To Believe or not to Believe? That is the Question.

Call it life experiences or genetics or just plain paranoia; it doesn't really matter the label, the fact remains - I have some serious trust issues. It seems I question every newscaster, radio announcer, statistic, newspaper article - well, you get the picture. Frustration mounts as so many folks seem to really know what's going on, and I'm in the dark because - well, I have serious trust issues. 

Daddy had a saying, and I guess I heard it all my life until it's become part of me. He'd say, "Treat everybody like a crook, and if they're honest, they won't care." You know, Daddy, that makes more sense the older I get. 

I do question things and people far too often, I suppose, and I'm sure that falls into the "judgmental" category -  a pit into which I certainly do not wish to fall. So, what do I do with these questions? this unbelief? this lack of trust?

Some possibilities:

• Examine myself! Am I lacking trust in others because I, myself, have become untrustworthy?
• Examine The Word of God! Does information line up with The Word?
• Examine the source! This is where the rubber meets the road, so to speak. You see, "the source" is a human being - a man or woman with a past, a worldview tainted or beautified by that past. "The source" may or may not have had a life of ease and abundance; "the source" may have had to scratch and scrape to get a voice and that's why it's filled with bitterness. Ultimately, "the source" has a soul - just like I do... just like you do. He or she may struggle with trust issues as well, and if we met, he or she may "treat me like a crook". Would I care? Hmmm. 

In these musings, truly, it comes down to one thing. There is only One Who is fully trustworthy. Mankind - goodness, as Opie Taylor would say, "We're a mess!" 

In The Word - the Book that has earned my trust, we see folks who were trustworthy, like Joseph. What did he do to get thrown into a pit, then prison and forgotten? Nothing. And what about Job? Whew - what about Job!! "In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly." Job 1:22 Wow.
But there are some rascals - like Absalom. What about Samson? Jezebel? And Judas Iscariot!! Really? Walking right with Jesus, and betraying Him with a kiss? Wow. What about Rahab the Harlot... choices she made would make her quite untrustworthy. The "rascal" list is pretty long, right? And honestly, if my story were in The Word - you might be shocked; you might never trust me again; you might relate; you might just see what Grace can do. 

So, to believe or not to believe? That is the question. And my conclusion?

"Trust in THE LORD with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge HIM, and HE shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones." Proverbs 3:5-8

THE LORD is trustworthy! And the sad thing? I have treated HIM "like a crook" - questioned Him, disobeyed Him, ignored Him, on and on... and He still loved me right back into His trustworthy arms. Truly, He has NEVER failed me. He is the answer to the question. Yes, all my hope is in Him - not in people, not in circumstances, not in this temporal, untrustworthy world.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

To believe or not to believe... Yes, that is the question. Will you believe?

Been a While!

Wow... how time flies. My last post was about Obama being elected, now today, after Obama's second term, we're experiencing a new presidential election. And what an election season it has been! I wonder if it will be over even after today's election results are in... Time will tell. Thankfully, God has our future not Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton.

So, since my last post in 2009, our sons have grown and moved into their own lives. They are doing very well. God is faithful.Truly, the only constant in life is God and His Word. Nothing else remains the same.

In fact, my heart remains heavy as we said "see you later" to my dear friend, Debbie. What a blessing her friendship has been to me over the past 30 years. I miss her.  Death strikes emotional chords in a very confusing way - sadness for the loss, joy for her reward, determination to go on, helplessness to ease the pain of her family left behind. Life really is a vapor... (James 4:14)

Then, there's been news of four others who slipped into eternity just in the last four days. Our family wasn't as close to them as we were Debbie, yet that flood of emotion is real. Heart aches for families and emptiness. Little houses seem so hollow. The Living Word rushes in to offer peace - a peace that passes all understanding to guard our breaking heart from enemy attack and our vivid, creative mind from harmful imaginations (Philippians 4:7). Total dependence on The Comforter is not out of order, either. Jesus sent Him for us (John 14:16). He knew...

So, yes, it's been a while and things in life have changed - my little boys are men, my brown hair is gray, many friends have entered into eternity... yet my God is the same and His Word remains.

May you be blessed and may we continue in prayer for our family, friends, our country, and our world.

Obama Needs Our Prayers

Okay, so I didn't vote for him and quite honestly I don't trust him AT ALL, but God had a reason for Obama being our next president. So, we need to be faithful in praying for him, in trying to cut the criticism - tough as that may be for me!! - and, most of all, faithful in trusting our lives, every single minute part, to God. We need to be in the Word and in unceasing prayer for our nation and all of the leaders.

God will never leave us nor forsake us, that's a promise.

