"their heart was hardened"

Faith in Christ will keep us steady in the stormy sea of change.

I have faith.
I believe You will provide.
Why do I continue to have such fear, such anxiety
Every morning
Every moment
Satan causes me to wonder.

Remember
God's always telling me
to
Remember.

Truths.
Who I am.
That I am.
The Beginning - Alpha
The End - Omega
The In between

He is there.
Remember the truths.
Meditate on what is true.
I am with you the Lord tells me.

Peace will come to you
IF
you abide with Me.
You must abide with Me,
in Me,
not in the world,
not in, not with Satan.

Today's devotional led me to Mark 6: 45-52 in which Jesus walks on water to save His disciples who were caught in a windstorm while out in their boat n the middle of the Sea of Galilee. The last verse, "for they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened," presented me with another one of those "aha" moments.

We can be in the midst of God, reading and studying His word, abiding with Him, yet we can also not understand all that is within. Jesus' disciples were with Him for three years, yet there were many times they did not understand. They saw it. They heard. But did not comprehend.

"their heart was hardened" ... so comprehension comes suddenly. We read a passage for years, we think we know what it says, and then all of a sudden it becomes so very clear to us. Like the passage from 1 Corinthians 13:12 says, "For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; but then I shall know just as I also am known."

Comprehension, understanding, comes over time. We do not know all there is instantanteously and we never know all until we see Jesus face to face.

God is in charge. Not me. Please Lord help my unbelief. Bring me peace. Keep my mind set always on you. Do not let, do not allow me to venture off your path. In you is security. Safe and secure ... me and mine.

Do not worry ... remember

Dear Lord,
I have some anxiety going on ... again. Dismay that now we've made a reservation for that extra day Jim isn't staying in seminary commuter housing, we can not cancel it if necessary. And wondering if the funds in his account can be used to cover the four days of lodging at the seminary.

And then I remember Matthew 6: 34, which says "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

Personalizing that verse, I write: "Therefore, Cathy, do not worry about Jim's cyst, do not worry about Jim going to Kansas City and his time there, about his lodging needs and payment thereof, about re-arranged obit schedules at your work place. You have made preparation, you have planned, you have prayed, you are proceeding. Do not worry about tomorrow Cathy. I am in charge. I know what concerns you, where your anxiety lies, the fears you have. But don't go there. Think only on today. Think about what is true. Truth, right. Remember. Think only on Me. Trust that I will provide for you, for Jim, today. I will take care of your needs Cathy today. Do not worry about tomorrow. Today alone is important."

Hmm. The 5 P's -- Prepare / Plan / Pray / Proceed / and Trust God to Provide.

"...whatever things are true ... meditate on these things." - Philippians 4:8

What is true ... truth?
Here is a short list of Bible truths posted in May of this year:

When confrontation is necessary to resolve conflict, Christians are to confront in love in order to restore relationships.

Christians are to take the necessary actions to be reconciled to others in a conflict situation.

Disobeying God has immediate and longterm consequences, including boggind down in one's journey of faith.

Jesus desires to forgive our past sins and directs us to live pure lives in the future.

When Jesus transforms a person's life, no arguments can convince that person that his or her experience is not valid.

Like a good shepherd, Jesus knows, sustains, and protects His sheep. He even sacrificed Himself for them.

Even when situations seem hopeless and are irreversible, Jesus is able to help people through tragedies and restore hope to their lives.

Jesus, the Messiah-King, died on the cross for our sins.

Because Jesus rose from the dead, His followers are to tell others Jesus lives for them and that He ascended to God the Father for them.

Jesus wants His followers to serve others humbly as He did.

Those who love Jesus do what He tells them to do and produce fruit that lasts.

Christians should anticipate the world's hating them, continue to testify of Jesus during times of persecution, and remain steadfast and faithful.

Conflict situations provide opportunities to please and honor God.

In a conflict situation, believers are to accept responsibility for their attitudes and actions that contribute to the conflict.

God wants His people to obey Him and blesses those who diligently do so.

The Lord is God, and His people are to remember He is God in their difficult times as well as in their good times.

When believers come before God in worship, they should seize the opportunity to renew their devotion to Him.

Believers demonstrate unity by supporting one another.

God calls each of us to use the gifts and skills He gives us to serve the body of Christ.

Because God's offer of salvation is for all people we are to share the gospel with all people and invite them to faith in Jesus Christ.

Do we
never remember
always seeking,
searching
A little bit
of memory
hangs on
What would we do
What
would
we
do?
If
we didn't have the Bible
Our mind
constantly
searching
Where
are
the
answers?
Remember.
What
do
you
remember
Each
one
of us
is
different.
Remembering
is
The Key
My key.

Knowing...believing...feeling...trusting...loving...doing

If (since) I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord by faith unseen, believing that He is, that He came, that He died for me, my very soul, that He was buried and rose again, that I too am re-born because of all He did for Me on that cross, why oh why would it be so hard to accept and believe everything that He says to me, that He shows me in His word, in His still small voice, or in His powerful, forceful booming voice? He is all around me, in every corner and crevice.

The Lord Jesus is my salvation and more.

He is the rest of the relationship I seek, that I find missing in my day-to-day existence. He is the one I can share my innermost thoughts, the ones I don't necessarily write down in my journal or publish on my blog for the whole world to see. He sees my fears, my pain, my desires, my needs.

He sees way more than I ever see or even dream of seeing. He knows the end from the beginning and all that is in between.

I'm not very good at waiting for answers. Hurry up and wait. Waiting ... in prayer, or in dread. Waiting ... endlessly ... silently.

The Lord will provide. He is my all in all. He is all I need in all of life. As long as I have Jesus living within me, in my heart, as long as I listen to Him, as long as I look to Him for my everything, He will bring to me that which I need and when I need it.

After all, He brought me Jimmy.

He will bring me through difficulties ... financial, health, accidents. He will be with me. He is with me.

The Lord is my salvation. Without Jesus I have no eternal hope.

The Lord is my provider, my enabler, my Father, my confidante. Without a relationship with Jesus, my longings go unfulfilled.

The Lord has brought many friends my way, providing meaning, understanding, learning, love.

The 23rd psalm
"The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.

He makes me to lie down
in green pastures;
He leads me
beside the still waters.

He restores my soul;
He leads me
in the paths of righteousness
for His name's sake.

Yea, though I walk
through the valley
of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff,
they comfort me.

You prepare a table
before me
in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup runs over.

Surely goodness and mercy
shall follow me
all the days of my life;
And I will dwell
in the house of the Lord
Forever."

He knows my name

The following was written Dec. 15, 2008 and published on Today's Christian Woman editor's blog. Perhaps you have already read it, but if you haven't, read it now.

by Ginger Kolbaba

What an elderly store clerk reminded me about taking my name for granted

“Call me Bill,” the elderly, slightly stooped, sales clerk told me. He’d just handed me his business card. “For some reason they put ‘William’ on the card. But nobody calls me William. Only my mother did. But she’s long gone now.”

As I stood with this retired furniture salesman, now Home Depot appliance guru, I noticed a faraway look in his eyes. I figured it didn’t have to do with the white Maytag double oven we were currently discussing.

“She used to call me William when she was upset with me!” he said and chuckled. Then he turned serious. “What I wouldn’t give to hear my mother call me ‘William’ again. It’s been all these years since she passed, but I still wish I could hear her call my name. You still have your parents?”

