Peace

Many years ago, my 19 year old daughter and I were relaxing in the kitchen when we were both surprised by the then 7 year old honey bunny running up the stairs and immediately tumbling through the corridor into the kitchen by way of 3 momentous forward rolls. The older daughter sharply reprimanded the younger one for stopping within an inch of her shins as I leapt to my feet in applause and delight! The older daughter scolded me a bit for encouraging this behavior. My defense was more like a challenge, I invited her to try doing 3 forward rolls with a sudden stop and a taadaa finale like her sister. She took a walk down the hall and began to bend into a ball shape that replicated the previous performer. At the end of it all I explained that I was so moved by the fluid motions of the younger that I could not help but thrill in her use of energy and flexibility. After the elder sisters labored efforts, she too could only agree that the task inspired a sense of honour when carried out by youth and executed with ease. The elder did not show olympic promise as a gymnist.



One persons sense of appropriatness can certainly hinder anothers ability to freedom. In discerning the balance of relational stregnth, there are times when opposites must learn to co-exist. Wheat must grow with tare, silence must have a voice, peacekeepers must have peacemakers.



Keeping infers ownership , making infers the work or production of a thing. Making peace means hammering out unrest. Keeping peace means enforcing a code of agreement. Seeing both sides of a situation can cause a better understanding of anothers position. This does not insure a shared conviction. It can however, reveal oppertunity for commonality. Relationships are work, wether it be sister to sister , or co-workers , or spouses. To create a peace means to view someone else as God sees them. To take in the amazing love God has for all he created in that individual and reflect back to them an awe about who they are morphing into. In other words, to see Christ alive and at work through the unique quirks of their personality. What one may view as a weakness or friction, God may see as a place to pronounce His Glory, to reveal His wisdom, to confound this present world with hope and evidence that His Son at work in all of us can and will redeem each of us as we find it in our own hearts, and graciously offer it to one another!

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God! Amen.

Nuts and roots

From where I sat this morning, I could easily watch the sneaky little squirrel that was approaching my patio on the hunt for nuts. He ran up and down the leafless tree in my backyard to proudly display each find to his friend. The two of them engaged in a lively bit of chatter and then they were off again to collect more of the precious booty for a long winter ahead. This scene played out numerous times as I sat there with a front row seat. I was writing my own dialogue in my mind to the kinds of things the two of them might have been saying in each exchange. " how is the collecting going on your side of the yard?", " did you check out that pile of leaves over there ?" Get all you can while the getting is good , I heard the folks mention a clean up day and then it will all be gone." " I don't think I will go hungry this winter, but I wonder if the others know about this place?" " We must tell them right away, so they can stock up for the lean times!"

Maybe it was just wishful thinking to imagine a troop of squirrels ridding my yard of the nuicance nuts that needed to be raked up before first snow. They always seem to get trampled into the grass and buried halfway, only to be found next spring under a tender bare foot. The food of squirrels comes from the very subtle release of seed from the tree. The season for lucious fruit is past, the remnant left for only the wild to devour. The cycle begins again, roots have time in winter to go deeper, not compelled by sun and warmth and rains to work and produce foliage.

Now is the season to be rooted! We act like squirrels this time of year, don't we? We run around busily stashing our treasures away for " The holidays". We converse about bargains, recipes, and family plans to get together. We engage in the chatter of ritual comfort. But do we allow the spiritual season of growth and life an entrance to the underground work of root restoration? We have stored up scriptural training, we have sat with good council, we have understood and offered our fruits to one another, but have we taken time to lay axe to old roots and heal. During this close the windows- prepare for the winter - settle in time of year, take time to search out your heart before God. Rake over the hard areas and expose the rough patches. Throw away the dead branches, and while all may soon seem still, let your heart be rooted deeply in the Truth.

I want to encourage you to keep a personal journal of the winter season , the quiet and unnoticed journey the next few months will take you through. Sometimes we can't see fruit in areas we have given much attention to. It is at these times we need to remind ourseves daily of the microsopic developements that are taking place within us as we wait and watch. We will bear much fruit! John 15

Ring Toss

Games are a big part of our culture. For centuries peoples of all nations have been either participants or spectators to sports, tournaments, and various challenges. Even this week our " World Series " took place and many entered this arena supporting their favorite team.
Excitment grows when two strong men arm wrestle. Adreneline rises as quizbowl youth face off. Voices escalate in my own family room as video games and rock band are played! Everybody wants to be or see a winner!

Yesterday I lead a group of wheelchair bound residents in a scheduled activity. The time was slotted for Ring toss. I positioned the chairs in a circle , I passed out some light weight rubber rings and had them take turns at the targets. We went around the circle throwing and missing for about an hour. Each player encouraging of one another, until it was Mrs. F's turn.

Mrs. F would not release the ring, try as she might to extend her arm and adjust her grasp, she kept telling us she couldn't let go! After about 20 minutes of this same complaint I asked her what was wrong with her hand. She responded " it works just fine, I can't let go until you place the target within my reach, I don't want to miss it". As the group made comments to the effect of passing her turn up and getting on with the game I had to admit to myself how trivial a game it was. Next time around I placed the target directly below Mrs. F's hand and it landed on the ring. This kept the group happy, to allow them less distraction and a return to a faster pace.

On my way home from work that night I thought about this scenario. The spirit of God quickened to me a personal message based on Mrs. F's behavior. How many times do I hold on to trivial things in my life that I make more important then they need to be? Why do I sometimes take hostages in having things done my way? Am I so rigid that if everything is not set up correctly I can't enjoy it! Let me tell you, I immediately searched my heart and found a few areas that I needed to apply repentance to.

Having returned to the workforce on a "floating schedule" I can't be in controll of anything but my response to daily challenges. I need to come up in the area of " good attitude". I thought I was doing pretty well prior to this moment of revelation, and then I got this real epiphany. All I can do is all I can be at any given moment! I have no secret to my own strength, ability or talent. What I may possess is only part of the life of the triune God at work through me as I allow it. I don't need doors to be opened for me, I need to open doors in my heart and mind to allow the free movement of the Holy Spirit. Victory is only mine because Christ has shared His triumph with me!

Home Sweet Home

As a child my life was so transient, we moved often due to the financial burdens placed on a struggling household. I'm sure that even as a young mother I endured many relocations for the same reason. It does not surprise me, although it might you, that I have lived in some 30 something locations to date.

Adapting to new environs has becaome second nature to me so much so, that even though my current address hasn't changed for 16 years, I still move my furniture every time I deep clean my house! I think it makes everything feel new. I also paint my walls every 3 years to recreate the space I call home. Some may think of home as a place where you can rely on things not to change, but in my experience it is the very change that makes me excited!

I have learned that it is not the comfort of the familiar I depend upon for the feeling of "home", more like the comfort of family! As long as I am surrounded by the voices, expressions, and personalities that are such a part of me, I am at home. I am at home when visiting siblings out of state. I am at home when present with dear friends. I am at home with my grandchildren wherever we find ourselves at play. All because I am at home with my Lord and God!

Many followers of Christ look to the future to be "home"after a life of service has ended on this earth! I believe too in a prepared place beyond this world. Except I also believe that we ABIDE in him! Jesus is our home here on earth! We are never without the blessed comfort afforded us by his Holy Spirit. He is a resident in our hearts and minds and continues to allow us to also recognize the outer protection and provision that is supernatural and invisible to the naked eye.

It is Jesus that prepares a precious meal of the bread and cup for me to dine with Him. It is my Lord who laughs and cries with me, it is the Son of God who calls me his sibling! Home is where the heart is , and so having given mine to Christ, He has taken up residence and has rooted me in the community of His love for all those I call brothers and sisters of faith!

Home Sweet Home! John 15" Abide in me and I will abide in you".

Gossip Girl or Gospel Girl?

I admit that for a while, I've been in a bit of a bubble. My concerns and experiences have been of a personal nature. My time spent with intimate friends and family. My energies applied to mostly isolated encounters, one on one chats or encouraging group activities. So as I returned to the workforce this past week ( a huge company) I was not prepared for the petty nuances in the workplace.

My employment is in the health care arena, specifically an assisted living facility. I come into contact with all manner of service oriented workers. And let me first say this, it is a priveledge to be amongst those who serve this country on the front lines (The hardest emotional battlefield of life). Daily facing the enemy of apathy, sacrificing personal space and pride to bring dignity to those who have gone before us and now depend on us down to the most humbling of actions. But, having been in the bubble I forgot how personalities can produce friction when rubbed the wrong way!

The very smallest of actions between co-workers can be fanned into a tremendous flare up when repeated to an itchy ear. The right words can become the wrong ones when a recanting of anothers circumstance is colored with opinion. The observations of a "not clued in" bystander can taint the perceptions of grace in action. Even the introductions to staff can present a jaded history not yet a part of my own experience with that relationship! One week into the job and my head is already spinning! Not because I worry about performance of duties, but because I need to take out the trash that is being dumped all over my heart to serve!!! I must remain dilligent in guarding my heart against the onslaught of this verbal pollution.

I could create allies, team up with those who have the most pull or influence. I could speak out against the behaviors that seem inappropriate. I could even just ignore it all and go about my own business. But if I want to truelly walk in the love and power of God, I must rely on the Holy Spirit to stir me and direct me in each instance. Only God can know the way to my heart, only he can reveal to me how to be effectual to each person that is devinely called to be part of my journey. And only God can reach others through me! So I must become an empty vessel every day, that I might be refilled with the new wine of his spirit, ready to be poured out again and again.

