Passion, Purpose, Peace and Prayer

I leave you on this final day of 2008 with a prayer that was sent by fellow Groovy, Cinderella.

Dear Lord, I thank You for this day.
I thank You for me being able to see and to hear this morning.
I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God.
You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me.
Forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you.
I ask now for Your forgiveness.
Please keep me safe from all danger and harm.
Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude.
Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You.
Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things.
Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over.
And give me the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits.
I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart.
Continue to use me to do Your will.
Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others.
Keep me strong that I may help the weak.
Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others.
I pray for those that are lost and can't find their way.
I pray for those that are misjudged and misunderstood.
I pray for those who don't know You intimately.
I pray for those that don't believe.
But I thank You that I believe that God changes people and God changes things.
I pray for all my sisters and brothers. For each and every family member in their households.
I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes; that they are out of debt and all their needs are met.
I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than God.
Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight.
I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees it in Jesus' name.

Amen!

This is the Day the Lord Hath Made

a month of giving

I feel such a sense of peace and calmness today. It's a lovely feeling. As you prepare your hearts and minds for the new year, take time to slow down and reflect about what it is you really want from the fresh, new 365 days that 2009 brings.

Last night my husband and I were talking about my wonderful birthday celebration and the plans that lie ahead. When we got to March he said it was time to close the calendar as we were getting way too ahead of ourselves. Plans are good, but not at the loss of the present.

So give yourself the gift of the here and now. Find the joy and gratitude that each day presents to you if you are willing to accept it. Breathe in and experience today.

Celebrating a Birthday and a Funeral

Beware of refusing to go to the funeral of your own independence. Oswald Chambers

This may seem to be an odd quote to post on my Happy Birthday day. Yep, I'm celebrating a "big" birthday (turning 60) just four days after Jesus celebrated an even bigger one ~ not that I by any means compare the importance of my birth to His.

I have been dreading this birthday. It's one that makes me look soberly at my life and the years that are left. Sure, longevity runs in my family ~ high 80's to mid-90's ~ but the real question isn't how much time do I have left, but what will I do with that time?

Time has been my millstone and my joy. While others chase after money or fame or success, I have always pursued the "owning" of my time. My time. My independence. My way. Yet, I gave up the right to those pursuits when I became a born again believer in Christ ~ a "right" that was replaced by a desire to relinquish my will, control and power over to my everlasting God to do His will for me, under His control and through His power.

I became a Christ follower about 18 years ago, however, I didn't get celebrating the funeral-to-my-independence part until a few years ago. And I didn't really begin to surrender to that concept until last year.

To refuse the gift of life that God offers through the sacrifice of His Son in order to own the right to my time, my will and my independence, is not only foolishness and intellectually incompatible, it is death. Because through that refusal all I really "own" is the mere number of days that we are allowed on this earth.

Man's days are determined; You have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed. (Job14:5)

Show me,O Lord, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life...Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in You..." (Psalm 39:4,7)

Through acceptance of His gift, I gain eternal life through the glory of all that is God. But the gift comes with the responsibility of caring for my part of the "get'." You see, the giving of the gift is only God's to give. But the getting, that's where I come in. I get the gift by seeking and asking. But I don't need to wait until I die an earthly death to enjoy that gift of eternal afterlife. That gift comes with joy, peace. truly purposeful living and all the other fruits of the Holy Spirit. I get to start enjoying it right now, here on earth, but that's where my part comes to play.

I must choose to relinquish my time, will, power and control over to Him. I must attend the funeral of my own independence.

So on this day of celebrating my birthday ~the giving of earthly life ~ I am also celebrating a funeral ~ the death of my independence. To be honest, I have no desire to leave this earth any time soon and relish every sweet day on this planet, but I also look forward to living my fullest life for my God and accomplishing His purpose for me before I depart from this land.

Let's get this party started!!!

He has made everything beautiful in its time. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

a month of giving

I am moving over and giving God the control of the proverbial bus I'm riding.

Thank You for Giving

a month of giving

Thank you for giving to the Salvation Army through my virtual red kettle. My goal was $125 and you generously donated $150. Giving is a good thing.

