Picket Fences

Like A Child

2012-01-19T22:10:00.000-08:00

This is a note from yesterday’s day in the snow!

We woke up this morning to SNOW!

For the last couple of days we have had the promise of snow.

Yesterday it snowed beautiful flakes but they disappeared when they touched the ground.

Time has been spent checking the news report to see when the snow was coming to our area to stay and it was spent watching other areas have the much desired SNOW.

Today, there weren’t just empty promises, there weren’t just beautiful snowflakes that disappeared, and we didn’t just watch others or hear of others who had snow. We had our own snow.

AND NO SCHOOL!

So, then there comes the mad rush to get outside and meet friends to slide down the hill at the local school.

The mad rush turned into a mad zoom when we heard rain was daring to come out of the sky. That meant there were only a few short hours before the snow disappeared.

With too many warm clothes on, snacks and discs to slide down the hill in hand, we soon arrived at the designated spot and joined others having a good time.

My first attempt at sliding down a small hill on the way to the larger hill, ended in me sliding off my ride and into the snow. I hit a mud patch and slid all the way down. At the end I stopped and though my backside was soaked with mud, it made for a good laugh between me and my friend.

It was a perfect way to start the morning adventure, having the sound of laughter ringing through the air.

We made our way over to the larger hill. The kids had found their friends and were already going up and down the hill with squeals of delights. I grabbed a disc and joined them. Soon I was squealing with delight too.

It doesn’t matter how old I am, it is just plain fun to play in the snow, just like when I was a child.

I was reminded of that childlike feeling today. It felt good to just let go and relax, enjoy the moment. Even after I slid in that patch of mud and soaked my backside. I just put that behind me and focused on what was in front of me, knowing the time was brief that I got to enjoy the snow.

In Mark 10:13-16 ¹³“One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. ¹⁴ When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them. For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. ¹⁵ I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” ¹⁶ Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.” NLT

Hmm…receive the Kingdom of God like a child? As old as I am? Or maybe as old as you are? Is this possible?

I’ve walked long enough in my faith where I’ve experienced waiting for a promise and hearing or seeing others receive their promise, while I wait and wonder.

It was a time of learning to continue to come before Him believing He hears my prayers and cares for me.

I’ve experienced those moments where I’ve thought my answered prayer had arrived to only have it disappear. I can still remember the first time someone asked me, “Just wonder if God doesn’t answer your prayer?”

“Not answer my prayer? God? Well, why wouldn’t He? He is so loving and giving and…and…” I couldn’t believe I was asked that question. And then God DIDN’T answer that prayer. It didn’t make sense to me, because it wasn’t a sinful prayer, it was a very necessary prayer. I’d seen Him answer incredible prayers and even heard of miracles because of prayer.

It was a time of wonder. A time of learning that no matter what, I had to trust Him and how He did answer that prayer. For He did answer it, the answer was obviously, no.

I’ve had those “sliding in patches of mud” moments in life where it made it hard to put it behind me and focus on the day ahead.

It was a time of letting go. A time of learning that He was faithful to walk with me and never leave me nor forsake me. I had to learn to lean on Him for my hope for tomorrow and to be my comforter.

Life is brief. There is only so much time here on earth to get to know and grow in a relationship with the Creator, the Savior of the world.

I guess He’s telling me that no matter how old I get, no matter what I have experienced in life, I’m to come to him, just like a child. And I can, because He has taught me through all of the years, whether there is carefree laughter, or deep heart felt pain, or grieving, He loves me. And through every minute He is introducing Himself to me. He is letting me see who He really is.

I know I don’t do or answer everything the way my young daughter would hope that I would do things or answer things, yet she trust me. She comes to me with her needs. She comes to me for loving and cuddling time. She listens and learns. She’s my child.

Just like I am His child and you are His child. He is there for all of our needs, comfort and love.

Bible translation is the NLT “New Believer’s Bible”

New Every Morning

2012-01-07T09:04:00.000-08:00

It’s the end of the first week of the New Year, 2012.

I normally don’t make a practice of doing resolutions, but this year I thought I’d pick a few goals and go for it.

Like a lot of people seem to do with those resolutions, I failed.

What I resolved to do, didn’t fit into my plans this last week. Not with the busyness of taking down the Christmas tree and decorations, getting back into the school schedule, working, and my husband taking extra time out of the home due to his physical therapy. Not to mention the other things that seem to come up during the day that needed my attention.

Nope, as I sit here this morning and look back at the whirlwind of the week I realize that my plans did not go the way I wanted them to.

The New Year looked the same as the old year.

But as I opened my Bible this morning I fell upon a passage that is very encouraging.

Lamentations 3: 22-23

“22 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.

23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

The New Year comes once every twelve months. And those resolutions come along with it. But God’s compassions are new every morning. That is three hundred and sixty-five times every twelve month’s.

What a way to start a day! To wake up each and every morning, with the knowledge, that God’s compassions are new and great is His faithfulness.

A couple verses down from that it says, in verses 25 – 26, “25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him; 26 It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.”

No matter what yesterdays failures or burdens may be, I can wake up today and look back at yesterday, knowing, not only are His compassions new each morning and He is faithful, but He is also good to those who hope in Him and seek Him.

How would today look to you, if, you were able to start it knowing His compassions are new, He is faithful, and He is good to those who hope in Him and seek Him?

Would it bring encouragement to the situations you may be facing or the relationship you are working on?

I can tell you, it encourages me, to not give up. Not just on the resolutions, but other things that come my way.

It’s not only the New Year that gives us a fresh start. But for those whose hope is in Him, each and every day is an opportunity to have a new outlook and try again for His compassions are new every morning.

Bible references from the NIV

For What Reason?

2011-12-26T14:05:00.000-08:00

The day after Christmas, sometimes, brings shoppers back out the door for a fabulous deal at the mall or their favorite store.

Me? I breathed a big sigh of relief and am now hanging out at home with my daughter. For the first time in months we have a day with absolutely no expectations of us and we are thoroughly enjoying it.

From the time we woke up on Thanksgiving morning, until last night, at the end of Christmas day, our life seemed to be a whirlwind.

Besides my birthday celebration and the fun book signings, added to the normal activity was, number one, shopping for those perfect Christmas gifts, and then there were the fun Christmas parties we attended.

There are also a lot of things to go see around town. There are lights here and lights there and lights everywhere. Who wants to miss seeing them? No matter where you go it’s a beautiful sight to see Christmas light exhibits.

But in the midst of all of that fun and frenzy, there is a greater light that shines brighter than any Christmas light display. And a great reason to celebrate.

The Bible has a record of some Shepherds watching their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to them and announced good news that would bring great joy to all people. “The Savior – yes, the Messiah, the Lord – has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!”

They were told they would recognize the Savior, the Messiah by a sign. “You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others – the armies of heaven – praising God and saying,

‘Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth, to those with whom God is pleased.’”

After the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds took off to Bethlehem to see if this thing really happened that the Lord had told them about.

When they arrived in Bethlehem, there He was. A babe wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger. The Messiah, the Savior.

The shepherds went out and spread the news. And all who heard were astonished.

That’s what it’s really all about.

It’s about Him.

It’s about Jesus.

All of this celebrating started then. The shepherds had a wonderful message to spread that the angels said would bring great joy.

Why?

Because…

“…God LOVED the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

I am blessed to have one daughter. I couldn’t imagine loving anyone so much I’d give her up for them? Could you?

But God really loves all of us people on this earth that get up every day and try to make a living, raise families, do hobbies, exercise, etc.

He loves us.

And that, to me, is a reason to celebrate during this holiday season.

May you be filled with the joy of the knowledge of His love for you.

Scripture references Luke 2: 8 – 18 and John 3:16 NLT

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T23:24:00.001-08:00

After a wonderful day of spending time with family, before turning the light out to go to sleep, I'd like to say Happy Thanksgiving to everyone who reads my blog.

I hope your day was wonderful and you were with someone you care about.

My prayer for you would be, no matter where you are in your walk of faith, that God reveals Himself more and more clearly to you. And you are able to see one blessing after another throughout your day. And that God would perfect all that concerns you today.

And if you are a Black Friday shopper, may you be blessed!

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Enemy Roars

2011-11-13T22:07:00.001-08:00

It was a beautiful morning. My daughter and I stepped out the door to be greeted by a fall breeze and a touch of sunshine. The air smelt fresh and the leaves were finally falling from the trees. We both were in awe as we started the walk to our car.

When we reached the spot on the sidewalk near the very active bee hive in the ivy, our perspective changed a bit. We covered our heads and moved quickly to the car. Just a few days before a bee from the nest had landed in Sarrah’s hair and stung her finger as she fought to get it out. It was not the best experience for us and we had learned to cover and move fast.

As soon as we were safe in the car and relieved none of the enemies, (Mr. Bee) didn’t sting us, we started to enjoy the beauty of the morning again. I mean it was an incredible fall day. Leaves in the colors of red, orange, and yellow hung on the trees, some of them had fallen to the ground and lined the streets. And the air was nice and crisp.

We didn’t stop talking about it until I dropped her off at her classroom door. We kissed goodbye and I walked off enjoying this wonderful start to the day.

Upon returning home, my smile turned to a frown when I noticed the bees were getting a bit more aggressive. I called the exterminator. After I described what was happening with these bees, he let me know we had a ground cover hornet’s nest. Hornets are very protective of their territory. He would be out the next day.

Later that day, after picking up Sarrah from school, we were looking forward to going on a bike ride, but instead we were surprised to discover the exterminator showed up a day early. He stood in our yard dressed in protective clothing should any of the hornets decided to attack. He also used other tools to get rid of the nest.

He instructed us to come back in about half an hour. With a warning - toward evening time, the returning hornets would be angry when they discovered their nest had been messed with, so we were to stay inside and not go out for the remainder of the day.

Well, there went our bike ride and we weren’t able to finish the rest of the afternoon enjoying the weather. Our plans had been interrupted by the enemy.

Isn’t that the way life can be? Filled with interruptions? It can be so frustrating. I’m not talking about the things we bring on our self, but the things that somehow just seem to step into a person’s life and mess it up.

The Bible says, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brother throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”

But just like the exterminator had special clothes to put on to protect himself, so do we as followers of Jesus Christ to protect us from the enemy.

When Paul wrote to the Ephesians while he was under house arrest for preaching the gospel, he used the description of the uniform the guards wore.

¹⁰ “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes…¹³Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. ¹⁸And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”

Just like the exterminator knew how to put on his covering and use his equipment, it’s important for us as followers of Jesus, to know how to put on our armor and use the weapons given to us. It’s also important to put each article of clothing on to protect you during the day.

It doesn’t mean the attacks won’t come, because they do. It means a person is prepared for the attacks.

Some attacks can be so harsh. Isn’t it worth the time spent reading the Word of God and in prayer?

Charles Stanley was the pastor who led me to the Lord. He explains putting on the full armor of God very well. Here is a link to his website. http://www.intouch.org/magazine/content/topic/dressed_for_battle

Bible verses from 1 Peter 5:8 and Ephesians 6: 10-11 and 13 – 17

Book Signing November 12, 2011 at Crown Books from 4 - 8 PM at Westfield Mall

2011-11-08T12:02:00.000-08:00

FRIEND AT THE FENCE

2011-11-01T13:47:00.000-07:00

Today, visiting us at the fencepost is a fellow OakTara author, Sherri Wilson Johnson.

Sherri Wilson Johnson is a former homeschooling mom, a writer and a speaker. Writing has been a hobby of hers since she was a little girl. As a young adult, Sherri began writing Inspirational Romances, which quickly became her favorite pastime and grew into a calling. Her debut novel, To Dance Once More (OakTara), is a special project originating from her love of pure romance. It is set in Victorian-era Florida, bringing the romance of the beach and debutante balls together. Sherri hopes to prove that true love still exists and that it is worth the wait. She speaks candidly of the purity of not only her heroine but of her hero, as well, and desires to point others to Jesus through her words.

To Dance Once More
April 1886 -- Debutante Lydia Jane Barrington lives a carefree, protected existence on Live Oaks Plantation in Florida. But while her sisters happily learn the traditional tasks of women and talk of courting, Lydia dreams of adventure and independence. Even her friendship with handsome Hamilton Scarbrough isn’t enough to hold her back.

Then one day Hamilton opens Lydia’s eyes and her heart to love. But before they can receive permission to court, Lydia overhears a secret conversation about an unscrupulous business deal. Worse, it has everything to do with her and her future. Now she’s faced with the biggest decision of her life—to concede or to fight. Either choice will require great sacrifice…and, perhaps, countless rewards.

Watch the trailer! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAzh8X3NPaI

I hoped you enjoyed getting to know Sherri as much as I have and that you enjoyed seeing the trailer of her book. Her book is available on Amazon.com, OakTara.com, Christianbooks.com
For more information go to http://sherriwilsonjohnson.com/

It’s time for the Spook's

2011-10-31T10:52:00.000-07:00

Today many people dressed up in costumes before they headed off to work. Many are planning to attend parties and lots of kids are looking forward to trick – or – treating this evening.

Along with all of this fun, comes the scary side. Witches, skeletons, goblins and ghosts are hung up as decorations. Haunted houses are visited around town. People walk through them and they are scared out of their wits by things jumping out at them in the dark. Usually, a person will leave one of those places, exclaiming, how in one way or another, something terrified them.

It’s a time to tell stories that make your skin crawl or watch a movie, that can even make a grown man, not want to turn the lights off at night. The holiday is full of the spooks.

I used to love to get scared. I would spend this time of year at the scariest haunted houses and watch scary shows. If anyone was into a super terrifying movie, it was me. At the time it was exciting.

All that spooky stuff lost it for me years ago. And it’s something I don’t spend my time focusing on anymore.

See, one day I started learning about the greatest power there ever was, is, or will be. This One has the power to give and take away the very breath I breathe. Yet, He is so filled with love; He made a way for me to live eternally.

I read that yes, there is a spiritual world, but even the demons are afraid of Him and submit to Him. This One has all authority to tell the demons to be gone.

And the demons that are so evil, and do such horrible things, have a horrible place to go to at the end of time. And the One I follow, is going to put them there.

And although, Jesus is so powerful, the message He gives His children is, “Do not fear.” And His perfect love CAST out all fear. His word says to meditate on things that are pure, just, holy, true, praiseworthy, knowledgeable and of good report.

This very One I follow, rules over all of those things, that try to terrify us. The very One I follow, doesn’t want me to fear. He wants me to walk in peace and love.

He leaves a comforter for those who love Him. He never leaves us nor forsakes us. And yes, the enemy does come and strike and try to mess with our lives, but the One who has called me and all those who follow Him as His own, has sealed us. We are His.

His word promises, that as His child, absolutely nothing could ever separate me from Him. "...not 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."

So, now I’ve learned to spend time, enjoying the day the Lord has made. And enjoying the very one’s, He has given me to spend time with while I’m on this earth.

Now, I like to carve out a pumpkin or two. Hang with friends and eat candy. I MIGHT dress up, but then maybe not. This year I’m joining my daughter trick or treating around a neighborhood.

And instead of paying attention to evil things, I’m going to pay attention to the good. Like my daughters funny costume, or the smile on her cute face when she gets candy added to her bag. Or something my husband, parents, or sister might say.

I hope you have a Happy Halloween. And I pray you can walk in peace knowing, that Jesus. who loves you more than anyone ever could, says, “Do not fear.”

A New Twist on the Changing Season

2011-10-14T12:54:00.000-07:00

Fall is normally my very favorite time of year for one reason: in the Pacific NW, some of the trees turn beautiful colors of orange and red in the midst of evergreen trees that stay green all year long. It's incredibly beautiful, especially, when you take a drive down the gorge, around Mt. Hood area or even up around the Olympic peninsula.

Not that a person has to go for a drive in those areas to be in awe over the beauty during this time of year. Pretty much each street will be painted in vibrant colors as the leaves change color before dropping.

Besides being beautiful, fall is so cozy. The weather cools just enough to be able to wear old comfy jeans and, at night, to put on a favorite sweater or sweatshirt.

