Peace Amidst Trials

God's word is so timely. After six trying months of Jimmy's joblessness due to the global economic meltdown, it feels as though we've been put through the ringer. As God would have it I teach tomorrow on Romans chapter five which focuses on the reasons we have to rejoice, even amidst great trials. Let's take a peek.

Reason #1 - We have peace with God! Romans 5:1 "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ..." When we have peace with God, that God-sized hole planted deep within each of us is satisfied, making us complete, content, and quiet in spirit.

Reason #2 - Trials prompt spiritual growth. Romans 5:3-5 "...we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." 

Trials offer 3 spiritual benefits:

1. Perseverance: The opposite of panic and the thing we all respect and honor in others. God desires this quality in each of His children as well. It is the supernatural fuel that enables us to withstand any and all trials that comes our way.
2. Character: Learning to trust God during the most pressing times. Joseph is a perfect example of a man with godly character. While in Egypt he experienced false imprisonment and false accusations, yet amidst his trials he grew closer to God and in the end was exalted by both God and men.
3. Hope: Faith against the odds. Trials in life will either snuff out your faith or kindle a new fire. The choice is ours and hinges on how we choose to view our challenges and respond to them. Viewing them as opportunities to grow brings victory every time.

David called his trials by name and noted God's deliverance,"The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17:37) Isn't it interesting that rather than wearing him down, David's challenges served to strengthen his faith? Choosing to view them as opportunities to see the hand of God move in his life, the "lions" and "bears" energized him for the next trial. Now, this is what you and I need girly girl!      

So, what lion or bear is threatening you and how are you viewing them? Through the perspective of a victim or the eyes of victor? Thanks to Christ we have peace with God and victory over any trial we face here on earth. With this in mind we have great reason to rejoice. May we lift our eyes to Jesus and what He has done for us and rejoice in the glory of God who lives and dwells in our future home...heaven!

A Little Salt Please

My niece has a beautiful little girl named Olivia. She is in elementary school and recently began having trouble eating in the cafeteria. The crowd seemed to overwhelm her to the point where she had to eat lunch with the school nurse. My niece tried everything she could think of to coax Olivia into the cafeteria at lunch time, all to no avail.

As a last resort, my niece said, "Olivia, just think about the other children in the cafeteria who are going through such difficult times. Some children's parents are divorcing while others don't have enough food to eat. Their school lunch is the best meal of their day." With that the wheels of Olivia's brain began to turn her attitude around. Of all the words my niece had said and all the discipline she had tried, these were the words that got her thinking. Pondering the needs of her class mates, Olivia's fear began to subside and soon she was back in the cafeteria. Her fear had turned to compassion; adding a little more salt to the cafeteria. 

Ladies, times are tough and sometimes it's tempting to retreat. But you and I are the salt of the earth and quite possibly the only hope some will ever see. Look around at others in need and lend a helping hand. My husband has been doing a lot of maintenance jobs for others lately since he is no longer on the road. He recently helped put up a fence for a woman who's husband abandoned her and her three children and is helping with the upkeep of another woman's home as she goes through a painful divorce. 

It is vital that we support one another in time of need for it is a beautiful reflection of Christ. A card, phone call, email, or plate of cookies can do a world of good. Sprinkle a little salt and watch God work His magic. My dad has faithfully gone to church for over 50 years all because a man from a local church brought him an envelop of money to help our family after we lost everything in a devastating tornado. That helping hand touched him like nothing else could in his time of need. It literally changed his life.

Who can you sprinkle a little salt on today? 

“You are the salt of the earth."

Matthew 5:13a

"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need 

but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?" 

1 John 3:17

For the Love of Cocoa

These are my favorite "around the house" tennies. 

For some odd reason Cocoa has repeatedly attacked the left one 

and he put a real hurtin' on it the other day. 

Now it hardly stays on my foot.

My cute cocoa colored culprit.

It's a good thing I live by the motto of 1 Peter 4:8,

"Above all, love each other deeply, 

because love covers over a multitude of sins." 

Amen little doggy.

12 Reasons to Rejoice in the Risen Christ

Jesus came to us!
Luke 1:14 “He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth…”

We have peace with God.
Romans 5:1 “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,“

We have been made righteousness. 
Romans 3:22 “This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.”

Our names are written in heaven.
Luke 10:20 “However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Our joy is secure.
John 16:22 “So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”

We have hope.
Romans 5:2 “…through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. “

Christ knows and understands our pain.
1Peter 4:13 “But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. “

Our suffering is not in vain.
Romans 5:3 “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;”

God’s grace abounds.
Ephesians 2:7 “…in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.”

Our salvation is permanent.
John 10:27-29 “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.”

Christ is preparing a place for us.
Revelation 19:7 “Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.“

Jesus is coming soon!
Revelation 22:12 “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.


