Guard Your Heart

Guard your heart above all else for it is the source of life.

Proverbs 4:23 HCSB

Good Morning, Girlfriends!

Today I am asking you for prayer for my mom-in-law as she undergoes a heart procedure. We trust in the Lord with all of our heart, which includes literally placing our physical heart in His hands when needed. This day is one of those times for her. 

As today's key verse tells us, ladies, we must guard our hearts at all times. Guarding means protecting, watching over, defending, and securing. Protect your heart with exercise, good food, and stress reduction. Watch over your heart with careful observation, allowing only "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable...anything is excellent or praiseworthy" (Phil 4:8). 

Defend your heart against the enemy--physical and spiritual. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Eph 6:12 Yes, we have to fight off the temptations of the world that contribute to heart disease, but the greater struggle is defending against the spirit of evil which tempts our hearts to harden against our fellow man. Loving God and loving one another is the greatest defense!

Secure your heart, Girlfriends! Let no one take it from you without your express consent. Give your heart knowingly and only to God. Share it with the rest as you discerningly choose to love. As Proverbs 4:23 tells us, the heart is the source of life. Live today from your source; love from a guarded heart!

I pray you will examine your heart and recognize the areas that need tending or mending. Ask God, the great Physician, to heal you. But more importantly, please ask Him to be the King of your heart, your Savior. Jesus gave his life for yours. As the song says, live like someone worth dying for, because my dears, you are! (See Song of the Day tab above.)

May your heart be full of love, mercy, grace, and kindness today! God bless you all, and God bless my mom-in-law!

Share the Memories--and the Jokes!

Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.

Genesis 9:16

Girlfriends, do you remember....?

Ahh, memories, and the emotions sparked by them, lighting fires that warm the night as we reminisce. Looking back, time often blurs the edges around the moments I recall. The details sometimes change but the heart of the matter remains. That is, until someone finds a video recording of "the moment," and I get to view my younger, immature self, frozen in time and electronic space. Suddenly the details are crystal clear and less romantic than I envisioned! Nonetheless, I treasure that footage of the roads we traveled, the homes we occupied, and the children we raised, inadequate and inexperienced as we were!

My children and their generation will carry the blessing and the curse of the camcorder age. Always in the spotlight, no event or activity goes unrecorded. Their memories are influenced by digital preservation. While viewing first steps, first words, and other firsts is exciting, our kids do not have the luxury of glamorizing the days gone by.  There will be no "I walked five miles to and from school every day, and up hill each way" because the video of the trip only lasts five minutes and contains no gasping for breath or complaining of aching legs!

On the flip side, viewing the vivid details, full length, and often including the happy faces of since departed relatives, can bring joy and comfort. I somewhat envy my kids. I would love to observe myself entering the world, discovering it as a toddler and preschooler, and attempting to conquer it as child and teenager! My physical memory is horrible. I treasure the videos I shot and often comment, "Hmmm, I don't remember the bedroom in that house looking like that," or "What was I thinking dressing you like that and feeding you tv dinners at 18 months old!"

This week as we celebrated Mother's Day together with some of the kids and my own mom, we sat in the kitchen watching a few of these home videos on the computer. I can honestly say the emotional roller coaster was up and running. I laughed. I cried. I laughed until I cried at times. Honestly, though, my fondest moment came a day before as the kids and I sat around a table eating with one another.

Between bites, my son said something he thought was comical. My oldest daughter promptly informed him that what he said was the oldest grade school joke around and was not really even funny. Then my other daughter stated that she vividly remembered hearing one joke in grade school, and it was not the one my son just said. Naturally, we asked her to tell her joke, following which we busted a gut laughing for about ten minutes. (Unfortunately, grade school jokes are usually corny, inappropriate, and involve potty talk, so I will not print it here.)

Later, the girls shared the joke with Gramma Sharon, who found it only slightly amusing; however, the girls soaked another ten minutes of laughter out of round two! Once the giggling subsided, I asked my mom if she remembered any jokes from her childhood school days. Cocking her head to the side, searching her brain, she finally declared that indeed she could not recall a single one. "Odd," I thought. My mom has been telling us jokes for as long as I can remember. I wondered when she first found her sense of humor, and better yet, why could we not have video of that? I longed for my grandma or papa in that instant so that I could ask them about mom as a child.

