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

Butterfly & the Buffalo

June 27, 2007

Butterfly & Buffalo

Years ago I was sitting at a conference listing to Gary Smalley speak when he shared a story about the Butterfly and the Buffalo. Not long into the story it became apparent that he was speaking about Coach Wonderful & I. Do we know this man I wondered? I could actually hear music as I listened to him describe the Butterfly gliding about. In my head I could hear the violins, the perky piano, the flute, the harps - the strings, the beautiful strings and happy, light melodious music. Then enter the Buffalo and I heard loud drums and tubas and the percussion instruments thundering, precise, slow, low and heavy. Oh my, I always did feel the earth move when Coach Wonderful walks into my world.

Mr. Smalley continued to explain that the butterfly has a keen sensitivity. It is sensitive even to the slightest breeze. It flutters above the ground where it can get a panoramic awareness of its surroundings. It notices the beauty of even the tiniest of flowers. Because of its sensitivity, it is constantly aware of all of the changes going on around it and is able to react to the slightest variation it its environment. Thus, the butterfly would react with swiftness toward anything that might hurt it. If a tiny pebble were taped to its wing, the butterfly would be severely injured and eventually die.

The buffalo is another story. It is rough and calloused. It doesn’t react to a breeze. It’s not even affected by a thirty-mile-an-hour wind. It just goes right on doing whatever it was doing. It’s not aware of the smallest of flowers, nor does it appear to be sensitive to slight changes in its environment. Tape a pebble to the buffalo’s back and he probably won’t even feel it. The buffalo isn’t ‘rotten to the core’ just because he goes around stepping on pretty flowers. In fact, the buffalo’s toughness is a tremendous asset.

Ok, I get it – so I flit about and he has the density of a rock. So how is a butterfly expected to get along with a buffalo that kicks up boulders on a regular basis?

A pearl to string: Through the GRACE OF GOD. Pebble pitching is out, dying to self is in. Let Scripture be your guide and learn the secret of respecting your buffalo which unlocks the love a butterfly needs to thrive and flit.

1 Peter 3:4 “Be beautiful inside, in your hearts, with the lasting charm of a gentle and quiet spirit which is so precious to God”.

Fill your heart with the Word and your soul will fill up with blessings and grace.
Singing in His Son shine
Lyndi

Never Give Up

June 20, 2007

NEVER GIVE UP

In the country of Armenia, in 1988, Samuel and Danielle sent their young son, Armand, off to school. Samuel squatted before his son and looked him in the eye. "Have a good day at school, and remember, no matter what, I’ll always be there for you." They hugged and the boy ran off to school.

Hours later, a powerful earthquake rocked the area. In the midst of the pandemonium, Samuel and Danielle tried to discover what happened to their son but they couldn’t get any information. The radio announced that there were thousands of casualties. Samuel then grabbed his coat and headed for the schoolyard. When he reached the area, what he saw brought tears to his eyes. Armand’s school was a pile of debris. Other parents were standing around crying.

Samuel found the place where Armand’s classroom used to be and began pulling a broken beam off the pile of rubble. He then grabbed a rock and put it to the side, and then grabbed another one.

One of the parents looking on asked, "What are you doing?" "Digging for my son," Samuel answered. The man then said, "You’re just going to make things worse! The building is unstable," and tried to pull Samuel away from his work. Samuel just kept working. As time wore on, one by one, the other parents left. Then a worker tried to pull Samuel away from the rubble. Samuel looked at him and said, "Won’t you help me?" The worker left and Samuel kept digging.

All through the night and into the next day, Samuel continued digging. Parents placed flowers and pictures of their children on the ruins. But, Samuel just kept working. He picked up a beam and pushed it out of the way when he heard a faint cry. "Help! Help!" Samuel listened but didn’t hear anything again. Then he heard a muffled voice, "Papa?" Samuel began to dig furiously. Finally he could see his son. "Come on out, son!" he said with relief. "No," Armand said. "Let the other kids come out first because I know you’ll get me." Child after child emerged until, finally, little Armand appeared. Samuel took him in his arms and Armand said, "I told the other kids not to worry because you told me that you’d always be there for me!"

