Making better choices.... through GPS

Today's project was the installation of a new garbage disposal.  Once again, I am so thankful that Ken can do these projects.  I can only imagine how much a plumber would charge for this job.  As usual, any plumbing project always requires at least two trips to the hardware store.  After the requisite two trips to the local Ace Hardware store, the job was done.  I took the opportunity to clean out the cabinet that holds the garbage disposal and washed all of the pans that were stored there.  I also decided that most of my baking pans needed to be replaced.  I can't tell you how old most of these pans are.  Looking at them, I just know that they have served us well but now they need to be retired.  So I will be watching for those sales to get a few new cake pans, and a bread pan.  This is certainly no big rush, since I have not done much baking recently.  That is until today.  I noticed those 4 over-ripe bananas on the counter and saw that bread pan and decided to make banana bread.  It was so good to smell that bread baking when we were in the midst of this plumbing project.  And it tastes awesome!

I've been reflecting on the WHY in "Why don't I bake stuff more often?"  And part of the answer is contained in "out of sight and out of mind".  Those pans were hidden away under the sink and I didn't think about them very much.  And, quite frankly, when I did think about it, I was usually not at home.  That seems like a poor excuse, but it is true.  And then the second reason that I stopped doing the baking was that I also stopped doing the eating!  Yes, being on Weight Watchers for the last year has put a stop to those cookies and muffins and yummy breads.  Today I found that I can still bake that bread, but have the restraint to only eat 1 piece rather than 1/3 of the loaf. That is the direct result of watching my eating habits for the last year.  I can make better choices.

Wow.  Isn't that a powerful sentence.  I CAN MAKE BETTER CHOICES!  There is so much in that sentence.  I can make better choices about how I spend my time.  I can make better choices about what I read/watch/see/hear.  I can make better choices about who I associate with.  I can make better choices.  And the best thing is that I can pay attention to the direction of the Holy Spirit and then make those better choices.  I am so thankful for the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in me.  What an amazing gift of the Father and Son.  Today I was thinking about the scripture verse John 16:13 "But when he, the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth."  WOW!  What a great reminder that it is the Holy Spirit that guides us to the truth.  It is the Holy Spirit that helps us make those better choices.  The Holy Spirit reminds me that the banana bread has calories and I need to balance my consumption to stay healthy.  That is truth.  And this is just one more very small way that Jesus shows me everyday how much he cares for me and loves me.  Jesus made sure he left us with an internal GPS!  God's Personal Spirit! 

Jesus, help me to remember that the power to make ALL the choices and decisions in my life comes from the Holy Spirit.  Not just the small things - but ALL things.  Thank you for caring so much about us that you sent the Holy Spirit to live IN us.  You made sure that we had your Divine guidance through that internal GPS you gave us.  What an amazing gift.  Jesus, please remind all of us that we have ALL the power and guidance and truth right inside of us because of the Holy Spirit.  And thank you, once again, for Ken's ability to fix what is broken.  Amen.

The wise man built his house on the rock....

Today Ken and I actually made a decision about our living room furniture.  This has been a long time coming.  We do not usually spend money on things like furniture.  As a matter of fact, most of our furniture has been "hand me downs" from Ken's parents.  The dining set that we are currently using in our dining room was a hand me down from Ken's parents.  And the couch that is currently in our living room was from 2009 when Ken's dad relocated to Florida after the death of Ken's mom.  Today we were actually trying to figure out how old this couch was.  We found a sticker on the back - it was custom made in 1987.  So there you have it - 26 years old! 

 

 

Here is a very early picture of that couch - with Ken and his sister Sue and Gina.  I think this is from the late 80's but I am not sure of the date.  At any rate - its a long, LONG time ago.  But, there you have it.  The couch.  Today we made the decision to have this couch reupholstered.  I am sure not many people would do that today.  But we have been looking for a new couch for a very long time.  If you just want a simple sofa, it is difficult to find!  We were not being very picky, but most that we saw were not made very well and were still very expensive.  And the "bones" of this sofa are really good.  When I made a couple of phone calls to find out about reupholstery, one gentlemen told me that if the sofa could be lifted from one corner with one hand, it was most likely not worth a re-do.  So I tried the experiment.  Nope - I couldn't lift it with one hand.  So today we decided on a floral print that has a beige background instead of the pure white on the original fabric.  I am very happy with the choice.  The cost is about the same as we were finding to purchase a sofa of fairly good quality, and much less than the better quality new one.  So, in about a month, I will have a NEW "OLD" sofa in my living room.  Hooray!

