Being Woven

A Sabbath Moment

2012-01-21T16:19:00.000-06:00

As I prepare to have lumbar spinal surgery this Wednesday, January 25, 2012, I will be away from here for a while, but truly in our God's Hands. He has taken me this far. I know He will be the surgeon's hands, guiding him, guiding the staff the whole way through.

I have been extremely sparse here at Being Woven for the past couple of months for I have had many appointments, tests, and needed a lunch with friends every week or so! : ) Time with my dear husband, time with my precious mother. Of course...those were musts, and most important things!

I know this surgeon from my cervical spinal surgery last May. I trust him.

I am at peace about this surgery.

I am in the Hands that created me.

I would ask that each blogging friend who stops by for the time I am away would pray for me. I will do my best to post as soon as I can...on how I am doing.

For now, please pray for increased iron in my blood for the hospital lab work from Wed., 1/18, showed anemia. I am "pumping" those iron pills and trying to eat more food with iron before Wed.

Pray with me for my husband's peace and calm throughout, for my mother who will not hear from me for a little while (not too long), and for my little sister, Annette, who lives in Kauai and is a bit "concerned"- worried about this big sister of hers and we are so far away from one another.

Pray for God's showers of blessings to surround all. I have enlisted an army of prayer warriors over this past couple of weeks and ask each of you to join us.

I have been contemplating Psalm 139 for the strength and protection of our God.
May you join with me, if you so desire.

I love each and every one of you.

I thank you for being here as I am continually "being woven".

Psalm 139

O LORD, You have searched me and known me!
    You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
        You discern my thoughts from afar.
    You search out my path and my lying down
        and are acquainted with all my ways.
    Even before a word is on my tongue,
        behold, O LORD, You know it altogether.
    You hem me in, behind and before,
        and lay your hand upon me.
    Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
        it is high; I cannot attain it.

    Where shall I go from Your Spirit?
        Or where shall I flee from Your presence?
    If I ascend to heaven, You are there!
        If I make my bed in Sheol, You are there!
    If I take the wings of the morning
        and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
    even there Your hand shall lead me,
        and Your right hand shall hold me.
    If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
        and the light about me be night,”
    even the darkness is not dark to You;
        the night is bright as the day,
        for darkness is as light with You.

    For You formed my inward parts;
        You knitted me together in my mother's womb.
    I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

    Wonderful are Your works;
        my soul knows it very well.
    My frame was not hidden from You,
    when I was being made in secret,
        intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
    Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
    in Your book were written, every one of them,
        the days that were formed for me,
        when as yet there was none of them.

How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God!
        How vast is the sum of them!
    If I would count them, they are more than the sand.
        I awake, and I am still with You.

Oh that You would slay the wicked, O God!
        O men of blood, depart from me!
    They speak against You with malicious intent;
        Your enemies take Your name in vain.
    Do I not hate those who hate You, O LORD?
        And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?
    I hate them with complete hatred;
        I count them my enemies.

Search me, O God, and know my heart!
        Try me and know my thoughts!
    And see if there be any grievous way in me,
        and lead me in the way everlasting!

Again, I love each and every one of you.

I thank you for being here as I am continually "being woven".

I hope to back sooner than later.

(Psalm 139 ESV)

Graphic: Psalm 139 - Image Source Page: http://melodyejoy.wordpress.com/category/decorative-painting/
Graphic: Psalm 139:13- Image Source Page: http://www.justchristianposters.com/pd-how-great-thou-art-christian-posters-psalm-13913.cfm
Graphic: Psalm 139:9-10 - Phil Ware, NASA, www.heartlight.org
Graphic: Psalm 139:16 - www.seedsowersonline.com
Graphic: Psalm 139: 23-24 -Robert KW Photostream/Flickr

A Sabbath Moment

2012-01-07T10:33:00.000-06:00

Draw near to me, hear this!

From the beginning I have not spoken in secret,

from the time it came to be I have been there.

And now the Lord God has sent me and his spirit.

Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:

I am the Lord your God, who teaches you for your own good,

who leads you in the way you should go.
Isaiah 48:16-17

May I hear the Word of my Father, the Holy One.

May I walk in the path in which He directs me.

May I be obedient to His call.

And, Lord, I have this love for You in me which You already know,

but I must say, "I love You and will... always." Amen.

Being Woven ~

Being Refreshed Daily

2012-01-04T07:00:00.000-06:00

Yes, brother, let me have this benefit from you in the Lord!

Refresh my heart in Christ.

Philemon 20

Begin today and each day with a prayer. I begin by praying with gratitude in my heart, and then for refreshment of my soul and spirit, and for the peace of the Lord to reign over my heart this day. Christ willing refreshes us. He came to be a servant and wash our dirty feet, our filth from our souls. Start this day with His freshness, new beginnings every day, no matter what yesterday looked like. Today is the day of the Lord. Today is new. Rejoice and be glad. Begin again this day and each day after. No guilt from yesterday should tumble upon today. No murmuring about what someone did or did not do yesterday. No anger that came through the night when it should have been released before the sun went down. Pray for refreshment as the night goes dark and again when the sun comes up.

The Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre,

as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day.

He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them, and bowed down to the ground.

He said, "My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant.

Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree.

Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh yourselves,

and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant."

So they said, "Do as you have said."

The Lord said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh, and say,

"Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?'

Is anything too wonderful for the Lord? At the set time I will return to you,

in due season, and Sarah shall have a son."

Genesis 18:1-5, 13-14

Share communion with the Lord each morning as we eat breakfast. We are breaking the nightly fast. Share your bread with Christ each morning and lift up your day to Him. He will remind us that nothing is too hard for Him, all is wonderful for Him. He will carry our burdens and we are to share His yoke. Refresh daily.

LORD Jesus, I pray that You are with me daily, moment by moment. I share these ways of refreshing myself for I truly need to make them my habits. Guide me as I learn to be diligent about praying to You, about sharing bread with You each morning. Guard me as I risk laying my burdens at Your feet. Hold my heavy heart as I duck under the yoke and place my neck into the other side of Your yoke, my LORD.

"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-29

I want and need to do this that I will be refreshed each and every day. I love You, my LORD. Amen.

http://www.aholyexperience.com

Every Wednesday, we Walk with Him, posting a spiritual practice that draws us nearer to His heart.
Next Week: The Practice of New Habits... How do we begin again every day? How do we make a fresh start every day and begin anew?

http://www.shandaoakleyinspires.com/

http://findingheaventoday.blogspot.com/

Your Name is Near

2012-01-02T06:30:00.000-06:00

We give thanks to you, O God;

we give thanks; your name is near.

People tell of your wondrous deeds.

Psalm 75:1

I give thanks this day for the blessings seen through eyes of trial and tears. I give thanks for an ever-faithful God. I give thanks because He is my Refuge and my Rock. Oh, I am so very grateful:

the birth of Jesus
His death
His resurrection

all...from which I became free when I was reborn into this new life, this gift eternal

trusting in the One Who is trustable
learning life's lessons
being teachable
the godly wisdom of my sister-in-law
winter in South Texas
a sweet sister
caring about and for my Mama
Loretta gifting Mom plus other nursing home residents
nephew got married
a new friend
Haagen Dazs ice cream ...vanilla milk chocolate almond bar on a stick
driving to Houston area to share Christmas on Monday with ken's family, only we surprised them in our coming...fun surprise!
because they waited til Monday (as some had to work Sunday), we were able to have Christmas with Mom too
Abby, the most delightful 3 year old
Abby is bright and excelling in all - she was in terrible auto accident at 6 months old with brain injuries. She recovered after a looonnnggg haul with still future surgery in her adolescence. She is doing exceptionally well. Praising the LORD.
Abby learning my name after just a day with her. Had more time there so got to hear her call me by name!
Playing with Abby, reading with her.
Napping by Abby on Nana's bed!
Tori was so glad to see us.
Nook Simple Touch
Z's smile as he waits for his bride to meet him at the altar
Z sharing with his dear grandmother over the phone that his wedding day was the happiest day of his life
Kathryn's love for us
joyful moments
silence
Eternity

Father God, I thank You for opening my eyes to the small and the large. Thank You for giving me an ounce of peace this day. Thank You for loving me through trials and tribulations. I know You are always with me and want me to stay close. I want that as well. You are my Shelter. You are my Abba Father. You are the One Whom I can turn to and know that You are for me. Guide my steps, O LORD. Guide my steps. Amen.

But I will rejoice forever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.

Psalm 75:9

(1304-1345)

http://www.aholyexperience.com/

Will you join us?

Please, jump in, make your life about giving thanks to God!

Give thanks to the Lord! His Love Endures Forever!

A Sabbath Moment

2011-12-30T17:34:00.000-06:00

Be gracious to me, O God, for one tramples on me;
        all day long an attacker oppresses me;
    my enemy tramples on me all day long,
        for she attacks me proudly. (My mind keeps playing this over and over again.)
    When I am afraid,
        I put my trust in You.
    In You, God, Whose Word I praise,
        in You, God, I trust; I shall not be afraid.
        Truly! What can flesh do to me?
(Oh, what? Why do I allow this when I have You with me?)

All day long she twists my words;
        all her thoughts are against me for evil.
    She stirs up strife, she lurks;
        she watches my steps,
        as she has waited for my life.
    For her crime will she escape?
        In wrath cast down the peoples, O God!
    You have kept count of my wanderings;
        put my tears in Your bottle.
        Are they not in Your book?

    Then my enemies will turn back
        in the day when I call.
        This I know, because You, God, are for me.
    In God, Whose Word I praise,
        in the LORD, Whose Word I praise,
    in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.
        What can man do to me?
    I must perform my vows to You, O God;
        I will render thank offerings to You.
    For You have delivered my soul from death,
        yes, my feet from falling,
    that I may walk before You, God
        in the light of life.

(Psalm 56 ESV)
In God I Trust
[TO THE CHOIRMASTER: ACCORDING TO THE DOVE ON FAR-OFF TEREBINTHS. A MIKTAM OF DAVID, WHEN THE PHILISTINES SEIZED HIM IN GATH. {1 Samuel 21:10-15}]

    Blessed are the people who know the festal shout, (Shout for joy to God, all the    earth;...Psalm 66:1)
        who walk, O LORD, in the Light of Your Face,
(Psalm 89:15 ESV)

    O house of Jacob,
        come, let us walk
        in the Light of the LORD.
(Isaiah 2:5 ESV)

Oh Father God, You are the One Light that guides my path. Take my mind and keep it fresh in You, that I would walk the straight and narrow path, not wandering off to be attacked. Keep my mind fixed upon You that I would see Only You. This evil is of satan. I torment myself more than she and her husband do to me. May I be clearminded and steadfast to You. Jesus, please hold me to Your breast. Hold me to Thou, my Savior and my LORD. In You, I trust. Amen.

Your Word from My Heart...

Blessed Christ

2011-12-21T20:40:00.000-06:00

I wish each one of you a sweet and blessed Christmas. May our Saviour be at the very center of this week and may we be at His feet. I love you, each and all.

“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth

peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

(Luke 2:14 ESV)

"Celebrate Jesus just like you do every day. Realize that Jesus did not come to earth so we could celebrate a birthday. He came to save us from our sins. That is the good news. He was born to die. He was raised to live. Jesus is not the reason for the season. He is the reason for every season."
from: "What Do You Do With Jesus at Christmas?" by Steve Ridgell, 12/21/2011 @ HeartLight

I have truly missed posting for three week now. My emotional plate has been full and I have done rather poorly in giving my burdens to Jesus. I would appreciate your prayers and I will be back little-by-little as I am led...like tonight. It feels good to be back in community.

