Just Peach-y!

On Saturday, I was preparing and planning for a couple of fun Sunday events: our new friends, the Taviano family was coming for their 52 Zoo adventure and our base camp (church home group) was also hosted at our home.

I was planning on making Stromboli for base camp (Posted right here!)--it makes enough for a whole crew of folks.

As I was doing the grocery shopping, I saw that peaches were on sale. Now I am quite a fan of peaches...and peaches and cream...and especially peach ice cream.

I have wonderful memories from childhood of going to the summer revival at the little Methodist church down the road. I don't remember much about them, except for the singing (in E. Texas vernacular, we were "sangin") and the ice cream supper on the last night. Oh.my.word! It was good!

The ladies brought all sorts of wonderful ice cream, but my hands-down-favorite was the peach. It was delightful! As much as I love the fare itself, I love the memory of it just as much.

So Saturday, I set out to make a Sunday memory. I found a recipe that was close to what I remembered--and altered it to fit our tastes.

Here it is...

Homemade Peach Ice Cream
6 cups ripe peaches, peeled and puréed (we don't like fruity chunks, but if you do, leave half of them chopped and add to the ice cream maker about 15 minutes before it is done)
6 eggs, lightly beaten
2-1/2 c. sugar
2 T. all-purpose flour
1 T. vanilla extract
1/8 t. salt
4 c. whole milk
3 c. heavy cream

In a blender, purée 6 c. of the peaches. In a separate large bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, flour, vanilla and salt until well blended. Set aside.

In a large, heavy saucepan over low heat, heat the milk and cream, just until it begins to steam. Slowly add the bowl of the egg mixture. Continue to cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is thick and smooth. Remove from heat and add the puréed peaches. Stir well. Refrigerate overnight.

Pour into a large ice cream maker and follow the directions for your machine. If you like fruit chunks, add 3 cups of chopped peaches about 15 minutes before the cycle is done.

Now go and make some fun summer memories!

"God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes." Psalm 18:24 (The Message)

It's Risky...

...to do new things.

...to love others as Jesus did.

...to believe what we cannot see.

...to walk in a new place.

...to meet new people and get to know them.

...to do something other than you have ever before experienced.


Because sometimes...

...we fail.

...we fall.

....we get fearful.

...we are uncertain that we are doing the right thing, in the right way, with the right motive.


And also...

...people may fail us.

...people may lie to us.

...people may not love us back.

...people do not live up to our expectations.


BUT, know this...

...Jesus never fails.

...Jesus never lies.

...Jesus always loves us.

The picture of life we are looking at may not be the picture we envisioned. But in taking the risk, we are being obedient, bold, strong, fearless, loving. In taking the risk, we started to look a whole lot like our Savior.

He risked it all for me--when I failed him countless times. Yet, He still loves me and favors me and would have risked it all for me again.

Like Peter, I'm jumping out of the boat and swimming for shore. Wanna swim with me?

"God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes." Psalm 18:24 (The Message)

Pressing Pause

Just wanted to share some "captures" from yesterday with you.

Do you ever wish you could press pause on life? Oh how I pray I can remember days like this one all my life.

"Day after day I was there, with my joyful applause, always enjoying his company, Delighted with the world of things and creatures, happily celebrating the human family." Provebrs 8:23 (The Message)

"God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes." Psalm 18:24 (The Message)

It's His Special Day!

Happy Birthday, Tabor!

We cannot believe you are six years old today.

You are our third miracle child. We never thought we could have children...and God has blessed us with four!

We have not forgotten that you are truly a gift from God.

We chose Tabor because it is a strong name--named after Mt. Tabor, a possible location for the transfiguration of Jesus. Also a tabor is a drum. You certainly have a wonderful beat--loving Jesus with all your heart and praying sincerely for each need you hear of and each one you love so dearly.

We chose Benjamin for your middle name--for you are certainly the son of our right hand.

Your joy is contagious, son.