I nodded.

“Well, enjoy them while you can. Time goes too quickly. Enjoy listening to the way your mom says your name. It’s the most precious gift.”

I’d gone searching for a new stove, but left with something far more valuable.

Back at home, I called my mom and chatted. I listened to her voice and enjoyed her quick, easy laugh. William was right; it was a wonderful gift and a strong reminder never to take someone’s voice for granted.

Later that evening as I was praying, William’s words drifted back into my mind. How often do I take for granted something as simple as hearing my name? Especially when God speaks it? How many opportunities have I missed to hear God whisper my name with love and acceptance and grace?

Names have such special meaning. In a sense, they define who we are. They bring comfort when spoken by someone we love. The “William” of childhood—who heard that name only when he was in trouble—now attached great significance to that name because it held a special memory of his mom.

I thought about Jesus’ names and how they bring great comfort to me when I say them: “Jesus,” the Lord saves; “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6); “Immanuel,” God with us (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23).

I thought about Simon, whom Jesus named Peter: “I tell you,” Jesus said, “you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matthew 16:18).

God attaches great significance to us through our names. Through the prophet Isaiah, God tells us, “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1); “I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name” (Isaiah 45:3).

Too often in my busy days, I go through the routine of worship and devotional time. I pray, spouting off my laundry list of needs and wants and “will yous.” But rarely do I sit quietly with my Creator and simply listen to him say my name.

In his book Life of the Beloved, Catholic theologian and priest Henri Nouwen writes: “We are the Beloved. We are intimately loved long before our parents, teachers, spouses, children, and friends loved or wounded us. That’s the truth of our lives. That’s the truth I want you to claim for yourself. That’s the truth spoken by the voice that says, ‘You are my Beloved.’ Listening to that voice with great inner attentiveness, I hear at my center [God’s] words that say: ‘I have called you by name, from the very beginning. You are mine and I am yours. You are my Beloved, on you my favor rests. I have molded you in the depths of the earth and knitted you together in your mother’s womb. I have carved you in the palms of my hands and hidden you in the shadow of my embrace. I look at you with infinite tenderness and care for you with a care more intimate than that of a mother for her child. I have counted every hair on your head and guided you at every step. Wherever you go, I go with you, and wherever you rest, I keep watch. I will give you food that will satisfy all your hunger and drink that will quench all your thirst. I will not hide my face from you. You know me as your own as I know you as my own. You belong to me.’”

While my head understands Nouwen’s words, too often my heart cannot grasp that the Creator of the universe knows my name. He knows me intimately and cares about me; he considers me beloved.

We have a God who loves us so much he calls us by name. I am overwhelmed.

This Christmas, my house will be filled with the noise and clutter and chatter of five adults and four dogs for a week. The stresses and joys of the holiday will compete for my time and attention. But I hope that somewhere in there, every day and throughout the new year and beyond, I will not take for granted the knowledge that God calls me by name. I pray I will truly listen and hear him say, “Beloved. You are mine and I am yours.” And I will know that he means it.

His timing

I can plan, but I should not worry. God knows all. We will know what we are to know in His timing. We must wait, pray, seek, listen. We should always be alert for the Lord's presence where we least expect to see Him.

Jesus said so

Yesterday the devotional reading was from John 14. The particular passage that stayed with me was verse 6 in which Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

You know that speaks volumes. The entire Bible has much to say and one part relates to another part. Sometimes you don't understand what something has to do with something else. But it comes to you as you study, meditate, listen and follow through in obedience.

I did a mini-study of the verse and this is what I've found:

"I am the way" ... "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture." (John 10: 9)

"through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." (Romans 5: 2)

Jesus is ... to everyone, all peoples. Through Him we have access to the Father, to God. There is none other.

"And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father." (Ephesians 2: 17-18)

The institution of the tabernacle, i.e., sanctuary, holy place where God met with His people, and its construction, is first mentioned in Exodus 25. At that time the High Priest was the only one who could enter the Holy of Holies (Holiest of All) once a year. The people had rules, commandments the Lord set forth for them to follow. Forgiveness of their sins of disobedience / ignorance were asked of God through the High Priest on a yearly basis.

"Now when these things had been thus prepared, the priests always went into the first part of the tabernacle, performing the services. But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people's sins committed in ignorance; the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing." (Hebrews 9: 6-8)

It wasn't until the birth of Jesus (which Christians celebrate at Christmas), son of God and son of Man, that a final offering would become available. The new High Priest became Jesus and the Holiest of All was made manifest through Jesus. Through His death, burial and resurrection, Jesus the High Priest became the final, once-and-for-all offering for the entire human race.

"to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh," (Hebrews 10: 19b-20)

It is for you and me individually to believe and accept Jesus died for us.

"I am the truth" ... "And the word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1 :14)

"For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." (John 1: 17)

The Old Testament tells what will come and has now come to pass, yet there are many who do not know, do not understand, do not see, do not meditate. Only in the here and now... do not consider.

"... For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice." (John 18: 37)

"I am the life" ...
To know, to believe, wholeheartedly, to allow your faith to be greater that what seems, that is when Jesus is in your midst, when fine-tuned awareness is present.

"Jesus said to her (Martha, when her brother Lazarus had died), 'I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live and whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die'..." (John 11: 25-26)

Caiaphas was high priest when talks began of killing Jesus. How truly sad he didn't realize the extent of a prophecy he made to the council of chief priests and Pharisees: "You know nothing at all, nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish." (John 11: 49b-50) "and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad." (John 11: 52)

Isaiah 53 is a prophecy of His life, His death.

"No one comes to the Father" ... "God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the Truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, ..." (1 Timothy 2: 3b-6a)

"Except through Me." ...
To be at peace within, come to Jesus and share His life. If you are only seeking your own desires and wants and must haves, regardless of anything else, death is imminent.

"I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10: 9-10)

"Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4: 12)

Jesus says to us, "I am The Way, The Truth, and The Life, No one comes to the Father except through Me."

Philippians 4: 8 reminds us again: "...whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things."

What is on your (Christmas) list?

What do you want for Christmas? I know its only three days away. There are many who have already purchased gifts. There are just as many who have no funds to purchase anything let alone gifts. Christmas is not just for kids, Christmas is not just about getting.

This morning I was thinking of The List. The List kids work on for days, weeks ahead so Santa will know what they want and be able to get it. There are times though when there is nothing Santa can do. Sometimes the things on our list are beyond what Santa can possibly provide.

We can still ask, but not from Santa. Perhaps it is a prayer to God.

I was thinking of all the things I would like for Christmas this year. Some might seem like New Year's goals or distant dreams. Maybe so. Maybe they were on a list of long ago. Maybe not.