Every year Easter becomes more precious to me. The closer I draw near to God the more I see how much I need Him, for without Christ I could not approach God at all. Because Christ conquered sin and death those who believe and put their trust in Him receive eternal life in heaven. What a great gift and good reason to be glad. Nothing can take away the security of our salvation and God's very Spirit guides, protects, and teaches us as we walk this earth. Sealed by His Spirit we, the bride, wait for our bridegroom, Jesus, to come and take us home. I rejoice in this good knowledge for it gives me strength and hope for the future. He is coming soon, He is coming for us, and He has triumphed over our enemy.

May the Lord bless you this Easter day. May His face shine upon you in a new way as you bask in the hope of His glory!

Darkest Before Dawn

Thank you Jesus for creating us in your image, (Genesis 1:26) for becoming God's Word made flesh, (John 1:14) and for dying for our sins so that we may have eternal life. Our salvation is through you and we praise your holy name!

"Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! 

See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed." 

Revelation 5:5a

"Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, 

standing in the center of the throne, 

encircled by the four living creatures and the elders." 

Revelation 5:6

Hiding His Word in Your Heart

I've long since learned the value of planting God's word in my heart. I am continually memorizing scripture and find that I pull from this well of wisdom many times each day. 

Today Dani walked into my office and pulled out a blank 3 x 5 index card from the stack I use to write scripture on. I asked if she wanted me to write a verse on the card for her to carry around, read, and meditate on. With excitement she nodded her little head "yes!" So, grabbing the nearest Sharpie marker, I popped off the cap and began writing a verse I knew how to translate into sign language.

When I handed her the card you would have thought I was Moses handing her the Ten Commandments. She just stared at it in awe. Together we signed the verse and then off we went, verse in tow, to McDonalds. With our meals in our laps we sat near a peaceful pond of water sipping pop and munching on fries. We practiced signing the verse over and over and she was so proud of herself. What a pleasure to share the Word of God with my little girl! 

"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 19 Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 20 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, 21 so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the LORD swore to give your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth." Deuteronomy 11:18-21

Bright and Early

Ten years ago I promised God that I would spend each morning with Him in a time of prayer and Bible study. I've honored this commitment and been greatly blessed as a result.

The dogs know my morning routine and honor it as well. As I read and study, Ecclesiastes sleeps at my feet and Cocoa Bean is learning to do the same. This morning I looked over at Cocoa and giggled at the sight. He looks like he still has curlers in his hair!

By the way I am finishing up Beth Moore's Ester and it is fabulous. Please do this study if you get a chance.

Growing Like a Bean

Cocoa Bean is now four months old and grown oodles! 

Here he was just a few days old.

He still loves laying on his back in comfort.

Still spoiled too.

Love my boy.

The Beauty of God's Creation

There was something so perfect as we walked into church this morning. After six plus inches of snow the budding trees where blanketed with beautiful white tufts of cotton. The sun made each facet of God's intricate work glisten as if on display. There wasn't a breath of wind and the temperature was on the rise. It was simply gorgeous and I was blessed before I entered God's house.

After church the dogs were chomping at the bit to play. The ground is absolutely saturated and I knew they'd get muddier than all get out...but...if I ran them while there was still a thick pad of snow, the snow would serve to keep them cleaner. Certainly cleaner than once the snow melts.

So out we went and wouldn't you know God wasn't done blessing me yet! As I threw the frisbee for Ecclesiastes, something caught my attention. It was the most peaceful sound I'd heard in a long long time. I turned around to see the creek behind our home had become a beautiful bubbling brook thanks to the fast-melting snow. I had half a mind to grab a chair and sit by this majestic site for the rest of the afternoon. Instead, I threw the frisbee long enough to burn Ecclesi's energy, grabbed the camera, take these pics, and come in to blog. I plan to head back and absorb more of God's beauty as soon as I press publish!






"For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." Romans 1:20

March Madness

Sho-nuff it snowed!

Little Leak

Kansas City has the potential of getting up to a foot of snow tomorrow. With this in mind I took a quick inventory of the kitchen. Milk was the first thing I checked and while happy to see it was still fresh, I discovered a mild case of incontinence. 

I suspected this weakness shortly after I purchased the carton.  The bottom was always damp, even though I'd wipe it after each use. I kept thinking it might "clot" or do something to heal itself, but it never happen. 

Since the milk is undoubtedly fresh, I put a quart-sized diaper on it by folding two paper towels into a square and rubber banding it in place. I think she's cute.

Anderson Erickson would be proud! 

Still Waters

I recently memorized Psalm 23 because I've always wanted these words tucked deep into my heart.