And everyone who knows you, loves you. As do we.

As do we.

"God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes." Psalm 18:24 (The Message)

Ministry in the Shadow

Much had led up to that day. One journey had led to another journey and yet another--all faith journeys we had never expected. Yet, here I sat at the place where I thought I had arrived at home.

(My view from my quiet time spot.)

I had dreams in this place and for this place. We had walked through some difficult, treacherous and winding roads to get here.

(Chris with Noah, Kylie and Tabor on the open roof-terrace of our home.)

(Taylor R., Noah and Kylie swimming in our pool.)

(Tabor, who will be six tomorrow!)

It was our dream place -- a home we never imagined would be our own. We shared this place and loved in this place.

(A scrapbook page I had made..)

So as I sat in the East Texas heat and humidity on the roof- terrace that afternoon, looking out across the fields I saw the machinery. It was headed our way. My vision focused closer in. On the rail of our wrought-iron balcony, just two feet in front of my face, there paused a red-throated hummingbird.

It had lit on the railing. I had never seen a hummingbird stop that long. It turned its head at an angle and looked at me, before it flew off in a hurry-scurry, as he was wont to do.

I cried out to God--"Lord, You brought us to this place. We had dreams here. Now as I look at that machinery, I know that our time here is short. They are going to dig up our home, Lord! We have painted each wall with love and care. We had made it our own abiding place--our refuge."

As I gazed downward to read my Bible, the Lord spoke to my heart, "Holly, though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor will my covenant of peace be removed says the Lord, who has compassion on you." (Isaiah 54:10)

I knew then that the place where I prayed would be gone. The hill on which our home sat would be removed. But God would be our refuge.

(Digging around the home right before the mining company plowed it down.)

For it is not a location or home. The LORD is the place of the shadow. In His strong arms, we can sing a new song. Through the dailyness of abiding in Jesus, we find our bright hope.

My perspective has been shifting from that day. As much as I'd like to make a home in this world, get settled and my nest all in order, it is not to be. This world is truly not our home.

(Rocky Mountain National Park--tearing through the tundra!)

Our souls know it. In sickness, we come before the Lord time and again to let Him mend the gaping wound caused by the struggle we face between settling in this world and abiding in God's care.

Perhaps like that hummingbird, we need to know that we can light on the rail for a time, but then we need to be about moving on and doing the Lord's work--with the goal of lighting in Heaven for eternity and touching as many lives as we can with the love of Christ in between.

(Our feeder for the hummingbirds on our front porch--looks like they had some competition.)

It's what we need to be wont to do.

[Just some extra from the Merriam Webster Dictionary that I found interesting about the word "wont": Middle English woned, wont, from past participle of wonen to dwell, be used to, from Old English wunian; akin to Old High German wonēn to dwell, be used to, Sanskrit vanoti he strives for — more at win
Date: before 12th century
1 : accustomed, used

2 : inclined, apt ]

"God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes." Psalm 18:24 (The Message)

A Little Bit O' Fuzz Makes Everything All Better

Tabor is turning 6 on Friday, and we have been planning to surprise him for awhile with a pet of his very own. So please meet Rose....

Tabor named her himself, saying it's because she is very sweet.

I think we have a wonderfully, sweet new addition to our family!

(Sorry it's blurry, but look at those FEET!)

Oh and here are a couple of sunset pictures from a couple of nights ago with a lovely rainbow in the mix!

And finally, my Chris won first place sharpshooter rimfire division, first place sharpshooter centerfire division and first place combined rimfire/center fire overall (so he's Top Gun--cue in "Danger Zone")!

Congratulations, Chris! I'm so proud of you!! Here are the chocolate guns he won...yummy!

Have a very sweet day friends--filled with chocolate and roses!

"God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes." Psalm 18:24 (The Message)

Question for Ya

My blog is getting to be maxed out, space-wise, with pictures and such. I have been considering my options and yet I am sure that there are MORE options than I'm considering.

