RECIPES

I just finished looking through some Taste of Home magazines before I give them to our daughter. I found some recipes that my taste buds would appreciate. I found more recipes that will never be tried.

Oh, not because they don’t sound great, but because of the ingredients. Fresh cilantro. Multigrain linguine. Smoked salmon or lox.

Let me first say, that I am very thankful we have a grocery store. Did you catch the part about A grocery store? This is a fairly small town with a good store, but it is a basic grocery store with a bit of those unknown food items thrown in.

Tomato Pesto Tart sounds really good but where do I find pine nuts for the pesto sauce? Stuffed Peppers with Andouille confused me until I read that Andouille is a sausage. And I wonder how it would change a recipe if I use the “or you can use” product. Makes it seem like, “Well, I guess this will do if you cannot get the real thing.” There are at least six different cooking wines and the garlic industry must be growing by leaps and bounds. Garlic is used in meat, vegetables and cheesecake, which, I am sure, would be the 11th Commandment: Though shall not use garlic in cheesecake.

Yes, I found scads of recipes for cheesecake - my favorite food. Cheesecake = dessert, right? Well, I guess not. BLT Cheesecake, Herb & Roasted Pepper Cheesecake and Pistachio Cardamom Cheesecake and Kalamata Cheesecake Appetizer. Now why would you ruin a cheesecake by putting olives on it? And I have no idea what Cardamom tastes like.

The instructions are sometimes a bit backwards. Following the recipe for Conga Lime Pork (Did you notice following, like in after you have prepared the dish?) the editor notes: Wear disposable gloves when cutting hot peppers; the oils can burn skin. Avoid touching your face. Do you think that information would have come in handy when you were cutting the chipotle peppers and wiped the back of your hand over your forehead?

Ingredients can be difficult to find and instructions can be difficult to understand. I NEED TO TAKE COOKING 101!

SCRIPTURES

Wisdom’s call: Now then, my sons, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways. Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it. Proverbs 8:32-33

Proverb of Solomon: Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise. Proverbs 19:20

Sayings of the Wise: Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. So that your trust may be in the Lord, I teach you today, even you. Proverbs 22:17-19

RECIPES

Life, like recipes, can be difficult. Sometimes we cannot find what we need (ingredients) and sometimes we do not understand (instructions), but our great God has given us an amazing recipe book (the Bible).

Have a great week. I am off to buy a springform pan for the Chocolate & Peanut Butter Mousse Cheesecake recipe that does not call for garlic.

QUESTION OF THE DAY

Do you listen to advice and accept instruction?

LET US PRAY (Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.)

O, Lord, let me open your instructions and read. I pray that I can apply Your instructions to my heart and learn so that I will trust Your wisdom. Amen

OFF INTO THE WILD BLUE YONDER

(Follow up to June 15, 2012 blog.)

“Mom, want to go on a cruise with us?” our son asked.

It took me about - maybe - a blink of an eye to say, “YES.”

So, son, daughter-in-law, three grandchildren and I made plans for our first cruise. Off we went into the wild blue yonder. And I loved it!

The boarding was easy and my room was a little bit bigger than I thought it would be. The waters were calm and I never had one moment of sea sickness. The food was great and we enjoyed time together and time apart.

Everywhere we went someone was taking pictures. As we boarded. As we went to the island. When we were dressed for our formal night.

I love the formal picture. Don’t we look all spiffy? A fine looking group!

But I like the next picture better. As I was getting off the ship to go into Nassau, Willie (aka son Bill) grabbed me and said, “Growl like a pirate.”

So I did and from then on we were known as the best picture of the cruise. We just didn’t care how we looked. We just growled like pirates. We just had fun!

And isn’t that what vacations are about? Having fun. Leaving cares behind. Not worrying about how you look or standing tall and proper for the camera.

I must admit I had one worry before we left. Although I have been on boat tours, I have never been far away from land. How would it feel to be so far out that I could not see land? Would I be scared?

SCRIPTURES

The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Psalm 95:5

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. Psalm 139:7-10

OFF INTO THE WILD BLUE YONDER

How would it feel to be so far out that I could not see land? Would I be scared?

SILLY ME!

QUESTION OF THE DAY

When have you ever felt scared and then thought, “Silly me.”?

LET US PRAY (Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.)

Thank you for opportunities when, for a short time, I can leave my cares behind. Thank you for times when I can just relax and have fun. Thank you for times I can just be me. Thank you for times when I am a bit anxious or scared because those are the times when I know you are there. Those, Lord, are the times I know your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. Thank you Lord. Thank you. Amen

A STRONG COUNTRY

When I see the red, white and blue, I see people coming to the shores of a new land. Coming with grateful hearts, willing spirits and dreams. Coming they united cultures and languages. They stepped into the melting pot and came out AMERICANS.

When I see the red, white and blue, I see factories being built and ground being cleared. I see utility lines being raised, one pole at a time. I see highways joining homes into communities. I see children going to school and parents going to work. I see family picnics and county fairs. I see churches.

When I see the red, white and blue, I see fields of corn, tomatoes, beans, wheat and pumpkins. I see cars coming off the assembly line. I see truckers, doctors, teachers, mail carriers and trash collectors. I see people selling cars, hardware and antiques. I see people walking toward their dreams.

When I see the red, white and blue, I see what has made this country strong. Individuals united and proud to say, “I am an American. I am one nation. One nation under God.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

When I see the red, white and blue, I see a nation that is no longer united as one. I see a nation where another country’s name I placed in front of the word American.

When I see the red, white and blue, I see a nation resting on a crumbling foundation. A nation that has lost its pride. A nation that flies its flag out of tradition instead of with respect and honor. I see a nation that is taking away the dignity of its citizens as job after job is sent overseas.

When I see the red, white and blue, I see:

A nation -- no longer strong.

A nation -- no longer respected by other countries.

A nation -- no longer standing true to the principles it was founded on.

A nation -- afraid to say:

WE ARE AMERICANS!

WE ARE ONE NATION!

When I see the red, white and blue, I see:

A nation -- forgetting that we are:

UNDER GOD!

SCRIPTURES

“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and man of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.” Daniel 7:13-14

The Lord is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens. Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth? Psalm 113:4-6

QUESTION OF THE DAY

What do you see when you look at the flag of the United States of America?

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR THE UNITED STATED OF AMERICA. PRAY THAT WE BECOME UNITED IN OUR LOVE OF OUR COUNTRY. PRAY THAT WE RETURN TO OUR BELIEF OF ONE NATION UNDER GOD.

RANDOM THOUGHTS

The other evening I was sitting in the sanctuary and began to have fun. I started writing down random thoughts. Ready? I saw --

the piano, keyboard and organ just sitting there. Not being used. What in my life is not being used?

the pulpit in front of the altar. Actually, I don’t like it sitting there because it blocks the view and makes you walk around it to get to the altar. What in my life is blocking my way to God? What is blocking my view?

the high ceiling. I like that because it makes me look up and when I do that I see the stained glass window of Jesus praying Wow! Jesus prayed! Get with the plan, Mary! Prayer is a priority!

the exit sign. A sign to show how to escape. Jesus is my exit sign. He shows me the way to escape the grip of sin.

scriptures beautifully lettered. Scriptures are God’s true word.

I looked in another direction and I saw --

emergency lights that will come on when the power goes out. This one is easy. These are a reminder that the light of God means I am never in the dark.

speakers placed around the sanctuary so all can hear. Oh, God, I do not want to miss any of Your words and when I hear them grant me understanding.

hymnals holding faith set to music. Hymns - a chance to worship with a joyful noise.

prayer shawls loving made by women in the church. I see these and am reminded that I must always have concern and compassion for ALL!

sacks with items to help children make it through the service. Bless the children. Thank you for putting a special place for children in my heart.

