Monday, December 6, 2010

Words

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)

 

There are certain people in your life where you can lay out all that's going on without pretense or preamble. There are no excuses and whether the news is good or bad, they listen without judgement. These people are called friends.

 

In a conversation with my friend last night, I whined about the upheaval of my plans for this Christmas. Mark is back in Tennessee caring for his aging mother but it was an unexpected trip…necessary, however. I have to admit I didn't respond to the news in a very nice way. In fact, I apologized the next day for my bad behavior. I didn't need to make the situation harder than it already is.

 

But you know those plans? This is the first year in several where we signed up for various Christmas parties in our neighborhood. Normally choir concerts interfere with the schedule, but this year it was later in the month, so we could go. Now with Mark gone for several days, I decided to go by myself.

 

Saturday night, as I was getting dressed, I prayed that I would be salt and light. I sat at my assigned table next to my closest neighbor, but we had never met. She watches Mark take Parker for walks, but this week I'm on Parker duty. I noticed them putting up Christmas lights the other day and said the obligatory "hi" but that was it. As we chatted over dinner I heard her amazing story--some of it very painful. I encouraged her to seek hope in her long buried faith and suggested some options.

 

As I drove home, I thanked God for the opportunity He provided. When we are willing, He does amazing things…one step at a time.

Monday, August 30, 2010

A Little Grace

But he gives us more grace. James 4:6 (NIV)

I can't believe it is almost the end of the month and my last post was August 1st. Needless to say, we have been on the go. The grandgirlies and my daughter arrived for a week with the fun, excitement, activity, and chatter that fills up the house. This time, however, we all traveled back to California for Dad's 88th birthday, a baby shower for my new grandgirlie-to-be, my 45th High School Reunion, and time with Dad—being his eyes as he struggles with the details of his life. I drove almost 2000 miles in two weeks.

I planned to take a few days to catch up, but that lasted all of one day. Life changed abruptly in the Blumberg household with the addition of a cute rescue dog that we named Parker. Mark hinted at adopting a dog for several months but I was not interested. I'm a cat person and never had an indoor dog. But the more I thought about it, I realized that a dog might be the one thing that would encourage Mark to get out and exercise—a directive that his doctors reiterate every time he has a check-up.

The idea of a puppy with all the training necessary did not appeal to me so we decided to adopt through a rescue organization. Someone found Parker giving birth in a field in South Tucson. She had already delivered two pups and after they picked her up, she delivered four more. We met her after the puppies were weaned and just before all the craziness of our month began. Mark was sold. I, on the other hand, had mixed feelings.

I gave her a few instructions on the way home after we picked her up from her foster mom:

No barking.
No chewing.
No getting on the furniture.
No jumping up.
No sniffing in wrong places.
No peeing on the rugs.

She just looked at me.

Parker and Mark are now joined at the hip. He takes total care of her — I'm only an adjunct if all else fails. If he heads out without her, she lays down near the door until he returns. No budging. They take several walks each day and Mark is intimately acquainted with all the rocks bordering the street as he waits for Parker to sniff them. They're fun to watch.

She is pretty good with all of my instructions—except one. She piddles on the rug with she gets excited and only does it with me. This is where the grace comes in. For all the pleasure she gives, she is not perfect. I have to get over it.

I'm so thankful that God gives more grace rather than just a one time gift. I may be cute, but I'm not perfect. I may even be able to be obedient most of the time to what I know He wants me to do. But not always. How can I be upset with her when I see the love and forgiveness lavishly bestowed on me by my Heavenly Father?

What's going in your life that requires a little grace? Take a deep breath and be generous.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

No Falling

 

The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand. Psalm 37:23-24
A few years ago, I took a tumble, landing on my elbow breaking off the end of it. The injury required surgery, immobilization in a cast, followed by physical therapy. I responded well and as the doctor discharged me, I asked him if there was anything else I needed to know.

"Rule number one — DO NOT fall," he said. And that was the end of his advice.

As we age, balance tends to be an issue. One misstep and a serious mishap may occur. My mom fell getting out of bed and hit her head. The injury was so severe that she never left the hospital and was gone in less than a month. Mark's mom had a similar experience last year and spent several weeks in rehab before returning to her apartment. Last week Dad called and he had fallen in his bathroom requiring a trip to the emergency room but thankfully only suffered cuts and bruises.

The consequences may be short-lived but it still throws our equilibrium off and tends to make us more cautious. Have you noticed how many older people use walkers these days? It gives them confidence on uneven surfaces.

But we're not limited to stumbles in the physical realm. We can make a pretty big mess in our emotional and spiritual lives, too, treading into areas that are dangerous to our health and well being. How many times do we use an emotional crutch in a tense situation rather than facing it head on? We lie to avoid the pain of a truthful answer. We hide when someone is counting on us but we feel inadequate. We get angry to camouflage our insecurity.

God offers us a much better way to live. In fact, He wants to hear about our fears and frustrations so He can help us navigate the mine fields of our lives. Rather than clutching out after straws, catch hold of the hand of the One who will never let you fall.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Day One

This is the day the Lord has made.
      We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24 (NLT)

If I hear the phrase "from day one" one more time, I think I'm going to have to do serious damage to the TV.  Whether it is a politician, a banker, a commentator, or an oil executive, all anyone is trying to do is cover their tracks, make excuses, or defend themselves.

