May you walk in Son shine and be encouraged through the trials of life as a wife, mother and woman of faith. May laughter fill your days, courage strengthen your soul and His love light your way. May God be ever present and invited into your journey. May I refresh your spirit and cause your heart to smile.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Enjoy the Grape
by Alan Smith
http://www.tftd-online.com/content.asp?lShow=20&ListSG=411&Start=41&SortAlpha=
I read a parable recently that bothered me when I read it the first time. It is a story that was reportedly told by Buddha:
A traveler, fleeing a tiger who 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 he heard 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. Holding onto the vine with one hand, he reached and picked a grape with the other. How delicious!That's the end of the parable.
That's it??? If you're like me, you want to know how the story ends. Does the man get eaten by one of the tigers? Does he manage to find a way of escape? We don't know. And how can a man possibly stop to enjoy eating a grape while in the midst of such a crisis???
I can't tell you for sure what the parable was intended to teach, but after giving it considerable thought, here's the lesson that I gained from it. We are sometimes so focused on wanting to know what's going to happen in the future that we fail to enjoy what we have right here, right now.
What is the doctor going to find when I go in for these tests? How can I possibly meet the deadline my boss has given me since I have more work to do than I can possibly get done? How will my wife react when I talk to her about the need to go see a counselor to deal with the deep-rooted problems we're having? How am I going to pay the bills that are due next week when there's not enough money in the bank to cover them? How should I react to the racial prejudice that's causing students to say ugly things to me at school?
None of those things are unimportant (nor are the countless other trials and difficulties you could add to that list from your own experience); some may even be life-threatening But today, all day long, I am surrounded by countless blessings from God -- a beautiful sunrise, the changing autumn leaves, a child's kiss, a bunch of grapes, a warm bed, hot water, and the list goes on and on.
Is it possible to focus on the blessings at hand even when we are surrounded by difficulties and we don't know how the story will turn out? For a child of God, it is not only possible, it is essential that we learn to do so.
"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." (Philippians 4:11-12)
Are you surrounded by tigers today? Take a moment to enjoy the grape that God has placed right in front of you.
Remember and KNOW you are loved,
Lyndi
http://www.tftd-online.com/content.asp?lShow=20&ListSG=411&Start=41&SortAlpha=
I read a parable recently that bothered me when I read it the first time. It is a story that was reportedly told by Buddha:
A traveler, fleeing a tiger who 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 he heard 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. Holding onto the vine with one hand, he reached and picked a grape with the other. How delicious!That's the end of the parable.
That's it??? If you're like me, you want to know how the story ends. Does the man get eaten by one of the tigers? Does he manage to find a way of escape? We don't know. And how can a man possibly stop to enjoy eating a grape while in the midst of such a crisis???
I can't tell you for sure what the parable was intended to teach, but after giving it considerable thought, here's the lesson that I gained from it. We are sometimes so focused on wanting to know what's going to happen in the future that we fail to enjoy what we have right here, right now.
What is the doctor going to find when I go in for these tests? How can I possibly meet the deadline my boss has given me since I have more work to do than I can possibly get done? How will my wife react when I talk to her about the need to go see a counselor to deal with the deep-rooted problems we're having? How am I going to pay the bills that are due next week when there's not enough money in the bank to cover them? How should I react to the racial prejudice that's causing students to say ugly things to me at school?
None of those things are unimportant (nor are the countless other trials and difficulties you could add to that list from your own experience); some may even be life-threatening But today, all day long, I am surrounded by countless blessings from God -- a beautiful sunrise, the changing autumn leaves, a child's kiss, a bunch of grapes, a warm bed, hot water, and the list goes on and on.
Is it possible to focus on the blessings at hand even when we are surrounded by difficulties and we don't know how the story will turn out? For a child of God, it is not only possible, it is essential that we learn to do so.
"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." (Philippians 4:11-12)
Are you surrounded by tigers today? Take a moment to enjoy the grape that God has placed right in front of you.
Remember and KNOW you are loved,
Lyndi
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Magnificent Obsession
It’s one of my favorite movies from the 50’s and one that influenced my young life. I grew up in Hollywood (the industry not the city) and my Dad was a writer. Being exposed to that make believe life style definitely played a role in the wrong notions I gained about life. But the pearl I gleaned from that movie still holds true today.
