Do what you can.

This morning I am reading in my new Mosaic NLT - a very cool version of the Bible that you can read about at www.HolyBibleMosaic.com. I am reading the suggested readings for Passion Week. (the week of Good Friday leading up to Easter)

As I began to read Mark 14:1-15:47, I made a few notes that greatly encouraged me.

Mark 14:3 depicts the story of the woman pouring out expensive perfume onto Jesus as an act of devotion. Of course she is criticized. It's good for me to remember that I won't always be understood - except by Jesus. He knows the very motivation of her heart, (I just LOVE THAT) and commends her in verse 7, "You will always have the poor among you, and you can help them whenever you want to. But you will not always have me." And it made me think - it's okay to not always be the most sensible one in the room. There are times when we need to live in the moment and take advantage of an opportunity that won't come our way again.

I'm actually kind prone to this kind of behavior, but there are people in my life who don't approve. Do you know what I mean? This verse was just freeing to me this morning. I want to live in such a way that I am flexible enough to pour the perfume, to live in the here and now and see what God is up to. There are moments of JOY to be found in the most ordinary places - we just have to be open to them. Ephesians 5:16 tells us to "Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days." Colossians 4:5 says the same. (read the context of those verses to see that in our actions we are to be gracious, and not act thoughtlessly) And it is also important to note that this example of spontaneity is OTHER focused. It would be easy to spur of the moment take care of ME... but this example is all about her sacrificing for another - for her Lord.

I love Mark 14: 8's wording in the New Living Translation: Jesus says, "She has done what she could..." Isn't that FREEING? What does God expect from me, from you? That we do what we can. We don't have to figure it out, solve the problem, fix the mess... it's not always our responsibility. We just have to do what we can. Jesus appreciated that, and pointed it out to those nay-saying disciples of His. I just LOVE this. Jesus so appreciated her gesture of love, even though it really did not change the gravity of the situation. He was still going to die. But in that moment He had the sweetness of intimate relationship and devotion. He appreciated that moment.

Do you ever feel hopeless in a situation: your or someone else's problem is just so big that it paralyzes you to inaction? Just...do what you can. Ease her burden for just a few moments if you can. Just be there. Do what you can. Sometimes when I am in a pit of despair, I simply need a hug, and then I feel less alone. I always need an anointing of God's Word - a simple word of hope from a friend - a reminder of WHO is in control.

We need to just do what we can when the opportunity arises. Look for an opportunity to bless someone today.

Olive Tree

If you have an iPhone or an iPod touch, you'll want to read this.

I downloaded Olive Tree Bible reader to my iPod touch, and it has changed my quiet time. Really. Whereas I used to have stacks of Bibles (versions) and books to tote about, I now use my iPod A LOT.

So far I have loaded 5 Bibles: NASB with Strongs, ESV Study Bible, Mosaic NLT, NIV with notes and Amplified.

Looking up a passage is simple. Then, with a very simple two button maneuver, I can read the same verse in a different version, or the study notes for the passage. Cross references are all electronically linked. Amazing.

I can highlight, attach notes to a certain passage, and even change the icon of the note so that I know the subject matter before opening my note. The highlighters can be programmed to different titles, so I have purple highlights for "Attributes of God," orange highlights for "Promises to Plead," etc. Likely I need to show you in person how ***cool*** this is.

My iPod fits in my purse. It's always there. Instant reading if I'm stuck at the doctor's office.

I've also downloaded the free Barnes & Noble ebook reader, and have a few daily devotional books on there, too.

It's hard to put into words how exciting this is for me. (stop smirking) Keeping track of my resources and having the right things with me at the right time has been such a challenge. Yes, I still like books and the feel of the paper and the actual hand writing of my notes. But this, this is revolutionary.

When I go to class, I have my iPod instead of my Bible. And it's FAST to look up the verses. And the Greek and Hebrew definitions. I even have Wayne Grudem's Systematic Theology book uploaded on Olive Tree. That actual hardcover book is 3 inches thick and 1300 pages.

Our 22 year old was sitting next to me at church yesterday, and he was intrigued as I took notes electronically on certain verses. He told me that was very cool, and that he had iPod envy.

Okay...back to studying. Quiz # 4 tonight on Christ's work, and the Five Theories of Atonement. 10 page fully annotated page due in 3 weeks. I've chosen the subject, "Sanctification."

I would love to be a full time student and writer. Anyone want to pay me? :)

Monday Monday

I love Mondays. Usually. Of late, Mondays have been spent at work. And when I don't have Monday in which to get my ducks in a row, a lot of things suffer... including my blog.

But today, today I am off work, bustling about with a to do list in my mind, thanking God for full energy and a day off in which to use it.

This morning during my Pause (trying to find a new name for my quiet time... do you like "pause"?)(something makes me think "menopause" which of course totally ruins the mind picture) I downloaded a new resource to my iPod - the Mosaic Bible. It is a New Living Translation Bible which has a "mosaic" of reference materials such as paintings, poetry, quotes from Christians throughout the centuries and from many continents ... a unique resource.

What I really *love* is the forward information.

"On our own we are little more than bits of stone and glass. Together we are the body of Christ."

"All too often we allow the here and now to dominate our lives and define who we are. But as Christians, we are each part of something much larger than simply the here and now. We are part of a mosaic - a patchwork of people, places, times, and cultures - that depicts one person: Jesus Christ.

The purpose of this Bible is to provide a way to encounter Christ on every continent and in every century of Christian history. Why? Because when this happens, God's profound and often unexpected work on behalf of his children becomes clear in new and exciting ways. It is important to see that the body of Christ is much bigger than the small piece we each experience in our everyday lives. ... It's not about the individual pieces, as important as they are. It is about the whole picture that emerges when all these pieces come together to form the beautiful mosaic that is God's church."

Such lovely thoughts. Makes my own little world less important and more important all at once. It is not all there is. And yet, my little world and influence are a part of how the world views Christ.

More information on the resource can be found at www.HolyBibleMosaic.com

Truth

The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You.

Trust in the LORD forever. For in GOD the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock.

Isaiah 26:3,4 NASB

Blessed

Blessed I am.

Snuggled under a down lap blanket, hot coffee to my right, windows before me with birds chirping happily at the feeder - I am in my favorite spot. In the bedroom, on the love seat facing the yard, reading, sipping, journaling, and working through my current Bible study workbook.

Having been away at a hotel for a few days, I'm cognizant of the blessing of being snugged back in. The natural beauty of our woods feeds me, even in these last grey brown muddy days as we anticipate the green of spring. This luxurious pace soothes me. I need to emerge and go walking soon, to get some exercise and fresh air; but for now...I am still.

