"Where Were You?"

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicals 7:14

　

I have lived long enough that I have several “Where were you’s” in my life! Though some will not believe it, I just missed “Where were you when Pearl Harbor was bombed?”, “Where were you when World War II was declared” or “Where were you when you heard the war was over?” ! I do remember where I was when I heard John F. Kennedy was assassinated, Bobby Kennedy was killed as well as the announcement of the slaying of Martin Luther King! As many people alive at that time, I can transport myself back to that moment! I remember what I was doing, what I thought as well as what others were saying. It’s those times when time stops and a spotlight shines on something, that in our minds, is unimaginable. When all seems hopeless!

　

As I opened Face Book today there was a post that asked “where were you were on 9/11?” I remember exactly! Being so bored sitting at home with a bum leg, I was hobbling around “Hobby Lobby” with a cast on my leg. As the journey around my favorite store weaved toward the front of the store, I kept hearing the cashier talk to each customer as they came up about something that had happened and both the customer and the cashier would commiserate about how awful it was! At first I thought that maybe there had been some horrendous school shooting, or maybe murders in our town since that is not at all uncommon. I didn’t buy anything but went to the car and turned on the radio. When I finally got to a station that had the news, the announcer said that a plane had crashed into one of the of the World Trade Center Towers but it was not confirmed that it was terrorists! I could never have guessed what would happen in the hours to come! As many, I watched the TV nonstop because the bad news just kept coming in. The second tower was hit, both the towers collapsed, a plane crash in Pennsylvania and the Pentagon was hit! Fatalities were feared to reach into the thousands, as stories of casualties came over the airways.

The day started as usual with everyone going their own ways, me included! Many people started the day, as they normally did without a thought of God but by evening many had called out to almighty God. Accross the country, law makers, governors or judges prepared to find ways to ban God from schools, funerals and walls of court houses, but as the sun went down many were humbled and cried out to the One who they tried erase from our country.

As darkness fell on Washington, DC, members of Congress stood together on the steps of the Pentigon, while then House and Senate leaders addressed the country. Suddenly, something amazing happened as Republicans and Democrats stood together, they spontaneously began to sing “God Bless America”! I believe in that moment it wasn’t just a song but a plea for God to again bless America! We were all humbled by our vulnerability, suddenly we knew that nothing would ever be the same. America, even as great as it is, pleaded for God our creator to again bless us.　

God bless America

Land that I love.

Stand beside her, and guide her

Through the night with a light from above.

From the mountains, to the prairies,

To the oceans, white with foam.

God bless America, my home sweet home

God bless America, my home sweet home.

　

Get Some Rest Even if You Do Have a Full Plate!

"...He said to them, 'Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.'"

Mark 6:31

(NIV 1984)

　

Many years ago we had a beautiful couple to our house for dinner! The husband was a professor at Olivet University who loved the bible, God’s people and strangely enough my husband’s collection of Avon Decanter Cars His wife was a slender lady that held tight to her husband’s arm and strained to move her eyes to the one who was talking. She was blind from the ravages of diabetes, but there was no self pity on the faces of this aging couple, only a delight in one another. As we sat down to eat the husband explained to his wife what was on her plate for dinner. “Dear” he said “The chicken is at twelve o’clock, mashed potatoes at three o’clock, your corn is at six o’clock, and a wonderful homemade roll at nine o’clock!” We watched in amazement as this beautiful woman followed her husbands directions and ate as if she were sighted. What an inspiration these two people were to us as they shared their life story and their love for God. I loved that this man was in no hurry, no checking his watch, and he exuded patience. I’m sure that, as most of us, his plate was full as we often say but he had learned the art of resting in the Lord!

I think sometimes of how our plates must look to God! We very often scoop our plates full of busyiness. Instead of 12, 3, 6 and 9 we have 12:15 work at church, 1:00 help at school, 5:00 supper and so on, you get the picture. You throw in a full time job, meetings to attend and then we have those “crisis” days thrown in and we can kiss resting goodbye! We drop into bed exhausted only to start all over again in the morning. Sound familiar?

As I talk to my daughters who work inside and outside the home, I often hear “I am so busy this week I haven’t even been able to think straight”, “I said yes when I should have said no”, or “my boss so counts on me I just couldn’t say no, now I have too much on my plate”! Hit home? It certainly does to me! Before I retired “over commitment” was a constant on my plate. But unlike many of you, I seldom got it all done, which led to disappointment in myself. One of the first things to go during those times was my time with God! If I found time, it was hard to focus on anything but all I had to do, I had one eye on the bible and one eye on my to-do list.

Now days my plate is less full like that dear lady, and I hear the Lord directing me where things are as far as importance! He directs me to the Bible at seven o’clock, Prayer at three and smell the roses at six o’clock! At nine o’clock he “suggests” to me that I clean house! Or was that Larry? Frequently, he has to scrape my plate clean of worry, frustration and the kind of burdens that all of us face.

