Trick or Treat

I have a new dermatologist. She moved here by way of Southern California after spending some time in New England. I asked her what prompted her to move away from the year-round warm weather of SoCal after surviving some fairly harsh winters back east, and her reply was quick and to the point.

"I don't do cosmetic surgery. I like real faces on real people."

I'm not touching that comment. I'll let God's Word do the talking.

For You (Lord God) created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139)

A (woman) of noble character ... is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. (Proverbs 31)

Gray hair is a crown of spendor; it is obtained by a righteous life. (Proverbs 16)

It's About Time ~ My Words Have Found Their Voice

Okay, so what would wake-up my word factory after two days of vacation from thinking? Sleep! Not my lack of or overabundance of sleep, but the world's precarious sleep situation. I kid you not.

This Sunday it is time to fall back ~ reset our clocks one hour back to normal time. That's right, no more extra daylight for the estimated 1.5 billion people who live in countries that worship daylight savings time. I'm one of them and I had no idea how dangerous the first day of daylight savings could be.

According to a letter by Dr. Imre Jansky published in the New England Journal of Medicine, a review of Sweden's comprehensive registry of heart attacks over the last 19 years showed that there was an overall increase in heart attacks the week that daylight savings was instituted, with the biggest day being Monday. Conversely, there was a decrease in heart attacks the week clocks returned to normal time, again with the biggest decrease coming on Monday.

So, the moral of the story is stay in bed the week after daylight savings starts and jump out of bed the week after normal time returns.

I do have a question, however. Since Sweden is up somewhere near the "top" of the globe, they get practically 24 hours of daylight in the summer and relatively little in the winter. I don't know, maybe it's me, but I would think that these people are so worn out from a summer of excessive sunshine, that they are thrilled to have an extra hour to sleep when the clock rolls back. I mean I just adore daylight savings time, but when I was in Norway over the summer, even the excess of daylight got to me! I spent way more hours awake than my brain could handle.

So no wonder, Swedes experience an increase in heart attacks the day after daylight savings begins. They're thinking about all those hours of sunshine they have to contend with over the summer months. And conversely, it's no wonder they experience a decrease in heart attacks the day after normal time returns. They're letting out a collective sigh of relief that they can hibernate for a while and prepare for next summer's 24/7 fling!

Now as for the rest of the countries that observe daylight savings ~ you will have to come up with your own theory.

(My post today was based on an on-line article published by Stephanie Nano of the Associated Press on the correlation between heart attacks and moving the hands of time.)

Speechless

I was out of words yesterday. I'm out of words today. So I'll quote Proverbs 15:23 instead.

A word spoken in due season,
how good it is!

Play's the Thing

It's great to have friends to play with. And play we did this weekend! It started with out-of-state guests arriving Thursday night for a weekend sleepover, continued with an evening birthday party, headed into a Saturday afternoon CAL game (and yes, we stomped UCLA), carried into another evening of delightful dining, followed by a Sunday morning breakfast, and ended with my husband and I playing in the dirt after our guests departed.

Oh yes, we got good and dirty as we planted a few offerings for the front yard. Not much since it will be a complete re-do in the spring, but just enough to brighten things up.

But I digress. It really is lovely to have dear friends to play with. And yes, it's Biblical. I know you've come to expect that.

A friend loves at all times (Proverbs 17:17) A cheerful heart is good medicine (Prov 17:22) Pleasant words are like honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones (Prov 16:24)

God is and Will Still Be in Control

As the presidential elections inch ever so closer, conversations, rhetoric, advertisements and media are heating up ~ which means emotions are heating up, too. While we may not all agree on who should be elected, I think that we all agree that this is a crucial election ~ either we are getting back on track as a country or we will continue down a path towards a country that we no longer recognize.

But no matter who wins the election there are at least 12 things that for sure will remain true. (This is another one of those email things that have been traveling the cyberspace circuit, so unfortunately I have no one to give credit to except Jan who emailed it to me. I did do a bit of editing and added my own "for sure things.")