 

And this afternoon, I was thinking about this.  Isn't it true that the foundation is the most important thing?  No matter what you are talking about, if the basic structure is good you can usually make something out of it - even if it seems like a total mess!  In our case the fabric is stained and the quilting is pulling out.  The cushions have been flattened and seem to sag a little bit.  But it is all fixable.   I am so glad that this is true for us and the situations we face.  Even if things look like a total mess and there doesn't seem to be any way to make things right, if the foundation is good, anything is possible. 

 

I am thankful that my life is built on the foundation of Jesus and He is my rock.  I am so glad that I have my feet firmly planted on the ROCK.  I love the parable that Jesus told of the wise man and the foolish man.  The wise man built his house on the rock and the foolish man built his house on the sand.  When the storms came, the house on the sand was destroyed.  But the house on the rock stood firm.  I know that in the situation that I am facing today, although we seem to be in a big storm, the foundation is good.  We just need a really good "upholstery job"!  

 

Thank you Jesus for reminding me that when you are the foundation of something, there is always restoration possible!  You are a great and mighty God that cares so much for us that you speak into the smallest details of our life.  Thank you once again, for reminding me that nothing is impossible with you.  Yahweh, I know that there are many people out there with problems and situations and issues that seem overwhelming.  And I know that you are the answer to those things.  Holy Spirit please speak clearly to us all and show us what things are built on sand, that we just need to let go of when the storms hit.  And then Jesus, speak clearly to us about your restoration plans for these difficult issues that have you as the foundation.   Thank you for being there is in the midst of the storms.   Amen 

Sad Sammy the dog........

Last weekend one of my special "grand dogs" came to our family gathering looking like this....

This is "Sammy the Dog" - as he has been called for as long as he has been a part of our family!  We love Sammy. He was rescued by Doug and Susie when he was about 2 years old.  He is a sweet, mild mannered dog.   He has spent a couple of nights at our house on several different occasions.  He is such a well behaved guy, who just goes into his crate to sleep - all on his own.  Well, this week, he is wearing the "cone of shame".  And I just feel so sorry for this little doggie.  He has terrible allergies!  Boy, can I relate to this!  They already were giving him medicine everyday, but unfortunately, he was still itching.  In fact, he was itching so much that he has scratched all the fur off of the top of his ears and scratched his eyes. So a trip to the vet netted a cone and instructions to give him even more allergy medicine.  Look at those eyes!  He knows that something is very wrong.  He hates that cone, but it is necessary for his own good.  Several times during the day, Doug took the cone off and after a few minutes, Sammy would find a place to hide - and scratch.  So, the cone went back on. 

All week I've been thinking about that cone. That cone represents the restraints that are for our own good.  I'm sure that everybody can think of at least one example of a policy or a rule or a law or even a recommendation that can feel a lot like that cone.  For some people it might be the speed limit sign.  Or possibly it is the dosage recommendation on a bottle of a pain reliever.  Maybe it is one of the ten commandments that just seems to be asking "too much".  But today, I am seeing a little more clearly, thanks to Sammy, the meaning of "for our own good". 

For years I thought of God as that angry old man, sitting up in heaven, who just wanted to punish us at the first sign of us stepping out of line.  When you see God like this, it is really difficult to love him or to feel loved by him, for that matter.  But when you can begin to see how all of those "restrictions" really are for our own good, it is easier to understand how loving they are.  Let's face it.  That speed limit is for our own good (and the good of those around us also!).  Really, who would want to drive around if there were no traffic laws?  It would be scary and dangerous.  I am so thankful that Yahweh knew that we would need our "cones"(rules, laws, recommendations) or we would surely slink off into a hiding place to scratch! And by this I mean, getting ourselves into lots of self inflicted pain and suffering.  Isn't that the most loving thing!  Most of my work these days, is looking after a very active, very curious 20 month old boy.  I have noticed how many times this week I have used a "cone" of some kind, for Michael's own good.  I closed and locked the front door to prevent him from bolting outside without me.  I moved the knife holder to the very back of the counter when he decided to use the drawer handles like a ladder and climb the counter.  I put a very tired boy into his crib for a nap, even when he was saying (very loudly) "NO NITE NITE"!   Yes, many injuries and scary things were averted this week!  And Michael was protected - from himself!  I am so thankful that there are times when I am protected from myself!

