THE ROAD

TODAYS SCRIPTURE: Psalm 89:15

Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord.

THE ROAD

I had hoped to put a link to a painting so you could see it, but of all the paintings Susan Ring (www.susanringart.com) has posted, Going Home From Culver is not one of them. You are going to have to use your imagination. I would tell you to close your eyes, but then it would be hard to read, so keep those peepers open.

Picture yourself standing on a small country road. One with no center stripe and no white lines along the side to guide you. Then notice the grass growing to the edge of the road. Like a border. Now add trees. Trees that cover the road like a canopy. Can you picture this? Add a small bush with blue flowers to your right. And ahead of you -- that is what is so great about the spot where you are standing.

Ahead of you, the road is unending. The sun is shining because the tree canopy ends. It is as if you are going out of a dark tunnel and heading into a warm inviting light. Now, close your eyes for a minute and see if you can place yourself in this picture.

Could you feel it? When I look at this picture, it is as if I am looking at hope. At peace. At comfort. When I look at this picture, I know that Jesus will be sitting, just up the road a bit, waiting for me. I can picture him, relaxing, as if he had all the time in the world. Waiting just for me. Waiting, with a drink of water and a piece of bread. Waiting to take my hand and say, "I knew you would be coming down this road. May I walk with you? I have so much to share with you."

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Have you ever been on a road like this? Where you felt an instant feeling of calm? Peace? As if, you were not alone. As if wonders waited, you if you just stayed on this particular road.

Please finish this prayer in your own words --

LET US PRAY

My Dear Jesus, I know you are waiting for me. Patiently waiting for me while I work through all of my questions. My doubts. My fears. Sometimes I do feel like I am in a tunnel. When I am in that place, let me always keep my eyes open so I can see the light. The peace. The hope. The comfort you offer. Jesus, right now I want to tell you about ........ Amen

If this does not post correctly, I apologize. For some reason, many people are having trouble with spacing, font size and funny labeling under the list of blogs when they post. I tried what they suggested and hope this works. Guess I will see when I hit the post button. Have a blessed day, Mary

TIME?

TODAYS SCRIPTURES: ECCLESIASTES

3:1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:

8:5 Whoever obeys his command will come to no harm, and the wise heart will know the proper time and procedure.

8:7 Since no man knows the future, who can tell him what is to come?

TIME?

I am late in writing this. Why? Yesterday I ran out of time. I do believe there were a few hours missing, but Bill assured me that Thursday had 24 hours as normal. Or maybe my, "I can get this done today" was an unrealistic expectation. I did accomplish my main goal, but that meant I had to put off writing my blog until this morning. Usually I have an idea of what I want to write, but today I am not sure what to share.

Time: Remember I told you I was going to give the message at church? Sunday was the day. Even though I am always nervous, I had a ball. The power point presentation worked and no one fell asleep. That is always a good sign.

Time: December 31st was our "almost retired" day. That was the day Bill retired from managing farms. That meant I would soon be relieved of my duties of preparing farm reports. This week I prepared them for the last time and, as I write this, Bill is putting them in the mail. I said almost retired because Bill is going to continue to do farm real estate sales and farm real estate appraisals. I have a feeling he also has some other ideas about filling up his time.

Time: Bill has been a bit lost the last few days. Trying to figure out this new time thing. I can see that I will also be wondering around a bit. The things that have taken so much of our time for over 30 years will now be taking up someone else's time. Someone else can pay those bills. Have the responsibility of making decisions that affect others financial resources. Someone else can write letters and prepare those farm reports. Someone else can answer the phone at 11:00 at night and on Sunday afternoon. But what will we do with the time we now have?

We included a letter with our final farm report. Bill thanked our management clients and than said, I could add the closing. I would like to share with you a bit of that letter.

"During the last 33 years, Bill and I have experienced the highs and lows of life. We have watched markets rise to levels old timers would never have believed and then fall to levels that devastated dreams. We have managed properties that have been under Halderman's care for generations and added new properties as owners needed our services. Reports were once prepared on a typewriter and now I would hate to do away with my computer. We have moved from "just a phone" to telephone, answering machine, cell phones and email. We have had the joy of working with tenants who did their best for you. We will not miss dealing with the Farm Service Agency and the government's obsession with needless paperwork.

Personally, during this time, we have each experienced the death of our mothers. The deaths of owners, tenants and other Halderman employees. Joyfully, we watched our children grow from ages 9, little Bill, and 4, Terri. They now have families of their own and we have six grandchildren. We have been fortunate to travel. We have been fortunate to share our lives with each of you. Retirement has been described as many things but I would like to quote two. Our son called it Endless Possibilities. A farm owner called it opening a door to a new life."

I do know: We are very grateful to have had work. We are very grateful to have had clients from Florida to Michigan. From California to Connecticut. Over the years, these clients trusted us with their farming investment. They trusted Bill.

Time: As I read over this, I realized that time is so many things. When we think back over 33 years, it seems to be filled with work. What I realize is that, although our lives revolved around work, work allowed us to support our family and educate our children. Work allowed us to travel and see so much of God's creation. Work - because Bill and I were a team - allowed us to spend time together.

Time: What will we do with our ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES? What will we do with the DOOR THAT IS OPENING TO A NEW LIFE? I am not sure.

I did not know where this was going or that it would be this long, but I know where it is ending. It is ending, with Bill and me opening that door. And what possibilities are on the other side? Only God knows.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Do you have a job? Are you retired? How do you fill your time?