"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." Psalm 23 

As I plant God's word in my heart I look for themes, bullet points, and various patterns. For me this chapter isn't difficult to remember because it paints such a pleasant scene. Green pastures, still waters, walking with God, a full table set before me, fine smellin' hair, and an overflowing cup. What's not to like?

But scripture is much deeper than the picture it paints on the surface. Not one word is wasted or lacking. Every word is true and even the smallest of things have great meaning. For example, I never thought a thing about God leading His children beside still waters, until last Sunday when couple of ladies in our class shared pictures and stories from their recent trip to Israel. 

All the pictures of the Holy Land where beautiful and thought provoking, but one photo in particular sent my mind wheeling. It was one of their tour guide with a hand full of leeches. Pulling them from a fast flowing stream, he explained how shepherds always led their sheep to quiet waters because leeches live in fast currents. If their flock drank from leech infested waters, they would invariably get the critters up into their noses, causing infection and possible death.

This prompted me to think about which I would likely choose if tired and parched, a quiet stream or a bubbling brook. I'd never compared the two before, but without question a bustling river would look and sound much more appealing. A subdued brook, however, would not likely catch my attention. In fact, I'd likely miss it all together, even though it would be the only good choice for me. This dear sister is precisely why we need a shepherd to lead us! We must learn to listen to the special sound of His voice and determine to follow it, even though it may lead us away from the sound of cool refreshing water. Not all things that look and sound good to us are beneficial. They can in fact lead to our demise.

Thanks to a handful of leeches Psalm 23 now holds deeper meaning. Isn't that just the way God works? Only He can use a parasite to show how some of the most appealing things of life are in fact often very deadly in the end. Let's determine to hear and obey only the voice of God.

"My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me."  

John 10:27

Blue Ticket Number Four

It's been two years since I bought my brand spankin' new car. We buy the best cars we can afford and get ones that last, keeping them for 10-15 years.  This one should last past the rapture and someone's gonna get a nice car when I'm gone. Till then I'm enjoying my new wheels. Anyway, the tags expire this month so off to the lovely license bureau we went to renew the plates. 

I shouldn't complain about going to the license bureau but I don't know anyone who enjoys such a trip. I will say it's better than years past. When Dani was a little girl, Autistic as all get out, our cars had us visiting the bureau on a bi-annual basis because we had to renew every year. Back then there was no seating, just one long line that stretched out the door and down the side walk. Dani would get restless as we crept our way to the counter and invariably do something embarrassing. Like the time she got to eying the back of a man's crotch who was standing a tight  12" in front of us. With the Autistic wheels of her brain in high gear she suddenly reached forward and gave him a goose that sent him hoppin'. Turning around to face the source, he and I met eye to eye. Uncomfortable and at a loss for words, I did what any mother of a gooser would do. I apologized with a simply sorry. To this day I think he thinks I did it.

By the grace of God we now have a new bureau building. Up-to-date and modern we have tickets to measure our estimated time of wait, seats to sit in, CNN news on two tv's, advertisements on the wall to read, coffee to drink, and a vending machine to snack it up. Everything anyone would ever need to withstand the wait and avoid a good goose. But, even with all these amenities the workers don't seem much happier. In fact while waiting we noticed a young girl calling out ticket numbers who sighed and moaned like an old leaky tired. She was clearly having a bad day and didn't bother hide it. Her drama was so apparent I remember thinking, "I sure hope we don't get her" to which she promptly hollered, "Blue ticket number four!" and off to the counter we went.

I handed the girl my required papers along with a complimentary smile and happy hello. Sometimes a kind smile can diffuse a negative tone like nothing else can and to my utter surprise I was pleased to see it worked. Before I knew it Dani was reaching over the counter to shake her hand (thankfully no threat of a goose) and was signing all sorts of little things to her. Lo and behold, like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, the young girl began to smile. Her face relaxed and her shoulders loosened until soon it was clear she was a truly nice person, she just didn't like her job and felt no conviction to hide it. 

As I stood at the counter looking down on this young girl, I couldn't help but put myself in her shoes. I wouldn't fancy her job either. The sheer thought of every customer looming over my head as they complained about taxes, tags, and time of wait made me cringe, much like the goosed man from yesteryear. I might not have acted much better had I had that job in my youth because only now, ripened with age, do I understand the importance of doing all work, even the mundane and irritating, to the best of my ability. Called to emit a sweet fragrance, I must never piece the ears of those around me like an old worn out tire. These qualities, however, often don't come naturally. Instead, they develop with age and knowledge of the word of God, which is why I am glad to be 49 and not 19. Every age spot, wrinkle, and grey hair represents one step further in my walk with the Lord and for that I am grateful. 

Oh, how I pray this young girl at the bureau grows to know the Lord each passing year. I really think she has potential. Glory knows if God can take a quick tempered selfish little twerp like myself and turn me around to walk by His side, He can certainly draw her near as well.