The movie takes place in a small lakeside town, millionaire playboy (isn’t that an old fashion word) Bob Merrick recklessly crashes his speedboat, and after the town's only resuscitator is requisitioned to save his life, hospital head Dr. Wayne Phillips suffers a heart attack and dies without the machine. Hours later, Wayne's wife of six months, Helen Phillips is horrified to learn that the notoriously rude and irresponsible Merrick has been saved instead of her husband Wayne. Guilt ridden and filled with fascination for the widow Merrick's persistence causes another tragedy, and he must remake his life, including going back to medical school, in an attempt to make amends and win the widow’s love.
It was a love story with many obstacles to overcome but what caught my heart was the description of the man, Dr Wayne Phillips, who died early on in the movie. How he lived the magnificent obsession that grew from his philanthropy and works of great generosity in private and without compensation. I was absolutely mesmerized during the scene in the movie between Dr. Phillips’ close friend, Edward Randolph, and reckless Bob Merrick:
Edward Randolph: Once you find the way, you'll be bound. It will obsess you. But believe me, it will be a magnificent obsession.
Dr. Bob Merrick: [of a plan to do anonymous good works] Well, if it's as simple as all that, why, I'll certainly give it a chance.
Edward Randolph: Now wait, Merrick! Don't try to use this unless you're ready for it! You can't just try this out for a week like a new car, you know! And if you think you can feather your own nest with it, just forget it. Besides, this is dangerous stuff. One of the first men who used it went to the Cross at the age of thirty-three...
A pearl to string: Jesus compassion was not for His personal glory and I doubt that it was ever done to please some private internal emotion. I wanted to be just like Jesus where compassion would inspire me to act in the best interest and for the greater good of those in need, without calling attention to myself or listing my sacrifices. Although raising a family and being married to a high achieving famous person I have fallen to the temptation a time or 100 to do the very thing I did not want to do: Listing to people with skin on – forgive me Lord.
Matthew 6:1 “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven”. New Living Translation
“Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don't make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won't be applauding”. The Message Translation
Loving God and tender Shepherd, use me each day to be a blessing to someone in need.
We are in His compassionate care,
Lyndi
The movie takes place in a small lakeside town, millionaire playboy (isn’t that an old fashion word) Bob Merrick recklessly crashes his speedboat, and after the town's only resuscitator is requisitioned to save his life, hospital head Dr. Wayne Phillips suffers a heart attack and dies without the machine. Hours later, Wayne's wife of six months, Helen Phillips is horrified to learn that the notoriously rude and irresponsible Merrick has been saved instead of her husband Wayne. Guilt ridden and filled with fascination for the widow Merrick's persistence causes another tragedy, and he must remake his life, including going back to medical school, in an attempt to make amends and win the widow’s love.
It was a love story with many obstacles to overcome but what caught my heart was the description of the man, Dr Wayne Phillips, who died early on in the movie. How he lived the magnificent obsession that grew from his philanthropy and works of great generosity in private and without compensation. I was absolutely mesmerized during the scene in the movie between Dr. Phillips’ close friend, Edward Randolph, and reckless Bob Merrick:
Edward Randolph: Once you find the way, you'll be bound. It will obsess you. But believe me, it will be a magnificent obsession.
Dr. Bob Merrick: [of a plan to do anonymous good works] Well, if it's as simple as all that, why, I'll certainly give it a chance.
Edward Randolph: Now wait, Merrick! Don't try to use this unless you're ready for it! You can't just try this out for a week like a new car, you know! And if you think you can feather your own nest with it, just forget it. Besides, this is dangerous stuff. One of the first men who used it went to the Cross at the age of thirty-three...
A pearl to string: Jesus compassion was not for His personal glory and I doubt that it was ever done to please some private internal emotion. I wanted to be just like Jesus where compassion would inspire me to act in the best interest and for the greater good of those in need, without calling attention to myself or listing my sacrifices. Although raising a family and being married to a high achieving famous person I have fallen to the temptation a time or 100 to do the very thing I did not want to do: Listing to people with skin on – forgive me Lord.
Matthew 6:1 “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven”. New Living Translation
“Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don't make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won't be applauding”. The Message Translation
Loving God and tender Shepherd, use me each day to be a blessing to someone in need.
We are in His compassionate care,
Lyndi
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Father’s Day Tribute to Overcoming
A Life
This is the day that the Lord has made; it belongs to Him and not the devil. I have been made a joint heir with Jesus Christ, therefore this day belongs to me, and not the devil. I rejoice in this day, because God made it for me. God has already given me all things that pertain to life and godliness. Everything I need for this day has been provided. I speak to this day and command the blessing of God to be released into my life.