Today I ask you to pray this prayer for us. To offer this as a blessing. Thank you!!!

LET US PRAY

Dear Heavenly Father, Bill and Mary stand before the door ready to walk through and begin a new phase of their lives. Please allow them to be wise in their decisions. To trust and obey your commands. Let them leap with joy at the endless possibilities you have prepared for them. Amen

HAPPY NEW YEAR

TODAYS SCRIPTURES:

Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord. Psalm 139:4

"Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him." Matthew 6:8

HAPPY NEW YEAR

As so often happens, I think I have an idea of what I want to write and then WHAM something pops into my little brain and this blog takes a completely new direction. That is what happened yesterday - January 1, 2009.

You see, for the last, I am not sure how many years; I have worked a New Year's Day consignment sale. This involves local farmers bringing in items to sell. Tractors. Combines. Trucks. Snowmobiles. Cars. One year, some children brought a litter of puppies to sell. You name it. We sell it. Big items and small. So far, we have never sold any wives or children, although knowing farm wives I am sure a few have considered selling their husbands when they came back from the auction with an unexpected purchase of yet another tractor.

The cashiers arrive at 7:00 AM. We set up and from that time, until we leave it is non-stop. We register bidders. We file bid tickets. We check people out. We count the cash. We add the clerk sheets. We add the checks. We put it all together, balance and go home. It is one very hectic, busy day. And usually, very cold.

As I said, it is non-stop. It is hard to find time to leave the cashier trailer to take care of the call of nature when that morning coffee decides it has been in your system long enough. And even though you are thirsty, you dare not drink too much for fear of having to make another nature call. I will say this - the line of men, dressed in winter coveralls, hats and gloves, waiting at the port-a-pot are always very generous and allow the female members of the sale crew to step in line.

Did I tell you how busy we are? One of the problems with being that busy is finding time to eat lunch. As I was pulling on my long johns, three pairs of socks, turtleneck, sweatshirt and jeans, as an afterthought, said, "I wish I had gotten some turkey and made a sandwich." I then got in the truck and, because the sale is just down the road and parking is at a premium, Bill took me and dropped me off.

GUESS WHAT -- Bill returned with a turkey sandwich, chips and some sweets for my lunch. Even though I had not directed my comment about the sandwich to him, he had heard me. He realized my need and took care of it. What an amazing feeling I had when Bill handed that sack lunch in the window to me. The kindness of his consideration washed over me.

GUESS WHAT -- Our God knows what we need before we even ask Him. Isn't that great? We don't have to verbalize. We don't even have to think it. God knows!

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

What act of kindness has someone given you? What need does God find in you?

LET US PRAY

Today, use your words to thank God for all the blessing you have received without asking. Offer thanks for all the gentle, considerate acts of kindness you received in 2008. Ask God to be with you in this New Year. Ask God to use you to show acts of kindness to others. Then humbly say Amen.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Since 1985, I have written a poem or writing to put in our Christmas cards. This is what I wrote for 2008.

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

CHANGE

It was a normal day. The sun came up as usual.
People woke up. They went to work.
There were meals to fix. Children to tend.
There were lessons to be learned and laws to be observed.

Bethlehem was busier than usual. So many strangers coming into town.
The inns were full and the streets were jammed.
This was good for the merchants, but not so easy on the travelers.
The travelers were tired. Some were confused and lost.

People came home from work. They prepared for rest.
It had been a normal day. Bethlehem and the whole world went to bed.
Each person thinking tomorrow they would do it all over again.
But before the next sunrise, there would be a change.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11

Few people even noticed the change.
They just went on with their lives. As if, the sun had come up as usual.

Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel which being interpreted is, God with us. Matthew 1:22-23

My prayer for you, this Christmas, is that you will notice the change.
That you will celebrate this birth.
That you will reach for the hand of a baby.
That you will take the hand of God.

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

I hope you had a Blessed Christmas,
Mary

PLAYING CHARADES

TODAYS SCRIPTURE: LUKE 1 -- parts of verses 5 - 25 - the Birth of John the Baptist Foretold (please read verses 5 - 25)

(Zechariah went into the temple of the Lord) Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, …… "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 is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. ….. Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years." The Angel answered, …… And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time." …….. When his time of service was completed, he returned home. After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion.

PLAYING CHARADES

As I was preparing the Sunday School lesson for this week, I had to laugh at the image of Zechariah coming out of the temple. The people were waiting on him. What did his face look like? It says they realized "he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them." Were his eyes big with wonder? Was he standing taller? Did his face show puzzlement? What signs did he make to help them understand what had happened.

And then it was time for him to go home. Can you picture Elizabeth opening the door and saying, "How was your day at the temple dear?" Then, and this is where my imagination really took over, can you picture Zechariah trying to explain - without speaking - that she was going to have a baby?

Remember, Elizabeth was "well along in years." The pregnancy would be the easy part. Of course staying "in seclusion" for five months would be a bit of a stretch. Pregnancy is followed by a delivery and a delivery before the medical breakthrough of blocking the pain with drugs. Then would come changing diapers. Potty training. The terrible twos. Dealing with a teenager. And all the time making sure this child John did not drink any wine or fermented drink. Plus the fact that he would be filled "with the Holy Spirit even from birth."

Now wouldn't you think Elizabeth would be just a bit upset? And scared?

If Bill came home and told me that he had a vision, a visit from an angel, and that I was going to be pregnant, I would probably take him to the emergency room. Why? Well first, I would think he was hallucinating. Second, he would need stitches from the injury he received when I whacked him with a ball bat.

