Family Celebration 2019

             Our family is a circle of love and with every addition the circle grows!

There are no words to sufficiently describe the joy and the miracle of our family gathering this year at Cedar Point Roller Coaster Park in Sandusky Park. The picture below says it all!

Discernment-aka Wisdom

Recently I have pondered what it means to be wise, to have discernment. I have read a number of definitions and the one that most satisfies me is: wisdom is the ability to use experience, knowledge, and good judgment in order to offer intuitive understanding and insight. 

In looking at our culture, especially through the lens of the media, I believe wisdom is no longer a sought after character trait and in fact in more cases than not it is trampled on and dismissed as "old fashioned" and out of date. How sad. Without wisdom from those who have traveled the roads of life mistakes will just be repeated and repeated.


According to King Solomon, wisdom is gained from God, "For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding" Proverbs 2:6

In the Bible we see many examples of those who looked to God for His wisdom: Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Abigail, David, Solomon, Daniel, Stephen, Paul.
Above all there is Jesus Christ. "Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God!" 1 Corinthians 1:20-25

What can I learn from this? Yes, first of all listen and learn from God, the source of true wisdom. But who do I need to listen to and learn from in "human" form? Who is God speaking through to teach me on a daily basis? It certainly is NOT the news! 

No it is my partner in life-Hunter. He is by far the wisest person I know and it is not just because he is my husband. It is because he truly uses the knowledge God gives him and his past experiences along with his analytical mind to understand people and solve problems. Growing up his kids use to humorously call him a walking encyclopedia of useless information. Well, now as adults they often search him out for advice on all kinds of issues and problems to solve. He never comes up short but always has some wisdom or at least a source where they can go to read and learn. I must admit in my younger days I did not always recognize the gift I had in Him. I even "fought" the fact that he always had the answer to life's questions. It hasn't been until recently my eyes have been opened to the truth in that statement and I have learned to appreciate his wisdom. God knew I needed that quality in a husband! 

Who is the wisest person you know and are you listening to and learning from him/her?

Life's Purpose

Recently I read a book to Christian and Logan called "A Dog's Purpose" by W. Bruce Cameron. It is called "a Novel for Humans". Except for some "colorful" words that I do not think were necessary it is an excellent read, especially for dog "lovers"! One dog goes through years of reincarnating into different dogs, always remembering his previous life and adding to the knowledge and wisdom he is learning along the way. Through it all he is continues to look for his purpose in each particular "life"; whether just being a loyal friend to Ethan, or rescuing a little boy, Geoffrey, in a raging storm as a search and rescue dog, or protecting Jakob as a police dog. Yet the overarching theme is clearly "Life Has Purpose"! This dog named Toby, Bailey, Ellie, and finally Buddy learned in the end his life's purpose was to SAVE!
(I will definitely be locating the movie to watch with the boys even though I realize it will not have the depth and details found only in the book!)

This book is a good reminder that we all have at least one purpose in each stage of our lives; from children, through the teenage years, and on into college, career, singles, married without children and married with children. Finally on the downward slide through empty nesters to retirement and eventually landing in assisted living.

Our purposes are obviously as varied as there are people and are shaped by our spiritual outlook on life in general. As believers in Jesus Christ as our Savior our purposes should have eternal value. We are confident in the knowledge that Jesus' purpose was to glorify His Father in heaven and save sinner's souls for an eternity with Him. In view of that truth our "umbrella" life purpose under which all others should fall is to glorify God in all we do, all we say, all we think, all we are!

I don't know in which stage of life you currently find yourself.  I am grounded in the retirement stage, looking down the road at the still dim but fast approaching lights of "assisted living". What then is my purpose in this last stage of life? After carefully thinking about this question I believe God has opened my eyes to clearly see that my overall purpose is to share in love what wisdom He has and continues to give me with those in my growing family.  I love this truth from the Bible, the source of all truth and wisdom :
Psalm 107:2- "Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story.."
I need to share my spiritual story and then do as the Psalmist asks in Psalm 71:18-"Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come."
I am committed to being God's tool to demonstrate love, pray for, and encourage my family!

I challenge you other retirees to do the same. There is no better purpose in live than to pass on God's wisdom!

