Friends

I Found You

Somehow in this great big worldI found my way to you

My friend across the computer lines my heart, my soul, that's who.

You try to make me smile with the mail you send my way.

You never fail to drop a line each and every day.

Whenever I have hurried home with something, I must share,

I find it just so comforting that you are always there.

Encouragement you give me and a friendship that is true.

I'm glad my soul while reaching out found someone like you...

To all my friends,

I treasure you! So glad I found you across the miles! Just thinking of you today! What a blessing you are. ;-)

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

Praise

Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things. Psalm 98:1a

I was reading this morning. There is praise here! For seeing prayers answered for Sheryl, for knowing that they will be for Karen. And just because....... Because He still works in our lives. Because of the friends He blesses us with! Because, because, because..... I could go on with a list of reasons today!

What is yours...........?

1 Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods.

Struggle

Psalm 121
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your foot slip, He who watches over you will not slumber; 4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD watches over you, the LORD is your shade at your right hand; 6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The LORD will keep you from all harm, He will watch over your life; 8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

I read this Psalm as my devotional this morning. Wow-what appropriate timing. There are so many battles going on around me. And I get so frustrated with praying and not being able to see results. There is Sheryl, a friend that is having a biopsy today and on top of that still has her life-changing illness that she battles, and her divorce. How much can one person take? And Karen, whose brother is in the hospital and they aren't sure if he will recover. And Julie and Mike who struggle everyday..... All of these friends yet we never have met in person. So being far away and yet seeing them struggle is hard. There is nothing I can do but pray. I know it is alot but yet feels helpless. I can't see the changes, the results. I can't just sit and be there with them. I want to, but again distance is preventing it. So I looked to the Lord this morning frustrated, at a lost at what to do or say. And yep-He points me to Psalm 121.

He reassures me that He has them! That they are valuable! And that He isn't asleep, taking care of the election results over their needs. He isn't surprised. That He is watching over everything that is going on in their lives. And mine. That HE is their help! And He won't take His afternoon nap while they struggle. Or sleep in late. HE IS THERE!

So I continue to pray and desire to be there, but rest in knowing that He is! And what better company to have..........

Valuable?

The young of nest building birds when born are blind, naked, and unable to walk. Bird’s songs are composed of love-notes and pleasure-notes. Hummingbirds eat about every ten minutes, slurping down twice their body weight in nectar every day. Not only do birds manage to cross thousands of miles to their wintering grounds, they can return with amazing precision to the same woodlot or even the same backyard bird feeder year after year.

Ever taken time to sit and watch the birds. Just stop for a few minutes and watch. And listen.I have a bird feeder in the back and stop once in awhile and watch. It is interesting. Ok you ask, why am I talking about birds? Teaching science today? No, because we need to be reminded. Reminded that we are more valuable than they are. And if God can take find food for the hummingbird that eats every 10 minutes, can't He find food for you? If He can direct them from their home millions of miles away and back, can't He direct your steps?

Oh and this is what I love..... Bird's song are composed of love notes and pleasure notes.... no unhappy notes there. They sing because they know that He is taking care of them. What is your song today? What is it composed of?.......


Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Matthew 6:26

O LORD, what is man that you care for him, the son of man that you think of him? Psalm 144:3

Temple

Well the temple is almost finished. If you remember, there is one being built on my way to work. Hindu, I think. But not sure.
The parking lot is paved for easy access. The building had been adorned with hanging beads and decorations. The entrance has a symbol carved in the concrete as you walk in. The lights are on and working. It is ready for the people to "worship."

So that brings me to your temple.... who have you paved the way for easy access to yours. What adorns you outwardly? When people see you , do they see the dressings or the heart? Has corrupt language begun to fill your temple? Unwholesome talk? What symbols do you wear? Are they fashion statements or do they symbolize your heart? Is the Light living in you or is it just on? Is your temple ready for worship, or filled with it? What is it's condition?


Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? 1Corinthians 3:16

"Go, stand in the temple courts," he said, "and tell the people the full message of this new life. Acts 5:20

Distance

I have come to dislike that word! Very much! Ok-hate! What brings that quick grin to your face? Being with the ones you love! But distance creates the inability to connect and that drives me crazy! I have family and friends that I enjoy spending time with. (and there is another word that drives me bonkers-time) Catching up and learning new things. But distance prevents it. So it got me thinking...

