Monday, October 29, 2007

S T R E T C H !

Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. Psalm 25:3-5 (NLT)

I have a very talented husband and an energetic friend, Stan, who encourage me to do and be more than I ever thought possible. Their prodding echoes what I am learning this fall with the help of Beth Moore's Bible study, Believing God. I have felt for some months that God is calling me to do some speaking for Him and share God's story in my life. These guys continually push and prod me to get at it. Sometimes I just wish for a Cinderella existence—a fairy tale ending—without all the work. But if you think about it, Cinderella had her problems, too. In fact, she lived in a dysfunctional household with sisters who mistreated her; life was not fair. Yet as in all good fairy tales, it ended with the handsome Prince sweeping her off to the castle to be his bride. My life is hardly a fairy tale but I want the reality of Jesus to be seen in me and His glory reflected on my face. For you see, I will be His bride some day and carried off to His glorious home, heaven. So now we are working to update my website and blog with screencasts (as I said, Mark is very skilled in all of this!) Of course the prodders told me they were just doing a sound and screen check for future recording. Next time I will think a little more about the background details! Check it out in the left margin of the blog under Links. I am constantly amazed at the opportunities God gives us to serve Him. Be ready for a little stretching!

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

Rear-view Mirror

But forget all that—
it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.
For I am about to do something new.
See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
Isaiah 43:18-19 (NLT)

Call it women's intuition—or more likely the leading of the Holy Spirit—but I knew that last week Mark and I were supposed to head out on different journeys. We do not normally travel separately but he needed to go to Tennessee to visit his family, so I decided to sneak in a quick trip to California to see the girlies. When the plans were made, we did not anticipate either set of family having any special needs. Yet, in the middle of it all, we both knew that this was definitely where God wanted each of us to be. We were able to be there for those that we love and spend time loving on them…even if it was only to go to a favorite lunch place or lend a listening ear. This trip reminded me of a comment made by our pastor at a recent church retreat. He encouraged us to look for God's purpose and plan for each of us in the rear-view mirror of life. How often do we fret in the midst of the daily grind about the details of our purpose and plans? It is only in hindsight that we see the twists and turns necessary to bring us to the path God wants us to travel. I am so thankful that He is there to guide me…and sometimes He allows a backward glance of where I have been as a praise and glory to His name.

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Cheerleaders!

Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. 1 John 4:11 (NLT)


It was wonderful to speak to the Pantano MOPS group this week. The enthusiasm was contagious as you entered a room filled with young moms and watched them chattering with each other, filling plates with food, and helping each other to make a craft around the tables. I spoke to them about five different relationships we share as women using stories from the Bible: mother and daughter, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, sisters, cousins, and friends. These relationships help fill the emotional gaps in our lives, encourage us to be more than we think we can be, and allow us to be God with skin on for each other. It is never perfect but then we aren’t either. Yet, there is nothing like a girlfriend to unburden the cares or sorrow of our days or rejoice with us in the unexpected surprises or blessings that come our way. Let's be each other’s cheerleaders and companions in our walk to know God; it is so much easier with a friend!

Monday, October 8, 2007

Drip Systems

He will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.
Jeremiah 17:8 (NIV)

I spent time with the gardener this weekend, analyzing and fixing the problem areas of the flowerpots and landscape. This appears to be an ongoing process. Drip systems are a definite challenge for me, especially since I never used them in California. The heat of Arizona demands a regular watering schedule but adding to the mix is the different types of plants and ground cover that grow well in the desert. It makes the drip system the most sensible choice but I have not yet figured out how to repair or redirect the water when I have a problem. Critters wander in and bite the tubing, plants decide to just up and die for no apparent reason, drip emitters clog up, and then there are the mysteries of the timer. But my biggest frustration is getting water to the edges of my pots so that all the new plants get a drink. I have replaced more bits of color in my pots because they have withered up in the heat. Hopefully, we have solved the problems and all is well—for now! This helps me understand why our Lord explains that we need to be like trees planted near the water. All my efforts to care for my little plant root systems and get them established in my pots are useless until I figure out the watering problem. The same holds true in my life. I want the water of the Holy Spirit to refresh my heart in those dry areas of my life—frustration, fatigue, or fear. I don't want anxiety to squelch my fruitfulness or purpose. Remember to plant yourself near the water of the Word. Let your roots sink deep into the love and security of the Father who made you. I am looking forward to watching you bloom and flourish!

Friday, October 5, 2007

Monsoon vs. Whisper

"Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 1 Kings 19:11-13 (NLT)


I love it when the seasons change and the Fall activities start up again. Living in the desert has the quirkiness of "snow birds," or folks that leave the heat of summer for parts cooler. They take off in late Spring, leaving us with less traffic and easy access to the restaurants. But I notice that they have recently begun returning. We are full time residents and I can't imagine that lifestyle because I enjoy all of the seasons here, including the monsoons. Being a California girl, watching the slash of lightning, followed by booms of thunder and driving rain is a show in itself. And then it stops. The sun returns, the temperature increases and dries the runoff of water, and life resumes after the spectacular light show. I have discovered that God shows His power in the wind and rain but He is also present in the still small voice. Tonight I am speaking to a local group of women and I pray that I will listen to that gentle whisper so that my words will tell of the grace and glory of my Heavenly Father. He is the one that calms the storms in our life even when the thunder seem to drown out His voice. He leads us through the narrow way when life gets rough and the rushing water threatens to overcome us. He sent his Son to shine light and life in the darkness in our souls. He is my answer to the whirlwinds that threaten to cause fear, distraction, or danger. I can count on Him to give me peace, joy, and hope...sometimes with just a whisper.