What suggestions do you have for me? Should I buy a domain and switch to a website format? Should I move my old stuff to another blog and have a link to it? Something else?

Please share! My Chris' friend, Zane is coming over this week to help me get started. I'd really like to know which direction to go...

Thanks in advance!!

Oh and if you're a fan of Gumbo, like I am, my dear friend Cathy sent me her coveted recipe. Try it out!

"God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes." Psalm 18:24 (The Message)

From the Pits to the Shadowed Shelter

Growing up in East Texas, a favorite place to play and ride 4-wheelers was the clay pits. On the four wheeler, you could get through the muddy mess, as long as you had a plan in advance and didn't stop too long in one place. Sometimes though, no matter what plan you had, it didn't turn out the way you thought and you found yourself stuck halfway down in the clay.

The only way out was to have someone pull you out. At this point, you couldn't even climb out of the clay without getting stuck thigh-high in it yourself.

"Surely God is good to Israel,
to those who are pure in heart.
But as for me, my feet had almost slipped;
I had nearly lost my foothold.
For I envied the arrogant
when I saw the prosperity of the wicked."
Psalm 73:1-3

Have you been to this place before? It's a place you never intended to go and stay. You had a plan--you thought it out in advance. You were simply going to breeze on through, and you found yourself stuck thigh-high in mud.

Out of curiosity, you just wondered what it would be like...you just wanted to catch a glimpse of what it felt like to be rich or valued or liked, for goodness' sake! So you stepped into a place and found yourself caught. "Is there a point of no return from this place?" You wonder.

So one night, all alone, you bow your head and cry out to the Lord. In agony, you confess your sins to Him. And you wonder, "Will He listen to me, a sinner?"

"I waited patiently for the LORD;
He turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
He set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear
and put their trust in the LORD."
Psalm 40:1-3

"Rescue me from the mire,
do not let me sink;
deliver me from those who hate me,
from the deep waters."
Psalm 64:14

You find that Jesus not only listens to you and hears you, but rather...in such a confounding turn of events, Jesus favors you.

"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen."
1 Timothy 1:15-18

So today, if you find yourself in that miry clay pit, stuck knee deep in a place you never meant to stay--cry out to Jesus. He will lift you up and place you on the Rock-immovable.

You can rest in that shadowed shelter. You can grow and learn that not only can you walk in that shadow for the rest of your days, but also Jesus will turn that clay pit time into a life lesson that will help lift others from the same place you once found yourself.

There is no one like Jesus, who turns your dark places into light--takes them and makes them into something beautiful.

"The night is nearly over;
the day is almost here.
So let us put aside
the deeds of darkness
and put on the armor of light."
Romans 13:12

"God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes." Psalm 18:24 (The Message)

Happy Fourth of July!!

Some things bear repeating...this is from February 5, 2008.

When I was in college, I planned on being a journalist or a lawyer. Either way, I love to research things. One of my very favorite classes was advertising--mainly because of the creative ideas. But I also loved to see emotions encapsulated in a short matter of time. Like this...

I think that what strikes me most about this commercial called Respect by Budweiser is the reverence of the journey. Notice that it begins with the horses running free in their paddock, then being prepared for their long journey across the Brooklyn Bridge. See the man watching out his shop window. Hear the clanging of the gear, the beating of the hooves on the pavement and then breaking through the snow. If you look carefully, you'll see the Statue of Liberty just before they bow in tribute to those whose lives were lost on 9/11. Don't you feel a surge of emotion--perhaps tears mixed with fullness in your chest of pride for your country?

I love that the focal point is not on buying more of their product. No, it is on the things that make America what it is. The Budweiser Clydesdales are an American institution. The Lady Liberty is our beacon of hope for those looking for home. And we all share the distinction of being completely set apart--no matter what race, color, creed, or even political party. We are free.

