Thankful Thursday

Like so many during the month of April we are listening to the weather, finding a safe place to sit during the storm.  

“But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
   let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
   that those who love your name may rejoice in you.”  Psalm 5:11

So many have lost their homes, businesses, and lives during this record breaking weather outbreak.  The world seems spinning out of control, but I know the one who is in control.  No matter that the earth quakes, storms spin, wars rage, refuge is found in God alone.  All can rejoice because He offers eternal protection. 

Father – today I am thankful for…

1081.  Your presence when storm winds blow
1082.  You will never forsake us
1083.  Prayers of the saints
1084.  First responders in times of catastrophe
1085.  Safety for first responders
1086.  Meteorologists who spend hours seeking to keep others safe
1087.  Power crews
1088.  Neighbors helping neighbors
1089.  New life at darling daughter’s farm


1090.  Every day a new chance to start over
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Weekly, daily, I count the graces God pours into our lives.  Here I keep a record of His goodness.  Perhaps you would consider starting an adventure looking for all the ways God pours out his blessings.  Check out more at the link below…

Wednesday Worship

Resurrection Sunday began for me with this song led by a sweet friend and her husband.   The whole song is amazing, I keep going back to these phrases:

“the power of love displayed its might…the sweet sound of victory so loud and clear…the grave could not hold The King”

Arise My Love by Newsong

Scripture Only Sunday

“The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.”

Psalm 103:6

“In Jerusalem they found the Eleven and those with them assembled together and said, “It is true! The Lord has risen…” 

Luke 24:33-34

A Day of Absolution

Today, Good Friday, Christians consider the cross.  Weeks have been spent struggling to swallow the scope of all Christ accomplished by his death and resurrection.   As one who does not come from a traditional background where Lent is observed, I have spent the last two years searching, stretching myself in my own personal Lent observance.  There are a couple of websites full of insight and contemplation I have read for prayerful ponderings. 

One website speaks of praying the Stations of the Cross.  This is new to me, so I read through their explanation and stations.  Their site explains  “…it is a powerful way to contemplate, and enter into, the mystery of Jesus' gift of himself to us.  It takes the reflection on the passion out of my head,….  It involves my senses…To the extent I come to experience the love of Jesus for me, to that extent the gratitude I feel will be deep.”

Colossians, which I strive to commit to memory, speaks of mystery:

“My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”  Colossians 2:2-3

So I take their teaching and put it together with pictures from Google images and Scriptures using all as a guide.  I pray and consider the way of the cross, the steps Jesus took that day.   Jesus suffering on the cross is a mystery God wants to unfold more intimately for me.  I take the time to visualize Christ’s agony, to allow His passionate love to fill my heart, not just my head.  His love was so great, I want my love and gratitude to go deep. I weep and I rejoice because His humiliation absolves me of sin. 

A dear friend posts words on Facebook, reminder from a well-loved hymn and I hum the words all day…

“Jesus paid it all,

All to Him I owe

Sin had left a crimson stain

He washed it white as snow.”

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Song “Jesus Paid It All”  by Elvina M. Hall, music by John T. Grape

Thankful Thursday

One of her friends was baptized this past Sunday.  She comes in the early morning quiet and finds me reading.  In the midst of my morning devotions she makes a confession.  “I’ve been baptized because Jesus forgave my sins and I follow Jesus.  But, Mom, I don’t think I’m living like a very good Christian.  Could I get up and do Bible study with you and would you teach me?”  There is no. way. I can deny such an honest confession and plea.  
We look online for devotions for girls.  Finally we decide to use Scripture and a few online helps to study the lives of women in the Bible.  Eve was first and so we open Genesis and look at her life.  Eve the mother of us all who was disobedient and deceived.  We see the cost of her sin – we live the cost of ours. Princess daughter and I discuss the importance of obedience and truth. 
“Jesus answered, I am the way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”  John 14:6
Truth is a person – Jesus.
“If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching.  My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”  John 14:23
If we love the truth – Jesus – we will obey his teaching.  The reward is the Father will love us.  The Father and Jesus will come and make their home with us – Emmanuel – God with us. 
Father, I am thankful for your Spirit that resides in her and he causes her to seek you, to seek help finding you and understanding your ways.   Jesus, give us wisdom and understanding to be followers of you.  Spirit, guide us into all truth. 
On Princess daughter’s last birthday she received a little point and shoot camera.  I always love taking her card and putting the pictures on my computer – seeing life from her perspective. 
a day at the local zoo…and botanical garden
     
           
an ordinary day around the house…
                          
Her tender confession…
The way she seeks God…
Opening Scripture together…
Co-teaching Seder meaning to children…
Sharing a shortened Passover together…
Distorted faces as they taste the bitter herbs…
Smiles as they try the haroseth…
Solemn silence as they take the bread and the wine…

this do in remembrance of Jesus…

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Weekly, daily, I count the graces God pours into our lives.  Here I keep a record of His goodness.  This week I add #’s 1071-1080.  Perhaps you would consider starting an adventure looking for all the ways God pours out his blessings.  Check out more at the link below…

Wednesday Worship

Each day I consider what and how the Lord wants to teach me about allowing Him to consume me.  For the last several weeks this is the song that pretty continually runs through my mind.  It wraps itself around my heart.  As the hearts of the two on the road to Emmaus burns, so this song makes my heart burn. 

