Grow Up Deep

What's Going On?

2011-08-04T05:31:00.007-05:00

Just a word to let readers know that I am very busy right and now have no idea when I will have time to get back to blogging. For all who have visited and to all the wonderful friends I have made through GrowUpDeep - thank you so much! I miss you and hope to return again one day here or with something brand new. If you currently have me on your blog roll you many remove me without it hurting my feelings... mmmwhaaa!

God bless you all ♥ Lorrie

.

A Special Thanks

2011-06-05T07:14:00.008-05:00

The Lord has truly blessed me with wonderful friends. Some times they bless me so much I don't quite know what to say.

Marja Meijers at Fresh Insights On Ancient Truths interviewed me for her blog. It was so much fun... and very humbling; kind of strange to answer questions about myself. Even after she posted it, I kept wanting to edit it! I guess there is no way to perfectly put into words all that the Lord has done for me. I'm very grateful. God is good.

And then... my friend Vee at Living Journey followed behind Marja and posted about the interview on her blog! Your love is a cherished gift. I'm so grateful for your friendship.

Thank you both so much, you give me a happy heart ♥

.

Guarding Our Hearts

2011-05-21T07:41:00.011-05:00

Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart...
Proverbs 3:3

If we know anything about God's holy and living word, then we know there are profound meanings and layers of precept that are never exhausted. This proverb is urging us to not to forsake mercy and truth - that they should be evident in our Christian life. Even further it is admonishing us to keep the wisdom, doctrines and ordinances of Christ.

What of this tablet of the heart though? What an unusual expression!

According to Gill it means to... "not forget them [Gods commands], keep them in memory, and always retain a hearty affection for them; it is the Spirit's work to write them in the heart; and when they are there written, it is the work of saints, under a divine influence, to copy them over in life, and to show by their conduct and behavior that they are written there."

My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands... Proverbs 3:1

Many scoff at the idea of the heart being anything more than an internal organ. Some will concede to the notion of the heart being an expression of love but look what science has discovered...

"Research shows that the heart considers and "thinks" about information received from the brain. This implies the heart has opinions of its own. It acts as a still, small voice checking our thoughts for accuracy, integrity and wisdom. The "mini-brain" of the heart literally functions like a conscience." *

I love it when science confirms God's word. Is it any wonder that God tells us to store up his word in our hearts? We are most certainly fearfully and wonderfully made. If we would only trust and believe that what He tells us is for our own good. Let's make sure our hearts are not hardened to the voice of God's word.

They made their hearts diamond-hard lest they should hear the law and the words that the Lord of hosts had sent by his Spirit through the former prophets. Therefore great anger came from the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 7:12

Let our hearts be good ground to receive the word of God.

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23

We have much to be thankful for. I want to fill my heart with God's word on a daily basis, don't you?!

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:16-17

*Dr. Caroline Leaf - Who switched off my brain? pg. 120.

.

My Heart

2011-05-08T07:53:00.012-05:00

When You said, "Seek My face,"
My heart said to You,
"Your face, LORD, I will seek."
Psalm 27:8

Photo: google re-use with no name. I ♥ it. Click the picture to listen to the entire Psalm.

.

A Must Read - Grace of Giving

2011-04-23T10:16:00.022-05:00

.
For quite some time now I have visited Marja Meijers' blog and she has blessed me often with visits and encouraging words here at my own. Marja also writes books and one day I thought... "All this time and I have yet to read one of Marja's books - what's up with that?!" So I ordered her most recent title, Grace of Giving. This is her fourth book in a series about the Ten Commandments and gives us a look at the shortest command - Do not steal!

When I got the book and my first quiet-time opportunity, I made a little "reading nest" on the couch. Me in my "slummies", a glass of ginger ale, sunflower seeds to nibble on, my notebook and Grace of Giving.

I was immediately captivated by Marja's unique approach and perspective. She says in her introduction:

"I was inspired by the wonderful scripture of John 10:10 and began using it as a foundation for my writing because it so unmistakably speaks of stealing and giving, negative versus positive, warning versus promise."