This beaded Christmas tree was made for my mother some 40 years ago. It is the only tree my husband and I put up. It is so precious to me. Mama can't have it at the nursing home, but she has a quilted one this year.

To Give

2011-11-28T07:30:00.000-06:00

But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
(Mark 10:43-45 ESV)

...but to serve

...to give His Life

Jesus gave all, His very all. For me. For you. There is nothing greater. How easily I forget what He did for me when my mind gets filled with the world, with family problems, with my health concerns, with too much stuff that does not mean anything compared to the love that God had for me and continues to have for me. As I give Him my worldly burdens because they seem to mean something as I walk this earth, He takes them. He serves me by washing my feet and by feeding me. He is the servant and He is great. He teaches me this giving of Himself. He teaches me that I, myself, must die daily. I cannot serve with the baggage I hold unless I take it from my arms and give it all to Him. A release of these things is necessary, but also must be a willingness for freedom to serve the One Who serves me. I must then give this Christ-controlled me to those He gives to me each day by being the servant that He calls me to be. My life is His. I have one life to live and one to give. 100%.

The Lord is my Hiding Place where I do not hide from the world, but hide for safety and trust in Him. His security shelters me and shields me. And by this, I feel able to lay down all that is keeping me from the freedom He holds for me. I leave it with Him and yet am shielded by Him as I give to those of this world. To give at that 100% rate is never easy through my own hands. He makes it possible through His though. He makes being a servant and a giver possible. He makes giving thanks possible. He is my Grace. Thank You, Jesus.

(1294-1303)

Praising My God

2011-11-23T19:49:00.000-06:00

    For the LORD comforts Zion;
        he comforts all her waste places
    and makes her wilderness like Eden,
        her desert like the garden of the LORD;
    joy and gladness will be found in her,
        thanksgiving and the voice of song.
(Isaiah 51:3 ESV)

God encourages me with His Word. As I seek Him, as I pursue His righteousness, He rewards me, encourages me with His lovingkindness. He comforts. He changes the desolate to living, the wild to tamed beauty. By this, He encourages for I see life before me. His Life. I see Living Waters in my life. I feel His constant attention to my very needs. He supplies my all.

    Who among you fears the LORD
        and obeys the voice of his servant?
    Let him who walks in darkness
        and has no light
    trust in the name of the LORD
        and rely on his God.
    Behold, all you who kindle a fire,
        who equip yourselves with burning torches!
    Walk by the light of your fire,
        and by the torches that you have kindled!
    This you have from my hand:
        you shall lie down in torment.
(Isaiah 50:10-11 ESV)

He encourages me for I obey Him. I desire to be obedient although I am surely NOT perfect and must stay near to Him that I would walk in His Way. His path for me is where I want to be. He pulls me back with His Shepherd's staff, keeping me in line. He loves me so that He would come to search for me should I wander off from the sheep. I know His voice. I know my Shepherd, my Lord.

As I rely upon Him and trust in His Holy Name, I find joy and am glad. I sing to Him with thanksgiving. As In Isaiah, God blesses and encourages for He takes pleasure in those who fear Him, who are reverent towards their God, their Savior.

God, You are so gracious that I can ONLY sing my gratitude to the Holy One of Israel, my God. I am so very blessed. Thank You, Jesus, for saving a wretch such as me. I know I am loved and cared for as I am one of Your sheep. Praise Ye, my Lord. I just feel such a peace and such joy in my heart. This life's circumstances are ALL in Your hands, my Savior and Lord. No matter, Your joy overflows into and through my heart. May I be a joy to others in this world, overflowing like the cornucopia. Praising Ye from Whom all blessings flow. Amen.

    Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;
        let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!
    For the LORD is a great God,
        and a great King above all gods.
    In his hand are the depths of the earth;
        the heights of the mountains are his also.
    The sea is his, for he made it,
        and his hands formed the dry land.
    Oh come, let us worship and bow down;
        let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!
    For he is our God,
        and we are the people of his pasture,
        and the sheep of his hand.
(Psalm 95:2-7 ESV)

Since you cannot hear me sing, I am joyfully singing this wonderful old hymn, in tune or not! The Lord knows...

Come, Ye Thankful People Come

Come ye thankful people come,
Raise the song of harvest home!
All is safely gathered in,
Ere the winter storms begin;
God our Maker, doth provide
For our wants to be supplied:
Come to God's own temple, come,
Raise the song of harvest home.

All the world is God's own field
Fruit unto his praise to yield;
Wheat and tares together sown
Unto joy or sorrow grown;
First the blade, and then the ear,
Then the full corn shall appear;
Lord of the harvest! grant that we
Wholesome grain and pure may be.

For the Lord our God shall come,
And shall take his harvest home;
From his field shall in that day
All offenses purge away,
Give his angels charge at last
In the fire the tares to cast;
But the fruitful ears to store
In his garner evermore.
Even so, Lord, quickly come,
Bring thy final harvest home;
Gather thou thy people in,
Free from sorrow, free from sin,
There, forever purified,
in thy presence to abide;
Come, with all thine angels, come,
Raise the glorious harvest home.

Together with:

Photo: "Cornucopia" by American Greetings; http://freebies.about.com/od/freeholidayfun/ig/Thanksgiving-Backgrounds/cornucopia.htm

Photo: from Google Images - "shepherd‑with‑flock.jpg"

Song: "Come, Ye Thankful People Come", Sir George J. Elvey (1816-1893), organist at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle for nearly fifty years, wrote the music to the well-loved Thanksgiving hymn about 1844. The lyrics are by Henry Alford (1810-1871).

http://www.thanksgivingnovember.com/thanksgiving-songs/come-ye-thankful-people-come.html

A Sabbath Moment

2011-11-20T11:01:00.000-06:00

And when He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but He was asleep. And they went and woke Him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.”

And He said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then He rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. And the men marveled, saying, “What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey Him?”
(Matthew 8:23-27 ESV)

In the midst of earthly or human storms, LORD, You can calm the seas. You can calm my heart that the beat would become steady and gentle. You can touch me with Your Love and let me know that You are there, that You are my Stronghold, my Rock, my Redeemer. Thank You, LORD. When things are beyond my control, You control me. When things pop up like a rocket out of nowhere, You are always there to steady me, to calm my spirit, to sooth my soul. When words abound that hurt, You are The Word that soothes and is The Calming and Living Water. You are my All in all, LORD Jesus. I love You more than all. I am so thankful that You are with me always and will never leave me. Amen.

photograph: "Lake at the Cottage/Sunset on the Lake", Image ID: 785036 @ stock.xchng, May 13, 2007, by Kodiak1, Winnipeg, MB, Canada http://www.sxc.hu/photo/785036

"With Standard Restrictions"

Colorfully

2011-11-14T20:12:00.000-06:00

Clap your hands, all peoples!
Shout to God with loud songs of joy!
(Psalm 47:1 ESV)

God of all colors

God of changing shapes

God of all sizes

floating through the air

bouncing to the floor

disintegrating

reconforming to a different shape

He is God, Himself

For he will not much remember the days of his life

because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.
(Ecclesiastes 5:20 ESV)

He is Love

God never loses His Love, His heart, no matter how He may appear to us, in who we see Christ.

God is bountiful and bright

He is Joy!

And I am His!

And they offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced,

for God had made them rejoice with great joy;

the women and children also rejoiced.

And the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away.
(Nehemiah 12:43 ESV)

Heavenly Father, I write words on a blog page that describe You to me. I write words that encourage my heart for I, myself, need encouraging. I am going through so many health concerns in this period of my life, and it has not, is not, and may not, be easy. But You walk with me no matter. Thank You, LORD. You hear our cries for Your help. You answer in ways that I may not always understand, in ways that make me cry, in ways that make me rejoice. Even though the answers do not always fit my predetermined answer, I glorify You for Your Ways. "Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways. Confirm to your servant your promise, that you may be feared. Turn away the reproach that I dread, for your rules are good. Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life!" (Psalm 119:33-40 ESV) I call upon You, my LORD, to keep me close. I shall draw near to You for I want You near to me. I love You, my Abba. I need You. Heal me, Father. Make the wrong turn right, and heal the pieces that are hurting, physically and emotionally. Take care of my Mama when I cannot, when I am so worn out. Thank You for fixing Mama's Medicaid mess today too. What a blessed relief! Richard and Rhonda and Irma, too, have been Your hands in straightening up Mama's numbers so that her coverage is back on track. I rejoice! I look upon the colors above and cannot help but think cheer and joy in Your Name, Amen.

Please join me @

Graphics: all from DryIcons @ http://dryicons.com/

Songs of Thanksgiving

2011-11-14T06:30:00.000-06:00

Out of them shall come songs of thanksgiving,
        and the voices of those who celebrate.
    I will multiply them, and they shall not be few;
        I will make them honored, and they shall not be small.
(Jeremiah 30:19 ESV)

from Matthew Henry regarding verse 19 above: "They shall go with expressions of joy to the temple service, and with the like shall return from it. Observe, The voice of thanksgiving is the same with the voice of those that make merry; for whatever is the matter of our joy should be the matter of our praise. Is any merry? Let him sing psalms. What makes us cheerful should make us thankful. Serve the Lord with gladness."

With joy, I set before my LORD these praises:

for the Veterans of these United States of America through all of our history
reflections of Christ
God's Ways
His Word
long lost, or meandered away friends whom are found again or have re-found me
"I love you 'back', my Sweetheart!" : )
a girl named Tori
a doctor who prays with and over me before a procedure, at an appointment
diligence
order
being heard and understood

Join Ann @ A Holy Experience

Join Dawn@ The Good Life

photograph of Wheat : "Wheat Field" by OeilDeNuit - Patrick Hajzler, Seine et Marne, France, @ http://www.sxc.hu/home

(1282 - 1293)

A Sabbath Moment

2011-11-12T07:00:00.000-06:00

quietly, I listen

quietly, I ponder

quietly, I hear the wind

quietly, the Spirit is with me

quiet... shhhhhh

quiet...

quietly, I cry

quietly, I listen

...and tend to His still, small voice

    “Be still, and know that I am God.
        I will be exalted among the nations,
        I will be exalted in the earth!”
(Psalm 46:10 ESV)

quietly, I am still

quietly, I sing

quiet...

quietly, I listen

    Then justice will dwell in the wilderness,
        and righteousness abide in the fruitful field.
    And the effect of righteousness will be peace,
        and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.
    My people will abide in a peaceful habitation,
        in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.
(Isaiah 32:16-18 ESV)

The whole earth is at rest and quiet;
they break forth into singing.
(Isaiah 14:7 ESV)

quietly, I rest

quietly, I sleep in His arms

quietly, I know

quiet...

listen...

    The LORD your God is in your midst,
        a mighty one who will save;
    he will rejoice over you with gladness;
        he will quiet you by his love;
    he will exult over you with loud singing.
(Zephaniah 3:17 ESV)

I am...

"Violet" Vector Graphics/Dry Icons @ http://dryicons.com/free-graphics/preview/violet/

No...It is Not Free!

2011-11-11T10:20:00.001-06:00

I honor you, the Veterans of these United States of America.

I am a proud wife and a daughter of military veterans.

