Today I remember and celebrate the life of my dear Mother. This was her birthday and the day she entered her eternal home. She has the Lord Jesus to celebrate her birthday with now in person, but I celebrate her life and the impact she had on me, her daughter.
The Lord has blessed me with a wonderful gift, that gift is you, Mother. I thank Him for you and thank you for your love and example you were to me of a godly woman.
The first picture I have of you Mother is you kneeling by the chair in the living room. Each morning when I would come downstairs you would be there. I know my name was on that prayer list that you kept in your Bible. I peeked one time to check that out. Knowing that your prayers have gone before you and have gone behind you has given me much confidence in my everyday routine as a mother.
Another picture I have of you is sacrifice. You sacrificed your desires, your time, even your health for your family as you worked often late into the night doing the daily chores. You sacrificed your time to visit me daily, for hours in the hospital when I was burned, even though you had an infant and 5 other children at home. You sacrificed your desires when you always put your family and guests before yourself.
Another picture I have of you is femininity. You were such a lady, standing tall and beautiful. Even to run out and do a short errand you would change your outfit and shoes, so you would look "presentable."
Another picture I have of you is patience. I was always amazed how you could be so patient in waiting for your husband and sons to come in from the field when a meal was ready, even though they were already 30 minutes or more late. I remember how patient you were when you were trying to teach me how to sew.
"We will just rip this out and start over," you would calmly exclaim.
I loved to hear you sing. You had a beautiful voice. I loved to sing along with you. The chores would go so much faster when we would sing through them.
I think of you as being very creative. You were creative in reaching our neighborhood for Christ. You would take us to sing Easter carols and Christmas carols for shut-ins, and you organized a VBS right on our farm.
Most of all I think of you as my teacher, or mentor, someone I always wanted to be like. You taught me how to do household chores and garden work. Each job you gave me had purpose. I remember I hated ironing those week-day shirts of my brothers, but you knew I would need that skill some day for my own family. Most of all you taught me about God's love as I saw His love flowing from you to all of us. You taught me how to love, how to give, and how to live, by just loving Jesus and being yourself.
Yes, many woman do noble things, but in my opinion, you surpassed them all.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Safe and Secure
Safe and Secure
His left hand cradles my head as His right hand embraces me. Song of Songs 8:3
It's beautiful here with You, Jesus.
Your left hand cradles my head and Your right hand embraces me.
I feel Your gentleness, but also Your Strength.
How can I fear, when I am so close to You?
You have me where I can only gaze into Your eyes, and listen to the sound of Your heartbeat.
As I listen to the sound of Your love song, and feel the waves of Your love,
the fear,
the anxiety,
the insecurity,
the questions,
all leave.
As I whisper the concerns of my heart to You, You give me such confidence.
Confidence that because You love me, it's all going to be OK.
You are bigger and stronger than I could ever imagine, but yet You care and understand completely.
Your words of hope and promise clear my sight, allowing me to see and to hear the way You always desired for me,
with hope,
with faith,
and with love.
This is what love is... This is what peace is...This is grace!
His left hand cradles my head as His right hand embraces me. Song of Songs 8:3
It's beautiful here with You, Jesus.
Your left hand cradles my head and Your right hand embraces me.
I feel Your gentleness, but also Your Strength.
How can I fear, when I am so close to You?
You have me where I can only gaze into Your eyes, and listen to the sound of Your heartbeat.
As I listen to the sound of Your love song, and feel the waves of Your love,
the fear,
the anxiety,
the insecurity,
the questions,
all leave.
As I whisper the concerns of my heart to You, You give me such confidence.
Confidence that because You love me, it's all going to be OK.
You are bigger and stronger than I could ever imagine, but yet You care and understand completely.
Your words of hope and promise clear my sight, allowing me to see and to hear the way You always desired for me,
with hope,
with faith,
and with love.
This is what love is... This is what peace is...This is grace!
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Life
Life
Today my 93 year old neighbor said to me, "I wish I did not live to be this old, I feel so worthless."
This led to a conversation on what makes life worthwhile and valueable.
What determines the value of life, whether old, young, or in between?
The old remember being strong in life, productive and energetic. They remember working, providing,
producing and protecting. Now they are the ones who have to depend on someone else for these very
things that had given them meaning in life.
