The Counting Continues

It is the last day of February so I line up the gifts, blessings from the Lord’s hand, and reflect long on the truth that the more I count the more I see God daily.  I remember that God wants to be found and in the seeking He always reveals Himself. 

February’s Joy Dare
Counting gifts from #1442 - 1529

1.  a gift found at 11:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m….
Precious husband home from work – an off day, Fun son out of school to celebrate his birthday, Ladies Bible Study

2.  3 things overheard today, all gifts…
A – “Thought I would ride out to see you”, Life group leader backing up in Galatians to hear from Precious husband, “I love you” from Tony’s lips to my ear

3.  3 gifts found in writing…
rewriting my thankful list – reflecting on those blessings, journal – working emotions out on paper, “when you see with your soul everything becomes a reflection of the glory of God.” ¹

4.  3 gifts found when bent down…
a dime – reminder God sees me, adoration – knees to floor - heart to heaven, flowers among the weeds

5.  one gift stitched, one hammered, one woven…
stitching on cover of Bible, post & rails for stall, new coaster from Princess daughter’s weaving loom

6.  3 gifts found outside…
children building “huts” – shelters in the woods, Jesse following Sensitive son in corral, full moon

7.  3 gifts red…
red paint on canvas, chicken combs and wattles, fire hydrant in front of house

8.  a gift broken, a gift fixed, a gift thrifted…
dryer, plugs & wires in Gold-hearted mom’s car, Tony able to fix them both

9.  3 gifts that were surprises –unexpected grace…
working through relationships – forgiveness, new way to heat this house – propane heater, no more wood stove

10.  3 times you heard laughter today…
Sensitive son over cat chasing dog’s tail, Precious husband and three boys wrestling and laughing at Helpful son’s 18th birthday, Little One’s squealing delight over Lady

11.  3 gifts found in working…
clean clothes, Gold-hearted mom’s house clean to show a buyer, good night’s rest

12.  3 hard eucharisteos…thanks in the hard things…
Letting go – letting children grow, trusting (finding) God when problems continually arise, missing loved ones – rejoicing they are in heaven

13.  3 gifts found behind a door today…
coffee & cream behind refrigerator door, frost on bank outside back door, “The beloved says from the other side of the door, “Open the door and come in, so we can experience just how one we might become.” ²

14.  3 ways you feel the love of God today…
Sensitive son and Princess daughter helping with Little One, napping with Little One, Little One’s laughter

15.  a gift in losing something, finding something, making something…
Lucas losing a tooth & cavity, God’s presence in hard times, making memories with Little One

16.  3 gifts in shadows…
shadow of clouds on pasture, Hebrews 8:5 teaching on copy & shadow, my shadow on ground (makes me feel tall)

17. 3 gifts found giving/serving…
building relationships, offering rest to another, character building – becoming like Christ

18.  3 gifts on paper…
Scripture, poetry – “Joy” by Hannah Hurnard, sweet note from Sensitive son

19.  3 gifts that were ‘Plan B’s’…
Wow – deeply personal thoughts that I must leave written in my journal for now

20.  a gift at breakfast, lunch, dinner…
heart-shaped cinnamon biscuits, leftover broccoli soup – yum!, not having to cook

21.  3 gifts white…
loops for Princess daughter’s weaving loom, Precious husband’s work truck, electrodes on chiropractor’s TENS unit

22.  3 gifts that changed today…
text function gone from phone – ugh!, Fun son’s teeth – new filings, 
healthier eating plan

23.  a gift of tin, of glass, of wood
tin snips to cut wire repairing coop, Ball mason jars (I like the way they look and so many functions), back porch flooring in back on house

24.  3 gifts before 11:00 a.m….
new Kashi Go-Lean cereal, special time with Precious husband, quiet morning after a restless night’s sleep

25.  a gift nearly worn out, a gift new, a gift make-do…
hiking shoes, Lamentations 3:21-23– God’s compassions new every morning, temporary living quarters in farmhouse

26.   3 gifts seen as reflections…
VCR tapes of children – all little, blessed heritage because of previous generations, Fun son looking like Precious husband when husband was his age