And as I sat there, I thought about the --

pews. A place for me to sit and spend time with God and other believers.

Why random thoughts? Because they are fun and I love to look at things and figure how they remind me of God in my life.

SCRIPTURE: PSALM 9:10

Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.

NOW -- SEEK GOD

Yup. Have some fun. Look around and tell God what you see and how it reminds you of Him.

Leave a comment and let me know what you come up with.

PACKED AND READY

SORRY:  I thought this posted on the 15th but apparently it got lost in cyberspace.  So, here is a repost.  Hopefully this one will work. But was great to get back from vacation and realize my blog had been missed.  -- Mary

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This is, for sure, the year of the vacation. I am going on my first cruise with our son and his family! Bill is keeping his feet on solid ground. He seems to think having vertigo and motion sickness means he should stay home and keep the air-conditioning going. So o o --

· Information: check -- Atlas, Hampton Inn directory and cruise info complete

· Destination: check -- Florida, cruise, Florida and home

· Passport/Important stuff: check -- Passport, insurance information, cash and credit card in purse

· Reservations: check -- Rooms while traveling and cruise are reserved

· Packed: almost -- Will have that finished by this afternoon

· Excited: yes -- Extremely! But the part about looking out and seeing no land might just be a bit scary

· Departure: planned -- Leaving Saturday around noon

Cruise here I come. This reminds me of another trip I am looking forward to.

INFORMATION I NEED: check -- The Bible - Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105

DESTINATION: check -- Eternal Life -- For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

PASSPORT: check -- Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

RESERVATIONS: check -- (Jesus speaking) “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2

PACKED: nothing to pack -- God will provide and I will have a new life: (Jesus speaking) “If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!” Luke 12:28 -- We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:4

EXCITED: yes -- In that day you will say: “Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Isaiah 12:4

DEPARTURE: uncertain -- (Jesus speaking) “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” Matthew 24:36, 42

QUESTION OF THE DAY

Are you ready for your final trip?

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I will post again June 29. Until then, think about heaven and talk to God about your chances of getting in. And celebrate each day while you are waiting.

MY YARD - THE CHURCH

The other day I was sitting on the deck and just quietly looked around. I saw a tree with dark red leaves. It is a beautiful tree that stands a bit off center. A really hard wind gave it quite a ride and it never went back to completely straight. I worry that the wind will take it someday and I would miss its red leaves.

I saw Bill’s garden. He loves to tend the plants and watch things grow.

I saw grass that should be green but is brown and dry because it needs a big drink. And I saw new flowers growing where old flowers used to bloom. There are also two urns that are old. Old in age and memories.

I saw our home. A place of work, rest and love. A place where we feed our souls and our bodies.

I saw a sky with clouds that look heavy with rain but clouds that are greedy and keep the rain.

Then it dawned on me that I had just seen the church.

SCRIPTURE: JEREMIAH 29:12

Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.

====================

Hello Lord, as I sat here, I realized the church is like my backyard. The church has many people like the tree. They do not stand straight and tall because they have been blown around by life. Lord, help all stay rooted strongly in your Word so we will not be blown over.

The church is also a garden full of people who need cultivated and weeded so we can bloom and grow. Lord, may the church tend and watch over all who enter so they may grow in faith.

The church is like the grass; we need watered. Watered with the living water you - and only you - can give.

Lord, the church is like the new flowers too. Those that have gone before have left a strong legacy and a firm foundation for us to stand on and grow deep roots of our own.

And the church’s “urns” old in age and memories are the elders who teach and guide us. Their memories and knowledge can be building stones of faith.

Lord, I pray the church will always be a welcoming home where people come to work, rest, love and a place where our souls and bodies are fed.

The clouds held onto their rain, but I pray no one in the church is ever greedy and selfish enough to keep the Word for only themselves.

All this I pray for the church, in the name of Jesus Christ, Son of God. Amen

RAIN

Well, God, we finally got rain. It’s about time. I have been praying for rain. And I’m not the only one who has been sending requests for moisture.

You do know it is mighty dry in this area, don’t you? The grass is brown, the trees are drooping and the flowers are all showing signs of stress. Not to mention the farmers that are so worried about their crops. What took you so long?

Really! What took you so long? Are you on vacation? Not taking requests right now? Ignoring the corn belt? What gives?

Talk later. I need to put the clothes in the dryer, another load in the washer, order ink for the copier, read the paper, get a drink of water, and who knows what else will need done this afternoon.

Oh, yeah, thanks for the rain,

Mary

You are laughing, right? This prayer to God was written tongue-in-cheek.

Our Sunday School lesson for this week suggested we say thank you to God so I thanked God for the rain.

I am very thankful for the rain we are blessed with. We need it, but did you notice in my talk with God that I did not thank him for clothes, for a washer, dryer and copier all which makes my work easier, for the ability to read, for fresh water to drink and for being able to deal with the rest of the afternoon?

The lack of rain - one thing - became a big deal. Is one thing really that important?

SCRIPTURES

Psalm 100:3 Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Matthew 18:12-14 (Jesus speaking to the disciples) “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.”

QUESTION

Is one thing - one person - really that important? YES! To God each of his sheep is extremely important.

LET US PRAY (Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.)

Lord, my God, Thank you for sending your Son to save me, a lost lamb. Amen

DID YOU MISS ME?

Last week got a bit hectic and I did not post a blog. A 12 year old grandson hurt his knee and thought he might have surgery Friday. Since I am the surgery/recovery grandma, I got all my ducks in a row so I would be available.

Thursday I:

+ prepared the Sunday School lesson so the class would have a discussion outline,

+ did up the laundry,

+ gave the bathrooms a quick cleaning,

+ cleaned off my desk.

+ fixed Bill a good meal because he might be eating on his own for a few days,

and

+ waited for the call about the surgery.

Well, the call came and there would be no surgery. AMEN! They “froze” the knee, used a needle to check for fluid, put Joshua’s leg in a brace and sent him home.

The call was a relief but part of the call was, “Grandma would you come stay with me tomorrow?”

Of course I said yes and the blog did not get written.

Did you miss me?

SCRIPTURE: PSALM 143:8

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.

QUESTION

Do you think God ever misses you?

LET US PRAY (Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.)

Hello God, It’s me. I had good intentions of spending time with you today. I put those dirty clothes in the washer and realized I hadn’t told you good morning. Did you miss me? I looked around and saw bills that needed to be paid and realized it was afternoon and I hadn’t thanked you for my lunch. Did you miss me? The clock told me it was time to fix supper and I realized I had not read one verse in the Bible. Did you miss me? As I crawled into bed, I realized -- I realized that I have missed you. Amen

THIS IS WHO I AM --

How would you describe yourself? Would you begin with your age? Your smile? The color of your hair or eyes? Would you tell what your job is? Would you tell what you do for fun? How would you describe yourself?

This is who I am --

• A daughter and sister
• A wife
• A mother and grandmother
• A volunteer
• A Sunday School teacher
• A writer

The answer to this question has changed on a daily basis and at different times in my life. When I really get into a book, I would describe myself as a reader. Sometimes, I just have to find the next piece and would describe myself as a jigsaw puzzle nut. Sometimes, I work in the flowerbed but I would never describe myself as a “love to work outside” person.

