Christmas Date Note

Isn’t it interesting that there is a growing number of Christians coming to grips with history. December 25th is probably not the actual day Jesus Christ was born – could have been the day Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit. So the Seed of God was placed in the womb of Mary during the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah that year. Wow! The Light of the World is conceived during the Festival of Lights. Learned peoples point to the Holy Scripture to explain the inaccuracy of the present celebrated dates. Blame is placed on the Catholic Church for arbitrarily choosing a day to celebrate the birth of Christ. The voices are growing in numbers, “this isn’t the date, this isn’t the date”! Makes you want to ask, “And the point is?” If I learned at this juncture in my life (I’m really old) that my actual birth date was about 6 months off would it change my life? Would it change who I am or how I celebrate life? I rather doubt it. Leaning into Scripture you can always find your answers. Philippians 2:15-18. Paul rejoiced in the fact that Jesus was being preached. Some out of rivalry, but others out of goodwill.

May you be blessed knowing that in fact our King was born and is alive for ever more and may we purpose to worship Him all year long.

Rest on His Word: Philippians 2:9-11
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Destination Bethlehem

A Christmas Journey

Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened . . . (Luke 2:15)

Traveling back in time and finding it’s not as pretty as it is in the movies or on Christmas cards. Did you know that caves where shepherds kept their flock in winter are not clean? Whew, one whiff of that stench is enough to gag a rhinoceros. I’m a city girl, I like clean animals. Mary, how did you do it? The trip from the village of Nazareth in Galilee to the town of Bethlehem in Judea is about 65 miles. On a donkey? While you are in labor? Have mercy! The town of Bethlehem was bulging with people in for the big census taking. It was dreary, noisy – really rowdy – and sold out. “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." (Luke 9:58) I can’t even imagine the feelings inside Joseph as every effort to find comfort for his wife and his any minute child failed. People were ugly and unsympathetic. At this point Mary was obviously in the latter stages of labor. Joseph was directed to the caves behind the Inn as a last resort. It was a long enough trek for the donkey – he headed straight for the manger for a drink of water
(A manger in Bethlehem) right where our Savior would first lay His head.
Of course Joseph would do everything possible to make Mary comfortable but what did he know about birthing babies – he was a carpenter. He distributed the hay and snatched a blanket from the donkey to create a somewhat clean place for Mary. She probably had a small bag of salt to rub on her new baby’s skin preventing infection, some yarn to tie off the umbilical cord, a piece of sharp slate to cut it, and strips of cloth to swaddle her baby in. She was only fourteen but God was her guide. Jesus probably looked quite ordinary to Mary & Joseph in that first extraordinary parent vision. Ten fingers, ten toes, a thatch of black hair, skinny little legs and arms and the wizened face of a newborn who had dwelt in water for nine long months. To them He was the most beautiful baby on earth. God gave them the ordinary human experience but the Shekinah glory came upon them as angels and shepherds appeared and wise men gathered bearing gifts.

A pearl to string: Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:11-14)

A birth like no other –
Let your hearts be swaddled in His love for eternity.
Merry Christmas
Lyndi

Amy Grant Lyrics

Mary Did You Know?

Christmas Prayer
For those who may be grieving we stop to say a Christmas prayer:
We celebrate this time of year because our Lord was born;
But let us not forget that there are others who may mourn.

In times of sorrow, times of strife, it's sometimes hard to smile,
So, Holy Spirit, please come in and tarry for awhile.

Touch those who may be suffering; touch every wounded heart,
Touch all those burdened souls when they feel distant, set apart.

Remove the pain, and fill their hearts with happiness and mirth,
And let them all rejoice now in The Savior's holy birth. Amen and amen
Mary Did You Know?

Somewhere in my forties the Christmas carols that I had been singing all my life sunk deeper into my soul. It was as if the lyrics suddenly had profound meaning that I had never experienced before. My heart and mind seemed to unite on the wonder of Christmas, the inexplicable joy of my Saviors birth. “Mary Did You Know?” is a Christmas song written in the 90’s that causes me to meditate on the circumstance of Jesus birth every time I hear it.

The times were most difficult back then. The people of Nazareth had a strong Jewish faith. Mary and many ordinary people of the land, were increasingly aware that they were powerless themselves, but God, the all powerful, could raise up the lowly. Their faith was of the deepest kind: "The Lord hears the cry of the poor. Blessed be the Lord. The Lord our God, the Lord alone! Therefore you shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your strength." (Deut. 6:4-5)

Mary's faith was strong. Yet, in fervently religious Nazareth with its high moral standards, she hardly stood out at all, even in the eyes of those who knew her best. Besides, as a young woman living in a society where men counted most, she would be little noticed except as a mother and a wife.

When she was 14 or so, Mary's parents made plans for her to be married, as was customary in those days. They chose Joseph of Nazareth, a carpenter, for her husband. The engagement took place and Mary returned home to wait about a year before she would go to live with her husband as his wife. But then, something happened.............

Mary was chosen by God to bring forth the Savior of the world. An astounding series of events and responses took place for the miracle of all miracles. What grips my heart as a mother is imagining Mary holding her baby – what went through her mind? Next time you hold a baby imagine you are Mary, you have just gone through extraordinary unexplainable events but now your baby is in your arms. This is finally a normal experience looking at her baby something Mary shared with millions of moms. Mary lovingly and tenderly kisses her precious baby boy – she kissed the face of God. Doesn’t that just take your breath away? Focus in on that – she kissed the face of God. Mary held her child in her arms, the child she delivered would deliver her. Awe-inspiring reality – did she know? Could she sense it? Did Mary feel it? She kissed the face of God. Moses couldn’t even look at the face of God but Mary kissed the face of God. Oh Mary, that sleeping child you held so long ago is the Great, I am and you kissed the face of God. In my mind I want to go to the manger, I want to sit beside Mary, I want to hold her baby, I want to kiss the face of God.
A pearl to string: Present day wise men worship the Child of Bethlehem who was born to be the Man of Calvary.