But freedom comes with a price. When blood is spilt on our behalf to be free, we owe our respect and thanks to those who fight and who fought to make us free.

So tonight, as we traveled across town to vote, I began to think of how wonderful it is that I am free to make a choice. You are, too, if you are here in the USA. The only hindrances to our vote are our apathy and perhaps bad weather. Many split their blood so I can vote freely. They still are.

So tonight, in honor of them, I bow and thank God for their sacrifice. May they be protected and kept safe. May each sacrifice of theirs never be in vain. May their families feel a surge of emotion filled with pride--for what they are doing is invaluable. I am thankful for those men and women, whose lives are spent in protecting the freedom we have in America. I won't forget.

"God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes." Psalm 18:24 (The Message)

Lil' Break

Hey friends, I have not forgotten the series. No. In fact, the more I study, the deeper in I get and realize that there is much there and no cursory overview will do. I have notes all over the place..and truly, I need some clarity to present them rightly.

We have four more days with our nephew and then a fun weekend with dear friends who are heading to Canada to begin a new life of adventure in planting a church there. And my house is a wreck...and my brain is locked up.

So I'm taking a wee break...will see you soon! Praying that God goes beyond your imagination in caring for the concerns of your heart and mind. May He make the break through that you have long since given up on! And may He take your thoughts, get them in the right and ready place so you can walk in some new ground together!

(Picture from my nephew Austin, who is celebrating his 2nd wedding anniversary with his beautiful bride today!)

"God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes." Psalm 18:24 (The Message)

Another Song--A New Day

I woke up with this song playing in my heart and mind. I am certain it was a song Jesus put on my heart just for me--perhaps it will be just for you, too! The Lord does sing over us (Zephaniah 3:17) and delight in us.

And I believe He's singing this song over us today:

"God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes." Psalm 18:24 (The Message)

Psalm 57 The Message and Last Night's Sky

Be good to me, God—and now!
I've run to You for dear life.
I'm hiding out under Your wings
until the hurricane blows over.
I call out to High God,
the God who holds me together.

He sends orders from heaven and saves me,
He humiliates those who kick me around.
God delivers generous love,
He makes good on his word.

I find myself in a pride of lions
who are wild for a taste of human flesh;
Their teeth are lances and arrows,
their tongues are sharp daggers.

Soar high in the skies, O God!
Cover the whole earth with your glory!

They booby-trapped my path;
I thought I was dead and done for.
They dug a mantrap to catch me,
and fell in headlong themselves.

I'm ready, God, so ready,
ready from head to toe,
Ready to sing, ready to raise a tune:
"Wake up, soul!
Wake up, harp! wake up, lute!
Wake up, you sleepyhead sun!"

I'm thanking you, God, out loud in the streets,
singing your praises in town and country.
The deeper your love, the higher it goes;
every cloud is a flag to your faithfulness.

Soar high in the skies, O God!
Cover the whole earth with your glory!

"God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes." Psalm 18:24 (The Message)

Summer Fun!

Winter didn't hit us very hard 'til spring.

And spring drug it's heels into the summer.

But here we are a week after summer officially started and summer has arrived in Colorado!

To celebrate the season, here are a few recipes you might enjoy!

Fudge Brownie Pie
2 eggs
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. butter, melted
1/2 c. flour
1/3 c. Hershey's cocoa
1/4 t. salt
1 t. vanilla
1/2 c. pecans, chopped
1/2 gallon vanilla bean ice cream
hot fudge sauce

Beat eggs in small bowl, blend in sugar and butter. Stir in flour, cocoa and salt. Then add vanilla and nuts. Pour into lightly greased and floured 8 inch pie pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Cool and cut into wedges. Serve, topped with ice cream and hot fudge sauce.

