TrUSt

  It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in humans. Psalm 118:8 NIV 

Girlfriends, in whom do you place your trust?

Seriously, think about it. Do you trust your spouse? Your parents? Your siblings? Your best friend? Your co-workers or classmates? Your teachers or pastor? Your dog? Yourself?

Trust No One

Many will say, "Trust no one." Looking at the world today, that advice seems sound. People disappoint one another at every turn. Infidelity, betrayal, and divorce are rampant. The news headlines today scream about Secret Service Agents engaging with prostitutes; parents stealing $1M from a disabled son's trust find; and classmates being DNA swabbed in efforts to find a 13 year old's killer. The only good news comes surprisingly from dogs in Los Angeles:

"A loyal Labrador Retriever named Maggie, who was videotaped as she guarded the body of a yellow Lab hit and killed by a car in Southern California, was reunited with her family today....Maggie's loyalty to the dead dog was so poignant and so risky that shelter workers nicknamed her Grace, as in "Amazing Grace." The video shows traffic speeding by just a few feet from the dogs."

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/04/17/loyal-dog-who-stayed-by-dead-dog-side-reunited-with-family/#ixzz1sJi99Wpu

Leave it to the dogs to put the "us" in "trust"!

Why Trust?

I have suffered the hurt and disappointment of broken trust. Sorry to say, I have also been the perpetrator of shattered trust. Can any among us claim otherwise? As today's Psalm tells us, God is the only One in whom we can have perfect trust...even our dogs will run away, chasing squirrels, birds, or one another, given the time and freedom!

Yet, I want to be a trusting person. Being married to law enforcement can challenge me in that area. Because he daily sees the evil face of human nature, my husband can make me edgy at times. Constantly reminding me to lock the doors, hang on to my purse, or face the entrance/exits in a restaurant, he fears for our safety because he knows what the psalmist wrote: our only true safe haven is refuge in the Lord.

Nonetheless, I fancy myself to be a genuinely trusting person. I believe in the goodness of man as created in the image of God. We know Jesus conquered sin on the cross and ultimately His Goodness wins. So I try to live life accrediting righteousness to the people I encounter unless otherwise shown. I guess I just do not want to live under the shadow of mistrust and skepticism all the days of my existence, which is the reason I could never do the job my husband thankfully performs. I do not want to acknowledge and face evil on this earth. I seek justice, yet I love grace and mercy.

For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth. Psalm 71:5 ESV


Do I Really Trust?

So, ladies, by now you may be wondering just why I have a photo of Mandisa and friends at the top of this blog for the Girls' Night Live Tour, and what does it have to do with trusting? (If you are not wondering that because my blog is so long that you have already forgotten what photo was at the top of the page, do not feel bad. My brain works that way too!)

Mandisa's music has been an inspiration to Joslyn through her pain and medical struggles. So a few weeks ago, my daughter invited me to attend this show with her.  The performances sold out in a matter of minutes, and she had only gotten two tickets. When this past weekend arrived, we needed another ticket for either my mother-in-law or my best friend to also attend. Joslyn put out a message on the local Christian radio station's facebook page and soon received numerous offers. I texted a response and located a ticket.

Now, friends, here is where the trust part comes into play. The woman making this offer was so kind. She scanned and emailed the ticket to me without any form of prior payment or identification. She simply trusted me to mail her a check for the cost, which did not even include the fees she had paid by the way! She also told me that she was using a scanned ticket for the show the night before we were to attend and would let me know if she encountered any difficulties.

"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. Luke 16:10
 
Now, you would think I would imitate her nature and mail that $20 check asap. After all, she modeled the trusting nature I admire and seek to claim. Unfortunately, a little voice crept in my head warning me to wait until after the show just to be sure the ticket was legitimate. Doubt. Apprehension. I could not even trust myself to be the trusting person I think I am.
Ugh!
Why?
Well, just that day, my daughter's friends had bought tickets from a man outside the Cardinals stadium for the 2012 World Series Champions' Home Opener game. When they reached the gate, they were told the tickets had already been scanned for admission. They had been scammed to the tune of $300. Another example of deception and dishonesty for worldly gain. That memory was fresh in my head.

