I had a post ready to publish last Friday, but then “the devil rolled into Newtown,” as I remember hearing the news anchor, Bill Hemmer, express. Most energy moves to the point of pain, so what I once had to say became unimportant. Language cannot express the suffering, so as the Scriptures explain, “We know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now,” referring to the coming birth of “the glory that is to be revealed to us” in God’s eternal state when evil is banished (context of Romans 8: 18-30). “. . .We ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly. . . .” This passage also states that the Spirit of God groans for us because we are too weak to even know how to pray!
Spiritual Growth
Stuffing or Dressing?
While I await transport to heaven, I’m keeping myself busy enough, but not too busy. Every cell of my body and spirit knows that “this world is not my home.” Most of you, from all I know, live much busier lives than I do because you have more demands on your lives. Because I have only a husband to care for (and we work well as a team), I have more contemplative and study time. My days are not stuffed. Which reminds me of Thanksgiving and this Christmas season.
Paul and I baked a bird this year to feed a group of ten people around our beautiful Thanksgiving table. Continue reading
Testing
Dear Readers,
Please reply to let me know if you find any advertisement/video at the bottom of this blog. I had two reports of such after my last post, but when I have gone into the blog from outside (rather than from the administrative mode which I am on now), I do not find any ad/video. The one video clip was crass and inappropriate. Another person saw a different clip that wasn’t bad, but nonetheless, I want to know if this is happening across the board or if this was a one time thing. If this is going to continue, I’ll check into what I can do. So this post is a test, and I need your response to know if this is going to be a real problem that needs to be addressed. Continue reading
Curious Karen
Yes, lots to explore. Lots to learn! Last time I wrote of being scattered because I’m distracted by so many fascinations. The list of distractions has no end, as long as my heart is beating. So today I find a stack of delightful distractions right here in my house. What delightful distractions surround you? Continue reading
Scattered
I didn’t post an article last week — just too divided. A bit scattered. So many things to do. There’s something fun and positive about this and something negative. I’m thankful that I have numerous activities, projects, and interests. I’m thankful that I have enough strength and energy to pursue them! I’m so glad that the God-given sense of wonder at life and the joy of discovery have not died with long-gone youth!!!
On the other hand, Continue reading
Song of Encouragement
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Here is a song I learned recently in church. I thought the words might encourage you as they have me! Rejoice in the Lord 1. God never moves without purpose or plan When trying His servant and molding a woman. Give thanks to the Lord though your testing seems long; In darkness he gives a song. 2. I could not see through the shadows ahead, So I looked to the cross of my Savior instead. I bowed to the will of the Master that day; Then peace came and tears fled away. 3. Now I can see testing comes from above; God strengthens His children and purges in love. My Father knows best, and I trust in His care; Through purging more fruit I will bear. CHORUS: O rejoice in the Lord. He makes no mistake. He knows the end of each path that I take. For when I am tried and purified, I shall come forth as gold. Lyrics by Ron Hamilton |
Categories: Spiritual Growth
Tags: Character, encouragement, God's providence, Rejoice in the Lord
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Prayer for a Blessed Life
I told you about the teen girls’ all nighter I was to have last Friday night, so let me report. It went very smoothly. It ended up being the smallest one I’ve had with only five girls coming, but you put five teen girls together, and they have a grand time. I had lots of yummy food for them: Paul’s famous enchaladas, veggie plate, chips and salsa, banana bread, brownies….. The girls had plenty of room and gathered in several places to chatter, chatter, chatter. One girl played my piano for quite a while and demonstrated a pleasant and broad repertoire. One girl loves to sketch, and showed her stack of fashion drawings and made some more. They chose some games from my wicker game chest. They stayed up late and I went to bed, trusting them not to burn the house down. Continue reading
To Bless Your Heart
I’m hostessing another teen girls’ all nighter at my house this Friday night. I’ve been doing this about twice a year for the last 2-3 years. Often I schedule them when Paul is on a mission trip, but he’s gone back to work again, so he’s not flying off to Africa or some other place for a while. (He’s retired twice now. Third time’s a charm, and he seems to be in the charming work stage right now. That’s another topic for another time.) I have a theme for each all nighter, so this time, I chose my theme based upon the lovely, little chorus, “To Bless Your Heart” which is about blessing God’s heart. Oh, how could we ever bless The Blesser? Continue reading
Categories: Spiritual Growth
Tags: "To Bless Your Heart" by Wendy Corrick, bless, heart, heart of God
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Monsoon Drama: Another Sacred Stage
I’m sitting on my swing in the front of my house looking out at the Bradshaw Mountains. The sky is filled with billowy clouds, and in the distance I occasionally hear some thunder. It’s the end of the monsoon season here in Arizona. We’ve lived in the Prescott Valley area ( 1 1/2 hours north of Phoenix) for five years now, and this is the most amazing monsoon season I’ve experienced. I didn’t know about North America’s southwestern monsoons before moving here. Continue reading
Categories: Spiritual Growth
Tags: Faith, monsoons, mundane life, storms, trusting God, weather
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Journey North Character 