Create in me a clean heart Lord and renew a right spirit within me, cast me not from your presence and take not your Holy Spirit from me!

Story Time

I love to read, as a matter of fact I love it so much that I will even read the dictionary! As I sit here at my computer, I am surrounded by stacks of books I've read and often re-read. The public library is better than shopping at the Mall for me( Actually anything is better then shopping for me!) I can lose myself in the smell of old print and the catagorical presentation of subjects.

I believe this deep connection began in me as a small child in kindergarten. Storytime had me fixated on images and characters from far away places of someones imagination. But the best thing I liked was the voice of the librarian as she made each page come to life. I didn't want to miss one word of text, I always tried to sit in front to view the illustrations up close. I was and still am transported to places and situations that imprint my soul.

When my children were potty training, I used sitting time as a tool to read and reward them for their efforts. We would stay bathroom bound with stacks of books even after the mission was accomplished. To this very day I keep a Bible on the tank of each commode to allow undistracted oppertunity for reading! I have often encouraged friends who need more discipline in daily devotion and Bible literacy to place a copy in the bathroom! We all need to retreat there at some point in our day! And so, the quiet and seperated space can lend itself to a necesary connection with the Word of God. And since I can no longer read my children bedtime stories, I allow them to search scripture by putting it out there where they can help themselves to as much as they want or need.

Now I must say that this practice has been confirmed for me and my household as a valid source of inspiration. Many an epiphany has taken place after a nature call. Truelly it has become a call to a new nature of spirit as well. There are even times when a family member will leave a passage open or marked for the next visitor! This can provide a gentle sharing of the word without confrontation, so to speak. A reminder to place love above all else, a psalm of praise to God to refocus our victories as from him and not ourselves, even a marked parable to help us reorient our path. In few short moments as these, we become re-centered on our real source of knowledge and truth. We are cognisant of trusting God for what we don't have answers for, or we are open to recieve the answers we want to avoid!

The first time I ever read the bible all the way through, I was 20 years old and it was a childrens picture story bible. A gift to my infant daughter upon her dedication in church. I knew that with such an important vow as to train her up in Gods word I needed to understand the power of this written history of Faith. What I realized in having finished this bible storybook was in itself the most incredible portrait of a loving father I had ever seen! My desire to know a real relationship with him has since been through daily correspondence via his precious son Jesus and the letters of the New Testament.

I pray you will burn with such a passion for "storytime" and come as a child to get a front seat.

I Wait by Vanessa Redman Thorp

I wait
I wait for a glimpse of you dear Jesus
I stand in the crowd of those who have heard
you are coming!
Excited, I wait.

I Know
I know you will pass this way my Rabbi
I long to listen to your words of truth,
your teachings.
Open, I wait.

I Cry
I cry ,I weep, I confess
I sob for all I have forsaken, all I've taken
I want to make it right with you
Forgiven, I wait.

I Trust
I trust that you will restore me, make me new
I place my life into your hands
I sense a freedom from all worldly woe
Peacefully, I wait.

I Follow
I follow you, the Great Shepherd
I come into the goodness of your care
I am safely kept in your sight
Sheltered, I wait.

I Praise
I praise you for you are all I need
I sing of all your kindness and love to me
I worship you with all my heart contains
Joyfully, I wait.

I Wait
I wait each new morning for you
I wait throughout the changing days
I wait as years toll upon my face
In your presence, I wait.

Gym Membership

My youngest daughter is a fitness freak! She has always been an energetic and enthusiastic sportsman. She could climb our radiator pipes to the ceiling by eighteen months of age, and has not stopped challenging herself or others since!

Last week she dragged me down to the gym and bought me a membership as a combined gift (she was going to get the power tools I wanted so badly for mothers day and my birthday!) . But the furniture refinishing projects I envisioned, never took place because of time constraints. And so she felt that I needed something more personal to challenge myself and prepare myself for a long and strong entrance into middle age.

I must say that I always thought of myself as an active women. Able to rise to physical feats appropriate to age and energy. Let me also say that my daughter is a sophmore in college with the goal of becoming a Physical Therapist. I think she has targeted me to confirm her own gifts and develope her calling.

The first day at the gym was exciting. I put on the cute new workout clothes she bought me, and looked like I belonged there, ready for action. She gave me a tour, as well as instructions on the cardio programmable equipment. She set me up and patted my back and said "Don't stop, push past the pain, you're stronger than you know". Five minutes into the cycle, I thought I needed a break, but with her at my side I didn't dare slow or quit! She kept a constant verbal stream of encouragement coming my way. She didn't leave me for a second. I wanted so badly to do all she had planned and not dissapoint her because of the tremendous oppertunity she was offering me with this gift! But it was harder then I thought, more uncomfortable then I wanted to endure, more difficult then fun.

After a 30 minute cardio workout, I was beet red in the face, saturated in sweat and panting for water to cool my dried throat. I felt all rubbery in my legs, and cramped in my hands from the death grip I had on the handles, the only thing holding me up those last 10 minutes. After a short time of stretching, I was ready to head home. It was then that she announced "phase 2" of the workout. The cardio was the warmup! She then had me do abdominal crunches in 10 different positions until I could not even pick myself up off the floor. Another short break and "phase 3" weight training!!! I finished all that she required of me and she gave me a big hug and told me I surprised her by keeping pace. The only thing she wanted me to grasp and change was the contstant limits I set on myself. She said" You are telling me that you can't do anymore, and that mindset will stop you from pushing the limits, you can stop when you pass out or throw up, otherwise your body does what YOU tell it to do!"

I must admit I was a bit shocked at the harsh attitude she was presenting with that exhortation. But I was also amazed that I had accomplished more then I ever considered. I was a bit sore, but as she reminded me, "get used to it- no pain, no gain"!

In the book of Hebrews, the 12th chapter, verses 1-3, it says" Let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honor beside God's throne in heaven. Think about all he endured when sinful people did such terrible things to him, so that you don't become weary and give up."(NLT)

I recieve this scripture on so many levels today as I meditate on the current challenges set before me, relational, physical, mental, and spiritual. I know I must keep my eyes on Jesus!! I hear the Holy Spirit calling me to walk on water so to speak, to not just stay afloat but to rise up and move in new ways. To allow my spirit to be free of the earthly laws of physics, in limit setting! I truelly understand that there is a joy that will come AFTERWARD! But the discipline of practicing faith without doubt means you must push through the painful earthly forces. Obstacles, added stress, stretching in new directions, can all seem a bit overwhelming. But you don't go it alone. See the face of Christ encouraging,cheering you on. Hear his excited voice say this is the way walk in it. Feel the gift of his prescence by your side as you push harder against the unholy influences that want to derail you today!

He left us with our own personal trainer- The Holy Spirit , who will reveal all things to us, Praise the Lord!

Him who has ears, let him hear!

We are all created so intricately. Made with intimate details that only a divine benefactor could have installed. We possess certain endowments that help to define us throughout our journey. I have come to know my "special superpower" as hearing!

I know some of you might find this a bit crazy to say the least, but as a child, I was aware of having big ears! They kind of caused me to feel like a taxi cab with the doors left open. I was teased a bit but learned to wear my hair a little fuller around my head so as not to make them appear so prominent. As I grew I also recognized how sensitive my hearing skills were. I was bothered easily by low level noises around me. I could pick up on many different conversations and background disturbances easily! This is a blessing and a curse. On one hand you can be overwhelmed by the things you are not supposed to be aware of , sharp piercing blasts at high frequencies, slight changes in volume, distinct betrayals of actions taking place around you. On the other hand you have a built in sense of connection to activity on a more conscious level than simple observation.

Absolute silence is a gift to someone like myself. It is a rare moment that all is still and quiet. I find that even in the middle of the night the sound of a light switch coming on can awaken me. If a fan is whirling it creates such a distraction from peace in my space. My children used to wonder how I knew everything going on around me when they were out of sight and range, I could hear the change in there voice frequency and fine tune to their words even when behind closed doors.

The practice of finding a quiet place to unload all the activity in my brain became such an important part of my day, that I needed to awaken before dawn and remain up after the house settled to give myself a space and place to rest.

I grew in the " Be still and know that I am God " place. I began to hear Him speak as I emptied all other daily"noise " out in those early sessions. It was His words I would meditate on and wait for! All the stuff on the outside would slip away. And I would relinquish myself to a peace that cannot be found apart from in His prescence.

God Speaks! He has a voice that is soft, it is warm and tender! You can't hear it while internally ranting, you can't hear it when mentally absent, you won't hear it if always distracted. But when you take the time to allow him to have a say, and you are not desiring a - get to the point, one word answer, I think you'll be amazed at the things He truly wants to share with you personally!

Selfish people live sorry Lives

I recently bumped into someone (physically) on my way out of a store. I turned around and said "Sorry" while biting my bottem lip. The face glowered back at me! It was an accident, I was distracted. I didn't do it on purpose I was just in a hurry and juggleing a purse and hot coffee as I focused on my exit. I think we've all been preoccupied from time to time,lost in our own thoughts. It is a natural response to the way we have been conditioned in a fast paced,you snooze you loose society.

Well. the polite way to go beyond the offense is to offer an apology for rude or inconsiderate behavior. But what of those people around us that have adopted an apologetic lifestyle. You know, the friend who is always late, the co-worker that fails to help with their share of respondsibility, the spouse that excuses missed occasions with a to busy calander. Or the family member who just had to put their critisism of you out there in front of others. They all have the same response to disappointing you or making you out as a party to the injury! I'M SORRY! As if it will magically remove them from their selfish action against you.

