In a Garden

Because it all started in a garden, called Eden.

Here Satan schemes to bring man down. 

Jesus begins to finish it in a garden, called Gethsemane. 

Jesus supremacy seats man in the heavenlies. 

In the garden Satan schemes to steal, kill, and destroy. 

Jesus strength  restores, ransoms, and redeems. 

In Eden Satan schemes to exalt himself. 

In Gethsemane Jesus humbled himself and accepted God’s will for his life, his death.

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
      and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
      in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
      to the glory of God the Father.” 

Philippians 2:9-12

How Quickly…

Daily I am reminded of how quickly life changes.  Our children are becoming adults before our very eyes.  Sometimes I feel so unable to understand everything humans have to walk through.  Parents that die too young, children that die too young.  Health issues, financial issues, relationship issues take a toll upon the heart.  Because I don’t understand I become fearful and temptation knocks loudly. 

Thinking about the crucifixion these last weeks brought me to ponder Peter.  Alone with his head in his hands trying to comprehend all that has happened.  Thoughts racing through his mind, hurt squeezing his heart.  I wonder if his thoughts went something like this…

Has it only been a week ago since we entered Jerusalem to the shouts of the crowd?  How quickly it all came to an end.  What a failure I’ve become.  I was sleeping when I should have been kneeling by his side praying.  How quickly with the soldiers came the chaos came.  I wanted to protect him so I drew my sword.  Inside I expected him to walk through the angry mob – he has done this before.  Jesus, we have walked on water together, you have raised the dead, You. are. God’s. son.  Why don’t you reveal your glory?  How can you let them bind you this way?  How could you heal that soldier?  Has it all been a lie? 

I don’t understand.  If you are helpless, how can I possibly survive?  The questions, the fear – am I next in line?  I deny what I know to be the truth – “I don’t know the man!”  Oh God, what have I done?  Betrayed your one and only Son.

“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!  No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”  1 Corinthians 10:12-13

Peter could not see the outcome from where he was standing.  Many times I don’t see the outcome from where I’m are standing.  The song that has been playing through my mind is “Standing on the Promises”.   Verse two says…

“Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
when the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
by the living Word of God I shall prevail,
standing on the promises of God.”

                     Text: R. Kelso Carter, 1849-1926
“When we are reminded that we are unable and he is able, we find ourselves free, leaning more and more on him.  And through our leaning, God reveals his glorious stability.

God’s ability is the backdrop of his glory.”

                                   David Nasser Glory Revealed

 

Scripture Only Sunday

Then, raising his eyes in prayer, Jesus said:
   Father, it's time.
   Display the bright splendor of your Son
   So the Son in turn may show your bright splendor.
   You put him in charge of everything human
   So he might give real and eternal life to all in his charge.
   And this is the real and eternal life:

   That they know you,
   The one and only true God,
   And Jesus Christ, whom you sent.
   I glorified you on earth
   By completing down to the last detail
   What you assigned me to do.
   And now, Father, glorify me with your very own splendor,
   The very splendor I had in your presence
   Before there was a world.

John 17:1-5 (The Message)

Saturday Sketches

Thankful Thursday

“And all your rejoicing in all things should therefore be a rejoicing in the cross where all your blessings were purchased for you at the cost of the death of the Son of God, Jesus Christ." -John Piper

Father – because of the cross of Christ and the free gift of eternal life (free to me, so costly for you), because you have given me – this life to live, because you daily give new mercies and your blessings abound, I give thanks for…

487. Long distance phone calls from faithful friend

488. Her continued healing from a disease that sought to destroy her body for more years than I can remember (an autoimmune disorder) – her voice is stronger every time we speak

GOD HEALS!

489. Pygmy goats have arrived

490. Day with clear blue sky and no rain

491. Day warm enough to drink coffee on the deck while I read life giving Word

492. Flowers blooming

493. Colors of spring

494. Grass turning green and lush (thanks for the rain)

495. Riding lawn mower

496. Having report cards completed and turned in to school

497. Gold-hearted mom, aunt, and uncle made it safely home to Idaho after RVing from Arizona to California to Nevada to Utah and home

498. Sensitive son and Princess daughter – scavenger hunt for spring break with Fullness kids

499. Teenage sons luau with Fullness student ministries – having a little fun

500. Birds chirping, flitting around the deck as I type these words of praise

Check out Ann’s blog anytime to be blessed, but especially on Monday’s to have your heart refreshed through the sharing of community giving thanks to God for his new mercies every day. To check out what the Gratitude Community is all about click the link below.

What Are the Odds?

Several weeks ago I ran across this book….

Glory Revealed by David Nasser 

…which of course I had to check out of the library because this is one of God’s words to me for 2010…GLORY.

