

Lonely this Christmas?

2011-12-14T04:16:00.013-07:00

Loneliness is the painful gap in your life between theamount of contact you want to have with other human beings and the amount youactually have. Loneliness is about loss:loss of a loved one, loss of a family grown up, loss of being grown withoutfamily, loss of a youth stolen by tragedy, loss of physical abilities or lossof health to name a few. With painfuldisappointment many suffer from feelings of shame, self-pity, guilt or failure.

We are about toexperience the shortest day and the longest night of the year. Many know whatit feels like to be in the darkness of night. Others have called it “the darknight of the soul,” or “the winter of our discontent.” This time of year canbring back memories of past pain and sorrow. It highlights and heightens newexperiences of suffering and this Christmas season is not a joy for everyone. Inlove & compassion people reach out and gather in the lonely yet oftenit hurts more going and seeing a family group that you're outside of.

"Even in darknesslight dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteousman". (Psalm 112:4)

A pearl tostring:Oh my goodness there is power in God's Word, in His promise! Just as night passes into dawn, for thegracious and compassionate and righteous, dawn comes even in the worst nightsof deep spiritual darkness. The Holy Spirit is reminding us that even in thoseworst times of cultural decay and decadence, satan's darkness will not ruleforever. His darkness cannot stay where Jesus'disciples reflect the character of the Light of the world.

That just lit me up. I was feeling so blue not having the physical ability to decorate myhome for Christmas, which was in itself a spiritual time of joy for me. I am inthe process of grieving that loss in my life and along comes Jesus. He comesright into my heartache to remind me I am His walking decoration when I reflectHis character.

You know what "they"say when you are standing out on the ledge of the 72nd floor of a tallbuilding..... "don't lookdown"! When you're hurting... don't look down!

No matter what you are facing, no matter how bad it gets orhow deep it hurts... there is hope in that beautiful child's birth that wecelebrate this time of year. Each one of us can choose to reflect His characterand decorate our world.

Let us shine & twinkle

He came so you would know

You are loved,

Lyndi

The Outcome is His

2011-12-07T09:39:00.000-07:00

Back in the day when I was inHigh School one of the big events I was looking forward to was going to thepremier of "Ben Hur", the greatest epic movie of it's time. That was"The" red carpet event back then. A good old fashion Hollywood special screening premier with the high-intensitysearchlights criss-crossing the night sky and a very big deal to me. The boy Iwas dating had made all the special arrangements. At the last minute he told me that he had anemergency and had to travel out of town with his family on the night we had plannedto attend. Disappointment didn't begin to describe my feelings. He said we'd goto the movie when he got back. Going to a movie and the premier of a movie aretwo completely different things. I then learned that boy was not out of townbut had taken my friend (?) to the premier. Imagine my joy in plotting hisdemise after I cried a bucket of tears and then planned her demise. That sunk two friendless-ships. My dad cameto my heart rescue and escorted me to the private cast party celebration viewingof Ben Hur. Wow, what an evening! Ididn't know any of the other stars but meeting Charlton Heston that night was adefinite memory maker. Having that very special evening with my dad was THEquintessential blessing bigger than life itself. It certainly helpedme to have a dad in "the Hollywoodbusiness"

Those fun memories cameflooding back while I was reading a devotional from God's Little DevotionalBook about how Charlton Heston worked long hours with the stunt trainersto learn to drive a chariot for the movie's crucial chariot race scene. Heimproved greatly with His mastery over the horses and rig, but finally becameconvinced the task was more of a challenge than he had initially anticipated. He approached the legendary director of themovie, Cecil DeMille about the scene. "Mr. DeMille," he said,"I've worked very hard at mastering this rig, and I think I can drive itconvincingly in the scene. But I don't think I can win the race."

The director replied, "You just drive. I'll do the rest."

A pearl to string: God has a way of orchestratingthe various races we run during the course of our lives. He trust us to do ourpart in "manning the rigs." We must trust him to determine the resultof the race.

"Therefore, since we aresurrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything thathinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverancethe race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author andperfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross,scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.(Hebrews 12:1-2)

The greatest act of faith is when man decides he is not God but realizesthat "he can do all things through Christ who strengthens him." (Philippians 4:13)

We have a Creatorin the Saving business

You are loved,

Lyndi

NOTE: I love the point this illustration makes but I'm notsure of the validity of the story. CecilB DeMille was not the director on the 1959 Ben Hur movie but he did directCharlton Heston in the Ten Commandments in 1956 which turned out to be Mr.DeMille's last film. William Wyler directed the 1959 movie. AND yes I did windup forgiving both friends but didn't choose to hang with either one of them again:)

Christmas With A Captial "C"

2011-12-01T08:58:00.000-07:00

Do Right

2011-11-30T04:20:00.011-07:00

"Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold thecause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked". (Psalm 82:3-4)

Likethousands upon thousands of you my heart is hurting for those sufferingchildren as we witness the horror of the news unfolding before our eyes at Penn State.In the midst of all this I was blessed to learn that while some students actedout their pain by throwing a temper tantrum (riot) a large number gathered oncampus to pray for the children who have grown into young men and theirfamilies. The wait for justice was too long for saving. The healing had tobegin without it. Honestly to do theright thing now won't make up for the past but it will guard the future.

Thoughwe are living in a society of moral decay I think we'd all like to believe thatgiven the same set of circumstances we would have done the right thing for thekids. Judging from hindsight does not really give anyone a clear picture ofwhat it looks like or what it costs to be a person who does the right thing.

In the fifth century (early 400'sA.D.) a little monk named Telemachus was led by an inner voice to go to Rome without knowing why.At that particular time in history the Romans held gladiator events that wereloved and cherished by the people much like our football is cherished today.Back then the honored sport had grown so much in popularity that it had becomea 'god' to the people. Telemachus followed the crowds to the Coliseum. He was appalled to witness two gladiators fightingto the death. Moved by his compassionfor the sanctity of life Telemachus tried to get between them to stop them,shouting three times, "In the name of Christ, forbear!" Telemachuswas stoned to death by the furious crowd, enraged that someone would dare tointerfere with their "entertainment." Because of Telemachus' death, three dayslater, the Emperor by decree ended the Games. One man dared to do the right thing. One man who loved God stoodfor God's Word and evil was squelched.

“The ‘gods’ know nothing, theyunderstand nothing. They walk about in darkness; all the foundations of theearth are shaken". (Psalm 82:5)

A pearl to string: Would a better moral climate at Penn State University and thesurrounding community have changed the behavior of an alleged pedophile?.... probably not. Would a better moral climate at the University and in the community havechanged the response of those who saw what was happening? I believe it wouldhave. Do Universities and communities across this nation share in the declineof morality? I believe we all do. Moving away from God is moving intodisaster.

"He has shown you, O mortal,what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to lovemercy and to walk humblywith your God". (Micah 6:8)

We're in this life together... We've tried the 'me, me, me'method and it's not working so well. Each person has to choose who they will serve. For my husband and I andour household, we will serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:15)

He loves all of us,

Lyndi

Capture Unchecked Thoughts

2011-11-16T05:55:00.000-07:00

Everget something stuck in your mind? Themore it rolls around in your head the more you think on it. All thepossibilities and ramifications grow worse the longer you think on it. Wow whatwas a moehill is quickly becoming a mountain and it is all in my mind. Atrickle can do that. If it continues it may turn into a stream, and then abrook, then maybe a river. Before you know it, you’re dealing with an ocean ofunchecked thoughts. Capture thoseunchecked thoughts.... don't let them roam around in your brain till they drop intoyour heart.

Hasthis ever happened to you? I’d like to say I have it all in hand and I stopthose thoughts dead in their tracks, but it took awhile for me to recognizewhat was going on and then turn in another direction. Sometimes it still does.I depend on the Holy Spirit to alert me.

A pearl tostring: Scripture has the only satisfying answers forme: "We demolish arguments and everypretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we takecaptive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (2 Corinthians10:5) "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he..."(Proverb 23:7)

I kept this poem framed and hanging on the wall in ourkitchen to remind me often how very important our role as parents was to thefuture of our children.

Twasa sheep not a lamb that strayed away
In the parable Jesus told,
A grown-up sheep that strayed away
From the ninety and nine in the fold.

Andwhy for the sheep should we seek
And earnestly hope and pray?
Because there is danger when sheep go wrong;
They lead the lambs astray.

Lambswill follow the sheep, you know,
Wherever the sheep may stray.
When sheep go wrong, it won’t take long
Till the lambs are as wrong as they.

Andso with the sheep we earnestly plead
For the sake of the lambs today,
For when sheep are lost, what a terrible cost
The lambs will have to pay! -C. C. Miller

Capture those unchecked thoughts!

You are loved,

Lyndi

Keep Him

2011-11-09T07:46:00.000-07:00

Our culture is changingand growing darker the further away we move the Lord from our way of life. The late U.S. Senate Chaplain Dr. Peter Marshall used tolove to tell the story of the "Keeper of the Spring," a quiet forestdweller who lived high above an Austrian village along the eastern slope of theAlps.

The old gentleman had been hired many yearsearlier by a young town councilman to clear away the debris from the pools ofwater up in the mountain crevices that fed the lovely spring flowing throughtheir town. With faithful, silent regularity, he patrolled the hills, removedthe leaves and branches, and wiped away the silt that would otherwise havechoked and contaminated the fresh flow of water. The village soon became apopular attraction for vacationers. Graceful swans floated along the crystalclear spring, the mill wheels of various businesses located near the waterturned day and night, farmlands were naturally irrigated, and the view fromrestaurants was picturesque beyond description.

Years passed. One evening the town council met forits semiannual meeting. As they reviewed the budget, one man's eye caught thesalary figure being paid the obscure keeper of the spring. Said the keeper ofthe purse, "Who is the old man? Why do we keep him on year after year? Noone ever sees him. For all we know, the strange ranger of the hills is doing usno good. He isn't necessary any longer." By a unanimous vote, theydispensed with the old man's services.

For several weeks, nothing changed.

By early autumn, the trees began to shed theirleaves. Small branches snapped off and fell into the pools, hindering therushing flow of sparkling water. One afternoon someone noticed a slightyellowish-brown tint in the spring. A few days later, the water was muchdarker. Within another week, a slimy film covered sections of the water alongthe banks, and a foul odor was soon detected. The mill wheels moved moreslowly, some finally ground to a halt. Swans left, as did the tourists. Clammyfingers of disease and sickness reached deeply into the village.

Quickly, the embarrassed council called aspecial meeting. Realizing their gross error in judgment, they rehired the oldkeeper of the spring, and within a few weeks, the veritable river of life beganto clear up. The wheels started to turn, and new life returned to the hamlet inthe Alps.

Apearl to string:If the powers that be continue to take God out of every aspect of our humanitywe will become diseased and sick just like the little village. I can already see the leaves of anger and thetwigs of resentment with the silt of unforgiveness plaguing our society. What we see is becoming what we get as we useour human reasoning in place of God.

"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good,your whole body will be full of light.

But if your eyes are bad, your whole body willbe full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great isthat darkness!" (Matthew 6:22-23) "Worldly-mindedness is a common andfatal symptom of hypocrisy, for by no sin can Satan have a surer and fasterhold of the soul, under the cloak of a profession of religion." MatthewHenry

We the people need the Lord.

It is His love that keeps us safe,

and gives us eternal hope.....

Lyndi

Un-thrown Stones

2011-11-02T04:24:00.015-07:00

Up at a ghastly hour one morning checkingout face book for prayer fodder when I hit pay dirt. A gentleman wrote: "I am learning that the term"best friends" often makes its way to the people you thought wereyours....People who claim God as their compass are the worst in myexperience". Whoa..... that's thought provoking. I hadseveral different reactions...... I bet you will too and I'd love to hear wherethis question led you.

First I climbed right into thepain of a "Christian bestfriend" behaving in a manner that would break hearts. How devastatingto have that happen more than once in a lifetime. Then this voice came into myhead, what difference does it make if their skin is Christian? Is this a lovecrime? People seem to expect the world to act like the Word, but when"members" of the Body of Christ act like the world it sendsshockwaves to the soul.

Uh oh, Iseem to be moving right into judgment. I'mthinking if any of us is experiencing a painful situation over and over againthen maybe it's not the situation that is the problem. One of my personalstruggles in life has been EXPECTATION. I have grown through pain and prayer togive it the 1, 2, 3 punch when my expectations of others goes off kilter.

1. TheLaw of Power by Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend: “You only have the power to changeyourself. You can’t change anotherperson. You must see yourself as theproblem, not the other person. To seeanother person as the problem to be fixed is to give that person power over youand your well-being. Because you cannot change another person, You are out ofcontrol. The “REAL problem lies in how you are relating to the problemperson. You are the one in pain, andonly you have the power to fix it”

2. Jesus died for mysins…..and He died for those who sin against me.
3. Forgiveness is the perfume that the trampled flower castsback upon the foot that crushed it

A pearl to string: “Peopledo things for their own reasons, not yours” Idon't have any stones to be throwing at anyone. Let him who never made amistake, or poor choice, or stupid decision. or let anybody down...cast thefirst stone. "Let him who is withoutsin among you be the first to throw a stone..." (John 8:7b) "Love yourenemies and pray for those who persecute you, (Matt. 5:44) do good to thosewho hate you" (Luke 6:27)

Margaret Lee Runbeck said: "Happinessis not a state to arrive at, but a manner of traveling." I might add travel well and don't let thebaggage block your view.

You are loved,

Lyndi

Tired of the Ugliness?

2011-11-01T08:13:00.001-07:00

by Ron Rose

Then you willshine among them like stars in the sky ...(Philippians 2:15 NIV).

Preparation

I'm tired of the ugliness. The financial struggles thisyear are ugly.

The 2012 election cycle promises to be one of the ugliestcampaigns in history. Public discourse is punctuated with disrespect and foullanguage. As news breaks from day to day we are exposed to all manner ofcreative ugliness. In the last few months I have witnessed ugly weather, uglymoods, ugly situations, ugly architecture, even ugly truths.

Uglyism lives! It appears when we least expect it.Instead of staying just below the surface, it's popping above the surface andhanging around. This week, even with your eyes closed, you will see ugliness.

Without trying, you will be exposed to ugly comments,ugly injustices, ugly squabble, ugly arrogance, ugly attitudes, uglyconfrontations, and a few ugly messes.

What do you do when faced with ugliness? I see 4 possibleoptions.

1. You can run;run as fast as you can.
2. Ignore realityand go straight to Denial.
3. Condemn theugliness and talk constantly about how bad it is and how sad it isthat we live in this mess.
4. Become anagent of transformation.

Hidden somewhere in the middle of ugliness is blessingand beauty, put there by the Creator. He continues to allow ugliness so we canget introduced to new beauty. It's there, unseen, but there.

This is not the time to run. It's time to be the story ofblessing, to see the unseen beauty growing wild in this culture of ugliness.

Inspiration

One of the most thought-provoking movies in my DVDcollection is "The Green Mile." It's a story of ugliness and pain.Most of the movie is set in a death row prison of the 1930s. In a cell, towardthe end of the hall, is an innocent large black man named John Coffey. He hasfew words to say, but he is the reason for the movie.

They say he committed a brutal crime, but as the storyunfolds you learn he is innocent. And, more than that, he has miraculous giftsof healing and prophesy. Just by touching the arm of a fellow inmate, he cansee the rapes and murders that the man has committed.

Tom Hanks plays the head guard who finally comes to thetruth: John is innocent. He asks John if he wants him to fight to get him offdeath row.

In a weeping response, Coffey explains: I's tired, boss.Tired of bein' on the road, lonely as a sparrow in the rain. Tiredof not ever having me a buddy to be with, or tell me where we'scoming from or going to, or why. Mostly I'm tired of people being uglyto each other. I'm tired of all the pain I feel and hear in theworld ever' day. There's too much of it. It's like pieces of glassin my head all the time. Can you understand?