Maybe As you read this YOU are the one always throwing an apology at some situation to get yourself off the hook quickly. There is a pattern to test yourself with, Do you start with I'm sorry but... or perhaps, I'm sorry I needed... or maybe I'm sorry it's just that.... all this really points to is that you or the offender seek to excuse bad behavior instead of change it! That is the center of selfishness. Seeking your own interests above anothers.

In the book of Proverbs the 28th chapter the 25 & 26 verses it says this; "Selfish people cause trouble, but you will live a long life if you trust the Lord. Only fools would trust what they alone think, but if you live by wisdom you will do all right."(cev)

People who cause trouble are always saying they are sorry. Let me repeat myself, people who cause trouble are always saying they are sorry! People who want to stop causing trouble REPENT! They ask forgiveness from those they have offended, they forgive themselves by confessing their respondsibility to the offense & they recieve forgiveness from God by way of Jesus, The Holy Spirit allows them freedom to turn around their thought life toward a Christ centered WAY of thinking. That is WISDOM!!!!

Living a Spirit led life means not focusing on your own agenda, or schematic , or reason! It means living out each thought with the ambition of bringing God glory and praise. What a man thinks, so he is. If you think of Gods love for you, you can love others. If you think of His kindness towards you, you can be kind to others . If you think of His goodness and mercy toward you, you will become good and merciful to others. It is by bringing His thoughts not ours into our minds and actions that produce the life Christ died to give us. An abundant life filled with hope and joy. Not one we will be "Sorry " for !

Sorry is for small children learning from mistakes. We need to be reminded to grow up to the full stature of Christ as mature men and women! Next time you look to remedy a situation, ask yourself and God what in you must be made right to achieve a mind set that will glorify Him. How can you turn your thinking into a God way instead of a my way highway. Remember most road accidents happen because we are careless or lost in our own thoughts! We choose to make a call on the cell phone, we choose to drive when tired or distracted. Then who is SORRY! Being thoughtful of others will cause us to sacrifice our own selfish desire to get what we want when we want it. It will cost us to regard others as equally important. It will create in us an awareness of consequences to our actions that will help us remember to ask The Holy spirit to guide us and renew us. And again I say to you(v. 25) "you will live a long life if you trust the Lord!"

Making Melody in your heart unto the Lord

Music has a way of reaching the primal core of me. I can't seem to decide what genre is my favorite. I match my tunes to my mood or energy level. I have amassed such a variety of artists;classical,pop,r&b, jazz, swing,techno,disco, heavy metal, country, you name it I love it!

I like to change the words to popular tunes to reflect a personal worship message(like they did in the movie Sister Act). I find myself tweeking almost anything on the stereo to offer up my heart to God. I also recieve some lyrics as personal messages of love and blessings just for me from His heart. Music helps me express all kinds of internal energy. I can rid myself of negative feelings by doing some Janis Joplin screeching or by a Nora Jones style deep vocal whispering. Linda Ronstadts"when will I be loved", seems to help empty me of hurt at times that I identify emotional tresspassers,at least it's a starting point.

But the truth be told, when I'm by myself I make up my own tunes and words and just sing out to God! On a few occasions my husband has been woken up during the night by my singing in my sleep!

I can remember as a young girl taking walks and just singing about creation, the trees or birds or sun,it didn't much matter it just felt good. That girl is very much a part of this mature women! There is something about vocal expression that seems to take me to a spiritual place in another realm.Music is truelly the universal language. I bet if we all sang more about good things , we'd fill ourselves up with joy and kindness. We would spend more of our attention on seeing them, then on the negative thoughts we keep to ourselves!

The scriptures tell us to sing and make melody in our hearts unto the Lord our God! It won't matter if you carry a tune in a bucket,it really only matters that you practice vocalizing. Why? Because in heaven we will be surrounded with music, angels singing, alleluias and praises constantly on our lips. Everybody worshipping as one before The King of Glory! Thats a concert I can't wait to attend!

SisterFriends

I have a broad network of women that I feel connected to. I'm sure you all have those dear people in your life that you know you can go to for various reasons. Some laugh with you, some cry with you. Some shop,eat, chat, pray, celebrate,decorate, work, organize, & sympathize with you. Some love who you love and hate who you hate. And to some you are Mom,Aunt, teacher, neighbor, helper, Grandma, advisor, prophet, priest, or friend.

But certain women grow into "sister-friends". That relationship is more than just a connection, it's a place! Somewhere safe to go when you are in need of a reality check. That special and unconditional friendship that tells you how awful you look in a bathing suit. That wonderful friend that will sit in the middle of your laundry pile just to "catch up" with your latest news. That one in a million -read your mind( right before you lose it), kind of gal pal.

I am fortunate enough to have some of those rare gems in my life. They have reached deep into themselves and offered me a place to grow there close to their hearts. They are never surprised when I just drop in. They are never unable to share their friends with me. They always include me in their extended family activities. I am welcome to travel all their roads with them. Some are well lit, others require holding hands thru dark places. Never the less, I hold them just as closely as they hold me.

There is one woman in particular that had made a pact with me due to her limitations. We promised to always pray for one another, even if the other should decide to go away from the friendship. This woman was and is so dear to me that I could never forget that pact. She suffered from physical abuse that lead her into alchoholism. I was honest with her about getting herself help. I knew that for all the depth we had shared, she and I would not continue on the same road at that time. As a good friend, a loving friend, I had to admit to her and myself that she needed professional care. I could only stand aside and pray. She never said good-bye,but I haven't heard her Hello on the other end of the phone in over 4 years. I sense the loss in my life and hers. But I still believe it was for the best to allow her to figure out how to work through it all. Time has a way of revealing all things. I have learned to longsuffer in prayer over this broken womans struggle.

Perhaps you too know a close relationship that has taken a "humpty dumpty" fall. Once there was joy and closeness. Now there is distance and grief. It can Hurt to the core. It can make you so very angry. It can break your heart. It can make a WARRIOR out of you! Yes , you will need to stay vigilant in prayer! You will need to release the heavenly hosts daily to minister in ways you never could on behalf of this precious life you and God love! Don't doubt that whatever you ask in the name of Jesus isn't already at work to restore and heal the wounds of your dear sister friends! You may not get to see the fruit of a deeply committed prayer pact, but intercession and fasting are the only ways to break strongholds.

I don't want to be so selfish as to pray just so I can regain this person in my life. I want this person to sense that she will never be forsaken and alone again. And only Jesus has traveled the road to Hell and back, Only He has the keys to unlock the chains that bind her. Jesus will hold her hand in dark places even when she doesn't know to ask, I will ask for her!!!

Wilderness Experiences

Have you ever been in a situation that seems to lock you up? You know, a landslide of difficulty coming down around you. Well, this week two very dear young women have come to me with similar weight on there backs . These wives,mothers, faith filled friends have been challenged by overwhelming circumstances.

One women is facing an onslaught of attacks in the area of her families health issues, the other faces major conflicts in financial and employment decisions. Both are really being squeezed with a vice grip hold to continue to walk against the white water rapids of discouragement. Carried along this frightening flow of non stop-need a breath-emotional riptide, they ask the same question of God. How long Oh Lord can I hold on to hope?

Do you know that feeling from a time in your own faith journey? I do. I remember it like it was yesterday! Some things we never forget. My church family had just anointed me and six other women to take a vow of prayer and service at a Sunday service. I was so humbled to be a part of this extension of service for the sake of living out my christian vocation. The next day my family headed to visit our daughter in college. In one weeks time, my home was robbed, my dog was in a critical accident, the washer broke down and my small children were having nightmares over the unbelievable havoc our lives became. No sense of continuity, no ability to enter a moment of rest. I was so shaken to the core that I started to fear being alone in my house in case the intruder returned!

I remember my first day alone in the house, I was a strong front for the sake of the kids, but after sending them to school, I felt paralized. I melted into a heap of tears on my kitchen floor and sobbed uncontrollably. I kept crying "Help me God! Help me" .. the phone rang and it was a friend who dropped everything and came to me. She carried my shaky frame back to the kitchen and cradled me like a mother with a newborn. She let me cry and cry and cry as she stroked my head and softly rocked me with gentle shushing. After a long while she reminded me that I was human.

Yes, HUMAN! She told me that my every tear was a deep prayer to God. It was good to release them. It was right to be mindful of my own limits, it was expected that I should be come against after my public confession of Jesus alive in me. Yes Jesus was also in a wilderness where He was tested by Satan. We forget that old Devil still uses the same bag of tricks!

Ladies and gentlemen, It was after her departure that I saw clearly the strategic manipulation of Satan trying to render me useless in Gods service with the booby traps of fear, anxiety and distraction. It gave me a whole new prayer life! I learned to recognize the enemy instantly around various situations and rebuke him and the horse he rode in on!!!!

If you are currently coming up against opposition in your household circumstances, take a moment to see what strongholds are at work against Gods good purposes! Begin to set up a battalion of blessings, gather your warrior bride of Christ girlfriends to pray and worship with and for you, and remember you are human, God is all powerful, jealous for the sake of HIS children! He has given authority to you in the Name of Jesus. You are not alone!!!!

