Head-Lines

Can You Hear Your Blessings?

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 02:05:00 +0000

I decided to take a break from wrapping Christmas gifts and relax with a cup of vanilla tea. I closed my eyes and put my head back in the recliner, took a deep breath and just listened. Then I smiled....I could hear the sounds of the blessings God has granted me and it brought my heart joy.

*The sound of the baseboards clicking as the hot water runs through them - after almost two years of using the woodstove for heat, God blessed us with the resources to install a new heating system, even with me being unemployed. I thank God for the warmth (without all the work!)

*The sound of Kelly and Dan giggling at a TV show downstairs - God blessed us with a wonderful husband for Kelly, who loves her and cherishes her. They will be moving into their own place next month, just in time to get the nursery prepared for the baby girl they are expecting in January. I thank God for His guidance in my children's lives and for the new life growing within Kelly.

*The Christian music playing on the TV - a melodic reminder of God's grace, mercy, faithfulness and love...the hope for tomorrow and the promise of eternity. I thank God for His Son Jesus Christ and for my salvation.

*The ticking of the second hand on the kitchen clock - I've had a few close calls in my lifetime, and I am blessed to be here and enjoying my family, friends, our struggles, heartaches, sorrows, joys, celebrations, and happiness. I am thankful that God gave me more time on earth to serve Him and to enjoy His creation.

*The humming of the refrigerator motor - we have food to fill our bellies and nourish our bodies. I know so many people who are struggling just to find the source of their next meal for their families. I thank God for His provisions.

It is surprising how people go through their daily lives complaining, whining, and wishing things were different or better. If they would just stop for a moment, they would be able to hear the sounds of all the blessings they've been given. They just have to listen...

"And He said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you."

Mark 4:24 ESV

WAITING....on God

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 02:50:00 +0000

April 2012 will mark the end of the second year since I was separated from my dream job. Finances are beginning to be a challenge, as savings are now depleted and unemployment has expired. I’ve applied for hundreds of positions, but have had no success in obtaining another job. I have had days of depression, days of anxiousness, days of anticipation, and days of fear since then…a rollercoaster of emotions. I’ve prayed that God would show me what His plans for my life were now, what path I should take. I’ve prayed continually, but as of yet, I am not aware of an answer. As I turned to Scripture for advice and comfort, I decided to look for verses that referred to “waiting on the Lord”…

Psalms 25:3 ‘ Indeed, none of those who wait for Thee will be ashamed;’

Psalms 25:5 ‘Lead me in Thy truth and teach me, For Thou art the God of my salvation; For Thee I wait all the day’.

Psalms 25:21 ‘Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, For I wait for Thee.’

Psalms 27:14 ‘Wait for the LORD; Be strong, and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.’

Psalms 33:20 ‘Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield.’

Psalms 37:7 ‘Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.’

Psalms 37:9 ‘For evildoers will be cut off, But those who wait for the LORD, they will inherit the land.’

Psalms 37:34 ‘Wait for the LORD, and keep His way, And He will exalt you to inherit the land; When the wicked are cut off, you will see it.’

Proverbs 20:22 ‘Do not say, "I will repay evil"; Wait for the LORD, and He will save you.’

Isaiah 8:17 ‘And I will wait for the LORD who is hiding His face from the house of Jacob; I will even look eagerly for Him’.

Isaiah 40:31 ‘ Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.’

Psalm 52:9 ‘I will give Thee thanks forever, because Thou hast done it, And I will wait on Thy name, for it is good, in the presence of Thy godly ones.’

Isaiah 49:23 ‘And you will know that I am the LORD; Those who hopefully wait for Me will not be put to shame’.

Isaiah 64:4 ‘For from of old they have not heard nor perceived by ear, Neither has the eye seen a God besides Thee, Who acts in behalf of the one who waits for Him.’

Lamentations 3:25 ‘The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, To the person who seeks Him.’

Hosea 12:6 'Therefore, return to your God, Observe kindness and justice, And wait for your God continually.'

Micah 7:7 ‘But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.’

Zephaniah 3:8 "Therefore, wait for Me," declares the LORD, "For the day when I rise up to the prey...’

Philippians 3:20 “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ…”

1Thessalonians 1:10 ‘...and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come.’