The young and the unborn don't remember. Their very survival depends on someone's care, compassion and protection. The sick and handicapped depend on the strong for their well being also.
So is it only the strong who have value and meaning in life?
Life is the very essence of God's love. It was His love that created life and gave value and meaning to each
individual, the unborn in the womb,the infant, the sick, the handicapped. the elderly and the strong.
We all need each other. The weak, young and elderly need the strong in order to live a meaningful life, likewise, the strong need the weak,young,and the elderly to live a meaningful life.
Taking care of the weak, young and the elderly is rewarding. It's how we learn to give and learn how to love. It's how our character is shaped, teaching us patience, gentleness, kindness and endurance. It's how we learn to grow in wisdom and so much more.
Our society today determines its own value on the weak. It's a choice we can make they say.
Yes, it's a choice.
Its's a choice to kill an unborn child if it is determinded to be unwanted or not convenient.
It's a choice for self instead of a choice to give, to protect, to provide.
It's a choice to come to "my own conclusion of who is valuable and who is not."
The same goes for the other end of the specrtum, the elderly.
In today's society hospitals are rewarded if they spend less on seniors.
Why should seniors be treated differently in hospitals than the young or middle-aged?
Is it because we are coming up with our own preconceived idea of who is valuable and who is not?
God is the only One who can place a value on an indiviual. He is the One who has created this life. All His creation has value because He has planned and purposed each one of their lives, making each indiviual unique.
He is the One who places the label of value over each person. We cannot exert our power over His and declare that this one is valueable and this one is not.
So I will cheerfully perform my duty of voting this year as a priest before the Lord, and I will vote for what I know He holds dear to His heart. I will vote for LIFE.
Today my 93 year old neighbor said to me, "I wish I did not live to be this old, I feel so worthless."
This led to a conversation on what makes life worthwhile and valueable.
What determines the value of life, whether old, young, or in between?
The old remember being strong in life, productive and energetic. They remember working, providing,
producing and protecting. Now they are the ones who have to depend on someone else for these very
things that had given them meaning in life.
The young and the unborn don't remember. Their very survival depends on someone's care, compassion and protection. The sick and handicapped depend on the strong for their well being also.
So is it only the strong who have value and meaning in life?
Life is the very essence of God's love. It was His love that created life and gave value and meaning to each
individual, the unborn in the womb,the infant, the sick, the handicapped. the elderly and the strong.
We all need each other. The weak, young and elderly need the strong in order to live a meaningful life, likewise, the strong need the weak,young,and the elderly to live a meaningful life.
Taking care of the weak, young and the elderly is rewarding. It's how we learn to give and learn how to love. It's how our character is shaped, teaching us patience, gentleness, kindness and endurance. It's how we learn to grow in wisdom and so much more.
Our society today determines its own value on the weak. It's a choice we can make they say.
Yes, it's a choice.
Its's a choice to kill an unborn child if it is determinded to be unwanted or not convenient.
It's a choice for self instead of a choice to give, to protect, to provide.
It's a choice to come to "my own conclusion of who is valuable and who is not."
The same goes for the other end of the specrtum, the elderly.
In today's society hospitals are rewarded if they spend less on seniors.
Why should seniors be treated differently in hospitals than the young or middle-aged?
Is it because we are coming up with our own preconceived idea of who is valuable and who is not?
God is the only One who can place a value on an indiviual. He is the One who has created this life. All His creation has value because He has planned and purposed each one of their lives, making each indiviual unique.
He is the One who places the label of value over each person. We cannot exert our power over His and declare that this one is valueable and this one is not.
So I will cheerfully perform my duty of voting this year as a priest before the Lord, and I will vote for what I know He holds dear to His heart. I will vote for LIFE.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Gratitude
Gratitude
How full am I with gratitude,
Full, half full, a little bit, or none?
My God commands me to be filled up with gratitude, filled up with praise.
Is that possible God? Every day?
What about the days of frustration, the days of pain, the days of wounds?
My child, my grace covers you in those painful days as well as the pleasant happy days.
I am the One who fills.
It is there for you, you just need to reach in and participate.