A greedy man stirs up dissension, but he who trusts in the LORD will prosper. Prov 28:5

Trust Anyway

Dictionary.com defines TRUST as "reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc, of a person or thing; confident expectation of something; hope." 


Girlfriends, I want to trust. I desire faith and confidence in my family, friends, associates and the public. I regret that I doubted this sweet woman who placed her trust in me. (I mailed her a check including the fees in a thank you card for her kindness.)  Yet, I also know that God is calling me to put in Him my ultimate faith and trust for salvation from this broken world. He is the Only One Who will never betray my trust in Him.

My prayer for you today is that you will spend some time reflecting upon "trust." In whom do you trust and why? Who trusts you and why? Do you trust in the Lord? Can the Lord trust you? Pray about it!


Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV


Sovereign LORD, you are God! Your covenant is trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant. 2 Samuel 7:28 NIV


But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. Psalm 13:5

The Last "Girl Prom"

 “The LORD bless you
   and keep you;
 the LORD make his face shine on you
   and be gracious to you;

the LORD turn his face toward you
   and give you peace.”

Numbers 6:24-26

Girlfriends, I have found out how difficult it is to maintain a writing schedule for a blog when you are on the road traveling! I took a trip to St Louis this past week with my wonderful mother-in-law to see my two daughters living there and to attend a Christian Women's Concert. We had a wonderful time! I will write more tomorrow about our experience, but just wanted to take a moment tonight to wish you all a blessed Sunday!

My third daughter is attending her senior prom tonight. It is my last "girl prom," and I am a little weepy as I wait for her to come home. Soon she will join the other two girls out in the wide world. My son will be the only child left home. As I am sure you can imagine, we each have mixed emotions over the upcoming changes in our household.

I know I have a wide variety of ladies reading this blog, so I ask you to please pray for us as we adjust. Also leave me any wise words of advise you may have to pass on. (The comments section is just below at the end of this post!)

God Bless each one of you this week at whatever stage of motherhood and/or womanhood you find yourself! I pray you will savor each tender moment. And now, box of kleenex in hand, I return to staring at kindergarten photos until curfew arrives and my little girl is safely home in her bed!!

Love to all....

Mental Vacations

In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah:

We have a strong city;

God makes salvation

its walls and ramparts.

Open the gates

that the righteous nation may enter,

the nation that keeps faith.

You will keep in perfect peace

him whose mind is steadfast,

because he trusts in you. 

Trust in the Lord forever,

for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal. 

 Isaiah 26:1-4

As I stood making my breakfast smoothie this morning, my dear daughter told me, "It's going to be 82 degrees today.."
"Really?" I asked, thinking how nice 80's sound after these evening lows in the 30's again.
"..in Hawaii," my dear child finished her sentence, which I had interrupted with my comment.
"Of course it is!" I laughed, mentally traveling with her to the beaches of Waikiki. My family loves Hawaii, no doubt about it!

Mental Vacations

Whether or not you have been to Hawaii, you probably have a place in your mind to which you like to travel for get-aways. I think we all do. It's our "happy place" we can go to when real life is overwhelmingly difficult. Being present in the moment is sometimes too stressful to handle. We need those mental vacation spots to take us away, even if for a brief moment of respite.

In today's key verse from the prophet Isaiah, we read a song of praise and remember that God is the ultimate vacation destination. His city walls are salvation. The righteous and faithful enter through its gates. Girlfriends, the calm we seek, whether we vacation for real or simply "mind travel", is waiting for us in the Lord:

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3

You do not have to board a plane or hire a travel agent. Jesus can take you in an instant to that place of perfect peace and tranquility. Trust in Him; keep your mind fixed upon Him.

Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal. Isaiah 26:4

The Rock

The Lord is our Rock eternal...I love that thought. When we traveled to Florida for spring break, we drove out to the jetty and sat on the rocks to watch the dancing waves and pursue glimpses of sea creatures! In Hawaii last year, we climbed to the top of a huge rock for the thrill of jumping and falling twenty-five feet into the water below. (Or leaning back and not-so-thrillingly smacking your back and thighs onto the water and bruising from neck to knees, as was my case!) Even here in Lemont, I enjoy hiking out to the quarry and sitting on the rocks, feeling the breeze through my hair and the warmth reflecting off the stone. 

