That hurts so good....

My man has leg cramps. His feet hurt. His neck aches. His back aches….

And he likes it rubbed hard enough to make it hurt. He sucks in his breath, moans in pain, yells sometimes…and says it feels good. I don’t have the strength anymore (unless I use an elbow) to rub his aching muscles hard enough to suit him.

Now me…I don’t want it to hurt ! If I have a painful muscle, that’s quite enough for me. I’ll just let it hurt til it quits, not help it along with more discomfort. But, that’s just me….maybe cause I’m a wimpy girl…

I do know what it is like to have something hurt and feel good at the same time. The pushing in labor pains comes to mind. And recent life circumstances….　

　"Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord's people. “(Philemon 1:7 NIV)

The word ‘joy’ has come alive with meaning to us. I now have cause to identify with Paul in a new way. In anticipating future prayers for those who have ministered to us, loved us, and put us at Jesus’ feet.  My heart cries ‘Amen’ even now.

I thank Him for the refreshment that came to us thru ‘the Lord’s people’, and encourage you who are ‘fellow-believers’ to add your thanksgiving to mine.

“Every time your name comes up in my prayers, I say, "Oh, thank you, God!….Friend, you have no idea how good your love makes me feel, doubly so when I see your hospitality to fellow believers.” (Philemon 1:4,7 The Message)
 
As we sang this past Lord’s Day… “blessed be Your name, when I'm found in the desert place, though I walk through the wilderness. blessed be Your name”  I bless His Name, and beg blessings on His people.

We are thankful for the joy in the suffering.

　

　

Are you a leader or mentor....?

Leader. Mentor. Is there a difference?

At what age is that rite of passage from ‘young’ to ‘old’? When is it that we can be off the hook? Surely there is a time when we could excuse ourselves because we haven’t been shown or taught…

"God overlooks it as long as you don't know any better--but that time is past. The unknown is now known…”(Acts 17:30 The Message)

Well, I guess that settles that….age has little to do with responsibility of knowing and obeying God’s Word.

　
"…teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.”(Titus 2:3-5 NIV)

I remember a time that it occurred to me that I wasn’t in the same category anymore. I’ve joked many a time about being old and tired, but in reality and as time passes, I move further away from the young category and closer to the old (and I praise Him for every day He gives).


Yet again I am challenged to look at the responsibilities ahead. We don’t ever get done. As long as there is breath, there is influence and responsibility. And whose? The young point to the old people. The old point to the young.


The young people often think the old should be perfected by now, criticizing the methods they cling to, while the older people think the young are perpetually ignorant and inadequate, refusing to allow them the space to make mistakes and learn from them. Both are often negligent in investing themselves in cultivating relationships. Mentoring …being mentored. Leading…being led.


The older person can be heard to say, ‘I’ve done my part’. The younger person conveniently uses the excuse ‘I don’t have any experience in that’. When we gain a bit of knowledge and experience in one thing, we should be able to just do that from now on, right?


Yet again these words of scripture convict me…“….teach the older women to live the way those who serve the Lord should live. They should not go around saying bad things about others or be in the habit of drinking too much. They should teach what is good. By doing this they will teach the younger women to love their husbands and children. They will teach them to be wise and pure, to take care of their homes, to be kind, and to be willing to serve their husbands. Then no one will be able to criticize the teaching God gave us.”(Titus 2:3-5 ERV)

Am I young, or old? Am I a leader, or a mentor?

Yes.

I purpose to examine myself to see that I honor God in every aspect of both.

 

I don't know which part of me is more tired.....

I’m pooped. My body is tired. My mind is tired. And as always, God’s Word speaks right on time and right on topic.

“….constant study wears you out so you're no good for anything else. The last and final word is this: Fear God. Do what he tells you. And that's it.

Eventually God will bring everything that we do out into the open and judge it according to its hidden intent, whether it's good or evil.” (Ecc. 12:12-14 The Message)
I purpose to stop going over details, stop all attempts to explain or understand. It just simply is..

I purpose to simply be His child, act like His child, and wait.

….and beg for His help to do so.

Praying ahead...

It is a short drive from our home to town. That 8-10 minutes drive has been prayer time for many years.

Protect.
Guide decisions.
Be fair to all.


See the spiritual as well as the physical.
Speak encouragement.
Mentor.
　

I have one list, he had another. You have yours, I hope….

Solomon’s advice for the workday ahead is this:
“Go to work in the morning and stick to it until evening without watching the clock. You never know from moment to moment how your work will turn out in the end.

Even if you live a long time, don't take a single day for granted. Take delight in each light-filled hour, Remembering that there will also be many dark days And that most of what comes your way is smoke.

You who are young, make the most of your youth. Relish your youthful vigor. Follow the impulses of your heart. If something looks good to you, pursue it. But know also that not just anything goes; You have to answer to God for every last bit of it.”

(Ecc. 11:6,8,9 The Message)
We aren’t young any more. Those of you who are, pay close attention.

Approach every day from God’s perspective. Pray ahead. Follow Him, don’t try to lead. Today is not just about today. The picture is far bigger than what you and I see.

And that’s a good thing. I’m glad I didn’t see this part of the picture years ago. It feels different than it would have looked to us then. Maybe because Kerry prayed ahead every morning….

Gloom, despair, and agony.....

Gloom, despair, and agony on me. Deep dark depression, excessive misery…                 ♫♪♪♫••*•♫♪♫•*•♫♪♪*♫♪♪♫••*•♫♪♫•*•♫♪♪*♫♪♪♫••*•♫♪♫•*•♫♪♪*

I loved Hee Haw. I think Solomon’s favorite skit would have been the singers whining about their bad luck.

 
"What do workers gain from their toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race………. And I saw something else under the sun: In the place of judgment--wickedness was there, in the place of justice--wickedness was there.” ( Ecc. 3:9,10,16 NIV )

“Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun..”(Ecc 4:1 NIV)

"There is one other thing I have learned. God made people good, but they have found many ways to be bad." (Ecc. 7:29 ERV)

　

I’ve lived many a day in the presence of heaviness like that. Seeing all the yuck that goes on in the world doesn’t do much for one’s spirits.

But in the face of what should be gloom and despair, there is little.

After standing against what is wrong under the sun for so many years, after seeing things upside down, injustice, corruption, oppression, hopelessness….

After seeing much despair and depression…..

There is reward and blessings. Blessed beyond measure by knowing that something done made a difference.

So now dear husband of mine…. “ Relish life with the spouse you love Each and every day of your precarious life. Each day is God's gift…..” (Ecc. 9:9 The Message )

Glory.

Are you happy, happy, happy?

Yes, I’m a Duck Dynasty viewer. If you’re not, you won’t get this….

