Saturday, December 21, 2013

Small packages

I work with some amazing people. The folks with whom I spend weekdays are good with numbers; that's pretty much a given since we work in accounting! But my coworkers are also gifted with incredible talents. A couple of them possess amazing knitting skills. Another cooks, bakes and cans fantastic edible delights. Still another etches glass. Our colleague, Kevin, creates stained glass wonders.

Last week, Kevin brought in some of his stained glass creations. The pieces he brought will be Christmas gifts for his family and friends. Each piece is unique. Kevin painstakingly designs each one for its intended recipient. His masterpieces are gorgeous! As he unpacked each item, we oohed. We aahed. I drooled with envy. I even dropped hints at how "special" we, his coworkers were, especially with Christmas approaching!

And then yesterday, an entirely unexpected event occurred.

Here's how it unfolded.

I'm the first to arrive at the office each morning, and as I unlocked the door yesterday, I noticed a spread of gifts. Eight gifts. Eight presents, beautifully wrapped in shiny paper and bedecked with perfectly shaped bows. Upon inspecting the tags, the Sherlock Holmes in me deduced that the handwriting was Kevin's.

I did a happy dance right then and there.

One by one, as my fellow coworkers arrived, I shared my discovery. With great anticipation, we waited for an announcement. Sure enough, mid morning, Kevin came out of his office. I squealed with delight. I jumped up and down like a little child. And then he assembled us for an unwrapping event, complete with game, poems and clues. Numbers drawn, we opened our gifts.

A snowman. A snowflake. A star. Santa. Christmas tree. Poinsettia. Candy cane. Snow-covered pine.


With joy we shared in the celebration of a shared gift. It was a great day!

As we eagerly await Christmas in the coming week, the events of my work week reminded me to:
  • Discover God's gift that awaits me
  • Share the news of this great gift 
  • Anticipate the gift of Jesus with joy and delight
  • Realize this precious gift is given specifically for me
  • Celebrate this generous gift with family and friends
2 Corinthians 8:9 (The Message):
"You are familiar with the generosity of our Master, Jesus Christ. Rich as he was, he gave it all away for us - in one stroke he became poor and we became rich."

Matthew 20:28:
"the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

And the well-know Isaiah 9:6-7:

"For a child has been born - for us!
 the gift of a son - for us!
He'll take over
 the running of the world.
His names will be: Amazing Counselor,
 Strong God,
Eternal Father,
 Prince of Wholeness
His ruling authority will grow,
 and there'll be no limits to the wholeness he brings.
He'll rule from the historic David's throne
 over that promised kingdom.
He'll put that kingdom on a firm footing
 and keep it going
With fair dealing and right living,
 beginning now and lasting always.
The zeal of the GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies
will do all this."

Merry Christmas, dear friends. Merry Christmas. May the Peace of Christ be with you. Now and always.

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Holes

I had a meeting across campus Wednesday morning. Meetings are rarely on my agenda, but when they are, I usually enjoy the walk to and from the various campus locations. Not so on Wednesday. On the way back to my office, the blustery weather was miserable. The wind roared and the December air delivered the promise of bone chilling cold. As I hurried across the parking lot toward my building, I noticed a pair of colleagues from our Physical Plant grounds crew. They had just pulled out a group perennials from a planting area and were using a power tool to dig holes. In those holes they were placing bulbs. Bulbs that will spring forth with new life in a few short months.





On the brink of this winter season, spring and warm weather were the farthest things from my mind. Instead, the guarantee of a long, dreary winter consumed my thoughts. And yet here, in front of me, was a sign of spring. Of new life. Of hope.

Isn't it easy to be that way with life too? To be consumed with the dreary heaviness of our current situation? Sickness. Disease. Loss. Financial hardship. It's extremely easy to stay in the muck and mire of life's crud. We only focus on the roaring wind of adversity. Heartache and hardships are very real, but redirecting our gaze changes the bleak, winter landscape to one of vibrant, lush greenery.  Right in front of us, hidden in the holes of life, lies the hope that comes from living with a simple trust in Jesus.

One of the most precious verses in the Bible comes from Romans 15:13 -

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."


Sunday, November 17, 2013

You take my breath away...

My hubby and I just returned from eight relaxing, refreshing, rejuvenating days on beautiful Hilton Head Island. An outstanding November vacation. I need to let you know that we completely veg on vacation. I mean serious vegging. Sightseeing? Doesn't happen. Tourist attractions? Don't see them. Our days are filled with beach walking, sunbathing, bike riding and being couch potatoes.

We follow a predictable routine. A typical day begins with waking around six o'clock, grabbing a cup of coffee and donning our walking shoes. We head down the short boardwalk that leads to our destination:  the miles of sandy shoreline which afford perfect sunrise viewing.



November in Hilton Head is considered winter season and few vacationers are evident. Fewer still is the number of people on the beach at sunrise. Those who are present are intentional. They know they are in for the treat of God's amazing daily display. They have cameras in hand.

A few surprise me. The die hard morning beach runner, in runner's nylon shorts. The face-pierced, stocking-capped, jeans-mid-buttocks-wearing teen boy. The pajama clad young mother with toddler in tow.

As the moment arrives, all activities stop. My husband and I cease our walk. The runner pauses his morning work out. The beatnik pulls his hand from his chained back pocket. The mother pulls her child to her chest. All are armed with cameras and we capture the shared moment. God's creation screams for our attention and we listen.

God's brushstroke painted all these masterpieces on the same morning:







Psalm 19:1-3 (NIRV):

"The heavens tell about the glory of God. The skies show that his hands created them. Day after day they speak about it. Night after night they make it known. But they don't speak or use words. No sound is heard from them. At the same time, their voice goes out into the whole earth. Their words go out from one end of the world to the other."

I miss our beach walks already.

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Fungus

Each fall, I have the privilege of helping my husband during his busy sprinkling winterization season. I run around with a handheld radio, acting the part of a roving commando, trudging amid misting, hissing sprinklers, all while assisting him with his larger condominium complexes. It's great fun!

Part of my job during these days includes tapping down "stuck up" sprinkler heads, changing controller zones and checking for broken heads and lines. Naturally for me, this allows for much distraction as well. I notice landscape plants, flowering bushes, lawn ornaments and mole holes.

Last week, at one such stop, I was completely sidetracked by the growth on a particular tree. The growth was huge. Gigantic. Humongous.

Cell phone in hand, I went to investigate. Here, for your viewing pleasure are the photos. Be amazed!





My inquisitive nature urged me to research tree fungus. I literally found hundreds of pictures with scientific names like Inonotus radiatus, Bjerkandera adusta and Piptoporus betulinus. Better still were the fun common names like Shaggy Scalycap, Beefsteak fungus and Turkeytail. I never did find a picture of my fungus, but I did find some interesting findings. It seems that some tree fungus can be hard to identify at first. In some cases, the fungus enters through a tree injury and settles in the roots and the lower trunk and trunk base. Eventually the tree will fall over from the burden. So sad!

The danger is in allowing the fungus to invade, infect and grow. Contacting an arborist is important for the health of infected trees. An arborist can identify, cultivate and treat tree diseases.

As with trees, people risk infection. Like trees, the initial infestation may be hard to identify. For me, the symptoms include gossip, worry, self absorption and distraction. As my focus turns inward, the fungus grows and contaminates other areas of my life. In James 3:8 we are warned about our speech. "...but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison." Yikes!