And high school football is underway. So a person can have fun huddling with other fans on cold rock-hard bleachers on a chilly night watching the game. I have some sweet memories of doing that when my nephews played football and when I was in high school. Now some of my friends have boys at that age.

People start to be indoors a bit more. New Bible studies start, and classes at school begin. And then, right after this wonderful time of year, is the holiday season.

But this year, I had a hard time letting go of summer. It's said quite a bit around the Pacific NW that we didn't really get a summer this year, and technically it's true. This year, the temperatures didn't blast us with heat, where a person was forced to go from one air-conditioned place to another or stay in a pool of water.

For me, though, it was perfect. Many busy days were spent outdoors and at the pool enjoying my daughter and her friends and my own friends without getting scorched. The days were busy and fast, and when school started I wasn't ready for the end of the season. I wanted more active days of summer, because it was my favorite summer in a long time.

Now that fall is here, I'm starting to enjoy it. But I still really miss those summer days. In fact, I can think of many seasons in my life that I just didn't want to let go of, but I had to, because it was time to move into another season of my life.

One of the hardest changes of seasons for me includes friends. One year a very dear friend of mine announced that she and her family were moving to another state. It hit me right in the gut. I thoroughly enjoyed this friend. Because of the type of group we had met in, she was a friend I could tell anything to, even if I was completely thinking wrong. She'd listen, her wise words would help straighten my thinking, and she'd encourage my faith. She was fun to shop with, go to movies or out to coffee with.

Then the day came when she was gone. I cried for three days straight and stayed sad for quite awhile. I still get excited when I get to see her in person, which isn't often. We have the opportunity to talk on the phone. But it's not the same as being there.

I've had to do this with quite a few friends over the years. When I was in elementary school, it seemed every year my best friend moved, and I had to find a new best friend. One year I moved.

It's hard to let go of a season of daily interaction with a friend and move into a season of phone calls or an internet social site to keep up the relationship.

Another season of change in relationships I've dealt with is saying good-bye to friends or relatives who pass on. It's especially hard if I've watched them battle an illness such as cancer, and I pray and pray for them and know there are many others battling for this person's life in prayer also. And then one day, that person is gone. Sometimes I've been in a store or a church and there, in front of me, will be someone who closely resembles the person I'd known who passed away. Seeing that person's face brings back such sweet memories that I have to curb the impulse to go up to that lookalike, just to make sure.

Truth is, nobody ever replaces anyone in my heart. People leave such huge holes when they're gone. But gradually a new way of living without that person directly in my life starts to build. The next day it's a little stronger. Though the picture of the loved ones is gone, it still hangs on the memory wall of my heart.

But I'm starting to think of the seasons this way: Going from the fun season of summer, to a comforting and sometimes changing season of fall, to a long, cold, bitter, hurting season of winter, always leads to the promise of spring, and a new season of rebirth. Through the changes of the seasons, God is consistent to bring about new life and new hopes, no matter what we go through.

This fall, as I cozy up to my computer, or sit over a cup of coffee with a friend, or dress in a comfy sweatshirt and jeans and hang outside with my family, I'm learning to enjoy the moments I have in each season.

Seasons change, things in life change, so I take time to build my life on the one "not changing" foundation: Jesus. He is never changing. The same yesterday, today, and forever. And that is what I build my life on.

(edited by Ramona Tucker)
This post can also be seen on http://blogs.christianpost.com/bindings/2011/10/ by OakTara where you can read some other incredible blog postings.

A Friend at the Fence

2011-10-06T15:35:00.000-07:00

Today, visiting us at the fencepost is a dear writer friend of mine, Sylvia Stewart.

Her book "Kondi's Quest" has just been released by OakTara. I can tell you first hand Kondi's Quest is a great book. So enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SPtgTLa7q8

In 1946, a few days before my sixth birthday, I landed in Stanleyville, The Belgian Congo. I remember the palm trees flying by as our old propeller plane taxied down the dirt runway. We stepped out into muggy heat as we crossed to the terminal.

From that day, Africa has been my second home – as dear to me as my birth home in Oregon, U.S.A. As I grew up, my one desire was to “go back home” to Africa.

My mother taught me first and second grade. Then I went to Rethy Academy, 350 miles and 10 hours’ drive from my parents. I began to learn to think for myself, to be independent and to rely on my heavenly Father.

I especially remember one moonlit night, lying on my back in my dorm room’s top bunk. Loneliness crushed my heart until I could hardly breathe. I’m alone – all, all alone! Just then a jackal began to howl not far away, and I wanted to howl with him. Tears trickled into my ears and I clapped my pillow over my head to stifle the sobs that shook my slight frame. I didn’t want the other girls in the room to hear me crying, and think I was a baby.

In the stuffy darkness under the pillow, with even the moonlight cut off, God spoke to my heart as clearly as if His voice had been audible: “I’m here. You’re not alone – I am here!”

Throughout my life, God has been “here” for me. In the ups and downs, in the thick and thin, in the joys and sorrows, He has been the Solid Rock to which I’ve clung. I learned this lesson early in life because I had to be away from my parents at such a young age. God is WITH me and will help me through any issue that I face.

Kondi lives in Malawi, East Africa. She will show you much about her culture and the African way of life. Kondi is the composite of a number of Malawian girls I knew. She has poignant, tragic and funny experiences. She’s artistic, smart and loving. She’s also afraid.

Will this same promise also holds true for Kondi in Kondi’s Quest? Will God be close to her in all her troubles and her efforts to please God and her earthly father? Will she learn that living for God meant He was with her – even when He seemed to be distant?

It is my prayer that Kondi’s story will touch the hearts of pre-teens around the world and help them know God loves them and that they will experience His presence when they are most vulnerable and in difficult circumstances.

You can have a chance to get to know Sylvia better by clicking on the link to her website; http://www.sylvia-stewart.com/.

The Shepherd

2011-10-03T11:37:00.000-07:00

The LORD is my shepherd I shall not want. Psalm 23:1

I remember lying in bed as a young girl trying to memorize the 23^rd Psalm. Every night before I went to sleep I worked and worked on memorizing it.

Finally, one day it stuck in my head. I’ve repeated it often and I’ve heard it often since that time.

It’s a very comforting verse, as are quite a few of the Psalms.

Now many years later, I am doing a Bible study on the author of that Psalm, David. And during part of the study I looked up this verse again.

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. Psalm 23:1. I know the LORD is my shepherd. He watches over me, protects, feeds and steers me. I have no doubt about that.

The LORD is my shepherd - very comforting words.

I shall not want. REALLY?

Okay, if only I could say, I didn’t have a want list. It’s hard in this world, and the way things are in our economy, it can be hard to not have a want list.

I’ve been in times where I didn’t think about the economy and how it affects me and still I had wants.

And now during these tough economical times the list of wants can grow rather quickly. When I have those moments where the wants became something that causes anxiety or envy I grab onto His word.

Life can be hard. But when walking and looking to the Shepherd to guide, comfort and lead we can rest without all the wants causing us anxiety.

Jesus told a parable about a sower who went out to sow his seed.

"A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the wayside; and it was trampled down, and the birds of the air devoured it. Some fell on rocks; and as soon as it sprang up, it withered away because it lacked moisture. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. But others fell on good ground, sprang up, and yielded a crop a hundredfold."

When he later, explained the parable to the disciples, he told them the seed is the Word of God.

He explained the seeds that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.

It’s so easy for my mind to meditate on the cares of this world. The problem is, it can mess up my faith walk. It’s more important during the times that the cares of this world, seem extreme, for me to spend time focusing on Him.

I try to make it a practice to bring all my thoughts to him and to pray without ceasing. When life gets to tough for me, I call a friend who prays or knows just what to say to encourage me back on my feet.

I firmly believe no person is meant to be on an island. God didn’t go through all the animals he created and bring them in front of Adam, to see if any would be sufficient for his companionship for nothing. And when all the animals were presented and a proper companion wasn’t found, he made Eve.

And the Bible says we are all part of the body of Christ. Each person has something they are gifted at to encourage and help build the believers.

Look how many letters Paul wrote while in captivity in prison. And people went and visited him.

No one is meant to walk their path alone, especially, during the hard times.

The Lord is the shepherd of many not just one or two.

When I read the “shall not want” I realize if that list is messing with my faith or my emotional well being, I need to spend some time to just draw near to him and trust he will give me what is needed.

It may not be the economy that makes your want list grow; it may be it has to do with your health, a relationship, a loved one’s decision, a move. No matter what it is the Bible says, to “Cast your cares upon Him.”

Why?

Because, He cares for you.

Bible verse from NKJ version

Fascinating Peter

2011-09-19T21:58:00.000-07:00

The apostle Peter's life fascinates me.

From the day that Jesus approached Peter and said, “Follow me.” Peter did. He just dropped his net and followed him.

Peter was one of the three who escorted Jesus into the house of the little girl that died and Jesus rose from the dead.

He also was the one who, one minute had the right answer, Jesus is the Christ. And soon after he pulls Jesus aside and rebukes him for what Jesus is talking about. Jesus tells him to get behind him, Satan…

Still, Peter is one of the three who witnessed the transfiguration and was afraid and wanted to make a tabernacle for them.

And my favorite, it was Peter who got out of the boat and walked on water to Jesus. Yeah, he stopped focusing on Jesus and stopped walking. Instead he began to sink. But as soon as he called for help, Jesus hand was immediately there to help him. And then Jesus walked him back to the boat.

Peter just put himself out there in his walk with Jesus. And in putting himself out there he messed up quite a bit. But at least he followed the passion in his heart for Jesus. He didn’t sit in the boat like the others. He got out of it and experienced the power of God allowing him to actually walk on the water.

How amazing is that?

And Peter was the one who denied Jesus, not once, but three times. Jesus warned him he would, but Peter responded with a no way, I will not deny you. Jesus even warned him that Satan asked for permission to sift him, and that Jesus had prayed for him that when he returned he would strengthen his brethren.

After Peter denied Jesus the third time, Jesus made eye contact with him. How awful would a person feel in that situation?

And after he denied Jesus, he went and cried about it. Big time.

But when he heard Jesus rose from the dead, he didn’t let his failures stop his relationship with Jesus. Instead, he ran to the tomb.

Another time when they were out fishing all night and hadn’t caught anything, Jesus stood on the shore and told them to put the net on the other side of the boat. When the net got full of fish Peter recognized Jesus and dove in the water. He swam to shore to Jesus.

That scene really touches me.

His eagerness to be with Jesus and not ashamed to go to him, despite the last thing he did before Jesus died was deny him.

And Jesus was there for him. He asked Peter three times if he loved him. And all three times Peter said, yes. He wasn’t too happy about Jesus asking him three times, the Bible says he was grieved because he said to him the third time, Do you love me? And he answered him, “Lord, you know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus told him to feed his sheep and then told him what his death would be like.

Uh, eew, I wouldn’t want to hear that.

And typical Peter wanted to know what would happen to another disciple, but Jesus basically said, “What is that to you? You follow Me.”

And Peter did. The day of Pentecost he spoke to a crowd and three thousand people came to believe in Jesus as their Savior. He went on to do some powerful things in Jesus name. Even after being arrested, once he was set free he went right back out and kept telling people about Jesus.

Yeah, he wasn’t perfect even after that. But he has a powerful testimony.

Why?

To me, his life testifies how loving and merciful Jesus is. No matter how many times Peter failed, he got right back up and kept hanging with Jesus. And Jesus let him. Jesus included him in the group of three that seemed to witness certain special things that Jesus did.

I can see through his life, that Jesus is consistent with his love. Jesus is merciful, welcoming, and forgiving.

Not only does the Bible say, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,” Romans 8:1 but it shows it through the life of Peter.

The Bible also says if we confess our sins, He is faithful and true to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
It is obvious I can believe in how forgiving Jesus is just through this one life.

I know it can be easier sometimes to just beat ourselves up. Like well, Peter didn’t get a divorce, Peter didn’t yell at his kids, Peter didn’t steal, Peter didn’t tear his whole family apart, or…..Peter made his own mistakes and Jesus forgave him, loved him and USED him to bring people to eternal salvation.

Wow. No matter what, if a person believes and walks with Jesus, walks in His love, who knows how he could use you in the life of others. No matter what kind of mistakes a person has made.

Bible references - NIV

Thy Will Be Done

2011-08-08T23:01:00.000-07:00

Whenever I read the story about the crucifixion on Good Friday, it makes me sick to think of all Jesus endured.

Even if I don’t read the part about them beating him, or putting a crown of thorns on his head, the whole crucifixion in itself is bad enough. Just the fact that He actually had a nail pounded into his hands and feet is enough to unnerve me and break my heart. Not only that he hung by those nails. His back had open wounds and rubbed against the wood on the cross. The whole thing is unthinkable and I’m just giving a mild picture of all he suffered.

When Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane he was in deep anguish. He knew what would happen to him after he got arrested. Since Jesus was in a body just like ours it must have been horrible for him to face the reality of that whole torturous scene. Yet, he did face it. He said the words, “Let your will not mine be done.” And then submitted himself to be taken away by the Roman soldiers. He even healed one of their ears when Peter cut it off with his sword to protect Jesus.

When I watched the movie the Passion, what really struck me was the tormentors had Jesus blood on their bodies. And then soon after that he hung from a cross shedding his blood for the whole world. The tormentors included.

Jesus was in anguish while he prayed. Then he submitted. And it was so horrible. But then, in God’s perfect style, it turned out to be amazingly one of the most terrific things that could have happened for everyone who chooses to believe.

Jesus rose and walked among us and then ascended into heaven. He’s going to come back someday for all of those who believe in Him. And eternity will be spent with no pain, death, illness, or sin. How awesome is that?

I am learning that when I pray, it’s okay and peaceful, to let go and say, “Your will be done.” I mean sometimes a person can pray and pray and still stay in tough situations. A person can wonder, why God? Why don’t you answer me?

Sometimes silence is the answer. Not because he’s ignoring us. He promises not to do that. But I think it because, for some reason, we have to go through, whatever thing it is we don’t want to go through before, we move to the next season of our story.

That can be a hard fact when in the midst of trial, but God really, really, loves His people. He let Jesus go through all that suffering for His people. He loves Jesus. And God is good and perfect.

In the waiting, in the trial, and during the pain, we can know and believe He loves us so much and He is right there with us. And He understands, because there is nothing we could go through that compares to what Jesus went through for us.

A Blob Of Clay

2011-07-20T17:29:00.000-07:00

There was a time in my life when I was more active than I am now. I ran, played tennis, and rode bikes.

I still remember when I first started running and had certain goals to meet. It would seem the last stretch would be a killer on my body, but I knew if I didn’t quit, the accomplishment would be worth it. So I’d press on.

Then after being involved in a car wreck I wasn’t able to do those things like I did before. I’ve had to work at building physical strength and agility.

Sometimes, while I’m working at the physical goals I re-injure an area I had hurt before and have to back off, only to have to start over again.

Because of that and how busy life is the progress has been slow but steady.

It reminds me of when I first became a Christ follower. I’d enjoy learning what the Bible said about God, I loved singing the songs, getting to know the people, and watching amazing prayers get answered.

Then something happens in life where the answers from prayer don’t come so quick. Or the answer is a no that hurts deep.

I remember one time after such an incident that hurt really bad. I opened the Bible and read, “God is good.”

It was a time where I had to decide to believe, or say, “If he’s so good then….”

It was a time I had to figure out how to trust Him during a trial with my hurt when He could’ve stopped the pain.

It was a time I had to learn to say, “You are the Lord.”

Was it easy?

No. It was a season of growing in a relationship with the God of all creation, who knows all, sees all, and is everywhere.

It was a season of trusting that what He said about Himself is true and that He is the King.

During loss, or seasons of waiting, the Bible says, “God is good.” It’s during those times of trials the Bible says our character is being shaped.

There is a verse in Isaiah about Him being the potter and we are the clay.