Phil’s life story is profound. He didn’t call it ‘chasing after wind’ like The Teacher of Ecclesiastes , and he didn’t call it ‘chasing his tail’ like I do, he refers to it as ‘runnin’ after sex, drugs, and rock & roll’.

He often says something makes someone ‘happy, happy, happy’. But he will be the first to tell you that he never found any happiness until he surrendered to the God Who created Him. Not until he came to know and follow Jesus Christ was there anything that truly made him ‘happy, happy, happy’.

"Laughter," I said, "is madness. And what does pleasure accomplish?" (Ecc. 2:2 NIV)


“A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” (Ecc. 2:24-26 NIV)

I’ve wrestled often with the words Solomon wrote. He often seems depressed to me. Then again, I identify many times with him. Finding satisfaction in the work we do is important. But we will never be truly happy, happy, happy until we trust God with the outcome of our labor. 


Besides, being happy, happy, happy is not the same thing as being joyful, joyful, joyful. Amen?

Bury your head in the sand.....

I sure try. I didn’t want the scanner in the house, back when those were popular. I quit reading newspapers. I don’t watch the news. I distanced myself from as much possible.

I don’t want to know….Because if I know, it can’t be un-done. If I don’t know, it can’t hurt my feelings or cause me to worry. My mind doesn’t have a back-space bar or delete button. Unfortunately.

“For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.” (Ecclesiastes 1:18 NIV)

　

The price of wisdom is high. You gotta get your head out of the sand, and acquire some knowledge. Become part of bringing God and good into every aspect of your life, and every inch of the realm of your influence.

But be ready to suffer.

Long ago, I told my first daughter-in-law that the older I got, the more I realized how much I did not know. She didn’t like my comment, but has since wholeheartedly agreed with me. She has gained some wisdom, and it brings sorrow and grief.

The more truth you know from God’s Word, the more evil you will recognize.

The more imperfections you identify, the more powerless you feel.

　
“…for the joy of the LORD is our strength." (Nehemiah 8:10 NIV personalized by me)

　
Thank You Lord God for the joy you give, even in the face of sorrow. Thank You that we are not without Your comfort and help. Help me to keep my head out of the sand.

What is the profit margin?

In retail, it is simple to figure. Merchandise is marked up with a certain percentage and sold for that profit.

What is the profit margin in life….how do you measure it?

If whatever we do has no eternal fruit, there is no profit. You can live in the biggest house in town, drive the most expensive car on the market, have a fat bank account, wear the finest garments….and have accomplished absolutely nothing profitable.

After reading thru Proverbs I continue this morning into the writings of “The Teacher”.

Solomon was the wisest, richest man ever. At the end of his life, he looks back critically on all that he had experienced and accomplished. Most of it he considered as what he called vanity and I refer to as ‘chasing my tail’.

　

　

“What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun?” (Ecclesiastes 1:2 NIV)


Looking back on the live we have lived, we look for the profit. We look for eternal value, a life that was changed, re-directed, protected.

There is fruit. We have been shown a few small fruits. Encouraged…

Ugh...that Proverbs 31 woman !!

Who of us can measure up to her?!?

Certainly I fail in much of it, but this I do not. “Her husband is respected at the city gate…..” (Proverbs 31:23 NIV)

While some people think the problem situations in the community are Kerry’s fault, and some people have no confidence in him, he has received many words of encouragement and respect from the citizens of the city.

(vs. 15) “She gets up while it is still night…” (Yes, but only because I can’t sleep !!)
　

(vs. 25) “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come..” (oh I hope so…)
　

　

My day will be ordinary. Well, except for the conversation about recent events. It is my desire to move forward. My mind and heart are tired of it all. I say that, yet so easily I am drawn into talking about what nobody can fully understand.


Most of you reading my words can not possibly empathize. As I often tell others, you can’t know what you don’t know.  

Most all of you sympathize, but few of you know what it’s like by personal knowledge. And that is good. I would not wish that you have the knowledge and experience of what has just come to an end.


“Without wood a fire goes out…” (Proverbs 26:20a NIV)

I purpose today to not throw logs on the fire. God help me.

It is over....

No more calls in the middle of the night.

No more training and fretting over young officers.

No more interruptions as we try to enjoy a meal out.

No more lots of stuff…

No more wearing a badge and a gun.

　

　

　

　

God speaks again thru scripture, right where I pick up again.

“The start of a quarrel is like a leak in a dam, so stop it before it bursts.” (Proverbs 17:14 The Message)


Quarreling is not constructive. This has been highly visible. It was my husband’s choice that this be done in the open, not under the table or cloaked in any way.

We don’t live or work in/for the city of New Boston. While it is over for us, perhaps it is not over for you. As we have assured our two sons, we are at peace with this decision. We have no desire for this to turn into ugliness. For those of you who disagree with the decision that has been handed down, I challenge you to take whatever steps you take, in a right way.

　

I am comforted by His continued inspired Word.

　

“When the LORD takes pleasure in anyone's way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them.” (Proverbs 16:7 NIV)

Laughter is the best medicine...

“Moderation is better than muscle, self-control better than political power.
Make your motions and cast your votes, but GOD has the final say.”
(Proverbs 16:32,33 The Message)



God decided to make me laugh.

I picked up where I left off, and this is what He says....chuckle. He does have a sense of humor !!



I appreciate every single text, inbox message, comment, phone call, hug, and especially prayers spoken with us and for us. I won't enter into conversations on Facebook about this, but do want to acknowledge your encouragement, your friendship, and your loyalty. They mean more than you can possibly know.

In the face of dishonor, we receive an outpouring of honor, respect, and love.

God has the most incredible ways of getting things done. We anticipate tonight with confidence, and I DO use that word on purpose….

I just felt like runnnniiinnngggg........

Another movie favorite, Forrest Gump. Oh how many times I’ve heard lines repeated from sweet, simple, wise Forrest Gump.

When asked why he was running across America, he said, (with a baffled look on his face about the question), “I just felt like running.”

It brings to mind another line, not one from a movie, but from one of the many arrest situations Kerry has been involved in. “Pinkham, you’re the fastest ______ white man I ever saw!!”

We’ve repeated it hundreds of time, (without filling in that blank). If you took off running, Kerry Pinkham would chase you. And he’d catch you. (…happened again not too long ago.)

Kerry is also known for his handshake. Many fellow officers down thru the years have been ‘put down’ with his massive hand and its incredible strength. Every new young officer wanted to try him. He loved it, certainly it was a stress reliever from the work they do. (A touch of arthritis has made him a little less ready for the handshake challenges…)

　

“The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.” (Proverbs 20:29 NIV)

“Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness.” (Proverbs 16:31 NIV)

Though his dark hair is now silver, he can still run, but you will never see him running away.