Jesus, thank you for showing me, through Sammy, how much you love me and want the best for me.  Thank you for helping to restrain me from self inflicted pain and making bad choices. Holy Spirit thank you again for helping me to understand something that is really so simple, but at a much deeper level.  Holy Spirit, would you please remind us all that sometimes the "cones" are for our own good.  Jesus, thank you so much for Doug and Susie.  Continue to give them wisdom as they care for Sammy.  Yahweh, you are an amazing God and a loving father. Thank you for your great plan for us.  Amen 

Becoming like a little child....

Humor me, once again, as I talk about my upcoming birthday.  This week I have been thinking so much about my mom.  I know that it seems odd that she would be on my mind since she has been gone for 2 1/2 years.  But, I guess around your birthday, it is hard to not think about your mother!  I know that I posted a picture of me, just born, with my mom.  That picture was taken in the hospital - long before they were taking pictures of newborns.  Apparently the local paper in the small town we lived in decided to take these pictures.  Most people are not so fortunate to have a picture like this from 1954.  My mom always liked that picture.  I didn't realize, until I was much older, that part of the reason that picture was so special to her was because she didn't have a picture of her with HER mother.  But I digress........ 

 

This is what I have been thinking about this week..... The photo above.  I realized that my mom was exactly the age I am now at the time of my wedding.  As a matter of fact, she had just celebrated her 59th birthday 3 days before my wedding.   So I have been looking at the photo and thinking about how much older I look than she did.  I have also been thinking about that generational shift thing.  I absolutely adore being a grandma.  It is really such a wonderful part of life.  You get to experience the joy and wonder of little children without the sleepless nights and the toddler tantrums.  My grand kids have filled my life with so much happiness and I feel so blessed to have them.  The odd thing is that I was always upset that my mom and dad were "Grandma Nona and Grandpa Harry" for almost as long as I can remember.  I have very clear memories of hanging over the edge of a baby basket looking at my new niece Amy.   And I did not want my mom to be a Grandma!  She was my MOM!  Isn't that silly?  This is especially silly since my mom loved her role as Grandma Nona.  She had a "Grandma bracelet" that was one of her most prized possessions.  I remember when my sister Karen gave her that bracelet for Christmas the year my niece was born.  She wore that bracelet all the time. 

 

The last Christmas gift that she gave to her grandchildren was to return to each of them, their piece of this bracelet.  This was such an important thing to her that she wanted to give it back to them.

 

My mom never felt old.  She was always saying that she wasn't that old.  I remember her baking cookies to take around her apartment to the "old people" - when she was over 90!  I was so blessed to live most of my life with her as a grandma, as well as my mom.  I learned about being a grandma from one of the best. 

 

Isn't it wonderful how Yahweh's plan was always for us to be in families?  I just marvel at the wonder of this great plan and the continuity of the generations.  Jesus knew that it would be important for us to understand the shifting as our places change in the family tree.  I believe that grandchildren provide a special link for grandparents back to that wonderful "child-like" faith.  Let's face it.  Life is not always wonderful when you are in your later years.  There are financial concerns, health concerns, fears of the future, worries about where to live and even, when or if you should retire.  I think Jesus knew that it would be good for us to have grandchildren around so that we could experience life again, through their eyes.  I am convinced that when Jesus told his disciples that they had to become as little children to enter the kingdom, he was talking about those things.  He knew that his disciples were concerned about their daily tasks.   They worried about how to feed the people following them around, and they worried for Jesus.  So, he restated part of the master plan of his father.  Become like children. 

 

So, tonight on the eve of my birthday, I am going to celebrate my children and grandchildren.  And thank Jesus for the gift they are to me.  So that I can be reminded that I need to listen and learn and live in that childlike faith and trust.  And not fret or worry about anything - including my age. 

 

Jesus, thank you for reminding me that your plan is for us to enjoy each stage of our life and to live everyday for you and your Kingdom.  Help all of us to be able to celebrate your life in us, no matter what age we are!  Thank you for my mom and the wonderful mom and grandma and great grandma that she was.  What a blessing to be able to learn so much from her example.  Jesus, let me be an example like that for my kids and grand kids and for future generations.  Thank you for reminding me and everyone reading this blog, to become like little children.  Amen

 





 

The Glue and the Clamps.....

Tonight I am thinking about assembling and arranging!  Ken and I just finished putting together a shelf unit for my upstairs hallway.  This was one of those, you know, assemble it yourself things.  Of course, we started this on Sunday and it is now Wednesday, so you know it was not a smooth project!  And the reason for the delay was all my fault.  I lifted the shelf unit when it was not all the way together and ripped it apart.  Thankfully, Ken knew just how to fix this "oops" on my part.  He went to the garage and found the wood glue and the giant clamp things and after a day or two of drying, everything was together!  Tonight we finished up the project and it is now in place.  And I have filled it with my completed scrapbooks.  I have LOTS of completed books.  They have been shoved into a cabinet and not seen very often.  Now they are in view and I intend to look at them often. 

