Lessons from a Schnauzer!

If you happen to think you have things figured out enough in your life and that you and God are on the same page but for some reason you keep going round the mountain, give me a moment of your time to tell you my story.

I went through this huge test--simply put--because I always think I know what's best for me! However, that can come with some troubles, and I am ashamed to admit it, because surely by now I should know better (not fun to admit I'm am a slow learner.)  But I am going to risk some vulnerability because I have a feeling that I am not alone! Maybe you have a decision you are getting ready to make that could change the direction of your life. It could involve a serious relationship, a financial investment or job opportunity. Whatever it is let me urge you to read this somewhat humorous lesson and ponder its implications before you cautiously proceed.

Determination! That's me ever since I can remember. I have always been and still am a very investigative sort. Yes, that can be a great attribute when channeled in the 'right' direction. How else would we ever know that there are (for example) planets that are part of a 'solar system' and that we (planet Earth) belong to one of them? Unfortunately, in my life it has become a stronghold that has gotten me into lots of trouble and this spirit of independence has plagued me even as a more 'mature' Christian. You see when I get something in my mind, I am not easily deterred. One might just reason it away saying I lack common sense at times. But what I really need to have is a plan before taking action and remember how vital it is to have a witness of agreement with two or more to help discern whether or not I am really hearing from God.

You would certainly think that a few hard lessons would reign in this young lass who stepped out into some pretty bizarre situations. Like leaving home at 13 and again at 15 (not to return the second time.) Argh! My younger years were strange years and I grew up rather quickly. Yes, I was rather impulsive. I have heard that half the battle is recognizing there's a problem!

Gratefully, I became a Christian at the age of 30 and God began His deep work in me as I have learned to surrender the many areas of my will with its baggage and consequences (and the deep pain in my heart) to the Lord.  I am learning that as it says in John 15:5 "I am the vine, You are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." And this is where I want to begin, now that you have some background.

Let me begin by honestly saying that I really am beginning to like who God is creating me to be. "Lord, please keep me teachable so I don't quit growing!" I also add that there is a whole lot of refining to be done. As with all of us, I am in process and will be until Christ calls me home. So most of the time I really do appreciate what God is teaching me and doing in my life. Now here's where I will reveal one of my strongholds to you--I still like to call the shots and think I know what is best for me. I forget Whose I am and Who knows best!

My husband and I now have a this dog who was a darling little puppy that I totally obsessed over until I got her. You see, after having to put down our sweet old "Chelsey" dog of 13 some years ago, and then putting down our inherited Sheltie (acquired from Jerry's dad when he went home,) it was then time to get what I wanted and thought would be best for us to have. I have wanted a Schnauzer for a long time! So for two months after the Sheltie was gone I searched online high and low and researching as I went, for our Schnauzer. They are great dogs, smart, sturdy, healthy and cut too! My husband decided that he didn't want any more pets (we also have a Siamese cat) insisting that when these were gone there would be no more. Yours truly persisted to convince him that we really should "try one on for size" assuming that he would just fall in love with her. I did pray about it, a lot. But let me confess, I did not wait on the Lord and like I always do, took matters into my own hands. Yes, Kimberly knows best. In July we acquired our first standard Schnauzer. A scrawny 3.5 month-old black female from Canada (Manitoba to be exact.) I even had her name all picked out before hand, Elsa, a good German name for a good German dog, and it means 'God is my oath'.

So you ask "What's the point?" Let me tell you how God has and continues to use this little dog to teach me some stuff! I have learned some vital stats about 'Kimberly', like don't make me wait and don't tell me no! And I have had to pay the price for my resistance to learn. Old Frank Sinatra may have sung the song but I keep living it out, 'doing it my way'.

She is pretty cute don't you think?

Our little Elsa is a smart little Fraulein and she really learns quickly the fun things. But...there is a very stubborn and determined side to her and as smart as she is she came with a few issues.