Tom's character did. Do you?

Motivation

You have a gift, maybe not one of Coffey's gifts, but youhave a gift.

The God of transformation has given you eyes to see theunseen, to see beauty when all around you is pain and ugliness. You CAN see thegood when it's covered in badness, the hope in hopelessness, the healing inpain. There is beauty in the middle of ugliness.

Now, the question: Do you choose to open the gift, or runwith the ugly crowd?

For one week, just one week, try seeing the unseen.

Pray for eyes to see beyond the ugliness, to see hope andgoodness and beauty. It's a gift from God. Believe it. Live it, for just oneweek and you will be transformed. Your mind will be renewed. You will become anagent of transformation.

Look for it!

---------
(c) 2011FaithFitness and Ron Rose <ron@faithteam.org>.

Garden Party

2011-10-26T05:00:00.012-06:00

Ever notice what you instinctively do when you are doingsomething or wanting something that does not line up to what you understand isGod's will or plan for you? Your sinnature replicates the garden party with Eve and the snake whittling away at her resolve.

Well.... he's stillserving apples and people are still going to his garden party.

If you findyourself moving away from God: not reading His Word, not praying, not wanting togo to church or fellowshipping with other believers. Temptation could be leading you in thedirection of giving up your protection. Perhaps it's a stale mate in your marriage, or mean spirited people inyour work place. You could beoverwhelmed with responsibility at home, work, school or all three. Maybe you are so discouraged over financesthat you can't see straight. The temptation to not go Gods way and just takecare of your needs your way can lead to a prodigious disaster.

The temptation is not the problem but entertaining a thoughtagainst God's ways is the first step in deception. Misquoting God's Word to yourself begins thejustification process towards sin. Youhave been tempted but at this point.... right here.... there is a choice toturn back to God's word, His ways for your answers. If you listen to thedeceiver you will be as Eve was in the garden of Eden: She was sold. She was mesmerized. She wascaptivated. It was too irresistible to walk away. She didn't say another word.She didn't ask Adam for advice. She followed her senses right into sin.

A pearl to string: The beauty of God's Word... it's a blueprint for living in a fallen world. God will show the way.... when Jesus Christwas tempted by the devil, He quoted Scripture perfectly. There was nodiscussion, no friendly conversation. Straight Scripture -- the sword of theSpirit. Likewise, the Psalmist wrote in Psalm 119:11, “Your word I havehidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” The only way toresist the enemy is with the exact words of God, spoken from an obedient andbelieving heart.

Keep growing inHim

God is yourprotection and
you are loved,
Lyndi

Adversity Reveals

2011-10-19T10:38:00.000-06:00

Doyou know where you are? When I go to themall I know where I am. There is always a giant sign to tell me, YOU ARE HERE!What a relief I giggle to myself, I am here! I don't know why upon learning,YOU ARE HERE, that we always want to go over there instead. Ever notice once you get there and check thesign it says, YOU ARE HERE?

Isthis a test? YES, life is a test!

JohnBevere says, "that trials and tests locate a person. In other words, theydetermine where you were spiritually. They reveal the true condition of yourheart. How you react under pressure is how the real you reacts." Yikes!

God’s ultimate purpose for us is to grow more into the imageof His Son (Rom 8:29)
Trials develop godly character, and "suffering produces perseverance;perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us,because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom Hehas given us” (Rom 5:3-5) "Blessedis the man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he willreceive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who loveHim" (James 1:2-4,12) God has also assured us that no trial will testus beyond our ability to bear it, and “hewill also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it” (1 Cor.10:13)

In Old Testament times, the people of Israel, upon avictory in a battle, or a special event would build of stone a memorial ormarker, sometimes referred to as a stele. They placed together stones, orcreated an altar where they sacrificed an animal as part of a ritual of givingthanks. This was done in remembering what GOD HAD DONE in the lives of Hispeople. They knew He had brought them through the trial and wanted to mark themoment or time. So years or decades later,the 'history' could be marked that indeed the Lord had been good and broughtthem through a challenge or delivered His grace and power and might for justthe right occasion.

A pearl tostring: The horse is apowerful animal, yet with the tug of the reins, nudge of a knee or the tap of aheel, he will submit to his master’s bidding. On the other hand, a wildstallion that has not been brought under the control of a master is of verylittle use. I'm not crazy about trials and I've often asked the Lord, "are you sure you have the rightaddress?" but I don't want to be a useless wild stallion. So Imemorized Job 40:4, “I put my hand overmy mouth” and obey and watch what the Lord is doing. Ok, maybe I kick up alittle dust sometimes but I'm growing cuz God isbigger than all my trials..

Heis Amazing Grace!

Countyour steles

Andknow you are loved,

Lyndi

Defiance or Devotion

2011-10-12T04:08:00.009-06:00

Do you ever get mad at God because you don't think He isanswering your prayers? Do you ever run down a list of what a good person youare in this world and shake that list at God? You know the kind of thing, "I am nice to people, I tithe, I pray,I read my Bible everyday..... hey wouldyou all shut up I'm trying to think in here".

"Well come on...that was annoying they were making so much noise.... Don't I have a right to bea smidge irritable with all that racket going on?"

That was not exactly a gracious demo of the fruit of thespirit. I don't think God is looking for any of us to be right standing withthe world or our cultures' ways. Politically correct is nothing more than communaltyranny.

God's love always happens right where you are and your loveneeds to happen there also.

Matthew 9:7 “Which ofyou, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone"? Oswald Chambers explains the illustration ofprayer that Our Lord uses in the Scripture verse is that of a good child askingfor a good thing. A good child being one who is in right standing with theirFather. We talk about God answering our prayers irrespective of our behaviorand our right standing with Him. Are you rightly relating to your wife, to yourhusband, to your children, to your fellow-students, your co-workers - are you a"good child" there? "

The Lord's not going to change His ways for you. He's not going to say ok I've commanded everyoneto be kind, merciful and forgiving but for you my precious, it's the deal ofthe day, I'll let you live selfishly, be grouchy, mean, tell lies and cheatothers and I'll grant your prayers. Not going to happen.

A pearl to string: I am a child of God only byrebirth, and as a child of God I am good only as I walk in His ways. "Prayer with most of us is turned intopious platitude, it is a matter of emotion, mystical communion with God.Spiritually we are all good at producing fogs". (Oswald Chambers) Weneed to be honest with ourselves and turn away from wrong living. None of uswill ever be perfect that is not the goal ... it's to live as a child of God,following Jesus. Really it is no usepraying unless we are living as children of God. Then, Jesus says - "Everyone that asks receives."

His mercy is new every morning,

You are loved

Lyndi

I Love that Kid!, by Rubel Shelly

2011-10-07T08:42:00.000-06:00

I don't know JoshRipley, but I love that kid! Let me tell you why.
Sixteen-year-old Josh is a junior at Andover (Minnesota)High School.
He was running a 5K race on Sept. 16 in a field of 261competitors.
With the race less than half done, the 6-foot-5-inchrunner heard a scream and saw a runner he didn't know crumpled against a fence-- holding a profusely bleeding ankle.

The injured athlete was 5-foot-5-inch Mark Paulauskas, afreshman at Lakeville South High. Here is Mark's account: "He just pickedme up without saying anything and started carrying me and trying to calm medown. He said, 'It's going to be OK. I'm going to get you to your coaches.' ...I think it's amazing."

Sure enough, with his own coach trying to figure out whyJosh hadn't passed the halfway mark, he spotted him. "I was wondering whatwas going on, why was he so far back," said Scott Clark. "Then I seeJosh.

He's got the kid in his arms."

Josh Ripley carried Mark about a quarter mile! He handedhim off to his coaches and family and then -- dead last in the field of runnersnow -- sped off to resume his race. He passed 50 kids to finish 211th out of

261 runners. No excuses. No disappointment. Noexplanation. He just finished what he had started -- only to be asked by oneteammate why he had fallen so far behind. "He just humbly says, 'Oh, Ipicked up a kid,' " said sophomore Simeon Toronto. "And I'm like,'Dude, you just picked up a kid and carried him?' That's incredible!" Thenadded Toronto: "It was just so typical Josh."

I love that kid! And while most of the news reports Itracked down cited this as a supreme example of sportsmanship and compassionamong athletes, I think they missed the real force at work in Josh's action. The details make it pretty clear that it was the unfoldingof a very practical faith that Josh embraces. He does volunteer work at Living Word Christian Centerand -- by both Mark and Josh's account -- prayed over Mark as he ran with himin his arms. He prayed for Mark's pain to stop and for him to be all right. Heeven asked Mark's permission before he started the prayer! And Josh seemedhonestly bemused by all the attention being paid to him later.

He insists he did "nothing special" -- but saidhe was just thankful God let him be there for someone who needed help.

Mark's ankle needed 20 stitches to close the gash somerunner's spikes accidentally created. Blessedly, there were no damagedligaments or tendons. He should recover fully, after he gets out of a walkingboot and off his crutches.

Josh has reminded me again that there are wonderfulpeople out there who are always doing kind and good things with no expectationof being noticed or rewarded. Great kids who aren't threatening teachers ordoing drugs. People whose faith is not a banner or excuse, but a daily livedreality.

I just love that kid! Don't you? And I want to be morelike him.

In the same way,let your light shine before others, that they may

see your gooddeeds and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16
NIV).
---------
(c) 2011 Used bypermission. From Rubel Shelly <rshelly@rc.edu>'s
"FAX ofLife" printed each Tuesday. See Faith Matters for
previous issuesof the "FAX of Life."

The Gift

2011-10-05T04:56:00.001-06:00

AuthorBill Brant decribes the moment the gift was received: She approached cautiouslyand her eyes never left it. When her hands touched it, it was a caress, not agrab. Then she bowed, not to me but to the book. I was just the holder; sheknew the importance of the gift itself. And I watched as she gently took theBible in her native language of Swahili and cuddled it against her chest. Thenas she sat, she began to read because she wanted to know what was writtenthere. A young woman in Mbeya, Tanzania, not having a Bible before, hungered toknow for herself what God says.

Isthat not precious? It brings tears to my eyes. We live in the land of plentyand I'm not sure anyone in America would treasure the gift of Gods Word withsuch tender adoration. Yet it is atreasure beyond description. There are those who have entered the verychambers of His holiness and touched the heart of God. They have walked withHim (Gen 5:24), talked with Him (Exo 19:19) and heard His voice (Gen 15:1).Some have even spoken with Him " face to face" (Exo 33:11).

"For where your treasureis, there will your heart be also." (Luke 12:34) Those who find God as their Treasure will bea treasure to Him: "And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels" (Mal3:17). "And the Lord their God shall save them in that day as the flockof His people: for they shall be as the stones of a crown, lifted up as anemblem upon His land" (Zech 9:16).

We've all traveled in the family car. We have either been the seeker or therecipient of the eternal question: are we there yet? The Apostle Paul remindedTimothy that: From childhood you haveknown the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvationthrough faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspirationof God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instructionin righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped forevery good work (II Tim. 3:15-17).

A pearl tostring:God's word is not a bat to be swung at people nor is it something to beanothers over the head with... God's Word is a treasure to embrace and learn howto live in this fallen world of ours. God's Word is for gwowing and glowing. Despiteall our learning, despite all our experience, we come to two great awakenings:our knowledge compared to what there is to know is so very small and our placein the passage of time is so very short. Both of these awakenings prepare us toturn our lives and future over to our God who longs to bring us to himself. "Wewere born only yesterday and know nothing, and our days on earth are but ashadow"(Job 8:9).

Immānûʼēl(Hebrew עִמָּנוּאֵל "God (is) withus")

Youare loved,

Lyndi

Did ya miss the suffering?

2011-09-28T04:53:00.008-06:00

I get the feeling sometimesthat when people are encouraged to trust God to see them thru a drought orheartache in their lives that they expect it to happen without suffering. And if they suffer the response is God iswith you He's not with me. Really?Un-cloud that thinking Lord.

There are many Biblicalexamples of heroes and they all suffered. Take Joseph for instance. He was kidnapped by his jealous brothers,thrown in a cistern, sold into slavery, promoted to the man in charge. Life wasgoing smooth when he was falsely accused, thrown into prison and forgotten foryears. YEARS! Never doubting God through it all he was released from prison androse to fame, fortune and ultimately able to save his family that was facingdrought doom. (Genesis 37, 39 to 45).

Who can forget the romantictale of two sisters and the one man they love. Leah becomes Jacob's first wifeand from her son, Judah, comes the line of David and Jesus. The love affair ofJacob and Rachel, as well as the love of the sisters for each other, lasteddespite desperate circumstances. These sisters shared a home, a husband, and ahistory. They must have developed great inner peace to live together fordecades. That, in itself, is a tribute to the women who raised the twelve sonswho became the leaders of the twelve tribes of Israel. (Genesis 29-35)

You might be very familiarwith those examples and think yes but in reality: Joseph was a bit of a brat,Leah was sneaky, Rachel pms'd a lot andJacob had been deceptive in business. Ok those were normal people what aboutJob? God knew that Job was a righteous man, but satan opted to test hischaracter. After Job was put through the fire, his character was undeniable.Job was able to maintain his faith in God and emerge even stronger and he losteverything. (Book of Job)

No man in all of time, eversuffered as much as Jesus. He was bruised, beaten, rejected, scorned, and Hecarried the weight of the sins of the world. God even turned His back on Him,and yet still… Christ persevered. He finished His work. He is our ultimateexample of heroism, with all that He endured.

A pearl to string: Notgoing to get through this earth life without suffering. Expect it because the thrill of victory is soquickly replaced with the agony of defeat. The distance between a great victory and a great defeat is only onestep. One sad truth of reality in a fallen world is that we can be riding highon the cloud of some great spiritual success and the very next moment findourselves in a valley of spiritual failure and despair. The good news is oursuffering is temporal and the harvest that suffering produces is eternal.

“And the God of allgrace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered alittle while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm andsteadfast.” (1 Peter 5:10)

Be encouraged

you are loved,

Lyndi

Anger Hunt

2011-09-21T04:30:00.002-06:00

SomeChristians can be as mad as a pit bull chewing bumblebees and still excusetheir temper by saying that it is just the way they are. They take a perversepride in being outspoken and honest. One man told his pastor, "I know Ihave a bad temper. I suppose that is my cross." His pastor said, "Thatis not your cross. It is your wife's cross. And it is your sin!"

Anger?Sin? I get angry... am I sinning? Younever think so when it's you spewing bumblebees. I'm going on an angerhunt. I want to find out what God saysabout this anger thing because I know He gave us the emotion. I also know Iwant to take captive any unrighteousness in my life. I want to be in right standing with God.

Not all anger is sin, but some is.Just as lust is often confused with love, so the two sides of anger are misunderstood.Lust and love are powerful emotions of attraction: one to get something,the other to give something. Anger is a powerful emotion of resistancewhich also has two sides: selfish and selfless. Both sides, however, areexpressed by the same word.

Two Greek words are used in the New Testament for ourEnglish word “anger.” One means “passion, energy” and the other means“agitated, boiling.” Biblically, anger is God-given energy intended to help ussolve problems not anger involved self-defense, but a defense of others or of aprinciple.

A pearl to string: As I'm writing self-defensejust leaps off the page. Defendingself....hmmm what does that really mean? Someone hurt me....so I'll get angry? It's not going myway...so I'll get angry? That's not how or what I think or believe .... so I'll getangry? Oh, oh, oh that was disrespectfulto me.... so I'llget angry? The culture we live in has so radically changed from my youth. It's topsy turvy and loosey goosey on everylevel so I'll get angry? The government is not doing what I want.... people are not doing what I want..... church isn't doing what I want..... so I'llget angry? Really? Do any of us have a right to self righteous anger? We have the right to defend ourselves just notin anger. How can we be 'good and mad'? Jesus showsus how. Unlike most of us, he was never angry at wrong done to himself. Evenwhile he was hanging on the cross he said, "Fatherforgive them for they know not what they do". I've got some work to dowith the Lord.

