The other day I was thinking about how a seed is rooted in the ground, nurtured with water to sprout, emerges either strong or weak, is pumped full of vitamin D from the sun and grows useful or dies pitifully. Kind of like the human life, wouldn't you say?
From before we were born, God knew us (Psalm 139:13-16) and had plans for us; plans for good and not for harm, plans to give us a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). He knew us as a seed yet formed, rooted, nurtured and growing. WOW! How awesome is that?!
But, because of His great love for us, He gave us a choice. A choice to choose Him, to choose life through His Son Jesus, or to choose the world and all it has to offer, to choose death and eternity in hell (John 3:16).
When we choose life, just as with the seed rooted firmly in the soil, we can choose to be rooted firmly in Christ. God is a gentlemen, He will not force us to choose to love Him and accept His Son Jesus Christ. It just isn't going to happen. God created us with our own wills, (remember Adam and eve in the garden of Eden?), ya. We become firmly rooted when we spend time with God, reading His words to us in the Bible, filling our minds with heavenly things and being obedient to all He says. Sure, we are human and make mistakes. That was the whole reason we needed Jesus to be our Savior, but what little effort it takes to confess our wrong doings and receive Jesus' forgiveness, go on and become better because of God's unconditional love for us.
Our nurturing takes place when we love Jesus will all our hearts, minds, souls and strength, are daily spending time in God's word, memorizing scripture so that we don't sin against our Lord (Psalm 119:11), praise Him (Psalm 100:4) and allow the Holy Spirit to wash our lives with His word, empower us to lives well pleasing to our Lord and to be blessings to those God puts in our paths.
Time spent in the sun adds vitamin D to our bodies thereby enriching our very beings. So it is with time spent with the Son of God. Our lives are enriched beyond measure and as we grow in the knowledge of Him (II Peter 3:18) our lives are transformed into the image of Jesus (Romans 8:29).
Our lives are a journey of blossoming into what God has called us to become. We can either radiate the fragrance of lavander or emminate the vile stench of a corpse flower.
We can choose to grow or choose to shrivel up and die. It is all about choice; and it is a matter of life and death.
For further reflection I highly recommend-
(http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=3206)
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Trusting God in Discouragement
Today was a very hard day for me. I found out that hours I thought would be able to be used as part of my internship cannot be used so I have roughly 100 hours of interns to complete by December 11th. This is so disappointing to me as I am already committed to Lay Counseling training, co-facilitating Divorce Care for Kids, my daily blog here, have a suicide prevention and awareness training weekend in October, my monthly article for the journal as well as delivering the Journal, am taking emergency first aid and CPR next month and November and now I will be putting in about 10-12 hours per week at the Y.M.C.A. working with the kids in order to complete my internship and learn more about caring for kids, not to mention sorting through things at home and packing to move.
To top it off, Doug, my oldest son, called today and let me know all the work he and his wife have done for the past 5 months of paying off $17,000 of credit card bills and saving money to put down on a home for my husband I to move to Phoenix, is not enough. Doug and Jessica will not be ready to purchase a home until next April or so now. I was so looking forward to finally moving closer to my grandchildren, living in the valley of the sun with warmth and sunshine almost every day of the year, getting insurance through a job for Ken that we've been praying for months to get so that Kenny could be seen regarding a prolonged injury from the accident a couple of years ago and for me to be seen for my health and dental issues, as well as being able to live in a home we can call our own once again. Ken was suppose to go in two weeks to find work and then I was going to join him by the beginning of December after my interns were completed. We are just waiting to get our 30 day notice from our mortgage company to move out of our home so life could definitely be better right now.
I must admit I am extremely discouraged right now. Depression seems to loom over my head and my heart is heavy with sadness. I feel all is falling apart and hope is buried deep within my bones. I know God says in Hebrews he will never leave me or forsake me and that He has good plans for me, plans to give me a future and a hope but tonight, I just feel like the world is caving in and God is watching even though I know He is carefully holding me in His arms. Our exciting plans have been dropped just like that and while my hope is in Jesus, my excitement of a new start in Phoenix soon vanished with this most discouraging news.
Trusting Jesus at this very moment seems so hard, but I know because I can do all things with Jesus' help, I can get through this sorrowful moment knowing these things shall pass and God's grace is sufficient for me; whether I feel like it or not.
