Check it out!

"I’ve been learning over and over that unless someone is willing to see the unwieldy plank in their own eye, it’s absolutely impossible to help them out of their destructive patterns and self-deception.You can yell and grieve and make a scene. You can spend hours in gentle counsel and eloquent exchange and loud weeping and tongue-biting patience. But unless that person wants to change, it’s not happening. No argument or mercy or fervency is enough. They’ll need to be pierced by their own convictions, or in the worst case, they must come to their own ruin and see the miles of hurt they’ve caused. Otherwise, you’re only reinforcing their pride and building their defenses and rationalizations. Often the only thing we can do is to pray and humble ourselves. To look at our own plank first. To expect the best, even if the other person is taking no strides. To keep the door open. To keep serving. And maybe it’s not about the other person anyway. If they don’t change, you will."— J.S. Park

Holly Stratton wrote a post on lifehurts.us .  She talked about how we protect our hearts and build walls because of how much we fear vulnerability.  I couldn't resist sharing it with all of you and I highly encourage you to click the link above and read her post!

Hope you are all enjoying your September!

More Like Christ...

"The purpose of our suffering isn't to have a great testimony.  It isn't to point the finger of accusation at ourselves and say we brought on our calamity by our lack of faith.  No trials and struggles and distresses simply help us become more like Christ Jesus.  More selfless.  More giving.  More hope-filled.  More forgiving.  More abundant.
Life in the spirit, in the realm of spiritual warfare is not about a simple formula of you being good, God rewarding you w/ a happy life, and then telling everyone else to do the same.  It is a holy interaction with a-not-so-easy-to-understand God.  It's being near to Him even when it looks like He has forsaken you.  It's discipleship.  It's learning to have joy in pain.  That's the kind of life that stands out in a crazy, needy world."  - Mary E. Demuth, Beautiful Battle

Are We Preparing Ourselves?

“To each there comes in their lifetime a special moment when they are figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a very special thing, unique to them and fitted to their talents.  What a tragedy if that moment finds them unprepared or unqualified for that which could have been their finest hour.”  - Churchill

 

My Two Cents

 
Well it finally snowed here!!  Every time we have a snow storm I am blown away by how beautiful everything is when it stops snowing.  The frosted trees, the sparkly winter wonderland created by that brilliant sunshine that usually follows a snowstorm; that snap in the air that you breathe; that grateful feeling that wells up inside of you as you take a first glimpse out the window of God's breathtaking handiwork....  Those things are all wrapped up inside my brain right now as I sit in our loft working on….

January's "My Two Cents."

Watch

I’m in the mood for inspiring, heart-warming, self-sacrificing movies, so let’s see what is on the shelf…. 

I love studying military history, so when I came across this movie last year I was really excited!  It can be hard to find movies based on stories from that era, that aren’t filled with bad language or unnecessary scenes, but this one was clean and very well done!

Hidden in Silence

“Przemysl, Poland, WW11.  Germany emerges victorious over the Russians, and the city comes under Nazi control.  The Jewish are sent to the ghettos.  While some stand silent, Catholic teenager Stefania Podgorska chooses the role of a savior and sneaks 13 Jews into her attic.”

While most stories of this kind can be very graphic, I felt that they did a good job of portraying what happened and yet still keeping it a family film.  I have family members that can read about graphic things, but if they actually see it in person they are just overwhelmed…. They did not feel that way with this film, and yet it still adequately told the truth of what was happening during that time period.   I would highly recommend this!  Very well done…plus, anything with Kellie Martin is good J

 

"Why Suffer?": A Friend's Post

As I was reading through a friends blog, I came across her most recent article.  I asked her if I could share part of it here with you and then put a link for all of you to follow to her blog...  It was very perceptive and made me sit back and think and ask myself some questions... What do I hide from? Avoid? Remove myself from? Am I willing to accept what God has allowed into my life in order that He might be glorified?   Am I willing to live out the verse, "in my weakness, he is made strong."?