The Celebrations of Life

a month of giving

The Groovies are going to a wedding in the new year. Not until May, but we love a party, particularly when it involves one of our own! Ah, the gift of love.

Ted sent us a pre-invitation invitation on Christmas day so that we could get our time and finances ready to attend this happy occasion out of state. Oh yes, not only are the Groovies going to party but we're going on a road trip.

The New Year has so much in store for us all. Some will be surprises and some will be planned, but I intend to embrace every moment with joy regardless of circumstances!

Santa Scored the Big One

a month of giving

Santa and his elves scored big this year with my 92-year-old mom. She played piano for years and when she moved here three years ago, she was unable to bring her piano with her. She has been wanting to replace it but the timing just hasn't been right. But this Christmas, the timing was more than right so her kids and grandkids ~ oops, I mean Santa and his elves delivered a piano on Christmas night. We had tons of fun surprising her. When Mom walked in the door of her apartment and saw her new piano she was crying and screaming at the same time.

Gotta love it! This giving thing is the best ever.

Merry Christmas

In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you."

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High."

"How can this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?"

The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:26-38)

"Jesus Christ was born into this world, not from it. He did not emerge out of history; He came into history from the outside. Jesus Christ is not the best human being the human race can boast of ~ He is a Being for whom the human race can take no credit at all. He is not man becoming God, but God Incarnate ~ God coming into human flesh from outside it. His life is the highest and the holiest entering through the most humble of doors. Our Lord's birth was an advent ~ the appearance of God in human form." (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest)

Merry Christmas to you!

Love, Peace, Blessings

a month of giving

Yesterday, my husband finally came home mid-afternoon after leaving early in the morning for last minute Christmas errands. His comment as he dragged his weary self into the house, "The mall is controlled chaos. The grocery store is just chaos."

I hope on this Christmas Eve that you are having the opposite experience ~ that you have not let the calendar nor the clock drive you into chaos and frenzy. It's not about the giving of things or the perfect decorations or the gourmet dinner.

Instead, may you and your family experience the true spirit of Christmas ~ the love, peace and blessing of God the Father and His Son's impending birth ~ a reminder of the greatest love story ever told.

It Was Well Worth the Effort

a month of giving

The packages are wrapped (the gifts that I have bought anyway), the greeting cards are sent (well, at least the 10 or so that I have finished writing out), the house is decorated (lots of unopened boxes remain in the attic, out of sight, out of mind), tasty treats are in the oven (a dozen or so cookies) and food has been prepared for the upcoming Christmas feast (thank goodness for pre-baked, honey glaze hams). I am sooooooooooo ready!!!

And I am ready because my son flies in tonight for a week of celebrating Christ's birth with family. It doesn't get much better than this. He makes all the holiday effort worth it.

I'm sure Mary felt that way. She didn't deck the halls or get out the plum pudding ~ no her celebration was much different. She gave birth to the Son of God, Emanuel, Christ Jesus in a lowly stable ~ and it was all worth the effort. While her son may have been of God, she experienced the intimate joy that a mother feels at the birth of her child.

Thank You, Lord, for bringing Your Son to the world from the womb of a woman. Mothers all over the world can relate and rejoice.

Winter Solstice and Christmas Light

a month of giving

Ohmygosh! Yesterday was winter solstice ~ my favorite day of the year ~ okay, one of my umpteen favorite days of the year! And why am I so groovy on winter solstice? Well, because it's the shortest day of the year. (Scholars tell me that it's actually a handful of days on either side but who cares?)

Now, for those of you who know me, I am a daylight fanatic. My idea of a fab vacation was Norway last summer when it never got dark. Darkness is just not my thing (although I do love a clear, cold starry night or big fat snowflakes falling in the light of the street lamp ~ but I digress.)

No, give me sunlight and lots of it. So why do I get excited about the shortest day of the year? Because now the days will get a teeny bit longer until we reach the longest day of the year. Do I hear a "yippee, hooray?"

