Spectacular Sequence of Delight

I love when an ordinary day takes on the extraordinary without any fanfare or forethought.  Those times when God slips in a dazzling dose of special moments that cause your heart to dance like a prima ballerina.

Yesterday, while the kids were doing their school work, I was taking care of some household needs.  I saw my "nothing special" day become a spectacular sequence of delight as my kiddos and I spent a few minutes outside at the end of the day.    We ventured out to look at our new ducks. They are growing so quickly they won't be babies much longer.

... and I realize my children are growing up quickly, as well.  Beautiful and precious individuals.



 We also visited our ladies.  Sometimes I am overwhelmed by the fact that we have chickens.  I am so grateful for our fresh eggs and blessed to have enough that we can share with friends.

... and I stop for a moment and realize how blessed we are to have such beautiful friends.  I am thankful that even though we moved to an unfamiliar place, we have an abundance of friendships that have developed over the years.  It is good to be reminded of this provision.  

                                                           

The goats were enjoying the beautiful day.  My daughter spoiled them with an afternoon snack, which they loved.

The ducks, the chickens, the goats ... these have all been projects that my husband has shared with Sera and Kyle.  What a beautiful expression of love.

... my heart swells with love for my family.  My husband is a wonderful daddy to our kiddos.  

As we walked around our yard we came across some blooming daffodils.  My husband bought some daffodil bulbs and told the children they could plant the bulbs wherever they wanted.  Then we would wait for Spring to see them burst through the ground.

Kyle planted these in a seemingly insignificant place.  But I like the element of surprise.  We tend to think that there is only one way to do something, or one place to plant bulbs, and then along comes a solitary daffodil that brightens up the yard in an uncommon place.

... I am reminded of the need to bloom where I am planted.  It may not be the place of my choosing and it may seem like an uncommon place.  But there is value in the beauty that the bloom brings and there is great significance in the life that springs forth.  

                                                                                     

 The azaleas are blossoming.  One of the nice things about all of our azaleas is that they don't all blossom at the same time.  Some are in full bloom and some are just on the verge of opening up.  The variety is an extra bonus.  We have so many different colors and shades of azaleas.  Most of them were planted by previous owners of our property.

... I can't help but think of my family and how different we all are.  We are at different stages of blooming.  It is one of the best parts about family - that we're not all alike.  I love seeing my children at all of the different stages as they grow and mature.  

And when our trip around the yard was over, my heart was full of love for my family and our home, our friends and the beauty of God's creation.  Kyle, who had been gathering flowers as we walked around the yard, presented me with a beautiful bouquet.

... and for some reason, as I looked at the tiny vase with the lovely azaleas, I thought of how God must truly delight in us.  With all of our differences, beauty in all shades and sizes, each of us at different places in our journey; a spectacular sequence of delight and a beautiful bouquet for Him to enjoy.  

An Unwelcome Blast from the Past

The Lord is my light and my salvation—
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
    of whom shall I be afraid?

These verses from Psalm 27 spoke especially to me today.

Many years ago someone did me harm. Unfortunately, their actions caused me much pain and brokenness. And although I forgave this person it seemed I carried with me, throughout my life, a generous portion of emotional and mental anguish as a result of that initial pain. I am certain that this individual had no idea how Satan would use the ramifications from their actions to torment me and hold me captive. And I was tormented. I was being held captive.That is, until a few years ago when Jesus Christ offered to exchange my hurt with his healing and joy.  

I remember very clearly praying for God to set me free from anything and everything that was keeping me from walking in the abundant life He had for me.  

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.  John 10:10

The healing process has been sweet. I have been blessed with a supportive husband who prays for me and loves me unconditionally.  

And then yesterday, out of the blue, this person's face shows up on Facebook. At first it was a bit of a shock for me, but it didn't seem like I was bothered by it. After all, I had long ago forgiven them and I had also been offered this beautiful exchange of my pain for His joy.  My brokenness for His healing.  

But today I began to wear the effects of this Facebook reveal. I felt sick to my stomach and an overall sadness. A menagerie of miserable memories wanted to move into my heart and mind. It didn't make any sense to me and I knew that I didn't need to be upset. Still, I quoted from Psalm 27 throughout the day:

The Lord is my light and my salvation—
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
    of whom shall I be afraid?

I talked with my husband and asked if he would pray for me.  Shortly after that, I remembered the words from 2 Cor. 10:5. 

We demolish arguments and every pretension that 

sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

The Lord was lovingly and faithfully reminding me and instructing me to take these thoughts captive. Satan was not going to drag me backward. Of this I was certain. I was also certain that this struggle was not with the other person; this struggle was between me and my enemy. And my God was arming me with everything I needed to walk away unscathed. The Accuser has no power over me.  

