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

The Smallest Piece

August 15, 2007

The Smallest Piece
Associate Pastor David Langerfeld from Harrisburg Baptist Church in Tupelo, Mississippi (I just love spelling that) tells a story about a fourteenth-century Italian stained-glass artist who was summoned to design a huge portrait for the window of a cathedral in Chartres, France. The artist laid all of the pieces he was going to use out on the floor of the cathedral. They were beautiful to behold; most of them were large and colorful. Some of the colors from that time cannot even be reproduced today. Among these awesome pieces of glass was a small, clear piece about as big as your fingernail.

As the stained-glass portrait was assembled, that little piece remained on the floor. Only the big colorful pieces of glass were used. On the day of the window's completion, the tiny piece of clear glass was still lying on the ground.

The entire city gathered to witness the unveiling of the brilliant and beautiful stained-glass portrait. The artist stood in front of the crowd, made his speech, and dramatically pulled down the cloth cover. The crowd gasped at the beauty of the colorful window glowing in the sunlight. After a few seconds, however, the crowd grew silent. They sensed that something was missing, that the portrait was unfinished.

The great artist then walked over to where the little clear piece of glass lay, picked it up, and placed it in the portrait, right in the center of Jesus' eye. As the sun hit that little piece, it gave off a dazzling sparkle. The magnificent stained glass window still draws visitors. The first thing they see is that sparkle in Jesus' eye.

A pearl to string: Psalm 17:8 tells us that God thinks of you as the “apple of his eye”. You may struggle to see yourself as measuring up to others or doing anything big for God. You may think you are “all that” and need a little ‘tude check. Regardless of your impression of yourself God finds you so valuable that He sent His Son Jesus to die for you and keep you with Him for all eternity if that would be your heart desire too.

Is there anyone who would like to say the sinner’s prayer? I’ll say it with you. Sinner's Prayer? That's not for me you think- I'm not a Sinner! "Sinner" is a word that gets a bad rap these days - and well it should. Unfortunately, the bad rap it is getting is for the wrong reasons. Confronted with our shortcomings, we are quick to defend ourselves with words like, "I'm not a sinner! I don't go around sinning! I've never murdered anyone or anything like that!" The problem is - we don't really know what the word sin means. We think it only applies to some despicable act that repulses "church people" who want to hang big scarlet letters around our necks. But sin simply means to miss the mark; to fall short of the goal. The fact is, we are all sinners, for there is no one, save Christ alone, who has lived a life that did not in some way fall short of the perfection God requires. We all deserve to pay the penalty for that sin, which is to spend eternity in hell. There are no "magical" words that result in salvation. It is only faith in Jesus' death and resurrection that can save us. Respond to God’s call by crying out to the Lord, repenting of your sins, and believing on the Lord Jesus Christ (Messiah Yeshua). And please, come just as you are; Jesus will clean up your life as you faithfully seek and follow Him.
Jesus says, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20)

You are the sparkle in His eye,
Lyndi

Speed Trees

August 8, 2007

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

The woman replied, "Oh officer, thank goodness you're here! I almost had an accident! I looked up and there was a tree right in front of me. So, I swerved to the left and there was another tree in front of me. Then, I swerved to 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" that are not really there. We worry (and lose sleep) over things which never materialize. We hesitate to take action because we are fearful of what "might" happen. Our imagined fears keep us from driving down the straight and narrow ("What will they say? What will they do?") Remember only negatives are developed in a darkroom!

"The lazy 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 you don't want to do something, even dodging imaginary obstacles. Henry Ford had a handle on this when he said, "Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal." Remember whose kid you are. You’ve got genetically disposed gifts in your gene pool.

A pearl to string: If you want your dreams to come true, don't oversleep.

With a Mother’s solution there are three ways to get something done:
1. Do it yourself.
2. Hire someone to do it for you.
3. Forbid your kids to do it.

We know in God’s Word that Jesus himself, tells us “Everything is possible for him who believes.” Jesus is telling us He has the sufficiency of power, if we can just bring the mustard 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've hesitated doing lately because of tree type obstacle in your way? Be certain the obstacle is real. It might just be your air freshener! That really stinks!

Depending on Jesus to freshen my air,
Lyndi

Forgiveness is a CHOICE by Kareen Rose

I was so moved by this writer
I just had to share her work
in hopes that it will bless a
hurting heart today.
Lyndi



It is a choice to let the person who hurt you go free without
repercussions. Forgiveness does not mean you approve of the actions and
if a law was broken, there could be proper punishment involved. However,
the act of forgiveness does not depend on an apology being said or
reprimands given. It is an issue of the heart, a conscious decision to
let go of the hurt and move on with your life.