And another reason I get so excited about winter solstice is that although our world has grown to its darkest point of the year, in just a few short days the Light of the world will be born To me, it is fitting that the deep darkness is juxtaposed next to intense brightness.

...because of the tender mercy of our God...the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace. (Luke 1:78-79)

Through Him all things were made...In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood....The true Light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. (John 1:3-5, 9)

His Love Endures Forever

a month of giving

It's Christmas week. The emotions are spinning, the excitement is building. The beauty of celebrating a month of giving is that the spirit of Christmas doesn't fall just on one day. Whether you experience the Christmas scenario of your dreams or not, my hope is that the love that is Christmas fills your heart and your home. Receive this special gift not just on this one special day or this one special week, but on-going and daily, despite circumstances. Let the God of love give His love to you.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. (1 Chronicles 16:34)

Ring-aDing-Ding Redux

a month of giving

Last weekend I rang the Salvation Army bells with the Groovies. Today I'm ringing them with my husband. It has become a part of our annual Christmas celebration. We get a big kick watching people as they come towards our door. Some smile and nod as they pass by. Some look at the ground for fear that eye contact will mean they are obligated to give. Some actually stop and dig some change or even a few dollars out of their pockets.

But it's the kids we really enjoy. Some eagerly rush to the kettle and some step up shyly, but they all give from their heart. When they step back from the kettle and a wide grin flashes on their faces, well, it just lights up our day and we experience once again the true meaning of Christmas.

Won't you please give to my virtual kettle? As of yesterday, $150 in donations have been received. I know that you have many financial strings tugging at you this holiday season, but even $5 adds up when many people give. Thank you to those of you who have already given, and thank you to those who have yet to give.

A Gift of Peace

a month of giving

I would like to share with you a portion of an email I received from Gail Gilpin, Director of Disciple Ministries at our church. She reminds us that the Prince of Peace came for us all. Accept it as His holy gift to you.

# # #

The Prince of Peace arrived in a humble stable at a time when nobody but the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies – once a year. Yet the angels proclaimed the Messiah’s arrival to lowly shepherds and encouraged them to go see the baby. Imagine – little boys were permitted into His holy presence. The Lord is There welcomes us all into his presence. He came with gifts for us – including his blessed peace.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27

He has created a covenant of peace with his people (Is 54:10). He tells us to love truth and peace (Zechariah 8:19) and even commands us to seek peace and pursue it (Psalm 34:14). You know how to do that . . . Seek him first and his righteousness!

Tell everyone who needs to be reminded and encouraged – let’s spread his Peace this Christmas. May the peace beyond understanding dwell in your hearts and bless you and your family.

Gift Exchange

a month of giving

I'm the one who is supposed to be giving this month but instead the giving happened to me. I hosted a dinner party last night for the women in my Bible study. It was my Merry Christmas gift to them. When they left I realized how much joy and pleasure they had given me in return. It was a wonderful gift exchange.

Giving Meaning

a month of giving

I have a Christmas poem to share with you today. I don't know the author but I can credit my source ~ an email from a family member. Forgive me if I have stepped on someone's toes in the plagiarism department.

Please read this poem in the spirit in which it was intended ~ the spirit of giving and receiving the real reason for this "holiday" season.

*Twas the month before Christmas*
*When all through our land,*
*Not a Christian was praying*
*Nor taking a stand.*
*See the PC Police had taken away,*
*The reason for Christmas - no one could say.*
*The children were told by their schools not to sing,*
*About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.*
*It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say*
* December 25th is just a 'Holiday'.*
*Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit*
*Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!*
*CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod*
*Something was changing, something quite odd! *
*At Targets they were hanging their trees upside down*
* At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.*
*At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears*
*You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.*
*Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty*
*Are words that were used to intimidate me.*
*Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen*
*On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!*
*At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter*
*To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.*
*And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith*
* Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace*
*The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded*
*The reason for the season, stopped before it started.*
*So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'*
*Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.*
*Choose your words carefully, choose what you say*
*Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS ,
not Happy Holiday!*

The Giver of Gifts

a month of giving

God has been doing the giving the past several days with cold rain in the valleys and white snow on the hills. It's a gift we have been needing and hoping for, so it's terrific that He "came through."