He is still the strongest man I know.

He's got a plan, a-formulatin' in his mind !!!!

My guys know some movie scripts word for word. When together, they are known to think of one of them, pick up a character, and off we go….. The conversation becomes a recitation of every word, of every scene, of the entire movie.

One of their favorites is an old Don Knotts movie, Shakiest Gun In The West. Don Knotts’ character claimed to have ‘a plan, a-formulatin’ in his mind.’

　

　

So did we.

We planned ahead.

But often, plans made differ from what the Lord has planned. As our plans seem not to come to fruition, we must submit the outcome to the God Who is sovereign over all.

I am yet again in awe of how faithfully God speaks to me thru scripture. I began this look thru Proverbs weeks ago. Of all places to find comfort, this is not my go-to place, but I have found it here daily.

　

“Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.” (Proverbs 19:21 NIV)

My plan is to work as I am physically able, then hope the social security I have paid in all these years will provide a little income to add to what small amount I have been able to save.



The plan for Kerry was a couple years more work, then file for his retirement, leaving behind a very long tenure, not with a parade and party, but with honor.

That may not happen. Certainly, the coming last years of our ‘plan’ does not look like what we anticipated.

But the Lord’s purposes will prevail. Whatever He intends for us, it is good. Whatever purpose He has in allowing this season of trial, we continue to pray that we will trust Him completely, honoring Him in our conduct.

My husband’s desire is that nothing is done in secret. Whether that wish will be granted, we don’t know. Most assuredly, Kerry Pinkham has nothing to hide. But in this too, we trust God to be sovereign over the situation, revealing what he deems best.

We appreciate your words of affirmation, and especially your prayers.

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

The more you stir it, the more it stinks....

 
My man is known to say that.

It is not my intention to stir. Yet I am compelled to share our situation.

　

“If imposing a fine on the innocent is not good, surely to flog honest officials is not right.” (Proverbs 17:26 NIV) God’s timing in leading my study of scripture, is again, perfect.

　

　

Earlier this week, after 40 years of service to the city of New Boston without one single reprimand, Kerry was given a letter that informed him of a special city council meeting to be held Monday evening to discuss terminating his employment on the ground of ‘lack of confidence’.

There is notice posted on the door of the council chambers if you would like proof.

I have shared this man for the entirety of our married life. It was my choice to do so, and it was his choice to put that badge on and stand against wrong. He has done so many times in difficult situations.

He has had broken bones. He has been bitten, spit on, and cursed. He has been bled on and vomited on. He has pulled burned bodies and dead children out of cars. He has defended the rights of hundreds. He has enforced the laws that we are under with grace and mercy when grace and mercy were called for.

My list could go on for hours.

He is the most honest person I know.

He is frugal yet generous.

He is the first to put hand to what needs to be done, whether working a wreck or scubbing a toilet. (…and I don’t mean just ours)

　

Now, he is about to be fired because a few men don’t have ‘confidence’ in him.

　

　

Every single year, he managed his department with money left in his budget.

Hundreds and hundreds of calls answered, cases worked, investigations carried out, arrests made….

Are there still problems within the city? Absolutely. Are drugs available? Certainly. Fighting against wrong will be an ongoing struggle until Jesus returns. And making a drug bust is not quite as simple as it looks like on an episode of some police drama on television. (It would be simpler and far quicker for the landlords of those houses to evict the people who are contributing to the problem, than to rent their properties to them and then demand that they be stopped from doing what they do.)

　

It takes specific information for a police action to be legal, (unless the residents don’t mind paying off lawsuits for violations of personal rights) An embedded undercover agent is vital to get the right information at the right time. Without that, by the time all of the information is documented, the evidence gathered, a warrant issued, most often the dealer has smelled a rat and is clean, or gone.

While the few officers on the street sit and watch, you will wonder why they don’t respond quicker to your 911 call.

Ugh.

While it is not my intention or desire to make a stinky situation even smellier, it is my intention that people are informed. Kerry Pinkham has a lot of faults, but incompetence is not one or them. His integrity is paramount, his honesty complete.

This man whose integrity is called into question said to me… “I’m certainly not saying I’m Jesus, but I’ve learned a little bit about what He must have felt like. …He was lied about, taken before the rulers and accused yet innocent. Betrayed.”

He will stand by his convictions, and I will stand beside him. Come what may, we know that God has us in His Hand. Our desire is to walk thru this time in a way that brings glory and honor to Him…even if it means being dishonored and rejected.

　

　

I thank God for preserving the words of His servant David in Psalm 37.

　
“Do not fret……because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong;
for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.

Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:

HE will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.


Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret--it leads only to evil…..

For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land. A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.

The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming. The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright.

But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken. Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.

The blameless spend their days under the LORD's care, and their inheritance will endure forever. In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.

But the wicked will perish: Though the LORD's enemies are like the flowers of the field, they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke. The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously; those the LORD blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be destroyed.

The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.

I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing.

Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever. For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed; the offspring of the wicked will perish. The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.

The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just.
The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip.
The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, intent on putting them to death;
but the LORD will not leave them in the power of the wicked or let them be condemned when brought to trial.

Hope in the LORD and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it.

I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a luxuriant native tree,
but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found.

Consider the blameless, observe the upright; a future awaits those who seek peace.
But all sinners will be destroyed; there will be no future for the wicked.

The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble. The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.”

　

　

　

　

Hallelujah.

　

　

　

　

　

　

　


　

So mad I could spit nails....

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1 NIV)

I’ve experienced the truth of this proverb. When ugly words are used, when the voice is raised, shouting, cursing... anger is often multiplied, not squelched.

I have told my sons many times, “You can make it better…. or you can make it worse”.

Speaking harshly under any circumstance rarely helps… it tends to just start a back and forth banter. Why is it we want to have the last word? Or be more intimidating or threatening than the other? On and on it can go, each participant raising the bar, temperatures escalating.

A simple gentle answer will often diffuse a possibly explosive situation. A loud harsh answer will stir trouble. Even if the recipient doesn’t display it, you can bet it is in the heart and will spew out somewhere, perhaps on someone else. Maybe on some total stranger, or the young girl behind the cash register doing her best.

Easy to talk about. Very difficult to live. Anger just births harsh words naturally.

The book of James devotes chapter after chapter to taming the tongue. When I am angry, they spew out. Often. (…like nails flying out of a nail gun.)

How I wish that was not so. It has been worse. But I’m not cured. I have not accomplished the complete taming of my tongue. (…have you?)

So I repent of my harsh words. Again.

I pray for God to put gentle words on my lips.