I am sure that there are more verses than those I found, but this research reassured me that I am to continue to pray and trust that God has a plan for me and that everything is in His time.

I’ve concluded that “waiting upon God” is not only biblical but a necessary part of the Christian life for the growing Christian. It is an active display of faith in God during what seems to be impossible situations.

What are YOU "waiting" for?

De-feathering the Nest

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 17:05:00 +0000

My morning devotions were so awesome and thought provoking that I just HAD to share...

{He guarded him} like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young; that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them aloft. Deuteronomy 32:11

"Kenneth Price shares a beautiful comparison of the Golden Eagle with a Christian's life in his book THE EAGLE CHRISTIAN. The male and female eagles literally lock their talons and flip head over heels in love as they seal their marriage ceremony. They then begin the business of building a nest, a virtual fortess for their future eaglets.

The father eagle completes the building of the outside nest with large limbs and branches on the cleft of a rock, sometimes as high as a thousand feet. The mother eagle soon settles down into the nest to cushion a sweet home, gathering leaves, grass, and other soft treasures to decorate and pad the nest.

Just before the baby eaglets hatch, Mother Eagle begins to do a curious thing. She starts plucking some of the downy soft feathers from her breast and smoothes them like a carpet over the floor of the nest. She does this so that the sharp branches and twigs don't poke and stick the babies.

Life continues and the eaglets begin to grow. One day the mama starts pecking away at the soft, velvety carpet and then grabs up hunks with her powerful talons. She doesn't want them to become too comfortable. She know they must learn to stand on their own without her feathery protection. All of a sudden, the kids start squirming and hollering, 'Ouch! Mom, those branches are hurting us!'

Then one day, Mama Eagle starts acting very strange. She starts stirring up the nest, and her powerful, six to ten foot span reaches all the way across the nest. She may start pushing her 'teen' eaglets gently--then harder and more directly. They cringe at the edge of the nest, mortified. At times she may even hover over the nest, dangling food, enticing them closer to the edge.

One morning Mom wakes up with that look in her eyes. The kids cower and whisper to one another, 'Look out! Mom's on the warpath!'

And then it happens---a kid's scariest nightmare---and the worst case of PMS they've ever seen in their mom. Mama Eagle stirs a little too hard, and those eaglets go flying over the edge of the nest.

Only they're not flying---they're flailing those wings as panic fills their eyes. 'We're gonna diiie!' they yell in unison as they plunge towards the ground.

But up above them a tiny figure is circling round and round. The eaglets see nothing but their early graves down below. Just before the eaglets hit the hard earth, Father of Mother Eagle, who can see from miles away and can fly vertically over two hundred miles per hour, comes streaking down in the nick of time. Huge, strong wings dip and scoop up the eaglets just before they crash land.

The parents will repeat this cycle, until one day the eaglets are falling for the last time. Their parent-child game suddenly turns into a life-threatening scenario. This time when the eaglets fall, their parents are nowhere in sight. What if they don't show up? What if they don't come through? Has it all been a cruel joke, only to end in this horrible scene? They can see the headlines now: Abandoned Eaglets Plunge to Their Death, Eagle Parents Arrested for Murder. Those kids keep moving their wings, because they don't want to die prematurely.

Then a marvelous thing happens. Nature takes over. Those eaglet wings start moving in slow motion, as the eaglets take off flying for the first time. That's when Father Eagle peeks out from behind the clouds where he has been watching all along, and Mama Eagle smiles from wing to wing as she peers down from her nest.

'Look Daddy! the eaglets screech in unison, 'We're flying! Just like you!'

The time comes in every mother's life when she must begin removing the 'feathers' from her child's soft nest. Standing on their own two feet hurts, and the kids may fall numerous times as they move closer to independence. But falling doesn't always mean failing. Unlike the eaglets, sometimes our kids may try to leave the nest too soon. Either way, we try to rescue and forgive as good parents do, giving them more and more freedom until the time comes when they'll leave the nest permanently. Some kids may even get too comfy 'resting' and need a few gentle but firm pushes to leave the nest.

Every mom wants their child to grow up just like their Father---reflecting the character of Christ. But every child is unique. Some of them prefer to 'test' rather than 'rest.' Sometimes our kids reject even our most loving efforts to prepare them so they can 'fly' through life successfully on their own.