Fourteen children were saved that day because one father who would not give up.

String a pearl: Today do you find yourself entrapped by fallen debris or ensnared by life’s hardships and struggles? Take heart, we are never cut off from God’s faithfulness. Our Father and creator will never give up on us. He is true to His character. He is reliable and trustworthy and can always be counted on. Lean into His Word for healing, direction and assurance.

Deuteronomy 7:9 "Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations…"

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

Galatians 6:9 - So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up.

Counting on my Savior,
Lyndi

Whack & Walk Game

June 13, 2007

The Whack and Walk Game

It took some mighty persistent coaxing (some say nagging) to get Coach Wonderful to teach me how to play golf. Or as my friend Yvonne calls it the Whack & Walk game. Finally, one morning he relented and off we went. The first hole was a par 3, 179 yards, and quite lovely. Coach Wonderful stepped up first and said, "Now watch me, and do the same thing." He hit a beautiful shot and landed on the green with about 30 feet to the cup.

I stepped up, whacked that little dimpled baby, causing it to hook way right, ricochet off a tree, bounce off a rock and roll up onto the green - dropping into the cup.

Coach Wonderful looked somewhat irritated, and said, "OK, now you know how to play, let's go home."

I didn’t do well in golf for some reason. I guess it wasn’t my game but at least I was consistent – consistently last. The good thing about last is it gives you a realistic view of how many fleshy mounds there are on the course.

We don’t have to whack and walk through this life. Nor do we need to be concerned that if we occasionally do something right we’ll have to stand on that alone. We have a Savior – one who will never leave us. Hebrews 13 tells us He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

I usually played golf on the sides of the course so if you find yourself in the thickets of life lean on Isaiah 10:34: “He will cut down the thickets of the forest with iron, And Lebanon will fall by the Mighty One”.

A pearl to string: I have learned that believing in Jesus is very much like belonging to a health club. You actually have to go to the club on a regular basis to gain the benefits.
And you need to be in God’s Word daily to walk closely with Jesus.

Turning in my 'whack and walk' game to be strolling with Jesus,
Lyndi

Fix-it Nation

Varlaam Monastery
Photo by Tom Dempsey








June 6, 2007

Fix-it Nation

A man was walking down the street when he came across a body lying on the sidewalk. He grabbed his cell phone and called 911.

The operator asked him where he was and the man replied,
"I'm on Sycamore Drive."

"How do you spell that?" the operator asked.

"S-i-c-k..." the man began. "No, s-i-c-a...no, s-i-k-a..
Oh forget it, let me drag him over to Lake street and I'll call you back."

We are a fix-it nation. Not everything we fix is a wise choice.

A pastor at the Helen Street Church of Christ in Fayetteville, North Carolina tells a story about a monastery in Greece perched high on a cliff, several hundred feet in the air. The only way to reach the monastery is to be suspended in a basket which is pulled to the top by several monks who pull and tug with all their strength. The ride up the steep cliff is rather nerve wracking. Ok it’s downright terrifying.

One tourist got exceedingly nervous about half-way up as he noticed that the rope by which he was suspended was old and frayed. With a trembling voice he asked the monk who was riding with him in the basket how often they changed the rope.

The monk thought for a moment and answered serenely: "Whenever it breaks.

"Oh my word! I come from a fix-it nation - we fix things that are wearing out. We don’t wait till they break. I hate it when people spill out of the basket.

When you think about it…… God operates in our lives in a similar way to how the monks deal with their rope. If we were to ask God when He will change our lives, His answer might well be, "Whenever you break!

"You see, our lives can only change once we have what the Bible refers to as a "broken spirit". As long as we remain arrogant and determined to do things our way, God can't shape us and mold us.