• Coming off the farm, everything about city living scares her. (I should have named her Skiddles and when she first came through the door of the house, the cat greeted us as she always does and little Elsa freaked and poop literally went everywhere!)
• She had a horrible case of round worm--yuck--that we had to deal with including diarrhea issues for several months and that was no pleasure to clean up! (Two doses of medicine took care of that and we were good to go although the vet blamed the kennel rearing--how would I know?)
• We got her at 3.5 months which gave her head start in nurturing her strong will not to mention that the housebreaking took forever (we finally made headway at 7.5 months and they are supposed to be EASY to train!)
• This little dog has a strong will that runs competitive with mine.

Argh--what have I done? Now I haven't painted a very nice picture have I. So please, don't get me wrong, she has her delightful moments and can be a lot of fun. It is just that there are a few hurdles we are going to have to jump through before it is all said and done. 

So what's all the fuss anyway? First of all, I forgot the time involved with a puppy. For a time and a season I have had to give up some pretty precious time that God and I spend together. I must say that that has been the biggest adjustment for me. Especially our first three months together. I have missed my time to write, read and study or do the little extra things around the house and I so look forward to once again being able to have time back. My mornings and evenings have involved puppy sitting while I try to read my Bible in between disciplining her for snatching the newspaper or pillow when I'm not looking. I know, this is all very typical puppy stuff.

I am also concerned that I am getting old and cranky! A few frustrating times of training--the experts always say don't push it if you're frustrated--have given way to some harsh reactions on my part. I hate that! And have had to cry out to God for forgiveness and mercy for being so harsh. I don't want to ruin her sweet spirit and cause her to be afraid of me. That has been very hard for me to deal with. Who wants to think of themselves as a harsh disciplinarian? Firm and loving, that is the way.

As I conclude this I have realized that things are definitely getting better. (As she learns and I learn.) But for a time I thought what have I done, and am I going to regret once again demanding my own way and going ahead of God? The thoughts have come and gone regarding what we could have had if I had waited for God's best. Like when the vet says his Schnauzer was house broken in short of two weeks at under two months old! Or will she ever get that "stay" is for her good and so is "come". With all the deer in our yard I wonder what would happen to her the day she decides while off the leash, to chase one. Will I ever see her again? I know by heart the verses in Proverbs 3:5,6 that say,

"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."

But I forget the rest of the story when I read verse :7

"Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil."

Ouch, the Proverbs can really make the tough calls! Old Solomon was in tune to his maker! So when will Kimberly realize that God, Abba, knows what's best for His girl and that it is so much better to wait than to regret? His best is always for our best even if it doesn't seem like it at the time or that is is just taking too long?

Elsa and Patsy Cline

I have prayed that God has redeemed the jump-start girl once again and I know that He alone can bring beauty from ashes. Our Elsa is learning and is now grown up. She has matured into a tremendous companion to me and my husband. The ride is slowing just a bit and as you can see I even have some time to do a bit of writing these days, yeah!

Well, if you can identify with my plight, let's pray and ask God to give us what is ultimately His very best and nothing less and the courage and patience to wait on the Lord. Let's pray

Pappa, once again I jumped ahead of You and You have gently reminded me that Father knows best! I really do want to give You my strong will and I also want to give You that part of me that thinks I know what is best for me. You know how impatient I can be when I don't get my way. Just let me learn this time as I surrender. Thank you for your word in Isaiah 40:31 that says we really do gain great strength from waiting upon You. Mounting up with wings like eagles, running and not becoming weary and walking without fainting. What a promise awaits those who are willing to hold on for Your best. I want that and I am so tired of the learning curve as I traipse around the mountain again and again in this area. Please deliver me and give me the courage to stand fast as I wait on You, in Your powerful Name, Amen!

Being a Change Agent

The song "History Maker" by the group Delirious is a great song that reminds me of the purpose for which we are in the here and now. I shared in a church, some time ago, of being a "Change Agent" and the two terms, history maker and change agent are synonymous. I don't know about you but I do want my life to be used to make a difference for God's Kingdom.

I looked up the meaning of "Change Agent" in the dictionary and this is what I read:

A change agent, or agent of change, is someone or something that intentionally or indirectly causes or accelerates social, cultural, or behavioral change.