Thankfully, once we identify the fungus, we can call on our arborist. He can treat, remove and transfer our fungi burden. He takes this burden. He bears it all. We are made healthy and well. All traces of the former fungi removed. All praise to God. Rejoice in the words of Psalm 68:19-20:

"Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign LORD comes escape from death."

If you have an infestation, pick up the prayer line and give the Great Arborist a call.


Sunday, October 27, 2013

Love letter

If you've followed the blog the last month or so, you know my daughter married last month and we subsequently welcomed her husband into our family with open arms!

One of the most tender moments of the day took place prior to the wedding ceremony and just before Lorie and Phil took their "first look." For wedding novices, the first time the bride and groom see each other on their big day has officially been titled "the first look" by lifestyle photographers.

Lorie and Phil decided to forego wedding gifts for each other, and opted instead to write a card or note to be delivered by the mistress of ceremonies immediately prior to "the first look." The wedding party gals and the two of us moms had finished dressing and we were fussing over Lorie's finishing touches as Phil's card was delivered.

Now I have no idea what that card said, or what words Phil wrote in his enclosed letter, but I can testify to Lorie's reaction as she read that love letter. Her soft smile disappeared and tears of emotion spilled from her eyes as she read Phil's affirmation of love. Her tears were joined with tears all around as we witnessed true love on display.

Throughout the entire day, the love Phil and Lorie share was evident in their expressions of pure joy. Lorie glowed. Phil beamed. Their love: undeniable.

Paul writes to the Corinthians to tell them they are letters. Letters written by God, not on paper, but in their hearts. From 2 Corinthians 3:2-6, Paul writes:

"Your very lives are a letter that anyone can read just looking at you. Christ himself wrote it-not with ink, but with God's living Spirit; not chiseled into stone, but carved into human lives-and we publish it. We couldn't be more sure of ourselves in this-that you, written by Christ himself for God, are our letter of recommendation. We wouldn't think of writing this kind of letter about ourselves. Only God can write such a letter. His letter authorizes us to help carry out this new plan of action. The plan wasn't written out with ink on paper, with pages and pages of legal footnotes, killing your spirit. It's written with Spirit on spirit, his life on our lives."

My prayer is this:

Please help me glow with love for you, oh Lord of my life. Write your letter of love in the depths of my heart. May my love for You be evident in my daily expressions of pure joy! Thank you, Jesus. Amen

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Adjoining rooms...

Let's daydream a bit. Take a minute to think about one person you would really, I mean really, like to meet. A sports figure. A political person. A movie star. Or in my case, a country singer. Yep, for me, it's Keith Urban. Whoa baby!

Once you've figured out who this person is, picture yourself in a hotel. You've just checked into a luxury hotel and your expansive room is one of those cool rooms which has a connecting door to the room next door. Adjoining rooms. These rooms each have doors that, when unlocked and opened, entitle you to pass through to the other room without leaving your room via the hallway.


You're relaxing in your room when you hear a commotion out front. Looking out your window, you see your person, THE person you most want to meet, walking into the lobby of the hotel. Moments later, you're rocked to find out that your person is staying in the adjoining room!

If you're anything like me, you are itching to open your side of the adjoining doors. You know the other door will be closed and locked, but your curiosity is building by the minute. With your heart beating wildly, you decide to throw caution to the wind. As you hold your breath, you knock softly silently turn the lock and fling open the door only to find the adjoining door...gasp!...OPEN!

There stands Keith. Or Harrison. Or George. Or Angelina. Or Catherine. You hear the words, "I've been waiting for you to open the door. I heard that one of my biggest followers was staying next door. Come in. I'm anxious to meet you."

What a moment.

All it took was the courage to knock.

Jesus tells us to be bold and persistent in our requests of the faith. Jesus tells us in Luke 11: 9-10 that all we need to do is,

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."

Who's checked into the room next door?








Friday, October 11, 2013

Inside out...

A Facebook friend of mine posted last week that she went to work and never noticed that she had worn her shirt inside out all day long! This post made me smile remembering the day I went to work with two mismatched shoes on my feet. In my defense, they were the same style, one just happened to be navy while the other was black!

Hmmm, inside out. What if we could focus more on what's on the inside instead of what we see on the outside?

It's silly how much time...and money...women spend on their looks. And believe me, I am including myself here!



Manicures. Pedicures. Hair cuts. Color. Highlights. Then add in the beauty products. Gels. Lotions. Perfumes. Serums. Puttys.


Human beings, men and women alike, are experts at wearing masks.We are terrified of not measuring up. We go to great lengths striving for perfection.

It's as if our true selves are not worthy to be seen.


Jesus is not concerned with our outward appearance. He is interested in the matters of the heart. In fact, he warns us about being concerned about our outward appearance while our insides are rotting. In Luke 11, Jesus scolds the Pharisees with these words: "Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also?"

The next time I pick up my mascara and eye liner, I need to remember to "dress up" my heart as well. I need to petition the Lord with the words from Psalm 57 (here from The Message):

"Soak me in your laundry and I'll come out clean, scrub me and I'll have a snow-white life. Tune me in to foot-tapping songs, set these once-broken bones to dancing. Don't look too close for blemishes, give me a clean bill of health. God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life. Don't throw me out with the trash, or fail to breathe holiness in me."

Thanks for the loofah, Jesus! I'll need it daily to clean my innermost parts!


Friday, October 4, 2013

Northern Michigan Breakfast

Randy and I recently returned from our annual northern Michigan kayaking getaway. Nothing spells R-E-L-A-X-A-T-I-O-N like a few days away in upper lower Michigan. If you're not from Michigan, hold out your left hand and look at the point where the bottom of your fingernail touches your middle finger. That is one place we Michiganders call upper lower Michigan.

The destination for this yearly adventure is a small cluster of cabins situated a stone's throw from the swift current of the Sturgeon River. Our rustic log cabin, while complete with all the necessary comforts of home, has wonderfully charming characteristics. Sloping floors. Mismatched dishes.
Pull cords in place of light switches. A huge field stone fireplace. Curtains made from patterned bed sheets.

The cabin's kitchen is well stocked. Utensils, pots, pans and dinnerware are in abundance. Normally, random items such as coffee filters, toothpicks and salt and pepper are also readily available. We lack none of life's simple necessities.

Randy spoils me on these northern vacations. His special treat for me involves preparing all the meals. He loves making breakfast. He enjoys barbecuing on the outdoor charcoal grill. I literally sit like a queen and wait for my food. I bask in the glory of this small kingdom!

On our first morning, while licking my chops waiting to be served my fried eggs, bacon, sausage and muffin, I decided to set the table and put out the condiments. We'd purchased jelly, butter and peanut butter, so I set those on the table. We bought paper towels to serve the dual purpose of clean up and napkin substitute. Check. Plates, coffee cups, silverware. Check. Check. Check. And then the search began in earnest for salt and pepper. I searched the cupboards. I opened drawers. I peeked on shelves. Then, hiding behind the plastic glasses, I found one little plastic shaker containing...pepper. NO salt!

A home cooked breakfast is, hands down, the best meal of the day. But eggs without salt...now that's an entirely different matter altogether. Those eggs are bland, bland, bland!

Now I'm no salt guru by any means, but I do know that salt enhances the flavor of food. A little sprinkle of salt on vegetables and meat makes for a delicious feast. A dash of salt in boiling water brings out the sweetness in corn on the cob. We even add salt to cookie dough to bring out its sweet goodness! The tiniest amount of salt makes for a great transformation!