Fighting for Victory

I don't understand why I continue to expect a fair match when engaged in a dispute with a family member. It seems that the old mistakes I've made in the past are shot at me with rapid fire precision. The old saying" forgive and forget" never seems to apply when dealing with mere mortals.

I know God forgave my stubborn will, my faults and my failings according to the confession of my weakness. Those around me seemed to get over it when I asked for their forgiveness also. Yet Satan always stirs up some form of rememberance over past mistakes. I'm so sure I'm not the only one in this world tormented this way!

The scenario seems to go like this.... I'm going along just fine, joyfully accepting the day to day inconveniences and expectations of others, growing in my ability to set boundaries that are healthier then in the past. Suddenly a sarcastic mention of a past foiable is made. Right in the middle of my positive attitude! Thats right, out of nowhere it seems I'm dragged to a time when the spirit of God was retraining me to move in a new and sanctified way. You know, " the pruning season". When there were things in my life that needed to be cut out! It was hard enough back then to hear, imagine how much more painful it is to continue to be identified with old sin!!! And who but the members of my own family fall prey to be used of Satan in my devaluation!!!

And again I must go in my spirit to that strong tower, which is the name of Christ, and hide from the burning arrows of defeat. For me it has become a shorter distance to cross these days. I get there by singing "Who can wash away my sin, nothing but the blood of Jesus, Who can make me whole again, nothing but the blood of Jesus". I sing this song silently to myself. I sing it LOUD inside my head. I sing it as long as it takes till the attack subsides. And all the while the outside of me stays steady. I keep quiet. I walk away. As Jesus said on the cross" it is finished"!

When Satan reminds you of your past, just remind him of his Future!

In the mist

I just returned from a 4 day get away to the Hampton Beach area of Long Island, New York. Upscale restaurants, Boutique Shops & huge private estates seem to dominate the quaint little villages and charm the senses.

We'd been blessed by a relative who shared their summer home with my sister, brother in law, husband and I. The house was all ours! A beautifully restored historic "Gate House". It was situated on a full acre of property,maintained impecably by gardeners, a housekeeper and other various laborers. The inside was exclusively appointed by a professional designer. The guest rooms were charming and luxurious. The pantry and refridgerator were stocked with anything and everything one might desire to eat or drink. We were welcomed to share in all the hospitable provisions of our dear hostess.

God called me to fast!! Can you believe it? Well it's true. I felt lead to abstain from eating from sun up to sun down. (We had dinners at about 8;30 pm) .I was also called to retreat to a quiet place alone and search out scripture, pray & worship. I never stepped foot in the sand or shopped or even dressed on one day there. But I did however enjoy the greatest retreat of my life.

The men went fishing, or sight seeing as my sister & I shared our meditations each morning.
The word was opened up to us and spoke directly to our spirits. We were more hungry and thirsty for the things of God during our time there than for food or drink. And I understand how Jesus went to a garden to pray,even plead on behalf of the weakness of human struggle. A garden makes time stand still, it empties you of distractions in view of the delicate way God himself reveals His mysteries. It is a place that grows your ability to renew faith and trust. It's just you and The King of all the universe. Everything shrinks before the majesty of His creation.

The last day there, I awoke to find a fine mist rolling over the area. I went outside far behind the house to the private pool. The mist covered me with a cool and refreshing touch without leaving me damp, the air was humid and warm like a towel right out of the dryer. I listened to the water bubble in the pool next to me and I just rested in the whole and Holy presence of God like a weaned child on it's mothers lap. I was filled up with tender love. Gods love. The kind that after emptying yourself out finds enough room to make a home. The kind that causes you to love yourself as God does. The kind that brings strength into the weak places of your body , soul and heart. The kind of love that we were meant for! Not just for a moment but for eternity.

It is hard to fathom how the Lord moved on my behalf to place me in such a location for nothing, at such a time when I could not have done this thing for myself. To recieve true riches in the land of the "rich and famous". To be satisfied beyond food & drink, to have His peace as a reminder that this is "living the dream"! Waiting on the Lord-Knowing his goodness toward us extend to the farthest reaches.

The Be-Attitudes

Most of us are familiar with the fifth chapter of Matthew in the Bible. You remember where Jesus gave us the Sermon on the Mount.....Blessed are the poor,those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger, the merciful, the pure of heart,the peacemakers, the persecuted for righteousness sake, the falsley accused and slandered for the name of Jesus". Having been in a few of those positions in my lifetime, it is hard to feel a special bond among the blessed! The big kicker here is at the end of this we are told "Rejoice and be glad, your reward is great in Heaven!"

The reward is in Heaven? But the struggle is here on earth! And you want me to rejoice? How Oh Lord ,can this be accomplished? Years of searching out the scriptures have helped me to learn some of Christs strategies for having a right heart response or as I call it a "Be - Attitude". My favorite reference comes from the fourth chapter of Phillipians as the Apostle Paul writes starting with verse 4,"Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice! Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men, the Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing,but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God , which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true,honorable,right,pure,lovely,of good report,if there is any excellence or anything worthy of praise , let your mind dwell on these things....practice these things and the God of peace shall be with you". Verse 12, " I know how to get along with humble means,and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry,both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who stregthens me.

The beggining of this text reminds us that we will need to position ourselves as forbearers. Others will see the load we carry. Life is messy! You can't sweep the dirt under the carpet! We need to shake it out and sweep it up. We make declaration of God at work in our situation by rejoicing! We allow our spirit to be grateful for the revealing of hidden enemies to the greater and deeper work of God in our lives. We express the intimate partnership of our burdens by speaking the holiness of Gods divinity into each moment of hardship. And we get the broom out and whistle while we work . We relocate our minds to the dwelling places of His excellece in the mysterious ways He works, and we remember it is Christ in us that is strong enough to conquer our fears and anxieties and enable us to do all things.

Once we begin to operate in such a way as to accept that we will have to encounter an unholy world, we will indeed recognize the need to remain in the presence of a Holy God to help us overcome that part of it that wants to cling to us.

May the Spirit of God coat you with a teflon "Be-Attitude", Begin with rejoicing to apply to all surfaces. Nothing the world throws at you will stick!!

Sunday Village

Over many years I have come to recognize the value of Sundays. Sunday is not just the name given for the day following Saturday. Nor is it of value to me because it is considered a day of rest .

Since I was a small girl, I can recall Sunday dresses and petticoats, patent leather shoes(white from Easter till Labor day,black for fall and winter) hats ,and gloves. What a great treasure to dress up in that special outfit once each week! For close to 12 weeks this outfit consisted of the same single dress! We were not wealthy, but it seemed most the kids also had 1 set of Sunday clothes. I think it only changed if you grew or with the seasons.
The priveledge of putting on such garments was for the purpose of going to church as a family.

We went faithfully with our friends and neighbors to church school and worship services each Sunday. We sang songs of Jesus' love for us and made crafts that helped remind us at home of the lessons we were taught on flannel boards about bible characters and Gods big plan! It always felt good to be there. I felt loved , I felt beautiful, I felt like it was one big family! I remember learning to recite the Lords prayer. It wasn't about anything rote that took place,yet the tradition was foundational in my sense of experiencing God through His people" The Church".

After Worship Service we always went to my Great Grandmaothers house for Sunday supper. This also was a tradition. As we entered her tiny cottage, the smells of a roast in the oven and fresh baked bread made our tummies grumble for the feast to follow! She would set us up with a quiet activity she found from the "funny pages" of the sunday paper. My sister and I weekly cut out the paper doll dress to add to our cigar box collection for later play. My older brother colored the by number picture insert. We sprawled across the small sitting room floor until called to our places at the childrens table, an arms length away from our elders. Grace was said and "children should be seen and not heard" was the rule for dinner conversation. If we ate all on our plates we were given dessert. Now all this was accomplished in our Sunday best with dishtowels covering our necks and chests.

After dinner we would be sent out to the front porch to play jacks or cards or jump rope. If the weather was bad we could take toys from a box out and play on the enclosed pantry -back door area. On long summer days we sat out under the cherry tree and played dolls as the adults talked and relaxed.

We ended each Sunday with full tummies, tired eyes and promises to be back next week. We children sat quietly in the back seat as our parents headed us home for bed. I remember watching the trees and neighborhoods pass by us from the car windows, sun setting,seasons changing. Everything familiar, each block etched into my memory of the road home.

I share this trip down memory lane with you today because I'm stirred by the promise I made this morning to God about Hunter. Hunter was Baptized today! His parents are Phil and Robin. They were surrounded by generations of family and friends. Robin and her family are new to our church family, and we all celebrated this joy together. Today I promised God to support Her and her family in showing Gods love, in encouraging them to come to the feast He has prepared in Christ thru the bread and cup. I promised to be that place that would help Hunter grow through years of laughter,tears,victories and challanges, and understand his gifts, along with all the others present.

Lord Jesus help us all to recieve the little children in our midst, to cherish your heart towards them as we learn to serve you more each day! For the sake of your kingdom coming into our midst every day. Amen

Spring Cleaning

As I look around my home in the bright morning light I am energized with the possibilities of a beautiful day yet unexplored, until I spy small particles of airborn pollen and dust floating in my open windows. Spring is finally here! Allergy Alert!

I'm having one of those weeks where my eyes are itching and tearing up, my nose is dripping and my throat is slimey. I guess it's time to put my SUPERWOMAN costume on. This consists of a ponytail, my stretched out and stained yoga pants(don't kid yourself, housekeeping is very much like yoga if you think about the many twisted and stretched movements it takes to reach cobwebs) an oversized ratty tee-shirt and my sneakers. But what really makes my costume complete are the yellow playtex gloves and the baby blue dust mask over my nose and mouth,as well as the safety glasses I've recently added (to protect my eyes from falling ceiling fan grime goons).