12 Symptoms of Spring Fever

I have a sudden case of spring fever and I know I am infected because:

1. I have an odd but "pleasant" desire to clean all the window blinds.
2. My sandals have emerged from the storage bin.
3. Because of #2 my first pedicure of the season is complete.
4. The hinges on the porch swing are warming up.
5. My garden gloves have made an appearance.
6. The deck umbrellas are in full bloom.
7. I am searching for my cropped pants, but...
8. Need to first apply a few coats of self tanner.
9. Coppertone's sunblock is perched on the bathroom counter.
10. I simply can't wait to begin my next Francine River's book, which I will read on my swing under one of the for said umbrellas.
11. I often smile as I listen to the birds prepare their nests for their soon coming brood.
12. Great peace floods my soul as fresh spring air blows through the windows reminding me of God's sweet Spirit as it permeates our home.

Are you coming down with a case of spring fever? If so, what sign and symptoms do you have and what sudden urges overcome you this time of year?

Silver Lining

For a while now I've had to limit the news I watch on T.V. I used to watch the local news twice each evening until it finally dawned on me they are both same. Same song second verse. Double trouble. 

For years I've wondered why the news programs don't share good information along with the bad. After all, odds are someone has done something good worth noting that could serve to boost our hope in mankind. Besides, wouldn't logic dictate that a combination of good versus evil is that sweet and salty mix sure to draw more viewers? I always thought so, but who am I?

Well apparently I am not alone and a lot of people are craving to see the silver lining around the dark clouds of world events. NBC Nightly News has made it a habit to shine a spot light on positive things people are doing to help others amidst these troubling times. They call it "Making a Difference" and each evening, at the end of the program, they share stories of hope and compassion from all around the country. It's a perfect way to end the news.

For instance, there is the anonymous shopper who put $50 in an envelop and began passing it down the grocery line. Instructions on the envelop told the reader to either use the money if needed or pass it on down the line. Some shoppers actually added money to the kitty before passing it on. 

Then there is the cafe' in Denver, Colorado, that asks their patrons to pay for their meal if they can and if they cannot, it's on the house. This story has spurred viewers from all over the country to donate money to this establishment.

And then there's the man who loves ice skating so much he wants to share his passion with area children. He buys old used ice skates from garage sales and thrift shops, then stores them in his garage. He's collected a wide assortment of sizes and colors in order to give them to children who cannot afford to buy their own. His story has prompted viewers to donate their own used skates, many of which are in perfect condition.

Lastly, who can forget the man who donates his time and money to transporting cancer patients to their appointments and therapy. Oh, how it warms my heart to hear these stories of good people doing good things in a world where evil appears to prevail. People like you and me close as the person standing next to us in the grocery line.

I don't know about you but I need hope. Just a little goes a long way and when it comes to hearing bad news at every turn, it's imperative for me to top it off with something good, otherwise I find myself wanting to shrivel up and die. That's why when I listen to the news I pray. I pray for the victims of horrible crimes, criminals themselves, and the ripple effect these evil deeds causes. I praise God for working His good in the midst of all that is bad and strive to keep my heart and mind steadfast on the truth that He is faithful in all He says and does. He knew all these things would transpire before the foundation of the earth and He has a plan; a plan that will forever prevail. For me this is just the hope I need to carry me through these dark and trying times. I also plant His word in my heart and recite it back to Him. Here are just a few.

Strength

Philippians 4:13 "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." 

Patience

Daniel 10:12 "Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. 13 But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia."

Perseverence

Luke 9:51 "As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem." 

Dedication

Hosea  2:16, 19-20 “In that day,” declares the LORD, “you will call me ‘my husband’; you will no longer call me ‘my master.’ 19 I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. 20 I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the LORD."

What do you do to stay afloat? Feel free to share your favorite scripture or good deed you've seen or done lately. Like a good case of the flu it's sure to lift the hearts of others; just the kind of epidemic we need in the world today.

Want a Special Sister?

When I was a little girl the women of my church had a program called Secret Sisters where all ladies who wanted to participate would put their names in a hat and have a drawing. The name you drew was the person you'd secretly send cards or small gifts to in order to brighten their day. It was always fun to have a secret sister, but you never found who she was until everyone's identity was reveals months later at the end of the program. 

I always thought how great it would be to know the lady you were paired up with in order to better get to know her through your time together, which prompted me to start the Special Sister program in our women's Sunday school class. Ladies who want to participate fill out a Special Sister Information Sheet with information about their family, occupation, favorite foods, hobbies etc. After I receive all the sheets I pray over the stack asking the Lord to pair the women. Once paired up, I mail each lady her new sister's information sheet. From then on out the women have four months to acknowledge, encourage, and pray for the person God has place in their life. It's a wonderful way to gain a new friend and prayer warrior.

