I Wills - Arg

Nothing like the dawning of a new year to get one a-thinking. "I'm going to do better this year," some would say.

According to me, here is a list of

Common first-of-the-year

"I will's"

1. I will be disciplined at exercising
2. I will eat better...healthier
3. I will get to ____ pounds
4. I will read my Bible more
5. I will pray more
6. I will keep in contact with people...more correspondence...meet new people
7. I will get the house in order
8. I will fix-up and finish house projects started years ago
9. I will be a better Mom and Wife
10. I will be more obedient to God than I was in 2008

Everyone has their own list, but if you are like me, each January 1st there is this overwhelming sense that none of the list will be checked off by the time 2010 rolls around. But, somehow I always decide to start again even if I think the list falls into the category of "Mission Impossible".

With that in mind, I have to look to the wisdom of the Creator...

Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message)

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

This seems to me to be a good recipe for accomplishing the goals laid out for 2009. So, here we go!

Some Things Will Not Change

There are some things which will not change. In this day of changeability...some things just will not change.

It was last evening as we were heading back into the city after spending time out in the country at our eldest daughter and son-in-law's home we witnessed a marvelous sight. As we opened the door to pile into the car, the sky was bursting with vibrant color. You might call it a winter sky with oranges and reds...low hanging puffy colorful clouds as far as you could see in every direction.

There are some thing which will not change. There will be seasons and beautiful skies and things which grow. There will be seed time and harvest. There will be births and deaths. And these unchangeable created "things" should offer a good reminder to us that no matter what changes this coming year may bring, God never changes.

He will always hold my hand and lead. He will always talk to me, correct me, encourage me and kick me in the butt. He will always have wisdom on his tongue for me each time I choose to listen. He will always have a warm arm in which to snuggle up to and rest.

He never will leave or forsake us. Change will come, but we will always have Daddy God who never changes, right there with us.

Blessings...

Sing to Me

"Sing to me", he said.

"Sing a song to me. Not a song you've heard, but a song you make up as you go."

Charlotte felt like a little girl again as she began to sing a song of praise and thanksgiving to Father. It had been so long since she had made up a song, especially a "love" song to God and quite frankly, it wasn't very good in her estimation. But she kept singing.

After a few minutes, she got the hang of it all and began to thank Father for the beautiful winter sky and His tremendous love for her. She sang about Jesus and the Holy Spirit, and like the 3 year old thanking God for the food and everything in sight, such was the song of Charlotte.

When she had finished singing, a silence filled the car. Why had it been so long since she had sung in this manner to her wonderful Father? Probably because He had never asked her before.

Here I sit, ready to go to bed writing about Charlotte when actually it was me who sang the song to the One who holds my life in His hands. He sings over us, so why shouldn't we sing over him...a lovely duet of two moving as one in harmony.

In the busy-ness of the season...in the tenseness of the times...it is singing a song of praise no matter how unpublishable it may be, to the Reason We Live.

The Warmth of Conversation

We had our Christmas with the family over the weekend. Schedules continue to get harder to match as the kids grow up. It was so much fun and the time spent with our children is forever etched in my heart.

The love and the fun...the laughter and the hugs were warm fuzzies on a cold winter day. The conversation flowed from one subject to another with ease. There wasn't one bit of tension between any of the family, just a lot of love and pure enjoyment!

Our little man received several DVDs. One of them was "Prince Caspian" from the Narnia books by C.S. Lewis. A scene in the movie which brings to mind the warmth of the family was when Lucy...the youngest...sees Aslan again and runs and pushes him over in a fun loving way and tells him she has missed him. Her youthful love of Aslan (who represents Christ) is such a wonderful example of what our relationship should be like with our God who loves us so very much.

The "thees" and "thous" should be left with Shakespearean plays but not in a relationship with our wonderful Jesus. He loves us so much and as He himself said...we should come to him like a little child...excited and expectant and wanting to just be with Him.

Just like the conversation flows with love and laughter when friends and family gather, so should the same warmth be felt in our relationship with our wonderful Jesus. We don't have to get in a mood to talk with Him. We don't have to use certain high minded words. We just have to talk with Him. He laughs...He sings over us...He intercedes for us...He leads us...He protects us...He talks with us...He eats with us...He heals us...He celebrates with us...He cries with us. He is deeper than family. He will always be there for us...always. He is wonderful...counselor...the mighty God...the everlasting Father...the prince of peace.