To top it off, Doug, my oldest son, called today and let me know all the work he and his wife have done for the past 5 months of paying off $17,000 of credit card bills and saving money to put down on a home for my husband I to move to Phoenix, is not enough. Doug and Jessica will not be ready to purchase a home until next April or so now. I was so looking forward to finally moving closer to my grandchildren, living in the valley of the sun with warmth and sunshine almost every day of the year, getting insurance through a job for Ken that we've been praying for months to get so that Kenny could be seen regarding a prolonged injury from the accident a couple of years ago and for me to be seen for my health and dental issues, as well as being able to live in a home we can call our own once again. Ken was suppose to go in two weeks to find work and then I was going to join him by the beginning of December after my interns were completed. We are just waiting to get our 30 day notice from our mortgage company to move out of our home so life could definitely be better right now.
I must admit I am extremely discouraged right now. Depression seems to loom over my head and my heart is heavy with sadness. I feel all is falling apart and hope is buried deep within my bones. I know God says in Hebrews he will never leave me or forsake me and that He has good plans for me, plans to give me a future and a hope but tonight, I just feel like the world is caving in and God is watching even though I know He is carefully holding me in His arms. Our exciting plans have been dropped just like that and while my hope is in Jesus, my excitement of a new start in Phoenix soon vanished with this most discouraging news.
Trusting Jesus at this very moment seems so hard, but I know because I can do all things with Jesus' help, I can get through this sorrowful moment knowing these things shall pass and God's grace is sufficient for me; whether I feel like it or not.
Thursday, September 03, 2009
Hearing God's Call
Lord, it is 1:30 a.m. and I hear you speaking to me and clear Lord. You have put the desires within my heart to seek and save the lost in a joint effort with You almighty God. It is by Your Holy Spirit that they are called, comforted, encouraged, found and saved. It is by Your hand I have such a drive for prevention and being used as a tool; Your tool to bring unbelievers to You.
Cause me to be worthy of this calling; I feel so inadequate. I know You are with me just as Your were with David when facing Goliath, the giant of all giants. I know Your go before me and cover me on all sides when I face the giants in these young people’s hearts. When I rise up against the powers of hell, the demons within that battle for their very souls. I could do nothing without You, without Your guidance, Your strength and power. Thank you that You have promised to never leave me or forsake me, especially in my time of need.
These kids need You. They must know they have a purpose, that they are special and loved by the Creator of this universe. How awesome is that! Help me to relay to them Your love, Your purpose for their lives, that they have worth and are valuable. Give me the words they need to hear. Because it is not Your will for even one of them to perish eternally, I thank You God for saving their souls, enriching their lives and giving them hope in a world lacking a reason to exist.
Direct me as I step out in faith and heal me that I may be whole and strong to help heal others. Drive out the darkness and selfishness, evil and apathy within my own heart that I may do Your will and be obedient to anything You call me to do. Fill me with Your strength , peace and perseverance…even unto death if it be Your will for me. Thank you for calling me to serve You, to love others and for giving me your simple gospel to share with a hurting and destructive world. I go in Your name, in Your power, for Your glory.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
God's Grace Is Sufficient
God's calling in our lives changes often from moment to moment. We know we are in His hands and He won't let anything happen to us that is not in His will. That's why we pray for His will and the necessary preparations that may come with accepting His will if it not be our own. Hearing God's calling in our lives is vital to our very breath.
It has been hard since last summer when my husband and I helped my son and his wife and my two grandbabies, Tahlya 10 and Nathen 12, moved away and out of our lives. I have never felt such a ripping of my flesh before. We had them every weekend and sometimes through the week during the summer months, from the time they were about 6 months old. We were more like a second set of parents to them rather than their grandparents. Our worlds revolved around them as well as those of my own older children. They were all like siblings. God was trying to help us get our priorities right with Him being in the center. Then, this year, my oldest daughter and her husband moved to Corning in northern California, one week ago tomorrow night. Again, my heart feels torn, but God reminds me if I have given Him my heart, it is not my heart that is tearing my life, and He's got it under control for me; I need to let go. Today, my sweet spiritual daughter who our whole family was so convinced was going to be my daughter-in-law to my youngest son now 22, moved to Portland. She came over for my hubby to look her truck over before she drove to Portland and her, my youngest daughter and I walked around the corner from my house yesterday to a garage sale, for the last time. This morning around 10, she left and yet again a piece of m life, is gone........... for good. Right now, I am not sure what God is trying to teach me. Right now, my heart hurts and grieves for the happy times of family altogether. Besides God, family has been everything to me; maybe they weren't always in the right order... I am not sure.
