I am a rose

"I am a rose; I am a lily". . . Song of Solomon 2:1
describes how the bridegroom views his bride.
My journey of reconciliation to God and acceptance
of His truth about me has brought me to rejoicing
in this declaration. I AM His rose and His lily.
I am lovely in His eyes to the point of Jesus sacrificing
everything so my sin would not keep us apart.
I am a delightful rose. . . and I am thankful.

Delightful Rose





Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Time

Today is the most relevant time in your life.  Today, think on these things . . . 
You might not wake up tomorrow . . . will you fall asleep at peace?
Yesterday had its own value . . . was it worth bringing into the present?

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Sharing


I am so excited that a friend of mine has discovered a gem that I've enjoyed for a few years now.  It is a book that dramatically expands one's understanding of living in the power of the Holy Spirit.  I am not one to go around and tell people "you just have to read this book", because that hasn't been so helpful for me on the receiving end.  I think some things impact us because of where we are at the time.  I've purchased books recommended to me that end up gathering dust either permanently or temporarily.  Many times I've "rediscovered" a book and gobbled it up as just the food I needed.  Anyway, the book in question is "When Heaven Invades Earth" by Bill Johnson.  It truly is a must read.  I hope my friend and I will get to discuss our favorite parts some day.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Heavy air



I've gotten sidetracked the past few weeks.  Man, the air has been HEAVY.  It's that time of year in Iowa when humidity matches temp and we all complain.  One whiff when I put Nali out first thing in the morning and I'm reminded that the atmosphere matches me.  Heavy -- in the natural it is all that corn spewing its moisture upward.  In me, it is a reservoir of tears waiting to spill out at a moment's notice.  I just want some circumstances to change as soon as possible.  But there is something else around the corner.  There always is.  Add to that what happens when we say "Yes, Lord, I will pray for the burdens of others".  A few years ago, my partner in prayer and dear friend Linda and I were struggling with the heaviness to the point of reaching desperation.  I can still remember the light bulb coming on as we chatted in her car parked at Wellspring.  The
sensation, the emotion, the fighting feeling are manifestations of the battle we engage as praying believers.  That day we were reminded that God is General.  He gave us what we needed so we could go on no matter how heart-wrenching the prayer needs were.  We soar thru the heaviness in His strength, not our own.   I love this particular eagle photo because the light through the clouds remind me of His majestic presence overpowering darkness.  The full span of wings is a sight to see.  I am created to soar in the fullness of everything God is.  "They that wait on the Lord . . . Isaiah 40:30-31"  

Friday, July 23, 2010

Keep eating

God's Word is not meant to be nibbled.  Yet I continue to cheat myself of the zestiest morsels.  For example, I use the concordance for a particular topic, find a single verse or two that speaks very well to my inquiry.  So I stop there when I do best to read at least that entire chapter if not more.  It doesn't take that long and yields such nourishment.  I am making a new vow to myself to develop better eating habits.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

24/7 warrior duty


During Sunday eve's sermon, I'm just sitting there minding my own business, listening to Mike's very good sermon on fear.  The presence of the Spirit showed up and my mind and heart heard these words: Wake Up.  Once in awhile I have this type of encounter when I least expect it.  I have something to chew on accompanying this attention getter.  And I will continue to seek God's meaning to me so hopefully I can yield to it and pray into it.  One thing I know for sure.  It has to do with the non-option of being in the war.  We are all in it whether we choose it or not.  But the really scary part of it does belong to God.  And He's not afraid.  Wow.  P.S.  God sees a garland of roses around my neck, their beauty gracing the shield of faith.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Maybe my dilemma can help yours


Ouch!!! That's getting a little personal, God.  I THINK I've figured out that I've been avoiding an important reality check of the deep kind.  You know . . . allowing the yuck to bubble on out by actually speaking it out loud to God.  Anyway, that's how it is with me.  Keeping it unsaid but alive in my thoughts doesn't allow me progress.  And I've also realized there's some communication via the Spirit-powered prayer language that I've been resisting.  NO MORE RESISTING.  I'm ready for a breakthrough.  I don't know for sure what the outcome will be or when it will be, but I'm forging ahead.  Go ahead, Lord, and peel that layer away.
Trust and obey for there's no other way . . .

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Allowing God to be Himself

I'm not the type who asks a lot of why questions.  Not about life, not about God. At some point it must have seemed easier to not go there.  Since my mom died when I was 9 and a lot of bad things happened from then on, it makes sense that I would be more intent on surviving than figuring out the whys of it all.  I was looking back in journals I had written in as far back as 10 years.  I never went down the why road in those recorded thoughts either.  Right now I see this as a blessing.  I feel comfortable with God being mysterious.  Actually, I LOVE that He is.  