Top 12 Sure Things for Tomorrow No Matter What

1. God will still be the almighty, sovereign and holy God.
2. God's Will will still prevail.
3. God will still be in control.
4. The Bible will still have all the answers.
5. Prayer will still work.
6. The Holy Spirit will still move.
7. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
8. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
9. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
   
10. There will still be room at the Cross.
11. Jesus will still love you.
12. Jesus will still save the loss.
    

A Bit of Humor

Thought for the Day

Handle every stressful situation like a dog.

If you can't eat it or play with it,

Just pee on it and walk away.

(Thanks to Peppermint for the above quote which is making the girlfriend email circuit. Not very Christ-like, but I just had to post it because I honestly feel that way sometimes ~ not the peeing part, but the just walking away and not dealing with it part.)

The Driveway Fairy

I awoke this morning to the residue of fairy dust on my completed driveway (okay, it's really the sand that goes between the pavers, but work with me here). I am elated! I shared in an earlier blog that I had felt some agitation throughout the destruction/reconstruction process but eventually sucked in my breath, said a prayer for patience and peace, and yielded control to the work of our knights in shining armor.

Well, they delivered big time. Permit me to indulge in an excess of photos (like when a grandma shares too many photos of her grandkids) of the final result. It came out even better than I had designed and planned for, especially the curves (which are kind of sexy in a driveway sort of way).
And you know where I'm headed with this ~ when I/we step back, yield to the Holy Spirit and allow God to do a destruction and reconstruction in us, His work is far beyond our expectations. He is after, a certified 10-star contractor!

So stayed tuned in the Spring when phase 2 of the destruction/reconstruction begins. That's when the big boy toys return to dig out the rotted stump and root, put in fresh soil, a new tree and other plants, and we totally reclaim our front yard. It's going to be a blast!

Knights in Shining Armor, er, Dirty Work Clothes

My husband finally admitted it. After laying the first row of pavers, he confessed that the job was too big for him to do alone.

Now permit me to digress a minute. My husband is handy. I could even go so far as to say that many of my friends are jealous of how talented my husband is with tools. I mean this man may be an accounting consultant by profession, but he can swing a hammer and lay down tile. He reconstructed our entire master bathroom. Has laid tile floor in almost every room of our house. There isn't much he can't do around the house from electrical to plumbing. But he cried "uncle" when it came to the driveway pavers.

There is no shame in crying uncle. Indeed, there is much character is admitting when our personal gifting and abilities have been tapped and it's time to bring in reinforcements. And so he did. The knights in shining armor arrived with tool belts, work gloves, experience and energy to take over the job. And take over they did.

My husband has stepped aside and let these men do the work of reconstructing our driveway. When his fingers got itchy, they graciously let him try his hand at cutting pavers with their deluxe saw. Satisfied with an hour's work at that glorious machine, it was time to really let go and let the knights continue.

Biblical application time. Believers have a knight in shining armor who is ready, willing and able to step up 24/7 ~ the Holy Spirit. When we accept Christ into our lives, He graces us with the Holy Spirit to help us live godly, joy-filled, peace-centered lives. HS is always there even when we choose to ignore or downright refuse the help, guidance and strength HS provides. It's when we step back, acknowledge HS's presence and allow HS to do a good work in us, that we can stop struggling in our own limited understanding and our own puny power. This doesn't mean giving up and letting go; this means looking "up" to our Creator and yielding to His perfect will and way for us. It works. Try it. You will be amazed at the work of reconstruction HS can do if we step back and let the expert do His work.

Setting Boundaries ~ or the Driveway Saga Continues

So the concrete has been removed, the offending tree root destroyed, the dirt dug out. Destruction has finished and it's time for reconstruction. But before a single paver can be placed, the shape and definition of the driveway must be set. This is where I come in! Actually, I was involved in the very beginning during the planning and design phase, but then had to bow out when the "guy stuff" began. Now I've been asked to join their sandbox to make sure the boundaries are properly set.