Elizabeth had quite an adventure, which began because she and her husband were "upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly." Can you picture Elizabeth as she finally figured out her husband's game of charades? Did she have a smile on her face as she realized she was going to have a baby?

Are you ready for verse 25? Was Elizabeth upset? No. "The Lord has done this for me," she said. "In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people." She wasn't upset. She was thrilled. She was thankful. Humble.

Then Elizabeth was visited by Mary and the baby "leaped in her womb." Luke 1:41

QUESTION AND ACTIVITY OF THE DAY

Can you imagine what Elizabeth must have felt like? Now go a little crazy. Act out this lesson. Try being Zechariah telling the people. Then try explaining to Elizabeth what was going to happen. Remember, you cannot talk.

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

Dear God, As we prepare to celebrate the birth of YOUR SON, we see so many people being prepared to play their part. Mary would be a willing servant and mother to YOUR SON. Elizabeth would deliver the child who would prepare the way for Jesus. The shepherds would hear the good news and then visit the Christ Child. The wise men would travel far, to honor a baby that had been placed in a manger. YOUR SON came to earth for all - the humble servants like Mary. The upper class like Elizabeth. The poor like the shepherds. The rich like the wise men. Thank you, Heavenly Father. Thank you for sending YOUR SON for me. Amen

MERRY CHRISTMAS - MAY YOUR LIFE BE BLESSED BY THE BIRTH OF THIS BABY. --- Mary

EXCITED

TODAYS SCRIPTURE: LUKE 2:10-12

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

EXCITED

I am writing this Wednesday evening and I am excited. This has been one busy day. Terri, our daughter, and I are going to bake tomorrow. Almost every Christmas, we bake. We bake cookies. We make candy. We talk. We laugh. We celebrate together.

So today, I shopped for all those supplies. They are waiting on the kitchen counter. Along with the measuring cups. The mixer. The recipes. Waiting until Terri gets here. I have done some prep work. I have one batch of cookie dough in the refrigerator and have the party mix done. The rest will happen tomorrow. I am s-o-o-o excited.

I am excited because, not only is this a day with Terri, it is a time we share the fruits of our work with others. A time when we knock on friends doors and say, "Merry Christmas."

I also received a phone call today from our minister. I had told him I had an idea for a Sunday message. Amazing as it sounds to those who know me, occasionally they do allow me to be the speaker. He wanted to know if January 4th would work. I said, "YES."

You see, this is a message I have been working on since April 2008. If you go back and read my blog for April 25 and September 26, you will know what message I plan to deliver. One grandson has offered to help me put together a power point presentation. I am excited because I will tell the congregation about my nine-month adventure of finding God in unexpected places.

I am glad I will be talking after Christmas. You see, I want to ask the congregation where they find Jesus. If they find Him in unexpected places? After all, who would have thought to look in a stable for the Son of God?

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Are you excited about the Christmas season? Do you have a tradition that you look forward to? Do you find Jesus in your celebrations?

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

It is almost Christmas. Almost your Birthday, Jesus. And I am excited. The shepherds had to go to a stable to find you. The wise men traveled a long distance. How lucky I am that I know where to find you. Your Holy Spirit is with me always. I find you everywhere I am. Amen

DECORATIONS

TODAYS SCRIPTURE: PSALM 104:5

He set the earth on its foundations; it can never be moved.

DECORATIONS

So do you have your Christmas decorations all in their places? Isn't it funny how you put Santa in the same spot each year? And the tree sits where it sat last year. And the nativity rests in its familiar location. The angels know where to go as soon as you open the box and the lights could hang themselves. That is how it always is. Once you find just the right spot, you "set Christmas up" the same each year. That is unless you move.

That is my dilemma. I did put the Advent candle on the television. That is the only Christmas display that stayed where it had always been. Our 43-year-old nativity will go on the table beside the front door. With angels around it.

But where do I put the Christmas tree? And Santa? And the snowmen?

The tree we put up on the loft area, overlooking the living room. We like it there. The lights shine down on us. It makes a colorful glow because I am a multi-color person and have never gone in for just one color of lights.

I am beginning to find spots for the snowmen and think I know where to put the Santas. It will be interesting to see if it all works together to make a festive season. I am having fun (and Bill is tolerating) "setting Christmas up" and finding new locations for our favorite Christmas decorations.

Know what? Next year we may decide to put the tree in a new location. And the snowmen might be grouped differently. And who knows where Santa will recline. Yes, things can be moved around but it is wonderful that we can rest assured that God "set the earth on its foundations; it can never be moved."

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Are your decorations up? What is your favorite? What decoration would you hate to break or loose?

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

The Christmas season has begun. Dear Jesus, I am so excited to begin this time of celebrating your birth. To think that you came to earth for me is such a humbling thought. Let your birth be the foundation of my celebrations. Keep my belief in Your Holy Birth on such a strong foundation that it can never be moved. Amen

THANKSGIVING

TODAYS SCRIPTURE: HEBREWS 12:28

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe,

THANKSGIVING

I am writing this Wednesday evening, but by the time you read this, the left over turkey will be in the refrigerator. The dressing will be waiting to be eaten for lunch and I will still be wondering why Bill likes Mincemeat Pie. Thanksgiving is Bill's favorite holiday and I do love fixing the meal.

This year we had an added surprise when a beautiful centerpiece was delivered. One of our farm management families sent it to thank us for years of service. Bless their hearts. Every woman loves unexpected, fresh flowers.