But Ladies, the Lord is our Rock eternal! He is THE rock upon which we can always rest steady no matter where we find ourselves or in what condition. He is strong, steadfast, and sturdy. 

My prayer for you today is that next time you desire to take a mental vacation, go to that beautiful place in your mind--the ocean, the forest, the canyon --wherever it may be. But take the Lord with you. Keep your mind resting upon the Rock of your salvation wherever you go, and peace will surely be yours all the days of your life!

Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Psalm 95:1 NIV

Loving you!

Have You Seen My Keys

 Woman, why are you crying? they [the angels]asked her.

She answered, "They have taken my Lord away,

 and I do not know where they have put him!" 

Then she turned around and saw Jesus standing there; but she did not know that it was Jesus.

Woman, why are you crying? Jesus asked her. Who is it that you are looking for? 

John 20:13-15 GNT

Girlfriends, have you ever been completely certain about where something is located for which you are looking? But then when you get to that place, the thing which you seek is not there? Panic starts to rise along with your blood pressure, yet you are positive you are scanning the exact spot where it should be.

Have you seen my keys?

I cannot tell you how many times I have found myself in this situation. Perpetually running late, I have sought my keys on the rack in the laundry room. Alas, they are not hanging on the hook. Frantically, I begin scouring the area, then my purse, my coat pockets, and my tote bags before I resort to screaming to anyone in the house within earshot. "Has anyone seen my keys? I need to leave like five minutes ago. Help me!" Of course, no one knows where they are. Depending upon the present level of hormones, tears often accompany the agitation.

On any given day, substitute the word "cell phone" in place of "keys" and start the story at the beginning. Or "my purse". Or, most recently on spring break vacation, "credit card." The scenario plays out just about the same every time! And the funny thing is, most of the time, the item I seek is exactly in the place I left it. I am staring right at it. I just don't recognize it. I feel relieved when I find it, yet also silly for not recognizing what is in front of my face. 

Where Have They Put Him?

After the Sabbath ended that first Easter weekend, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb where she knew Jesus should be. Alas, instead she encountered an empty tomb, and in her distress, she cried. The angels of the Lord were present and asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?"  Yes, Girlfriends, our sister in Christ also cried when she could not find what she was looking for. 

She answered, "They have taken my Lord away, and I do not know where they have put him!" 

Ladies, can you feel her confusion, dismay, and fear? Can you just hear the thoughts racing through her mind? I know how alarmed I become over lost keys, but Mary could not find her Savior whom she dearly loved. She knew He should be there because she witnessed the placement of His body in the tomb after the crucifixion:  

Joseph bought a linen sheet, took the body down, wrapped it in the sheet, and placed it in a tomb which had been dug out of solid rock. Then he rolled a large stone across the entrance to the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph were watching and saw where the body of Jesus was placed. Mark 15:46-47 

What happens next is amazing:  

Then she turned around and saw Jesus standing there; but she did not know that it was Jesus. Woman, why are you crying? Jesus asked her. Who is it that you are looking for? John 20:14-15

The Jesus whom Mary sought was exactly where He should be. Isn't that how it goes, girls? He was right there with her all the time, yet she did not see Him. Her blinded emotions took over and sent her into a frenzy for no reason. Her Savior had not left her and in fact, He spoke to her by name:

Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). John 20:16

Girlfriends, my prayer for you today is that you will hear Jesus calling your name. I pray your eyes will be opened to the presence of the living, risen Savior who longs to be in relationship with you. He is exactly where He is supposed to be: with you! If you have been frantically searching for His peace, His love, His joy, and His assurance of salvation, take a breath and wipe away your tears. Find Him waiting with open arms, ready to hold you. I pray your will respond just as Mary Magdalene: Teacher! He saved her from her sinfulness and taught her the way of everlasting life. Jesus longs to do the same for you. The One you have been looking for has been here the whole time...

 A Beautiful Video:
ALIVE: Mary Magdelene  by Natalie Grant    

He Is Risen!

Happy Easter, Girlfriends!

Christ is Risen! Alleluia!

I love today's key verses, spoken by the angel to the WOMEN at the tomb. 

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” 
Matthew 28: 1-7 NIV

But wait, ladies, it gets even better...not only had Christ risen from the grave, conquered death, evil, and sin, BUT his first appearance as the resurrected Christ was to the WOMEN:
 
So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” Mathew 28: 8-10 NIV

AMEN! 