One description of Marja's writing is that "she presents ancient biblical truths in a fresh and down-to-earth style, relevant to our time and culture." I would certainly agree with that. As I was reading this book I found myself settling deeper into my nest and remarking more than once to my husband... "This is really good!"

Grace of Giving opened my eyes to the difference between being obedient to the law and fulfilling the law. I learned how the way of the thief is so much more than just not stealing.

"Only through His grace and our faith in Jesus Christ can we be at peace with God! Good deeds or strict obedience will never ever bring us into relationship with God. So, because of Jesus, the emphasis on obeying the law has moved to fulfilling the law."

There is a section on rebirth and salvation that made my heart pound with expectation. I have come away enlightened, inspired, challenged and positive that this little book is anointed with timely truths. The flowers on the cover are perfect because all the way through this book I felt little spiritual and soul awakenings blossom within me. I have purposed not to set it aside without application. This too is something valuable I learned from reading Grace of Giving.

"We store up so much insight, so many teachings, so much knowledge, so many revelations and whatever we can get in our notebooks while running from church to conference to bible study to retreat sessions that we forget what we have in storage. When we need something, we don't go looking through our stuff (too much work); we just go out and buy something new. We keep accumulating without really using what we have, without tapping into the resources we already possess. That mentality is the way of the thief: more, more, more."

That mentality reminds me of spoiled children at Christmas time. They barely have one gift unwrapped and they are grabbing for the next one! Hello?

I have tons more that I could say about Grace of Giving but I don't think it would be nice to quote someone's entire book on my blog! I also think it would be thievery to diminish the absolute pleasure you will find in reading it for yourself. I highly recommend this book. It is a gem to the Christian body and I'm confident it will be a blessing to everyone who reads it. Its pages are just over 100; they are succinct, powerful and reach into many, if not all, aspects of daily life.

Finally, just a little about Marja Meijers herself. She is a neat person! She was born and raised in Holland but now divides her time, with her husband Jan between Holland and California. She was saved in 2001. She is a volunteer on the advisory board of Teen Challenge. She and her husband travel all over the world and have just started a new non-profit organization called Traveling Light. She speaks five (yes 5) languages... how cool is that!

Marja is an encourager and a blessing. Get to know her. She blogs here with Fresh Insights on Ancient Truths and here - The Life of Sorek, a Journey into Origin and Purpose of Spirit, Soul and Body. Her books are found everywhere but I am happy to link you to Barnes and Noble, Amazon and Tate Publishing, where you can explore many of her other books too.

Just a couple things more to note. The Ventura County Star recently highlighted Grace of Giving in this article. And lastly, to those who buy Grace of Giving... you will find a neat little pass-code in the back of the book allowing you to download the audio version. You can listen to Marja in her own beautiful Holland-born accent read to you. I can't imagine what you are waiting for!!

Thanks Marja for writing Grace of Giving, it has sincerely blessed me ♥

.

We Are Being Watched

2011-03-17T10:04:00.020-05:00

Following is a short list of a few "incidents" that have occurred over the last few weeks. See if you notice a common denominator...

After Sunday church services hubby and I stopped at a favorite Chinese buffet. As we were leaving, paying our ticket the cashier seemed very agitated. I asked, "everything okay?". He said, "I hate Sundays, church people can be so rude and mean. They just get out of church and are working on new sins already hu?!"

A friend who works for a government agency complains, "I hate it when preachers come in to sign up for retirement benefits. They don't pay into the system and then are hateful and rude about not being eligible for a big retirement pension!"

My aunt and uncle just had tenants move from their rental home. They left a huge pile of garbage, old appliances, a tv and other junk out on the front lawn. The man of the family told my uncle not to worry about it, that he would be back to haul it off. Did they? No they didn't. Members of my family complained... "They belong to "such and such" church, you would think being such big Christians they would keep their word!"