I have been a daughter and sister since day one. When I married, I became one-half of two. Then I became a mother: “Oh, you are Bill’s mother.” “Oh, you are Terri’s mother.” Now I am a grandmother. Yes, the things that define me have changed over the last 65 years.

But, these are all earthly definitions of who I am -- of who we all are -- and those definitions can change quickly.

Last week at church, we learned a young woman, -- a wife and mother of two teenage boys -- has cancer. Her identity changed. Something new has been added to the list of how she will define herself. Now she will say, “I have cancer.”

One minute, we are healthy and the next we add cancer to the definition of Who I am. One minute, we are one-half of two and the next we become a widow or widower. One minute, we are a mother and the next we are a mother without our child.

SCRIPTURE: PSALM 102:25-28

In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth,

and the heavens are the work of your hands.

They will perish, but you remain;

they will all wear out like a garment.

Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded.

But you remain the same, and your years will never end.

The children of your servants will live in your presence;

their descendants will be established before you.

THIS IS WHO I AM --

Yes, I am a daughter, sister, wife, mother and grandmother. I volunteer. I teach. I write. These are all earthly definitions of who I am and these definitions can change quickly.

But, there is one answer to this question that never changes. That is eternal.

WHO AM I --

• I am the daughter of the one who laid the foundations of the earth and created the heavens.
• I am the daughter of a Father who will never leave me and does not change.
• I am the daughter of the King.

Who are you?

PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father, I am - Some days that is the best I can come up with -- I am. Other days I want to shout, I AM. Some days, my identity changes so quickly, I am not sure who I am or how I will be able to cope. As my life changes, there is one thing I know for sure. You are my Heavenly Father and you will not allow me to walk alone. Amen.

PRAY, PRAYER, PRAYING

This being the week of the National Day of Prayer, I decided to look up a scripture about prayer. As I started looking, I discovered the scriptures tell us:

• We should pray to the Lord.
• We should be humble and pray.
• We should pray for: The king, The peace of Jerusalem, Those that persecute/mistreat us, Those who believe, Each other, Our friends, Perfection, Ourselves, Children and The saints.
• We can pray: Up on the mountainside, By laying on hands, Over there, As John taught us, Always, When we don’t know what to pray for, In the Spirit, Continually, When we are in trouble, On our knees, Inside a fish, With our face on the ground, In a solitary place, Looking toward heaven, After fasting, Joined together with others, When breaking bread, In everything, With hands lifted, In faith, In our heart, Standing and All night.
• We pray in order that we may live.
• When we pray, God: Is near, Hears our prayers as they rise to heaven, Answers prayers, Accepts our prayers and Is pleased.

Wow and all of this just from the concordance. Although the count varies depending on which site you use, the King James Version uses the word prayer 114 times, the word pray 313 times, prayed 65 times and praying 20 times. 512 references to prayer. Makes me think God wants prayer to be a priority in our lives.

But how do I pick just one? Have to go with Jonah praying from inside a fish.

SCRIPTURE: JONAH 1:17 - 2:1-10

But the Lord provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights.

From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God, He said: “In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From the depths of the grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry. You hurled me into the deep, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all the waves and breakers swept over me. I said, ‘I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.’ The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head. To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you brought my life up from the pit, O Lord my God. When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple. Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the Lord.”

And the Lord commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.

PRAY, PRAYER, PRAYING

Not sure what I would have done but I know I would not have waited three days and three nights to start praying. I think I would have gotten humble real quick, fell to my knees, acknowledged that I was in trouble and prayed so I could live.

When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple.

God does consider prayer important. Why? Because He loves us and, when we pray, He accepts our prayers and is pleased.

Do not be like Jonah. Do not wait. Pray now!

SLEEP?

(Disclaimer: This is not written for that cannot sleep for medical reasons. I could write a very long blog on that. Shout out to all RLS night walkers.)

SLEEP - A word which either makes you take a deep breath and relax or a word that --

This morning the news said Americans are not getting enough sleep. We are going to bed too late and getting up too early. The trouble is, when we don’t have enough sleep our bodies just do not want to make it through the day.

Oh, how good a 20 minute nap feels. Or we reach for an energy drink. Or we just force ourselves to stay awake. Work suffers. Things get put off until tomorrow. Nerves are frayed. Tension is high. Words are said and cannot be taken back. All because we wanted to:

• Watch the last of the ball game
• Finish a book
• Play one more game of Angry Birds
• Answer emails
• Twit. Tweeter. Whatever the latest fad.
• Put one more stitch in the quilt
• Eat a late night snack
• Watch a shoot-um-up
• Watch the news

Right before we go to bed we do all sorts of things that get our minds whirling. Then we cannot figure out why we don’t just drift off into peaceful slumber. Why the sandman didn’t make us a dream. (Old song.)

Well, duh! Right before bed -- we need to

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 4:8

I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

SLEEP --

Right before bed we need to dwell in the safety of peace that only God can give us.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Do you get a good night of restful sleep? How often? What do you do right before you go to sleep? Do you go to bed upset because your team didn’t win? Because the news left you mad? Because the book didn’t end the way you wanted it to? Because …

LET US PRAY (Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.)

O Lord, May I dwell in the safety, You alone give. For when I dwell in Your safety, I will lie down and sleep in peace. … Amen

AMAZED? ASTONISHED? STILL?

SCRIPTURES

The men were amazed and asked, “What sort of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” Matthew 8:27

All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” Matthew 12:23

He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” Mark 2:12

Immediately the girl stood up and walked around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. Mark 5:42

AMAZED? ASTONISHED? STILL?

These are scriptures used in a lesson from the book God in the Flesh, by Don Everts. When I read these scriptures I wondered, “Amazed? Astonished? Still?”

My gosh, surely the disciples stood around and said, “Oh, look. Jesus healed another person.” But no, they were all amazed.

And it wasn’t just a few. It was ALL.

LET US PRAY

Our Amazing Jesus, Protect the souls of believers so we never stop being amazed. Protect our souls so we never take for granted the gifts you give us:

• Every sunrise and sunset -- AMAZING!
• Every baby -- AMAZING!
• Every recovery -- AMAZING!
• Every prayer -- AMAZING!
• Every sound -- AMAZING!
• Every breath -- AMAZING!

Lord, protect the souls of believers so we never become oblivious! So we do not take for granted that the sun will rise. Or set. So we do not see birth as routine instead of precious. Protect the soul of believers so we offer honest prayers. So we really hear the birds, the breeze, the creek, the laughter of children. Protect the souls of believers so we cherish every breath.

Amazing Jesus, Protect the souls of believers so we never stop being amazed. AMEN

NOW WHERE DID I PUT THAT?

“Where are my keys?” I wondered. I needed to take Bill’s truck to get the flat tire fixed but, once again, my keys were not in my purse.

Had I left them in my jacket pocket? I have been known to do that.

Had I left them -- “Oh, no!” Bill has my car and I bet I left them in the cup holder. Again! As I was thinking this, the phone rang. “Mary,” Bill said, “If you are looking for your keys, they are in the car.” Oh does that guy know me or what?

Keys found. I don’t do this with anything other than my keys. I use them and drop them in my coat pocket. I use them and drop them in the cup holder. Then I begin the now-where-did-I-put-my-keys search.

SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 28: 2-4, 11

There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened.

NOW WHERE DID I PUT THAT

Think about when you cannot find something. And you search. And search. And search. Now think about those guards.

Earthquake. An angel of the Lord. Stone rolled away. You begin to shake. You become like dead. And then you realize --

The body is gone! Did the guards look in the tomb? Did they look again? Did they look at the angel? Did they look at each other and say, “We are in deep do-do.”