Along with this assembly project, Jesus has been speaking to me about the "work" he is doing in my life right now.  I am so glad that when I make those "oops" mistakes in my life, Jesus can fix it up, in much the same way that Ken fixed that shelf.  Jesus comes and applies the glue of the Holy Spirit.  The presence and working of the Holy Spirit fills in all those cracks and holes left by the things that sometimes get ripped out of our lives.  The broken heart, the times there are breaks in our family tree, the hurts and sorrows caused by our own bad decisions or the actions of others.  And then Jesus himself wraps his loving arms around us and "clamps" us to him so that we can heal.  Isn't that amazing?  I love how Jesus shows me things like this, even in the midst of a less than wonderful assembly project.  A little bit ago I mentioned that I have started to hear a bit of an answer to a problem that has been with me for over a year.  I love that now I can think about this situation and I imagine that wonderful "glue" of the Holy Spirit and feel those arms of Jesus clamped around me.  Suddenly, that difficult problem doesn't seem so impossible.  I know that the Father is answering my prayers and with Jesus and the Holy Spirit - NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE! 

So today, I am thankful for the assembly project that is now completed and holding my precious scrapbooks. I am also, thankful for Ken and his ability to get the job done - in spite of me!  And I am thankful for the image that I will carry with me of the glue and the clamps.  Is there anything better? 

Jesus, thank you for showing me how you go about taking care of us in the midst of the "oops" things in our life.  Holy Spirit, I love how you speak to us in the smallest things and bring revelation to us.  Jesus, I ask that you remind those reading this today, that you are the master fixer for us.  You take all of our junk away and then fix us up through the power of the Holy Spirit and your loving arms.  And there is nothing that is impossible for you! Thank you, thank you, thank you.   Amen

Surprises!

Today we spent the day together as a family.  What a wonderful time.  The get together was planned to celebrate my birthday, which is this week.  There is nothing better than all the kisses and hugs I got today from my grandchildren.  And the time with Gwen and Tim and Doug and Susie.  And, of course the "grand-dogs", Sammy, Kylie, and Chandler.

I've been thinking about my birthdays from the past!  I was actually born on Labor Day!  My mom always said that at her first doctor visit in her pregnancy with me, the doctor said she would labor on labor day!  And she did.  Since my birthday is always around labor day, we were usually at Lake Maud. So my birthdays were celebrated there.  The first birthday present I remember was for my 6th birthday.  It was my "golden" birthday (I turned 6 on the 6th).  My mom had gotten me a "real" necklace with a blue stone.  My birthstone.  I also got a very grown up blue "sweater set".  (Remember I had a sister who was 14 and all I wanted was to dress like her). Well I couldn't have been more pleased.  These were grown up gifts.  I wore that sweater set until it almost fell apart.  And then I remember my 12th birthday.  I was totally surprised when my dad came home with a brand new bike for me!  Don't you just love surprises like that? 

I am so thankful for the amazing worship time last night.  It was a most wonderful birthday "surprise" in my life.  In yesterday's blog I hinted at the special - for me- part of the words that were sung.  Over night and then today, I have been given a wonderful gift of understanding just what that word meant for me.  "Speak, Release.  Speak what you see.  Release what you hear from me.  Come away with me. Fly on my wings.  Into your destiny.  I have chosen you and gave you life.  Breathe in me, I wil set you free!"   Yes, this affirms what I have been feeling over the last couple of months.  This blog is my best present!  Through this blog I can speak and release everything that I am seeing and hearing. 

Yes, I am thankful for the internet, for blogs, for surprise guests at meetings, for worship, for songs, for friends and family, and for Jesus and the Holy Spirit.  And I am thankful for all of you.  Yes, you out there.  The ones that read this blog.  Everyday I am praying for all of you.  People in the United States, Russia, Sweden,  France, Germany, Serbia, Canada, Bolivia, Croatia, Korea, Japan, Kwait, Nigeria, Estonia, Poland, Brazil, United Kingdom, Spain, Netherlands, Norway, Finland, India  and Australia.  Be blessed!  Jesus loves you and he cares for you. 