Below, I've tried to include a link for one of my favorite songs. It reminds me that my trust is in Christ alone -- not in a man, not in a nation, not in my ideals... Just in Christ alone. I hope it works for you.

http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=67526786fe0444acf467&msg=Your%20email%20has%20been%20successfully%20sent%20to%20your%20friend..

In 2009, may we grow in Christ as never before.

Max Lucado is asking as many as will to sign their name pledging to pray for President-Elect Obama on Inauguration Day. Won't you join?

Here's a quote from Max Lucado's newsletter:

"He needs our prayers. And it’s our privilege to pray for him. The Bible says: Pray for rulers and for all who have authority so that we can have quiet and peaceful lives full of worship and respect for God. (1 Timothy 2:2)

For that reason, I invite you to set aside a few minutes on Inauguration Day, Tuesday, January 20, and ask God to bless Barack Obama and his family. Join me and urge as many people as possible to speak to God on behalf on our incoming president.

Good things happen when people pray."

PrayForPresidentElect.com

Christmas to Me

Christmas time is fun
Let's all go grab a honeybun!
But it's not just to please us,
It's really all about Jesus.
It's okay to want them presents,
But remember it's not all about presents;
It's about Jesus,
not just to please us.

By Corbin Madden
December, 2008

Money Can Buy...

At church a couple of weeks ago, Mom handed me this yellowed little square of paper. The print is obviously from one of those old-fashioned, long-gone typewriters, but the wording is timeless. I have no clue who wrote this, it just says (copied) at then end, but I'd love to give credit where credit is due, so if you should know the author, please let me know, okay? Anyway, I hope it causes you to take a fresh look at your priorities....

Money Can Buy

A House but not a Home.
Food but not an Appetite.
Clothing but not Beauty.
Medicine but not Health.
A Bed but not Sleep.
Books but not Brains.
Luxury but not Culture.
Insurance but not Security.
Loyalty but not Love.
Happiness but not Joy.
Companions but not Friends.
Glasses but not Vision.
A Church but not Salvation.
A Crucifix but not a Saviour.

"For what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?" Matt. 16:26a


It is easy to fall into the trap. We need money to live, but if we live for money, we have no life.

My children are growing so fast - time with them here at home with us is a temporary treasure. God has been really dealing with me this last month about my priorities. It's just so easy to lose focus and find yourself running like a hamster in that spinning wheel - round and round and round but never getting anywhere. Yet, the clock keeps ticking, the days keep passing...

I'm learning that it's only through the leading of the Holy Spirit that I can keep any sort of balance in my life - spiritually, mentally, emotionally, even physically. WORKING toward finding that "place" can be exhausting. My focus MUST remain on Him and Him alone; my trust must be in Him and Him alone.

Of course, several months ago I heard someone say - "Whoever said, 'Money can't buy happiness' never had any." And it IS nice to have money, I certainly can't argue there! But it's nicer to have JESUS! With Him - EVERYTHING is nicer.

Daddy always says, "I ain't never seen a U-Haul hitched to a hearse." But what I have seen is a long line of cars, haven't you? Cars that money can buy. Each and every one driven by a person - a person with a soul that will last for all eternity.....

Have you done a priority check lately?

Atkins says no Bread, but I've GOTTA have it!

Wow! It's been a long time since my last post, but God has sure been busy in our lives. He's just blessing our socks off! And I praise Him for that.

I'm learning daily that God does supply all our needs, that we do not live by bread alone, but by EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDETH OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD. His Word is alive and filled with love. It is my bread - and it's CARB FREE!!!

I've been doing a study lately by Joyce Meyer called The Battlefield of the Mind. Whew! Is that ever a warzone in my life! I have lived so long with "stinkin' thinkin'". Wandering around 40 years in the wilderness when the journey could've taken 11 days - that's not only the story of the Children of Israel, but all too often it's our story, too. We wander around aimlessly, spinning our wheels and never getting anywhere. We grumble and complain, and continue in the same patterns day-in-day-out wondering why we don't see more of God's hand in our lives.

Well, we've got to change! It's not optional. If we want to see God's miracles, live and walk in His presence, we've got to get our vision in line with His. We have to realize that, yes, in this world we have tribulations, but we have reason to BE OF GOOD CHEER! HE has overcome this world!

I've known God was with me; I've seen His miracles, experienced amazing grace, overcome major battles, rejoiced in His deliverance, but you know what? He's not finished yet! Boy, is there ever so much to learn!

Bask in His presence, dig into His Word DAILY, spend time with Him in prayer, commune with Him throughout the day as friend with friend. Oh, you just can't imagine the joy - that deep, indescribable joy of communing with the Holy Spirit.

So, it's all you can eat Bread! The BREAD OF LIFE! It's even better than Red Lobster's cheese biscuits!!!

Just a word...

