Twine and Burlap

Twine and Burlap?

This is the year that Larry and I will celebrate our 50th wedding anniversary.  Since that will be coming up in November, I have been looking at everything "golden anniversary".  Everything from table centerpieces to clever invitations.  I have listened to beautiful music that I want to be sung at our vow renewal and visited sites that give "sample" vows to be recited at the big occasion.  All this has been fun for me but as I watched videos on how to make things for the reception, I begin to stress because I am not the least bit talented in crafts.  The handiwork of those who make these videos are amazing.  They take things that are nothing (Dollar Tree finds) and make them into something beautiful.  

I thought of my non-craftiness as I read this scripture from Ephesians this morning.  Although I have trouble with a glue gun and lack creativity when it comes to making something beautiful out of twine and burlap I am still God's handiwork!  And He has created me in Christ Jesus to do good works.  Not only has He created me to do good works but the bible says He prepared these in advance for me to do.  Isn't that so wonderful!

 Ephesians 2:10 New International Version (NIV)

10 For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

We are talking about the creator who brought everything into being taking time to prepare, in advance, good works for me to do.

The heavens declare the glory of God;

And the firmament[a] shows [b]His handiwork.

Psalm 19:1

Psalm 102:25 New International Version (NIV)

In the beginning, you laid the foundations of the earth,

    and the heavens are the work of your hands.

Just by my experiences in crafting, I don't think the Lord created me for that but what work does He have for me to do?  May I always strive to find out and obey as He leads me.  Lord, I love it that you have been thinking about me since before I was even born.

But really!  What am I supposed to make with twine and burlap?

Walkie Talkie

As I lay in the uncomfortable bed waiting for my family to get there, a man so tall, he seemed to almost have to duck when he came through the door, announced that he would be my nurse that night.  He checked out my vitals, asked me a few questions and headed out the door.  As he did, he turned to me and said something I had not heard, even after working in the hospital for 20 years.  He said "you are my walkie talkie tonight."  Not being fully to my senses, this went over my head until later when he explained that I, unlike the rest of his patients, could walk and could talk . After hearing his explanation, I was glad to be a "walkie talkie." 

Later I started to think how we should all be "walkie talkies".  We should , as the saying goes, walk the walk if we are going to talk the talk about Jesus.  God has given us the gospel of Jesus and the Bible says he has entrusted it to our care.  1 Timothy 6 says we should even guard it.  But we are not to keep the truth to ourselves but share it with the world.  Lord, help me be a "walkie talkie"!

“Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to 

your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge,”

‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭6:20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Glory to God in the Highest Heaven

Glory to God in the Highest Heaven!

As I was wheeled to my room in the hospital, my eyes brimmed with tears.  I knew I hadn't felt well but I never guessed I would be admitted that day with blood clots in my lungs.  I passed the big Christmas tree in the waiting room which I had earlier been admiring, I smiled at the receptionist with the Santa hat on as I whizzed by and I noted the whimsical Christmas characters on the scrubs of the nurses but the Christmas spirt had left me for that moment.  

At home all was Christmas!  In my frig was Christmas dinner with all the fixings, my outfit with Christmas cardinals on the sweater was set aside for the Christmas service at church, and Christmas CDs were ready to play to give that atmosphere to our gathering .  I thought of these things and wondered, as the wheel chair bumped along, if I would even be home for Christmas. But in that moment, I did not ask the Lord for gleaming trees and beautiful music as fear crept into my soul, I longed for what the angels promised the fearful shepherds that night.  I longed for peace!   And somehow amidst flashing monitors, hurried nurses and concerned doctors, God did give me peace! Peace to face whatever would come in the next few days.

As I sit here in my living room before dawn this Christmas morning, I am grateful for God's healing touch and those who prayed for me but mostly I am in awe of the One who gives Peace!

“Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭2:13-14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Merry Christmas everyone!

Detours

I hate detours, don't you?  I hate them because I am always afraid I won't get back to the same road I was traveling on.  I have a fear of driving for months not knowing where I am.  The author of the devotional I read this morning asked, "Have you had detours in your life in recent months?"

It didn't take long for me to answer this question.  I would have to say it was the death of my mother, my biggest fan and supporter.  My grief threatened to keep me off the road I was traveling on but my merciful Lord had other plans for me.  The detour only made me stronger, more grateful and gave me a new compassion for those who lose loved ones. Her memory is sweet and only makes me want to finish on the road God has set before me because I know she is applauding me

The other detour was a health problem that made me think of my own mortality and how our lives are so brief and fragile.  We only travel through life one time and we can choose to stay on the road God has planned for us and use these detours to grow spiritually or we can wonder aimlessly in our grief or despair.