Two children have left for school. Another is up and laughing at the TV while having breakfast. One has not yet emerged from her cocoon of sleep. Blessed.

Work awaits. I'm at an odd place in career - I sense that I could jump in with both feet and find success. For my job, and my industry, I have what it takes. It's there waiting for me. And yet... would I be fulfilled at such a pace? Money and status versus time and balance. There is no *right* answer - it is a personal journey that can be coached but not taught. There is a different solution for each of us.

Likely these thoughts are swirling because of my recent travel partner. This woman, who I came to know quite well over 48 straight hours of car travel, is immensely successful in her career. Her husband is the home base for their two teens. She is one of the most balanced highly successful women that I have met. She had many sweet calls with kids - the checking in kinds of calls. She went running from our hotel. She spoke of neighbors, of church, and of times of refreshment in the woods they call their yard. She enjoys late night swims.

She was intrigued with me and my pursuits, but I could tell she didn't quite *get it.* She told me she thought I undersold myself - that I could do *more.* She was very appreciative of my studies and pursuits, but I sensed that she didn't quite think that my flexible schedule would maximize my efforts.

Well, yes, I could push. I could be at work right now rather than here reading and writing. I could be at work 60 hours a week, and paid well for it. Yes, she's right. I could do more. I could have ignored the opportunity today for lunch with Emily before she heads back to school from her spring break. I could have worked this morning to avoid the possibility of a few hours of catch up in the office on Saturday. Or I could have worked both days!

Women are given so many options, aren't we? We are the keepers of the home, the keepers of the children, the keepers of our goals and dreams, the keepers of relationships, and the increasingly, the keepers of the workplace. A priority must be to be the keeper of balance in the very precious gift of 24 hours each day. Conscious choice. Choose where to invest my minutes.

I'm thankful for options. I realize that not everyone has them. But even as full time workers, or single moms, each woman still has the opportunity to balance the remaining time. We need to nurture all parts of us: physical, spiritual, intellectual, social... we each have 24 hours. With the options I have, I still struggle to find the right combination, and not *waste* any precious minutes. Sitting and staring at my bird feeder is not a waste. Sitting and staring at the internet - that might be. Balance. Choices. Moment by moment.

Well, now it's time for 20 more minutes in the Word. And then 30 minutes on the pavement walking and listening to the birds. Often I listen to a 30 minute podcast on my iPod while I walk, but today I might just listen to the birds - live and in person.

Enjoy your Friday. Take a minute, or ten, to put your feet up and stare out the window at the wonder of spring. Go for a walk around the block at lunch time. The pause that refreshes...thinking time...I highly recommend it!

Quiet

I've been rather quiet here lately. Sorry.

It's been an introspective period. I'm not sure I've ever spent more time in Bible study, journaling in various journals, and just taking time to pray and think. It's been good. Good and quiet.

Enjoy the photo above...it's time to think spring.

I'll write soon. Very soon.

The Principle of the Path

This morning I did something I've never done before. I went to Joyce Meyer's website and watched her TV show. I had noticed in a magazine that Andy Stanley was on her show on February 15th, and I wanted to see him. My husband has been receptive to his teaching at men's group, so my interest had been piqued.

The website it here. You go there and then scroll to February 15th on that horizontal strip of tv images below the big black box.

Andy Stanley is Charles Stanley's son. And a pastor. And an author.

The simplicity of the message of their discussion really hit me today. I took notes (of course) and the two quotes that resonated with me the most are here:

"Direction, not intention, determines destination." -Andy Stanley

"Make decisions today that you're going to be happy with tomorrow!" - Joyce Meyer

If you find yourself "stuck" in any area of life, I suggest you invest 25 minutes in this show. I also watched February 14th - fabulous guest speaker from the UK (handsome AND a great accent) speaking about living in the world. His message was that we need to have an interesting and well rounded life in order to be a part of non-christians' worlds too. No holy huddles. He makes a point of being interested in people's stories. Just like Jesus.

Good stuff. Wow there's a lot of good stuff on the web.

And now, in the spirit of doing something for which I'll be glad tomorrow, I'm going to [walk right past the doughnuts and] go to the health club! Happy Friday!

Books Books Books

Oh my. I am sitting outside the orthodontist’s office, reading an e-book on my laptop. Oh my.

On Sunday at Barnes & Noble, during my wandering time, I happened upon the Nook. I’m thinking that the makers of the Nook and Kindle and the like are attempting to make quick sales in light of Apple’s impending iPad. Barnes & Noble has an army of sales people with NOOK ribbons. A saleslady asked me if I'd like to hear about it.

Of course I would. Me, who takes more books than clothes on vacation? Me, who takes books TO the bookstore just in case I don’t find the right one to peruse there? Me, the gal who had the three inch thick Theology book in her airplane carry on bag? (ya...true story)

[At the pool in Scottsdale, a 50ish man was flanked by late teen/early twenties girls - assuming daughters - each sporting a Kindle. Those girls read there for hours with their slim and sleek little readers. I must be getting old. I didn’t envy their slim and sleek bodies as much as their sexy little book readers…]

Well, since I’m an Apple gal now, I’ll wait for the iPad. But the NOOK was intriguing. At one point the saleslady made the side remark...that the books downloaded from B&N could be read on an iPod, a Blackberry, and a laptop. Um...I have all of those. I had downloaded a book onto my iPod before, and while VERY handy, it’s a bit...small. But my laptop? WHEW.

And so, rather than buy the book I was looking at, I downloaded it. And here it is on my Mac. I just turned to page one. Immediately I wanted to highlight something, and VOILA… I can! And I can make notes. It's very very simple.

Oh my. Oh my. Oh my. My laptop is usually with me, and now there will be books to read, whereever I am, without pre-thought and without adding weight and bulk to my bag. I hope some of my friends catch on to this, because you can "lend" electronic books too - for three weeks they are available to a friend but not to you on your computer. AMAZING.

I’m gonna love this.

Lay Them Down

Here's a game I got from Diane's blog.

RULES:
1. Put your MP3 player, iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc. on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.
4. Tag at least 10 friends
5. Have Fun!

*caveat: I have thousands of podcasts on my iTunes, so I’m skipping those…

IF SOMEONE SAYS 'ARE YOU OKAY' YOU SAY?

One More Broken Heart (by Point of Grace) hmmmm

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF

Don’t Stop Me Now (by Queen)(this is pretty good - at times I really do get on a roll...)

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?

Who is Like You? (by Tim Neufield)

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?

Violin Concerto in A (by Antonio Vivaldi)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?