Sharing stories and special memories with one another is such a vital part of family life. I wish I had recognized earlier in time the value of our history so I would have taken the time to listen, to ask, and even to record. Girlfriends, we are exceedingly important to one another. The fibers of our life are woven into a beautiful tapestry, intertwined with our loved ones. So how is that we can know so little about the people with whom we are bound? Perhaps we so often have trouble seeing the bigger picture because we ignore the fact that one exists and that it is comprised of the essence of the individuals surrounding us.

Today, I pray you will seek the bigger picture. Take time to share your memories with your family (and friends) but please also listen to their narrative as well. Watch video if you have it. Ask questions: What was your favorite joke when you were in school? How did you get to school? Did you bring lunch from home? What games did you play at recess? Who was your first boyfriend/girlfriend? Record the answers--maybe with a video camera, or possibly in writing--so that future generations will be blessed and informed.

Ladies, I also pray that you will seek (and share) God's story as well. Wouldn't we all love it if God had created the video camera when He was working out the details of the Garden of Eden? But, alas, He did not, and probably for good reason!  His Story, the Bible, is living and active today. The recorded history is from real people but the lessons from God's Word apply to us this very moment. Seeing the bigger picture means knowing our story--whether an hour ago, fifty years ago, or back to the first day when "God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning —the first day." Gen 1:3-5


Girlfriends, do you remember....? Ask. Listen. Share. Laugh. Cry. Learn. Love. Live!

Our Surprise Gift

Happy Monday, Girlfriends!

My Surprise

I hope you had a lovely Mother's Day Sunday. My day was terrific for many reasons, one of which was a surprise visit from my oldest daughter who lives five hours away! The older they get, the better kids are at keeping secrets. Working out of the details of presentation is another story, as us moms are pretty good at knowing when the kids are up to something fishy. Asking me to crawl inside a blanket fort in the basement because my Mother's Day gift from dad is too big to carry out was my first clue. That the gift is for my flower garden was the second clue. Dad already thinks I have too much "junk" in the yard, and he would never hide anything in the basement! "You guys are up to something," flew out of my mouth as I walked downstairs. Nonetheless I crawled in only to find my "too big to carry" daughter sitting with the beautiful cross pictured above that she made for me! A wonderful surprise!

Mary's Surprise

Another mother we all know once got the surprise of her life when an angel named Gabriel visited her.

“Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!”

But [Mary} was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David,  and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”  Luke 1:29-33 ESV

Now, Mary got that gut feeling I was talking about earlier, that one that says "something weird is going on here!" Can you imagine? You are a young, newly engaged woman just going along doing what is right and holy. You have no thoughts of kids or diapers or wiping runny noses anywhere in your head. Suddenly an angel shows up and basically informs you that 'hey, you are going to be celebrating Mother's Day next year."
I don't know about you, but if I were Mary my stress level would have just shot through the roof. Well, God certainly knew whom to pick, because this soon-to-be-mom already had mastered two qualities every mother needs: patience and acceptance.

And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

 

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy— the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.  For nothing will be impossible with God.” 

And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. 

Luke 1:34-38

 

Our Surprise

Girlfriends, as you reflect upon Mother's Day, I pray you will give thanks to God for the greatest surprise gift of all: that He came to earth in the form of Man to live amongst us that we may be the benefactors of His life, death and resurrection. A gift is just a gift unless you unwrap it. So, ladies, I pray you will accept Jesus Christ in your heart and discover the joy and peace of unconditional love. 

Have a blessed week!

Happy Mother's Day

 Happy Mother's Day, Girlfriends!

Proverbs 31: 10-31 NIV 

A wife of noble character who can find?
    She is worth far more than rubies.  

Her husband has full confidence in her
    and lacks nothing of value.

 She brings him good, not harm,

 all the days of her life. 

 She selects wool and flax
    and works with eager hands.

She is like the merchant ships,
    bringing her food from afar.

She gets up while it is still night;
    she provides food for her family
    and portions for her female servants^.