Let Jesus warm these cold winter months with His conversation and love.

The Gift

Merry Christmas early!

This is the time for Christians everywhere to thank God for sending Jesus into the world. For, it is through Him that we have liberty and an everlasting existence in Him. But, He came for all people. Even those who reject Him, He came for them as well.

Jesus said that He is the gate for the sheep...okay...what does that mean for us.

He is the true way and the only way. This is so simple...we don't have to read a thousand books on religions who map out a hard way to achieve "heaven".

He will lead His sheep. Another simple truth. We don't have to guess or wing it on our own because we have "God With Us" leading through the Holy Spirit. And, according to Jesus, WE KNOW HIS VOICE. Very simple. Like the voice of a husband or close friend, we KNOW HIS VOICE. That makes it simple when trying to discern what voice to listen to.

He will lead us in and out of the closure. The sheep were hedged in at night and were lead out to pasture during the day. He, once again, leads us where we are provided with what is necessary to give us life. The hired hand isn't as interested in getting the best grazing land at the best time, but Jesus knows the times and seasons for us and will gently lead us there.

He knows us by name. So, whether you are Elizabeth the sheep or James the sheep, He knows each and every one of us by name. We are not tools to be used and then discarded, we are personally known by our God.

He will lay down His life for us. Actually, He already did. No other "religion" has or had a "leader" who would lay down their life for their followers. He was the only one who could lay down His life and then pick it up again. A dead leader is just that...DEAD. But, a leader who can rise from the dead and live eternally...He is one to follow.

When trouble comes and we are being attacked on every side, He doesn't tuck tail and run...He is there for us and with us. He is able to help in time of need.

So, we can wing it on our own and fall prey to a thousand voices...be lead astray and continue to be conned. We can let religions beat us up...kill us...take away freedoms...make us slaves to dead gods. We can hope that there is refuge in times of trouble and try to be our own savior, but Jesus made it simple. Simple for the most intelligent and the most challenged. He came that we might have freedom...life...everlasting life...abundant and full and overflowing...joy...peace...freedom to heal and be lead into "green pastures".

Perhaps the best Christmas gift we can give is to be light to a world dying and in bondage. It is simple and yet the most wonderful, astoundingly wonderful gift we can give.

Signs of Winter

There were obvious signs of winter here in Texas. Today, though a fair 70 degrees, the clouds were moving in, indicating more winter weather was coming our way.

In our part of the state, we are a refuge to Canadian geese and they were flying high this afternoon. Scores and scores of geese all lined up in "V's" filled the sky. Formation after formation of birds were everywhere.

It was just as few nights ago as I was coming back by one of our playa lakes after little man's basketball practice that I noticed by the light of the moon hundreds of geese and ducks gliding on the glassy water. This is a sight I enjoy each and every year.

There is something tranquil about this annual feathered gathering. Often times I see a family of ducks or geese walking across the road with their little ones. Though none of these birds are city slickers, I think they are very accustomed to people and cars because you rarely see any of them slain along side the road.

No one around here needs to be told that they should break for these beautiful birds...they just do. Just another sign that winter is here.

Dreams of a Dreamer

Feverishly she tried to dry her hair, but then remembered that she had all the time in the world. Since she had discovered the time traveler, her life had become more exciting than she ever could have imagined.

Just moment before, she had been running in a marshy field in Ireland escaping some rather rough looking men whose intent was less than honorable. Her dress...her long dress was damp across the lower six inches and needed the help of a dryer to get it back to it's original shape.

Maegan laughed as she thought how she had managed to escape her pursuers with just the mention of "home". Instead of red shoes and a few clicks of the heels to help her return, she only had to say one word to get her where she wanted.

She decided that she would take a hot bath and relax before redressing and spiriting back to the land of her forefathers. Even though it was 2008, her plaid dress indicated her adventure took place at least a hundred years earlier.

She knew she did not have to go back, because there would be trouble all around her if she so decided to return...but her thirst for adventure outweighed any common sense she normally possessed. But for now, the tub and the warm water called her. Her adventure could wait until tomorrow.

A Question to Ask

I've been reading some out of Genesis. Here is a question I asked myself while reading...