What will it be like in heaven.... Will there be distance? Thank goodness there isn't any time! How will we travel? Will I have neighbors next to my mansion? What will it look like traveling from one place to another. How do we travel? I find myself thinking about heaven more and more and wondering, now that my mother is there. Some have said that in heaven, if you think about wanting to be there, then you are. Wish that was true here! I would come visit y'all all the time-ha. It wouldn't take six weeks. Oh the limits of this earth. They do have me longing for that city! And there too, there will be no distance from our Father!

So that by God's will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed. Romans 15:32
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24

Sing!

Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.
Sing to the LORD, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.
Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Psalm 96:1-5

Singing. I love to but it is one thing I can not do. But as they say-it is a joyful noise. Thank goodness that that is in there! I can make some noise! Don't worry-I do it alone! Been tone deaf since I can remember. Use to be the source of some big fights around my house growing up. See-all the women back could play the piano and somewhat carry a tune. But then came me! I can throw a ball. Zing it in there. They thought I would be a great piano player because I was coordinated. Mother had high hopes when they told her that. She beamed. Until I sat down to learn. I couldn't hear the chords. Don't you hear that "A" or "G" they would ask. NOPe- I didn't. Strained to but couldn't. It was then discovered that I wouldn't carry that family tradition. Now for me-this was great. Football here I come, bring out the fun! But for mother is was sadness. So she tried to help me to hear and read music. And we fought. But this isn't about the sad or bad times. This is about singing. There was music in my house, always. We had a piano and organ. So even though I can't hear the notes or sing great-I keep singing! And I think as long as our hearts are in tune-God doesn't care about the voice. At least I hope! I don't want the rocks crying out in praise to Him because I worry about what I sound like! (Aren't you glad you aren't near!)

So what is your heart song today?

Your House

1 Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain.Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.
2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for he grants sleep to those he loves. Psalm 127:1-2

Who builds your house? Is it God or you. Are you working in vain to build your family, your portfolio. Do your strive and toil? Worry where it all comes from? I love Sheryl's blog (The Perch-go read it!) May we learn to be out of control and let Him have control. Which brings me to another question...

Who lives there? Who lives in your house. And I am not talking about family members. Who lives in YOUR house? Who rules and reigns there? When crisis hits? Through the good times?

And what is it made of? Is is built solid or will the winds of trouble bring it down. What is your foundation? What foundation are you laying for your family?


In the downspiraling economy, many houses are in foreclosure. Houses are having to be abandon. Tough times are around us. The inhabitants are moving out.

So I ask today, what is the condition of your house?

This is my Father's World

A Touch. Friendship. Laughter. A Smile. Winkie. Leaves changing. Sunrise. Child's laughter. Hug. Email. Beach. Snuggling. Fog over water. Music. ..........

This is my Father's world, and to my listening ears all nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres. This is my Father's world: I rest me in the thought of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; his hand the wonders wrought. This is my Father's world, the birds their carols raise, the morning light, the lily white, declare their maker's praise. This is my Father's world: he shines in all that's fair; in the rustling grass I hear him pass; he speaks to me everywhere. This is my Father's world. O let me ne'er forget that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet. This is my Father's world: why should my heart be sad? The Lord is King; let the heavens ring! God reigns; let the earth be glad!

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1

A Prayer/ A Question

First of all-thanks to the 4 friends that commented. It is nice to know I have four-ha.

Talked to a friend last night. (you'll figure out soon enough) It was good to catch up. But to watch her go thru so much at this stage in her life has me asking many questions. I pray for her daily. For her healing, not only in sickness but in what she is going thru in life. And yet-from this vantage point-it doesn't seem to help (the prayers). I ask God why. Why doesn't He heal her? Why aren't my prayers working? Is it all in vain to keep repeating and asking the same thing with no results? I get so frustrated. And then to see more heaped on her, makes me want to stop. To give up and give in to just believing He isn't going to do it. So what's the difference if I pray or not..... it is a struggle.

Remember, I watched my mother struggle for 30 yrs with sickness. And now a friend. But in the midst of it all, I see their faith, their courage, their strength, their love, their compassion and it encourages me. It strengthens me. While the questions still linger and sometimes shout, the witness they display shouts louder. And I am reminded that there is a God who is bigger than all our questions and our unbelief!

So Lord, I will keep praying for my friend. Even when I don't think it is doing any good. Because I know you hear. Lord, wrap your arms around her today. Let her feel your love, your peace and most of all-your healing power. Lord, You know I love her but I know you love her MORE! Thank you for her witness. She is a blessing to me! Her faith in you is amazing. May mine grow!

Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:5

Friends

Friends. They are the treasures of life. Oh, I know that we are all broken and imperfect but look past that for a moment. Think about your friends. Where would you be today without them? I know probably not here writing this blog... I have friends that have added so much to my life that "thank you" and "I love you" are words that seem so inadequate. Friends bring joy, wisdom, laughter, love, and honesty. They look past your faults and see who you can be.

And as I was reading this morning, guess what the Word was....
1 How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!
2 It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard, down upon the collar of his robes.
3 It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.

Footnote: In verse 2, oil that covered was consecrating (making him sacred in His eyes) Aaron. Sisterly :-) harmony sanctifies God's people. In verse 3-the dew that fell on Hermon was a profuse dew. If it fell on Mt Zion, it would make it richly fruitful. So sisterly unity makes us richly fruitful!

And oh how it does! I have been touched by the lives of my friends, so that I am able to go out and add fruit to others. So let me say "Thank you" and "I love you" to my friends. I thought about naming them but I would leave somebody out.....

So go tell your friends today how much you love them and treasure them, I know I will!! :-) Have a great day!

A Dwelling Place

I read these passages this morning before leaving for work. (Psalm 90)


1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.
2 Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

14 Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble.
16 May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children.
17 May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands.

Where is your dwelling place this morning? Every morning I pray Psalm 143:8-that the morning will bring me word of His unfailing love. I not only want word of His unfailing love but as it says in vs 14, but to be satisfied with it. So I may sing for joy (ok-I will sing quietly for those that know me-ha) and be glad.

So I ask again........where is your dwelling place this morning? What satisfies you? What makes you glad and singing for joy?

Mother

Today (14th) would have been her 67th birthday. And we would have gotten out the "Happy Birthday" sign and hung it between the posts going into the dining room. And there would be cake and crazy singing and of course, presents. One filled with laughter....

Those are the memories. But she celebrated a different kind of birthday two years ago. One that took her to running on streets of gold, beside crystal seas. But more importantly, a place where she is completely healed and in the presence of the One she loved. For see, my mother had been sick for 30 yrs and had not known too many days without pain. And you could see it in her body. But one thing that you did know-she loved the Lord and knew His word. How do I know? Because she couldn't walk or do much without severe pain, it eventually wore her body out. But the day after she died and I arrived home was one that was sad and painful in the goodbye, but joyous in what I discovered. I went to her room, she was gone and as I turned around, something caught my eye. For there in the closet was an altar-a place she knelt and prayed-her prayer closet. To know her is understand that she could hardly walk, much less bend over. But yet she would kneel in pain before Him. Wow-what service. And all I could think was, "WOW what a heritage she left me." For yes-there was great sadness but great joy. Joy at how she lived. The example she set for me and others that knew her. How she loved Him!!

See we didn't have a great relationship. We fought. Didn't see eye to eye, but I did know that she always loved me. We just had different opinions on everything. It wasn't a great relationship, but not horrible either. Just a lot of tension. But 6 months before she died(not knowing this at the time) God started working on me. I went to counseling and through that God healed our relationship the last six months she was alive. We had a great conversation three days before she died. In fact, Dad and my grandmother feel that she felt she could go because we were okay. So while there is sadness-there is unexplainable joy that God gave me that. He didn't have to. I surely didn't deserve it. But He gave. And because He did, I have no regrets and no guilt from our relationship. What a GREAT God He is!! And one day, again, I will see her. And I will see Him. Oh what joy that will be!!! Are you ready? That is what she would ask everybody she met..are you? Reminds me of the song......


When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,When sorrows like sea billows roll;Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul.
It is well, with my soul, It is well, with my soul,It is well, it is well, with my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,Even so, it is well with my soul.

Virus

Now before you get concerned-no, I don't have one. But my computer does! And it is not one of those that is called by a sweet name-like "Melissa." This one is called "Trojan." You have heard of them. The name itself sounds big and deadly! Massive! And I don't have one, oh no. When I have something, I got it bad. I have three! As I told a friend of mine, I have a "Trojan war" at my house! They are all trying to take down my computer!! Ugh. And fixing the problem is taking days...

So you see where I am going with this? What "viruses" do you let sneak in on you? What do you allow in your life to pass your "firewall?" Do you say to yourself, "oh ,but it really doesn't matter, it isn't that big of a deal." And before you know it, your virus has blown into a full all out war. You don't know how it got there? How did it grow so big? Little by little they build.

And now you have to "fix" it. Will it take days, months or years? And do you try to "fix" it on your own, or do you turn to Him? Wouldn't it have been easier to "install" His security before the virus has a chance to take hold? To block it with His Word?