We moms are not on this child-raising journey alone. Mothering is a tough job, but one thing is certain. Our Heavenly Father assures us that He is always watching, ready to move at lightning speed and scoop up our children if they will let Him. We can commit them to God's care for safekeeping. He is a strong refuge---for us and for them.

And His nest is always best."

"We can give our children roots and wings, but only God can make them fly."

by Rebecca Barlow Jordan

Thankfulness from a Child's Perspective

Fri, 17 Jun 2011 12:44:00 +0000

"Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you”

Matthew 17:20b

This is something I read recently and just HAD to share.

Gwen Smith, a Christian devotional writer, has a daughter, Kennedy, who is ten. She was home from school a few weeks ago because she wasn’t feeling well. While she was resting, Gwen asked her to spend some time with the Lord and to be creative instead of watching TV. After some time alone, she came and told her mother that she sat down to write a story, but couldn't think of anything. She told Gwen that her mind was filled with thoughts that she needed to write instead. She wrote the piece below. Actually, I believe the LORD wrote this through that ten-year old baby girl. All praises to Him! God wanted this to be communicated. Perhaps it’s for you! Prepare to be moved…

THANKFULNESS

by Kennedy Smith, age 10

Have you ever thought your life was going to end? That the world wasn’t spinning anymore and nothing can get worse? Well you don’t have to feel that way because every day, all day, there is a God that loves you so much! If you're going through those tough times just think the God Almighty loves you, listens to you and is with you every day all day too.

Have you ever felt that you haven’t gotten enough sleep and are stressed with your job? Well everyone should know that the Lord Almighty understands you and your pain and is there with you every step of the way.

Have you ever felt like no one knows you're there and that you’re invisible? Well you should know that there is a wonderful, magnificent God out there that sees you every step of the way - that knows every breath you take. There is a God who sees you all the time.

Have you ever felt like no one can hear you and you're being ignored? Well you should know that there is an amazing Lord that hears everything you say and everything you think. This is everything we should be thankful for.

“You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast” (Psalm 139:1-10).

Awesome, isn't it? Why don't you pray with me now...

Dear Lord,

Your presence is amazing. Your love is overwhelming. Your goodness knows no end. That you would love me, see me, hear me and respond to me is too much for my heart to hold. That you would speak to me through the keystrokes of a child! I’m left in awe of you. Speechless. Emptied and filled. With joy overflowing my heart bows low in deepest gratitude. Surely I have much to be thankful for. Eternally! Please use me to bless those around me today.

In the Name of Your Precious Son, Jesus...

Amen.

The Easy Way or the Hard Way

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 17:18:00 +0000

I was reading Ezra 6:1-15 during my morning devotions today. It was about the rebuilding of the Temple. I've read these verses before, but it just seemed like a description of a construction project, complete with all the hinderances and obstacles that are part of a large project. But today these verses stood out to me and I kept thinking about them throughout the morning.

We always seem to focus on the immensity of our challenges, allowing ourselves to become discouraged by obstacles that seem insurmountable and impossible. We brainstorm and troubleshoot to find solutions, often failing to realize that all we need is right there with us...

"God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble." Psalm 46:1 NLT

The Israelites had faced, at times, almost impossible circumstances in the rebuilding of the Temple. The flesh, the devil, and the world hindered the rebuilding project...but GOD overruled and the Temple was built. By themselves the Israelites could not have accomplished their goal of rebuilding the Temple, but with the help of God, the impossible was possible. They prayed, and God used them to achieve success.

If God could intervene and help with such a tremendous undertaking then, why would we think He would not do the same for our relatively "small" concerns and challenges? God loves us and promises in His Word that He will always be with us...teaching, guiding, helping.

"No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God...". Romans 8:39

Worrying...forget it

Stressing...stop it

Turn to God and let Him help to "rebuild your temple"...don't try and do it on your own. He will support you, lead you, direct you, comfort you, and if needed, stop you. Sometimes the biggest problems are caused by us trying to go against God's will for our lives. We think we know what is best for us, instead of asking the One who created us and set out the path before us.

As the A-Team's Col. Hannibal Smith said ... "Do you want to do this the easy way or the hard way?"

A Note to my "Girl Friends"

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 14:35:00 +0000

What do you love to do?