"Why suffer? Many have been asking this question since Brittany Maynard asked herself this question and sparked national news and controversy over the last few weeks.
I was saddened to read of Brittany Maynard’s death this weekend. After a diagnosis of terminal brain cancer, Brittany decided to end her own life instead of suffering through the last stages of the cancer. She was only 29. People all over the country have applauded her bravery and her choice to “die with dignity.”
I’m not writing this to condemn Brittany. I’m human too. I’d much rather avoid suffering if it was in my power to do so. I would also be desperate for some measure of control. As much as the thought of dying scares me, I’d rather it be quick than drawn out and painful. I can understand some of Brittany’s reasons for her decision. But there is a much deeper issue beneath Brittany’s desire to end her suffering."

Click here to read the rest of her post...

"We The People"

    "'We the people.' These are the first words of the United States Constitution.  'We the people'...do ordain and establish this Constitution of the United States of America."  Those aren't just pretty words.   They are a clear statement of the origin of all authority and power in this country.  This government by the people derives it's power from the people -- power flows from the bottom up, not from the top down. 
    The Constitution is not a document whereby an all-powerful government grants certain rights and privileges to its citizens.  No, it's the other way around.  The Constitution is a document whereby the citizens of the United States grant certain authorities and powers to the government.  'We the people' aren't passive recipients of rights granted in the Constitution; "We the people" are the actors, the initiators in this exchange.
    At least, we're supposed to be.  The truth is, 'We the people' have grown quite passive when it comes to our relationship to the government that we empower.  As a nation, we have grown quite ignorant of how and why our government works.  And in our ignorance and passivity, we have surrendered too many rights and freedoms to our government.

A Different Christmas Poem

Photo found on flikr by  Beverly & Pack

A Different Christmas Poem

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear..
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the
sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts.

To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.

No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.."

" So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

PLEASE, would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as

many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some

credit is due to our U.S service men and women for our being

able to celebrate these festivities. Let's try in this small way to

 pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of

our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us.

LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN
30th Naval Construction Regiment
OIC, Logistics Cell One
Al Taqqadum, Iraq

T'was The Night Before Elections

I received this poem through the email and wanted to post in on the eve of election day.  Unfortunately I do not know who the author is and can not give him/her proper credit as I would have liked to.  Also, be aware there is a slightly offensive word used to make the rhyming work...

Greetings ... 
T’was the night before elections,
And all thru' the town,
Tempers were flaring
Emotions ran up and down.
I, in my bathrobe
With a cat in my lap,
Had shut off the TV,
tired of political crap.

When all of a sudden,
There arose such a noise,
I peered out my window,
Saw Obama and his boys
They had come for my wallet,
They wanted my pay
To hand out to others
Who had not worked a day!

He snatched up my money,
And quick as a wink,
Jumped back on his bandwagon
As I gagged from the stink.
He then rallied his henchmen
Who were pulling his cart.
I could tell they were out
To tear my country apart!

On Fannie, on Freddie,
On Biden and Ayers!
On Acorn, on Pelosi'
He screamed at the pairs!

They took off for his cause,
And as they flew out of sight,
I heard him laugh at a nation
Who wouldn't stand up and fight!
So I leave you to think

On this one final note... IF YOU DON'T WANT SOCIALISM,
GET OUT AND VOTE !!!

His Purpose!



Found on flikr.  Picture taken by  Starfires



"Jesus did not die just to give us peace and a purpose in

life; He died to save us from, the wrath of God. 

 He died to reconcile us to a holy God who was alienated

from us because of our sin.  He died to ransom us from

the penalty of sin -  the punishment of everlasting

destruction,  shut out from the presence of the Lord. 

 He died that we, the just objects of God's wrath, should

 become, by His grace, heirs of God and co-heirs with Him."