If we apply that to kingdom work...wow, that's it! I want to make a difference in the lives of other people to the extent that they will come to Christ or become more Christ-like.I know it is not about me, but about God uses us when we allow Him to work in and through us, we become His vessel or conduit! Likewise, is that "history maker" one who obviously has an influence for Chirst's sake to altar the course of history for kingdom purposes, wow! That is pretty powerful stuff!

Like I told the folks in church that morning, "we didn't get saved to live a cushy, comfy life with all the amenities, we got saved to make a difference in the kingdom as we come alongside those who don't know the King of kings." We are to show and when given the opportunity to share Christ and Him crucified! and from 1 Peter 3:15

"...always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,"

On this anniversary date of 9/11...I remember exactly where I was when news broke about the attacks on our country. Do you remember where you were? After much thought, I reflected on how my life has changed over these past years since then and I assessed the areas where God has grown me up in preparation for me to be used by Him to make a difference for His sake (be it big or small.) How about you...are you seeing from a different perspective?

Father, I am asking You to do such a work in me that I would become one who can make a difference in my environment for you. As I go about the day-to-day stuff I want people to see You. And to see that You really can make a difference in people's lives. After all, I am not who I used to be, praise be to God! Let others see You when they observe me so that You will be glorified and others will desire to know You. It is only through You that I can be the hands, feet and mouth of Jesus. As You perfect in me the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, I will make a difference for Your kingdom and change the course of history, Amen.

Being God with Skin On...

Are you a mom with kids still in the home?  Or a mom who has grandchildren?  Whether or not, every one of us has a unique opportunity to be God with skin on.  Jill Savage, founder of the Hearts at Home Ministries and author, views motherhood so practically as the ministry of availability.  Gloria Gaither, songwriter, singer and author, speaks about divine interruptions.  I have really come to appreciate that perspective especially when I get the calls from certain people or meet people at various gatherings.  Women like Jill and Gloria, have allowed the Lord to change their perspective on those (big and little) people annoyances that get in the way of our agenda.  He takes those times that we lovingly respond to and makes God opportunities out of them.

I don’t know about you but sometimes my ministry dreams are much bigger than they need to be! We all know that time is such a rare commodity today and that there is just never enough of it to go around and especially when it comes to ourselves!  I have discovered such a love for writing out my “lessons from the field” being passionate about sharing my heart and all that God is teaching me. But...managing a home, being a wife, mom and grandma and working full-time really makes for skimpy hours left to do my writing. Then on top of it all there are those interruptions from other who also need attention. Here is where ministry really begins.

You see...each one of us who have been redeemed, have been given this wonderful opportunity to reach out and touch others--lonely others, hurting others and needy others--because this journey as God’s child has called us to reach out and comfort those in need from the little people to big people. The need is so great and yes, we have to be careful and exercise healthy boundaries but not for selfish reasons. Here is the Scriptural mandate Paul gives us:

2 Corinthians 1:3,4 (ESV)

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

Now this can certainly be applied both emotionally and physically as a child comes needing a bandaid to cover a wound or a lonely elderly lady you may meet at the grocery store who would love to have the ‘touch’ of a kind and caring word spoken to her. On a grand scale? Probably more practically speaking through our own hands, arms and words, given to those in our very own sphere of influence.  Mommies, you most likely have a husband and possibly little ones who especially beg for your attention. But oh how we long for our moments of quiet and rest. Mothers, life just seems demanding especially when we are running here, picking up this kid, running that kid there...you probably feel as though you are going to be split in two as you are pulled from every direction. Then the thought enters, where am I going to find time to work on my friendship with my husband and closest friends?

It is rather funny that as I was writing this my husband and I had gone to Florida to visit with my mom and sister over the Thanksgiving weekend.  A quiet moment early one morning gave me this writing inspiration and then my husband awakened. I put down paper and pen and made his coffee (my sister had a new machine he did not know how to run or he could have made his own!)  I proceeded to go back to the writing as I was concluding this piece. Then he started quietly drilling me with conversation and questions. I got a bit perturbed but kept writing although annoyed until the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and basically revealed to me that I was writing about moments just like this. I proceeded to put down paper and pen and zone in on my husband who needed just a little bit of my time to probably just acknowledge his presence!