I have been reading a chapter a day because in the introduction the author prays…

“Great God, use these next twenty chapters.  Allow them to be twenty different windows to see who You are.  But let them also be twenty windows we open up for you to enter into us….”

I hit window 14 (i.e. chapter 14) today.  The title is Glory Revealed Through Prophecy.  The author teaches us that the difference between prediction and prophecy is that one is from man and the other from God.  Prediction is man’s guess based on observation, experience, and reason.  Prophecy is a “God-given revelation.”   The Bible is full of prophecies. 

The book of Isaiah is full of prophecies concerning the Messiah.  “When it comes to prophecy surrounding the Messiah, no one described it more accurately that the prophet Isaiah.”  Isaiah prophesied everything from Christ birthplace in Galilee, to his being born of a virgin, to the rejection and torture of his death.  When I consider that Isaiah wrote the prophecies approximately 700 years before Christ was even born, I am astounded. 

But Isaiah wasn’t alone in speaking forth the horrors of the Messiah’s death.  King David in Psalms and Zechariah both wrote of his death.  Two other men who lived at different times in history getting it right. 

What are the odds?  The author points out that “if you add together the probabilities of just thirteen independent and non-related prophecies being correct, the chances are 1 in 10 to the 138th power.”  That is 10 with 138 zeros.  Mr. Nasser points out that of the 25,000 prophecies in the Bible over 2,000 have come to pass.  The rest are prophecies regarding the second coming of the Messiah. 

“God didn’t just give just a book of allegories and historical fables to glean wisdom from; he gave us an infallible treasure of the past, present, and future.” 

“God used prophecy to allow events of the past to build bridges to events of the future, glorifying God and reinforcing the character of His Word.”

What are the odds?  I’d say they are pretty certain that the God of Scripture is truly who he claims.  I rest assured that the God who has been faithful to keep his word through thousands of years will be faithful to fulfill his Words regarding the future. 

“None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written:
   "No eye has seen,
      no ear has heard,
   no mind has conceived
   what God has prepared for those who love him"— but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.
      The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.”     1 Corinthians 2:8-10

Happy Birthday!

Today is Gold-hearted mom’s birthday.  This is the first year in a long time she will spend it with her sister.  They have been able to celebrate both their birthdays together this year since she has been visiting aunt and uncle since January.  Looks like the are having a great adventure.

 Aunt and Gold-hearted mom - sisters

Uncle & Gold-hearted Mom with Pacific Ocean in background

A little snow in Arizona

Hey mom – hope you have a wonderful birthday!  You are the best mom ever!  We love and miss you.

Scripture Only Sunday

“Jesus answered, "Time's up. The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.

"Listen carefully: Unless a grain of wheat is buried in the ground, dead to the world, it is never any more than a grain of wheat. But if it is buried, it sprouts and reproduces itself many times over.

In the same way, anyone who holds on to life just as it is destroys that life. But if you let it go, reckless in your love, you'll have it forever, real and eternal.

"If any of you wants to serve me, then follow me. Then you'll be where I am, ready to serve at a moment's notice. The Father will honor and reward anyone who serves me.

"Right now I am storm-tossed. And what am I going to say? 'Father, get me out of this'? No, this is why I came in the first place.

I'll say, 'Father, put your glory on display.'"

A voice came out of the sky: "I have glorified it, and I'll glorify it again."

The listening crowd said, "Thunder!"

Others said, "An angel spoke to him!"

Jesus said, "The voice didn't come for me but for you.

At this moment the world is in crisis. Now Satan, the ruler of this world, will be thrown out.

And I, as I am lifted up from the earth, will attract everyone to me and gather them around me."

John 12:23-32 (The Message)

Saturday Sketches

Thankful Thursday

A quiet week as husband works many shifts at fire station and we finish assignments for this grading period. With all the rain and local flooding we have been staying close to home. As one day turns to another, Father God, this heart is flooded with gratitude. Thankful for…

481. A day it doesn’t rain

482. Princess daughter hearing a cry for help and responding…keeping someone else’s little one from falling from the rings

483. Sharing at the library playground

484. Freedom to say knitting is not my thing…princess daughter did get a “dress” for her doll out of my attempts

485. Loving couple…darling daughter and dear son-in-love…playing/working at the farm

486. Lips to utter prayers, intercede for holy saints, would you join me to pray for…medical mission team in Ghana – hands to touch the hurting bring Christ’s love and light, friend whose father entered Christ presence this past weekend, friends hearts reaching out to orphans in Vietnam and our city, beloved prayer warrior in Christ whose husband’s physical body needs healing

“But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” Romans 8:25-26

Please click on over to Ann’s blog on Mondays as she counts her blessings. To learn more about the Gratitude Community or find out how to join in, click the button below.