I purpose for my voice to have no contempt or anger.

But God is going to have to help me. A lot.

What you see, is what you get hunney....

I loved Flip Wilson. His comedy characters were hilarious. I thought about him as I continue to read thru Proverbs.

“Whoever fears the LORD walks uprightly, but those who despise him are devious in their ways.” (Proverbs 14:2 NIV)


It’s a lot of trouble to be devious and try to avoid simply following the rules. As a licensed professional, there are lots of rules I am required to follow. It makes life much simpler just to do it, even when lots of them are so unnecessary in my situation. (In my opinion…)

I don’t live a perfect life by any stretch of the imagination. But what you see is pretty much what you get. You could label me hypocrite very easily some days. What I am known to preach with my mouth doesn’t always flesh out in my daily life. What you SEE is what you get, not what you HEAR.

This morning I pray over my husband and myself that we will walk uprightly. I pray that we will not be tempted to be devious in any way but to trust Him with an undivided heart. I want what people see to be the image of Jesus Christ. I want what they hear to be words of life and love.


“The devil made me do it….” ????

No.

 May we not speak any word or act in any way that is a result of the devil’s influence.

　

　

“The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways…

the fear of the LORD is a fountain of life….

when calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.” (Proverbs 14: 8,27,32)

Stand by your man......

                                                                                                                                                         Tammy Wynette sang it well. “Sometimes it’s hard to be a woman”. Yep. It surely is.♪♪♫••*•♫♪♫•*•♫♪♪*•♫♪♪♫••*•♫♪♫•*•♫♪♪*•♫♪♪♫••*•♫♪♫•*•♫♪♪*

“Stand by your man, and tell the world you love him…”. I tell you afresh today. I love him. •♫♪♪♫••*•♫♪♫•*•♫♪♪*•♫♪♪♫••*•♫♪♫•*•♫♪♪*•♫♪♪♫••*•♫♪♫•*•♫♪♪*

　

We have begun our 40^th year. I have shared him many many times. Not with another woman, but with a few thousand citizens. I’ve laid alone in our bed many nights. Not because he was out prowling around or off with the guys, but because someone else had a need.

He has never achieved perfection. Imagine that. (…neither have I, and neither have you.)

Though he is not perfect, there is no wickedness in him. There are no evil schemes. What he says, you can count on. Whatever he achieves will have been done in honesty and with integrity. He plans ahead and takes precautions, protecting from possible harm. Prevention is paramount. Waste is unacceptable.

Stand by him? Yes. Till death do us part.

Easy? No, it has not been easy. But not because of any fault of his.

I have made much effort thru the years to not complain about it. He wore the badge the first day I laid eyes on him. I had no idea how hard it would be at times to be his wife. I did not want to interfere. I wanted our home to be his haven.

　

This morning I continue my reading in Proverbs and wonder how good a job I have done at being ’a wife of noble character’. How noble will I be in days to come?

　

　

“Good people obtain favor from the LORD, but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes . No one can be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted. A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.” (Proverbs 12:2-4 NIV)

　

My man is not perfect but the God he serves is.

Good people are good to their animals....

On the social networks, it has become common to see photos of dogs that have limited days to live. Unless someone adopts them, or fosters them until a ‘furever’ home is found for them, they are killed. We soften that reality by saying ‘put to sleep’. But it’s killing them….

I’m not really an animal lover. I don’t care to have a house pet. I like them fine, as long as they are YOURS, and you keep them in YOUR house. In fact, I love to play with them. For short periods of time….

I like to have yard dogs. I feel a bit of security in knowing they are there to bark if something is amiss, having learned the different ‘barks’ and knowing when to be alarmed or when to assume it’s nothing of concern.

I wonder that animal life is sometimes valued over human life. Certainly, animal life is often abused….there is a balance to be had between adoration and exploitation.

Good people are good to their animals. That’s not just my observation or my opinion.

“The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.” (Proverbs 12:10 NIV)

If this were the only measuring standard, my man would indeed be a saint. (…well, he is anyway. He is one of God’s people…) The animals in his care anticipate his every move. They know exactly what to expect and when to expect it. He is good to them. Consistently.

It is easy to think on the first part of this passage. But, the end of that verse is disturbing.

“…but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.” ( same passage in KJV)

We watched a movie just last night where mercy was in a quick execution as opposed to a slow torture. A good man will be good to a creature, created by God, given life by God. A wicked man’s ‘mercy’ will even be cruel.

“The kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.” (Proverbs 12:10b NIV)

When a person can be cruel to an animal, I shudder to think what kind of cruelty they are capable of. And I am horrified to think of how much wickedness is in our culture and in our world. Wickedness that can snuff out even human life and call it good and merciful.

Abortion is commonplace. Euthanasia is being cultivated. Kind acts…..

God forgive us and help us.

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

　

You have arrived at your destination.....

"You have arrived at your destination…"   I have navigation in my vehicle. It tells me turn-by-turn how to get where I want to go. When I get there, it announces that I have arrived.

During class time Sunday morning, it hit me from a new angle that I have not arrived. I still battle “…the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life.” (1 John 2:16 NIV) I find myself wanting my own way, wanting everything for myself, wanting to appear important….that’s how The Message says it, and I am guilty.

Why? After all these years, after all the study, why do I find myself circling the block, still not having arrived?

This morning combined with this sleepless night’s reading brought about an A-HA !! moment.

It isn’t information that I didn’t have, nothing I haven’t read before. Just my precious Jesus speaking into my life with admonition, correction, and encouragement.

No. I have not arrived.

No. I can’t do it without His lavishing grace applied to every moment of every day.

No. I will not arrive until after He does.

　

“You then, my daughter, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus…….being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 2:1 and Phillipians 1:6 NIV personalized by me)

So full I'm about to pop......

"I am so full, I’m about to pop"...I’m likely to say that after a good meal.
　

“They have become filled with….” (Romans 1:29 NIV)
The rest of that verse is a list that continues for the next several verses.

Wickedness.
Evil.
Greed.
Depravity.
Envy.
Murder.
Strife.
Deceit.
Malice.
Gossip.
Slander.
God-hater.
Insolent.
Arrogant.
Boastful.
Disobedient to parents.
No fidelity.
No love.
No mercy.
Approving of evil.

How do you get full of all that kind of stuff? Just like you get full of tasty food. You just keep swallowing….

I don’t want to have any of that stuff in my life, much less be full of it. So, I must not swallow it. I must not take any of it into myself, not let it enter or be part of who I am and how I live out my life.

Sounds like I need to go on a diet !

I find some help in scripture. (…always do when I go there…)

“…. be filled with the Spirit.”(Eph. 5:28 NIV)
“…..be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Eph. 3:29 NIV)

After a meal at a restaurant, the waitress will offer dessert. Often, we are too full to order.