This day makes me stand proud.

It makes me sad

for all those who lost their lives due to war.

I honor those veterans who return with physical, mental, emotional wounds. I am so very sorry. I pray for you and your families. I honor the families who serve alongside of their husband, wife, son, daughter, mother, father, grandchildren

for they are serving this country as well.

Thank you to each and every one of you.

What can I say? I can only weep with her for I have been in this woman's shoes for my Daddy.

This link below is a moving and beautifully artistic slide show with music from Arlington National Cemetery. I invite you to join me there.

http://www.arlington-photographer.com/main.php

My husband is an Army combat veteran, served in Vietnam. I am grateful that he came home.
I am proud of you, Kenneth. I respect you and love you. We were young back then and did not understand all the ways of this world (and still don't.) I did not even know you yet, but I am glad I do now. Thank you for marrying me and loving me so beautifully.

I lost my Daddy when I was 12. He was a Navy doctor, a lifer -- he surely would have been. He loved his Navy. He served in WWII in the Pacific and then went on to be a part of the Manhattan Project/Bikini and Eniwetok Islands where radiation exposure eventually took his life.   He practiced medicine in the Navy for 20 years though, until he died at 46 years old.
You loved us so, Daddy. I miss you, and so do Mommy and Nancy and Annette.

I love you, Daddy.

Freedom is never FREE.

For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.

Ephesians 2:14-21

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Have you ever heard about Wreaths Across America?

or Worcester Wreath Company in Maine?

This company has been honoring our fallen soldiers by placing wreaths upon the graves since 1992. It began small and has grown to almost every Veterans Cemetery in the USA. Check out their story: Remember

Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.

(1 Peter 2:16 ESV)

May I live as You have called me to live, Father God. Thank You for these men and women who have served this country. I pray that we do not forget them but honor them in this life for the honor with which most have served. I lift up those today who came back from war with scars on or in their bodies, minds, and souls. Protect and heal them, Father. I pray for the families of those fallen soldiers, the families of those who are yet in Iraq and Afghanistan and in other areas of this world that are placing them in harm's way. I lift up our Coast Guard who are risking their lives to interdict the drug cartels coming out of Mexico. Oh, Father, there are so many concerns and I pray on my knees before You. Thank You for hearing my cries, seeing my tears. Amen.

Join Dawn over @ the Good Life to share your gratitude

and

http://www.aholyexperience.com/2011/11/paying-attention-1000-gifts-the-ecuador-edition/

Photo 1: taken by ~ linda

Photo 2: upi.com http://ph.cdn.photos.upi.com/collection/upi/ba726640daf320fd137dcc8e3fd38964/FLAGS-IN-CEREMONY-TO-HONOR-THE-FALLEN-MILITARY-AT-THE-ARLINGTON-NATIONAL-CEMETERY_7.jpg

According to the Law of the LORD

2011-11-09T15:50:00.003-06:00

graphic: Heartlight: http://www.heartlight.org

Unstring

2011-11-07T21:02:00.000-06:00

I read "God in the Yard" by l. l. barkat. I move through the pages at a slow, sporadic pace, doing the exercises, learning to play and be a child once again, with God, no less. I am in the third week, page 27. One exercise is called "Unstring". She says, "Picture certain issues/emotions/elements of your personal psychology to be like a cord that binds you. Can you feel them cutting in? Do you wish the ties could be loosened? As a kind of prayer, invite the Spirit to begin unwinding the invisible cords; to feel the hope of this, act out unwinding with your body. If you prefer, draw a picture of yourself and what binds you, then draw a series of pictures that illustrate the ties coming undone."

So I did that. It looked something like this:

On my own drawing, I had words on the lines such as: self-defeating

too easily crushed

fearful

need to control situations

emotionally hurt by words
caregiving for 13 years

I asked the Holy Spirit to unwind the tight cords that bind me, those old tapes in my head that take away my freedom to twirl in the wind, to breathe deeply. Much lies behind the words, behind that tight cord. How can I play when the seriousness of life is weighing me down?

Mom was angry last night. I am grateful that this mood is not often, but when it is there, I struggle. I do not like anger, rarely being angry myself. Mom uses some foul language when she is angry. Oh, how that runs like fingernails on the chalkboard with me, with my ways. I leave my visit and I am down, worn out, in no mood to play. I allow this dementia-caused anger to tie me up in a knot. There is nothing, NOTHING, I can do about it, nor can she. So why am I taking it on myself, I ask?

From the spiral drawing right column, you can see the things that are eating me from inside my own self. The old tapes play. I put my hands over my ears so I don't have to hear any of this. But it doesn't help because it's coming from inside.

God, You made me and I know You did not make me with this negative self-debasing talk inside. I have allowed this world to convince me that I am less than how You made me.

God, can we just sit today in the big rocker on the porch? Can we rock together, me close to You? Can we be still? Quiet? Can I just be enveloped by Your selfless love, shielded by Your strength, caressed by Your compassion? Can I, Abba Father? I would like that because I really just want to be with You, to know Your Presence. You are my All in all, the Abba Daddy I need and have needed since I was twelve when I lost my earthly Daddy to cancer. You held me then and I need You to hold me now.

One rocker, that's all we need, Abba Father. Just one. It feels so good to sit beside You with my head on Your chest. I hear Your heartbeat. Oh, it's mine? My heart is Your heart, isn't it? We are united because You sacrificed Your Son for one such as me. I am Your child and I am glad, and thankful too. Oh, Abba, You truly do unwind that tight cord from these self-inflicted burdens, the self-destroying talk. As You loosen the cord with care, You set me free, little by little. I begin to feel like a child who can play again. I begin to feel freed from these ties that bind. You are my Abba Father. I am Your child who is filled with the joy and the peace that only You can bring.

Con todo mi corazón, Le agradezco, padre de Abba,

Your

Quote from l. l. barkat's book, "God in the Yard, Spiritual Practice for the Rest of Us", 2010

Picture/Drawing: "squiggle1.gif" @ www2.asd.wednet.edu
Photo of Rocking Chair: "Rocking Chair 2" Some rights reserved by CMMahon, 12/07/2006, Christina M. Mahon, flickr, http://www.flickr.com/photos/cmahon/

Therefore...

2011-11-07T06:00:00.000-06:00

Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.

(Hebrews 12:28-29 ESV)

Let us...

oh, yes ~ let us be grateful...

for receiving...we have a choice...we can say yes or no to Jesus.

Receiving Jesus as my Lord and Savior opens the door of faith that I believe Him, knowing that I will enter into the Kingdom of God one day. No doubt. No fear. And this Kingdom is built upon the Rock, the Cornerstone. This Kingdom is strong and stable...cannot be shaken. It cannot be shaken. Isn't that exciting? I believe. And, oh, how grateful I am for this promise, this Truth.

Let me...

let me give my thanks to the One so very generous...

Who always has His eye upon me
Who holds me near, guiding me very steps
Who guides the process for the care of my back and neck
Who takes me to the doctors He has chosen for me
Who guides my written word
Who teaches me deeper still about Who He is, what He has done for me, and what He continues to do for me
Who hovers over me in the dark places

Let me...
let me place my gratitude at the foot of the Cross...

for listening to me as I admit that my heart is not right toward someone
asking forgiveness and help from God

Let me...
let me give thanks to my God for...

cool fronts blowing in to lower the temperatures to feel like fall
hummingbirds buzzing from feeder to flowers and then leaving to migrate further south
Monarch butterflies fluttering from flower to flower and they, too, migrate south on the whisp of the wind and for such long journeys across the Gulf of Mexico (Only God could create such a delicate little creature that can fly and fly and fly and meet up in Mexico and South America.)
homemade fudge
running into someone I have not seen in a while
her eleven year old is now fourteen and is just so sweet and lovely...a very young, young woman
for the honest marriage we have

LORD, I say, "I love You" and those three words barely touch the feeling I have for You, my Creator. Does "I love You" say "thank You" too? It feels like it does today. Teach me more about keeping a blameless heart toward You, Abba Father. With my heart as it is, Your child. Amen.

For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him."
(2 Chronicles 16:9a ESV)

(1261-1281)

I Feel Privileged and Blessed

2011-11-04T16:42:00.000-05:00

Life Lessons - the topic for the November, 2011, Sanctified Together Publication is online and ready to be read.

I have the privilege, once again, to be a contributing writer. Below are some links to finish reading "Unwanted...Dead or Alive" (begun here)...

When I think of "life's lessons," I wish to pull up great, easy lessons that would have taught me so very much, were a breeze, and gave me fresh life, revival of my spirit. They could have been lessons that grew me into such a fine and perfect Christian woman, made me a better person, helped me become more obedient, compassionate, gracious. But, there really are no easy lessons and there are no paths to earthly perfection. In reality, life's lessons start off, in most cases, as hard, unwanted, and overwhelming to a person needing to die to self. Hands fly upward, covering my head. Tears well up. I cower beneath feelings of failure, fear, resistance, ready to run, even before attempting to learn what God even wants me to learn.

Of course, these lessons, wanted or unwanted, are from God Who knows just what I need.....

May you be blessed as you read lessons of faith from the hearts of many.

Always

2011-10-26T08:02:00.000-05:00

I am always...

http://internetcafedevotions.com/wfw/

Join along sharing God's Word in picture.

http://internetcafedevotions.com/

Graphic: Paul Lee @ http://www.heartlight.org

Smiling

2011-10-24T22:18:00.000-05:00

   But may all who seek You
        rejoice and be glad in You;
    may those who love Your salvation
        say continually, “Great is the LORD!” (Psalm 40:16 ESV)

I feel the joy of the LORD...

in times of sweet harmony when He and I are together...in fellowship
in times of rejoicing for He has blessed me
in times of waiting upon the LORD as He guides me through a hard spot in life
in times of quiet as we read His Word
in times of precious prayer

in times of pondering
in times of twirling on the wide span of grass as I did as a child or doing a cartwheel

in times of good news
in times of laughter
in times of singing
in times of sharing God's beautiful creations as we did in New Mexico and the Guadalupe National Park, Texas recently

even in times of tears...because You are holding me, loving me
in times when my mother is clear and happy
in times when she sleeps and I watch while crocheting a baby blanket
in times of flowers

in times of a colorful world

in time...as I step with Him in His time, as my heart beats with His rhythm, as my eyes focus in on my Savior

JOY!

"Down in My Heart" or "I've Got the Joy" ~

I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy

Down in my heart

I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy

Down in my heart

Down in my heart to stay

And I'm so happy

So very happy

I've got the love of Jesus in my heart

And I'm so happy

So very happy

I've got the love of Jesus in my heart

LORD, I feel You smiling upon me no matter what is going on because You love me. Your smile brings joy to me, to my heart. I laugh for You heart brings joy to mine. As I walk the streets of hardship, You shelter me as I cleave to You. Joy fills up that deep hole where I want to hide in You, and only in You. Thank You for shining Your Light on me no matter what the circumstance, LORD. You are my Joy for You are JOY. Amen.

http://www.lauraboggess.com/

"Girl in Prayer" Photo by A Patterson 10/19/2004, from http://www.sxc.hu/ www.Stock.xchng

"Down in My Heart" written by George Willis Cooke [23 April 1848-30 April 1923]. The date of authorship is as yet unknown.