Yes, I am now ready to tackle the messy build up of a long winter encampment! I don't move well in cold winter months! I prefer cooking to cleaning! I like visiting with friends over feeling trapped by my own four walls. And so I am astonished that in my brief departure from sunlight so much has been taking place around me in terms of downright neglect. And so this week with my trusted sidekick home from college, we will literally go where no man(in my family) has ever gone before! Into the cracks and crevices of darkness, searching out the closets of chaos, vacuaming up a variety of home invaders!

My first attack was on the tile floor in my kitchen. The grout was screaming to be set free from the grimey build up that had slowly caused a dull and lackluster appearance. This is where the super power took over. The Holy Spirit to the rescue!! The mundane and repetitive act of scrubbing was wearing me into a state of apathy. Maybe it was a waste of my time to expect the grout to come back to the original state and color. Perhaps I was putting my energy into an area of my home that wasn't necesary, what if I couldn't finish the whole floor today! And last but not least, if I stop now then only half of the floor will look done!

The Spirit began to show me how change is a choice,how it takes time and repitition to restore an area of my life to it's original beauty! I recognized that the goal here was not just a clean floor but a maintained surface. As hard as it is to admit my limits, I was also aware that like the grout, there are tiny groves that have collected deposits brought in on the feet of others who walked over my life, without concern for keeping it clean. It was my job to take care of what I could see. The Holy spirit would loose the grit and grime from the hidden places beyond my own ability. And why worry about what is not completed today when tomorrow will offer time to come back and do yet one more tile to perfection. It is much better to do a big thing half way today, then to walk away in defeat. Who knows tomorrow may produce better results toward the finished work.

I am reminded that He(Jesus) who began a good work in you , is faithful to complete it! Don't grow faint hearted when the mess is revealed, put on your superwoman costume( from Ephesians 6:10-12) The full armor of God ! For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers,against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. { And sometimes they float in on the light of a beautiful sunny morning as specks of dust. }

A Mothers Merit badge-Grown up children!

This past month has been incredible. I am still reviewing in my minds eye the lessons given me by my children and granddaughters. Part of me is shocked to find out that they all have so much to inspire me with. They also are showing ownership of foundational truth in application. On Easter, we are reminded of a resurrection power of supernatural proportions in Christs' triumph over sin & death. A selfless, loving act to free us of our burdens! Restore us to the very source of universal love.

This Easter my son (who no longer lives at home) joined my husband and I for a light breakfast before church. As we sat chatting, a familiar sound came from the lower level of our house. It was the washing machine! I looked at both men and asked if someone accidently knocked into it and perhaps started it. My son casually responded that he was putting a load through. I was flabergasted to say the least. He had never used the machines before! I ran over to him and planted a big kiss on his cheek and thanked God for this miracle of resurrection life over him. Why you ask? Because at one time the boy was deaf to my pleading for him to take respondsibility over his laundry, At one time he was blind to the extra tasks left to other memebers of our household, At one time he was deadened beyond belief to the need to gain skill in areas of home economics. He was now aware-alive-and active in these ways. It was a startleing revelation for me his mother!

My youngest daughter also showed me incredible growth in that she choose to spend her spring break with us at home, indulging herself with home cooked meals,family game time and long deep intimate conversations about her spiritual convictions! She recieved our words without conflict, restored areas of seperation and made obvious leaps in mature decisions toward finance and education. She will be moving home to continue college and work. This too is a major miracle in her life as she had only one year ago declared her distaste for being with her old fashioned and goofy parents. We were out of sync with the real world!

I was also pleasantly surprised by a simple statement made by my oldest daughter. For her a dare to live more fully in faith. She declared to me that this would be the year of "no regrets!" She was willing to live outside the restrictions of circumstance to forge a path of inviting new and difficult challanges into her life. She would begin to allow momentary discomforts for the sake of unknown rewards both physically and spiritually recieving each as a gift to greater fullness in her life. For her it meant a 7 day road trip with 2 small children, Her Aunt and I, along the east coast. We crammed into a 5 seat vehicle and drove 10 hours each way to Myrtle Beach for a 4 day stay in a one room efficiency. She is much stronger then she even knows for having gone the distance.

And last but not least is the lesson we all got when my 4 year old grandaughter (having never seen the ocean, awoke to her mother throwing back the curtain on our 9th story balcony to take in the panaoramic sight of the Atlantic. AWE, SILENCE, PURE JOY was her expression. We all delighted in that moment with her!

That is the same way I feel over each of these small revelations of my children. It is because of the many sacrifices we make as mothers to bring them along to a place were the view is spectacular! To see Gods grace and growth in each one. To feel that the untold hours of prayer can provide us with these glimpses of His seal on their lives. This was the only gift I will need this mothers day!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day Queen Esther!

I was asked to lead Devotions for our womens group this Sunday. With a Saint Patricks day theme tea, I decided to study up on his ministry. I also will be leading a bible study on Tuesday evening with some materials and subject matter from the book of Esther. This is one of my favorites and I have spoken and taught the text many times. After contemplating the preparations for each, a larger connection seemed to be unfolding to my spirit.

Saint Patrick was taken into captivity by an Irish band of raiders, Esther was also a result of the captivity of Isrealites in Persia. God had placed Patrick in a very rich religious family that practiced and lived out their vocation in the church. Esther was also a reciepient of faith devotion in her own family and jewish practice of faith. Patrick was faithful in his prayer life during his slavery for freedom, Esther fasted and prayed expecting God to move on behalf of His call for His people to be free from a death sentence. Patrick was called to return to Ireland as a missionary on behalf of those who needed to come to the knowledge of God. Esther needed to go before the King and make clear declaration of Her God. Esther needed to be placed in a position to save Gods people from certain death. Patrick needed to be used to lead Gods people to the knowledge of eternal life!

Although from different times, cultures, and geography the thread of Gods heart for the message of salvation is still trumpeting to us today! GO into all the world and make disciples of every nation! This is the great comission to us all.

Are we also in some way captives? Yes held back by political correctness. Are we also called to pray for freedom, our own and others? Yes, for justice and mercy for all whom Christ died. Are we also sent back to the places that once powerfully enslaved us? Yes, when we recieved new life in Christ we were redeemed and empowered by His Holy Spirit to overcome our sin nature and testify to His abounding GRACE! From glory to glory we recognize our victory over sin. We acknowledge we fall short of Gods glory! It is evident to me that we are not the recipients of salvation for ourselves alone. ALL who share air with us are in need of this message. All whose souls cry out in their slavery to addictions and ignorance. Satan has taken captive our minds with lies about who we are intended to be in this world. Make no mistake that daily we march to deaths door without the precious blood of Christ poured out for our sake. Is that door your neighbors? Is it you childrens? Is it your friends who fear and doubt and say" there is no help for me in my circumstance?" Open the door of hope to them! free them from deaths grip! Let them meet the Loving Jesus that once and for ALL rescued you!!!

Our righteousness is the putting on of Christ, so it shall be that the prayers of the righteous will prevail!!!! Christ Jesus, seated in the high place of His authority releases the captives when we pray!

Remember the shamrock, (it's not luck you need) just the Father Son And Holy Spirit!!

Enemies

Matthew 5: 43-48, "you have heard it said 'Love your neighbors and hate your enemies' But I tell you to love your enemies and pray for anyone who mistreats you. Then you will be acting like your Father in heaven. He makes the sun rise on both good and bad people. And He sends rain for the ones who do right and for the ones who do wrong. If you love only those who love you, will God reward you for that? Even tax collectors love their friends. If you greet only your friends, what's so great about that? Don't even unbelievers do that?But you must always act like your Father in heaven."

I spend a lot of time in prayer. I have known alot of enemies. From years of experience I've found that they all have one thing in common, ME! When I start out in prayer over the misdeed of another, I usually see myself as a victim of unfairness or cruelty. In my own frail and human spirit I am too limited to muster my own resevoir of love. As my time before God releases cries of pain, anger and even vengeful thoughts, I confess by faith that God will right this wrong.

Following my confession, I begin to let go of the emotional reactions. I pray for all the good things I would want to recieve of His goodness and mercy to be released to the offender. This was at first a strange discipline to apply, but here is the real truth about having enemies. If you suffer an offense( and we all will have that oppertunity, if we breathe) it lands on you and comes into you to reveal something of your weakend state spiritually. When we are unable to retrieve the love of Christ as an immediate response by forgiving, we deny the very same access to God to those who need it most!

The offender is simply a container of others offenses toward them!! They are seeking to rid themselves of this hot potato of unkindness. With an adjusted view of the real enemy, we can see that to stop this cycle of hurt and pain, we need Gods perspective to flow directly to the area in need of restoration in our own lives.

When someone intentionally or even unintentionally hurts me, I have to examine my own heart. Because somewhere in there is the real enemy! The selfish part of me that doesn't want to have to share space with other hurting people for the sake of the Lord! Somewhere in there is the real truth, the one that sets us free!

It can take hours,days, months even years , to get free of being someone elses container! But remember we also are vessels. What do we contain that spills out into anothers life? Are we toxic in the things we release? As long as we live we will be filled with something.