Have you ever watched wild horses running free? They are beautiful …… but useless. Like a wild stallion, we remain useless until we are "broken".

A pearl to string: "The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit." (Psalm 34:18)

Father God, I so often want to stubbornly do things my way. Help me as I strive to have a broken spirit, recognizing my shortcomings, humbly willing to listen to Your instruction. In Jesus' name, amen.

Letting go of the end of my rope and breaking in His love,
Lyndi

5-30-07 The Beggar's Rags

Keep a steady pace with God

May 30, 2007

THE BEGGAR'S RAGS

A beggar lived near the king's palace. One day he saw a proclamation posted outside the palace gate. The king was giving a great dinner. Anyone dressed in royal garments was invited to the party.

The beggar went on his way. He looked at the rags he was wearing and sighed. Surely only kings and their families wore royal robes, he thought. Slowly an idea crept into his mind. The audacity of it made him tremble. Would he dare? He made his way back to the palace. He approached the guard at the gate. "Please, sire, I would like to speak to the king."

"Wait here," the guard replied. In a few minutes, he was back. "His majesty will see you," he said, and led the beggar in.

"You wish to see me?" asked the king.

"Yes, your majesty. I want so much to attend the banquet, but I have no royal robes to wear. Please, sir, if I may be so bold, may I have one of your old garments so that I, too, may come to the banquet?" The beggar shook so hard that he could not see the faint smile that was on the king's face.

"You have been wise in coming to me," the king said. He called to his son, the young prince. "Take this man to your room and array him in some of your clothes."

The prince did as he was told and soon the beggar was standing before a mirror, clothed in garments that he had never dared hope for. "You are now eligible to attend the king's banquet tomorrow night," said the prince. "But even more important, you will never need any other clothes. These garments will last forever."

The beggar dropped to his knees. "Oh, thank you," he cried. But as he started to leave, he looked back at his pile of dirty rags on the floor. He hesitated. What if the prince was wrong? What if he would need his old clothes again. Quickly he gathered them up.

The banquet was far greater than he had ever imagined, but he could not enjoy himself as he should. He had made a small bundle of his old rags and it kept falling off his lap. The food was passed quickly and the beggar missed some of the greatest delicacies.

Time proved that the prince was right. The clothes lasted forever. Still the poor beggar grew fonder and fonder of his old rags. As time passed people seemed to forget the royal robes he was wearing. They saw only the little bundle of filthy rags that he clung to wherever he went. They even spoke of him as the old man with the rags.

One day as he lay dying, the king visited him. The beggar saw the sad look on the king's face when he looked at the small bundle of rags by the bed. Suddenly the beggar remembered the prince's words and he realized that his bundle of rags had cost him a lifetime of true royalty. He wept bitterly at his folly. And the king wept with him.

We have been invited into a royal family - the family of God. To feast at God's dinner table, all we have to do is shed our old rags and put on the "new clothes" of faith which is provided by God's Son, Jesus Christ. But we cannot hold onto our old rags. When we put our faith in Christ, we must let go of the sin in our life, and our old ways of living. Those things must be discarded if we are to experience true royalty and abundant life in Christ.

A pearl to string: Graduation is the event of the season. It’s an opportunity to step into your adult life, gleaning the lessons from your youth that uphold your growth and setting aside the negatives that caused you to stumble. I have the greatest gift for your graduation:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and don't lean on your own understanding. In all things acknowledge him, and he shall direct your way. [Proverbs 3:5, 6]”

CONGRADULATIONS TO THE GRADUATES

Go forth singing in Son shine and be too blessed to be stressed,
Lyndi

5-23-07 Stripes Everywhere

May 23, 2007

STRIPES EVERYWHERE

Here comes the judge! At what point in your life do you not have referees messing with your perfect game? Certainly not in childhood - you’ve got your parents refereeing your days, coaching, teaching being in control and some are controlling. Not in school, not at work, not lost in a crowd, not even in your own private castle. Someone somewhere is wearing that irksome striped shirt. Rules to follow, directions to take, choices to make. Stripes everywhere! Yet things may not always be as they seem.