When my first born grew taller than me, he also became belligerent and
violent. He stopped calling me mom and a couple of extended periods
stopped speaking to me altogether. To this day I do not understand the
reasons behind his behavior. He never chose to explain it to me. Through
tears of pain, I forgive him and let go of the hurt he inflicted on my
heart. I was able to continue to love him.

Shortly before his sudden death, we were reconciled and became a family
again. My heart sang. It did not matter if I understood his reasoning.
It did not matter if he apologized or tried to make right his wrongs
toward me. All that mattered was that I was free from the hurt because I
forgave him and now I was reaping the benefits. We were a complete
family once again.

I very seldom consider how I would feel if I had never forgiven him
before he died. Not only would I carry the grief of the death of a child,
I would have the hard, cold knot of unforgiveness to carry with it.

Does it matter that he never whispered an apology to me? No. I made a
choice to forgive my son no matter the situation. Because of that
decision, the chains that would have tied my heart into painful bondage
for the rest of my life were broken. I am free to love him and enjoy his
memory the rest of my life.

"Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for
love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of
others]." - I Peter 4:8 Amplified Bible

by Kareen Rose, kareencarter@yahoo.com

Spiked Flies

August 1, 2007

From the book, Windows On God’s World, by James A Tucker comes a story about a young scientist who won first prize in a high school science fair with an exhibit of her experiments with spiders and their webs. Her project involved a comparison between the webs spun by normal spiders and those spun by spiders under the influence of alcohol.

At first the girl collected a number of common house spiders for her experiment, but she had difficulty with them. When she injected the wine directly into them, they all dropped dead. Then she adopted the plan of feeding wine-injected flies to the spiders. The spiders did not die, but they did not spin webs, either. Somewhat discouraged, she took her problem to her teacher and learned that house spiders are not much for making webs. They simply make strands of silk that are strung in all directions with no particular pattern. She was advised to find some of the common garden species, long know for their talent for constructing beautiful orb webs.

Thus encouraged, the girl again got busy with her project. She found a number of garden spiders and fed them wine-injected flies. This time her efforts were rewarded. The drunken spiders began to spin all sorts of wild and unorganized webs that did not at all resemble the intricate and near-perfect designs they were able to spin under normal circumstances.
After eating the spiked flies, a spider would begin spinning frantically, totally without method or reason. And the tipsy creature would keep on spinning without stopping until it passed out cold. I wonder if that drunk spider was near the computer – hummm – maybe that’s how we got web pages? Groan! Just checking to see if you’re still with me!

A pearl to string: In all good consciousness one should not plan to eat spiked flies. The Bible tells us that God has a superb design for our lives. We have something beautiful to do for our Lord and we don’t want to get drunk on the ways of the world and go web crazy! “He leans on his web, but it gives way; he clings to it, but it does not hold”. (Job 8:15) See! It’s all in the Good Book. Every direction we need to follow Jesus. It’s all written down for us. How cool is that. So dear hearts “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ”. (Colossians 2:8) And “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will”. (Romans 12:2)

Delighting in His Word,
Lyndi

Something beautiful to do - something for each one

Miraculous Response to Prayer by Shirley Bruns

Forty-eight years ago today, (7/26) our youngest son, Steve, was born in Tokyo. Birthing him was an experience different from what had occurred during the births of my other children. The young technician who connected me with the tube containing liquid to induce labor had forgotten something.

"I have to find a clamp," she said. "I'll be right back". She hurried out of the room. However, it took longer than she anticipated, and by the time she returned with the clamp meant to control the rate of the drips into my vein, I was in full labor. She apologized, but there was little she could do. I could pray! Forty-five minutes had elapsed from the beginning of the procedure to the time of Steve's birth. I have been told that this could have resulted in the death of both myself and my child. I thanked God for sparing our lives.

After a week, we left the hospital for our home. Tokyo is a hot, humid, uncomfortable place in which to live in mid-summer, and with a baby with heat rash, we were eager to travel up to the mountains near Nagano. There we could spend a few cool weeks in our little cabin on a hillside near a lake, and enjoy the company of other missionary families from the United States and Europe who summered there. So we packed our bags and took off with our children for Lake Nojiri.