I can allow you to see a gift even if it is wrapped in a drab package.
I can allow you to see a treasure even though it is hidden beneath a hard shell, or needs to be dug up.
When you are grateful in the midst of the storm and the pain, you partake in my nature.
My daughter, I always see the treasure in you when you don't and in other people when you can't.
Ask, and I will reveal these secrets to you, enabling you to truely be able to rejoice in all things.
I have given you this command for your good.
Obeying will cause you to prosper and to be victorious.
Gratefulness in your heart will lighten the load,
bring a song,
produce a smile,
and will always keep you looking up to Me - hoping and trusting.
Colossians 3:15 And be filled up with gratitude.
.
How full am I with gratitude,
Full, half full, a little bit, or none?
My God commands me to be filled up with gratitude, filled up with praise.
Is that possible God? Every day?
What about the days of frustration, the days of pain, the days of wounds?
My child, my grace covers you in those painful days as well as the pleasant happy days.
I am the One who fills.
It is there for you, you just need to reach in and participate.
I can allow you to see a gift even if it is wrapped in a drab package.
I can allow you to see a treasure even though it is hidden beneath a hard shell, or needs to be dug up.
When you are grateful in the midst of the storm and the pain, you partake in my nature.
My daughter, I always see the treasure in you when you don't and in other people when you can't.
Ask, and I will reveal these secrets to you, enabling you to truely be able to rejoice in all things.
I have given you this command for your good.
Obeying will cause you to prosper and to be victorious.
Gratefulness in your heart will lighten the load,
bring a song,
produce a smile,
and will always keep you looking up to Me - hoping and trusting.
Colossians 3:15 And be filled up with gratitude.
.
Friday, October 19, 2012
Photo Book
Click here to view this photo book larger
Shutterfly baby photo books are the perfect way to preserve your baby's precious moments.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Jesus My Head
Col. 2:19 Yet it is from the Head that the whole body with its joints and ligaments, receives its
supplies, and thus knit together, grows according to God's design.
If He is my Head
I need to know how He thinks.
His way of thinking has to activate all that the body attempts to do.
So how can I, being part of the body, do anything, make a decision, perform a project, walk into a situation, hear a report, seek direction; without first asking my Head for His thoughts, His wisdom, His desire.
If He is my Head
I need to know that He communicates with me.
Whether it be through His written word, answered prayer, thoughts and desires He gives me, an audible voice, visions, dreams, or through other people: I need to know that He desires to communicate with me
and reveal Himself to me.
If He is my Head
I need to know that all my supplies come from Him
They can't come from any other source.
If I accept supplies from human injections, or the spirits of the world, they only cause disease; anxiety, frustration, anger, and bitterness.
I can only accept the supplies from my Head, who provides out of the treasures of heaven,
who provides out of His abundant love, who provides out of His fullness in glory!
And He bestows on us everything we need to live life to the fullness as He desired.
If He is my Head
I have to know that He chose me to be knit together with Him.
He wanted me, He accepted me, delights in me.
He is the One who will grow me into all He desires for me!
He does all the work.
I just rest and receive,
Rest in the finished work of His love,
Look into His eyes and TRUST.
supplies, and thus knit together, grows according to God's design.
If He is my Head
I need to know how He thinks.
His way of thinking has to activate all that the body attempts to do.
So how can I, being part of the body, do anything, make a decision, perform a project, walk into a situation, hear a report, seek direction; without first asking my Head for His thoughts, His wisdom, His desire.
If He is my Head
I need to know that He communicates with me.
Whether it be through His written word, answered prayer, thoughts and desires He gives me, an audible voice, visions, dreams, or through other people: I need to know that He desires to communicate with me
and reveal Himself to me.
If He is my Head
I need to know that all my supplies come from Him
They can't come from any other source.
If I accept supplies from human injections, or the spirits of the world, they only cause disease; anxiety, frustration, anger, and bitterness.
I can only accept the supplies from my Head, who provides out of the treasures of heaven,
who provides out of His abundant love, who provides out of His fullness in glory!
And He bestows on us everything we need to live life to the fullness as He desired.
If He is my Head
I have to know that He chose me to be knit together with Him.
He wanted me, He accepted me, delights in me.