Following that Christmas star -
May His presence light your way.
Lyndi

Pretty Blue Sky

CONFABULATE. It’s a real word! It came in my email this morning for my word of the day. It means to chat, confer or fill in gaps in memory by fabrication. Hummm, I seem to do a lot of confabulating these days. It’s not done to be intentionally deceptive. It’s more like when I was a kid I had to do something with the holes in the picture I was drawing. I loved to fill those holes with pretty blue sky. So when I confabulate it’s just a little pretty blue sky for the holes in my memory.
It’s that time of year when my memory goes dancing. Christmas time is such a lovely, fun time of the year. The memories of yesteryear hold joy and plenty of blue sky. These days controversy swirls everywhere. Instead of singing we’re arguing, instead of giving we’re complaining, instead of honoring we’re dismantling - all in the name of diversity? Yikes, makes a body want to just go home, close the doors, keep the TV off, turn the phone off and pull out the boxes of stored Christmas decorations. I love to decorate our home when it’s cold outside – snowing is the best time. I light the logs in the fireplace, turn on the Christmas music and brew some cinnamon tea. Sipping and humming I ponder the wonder of how God trimmed our world with the sun and the moon and all the twinkling stars to light our way and bring us warmth and joy. All the shimmering lights that are strung around the houses, in the trees, on the boughs and intertwined in wreaths reflect His handiwork to me. God colored our world with four uniquely different seasons and all His creation reaches up to Him in praise with every branch and leaf turned towards the sun. How beautifully He ornamented our lives with animals to love and care for and people to figure out and be in relationships that reflect His character. It is in giving that we receive. Love is not a “feeling” – love is an action.

The Scriptures say, "God commanded light to shine in the dark. Now God is shining in our hearts to let you know that his glory is seen in Jesus Christ". 2 Corinthians 4:6


A pearl to string: Love is our Father’s character and He gave each one of us a heart to hold Him and seek Him then sent us the Christ child to believe upon to keep us united with Him for all eternity. Now that is an action that I can celebrate. That’s no holiday – that’s Christ’s Mass – A celebration of God’s love, His communion with His people.

We are His, we came to sup with Him and be in His everlasting love,
Merry Christmas and pretty blue sky,
Lyndi

Gold, Common Sense & Fur

Merry Christmas! I’m fighting back with love. Merry Christmas! You can’t take Christ out of my Christmas otherwise you’d just have a mas! Yuk! Merry Christmas! Let’s get you in a cheery mood with this precious story. Let’s celebrate our Savior! Merry Christmas!

Gold, Common Sense & Fur
by Linda C. Stafford

My husband and I had been happily (most of the time) married for five years but hadn't been blessed with a baby. I decided to do some serious praying and promised God that if he would give us a child, I would be a perfect mother, love it with all my heart and raise it with his word as my guide.

God answered my prayers and blessed us with a son. The next year God blessed us with another son. The following year, he blessed us with yet another son. The year after that we were blessed with a daughter.

My husband thought we'd been blessed right into poverty. We now had the four children, and the oldest was only four years old. I learned never to ask God for anything unless I meant it. As a minister once told me, 'If you pray for rain, make sure you carry an umbrella.'

I began reading a few verses of the Bible to the children each day as they lay in their cribs. I was off to a good start. God had entrusted me with four children and I didn't want to disappoint him. I tried to be patient the day the children smashed two dozen eggs on the kitchen floor searching for baby chicks. I tried to be understanding when they started a hotel for homeless frogs in the spare bedroom, although it took me nearly two hours to catch all twenty-three frogs.

When my daughter poured ketchup all over herself and rolled up in a blanket to see how it felt to be a hot dog, I tried to see the humor rather than the mess. In spite of changing over twenty-five thousand diapers, never eating a hot meal and never sleeping for more than thirty minutes at a time, I still thank God daily for my children.

While I couldn't keep my promise to be a perfect mother - I didn't even come close - I did keep my promise to raise them in the Word of God. I knew I was missing the mark just a little when I told my daughter we were going to church to worship God, and she wanted to bring a bar of soap along to 'wash up' Jesus, too.

Something was lost in the translation when I explained that God gave us everlasting life, and my son thought it was generous of God to give us his 'last wife.' My proudest moment came during the children's Christmas pageant. My daughter was playing Mary, two of my sons were shepherds and my youngest son was a wise man. This was their moment to shine. My five-year-old shepherd had practiced his line, 'We found the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes.' But, he was nervous and said, 'The baby was wrapped in waddled up clothes.' My four-year-old 'Mary' said, 'That's not 'waddled up clothes, silly. That's dirty, rotten clothes.'

A wrestling match broke out between Mary and the shepherd and was stopped by an angel, who bent her halo and lost her left wing. I slouched a little lower in my seat when Mary dropped the doll representing Baby Jesus, and it bounced down the aisle crying, 'Mama-mama'. Mary grabbed the doll, wrapped it back up and held it tightly as the wise men arrived.

My other son stepped forward wearing a bathrobe and a paper crown, knelt at the manger and announced, 'We are the three wise men, and we are bringing gifts of gold, common sense and fur.' The congregation dissolved into laughter, and the pageant got a standing ovation. 'I've never enjoyed a Christmas program as much as this one,' laughed the pastor, wiping tears from his eyes. 'For the rest of my life, I'll never hear the Christmas story without thinking of gold, common sense and fur.'

'My children are my pride and my joy and my greatest blessing,' I said as I dug through my purse for an aspirin.

A pearl to string: As the Word of God says in Proverbs 17:6: Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.

Merry Christmas ~ May God’s gift of Jesus birth bring you Mercy, peace and love in abundance. Jude 2
Lyndi

JESUS WHISPERS

"PEACE, BE STILL"
The charm of a sunset I cannot capture
Or carve a mountain high,
Sculpt a majestic eagle's wings
Or paint rainbows across the sky
...Clothe one tree with leaves
Of glorious colors of crimson and gold,
Or bring to it greening in Springtime ~
'Cause sweet roses' petals to unfold.
I cannot feather a sparrow
Or create for the fish one fin,
Mold for the peacock its brilliant plume,
Build a nest the birds could live in.
But, there is a mighty Sovereign,
The Creator of all things who can,
With the voice of many waters,
Calm raging seas at His command.
And, when I am confused and troubled,
As a storm toss'd vessel at sea,
That Voice simply speaks,
"Peace, be still,"
Restoring to me sweet tranquility!

© 2002 by Mary Carter Mizrany -- all rights reserved

Ring His Bell

Big Joe






It's a steep, dusty climb up century-old wooden steps that ascend this way then that, zigzagging ever heavenward inside the 260-foot German Gothic steeple of St. Francis de Sales Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. Up, up, up, until you're almost intruding on the pigeons. In front of you hangs the largest bell ever cast in the USA. “Big Joe” has a 9-foot in diameter at its base, measures 7 feet from its rim to its crown and weighs in at 37,000 pounds. According to a legend, ''Big Joe'' was swung in its steeple just once, in January 1896. It responded with a serious E flat in the third octave below middle C. At that moment, every window facing the church for several blocks is said to have been blown out of its frame. The peal of the bell could be heard for fifteen miles. So the story says that it was decided that the big bell must never swing again. This is called a legend because in this century the condition of the bell and the known facts do not support the story. But for the purposes of this devotional I’m going with the legend.