Now, I'm curious. Do you have a similar program for the ladies in your church. If so, please share. I'd love to hear about it. If you would like to know how to start a Special Sister program in your class let me know and I'll be happy to help you get started. 

Oh, that reminds me. I have to get a birthday card for my special sister, Dana. Gotta run. 

The $5 Dollar Mom

Ever find a blog you love so much that you immediately add it to your bookmark bar? Well I just stumbled upon yet another creative and helpful blog that I'm happy to share with you. 

Erin, the $5 dollar mom, has a blog dedicated to $5 dinners. She's cute as a bug's ear and her bio is not only fun but inspiring. As one who missed the blessing of being born with the culinary gene in tact, I struggle at meal time. The simpler the better and I kid you not, my favorite cookbook is "5-Ingredient Slow Cooking" by Better Homes. I bought it at the checkout stand for $3.99 and love it. I need no more than five ingredients and can assemble it in the morning when I have more energy and forget it. Come dinner time, when I'm hungry and tired, all we need to do is lift the lid and dive in. That's my idea of preparing a meal.

What I like about $5 Dinner.com is how Erin shares her love and talent for thrifty meals, all for the benefit of those like myself who might be a bit challenged in the kitchen. And even though I may not be a kitchen wizard, I am always open to allowing someone like Erin infect me with their passion. I too like a good challenge, so making a meal for $5 is icing on the cake.  

Go visit Erin and tell me what you think. Her blog page is one that will be on my computer screen much of the time. I've never been one to let go of a good tutor very easily. Perhaps she can make mealtime a little easier for you too!

Woodeewoo!

Finally. It's over and everyone has a good home and praise be to the Lord! If you recall our son's dog, Lyla, delivered nine puppies here in our home Thanksgiving morning. They were all healthy, strong, and beautiful, but oh the task of finding nine good homes. What were the odds? We found fabulous homes for six right off the bat, but three still remained. Drew took them back home with him and he worked his tail off caring for them in his tiny little apartment. Out numbered and overwhelmed at times he once told me he just couldn't take it any more. But sure as shootin' each time he felt like giving up, he'd invariably muster up more strength and perseverance, refusing to give them to anything less than the best of homes. 

This week he released the last two sleek black Labrador girls, Rosie and Toostie. They will be together in their new home on acreage near our home here in Kansas City. God is so good and I praise Him for hearing and answering my prayers. I can't tell you how many times I prayed for them, in fact, I made it a habit to hold each pup several times a day and pray for God to guide that pup to its intended home. They were all so sweet and loving. What a waste it would have been for any to not be allowed to bless a home with their companionship. 

Drew, you did a fabulous job. I admire your tenacity and courage to not take the easy way out. You took in one stray dog and wound up with ten. Mercy sakes alive. Who could have ever known. Bless your sweet heart. Many homes are blessed because of you. Ours has been especially blessed. Your father and I are proud to call you our son. You'll be a great daddy one day.

A Walk in the Park

Yesterday was such a gorgeous day we loaded up the dogs and headed off to the park. Ecclesiastes is such a frisbee lover that we knew we could allow him to run free. He never takes his eye off the his favorite toy and as long as that disc is in his sights he sticks to us like glue.

Whenever we go out with the dogs people often approach us asking to pet one or both of them. Some people are attracted to Cocoa Bean because he's a puppy, while others want Ecclesi because he is so large and beautiful. 

Today we met a woman accompanied by two young Down's Syndrome ladies. One of the girls only wanted to watch the dogs and had no desire to pet either one of them. The other gal, however, absolutely loved both. She let Cocoa drown her with kisses on several occasions and threw Ecclesi's frisbee over and over. It warmed our hearts to see Ecclesi's gentle nature as he allowed her to pet him and carefully obeyed each of her commands to sit, wait, and shake hands. (Of course she was holding his frisbee.) It was truly a blessing to watch the girls interact with our dogs and I couldn't help but thank God for enriching our lives with the beauty of His creation.

"For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen..."  Romans 1:20a

Peter Piper Picked A Pepper

Seriously. Is this not the biggest bell pepper you've ever seen? The clerk at the checkout said he had to count the peppers twice because he thought there had to be more than three in the bag. Then, we laughed about them being on steroids. The only thing that beat their size was the price. 88 cents a piece. What a find.

As I stared at these red beauties I began to fancy the idea of omelets for breakfast. Just the thought of eggs, melted cheese, and these crunchy red bits with coffee and toast on the side and I was had. So, I filled the veggie bag to the brim. I couldn't even tie the top. They were too big.  