Today's verse is often quoted in church on Sunday morning. It has always been a happy verse for me as it directs my worship to the One who made me. But the Psalmist was NOT having a good day when he penned those words. He had suffered anguish, been in a war, his nation had been overrun, his land invaded, and his life at risk. Completely helpless, he turned to the One who could make a difference and received His blessing. God turned around a hopeless situation, delivered him, and brought victory. Yes, this is the day the Lord has made.

Day one began for me when I accepted Christ as my Savior and life changed forever. There was no defense for my sin, all the excuses were gone, and He, in forgiveness and love, washed me white as snow. As a result, no matter what the day brings, I look to Jesus for direction, protection, encouragement, joy, and peace. I may be in tears but through it all, He is with me and makes my day complete.


Friday, July 23, 2010

Social Networking

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8 (NLT)

I've always considered myself fairly technologically savvy for someone of my generation. (I found my husband on the Internet so that must say something.) And trying to be up-to-date with the younger set, I have both Twitter and Facebook accounts. Social networking is certainly the current wave but I'm not all that sure that it is the best way to communicate. When was the last time you wrote a real letter to a friend? Does it even matter? But, you can't beat the ease and convenience of checking your account for the latest updates.

One thing I particularly like is reconnecting with people from my earlier days. It is so interesting to me to see how our lives have changed over the years. Nothing stays the same. Marriage, divorce, children, grandchildren, moves across the country, jobs, faith.

I'm going to my 45th High School Reunion this summer because I found friends and started the difficult process of catching up on Facebook. I absolutely wasn't going after going to my 20th, figuring that was enough. But I'm looking forward to it.

This week I found some friends who are sisters and were kids when I was a newlywed. Now one of them has grandchildren. (I think she was 12 when she married.) The other is a speaker and writer.

With the uncertainties of our present day, worry and fear can dominate our thinking. Financial collapse, congressional distrust, social unrest—all contribute to the climate of uneasy change in our world. But, we like security. We want things to stay the same.

Most of us don't have one smidgen of control over world events, let alone the events in our own household. Our anchor must be in the One who never changes, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Remember to turn to Him in moments of doubt and fear. He is always the same.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

In-Between

So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone. Mark 6:32

How do you handle those "in-between" times in your life? I'm currently in one and I'm not sure I like it. As someone who likes to be busy and accomplishing things, I've noticed that schedules tend to revolve around the school-year calendar. I remember when the kids were in school, once school ended, the lazy days of summer hit and life slowed down…or maybe it sped up depending on a vacation plan.

Now as a retiree, I've noticed that the calendar still controls my activity.There is an ebb and flow in daily activities as the seasons change. When the snowbirds head out in Spring, everything slows down; classes end, the heat hits, and people stay indoors. It feels like I'm waiting for everyone to get back in the Fall so that we can get going again.

This morning I asked my granddaughter, Kate, what she's doing these days. "Nothing, just hanging out." Of course, she has already been to camp and VBS but right now she's in-between time before she visits us next month.

So is down time good? Isaac Watts once said,
“In works of labour, or of skill,
I would be busy too;
For Satan finds some mischief still
For idle hands to do.”

Idle time can get us in serious trouble, so what did Biblical characters do with their "in-between" times?

After ministering day and night to thousands of people, Jesus needed some time apart — He was exhausted. In Mark 6:31, Jesus says to his apostles, “'Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.' He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat." How many times have you ended the school year, just hanging on by a thread because it has been so crazy-busy? Take Jesus' example and find a quiet place to rest...time to replenish all the emotional resources that have been used up and recover from the exhaustion. We need a vacation! Ahhh, summer. Even the change of pace will make a huge difference.

But there are moments when we are taken by surprise by those down times. A good example is the prophet Elijah. God gave him a miraculous victory over the wicked King Ahab. Yet, after it was all over, the prophet crashed and burned, ready to die. Isn't it just like the enemy to take away our joy after a great moment of triumph and keep us looking down instead of up? God knew how discouraged he was and took him away from the battle so he could sleep and eat. Elijah had given all he had and his body, soul, and spirit needed time to heal. God would send him out to work once he was back on his feet. Don't fight and argue when God takes you out of the battle so you can rest. He knows your limits. Trust Him and come away for a bit.

My challenge is to keep doing what I know is right. Taking a vacation from prayer and Bible study is the last thing I should do…talk about Satan getting in and making mischief! Rather, take advantage of the freedom from schedules to visit with friends, read a good book, take in an exhibit — all just for fun. No agenda. Find a day and spend it with Jesus. Let Him fill up your soul.

Yes, that busy season is right around the corner but in-between time, I've replenished my spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical reserves. Ready?

Monday, July 5, 2010

On Our Knees

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)


We "do" the 4th of July. Red, white, and blue decorations dot the various tables and chests in my home. I wear special tee shirts and jewelry that I accumulated over the years I spent in politics. The flag waves in the breeze from its standard in the front of the house. Phrases from the music from the Let Freedom Sing concert keep popping up in my mind in preparation for the performance…"I believe in America, I believe in you and me…".

Traditionally, our pastor uses the Sunday around the 4th to preach a sermon that incorporates our Christian heritage as a nation and the responsibilities we have as Christians in our sphere of influence. As the time for the pastoral prayer approached, he mentioned a program promoted by the Family Research Council appropriately named "Call 2 Fall"—taken from 2 Chronicles 7:14. As he disappeared behind the pulpit, he urged everyone to drop to their knees before the Lord in repentant prayer for God to reshape our lives and renew our land.

There was some irony in the midst of this because the church sign was vandalized this weekend with a poster that said, "Pray less, think more." I'm not sure what the vandal thought would be accomplished but I do know the enemy of the believer is on double duty because his time is short.