And so I pray for my enemies, the ones that keep me from loving, forgiving, and being in right standing with God. I pray for the newness of joy and healing that comes from The Holy Spirit, I pray that the words of Christ Jesus will keep my mind in His peace! I pray for you this day that you will longsuffer for the sake of a revolutionary love, as Jesus continue to longsuffer in His perfect love over imperfect man. That none should perish, all should come to the knowledge of Him in his fullness!!!

All you need is love

Chocolates, candles, dinner out and sexy lingerie are all a marketing strategy to make us mindful of the importance of romance on Valentines Day. Sometimes it has just the opposite effect. It puts more pressure on us and our spouses to have symbols of affection showered upon us.

Over the many years of my marraige I have come to realize that V-Day happens when you least expect it. I now laugh with my husband about his lack of knowledge from the book of love-you know the secret book we women use as a manual to assess a mans merit in the area of romance.

I recall a trip my husband made to visit his ill mother in Florida about 15 years ago. At the airport gift shop he purchased some tee shirts for the kids as souveniers. He also gave me the worst gift I ever recieved. An Iron wood hand carved pelican! It was about 10 inches tall. I could have clubbed him with it! Instead I tried to wrap my head around the message behind the gift. It took me 2 weeks to finally ask him what he was thinking when he bought it. He said the wood was the same color as my coffee table so at least it would match the living room.

That was when I lost it altogether! I ranted about the decor(all floral victorian at the time) I questioned him on his history of knowledge of my likes and dislikes. I asked if his mother helped him pick it out(proof that she hated me). Finally after interrogating him I wrote down all my hobbies, favorites from perfume to food, and gave a list of my sizes,designers and wardrobe choices. This resume of me included music choices, authors, and places I'd like to visit. I made him tuck it into his wallet in case he ever wanted to shop for a gift for me again!! At that time he replied with a firm"don't expect any surprises". I think I ticked him off!

But to tell you the truth, some months later he surpised me while we were out shopping. I was looking at a bunch of sweaters and he suggested I buy the blue one because it was my favorite color! He must have read the resume! Something clicked inside me. I realized that men aren't mind readers and we women need to tell them what we want! No beating around the bush, no manipulations, just straight up ASK!

I would rather have a back rub that put me to restful sleep than a nightie. I'd rather a chinese take out night with a funny movie, than a high priced dinner out in heels that pinch and stockings that cut off my circulation. And I'd rather hold hands watching the 6:oo news than watch cut flowers die over the course af a week, but thats just me and thats real love. I don't have to be a super model for him to cast a glance. I don't need to speak in a sultry voice to twist his heart. I just remind myself that a quiet and gentle spirit, a deep caring love causes him to want me near.

I know my husbands love language- a listening ear, an interest in his concerns, a home cooked meal, and a smile. Making our home a sanctuary of peace proves my love for him.

Men are not complicated. If you respect your husband he will surely love you.

All you need is love!

Favorite Child

I can easily recall times in my childhood when being selected for "flag holder", or "line leader" or teachers helper for the day, made me feel special. I even remember how great it felt in Junior High to have been named to the cheerleading squad. As a sophmore in High School the most breathless moment was when may name appeared on a call back list for the lead role in the musical! I didn't get the part, but felt such recognition in having been considered.

When my children were young they would tease each other by saying "I'm the favorite" if they recieved some small token or praise. As they each got older I found that time spent alone with each child was such a wonderful gift to me. I would often bribe them to accompany me to the store or on outings( they got to pick a place for lunch or a special treat to add to the cart). I then adopted a new phrase for extending invitations to them. "The one who spends time with me is my favorite." It wasn't all about what I wanted to do, I would sit with my son and play video games(poorly I might add), or watch some goofy teen movie with my daughters, maybe even plan an impromptu party that allowed me to include and get aqainted with their friends. I really wanted to know them and the world that they lived in. I wanted the time together to reflect something of who I was, aside from chief cook and bottle washer. I wanted them to know me, and recognize my presence in their life.

It may sound a bit elementary, but when our babies are small they need us to care and protect and feed them even before they know their own needs. At around two years old they begin to explore the world and perhaps understand consequence by way of boo boos. Some bumped heads or skinned knees can define limits and encourage challange. At around five they struggle to include others in their world. By the age of eight they now have tried to express what they like and don't like.( For my son it was no more kisses in front of others). For me, this connection with them constantly meant giving them room to grow and lots of love. It also meant being asafe place to fall when the world was hard, it meant creating space in the relationship to consider who they were and what guidance they might require. That was the intention in having my children to begin with. I wanted to know them and teach them to know themselves before God and others.

There are many oppertunities that God has provided for me to share of His world. I see Him as a benevolent parent who invites me to go with Him. I always recieve a special treat when in His presence. I enjoy the generosity of all the good things He lavishes on me by way of bessings. I love that He prepares a banquet table for me in the bread and cup. And He always wants to meet my friends, He would give anything for me to want time with Him as a priority! That is why He gave His son Jesus as an ambassodor of His great love to invite me into His family.

And I too sometimes ask " am I your favorite!" His spirit reminds me that whoever wants to spend time with Him certainly is!!!!

Life interrupted

Change is the only constant in my life. Most of it is beyond my control. Experience tells me I am not alone. Some changes are forward motion toward goals, others uncomfortable in the unexpected revalations I have about my attitudes. Still every new situation brings about a need to redefine and evaluate who I am and how I remain true to my own heart.

Each phase of this life so far has given me immeasurable insight into patterns and strategies that work or fail with my base responses. I've learned not to look at the circumstances presented, but to look at what they ask from me and decide if I will indeed draw myself a more positive picture of the desired result. I do this to self- encourage. To wrap my head around the "what I can do" before the "woe is me " wins out.

I then must ask myself if I am supposed to do anything about it. I've gotten into a few jams in the past by not stepping back and thinking things through. I like to remedy things quickly. But some things are not up to me to fix. The serenity prayer is a favorite for moments like these. " God grant me the wisdom to change the things I can, The serenity to accept the things I can't, and the wisdom to Know the difference." And trust me there is a big difference in what I can accomplish and what God is really trying to accomplish in and through me!

The good Lord is patiently giving me a heart transplant each day( so to speak). He has offered His son Jesus as the donar. If I accept the donar heart it will give me a chance at a healthy future! It is a daily option for every situation. It should be simple, but at first it was very strange. I mean even recipients of organ transplants require anti rejection therapies. I found mine in the relationships of more mature women whose lives reflected the results of Christs heart within them.

At the age of 51, I am still benefitting from the mentor relationships that encourage me daily to walk in the newness of Gods love and plan. I need that encouragement as much as anyone else does. Things still change, my life is not my own. I may have gotten older and a bit wiser but 51 is still just the tip of the iceberg for new experiences. Being married , raising children, and working are really just the adolesent boot camp build up for what we older women are needed for as our families become generational.

Retirement is really a re-firement of all the good stuff we have aquired along the way! Now is the time to take it to a bigger family! Gods Family! All our brothers and sisters who call need an answer. All our neighbors and friends need a calming voice or strong hand. Most of all someone needs my time. Time to invest in their future, time to lend hope, time to listen and time to do what I've done , respond with a right heart!

The greatest gift ever

When I was 22 years old, I left Long Island to move 3 and 1/2 hours away to a rural community upstate New York. I was the single mother of a 3 year old. I had no relatives there , no job, no support network to speak of,just $600 and a 1971 Ford Pinto. I did have a small amount of personal and household possesions(enough to fill a caravan). But I was invited to take a break from working the 3 jobs it took me to support us in the grind and exhaustion that had become my life. That invitation came to me from a young married couple of Jesus hippie freaks. They had a 55 acre farm and (1) 8 year old child, A 4 bedroom farmhouse with organic gardens, a flock of sheep, an apple orchard and a huge & passionate love of Gods people. They were my first visit from Christ as his human expression thru their lives.

I stayed with them to live in extended household while my broken and sin sick soul healed. After 6 mos. I knew it was time to move out on my own with my child. I found a ramshackled apartment for $125 a mo. and believed I would find work and help in the community. Eager to get a fresh start on my own(knowing they were only 2 miles away) I moved my small treasures into our new home.

I have to say that I couldn't wait to brew a pot of coffee and relax after everyone had left. I rifled through some of my boxes( they had remained untouched in the barn for 6 mos.)to find my coffee cups and pots. In shifting the boxes I set one atop the fridge. As I turned to get the electric percolator, I bumped the fridge with my shoulder and the box of mugs came crashing down all around my feet spilling the remains of chipped and cracked cups out onto the floor. My heart sank and my excitement quickly turned to tears . I audibly cried"God I can't afford to replace this stuff, You are my Husband! You promised me in Isaiah 54 that you would take care of me! I need coffee cups now, if you are who you say you are, You'll take care of my needs!"

I drank my coffee the next morning from a jelly glass(flintstones I think)as I got ready to attend a church meeting with my hippie friends. The church was 45 minutes away. I didn't know anyone there. But when I arrived I was welcomed , recieved, hugged and treated like a long lost relative! These people were so open to me and my situation. No judgement only love came to me there. At the end of the service so many had brought picnic lunches and invited us to stay and get aquainted, we snacked a bit and talked but were unprepared to just hang out and tailgate in the muddy and gravaled grass used as a parking lot. We said our good byes and walked to the car.