This is not actually a Zebra.
It’s an Okapi,
brown with stripes
only on the legs and derriere.



Photo by SANDRINE





Doesn’t trouble stop you from going the direction you are headed? If you really take the time to contemplate that stop – it’s not always a bad thing. Doesn’t a referee also stop you from going the direction you are headed? Sometimes we are so focused on our goal that we don’t realize how we impinge on others to get there. We don’t often plan our stops. Look at Jonah – I’m sure that little layover in a whales belly wasn’t his plan. He was intensely focused on his own goal not God’s goal for him. He needed a stop to protect him from himself. We need the referees in our lives. We need the stripes. It’s not always bad to be stopped. What about when the referees in our lives are unfair, horrible, complete idiots, or outrageously wrong? God’s Word tells us that we will have Stripes (trouble) in this world but to take heart for He has overcome the world. (John 16:33) I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. (Psalm 73:23)

A pearl to string: Life just isn’t fair – it can be downright mean and ugly - you have to get over that fact and move on. There will be times of frustration with your kids that you want to throw a hissy fit but you have to remind yourself – I’m the adult …help me Lord. There will be times when your best does not accomplish your goal and you have to remind yourself God is in control. There will be times when you come face to face with absolute wrong. The question we need to ask ourselves is how can I be God’s man/woman in this situation? Allow the stops in your life to invoke prayer and know prayer invites the hand of God into your situation.

Ever holding onto God’s right hand,
Lyndi

5-16-07 Mrs. Goodnest

May 16, 2007

MRS. GOODNEST

There are times in our lives that just get tough. You may try to go over it, around it, or under it. The truth is the only way to deal with tough times is to go through it leaning on the Lord all the way. The illustration story is a page out of my past about a small struggle for a child and mom but not written by me. It never really changes – when you go through something painful or difficult you are not alone in your pain. There are always loved ones who walk the trails of pain with you staying at a protective distance guarding you with prayer. You might wish you were a child again with child size problems.

Good news – you are a child – a child of God AND God is able.

A mom was concerned about her kindergarten son walking to school. He didn't want his mother to walk with him. She wanted to give him the feeling that he had some independence but yet know that he was safe. So she had an idea of how to handle it. She asked a neighbor if she would please follow him to school in the mornings, staying at a distance, so he probably wouldn't notice her. She said that since she was up early with her toddler anyway, it would be a good way for them to get some exercise as well, so she agreed. The next school day, the neighbor and her little girl set out following behind Timmy as he walked to school with another neighbor boy he knew. She did this for the whole week. As the boys walked and chatted, kicking stones and twigs, Timmy's little friend noticed the same lady was following them as she seemed to do every day all week. Finally he said to Timmy, "Have you noticed that lady following us to school all week? Do you know her?" Timmy nonchalantly replied, "Yeah, I know who she is." The friend said, "Well, who is she?""That's just Shirley Goodnest," Timmy replied, "and her daughter Marcy."

"Shirley Goodnest? Who the heck is she and why is she following us? " "Well," Timmy explained, "every night my Mom makes me say the 23rd Psalm with my prayers, 'cuz she worries about me so much. And in the Psalm, it says, 'Shirley Goodnest and Marcy shall follow me all the days of my life', so I guess I'll just have to get used to it!"

A Pearl to String: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift His countenance upon you, and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26)

May Shirley Goodnest and Marcy be with you today and always,
Lyndi

5-9-07 Pain Summons His Grace

May 9, 2007

PAIN SUMMONS HIS GRACE

There's an old story where the only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements and to store his few possessions.

But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened - everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger.

"God, how could you do this to me!" he cried. Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him.

"How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers.

"We saw your smoke signal," they replied.

It is easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering. Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground ----it just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God.