Satan is real as we all very well know. He is out to devour us, not just trip us up - DEVOUR us. He is ruthless and cunning, an angel of light. We MUST be prepared for the fight. We MUST daily put on the whole armor of God. That takes action and obedience, never assuming the armor will just "fall" upon us because we are saved. Put on the full armor of God every day. Still there are areas uncovered, it seems, where Satan gets his grimy little hands in our life, but we MUST fight the fight and finish the race realizing we have a "great cloud of witnesses" cheering us on. (Hebrews 12:1)

We have a power in prayer. We cannot fail to lift one another up. In these last days even the very elect will be deceived; we are warned of that. Yes, we MUST ask questions and we MUST dig in the Word daily to recognize deception and false teachings. The blood Jesus shed those thousands of years ago hasn't lost its power. Let's plead the blood over one another through 2008, let's FIGHT with the Sword of the Spirit because we KNOW that "in this world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world"!!! (John 16:33)

Remember, we can, through the power of Jesus Christ, do all things. Nothing is left out there. We can find answers; we can be healed - emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually; we can minister; we can find that peace that passes all understanding; we can defeat the enemy! We can trust God enough to know that He is allowing us to pass through the fire to refine us as pure silver - PURE silver - so He can see His reflection in us.

Oh, friends, let us hold one another up. "Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed." Hebrews 12:12-13

Let us remember the POWER in prayer. Let us try to search out joy because God has told us to count it ALL joy. I'm the first to say, that's often a tough one to obey, but again, Phil 4:13 - it's still in there. We can - through Jesus Christ and His power.

And keep your hope!! "Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: 'For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.' But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul." (Hebrews 10:35-39)

Hallelujah, brothers and sisters!!! We just have a little longer to tarry. Don't give up the fight! Read, study, memorize, hide the Word in your heart - and maybe Ephesians 6:10-20 would be a good place to start. Like David who faced Goliath we must remember - the battle is the Lord's (1 Samuel 17:47), we just have to take off the "armor" of this world, and put on the FULL armor of our God!

Jan
Isaiah 43:1-2

Were you born in a barn?

I don't know about you, but down here in the hills of TN, I've heard this question thousands of times. Usually as a child when I had my mind in too many places to remember to shut the door behind me when I came into the house -- ESPECIALLY in the unusual heavenly occurrence of Dad having the air conditioner on in the middle of August!! He loves the heat and one of his innumerable wise sayings is "Sweatin's good for you. You sweat out all the poisons." So, if he had the air conditioner running, trips in or out better be quick and few! :)

Yesterday, however, my brother shed new light on this saying for me (he's my pastor, you know).

Who is welcome in a barn? Some folks lock up their barns, but I don't know many cows and horses who have keys, do you? And in the Old West, the family slept in the house, but guests and strangers coming along the way, well, they slept in the barn. Mom and Dad's barn stores all those things there's no room for in the house, things no one wants or can use right now. Usually, barns aren't the most pleasant smelling nor the most clean, either. Even my dear, dear friend Kathy - one of THE best house-keepers I've EVER known, probably doesn't have Pledge in the barn! They have quite a farm, and though their barn is immaculate - for a barn - I wouldn't consider delivering a baby in there, you know? Get real! A barn?

But God did.

Why? Why choose THAT environment for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Savior of all mankind?

Because EVERYONE is welcome in a barn! Shepherds, kings, rich, poor, short, tall, fat, skinny -- EVERYONE!

Had God chosen a palace, it still wouldn't have been good enough for Jesus, but I wouldn't be welcome there - I'm not royalty. Had God chosen the Inn where maybe Mary and Joseph got the very last room - the next person coming by wouldn't be welcome because there would've been no room. Get the picture? He chose a barn so EVERYONE can come to Him! I love that picture!

"For God so loved THE WORLD that He gave His only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER believeth in Him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

I'm a 'WHOSOEVER' and so are you! What a blessed hope!

Were you born in a barn? My Savior was... just for you and me.

Well, here it is...

Christmas, it's here. I just hope I remembered everyone. Even though I make a list, I'm always afraid I've forgotten someone or something. *sigh*

It's just so hard to REALLY keep the focus, isn't it? My daddy always says, "It's Jesus' birthday, not mine; don't get me a thing." Well, I've never NOT gotten him anything, but deep in my heart, I think if I didn't he'd really be okay with it.

Jesus has truly done so much for us, hasn't He? This week in our Bible discussions, we got to the point in Mark where Judas betrayed Jesus. I've felt betrayed, haven't you? But to betray Jesus after following in His footsteps, hearing His voice, seeing His miracles... wait - I'VE done that! I certainly can't be too hard on Judas Iscariot when Jesus has given me so much - His Word to guide me, His Holy Spirit to comfort me, His GRACE that saved me! And I still betrayed Him.