 She considers a field and buys it;
    out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

She sets about her work vigorously;
    her arms are strong for her tasks. 

She sees that her trading is profitable,
    and her lamp does not go out at night.

In her hand she holds the distaff
    and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor
    and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
    for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed;
    she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate,
    where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them,
    and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity;
    she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom,
    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:

“Many women do noble things,
    but you surpass them all.” 

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Honor her for all that her hands have done,
    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Mom's Perfect Day

 
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,

 patience, kindness, goodness, 

faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; 

against such things there is no law. 

Galatians 5:22-23

Greetings Girlfriends! This is a very special weekend as we approach the celebration of motherhood!

The Contest

While exercising my motherly skills this morning, aka folding the kids' laundry, I heard the DJ on KLOVE read an entry aloud from their contest called "Mom's Perfect Day." A woman had written that her perfect day would include a visit to Scotland to research her family history for the three books she is writing. Mindlessly placing shirts on hangers as I listened, I marveled that a mother with children at home could write one, let alone three, books. I began to envision her trip to Scotland, with rolling green hills, highland dancers, and bagpipes. As I sorted socks, I wondered about my own "perfect day."  

In an instant, the laundry room faded, and I was relaxing on a private, white sandy beach with my husband in the middle of a clear blue ocean. Our fully furnished villa was stocked with fresh fruit and fine chocolates for me and Diet Mt Dew and pizza for him. No phones; no internet, just island music floating through the air, a serene backdrop to our light conversation, as we gazed lovingly into each other's eyes, reminiscing and laughing carelessly. 

Ding! Ding! A text message alert. Back to reality. I set aside my search for a missing green sock and picked up my phone. My daughter wrote: "I have to give a speech at graduation!" A smile spread across my face and excitement for her welled up inside my heart. All visions of sun, sand, and romance were washed away by the pride I felt for my third child, who four years ago would have passed out on the spot if she had been told she had to speak in front of a group of five people, let alone five hundred people! Suddenly I realized that I have already experienced "the perfect day"... more times than I can even remember. 

My Perfect Day(s)

Today's key verse from Galatians 5 reveals to us the fruit of the Spirit, which grows in a Christ-centered life. I can see the seeds of this fruit sprouting in my life because God chose perfect days to plant them in my heart.

Love. We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19 

Perfect Day #1: The day I met my husband. Our marriage has led me to accept Christ's unconditional love and to grant that same unconditional love to my spouse. I cannot imagine my life without him. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:7

Joy. You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever. Psalm 16:11 NLT

Perfect Day #2: The day of the birth of each one of my children. Motherhood has unveiled the joy of Lord in every single moment.  I am honored to instill in my children the joy of knowing Christ as Savior and of living a life of love, seeking truth, granting mercy, respecting justice, and basking in His grace. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. 3 John 1:4

Peace. I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Perfect Day #3: The day I celebrate Easter, year after year after year. Standing at the foot of the cross, having meditated for days and weeks upon Christ's sacrifice and physical suffering--His forgiveness in the midst of torture--I am filled with peace because He has overcome. Christ conquered death and all sin, fear, restlessness, and disharmony. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27 

Patience. As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience. Luke 8:15

Perfect Day #4: Each day I taught in a classroom, led a girl scout meeting, mentored student leaders in FCA, or coached a youth sports team. God has blessed me with multiple opportunities to model His patience, love, and provision to youth across this nation. In return, I have developed trust and endurance to calmly withstand the trials and tests of this life, including my daughter's serious injury last summer. But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Romans 8:25 

Kindness. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Act 20:35b NKJV 

Perfect Day #5: The day a co-worker gave me a huge box of baby clothes for my first child because she knew how little I could afford; the days military spouses prepared us meals after coming home from the hospital; the days the mailman delivered cards and packages from our parents while we lived thousands of miles away; and the days friends came to my rescue while my husband was deployed or traveling. The Lord is truly rich in kindness, placing caring, compassionate, and giving people in my family's life. As the scripture says, He gives generously to the needy; his kindness lasts forever. 2 Corinthians 9:9 