I want to be too full of Jesus, too filled with His Spirit, so full of all that God has for me….that there is no room for anything from that first list.

 For there is none of that found in Him.

None.
　

　

　

　

　

　

　

Words can never hurt me.....

　
I’ve written about it before, the power of words, the lie in the children’s jingle “sticks and stones….”

Words can hurt. Words DO hurt.

“ An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.” (Proverbs 11:9 KJV)


I’m certainly not immune to it. But I confess that I seem to think some other people might be. I am a hypocrite who is guilty of destroying with my words rather than delivering and building up. It is so easy for me to criticize.

But it doesn’t have to be so. I can demolish, or I can be constructive. It is my choice, a choice birthed from the attitude of my heart.

….tempered by the knowledge that I am just a sinner saved by the grace of God thru Jesus Christ.

I’ve been on the receiving side of destructive words.

And I know the healing that can come from words, even those of a negative nature, but spoken in love and encouragement….challenging me to rise up and be the child of God I am called and empowered to be.

Which will it be today? Destruction? Or construction?

Keep talking and you just dig yourself deeper....

　

Haven’t you been there with a kid when they talk, talk, talk….trying to explain their way out of some bad behavior or unwise decision. Rather than just admit the wrong?

(….Abba says, yes I have…with you Connie ! )

“When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise.” (Proverbs 10:19 NIV)

The televised murder trials, the conspiracy theories, terrorist attacks, political activities, on and on the list could go…. They talk and talk and talk. And while there is certainly value in investigating and gathering information, I wonder that all the talk doesn’t muddy the water and hinder truth.

(…In 3 minutes last night, I learned the new details about the evil committed in Boston. But I’m sure the talk went on all night. Same details and same information. Just more talk…)

So how do I apply this personally?        (…I can identify it so easily in others….)

My wise husband has often said to me, ‘the more you stir it, the more it stinks’. Perhaps that fits with what The Teacher says to me this morning in this verse.

The Good News Bible puts it like this, “The more you talk, the more likely you are to sin. If you are wise, you will keep quiet.”

It is not necessary that I make sure every detail of whatever I think I know….…..is known by everyone else!

None of us are exempt from sin. None of us are beyond transgression with our words. Truth can be elaborated on by all of us.

We are wise to speak what truth is necessary, and then zip it.

　

　

　

Oh be careful little lips what you say*•♫♪♪♫•*•♫♪♫•*•♫♪♪* ....

　

"Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at my doorposts. "For he who finds me finds life And obtains favor from the LORD.

"But he who sins against me injures himself; All those who hate me love death." (Proverbs 8:34-36 NASB)

I’ve been trying to think of a new song for children’s time at church. As I continue to read thru the Proverbs, the lyrics from a childhood song come to mind. “…for the Father up above, is looking down in love, so be careful little lips what you say.” (…*•♫♪♪♫ and be careful also, little eyes, ears, feet ♫♪♪♫•*•♫♪♫•*•♫♪♪* ….)

More than once Jesus instructed that “..if anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.” (Matt 4:23 NIV is one example) "Consider carefully what you hear," he continued in verse 24.

　
Here in Proverbs, that subject is repeated.

“Blessed the man, blessed the woman, who listens to me, awake and ready for me each morning, alert and responsive as I start my day's work.

When you find me, you find life, real life, to say nothing of GOD's good pleasure.

But if you wrong me, you damage your very soul; when you reject me, you're flirting with death." (Proverbs 8:34-36 The Message)

The wrong that we choose to say and do hurts God simply because it hurts us. We can’t be ‘bad’ enough to alter His holiness.

And we can’t be ‘good’ enough to measure up to it….

Here's a list for me to work on.....

　

　

“There are six things the LORD hates. In fact, he hates seven things. The LORD hates proud eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that kill those who aren't guilty. He also hates hearts that make evil plans, feet that are quick to do evil, any witness who pours out lies, and anyone who stirs up family fights.”(Proverbs 6:16-19 NIrV)

1. Proud eyes.
2. Lying tongue.
3. Hurting the innocent.
4. Making plans that are wicked and cause harm.
5. Responding quickly to do those kinds of things.
6. Saying things that are not 100% true about someone else.
7. Stirring up family discord.




1. I am not God.
2. I am not to play loose with truth.
3. Lashing out at innocent people is not an option.
4. Forming plans that do not bring about healing and promote godliness are out.
5. Thinking them is wrong, doing them is worse.
6. Truth is absolute. And I don’t always know everything so zip it.
7. Family harmony is to be nurtured not destroyed.

　

There.

Now make your own lists, or you can use mine.

 And as Charlie Daniels says, let’s all make the day count. There’s enough darkness and evil in our world without us letting it creep into the behavior of our lives.

If I'd known I was going to live this long....

　
I wished happy birthday to an online friend and got his usual witty response. “If I’d known I was going to live this long I’d have taken better care of myself.”

It is hard to apply all the advice we hear as we grow up. I wonder today what advice my elders are giving me right now that I do not apply. Solomon sure devoted a lot of his teachings to learning and practicing wiser behavior.

“You don't want to end your life full of regrets, nothing but sin and bones,
Saying, "Oh, why didn't I do what they told me? Why did I reject a disciplined life?
Why didn't I listen to my mentors, or take my teachers seriously?  My life is ruined! I haven't one blessed thing to show for my life!" (Proverbs 5:11-14 The Message)
I am quite sure we all have regrets. Our enemy will use those as weapons against us. Having a regret does not equal to living with a load of guilty and shame, but it should definitely get out attention for the here and now, certainly for the future.

　

My oldest son once told me he wishes I had made him apply himself in school. (…then he laughed as I had a hissy fit in response.)

Like him, I wish I had better used some of my life. There are things I could and would have done better.

But that just shows that we realize our shortcomings, learned, and grown.

Today, perhaps you realize a regret too. Perhaps we can both purpose to start today to take better care….let’s not have regrets about today when we look back on this time.

Keep your eye on the ball.....

“My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion;

they will be life for you..”(Proverbs 3:21 NIV)

It is baseball season, time to see and hear about everything from T-ball to the major leagues. When our sons played ball, over and over I heard it…. “watch the ball all the way over the plate.” “Keep your eye on the ball at all times, everyone ! Outfielders and infielders, the one at bat and the ones on the bench.”

　

The Message says it like this, “ Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life; don't for a minute lose sight of them.”

I remember that our boys didn’t always watch the ball. They got distracted by airplanes in the sky and bugs on the ground. They got caught up in horsing around with the other boys in the dugout. When they batted, it was difficult for their eye to follow a small object coming directly at them without shrinking away from it. But to succeed in the game, those things have to be learned and practiced.