Now we can look at being used by God to be Jesus with skin on. Practically speaking, every time an interruption comes your way, you have the opportunity to turn it into a ‘ministry’.  You see, ministry may not look like your preconceived notion of what it should be but...when you lay down your agenda and become Jesus to those around you, voila...you can become Jesus with skin on!  Tenderly wiping away the dirt on that skinned knee while you administer love. Helping your husband find that misplaced item (even though you are in the midst of sorting or folding  laundry.) There may be a teenager that comes home hurting from being ignored by a peer group. Stop your supper preparations or ask them to come and help you and be an encouragement to them in their time of feeling very worthless or lonely. There may be Mrs. widow the elderly woman from church in the produce isle. Can you take just a few moments to ask how she has been? We are all in a hurry to get our stuff accomplished but sometimes God wants to use those interruptions to be Jesus with skin on! The following lyrics are the chorus from a song the group Casting Crowns made very popular a few years ago:

But if we are the Body

Why aren't His arms reaching

Why aren't His hands healing

Why aren't His words teaching

And if we are the Body

Why aren't His feet going

Why is His love not showing them there is a way

Father God, I confess that most of the time I am all about me and my agenda.  Will you show me that my “ministry” efforts start in my own sphere of influence--even my own home--and that there are so many that I could reach out and touch with Your love.  Let me see that my family comes first but that it all begins by looking up and allowing You to show me those precious opportunities through Your eyes.  Thank you for the times that I have been on the receiving end of some one’s ministry as they reached out to me.  And for showing me that we are the practical gospel that some will only read and that there are hurting people as well in the body of Christ.  For You have shown me that I am here to be your witness as I wear Your love!

In a Perfect World...

Why are relationships so difficult? Why do I do things that irritate people? Why are there people who totally annoy me? Sometimes I just want to go where I won’t ever have to deal with people and all of their stuff!!! Well...wait a minute...I wonder how many people say those things and think of me? Plain and simple, relationships are hard stuff.

Images by Ozzie

When you love someone you just want to spend time with them and that’s good because that is how relationship is cultivated. That just might be the easy part unless you have kids and schedules or work full-time. Making the effort with those commitments can get a bit sticky! However if we need to hang in there even when things get weird. Oh my do I know that that’s like and when it happens, I just want to escape and try not to deal with it. But that’s not the way to do it. That’s when I need to expend some effort to mend the hole created by an unkind word or a misunderstanding. I sure don’t want to take up an offense!

As I was pondering what lessons God has wanted me to learn in this season, and immediately remembered that He is teaching me what “love one another” is all about. You see...when we refuse to abide by this then we give the enemy a foothold and then we develop a stronghold and it gets harder and harder to deal with the situation and do the right thing. Laying aside ourselves to take up the concerns of others!  Just look what this passage in Colossians says from the Message paraphrase:

Colossians 3:12-14  So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.

Put on love, in other words it should be the first item on when you awaken and the last off before bedtime. And if you have a spouse I guess you just need it 24/7!

It is a big, and sometimes consuming job all this relationship stuff! But you see, I have been given the mind of Christ. That means that I must gradually begin to adapt to Christ's nature in me, as I journey through the tough stuff. Even though I have bad days, don't I get a break here? Probably not if I am going to attain my goal. (Man, some days it can be a tough row to hoe!) And if you struggle with unconditional love like I do it can be even more difficult. But I am learning and it helps to take a look backward to see all that God has forgiven in me. This new garment of love takes a concerted effort to put and keep on, daily.

What can you do when relationships get sticky?
How difficult is it to wrangle your pride and admit that you may have had a role in an uncomfortable situation?

Father, it feels like I have so far to go on this journey, but I will continue to allow You to work out those uncomfortable traits in me even if it hurts and is uncomfortable. I will trust You as You continue to work all things together for my good and Your glory, in Jesus; name!

God Really Has a Sense of Humor!

You would think it was spring, well actually my office is long over due for an overhaul or a purging would be more like it! In so doing I was going through those little stacks of notes one can tend to pile up and I found another fortune from a fortune cookie.  I can't believe how God has spoken and confirmed things through those silly fortunes!