From Whom All Blessings Flow

2011-10-24T06:30:00.000-05:00

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. 1

Praising from my heart:

Feeling of Fall is here in South Texas
tender, loving care from my sweet Kenneth
sharing my birthday with friends
precious moments with my Mother this week (see Birth Day)
Alex is healing from his heart surgery...Thank You, Jesus
continuing to feel great moments, times shared along our New Mexico journey
good phone conversations with both sisters and nephew this week for Mom and me
listening in on delightful conversation between Grandma and only Grandson about using a bassinet, decorated appropriately (if boy or girl), in bedroom at first until ready for crib, for their first child who is not due until May .... : ) (Grandma is 97 1/2 , Grandson is 37)
upcoming birth of first great-niece/nephew for me, first great-grandchild for Mom
grace for this day

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,

and cometh down from the Father of lights,

with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

James 1:17

Abba Father, thank You for Your never-ending cornucopia of gifts. You continually bless us beyond what we could imagine. Thank You, LORD. And, most of all, we thank You for being our LORD. Amen.

(1251-1260)

1-"Doxology" by Thomas Ken, 1674, Copyright: Public Domain
Photo: "Thanksgiving Cornucopia" by Lawrence OP, 11/27/08; CC BY-NC 2.0 Some rights reserved

Birth Day

2011-10-22T07:00:00.000-05:00

Today, October 22, is the day of my birth, quite a number of years ago!

So we celebrate another year by joining another couple for dinner. All four of us turn the same age within an 8 month period...four celebrations marking those birth days. (We also get together in between just because we enjoy each others' company.)

Yesterday, October 21st, I went to see Mama, bringing us lunch. I took her a fall bouquet of flowers (a little bigger than this one, but similar), along with a birthday card to a "mother".

Inserting a few words, I wished her a "Happy Birth Day!" She birthed me. If not for the love between my parents, I would not be here. If not for their love I would not be the person I am today. I told her I wished Daddy were still alive to celebrate with us. We both shared sad but sweet smiles...recalling the sweet man he was, recalling the Daddy he was to me, and I could tell that Mama was recalling precious moments with the man she called Ralph, Honey, Daddy and, I am sure, other endearing names. Mama said that they truly loved all three of us girls, but I was special to them as I was the first and they had been told that Mama could not bear children. So I was a blessing to them and still am by the look in Mama's eyes, by the way she stroked my gray hairs, pushing them out of my eyes while I leaned near her to listen in on a cell phone conversation with one of my sisters (who was on break at work so I would not be able to speak with her separately from Mama). We shared my birth day and it was special for me. Mama is 97 and a half. She has diabetes and dementia. Today, she was sharp as a tack. She was sweet and loving. Not every day is like today so I take one day at a time with her, loving her through the ups and the downs.
Her love is dear.

God's Love is far larger “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16 ESV)

He loved me so that He drew me near as I drew near to Him. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (James 4:8 ESV)

I repented of my sinful ways and asked for forgiveness. Oh, and He did! I am forgiven and loved. I am loved more than my parents love me. How amazing is that?!
"For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:10-13 ESV)
For I am reborn into a new life, as a new creation. Hallelujah! What a joy! That actual day is July 17th. Rebirth into God's Holy Hands.

Thank You, my Heavenly Father. You are my Abba. I love You so. Amen.

birthday candles.jpg

@ deadpan.net

Image of Fall Flowers by amiefedora
d2ffd_Fall_Flowers_4983591682_43a1dd507c.jpg

@ mrjonz.com

1 Peter 1:23-http://www.heartlight.org

Come See the Glory of Our LORD

2011-10-17T23:20:00.005-05:00

Embracing precious time with God, enjoying His Presence all around,

His Love felt within me, His calming Peace over me.

As Kenneth and I spent three weeks traveling in and with our 25 foot fifth wheel trailer, across massive Texas, up into Eastern New Mexico from bottom to top, we were enveloped in the beauty of the desert, in the glory of portions of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the Sacramento Mountains, in the awe of Guadalupe Mountain Peak under sunset light, with joy of horses nearby, Texas Spiny Softshell turtles twirling and playing with one another in the clear channels of San Solomon Springs of Balmorhea State Park of West Texas. Two adults with a young one following suit! Brought smiles to us both!

The absolutely breathtaking view from atop a high point east of Taos, on the way to Angel Fire...

ranches below, hidden in a valley where tourists don't usually go. God blessed us with His sheltered valley, three lakes from one viewpoint...after driving over nine miles of dirt, large and small rocks, a "non-maintained" road...

He brought a sweet kinship with a group of horses used at Glorieta Christian Conference Center, stabled for horseback riding. They would walk near our trailer, on the other side of the fence, nibbling as they went to the meadow for free-reign eating, sometimes early, sometimes late in the day.

Have you ever heard God whispering in the tops of pine trees...the wind sailing through green, evergreen pointed tops reaching toward the heavens?

That sound is like a gentle voice calling unto me as it whisks across those tops. I calm down. I stand still to listen and...hear. It is a beautiful sound.

God embraces us where we meet Him. We went looking for Him in His natural world. We wanted to spend time with Him and press against His strength. The mountains are strong. We wanted to hear Him. The wind and the horses' "neigh" and the birds' chirp. We wanted to clearly see Him in His Creation. The flowers' colors and the bee's transparent wings met us at every turn in this lovely country.

The clear waters of San Solomon Springs fill the CCC-built pool of the 1930s era and is still used today. It is unique in that fish and those softshell turtles swim in it along with people. The beauty of it is in the public use during the day and God's turning His nightlight on at sunset just in time for Him to turn it off.

For the earth will be filled

with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD

as the waters cover the sea.

(Habakkuk 2:14 ESV)

LORD, thank You for being with us this entire journey across Texas and into a large part of New Mexico. You displayed Your grandeur in mountains, Your loveliness in the flowers, Your refreshment in the waters, Your light in the sun and the moon and the millions of stars, Your compassion through kindness of people, Your gentleness in the horses, Your voice in the whisper high above in the pine trees, and Your Glory in all placed on display before our very eyes. We loved being with You, Abba Father, and know that You are always with us, wherever we are. We feel so small in Your Presence and are glad that You are Our God. We love You, Precious LORD. Amen.

At the WellSpring

Seedlings into Stones

A Sabbath Moment

2011-10-15T21:22:00.002-05:00

Hosea 14

Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God,
        for you have stumbled because of your iniquity.
    Take with you words
        and return to the LORD;
    say to him,
        “Take away all iniquity;
    accept what is good,
        and we will pay with bulls
        the vows of our lips.

Assyria shall not save us;
        we will not ride on horses;
    and we will say no more, ‘Our God,’
        to the work of our hands.

In you the orphan finds mercy.”
    I will heal their apostasy;
        I will love them freely,
        for my anger has turned from them.

I will be like the dew to Israel;

        he shall blossom like the lily;
        he shall take root like the trees of Lebanon;
    his shoots shall spread out;

his beauty shall be like the olive,
and his fragrance like Lebanon.

They shall return and dwell beneath my shadow;
        they shall flourish like the grain;
    they shall blossom like the vine;
        their fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon.

O Ephraim, what have I to do with idols?
        It is I who answer and look after you.
    I am like an evergreen cypress;
        from me comes your fruit.

Whoever is wise, let him understand these things;
        whoever is discerning, let him know them;
    for the ways of the LORD are right,
        and the upright walk in them,
        but transgressors stumble in them.

Father God, You forgive and forgive again, love and love even more. Thank You for the blessedness I know from You. Your graciousness is beyond knowledge; You mercy above all. You are my God. I know no other. When I call upon You, Father, it is You Who hears me and answers me. You do look after me, protect me, and guide me. When I stumble, please pick me up and set me right on the path of Your Way. When I fall, hold me near until I gain my strength. Then release me and watch as I go my way, praying it is Your Way, that I am standing upright and walking to support this body, this physical body, this spiritual body. Ken and I have found places for stumbling of late and do not want to walk awry. May we understand Your wisdom and know Your discernment. We ask for wisdom, discernment and righteousness, LORD. May we be found to walk in Your Ways, using the wisdom and discernment that is from You. In the Name of the Holy One of Israel. Amen.

Bible Version: ESV

Photos: 1. Hosea 14:4 www.Heartlight.org
2. Lily of the Valley/Morning Dew: unknown origin

3. "Ancient-Cedar-of-Lebanon": www.tripadvisor.com

On My Heart

2011-10-11T06:16:00.000-05:00

My husband and I just returned from a long-needed vacation and from a place we have longed to go...New Mexico. We pulled our 25 foot fifth wheel trailer from South Texas ... across this huge... really big state ... arriving in the southeastern corner of New Mexico. We are lovers of nature and new country. We slowly and gently meandered in and out of state parks in the SE corner and then up to Glorieta, a Christian Conference Center nestled in the Sangre de Cristo mountains twenty miles east of Santa Fe. We stayed there one week. The center is on over 2,000 acres so it is a lovely place to be on retreat, plus it is a great point from which to start and head north to Taos, Angel Fire, and Chimayo.

My heart yearns for the Prayer Garden at Glorieta tonight. Kenneth and I walked through this beautiful park-like setting that volunteers keep planted, mowed, and maintained. The peace in this garden is truly a place where God meets us when our hearts are ready and open.

Mine was that day. I saw Beauty all around me. I saw Openness across the lawns, between the trees. I heard Soothing Sounds from the water flowing through the center of this place.

I felt Tenderness and Peace hug my heart from the branches of the trees as I walked among them.

I sensed Love and Joy in the faces of the flowers. God's glances came from every leaf, every flower, every drop of water.

I pray, LORD, that You bless each soul who works on this garden, who shares their joy through planting and growing, through loving others in this garden, in so many ways. We, who visit, appreciate the beauty. I, for one, found so much peace there that I knew God was walking in my presence, I in His. I was filled with contentment and joy that day. It lasts, LORD. Your peace lasts when I allow it. May the work of their hands be a joy unto You, Father. Amen.

But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. (1 Timothy 6:6-7 ESV)

May the refreshment of this garden continue to refresh my soul again and again.

Gracious Gratitude

2011-10-10T04:30:00.000-05:00

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,

to which indeed you were called in one body.

And be thankful.

(Colossians 3:15 ESV)

Ever grateful to God for:

Mama more joyful
Annette thanking me for all the years of care I have given to Mama; told me to never think that I could have done more (when Mama dies)
Peter, Paul, and Mary singing wonderful folk songs over many a year
Vacation with my Kenneth
Seeing God's Glorious earth's beauty in mountains, deserts, deer, antelope, birds, crystal clear waters of lakes and streams, spring-fed lake, Civilian Conservation Corps-built pool in the 1930s, horses nearby, colors in birds, butterflies, and flowers, Rio Grande turkeys, the Guadalupe Mountains, and, oh, so much more
Kenneth and I enjoying three whole weeks away together, seeing country we love and miss
a week in Glorieta, New Mexico
the Prayer Garden there

taking an "unimproved road" of rocks, boulders, dirt, and mighty steep proportions only to reach the top and see a glorious view over a mountainous valley which we would have never seen any other way
Angel Fire Mountains, New Mexico
Angel Fire VietNam Veterans Memorial, something very special to Kenneth -- Thank You, Lord, for that trip and for our safety.

desert country, so unlike where we live
staying healthy while away
meeting nice people along the way
keeping our RV stable and healthy as well

holding Mom close and keeping her healthy so I could be gone for this length of time
Loretta's care and love for Mom
artists of New Mexico
enjoying the arts
Alex doing quite well after double bypass surgery
Mr. H working with me again to get Mom requalified for Medicaid after a computer glitch
ever slowly by surely, plowing my way through health insurance billing and papers after the surgery and other health issues I have run into this year...with God's hand on that plow!
memories and pictures of a vacation we enjoyed so much and want to remember as well as go back
our families

Father, I thank You for the beauty You laid before us at so many corners of the roads. Thank You for keeping us safely in Your hands the whole time. Thank You for the time Kenneth and I had together in our little fifth wheel trailer and the joys we carry with us. Thank You for Glorieta, NM, the flowers and horses right by the door to our trailer, for the 38 degree night, for the 85 degree days. You truly blessed us and granted us this time away in beautiful places and with one another. In the Peace of Jesus I pray and walk, Amen.