Oh and it felt a bit odd leaving the store too. Five inches of snow on the ground and I'm buying humongous peppers that look like I plucked em fresh from of the Promised Land. Peter Piper eat your heart out.

"Carried to the Table"

Music by Leeland

Song: Carried to the Table

CD: Sound of Melodies

Got Snow?

Ya! We got snow. Five inches to be exact. 

Music by Jon McLaughlin

Song: Perfect 

CD: Indiana 

Memories

I remember...

1. A time when if you’d call a person on the phone you didn’t have to ask them where they were.

2. When gas station attendants pumped your gas, washed your windshield, and gave you a piece of bubble gum for coming in.

3. The lunch ladies wheeled a water cart through the grade school giving us each a cup of water to keep us hydrated on hot school days.

4. The smell of Pink Pearl erasers permeating the air as I practiced writing my spelling words.

5. When bottled water was only for Hollywood stars. (For that matter I remember when even movie stars didn’t drink from bottles.)

6. Green stamps were given out at grocery stores and you could buy nearly anything with them. Man that was fun.

7. There were only three channels on TV and you needed rabbit ears and tin foil to see them.

8. In order to look up a word you had to grab the dictionary from the top shelf of the living room.

9. The smell of burnt toast in the morning. I love overdone toast still today. I don’t think mom’s toaster worked well.

10. The little transistor radios we three kids received for Christmas one year. They were tan, about the size of a single size cereal box, and had a round station dial we’d scroll through endlessly.

11. My white patton leather Easter shoes in 5th grade. They had a huge square buckle on the top and blocky 2” inch heels. I resembled a Pilgrim.

12. The first fast food drive thru in our area called “Shutes.” They literally shot the food to you through a vacuum system, like the banks today. There was one glitch however. It jostled your order with such force that your drink would invariably arrived with the lid popped off and your drink spilled to high heavens. Needless to say it didn’t last long. Note: people still hand us our food today.

13. Watching McDonald’s employees make French fries in the side window of the building under the big golden arches. It was our Friday night treat.

I could go on and on as I trace the cobwebs of my mind. It's fun to think back into my childhood. There are so many fond memories of things past and now I'm curious. What fun memories pass through your mind as you reminisce? Perhaps like me you will have trouble keeping the list short. But, who's counting. List away. I'd love for you to share. 

Let's "Face" It

It wasn't but one year ago I had absolutely no idea what it meant to blog. I was encouraged to dive in but hadn't a clue how deep the waters where or where it would lead. 

As an obedient and curious chap, I muddled my way along until one day blogging clicked. Today I love the OLM blog as if it were my child. I feed it regularly, clothe it in the best attire I can afford, nurture it with the word of God, and share it with everyone I know. My blog is now my comfort zone.

Then, as life would have it, along came another modern marvel someone challenged me to learn. This time it was Facebook. "Oh you just have to join. It's great networking and every one does it" she said.  Like two old fogies Jimmy and I became curious about what the whoopla was all about, so a couple of months ago we began dipping our toes in this new body of water. We filled out our profile and began fiddling with all the features. I'd poke him and he'd poke me, even though neither of us felt a thing. We started inviting a few friends and soon our friends list began to grow and grow and grow. Friends from church, friends far away, and friends from long ago. Just two days ago my best friend from high school contacted me through Facebook and once again I was utterly amazed. 

We still have lots to learn. Jimmy and I have never figured out how to effectively poke each other. If we do it has to be literal. Nonetheless, I can assure you these two boomers will master the art of Facebook if it's the last thing we do. 

 

So tell me now...are you on Facebook? If not give it a try. Fiddle with the features and poke your best bud. (If you succeed tell me how you did it.) Look up a long lost friend and catch up on what's going on in their lives. Pray for one another, join a group, and let your light shine. You have a lot to offer and others will be blessed. Dive in and enjoy!

Remembering God's Word

1st and 15th Siesta Scripture Memory Team!

Your Two Scents

Each week OLM provides a video devotion designed to help you dig deeper into God's word. After filming 32 videos on topics I have a particular passion for, I'd like to open the forum up to you!

Is there a particular topic, person, verse, or event of the Bible you would like to learn more about?  If so, I encourage you to leave a comment on this post and offer your suggestion. If by chance the topic is personal feel free to select the "anonymous" option in the comment section. The point is not who asked the question but finding answers. Remember, whatever question you may have, no matter how odd it may seem, is being asked by others. Nothing is new under the sun, that includes questions you may have.

So have at it ladies. Ask away. The floor is yours. We will prayerfully consider each and every entry and look forward to hearing what's on your mind!

Online Lessons Available Now

Hi ladies! Through the Olive Leaf Ministries I am pleased to present a new feature available to you and all your friends. Now, free of charge, you can join me as I teach class Sunday mornings, speak to mothers of preschoolers (MOPs) and all other speaking engagements the Lord sees fit to send me. Best of all you can listen at your leisure and from the comfort of your own home or office. 