Sanctuary (by Stephanie Seefeldt)

WHAT'S YOUR MOTTO?

We Can’t Wait Any Longer (by Michael W. Smith)(This is VERY good...I hate waiting!)

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?

Cours D’amours - Amor volta indique (from Carmina Burana)

[Translation: Courts of Love)

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?

The Tennessee Waltz (by Patti Page)

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?

We Fall Down (by Kutlass)

WHAT IS 2 + 2?

Silent Night (by Sheila Walsh)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?

Peace (by George Winston)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?

Thy Word Medley (by Glad)(my favorite answer!)

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?

God’s Still on the Throne (by Calvin Hunt)

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?

Here with Us (by Joy Williams)

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?

Joy to the World! (by Amy Grant)

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?

Superstar (by Murray Head) (funniest answer!)

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?

Call to Worship (by MercyMe)(great answer!)

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?

Angels We Have Heard on High (by Josh Groban)(who knew?)

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?

God of Wonders (by Paul Baloch)

WHAT DO YOU WANT RIGHT NOW?

Always (by Sheila Walsh)

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?

They’ll Soon Discover (by The Shins) (Ha...this is from a Sponge Bob Square pants soundtrack I put on my iPod for Jake 7 or 8 years ago…)

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?

Lay them Down (by Stephanie Seefeldt)

This and That

It's almost the end of February - that is amazing. I'm in a blue kinda funk, and not very chatty, as you might have noticed. Here's a bit of this and that, in no particular order.

• I enjoyed 5 days in Scottsdale Arizona last week. Sun and fun for two days. Cool and rainy for three days. Luxurious rest and relaxation throughout. Free luxury condo thanks to a friend. Good company with a friend from church. All good.
• While there we attended two evenings of the Joyce Meyer convention. That woman preaches the Word. I've listened to 100's of hours of Podcasts and now have seen her live and have not heard *any* theology with which I would take issue. She preaches the Word. I recently heard her slammed again on a conservative Christian talk show, and it really troubles me.
• At the convention I was introduced to the music of Phil Wickham. Two thumbs up.
• We attended Scottsdale Bible Church, and all I can summarize with is: WOW. Loved it. Moving to Scottsdale is now on my bucket list.
• My dad's plant sprouted. This brought inordinate joy to me this morning. Gib loved this plant which was in his nursing home room for the 5 years following my mom's funeral. It thrived no matter how much it was ignored. A couple months before he died I took a cutting of it - for sentimental reasons. A succulent, I simply put it in wet soil. And I've kept that soil wet. One long ugly branch. Well today there's a shoot. The original plant was disposed of at his death - it had definitely seen better days, and it would have made me sad. And yes, it was ugly. Anyhow, I'm looking forward to cutting off this one long ugly branch. Maybe it will be a pretty plant as it sprouts up. I'm smiling just looking at it.
• There were hoofprints in the snow by the bedroom window today, and they trail to the woods. The bird feeder is newly empty. Deer. They found the feeder again.
• My theology prof mentioned a song recently, "Joy in the Journey" by Michael Card. I downloaded it on iTunes and have found such comfort in it. Today I downloaded the sheet music, and I'm hoping to sing it on Sunday. Full of hope.
• Going out with the neighbors tonight - to a fish fry. We have the annual Christmas party, and have been credited with bringing the neighborhood back together. Hospitality is such a lost gift isn't it? We love having people over.
• Me, the non-tv gal, I've been really enjoying snippets of the Olympics. We have a tv in our room that is truly never used, but a few evenings I've had it on as I've sorted through the desk piles. Our bedroom is much cleaner! I think I enjoy the fact that it's in Vancouver, where I used to live. Just seeing the mountains in the background has lifted my spirits. My brother who lives out there is an Olympics addict - he and I text back and forth as we watch. That's been sweet as well.
• Sweet Sue is coming over tomorrow. That might get me outta this funk. I love sweet Sue.
• Still *loving* Beth Moore's Bible study and DVD series, "Breaking Free." I highly recommend it. Solid study. Universal application. Get's you thinking...
• There. You're all up to date. Pretty boring, eh?
• Leave a comment. Cheer me up. I dare you.

Flying V

Our youngest son, age 14, debuted on his electric guitar last night. He's been taking lessons for over three years, and he spends hours in the basement rocking the house.

Between his guitar, and his sister spending over an hour a day on piano, our house is a bit noisy. But I love it. Every time I hear them I thank God for such a HEALTHY way for teenagers to spend their time. They both have such talent, and they find pleasure in it. We are blessed.

If you'd like to see Jake in action, you can see it here.

Enjoy. And Happy Valentine's Day!

Computers

Snow Day

Sitting at the dining room table, staring out at the woods and a swirl of white, I am feeling blessed. The commute in a possible 10 to 14 inches of snow was not worth it today, and my morning appointment and lunch appointment are both rescheduled. It feels like a gift. Due to the amazing invention of wireless internet I am able to monitor work from afar, and will be setting up meetings by email - much the same as I would have done in the office. One of the men for whom I work is emailing with me about a future project. I'm really not missing much by being here instead of there.

But what am I gaining? Oh, the list is amazing.

I spent a leisurely time with God, as today's study had me in Matthew 26 and Psalm 55 looking at the topic of betrayal. I cried again as I read of my Savior's time in the garden of Gethsemane. His prayers, His aloneness, His acquiescence to God's sovereignty. And then in Psalm 55 David reveals the heart pain of having a close friend turn on him. As I worked through Day four of Week Five of Breaking Free, I went well beyond the questions and meditated on the pain of those Scriptures. The betrayals I've experienced came to memory. Forgiveness. My favorite passage, Hebrews 4: 14-16, resonated in me again. Jesus understands. He knows disappointment. He knows lonely. He knows betrayal. He knows desertion. He knows temptation. He knows what it is like to repeatedly beg God for Plan B. Oh the relief of realizing that my Savior knows and understands. There is nothing that compares with the intimacy I feel with Jesus. It's worth the hours invested. The benefits are exponential - it's easier and easier to dive in and be heart to heart. (The same as any relationship, the groundwork had to be laid. It was discipline at first to invest the time...) It's so worth it.

I pulled myself off the love seat, (I could stay there all day!) and now am working on my midterm paper due in a couple weeks for my Theology class: "Discuss the theological importance of the Image of God. How does the doctrine bear on contemporary debates about human value?" Having a few extra hours to study is such a gift. I love this studying too.

I'll be able to get 30 minutes in on the treadmill.

