THE LOST VIDEO

“Here is a video I think you would enjoy.  Watch it and then bring it back,” I told …….

Well, I told someone.  The trouble is now I do not know where the video is.  It is out there somewhere.  I am sure it wants to come home but it does not know the way.  Some people I thought I had loaned it to said, “No.  I do not have it.”  Now I do not know where to search. 

And I am looking because I wanted to loan it to someone else. 

Where of where?  Think.  Think.  Poor video.  Out there.  Is it lost forever?

LOST

I have felt like that video.  Lost.  Trying to find my way home.  Wondering how I ended up where I did not want to be.

I may have felt like the lost video BUT I am not like that video.  There is someone who always knows where I am. 

You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.

You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.

Psalm 139:2-3

GOD NEVER LOSES ME!  He never loans me out.  He never forgets where I am.

And when He (the good Shepherd) finds me,

He joyfully puts me on His shoulders and goes home.

Luke 15 parts of 5 and 6 (made personal)

GOD COMES TO GET ME!  Even if I should wander off, He comes to find me and brings me back where I belong.

ARE YOU LOST?

You can feel lost and alone in a room full of people.  You can get yourselves into places you thought you would never be.  You can turn to friends or family and still feel like you are lost.

There is a place you can feel secure.  A place where you will not feel lost.  That place is as a Child of God.  A Child of a God, who takes you in His arms, puts you on His shoulders and safely places you in His flock.

My prayer for you this week is that you will feel the comfort of a loving God that is always there and always loves to hear you talk with Him.

DAYS LEFT

I looked at the calendar and it says that this is day 260 and there are 106 days left in this year.  ONLY 106 DAYS LEFT!  Why it should only be …..

I don’t like knowing how many days are left in 2016.  Thinking about it sent my mind  into warp speed:  Next week is crazy busy!  Vacation with daughter and her family in three weeks!  Hubby getting ready to be in the fields!  Halloween!  My birthday!  Other people’s birthdays!  (One of those other people is our son who will be 50.   I AM NOT OLD ENOUGH TO HAVE A 50 YEAR OLD CHILD!)  Thanksgiving!  And Christmas! 

106 days left in 2016.  My mind has settled down and now the questions have started.  Will I use those days wisely?  Do I really have to do everything?  Am I allowing time for myself?  Am I allowing time for family?  Am I allowing time for God?

HOW MANY DAYS?

I can easily count how many days are left in a week.  In a month.  In a year.  I cannot count how many days are left in my life.

But about that day or hour no one knows,

not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,

but only the Father.

Mark 13:32

I do not know how many days I have left.  AND I DO NOT WANT TO KNOW!  But, the same questions apply. 

• Am I using my time wisely?
• Do I really have to do everything?
• Am I allowing time for myself?
• Am I allowing time for family?
• Am I allowing time for God?

Am I allowing time for God?  Am I allowing time for God?  Am I?  Am I?

Are you?

WHY

WHY.  Three letters.  A short word.  The definition is even short:  cause, reason or purpose.  And yet, this short, three letter word is on everyone’s lips.  Everyone’s heart.  You can see it in their eyes.  You can hear it in their voice.  You can notice the softer steps and the shoulders slightly bent. 

Why?  Why?   Why?

This short, three letter word is used over and over and over.  The “why” is usually followed by “if only?”  And we torture ourselves with these words.

There have been many posts on Facebook and articles in the paper and on the news about Suicide Prevention Awareness Month.  But they are only articles until there is a face – a person – a family – a friend – touched by suicide.  And, when one of those that committed suicide, leaves an empty place in a high school class and brings grief and loss to your grandchildren, the articles become real and the news touches your heart.  And everyone begins to ask, “Why?”

Sadly, the question “why” rarely has an answer.  Why would this boy commit suicide?  Why was he that unhappy?  Why did someone not see it?  Why?  Why?  Why?

And then, “What if?”  What if he had received a phone call?  What if he had reached out to someone?  What if I had been a better parent/friend/ pastor/teacher/employer?  What if?  What if?  What if?

My grandsons.  The kids at their school.  The parents, family and friends.  They are all facing a loss they cannot explain.  A loss that hurts.  A loss that will require the slow process of healing.

My prayer for them is that they will find comfort and that they will not fall into the trap of “why” and “what if”.  I pray they will find a memory to hold in their hearts so they can say goodbye to their friend.

=   =   =   =   =   =   =   =

The most important thing we can do is to take seriously anytime anyone says they are thinking about suicide.  Or if someone keeps bringing up the subject, it means they could be contemplating suicide.  And tell!!!  You are not doing your friend or family member a favor by not telling someone.  Their confiding in you might be their cry for help. 

Suicide is the 10^th leading cause of death and, each year, over 42,700 people commit suicide.  These are not just numbers!  The articles are not just news!