A Pearl to String: How very sad to be a big beautiful bell and only be swung once. Oh my, do I have a bell for you. It came in my e-mail this morning. It’s a big beautiful bell you can swing for eternity.
(Note: If you copy and paste this half bell into word and center it you will have a whole bell - sorry I'm blog challenged and can't get this singularly centered)

THE BELL
I KNOW WHO I AM
I am God's child (John 1:12)
I am Christ's friend (John 15:15)
I am united with the Lord(1 Cor. 6:17)
I am bought with a price(1 Cor. 6:19-20)
I am a saint (set apart for God). (Eph. 1:1)
I am a personal witness of Christ (Acts 1:8)
I am the salt & light of the earth (Matt.5:13-14)
I am a member of the body of Christ(1 Cor 12:27)
I am free forever from condemnation (Rom. 8: 1-2)
I am a citizen of Heaven. I am significant (Phil.3:20)
I am free from any charge against me (Rom. 8:31-34)
I am a minister of reconciliation for God(2 Cor.5:17-21)
I have access to God through the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2:18)
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (Eph. 2:6)
I cannot be separated from the love of God(Rom.8:35-39)
I am established, anointed, sealed by God (2 Cor.1:21-22)
I am assured all things work together for good (Rom. 8: 28)
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit (John 15:16)
I may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph. 3: 12)
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)
I am the branch of the true vine, a channel of His life (John 15: 1-5)
I am God's temple (1 Cor. 3: 16). I am complete in Christ (Col. 2: 10)
I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3). I have been justified (Romans 5:1)
I am God's co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9; 2 Cor 6:1). I am God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10)
I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected (Phil. 1: 5)
I have been redeemed and forgiven (Col. 1:14). I have been adopted as God's child (Eph 1:5)
I belong to God
Do you know
who you are?



May the LORD bless you and keep you;
May the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
May the LORD turn His face toward you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26

Lyndi

No Miles in a Heart

Giving thanks for all He is






Geography may physically separate people but a loved one and a friend is
a "in your heart relationship" and there are no miles in a heart.

There are so many people who will be gathering their families or friends, reaching out to the homeless, or giving their time to serve others in need this Thanksgiving holiday season. Whatever your tradition may be it is one of those wonderful stop times in life that we take time to reflect upon the goodness of the Lord. Oh it does get a little bogged down with the hurry, hurry, hurry, fix, fix, fix, gobble, gobble, gobble. And there are those families that really act like a bunch of Turkeys by using the special day to squabble. But if we don’t stop and give thanks for the gabillion joys God bestows upon us then our hearts will grow cold and hard and our lives will be overcome with darkness.

It is possible that for every person who has a plan to celebrate and give thanks there are the same number of people who are alone and hurting. There are those that just feel empty though they are surrounded by people who care for them. Sometimes it is difficult to know what you are thankful for when you have no job, or you’re hungry, or tired, or sick or have no place safe to live.

Psalm 118 verse 24 "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." God wants us to count our blessings, count them one by one. You can start small. How about giving thanks for: a baby laughing, puppies at play, autumn leaves crunching underfoot, red tennis shoes, the smell of oranges, or sipping hot chocolate. Perhaps you are thankful for being able to see your own breath on a crisp winter morn, winning a double dog dare, or someone looking right into your eyes and smiling at you. Maybe thankfulness grows when you see a spectacular sunset or majestic purple mountains or hear birds singing. It is an endless "I’m thankful for" list: Fireworks bursting in air, a horse running free, S’mores, white socks, finding an Easter egg in your raincoat pocket. Freckles, snowflakes, family baseball games, ice cold watermelon on a steamy hot day. Hot air balloons, swinging and touching the sky, fireflies, and a willow tree by the lake, Christmas lights, chocolate! Hope, kittens, popcorn, stained glass windows, the sound of the ocean waves, dancing at a wedding! Red cheeks, a winning team, chicken noodle soup, a field of yellow daffodils. I can’t stop … His word tells me "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13) There is so much to be thankful for all around us…. God even made laughing hyenas – how fun is that? A scavenger with a warning sound! That is how much the Lord God loves you and me and here’s the best: "God so loved the world" (the families of the earth), that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God" (John 3:16–18, italics mine).

A pearl to string: You can’t be far away from those you love when you hold them in your heart; there are no miles in a heart.

Happy heart giving thanks – Happy Thanksgiving
Lyndi

Entrusted Principle

God's smile!


I walked out my front door and walked all around the house then came back in. I sat in my chair bewildered. I didn’t see any sign on the house that read: "Wisdom Department”. I shook my head in despair, I don’t have answers. My husband can drive me coo coo too! Yes, I’ve got issues – pass the tissues! And yes, Coach Wonderful can go nuts at times in dealing with some of my issues but that’s another devotional.

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

Just thinking of murder isn’t illegal ….. No, no, no……… that doesn’t lead down the right path! Just as I was about to give up on this 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 page while 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 heart ears are plugged. Off to the pile of unfinished devotionals for ya! Bye!!!

Hello, I’m retrieving my tossed devotional because I just read the best advice ever in Oz Hillman’s devotional. It was one of those, “pop me in the middle of my head, I could have had a V-8” moments. Not new but just said in such a way that really hit home with me.

A woman of faith was struggling with a husband who does not seek the Lord first and wanted to make a large purchase. They could not afford such an expense and it would wreck havoc with their finances. She was completely opposed to her husband’s plan yet wanted to be God’s woman in the heart of the situation. She brought her dilemma to her Home Life group for their counsel.

Someone said, "You really only have a few options if you adhere to the principle that God has entrusted the man as the leader in the home. God has placed you under the umbrella of His protection as well as your husband. There are times when he will not make the right decision. Does that mean God is not protecting you? No. There may be several things working here. God may be testing your own obedience to this principle. He may use you to open up your husband's spiritual life due to your obedience and submissive spirit. Your obedience may cost your family something, but it will be beneficial in the long term. Your alternative is to rebel and pay him back for his decision by withholding your love from him, which is often what a wife does in this situation. It becomes a vicious circle of paybacks. My suggestion is to tell your husband how you feel about his decision and the impact you feel it will have on you and your family. If he still wants to make the purchase, you must let him do it and support him. What happens next will rest in God's hand as your ultimate protector."