We did have a concern - while still in the hospital, one of our baby's breasts began to show signs of a possible infection. Our doctor seemed to think it would be all right in a few days, but by the time we arrived in Nojiri, it had become worse. The services of a young Japanese doctor from a Christian hospital had been arranged for the use of those of us who came during the summer. During mid-afternoon of the first day after our arrival, we took Steve over the hillside to the doctor's clinic for a check-up.

The news was devastating! The doctor's diagnosis was that he had developed a staph infection, and although he prescribed medication, our baby, since he was so young, would have only a 50/50 chance of survival. I asked him what would be signs that would indicate the medications weren't working, and that we might lose him. He said that if his slight fever suddenly developed into a high fever, that would be the first sign.

We watched him carefully for the rest of the day, and we prayed for his healing. At night, while everyone else was asleep, I was still awake, concerned about Steve. It was a very dark, moonless night. On the side of our hill, there were no street lights. It was completely dark inside our bedroom. . .I could not see a thing. Every so often, I would slip out of bed and feel my way over to the baby crib and carefully place my hand where I thought Steve's head would be to check his temperature. For awhile, there seemed to be no change, and then. . .suddenly, my hand came in contact with a very, very hot little forehead. I immediately straightened up, and standing beside the bed, with eyes open, I began praying for a miracle. . .for God to heal Steve. . .to spare his life.

And then that's when I saw something I had never seen before: against the darkness of the room there appeared to be white, milkish-colored streams of light moving around the room. . .up and down and around in swirls. I had a tingling sensation throughout my entire body. "That has to represent God", I thought. "He's letting me know He's here with us, and will heal my little boy." And then the swirls disappeared.

Confidently, I put my hand upon his head. . .where just a few moments ago it had been extremely hot, now it felt completely normal!!!!! God had performed a wonderful miracle before my eyes, and allowed me to see and feel His presence.

No one can ever convince me that there is not a God who loves us and answers our prayers!!!!
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Shirley Bruns
July 26, 2007

P.S. Steve is now a pastor in a large church in Norway where God has been blessing his and his wife, Anne Kristin's ministries. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!!!

As the "Tude Turns"

July 25, 2007

I love to rock my world by reading books about attitude – more succinctly – changing ones attitude. One of my most loved books on the subject is Patsy Clairmont’s, “Sportin’ a ‘Tude” – a delightful look at the ordinary changes in life. In order to maintain balance and keep a steadfast focus of my direction I make lists …..lots of lists. Do you make lists? There’s hope for us. The queen of list makers, Barbara Ann Kipfer, has a best-selling book out called, “14,000 Things to be Happy About?” Now there’s a list. It’s a 611-page list of one item after another of things she celebrates or brings to attention. They are small tiny things to bring a smile, as well as gigantic things that make you laugh any of which can make a life-changing difference in how you look at life. The cover calls it "mesmerizing" …… huh ……. interesting …… no one ever called my lists mesmerizing! The challenge is to come up with something that isn’t in there.

Here's a small sampling: hayrack rides, soft robes to settle into, trouser pockets chortling with change, fondue sets, the bus arriving on time and with empty seats, free makeup samples, dogs leaning against your legs, pink-cheeked faces in knit hats, the sense of promise inherent in the start of a new year, remembering when jeans were only for play, egg-in-the-hole and bacon, a tractor inner tube (to float on), a trout pond, playing kick the can, children at recess, bowling leagues.It is interesting the memories or thoughts a list of this kind conjures up. Some are profound: the silence of close friendship, smile lines, a quiet observer, 100-watt eyes, saying yes, facing the truth.Some instantly bring a smile: when your fingertips have shriveled to prunes, and you're clean enough to put on fresh pajamas. While we're on that topic, clean sheets have also got to be on that list, I'm sure. Oh and add licking off a dasher of homemade ice cream.

Where do we get a critical spirit, and where do negative thoughts and attitudes come from? Is that jealousy or our own feelings of inadequacy? Can we blame it on genetic make up? Perhaps life's experiences, or our own internal chemistry or maybe it’s like a cold – very easy to catch in the world we live.

A pearl to string: Seeking the attitude of Christ will bring an abundance of His grace. God’s word says, “Finally, brothers & sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things”. Philippians 4:8 Don’t you just know God starts everything and He was the first list maker! So maybe follow His lead and start your own list: picking up a daughter or son at the airport, the sounds and smells of fresh coffee brewing, tearing open a paycheck envelope, a houseful of sleeping family members, and the holy hush when everyone quiets and a service of worship begins. Surround yourself with the goodness the Lord brings into your lives.