Constantly, consistently, continually….

With practice, it got easier. But there were times of over confidence and fresh failure.

Even with my near 60 years, I take my eyes off the ball. I let wisdom and understanding get out of my sight, I don’t use good judgment and discretion. And death comes in the form of damaged relationships.

Being successful on a ball field takes concentrated practice.

Being wise in life requires concentration and practice.

Neither thing comes automatic without fail. Yes, it may come easier. Yes, it may become more consistent.

But sometimes, if you blink, you may swing and miss….

　

'IF' is a big word.....

When you see that word, you know there are conditions. And where there are conditions, there are results or rewards.

IF is often followed by a THEN.


“….if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding...

... indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding,

...and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure…..

….then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. (Proverbs 2:1-5 NIV)

It is critical to grasp the basic truth about our holy Creator God. He created. He designed. He made the rules. Period.

We are given freedom to choose how we pass thru this realm of time. We can choose to play by our own rules. But when we turn our ear away from the true wisdom of God, when our hearts are not really in our quest for understanding, when we do not look to God for insights….

….we will never be able to mentally grasp Who this God is. And that is the most tragic of things.

 It is do-able. The ‘if’ is conditional, but it is possible. He promised.

　

“ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13 NIV)




.

Who picks up the pieces and puts them together again.......?

Proverbs begins with talk about wisdom. Gaining wisdom is the goal. For wisdom has great value.

“Start with GOD--the first step in learning, is bowing down to GOD; only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning. Pay close attention, friend, to what your father tells you; never forget what you learned at your mother's knee. Wear their counsel like flowers in your hair, like rings on your fingers.”(Proverbs 1:7-9 The Message)

Warnings are given.

“…do not go along with them, do not set foot on their paths, for their feet rush into evil, they are swift to shed blood. (Proverbs 1:16 NIV)

Truth is revealed.
“These men lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush only themselves!” (vs. 18 NIV)

Opportunity for change is given, a call to repentance issued.
“Listen when I reprimand you” (Proverbs 1:23 Good News Bible)
But…..“ you would not listen. You paid no attention to me. You have ignored all my advice and have not been willing to let me correct you,”(vs. 24-25 GNB)

So……. “they shall eat of the fruit of their own way and be satiated with their own devices.” (vs. 31 NASB)

Who will pick up the pieces when everything falls apart? And without the Creator and Sustainer, eventually, it will.

“When your dread comes like a storm And your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. Then they will call on Me, but I will not answer;” (Proverbs 1:27-28 NASB)

Storms will come. Calamity will strike. We will experience distress and anguish. And He is able to protect and sustain.

"...whoever listens to Me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm." (vs. 33 NIV)

When things crumble and fall apart, when relationships are broken, when life circumstances get intense, when health fails, when tragedy strikes, when loved ones die, when bodies grow too old to function……..who will pick up the pieces?

Without Him, who?

 Thank You Father that when dread comes, when calamity whirls, when distress and anguish rise up, You are already on the scene within me, I live in safety, I can be at ease and without fear of harm.

　

　

　

　

Bad company is serious business…..

“…if sinners entice you, Do not consent.” (Proverbs 1:10 NASB)

Have you noticed how people who push the limits or break the rules seem to influence others to do the same? ‘Sinners’ want company.

I am blessed with some people in my life who encourage me in the RIGHT direction. But I’ve also experienced the effects of wrong influences.

Even with all my years, I can still be enticed in wrong ways. I purpose to be salt and light. But sometimes I’m just not very salty, and my light gets a little dim at times.

It is a dilemma. Jesus clearly told us to ‘"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”(Mark 16:15 NASB) He did NOT tell us to get into our little holy huddles and stay isolated. We are warned repeatedly about the influence from the world. At the same time, instructed to BE the influence in the world. I find myself repeatedly trying to figure out how to be in the world yet not of it.

I am thankful that God is God. He is not enticed by my sinfulness. He has instead, made provisions for my escaping the consequences of it. For you see….I was such bad company before His Spirit re-created me. Thanks to Jesus…..I’m not the best company, but better than I would have been.

And when I find myself in a situation to be enticed by bad company, He is present with me, and will enable me if I but ask Him and follow His instruction.

Just what is it to ‘fear’ …….

　

Scripture tells us that “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge” (Proverbs 1:7 KJV)

If you know me, you have probably heard me say that my God is not mean and nasty. I once thought of Him as a grumpy old man with a huge flyswat raised, just waiting for an excuse to whop me with it.

He is not.

The nature and character of our Creator includes judgment, but He is driven by love. Read 1 John 4, don’t just take my word for it.

In my own walk with Him, I have been in that scary place. I tried hiding from Him, but take my word for it…that does not work. Adam and Eve tried it too. You can’t hide.

I once resented the teachings of my youth that caused me such fear and dread of the One Who created me, knew me in my mother’s womb, and knows the very number of hairs on my head. But I’ve come to appreciate it. Fear kept me safer than I might have been otherwise.

I did not do some of the things other teenagers did, simply because I was afraid my daddy would find out…..

….so now I reign my behavior because I do not want my Father to see me behaving in ways that He would not approve of.

Sometimes I understood why my daddy felt as he did. Often I understand why my Father in heaven allows what He allows or has said what He has said.

As an adult, I thoroughly understand why my daddy set such close boundaries for me. And somewhere along the way, between that first moving influence of being fearfully afraid of God, I began to know Him better. I began to trust Him more. I understand sometimes, and when I don’t understand, I rest in knowing that His love is the driving force behind every single thing He does or allows.

Thank You Father, that I have begun in that knowledge.

Learning to be wise seems to be a lifelong process....

I've said it before, I say it again... The older I get, the more I realize how much I don't know.

"These are the proverbs of Solomon, the son of David and king of Israel. They will help you learn to be wise, to accept correction, and to understand wise sayings." (Proverbs 1:1-2)



I don't read newspapers much, but I bet Dear Abby is still in there. People really write letters to whoever Abby is, seeking advice for some problem they have. They give her just a few details and she comes up with a solution. (Are issues ever so simple that you can explain them in a letter?)

I've got a great life, blessed certainly more than I deserve. But we all have our issues. Life is difficult at best, and following Christ ensures us that we will have times of suffering. Jesus Himself said
"..they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you." (John 15:20)  

How thankful I am that He has informed us of that. Imagine what a powerful weapon in the hands of the enemy had He not told us about the struggles ahead.  

That liar still tries to twist and decieve....
"if you were a good enough Christian, you wouldn't have all these problems, if you had been a better parent, your family would be perfect, if you really believed in God, you would never have these times of questions and doubt, if you were a good enough Christian, you'd know what to do in this situation...." 