That's how we think about God sometimes, isn't it? He's our Santa Claus, our sugar daddy, and we expect Him to give us everything we ask for. Thankfully, He's a good daddy who knows our needs, and knows the appropriate when and what to gift us.

And right now I'm just enjoying the gift of spectacular white cumulus clouds racing across our sky because I know those clouds bring more precipitation, and with it a refreshed earth and snow-packed mountains for skiing. Yippee!

P.S. Thank you to everyone who has been donating to my red kettle. I am $25 away from my $125 goal but I'm going to keep asking you to help me blow the top off my kettle and surpass my goal. You are such wonderful "givers."

A Child's Lesson of Giving

a month of giving

I ran into a friend (not literally, of course) at church on Sunday who shared with me the giving heart of her young daughter, Cosette. Concerned about the plight of empty coffers at Open Heart Kitchen, a local food bank, Cosette decided to do sell her clothes in order to raise money. She did it in a very ingenious way and in the end raised $300+ for OPK. This has spurred her on to do something about the plight of starving kids in Africa.

This is another one of my let-me-stop-right-here moments. Here is a child relating to another child's plight. A child who knows if Open Heart Kitchen closes there will be many kids in the Tri-Valley Area who will go hungry. A child who knows in her heart what an empty stomach feels like to a kid in Africa. And here's a child who is willing to step out and take action.

Please go to her blog and read how Cosette is making a difference. Through the generosity of a retail store, she has been able to open Cozy's Closet as a source of funding for the needy.

And that's the point of giving. It doesn't have to be big. It starts small, like a tiny mustard seed, and grows. It starts with our own talents and gifting. So my hat is off to Closette and all the other people in this world who see a need and don't wait for someone else, or some other organization to do something about it. They take a stand and take action. Even if action means something as small as dropping a few dollars in a Salvation Army red kettle or something a bit bigger like opening a kid's resale boutique.

http://cozyscloset.wordpress.com/

An Intangible Gift

a month of giving

Sometimes we get so caught up in the actions of the holiday that we lose or never even capture the spirit of the season. So today Cinderellla and I, along with our husbands, are taking our annual Christmas afternoon in the city. It will involve food, shopping, lots of laughter, and oh, did I mention food?

Christ came in love and commanded us to love one another. What sweeter way to celebrate His birth than time spent with beloved friends? It truly is one of the best ways to capture the true meaning of this Christmas season.

The Big Give

Dynamic fundraising meter for your Red Kettle campaign.

a month of giving

I'm giving a ring today. Not the gold kind that goes on your finger but the golden kind that goes in your ear. I'm going to ring the bell in front of a red kettle for the Salvation Army. This is an incredible organization that truly puts money where it's needed ~ not in the pockets of the administrators but in the mouths of the needy. Over 90% of their donations go to help feed, clothe and shelter the less fortunate, and they do it worldwide.

Now lest you conjure up images of boring bell ringing, let me tell you how the Groovies do it. We're starting at 10am with breakfast at Ted's house, who just happens to be a fabulous cook. Then we head over to our local mall where we will take over two main entrances to Macy's. And I mean take over. We will sing. We will laugh. We will open doors for the busy shoppers. And after we are done, we will head home full of good cheer to get ready for a Christmas party with our husbands. Oh yes, this is a wonderful season of giving and giving can be lots of fun.

And you can join me! Well, at least in the giving part. Taking a cue from Lorri Steer who has a virtual Salvation Army red kettle on her blog, I have decided to ask my readers to give virtually as well. Yes, I know, two days ago I asked you to give to the Sandra J Wing Healing Therapies Foundation. Well today I am asking you to also give to the Salvation Army. Yes, also. It doesn't have to be an either or situation. So often we think we have to give a lot, when in fact in many people gave a little, the end result would be alot!!