I can remember when I took a pottery class. (It was very boring to me.) But I still remember how important it was to keep the clay wet. And how easy it was for the clay to get all wobbly, I had to be careful to keep my hands a certain way to shape it into what I wanted it to be. I had to cut off extra pieces that weren’t necessary for the object I was making. I wasn’t very good at it at all. My things normally ended up being, well, nothing worth talking about. Then it had to be fired before I could paint it and try to make my blob look halfway decent.

The good news is, I can look around and see how talented God is. The sky, mountains, oceans and even the people are beautiful.

So as a piece of clay, I’m glad He’s the potter that is molding me and shaping me.

During those times He has to cut off those pieces that don’t fit or put me in the fire, yeah it hurts. But I’ve been learning to trust what He’s doing and remember how loving and talented He is.

Isaiah 64:8

I'm Waiting

2011-07-06T11:32:00.000-07:00

There was a time in the Bible when the apostles couldn’t cast out a mute spirit from a guy’s son. When Jesus appeared, the man explained what had been happening to his son since childhood. It was some pretty horrible things. The man ended with saying to Jesus…"But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”

Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”

Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”

Jesus didn’t rebuke him for his unbelief rather he rebuked the unclean spirit. He helped his unbelief.

Ever been in a place in your life where you believe in Jesus with all of your heart. I mean you don’t doubt that Jesus can take care of the situation, but…you’ve been praying a long time and you’ve suffered loss in the waiting for an answer. You know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus could speak and there would be healing, everything would be fixed, if only…and as you wait it’s so easy to waver, it’s so easy to wonder why, or where is He? It’s where a person’s faith gets stretched and…Lord, help my unbelief!

It’s not a matter of not believing in Him, it’s just, sometimes a person can be stretched so far past where a person is in their faith. A person can even reach the point of asking "Haven’t I been stretched enough?" And then there is that moment where faith grows. Unbelief is helped.

I had one of those moments recently in the waiting period…"Lord, help my unbelief during this tough time." The verse that went through my mind was from what is called the Lord’s prayer- “give us our daily bread.” Jesus was teaching the apostles how to pray, “give us our daily bread.”

What is your need for today?

Then I was reminded of Jesus saying, “Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

Wow, that is a difficult thing to do, but I’ve discovered the key to waiting, is to take care of today’s troubles and trust God with the tomorrows. What can or should I do today?

One thing I can do today is, cast my cares upon Him and bring all my anxious thoughts to Him so that the peace that passes all understanding through Jesus will fill me.

I can praise Him for all the things He does and is going to do.

Another thing, I can follow the example of all of those people in the Bible doing their faith walk.

Abraham believed God – I can believe Him.

David had a heart after God – I can have a heart after God.

Joseph never compromised – I can be sure to not compromise.

Joshua didn’t fear – I can turn from fear.

Caleb believed God was bigger than the giants – I can believe God is bigger than the giants.

Peter trusted God love for him when he failed – I can trust God’s love when I fail.

Paul was content no matter what situation he was in – I can be content no matter what situation I am in.

There are so many things I can do today. The moment I am in, is the moment I can live for, and do, all that I can, to make the right choices and keep my heart toward Him.

I’m not saying I don’t wake up panicked, I don’t get frustrated, or wonder when?

No, I’m saying these are the things I can practice doing while I wait and trust God during the trial.

I know, though the answer hasn’t come yet, the Bible PROMISES all things work for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.

I can trust in the promises God makes, because He never lies.

One Man's Sin

2011-06-27T11:39:00.000-07:00

Chapter seven in the book of Joshua starts out right after a huge victory over Jericho. God did an amazing thing for the Israelite army.

Then, the Israelites went and spied out the region. They sent a couple thousand men to go whip “Ai” and instead they got trampled on by the small amount of men in Ai.

They cried out to God and tore their clothes, asking, why He would bring them out to this place to only let them get delivered into the hands of their enemies.

God answers by letting Joshua know that someone had gone against his commands and now they couldn’t be victorious until they had removed the sin from among the people.

Wow! Joshua and his army went from seeing victory, because God was with him, to defeat. Joshua didn’t know that one of his men had disobeyed God’s command and all the Israelites felt the effects of his sin.

Some sins are just plain obvious and some are secret. Hidden sins that nobody knows someone has done or is in the act of doing.

How do these secret sins affect a person and those around them? How does the guilt of secret sins affect people?

Quite a few years ago, I hurt my back. According to my chiropractor, I had twisted vertebrae #L4. I was in quite a bit of pain. My right arm would go to sleep at night to the point that I couldn’t feel it and then it would ache all day.

Along with my arm falling asleep and aching, my head, my face and even my eye area would tingle. I also had a headache and was nauseous; I thought my TMJ was going crazy.

Upon further examination, it was discovered that not only was I suffering from a twisted vertebra in my neck but, also my hip was out of whack which caused my legs to hurt, it felt like I was having muscle spasms on the tops of my feet.

I was very uncomfortable and unable to function as I normally would.

During my trip to the Chiropractor, he massaged out my tight muscles and put my hip and L4 vertebrae back into place. I felt better after that visit, although I was still achy and nauseous from having everything out of whack.

The next morning when I woke up I pretty much was back to normal. I tried to be careful and not overdo anything so that I didn’t cause everything to go right back into a chaotic state.

In a way, when someone is caught up in secret sins or the shame of secret sins it can play out the same way in their life. Let’s say that I am a L4 vertebra, I’m messing up, weak and stumbling. And let’s say I don’t go to the person who can fix me. Imagine how that would affect the people around me.

I know from personnel experience how guilt and shame can make you feel inside and affect relationships.

When I finally went to the person who could fix me, all that stuff just went away. Jesus promises in 1John 1:9, that when I confess my sins He will cleanse me from ALL my unrighteousness. Guilt and shame have no place there because Jesus washed me clean. The hard part can be, believing it, letting go of failures and walking away from it.

When I get dirt on my hands, I know that if I pick up a bar of soap it will clean my hands and when I turn on the water it will rinse away the dirt and my hands will be clean. If I don’t pick up the soap - my hands will stay dirty. If I don’t turn on the water - I won’t be rinsed clean.

The same thing will happen if I don’t believe in Jesus promise to confess my sins to be cleansed; I will carry the weight of my sin.

Jesus told the lady in John 8:11 that He didn’t condemn her and to go and sin no more.
Jesus forgives sins.

But wonder if I fall again?

Jesus forgives sins.

Will I ever fall again? Yes. But Jesus promises to give us the Holy Spirit to teach, council, guide, comfort, and strengthen me. And His word renews minds.

Psalm 119:11-12 NIV
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, O Lord! Teach me your decrees.”

Don’t hold on to your secrets, go to Him. He promises to cleanse you from all your sins.

Is God Asleep?

2011-06-25T06:00:00.000-07:00

Standing outside the doctor’s office door, my heart tore to pieces as the screams of my, then, two-month-old daughter filled the hallway. Unable to stand it any longer I rushed into the small office. There she was on her Daddy’s lap. My husband had the tough job of holding her while a nurse gave one shot after another. For the first time in her life she was being introduced to unexplainable pain.

I walked over and touched her face, when she looked up at me, I could see relief fill her eyes as she recognized me. The screams started again as the nurse did another injection.

I cried while she suffered, but knew that it would be worse if I interfered. She had no way to comprehend why her Daddy and I were allowing this to happen. She couldn't comprehend that the injection, causing her confusion and extreme discomfort, were meant to protect her from far greater suffering than what she was experiencing at the moment.

With no way to explain all of this to her, I waited for the first opportunity to hold her to bring her comfort.

As much as we hated it, we had to allow this into her life and she had to walk through it. We stayed with her for support and comfort.

Many times in my life I have looked to Jesus wanting relief, but instead I’ve had to walk through the pain or trial.

In the book of Luke, chapter 8, Jesus and the disciples are in a boat going to the other side of the lake. While they sailed, Jesus went to sleep. It says, “a great squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.”

The disciples went to Jesus and woke him up, saying they were going to drown. Jesus stood up from his sleep and rebuked the wind and raging waters. The storm subsided and all was calm.

Then Jesus asked his disciples, “Where is your faith?”

I thought, their faith motivated them to run to Jesus, but obviously there is more to it, or Jesus wouldn’t have said that to them.

I think the faith action, would’ve been if they had realized, if Jesus is asleep and not bothered by the storm, they were going to be okay. Otherwise, he would’ve gotten up and quieted the storm without them having to wake him up. I believe He knew they were okay and were going to make it to the other side. It just looked very scary.

That’s how it is in life sometimes. It looks scary, but I’m going to be okay. If Jesus isn’t doing something to run to my aid, it’s because He knows I’m okay. And when He comes in and takes care of it, well then He needed to take care of it.

How nice it would be to just rest and trust in the fact that He will do what is needed when it is needed.

Walking The Wonderful Path Of Forgiveness

2011-06-24T09:29:00.000-07:00

About 12 years ago, if I knew I had to stand in front of a group of women with a microphone in my hand, it would have terrified me. I’d be picking myself apart and I’d believe that everyone would see all of my flaws.

For many years I led worship for children, or participated in the puppet skits either by being the actor or a puppet. Even though it was fun, getting in front of the kids and teachers was very stressful for me. Up until the very moment I stood in front of the children I would be fretting and going over and over what I had to do.

Now, God has brought me to a place where I can’t wait to get the microphone in my hand. It’s exciting to me, to be used by Him, to encourage others.

What made the change? Let me start around the beginning.

Right after I prayed to ask Jesus into my heart twenty some years ago I had an overwhelming love for God. When I heard God calling me, I came from a really messed up place. I was amazed and grateful that God would call me, Linda, from the dark hole I was in and wash me clean of all my sins for eternity.

Not only did He wash me all clean, He loved me and wanted to be a part of my daily life! I could never understand how He could love me so much, but He did and I loved him back. I played praise music as often as possible, talked about him, read about him, went to church to learn about him, hung out with people who talked about him.

Soon, I was involved in ministry and even though I knew God loved me and God forgave me, I believed, all of those never did anything wrong, have everything together people, in the church, wouldn’t want me around if, they knew the truth about my past. I mean they’d kick me right out of ministry and stop hanging around with me. So I kept my past a secret.

I began to be filled with shame and worked hard to keep my secret.

Then one day I went through a biblical healing group and my whole perspective changed. I learned some very valuable things. First I had to forgive myself, for my short comings and my past. Jesus did.

Second, the first night of the group, ladies that I participated in ministry with (the never did anything wrong, have everything together people) and kept my secret from, walked in and were part of the group. They were hiding their own secrets.

In God’s word it says ALL men fall short of the glory of God. ALL MEN, and that mean's women too. Not one person can stand before the Father cleansed white as snow without first believing in His Son Jesus. Not one. Why? Because we are all sinners, whether we rate them as big sins or little sins, a sin is a sin. Everyone fall’s short and needs Jesus.

After I forgave myself, and gave other’s a chance to get to know me, the real me, I realized it’s a testimony of how loving and merciful God is, that I am a part of his kingdom. That He would call ME by name and seal me as HIS.

Now, that He took the shame away and the insecurities I get to share with others about how wonderful He is. How He came into my dark world and shined His light so bright and put me on a new path to live.

As a woman, I know, we have lots of things to be insecure about. Our weight, hair, makeup, kind of clothes we wear, if we are a good housekeeper, good mom, wife, the list goes on and on. But when we take God’s word and let it go from our heads down to our hearts and believe it. It takes away those insecurities and feeling of shame.

The truth is, in God’s eyes, we are special. When He forgives us, He doesn’t bring it up again. Even in those times we have to face the consequences of our sins, He’s still loving us, helping us get through it.

Even with Adam and Eve, when they had to leave the garden, He dressed them. And then put a guard with a flaming sword in front of the tree of life to protect them from eating from that tree, so they wouldn’t live forever knowing good and evil.

And then He sent His Son to pay the price for all the wrong things everyone did.

What kind of love and forgiveness is that?

It’s wonderful! And every day I get to walk in the peace of knowing the price is paid for all the mistakes I’ve ever made.

Happy Fathers Day

2011-06-19T09:56:00.001-07:00

Happy Father's Day to my wonderful Dad who is always there for me and shows me love everyday! I love you!
And Happy Father's Day to my husband who is a wonderful daddy to our daughter!
Also, to my brother's who do an incredible job with their kids!
All of you are great at being Dad's and your kids love you!
I love you too!

Distorted View

2011-06-06T23:19:00.000-07:00

One Sunday morning at church, our pastor showed the congregation some pictures. He prefaced showing them with an assignment, we were to determine which one best signified our personal view of God.

To start out with there was a picture of a child held safe and lovingly in her Father’s arms. I immediately thought that is how I see God.

A few scenes later, a little boy sat in a corner, and his arm covered his head as if to fend off a blow. It surprised me when my heart pounded and I realized this picture portrayed my true perspective of God. I was waiting for Him to let the other shoe drop.

My husband and I had been through a tough season with a bunch of trials where one thing happened after another and without realizing it, my view of God had become distorted.

I took another look at who He really is in the Bible. One day, he showed me something in the very familiar story of Adam and Eve. I doubt there are many people who haven’t heard Adam and Eve’s story. Most know Eve ate the forbidden fruit after being tempted by the snake and Adam followed right along and ate some of the fruit also. After that choice death came into the world.

Before they made the choice to eat the forbidden fruit, God created a beautiful garden, and this is where Adam and Eve lived. They took care of the garden and were over all the animals. Adam and Eve didn’t know about death or pain and they interacted with God. This was God’s design from the beginning.

He also gave Adam and Eve the gift of choice. They could eat anything in the garden except the fruit from one tree. When the snake came along and tempted Eve, she made the choice to eat from the forbidden plant.

Since then death, pain, and other things that come from sin, came into the world.

We live in a world filled with wrong choices that we often feel the consequences from.

But, that isn’t God’s choice for us. God’s choice was life in the garden. That’s how He designed it. Now that sin is in the world though, we go through some really painful things. But God has never left his creation. He is always with us. When circumstances are really hard or painful, I can walk knowing God is walking through the storm with me, or He is going to take care of the storm, or stop the storm.

And someday things will go back to how He designed it to be. Someday, when we are heaven, He will wipe away our tears and we will live in a sinless world where there is no more death or illness.

But for now I’m in a fallen world and when things do drop into my life, He is there with me.

He promises that He will never leave me nor forsake me.

Remember Them

2011-05-30T10:38:00.000-07:00

My dad’s younger brother, Bobby, was a marine in the Vietnam War. Unfortunately, he didn’t make it home. He died the day before my sister’s eleventh birthday, on October, 26, 1965, at the age of 18, fighting for the freedom of others.

Even though my memories aren’t clear of that day, my heart still remembers the news. And since that day, I’ve always believed my Uncle Bobby to be a hero.

It affected my family, like it affects the millions of Americans who lose someone in a war. As I’ve grown older I’ve been able to hear how it affected my grandparents, when they were informed of the news their son had died, and how it affected my parents, older sister and my cousins.

About six years ago, my sister went to Washington D.C and she went to the Vietnam Veteran Memorial. It was a very emotional time for her to see our Uncle’s name on the wall.

The next year, my parents went to Washington D.C. with my brother and his family and they were able to see my Uncle Bobby’s name on the Memorial.

The Korean War memorial held a special interest also, since my dad’s older brother fought in that war. He fortunately made it home and lives near us. My dad is very close to his brothers. My Uncles, whether they live close or far away, always play a big part in my life.

The very next year, I made the trip with my sister, and I had the opportunity to see the Memorial wall also. I couldn’t believe how many names there were on that wall. My sister searched for a few minutes and then there was my Uncle Bobby’s name. It is hard to describe, the feeling of loss, mixed with the feeling of pride, when I saw his name.

When you lose someone, the desire to have one more moment with them is strong. I have some great Uncles who I really love and I’ve had some wonderful moments with them. However, I often wonder what my life would have been like if Uncle Bobby could’ve been a part of it, all these years?

Those questions run through my mind sometimes, but since that is not possible the memories, though faint, become very sweet.