At the end of June I attended a Writer/Speaker conference in Grand Rapids, MI, Speak Up, put on by Carol Kent. What an amazing time my friend and I had there. I took the writer's track and she the speakers. Wonderful time with talented people and such a great help for me knowing nothing about writing a book.

In the months of preparation before going I asked the Lord to give me an answer. Is my writing something that I should continue with or give up. You see I have been in the process of writing my crazy story for some time, just not knowing what to do with it or where to take it. I also have a desire to write on a couple of my speaking topics and I just really wanted my Father's approval before going any further.

While at the conference there were publishing agents and editors in attendance and I was so blessed to get some very positive feedback from three of the four I had appointments with. So possibly that means I should continue my adventure with writing is what I'm thinking. I'm not saying I have a book deal, but I feel very favorable about the outcome and with all that I learned while there. 

So then a month later I am cleaning my piles at work and find this crazy fortune which tells me that I love words and that some day I am going to write a book! I have to say, if God can speak through a donkey He can sure speak to me once again through a fortune! 

So is it crazy to see God's approval in a fortune? Did I do the right thing by putting out the fleece so to speak and asking Him if I was on the right track (or should I say write track!) I know this, I will continue to write and hopefully someday soon I just might have that book or two to share with you!

Is there a dream somewhere deep inside of you? Don't you dare give up...begin to pray it through and into being!

You Are Supernaturally Planted!

I live in International Falls, Minnesota. People have said to me “why would you want to live in that ‘God forsaken’ part of the world? After all, our slogan is the “Ice Box of the Nation.” Can you imagine being in one of the coldest parts of the lower 48? Funny thing is I love to tell people when they ask that I love where I have been planted! 

One year when the Weather Channel was here reporting on our "Ice Box Days" festivities (the Freeze Yer Gizzard Blizzard Run, Turkey Bowling, etc.) one of the camera men caught me going in to our early church service (yes, before 8:00 AM in January) and briefly asked me how I liked being out on such cold mornings to go to church. I can't remember how cold it was but enough that most folks would shudder at the temperature. I said something to the effect that I loved it and that we are a hearty bunch up here because we endure the cold even to go to church on an early Sunday morning. How funny when I got a call from a lady that was originally from here (but now residing in the warm and sunny Florida Keys) who said she saw me on television at church! Although, I can honestly share with you that I did not always have that positive of an attitude, having been here now for over 40 years given me a wide range of emotions affiliated with the reality that this is home. Some are great, but the reality of my children and their children leaving the area makes it not so great. In some ways it is the end of the world (well the United States that is) as Canada is right across the bordering Rainy River.

My first twenty years of life were filled with many short-lived stops along the way and no, I was definitely not a military brat. I went from being born in Connecticut, to Columbus, Ohio, (living in various apartments for my first 9.5 years of life) then New York City (Manhattan Island) for five years. It was then…four more years of bopping around the country which brought me up to Minnesota. Yes, Minnesota. When I am asked how I ended up here I always say that it is just too long a story to go into! Ultimately, I have come to know without a shadow of a doubt that it was the providential hand of God that brought me here. After all, I met God in the "Ice Box of the Nation"! And I have grown quite partial to my little neck of the woods (literally speaking.) Funny thing is there sure are a lot of people I know who would rather not be here. It is usually weather related—too cold, too rainy, to smelly, etc. Yes, it is frustrating at times that you have to drive for at least two hours (four hours round trip) to find something more than a Kmart to do your shopping at and spring may come early but you can count on at least one snow shower in May!

What I would like you to know is that even with its lack of amenities, God has given me an incredible love for where I live, my community and the people who live here. Think about this. I'm sure you find it so easy and comfortable to pray for friends and loved ones. Now, let me stretch you just a bit...can you honestly pray for a place you do not love? Or how about a place you hate or feel trapped in? Maybe, you do not like the politics in your community or it seems like the area is drying up. We certainly have justification to give up, don't we? But why not do the uncomfortable thing by stepping out and praying for everything that is 'wrong' with where you live? You know that it probably will not warm up if it is the weather you dislike or there may never be a “Target” (or whatever your favorite place to shop is) in the area. But, God can help you focus less on how cold it is which might divert your attention (so to speak) when you pray and ask God for His kingdom to come and His will to be done in your area as it is in heaven!