Each lesson comes with a printable outline so you can follow along and take notes with the group. Isn't modern technology the cat's meow? As my mother would say, "Handier than a pocket on a shirt." 

So there you have it. No cost, no fuss, and no travel. In spirit we can meet together and dig deeper into the matchless word of God to learn more about Him. No matter how you look at it it's a mighty good deal. Join me now!

Click here to visit OLM's online lessons.

Our Struggles Are Not Necessarily Weakness

Little 8 year old Grant went home to be with the Lord last Friday, February 6th. We will be attending his funeral this Saturday, Valentine's Day. 

His parents have made it clear this day will not be a day of grief for their beloved child is with his, and our, Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Instead, this day of love will be a day of celebration. In fact we've been asked not to wear black, but rather one of Grant's favorite colors such as green (for frogs) or pink (his secret favorite color.) How cute is that! I plan to wear pink, which happens to be my fave as well, and bring along one of Dani's fuzzy stuffed green frogs. 

Please pray for this special family as we honor this young life that touched so many of our own. Little Grant may have lost the battle with this unknown muscle disease, but he won the war over sin and death thanks to Christ and His work on the cross.

"What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, 

yet forfeit his soul?" Mark 8:36

“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, 

for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Mark 10:14b

A Healthy Heart

Come Tour Kansas City!

The weather is gorgeous in Kansas City so I'm gonna take you on a tour of the town. Put on your walking shoes, grab your dog if you have one, and let's head on out. There is plenty of room and Jimmy and I'll pay for the gas.

(Click on pictures to enlarge.)

Nelson-Atkins Museum

Ecclesiastes and Cocoa Bean 

enjoyed the tour too.

Museum front lawn.

It's vast and beautiful.

Nancy with a "birdie" on her shoulder.

Liberty Memorial

View of Union Station from the Liberty Memorial

Continue tour below...

Come Tour Kansas City! (cont.)

Country Club Plaza

A great place to eat and shop.

Water way along the Plaza

We had a great day out and I'm glad you could tag along. Hope you are enjoying nice weather in your town as spring of 2009 taps at the door.

Have a great weekend. See you Monday.

A Good Night's Sleep

Just got up and realized it was 6:37 am and Cocoa Bean has slept all night long. He still refuses to stay in his crate at night, but he's doing great in bed with us, so we'll take what we can get. I think we are making progress.

Mercy Not Sacrifice

Welcome ladies and happy Monday! Today I felt like offering a written devotion as opposed to one on video, a video sabbatical of sorts. Since God’s word never goes out and comes back void, it doesn’t matter how it is presented.

The Holy Scripture never ceases to amaze me. The tiniest most obscure passage or word can prompt a divine revelation and Hosea 6:6 is one such passage,

“For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, 

and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.”

These words pack a powerful punch to my heart, because it aches with great grief right now. Grief over lost independence that all parents expect when their children grow up. Since Dani’s Autism has made it so Jimmy and I will be her caregivers for the rest of our lives, the reality of never gaining my freedom later in life weighs heavy on my soul. As of late, for some reason, my heart has been groaning more than usual.

This passage in Hosea, however, does well to set my sails in the right direction and I meditate on it day and night. It reveals the deep things of God by telling us He prefers, or is drawn toward, a heart that is full of kindness for others and love for Him. Far more than any amount of hard work we could ever do in His name, He would rather we show our love for Him by being merciful toward others. This convicts me beyond measure as it exposes the sin within my heart that desires to work for Him more than show mercy. Fretting and brewing over how much I could do for Christ if only I didn’t bear this heavy burden, I place work for God above mercy. It’s a subtle trap many of us fall in to. Just ask King Saul who knows from first-hand experience.

“But I did obey the LORD,” Saul said. “I went on the mission the LORD assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. 21 The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal.” 22 But Samuel replied: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. 1 Samuel 15:20-22

Ladies, our primary responsibilities in life are to fear God, keep His commands, and show mercy. We must never put work for God above Him and His command, even though work may appear to be the more valuable option. Mercy is vital because without it we become critical, impatient, selfish, and judgmental, all the things that lead us away from the heart of God. May we heed the words of the prophet and choose mercy over sacrifice for it is in essence the only true offering God desires.

And the Cheer Goes On...

The Christmas season may be over but the holiday cheer continues on in my kitchen. I absolutely love Starbuck's Christmas Blend coffee, so this year I wised up and bought a couple of pounds of this delicious bean before they took it off their shelves. I just finished the bag I purchased before Christmas and pulled out the current stock I had stored in my freezer. This load should last until March at which time I'll begin enjoying Yukon or Verona once again.