The living Christ is seeking YOU today, Girlfriends. As you rush about on this Easter day, I pray you will include "rushing to tell the Good News" among your activities. Meet Jesus along the way. Do not be afraid; He rose for all people, Jew and Gentile, male and female, free or in bondage! Embrace your new freedom in Christ! Spread the lifesaving news like butter upon the Easter bread, let it melt into hearts and add sweetness to the feast.


My greatest prayer for each one of you is salvation. TODAY is the DAY! Jesus stands waiting for you, nail-pierced hands stretched wide, open arms waiting to hold you forever! Run to Him. Be the woman at the tomb..." for I know that you are looking for Jesus..."

Happy Easter! I love you and so does God!



  

Good Friday

He was despised and rejected by men,

a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.

Like one from whom men hide their faces

he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Surely he took up our infirmities

and carried our sorrows,

yet we considered him stricken by God,

smitten by him, and afflicted.

But he was pierced for our transgressions,

he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,

and by his wounds we are healed.

We all, like sheep, have gone astray,

each of us has turned to his own way;

and the Lord has laid on him

the iniquity of us all. 

Isaiah 53:3-6 NIV

Girlfriends, we are in the holiest week of the year, and today is GOOD FRIDAY. In my heart, I ask myself what is so good about a man full of love, devotion, compassion, empathy, and caring being beaten, tortured, crucified, stabbed, killed, and thrown into a cave? I can think of a lot of words to use as a prefix for this day but "Good" would not have been one of them.

For me, this day begins as one of sorrow and sadness as I envision the sins of the world--past, present, and future--cast upon an innocent man hanging from a wooden cross by nails through His hands and feet. A guiltless man dying for me--for all of humanity. His blood purchased for me what I could not earn, an eternity in the presence of God. It saddens me to know that I contributed to Christ's suffering and pain. Who am I to deserve this priceless gift of grace?

But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Ephesians 4:7 ESV

This gift of grace puts the "good" back into Easter Friday. Only a good, loving, merciful God would make such a sacrifice for disobedient, selfish, and trespassing people of which I am one.

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Romans 5:8 NLT

Only a God of understanding would submit to the hands of evil to suffer the atrocities of this broken world in order to be a living example to us of overcoming adversity, finding strength, and gaining everlasting peace. Only a good God would offer us a choice, knowing fully well that we may turn away from His provision and choose death.

Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Matthew 7:13-14 ESV 

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 6:23 ESV

As Good Friday progresses, I begin to feel the "good" in the day--the goodness of my God, my Savior, my Jesus. The goodness of the hope His death offers to a beaten, battered, broken world and me living in it. By one man sin entered the human race and by one Man sin is forgiven for each human who comes to the foot of the cross humbly seeking restoration and salvation. That is the Good News of Good Friday!

Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned—Romans 5:12

But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. Romans 5:15-17

Girlfriends, I pray you will meditate upon the meaning of "Good" in this Friday for you. Weep if you feel like weeping; cleanse your heart with tears of sorrow and grief for the suffering of the Beloved One sent to save you. But ladies, let that water wash away the debris and walk toward the place where glory will be revealed by the Resurrection in three days! Soon, my dears, soon our mourning will turn to celebration, for the grave in which Christ was laid could not hold Him. Good is about to turn into Great...a great day for all of creation!

Love you all!

Viruses

"O Lord, you will keep us safe

and protect us from such people forever."

Psalm 12:7

 My Idea

Well, once again, I sat down to write to you, my friends, with a topic in my mind. And once again, God has stepped in and said, "No-No--not your idea, but Mine!"

Now, I am not going to reveal my original plan because I want to try again later this week, but what I will tell you is that in my research stage, I contracted a virus. "Contracted" may not be the correct word since I chose to download the program that introduced that little bugger to my laptop. Suddenly, ZoneAlarm sprung into action, scanning and isolating the virus, asking me to perform an operation to erase it. Whew! Safe and sound--this time. I have not been that fortunate in the past.