This is a fun way of looking at Matthew 5:14 from the Message:

"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill.”

The Irish Worship group BlueTree says it well in this music video, God of This City. You see, we--because we know Jesus as Lord and Savior--have been called out of the darkness and been brought into God’s marvelous light, through Jesus Christ and His shed blood for you and me.Here is what it says about who we are as God's chosen people:

1 Peter 2:9 ESV

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."

Friend, there is a city, town or community that needs the reality and saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  We are the brightly shining light God is using to expose the darkness and introduce people who God loves to the Savior!

If you feel as though you live in a “God forsaken” environment, I would like to challenge you to start to pray—to pray for God’s visitation in your area. If love is what stops you, why don’t you ask God to give you a love for or deepen your love for your area and its people. A great place to start is with prayer walking. Do you frequently walk? Maybe for your daily exercise routine you are out and about your neighborhood hoofing it up and down streets, roads, etc. Try praying for various families you might walk by on your daily regimen. You might even be able to have access to a map of your community and you could even start to log the areas you have extended ‘prayer covering’ over...As you are walking, ask the Lord to burden your heart for the people in the coverage area you take in. You might walk by someone’s home that you do not particularly care for or feel that they do not care for you. Well, ask the Lord for an open heart toward that one, that family or business and I guarantee that you are going to change! Something is going to well up within you and you are going to develop a love for your community because you have started to pray for the life blood of your area, its people.

Is your area suffering from this economic downturn? If possible get to your down town business area and start praying for the Lord’s blessings and prosperity over the businesses in your community. I like to include in my prayer time the words Jesus used in teaching us how to pray, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven. Praying God’s will on Earth as it is in Heaven is a powerful prayer and that is what we need to be about doing! Maybe where you have been planted is specifically for this very time. You have been called to pray and walk on the hardened ground of unbelief, pride and independence. You will be amazed how your heart will turn as you exercise the loving act of prayer for your location. Do not give up! You will begin to see how God is always up to something, and it is always good!

Lord, thank you for teaching me how to pray for the area I live in and giving me hope to see that You care very much for this place. If you desire that no man should perish then how can I believe the lie that I live in a God-forsaken area? I am asking you to break my heart with the things that break Yours. Let me see the people, places and businesses with Your eyes because there is always hope there. It is pretty exciting to see things begin to change when we expend time and energy praying for our communities. And don't let me stop there. Continue to burden me with prayer for my state, country and beyond and thank You for the change that can happen when we pray in Your name!

To Be Forewarned...

Mad Momma Grouse by Sandy/Scarlett Images

I can’t believe it, another attack...not from the devil or a person but the momma grouse!  This is the second time that we have gotten too close to the brood.  As Elsa (my pup) and I were climbing up to get on the old railroad grade (now a designated snowmobile trail) Elsa always first, startled a young brood of grouse gobbling gravel.  As I stepped up around the bushes on each side of the path that hide clear visibility, here she came, momma bird all fluffed up to look as big as could be and running right toward Elsa!  As I stepped up she made a quick dart into the brush and disappeared as the little ones had all scurried away!

You have heard the saying “To be forewarned is to be forearmed” haven’t you?  Well I thought about the spiritual implications in light of our morning incident.  Momma grouse is always willing to lay down her life for those little ones and there she was, enguard as she heard us tromping up the incline ready to give us what for!  She was ready and at attention watching over her brood and man, if my Elsa hadn’t been on a leash, I would hate to see what could have happened and thankfully it didn’t.

So, in this world the Bible tells us we will have trouble, John 16:33.  Do I like that statement?  Of course not, life shouldn’t be so troublesome!  However it is a warning for us to heed, a warning God has given to His children.

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world.”

But even in the midst of the fiery trials of life, Jesus says that we can still have peace, how does that work?  Some of my favorite verses in John come from chapter 15 that mention the vine and the branch and the work of the “Vinedresser”, (our Father.)  The forearming that we can anticipate is not only found by remaining in tact to the Vine (Jesus, through whom we get our marching orders and life truths through the Holy Spirit) but also we head to Ephesians 6 and we learn about daily putting on our armour.