Anger turns to sin when it is selfishly motivated: "...for man's anger does not bring about therighteous life God desires" (James 1:20).

Oh my, we need the Lord,

Lyndi

Are You Waiting To Be Called?

2011-09-14T04:51:00.004-06:00

Pastor David Langerfeld tells a story of when the telegraphwas the fastest method of long-distance communication. A young man applied for a job as a Morse Codeoperator. Answering an ad in the newspaper, he went to the office addressthat was listed.

When he arrived, he entered a large, busy office filled with noise and clatter,including the sound of the telegraph in the background. A sign on thereceptionist's counter instructed job applicants to fill out a form and waituntil they were summoned to enter the inner office.

The young man filled out his form and sat down with the seven other applicantsin the waiting area. After a few minutes, the young man stood up, crossed theroom to the door of the inner office, and walked right in.

Naturally the other applicants perked up, wondering what was going on. Theymuttered among themselves that they hadn't heard any summonsyet. They assumed that the young man who went into the office made amistake and would be disqualified.

Within a few minutes, however, the employer escorted the young man out of theoffice and said to the other applicants, "Gentlemen, thank you very muchfor coming, but the job has just been filled."

The other applicants began grumbling to each other, and one spoke up saying,"Wait a minute, I don't understand. He was the last to come in, and wenever even got a chance to be interviewed. Yet he got the job. That's notfair!"

The employer said, "I'm sorry, but the last several minutes while you'vebeen sitting here, the telegraph has been ticking out the following message inMorse Code: 'If you understand this message, then come right in. The job isyours.' None of you heard it or understood it. This young man did. The job ishis."

A pearl tostring: We are so busy, living in aworld that is full of noise and clatter, just like that office. People aredistracted and unable to hear the still, small voice of God as He speaksin His creation, in His Scriptures, and most of all, in and through HisSon Jesus Christ, God in the flesh.

So I ask you, as I ask myself, "Are we listening, or are we waiting to becalled? Do you hear the Lord when he speaks to you? Is your spiritual earattuned to Him or are you blocked from hearing His voice because you'refocused on all the other voices in your life?

"The sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. (John 10:27)

In Him you areloved,

Lyndi

Take a Love Break

2011-09-07T08:58:00.011-06:00

Find a quiet spot, maybe it's just closing your eyes rightwhere you are to shut the world off. Take a very deep cleansing breath inhale through your nose and slowlyexhale through pursed lips. Willfullyrelease the burdens of your day. As if you could actually hold them all in yourhands... open your palms up wide. Let goof all the unmet expectations that caused the frustrations and disappointmentsthat were like lightening strikes to your soul... let them go. Take another deep cleansing breath. Now the judgments that grow into resentment thatignite like a match to a dry forest and burn out of control... give thoseover... all of them. Cease striving, "Bestill, and know that I am God...". (Ps 46:10) Just listen to your heart beat and breathefor 3 minutes. Feel your heart beat... isn't it miraculous? God did that. He created that heart and put it into every breathing being.

When releasing our burdens tothe Lord we become an empty vessel ready to receive. Guard your freshly emptied heart. To complete a love break one needs to fill theemptiness with love. It just so happensthat... God is love.

Jesussaid, "If anyone is thirsty, let himcome to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture said, streams ofliving water will flow from within him." (John 7:37-38)

A pearl tostring: Streams of water -- living water for dyinghopes, cool water for parched hearts, refreshing water for those tired andweary. This is, of course, much more than a liquid we can drink with our lips. Thisis the ultimate water of the soul that God longs to give to us, his children.

Letus refresh ourselves with the promises of Jesus.

Indrawing close to him, the Spirit will restore our soul.
Nowthat.... is love,
Lyndi

A few promises to contemplate:

~That if you confesswith your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that Godraised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart thatyou believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess andare saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will neverbe put to shame...for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will besaved." (Romans 10:9-13)
~You arealready clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me,and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain inthe vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. (John 15:3,4)
~says the LORD."Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow;though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. (Isaiah 1:18)
~beingconfident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it onto completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)
~Jesus says,"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give themeternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of myhand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one cansnatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one." (John10:27-30)

Missing Something?

2011-08-31T04:36:00.003-06:00

Have you ever been fascinated by optical illusion art? One of my favorite illusion paintings is "Pintos" by Bev Doolittle. It appears to be a beautiful winter scene on a snow splotched rocky hillside but hidden within the scene if you look closely are 7 pinto horses. Beautiful! I love horses. This painting reminds me of the many things God is doing often right in front of my face but I am distracted by my circumstances and don't see. When Job told the Lord in chapter 42 verse 5, “My eye see You,” he was not saying that he saw God physically. He was referring to the moment when he had a personal revelation of God. Without a personal revelation of God, the enemy can easily rob pieces of your life from you as you dwell captivated by the circumstance that grip you.

2 Kings 6:15-17 "When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. 'Oh, my lord, what shall we do?' the servant asked. 'Don't be afraid, ' the prophet answered. 'Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.' And Elisha prayed, 'O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.' Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha."

Those verse from within the infamous Chariots of Fire second chapter of Kings (2 Kings 6:8-23) really encourage those who feel like the enemy has you surrounded and is moving in for the kill. They definitely had some bad circumstances going on but the prophet Elisha sees things hidden to others... God's army is present and is stronger than satan's forces.

A pearl to string: Why did Elisha see the Lord's army when others could not see it?

I'm thinking when one walks close with the Lord they are given eyes to see what is ordinarily invisible. Personal revelation from God is the very best protection on earth. You may feel like the servant of Elisha who saw only the massed forces of the enemy which cause you to feel fearful and defeated. Lift your eyes -- there is a mighty heavenly host waiting for your eyes to open and see the battle is the Lords,

We are safely in His care,

Lyndi

GOT A MAD GOING ON?

2011-08-24T04:53:00.004-06:00

“For every minute you are angry
you lose sixty seconds of happiness.”

“Speak when you are angry – and you’ll make the best speech you’ll ever regret.” Dr. Laurence J. Peter

When you are angry, your body reacts just like it does to stress. It prepares for fight or flight. Chemicals are released into your bloodstream. These powerful chemicals cause your body to undergo extreme changes. Your heart beats faster to pump increased oxygen, adrenaline, and sugar into your bloodstream. Breathing begins to increases and blood is detoured away from the internal organs you don’t use in a fight and moves it to your muscles for strength. Your pupils dilate causing your vision to sharpen and your awareness intensifies. Your rational mind is disengaged and your thoughts become distorted. You probably want to read that last statement a couple of times. You may generate negative self- statements. You may begin to believe that no one cares or ever thinks about you. Negative thoughts usually serve to increase your anger. You are now in your anger attack mode and ready to fight. When you face real dangers in the world, this fight or flight response is invaluable to your survival, but when you are in a constant state of fight or flight day after day your health can begin to suffer. The powerful chemicals accumulate and make your body pay a price for being in a constant high energy state. Chronic anger suppresses the immune systems, can cause gastrointestinal problems such as irritable bowel syndrome and ulcers, it will affects your blood pressure and can lead to heart attacks and strokes.

The most common source of anger is frustration. Frustration occurs when you are blocked from doing what you want to do or from going where you want to go. It is a feeling of helplessness and loss of control.

Another primary cause of anger is disappointment. You are disappointed when situations, events, or people, including yourself, do not meet the expectations you have for them. Threat to our sense of security is also a major cause of anger. Situations that threaten your security like doing poorly on an exam, losing your wallet, or encountering a problem you’re not prepared to deal with can leave you feeling vulnerable and angry. The common thread that runs through all of these situations is another emotion, fear. These situations all result in the experience of fear. Anger is an emotion of fear. It is a defensive response to the feelings of helplessness and vulnerability that fear produces. While fear is a passive emotion with energy directed inward, anger is an aggressive emotion that allows you to direct energy outwards.

A pearl to string: We cognitively interpret most of our life experiences; how we interpret a situation influences how much anger we might experience. Most often people try to justify their anger instead of taking responsibility for it but everyone experiences anger. The ability to express negative feelings in a constructive and positive manner is essential to positive spiritual, physical and mental health.

The anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. (James 1:20 ESV) A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression. (Proverb 29:22 ESV) , “Those who control their anger have great understanding; those with a hasty temper will make mistakes.” (Proverbs 14:29 NLT).

It's good to count to ten and lean on the Lord

Know you are loved

Lyndi

In Between

2011-08-17T04:29:00.001-06:00

If you are driving east on the Atlanta highway in

Georgia

you will pass thru a sleepy little bedroom community called Between Georgia. It has a mini population of 161, least a birth occurred in the last few hours. Perfectly named because it is halfway between Atlanta and Athens. Imagine if you will greeting a stranger at a plaza on that highway and asking where they are from. "I live in Between".... "In between what?" .... "In Between

Georgia

" .... "In between Georgia and what? LOL being in between anything can be perplexing. I can think of a lot of places I would not want to be in-between: for instance two angry people arguing, a rock rolling off a mountain, a tsunami, a bridge collapse, a wild fire, killer bees or the worst getting caught between my morning and my day without spending time with the Lord.

Morning? Genesis 28 we read that Jacob rose early in the morning to make a vow to God at Bethel. God told Moses, “Be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning unto Mount Sinai.” David rose early in the morning for worship, prayer, and meditation. On the first Resurrection/Easter Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to the tomb where Jesus had been buried. And that’s where they met the risen Lord!

Day! wake, shine up, fix breakfast, drive kids, groceries, fix a flat tire, lunch meeting, run dog to vets, clean house, prepare dinner, make lunches for next day, pick up kids, take kids to practice, pick kids up from practice, serve dinner, clean kitchen, do laundry, over see homework, baths, pay bills, write notes to family and friends, read, watch TV, sleep...... and some people have to go to work facing highway traffic twice daily and contending with grouchy hungry people on the way back home. Yikes I sure wouldn't want to do that day in the nude. Without Jesus I am spiritually in the nude -

A pearl to string: Where do you meet the risen Lord? I meet Him at the first breath of dawn each morning before my feet hit the floor. The power of prayer does not depend on me or you but on the One who hears our prayers.

O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice (Psa. 5:3) You hear when good people cry out to you (Psa. 34:17) you bring joy in the morning (Psa. 30:5) Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul (Psa. 143:8) I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning (Psa. 59:16). Your steadfast love never ceases; your mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness (Lam. 3:22). For this is the day that you have made; let us rejoice and be glad in it (Psa. 118:24).

And He loves you,

Lyndi

A Sermon Walking

2011-08-14T06:25:00.003-06:00

by David Langerfeld

"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." (James 1:22).

In 1953, reporters gathered at a Chicago railway station waiting to meet the 1952 Nobel Peace Prize winner. He was a big man, well over six feet tall, with bushy hair and a large mustache.

Reporters were excited to see him and expressed what an honor it was to meet him. Cameras were flashing, compliments were being expressed when, looking beyond the adulation, the visitor saw an elderly black woman struggling to carry her two large suitcases.

"Excuse me," he said as he went to the aid of this woman. Picking up her cases, he escorted her to a bus and then apologized to the reporters for keeping them waiting.

The man was Dr. Albert Schweitzer, the famous missionary-doctor who had invested his life helping poor and sick people in Africa.

A member of the reception committee remarked to one of the reporters, "That's the first time I ever saw a sermon walking."

The measure of any man or woman is not their name, nor their fame, nor what they say, but what they do. "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says!" (James 1:22)

"I'd Rather See A Sermon"
By Edgar Guest

I'd rather see a sermon

Than hear one any day;
I'd rather one should walk with me
Than merely tell the way.

The eye's a better pupil
And more willing than the ear,
Fine counsel is confusing,
But example's always clear;

And the best of all the preachers
Are the men who live their creeds,
For to see good put in action
Is what everybody needs.

I soon can learn to do it
If you'll let me see it done;
I can watch your hands in action,
But your tongue too fast may run.

And the lectures you deliver
May be very wise and true,
But I'd rather get my lessons
By observing what you do;

For I might misunderstand you
and the high advice you give,
But there's no misunderstanding
how you act and how you live.

And all travelers can witness
That the best of guides today
Is not the one who tells them,
But the one who shows the way.

Though an able speaker charms me
with his eloquence, I say,
I'd rather see a sermon
than to hear one, any day.

A Forever Never

2011-08-10T04:21:00.001-06:00

This is such a mean, lonely world for so many. There is much suffering going on around theworld. Some of which I can not even fathom the depth or breadth. With our grand forms of instant communicationwe stand witness to the poverty of life but living it is quite anothermatter. Don't you just want to shoutinto the darkness of peoples suffering, "God can handle this for you...believe in Him, trust in Him, relax in Him".

Robert Strand, in his book,Especially for the Hurting Heart, has a wonderful discussion of Hebrews 13:5 inwhich we read these encouraging words: "Godhas said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you!"

Strand asks, "Whatever does nevermean?" He notes that in the original language "never" isreally a compounding of five negatives. Not that each negative is added toanother. Rather, each negative is multiplied by the other. According to Strand, it really should read, "I will never, no,not ever, no never leave you or forsake you!" It is a synergisticcompounding negative. It's a forever never which has no exceptions!

Then he asks, "What does 'leave' mean?" He says that in theoriginal Greek it means "to leave behind, to abandon, to give up on, tosend back." Well then, so far our verse will read: "I willnever, no not ever, no never leave you behind, abandon you, give up on you, orsend you back!"

Finally he asks, "What does 'forsake' mean?" In the Greek itmeans, "to leave one in a helpless state, to disregard." It also canbe further expanded to include "not relaxing my watchfulness overyou." To this point, then, says Strand, our verse, in the full, amplifiedversion reads: "I will never, no not ever, no never give up on you,abandon you, leave you behind, cause you not to survive, leave you helpless,nor shall I ever relax concerning keeping my presence with you!"

A pearl to string: Just want to pray His peaceinto your loneliness, into your pain, pray His healing into your suffering andpray His love surround you completely for I have learned Jesus truly means:"I will never, no not ever, no never give up on you, abandon you, leaveyou behind, cause you not to survive, leave you helpless, nor shall I everrelax concerning keeping my presence with you!" Hebrews 13:5

May the words of His love comfort you.

You are loved.

Lyndi

A Gotchme Gotcha

2011-08-05T06:26:00.000-06:00

Have you ever beenoffended? The kind of offense that makesyou shout, either in your head or out your mouth: "that's it, color me done"and you act on what your anger dictates? Uh oh that would be a "Gotchmegotcha". Who can escape thatquestion? Isn't it amazing how the devil uses our offenses and our"offendedness" to divide and conquer marriages, relationships, thecourt room, the work place, churches and even entire nations!

We've all witnessed goodpeople using the "you've got 7 offenses before I start swinging"method of forgiveness. A nice try at forgiveness of offenses before"offendedness" sets in. God's Word reminds us to forgive 70 times 7.....(forgive490 times) but even that could occur in less than a week these days. We are living in highly offensive times. We are not careful enough about the things wesay or do and more importantly, we get offended way too easily. We get sidewaysand go off high and to the right because people do not meet ourexpectations.

If you are holding a baby and hislittle arm swats you in the face, would you take offense to that? Of coursenot! We know the little guy didn’t intend to hurt us. We respond with “awwww”or laughter or something to that effect. But if it is a friend, a family memberor a brother or sister in the church who offends us with a little swat of hiswords or actions, we are undone. We expect more from them! We become angry andwe want to defend ourselves, fight back or leave forever. Ian Percy said: " “We judge others bytheir behavior. We judge ourselves by our intentions.”