Goodness. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:6

Perfect Day #6: The day I was born. My parents have loved me and my sister out of the goodness of their hearts, showered us with good gifts, disciplined us with good intentions, demonstrated goodness by their actions toward others, and continue to uplift us and praise us for our goodness. God, our eternal Father, will one day call us all home, and I pray my family will dwell eternally together in His goodness. Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise—“so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Ephesians 6:1-3

Faithfulness. For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7

Perfect Day #7: Moving Day, all twenty of them! From infancy to middle age, I have moved with faith in God's plan. In each new location God has shown His steadfast faithfulness, providing affordable housing, safe communities, access to quality education, opportunity for spiritual growth, and amazing lifetime friendships. For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. And I will hope in your name, for your name is good. Psalm 52:9 

Gentleness. To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. Titus 3:2

Perfect Day #8: The day I met my best girlfriend, Linda. On this earth, she is my role model. Her core ingredients are: humbleness, gentleness, kindness, goodness, giving, loving, sharing, believing, praying, trusting, and devotion to Jesus Christ. The frosting on top is that she is also fun, adventurous, talented, beautiful, a great mother, and most of all, willing to hang around people like me! Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12

Self-Control.  But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:27 ESV

Perfect Day #9: The days I spend in peaceful meditation, surrounded by the beauty of God's creation. Sometimes this day is on a beach, or hiking a wooded-path, or admiring the brilliance of a sunrise or sunset from my back deck. Whether alone or in the company of others, God has impressed upon me the need to focus upon Jesus Christ as the center of my life, taking time to be still and know His power and presence. These times of refreshment and devotion strengthen me for the battle of the flesh and will that permeates all of my imperfect days! We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5

 My Prayer for You

Girlfriends, my prayer for you this weekend is that you will celebrate and honor motherhood--thanking God for the mother who birthed you. If you too are a mom, I pray your children will esteem and praise you for your sacrifices to them. May the fruit of spirit sweeten your soul as you watch it grow. Please, do not wait for a radio contest to recognize and enjoy God's perfection in your ordinary days. His will for you is good and holy!

Love to All!

P.S. If any of you do happen to win an exotic vacation and need some company, or are unable to go, well, hey, I am available for travel! A girl can still dream, can't she????

Get Up, Get UP

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Girlfriends, I have had a BUSY day full of fellowship, meditation and reflection upon God's Word, and plenty of good food.....I am off to bed, full of encouragement and about 3000 calories! So.....

Before I write to you tomorrow morning, I will be moving and grooving in the kitchen to my favorite zumba wake-up song--won't you join me?!!!



GOOD MORNING!! Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh
Get Up, Get Up!!
Love Ya!!!

How Many?

There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace. 

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

 
Girlfriends, pray for me--I am making breakfast casserole for dinner at church tonight. With my skills, maybe you should also pray for the hungry who come to eat what I have prepared! For one, cooking for a large group requires revisiting middle school math. Multiplying fractions. Conversions. Teaspoon to Tablespoon. Ounces to pounds. Can anyone else feel my pain? I can put myself in Noah's shoes, working out the plans for that ark!

This is how you are to make it: the length of the ark 300 cubits,

 its breadth 50 cubits, and its height 30 cubits. 

Genesis 6:15 ESV

Numbers have never been my friend. I always had to work twice as hard in math and science than my other courses. I  preferred diagramming a sentence with an objective complement and elliptical adverb clause over solving calculus problems requiring knowledge of derivatives and differentiation. More simply put, I would rather write a five paragraph essay than do fifty math problems!

In spite of our antagonistic relationship, numbers have been on my mind plenty lately: Counting the days until my next daughter leaves to college; budgeting for home repairs, vacation, and university expenses; how many miles can I run and in what amount of time; monitoring the number of visitors to my blog; the cost of a gallon of gasoline; low attendance at club events; time, and wishing for more hours in a day; how many photos I can squeeze onto one scrapbook page. Seriously, I could continue for a few more paragraphs at least. I am inundated with integers!

Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? 