Boundary. Now there's a word that has both Biblical and worldly application. A boundary is something that indicates a border or a limit. Boundary setting is a healthy thing to do whether defining a driveway or defining personal behavior. It's the drawing of the proverbial line in the sand; the separation of this from that, me from the world. Without boundaries water tumbles out of glasses, cars are driven on sidewalks, kids can eat anything they want for dinner and the cable guy can show up at your house whenever he feels like (although it seems like that does happen anyway). Personal boundary setting is a biggie. It not only defines how we act, it defines how we allow others' actions to affect us.

Jesus urged his followers to set BIG boundaries. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12:2)

Sorry

I recently read back through some of my posts of the past couple of weeks, and I think I have a tendency sometimes to come across as "preachy." I cringe at the thought. It's my sarcastic nature coming through. Not a pretty sight. My heart is in the right place but the filter through which I share my thoughts isn't always the right color.

Lord God, it is You that I want to glorify. Forgive me for sounding prideful or arrogant when I only mean to share Your Truth. Help me choose my words so that they are not off-putting. Help me to keep this desire in my heart so that I'm not coming back to you too soon with the same request. Thank You. ~ Amen

Roosters

I read an article (stop rolling your eyes ~ I LIKE to read and share, like in kindergarten.) Anyway, I read this article that claims that women rule the roost and that's okay with men. Does my husband know about this?

Of the 1,260 individuals surveyed (that's enough for an extrapolation, right?), women made more decisions in the areas of planning weekend activities, household finances, major home purchases and TV watching. Of couples, 43% let the woman take the lead, 26% the men and 31% share equally. The article goes on to say, We'd all like to believe we're moving toward gender equality - not just in the workplace but in the home.

Let's get real here. Do men really believe in equality of the remote control ~ or have they simply retreated to their caves and watched what they darn well pleased on their own HD TV?

Who is the rooster in the hen house anyway? Ours is a fairly equal partnership but dang, I would hate to think I have castrated my man because the remote is no longer his domain. Oh, that's right, we don't watch much TV so it doesn't make much difference in our household.

On Solid Foundations and Brick Walls

As I was sitting in listening to our pastor, I wondered if the kids' story, The Three Little Pigs was based on a teaching in the New Testament. I know it's a leap, but it's the way my brain thinks.

In Matthew 7:23 and Luke 6:46, Jesus talks about building our foundation on rock, not on shifting sands, so when the winds and rains (troubles) come, our house will not fall. He's really talking about building our lives on Truth and remaining steadfast in Him regardless of our circumstances.

So ~ segue to the 3 pigs. If you don't know the story, let me do a quick recap. The first pig builds his house of straw, the wolf comes along, blows it down, and the pig hits the road in search of safety. He comes across the second pig who has built his house out of sticks. Same wolf action. Same flight scene. This time they come across the pig who has labored to build his house out of brick. Same wolf action. Although this time, as all three are huddled inside, that wolf can't make that house fall down, no matter how hard he tries.

Okay, so here comes the application. When troubles come calling ~ and we all know that they will ~ have I built my foundation, or in this case, the very walls of my life on solid ground and of solid materials ~ or have I gone the easy route and left my heart and peace-of-mind open to the whims of the winds that blow by? I like to think I've built brick walls on rock foundation, but the true test comes when trouble comes knocking at my door.

Pity Parties Aren't Pretty

I must confess that I have felt a plethora of emotions since starting our driveway destruction and reconstruction process. Underlying sadness about losing a beautiful tree and excitement about gaining a lovely new driveway, has been agitation. At first I thought the agitation was brought about by the irreversible decision to cut down an exquisite specimen of nature. But as I dug deeper, I realized that there was more. You see, our driveway and front yard has been a construction zone for a week now and as the days have progressed, I have felt more and more not in control.

I can't bring back the tree. Others plants got severely damaged in the process. The new tree can't be planted until spring. The driveway was ripped up and very slowly reconstructed. Blah, blah, blah. Yep, I'm having a pity party over the front of my house looking and feeling like a war zone. I'm having a pity party because I can't do the physical labor to make it happen sooner. I'm having a pity party because I've lost the very thing that caused the damage in the first place. I'm having a pity party because this whole thing is going over budget. I'm pathetic.

What I need to do is simply rest in the Lord. He tells us not to worry. He tells us He will fulfill our every need in His perfect timing. My job is to let go and let God. My job is to submit to His authority and control. After all, He created the entire universe, I think He can handle my front yard/driveway project.