Jesus, thank you for my family.  Thank you for speaking from the heavens!  You are so amazing.  You bestow gifts on your people and surprise us each day with new grace and mercy.  Jesus, bless all those who are reading this blog.  Let them hear your voice.  Amen

Awesome night..........around the world

I just drove home with the remains of a very bad thunderstorm ahead of me.  The lightning was just lighting up the sky.  Over and over the clouds were illuminated by streaks of lightning .  For me, it felt as if Jesus was just affirming everything that I had heard, seen and experienced tonight. 

I am so thankful for HUB Ministries.  HUB stands for His United Believers.  When you step into these meetings, you may not know a soul, but you are totally at home.  The worship is amazing and the diversity of speakers that come to these meetings makes every week an adventure.  Tonight's speaker was Pastor Sam Babu from India and the worship leader was Apostle Lisa Nelson from Eagle Rock Ministry.  However, the main speaker tonight was the Holy Spirit. 

The worship is well..........different.  It's not singing songs.  It is hearing the heart of Jesus poured out through the worship leader.  And this is in response to the cry of the worship leader.  Here is a bit of what we were hearing tonight.........

Break down my defenses, awaken my senses.
Your love is relentless, pursue me, overtake me. (Us to Jesus)

My head on your chest, I feel every breath
Breathe your heart into me, till I see. Till I feel it.
I want to be like you Jesus.     (Us to Jesus)
 
Holy, Holy, Holy is the lamb. 
Your blood speaks of better things
at the mercy seat.        (Us to Jesus)
 
Bless the lamb, He reigns, we call out.   (Us to Jesus)

Awaken those things you thought had died.
Courage to rise out of the place you were in. 
Never out of my hand, never out of my plan
You are released to speak, get under the blood (Jesus to us)

draw us higher to a new thing. (Us to Jesus)

Take my hand. I will draw you to a new place.
In the new place you will find secrets.  Your eyes won't be blind. (Jesus to us)

Open my eyes so I can see your glory. (Us to Jesus)
 
New ability to breathe.  Can you breathe the signs of the times?
You are the light in the darkness.  Release my glory.
You have been saved for this time, for the world to see,
my sons and daughters in liberty.
Stretch out your hands. I am releasing faith for this time.
Arise in authority, expose the lies of the enemy.
You look like me.  You have captured my heart.
I will send you again and again.
You will be astounded by the awesome things you will see.
Healing and miracles and my restoration.
I am strengthening your knees to run with my vision.
I am strengthening your knees to run with heaven.  (Jesus to us)
 
There is honey soothing every part that is in pain
I am polishing your shield and raising your sword.
Raise it high and stand against the enemy.
Stand in me, Stand in my authority.
 
Speak, Release, Speak what you see.
Release what you hear from me.
 
Come away with me.  Fly on my wings.
Fly into your destiny.
I have chosen you and I give you my life.

Breathe in me.  I will set you free.    (Jesus to us)

I want to share about the words that I bolded above.  There was a "surprise" addition to tonight's meeting.  Apparently during dinner tonight, the HUB leader, Nancy Magiera, met a man from Sweden.  He is a worship leader. So he was invited to join the worship team.  His name was Fredrick, but I never heard a last name.  I don't think I have words to describe how seamlessly he fit in with the worship team.  You know you are in the presence of the Holy Spirit when things just flow.  And when Fredrick sang, my spirit soared.  I felt that new place and the going higher. 

Then Pastor Sam spoke about revival that is happening in his church in India.  And it is happening to the children.  He had a video of the children encountering Jesus.  I don't think I took a breath during the entire thing.  It was amazing.   And then he spoke about how the revival happened.  The short story - the Holy Spirit showed up and the children had individual encounters with Jesus.  And he talked about the river of living water that must flow from us. 

I do feel like this night was just for me.  But I bet most people who were there felt the same way. That is the most awesome part of this all.  Jesus has a way of reaching each of us, exactly where we are at.  Jesus knows that anytime I hear John 7:38 (the streams of living water verse) used in a meeting - I know that the Holy Spirit is speaking something to me.  The worship leader from Sweden, well that was just another special touch for me.  I have been thinking about my Swedish roots.  So, tonight was about a group of people in Chicago assembled together, worshipping with a man from Sweden, then hearing a message from a man from India.  It was a round the world trip.

Jesus - thank you.  Holy Spirit - Thank you.  Help me to reflect on everything that was spoken tonight.  Bless all who were in attendance.  Thank you for HUB, Jesus.  Bless all those who have a part in making these meetings happen.  Thank you for Pastor Sam, Apostle Lisa, Fredrick and Nancy.  Jesus, will you just give them even more of you?  Amen