I wonder if they ran back to chief priests or did they slowly walk, deciding exactly what they were going to say. Did they rehearse their story? Did they walk back quietly because they could not believe what had happened? Did they draw straws to see which one was going to tell the chief priests?

“Honest we did not fall asleep! We were on guard! Then an earthquake came and we fell to the ground! Unconscious! And when we woke up, …….. When we woke up, the body was gone!”

Silly guards! The body was not lost.

SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 28:5-6, 9

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.

Suddenly Jesus met them, “Greetings,” he said.

HE HAS RISEN!

Are you looking? Are you seeking? Are you wondering where you put your faith?

Look no more. Seek no more. Jesus is not lost. HE HAS RISEN! And surely HE is with you always, to the very end of the age.

NORMAL? NO WAY!!!

Being normal seems to be our goal: We want to be a normal parent, wife, citizen. BUT - Have you ever seriously looked at the meaning of normal?

• Regular
• Staying with the general standard
• Conforming with
• Accepted standard
• Corresponding to the median or average of a large group

Have you looked at the synonyms for normal?

• Garden variety
• Ordinary
• Routine
• Standard issue
• Usual

Do you really want to be normal?

I have never been accused of being normal. Growing up I swore I was left on the front steps because I was/am very different from my brother and sisters. I did not conform to the accepted standard of our family. Yes, that did cause a few problems but I think they got over it.

I never fit in during high school either. Somewhere along the line I decided I loved to learn but I hated playing the “act this way to be a part of the accepted group” game.

I was never the normal parent either. I told the kids no and expected them to do their chores/homework without arguing or being told repeatedly. And I did not cry when they went off to college.

Nope, I have never been accused of being normal and that makes me absolutely ecstatic.

Have you ever looked up the antonyms - that’s a 50¢ word for opposite - for normal?

• Abnormal
• Exceptional
• Extraordinary
• Odd
• Out-of-the-way
• Strange
• Unusual

Normal? NO WAY!

You know what - I am MARY! And Mary does not want to be normal! I want to be exceptional! Extraordinary! Besides, I have no trouble with the other antonyms because I am proudly odd, strange and unusual.

God does not want us to be normal either. God created us for great things. God did not say, “Hi Adam and Eve. You are just normal, garden variety, standard issue humans.”

SCRIPTURE: GENESIS 1:27, part of 28

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. God blessed them

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Do you consider yourself normal? Is that good or just safe? Would you rather be part of the median or average of a large group? Or are you willing to throw off the mantle of normal and strive for EXTRAORDINARY and EXCEPTIONAL?

Take time to talk with God about this and then go forth and be odd, strange and unusual!

THE PITY TRAIN

Breaking News: The Pity Train has just derailed at the intersection of Suck It Up & Move It On and crashed into We All Have Problems, before coming to a complete stop at Get the Heck Over It. Any complaints about how we operate can be forwarded to 1-800-waa-aaah, with Dr. Sniffle Reporting LIVE from Quitchur Whinin'. Suck it up princess!!

I’m not sure where the above came from, but - now be honest - haven’t you wanted to tell someone this? I have told my grandkids “Suck it up. Don’t want to hear it.”

And anyone over the age of 30 or any parent has said, “You think you have it bad? Let me tell you about …..”

SCRIPTURES

After this, Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. He said: “May the day of my birth perish, and the night it was said, ‘A boy is born!’ That day -- may it turn to darkness; may God above not care about it; may no light shine upon it. Job 3:1-4

Job was having a bit of a rough time. Lost his family. His property. And his friends were being no help whatsoever. Yup, Job was on a pity train.

I love these next verses from Job and have used them before. I can just picture God looking down at Job, with a twinkle in his eyes and wrathful indignation in his voice, as he says,

“Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. “Where were you when I…. Job 38:1-4

THE PITY TRAIN

God sent me one of these Suck it up moments a couple of weeks ago.

My heel hurt. Each step was like someone driving a nail deeper and deeper. Tylenol wasn’t touching it. I tried different shoes. Still hurt. I tried slippers. Still hurt.

“Oh, come on Lord! We are going on vacation in a week or so. How can I go enjoy myself with my foot hurting? Give me a break!”

Yup. The pity train was moving down the track at full speed as I went to water aerobics. Maybe being in the water would help. Know what? It did but not in the way I expected.

As we were exercising, I watched a man swimming in the other pool. Man could he stay under water a long time. Then, as I was being careful how I stepped on my sore heel, he got out of the water. He got out of the water with ---

He got out of the water with one leg.

And God, with a twinkle in his eyes and love in his heart, said, “Mary, how does your heel feel now?”

QUESTION OF THE DAY

Have you been on the pity train when something happened to make you realize how blessed you really are?

LET US PRAY (Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.)

Lord, Just one request today. When I get on that ole “Poor Me” pity train, would you please yank me off? Thank you.    Amen

INDIGNANT

So picture this: It is a Sabbath. Jesus is teaching in a synagogue. A crippled woman is there. Jesus sees her and calls her to him. She goes to Jesus and he heals her. She praises God.

Wow! Can you close your eyes and picture that? All eyes are on Jesus but He has his eyes on a crippled woman. And he calls her over. In front of everybody! How do you think she felt walking through the people? Did they clear a way for her? Were they mumbling about how bent over she was? Did they wonder what was going to happen? Then Jesus -

Then Jesus set her free from her infirmity and put his hand on her. Can you hear the tenderness in his voice? Can you imagine the feel of his touch? Can you picture the woman slowly straightening her back? Standing tall! Standing upright! Can you see the tears on her cheeks as she looks into the eyes of Jesus? Can you hear her praise God? Now this is an example of LIFE - DIFFERENT TODAY THAN YESTERDAY!

And then ---

SCRIPTURE: LUKE 13:14

Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue ruler said to the people, “There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.”

WHAT? What happened here? How can one verse end with ‘praised God’ and the next start with ‘indignant’?

Time to use your imagination again: Picture the synagogue ruler standing there with his hands on his hips, head cocked to the side and a ‘Just who do you think you are’ expression on his face. INDIGNANT? Jesus had just healed a crippled woman and this man was indignant!

Now, picture Jesus slowly turning to this man, fixing his eyes on him and giving a less than gentle reply.

SCRIPTURE: LUKE 13:15-16

The Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?”

Give it to them Jesus! Do you think the people listening were shocked to hear Jesus call those important men hypocrites or do you think they gave Jesus an Amen?

SCRIPTURE: LUKE 13:17

When he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.

Okay, you can smile now. A perfect ending!

NOW REALLY STOP AND THINK ABOUT THIS --

First, can you picture the joy of the crippled woman upon being healed? Think of your everyday activities and how hard it would be to do them bent over. But how often do we stay bent over because we refuse to forgive, hold a grudge or hang onto a sin? What joy would come into your life if you didn’t have to carry those burdens? How much better would your life be if you allowed Jesus to set your free?

Second, do you think the Sabbath should be one way and only one way? Jesus pointed out that certain work is required to take care of animals but the need of a person is far greater.

Third, talk to Jesus about setting you free. Life is much better when you are standing straight. Just ask the crippled woman.

LIFE - DIFFERENT TODAY THAN YESTERDAY

The title today sure is true. Just when you think life is good, wham something blindsides you and -- your life is different. Or your life just absolutely sucks and wham, out of nowhere comes just what you need.

Our lives do change. We find people to love. We have children. We work. We retire. Death claims those we love. Our health fails. Or our bodies heal. Each day is different.