Thank you, Lord, for your patience for this pathetic pity partying girl. You show us time and time again in Your Word, that our trials and circumstances are refining us from base iron to precious metal. Help me get over myself and to get full of you instead.

The Scientists Keep Trying to Get It Right

Read about the Nobel Prize in physics. The winners this year are three theorists who have been working on an explanation of how the cosmos came into being. I have to quote the article to make sure I get their work straight: All three studied (an) essential phenomenon known as broken symmetry, which helps to explain the behavior of matter on the smallest scale, where the everyday laws of physics seemingly break down or are ignored. The article goes on to say something about if matter and antimatter had been created in equal quantities during the big bang, the universe would not exist.

Yes, it's a mind bending article and it doesn't help that I have only quoted snippets. However, as much as I appreciate, follow and am fascinated by scientific discoveries, I think these theorists should have started their research with Genesis. It might help them understand that what seems unexplainable to us is so because it is only understood by God. And He thoroughly enjoys revealing just tidbits as we frantically search for His Truth on this matter.

In the beginning, God created heaven and earth...and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. (Genesis 1)

Sanctuary Lost and Found

It didn't occur to me until this morning when I looked out my living room window and saw an expanse of clear, blue sky ~ no lush green leaves, no massive tree trunk, no cool shade ~ that I have removed a wonderful sanctuary for birds. I'm a sucker for birds, particularly the small ones, and now I have removed the very thing that brought them to my yard. Yikes! So while I continue to mourn for my tree, I must now mourn for the birdies as well.

But God tells us not to worry about even the birds because He provides for all their needs, too. So I just know that when our new tree comes to rest in our yard next spring, it will be welcomed by not just me but by the birdies as well. God is good.

A Time for Everything

THE tree came down yesterday. It's a 32 year old, 40 foot tall liquid amber that was the cause of our driveway reconstruction project. It was a majestic tree full of lush green leaves in the summer and golden red splendor in the autumn, and we mourn its loss. Indeed, our tree had already lost most of its "cousins" on this street as neighbors have taken them down to be replaced with more refined, less powerful substitutes.

You see, these trees never should have been planted in our small yards. They are just too massive and their root system just too invasive. Yet, despite the damage to our driveway and garage floor, it took us two years to get used to the idea that this incredible living thing was going to have to die at our hands.

To compound our grief, we must look at its stump for the next 3 to 6 months as the poison it's treated with spreads down into the roots. These trees are very tenacious and will grow anew from the roots, so we need to make sure that it is truly dead.

But to everything there is a season, and in its place, we will plant new life in the springtime. We are still deciding which tree will come home and share its life with us. The prospect is exciting and we look forward to a renewed front yard. But for now, we grieve.

If It's Good Enough for Sharks

I read that scientists have confirmed the second case of "virgin birth" in sharks. Let me slow down, and repeat that. Scientists have confirmed a second case of "virgin birth" in sharks. The first documented case involved a hammerhead, while the second was an Atlantic blacktip.

According to shark scientist Demian Chapman, "The first case was no fluke. It is quite possible that this is something female sharks of many species can do on occasion." Indeed, virgin births are not news in the animal world as it has been already proven in some bony fish, amphibians, reptiles and birds.

Asexual reproduction or parthenogenesis or "virgin birth," is birth of an offspring without the help of a male. Okay, so let me take this in. When scientists claim a female shark can have a "virgin birth" the world gets behind it and rejoices in great wonder But if Mary of the Bible claims to have had Jesus Christ through "virgin birth," the world ridicules and scoffs. Perhaps we need the scientists to get on this right away.

Excuse Me While I Pray Instead of Barf (Part 2)

Yesterday, I posted a blog about a Stanford college grad who became a very high paid prostitute in order, she alleges, to upgrade the world's attitude about this profession. I wrote the blog with sarcasm steeped in righteous indignation. After all, there are women and children in bondage against their will to sexual slavery all over the world, so glorifying this profession just doesn't seem right. God Himself rails against hurting the least fortunate of his people. Indeed, God is repulsed by a heart that devises wicked schemes and feet that rush into evil. And Jesus said, "Whatever you do to the least of them You do to Me."