We can't always know what lurks behind the bushes, ready to pounce when we walk by. But we can be prepared to ward off these attempts to deceive us.  

1 Peter 5:8

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Be alert.  Be prepared.  

Know the truth.  Know God's word.  

Pray for wisdom. Pray the Scriptures. 

I share this here in my blog as an encouragement to anyone who reads it.  It's important to know two things:  1)  know what the Word of God says.  It is truth.  2)  Satan is a liar.  Always.  

Recently, I saw this poster and shared it with my kids.  There is much to be learned from this contrast between how God interacts with us and the way Satan attacks us.  

blessings to you from my grateful heart~

  

Joy

New Year, New Resolution

Passing from one year into the next can cause a wide range of emotions to surface. I know that I sometimes approach it with a sense of cautious exhilaration. Encountering a precipice of saying goodbye to something known and stepping out into the unknown. For some it carries with it the hope of something better to come. 

The fresh start that the new year suggests brings with it a desire to do better this time. Many greet the new year with an eagerness for self improvement in some area. Others may be inclined to commit to investing their time and energies in a more meaningful manner. We tend to specify these as resolutions. 


How do you prepare for the new installment of 365 days? And what is a resolution? According to Dictionary.com a resolution has to do with a decision or determination and having firmness of purpose. 


As the end of 2013 approached I was reminded of the words from Philippians 3 and labeled them my "End of year analysis" ... Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead ... I press on.  

2013 is in the past. Hopefully I have obtained knowledge and understanding that I can carry into the future. There are relationships that have deepened or been birthed that will continue to have a place in my life. But there are also mistakes and failures that have been placed at the foot of the cross and I do not plan on dragging them with me into the new year.  

The emphasis from Philippians 3:13-14 for me is the straining toward what is ahead. My goal is the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 

And so I press on ... 

My aim for 2014 comes from Hebrews 12:  (to) run with perseverance the race ... fixing my eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith.

Once I have confessed and learned from my mistakes and failures they serve no purpose to me but to drag me down and make me feel really terrible about myself. Focusing on myself and the negatives of my past is not my goal. My aim is to fix my eyes on Jesus and to run the race with perseverance. I like what Dictionary.com provides as a definition for perseverance: steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, ... especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles or discouragement. 

I'm not expecting 2014 to be without difficulties, but I certainly do not plan on being weighed down by the struggles of 2013, as well. Those I leave behind. And the obstacles I encounter this year will not stop me from running the race with purpose ... my goal is the prize.  

Although my resolution for the new year should probably include something like beginning an exercise regimen, being more disciplined in prayer or limiting my time on social media ... I resolve to turn my gaze toward Jesus Christ and run the race with perseverance.  

It will be interesting for me at the end of 2014 to see the effects this resolution has had on me. Even the day to day aspect is an interesting prospect. I wonder what this new year resolution will look like in my life?

Have a blessed New Year everyone.  And as we turn our calendars to a new year, let's turn our eyes upon Jesus ...  

My Not-so-Perfect But Oh-so Enjoyable Christmas

The month of December has a way of bringing with it ample opportunities for stress to enter our lives.  This has been especially true for me over the years.  A time that should be filled with peace and joy and the love of Christ in our hearts can so easily become a time of frenzied anxiety bursting with impatience and negative emotions.  

One of the reasons I have experienced stressful times during Christmas is because of the unrealistic expectations I place on myself.  Sadly, I tend to be a frustrated perfectionist. Borrowing a line from Jane Eyre, "I had imagined something and was quite powerless to realize."  

I imagine clever photo shoots of my adorable family.  Christmas cards enhanced by a 'magazine cover quality' photo sent to ALL family members and dear friends.  An enclosed letter of Christmas greeting and update from our family as an extra gesture of love. 

In reality, I arranged for the photo shoot last year.  I was so pleased to have an amazing photographer look here for amazing photographer who took great pictures and prepared beautiful Christmas cards for us.  

In reality, the cards did not get sent.  This was due in part to my inability to decide who to send the cards to (since I didn't order enough for ALL of our family AND dear friends) and compounded by the fact that I couldn't remember where my address book was currently being stored. 

 But my failure became an unexpected stress reliever for this Christmas because I saw it as an opportunity to send last year's

cards this year.  No new photo shoot necessary.

My awesome family.

I imagine time for pleasant and leisurely shopping for presents and groceries. 

And perfect presents in beautifully wrapped packages with bows and curly ribbons, preferably purchased and wrapped at least a week before Christmas. 