A co-worker commented to me about how some people (she didn't name names) in the office can be so two-faced, pretending to be your friend and then stabbing you in the back. And "they go to church!" she said.

As a Christian, I find these remarks painful and embarrassing! I debated whether or not to even post them because they are such a shameful witness.

Political and world events are causing folks to seek truth and peace more than ever before. It is heartbreaking to think that as they look around them at those who profess to know "the way" that they turn away disgusted. They observe and they determine that Christians are just a bunch of hypocrites!

We Christians say..."Yes, I know but we are all on a journey, growing and learning. We are not perfect; we never said we were. We are be-ing sanctified! They shouldn't judge about God based on me!"

But they do judge and when these who are in the valley of decision make their decision I wonder if we will come to know them as brothers and sisters in Christ or as our embittered persecutors.

I often find myself wondering what I can do to make a difference. I'm getting older and can't recall anything I've done to make me worthy of a crown or to hear the words.. "Well done good and faithful servant." I'm not a foreign missionary and I don't serve in any real capacity at my church.

I think I have mentioned before that I felt God had admonished me to "be faithful in the little things" instead of reaching for what we sometimes think is more important. I forget this sometimes. It's a comfort to remember it.

What is important is loving God. If we love God then we will want to please Him. What pleases Him is for sinners to be reconciled!

We are being watched by the lost. I hope we can all take this seriously to heart and become more conscientious in our daily routine lives. To use an old idiom... this is where the rubber meets the road!

Father God, forgive us for all the times we have been bad witnesses. Quicken us with your Holy Spirit to acquire a daily walk that is pleasing to you. Help us to be vessels of living water, salt and light so that the lost you seek are drawn and captured by love and your salvation. Amen!

.

Faster and Faster

2011-03-07T20:16:00.033-06:00

Then he said to me, "These words are faithful and true." And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place. Rev. 22:6

The things that must shortly take place are all the wonderful and dreadful events revealed to the apostle John (and us). The rapture, Antichrist & tribulation, the mellennium, white throne judgment and the new Jerusalem!

The words, faithful and true simply mean... you can count on it, these things WILL happen, and shortly.

But, can you hear the scoffer... "Shortly take place? People have been saying that forever!"

They misunderstand.

The word "shortly" in this verse is derived from the Greek word tachos. It's where we get our English word tachometer and it means to move at an ever increasing speed. In the context of our passage and the words proceeding it we can understand it to say that once these end time events start taking place things are going to happen faster and faster!

This got me thinking about the acceleration of events and the rapture of the church. I can almost feel a "g-force" happening can't you? Or should I say God force :-)

"Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book" Rev. 22:7

Through The Storm

2011-01-28T07:04:00.016-06:00

I love this song. It reminds me that even in the storms of life there is a miraculous peace that is ours because of Jesus. It makes me think of Psalm 23.

Listen and enjoy....

A Psalm of David

The LORD is my shepherd;
I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;
For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever.

.

A False Holy Spirit?

2011-01-17T13:21:00.020-06:00

.
That we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting

Ephesians 4:14

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
1 John 4:1

I ran across some shocking video that exposes a dangerous trend creeping into the church. The devil is always at it eh?! It's called Kundalini, or Ekstasis Worship and it's like a false Holy Spirit. I hope that you will watch the following two-part documentary. It's not very long.

I pondered whether to post this information. You know... heaven forbid someone is offended, right?! And honestly, I don't want to offend people. I also don't want to be an advocate of the devil by way of passivity either.

So please, watch and share. Don't be deceived!!

.

My friend Vee recently posted about this issue as well. I highly recommend giving it a look. She includes a video that really brings it home. Go here.

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge..
Hosea 4:6a

The Butterfly Project

2010-12-29T05:09:00.011-06:00

During the Holocaust 1,500,000 innocent children perished.

To honor and remember their lives, the Holocaust Museum Houston is hosting a wonderful project. By June 30, 2012 they hope to have collected 1.5 million handmade butterflies!