But God has also placed on my heart a sorrow for this misguided Stanford grad. She is a lost soul, and the Lord grieves over EVERY lost soul. He actually softened my heart to pray for her.

Lord, God, You are an incredible God. Slow to anger. Ever loving. Extremely patient. You desire that each and every one of us enter into an eternal relationship with You. Yet even before eternity begins, You desire that we live a glorifying, joyful life on earth. To do both, we must first accept your Son, Jesus Christ, and repent of our sinful ways.

I pray for this 35-year old Stanford graduate, Lord. I pray for her salvation. I pray for her repentance of a life that dishonored the very body that You gave to her. I pray for her misguided efforts to lure others into her trap.

For You said, Lord, "I noticed...a youth who lacked judgment. He was going down the street...then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent...With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him...he followed her like an ox going to the slaughter...little knowing it will cost him his life...may are the victims she has brought down...her house is a highway to the grave." (Proverbs 7:6-27)

Excuse Me While I Barf (Part 1)

Our driveway saga is not over but while we are doing the boring stuff spreading sand, I was distracted by an article I read in our local newspaper entitled Lessons From a Law Grad Turned Escort. Honestly, do I need to write any further? Isn't your mind already swirling with your own thoughts? Well, permit me to continue.

It seems that a 35-year old Stanford law graduate decided to put her degree to better use than pursuing social justice. And I quote, "I felt it was important to examine social values, constructs and paradigms as critically as I examined scientific or mathematical ones. I never understood why you had to be a down-to-earth, educated, chaste career girl OR a sexual, sensual adventurer or temptress." (The sound you hear is me barfing.)

This law-student-turned-prostitute makes it sound like she had a higher calling (get it ~ call girl). She felt it was her social duty to get to the bottom (many bottoms) of why women must be pigeon-holed by society into narrow roles. I mean, who in their right mind would want to be a career woman of honor and virtue when she can be a well-educated slut instead?

To quote her again, "I have tried to send a positive message to San Francisco escorts regarding assumptions about the nature and social status of women in the business."

It gets better (and I use this word tongue-in-cheek). It seems that the selection of her research topic might have been based on more than altruism. You see, she graduated with a reported $800,000 in student loans. What better way to eradicate debt than to sell yourself?

And what better way to promote yourself than to get a web site? After all, this well-educated researcher knew that web-based pornography is the most efficient way to reach millions of potential customers ~ oops, research subjects.

And now the really juicy part ~ because we all know that money is sexier than, well you know, sex. This highly efficient social researcher NOT ONLY paid off her student loans, she drove a $75,000 Mercedes and kept her money in cash, lots of cash ~ for further research purposes I am sure.

And it's the cash part that got her into trouble. For someone who is reportedly as smart as she is, permit me to ask how she thought she could get away without paying taxes on her ill-gotten income. Even notorious gangster, Al Capone, got brought down by the Feds for not paying taxes. ~Oh, that's right, I forgot. This is RESEARCH money so, of course, it's not taxable because it's all for the betterment of mankind.

Reconstruction Begins

Oh yes, it's getting better and better. I mean the latest addition to the play yard is so BIG that it carries along its own Mr. Bobcat. So here comes the sand and the pavers to finally begin the "pretty process" of our driveway destruction and reconstruction. At this point, the neighborhood men are completely speechless, and my husband has to lie down from the testosterone rush. (If you have been following my blog posts for the past several days, you will understand this reference.)

Now that the offending roots have been removed, the dirt dug out and a new layer of stone layed down, it's time to spread the pristine sand in which the pavers will nestle.

So here's the Biblical application. With our full permission,cooperation and repentance, God will refine us through our trials (broken driveway), eradicate the offending sin (roots) and lay a new, solid foundation of Truth (rocks). On top of that foundation, His Holy Spirit (sand) will provide the means and the strength by which we will live our new life (pavers) in Christ. Just as with the laying out of the pavers, our lives will unfold smoothly in places and need further refining in others. But throughout the entire process, the Lord will be the architect, the contractor, the laborer if only we yield our will to Him and let Him do His work in us.