But are you ready for a really big change in your life? Was the crippled woman ready?

SCRIPTURE: LUKE 13:10-13

On A Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, and a woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not straighten up at all. When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.” Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.

LIFE - DIFFERENT TODAY THAN YESTERDAY

I would say this woman’s life changed. Eighteen years, bent and crippled, unable to stand up and then because Jesus saw her, called her forward, put his hands on her and wham - she was different than yesterday.

And she straightened up and praised God. SHE PRAISED GOD!

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY:

How would you like your life to change? Can you make this change by yourself?

LET US PRAY: We all have areas of our lives that need to change. You will notice Jesus called the woman forward, but she had to go to Him. Use this as the beginning of your prayer as you go to Him. He can help you.

Jesus, there seems to be so much of my life that I have no control over. Today I pray for my life to change. I pray for faith, trust. For you to call me forward and say, “You are set free from ____________.”        Amen

I SAW GOD

QUESTION OF THE DAY

Have you ever wondered what God looks like?

SCRIPTURE: ISAIAH 6:1

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple.

I SAW GOD

The other day I heard the old joke about the boy in art class and the teacher ask what he was drawing. The boy said, “God.” The teacher said, “No one knows what God looks like.” The boy replied, “They will now.”

Yup, an old joke, but how would you draw God?

I want you to know that, if I actually had the talent to draw anything other than stick people, I could draw God, because I have seen God.

Yes, I did! I saw God -

I saw the eyes of God. They were reflected in the eyes of my husband as he said, “I love you.”

I saw the hands of God. They were wrinkled with age, but they were full of canned goods for the food pantry.

I saw the back of God’s head and his ears. I saw them as a mother bent down to listen as a child tells about her day.

I saw the tears of God. God’s tears were on the cheeks of children as they watched their parent slip peacefully into death.

I saw the love of God. God’s love radiated in the room as parents met their newborn son.

LET US PRAY (Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.)

God, I try to put my features on you. I want you to have my eyes. My smile. My hair. The truth is I do not know what you look like. Someday I will, but for now I will be satisfied in seeing you in the people around me. I pray others see you in me. Amen

1099 FROM GOD

It is beginning to arrive! The dreaded TAX INFORMATION: W-2’s. 1099’s. Receipts for donations. Interest statements. With each piece of paper, I check my records.

Are there any missing? Do the numbers agree? The tension is rising! Will we owe more taxes? Could there be a refund? (Hey, I still believe in miracles!) Am I ready to call the accountant to schedule an appointment?

No, there seems to be something missing? Did I get a 1099 from God? Surely I did enough in 2011 to warrant a 1099. After all a 1099 is for any goods and services over $600 and I know I did more than $600 worth of work for God last year. Could there be a mistake? Better check on this.

Oh, I think I got this backwards. God doesn’t owe me a 1099. I owe God one.

Box 1: Rents - “God, what figure do I enter? After all, I am taking up space on the world you created. Would the IRS believe you do not charge rent?”

Box 2: Royalties - “God, I read your book. What royalties do I owe for reading the Bible?”

Box 3: Other Income - “God, this one is really hard to figure: ‘prizes/awards/winnings when not for services performed’. How do I report the value of a sunset? Or rain needed for the garden? Or the hugs from grandchildren? Or answered prayers? Or - You are a gracious God and have given me so many prizes. What value do I enter in Box 3?”

Box 14: Legal Fees - “God, I have skipped boxes 4 - 13. I am so confused. The IRS will never understand a 1099 to God. They will think I am nuts. They will audit us for sure! But God, I came to Box 14. My heart skipped a beat. ‘Fees paid to an attorney for legal services’ - Fees paid to defend me? God, I do not want to fill in this box.”

SCRIPTURE: JOHN 3:16-17

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

1099 TO GOD

Box 14: Legal Fees - “God, it is hard to fill in this box. Fees paid to defend me: The life of your Son. Thank you.”

EXPECT LITTLE, GET LITTLE

When I paid my last Anthem insurance premium, I figured it to November 1, 2011 because that is when I went on Medicare. That was that. Premium paid and I did not expect to hear from Anthem again.

Well, this week I did hear from Anthem. It seems I had overpaid! Being an honest company, they sent me a refund. Then I looked at the check. Can you guess the amount? Are you ready? This is going to blow your mind! The check was for ------

$ .01

Yes, you are reading that correctly. The check was written for one cent.

Bill and I laughed and laughed. Then I told him I was going to call and ask for interest from November 1, 2011 to January 17, 2012. Of course, we estimated how much it cost them to generate a penny check. Then we laughed again. But why was I surprised? I expected little and got little.

SCRIPTURES: Various scriptures from Matthew --

The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?”

Jesus turned and saw her, “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.”

And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.

QUESTION OF THE DAY

Do you expect a lot or a little from God?

PET PEEVES

What just sets you off? Seeing someone leave a grocery cart in the parking lot instead of putting it in the cart return? Or like my new one, people who have to open their phone during a movie just in case they got a text? Starting plays/shows ten minutes late! Those computer generated phone calls that ring once, come up on id as unknown, but you answer anyway and there is no one there!

Oh, this could be a very long list. And, what would be on my pet peeve list might not be on yours. Funny how what annoys one person isn’t a big deal to another but we all have them. Those little things that just make us want to stand up and shout, “I AM WATCHING THE MOVIE. SHUT YOUR PHONE.”

I wonder if God has a list of pet peeves. A list of little things that just tick him off. Don’t know about that, but God does have a list.

SCRIPTURE: Exodus parts of 20:3-17 From The Message

• No other gods; only me.
• No carved gods of any size, shape or form of anything whatever, whether of things that fly or walk or swim.
• No using the name of God, your God, in curses or silly banter.
• Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
• Honor your father and mother.
• No murder.
• No adultery.
• No stealing.
• No lies about your neighbor.
• No lusting after your neighbor’s house - or wife or servant or maid or ox or donkey.

Wow, that makes my pet peeve list seem a bit trivial. But, let’s see - No other gods and no carved gods? Okay there. Oh, you wouldn’t consider the TV or the computer a “carved god” would you?

Got the next one! Although I will admit to using swear words occasionally, I would never use the name of God as a curse! But then The Message says, “silly banter.” Do I - do we - use the name of God lightly? I am sure God enjoys it when we joke and when we laugh, but how do we use the name of God?

Now I wish I had not started with this blog idea. It is not going where I wanted it to go. This was to be a light, fluffy, fun -- but maybe it is going where God wants it to go. As a Christian, I should be able to follow ten simple rules. I should be able to do ten items that God put on His list.

But it seems like I have trouble getting past the first three. What am I to do?

QUESTION OF THE DAY

Do you have trouble obeying God’s list of ten?

SCRIPTURE: Mark 12:28-33 from The Message

One of the religion scholars came up and put in his question: “Which is most important of all the commandments?”

Jesus said, “The first in importance is, ‘Listen, Israel: The Lord your God is one; so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy. And here is the second. ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ There is no other commandment that ranks with these.”

The religion scholar said, “A wonderful answer, Teacher! So lucid and accurate - that God is one and there is no other. And loving him with all passion and intelligence and energy, and loving others as well as you love yourself. Why, that’s better than all offerings and sacrifices put together.”

LET US PRAY (Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.)

Lord God, My God, the One God, I may not be able to live up to your list of Ten Commandments and I do not always want to love my neighbors, but I can make my daily, sometimes my minute by minute, breath by breath, priority to love you with all my passion, With all my prayers. My intelligence. My energy. My Lord God, when I follow this first, greatest commandment, I will slowly learn to follow the others. Amen

I BELIEVE

Today I would like to share with you two things I have written. The first one was written January 2005, after completing Purpose Driven Life. I have this taped in the front of my Bible.