Even this time of year, I struggle to remain faithful. I go to sleep with my mind swirling with things needing to be done, I wake up rushing so I can get things done... I have to MAKE myself sit down to my devotional journal. There's just so much to do. Satan does a mighty good job of getting us so BUSY, we put Jesus on the back burner -- and like Daddy says, It's HIS birthday!

I don't mean to put Him on the back burner, do you? It's not intentional. I try very hard to keep the focus on Him, but I fall so short - the dinner, the glittering lights, wrapping gifts, lists, schedules, double checking the lists,... and this year our heat pump went out. Whew! An added item on my mind's swirling list.

I saw a bright red sign in front of Simonton's Cheese House here in Crossville yesterday - JESUS IS THE REASON. If it hadn't be for Jesus we'd have no Christmas.

My goodness, when it's one of our boys' birthdays, we go all out from morning to night making him realize what a special gift he is, how blessed we are to have him in our life, what a treasure that day is for no other reason than HE WAS BORN!

Well, I want to do that for my Savior this year. I want His day to be focused on Him! I mean really! He is my hope, my ROCK, my counselor, my friend, my REDEEMER!

My God is Jehovah Jireh - the Lord my Provider. He has provided me with all I need and more - even the recognition that HE is the reason and that because of HIS gift, I can give - and I don't mean only physical gifts. I can give a smile, a word of encouragement, offer hope, lift a prayer...

Yes, it can be difficult to keep our focus, but I'm determined to NOT betray my Savior. I want to give Him all I have. Won't you join me?

Happy Birthday, Jesus!!!

You know, it's like that song Randy Travis sings -- He had the birthday, but we got the Gift....

Joy and Perfect Peace

This morning I heard the sweet voice of our son before I saw his sweet face. His first words of the day? "It's December!"

The smile on my face came from my heart. The joys of children at Christmastime.

I lay in my nice warm bed looking out the window at the wind tossing leaves around thinking... December, the year is almost gone... Do I really want to dig into the "wrapping presents" scene today... where will I find a sturdy fireplace set that we can afford... Then I heard the patter of footsteps trotting toward my bed.

Our oldest son "whispered", "STOP! Leave her alone; let her sleep in!"

"I just want to tell her it's December!"

Dustin plopped up next to me. "Happy December, Mommy!" His smile was contagious and sparkles glittered in his eyes. A soft kiss came my way. "Now, I'll let you do what you let us do yesterday." He ran to the doorway.

"What's that?" I asked, puzzled.

"Sleep till you wake up!" He replied innocently.

"Okay, Thanks, buddy." He wanted me to have a peaceful morning, didn't he? But the excitement of DECEMBER (CHRISTMAS!!) just overflowed and he had to share the joy!

Last night we watched the movie Gods and Generals. It focused a lot on Stonewall Jackson and his part in the Civil War. His faith was amazing to say the least. Sitting tall and confident on his horse in the midst of battle - a seemingly easy target for the enemy. A soldier asked him how he could do that; how could he not fear the cannon? Jackson's reply penetrated my soul -- I know I won't get the quote word for word, but -- "My religious belief doesn't offer fear. God is in control of the timetable of my life. I won't die until He so chooses in His perfect will for me to do so. My only duty is to be ready."

I'm sure my countenance mirrored the soldier's - awe.

That assurance in God's ultimate and total control of a surrendered life yields perfect peace.

"You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You." Isaiah 26:3 NKJV

This time of year we hear the word "Peace", but our hearts often feel far less than peaceful. I find myself there, anyway. Christmas lists. Christmas cards. Christmas parties. Christmas parades. Christmas shows. Christmas shopping. Christmas schedules. Christmas budget (or lack thereof) :)

The demands our culture has put upon this Holiday can be overwhelming. It is a challenge to even remember why we celebrate it sometimes. BUT I saw those sparkles in my son's eyes ... WHAT A HOLIDAY! Jesus came! I want MY joy to be so evident that it's contagious to anyone I meet. I want MY mind to be so consumed with Jesus that HIS perfect peace is evident in my confidence that HE is in control.

During this time of year when the lines are too long, when the ONE toy left that you reached for got snatched right out from under you, when the world tells us we can't say MERRY CHRISTMAS, when your schedule is bursting at the seams, and on and on it goes... Let us be careful. We must not let the gifts replace THE Gift.

Jesus came. "But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves." John 17:13 Jesus prayed that prayer for us. Oh, that HIS joy will be fulfilled in us.

Joy and Peace - two traditional themes for Christmas. The REAL joy and peace can only come from the One who came.

Joy and Perfect Peace to all - through and only through The Gift of our Savior, MY KING!