These 42,700+ people were our sons and daughters.  They were our parents.  They were our friends.  And we hurt when a suicide causes our grandsons to cry.

DISCOVERING THE PATH

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

Psalm 119:105

Have you ever been out for a walk, enjoying the journey down a lovely path, your mind wondering here and there as memories floated in and out?  Have you ever been walking along, in a familiar right, left pattern, sure where you were headed because the path was easy to see?  Have you ever been walking along, one step leading into the next, when you notice a bench – an inviting, comfortable bench?  The empty bench is waiting for someone to step off the path and sit.

I had been sitting on that bench.  And, it was not a good place to be!

Let me explain. 

Our journey – the path we follow – can become too familiar.  Too safe.  We can keep putting one foot in front of the other.  We can be doing all the right things.  Saying all the right words.  We can …..

… all of a sudden realize it is not the path we are supposed to be on.  And that is how I found myself sitting on the bench.  My path was no longer clear.  Or maybe the path was clear and I did not want to see it. To see the path would mean I would have to change.  I would have to divert from the path of the known and comfortable to the path of “LORD YOU WANT ME TO DO WHAT?”

So there I sat on the bench.  The name of the bench is indecision and, although that bench looked inviting, it was not a pleasant place to sit.  And I was not alone.  On one side was the voice of “this path is good.”  On the other side was the voice of “is this the path God wants you stay on?”

While I sat there, life went on and it was good.  But God has this persistent nature and finally, I heard the answer.  That is when I stood up and saw that, where there had been one path, there were now two.  One familiar and safe:  a good path.  One --

Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths.

Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior,

and my hope is in you all day long.

Psalm 25:4-5

One was the new path God wanted me to be on.

Hubby and I have struggled with a decision for years.  We had both attended the same denomination for over 50 years and a local church for over 30.  We sat on the bench of indecision because of the wonderful people in the local church, as the voice on one side said “go” and the voice on the other side said “stay.” 

What we finally realized is that God has a new path for us and we have begun a new faith journey.  A journey that is no longer handcuffed to indecision.  We are exactly where God wants us.  We are on a new path. 

What about you?  Are you sitting on the bench of indecision?  

I HEARD/READ IT --- IT MADE ME THINK

The other day, we were watching an interview with Sophia Loren.  The question was, “What is happiness?”

 She answered, “It depends on your age.”

 That made me think and I realized she was right. 

• Happiness was mom saying, “Yes, you may go to the park.  Be back by five.” 
• Happiness was a slumber party.
• Happiness was receiving an engagement ring and then a wedding ring from the man I love.
• Happiness was welcoming a son and then a daughter into our family.

Some things cause happiness during your whole life:

• Happiness is reading a book.
• Happiness is traveling.
• Happiness is family.  And home.

It is funny how one thing leads to another.  I had finished reading a book, The Wedding Chapel by Rachel Hauck, and had saved some quotes about Jack.  Jack is seeking happiness.  Seeking but could he let go of the past? 
 

“That’s the crux of it right there.  Are you ready to give up being angry? Because anytime you want to become a Gillingham, Jack, we’ll go down to the courthouse and make it all legal.”  “I’m thirty years old, Sam.”  “I don’t care if you’re a hundred. I’m telling you, I want you as my son. Wouldn’t it be nice to know you are a son right before you become a father?”  Jack glanced at Sam, who nodded, then turned for the house. “Take your time.” He might have been gone, but his confession hung around the garage, drilling through Jack and tapping his tears. “I want you as my son.”

"You have everything you need to heal from such a deep hurt, but you choose to keep walking around wounded.”

"When you walked in, I knew you were the answer to our prayer.”  An answer to prayer.  Such a claim caused Jack to torque inside, messed with his right to be angry, to play the victim.  Because if the God of all looked after him, even used him to bless someone"

As a child, Jack was sent to stay with Sam and his wife.  Jack was angry.  Jack closed himself off and never realized he was an answer to their prayers.  You see, they wanted a child.

Jack had not known happiness.  Did not have sweet memories.  He did not know how to love.  Or trust.  He just knew how to be hurt, to be angry.  He just knew how to keep people away.

Of course, the book ended with Jack finding happiness when he finally allowed his past to be just that:  the past.  Then he found God, trust and love. 

So often we do not realize that what makes us happy changes as we grow older.  So often we are not happy because, like Jack, we refuse to leave our hurts, anger and lack of trust behind us.

Of course, the book had a happy ending but your life can have a happy endings too.  The key?

God, of course.

SUCCESS

Two phones, an iPad and a computer all ready.  The countdown begins.  Ten minutes.  Five minutes.  Three minutes.  “Start dialing Bill,” I said as I started dialing and checking both screens.  Too soon.  One minute.  “Dial again,” I told Bill as I hit redial.