27.  3 ugly-beautiful gifts (see beauty in ugly)…
one step forward – two steps back with children – yet rejoice when they hear God for themselves, smashed thumb with hammer but repaired coop, tornado ripped through cousin’s neighborhood – thankfully she was unhurt and her home suffered minimal damages

28.  3 gifts from the past – that help you trust the future…
Precious husband’s forgiveness when I messed up our finances, God’s presence even when He seems silent or MIA,  God’s faithfulness in past generations

29.  a gift dull, a gift shimmering, a gift cleaned…
gray sky today,  waxing crescent moon, kitchen

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¹ Mark Batterson,Primal

² James Finley, Christian Meditation

The Stuff We Carry

From the pulpit pastor teaches about “The Stuff We Carry”.   I think about the Lent journey with Christ to the cross, how I want to leave this season changed.  For what is the point of spiritual practice if it doesn’t change me?  I remember a quote I read last week, “A Christian is held captive by anything that hinders the abundant, effective, Spirit-filled life God planned for him.” ¹  I write these words in my journal as the pastor speaks.  Transforming his teaching into part of my daily walk.

Leave burdens at the foot of my cross
Walk into the resurrection -
Stop being robbed of the joy of our relationship
Walk into the resurrection -
Stop living in the doubt, the regret, being driven
   by winds of circumstance
Walk into the resurrection -
Stop feeling like prayers never leave the room
   God doesn’t you hear, where are you God 
Walk into the resurrection -
Stop wallowing in those same defeating sins
Walk into the resurrection -
Stop allowing anger and bitterness hold you captive
Walk into the resurrection -
Stop listening to pride, blocking our fellowship
Walk into the resurrection -
Forgiven – cleansed – made righteous in my sight
Walk into the resurrection -

“as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us”
Psalm 103:12

___________________________________________________

1 Beth Moore, Praying God’s Word Day by Day, p.55

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Scripture Only Sunday

“Even the sparrow has found a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may have her young-
a place near your alter,
O Lord Almighty, My King, and My God.”
Psalm 84:3

“Look at the birds of the air,
they do not sow or reap or store away in barns,
and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them.

Are you not more valuable than they?
Matthew 6:26 

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Oops, meant for this to post on Sunday. Trying again.

Mornings

This is how I spend most of my mornings.  How do you spend yours?

HAPPY SATURDAY!

Lent Reflections

There was a visit to the chiropractor yesterday.  My neck has been out of whack for weeks.  Sitting in the chair with the tens unit attached to my neck and shoulders I close my eyes.  Becoming aware of my breathing I listen for the voice of the Lord.

I don’t know Rachel Evans, she was a link on Ann’s sidebar.  But the question from her 40 Ideas for Lent (2012) post stopped me cold…

“When I wake up on Resurrection Sunday morning,
how will I be different?”

What am I doing today that will challenge me to be different?  Different every day.  Not just different but more like Christ in my daily walk.  I reflect over the last two Lent journeys, Lent? and Illuminate.  Both helped me be more intentional, focused on Christ and his sacrificial gift of love.   I question myself, have they left me different? 

The stimulation causes the muscles in my neck to contract and relax.  I feel spastic as I have no control over my own muscles.  It is painful and beneficial all at the same time.  When I don’t put off coming for the adjustment I stay more aligned and have less daily pain.

I have been reading a book on meditation and it comes to mind.  Every time I try to meditate I can’t quiet my mind.  I strive to push away the thoughts that bombard me.   It is a struggle to focus, to be silent, to listen for the Lord’s voice. 

Leaving the chiropractor’s office I am sore and even a bit weak.  The afternoon is spent with ice and ibuprofen.  This morning I awake with less pain and more mobility.  I perform the exercises the chiropractor gave for working out the kinks.  It is a routine that if followed daily keeps my neck working properly. 

The cycles of the believing life – they draw into deeper intimacy with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  God is here in this moment, in every moment, it is just the slowing to reflect on that truth, to listen to His presence now.  It changes me slowly, helps keep the kinks worked out.

The verse I am focusing on for this year is never far from my mind…

“And we all, who with unveiled faces reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”  2 Corinthians 3:18

Scripture Only Sunday

 

He said, “Who are you?”