Blessings Abundant

I do a daily devotional journal called The Daily Light Journal. The Daily Light was first published by Samuel Bagster in 1794, then in 2004 Anne Graham Lotz put the Scripture in the NKJV, and added a journaling area. I LOVE IT! I've filled 2 and am close to filling the third. One particular entry was a lot of fun and although it was assigned for August 6, it is very appropriate for America's Thanksgiving holiday.

So, meditate upon some of the awesome Scriptures from this devotional piece, then maybe you can follow through with the "assignment"... once a teacher, always a teacher - can't get away from homework. :)

O Lord our God, all this abundance... is from Your hand, and is all Your own" 1 Chronicles 29:16


Of Him and through Him and to Him are all tings, to whom be glory forever. Amen. Romans 11:36

The living God ... gives us richly all things to enjoy. 1 Timothy 6:17

My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

Take a look before we start our assignment at that last verse I listed. "Riches" - we often think of riches monetarily, but God, I feel, has a far different view of riches. PRICELESS riches are more along His line of thinking, I believe. A Godly heritage, health, peace, joy... Priceless riches from HIS hand.

Now, for the fun assignment. Make an alphabetical list - A through Z - of God's blessings in your life. It might seem a difficult task at first, but once you get started - WOW! Look what God has done!

Here's mine:

A - Alesia; she signs my paycheck!!! :)
B - my Brother and his precious family
C - Corbin - "I don't care if your eighty, you'll always be my baby..." :)
D - Dustin - my snuggle bug / Daddy
E - Eternal life!
F - Friends, family, faith
G - GRACE
H - home, heritage, homeschooling friends, health
I - my wonderful mother- and father-In-law
J - Jesus!!
K - Ability to Kneel before my King
L - Love has surrounded me all the days of my life - what a blessed Life!
M - Mark / Momma / Mindi - my angel
N - Nail-scarred hands
O - God is Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient!!
P - Power of Prayer
Q - Quickening of the Spirit
R - Rhonda - my "sister"
S - Shane - our firstborn son, our "little" drummer boy
T - Tracy - my AWESOME manager!
U - Undying, Undeserved love
V - VICTORY!
W - the Word - the LIVING Word!
X - XL clothes... *deep sigh*
Y - His YOKE is easy.
Z - ZERO bills due right now! HALLELUJAH!!!


"Thank You, Lord, for saving me,
for giving me the hope of eternity,
Thank You, Lord, for Calvary
and sending Jesus Christ for me.
For it's by the blood of the Lamb
that He doesn't see me as I am.
And it's by the cross of Calvary
that He sees me holy..." (by jan,2001)

Okay, your turn!

Mentor Across the Miles for Teenage Girls!!

I just finished reading My Life, Unscripted by Tricia Goyer. If you have teenage girls or know teenage girls, I HIGHLY recommend this book!! What an awesome gift! What an awesome investment for parents, youth leaders, anyone willing to take the time to teach our precious teen girls appropriate direction... To follow is my "official" review:

Tricia, I'm sure, wouldn't want the credit for the Inspiration brought forth in this amazing book for teenage girls, but her obedience in having shared her story will bless, strengthen, and encourage anyone who completes this study. God has given her the courage to boldly share her 'unscripted' life to mentor, teach, and provide godly alternatives to hopefully thwart others from the same mistakes she made, while sharing the joy of making right choices!

Tricia addresses topics in a unique way, and, if you're not careful, you'll learn a bit about scriptwriting. :' She also includes 'scripts' from teenage girls across the USA. Topics covered are peer pressure, fear, those hard-to-love folks, sex, abortion ... She doesn't back down, and that's what our youth need today - examples of Strong Christians grounded in the WORD willing to take the stand for Christ, sharing His neverfailing love for us - no matter what!!

Thank you for your obedience and your boldness, Tricia!!! I pray lives are changed and that final script in the book becomes a reality a thousand times over!!

Where to find the book: www.amazon.com / www.barnesandnoble.com / www.christianbook.com

Very reasonably priced, and priceless in instruction!

Yes! I Will Praise Him

Ever have those times when you think, "Okay, God. What else can I do? You promised abundant life..."?

Yeah; me, too.

He just gives and gives and gives, and I'm so very thankful, but you know what? I want more!! Is that not so selfish! I pray for forgiveness, and I pray for God to change my heart... "Please, Lord, get me to that place Paul was so I can be content in whatever state I'm in!!" Whew! Do I ever seem to struggle.

BUT today I'm clinging to what I guess is my most favorite passage of Scripture - Habakkuk chapter 3. I love Habakkuk. Even his name; it's just fun to say. But did you know it means "love's embrace"? Now, would you have EVER gotten that out of Habakkuk? Sounds more like a cat choking on a hairball. :) But to me, that's one more indication of God's ability to make beauty from anything - no matter how we see it or what we think about it. And after reading Habakkuk's book, yeah, I feel that loving embrace.