"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints."

Ephesians 6:13-18 (ESV)

There really is no excuse to get caught unprepared for each new day and its surprises good and not so!

Father, I can’t believe that sometimes I just forget that I don’t have to go around bared to the enemy of my soul without a covering. Lord, help me to get properly dressed each day so that I won’t be subject to defeat whether minor skirmishes or a total wipeout.  In You, I have everything necessary to walk in victory for Your name and Your glory, Amen.

Have Some Fresh Fruit...

Look at how beautiful this new growth is on our spruce trees. Somehow these beauties delight me with their velvet soft tender new sprouts that grow off the end of the branches and are as soft as velvet (for now!). At least this spruce is not only alive but thriving.  Thriving means to grow or develop well or vigorously.

I love the early summer and watching the way the flora and fauna are progressing in their growth!  It shouldn't be too long and I may be able to see my yellow Lady Slippers appear (although they can be a bit fickle in where they show up.) We have a small ravine that runs through the back of our property so we can have all kinds of interesting plants that grow along the waterway that don't grow on the higher ground.

But...all that to be said that in our personal life, are we seeing growth in who we are becoming?  Are we making visible the fruit of the Spirit that indicates that we aren't standing still but growing forward?  

Galatians 5:22-25 gives us a beautiful snapshot of a maturing life in Christ:

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit."

Make an assessment of the fruit in your life by honestly looking at each element of the fruit of the Spirit to see where you are in your spiritual growth. Maybe take one of the elements and pray that God would show you where you need to "add a little fertilizer" to your day to improve upon the output, so that it would grow and thrive vigorously! Could be through a bit more quiet time or maybe an accountability partner that you will allow to speak honestly into your life and encourage encourage you along in your journey.

Father, I want to grow and not remain stagnant.  I want to produce goodness out of Your abundance toward me!  Let me risk taking a look at my life with You and then dare to ask You to prune me so I would continue to grow more and more into Your beautiful image, amen.

Thanking God, My Father...

Another Father’s Day has come and gone with special get-togethers, gifts and dinners to help celebrate this Mother’s Day counterpart.  I do confess however that this is the hardest day of the year for me.  Everywhere I turn I hear the gushy accolades going out to fathers everywhere from radio specials to commercials, yada, yada, yada...like those radio special dedications to dad, so emotionally moving that I find myself drawn to tears as the son or daughter goes on and on about the man of integrity, epitome of Christ-likeness that their father is or was.  I can only ponder what that must have been like to have a father like that!

I am pretty certain that there are some out there that really struggle to hear those testimonies and honestly, I am one of them.  Many of us have heard the horror stories of abuse--whether violent or another yucky abuse of parental rights--and my heart really hurts for those who have that picture of ‘father’ etched in their mind.  My father wasn’t abusive in its many forms, he was just irresponsible and absent!

After my first birthday my parents divorced and I lived the next nine years without a father in my life.  And frankly, it had a huge impact on my life.  His absence left a huge gapping hole in my heart that was never filled until I found my heavenly father at the age of 30.  That’s a lot of years--with more than half of them formative--not to have a father figure in your life.  Years that a girl needs to have a daddy she can dance for, crawl up on his lap knowing she is loved and affirmed, then told how special she is to him.  Those kinda years are pretty pertinent to most of us girls!   And lest I not forget how vital it is in a young lad’s life as well.  This is tough stuff and especially on those Father’s Days when we are encouraged to honor and celebrate that parent.

I saw a post from a friend on FaceBook thanking those who stepped in and touched the lives of those without a father and I thought that was pretty special to mention.  But I can’t really say that I received that from much of anyone.  My stepfather was pretty disconnected from me (not be a bad man at all, he was kind to me) but at age ten, I was starting to act out after a fast and furious move to New York City from the Columbus, Ohio area that was filled with a lot of turmoil, only fueling my insecurities.

It is good to know however, that there is an answer to such sorrow at never having one of your parents because we have been given the best parent ever in the Lord because of Jesus Christ.  So I have learned to honor and celebrate the best Daddy one could ever have.  And as a matter of fact, mere men pale in comparison to my Abba Father!  I am grateful to be His girl!