Jesus said NO! Hesaid that even if someone despitefully uses us, that means on purpose, that weare to respond in love! We as human beings are troubled and sinful. We are notperfect and we should never expect others to be, no matter what their positionsare in this life. God is perfect and He is the one from whom our expectationsshould come — not man.

A pearl to string: Are we living the Christian life or are we mouthingthe words? Honestly I can not do this on my own. If I am offended I am full of emotion. If Iam full of emotion I am not nice. I am the classic snapper... off with theirheads! Oh boy! Swallow hard... want toknow what Jesus says: "Woe to theworld because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whomthe offense comes!” (Matthew 18:7) Jesus is teaching about causing littlechildren to sin. Isn't that what we adults do... teach our children by our badbehavior? That alone is enough reasonfor me to need a Savior. I thank God forJesus. I thank God I can give my offenses to Jesus and allow Him to wash overme and heal me.

My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. (Psalms 62:5)

Amen,

Lyndi

Don't Do IT

2011-08-01T07:00:00.001-06:00

by SharonJaynes
www.girlfriendsingod.com
Today’sTruth

“Flee fromsexual immorality…Do you not know that your body is a temple of the HolySpirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God. You are not yourown, you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body” (1Corinthians 6:18, 19-20 NIV).

FriendTo Friend

Can I talkgirlfriend to girlfriend for just a moment? It’s about a veryuncomfortable subject, and honestly, one most of us would rather pretend doesnot exist in “Christian circles.” It’s sexual sin.

In my lastdevotion, we stood road-side and looked at the story of the woman caught inadultery, and Jesus who set her free. Even though she wasn’t behind prisonbars, she was in bondage to a sinful lifestyle. Sexual sin is highlyaddictive and the search for love in all the wrong places, insatiable. Itis a drink that never satisfies the soul and leaves the partaker only thirstyfor more.

A woman isenticed by a syrupy word from a co-worker, an e-mail from an old boyfriend, aninvitation on Facebook, or an alluring smile at a neighborhood gathering. Loneliness fills the room and passion comes knocking at the door. But when the smoke clears, loneliness returns with new hunger pangs laced withregret.

Sex outsideof marriage can lead to many things: unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitteddiseases, divorce, mistrust, regret, shame, loss of family and a whole list ofundesirable dominos that tumble in succession. But in Jesus’ day, a womancaught in the act of adultery faced possible execution. In some parts ofthe world it is still enforced today. So why would the woman we meet inJohn Chapter 8 who was caught in the act of adultery take the risk? Was it worth it? No. The answer is always no.

There is nogreater longing in the heart of a woman than to be loved, cherished, and caredfor. It can cause the strongest to break a resolve and succumb to the tempter’slure. Adultery has been the cause for church leaders to crumble, ministries tomeltdown, and families to falter. Sexual sin has caused the most sensibleto act like a fool, the most moral to march into madness, the most devout to bedevoured by desire. The desire to love and be loved can sometimes screamover the din of reason.

The yearningfor love gnaws at the heart. And then the brush of a hand, the glimpse ofthe eyes, or the stirring of a comment blows on a spark and sets it ablaze. Loneliness echoes in the hollow soul just as passion comes scratching atthe door. Never doubt this, my friend: Satan is an opportunist who takesadvantage of the lonely heart (Luke 4:13).

To be lovedis one of the strongest desires of the human heart. God planned it thatway because He longs for us to have that longing filled by a relationship withHim. But so many settle for a sip from the rusty tin cup when God offers aneverlasting stream.

A woman canrisk it all for a few moments of passion. She can lie to herself that asexual relationship or liaison is love. Then after the brief pleasurelies exposed by the morning sun, she realizes what felt like love was taintedwith the poison of shame. It can happen. It does happen. It didhappen to the woman standing before Jesus with an angry mob of rock holdingPharisees gathered around. It has happened to many women who e-mail meevery day.

I sat in amovie theater with a friend who had succumbed to sexual temptation. Shehad lost her husband, her family, and many of her “friends.” During apreview for another movie, the film showed a woman contemplating an affair witha suave Frenchman. Martha (not her real name) spoke a bit too loudly forthe moviegoers sitting in the darkened theater. “Don’t do it,” she criedaloud. The words came out of her mouth before she could stop them. Martha was living the devastation of yielding to sexual temptation, and heraudible cry was the overflow of her pain-filled heart.

Can I shoutwith Martha for just a moment? “Don’t do it!”

I know thisdevotion is not for everybody. But if there is one woman out of the200,000 or so that receive our Girlfriends in God devotions every day…just onewoman who will turn away from the temptation that is knocking on her doortoday, then it is worth it.

Don’t doit. Turn to God and allow Him to fill the emptiness in your hearttoday. He’s waiting with open arms.

Let’sPray

Dear God, Ipray that I will be alert to the devil’s schemes today. Help me to seewhen and where he is tempting me to sin against You. Give me the strengthto flee temptation and run straight into Your arms. I cannot do this on myown. I need the power of Your Holy Spirit to empower me to do what isright and good in Your sight. Thank You for being all that I need.

In Jesus’Name,

Amen

GOD IS . . .

2011-07-31T06:25:00.000-06:00

(Exodus 34:5-7 NIV) Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. {6} And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, {7} maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation."

(Numbers 23:19 NIV) God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?

(Deuteronomy 3:24 NIV) "O Sovereign LORD, you have begun to show to your servant your greatness and your strong hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do the deeds and mighty works you do?

(Deuteronomy 4:24 NIV) For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.

(Deuteronomy 4:31 NIV) For the LORD your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your forefathers, which he confirmed to them by oath.

(Deuteronomy 6:4-5 NIV) Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. {5} Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

(Deuteronomy 9:3 NIV) But be assured today that the LORD your God is the one who goes across ahead of you like a devouring fire. He will destroy them; he will subdue them before you. And you will drive them out and annihilate them quickly, as the LORD has promised you.

(Deuteronomy 10:17 NIV) For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.

(Deuteronomy 20:1 NIV) When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you.

(Deuteronomy 20:4 NIV) For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory."

(Deuteronomy 33:27 NIV) The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemy before you, saying, 'Destroy him!'

(Joshua 1:8-9 NIV) Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. {9} Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

(Joshua 23:3 NIV) You yourselves have seen everything the LORD your God has done to all these nations for your sake; it was the LORD your God who fought for you.

(2 Samuel 22:32-34 NIV) For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God? {33} It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. {34} He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights.

(2 Chronicles 30:9 NIV) If you return to the LORD, then your brothers and your children will be shown compassion by their captors and will come back to this land, for the LORD your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him."

(Ezra 8:22 NIV) I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to protect us from enemies on the road, because we had told the king, "The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him."

(Psalms 10:4 NIV) In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.

(Psalms 33:11-13 NIV) But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. {12} Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance. {13} From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind;

(Psalms 37:30-31 NIV) The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just. {31} The law of his God is in his heart; his feet do not slip.

(Psalms 46:1-2 NIV) For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to alamoth. A song. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. {2} Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

(Psalms 46:4-5 NIV) There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. {5} God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.

(Psalms 48:14 NIV) For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.

(Psalms 50:6 NIV) And the heavens proclaim his righteousness, for God himself is judge. Selah

(Psalms 54:4 NIV) Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.

(Psalms 59:9-10 NIV) O my Strength, I watch for you; you, O God, are my fortress, {10} my loving God. God will go before me and will let me gloat over those who slander me.

(Psalms 62:7-8 NIV) My salvation and my honor depend on God ; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. {8} Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Selah

(Psalms 68:19-20 NIV) Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Selah {20} Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign LORD comes escape from death.

(Psalms 73:26 NIV) My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

(Psalms 84:11-12 NIV) For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. {12} O LORD Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you.

(Psalms 94:22 NIV) But the LORD has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.

(Psalms 116:5 NIV) The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.

(Psalms 144:15 NIV) Blessed are the people of whom this is true; blessed are the people whose God is the LORD.

(Proverbs 30:5 NIV) "Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

(Isaiah 61:1-3 NIV) The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, {2} to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, {3} and provide for those who grieve in Zion-- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.

(Matthew 12:28 NIV) But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

(Matthew 22:32 NIV) 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob' ? He is not the God of the dead but of the living."

(Mark 1:15 NIV) "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"

(Luke 7:28 NIV) I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he."

(Luke 10:9 NIV) Heal the sick who are there and tell them, 'The kingdom of God is near you.'

(Luke 16:16 NIV) "The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it.

(Luke 17:21 NIV) nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you."

(John 4:24 NIV) God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."

(John 6:33 NIV) For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."

(Acts 10:34 NIV) Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism

(Romans 5:5 NIV) And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

(Romans 6:23 NIV) For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(Romans 7:1 NIV) Do you not know, brothers--for I am speaking to men who know the law--that the law has authority over a man only as long as he lives?

(Romans 14:17 NIV) For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,

(1 Corinthians 1:9 NIV) God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

(1 Corinthians 4:20 NIV) For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.

(1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV) No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

(1 Corinthians 14:33 NIV) For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the congregations of the saints,

(2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV) And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

(Galatians 6:7-8 NIV) Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. {8} The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

(Ephesians 4:24 NIV) and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

(Hebrews 4:12 NIV) For the word of God is living 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.

(Hebrews 11:16 NIV) Instead, they were longing for a better country--a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

(Hebrews 13:16 NIV) And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

(1 John 1:5 NIV) This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.

(1 John 4:7-9 NIV) Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. {8} Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. {9} This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.

(1 John 4:16 NIV) And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.

(Revelation 21:3 NIV) And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.

THIS IS GOOD!

2011-07-27T04:00:00.002-06:00

The story is told of a king who had a closefriend with whom he grew up. The friend had a habit of looking at everysituation that ever occurred in his life (positive or negative) and remarking,"This is good!"

One day the king and his friend were on a hunting expedition. The friend wouldload and prepare the guns for the king. In preparing one of the guns, thefriend had apparently done something wrong, for after taking the gun from hisfriend, the king fired it and his thumb was blown off.

Examining the situation the friend remarked as usual, "This isgood!" To which the king replied, "No, this is NOT good!"and proceeded to send his friend to jail.

About a year later, the king was hunting in a dangerous area. Cannibalscaptured him and took him to their village. They tied his hands, stacked somewood, set up a stake and bound him to it. As they approached to set fire to thewood, they noticed that the king was missing a thumb. Being superstitious, theynever ate anyone that was less than whole. So after untying the king, they senthim on his way.

As he returned home, he was reminded of the event that had taken his thumb andfelt remorse for his treatment of his friend. He went immediately to the jailto speak with his friend. You were right," he said, "it was good thatmy thumb was blown off." And he proceeded to tell the friend all that hadjust happened. "And so I am very sorry for sending you to jail for solong. It was bad for me to do this."

"No," his friend replied, "This is good!"

"What do you mean, 'This is good'? How could it be good that I sent myfriend to jail for a year?"

"If I had NOT been in jail, I would have been with you."

A pearl tostring: Any time I look back while in a negative mood I am bound tosuccumb to a bout of narcissism: seriously, I just don't know what's come overme, me, me, me. In contrast if I look back with the intent of counting myblessings I can see how God is working in my life and I am blessed. Situationsmay not always seem pleasant while we are in them, but the promise of God isclear. If we love him and live our lives according to his precepts, even thatwhich seems to be bleak and hopeless will be turned by God for His glory andour benefit. Hold on... God is faithful!

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

This is good walking in Sonshine

and knowing you are loved

Lyndi

Slow Dance

2011-07-22T09:18:00.000-06:00

Have you ever watched kids on a merry-go-round,
or listened to rain slapping the ground?

Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight,
or gazed at the sun fading into the night?

You better slow down, don't dance so fast,
time is short, the music won't last.

Do you run through each day on the fly,
when you ask "How are you?", do you hear the reply?

When the day is done, do you lie in your bed,
with the next hundred chores running through your head?

You better slow down, don't dance so fast,
time is short, the music won't last.

Ever told your child, we'll do it tomorrow,
and in your haste, not see his sorrow?

Ever lost touch, let a friendship die,
'cause you never had time to call and say hi?

You better slow down, don't dance so fast,
time is short, the music won't last.

When you run so fast to get somewhere,
you miss half the fun of getting there.

When you worry and hurry through your day,
it's like an unopened gift thrown away.

Life isn't a race, so take it slower,
hear the music before your song is over.

Reprinted with permission from the author
About the Author
David L. Weatherford is a child psychologist with published poems in "Chicken Soup for the Soul". If you want to enjoy more of David's beautiful writings, please visit www.davidlweatherford.com

Daisy Love

2011-07-20T06:19:00.000-06:00

He loves me... He loves me not. Chance petal plucking won't give you love. Daisy love won't satisfy a hungry soul. Yet many a person will base their faith on the chance that mankind will do right by them.

I've been confronted of late with people who have left the church and no longer believe in God. I am always dismayed at how anyone could know Jesus and turn away. In my mind that is impossible. I can only surmise they never knew Jesus and put their trust and hope in man. Oh that's not good...... for man, not men, but mankind will always fall short of the glory of God. And yet as often as we feel troubled by a fresh discovery of human frailty, we feel strangely relieved by the company.

When the Lord doesn’t meet our personal expectations on earth we turn against Him!

Isn't it really that simple? As long as loving and serving the Lord is about our expectations our faith is shaky. It can be tossed and turned at a moments notice. Just let one little crisis enter the picture and many people climb upon the monster roller coaster of daisy love. I've taken a ride or two or forty myself.

In our everyday living mind we expect God to make our lives better. We want God to change things so we would be on the receiving end of worldly rewards and benefits. Stop and think about it - isn't it true? We want jobs or better jobs, marriage or a better marriage, health or better health. Really the list is endless. I could write a seventy three inch paragraph just listing the things I wanted out of this life. I wonder where on earth I got my ideas of what is good and pleasing? Did the Joneses write the book of "Want"?

The French make the most beautiful pastry in the world but if you bite into the confections expecting a sugary decadence of delight you will be sadly disappointed. And you can't sugar coat God with your grocery store tastes either.

A pearl to string: God had His focus on our eternal happiness and therefore His actions on earth were misinterpreted. A deeper grasp of Scripture is needed and that cannot be done with the Bible being stuck in the book shelves or still at the store. Going to church spotlights Scripture for practical purposes in living our lives. Personal study grows us in understanding and knowledge of God's heart and who we are in God's life. I study the word of God deeply because I don't want to wear the skin of religion and miss knowing the heart of God.

I pray that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, (Ephesians 3:17-18) Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. (Ephesians 4:14)

His love endures forever,
Lyndi

Song of the Zapper

2011-07-13T04:42:00.012-06:00

Since no one would describe themselves as perfect one mightdescribe a family gathering as a commingling of imperfect people. That beingstated you might picture in your mind the sound of a bug zapper going off everyother second in almost melodious tones as normal situations produce trespassesamong us. Through generations of peoplesfamilies are notorious for nit-picking at each other and generally causing araucous where many a gathering has been marred by such common occurrences. Agood verse to carry in your heart at any gathering is from the Lord's prayer inMatthew 6 verse 12 "forgive us ourtrespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us."

We've been gathering yearly over the 4th of July as a familyfor 17 summers. Not exactly unusual for families to gather.... that's just whatfamilies do. We have had members gosideways then high and off to the right a time or two but we as a group areintentional to guard against that and give each other room for ourimperfections while forgiving each other our trespasses.

Wouldn't that be nice if intentionality of purpose were theanswer? It's just a step.... a good onealbeit. There are 19 of us now. It useto be just Coach Wonderful & I then we added sparkles upon sparkles uponmore sparkles. Children, marriage mates and grandchildren. We glow now with lots of personalities,opinions and thoughts with a myriad of ways to do things. Of course we sharesome common belief as we each walk with the Lord. Like everything else we arein diverse places but generally when you have a slew of creative, God gifted,original thinking and talented individuals with a shared last name.... irehappens. I think that's when the hairs on the back of your neck go up andfrustration capitulates and the sound of the trespass zapper rocks out.