Misty Edwards, You Won’t Relent

“The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”  Zephaniah 3:17

Jesus – be the fire inside me.

Setting Out After Dark

I can’t leave them just yet.  They have taken up residence in my heart.  Their despair and disappointment have lived in my heart when life, when Jesus, didn’t show up in the way I thought he should.  It seems he prefers to reveal himself in amazingly more wondrous ways.

“Their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.  They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.”  Luke 24:31-35

God was getting ready to birth a work in Jerusalem.  The two on the road to Emmaus were headed in the wrong direction.  Jesus wanted them in community, with those he was going to pour out his Spirit.  He didn’t want them to miss out, they had been faithful followers.

Jesus went to them delivering hope and encouragement.  These two were so excited about the truth that Jesus was alive they set out after the hour for travel.  It could be a treacherous journey to travel at night.  They had just seen the risen Jesus, the one who was crucified, so their fears of death were banished.  Their only thought, return to Jerusalem to deliver the same hope and encouragement to the followers of Christ there. 

Jesus is alive and continues to work to this very day.  The hour is growing dark.  I don’t always understand the way God works, I just trust, believe, that he is in control and working all out for his good purpose.  The Spirit gives hope and encouragement to travel the treacherous journey through this world.  How do I know?  He has given in abundance, his hope and encouragement, to me through these two and this walk to Emmaus.

Scripture Only Sunday

“When he was at the table with them, he took break, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them.  Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.”  Luke 24:30-31

Tuning In…

The weather has been rough today.  Living in the south one learns early to tune in to the local weather during season changes.  Tornadoes are quite common here, those spinning funnels of destruction.  So we spend the day watching the radar and listening to the reports.  

 
Makes me wonder – spiritually – do I truly tune in to God with the same intensity?  I don’t think so.  My flesh gets in the way and I spin off own my own leaving a wake of chaos behind.  I groan and grumble…


Why can’t you pick up your clothes, your shoes, your toys?  Have you cleaned your room?  Why has no one taken out the trash?  Leave your sister alone.  Go to your room.  When will you listen and obey?

Ouch, is that last one for the child or me?  When will I learn to listen to the voice of the Lord when I feel frustrated from dealing with children?

Father – I head the warning of the weatherman and get in a safe place when the weather requires.  Help me to do the same when frustration rises and words spin loose.  Teach me to offer correction the way you lovingly set me straight.

Where does one dwell when an outburst threatens?

“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
   will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”  Psalm 91:1

Thankful Thursday

Sitting in the sun with clouds overhead I watch the baby chicks.  They are old enough to be out of the brooders.  I am glad, no more cleaning of chicken poop (at least not 3-4 times a day).  Taking two chicken tractors Precious husband began last year I complete them by adding screen, more roofing, and a couple of doors.  I find I am not very skilled with power tools, but I sure do like them. 

Princess daughter and I take turns filling water holders and scooping chicken starter feed.  We bring school out, math, history, English, and spelling are done from a lawn chair.  The chicks become our science project. 

Precious husband takes two boys to the farm with him.  We trade an anniversary trip to work on our house project.  I’m good with that since I really am looking forward to farm life.  School for these two becomes digging out footings for our house.  Hopefully we can pour concrete next week.   Some days we are not strong on book learning, but we are strong on practical, hands-on experiences. 

As the warm spring wind blows I think back over the last week and I count the blessings.  Father, thank you for your presence every day…

1061.  Hands to learn and try new things

1062.  Helpers in our projects

1063.  New chicks, starting over

1064.  Funny chick antics

1065.  Princess daughter enjoying chicks

1066.  Safety when storm winds blow

1067.  Riding in the car with the windows down

1068.  Discipline – even when it’s hard and hurts

1069.  Safety for a friend who was in a car wreck

1070.  Banana bread – straight from the oven with a cup of coffee

Emmaus, Chicks, and God’s Promise

Jesus walks through my heart, day in and day out.  During an ordinary week when I spend days outside with new chicks I ponder the two who traveled to Emmaus.  Their journey stays at the front of my thoughts and  God uses chicks to stir up hope.


Last year’s chicken raising venture was a fail.  We bought “hardy” chicks – not understanding that “hardy” for this breed meant for cold weather, not the hot southern summers we experience.  When the temperatures warmed up our chicks could not take the heat.  