Play Date

Ladies, do not let your men see this photo unless they are sitting down. They will go absolutely weak in the knees when they see Mr. Bobcat playing with Mr. Tonka. This is seriously the stuff that can make a grown man cry.

Is there Biblical application? I'm sure there is. But right now, my husband just walked in the door, and I'm totally distracted watching his knees buckle as he stares at the photo of the big boys at play.

The Offending Source

There it is. The culprit. The offending root that was raising our garage floor and wrecking havoc with the driveway. Do you see how darn small it is? You can see all the way to the back wall of the garage how the offender had split the garage floor and separated the cabinets! We expected a driveway full of massive roots but it turned out to be a singular, relatively small root. We are talking dozens of man hours and thousands of dollars to repair the damage that this root caused.

You know where I'm going with this. Yep, back to Biblical application. Small sin can have big consequences.

It starts simply enough. My husband doesn't pay attention to me.

It grows. That cute guy at work is fun to flirt with. He makes me feel better about myself.

It spreads its tentacles. Oh, a little kissing can't hurt anything. I deserve a little fun.

Grips the throat. If my husband won't have sex with me, this guy will.

It slowly squeezes off the oxygen. I never meant for my husband to find out.

Goes in for the "kill." How did I end up in this mess? I love my husband. I never wanted a divorce.

Time for destruction of the offending source and pray for Godly reconstruction! (And no, people, this is not my marriage ~ it's just a story but it sure makes its point!)

Destruction Before Reconstruction

What is it about men and their toys? My husband and his partner in crime spent the entire day ripping out concrete and tree roots, and excavating dirt. It began simply enough with the tap, tap, tap of a jack hammer as my husband cut away the edges of the driveway from the sidewalk and the garage in order to protect them from the "big boy" that was to come.

When Mr. Bobcat showed up at the house, I could hear a collective sign of envy and a rush of testosterone as the neighborhood men looked on. With a flourish and lots of grins, the work began in earnest with just a short lunch break made by yours truly (yes, at times I can be a supportive wife!). By evening, just about every man in the neighborhood had "casually strolled" by to get a closer look at the destruction and even place a hand on the sacred machine.

All sorts of Biblical application came to mind as I watched this scene being played out. To recap = an offending root was uplifting and destroying our concrete driveway and garage floor. After years of watching the damage slowly increase, we had to take action. So out came the jackhammer and Mr. Bobcat. I couldn't help but think how sin can start out slowly, innocuously, almost innocently. It doesn't seem like such a big deal at the time, but left unchecked, the problem can grow and wreck havoc with the solid foundation of my life. By now, however, it's so ingrained that the Lord has to bring out the big guns to eradicate it. Oh, He may start with a jackhammer to loosen sin's grip and protect my foundation, but to firmly release it's hold, Mr. Bobcat is brought in for the heavy work.

And all the while, others are watching ~ watching the destruction from a "safe" distance. As God begins reconstruction and does a refining work in me, my tarnished lamp begins to shine like a beacon. And those who have been watching are drawn closer to the flame of His healing and forgiving powers.

A Fresh Start

I came home this morning from the gym to see my driveway in a pile on the street. Let me rephrase that ~ to see the concrete of my former driveway on the street. It was exhilarating.

My husband and I have been talking for two years about replacing the concrete slabs that had been under attack by the roots of a beautiful, but far too large tree in our front yard. We agonized over the job because we were concerned about having to take down the tree, it seemed like such a big job and we could just see dollar signs floating over the entire project.

But after much deliberation and watching the roots continue their damaging rampage, we bit the bullet and decided to begin the destruction and reconstruction of our driveway and front yard.

I'll keep you posted on our progress. Right now I have to run outside and watch the men play with their big equipment.

Extreme Opposites

Today started out gray but by 10am the sky burst forth in an unending expanse of blue. A welcomed sight after a weekend of training on becoming an advocate against the brutal injustice of human trafficking and sexual slavery.