It was at that moment a young women came rushing up to me, her name was Marion. She asked if there was anything I might need. I was surprised with her question, she continued to tell me that she had spent the day before cleaning out her attic storage and had a few things in her trunk. I walked over to her vehicle and stood while she opened the trunk and took out a brown cardboard box. She said" this is from God to you" . I opened the box and inside was a complete set of brand new coffee mugs. Marion had called off a wedding years before and just faced down the hard task of emptying her hope chest. She explained that she was ready to move on and needed to gift the items in her trunk to others to celebrate Gods healing.

She couldn't have Known about my prayer the night before! Only God knew that I was in need of knowing He heard me and would answer when I cried. He, the almighty creator of the universe cared about my anxious heart. He had what I needed devinely prepared to prove that no whisper, no tear, no aloneness could take His love and care away from me! He remained my Heavenly husband from that day forward!

The gift of Gods love comes in the form of those who know Him,serve Him and call Him friend. It is revealed by the obedience of others to live a life that models Christ. It is manifested in such a way as to reveal and reflect His Glory!

Be the manifestation of Christ to someone today! Change someones life with your humble gift!

All things in common

I have been praying for a way to revolutionize and energize our current economy. During this past week so many concerns have come up from varied people groups that I hardly knew where to begin to meet some of those needs. But I did recieve an answer to prayer in a not so new but not often public practice. Now is the time to go public! To manifest Gods Power!

In the Book of Acts,chapter 2 verse 44, it says"All the Lords followers often met together and SHARED EVERYTHING they had".

Our Church recently put up a "Needs and seeds" marker board in the area designated for bulletins and sign ups. I check it out each week to find an occasional post. Members have quickly had requests answered. I thought about this small network and began to recognize that most of us have more than we need! We also use our homes as storehouses for the majority of things we possess. We continue to outgrow our uses for certain appliances, pieces of equipment and home furnishings. Recreational paraphanalia and random accessories occupy bins , baskets and boxes in every spare inch of storage we can fill. My mind went into list overdrive as I started to think about the last time I used "the icecream maker" or such occasional items I just had to have.

And than it struck me! If Craig could have a list, than why couldn't we have a reverse list? Something that is online. Something that takes requests from the local community. It would allow a connection for "shoppers"(those with a need) to be joined with items at no cost, except meeting for transfer of the possesion. This way freeing up monies not spent on comfort pursuits to enable all to make monthly bill paying a priority. An important focus given this current economy. With the added benefit of being a living testimony of grace and love to one another.

Here would be an example:Looking for Little girls roller blades size 2 gently worn,(aprx cost $25) call 555-xxxx .

You know there is a pair in the garage that are still in the box, Your child outgrew them last year! You contact and bless your neighbor with them. In turn your neighbor has $25 not spent that helps them meet another need for their household. They can feel less impact on their strained budget. They in turn answer a post for a little girls size 12 rollerblades. And so we circulate items that will connect us as a community in a greater way. Eventually the $25 is placed back into the economy for an unavailable item or need.

When we give more we have more to give! When we open the storehouses for Gods purposes we become purposeful in revealing His generous nature and kindness to all! We have no lack of any good thing! We model a way of life that respects one anothers differences and circumstances. In Christ we can have everything we need,Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven!

Go to the throne, not the phone!

It was not so long ago that grace was an easier thing to consider offering a family member, co-worker or friend. In the event that plans changed we would assume no news was good news. We could assume that anothers schedule was interrupted and remain patient to await an explanation for lateness or absence. We would cover the missed appointment with hope and faith in ones ability to respect us and our time. Things have changed since everyone has a cell phone!

Being on call is no longer for Drs. only! A friend can become a nusuance with text messaging each mundane activity or conversation, a family member is now accountable for each and every minute of the day, a co-worker is harrassed by anxious deadlines and details. In short we have fewer moments left to ourselves to process information that is slung at us faster than the speed of light. We are fast becoming slaves to the addiction of constant confirmation and control. We are also placing one another in position to allow interruption in our sacred moments.

I have been out for dinner and subjected to private conversations via cell phones. I have waited in traffic due to non attention by a user, I have been directed by hand signals in Wal-mart from shoppers who perch in an isle to finish some discourse. The significance is not wasted on me now.

Six months ago I gave up my cell phone. I choose to save the $70.00 per month to add back into my budget. At first I felt uneasy, what if my husband or kids needed me? And to think about the unlimited long distance I was giving up! How about those long distance trips, what if something happened on the road?

Well, I went back to occasional contact by phone to those out of the area(via the home line), made better use of my e-mail stratagies(we already pay for modem service) and started to leave notes on the fridge if I was gonna be out and about. I made a very real connection with members of my household to discuss plans and timelines. Each becoming more respondsible to take TIME in communicating agendas. For things beyond my control, I just trusted God and his investment in me and others to care for us. I prayed over concerns and situations for His good purposes. Believe me, my lifeline was not through a phone but reborn in a faithful God who removed anxiety and worry, gave me reason to praise Him in His plan, and renewed my time and connection.

Sometimes we all lose sight of our need to bring all our cares to God through Christ! We take on all the worries of the world as if it revolved around us. We esteem our ability to self prevent and self protect above "The creator of the universe" and in so doing, create small prisons that choke the freedom from our peaceful state of mind. We stop showing regard for others , we shut ourselves into a vacuam of our self importance and we narrow the oppertunity to allow the wonderment of God to fill our circumstances.

These are the observations of a former cell phone abuser and user! I have been delivered to see how a tool of good can become a weapon if not treated with regard of common sense and gracious living toward one another.

Speaking up

My son was about 8 years old and had invited a neighborhood buddy to come over and play. The two of them found all kinds of boyish fun to pass the time. They were excited for the chance to be outside following a week of intermittent rainfall. After about an hour in the back yard I heard a thump ...thump ... thump on the side wall of my house. I stepped out to request they stop bouncing a ball off the bricks only to find my son sitting on the grass quietly,his friend saying"watch me " with muddy hands and another dirt clod about to be launched. I asked the boy to leave and sent my son in to the house. I was furious.

I took a deep breath and looked my boy in the eyes,"what were you thinking to allow your house to become target practice for the neighbors!" He had only one answer" I didn't throw anything, see my hands are clean". I replied" that's what you think! Now go out and hose off my house, after that you can sit in your room and think about what happened!"

An important lesson was gained by my son that day. One that I too must process from time to time. This lesson can at times be applied to my church life, my home life, my work life, and my social life. When others are acting wrongly and you are complacent with it, you are just as responsible! My son wanted to know why he was being disciplined, why I had not corrected his friend or gone to the childs mother to make him clean it up! "Because you didn't tell him to stop!

How many times do we see injustice, how often do we assume others will step in and repair inequity? The one who did the damage should do the time. Right! WRONG! We all suffer when we remain silent against wrong doers. We all relegate his neighbor to their own defense. We all water down our responsibility to uphold righteous intervention.

Are you your brothers keeper? You bet you are! You may not feel comfortable with the disassociation that comes with making hard calls, but you will find more confidence and favor, not to mention the model you present to those who need to learn this stregnth. Proverbs 14:9 says"Fools don't care if they do wrong, but God is pleased when people do right".

We are to be God pleasing, not man pleasing in our view of justice.

Wrong side of the road

When the kids are buckled into their carseats (against their will!) and shrieking at decibals that cause dogs to cry, something inside you snaps and so does your head! You take your eyes off the road, try to adjust the situation with a drink or blanky or anything to comfort them. In that mili-second you refocus to find you are now across the white line. Or taking your half of the street out of the middle. It happens so fast, most often we are never too far from safety but still we put ourselves and loved ones at risk.

You're sitting at work, exhausted from the late night up with a teether, having rushed through your morning routine with minimal time for politeness to your spouse,in fact somewhat irratated by their all about ME morning ritual. A male co-worker asks how you are doing. He takes the time to listen to you vent. It's nice to feel heard. And somewhere in your heart you know it's important to have a safe place to just relax with the day to day concerns- But you need to keep your eyes on the road. Stay safely on your side!

As a married women with many friends, I have often heard both sides of the same accident. When our gaurd is down, because we have a nature to share, we will tell male co-workers about our home life and frustrations.We also can feel uncomfortable telling the opposite sex to seek out other men or friends to reveal themselves and their trials (no matter how trivial)to for support.We as christian women need to honor our co-workers Families and protect them and ourselves from crossing lines of improper behavior.

Think about this, how would you feel if your spouse ran you down to other women? You would not appreciate the betrayal I can assure you. Not to mention the fact that when we act in such a way it causes a mental comparison of the things we recieve outside the covenant that we should be sharing inside of it to better know our selves and our partners.

This open society of liberated womanhood has created freedom to speak about everything from pms to sexuality in the hearing of men. But it bears with it a responsibility to uphold the decency of our disscussions with other women only. ( Unless you talk to a Dr. or a Minister or counselor)

Years ago Playboy Magazines used to be covered by Brown paper so as to not offend or corrupt. Topics that are of a personal nature are Brown paper topics ,only to be reviewed with a select and small circle. They expose something more private than skin, they expose the heart.

I have caught a few TV programs (night time soaps) and the formula to add stress to any relationship is the same. Some innocent disscussion between opposite sex friends confiding in each other on personal issues , brings the relationship into a prepatory phase for exiting a marriage. Self doubt, kind response, more frequent contacts and the match gets lit.