Luke 14:28 NIV

While whisking six dozen eggs for the casserole just now, I spoke to God about numbers. "Wow, this is a lot of eggs to crack" and "I wonder how many calories are in a slice of this bacon-sausage-cheese-egg casserole" were my first thoughts! But then I progressed to a review of the school year and my leadership role as coach for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Three years ago, full of energy and excitement, I committed to establishing this club in our community. Inevitably each spring, the student attendance fell drastically. I spoke frankly to God, apologizing that my own enthusiasm and degree of effort has invariably been tied to the attendance sheet. While I encouraged the student leaders to deliver 100% effort even to an audience of one, I too felt disappointment and disheartened by the lack of response.

"Lord, why does our society place extreme emphasis on volume and figures?"
"Are their areas where quantity matter the most to you, God?"

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

James 1:2-4 ESV 

Most of us desire perfection and completion, lacking in nothing. We would agree that the dollars in your bank account, the square footage of your house, the horsepower of your vehicle's engine, or the amount of awards on your shelves are not what matter most in this life. Yet, we all seem to spend the majority of our days in pursuit of activities in which the end results can be somehow quantitatively measured. We have mega-churches swelling to capacity, operating with multi-million dollar budgets. Our churches, our houses and our days are full, but with what exactly are they "filled"?  I have to ask, "God, are you pleased?"  I want to know, "God, are you disappointed in my numbers?"

Girlfriends, I think it is important to ponder such questions mostly because I believe the answers we find will guide our actions. Ripples of effect spread out to others from our choices. In my own experience, I can attest to this fact. I want to live according to God's measuring stick. My desire is to balance my life on His scales. But somehow, day after day, I come up short, and I fear the void is felt by those surrounding me.

I can relate to the writer of Ecclesiastes from which I chose today's key verse. He explored the question of time. He discussed the issues of gluttony, love of money, and excessive talking. Comparison winds its way through his writings. Value is assigned and then questioned. Wisdom is analyzed. Ladies, please take time to read this book in your Bible. Ask God to teach you and guide you as you reflect upon the arguments and laments written therein.

Ladies, I don't have all the solutions, but seeking daily, I pray for insight, discernment, and good judgment. My prayer for each of us is that we spend each day wisely, that we treasure what is worthy and trash what is trivial, that we strive for quality in our quantity, and that God is factored into every single one of our equations. Just as I spoke to my FCA leaders, I pray for myself: Let God use me today to write His message to the best of my ability, even if only one person reads it--God loves that one person and is calling out to her, and so should we!

One is the loveliest number when we remember The One (Jesus Christ) that God sent to save each ONE of us!

Blessings to all, and now I am off to serve breakfast casserole to the ravenous participants of Wednesday night Bible study! Yum! God is Good!

Monday Manna

  For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land—a land with streams and pools of water, with springs flowing in the valleys and hills; a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey; a land where bread will not be scarce and you will lack nothing; a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills. When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.

Deuteronomy 8: 7-10

Good Monday Morning, Girlfriends!

What do you have cooking for this week? Or baking? Or microwaving, if you are like me? Ok, I am already off topic, but not too far perhaps. What I was trying to ask is what are your plans for this week, and I do not mean just for dinner. Is something special on your calendar, or are you facing the same old routine? Either way, I pray you will celebrate the newness of Monday, the opportunity to begin the week with a fresh start, a right attitude, and a rejuvenated heart.

Beginnings and Endings

I completed a major task over the weekend, finishing a digital scrapbook project in which I have invested well over eighty hours. I realize now, however, that my true investment has been nearly eighteen years of raising our cherished daughter. The end result, of both the project and her maturation, is beautiful. Celebration is in order, and forthcoming, as she graduates high school later this month. An ending. A beginning. Moments gone by. Tears of joy and tears of sadness cried. Now, a fresh start. A new routine. Kind of like Mondays....

Some people hate Mondays. I say embrace the day! Yes, the weekend is over, and our hours of play and rest are gone.Yet, opportunity lies before us--a chance to create something new, to change or alter our path, or simply a time to meet a stranger and make a new friend. Days to demonstrate to our family the love of Christ. And maybe even time to try a new recipe. (See I told you I was not too far off topic with the "what's cooking?" line!)

You make known to me the path of life;
    you will fill me with joy in your presence,
    with eternal pleasures at your right hand. 