As the ‘tude turns may He richly bless you,
Lyndi

The Power of Prayer by Shirley Bruns

This testimony from a precious friend, Shirley Bruns, is just too good not to share. Watch how the Lord worked a miracle for believing hearts.
Lyndi. . .

Finally, I've gotten to my computer and can share with you two of God's miracles I have experienced during my twenty years as a missionary in Japan, beginning in 1948.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *



In the summer of 1954, while my husband and I were living in Mito, the capital city of Ibaraki Prefecture, north of Tokyo, we started out one summer morning on an excursion with our young son, and a Japanese pastor and his wife, deep into the hillsides near our home. With the Ushioda's, we had been ministering to former members of Japan's Imperial Army who had been repatriated there after World War II. One of these repatriates who had been a member of former Captain and now Pastor Ushioda's unit during the war, had invited all of us to come pick some strawberries on his "homestead".

For several days, there had been rainfalls, and the roads over which more oxen-drawn wagons had been driven than automobiles, were not in prime condition. In fact, the further we drove up and down the rolling hills on the narrow, slippery roads, the more treacherous they seemed to become. There was no way we could turn around or back up. We wondered how we would be able to traverse them on the return trip.

After gathering our fruit, we expressed our concern to the farmer, and asked him if there might be another route back to Mito. He could not guarantee the road would be any better, but told us we could keep going ahead on the same road for several kilometers after which it began its descent into the city. Any alternate suggestion seemed preferable.

And so off we went, with prayers for God's protection in our hearts! We drove slowly for a short ways before reaching a left turn around the side of a tall hill, and discovered a little further on, there had been a "wash-out" of part of the road ahead. It was several yards longer than the length of our Austin Station Wagon, and since we were on the side of a "small mountain", we would not survive a drop off the edge.

All of us were praying for guidance. The men got out and walked around, and decided that if they could back up just far enough to get up some speed, they might be able to keep all four wheels on the "not too steep" hillside slope on our left, long enough to avoid the drop-off and get us on solid ground again.

I wanted to get out of the car with my little boy and "walk" the slope, but I was told we were needed for "ballast"! So, we backed up, "gunned" the engine and took off. The wheels were turned left at the proper place, and the car started up the slope. However, just before reaching the hole in the road, it slid back down. According to Physics' gravity law, we should have plunged down the side of the mountain. Not so. . .we flew right across the open space and landed safely on the other side. We stopped the car, and just sat quietly for awhile. Then, we got out, and walked back to where the miracle occurred. . . praising God for our deliverance.

I wish we had had a camera to record what we saw: car tracks right up to the place where our car left the road. . .and beginning again where we had landed.

Yes, I believe there is a God who loves us, and answers our prayers!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Love to you,
Shirley

My Board of Directors

Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses . . .
let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.
Hebrews 12:1

I read once, long ago, about the concept of each person acquiring a personal “board of directors” to implement a plan to preserve the well being and strength in your every day life. The people with this sphere of influence in your life could be alive today or have lived in the past, known to you personally or perhaps only known to you through their writings and accomplishments. They are the people from whom you would seek advice.

In Hebrews 11 we have many heroes of faith mentioned challenging us to "run with endurance the race that is set before us" (12:1-2). Throughout the Word of God there are people whose faith presents a wealth of help and encouragement for us all.

Who would you choose to be on your board of directors?

Who would I choose?

The chairman of my board of directors would be first and foremost Jesus Christ for it is His wisdom and direction I seek above all else. I have some spots open for appointment but as I begin to think about this I realize some spots have been occupied for years.

The 1st seat belongs to Onesiphorus; bless you! oh no, that wasn’t a sneeze! He’s been my hero since I was a little girl. He cheered his friend Paul and was not ashamed of him when he found him in prison. I’ve always wanted to bring cheer to everyone; friends, strangers, and even mean people. Sometimes especially mean people – they steal the joy of life - you get them cheered up then all those around them can enjoy the moment.

The 2nd seat would be my grandmother, my mother’s mother who always turned me towards the Lord. She taught me the difference between conviction and condemnation. And she gave me a life long song to sing from my soul.

My beloved husband would occupy the 3rd seat. As the head of our household he brought to each one of our family members a pathway to salvation. He provided spiritual events through the years which would allow each individual to invite Jesus into their heart to be their Savior and Lord of their life. As a wife and mother who has a few years of life experience there is nothing more important to my heart than my husband and my children having a heart for God.