I thought all my creative friends out there might want to participate. The planned exhibit promises to be breath-taking. It's a wonderful way to contribute. May we never forget!

Get the finer details here!

Thanks go to my friend Nance for letting me know about the project... she's one of those creative types I mentioned :-)

The picture is Holocaust Butterfly by Cherries.Swaps. The butterfly is her contribution. She tells how she made it via the link.

.

Immodesty ~ The Elephant in our Sanctuaries

2010-12-26T08:24:00.029-06:00

If there's one thing I know about myself it's how to dress. I'm not touting a degree of fashion, don't misunderstand. I'm a simple dresser who is more times than not satisfied with a pair of bluejeans. I'm just saying that it's a pretty demanding world out there and I reserve the right out of all the things required of me to pick and choose what I will and will not wear. Any implication or imposition otherwise by anyone is stepping where no toes should go!

Or is it?

"..women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire.." 1 Timothy 2:9 (esv)

In Barnes' notes on the Bible he states... "There is no religion in a negligent mode of apparel, or in inattention to personal appearance - anymore than there is in wearing gold and pearls; and a female may as truly violate the precepts of her religion by neglecting her personal appearance as by excessive attention to it. The true idea here [about modesty] is, that her attention to her appearance should be such that she will be offensive to no class of persons; such as to show that her mind is supremely fixed on higher and more important things, and such as to interfere with no duty which she owes, and no good which she can do, either by spending her time needlessly in personal adorning, or by lavishing that money for dress which might do good to others, or by neglecting the proprieties of her station, and making herself offensive to others.

For some reason, this issue is RARELY preached on (I have never heard it). Consequently, it's the "elephant" in our sanctuaries today. I think we need to shine a little light... do a little soul searching. I'm not about to tell anyone how to dress though...uh uh... I'll let Randy Alcorn do it. haha!

The resources Randy mention are: The Look: Does God Really Care What I Wear? and Free to be Modest.

I found another video the younger ladies might also be interested in. Listen to what these young men have to say about girls who dress modestly versus girls who don't.

The goal of modesty for Christian girls and women should be to glorify God. We should strive to reflect our love for Christ through both our appearance and in our behavior.

Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel. Rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.
1 Peter 3:3-4

A few years ago THE REBELUTION - (A teenage rebellion against low expectations) created a modesty survey that was taken by over 1600 guys. I'm not sure that one can still participate in the on-line survey but the overview and results are still available and are quite amazing. Check it out!

I like truth and balance. I'm not advocating for burqa-wear (head to toe cloaking) and yet I hope we (me included) won't toss the issue aside as irrelevant either. Are those bluejeans we favor pleasing to God? Blouse too low? Skirt too short? Maybe, maybe not. Let's ask Him and find out...

Just Like Cookies!

2010-12-19T06:46:00.007-06:00

When I was working at decorating these this little reindeer cookies it was fun to see how each one seemed to take on its own "expression".

I cut all these cookies out with the same cutter and yet, no two are exactly alike. At first glance they may seem the same but I, their creator know different.

Some are wrinklier, darker, fatter or taller. Some have weak legs or necks. Some of the prettiest ones are that way because I had to cover up a flaw. Every little ornament I attached has it's own delicate shape which made for bigger eyes or rounder noses.

I guess it's pretty obvious where I'm taking you with my little analogy but I still want to go there.

God is so creative that even though we are all human beings we are not exact replicas of each other. We are all created specifically in His image and yet we are individuals. I love His diversity!

So if Christmas time (or any other season) makes you feel like you're just one, lost in the crowd, don't believe it! You are not just "one out of a million". God, your creator knows YOU, loves YOU and came to us all, born in a manger... our savior, the Christ. That is what Christmas is all about.

Give thanks!

For you formed my inward parts; you covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows well. Psalm 139:13-14.

Merry Christmas each and every one :-)

If you don't know what it means to trust and know God personally then please go here now!