I started on Wednesday baking and getting ready. The piecrust stuck to the counter and I ended up patching it. The Jello turned out just right. Then I made a peanut butter cake. (I know that is not traditional, but our son and I love peanut butter cake.) The cake was going good until I realized I did not have quite enough brown sugar. No problem. I just added a little white sugar. Then I realized the cake batter was thicker than usual. I checked the recipe. Right there it said 1/3 cup of peanut butter. Below that was one cup of something. Guess why the batter was thick. You are right. I had put in one cup instead of 1/3. A problem? Not sure. The cake looks okay and it baked fine, but I guess the taste test will come tomorrow. I put on extra icing just in case the cake is only fair.

If this is a normal year, the turkey will look like the picture in those cooking magazines, but will fall apart when we cut it. I guess we like ours actually cooked all the way through. Bill will mash the potatoes and I will make the gravy. The cranberry Jello salad will be eaten by some and some will turn their noses up.

I have the table set and it looks pretty. I had planned to use the everyday dishes that could be stuck in the dishwasher, but then the flowers arrived I changed my mind. The table is set with our 43-year-old wedding china (a gift from my parents), the good glasses and coasters that belonged to Bill's uncle. When we sit down to the table, we will miss having our daughter and her family, but will welcome our son's friend and her children.

I can see why Thanksgiving is Bill's favorite holiday. It is a day to enjoy family. It is a day to reflect on blessings. The big ones we notice -- Health. Family. Friends. Home. The small ones we almost forget and take for granted -- Electricity. Water. Laughter.

Today my biggest blessing is faith. I had religion a long time and I found there is a big difference between faith and religion. I will take faith.

QUESTION OF THE DAY

What were you thankful?

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

Friday morning: A note before I post this: The cake was tremendous. I will put extra peanut butter the next time too. The turkey was drier than usual. The dressing (stuffing to you city people) was very good this year. And Bill was the only one to eat the pie. Know what? Dry turkey or not - IT WAS A WONDERFUL DAY. Of course, I will have to write about the kids saying someone is at the door and finding a police officer ready to ring the bell. And no, he was not going door-to-door for charity.

LET US PRAY

Today, please offer a prayer of your own. Use simple words. Or exquisite words. Offer a prayer thanking God for all He has given you.

A DRIVE ON A DARK MORNING

TODAYS SCRIPTURE: ISAIAH 35:8

And a highway will be there; it will be called the way of Holiness.

(Please read Isaiah 35. This is a wonderful chapter.)

A DRIVE ON A DARK MORNING

On my November 7 blog, I wrote about talking to God while I was driving. Today I want to tell you about an early morning drive I had. For those of you who do not know it, I cashier auctions and those auctions are not always close to home or easy to find.

In the fall and winter, thanks to our Indiana legislature, we experience dark mornings because of Eastern Time zone/daylight savings time. Bless their hearts. (Sarcasm there.) Early one morning. A dark morning. I left for an auction. Did I tell you it was dark? And early. That meant the deer would be meeting in the fields for their breakfast and morning gossip. That meant I had to watch out for deer.

Being dark also meant I had to dim my lights for oncoming traffic and I had to squint when those same cars were not as considerate. Bill had made me a map and I was sorta confident as to what towns I would be going through, where to make turns and how to get to the auction.

What I found, as I drove, were a few unexpected curves that looked like straight lines on the map. I also found I appreciated the reflectors down the center of the road and the white line on the edge of the road. These helped keep me in my own lane on that early dark morning.

Know what? That drive is like traveling the road of life. Life is not always sunny and bright. Sometimes it is dark and danger starts early in the day. The deer and bright oncoming headlights are like sin, ready to step in front of you at any moment or blind you to the truth. The other side is that God is like the reflectors and the white line. He has laid out a path for you - yes a path that has many curves and unexpected turns, but he does have a road for you to travel. The headlights on your own car? The light of God showing you the way. And the map? The Bible.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

As you travel, what is trying to distract you? What light is shining in your life? What do you use as a map?

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

A highway will be there; it will be called the way of Holiness. My God, I want to be on that road. As I travel through life, light my way. Protect me as sins and false gods try to distract me from my destination. Let my eyes see the reflectors and white lines so I do not veer off your highway. Give me wisdom so I can understand your map - the Bible. .… Amen

HAVE AN EXTREMELY HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I WANT IT NOW

TODAYS SCRIPTURES:

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. Colossians 1:10-12

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope - the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Titus 2:11-13

I WANT IT NOW

Do you watch commercials? I try not, but you cannot avoid them. Some are not too bad and if I were looking for an advertising agency, I would find the company that represents Target. Their ads are good. Bright. Active. Gives Target a good image. I would also find out the ad agency that Volkswagen uses. Now just how stupid are their commercials that say, "They got pregnant so they could buy a Volkswagen." Brooke Shields may look good in those commercials, but I would not hire that agency to advertise my product. Is that really the best they could do? Volkswagen needs to talk to Target.

Have you seen the ad where the guy is watching television and the picture goes out? His wife then says, "You are right. We need a new TV." The next shot is of this guy in a store saying, "I want it all. I want it now."

That is one ad I do not like and would love to see taken off the air. The trouble is that is the attitude most people have now days. "I want it all. I want it now."

Remember when you loaded film into a camera. You took pictures. Then waited with great anticipation for days until they were developed. Now you can get same day prints. Or better yet, one hour. Oh, that is right. Now we have digital.