If you truelly want passion, understanding and genuine acceptance then take courage to find time, words and oppertunity to create more than the mundane in your own marraige. Make it worth your while to fight the calander and clock to include you mate and girlfriends. Yes, girlfriends! A few good girlfriends can help defuse a hostile situation and laugh or cry with understanding and prayerful accountability. A few good girlfriends will take the edge off your irritability. So when you do have time for hubby, it's more relaxed and productive in renewing your relationship.

Buckle up for safety and keep your eyes on the road. Your kids will thank you for it!!!

Freedom

About twenty years ago, my weekly womens study group had gathered for a prayer and fellowship Tea. One young women shared through sobs and tears how her husband ignored her as a result of weight gain. We all felt her pain, we all understood the rejection that was overwhelming her and limiting her participation in other areas of ministry. We reached out and wrapped our arms around her fervently praying for God to soften her husbands heart. We encouraged her by our love for her. After all others completed sharing and praying we had refreshments in the kitchen. It was at this time I went over to her to socialize. At first glance we both felt relaxed and refreshed. A white hot shock went through me as I looked at the plate in her hands. It was filled with cakes and sweets. Without thinking I took the plate from her hand and thew it in the trash. I then said " I won't let you hurt anymore". She began to cry and immediately left the gathering.

I can't begin to tell you how horrible I felt at this confrontation. Others there just stood in shock and disbelief. I wasn't gonna get any nominations for Miss congeniality so I finished my coffee said good-bye and went home. Home to rerun the words over and over in my mind. I begged God to show me what was in my heart. What had I done?

The following month this woman was visibly absent as we all had left messages and continued to pray for her. She had gone into a caccoon of sorts. Finally, she showed up at a scheduled meeting TWENTY pounds thinner!!! She had done alot of soul searching and gave testimony that at the moment I confronted her the Holy Spirit fell on her to account for remaining a prisoner of her own making. She thanked me for being an instrument of truth and suffering silently as she sorted out her motives and cleaned out her thinking to come in line with the new work of the Holy Spirit over her circumstances.

Her husband did not really change toward her, but she had changed in her level of expectation of him. She had started to use more powerful speech about who Christ was as the ever present partner in her life. She also realized that oppression and depression are subltle chains that had her lost in unhealthy and toxic behaviors.

I learned alot from that "Big Mouth" call to ministry. The truth shall set you free!! Not my truth, not your truth, but the pure and heavenly truth sent to us as a gift of the Holy Spirit! We hear it in scripture, we recognize it in the actions of others who continue to pave a way for us to follow, we sense it in our inner being when we are hungry enough to ingest it. And we hate that it feels like a death inside us, that we are unsettled with the status quo we've adopted. We are required to wash in it and be renewed. Some have said that the truth hurts , well that is a fact . It will continue to untill the outer man gives no resistance to the priority of our inner man.

There is a person inside of us all that operates on Spiritual food. Not the outer man-the shell, we wrongly treasure. But the core of Christs life, alive ,miraculous in it's ability to sustain us as healthy, whole and capable. We just need to know The One whose name is Truth- Jesus!!

When it all breaks down

This past year has been a challange to say the least. Things in a busy household don't last forever. We've had our ceiling fan, dishwasher and Ford windstar bite the dust. We've needed to call a plumber to repair both kitchen and bathroom water fixtures. We've had minor home repairs to make as well as 2 major appliances to replace.

Now I'm not shy about doing my own repairs. I kind of like the challange of puzzles. And as long as there are instructionals, I will follow directions. But some things just need to be worked out by proffessionals. In theory, directions followed should bring about the anticipated result of a working fixture. But whats up with the extra nuts and bolts after all has been done? I seem to have this sense of accomplishment when the fix takes, yet the package still has these extra parts that send an underlying feeling I might have missed something.

Anyway, I usually toss all the left over parts into the toolbox , or place them in the garage just in case. Months later I can't even identify the need for most of them! But I hang on to them as a type of insurance against any malfunction. That is the girl scout in me.

This is a reoccurring theme in many areas of my life. Holding on to the little bits and pieces of fabric long after a garment is sewn, just in case it tears. Keep all buttons that come with a new sweater of jacket. File all reciepts for purchases just in case a return is needed.

I suppose this behavior stems from experience. And mine of course tells me that someday I will need to replace the worn or broken with an extended timeline. As I ponder putting things back together, I find a simple peace. One that tells me I have all that I might require to get the job done.

The real question I face is not about being prepared to work at something, but when to get rid of something that isn't working! I'm speaking metaphorically here. Of course I know when a lamp is trash worthy, but what of the long term relationships that are in constant need of a fix? Are you a fixer? Do you believe that there is a way to repair or mend the brokeness you see in someones life? I can honestly say that it is important to evaluate how limited we are without the manual I call "The Bible".

First it reminds me that I am the one who needs Jesus to repair the world worn heart and mind inside of me. Then it offers me a remedy through His forgiveness of my sins. I rely on Jesus as my salvation. Only in Him am I new and whole again. Jesus is all I have to offer to others. His love ,His word, His truth. It is this life of a carpenter, a crafter, repairer, builder -inside me that restores.

Perhaps you are struggling with friends that are sucking the joy out of your life. There are those who want a fix ,but they don't want to do the work. It's O.K. to offer the extra nuts & bolts, the things and times that won't leave you depleted. Some times you need to identify some relationships as negative impacts on the other areas of your home family and personal life and set up boundries. Other times you MUST give them up completely to God to restore.

Like I said before, some jobs are for the experts! Jesus is an on call 24/7 , repairman. His knowledge of the human heart and mind are superior to all, His work is permanent and excellent.

Peters Porch

Recently the members of our church have embarked on a mission to offer clothing to those who might need it. We have collected, sorted and racked an incredible amount of items to offer our community for no cost. The men in our church began this endeavor last summer and to date we have serviced many needs by hosting 3 open give away dates.

Believe it or not, the local community here has brought in about 200 people each date to recieve not only clothing but on 2 occassions food as well. There are so many situations surrounding this great need that we are helping to meet. Some include the handicapped on strict budgets as well as young families hard pressed by this current economy. Other stories show us that none are exempt from losing a job. A few households are also stretched to meet basic needs as other bills arise or conditions change.

With this in mind, I am thoughtful of that God is no respector of persons. There is no distinction of rich or poor in uncertain times! We who are givers today may be the recievers tomorrow. And so we need to humble ourselves in the investment we make toward serving with the right heart motive that all who recieve are welcome as we would feel the truth of Christs love in the provision of our needs.

The greatest joy I have been experiencing during the times I volunteer to sort clothing is the fellowship with other workers in the mission. I have met new people, laughed with old friends and deepened my relationships with other parisheners.

So much can be accomplished through this kind of outreach, things that change hearts and lives. If you are not aquainted with some small act of partnering with the outside community to feed the hungry, visit the sick, clothe the naked or go to the prisons , you have not yet done anything for Christ our Lord! That is not to ever imply that He has not done anything for you! He does not look for any repayment. He simply has shown me that friendship with Him connects my heart to His concerns. I want to share all the ups and downs in my life deeply with my friends. Don't you?

Search your own heart and see where it may take you to. Six months ago none in this cause would have guessed we were being led to impact our neighbors or ourselves in such a dramatic way.

Jeremiah 29- I know the plans I have for your welfare and not for your calamity , says the Lord!

Weather Report

It's cold outside! It kind of makes you want to hunker down with a favorite sweater and book or movie and curl up on the sofa eating junk food and sipping cocoa. There seems to be a real stillness about the neighborhood and a starkness in the landscape. Everything moves in slow motion including me.

Yet, the little girls next door are rolling around with their new puppy in the hard frosty morning grass. They don't seem very concerned about the nip in the air! They have that wonderful youthful energy and playfulness that matches the puppys. They joyfully run and jump and frolic as if it were spring again.

I sit here wanting to move with that kind of freedom and abandon. I think of all that could be accomplished if that energy were mine. Not to mention the flexibility they posess! And then it hits me, it is not the weather that slows me or my pace, it is however the mental restrictions I am considering based on the weather report.

I wonder when it became such an important consideration to consult the weather channel to define my activity level. Granted we should use some caution if conditions are dangerous or as a prompt to insulate. But to pawn off my agenda based on how I percieve my limits before I even step outside is simply masking an underlying motive to avoid moving toward my daily goals.

It is on days like this that I must tell myself to be an ant! The steady and purposeful movements that accomplish each step as a progression to success. Little steps add up to many miles. It matters in health, relationships, finance, chores, diet, just about everything!

When I was younger I remember throwing myself into projects with complete abandon( like the little girls) giving priority to all that I focused on. Sometimes that meant juggling other areas of my life. I guess I would expend so much energy on one thing at a time that I would lose sight of other day to day operations in such a way that when I caught my breath and looked around me little things had been neglected.

I'm not a little girl anymore! I'm a mature women who knows the value of pacing myself like an ant! I can see my goals ahead, I can move with purpose, I can calculate the time investment without losing what has already been invested on previous tasks.

In the Proverbs we are reminded to "look to the ant " to understand acheviement! To prepare for future success, to throw off laziness, to accomplish much. God has called us to dilligence , He has called us to perseverence, procrastination has no place in our vocabulary. And so even though we want to blame the weather for holding us back( or any other excuse,you can fill in the blank) the truth will always be that we were created to recieve a filled up life one day at a time , one decision at a time , one step at a time and one bite at a time, one kind deed at a time. We must choose to make that time happen now!

May each day of this New year bring about a new you as each word, work and act of will propell you toward Gods good plan for your future in 2009.