   The purpose of my life is to place God at the center of my being and to see God in all the world around me. To be always thankful and grateful for being created by God to be his child and to know I am important to God.

   With God at the center of my life, I want my character to reflect that I am a believer and that I make Christ based decisions.

   I want the lives of others to be enriched by my actions and words. I want to help family, friends and strangers move closer to God because they can see the light in my life and hear the story from my heart.

   I want to share in fellowship with other believers so we can worship together, using the talents God has given each of us, to encourage each other and celebrate our faith.

The second one I wrote after a Sunday School lesson challenged us to write our own personal statement of faith. This was written April 3, 2011.

I believe Jesus is the Son of God.

I believe Jesus walked on this earth and that he brought the love of God

to all who will accept it.

I believe Jesus can heal souls and bodies.

Although I may have times of doubt or times of disobedience,

I believe the love of Jesus is unending and never fails.

I believe Jesus is my salvation.

I believe Jesus died so my sins could be buried with him.

I believe he arose and is with his Father.

I believe Jesus lived so he could present me to his Father

as a forgiven, cleansed daughter.

What is the purpose of your life? What is your statement of faith?

Have a blessed day!!

Mary

GRANDCHILDREN

SCRIPTURES: (Jesus enjoyed the company of others)

On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. John 2:1-2

When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” Luke 19:3

And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. Mark 10:16

GRANDCHILDREN

This has been the week for grandchildren. Nathan came to spend the day Monday. We watched the Rose Bowl Parade. Actually, I watched the parade and Nathan watched the clock to see when it was going to be over. He was a bit bored.

Tuesday, our daughter and her four boys came for lunch. We met at the Pizza Hut and then enjoyed some time at the house where the boys got out the puzzles.

What is so neat about this picture is that my mother loved to work puzzles. I have a feeling she was looking down at the boys and smiling.

Besides working with puzzles, two of them did crafts and two pestered their mother. They had lemonade and cookies. They went home. Yup! A great day.

Tomorrow our granddaughter is coming. What a way to round out the week.

Yes, I love to spend time with our grandchildren. But what makes me the happiest is that they like to spend time here. With me! They might get bored watching something on TV that Grandma wants to watch and they might make a mess with construction paper and they might eat the last package of cookies and they might call and say, “What are you doing tomorrow? May I come over?”

What a wonderful blessing grandchildren are! They are fun to watch TV with. I smile when I pick up the pieces of paper that they swore they picked up and I will happily buy another package of cookies and I will be thrilled to say, “Of course you may come over!”

Jesus enjoyed spending time with his friends at weddings or spending the night. Jesus enjoyed children. Do you suppose Jesus likes it when we say, “What are you doing Jesus? May I spend some time with you?”

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

What ways do you enjoy spending time with your children/grandchildren/family/friends? What ways do you enjoy spending time with Jesus? How do you think he feels when we ask to spend time with him?

LET US PRAY (Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.)

Hello Jesus, Do you have a minute? It seems like 2012 is already busy, but, if it is okay with you, I would like to sit a minute and talk. Have I told you how much I enjoy watching the sunrise? Have I told you how much I enjoy reading the Bible and finding just the right words I need to encourage me? Or the words I need to comfort me? And thank you for prayer time. Life can be so -- Lord, I don’t know the word I need. Life can be so -- persistent. Prayer time helps me focus. Prayer time helps me quiet myself so I may hear you.

Hello Jesus, Do you have a minute? Amen

THE ORIGINAL HOME ALONG

SCRIPTURE: LUKE 2:43-45

After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him.

THE ORIGINAL HOME ALONG

Well, guess Joseph and Mary will not receive the Parents of the Year Award. How could they not know their son was not with them? Didn’t they help him pack for the trip home? After all, he was only 12! Didn’t they make sure he was with them? Didn’t they check on him at noon to make sure he had something to eat? After all, he was only 12! He was not 13 yet. He was not ready to be a man. Not yet!

Okay, it was a bit hectic. There would have been many groups of people heading home after the Feast of the Passover. And I am sure there were family members traveling with Joseph, Mary and Jesus. Maybe, just maybe, they thought he was with a cousin. Maybe they thought he was somewhere close.

Can you picture Mary and Joseph when they realized Jesus was not with them? When they realized he was not with friends. Or family. Can you sense Mary’s panic?

“Where is Jesus? Where can he be? Oh, Joseph, what are we to do? God help us!”

Jesus, on the other hand, was perfectly calm. This 12 year old was exactly where he was supposed to be.

“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”

One year is ending and a new year will soon begin. We will stop writing 2011 and begin writing 2012. Endings. Beginnings. Change!

But not all things change. No matter what day. No matter what year. We will always know where to find Jesus.

Jesus is right there. In his Father’s house!

LET US PRAY (Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.)

Hello Jesus, Well, I have made it through another year. There has been good and bad during 2011 and there will be good and bad during 2012. The peace I feel is knowing You will be there, right there in your Father’s house. You are right there for me to pray to, talk to. During 2012, my prayer is for ______________________ . Amen

BE WISE: GET THERE ONE WAY OR ANOTHER

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

The snow falls. The fog rolls in. The rain pours. The roads are ice covered. Would any of these keep you from going to church? What reasons do you find for not going to church?

SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 2:1-2, 10-11

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him”

When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.

BE WISE: GET THERE ONE WAY OR ANOTHER

How did you answer the questions of the day? Ice might keep me home. I love winter but I hate walking on ice. Honestly, I have found other reasons to stay home, but they are always good reasons. “I wouldn’t want to give my cold to anyone else.” “Just this Sunday I want to keep my feet up, have another cup of coffee and read the whole paper.”

What reasons do you find? “The big game starts early and I would miss the kick-off.” “I was up late last night.” “Man, I just did not get my lesson read.”

The Magi came a long way to find the king of the Jews. Apparently, they could find no good excuse to stay home. Riding a camel miles and miles and miles -- Can do. Using early GPS (aka star) -- Can do. Asking for directions - Can do. Finding the right home - Can do. Those were mighty determined Magi. They found no excuse. What they did find was Jesus.

Christmas is two days away. I pray you find no excuse. I pray you find your way to the Christ Child.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

PRAYER TIME

Remember, Jesus likes to hear you talk to Him. Today, please take time to wish Jesus a Happy Birth Day. Tell him about your journey to the manger.

BELIEVING YOU MAY HAVE LIFE

December 18 is the fourth Sunday in Advent. When I looked up Advent, it was explained this way: A time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. A shorter answer was coming. So, Advent is expecting, waiting and preparation for something to come.

SCRIPTURE: JOHN: parts of Chapter 1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John (the Baptist) saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ ”

Jesus then added, “I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

BELIEVING YOU MAY HAVE LIFE

Matthew began with the information that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament scriptures and Mark began by telling us that the baby grew into a man. Luke - Luke investigated and announced: IT IS TRUE! What does John want us to know? A LOT!

I didn’t count them, but the study notes tell me the Book of John uses the word life thirty-six times. This is nineteen times more than any other New Testament book. The first eighteen verses of chapter one are a bit deep (theological) but please read all of them. These verses are like a 2 X 4 whack on the head so we do not miss THIS IS THE WORD MADE FLESH!