Why did Adam and Eve notice that they were naked after disobeying God? Isn't this a strange first response?

Any ideas?

Half full or half empty

Little man looked at me this evening when I was telling him about Adam and Eve and said..."It was Adam's fault because he was supposed to be the head of the house and he didn't step in and stop it."

Didn't expect that!...But had to explain it was a mutual mess up.

This morning when I was reading that passage I was in a hurry to get out the door and take my Dad to a doctor's appointment. But, I did want to hear what Daddy God was saying, so I sat myself down to read and listen.

Here's the skinny on what He was saying to me this morning...

Eve started out in her explanation to the serpent with God perspective. She told the scaly varmint that God had given them every tree in the garden except one. She did embellish what God said and added that He told them not to touch the prohibited tree...but she was right in looking at the situation from the standpoint that God had given them every tree to eat from except.

But the serpent twisted her added words and made her look at the situation through his snake like eyes. Instead of seeing the cup 99 percent full, she saw the cup 1 percent empty and focused on what she didn't have.

Of course, I turned the story into a lesson this evening when I was telling it to the little man. However, I have to take this to heart and be very thankful for all that God has given us...and I most certainly am thankful!

Foolish to Wise

Too often we compare ourselves with others...especially those of us who are women. We have the tendency to look at other women and size ourselves up. Sometimes, we can feel better about ourselves when we see a woman screaming at her kids in Wally Mart and think we would never do that...instant mental elevation.

Then there are times when we see someone wealthy who seems to have not only wealth, but looks and character. Those times are times of self reflection and usually condemnation...sometimes anger..."Why God didn't you make me like her!" All of these thoughts are erroneous.

God uses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. What a leveling field!

God uses us even when we feel ourselves to be foolish to make the mouths of the wise drop open in awe at the words flowing from our lips. We all came from the same need...the need for redemption. Had we been perfect, then there would have been no need for Christ to come, but evidence bears witness that not one of us is perfect.

So, even when we look at another woman and put her in the perfect category, she is not and neither are we. We, through Christ, are the righteousness of Him. Another leveling field. We through Christ have been given authority and in Him have the ability to follow Him completely. One more leveling field.

You see, whether we consider ourselves needy or foolish, we are all in good company...the company of the Saviour. When Paul said to run the race and get rid of all the extra weight that keeps us from running, he didn't qualify. It is not how we look at ourselves, but how He looks at us.

The foolish have the opportunity to become wise in Him. The ugly have an opportunity to become beautiful in Him. The poor have the opportunity to be rich.

In this time of nervous economic times...when even the "wise" are making foolish decisions. Calm yourselves. You have the mind of Christ and are robed in His righteousness...listen...come to Him all of you who are weary and He will give you rest and direction.

Blessings to you all...

Lights to Lights

I work in a Christmas Store. If there is a downturn in the economy, I don't see it. Of course, living in Texas might have something to do with that. We still have farmers and business seems to be cranking at the usual pace.

In fact, we are having a hard time keeping enough merchandise to make the store look presentable. The store is a high end Christmas store with very unusual furniture to sell as well. What started as an experiment is turning into the talk of the town.

What a contrast when I got home yesterday and began reading the Voice of the Martyrs magazine while making waffles for the fam...page after page of people who were willing to live Christmas every day but not with glitter and twinkling lights, but with love in their hearts expressed in words and deeds. Pastors who were beaten to death for telling children about Jesus. Families who were driven out of their homes for leading Muslims to Christ.

The courage of the body of Christ in stressed places were told in page after page and I felt connected to my brothers and sisters who are literally laying down their lives for the gospel. Their witness may mean torture and or death.

So as I go back to work on Tuesday and spend my time making wreaths and decorations, I will not forget my fellow laborers who for the love of Christ and the love of people give me courage to love others and tell them about the one for whom this season is named.

Blessings to each of you because God loved us...God gave to us...So that we might have abundant life. While we still have freedom to speak about Christ, let us do so, with love and courage.

Heavenly Thoughts

"For I have known the thoughts that I am thinking towards you -- an affirmation of Jehovah; thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give to you posterity and hope." (YNG)

You know how we are to think the way God does...the

Mind of Christ?

This morning, I was NOT thinking positively

about someone near and dear to me

in one area of their life...in fact

it bothered me a lot.

