Saturday, June 25, 2016
Day 4
A trip to the local farmer's market for sweet corn in the morning and afternoon swimming tired every out resulting in iPad time while Nani and Pappa grilled chicken and rested. Ha!
Friday, June 24, 2016
Day 3
Outside fun in the sun! New water "cans" and Saxony beach. A beach in the Midwest? OK, it is NOT the ocean but it will do.Ha!
Thursday, June 23, 2016
Monday, June 6, 2016
The Battle is NOT mine!
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Battles in life are inevitable. John 16:33 says, "In this world you will have trouble." Unfortunately, because Satan is allowed to "walk" among us fueling the fires of mahem, we daily face conflict of sundry kinds: cancer or other health concerns, financial worries, marriage disagreements, child rebellion, disfunctional relationships, job insecurities, political unrest, and the list goes on and on. So how do we cope with battles throughout life?
Ezra, the author of 2 Chronicles, relates a story that has resonated in my head the last couple of days and seems to provide the perfect answer to that question. 2 Chronicles was written as an evaluation of the nation of Israel's religious history. At this time Israel was divided in two with Israel as the northern kingdom and Judah the southern kingdom. Jehoshaphat was one of the ruling kings of Judah, whose " heart was devoted to the ways of the Lord." He had "set his heart on seeking God." In chapter 20 we read he hears of an approaching army marching in his direction to wage war on his kingdom. Alarmed he resolves to inquire of the Lord. He calls the people of Israel together to fast and seek the Lord and they come. After Jehoshaphat prays to the Lord the Holy Spirit speaks through a Levite, one of the spiritual leaders of Judah and says,"This is what the Lord says to you: Do not be afraid or discouraged...For the battle is not yours, but God's... Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you...Do not be afraid. Go out and the Lord will be with you." Then Jehoshaphat appoints men to sing and praise God saying "Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever." As they begin to sing and praise God, the Lord sets ambushes and the invading army is defeated by other armies. The men of Judah do not even have to fight but discover the following day a field of dead bodies! They are left to collect the "loot" and praise the Lord!
What can we learn from this story?
1. Go to God first when facing an "enemy"
2. Humbly talk to Him about the problem and ask for His help.
3. Do not be afraid or discouraged.
4. Have faith that the battle is God's.
5. Stand firm and watch God deliver you.
6. Give thanks even before the battle is won.
7. Praise God as you see Him work and always give Him the credit.
I love the word of God as it leads us through life!
Friday, April 22, 2016
Two Giants!
Recently my husband and I spent two weeks in Asheville, North Carolina. It was there I came "face to face" with two "Giants"! The first one was George Washington Vanderbilt II, a giant in material wealth as illustrated by the Biltmore Estate, the largest single family house measuring over 175,000 square feet filled with priceless art, furniture, and various other material possessions! The manicured gardens and thousands of acres of pristine acreage and woods were equally opulent. It was easy to be in awe of such splendor!
In contrast, just mere miles from the gates to this estate, nestled in the colorful hills of Asheville, sits The Cove, Billy Graham's Training Center. Although he constantly gives God all the glory, Billy Graham is a giant of spiritual wealth. It is here his organization has established a place of learning and growing in God's Word. "Billy described this 1,200 acre sanctuary as a place for impact, intercession, instruction, and inspiration." (2016 Program Guide) In the chapel, where every window, furnishing, and architectural feature point upward to God I was in awe and fell on my knees, not of the physical beauty, which was spectacular, but of God and His love for me!
In life we are given a choice-serve God or the world, striving for material or spiritual wealth. The choice we make determines not only our earthly happiness but our eternal destination. Like Jesus said in Luke 16:13: "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."
Thursday, March 17, 2016
Fighting the Battle
We all have battles to fight during our lives. They often "make or break" us! Parkinson's Disease is the monster I battle every day, although he is only a baby one right now. Ha! Since there is no cure or medication to definitely slow it's progress my weapons of war are few. Once diagnosed, every neurologist will tell you that research has shown the most effective, in fact the ONLY weapon, is exercise. It appears to slow the depletion of dopamine in the brain, which is the chemical in the brain that controls muscular movements and gives one a sense of happiness. That is one of the reasons you see me continually posting biking photos. While I am enjoying the ride on the back of the tandem I often share with Hunter that on this "seat" I feel normal again! Normal for me means no tremors-no disease. It also means a feeling of euphoria I can get no where else! God fulfills the "desires" of my heart as the wind blows in my face.
"Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4
"Praise the Lord who....satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagles." Psalm 103:5
Here is a good video illustrating what biking does for me.
Having said all this I realize God doesn't always satisfy all our desires as we want them and definitely not in our timing! My digestive issues are case in point-chronically continuing for 15 plus years! So why some desires fulfilled and others left dangling? I do not know!
Isaiah 55:8-9
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways", declares
the Lord. As the heavens are higher
than the earth, so are my ways higher
than your ways and my thoughts
higher than your thoughts."
OK. I leave it there-at the feet of Jesus and take comfort in the knowledge that "Father Knows Best"!
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