Computer spinning to get a place in line.  IPad spinning to get a place in line.  Bill’s phone asking him questions he did not know how to answer.  My bad!  I forgot to give him the password.  He hangs up.  But my phone -----

“This is an automated service and you will not be speaking to a live representative.  Do you wish to continue?”  YES.  “Are you wanting tickets?”  YES.  “Are you wanting tickets to an event in Fort Wayne, Indiana?”  NO.  (In my mind, I am seeing ticket after ticket being sold while I am answering questions.)  “What event are you interested in?”  GARTH BROOKS, GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.  “Which show?”  WHAT?  I THOUGHT THERE WAS ONLY ONE.  THE 7:00 PM, SATURDAY NIGHT.  “Would you like the best tickets available?”  YES.  (Getting closer.  I was getting excited.)  “There are two tickets in row Q of section 227.  Will you take them?”  NO.  (Oh that was hard to say.)  “Would you like me to try another selection?”  YES.  (Do you realize how silly it feels to answer question from a machine?)  “There are two tickets in row P of section 221?  Will you take them?”  NO.  (How did no come out of my mouth again?)  “Would you like me to try another selection?”  YES. “Would like two tickets in row A of section 204, seats 1 and 2?”  YES!  YES!  (One section higher than I wanted but the front row of that section.  I can live with that.  Besides, I did not want the voice to say, “Sorry you have turned down three selections.  Goodbye.”)

SUCCESS!  Our daughter and I are going to see Garth Brooks.  I can mark that off my bucket list.

I had been excited ever since Terri called and said he was going to be so close.  Also, a bit anxious.  What if I couldn’t get tickets?  Concerts sell out very quickly.  And, as much as I wanted to go, I wanted decent seats.  And I did not want to pay for tickets on the secondary market.  Items on my bucket list are only worth so much.

SUCCESS!  And then a conversation began in my heart.

“Mary, do you seek me with the same determination and excitement you sought those tickets?”

“Of, course, Jesus,” I replied.

“Really?  I seem to have missed something then.  When was the last time you counted down the minutes – the seconds – until you could be with me?”

“Well, you know.  Laundry.  Cooking.  Watching TV.  Checking Facebook.  The time just seems to slip away and then it is bedtime,” I answered.

“Mary, Mary.  What am I going to do with you?”

“Jesus, I do know how to answer that.  You are going to love me.  You are going to celebrate with me when life sends me higher than a kite.  You are going to support me when life knocks my legs right out from under me.  And you are going to borrow that 2 X 4 God uses to whack me with when I get off track,” I humbly replied.

“I won’t use that 2 X 4 this time.  I think you get the idea.  I am thrilled to see you enjoying life.  It makes me smile.  Just remember what really gives you success in life.”

SUCCESS!  I have a God that gave me the world.  I have a Savior that washed me in forgiveness.  I have a Holy Spirit that guides me.  I am successful!

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!  And this is what we are!  1 John 3:1

SUCCESS?  Yes because I am the child of the One True King.

“Mary.”

“Yes,” I answered in a surprised voice.  I was not expecting further conversation on this subject.

“It is okay that you did not get me a ticket.  I already have the best seat in the universe and I did not have to call Ticketmaster.”

ERASED

TV show plot:  One man owns a bar that is not doing the best.  A friend offers to buy in.  They agree.

Then things take a turn for the worse.  Why?  Because the friend renames the bar, brings in some top singers and turns the bar into a success.  All the while, the original owner gets pushed into the background.  When things come to a head, the original owner told his friend, “You erased me.” 

YOU ERASED ME!  Powerful words from deep hurts that finally came out in total honesty.

Think about it for a minute.  “You erased me.”  Can you imagine feeling:

invisible?

like what you worked for was nothing?

betrayed by a friend?

hurt to the core?

Three simple words.  Three words that could have dissolved a friendship.  Instead, those three words, spoken in total honesty, restored a friendship. 

Just a TV show you say.  Not real life.  Probably not.  In real life the hurts are buried, words are never honestly spoken and friendships slip away. 

I really did not know where this would go and not sure how to end it.  I just know those three words:  You erased me, tore at my heart.  Although I have never said those words, people – family, friends, strangers – have made me feel each of those.  I have felt invisible.  I have felt like my work was for nothing.  I have been betrayed by a friend.  I have been hurt to the core.  I am guessing that each of us has.  Each one reading this could look the first man in the eyes and say, “Man, do I know how that feels!”

The question is:  How do we handle those feelings.  Are we honest about them?  Or do we hide them? 

Is there anyone we can talk to that truly, TRULY understands? 

Oh, yes.  That would be Jesus.  And we can go to Him.  He will listen.