I was asking my heavenly Dad what he thought

and this verse came to mind.

"Oh", I said..."I get the picture."

If we are to have the mind of Christ

then that means that our thought life

has to have the mind of Christ

in operation there as well.

I believe God's thoughts are productive

and changing. Because, out of his

heart...his thoughts, his words

flow.

And...his words are powerful...so are ours

to bless or to curse.

To help or to tear down.

If Heavenly Dad has good

thoughts towards me, then

I need to have good thoughts

towards others so that

when I speak,

good things happen.

I don't think I did very

well with my lesson, but

I am thankful He still has good thoughts

about me.

Tomorrow is a new day to think His thoughts,

and He says..."I love you".

Economy Busters

GIVE MORE

GET RID OF DEBT

BE THANKFUL

Food for the Heart

With the season stirring faster and faster, I want to make sure when the mixture is poured and baked that it doesn't have a bitter taste of fatigue or a nothing taste of this time lived without the God of the reason we celebrate.

However, as the days go on, I plan on making many batches of sugar cookies for the neighbors who live around us. The sweet taste of one of the simplest cookies is a Christmas favorite. There is just something wonderful about taking "a cold cup of water" or in this case some freshly baked cookies as a welcome hand extended.

I think Jesus knew the importance of food in celebration or as an act of love... like the old adage says..."A way to a man's heart is through his stomach". In this case the way to some hungry disciples heart was by feeding them breakfast.

This story I must have read a lot, but when I read it again yesterday, I was touched. Jesus had been crucified, glorified and was walking the earth and popping in on the disciples from time to time. It was one such day that the "boys" had gone out to fish and had pulled in their nets time after time only to find them boot and tin can ridden...but no fish...until...Jesus (from the shore) gave them advise on where to throw their nets. When they did, they had a great catch of fish.

John recognized Jesus on the shore and after Peter hurled himself into the sea to swim to shore to see the resurrected Christ the boat with the great catch comes to rest with the remaining disciples hurrying over to see Jesus.

Jesus had made breakfast for them and urged them to bring some more fish he could pitch on the fire while they were eating the first batch. Jesus cooked for them. Maybe that doesn't seem so inspiring, but it is pretty cool to me.

He knew their ears would be more open to hear what he had to say with a full stomach...and...he loved them enough to serve them where their need was. So as this Christmas season rolls on, take time to serve those you love with food for the heart and soul. Blessings to all of you...

We Are Smeared

Saturday, I went to the grocery store...early evening. I love going to the grocery store in our town because it is so relaxing and there is much to look at. That evening, I wheeled my cart into the natural products section filled with organic creams and lotions and the like. I decided I needed to find a new hand cream since my hands were becoming dry and cracked with regular lotions.

Standing in front of the testers I began pumping various kinds of lotion and salves into my hand one by one to see if anything might relieve the dryness. Something happened about the third lotion, my hands started getting tacky. For sure, they were NOT dry anymore, but with nothing to wipe off my hands with, I proceeded to grocery shop with my hands sticking to the handle of the cart.

At some point in my shopping, I noticed the tackiness was gone and my hands looked normal again.

In a Biblical sense, you might say that I was "anointed" with lotion for the purpose of replenishing the moisture in my hands. This word "anointed" has always been a little churchy for me and most of the time I don't like to refer to anyone or anything as "anointed".

But, this morning as I was reading, I did a little digging and found that "anointed" has the idea of "smearing on". When God anoints us for a particular task, he smears on us what we need to do that task. He may smear on us His ability to speak or to sing or just to touch another person with the love of Christ. He may smear on us the ointment of healing so that we can rub that ointment on one who needs healing.

It is really not a difficult word to understand. Jesus anointed the eyes of the blind man with mud made from dirt and His spit and the man received his sight. Mary anointed Jesus feet with oil for his burial.

In other words, when God smears or anoints us, it is for a purpose. I suppose it would be okay to ask our Heavenly Daddy to smear the ointment of His purpose upon our lives.

The anointing carries a scent. Just like all of those lotions I used on my hands had a pungent odor, so does His anointing on our lives. People can tell...even if they don't quite know what they are sensing...when we walk in His anointing and it is His anointing which is a draw for those who are seeking what we have to give.

Holy Spirit smear us.