Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Our Personal "Advent" Season

I just received a significant revelation from the Lord this week that has so blessed me and will change the days ahead for me, I expect, and the way I approach prayer.




Tuesday, December 20, 2016

A Gift Enjoyed

One of my most heart-warming memories of Christmas when I was younger is the year I got the only item I wrote down on my Christmas list - a portable transistor radio!!



Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Fear Not...According to Linus

For the past couple of weeks, I have been pondering a Scripture from the Christmas story in Luke's gospel -

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the LORD appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, Fear not. for I bring you good tidings of
great joy that will be for all the people."
Luke 2:8-10


Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Advent Season...Waiting

I love Advent.

I think Christmas is too big to just celebrate one day of the year, so I relish the whole of Advent Season, lighting the candles and reading an Advent devotional every day. I love the idea of waiting, the anticipation, taking in again the heart of God in sending to us His only Son, God coming to us - right where we are and right as we are.


Tuesday, November 29, 2016

From Despair to Hope

One of my very favorite Christmas songs is "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day!"  I've loved this song for years.

As I reflect on the words to this song today, I feel they are very appropriate for the times we are living in.

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Grateful Humbling

I think it takes humility to be truly grateful. Gratitude causes us to acknowledge that we need more than just ourselves to meet our needs. When we are able to graciously receive from another with an attitude of gratitude, we are acknowledging that we had a need that someone outside of ourselves had to meet. That can be humbling.


Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Seek Truth

Have you ever known someone who was such an habitual liar that they began to believe their own lies? They lied so much, they lost all concept of what was truth and what was lies?




Tuesday, November 8, 2016

It's Over - Finally!

As I write this on Tuesday evening, I still don't know who our next president will be. When you and I woke up this morning, we heard the news. Or maybe you stayed up late last night (this morning?) to find out. Regardless, one of the two running for that office is now our new president. Whether or not it was the candidate of your choice, the results stand.


Tuesday, November 1, 2016

The Grateful Month

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God."
Philippians 4:6

We are today, November 1st,  entering into the month of the year that typically conjures up thoughts of giving thanks. While I would put forth that this attitude of thanksgiving should be lived 12 months a year, I know that our secular society puts emphasis on it mostly during the month of November. So, I will take advantage of that to address what I think is a very important topic.


Tuesday, October 25, 2016

What Do You Grasp For?

"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him, the name that is above every name, so 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 2:4-11

What do you grasp for?


Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Shadows

Did you ever stop to think that the only time we see shadows is when the sun shines or
when there's a light on??


Wherever there is a shadow there has to first be light!
There is no shadow without light!

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Rejection

It's very hard to un-hear words that have been spoken.


"I wanted a dainty little girl with red hair and I got a big horse."
"You are so clumsy."
"They never made a lady out of me and they'll never make a lady out of you either."
"Hey, get a load of my fat daughter."
"You are so big and tall, when are you going to stop growing?"


These are words I heard spoken to me by my mother while I was growing up. 

Then, in later years, after I was married with my own home, I heard these words:


"What the hell kind of curtains are those?"
"Your kitchen is blue. Who the hell puts blue in a kitchen?"

These were words that wounded so deep, it's taken me years to grow out of them.


Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Twelve Years Later

Twelve years! A lot can happen in twelve years; a lot has happened in twelve years! The older I get, the faster time seems to fly, but some days it doesn't feel that it could possibly be twelve years since Phil died.


Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Owning Need

Most of us know need in the way that we need food and water to survive, we need shelter to spare us from the elements, we need clothes to cover our naked bodies and we need money in order to purchase all those basic needs.

We know there is a difference between what we actually need and what we really want, right???

But, how many of us are willing to admit to our need for others and especially, our need for God?


Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Discovering Hope

Last year I had the privilege of attending a Writer's Retreat in Wisconsin on Lake Michigan. If I remember correctly, there were 13 of us there from all different walks of life, also representing several different states. We sat daily under the teaching of Leslie Leyland Fields, a well-known, well-published prolific author from Alaska.


Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Unpacking

I've recently returned from a vacation by the ocean and while I didn't get as many beach days as I had hoped because of the weather, it was a restful trip. But, as all good (and bad) things must, it came to an end and here I was, at home, unpacking.


Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Forgiveness

I woke up feeling guilt and shame for something I had said and done.  As I lay there asking God to forgive me, I had to own up to my insecurities, inferiorities, jealousies and petty grievances.  I felt truly bad that I had caused someone else the pain of my sin.



Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Boo-Hooing the End of Summer

"Summer is leaving silently. Much like a traveler approaching the end of an amazing journey."  Darnell Lamont Walker

"It was end of the summer and my heart was broken, but I was smiling, laughing, making jokes like there was nothing bleeding inside."
Arzum Uzun


Tuesday, August 23, 2016

The Cycle of Life

I pulled the chair over and sat beside her bed. Her eyes fluttered, her head moved and she looked at me, but not sure she really saw me. I took her hand, rubbed her forehead and she finally responded. "Don't do that!" she commanded. "I'm sorry," I said, "Did that hurt?" She looked at me again and this time she saw me.


Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Fret Not!



"Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.
Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this; He will make your righteousness shine like the noonday sun.
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret - it leads only to evil. For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land."
Psalm 37:1-9

There is much said to us in the above verses and it is so applicable to the world we live in today.

Three times in the nine verses above, we are told "do not fret." What does that mean exactly?


Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Returning to the Lake - Childhood Memories

"Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart."
Psalm 37:4


When I was growing up, our summers were spent on Lake Champlain. My Dad's family owned several camps on Malletts Bay and we rented one just about every summer. My Dad came from a family of 10 and several of his siblings lived out of state, so the summer time was when they would return to Vermont for vacation. We spent many days swimming and boating and catching up with family.


Tuesday, August 2, 2016

SEE the Beauty!

I wear contact lenses. I have worn them for over 46 years and I absolutely love them. I hate wearing my glasses, always have and probably always will. But, right now, I am wearing my glasses; definitely not by choice! 


Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Patience With God

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect 
and entire, wanting nothing."  
James 1:2-4

Back on May 1st, I got my convertible out of storage, had the oil changed, state inspection done and it was ready to ride for another summer. I love my convertible (if you haven't heard the story about it yet, you can find it here). It brings me so much joy and I am so blessed that God has allowed me to enjoy it.


Tuesday, July 12, 2016

An Ordinary Day

It was an ordinary morning as most of my mornings usually are. I had no reason to think it would not be just another ordinary day, too.


Tuesday, July 5, 2016

His Sovereignty

I got a late start to work the other day. I was awake half the night and then when I finally did fall asleep, I ended up oversleeping. Got ready in a hurry and left my house about 10 minutes later than I usually do, but still thought I'd be able to make it on time.


Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Rest

Rest
That word alone makes me sigh!



Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Taking the Lord's Name in Vain

"Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches: feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain."
Proverbs 30:8, 9
(words in bold mine)

What does it mean to take the name of the Lord in vain? Swearing, certainly, that's part of it and usually the most noticeable part. But, what about our actions? If we profess to know the Lord and don't back that profession up with our actions, are we, indeed, taking the name of the Lord in vain? The above Scripture seems to suggest that in saying that if we steal we are taking the name of thy God in vain.


Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Tending the Garden

I love my flower garden this time of year. Everything is so fresh and new. The mulch is thick and defines each plant. The weeds are at a minimum and nothing has had time to get scraggly yet.


Tuesday, June 7, 2016

STAY Focused

Okay, now that my focus has shifted, how do I STAY focused?


"Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despisiing the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."  Hebrews 12:2

When I was a young girl growing up, in my attempt to persuade my mother to let me do something, I would plead, "Please, Mom, all my friends can do it." This did not work with my mother, however, for she would invariably always respond with, "If all your friends were going to jump off the bridge, would you want to do that, too?" Of course, that response would make me mad, and I would say, "Of course not, I have more sense than that" and she would respond, "Well, then, use it!"


Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Shift Your Focus

"Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God."
Psalm 42:11


I walked out of my Physical Therapist's office, keys in hand feeling only slightly better than I had when I walked in. I'd spent a greater part of my visit whining and complaining to my therapist. Things were just moving so slowly. That morning when I woke up, I could barely walk out of my bedroom without holding onto furniture and the walls. I was just so frustrated! I looked down at my keys, my eyes resting on the key chain I was holding.


Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Mystery

Do you like to read mystery novels? I do. But I have a confession to make - When I read a mystery, I always read the last chapter first!  I want to know while I'm reading it "who done it!!" What does that say about me? I'm not sure and I'm not even sure I want to know!!



Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Where Do You Go to Escape?

Where do you go to escape? Where is your "happy place?" When life just seems more than you can bare; when you don't want to feel the pain that you're feeling; where do you go?

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

A Man I Will Never Forget





Sunday, May 8th was Mother's Day this year. It was also the 45th Anniversary of my wedding to Phil. My thoughts naturally went to him and our life together this past weekend. We were married for 33+ years when he died in October of 2004. He's been gone almost 12 years now. Hardly seems possible.