John also wants us to know John the Baptist is a great man and has his own calling, but John the Baptist is a man sent from God to be a witness. You have to give credit to John the Baptist. He never tried to steal the limelight or make himself to be anything other than what he had been called to do. “I baptize with water but among you stands one you do not know. He is the one who comes after me, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.” John the Baptist came to proclaim: This is the Son of God.

This chapter closes with Jesus talking to the disciples. But what is the main objective of the Book of John?

John 20:31 -- BUT THESE ARE WRITTEN THAT YOU MAY BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD, AND THAT BY BELIEVING YOU MAY HAVE LIFE IN HIS NAME.

Matthew, Mark and Luke informed, investigated and confirmed that Jesus, the fulfillment of the Old Testament, is the Son of God. John wants us to believe! Because, by believing, we - THAT WOULD BE YOU - can have life. Eternal life!

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Do you get confused by the first few verses of the Book of John? Or other verses? If so, let me assure you are not alone. Do not let that stop you from reading the Bible. Sometimes the Bible uses complicated words to say: Do you believe in my Son, Jesus?

This week, think about Advent a time of expecting, waiting and preparation for something to come. What do you expect to come? Now take time to talk to God.

----------------------------------------------------------

I rarely do a series so the last four weeks have been a stretch for me. It has personally been a challenge because I usually have an idea and then know the scripture to go along with it. And I am not a “deep” writer. I write everyday stuff. This has been a stretch and not as much fun to read, but it has been good too. It has shown me that I can get in a rut about what I write and what I read. It has shown me that I need to read Psalm 139 (my favorite) but that I also need to read John 1:1-18. Thank you for hanging in there while I tried something new. -- Mary

CAREFULLY INVESTIGATED

December 11 is the third Sunday in Advent. When I looked up Advent, it was explained this way: A time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. A shorter answer was coming. So, Advent is expecting, waiting and preparation for something to come.

SCRIPTURE: LUKE: parts of Chapter 1

Since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you so you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

The angel Gabriel told Zechariah: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.

The angel Gabriel told Mary: “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.”

Mary visits Elizabeth and, upon seeing Mary, Elizabeth exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored that the mother of my Lord should come to me?”

Mary sang: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed.”

Zechariah spoke: “No! His is to be called John.” And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the desert until he appeared publicly to Israel.

CAREFULLY INVESTIGATED

Matthew Chapter 1 contained 25 verses and Mark Chapter 1 contained 45. Then along comes Luke. Luke Chapter 1 contains 80 verses! Luke must have had a deal with the local office supply because 80 verses would require a lot of ink. Luke is one windy guy. Or is he?

Luke wanted this one special friend to know “the certainty of the things you have been taught.”

What a friend Luke was. He wanted to make sure his friend had no doubts. He wanted his friend to know Gabriel himself came to Zechariah and to Mary. He wanted his friend to know - to know IT IS ALL TRUE! Everything his friend had been taught was CERTAIN! Can you see him smiling as he sent this wonderful news to his friend? Can you imagine the joy his friend felt when he read the news Luke had for him?

Matthew began with the information that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament scriptures and Mark began by telling us that the baby grew into a man. Luke - Luke investigated and announced: IT IS TRUE!

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Do you know for certain that Jesus is true? Do you have a friend that could use a letter telling them about Jesus?

LET US PRAY (Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.)

Dear God, Thank you for the Gospel of Luke. One friend writing to another to help him understand that everything he had been taught was real. When I am having a rough day or a number of rough days, may I remember that everything I have been taught has been carefully investigated and is true! May I remember that Jesus and the lessons he has for me are true! Amen

PREPARING THE WAY

December 4 is the second Sunday in Advent. When I looked up Advent, it was explained this way: A time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. A shorter answer was coming. So, Advent is expecting, waiting and preparation for something to come.

SCRIPTURE: MARK: parts of Chapter One

The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way”-- “a voice of one calling in the desert. And so John came, baptizing and preaching. And Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan.

• Temptation - 40 days in the desert
• Disciples - Come follow me
• Be gone - Jesus drives out an evil spirit
• Healing - Jesus heals many
• Prayer - Jesus prayed in a solitary place

PREPARING THE WAY

Now hold on, what happened here? Do you ever compare stories with your sister or brother and wonder if you grew up in the same house? How could these two believers have such a different starting point for their writing? Matthew began with the genealogy of Jesus but Mark skips right over the background, even the birth of Jesus, and starts with John the Baptist. Did Mark not consider the birth important? Or ---

I think Mark was a meat and potato guy. Or a ‘just the facts’ man. Mark wanted those that read his Gospel to understand quickly who Jesus is. Mark wanted the reader to be ready for what was coming. He wanted the reader to be ready for the ministry of Jesus. Let someone else give you the “Once upon a time” version. Mark began quickly in verse 11 telling us: And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

Wow! No genealogy. No long prelude. Just the facts: Listen up folks. The Son of God is here! The disciples were ready to help and by the end of the first chapter Jesus had cast out an evil spirit, healed many and prayed.

Advent is a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. I do not think Mark was an Advent guy. Mark wanted us to know that we no longer had to wait or prepare. Mark wanted us to know that the reason for advent was all grown up and ready to serve!

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

When you think of Jesus, do you picture him as a baby or as an adult? Or do you see Jesus as a baby at Christmas and an adult the rest of the time?

LET US PRAY (Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.)

Dear Father of Jesus, Christmas comes and goes quickly as I prepare for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus. First I spend all my time getting ready and then I spend time putting it all away. This Christmas I want to slow down and understand what I am celebrating. This Christmas I celebrate the birth of Jesus and the man Jesus became. Amen

FAMILY TREE

November 27 is the first Sunday in Advent. When I looked up Advent, it was explained this way: A time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. A shorter answer was coming. So, Advent is expecting, waiting and preparation for something to come.

SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 1: parts of 1 - 17

A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham: Abraham was the father of Isaac, Jesse the father of King David, and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Christ.

FAMILY TREE

Now, I don’t know about you, but when I tell a story, I start with, “Let me tell you about…” or “Have you heard?” or “A long, long time ago…” No, Matthew starts with, “A record of the genealogy…” Doesn’t that just grab you and make you want to read more? How many people do you know that say, “Let me introduce, Susie. She is the daughter of, the grand-daughter of, the great-granddaughter of --?”

Okay, I will admit I am not big on genealogy so I would, most likely, just skip this part. Or should I? Is it important? Does it matter what Jesus’ family tree looks like?

Actually it does and Matthew realized that. If Matthew was going to write a book for me, he would have started, “Mary, let me tell you about this man I knew. His name is Jesus.” But Matthew wasn’t writing to me, his readers would have been Jews. Matthew wanted them to realize that Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament scriptures. Matthew knew his audience.

The Jews had been expecting a Messiah. They had waited a very long time: Fourteen generations + fourteen generations + fourteen generations. They were expecting and they were waiting, but something happened.

Romans 1:16 and 10:12-13 - I am not ashamed of the gospel (proclamation of the redemption preached by Jesus), because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes; first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile - the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him for “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Matthew tried to give his Jewish readers the facts. He tried to help them make the connection from Abraham to Jesus. Somehow, the Jews missed that Jesus is the Messiah. The Son of God. They missed that their wait was over.

QUESTION OF THE DAY

Have you missed Jesus?

LET US PRAY (Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.)

Lord of All, Christmas is coming and it is coming like a freight train at full speed. I feel like -- Advent: Expecting? Waiting? Preparation? Lord, I do not want to be so busy that I miss Christmas. Lord, I do not want to miss you! As I prepare to celebrate Your birth, let me not forget that Abraham was the father of Isaac, Jesse the father of King David, and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. .… Amen

GIVE THANKS

Thanksgiving is almost here so, of course, this will be on giving thanks.