I'll be here when Jake gets home, which today is an extra blessing since he'll be running the snow blower. I need to be here during that time, so now he can do it in the daylight. (Frank is out of town)

I can putter - wipe the counters, do the straggler dishes, pick up, put away the laundry on the drying rack...all the things that get neglected from Tuesday to Thursday most weeks. I'll have to work part of Friday to get in my hours, but that's okay.

The best part is the unexpectedness of it. It feels so decadent to be home on a Tuesday. It makes me appreciate again the amazing job that God has provided for me. I know that He provided me this job so that I could make a decent earning in just 3 days a week and devote extra time to study and teaching. I know that. And I appreciate it. And I *love* it! And I do believe that I honor Him with it, remembering the *why* of these extra hours. And I get to be HOME - where my heart truly is. Sigh.

Happy Snow Day.

It's the Relationship

As I've been reading on healing, whether that be emotional or physical, it's been emphasized that the process is to produce a relationship with the Healer. This viewpoint does put our struggles into perspective. The result is relationship, not just healing, and is helpful in understanding James 1.

"Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,

knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete,

lacking in nothing." James 1:2-4 NASB

I'm pretty sure I don't yet consider it all joy. But I do realize that who I am today is a result of everything that has happened to me, along with the choices I've made. If I hadn't struggled in certain areas, I would not have compassion. I see people all around me who do not have compassion, and it is very unattractive. I'm thankful for my compassion which has been earned the hard way: I've been there. And even if my "there" is not the same as your "there," I know pain, and can relate to your pain. It is a beautiful thing if we'll let each other get close enough to know about the pain.

God is working on this very slow learner. It's not about me. It's about Him. And whatever it takes to get me to shift my focus from me to Him... it's worth it. Through it all, I've gained a really close relationship with my Healer. While I'm still in process, I'm seeing progress. When I think of my trials and think they were worth it... that will be progress indeed.

It's Never Hopeless.

My Bible study this morning is on the topic of generational sin. (Day 4 of Breaking Free week 4) The sinful habits that we observed in our parents or other close older relatives are so very easily incorporated into our lives. We grew up in this habit. It can become our normal, and effort is needed to live outside of that normal. Oh how well I know this.

Jeremiah 18: 1-6 combined with verse 12 have hit me hard this morning.

Jeremiah 18:1-6 (NASB95)

1 The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord saying,

2 “Arise and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will announce My words to you.”

3 Then I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was, making something on the wheel.

4 But the vessel that he was making of clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he remade it into another vessel, as it pleased the potter to make.

5 Then the word of the Lord came to me saying,

6 “Can I not, O house of Israel, deal with you as this potter does?” declares the Lord. “Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel.

12 “But they will say, ‘It’s hopeless! For we are going to follow our own plans, and each of us will act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart.’

How many times have I excused certain behaviors thinking "That's who I am ... that's what I observed and learned. It's hopeless, and it's a bummer. If only ... "

Verse 12 is so very telling. God is telling Jeremiah that even though He, the God of the Universe, is willing to remake His people into new vessels ... in fact verse 5 tells us it pleases Him to do so ... we just shrug our shoulders, say it's hopeless, and stay in our muck.

Wow. Read this passage over and over. Ask God to open your eyes. And then move on to Romans 8:37-39

Romans 8:37-39 (NASB95)

37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.

38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,

39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Did you notice the "how" of it? We are conquerers THROUGH HIM who loved us.

Luke 1:37 (NASB95)

37 “For nothing will be impossible with God.”

AMEN!

The real stuff

The "girls" just left. 8 of us have Bible study at our home every Saturday morning at 7:30 am. Today I took advantage of being the hostess and stayed in jammies, robe and slippers. After study half of them lingered and I made eggs and toast and coffee. An hour later one of the husbands showed up, needing a car. I made more eggs and toast.

These same girls, with spouses and one with a friend, were here last night for dinner. 12 of us were around the table for food, fellowship and a lot of laughter. My tender lungs hurt today...from laughter. This group has history. Years of tears and prayers and laughter. Years of meals and cleaning and painting and advice.

Jake is gone this week end, on a youth group retreat, but Anna helped me clean the house yesterday, and then when she came home after her activities she saw us around the table hilariously playing a game of Pit. It was total hysterical chaos - the kind that is good for our souls. Again this morning Anna wandered in to talk to us as we ate. (yes, we offered her some breakfast...)

As they drove away at 11 am I said to Anna, "You know, all that really matters in the end is your relationship with Christ and a few good friends. It's all you need."

That might have been one of the most profound mother comments I've ever made. It was a lovely mother daughter moment. My daughter, I pray that you develop a vibrant relationship with your Deliverer, and some true friends with whom to laugh and cry. That's the real stuff.

And then I added, " And you also need at least one real great kid." Anna smiled.

Theology

My first quiz for this semester's Theology class is tonight. I love this stuff. I'm not sure how to study for a quiz - it's all such brainiac interconnected stuff...but...I'm reviewing my notes.

Here is one list. Such basics. Such richness.

The Christian View of Creation.

1. We are a creature of God. - created in His image.

2. We are created special by God.

3. Man has an eternal nature: we are created for eternity.

4. We have a physical being.

5. The meaning of life is NOT happiness.

The meaning of life is to know, to serve and to love God.

Is that not just a simple reminder of truth? If you want to find more meaning in your life, find more ways to serve God. Stop pursuing happiness. Stop pursuing stuff or experiences or whatever - find a way to know Him better, serve Him better, love Him better.

Someone once, long ago, asked me why I stayed in a marriage that at times was so hard. (Every marriage is hard at times!) My answer was better than I knew: "Because my marriage isn't all about my happiness."

In marriage, in parenthood, in work, in friendship, in the keeping of my body, in the keeping of my home - in all of it - I need to look at how does *this* best glorify God? That leads to wise choices. Wise choices include spending time in the Word; praying; serving my spouse and/or my child, my friend, my church, my coworker; in losing weight if I need to; in eating correctly; in exercising to keep what I have in the best working order that I can... It's all about what GLORIFIES God the best. It's NOT about making me happy.

And yet... God created me for the purpose of knowing Him and glorifying Him, so pursuing HIM *will* result in my ultimate satisfaction. It's a fact. Bet on it.

We need to stop trying to figure out how to mend our feelings, undo a mess, find happiness, find contentment, heal our hurts, satisfy our taste buds... In fact, I need to stop concentrating on ME at all. Concentrate on Him. It's what you and I were made for. Live to serve.

Simple truth.