But here is my list ... in no particular order:

• A child in our midst ... special needs or not
  
• Contentment with whatever I have whenever I have it
  
• Unwavering faith and trust in my Lord and Savior
  
• Conscious awareness of Jesus always all around me so I am able to live and work peaceably with all and remain obedient to Him alone
  
• To not continually put my foot in my mouth, i.e.,, say things that come out wrong
  
• Eat those foods that are good for me, useful in preventing diseases/illnesses
• Enjoy sweets in smaller quantities
• Lose 25 pounds
• Extra funds, beyond enough for everyday expenses, to give to those less fortunate
• Truly meaningful relationships with family members
• Additional funds in our savings account for those unplanned emergencies
• Pain-free
• No debt
• A week-long, relaxing worry-free vacation
• To help enable my husband to obtain his master of divinity degree and achieve a longtime desire to become a hospice chaplain
  
• To be able to retire gracefully
  
• To bring others to Christ
• Go on short-term mission trips
• Become a Southern Baptist Disaster Relief volunteer
  
• Being grateful for all I have in every circumstance
• A pair of shoe skates
• Travel to Pennsylvania and Germany for genealogy research
• A well-received online Christian business through which others come to know Jesus Christ

"To Everything there is a season, A time for every purpose (or desire) under heaven." - Ecclesiastes 3:1

God is in control over all... Whatever the time, the season, God knows all... God is.

What is on your list? Respond here.

So quiet

So quiet
it was
this morning

only the hum
of the furnace
and
snow blowers working

Stillness,
starkness
white all around

Except
what is bare -
The trees
and other objects
protruding
from the
frozen tundra

grasping for warmth
for a sun not shining

So quiet
only the ticking of a clock
or chimes
ringing on the hour

Absent noises
Who do they belong to
Where do they come from
Hidden corners

So quiet
hammering I hear
The phone rings
The quietness ...
It stops.

The Savior has come

"Hosanna!
'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!'
Blessed is the Kingdom of our father David that comes
Hosanna in the highest!" - Mark 11: 9a-10a

You want a Savior, but not one who saves your soul from damnation. You want a Savior who protects you from the evils of the day, but you don't want a relationship. You want a quick fix.

That is also what the Jewish people wanted when Jesus was physically in their midst. They praised him, only to reject him.

The time is here now.
Waiting -- what are you waiting for? Do you think there is a better time ... Do you think because God has waited before He will continue to wait? I think not. The end is coming. Only He knows the time. He is ruler over all. You will find out. All who reject him now, the time will come when the opportunity to accept Him closes. And your rejection of Him will turn itself around and become His rejection of you. If you are not written in the Book of Life, you are not part of His kingdom.

The Savior has come.

Don't wait too long to make a decision. You need Him now.
He will not disappoint you. Only we disappoint ourselves and each other.

The Savior has come.
His name is
JESUS.

JOY

Dear Lord,

J-O-Y

JESUS. Thank you for coming to Earth, for bringing ... for being the gift ... of love for me and everyone. The love that surpasses, is above all we know. The gift of love you bring was brought about through first your birth, but ultimately your death, burial and resurrection.
Thank you Lord Jesus for following the will of your Father, being obedient even when you would rather have done otherwise.

OTHERS. There are many others. Friends, family, acquaintances. All known by you, but not all, certainly and unfortunately know you. To know you is much more than head knowledge. It comes from the heart. For some, their heart is just stone cold. The love they have is for the immediate, for what is seen, felt. It doesn't go beyond. It is sad.
The names. You alone know them. Any I list is incomplete.

YOU, YOURSELF. Me. I remember when I stay in your word, think on whatsoever you have to say to me, the rest of life does not seem to matter near as much. It was just the other day, actually it was two weeks ago on Dec. 4 that I was dwelling in the land of fear. That day Philippians 4:8 came to my mind. Think on what is true, what is real, not on the 'what if's.'
Remember God's Truths, not 'what you think may happen,' not 'but how will I make it.' It is God who will enable it to happen. It is me (and you) who must abide in Him, be obedient to Him, follow Him.
It is never easy.
Today is pay day. The total is less than it was 2 weeks ago, which was less than the amount 2 weeks before that.
God can enable everything to come together. We must believe He will do as He says, then be obedient to His instruction, His leadership. Without Him, we do flounder; worry sets in ... that is where Satan wants us. But definitely not where God desires us.
He will provide. God knows my left arm and hand is hurting, just like He knew when my skin was so dry it itched horrendously. When I do not stay focused on the pains of myself or loved ones or anyone, but on Him, then He will enable me to do the desires of my heart and the purposes He has for me.

Talk. Many think that's just talk. But its not. It's experiences lived through and brought to mind to teach us, remind us that God is there. And if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, He dwells within your heart as the Holy Spirit. He listens to you. He shares your pain. He loves you. He is always present. It is us who move away and become disillusioned and question what is right, what is wrong, where am I, where am I going, who am I? God knows all.

Won't you give your life to Christ? Won't you begin anew a new road, a new chapter, a new you?

He is. And You can be.

In all these things I pray in your name. Amen.

I want

If you like fudge, come on over. We have made three batches - two kinds of chocolate and candy cane. I have some every day, although that is not particularly healthy or wise. Of course since when has that stopped anybody from doing something stupid? I have next week off, the whole week, so I may not be on here very much. Never know. God may have something else in mind. I have been wondering about some things, what to do, and so far I haven't heard a reply. Perhaps I am not listening well enough. I don't know. I imagine the answer will come to me at the right time. Only God knows the right time for everything.

I found John 5:19-23 to be an interesting read this morning.
Jesus is speaking. "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do, for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.
"For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.
"For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.
"For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son,
"that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him."

If you do not honor Jesus as God's son, respect Him in all ways, then you do not honor God the Father.
God and Jesus are one. What God says, Jesus does. If you do not believe Jesus is born of God and man, then you also do not believe God is all He says He is. You do not believe in creation. You are floundering. You are sinking.

John 5:30 says, "I can of myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and my judgment is righteous, because I do not seek my own will but the will of the Father who sent Me."

Accurate through and through. I can do nothing by myself, except fail. I can do that well. I want to do, I want to live, I want to do, I want to conquer, I want to fulfill and be fulfilled, I want to love and be loved. I want all that God wants of me and for me.

Today's devotional thought

Today's devotional thought comes to you from David McCasland, who says: "The masterpiece of God's human creation, marred by turning away from Him, can be restored when we give our hearts to Christ." Have you given your heart ... have you accepted Jesus Christ ... are you born again? ... do you believe in the Lord God almighty. Jesus ... son of God and of the Virgin Mary ... born to die so we may have life. Christmas, the celebration of His LIFE, is upon us.

A day in the life of Me

Today is my first of four days off from work.

Yesterday I just did not get around to writing anything here. I spent almost three hours in the morning studying Bible passages in Philippians and John and elsewhere. It was 10:30 when I glanced at the clock and decided I had better take a bath and get lunch started.

Early today, I had an appointment with the optometrist, which included having my eyes dilated, so needless to say I wasn't in any (good) mood to do much of anything after I got home. My sunglasses were not dark enough to fight off the overly bright sunlight outdoors and indoors I wanted to hide behind closed drapes.

This afternoon Jim and I had other appointments and errands to run - he had a bone density scan, and in the process discovered he had shrunk 2 inches. But we're not going to tell anybody. So if you see it here, just don't mention it. He's still 6-1. I still have to look up to him... I'm probably shrinking too. Shrinking Violet.. ha ha. Then we picked up our free turkey at St. Luke's Hospital - all employees are provided a free turkey or ham or gift certificate. It's nice management does that for its workers.

Then off to battle some more traffic to get the grocery shopping done and the gas tank filled in the car. It's so nice to top the tank at $25 or less! At the grocery store (we shop at Aldi's) there was a blue van with the name Casual Van on it. It looked pretty casual, probably a V-8 gas guzzler. Strange.