In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us that we are the salt of the earth. We are to spread flavor throughout his creation. We are tasked with seasoning the earth with his goodness. Only by the grace of God are we able to do these things through him. Likewise, Jesus warns us about losing our "saltiness."

Matthew 5:13 from the Message:
"Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage."

We were able to salvage the tastiness of our breakfast by using the remnants of sea salt from the jar of North Carolina peanuts we packed along. We're nothing if not creative geniuses!

Let's get shaking!





Sunday, September 22, 2013

Wedding plans



I wrote the following post earlier this week and interestingly enough, never posted it!

In the days since, we have become in-laws! Our daughter and her finance were married yesterday in a beautiful ceremony filled with the presence of God. Their wedding party consisted of an an amazing collection of young Christian men and women who seemed to enjoy every minute of the joy-filled day. The reception attendees were a fabulous group of family, friends and coworkers.

The day was blessed from beginning to end. We are thankful for the way Lorie and Phil have centered their relationship in Christ. This fact makes a parent's heart smile.

So without further ado, here are my thoughts from earlier this week:

We have been planning a wedding since mid-November. We are in the final days leading up to the happy event and excitement builds with each passing day!

Planning a wedding means coordinating some pretty big items. Finding an amazing reception venue, securing the perfect photographer and landing a beautiful florist fall into this category. These are all important items in wedding planning, bur for me, I thrive on the little things. Being an anal accountant means I love focusing on the details. Details like hand-stamped thank you cards. Program wording. Bridesmaid dress hangers. Place cards.

I am blessed to have a daughter who graciously allows me to handle these little details! And let me say, I am having a ball!

On the flip side, it has been great fun watching Phil, my future son-in-law, go to pain-staking lengths to make the day special for his bride. He has taken great care in assembling a picture video montage. He's chosen meaningful music for the ceremony and reception. He is being very mysterious about his plans for their wedding night accommodations.

Phil loves Lorie and finds joy in pleasing her. Likewise for Lorie. They both recognize the significance their vows hold and realize these vows mean a life-long commitment to each other. We've told them we have a "no-return" policy!

The love an earthly bridegroom has for his bride pales in comparison with the love God has for us. In fact, the Bible compares God to a bridegroom and us to his bride. Imagine that! Daydream a bit, and allow yourself to ponder the great plans God has for us, and how painstakingly he's chosen the details of our union with him!

Isaiah 62:5 says, "As a young man marries a young woman, so will your Builder marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you."

Are you ready to say, "I do?"



Monday, September 9, 2013

Best Laid Plans...

Today is Monday. First day of the work week. A day I planned out just like any other day, because, you see, I am a planner.

I had my day planned out by nearly an hour by hour time frame.

Today, my best laid plans went awry at 7:25 a.m.

My daughter, Lorie, and I have developed a morning work day ritual. She calls me on her commute into work and we chat. Lately, our conversations center around wedding planning. But today, it centered around the rainy weather and how ridiculous people drive during a rainstorm.

Today, at 7:25 a.m., one of those very people pulled from a parking lot directly into the path of Lorie's car. Her shriek and the simultaneous sound of a crash brought my throat to my toes. Thankfully, we never lost contact. Tearfully, she described what she could in her shocked state. Pain in her chest and legs. Airbags deployed. Windshield cracked. Random car parts in the road.


After a trip to the ER via ambulance and multiple tests and x-rays, Lorie was declared whole. She is stiff. She is sore, but she is whole. We give our thanks and praise to God for protecting her.

Tomorrow, Lorie will be back in her classroom, teaching her students.


Tomorrow, I will attempt to relinquish control of my day. Tomorrow, I will wake up and ask the Lord to bless my day. I will ask him to be the center of my day. Tomorrow, I will leave the day in the Lord's hands.

Tomorrow, I will try to live in the day and cherish it as the gift it is.


Number 6:24-26:

""The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace,""

26 

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Hickory Dickory Dock



We have lived in our home for twenty three years. During those years, we've had the occasional mouse in the ceiling. We've had an occasional mouse in the wall. But to my recollection, I don't think we've ever had a mouse running loose in the house.

That is, not until last night.


My husband and I had just finished watching the latest episode of  "Duck Dynasty" on my laptop, and I was logging off when a flash of gray caught my attention. A not so tiny mouse dashed across our living room floor, stopped abruptly, turned about-face and exited out toward our dining room.

"There's a mouse in our house!"

Upon hearing my cry, my husband came down from our second floor and told me he thought he saw something run past him when he opened the garage door as he was locking up for the night. He looked around briefly and seeing nothing, thought he had imagined it. Not so.

This furry foe was now touring our home. And so the hunt began. As I skittishly tip toed around our main floor, opening doors and turning on lights hoping for a chance glimpse of our new house guest, Randy was downstairs, doing the same. A few minutes later a "found him!" was called up from our lower level. "Jerry" was hiding under our desk. Armed with a broom, I joined Randy in the basement.

When Randy poked the broom under the desk, Jerry made a bee line under the couch. Shrieking and dancing, the two of us took new positions for surveillance (mine happened to be atop the coffee table). Randy and I were a good tag team, but we needed a third partner for sure fire success. I ran upstairs to grab our trusty flashlight. Thinking we had him cornered, Jerry outran us and scurried under the door to our work room. Score one for Jerry!

Our workroom, slash junk room, slash catch all room, had lots of good hiding spots for Jerry. Flashes of the movie, Mouse Hunt, came to mind. Needless to say, we spent the next half hour moving junk, cornering Jerry, losing Jerry and moving more junk. All the while, I managed to find the safest high spot from which to observe.

In the end, the trio of husband, wife and flashlight spelled DOOM for Jerry. We were victorious and poor Jerry lost in a valiant fight to the finish. Alone, it would have been hard to defeat Jerry. As a pair we had a definite advantage. Armed with a beacon of light, we were sure winners.

As Christians, our lives mirror that of last night's game of hide and seek. Alone, we are vulnerable and can be under attack. When we share our walk with other Christians, we can fight a good battle. But when we are armed with the light of truth, Jesus Christ, we cannot be broken. We are sure winners.

The following is a passage read often at weddings to portray the bond of husband and wife whose lives are Christ-centered. These verses from Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 are an encouragement for all Christians seeking fellowship with other believers:

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor; if either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Hidden danger....

I'm the ultimate exercise procrastinator. I know I should participate in physical activity, I just have little desire to do so. Actually, I have ZERO desire to do so. I can think of countless things to do ahead of exercise. Like read. Or play a game. Or be bored do nothing whatsoever.

For this reason, I surprised myself on Sunday when I actually felt like taking our dog, Bessie, for a walk. Bessie is leash-aphobic, so our walks consist of trekking through our woods.

Fifteen years or so ago, my husband cleared trees to form a trail around the perimeter of our property. Its purpose was for our kids to have a safe place to drive their go-kart. For several summers, the go-kart kept the trail clear, but in the years since then, the trail is mostly moss-covered and fern lined.

Five loops around the trail is the equivalent of one mile, so that is always my goal. On Sunday, I came way short of reaching my goal. At the end of lap one, Bessie and I needed to sneak through a tight spot between our pole barn and a grouping of trees. Because I was day dreaming, I was unaware of my surroundings and my inattentiveness was an unfortunate mistake. Hidden in a decaying, hollow branch, under a carpet of moss, lived a nest of bees. As luck would have it, my foot found the exact opening to the nest.

