It's January 9th and we are already over a week into the new year - 2012.
So many are predicting doomsday for this year. What with wars and rumers of war, even though we have pulled troops from here and there, still the fighting escalates. Many predict that the USA, will be bankrupt before ya' know it, and that every country of the world will collapse financially, that is, the ones that haven't already. Many experts are are saying that even the climate, the weather patterns are changing and that more catastophic events will occur this year. Earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes, floods and fires; even just the words bring a little lump in the throat or a sickening feeling to the stomach.
And we choose to still cling to the words and promise of God as found in Psalm 46, a passage that my father made his youth class memorize. Several times in my life, I have been grateful (but then I was not) that he did insist on memorization, as the words floated back in times of distress . . .
The Lord is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will
not fear though the earth be removed, though the waters roar and be troubled . . . God
will help us, and that, right early!
When we are filled with God's love, our fear will be cast out, because His perfect love empties fear.
So the quick short breath, the lump in the throat or the sickening feeling in the stomach lasts only a split second before the perfect peace that God gives takes control and we lay back in the comforting arms of our Savior.
So our counsel today as this year of 2012 begins: Open your heart's door as He stands there knocking. When you let Him in, and he sups (lives) with you, peace will come easier and joy and love will be your companions!
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Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Change and Peace
Currently, some major changes are taking place around the world. No matter where or when you turn on the news, there is discord, disruption, disharmony and disturbance. But . . .
Driving in our area today, there is such beauty . . . the air is fresh and clean, the sky is high and deep blue, the trees are changing color (not as brilliant as in New England this time of the year, but still beautiful.) There's a crispness in the air that matches the crisp apples found at roadside stands, a yummy treat! We bought a bunch of Winesaps last week and made applesauce for the freezer to enjoy with gingerbread or pancakes during the winter. It's hard, on a day like today, to imagine that out there somewhere, the world is turning upside down for a whole lot of people.
We have a friend vacationing in Italy right now, and headlines read that there are dangerous riots happening in Rome. Having been to Italy, we pray that she gets to see the fragrant and beautiful harvest there this time of year, and avoids the danger of the city. We have friends planning on a cruise that includes Greece and Turkey, and we are concerned for their welfare, yet hope that they get to see the beauties of Istanbul (the Spice Market) and Ephesis, unharmed. We see the ravaging that has happened in our beloved England, and feel sick for the places and precious people we loved to visit who live there. We hear of the brewing hotpot in the HolyLand, and we wonder what will be left of Jeruselem when angry people have their way. New York city, Chicago, Los Angeles, Phoenix - even our country's big cities are feeling the effects of people's anger and hatred. These are angry people without Hope.
Is there any peace anywhere in the world? We've decided that the only real peace can be found in our hearts. It doesn't come from crisp apples, tasty cheese, long afternoon drives in the country (although those things can contribute temporarily). It comes from the presence of Jesus Christ within - the one who has placed us all on equal ground and has given us the same hopeful futures if we simply accept Him and His gift. That's where the real beauty is - today and always! Taste and see that He is good.
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Driving in our area today, there is such beauty . . . the air is fresh and clean, the sky is high and deep blue, the trees are changing color (not as brilliant as in New England this time of the year, but still beautiful.) There's a crispness in the air that matches the crisp apples found at roadside stands, a yummy treat! We bought a bunch of Winesaps last week and made applesauce for the freezer to enjoy with gingerbread or pancakes during the winter. It's hard, on a day like today, to imagine that out there somewhere, the world is turning upside down for a whole lot of people.
We have a friend vacationing in Italy right now, and headlines read that there are dangerous riots happening in Rome. Having been to Italy, we pray that she gets to see the fragrant and beautiful harvest there this time of year, and avoids the danger of the city. We have friends planning on a cruise that includes Greece and Turkey, and we are concerned for their welfare, yet hope that they get to see the beauties of Istanbul (the Spice Market) and Ephesis, unharmed. We see the ravaging that has happened in our beloved England, and feel sick for the places and precious people we loved to visit who live there. We hear of the brewing hotpot in the HolyLand, and we wonder what will be left of Jeruselem when angry people have their way. New York city, Chicago, Los Angeles, Phoenix - even our country's big cities are feeling the effects of people's anger and hatred. These are angry people without Hope.
Is there any peace anywhere in the world? We've decided that the only real peace can be found in our hearts. It doesn't come from crisp apples, tasty cheese, long afternoon drives in the country (although those things can contribute temporarily). It comes from the presence of Jesus Christ within - the one who has placed us all on equal ground and has given us the same hopeful futures if we simply accept Him and His gift. That's where the real beauty is - today and always! Taste and see that He is good.