When we got home and put the groceries away, Jim made supper and we played a new word game, Across Words. That was fun. Then I was going to make Candy Cane Fudge and he was going to crush the candy canes for me. Unfortunately he not only crushed them, he pulverized them. To say the least, I was not a happy camper. He went out and bought 50 miniature candy canes. These we had to take off the individual wrappers. That wasn't a fun process either. He didn't remember making this particular fudge last year. But we did. I found the original recipe and think it was published in The Gazette in 2005. Been nice if we could remember how we crushed those stupid candy canes last year. Otherwise, we may not be making candy cane fudge very regularly. Probably a good idea anyway, very sweet.

I put together a typewritten (computer) recipe collection of our favorites and its amazing it has managed to come together without complete disaster. If it was for someone else it would have to be perfect. As it is its a long way from perfect. But its easier to read and it won't fall apart. And that's the main thing.

I may work on a draft copy of our Christmas letter tomorrow. That would be day two. Last year we had printed our final copy on Nov. 25. Gee, I wonder what the hangup is this year. It's been a different year in many many ways. Well, we'll see what tomorrow brings. We have plans for tomorrow. We'll see what God has in mind.

So, think I'll have a cup of tea.

All that is was once before ... but

All that is was once
before
All that will be
is even now

Each experiences
something new

But it's not new
'cept for you
and me.
This moment
only
alone does it
count.

I see that.
You live long enough
You see
how things
that are now
were also
that once before.

Experiences
my mother
had in her 20s and 50s
may be
similar
to experiences
in my 20s or 50s

Not the same
but enough similar
to realize

realities of yesterday
are the
realities of today
and
future tomorrows.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I can relate to current college students because I was once one. Been there ... done that.

"That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which it may be said, 'See, this is new'? It has already been in ancient times before us. There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of things that are to come By those who will come after." - Ecclesiastes 1:9-11

Nothing stays the same.

"One generation passes away, and another generation comes; But the earth abides forever." - Ecclesiastes 1:4

It is futile, vane, meaningless to seek satisfaction in people and things. We are not satisfied, are we?

"I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity (or futile, meaningless) and grasping for the wind." - Ecclesiastes 1:14

We need the Lord. Look to Him and there we will find ultimate fulfillment. For He is the answer to all we seek.

"... I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." - John 10:10

"What comes from man will never last,
It's here today, tomorrow past;
What comes from God will always be
The same for all eternity!" - Spencer

Innocence

Innocence means having no sin.
Innocence exists until we reach the age of accountability.
A newborn is innocent

I was thinking
I was
innocent
of countless things
but
then
I couldn't
think
of what
they were.

I knew
I was
guilty
of many
many more
things.

My guilt
could
keep me
from
moving forward
from growing
from seeking
new paths
discovering
exploring
dreaming.

I struggle
within
that the guilts I carry
do not become
more
than I can bear

But I
have
Jesus
and
He
has set
me free

My burdens
are
His
burdens
and
thus,
my load
is light.

"Come to Me, all you who labor (or are weary) and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly (or humble) in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." -- Matthew 11:28-30

He died so we could live

He died for us so we could live for Him.
We are all sinners. As unbelievers, we are all dead to Christ; we live according to the world and our fleshly desires. Christ died for all. When we, as sinners, accept Christ's death for ourselves, we are re-born, we have new life in Him ... i.e., a changed lifestyle.

"and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now, all things are of God,... Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ."-- 2 Corinthians 5: 15, 16a, 17, 18a and 20a.

Blessed be the name of the Lord

Sunday afternoon we attended the 5th Sunday Fellowship at Shiloh Baptist Church in Waterloo. (A gathering of Southern Baptist churches in the northeast association get together every fifth Sunday at a different member church for song, praise, worship, food, fellowship.) We went early as well to sit in on an Introduction to Disaster Relief. It was all very interesting and left me with wanting more ... more information, more fellowship, more listening, more of God.

Shiloh's pastor, Darin Ulmer gave a thoughtful message, "Blessed be the name of the Lord," from Job 1: 6-21. In sad times, bad times, not just the good times, we are to bless the Lord. Even when things don't turn around the way we desire them too. Job lost all - his animals, his servants, his children, even his health left much to be desired, but he never gave in. He continued to bless the Lord. In verse 21, Job says, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord."

Today's devotional, titled "Waiting for Joy," took me to 2 Corinthians 4:8-18. Verse 18 says, So we don't look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever."

Scripture says our troubles will "soon" be over, but that word soon is relative. Frequently, soon can't be soon enough. It's in God's thinking. To God our troubles will soon be over, because to Him 1000 years is as 1 day and vice versa. We can be afflicted with much Trouble* - physical, emotional and mental health covering the gamut from housing, employment, transportation, friends, family. In our way of thinking and dealing with it, it sometimes lasts a long time, maybe years. And we are to bless the Lord through all. God wants us to think on eternal things, focus our minds there, rather than on the trouble here ... eventually the wait (ing) will be over and our joy will be fulfilled ... when we depart from our earthly bodies to our heavenly bodies. When there will be no more pain or sorrow. Until then, however, we are to strive to stay focused on the Lord Jesus, no other. Focused and obedient. Thankful and blessful.

Tis hard. But the results, the eternal reward tis so worth it.

*Trouble - I received an email in this morning from The Society of Professional Obituary Writers, stating: "Andrew McKie, no longer obits editor at Daily Telegraph," a newspaper in London. Comments could be left on the Obituary Forum. People will always die, death is a fact of life, and someone has to write about them,... don't they? No job is safe, even though you may think differently. Changes are on the upswing. Change is also a fact of life.

We are still to bless the Lord in all of life.

Decorating our home

We put ornaments on the Christmas tree in front of our picture window this morning. Then we took pictures of all of our handiwork of today and past days. Here is a preview. Our newest addition is a silver tinsel tree, with blue bulbs.

Is it?

All of life
the life we live
the circumstances,
events surrounding
day to day.

What
have we
accomplished
if
the end result
brings
only further pain?

Further distance
from...

Where
are you

What
is more
important
most important
in all of life

Is it you
Is it God
Is it you
in relation
to God

Is it?

"Is anything worth more than your soul?" - Matthew 16:26b

Thought for this moment:

Contentment is not getting what we want but being satisfied with what we have.

An aha! moment

Today's devotional was from Genesis 4 verses 1-16, and I finally understood what verse 3 says.

In the New King James version, verse 3: "And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord." (section of verse 4): "Abel brought firstlings of his flock..."
In the New Living Translation, verse 3: "At harvest time Cain brought to the Lord a gift of his farm produce." (section of verse 4): Abel brought "several choice lambs from the best of his flock."

The difference is in that little word "an or a." Abel gave from his best, the cream of the crop. Cain was not particular, he didn't care, his thinking was to bring any thing and pass it off as something excellent. It was second best.

By giving less than our best we do not honor God and we do not live by God's principles. We live by our own. We think that our way is always the best way and God should accept that.

And when God does not, what happens?! We react, negatively ... such as in anger. When we can't have our own way and we don't bring our anger under control, sin is the result. In the case of Cain, the firstborn son of Adam and Eve, and his younger brother, Abel, it brought about death, because Cain killed Abel.

Every action we take has its consequences. If we want to live in God's will, we must walk in fellowship and obedience to Him.