SCRIPTURES

I will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High. Psalm 7:17

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalm 100:4

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

GIVE THANKS

We are told to give thanks to the Lord. We are told to enter his gates with thanksgiving. We are told to give thanks in all circumstances. Give thanks - oh, this could be fun!

MY THANK YOU PRAYER:

Lord, thank you for ice cream. Don’t know how ice cream was first thought of. Guess I could Google that, but I just want to thank you for ice cream. I especially like vanilla because it has such possibilities. Vanilla is good on pie and cake. It is good with root beer poured over it. It is good with chocolate, caramel and marshmallow crème on top. Yes, Lord, thank you for ice cream.

Lord, thank you for mud. There is just nothing like squishing my toes in mud after a nice summer rain. And it makes the neatest sound when I pull my feet out. Yup, mud deserves to be on the list. Thank you.

Lord, thank you for knee high nylons. What a pleasure to put those on, under slacks, instead of fighting with a pair of panty hose. And, if my skirt is long enough and I watch how I cross my legs, those knee highs will work just fine. Bless you for giving someone a creative mind and that mind coming up with knee highs.

Lord, I so enjoy magnets. Have you gazed upon my refrigerator and freezer? Or the door in our office? Or the file cabinet behind me? Magnets! The pictures of our grandchildren are on the office door. (What a treat that is to see them watching me work. Do you have my picture sticking around somewhere?) My file cabinet has business cards, a cow, a cross, two angels, a scripture (Do I get brownie points for the angels, cross and scripture?), notes and a calendar. The magnets on the refrigerator reflect where we have traveled or give me good advice. Thank you for magnets.

Lord, when I enter your gates with thanksgiving, I am absolutely going to say thank you for toothpicks. You just have no idea what it is like to have a tiny, tiny seed caught between your teeth. And that seed is always stuck where my tongue cannot get to it! What a relief when a tooth pick is handy! Thank you that someone looked at a sliver of wood and thought, “Wonder if that would get that seed out of my back tooth?”

Lord Most High, I am thankful for family, friends, home. But Lord, I thank you for all the little joys you place in my everyday life: Ice Cream, Mud, Knee High Nylons, Magnets and Toothpicks. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you and Amen.

QUESTION OF THE DAY

Relax. Take a deep breath. Smile. Now: WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR?

HAVE A BLESSED THANKSGIVING!

LETTERS - A DAD I NEVER KNEW

(Brief background: At the time dad was drafted, he had a wife, a son and a daughter. I am the ‘I-am-home-from-the-war’ baby and a few years later another daughter joined the family. November 11, 2010 blog was also about these letters and how my hubby’s name was in them.)

LETTERS

They had always been there in mom and dad’s closet, but we never looked at them. And dad never talked about the war. Dad died in 1972, mom died in 1998 and the letters just sat there - unread until the fall of 2010.

As I began to open and copy the letters, a strange thing happened. I received a glimpse into an enlisted man’s life and I found a man I never knew.

Dad was in basic training in Camp Wheeler, Georgia. Dad, prior to service, was a mechanic, truck driver and had bad feet. Guess where the army placed him. Yup, in the infantry. His letters told about walking. And walking. And walking. And very, very sore feet.

Dad tried to explain what basic training was like and told about new friends, skunks in their barracks and KP duty. When dad arrived in Germany, his letters contained fewer details, because he could not give specific information. Dad did tell about meeting children, being lucky enough to have a heating stove and having his buddies shot. Dad mainly asked about mom, Kenny and Jean. Dad’s letters used the word love. And that is the dad I never knew.

Worlds and worlds of love, dearest, love you millions and love written big and bold were in each letter. And yet, I have no memory of ever hearing my father tell me that he loved me. I always thought that was a generalization thing until I read these letters. He knew how to write that word! What happened between putting that word on letter after letter after letter and speaking it when he came home?

I have always wanted to hear my dad tell me that he loved me. In a way, the reading of these letters has accomplished that. How? Not sure. I just know that somewhere between unfolding the first letter and now, I found a dad I never knew. A dad that did love his family whether he could say it out loud or not. Somewhere, while putting a letter back into its envelope, I heard my father say, “And I love you too.”

Today, as I think about these letters, I want to thank and honor all VETERANS and THEIR FAMILIES.

SCRIPTURES

He appointed military officers over the people and assembled them before him in the square at the city gate and encouraged them with these words: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles. And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said. 2 CHRONICLES 32:6 - 8

Praise be to the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. PSALM 144:1

What a world this would be if the word war was never heard again! What a world this would be if no son or daughter, no husband or father, no wife or mother, no sister, brother or friend was ever sent to battle again!

Until that happens, let us honor those that serve and appreciate the families that support them.

LET US PRAY (Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.)

Lord, today I offer prayers of thanksgiving for the men and women who are willing to defend and protect our freedoms and our country. I pray you give them strength, courage, safety and Your power as they face evil around the world. Lord, I ask that you give comfort to the families as they maintain a home. Lord, never let me take for granted the freedoms I have or ever forget those that protect and defend me. Amen

HARVEST 2

Last week this blog was a prayer for our farmers and the fall harvest. Bill works each spring and fall for a farm family. In the spring he prepares the ground and in the fall he hauls grain from the combine to the trucks.

While doing this, Bill has to be close to the combine and he must keep pace with the combine so the grain cart is under the auger.

Then he makes his way across the field to the trucks. Sometimes he has to go around obstacles – tile holes, rocks – and he always has to be careful that the auger, on the grain cart, does not hit a power line. Yes, he has to watch where he is going as he approaches the truck.

Bill has to be under the auger of the combine or the grain would end up on the ground. When he unloads into the truck, he has to be sure the grain auger is over the truck. Grain on the ground is of no value.

Then he heads back into the field for the next load.

SCRIPTURE: Parts of EPHESIANS 5:8-10, 15-20

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light and find out what pleases the Lord. Be very careful then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity. Understand what the Lord’s will is. Be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

HARVEST 2

Our lives with God are like Bill hauling grain.

Bill has to go to the combine to receive grain. We have to go to God to receive the Spirit that will guide us.

Bill has to stay close to the combine or the grain will spill to the ground and be of no value. We have to stay close to God to learn what pleases Him and to learn His will for our lives. If we are not close to God, His words are just words on a page and will have no value in our lives.

Bill must have an empty grain cart so it can receive the grain. We have to empty ourselves so God can fill us.

Bill must travel away from the combine, watching out for obstacles, and unload the grain. We travel through life, watching out for obstacles, and unload/share the Word of God with others.

And when the grain cart is empty, Bill takes it back to the combine to be refilled. When we are empty, because we have encountered numerous obstacles or have given of ourselves to help others, we must go back to God to be refilled.

There is one big difference between our lives with God and Bill hauling grain. When the combine finishes the very last row, it is put away and it just sits there. It is of no use. There is no reason to take the grain cart near it. It is empty.

The difference? You can ALWAYS go to God. He is never empty. He is not put away, sitting around being useless. GOD IS! And God is always willing to fill you up!

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Are you close to God? Are you trying to get past obstacles? Do you feel like you are empty? Do you know where to go to get filled again?

LET US PRAY (Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.)

God, have you ever thought of yourself as a combine? The amazing thing is that your hopper is never empty. My wonderful God, let me always stay close to you so I can be filled. Let me always please you and know your will. And when I feel empty, let me have the wisdom to return and be filled. Amen