Matthew 11:28-29, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls." (Amplified Bible)

I know that I am in a different season of life (retired) than a lot of people but the advise is still good! If you are heavy laden with things that seem impossible, give that to Him, if you are over committed give that to Him and let Him simplify what you have on your plate!

Father, Give me rest from the hassles that come into my life! Help me be refreshed with your words, let me feel your presence as I pray. Take those worries that are heavy on my shoulders and give me rest!

Praise Your Name

Watch Out for the Flip Flops!

I love those games where you try to find hidden objects and boy have I been playing the most challenging game I have ever played! While looking for tomatoes I came across a green ugly tomato worm! It was so ugly I gasped when I found him, as my face was just inches away. With further examination, I could see that our tomatoes vines in many places were completely bare of leaves. I wondered how that one worm, although it was huge, could eat that much! I walked around the tomato patch looking for the rest of the "army" who had riddled many of our green tomatoes as well as the plant itself. I found none! As with the popular game, I knew they had to be there but my eyes were not seeing them. I took another loop around and finally, I find another, then another and yet another! Oooooh! Since they cannot be pulled off the vines, I broke the vine to extract the "so ugly only a mother could love" horned tomato worm! These critters, I read, eat continuously! They voraciously consume the green plants at record speed. As I collected the things, I needed to dispose of them so naturally I called my husband! All I can say is, the bottom of my husband's flip flop was the last thing these devils saw! Not to be too graphic, green goo flew! He was full of what he consumed and when pressure was applied (via flip flop) that came out! (on flip flop)!

I know it might be a stretch, but I see this scenario played out with people especially Christian people all the time! (stay with me here). Frankly when Christians have a little pressure applied, what comes out of them is not always "Christian"! I wonder sometimes, what they feed on. Do they voraciously consume His word or do other things suit their appetite? I know if envy, strife and hate are constantly on the menu, that is what I spew forth! Anger, if not properly handled, can fill a heart so that nothing else can come in. The Bible says don't let the sun go down on it! Self pity seems to be my meal of choice lately, what good will that do me in times of trouble? When I have filled my heart with "poor me", where will I find strength, courage and truth? I know that the time is now to change my diet before it is too late!

I say don't wait until a big “flip flop” (or the burdens of life) crush you on every side, start to fill yourself with those things that are of God!

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:8, 9 NIV)

"RECALCULATING"!!!

Photo by Allison Smith, my sweet Granddaughter who's WORDS are said with her photography! I love this one!

A man finds joy in giving an apt reply--and how good is a timely word!
Proverbs 15:23

"RECALCULATING" said the annoying woman who lives in the little box on the dash of our car! Oh, how I dislike that woman with her judging tone and smarty pants attitude. Just that one word (recalculating) can set my teeth on edge like a "not quite ripe" persimmon.

Words! They can build up or tear down, they can instruct, encourage or bring pain? Words can fall on deaf ears, or be taken to heart. If you are like me, you have tripped over your words and most unpleasantly, I have eaten many!

As I write this blog, I am very aware of my words! I want them to say what I want them to say, I want them to be accurate as to the interpretation of the bible but mostly I want them to be words given to me by the Lord.

Some days when I write, it seems my fingers can’t type fast enough and the words come easy, other days I cut, paste and rephrase a “million” times. Those are the days that I would like to be Jeremiah, who’s mouth God reached out and touched and God said “Behold I have put my words in your mouth!” As I prayed today I prayed just that, not only as it pertains to writing but as I talk to others, let my speech be uplifting. May it be lovely like golden apples in a silver basket! May it always be pleasing to the Lord!

A man finds joy in giving an apt reply--and how good is a timely word!
Proverbs 15:23

Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket. Proverbs 25:11

　

Samuel is another one in the bible that I would like to pattern my speech after:

The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel's words fall to the ground. (1 Samuel 3:19 NIV)

I can only wonder about Samuel’s words. Were they wise? Did they glorify God? Apparently all were used to honor God! I think maybe Samuel was know for his wisdom, for his honesty and for his close relationship to God, so that no words came from his mouth that were not used to help others and glorify the Lord!

Today as everyday, I really do need to “recalculate” to see where the Lord would have me go with my words. As Jeremiah, I need and plead for the Lord to touch my mouth so that His words would flow from my mouth. As Samuel, I want to be known for wisdom and a oneness with God, that my words could be used to bring glory to my Lord and Savior!

RECALCULATING!

Lloyd and Floyd!

photo by Kelly Smith on her iphone!