Even when we fall short, God comes to our aid. We give second best, yet we still want Him to protect us. God always gives second chances repeatedly. Always wants what is best for us. Always there showing us the way to go.

How many chances will He give before there are no more? When will we see the error of our ways? When will we give our very very best to the Lord? What is your answer?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Day...

More than a day of feasting and watching Macy's parade and televised football games, although that seems to be the norm. When I was growing up watching the Macy's Thanksgiving parade while others prepared the meal was standard. I imagine it still is. Our family was small; we never watched the football games, although sometimes we played board games after dinner, like checkers or Scrabble. Sometimes we took a nap; we were so full and tired after eating all that good, rich food. My mom always fixed scalloped oysters. Ugh! I do not like oysters, but I sure do like the flavor of them. I haven't had any for many years. Why would I fix something I would never eat?! Not even for the memories.

Thanksgiving Day...

More than being appreciative for the abundance you have. I don't know how appreciative I was when I was growing up. My mom was the primary caregiver, breadwinner in our family. My dad left us when I was 8, my grandpa died when I was 10. Yep, my mom provided the food on the table, the clothes on our back, necessary supplies for school, transportation. I'm sure I was not near as appreciative as I am now, looking back.

Thanksgiving Day...

More than one day.

Psalm 100:3a: "It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves."
God created us; creates us still. God enables our lives to come together for His purpose.

Thanksgiving is being grateful for everything ...
for all you have,
for all you have not.

I am most thankful for the relationship I have with my Lord, for my husband Jimmy, for children, which for me are pets ... BeeJay, our bunny.

Thank You Lord Jesus

The choice is ours ... along with the consequences

In the beginning, when God formed Adam from the dust of the ground and Eve from Adam's rib, choices were given - instructions to follow or not.

Adam and Eve both chose not to obey God's instructions, which were according to Genesis 2:15-17: "The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and care for it. But the Lord God gave him this warning: 'You may freely eat any fruit in the garden except fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat of its fruit, you will surely die.' "

In the days of Adam and Eve it was God's original plan for mankind to live forever, to never die, to enjoy fellowship with him, but the one stipulation was to be obedient to Him.

God formed all creatures, not just humans. Most all creatures originally were peaceful, no fighting for territorial rights, etc., like the world we currently live in. But there was one that was different - the serpent, or snake, also created by God, was more cunning than any other. And so he questioned the woman, causing her to think and ponder what would be so wrong about taking fruit from the tree of knowledge, what would be wrong with knowing everything God knew.

In Genesis 3:3b, God says we must not eat it or even touch it, or we will die.

The serpent convinced the woman she would not die. (Genesis 3:4-6)

The blame game began when after eating they were filled with shame, suddenly realizing what they had done. And when the Lord sought them, Adam blamed Eve, Eve blamed the serpent.

The serpent was sentenced by God to groveling, crawling along on its belly, not standing upright. He would forever be cursed - he became known as the devil or Satan.

Eve was sentenced to pain and suffering in childbirth.

The ground would no longer be lush and fertile; man would struggle continually to make a living from it.

Genesis 3:19 says: "All your life you will sweat to produce food until your dying day. Then you will return to the ground from which you came. For you were made from dust, and to the dust you will return."

Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden of Eden and sentenced to live in the world we know today.

Because of their disobedience to God, they became separated from God and a loving relationship with Him. Because of what they did, the rest of mankind was cursed as well. It was not God's fault they viewed his instructions for living with disdain and took their own path. It is not God's fault for the choices we make today. We were/are born to die. We (our physical bodies) would no longer live forever. Pain, disease, illness are part of this life and take its toll. We have brought about our own demise and continue to do so.

Our spiritual lives are something else.

Even with our mistakes, God still loved us and loves us still. God created mankind, which was His desire. He created you. You are not an accident. He knew you would be born; He knew the circumstances that would surround your birth and still He wanted you to be born. He loves you. You are precious to Him.

Choices still exist. We can know God. We can have a relationship with Him. Each one of us can choose to be obedient to Him or not. We can accept His son, His only son - as our personal Lord and Savior. We can have that one-on-one fellowship with God (that Adam and Eve had in the very beginning) through God's son, Jesus Christ.

Jesus is God's son and He is also Mary's son. God impregnated Mary. It's a miracle birth. All birth is a miracle. Jesus was born to die, but not in the same way we are. He was born to die; He became the sacrifice (Romans 8:3) for my sins, your sins, the sins of mankind, the sins acquired because of choices made by Adam and Eve.

Jesus went obediently to the cross at Calvary. He died, He was buried. And after three days, He arose, and after 40 days, He returned to His father in heaven. And as believers we await His return, His Second Coming.

With Jesus' death God provided the gift of forgiveness, and although we could not live forever in our physical bodies, we could spiritually have eternal life through Jesus Christ. Romans 8:10 says: "Since Christ lives within you, even though your body will die because of sin, your spirit is alive because you have been made right with God."

Because of the original sin and the physical ailments and limitations that come our way, we as Christ's followers or Christians look forward to being released from our pain and suffering. (Romans 8:21-23)

The gift is offered to all.
We can each choose to accept Jesus did this for me. We can choose to live our lives based on how He lived his. Or we can choose not to. Whatever we do, we each face the consequences for our individual actions. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God..." God gives us free will, the choice to make our own decisions.

Hold my hand

God...
Hold my hand.
Keep me from stumbling
from falling
from spiraling
downward
to Satan's grasp.

Do not let me
think
the wicked
have it all.
For they do not.

Life is more than
prosperity...
more than
poverty

Life is
You.

They don't have You.

You Lord
are more
powerful
than Satan.

God...
Hold my hand.

"Nevertheless I am continually with you; You hold me by my right hand. You will guide me with Your counsel, And afterward receive me to glory."- Psalm 73:23-24

If we ... then we must

If we profess to be followers of Jesus Christ, then we must live as He did. He teaches us to love one another -- that's everyone. The person, not necessary what they do, what they might stand for. He loves us -- enough to die for each and everyone of us.

He died for all. All of us are sinners. Some are set free, some remain choked in their chains. How do you become free you may ask.

You believe Jesus died for you. You believe Jesus is the son of God and son of Man (Mary). That He lived and died for the sins of mankind and was buried and on the third day rose again. That after 40 days He returned to heaven and sent in his place the Holy Spirit to live within each of us until His second coming. This gift of salvation is offered to each person -- past, present and future.

I accepted His gift at age 31. Some are much younger or older.

The gift is free. It is our misconceptions that cause us to think the gift has strings attached -- that we are required to give up things in our lives. There are no requirements... not really. But our desires do change if we truly have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior.

~~~~~~~
Christians we must not determine our personal preferences are more important than Jesus.
~~~~~~~

How can we profess to be His if we do not follow His example?

In John 13:34-35, Jesus says: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

I John 4:15: "Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him and he in God."
and verse 20: "If someone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; For he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?"

And the point being...?

The journeys we take. Sometimes I think its pointless to write if I have nothing outstanding to say. But then whose to say what or what is not outstanding? It's downright cold today. 10 degrees early this morning; who knows what it was when I took the 10-minute walk to the chiropractor and then the bank. I certainly didn't saunter. It was good exercise though and a cup of hot tea warmed me up after I returned home.