My youngest son is talking about moving to Phoenix with a long time friend he's known since they were about nine years old. Thought Branden was moving over with my husband and me, now, it may not work that way. I am happy for him, but asking God to prepare my heart for yet another hard adjustment in my life. I feel they are coming more often yet there is less of me to hurt each time. Not sure if that is good, or bad. When my husband and I leave in a month or so, we will wave goodbye to my youngest daughter and her husband. My heart feels like it will break and never mend. But as God reminds me, He owns my heart... so that won't happen, but it sure feels like it will.
Today, Pastor Mark Goens, whom I also will miss terribly, spoke about II Corinthians 12. God's grace is sufficient for me. It says so much more, but right now, today, I can only hang onto those 6 words. I think that is what God is calling me to do at this moment in my life.
It has been hard since last summer when my husband and I helped my son and his wife and my two grandbabies, Tahlya 10 and Nathen 12, moved away and out of our lives. I have never felt such a ripping of my flesh before. We had them every weekend and sometimes through the week during the summer months, from the time they were about 6 months old. We were more like a second set of parents to them rather than their grandparents. Our worlds revolved around them as well as those of my own older children. They were all like siblings. God was trying to help us get our priorities right with Him being in the center. Then, this year, my oldest daughter and her husband moved to Corning in northern California, one week ago tomorrow night. Again, my heart feels torn, but God reminds me if I have given Him my heart, it is not my heart that is tearing my life, and He's got it under control for me; I need to let go. Today, my sweet spiritual daughter who our whole family was so convinced was going to be my daughter-in-law to my youngest son now 22, moved to Portland. She came over for my hubby to look her truck over before she drove to Portland and her, my youngest daughter and I walked around the corner from my house yesterday to a garage sale, for the last time. This morning around 10, she left and yet again a piece of m life, is gone........... for good. Right now, I am not sure what God is trying to teach me. Right now, my heart hurts and grieves for the happy times of family altogether. Besides God, family has been everything to me; maybe they weren't always in the right order... I am not sure.
My youngest son is talking about moving to Phoenix with a long time friend he's known since they were about nine years old. Thought Branden was moving over with my husband and me, now, it may not work that way. I am happy for him, but asking God to prepare my heart for yet another hard adjustment in my life. I feel they are coming more often yet there is less of me to hurt each time. Not sure if that is good, or bad. When my husband and I leave in a month or so, we will wave goodbye to my youngest daughter and her husband. My heart feels like it will break and never mend. But as God reminds me, He owns my heart... so that won't happen, but it sure feels like it will.
Today, Pastor Mark Goens, whom I also will miss terribly, spoke about II Corinthians 12. God's grace is sufficient for me. It says so much more, but right now, today, I can only hang onto those 6 words. I think that is what God is calling me to do at this moment in my life.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Contemplating Contentment
My husband's 45th birthday is but a memory now. As I was cleaning up the leftover food and covering his chocolate cake, I realized something. Sometimes the road to contentment is long and windy, sometimes it's short and choppy. Often times, the earth beneath our feet can seem to tremble upon every step we take. Skies can appear as blue as the sea or as deep as the ocean yet the peace that leads to true contentment comes not from the heaven's above nor from the waters below but from the Holy Spirit within.
As I contemplate being content with the new journey my family is about to embark upon, God began speaking to me about simplenenes. I'm not even sure if that is a word out of the Webster's dictionary or God just made it up, but I am certain of one thing, I must simplify for my own sanity. Reminds me of an article I wrote one time entitled just that, "Simplify for Your Sanity". Apparently I need to go examine this mindboggling concept another time.
I close my eyes, sit back and take a deep breath just imagining what might this mean. More time with God in the mornings, de-cluttering my bedroom, being able to say 'yes' when my girlfriend calls me to grab a hot chocolate with her or quite possibly when one of my grown children sit on the couch across from me and actually look me eye to eye rather than at the top of my head or back of my book. As I let out my breath slowly, a smile creeps upon my face and I realize, this simpleness, is what I have been longing for.