On and on that devil goes with his flaming arrows. But I recognize where the assault is coming from, and like Jesus, tell him to get behind me. James has given us the key "Submit yourselves therefore to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you."(James 4:7)

   Difficulty in life always drives me to scripture, because I have managed to learn and retain the knowledge that it is ONLY there that I find answers and encouragement. It is ONLY from there that I hear God speak and know that it is indeed truth.

 He knows every detail of every issue, I don't have to try to make Him understand. ( So often, it is the other way around...HIM making ME understand !)

  I begin again this morning in Proverbs. The purpose of these writings is clearly stated right at the beginning. 

And since I need help in this learning to be wise thing, since I need to better accept correction, I prayerfully begin.....

Questioning what God has said or done...it's not a new thing.

The series showing on television recently has stirred a lot of questions. More than once I’ve been asked about things acted out in this dramatic series.

Since God said ‘do not kill’ in His list of commandments, why then did he TELL the Israelites to kill. Not only to kill, but to kill EVERYONE.

Does God still make bad things happen to us when we disobey?
Why would God send a child and its mother out into a desert?
Why would God make a baby die just because it's parent had done something wrong?




When we sin, does God make bad things happen to us…..Let’s go back to the beginning.

God created.
God instructed. (do not choose knowledge of evil)
Humans chose to know evil. (sin)
God had already explained the consequences of choosing to know evil.
Humans chose to know it anyway.
God asked questions, giving the humans opportunity to confess.
Humans hid. And blamed. Sin was a reality and death entered our story.

　

As a result of the choosing to know evil, everything had changed. To protect the humans from being eternally in the state they had now become, God banished them from the home He had prepared for them, keeping them from the Tree of Life lest they be caught up into eternity in the sinful state they had now become.

And then the redemption story unfolds. Thousands of years, thousands of characters….. some of them portrayed on this television drama.

I’ve watched some of it, some is still waiting on our DVR. There have been some things that raised my brow, a LOT of things left out…but it is a HUGE story. HUGE.

　

　

We are quick to ask ‘why’. My most frequent question is ‘what if’.

What if God hadn’t sent Ishmael away? Would he have gotten even more taunting with his little half brother? Would he have interfered in the lineage of the Messiah, a direct descendant of Isaac?

What if the armies had obeyed God and destroyed every living person in the enemy city? Would there be peace in the middle east today?

Why? I don’t have all the answers.

What I do have is enough information about the character and nature of the God I serve to trust Him. What He says, He says for reasons that involve the welfare of humanity. Whether I can understand it, or whether I never see the sense of it.

God is not mean and nasty. He is the very reason you exist and have a mind to read and reason this post.

The enemy of our souls will use every opportunity to cause doubt and tempt us to question God. His method of operation is the same today as it was in the beginning. Let us not allow that devil to twist truth and sully our trust in the very God Who created us, breathed life into us, and worked throughout the ages to bring about salvation.

Yes, bad things came to those who were not obedient to God in the pages of Old Testament scripture stories. Yes, God Himself made some of those things happen….things that look so very bad to us.

And make no mistake, bad things will happen to those who do not have Someone Who will intercept that punishment, taking it Himself instead.

Hallelujah. What a Savior.

If you want to know why, ask Him.

And if you find yourself lacking in understanding of the story of humanity as revealed to us in scripture, I strongly suggest you find a Bible translation that you understand and read it.  Prayerfully and expectantly. He promises that when we really want to find Him, He will be found.  (Jeremiah 29:13-14) 

 




  
 

I have a favorite new pen..

I don't know what it is about writing instruments that is so interesting.  I seem to constantly be buying pens and pencils.  Searching for juuuuust the right one I guess.

It seems that when I find a 'favorite' I lose it.  (...or somebody swipes it!)

A few months ago I bought yet another 'erasable' pen.  I've wasted a lot of money on so called erasable pens.  The eraser only smears, or worse, ruins the paper. But this one works ! 

But it only works with the eraser on the pen.  My big old pink thing won't work. 




I've been accused of spiritualizing everything.  Tonight, it's my erasable pens.

I'm thankful to have found them, they make my appointment book easier to keep neat.

And I'm thankful for the erasing power of Christ's blood.  I'm thankful for that One Eraser that effectively removes the mistakes I make.

"He has removed my sins as far from me as the east is from the west." (Psalm 103:12 personalized by me)

Personalized from Psalm 103, "I desire to praise Him with an undivided heart. May I never forget the good things He has done for me.  He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He fills my life with good things.  He revealed His character to Moses, to the people of Israel, and to me.   He remembers how weak I am and knows that I am only dust without His Breath of life.  The Lord has made the heavens His throne, and from there He rules and reigns."

.....and erases my mistakes. 

Hallelujah.

God fights for us, and God fights WITH us….

It is pleasant to think about God fighting my battles for me. “Be not afraid nor dismayed….. for the battle is not yours, but God's.”(2Ch. 20:15)

I don’t always retreat from the battlefield and let Him take command. Often, I call Him in to fight it, and then give Him orders in the heat of the battle, staying right where I was, assuming that I am in charge.

Sometimes I don’t see Him slaying enough enemies, or bringing enough blood. He doesn’t always fight as cruelly as I’d like. How can you win if you don’t severely hurt the enemy?

I find comfort in His promise, then don’t give Him permission and opportunity to fulfill them.

I look back and see His Fingerprints on my life, I see the battle scars I have suffered. I see the victories I have celebrated, often after a very long and difficult battle.

As I sit quietly with Him, thinking about these things, this verse comes up in some reading….

“When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man.” (Gen. 32:25)

God has fought for me. And God has fought with me.

He prefers not to do so, but will wrestle with me when my will is not bent to His. He knows what it will take. He knows if I will surrender, and if I will….He will do whatever it takes to bring that about.

I purpose to be easily surrendered to His will over mine. My desire is to fully trust and rely on Him as my first Defense. I want to be free of fear and dismay over battles that I seem to be losing.

Yet like Jacob, I purpose to hold onto Him relentlessly until “I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” (Gen. 32:30)

I've discovered something.....

There is an online ‘urban’ dictionary. All the definitions are written by people…ordinary people.  Not scholars, or professors etc.    You and I can submit our very own definition of any word.  

Now there’s a new twist on an old activity.  Since the beginning, it has been done… submitting our own definitions to God’s Word.   We arrogantly decide what a word should mean.  We attempt to make it fit us, rather than shaping our lives to fit what God’s Word means.  

We have changed the meaning of a lot of our English words.  We have made them to mean something entirely different than they originally meant. We learn the new meanings and begin to use them in that context.  