As Pastor Mark prayed, I took a quick peek from the choir loft and it was overwhelming to see the entire congregation on their knees—twice (two services). What better endeavor for a church family than to be on their knees in humility before the One who made us? Surely, God hears us.

I don't know what is in the future for our nation but I do know the One in control. Take a few moments to get on your knees today to plead for our country.

Freedom is never free.








Thursday, July 1, 2010

Detour

He surrounds them continuously and preserves them from every harm. Deuteronomy 33:12 (NLT)
The day started out as any normal day...maybe a little different because company was coming for dinner. I was up early doing some cooking, cleaning off the patio chairs, sweeping the front mat. It was hot out and I wanted to get all my chores done before I wilted. I stepped into the shower around 10:30 AM and suddenly Mark appeared and asked me to call 911. Overcome with symptoms of a heart attack, he sat down and waited. He knows what this feels like because he's already had two.

Dripping wet, I called the operator and set in motion events that unfortunately felt familiar. Soon he was bundled off in an ambulance, covered with wires and beeping noises. I sent him off with a quick kiss and hurriedly finished dressing and followed him. As I was leaving the house, I posted a quick email to a few friends alerting them to the crisis and asking for prayer.

As I was driving to the hospital, I realized that I could hardly pray…that I was on auto-pilot and numb. I asked the Holy Spirit to pray for me since the words seemed stuck in my throat but I knew that Jesus was right there with me. The Great Physician was in control.

As I walked through the Emergency Room, it was calm and orderly not like the controlled panic of the TV show, ER. We waited patiently for six hours in his assigned cubicle for the results of the many tests to determine what was going on. Because of his history, the doctor was cautious.

Good friends sat with us, my cell phone beeped with messages of encouragement from our kids, and prayers poured out to our Father on Mark's behalf from all over the country. By the end of the day, he was feeling better, the tests were negative, and the doctor released him. Home never looked so good.

We're not sure what yesterday was all about but Mark has been spared. We praise God for His mercy and goodness. We're so grateful for family and friends that love us and carry us on their shoulders during such times. We live to tell His story and glorify Him.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Open Trenches

A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense. Proverbs 24:3 (NLT)

I was a builder in one of my past lives. Our move to Arizona gave me one last opportunity to start from the ground up and personalize our home to our needs as retirees. Now four years later, construction has begun on the empty lot across the street. I knew something was up last month when I noticed the surveyors stakes outlining the perimeter of the house. Because we returned from Tennessee late in the evening, it was not until the next morning that I saw the full extent of their progress: the porta-potty and dumpster dropped at the front of the lot, piles of dirt strategically placed, and open trenches everywhere with rough plumbing pipes sticking up.

That was last Thursday. But there were no construction workers and all was quiet for the next four days. One of the jobs of the project manager is to keep the everything moving and on time, so down days are never a good sign. As I thought about it, I decided they must be waiting for an inspection of the rough plumbing. And sure enough, early this morning, I heard the beeps and bells of tractors as they pushed that dirt and covered the trenches. Step one passed, time to move on to the next.

"What if the builder never waited for those inspections or followed the building plans?" I wondered.

How foolish that would be! Talk about buyer beware since most of us don't have any idea how to properly build a house.

The same goes with how to live our lives. Without the guide book (the Bible) and the Master Project Manager (the Holy Spirit), how would we know what is our next step?

Wisdom and knowledge come through life experiences, both good and difficult. I wished I learned as much from those times on the mountain peaks as I learn from crawling through the valley. But, usually, that isn't the case. Whenever I get in a mess, suffer the consequences, accept responsibility and forgiveness, that is the time when I pray and ask that this experience would not be wasted—that I would learn from it and be able to help someone else.

There is nothing like good sense to meet the challenges of life, often achieved as God inspects the open trenches of our heart to make sure all is well. If there is a problem, He nudges us to make changes and then covers them over with His love. We learn that His plans are best.

I will be glad when the house is completed, the noise, dust, and trucks are gone, and the new neighbors have settled in. I started praying for these folks. Ol' Eagle Eye will be watching for the next few months to make sure all is well.

Just like our Heavenly Father watches out for us.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Simple Faith

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)

On our return trip from Tennessee, Southwest decided to take the milk route—Nashville to Los Angeles to Tucson. It had been a busy week and I planned to finish up my Bible study, When Godly People Do Ungodly Things (by Beth Moore) on the way home, so I had my study guide and Bible on my lap.

As the plane filled, I hoped that we could keep the seat empty between us but after a few minutes as the plane began to fill, a young man asked to join our row. I scooted over to the middle seat and gave him the window. He was surprised at his good fortune and glanced down at my books as he sat down and commented, "Heavy reading."

"Uh huh," I replied. I hoped it would discourage this guy so I could finish up and get to my novel.

He pulled out his laptop and typed away. After a few minutes, he said, "Are you taking a test on this?"

"No, I'm part of a group of ladies and we will all share what we have learned." I didn't want to encourage any further questions.

I gathered he was reading over my shoulder when he made another comment about the book of Romans that I had open.

"OK, Lord, I guess you want me to talk to this guy."

I put down my Bible, sent up a quick prayer, and started talking to him. I discovered that he had been very active in a church in the East that had disbanded. His fiancee had chosen a life in a religious community and broken off the engagement. He was heartbroken and very disillusioned about the church and his faith. A job change moved him across the country and now he was trying to pick up the pieces of his abandoned faith.

He is a very well read man. In addition to a vast Bible knowledge, he liked to read early Christian fathers. He encouraged me to read these guys but I told him that I had enough to do to read the Bible and understand it.