If you care to join us, making your life about giving thanks to God for all His blessings, stroll on over to A Holy Experience and let us know where you are. I find this such a privilege!

I would like to add two more to my list today after-the-fact: the absolutely gorgeous photographs on Ann's page today. I find that I am rolling in fall just through the pictures of the most vibrant of falls I think I have ever seen! Thank you, Ann, for sharing these with us.
And, most of all, thank You, God, for the beauty of Your earth. Ann could not have done her part without You. Praise be to God.

(counting: 1214 - 1250)

A Sabbath Moment

2011-10-07T20:39:00.002-05:00

Psalm 3

O LORD, how many are my foes!
        Many are rising against me;
    many are saying of my soul,
        there is no salvation for him in God. Selah

    But you, O LORD, are a shield about me,
        my glory, and the lifter of my head.
    I cried aloud to the LORD,
        and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah

    I lay down and slept;
        I woke again, for the LORD sustained me.
    I will not be afraid of many thousands of people
        who have set themselves against me all around.

Arise, O LORD!
        Save me, O my God!
    For you strike all my enemies on the cheek;
        you break the teeth of the wicked.

Salvation belongs to the LORD;
your blessing be on your people! Selah

LORD, I ponder this beautiful and powerful psalm as though it belonged to me, as though I actually wrote such words. I am not speaking of people-enemies, but as illnesses coming upon me all at once or right after the another, as health/hospital/doctor bills all coming in from the May surgery, now trying to figure out what I owe to whom, as a computer glitch that took my 97 year old mother off of Medicaid months ago and am now dealing with this error that I knew nothing about until this week, as Mama's dementia taking wild turns that set me off balance. These are the enemies for me right now. And why, when we just, just got home from the sweetest vacation to New Mexico, where we have wanted to travel to in our RV together? But, LORD, You are my Shield, my Glory, the Lifter of my head. You have heard my call, my prayers. You answer me. And You answer me again through Your soldiers here on this earth. I am so grateful that You hear this little sparrow as she seems to be ready to fall like Humpty Dumpty. LORD, You do save me, cupping me in Your hands. You cover me with Yourself, my Cleft in the Rock. Thanks be to God. Amen.

ESV Version of the Bible

Photo: "Slot Canyon at Tent Rocks"/Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks/National Monument, New Mexico by Carol Carnicom/Quiet Walk Photography

Fall into Reading 2011

2011-09-23T07:00:00.000-05:00

Over @ Callapidder Days, twice a year they hold a ...just read for the fun of it... reading season. So, as we head into Fall, of course, the title is "Fall into Reading" and in the Spring, there will be "Spring Reading Thing".

"Essentially, Fall Into Reading 2011 is a fun, low-pressure reading challenge open to anyone and everyone. It will take place September 23rd-December 21st."

Click here for the basics and the guidelines; then on 9/23, link up with Callapidder Days with your reading post.

I hope to finish a few of these and read the others:

Les Miserables by Victor Hugo

Submission is Not Silence: Boldness from a Quiet Spirit by Elisabeth Julin

God in the Yard: Spiritual Practice for the Rest of Us by L. L. Barkat

Praying in Color by Sybil MacBeth

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

Abundant Simplicity: Discovering the Unhurried Rhythms of Grace by Jan Johnson

I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak

**READ 10/19** In the Company of Others by Jan Karon

A Sabbath Moment

2011-09-18T07:00:00.000-05:00

One day all Christians will join in a doxology and sing God's praises with perfection. But even today, individually and corporately, we are not only to sing the doxology, but to be the doxology. Francis Schaeffer

Psalm 47

God Is King over All the Earth

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.

Clap your hands, all peoples!

Shout to God with loud songs of joy!

For the Lord, the Most High, is to be feared,

a great king over all the earth.

He subdued peoples under us,

and nations under our feet.

He chose our heritage for us,

the pride of Jacob whom he loves. Selah

God has gone up with a shout,

the Lord with the sound of a trumpet.

Sing praises to God, sing praises!

Sing praises to our King, sing praises!

For God is the King of all the earth;

sing praises with a psalm!

God reigns over the nations;

God sits on his holy throne.

The princes of the peoples gather

as the people of the God of Abraham.

For the shields of the earth belong to God;

he is highly exalted!

Oh for a heart to praise my God, A heart from sin set free, A heart that always feels thy blood So freely shed for me. Charles Wesley

Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,from everlasting to everlasting!" Then all the people said, "Amen!" and praised the LORD. 1 Chronicles 16:36

Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name;
    make known his deeds among the peoples!
Sing to him; sing praises to him;
   tell of all his wondrous works!
Glory in his holy name;
   let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!
Seek the LORD and his strength;
   seek his presence continually!
Remember the wondrous works that he has done,
    his miracles and the judgments he uttered,
O offspring of Israel his servant,
   sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!

Sing to the LORD, all the earth!
   Tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
   his marvelous works among all the peoples!
For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised,
   and he is to be held in awe above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
    but the LORD made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before him;
   strength and joy are in his place.

1 Chronicles 16:8-13, 23-27

The prayer that begins with trustfulness, and passes on into waiting, will always end in thankfulness, triumph, and praise. Alexander MacLaren

O LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name,for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure. Isaiah 25:1

In almost everything that touches our everyday life on earth, God is pleased when we're pleased. He wills that we be as free as birds to soar and sing our maker's praise without anxiety. A. W. Tozer

Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Hebrews 15:13

LORD, I lift my hands in holy praise to You and only You. You made heaven and earth. You call me Yours and created me from dust. You love me through all. You forgive me in all. You adopted me into Your heart and family. You are worthy to be greatly praised, O LORD, my God. I am Yours, my Sweet LORD. Today, 51 years ago, my earthly Daddy was taken from this earth and delivered into Your hands. I thank You for loving me through all these years as I have grieved for him so long. But, I can praise You, LORD, for You are my Father, my Abba Father. I always have had You and always will. I pray I will one day see my earthly father as I still miss him terribly. I want to sit with him and tell him things and share life with the wonderful man You gave me for my father, my Daddy. I loved him much and still do. Thank You, LORD, for the twelve, almost thirteen years You gave him to me. Thank You for the memories I still hold. I can praise You for him even in the loss. I love You, LORD. I do. Amen.

I'm Singing in the Rain ... Why?

2011-09-10T15:31:00.000-05:00

Living in Texas this summer has certainly NOT (as in HOT) brought the loveliness of rain-fed, colorful, flowering growth. As you know from news headlines, we have been scorched by fires with an incredibly horrendous outcome - loss of lives, loss of over 1,300 homes from just one of the 176 fires, loss of a beautiful Loblolly pine forest, and so much more.

The East Coast is writhing in floods after Hurricanes Irene and Lee. Tropical Storm Maria is a possible threat to the East Coast, Tropical Storm Nate to Mexico.

Missouri and Oklahoma were twisted and twirled by tornados. Japan lost so very much in the terrible earthquake/tsunami, nuclear disaster earlier this year. Deep snows and torrential rains in the Midwest and Eastern USA made "disaster area" a common phrase. Death, illness, divorce all bring sorrow. Family division, foreclosures, layoffs from job, being fired, debt accumulation storms certainly stir up any calm seas we may have experienced.

What about September 11, 2001? The tenth anniversary? I pray for this day, that we shall not cower in fear, but stand in faith before our God, with our God, under His wings of protection. We are to remember the many who lived through this horrific day, those who died caught in the towers, those who died while rescuing the many. I pray that this nation would stand again as we did right after 9-11, united and able and willing to pray. I pray that we would be a nation "under God"...truly and faithfully.

I pray for our military as they are on the front lines every day in terrible wars, conditions that are so hard and awful. I pray for the families of those who are deployed, who are raising families with the other parent in harm's way every day and night. My prayers are lifted for those veterans who are living with painful, war-inflicted memories and nightmares, others with loss of limbs, veterans who fought in the VietNam War who are just now receiving a "thank you" and with so many veterans living on the streets, 1,000s, 10s of thousands have died in war upon war upon war in the name of freedom.

Why, O Lord, do you stand far away?

Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? Psalm 10:1

How many times have you, yourself, asked this very question? "Why?" Understanding is not to be. Knowledge and wisdom are used to help put out fires, to learn how to balance a budget, look for work, use the arsenal of equipment you were trained to use in battle. Compassion is, more often than not, the johnny-on-the-spot after a disaster providing water and food, shelter and blankets; compassion sends letters to service men and women; compassion hugs; compassion loves. But the "Why?" goes without answer in most cases.

Even Jesus asked this as He hung on the cross:

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning? Psalm 22:1

So I ask God to hear my cry (of course, after my "why?").

Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy,

when I cry to You for help,

when I lift up my hands

toward Your most inward sanctuary. Psalm 28:2

I ask Him to hold my hands as I pray. I ask Him to be near, close, sheltering and protecting. Be my refuge, O LORD. I ask Him to begin rebuilding lives from within, to touch hearts through disasters, to hold hands and soothe. I love Him because He hears. He listens and weeps with me.

In my distress I called upon the Lord;

to my God I cried for help.
From His temple He heard my voice,
and my cry to Him reached His ears. Psalm 18:6

I care because He cares. I love because He loved me first. I honor because He is honorable and to be respected. I am constantly learning to be patient for He is patient. He wants each and every one of us to be in His family. So as circumstances, human sinfulness, anger, and retaliation abound in this world, God's love never changes. He calls us to Him.

In the midst of the storms, God brings flowers, colors, rainbows to remind us that He is God, that He created this world. He created us. He designed all. He knows all. He loves us and has never stopped. It is we who walk away from the One Who is, from the One Who loves unconditionally. Yes, there will be discipline for our wayward ways, for our sinfulness, for causing anger to God.

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11

We may not know "why?" until we meet Him face-to-face.

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39

LORD, guide us in our ways, that we would stay close to You. You are the One Who went to the Cross for our souls for my salvation. I thank You from the very bottom of my heart, from my soul. I love You dearly and thank You for reminding me Who You are in this world. When things look so bad all around me, You are the Only One Who can answer "why"? When I don't understand, I will trust You. When hope eludes me, I turn to You for You are Hope. When life rocks as the open seas, I place my faith in You. When the storms come and come again, I will seek shelter in the cleft of the Rock.
I pray I will walk as You direct. Keep me close so I will not stray. With the Power in Your Name, I thank You. I am truly blessed for I know You as my LORD and Savior. I praise You and honor You, Jesus. I will glorify Your Name on this earth. Amen.