Two friends walk a road to Emmaus.  Things in Jerusalem had heated up and Jesus was crucified then buried.  Did they discuss their disappointment that Jesus was not “hardy” enough to bring God’s kingdom to earth?  They were leaving Jerusalem, away from their dead dreams and speculation of a risen Jesus.

“We had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel.” Luke 24:21 

I have been hesitant to get new chicks.  What if they die like the last ones.  What a waste of money, time, and energy.  We built chicken tractors for them last year and they have sat empty in the field. 

As they journeyed another came along and began to walk with them.  He not only walked with them, he opened their eyes to Scripture in a way that made their hearts burn.  He stirred up the hope inside them.
 
Darling daughter and dear son-in-love bought chickens for Christmas.  They have four hens and two roosters – beautiful Maran chickens.  Those fresh chicken eggs have been tasty. 

As they reached their lodging for the night they were insistent for him to stay.  When invited, Jesus always stays.  He not only stayed, he became the host taking bread, breaking it, and giving thanks.  Then the eyes of those Emmaus travelers were opened.  Jesus was with them.  The hope they had dreamed of, longed to see, had journeyed with them. 

We step out again and buy more chicks.  This time a breed suited for our region.  Hope is renewed.   No matter the outcome we do not give up – in our physical life or our spiritual life.  I consider the chicks and the travelers headed to Emmaus.  Jesus is with me and is coming again.   He alone is “hardy” enough to bring God kingdom to earth.  Jesus alone has overcome sin and death.
 
The travelers to Emmaus they didn’t know Jesus was alive and with them.  But when He broke bread and gave thanks they understood the most amazing dream had come true. Jesus had promised he would be raised up again after three days.  Jesus has promised He is coming again.  I must continue to stand firm, keep watch, and look for His return.     Father, as I live my ordinary life caring for children and chicks let my heart burn with your words of hope, may I be consumed watching for your return…

“So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”  Matthew 24:44
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Thoughts from Lent readings.  A previous post about travelers to Emmaus from Lent readings is here.

Scripture Only Sunday

“As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther.  But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.”  So he went in to stay with them.”  Luke 24:28-29

Thankful Thursday

I think April is my favorite month of the year.  Daylight hours stretch, flowers bloom, trees bud, grass becomes green, and weather warms.  It was an April day 29 years ago when Precious husband first asked and then took me on a date.  We sat across from one another in a dimly lit steak house and he managed to get an introverted, shy young lady to carry on a conversation.  Ahh, we were so young.

It was a glorious, sunny day 27 years ago when we stood before God and man and took vows.  You, Precious husband, have remained faithful to those vows.  You go above and beyond yourself to love me and take care of our family.

Father, today I am thankful for…

1051.  the gift of this Precious husband

1052.  the life we have walked together

1053.  Father, Son, and Spirit – our firm foundation

1054.  the love we have shared for many years – our common bond

1055.  the joyous paths – our stable supports

1056.  the difficult parts of the journey – our strong bonds

1057.  offspring from our union – our legacy

1058.  faithfulness of a loving husband

1059.  encouragement from a supportive friend

1060.  a verse to hold onto through the years…

“Though one may be overpowered,
   two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”  Ecclesiastes 4:12

 

Road to Emmaus

The stack of books sits on the desk.  In turn I read chapters from each one.  I read them slowly trying to take in their meaning.  Seeking to more deeply understand Jesus journey to the cross, through the cross, to the tomb, through the tomb, His death, and His life.  I linger over certain phrases and paragraphs. 
I read With Burning Hearts by Henri J.M. Nouwen.  He writes about two travelers as they experience Jesus on the road to Emmaus…

“Of all the words the stranger had spoken, there was one that stands out in the travelers’ mind: “Glory".”  “Was it not necessary,” he had said, “that the Christ should suffer before entering into his glory?”  Their hearts and minds were still so full of the images of death and destruction.  And now here was that word “Glory.”  It didn’t seem to fit, and still, spoken by this stranger, it sets their hears on fire and makes them see what they had not been able to see before.  It was as if they had seen only the manure that covered the soil, but never the fruits on the trees that had sprung from it.  Glory, light, splendor, beauty, truth – they all seemed so unreal and unreachable!  But now there were new sounds in the air and new colors in the fields.”

I think about God naming the year 2010 “Grace and Glory” and now in 2011 He gives the word “Consume” with the image of fire.  When the world is shaking.  When there are setbacks and the rain won’t stop falling.  When children won’t listen and they argue too much.  When this mom2six is distracted and can’t put thoughts together.  Christ came and suffered to bring His glory.  God’s grace comes and fills everything, His glory shines bright.  

Father, how I want to be consumed by your grace and glory.   Thank you for continuing with me when my focus becomes the “manure that covered the soil.”  Thank you that when I become consumed with seeking you, you are always there to be found.  Jesus, come and stay with me.  I open my heart for you to walk through day in and day out.  Let my heart be your resting place. 

Scripture Only Sunday

“Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?”  Luke 24:26 ESV