 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 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

A CROOKED, WINDING ROAD

When Bill and I travel, I am the one that finds the road less traveled.  This time:  IT WAS BILL!

We left Apache Junction, Arizona on Arizona 88.  This road started as a good, blacktop, not so straight mountain road. 
 

Even the blacktopped road had sharp curves.

That changed and the last 22 miles were not good, not blacktop and definitely not straight. 

 

Here is how it looked on the iPad.

That white line was one lane.  Dirt.  Very sharp curves.  That road was a blast!!!

 

Notice how narrow the road is at the curve?

Do you see the arrows going both ways?

 We could not see around the curves.  There were one lane bridges.  Three times we had to pull over so another vehicle could go by.  A road grader and two cars were all we saw on the whole 22 miles!  Except for a few head of cattle.

Was I scared?  Heck no.  Want to know why?

I trusted the driver!

So many times in life we are on roads like this.  We cannot see where we are going.  We do not know what is coming at us.  Sometimes we have to just sit and wait before our journey can continue.  Our journey goes up and then down and then takes a sudden twist we did not see coming.  Sometimes there are others on the same road and sometimes we are completely alone.

Yes, life can be one crazy journey.  Am I scared?  Heck ---- yes and no.

The road Bill and I were on was shown on the map.  We saw that it would end.  We were very careful. 

The road of life is not on my iPad!  I cannot see where the curves, twists, ups and downs are.  So, yes, often I am scared.  But only scared for a brief time.  Then my answer changes to no.  Why?

I trust my guide.  I trust God.

In you, Lord my God, I put my trust.  Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.  Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.  Psalm 25:1, 4-5

WAITING

I always figure ten minutes early or I am late.  Today I was really early.  An hour early!  So, as I write this, I am waiting.  Not enough time to go anywhere and too much time for quietly waiting to be fun. 

But it is not quiet.  I hear people’s footsteps.  And voices.  I hear the sound of doors opening.  And closing.  The most noise is the furnace fans.  A fan big enough to move the air through a big building.  I appreciate being warm, but it is an annoying sound.  Constant.  Intrusive.

The building, like me, seems to be waiting.  Waiting to do what it is designed for.  Waiting to fulfill its purpose.

Am I doing what I am designed for?  How do I know what I am to do?  Am I on the right track?  Am I…?  Am I…?  Where do I find the answer to my questions?

Sometimes it is easy.  Life just feels right.  I know inside – at the core of my being – I am fulfilling my purpose.

Sometimes it is just the opposite.  My core – my conscious, my spirit – lets me know I am not fulfilling my purpose. I know I am not on the right track.

Then there are those other times – most of the time – when I just am not sure.  Life does not feel right, but it does not seem wrong either.  It is a time of “getting through.”  And I ask, “God, what am I supposed to be doing?  What is my purpose?  Am I doing what you designed me for?”

Those are the times when I need to shut out the constant, intrusive sounds.  Shut out the sound of doors and voices and shoes hitting the floor.  Those are the times when I need to quietly wait.  Wait until I receive direction.

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

So I quietly wait until my inner core – my Holy Spirit – gives me the calm that comes from the one who created me.  The calm that comes when I am fulfilling the plans the Lord has for me.

For, you see, life is meant for so much more than just “getting through.”  The Lord has plans for each of us.  Plans that will prosper and not harm.  Plans that will give hope and a future.  That sure beats just getting through!  

I FORGOT

The minute she opened the door, I knew she had forgotten I was coming.  Her eyes had that “deer in the headlight look” as she let me in.  Immediately she said, “Oh, no.  I forgot to write it in my main calendar.”

The next comment sent me right back out the door.  She continued, “The children are sick, one has pink eye really bad and is contagious.  I am sorry I forgot and did not call you.”

I quickly assured her it was fine and to let me know when the children were better.  I waved at the little one and left.

I meant it when I said it was fine.  Everyone forgets something once in a while.  Although I remember appointments, there are things I forget.

My forgetting would probably go something like this:

Walking to the door, I wondered who it could be because I was not expecting anyone.  Most likely someone selling something.  Not cookies, because the scout cookies were already in the pantry.  Maybe someone passing out information on the election, but our election is not until May so that would not make sense.  The doorbell rings again, as if to say, “Did you hear me?”

I unlocked the door, opened it and immediately had the “deer in the headlight look.”  How could I have forgotten?  Just that morning I promised to spend time with this person.  But you know how the day goes.  Mail.  Those games on the iPad.  Extra time at the coffee shop.  Fixing dinner.  A nap.  The TV show recorded from last night.  How could I have forgotten?  How could I have been so busy?

“Come in,” I whispered.  Slowly closing the door behind my guest, I knew I was …..