I can't imagine waking and sitting up against my pillow, stretching my arms and leaning over to gab my Bible, opening it to a new book with great anticipation of what God may want to speak to my heart that morning. To walk to my closet without meandering through a path of boxes or books to choose my wardrobe for the day is an almost incomprehensible task. Packing a lunch and heading to the river with my kids for a picnic and skipping stones along the river's surface has been a long-awaited activity I have pondered so many times while in class. Contentment would definitely have its place in my heart amongst these most serene conditions.
Knowing the day I was born not a single item did I possess, it should be my goal to leave this world in the same fashion since everything belongs to God anyway. Whether we keep our home or lose it, whether a better job is replaced with the job Ken lost, whether this new journey my family is about to embark on leads to anything better than what we have now, is not the question, but the answer.
Our contentment with what things we have now will determine the state of our futures. Simplifying is an art, one in which I am determined to master. If we are commanded to preach the simple gospel than why let anything else in our lives become anything but simple? This is something we all must truly contemplate.
1 Timothy 6:6-7 (New King James Version)
"Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain[a] we can carry nothing out."
As I contemplate being content with the new journey my family is about to embark upon, God began speaking to me about simplenenes. I'm not even sure if that is a word out of the Webster's dictionary or God just made it up, but I am certain of one thing, I must simplify for my own sanity. Reminds me of an article I wrote one time entitled just that, "Simplify for Your Sanity". Apparently I need to go examine this mindboggling concept another time.
I close my eyes, sit back and take a deep breath just imagining what might this mean. More time with God in the mornings, de-cluttering my bedroom, being able to say 'yes' when my girlfriend calls me to grab a hot chocolate with her or quite possibly when one of my grown children sit on the couch across from me and actually look me eye to eye rather than at the top of my head or back of my book. As I let out my breath slowly, a smile creeps upon my face and I realize, this simpleness, is what I have been longing for.
I can't imagine waking and sitting up against my pillow, stretching my arms and leaning over to gab my Bible, opening it to a new book with great anticipation of what God may want to speak to my heart that morning. To walk to my closet without meandering through a path of boxes or books to choose my wardrobe for the day is an almost incomprehensible task. Packing a lunch and heading to the river with my kids for a picnic and skipping stones along the river's surface has been a long-awaited activity I have pondered so many times while in class. Contentment would definitely have its place in my heart amongst these most serene conditions.
Knowing the day I was born not a single item did I possess, it should be my goal to leave this world in the same fashion since everything belongs to God anyway. Whether we keep our home or lose it, whether a better job is replaced with the job Ken lost, whether this new journey my family is about to embark on leads to anything better than what we have now, is not the question, but the answer.
Our contentment with what things we have now will determine the state of our futures. Simplifying is an art, one in which I am determined to master. If we are commanded to preach the simple gospel than why let anything else in our lives become anything but simple? This is something we all must truly contemplate.
1 Timothy 6:6-7 (New King James Version)
"Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain[a] we can carry nothing out."
Monday, June 01, 2009
Turbulent Times for Testing
None of us like to be tested, let me tell you. I have spent the last two years in college and every exam deadline I had caused me intense anxiety. As the date came closer and closer, I seemed to pace more, bite my lip, breath harder, shoulders lifting higher and higher with each passing day. Testing was not my cup of tea. I think I would have even done better had they called these exams another other than a test.
In I Peter 1:6 & 7, God reminds us, "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the geuineness of your faith, being much more than precious gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
I most definitely could understand the testing by fire as I have encountered more hot flashes and heart palpitations during school than all my life. But God reminds me it is but for a little white, true, I graduate in Criminal Justice minoring in Juvenile Corrections on June 13th in which I greatly rejoice! The trials I have encountered this year so far have definitely been grievous to me. My husband lost his job, we are losing our home due to foreclosure the end of August and we must declare bankruptcy before moving from Oregon back to Arizona...and worse yet, without all my grown children we brought here to Oregon fourteen years ago.
I must remember though, far more is being tested than just my knowledge of criminal law. My genuineness is more precious to God than gold. I do praise God through these trials and testing, that I bring God honor and glory, and that Jesus Christ is revealed through me.