In reality, the presents I gave this year were very acceptable and the shopping was done with great delight.  I kept it simple and set a few limits on myself that allowed me to resist the nagging desire to give gifts to every person in my extended family, circle of friends, church family and neighborhood.  

My children will probably remember this Christmas as the year Mom wrapped the presents and put them under the tree, two at a time, on Christmas morning while everyone waited to open presents.  

It's true.  I wasn't ready.  The presents weren't wrapped.  So my Christmas morning wrapping session was quick and included no pretty bows or curly ribbons.

My sweet family didn't seem to mind and I chose not to allow the situation to cause me stress.  Fortunately, and I praise God for this big time, I was able to keep things in proper perspective and enjoy the morning. Maybe next year I'll be able to do the fancy wrapping that I've always imagined.  

In, reality, I did my grocery shopping on the morning of Christmas Eve. 

While doing this, I saw how seriously some people take their Christmas Eve grocery shopping and how stress behind a grocery cart can cause their behavior to become a bit ugly.

Fortunately, my daughter and I escaped unscathed with our groceries.  I was delighted to find out later that we had only forgotten a few things.  We bought one package of spinach instead of two, two packages of cream cheese instead of three and totally forgot to buy butter.

I imagine special meals for Christmas Eve and Christmas day.  Baked goods for us and lots of goodies packaged up to give away as gifts to all the people we love and appreciate. 

In reality, our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day meals were delicious.  This year I simplified things greatly.  And it was okay.  Everyone seemed happy with the food and nobody complained that we were missing anything.

My daughter, Sera, stepped up and helped with the cooking.  She contributed a cheesecake, a pumpkin pie, a batch of sugar cookies and made spinach quiche for breakfast.

My plan was to prepare chili sometime prior to the Christmas Eve service so that it would be ready when we got home. This.just.didn't.happen. 

I accepted the fact that there wasn't going to be time before church

and chose to let it go.  Once we got home I was able to put a pot of chili together in no time at all and not one person complained about it not being ready as soon as we got home.  Apparently, this has been an unnecessary expectation of my own making.

yummy chili!

On Christmas morning, after we opened gifts, I began preparing our Christmas breakfast (which was now becoming a Christmas brunch).  The menu was the spinach quiche my daughter made, some toast cups with eggs, turkey bacon and fresh fruit. 

While brunch was being prepared, I remembered that I had forgotten something important that I was going to do as soon as I got up. (but when I got up I remembered that I still needed to wrap presents)  So my sweet husband helped me by putting the roast and sweet potatoes in the crock pot.  This would be for our dinner later in the day.

In the afternoon I made a bowl of cole slaw (something my husband had requested), a dish of corn casserole and my daughter made the pumpkin pie.  

After dinner, my daughter came and asked me if the cole slaw in the refrigerator was supposed to have been for dinner.  Why yes!  It was!  This now became a fresh and ready dish for lunch the day AFTER Christmas. 

I imagine clothing that looks Christmassy for every person in my family and new Christmas pajamas for us to wear on Christmas Eve.  

In reality, I kind of gave up on this.  I didn't really have time to think too much about what everyone was going to wear for any of our Christmas functions.  I think we did okay without new pajamas this year ... and since no one went to bed naked ... we're good.

I imagine a house that's clean and smells like Christmas.   Christmas programs and parties attended and plenty of time left to hang out with my family and watch movies together or play games.

In reality, my husband volunteered to help me with some clean up around the house. So the Saturday afternoon before Christmas my sweet hubby and I worked together all afternoon.  (May I add, that was about the most romantic thing ever. We were working and we were productive, but most of all we were together. It was a great day.)  While we were cleaning, I came across some candles from last year and my daughter lit them ... all of them.  Our goal was obviously not a particularly lovely display of lit candles, but we had fun and they did help the house smell like Christmas. 

There were several things about our Christmas that were less than perfect.  My desire to make peanut brittle to give away as gifts never happened.  We didn't do our traditional family shopping trip on Christmas Eve.  Two of our children weren't with us for Christmas Eve and one wasn't with us for Christmas.  The really cool gift I had planned to buy for my husband didn't get purchased.  Instead he got a tie and a bag of jelly beans.  But I think he REALLY liked the jelly beans.  And the Christmas cards from last year that I thought would be our cards for this year .... they are still in my closet.  