Then my guest said, “Mary, let’s just sit and talk for a bit.  Tell me about your day.  Your joys.  Your pain.  Tell me how it feels when you watch the sky.  Bill loves to hear you ‘rattiling on like a junk car’ and so do I.  Mary, let’s just sit and talk for a bit.”

Yes, it was easy for me say it was fine.  Because it was fine.  The woman needed to attend to the children more than she needed to worry about my inconvenience.  She had to set her priorities.

But what priorities do I set?  “Today I will ……

Today I will just sit and talk for a bit.  But first I will apologize for forgetting.  For being too busy. 

Today I will just sit and talk for a bit.  “Yes, come in.  I have time.  Jesus, today the clouds were blowing by so fast.  It was like they were having a race.  And did I tell you about ……..”

 

ALL IN ONE DAY

Yesterday was a bit stressful.  Our daughter and I had a contest to see exactly which of our days was worse.  I think I won but, really, who wants to win at being most stressed?

My stressful day actually began a couple weeks back when a mysterious, very wet spot appeared in our kitchen.  There was no reason for it to be there.  Uninvited, it just showed up.  As the spot grew larger, hubby tried using the shop vac.  Nope, kept getting wetter.  Faced with a challenge, out came the knife and the carpet now has a bit of damage.  Hubby checked and there was no reason for the water to be there.  It was not wet anywhere except in that ONE DARNED SPOT.  Where had the water come from?  Why did it finally dry up? 

Fast forward to yesterday.  “There is that sound again and it is louder,” I told hubby.  He turned the power off to the dishwasher.  Sound still there.  He turned off the water.  Sound gone.  That was not a good thing, so the plumber was called.  Stress #1:  there is a leak under your sink.  Our mighty plumber found the leak but could not fix it until the next day.  Stress #1 carried over into today.

Blast email anyway!  Stress #2:  My email was not working!!!  It kept asking if I wanted to send a report.  Did I want to send a report?  By day’s end, I sent dozens of reports.  I reasoned if I was having a bad day because of this email problem, someone else was going to be having trouble also.  My computer guru assured me it was not the connection between the seat and the keyboard (aka: me) and that IncrediMail was not as incredible as I previously thought.  It is still not working so stress #2 has carried over into today.

Are you wondering what else was stressful?  I had a court report to write and chose yesterday to begin it.  I love to write but writing for fun is not the same as writing a court report.  I am not an overly formal person and writing in an acceptable form for court takes me a long – very long – time.  Did Stress #3 carry over into today?  Only enough to make a couple of changes and send it on its way.

Are you still reading?  Proud of you because I have taken the long way around to make a point. 

A leak in a water pipe - THANK YOU LORD!  WE HAVE WATER IN OUR HOME.  WATER TO DRINK.  WE TURN ON THE TAP OR THE SHOWER AND IT JUST FLOWS OUT.  THANK YOU LORD!

Email that doesn’t work – THANK YOU LORD!  WE HAVE TECHNOLOGY IN OUR HOME.  WE CAN COMMUNICATE WITH PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD.  WE CAN DO BUSINESS.  WE CAN LEARN.  THANK YOU LORD!

Court reports to write – THANK YOU LORD!  YOU HAVE GIVEN ME A HEART FOR CHILDREN AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO HELP THEM.  THANK YOU LORD!

Each day we make choices.  Do I allow a small leak to destroy my day?  Do I allow an email glitch to destroy my day?  Do I allow the search for the right words destroy my day?  Or do I give thanks?  The honest answer? 

The honest answer is I did not give thanks yesterday.  In the midst of the leak, email problems and searching for the right words, I was stressed.  It was not until the leak was fixed, the email was up and working and the report written that I realized yesterday was a piece of cake.  It was not until today that I saw my blessings and gave thanks.

Now, oh, I have to call someone and get the carpet fixed.

We have carpet to fix.  THANK YOU LORD!

WHAT HAPPENS IN -----

Sometimes you just need time off.  That was the point I was at but it is time to start my blog again.  You see, last Sunday ……

Last Sunday I delivered the message and as I walked down the aisle, there sat a man who is in water aerobics with me.  I looked at him and said, “Don’t worry.  What happens at the pool, stays at the pool.”  Then I smiled and continued on with the message.

But, that comment got me to thinking.  Thoughts bounced around in my head about how often we hear that comment.

Where do you see the slogan:  What Happens here, Stays here?

• Vermont
• Family Reunions
• The Man Cave
• The Garage
• The Ranch
• Camp Grandpa

And of course, the original slogan:  What happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas

We hear this and grin.  But do we carry this too far?

Do we use that slogan in our Christian life?  Do we apply that slogan to our church?  What would happen IF we applied that slogan to our faith and our church? 

BUT -- What would happen if we turned that phrase around?