~ Jerry Bridges

Chosen Vessel

The Master was searching for a vessel to use; On the shelf there were many which one would He choose? "Take me, cried the gold one I'm shiny and bright, I'm of great value and I do things just right. My beauty and luster will outshine the rest And for someone like you, Master, gold would be the best!" The Master passed on with no word at all; He looked at a silver urn, narrow and tall; "I'll serve you, dear Master, I'll pour out your wine And I'll be at your table whenever you dine, My lines are so graceful, my carvings so true, And my silver will always compliment you." Unheeding the Master passed on to the brass, It was wide mouthed and shallow, and polished like glass. "Here! Here!" cried the vessel, I know I will do. Place me on your table for all men to view." "Look at me", called the goblet of crystal so clear. "My transparency shows my contents so dear, Though fragile am I,I will serve you with pride, And I'm sure I'll be happy in your home to abide." The Master came next to a vessel of wood, Polished and carved, it solidly stood. "You may use me, dear Master", the wooden bowl said. "But I'd rather you used me for fruit, not for bread!" Then the Master looked down and saw a vessel of clay, Empty and broken it helplessly lay. No hope had the vessel that the master might choose, To cleanse and make whole, to fill and to use. Ah! This is the vessel I've been hoping to find, I will mend and use it and make it all mine. I need not the vessel with pride of itself; Nor the one who is narrow to sit on the shelf; Nor the one who is big mouthed and shallow and loud; Nor one who displays his contents so proud; Nor the one who thinks he can do all things just right; But this plain earthy vessel filled with my power and might Then gently He lifted the vessel of clay. Mended and cleansed it and filled it that day. Spoke to it kindly "There's work you must do. Just pour out to others as I pour into you." Author Unknown

The Sweetes Flowers Are Found In The Canyons

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!  I hope you all have a wonderful day.

I read in my devotions this morning, a story that I thought all of you might enjoy and hopefully encourage you this weekend. 

"For our profit" Hebrews 12:10

~

In one of Ralph Connor's books he tells a story of Gwen.  Gwen was a wild, willful lassie and one who had always been accustomed to having her own way.  Then one day she met with a terrible accident which crippled her for life.  She became very rebellious and in the murmuring state she was visited by the sky pilot, as the missionary among the moutaineers was termed.

     He told her the parable of the canyon. "At first there were no canyons, but only the broad, open prairie.  One day the Master of the prairie, walking over his great lawns, where were only grasses, asked the prairie, 'Where are your flowers?' and the prairie said, 'Master, I have no seeds.'



Clematis



     "Then he spoke to the birds, and they carried seeds of every kind of flower and strewed them far and wide, and soon the prairie bloomed with crocuses and roses and buffalo beans and the yellow crowfoot and the wild sunflowers and the red lilies all summer long.  Then the Master came and was well pleased; but he missed the flowers he loved best of all, and he said to the prairie: 'Where are the clematis and columbine, the sweet violets and wildflowers, and all the ferns and flowering shrubs?'

     "And again he spoke to the birds, and again they carried all the seeds and scattered them far and wide.  But, again, when the Master came he could not find the flowers he loved best of all, and he said: 

     'Where are those my sweetest flowers?' and the prairie cried sorrowfully:

     'Oh, Master, I cannot keep the flowers, for the winds sweep fiercely and the sun beats upon my breast, and they wither up and fly away.'

     "Then the Master spoke to the lightning, and with one swift blow the lightning cleft the prairie to the heart.  And the prairie rocked and groaned in agony, and for many a day moaned bitterly over the black, jagged, gaping wound.

     "But the river poured its waters throught the cleft, and carried down deep black mold, and once more the birds carried seeds and strewed them in the canyon.  And after a long time the rough rocks were decked out with soft mosses and trailing vine, and all the nooks were hung with clematis and columbine, and great elms lifted up their huge tops high up into the sunlight, and down about their feet clustered the low cedars and balsams, and everywhere the violets and windflower and maidenhair grew and bloomed, till the canyon became the Master's favorite place for rest and peace and joy."

     "Then the sky pilot read to her: 'The fruit - I'll read flowers' - of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness - and some of these grow only in the canyon."

     "Which are the canyon flowers?" asked Gwen softly, and the pilot answered: "Gentleness, meekness, longsuffering; but though the others, love, joy, peace, bloom in the open, yet never with so rich a bloom and so sweet a perfume as in the canyon."

     For a long time Gwen lay quite still, and then said wistfully, while her lips trembled: "There are no flowers in my canyon but only ragged rocks."

     "Some day they will bloom, Gwen dear; the Master will find them, and we, too, shall see them."

Beloved, when you come to your canyon, remember!

This is from the book "Streams In The Desert" by L.B. Cowman

What is Romance?

I've been reading Leslie's book "The Lost Art of True Beauty" for my devotions lately and it has been such a blessing.  This morning I read several things that I wanted to share with you.  They go right along with the post I did in January regarding the relationship we can have with our Heavenly Father through prayer.