LORD, I remember the day John F. Kennedy was killed. I remember September 11, 2001. I remember the day my Daddy died. Oh, how I asked "Why?" especially as a twelve year old when Daddy died. I remember many other storms in my life. But what I remember most is the day I became Yours, LORD. I stood under the umbrella and held the beautiful bouquet of love and acceptance in my heart...from You LORD. That day was July 17, 1993. No matter what storm may have fallen upon me that day, I have forgotten it for Your love far outweighs any disaster.

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen Him, you love Him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:6-9

We may not know nor understand the "why?" But we will always know that our God is faithful and true.

God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:9

Amen.

"Blooming in the Rain" graphic: DryIcons.com - Free Licensure

photo: satellite photo from Weather Underground, 9/9/11

Collage of 9-11-2001 photos: Source: Wikimedia Commons
Derivative work of the following:

File:WTC smoking on 9-11.jpeg by Michael Foran on Flickr
File:DN-SD-03-11451.JPEG by the United State Navy
File:UA Flight 175 hits WTC south tower 9-11 edit.jpeg by TheMachineStops on Flickr
File:WTC-Fireman requests 10 more colleagesa.jpg by the US Government
File:Flight93Engine.jpg by the US Government
File:Video2 flight77 pentagon.png by the United States Department of Defense
This complete file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported

VietNam War Memorial/Washington, D.C.: License: CC-BY-SA 3.0 | By: Lorax | Source: link

Encouraging Christians to Walk Closer to Him

2011-09-07T15:05:00.000-05:00

I would like to share a space on the internet that has just blessed me by listing my blog on their list of Christian Devotional blogs. What is great is that at the end of the list, there is a link - "View All" and you are able to see the latest post from the blogs on the Google Reader with the blog owner's link. You can then go directly to that particular blog that you like and read more. It is a fine site.

From "The Fellowship of Devotional Bloggers":
"DevotionalChristian.com makes it easy to read all the best Christian devotionals online. Our goal is to encourage others in their daily walk with Christ." http://devotionalchristian.com/

The Home page includes writings of Charles Spurgeon, A.W. Tozer, Oswald Chambers, Max Lucado. The Daily Bible Verse, The High Calling, Our Daily Bread, plus devotionals from the blogs listed on this website are included there as well. People, like you and me, who write Christian devotional writings are listed under "Blogs" where we can find each other.

The two that have made this place available for us to find other Christian devotional blogs are:

Tony Kummer is the founder of Devotional Christian. He is a children’s minister in the small town of Madison Indiana with 6 children at home. He also has a great site about ministering to children. I visited this site. It is wonderful. Having had taught young children in the public schools and being a children's librarian, plus teaching Sunday school, this is filled with such a variety of ideas, downloads, and complete lesson plans. Be sure and check it out. It is all free. http://ministry-to-children.com/
Hariette Petersen (aka SelahV) is a gifted writer and the wife of a retired minster. She also writes devotional thoughts on her personal blog.

And I ..."resolve to blog in a way that brings honor to God and encourages other Christians to walk closer to Him."

Please visit these websites as I am sure you will be blessed as well.

Taps

2011-09-05T14:19:00.000-05:00

Is one able to see or feel the joy of the Lord amidst sorrow?

...when a special person is gone from your life here on earth?

...when the trumpet plays "Taps" to signal that final "goodbye"?

...when a son weeps deeply for his loss?

...when my husband cries for his deep loss of his friend and Christian mentor of well over 20 years?

...when the lonely railroad whistle sounds in the background while at the cemetery?

...when the song, "500 Miles" comes to mind...

"If you miss the train I'm on, you will know that I am gone
You can hear the whistle blow a hundred miles...."

God lived through this man, JKR.

God loved this special 85 year old man.

God used JKR on this earth beautifully.

God sees fruit all over branches of trees: from the branches of JKR while on earth as well as on the trees of other men he gently and firmly called disciples of Jesus, men whom he mentored.

God knew that so many others saw Christ through this precious man, every day, everywhere.

God's joy exuded to overflowing through this man.

God's love shone through JKR.

As we said "goodbye" here, God opened His mighty arms for this mighty man of God as he came through the doors of heaven.

The trumpet on earth played "Taps" in honor of the Marine he was in WWII, an Iwo Jima survivor.

The trumpet in heaven honored him as well. From all he had endured on earth, for all God entrusted to JKR, for his obedience and for his reverence to his Lord, the Lord knew His Christian soldier well.

After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven!

And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said,

“Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”

At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven,

with one seated on the throne.

Revelation 4:1-2

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,

with the cross of Jesus going on before.

Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;

forward into battle see his banners go!

A time of joy spreads within as we know the Lord is rejoicing
because His servant has come home.

Rejoice!

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

Philippians 4:4

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances;

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

LORD, I give thanks in all circumstances. You provide in everything, for everything. I receive and say, "Thank You, Father". So whether sorrow or gladness, we rejoice and give thanks for:

creating such an especially fine Christian man, JKR
Your Christian soldier
his mentoring so many men
his being such a special friend to my husband
being a father to three
a grandfather to three
being a kind and gentle man
his wonderful smile
receiving him into heaven 8/28/2011
the ability to cry, tears
love

And I say, Amen.

Joining today with:

http://www.aholyexperience.com/

Make your life about giving thanks to God!

Change everything by keeping your own list of 1,000 gifts and more.

Feel your insides...you'll find a difference.

Give thanks to the Lord! His Love Endures Forever!

http://www.lauraboggess.com/

How do you embrace the God-joy? It can be anything: outside, quiet time.

Maybe it’s solitary. Maybe it’s loud and crowded. Just find Him. Be with Him.

http://findingheaventoday.blogspot.com/
Soli Deo Gloria is Latin for God's Glory Alone.
At the heart, this isn't about the quality of our words,
but about the living out of those words and finding hope and faith in Jesus.

http://seedlingsinstone.blogspot.com/

An invitation to write from where you are...what is on, in, around, over, under,

near, by you...to feel a sense of place.

And feel free to write any which way... compose a tight poem

or just ramble for a few paragraphs.

http://www.shandaoakleyinspires.com/

What is on your heart and mind today?

Image Source Page: http://brookfield7.blogspot.com/2009/11/thank-you-veterans-for-final-salute.html @ Bing Images

Gratitude: 1202-1213

A Sabbath Moment

2011-09-04T15:13:00.002-05:00

I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord,

because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service,

though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent.

But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief,

and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance,

that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.

But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost,

Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience

as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.

To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

1 Timothy 1:12-17

LORD, I am ever so grateful for Your love and mercy.

I thank You for blessing me with true Salvation, from Your Only Son.

You sacrificed for one such as I. You sacrificed Your All.

I am on my knees humbly receiving Your forgiveness and Your hand.

May I remain faithful to You. May I stay bowed in humility.

May I always remember just what You have done for me.

In the Name of Jesus, Your One and Only Son,

Amen.

Soli Deo Gloria - for God's Glory Alone

2011-08-30T15:24:00.000-05:00

To Him be the glory ...

My ninety-seven year old mother lives in a nursing home with dementia and diabetes. She has a variety of other issues and I just don't want her to have any more that causes more suffering. I have been caring for Mom for thirteen years now, bringing her near me from California to Texas when she needed more help then she was getting. She has gone from being able to live in a senior resident to an assisted living to a nursing home over the scope of these years...from fairly independent to fairly helpless. So many times times, I have looked to the heavens and asked, "How long, O Lord? How long?"

My soul also is greatly troubled.

But You, O Lord—how long?

Psalm 6:3

And then she has such sweet days and is so delightful. Her mind is quite clear. Her body is more able. And how can I ask such a question as "How long?" I am on a roller coaster with my Mama, and have been on again, off again this ride for years. I do have a life other than caregiver, too. I am married to a wonderful man. We have a vacation planned in our fifth wheel RV for September. I have had surgery, myself, just this past May to have three vertebrae fused in the cervical spine. I am healing, yet I fell and have been in other pains since. I have other spinal issues as does my husband.

Am I asking, "How long?" out of selfishness? I love my mother. I am so thankful that I have been allowed to care for her. I am weary. "How long?" I laugh with her. I love with her. Yet, "How long?" It is about me sometimes and I don't mean to be selfish. It is about my own life. I retired from the workplace, yet I have retired from only part of my life's work, haven't I? "How long?"

LORD, I have such a sweet relationship with my Mama now, and love her so. Yet, You know, LORD, I am tired and worn out. I just wonder. I have thoughts that I wish I did not have. I am sorry for I do not wish her gone. I know that one day, You will take her. Hold me while I wait on You. May my strength be in You, Abba. Guide me to be Your caregiver for her, the best I can be in Your love. May I continue to be a kind friend to others in the nursing home, residents and staff alike. May I be a light there. Oh, how I love my Mama, LORD. Thank You for listening and letting me work through this for now. Guide me to understand this beautiful psalm and the depth to which it dives. It speaks of my Mama. It speaks of me. Show me Thy Way, O LORD. Show me Thy Way that I may walk in Your freedom no matter what stage of life I am in. No matter where I am. No matter what I do or have. Just, no matter. I want nothing to matter but You. For Your glory alone, I want to live until my days are done. Amen.

Psalm 90

Lord, you have been our dwelling place

in all generations.

Before the mountains were brought forth,

or ever you had formed the earth and the world,

from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

You return man to dust

and say, “Return, O children of man!”

For a thousand years in your sight

are but as yesterday when it is past,

or as a watch in the night.

You sweep them away as with a flood;

they are like a dream,

like grass that is renewed in the morning:

in the morning it flourishes and is renewed;

in the evening it fades and withers.

For we are brought to an end by your anger;

by your wrath we are dismayed.

You have set our iniquities before you,

our secret sins in the light of your presence.

For all our days pass away under your wrath;

we bring our years to an end like a sigh.

The years of our life are seventy,

or even by reason of strength eighty;

yet their span is but toil and trouble;

they are soon gone, and we fly away.

Who considers the power of your anger,

and your wrath according to the fear of you?

So teach us to number our days

that we may get a heart of wisdom.

Return, O Lord! How long?

Have pity on your servants!

Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,

that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,

and for as many years as we have seen evil.

Let your work be shown to your servants,

and your glorious power to their children.

Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,

and establish the work of our hands upon us;

yes, establish the work of our hands!

Jen's invitation @ finding Heaven:

"Welcome to Soli Deo Gloria. This is a place to share what is on your mind. It is a place where vulnerability is accepted, where heart cries are honored, where struggles are heard. It is a place where we are unconcerned with the quality of your words, but about the state of your heart. We are a community of women that seek to encourage, support, love each other with our words. There is laughter. There are tears. There is everything in between. No matter where you are, who you are, where you have been, I want you to know that you are in the fold and that as you leave your link, you are prayed for."

Visit here for more information:

http://findingheaventoday.blogspot.com/p/about-soli-deo-gloria.html

Child's Play Teaches "Community"

2011-08-28T21:33:00.000-05:00

As a young child and then as a K-1 public school teacher, recesses and physical education times were always a good time for the children, a break from the desk and school work, a break from the indoor rhythm of the classroom. Games played were usually peaceful. As a school teacher, my class played games as a whole group many a day. Playing together with other children is (and has been) a part of childhood. Sometimes, children do play alone. I was one of those who loved to play by myself or with one other girl. Yet, I was integrated with the others much of the time and found those times to be fun and uniting.

As my mind takes me back to joyful and innocent friends, faces still in my memory, I ponder those kid-filled moments. Joy, laughter, silliness, togetherness.