For Thanksgiving being so late in the month, you'd think I'd have time to get things done. Sad to say that is not the case. Some things are getting done, just not as speedily as I would like. We started decorating for Christmas this past week. We've been listening to Christmas music for going on two weeks. Usually by now we'd have a final draft of our Christmas letter. We don't have any kind of draft at present ... except a cold one (ha!)

It's a good thing shopping can be accomplished online. If the internet wasn't available (like in past times), I'd be defending myself against all sorts of traffic ... on the highways and in the malls, just everywhere. I'm relatively sure I would accomplish way less than I am now.

C'est la vie.

Time

Time is fleeting. Wish we could capture time, like the late Jim Croce wrote in the song Time in a Bottle.

I've been going through my journals of the past year so we can put together our Christmas letter. It is depressing. Of course I started with June because I couldn't immediately locate January. I should have looked harder. However January wouldn't necessarily have been any better. One disaster after another.

What made me decide to write something now was a note I made on July 8 that I thought I would share. Comments in parenthesis are additional thoughts:

"How would I live if I were alone, if Jimmy had gone on to be with you Lord? How would I live? What would be my desires - who would I listen to, who would I follow? Would I remain faithful to you o Lord? Would I follow my own path? Would I fall into a deep depression? Would I move away from here - this house, this town, my job? What would I do?

I'm not ready to find out Lord, not yet. (and still not yet. Would we ever be ready?)

Be with my beloved Jimmy, wrap him up in your arms, give him rest, comfort in the midst of all this stress.
(Continue to be with him, and I'd appreciate it ever so much if you would wrap me up too, give me rest and comfort.) We don't understand why this happened; (why, time and again) only that you have a reason for it. You are all knowing, all powerful. Help us to be, to continue to remain faithful to you and your promises, to rely on you for all, for everything, to thank you every step of the way. (Thank you for reminding me of your ever present presence.)

Never too old, never too young ... to dream

This past weekend we attended the annual state Baptist Convention of Iowa in Des Moines. Outgoing BCI president Robert "Bob" Stout, pastor of Quimby Baptist Church in Quimby, a small burg in Cherokee County, gave the message Friday night from Joshua 14: 6-13. He spoke of dreams, setting goals and perseverance.

How big are our dreams? he asked.

"You're never too old to dream, never too old to reach out to a new adventure, and never too young either," Stout said.

Dreams keep us going I sometimes think. Dreams are colorful, beautiful places or accomplishments.

God never drops dreams in our laps. That would be too easy. We have to go to battle, fight for that dream. Roll up your sleeves, sweat and strain for it. We have to be willing to accomplish God's will for us. Face the giants. It's hard work, but is it not worth it?

Who, what are the giants?

• Of opposition
  
• Of failure -- need to get ready for failure, but don't give up. Need to stay focused on what God has called you to do or be
  
• Of laziness -- or procrastination. It's easier to be content with where you are, but to reach that dream, you must be willing to pay the price and fight. Face the giants.
  

God will help us, enable us to accomplish and overcome the giants when we don't give up.

Remember, age doesn't matter to God. But you do.

Rewards

"My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work." - Revelation 22:12

Oh how easy it is for one to think it says we get to heaven by our works. But it does not say that. Not at all. Revelation tells about the end times, about the New Jerusalem, Jesus' Second Coming, His return to gather up those who have already died and those of us "left behind" - His followers still alive here on earth.

The rewards He gives are given to His followers based on their works -- their obedience to His commandments.

If you have not accepted the Son of God as your personal Lord and Savior no amount of work for Him will get you even inside His gates.

Don't be fooled.

Beware!

Today's devotional reading took me to Philippians 3. In the margins I have written "what we are on the outside doesn't always tell us what's inside. Labels don't make a person a believer in Christ." How true that is. You may say you are a Christian, you may be considered a Christian by those around you, but to really be one is something else.

Philippians 3:2-3 says "Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation! For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh."

In Old Testament days, "dogs" were what the Jews called Gentiles - i.e., everyone who was not Jewish. Here in Philippians Paul is saying "dogs" are those who strive to steal away the true beliefs of Christians. Those "who do evil" try to add something to faith as the way of salvation.

Faith is believing without seeing. Faith does not need appendages.

Jesus died for each and everyone of us individually. Faith is when we accept His death, burial and resurrection and believe it was and is for me.

Believing that requirements are necessary because someone said so is in direct opposition to the True Gospel. The True Gospel is that of Jesus Christ. There is no other. You who don't think Jesus matters may find out too too late just how much He does matter.

What we are labeled by others is not always a true description of who and what we are. It is merely often their singular belief. We should not fall prey to another.

Verse 3 paraphrased says, "We worship God in the Spirit, not the flesh, and rejoice in Christ Jesus." It is a matter of the heart. When we worship in the flesh, we are doing our own thing. We are not one with God the Father and Christ the Son.

Where are you?

Loved ones

Our memories
of
loved ones
keep them
close
and
alive
within us.

So many
gone
on
to be
with the Lord.

But
not all.

There
are others
who
have just
died...

No relationship
with
Jesus,
No
saving
knowledge
of their
lostness.

Thus,
they are
imprisoned
in the vastness
of hell.

Abide in Him

"As the Father loved me, I also have loved you; abide in My love." -- John 15:9

"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." -- John 15:5

The Lord wants us to bear fruit. To do so, we must abide, dwell with Him, i.e., obey His commandments, study His word, meditate on all He says, listen intently, think on His goodness.

When we dwell on self, we cannot be fruitful. We are not abiding with Jesus, but rather ourselves.

S - Selfish ambition, selfish desires
E - Egotistical, ego-centered
L - Lacking wisdom
F - Foolish thinking

Help me Lord to remember to remember Your Truths.

Do not succumb

Proverbs 25:11: "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver."

Do not succumb to the lowly
depths of self
It brings on depression
It takes your mind
places you should not be
It eats at you
Destroys
Do not succumb

Remember God's truths
Dwell on God's goodness,
God's love
For You

Journeying onward

God is our provider
Our care giver
All we receive is from Him

It is easy to get caught up
in
To partake
of
All that those
on the other side
(those without Jesus)
have or do

Yes, it is easy.
But not right
Not ethical
or moral
Not God's preferred way.

When we rely
totally on the Lord Jesus
When we obey
His commands for our lives
When we are one with Him
the outside world falls away

When our minds
dwell
on His word alone
We never go
We never stray
or rarely do we
We come back,
return to the fold
faster and faster.

But all struggle
Believers in Christ
struggle
It's just that we know.
We have Jesus in our hearts.
We know.

Learning and growing
It doesn't matter our age
Maturity in years
doesn't necessarily mean
we have it figured out.

We have a longer time
to get it figured out
But that doesn't mean we do.

As believers in Christ
It is when we
have gone home
our eternal home in heaven
to be with our beloved Jesus
that we truly
have it figured out.

Until then,
we journey onward.
Striving to do the Lord's bidding
Striving to be more like Him.

Are you sure Lord?

Are you sure Lord I am okay?
I am where I am to be for this moment?
Probably not.
Always seeming to be unsure.
Always it seems
I look to what others see in me
and wonder if what they see is real
is what you Lord desire them to see
I fear I am not.
Not even among friends
or those I think are friends
do I feel secure in that friendship
Fearful
I should not care
I imagine
I should just move on.
Rely totally on you.
Perhaps I am not
I never feel good enough
I'm not good enough
I will never be good enough
But friendship is important is it not?