(Book two in this series is "A Dog's Journey," coming to theaters the middle of May, 2019. I am now excited to read that book to the boys before I return to the states and see where it, too, may apply to my spiritual journey.)

Suffering

This past week at Word of Life Bible Camp and Conference Center Dr. Ted Tripp spoke on the subject of suffering, not a topic we want to study let alone embrace yet we will all face this reality some time in our lives.  As Dr. Tripp stated "Suffering is the universal experience of all Christians."
Paul writes extensively on this topic, especially in the book of 1 Peter, which is directed at persecuted Christians. David also deals with this topic in the book of Psalms. But I am not writing today to dictate a Bible Study on  suffering. Rather I am writing to search out my own "take" on this topic. I feel I'm qualified to attempt unpeeling it's layers while shedding onion tears.
I suffer chronically with a multitude of non-motor Parkinson Disease complications, most of which are unnoticeable to others. Not wanting to dwell on the specifics suffice it to say I experience a profusion of "unhappy moments"almost daily. What do I do with these?

L.B. Cowan in Streams in the Desert says: "God is...an ever-present help in trouble." (Ps. 46:1) But He allows trouble to pursue us, as though He were indifferent to its overwhelming pressure, so we may be brought to the end of ourselves. Through the trial, we are led to discover the treasure of darkness and the immeasurable wealth of tribulation."
What? How can I call my suffering, my tribulations, a WEALTH?

Charles Spurgeon, called the "Prince of Preachers", dealt with spiritual, physical, and emotional suffering yet he is quoted as saying: "I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the rock of ages."

 Wow! That quote grabs my soul and won't let it go! How can I kiss that wave? God wants me to show affection for and embrace chronic pain? Am I not getting something here? Isn't God suppose to heal, to come to my rescue? God's sovereignty lays a blanket over everything-this I know! He's in control and I am confident He has an agenda for my suffering, whether it's to deepen His message of hope, chasten me for some as of yet unrecognizable sin, show my weakness as compared to His strength, or shout out that He is enough so I will bring Him glory. I guess I have to grapple with the confusion of the choice of which agenda is mine.

We live in a world of suffering people; those like me with health issues to tackle, others with financial problems, emotional battles, relationship difficulties, loss of loved ones and the list goes on and on. So there is no one size fits all remedy. I believe that at some moment in each of our lives we will either shout or perhaps fearfully whisper  "Why God?" "Why me?" Is this a sin? Should we hold in our pain, our doubts, our weaknesses, our disappointments & frustrations? Will God be angry, offended, turn a deaf ear? I believe the answer to all these heart-wrenching questions is NO! I read throughout the Bible that God is a god of compassion, which is defined as one who is concerned for the sufferings & misfortunes of others. He understands because in Jesus He has "been there, done that"! Jesus was our suffering Savior! Therefore He is qualified to see us through all our sufferings. He will tenderly and gently take us by the hand or at excruciating moments pick us up and carry us over the hot coals of living.

Bottom line: I have hope in a compassionate God! My hope will see me through the dark tunnels and in His timing I will be eternally healed!

New Year's Resolution??

Have you ever made a New Year's Resolution? "Going to lose weight? Going to exercise more? Going to quit smoking? Going to shop less-save more? Going to quit Face Book or watch less TV and read more." On and on it goes. Have you ever been successful in accomplishing your desired resolution? What exactly is a "resolution"? Basically, as defined by a dictionary, it is a firm desire to do or not to do something. Obviously, then, it could be a good thing improving your life in a number of ways-most of them centering around our physical well being. But will it last?
I have been thinking about the value of such "firm desires" and what, if any, life improvement I could make in 2019. Then I happened upon an author of a recent devotional I was reading relating his "one word" resolution. He chooses one word to think on for an entire year in order to grow his spirit. He chose the word prayer for 2019. Wow-so simple yet so profound! This resonated with my heart so I have chosen the word contentment. Along with this word I also chose the Bible verses in Philippians 4:11b-13 that correspond with that word to memorize and accompany my daily thoughts on this word.
"..I have learned to be content no matter what the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this (being content) through him who gives me strength."
I am praying that by thinking on this word daily God will grow my spirit and draw me ever closer to Him.
I'd be thrilled to have others join me in this "resolution" for 2019. Who knows how God could use us and our "words" for His glory throughout this coming year.