God calls us to community whether two or two hundred. We are to be together, caring, loving one another with His unconditional love. Living community is acceptance, forgiveness, laughter, and tears. It is gentleness, joy, love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22) Community.

Envision community in child's play.

London Bridge is falling down,
Falling down, falling down.
London Bridge is falling down,
My fair lady.

"The farmer in the dell,

the farmer in the dell;

Heigh ho, the Derry-oh

the farmer in the dell"

Innocence

"Duck, Duck, Goose"

Fun and song

"Here we go Loop-de-loop"

Together

"Red Light, Green Light"

Laughter
"Hot Potato"

Rhythm

"Who Stole the Cookie from the Cookie Jar?"

Joy

"Dodge Ball"

Singing and silliness

"Pop Goes the Weasel"

Rhyme and time together

Jump Rope

Holding hands and touch

"Red Rover"

Joy plus learning to be careful!

"Leap Frog"

And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

Colossians 1:17

God is faithful, by whom you were called
into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you,

but that you be united in the same mind
and the same judgment.
1 Corinthians 1:9-10

Lord, I pray that Your community be my community. Open my hands that I may accept Your people into my life as You will. May I be Your light in whatever community You deem to place me in. May I be Your hands to help. May I be Your love to embrace. May I be Your compassion to those who need a hug, a hand to hold, a shoulder to lean upon, a tissue for tears. Thank You for loving me as You do that I may be the Christ to those around me. Thank You for giving me a childhood to play silly games, allowing me to be free and innocent. Thank You for giving me the opportunity years later to teach young children the joy of playing together.

Between You and me, Lord, in this community of two, I thank you for:

planning a vacation with Kenneth [who else! : )]
child's play at all and any age
desiring to be all that God has created us to be
allowing me to go with Mom to a Hooks baseball game along with some of the other nursing home residents and staff -- for Mom and me, a delightful memory was made!
getting Barr and Annette (baseball fans, BIG TIME!) on the phone during the game and talked for almost 30 minutes sharing the game and Mom
Jim, Cassie, and Ciera came to see us, blessing us and giving us young rather than aged for a change
Loretta, Mom's extra caregiver and my pray-er
rain
thunder
lightening
more rain in this drought-ridden country
JP and 3-year old son playing in the rain together

it has been so long since we have had rain, I wondered if the little one had ever experienced a rain-storm as this

the light of a life lived for Christ has been extinguished on this earth
but he is in Glory...praising You, Lord; Thank You for allowing me to know this man through my husband. I have been truly blessed by his godliness and grace before my eyes. Thank You for allowing Kenneth to have such a beautiful friend.

In the beautiful Name of Jesus. Amen.

Photos: Girls playing "London Bridge Is Falling Down", United States, 1898.
By Alexander B. McBride, Grand Marais, Michigan. [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons PD-US "No known restrictions on publication.
"L1_Children_playing_game/jpg"-24403-D by Arthur Rothstein, 1930s Great Depression photographer [Public Domain]
Gratitude # 1186 - 1201

Lulling

2011-08-15T21:45:00.220-05:00

Under the trees
Shade above

In a hammock made of brilliant colored fabric

Threads of warp, woven woof

God and I rock to and fro
In the hammock of many colors

He covers me with His love
Of many colors and fragrances

A lullaby, a cradle song

Sung to me
In this cradle-like hammock

Lulling me to sleep
In His gentle care

Hush-a-bye, don't you cry,

Go to sleepy little baby,

When you wake, you shall have cake,

And all the pretty little horses.

"All the Pretty Horses" - a lullaby

God and I swing lightly in the hammock

Enjoying the fresh breeze

His touch upon my cheek
A caress of my Abba

We tip, we tilt

We rock and sway

Voices of angels ever near
Cradle us in

This color-woven hammock

Hush, little baby, don't say a word, Papa's gonna buy you a mockingbird.

And if that mockingbird don't sing, Papa's gonna buy you a diamond ring.

And if that diamond ring turn brass, Papa's gonna buy you a looking glass.

And if that looking glass gets broke, Papa's gonna buy you a billy goat.

And if that billy goat don't pull, Papa's gonna buy you a cart and bull.

And if that cart and bull turn over, Papa's gonna buy you a dog named Rover.

And if that dog named Rover won't bark. Papa's gonna to buy you a horse and cart.

And if that horse and cart fall down, Well you'll still be the sweetest little baby in town.

"Hush, Little Baby" - a lullaby

And the sound of the wings of the cherubim was heard as far as the outer court,

like the voice of God Almighty when he speaks.

Ezekiel 10:5

Thank You, Abba Father, for spending time with me in this hammock. The shade of these powerful oaks makes me think of You, my Almighty Father, my overarching Protector. The gentle swinging back and forth is Your way of guiding me along life's journey. You lead me and You give me choice. You are kind and You are firm. You sway with me. You push me when I need that nudge. Thank You, Lord, for sharing Your love with me, in the quiet of this hammock. You weave my life into Your will. You weave the woof through the very warp of the plans You have for me. Thank You, Abba. Thank You. You are lulling me, calming me, soothing me. A lullaby of the Lord's. Such blessings. Amen.

Come play @ http://www.lauraboggess.com/

Photographs:

"A Cavalcade of Colours!"/ngould/Sydney, Australia/http://gallery.gouldnet.netRoyalty Options-Standard Restrictions/stock.xchng http://www.sxc.hu//#657056/11/11/2006
"A Colorful Woof"/keeper182/Marzabotto, Italy
Royalty Free-Legal usage/stock.xchng http://www.sxc.hu//#777447/5/2/2007

For Giving -- סְלִיחָה -- ἄφεσις

2011-08-10T07:07:00.021-05:00

סְלִיחָה

cĕliychah

Pronounced: sel·ē·khä'

forgiveness

But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared. Psalm 130:4

Definitions: forgiveness, pardon

ἄφεσις

aphesis

Pronounced: ä'-fe-sēs

forgiveness

"He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior,

to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. Acts 5:31

Definitions: release from bondage or imprisonment, forgiveness or pardon, of sins (letting them go as if they had never been committed), remission of the penalty

Father, please forgive me for I know that all I do and all I am is not always Your way. I am sorry and ask Your forgiveness. I am a sinful one and am also Your child. I come to You with a heart of heaviness and weakness at the same time for I cannot hold the sin myself. Satan holds it and I mistakenly listen to him at times. Judge me accountable and forgive me, please. I know Your precious Son has taken my sins off my back and has paid the mighty price for me. For me. Thank You for giving me a timeless gift, Your cherished hand, the beauty of this eternal and weightless indebtedness. I am forgiven. In the Name of Jesus, on the Cross for me, Amen.

I forgive ...

for ...

peace
relationship
love
peaceful (not chaotic) time with my Lord
health
renewal
rejuvenation
peace on my insides
peace from the outside

I forgive ...

to give ...

my heart

in honesty

openly

peaceably

to pardon

release to myself, to the forgiven one

acceptance

unconditional love

When I forgive as He would have me forgive, it is...
with peace
from my heart
in God's way
in God's timing
with or without reciprocation
unconditionally
lovingly
gladly
with a sense of relief
in grace
with gratitude

May I be able to forgive, Lord, as You would have me do. May I also be able to forgive when You would have me humble myself before You at the foot of the Cross, before those whom I am to pardon. May I humbly come to You for the help I would need in order to forgive with grace and mercy and in truth. O Lord, I need to stand with You and allow You to give me strength that I would forgive completely, without reservation, with no hesitation, and in Your love. I truly do thank You for giving me opportunities to forgive and be forgiven. And, most of all, thank You for forgiving me, undeserving as I am. Yet, You forgave me, were crucified for me. I am crucified and have new life in You. Oh, Lord, thank You. I love You dearly. Amen.

I have been crucified with Christ.

It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.

And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith

in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20

Every Wednesday, we Walk with Him, posting a spiritual practice that draws us nearer to His heart. Today, we are sharing: The Practice of Forgiveness

See-Saw

2011-08-09T11:16:00.016-05:00

Life can be overwhelming at times: too many tasks and demands, more crammed into less, emotional baggage weighing down shoulders, bad and sad news exploding through the airwaves, family struggles, nightmares, financial squeeze into a tinier and tinier tube. It all feels so heavy, so serious, so adult, way over my head.

I want to roll up and be a kid again when life was a playground, when innocence lasted for years, when play was outdoors, under a tree, a sense of freedom. Looking back on the fifties when I was a child my young life seems like such a sweet time to be 6 or 8 or 10 years old. We played with dolls until we were twelve. We sat on a swing going higher and higher wishing we could twirl around the horizontal bar 360 degrees. We climbed into a tree, sitting on a certain branch where it became a desk with a typewriter or a boat or some other imaginary thing. Boys were just more kids and, most of the time, they were over there and the girls were over here. No dating. No thoughts nor actions of sex when I was a kid. Times were surely different then they are now. I am glad I was a kid then.

One playground toy I loved was the see-saw. Two of us going up and down... up... down... up... down. When one of us was heavier than the other, the light one ended up stuck in the air, helplessly unable to get down. The bottom one had the advantage. If she should jump off, I came crashing down to the ground. A thud and an ouch!

And then there is the see-saw scenario where a bunch of kids hopped on either side and loaded up both sides. The board may become equally balanced with us all sitting at the same latitude.

A see-saw requires balance in order for it to be able to continue its ongoing motion of

up and down

...

up and down

down

Life calls for balance.
Prayer balances life.

Balance requires God.

God is Life.

Jesus see-saws with me and the load is balanced. The pace of the ups and downs become more even as Jesus rides with me. Steady ... a peaceful ride ... wind in my hair ... ruffling those young auburn curls, now turned partially gray with little curl left. But that matters not. We are see-sawing together in play with the world far away when I am with Him. With Jesus, with His perfect balance, the weight of the world is gone. He knows what it takes to balance me. I have given myself to my Lord. I am riding up ... down ... up ... down, beautifully balanced with the Lord.

O Lord, forgive me for keeping the weights to myself and then struggling so. You have said that Your burden is light. I take Your yoke, Lord. I am Yours.

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Thank You, Lord, for walking me through my todays. I believe and trust You. Heal my unbelief, Lord. Playing on the see-saw with You takes me away with You, holding the world at bay for I am looking at Your face, sitting face-to-face across the see-saw. Thank You, Precious Jesus, for balancing me once again. Amen.

Every Monday, Laura Boggess shares one of her Playdates with God. How do you embrace the God-joy? It can be anything: outside, quiet time, solitary, loud and crowded. Finding God and being with Him... "at the Wellspring".

Unshakably Grateful

2011-08-08T16:39:00.000-05:00

Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.

Hebrews 12:28-29

God is our Only Unshakable One. His Kingdom does not fall in upon itself. It stands upon the Rock and will not fall. With each day, I learn the very strength of the One Who saved me from the eternal fire. I stand upon the Rock, in the arms of He Who comforts me, under the pinion feathers of the Mighty One Who protects, in the shelter of the Most High. With reverence and awe, I do praise Him and am grateful for Him. On this blessed day, I raise my hands to Glory with praise and honor for I am truly blessed.

Thank You, Lord, for ...