WHAT HAPPENS HERE, DOES NOT STAY HERE

So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.  Acts 6:7

But the word of God continued to spread and flourish.  Acts 12:24

In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.  Acts 19:20

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.  Matthew 5:16

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

If what happens as we grow in faith and if what happens in our churches stays hidden, the Word of God will not spread and flourish and grow in power.  Priests will not become obedient to the faith.  No one will see the good deeds Christians do and the Father will not receive the Glory. 

If what happens as we grow in faith and if what happens in our churches stays hidden, many will not receive the daily blessings of comfort, strength, grace, mercy, hope, forgiveness, or the gift of eternal life.

So which slogan should we use?

• What happens here, stays here
• What happens here, does not stay here

NO BLOG FOR A BIT

Greetings,

I wanted to post this to let you know I am taking a break from blogging this summer.  Grandchildren graduating, celebrating 50 years of marriage, a trip to celebrate those 50 years and a few other things thrown in have made me realize I only have so many hours in the day. 

God is using me to teach a Sunday School class so I will be spending time focused on preparing for class.

God has greatly blessed me and this summer I am going to enjoy those blessings.

CELEBRATE EACH DAY,

Mary

SORRY - NO TIME FOR …..

I did not write a blog last week and really do not have one for this week. Way too many things to do last week, this week and even next week:

• Granddaughter's graduation
• Teach Sunday School and attend Church
• A CASA meeting
• Small group discussion
• Rotate tires on the car (Well, no I didn't do it but I had to take my valuable time and take the car in.)
• Write a message for Chapel June 4 at a local retirement community
• Got the 24 hour bug that seems to be enjoying arriving at people's homes uninvited
• Riding along with my daughter today to shop for her son's open house
• A family celebration tomorrow for our 50th Anniversary which is June 4
• An open house for our granddaughter tomorrow
• A grandson's graduation and open house next week
• CASA continuing education
• Watch the dust pile up on the table tops
• A mountain of other things like laundry, cooking, ---

You get the idea? Plus I threw in there a few projects I had not planned on. There just has been no time for writing. No time for ---

Oh, my!

Lord, please excuse me. It seems I have had no time for you either. Yes, a few quick prayers when we sit down to eat and even Sunday School has been a discussion time that did not require me to search your word. You are there when I get up. You are with me throughout the day and when I go to bed. You are even there while I sleep. And I have pushed you to the side while I do things that ….. things that…. Lord, please forgive me. You are the light in my day. You are the love I give to others. You are my strength and my foundation. Please forgive me for not taking time for You. Amen

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But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.            Matthew 6:3

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I need to memorize this verse. How about you? Do you seek the kingdom of God or do you seek the kingdom of "I have a list of things to get done and by golly I will get them done no matter what"?

HATS? GLOVES? COATS?

I just love to read and I picked up a book that is absolutely hilarious. As I turn page after page, I am sure my laugh will go from a chuckle to a full out belly laugh. Are you wondering what book has caught my attention? What author could cause such glee?

Page seven caused a visual image that made me smile: Formally, a man introduces another man to his wife. "Mr. Brown, may I present you to my wife?" I had to smile because my hubby has presented me with many things -- unending tomatoes to be canned, letters to send, work clothes to be washed and, of course, a few flowers and some nice shiny things to wear on my fingers -- but he has never presented me with a man. If he wants to present me with a man, Matthew Macconaughey would be perfectly acceptable.

Opening this book to page 464 brought a whole new revelation. Oh my! I am supposed to wear a hat with street clothes in the daytime but not with an evening dress. Plus, my hands are to be properly concealed in gloves when I go to church, when I am on the street in a city, in a restaurant, in a theater and when I go to lunch, a formal dinner or a dance. Thankfully, I can remove said gloves to partake of my meal but, heaven forbid, those gloves must stay on when I shake hands.

Standing in front of Bill's closet, I turn to page 483. Goodness! Bill is going to have to go shopping. Nowhere, among the jeans, slacks, shirts and sport coats, could I find a Tail Coat, a Single-breasted Tuxedo, a Double-breasted Tuxedo or even a Cutaway with Striped Trousers. I quickly concluded that the Frock Coat, Black Sack Coat with Striped trousers, Business Suits, Country Clothes, White Dinner Coat, White Mess Jacket and Sack Suit must be at the cleaners.

Have you figured it out?

Etiquette, by Emily Post, 79th printing, 1953.

I can hardly wait to get to chapter 53: In Official Washington. That will be the belly laugh chapter - me getting invited to the White House.

I do think people today need to pay more attention to manners. We need to hear thank you, please and you are welcome. BUT this book is 635 pages long. There is no way anyone could follow all these etiquette rules and regulations.