These were not happy bees.

Dogs, when stung, do not run. They sit and attempt to chew at the afflicted area. Humans, on the other hand, attempt all means of escape. In such a tight area, my escape route was blocked not only by a butt-chewing dog, but several large, unyielding trees. I was not quick enough. Several angry bees punished me for my lack of focus. How they all managed to poke me in my neck and upper back is quite a mystery to me, but the pain was instant and severe.

"Not fair!" I want to scream! I was doing a good thing for all the right reasons, and didn't deserve this attack!

As a Christian, I know from personal experience that Satan and his minions are the same as those angry bees. They are hidden from view, often in a beautiful, safe looking spot. And when I'm distracted or lose my focus, they are ready to attack.

I Peter 5:8 warns us: "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith..."

Those nasty bees won't surprise me again.

Ditto for my life foe...my feet are planted firmly in the faith.
 

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Beach bug

Today was a beach day. Yes, it was seventy one degrees. And yes, most West Michiganders thought it was much too cold for an afternoon at the beach. Just the opposite was true. Today was a fantastic day to sleep at the beach. The temperature allowed utter relaxation, and yes, sleep.

But today, the beach is not the focus of this post.

Rewind to my walk from parking lot to beach. The newly constructed boardwalk sprawls a distance and makes for a shady trek beachward. Being one easily distracted, I spotted a HUGE winged insect laying on the walkway. Huge really doesn't do him justice. He was gargantuan! Ginormous! Humongous! This dude was amazing...and DEAD. So, being fascinated by the unusual, I put down my chair and squatted for a closer look. After rolling him over to ensure deadness, I picked that sucker up. After close inspection, I decided a picture was in order. Wanting a more natural looking picture, I pulled down the sleeve of my cover up and laid him on it, then proceeded down the steps.

Much to my surprise, about two steps down, I noticed his legs stretching outward, gripping my sleeve and MOVING! This dude had done an amazing job of playing dead and now he was on my sleeve! Staying calm, I hurried down the remaining steps. Noticing I was the only person on the beach, I quickly walked over to a branch of driftwood and used it to pry him off my sleeve. Thankfully, he cooperated! And like the good bug that he was, he posed for several photos.


Unfortunately, I didn't think to get a photo of comparison until it was too late, and he had taken flight. Trust me when I say he was larger than my thumb. He was really an incredible insect, although I confess he was a bit creepy when alive.

What's the point of this post? I'm not really certain. Maybe it's just to say that God created an earth full of fascinating, amazing creatures. Big. Small. Ordinary. Extraordinary. Often times, we hurry on with our days, forgetting to look around and notice his eclectic collection of life.

Today, my Creator amazed me with an incredible sunrise, a field bursting with a palette of wildflowers, and this shiny-winged, bug-eyed monster of a bug.

Thank you, God!

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Star light, star bright...

I'm a bit sleep deprived right now. In fact, I'm more than a bit drowsy. I have no one to blame but myself, and yet, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Last night I stayed up until the wee hours watching the Perseid meteor shower. From 11:30-12:30, I stretched out on a lawn chair on my deck, gazing skyward. When I came inside, I found my hubby awake and he was more than happy to join me. At that point, we reclined in our comfy chairs in our driveway and enjoyed the show in the heavenlies until about 1:45 a.m. 

When we were kids we called these happenings, "shooting stars." Part of the excitement back then was to immediately make a wish,. Supposedly, spotting these streaking stars was a surefire way to get your every wish granted!

As an adult, I still marvel at the raw beauty and mystery of a meteor shower. And last night, God seemed so close. So powerful. So mighty. So infinite.

The annual show seems to be the result of debris from the Swift-Tuttle comet that was discovered in 1862. Tiny fragments of metal and stone travel at 37 miles per second and create this spectacular show. Some think that the actual comet may date back 2,000 years or more. Think about that. Two thousand years ago puts us back to Bible times! In Jesus' day, people may have witnessed the same light show we witness today. From the same comet. How cool is that? 

So as I day dreamed, or should I say night dreamed(?) last night, I thought about God's covenant with Abraham. God's promise that Abraham's descendants would number the stars in the sky. It's recorded in Genesis 15 at verse 5.  "God said to him, "Look up at the heavens and count the stars - if indeed you can count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be.""

I'd like to imagine that Abraham looked up into the night sky and felt God's power and might. Maybe he even witnessed a "shooting star." Maybe, just maybe, Abraham felt like I felt last night. God was close. God was powerful. God was mighty. 

Tonight, I'm hoping to watch an encore. It's a show worth staying up for!


Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Easy chair

This is great deck sitting weather! With the cooler temperatures this past week, we have been able to enjoy evenings drinking coffee and relaxing on our deck. Sunday was just such a night. Since we live in what some of our friends call the "boonies," we are able to enjoy the peace and quiet of nature. No traffic. No loud neighbors. No city light pollution.

With dusk closing in and a chill in the air, we enjoyed God's handiwork. He painted the sky with tufts of clouds. The poufs where exquisite. It was as if God had taken his paintbrush and dabbed the sky with varying strokes of matte and glossy whiteness. Words cannot describe, and photos do not capture the full extent of the beauty.

See for yourself:




Amazing, huh? If the sky was singing praise to God. I am glad I was listening.

Psalm 19: 1-4 says it best:

"The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world."

Sunday, July 28, 2013

Crawling into Daddy's arms...

We enjoy worshiping at Camp Geneva during the summer. What's not to love about Lake Michigan on a warm Sunday morning? Exactly. Nothing! Camp Geneva sits above the beautiful sandy beach only a few miles drive from our home. We enjoy the variety of pastors. We enjoy the relaxed service. We enjoy the 10:00 a.m. service time.

This morning there was nothing warm about Camp Geneva. Sure it's July, but it's also July in Michigan. The fact that last week was 90 degrees with 90 percent humidity meant nothing today to Michigan's Mother Nature.

This morning it was was cold. It was rainy. Today was not a beach day.

Nonetheless, today the ARC (the Sunday worship center) was filled with worshipers. In the row in front of us sat a family with small children. As the service began, I noticed one of the girls shivering. She looked to be about seven or eight years old. She had a fuzzy jacket with her and as she attempted to drape it over her body to warm herself, her movement attracted the attention of her Dad. He immediately leaned over and whispered to her. As she nodded a silent, "yes," he scooped her up into his broad arms and snuggled her into his lap. He gently wrapped his arms around her and engulfed her small frame with his largeness.

The moment was tender and beautiful. It was simply a father's reaction of love at seeing his child's distress.

God is exactly like that father. And I am his daughter. He sees me when I am in distress and whispers words of comfort and love. If I listen to his words, I can jump straight into his arms of strength and protection. I can be wrapped in his largeness. It's then that I am safe. I am loved. You are loved. We are his beloved.

Isaiah 41:10:

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Clear Skies Ahead



Monday morning, I took the highway route in to work. The weather forecast for this day included a severe weather alert. The highway runs a straight north-south line splitting East from West and on Monday, the road split the weather line as well. To the East, dark rain clouds formed in an ominous sky. To the West, scattered clouds splattered across a visibly crisp, blue sky.

Lucky for me, my exit from the highway took me in a westerly direction. As I waited for traffic to clear at the exit ramp stop, I pondered the way the morning's weather parallels life.