Turbulent Times for Testing; I want an A, how about you?
In I Peter 1:6 & 7, God reminds us, "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the geuineness of your faith, being much more than precious gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
I most definitely could understand the testing by fire as I have encountered more hot flashes and heart palpitations during school than all my life. But God reminds me it is but for a little white, true, I graduate in Criminal Justice minoring in Juvenile Corrections on June 13th in which I greatly rejoice! The trials I have encountered this year so far have definitely been grievous to me. My husband lost his job, we are losing our home due to foreclosure the end of August and we must declare bankruptcy before moving from Oregon back to Arizona...and worse yet, without all my grown children we brought here to Oregon fourteen years ago.
I must remember though, far more is being tested than just my knowledge of criminal law. My genuineness is more precious to God than gold. I do praise God through these trials and testing, that I bring God honor and glory, and that Jesus Christ is revealed through me.
Turbulent Times for Testing; I want an A, how about you?
Friday, March 20, 2009
A Change of Heart
Alright, so a 2002 Subaru WRX pimped to the max with high performance everything and far from stock, is not the kind of vehicle I should be cruisin’ around in on a beautiful, sunny Sunday afternoon in the small town of Grants Pass in the beautiful state of Oregon. Here's why....
Today coming home for church, mind you after I sat through a wonderful hour long sermon, that was truly fabulous, I found an open lane across from my hubby that beckoned my name. I briefly looked at him, and he at me. I scanned the rear horizon for any noticeable blue and red lights and then I couldn’t help myself. I really couldn’t. It was like an adrenalin rush before the adrenalin rush, you know what I mean? Maybe not, but you should have. It was awesome!
Just coming off a red light I gunned it in first, swiftly shifted to second and enjoyed being plastered to the back of my seat, noticing everything around me quickly whizzing by just wasn’t enough. Yes, into third I shifted and was quickly off again, my husband, well, he was but a speck in my rear view mirror, I am sure shaking his head at me, envisioning our insurance escalating and worrisome over how he will spend the next year getting me to my classes at the local college and him to work on time during the week, not if, but when I am caught.
I down shifted while turning into the right lane getting onto Redwood Highway and lo and behold a trooper coasts by with his stern grin and hot looking Charger with a complete black rack in the front of his bumper perfectly suited as a radical ramming device. Of course I innocently cruise along going no more than the posted speed limit and become restless by the second. As myself and a little black Honda, late model 90’s with a kid in the driver’s seat that looked not a day over 19 pulled up next to me, we glanced at the trooper, back at eachother and as he waved within my eyesight range I knew we were immediately on the same page; or were we?
I’ve been a Christian for over twenty-five years. My husband and I met cruising in our early model Mustang’s, and drag racing in Phoenix, Arizona. This combination together has led me to a happy marriage and speed still running through my blood. Just look at the vehicles my two son’s drive. My oldest, a Honda he’d gutted to race at the drag strip, and a very quick 2002 Subaru WRX, in which I joyfully drive throughout the streets of Grants Pass. My youngest son, an early 90’s model Honda CRX with a turbo that has seen its share of 22 pounds of boost, and a late 90’s model Chevy Camaro (he bought off my hubby and I a couple of years ago) with an LT1 Corvette motor that literally screams. It is awesome. Anyway, racing is still alive and well in my household and yet when the young man in his Honda, and I in the WRX, glanced at one another while stopped at a light while the state trooper idled just a few feet in front of us, something hit me. Would we have raced had the trooper been trooping somewhere else? All notions say yes, and I realized what a bad mentor I would have been, adrenalin and all. Had we gone for it, I would have been encouraging this young man to drag on the street, quite the opposite of what I tell young people to do in this town. What do I say, “Save it for the track.” Yet this was farthest from my mind in the middle of those glances which spoke volumes.
I came home thinking about blaming the little race car I was driving, my resisting to grow up, racing in my blood, anything that made sense. What I did not immediately blame, was the hidden rebellion in my heart. As hard as it was to admit, this was it. I couldn’t believe it. I, who spend a great deal of time mentoring students in this crime laden town with a justice system that needs quite a bit of tweaking when it comes to traffic crimes, was all fired up and ready to disobey at my heart’s will by an adrenalin rush like no other (yes, even better than drugs). What am I doing? What am I thinking? Who do I want to become to these young people? These questions began flooding my mind and I started to take inventory. This is it. I am enrolled in criminal justice classes and must maintain an attitude of obedience, not only to God but to authority. I must initiate this attitude because I know the power of the mind. As a mentor entering into the world of justice, I am not only obligated to follow the rules of the land that do not contradict the will of God, but I must walk the walk and not only talk the talk.