Color All Creation

Driving on the highway to service Sunday I could not help but notice all the trees budding. Life ready to bloom to…

Color All Creation

red bud blooms
scarlet tips remind
of sin stained tree
where grace comes first
love flows red
covering wretched heart

dogwood petals open
delicate white crosses remind
of sin stains washed
where grace comes first
forgiveness flows white
cleansing suffering soul

nourishing sap rises
green leaves cover remind
of sin stains freedom
where grace comes first
life flows green
colors all creation
with glory

---Nancy Kourmoulis

Random Acts of Poetry

L.L.’s invitation, “Write a poem about a certain street or street address” pushes memories to the surface. I try to put the pictures and sounds in the words.

Our Street

Mind meditates, remembers
Slow strolls on gravel road
Winding long lane
Trees frame quiet woods
Bobcat bounds, glimpse of deer
Turkeys call, hidden owls
Sound their presence while
Toddlers gaze at dandelions
Bicycles in all sizes glide
Weave back and forth
Among the memories
Over grass and asphalt
Teenage driver’s practice place
Boys pull garbage cans
Race quarter mile to street
Fog settles on reflection
Blurring what has past
Heart carries what mind
Forgets too quickly, living
234 Mountain Forest Trail

---Nancy Kourmoulis

Scripture Only Sunday

“Have you ever come on anything quite like this

             extravagant generosity of God, this deep, deep wisdom?

It's way over our heads. We'll never figure it out. 

Is there anyone around who can explain God?

Anyone smart enough to tell him what to do?

Anyone who has done him such a huge favor that God has to ask his advice? 

Everything comes from him;

Everything happens through him;

Everything ends up in him.

Always glory! Always praise! Yes. Yes. Yes.” 

Romans 11:33-36 (The Message)

Saturday Sketches

Thankful Thursday

“None is more impoverished than the one who has no gratitude. Gratitude is a currency that we can mint for ourselves, and spend without fear of bankruptcy.” ~Fred De Witt Van Amburgh

Father –  gratitude  – a virtue we can spend and spend and never run out of.  May I spend it lavishly on you Jesus giving thanks for…

471.  Those who blog, they encourage and challenge me.  I am amazed how God leads to words that nourish and heal just when I need them.  (The post from this past Tuesday links to some who have become God-given blessings in my life)

472. Firefighters and those in the forestry service who put  out our grass fire last week.  I am so grateful no one was injured and only grass and underbrush was burned

 

473.  Fun sun and dear son-in-love have finished one chicken tractor.  Now month old chicks can peck and scratch to their hearts content

474.  Sunshine and warm temperatures

475.  Sitting on neighbor’s porch chatting

476.  For a leader inviting me to a meeting for women’s ministry

477.  Wednesday night Bible study class

478.  Awesome worship leaders

479.   Wherever I walk, the presence of Christ and his redeeming work is all around

480.  His power at work in me – changing me

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check out Ann’s blog anytime to be blessed, but especially on Monday’s to have your heart refreshed through the sharing of community giving thanks to God for his new mercies every day.  To check out what the Gratitude Community is all about click the link below.

The Silence of Christ

I ponder Ann’s invitation for this week’s Walk with Him Wednesday….Learning from Silence.   My thoughts turn to the mystery of  Christ’s silence.

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.  We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.  He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.”  Isaiah 53:5-7

The religious leaders accused, the guards mocked and struck out, most disciples fled in fear, Peter denied, and the crowd cried, “Crucify.”  My wretchedness stands next to theirs, my sin mingles with theirs crying out for forgiveness.  Not understanding the gravity of what is happening as he is pierced, crushed, oppressed, and afflicted by those he came to set free.

When Christ was silent he provided forgiveness for transgressions and iniquities.  He granted peace instead of punishment.  His wounds bring complete healing to sin wounded hearts.  

Because Christ was oppressed and afflicted,  bearing sin and shame in silence, in silence, I surrender and glorify Him alone.

 

“After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light [of life] and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.  Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”  Isaiah 53:11-12

 

 

 

“Every Wednesday, we Walk with Him, posting a spiritual practice that draws us nearer to His heart. Click to read the entire series of spiritual practices.”  --Ann Voskamp

Obstacles

  This is how the stump looked the day we cut the tree down.  It looked pretty much like the other tree stumps we had cut that day.  Nothing too menacing, just a stump that now needs to be removed so we can continue widening the road, so we can continue to move a house.

Precious husband and neighbor start digging, moving dirt, leveling areas in the road that are sunken, and digging some more.  Then reality sets in – the roots under the ground are huge – think the size of a smart car.  Now how to move it out of the way.  Better yet, what are we going to do with it when we move it? 

My heart thinks that this is a reality for my spiritual life as well.  There are obstacles in the way – sin, life situations, fears, disappointments – just to name a few.  They don’t look so difficult from above the ground.  Yet when I begin to dig down and see the roots, well, the word overwhelmed comes to mind. 

