The "Snake"

I don't like snakes-never have and never will. Although some of my children owned them as pets I never encouraged that pursuit! There is nothing cuddly and sweet about a long, wiggling "rope" that disappears in an instant only to reappear in a less than obvious spot inciting fright from any sensible onlooker. I believe God's prupose in their creation was to illustrate the attributes of Satan. He is "spot on" with this comparison! (Snake lovers-please forgive me.)

Recently a friend and I were playing a lively game of mini-golf when on hole 9 what wiggled right in front of us but a little black snake.

He slithered on across the green, onto the white gravel and eventually making his way down in the ground through a little hole between some larger rocks. We briefly discussed our aversion to these creaturres and their resemblance to God's ultimate enemy-Satan. 

Satan quietly slithers into every corner of our lives with no apparent barrrier He can't cross, just like a wriggling snake. Jacob once owned a snake which got loose in his car and made it's way into and under the front dash. He couldn't get any mechanic to help him recover his "pet". Do you wonder why? I guess there are even grown men who dislike snakes!

Satan, like some beautifully colored snakes, can appear quite attractive, offering temptations hard to refuse and we all have our weak areas. Tempting me with foods which harm rather than build up my body and being pulled away (distracted) from devotional time with God, my Father, are only two of the many methods he utilizes to alter God's plans for me. 

Satan is powerful, like some of the big anaconda snakes in the southern continents. Yet the Bible reassures us that God is more powerul! Praise the Lord! Therefore even when we feel as though we are being "dragged down and crushed" by the power of Satan God's resurrection power is readily available for the saints (those who have a personal relationship with Jesus). Remember to Hope in God!

Love the scripture which admonishes us to "Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the full armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Above all, taking...the  sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always." Epn. 6:10-11, 16-18

I am convinced that the more we pray and read God's word and obey the truth we find in it, the less we will experience the "venom" of Satan. God has the anti-venom serum: "NO temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." 1 Cor. 10:13

Teachable Spirit

Like these grandchildren listening to their papa-do I have a teachable spirit? That is the question I have been asking my self after my morning's devotions. Psalms 32:8-10 says: "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord's unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him." Am I sometimes like a wayward horse or stubborn mule?
Check out this video:(taken a while ago but still SO cute)

I sometimes "balk" at instruction, especially when it is in the form of criticism coming from my husband. Yet isn't constructive criticism a God-ordained way to grow in wisdom? And didn't God give me this dear man to protect me, love me, TEACH me as Christ loves, protects and teaches the church? Do I trust that "God knows best" when He put man as the head of the "house"?
 Why is it most women find it easier to take instruction from a pastor behind the pulpit, a teacher in a classroom, girlfriends around a cup of tea, or even scripture itself, than listening to and learning from their God-given mates?? So my recent prayer has been to have ears to hear, eyes to see, and a heart open to listen and understand what God is trying to teach me through the man I married!
Teach me, God, I am beginning to listen!

"Beautiful Days!"

Last week I read this line on a window of a store while waiting in Miami traffic:
"Life does not have to be perfect to be beautiful."
The truth in that statement played itself out for six plus days while my sister and her husband visited us in our RV. Each day was beautiful even though not perfect.

The first day of their visit we drove to and through the Keys.
Not perfect:
     long drive
     some rain
Beautiful:
     God's creation
     picnic lunch
     getting nipped by a pelican-oops, is this in the wrong column??  

Day two was planned a ranger led bike ride through the grassland/pine section of the Everglade National Park.
Not perfect:
     hard to locate a picnic table
     navigating tree roots and rough terrain on our "mountain" bikes
Beautiful:
     nature in all "it's" glory
     excellent information from a knowledgable volunteer park ranger 

The third day dawned lovely as golf ensued:
Not perfect;
     a newly washed car the landing spot of bird poop
Beautiful:
     Greg & Marlene's 18 holes of golf & delicious strawberry milkshakes
     lovely views on the course