A pearl to string: Why? Because even with grouppurpose of intentionality individuals cannot do the 'goodness' thing on their own. We have a sin nature and there is only one who can control it. The Holy Spirit. We have learned throughreading God's Word daily year in and year out as we grow more in love withJesus that it is God's Word that equips us to receive the Holy Spirit and make thechoices that follow God's goodness. There is protection in God's goodness. I am a witness to this. We had anextraordinary time together and I saw the Holy Spirit working in individualswhen the trespass zapper sang. It's a beautiful sight to witness grace in yourfamily. I see you Macs. I love youMacFamily and I miss you already.

"Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songsof joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done greatthings for them". -- Psalm 126:2. amen....

Thankyou Mike & Jenni for hosting our MacGathering for the second time in yourbeautiful home. We love your pool. Our Jenni was a phenomenal servant to herMac family feeding all 19 of us multiple times a day and generally taking careof each persons needs. Big thunderous shoutof thanks Jenni you blessed us all. Lucky Mike, Nick, Justin, Brandon & Lexa!

Sharingthe love with you all,

Lyndi

JERUSALEM Imax movie

2011-07-11T15:48:00.000-06:00

Jerusalem | Filmed in Imax 3D from JerusalemGiantScreen on Vimeo.

HIS

2011-06-22T04:09:00.003-06:00

There is a story that comes out of the Bedouin culture. "Bedouin" isthe Aramaic name for "desert dwellers." These people live much as thecharacters of the Old Testament did. During a heated argument, according tothis story, a young Bedouin struck and killed a friend of his. Knowing theancient, inflexible customs of his people, the young man fled, running acrossthe desert under the cover of darkness, seeking safety.
     He went to the black tent of thetribal chief in order to seek his protection. The old chief took the young Arabin. The chief assured him that he would be safe until the matter could besettled legally.
     The next day, the young man'spursuers arrived, demanding the murderer be turned over to them. They would seethat justice would prevail in their own way. "But I have given myword," protested the chief. "Butyou don't know whom he killed!" they countered. "I have given my word," the chiefrepeated.
     "He killed your son!" oneof them blurted out. The chief was deeply and visibly shaken with his news. Hestood speechless with his head bowed for a long time. The accused and theaccusers as well as curious onlookers waited breathlessly. What would happen tothe young man? Finally the old man raised his head. "Then he shall becomemy son," he informed them, "and everything I have will one day behis."

A pearl tostring: What if you were theone that killed that day? There are manywords that can take the place of the word kill: my bad, faux pas, rashbehavior, messed up, made a regrettable mistake, sinned, all meaning the samething that you fell short of the glory of God. None of us is perfect but do wedeserve that kind of forgiveness that we should be made sons/daughters of theKing? Whew, it's a good thing I'm notrunning the world. My answer would be no. I am blessed with compassion buthonestly...... you mess with my babies and your tail feathers are in deep doo-doo.The young man certainly didn't deserve such generosity. And that, of course, isthe point. Love in its purest form is beyond comprehension. No one can meritit. It is freely given. It is agape, the love of God. Look to the cross. At thecross we encounter love in its purest form. Thank you Lord, you don't leave it up to me.... you died for my sins andthose who sin against me.

“InHim we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according tothe riches of His grace.” (Ephesians 1:7)

In His arms we too can forgive,

We are so loved,
Lyndi

Six Eggs

2011-06-15T07:15:00.000-06:00

I am told that this is a story which isperfectly logical to all males:

A wife asksher husband, "Could you please go shopping for me and buy one carton ofmilk, and if they have eggs, get 6." A short time later the husband comes back with 6 cartons of milk.
The wife askshim, "Why on earth did you buy 6 cartons of milk?" He replied, "They had eggs."

I've lived this only to discover that presumption ofunderstanding is based on our own reasoning. Too often, I think, I do the same thing withthe Lord. I believe that Iunderstand what I am reading in His Word only to discover at a later time thatmy presumption of understanding wasbased on my own reasoning. In God's WordJesus taught us to pray by example (Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4). In the 10^th verse of Matthew 6 wefind the words: 'thy kingdom come, thywill be done on earth as it is in heaven'. Wow, right at the beginning of the prayertrouble erupts. I am not seeing a lot ofGod's will being done on earth.... some maybe but not a lot. Of course before I look around to others Imust look at myself.... God's will being done?....some maybe but not a lot.

A pearl to string: What I see is a whole lot ofneed for understanding, need for acceptance, need for validation, need forencouragement. We need to be heard and we need to feel our value and live ourdreams. But it all seems so centered on self. Something seems to be askew. In his book "The Purpose DrivenLife", Rick Warren said; "Thepurpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, peaceof mind, or even your happiness. It's far greater than your family, yourcareer, or even your wildest dreams and ambitions. If you want to know why youwere placed on this planet, you must begin with God. You were born BY hispurpose and FOR his purpose".

The only way I can understand how God's Word directs mepersonally is by fully depending upon the Holy Spirit. Paul wrote to theCorinthians that his words were not "wise and persuasive" but rathera "demonstration of the Spirit's power" in order that their faith"might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power" ( 1 Corinthians2:4-5 NIV)

I don't want to go home with 6 cartons of milk....

I want to go home with 6 eggs
Walk with Him for it is there you are truly loved,
Lyndi

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordealamong you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thingwere happening to you. (1 Peter 4:12 NASB)

Mountain tops are for views & inspiration, butfruit is grown in the valleys.

Speed Trees

2011-06-08T06:11:00.000-06:00

A state trooper pulledover a woman on a lonely back road and said, "Ma'am, is there a reason whyyou're weaving all over the road?"

The woman replied, "Oh officer, thank goodness you're here! I almost hadan accident! I looked up and there was a tree right in front of me. So, Iswerved to the left and there was another tree in front of me. Then, I swervedto the right and there was another tree in front of me!"

The officer reached through the side window to the rear view mirror, and explained,"Ma'am... that's your air freshener."

Like that woman, we spend much of our lives "dodging the trees" thatare not really there. We worry (and lose sleep) over things which nevermaterialize. We hesitate to take action because we are fearful of what"might" happen. Our imagined fears keep us from driving down thestraight and narrow ("What will they say? What will they do?")Remember only negatives are developed in a darkroom!

"Thelazy man says, 'There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!'"
Proverbs 22:13
Was there really a lion in the streets? No, but any excuse will work when youdon't want to do something, even dodging imaginary obstacles. Henry Ford had ahandle on this when he said, "Obstacles arethose frightful things you see when you take your eyes off yourgoal." Remember whose kid youare. You’ve got genetically disposedgifts in your gene pool.

String a pearl: If you want your dreamsto come true, don't oversleep.

With a Mother’s solution there are threeways to get something done:
    1. Do it yourself.
    2. Hire someone to do it for you.
    3. Forbid your kids to do it.
Weknow in God’s Word that Jesus himself, tells us “Everythingis possible for him who

believes.” Jesus is telling usHe has the sufficiency of power, if we can just bring themustard seed of faith to receive it. As our son Mike always says, “Christians don't fight for victory, we fight from victory”.

Is there anything you'vehesitated doing lately because of tree type obstacle in your way? Be certainthe obstacle is real. It might just be your air freshener! That really stinks!

Depending on Jesus to freshen my air,

Lyndi

The Girls

2011-06-01T04:02:00.004-06:00

Cometo our door and you'll be greeted by jumping bundles of joy. "Wow you came to see us and play withus.... yeah". Actually youwould probably hear barking but really, our two little dogs are excited to seeyou and believe you came to see them. We hang together all day and night and Itell them things about life. They aresuch good listners. They act like they understand every word my husband or Isay. Of course they don't have a clue. The girls know we love them. They feel safe, get fed, go crazy overtreats. They want to be where ever I am and if I leave they wait for me in thefront window. Neighbors walk by and wave to them..... they are so cute. Tyler,the neighbor's cat, walks real close to the front window and gives 'em a catscan and enjoys watching them freak out. And when my car comes back up thestreet? Jumping bundles of joy!

Ourlittle dogs do not understand when my husband or I discipline them that it isfor their own good. Nor do they comprehend how dangerous it is outside of theirhome. They hate their leash and want to run free not walk! When it comes timefor their bath they hide, shake and generally act like I am about to killthem. They are not crazy about thecleaning process but love the end result and walk with a little spring of pridein their step. Really they act like we are here solely to make their lifefunction exactly the way they want. No problems! You can actually witness eachof them using 'dogchology' on us toget what they want. They think they have got us figured out. LOL They do not.They cannot reason on our level. They cannot think the way we do. They do notcomprehend future. They live for now....this moment..... this need..... this want. We have a relationship, but we arenot equals. We love each other, but my husband and I are their master.

A pearl tostring: AmI talking about dogs here???? or is this how it is with God and me? We are not equal. We operate on completelydifferent levels of thought. I cannot think like God. I cannot understand God.I tend to go closer to self focus when I'm suffering. I may get glimpses of His character. I may seethe fruits of His action. I can even communicate with Him. But for me to assumeI understand God is a serious mistake. I might end up thinking God is the way Iwant Him to be, or imagine He should be. God created me. Not the other wayaround. So I read His Word and depend on the Holy Spirit to help me live it.

"But if you are ledby the Spirit, you are not subject to Moses’ laws.Now, the effects of the corrupt nature are obvious: illicit sex, perversion,promiscuity, idolatry, drug use, hatred, rivalry, jealousy, angry outbursts,selfish ambition, conflict, factions,envy, drunkenness, wildpartying, and things like that. I’ve told you in the past and I’m telling youagain that people who do things like that will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the spiritual nature produces love, joy, peace,patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Thereare no laws against things like that" (Galatians5:18-23^GW)

LeaningNOT on my own understanding,
Knowyou are loved
Lyndi

Entrusted Principle

2011-05-25T04:23:00.006-06:00

How do I help afriend when her husband is acting like a snake with reptile dysfunction?

Just thinking ofmurder isn’t illegal ….. No, no, no……… that doesn’t lead down the rightpath! Just as I was about to give up onthis issue for now my computer dinged. It does that when an e-mail comes in. No time to check it now – I need to focus - back to staring at my pagewhile God works. Hummm 10 minutes,nothing! 20 minutes, more nothing! Ok, 45 minutes and a whole lot of nothing! I’ve either got writers block or my heartears are plugged. Off to the pile ofunfinished devotionals for ya! Bye!!!

Hello, I’mretrieving my tossed devotional because I just read the best advice ever in OzHillman’s devotional. It was one ofthose, “pop me in the middle of my head,I could have had a V-8” moments. Notnew but just said in such a way that really hit home with me.

A woman of faithwas struggling with a non-believing husband who wanted to make a largepurchase. They could not afford such anexpense and it would wreck havoc with their finances. She was completely opposed to her husband’s plan yet wanted to be God’swoman in the heart of the situation. Shebrought her dilemma to her Home Life group for their counsel.

Someonesaid, "You really only have a few options if you adhere to the principlethat God has entrusted the man as the leader in the home. God has placed youunder the umbrella of His protection as well as your husband. There are timeswhen he will not make the right decision. Does that mean God is not protectingyou? No. There may be several things working here. God may be testing your ownobedience to this principle. He may use you to open up your husband's spirituallife due to your obedience and submissive spirit. Your obedience may cost yourfamily something, but it will be beneficial in the long term. Your alternativeis to rebel and pay him back for his decision by withholding your love fromhim, which is often what a wife does in this situation. It becomes a viciouscircle of paybacks. My suggestion is to tell your husband how you feel abouthis decision and the impact you feel it will have on you and your family. If hestill wants to make the purchase, you must let him do it and support him. Whathappens next will rest in God's hand as your ultimate protector."

Afew weeks later the lady returned to her Home Life group. "I have somewonderful news. We did make the purchase. However, we were able to make it insuch a way that we did not go into debt and I was able to support my husband. Ihave already seen a change in his attitude toward me by the way I responded tohim in this. It has been a real lesson for me. I see him much more open tospiritual things since I made this decision and supported him, even though Idisagreed with it." "Reprinted by permission from the author. Os Hillman is aninternational speaker and author of more than 10 books on workplace calling. Tolearn more, visit http://www.MarketplaceLeaders.org"

A pearl tostring: Oz stated that God has made man and woman equal in Hissight. Yet He has given each a different role to play in marriage. Husbandsmust answer to God for their leadership in the home. They will be judged forthat leadership. When a wife submits to that leadership, God protects her fromwrong decisions of that husband, although sometimes it may not appear that wayat first. You can trust God to protect you in your decisions that are made inobedience to His Word.

Theone who calls you is faithful and He will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:24

Trusting in HisWord,

Lyndi

Meet Yeahbut

2011-05-18T07:16:00.000-06:00

I want you to meet my notsuch a good friend Mr. Yeahbut. Heappeared in my life the first time I didn't forgive someone a trespass. That'sabout the same time my "I'm right" mode kicked in. Which by coincidence morphed into "myway". Somewhere along the "myway", not sure when, "or the highway" got tacked on. That allhappened before I was three. My expectations grew from there. Too many peoplealong life's path did not live up to "my way" so I took a plethora ofpsychology classes in high school and college. That did give me some understandinginto human nature. I gathered plenty of good advice from adults in my life butMr. Yeahbut always seemed to step in with an "if". Basically and fundamentally I kept runninginto the same "if others would quit behaving that way I wouldimprove" wall. Of course I had achoice not to keep running into that wall but apparently I liked bruises, hurtfeelings and crying a lot. One cold, dark lonely night of my soul afterrepeated trips into the wall I heard a question, "how's this working forya?" Feeling compelled to answer Ireplied into thin air, "really not very well at all". Knowing it was God and having an Adam thinkalike moment I added, "it's the people you put into my life, what's wrongwith these people?". "Did you explain your expectations tothem?" came another question. "That requires a two fold response Ireplied: Yeah but they didn't listen and No but they should know.... it'sfundamental good behavior". (Nobut? Must be Yeahbut's cousin) "Hmmm, they must have missed thepublication of the 'book of you'. Try forgiveness!" came the word."Yeah but they keep doing it over and over again" I protested."Forgiveness" was the Word again and again.

In Scripturetaken from The Message 20thchapter of John verse 23 another good question is asked. "If you forgive someone's sins, they're gone for good. If you don'tforgive sins, what are you going to do with them?"

When unforgiveness has had timeto take root, it begins to grow into bitterness, anger, wrath and hatred, tothe point that even love that had once warmed the heart, will become cold anddistant. Words that were once tender and loving will become filled withnegativity & curses. We need to realize that the license we've givenourselves to judge others can weaken us all. Unforgivenessis like drinking poison and hope that the offender will get sick from it. Thereality is it is making YOU sick and begins a slow death to those who will notrelease it. Unforgiveness wreaks havocwith anything in it's path like a cyclone that sucks life right off the earth.Your expectations are off track, all relationships are at risk for doom andyour thinking process become like murky water. So many people unknowingly holdon to their pain from the past. They have chosen to forget rather than toforgive, and there is a difference. Forgetting does not take the poison away,forgiving does. Unforgiveness is a huge obstacle in this life that keeps usfrom obedience and intimacy with the Lord.

A pearl to string: When you align your expectations, thinking and actionswith the Lord and His Word it's not that people will suddenly behave better orthat all your expectations will be met. It's not even that you will personally improve with great strides. Whatyou do is create an atmosphere for which forgiveness can be a way of livingbecause it is most certainly the way of loving.

Living in His forgiveness

You are forgiven and you areloved,
Lyndi

Never Discouraged

2011-05-11T04:18:00.002-06:00

Imagine that I dump 10,000 plastic eggs in your back yard. I assure you thatinside one of those hollow eggs is a check for $1 Million dollars with yourname on it. Would you get discouraged if you opened the first 100 eggs withoutfinding the check? How about the first 1000 eggs? Of course not! You'djust keep opening those eggs, just waiting for the moment when you'd find thecheck.