[And yes... there are a lot of posts about satisfying recipes, books, hobbies, decor, etc. on my blog. I need to be careful that none of those are self serving. Does that make sense? We honor God by feeding our families, learning and growing, enjoying the life He gave us... but as soon as we forget the MAIN path to satisfaction... we're in trouble.]

Cooking up a storm

For dinner tonight, I just prepared Beef Stew. Click on those words and you'll get to the step by step directions.

On Friday night I made Hot Beef Sandwiches. Again, the link takes you to the recipe - with pictures!

On Saturday night I made Chicken Spaghetti.

My family is very very happy that I found the Pioneer Woman Cooks website. Your family, or just your own taste buds, will be too.

Truly amazing food. Truly simple directions. Mmmmmm.

Oysters

It all began with the book French Women Don't Get Fat. Actually with the book on CD. Emily and I listened to it on the way home from me picking her up from school at Christmas. Emily is thin and choosy about her food. I'm fluffy and love pretty much everything edible.

The author and narrator, Mireille Guiliano, is a delight. Perhaps because I love the French language, I find it is so entertaining to listen to her. She speaks with a heavy accent and throws in sweet French phrases here and there.

Two items appear to be tres importante to the French woman: champagne and oysters. Being the ridiculously impressionable person that I am, champagne and oysters became a focus.

The holidays provided much occasion for champagne in our home. We found a delightful bottle at Trader Joes - no idea what it was called. It was about $8 a bottle and it was not sweet like cheaper ones can be. A bit of the bubbly was enjoyed by all. There truly is something celebratory in it. Out of the ordinary.

Oysters presented more of a challenge. I had no idea how to eat them or where to eat them. I doubted that anyone in our family was going to be excited to join me on this adventure. I knew that before going to Paris in April I had to know how to eat them and if I liked them. French Women...they know a thing or two about oysters.

Last night I had my opportunity. A business dinner took me to Mitchell's Fish Market. One colleague accompanied me, and we planned to meet a woman there who neither of us knew. Within minutes we were fast friends, and I was comfortable inquiring about oysters. Inquiring is likely too dainty a word. Grilling. I grilled the waitress. What is the difference between the four different options? Are they cooked? How do you eat them? Is there lemon? Sauce? Can I try just one? Do you chew? Do you just slide it right off the shell? Thankfully Danielle was patient and knowledgeable and eager to help. And the restaurant was not busy.

I ordered a sampler - four different oysters - three east coast and one west. They were arranged on the plate from mild to ...gritty and stronger flavored.

I liked them. Yes indeed. There was a ginger sauce and a shrimp sauce, along with lemon and crackers on my plate. I squeezed lemon over all, and then touched the first one with shrimp sauce. To be honest...I only tasted the sauce. But I lived through it. It slid right down. I liked all four. Even the gritty stronger tasting one. The ginger sauce was amazing.

Perhaps I was too shy with my new business contact, or perhaps I had oyster nerves, or perhaps I was just hungry...for whatever reason I took no photos at that point.

But after a delightful dinner I did ask Danielle to explain how to open the shell. After attempting to explain what the shucking tool looked like, and how the oyster had to be fully closed...well...Danielle offered to show us. And out came the camera.

Voila ... the oyster.

Closed and waiting.
The shucking tool is very sturdy - no wimpy tools would handle the prying.

You dive in to that little white area - see it? That's where you poke in between the top and bottom shell. The oyster is attached to both sides...so you loosen it from both sides once the shell opens.

Poor Danielle chose a VERY obstinate little oyster...it took A LOT of work to get it open, and the shell broke which is bad news in oyster serving. In fact she could not let us eat it due to shell fragments.

A little bit of "stuff" is left on the shell where the oyster was attached. You don't eat that part.

The edible part is the big blob on the left shell.

So... my plan is to purchase them SHUCKED. That was WORK. Although perhaps that is why French women don't get fat...they do oyster shucking work outs.

Mitchell's sells oysters to go - closed or shucked. And they come with ginger sauce! Who knew?

I'll be checking at the local grocers too. Or maybe my next plate full will be in Paris. Now that I know what I'm doing...

In retrospect, I just googled "How to shuck an oyster." Of course youtube has plenty of learning videos. Here is one here, and he makes it look SO simple. Practice makes perfect!

Bon Appetit!

Satisfaction

Psalm 63:1-8 (ESV)

1 A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.

O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.

3 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.

4 So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.

5 My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,

6 when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night;

7 for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.

8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.

As I looked ahead in my current Bible study workbook, I looked forward to today's topic: "To Find Satisfaction in God."

You may know that a book that profoundly impacted my life is Fresh Brewed Life by Nicole Johnson. And the chapter that did it was "Listen to your Longings." (Followed closely by "Encounter your Journal.")

Longings. We all have them. To be brutally honest, there are times that I question God. I ask Him why I still have the "ache," or the "hollow place" in me even when I spend so much time with Him and in His Word.

The answer that Nicole landed on was that we are indeed made for more than this. We are made for Eden. For paradise. For daily walks in the garden with God. Unashamed. And so we yearn for that. We yearn for heaven.

This scripture passage was written by David when he was in the wilderness. That encourages me. I have wilderness days, and the enemy of my soul taunts me on them. But do you know what the answer is on those days? See verse one: earnestly seek Him from the wilderness. Cease striving. Be still. (Psalm 46:10)

What does verse one indicate is the actual longing? God! We thirst for Him. We hunger for Him. We faint for Him.

Verse 2 shows one way to satisfaction: find him in the sanctuary. I think of this as church. But the definition of the Hebrew word is "it means apartness, holiness, sacredness; a holy thing; a sacred place or thing." Yes, that includes church, a place that is set apart to God. An hour that is set apart. But for me it includes my "curl up with Him" time. I have some rituals - a sunny place, a quilt, a cup of tea or coffee, my journal, my markers, stickers and colored pencils, and of course my Bible and reference books. It is my holy time. I have a space set up for it. It is sacred to me. I can find Him there.

Look at verse 3. This seems to me to be the psalmist's logic taking over. I relate to this. I often say "I am going to logic this through." When I am gripped by oppression or depression or sadness or grief or hopelessness, I logic it through. As David did in verse 4: Because I know *this* about God, I will *do this.* Do you know the key to this? KNOWING God. Because David *knew* that God's love is better than life, he chose to glorify God with his lips. That is not normal. It is supernatural. When I feel like cursing or crying or blaming or just stomping my feet in frustration...I can glorify God with my lips. Thank you Jesus. [oh my... I have *such* a long way to go in obeying this...]

Verse 5 hits home with me. Do we try to satisfy our Jesus longings with rich food? Enough said.