So pull out your dollar bill or ten dollar bill or more and give from your heart. Because this is the season for giving and the poor economy is no excuse for playing Scrooge. And I need your help, too, because Lorri challenged me. Now dear readers, all dozens of you, Lorri has a readership of hundreds. I just can't compete in numbers but I can compete in reaching my donation goal ~ or better yet, in surpassing it. I have set a modest goal of $125. Please help me blow the lid off my kettle!

Thank you for giving. God Bless!

Fine Linen and Good China

a month of giving

I'm giving a dinner party tonight in celebration of Christmas and friendship. It's not as fancy as it sounds but I do ask my guests to dress up a little, bring a pre-arranged dish and expect to have fun. Did you notice how I snuck in the phrase pre-arranged dish? Yes, you could say that I am hosting a fancy potluck tonight. Oh but what a wonderful potluck it will be. I will get out my table linens (not plastic), cloth napkins (not paper), good china (not everyday dishes) and fine crystal (not unbreakable tumblers). The house will be decorated. The music will be of Christmas cheer. Yes, it will be a festive affair and I'm really looking forward to it.

I Give Time, You Give Money ~ We're a Team!

a month of giving

I am giving of my time and marketing "expertise" to help a friend launch her new nonprofit ~ The Sandra J Wing Healing Therapies Foundation. She is dedicated to "helping bring cancer patients new hope and healing in their battle with cancer" through the funding of alternative healing therapies such as massage, accupuncture and visualization. Sandra is in the fund raising stage now and hopes to distribute funds to her first recipient by July 2009.

I have no hesitation in asking you to make a financial contribution to her foundation this Christmas season. How nice to know that the gift we give is making a difference in someone's walk with cancer.

www.healingtherapiesfoundation.org (for a direct link go to my Web Resources on this blog)

Heart Gifts

It's that time of the year when the big question flying around is, "What do you want for Christmas?" For me, the answer is nothing. Nothing that is material anyway.

I can remember my ex-mother-in-law's response to that question ~ "Compassion. Just give me compassion." My ex-husband and I used to threaten to get her a gold chain with the word "compassion" dangling from it. You see, it was a time in my life when I couldn't imagine getting anything other than the latest material thing that I so desperately desired. I simply did not understand her Christmas wish list at all.

I have a whole new perspective now. It's a joy to give gifts to others, particularly when they are given from the heart and received by the heart. Heart gifts are the intangibles that we all desire ~ love, kindness, respect, compassion, understanding, listening, belonging and other needs that validate our worth. The truth be told, only God can sufficiently fulfill these needs, but being human, we desire these needs to also be met by our earthly relationships.

So we imperfect beings give imperfect gifts often in imperfect way, but they are heart gifts, and if our heart is full of the Lord, He perfects and wraps our meager offerings in the beauty and power of His love.

a month of giving

I was invited to dinner and ended up serving my hosts the tea and coffee with the dessert. It seemed an appropriate and loving gesture. After all, they had invited me into their home and prepared a meal for me ~ the least I could do was gift them back with some hospitality of my own, even if I was in their home not mine. It was a gift of my heart.

Celebrating an Honored Guest

92-year old Mom decked out to party

Took my Mom to Cornerstone's annual women's Christmas dinner. This is quite an amazing affair. The chairs are cleared out of our sanctuary and replaced by over 70 round tables. Each table is individually hosted by a woman who has paid for the privilege of decorating it in her holiday finest tablewear and then hosting seven other women. The delicious meal is catered by a local restaurant, the waiters are our husbands, and the evening's entertainment is a first class Christian artist/speaker.

And the women love it. The come dressed to party with their friends and celebrate the honored guest - Christ Jesus. He is, after all, the reason for the season.

It's a wonderful affair, full of hope and good cheer, friendship and love ~ just what a birthday celebration should be. And it's great sharing the evening with Mom.

a month of giving

I gave my heart all over again to Jesus. I poured out worship and thanksgiving for His unconditional love, a love so intense that He came to earth as a man so that we would come to know His Father and live for eternity with Him.