Tell me Lord what I should do.
I feel sometimes no matter what I do, it's not right.

How should I
How do I
rise above
all that I feel
all the remorse
and sadness I feel

It isn't where I want
to be.

How Lord
How

I don't know how.

.... I can choose
to dwell
on negative thoughts
or I can choose to dwell
on Godly thoughts.

The choice is always
ours alone to make.

I am because of God
because of who God is
and what He is

No matter how strong
another thinks he is
God is stronger
God is more powerful.
God is mightier
God is.

And because of God
I am

Not because of me
But because of Him
who is greater
than I will ever be.

That doesn't make me a failure
God doesn't make failures.
Only in our own minds,
when we dwell there
and become distraught,
disillusioned within
we think we are a failure
But not to God
To Him we are a work in proress.

Today's devotional
Flawed and Frail
reminds me
The Lord is not
looking for superheros
but rather those who are
frail and flawed.
That I am.
Through our frailness
and our flawedness
The Lord brings about strength and grace

Be willing
Be available
God will work in you
Through you
To reach another.

The Lord is in charge

Barack Obama won the privilege to be the next president of the United States. He is the first black to achieve this honor.
Being president is an honor and a privilege. It involves a lot of work and long days and nights. It is not a job to be taken lightly.

I have heard many things, read many things about Obama. Rush called him sarcastically the "Messiah." But of course he is not the Messiah. There is only one who is. Jesus Christ, the true one, the only one.

Thinking, I am reminded, the Lord is in charge. The Lord will rule. He is the Almighty King. He is the True King.

Morality may have been (and still is) of little importance to the majority of peoples in this country, the United States, but it is greatly important to God and should be as well with His people. We can not bow down to another god. We are to honor the king, i.e. the president. Pay him what is due him, but nothing more. Like Jesus says to the Pharisees in Matthew 22:21, "Render (or pay) therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's."

In 1 Peter 2:17, God's people are admonished to "Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king." We are to conduct ourselves honorably, be obedient to the Lord's commands, yet submit to man's ordinances for the Lord's sake. Read what verses 11 through 16 say: "Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. Therefore, submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men--- as free, not using your liberty as a cloak for vice (or wickedness), but as servants of God."

Proverbs 24:16 and 19-22 tell us not to fret or worry because of the wickedness. That's kind of hard to follow, because there is the chance we ourselves might fall into that trap. "For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity. Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the wicked; For there will be no prospect for the evil man; The lamp of the wicked will be put out. My son fear the Lord and the King; Do not associate with those given to charge; For their calamity will rise suddenly..."

Look to the Lord. We are always to look to Him for our everything. In good times and in bad times, in feast or famine, in war and peace. Just like it says in Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8 -- To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted; A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up; A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing; A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away; A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak; A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace."

God said so. That makes it so. He is in charge. He knows what is going on. His purpose will be accomplished. Verse 17: "God shall judge the righteous and the wicked..."

We need to be mindful of Daniel's response after God revealed to him Nebuchadnezzar's dream. Daniel 2:19-22 says: "Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, And light dwells with Him."

I pray I and you will be obedient to the Lord in all things.

Appearances

It appears Barack Obama will be our next president. Not my choice. But God is still in control. God's purpose will be fulfilled. Whatever it is. Only He knows. Not any one of us. We must continue to look up. We must continue to be obedient to Him. We must be diligent in prayer. It is only through the Lord Jesus Christ that we win.

Me oh My

My legs itch.
My selfishness gets the best of me at times
My plans go awry
Me
Me
Me
My feelings
My loss
My dreams
My everything

What does God think of me?
Where am I

Is He happy with me?

Can He see my love for Him?

Is He ashamed of me

Does He consider me an evil doer
a foolish woman
a prayer warrior?

Is God pleased with my attempts to honor Him?

Does God consider me
His daughter?
Or am I alone

Should I withdraw into myself
Should I hide
Should I withdraw from activities

No one sees
No one responds

My fears
My concerns
My desires

What does God see in me?
Where am I

Am I sunshine
or clouds of gray
Am I caring
Or do I care less

Do you Lord see my love for others
Or have I betrayed you

What does God think of me
Am I growing
or am I stagnant

Is this all selfishness
to write so much
about nothing
Am I nothing

Who am I Lord
Where am I

Am I in the midst
of others with greater

I know where you are Lord
I talk to you daily
I read your holy Word
I think about what you
have to say to me
You are here, right here,
in my heart.

But where am I Lord?
Who will answer?
Ed Ames once sang a song, "Who will answer?"
Who am I Lord
Where am I

Am I where you want me to be
Are you pleased with me
Do I bring you any joy
or only anguish

It's not all about me.
But always there is a me.
The body of me make up mankind.

Woe is me

Looking in ... or is it Looking out?

Choosing

Today is Halloween, the last day of the month, and pay day for both Jim and I. I haven't written much all week. The computer was giving me fits (virus invaded a week-and-a-half ago), so I asked Jim to reformat the hard drive yesterday afternoon, which he did. It runs much better now; probably partly due to there not being much on it. But I'll be adding more as days go by.

Today's devotional reading in Our Daily Bread was titled "Who is your God?" But before reading it I peeked ahead to Nov. 4, which being election day was appropriately titled "Choosing Our Leader." Scripture was taken from Joshua 24:14-15, which says: "Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord! And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve..."

So, you know, God is in charge. He has been all along, whether we acknowledge it or not. I've seen buttons that say "I vote the Bible." My plan is to vote, make my voice heard, and no matter who is elected president, to continue to serve and follow Jesus.

As for "Who is your God?" there is only one true God. There are many false gods, imaginary gods, but only one true ONE.

I came across notes from a sermon I think my husband gave one time - there were 4 points.
1. Only 1 Truth - Jesus is the son of God. All views can not be right at the same time. People can not make up their own truth.
2. Only 1 Savior - Jesus is the only way to salvation. If you believe in Jesus you will spend eternity with Him. Other religions are alietists; they require something to have. Jesus is available to everyone, to all. You can get through to God via Jesus.
3. Only 1 basic problem with humanity - SIN. It is demonstrated from your own heart. Sins makes us guilty of judgement.
4. Only 1 solution for Sin - Jesus' life for our lives. An atonement, the perfect sacrifice. Jesus loves us enough to die for us.

Who is your God and who is your leader?

I

I feel somewhat down today
Is it because of the cold
the time of year
the many projects I have
and not all my own
why is it?
not just today though
it has been many days
sometimes

I feel so burdened
I think of many
There are many
who cross,
who come,
who are there

Some
I visit with
through Facebook
or
Twitter
or
E-mail
or
phone
or
mailed letter

Some
I make attempts
but success
is fleeting
No answer
No reply
No comment.

They are not there.

And I don't know
where
or why
or what that means
If there is
something
I should be
doing
I do not know.

The tiredness I feel
is not
necessarily
sleepy tired

but
sort of
tired from thinking
would like to
be free
from it all

not
free from being though

Not
interested
in ending
my being.