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Boundaries

I was observing the fish on the sidebar of my family/marriage blog :   chuckanddeli.blogspot
I know these are only pretend fish in cyberspace, but they keep going to the edge of their little imaginary box -- their boundary.  It made me think about me.  Recently I prayed with someone who is experiencing confusion about boundaries now that she's read the popular book widely known in Christian circles.  She is more confused than ever, it seems.  I'll soon be 60 and I haven't even figured out what a boundary is much less live by them.  So here is my question -- if a person isn't aware of a boundary, does one even exist?  Hmmm

Thursday, June 17, 2010

A thought provoking scripture

God's written word is not only living, it is on fire and its heat catches us offguard at times. This was the case for me about 3 days ago as I picked up a book that was talking about prophecy. It cited the example of Samuel with this one verse. Listen -- "The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of his words fall to the ground." I Sam. 3:19 So, we know Samuel's mom Hannah vowed to let God have her son if only God would favor her with one as she endured the heartache of childlessness. She turned Samuel over to the priest Eli when he was a whopping 3 yrs old. Samuel benefited from Eli's parenting even though Eli's biological sons were bad news. Samuel was called by God to be His messenger, a prophet whose track record is referred to in this one verse. God granted such a good ear to Samuel that "none of his words fell to the ground". They were all reliable and true messages. I've been pondering this verse for 3 days now. I am in awe of how rich such a few words are. I'm thinking about how important the obedience of an individual is to God's plan. I'm thinking about God's truth never falling to the ground even in the "hands" of us mere mortals. Good stuff . . .

Friday, June 11, 2010

Vacation

We finally made it to a winery on our last day in Missouri.  It was very warm, but a breeze helped as we sat on the deck at Montelle Winery out of Augusta, MO.  As we ate lunch there, we observed a lot of tipsy young women.  It was 1 p.m. on a Sat.  Some of them were in pretty bad shape.  I've been there so I know all about the process including the hangover and embarrassment afterwards.  I haven't been around drunk people for a long time.  I didn't expect to see so many at a winery mid-day.  They just wanted some fun.  I get that.  But I couldn't help but think of what God says -- be drunk with His Holy Spirit, not wine.  There's no shame or hangover or ugly consequences, just joy and all those other fruits. 

Saturday, June 5, 2010

A special day more than a Kodak moment

There is truly nothing lovelier than people held together with God's love.  This photo is from the last day of God's Girls.  I could go on and on about how much I have grown to love these sisters of mine.  Many of my God's Girls sisters are not in the photo.  Wish I could cut and paste them into the rest of us.  I will always carry them in my heart - right into eternity.  Their faith and desire for more of Jesus has grown me in ways nothing else could have.  God is so good.

Sunday, May 30, 2010

This is Grandma Anderson.  My Dad's mother.  Julia - one of the lovelier names of older females in my life.  My other grandmother's name was Mabel.  Gramms Mabel was more like a mother to me.  Grandma Julia was a passionate gardener.  She would have been the top Master Gardener.  Here she is with veggies behind her and the edge of one of many flower beds.  To this day, I have affection for gardens and their keepers.  Personally, I'm a borderline black thumb.  A great disappointment but made it easier to give up digging and planting when RA took over.  Grandma looks so serene in her garden and beautiful.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Key to the heart

Key jewelry is everywhere.  Some are really sparkly for the girls who like diamonds and fake diamonds.  I like what I see in this key.  While holding the heart, the key can unlock.  Sometimes it is the deepest secret.  Like the secrets God says He will reveal to me in due time.  One thing is required and that is my willingness to give Him access to my heart.  The Lord is a gentleman who patiently waits for me to say "yes - I want to hear You, yes - I believe You, yes - my heart belongs to You." 

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Can't have too many roses

Yesterday my beautiful sisters made our last God's girls official meeting a glorious celebration of God's love.  How I thank God for them and the inspiration they are.  Why, I would just love to dress us in roses so every day we would be reminded that to our Lord, we are the rose that catches His eye so lovingly.  This particular fashion appears to have been bedazzled in roses.  You know how the bedazzler takes over -- more, more, more -- more is better.  More of You, Lord and less of me. 

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Just another day on the Ponderosa


Today I prayed for a tiny baby named Evan.  He is a preemie in the throes of getting strong.  Today wasn't a good day for his family, but he's in good hands.  Please pray for him.  I prayed with a friend long distance by phone, in person with a friend over refreshments at Panera, in silence as I visited with my daughter over the phone, and with my husband for God to be in a possible connection of our granddaughter Mara with a young woman we know at Hope.  This was normal life, just like breathing.  And it was delightful -- in my heart, and in His eyes.   