Some days we travel into ominous weather. Life gives us stormy times. Hardships. Death. Struggles. We are aware of the severe weather alert, but have no choice but to travel the road in its path.

Other days we travel under crisp, blue sky. Life shines happiness over our days. Love. Life. Success. We bask in the glory of the sun and good times.

It is easy to see God during the sunny days. His love is evident. But God is also present during the ominous weather. He is there. Watching. Protecting. Loving. Loving. Loving.

In the hard times, read Psalm 18:2:

"The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."

In good times, read Psalm 95:1:

"Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation."

What's your weather forecast?

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Birds of a feather...

I went to the beach yesterday. Nothing compares with the joy of sitting on the sands of Lake Michigan, listening to the serene sound of rippling waves lapping the shore. It is relaxing. It is restful. It is sheer peacefulness in God's creation.

The beach I visit most often is a small township beach a few minutes from my home. For the most part, it is quiet, filled mostly with small families or singles. If excitement and crowds are desired, this beach most definitely does not fit the bill.

Yesterday, on a stretch of beach to the north of me, a large contingent of sea gulls congregated. They crowded around this area of beach, numbering fifty or more. Later, they seemed to decide a line dance was in order, as they formed a straight line just at the shore's edge.


Sea gulls have a bad reputation. They are often obnoxious. They most often are heard screeching at each other when food is an object of affection. Gulls cause annoying commotion any time a beach goer feeds them, and unfortunately, they also usually deposit unwanted "droppings" upon unsuspecting sunbathers. Amazingly enough, yesterday the gulls were well behaved. The were quiet. There was no loud screeching, no boisterous fighting. They simply gathered together in shared unity.

As is often the case, these gulls reminded me of life. Or, in this instance, the church. The church, like sea gulls, often has a bad reputation. Church-going Christians are often heard criticizing. Criticizing other Christians. Criticizing worship. Arguing over theology. Fighting over Bible context. Causing an annoying commotion. It's no wonder that folks are turned off by the church. I'm as guilty as the next Christian. And for that, I'm sorry.

For the sake of the church's future, we need to change. We need to quit the bickering. We need to take a lesson from yesterday's gulls. We need to gather in shared unity. We need to form a line of solidarity. Our goal? Serving our Lord, Jesus Christ with one heart and one mind.

Romans 15:5-7:

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God." 

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Have you reached a verdict?

I recently spent a month on jury duty. Unbelievably, at the age of fifty two, I participated in my first "tour of duty." My tentative jury schedule listed ten days when I had to call an automated line to verify whether I needed to report in for jury selection. Each time I called in, I held my breath hoping for a cancellation. Four times I was directed to report to the courthouse the following day. Two of those four days, my juror number was called and I was seated on a jury.

I must admit that while I started the month dreading the hassle of a month in limbo, I truly enjoyed learning the details of our judicial process. I also realize how blessed I am to be isolated from the grit and grime of the world around me. My fellow jurors and I heard cases of sexual abuse, armed robbery, unlawful imprisonment and murder. We heard awful details and saw gruesome pictures of evil crimes that abound in our society today.

A favorite question lawyers liked to ask prospective jurors was, "Can you stand in judgment of someone?" In other words, "Can you find someone guilty?" Most jurors, without hesitation, said, "Yes." I jumped right in on the bandwagon. No problem, I thought. There are some days when I feel like I'm the most judgmental person on the planet. So it stands to reason that I should have no problem finding a defendant guilty. Wrong. Wrong. Oh so wrong. During both my cases, I wanted so badly to believe the defendants were innocent. I didn't want to believe the horrible evidence presented. I didn't want to believe these defendants could be so, well, evil.

Prior to jury deliberations, the judge gave us a list of instructions. In fact, every jury is instructed that in reaching a verdict, the penalty of that verdict may not be considered. For instance, if we as a jury deliberated over a verdict of murder in the first degree, then as jurors, we could not consider the fact that the defendant would receive a sentence of life in prison. The jury can only consider the facts presented and testimony heard. The judge reminded us that he, and he alone as judge, imposes the penalty.

In the end, I knew the truth. I knew the truth beyond a reasonable doubt. In fact, beyond any doubt at all. In both trials, the defendants were guilty. Guilty.

And so it is with me. That is what I am. Guilty. Each and every day. Guilty of lying. Guilty of harboring nasty thoughts about others. Guilty of manipulating people for my gain. Sometimes I do these things without a second thought. Sometimes I do these things in spite of my thoughts. I am guilty, and God is my judge.

Thankfully, because I know Jesus as my Savior, I can and do ask for forgiveness. I realize the error of my ways. I repent. Then I continue on with baby steps in this life quest. My goal: changing my thoughts and actions completely.

There's a great word in Christianity. The word is justification. It's a big word. Somewhere back in my Sunday School days, I was taught the simplicity of it as, "just as if." Because Jesus died for me, my sins are wiped away "just as if" they had never happened. My slate wiped clean. Erased. New.

Romans 5:1-2 says it this way:

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God."

Lucky for me, I don't receive a penalty for my sins from a jury of my peers. My God, full of mercy and grace, finds me, "NOT GUILTY."


Monday, June 17, 2013

He's BAAAACKK!

Over this past weekend, I suspected and today it was confirmed. I spotted him today as he attempted a dining room fly in! The Red Baron is alive and well. Yee Ha!

Now if I can be this excited about the life and return of a cardinal, albeit an annoying one, I can only imagine the incredible joy I'll feel when Jesus returns. I'm at a loss to describe that day. Elation. Ecstasy. Exhilaration. Wonder. Awe. Pure joy.

Jesus may not return in my lifetime, but just the possibility is exciting.

Mark 25:31 says this, "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne."

2 Thessalonians 1:7 says: "This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels."

I'm ready. Are you?

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Death of the Red Baron?

On my way into work this morning, I saw a dead cardinal on the road. Now, it's not everyday that you see a dead bird in the road, let alone a cardinal.

My first thought was, "Oh no!"  These bird remains were in close proximity to our home. I was fearful that these remains were those of our "peeping tom" window peeking bird. If you haven't read about the Red Baron, and are curious about the story, click Knock, knock.

Anyway, as the day wore on, I kept a look out for the Red Baron. And now, as nightfall approaches, I have yet to catch a glimpse of him. This sounds really silly, but if he is gone, I will miss that goofy bird.

The moral of the story: "Enjoy every day as a gift. Tomorrow is not guaranteed."

Hopefully, the Red Baron is alive and well. I will keep you posted.

"Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will got to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." James 4:13-15

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Church on the beach

My church family is important to me. The weekly gathering of believers is an important part of worship, but once in a while, my husband and I like to do our own thing. A few Sundays a year, we venture out of our ordinary routine. 

Such was the case this morning. We packed up the comfy folding chairs, grabbed our Bibles and headed out to Lake Michigan. Our township has a great park for residents that is just a short drive away, and that was our destination. 

On this beautiful sunshine-filled morning, we had the beach to ourselves. Lake Michigan was flat, and just the slightest lapping noise greeted our ears. Gulls soared to and fro. A couple paddle boarders guided their crafts along the shoreline in the distance. We settled in our chairs and enjoyed the peace God prepared for us.

My husband shared Psalm 112. I shared a few verses from I Thessalonians. While neither of us knew what verses the other had in mind, God in his infinite wisdom had coordinated the theme of our verses. I revel in the times I see what I call, "God-cidence."