Verse 6 is written for moms of young ones and menopausal women! Do you lie awake on your bed? David has a curriculum for that holy time.

Verse 7 is my favorite. Don't tell anyone, but I'm going to write a book about the birds of the Bible. I love birds. Bizarrely. I can spend hours watching them in our feeders. "In the shadow of your wings." What a picture. Nestle in! I want to nestle in - close enough to be shaded by His wings. There I will sing. I like to sing!

Verse 8. Clings. What a lovely word. Clings. I need to be like Saran Wrap to the bowl. That is cling! This is an active posture, and it's not going to come naturally. Although I will tell you that as you spend time with Him it does become more of your natural response. You begin to long for Him. Run to Him. Nestle back under when you've strayed too far.

No, none of that was in the study. Beth Moore used this as one of *many* passages in my study, but the passage gripped me and reminded me of a few basics:

Expect some wilderness times. Prepare your response: seek Him more! Spend your time beholding HIS power and glory. And, in the words of a great old song, "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace."

Sugar Coated World

so many interests, so little time...

Sunday afternoon. Ahhhhh. (that is a happy sigh, not a frightful scream... hmm-mm... how to differentiate...) Sitting in the bedroom, on the love seat, which we have now turned perpendicular to the wall so that I can recline and stare outdoors. I'm guessing it's not the best feng shui, but I really like it. Currently the sun is streaming in as it passes by on its westward journey.

This morning the world was sugar coated. If it weren't for these lousy lungs I would have run into the yard and woods with my camera. Instead I took the screen off one of the windows, opened the window and took a few shots from the bedroom. Then on the way to church I had Frank pull over a few times - not nearly enough, but a few. Somehow the frost coated the trees and bushes but not the car we had parked in the driveway. How does that work?

I am knee deep, almost literally, in happy pursuits. Here's a random list of what I'm up to these days.

• Bread making. Majorly into bread making. Yesterday I made three loaves: two cinnamon raisin and one white. I use a bread machine. Don't get all snobby on me... it's all my ingredients - no mixes - but a bit quicker. And ooooooh... the family is loving it. The cinnamon raisin is amazing. Substantial toast with your tea. C'mon over!

• Theology. LOVING my current class which is entitled "Christ, Sin, Man, Salvation." I might have found my niche. This is the thick chewy kind of thinking - religious philosophy. We're chewing on issues that I did not previously know were issues. Love it.

• Fire. We put our living room couch and love seat by the fire place (across from one another and perpendicular to the fire) and moved the dining room table out by the windows. Curling up by the fire with a book in the evening is a delight that I cannot believe I've been missing for 2.5 years. This arrangement puts the dining room table farther from the kitchen, but whew...it's worth it.

• Art Journaling. Have you seen this new(ish) publication? Whew. Somewhere deep in me is a latent artist. Journaling is a passion of mine, and this publication adds scrappy eclectic art to the pages. Okay, I'm a bit too OCD for some of it, but reading about it and paging through the gorgeous samples is a lovely way to spend an hour. My 2010 journal is showing a bit of creativity - starting small with watercolor pencils, mod podge, stickers, colored markers... If only I were independently wealthy. I'd set up a desk in front of the bedroom window and create and write and read all day. I'm just not a corporate girl at heart.

• Breaking Free. Words fail me in describing how I'm eating up this revised Bible study by Beth Moore. The workbook is phenomenal, and the one hour video presentations even better. When Bible study is the *main* thing you want to do in an evening (or morning), you know that something is right in your world.

• Artful Blogging. Another publication. The name says it all. Oh my.

• Napping. My lungs are slowly recuperating, but God must really want me on the couch for a bit. This is a slow process. The official diagnosis is "post viral asthma" at this point. The inhalers make it so I can't sing, so I'm avoiding them. I return to the pulmonologist on Wednesday to discuss my options. (He previously said the pills make you irritable and unable to sleep. That's not sounding good either...) Last Wednesday I had a pulmonary function test and a methacoline challenge test.

• Puttering. Few things entertain me more than puttering about the house. And I have enough messes to organize to keep me puttering for the foreseeable future. The scrapbooking closet in the basement is calling me, and Joey's room is becoming the sewing room which will entail a LOT of moving things about. (Joey told me to go ahead, as long as the futon is available whenever he visits...)

I'll post photos later...

And a Bible study update.

For now...I'm going to read the *old* issue of Artful Blogger I just found at the Art Supply store - hiding behind the current edition. Very fun find.

Tonight "24" starts. Frank just told me there is a one hour repeat of last season's last episode plus a TWO hour first show tonight and tomorrow night. Yipes. Love that show. But really...five hours in two days? I don't watch that much TV in a month!

Enjoy your Sabbath rest.

Paris

Our trip to Paris is taking shape.

Frank traded in a bazillion travel points to get us two round trip tickets for April 26 to May 5th. Too exciting.

My ex sister in law suggested we find an apartment rather than a hotel. We'll save a lot of money on food if we buy some of our meals at the open market and prepare them at home. And pack picnics.

Yesterday we booked our apartment. We don't know yet if we have unit ONE or unit TWO, but you can see the cute and cozy little places at www.parishome2000.com

And so now that our dates and location are nailed down, when I have spare minutes (when I *make* spare minutes) I am planning our days. This market , on Rue Cler, is just ONE BLOCK from our sweet little Paris Home.

My friend Diane was here yesterday, sharing some warm soup and a warm fire. She introduced me to *free* French lessons on a podcast. (Radio Lingua Network Coffee Break French) TRES BIEN! I grew up in Canada, where French was a part of the curriculum all through school, and I continued in high school when we moved to Madison and even in college...but...these free little lessons on my ipod are definitely going to be a handy way to brush up. Delightful, actually.

And so...our big trip is shaping up. It's only 3 months away...so very exciting. And yes, our Paris Home has free WIFI, so...perhaps I'll be able to blog internationally! You just never know.

A bientot. (until next time...)

This and That

Hello! Feels like forever since I have posted. There are so many posts rolling around in my brain...I will try to get them done today.

First, here, my Bible study partnership update - sharing what I'm learning.

Later - Paris update.

and Blessings update.

and maybe a Health update.

So...stay tuned.

Our women's group is attempting to share with one another what we're reading in Scripture and what we're learning. Today I am reading in Isaiah, and in 2 Chronicles, and in other Scriptures as I work on the workbook for Breaking Free by Beth Moore. My Saturday morning study just began this on Saturday the 9th, and even in the first week of homework and having seen only the introductory video, I *know* that God is going to do mighty things in my life over the next three months. It's exciting...and exhausting. Here are some of the notes (likely not word perfect) that I made in my notebook as I watched the hour long introductory video: [words in square brackets are my thoughts...]