Earlier in the year, my mom had mentioned that she really liked a particular perfume but that it was very expensive.  I found a knock-off brand of that fragrance at a local drug store so I bought it for her.  Because I wanted to make sure it smelled nicely and not like cheap perfume, I decided to try it myself first. (by the way, it smelled really great!) That was about four weeks before I saw her for Christmas... so, there was a certain amount missing from the bottle. (tacky, I know)  I didn't get the perfume wrapped ... but she gave me something in a nice gift bag, so I used the same bag for her perfume. (really ... she didn't seem to mind.)  (note to self: next year give her an unused bottle of the real perfume wrapped in beautiful paper with a pretty bow and curly ribbon.) 

But there were many things about our Christmas that were perfectly wonderful.  One of the wonderful things is that I was able to make it through the month without being overcome by stress.  I am finally learning to let go of the notion that I can orchestrate a perfect Christmas.  And I'm delighting in the reality of truly enjoying how our family celebrates the birth of our Lord Jesus.  

Joy to the World

Joy to the World

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.  (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)  And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)  to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

It's Not My Fault

Truth or dare.

     Truth.

What is the worst sin you've ever committed?

     Huh?

Tell us your biggest sin.

     My worst sin?  The biggest sin?  

Yeah.  Something really bad.  What's the worst thing you've ever done?

     I've done a lot of stupid things and sinned against God big time.

But have you ever done anything really bad like kill someone or commit adultery or sell drugs?  Something that you could go to hell for?

     The truth is ... we all deserve to go to hell for our sins.  And without Jesus that is where we will     spend eternity.  

We love to classify sin.  It makes us feel better.  Generally speaking we are more tolerant of our own sin than we are of someone else who sins the same way.

But what about sin?  Is it really that bad?  What if societal trends change the way we look at sin?  Or maybe it's not sin because it's not my fault I'm this way.

The longer I live and the deeper my relationship with Jesus becomes, the more He allows me to see my sin. Truth is ... God is holy.  We can try to minimize God's holiness so we are more comfortable in our sin, but it doesn't change the fact that He is holy.

We are all born into sin.  Remember what happened in the garden?

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”

 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”

“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman.  “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.  Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden.  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? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”

The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, 

and I ate it.”

Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?”

The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

It's not my fault.  Besides the serpent said we would not die.  And the serpent's explanation seemed more reasonable and less inhibiting.  God makes rules just to keep us from enjoying life and having a good time.  If He is a loving God, He won't punish us for our sins.  If He punishes us for our sins then He must not be a loving God.  This is just the way I am.  This is the way God made me.  It's not my fault.

We are all born into sin.  It doesn't matter what family you are born into.  It doesn't matter which country you are born in.  All of us have a sin nature when we enter life here on earth.  Fortunately, God has made a way for our punishment to be canceled.  Our debt is paid.  Our life redeemed.  

God loves us the way we are.  Yay!  Best news ever.  There isn't anything we can do to earn God's love. However, just because He loves us the way we are, our relationship with Him doesn't end there. Remember, we are all sinners.  His love for us in our sinful state doesn't make our sin acceptable.  His love for us as sinners should cause us to be broken before Him.  His love for us should be sufficient reason to despise our sin, not flaunt it as acceptable. 

In the course of getting to know God through reading His Word and intimate conversations, we see our need for His grace and forgiveness.  In Isaiah we read, 

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.  And they were calling to one another:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;

    the whole earth is full of his glory.”

 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.

 “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”

Isaiah saw the Lord.  He heard the seraphim proclaim the holiness of the Lord.  In that moment, in the presence of the Almighty, Isaiah was keenly aware of his sin.  

We can keep our distance from God's presence and possibly become comfortable in our sin.  But do not be deceived.  Our acceptance of sin does not alter it's origin or influence it's reality.  No matter how favorably we choose to view certain sin, or how benign we feel the consequence to be, we will always be wrong.  Sin separates us from God.  The only way to be washed clean from our sin is through the blood of Jesus.  Our hope of eternal life in fellowship with God is through the gift of grace.  

The words "it's not my fault" from our lips will never skew the truth or sway the verdict when we are in the presence of the Holy and Almighty Lord.  The only One truly able to say, "It's not my fault" is Jesus.  He suffered severely because of our sin even though He had never sinned. Even Pilot declared, "I find no fault in Him." As He hung on a cross, giving His life as payment for ours, His heart toward the Father was, "Don't hold this against them.  They don't know what they're doing."  

Every aspect of our life must be placed at the foot of the cross.  Every ounce of our being must submit to the holy authority of a holy God.  Everything within us should cry out to the Father for mercy.  Every heart transformed, holy and without blemish.

I'm pretty sure the lamest excuse or defense anyone would want to utter when standing before God in judgment is, "It's not my fault." Rather, we should declare, "I'm a sinner saved by grace. The blood of Jesus paid my debt. And although I've done nothing to deserve a place in Your kingdom, I am Yours."