Ps 118:24, Gal 4:7, 2 Pe 1:3
A Vision
I'm a dreamer and God is giving me the desires of my heart. As I delight myself in Him and commit my plans to Him, God will bring it to pass. God is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond what I ask or think. Jesus said, if I can believe, nothing will be impossible to me. Jesus said to ask, that my joy might be full.
Ps 37:4,5, Eph 3:20, Matt 17:20, John 16:24
A Direction
Those that are joined to the Lord are one spirit. My spirit is the candle of the Lord and God is speaking revelation to me through His Word and by His Spirit made one with my spirit. I have an unction from the Holy One and I know all things. The peace of God in my heart keeps me from making wrong decisions. Christ is made unto me wisdom.
1 Cor 6:17, Prov 20:27, 1 John 2:20, Col 3:15, 1 Cor 1:30
A Hope to Overcoming
I am more than a conqueror through Christ who always leads me in His victory". I am more than equal to the task that God has set before me. Every place where the sole of my foot shall tread today, God has already given me.
Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world. I am an overcomer. I have overcome my adversary by the Blood of the Lamb . Death and life is in the power of the tongue and I have chosen life. I'm a winner. I'm born of the incorruptible seed of God, and I have received power from the Holy Ghost. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead now lives in me and is energizing, motivating, empowering and equipping me for total victory today.
I speak it with assurance knowing that it is God's Word and it will come to pass. Jesus said, "he who believes that those things he says will come to pass, he will have whatever he says". I shall have what I say. I believe, therefore I receive. I speak the same thing as God, and His Word coming out of my mouth shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish the purpose for which I sent it. IN JESUS NAME, IT SHALL BE DONE!
Rom 8:37, 2 Cor 2:14, Josh 1:3, I John 4:4, Rev 12:11, Prov 18:21, 1 Pet 1:23, Acts 1:8, Rom 8:11, Mark 11:23, Is 55:11.
Ironman is the toughest triathlon ever.
The race encompasses three endurance events of a 2.4 mile ocean swim,
followed by a 112 mile bike ride and ending with a 262 mile marathon
along the coast of the Big Island.
1989 Ironman World Championship with Dick & Rick Hoyt.
This is the day that the Lord has made; it belongs to Him and not the devil. I have been made a joint heir with Jesus Christ, therefore this day belongs to me, and not the devil. I rejoice in this day, because God made it for me. God has already given me all things that pertain to life and godliness. Everything I need for this day has been provided. I speak to this day and command the blessing of God to be released into my life.
Ps 118:24, Gal 4:7, 2 Pe 1:3
A Vision
I'm a dreamer and God is giving me the desires of my heart. As I delight myself in Him and commit my plans to Him, God will bring it to pass. God is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond what I ask or think. Jesus said, if I can believe, nothing will be impossible to me. Jesus said to ask, that my joy might be full.
Ps 37:4,5, Eph 3:20, Matt 17:20, John 16:24
A Direction
Those that are joined to the Lord are one spirit. My spirit is the candle of the Lord and God is speaking revelation to me through His Word and by His Spirit made one with my spirit. I have an unction from the Holy One and I know all things. The peace of God in my heart keeps me from making wrong decisions. Christ is made unto me wisdom.
1 Cor 6:17, Prov 20:27, 1 John 2:20, Col 3:15, 1 Cor 1:30
A Hope to Overcoming
I am more than a conqueror through Christ who always leads me in His victory". I am more than equal to the task that God has set before me. Every place where the sole of my foot shall tread today, God has already given me.
Greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world. I am an overcomer. I have overcome my adversary by the Blood of the Lamb . Death and life is in the power of the tongue and I have chosen life. I'm a winner. I'm born of the incorruptible seed of God, and I have received power from the Holy Ghost. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead now lives in me and is energizing, motivating, empowering and equipping me for total victory today.
I speak it with assurance knowing that it is God's Word and it will come to pass. Jesus said, "he who believes that those things he says will come to pass, he will have whatever he says". I shall have what I say. I believe, therefore I receive. I speak the same thing as God, and His Word coming out of my mouth shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish the purpose for which I sent it. IN JESUS NAME, IT SHALL BE DONE!
Rom 8:37, 2 Cor 2:14, Josh 1:3, I John 4:4, Rev 12:11, Prov 18:21, 1 Pet 1:23, Acts 1:8, Rom 8:11, Mark 11:23, Is 55:11.
Ironman is the toughest triathlon ever.