But, as we talked, I detected some doubt yet dogmatism. He really threw me a curve when he said, "Grace is highly overrated."

We had a lengthy discussion about salvation, grace, and faith. He made it all so complicated and more than once, I told him that, for me, it was a simple faith. It was all about grace but he just couldn't accept it.

I thought of the rich young ruler and his encounter with Jesus. Although he kept all the rules, giving up his wealth was one big stumbling block for him and he walked away very sad. My young friend allows the past to trip him up, resulting in confusion and doubt.

We had a break in the conversation and I finally finished my lesson. The study ended with the story of the prodigal son. How appropriate! That boy was welcomed as if he had never left home with all the rights and privileges of a son. His dad never even asked him where he had been—he just threw a great big party.

As we neared LAX, I encouraged him to find a church where the Word is preached. He is lonely. What better place to find friends? I pray that he will listen to the still small voice of the Holy Spirit and accept the grace, love, and forgiveness from the Father.

It really is just that simple.



Saturday, June 5, 2010

Control

 

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,

for I have put my trust in you.

Show me the way I should go,

for to you I lift up my soul.

Psalm 143:8 (NIV)

 

Being flexible is not one of my greatest virtues because I like to be in control. However, in recent years, God yanked the reigns of control right out of my fingers with the promise to never let me go.

 

From Mark's heart attack, nine days before the wedding, to the phone call this week announcing impending surgery for his brother's second detached retina, it's apparent that planning too far in advance is a waste of time and energy. Even the possibility of future kidney dialysis for Dad is but a grain of sand sifting through the tiny hole of the hourglass of time.

 

Our lives seem enormous to us but from God's perspective, we are just a dot in that timeline. Every appointment on my calendar must be held loosely, otherwise I'm likely to get my undies in a knot when confronted with interruptions or a change of plans.

 

So how do we let go of our schedule, worries, demands, and fears? Let me answer that with another question. Do you believe that God is in control or not? If you believe that He is, then you have just described faith. That faith allows you to trust Him, rest assured that life's interruptions are divine, and go with it. Since the only person you can control is yourself, ease up and let Him run the show. He won't fail you.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Convinced

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)

We are headed to Los Angeles this weekend to see Dad. Normally, we spend Easter with him but this year we had commitments at home and didn't make it. He will turn 88 this summer and the family realizes how important it is to make time to see him. It is especially fitting that we go over the Memorial Day weekend as a way to honor Dad for his 20 years of service in the Navy.

Mark says, "Gettin' old ain't no place for sissies." As I watch Dad struggle with vision loss, kidney failure, and loneliness since the death of my mother, I admire his will and determination to live. He is limited in what he can do but we all call him when we're in a tight spot because we know we can count him to be our prayer warrior. He always wants to hear stories about the girlies. He keeps me up on politics and sports. Our visits give him something to look forward to when life gets so daily. And anything is better than eating in the dining room of his retirement community.

Dad showers his love on all of us—young or old, son or daughter, in-law or out-law. In God's scheme, his life on earth is just a dash with that ending date unknown. But we know, in due time, he will head Home, his vision clear, looking into the face of his Savior.

My Heavenly Father loves me even more than my dad. Even when life spins out of control, I'm convinced that nothing will ever separate me from that love—even when war threatens in the Middle East, oil spills unchecked in the Gulf, politicians wrangle for control, and evil rampages through our city streets. Satan, the great liar and thief, may think he is the ruler of this earth but he is so wrong.

Remember ... nothing.



Friday, May 21, 2010

A Glimpse



This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. Psalm 91:2 (NLT)


Last night at choir rehearsal, I was putting my music in order when a friend plopped down beside me and asked, "What do you do when you don't know what to do?" Then she stopped talking and just looked at me. I wasn't completely in the dark about what is going on her life so I responded to her that we trust God and take it one step at a time.

"But what do you do when it is hard and others are involved?"

Memories flooded my mind as I thought back to the last few months. There were times when I cried out, asking God why? And the words of Job echoed, "I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you." We don't know why the trials hit but we do know the source of our strength. God is sovereign and that is enough for me.

As we talked, I reminded her that the only person we can control is ourselves. It doesn't do any good to try and manipulate the situation, whine or complain, or even stamp our feet. God is in control and we're never alone in the whirlwind. He promises new mercies every morning, a relief to both of us since we sure can use them up fast.

As the rehearsal progressed, we practiced Bow the Knee. While singing the beautiful melody and lyrics, I noticed that the message of the song captured the heart of our earlier conversation:

There are moments on our journey following the Lord Where God illumines ev’ry step we take.

There are times when circumstances make perfect sense to us,

As we try to understand each move He makes.

When the path grows dim and our questions have no answers, turn to Him.



Bow the knee;

Trust the heart of your Father when the answer goes beyond what you can see.

Bow the knee;

Lift your eyes toward heaven and believe the One who holds eternity.

And when you don’t understand the purpose of His plan,

In the presence of the King, bow the knee.



There are days when clouds surround us, and the rain begins to fall,

The cold and lonely winds won’t cease to blow.

And there seems to be no reason for the suffering we feel;

We are tempted to believe God does not know.

When the storms arise, don’t forget we live by faith and not by sight.


After rehearsal, I hurried over to my friend and asked her if she, too, had noticed the message of the song.

"Yes, and I didn't want to catch your eye or I knew I would lose it." We gave each other a knowing look as we headed out to the parking lot.