In the fourth day we road an airboat in the morning and then biked along a canal filled with alligators, a wide variety of birds, and other Florida wild life.
Not perfect:
     sore "butts" after the 15 mile ride
     women losing in a lively game of pickle ball
Beautiful:
     soaring through the glades on an airboat with a competent and informative guide
     watching an alligator crunch a fish and birds soaring overhead
     worthy exercise on the bikes in 75 degree sunshine

During day five we drove in and through the city of Miami.
Not perfect:
      horrendous traffic from a luxury boat show on the Bay
      no available parking places downtown-AT ALL!
Beautiful:
      discovery of a park with a sandy beach we strolled
     peek at a lighthouse

Saturday found us on a tour of a Fruit & Spice Park & in the campground playing games:
Not perfect:
     women with the worst mini-golf scores
     too cold to enjoy the pool
     men winning two out of three pegs & joker's games
Beautiful:
     picking juicy, red strawberries
     informative tour learning about various fruit trees and spice bushes
     women beating husbands at shuffleboard

 

Life is indeed beautiful as a Christian! We can be content, even joyous, no matter what circumstances come our way. "Be content with such things as you have. For He himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we may boldly say, "The Lord is my helper, I will not fear. What can man do to me?" Hebrews 13:5-6

Find beauty in EVERY day God gives you!

Photos from Florida

January in Florida working a volunteer project for the organization SOWER (servants on wheels ever ready) as well as precious time with friends and enjoying the warm sun!

Psalm 92:14-15

"They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, "The Lord is upright, He is my rock, and there is nothing but goodnes in Him.""

"The Wahl"s Protocol" and me!

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says: "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 with a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies."

I am "using" these verses to keep me on the "straight and narrow" path toward a healthier body, one that suffers less from digestive issues and slows down the debilitating symptoms of Parkinson's Disease.

 My physical body should be a useful temple for God's work on earth as long as possible so I have
learned that I must actively participate in keeping it in working order. Recently God has directed me to a book called "The Wahls Protocol; How I Beat Progressive MS Using Paleo Principles and Functional Medicine." written by Dr. Terry Wahls, M.D., a professor at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine in Iowa City.

Although I do not suffer from MS, Parkinson's Disease is a similar autoimmune type chronic disease with no cure and degenerative features that are usually treated with drugs alone. In reading Dr. Wahls book I found a kindred spirit, since she had been diagnosed with MS in 2000. In three years she was weakened to the point of needing a wheelchair. At that point she decided to study in depth the nutrients necessary to "feed" the mitochondria at the cell level in an attempt to slow down the process of degeneration of the brain cells which happens in these types of diseases. She became aware of the nutrients, vitamins, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids that were needed for optimal performance. By adjusting her diet accordingly she went from a wheel chair to riding a mountain bike and being able to once again pursue her medical practice, but most importantly she "had her life back". Although not a cure by any means her diet protocol gives hope to those of us facing a weakening body "down the road".

There are three levels of her diet regime and I am currently working through level two.
Level one eliminates gluten and dairy, alters the protein to only organic, grass-fed, wild caught, and incorporates nine cups of fruits and vegetables, every day, broken down into three groups: leafy greens, colored veggies and fruits, and sulfur-rich veggies.  (OH, all processed foods of any kind are assumed to be eliminated!!)
Level two reduces all non-gluten grains, legumes, and potatoes to just 2 servings per week, adds powdered sea weed to every meal, as well as occasional organ meats to the diet. Level two also adds fermented foods, soaked seeds and nuts, and more raw foods.
Level three is still unattainable for me. It eliminates ALL grains, legumes, potatoes as well as
ALL honey and maple syrup (my only sweeteners now). At this level you reduce your veggie level from 9 cups to 6 cups daily but add higher levels of coconut oil and full-fat coconut milk. In addition, most fruit are eliminated, (very difficult for me since I love all fruit), because of their high carbohydrate level-only berries are allowed.

I doubt I will ever fully embrace level three but after being on this regime for about four months my digestive system is more stable and I feel I have a higher level of energy. Dr.Wahls did say that healing the digestive system and seeing an improvement at the cell level takes from one to three years! Patience and perseverance are the key words here!