The theme of this beautiful book is 'Faith'. Habakkuk has questions - I can already relate, can't you? - about why God lets evil even happen in HIS world. Will God ever fix this horrible place where Satan is the prince of the power of the air? Will justice EVER be served?

And then... there's chapter 3. This beautiful poetic book ends with such confidence! I won't take the time to quote the entire chapter, but let me encourage you to not only read chapter 3, but the entire book of Habakkuk this week. You will be encouraged, I promise!

For today, this is my ROCK:


"Though the fig tree may not blossom,
Nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labor of the olive may fail,
And the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no herd in the stalls--
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

The Lord God is my strength;
He will make my feet like deer's feet,
And He will make me walk on my high hills."

Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NKJV)

YES!! I will PRAISE Him!!

Is God Good or What?!?!?!

Don't ask me why, but God blessed our family with the time, money, and courage to take a real family vacation. WOW! Our first in 15 years of marriage. We drove over 1500 miles along the eastern coast on what we titled our "American Heritage Vacation." What a field trip for our homeschoolers! :)

Each of us gained a new respect for the freedoms we enjoy in America. Seeing the rows upon rows upon rows of gravestones at Arlington, then in Gettysburg made quite the impact.

How dare we stand by and let ANYONE burn our flag - especially on our own soil! Arlington is 300 acres of graves. Gettysburg - more than 30,000 graves, if I remember correctly. Each represents a soul that lived and breathed willing to lay his or her life down for our country. Some of the graves hold wives or children of the soldiers. Families ripped apart. Whether we agree with the "cause" of war or not, we MUST respect the willingness to fight to the death. And many, if not most, of the freedoms we enjoy today would not be had it not been for courageous soldiers standing strong and proud - dying strong and proud.

As we walked the sidewalks of Arlington after witnessing the changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unkown Soldier, a horse drawn carriage pulled a flag-draped casket through the cemetery. A soldier from Iraq? A "lifer" retired who died of old age? A disabled Vietnam vet? We don't know, but what we do know is another life was laid to rest in that hallowed ground.

We ended our journey in awe. Skyline Drive in the Shenandoah National Park. The amazing, breathtaking views - well, they just leave me speechless and full of wonder as to how anyone can say there's no God or that all that beauty came from some big bang or a single-cell amoeba. Get real.

"All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made." John 1:3 (NKJV)

I'm certainly far from a professional photographer, but the picture with this blog post is from Skyline Drive. Honestly, it just doesn't do the view justice, but look at that bright spot in the midst of those dark clouds... Isn't that just like God? "In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it." John 1:4-5 (NKJV)

You see, that's us!! You and I! We, because of Jesus, are a light in this dark world! The dark times in our lives - trouble (pay-cuts included!), persecution, fear, even death - can't comprehend the light of Jesus....

So, I ask you, Is God good or what?!?!?!

I have to say as a witness of His mighty hand - He IS good - ALL the time!

PS -- Thanks Aunt Betty! :)

Am I a Grape or a Marble?

I read this in Oswald Chambers' My Utmost for His Highest and just felt led to share it with you today. It ministered to me - right where it hurts. :o)

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THE COMMISSION OF THE CALL

"Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for His body's sake." Colossians 1:24

We make calls out of our own spiritual consecration, but when we get right with God He brushes all these aside, and rivets us with a pain that is terrific to one thing we never dreamed of, and for one radiant flashing moment we see what He is after, and we say-- "Here am I, send me."

This call has nothing to do with personal sanctification, but with being made broken bread and poured-out wine. God can never make us wine if we object to the fingers He uses to crush us with. If God would only use His own fingers, and make me broken bread and poured-out wine in a special way! But when He uses someone whom we dislike, or some set of circumstances to which we said we would never submit, and makes those the crushers, we object. We must never choose the scene of our own martyrdom. If ever we are going to be made into wine, we will have to be crushed; you cannot drink grapes. Grapes become wine only when they have been squeezed.

I wonder what kind of finger and thumb God has been using to squeeze you, and you have been like a marble and escaped? You are not ripe yet, and if God had squeezed you, the wine would have been remarkably bitter. To be a sacramental personality means that the elements of the natural life are presenced by God as they are broken providentially in His service. We have to be adjusted into God before we can be broken bread in His hands. Keep right with God and let Him do what He likes, and you will find that He is producing the kind of bread and wine that will benefit His other children.

(September 30's reading)

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Father, as Your children, we ask You to open our eyes to see Your hand faithfully working in our lives...

