I took a walk with Chris last night. The weather was perfect for walking; the sun was just going down for the night, the humidity was low, the temperature just perfect. The time together was precious and enjoyable. Sixteen months ago, I would not even have considered such a walk, fearful of the physical pain that would be sure to come with the exertion. Last night, I had no pain and the time with Chris is so much more than money can ever buy. The past fifteen months have not been easy, and yet I would not wish them away. As the line in a song goes “in missing the pain, I am also missing the dance.” Because I have put my hope, my trust, my faith in the Father, I am able to dance in the journey.
"Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God." Psalm 146:5 (NIV)
"The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me." Psalm 138:8a (NIV)
Thank you, Father, for being able to dance in journey.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
Nakacations
USA Today (newspaper of choice if I must read one) reported that 2010 is the year of Nakations! It is a new word (shades of neologism in my mind) that means naked vacations. I like vacations, love all kinds of traveling and experiencing different things, but this is a bit much for this grandma.
"Travelers indicate in their reviews that the real appeal of nude beaches has nothing to do with flaunting one's flesh or checking out the neighboring eye candy," said Amelie Hurst, a TripAdvisor spokeswoman. "Rather the spaces often benefit from a lack of crowds and beautiful settings that can be enjoyed by any demographic." Yep, that is so why those who go to the nude beaches, ……….. really?
Guess traveling is light since no clothes have to be packed. I think, however, that I will skip the Nakation this year. How about you?
"Travelers indicate in their reviews that the real appeal of nude beaches has nothing to do with flaunting one's flesh or checking out the neighboring eye candy," said Amelie Hurst, a TripAdvisor spokeswoman. "Rather the spaces often benefit from a lack of crowds and beautiful settings that can be enjoyed by any demographic." Yep, that is so why those who go to the nude beaches, ……….. really?
Guess traveling is light since no clothes have to be packed. I think, however, that I will skip the Nakation this year. How about you?
Faith Filled Friday
Seen on a sign in the shop of my husband's aunt & uncle (Vinyl & Stitch) "Faith is not believing that God can, it is KNOWING God will."
"I know the plans I have for you", says the Lord, "plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)
"I know the plans I have for you", says the Lord, "plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)
Monday, August 9, 2010
Today is Book Lover's Day
Today is book lover's day. I appreciate books and hear grumblings by family members every time we move because of all the books that move with me. I can reread many times over a good book; it is like being welcomed by a good friend. Reading has taken me places that I have yet to go or most likely will never get to go to. From the time I can remember I have fallen asleep reading books. Books have always been on my nightstand. I have been able to experience things vicariously; I learn so much through reading books.
I thought I would share with you what I reading now. Just so you don't get eye strain looking at the picture to figure out the titles, here is a list of what I am enjoying:
Change is Like a Slinky- Hans Finzel
I am Hutterite- Mary Ann Kirby
The Heart Mender- Andy Andrews
When Generations Collide- Lynn Lancaster & David Stillman
Driving Change: The UPS Approach to Business- Mike Brewster & Frederick Dalzell
Jesus Wants to Save Christians- Ron Bell & Don Colden
The Generational Imperative- Chuck Underwood
Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus- Wayne Stiles
Knock Out- Catherine Coulter
Blue Dahlia- Nora Roberts
Heart of a Cowboy- Margaret Daley
Along with books for school: Organization Development and Change, Action Research, and Dissertations and Theses from Start to Finish.
But, my favorite right now is the One Year Chronological Bible, the NLT. Doing a study online with this and it is great!
So, what are you reading? What is your favorite book of all time? Favorite author?
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Attributes of God
Reading along in the One Year Chronological Bible (NLT) for today, I saw the many attributes of God. The readings were in Isaiah, a prophetic book, chapters 48:12-52:12.
He is:
1st and last (48:12)
Sovereign (48:16)
Redeemer (48:17/ 49:7/52:9)
Holy (48:17/ 49:7)
teacher (48:17)
leads (48:17)
creator (49:5)
merciful (49:10)
comforter (49:13)
fights for us (49:25)
provider
Mighty one (49:26)
rescue-er (50)
giver of justice (51:4)
powerful (52:6)
protector (52:12)
All that and He claims me! I am His through the blood shed by Jesus Christ!
Thank you Father, being all that you are, and yet, you claim me, you care for and about me.
He is:
1st and last (48:12)
Sovereign (48:16)
Redeemer (48:17/ 49:7/52:9)
Holy (48:17/ 49:7)
teacher (48:17)
leads (48:17)
creator (49:5)
merciful (49:10)
comforter (49:13)
fights for us (49:25)
provider
Mighty one (49:26)
rescue-er (50)
giver of justice (51:4)
powerful (52:6)
protector (52:12)
All that and He claims me! I am His through the blood shed by Jesus Christ!