Freedom isn’t something to take for granted. This freedom we have comes with a price. Someone always seems to be lurking about trying to steal it from another person. And our Military Service personnel fight hard to protect it. Behind the names and titles on the memorials is a family missing a son or daughter, brother or sister, nephew or niece, uncle or aunt, dad or mom, husband or wife, or grandchildren.

For me personally my husband, dad, brother, uncles, brothers-in-law and few friends have served in the armed forces. Today, I remember you along with many others, with heartfelt thanks for fighting or being willing to fight for the freedom that I have today.

May God, who gives us freedom through His Son, Jesus, be with you and bless you.

Name Tags

2011-05-25T22:22:00.000-07:00

Usually when I go to an event I am handed a name tag to wear. Sometimes I’m handed a pen and told to write my name down and then I put the sticker on my shirt.

My husband and I were having a discussion about when we introduce ourselves to people and say our name, sometimes we are quick to blurt out our label. Such as,“Hi, I’m Linda. I’m having a bad hair day.” Or “My dress is tight.” Or “I don’t feel comfortable.”

Labels can become our identity. I’m divorced, out of work, drive a hot car, drive a beat up car, live in a big house, live in a small house, wear expensive clothes, shop Goodwill, yell at my kids, had an abortion, have a college degree, don’t have a college degree.

If you were handed a pen, what would you write down on the name tag. What is your description of you?

The other day, I was reading my favorite book, and it said that we are loved. John 3:16. Is that my first description of myself?

I am loved.

It also said I was fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14. When I look in the mirror do I believe that?

I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

I read about how I am so loved that when I failed, my failures were taken care of. Romans 5:8.

I am taken care of.

I read along and discovered that no matter what comes up in life, God has equipped me to handle it. Philippians 4:13.

I am equipped.

It also said that God put a seal of the Holy Spirit on me. Ephesians 1:13 – 14.

I am sealed.

Are these the labels I am quick to say, that is who I am? Are these the labels you are quick to say?

Spending time in the Bible is like sitting at Jesus feet, being able to hear His love letter to us. The more time I spend listening and receiving, the more I will erase the negative labels I may wear and replace them with the loving labels of God. And there are plenty of loving things God has to say to His children in His Word.

So what label are you wearing today?

And what label would God put on you to wear today?

Things That Are Good In A Tough Day

2011-05-23T12:57:00.000-07:00

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brother, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right; whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. NIV

I was reading Philippians this week and came across this verse. I remember this verse from when I first began memorizing scripture and learning to apply it to my life.

I had a new job. Newly trained and moved over with my boss to his new office. I soon discovered pretty much everything I had learned in training was not applicable to what I would do at the new place.

On top of that my boss wasn’t the easiest person to work with, at all. He was highly intelligent, quick on his feet and quick to react, very work driven and spoke directions in quick mumbled tones before he would turn and leave to do what was next on his list.

Many times after he had left I would go over and over what I thought he had said to me in his mumbled tones. He had made it clear to pay attention because he didn’t have time to go over things again and again. It made it a bit nerve racking when I could hardly understand him.

The situation was hard. Many times I wanted to grab my purse and say, “Adios.” And his actions would bug me throughout the day. Except on the days where, I would repeat this verse over and over in my head, and not meditate on his negativity, but rather on good things, like the challenge the job held. And how much I actually enjoyed what I was doing in spite of how difficult it was to relate to my boss.

One day after much prayer and crying in frustration, I brought a mini tape recorder to work and every time he opened his mouth, I clicked it on. I wasn’t sure how he was going to respond to me doing this, but I didn’t care. Then I listened to it over and over again, writing everything down, to figure out exactly what he wanted so I could do it correctly without a lot of questions. If I had questions after listening to the recorder I would approach him.

I found he respected the effort I did by bringing the recorder and he slowed down a bit for me and started being open to my questions. Pretty soon I didn’t need the recorder I could understand him and we started having a pretty good working relationship.

After other’s were hired on in the office he would tell them to follow the example that I did and get a recorder and write everything down. He would do the same mumbling and running out the door tactic he did with me but, I was able to understand him, so I was able to help them out.

At the time, this verse helped me, to not focus on just the bad thing going on in my day. It helped me to see the good in the midst of a troubled situation.
Reading Philippians this week reminded me, when a day is tough and negative stuff is just right in my face, take a look around and meditate on the things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable and excellent or praiseworthy.

It’s an easier way to get through a tough day.

Happy Birthday Mom!

2011-05-02T21:45:00.000-07:00

So today is a wonderful day! It's my Mom's birthday. I promised not to write about her on my blog, but I can't help myself today. So Mom, I'm breaking my promise just to say, I hope you have a wonderful, Happy Birthday!

My mom is so full of energy and keeps herself healthy. I really appreciate, that I can trust how well she takes care of herself and my Dad. When I was growing up she was the same way, very energetic and on top of things.

I love you, Mom, and so blessed to say Happy Birthday to you!

At The Glass Door

2011-04-21T12:14:00.000-07:00

Clunk.
Scratch, scratch, clunk.

I glanced up from my reading, to look toward our sliding glass door to see what on earth was making that noise. I caught a glimpse of something, but couldn’t make out what it was, before it dropped down. Thinking to myself, it was either a bird hitting the window or a pine cone falling from one of the evergreen trees I went back to my reading only to be interrupted again by the noise. By the time I looked up I missed what was causing it.

Then I saw a bird fly up to the gutter above the door. Oh, the bird must be getting things off the cement of the patio for its nest and hitting the door in the process. The bird flew over and sat on the fence surrounding the patio and started chirping. Then she surprised me and flew directly into our sliding door. She hit her beak at the door and flapped her wings. She worked hard to get through that window.

She stopped and flew back to the fence only to try again and again. I imagine she couldn’t possibly know what was keeping her from getting from point a to point b, since I doubt she knows what glass is. The poor thing probably wondered, if I can see my destination why can’t I get there?

Wow, if only she knew how awful her life would be if she did get to the other side of that glass. She would fly into a place that’s nothing like her normal life. A place that would confine her, she’d probably panic. And after knocking over a few dishes and hitting against a few walls, feel a bit trapped. To add to her distress, she’d have to deal with the people who lived here screaming and ducking as she flew around while trying to get her back outside where she belonged.

Hmmm, another thought went through my head. How many times do I see a goal and for the life of me, no matter what I do, I can’t get there? It’s out of my reach for some reason or another.

In pushing that a bit further, like the glass protecting the bird from going somewhere it wouldn’t be happy, at those times, the Holy Spirit who I cannot see, but can feel, may be the very one from stopping me from making a big mistake in my life. Though it looks harmless, and inviting, it might be harmful for me. It might not be a place where I would want to be once I got there.

The Bible tells me that God knit me in my mother’s womb. He knows my days, when I lie down, when I rise, words before I speak them, even thoughts before I THINK them.

God used that little bird today, to take a look at my life. Is there anything I’m striving for and just can’t seem to make it work? Maybe, it’s not supposed to work for me. Maybe, it wouldn’t be in my best interest and like that bird, I need to fly away from there and just go some place else.

Psalm 139

Turning to Him

2011-04-15T06:50:00.000-07:00

One morning while doing some reading and prayer time I came upon something interesting in the book of Haggai. During this time of experiencing unemployment in our home I am constantly throwing up prayers for provision and a blessing of a good income with job security. I am always amazed at the continual answers to those prayers of provision.
In the book of Haggai, God said so many interesting things to his people, regarding the work of their hands, in that one particular thing stood out to me today. It was at the end of a sentence…”yet you did not turn to me.”
I thought to myself. I pray. I turn to God all the time. So why are we having such a hard time with job security? Then a really interesting question came to my mind. Do I really turn to God?
I pray.
But then I tend to still worry and fret over things. I sometimes get anxious and fearful, then find myself laying awake stewing over everything.
So when I pray, do I really turn to God? Do I trust Him? Do I stand knowing and believing He will take care of the issue at hand? Did I really cast my cares upon Him?
Do I trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding, but in ALL my ways acknowledging Him and He will make my path straight?
Yes, I turn to Him and pray and bring Him everything, but then I turn back around and turn to worry, fear and anxiety.
When I completely turn to Him, I will resist being fearful, anxious and not worry. Rather I will rest knowing my life is in His hand. And all things work for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

Happy Birthday Dad!

2011-04-06T23:00:00.000-07:00

Today is a very special day! My dad is 79 years old. My family is getting together at the end of the week to celebrate.

Normally, Sarrah and I go over to my parents house and see him on his birthday. I wanted to bring him over a chocolate sundae but, my daughter had a cold and we stayed home.

Special moments like that are hard to miss and can hurt the heart, but being able to say "Happy Birthday" and "I love you," to my dad, even over the phone is very wonderful.

I am blessed to have such a wonderful man to be my Dad.

If you happen to catch this blog, "Happy Birthday Dad and I love you."

The Author Of Life

2011-04-01T23:57:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite past-times is to listen to a good story, read a good book or watch a movie. Normally, I get emotionally involved and love it when I get to laugh and cry over what happens to the character in the story.

As an author, myself, when I write a story, I get attached to the characters. It may sound funny, but I cry while I write a scene that affects one of my characters negatively, and I laugh and clap my hands when an exciting or good turn of events is happening. Even though I want all of the people in my stories to have sweet happy endings it really wouldn’t make a realistic story. I write with the belief that every fiction story has a grain of truth in it and I also take true life experiences and work them out through the pages of fictitious people’s lives. My stories may not really happen, but they could happen.

I just recently finished one of the most difficult and painful scenes I’ve ever written. The first time I worked on it, it was so emotional for me I just wrote the bare skeletons of it. I cried with the characters and it bothered me for days. I had to revisit this scene quite a few times to add to it and give it the finishing touches. When I read it one last time to make sure it seemed realistic and was as gripping as I wanted it to be, I experienced everything right along with each character.

A women’s bible study group I’ve been in is just finishing up studying Revelations. Throughout the book is an incredible example of how the Author of Real Life gets personally involved with the people He has created. Although, the story is often times overwhelming and scary, and the enemy comes in with a vengeance against the Author’s Real Life people, in the end all of His people, after going through the journey, end up safe and sound.

I’ve been thinking over a few things since writing that scene and studying Revelations. The way it is for me when I write a story and what each person goes through. I get a story in my mind and soon a fictitious person’s life unfolds.
God writes each person’s story and gives them choices along the way to follow His path or their own. Now, my characters don’t get choices, they just do what I say. But God has given people, choice.

Sometimes after we’ve made the choice to follow the Author of our life, something will happen and although we come to Him, sometimes over and over again, it can seem there is no answer from Him. For example a sick loved one who is not getting better, job loss with no new job in sight, a financial crisis, a relationship gone south. Even though a person may pray and pray and pray it seems there is no answer.
Sometimes the answer I found is simply, “Thy will be done.” For some reason there are times He decides the answer to our prayer is simply to trust Him through the circumstance, no matter how it looks, or how it feels.

It’s during those times, creation bows to the Author of life, the King, believing that in the end, although the path is horrible, He promises, “All things work for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.”

From A Cup Of Coffee

2011-03-03T12:33:00.000-08:00

I read a saying on a coffee cup; Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its troubles it empties today of its strength. Hmmm. Then this story came to mind. It’s a very familiar story to me.

Once upon a time there was a girl who couldn’t sleep because she worried about the next day. God said to her, “Do not worry about tomorrow.”

The girl was so delighted to hear God say those words, she decided to listen and rolled over and went to sleep.

The next day everyone heard the good news God had said to the girl. Do Not Worry. She skipped through her day. Eventually, everything worked out, not how she planned, but it worked out.

Months later, the girl couldn’t sleep because; she worried about her troubles again. God said to her, “Do not worry about tomorrow, be still and know that I am God.”

The girl was delighted, choosing to believe she didn’t need to worry, rolled over and went to sleep. The next morning she reported to everyone about what God had said.

That afternoon she opened a letter that arrived in the mail and sat down to worry over the news this letter had brought. Then she heard God say to her, “Don’t worry about tomorrow.”

Delighted she decided to believe God and went about her day. When her husband came home that evening his shoulders hung low with the heavy burdens of the day. The girl barely finished dinner because she worried.

Then she heard God say to her, “Don’t worry about tomorrow.” She nodded her head, “okay” and went slowly to bed wondering how she could not worry.

The girl woke up during the night worrying about all that had happened the day before. God said, “Do not worry about tomorrow. Lie down in peace and sleep.” The girl rolled over and tried hard not to think about her troubles, until she finally drifted off to sleep.

The next morning the girl received a phone call, the situation had worsened. She stopped cleaning her house and instead worried about her situation, until God said, “Do not worry, I am your provider.”

The girl nodded her head and went through the day, unable to accomplish much, because, she continually found herself lost in thought and worry.

After a fitful night of sleep, she got up the next day and started making calls and appointments to fix her problem. She put off all of her normal responsibilities and didn’t have much to say to those around her.

God came to her and said, “Do not worry. Trust Me.” But she didn’t hear him. She was too busy fixing things.

Months later, exhausted and feeling depressed she threw herself before God in tears. “Where are you? I have been doing all these things and nothing is better. Why is this happening to me?”

God said, “Do not worry, I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

The girl didn’t stop talking in order to listen. God repeated, “Do not worry. I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Finally she heard the words. “Do not worry? Look what is going on in my life. It’s a mess. I can’t keep up and everything is falling apart.”

“Have things turned out any better while you worry? Do not worry about tomorrow. Trust me.” God replied.

The girl got up and halfheartedly went about her day. That night she lay in bed, unable to sleep, worried. “Do not worry about tomorrow,” ran through her mind, along with, “Lie down in peace and sleep.”

For some odd reason, she thought about a time, many, many months ago, when she had a very serious problem. She had heard God say, “Do not worry about tomorrow.” She recalled how she believed God when He said she didn’t need to worry and was able to sleep, work and enjoy those around her. And everything eventually worked out.

The girl wondered, “How would things look now, if I trusted and believed God’s word, do not worry.” She was a tired and emotional wreck ever since she chose to continue to worry. Her neck hurt, and she had headaches. Being so discouraged, she didn’t feel like working out, so she had gained some weight. Her house was a mess due to lack of energy and she barely talked to her husband because she was too stressed out.

Hmmm. She considered something different. What would it be like to trust God with this problem and stop worrying? I bet I’d start feeling better.

The girl opened her Bible and read some Psalms. She fell upon one that was perfect for her.

She read it out loud as a prayer. Psalm 69, “Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God.”

“Do not worry about tomorrow. Trust in the Lord,” went through her mind.

“Okay.” She made a decision, no more worrying and to trust in the Lord, then she rolled over and went to sleep.

The next morning the girl felt better after sleeping the rest of the night through. She went through the day and a knock sounded on the front door. The messenger had bad news. The phone rang and the person had bad news. She opened the mail and the letter had bad news. Her husband came home and he had bad news.

But…his shoulders didn’t droop and he smiled and hugged her. He had decided to stop worrying and trust in the Lord.

She smiled back, because, even though she had received bad news all day, she too had decided to not worry and trust in the Lord.

That night she went to bed and woke up in the middle of the night. Out of habit she started to worry over all the bad news she’d been given during the day. Then she stopped herself, and prayed over all those things instead, because she had decided not to worry. It hadn’t made things better, it hadn’t solved her problems, as a matter of fact, her life had only gotten worse.

So the girl decided to believe God and not worry because she would trust Him. She rolled over and went to sleep.

Matthew 6:34 “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

And that came from a cup of coffee.

Believe The Report Or Believe and Don't Be Afraid?