The 4th seat has to be a long couch for there sit the ladies who lived the heart and soul of my days on earth with me. They represent time segments of my adult days on earth. They are treasures of solace and wisdom and joy and laughter. When I see them it lights up portions of my life that lie dormant and allows me to celebrate all of who I am. It is these trusted friendships that taught me compassion by way of sliding into the center of each others broken heart. We have shared deeply feeling the sobbing of our souls – the raw, red crucible of emotional agony. We have heard each others silent screams and wept side by side. When you’ve shared the pain of life so deeply that your soul is wretched with your friend’s pain then the healing touch from the Lord comes for two. When you are hurting badly you need someone to love you deeply. It’s that kind of love that lights up my life.

Seat 5 has been occupied by my she-ro (lady hero). Mary, mother of our Lord Jesus. Mary never threw hissy fits. Not only would I like to emulate her ladylike demeanor but I aspire to her Holy Spirit lead courage and I find no one else on earth like her. One would need immense courage to give birth to and rear your own Savior and then witness His crucifixion. These are events worthy of deep contemplation. It hurts my heart that there are so few women in public places that are Godly examples. The young women of today seem more interested in competing with men in politics, business and athletics or being sexy, famous and dripping in money and bling bling. Women need lady heroes as their inner compass or their North Star – Mary is mind.

The 6th and final seat belongs to Dr. Peter Marshall, Scottish Pastor and Chaplin of the US Senate in the late 1940's. Though he died in 1949 and I never actually heard him preach I was mesmerized by the movie of his life in 1955. I wanted to marry a man who loved God like that. It confused me a little when reality wasn't as glamorous as a movie and it's challenging to move through life without music signaling changes. It took some time for God to bring my husband to the point of loving God with that same intensity and passion I saw in Dr. Peter Marshall but ah lass, my prayers were in fact answered.




Chairman of the Board – Jesus Christ – My Creator, Savior and Redeemer
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ never changes! He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

1st seat – Onesiphorus – my hero
2 Timothy 1:16 I pray that the Lord will be kind to the family of Onesiphorus. He often cheered me up and wasn't ashamed of me when I was put in jail.

2nd seat – Cora Maude Noe Chase 1873-1958 – My Gram
Luke 10:27 Gram loved the Lord with all her heart, all her soul, all her strength, all her understanding, and she loved her neighbors as herself.' She was an Onesiphorus too.

3rd seat – William Paul McCartney – My beloved husband
Joshua 24:15 Choose you this day whom you will serve: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

4th seat - The couch of daily life: Barbara Gorman, Cheryl Szczepaniak, Alana McGuire, Karen Carr, Louise Christopher, Paulette Washington
Galatians 6:2 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

5th seat – Mary, Mother of our Lord Jesus
Luke 1:26.....38 ... the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a virgin engaged to Joseph, of the house of David. "Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. Mary said to the angel, "How can this be since I am a virgin?" "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore, the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. Mary said, "Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word."

6th seat – Dr. Peter Marshall – Senate Chaplin
Psalm 107:9 For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.

Now you stop and think on your life for awhile and who has had great influence for good. Choose the people you would like as your Board of Directors. This exercise will bless you. Enjoy.

The Wait is Part of the Ride

July 18, 2007

Don’t you just love it when something so simple in life becomes a profound truth lesson from God? I had such an epiphany while reading our youngest son’s Faith Plus Life blog. God blessed Coach Wonderful and I with four exceptional children all of whom write well. They are each creative, talented and lovers of the Lord. Oh, you can’t tell I’m the mother …. really … it’s all true! Marc just graduated from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California and enjoyed a mini vacation afterwards at Disney with his family. That’s where he discovered an incredible truth lesson from God in the midst of the ordinary. I let his own words describe the encounter.

The Wait is a part of the Ride!
By Marc McCartney
http://www.faithpluslife.blogspot.com/

One of the things that struck me visiting Disney was discovering that the wait was a part of the ride. Disney does an amazing job at creating an experience. They think of everything. They even call their employees Cast Members and it seems like most of them take on a “role” as they do their job. But what really got me this time was the waiting in line. Every ride had some sort of programming involved in the actual waiting area. For the Indiana Jones ride you walk through this amazing cavern underground to get to the ride. All along the way seeing different inscriptions or pieces of bamboo or jewels that take you to another place. In the Haunted Mansion you walk into a room to listen to a spooky recording. Then the room begins to stretch and spin and you begin to wonder if everything is going to be okay. In the Tower of Terror they take you back in the recesses of the hotel and stop in front of a furnace. This furnace helps to create a look that feels almost like a dungeon, all to get you into the right frame of mind before you ever step foot on the ride. They do all of this just to maximize your experience on the actual ride.