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Sometimes we read the Bible much like people read Emily Post. We see it as a list of do's and don'ts. We realize there is no way we can do everything that is written. We worry about what we should and should not do. Being a Christian - is it really that complicated?

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."        Matthew 22:36-40

Start with the greatest commandment and the rest will be far less complicated.

THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED --- AND ALL THE OTHER ONES TOO

I love going down a road when there are no other cars to be seen.  Not one car ahead or behind for as far as the eye can see.  It does not seem scary or lonely.  It just feels neat.

Those are the rare times.  Most roads are full of people going to work or soccer or off to see a movie.  Roads allow people to --- "Watch out you idiot!"

"My gosh, are you blind?  That is a stop sign you blew through.  It is a good thing I am paying attention."

Now, where was I?  Oh, yes.  Roads allow people to travel and see the Grand Canyon and the mighty Mississippi and grandma.  Roads wind around a -- "For goodness sakes."  

"Have you forgotten where the gas pedal is?  Drive or get off the road. Some people!  Calm down, Mary, there will be a passing zone soon."

You would think the world is full of people with one goal:  To make my life difficult.  They run stop signs.  They turn in front of me.  They slow me down.  And road construction!  Of course I want smooth roads to drive on, but road construction seems to attract the "I will wait till the last minute to get over" driver.  And the "I will turn down this side road my GPS says will miss the construction" driver who soon finds out the calm voice has sent them down a lane to someone's house.

Yet, even with all the bad drivers, I love to -- "Put down the phone!!"  

"THINK!  Your life.  My life.  The lives of your children.  All way more important than a text message."

My goodness.  All these crazy drivers! Will I even make it to the store for a loaf of bread?

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Does it ever feel like the universe has one goal?  A single goal of making your journey through life one road hazard after another?  One distraction after another.  A road block here and a stop sign there.  And someone slowing you down when you want to fly.  People making it hard for you to stay on the right road.  People making you think that loaf of bread isn't that important after all.

Well, listen up.  Hang in there!  It is important for you to be alert and complete your journey.  To stay the course.  To finish the race.  To cross the finish line.

And all you have to do is listen to the voice of the greatest GPS ever.  The voice of the Shepherd.

The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.

I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. John 10:2-4, 14-15 NIV

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Psalms 23:1-3 KJV

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Do you know the voice of the Shepherd? The calm, sweet voice of the One guiding you on your life's journey?  Trust the Shepherd to be your GPS.  He will not lead down the wrong lane.

REAL? OR NOT REAL?

Chalk art fascinates me and I do not understand how something can be drawn on a flat surface and appear real. Lifelike.

This little guy is so cute.

Chalk art is whimsical and a crack in a wall becomes the home of a rabbit.

Then some are ----

Admit it. The bears look real!

These deer appear to be escaping under the sidewalk into a winter wonderland.

Looking at these make you believe there is a cute green character lifting up the sidewalk and that a rabbit lives in the roots of a tree.

If you were walking by the bears, you would, most likely, do a double take and wouldn't you love to walk into that peaceful winter scene with the deer.

Sometimes it is hard to tell what is real and what is not.

REAL? OR NOT REAL?

Life is like that. Many times something or someone seems real. Honest. Until, we realize we are being deceived.

For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. Matthew 24:24

The Bible warns us to be on our guard because that ole Satan is a sneaky, evil being. He is false. He will lie.

He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs which it was given him to perform in the presence of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who had the wound of the sword and has come to life. Revelation 13:13-14

No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:14

The beast - Satan - wants us to turn from God to him. He will try to convince us he is great by performing "great signs" and promising wonders he cannot give. Satan will even present himself to you in a disguise. He might just show up at your door looking like an angel. You see, Satan is a liar. His words are not real!!! Satan is a liar. He can fake how you see him.

God has not left us on our own to fight those that try to deceive - those that just plain lie to us.

Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. Ephesians 6:11

The words and actions of Satan are not real. THE WORDS AND ACTIONS OF GOD ARE! The scriptures are full of assurances as they tell us of God's character. They tell us God does NOT change. They tell us God does NOT lie.

He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a human being, that he should change his mind. 1 Samuel 15:29

To declare that the Lord is upright. He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him. Psalm 92:15

For I am the Lord, I do not change. Malachi 3:6

In the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time. Titus 1:2

One last scripture, from The Message, by Eugene Peterson, Hebrews 6:13-18:

When God made his promise to Abraham, he backed it to the hilt, putting his own reputation on the line. He said, "I promise that I'll bless you with everything I have - bless and bless and bless!" Abraham stuck it out and got everything that had been promised to him. When people make promises, they guarantee them by appeal to some authority above them so that if there is any question that they'll make good on the promise, the authority will back them up. When God wanted to guarantee his promises, he gave his word, a rock-solid guarantee - God can't break his word. And because his word cannot change, the promise is likewise unchangeable.