Paul knew the meaning of the word "suffering." He had been beaten,stoned, imprisoned, shipwrecked, starved, and rejected and that was just onMondays. And yet Paul said that his sufferings were nothing compared to theglory that would come. In other words, Paul had opened a lot of empty eggs, buthe never gave up or got discouraged. He believed that somethinggreat was in his future - God's glory revealed in him.

Perhaps it feels to you as if your life has been nothing but empty eggs. You've already opened 9,562 of them and you're not sure you've got the will togo on. Let me encourage you today. Don't give up. I don't want to trivializethe challenges you are facing, but I do want to help you put them intoperspective. They are only temporary, and God has something much greater instore for you. Compared to the glory that will be revealed in us one day,our suffering doesn't merit discouragement.

A pearl tostring: I don't know whowrote that but it was certainly encouraging to me so I wanted to share it withyou. I drove a VW when I was a kid. Ialways knew when the gas tank was low I still had 3 gallons left in the reservetank. Just flip the lever and away I'dgo. God gave each one of us a reservetank. Flip your prayer lever. Hang on. Don't give up. Keep going. One day Godwill replace your discouragement with incomparable glory!

"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing withthe glory that will be revealed to us." (Romans 8:18)

Stay in His beautiful Sonshine

Therainbows of life follow the storms

Know you are loved,

Lyndi

Clipped Wings

2011-05-04T04:31:00.002-06:00

Have you seen the Athenos Greek Yogurt commercial withYiayia? (Greek, forgrandmother) http://youtu.be/JmD-wDEeOds It opens with a charming young couple, all aflutter with love, sharing breakfast. The off camera announcer asks what theirplans are for the day. The young man eagerlyreplies while his lady love hangs on every word with coquettish adoration. Theannouncer breaks in, "That'swonderful" he says, "let'ssee what Yiayia thinks". Yiayia cuts to the chase.... with this sweetexpression upon her face and a suspiciously syrupy voice to match Yiayia asks, "are you two married"? hervoice rising at the end of her question. Young woman looks at her man with flirtatious eyes, a little giggle and givesYiayia a sheepish reply, "wellno"! Still maintaining thatsweet expression Yiayia does the shame, shame, shame thing with her fingers andsays: "but you are living together?..........." OK I'll cut inhere: You go Yiayia... she tells those kids where they are headed and theexpression on the young couples face fades rapidly to shock & bewilderment.Of course the announcer breaks in here and explains Yiayia approves of the Athenos Greek Yogurt. Scene fadesout with Yiayia helping a motorcyclist slow down.

Even our commercials present sin against God with suchworldly beauty that what use to be wrong is now appearing right. What a coverup the deceiver has accomplished. Itseems to be perfectly acceptable for skimpily clad young women to parade about. Young men wear ill fitting clothing and look permanentlydisheveled. The language and self serving actions follow any old whim thatappears on the horizon. Of course thereare exceptions, like your kids, grandkids and mine but don't you just getirritated with what you see around you? Each generation suffers the indignity and rejection of their standardoperating procedure. I think I must be feeling the sting. Sometimes I just wantto scream! Then suddenly a previously unknown section of my mind takes controlof my mouth and immediately produces: "put some clothes on", "pullyour pants up", "get a hair cut" and "use some words withmore than four letters". "Try some good manners", "bekind", and "be considerate ofthose around you". IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT YOU! But of course just like my generation, eachupcoming generation knows best. Where isall this headed Yiayia?

A pearl to string: Artificial intelligence is nomatch for natural stupidity. It doesn't give you wings - it clips them. If Godlives in us, then there's no way of keeping Him from "showingthrough". That's the essence of Christian living - living in such a waythat people around will see God in our lives. Not shouting it or getting bongedon the head with a placard of love. Ok - I'll put my soap-box away!

"Letyour light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorifyyour Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:16

Staying with atruth I can count on His truth never changes.

You are loved,

Lyndi

The Bride

2011-04-27T04:55:00.004-06:00

I came across aquestion a few weeks ago that set my mind on fire. It burned for days and daysgetting my heart caught up in the tortuous pondering until my soul joined themêlée of sorrowful conjecture. My goodness you say, what on earth would disturbyou so? Here’s the question I’ll let you ponder it’s depth for awhile.Did you ever stop to think about what a bad deal Jesus got when He chose us tobe His bride?

Ugg! I can’tbear the pain of that question. I’ve grown into the belief over the last 49years with Coach Wonderful that marriage is the one relationship on earth thatprepares a person for the intimate relationship with Christ Jesus. Why you ask?It’s the one relationship that teaches you to die to yourself on a daily basisor the marriage relationship dies. There seems to be a cultural impression thata good marital relationship is an inalienable right. Folks appear to beescaping marriage commitments by the droves with the thought there is someoneelse out there with whom a good relationship will be easier. Good grief, didn’tanyone read the fine print? Relationships are going to have their challengesand even the best of them will be severely tried. Dan Haseltine wrote inRelevant magazine a few years back, “Look at the marriage of Jesus… the onewith the bride who sleeps around, never listens, disowns, scorns, dishonors,runs away, intentionally proves to be more interested in anything but herhusband, is selfish and bears the children of every affair and the scent ofevery escapade. It was a marriage that killed Jesus. And it was the Gospel thatbrought Him back to life to love once more”.

Our groom Jesusdoesn’t look for a way out. "Iwill never leave thee." -- Hebrews 13:5 Hewaits expectantly and with great love for his bride while she clothes herselfin wedding attire. He isn’t thinking about Himself or His own rights. He isthinking about us. He sees us as holy, blameless and beautiful. He sees thecompleted bride that He paid for and washed clean through the healing blood ofHis forgiveness on the cross. With that kind of love shinning on us we shouldbe able to see each other that way, die to ourselves and live offering oneanother to Jesus in love.

A pearl to string:Mark Steel said, “Jesus can turn waterinto wine, but He can't turn your whining into anything”. None of us will find peace withinourselves untilwe find peace in God’s gift of eternal life.

Humbled by Hiscontinuous grace,
Lyndi

Resurrection Mural by Ron DiCianni

2011-04-25T12:50:00.001-06:00

A friend sent me a copy of this wonderful artwork by Ron DiCianni that is now on display in the Museum of Biblical Art in Dallas, Texas.

Pictured from left to right:Abraham, Isaiah, David, Moses, (an angel on either side of Jesus), Elijah, Noah, Queen Ester, John the Baptist, Daniel.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us"

Hebrews 12:1 verse used for artist's inspiration

Watch Video!

By Ron DiCianni
March 28, 2010

Every artist longs for the definitive subject to paint, the one that captures a moment in time, hoping that viewers will put themselves there. Mine is the Resurrection. The one act in history that separates Christianity from every philosophy, every religion, and stops the mouths of every critic of Christ. Some may choose to ignore it, but none can deny it.

Two years ago, the Museum of Biblical Art in Dallas, Texas, asked me if I would consider painting a mural on the theme of Jesus’ resurrection. After praying and summoning up the courage to face such a task, I agreed. My only solace was in knowing that God had promised me many years ago that He would hold my hand whenever I painted. Knowing that the God of the universe is with you is what caused David to confront Goliath, Elijah to stand alone against 400 crazy prophets, and is what sustained Jesus when faced with the cross.

Taking my cue from Hebrews 12:1, I envisioned Christ emerging from the tomb with many heroes of the faith waiting for Him. These Old Testament faithful were able to see the One who fulfilled what they could only have dreamed of!

On a more practical note, I have to laugh when I think of how God loves to go against the grain of our comfort zone. I paint on a mechanical lift that raises a small, unsteady platform quite high off the floor. For as long as I can remember, I have been terrified of heights! Isn’t that just like God to make us face the very thing that proves He’s bigger and stronger than our fears? No question who is going to get the glory from such an assignment!

The mural required extensive preparation. Every costume for each model was hand-made. Every prop for the photography (for reference to paint from) was professionally made. The tomb was custom sculpted for me by the same people who had worked on such films as Indiana Jones. I even solicited the help of four prominent Christian painters. Thomas Blackshear posed as Abraham, Michael Dudash as Isaiah, Morgan Weistling as David, and Chris Hopkins as John the Baptist. The reason for all the effort? Whatever we, as artists, put our hand to, ought to be the best for our King! To Him belong the best efforts, time and talent we possess. No one else should get better treatment for the greatest message of all!

When I look at the finished mural today, I see in the details reminders of God’s guidance.

You might miss some of these messages at first glance.Notice the rock beginning to crack under Christ’s feet due to the earthquake. Look up to the top right of Noah and see the dove flying across the rock. On Moses’ belt in Hebrew are the words “I AM.” (Jesus used those words to describe himself in John 8:58.) On the angel’s swords are the letters for Alpha and Omega. On the top of the swords is the Star of David. Notice the “keys of death and hell” tied on Christ’s belt. The three kneeling figures are David, Esther and Daniel … royalty bowing to the greatest of all kings! In the right top background is Mount Calvary, also known as “the place of the skull.” You can see the hint of a rainbow above reminding us of the promises of God.

With any of my paintings, my prayer is that viewers will have a personal encounter with Jesus Christ as their Savior. Friend, have you met Him? Has the Resurrection brought you new life? You can discover that life today.
________________________________________
RON DiCIANNI is an internationally recognized artist. His paintings depicting the four cardinal doctrines of the Assemblies of God are on permanent display at the Fellowship’s headquarters in Springfield, Mo.Prints of this mural are available at TapestryProductions.com. A portion of the proceeds from Pentecostal Evangel readers will provide Bibles for African AG pastors.

2011-04-24T14:34:00.000-06:00

Jeruselem.... OBITUARIES..... 33AD

2011-04-22T04:02:00.018-06:00

I Am The Door

2011-04-20T04:29:00.011-06:00

There is a story told of George Adam Smith, the 19th century biblical scholar traveling in the holy land and coming across a shepherd and his sheep. Not exactly an unusual experience but it was in the course of conversation with that shepherd the man showed him the sheepfold into which the sheep were led at night. It consisted of four walls, with a way in.

Smith asked him, "This is where they go at night?"

"Yes," said the shepherd, "and when they are in there, they are perfectly safe."

"But there is no door," said Smith.

"I am the door," said the shepherd.

He was not a Christian man and wasn't speaking in the language of the New Testament. He was speaking from an Arab shepherd's viewpoint.

Smith looked and him and asked, "What do you mean you are the door?"

"When the light has gone," said the shepherd, "and all the sheep are inside, I lie in that open space, and no sheep ever goes out but across my body, and no wolf comes in unless he crosses my body; I am the door."

God's Word tells us in John chapter 10: "Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep". (John 10:7-11).

A pearl to string: Only Jesus can save us from sin. Muhammad cannot save us. Buddha cannot save us. Krishna cannot save us, nor can Joseph Smith, Mary Baker Eddy, or even the law of Moses. Nothing opens heaven's door except the One who is the door, and that is Jesus Christ. Just makes me want to break out in song:

Oh, how He loves you and me,
Oh, how He loves you and me.
He gave His life, what more could He give;
Oh, how He loves you, Oh, how He loves me,
Oh, how He loves you and me.

He does you know...

God loves you and me.

Happy Resurrection Sunday,

Lyndi

SIMON

2011-04-13T10:16:00.000-06:00

A pearl to string: Sometimes things are so good you just have to share them. Max Lucado's devotional, "Simon from Cyrene Carries Jesus' Cross" is just one of those good things I just have to share with you.

“A man named Simon from Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was coming from the fields to the city. The soldiers forced Simon to carry the cross for Jesus” (Mark 15:21)

Simon grumbles beneath his breath. His patience is as scarce as space on the Jerusalem streets. He’d hoped for a peaceful Passover. The city is anything but quiet. Simon prefers his open fields. And now, to top it off, the Roman guards are clearing the path for some who-knows-which-dignitary who’ll march his soldiers and strut his stallion past the people. “There he is!” Simon’s head and dozens of others turn. In an instant they know. This is no dignitary. “It’s a crucifixion,” he hears someone whisper. Four soldiers. One criminal. Four spears. One cross. The inside corner of the cross saddles the convict’s shoulders. Its base drags in the dirt. Its top teeters in the air. The condemned man steadies the cross the best he can, but stumbles beneath its weight. He pushes himself to his feet and lurches forward before falling again. Simon can’t see the man’s face, only a head wreathed with thorny branches. The sour-faced centurion grows more agitated with each diminishing step. He curses the criminal and the crowd. “Hurry up!” “Little hope of that,” Simon says to himself. The cross-bearer stops in front of Simon and heaves for air. Simon winces at what he sees. The beam rubbing against an already raw back. Rivulets of crimson streaking the man’s face. His mouth hangs open, both out of pain and out of breath. “His name is Jesus,” someone speaks softly. “Move on!” commands the executioner. But Jesus can’t. His body leans and feet try, but he can’t move. The beam begins to sway. Jesus tries to steady it, but can’t. Like a just-cut tree, the cross begins to topple toward the crowd. Everyone steps back, except the farmer. Simon instinctively extends his strong hands and catches the cross. Jesus falls face-first in the dirt and stays there. Simon pushes the cross back on its side. The centurion looks at the exhausted Christ and the bulky bystander and needs only an instant to make the decision. He presses the flat of his spear on Simon’s shoulders. “You! Take the cross!” Simon dares to object, “Sir, I don’t even know the man!” “I don’t care. Take up the cross.” Simon growls, balances the timber against his shoulder, and steps out of the crowd onto the street, out of anonymity into history, and becomes the first in a line of millions who will take up the cross and follow Christ.

He did literally what God calls us to do figuratively: take up the cross and follow Jesus. “If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross each day and follow me” (Luke. 9:23 CEV).

Happy Resurrection Sunday

You are dearly loved,

Lyndi

Jesus Rose

2011-04-06T09:08:00.000-06:00

A carpenter by trade, Earl was involved with the demolition of an old dilapidated apartment building in town While tearing out the walls he discovered an antiquated note. He opened it carefully. It had been protecting a dried up red rose. He read the signed note with great interest, because he recognized the names. "This little rose was given to me on our first-month anniversary. I hung it inside this wall with the hope that all who live in this apartment will be as happy as we have been."

The two people mentioned still lived in the community and were still married. Hugs and tears of joy followed when Earl hand-delivered the single dried rose and vintage note!

Another person might have ignored the rose, or called it junk and tossed it. However, Earl recognized it for what it was: love.

Ah love... the Beatles sing: All You Need is Love. Mary J Blige sings Love Is All We Need. Céline Dion sings about the Power of Love. In the love chapter of God's Word 1 Corinthians 13 Paul calls love the greatest of all. Love is not a noun to be defined but a verb to be acted upon.

A pearl to string: What makes love so amazing? For starters, it is what inspired the Father to send His only Son to die for us. Without love, there would have been no redemption for mankind. Not only would we be without love, but without the redemption that was activated by love, there would also be no faith, and no hope. You see, nothing else matters, without love. It is foundational for every other good thing in our lives.

Jesus rose from the dead. Some deny it. Some refute it. Others leave the resurrection hanging where they found it -- no decision for them. But others see that Jesus Rose and understand the message. And they want to pass it on. Have you seen the Jesus Rose for yourself?

John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life".

The Jesus Rose, the emblem of God's love

In His fragrance

Lyndi

"The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." (1 John 2:17)

ROSE

2011-03-30T04:19:00.004-07:00

Recently I went sideways with an atheist on face book. This particular atheist happens to be a relative and for the sake of family cohesiveness I didn't choose to do battle but a friend of mine stepped up to the plate with my blessings. Oh my goodness she was amazing. Tough in battle, brilliant with her well chosen words. Scripture was her battle sword. Cool was her spirit. My agnostic relative was puffed-up with anger and wound up declaring he was God but quickly recanted and put a less offensive moniker to his final punch. It was interesting to witness. I realized that I am not wired for that kind of a battle. Yikes, I nearly drowned in my own tears I was so upset. I love this relative and I have deep concern for his soul. It was easy to see that there are no winners. One can't hit another with a Bible.... no one benefits - no one grows. God's Word is love and for me arguing can never produce love. Jesus died for us but didn't stop there. Jesus rose from death so we might live. How can there be a greater love than that?