A Perfect Day

Yesterday was one of those days that take my breath away. After the first serious rainstorm of the season the night before, the morning dawned touch 'n go ~ rain showers, sun rays, rain showers ~ but as the day progressed the rays won out. The air was crystal clear, the sky deep blue, the clouds big, white and fluffy (a rarity around here). It was a day to slow down and take it all in. It was a day made in heaven.

Fear Not

According to Douglas Rumford in his book titled Scared to Life, 60% of our fears are unfounded, 20% are already behind us, 10% are so petty that they don’t make any difference, 5% are real but there is nothing we can do about them. That leaves only 5% of our fears that we can actually do something about.

I got that quote from an e-zine that I received the other day. I don't know how this gentleman came about his statistics. Does quantifying our fears make them easier to deal with? I do know that since accepting and believing the truth that I am a precious child of God, I have let go of a lot of petty fears ~ fears that were founded in worldly thoughts and standards.

I wish I could say that I have let go of all my fears and handed them over to God in a neat little package, but that's not the case. I pray for my son, but I still worry as a mother. I pray for safe passage when my husband and I take a major trip, but I still worry about getting all our legal stuff taken care of first in case something happens to us. There are other things I worry about. I worry that my Mom will make it through the next midnight trip to the hospital.

So I haven't gotten off the worry merry-go-round but I do worry much less knowing that God is in control. And I'm still working towards the peace that surpasses all understanding by standing firmly in His hands.

Whatever Is Has Already Been, and What Will Be Has Been Before

(God) has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live....I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken away from it. (Ecclesiastes 3:11-14)

Tout Lasse

Tout casse, tout passe, tout lasse ~ everything breaks, everything passes, nothing lasts. (French saying)

Meaningless! Meaningless!...All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. (from the book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible)

Truth or lie? I guess the answer depends upon whether yours is an earthly or heavenly perspective.

A New Month to Raise Awareness to an Old Enemy and Honor a Few Special Women in My Life

It's October and that means Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It means raising our awareness to this potentially deadly disease, it means rededicating ourselves to self-exams, it means mammograms, it means giving financially to the cause.

But to me, it also means honoring special women in my life who have stared cancer in the face with dignity, humor and strength despite fear and loathing of the enemy.

My mother, Florence, is one of these women. An intensely private person, she would cringe if she knew I was telling the world her story. I tell it, however, out of love and respect for her journey. She has battled with a form of slow-growth lymphoma for eight years. She hates needles but has endured treatments and blood tests with quiet dignity. She also spent the last two years of my father's life setting aside her needs while she helped him with his.

When my friend, Sandra, received the news that she had a small but fast growing ovary and uterine cancer, she did not hesitate to face the diagnosis head on. Her mother suffered from the same disease and knowing that the odds were against her, Sandra opted for radical surgery. What she wasn't totally prepared for was the after-effects of the chemo and radiation. Blessed by relief she experienced from alternative medicine (accupuncture, therapeutic massage, etc) but dismayed by the lack of insurance coverage, she founded her own non-profit. It will provide financial assistance to cancer patients who are being treated with Western medicine but desire relief through Eastern practices. (I will post more on that in future blogs.)

My friend, Lorri, is the poster child for breast cancer in our circle of friends. A humble and God-filled woman, she would hate that description of herself. But the fact remains that she has helped untold number of women also suffering from breast cancer through her blog http://lorriscancerupdates.blogspot.com She has shared the reality of her journey with grace, truth and laughter ~ and in doing so has inspired others in the face of their battle.

The rock for Florence, Sandra and Lorri has been love ~ love from family, love from friends, love from their caregivers, even love from strangers. The greatest love of all, however, has been the love of God, their Father and Maker. While their walks with Him are at different levels of intimacy, He has been their strength and their salvation, their joy and their shoulder to lean on, their comforter from fear, sorrow, anger and even at times, of self-pity.

Thank You, Lord, for these special women. Thank You for not abandoning them in their time of need. While we will never understand why they had to battle cancer, we know that all things are under Your control. We also know that Your love is unfathomable and Your thoughts are beyond our understanding. Thank You for presence of Florence, Sandra and Lorri in my life. ~Amen