If you savor Starbuck's coffee what are your favorite flavors?

Joy in Trials

Laying It On the Line

When I began blogging one year ago I adopted four rules I promised the Lord I'd keep:

1. I would always seek to glorify Him.
   
2. Blogging would not be a forum to complain.
   
3. I'd seek to uplift my sisters in Christ.
   
4. The OLM blog would a positive and refreshing place to visit.
   

I've honored these rules even though sometimes life doesn't always run smoothly. As an example Jimmy has been in between jobs for three months, winter has us cooped up inside our home, the sun is scarce as hens' teeth, we've been battling the creeping crud (head and chest cold), I fell on the front porch after our last snow while taking Cocoa out to pee in the wee hours of the morning, and our lives have been overrun by puppies since Thanksgiving Day. Normal routine has been out the window for months and as one who thrives on structure, it's been difficult to handle at times. Perhaps you can relate.

Our most recent trial began when our puppy, Cocoa Bean, began having trouble after the last pup of the litter left. Though an angel during the day he would howl, whine, and bark in his crate all night long. Experts (the vet and Google) said it would pass after a day or two but after ten sleepless nights desperation propelled us to ear plugs and Tylenol PM. 

A couple of mornings ago I woke so tired and depleted I was in tears. I asked God what this little dog needed to be content at night and if it had been a mistake to keep him. That's when it dawned on me. Keeping him had not been a mistake. Cocoa has known our scent and touch since the day he was born and with everyone else gone, we are his greatest comfort. He simply needed us at night. 

With this in mind we decided to break the cardinal rule of dog care and let him sleep with us. Lo and behold we are all sleeping like babies once again. When Jimmy and Cocoa come to bed later in the evening, Cocoa races to my neck, cuddles up, and falls fast asleep. About 3 am he rustles around enough to let us know he needs to potty and then heads back to bed and sleeps till morning. Breaking the cardinal rule has brought great relief. 

Oh sweet ladies, some of you are going through much tougher circumstances and I want you to know that whatever you are going through you are not alone. No matter what image any of us project in a blog or in life, we all have hills to climb and valleys to endure. The good news is there is light at the end of the tunnel. Hope is never lost if you keep your eyes on God because He is our light. Trials will indeed come but each challenge serves to polish us into the image of Christ. Whatever you are going through God knows your pain and will provide you with the strength and comfort you need. Things will get better. You can count on it. 

"Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: 

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, 

for his compassions never fail. 

They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." 

Lamentations 3:21-23

The Next Generation

God is at work in the next generation.


Jason Castro, American Idol contestant.

"O my people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter hidden things, things from of old what we have heard and known, what our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done." 

Psalm 78:1-4 

Can God Trust You to Wait?

Behind the Scenes at KY3 TV

Yesterday we went to Springfield, Missouri to visit our son Drew. He took us to KY3 Television Station where he works and gave us a tour of the studio. We met his co-workers, learned about television production, and took a few pictures. It was quite interesting to get a glimpse behind the scenes.

Drew in front of the camera for a change.

Putting on lipstick in the green room 

which is not green.

Just pretending.

After our tour we went to Lambert's Cafe "The Only Home of Throwed Rolls." To make it easy for the waitress we all ordered Chicken Fried Steak. (Really, it's just because the steaks are that good.)

Thanks Drew. We had a great time!

Automatic Paw Washer

Ever need something so badly that you racked your brain trying to find a solution all to find the answer in your own backyard? Well, I've been trying to think of another way to clean Ecclesiastes' paws before he walks into the house. Right now I wash each paw in his water bucket on the deck, then rinse it out. It does the job but breaks the back.

As with many inventions discovered by accident, we found a fabulous paw washing system the other day. Jimmy was playing with the dogs in the back yard and tossed a toy on top the pool tarp. As Ecclesiastes went to retrieve the toy, his weight lowered the cover below the rain swollen waterline, just enough to thoroughly rinse his feet. With a puddle of water following him where ever he walked, we were happy to see a new, fun, and easy way to wash Ecclesi's paws!

Ecclesi and the traveling puddle.

Cocoa Bean getting interested.

Cocoa Bean thinking of summer.

Happy Anniversary OLM Blog!

Today is the Olive Leaf Ministries' first year blog anniversary and let me tell you I remember the beginning as if it were yesterday. Not only was I foggy on what it meant to blog, but totally unsure what I would write each week. 

In spite of all the hesitations I committed to giving it a try...and whala...here we are a year later with a blog I absolutely love. I get to meet people from all around the world and share the good news of Jesus all along the way. It's a modern day tool I believe the Lord loves, when used for His purpose, and I look forward to many more years and new friends to come.

Blessings to all my blogging friends!