Detours are, many times, painful but in this fallen world we are bound to come across them.  So, weary travelers, buckle up and don't be afraid of detours that has or will come because you have a guide who can get you on the main road again only a stronger and a more compassionate you.  He is our hope in times of trouble and despair!

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10:23‬ ‭NIV

All That is Christmas

Weeks ago I stripped the house of all that was not Christmas.  I cleared my china cabinet of dishes that were not Christmas, my curio cabinet became a place for snowmen and Christmas pictures replaced regular ones.  Furniture was moved so that Christmas trees could go in their place, then  as these things disappear I replaced them with Christmas!  All that had been there before now pales in contrast to the festiveness that Christmas brings!

So many times I need to clear my mind and soul of the things that can clutter my thinking about Christ!  I need to shut off the media that declares that all things about Christ is offensive.  I need to rid myself of all that does not glorify Him.  I need to prioritize my life, sometimes trading good things for the better things of God.  I need to clear myself of all that is not Christ!  I need a new infilling of the Holy Spirit!

In a few short days I will begin the task of getting back to "normal"  but as the Christmas dishes go back into boxes and Christmas trees find a place on the shelf in my basement I pray the Babe of Christmas never leaves my heart.  May I not box him up with Christmas ornaments, festive figurines, or beautiful nativity sets.  Just as I fill my house with the everyday things I pray "Christmas" never leaves my soul.  Bring my mind back often to the Son of God who chose to come to earth as an innocent baby and die on the cross to save us from our sins.  May the wonder of Christmas permeate my being so much that Christ and only Christ can be seen in me all year round!

Blessed are the Invited!

Blessed Are the Invited

I can't sleep, so I just finished a glass of milk with crackers.  I have loved this combo since I was a kid at my grandma's house as a bedtime snack.  She didn't have fancy snacks like we do today, but anything at her house tasted good to me because of the love I felt there. 

I love to feed people and setting a nice table when I have someone over to eat a meal.  I like to use my best china, a creative center piece and cloth napkins.  I long to hear the ooh and ahs as I bring out my, specialty, lemon meringue pie and it makes my day  when someone complains of eating too much.  Hopefully, they can also feel the love I put into it.  

The King James Version of Revelations 3:29 captivates my heart as I imagine eating or dining with the Lord and there is just something about opening the door so that I can "sup" with Him, that thrills my soul.  

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭3:20‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Because I opened the door to Him when he knocked, I am invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb where there will a beautiful table set for me.  I'm sure there will be exquisite china, a breathtaking centerpiece, and, of course cloth napkins but what will matter most is the love flowing from the Host as He feeds my hungry soul.

“Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.””

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭19:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

One day I will enjoy milk and crackers with my grandma in heaven but until then I will ponder the love she had for me and the difference it made in my life.  Even more so, I will think about the love my Heavenly Father has for me and the wedding supper of the Lamb.  Blessed are those who are invited!

His Strokes

His Strokes

We have lived in this house for fifteen years and most every year we have painted the front and back porch.   Each year that passes this chore gets harder on these old bones of mine.  As I sit to do the railings, my legs go to sleep, the strain that it puts on my back causes pain and my hand aches from hours of holding the brush.   At times as I paint the railings it seems I will never be done with them and in my mine I have a hard time imagining the whole thing being done.  To say this is not my favorite job is an understatement, but when it is finished, it is worth it!  Sorta!

I thought of my painting experience when I read about Michelangelo today.  Some say he laid on his back on scaffolding as he painted the Sistine Chapel, while others say he stood on scaffolding with his neck crooked for four years.  Either way sounds painful to me.  Much of the time he worked with no one around him to help pass the time.  How many days did his paint brush concentrate on one tiny portion of the painting, or one color?  Did he have trouble, at times, seeing the whole picture?

Many times, as we live our lives with our paint brush dipped in the worries of our day, we cannot see the whole picture.  The world seems to be painted with the dark colors of sin and chaos.  Dear God, help me to see with your eyes the world with your beautiful strokes of unfailing love.  May I trust you as you in your infinite wisdom paint this world as you look at the whole picture and not just one part.  As a song writer once wrote, "When you don't understand.  When you don't see his plan.  When you can't trace his hand.  Trust his heart."  He sees the master plan!

Praise your Holy Name!

“The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him."

‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭16:9‬a NLT‬‬

“So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5:6-7‬ ‭NLT‬‬