As I sit here typing, I cannot help wishing for a ZoneAlarm anti-virus program for my bodily systems as well as my computer. Apparently, I contracted a virus while on vacation in Florida, and this time I think "contracted" is the right word. Somehow, this annoying illness entered my body and began wreaking havoc. I feel pretty good if I do not move or breathe! I wish I had the capability to isolate and eradicate the germs in the quick and efficient manner that the technology age employs. Alas, I will likely suffer through a few more days of misery until the normal process runs its course.

 

Viruses

 

"Suffering" and "misery" are such unpleasant words often associated with viruses. To understand why, let's go to dictionary.com for the definition of virus: (Definition #1) "an ultramicroscopic... metabolically inert, infectious agent that replicates only within the cells of living hosts." So, a virus is an infection replicating within us--miserable. (Definition #2) "a segment of self-replicating code planted illegally in a computer program, often to damage or shut down a system or network." Now, a virus is also an infection replicating within our electronics--more misery. (Definition #3) "a corrupting influence on morals or the intellect; poison." Ah, a virus is ultimately poison attacking the center of our being--total misery. Is it any wonder we are suffering?

 

At first glance, viruses appear to be at the root of suffering, sneaking their way in and taking over the host; however, the truth is that viruses are just tools used by Satan to perpetuate His plan. Satan tries to pull us away from God through misery and suffering. Make no mistake, only evil lies behind viruses as they are employed in an attempt to weaken and destroy our love and trust in God. 

Consider the first virus implanted on earth, the one Satan ambushed Eve with in the Garden of Eden. He infected her mind with prideful thoughts and doubt which have been replicating themselves in man ever since that day:

 

"Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”Genesis 3:1

“You will not certainly die," the serpent said to the woman.“For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:4-5

 

This virus, this sin stain for all mankind, came to us via choice by Eve and Adam, yet they did not create the infection. Just as I chose to click the mouse and download an enticing program, I allowed entry of the virus into my computer; however, someone else full of malice created the infection for the purpose of evil. So too Satan authored the virus that attacked our first parents, and He has been at it ever since. 

Virus Protection Plan 

The Good News is that God sent Christ to earth to live, teach, die, and raise to new life so that He could be our Savior, our Victor over sin, death, evil, and yes, viruses. Jesus is my personal "ZoneAlarm Anti-Virus Protection!" And guess what, the cost of His program is FREE! Yes, free, because He paid for it with His blood upon Calvary. Just as I can choose activity that allows viral access, I can also choose to block them with the presence of Christ and the Word in my life and my heart. 

 

Our victory over the suffering and misery caused by Satanic viruses is through Jesus Christ. When our Lord Himself was tempted by Satan, He used God's very Word to isolate the lie and destroy it:

 

"Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple.“If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:“‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him" Matthew 4:1-11 NIV

 

Girlfriends, you and I need to model Christ. When you feel assaulted by evil, when the virus of Satan is infiltrating your system, activate your virus protection plan and delete evil with the Word of God. 

 

Name the poison, recite the remedy, and live it out daily: 

 

Impatience: 

A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense. Proverbs 19:11

Anger:  

"Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools. Ecclesiastes 7:9

Pride:

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

Greed:

Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Psalm 119:36

Forgiveness: 

But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15

Ladies, I pray today that you have accepted the Virus Protection Plan offered to you by Jesus Christ. He gives freely to everyone, while we are still sinners, and pardons. Ask His forgiveness and be made new. Live under His umbrella of security with full access to the weapons against evil.  Give misery and suffering the boot and replace them with joy and peace. Why wait? Do it now. Viruses are lurking everywhere but our God has victory! Amen!

You Make Beautiful Things

"All this pain
I wonder if I’ll ever find my way
I wonder if my life could really change at all
All this earth
Could all that is lost ever be found
Could a garden come up from this ground at all

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

All around
Hope is springing up from this old ground
Out of chaos life is being found in You

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us...

You make me new, You are making me new
You make me new, You are making me new
You are making me new..."

Gungor, Beautiful Things

Girlfriends, I am back!!!!!
I have missed you soooo much!! Yet, I had a wonderful time in Florida with my mom, sister, two daughters and Mark. Lifetime memories created, and oh the stories we have to tell. God certainly blessed us, and I thank Him for safe travels for everyone on that very long drive.