That got me thinking about my faith in Christ. The “rides” for me might be a chance to speak to a group about God. Or an opportunity to lead a mission trip. Or the planning and execution of one of our events that we do. My problem is that I don’t always treat the wait as a part of the ride. That’s a shame. I need to be more alert to the fact that every aspect of our lives is a part of the ride. God is never at rest. Life is always in motion. Even the moments that appear like waiting are opportunities to use our faith. I need to think more like the people who design the rides at Disney. I need to realize that the wait is a part of the ride. http://www.faithpluslife.blogspot.com/

A pearl to string: "All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth." (Colossians :6b NLT) I find it thrilling to continually discover God’s truths in my everyday life experiences. Growing and learning the things that are important to my Father. Thanks Marc for giving me a new perspective on lines.

Count it joy to wait on the Lord.
It’s part of the ride, Wheeeeeeeeeeeee ………… Love ya,
Lyndi

Finger Pointing

July 11, 2007

Finger Pointing
Lessons from the grandkids

Little Mallory ran into the house, crying as though her heart would break.

"Oh what's wrong, sweetheart?" I asked.

"My doll! Derek broke it!" she sobbed.

"How did he break it, Mallory?"

"I hit him over the head with it."

I had to turn away before I broke out in laughter. Oh my, don’t go to God with that one. That’s as old as the hills. As a matter of fact that old, old story began in the Garden of Eden. I think it is noteworthy that, after the sin committed by Adam and Eve, God asked Adam if he had eaten the fruit (even though He already knew the answer). It was a chance for Adam to be honest, an opportunity to take responsibility. Instead, Adam blamed Eve, Eve blamed the serpent, and ever since we have been pointing the finger at others for our transgressions.

"It wasn't my fault." "I couldn't help it." "He made me do it." We continue to point fingers, make accusations or justify our actions. All the while, God is hoping that we'll be honest enough to admit our mistakes, knowing that only then can we find forgiveness.

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives." (I John 1:9-10)

Is there anything you need to be honest about and own up to today?
He already knows so go ahead …. He’s giving you a chance – this moment is yours to de-clutter your heart.

String a pearl: Happiness depends on happenings, but joy depends on Christ. When my children were small I had a plaque in their rooms that read: God is watching you because He loves you so much He can’t keep His eyes off you.

Confessing to God will put a song in your heart and a smile on your face,
Lyndi

7-4-07 CHOICES

July 4, 2007

I trekked over to the grocery store to pick up some green olives the other day. Easy enough task – right? Not so fast Martha. Oh my goodness, thank goodness I didn’t ask Coach Wonderful to do that little errand. I might have found him climbing the walls. There are choices! A throng of choices!

Let’s see we’ve got Small Cretan Green Olives, Halkithiki Green Olives and Stuffed Green Olives (stuffed with a nut, an onion, a pimento, sun dried tomato, red peppers, Prosciutto, pickled garlic, feta cheese, blue cheese) There are Kalamata Red Olives - harvested in November. Those must be big!? Well that’s easy to eliminate from the choices they are not green but wait… here’s some black Kalamata olives – they are not green either but they are so good. Oh dear more choices there are Plum Olives, Wrinkled Black Olives? I never heard of such a thing. Ok, stick to the green. Very interesting, Cinnamon & Cloves Green Olives, Table Olives, Green olives with chillis, Green banana olives – huh? There are Agriniou green olives in brine, Sunita Organic Green Olives, plus your ever popular Spanish, Sicilian, Greek, Italian, French, Mediterranean and Australian green olives.

Just how in the world are you supposed to make a choice for heaven sake?

There are so many choices in this world on any given subject. It’s not just olives! It can make you a crazy person trying to figure out which choices are best. There are choices that look good but have no godly truth behind them and fail in the long haul. What used to be right has lost its splendour in our present day society. What use to be wrong is now politically correct. So?

Just how in the world are you supposed to make a choice for heaven sake?

A pearl to string: Here’s where the question becomes the answer. If you make choices for heaven’s sake then the world won’t be such a confusing place. Micah 6:8 tells us to do what He has shown us to be good. The Lord requires of us to do justly, (refrain from cheating, lying or stealing from others) to love mercy, (be willing to give second chances and beyond to others) and to walk humbly with our God. (In the shadow of His wing going His direction)

Leaning on Jesus,
Lyndi