Isn't the resurrection of Jesus Christ a verifiable fact from history? And doesn't Christ's resurrection answer the question of Christianity's validity from being merely a philosophical issue to being a historical one? It seems only those who never study the evidence -- or who refuse to listen to its testimony -- could deny the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Josh McDowell (The New Evidence that Demands a Verdict) comes to mind as one person in recent history that set out to disprove Christ's resurrection -- only to become a believer instead! What an incredible ministry arose from his quest more than 40 years ago.

A pearl to string: It remains a fact: Confucius' tomb, Buddha's tomb, Mohammed's
tomb, and Lenin's tomb are all occupied. But Jesus Christ's tomb is EMPTY!

"I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death." REVELATION 1:18 NKJ

I am preparing my heart and mind to remember and celebrate Resurrection Sunday the Easter I always knew.....

May love always lead the way

Lyndi

FUNdamental

2011-03-23T04:22:00.003-07:00

There was a Scottish tradesman, a painter called Jack, who was very interested in making a pound where he could. So he often would thin down his paint to make it go a wee bit further. As it happened, he got away with this for some time.

Eventually the Presbyterian Church decided to do a big restoration job on one of their biggest churches. Jack put in a painting bid and because his price was so competitive, he got the job. And so he set to, with a right good will, erecting the trestles and putting up the planks, and buying the paint and...yes, I am sorry to say, thinning it down with the turpentine.

Well, Jack was up on the scaffolding, painting away, the job nearly done, when suddenly there was a horrendous clap of thunder. The sky opened and the rain poured down, washing the thin paint from all over the church and knocking Jack far off the scaffold to land on the lawn.

Now, Jack was no fool. He knew this was a judgment from the Almighty, so he fell on his knees and cried, "Oh, God! Forgive me! What should I do?"

And from the thunder, a mighty Voice spoke, "Repaint! Repaint! And thin no more!"

Ok, groan.... it's an old story but if you are continually tripping over the same problem you might consider a different approach. The tribal wisdom of the Dakota Indians, passed on from generation to generation, says that, "When you discover that you are riding a dead horse, the best strategy is to dismount." However, in government, education, and in corporate America, as with some Christians more advanced strategies are often employed, such as:

1. Buying a stronger whip.

2. Changing riders.

3. Appointing a committee to study the horse.

4. Arranging to visit other countries to see how other cultures ride dead horses.

5. Lowering the standards so that dead horses can be included.

6. Reclassifying the dead horse as living-impaired.

7. Hiring outside contractors to ride the dead horse.

8. Harnessing several dead horses together to increase speed.

9. Providing additional funding and/or training to increase dead horse's performance.

10. Doing a productivity study to see if lighter riders would improve the dead horse's performance.

11. Declaring that as the dead horse does not have to be fed, it is less costly, carries lower overhead and therefore contributes substantially more to the bottom line of the economy than do some other horses

12. Rewriting the expected performance requirements for all horses.

A pearl to string: Seems like God's Word gave us answers to problems before we ever encountered them. Why do you suppose that His wisdom is last on many lists? “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God” (1 Corinthians 3:19). but “The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 1:7).

Got problems?

Seek His wisdom,

Lyndi

A VIEW FROM THE ZOO

2011-03-16T04:16:00.007-07:00

Which just happens to be the title of book by Gary Richmond. Illustrations from the animal world fill the pages with spiritual truths. The birth of a giraffe gives insight to life's trials and hardships.

When a calf is born, he falls ten feet and lands on his back. The mother then momentarily hovers over the newborn before kicking the baby head over heels, if the calf doesn't get up, he gets another good kick.

This process is repeated to stimulate his efforts. Finally, when the little giraffe gets up on his wobbly legs, the mother kicks him off his feet again. To an outsider such behavior seems cruel and unnecessary. (Ya think? Wow, I wouldn't make a very good giraffe) To the mother it is an expression of love. This first lesson in life helps the newborn to quickly develop the skills needed to move rapidly with the herd when predators are near.

Sometimes we feel as though God has no sooner gotten us on our feet when He turns around and knocks us down. The next time that happens, think about the newborn giraffe. God may simply be strengthening you for your own protection in the future.

"And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (Romans 5:3-4)

A pearl to string: Perseverance and patience are two essential qualities for the followers of Jesus. They were demonstrated by Christ and they help believers deal with adverse circumstances. When I was a little girl my Grandmother taught me not to ask God for patience because the trials would increase but rather ask God for wisdom. Patience is a gift of wisdom and perseverance is the joy of patience. I do not find those words specifically in God's Word but 2 Thessalonians 3:5 sure looks like the essence of wisdom "Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ."

Be In His Love,

Lyndi

Me, Me, Me

2011-03-09T06:09:00.000-07:00

I read in a Nancy DeMoss devotional that our lives are made up of endless variations on the word me. Our instinctive reaction to life is self-centered: How does this affect me? Will this make me happy? Why did this happen to me? Good grief it's not enough that we each want to be the center of our own universe but we also want to be the center of everyone else's universe ---including God's. I don't think that's going to work very well. If everyone just watches out for themselves then who will serve those who can't help themselves? Who will love the hurting peoples? Who will come alongside the oppressed and give hope?

Me-centeredness is so powerful and deeply rooted in our society that if we don't deliberately fight it we will undoubtedly live it and become veiled in false humility. I have to ask myself am I only enthusiastic and giving to efforts that involve me? Deliver me Lord! The more self focused we are the more unhappy we become. It's true - we were created to give outward - away from the center of self.

Tony Berti, an offensive tackle for Coach Wonderful's CU Buffs back in the early 90's said on face book recently: "Sometimes people's perception of us is not really based on us, but on their own issues and insecurities. The Lesson is that we have to be confident in who we are and know what we are about and know to try not to judge others based on our own issues and insecurities".

The years have taught me a most wonderful beauty secret with more visible results than any man made solution.... it's the study of God's Word. "His Words evoke her beauty" (Ephesians 5:26-27^MSG)

A pearl to string: Joy is my balance marker. If I'm out of joy I am out of balance. Joy is where I don't give myself room for an opinion.... I believe God and trust the outcome to Him. He is the God of Hope: hope always points to the future. In God our future can always be dramatically different from our past.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit". (Romans 15:13)

Love you, you, you,

Lyndi

Trickle Down Parenting, by Joe Beam

2011-03-07T10:33:00.000-07:00

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ (Ephesians 5:21 NIV).

Did you know that according to marriage experts the first major crisis in many marriage relationships is after the birth of their first child?

With all the stresses of caring for a toddler, it's easy to see why trouble could erupt. To keep your marriage out of crisis, several things need to be considered.

Who's Your Baby?

One of the things I often say in my marriage seminars is that the reason the birth of the first child is often the first crisis in a marriage is because "mama has a new baby."

Before her child's birth, her husband was her baby. Maybe she woke up early to cook breakfast for him before he left for work, she paid close attention to him to ensure he was happy and comfortable and she planned her schedule around him. But when Heather's new baby, Tanner, was born, she altered her focus almost entirely.

When Jason got home from work, Heather hardly noticed. After a hard day of changing diapers, cleaning spilled milk off the carpet and listening to Tanner cry, her nerves were shot. Her exhaustion carried over to the bedroom, where the two hardly made love anymore.

Though Jason loved his son, he occasionally had feelings of resentment toward him.

What could this couple possibly do? They certainly would not ignore their child. But they would decide to ensure that they remembered their vows to each other.

Jason and Heather recommitted to making sure the other felt fulfilled and happy. They decided to reserve one night for the two of them to relax at home or go out for dinner. That night, a baby sitter whom they trusted would keep Tanner. Also, during Tanner's daily naps, Heather would nap. This way she could catch up on some of the sleep she lost from nursing Tanner during the night. After work, Jason prepared supper for Tanner and fed him while Heather cooked their supper. The two noticed a drop in stress simply because they refocused on each other.

Unity

After some time passed, Jason and Heather had raising a baby down to an art form. Though it was very hard work, they both felt a sense of pride in being parents and had renewed feelings of closeness and warmth for each other. However, the eye of the storm gave way to disaster when Tanner became a toddler.

Tanner learned that occasionally Jason gave in more than Heather. When Heather would put Tanner in bed for the night, Jason would often allow him to get in their bed. Heather did not like the loss of intimacy that resulted in Tanner sleeping in their bed and didn't appreciate Jason ignoring the rules she made for Tanner.

As Tanner began to learn he could go to "daddy" for a "second opinion,"

he would cry to Jason after Heather had said, "no." One day, when Heather went shopping, Jason kept Tanner. Tanner began asking Jason for a marker so he could draw. Both Tanner and Jason knew that Heather did not allow Tanner to play with markers. But Jason didn't think it would hurt anything.

When Heather came home to find the walls covered with scribbles, she was very upset. Jason hadn't noticed when Tanner snuck away from him.

I can't stress enough the importance of focusing on your marriage relationship!

The little guy had learned to manipulate Jason and Heather in order to get what he wanted. It wasn't because he was a bad little boy. It was simply because two-year olds live life only to please themselves. He would grow out of it in time, but until he did, Jason and Heather would have to set some more guidelines in order to protect their marriage.

They decided that they would determine rules together. And if one of them set a rule for Tanner to follow, that rule would stand simply because of the loyalty that existed between Jason and Heather.

It took a while, but Tanner learned that "mommy and daddy" were united in parenting. If one said no, the other did as well. This was difficult but Jason and Heather were determined to be just as focused on each other as they were on being parents.

To Be Good Parents, It Takes A Good Marriage

Though it's tempting to nurture our children above our marriage, statistics tell us that children in homes with parents in strong marriages are more successful, mentally stable and have more self-esteem on average than children in homes with parents in weak relationships.

In our make-believe scenario, everything worked out nicely for Jason and Heather. That isn't always the case. Therefore, I can't stress enough the importance of focusing on your marriage relationship just as much as you focus on being a good parent. By working to improve your marriage, not only are you helping yourself, you are helping your children.

If you have a son, he needs to see his father treat his mother with compassion, respect and love. If you have a daughter, she needs to see her mother treat her father with the same compassion, respect and love.

Not only will it help them in the future, but it provides them a pleasant home and a healthy attitude toward God's institution of marriage.

So practice the "trickle-down effect" with your family. The good things in your marriage will usually trickle down to your children and, hopefully, to their children and generations to come.

---------

Quiet me Lord

2011-03-02T05:22:00.001-07:00

Ah, you are probably thinking she is going to pontificate on that wicked little tongue of ours. With all the stress in the world around us the tongue can get pretty active for sure. However the scripture verse below set my mind to thinking how grateful I am that the Lord loves me so much and delights in me so much that he would quiet me with his love.

The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)

Isn't that the sweetness and tenderness of the Lord that we all need? To slow down, be calm, rest in the peace of his presence and be flooded with healing for our spirit. Breathe deeply and sigh out a wide range of emotional baggage. Take you troubles to the feet of Jesus. Don't explain them - he already knows - just set them there.

String a pearl: A prayer by Tom Norvell: "Lord, I get loud sometimes. Not so much verbally loud, but my spirit gets loud. My heart gets loud. My mind gets loud. The world around me gets loud and the loudness overwhelms me to the point that everything within me and around me seems to be loud. So, Lord, please quiet me with Your love.
"In these times of unrest and confusion in our nation and world, I need to be quieted by your love, dear Lord. Decisions are being made that may well change the way we live and function as a people. Lord, please quiet me with Your love.
"As the years pass more rapidly than my mind can comprehend, I need to be quieted with Your love. I cannot keep up. I try, but I seem to fall farther and farther behind. Lord, please quiet me with Your love.

"In times of discouragement when I have failed to live like You have asked me to live, I need to be quieted by Your love. In times of disappointment over dreams that have faded and when other people have failed to live up to my expectations, I need to be quieted by Your love. Lord, please quiet me with Your love. "In times of loss and my heart has been broken, I need to be quieted by your love. In times of sadness when a joyful spirit seems too much to consider, I need to be quieted by Your love. Lord, please quiet me with Your love.
"In times of suffering and pain as the result of another's actions or my own, I need to be quieted by Your love. In times when others are suffering because of my actions and I am helpless to undo what I have done, I need to be quieted by Your love. And they need to be quieted by Your love. Lord, please quiet me with Your love.

"In times of distress and anxiety over all that I must do, or feel that I must do, I need to be quieted by Your love. In times when life is so loud that I cannot hear my own thoughts, I need to be quieted by Your love. Lord, please quiet me with Your love.

"Unless You quiet me with Your love, dear Lord, my life will surely be filled with noises that may drown Your voice from my ears. Lord, I need to be quieted by Your love.
"When I remind myself that You are with me, when I contemplate Your power, when I consider that You take great delight in me and when I think of You rejoicing over me with singing because of Your love for me, I am quieted. My heart is quieted. My spirit rests.
"Lord, You have quieted me with Your love."

With His song I rest in His Quiet Love,

Lyndi

A Smile from Heaven by Susan Johnson

What Kind of Book Are You Writing?

2011-02-25T06:58:00.000-07:00

by Mary Southerland

"I will be careful how I act and will not sin by what I say. I will be careful what I say around wicked people. I became very angry inside, and as I thought about it, my anger burned. So, I spoke" (Psalm 39:1, 3 NCV).

A young lady named Sally relates an experience she had in a Seminary class taught by Dr. Smith, a teacher who was well known for his elaborate object lessons. One particular day, Sally walked into the classroom and instantly knew they were going to have a lot of fun. On the wall was a big target and on a nearby table was a large stack of darts. Dr. Smith told the students to draw a picture of a person they disliked or someone who had made them angry and he would allow them to throw darts at the person's picture.

Sally's girlfriend drew a picture of a girl who had stolen her boyfriend. Another friend drew a picture of his little brother who was a constant irritation. Sally drew a picture of a former friend who had betrayed her. As Sally remembered the pain and hurt of that broken friendship, she put a great deal of detail into her drawing, even drawing pimples on the face. When her picture was completed, Sally sat back and gazed at her work, pleased with the overall effect she had achieved.

The class lined up and began throwing darts. Laughter and shouts of success rang out as each dart found its target. Some of the students threw the darts with such force that their targets were ripping apart. Sally was looking forward to her turn but was disappointed when Dr. Smith called time and asked the students to return to their seats.

As Sally sat thinking about how angry she was because she didn't have a chance to throw any darts at her target, Dr. Smith began removing the target from the wall. Underneath the target was a picture of Jesus. A complete hush fell over the room as each student viewed the mangled picture of Jesus; holes and jagged marks covering His face.

Dr. Smith quietly said, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" (Matthew 25:40, KJV). No other words were necessary. The tear-filled eyes of each student focused only on the picture of Christ.

Words are like seeds. What we plant will grow. The words we speak are powerful and will either build up or destroy. Words can diffuse anger and turn tragedy into triumph. The right word, spoken at the right time and in the right way can bring peace in the midst of confusion. God gives us "spiritual radar" so we can assess a situation and speak the right word for that circumstance, but how often do we speak before we check the radar?

·         A judge utters a few words and a guilty man is taken to death row.

·         A friend speaks a word of encouragement and a desperate heart finds hope.

·         A mother lashes out with angry words and the light in her child's eyes is gone.

·         A wife offers a word of forgiveness and a marriage is saved.

·         A gossip makes a phone call and a reputation is destroyed.

· A teenager says "no" and changes the course of her life.