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Sunday, October 9, 2011
Love to Remember Forever!
Last Saturday Night my sweetheart was surprised by a Birthday Party to remember. The outpouring of love was INCREDIBLE! People from far and near were present at 2 Scoops Ice Cream, Soup and Sandwich Shoppe, and many, many others sent cards and letters affirming that man of mine as important and beneficial to them. Ron was quite surprised as we arrived to a banner, balloons and bumper to bumper warm bodies at the Shoppe.
He was given a photo album of pictures from ministry and a scrapbook of written sentiments and cards from folk everywhere. A soft and fluffy doggie bed and multiple toys for little Miss Rockey - a mini schnauzer puppy - when she comes (in 3 weeks) And the big gift, given from many who love him, is the puppy.
The grandest gift of all however, was a surprise visit from our daughter who lives in Florida. Both our girls, Sara and Naomi pulled off that surprise affirmation of their love for their father. They surprised us both!
I ask you - is there anything more important in life than our relationships? If you think there is, you might want to compare notes with Ron, 'cuz he's sure that these relationships are of greatest importance. First God, then family and precious friends.
We are both still reeling from the granduer of it all, and the great outpouring of love, and oh, the precious memories!
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He was given a photo album of pictures from ministry and a scrapbook of written sentiments and cards from folk everywhere. A soft and fluffy doggie bed and multiple toys for little Miss Rockey - a mini schnauzer puppy - when she comes (in 3 weeks) And the big gift, given from many who love him, is the puppy.
The grandest gift of all however, was a surprise visit from our daughter who lives in Florida. Both our girls, Sara and Naomi pulled off that surprise affirmation of their love for their father. They surprised us both!
I ask you - is there anything more important in life than our relationships? If you think there is, you might want to compare notes with Ron, 'cuz he's sure that these relationships are of greatest importance. First God, then family and precious friends.
We are both still reeling from the granduer of it all, and the great outpouring of love, and oh, the precious memories!
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Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Lasting Love
Have you ever thought about what you would do if your mate had a serious illness that was going to be ongoing for a long time? Have you ever found yourself taking care of a loved one and discovered that you didn't have as much patience as you thought you did? What would you do if your mate really needed 24 hour care and you were the one doing it? How would you decide if a nursing home, or home health, or live in assistance or doing the care yourself was the best idea?
We have a friend who has been ill for 40 years with Parkinson's Disease. It has progressed to the point where she is basically bent in half and requires round-the-clock care. She and her husband have been married for 61 years, and she remains at home with live-in care. Another couple we know deal with having endured several strokes, and the partner of nearly half a century, lovingly cares at home, and they even go on trips together.
Do a bit of self-evaluation. What would it take for you to give up on your marriage? Would you take the easier path of not dealing with an invalid partner, by just placing them in a facility when you could make some arrangements for in-home care so that you can be together? One of the saddest pictures to look at is a couple who have lost their partner into Alzheimer's Disease. The mate looks perfectly healthy, but the eyes are vacant and the mind confused and forgetful. How difficult is would be to have your mate slip away while still with you.
Watching couples who are devoted and committed to each other regardless of the blows that life brings them is inspiring. We are being blessed this week by such a couple visiting in our home. God Bless them both for 48 years of adoration and commitment, regardless of life's hardships.
Think on this . . . what would you do? what have you done? How has it felt and how have you coped. Your comments are welcomed!!
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We have a friend who has been ill for 40 years with Parkinson's Disease. It has progressed to the point where she is basically bent in half and requires round-the-clock care. She and her husband have been married for 61 years, and she remains at home with live-in care. Another couple we know deal with having endured several strokes, and the partner of nearly half a century, lovingly cares at home, and they even go on trips together.
Do a bit of self-evaluation. What would it take for you to give up on your marriage? Would you take the easier path of not dealing with an invalid partner, by just placing them in a facility when you could make some arrangements for in-home care so that you can be together? One of the saddest pictures to look at is a couple who have lost their partner into Alzheimer's Disease. The mate looks perfectly healthy, but the eyes are vacant and the mind confused and forgetful. How difficult is would be to have your mate slip away while still with you.
Watching couples who are devoted and committed to each other regardless of the blows that life brings them is inspiring. We are being blessed this week by such a couple visiting in our home. God Bless them both for 48 years of adoration and commitment, regardless of life's hardships.
Think on this . . . what would you do? what have you done? How has it felt and how have you coped. Your comments are welcomed!!
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Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Countdown
Four days and counting to the anniversary of one of America's most horrific days - September 11, 2001. So many are attempting to get prepared for the worst, as the enemy has warned and predicted another doomsday for America on this anniversary. TV stations are posting something every day about what transpired ten years ago. Our local station, each day this week, is recalling what happened ten years ago on each day leading up to the famous attack on our country.