Looking out over the vast expanse of Lake Michigan, I realize the greatness of God's love. God's creation praises him from the depths of the lakes to the tops of the dunes. We, as his created beings, join in to worship.

From Psalm 96:

"Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
let the sea resound, and all that is in it.
Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them;
let all the trees of the forest sing for you,

Let all creation rejoice before the LORD..." 


Monday, May 27, 2013

A Memorial Day reflection

As I sit on my comfy couch, in my warm family room on this chilly May day, I realize how clueless I am. I am clueless to the hardship. I am clueless to the sacrifice. I am clueless to the loneliness. Today, hundreds of thousands of men and women are enduring the hardship, the sacrifice, the loneliness and the separation from family. Each and every one of these folks are ensuring my freedom and yours.

Today's military personnel are joined by millions more, who over the centuries fought, died and endured the extreme conditions of selfless sacrifice for our country. Some have died. Some have been injured. Some are plagued with mental anguish. For me. For you.

Thank you.

A mere, "thank you," does not seem enough. But today, I mean it. From the bottom of my heart.

Thank you.

As Americans, freedom is our privilege in the United States. We are blessed. Truly blessed.

As Christians, we have an even greater freedom. A freedom that releases us from the ways of the world. A freedom that allows us to be heirs to an eternal kingdom. One man gave his life for this freedom. Jesus. Jesus is that man. He gave his life. For me. For you.

Thank you, Jesus.

A mere, "thank you," does not seem enough. But today, I mean it. Today I give you my heart.

Read about our freedom as Christians in 2 Corinthians 3:16-18:

"But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

I am free. Truly free.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Knock, knock

We have a window peeker stalking our house. That's right. A window peeker. We see him frequently. He peeks in our dining room window. He peeks in our living room window. Mostly he peeks into our bedroom window. I've tried to photograph him, but he is an elusive character. The moment he sees me he darts away.

I am not scared of this fellow. He doesn't even make me nervous. On the contrary, this prankster frequently makes me laugh. Our window peeker is a bird. A cardinal. Yep, a bright red, handsome fella.

He started this business last year. In the wee hours of dawn, at sunrise, he positions himself on a branch outside our bedroom window. His favorite activity involves flying to, or even into the window. And then he pecks. And pecks. And pecks. Off to the branch. Back to the window. Off and back. Off and back.

If something interesting inside captures his attention, he cocks his head to one side, then the other, and then peeks straight into our home. His antics are comical. Seriously, I'm thinking about giving him a name. Maybe Red Baron.

His persistence is impressive.

Unfortunately for him, I never plan on opening a window or a door for him to come into my home.

Fortunately for us, the opposite is true. Jesus tells us, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7: 7-8

Are you peering into God's house? Are you knocking at Jesus' door?

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

GORP

Two of my favorite people embarked on a wilderness hiking expedition today. A group of Hope College students are taking a May term that sends them out to the Adirondacks in New York.

I got a peek at the syllabus for the course which includes not only lists coursework and schedule, but advice from former trip participants as well. Many comments in the advice section mention eating GORP. Now to me, Gorp is trail mix, and trail mix can take on a ton of different varieties. I have NO idea what combination of dried fruits and nuts will be provided on the Adirondacks trip, but I think of "Good Ole Raisins and Peanuts" as GORP. Naturally, I would also say the mix needs  a good helping of M&Ms to complete the recipe.

Gorp would not be Gorp without a mixture of flavor. Alone, each item gives great flavor. Combined together, they make great flavor outstanding! Every ingredient is important. Each ingredient is necessary for the overall perfect taste experience.

Christ's church is a lot like Gorp. Church is not the building, but the people. Old. Young. Servants. Speakers. Eccentrics. Extroverts. Introverts. People who come with a variety of talents and gifts.  The church needs peanuts who teach middle school Sunday School. The mix needs raisins who mentor young women. The recipes needs fruit who evangelize and serve the needy. And what church would be complete without the M&Ms encouraging others with their sweetness.

The peanut is not better than the raisin, nor is the raisin better than the M&M. Likewise, a raisin shouldn't desire to be a peanut! Each item is important to the overall flavor of the whole!

Next time you worship, look around. Find the peanuts, the raisins and the M&Ms. Then figure out which ingredient God gifted you to be. And then go out and add your flavor to the Gorp of God!

Read I Corinthians 12 for a look at how the God gives an array of gifts to his people to further his kingdom!


Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Jacket-less

Yesterday was a first for 2013. Yesterday, when I exited my house, I left my jacket behind.

Yep. Jacket-less. Finally! What a feeling! Freedom. Released from the burden of bulk. Light. Airy. Carefree! A simple change in temperature brought about this amazing change in my attire.

Sometimes I have a temperature problem in my life too. I get myself into hot water. Now don't be thinking that I get into trouble frequently; that's not the case (although I did get my dorm's "Biggest Prankster" award my freshman year of college!). No, for me, I tend to be a worry wart. Ask my kids. Ask my husband. I worry about silly nonsense. I burden myself with the trivial details of life. I soak myself in the hot water of worry.

Just as a change in temperature helped me discard my jacket, a change in my attitude and focus can help me throw out my pool of hot water. In the words of I Peter 5:7, I need only to "Turn all your worries over to him. He cares about you."

Simple, but often not easy for me. Turn my worries over to him. In another translation the verse reads, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."  Turn. Cast. If I simply ask him to remove my worry, I can change my attire. I can leave my worries behind. Wow. Finally! What a feeling! Freedom. Released from the burden of bulk.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Within or Without?

I've often wondered what it would be like to have Jesus as a friend in the flesh. I mean here. Beside me. Talking with me day by day. Sitting next to me on my drive into work. Eating breakfast with me in my kitchen.

I wonder what it would be like to listen to him tell a parable. To have him explain life's lessons to me in a way I can relate. Sometimes I think I'd like to trade places with one of his disciples so that I could see Jesus face to face.

We're in the midst of a sermon series at our church. It is a sermon series about the Holy Spirit. After listening to a couple sermons on the Holy Spirit, I asked myself the following question: "If I had to choose, would I rather have Jesus beside me or the Holy Spirit within me?"

Hmmm. That's a tough question. After weighing the options, I decided I would choose the Holy Spirit within me. Here's why:

I liken the Holy Spirit within me to being pregnant. For some of you, I know you can't relate, nor will you ever, but let me try to explain. I loved being pregnant. Other than the fact that I was big as a moose and literally had to steer my belly to maneuver through doorways and such, there is nothing that compares to being pregnant. During pregnancy, there is the knowledge that life is inside you. Growing. Life that goes with you wherever you go. Life that you can feel. Life that is intimate.  

As weird as this sounds, a part of me felt lonely after my children were born. Sure, I could hold them, cradle them, smell them, touch them and talk to them. But here's the thing. They were no longer with me every minute of every day. I could be separated from them. I didn't feel their every movement. I couldn't sense their hiccups in the middle of the night. Eventually, kids grow up, and then we're apart for days and weeks on end.

So if I had to choose between Jesus in the flesh or the Holy Spirit within me, I would choose the Holy Spirit. Life in me. Always. Everywhere.

While it's a good question to ponder, here's the best part.

The wonderful part is this: when you accept Jesus in your life, you get a three-for-one package. You get God, the Father, the Almighty Creator of the universe. You take home Jesus, your Savior and mine. And then, if that doesn't already blow your mind away, the Holy Spirit takes up residence inside of you. He's the intimate, emotional, heartfelt driver of your life. Who wouldn't take the three for one package?