Wow, what a valuable lesson to learn on a bright Sunday afternoon cruising around in a sporty little WRX through a town in desperate need of mentors who can change lives, save lives and make a difference. This is the kind of mentor I want to be. Lord willing, I will make a difference in the lives of these young people, Lord knows I struggle with some of their same struggles, (grin).
Saturday, November 29, 2008
In The Midst of Unwanted Change
Recently I experienced change in a most dramatic way. My husband and I helped my son, daughter-in-law and two precious grandchildren move to Phoenix, Arizona. 1,200 miles away, to a land full of warm sunshine, beautiful lightening shows, friendliness amongst the people, and order within the cities walls is where they now call home. How my heart sank as we drove south through California and then west into Arizona. Life had taken a sharp turn and I felt left behind and immobile.
I know God promises He never changes. Hebrews 13:8 says He is the same, yesterday, today and forever. But somehow this did not comfort my soul at first. I wrestled with what I wanted, thought best for everyone and needed. I gave little regard to where God’s hand may have been leading my sweet family to a brighter place; a place with new opportunities that would help them grow closer to Him. I felt my heart breaking as I pondered on the day I would have to hug my grandbabies, Nathen and Tahlya goodbye. I felt my knees shake as I knew I would not see Doug, my son and Jessica, my daughter-n-law, much longer. The pangs were almost too much to bear, yet I knew God was near.
Change did come. I wrote a memoir of the sadness I felt, the effects of this change I saw as nothing but distance between my dear family and me, and the relentless hope I experienced during this time of change. God gently took my hand over the next few days and was there when I woke as I text the kids a prayer for a good day. God was there when I walked through an empty heart of despair that took my breath away with every step. God held me when I gathered the kids’ things together to put in a care package to send to them. He comforted me in the midst of my tears when I realized Sundays from now on, I would no longer have my grandchildren by my side at church, we would not have lunch together afterward and I wouldn’t chat with Doug and Jess before they took the kids home. When I felt my heart being pulled apart at each end, God reminded me He was there.
I titled this memoir, Half a Heart, and realized this was just not so. I gave my heart to Jesus at nineteen and never took it back, so how could half of it be gone? God was lovingly teaching me something here. Who have I pledged my life to? Was I living for my family or for God Himself? This thought floored me as I sat deeply contemplating whom I had allowed my affections to belong to. I give affection to my grandchildren, my son and daughter-in-law; I cannot give them my heart. As long as God is the keeper of my heart, neither myself nor Satan, should have such a hold on me I can’t exist another day. What was I thinking? God was moving part of my family, part of me, to a better place and this choice of God’s led me to shaky knees, a wounded heart, relentless hope and emptiness to the point of despair? Something was out of place. 2008 is a year of new beginnings. Was I hindering this work of the Lord in my family through my own selfish desires?
I repented for allowing my family to own what was rightfully God’s, my heart. Although my emotions were pounded like raging waters against shores of infinite sand, I had allowed myself to be overtaken by feelings God could tame if I let Him. The pain that once stabbed so deeply finally lessened to a dulling numbness in my body. I realized I cannot live for my family; I must live for my God. The relationship I have with my family is one God has so richly blessed me with. It is a gift and one to be appreciated but not idolized. The benefit of sharing love so deep, so vast and wide is an overflow of the love God has for me and those whom I love so dearly. His love quickly covered me in a blanket of peace and calm. Being engulfed in His love and comfort caused me to embrace these changes in my life right now, as opposed to resenting them. Faith made its way into the depths of my heart. God, who is so deserving of my trust, surely has earned my dependence upon Him even when I don’t understand things. Oswald Chambers put it this way. “Faith is deliberate confidence in the character of God whose ways you may not understand at the time.”
God changes not. I depended on Him yesterday, I can depend on Him today, and I will depend on Him for tomorrow. Change may be inevitable, but my God can see me through any and all changes that may be gravely unwanted but desperately needed. Can you depend on God to be there through changes in your life?