May YOU feel God's precious presence in ALL you do today!

Life's Little Surprises

How do you handle life's little surprises?

It's very easy to tell others how to handle them, but when it gets personal...

My husband got a pay cut this week. Not a fun little surprise. I must confess; when something similar has happened to others, my first (and very sincere) response is, "Well, now, you just trust God. He has a plan and you know the Bible promises that ALL things work together for good..."

And, this is the exact advice/comments we have received from family and the few friends we've shared the info with. I KNOW that it's true, but when it's the bread and butter, the food on the table, the electric bill, well, you get the idea.

It got personal.

So, it's time to put our faith to work, yet again. We only THOUGHT we were living by faith to this point. LOL I think I'm through my bitter little pity party and am ready to say, "Yeah, I really do trust You, Father... even when I don't understand."

Maybe you've seen the movie Facing the Giants. What an impressive, inspirational show!

I have a new job. I LOVE it! But it's strictly commission based. I don't know how many times I've quoted the movie line "Give it all you've got and leave the results up to God." Well, let me tell ya... that's easier said than done!! But I'm certainly giving it my best shot! My sweet manager, bless her heart, probably thinks she hired a mental case!! But she's just so patient and encouraging. I thank God for her.

I found myself in tears today wondering how, why, when... all those questions. While pouring out my heart to my King, another line from that movie came to my mind... "Yes, God, I'll still love you even if..."

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." (NKJV)

I wrote a song based on this verse. The chorus goes like this, "When I don't understand... I'll keep on trusting. When it's not how I planned... I'll acknowledge Him. I'll let the Lord direct my path til I'm safely Home at last. I've put my trust in Him."

Well, now, isn't that just like God to give me a song like that then put me to the test? :o)

But, yeah, I DO trust Him, and yeah, I DO trust that ALL things work together for good AND for His glory. (see Romans 8:28)

Life's little surprises. I didn't handle this one too well at the beginning, but hopefully I'll finish well - with GOD!

What about you? How do you handle life's little surprises... when they get personal?

So, Who Asked You?

I love homeschooling. I love the support I get from my wonderful husband. I love our boys. I love being their teacher, choosing the curriculum, watching them learn, seeing their excitement when they "get it." But you know what I love most of all? No bells, no rigid schedule.

As a jr. high/high school teacher in a Christian School, it seemed the bell rang at the most inopportune times. Just as we were getting into the good stuff, you know? The meat of the matter -- especially Bible. Teens and pre-teens have great questions, but it takes a while for them to warm up sometimes. My homeroom/first period class was Bible and English 7/8. It was always frustrating to me knowing I had to get to that adverbial/adjectival prepositional phrase lesson, so I felt rushed in the lesson, say it was from Hebrews 11 on faith! Aarrgghh! Considering life as I know it (a bit beyond pre-teens here), faith vs. prepositional phrases, hummm, which will benefit life more? Which will matter for eternity's sake for some of those students?

Of course, there is a place for proper English, don't get me wrong, as there is for math, history, etc. But that brings me back to why I LOVE homeschooling. You see, Thursday our boys and I had our regular morning Bible study. We dug deep into Romans 11. WOW! There around verse 17 is shouting ground for us Gentiles, let me just tell you! To see how we were "grafted in" just the same as the Jews, God's chosen people... Hallelujah!

But then, we read a bit further... verse 20 (NLT) "... Don't think highly of yourself, but fear what could happen." We stopped right there for a long discussion and no bell interrupted us forcing us from this "holy ground" into math or science!

Our discussion went something like this:

So, who asked you where you wanted to live? I mean, in what country you wanted to be born, for example?

Who asked you who you wanted your parents to be?

Who asked you what color you wanted your skin?

Who asked you what you wanted your nose to look like? your hair? your teeth?

Who asked you what your heritage should be?

Who asked you if you wanted to be a Jew or Gentile?

Get the picture? "Don't think highly of yourself..." You see, I'm at a disadvantage compared to some folks. I've never known life without having EVERYTHING I need right when I need it. Obviously, I haven't had all my wants (lots of them,though), but my needs? Yeah. Always.

I've never slept in a cardboard box outside, nor have I ever not had food in my house. I've never known what it's like not to be loved. I've never known life without knowing God is ALWAYS with me.

Did I ask for such a blessed life? Even though I've experienced heart-wrenching tragedy, it's been blessed abundantly. No, I didn't ask for it; it was a gift.

Did those who suffer ask for that in their life? Some may have brought on consequences themselves, but did they ask for their heritage or their upbringing? No.

Did those children ask for their mother to push them into the river or drown them in the bathtub? HEAVENS NO!

So, what's the answer? Why am I so blessed when there's so many others suffering?

An even bigger question is what do we do?

