Encouraged

Yes, today God encouraged me through the two blogs that I follow a bit fanatically. Both had awesome answered prayers. (Thank you, LORD.)

Well, my birthday approaches. If you have a December - February birthday in Oklahoma you'll know what that means. You can plan a party but expect rain or snow if you do! As a child I would be so excited that I was having a party. Yes! No! If it was cold enough, it would snow and no one would venture out on the hazardous roads. If it wasn't cold enough, it would rain so much the creek near our house would flood and no one could get in (or out). After a while I just quit trying. I really don't remember if I ever actually pulled off a party or not. I'm sure there had to be at least one.

Somewhere along the line, God finally got it into my head that just like my birthday plans, I can plan my life but if it doesn't fit into what He has planned for me (Jeremiah 29:11) it might be washed out or frozen over. Have you ever read that verse with the surrounding ones? (Jeremiah 29:10-13) Wow, God is great!

Ever had one of those days...

... where you couldn't even complete a thought? I've so much going on in my mind that nothing gets to completion.

I am so thankful that our God is not that way. He is perfect - perfectly just, perfectly good, perfectly loving, perfect. Everything He does gets completed. It shows in the way He creates a life and fashions it to His glory. It shows in the way He provides salvation for each one willing to accept it. Those are complete things. They are done perfectly.

I also am thankful that He doesn't require me to be perfect. Today was a shining example of how far below the mark I really fall. Even now, there is a struggle to complete this writing.

(Dear Lord, I pray for a focus now to get down this God Moment. I have no strength or power of my own to accomplish it. You and You alone can bring it to fruition. In Jesus' name I pray.)

Wow, look at that! He completes. When I turn to Him, He completes. There is nothing more that I can add.

Thankful for ...

... a car that fits in the garage so that I don't have to scrape the ice off of it in the mornings.
... a garage big enough to fit my extra stuff and the car.
... four walls and a roof to a house that protects me from the wind, ice and other elements.
... enough food to keep me from going hungry.
... a big warm coat to wear if I just have to get outside in the winter.

Yes, they may seem like small things to some people but on days like today I really am grateful that they all exist in my life. I'm just not an overall fan of cold weather. I have a tendency to curl up in front of the TV with chips and soda to eat and a blanket to keep me warm. I'd build a fire if it meant that I didn't have to get out from under the blanket. Winter depresses me. I realize that I would not appreciate the warm weather if I never had the cold to compare it too. I know me. I'd take that warm weather for granted. It's odd that I would be so attracted to penguins based on my aversion to being cold. I adore all the penguins but the ones that live in the harshest, coldest climates fascinate me. I'll tell you more about that another time.

I'm glad you stopped by to observe the ramblings of a simple mind. See you next time.

Bridges and Babies

My mind has been swirling with the difference God makes in a life. I hear and know of wonderful families that are so thankful for the miracle child they have. Then, this week carries the news that a father has thrown his 4 children off a bridge to their deaths. The gulf between depravity and love has become a little more clear for me.

Gwyneth Rose has been honored with parents - Nathan and Tricia - that cherish her immensely, even in times of trouble. Their faith is obvious and strong. At 24 weeks gestation, she made an early entry into this world. She is beautiful. The details of her tiny body declare boldly of a Creator God who put a lot of thought into His creation. I praise Him for His wonderful works. Thank you, Nathan and Tricia, for being willing to share your story. I've only been reading a few days but it has truly blessed me.

Ashley Kate is a transplant survivor. Her parents cherish her all the time, even when her ornery streak shows. Their faith is obvious and strong. I've kept up with Ashley's story from the very beginning. The miracles that God has worked in her life and through her life are numerous. He even used her to open my heart.

Yet, my heart is broken each time I see the news reports on the 4 children thrown from the Dauphin Island Bridge by a father mad at the children's mother. I don't even have the words to express how heart wrenching this report is to me. How can a person be so selfish? What filled his life that would allow those thoughts to take over? And then put action to those thoughts? I just don't understand.

Do you see the difference? Parents that value life because they know God gave that life are such a contrast to a parent that has no regard for life.

(Dear God, forgive our nation, forgive our sins. Please Lord. Forgive us for letting the value You placed on lives go so far away. Thank you Lord.)

Oklahoma Pineapple

I've always enjoyed pineapple - from a can or even fresh. It is a sweet juicy fruit that comes in a pretty, prickly, unique container.

I learned a valuable lesson from a pineapple one summer. I had purchased a fresh pineapple for a family treat. I cut off the top, cut away the core and the rind to reveal the best part. Then, we tasted the sweet fruit. It was an every day event. Only, this time I asked my son if he wanted to plant the top.

Sure, okay. Well, we didn't really plant it. It stayed on the kitchen counter for a couple of days until I decided to do something with it. It wasn't carefully planted, I just sorta dumped it there in the compost pile with the rest of the trimmings. And then, I ignored it. But, God didn't. There was enough rain that summer to keep it watered. Then, after a period of time, I noticed that it was putting out new leaves. Hmmm... It had put down roots and begun to grow. How exciting, a pineapple in Oklahoma. This thing had been chopped off at the heart and abandoned in a pile of rotting stuff. Yet, God added some fertile soil and just enough water to cause new growth. Oh, God is good!