I love it when I get a glimpse of the puzzle that God is putting together. It is going to be a glorious picture.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Right Answer

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6 (NLT)
I met Mark on the Internet and during those first days of getting to know each other, we spent a great deal of time online, chatting back and forth, sending emails and text messages. However, the first "real" conversations occurred a few weeks into our relationship when I flew up to take care of my grandgirlies for a few days. I didn't have time to spend chatting online because of my responsibilities to the girls, but after I put them to bed at night, we would talk on the phone. This was new and added a different dimension to our conversations. I was able to ask questions and get immediate responses with accompanying voice inflection, pauses, laughter, and tears. The amazing part was Mark's answers reflected exactly what I was thinking. I don't remember how many times I replied with "right answer."

I recently had one of those days when the sun was shining outside, but it was cloudy in my soul. Nothing was going like I wanted it to and there didn't appear to be any change in the near future. Ready to give in to my own personal pity party, I decided to spend some time with my Father knowing that any hope for change would have to come from Him.

I sat down to read two different devotionals and would you believe they both had the same theme? One read, "Thank Me when things do not go your way, because spiritual blessings come wrapped in trials." The other began with with, "Thank me for your problems." The author, Sarah Young, didn't write these words just for me but God did. So, instead of whining, I asked God to give me a thankful heart. I knew that this was His day, He had taken care of me in the past, and I needed to quit worrying. But I had to choose to lay the burdens down at His feet. Soon the clouds lifted and His light shone in my heart.

Don't be afraid to approach your Father with your worries, cares, or doubts. He will always have the "right answer."


Friday, May 7, 2010

Mama

He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.Psalm 91:4
After living in Arizona for a few months, Mark commented that he had never seen so many birds that would rather walk than fly. Whether it is a roadrunner or a family of quail, we constantly dodge them as we drive around our neighborhood. We have affectionately named all roadrunners, "Jake." It's easier. They are busy birds, always seem to be in a hurry, and, much to my surprise, are meat eaters.

The quail are beautiful and I love it when the babies hatch and they scurry in a line across the street—Mom in the front and Dad bringing up the rear. The gardener brought to my attention a nest secreted away in a pot by my front door. Geraniums make a perfect cover. A couple of weeks ago, I did notice Daddy quail strutting on sentry duty on the casita roof but didn't realize he was watching over his new little family. Mama is now patiently sitting on her eggs. Since she is so well hidden, she has scared me a couple of times as she flew out of nowhere when I was out snipping off the spent blooms. Now I peek through the leaves and try not to disturb her. Mark says he talks to her as he goes back and forth.

Quail babies make perfect snacks for roadrunners. Danger hovers around them until they are grown and can take care of themselves. God, in His infinite wisdom and design, created this family unit with two parents to nurture and protect them until they are able to outwit their enemy. He has done the same for us.

We celebrate mothers on Sunday. Whether your relationship with your mom is one that brings you joy or maybe some sorrow, the fact remains that without her, you would not be here today. Be sure and let her know how much she means to you.

Danger lurks in the bushes for us, too, but God provides the cover that we need in a world that is often scary and out of control. His wings and feathers weather the storms of our lives and His promises offer protection for our hearts and minds. We are not alone. He will be both our front and rear guard.

Remember...YOU are loved.


Thursday, May 6, 2010

Take Heart

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33 (NIV)

I thoroughly enjoyed speaking to the ladies of my church last Saturday at the annual Spring Tea. All the tables sparkled with the hostess' finest place settings and table decor, each unique and special. My friend decorated our table with the china, Old Country Roses, a favorite of mine. A neighbor let her raid her rose garden for a bouquet that matched the pattern perfectly, with extra petals dotting the tablecloth; silver and crystal sparkled. It was lovely. All over the room, women chatted and oohed and ahhed as they walked among the tables, enjoying the creativity of each one.

As I told my story, I watched as women nodded, smiled, and cried. Many pulled me aside afterward and confided that they knew what I was talking about. We are sisters in the challenges of life.

Yet, I was driving with a friend to the movies and as we talked, she mentioned that her life right now couldn't be better. She is happy in her marriage, her home, has a new granddaughter…all is well. I rejoiced with her as she talked and encouraged her to enjoy this time.

But I also know that life has a way of turning the corner to reveal heartbreak and tragedy when we least expect it.

We know of a family whose 13-year-old son fell from a tree and is in Children's Hospital with severe brain trauma. Another family has just gone through the valley with a five-year-old daughter who now has a new kidney but struggled each step of the way. Heart attacks, falls, depression, death. We never know what trouble is ahead of us but take heart. Jesus is alive! He overcame death so that we can have life…now and forever.

Monday, April 26, 2010

Tiny Faith

It is like a tiny mustard seed that a man planted in a garden; it grows and becomes a tree, and the birds make nests in its branches. Luke 13: 19 (NLT)
I have a couple of devotionals that I like to read by Sarah Young. They are short but always seem to hit the mark about whatever is going on in my life. And I'm surprised. How often do go to God with a request or need, usually as a last resort, but really don't expect an answer? We think we have to "help" God. As I reflect on the process that my kids experienced during this time of transition and moving, trusting God was an act of faith because the outcome was so out of their control. Yet, He ultimately provided a home that is far better than anything we could have imagined. Jesus trudged all over Israel with his disciples. He listened to them complain, watched how they handled problems, noticed their responses to different people. He spent months in their presence and sometimes they got it but sometimes, their didn't. Remember the little boy with five loaves and two fish? They were ready to head off to town and try and buy food—an impossible task. Jesus was so patient with his followers, as He is with us. As the Son of God, He could have spoken to them in lofty treatises but instead He told them stories…stories they could understand and pass on. He even explained some of the hard parts to them. When life appears tough or grim, all we need is a tiny bit of faith…one step at a time. Don't worry about the end result; rather go to Him expecting great things. He won't fail you.

