The picture above so perfectly fits and describes my story—uphill, downhill, round and round, exciting, and scary, bright spots and dark spots. My “joyful journey” has sometimes been an amazing thrill ride and sometimes just a big downward spiral! But, the emotional, mental, and physical struggles are all part of the story, and through it all, I see clear reflections of God’s amazing grace.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Soul Satisfaction

The soul finds its fullest contentment
in life’s most startling hue;
when the glorious love of Jesus
is living inside of you!
 
It will not be seen through cloudless skies
in various shades of blue;
nor will it be seen in grassy green,
with sparkle of morning dew.
 
It isn’t found in crystal clear drops
as life-giving rain pours through,
nor in the pallet of the rainbow,
though all it’s colors seem new.
 
It wasn’t found in gathering clouds
being whipped by winds that blew;
nor was it found in the stormy skies
when silvery lightning flew.

It wasn’t felt in the pouring rain
as the gray clouds filtered through;
nor was it felt in the dampened air,
of the misty fog it drew. 
 
It couldn’t be seen in the sunshine,
as it’s blinding brilliance grew;
nor could it be seen in the sunset,
with it’s rosy, golden hue.
 
It isn’t found in fading twilight,
as twinkling stars come in view;
nor is it found in the moonlight’s glow,
giving light all the night through.
 
No, the soul finds small satisfaction
in things that please only you,
for the things we like change too often;
we always want something new.

But, the soul that finally finds Jesus,
finds a friend that’s tried and true;
and the soul that is filled with Jesus
finds that He makes all things new.

Saturday, September 8, 2012

Finding Joy in the Journey

Joy in the Journey
 
Catch a sunbeam
Spot a rainbow
Follow a dream
Search high and low.
 
Sing a new song
Make a new friend
Right an old wrong
Let sorrow end.
 
Wear a nice smile
Give away cheer
Chat for awhile
Bring others near.
 
Share from your cup
Give others hope
Never give up
Learn how to cope.
 
Hold on to love
Let go of pride
Seek God above
In Him abide.

Monday, August 27, 2012

Change

Some thoughts from Sunday's sermon:

1.  We need to take the next step in our journey of faith.

2.  We also need to take the first step across the line of change if we want to see change happen in our lives.  Change doesn't happen just because we desire it and hope it will happen.    We cannot keep on doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different outcome someday.  If we really desire a different outcome, we must do things differently than we have been doing them!

3.  Make right choices and do the right thing simply because you are totally committed to God.  If we actually work on change, God will change us!

Reasons why someone works on change:
A.  Someone knows enough to want to change.
B.  Someone finally hurts enough to have to change.

Reasons why someone doesn't work on change:
A.  Someone is unwilling to change.
B.  Someone is shallow in their thinking.
C.  Someone is too comfortable as is.
D.  Someone is too uncomfortable with change.

In the words of our Pastor:  I dare you!  I dare you to change!  I dare you to take the next step in your journey of faith!  I double-dog dare you!!


Sunday, July 29, 2012

Looking Back

This morning I am sitting in bed looking back through this blog.  Normally I would be in church on Sunday morning, but I haven't been feeling well for the last few days, so I'm at home. 

It has been delightful to look back through my entire blog and reminisce a bit.  It's a bummer to see that many (perhaps most) of my pictures are gone.  That happened when my picture hosting program on the internet ceased to exist.  I received a warning that it was going to happen, but thought it didn't matter since my pictures are all stored in a file on my computer.  I didn't stop to think that a lot of pictures in my blog were transferred from that picture hosting program that I had used to edit my pictures before posting them here.  Oh well; it would take too much work and time to repost all of the missing pictures.

While looking back this morning, I came across a silly little limerick that I wrote several years ago--which I had forgotten all about, but I do remember writing it.  The funny thing is, according to the old blog post, I was sitting in bed with a cup of coffee (just like now) when I wrote it.  Here 's what I wrote on 9/27/2007:

"Where did this wee bit o' wit come from? I have absolutely no idea! I was just lounging in my bed, enjoying the cup of coffee my dear husband had brought to me, marveling at the lovely view out my bedroom windows (the full moon still visible in the marbled waves of the light morning sky), when all of sudden this silly rhyme began building itself, unbidden, yet determined to continue forming. Finally, it demanded that I get out of bed and transfer it from a short memory to a hard drive!"
Are ya bein' a twit?
Are ya throwin' a fit?
Are ya stuck in a snit?
Then get up 'n git!
Jump outta that pit!
Take a break for a bit.
Find a place ya can spit--
See whatcha can hit.
Rest yer mind while ya sit.
Determine ta quit
Squeezin' that zit!
 Have a joyful day, okay? 

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Days of Summer

It's the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer again, and it's 107 degrees outside!

Lazy? Yes!

Hazy? Not really. I just checked and the sky is clear blue!