There is only
1 gospel
There is only
1 way
To life eternal
There is only
1 Christ
1 son of God
Only 1

That 1
is there for me
He can
lift my burden
if it is
His will
My desires
are not
necessarily
His desires --
His will is what matters
ultimately.
But He hears
He listens
to my turmoil
my fears
my concerns

There are
some
They are
everywhere.
think
they
are
Failures
Junk
Unwanted
Unloved
Bored

So easy to fall
in a trap
of self
So easy to fall
into
believing
what another
says of you

Harder to
ignore
to step aside
to push away

Harder to
recognize
you are worthy
you are a
Child of the
King
of Jesus Christ.
His son
His daughter
His.

So hard to do
So very hard
to do.

Help me
Lord
Lift me up
Lord
Show me
Lord
Where Lord
you would have me
go
or
do
or
be
Today.

Be me?

Do I hear
Him

Does He

"Be my child."

Appreciation

I gather much from Pastor Dan's messages morning and evening whenever I am able to attend church. He brings such insight, appropriate to what surrounds us today, or could be, whether within our individual lives, our church, city, state or country. Profound thinkings. I appreciate his guidance as our undershepherd immensely. Thank You!

More photographs

We finally took the roll of film in from pictures taken in the Mount Vernon area in late September, but then because we forgot to get the photos on a CD, had to scan them for use here.




The next two pictures were taken in color, developed in color but scanned in black-and-white. This particular one is rather serene and peaceful, with cattle far in the background. It is located in rural Mount Vernon near the Abbe Creek School Museum. The second black-and-white photo was taken at Palisades-Kepler State Park and is one of my favorites.

This last picture was taken in early October near our house in Cedar Rapids. Our lone tree did not produce the magnificent colors of others and leaves are still on it inspite of the 50 mile-per-hour winds of yesterday.

What might have been

Today is winding down. It's been a busy day. This morning when I wrote in my journal, I noted that it was my parents' wedding anniversary. IF they were still alive, and IF they had stayed married, they would have celebrated 67 years today. But alas, such was not. They made it to 18 years and then a family of 5 (my grandpa lived with us) became a family of 4.

The day was blustery. We heard wind gusts were to get up to 50 mph, and it sure felt like it. It seems winter weather is here way too soon.

Anyway, we have Sunday dinner mostly at home these days - its much more cost effective and the food is delicious. Today, friends George and Jani were joining us and they came about 12:30 p.m. By 1 p.m. we had lost half of the electricity in our house. We spent 30 minutes on the phone on hold with Alliant Energy only to have them tell us we might have to get an electrician. We discovered 1. a cable wire was hanging low; and 2. an electrical wire was somewhat low, with one of two wires that are supposed to be attached to the house, not attached. Alliant would send someone out to check on it. As to when that's pretty much unknown. They have yet to come. A call to an elecrician indicated it would cost $149 just to come check on the problem on a Sunday. No way! I said we should pray first, ask God what we were to do. No charging. We consolidated our debts to avoid the charging rut we were in. There is no way I want to charge anything, no mater what the amount. So we will wait. We are making do. Fortunately, we have heat, the cable works - computers and TV and some of the lights downstairs. As for upstairs, three rooms have electricity - smaller bedroom, bathroom and dining room. But we have lots of power cords and they're in use. We have a garage, and although the electrical door opener doesn't work, we can still pull the door up and down.

Would you believe it was snowing after evening church? Last year we had ice in November, this year we have blowing snow in October. I really hope we do not have a near repeat of this past year.

Well, that's all I have to share with you tonight. I've had my cup of tea and
checked out a new blog. Another day perhaps...

Walk with Jesus: The Bible is Pro Choice

The following Walk With Jesus commentary is copyrighted by Jim Reynolds, pastor of First Baptist Church, LaGrange, Missouri. This particular message is written by his wife, Deanna.

With the election coming quickly upon us, I was rehearsing in my mind all the different reasons given for one being “pro-life” or “pro-choice”. I remembered a verse from Deuteronomy 30:19. “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So CHOOSE…..”

We all make decisions countless times a day: what to wear, what to eat, what to read, etc. But we also make much more critical choices on a daily basis. For example, I choose not to die from lung cancer, therefore, I choose not to smoke. I choose to do everything within my power to not die from heart disease, therefore, I choose to eat healthy and exercise regularly. I choose to not wake up with a hangover, therefore, I choose to not consume alcohol. I choose to not die by lethal injection or electric chair, therefore, I choose to not murder. I choose to not pay $100 speeding tickets, therefore, I choose to not speed.

As a single adult, I chose to not suffer from sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies, therefore, I chose abstinence until I was married. All of my choices have a common goal – to avoid negative, unwanted, harmful, even fatal consequences. For the same reasons, I choose to stay out of debt, save money, remain faithful to my spouse, pray for my children, obey the law, treat others with respect, and the list goes on and on. Besides simply being the right thing to do, I choose not to suffer unnecessary consequences. I experience enough consequences daily when I mess up on “the little things” to understand the idea of “cause and effect.”. I also understand that when I do mess up (which is often) I do not need judgment nor condemnation, but like everyone, I need the love and compassion of God and His Church to accept me and get me back on the right path.

So here’s my point…if a woman wants the “right to choose” whether or not she wants to have a baby along with all the responsibility that raising a child entails, shouldn’t that choice be made long before the actual life of the child is conceived? You see, abortion is not about choosing to not have a child, it’s about choosing to not face the natural result, dare I say consequences, inherent with the risk taken when engaging in sex (whether married or unmarried).

In all of scripture, the Bible clearly points out that we all have free will – FREEDOM OF CHOICE. And there are natural results and consequences, both positive and negative, to every choice. Although the right to choose our actions is freely granted to all, the right to eliminate ensuing consequences is NOT. You can choose to smoke but you cannot decide to NOT have lung cancer once you are stricken with it. You can eat whatever you want and never exercise; however, you cannot choose to no longer have heart disease after the first heart attack. You can choose to exceed the speed limit, but you cannot refuse to pay the speeding ticket once it’s been issued – unless you prefer more severe consequences instead.

Try as you might, consequences cannot be escaped forever. And trying to eliminate initial consequences will bring more severe ones in the aftermath. Gratefully, the Bible is also clear, that when we make wrong choices, we can choose to return to the right path and receive forgiveness. It’s never too late to make that choice.

Like I said, the Bible is Pro-Choice, and graciously it encourages us to make the right choice and then follows it up with the promised blessing. Deut. 30:19 continues “…..So CHOOSE LIFE in order that you may live, you and your descendants.”

When I go to the polls, that is what I promise to do in regards to every candidate on the ballot, regardless of political party – I will CHOOSE LIFE.

My name is Deanna Reynolds and I am campaigning on behalf of the RIGHT TO CHOOSE for the innocent unborn children in America. I approve this message.

Walk WITH Jesus,

Deanna

Additional Walk with Jesus articles may be found here

Vote Values on Nov. 4

God knows the outcome

God knows the outcome of the coming election. He does not approve of attempts to thwart justice for each individual, although He does allow it. ... for a purpose, His purpose.

The sins that come about because of any given calamity reign with the individual - each of us is responsible for our choices, good or bad, thus determining our ultimate destiny, be it reward or punishment.

From Lamentations 3:35-38, the Scriptures say:
"To turn aside the justice due a man before the face of the Most High,
"Or subvert a man in his cause - The Lord does not approve.
"Who is he who speaks and it comes to pass, when the Lord has not commanded it?
"Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that woe and well-being proceed?"

and from Isaiah 45:7:
"I form the Light and create darkness,
I make peace and create calamity;
I, the Lord, do all these things."