We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It's an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God where Jesus, running on ahead of us, has taken up his permanent post as high priest for us, in the order of Melchizedek.

I do not know about you, but I WANT THE REAL DEAL. I WANT WHAT IS REAL, TRUE AND UNCHANGABLE!

O God, Dress me in your armor so I will not believe lies nor be deceived by false prophets. Allow my grip on your promised hope to be strong so I will never let go, always trusting in Your unchanging truth. Amen

DADS AND DAUGHTERS

I have ridden with both my hubby and our daughter and realized they are two peas in a pod. Although Bill likes to listen to country music and Terri leans more toward Pink, they seem to have the same reaction when a song comes on they do not like. They switch channels or turn it off.  Sorta annoying. Okay, more than sorta.  It is annoying. That on/off just makes no sense because the next song, which they will now miss, might just be their all-time favorite.

BUT, sometimes I wish I could do that in life.

• Coming down with the flu?  -- Just turn it off.
• Bad news?  -- Change to another channel.
• Nope, do not want that in my day!  -- Will try another station.
• The day is hectic. -- Find a channel with quiet, soothing tunes.
• Wonderful day. -- Stay right there. Do not change channels.
• Kids behave. -- Program that station to be on permanently.

Life is not that way though.  We cannot just turn off the things we don't like. Or capture the days that are perfect and rerun them tomorrow.

Life is life! There will be trials but there is great news about these trials!

We will make it through!!

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

Okay - no one considers trials pure joy, but maybe we should. When do we learn the most? When everything is going great? OR When life just plain throws us a major curve ball? Every difficulty we pass through, is a learning, a growing experience. We mature. We move from a child's simple faith to a mature complete faith.

Trials do not last!!

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:6-7

What a comfort to hear "for a little while." Yes, a little while might consist of years but, compared to eternal life, a few years here is a snap of the fingers.

There is a reward for making it through our trials.

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Revelation 3:21

Our trials may seem impossible to get through BUT with God all things are possible. Did you get the "ALL" things part. Not just the little mishaps. Not just the middle size headaches. Not just the major, life changing trials. We can make it through ALL of our trials if we call upon God to be there with us.

And when we get through them -- oh my: PEACE! A peace that only come from God.

And it just gets better! WE WILL HAVE THE RIGHT TO BE WITH THE FATHER!!

AMEN!

BOYS, FAITH AND CHURCH

Two grandsons were here and they agreed to be interviewed.  Please excuse the occasional "thumping noise" which I think is caused by fidgety kids.  I tried to remove the annoying sound but ended up with worse audio.  Someday this 68 year old woman will master this 2016 video/audio editor program.  Also, be assured that I did not prompt nor suggest any answers.

 

BOYS, FAITH AND CHURCH

Video - part 1

Part 2

 

 Know what I learned?

 Noah and Timothy learn from their parents, their pastor and those around them.  It was great to hear them talk about hearing the testimonies and prayers of others during their call to worship.  It hurt when they said teachers speak against the Christian faith.

 They want fun activities, but they mainly want to hear the Word of God.  They do not want to hear, from the pulpit, politics or negative talk about others.  They thirst for the scriptures applied to their lives.

 Noah and Timothy had no trouble with church being two hours long, but said they get tired standing during all the singing and think you can sit and sing too.

 LEARNING FROM PARENTS

Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation.  Joel 13

HEARING THE WORD

And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.  1 Thessalonians 2:13

COMFORTABLE SILENCE

Going down the road, not speaking -- comfortable silence

Watching TV, not speaking - comfortable silence

Sitting on the deck, sipping wine, not speaking - comfortable silence

We have been married almost fifty years, so have we run out of things to talk about?  Heavens no!  Or at least I haven't.  It is not a lack of topics; it is just that - comfortable silence.

COMFORTABLE SILENCE

Do you have such a relationship with God?  Can you sit and just enjoy the presence of God, not speaking - comfortable silence.

Can you read a verse in the Bible, close the Bible and just be still - comfortable silence.

The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him. Habakkuk 2:20

a time to be silent and a time to speak, Ecclesiastes 3:7 second part

COMFORTABLE SILENCE

When we are experiencing comfortable silence, I can feel Bill's love.  I can feel his presence.  It is as if we begin to breathe at the same rhythm. Our hearts beat as one.  Comfortable silence.

When we are comfortably silent with God, we can feel His presence.  It is as if our breathing matches the rhythm of nature.  It is as if our heart beats as one with eternity.

It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. Lamentations 3:26

The most important part of a comfortable silence with God is that we are prepared to listen.

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 entrust my life. Psalm 143:8

COMFORTABLE SILENCE

So, do you ever enjoy a comfortable silence with those you love? With God?