The race encompasses three endurance events of a 2.4 mile ocean swim,
followed by a 112 mile bike ride and ending with a 262 mile marathon
along the coast of the Big Island.
1989 Ironman World Championship with Dick & Rick Hoyt.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Happy Fathers Day
June 15, 2008
In Psalm 40 verse 4
God planted the secret for each Father to be most excellent.
“Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust”.
We celebrate all our Dad’s for they are irreplaceable in our hearts and to our lives and we thank God for each one of you.
When the good Lord was creating fathers, He started with a tall frame. A female angel nearby said, "What kind of father is that? If you're going to make children so close to the ground, why have you put fathers up so high? He won't be able to shoot marbles without kneeling, tuck a child in bed without bending or even kiss a child without a lot of stooping. And God smiled and said, "Yes, but if I make him child size, who would children have to look up to?"
And when God made a father's hands, they were large and sinewy. The angel shook her head sadly and said, "Large hands are clumsy. They can't manage diaper pins, small buttons, rubber bands on ponytails or even remove splinters caused by baseball bats." And God smiled and said, "I know, but they're large enough to hold everything a small boy empties from his pockets at the end of a day, yet small enough to cup a child's face."
And then God molded long, slim legs and broad shoulders. The angel nearly had a heart attack. "Boy, this is the end of the week, all right," she clucked. "Do you realize you just made a father without a lap? How is he going to pull a child close to him without the kid falling between his legs?" And God smiled and said, "A mother needs a lap. A father needs strong shoulders to pull a sled, balance a boy on a bicycle or hold a sleepy head on the way home from the circus."
God was in the middle of creating two of the largest feet anyone had ever seen when the angel could contain herself no longer. "That's not fair. Do you honestly think those large boats are going to dig out of bed early in the morning when the baby cries? Or walk through a small birthday party without crushing at least three of the guests?" And God smiled and said, "They'll work. You'll see. They'll support a small child who wants to ride a horse to Banbury Cross or scare off mice at the summer cabin or display shoes that will be a challenge to fill."
God worked throughout the night, giving the father few words but a firm, authoritive voice and eyes that saw everything but remained calm and tolerant. Finally, almost as an afterthought, He added tears. Then He turned to the angel and said, "Now, are you satisfied that he can love as much as a mother?"
The angel shutteth up. By Erma Bombeck
A pearl to string: Father God, in your wisdom and love you made all things. Bless those fathers who have taken upon themselves, the responsibility of parenting. Bless those who have lost a spouse to death ... or divorce who are parenting their children alone. Bless those men who grew up without an earth father to emulate. Strengthen them all by your love that they may be and become the loving, caring persons they are meant to be. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen and amen.
Fathers young, fathers old may you all walk in Son shine,
Lyndi
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
What is Baseball?
From Pastor Tim's Daily CleanLaugh
I got to go to our grandson’s baseball game the other day. Baseball games – I think I’ve attended maybe seven million of them in my life time. I’m really not fond of baseball ….. watching white paint dry on a wall produces the same thrill for me. What is baseball? So you want me to explain it to you with all my vast experience of attending seven millions games?
OK… it’s a game played by two teams, one out the other in. The one that's in, sends players out one at a time, to see if they can get in before they get out. If they get out before they get in, they come in, but it doesn't count. If they get in before they get out it does count.
When the ones out get three outs from the ones in before they get in without being out, the team that's out comes in and the team in goes out to get those going in out before they get in without being out.
When both teams have been in and out nine times the game is over. The team with the most in without being out before coming in wins unless the ones in are equal. In which case, the last ones in go out to get the ones in out before they get in without being out.
The game will end when each team has the same number of ins out but one team has more in without being out before coming in. No wonder I get so much joy out of watching this game!
A pearl to string: My joy comes from watching the ones I love and watching all those who love them watch them. It plumps a grandma’s heart with joy just watching the skills and performances of our grandchildren as they participate in a play or a choir, gymnastics, football, basketball, soccer or baseball. But the bee knees is when I get to watch my children watching their children with such love and pride. Wow! That brings tears of pure joy.
These precious little image bearers are a gift from God, beloved by their parents and the crown of grandparents. The Lord longs to builds beautiful families. As parents walk in integrity their children are blessed after them and parents become the glory of their children. (Psalm 127:3, Proverbs 17: 6, Psalm 127:1, Proverbs 20:7)
‘Watching’ is a gift from God,
May your hearts by thrilled by your ‘watching’ too.
You are loved,
Lyndi
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