He is the One who will grow me into all He desires for me!
He does all the work.
I just rest and receive,
Rest in the finished work of His love,
Look into His eyes and TRUST.
Friday, October 12, 2012
Jesus
Jesus
I love to whisper Your name Jesus.
I love to think Your name.
I love to shout Your name.
Your name breaks through my doubts,fears,anxieties,
and questions.
Your name calms my heart, lifts my head.
Your name shifts the atmosphere, allowing the light to
shine through, the hope to be restored, the joy
comes, flooding my soul.
Your name speaks LOVE to me and all You are explodes into me.
Jesus
I love to whisper Your name Jesus.
I love to think Your name.
I love to shout Your name.
Your name breaks through my doubts,fears,anxieties,
and questions.
Your name calms my heart, lifts my head.
Your name shifts the atmosphere, allowing the light to
shine through, the hope to be restored, the joy
comes, flooding my soul.
Your name speaks LOVE to me and all You are explodes into me.
Jesus
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Treasures on the Other Side of the Road
Treasures on the Other Side of the Road
This morning on my walk, the recycle truck was picking up items on the side of the road I usually
walk on. So I went over to the other side of the road to walk. I found some sweet treasures of beauty
there that I hadn't seen before. Dainty queen's anne lace, funny, yellow butter and eggs, and pink clover with pinstriped leaves soon formed a bouquet in my hand.
As I walked I thought about some things in my life that seemed to have me on the other side of the road.
It is not the familiar, everyday path for me right now. I think God has some treasures for me to discover here. I am going to keep my eyes open, ears attentive, and my heart receptive. I am sure these treasures that I am expecting will grace my life and those around me just as that bouquet of wildflowers is now gracing my bathroom sink.
I am excited Lord.
Excited that You are taking each step with me.
Excited that everything with You is intentional and for my good.
Excited because I know You are good, and Your love for me is abundant and full!!!
This morning on my walk, the recycle truck was picking up items on the side of the road I usually
walk on. So I went over to the other side of the road to walk. I found some sweet treasures of beauty
there that I hadn't seen before. Dainty queen's anne lace, funny, yellow butter and eggs, and pink clover with pinstriped leaves soon formed a bouquet in my hand.
As I walked I thought about some things in my life that seemed to have me on the other side of the road.
It is not the familiar, everyday path for me right now. I think God has some treasures for me to discover here. I am going to keep my eyes open, ears attentive, and my heart receptive. I am sure these treasures that I am expecting will grace my life and those around me just as that bouquet of wildflowers is now gracing my bathroom sink.
I am excited Lord.
Excited that You are taking each step with me.
Excited that everything with You is intentional and for my good.
Excited because I know You are good, and Your love for me is abundant and full!!!
Friday, October 5, 2012
When Your Light Comes
When Your Light Comes
When your Light comes, it illuminates my heart.
Revealing to me: how I need You,
how hopeless life is without You,
how I want You.
When your Light comes, it illuminates Your heart.
Revealing to me, Your longings and desires for me,
Your deep, deep love for me,
Your plans and purposes for my life.
This Light is blinding.
I wasn't expexcting it.
I didn't think You would want me in this condition.
But You are here!
Your Light has come.
I am undone... I can see!
My blinders have fallen off, the veil has lifted.
Your Light has made everything clear.
I am enthralled by your love as I gaze upon Your face.
I surrender.
Suddenly transformed, and restored, making me feel brand new.
When You shine Your Light Father,
You plant goodness, justice, hope, and truth.
And as these seeds sprout and begin to grow,
I become a daughter of the light,
Carrying Your presence, Your radiance, Your hope, Your purity,
Your fragrance, Your love, Your peace, Your joy.
Not allowing darkness, fear,anxiety, anger, unbelief, complaining
and condemnation to enter.
But a daughter that is singing, smiling, dancing, and knowing that she is loved.
Your Light revealing Your heart, lighting the path, allowing me to see,
to see, not only with my eyes, but with my heart.
Ephesians 5:13 Everything, when once the Light has shown on it is illumined, and everything when illumined
is all light.
When your Light comes, it illuminates my heart.
Revealing to me: how I need You,
how hopeless life is without You,
how I want You.