Homemade Vanilla or Chocolate Ice Cream
Vanilla:
1 1/2 c. sweetened condensed milk
3 1/2 c. homogenized milk
1/2 c. sugar
2 2/3 c. heavy whipping cream
1 T. vanilla extract

Stir the condensed milk into the homogenized milk. Scrape well from the sides and mix thoroughly. Dissolved sugar in the milk and add cream. Cool the mix in the refrigerator for one hour. Add vanilla and begin to follow the instructions for freezing with your ice cream maker.

Chocolate:
1 1/2 c. sweetened condensed milk
3 1/2 c. homogenized milk
1/2 c. sugar
2 2/3 c. heavy whipping cream
1 1/3 c. unsweetened cocoa powder (I like the Dutch process kind by Penzey's.)
1/2 c. sugar
1 c. water

Stir the condensed milk into the homogenized milk. Scrape well from the sides and mix thoroughly. Dissolved sugar in the milk and add cream. Cool the mix in the refrigerator for one hour. Blend the cocoa and sugar together. While heating water to 180 degrees, add in the cocoa-sugar mixture. Mix slowly and stir constantly. Allow the mix to cool to refrigerator temperature for one hour longer. Follow the instructions for freezing with your ice cream maker.

** These recipes are from the 1997 April/ May issue of Compressed Air magazine and formulated by Penn State's, Dr. Philip Keeney. Their practices are public knowledge--and their ice cream is SO GOOD!

"God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes." Psalm 18:24 (The Message)

Shining in His Shadow - Part One

We've been talking about being, walking and singing in the wrong shadow(here and here). As we picture this boastful, sassy little bird, beneath the shadow of his protective and loving mama bird, there are so many elements of this time that I want to discover with you.

There are many scripture references that will give you a complete picture of abiding in the shadow--yes, even shining in the shadow. We will explore them in greater detail next week.

Like Moses, your time abiding in God's shadow will most certainly cause your face to shine. But you just cannot stay in that place forever. You must learn to take what you learn in that abiding, shadow time and walk it out wherever God calls you to go. You must learn and re-learn how to walk--abiding in the Shadow of God.

But first, let's explore this time of rest and refuge--seeking and knowing the heart of God. In the place of the Shadow, that place of refuge, there are many elements...

First, you have come to that place for relief from oppression and times of trouble.

Then, you have come to that place to find truth from lies and disillusionment. It is a place of understanding and knowing--discernment and wisdom.

You have also come to this place to cry out and pour out your heart. There is healing found in working it out and talking it out with the Lord.

Another reason you have come to this place is for protection and safety. There are dangers that threaten to consume you. And you are not ready to face them head on, yet.

Also, you have come to this place of refuge for unfailing love. There is not a soul on this earth who does not long for love that is unfailing. One of the greatest sources of our struggles are the places where we were loved with conditions and exceptions--if we could perform and jump through the hoops placed before us. Mentally, we can not abide with it.

Finally, we go to this place of the Shadow to sing. We release our pain and make a wonderful exchange with our Savior--our pain for His joy.

In this place of the Shadow, we will begin to shine, as this little bird. We will understand how to abide there, how to grow there, how to be refreshed and encouraged there. It is a necessary place to grow, so we can walk out and do the things we were meant to do.

"My heart says of You, 'Seek His face!' Your face, LORD, I will seek."
Psalm 27:8 (NIV)

"When You said, 'Seek My face,' my heart said to You, 'Your face, O LORD, I shall seek.'"
Psalm 27:8 (NASB)

"My heart has heard You say, 'Come and talk with Me.' And my heart responds, 'Lord, I am coming.'"
Psalm 27:8 (NLT)

"You have said, 'Seek My face [inquire for and require My presence as your vital need].' My heart says to You, 'Your face (Your presence), Lord, will I seek, inquire for, and require [of necessity and on the authority of Your Word].'"
Psalm 27:8 (Amplified)

"God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes." Psalm 18:24 (The Message)

We Interrupt the Regularly Scheduled Programming...

OK, go with me here. It's the end of an era...