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23

I Saw God Today

After a day of Rain- Look what showed up outside my window. A beautiful double rainbow. (you have to look hard to see the second one)

As I took pictures and watched as the skies changed-I was reminded of the song by George trait called "I saw God today" (I added it at the bottom of the page) Go listen. And after you do-tell me ways you saw God today...........I will be looking for those comments.....

A temple

What is yours? Where is yours?
On the way to work there is a huge temple being built. It stood out in the rain and darkness as I drove to work this morning. It is in the process of being built. But this isn't an ordinary church-it is a Hindu one.

This building of it makes me yell-don't! It's a waste of time. God won't live in there. It is just stone. Your decorations above the door to ward off spirits don't work. There is a better way....

Then I am reminded again of our study that we did earlier. IDOLS. Is my "building" any better than theirs? different maybe in that theirs has real stone, but how about my heart? Is there stone there? Does God live in my temple? What do I use to "fight off his attacks" Just "hang" something up and hope it works.

The sign out front said "Temple entrance" Who do you let into the entrance of your temple?
Who is worshiped in yours? And whose do you go to?

One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. Psalm 27:4

Decisions

Decisions. Sometimes they are easy. What to wear, what to eat.... but at times we have big ones that we have to make. Ones that cost. And I am not just talking money here. I find myself at that point. Big decisions. So what do I do?

Well, I have the market cornered on worry. I worry about the what if's. What if I do that and what if I do this. How could that effect the outcome? What is the outcome if.. You know-you have done it too. And I run to get opinions from others, sometimes until I hear the right one that agrees with what I am thinking. And then I worry more...

Why do we do this? Why don't we just run to Him? Why is He always the last place we go? Didn't He say "come to Me." Alright Lord, I will, after I go to everyone else first. After I worry myself silly over it. After, after......Ugh!

But today Lord, teach me Lord to seek you FIRST. Not middle or last. Not when I think I may know the answer. May I run to you today for help. For wisdom. For peace.

For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:30-32

Where do you go?

a Sadness

Good morning. As many of you know, I attended motorcycle school all weekend and passed! Watch out world-here comes biker babe-ha (Sorry Sheryl-had to).

But I woke up this morning with sadness. I should be happy. I accomplished something that, quite frankly I didn't think I would on Friday. It was tough. But yet this sadness appears. Been trying to figure it out all morning. Is is going back to work? The end of something fun? A change I see coming but don't want it to? Hormones? I can't figure it out. It isn't me....

I am reading a book by Patsy Clairmont on emotions. There is one quote that I never thought of. "Emotions don't have brains." So it is important that we don't let them do our thinking. So whatever this is-I know it will pass. I won't make any rash decisions but trust in Him. For while I know my emotions change(boy do they sometimes), I know He doesn't. His love is constant.

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Psalm 143:8

His Love

Yesterday as I wrote, my heart was heavy. Thank you for your prayers. And you know what, He showed up. Sometimes we forget to look for Him in the little things, but He reminded me yesterday that He is still there. Even when we have a heavy heart.

I am fortunate to work with children. I get to see Him everyday through them. Yesterday in the midst of heaviness, a child drew me a picture. He said that my class was better than everything. (Hey, I know you are laughing and saying yeh, right) But in that moment, God told me I was still loved. And still His. See, I know that when I am down, when I am in a dry spot-He sends me reminders. And He will you too! We have to be willing to look for them. So do that today for me, look for the little reminders of Him. The flower where there shouldn't be one, a friend's laughter, a child's picture........and like I told a friend earlier today-I want a report! And don't forget to Praise Him for His love, for showing up!

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. Psalm 143:8

Prayer

My Heart is heavy this morning. There are no words to say. Just please pray. Thanks.

Grace 2 Grace

Yesterday I wrote on grace. On a friend teaching and showing me grace. And last night and this morning, I find I still fight it. Fight wanting to give it....
Why should I? I have a thousand reasons not too... Don't feel like it, Others don't, why should I, what difference will it make, it's too hard, too much of a demand on me...

Where do we find the grace to grace others, especially when it has to come from deep inside...from a place deeper than our "want to?" Because my "want to" don't want to. But I know I need to. I have to because it is what He would do. And if I want to be like Him, I need to follow His example....I know where to find it....

Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. Romans 1:5

Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. Jonah 2:8


Lord, may I learn to grace others with the grace that has been given me through You. I do not want to cling to worthless idols and forfeit your grace, as the world does. Change my heart to reflect yours, even though at times it may painful.

P.S. Please remember to pray for Sheryl and David today (see her blog-The Perch) They have been on my heart lately. God knows what they need-please lift them up. Thanks!