When your Light comes, it illuminates Your heart.
Revealing to me, Your longings and desires for me,
Your deep, deep love for me,
Your plans and purposes for my life.
This Light is blinding.
I wasn't expexcting it.
I didn't think You would want me in this condition.
But You are here!
Your Light has come.
I am undone... I can see!
My blinders have fallen off, the veil has lifted.
Your Light has made everything clear.
I am enthralled by your love as I gaze upon Your face.
I surrender.
Suddenly transformed, and restored, making me feel brand new.
When You shine Your Light Father,
You plant goodness, justice, hope, and truth.
And as these seeds sprout and begin to grow,
I become a daughter of the light,
Carrying Your presence, Your radiance, Your hope, Your purity,
Your fragrance, Your love, Your peace, Your joy.
Not allowing darkness, fear,anxiety, anger, unbelief, complaining
and condemnation to enter.
But a daughter that is singing, smiling, dancing, and knowing that she is loved.
Your Light revealing Your heart, lighting the path, allowing me to see,
to see, not only with my eyes, but with my heart.
Ephesians 5:13 Everything, when once the Light has shown on it is illumined, and everything when illumined
is all light.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
In my Weakness
In My Weakness
In my weakness,
You come, and listen to my pleas,
Hear my cry, and you comfort me.
You comfort me and hug me
Till the pain lifts.
Then you remind me of Your love for me,
You sing it over me,
Giving me a double portion of all I need,
Treasuring and cherishing me.
Your love becomes my strength for today,
My hope for tomorrow.
The heavens open as I trust again and
Believe that all possibilities are available for me
Today and tomorrow; because I belong to You!
Joy returns!!!
How Do I Wrap my Mind Around the Goodness of God?
To think how He has bestowed and opened the heavens, releasing the fountain of grace.
Giving me every spiritual blessing from the heavenly realm.
Choosing me to be His before the creation of the world,
Appointing me to become His daughter.
Releasing me: ownership to the enemy,
from the mountain of sin, guilt,shame, and hopelessness,
from fear, pain, anxiety, and striving.
Forgiving me, in an instant, freely,entirely,
Accepting me completely.
Placing me in Christ Jesus, where I have access to all the promises and the goodness of God.
Enabling me to receive the outpouring of His grace.
Adopting me into His family, sealing my union with the gift of the Holy Spirit, which indwells me.
All decreed in His design.
All purposed for me because of His love.
All to the praise of His glory.
My mind cannot understand this love.
The logic and intellect of the world cannot explain this love.
But my heart knows this love:
Because it's imparted to me by the Father,
Sung over me by the Son,
Whispered to me by the Spirit.
All to the praise of His glory!!!
Ephesians 1:3-14
In my weakness,
You come, and listen to my pleas,
Hear my cry, and you comfort me.
You comfort me and hug me
Till the pain lifts.
Then you remind me of Your love for me,
You sing it over me,
Giving me a double portion of all I need,
Treasuring and cherishing me.
Your love becomes my strength for today,
My hope for tomorrow.
The heavens open as I trust again and
Believe that all possibilities are available for me
Today and tomorrow; because I belong to You!
Joy returns!!!
How Do I Wrap my Mind Around the Goodness of God?
To think how He has bestowed and opened the heavens, releasing the fountain of grace.
Giving me every spiritual blessing from the heavenly realm.
Choosing me to be His before the creation of the world,
Appointing me to become His daughter.
Releasing me: ownership to the enemy,
from the mountain of sin, guilt,shame, and hopelessness,
from fear, pain, anxiety, and striving.
Forgiving me, in an instant, freely,entirely,
Accepting me completely.
Placing me in Christ Jesus, where I have access to all the promises and the goodness of God.
Enabling me to receive the outpouring of His grace.
Adopting me into His family, sealing my union with the gift of the Holy Spirit, which indwells me.
All decreed in His design.
All purposed for me because of His love.
All to the praise of His glory.
My mind cannot understand this love.
The logic and intellect of the world cannot explain this love.
But my heart knows this love:
Because it's imparted to me by the Father,
Sung over me by the Son,
Whispered to me by the Spirit.
All to the praise of His glory!!!
Ephesians 1:3-14
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