A Young Man's Gift

a month of giving

I gave a young man a deal yesterday. I make jewelry and sell at holiday special events. A kid, probably 16 years old, came up to my table and looked over the jewelry. He picked up one particular piece and turned it over carefully in his hands. He caught my eye and said, "My Mom would really like wearing this."

(Now let me stop the story right here and let you know that I am the mother of a 28-year-old son. So I have a soft spot in my heart for young men and their mothers.)

He asked how much the necklace cost and with my reply, he carefully put the necklace down, sighed and said how much he would like to give it to her but he couldn't afford it.

(Let me stop the story again. This kid was not scamming me. He was genuinely wanting to give the necklace to his mom for Christmas and I could tell he did not have the kind of money I was asking.)

He walked away but wandered back with his dad. I was so taken by this young man's genuine desire to please his mom that I struck a deal. I asked him to make me an offer that he thought was fair based on what he could afford. He couldn't believe his ears. He looked at the necklace, then at his dad, then at me. His dad said, "go ahead, son." So the kid in a very quiet voice made me an offer. And I leaned across the table and said, "it's a deal because I have a son, too, and I know your mom is going to love your gift."

The young man beamed and after our transaction, he reached out to shake my hand and thanked me for my generosity, and said how happy and surprised his mom would be. His dad thanked me for my kindness. And I just said, "you have a very lucky mom."

As they walked away, vendors at the tables next to me said I practically made them cry.

Isn't it ironic? Here I was just trying to help out a young man get a nice gift for his mother and I got gifted in return.

Let There Be Light

I woke up this morning to fog. The Bay Area is famous for its fog and this is certainly the season for it. I've always been amazed that a collection of water droplets could obscure the power of rays emanating from the sun. The very sun that warms the earth and gives it life is held captive by moisture, allowing only a diffused light to get through. So on this misty morning I thought about how the power of God in our/my lives/life is sometimes held at bay by the fog in our/my thinking or feeling about Him. Sometimes, when I'm feeling good and things are humming along ~ or when I'm soaking in sin ~ God's light in my life gets diminished to weak rays because I'm getting along on my own power, thank you very much.

It's kind of ironic, really, because I am a sun lover. I don't like gray fog. I don't like dark nights. I like warm sunshine and lots of it.

But what I so love about God is that He doesn't need my permission to shine. He's shining His love, strength, truth and all that He is 24/7. He's there to be received by me, accepted by me, to give me all that I need for better or worse, in sickness and in health. His power and warmth will eventually burn through even the thickest fog without burning even a hair on my head. Oh sure, my life might need to be refined by the proverbial trials of fire, but as with gold and silver, I will become more precious and valuable because of it.

So, thank You, Lord, for Your willingness to shine on me 24/7 whether I am willing to receive You or not. I desire that any fog-producing barrier in my heart be burned off so that I am ever more open to living daily under Your direct light.

a month of giving

I gave a friend some much-needed words of affirmation. I enjoyed watching her smile light up her face.

Giving a Smile

a month of giving

I gave a smile to someone I didn't know. She smiled back. It felt good.

Giving Birthday Love

By the grace of God I am what I am and His grace toward me was not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:10)

a month of giving

I sent a birthday card to Muffy, who is celebrating a 50-something birthday. She's a beautiful woman with a groovy, girlish side to her. It's fun to send cards~sent by snail mail not email. Sometimes I send cards for a "just because" and not any special occasion. Those are the most fun of all because they are an unexpected pleasure for both the recipient and the sender.

What's in a Name? - Faith Walk Part 3

"Throughout God's Word we see evidence that God considers names to be of great importance. He names and renames to express the essence of a person's purpose and character." -Beth Moore

Hmm, I wonder what name He has given me? I know that I go by many names. There's my legal name. My nickname. My maiden name. My first-marriage name. My second-marriage name. My career name. My position in the family name.

Beth Moore says that God names to express the essence of a person's purpose and character. Would my God-given name glorify Him? I pray that it does.

a month of giving

I took Mom to her first radiation treatment. I was able to give her comfort.