Psalm 16:11

Girlfriends, we have one life to live in preparation for eternity. Grasp yours with joy and excitement in your heart. Give closure to the past and send it on its way. Walk today's winding path with enthusiasm and pep, engaging with God's creation. Look to the future with fascination and fervor. Bake or buy some bountiful bread but remember that we do not live by bread alone. Feed on the very Word of God and be satisfied. Say a sunny hello to Monday just as brightly as you thank God for Friday. And, Ladies, I pray you savor every day in between.

Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

“Sir,” they said, “from now on give us this bread.”

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.

John 6:32-35

So, I ask you again, what's cooking for this week? Make it the best menu ever!

Love to you all!

PS For those of you who simply must take me literally, check out the link on the left side of my blog page for Organizing Dinner. Kelly has some tasty recipes that are simple and healthy, fresh and lively to the taste buds. On her site, check out the blog for a recipe from my last retreat for Thai Coconut Basil Chicken. I promise if you put this on your menu for the beginning of the week, everyone in your house will profess TGIMonday!

Greatness of Knowing

My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Colossians 2:2-3 NIV

Hello Girlfriends!

I have to tell you that I am in touch with my nerdy inner self today! I decided to share some of my favorite websites with you, but I wanted them to have a permanent home in my blog. Determined to conquer my insecurity and i.t. ignorance (or ID10T as I am affectionately referred to often at home), I plunged into the sea of Google on a search mission. I emerged from the depths with the tools to establish a link list on the left side of my blog page. A small celebratory dance around the kitchen ensued. Shortly after publishing my operational index, the perfectionist in me emerged: the links did not open in a new tab as I desired. Time to go swimming again...and I am proud to say, I did not drown nor cry out for a lifesaving flotation device. No, Girls, I did not call my tech savvy husband at work begging for help; I called him to gloat! I managed to rewrite (well, copy and paste actually) the HTML code and complete what I set out to do. So, go ahead, give it a try. Check out some of my favorite "friends" and see what you think! (Sorry, mom-in-law, but I cannot bring myself to link to the Chicago Cubs; I am afraid your grandchildren would disown their mother. But I am with you in spirit!)

Did you notice the beautiful color change of font when you hover your mouse above each link? Isn't that too cool?  My understanding of coding and all the other technological terms related to the function and operation of computers and the internet is rudimentary. I am nonetheless fascinated and amazed at the tiny amount I am able to grasp and incorporate into my life, adding joy and even beauty, to my pragmatic moments.

Girlfriends, this morning's experience is a microcosm of life. Our God, in His infinite and unfathomably expansive wisdom and creativity, spoke into existence a world brimming with artistry, intricacy, delicacy, and complexity. When I ponder the depth and vastness of all creation, invention, and knowledge, I stand face to face with my relative insignificance and limited abilities. I entertain doubts and questions which tear at my longing and faithful heart. Fear of failure and helplessness threatens to paralyze me. I empathize with the man whose child was mute and possessed by seizures:

But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

Mark 9: 22b-24

In the midst of my weakest moments, God whispers. Nudging me to gaze upon His face, I peer into His eyes which reflect the absolute certainty that He created me with originality and meticulous craftsmanship:

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Psalm 139:13 NLT

He created me with intention and purpose:

For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 NLT

He created me to discover Him through His creation:

For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. Romans 1:20 NLT

He created me for relationship with Him and with mankind:

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 

Matthew 22: 37-40

He created me to walk with Him in goodness and righteousness:

 He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 NIV

He created me to seek, search, and find His bountiful treasure and to share with others:

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

“Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 7:7-12 NIV

Yes, ladies, God created me just as surely as He authored every aspect of life--the ones I comprehend and master as well as the incomprehensible and mysterious elements which elude my understanding. In Him I place my trust, my doubts, my fears, my successes, and my failures. I love Paul's words in Philippians 3:8, (and especially love when Mac Powell sings them but that is another page called Song of the Day):

What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord...

Yes, even my small victory today over the computer programming world is a loss in comparison with my immensely valuable love of Christ. I admit I will never in this life fully realize the answers to every question of faith, of nature, of science, or of mankind. Yet I do not allow my inabilities nor my ignorance to overshadow my devotion to the One who holds the key to the storehouse of all illumination and divine intelligence. I looked into His face and saw Love....that sight, for me, is enough!