I will take a picture of one of the grandchildren and they instantly say, "Let me see it." (I want it all. I want it now.)

Fast food restaurants. Instant mashed potatoes. Frozen meals. Meals in a bag. Instant coffee. (I want it all. I want it now.)

Overnight shipping. Faxes. Email. Instant messaging. Text messaging. Cell phones. (I want it all. I want it now.)

DVD's that tape one show while you watch another. The newest Wii. The latest video game. A really, really big screen TV. (I want it all. I want it now.)

And heaven forbid if we have to wait in line. Do people not know how important I am? I have places to be. Things to do. I do not have time to wait. (I want it all. I want it now.)

Patience. Waiting. Okay, I am not always good at the patience part. But I do try. I think we lack patience and the ability to wait because we are putting so much "activity" into each day.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Are you in an "I want it all. I want it now" mode? Are you short on patience? If you have to wait just a few minutes, does it throw your whole day off? Are your days so full of "activity" that you have no time to live?

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

To my glorious God and Savior, I come before you and for this brief time retreat from a hectic world. I come asking for the strength to live my life in such a way that it is of worth to you. I do need patience. Patience to live in a hectic world and not to forget what is truly important. Lord, teach me to wait. To wait and not develop an "I want it all. I want it now" attitude. Allow my eyes to see all the blessings I have and the patience to wait for all of the blessings you have in store for me. … Amen

Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday to me, Happy Birthday dear Mary, Happy Birthday to me.

Did you guess that it is my birthday? I am 62 today and counting. I love birthdays. It reminds me that I am special. That God made me. Is that not the most amazing thought? God made each of us -- each unique.

When it is your birthday, celebrate. Enjoy. We are God's sons and daughters. Now how much better can it get? Enjoy today's blog, Mary

I CAN ONLY IMAGINE

TODAYS SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 6:9

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be they name.

I CAN ONLY IMAGINE

Sometimes I enjoy driving by myself. I can listen to the music I want. Or listen to a sermon. I can drive in silence. Or I can talk with God. That is what happened the other morning.

It was early. Barely daylight. I said, "Good morning God."

I wondered how many people were praying at that very moment. I wondered what that would sound like.

"O Lord. What does it sound like? So many prayers being said at one time. So many people asking for help. So many people sending up praise. So many languages. What does it sound like?" -- And I thought, "I can only imagine."

"What is it like to see your children turn from your way? What does it feel like to see even one of your sheep lost?" -- And I thought, "I can only imagine."

"What does it feel like to see a child born? To see new life and then to see that life taken in anger. Or neglect." -- And, with tears in my eyes, I thought, "I can only imagine."

"As you look at this great world, what does it feel like to hear words spoken in anger? To see your sons hungry? To see your daughters thirsty?" -- And I thought, "I can only imagine."

"What did it feel like to watch your Son nailed to a cross? To watch your Son die?" -- And, thankfully, I thought, "I can only imagine."

"What did you feel as your Son rose from the grave? To see Him alive and coming home?" -- And I thought, "I can only imagine."

"What does it sound like to hear thousands of voices singing? Joyfully singing songs of praise. Declaring You the Most High. The One True God. What does it sound like? Is it music to your ears?" -- And I thought, "I can only imagine."

"What does it feel like to see one of your treasured children come back to you? Like something missing has been returned?" -- And I thought, "I can only imagine."

"God, what do you feel when you -- See tears of joy? Hear the laughter of a child? See people reading the Bible? Watch someone slip from earthly life into eternal life? How does it feel when one of your children opens their heart to accept your offer of peace, comfort, hope and grace? God, what do you feel when you see one of your children reach out their hand to another?" -- And, with a humble heart, I said, "I can only imagine."

(Today there are no questions and no beginning prayer. Take time to talk to God. He will listen. He is waiting for you.)

FRIENDLY COMPETITION

TODAYS SCRIPTURES:

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him, "Teacher," they said, "we want you to do for us whatever we ask." "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked. They replied, "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory." Mark 10:35-37

When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. Mark 35:41

FRIENDLY COMPETITION

When we moved here, there was a dry-erase board in the garage. I wrote a big WELCOME on it and thought that was good enough.

Apparently not! Kailyn wrote, "Kailyn was here." Then she dated her comment. Matthew, not to be outdone, wrote, "Matt was here." He dated his comment and added, "Now beat that."

Into the picture arrives our daughter Terri. She wrote, "Terri was here." She dated her comments and added, "Now beat that Kailyn."

Kailyn came back with, "Oh, I see how this is going. You two are teaming up against me. But I will win in the end." Again, a date was added.

Matthew was here the other day and he is now in the lead. I hate to tell him, but Kailyn will be here this weekend and he will be behind again.

Friendly competition. Fun? Yes. Two cousins leaving each other notes, with corners being filled in by Matthew's mother.

Friendly competition. Fun? Sometimes. Friendly competition can quickly turn into not-so-friendly competition. Even in church. Do you recognize any of these? -- The person who never misses a Sunday and makes sure everyone knows it. The person who knows all the books of the Bible, in order, and gives you that look (you know "the look") when you are not sure if the book is in the Old or New Testament? The one who learns Scriptures easily and then brags about their ability or worse teases about "your" lack of scripture knowledge. (This last one often happens in youth groups.) Friendly competition? Fun? Sometimes not. Not when competition hurts others. Not when you take the "friendly" out. (Yes, I know about sports and one team has to win, but that is not the kind of competition I am talking about.)