Doubt this diet ever becomes popular in mainstream society or will be recommended by the medical community in the near future. Can you imagine the reaction of the patient if a Dr. would suggest this diet and say you will see results in three years?? What-give up my diet coke, hamburger and fries, and that delicious ice cream cone? No, just give me a pill!

I am challenged with Romans 13:14
"Clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ and do not think how to satisfy the desires of the flesh."

New Year's Eve "Bang"!

Fireworks are exploding all over the world tonight, resulting in spectacular colors and loud bangs bringing laughter and well wishers ushering in another year. Traditionally, Hunter and I have a quiet evening with some delicious food and maybe a movie or a good book to read then retire by 10:00 p.m.

This year was going to be no different until I had my own personal "bang"-quite literally I must say! 

After successfully making, from scratch mind you, Chinese pot-stickers (or jiaozi in Mandarin) which I was going to serve for dinner fried with spicey dipping sauce (yummy), I clipped on my shuffle with my favorite Christian music and embarked on a time of devotion as I briskly walked the roads around the RV park, hoping to get a little exercise before I began dinner preparations. 

I was thoroughly engulfed in songs of praise one moment then flat on my face "eating" the pavement the next! What exactly just happened? To this moment I can't quite describe the details only to guess I may have drug my left foot, which is my weaker side, causing my shoe to catch on a slight rise in the road propelling me violently foreward. The knees and palms slowed the downward ascent but the chin actually took most of the force of the "bang"! I laid there a moment trying to assess the situation when I heard a man yell, "Are you alright, miss?" The voice shook me to my senses and I slowly got up clutching my chin while blood oozed between my fingers. I assured the kind gentleman I was OK and slowly made my way back to the RV. Hunter and Tommy's card game was suddenly interrupted by my "grand" entrance. Hunter jumped into action with towels, ice, and questions to determine the extent of "damage". As it turns out I was blessed with only a twisted and swollen ankle, bruised and skinned knees and palms, a cut and bruises to the chin, which butterfly strips could handle, and a sore jaw to accompany the broken tooth. The tooth being the issue needing professional attention. We located a 24 hour emergency dentist who examined the injury. He said I would need two days of healing the chin before he would put on a temporary crown, so a return visit is scheduled for Friday morning. In the meantime I started antibiotics, a necessary procedure when you have an artificial implant, such as the one in my knee. My dinner consisted of soup and very soft fruit. I imagine I will have a few days of a liquid type diet before my jaw stops hurting. Thankfully the dentist did x-rays to be certain there were no broken bones. I am most grateful nothing was serioiusly damaged and I can slowly recover from my New Year's Eve fall. Since 2014 went out with a bang for me I am looking forward to 2015 coming in quieter please! Think I will pick up that good book and relax tomorrow and sip on soup-rather a boring New Year's Day but a safe one!

Hope yours is more exciting and less painful. 

May God truly bless each and everyone of you during 2015 with His unconditional love and opportunities to share it with others!  John 3:16 

Surprise!

Have you ever wanted to "pull off" that perfect surprise, catch someone totally unware? Well, I did it, a memory making moment! On December 18th around 6:30 p.m. I totally surprised my mother with an unexpected appearance. She was definately astonished and filled with "wonder", as Webster defined a true surprise! She was not expecting to see me until the summer of 2015. But I decided I didn't want to wait that long to spend time with her so I arranged with my sister (my partner in "crime") to pick me up at the airport. Previously she had told mom she would pick her up and go to a church dinner event that evening, so when we pulled up in front of her building and I jumped out of the car she was a bit confused, to say the least. What fun it was for me to give her a hug and explain that since I didn't know what to give her for Christmas I decided to give her myself-a WEEK of me for her Christmas gift! Marlene and I wisked her away to a salad supper and all the while I think she was still trying to process the event. Ha! Ha!

We did have a wonderful time together; talking, reading, praying, cooking, shopping, attending church, going to the movies, and visiting with my sister and her family. Thanks, Mom, for being the happy recipient of a joyful holiday "event"!