Crazy? Hmmmm...sometimes I wonder about this one. But then, I talk to others my age...and...they struggle with this question also! (Does putting my cup full of coffee in the pantry instead of in the microwave mean anything?)

I don't know if anyone else experiences this as frequently as we do, but it seems like the "crazies" in life keep multiplying like rabbits! It used to be that once in a great while one would have to put up with the occasional mistake that would show up on a bill or in some other business transaction. But, what used to be infrequent has become much more frequent, and it seems to be much more difficult to resolve than it used to be.

We also notice that when we make phone calls to get "mess-ups" straightened out, the "customer service" agent that we get on the line, seems to lack intelligence and common sense! Is this progress??? Is this the outcome of our current educational system at work???

Whatever happened to accuracy and intelligence and logic and common sense???

Aarrgghh...pardon me while I rant and rave for a moment.

Okay, now back to the lazy, hazy, CRAZY days of summer...

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Praise

What does the word praise mean to you?  That question was asked in my Bible study lesson.  According to Lysa Terkeurst, in her book Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl, "Praise is the key that releases God's character back into even the ugliest of attitudes and darkest of situations." 

That statement intrigued me when I read it and I stopped to think about it.  It seemed to be a simple question with a obvious answer.  However, when I paused to give it more consideration, I realized my quick answer was either wrong or only partially right.  My first thought was, thanksgiving or thankfulness.  Of course, I was thinking spiritually!  When I am thanking God, I am praising Him, right?  What if I were praising another person?  Is it the same as thanking that person?  Probably not. 

To praise someone is to extol that person's virtues.  That said, I realized that if I am going to offer my praise to God, it will include extoling His virtues.  (Of course, that should include my thanksgiving for Him--who He is and what He does.)

If the above statement is true, "Praise is the key that releases God's character back into even the ugliest of attitudes and darkest of situations." , then it will be the acknowledgement of God's virtuous, perfect character that allows Him to take control of even the worst of circumstances, and enables me to yield myself to His control in any situation.

This morning, in my "quiet time" with God, in my regularly scheduled Bible reading, I read Psalm 36 and came upon a perfect example of praising God.  King David of old said to God: 
"Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.  Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the ocean depths.  You care for people and animals alike, O Lord.  How precious is your unfailing love, O God!  All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings.  You feed them from the abundance of your own house, letting them drink from your rivers of delight.  For You are the fountain of life, the light by which we see."
Psalm 36:59 New International Translation)
Now, that is praise to our God!     

Sunday, July 15, 2012

The Road Less Taken


Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

                                                                                           Robert Frost

I have always liked this poem.  This part of it was mentioned in the sermon at church this morning.  As I began thinking on that statement, I reminisced the “roads” I have taken in my life journey.

What difference has it made in my life to make the choices I made?  As I ponder this, I realize that I will never know.  So what’s the point? 

The point is that I have no regret about the “roads” I have chosen, and I am so thankful for that!  I have no doubt that God has led me and influenced the choices I’ve made, and that’s a wonderful realization! 

As we have moved from place to place along our journey, it has always been perfectly clear to us that God is/was directing us in our choices and decisions.  We have chosen to follow His leading, and that has made all the difference!

For me, the road less taken was the one I was uncertain about--the one I wasn't convinced I should take.  There is peace and contentent when the road chosen is the one God chose for me.

And, that has made all the difference.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Secret Treasure

She showed off her treasures,
so fragile and old.
Proudly she displayed them,
their value untold.

Covered only by dust,
in stillness they slept.
Their beauty now faded,      
their secret well-kept.

So gently she touched them,
as each one she wound.
Still figures came to life,
quiet became sound.

Awakened by music,
and dancing with glee,
Her treasures came alive,
their secret now free.

What secret do you hold,
kept quiet by you?
Protected as treasure,
well hidden from view.

Maybe you’ll meet someone
lacking joy today.
Would you share your secret,
to brighten life’s way?

As you release what’s yours,
your reward will be
Increase of your treasure,
secret joy set free.

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

In God We Still Trust


Friday, March 30, 2012

Finally Home

It's so good to be at home--our own home--finally!  After nearly two years of living in a rented house, we have finally settled into our own place--not fully unpacked yet, but settled and comfortable nonetheless.  We are hoping to call this new place home for at least four years, unless the Lord calls us HOME (our final home) first.

I am still spending two days a week at Day Spring Assisted Living, and enjoying it more than I can fully explain.  When I am there, I feel totally at home among friends.  There is a wonderful, God-filled atmosphere there that I have never experienced before.  I am accepted and loved and blessed beyond measure in the presence of residents and workers alike.  Although I am only a volunteer, I own my job and care for my "friends" as though they are my own family.  When I am not there, they wonder where I am, and when I'll be back.  (When I return they ask me, "Where have you been?")