All things new

 And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." And He said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true. Revelation 21:5 NASB

I returned home yesterday to a wonderful sight. The tree in front of my house is alive with beautiful blossoms. Last fall, I was positive something had killed it. The leaves had disease; the branches were breaking off. Overall, the appearance was sickly. But now, wow:

"But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland." Isaiah 43:18-19 NLT

As I gazed upon this glorious sight, the song Beautiful Things by Gungor played in my head. If you have not, please click the link above and listen. This song captures my thoughts and emotions on so many occasions. God makes beautiful things...out of dust, out of ashes, out of what appears to our eyes to be dead, out of nothing, out of us! Praise Him!

All Things New, Including YOU

Maybe you are in a state of "dust" right now, feeling useless, defeated, or lifeless? Girlfriends, I want to encourage you to hang in there, wait for the next season of life, just as my tree and I had to remain in hope through winter in order to see God make something beautiful out of a disaster. I love Isaiah 43: forget all the past; it is nothing compared to what God is going to do. He is about to do a new thing and He has already begun if we will just "see." Linger in hope, ladies. God is always at work in us; be patient. 

I pray today that whatever your present circumstances, you will be aware of the mighty works of your Lord. As Gungor sings, "All around, Hope is springing up from this old ground, Out of chaos life is being found in You." 

You have heard this before: God does not make junk! He makes beautiful things, and you are His creation. You are beautiful. Accept it. Embrace it. Own your beauty. Let God's love sink in and seep out. Be His irrigation system to a dry and thirsty world, and notice how much greener the grass is around the source of the water. YOU will grow faster and go farther than you can ever imagine if you patiently let Him work through you. I pray it for you today, Girlfriends, and I stand in the refreshing waters bursting forth. Blessings!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

All of Creation Sings

Lord, your faithful love reaches to the heavens,

Your faithfulness to the clouds.

Your righteousness is like the highest mountains;

Your judgements like the deepest sea.

Lord, you preserve man and beast.

God, your love is so valuable

that people take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.

Psalm 36:45-7 HCSB

Hello, Girlfriends, from sunny Florida!

I have missed writing to you all and apologize for the long gap between posts. I do not have a computer with internet access here. Can you imagine? Ha ha! Finally my sister arrived last night with a mobile broadband card, so thank you, Shel!

Enjoying time with my mother and the kids has been refreshing and joyous. Laughter is truly good medicine for the body and soul. Breathing in fresh ocean air and basking in the sunshine, our spirits renew daily. The natural setting of the ocean provides the perfect backdrop for reflection, contemplation, and sharing. Bonds are strengthening and growing.

I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me. Proverbs 8:17 

Directly outside the house, so graciously provided to us by the Grahns, is a beautiful golf course with a series of water holes. In the evening, the sunset colors the horizon and decorates the pond, giving us pause:

"You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you." Nehemiah 9:6

We have been blessed this week to both interact with and observe closely some of God's amazing creatures in natural habitats. Joslyn and I adventured through the dunes to a small inlet where we sat in awe on the beach, mesmerized by the free dolphin show. Panning across the water with the camera lens in anticipation of the smallest glimpse of a dolphin's fin, I captured this amazing photograph:

"How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number-living things both large and small. Psalm 104:24-25

God's perfect timing! Amen!

Earlier in the day, Emily and Mark were snorkeling when a manatee swam within 5 feet of them, freaking Emily out but fascinating Mark of course!

Joslyn climbed down the jetty for an up close and personal session with a pelican:

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth... God saw all that he had made, and it was very good." Genesis 1:1, 31

Another day, she and I walked within TWO feet of this blue heron, which then took off and perched on the top of a tree branch:

"Ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you. Which of these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind." Job 12:7-10

At this same location, Mark pursued this little guy until he was exhausted (the lizard, not Mark!):

"Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding, you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds." Psalm 148:7-10

And we watched this little guy eating his dinner:

He provides the animals with their food,
and the young ravens, what they cry for. Psalm 147:9 HCSB

But Mark's snake encounter capped the day, both for him and his little blonde-harired, highly-intrigued observer:

"Praise Him, hills and mountains, fruit trees and forests; all animals, tame and wild, reptiles and birds." Psalm 148:9, 10

I think an appearance by the alligator from the pond on the golf course would define this vacation for him! So far, no such luck. On the other hand, Joslyn is already dreaming about birds and beasts so I am not sure she would get any more rest if the alligator shows up!