"Contrary to popular opinion, romance is not a relationship - although it can add fullness and spice and excitement to a connection between two people.  Romance is not hearts and flowers and violins, although an evening of hearts and flowers and strings can be soaringly romantic. Romance is instead an attitude, a set of habits, a way of encountering the world.  You are romantic when savoring experience is a priority for you, when you are willing to invest time and energy into making your experiences more vivid and memorable." ~ Thomas Kinkade

      "(Eric's) romantic qualities go far beyond the realm of human romance.  Eric loves life.  He has a passion for living, an excitement to be alive each day, a hunger to experience the fullness of all God has for him on this earth.  He savors the romance and adventure of living a Christ-scripted life.  He deliberately adds a zest to life wherever he goes, whatever his circumstances.  He excels at enjoying the romance of life probably better than anyone else I've ever met.  And in the 17 years I've known him, I've become somewhat of a hopeless incurable romantic too - caught up in the epic adventure of a God-centered life.  It's a most exciting way to live.
      Eric and I believe God doesn't merely intend for life on this earth  to be endured; rather, He intends for life on this earth to be savored - every experience can be purposeful, meaningful, and significant.  Every day is an opportunity to discover more of Him."  ~ Leslie Ludy

That romantic relationship that I wrote about in my previous post on prayer and the relationship it brings with Christ, can be lived out when we see the gifts God has given us and choose to savor experiences, get excited with the little things and love the life He has given us!

As you ride through your weekend, may He bless you with lots of little blessings and may He bless you with the eyes and heart to see them!

For His Glory!

1.1.12

"How beautiful are the arms which have embraced Christ,

the hands that have touched Christ, the eyes which have gazed

upon Christ, the lips which have spoken with Christ, the feet that

have followed Christ.  How beautiful are the hands that have

worked the works of Christ, the feet which treading in His footsteps

have gone about doing good, the lips which have spread abroad His

Name, the lives that have counted loss for Him."

~Christina Rosetti

A Guest Writer: "Saying Goodbye"

I recieved an email this morning from a friend of mine and he shared with me a poem he had written.  I loved it and he said I could post in on my blog, so here it is. 

It helps to read it slowly, it has so much meaning.  This young man has some wonderful talent that God has given and I can't wait to see where God leads him!

SAYING GOOD-BYE

To sadly say Good-by, a path we all must take.

A word we would not use, a word that makes us
ache.

When death upon us lies, is thought to last
forever
.
To people we love the most,a word that always
severs.

Jesus through His love for us ,a sacrifice He
made.

And for us , sinners, was lade into the grave.

Now if we trust in Jesus, a child of God may be.

To everyone who does believe, of heaven we will
see.

Because of what Christ did, Good-Byes can now
be sweet.

Good-Bye is now a parting word, until in glory
we meet.

Watch your thoughts;

they become your words.

Watch your words;

they become your actions.

Watch your actions;

they become your habits;

Watch your habits;

they become your character.

Watch your character;

it becomes your destiny.

~Anonymous

"As We Read Your Holy Word"

Every morning as I start my devotions I ask God to open my eyes to new truths in His word and that His Holy Spirit would give me understanding as I read.  The past few mornings the song "As We Read Your Holy Word" has been going through my mind as I pray and I have used it several times. 

I heard this song for the first time last Christmas, on the CD  "A Quiet Heart," that my Mom had received as a gift.  I'm not sure how well known it is, so I thought I would share it with all of you.  I hope you find it a blessing!

As We Read Your Holy Word

by

Fred & Ruth Coleman

As I read Your Holy Word,

Help me see, Lord, help me learn.

Holy Spirit, from its pages lead the way.

Come and melt my stubborn will;

Make my heart and soul be still.

As I read Your Word, may I heed it and obey.

Like the first rays of morning light,

It will pierce my darkest night:

Showing sins of doubt and fear within my heart,

Showing self-confidence and pride,

The rebel thoughts that plague my mind.

Then it brings cleansing hope that quiets my heart.

So as we read Your Holy Word,

Help us see, Lord, help us learn.

Holy Spirit, from its pages lead the way.

Come and melt our stubborn will;

Lord, make our hearts and souls be still.

As we read Your Word, mat we heed it and obey.

Open my eyes and let me see

Glimpses of truth you have for me,

For in Your Word I find the truth that sets me free.



