Mundane and Not Exciting

My evening described in just a few words. Cleaning, laundry, dishes, and lectures were the mundane items. None of them were exciting. I would have much preferred to be studying and seeking treasure from God's Word. Instead, I was folding t-shirts and underwear. I have a hard time getting excited about chores. I'm not good at them. I haven't (even after all these years) figured out how to do them efficiently.

But, the sense of work done keeps me coming back. I know it's a never ending job. There will always be one more piece of laundry, one more dirty dish, one more crumb on the floor, one more leaf to rake, one more blade of grass to mow, one more, one more. I like having clean clothes and dishes. I like having a floor that your shoes don't stick too. So, I'll keep doing as many of these things as I can.

By the way, I got a new penguin this week. I'll post him as soon as I get him photographed.

(Lord, thank you for the things that should be done. My heart could get into a lot more mischief if I didn't have those things. I get into enough as it is. Guard my heart and keep my focus on You. In Jesus' name, Amen.)

Thorns, Briers and the Kings Kids

Read Judges 8:16-23.

Gideon gave a Bible lesson using thorns and briers. Praise the Lord I missed that one.

Consider the testimony of Gideon in this passage. "As thou art, so were they; each one resembled the children of a king." Even as as he taught with thorns and briers, demolished a tower and fought men to the death, he carried himself as a child of the King. What is it about Gideon that these men recognized? I believe our answer to be found a few short verses later...

And Gideon said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my son rule over you: the LORD shall rule over you.

There it is (verse 23). The Lord ruled Gideon's life and it was obvious to all who came in contact with him.

(Lord, thank you for the scripture from which I can learn. Help me to be recognizable as a child of the King no matter what I'm doing. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.)

God Moments - March

I'm enjoying a study of the God Moments in my life. It's loosely based on the book "God Moments" by Alan Wright. It's basically a study of the feasts of Israel taken from Leviticus 23. My homework for each chapter is to journal, blog, photograph or otherwise capture a memory that God brought to mind during the study. I have truly enjoyed rehearsing these God Moments thus far and am so excited to see what God reminds me of in the future.

So, the assignment for March is to capture 3 moments. One is a moment of "Holy Attraction", another is an "Amazing Rescue", and the third is what ever God brought to mind. (In reverse order...)

1. God pricked my heart to really remember why I collect penguin items (and to showcase them). He asks me to remember what it is about penguins that reflects Him. I've given a few glimpses (here and here) into what penguins mean to me but there is much more that I've not been able to verbalize just yet.

2. Amazing Rescue - God filled my mind with scenes from my childhood. I grew up in the country near a creek with two older brothers. Yes, I followed them through briars, trees, fences, and mud. I followed them down snowy hillsides onto the ice covered creek. I followed them and their friend as they forged through the creek waters swollen from the rain. Rushing waters that knocked a young girl off her feet and sent her spiraling and bobbing into deep water. I never lost conciousness and I survived that day. My brother's friend pulled me from the water. I lay gasping for breath and spitting up water on the grassy bank that spring. It is a memory forever etched in my mind - a time when God's supernatural protection abounded.

3. Holy Attraction - It was 1986, I was a freshman in college. I was not walking with God. There was too much that I had to experience. I wanted to make decisions for myself. After all, I had new found freedom. There were six of us in the dorm room that day. Someone unfolded a small foil package. There it was. Crack. The presence of the Holy Spirit within my own body was so intense. Leave. Now. Get away from this. I did. It took less than a minute after seeing the drugs for me to be away from that room and that temptation. In some ways it was less of an Holy Attraction and more of a Holy Aversion. I have never used illegal drugs because I knew that God did not want that for me. I have never been interested in doing drugs. Even now I am careful of the prescription drugs that I take. Why did I feel compelled to leave that room so strongly? I rest fully in the knowledge that it was God that drew me away from that. I wish I could say that it was a major turning point in my life but I had much learning to do still.

