Change

Yesterday I talked about "change".  Today, in my "quiet time" reading, I read something about "change", written by Jill Briscoe.  She was talking about how her peace is restored, even in the midst of change:

"First, change is an incentive to my spiritual serenity as I am forced to be God-reliant, not self-reliant.  Being out of my comfort zone means I look to Him for comfort.

Second, change gets me out of a rut, which someone has said is only a grave with the ends knocked out.  Anything that forces us to do that increases our sense of well-being.

Third, change gives me a chance to start over and forces me to be flexible.  Change helps me to move beyond my rigid positions, inviting me to grow in spiritual intelligence as I think in new ways about new challenges that face me.

Fourth, change forces me to accept things I cannot change--and to have peace about them!  

Some changes arrive on our doorstep, having asked no permission from us!  Then it is up to us to ask the Lord to help us respond rightly to changes that He--a good and loving God--has allowed.  God's indwelling Spirit offers us power and peace in the midst of change.  In this sure knowledge, we can be at peace." 

The changing of the seasons provides an excellent illustration of
"change".  Springtime shows us new life from that which appeared to be dead, but was only dorment.  Spring flowers bring new beauty and vibrancy to the earth--in sharp contrast to the dullness of winter hibernation. Spring cleaning brings about a new "freshness" to our homes.

It rings true that positive change is incredibly refreshing as it brings about new growth, beauty, and vibrancy.  Doesn't it follow that there should also be seasons of positive change within our lives?

Whether you are aware of needed changes or you feel confident that no change is needed, why not ask God what change(s) He desires to bring about in your life?

"Change my heart, O God;

Make it ever true;

Change my heart, O God;

   May I be like You."

Welcome Spring!

Spring brings another opportunity for "newness",
"freshness" and beauty to spring forth--from the inside to the outside. What is springing forth from your life?
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A spring of water cannot bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water. (James 3:11) What kind of
"water" bubbles out of you?
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A salt spring cannot produce fresh water (James 3:12) What kind of "spring" are you?
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Spring is a time for new growth and change.
What is growing in you? What needs to change in you?
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"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." (Romans 12:2)

Change me, Lord--make me more like You.

gniknihT esreveR

WOO HOO !

I'm goin' to Montana next week!!!

Indescribable Calamity

With just two of us in our home, and life going really well for us, it seems impossible not to be fully enveloped in what is happening in Japan.  The television is full of dreadful news and pictures of complete devastation that totally bombards my senses.   I have found it difficult to think of anything that I want to blog about. My own little world seems absolutely perfect compared to the world of Japan. The people over there have had their world turned upside down, to put it mildly!

"Unimaginable distress and grief"

"Unbearable pictures and details of horror"

"Unbelievable damage and destruction"

"Unfathomable heartbreak and loss"

These are just a few of the expressions uttered in the fearsome news reports being broadcast continuously since this tragic and horrific event began. The devastation and suffering caused by this apocolyptic event is far worse than anything that has occurred in recent years. The impact of this catastrophy already exceeds the tragic consequences and predictions of any major disasters in recent history.

May God help them and comfort them.  Beyond that I am speechless.

Some of My Favorite Pictures

Unsquishable Joy

I’ve been thinking . . . has anyone ever wondered whether this “joy” thing I ride on is real, or whether I just like to promote that image? For some reason, I’m pondering that question today. So, maybe I need to talk about it.

Yes, this “joy” thing is real in my life! It’s very real to me, and it is really me! I’m full of it! (joy, that is) It just seems to bubble out of me, without me having to drink liquid soap first!

I think I inherited the gift of laughter and the ability to find the “funny” in everything, from my grandmother and my mother. However, I believe true joy is a gift from God.

That doesn’t mean that my life is always wonderful and happy. I experience sorrow and hurt, loneliness and sadness, loss and grief, frustration and disappointment, happiness and unhappiness, just like all human beings do. Yet, somehow, even in the midst of all that, joy remains. It springs up from somewhere deep inside of me and flows out unbidden. I can’t seem to squish it, nor would I want to try-- even if I was concerned about others being skeptical of the validity of my joy.

The words to an old Southern Gospel song suddenly come to mind:

 “This happy face that I’m wearing—

I know my Jesus put it there to stay!

  And since the world didn’t give it to me,

 I know the world can’t take it away!” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"This smile on my face wasn’t always there--the struggles use to get me down;
Hassles and problems from every direction use to make me wear a frown;
In the midst of the storms, I found a deep contentment, to help me face this night and day;
You see the world didn’t give it to me, and the world can’t take it away!