Thank you Father, being all that you are, and yet, you claim me, you care for and about me.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Hiding My Sin
"But I know you well- where you stay and when you come and go." 2 Kings 19:27a, Isaiah 37:28a.
I remember watching a tv show where a very special vase had been broke by kids playing ball in the house, something they had been repeatedly told not to do. The kids tried to glue to vase back together and looked like a successful job. At least until the mother went to water the plant and the water seeped out everywhere. The kids were found out.
Now and then I am like that when I sin. I want to try and hide what I have done from God. I know better. God is omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, so why do I try and hide it from Him? Guilt, shame, pride. And yet, the bible tells us in Numbers 32:23 “and you may be sure that your sin will find you out.” Through the work of the Holy Spirit God works on my heart about the sin, and about trying to hide it from Him.
However, when I confess, forgiveness is immediate. My father loves me and wanted to have that sin out in the open so that I may rid myself of it and have the desired relationship with Him.
Father, forgive me for trying to hide my sin and for my sin. I know You are loving and want me to walk in your ways, ways that are for my good. I ask for forgiveness and thank you that You see me, when I am good, and when I am bad and You love me regardless. Amen.
I remember watching a tv show where a very special vase had been broke by kids playing ball in the house, something they had been repeatedly told not to do. The kids tried to glue to vase back together and looked like a successful job. At least until the mother went to water the plant and the water seeped out everywhere. The kids were found out.
Now and then I am like that when I sin. I want to try and hide what I have done from God. I know better. God is omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, so why do I try and hide it from Him? Guilt, shame, pride. And yet, the bible tells us in Numbers 32:23 “and you may be sure that your sin will find you out.” Through the work of the Holy Spirit God works on my heart about the sin, and about trying to hide it from Him.
However, when I confess, forgiveness is immediate. My father loves me and wanted to have that sin out in the open so that I may rid myself of it and have the desired relationship with Him.
Father, forgive me for trying to hide my sin and for my sin. I know You are loving and want me to walk in your ways, ways that are for my good. I ask for forgiveness and thank you that You see me, when I am good, and when I am bad and You love me regardless. Amen.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Forgiveness
"For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." Matthew 6: 14-15 (NIV)
"Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times? Jesus answered, "I tell you , not seven times, but seventy times seven." Matthew 18:21-22 (NIV)
Corrie Ten Boom, a Christian woman who survived a Nazi concentration camp during the Holocaust, said, "Forgiveness is to set a prisoner free, and to realize the prisoner was you."
Have you ever shared something with someone you thought of as a friend only to have that confidence made public or told to another person? The feeling of betrayal is like a knife in the back. The first instinct is to get even, yet Jesus calls us on this, telling us to act in a different manner. He tells us to forgive, not once, but seventy times seven. In the act of forgiveness, we also need to examine our own actions; perhaps we are really the ones needed to be forgiven. Seventy times seven sounds like a lot, but look at what Christ has forgiven us and that number pales in comparison. Mary Fairchild writes, “we forgive out of obedience to the Lord. It is a choice, a decision we make. However, as we do this "forgiving," we discover the command is in place for our own good, and we receive the reward of our forgiveness - freedom.”
Thank you Father for the forgiveness found in Christ, for the redemption that I can never repay. May I be reminded when I am hurt by others that the hurt I feel is nothing compared to what You feel when I sin. May I always remember the price paid for my freedom. Amen.
"Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times? Jesus answered, "I tell you , not seven times, but seventy times seven." Matthew 18:21-22 (NIV)
Corrie Ten Boom, a Christian woman who survived a Nazi concentration camp during the Holocaust, said, "Forgiveness is to set a prisoner free, and to realize the prisoner was you."
Have you ever shared something with someone you thought of as a friend only to have that confidence made public or told to another person? The feeling of betrayal is like a knife in the back. The first instinct is to get even, yet Jesus calls us on this, telling us to act in a different manner. He tells us to forgive, not once, but seventy times seven. In the act of forgiveness, we also need to examine our own actions; perhaps we are really the ones needed to be forgiven. Seventy times seven sounds like a lot, but look at what Christ has forgiven us and that number pales in comparison. Mary Fairchild writes, “we forgive out of obedience to the Lord. It is a choice, a decision we make. However, as we do this "forgiving," we discover the command is in place for our own good, and we receive the reward of our forgiveness - freedom.”
Thank you Father for the forgiveness found in Christ, for the redemption that I can never repay. May I be reminded when I am hurt by others that the hurt I feel is nothing compared to what You feel when I sin. May I always remember the price paid for my freedom. Amen.
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