Luke 5:16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

In the phone department my husband and I are way behind times. We have cell phones that are at least 3 years old, I’ve lost track. As I listened to the phones of my kids, I had to laugh at the deep, robot sounding voice that said “DROID” every time it rang, so I decided to name our phones “FLOYD” and “LLOYD” and my son-in-law who has one just like them, I call his “BOB”! So when we are all together, Floyd, Lloyd and Bob get a lot of fun poked at them! I marvel at these people who write a message in nothing flat on their tiny little keyboards because my “Floyd” does not have a keyboard but the old fashion numbers that you have to push 2 times to get a B, 3 times to get a C, 1 time to get a T and so on! When I write a message I try to make it pretty short since it is so time consuming to write a message of any length. Little tidbits like…. R u ok? Home yet? I haven’t quite caught on to all the shortcuts but kind of make up my own like “love u” “praying” and “HUH?”. As I walked out to the Prayer Chair today I craved conversation with the Lord! It seems like for a couple of weeks I’ve been sending Him text messages on my Floyd. I often said, “Thank u Lord” when I was blessed or “Help me Lord” when I was stressed but it had been awhile since I took the time to really get into a conversation with Him. The kind that is two ways, I talk, then I listen! It was a thirsting for His presence that I had felt anew as I walked out to alone with him! Oh, I knew he was with me, I talk to Him all the time but it is kind of like it is with texting my family on my Floyd, there is no way to replace hearing their voice or seeing them face to face! Larry and I get our best talking done when we take a walk or sit out back in the evening, when we take time to focus just on what one another has to say! It takes time to have a good relationship with others and especially with our Father!

All through the New Testament, we find that Jesus Himself prayed to His Father!

Matthew 14:23 tells how he went up to the mountainside by himself to pray, staying until evening all alone.

Mark 1:35 says that very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to pray.

Luke 5:16 tells us that Jesus often withdrew to lonely places to pray.

Jesus knew how important it was to get alone with His Father even if it meant getting up early or going to a mountain side to be alone with Him. It’s not that He or we shouldn’t pray constantly like my “text messages” on my Floyd but we as Jesus need those special times to really get close with the Father! Those alone times when we bare our soul to the Father who waits for us to meet with Him!

So r u ready 2 find some time with the Lord? lol

Shoes!

Photo by Allison Smith

Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him.

Don’t you see that children are God’s best gift?

the fruit of the womb his generous legacy? Like a warrior’s fistful of arrows

are the children of your youth. Oh, how blessed are you parents,

with your quivers full of children!

A pilgrim song (Psalm 127:3-5 MSG)

For the last several days our house has been filled with our kids and grandkids but today the quiet is so very noticeable because everyone has gone back to their own homes. The range of emotions has run from hilarious laughter to those awful tears that come with saying goodbye. We ate at their favorite restaurants (Monical’s Pizza) and Krekels, they played at Scovill Gardens and visited the two Grandma's houses. Rook, Dutch Blitz, and Balderdash brought teasing, hooting, hollering and much laughter. We shopped for nursery curtain fabric for my grandson (due in November) and sent another grandson off to college. Our extra beds were filled as well as pallets on the floor! The baby bed held our sweet Jenna, our youngest granddaughter and behind my couch was a make-believe "fort" made with blankets, that Riley and Jenna played in for hours! My back porch was stacked three deep with shoes, slipped off as each one came into the house. These shoes belong to many of the people who I love most in the world! Though I am still catching up on sleep I missed, I ponder the blessings that are mine and thank God for his goodness! Life is rich when my back porch is piled high with shoes!

I don’t know if I will have a grand mansion in heaven, but no matter, as long as I have a back porch and a pile of shoes parked there!





Sent from Jeanie!

Heirloom or Hybrid?

Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come. Psalm 71:18

　

This morning I went out to the garden, which needed my attention, even if the temperature was already 91 degrees! I picked cucumbers, squash and peppers and then looked longingly at the tomatoes! Nope, not yet! For several years now we have planted “Heirloom” tomatoes which are harvested later than the hybrid varieties but they are well worth the wait! According to the dictionary an “heirloom” is something of value passed down to ones heirs. Sometimes it is passed down for many generations. That is how these tomatoes got their name because some of these varieties have been passed down for many generations. Hybrids on the other hand will not be passed on, in the same way because they do not reproduce. Actually, because of this, there is a seed bank somewhere (it's a secret) that keeps these seeds “safe”. One of my favorite heirloom tomatoes is the “Radiator Charlie’s Mortgage Lifter”! Radiator Charlie’s real name was Marshall Cletis Byles and he was quite a character. The story is told that he produced this special tomato, and was able to sell the seedlings for a dollar each and made enough money to pay off his mortgage. He passed these seeds down to the next generations who still sell and profit from these seeds.

In my devotional today, the question was asked “what do you fear the most?”. I’m sure my answers were much like anyone asked that question but the one that stands out in my memory today is “I have a fear of not sowing enough seeds that I can pass on to my heirs”. I ask myself, "did I use every opportunity to tell them about my Lord?" Did they see God in my life? As good as being a “hybrid” sounds, I do not want to be like one who does not reproduce what I have learned by living and walking with God. When years have gone by and someone picks up an old, dusty, and faded picture of me, I want them to think of me as one who passed down the seeds of the "good news" to those who came after me. My prayer is that generations to come will profit from the seeds that I have sown and give God the glory for his goodness! I want there to be generations of “Nihisers” who love and serve the Lord until He comes and gathers us up as a true precious heirloom!