Father, I need Your help. I want the words I speak to encourage and build up the people in my life. Forgive me for the hurtful words I have spoken. Teach me how to speak the right words in each situation and how to think before I speak. And Lord, help me keep my mouth shut when I need to! In Jesus' name, Amen.

12 Reasons I Stopped Attending Sports Events

2011-02-23T04:06:00.003-07:00

Thought it might be interesting to take some of the most common excuses for not going to church and use them to stop attending sporting events and here’s what you get:

1. Every time I went, they asked me for money.

2. The people I had to sit by didn't seem very friendly.

3. The seats were too hard and not comfortable at all.

4. The coach never came to call on me.

5. The referee made a decision with which I could not agree.

6. I was sitting with some hypocrites -- they came only to see what others were wearing.

7. Some games went into overtime, and I was late getting home.

8. The band played some numbers that I had never heard before.

9. The games are scheduled when I want to do other things.

10. My parents took me to too many games when I was growing up.

11. Since I read a book on sports, I feel that I know more than the coaches anyhow.

12. I don't want to take my children, because I want them to choose for themselves what sport they like best.

Hmmmm....Are our expectations a bit whacky? PEOPLE get a grip! If you are going to church to get something you will NEVER be satisfied. If you attend church to give something to your community you will be blessed beyond measure. The world loves, measures and rewards by performance according to their individual truth. God rewards for transitive giving. He gave you a gift and when you use it to bless His people God responds with His loving abundance.

I love singing the words to the Prayer of St. Francis: "For it is in giving that we receive, It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life".

Oh this beautiful paradoxical Christian life.

A pearl to string: St. Francis echoes the words of Jesus, "Freely you have received, freely give" (Matthew 10:8). We only get what we give. Whether it's money, love, friendship, kindness, or even anger - it's in giving that we receive. What we give to this world we live in is important. If we give love, we get love. If we give hate, we get hate. It's a law, like gravity, that we can resist, but we cannot break.

R. G. LeTourneau, a Christian businessman, once said, "I shovel out and God shovels in - but God's shovel is always bigger." It's true... God's got a bigger everything. As my Coach Wonderful always says: "you can't out give God".

Love out my friends

Lyndi

Yellow Zebra

2011-02-16T07:41:00.000-07:00

It use to be you were a daring sort if you colored outside the lines in life. I don't see so many daring types out in worldville anymore. I run into the sort that change content to serve their needs. People seem to be making up religion as they go along. That is so strange to me. It sure makes Proverbs 19 verse 3 jump off the page of my Bible: "People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord". What's up with that? Hey we all sin, we all fall short of the glory of God. We also equally have the choice to stay there and wallow or turn towards our Lord and away from our sin.

If we dwell on the lie that says,

“God doesn’t love me,” it’ll lead us into bondage.

Satan watches for those vessels that sail without convoy.

-- George Swinnock

The truth is that God does love you. Paul tells us how much in Romans 5:6 “At just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.... God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Same Scripture verse via The Message. "Christ arrives right on time to make this happen. He didn't, and doesn't, wait for us to get ready. He presented himself for this sacrificial death when we were far too weak and rebellious to do anything to get ourselves ready. And even if we hadn't been so weak, we wouldn't have known what to do anyway. We can understand someone dying for a person worth dying for, and we can understand how someone good and noble could inspire us to selfless sacrifice. But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him". Romans 5:6-8 (The Message)

A pearl to string: You have probably discovered that you simply cannot trust your emotions because they are unreliable, misleading and will constantly betray you. A family member can verbally blast you and rage consumes your spirit. Your career is in decline and depression slithers into your heart. Caught in the comparison trap, you find yourself avoiding those who have bigger, more influential jobs. Anger is a constant companion, finances are tight and rest is a distant memory. A sense of bone-deep weariness saturates your soul as your own heart ridicules the sincerity with which you serve. "You might as well give up. It's no use. Just quit!" the enemy taunts.

"Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control." Proverbs 25:28 (NIV)

Negative emotions can take hold of and destroy a life void of emotional control. Control puts emotions in their God-shaped place, discarding negative emotions as the spiritual leeches they are while safeguarding and reinforcing positive emotions.

Emotions are a gift from God. While emotions themselves are not sin, the place we give them can be. Since God created us with the capacity for strong emotions, we can rest assured that He will equip and empower His plan for managing them.

So many times we attempt to engage in a spiritual fight using natural weapons. That just won't work. Remember, God's Word is your weapon against the tactics of the enemy.

Stay in His Word and

Know you are loved,

Lyndi

SIN OUT

2011-02-09T04:35:00.011-07:00

"The chains of sin are too light to be felt until they are too heavy to be broken". Tom Drout

Do you ever think about sin? I don't like the word sin nor do I like to sin! I do not think it's very ladylike. It's not very ladylike to sweat either so I use the term 'glow' when referring to the glisten of a workout session. I suppose we use the word 'mistake' for the same reason. Sin just punches but mistake is a more palatable description. What happens when we respond to sin sometimes? We decide to give into temptation, and we get a little check in our spirit. We ignore that check thinking that we will still be fine. Sooner or later though, just like the ground rising up to meet me, our sin reaches up hard with its consequences and there is no avoiding them any more. It's too late to turn back. Sin always finds it’s root in our own selfish desires and self-gratification.

We generally do not plan to go out and sin... at least not at first. We get tempted - then we think about it a while. "When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." (James 1:13-15)

Even if we manage to "get away" with sin, and believe that "no one knows", our sins will come back to bite us. "There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs." (Matthew 10:26-27)

Sin will take you farther than you want to go,

Cost you more than you want to pay,

And keep you longer than you want to stay. ...

Not only does sin have consequences, but also each time we sin, we reinforce a pattern that becomes harder and harder to break. If we persist in sin with the thought that one day we will get right with God, we should remind ourselves that God may still be there to forgive and restore but we may not be.

A pearl to string: Always have an emergency plan. First, run from the temptation. Second, when we fall, we need to return quickly to the grace and mercy of our loving Father, seeking His forgiveness. A fall into sin will not cause us to lose salvation, but it can damage our relationship with Father and have earthly consequences which haunt us the rest of our lives. In other words, flee from temptation. But if you fall, rush back in the waiting arms of your Abba Father.

Stay safe in His Word,

Lyndi

Your Emotional Realm

2011-02-02T04:09:00.001-07:00

Scary subject matter isn't it? I've long danced to the tune "why inject facts into this situation, that will just mess up a good emotional outburst". Ever noticed how women can go from A to Z and men go from A to B.....what is up with that? Coach Wonderful doesn't like me getting historical either. Good grief I only have two reaction it's either historical or hysterical. It is what it is or is it?

If any of us have been on planet earth more than three minutes then we have developed habit patterns in our emotional realm from the way we responded to the world around us. Some people burst into tears at any moment over anything and others almost never cry. Some are happy – happy – happy all the time and others never really “feel” happy. Some stay in an undercurrent of rage and, at the drop of a hat, can fly into anger and rage, which often seems shockingly ridiculous over something simple going wrong. In each of those cases, people have developed that habit pattern of reacting in their emotional realm to the things which have come their way in life.

One of the most powerful and sweetest gifts we have as Believers is the ability to forgive and how it affects our lives. Walking with an awareness that Jesus is living in me, empowers me to have my memories of my life up to this point, WITHOUT THE EMOTIONAL PAIN CONNECTED WITH THOSE MEMORIES. That would not be possible without forgiveness.

A pearl to string: People who live in emotional extremes have never learned how to control their emotions but instead let their emotions control them. I love how the Message states in Romans 12:15, we are to "Laugh with our friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down". The only way I can do that is to allow myself to feel happiness and sadness with people when they are experiencing it. If I am continually all wrapped up in myself, and the way I feel, I can’t do that. Our emotions have been given to us by God because we are human beings. They are in our soul and help to make us who we are. It is good to have them. We can learn to control them instead of them controlling us.

Galatians 5:16 in the Amplified Bible says: “But I say walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God).”

Leaning on Him,

Lyndi

Cushion of the Sea

2011-01-19T14:06:00.001-07:00

New submarines undergo submersion testing to ascertain their depth ratings and their ability to operate underwater through a myriad of trials. After conducting such tests for many hours underwater and upon returning to the harbor, the captain was asked, "How did the terrible storm last night affect you?" The officer looked at the Harbor Master in surprise and exclaimed, "Storm? We didn't even know there was one!" The sub had been so far beneath the surface that it had reached the area known to sailors as "the cushion of the sea." Although the ocean may be whipped into huge waves by high winds, the waters below are never stirred.

Being a Christian doesn't deliver us from the trials and troubles of life. We live in a broken world where it rains on the just as well as the unjust. However, our faith in Christ gives us an anchor in the storm and a hiding place in the shadow of his wings. The mind is protected against the distracting waves of worry if it is resting completely in the good providence of God. There, sheltered by His grace and encouraged by His Holy Spirit, the believer can find the perfect tranquility that only Christ can provide. "And the peace of God, which transcends all our powers of thought, will be a garrison to guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7) (Weymouth).

A pearl to string: The peace of God is an eternal calm like the "cushion of the sea." It lies so deep in our hearts that no circumstance or difficulty can reach it. We can go within and access that place at any time, and in doing so in the midst of difficult circumstances, we draw those around us into the presence of our God whose everlasting arms are beneath all of our stormy seas in life. Psalm 62:1 says, "My soul finds rest in God alone."

In His presence there is 'undisturbable' calm,

Lyndi

<:))))><

As David the Psalmist prayed, "Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until this violent storm is past." Psalm 57:1-2

Hurt?

2011-01-12T04:44:00.004-07:00

Were youhurt in 2010? Or did you carry hurt into 2010? Still got it? Doesn’t that hurtfeel heavy? Do not underestimate theinsidious, destructive effect that unresolved hurt and anger can have on everyaspect of your life. It’s like poisonthat swallows you. It doesn’t doanything good to your face either. Hurtshows no matter how big that smile might be.

Everyonehas been wronged, offended, and sinned against at some point in life. How arewe to respond when such offenses occur? Reading in The Word of God we learnthat we are to forgive. Of course that can be easier said than done. (My personal little prayer, “Lord, please forgive them while I grow toit”) Ephesians4:32 declares, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, justas in Christ God forgave you.” Similarly, Colossians 3:13 proclaims, “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances youmay have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

Is it possible totruly forgive all transgressions?

How do youforgive someone who physically abused you when you were a child?

How do youforgive someone who raped you or a family member?

How do youforgive someone who spread vicious and humiliating lies about you?

How do youforgive parents who put their own needs and egos way ahead of your basicemotional needs as a child?

How do youforgive a parent who left you when you were young?

How do youforgive someone who has sucked the joy out of your life through his or hernegative, hypocritical, phony, lazy, selfish, and ill-tempered behavior over 20years of marriage?

How do youforgive attacks on your children?

How do youforgive the unforgivable?

Maybe, sometimes,the hurt is so bad that the quality of your health and life will suffer for therest of your life because you will always harbor some anger for the people whohurt you.

“When you haven't forgiven those who've hurt you, you turn yourback against your future. When you do forgive, you start walking forward”. Tyler Perry

String apearl: Why do weforgive? Because we have been forgiven! It was revelation for me years ago inthe midst of a tumultuous struggle when God made a clear impression on myheart. Jesusnot only died for my sins but for those who have sinned against me.

Wait a minute! Stop the music! It doesn’t get any bigger than that. Jesus died for that person that sinnedagainst me! There’s nothing more I can do but forgive.

Forgivenessis the perfume that the trampled flower

Castsback upon the foot that crushed it

God makeseverything but unbreakable hearts.

Let Himbe the fragrance of Your love

Create in me a cleanheart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Psalms 51:10

Happy New Year

Lyndi

A Lasting Legacy

2011-01-05T04:44:00.004-07:00

ArthurGordon tells the story of when he was about 13 and his brother 10, their dadpromised to take them to the circus. While the family was eating lunch thephone rang --some urgent business that required their dad's attentiondowntown--and they braced themselves for disappointment. They were hangingtheir heads when they heard him say,"No, I won't be able to come down. It's going to have to wait."

As soon astheir dad came back to the table their mother smiled, "The circus keepscoming back, you know."

"Iknow," he said, "but childhood doesn't."

After fortyyears Gordon remember that moment. And he knew from the sudden glow of warmththat no kindness is ever really wasted or completely lost. Because the onlything you take with you to heaven is your family.

A pearl to string: That'sa rich little story with lots of pearls to string. The first one that stands out is a dad'swisdom in keeping a promise to his children. Never make a promise unless death (Mt. 5:33-37^ESV) is the only thing that prevents you fromkeeping that promise. There are so many people hurting in this life as a resultof many broken promises. Too often it started with a dad breaking a promise tothe child's mother. Kept promises light hope's way.

The second pearl I see is the mother honoring her husband. Parentsneed to be one in God's sight (Mal 2:15) and in their children's view too. Tobe united same page negotiation should be done out of ear shot of the children.Parents with differing points of view spell disaster for their children'sfuture.

I was really taken with the last line of that story."all you take with you to heaven is your family". Oh my goodness - I never thought of it thatway..... ever.... but it's true isn't it. The one thing you can take to heaven is your family. Not at the same time of course.

The father to the children shallmake known thy truth. (Isa. 38:19b) For God so loved the world that he gave hisone and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but haveeternal life. (Jn. 3:16)

God gave us a Lasting Legacy

Jumping for JOY

Lyndi

Happy New Year

2011-01-01T04:27:00.004-07:00

The Seasons of Life
http://www.openmyeyeslord.net/theseasonsoflife.htm

Malachi 2:15

2010-12-29T04:44:00.005-07:00

Youwere united to your wife by the Lord. In God's wise plan, when you married, thetwo of you became one person in His sight.

Happy 48th Wedding AnniversaryCoach Wonderful

As you can see it turns out good but we did have a littletrouble getting to "ONE" in His sight. We started off with "Igot my eye on you". But after the wedding day that quickly turned into"don't tell me what to do". The years of the power struggle were and I for and I. Then life got busy with childrenand work and we spent many more hours apart than together. We both misread the 'no time for' or 'lack ofconflict' for a good marriage. Ihave to laugh - how many people does that happen to? Naive, not schooled in relationships, justdoing the best we could to do good to each other. I took my helpmate role quiteseriously and I set out to take care of everyone in this family. Of course Igleaned my wisdom from my own family experience. It never occurred to me that my husband'swisdom from his family experience would be so contrary to my view. Yikes thatcaused serious trouble through the years and bad names formed in my braintowards my husband. That's not healthy.We were both church people but neither of us had ever known to ask Christ intoour lives as Savior and Lord. Through the Holy Spirit it becomes a livingrelationship with our Creator.

Now you are probably thinking ok now that they have the Lordthey are fixed. Not exactly. We seem to have a recurring pattern: we've gotour eye on you Lord, not real comfortable being told what to do, an I foran I struggle,Bible studies, Christian family camps, church and community service kept usbusy. We both misread that full and busylife for being a good Christian family. We were changing, we were growing but we were also missing somethingmuch needed.

A pearl to string: Receiving the Holy Spirit and being filled bythe Holy Spirit are not functionally identical. All Believers receive the Holy Spirit at salvation but you don'tget filled just one time and ride that out for the remainder of your life. InEphesians 5:18 the Greek word for 'filled' is a verb (present passiveimperative) that, based upon the tense, speaks of a continual process offilling. In other words, the filling ofthe Holy Spirit involves a continual process in the Believer aftersalvation. When you are full of the Holy Spirit, you are led by the Holy Spirit.When you are led by the Holy Spirit,people see the attributes of Jesus Christ flowing out from you, the "fruitof the Spirit." (Galatians 5:22-23)

And that my preciousfriends is beautiful

it's what we aim atand pray for in our walk with the Lord and in our marriage

Immersed in His love

Lyndi