share your thoughts

That’s what social media is about, right? I think if I shared ALL, you would walk away more confused…another reason I limit post size….usually!

And just to be honest…I don’t feel it’s the “author of confusion”, just those points where reality, logic, and God’s plan do not always align.

Reading the Bible many stories bring you confusing thoughts… Jesus led a sin free life and yet how did it end for him? Others who did horrible things were people God loved and honored.

So as we go through life and find difficult people, we have to look through the eyes of God and see what He sees. Many have hidden gems the world needs and we are part of uncovering and shining them up.

Someone is hurt and retaliates in anger.
Another alone is seeking poisonous comfort.
One living in fear attacks others to keep distance.

There are many reactions to those buried and often unknown feelings. Most important is our reactions to them and showing them the jewels of His truth.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:34-35

what day is it

Do you ever look at the calendar and go “Oh No!”
….or better yet, “Oh Yeah!”

I’ve had both in one day. Thinking a Friday appointment was next week but sigh….its this week. Then thinking the holiday weekend was further off but its even sooner!! Makes me even more excited for time to pass when I’m usually trying to slow things down and find more hours. Many will have extra to do for Memorial day weekend but I will look forward to a little less.

I pray your times of memories will find the moments of joy and your hearts will feel peace and know God is with you always. Trust Him – spend time with Him.

Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.
Lord Almighty,
blessed is the one who trusts in you.
Psalm 84:10-12

a stare down

With hours in front of a screen for work I’m finding it a little less enjoyable to stare at the screen at home, or have it stare at me. I got some spring cleaning done and even a little dirt therapy.

Veggies, window boxes and even blueberry bushes to plant!

Warm weather – the garden beckons, the lilacs send their sweet scent drawing in the bees – and me!

I love to hold books and turn pages and read words but even my eyes don’t want to focus that closely. It’s been good to have several things on audio so I can sit back, relax and drink in. Listening to the Bible and getting lost in worship have been my filling and refreshing.

Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:31

gifts that matter

Our church is stepping through 1 Corinthians. Recent weeks have been some great teachings on Spiritual Gifts for the edification of the body.

One of my passion areas is what many call Asset Based Community Development. Basically this is where you uncover the “gifts” people have and engage all to bring wholeness, unity and good to the group pursuing them.

We often categorize people and gifts. Whether we use worldly words or churchy words, ALL are needed as part of this earth dwelling body. I feel when we separate people with words like secular, believer, or other terms, we are not being very much like Jesus. He didn’t worry as much as we do about who he was hanging around with….

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13

The Fool Says In His Heart, There Is No God

The Fool Says In His Heart, There Is No God.

Friends – meet Jeremy and his family – what great things God is doing here. Very inspiring and one of the things I like, challenging as he ponders God’s ways.

priorities

A beautiful spring weekend, Tulip Time in Holland, MI, and my local family spent it at the hospital with mom. Some photos of the flowers a neighbor is having me bring to her. I hope they last til I get there. If not, I have photos!

One cat already attacked so they are out on the steps. Can you tell which one is guilty??

My blog isn’t about my mom’s journey, but I asked for prayer a while back and wanted to give an update and share how we see smell the roses in the midst of it all.

Calli

Symi

Mom’s body has not liked the radiation and chemo – no body does….her’s rebelled so much they recommended ER last Friday. Independent mom said NO, but after another blood test showed some of the cause for her distress, she decided there might really be help and relief. It wasn’t a pretty night but we were praising God for answers.

Great wisdom from doctors and care from many have mom doing so much better today we even dare to let the hospital do their job without us! If you knew more of our family’s story, we usually are the ones giving the baths, doing the sheet changes and only let the staff do the meds and tests.

There are so many great things about how my family comes together for each other. My sister suggested mom might like a popsicle when she graduated from ice chips. After sis left, they actually found one in the depths of the hospital freezer for her. (Shhhhh. don’t tell the doctor.) Mom savored it and it stayed. YEAH! Celebrate the little things.

Mom was sharing her vivid dreams from drugs (they are not on the plan any longer – thank you Lord.) She has quite the imagination and we were laughing at several of those. Laughter is great medicine AND a great weapon with His Word!

My step-sister set up a care page to make updates to family and friends easier if you’re interested. I/We thank you for your continued prayers even without details this past month. We KNOW prayer is one of the great things that has helped turn the weekend into a GREAT one!

One thing I ask from the Lord,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.
For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
and set me high upon a rock.
Psalm 27:4-5

my choice – your choice

Keep me safe, O God,
I’ve run for dear life to you.
I say to God, “Be my Lord!”
Without you, nothing makes sense.
And these God-chosen lives all around—
what splendid friends they make!

Don’t just go shopping for a god.
Gods are not for sale.
I swear I’ll never treat god-names
like brand-names.

My choice is you, God, first and only.
And now I find I’m your choice!
You set me up with a house and yard.
And then you made me your heir!

The wise counsel God gives when I’m awake
is confirmed by my sleeping heart.
Day and night I’ll stick with God;
I’ve got a good thing going and I’m not letting go.

I’m happy from the inside out,
and from the outside in, I’m firmly formed.
You canceled my ticket to hell—
that’s not my destination!
Now you’ve got my feet on the life path,
all radiant from the shining of your face.
Ever since you took my hand,
I’m on the right way.

Psalm 16 Message

cry for help

As the next two weeks unfold, many around this area will be joining together to stand against sexual abuse and human trafficking. Join us in prayer or in person!
Thank you and God bless you.

For more information – https://www.facebook.com/MayDayInstitute?fref=ts
Dates – A Cry for Help

safe in the nest

After flooding rains, marathon bombs and more going on all around us, staying locked in our houses may seem the safest place to be. Not always.

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8

We finally had some sun and warmth Sunday so I was looking to see what the yard would need. I had noticed what looked like another duck nest by my door. Upon lifting a little, I discovered these tiny bunnies.

Eating my plants isn’t good but they are so cute. One ran scared, barely knowing it’s legs. I tried to coax it back. It didn’t work.

Once it traveled the driveway, I decided to pick up and place in the nest. I’m not sure if human smells on them gets them ostracized but I hope not. I held it close and it seemed to calm. Like us many times…just being held. I placed it back and covered them again…all seemed well.

I hope their mama is like our Heavenly Papa – always ready and welcoming us back to the family.

Scattered posts from me for a time. All is well and mom is doing good with treatments so thank you for prayers!

wait and trust

There are so many great sharing points from With Christ in the School of Prayer. I’m still savoring, pondering and praying.

…we do not always get what we ask for all at once. The one way in which man can honor and enjoy his God is through faith.

What a deep heavenly mystery persevering prayer is! The God Who has promised and Who longs to give the blessing holds it back.

When the answer to prayer does not come and the promise we most firmly trust appears to be fruitless, the trial of faith, more precious than gold, takes place.

Let us thank Him that in delaying His answer He is preparing us to assume our true position with Him and to exercise all our power.

Andrew Murray

Do you have prayers not yet answered?
Are you persevering or have you set them aside?
Can you see how God is preparing you for those prayers to be realized?

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24

God is faithful friends. He does answer our prayers and fulfill His promises. It might take awhile like Abraham’s or the persistent widow, but His Words are truth. Trust them.

Dig those prayers and promises out again and persevere. Thank Him for what He has done so far and what you trust He bring in responses.