(Lord God, I thank you so much for Your presence in that room. I thank you for Your strength which drew me away. I thank you for Your presence at the creek. I thank you for Your strength through my human rescuer that day. I am truly humbled that you would keep me from harm in so many ways. I am awed that you would draw me to yourself even when I was too blind to recognize it. Forgive me. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.)

Spring Break - Over

Yes, spring break is over. The kids and I will get back to our routine beginning tomorrow. I have one that is excited to go back to school and one that, well, isn't.

I miss the routine when it's not there. Oh, don't get me wrong, I fight routine. I don't really "like" it. Routine is boring. Routine is the same ol', same ol'. Ugh! Routine doesn't allow for the creativity my mind thinks it craves. Yet, I know that routine is good for me. Physically, it's good to get regular sleep. It helps cut down on stress and weight gain. Mentally, it's good to know what's expected next in the day. So, sometimes I find myself wandering about aimlessly when the routine has been interrupted.

I believe that can also be the case spiritually. God calls us to consistency in our relationship with Him. He is always consistent. (He is never boring and He is very creative so I'll not describe Him as routine.) When I lose the routine, consistent time with God I begin wandering about aimlessly in the spirit. God wants me to be focused on the hope of His return.

Tonight I am thankful that spring break is over and the routine returns.

(Lord God, Thank you for the blessed hope that Your resurrection brings. I am so glad that You made a way for us to have a relationship that is intensely personal. Your love is amazing and beyond the boundaries of my feeble mind. I thank you that You loved me even before I knew I needed you. I praise you for the sacrifice you made. I'll never know what it means. I'll never be able to fully comprehend the depth of love and pain you experienced. Thank you. Thank you. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.)

Sharing the story with caution

I am so thankful for those that God has called to share the intimate details of a specific journey. The Adams family as they share the journey of their family dealing with an adopted child with transplanted organs. The Lawrenson family as they share the journey of a preemie and mom with Cystic Fibrosis. I hesitate to get too involved with some of the other blogs that I've visited. I invest a lot emotionally. I spend enough time keeping up with just the two. It can get very distracting to chase rabbits on the Internet. (Yet, I still do it.)

God calls me to share my own story. The story of His moments in my life. The great! The good, and the incredible awful things as well. I've worked in the Information Technology field long enough to have heard almost every single horror story associated with sharing too much. I have to know the legal ramifications of what I'm doing as well. That's why I won't share the names of my children. You may hear about them or know situations in their life but you will never get the complete picture or specifically any pictures of them. Not because I am ashamed but because I must protect them. There are some readers of this blog that do actually know me. Most will not and will only know the things that are provided in writing here.

There are parts of our story that will be terribly difficult to share, especially in an anonymous exchange such as this blog. Yet, I know they must be shared in order to recognize the fullness of God's mercy, grace, salvation and glory. I do not share my story or observations to invite comments (I moderate all comments). I do not share my story or observations to invite theological debate.

I do share my story and observations to encourage another that might be struggling. I do share my story and observations to answer the call God has made. I do share my story and observations so the God may be honored.

(Lord God, please use this blog for Your honor and glory. Please help me to focus on what You have to say with each post. Make it an honorable thing. Thank you for the families that You have called to share their journey through this format. Thank you for showing Your strength, grace and mercy through each one. Thank you for the encouragement they are. Hinder any attempts by the enemy to twist Your work. In Jesus name, Amen.)

Powerful Prayer and Inspiration Locations

Today God reminded me of how powerful He really is. I've been struggling with stress at my job and I've asked the ladies in my Sunday School class and the prayer warriors in Wednesday Prayer Meeting to remember me as I deal with the situation. God is faithful. He has answered the prayers of His children. I have been able to concentrate and get tasks completed in face of the stress and struggles. I've been able to come home each day with a tired body but a calm spirit. My heavenly Father God is incredible.