If you read the scripture, you see that even the disciples had this problem. James and John got into competition with the other disciples. They asked Jesus to allow them to "sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory." Depending on if you read this account in Mark 10:35-45 or Matthew 20:20-28, James and John's mother got into the act too.

Was their competition friendly? No. James and John caused the other disciples to feel indignant. I am sure they felt hurt. Jealous. Left out. Friendly competition? Fun? Sometimes not.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Do you enjoy competition? Is there a difference between playing to win and friendly competition? Can you do both?

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

Lord I ask you for so many things. Today I ask you to help me understand the difference between competition and crossing the line. You have given each of us talents, let me use mine as you direct. Let me never look upon my talent as better than another's. Let me never brag about how good I am at this or that. BUT also help me learn that my talents are important. Lord, You created me. You created me. Thank you for giving me the talent of … Amen

RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 7:12

Jesus speaking - "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."

RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS

Sometimes I have to wait for an idea to come and other times it is as if ideas are flying around waiting for my mind to open. That is where I am right now. Do I write about Friendly Competition? The Early Morning Drive? Change? Patience?

So many neat things have happened lately. Out of the ordinary things? No. Just times when the ordinary turned into God saying, "Mary, look. I am right here. Do you see me?"

I have been working on our Sunday School Class trying to get them to see God in normal day-to-day activities and in unexpected places. Well, last week. Last Thursday to be exact. God was on the South Shore Train that runs between South Bend, Indiana and Chicago.

Our daughter, son-in-law, their four boys and I boarded the South Shore headed to Chicago. Our timing was perfect. We arrived in Chicago, walked two blocks to the Museum of Science and Industry and walked in the doors about 10 minutes after they opened.

We had a great day. I will admit my feet did not want to keep up with the flying feet of children, but I made it. We saw old planes and space shuttles. We saw old inventions and future ideas. Some toured a submarine. Two went down into a coalmine. We were here. We were there. Sometimes we were not sure where we were. But like all good things. This day came to an end and we had to catch the train back.

The train to Chicago had many open seats. The same was not true for the train home. When this very tired grandmother, less tired mother and father, three a-little-bit-tired boys and an extremely-exhausted-ready-for-a-nap four year old entered the train, there were no seats. Jon kept Noah. (They stood and Jon said Noah talked the whole way home.)

Terri and I took the other three boys and went to look for seats. This is where the random acts of kindness began.

One look would tell you that we were not your day-to-day train traveler. The busy conductor took one look at our daughter sitting on the floor with a sleepy boy and said, "I will find you seats. People just make it look like the seats are full so no one sits by them." She did find us seats, but they were not together.

Random act of kindness number two. Two businessmen, who were using four seats, took one look at these two women with three children and said, "Take our seats. We will stand." Bless their hearts. Terri and Joshua sat on one side of the aisle. I sat on the other side with Matthew and very-quickly-asleep Timothy.

But wait. The acts of kindness were not over. As we neared South Bend, the conductor informed us that we had to move to the front two cars. Picture two women trying to get three children back through six train cars with two doors at each end of the car. And those doors are awkward to open. Terri took the lead. Random act of kindness number three. A very nice young man - probably 18 - 22 - stepped up behind me and said, "Let me get the back doors for you."

Now, you could chalk this up to people just being nice. I prefer to picture God saying, "Mary, look. I am right here. Do you see me?"

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

As you go through your normal day-to-day activities, do you see God? Do you see Him in the face of the person that opens the doors? Or in the actions of someone who gives up their seat? Or in the assistance of a busy stranger. Have other people seen God in you?

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

Yes God, I see you. You are all around me. I see you in eyes that sparkle. I hear you in laughter. I feel you in a hug. Yes, God, I see you. Thank you for the person that helps me when they think they are only doing their job. Thank you for the person that sees when I am tired and offers me a place to rest. Thank you for the person that opens doors, so I can easily enter. Today I thank you for … Amen

GETTING TOGETHER

TODAY'S SCRIPTURES:

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

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. Luke 10:38

They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover. When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table. Luke 22:13-14

GETTING TOGETHER

We didn't go to church Sunday. Instead, we had a family day. A day that took us from 2008 back to 1812. Six adults and seven children traveled back in time to "the largest living history of the Mississinewa Battle of 1812."

There was an Indian encampment, with exhibits of Indian food, clothing and games. The grandkids loved the game, even if it was a "woman's game." And they learned that hedge apples could be placed around a tent to keep bugs, spiders and snakes away. I thought the idea of keeping snakes away sounded great.

There were men and women dressed in wool and cooking over open fires. There were children dressed in funny looking clothes and selling birdcalls. They were selling them cheap. (Get it?)

Then there was the battle. I never realized that cannons and those old time muzzle loaders created so much smoke. And they were loud. The good guys came in from one end and the bad guys came in from the other. There was shooting. There were horses. There were soldiers on each side falling to the ground. It was exciting.

It was a good reason to miss church. It was time together with our children, grandchildren and new friends.

Jesus liked to get together with his friends. He went to a wedding. He ate at a friend's house. He ate the Passover with his disciples.

Sometimes we forget that Jesus did normal things. He ate with friends. I am sure he liked a good joke. I can almost see him as he reaches for dessert. I can picture him reclining at the table.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

What do you like to do with your family and friends? For what activity would you skip church?