If finances were unlimited and failure was unlikely, what would be your dream?

I was watching television after Jim left for work last month. Flipping through the channels, I came across a "reality" type show. The facilitator of a team-building activity asked a small group of participants to answer the above two questions. I thought about them myself and realized... I didn't have a definitive answer. So I listened to everyone else describe their dreams, hoping to get ideas.

One woman wanted to be the first female president of the United States. A man said he'd always wanted to sing in a rock band. Another woman wanted to design her own clothing line. I knew I was in trouble.

Here I was, 48-years-old and I didn't know who I was or what my dreams were. My children were grown and had families of their own, husband was nearing retirement, and I've been out of work over a year with no career prospects. Then I finally admitted I didn't really know what I loved to do.

I didn't have a dream. I'd never taken time to think about or answer those kinds of questions. Instead, I had always tried to be who others wanted or needed me to be. But honestly, I wasn't very good at it. I often had this uneasy feeling in my heart and a sense of just not being happy. And I was a constant candidate for burn out and depression.

I wasn't living out the truth held in the verse - For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb." Psalm 139:13 "...and I was ashamed. I was not designed to be who others expected me to be, or even wanted me to be. I was created to become all that God planned for me to be. But I was lost in the process of my becoming.

After I fumbled around looking for an answer, I decided to pray and read through the Scripture, asking God what His dreams were for my life. I realized the "real me" had gotten buried in the busyness of life and people pleasing.

I also looked up some Christian sites that talked about discovering our passions, gifts and personality traits, I started to identify what I liked. I recognized strengths that came natural for me, and learned what I needed emotionally to encourage my heart.

For the first time, I realized there was an important reason I was who I was — with my passionate preferences and mixed bag of emotions. Instead of wanting to be like women I knew and admired, I sensed God wanted to use the unique way He made me. So I am not soft spoken and gentle like the other elder's wives, but I have a purpose too. I am not thin and fit, but God can use me to reach others and touch lives.

Think about it...Isn't it easy to neglect ourselves to meet the needs of everyone around us, and call it self-sacrifice? It sounds godly. But in doing so we risk shutting down a place in our soul where God's dreams and gifts are waiting to be revealed.

What do I love to do? I love to write, I love to photograph God's creation, I love to create and organize events, I love to find creative ways to bring joy to family and friends.

If finances were unlimited and failure was unlikely, what would be your dream? I would travel to visit missionaries, finding out what their needs are and find ways to meet those needs...I would speak to women's groups and encourage them to find their passions and to be who God created them to be.

So, how well do you know the real you? Have you ever taken time to think about what you like to do? What would make your heart come alive if you had the confidence and resources to do it?

Although it might feel self-seeking, it's actually God-seeking to take time to get to know the woman He created you to be. Remember God had a plan in mind when He made you. When you surrender your unique passions and personality to Him, God will use them to guide you towards His dreams for your life.

Pray what I prayed...Lord, I want to know the woman You had in mind when You created me. I don't want to grow old and never know Your purpose for my life. Show me Your dreams for me so I can offer what You want to give to those around me. In Your precious Son Jesus' name, Amen.

Those Darn Pine Needles (reprise)

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 04:13:00 +0000

A Post worth revisting...Posted on December 28, 2007 at 11:25 PM

I was putting away opened Christmas gifts and straightening up the living room today when I knelt on some pine needles stuck in the braided rug...OUCH! I love having a fresh Christmas tree each year, but I do not enjoy the annoyance of the dried needles. Those little buggers seem to find their way under the couches and baseboards, embedding into the rug and furniture. I have found pine needles in obscure places in the middle of summer, months after disposing of the tree and thoroughly cleaning the room...convinced that I removed them all.

Isn't that the way it is with sin in our lives? We all have those little annoying behaviors or attitudes that seem to pop up...weeks, months, or even years after we felt we swept them away and disposed of them. When we least expect it, they reappear...poking us...reminding us of our imperfections and need for continual repentance and forgiveness.

One of my "pine needles" is swearing. When I became a new creature in Christ, I put away the common vulgarities and foul language that is so much a part of today's culture. But every so often, when I stub my toe, slam my finger in a door, or allow myself to be worked into a fit of anger......there it is! As soon as the sound hits my ears, I am annoyed and embarrassed, immediately asking for the forgiveness of those within earshot. Then I spend time during my evening prayers asking for the Lord's forgiveness and ability to overcome the old sins that tend to reappear.