A few weeks later the lady returned to her Home Life group. "I have some wonderful news. We did make the purchase. However, we were able to make it in such a way that we did not go into debt and I was able to support my husband. I have already seen a change in his attitude toward me by the way I responded to him in this. It has been a real lesson for me. I see him much more open to spiritual things since I made this decision and supported him, even though I disagreed with it."

A pearl to string: Oz stated that God has made man and woman equal in His sight. Yet He has given each a different role to play in marriage. Husbands must answer to God for their leadership in the home. They will be judged for that leadership. When a wife submits to that leadership, God protects her from wrong decisions of that husband, although sometimes it may not appear that way at first. You can trust God to protect you in your decisions that are made in obedience to His Word.

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

Trusting in His Word,
Lyndi

Heroes & Sheroes

The everyday folks loving their way through this life are my heroes & sheroes. The most gorgeous, attractive men on earth (which has nothing to do with their physical appearance) are the men I catch locked in that “love- eye” glance with their wife and children. Sweet talking, fast talker, oodles of words, big titles and great accomplishments are unimpressive to me. However, a man who treats his wife with tenderness, respect, is lovingly attentive to her and is daily involved with his children’s lives, oh that’s a very impressive guy. Now you top that off with his close walk and love of the Lord? HERO! Oh yes!

And who are my sheroes you wonder? Well it is hard to see them because they are in so many places throughout their day taking care of the needs of their family and extending their friendship to the community around them. They are loving, embracing, feeding, managing health, finances, cleaning, shopping, driving, serving, attending, giving in all directions and the only Prada they own is a picture in a magazine lying on the coffee table. They may or may not be organized, serve elaborate meals, make their own exquisite clothing line or have every hair in place but they are the heart of the family. My shero is a help-mate to her husband and a life teacher to her children and she serves the Lord by being His love to the hurting world around her. There are also about a gabillion Sheroes who are for whatever reason doing all this without a mate. Beautiful SHERO!

My heroes and sheroes don’t wear capes or fly or do anything in a single bound. Not one of them can stop a speeding bullet. So what does a present day hero or shero wear? Upon rising each morning they clothe themselves with compassion. They pull on kindness and humility. Their unhesitant response to others is to place the person’s interests before their own eliminating the possibility of resentment. They slip into shoes of gentleness, never leaving scuff marks of hurt or rejection on another person’s soul. They actively wear patience for it is not something a person has but rather something a person does. And the finishing touch is to wrap up in forgiveness and generosity buttoned down by love.

A pearl to string: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity”. Colossians 3:12-14

Thank you Lord for the Heroes and Sheroes in my life,
Lyndi

IN MEMORY

Of Carrie & Matthew Oliver








And Jackie & Tennyson McCarty








Mothers and their sons who were loved and cherished. We miss you.

Shadows in the Light
by Robert Lavery

















The sunlight streams through my window.
It warms my skin but also brings comfort to my spirit.
It is never changing, always there.
At night the moon reminds me that the light has not gone
It will return in time, I must be patient.
As the moon comes and goes through the sky,
So does my life go on.
That life is never changing.
It continues through time.
I have had joy as bright as the sun.
I have had sorrow as dark as the new moon.
Yet the cycle continues.

At times in the dark of night.
When the moon is not in the sky.
I look into the flame of a candle.
In its light I see hope.
They are with me still those shadows of the past.
I hear their laughter,
I see their smiles,
But I long for the comfort of their embrace.

As the cycle of sun and moon continues.
So does my life, it continues.
I am not ready to join the shadows yet.
The sunlight streams through my window.
I lie in its warmth and dream of them.
Even in the light their shadows are around me.
I think of where my life is now.
The changes that have been wrought in me.
I still hear their laughter,
Still see their smiles,
And I know they are near me.

(excerpt from Love Lost: Love Found)
Shared by Dr. Gary Oliver
http://www.carrieshealth.com/updates.html

De-Seat De-Cup?

A story a friend sent along this past week really got me thinking about the things I have whole heartedly pursued along my life road. Through the years there were changes, growth, lessons to be learned and struggles that would realign my thinking as well as my activity. Some of those experiences I welcomed and….. some I treated like an ugly bug crawling up my leg. Freak–out! Prayed like crazy! See where your thoughts take you.

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. The conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life. Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups - Porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain-looking, some expensive, and some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the coffee.

After all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said: "If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is but normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress."

"Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases, it's just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups...and then began eyeing each other. Now consider this: Life is the coffee and the jobs, houses, cars, things, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain life, and the type of cup we have does not define nor change the quality of life we live. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided us."

A pearl to string: In Matthew 6 we are encouraged to seek God first and our most important needs will be met. In Proverbs 1 we are advised to acquire a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair. In 1 Corinthians 13 we learn that love never fails and it is the greatest of all God made characteristics. I’ve learned that when my life is contained in the cupped hand of God I don’t spill out all over the floor. Learning to choose the right cup is joy.

Sipping with Jesus,
Lyndi

The Pleasure of Tight Boots

There is a story about a farmer who bought a brand new pair of boots. Those boots however, turned out to be a tad too tight. The boot maker offered to stretch them so they would fit.

"Oh no, you'll not stretch these boots an inch!” insisted the man. "You see, I start every morning before sunrise checking on some ornery cows that have knocked down a fence or caused some other trouble. Then I go to the office and listen to all of the members complain about this and that. Then I come home to hear my wife tell me what chores I haven't gotten done around the house. When I get ready for bed and I take off those tight boots....Well, some days that's the only pleasure I have!"

So what does the end of your day look like? What soothes your soul and refreshes your spirit? Is it your loving family, a crazy happy dog, a dinner ready & waiting, your recliner and the remote control?