Denise’s memoir visit www.created2bless.gather.com
Monday, June 16, 2008
Branden's Turning 21 Today!!!
I can't believe it! My baby is turning 21 today. At 4:15 pm he I will have given birth to him 21 years ago. Where in the world has the time gone?
I feel like it was just last night I was walking the culdesac we lived on in Phoenix, AZ trying to increase the contractions. I was so excited about finally having him, what he would look like, and how he would serve God with his life.
Branden was an unexpected baby but so wanted and loved when I found out he was to be. I had a great pregnancy and felt healthy yet I was a bit unsure whether or not I could raise four children these days, but God knew what he was doing, so in Him I put my trust. God had given me so many verses reminding me to trust Him, to not be afraid and that this baby would bring peace to our family. Something we needed desperately. At four months along, a pastor prophesied over my belly and told me this son born to us would be a prophet, a peaceful child and one which leads quietly. During this pregnancy I encountered a miracle of healing for several of my teeth, and knew God was with me and this child. This could have never been more truth in the years to come.
The birth was as easy as could be. 3 1/2 hours of hard labor and he was out and exploring the world. Alert and calm, he nursed peacefully and the peace within his soul drew others to him. Satan saw the mark on this child and immediately began his appointments to take him. From illness to injury, Branden roughed it through them all. God's protection was hard at work and He never let Branden slip too far from His grasp of help. Stitches here and there, a concussion and double pneumonia, croup and bent bones, God was faithful to limit satan on what was allowed and what was not. Many times we almost lost Branden, but never was he out of God's reach.
One night when he had double pneumonia and croup, the doctors told us to take him home and stay with him, for he was weak and may not live. The elders and friends of the church we attended at the time, came at the midnight hour and prayed over Branden. When they left, I spent the night rocking my dear little boy, so frail and sickly, breathing so shallow he closed his eyes with his mom's tears resting gently upon his cheeks form time to time. I battled before God not to take my baby boy, and He set me upon a rock, upon a mountain with an alter a foot in front of me. I labored to think what He was going to ask of me, yet through hours of intense turmoil and shattered hope, God met me where I was and gently asked me to let him go. To give him back, reluctantly I did and laid him in his crib, fully expecting to see a lifeless little body in that crib when I woke in the next few hours.
I had cried to the point there were no more tears, and I quietly slipped myself into bed and heard God simply say, fear not. But I did, yet I knew whether He took my baby boy or not, the will of God was most important and that if it meant for Branden to go home with Him, so be it. I fell off to sleep weary and worn but a God had placed a glimpse of hope within my heart.
Upon waking just hours later, I slowly headed down the hallway, the same hallway to Branden's room that normally I would hear him talking to someone, playing quietly awaiting his mom's presence and smile yet I heard nothing but stillness. I took a deep breath and swallowed hard, yet dropped not a tear as I turned the corner and peered towards his bed. As I moved closer, I saw he was not moving from the looks of his little leg, but when I got to the edge of the crib, his face was beaming, the biggest smile I had ever seen and he quickly raised his hands to me and said, "Mama."
I reached down and grabbed him, held him to my chest and cried sweet tears of thankfulness. Not only had God spared his life, God has completely healed my little boy of all infirmity! He was as healthy as the day he was born.
God spoke to me and said, because I gave up his life, God gave him back to me....for a time....to raise Branden as the man God intended him to be, and this I have wholeheartedly and joyfully done. What a blessing to know God provided the perfect sacrifice for my sins, my son's sins and the world's sins. Jesus took Branden's place so that Branden might live and have everlasting life. That Branden could have abundant life while on this earth, doing the work of His heavenly Father.
What a wonderful son Branden has grown to be. Thank you God for giving us another chance with this prophet of yours. Thank you for giving Branden life as He chooses to follow after You with his whole heart and soul. Thank you God, for this precious son you allowed me to carry, birth, raise and take part in his life with You.
Matthew 16:25 Whoever desires to save his life (or in this case, Branden's), will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake (or give's up as in Branden's life), will find it.
What a wonderful God we serve!