• ** "Bondage" is anything that keeps us from the fullness of who God has called us to be
• ** If I go to God for deliverance, that's what I'll receive.
• ** A stronghold always leads to isolation. [therefore it is a good clue...what do you do that you do not share with anyone else...]
• ** Often in Scripture, the "captives" are people of God - believers
• ** Bondage can take the form of mental preoccupation
• ** According to John 15:8, it is to the Father's glory for me to BEAR MUCH FRUIT. He's all for my fruitfulness. For HIS glory. [Strongholds squash my fruit production]
• ** It's time to make a daring escape. Would you want to grow old and die in your current stronghold?
• ** NOTHING you are holding that God wants to remove is worth what's ahead
• ** Don't be afraid of the cost...be afraid to miss what God has for you.

I don't know about you, but that list compels me to dig deeper. It scares me. It motivates me. God is FOR me (and you) and wants my VERY BEST and is encouraging me to trade up - give up a few lesser things and thoughts, and trade them for better things, use of time, thoughts, priorities, relationships...TRADE UP.

2 Chronicles 32:1 NASB: After these acts of faithfulness Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah and besieged the fortified cities, and thought to break into them for himself.

I love what Beth Moore writes about this verse (In the study we've already read of Judah's King Hezekiah's faithfulness in 2 Chronicles 29-31) "...we can be faithful to God and centered in His will and still be attacked by the enemy."

I need to remember that so that I don't feel defeated or down on myself. Sometimes when we are *most* in God's will, and seeking to follow Him the closest, sometimes *that* is when we are attacked the hardest by the enemy.

It is kind of God to remind me of that this morning. My trials are not necessarily punishments...they are allowed by God, and I will get through them with God's promise to never leave me nor forsake me. He is refining me. He is refocusing me.

It's exciting to put down more baggage - I want to carry less into the journey ahead.

So Simple

New Years Day. A time of new beginnings. A time of reflection. A time to reassess and work towards goals once again, whether they be physical, financial, emotional, or spiritual.

This morning as I read Judges 6, the simplicity of sin and consequence jumped out at me:

Judges 6:1 (NASB95)
1 Then the sons of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord; and the Lord gave them into the hands of Midian seven years.

We get ourselves into so many messes when we disobey God. In our own wisdom we think we can take a shortcut, we can bend the rule just a little... How many times have you thought, "Yeah, but in THIS situation, I need to do THIS..." There is nothing new under the sun, and God had your situation handled when He set up the basic parameters.

As I take the time to write out resolutions today - which I do every year - I likely need to put "Stop doing things MY way" at the top of the list. Some of God's commands are crystal clear: Give thanks in everything. (1 Thess 5:18) Rejoice in the Lord. (Phil 3:1) Be anxious for nothing. (Phil 4:6) Speak the truth in love. (Eph 4:15) Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth. (Eph 4:29) Be kind. (Eph 4:32) Forgive each other. (Eph 4:32) Be imitators of God. (Eph 5:1) Think upon the good things. (Phil 4:8) Regard others as better than you. (Phil 2:3)

As I even look ahead to the next few hours, would dealing with teens not be simpler if I followed just THOSE commands? Wouldn't my husband love it if I spoke everything in love, even when I totally don't understand him or agree with him? When I return to work, wouldn't it be a witness to never gripe and complain? What if I tried for ONE day for my attitude to be one of total thanksgiving.

We, like the Israelites, want to do things our own way. And so God allows us the consequences. Do you have any Midianites in your life? People whose sole purpose appears to be to make your life difficult? Perhaps you've wandered from the simplicity of imitating Christ because you thought sticking up for yourself made better sense. Remember Philippians 2. Christ had a right to total respect, yet He emptied Himself.

Judges 6:1 is going to change my New Years resolutions. I'm going to focus on obedience. In the small things. In the simple things. Where it doesn't make sense to my flesh. Acquiescence. It's scary to consider the vulnerability, but really...I'm tired of the Midianites. Fights on every front as I try to protect myself. It's time to lean in. Surrender.

It is so very simple. God's way = God's blessing and protection. Even if it doesn't make sense. That's the point: that's faith.

Decedent Day

Yesterday was decedent.

I finally just sorta did what I wanted. No agenda. No schedule. No rush. No need to pick up and tidy. Nothing to wrap. Long sigh - JUST what the doctor ordered.

Most of the day was spent reading - pleasure reading. It felt so wonderful - reading something just for the sheer enjoyment of it - not an assignment, not work...just fun. What delight is to be found in the world of words. In reading we can leave our own small plane for a few hours and live the life of another - seeing what he sees, knowing what he thinks, smelling his smells - it's an expansion of life. Reading is a gift. A good book is a treasure. Oh to have a good book every time I want to read. THAT is the tricky part.

Actually, the day started on the 25th, when what to my wondering eyes should appear - no, not the jolly old elf and eight tiny reindeer - but two pieces of paper wrapped and under the tree. E-tickets. To Paris. Frank and I are going to Paris on April 26th. Since he travels a lot, he saved up miles to go to a foreign destination in honor of our 25th wedding anniversary. I picked Paris.

In anticipation of this gift, I had purchased a couple of novels by John Baxter - A Paris Christmas and We'll Always Have Paris. For Christmas we each gave each other a Paris travel guide, and Frank gifted me with the wee Moleskin travel planner and diary for Paris - includes maps and metro station information. So yesterday, as I lounged with MANY cups tea and lemon, the ottoman held all things Paris, and I sampled from each of them throughout the day. Putter in the sweetest sense of the word. Just plain decedent. My Moleskine travel journal has it's first notes, such as where to find the best baguette, which cemetery has the lovely statue of the woman weeping, and which cafe is a favorite - a hole in the wall kind of place. What fun it will be to research over these next few months and make notes in the tiny book. Just my sort of thing!

A Paris Christmas: Immoveable Feast, is fabulously written. Here's the back cover description: A witty cultural and culinary education, Immoveable Feast is the charming, funny, and improbable tale of how a man who was raised on white bread - and didn't speak a word of French - unexpectedly ended up with the sacred duty of preparing the annual Christmas dinner for a venerable Parisian family... Baxter's memoir of his yearlong quest takes readers along his misadventures and delicious triumphs as he visits the farthest corners of France in search of the country's best recipes and ingredients. Irresistible and fascinating, Immoveable Feast is a warmhearted tale of good food, romance, family, and the Christmas spirit, Parisian style."