Where do I get my moments? I draw inspiration first from God's own Word, the Bible. That's the reason I have sixty gazillion little scrap pieces of paper with a reference written down on each one. (I have no doubt that some of them are duplicates.) Next, I draw from the feeding I get from my fabulous Pastor who uses the Bible as his primary resource. For day to day pick-me-ups, I visit Our Daily Bread Online and Proverbs 31 Ministries Blog Online. I have various study guides and topical books although I am careful to read these in the light of scripture. It seems that just because something claims to be a Christian book it might not be so on the pages.

There are so many other books, songs, people, things, etc. that God uses to make a moment in my life. I am truly blessed.

(Lord God, thank you for holding me together during this time. I know it's not over and I can't see the end but I know that YOU can. That's all that really matters. Bless each one that has lifted me up in prayer this week, please. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.)

Faithful Promise - From the Archive

Date Unknown.

Hebrews 10:23
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised;)

Just when things seem to go the worst, remembering that God is with me brings a measure of confidence. Most days, I read my devotional and then read the section of scripture that goes along with it as the foundation for my day. This has made it easier for me to be calm throughout the day. I find that I am not as quick to anger. I tend not be critical and degrading to others. And pleasant thoughts come easier. I know that Satan will attack and I know that God will overcome. I can usually tell when I have not spent the time securing my foundation for the day. There is so much that I want to do for God and sometimes I feel like I can never get any of it done. I will try to call on God's promise and know that I can do whatever He desires of me. While I know this in my head, applying it to my heart is where the difficulty comes in.

(Lord, I am so glad that Your promises are faithful. I am weak and blinded. Your thoughts are so incredible that my mind cannot grasp the fullness of them. I pray that You will fill me with Your spirit so that I might fully see Your promises. I pray that organizing these thoughts and sharing them (even after all this time) bring honor to You. I pray, Lord, that I learn what You would have me to know from all this. Again today, I thank You for loving me to death and life. In Jesus name I pray. Amen)

Pack Rat Traits

On occasion, I loose sight of the penguin traits that I'd like to emulate and take on the incredible traits of a pack rat. Okay, often I do. I have many many boxes of children's school papers that I have kept. And, I've been culling the ones that have come home since 6th grade. So, I have all these boxes of papers in the attic that I should go through.

I also have just about every scrap paper on which I've written a reference to a verse. Now, some of them have other statements besides the verse address. But, many do not. Some of them are references from a sermon or lesson. I have no idea what that verse meant to me at the time I wrote it down. AUGH! It was a shiny button or trinket that caught my eye at the time. I carried it off to my nest and put it with the rest of the glittering objects.

I don't know if pack rats go back through their treasure but God calls me to do such a thing. He repeatedly tells me to remember His mighty works, to remember who He is, to remember what He has done for me. Today, I remember that He wrote my name in the book of life. He has removed my sin and remembers it no more. He has transformed my deceitful heart and given me a heart of life. God is awesome.

(Lord, thank you for saving my soul. Thank you for remembering my sin no more. Thank you for the only way to know you. Thank you for the wonderful treasure You give me through Your word. Thank you for the grace and mercy that You personally extended to me. Thank you also for the judgement. Thank you for the rules that keep me safe. Forgive me when I so bluntly ignore them. Help me to accept the necessary chastisement. Thank you. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.)

Feathered Refuge - Author Unknown

(This is a devotional given to me by a friend many years ago. I wish I knew who wrote it so that I could credit them properly.)

He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Psalm 91:4

Living in the extreme ends of the earth, emperor penguins are the only warm-blooded creatures to live in the coldest reaches of the Antarctic in July, the worst part of their perpetual winter. The climate is most inhospitable. They live in close huddles numbering into the thousands. To retain enough warmth for survival, they shuffle continually, taking each their turn on both the inside and the outside of the circle.

When the mother penguin has laid her egg, she will leave. She goes to feed in the cold sea water, waddling long distances over the ice to do so.

Meanwhile, the father balances the egg on top of his shuffling webbed feet. There it rests, swaddled under an "apron" of fine feathers. No matter how bitter the cold around him, the temperature there holds at precisely 98.6 degrees F. After sixty-five days the baby chick hatches. Should it accidentally fall from its low perch and out of the warmth, it would last only two minutes in the intense cold. It remains in its warm covert until the climate takes a turn, and the temperature inches up to a more moderate level.