String a pearl: We all face some tight fitting problems in our life. Stress, heart ache, and crisis can rob us of our joy. Oh, don’t allow that to happen. Fight back, reach high and know the Lord loves you and has a plan for your life. Reading God’s Word we learn from David that walking closely with the Lord is even more pleasurable than removing tight boots at the end of a troubled day: "I said to the LORD, 'You are my Lord. Every good thing I have comes from you.'...The LORD is all I need. He takes care of me.....I praise the LORD because he advises me. Even at night, I feel his leading. I keep the LORD before me always. Because he is close by my side, I will not be hurt....You will teach me how to live a holy life. Being with you will fill me with joy; at your right hand I will find pleasure forever." (Psalm 16:2,5,7-8,11, NCV)

Coach Wonderful often quotes 2 Corinthians 10:5 … “Take every thought captive. Does it agree with the Word of God? If so, pursue it – if not, dismiss it with dispatch!” I love his Mac translation – it helps me live hourly with the negatives that bombard our daily lives. And in Jeremiah 29 God tells us. “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

We can thrive on that promise,
Lyndi

Sparkle and Shimmer

Ever find yourself mesmerized by the shimmering of the aspen tree leaves? Isn’t it amazing how God shaped their leaves like little hearts, made them a vibrant green on one side and a soft shade of green on the other. As the breeze flutters through, the leaves sparkle and shimmer like no other tree.

Their beauty catches my breath.

I love gazing at the slender trunks of white and autumn yellow leaves against the back drop of rich dark green pine tree across the face of a mountain. Simply spectacular! It brings joy to my heart.

Feeling the depth of God’s creation brings precious glimpses of God’s delight over each one of us. Even a gloomy Gus day cannot dim the reality of happiness I have in Jesus’ love nor the joy He has in each one of us.

We are His treasured jewels, matchless, inimitable, each one of us uniquely defined by God. When the breeze of God’s Holy Spirit blows on us and through us, we sparkle and shimmer and amazingly reflect God’s joy in us.

A pearl to string: Try not to dissolve like a human bouillon cube when hot water bubbles around you – Persevere for God in time gives life to your dreams in a way that surpasses your hope. The Message translation illuminates God’s reality for us in Luke 8:15: “But the seed in the good earth—these are the good-hearts who seize the Word and hold on no matter what, sticking with it until there's a harvest”. Remember the two shaded aspen leaf shaped like a heart sparkles and shimmers even in the rain? When you lean in and trust your creator - you do too!

Know In His grace we will thrive,
Lyndi

Yikes, Fried Again!

October 8, 2007

Ever received a tongue lashing? Ever given one? It makes a body want to scream, “Yikes, fried again”! When the little fleshy organ inside your mouth goes on a despicable tirade because you were what…… tired? Hurt? Insulted? Didn’t agree? “Reckless words pierce like a sword.....” Proverbs 12:18 “For out of the overflow of his heart the mouth speaks”. Matthew 12:34, Luke 6:45

Well you’ve probably heard or said, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that”! “I can’t believe I said that, or I wish I had not said that”. “Can you forgive me and forget I said that?” You can say you are sorry, you can ask for forgiveness and receive it but the truth is………… the damage is done. Once those ill fated words left your mouth and are out there the chances of taking them back are nil.

In Proverbs 18:21 we read, "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." In days of yore when a king spoke a decree, there was no rescinding it. Even if the King realized he had made a mistake in judgment the ruling was rendered regardless of the terrible cost.

Many of us struggle with our speech. We hear inappropriate, over the top, mean spirited speech in our homes, at work, in our schools, sporting events, malls, even church parking lots. It’s just downright ugly. It is everywhere we go. Scripture gives solid advice to this malady. There are many who genuinely resolve to think before they speak and lean on God’s Word. "I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin." Psalms 39:1. Oh Lord, "Set a guard over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips." Psalm 141:3 (that’s my personal favorite)

Nice but remember "The tongue is a small part of the body, ...consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark." (James 3:5) Coping with a mean spirited tongue is like dealing with a dragon and you know what they say about that: Don’t mess with dragons for you are good and crunchy with ketchup!

A pearl to string: The bottom line here is the tongue only says what is already set in the heart. The problem really isn’t the mouth….. Oh no, pass the tissues we’ve got heart issues. Remember what your Grandmother use to say? Count your blessings! Why? Because a heart full of gratitude doesn’t have room for ugly. “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer”. Psalms 19:14

Change my heart oh God,
Lyndi

Earth Arms & A Song

Nicole Walters
Singing for Jesus
http://www.mygoodnessmagazine.com/









October 1, 2007

I was reading Nicole Walter’s article, My Unbroken Heart, this morning in the online ‘My Goodness magazine’. Wow, her words really got to me. I pondered that article for hours and had a multitude of reactions, even excuses. I asked the Lord to show me why this unsettled my spirit.

Someone long ago wrote of sitting by a fire. The writer imagined the noises which came from the wood as it burned were imprisoned songs, finally brought to freedom by the flames. They reasoned the birds had sung while sitting on the branches of the tree. The wind had pushed its way through, making its own music. The rain had written a melody which sank deep into its roots. A child had played and sang in its shade. All these notes soaked into the wood, hidden away in the trunk. They were hidden away until the flames set them free one evening chilly enough to warrant an open fire.

The body of Christ is like that to me. God has given each one of us gifts to serve in His kingdom. Life can lock a song away until your heart breaks for someone else’s need and you are moved by the Holy Spirit to extraordinary actions as well as serving joyfully in the mundane and everything in between. We are a body made up of parts each valuable and glorious when God directed. Scripture tells me so. The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:12) Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (Romans 12:4-5)

I thank God for the incredible people who serve in the trenches of life and on the front line. This world we live in is so blessed to have them working for God. They face extraordinary circumstances, persevere through great difficulty and suffer enormous personal loss. Oh yes there is personal joy for them too but they couldn’t do it without God – it’s way too hard and the cost is way too great. I have many friends who serve in the trenches and on the front line – it’s my awesome privilege to pray for them and encourage them and love them with everything God gave me along with praying for hundreds I don’t even know. Have you ever seen one of those “trench serving” people sitting at a concert where Nicole is singing? I am a witness to such a beautiful sight. Sometime ago while attending a concert at Faith Church in Arvada I was mesmerized as I gazed over at a woman I knew was tired and nearly to the end of spent on hiatus from the mission field. As Nichole’s sassy, passionate angelic voice reached her ears her head leaned back, her eyes slowly closed and tears trickled softly down her cheeks. I watched as this precious woman’s body seemed to sigh with healing relief. My eyes kept wondering over to check on how this woman was doing throughout the concert. By the end of the concert the woman seemed animated, energized and refreshed. Seems like such a little thing….. but

A pearl to string: Nothing is little with God. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Ephesians 4:16) God uses our earth arms and songs to build each other up for glory in His love.

Know your worth to Jesus -
He loves you with His life,
Lyndi

Churchnecks

September 24, 2007

You’ve got rednecks, longnecks, bottlenecks, roughnecks, turtlenecks, leatherneck and those that are moving at breakneck speed. So why not churchnecks – those are people that stop long enough to feed on the Word of God.