Self-control

 I was sitting down for lunch today and looking in my soup bowl. It was filled with chickpea chili along with pickled beets and asparagus. Honestly all I wanted at that moment was a McDonald's Big Mac with crispy hot French fries! I wanted to "hang up" this plant based diet and opt for Kentucky Fried Chicken followed by a big, drippy Dairy Queen cone. Why do I have to put up with food that sometimes just doesn't taste good? Why should I crawl into bed at 10:00 instead of watching the latest funny Dvd? Why is it best to open my Bible first thing in the morning instead of turning up the volume of Good Morning America? Why is it better to worship in church on Sunday morning rather than sleep in and then hit the biggest Sunday brunch? Why when it hurts so much to walk with a weak leg and bone spurred feet do I push myself around the park time and time again?

SELF-CONTROL
Does anyone else out there have trouble with self-control? It is the last of the fruits of the spirit in Galatians 5:22. Galatians goes on to say in verse 24 that "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." Have I? Those fleshly passions and desires many times get the best of me! What a struggle? Can anyone else relate here?

In my spiritually stronger moments 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 comes to mind:
"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own. You were bought at a price, therefore honor God with your body."

In my weaker moments I "cheat" on my diet with some filet or read a novel instead of my Bible or sit outside on the lawn chair forgoing the sweaty exercise. In these moments I know my loving and forgiving God understands and is just around the corner ready to whisper into my ear, "Get going again! You can do it." Thankfully, He is my biggest cheerleader!

I think the answer to my questions about self-control is never give up. I, with God's help, can train my body to do what is right for a healthy mind and physical body so I can honor God as He seeks to use me. Bottom line is-like a well oiled and maintained antique car I want to keep running and functioning as long as possible to be available for the "driver" to use me as the "King's float" giving honor where honor is due!

OK-pass the tofu!

25th Anniversary

NO it's not our 25th wedding anniversary. That was a LONG time ago. But it is a 25th anniversary of something quite important to us as a couple. Can you guess? Probably not since to others it would not mean a great deal but to us it is reason to celebrate. Before I uncover the mystery let me ask you the question that served to prompt this thought: "What material item has truly been a gift from God in your marriage?"I know there are as many answers to this question as there are fish in the ocean.

For us the answer is simple: Tandem Bike! We have been riding a tandem bike for 25 years! In 1993 we bought our first tandem. It was a black Trek 1000. I could not find a very good photo of it but it was a lovely bike that carried us over many a trail in the midwest and eventually was shipped to China in 2000 where together we explored all the back alleys of Beijing China. When we returned to the states the bike was included with our household belongings and continued to motor us around. But we missed the excitement of exploring another culture. How could we again travel overseas and take our "friend" with us? The answer came when we realized we needed to purchase a new tandem, custom made with couplers to take it apart and fit the pieces into luggage. Would we have at least 10 years of fun left in our legs to warrant this big investment? This year-our 10th on the Co-Motion bike proves God's goodness to us in allowing us so much time together on the bike. The adventures Hunter and I have experienced on the tandem bike could fill volumes! But more than just the adventures I see a material object that has helped to cement our marriage, bringing us happiness and a common goal as we traveled a multitude of roads.

Now, as I currently struggle with Parkinson's Disease, I once again look at the tandem as a special gift from God. When I sit behind Hunter grasping onto the handle bars with my legs steadily going around and around I actually feel as though I do NOT have a disease. My hands don't tremor, nor am I anxious or off balance but feel 25 years younger with  Hunter's funny banter causing delicious laughter. God is so good to give us the desires of our heart, if they match His desires for us. I do believe He continues to smile seeing us enjoy loving each other and experiencing life together on our bike outings.

If you are a husband/wife team what material possession has God gifted you with and if nothing comes to mind why not try a tandem? I once heard it said that a tandem bike would either grow a marriage as you have to trust one another or cause major conflict as you must submit to one another in your prospective "roles" on the bike. Honestly I believe the former is more true than the latter.
You only have one life to live so live it well, doing what you enjoy with your mate, creating memories that last and stories to share with the next generation!