Truth - Faith Walk Part 2

"All great truth goes through these phases. First it is ridiculed, then violently attacked, and finally accepted as self-evident." -- Schopenhauer

I was doing a Bible study with a group of ladies that had some particularly difficult thoughts to swallow. Were they difficult because they were Truth that we didn't want to hear, or were they difficult because they were a distortion of God's Truth and didn't set well? So here is my question for Believers to ponder.

If you believe the Bible when it says that Mary had a virgin birth and your God became a man -- which, on the face of it, is a pretty outlandish and outrageous and courageous thing to believe, then why don't you believe that God should be in control of your body (not you) and number how many children you have, if that's what the Bible says? Ah, and there's the real question. WHAT DOES the Bible SAY?

Jesus spoke in parables because He knew that people hear through their own "filters" of experience, emotions, beliefs, etc. With a parable He knew that His words spoke to each person directly where he or she was/is at. But then, Christ ALWAYS spoke TRUTH. It's the PORTION of Truth that we are ready to hear that we receive at any given time.

A lot of the Bible is that way. But parts of the Bible are crystal clear. and leave no room for interpretation. So the real question is do you KNOW what the Bible says? Not what some author interprets. Not what some pastor preaches. Not what some Bible study leader teaches. Not what your friend tells you. The Bible speaks intimately the Truth of God to each one of you. Do you go directly to it when you have a question on what is "right living?"

The Holy Spirit will convict you of Truth. My only warning is be wary of reading the Bible so much through your personal filter that you "hear" what you want to hear. Even in Apostle Paul's day, he had to admonish believers to take out the sword of Truth and cut off worldly thinking. He knew that as creatures of the world, we want it our way and bristle when Truth gets in the way or feels uncomfortable.

So maybe God did say He has the right to number our children. But maybe He does so by offering different options for each of us that are according to His gracious gifting and divine plan for us. We have to be plugged into God and His Word to know His Truth.

I'm with you, dear sisters in Christ. I, too, struggle with some of the things I read in the Bible or am taught about the Bible. That's because I'm a believer, as you are, caught up in a fleshly body living in a fallen world. May our Lord God bless us all with His Truth in ways that we are prepared to hear, and may we walk in yielding obedience to His will.

a month of giving

I yielded to a driver at an intersection today. By all rights, it was my turn, but instead of insisting on my "rights," I decided to graciously give the other driver the right of way. It was the right thing to do during a month of giving. I actually felt okay with it instead of my usual the-guy-doesn't-know-how-to-drive self-righteousness. Kindness regardless of circumstances ~ I'm going to try to do more of that.

Faith and Belief - Faith Walk Part 1

As December unfolds and we enter the Christmas season, my mind wanders to two words ~ faith and belief. After all, nothing stretches our faith more than believing in the virgin birth of Jesus Christ, the Holy Son of God. When we are surrounded by glittering lights, shimmering tinsel, fragrant greens, colorful packages, and glorious songs, it's easy to forget that Christ was and is more than the plastic babe in a manger. It's easy to forget that Christmas is not a celebration of retail sales but the fulfillment of God's promise to His beloved people.

I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10-11)

There are many things in the Bible that stretch my faith. Many things that cause my eyebrow to raise in pending disbelief. I have to keep reminding myself of the meaning of faith.

Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1)

Lord, I believe, help me with my unbelief. It's easier to believe when Your activity is obvious. Help me to believe in times when I cannot see or feel You working, when You seem inactive or not even there.

We can all see God in exceptional things, but it requires the growth of spiritual discipline to see God in every detail. (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest)

I have to keep my faith focused on a belief of WHO God is, not on WHAT He does. God will always be who He is. However, I will not always see Him working in all the circumstances of my life.

a month of giving

In response to God's great gift, during the month of December I am setting myself in the mode of daily giving. I started today by making my son a great big lunch for his 6 hour drive back to LA, and giving him a small cooler full of turkey leftovers that will last him a day or two. I did it out of a mother's love, not out of motherly obligation. He was pleased. My heart was full. What a nice way to start the month!