And she answered, “I am Ruth, your servant. Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer.”   Ruth 3:9 ESV

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

He will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

Psalm 91:1,4

The Most Romantic Husband

I have the most romantic husband.  Daily he gets up early either to drive to the fire station or work on our house project.  Maybe he will spend the day fixing a broken dryer, repairing van brakes or truck transfer case, or paying the bills.

Precious husband disciplines and directs our children.  He hold them accountable for their attitudes and actions.  He models a life of Godly character, honesty, and integrity.  He chooses to be their father even when it means he may not seem to be their friend.

Precious husband treats our girls like the darlings they are.  He takes them to dinner, a movie, or even the occasional shopping trip.  He gives them the confidence to look for a man who will treat the well, honoring them as women.

Precious husband calls our sons to be men.  Teaching them to care for the women in this house, offering their strength where we are weak.  Under his watch they learn to tune up a car, build a deck, install a toilet, remodel or even build a house. 

Precious husband teaches them all to wash dishes or mow the yard.  He encourages that when they see something that needs to be done, do it.

After almost 28 years of marriage (our 28th anniversary is April 7) he still takes me on dates.  He brings me a bouquet of flowers or most often chocolate (wise man).  This romantic man takes me out for dinner, on moonlight strolls, even takes all our children so I can have a few hours of quiet and rest.  He looks beyond my faults and loves me.  He holds me close through the watches of the night and my head sleeps soundly on his chest.

Precious husband doesn’t “do” Valentines Day on February 14.  He lives his love every day of the year.  That is the most romantic gift he could give any of us.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” 
Philippians 2:3-4

God Speaks Through My Morning Coffee

It is still dark outside when I get up and begin the coffee.  I fill bowls with food and water for the dog and cat.  Then I sit with Bible and journal in front of me.  I close my eyes and listen.  Over the munching of dog and cat I hear the drip of the coffee pot. 

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”  Romans 12:2

I filled the pot with water and the filter with a nice French vanilla coffee.  As the water drips through the filter it is transformed.  Changed from plain water to hot coffee. 

“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; ⁶ and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; ⁷ and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. ⁸ For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  2 Peter 1:5-8

When the coffee is ready I pull a cup from the cabinet.  I have not acquired a taste for black coffee.  I add to the bottom of the cup a tiny bit of stevia and a splash of creamer.   I encircle the cup with chilled hands.

My morning cup of coffee gives warmth not only for my body but my spirit and soul as well.   Who knew?

Scripture Only Sunday

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin.
But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense --
Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins,
and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
— 1 John 2:1-2 (NIV)

Teaching Treasures

They pop in the DVD, pick up the guitar, and begin to practice.  Slowly the music flows as they begin to pick up the rhythm and a tune takes shape. 

Clean Hands

Slowly we make our way on Wednesday nights through the book of Ruth.  Reaching chapter three we read Naomi’s instructions for Ruth to make herself attractive.   After working in the fields gathering grain it was time for Ruth to take a bath. 

I reflect back to my tabernacle journey and ponder the bronze laver.  The place between the brazen alter and the Holy Place.  Here the priest would stop and wash their hands and feet before proceeding. 

“Who may ascend to the hill of the Lord?  Who may stand in His Holy Place?  He who has clean hands…”   Psalm 24:3-4a

Ruth made herself clean before coming to Boaz.  Nothing I can do will make me clean enough to come to the Father God.  The Spirit of God encourages…

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body.…let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.”  Hebrews 10:19-20, 22

God declares I am clean.  My hands and my heart have been made clean. The sacrifice of His Son and my faith in His redeeming power purifies me and gives me the privilege to stand in His Holy Place.

 

“The chains begin to break when we are willing to believe
we are who God says we are.”  Beth Moore

 

Scripture Only Sunday

“…But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
1 Corinthians 6:11

Teaching Treasures

The rain stops for a day or two so we take full advantage.  Loading the van with schoolbooks we head to the pasture.  The roof is on the porch.  Two youngest hustle up the stairs, open windows, and crawl out.  Each gets situated, opens a book, and begins work.