Dallas, Texas is home--for now.  We both love it here.  Once again God has shown us that when we go where He leads us, our hearts will be "at home", even in a new place.  This life-long journey of traveling with God has been an incredible adventure that we wouldn't trade for the stability of staying in one place for life.  Someday our Heavenly Father will move us to our final HOME for all of eternity, but until then we are content to move around and experience all that He has for us here on earth.

Speaking of "moving around"--it's time for me get moving with the rest of my day!

Friday, January 6, 2012

Summer Already?

Temperatures in the low 70s (F), clear blue skies and bright sunshine = summertime, right?  So, I took full advantage of the opportunity for sunbathing by the pool, and loved it!  Now this is more like what we expected here in the wintertime.  Yes!

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

"You must subdue it!"

Currently I am reading the book of Genesis. Since Genesis is the first book in the Bible, and the account of the beginning of time, I figured it would be an appropriate place to start my Bible reading in this new year.

The first verse that has really stood out to me is Genesis 4:7:  "You will be accepted if you respond in the right way.  But if you refuse to respond correctly, then watch out!  Sin is waiting to attack and destroy, and you must subdue it."  (the New Living Translation)--especially this part:  "You must subdue it!" 

That says that it is up to me to take control of how I live my life--whether I choose to respond to hard things "correctly" (as pleases God) or "incorrectly" (as pleases me in the heat of the moment, but displeases God).  It says that if I respond incorrectly, "sin is waiting to attack and destroy."  Is that really what I want?  If that's not what I want, then I am responsible to subdue what comes "natural" to me (In Genesis 8:21 it says: "...people's thoughts and actions are bent toward evil from childhood.")and choose to please God rather than follow my own natural instincts.   That's really hard to do!

We begin life simply following our own natural instincts.  The role of parents is to train children to learn right from wrong, and to develop the habit of choosing to do right.  The life of a child is much more peaceful when he/she makes the right choices.  That fact of life never changes.  As adults we must continue to make right choices, responding correctly in the hard things--even when it doesn't come naturally! 

The start of a new year is a great time to start learning to do this.  It's not just a matter of asking God to help us, although that is a must.  It's also a matter of taking personal responsibility for our responses--a choice to make.  It's a matter of subduing (choosing to control) our natural instincts because God expects us to and empowers us to do that!

That is a worthy goal to aim for, and a great way to live!  Woohoo for a fresh new start and a clean slate to try again!
Remember:  every day is a new beginning!   

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Happy New Year!

Wondering what 2012 will be like . . .

2011 was a very tough year for me--so glad that it's done!  However, we ended it well by going for a 7-mile walk along a nice trail in Dallas yesterday.  The weather was almost like summer, and the trail was busy with lots of people taking advantage of a beautiful day!

Today was spent, first at church, then taking down the tree and the house lights, putting away all of the Christmas decorations, and getting the house back in order.  Finally, to celebrate a job well-done, and to start the new year off in a great way, I enjoyed sitting outside by the pool, soaking up the sunshine and mild temperature.

I'm now done with cardiac rehabilitation, and I'm feeling fine--back to normal.  I will continue my cardiac exercise routine at home with treadmill, eliptical trainer, and hand weights. 

Larry will begin a new job on Tuesday, still working for FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation), but in a different department.  Just like his original job with FDIC, this new job is also a 2-year contract job with the possibility of being extended for an additional two years.  So, it looks like we will stay put here for another couple of years or more.

I am still working (volunteering) at the assisted living facility, two days a week, and still loving it!  Every day I spend there is such a blessing to me, and I consider the residents my friends and family.  It is so enjoyable to be with them, and know that they are filling up my heart just as I believe I am filling up their hearts.

So, as we enter this new year, I wish for you the joy and peace that comes from knowing Jesus intimately and letting Him fill up your heart and life.  May His blessings overwhelm you and bless you abundantly throughout 2012!

Thursday, November 10, 2011

From My Wide-Awake Night Time

I've been reading in Ephesians this week since we are starting into a study of the book of Ephesians at church, starting this coming Sunday. 

First thing I notice is that Paul is consistent!  He starts his letter to the Ephesian church in much the same way as his letter to the Thessalonian church:
"May grace and peace be yours, sent to you from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord."
Then he went on to remind us that God "has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we belong to Christ."

The specific blessings he mentions are:
  • grace
  • peace
  • adoption into His own family;
  • wonderful kindness toward us;
  • wisdom;
  • understanding;
  • an inheritance reserved for His own children (including us who have been adopted by Him);
  • the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.
These are His free gifts to those who belong to His dearly loved Son Jesus.  We receive them when we choose to believe in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God, the Messiah.  It's that simple!

Want wisdom and understanding?  Invite Jesus into your life to guide you and direct your thoughts in all matters.  Live like you belong to God and want to honor Him by the way you live your life.