Friday, April 23, 2010

God is Good

I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Psalm 27:13 (NIV)
Good news—the kids have a place to live. Although at times it felt like God was silent as we prayed for this particular need, He was working in the background so that they would have what was best for their family. Hindsight is always 20/20 and as we look back at what might have been, we are thankful for God's mercy and the circumstances that brought us to this day. It is so much better than any manipulation that we might have done in the midst of our panic. I like to be in control and relinquishing that role to God is a daily task for me. When I push and pull, take the reigns, or engineer the outcome rather than letting God take over, I am basically saying, "God, I don't trust you with this situation. I think I can do it better." If we truly believe that God loves us and wants the very best for us, then the act of waiting is also an act of trust. God never forces us to act. If, however, we continue on our own way, we will suffer the consequences of our stubbornness and doubt: it takes longer, results are second best, and we are robbed of joy and peace. I didn't say it was easy and sometimes, I have to hand those reigns back to Him several times during the course of a day. But, in the end, it is best. Today's verse is one of my Mel's favorites and with confidence we can all say—God is good.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Faith Journey

But if we look forward to something we don’t have yet, we must wait patiently and confidently. Romans 8:25 (NLT)
The last two weeks have been BUSY. We drove to California the day after Easter to help our kids pack up their home and place it all in storage. Life's twists and turns had dealt them some unexpected blows and it became apparent that the only way to solve some of the problems was a move. God was good and the house sold in a week – and that's in the Bay Area market. But, that same market makes rentals golden and my kids are at the mercy of landlords. They don't have a place yet and are staying with friends. So, we are all waiting. Again. Ben Patterson writes in Waiting; Finding Hope When God Seems Silent:
To wait is to journey in faith toward the things God has promised. Like all journeys, it has its past, present, and future, and requires a definite attitude toward each of these time dimensions. The past--God says, "Leave it." The present--God says, "Go." The future--God says, "I will show you." Hope makes patience possible because it gives us the confidence that our wait is not in vain. No matter how things look to us, God is the complete master of the situation.
I ache for them knowing that the unknown is scary. Without faith and confidence in God, it would all seem like such a waste. But I believe in the sovereignty of God and know that He alone has the grand perspective. He loves my little family more than I do and will bring them through it – just at the right time.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Ready, Ladies?

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:6 (NLT)
I'm down to the final lesson in Jesus, the One and Only—a study of the Gospel of Luke by Beth Moore. I reread the story of the crucifixion and resurrection as I worked on my lesson this morning. Although familiar, this time, I caught some of the drama stirring among the women who followed Jesus. During His ministry, it is recorded that the women looked after his needs. We know the names of some of them; Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James—but there were others who remain nameless. (I would like to think I would have been there with them.) Women enjoy taking care of the needs of those they love and these women played an important part in the end of the story. Picture the morning after the Sabbath rest. They had waited all day Saturday, as required, but used the time to prepare the spices for the body. Can't you hear them chatting among themselves as they scurried down the dusty path just before dawn, wondering how to handle the heavy stone that covered the entrance into the tomb? What a surprise to find it open when they approached the tomb and saw it open! The story the angel told them rocked their world. Excited by their discovery, they suddenly remembered Jesus had told them this was going to happen. Just like women, they hurried back to tell the story to the all of the men. God knew how to get the word out! In the Jewish culture, the men had all the privileges; women were relegated to the basement, so to speak. As Beth describes it, Jesus elevated women by adding a ladder to that basement and bringing them up to join in the work and ministry of the church. His resurrection brought life to all who believe – Jew or Gentile, man or woman, slave or free. We each have a role to play in the Kingdom and hierarchy ended when the veil was torn in two. That day changed the world. We will never be the same. Thanks, ladies, for telling the story.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Anguish

I waited patiently for the LORD to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the LORD. Psalm 40:1-3 (NLT)
Next week I'm leading a seminar entitled Anguish of the Soul at our Women's Retreat. Each attendee received a list with a brief synopsis of the various offerings and chose two. Mine read:
David found himself caught in the darkness of the pit in Psalm 40 with no way out. In his anguish, he cried out to the Lord for help even as despair threatened to overwhelm him. God heard those pleas, pulled him out, and set his feet on firm ground. For some of us, that pit may come in the form of depression; slimy and dark that blots out all light, takes away joy, and leaves an unrelenting hopelessness in its wake. In the midst of the deep pain, loved ones are often confused and frightened as the murky shadows threaten to obscure any normalcy. I know because I've been there. Join me as we journey together from the dark moments of the soul into the light of God's hope and help.
Eight women signed up and I know two. I've spent the week filtering through my notes and compiling my outline and handouts. My heart's desire is to encourage these women and offer hope and knowledge as they walk either in the shadows or are in the pit themselves. It is a lonely place to be, often kept secret due to fear or shame. When I was walking that scary road, I didn't know what was even going on; a name for it would have helped. My goal is to shine the light of God's love and compassion to dispel those fears and help these ladies open up their hearts to His healing. God promises us solid ground and a new song after our time in the pit. My prayer is to get a new singing group going.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Cowgirls All