After awhile the mothers return well fed, now able to feed each one their own fledgling with regurgitated fish. Next it is the fathers' turn to go and feast.

When a little older the youngsters gather in large groups in a bird-kind of daycare. It is warmer by now, the water closer. When the mothers return from fishing, they look for their babies. Among all the thousands of chicks, they find each their own by the sounds they make.

I thought about God's plan for us when I read of the penguins. We, too, live in an inhospitable cold world. Here our young are born, and here is where we raise them. As innocent children, their souls are safely in the Father's keeping, sheltered under the feathers of His grace.

But parents need to forage for food. No matter how cold the sea, we must feed on the Word so we have the right diet for our children. Unless we nurture the spirit within us, we have nothing to give them. We need to make God's word digestible for them. Breaking the truths we have been shown into small enough pieces, they can assimilate them better.

Penguins are equipped to live in cold climates. The Creator has seen to that. But one penguin alone could not survive the winter. They need a huddle, just like we need the church. However, no matter how large the grouping, if the penguins would not keep moving, they could hardly survive. Should believers become inert and frozen, having left the warm wings of God, they cause the death of many others.

Today I want to keep close under His wings. Hiding there, His life within me, I want to feast on His word. If I don't, I will have nothing to feed "my young."

(Father God, thank you for reminding me of the care You put into all of your creation. Thank you for sheltering me, feeding me, and warming me through the harsh winters of my life. I pray that I might not forget the things You have shown me and that I would show them to my own. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.)

Why Penguins?

Many years ago, my mom gave me a penguin lamp. Then, I found two candles in a store. They were green holiday penguins. I thought they were so cute. (Years later they got melted out of the original shape when left in a hot place.) Then I started actually looking for items to add to the collection when my mom gave me a ceramic cookie jar.

Over the years, I've gotten small items and large items. Stuffed penguins, stickers, ornaments, candles, magnets, material, earrings, clothing, pictures, glass, and many other items are all a part of my eclectic collection. I'll share pictures along the way.

Why penguins? Back when I started, they were hard to find. Very few people were interested in them and I wanted to collect something that was out of the ordinary. In the past few years, it seems like they have come out of the woodwork and are everywhere. Of course, my favorites are the ones that are truly unique. It's fun to get the mass produced items from the discount store but I really love the ones that come from unusual places. I'm looking forward to sharing them and their stories - at least the ones I can remember.

(LORD, thank you for the penguin. It is one of the greatest testimonies of Your creation. In Jesus name, Amen.)

Flashlights and Candles - From the Archives

July 23, 2003

Psalm 18:28, 32
For thou will light my candle; the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.
It is God that girdeth me with strength and maketh my way perfect.

Sometimes when there doesn't seem to be anyway out of a bad, undesired situation, there is a light in the darkness. It may only be a small flicker at first but God reveals himself and the darkness disperses. Then, He clothes me in the strength to do what needs to be done. God is my modern candle - my flashlight - in a dark world. He reveals the traps and snags along my path so that I can walk safely around them. He shows me the beauty so that I might stop and enjoy. His light shows me His perfect trail ahead.

For further reading ... Psalm 18: 21-32

Defining the Archives

I have many scribbles, sticky notes, marked bulletins, study guides, and sheets of paper with references to specific verses in, on, or around my desk. I am a pack rat. I have a desire to put these tidbits all together in a devotional book or some semi-organized format. The random scraps of paper aren't doing anyone good.

On this blog, when I refer to the archives, it will be one of those scribbles, devotions, or notes from a sermon that touched my life in some way. There are only so many days in a year. If I can organize even some of these oddball papers onto this blog, I will be fulfilling the desire to share what God has spoken and done for me.

(LORD, I come before You laying my desire at Your feet. I pray that You will cultivate this desire if it aligns with Your will. I pray that You will use it for Your glory and honor. Thank You for making the way for me to know You. This I pray in Jesus name alone.)