Read the following passage slowly. It is powerful, full of promise:

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Romans 15:13

Who wouldn't want to be pregnant for life!


Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Recycle

Monday, April 22 is Earth Day. It's a day focused on caring for the earth and our responsibility to tend to the environment. The day sheds light on conservation and the need to create more "green" initiatives.

When our son, Barry, was five or six years old, he celebrated Earth Day in big ways. Each spring, he would pull his little red wagon down the driveway and walk up and down the road picking up trash. He was determined to do his part to keep our planet clean.

In recent years there has been a renewed effort toward going green. We conserve energy. We cut down on our waste. We enact "Adopt a Highway" initiatives. We recycle. All these things contribute to keeping the earth healthy.

The EPA describes recycling as, "the process of collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be thrown away as trash and turning them into new products." Hmm. Sounds familiar. Sounds like something I read about in the Bible. Sounds like something I know from personal experience.

I'm in constant need of recycling. Yep. Me. On my own, I'm nothing more than a piece of trash. Used. Spent. Worthless. When I recognize my need for change, something amazing happens. When I throw myself in the recycling box and call my Recycler for pickup, he takes me, processes me and makes me new. He takes the old and transforms it into a new product.

Fit for service. Made new.

Titus 3: 3-7 tells us about being transformed from trash to treasure. Recycled by the hand of the Master Garbage Collector:

"At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kind of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life."

Monday, April 15, 2013

Life

The events of today in Boston remind us of the brevity of life. Not one of us is guaranteed to see tomorrow. Life is fleeting. Life is short.

Is your eternal future secured?

"This is what my Father wants: that anyone who sees the Son and trusts who he is and what he does and then aligns with him will enter real life, eternal life."

John 6:39 The Message


Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Disconnect

Wednesday I was half way to work when I realized I'd left my cell phone at home. Most days, this wouldn't be a big deal. On any given work day, my cell phone sits idly on my desk. Most days my cell phone is lonely. Only occasionally does my cell phone vibrate happiness with a text from my son or daughter.

Wednesdays however, are not normal, boring days for my cell phone. On Wednesdays I have two standing coffee dates. On Wednesdays, my cell phone is the only means of communication I have for contacting the two amazing college students I meet for coffee. In fact, we text every Wednesday. We confirm our weekly meeting time. We text last minute schedule changes. We text cancellations. We text late arrival notices.

With these thoughts racing through my mind, I decided I would call my husband as soon as I arrived at work. Surely he would make a special delivery drop off on his way to work. After all, crucial communication was at risk! And so, as I unlocked my office door, my only concern was the phone call to my husband. Arriving at my desk, I picked up my desk phone to make the call. Silence. No dial tone. Nothing. I unplugged and replugged the wall connection. Nothing. I unplugged the phone jack. Still...nothing.

This probably sounds silly, but the lack of a communication source made me feel weird. I felt disconnected. Alone. At a loss.

I have the same problem when I disconnect from God. Sometimes, it takes a period of time before I notice the change, but it always comes. The feeling of separation. When I unplug my prayer life, I feel weird. Alone. At a loss.

The thing is, the break in the line is my doing. I'm the one who has hung up, unplugged or disconnected. I love talking with God. I love sharing my joys and concerns with him. So why do I disconnect? The best answer I can think of is this:  communicating with God makes me vulnerable. It makes me realize I cannot do this thing called life on my own. I need God in every moment of every day.

Prayer taps into the greatest power source in the world. Communicating with God is the ultimate life line.

God is on the line, waiting for me to pick up my end.

Grab your phone and see if you can find the message in the number 463-547-8367. Please, don't dial (I don't need an owner of the number angry at me)...just look for the message. Let me know if you find it.

Philippians 4:6-7
"Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life."

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Minty freshness

I was at the dollar store this week. Love that place! On any given day, I usually score a random assortment of stuff. This week's stash included stones, masking tape, tissue paper, a wire cutter and a toothbrush. Most of my purchases were for wedding decorations, but the toothbrush was a last minute grab. I don't normally buy a toothbrush since my routine dental checkups usually include a "soft" toothbrush. Not so this last visit. I ended up with a "hard" bristle toothbrush. That puppy nearly ripped my gums apart.

Anyway, back to the dollar store and the toothbrush purchase. I'm a bit leery of buying an off brand of anything, so I checked out the pegs with the Colgate and Aim brushes. I must admit, for this purchase, I wasn't too choosy; my only criteria was a "soft" bristle style in a color I liked. I grabbed an Aim Revolution brush in a cool Caribbean green color and was off to the checkout.

Once home, I ripped the brush out of the package, stowed it in my bathroom cupboard and decided to demote my old brush to laundry scrubbing detail. Out of respect for my old brush, I let it say goodbye to my teeth with one last bedtime brush.

The next day started out like most other days. My morning routine is pretty mundane. The first order of business is to pop in my contacts since my vision tests out somewhere around the 20/800 range. Next I brush my teeth. On this morning, I didn't think too much about my new toothbrush, since, let's face it, there not much excitement in foaming up your mouth with minty freshness.

Hokey smokers! Was I ever walloped out of my morning fog when I started brushing. This toothbrush was the Cadillac of brushes. This brush had tiny bumps on the backside that massaged my cheeks. This brush had soft, pliable plastic arms on the outside that tickled my gums. This brush made my mouth happy! My brain jumped into alert mode at this new morning delight!

I have to say, seriously, this toothbrush is what its name states, a "Revolution!"

Joy sprang from the ordinary. Plain. Simple. Wonderful.

God is like my new Aim Revolution toothbrush. God likes to turn the mundane moments of life into spectacular bliss! He loves to add excitement to life in the chance encounter with a friend. He finds pleasure in bringing happiness to life through the giggle of a toddler. God sprinkles joy on tender hearts with a Scripture passage. He dazzles eyes with a glorious sunrise.

Be on the lookout...God is waiting to surprise you. Today the ordinary becomes extraordinary. Just wait and see.

Romans 15:5-6 says,

"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Aim for Revolution!

Thursday, March 28, 2013

A Maundy Thursday/Good Friday Reflection


Today, I want to share with you a reflection that the Holy Spirit laid on my heart this week. My devotions have me in Genesis right now, so I was surprised by the intensity of this conviction. This was not a mere prompting, nor a nudging, but a full blown wallop!  It's hard to put into words, but I'll try my best to explain.

From Matthew 27, we learn that the notorious criminal, Barabbas, is to be crucified. We also know that the crowd demands that he be set free and Jesus crucified in his place. Usually this an altogether too familiar story. Yet, we don't know what becomes of Barabbas, or how Jesus' replacement affects his life following the crucifixion. Did Barabbas become a believer? Did he continue his life in notoriety as a criminal?

Then the wallop struck me. I am Barabbas. I am a notorious sinner. A sinner day in and day out. And Jesus took my place. He was crucified for me. For my sin. Do I realize this truth? Am I changed because of it? Or have I become complacent with the familiarity of it all? The words from Matthew 27, verse 25 further added to my reflection: "The people answered, 'Let his blood be on us and on our children.'" While the crowd was blood thirsty and only wanted revenge for their sting of betrayal, Jesus knew that their chant was the truth. Literally his blood was on us and on our children. He bore our wrath and our sin. Wow!