So as you undertake the arduous task of cleaning up the fallen needles from this season's Christmas tree, think about the "pine needles" in your own life that hide and reappear later. Also remember that we serve an awesome God who is forgiving of our sins and shortcomings, and loves us for who we are...pine needles and all!

F.R.O.G.

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 02:19:00 +0000

Things certainly did not go according my what I had envisioned for the latter half of 2010.

Lost my job
Lost my benefits
Was diagnosed with Sjogren's Syndrome and Diabetes
Almost lost my hubby to a serious illness
Had a falling out with one of my children that caused an estrangement
Found a large sum of money missing from bank account
Hubby's overtime dwindled down to nothing
Roof started leaking
Finances became very tight

I have found myself feeling increasing more insecure each day, with bouts of depression visiting me more frequently than I would like. I was looking through some old photos and saw the frog planter that one of my kids made when they were little and I suddenly realized that I am looking for my security in "earthly" things instead of looking to the Heavens. Why would I come to that realization from looking at a frog shaped planter, you ask?

Fully

Rely

God

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.

Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with

you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

We can "Fully Rely On God" to keep His promises.

In Joshua 23:14 we read, "You know with all your heart and soul that

not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed.

Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed."

Scripture assures us He will never leave us or forsake us.

He is our refuge and strength.

Before we call He will answer, and we will soar on wings like eagles.

In Jeremiah 29:11 God says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

God has my future in HIS hands...

An Unexpected "Wow" Moment

Sat, 15 May 2010 02:49:00 +0000

Today I had the opportunity to interview for another position at Merck. During the of the interviews I was asked the question..."What do you think is your greatest personal accomplishment?" Without hesitation I responded "My three daughters." As I listened to myself describe my girls, I smiled and said to myself "Wow, I really have three TERRIFIC kids!"

My girls have never been in any trouble, avoiding the drug and alcohol crowds. They have always been very family oriented, attending family events and accompanying Jim and I on family visits, even when as teens it was deemed "uncool" to hang out with family.

All three have married wonderful, Godly men...men who didn't just show THEM love, but have love in their hearts and show it to everyone.

As adults, all three have chosen different, yet honorable paths...

:)Caryl has chosen a spiritual path, stepping out in faith and entering the mission field. As a wife and mother, she is a shining example of the Proverbs 31 woman.

:cool:Kelly has chosen a service path, desiring to help others who are no longer able to help themselves. She has a true servant's heart.

:wink:Courtney has currently chosen a knowledge path, furthering her education by attending college.

All three girls actively serve in their churches and are open about their faith. They strive to use the talents and spiritual gifts they've been blessed with to bring honor to God.

As I think of who they were as children and who they are as young adults, I am proud of them and can see God's hand in their lives. It was only by the grace of God that Jim and I were able to instill in them the courage to avoid the world's temptations. We feel God blessed our faithfulness in chosing to raise the girls in a home with Christian values. Things were not perfect...Jim and I made many mistakes, but through God's mercy and love our girls became women to be respected and admired.

As I sit here and think about my three beautiful daughters, all I can say is WOW, I feel truly blessed to have the honor of being their mother.:D

Opportunity "Knocking?"

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 20:02:00 +0000

Life has a way of throwing you a curve when you least expect it...:(

My curve was notification of separation from my career at Merck. I has survived the first two rounds of cutbacks, but was not spared from the third. Now what?

So many people have offered kind words of encouragement and solace during this difficult time, but one common denominator has caught my attention...most people feel this loss of my job is a blessing in disguise. I have been told that I was wasting my talents and abilities in corporate Amercia and now have an opportunity to develop my spiritual gifts and talents. Could this really be (as the old cliche states) "opportunity knocking?" Is God trying to show me a new path?

"I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11:)

Several people have suggested that I take my nature photography and make it available on canvas, in matted frames, and as art collages. They said I should open an eBay store or an online webstore. I am very passionate about photography...I can use my creativity, I enjoy it, and I try to make others happy through sharing it...so could this be my new path?

Am I the only one that can hear the theme from Jeopardy playing in the background?...