For many, the stress connected with the memory and the stress created in the process of recall, is devastating! New York City is on VERY high alert. Police officers and security guards are to be seen and unseen everywhere, and the memorial of the event and the fountains created to memorialize the dead from that event are presented to the world this coming Sunday. Families of those whose lives were snuffed out on that day, not only in New York City, but also at the Pentagon and in a Pennsylvania field, will gather for a special day of honoring the deceased and all of those who valiantly fought to save lives in that attack.
The world remembers September 11th on September 11th, but the loved ones of those who died, remember every day. Wars and rumors of war abound - Iraq, Iran, Afganistan, Syria, Palestine, Israel, North and South Korea, VietNam. And the two great world wars fought in Europe, the war against personal freedom and dignity daily fought in Communist countries - it seems to me like a whole lot of war to remember, instead of a whole lot of peace!
What many do not comprehend, is that the war between good and evil has been being fought since the beginning of time. The instigator has one thing in mind - divide and conquer. The war is raged in our heads, dividing us within ourselves (head vs. heart). It rages in our marriages and homes - our personal need to be right; to be top dog. It is the war that devastated us in our early childhood years that keeps being fought on the battlefields of our minds, and dumped on those we profess to love.
Peace is an internal experience that begins within each of us. It is our own unsettling, usually caused by early experiences of wounds received, that causes us to lash out, in an attempt to see to it that we can survive. That need for self-protection, built in to us in our brains, when dominant in our lives, can be a great detriment to peace. It separates the love of the human heart from the survival brain and we are left with self-protective behaviors with minimal if any love from the heart.
So yes, doomsday is coming; we may be attacked again by the enemy of our country. The greater question is, will our need for self-protection and survival outweigh the love in our hearts? Can we have both? The answer is YES! Check out www.kardiakare.com and read about it.
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For many, the stress connected with the memory and the stress created in the process of recall, is devastating! New York City is on VERY high alert. Police officers and security guards are to be seen and unseen everywhere, and the memorial of the event and the fountains created to memorialize the dead from that event are presented to the world this coming Sunday. Families of those whose lives were snuffed out on that day, not only in New York City, but also at the Pentagon and in a Pennsylvania field, will gather for a special day of honoring the deceased and all of those who valiantly fought to save lives in that attack.
The world remembers September 11th on September 11th, but the loved ones of those who died, remember every day. Wars and rumors of war abound - Iraq, Iran, Afganistan, Syria, Palestine, Israel, North and South Korea, VietNam. And the two great world wars fought in Europe, the war against personal freedom and dignity daily fought in Communist countries - it seems to me like a whole lot of war to remember, instead of a whole lot of peace!
What many do not comprehend, is that the war between good and evil has been being fought since the beginning of time. The instigator has one thing in mind - divide and conquer. The war is raged in our heads, dividing us within ourselves (head vs. heart). It rages in our marriages and homes - our personal need to be right; to be top dog. It is the war that devastated us in our early childhood years that keeps being fought on the battlefields of our minds, and dumped on those we profess to love.
Peace is an internal experience that begins within each of us. It is our own unsettling, usually caused by early experiences of wounds received, that causes us to lash out, in an attempt to see to it that we can survive. That need for self-protection, built in to us in our brains, when dominant in our lives, can be a great detriment to peace. It separates the love of the human heart from the survival brain and we are left with self-protective behaviors with minimal if any love from the heart.
So yes, doomsday is coming; we may be attacked again by the enemy of our country. The greater question is, will our need for self-protection and survival outweigh the love in our hearts? Can we have both? The answer is YES! Check out www.kardiakare.com and read about it.
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Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Be Responsible?
This morning an amazing program was on the Internet. Glenn Beck, a former Fox News Contributor who is an outspoken Christian and reformer of sorts, conducted a program broadcast live from Jerusalem, Israel. Hundreds of people from around the world met him in Jerusalem for a "Restoration of Courage" rally, similar to the rally conducted one year ago at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC.
While you may not be a supporter of his views on politics, one could hardly ignore the content of his speech this morning.
Awards were given to three entities in Israel:
In this speech, he challenged us to be responsible - to not rely on government leaders, priests, rabbis and pastors to do the right things and be responsible, but to be responsible ourselves - wherever we are and whomever we are. Be responsible to God, to each other, and also to link arms to do the right and responsible things for Israel and for mankind.
What ever happened to responsibility anyway? When did we stop teaching it to our children, first by example and then by precept? When did we lose courage to do the right thing? When did we forget that there are right things, not just our feelings to consider? When did we turn our backs on "thus saith the Lord" to just "do it MY way?" Oh yes, selfishness abounds, and it does because we think it's the only way we can survive, but will mankind survive if all we think about is ourselves?