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

A Season of Hope

"The beautiful spring came;
and when Nature resumes her loveliness,
the human soul is apt to revive also."
-Harriet Ann Jacobs

As part of my morning ritual, I lift up the blinds in my door window and my eyes rest on the pansies sitting on the bench on my porch. Beautiful purple and white pansies, my favorite flower and a sure sign of spring here in Vermont. How I love those pansies and how something so simple brings such joy to my heart.



Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Flip-Flop Revelation

I love my sandals!  I am a "flip-flop girl" through and through!  And even living here in Vermont, I've been known to wear my flip-flops until at least November!  When the snow flies, I very reluctantly put them away. But I take them out again as soon in the spring as possible. I've been wearing them now for over 3 weeks, yes, even when the snow fell on April 26th!


Tuesday, April 19, 2016

An Open Letter to Those Who Have Been Hurt by the Church

Day after day I read or hear reports about those who have been deeply hurt by the church. I read blogs where an extensive list is given about all that is wrong with the church. I hear of people who were brought up in the church and how much they feel it has damaged their adult life. They blame the church for all that is wrong in their lives. I am always deeply saddened to read and hear these things - saddened for both the church and the people hurt.

The following is my response to all those who have been hurt and "damaged" by the church:


Dear Ones:


Tuesday, April 12, 2016

What's In A Name?

"No longer will you be called Abram, your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations."
Genesis 17:5

"Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome."
Genesis 32:28

"Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church...."
Matthew 16:17

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Going Home

In the very celebrated movie, Wizard of Oz, at the very end, after Dorothy had experienced adventure beyond her imagination, she realized that what her heart truly wanted was to be home with those she loved. She stood and clicked the heels of those very famous red shoes and said,

"There's no place like home. There's no place like home. There's no place like home............" until she found herself finally back where she really longed to be.


Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Living in a Self-Imposed Prison?

"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord has anointed me to preach good tidings to the meek; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;" Isaiah 61:1

Jesus came to announce publicly, freedom from restraint to those made prisoner. He came to open the places of confinement to those who were restrained.


Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Who Wins?

If you don't know what's going on politically in our nation right now, you have probably been lost on a desert island somewhere (and I must say, I envy you!). The name calling and bullying has been very painful to watch. The mud slinging is the worst I've seen in a long time and I confess, I don't know who to trust and who is worthy of my vote.



Tuesday, March 8, 2016

A Day at the Beach

Well, here I am in Florida, far away from the snow, sleet, freezing rain and freezing temperatures! As I walk down the boardwalk toward the beach, I breathe in deeply.  I don't think there's any other scent that soothes my soul more than the scent of the ocean.  I feel like I've come home!


It’s a mystery to me why a day at the beach refreshes me as it does! But it does, indeed.

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Praise Changes Everything!

Having just finished breakfast and reading my morning devotional, I was sitting at the kitchen table looking out the window, thinking and talking to God.

The wind was blowing like crazy and the tree outside my window was swaying back and forth, the branches slapping one another as they were tossed to and fro. In that moment, I sensed the Lord say to me, "The trees are praising me because you are not."

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Courage



What do you think of when you hear the word courage? Do you think of someone doing something incredibly brave because they had a lot of courage? Do you think of someone without fear?


Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Training to Qualify

The continuing saga............

So, twice a week I go to the gym and meet with a personal trainer. He's a young guy - young enough to be my son - sweet and very encouraging - he's good at his job. He cheers me on, high-fives when I do good, but pushes me to go just a little farther each time we meet.


Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Celebrate Love!

I love Valentine's Day!
Anything to do with Valentine's Day!
It's my favorite holiday!
I love hearts!
Red hearts, blue hearts especially, pink hearts, dotted hearts, open hearts, I just love hearts!!


Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Taken Out of the Race

So, back on January 5th, I wrote a blog called "Getting Back in the Race."  I wrote about getting back into the race of exercise, but also getting back into the race of life.



Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Love Notes

Do you remember crushing on someone when you were in grade school or high school? Do you remember that feeling you'd get when a note would get passed from one person to another until it got to you and you knew it was from "him'?  The anticipation, the flutter in your stomach? Was he going to profess his undying love? What had he written?  You held your breath as you opened it?



Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Hope - My Anchor

"A man begins to die when he ceases to expect anything from tomorrow."
Abraham Miller

The dictionary defines hope - as a verb it means to wish for something with expectation, as - I hope the sun will shine tomorrow; as a noun, it means a desire accompanied by some confident expectation; something that is desired; one that is a source of or reason for hope, as - My hope is that the test results will be positive.


Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Getting Back in the Race

Done!
Oh, thank God, Hallejulah! I am so done!!