Just now curling up for my Sunday afternoon, and about to crack open John Baxter's We'll always have Paris. Pencil in hand, tea on the side table, feet up and blanket surrounding...I'll soon be napping and reading the afternoon away. Still under the weather with a plague in my lungs, but today...it's not such a bad plight.

Bonne après-midi tout le monde! (Happy afternoon to everyone!)

Presence

This morning I will be working from home. Week four of a nasty bug has finally quarantined me. Week one was body aches and weariness. Week two was down and out, missing work and zoning out on the couch. Week three was sinus and sore throat. Week four is lungs. Fa la la la la. I finally succumbed to visiting the doctor, and was well lectured. Stop. Rest. Or else.

And so after a chest xray yesterday I stopped in at work just long enough to gather information for a day at home at my computer. I had already missed two and a half days of work this week again, so it is necessary for me to get a few things done and clock a few hours. Tomorrow will be spent in the car for a one hour far away meeting, so that is a stress free way to put in nine hours. Today I will listen to Christmas music and do a lot of computer input, updating all my client files. Sounds dull, but it will be a great relief to be caught up.

And so...I am present. I am sipping coffee and spending some leisurely time with my Savior, the star of the Christmas show. Such luxury.

When Jake appeared I asked him if he'd like a hot breakfast, knowing that he would light up and request chocolate chip pancakes. Presence. Although I'm almost always here until he leaves for the bus, I'm not always "present." Today I brought my coffee to the table and read from our Advent reading while he savored his favorite treat.

Immanuel: Praying the Names of God through the Christmas Season by Ann Spangler is my new advent devotional for the year. I love advent. The advent candle on the kitchen table that must be at least 15 years old. Tradition.

Today we read of my second favorite name for God, "Immanuel." Technically it is a name for Jesus, foretold twice in the Old Testament and mentioned once in the New.

Isaiah 7:13-14 (NASB95)
13 Then he said, “Listen now, O house of David! Is it too slight a thing for you to try the patience of men, that you will try the patience of my God as well?
14 “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.

Isaiah 8:8 (NASB95)
8 “Then it will sweep on into Judah, it will overflow and pass through, It will reach even to the neck; And the spread of its wings will fill the breadth of your land, O Immanuel.

Matthew 1:22-23 (NASB95)
22 Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet:
23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.”

The author's words are so beautiful and succinct, let me quote her here:

One of the most comforting of all the names and titles of Jesus, it is literally translated "with us is God" or, as Matthew's Gospel puts it, "God with us." When our sins made it impossible for us to come to him, God took the outrageous step of coming to us, of making himself susceptible to sorrow, familiar with temptation, and vulnerable to sin's disruptive power, in order to cancel its claim. In Jesus we see how extreme God's love is. Remember this the next time you feel discouraged, abandoned, or too timid to undertake some new endeavor. For Jesus is still Immanuel - he is still "God with us."

Presence. God's presence. He brings much more than chocolate chip pancakes to our table, for He is the Mighty God, Wonderful Counselor and Prince of Peace. Meditate on those titles and that reality for a period of time, and you might more fully appreciate that He is Immanuel. God with us. God with us as we prepare to celebrate His birth, as we recuperate, as we type on the computer. God with us at our breakfast table, as we drive about, as we hustle and bustle.

God with us.

Firm Place

Up early this morning, awakened by a disturbing dream. Since early morning is one of the most peaceful times in our busy household, I crawled out at 5:30, turned on the tree lights, made a cup of coffee and put on George Winston's "December." For whatever reason that music has always been melancholy to me, stirring up deep longings for ... Christmas past? Christmas future? a Christmas that isn't? Yet every year it is a part of my Thanksgiving and Christmas weeks, something through which to work each year. The music works at the knots in me, releasing ... something. Interestingly, this Christmas I've enjoyed it more, and hearing it has brought peace rather than tears. Reconciling with what is. Settling in.

This morning's reading is in Luke 23, and I continue to be amazed at the depth of meaning it brings to read of Christ's passion week, betrayal and crucifixion while gazing at a nativity set. God timed that I would be at this point in my Jesus study at this point in the year. I'm simply enjoying the journey.

Beth Moore remarks on Isaiah 22 in today's study. In a prophetic statement in verse 23 it states,

23 “I will drive him like a peg in a firm place, And he will become a throne of glory to his father’s house.

Beth considers this passage to apply both to its contemporaneous context and to be prophetic of Christ. The context of the readings on the crucifixion certainly intensify the driving of the peg. The word "firm" is the word that draws Beth's attention, and so I looked it up in my Hebrew lexicon.

Firm: # 539 to make firm, to confirm, to support; to be firm, to stand firm, to be enduring, to trust.

Trust is the word of the month. At our church's women's brunch the speaker spoke of the simple words, "Trust Me." During an especially difficult time she wrote those words on an index card and set it on her nightstand. Trust Me.

God will drive us like pegs into firm places. Places that will make us firm. Without being driven to experiencing some hard places, we cannot test our firmness. We cannot test our simple trust.

Does this season bring you to some hard places? Do some of the songs bring out the melancholy in you? Are there stresses testing you?

Be firm. Be enduring. Trust. That's what I'm hearing this morning as I listen to the melodies, sip strong coffee and bask in the twinkles. And I feel hope. Hope that my spot in the firm place is becoming more comfortable. At some point the driving of the peg stops, right? At some point the peg is in the firm place, and the driving, the pounding, the pushing subsides. I am beginning to sense that relief. I don't think I'm going to be taken from the hard place, but there is the promise of holding firm in it.

Heavenly Peace

Just received this article from Nicole Johnson, and thought it lovely enough to share. Enjoy.

I'll write soon. The class papers are emailed, the cards are addressed if not sent, the gifts are bought, the tree is alight, and the blogger is ... exhausted. A chest xray today will see if the H1N1 settled in my lungs as pneumonia...its been a long month.

Christmas movies with hot tea are in my very near future.

Stay warm!

You know where to find it...

Oops. I forgot to post the link to the December 6th Advent blog. So...hopefully you still found it...and will continue to find it this month. I'll write again soon. Don't forget to say HI in the comments!

December 5

Good Morning! I'm up early for a FULL day ahead. Bible Study at 7:30, our church women's Christmas Brunch at 10, and then to Chicago with friends for some window shopping and dinner before we go to Candlelight Carols. I've been fighting a nasty bug - only worked one and a half days this week - so I'm praying for an extra dose of energy. I'll just duck into a Starbucks on Michigan Avenue and people watch (zone out) while my girlfriends window shop...there's already a book in my purse...

Have an extraordinary last day of the first week of Advent. Let's keep our focus on HIM.