A Pearl to String: For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a positive answer:

You say: "It's impossible"
God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)

You say: "Nobody really loves me"
God says: I love you (John 3:16 & John 13:34)

You say: "I can't go on"
God says: My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

You say: "I can't figure things out"
God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)

You say: "I can't do it"
God says: You can do all things (Philippians 4:13)

You say: "I'm not able"
God says: I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)

You say: "It's not worth it"
God says: It will be worth it (Roman 8:28)

You say: "I can't forgive myself"
God says: I FORGIVE YOU (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

You say: "I can't manage"
God says: I will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19)

You say: "I'm afraid"
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7)

You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"
God says: Cast all your cares on ME (I Peter 5:7)

You say: "I don't have enough faith"
God says: I've given everyone a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)

You say: "I'm not smart enough"
God says: I give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)

You say: "I feel all alone"
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)

Leaning into His love,
Lyndi

5-2-07 Don't Go There

DON'T GO THERE

No one can be caught in a place he does not visit.
-- Danish proverb

As a child, I behaved in childish ways and I got caught several times choosing to tell an untruth so I could have my own way. I’m talking teenage child here. A time when our physical bodies look adult but emotionally and spiritually, we need to be under the protective covering of our parents’ wisdom, guidance and prayers.
“Run from anything that stimulates youthful lust. Follow anything that makes you want to do right. .” 2 Timothy 2:22 It’s the Teen Prayer
Pray it daily if you are a teen or a teen at heart.

There are some essential Scripture verses to keep close at hand for growing families leaning on the Lord. Let’s start with the reward in Proverbs 17: 6 Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. I have a pearl to string that I gleaned from living life: “Parent your children well for they will be parenting your grandchildren”. Ephesians 6:1-4 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise) that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth. Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

A seven-year-old boy in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, learned a lesson that could serve him well for the rest of his life — if only he will remember. From my own experience and that of countless others I know, I fear it will gradually fade from memory. He'll probably repeat a variant of the same mistake. It's hard to figure out why this particular precept escapes us so easily. Here's the story . . .
Timmy Novotny was at a grocery store with his dad on January 3, 2004. While his father made a call on a pay phone just a few feet away, Timmy stared up at the stuffed animals in a game box. It's the kind you see lots of places with dozens of cheap little stuffed animals lying beneath a joystick-operated crane.
Timmy's dad turned around to discover that the boy had somehow climbed through the chute where the toys come out! There he was — just sitting among the bears and other stuffed creatures that had fascinated him through the glass. The only problem was that he couldn't get back through the same passageway that had provided his entrance. He was stuck!
The manager of the Piggly Wiggly called the Sheboygan Fire Department for help in rescuing the little boy from his glass cage. With the help of a locksmith who arrived quickly, Timmy was out in about an hour. Rescuers still haven't figured out how he could have gotten through the eight-by-ten-inch chute. But there he was! Getting in some places is a lot easier than getting out of them.

Timmy, what you learned that day seems to be a rule of life. It is a whole lot easier to get into certain compromising situations than to extricate yourself from them. A teenager experiments with drugs or sex, joyriding in someone else's car or shoplifting. A woman takes a good-paying job in spite of her misgivings about the workplace atmosphere. A man finds comfort over his troubled marriage at a bar or from a friend's wife who seems to understand him. It is so easy to get connected to a porn or shopping or gambling site on the Internet.

A Pearl to String: Forbidden fruits create many jams.

By God's grace, there is a way to deal with these "tight spots" when the trap door springs behind us. "When you are tempted, God will provide a way out so that you can stand up under your trial". 1 Corinthians 10:13. But it will almost surely be embarrassing and costly, maybe very painful and devastating.

As Timmy learned, the safest course is simply to resist the initial urge. Keep your feet on the ground. Avoid letting enchantment turn into entrapment. Story from Rubel Shelly
As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. 2 Samuel 22:31/NIV

It’s safe to follow His footsteps,
Lyndi