America the Beautiful



One of the views from the Summit of Pikes Peak

 "I will meditate on the glorious splenor of Your majesty." ~ Psalm 145:5

The hymn "America the Beautiful" was written by Katherine Lee Bates after she climbed to the top of Pikes Peak, Colorado, in 1983.  She said, "All the wonder of America seemed displayed there, with the sea-like expanse."  She was overwhelmed by the sights of vast, open skies, planted fields, and the majestic Rocky Mountains. These were what inspired her to write the following poem.

America the Beautiful



O beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain,

For purple mountains majesties above the fruited plain!

America! America! God shed His grace on thee,

And Crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet whose stern impassion'd stress

A thouroughfare for freedom beat across the wilderness.

America! America! God mend thine every flaw,

Confirm thy soul in self-control, thy liberty thy law.

O beautiful for heroes prov'd in liberating strife,

Who more than self their country loved, and mercy more than life.

America! America! May God thy gold refine



Pikes Peak



Till all success be nobleness, and ev'ry gain divine.

O beautiful for patriot dream that sees beyond the years

Thine alabaster cities gleam undimmed by human tears.

America! America! God shed His grace on thee,

And crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea.

Thank You, Father, for the beauty of this land You have blessed us with.  May we do all we can to protect the beauty of America as well as the freedom we enjoy.

"A faithful man will abound with blessings" ~Proverbs 28:20

Waiting....

 

Desperately, helplessly, longingly, I cried:

Quietly patiently, lovingly, God replied.

I plead and I wept for a clue to my fate

And the Master so gently said,

“Child, you must wait.”

“Wait? You say, wait!” my indignant reply,

“Lord I need answers, I need to know why!

Is your hand shortened? Or have you not heart?

By faith, I have asked, and I’m claiming Your Word.”

My future and all to which I can relate

Hangs in the balance, and YOU tell me WAIT?

I need a “Yes” or a go-ahead sign,

Or even a “No” to which I can resign.

And Lord, You promises that if we believe

We need but to ask, and we shall receive.

And Lord, I’ve been asking, and this is my cry:

“I’m weary of asking! I need a reply!”

Then quietly, softly, I learned of my fate,

As my Master replied once again, “You must wait.”

So I slumped in my chair defeated and taught

And grumbled to God, “So, I’m waiting …for what?”

He seemed, then, to kneel,

And His eyes wept with mine,

And tenderly said, “I could give you a sign.

I could shake the heavens, and darken the sun.

I could raise the dead, and cause mountains to run.

All you seek, I could give, and pleased you would be.

You would have what you want-

But you wouldn’t know Me.

You’d not know the depth of My love for each saint;

You’d not know the power I give to the faint

You’d not learn to see though the clouds of despair;

You’d not learn to trust just by knowing I’m there;

You’d not know the joy of resting in Me;

When darkness and silence were all you could see.

You’d never experience that fullness of love

As the peace of My Spirit descends like a dove;

You’d know that I give and I save, for a start,

But you’d not know the depth of the beat of My heart.

The glow of My comfort late into the night,

The faith that I give when you walk without sight,

The depth that’s beyond getting just what you asked

Of an infinite God, who makes what you have last.

You’d never know, should your pain quickly flee,

What it means that, “My grace is sufficient for thee.”

Yes, your dreams for your loved one

Overnight would come true,

But, Oh, the Loss! If I lost what I’m doing in you!

So, be silent, My child, and in time you will see

That the greatest of gifts is to get to know Me.

And though oft’ may My answers seem terribly late,

My most precious answer of all is still, “wait.”

Author Unknown

 

I read this on a fellow bloggers blog (http://theprovidenceofgod.blogspot.com/) and it spoke to my heart.  God is teaching me the lesson of patience and to wait on Him for direction and guidance.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I did :]

 

God Bless!

One Of My Favorite Quotes....

Every time I read this quote, I smile and nod my head in agreement.  It's one of those quotes that I try to remember and keep at the forefront of my mind along with the verse James 1:19 ~ "Know this my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to wrath."


"It is better to say nothing and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt."
— Abraham Lincoln 

"We can become so involved in the work

of the Lord that we neglect the

Lord of the work."

  ~ Roy Irving