To place myself in Barabbas' shoes has been a humbling experience for me this week. The smack of my guilt has not been easy to swallow. But it is with joy in my heart that I thank my dear Jesus for the gift of life he has given me. This Easter season, I rejoice with renewed adoration for my King.

I hope you will join me in experiencing this week with new eyes and a truly thankful heart for Jesus' incredible gift. 

Happy Easter, dear friends. He is risen. HE IS RISEN INDEED!

Monday, March 25, 2013

Jesus in the Sand

While shelling the beach at Sanibel Island a few weeks ago, I picked up a sail catfish bone. I recognized it immediately. It was familiar to me because it was similar to the trio I have displayed on my bookcase at home.

My grandma painted sail catfish bones decades ago. Sadly, I don't remember my grandma because she passed into glory when I was only a year old. While I don't remember her, I feel like she's a kindred spirit. I share her love of writing poems. I share her love of crafting and creating. I share her love of Jesus.

Painting "Crucifix Fish" married my grandma's love of crafting to her love of Jesus. I need only close my eyes to imagine her bent over her table, lovingly painting the tiniest details onto the stark bones.

I have a postcard that explains the story of the "Crucifix Fish."


I love the poem. I love how God uses a walk along the beach to connect me to his son. I love how my grandma's passion for Jesus ignited her family's Christian heritage. I'm thankful for the joy of knowing Jesus. I'm totally undeserving of his sacrifice, but he found me worthy.

 My trio of "Crucifix fish" are a daily reminder of God's greatest gift of love.


"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life."
John 3:16 The Message




Thursday, March 21, 2013

Suck it up Cupcake!

"Suck it up, cupcake!" That's a phrase my daughter, Lorie, used to say when someone was whining unnecessarily. In other words, "Grin and bear it." "Stuff happens." "It's not what happens to you, it's how you react that matters."

I'm reading through Genesis right now. I'm taking my time, re-reading those childhood Bible stories. I'm loving the small details we overlook when we tell those well loved passages. Details like, where did the light come from on day one of creation, since God didn't create the sun until day four? Or, how catty do you think Jacob's wives were, competing for his love and attention while trying to get pregnant and have babies?

I'm just finishing up the story of Joseph.

Take a minute to reflect on his life.
Daddy's boy.Arrogant dream teller. Hated brother.Slave. Estate manager. Innocent convict. Prisoner. Dream interpreter. Warden. Pharoah's right hand man. Boy, oh boy, did "stuff" happen to Joseph. Through it all, somewhere around eighteen years worth, Joseph "sucks it up." Reading through his life story is like reading a Hollywood made-for-TV script. Drama. Danger. Injustice. And then a switch flips. Power. Wealth. Prestige.

Joseph perseveres. He is faithful. He never turns from God. He models true character.

Near the end of his story, he not only forgives his brothers, he finds them totally faultless. Innocent. Years of slavery and imprisonment are erased and he declares them not guilty. He recognizes God's plan and purpose for his life. He understands God's unbroken thread in the tapestry of his life. Wow. Plain and simple. Wow.

I can learn a great deal from Joseph. When life hands me lemons, I need to make lemonade. In difficult times, I need to stand firm in my faith. I need to see the big picture. I may not have been sent to save thousands from starvation. I will never be the President's right hand gal. But one thing I know. One truth I hold close. God is way ahead of me. He is working things out for his purposes. He has a plan for me.

My job is to be faithful. My job is to remain steadfast. My job is to persevere with joy in my heart. With JOY. And some day, I hope to hear the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

2 Corinthians 1:12-14 (Message):
"Now that the worst is over, we're pleased we can report that we've come out of this with conscience and faith intact, and can face the world-and even more importantly, face you with our heads held high. But it wasn't by any fancy footwork on our part. It was God who kept us focused on him, uncompromised. Don't try to read between the lines or look for hidden meanings in this letter. We're writing plain, unembellished truth, hoping that you'll now see the whole picture as well as you've seen some of the details. We want you to be as proud of us as we are of you when we stand together before our Master Jesus."


Thursday, March 14, 2013

She Seeks Seashells on the Sandy Shore

One week ago, Randy and I were enjoying the beautiful Florida sunshine. We spent five days doing what we do best on vacation. Relaxing. Resting. Lounging. We also enjoyed the spectacular hospitality of our friends, John and Rosemary.

On Tuesday, we ventured to Sanibel Island to soak up some rays, walk the beach and search for shells.  I should clarify that. Rosemary and I did the shelling. Insert smile here. I learned a lot from Rosemary. I never knew about Rice, Angel Wings, Baby's Ear, King's Crown, Jewel Box or Worms. Yes, these are all shells. Who'd a thunk it! All in all, we didn't have much success in our hunt, but we did have a grand time poking through mounds of shells along the water's edge.


Now that I'm back home, freezing in the cold Michigan winter, I took time to do a little research on my own. In a nut shell, here's what I found about sea shells. Sea shells come from marine mollusks. Mollusks are invertebrate animals; you know, the kind of animal without a skeleton. To me, I think, soft and squishy. So these poor guys kind of carry around this external "armor" for protection against predators and the outside world. The shell is formed by tissue and grows sporadically. Now I'm no marine biologist, so this may not be an entirely accurate scientific description, but it works for my simple brain.

Of course, this whole sea shell thing got me thinking about what the Bible says about protection.

What do we need protection from? Our world, for one. There's a lot of crud and corruption out there. And then there's the evil one, that crafty dude who is waiting to pounce if we leave our soft, squishy selves exposed to him. Putting my head in the sand helps me ignore what's going on around me, but leaves the rest of me vulnerable.

So how do we protect ourselves? With faith, truth, the Spirit and the word of God. Paul tells us all about it in Galatians 6:10-17:

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the spiritual forces of evil int he heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

Are you ready for the next high tide?




Saturday, March 2, 2013

Deflated

This week was rough. Not only was work crazy, I had an amazing number of commitments booked during my off hours. I had an annual assignment due by Friday. I was covering for a coworker who was on vacation. And in case you hadn't noticed, it was the end of the month. That's a big deal when you work in accounting. I went into work at 7:00 each morning and stayed later than normal every day. By Friday, I felt completely frazzled. Drained. Near tears.

Normally, I am a happy person, filled with the joy of life. I am convinced that Jesus fills me with that joy and I try my best to talk to him throughout my day. Normally, I feel kinda like this balloon:

photo waniardy.com

Not so this week. This week, my balloon was pricked and the air was literally sucked out of me. I felt as though Jesus was no where to be found. I believed Jesus had actually turned his back on me. I asked for his guidance and found silence. I felt abandoned. Alone. Crabby and downright mean. And the worse part was that I was unable to get out of the funk; unable to change my poor attitude. I felt completely deflated. I felt like this balloon:


After a restless, prayer-filled night, I woke up feeling refreshed. My week of grumpy nastiness had been replaced with happiness and joy. I realized this morning that Jesus had been there all along. He knew my heart. He knew my thoughts. He had not turned his back on me. On the contrary, I had turned away from him. And in his infinite patience, He was waiting for me. Waiting for me to adjust my focus. Waiting for me to get over my self preoccupation. 

Thank you, Jesus, for filling me with the fresh air of truth, life and love. I'm back to walking on air with the joy of knowing and trusting you.

Psalm 89:17-18 from The Message:
"Your vibrant beauty has gotten inside us- you've been so good to us! We're walking on air! All we are and have we owe to GOD, Holy God of Israel, our King!"