The Word give us the right to call our heavenly Father Abba, daddy...

Romans 8:15b “...but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!"

So if you know Christ, you too can cry out to your Daddy!  If you don’t know Him visit here to find out more about Him because He is waiting for you!

Clean Hands and a Pure Heart

I did something I have since regretted--I had acrylic nails put on. I have always wanted to have nice nails but the reality is I do not. They are weak, brittle and I absolutely hate to wear rubber gloves when doing dishes.

Photo by ebemobile

Back in November I needed to have some professional pictures taken and this gave me a good excuse to get acrylics. Now I don't just mean the 'Lee Press Ons', no, these are the 'spendy' ones. Wow, they are great and oh, they look so nice. Finally, I have these lovely nails and they are amazingly durable too. I only had to tend to them once a week, usually on a Saturday night before bed. I was quite surprised at how long they lasted too. Now to justify the cost I gave up my weekly white chocolate mocha coffee treat for the next couple of months. There is some maintenance that is required to keep the nails looking really great but that would cost another month or so of my coffee treats so I opted to file them down myself and then just paint them.

As it goes with time, they were filed down to the point where they could be gently picked off and I was horrified at what I found underneath the exterior. My poor nail base was not only paper thin but shredded to bits and they looked horrible. What a sad discovery that I may have ruined my real nails for a fleeting couple of months with acrylics.

Ah, lessons for life, you gotta love it!

To what extent do we go about attempting to make ourselves look great on the outside? After all there are tons of beauty magazines filled with all the details on what it takes for us to 'look great' and after all, isn't this how the world tends to measure our success. Yet when I think of the time, energy and money it takes to look great on the outside I wonder what we have neglected or covered up on the inside? It is possible that masked by the lovely exterior is bitterness, resentment, jealousy and or unforgiveness? It could also be just the lack of growing in our spiritual maturity, still needing the milk like an infant.

This reminds me of the Pharisees who were so adept at looking great on the outside but their insides proved their hypocrisy. They wore their lovely robes, prayer shawls and their phylacteries, while saying all their prayers on the street corners. Looking great on the outside but listen to these strong words from Jesus in Matthew 23

Six times Jesus begins by saying "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites..."

• ...you shut off the kingdom of heaven from men; for you do not enter in yourselves...
• ...you devour widows' houses, even while for a pretense you make long prayers;
• ...have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness;
• ...you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence.
• ...you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness.

These are such strong words regarding those who looked so holy on the outside but were full of evil on the inside. They refused to tend to the things on the inside while they looked 'right' on the exterior.

Now don't get me wrong. There really is nothing wrong with taking care of yourself and looking as great as you can provided you are not neglecting taking care of the stuff on the inside.

David said in Psalm 139:23,24:

"Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
and see if there be any hurtful way in me,
and lead me in the everlasting way."

I sure love David's willingness to make himself vulnerable and open before God, asking Him to point out the crud that was sticking to his ribs. (A thought came to me that maybe plaque is all the crud that we refuse to deal with. Just a thought!) His desire was for God to lead and direct him. He certainly made many mistakes but his heart was such that he seemed to be teachable.

There are so many things that take up our time and keep us just too busy to clean the inside of the house or tent as Paul referred to it. I do believe that we need to inventory on a regular basis to assure that we have properly dealt with the things that build up the plaque. And it does take a certain amount of quality time to do so. So as an exercise, see how much time you spend on your exterior, the things that help you look your best. (Please know that God wants great representation.) Is that which is on the inside a balanced representation for our exterior? I believe that is what God desires. If we don't live it, then what is reflected means nothing. I don't know about you but I sure desire to have a balanced life that reflects an interior filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Abba Father, I am so humbled to be Your work in progress. This growing into maturity takes time and can be difficult. I want David's heart because he was willing to be exposed out of his love for You. It is not pleasant to see the plaque that is within but thank You for helping me to deal with whatever crud is in there, that keeps me from reflecting You. It is Your kindness that leads me to repentance and Your Holy Spirit that teaches me along the way. Keep me teachable and growing in Your way of everlasting. Amen.