2011-02-23T13:02:00.000-08:00

When I opened my Bible today my eyes fell on some words I had underlined, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” Then I read the entire sentence. “Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”
Who did Jesus ignore I wondered?
When I reread the passage I realized it was the story of Jesus walking with Jairus to his home because Jairus’s daughter was dying. Jairus had pleaded earnestly to Jesus, to please come to his home and lay hands on his daughter, so that she will be healed and live.
So Jesus, his disciples and Jairus are on their way to Jairus home. Jairus is bringing home the answer to his little girl’s illness. He knows if Jesus lays his hands on her, his little girl will be fine.
But, then they are interrupted.
A woman in the crowd had touched the hem of Jesus garment and received healing. Jesus stopped wanting to know who touched his garment. His disciples were like, we’re in a crowd anybody could have touched your garment. Still, Jesus stopped and took time to interact with the woman in an encouraging way.
I wonder? How did Jairus feel waiting for Jesus to stop talking to her so his little girl could get the help SHE needed. For a moment did it feel as though Jesus was attentive to Jairus?
Then WHILE Jesus was still speaking to this woman some men came from Jairus house and let Jairus know his daughter was dead.
I wonder if Jairus shoulders dropped a bit and if his knees went weak. Was he frustrated at the interruption that came from the woman? I mean he pleaded earnestly to Jesus because his daughter was dying. He knew if he got Jesus to his little girl she would be okay. Then this woman went and touched Jesus garment.
But then I wonder, if he even had time for all of that because, it said Jesus ignored what the men from Jairus house said and told him not to be afraid, just believe. Jesus was right back to Jairus side and continued walking to the house.
Jesus made everyone stay back except a selected few. When he entered Jairus house the people laughed at what Jesus said about the girl. He sent them out and then he held the little girls hands and told her to get up.
She did.
There are times in everyone’s life where we know God is there with us. He is working for us. We can feel His strength, His presence. And then…suddenly a big hole is under our feet. It seems there is no solid ground.
“Don’t be afraid, just believe.”
How on earth do you do that? How do you say okay, I’m going to believe in you Jesus because, you told me to, even though, right now at this very minute I just got news that took the air right out of me, I feel all alone and I just want to curl into a ball and…
And I will be honest, it is hard to not listen to the bad report, or believe the bad thing going on in front of my eyes sometimes, but…the truth is, Jesus promises to never leave or forsake us. He will be with us always. It’s those times that are the times, to choose to believe, all of Jesus promises for us.
The Bible says no weapon formed against us shall prosper. If God is for us, who can be against us?
As hard as it can be sometimes, in the darkest, loneliest moments of our life, there is a choice to, not be afraid, but to believe.

What Do They See?

2011-02-15T10:59:00.000-08:00

Our woman's group at church has been studying the book of Revelations. Wow! Sometimes it's a bit overwhelming to read all of the things prophesied to happen in the future.

But in the midst of all of the seals and judgements, is a very knee bending reality.

God sits on the throne, and those in the throne room see before their eyes, someone who they worship continually.

Day and night the four living creatures never stop saying,
"Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty. Who Was and Is and is to come."

Whenever they say this, the twenty four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him. They lay down their crowns before the throne and then they say,

"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."

I've really tried to grasp this whole concept of how awesome and mighty He is for them to continually bow before the throne and say those words.

Do I even have a smidgen of the reality of the God of all creation, the Savior of my soul?

This worship isn't just sometimes. It's all the time. Day and night.

It is so fascinating. What are their eyes seeing?

The Bible says while I am here on this earth, I walk by faith and not by sight. But it also says I can see Him through His creation.

I can get a glimpse of how majestic He is, when I drive through the mountain ranges or sit on the beach at the ocean shore or when gazing at all the stars in the night sky.

I can glimpse at how orderly and creative He is when the sun continues to rise every morning and paint a beautiful picture across the horizon. When the moon rises to it's place in the sky and brings light to the dark nights.

I can glimpse at how consistent He is when every year the trees drop their leaves during the fall season, and in spring they bloom once again.

I can glimpse of how He cares for even the birds of the air when they are able to figure out how to crack open a nut, make a nest, pull the worms out of the ground, or catch a bug.

In Alaska, brown bears return yearly, to a certain rocky area of a river, to catch salmon near the end of their run before the salmon spawn. The feast is enough for the bears to gain enough weight to do their yearly hibernation.

I can glimpse as how artistic and detail oriented He is when holding a newborn babe in my arms and then watch in amazement as the baby grows and develops.

I glimpse at how personal He is with His creation when He says, cast your cares upon me, be anxious for nothing.

I get a glimpse of His unending love and mercy whenever I hear or read the story of the gift He gave us through His Son Jesus. Whoever believes in Him will be saved.

Now on this earth, I see through a mirror dimly. If all this is a dim view, I can only begin to imagine the glorious majestic person who sits on the throne in Heaven.

In those glimpses it is easy to see why they worship and say, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come.

(Scripture out of NIV)

Where to start?

2011-01-27T13:00:00.000-08:00

I've had the pleasure of talking to lots of fun people while at book signings or at speaking events. Many people have expressed their own desire to write a book.

I get so excited for them because, well, it's obvious, I love to write stories.

The big question I get, is always, "How?"

Just do a little at a time and it grows and grows and soon, there before you is a book.

But often times it can be very hard to be standing at the beginning of something, without thinking, how on earth am I ever going to do that?

It can be so overwhelming in many different situations such as...

I remember the first day I was alone after I had experienced a miscarriage. I laid in bed wondering, how on earth am I going to even get out of bed, let alone go through the entire day?

I remember when I had some very loud mysterious blaring noises in my head and couldn't find a doctor to help me. The day ahead would seem so long, how on earth was I going to make it?

When another miscarriage happened I wondered how to even begin to live my life while letting go of a dream I'd had for so many years.

There were also times in the last years we've wondered where on earth is the next dollar going to come from? And how do you plan to take care of your responsibilities in that situation?

Where do you start in those emotionally tumultuous times?

Where?

That first morning alone after my miscarriage, I was given some very wise advice. I turned on the radio. The pastor spoke about his trials. He dealt with leukemia. He referred to the Bible passage, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

He explained that meant "ALL" things.

I literally started with, "I can put my foot on the floor one at a time, through Christ who strengthens me." Every step that day, I said those words for everything I did. Not only did I say them, I believed them. That is how I got through that first day after I miscarried and the days following.

"I can deal with this noise in my head, through Christ who strengthens me."

"I can let go of my dreams, through Christ who stengthens me."

"I can make it to payday, through Christ who strengthens me."

I can say, now, on this side of those situations, I did make it. I didn't think I could, I didn't make it alone though. There was no way on this earth I could make it through those situations without the strength that Jesus Christ gave to me.

A person can stand at the beginning of something, and do whatever they want to figure out how to get to the other side of a circumstance. There is a lady in the Bible who tried everything, doctors couldn't help her for twelve years. But, when Jesus walked by, she knew if she just touched Him...she touched the hem of His garment and she was healed.

I know at the beginning of something, even at this moment...I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

The Mapmaker

2011-01-20T00:06:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time there was a Mapmaker. He had a little shop way up high on a hill with an incredible view.

The Mapmaker knew where every single path, anyone could take, led. He carefully marked all of his maps with the straight way to any destination. If followed correctly, it would guarantee a person would experience the most enjoyable things along the way, no matter how difficult the journey.

And to top it off, he offered a guide, for free, to escort the travelers.

Each map not only showed the straight path but, also roads which appeared shorter and offered more fun but, ended up being dangerous and not enjoyable routes. The Mapmaker faithfully put warning signs on these particular routes. Usually, a person who took the other paths would wind up at the end of their journey very battered and bruised.

Well, there was one particular day the Mapmaker was busy cleaning up around his shop, when the bell attached to his front door rang. Someone is here! He was quick to dust himself off and straighten his shirt as he approached the front of the store with eagerness. The Mapmaker loved to help people plan out their trips.

“Hello,” he said cheerfully to the young couple looking through some of his maps. They gave him a halfhearted response. “Is there something I could help you with?” The question hung in the air, ignored by the two, who discovered a map for the particular adventure they wanted to take.

With excitement their fingers traced the roads that were marked to the place they had chosen. The Mapmaker stood nearby with a smile spread across his face. The two talked excitedly between each other about all the places to stop and check out along the way.

Watching the couple’s excitement delighted the Mapmaker even though they paid no attention to him. With care, they studied the path, and seemed to stick to the perfect way to go.

The Mapmakers’ brow furrowed when all of the sudden everything changed. The couple started to argue over which path they would take on their journey. And it was over the routes he would advise them NOT to take. He tried to interrupt but, the couple continued to ignore him.

The man pointed out if they went the way he wanted to go, they would be able to see the view from the top of the mountain. He also pointed out how often they could stop and hike. He added many other things to his argument to convince the woman.

The Mapmaker shook his head. The man had ignored every warning on the map about that route. That path was a particularly dangerous one. It had many avalanches, and the roads would get blocked from falling boulders. Sudden snowstorms caused many people to be stranded if they weren’t fortunate enough to turn around in time. It was very rare anyone made it to the end of that path in safety.

The woman pointed out if they went her way, they would be able to enjoy the view of the river and that they could swim and fish.

The Mapmaker shook his head again. She too ignored his warnings. Floods normally washed out the path and the current was to rough for swimming. The fish were very few in number due to the chemicals from a factory on the bank of the river.

But the Mapmaker was unable to share any of this information since the couple continued to argue back and forth and ignore the warnings he had written. Many, many times he tried to interject but to no avail.

If they would just take a moment to listen or study the map better, they would see the best way to go and they could both be happy. They would see the straight path did indeed have the scenery of the mountains with plenty of hiking paths and the view of a river without a rough current and plenty of fish to catch since it wasn’t contaminated with chemicals.

With deep sadness, he and his guide watched and listened to the voices get louder and louder. Each one determined to make their viewpoint heard and neither had any intention to listen to the other.

If only they would ask him. HE was the Mapmaker. He knew the way.

The couple purchased two maps and two of every type of equipment needed. When they walked out the door they went separate ways. The Mapmaker motioned for his guide to follow.

The Mapmaker sighed. Although they never conferred with him at all, ultimately it would be his fault when they faced their trials.

Soon the bell rang over the front door again. The Mapmaker prepared himself with eagerness to talk and help another customer plan their trip.

“Hello,” he called in a cheery voice to the young couple that entered.

“Hello,” the woman replied. “We’ve heard all about you. We are looking for a map to go on a particular journey.”

The perfect map was picked for the couple and then laid out before them. They spent the next hour or so going over the right direction to go. The Mapmaker showed them the perfect path to their destination. It was a hard one but, they would discover great rewards at the end.

The man pointed to the other shorter, wider paths and listened as the Mapmaker informed him of all of the dangers and things that would hinder him getting to his goal.

Both listened with interest, believing and knowing, since this was the Mapmaker, they should listen carefully to get the best out of their adventure.

After a cup of coffee and a snack the two left the shop carrying out all the equipment needed, a map, and a guide sent from the Mapmaker. It was a joy to hear the laughter and excitement in their voices as they went off together on their journey.

The Mapmaker smiled knowing how much they would enjoy their trip. He’d make a point to be there at the end of it to commend them on how well they had done.

He still had great hopes for the other couple too. His door was always open in case they decided to turn around and ask the Mapmaker for help.

God knows where all of our paths lead. He is our Mapmaker.

Psalm 139: 1-24

Philippians 4: 6-9

Colossians 3: 12-17

Psalm 62:8

THE FORTY DAY CHALLENGE

2011-01-14T13:30:00.000-08:00

My great niece lives across the country from her dad. She gets to see him a few months during the summer, a couple weeks during the winter and a week during the spring. Not much time for a little girl who adores her daddy and a daddy who adores his little girl.

Recently right after she returned home from Christmas break, she called her nana from a box. “You’re calling from a box?” Yes, she had put her daddy’s address on it and crawled inside so she could be shipped back to him.

The time they spend together is very valuable. During the interim there are many phone calls to one another and gift packages.

What a wonderful relationship the two have between them. Although, they don’t see each other often they keep in contact and share things of their life with one another. They take the time to truly get to know one another. My niece could know her dad from what the people around her say but, she goes right to the source and values her time with him.

When I was very young I was taught to read the Bible, everyday. I read it but, didn’t apply anything of it to my life except some stuff I decided to pick out of it. I had my own view of God and it didn’t come from the Bible.

Things changed in my late twenties. I was introduced to the God of the Bible. When I started spending time seeking a relationship with Him, I discovered God wasn’t who I had conjured Him up to be and His ways weren’t what I said they were, believe me I had some pretty strong opinions about God, yet it was only my opinion. I now love to spend time praying (talking with God), reading His Word, worshipping Him and fellowshipping with other believers. I love to talk about Him because I spend time and am discovering how wonderful and loving He is.

Instead of just reading the Bible, I started praying about what I was reading asking God to lead me and bless the time I spent in His word. Also, to change me and give me whatever I needed to follow who He really is.

I’ve been asked by people many times, how do you do devotions (daily time with God)? And been told it’s too hard to read or it’s boring. Also, I’ve heard the same opinions said to me that I used to have until I started taking the time to really listen to what HE had to say about Himself.

SO, I would just like to throw out a challenge to you today. No matter what your personal beliefs are, or what your opinions about the God who created you are, I challenge you to get something to write on and a pen or pencil and then open up the Bible for at least fifteen minutes and read it, for forty days. Ask God to reveal Himself to you and jot down on the paper what you hear.

I will confess to you the King James Version is hard to understand but the New King James is a bit easier. There is a New International Version, American Standard, and a Living Translation. Pick whichever one you want I just hope you do the challenge.

Just some guidance, the gospels are in the New Testament, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, they tell about when Jesus walked among us. Acts is about the early church and the others in the New Testament are letters to the various churches. Revelations is about Jesus return.

The Old Testament is filled with incredible stories of how God interacted with His people. Genesis starts with creation, you can go through and read about Moses, Joseph, David, Solomon, Ruth, Esther and see how God worked in their lives.
Psalms is great to read and if you read a Proverb a day you will read the entire book of Proverbs.

It's good to start with the book of John to learn about Jesus and who He really is. Although I love what I read through the whole Bible, my favorites are Mark, Peter, Psalms, Proverbs, Genesis and Exodus.

And why forty? I only picked that number because forty is used in the Bible a lot. Like Moses and the Israelites walked around in the desert for forty years. Jesus was out in the wilderness fasting for forty days. So I picked forty. You can go more though, which I hope and pray you end up doing.

I hope you take this challenge and if you do, I’d love to hear about it.

I love you was whispered

2010-12-08T23:14:00.000-08:00

The other morning my daughter was home sick from school. I was busy catching up on some writing projects.

My daughter came over to the computer and climbed on my lap. Her arms wrapped around my neck and she gave me a kiss on the check, with a whisper of "I love my mommy."

Then I heard her say, "Hey my mommy doesn't care." And she reached up and grasped my face into her hands. "Mommy look at me." I looked down at her and then looked back at what I was working on.

"No, Mommy, look at me." She put her hand so I couldn't see the computer and with the other hand held on to my face. She looked me in the eye and smiled. "I love you mommy."

I grinned and gave her a kiss. "I love you too." I turned to go back to what I had been doing, but she was determined. She covered my eyes so I couldn't see the screen and made eye contact again and said, "Mommy, look at me." When I did, she smiled again and said, "I love you," followed with a kiss.

I looked back at her and said I love you too. This time though I didn't turn away. I enjoyed the moment with my little girl.

Then what went through my mind is when I come to God during prayer and devotional time instead of being distracted by everything around me, do I just seek His face and bask in His love? Just lay everything down and seek Him with all my heart. To let Him just show me the height, width, depth and length of the love He has for me?

Sadly, I have to say no. I do spend time seeking and listening for His voice, but life can be so distracting.

Those precious moments with my little girl made me desire to also bask in the love my heavenly Father has for me.

Alone?

2010-11-12T12:13:00.000-08:00

I love to be out and about staying in contact with my family and friends. There is one thing I have come to discover about myself though,whenever I'm out and about too much, I start getting frazzled. My emotions become extreme over the issues of life.

That's when I need to reel myself in and spend some time alone, doing projects, writing, reading and time in prayer.

What has become a priority in my life is, to be more on top of allowing myself the alone time, I so desperately need to rejuvenitate before I become an emotional mess. As I'm learning to do this it creates more of a balance in all areas.