But make no mistake.  We will never change one single Word of God.  Our culture does not change Him.  His Word stands.  What He meant by what He said will never ever change.  No matter how many new ways you twist it and misuse it.  His Word stands.  

 

We are wise to know Him well enough to understand His communication to us.  Wiser still to benefit from His Holy Spirit Who helps and teaches us all things. 

Your free offer is about to expire.....

Don't you tire of the spam mail?  I just deleted about 100 of them.  It took a while, but I have learned to disregard those urgent looking subject lines.

Last minute offer....
Important information about your credit....
Important information about your account...
You have an important message....
I've seen your profile and I'd like to meet you...
Get the funds you need.....
Disability, do you qualify.....

Dozens and dozens with new ones every week.  Occasionally I get fooled and actually look before deleting....(I'm wondering if that's what is wrong with one of my computers...)

Free offers make me immediately wonder what the catch is.  It is easy for me to ignore those, I'm not even interested in knowing what they want to give me 'free'.  I have learned that there is really not much in our culture that is free.  You either pay, or there is a hook hidden in that bait somewhere. I know that I will pay one way or the other. 

There is only one offer that is really free.  And it took me years to stop trying to pay for it.  "....you have been set free from sin.....the wages of sin is death.."(Romans 6:22-23)


What I owe for my inability to live a perfect life (sin) is death.  You owe it too.  Every single human ever to be born owes it. 

Except One.

And because He was perfect He is able to make an incredible free offer.
That offer is valid right now.
It doesn't expire until you do.
He knows way more about you that what your Facebook profile reveals.
He wants desperately for you to meet Him.
You do qualify, but you must accept the offer.

And there is a very important message....  He loves you with a love you are incapable of understanding or duplicating.

The important information about all this is recorded in the pages of scripture.

Get what you need to pay this debt you owe.  And when your debt is paid, don't think you have to work off the loan..cause it's not a loan.  It's a gift. So just be fascinated and captivated by the Giver of the gift and start today to spend every moment of every day in His company. 

He is so good.  Hallelujah. 

Digging up roots....

I lost a tree in my front yard.  The snow that piled up on it got a bit too heavy and down it went. There is just a stump left now, a chainsaw removed the tree and it's branches, cutting as close to the ground as possible, just a stump remains.  But there is a stump... and there are roots under the ground.

I'd like another tree in that spot, but even though the tree is gone, there is a problem planting anything else in that exact spot....at least until the roots from that tree rot away. Even then the leftover roots cause problems.

Every year, we fight old roots in our garden. Even after the many years that same plot of ground has been disked, plowed, and tilled,  those old roots work their way to the top and we find ourselves pulling and chopping more old roots, ridding the soil of what hinders us from working the ground.

We are effective in dealing with those old roots, it is hard word, and certainly annoying, but we can manage it. They are dead and rotting, but still they make it harder to work that plot of soil. But we continue and each year it seems to be a little easier.

This stump is another story. Though the tree is gone, the stump is still very hard wood, and the roots...well, I'm not sure they know they are dead yet.  It wouldn't surprise me to see them put up some little shoots somewhere.  The root is where the life comes from...

The Bible uses so many illustrations using trees or vines, roots, and branches.  This morning my mind keeps going to those life-giving roots, but especially from the negative. (...seems that is how I learn best...)

"....let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles...."(Hebrews 12:1)


When there is a tree in our life that needs to come down, (some personal sin), it is often pretty easy to just chop it down, maybe even haul off the tree trunk and all the branches.  But if that root is not dealt with, it can pop up new life somewhere else. 

And even when the roots finally die, the rotted thing sometimes still causes difficulty.  The leftovers are there. And they cause us to work hard to rid our plot of ground from the evidence of that past life.

We can be effective in dealing with the tree. We can, and must choose to 'throw off' personal sin.

But we are foolish to think we can deal with the life that remains in the roots. We need Help. Else we may find ourselves chopping down trees for a very long time. 
 

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.."(Hebrews 12:2)

 


 

Giving credit where credit is due.

There has been several urgent prayer opportunities recently.  There are always, always, always, prayer needs.  It just seemed intense this last week. 

One of those urgencies involved a precious newborn.  Fresh new life seemed compromised.  The prayer warriors found out and stepped onto the battlefield, standing in the gap petitioning God to heal and restore health to this new life. 

Test were done then waiting began.  Waiting for the results....what would the news be? Would there be a life threatening disease? Could there be a long-term illness?

Finally, negative test results announced that the diagnosis was not a reality. 

Immediately, God was praised.

"I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you..."(Daniel 2:23)


What a demonstration of God's visible glory !  A family prayed. The petition was answered...just as they asked. 

And God was credited. 

No explaining away.
No blaming doctors for getting wrong ideas.
No trying to figure out what it was, since it wasn't what the doctors had thought it might be.

Immediately, thanking and praising the God of their ancestors for making known to them exactly what they asked..

Hallelujah. 

 

Plowing ground...

My man cranked up his John Deere tractor yesterday.  He hitched up the disc and plowed up the garden spot.

 

(Yes, it is January. Not time to drop seeds yet....)

 

He is preparing the soil.  Whatever had grown up since the vegetables were harvested was still standing, dead from the cold temperatures of the winter.  He took advantage of that, plowing them under, pulverizing them into the soil to make it more fertile rather than allowing it to sprout up from the roots once warm weather comes. 

 

What was a potential problem has now become an asset.

 

Oh, there will still be unwanted growth in our garden. Weeds will always be a problem.  (..that 'cursed ground' and  'by the sweat of your brow' thing from the incident in The Garden.)

 

Soon, it will be time to plant. He will further prepare the soil and I will help him drop the seeds and cover them.

 

 

Jesus used examples of sowing in His teaching.  As I think about those things He said, I realize that I've dropped a lot of seeds in my life.

 

Unfortunately, many times I interfered with the process of those seeds sprouting to new life.  Sadly, I dug a few up to examine them. Some of them I watered too much, flooding them right out of the ground rather than gently sprinkling life-giving water on the soil they were in.

 

I wonder what seedling I am unattending now.  Is there a seed somewhere that has sprouted that needs nurturing?  Is there weeds that need to be picked out so that life is not hindered? Do I need to water?  Fertilize?

Spiritually speaking, it is always time to sow seeds.  It is always time to cultivate soil and prepare hearts for the Seed of God's Word.

What will I be today?  The sower? The one who prepares the soil?  The one who pulls a weed?

One thing I want to be careful about....it is not my place to dig up the seed and inspect it.  It is God's job and His alone to germinate a seed. 

I just need to be sure the seed I sow is good seed.