Christian Author Marion Smith tells a story of what came to her mind as she watched a bulldozer at work along the coast of Florida.

“The bulldozer was plowing through a strip of land between the north and south highway U.S.1 in Delray Beach. Toppled Australian pines were piled in a heap, waiting to be hauled away. The black soil was churning as the blade of the dozer forged ahead at a slow speed. There were about 50 white birds on the scene, hunting and pecking in a furious manner. They were so intent on the job at hand, I was afraid the blade would wipe some of them out! Their long legs took them here and fro, as they bent their long necks to the ground. Their pointed bills moved rapidly along the ground gathering whatever nourishment was available for them in the soil.

My husband said the bulldozer was unearthing a multitude of hidden bugs and grubs, a veritable feast for these birds. That blade churning the earth was making a hidden banquet available for this flock of fortunate feathered ones.

There are times when I need God's Word and His plan to be dug up and places before me. This need is filled when I attend church, because I always walk away feeling full and satisfied. The minister, prayer leader, choir, and hymns are like the bulldozer. They turn up and bring to the surface all of God's good nibbles for me to partake in. They unearth many truths of the scripture using song, sermon and prayer, and I partake of all that has been made available to me during the service. Just like the birds kept their beak to the ground, I keep my heart open and close to the source of nourishment”.

It is sometimes difficult to get our young people to church. You’ve heard all the excuses – no need to go there. Just want to send encouragement to parents to persevere with your teens attending church with the family. Nature again is an example of how we are all like the flock of hungry birds waiting to be fed. Being Churchnecks’ is only one way to feed on the goodness of the Lord. There are fun and fattening things being served up in this world that are intended to destroy our youth. Our homes need to be a place of blessing that promote growth in the Lord. Keep your hearts connected to Jesus.

String a pearl: A word for young and old: If you are wise, your mind is set on what is morally right and that will lean towards power and honor. If you are foolish, you will gravitate towards what is wrong and that will get you in trouble. “A few dead flies in perfume make all of it stink, and a little foolishness outweighs a lot of wisdom. Sensible thoughts lead you to do right; foolish thoughts lead you to do wrong”.

- Ecclesiastes 10:1-2

You know you are a churchneck
When you glow after church service

You are loved,
Lyndi

YOU DECIDE by Sister Krista - America Samoa

Approaching Storm at Sunrise

Vatia bay, Tutuila Island.
National Park of American Samoa

Decisions, Decisions!


I woke up this morning and I was reminded that I am the master of my destiny. Yes my steps are ordered of the Lord, and yes He directs my path...but I determine the quality of life I live.

This morning I woke up a little achy and sore, and I was still a bit tired. I don't know maybe I just slept in an awkward position or didn't stretch out enough or got too much sleep....but as I was stretching out it came.....this feeling.....like I was sluggish, not feeling very energetic, and not very excited about the start of a new day....that was it, the bait, the moment of decision that was going to make the difference in the kind of day I was going to have. I had to decide right there if I was going to let my body tell me my future or if I was going to tell my body it's future.

This is the day that the Lord has made.....need I say more. I brought my body into subjection and let the Word of God determine the kind of day it was going to be. So I got dressed, put on my walking shoes and thanked God the whole way into work. And guess what? By the time I got into the bookstore my body had given up and lined up with what my lips had declared and the bait that the enemy set out to trip me up....well I must have stepped right over it along the way too.

Brethren, remember we decide, we are the master's of our day. Expect good, speak life, and be a light. Resist anything and everything that is not God's will for you.

Life and death are in the power of the tongue....so be a fountain of blessing to yourself and to those around you and as you water you too shall be watered and increased.

So what kind of day is it going to be today. You decide.

There I grow again!

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." James 1:1-2, 12

Life is a struggle! It’s ever changing and a bit irritating at times. There are moments of time when life is so painful that it is hard to breathe and your heart is on edge. And of course life is sprinkled with the occasions where thinking isn’t imperative and smiling is easy.

Often observing nature we are more able to see the advantages that God created in strife. For example the Great Barrier Reef that stretches 1,800 miles from New Guinea to Australia. On one side of the reef the lagoon looks pale and lifeless, while the ocean side is vibrant and full of color. What causes that stark difference?

The coral around the lagoon side is in still water, with no challenge for its survival. It dies early. The coral on the ocean side is continually being tested by wind, waves, and storms in constant surges of power. It has to fight for survival every day of its life. As it is challenged and tested it changes and adapts. It grows healthy, strong and it reproduces. The result is magnificent beauty.

A pearl to string: As you look back on your life there are many places you can point to and say, ‘there I grow again’! If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it. Just remember He has a purpose for your growth and that is your pearl to discover and string. Try to view yourself through your Father’s eyes. God’s intended result is His child’s magnificent beauty.

Joyfully growing in Jesus,
Lyndi

A Poem of Many Grandmothers

September 2007
Please feel free to add your expression of love in the comment section and
I'll add your love for your grandmother/mother/mothe-in-love to the poem

A love that has pried
A love that has prayed
(Lyndi, Denver, CO)
ღ
A butterfly’s touch, the brush of a soft feather, the beauty of the white dove
Always remind me of the gentle love & wisdom shown in my mother’s hands.
(Louise, Superior, CO)
ღ
Hands that have pain, but
Hands that still soothe.
(Kaye Davenport, Houston TX)
ღ
My Grandmother smiled
As she prayed for each child.
(Shirley, Boulder, CO)
ღ
A love that loves you unconditionally
A love that loves you absolutely!

A love that kisses the palm of your hand & tells you to hold onto that kiss all day long.
A love that looks at you with grateful, loving eyes & tells you – you belong.

A love that tells you – you are as beautiful as a flower.
A love that gives you enough cookies and milk to last an hour.
(Carolyn, Arvada, CO)
ღ
A tear cried for joy
A tear cried for sorrow
(Sandee, Denver, CO)
ღ
Love is a tiny little gold wedding band
On her chubby little hands.
(Denise, Detroit, MI)
ღ
Running my fingers across my Megan’s beautiful flawless face
Saying your face little one is so beautiful.
And she ran hers across mine and said, Memaw, yours looks like lace.
(Judy, Atlanta, GA)
ღ
Hands that God will lift me to His side and there
I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ.
(Jane, Porter Ranch, CA)

What is Prettier than Freckles?