One of my favorite stories in the Bible is, when Jesus calls the disciples to go off to the other side of the lake. He doesn't join them, but goes off by Himself and spends time in prayer. The disciples soon become in desperate need of Him because they are in the middle of a terrifying storm. Even though Jesus could see them "straining at the row",still, Jesus doesn't run right out and fix the storm and then go back to His prayer time. Since He doesn't go out until the fourth watch it appears He finishes His conversation with the Father and then heads out to help the disciples.

Oh, to be so close to the Father and realize how important those conversations with Him really are. When life is calling out, "do this," "do that," or "this needs to be done yesterday," and on and on, the time spent with Him calms the storms, the voices calling out to us.

It's a time to "cast our cares upon Him," to receive the "peace that passes all understanding through Jesus Christ our Lord". To ask for the wisdom He promises to give us if we ask. To be filled with the wonderful fruits that can only come from Him, love, peace, joy, understanding, longsuffering....

The calls of life can be so loud. The voice of the Father can calm them.

I guess in reality, I don't really ever spend time alone, because He promises to never leave us or forsake us. The times when I find myself without someone I can see, I know He is there with me.

Once Upon a Christmas!

2010-10-22T11:52:00.000-07:00

"Once Upon a Christmas" is projected to be in our hands November 9, 2010. This is an exciting project with 20 short stories written by, Sharon Bernash Smith, Rosanne Croft and Linda Reinhardt.

I wanted to take a moment to share something with you about one of the stories in this book. The story is very dear to my heart, "Only One Wish for Me". It was one of the first I wrote as a young believer. During a time of prayer, I asked for a Christmas story to write, to enable me to reach out to others and share, about this special love and gift I had received through Jesus. That afternoon I wrote out a short story about Grandpa Schooster who has been a delight in my imagination since that day.

I was so excited about this story. I had everyone I could read it. And then, one year, I lengthened the story and it was performed as a play at our church. The following year a group of us brought the play to adult care facilities. We had an absolute blast.

It has been a prayer of my heart to see this story in book form. It was first written about twenty years ago. I had no idea how to get a story of this length in print. Now, this Christmas, God has expanded the answer to that simple prayer, for a short story to reach out to others, to now be in book form.

I have a desire to talk to anyone who is reading this blog today, to try to translate this to a long awaited desire of your heart. Sometimes, it seems as though a prayer is unanswered or the answer is just plain, "no". God is listening. I don't know how He plans to have the desires of your heart play out in your life, or how He plans to answer them, but please don't give up. Have faith.

Believe me when I tell you, there are many things I have prayed about and still praying about, that I thought looked hopeless, only to see nothing is ever hopeless when I put it in the hands of the one who created me. Sent His Son to die for me. Believing in Jesus gives us the gift of ETERNAL salvation.

I know He took care of my Eternity and I know He can take care of my today.

I wanted to share a short synopsis of "Only One Wish for Me".

It’s the first Christmas without Grandpa Schooster for Andrew and Marie. Along with Marie’s daughter, Caroline, they search the house for his special Christmas decorations and stumble upon his old journal.
Much to their amazement, they read all about their first Christmas with Grandpa Schooster after their own parents died and he takes on the responsibility of raising his grandchildren, whom he adores.
He had taken them up to his cabin in the mountains. Upon arriving, he discovers the children have asked for a gift that only God can give to them. What could this gift be?
Together Andrew, Marie, and Caroline enjoy once again the story of how Grandpa spends the night discovering a gift that cannot be put under a tree.

We have some events planned for the months of November and December. Stay tuned and I will place the schedule right here.

God bless you.

Who Cares!

2010-10-20T16:10:00.000-07:00

December, once again, found us dealing with the repercussions of the recession. I was so discouraged I spent an entire day crying.

Then a thought went through my mind. What am I crying for? What's it going to do? Who cares if I cry?

Not to many days later, I was looking in the fridge. It was pretty empty. "Lord, I'm going to need to go grocery shopping." I didn't want to spend any money because I didn't know when or if money was coming in again. I had enough for rent, bills, etc. but wanted to hold on to it as long as I could.

I needed to go and get my daughter from school. I had about five minutes. The doorbell rang just as I was preparing to leave. I opened it to a dear friend of mine who I saw at church or other groups. But rarely did we stop at each other's homes. I felt a bit awkward because I needed to leave.

I invited her to join me. She said, "No, I have groceries." I offered for her to stay until I came back and she said, "No, I have groceries and some of them need to get in the fridge." I didn't know what to do.

Then she explained she had been at Trader Joe's and felt she was to buy us groceries. She had groceries for us in the car. I stood there in amazement. I had just prayed about groceries.

Our families don't normally eat together, but she had bought everything my family likes. And not only that, but I had a few events to attend and in the bags were things I specifically needed to bring.

After bringing the bags in, putting stuff in the fridge and thanking her profusely, I left to go pick up my daughter.

Though I didn't hear an audible voice. I clearly heard the words in my mind, "Remember when you asked, who cares? I CARE." I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt whose voice I heard.

GOD CARES!

I just need to say in those moments where you feel alone and cry unheard tears. God never sleeps. He never slumbers. He watches over you, night and day. He CARES and loves you so much.

2010-10-08T19:55:00.000-07:00

It's been ages since I wrote on this blog. I wanted to share with you my fiction version of a wonderful story I witnessed years ago. I hope it encourages you and helps you to have faith through whatever may be going on in your own life. Prayer IS a powerful thing.

The following is a fiction story based on the true story of one woman’s prayer vigil to reach her son the only way she knew how.

A CUP OF HOT CHOCOLATE

I heard the front door open. I moved quick as possible from the back room to the entry way, but just as I got there, I heard the click of my son’s door from upstairs and then the sliding of the chain lock that he had recently attached to his door.

I wandered back to the kitchen, disappointed once again, a missed opportunity to speak with my son. The house that use to fill with laughter when my blond haired blue eyed boy would come home now seemed to become cold and empty. I began the preparations for dinner with the hope he may join us.

Several hours later I had the chance to hand my son the handset to our phone through the narrow slit of the door. That meant he would be leaving soon. I had no idea when he would return. To confront this behavior, could possibly mean, he would turn up missing for a day or two. At least this way, he came home, and I knew where he was, even if it was only for short periods of time.

I had no idea how long it would be before he slipped back out. So I moved to the kitchen to do my special nighttime ritual I’d started soon after his behavior had changed many months ago. I put water on the stove to boil and pulled out a package of hot chocolate powder, and then I started my prayers. “Lord, keep him safe from harm. Bring him back to you and me. I pray he knows and believes in the love we have for him. He has to believe it Lord.”

I poured the powder into his favorite cup, followed by the hot water. As I added the marshmallows and sprinkles I continued in prayer.

“Lord, be with Him tonight. Speak to his heart. Draw him near to You. Please keep him save.”

With care I went up the stairs to his room, speaking to God each step of the way. After I gave a gentle knock on the door, I waited and then gave a sigh of relief when I heard him remove the chain from the lock. The door opened just enough for me to pass the cup into his hand.

“Here’s some hot chocolate for you. I love you, son.”

“Thanks,” was his reply, click. The connection was gone. Tears filled my eyes as I stared at the closed door. Lord, be with him. I slipped silently back down to the kitchen, wiping at the tears that spilled from my eyes. Shortly afterward I heard him leave the house for the night.

This little ritual went on for months. My only connection was a cup of hot chocolate until one day I heard the front door open.

As usual, I moved as quick as I could to the entry way, only this time bam. I ran right smack into him. “Mom, watch where you’re going okay?” I apologized. He had a friend with him. I expected them disappear up to his room, but instead they followed me into the kitchen. He emptied a bag as he spoke about the wonderful food they had discovered. It was vegetarian.

“Eating meat is gross, Mom.”

“Oh.” Okay, whatever you say, just thank you God that he’s talking to me again. He’s actually smiling. What was that I just heard? Laughter? Excusing myself for a minute, I left the room, tears of joy pouring down my checks. Oh Jesus, he’s laughing. His eyes are bright again. It’s a miracle.

I returned to the kitchen. I didn’t want to miss one moment of this time with him. Through their conversations I learned they went to a coffee shop set up for kids. Some guy told them how much God loved them.

“Remember when we thought he was a Jesus freak?” my son asked his friend. Laughter followed. “Mom, he talked like you and your sister.” He rolled his eyes. A smile followed. “Found out you were right, Mom.”

I bit at my lip trying desperately trying not to turn into a balling baby.

“Hey Mom, could you make us one of your special hot chocolates?”

I could only nod as I turned the water on to boil and took out a package of hot chocolate powder. While waiting for his drink, my son spent the time explaining to his friend about my wonderful nightly ritual.

I prayed earnestly. “Thank you Lord, for being with him, for protecting him and bringing him back to You and me.”

Weary Mountain Climber

2010-08-17T22:33:00.001-07:00

Have you ever felt like asking, "What next?", but then found yourself, afraid to find out what could be next?

Ever watch your dream play out in another persons life? Or wondered why it seems so easy for some and your scrambling through the day, frazzled and exhausted? Have you ever just been plain weary?

Those times are tough.

Ever been so tired in your heart that it's hard to decipher a bump from a mountain? Especially when you hit the bump while in the middle of climbing a mountain.

Mountains come in many forms, relationships, illness, finances, jobs. And in the midst of the climb, a very small bump can make it seem so hard, leaving a person left without an ounce of emotional energy or strength to deal with the very next step in life.

I've discovered in moments like this, Jesus says for the weary to come to Him, and He will give the weary rest.

When bumps in the road, seem to be mountains, because of the weariness you are experiencing, take the time to sit in His presence. Sometimes, there is an immediate release. Sometimes He gives what is needed for the next phase of the road.

No matter what He does, I can guarantee it will be exactly what you need.

From the Cellars of Choice - My Only One

2010-07-21T13:20:00.001-07:00

When up against an unplanned pregancy it can be hard to think ahead to what the ramifications our choices at this time can make.

Many women, years later, discover they aborted their only child. It's a heartwrenching realization when you are on this side of the fence.

Here is a story from a dear lady who is living with that experience.

It was 22 years ago that I heard the news that I was going to have a baby.
At first, I was really excited. I’d always wanted children and the dream
of becoming a mother was finally going to be a reality.

Yet at the same time, my life was like riding a roller coaster, especially
in the relationship department. I don’t like riding roller coasters, but
I’d been on this one for several months and Valentines’ Day had carried us
to the top of the tracks. Well, we all know that a roller coaster does not
remain in position long enough to enjoy the view.

When I told the baby’s father that I was pregnant, he was also excited
until I told him I didn’t want to marry him. Well, then our emotions were
carried by runaway wheels.

The baby’s father would drive down the street and yell from his car, You
better get an abortion or get a good attorney. Get an abortion? I didn’t
believe in abortion? I had no clue why, but I just didn’t. And, get a good
attorney? Well, so much for that relationship. It was over at that point
and I was in the pit of despair and confusion.

At that time in my life I could barely pay my bills. I did have a good
job, but was concerned about not being able to get a promotion. I didn’t
want to let my family down. And, I did not know Jesus.

Well, unaware of their biases, I sought counsel at a well-known agency.
They examined me first and planted a deceitful seed. The nurse told me
that I would have a difficult time having a baby and then she ushered me
next door to see the counselor. She only presented one option--abortion.

And there is something I will never forget: I told this lady I didn’t
believe in abortion--again, I really didn’t know why. But she said, “You’d
be surprised how many Christian moms bring their daughters in for
abortions.” That was so weird to me. I’d given her no reason to think I
was a Christian, I wasn’t. So, why did she say that?

And then a friend’s friend told me that she’d had an abortion and it
wasn’t a big deal. Well it wasn’t long after that that I chose to deprive
my child life on earth and to deprive myself of my lifetime dream.

You know I have heard countless reasons from people for why they’d
choose an abortion – but, I am here to tell you that abortion is not a
solution to any problem. It’s kind of like cutting off your leg because
you have an ingrown toenail. That might solve the toe problem, but now you
can’t walk, run, or play.

Abortion is an evil. An evil that flashes false rays of light in a
person’s life when they are in the midst of the storm of an unplanned
pregnancy. Those involved are led to believe that they’ll just be able to
go on with their lives as if nothing happened, as if the pregnancy never
occurred. That’s just not true.

After my abortion, I existed in a cloud of emotional numbness. I don’t
remember getting down from the abortion table. I don’t remember walking to
the car. I just remember working as much as I possibly could and I managed
to get involved in another destructive relationship. And, I drank a lot.

A year later God began to get rid of those numbing clouds. I began to
attend a bible-believing church and three months later received Jesus as
my Lord and Savior. I am thankful that He changes lives, but He had just
begun. A year after receiving Christ, He called me to volunteer at a
Crisis Pregnancy Center. He had planted a baby Christian where He could
indeed use my wretched past for His glory, but He had also planted me
where I had to face the horrendous truths surrounding my abortion.

I cannot tell you how it feels to know that my little 8-week baby had
fingers and toes. She had a heartbeat, and I believe she could feel the
pain of that abortion.

I believe that if one person would have shown me photos of fetal
development, or if I had the opportunity to see my baby on an ultrasound,
or if one person had offered genuine support, I would probably be
attending my daughter's college graduation this spring. I believe I
wouldn't have had to mourn the loss of motherhood because I would not have
the joy of conceiving another child.

While the regret of that fateful spring day remains, joy has come. I've
experienced a depth of healing that only Jesus can give--through the gift
of relationship with Him and the gift of His healing Word. This joy grows
when I have privilege of facilitating healing Bible studies for other
women who suffer the pain that abortion wreaks in the lives of women.

In the U.S., approximately 1.2 million+ abortions occur every year. It's
offered to women as a solution for an inconvenient pregnancy. It's forced
upon women by abusive and selfish boyfriends or parents. It's marketed to
women as if it's no big deal. Post-abortion pain is cast off by abortion
proponents as a myth. Physical complications are covered up.

Abortion IS a big deal and it's not nice. It's cruel. It doesn't provide a
greater quality of life. It kills life - physically, emotionally,
spiritually.

Unplanned pregnancy is not easy. I know that. But, carrying the baby to
term-- either to parent or to place for adoption--is a choice that bestows
dignity and value to the woman and to her baby. There's difficult
consequences for any choice she makes, but the consequences of giving life
are much kinder, much easier to live with.

A fathers voice from the Cellar's of Choice

2010-06-26T07:30:00.000-07:00

I'm very honored and blessed to be able to share this story from a Dad's perspective of the choice of abortion. It's not often people take the time to realize abortion not only affects women and the life of a child, but it affects the Dad's.

A Dad's testimony
I was asked some time ago to put my story down in writing and typical of men wanting to avoid pain from the past I have found other things to occupy my time. Today is no exception except that I am done putting off the important things that I need to do.

In the early 90’s I was not a normal mid twenties guy in the sense of social and emotional maturity. I was floating around doing what I wanted and not giving consideration to things that did not affect my daily life, including how my life affected those around me.

I was sitting on the bed with my girl friend (call her Lois) at the time when my previous girl friend (call her Beth) called and told me she was pregnant. My reaction to the news must have been obvious because even before I got off the phone Lois was saying to abort it. I told Beth we would talk about it. I really liked Lois and did not want to break up our relationship, as new as it was. Lois was adamant.

After talking with Beth, we decided to make a trip to Portland to get an abortion. It seemed like a simple thing. I really cared about Beth and didn't want her to be hurt but I also didn't want to break up with Lois. I knew that I could be easily swayed so I asked my brother to ride along with us to keep from really having to talk about what we were doing.

I also knew that I was half of the equation and because I cared about Beth I did not want her to go through the procedure by herself. I went into the room and held her hand the whole time. (Even as I write this I am back there and feeling lightheaded) As soon as the Dr got started I realized we were making the wrong decision. It was supposed to be a convenient way to avoid the hassles that would certainly come about. I was holding Beth’s hand and watching the pain on her face, tears streaming down. When it was done I was told to go to the waiting room because I couldn't go to the recovery room with her. I had to walk through a narrow hallway past the nurse’s station. I was thinking about what had just happened and all of a sudden things went dark. I remember hanging onto the counter to keep myself up and someone grabbing me and asking if I was alright.