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

Dear Jesus, Thank you for time with family and friends. Thank you for opportunities to talk. To eat. To recline. To attend celebrations like weddings or birthday parties. Thank you for times shared in laughter. Thank you for … Amen

A DREAM PUT ON HOLD

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: 2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-7

(Paul to the church of God, in Corinth) Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

A DREAM PUT ON HOLD

My husband just came home (I am writing this Thursday evening) from a real estate auction. Not a big sale. 20+ wooded acres, with two ponds. It did not sell. He was hoping it would, because the owners are not only clients, but also friends.

Just a few weeks ago, real estate of this type would have sold. Hunters, fishermen and those wanting to build, in the woods just outside of town, would have filled the auction room. The bidding would have been very competitive. Tonight? Tonight was a no sale.

I think people are scared. We are all financially afraid. They might call it a bailout in Washington DC, but the normal person is still seeing their savings accounts dwindle and their IRA's and retirement plans crumbling. People do not know what tomorrow will bring. Tonight? Tonight was a no sale. People are putting their dreams on hold.

I pray that, if you are facing financial problems, you can find the resources to provide for yourself and your family. I pray that, if you have to put your dreams on hold, you put them where you can easily find them later. I pray that you face life realistically but that you will not lose hope.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Are you facing a rough time financially? Do you know where to turn for help?

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY (This prayer is written using Psalm 27)

I lift my prayer to the Lord, my light and salvation. You are the stronghold of my life and I call upon your strength to protect me against the things I fear. Although I am suffering because of evil men and circumstances I could not control, I am confident that my heart will not fear. I ask only one thing of you Lord. I want to dwell in your house all the days of my life. If I dwell in your house, I will be safe when trouble comes. You will be my shelter and my rock. Hear my voice and be merciful. Lead me on a straight path. I am confident that I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. I will wait for the Lord. I will be strong and I will wait for the Lord. Amen

GOING TO THE TABLE

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: 2 SAMUEL 9:1, PART OF 3 AND 6-8

David asked, "Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan's sake?"

"There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in both feet."

When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor. David said, "Mephibosheth!"

"Your servant," he replied.

"Don't be afraid," David said to him, "for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat ay my table."

Mephibosheth bowed down and said, "What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?"

GOING TO THE TABLE

Vacation is over and it is back to reality. Back to office work. Back to doing laundry. Back to sleeping in our own bed. (Oh, I love to travel but it sure is nice to find that comfortable spot, fix your pillow just so and pull the blanket up the first night home.) Back to Bible Study.

While we were away, we missed two weeks of a Bible Study. Beth Moore's study "A Heart Like His." This is the study of David and I am finding out that I am like David. And sometimes I am like Saul. If you have never read 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel, try it. There are amazing parts. There are bloody parts. There are parts that are hard to understand, but these books do apply to our lives. Saul became jealous and worked to kill David. No one may be trying to take your physical life, but, as you read these books, realize that your spiritual and eternal life is always being threatened.

My blog this week will be comments I wrote in the margins as I have studied --

David was strong and tender. He could tend the sheep, play a harp and slay giants. A question was, "Do you think you possess both qualities of tenderness and strength?"

My answer: As a wife and mother, you have to be both. Actually, we all have to be both. I put on many Band-Aids, after softly cleaning the scrapes, and then demanded that jumping off the tree/the bike/or other non-safe activity would not be allowed. I did not shed a tear at my mother's funeral because I was tending our grown children and then cried when I no longer needed a "stiff upper lip." I think we use tenderness and strength as the situation demands. I can be strong during an emergency and cry at a Hallmark commercial. We just do what is required.

David and Jonathan, Saul's son, had become friends. They had a covenant between them and when Jonathan was killed, David grieved for his friend. He did not have a friend to turn to for comfort. The question was, "Have you ever experienced a loss only time could heal?"

My answer: My Grandma. I remember going to school and being told, "Why are you upset? You only lost your Grandma." What people failed to realize is that I lost my center - my guide. The one stable person in my life. Grandma led me to faith. She started me on my walk, even if she didn't realize it. Healing? I was a teenager. And a teenager in a house where emotions and feeling were NEVER discussed. The loss. The grief. They were never acknowledged.

David did grieve for Jonathan and he wanted to do something to honor him. First, he had to find someone of the house of Saul. He found Mephibosheth. A cripple. A nobody. A person of no worth since the house of Saul had lost everything. Then he told Mephibosheth that he would eat as his table. This cripple would eat at the table like one of the king's sons. (Verse 11)

This made me wonder how I will feel when called to the King's table. To sit with God.

My Dear Heavenly Father, I approach your table on feet that have walked on the path of sin. With hands that have stayed close to my sides instead of giving bread to the hungry and water to the thirsty. With eyes that have refused to see injustice and a tongue which has not defended your children. I bring ears that have not heard the cries of the needy. I come before you with a heart that reserved love for only a few. I bring a body racked with guilt over my actions. But when I arrive at your table, the only thing you see is your crippled child clean and whole. Forgiven. You see your daughter and you invite me to eat at your table. To eat at your table as the King's Daughter.

I know this is a long blog and different than most, but I have been so moved during this study. And there are four more weeks!! I wonder what we will find out about David next. We have seen David learn and grown. We have seen him run from God and turn to God. We have seen him dance in the streets and invite a cripple to his table. I know about Bathsheba, so I have a feeling we are going to see a new part of David's character.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

There are three questions in this blog. Go back to them. How would you answer them?