Would love to read your answers to the questions posed!
While you may not be a supporter of his views on politics, one could hardly ignore the content of his speech this morning.
Awards were given to three entities in Israel:
- a 12 year old whose parents and siblings were slaughtered in cold blood by extremists and haters of the Jews. She received an award for FAITH, based on her actions after the murders.
- two restaurant owners - a Muslim and a Jew, in whose establishment peoples of all faiths often ate. A suicide bomber took out herself and many customers there. These owners received an award for HOPE, as they re-opened 2 months following the incident.
- An owner of numerous super-markets, who serves Muslims and Jews alike, and often donates food to poor families of either faith who cannot afford the food. His award - COURAGE.
In this speech, he challenged us to be responsible - to not rely on government leaders, priests, rabbis and pastors to do the right things and be responsible, but to be responsible ourselves - wherever we are and whomever we are. Be responsible to God, to each other, and also to link arms to do the right and responsible things for Israel and for mankind.
What ever happened to responsibility anyway? When did we stop teaching it to our children, first by example and then by precept? When did we lose courage to do the right thing? When did we forget that there are right things, not just our feelings to consider? When did we turn our backs on "thus saith the Lord" to just "do it MY way?" Oh yes, selfishness abounds, and it does because we think it's the only way we can survive, but will mankind survive if all we think about is ourselves?
Would love to read your answers to the questions posed!
Friday, August 19, 2011
Eye on the Sparrow
We just turned off the news, and I'm glad that we did. News anchors of great renown are reporting the worst possible economic news. Experts are predicting China's anger over our financial mess. More local (statewide) reporters spew out tales of murders, robberies, DUI's, hit and run accidents. tornados, floods, fires (we've had an elegant sufficiency of them in our area this year!) earthquakes and other disasters, than ever before.
Are men's hearts failing them for fear? Is yours? Are you watching the grocery bills escalate? I know that I spend at least one third more now than I did a year ago, and we've really cut back on what we buy. I'm not entertaining nearly as much as I once did. We were with extended family the other night and while at the table having dinner, one of the family got a phone call and acted horrified at the news he was getting. The wife of a friend was slated for retina (eye component) surgery, and at the last minute was denied the surgery. WHY? Because the insurance company said they would pay for the operation but not for the hospital costs. WHAT? So the hospital crossed her off their surgery schedule for the next morning. Unbelievable!
You know, I bet we'll see a lot more of what's been listed above, but it's not surprising. The Bible has predicted these things would happen. But . . . I can recall my sweet English grandpa quoting many, many times an interesting Bible text that went something like this: "I've never seen the righteous go hungry or his seed begging bread." And many times these last few months, I've heard it repeated in his old English accent, in my mind.
I for one, take it literally. When I look at grocery items I used to buy and cannot now afford, I just say to myself, "we didn't need it anyway." Eating simpler is better for us.
I used to be afraid of the time of trouble, but you know, I've seen God work mightily in the past and have confidence that he can do the same again. Our meeting (Ron's and mine) was miraculous, the births of our two daughters were miracles, the change in our lives from marital strife to marital harmony is another work of God, so why should I fear the future? His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me!
How about you?
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Are men's hearts failing them for fear? Is yours? Are you watching the grocery bills escalate? I know that I spend at least one third more now than I did a year ago, and we've really cut back on what we buy. I'm not entertaining nearly as much as I once did. We were with extended family the other night and while at the table having dinner, one of the family got a phone call and acted horrified at the news he was getting. The wife of a friend was slated for retina (eye component) surgery, and at the last minute was denied the surgery. WHY? Because the insurance company said they would pay for the operation but not for the hospital costs. WHAT? So the hospital crossed her off their surgery schedule for the next morning. Unbelievable!
You know, I bet we'll see a lot more of what's been listed above, but it's not surprising. The Bible has predicted these things would happen. But . . . I can recall my sweet English grandpa quoting many, many times an interesting Bible text that went something like this: "I've never seen the righteous go hungry or his seed begging bread." And many times these last few months, I've heard it repeated in his old English accent, in my mind.
I for one, take it literally. When I look at grocery items I used to buy and cannot now afford, I just say to myself, "we didn't need it anyway." Eating simpler is better for us.
I used to be afraid of the time of trouble, but you know, I've seen God work mightily in the past and have confidence that he can do the same again. Our meeting (Ron's and mine) was miraculous, the births of our two daughters were miracles, the change in our lives from marital strife to marital harmony is another work of God, so why should I fear the future? His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me!
How about you?
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