The next thing I remember is putting my brother back on a bus for home and that is it.

Have you ever injured yourself and then it feels your body is checking itself out? Like blood is rushing all over to the injured spot, everything slows down you hear your heart beat in your ears and you just feel weird? That is what I am feeling 20 some years later, like I am right there…

I don’t recall the next time I spoke to Beth. I don't remember the three hour car ride back home or even when I started remembering things again. I have no idea how much time I lost. That was my defense mechanism. Sometime later Lois and I moved about five hour’s away and started life in a new town. Not long after getting settled Lois informed me that she was pregnant. I immediately felt the dizziness and recalled the experience of the abortion that despite struggling to ignore was fresh in my mind.

Lois was not going to have a baby no matter what. She had had two hard pregnancies already and was not going to do it again. I gave a little bit of a fight but then gave up knowing it would not do any good. Lois took care of the appointment. I remember the pain in my heart and the helplessness leading up to the time we left for the appointment.
The only thing I remember about the trip to the Drs. Office is that it was dark, so it had to be nighttime.

I went into the procedure room again, to be there with Lois. I was overwhelmed again. I still to this day see the anger and unwillingness on her face to cry or allow the pain to be an issue. After it was done I looked up and saw the remains of my baby being taken away by the nurse in a large beaker type container. I will never forget the color or the loss of what had just happened. Again, I have no recollection of the drive home or even when I started to recognize my surroundings, I don’t remember going to work or functioning at any level. It was like a very long blackout. Lois and I did not have much of a relationship and I moved out sometime later.

What has stood out and had a profound impact on me was the stark difference between the two, one cried and the other got angry. Me I totally blacked out for long time.

A couple years ago I was taking my wife to see a chiropractor and for some reason the building looked familiar. After several visits I started walking around the other floors while my wife was getting adjusted. I realized why it was familiar. I went to the door and realized this was the door Beh and I walked through all those years ago to have an abortion, about 18 years later I was in the same building and now on the same floor.

It felt good to cry and to know that by God’s grace I would get to see my baby again, the very baby that as a father I failed to protect.

There is a reason that I was in the room twice holding the hand of a woman going through with an abortion. Maybe so you could read it today.

Today I am a pro life advocate. I have led post abortion healing classes for men and even though I have received God’s grace and mercy I am constantly sensitive to the ramifications of my actions. I am grateful to have received healing and forgiveness from God. Today, I know why my only child does not act like an only child.

Let me tell you that, whether we admit it or not men are affected by abortion, by not protecting their babies, by avoiding responsibility, by taking the easy way out. I can assure you that abortion is not the easy way out.

God Tossed Pennies

2010-04-14T13:39:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to share again the story about "pennies". So many are going through such tough times and I hope this is a note of encouragement for you.

My sister and I started going for walks in the morning during the weekdays. One day there was a penny on the ground and I reached down to pick it up. I explained there was a day, not to long ago, that I wouldn't have picked it up, but instead I'd leave it for someone else who may need it.

But one day, I was convicted of appreciating even the smallest blessings that may be in front of me. God knows if I need a penny or not, so I decided to start picking them up, thank Him for it and all the other blessings He gives to me.

A few days later, during another one of our walks, we were talking about a burden my sister was carrying. I suddenly remembered the other thing I heard about picking up a penny. On the coin is the words, "In God We Trust". Whenever a person finds a penny, they are to confess whatever they are not trusting God with in their life. And then say "In God I Trust." So after heaing that story I started doing just that.

We went no more than five feet when I heard my sister give a happy sound as she reached over and picked up a penny. "In God We Trust," she called out.

Through the week, on our walks, we both continued to share things weighing heavy on our hearts with each other and throughout the day we would pick up whatever pennies we found in front of us and make a decision to Trust God.

One day in particular, I just fretted and fretted over something. I found more pennies that day than I'd seen in a long time.

The next day, on our daily excursion, we talked and prayed about our issues that still hadn't been resolved. We had some big burdens on our minds.

After praying, we noticed on the side of the road, there was a PILE of pennies. I am so serious, it was a pile. We didn't care who was watching. We stooped down and picked up penny after penny, saying "In God we trust, in God we trust"...

Don't wait to pick up a penny, my prayer for you is "In God you trust".

From the Cellars of Choice - Peeling back a layer

2010-03-29T13:23:00.000-07:00

Sometimes the affects of abortion can be hidden deep within, memories, emotions, even a lack of remembering the events of the day at all. And then one day out of nowhere, something will cause a trigger and out of the deep recesses of the cellar, the person will be brought back to their abortion experience.

Also, woman and men who go through a healing process soon discover, it is like peeling back an onion. It is done in layers. Once the wound is reopened the healing process is done a gentle layer at a time.

I think the following story will give you a better idea of what a man or woman deals with after abortion.

This is part one of a layer of another persons story;

When I became a Christian, I was so grateful. I had such a big gaping wound in my heart that I couldn’t fill and didn’t know why. After I received His forgiveness that hole was gone, He forgave my ABORTIONS! I mean it really meant more than I can say to know Jesus died on a cross for the sins of the whole world and that included, ME!

Although I didn’t understand how He could love me in such a way, I believed it, and was filled with such joy. I knew He forgave me, but I believed if anyone else ever found out about me, they would leave me or not want me involved in their activities.

At church, I had lots of friends, served in ministry, but if they knew…well, one day I signed up to go through a healing group. The first night, women I never wanted to know of my secret, walked in, they were part of the group. I almost died. I convinced myself that although they were there for the same reason, when they heard my story they’d hate me. Nobody could be as bad as me, no one.

After the first meeting I ducked out the door and rushed to my car avoiding any conversations. A friend of mine called out for me. I couldn’t hide.

Instead of rejecting me, the women from the group and I stood outside of the building we were meeting at and formed a circle. We prayed for each other and after hugging each other goodbye, I realized I was safe. Jesus not only forgave me, but He gave me a safe place to heal from my decision that caused the life of another person to be lost.

During the group, I came to a point of forgiving myself. It was a hard thing to do.

Although I am forgiven and I have forgiven myself, I still wish I’d never had abortions. I wish I could see the faces of those children and they could have had a chance at life.

And I still had another hard thing to do…forgive the father of my children.

The hardest was the first one. I met him when I was seventeen. I was pretty immature and a virgin. He was older and had previous relationships, even engaged a couple of times. I didn’t even know how to begin to have a relationship.

I ended up going against my morals and had sex with him one night. I have no idea why I made that decision. I remember afterward being so disappointed. I had wanted to wait until I was married.

We went out for a hamburger afterward and he wanted to clarify, I wouldn’t hold him accountable for anything because I gave up my virginity, like marriage or whatever.

I should have dumped him then, but I was a shy, insecure girl in this relationship. I was in way over my head.

When I wound up pregnant just before graduation, his only concern…his dad would be mad at him. He said I needed to get an abortion.

My greatest concern was, I would get kicked out of the house and where would I go, if he wasn’t supporting me? I didn’t have a job or have a clue what to do. Besides, some girls at school had abortions and they seemed just fine.

So I went. My memories are vague, except for the extreme terror that I was going to die during the procedure and I was so lonely. He sat out in the waiting room reading a magazine. I can’t tell you all of the details, except I couldn’t wait until this horrible thing happening to me was over, and I wanted to go home.

Afterward, I wanted to cry, be held, but there was no one there to understand. We went to get something to eat. Went to his house where he played basketball and I sat inside on a chair, bewildered. I changed that day. A gaping wound began to grow, but since the abortion was my choice, I didn’t understand where this wound came from.

The relationship ended. He went on to get married, have children and move to another State.

For some reason, I ended up close to his family at different periods of my life. After I became a Christian I used to hang out with his Dad at church and hear all about him. I prayed for my ex boyfriend because that’s what Christians are supposed to do.

I had a long list of painful decisions. He had a family.

After I went through the healing group the first time, I became pregnant and miscarried. My husband and I wanted a child so bad. I came out of the doctor’s office and bumped into my ex’s dad. He wanted to know why I was there. He was very concerned. I wouldn’t tell him. I found out my ex and his wife had just left and he was going or just returned from a mission trip with his oldest son.

His dad showed me pictures of my ex’s two sons as I stood there broken from losing my child.

Soon after, I was watching a video of testimonies about post abortion syndrome, this video is shown in the healing groups. One of the guys looked like my ex. A feeling of hatred came over me so strong I didn’t know what to do. I thought I had forgiven him. God showed me I hadn’t.

That night I prayed to be able to forgive him. I realized it made me angry that he did so well in life. I wanted him to suffer like I had, even more than I did. It made me angry he had children and I didn’t. I held him responsible for allowing me to give him my virginity, especially since he was so careless about the whole thing. I hated him for not caring about me and the child I was carrying. For being more concerned about his Dad being angry, when his Dad’s anger would have been short lived. God showed me the anger rooted in my heart festered every time I heard about him.

As each issue came to the surface, one by one, by the grace of God, I forgave him. It was such a healing and freeing moment. Jesus paid a high price for all the wrong choices I made and my choices affected many lives. Just like my ex’s choices affected mine.

The more I learn about God’s grace and mercy for me, the easier it is to forgive. There is something I’ve learned about forgiveness though. It’s a process. Sometimes, like telling this story, the old anger can rise up, I have to remember and forgive. I’m not going to be a prisoner of his or my actions.

Jesus died on the cross for all of this, and my choice? It's to believe.

The Cellars of Choice

2010-03-24T21:58:00.000-07:00

My heart breaks over an issue affecting America. It’s the consequences that come from aborting a child and the adverse affects to the men and women of our society.

At the time, having an abortion seems like a solution to the circumstances in a person’s life, only to cause horrible ramifications in the aftermath. Many find themselves grieving the life of their child, alone; after all it was her decision to end her child's life. Each year as the birth date rolls around, she remembers and may try to imagine what her child would look like or what they may be doing at this point of their life.

The grief can run deep. Many don’t even understand they are grieving, covering the pain through the use of alcohol, drugs, food, other compulsions or by getting involved in promiscuous sex or bad relationships and sometimes wind up pregnant...again.

Many choose abortion a second time, a third time, and some even more.

Although having the right to choose abortion, afterward, it can become a secret shame a person carries within every day. For most, the relationship at the time of the abortion has ended, and there are now new friends, who know nothing about the past.

Yes, abortion is legal. In America, a person can choose to end their child's life before it’s born. In America doctors are given money to end the life of a child.

Before I knew the facts about abortion, I thought; too young, no support, finances, loss of boyfriend or family, too old, not the right time, and many other reasons a woman or couple may have, all made sense.

Before a woman even finds out she is pregnant, her child's heart is already beating. The child is already developing. Yet, the reasons above, have given justification to the “legal right” to end the life of a child.

For each person, it’s different. Some very brave men and woman have agreed to anonymously share their stories of the aftermath of abortion here on my blog.

If you are in a place in your life where you may be contemplating this decision, please take some time and read their stories over the next couple of weeks? All of us involved in this would love to protect you from not only hurting your child, but making a decision that will carry with you for the rest of your life.

If you have already chosen abortion I hope, through these testimonies, you will discover there is a road to healing. There are confidential healing groups in your city. If you desire healing, please email me at lindajreinhardt@gmail.com. I will do my best to connect you with a safe group in your area.

And if you have a story of your own, and would like to share it, feel free to send it my way. Everything is kept confident.

Let’s pull back the curtain and take some time to listen. Here is the first testimony.

I am a survivor of sexual abuse, including assault. With these traumas, I felt worthless and less than human and more as an object who had no control over her own life. During my sophomore year in high school, a senior took an interest in me. For the first time someone actually wanted to hear my opinions on life and other matters.
After a year of dating we made the decision for me to become pregnant. He had joined the military, so there would be an income and a way to support a family. Most of all he wanted to take me away from the dysfunctional home life I lived.
The summer between my junior and senior year I became pregnant; however, all our plans backfired and we found ourselves in the midst of a huge crisis.
My parents did not react as we expected and there were threats made against my boyfriend. Phone calls and letters were read and monitored. I was told to let my boyfriend know that I might be pregnant, but never allowed to tell him that I was.
I fought my parents because I wanted this child, had in fact prayed to become pregnant. Then my parents threatened to have him sent to jail and since he was in the military it would be mean time in Leavenworth for him.
At this point I gave in and did what my parents wanted, an abortion. With my parents it was never a question of what I wanted; it was a matter of appearances to them.
My boyfriend and I eventually did marry, but the abortion was a sore point in our marriage and I was "made to pay" for killing our child. My husband had affairs that he flaunted at me and told me that he could never have any children with me because of what I did.
Eventually, my marriage dissolved and I again found myself feeling worthless. Over time I found myself suffering depression at certain times of the year, avoiding any and all mention of abortion (this included newspaper or magazine articles, or television media).
I knew that God had forgiven me, but I could not forgive myself. Several years ago I finally received healing. It started with an article, which had I known at the time was about abortion; I would never have read, in my church's weekly denominational magazine. It was the hardest step I ever had to take. The wife of one our pastors worked with the Crisis Pregnancy Center and knew of a group called H.E.A.R.T. an abortion recovery group.
At seventeen I couldn't see a way around the threats of my parents; however, as an adult I realized there were other ways to inform the father of my pregnancy so that he could fight for me and our child. If I had the opportunity to live this part of my life over I would have made the phone call from a friend's house or mailed a letter from a friend's house.
I know my boyfriend would have fought for me. I learned it’s important to know what you are praying for because sometimes when you get it, things do not always turn out the way you had planned. I have also learned that God never left my side during this entire crisis.

Forgive from your HEART - How hard is that?

2010-02-25T12:01:00.000-08:00

This morning, I read in the book of Matthew all about the "unforgiving debtor". He was a slave who was forgiven much by his master, but unwilling himself, to forgive someone who owed him a debt. The slave was pretty harsh to the person and sent him to prison until he could pay him back.

Well, he got told on and when the master found out what the forgiven slave had done to another person it made him upset and he basically said, "Fine, if you're not willing to forgive although I forgave you this huge debt, then off to prison you go." Not only did he get sent to prison, but he was to be tortured until he paid the debt.

Hmm, I thought that was all pretty nasty business, but the story doesn't end there, Jesus finished the story by saying, "This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."

Okay, let's get that matter taken care of real quick, I thought. So I went down my list of anyone I may not have forgiven and then wiped my brow with a "whew". Put my Bible away and got ready to drop Sarrah off at school and go for a walk with my sister.

On today's walk I had a mission. I felt like I was supposed to go and see my old boss at his new place of business. He had been on my heart for many different reasons. So, off we went.

Upon arrival I noticed the name of his business partner painted on the window by the door of the office. I emotionally stopped in my tracks. Memories of betrayal and lies stormed through my mind. I did not have any desire to see or talk to that particular person. As a matter of fact now that I was saw his name I was remembering the whole situation as though I was walking through it again. I also recalled the part my old boss played in the whole thing.

As we stood in the office, his partner came out from the back and it seemed he recognized me right away, and was quick to sit down at the computer with no acknowledgement. I breathed a sigh of relief. Next, my old boss came out to greet us and we had a great conversation, although the memory of that painful event was in the forefront of my mind.

When my sister and I FINALLY left, I told her about what I had read earlier that morning in the Bible and the debt I felt the two of them owed me. I knew I had to free them from this debt and honestly didn't know how I could completely let it go.

There on the sidewalk in front of me sat a (you probably can guess if you have read prior blog notes) a shiny copper penny. I picked it up and knew I needed to trust the Lord, obey His word and forgive them of their debt to me. I would need to trust God with the outcome.

Forgiveness doesn't make the pain immediately go away. Forgiveness doesn't say, hey dude come and hurt me all you want over and over again. Forgiveness doesn't mean a person has to be our confidante or best friend. We are to be wise in our relationships.