And today I find myself feeling a bit sad about it. Fall 1980 (I know, some of you weren't even born then! I was nine.) we found out that my Dad's General Motors job was being transferred to Shreveport, LA. He could have chosen Bowling Green, KY (makes me wonder how my life might have been different with that choice).

So we moved to East Texas right near the state line in summer 1981. I was terrified to leave the house. For our 100 acre property had not been mown in months. And I knew that Texas was "full up" with snakes. Not to mention it was HOT. And HUMID. I ate my first fried okra that summer--first okra at all really. Never got over my love for it.

I learned to drive a tractor and a mo-ped and a 3-wheeler and a lawn mower there. I learned that there really was a guy named Joe Blow. He lived right down the street. I discovered my love for fresh garden-grown produce and how to shell purple hull peas. I discovered that All My Children, Guiding Light and As the World Turns were never-ending sagas of tragedy and romance (A habit I broke by the time I was 23). And I discovered that I do dearly love a good walk down the road in the evening.

So today, I heard that my Dad's plant is closing in 2012. They may close even earlier. Though my Dad retired in the early 90's, he still does contract work there--it's all he's ever known. He is a dedicated, hard worker. My brother does contract work there as well...

And as I let my mind think of the people in that community, my heart is breaking. What will happen to those families? What will happen to the local economy? What about other industries there?

Mmmm. It's more than my heart can hold. I don't like sad endings. I don't like to think of families going through joblessness or bankruptcy like we have experienced. It is a hard road. And without the Lord? I truly don't know how anyone could do it.

That's about all for today. Just sad. And concerned. And prayerful. Waiting for hope to rise up in these hard times. Knowing that hope has a name--His name is Jesus.

I promise to get back to the Shadow series tomorrow! (Picture from our old home in East Texas on Highway 43 South--it's gone now now--it's been plowed down and dug up by a lignite company.)

"God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes." Psalm 18:24 (The Message)

Singing in the Wrong Shadow--Part Two

So remember the bird from yesterday? We have a sassy, boastful, confident and trusting bird--completely able to do his thing, because he is in the shadow of his mama. Her wing is protectively covering and yet this wing is also like a backdrop curtain for her baby and his proud song.

Do you see it? This baby is boasting joyfully with confidence in the safety and shelter of his very strong provider. He sings there. He soars there. He is ready to do the thing that he was created to do and to be, simply because he understands abiding.

This morning I have had an illustration come to mind several times. Each time I pushed it away, for it is personal and it is painful. Although dating my Chris exclusively at 19 1/2 and getting married to him a year later, I have a number of lost loves and dating disasters prior to meeting my Chris.

You could say I was looking for love in all the wrong places. But I well remember the cycle. A new relationship filled with hope and adventure, then me becoming needy, then breaking up. See I told you it was personal and painful. But it's truth--unfortunate truth.

But the illustration is this--after the many break ups, I felt alone and empty. This may have lasted for a few days to a few months, even a year. Then one day, I woke up and the sun was brighter and the colors more vivid. I felt alive once more. And I felt like once again, whatever I had to give was mine again.

At this point in many instances, I prayed to God to help me to choose better this time. As shallow as my thinking often was (I can re-read it in my old journals--I'd love to burn them, but they remind me of how foolish I was), I really and truly wanted to follow God. You can ask any of my friends from that time.

For a time, I would stay in the shadow and get healthier. Then I had my next chance. And rather than get my strength and approval from God, I gave others sway over my life. I let others tell me who I was. So when something went wrong, I blamed myself. There must be something wrong with me, I thought.

Back to the shadow of God's wing I went.

What we know about ourselves is important, but are we letting others tell us who we are? Though the opinion of others does establish credibility, and often confirming who we are, how much weight do we give it? I daresay we give it too much.

We need to know who we are on our own--just between us and the Lord, abiding in His shadow. What He thinks about us matters. I have lived my life so often guided by what others--family, friends, the woman at the grocery counter--thinks about me that I did not even know how to operate out of who I was, but only out of what others thought about me.