A good man leaves an inheritance [of moral stability and goodness] to his children's children. Proverbs 13:22 (Amplified Bible)
Oh, the excitement of a ten year old. Kate, as my oldest granddaughter, knew the meaning of undivided attention as a little one, but in recent years she assumed the position as "cruise director" for her two sisters and planned all their activities. However, on this trip, life revolved around her and she ate it up. Literally. Whatever she wanted to eat, or do, or see was hers for the asking. We watched more horses in both the parade and the rodeo, ate funnel cake and local barbecue, watched movies from Blockbuster, spent a day doing girl stuff (museum, shopping, lunch), and learned to bake apple dumplings. By the time she was tucked in bed, I was already headed to mine. One of the great pleasures of grandparenting is the ability to lavish love on my girlies without any responsibility for their behavior; that job is up to Mom and Dad. But my heart's desire it to leave an inheritance that is far greater than a sum of money. I want my girls to know my Jesus and with courage and strength from above, to walk in a way that shows them how important it is to follow and obey God. I pray that each grandgirlie will hear me speak kindly, be generous, offer help, show mercy, be a friend, forgive easily, keep short accounts of any wrongs, and know that they can trust God to lead them throughout life's journey. As I watched the plane take off returning its precious cargo, my Kate, to her home, I already missed her. Her love of life filled our house for a few days and brought such joy. She is welcome any time.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Listen Up!

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV)
I was taken by surprise when I exited the Denver airport this past weekend. Out of the corner of my mind's eye, I saw a little girl running on chubby legs, arms up, yelling, "Nana, Nana, Nana," and throwing herself into my outstretched arms. Kate was fifteen months old at the time. Tomorrow, we pick her up at the Phoenix airport, a grown-up young lady of ten, who will travel alone for the second time. She is headed here for the weekend to attend the Tucson Rodeo, a gift for her birthday. How time flies! There is no pretense in Kate – what you see is what you get. She goes all out for whatever strikes her fancy whether it is horses, or books, of cooking, or music, or swimming, or even shopping. Kate believes she can do just about anything, even if she has never tried it before. I remember watching her pitch at her softball game last summer, never having even thrown the ball in practice. She was sure she could do it…until the coach put her in the game. Cold, hard reality hit and I read the consternation on her face. All of a sudden, the old adage, practice, practice, practice, took on new meaning. How many times do we head off over the cliff without checking our egos at the door, assuming success? In need of some time alone, Jesus took three disciples with him up on a mountain to pray. The three fell asleep and when they awoke, they observed Moses, Elijah, and a transformed Jesus talking. Always impetuous and in awe of the men before him, Peter lobbied to build shelters as memorials for the three and wouldn't stop talking about it. Finally, God, Almighty, appeared in a cloud and spoke, " This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him." (Luke 9:35) Imagine Peter's reaction. I wonder if he felt foolish? Rather than telling the others, we know from scripture that they kept it all to themselves, probably a good idea. Parents love seeing enthusiasm in their children. I'm sure God shook his head at Peter and chuckled. He would be that kind of kid who threw himself wholeheartedly into any fray. However, God knew that time, circumstances, and training would temper that reckless abandon in Peter and smooth out the rough edges. He had a plan for Peter and his role as leader and spokesman for the Gospel emerged as he learned to listen to the One who had the answers for eternal life. The moral of the story...listen up!

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Snow Fun

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Hebrew 12:1-2 (NLT)
Snow in 50 states? Although a dusting of snow covers the Catalina Mountains that surround our home, I'm glad I live in Arizona. Being a California girl, snow was a choice and shoveling, chaining, heavy clothes, and COLD are good for about three days and then I'm done. The weatherman has predicted temperatures in the 70's for the rest of the week. My grandgirlies and family spent a weekend in Lake Tahoe a couple of weeks ago. They emailed pictures and videos and I loved all the smiles and whoops of laughter. Tori, my middle granddaughter, later enthusiastically shared how much fun it had been. She spent the day sliding down the hill in a big purple saucer but added, "It was a lot of work to go back up the hill." I asked her whether the heavy clothes and boots she had to wear might have made the trip harder. She readily agreed that they were a pain but reiterated all the extra effort was worth it. Life often mimics a roller coaster with the ups and downs coming faster than we can handle. Just when we seem to have things under control, the phone rings, the mail arrives, or the doorbell chimes and our world is turned upside down. Paul reminds us that we are not in this rat race alone. However, if we don't let go of those things that bog us down – our failures, worries, and fears – they're going to trip us up. Drop that weight at the foot of the cross and focus on the One who loves you and is your biggest cheerleader. Run!

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Bo

God gives, God takes. God's name be ever blessed. Job 1:21 (The Message)
There are times when I want to ask God, "When is enough, enough?" I received an email from my daughter that a very good friend, the principal of my grandgirlies school, suffered a tragic loss today. Her sweet dog, Bo, was killed in a car accident. As devastating as that is all by itself, this dog was the darling of the school. He was only a couple of years old and began "attending" school as a puppy; sitting quietly in his carrier until the bell rang for "recess". All the kids loved him and my grandgirlies even enjoyed play dates at the park with Bo. We're not really a "dog" family but he was given a special dispensation and had the run of the house whenever he stopped by for a visit. So how does a child express sorrow? Because most have little experience with this kind of emotion, it was suggested that they draw a picture or write a note to give to my friend. That's probably a good idea for all of us rather than stuffing emotions that are hard to handle. My prayer is that although tomorrow will be a day of sadness, tears, stories, and hugs, it will also be the beginning of the healing process and a lessening of the pain. One of the lessons I taught my kids is that life is not fair. This latest tragedy seems like the last straw after a very tough week for all of them. There is no explanation, no reasoning. Just the simple fact that God does what He sees as best and we are to bless His name…no matter what. Enjoy doggy heaven, Bo.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Out of Focus

Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don't shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that's where the action is. See things from his perspective. Colossians 3:2 (The Message)
I went to a chick flick with a friend yesterday and saw the movie, Leap Year. It was the classic girl wants to get married but boy is slow to make a move. In some very funny scenes, she takes things into her own hands, suffers the consequences of her decision, and ends up changing her mind. Doesn’t that sound just like a woman? But, why did she change her mind? She was challenged by the antagonist to look at what was most important in her life. He asked her what she would save if her apartment caught on fire. As she thought about it, she realized that the answer was nothing. She had no life and the life she thought she wanted was empty. Doesn't that sound like most of us as we cruise through daily activities? We work, and scrimp and save for the next biggest and greatest only to find that once we have it, there is no satisfaction and we start the process all over. All the to-do's set up on our calendars, the outings with friends and family, the carefully planned vacations, and even our own personal desires can go up in flames in the blink of an eye. So what should we be doing? Where do we put our energy? Paul answers the question…it is in Jesus. Want to be part of the action? Change your focus. Make decisions with the long view of life knowing that His way is really best. He will guide you and satisfy the desires of your heart.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Be Still

Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today...The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." Exodus 14:13-14 (NIV)
In our fast-paced world, "being still" has become an art form. Cable news with 24-hour coverage doesn't help. Neither does the instant access to updates via facebook, twitter, or the iPhone. Information bombards us all the time, whether we want it or not. My daughter, in an effort to protect the girlies, turns the TV off when the news comes on (a challenge for me when visiting...the news junkie). However, I understand. The violence, murder and mayhem, war, and politics that splash across the screen add an undercurrent of fear and instability to their world that they don't need. The enemy seeks ways to destroy us and seems to find our most vulnerable spots. Many years ago, when I was much younger and more naïve, I thought that with enough time, energy, and money, I could solve any problem. Wrong! We can't do it by ourselves. Our marching orders are to stand firm, rejecting the temptations of power, fame, money, or position. We must be patient and unafraid and watch with anticipation as He steps in and fights the battle. Sometimes it takes minutes. Sometimes it takes months or even years, but victory is assured. I encourage you to take time to be still in His presence. Watch and see what He will do.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

New Normal

The valleys will be filled, and the mountains and hills made level. The curves will be straightened, and the rough places made smooth. Luke 3:5 (NLT)
My friend, Jan, is a brand new grandmother of a baby girl. She has been hanging around in cold Colorado since Christmas, awaiting the birth of this precious baby rather than enjoying the warmth and sun of Arizona. However, I know the feeling. The expectation and joy are overwhelming and you just need to be there. My daughter was born on January 10th so I can really relate to the timing of this grandbaby. I remember how long the days seemed after the rush of the Christmas holidays ended, before the arrival of this new little one in our home. Then once she was here, I could never seem to catch up. In the back of my mind, I would ask myself if things were ever going to get back to normal. When Mel was about 6 weeks old, I was rocking her after the 2 AM feeding and looking at her sleeping face in the moonlight. I kept thinking of all undone things that stared back at me each day: laundry, shopping, cooking, cleaning…. actually anything. For the thousandth time, I wondered if things were ever going to get back to normal. As I sat there praying, I realized that no, it would never be the same. I felt as if my Heavenly Father said to me, "We are going to now have a 'new' normal around here and the sooner you accept that premise, the more contented you will be." That night was a turning point and the daily demands began to fall into place. I have since found out that we have "new normals" all of our life. Some are easy and fun, some are not and the adjustments can be difficult at any age. But, the glue that holds it all together is the God who gives us strength each day. He is the one who smoothes the rough path and makes it straight. This baby is well loved by all around her. So are we.

Friday, January 1, 2010

A Cup of Cold Water

And whoever gives just a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is a disciple—I assure you: He will never lose his reward!" Matthew 10:42 (HCSB)
Nine days before our wedding, Mark suffered his second heart attack. I cancelled all of our California wedding plans and flew out to Memphis, where he lived. From the moment I walked into the hospital room, he began to rally and we did get married on the day we had planned—only in Memphis. For a California girl, from the Bay Area no less, it was a bit of a culture shock to find myself smack dab in the middle of the South for seven weeks as Mark recuperated from not only the heart attack but also a bout of pneumonia. But I enjoyed my time in Memphis and all things southern: the food, BBQ (the noun, not the verb), azaleas, the drawl where one word could have three or four syllables, the ducks at the Peabody, great jazz, and a church on every block. Everyone goes to church on Sunday and lunch reservations are often the hottest ticket in town—or else you better get there early. Today, we finally saw a movie that I have been trying to see for several weeks, The Blind Side. I like Sandra Bullock and I knew it was a heartwarming story about a family from Memphis. Bullock played the part of a southern "mama" to a young black man that she noticed walking along the road one night. After she picked him up, it was obvious that he had no hope and little to offer, but she brought home and gave him a warm bed. I could say it was just that old southern-hospitality thing, but I would rather believe that she was willing to offer a cup of cold water to someone in need. He stayed and the family learned the meaning of love in a way they never expected and that seemed foreign to their family and friends. That young man, Michael Oher, is a testimony to the power of God when we are willing to go the extra mile. His success was not without a lot of personal hard work, but in the process he learned the meaning of both courage and honor, along with love. I encourage you to see the movie. Take a couple of tissues—mine were soggy at the end. And…be on the watch for someone who might be thirsty.