An elderly woman and her little grandson, whose face was sprinkled with bright freckles, spent the day at the zoo. Lots of children were waiting in line to get their cheeks painted by a local artist who was decorating them with tiger paws.

"You've got so many freckles, there's no place to paint!" a girl in the line said to the little fellow. Embarrassed, the little boy dropped his head. His grandmother knelt down next to him. "I love your freckles. When I was a little girl, I always wanted freckles," she said, while tracing her finger across the child's cheek. "Freckles are beautiful."

The boy looked up, "Really?"

"Of course," said the grandmother. "Why just name me one thing that's prettier than freckles?"

The little boy thought for a moment, peered intensely into his grandma's face, and softly whispered, "Wrinkles." --Unknown

That is so precious – brought tears to my eyes. It reminded me of a moving poem from a blog I read recently. There are several blogs I visit nearly every day. One that continually inspires me is done by a lovely young photographer named Sandrine. She wrote a poignant poem about her grandmother coupled with her exquisite photos that deeply touched my heart. I gaze at her grandmother’s hands holding a photo of her family and thought of all the elements of a woman’s life. Really, really amazing how God made woman and all she does. (Man too – I’m just focusing on women right now) I think about my own grandmothers, my mom and mother in love. Blissful treasured memories swirl through my mind and I find myself longing to express my recollections too.

Then this thought came to me. I bet there are a few other people that would love to express a line or two about their grandmothers. I wouldn’t want to add to Sandrine’s poem for it is intensely personal to her but what if we, together, wrote A Poem of Many Grandmothers inspired by Sandrine? Let's try it and see where God leads.

Her Hands

Hands that have tickled
Hands that have played

Hands that have fed
Hands that have healed

Hands that have served
Hands that have labored

Hands that have comforted
Hands that have suffered

Hands that have sacrificed
Hands that have received

Hands that have loved
Hands that are loved©

Her Hands Poem & Photographs by
SANDRINE
My 97 year old Grandma's aged hands...

A pearl to string: It takes a long time to grow to Grandmother. It seems like a lifetime to me. Love is patient, love is kind. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13.4a, 13.7-8a)

Add your own memory line with name, city, state, and country in the comment section at the end of this column. As they come in I’ll put them all together under the title:

A Poem of Many Grandmothers.

A love that has pried
A love that has prayed (Lyndi -Denver CO USA)

BLUE BY YOU

A Touch of Blue
photograph
by SANDRINE

Years ago when I was hurting so bad I had to pull my sox down to see (ones' spirit can’t get much lower than that) I came across a story about a young man who got to trade his cross in. Now if someone had given me the story at the time of my joylessness I might have formed some bad words at the base of my brain and disregarded the well intended gift. Some people just have to come across wisdom or they won’t listen.

THE CROSS ROOM
The young man was at the end of his rope.
Seeing no way out, he dropped to his knees in prayer.
"Lord, I can't go on," he said.
"I have too heavy a cross to bear."
The Lord replied,
"My son, if you can’t bear its weight, just places your cross inside this room.
Then open another door and pick any cross you wish."
The man was filled with relief.
"Thank you, Lord," he sighed, and did as he was told.
As he looked around the room he saw many different crosses;
some so large the tops were not visible.
Then he spotted a tiny cross leaning against a far wall.
"I'd like that one, Lord," he whispered.
And the Lord replied, "My son, that's the cross you brought in."
-Unknown

When we are hurting the size of our cross always feels too big to endure but it is never too big for God. He tells us in Matthew 11:28-29 “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

The Lord gave me something special today. I was praying for a young Mother whose harried life piles up all around her from time to time. There are moments when a body just crashes smack dab into those piles and an immediate melt down occurs. Though life swirls at a crazy pace around you at times and of course you get tired, maybe a bit addle brained, maybe cross, and maybe teary - those are the stops of life. It’s difficult to think, learn, or receive love while moving faster than a speeding bullet.

A pearl to string: So if you have a blue by you today - things that make you stop in life. Those things are not negative though they always appear so. I think of them as hugs from Jesus so He can slow me down long enough to bless me, alert me, teach me, guide me or heal me all while I am safely in my Father’s loving embrace.

Consider this moment a stop.
Let Him embrace you right now,
Lyndi

Lord I need blogging protection

Dear Lord,

So far today, I am ok.
I have not gossiped, or lost my temper.
I have not been greedy, grumpy, nasty, selfish, or self-indulgent.
I have not whined, complained, cursed, or eaten any chocolate.
I have charged nothing on my credit card. Nor have I hotlinked - I don't think?





But I will be getting out of bed in a minute, and I think that I will really need your help then. Amen

MIRACLE OF THE IRIS by Shirley Bruns

I had been out of the country when the information packets for "Ten Days in the Upper Room" were handed out in my church one Sunday in October of 1999. By the time I was able to sit down and examine the materials that had been prepared for our use, three days had already passed.

As I read through the steps, I wondered if condensing ten days' activities into seven would result in any meaningful, spiritual rewards. Then, I came to Step 7 regarding fasting, and my doubts vanished.

I decided I could do mental and physical fasting. I would refrain from spending two or three hours an evening watching Fox News Network, and I would give up lunches.

I had great support with my first area of fasting. . .our cable was out when we returned, and by the time TCI found out that we had been disconnected when new apparatus had been installed during our absence, I was quite able to withstand any temptations to turn on the t.v.

The second area proved to be more of a problem. When after a few days, I mentioned to my daughter, a nurse, that I felt a little dizzy, perhaps from fasting for one meal a day, she was quick to warn me of the negative effects this could have on border-line diabetics. I knew she was right, but I decided to give up at least desserts.

Three days to go, and I was wondering if God really would give me "fresh, new spiritual insights". I wanted some sign that He loved me. I stepped out onto the back patio and looked up at the beautiful blue sky, the sunshine on the golden leaves of the trees, and suddenly I raised my arms and began praising Him and thanking Him for all that He had done for me, and through me.

Then a miracle happened! I looked down upon a large pot, sitting on a picnic bench, in which had been replanted, some dwarf iris plants, descended from some my mother had taken from our family home in North Dakota to Ohio forty-four years ago. I had brought a few to Colorado about twenty-five years ago. Each year, fewer survived, and for the past two years, there had been no blooms. However, I could not give up on them. I kept watering them, and placing the pot in the sunshine, hoping for a miracle.

There it was, before my eyes, a beautiful, dark, rich purple iris, in full bloom! A day and a half earlier, there had not even been a bud when I watered them.