.

The Abusive Truth

2010-12-12T21:14:00.013-06:00

Rarely do I have time to open every interesting link that comes through my feeder. It's been my habit for quite sometime to drop worthy bits into a lead folder to look at when I have time.

Saturday before last I sat on the couch, my mission to peruse my lead folder for possibilities. You know... material for blog posts, networking, sharing with friends, a little head wagging and some soap boxing.

What I discovered was a new Facebook trend. One I'm not too happy about. Below are items I brought out of my lead folder that were stashed from Facebook links. When I went to view them I got this response -

The link you are trying to visit has been reported as abusive by Facebook users

I was able to track most of them down via alternative sources. You tell me. Do these "abusive" items have a common denominator?

I couldn't believe it when link after link came up with Facebook's "Sorry" disclaimer! I sent the administrators a message about my discovery and my opinion about what appeared to be targeted anti-christian action.

What's really galling is that there are entire "follower" filled pages (not just links) on Facebook dedicated to the hatred of Christians and Jews that are allowed to flourish. There are several pages dedicated solely to pleading with Facebook to shut down such pages. I am tempted to spell out what some of these pages are titled but I just can't bring myself to give recognition to such trash. Many of them are very expletive and bold in their expressions of hatred towards the Lord Jesus and yet, they remain.

Not sure what to do about all this but I had to get it off my chest. Certainly, we need to be on our knees. The days are growing darker my friends. The truth is uncomfortable but it is far from abusive...it is life saving. Let your light shine!!!

.

Bible Notes

2010-11-23T06:02:00.014-06:00

Scribbled on paper and tucked away in my bible. A few notes about the Word of God.

Pray over it
Ponder it
Preserve it
Practice it
Proclaim it

~~~

Assimilate / Appreciate / Appropriate

It will be a source of...

Growth / Victory / Joy / Guidance

~~~

Is there a promise to claim?
A lesson to learn?
A blessing to enjoy?
A command to obey?
A sin to avoid?
New thought to carry with me?

.

Eyes to See

2010-11-12T10:04:00.001-06:00

We've all seen those colorful clips of cars or people zooming along in high-speed streaks. Pretty to look at but in reality, I don't think the journey would be much of a joy!

If we're not careful, life will seem just like that. Going fast, going faster, checking our lists, forgetting to breathe and being annoyed at anything and anyone getting in the way. Not good.

If we have no time for love then what good are we? Not much according to 1 Corinthians 13.

We have been commanded... "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself" This is beautifully demonstrated for us in the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

See if a little bit of virtual reality doesn't speak to you. It did me.

"If a sudden jar can cause me to speak an impatient, unloving word, then I know nothing of Calvary love. For a cup brimful of sweet water cannot spill even one drop of bitter water, however suddenly jolted. " ~ Amy Carmichael

.

Prayer Journal Project

2010-11-08T19:07:00.016-06:00

Do you have a prayer journal? Would you like to have one? If your answer is yes (and I hope it is) then I want to point you to my friend Joli's blog AfterGlow.

Today she starts an instructional series about how to set up your very own prayer journal! She has kept one for a very long time and has created a wonderful method that will ensure us a treasure from the first moment of its making.

I think having the journal in a binder as Joli does is a fabulous idea. I am looking forward to each lesson so that I can get mine all together and start using it.

I think color coding may be involved, not to mention a short list of supplies to get at the local office supply house!!!

I hope you will join me. I'm already charged up after reading the first installment. So many things are included that I hadn't thought of before. Thank you Joli for sharing!

.

Talk About a Poetic Challenge!

2010-11-07T06:05:00.010-06:00

Not long ago, my friend Vee over at Living Journey posted this beautiful video poem called Reverse Thinking. It has an important message. I've been holding onto it with a plan to study it and use the technique to come up with something similarly impressive. Well ha, ha and double ha! This is hard.

I would love to see what you all can come up with. Shoot me a link when and if you do so I can post it here!