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

O Lord God Almighty, This is how David addressed you and he is correct. You are almighty. Sometimes that scares me. It makes me wonder why an Almighty God would want to make sure I come to His table. Thank you for Your Son. It is because of Jesus that I can come before you. Come before you clean and whole. Leaving my crippled self behind and taking my place at Your table. Sitting down as a child of the King. … Amen

Mama Mia


TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: PSALM 145:18

The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

MAMA MIA

A few weeks ago, Bill and I went to see Mama Mia. The movie did not receive two thumbs up, from the critics, but we enjoyed it. It was colorful. It was fun. I have already told Bill that he can get me the DVD Mama Mia for my birthday. He likes it when I make shopping easy for him.

I had forgotten how much I enjoyed Abba music, but since seeing the movie, I have listened to the Abba Gold over and over and over. To the point that their songs are going around and around in my head. (Some people would say that there would be plenty of empty space for them to bounce around in.) Anyway, one song just keeps returning: Take a Chance on Me.

When I listened to that song for at least the millionth time - okay, that might be stretching it a bit, I figured out why I liked it. It reminded me of God talking to me.

I can hear God saying, "If you change your mind, I'm the first in line. If you need me, I will be around. If you have no place to go. If you are feeling down. Take a chance on me."

"If you are all alone, I will do my very best. Put me to the test. If you will let me try. Take a chance on me."

"I will be there when you dance, walk or listen to music. I just want us to be together. To get to know each other better. Take a chance on me."

God would then assure me, "I cannot let go. I am in no hurry. Take a chance on me. My love is strong enough to last when things are rough."

There are so many wonderful Christian songs, but the surprise is when we find God in an unexpected song. Take a Chance on Me is not a Christian song, but isn't that what God is asking us to do?

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

When do you take a chance on God? When you are alone? When you are feeling down?

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

To the God whose love is strong enough when my times get rough. To the God who allows me to change my mind and turn to Him. To the God who welcomes me with open arms when I am at my lowest and have no place to go. To the God who wants me to know Him better. To the God who has taken a chance on me. Thank you for being in unusual places where I can be reminded that You are always there for me to turn to. Amen

CLEAN WINDOWS

TODAY'S SCRIPTURES ACTS 9: parts of 8-18

Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing.

The Lord told him (Ananias), "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight."

Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord-- Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here--has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Immediately something like scales fell from Saul's eyes and he could see again. he got up and was baptized.

CLEAN WINDOWS

The windows are finally clean. We kept putting this off for a number of reasons, one of which is that I feel so frustrated when I wash windows. I have tried every suggestion and I am still the queen of streaked windows. Also, the window washing had to wait. We were getting the house pressure washed to get rid of that yucky gree stuff decorating the siding and did not want to wash the windows until that was done. The house received a bath, so there were no more excuses. It was time to attack the windows.

Know what I found out? There is a very nice man who has a window washing service. He and his daughter washed our windows--all of them--in the time it would have taken me to get the ladder out. One of the things I really, really, really like about our house is the the big windows. One of the things I really, really, really like about a window cleaning service is that someone else got on top of a very tall ladder (and on the roof) to wash those windows.

Boy do our windows look better. You can actually see out without looking through smudges. WE have a completely new outlook on life. We can see!

Sorta like Saul. He had an eye problem. He saw the world through the eyes of hate. Then Saul encountered Jesus. Then he really had an eye problem--he could not see at all. What to do? Enter Ananias. With the touch of his hand, Saul could see. Ananias, like our window washer, cleaned Saul's eyes so he could see. So he could see with new vision. The vision of Jesus.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

Do you have anything covering your eyes? Are you willing to allow others help you see?

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

Jesus, I know sometimes that my vision is blurry. I allow the world to cloud my vision. And sometimes I just close my eyes so I don't see. Touch my eyes. Clear my vision. Clear my vision so I can see the wonders of your creation. So I can see the vision of Jesus. So I can see.....Amen

TIMMY TIME

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: GENESIS 3:9-11

But the Lord God called to the man, "Where are you?" He answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; so I hid." And he said, "Who told you that you were naked?"

TIMMY TIME

Timmy is the last of the grandchildren to come for an overnight in the new house. (If you do not remember Timmy and his excitement over the new house, re-read July 11, 2008.) I am excited about Timmy coming too! I never know what to expect out of Timmy. The youngest of four boys, he will try anything he sees his older brothers do. Each of his brothers told him what they did while they were here, so Timmy has a long list of things we are to do: Blow bubbles, read, blow bubbles, play Frisbee, make a craft and play games. I think we are going to be very busy.

One of the biggest challenges, with this be-five-in-February boy is keeping his clothes on him. In the middle of winter, he runs around in shorts. If he had it his way, he would be naked. With absolute abandon, he dances and spins. The other night, Bill and I saw a cell phone commercial that pointed out that a family would not know about the nudist beaches because they had no cell phone coverage. Bill and I looked at each other and laughed. Both thinking, "Timmy's kind of beach." For sure, Timmy feels he has nothing to hide.

Wouldn't it be great to feel that free? Adam and Eve felt that free at first. They had nothing to hide from God. Then things changed, with one little bite of fruit. Did they really think putting on clothes would cover up their sins? Maybe from other people, but not from God.

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY

When you feel like dancing and spinning? When do you feel free? When do you want to cover up and hide behind a bush?

Please use this as a beginning of your prayer. Finish in your own words, words from your heart.

LET US PRAY

Dear God, You created us in your image and you placed us in a perfect place - The Garden of Eden. One little bite and now we hide from you. Let me lay all of my sins, mistakes and just plain bad judgment before you. Let me accept your grace so I can come before you and dance and spin. … Amen