Each rendezvous deepens our appreciation for our surroundings and provides topics for evening conversation. The hours beachside also give us time to meditate and ponder our experiences. My thoughts keep returning to the admiration and wonderment of God's creation. From the tiniest insects (called "no-see-ums" by the locals) to the vastness and power of the ocean containing dolphins, manatees, sea bass, and more, I can barely attempt to understand and appreciate the intricate and detailed connections of life on earth. Yet every day I open my eyes to observe yet another production of our Lord.

I cannot help believing that if we five travelers marvel at these few, minute instances of nature's revelation, how much more must the Maker of all cherish observing and interacting with us, His greatest creation. We are His children, His beloved. He adores us. Subjects to which we have no attachment capture our attention and emotions. Can you imagine God's response to everything developed by His Hand, especially you and me?

 The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17 

You are a treasure to your Father beyond anything we can know on earth. Nothing compares to you, and in return, not one thing on this earth can outshine Jesus Christ. He alone deserves our pinnacle praise, worship, admiration, awe, and amazement.

Christ "is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him." Colossians 1:15-16

Soak in this truth, Girlfriends. If God were on vacation, you are His most amazing and favorite photograph of the entire trip. Your life is the captured moment He wants to blow up, frame, and hang in a prominent place as a treasured memory. You are His most revered souvenier, prized possession, and stupendous encounter. His scrapbook is full of you, you, and more of you! You laughing, crying, learning, working, creating, worshipping, trying, failing, believing, doubting, seeking: every aspect of your life is represented and brings a smile to His face.

I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:16-20 NLT

Ladies, I pray today that you will not only enjoy the blessings of this life which God so graciously provided for us, but also that you will remember the treasure you are to Him. I have a vision of the Lord gazing upon each one of you, smiling and pointing, just as I have viewed the dolphin emerging from the ocean or the heron soaring in flight. He is absolutely amazed, filled with awe, wonder, joy, peace, and pride when He views your life. I know the way He looks at you and how His heart swells. My eyes have seen. You are beautiful! God loves you, and Girlfriends, so do I!

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10 

Be blessed!

Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever. Psalm 136:26 

This cross marks the site of the first Catholic Mass in the new colony. 

St. Augustine Florida, 1565

Spring Break!

There is a time for everything,
   and a season for every activity under the heavens

Ecclesiastes 3:1

Spring Break has officially arrived, my dear girlfriends! It is time for me to head south with the girls (my mom, my oldest daughter, my youngest daughter, my sister, oh, yes, and the youngest daughter's boyfriend...what a trooper he is!) 

In today's key verse, God reminds us there is a time for everything and for every activity under heaven, including rest and relaxation. Our calendars are usually jam packed with activity. Each day whizzes by in a blur. Weeks, sometimes months, pass without connecting to family members who live less than two hours away from us. Time is one thing of which we never have enough.

I for one am glad that we are prying the fingers of the clock off of our necks, allowing ourselves to breath freely and take in the fresh air of freedom and repose. Oh, and did I also mention we would also be clearing our heads with the smell of saltwater. Yes, ladies, we are headed to the ocean....my favorite place to linger!

Toes in the sand...

Frolicking in the waves...

Tossing a ball back and forth...

Lounging in a chair....

Reading a good book beneath the warm sunshine....

These are the moments, the precious, blessed moments, which attune me to my Maker. Standing on the shore, gazing at the horizon, mesmerized by the tossing of the waves, my significance could easily shrink to a single grain of sand. Yet, my connection with my Father in this setting is too strong to allow Satan even a whisper to diminish my importance in the eyes of Jesus. I am His daughter, and He created this beautiful place for me--and you--to enjoy, to inspire, and to celebrate. My heart bursts with gratitude!

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.  Genesis 1:27

I am united with the Lord in love of the ocean with all its power, mystery, and vastness if for no other reason than I am created in His image. Thank you God! 

Ladies, I pray you will enjoy your spring break, whenever it may be. Or if you are not having a spring break this year, I pray you will have some kind of pause in the chaos of life during which you can relax and reflect. I ask you to please pray for God's protection over our journey on the highways and byways of America. I will write as I am able this week. Finally, I leave you with a quote:

For whatever we lose (like a you or a me)
it's always ourselves we find in the sea. E E Cummings