Okay, on with the video...

Air smoochies to Vee for the great find!
.

Growing Pains

2010-11-06T06:33:00.016-05:00

GrowUpDeep is due for a change. Anyone who visits my blog has noticed that there's not much to read lately!

Growing up requires us to change all the time. Consequently, for now, I am learning and trying to put away my "framing square" and have more joy!

What that means for this blog is that I am no longer going to consider it a place for only devotionals and poetry. I'm finding that devotional writing is not necessarily a sustainable passion for me. As for poetry... my own is something I want to be meaningful. It must be inspired which means I'm not going to try and crank one out for the sake of poetry itself.

I thought about shutting GrowUpDeep down and putting up something all new but I've decided against that because I want it to be what it is... growing pains and all. Document the journey.

My natural tendencies are those of the "first-born list-making get-er-done" type. If you are one too then you know, or will know one day what a toll it can take on you. It's not all bad...I'm thankful for those characteristics and have accomplished a lot by way of them. BUT, the key is balance and I need to counter balance by not demanding so much (or actually so little) out of GrowUpDeep.

Anyway, I said all that to say that things may be different around here from now on. I will put up what I want to share with no regard to prior self imposed preconceived requirements. Like the picture, it may be a little more like wild flowers instead of the formal variety. As always, in all things... to God be the glory!

Awww... I like it already :-)

.

Even Unto the Weakest Saint

2010-10-23T17:02:00.006-05:00

This devotion written by Spurgeon is one of the most beautiful I have ever read. I am tempted to commit it to memory. I thought you may enjoy it as well.

"Thy paths drop fatness."—Psalm 65:11.

MANY are "the paths of the Lord" which "drop fatness," but an especial one is the path of prayer. No believer, who is much in the closet, will have need to cry, "My leanness, my leanness; woe unto me."

Starving souls live at a distance from the mercy-seat, and become like the parched fields in times of drought. Prevalence with God in wrestling prayer is sure to make the believer strong—if not happy.

The nearest place to the gate of heaven is the throne of the heavenly grace. Much alone, and you will have much assurance; little alone with Jesus, your religion will be shallow, polluted with many doubts and fears, and not sparkling with the joy of the Lord.

Since the soul-enriching path of prayer is open to the very weakest saint; since no high attainments are required; since you are not bidden to come because you are an advanced saint, but freely invited if you be a saint at all; see to it, dear reader, that you are often in the way of private devotion. Be much on your knees, for so Elijah drew the rain upon famished Israel's fields.

There is another especial path dropping with fatness to those who walk therein, it is the secret walk of communion. Oh! the delights of fellowship with Jesus! Earth hath no words which can set forth the holy calm of a soul leaning on Jesus' bosom. Few Christians understand it, they live in the lowlands and seldom climb to the top of Nebo: they live in the outer court, they enter not the holy place, they take not up the privilege of priesthood.

At a distance they see the sacrifice, but they sit not down with the priest to eat thereof, and to enjoy the fat of the burnt offering. But, reader, sit thou ever under the shadow of Jesus; come up to that palm tree, and take hold of the branches thereof; let thy beloved be unto thee as the apple-tree among the trees of the wood, and thou shalt be satisfied as with marrow and fatness. O Jesus, visit us with Thy salvation!

.

Raw (e) Snacks

2010-09-16T22:01:00.008-05:00

Trying my hand at a little photography fun. A challenge was thrown out by Diane Estrella to photograph snacks. I don't think mine is all that good but I wanted to play. I used my cell phone. See the good stuff over at her place .

This was my 1:00 protein meal today.

.

Messenger

2010-09-13T22:33:00.011-05:00

Grandma says she saw a man with a mustache in her living room Sunday morning. I say she saw an angel. He walked amongst the circle of she and her children as they listened to a preacher on tv. She says a cross was passed to each one in a lighted moment. She wasn't afraid.

that quick
like parted lips
the curtain's edge
lifted from the sill
to speak of change

Don't go...