Monday, May 17, 2010

Let the children come

A party for Jesus ... what could be better?  This was VBS at Hope a few years ago.  I'm planning a party for Jesus in my heart for next Monday at God's Girls.  I want Him to smile.  He smiles easily.  I love that about Him.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

When hungry, reach for the right thing

I have been a crazy person lately. Obsessive stuff like living on raw snap peas and ice cream and collecting enough digital art to create at least a million things.

It is exhausting.  I'm so grateful the Lord has been patient with me, not to mention my husband.  I have a resolve growing in me to be free and gain balance.  Speaking of which, I fell like a tree right in front of Charlie the other night.  My other angel was there also as I only suffered a few bruises and a bit of humble pie.  God has His hands full.

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Energized

A new Alpha course began today with training of hosts.  Met some lovely people I didn't know before.  Started the day barely able to walk, but as I appealed to God and reminded Him that He has straightened my body out other times so I could do what I said I would do, well, let's just say He held up His end.  Sometimes I don't get my way, but today I made it and was energized with the anticipation of how many people will be better off because of Alpha and the power of God's presence.  He is so faithful.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Enjoying the joy of others


Yesterday I was surprised with an unexpected visit with a very special friend of mine, Sandy.  She is the epitome of everything you would want in a friend.  She can switch from silly to serious in one sentence so chatting and laughter are as much a part of being with her as talking about the deep things of life with or without accompanying tears.  She would tell you anything positive about her as a person is credited to her Creator.  I know what she means, but not every person is so obviously full of Jesus.  I love her.  As we talked yesterday, she lit up as she told me she now works Saturdays in a quilt shop.  She has made several quilts even though she spends the majority of her time caring for her two grandsons as her daughter Debbie goes to school and works.  My heart is so full of joy that she is loving her quilting.  I can just imagine her enjoying it as much as I do.  There's something else so special about Sandy.  She chose to call me and go out for coffee instead of going to the quilt shop in Ankeny which was her original plan.  A lovely spring day shared with Sandy - such joy.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Alpha Baptism















Tonight we participated in the baptism of 32 Alpha folks.   It was so beautiful to share this significant event with them.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Wow, I did a page with the stuff I've had access to for . . . oh, about a year now.  I guess my attention span calls for a simple look.  Most of all, I love this picture.  I can still recall my feelings of anxiety when I realized Peepaw was really letting him use the electric drill by himself.  Yikes

Friday, March 5, 2010

The important and the not-so-important

A "nugget" from Beth Moore's 'breaking free' study is more than gently stirring in my spirit.  More like a kitchen aid mixer on high speed.  Legalism leads me to judge others and it is so ugly in God's eyes.  Mercy triumphs over judgment was the chorus of a song we chanted in Toronto many years ago and it is a message I need to not only agree with but live by.  On a lighter note, Charlie and I will celebrate togetherness this evening with Culver's two for one cheeseburgers and of course, their chubby crinkle cut fries.  Love soggy ones.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Communication in 2010

I've never written with a nib dipped in a vial.
I have a beautiful "real" ink pen but I rarely use it because who needs to write their grocery list with such a pen.
I remember when it was common to get 2 or 3 handwritten letters a week.  At one point in my youth, my Gramma North wrote to me every day.  And I wrote her nearly as often.
This world of personal communication is way beyond what I could have ever imagined.  So I'm trying to adjust and actually enjoy the idea that my wishes for people could be read by many.  Of course, it's just an idea at this point.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

I am blown away by this artist's rendition of "dust to dust" inspired by Nooma's teaching entitled DUST.  This touched my heart as I was reminded that Jesus is the reason we have a future beyond dust.  It's only right that He is shown leading the way into heaven.  There are so many ways God speaks to us and I'm grateful for the artist willing to let us download this free of charge.  Bless the artists, Jesus.  And help my eyes to see and ears to hear Your messages for such a time as this.  

Monday, March 1, 2010

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Today is the Alpha healing talk and prayer ministry.  What a privilege to pray for these dear people.  Always a highlight for us to watch the Holy Spirit move and enjoy the stories of healing.  God is so good.  I wish I would have known that sooner yet I know someday I'll be enlightened as to how limited my understanding of Him has always been.  Wow . . .

Saturday, February 27, 2010

the sun is gifting us with its presence

Don't know for sure what today brings, but it will probably include several hugs and "thank you, Lord" moments because the sun is HUGE.  It can't help but leak into my soul and open doors for a joyful day serving my wonderful Creator. (wow, the sun & I have that in common) 

Friday, February 26, 2010

Happy birthday, Charlie

Charlie loved his card and his present and he gets to watch junior college wrestling today and tomorrow.  He enjoyed a serenade from the Miller family and a phone call from Lanny.  Being a silver fox at 61 isn't so bad.  How I love this man and thank God for him.

Spring is around the corner

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Soar

Soar
Isaiah 40:30-31