We need sound judgement and and discerning minds to assess who we are--then we need to remember that and walk in it.

It may mean that we will lose the good opinion others have about us. It may mean that we lose dear friends or family--I certainly have. But we must walk in the light of God's faithful and loving, sometimes hard, truth about who we are. We cannot have it both ways. I know, because I tried to have both and it doesn't work.

More tomorrow...about the shadow and about our purpose.

"Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me. Teach me Your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors."
Psalm 27:10-11

"God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes." Psalm 18:24 (The Message)

Surprise!

"God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes." Psalm 18:24 (The Message)

Singing in the Wrong Shadow--Part One

God often speaks to me in pictures. When my Chris and I took one of our journeys, I had a few very neat pictures come to mind--a prayer walk, a cross on a hill with rocks at the bottom, a mountain removed and a bird with a theme.

I never understood the bird and his theme. I pictured a sassy, boastful bird, singing beneath the shadowed wing of his mother--he was confident, trusting, secure and doing the thing he was made to do.

The theme was two-part. "Bright Hope" and "Shadow Song." I even drew the picture. If my scanner was working, I'd post it here.

Over the past four days, this bird has come back in view. And the understanding of his message to me and to you will hopefully come to light. I cannot tell you how many parts are coming to my mind. I only pray I can rightly divide and present them to you.

So with this bird in mind, let's take a look at an illustration you may have heard before...I have heard Beth Moore talk of how we can sometimes be like a beggar with a cup, asking others to fill it. Perhaps they will fill it and we'll feel satisfied for awhile. But we always end up empty. The water that Jesus gives us will always fill and always spill out on others. So if we do have someone praise us or give us something to fill our cup, it's just extra, but not necessary--she called it gravy.

Looking at this picture from another angle, God has used it to speak to something in my heart that needs mending. I have spoken before about faulty mirrors and this is an example of a faulty mirror. Rather than a person filling our cup, we turn the reins of our souls over to someone else. They tell us who we are. And we believe it. We give them power to group us and to lead our destiny.

That power belongs to God and God alone--beneath His Wing, we learn and listen and discover. Soon we'll be singing in His shadow.

We long for identity. And I believe this nation's culture encourages us to be identified in everything else. Personality tests? Magazines? Television? We are getting lost in the fray. We want someone to tell us who we are, who we are like and what we are gifted to do.

Like snowflakes, we are unique and uniquely gifted. We have the power and ability to know who we are and walk in that. But we tend to want the approval of others and identification. We are looking for branding. And we are getting lost in the concept. We need to get up--for the enemy's foot is on our necks, holding us in a place that says we are common.

Last week I spoke of speaking a good word over others. That is good. It is a good thing! But there is a balance. We need to find the place that is uniquely ours.

And that place begins in the shadow and in the shelter...we'll talk about it more tomorrow. This may be a long series, so we'll take it in bits a day at a time.

"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night." Psalm 1:1-2

"God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes." Psalm 18:24 (The Message)

Just a Quick Note

The series is still brewing in my head...hopefully, I can spill it out tomorrow. Honestly with all four kids and no Chris, I am operating on all cylinders for them. When I'm not, I am seriously crashing without a coherent thought in my head.

My Chris is headed to Dallas tonight and should be back tomorrow about 7pm. I am missing him! One really neat thing is that he is bringing our nephew--our oldest son's very favorite cousin.

And Noah? He doesn't know a thing about it. Tomorrow when Chris pulls up, he's going to ask Noah to go get a bag from the suburban and SURPRISE!! I just cannot wait to see Noah's expression.

Our nephew is afraid of flying, but because he cares about his cousin so much, he's risking the fear. He'll fly home next week. Our Noah dearly loves Nathan. They are very good friends. They can spend much time together and never fight. It's such a blessing to this mother's heart.