I Remember

2010-09-11T15:01:00.010-05:00

This video is a beautiful memorial to the tragic events of September 11, 2001. America will never be the same...

.

Silly Girl

2010-08-02T04:27:00.002-05:00

It happens every spring. Baby Robins outgrow their small nests and fall to the ground below. It's a dangerous time for the baby and anyone maliciously or innocently coming near the innocent little life. Mama bird will squawk at and dive-bomb all who approach!

After an intense and brief period of feeding by both mom and dad, the babies are grown enough to fly away. The yard is quiet and safe again.

Usually.

This year, one of the little ones (affectionately called Robbi) couldn't fly away. She is special in that one of her wings didn't grow out long enough. Her brother (Stubby) was born with the same issue except his feather shortage affects his tail. He can fly, just not very far or high. Still, he can come and go as he pleases.

Robbi is stuck. She has never been out of our back yard. She is by herself much of the time. Strangers come to the feeders and Stubby visits occasionally but she wishes she could fly too.

She has found the highest point in the yard to stand and crane her neck trying to glimpse the other side of the fence that limits her world.

She is spoiled in her little yard. It's full of various plant life for shade and hunting. Dad (my hubby) has equipped her world with low level baths and feeders. He purposely sprinkles the yard to cool it off and inspire bugs to surface. He's trained the dog not to bother her. She's got it pretty good.

The thing is... she doesn't understand all the whys of her world. She wants out of it. She cranes for what she cannot have. If she were to get her way just once... it would be the end for her. She wouldn't make it one day. She would be unprotected with no fence around her and no provision.

Watching her today, I wondered at how much I am like little Robbi. So much of the time I overlook the abundant and marvelous blessings God has placed in my world and life. I focus on what seems to have been denied me. I ask why oh why. I want to see beyond the hedge about me.

As I think of this scenario and of God bringing it to my attention, I am comforted. I can't help but smile and feel His love for me. He is a gentle husband... and I am a silly girl sometimes.

.

Resurrection Sunday Dance

2010-07-30T05:47:00.016-05:00

I first saw this video at my friend Marja's blog and I can't get enough of it. I love that they are dancing before the Lord full out and having such fun. I wanna dance tooooo....

\o/
.

Naming Names

2010-07-22T05:35:00.018-05:00

I usually start my devotional time with prayer. I try to follow a four-point method of Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and finally Supplication. It's not a rule, it's just a banner at the top of my prayer page that helps me.

A few mornings ago I picked up on a trend regarding my confession segment. I noticed that I often swept through it with a quick..."and forgive me for all my sins" request and moved on.

Moments like these for me are actually that still small voice of the Holy Spirit. He gave me a gentle elbow... "this is not full confession" He said.

As you can imagine, I've given this a lot of thought over the last few days.

I know that asking for forgiveness of sins is acknowledgment of their existence but I think to get them out on the "table" is a good thing. We need to hear ourselves speak them; to name their ugly names. Perhaps we need to have a serious conversation about them. We certainly do not need to wait for specific times in our day to address them.

On those rare occasions that I actually can't think of anything then maybe I should just be quiet for a moment... ask Him to look me over and let me know how I'm doing.

Can we repent and fully turn from our wicked ways if we do not specifically address them? If I just do a habitual quickie forgiveness request it seems like merely handing my soiled garment to Jesus and saying "here, wash this". It has become a recited 'bead' in my prayer banner. Repetitive and ritualistic. Oh how that must hurt Him. Cringe!

Jesus is faithful to forgive. He's wonderful like that but I want my prayers... all segments to effectively work together to make a difference in the world, in others and in myself. I want the lines of communication between He and me to always be open and active.

Lord,... I've been insensitive about my transgressions against You. Please forgive me! May I never forget the price you paid for me and that you alone are worthy of all my loyalty, love, honor and respect. I am so grateful for your correction in my life. Empower me to be a good and faithful servant.