The world didn’t give it to me, and the world can’t take it away;
The world didn’t give it to me, and the world can’t take it away;
This happy face that I’m wearing--you know my Jesus put it there to stay;
And since the world didn’t give it to me, I know the world can’t take it away!"

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Much More Than Just a Journey to the Grave!

Tonight I came across a quote I've heard several times over the last few years. It conjures up an image in my mind that makes me laugh every time I hear it.

Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming:
   "WOO HOO what a ride!"

Here Comes March!

What comes to mind for you when you think of "March"?

This is what pops into my mind:

March Madness

March of Dimes

March for Life

March of the Toy Soldiers

Beware the Ides of March

Marching bands

As we go marching on

We are marching to Pretoria...

Marching to the beat of my own drum

He marched them up to the top of the hill, and marched them down again

March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb(or vice-versa)

We're marching upward to Zion, that beautiful city of God

Oh, Lord, I want to be in that number, when the saints go marching in!

What else?

HEAVEN IS FOR REAL

A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back

Heaven is for Real
By: Todd Burpo, Lynn Vincent

This is the true story of the four-year old son of a small town Nebraska pastor who during emergency surgery slips from consciousness and enters heaven. He survives and begins talking about being able to look down and see the doctor operating and his dad praying in the waiting room. The family didn't know what to believe but soon the evidence was clear.

Colton said he met his miscarried sister, whom no one had told him about, and his great grandfather who died 30 years before Colton was born, then shared impossible-to-know details about each. He describes the horse that only Jesus could ride, about how "reaaally big" God and his chair are, and how the Holy Spirit "shoots down power" from heaven to help us.

Told by the father, but often in Colton's own words, the disarmingly simple message is heaven is a real place, Jesus really loves children, and be ready, there is a coming last battle.
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This book was recommended highly by a friend of mine, so I put it on my Christmas wish list, and did receive it. I read it and then passed it on to Larry to read. Both of us were absolutely amazed by this true story!

It turns out that the author/pastor is related to and known by some people in our church, so he was invited to come and speak to us. He and his wife were our guests this past Sunday, and an audio clip of the interview is posted below. I highly encourage you to listen, and read the book. It is an incredible, yet totally credible account of a young boy's visit in Heaven, and then coming back to tell about it.

Here is an excerpt from the book--read it now.

Buy		Read

Living in a World Gone Nuts!

This morning, as I sit here at the computer reading the news, coffee cup in hand, I am overwhelmed with a flood of disgust and sadness at the state of violent turmoil in which our world spins, seemingly out of control!

People viciously mistreat and disrespect others and then turn around and blame their victims! It's happening everywhere! Even I have personally experienced this strange phenomenon in recent days. Unfortunately, this type of incredulous attack has become reality in our world today--not only in far off places, but within our own spaces.

• What has happened to decency and common sense?
• Why do people insist on promoting their own selfish and corrupt desires, even at the expense of others?
• Why is there no consideration for the personal rights and well-being of others?
• Why does a perpetrator blame his/her victim?

It seems to me that an evil destroyer is hard at work, seeking victims to devour. Hmmmm, a Bible verse suddenly comes to mind:

"Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. Take a firm stand against him and be strong in your faith." (I Peter 5:8,9b)

Oh, God, help me (us) to stand firm against attacks by the enemy. For we aren't really struggling against flesh and blood, but against the devil--the enemy of our souls!

"Be strong with the Lord's mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil. For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:10-12)

Oh, how I needed that reminder from God this morning! We are living in a world that has gone nuts--a world that is seriously under attack by the enemy of our souls!
But, praise be to God, our ever present help in times of trouble!

Joy Unspeakable

This morning I woke up with a song playing in my head, and it just keeps on playing continuously:

"Hallelujah, I am rejoicing, singing His praises all the day long..."

My heart is full of joy this morning!

(Thanks, Lord!)

Speak Good Thoughts . . .

One addition to the post below this one:

If you speak good thoughts, someone will criticize you.
Speak good thoughts anyway!

Just Do it Anyway!

ANYWAY

(Popularly assumed to be penned by Mother Teresa,
but more likely by Dr. Kent Keith)

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered;
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you

of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends

and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest people with the biggest ideas can be shot down

by the smallest people with the smallest minds;
Think big anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis,
it is between you and your God;
(It was never between you and them anyway.)

(Presented by our pastor in one of his recent sermons)