I shall try to capture a picture of the surprise...

Last night, we needed to break the monotony. So we loaded up in the car and drove to the library, then we went by the Family Christian Bookstore before heading to Sonic for supper. Noah and Kylie love Adventures in Odyssey, and they have been dying to know more about the Novacom series. So Noah used his dandelion money to purchase the whole series. It was on sale--yeah!

Also on sale was a CD I have wanted to buy, but couldn't afford it. So I used a little socked away designing money and bought Travis Cottrell's new live CD, Jesus Saves. Already I'm hearing our Tabor sing it. And it is blessing my heart so very much. It came with a short DVD, and last night I watched it before bed. I welled up with pride watching these, whom I love and admire tell about the One, whom I love most in the world--Jesus.

If you are interested in getting it, you can buy it now, here. Though I think you have to buy it at the store to get the short DVD.

"God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes." Psalm 18:24 (The Message)

Friday Favor, Friends, Fluff & Fun

Boy, I woke up this morning and started my quiet time--went face down before the Lord and asked Him for a now Word for my times. And He gave it. In fact, my brain was so full, I began to write and write in my prayer notebook. Since then, I have slips of paper with notes from wherever I happen to be. I daresay I have a series brewing in my head. It's a good word for me and for you.

But it's not ready, yet.

Instead, I will bring some fluff and fun and even a couple of turnarounds that I have experienced over the past couple of weeks. First the turnarounds...

I joined Facebook.

Yes, I know I said I wouldn't. But with our cadet's help, I set up good boundaries. With good advice, I have used a timer. And the funniest thing? I reconnected with some dear friends from my childhood yesterday. One, who lost her brother and father within two months of each other. Oh, how I cared for them, when I was a kid--they ran the local store and ice cream shop. They both impacted me and were so kind to me. I would have never known that!

It has been a fun endeavor. The only game I have played is Pathwords, which I enjoy. And I have had fun connecting with some friends that my heart has missed.

If you are on Facebook, email me and invite me to be a friend. That would be really fun! Forgive me if I don't join a group or ignore something you send me, bear with me, I am still finding my bearings and have some fear of the unknown.

I have to say that this turnaround has come at a pivotal time in my life. And it has been a balm of joy to me.

Second, I have enjoyed designing and learning so much about design and social connections. Meredith was right, I do like to connect. Trish gave me a ticket for a webinar called A Woman Inspired. Wow. What a great conference! I enjoyed it from my home office/ guest room in my pajamas with some coffee and no make-up--Amen. It was great to "chat" with other ladies. Do you know I have never "chatted" before? Can you say outside my comfort zone? Lord knows the next thing I'll be doing is iPhone-ing or something. Eek!

So during the webinar, I even met a woman who lives nearby and is a marketing specialist. I cannot wait to meet her next Thursday night. I tell you, God is up to something. I am in. I say yes even before I know what it is. Yes.

Last night our family played Lord of the Rings Monopoly while watching and listening to Lord of the Rings. We like themes. Ha! As I said on Facebook, we had some "identity theft" and a "mother with a beard in jail with her son"-- I was Gimli. Also we even moved a ring around the board according to the place the movie was at...we are crazy, silly people.

And today? Today we cannot drive to the zoo, because my car is broken down (Chris is going to Texas soon to get a vehicle that will drive and hold our family). Also, our zoo pass has expired. So I recommended that the kids build their own zoo. Would you like to see it?

The keepers of the zoo...what? You didn't know that Tostitos are the food of choice at the zoo?

"Kokuburra sits in the old gum tree, merry merry king of the bush is he..."

"...Squirrel!!"

I told them that the lions and giraffes need better boundaries...

Pit of snakes--ewww.

They colored the sidewalk blue so this fish would have water.

A scary "mountain lion" named Gandalf.

Have a great weekend friends! Intentionally pay attention...savor and enjoy.

"God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes." Psalm 18:24 (The Message)