Did my pineapple produce any fruit? No, the harsh Oklahoma winter killed the plant before any fruit could be seen. (Of course, I didn't protect it from those harsh elements and if I had the outcome might be different.) Did that make it any less of a pineapple plant? No way. When a Christian has been cut up and tossed out - emotionally, spiritually or even physically - by this world, God still provides the soil of His Word and the water of His living Spirit to produce growth. And, for that I praise Him.

There is more that God wants to tell about Oklahoma pineapples... Stay tuned.

Work Routine

I forget how quickly I get caught back up in the work routine. I'm amazed how much energy my job takes some times. My kids think I just sit in front of a computer and play... Resolving issues, researching future projects, and keeping the current systems going requires a lot of focus and energy. It's been a good couple of days back. I thank God for the renewed appreciation He has given me.

My daughter brought home an assignment for me. I was to describe what I thought would be qualities that she would pick in her "perfect" mate. Then, I had to describe what I would pick for her in her "perfect" mate. She had already made her list of qualities. I didn't get to see her list until after I had finished mine. Incredibly, we had several things in common. She took it for granted that her perfect mate would have a sense of humor and I took it for granted that he would have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the only begotten of God.

Well, sleep is trying to take over so I'll be going for now.

Breath and Challenge

Well, it's almost time to get back into regular work activities. I'm thankful for the job that I have even though I don't always treat it honorably. There are times when I just get tired of getting up and going to the stress each day. This week I'm looking forward to addressing a couple of items that have been hanging on for quite some time. I'm sure there will be other things that interfere with the primary plans but I'll be seeking a singular focus from God in order to do the job He gave me for His glory.

Today's God Moment happened as I began praying for this week's work activities. God reminded me that He has the power over it all. And when I dwell on that thought, I recall that He has the power over my next hearbeat. He and He alone has given me breath. Just as He give power to the stars to light the night sky. How awesome.

In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind. (Job 12:10)

Our pastor challenged us today to live our life pure as if we know that Jesus is returning for His church at a set time some few hours in the future. God is good and will help when His children ask. There are times when I'm comfortable and don't consider how soon the return might be. Yet, I long for Christ to come. He has promised that we won't have the same struggles in heaven as we have on this earth. I desire that struggle free time. I desire the time when I can praise and honor with abandon knowing that the world and this flesh no longer have influence on me.

And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. (Revelation 19:9)

Thanks for listening.

Passing of time

Today was a sad day. The Christmas lights came down. I love Christmas. It is such a joy to see the lights and know that the Perfect Light came to us. Now my lawn looks bare and it's dark out there. I have one single penguin, Penjamin, left out. He's a lawn ornament that has a hat and bow tie that can be changed based on season. He's been wearing the Santa hat and red bow tie. I think I'll change the hat but leave the bow tie. So for Valentines Day, he'll be wearing his black top hat and the red bow tie. Yes, that's good.

Vacation is winding down and it's nearing time to get back to routine. It will be good. Ya'll have a great evening.

New Year, New Post

Surprise, I'm posting a new entry.

I've been land locked for some time. I am now hoping to get back to my daily swim in the blogging sea on a regular basis. I've refreshed my mind with the original intent of this blog and am looking to God for what comes next.

Psalm 4:2, 8

• O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will you love vanity and seek after leasing? Selah.
• I will both lay me down in peace and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.

My mind races with questions. The first word that jumped out at me was "leasing". Did it mean the same thing at the time it was translated as it does now? Leasing a house, leasing a car... these are the things that come to mind in my little world today. Would that concept apply here? And, what word was it translated from? Might it have other meanings? Boy, I need to get some research tools.

God is talking here and He's talking to me because I'm one of those humans - those "sons of men" even though I'm a daughter. How long will I love vanity? Wait, what does vanity really mean in biblical terms? Let's go searching... The best online tool I've ever encountered is located at http://www.biblegateway.com/. There's a dictionary tool at http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/dictionaries. Searching Easton's dictionary for vanity doesn't provide a definiton. But, searching for leasing provides that it's an old English word meaning lies or lying. Hmmm... In the mean time, I found a biblical definition of vanity - "emptiness". Looking over the entry from http://blueletterbible.org/ which references the International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, I see that "breath of air, vapor" would also be an appropriate definition.

Now that I'm armed with those definitions, let's see what God is asking me today...

• O human, how long will you pervert my reputation with sin? how long will you prefer emptiness and seek after lies?

The question cuts to my soul and echos in my mind. What about yours? How can I go forward? I'll start with confession of my daily transgressions in conversation with God even now. And reading on, I find solace in knowing that the Lord is the only one that provides true safety, peace and sleep no matter the circumstances. Thank you, LORD.

Good evening (oops, morning) to you all.