Who am I to look upon another whose life is different than mine and consider myself any better or worse? Their life is a gift just as mine is. The trouble is, if others don't fit into our mold - enough money, nice enough clothes, properly proportioned facial features, skin color, height, weight, abilities - many of us consider their life less of a gift. Maybe even to the extreme of a mistake or burden. God forbid!

But no matter our circumstances, we are given the life we have to glorify God. I can't explain it. I don't know why God allows an innocent baby to be put in the hands of a perverted father or demented mother, but He's God. I KNOW that's not pleasing to Him. And "'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,'says the Lord." Romans 12:19b (NKJV) You can be sure that man/woman will regret what (s)he did...

One of our sons has special needs. Nothing extreme, but enough to cause some severe learning disabilities - only noticeable to those closest to him, usually. We drifted out upon this tumultuous water Thursday in our discussion. Tears fell as we discussed his "disorder." Personally, I hate the word "disorder." I believe God purposefully made my son fearfully and wonderfully - ordered him to be exactly as he is for HIS glory. His struggle may be just what it takes to minister to folks others can't reach. We talked about God never making mistakes, and our son is no exception. Dustin's purpose in life is to do the best he can and leave the rest up to God. With Dustin's obedience and his trust in God, he will make a difference in this world for Jesus, no doubt about it.

We have friends whose daughter is close to 30 years old. She's never matured beyond about 6-8 months of age. Why would God allow that? I can't believe He made a mistake. That mom and dad have made HUGE sacrifices in their lives to care for this child. Who knows where they might be or who they may have missed ministering to had they not experienced life with their daughter in such a way.

It all boils down to a matter of trust. Do we REALLY trust God enough to not think highly of ourselves? When my focus is on HIM, not on others and their "differences" or on myself, whew! I get blessed, but HE gets the glory. Others see HIM in me and things happen I could NEVER do without Him!

"Oh what a wonderful God we have! How great are his riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his methods! For who can know what the Lord is thinking? Who knows enough to be his counselor? And who could ever give him so much that he would have to pay it back? For everything comes from him; everything exists by his power and is intended for his glory. To him be glory evermore. Amen." Romans 11:33-36 (NLT)

Let me highlight "For everything ... is intended for his glory." We live in this rotten, sin-infested world where satan (I REFUSE to give him the honor of a capital letter!) is the prince of the power of the air. But his day's coming and it ain't gonna be pretty! Everything is INTENDED for His glory, but it doesn't always work that way.

I want to be different. I want my GIFTS to give Him glory. I want my family to give Him glory! I want my children to understand that because one has a 120 IQ while another has a 65 IQ, that wasn't a choice. One is no better or worse than the other.

The important thing is to understand that life is a gift from HIM intended for His glory.

He designed it, He can do with it as He pleases....

Who asked you (or me)?

We ask You, Father...

Father, we come to You today thanking You for Your grace, Your peace, and Your mercy that's available to all who ask. Just this morning in Your Word, You reminded me that you will generously pour out Your riches upon all who ask... We're asking for that generous outpouring, Father. Not necessarily monetarily, but riches that money can't buy -- peace, mercy, grace, true heart-penetrating joy, wisdom, strength, your anointing.

We think of families who are grieving the loss of loved ones in the attacks those years ago. Comfort them today, Father as only You can. Protect our troops (I call Jack out by name, Father), and especially those on foreign soil; guide and direct our government; send Your Spirit to abide in their midst. We put them, our country, our lives - our children's lives, the future generations - all in Your hands... Your trustworthy hands.

Thank you for being GOD! Omnipotent, omniscient, the Alpha and Omega, the Everlasting Father, THE PRINCE OF PEACE!

As we write today and go about our daily activities, Father, we ask you to guide our thoughts. Let the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in Your sight, oh Lord, our strength and our REDEEMER... In Jesus' precious, holy, name above all names...

He's always there...

Love Letter from Abba Father

Inspired by the Holy Spirit

My daughter be not quick to judge a thing or person for you know not what they have gone through to be where they are at now. My daughter listen closely to all that is said before you speak and you will stay out of much trouble. Let go of the past hurts and bruises, for to hang on to them will keep you from growing in Me. To let go will release my anointing to launch you forward and upward to know heights you have never known before. O My Beloved one hold tight to My truths and My mercy will cover you every time. Believe not everyone who says lord lord for some who appear righteous or not even Mine. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you and give you the discernment on every person you meet. I love you deeply My daughter of so much joy and laughter. Keep quiet when trouble comes knocking at your door. Cling to My word of truth and you will always be at the right place at the right time. Rest and be not weary for I Am on the inside of your heart. Love Eternally, Abba Father

Copyright 9-5-07 Sue Steen Nickel