God's governance of my life
His reminders of such
when all around me looks and feels like absolute chaos, He stands still and unshakable
His peace in my heart
His very Presence when I fell flat on my face a week ago
His hand upon my body, especially around my neck, that no further injury occurred where cervical spinal surgery had only just been on 5/13
healing continues on bruises
Kenneth's love and his care for me
Mama's love for me these 63 years
a few friends
dinner together with friends
plans to see a bit of the Southwestern U.S.A. with Kenneth in our little cabin on wheels
grace over my life even when I feel unworthy
Jesus, my Rock
steadfast Spirit in me
calm
The Word of God
The God of the Word
the Beauty of the Lord
men and women who lay their very lives down every day for my freedom
for the families of those 30 Americans and 7 Afghans who were killed in the gunned-down helicopter over Afghanistan
U. S. military
police
firefighters
Bill caring for and about Alicia
gentleness
plenty to eat
for those who grow crops on their own farms, individual landowners
for those trying to feed and care for the Somalians, especially the little ones
tears of release
each and every day I have to walk with the Lord
knowing that I have eternity with Him after this earthly life
shakable me is unshakable in You

Father, You are my Lord of lords, my King of kings. You stand forever. Nothing and no one can bring You down. You are my Stronghold and my Tower. Unshakable. Always and forever. You and Only You. Thank You for Your many blessings and for Your deep, infiltrating Love. You are the Root that grows long and deep into my heart that I would be intertwined in You, only in You. That is where I want to be, Abba Father. May it always be so. Amen.

See that you do not refuse him who is speaking.

For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth,

much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven.

At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised,

“Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”

This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is,

things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken,

and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,

for our God is a consuming fire.

Hebrews 12:25-29

(1141-1173)

Is Reading Playing? I Hope So!

2011-08-01T07:06:00.008-05:00

I'm of a quiet mood today.
Playing does not seem likely for me.
I just want to be left alone to read.
To read what?
The Bible? Les Miserables? God in the Yard?
I'll take all three with me as well as a journal and pen.
The place and the mood will dictate which book I shall read
or whether I shall just journal today.

God calls.
He wants to be with me no matter what I do.
I ask if He has something He wants me to do.
"No. I just want to be with you, Linda."
"Okay," I respond with some hesitancy.

With hesitancy!
Listen to me, talking to God with fear in my tone.
He often asks of me, and should I hear His call, I usually am obedient.
Usually.
Sometimes, I am too busy and place His request down on my list
and get to it when I can.
He may ask something of me that must be a Now Project
and by putting it off,
I miss the chance of dancing with Him for He is, well, was, right here with me.

And then there are times that we just sit together
to enjoy the moment.
When I read His Word,
He tells me things I did not see.
Or shows me the incredible Truth of Jesus, His Son.
Or He guides me in and out of passages
that teach me what He desires me to learn.

If we are reading God in the Yard by L. L. Barkat together,
He reminds me of His desire to be with me
wherever I am and no matter what I am doing.
We share sweet moments.
Just reading together.
He is with me.
I am alone and I am not.
I am reading.
He may be teaching,
loving,
enveloping me in His arms.
Our time together is a quiet play,
a delightful play,
a beautiful play.
I am dancing with the Lord
on days such as this.

I would say that reading is playing.
Even more so when the Lord is with me.

Here I am at age 7 reading between my two little sisters;
one is 4 and the other 1 1/2,

reminding me of the distractions that take us away from God.

I sit reading between two very possible (probable) distractions.

But I sit and read as if there is nothing around me, as if no one is taking a picture of us.

If I did that then, I certainly can be with the Lord as we read together,
as He sits with me in the chair,
or out in nature somewhere,
or in the library or Starbucks.

It is our time and our time alone.

Oh, LORD, forgive me when I want to run the other way when You call my name. Forgive me when You just want to be with me. Forgive my fear that You have a task in mind for me. If You do, then You are blessing me with Your grace and mercy. I should always want to please You by being willing and obedient to Your call. I want to be near You, always and forever. I love You so much. These "alone" moods I have are often, yet I know that I can be alone and still have You near. That is how I can be with Kenneth too. He allows my quiet times and is still near me. I love him dearly. I can be me with him. Thank You for blessing me with him as my husband. Glad You called me today, Lord, and am so glad I heard Your voice. Amen.

Swinging

2011-07-26T16:17:00.003-05:00

God feels near.
In my mind ... we are at the swing.
He pushes me.
I pump my feet.
He pushes til I am going higher and higher.
We laugh together.
I feel like a child.
I need this even if it is only in my mind.
Today...most every day, I need this time with God and to feel like a child.

Caregiving for Mama,
nursing home environment,
other elderly,
doubt,
sadness,
concern,
frustration,
my own body aches making me feel older than my 63 years,
recovering from cervical spinal surgery slowing me down more than I normally am which is slow already.

But my mind can take me away from all of that.
My heart can draw near, nearer to God.
As I float higher on this mind-filled swing,
I let go and float.
I float into the heavenly places.
Jesus watches with love in His eyes.
He reminds me that His Love never ceases.
My Creator knit me and has always known me, loves me more deeply than I ever can.

This swing takes me higher with my Lord.
This swing changes my mood to pure joy releasing all else.
I know the childish feeling is heartfelt and real.
I am in His arms as we swing together with Love wrapped around me.

Flying high with my Lord.

And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

Matthew 18:3-4

graphic: photo of girl swinging entitled "swing1" by "findstuff22" @ PhotoBucket

My Precious Mama

2011-07-16T14:50:00.000-05:00

As I go to visit with my 97 year old mother in a nursing home, one she and I are most comfortable in, I go to check up on her at various hours and various days, but mainly I go to love her, remind her I live nearby, to talk with her, watch a baseball game with her, call my sisters with her, call her grandson, to check on her belongings and put things in drawers where she remembers that they probably are, and just be there with her.

Some days, she is perky and cheerful, full of jabber and stories. Other days she is sleepy or sleeping. Other days she is extremely confused, maybe afraid. I never quite know just who I am going to visit. But it does not matter. She is my Mama and I love her. So I have learned to handle the moods, the needs, the moments, the dementia, over these thirteen years of being caregiver for her.

Last week, I arrived to a Mama sound asleep at 6:30 P.M. She woke up to the sound of one of the CNAs talking with me. She was not angry as she can be when awakened. She, very quietly, without opening her eyes, said, "I want two eggs over-easy, crisp bacon, rye toast, butter, no jelly." Of course, I was sitting on the other side of the room and had to go sit next to her on her bed in order to actually hear this "order". She did this once before to me and I scrambled to find the one and only restaurant in our small town that served breakfast all day. (This is shorter than me going to the grocer to buy bacon and rye bread. I have eggs!) So I hopped in the car, got her this special order. She had gone to the dining room at 5:00 P.M. but they were too slow for her this day and left before the dinner was served. They brought her tray to the room, but she only ate the salad and the pudding, I was told. When I returned from the restaurant with breakfast in hand, I barely was able to get her upright in order for her to eat and swallow. She was so sleepy that she kept falling over. Finally, I went and sat on the bed beside her, spoon-fed the eggs to her. (She kept dropping the eggs from the fork.) She handled the crispy bacon strips herself. The toast was not touched. When finished, she flopped back into bed and that was all she wrote. I kissed her and told her "I love you, Mama" and I heard a faint, "I love you too, and thank you."

I cleaned up the meal and sat in her recliner watching her sleep. As Mama becomes older and needs help like this particular night, I find that my love for this once-strongly-independent woman grows exponentially as she becomes weaker and less able to do for herself. Don't get me wrong, on her good days, she can do so much alone at 97 that it is wonderful. But on these confused or weakened days, the staff or others, including me, must help her do so much.

As I sit there at times like this nighttime breakfast, I just love her. I feel the way a mother must feel for her children when they are the most needy, at those very young ages. Since I was never a mother, I am only imagining, but I believe I have it right. I am the mother to her now on so many days. I love it that God has allowed me to be her caregiver and her daughter.

Thank You, LORD, for giving me this beautiful mother. I am grateful for the time we have, and for the sweet memories You are giving me now with her. She is a jewel and I pray she is Yours, LORD. I believe she is. (Thank You for that reassurance You just gave me, Sweet LORD. Thank You.) Thank You for all she has done for me throughout our journey together these past 63 years. I am glad she is my mother and that You have allowed me to be her child, her grown daughter, her friend. O, Abba Father, You have blessed me with much. No matter how much time she has left, may I walk Your Way with her until the day You take her home. Amen.

I love you, Mama ... I whisper.

Please Keep Me Humble, Lord.

2011-07-12T22:51:00.001-05:00

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love,
a tender heart, and a humble mind.

1 Peter 3:8

Humility

dresses

with

pity...not condescension,

but with a heart filled with

gentle sorrow and

compassion

for those in the midst of

misfortune, distress, suffering.

Humility

offers

assistance, relief, and support

in those hard times.

What can I do?

How can I help?

Humility

is kindness,

meekness,

modesty,

lack of pride,

tenderness.

Humility

carries

words

to others in need

with gentleness,

in a friendly,

good-natured,

agreeable

manner.

"After crosses and losses men grow humbler and wiser."

(quote by Benjamin Franklin)

Crosses are those things we all, ALL, bear from time to time, or carry all of the time. A cross may be financial difficulties -- paying the monthly health insurance premium, the mortgage payment, having enough for the electric or phone bill this month, or even having enough to put food on the table for the family. A cross may be a serious health concern, a difficult marriage, a teenager testing the parental waters of discipline. A cross may also be a lost soul searching for the Truth or running from the Truth. Either way, one feels a very heavy burden.

Of course, losses can be through divorce or death. We can lose something material, but it may have meant something emotional to us. We can lose a limb, our health, an ability. A loss becomes a cross to carry as well.

Crosses become heavy, bringing me to my knees. I ask the Lord to take this burden, to yoke with me as I carry it along life's roads. He does and always will when I ask.

Humility

is asking.

Humility

is a pride-less garment.

Humility

allows me to

be dependent upon the Lord,

without an "I can do this all alone!" spirit.

Humility

laying the burden

at the foot of the cross.

Humility

being able to thank Jesus

for paying the price.

Thankfulness

is the humble cloak

over all the other clothing

of humility.

This cloak
is full...

sheltering me,

keeping me warm.
Being grateful
for
everything
is
humility.

A humble spirit

is filled with

gratitude

and grace

and mercy.

I am in the school of humility and probably always will be. I want to be humble. I want a humble mind. I desire wisdom. Growing in the Lord means staying near to Him with an open heart and mind. The trials and tribulations are there for my journey towards humility and wisdom.

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith,

we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand,

and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings,

knowing that suffering produces endurance,

and endurance produces character,

and character produces hope,

and hope does not put us to shame,

because God's love has been poured into our hearts

through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Romans 5:1-5 ESV

Lord, change me and make me Yours and Yours alone. Mold my character to match Your Jesus ... as best as possible for I am human, but I am meek and gentle when I am with You. I thank You for being my Teacher and letting me be one of Your students. I sit at Your feet and listen. I also rejoice for I have hope of the Glory of God. Praising You this day. Amen.

Every Wednesday, we Walk with Him, posting a spiritual practice that draws us nearer to His heart. We are pondering "The Practice of Humility" this week.

Ann Voskamp said, last week, "I am finding this topic wrenchingly difficult to write about. Humility is timid. Write about it, talk about it, and it flees. But shall we spend another week bending the knee and wrestling this out? "Oh, do hard work in me, Lord. I long to learn from You."

If you’d like to join us, please visit A Holy Experience.

© L. Gill and 'beingwoven.blogspot.com', 2008-2012