I pray today that you too will seek and find the face of God, reflecting back to you His message of creation and His plan for your life. Know that you are made with a purpose, and you are loved! I pray you will open a Bible and read the passages I have quoted. I can only choose a line or two, but His message for you goes on and on and on in grace and elegance. Find a quiet time this weekend and spend it with Him.

Blessings to all!

Voice of God, Voice of Truth

While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, 

and a voice from the cloud said, 

"This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. 

Listen to him!" 

Matthew 17:5 NIV

Girlfriends, somehow many days have passed since my restorative retreat in Indiana. Returning to the chaotic busyness of home while brimming with insight and ideas, I longed to write to you immediately but had to suppress that cry and attend to household duties. Oh energy and awareness, we have only just returned and already you elude me!

How was your past weekend? Even if you did not physically travel, did you have time to review your spiritual map as I suggested in my last blog? I am anxious to hear your reflections. Sharing our life stories is powerful as I rediscovered during this recent sojourn. Listening to another woman weave her way along a path which traverses both peaks and valleys provides opportunity for connection, affirmation, and also fresh insight into our own walk. Indeed, "listen" and "story" were my take-away words from this weekend trip. Yet, upon returning home, I discovered I could not hear nor reflect upon the important "stories" because of all the noise.

Ladies, many voices are calling us to listen. Spouses, children, relatives, friends, co-workers, bosses, teachers, tv personalities, politicians...a cacophony of sound flows into our eardrums daily. We must pray for discernment and wisdom, asking God for clarity and concentration upon the important and life-giving words and for deafness and obliteration of the meaningless and life-sucking utterances. Choose wisely what you take to heart from the stories you hear.

He who has ears, let him hear. 

Matthew 11:15

Even in Jesus's day, a sea of voices called out to the people. Accusing and name-calling, slandering and demeaning, both John the Baptist and Jesus himself were targets as we read in the Matthew 11: 18-19:

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”

Ladies, we must drown out the lies and the crucifying conversation in order to focus upon the blessed, glorifying, and positive conversation of each day. Listen with ears that seek the truth.

The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

John 10: 3-4 

God speaks to us in many ways. In quiet stillness, such as during meditation or walking the peaceful acres of land at the retreat center, His voice is elevated and unimpeded.  But in the boisterous and complicated every day moments of life, His voice is inaudible or unrecognizable to my worldly attuned ears. Jesus, my Shepherd, speaks to me, His sheep. If I choose to listen, I will learn to recognize His voice as He leads me. In time, I will distinguish His voice from among the multitudes. I will hear His Story spoken to me, preparing me for my own story and paving the way to intersect with others.

So what do you think, ladies? Is it time we got God on our ipod? And computer? And cell phone? And television? And magazine racks, bookshelves, and Kindles? If we do not spend time with Him, surround ourselves with His Presence, how else will we recognize His voice? Think of this next time you answer the phone and immediately know with whom you speak by the sound of the voice. Think about your favorite musical artist and how repeatedly listening to his/her music elicits an "Oh I love this song" as soon as your hear the singing. God is asking you to be in a special relationship with Him, distinguishing His voice above all others. How will you respond?

I pray today that you will listen to the Voice of Truth....He has a story to tell you that is greater than any other you will ever hear. His story includes your story. Your story is woven together with others' stories. Listen....listen and hear...God is speaking to YOU. Turn up the volume!

The voice of the Lord is over the waters;

the God of glory thunders,

the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.

The voice of the Lord is powerful;

the voice of the Lord is majestic.

The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;

the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.

He makes Lebanon skip like a calf,

Sirion like a young wild ox.

The voice of the Lord strikes

with flashes of lightning.

The voice of the Lord shakes the desert;

the Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh.

The voice of the Lord twists the oaks

and strips the forests bare.

And in his temple all cry, “Glory!” 

Psalm 29: 3-9

Please go to Song of the Day-- I hope you enjoy Casting Crowns, The Voice of Truth. 

Love to all!