Forgiveness, is simply saying in your heart, I do not hold anything against this person. The person is free from any debt I feel they owe me. And believe me, this is a big debt.

But, if I stood before God and had to pay my debt for every wrong I've done down here. I would be unable to pay that price. I could never on my own be holy enough to stand before my heavenly Father.

Because He loves me and all His creation, He had Jesus pay my debt. I am debt free for eternity because I believe in this gift He has given to me and it's available for the entire world.

So, knowing how lovingly God wiped my slate clean. I am today, in the process of wiping the slate clean for those two people and anyone else involved in the whole fiasco.

And I will stand in thankfulness, knowing my Jesus did that for me on the cross at Calvary.

Weary Mountain Climber

2010-01-13T17:15:00.000-08:00

Have you ever felt like asking, "What next?", but were afraid to find out what could be next?

Ever watch your dream play out in another persons life? Or wondered why it seems so easy for some and your scrambling through the day, frazzled and exhausted? Have you ever just been plain weary?

Those times are tough.

Ever been so tired in your heart that it's hard to decipher a bump from a mountain. Especially when we're in the middle of climbing a mountain. They come in many forms, relationships, illness, finances, jobs. And in the midst of the climb, a bump can make it seem so hard, leaving a person left without an ounce of emotional energy or strength to deal with just the next step in life.

I've discovered in moments like this, Jesus says for the weary to come to Him, and He will give you rest. When bumps in the road seem to be mountains because of the weariness you are experiencing, take the time to sit in His presence. Sometimes, there is an immediate release. Sometimes He gives us what is needed for the next phase of the road.

No matter what He does for you, I can guarantee you it will be exactly what you need.

Happy New Year

2010-01-05T07:23:00.000-08:00

First entry of the New Year 2010. I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
May this year be filled with joy, love, peace, and a bunch of wonderful things for you. My biggest prayer is for everyone to know how much God loves them and that everything you do is important to Him.

Merry Christmas!! Three Movie Men

2009-12-22T15:59:00.000-08:00

My three favorite movies, It's a Wonderful Life, Pride and Prejudice, and last but not least The Cinderella Man. The male star, in each, plays a role that is incredible.

George, in "It's a Wonderful Life," puts others needs before his own. Those around him seem to be living a far more glamorous life than his. His dreams of traveling and building huge skyscrapers remain just that, dreams. When tragedy strikes, he discovers his true richest. His treasures were those who stood around him, singing Christmas songs, and were there to help him in any way they could.

Mr Darcy, the lead charactor in "Pride and Prejudice," is misunderstood by the women he loves. She rejects him. Darcy never gives up but continually lives out the love in his heart for the woman of his dreams, writes her a letter and secretly does wonderful things to bless her and her family. When she discovers the truth about him, she loves him in return.

"The Cinderella Man," is up against all odds. A boxer, loses everything, with hardly any work available during the great depression, his only option is to beg for money from his old peers in order to pay the electric bill and get his children back. Then life gives him another chance. In his mind flashes the memory of all his family had suffered during the hard times. It made him fight hard, never giving up, until victory.

What, you may ask, does that have to do with Christmas?

Aha! It reminds ME of the main STAR of my life. Jesus. Who put aside everything for me. And came to earth. Immanuel, God is with Us. So many times His love for us is misunderstood. He was beaten, hung to die on a cross. It looked like He had lost everything, but then He came back to life again. Death could not defeat Him. He was victorious, knowing the future of His children, without Him.

He wrote us a letter, the bible, declaring truth about Him. Also, He is constantly doing wonderful things so we may know the love He has for us. Never giving up.

One note from His letter to us says,

God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son, whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life.

Another,

He will be called Immanuel, God is with us.

Another,

He will never leave you nor forsake you.

No matter what is going on in your life. Immanuel. God is with us. Believe on Jesus, the very reason we celebrate Christmas.

FIFTY??? Where Am I Standing?

2009-11-30T15:12:00.000-08:00

Our women's ministry just finished a study. A question really stood out to me. "You're still standing, aren't you?" I mentally took a step back to take a good look at this question. "Yeah," I nodded. "I am still standing."

But I think the real question is, "How am I standing?" Here on the day of the big "FIVE - O" birthday, that's a pretty huge question.

There are quite a few ways I could stand. In the pain from the past, unforgiveness, self-medicated, bitter, worse yet with gaping heart sores oozing with, well...I'm not going to gross you out.

Or... forgiven, bruised, scarred, strengthened, wiser, and able to forgive what has been.

Life is so tough. If you are sailing through, count your blessings, but many haven't and are not sailing through.

A day can start with the sun shining through a slit of your curtain. The birds chirping a song and your heart is singing along. Great hair day, bills paid, food on the table, even those pants from yesterYEAR fit. And then...with no warning, on your next step, you fall into a dark hole. Or you're slammed and knocked down, not able to get up.

The thought, "I'll never be the same again," goes through your mind.

About nine years ago, a few days before Christmas, while on my way to work, I had one of those moments. I can still hear the finality of the sound. Bam! Stopped in my tracks. Knocked down so hard I didn't think I would ever get up. Not only physically, but emotionally. The person in the other car...didn't make it. It was a sound I don't think I'll ever forget.

Some days, the healing process was overwhelming and I would be in a puddle of tears. I wanted to be back to normal and impatient about the whole process.

Normal, as I knew it, wouldn't return.

After agonizing months, I grew to accept my "new" normal and to face the negative things that came from that day.

Most important to me, I learned to trust the "why" question, to be answered in the plan Jesus had for my life. It wasn't easy, many days I sat in front of His throne, the only sound was my voice crying out to Him or the sounds of my sobs. Then one day, when I was ready, He began to speak into my heart and heal me from within.

I didn't do this on my own.

When life throws a curve, I know of many ways to deal with it. A bottle of alcohol, anger, unforgiveness, shopping, eating, isolation, and pushing God's love away.

Where would those things make me stand? Healed? Or stuck?

Who wants to stay in pain?

Where am I standing? I have a lot of scars and wounds I tend to pick the scab off of, (I know, gross, huh?) but isn't it true? Recently, I've received some new wounds and bruises needing some healing. So where am I going to stand?

I stand in the hand of the One who made me. Many challenges have and will come my way. I not only stand, I grip the hand that made me.

The hand that is scarred, from the battle He faced, to fight the biggest battle EVER fought for me and for you. In the hand of my Saviour, Jesus.

A Promise to Stay

2009-11-23T13:25:00.000-08:00

What do we do, when those we love are gone?
Whether they walk out of our life by choice or death?
Or we find ourselves walking away.

When our dreams disappear?
When we hurt so bad we barely can make it through the minutes of the day?
Ever wonder why life seems unfair?

Anger, hurt, betrayal loom on the horizon of the heart.
A tear is waiting to drop. Blink, blinked away.

There has to be something, someone, who will fix what isn't right in life. Hands reach for what will medicate the pain. Or cling to a person, who seems to be the answer.

I've stood where darkness surrounds me. Pain rudely tramples down the walls, I built around my heart. Illness isolates. Goodbye is not by choice. A dream blows in the wind. I've cried in the black of the night, loneliness of the day. Pain searing through my whole being with no answer seemingly in sight.

One day I pushed through the curtain of religion. Peered into a well of life. So misunderstood by my circumstances. I found a hand catching every tear I cried. A promise to never leave me alone.

I heard of a woman who many years ago, suffered for a long time, ill, isolated and alone. She pressed through the crowds and touched the hem of His garment. He knew her touch, though many surrounded Him. He knew. When she came to Him, healing was found.

I came to Him, Jesus. Day by day, minute by minute. He answers my why's. Comforts my pain. Still's my anger. Fills me with strength. I rest in a love promised to never go away.

Thank you Veterans

2009-11-11T09:32:00.000-08:00

I want to say thank you to each person who has served in the military for our country. You made yourself available to protect not only our freedom, but other countries. I can't tell you what that means to me and other Americans.

I love living in America. Thank you and may God bless you and surround you with love.

A Salute to a Brownie and Girl Scout Troop

2009-11-08T06:16:00.000-08:00

What a day we had Saturday! Our Brownie and Girl Scout Troop had a planned food drive to pick up donations for a local family shelter.

In the heavy rain and ever increasing growing mud puddles, I had the privledge to watch two girls go from house to house, knock on doors and ask for donations. Although cold, tired and wet they not only perservered, they pushed on with excitement and smiles.

It was awesome to watch their reaction whenever food was put in their hands. Once it was brought to the vehicle off they would race to the next house. The people in the neighborhood were very generous. We decided to stop knocking on doors when it began to thunder and lightning.

Afterward, we met down at the shelter. I was amazed at the amount of food the entire troop had accumulated. Soaked and hungry the girls proceeded downstairs to stock the shelves with the food they collected with no complaints! Tears spring to my eyes at the memory of those faithful young girls working as a team to stock those shelves so carefully.

Money was donated for lunch so, when we finished there, off we went to a local arcade and bowling alley for lunch and of course bowling. Yet again, I saw each of these girls show strength, they waited in line watching others play games and eat, for about 30 minutes before they could eat themselves.

What an example these young hearts are to me. Despite the odds that continued to come up against them, they pushed through to finish the work set before them, seperately and as a team. With smiles planted on their faces, hands reached out to bless those in need. And when a reward was in sight for them, they waited without complaints until it was given to them.

I pray my older heart would be faithful and stedfast to the call God gives to me. And not be so eager to receive the reward, but to be eager to work, so others receive a reward.

Guest at the Fence- Lynnette Bonner Author of Rocky Mountain Oasis

2009-11-04T00:00:00.000-08:00

A Character Surrounded by Picket Fences

We all surround ourselves with fences. Fences help us protect our hearts in times of oppression. But there generally comes a time when those fences need to come down. I love how Linda has taken that thought and themed a blog after it.

One way that a novelist can help others understand their fences, is to fashion characters that speak to a felt need.

My character Brooke has only known abuse her entire life. So when her uncle sells her out west as a mail-order-bride, of course she expects more of the same from her new husband. She arrives in the west, fences firmly in place, ready to keep defending herself if need be.

But her new husband is nothing like the men she’s known before. He is gentle and caring because of his relationship with the Lord. Slowly Brooke learns that she doesn’t have to maintain her fences anymore. She’s finally found her way into an oasis of freedom. But it wasn’t until she was physically safe that she was able to understand the spiritual safety that she so desperately needed.

I hope that women who may find themselves in a similar situation to Brooke will get the message, “There is a place where you no longer have to clutch your fences tightly around you. You can stash the bale wire, and put the whitewash away. There is a place of freedom. And that is found in Jesus.”

Fences are a defense mechanism given to us by the Lord. Often when I meet someone a little prickly it is easy to get frustrated with them, call them a big grump (not to their face of course! :) ), and go on about my day. But why do people act the way they do? Often, they are hiding behind fences set deep into cemented post-holes.

Next time you meet someone like that, stop and say a prayer for them. Jesus can lead them to that Oasis; the realm of Freedom where they will feel free to let their fences sag, and eventually topple to the ground.

Lynnette’s book Rocky Mountain Oasis released this past summer from OakTara. She writes from her home in the Pacific Northwest where her husband pastors a church. You can read more about Lynnette and the book on her Website at htt p://www.lynnettebonner.com/.

Coffee Thoughts

2009-11-02T18:05:00.000-08:00

I have to tell you, the past week I was able to store up some very special memories.

My brother-in-law came home on leave from Iraq and we had an early Thanksgiving. Also, my husbands parents came to town and another brother-in-law got married. And yesterday we got to celebrate my sisters housewarming. During this recession, God allowed her to have a new home built.

Family and friends gathered together throughout the week for different celebrations. I can still hear their laughter and see the smiles as I sip on my coffee today.

God's word says to meditate on things that are true, holy, pure, just, praiseworthy, knowledgeable and of good report.

Sometimes we have to look hard to focus on those things, but I've found it's definitely worth the look.

Seeds of Winter

2009-10-21T14:36:00.000-07:00

The first year of my marriage I went through a Bible study that allowed a deep healing in my heart from some choices I had made before I was a Christian.

The first night I came home from the study I was sitting out on our deck. Recently I had purchased a new pot that I just loved and couldn’t wait to start planting flowers in that and all my other pots. Much to my delight I noticed a very pretty leafy plant starting to grow in one of them. I watered and fertilized it. I even went to the point of splitting it up and transplanting it into my other pots, even my favorite new one. Boy, did that thing grow and multiply.

One day, I took a good look at it. It was a weed! I had been watering and fertilizing a weed! And it was in my favorite pot!

A thought ran through my mind, I truly believe it was from God, about how carefully I take care of the weeds of my heart, my secrets, my shame, my wrong choices. Although I firmly believed Jesus died on the cross for my sins and I received Him as my Lord and Savior still I held on to the shame of some of my decision made before I knew Him. If anyone ever knew, they probably wouldn’t like me, or want me in ministry. Plus, I would ask Jesus for forgiveness when I messed up after becoming a believer, I would punish myself by saying horrible things, to convince me I was a complete failure.

I went to great ends to make sure the weeds of my heart were taken care of and protected from others. Until that day, I let Jesus take those things out of my heart and I started to believe that when He said He would cleanse me from all unrighteousness when I confessed my sins, He really meant it. When He died for my sins while I was a sinner, His sacrifice was enough. I had to believe there was nothing more or less that I could do, but believe.

What I did in the past, was in the past. I am a new person in Jesus Christ. The amazing story truly is that ALTHOUGH I made the choices I made, He still died for my sins. That is the amazing story. I now walk in the unbelievable joy that He called me in spite of what I did in my past. And He calls each person from their sins. When He calls, word is, leave it there and come here. He already took care of it. No matter what I put in front of Jesus, the price is already paid and now I’m free to be all He wants me to be.

Dream come true

2009-10-19T13:39:00.000-07:00

How exciting! If you would like to take a look, there is a really nice interview about my book, "Like a Bird Wanders" at http://bookreaderscentral.blogspot.com/.

When I was young, my dream was to be a writer. To see that dream fulfilled is an incredible experience. It wasn't easy and still isn't. There is quite a bit of work that goes into the writing of a book or a story.

In the beginning, I just expected to write a book and get published, after all I believed I was following a call. But over the last couple of years God has brought me through a process to mature me in different aspects of this craft. Sometimes it is painful. True on the job training.

One thing which taught patience - after we signed the contract some unforeseen things happened which put our book on hold. The waiting was unbearable yet we knew we needed to just wait. How hard is that? HARD!

A note of encouragement to you. If you feel like life is just plain tough and you don't know what to do or which way to go. Hold on to your dream. Talk to God about it. He knows what doors need to be opened and what needs to be closed. And then watch and listen.

I pray many blessings in your heart and life.

September Breezes

2009-09-23T11:40:00.000-07:00

There is something about September. It's my favorite time of year. Summer is ending, school starting, and usually, it's time to start wearing those favorite sweatshirts, or sweaters. This year is different though, I'm still wearing shorts and tank tops, along with my flip flops. The summer season is hanging on, which is good!
But what about the seasons of life that hang on that aren't so good? I personally can say a yearning starts to grow inside for a change. Feelings of discontent, discouragement and even depression fill the days during a long hard season.
I'd like to pass something on, I happen to be in one of those seasons and today, I was reminded. To meditate on things that are pure, holy, true, just, praiseworthy, of good report, knowledgeable. These are the things to focus on.
And to cast my cares upon God. I don't have to carry them. Whew! What a relief.
During my walk with my sister, she said, "After a storm, I wish I could go back through it again because I know that I'm going to be okay. Well, I'm in a storm and that's what I'm going to do, choose to know that I'm going to be okay while I'm in this storm."

Here is a word I hope will give you the hope that it gave to me.

Isaiah 41:9 - 10
"I have called you back from the ends of the earth so you can serve me. For I have chosen you and will not throw you away. Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand."

Those words are like a hug to the soul during this season in life. And when I'm out in the September breezes, I feel like I'm getting a nice warm refreshing hug from God. So go ahead, when the breezes stir, go get a hug.