As I plucked out a few dried leaves, leaving the perfect flower surrounded by beautiful green leaves, I felt God's presence, telling me that I, too, though old, could still be bright and beautiful to Him. If I stay in His presence, and follow his commands, I, too, can bloom, and give joy to others. He will bring refreshing rain and invigorating sunshine into my life, and His love can shine on others through me.

I remembered that purple is the color of royalty. How appropriate! A gift from my Lord and King!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Shirley Bruns

APOLOGY

I came across a beautiful echo photo of a graceful dancing lady on line and thought it would be the perfect picture to accompany my devotional. The man to whom the picture was hot linked believed I stole it and thought it quite hilarious to put a satanic picture in its place. I apologize to the man - it was not my intention to steal anything. I thought if I give the info where I found the picture it was giving credit where credit is due. Apparently that is wrong and I am wrong. I have much to learn about this blogging thing. I sincerely apologize to the man – I believe his name is Chris – it was a very beautiful picture. Sorry I cannot share it.
Lyndi

DANCING WITH GOD

August 29, 2007

When writing a note to friends or even many of my devotionals I often sign off with the phrase, “Dancing in the Palm of His hand”. It’s my way of expressing my delight in the Lord. About a year or more ago my friend Grace sent me the sweetest piece about dancing with God. At the time I thought, “oh this will make such a good devotional” and I tucked it away in my saving place. I had been thinking about sharing it just recently when I received a letter from my sister Jeane. In the letter I found a song my sister wrote inspired by the phrase, “Dancing in the Palm of His hand”. Oh how special now I must share them both with you.

When I meditated on the word Guidance, I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word. I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing. When two people try to lead, nothing feels right. The movement doesn't flow with the music, and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky. When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead, both bodies begin to flow with the music. One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back or by pressing lightly in one direction or another. It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully. The dance takes surrender, willingness, and attentiveness from one person and gentle guidance and skill from the other. My eyes drew back to the word Guidance. When I saw ‘G’ I thought of God, followed by 'u’ and ‘i’.

"God, 'u’ and ‘i’ dance."

God, you, and I dance.

As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust that I would get guidance about my life. Once again, I became willing to let God lead.
Writer: Unknown

Dance in the palm of His hand
© by Jeane Kemper

I came from California
Left there when I was 10
Moved all over the Country
Just tryin’ to fit in
As I began to feel at home
It’s time to move again
OH - - will I ever find where I belong

Chorus:
But You are with me Lord
No matter where I go
With Your gentle reminder
I’ll always dance in the palm of Your hand

Life has many roads to travel
Some are good and some not so
There’s a gift in the adventure
No matter where we go
He’s always watching over us
Through all our highs and lows
And we’ll always know it’s here where we belong

Chorus:
But You are with me Lord
No matter where I go
With Your gentle reminder
I’ll always dance in the palm of Your hand

A pearl to string: My prayer for you today is that God's blessings and mercies be upon you on this day and every day. May you abide in God as God abides in you. Dance together with God, trusting God to lead and to guide you through each season of your life. Prayer is one of the best gifts we can receive. So let's continue to pray for one another.

And I Hope You Dance!!!!!!!
Know you are loved
Dancing in the palm of His hand,
Lyndi

All in His Hands by Nicole Walters

Read more from Nicole in
My Goodness Magazine
You'll find Blessings and a Godly
perspective on everyday life from
this precious faithful young woman.
http://www.mygoodnessmagazine.com/




Yesterday my friend gave birth to her second child, a little girl.
Yesterday I took a call for another friend who an Emmy award-winning
filmmaker wants to hire to do the music for his new documentary on Downs Syndrome.
Yesterday we had a very fun CD listening party for Dave LeMieux and House of Soul.
Yesterday an uncle discovered he has to have a lung removed.
Yesterday a friend’s house got burgled and she lost irreplaceable valuables, including pictures of her family.

Who knows what a day will bring; celebration in one hand, calamity in the other.

Ecclesiastes 7:13, 14:
Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what he has made crooked? When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future.

There is a necessary faith to embrace if we are to live this life without fear. On any given day, our lives can change, go in directions we’d never considered or stagnate, leaving us feeling aimless, unsatisfied and without purpose. I take comfort in knowing that as random as life can seem, there is a Divine designer behind the scenes and in the details who we can trust, who is in control and who, in His power over all things, can demonstrate His love whatever our life circumstance - the birth of a new baby or the loss of a lung.

I look back on days when the news was nothing but “bad.”
The day I found out that at 16 I was pregnant,
the day that I miscarried twins,
the day my husband confessed infidelity.
I thought those clouds would never break, I believed those days transcended the laws of nature and would go on forever, but they didn’t . . .


Today I’m grateful for those dark days because from them came some of my brightest and I have a 21-year-old who has blessed my life more than I can describe, I have Cole who I adore with everything in me and who would never have been a fourth child (believe me!), and from the darkness of Marc’s affair came the light of his greatest love affair, with God.

So whatever today brings for you and me, I pray that our faith is unwavering, our steps are firm and our hope in the Goodness of God and one another remains . . . come what may.

Psalm 37: 4-6:
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

Peace and Blessings,

Nicole Walters

I SEE JESUS

August 22, 2007

I SEE JESUS
by Summer Waters age 11,

I saw Jesus last week ...
He was wearing blue jeans and an old shirt. He was up at the church building; He was alone and working hard. For just a minute he looked a little like one of our members.
But it was Jesus ... I could tell by his smile.

I saw Jesus last Sunday ...
He was teaching a Bible class. He didn't talk real loud or use long words, but you could tell he believed what he said. For just a minute, he looked like my Bible teacher.
But it was Jesus ... I could tell by his loving voice.

I saw Jesus yesterday ...
He was at the hospital visiting a friend who was sick. They prayed together quietly. For just a minute he looked like Brother Jones.
But it was Jesus ... I could tell by the tears in his eyes.

I saw Jesus this morning ...
He was in my kitchen making my breakfast and fixing me a special lunch. For just a minute he looked like my mom.
But it was Jesus ... I could feel the love from his heart.

I see Jesus everywhere ...
Taking food to the sick ... Welcoming others to his home ... Being friendly to a newcomer ... & for just a minute, I think He's someone I know.
But it's always Jesus... I can tell by the way he serves.

Happy Birthday Coach Wonderful (8-22-40) I see Jesus in you.

Pearl to string: Go be Jesus to someone today! Someone's looking for you! Someone needs His smile, His loving voice, His compassion, His love, and His tender serving ways.

May God’s Son shine on you,
Lyndi