Daily with help from the Spirit of God I seek to overcome the obstacles of my life.  I learn “Life goes on…love still lives…God is still God” – even when the answer is no.   I learn that it is better to mourn than medicate when the pain comes.   I learn that if i’d rejoice in suffering he will overwhelm me with his love and grace.   I learn to give thanks – that gratitude truly changes my attitude.  I learn weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. 

I exercise my spiritual muscles to overcome the obstacles of my life…through worship…regularly with a local body of Christ.  Through fear…walking through a class to gain freedom over the exposed roots…letting them be exposed.  Through surrender…risking my tender heart, trust me when I say roots exposed are tender, by stepping out of my comfort zone.  I attend a meeting to help with women’s ministry (I realize how introverted I am).  Through trust…believing that if God is for me, who can be against me…trusting the One who loves me most…that he will comfort me.

“[The God of All Comfort] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”- 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

I am believing that he will remove the obstacles and use them for his glory alone.  I am also believing that Precious husband and neighbor will find a way to remove the obstacle holding up progress on the road.

Scripture Only Sunday

 

“And I saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire and, standing beside the sea, those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and over the number of his name.

 

They held harps given them by God  and sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb:

 

"Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty.

Just and true are your ways, King of the ages. 

Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name?

For you alone are holy.

All nations will come and worship before you,

for your righteous acts have been revealed."  

Revelation 15:2-4

Saturday Sketches

A new feature…read about it here.

Thankful Thursday

“One looks at life as a gift, a painting of lights and darks, each defining the other, not a series of good and bad things. Giving thanks, and often, frees the spirit and makes the heart secure.” (Fay Bohlayer)

Father – I don’t want to view my life as a “series of good and bad things" but as opportunities in everything to create a space for your glory.  To see your goodness in every situation that comes my way.  God, this week I’m thankful for…

461.  Inspiration of local art museum

462.   Quiet time to try my hand at art

463.  Hands on exhibit at local science center

 

 

 

 

464.  Precious husband and Princess daughter headed out together – dad and daughter time 

465.  Fruit trees for garden spot

466.   New additions to the farm

 

467.  New hobby to learn

468.  Firefighter husband cooking lunch at fire station for us to enjoy after service on Sunday…Grilled chicken breast with braised onions, spinach, mozzarella cheese and Cajun spices

469.   Sensitive son’s vigilant care for Lady girl

470.  Help moving a horse to the farm when we have no trailer to use in the process

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check out Ann’s blog anytime to be blessed, but especially on Monday’s to have your heart refreshed through the sharing of community giving thanks to God for his new mercies every day.  To check out what the Gratitude Community is all about click the link below.

 

(Last week I accidentally posted two thankful lists.  I’ve taken the one meant for this week and added to it – because God continues to flood me with His glory and grace.)

Hungry

I forgot.  It has been sitting in a box in the basement since we moved in with Gold-hearted mom last year.  Today Precious husband pulled it out and sent it upstairs with sensitive son.  So princess daughter and I layer the ingredients inside.  We push the button and let the machine do its wondrous work. 

We continue our daily routine.  We learn about the animals God created on the sixth day.  We jump rope while reciting spelling words.  R-e-p-e-t-i-t-i-o-n, repetition, one jump for each letter and then the word. 

When the machine starts to whir again the two that are home – sensitive son and princess daughter – question hungrily, “Is it ready?”  Sadly I reply, not yet.  It takes time for the goodness to come.

So we continue.  Drawing circles we discuss radius and diameter.  We measure perimeter and area.   They build a fort and watch light snow falling in this southern town on a cold, gray day.

Then comes the smell, filling the house with the fragrance.  The hunger pangs grow stronger.  Physically the stomach begins to churn needing to be filled.  “Isn’t it time yet?” 

Finally, the timer sounds.  Gently we empty the stoneware.  Now is the  time to be filled.  Lunch is served to compliments of “This crust is so good.”  “You should make this more often.”

Hunger is satisfied. 

“Jesus responded, "The real significance of that Scripture is not that Moses gave you bread from heaven but that my Father is right now offering you bread from heaven, the real bread. 

The Bread of God came down out of heaven and is giving life to the world." 

They jumped at that: "Master, give us this bread, now and forever!" 

Jesus said, "I am the Bread of Life. The person who aligns with me hungers no more and thirsts no more, ever.”             John 6:32-35 (The Message)

I consider how I hunger for God.  Do I forget it takes time?  Daily line upon line, precept upon precept His goodness shapes me.  The more I repeat the process, the fragrance of Christ invites me, the hunger increases.   I sit at Father’s banquet table.  I taste and see that the Lord is good.  Christ completely satisfies.

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Ann challenges to consider sharing in community:

Hungering for God

 (For more of the Walk with Him Wednesday series click on the link above.)