Saturday, May 03, 2008
7 Steps to a Healthy Marriage
Marriage seems to have become a living contract rather than an eternal covenant. It is proven that half of all marriages within the US end in divorce. (AACAP 2004) These statistics are alarming and escalating at incredible rates. What went wrong? What should have gone right? What can be done about it and does anyone still care? Through many years of working in marriage ministry and mentoring couples young and old, I have discovered seven key components to building a healthy marriage that can last a lifetime.
Be Committed
Commitment is the foremost decision to make before you are wed, beginning with, “from this day forward...” It has been proven that couples with a mind set of believing they are marrying “until death do us part” have a fifty percent greater chance of weathering storms that come their way during their marriage than those who marry believing if the relationship becomes too turbulent, divorce is always an option.
Going into marriage with the attitude that you are committed for life with the one you have married, will make a drastic impact on how every conflict is handled therefore reducing the chances of divorce.
When we marry, we are deeply in love, wishing only the best for our spouses and expecting only the best from them. When we dated our spouses, we always put them first, giving 100% of ourselves, our time and our attention. Their needs, wants and desires became ours. We thought alike, laughed over the same things, and enjoyed believing in one another. Every day was new and fresh with the excitement of what it may have held. Selfishness was not in either spouse’s vocabulary, for each one did everything they could to please the other.
After the wedding, it is easy to get comfortable and think about our relationships as being planted firmly and unshakable. All too soon, the other spouse is no longer top priority. Other things come into play, such as a new job, hobby or interest. One spouse slacks off with responsibilities, and the other feels they are carrying more than half the weight in the relationship. If this is you, a check and balance system should be adopted and both spouses need to comply. Giving 100% at all times means there are no gaps. Both spouses are cared for completely. One spouse may have to change jobs and more hours at work are involved. The spouse with the same routine may need to pick up some of the slack of the other for a time. Giving 100% allows there to be an overlap when one spouse cannot give as much as the other for a time. This system allows needs to be met, responsibilities to be covered providing a peaceful home and joyful relationship that can remain even when tides shift and waters are turbulent. If either spouse neglects more than their fair share, burdens are felt by both spouses and patience grows thin between the couple. If the weight of one spouse is carried for too long, the other will crumble while animosity and grudges can form. Just as a jackhammer is destructive in breaking up good soil, so it can be if spouses do not cover one another in hard times and soften the blows of change. Marriages are give and take relationships. There is always giving, but once in a while, one may need to give more than the other for the time being. This sacrifice of giving makes up for slack, holds things together for a time, and maintains balance long enough for the couple to return to their routines or make the necessary adjustments while depositing richly into their reserves once again. This is what helps weather storms that would ordinarily sink a marriage temporarily treading on shaky ground. Giving 100% never sees gaps, always covers for bumps in the road of life and ensures there is always enough to sustain the marriage.
Power of Apology
The simple word, “I’m Sorry”, is quite powerful actually. Saying you’re sorry can be healing and opens the door to restoration. What could take years to overcome when ignored can be forgiven and forgotten in a moment’s time if only a few words are sincerely spoken. When an apology is left unsaid, bitterness can easily grow in the heart leaving little room for love and kindness to emerge.
Simply say you’re sorry and be willing to make the needed changes to prove your sincerity. The event may or may not have been your fault. Either way, whatever touches our spouse touches us as well. If we are to maintain a healthy relationship with those we love, particularly our spouses, sorry should not only roll naturally but immediately off of our tongues. In marriages, a spouse normally does not want to hurt their beloved partner, but desires to help heal and restore them when they have been wronged. Apologizing does not allow buried offenses to harden and corrode the very walls of the heart. Saying sorry cuts through the pain and opens the wound to heal. A soft answer turns away wrath (Prov. 15:1). When you are approached with a gentle, caring apology, it makes it difficult to remain angry and cold to the one offering reconciliation. Saying you’re sorry begins the necessary process of healing and forgiveness. Saying you’re sorry for offenses you’ve committed makes good relationships better and great relationships outstanding.
Agreement
Being in agreement with one another is very important. Without this vital key in a marriage, boiling arguments are inevitable. Disagreements can create conflict, strife and unnecessary anxiety. Stress will literally rot your bones therefore why not prevent excessive stress from getting the best of you by setting some guidelines for agreement right from the beginning?
Important areas to agree on in the relationship are spending limits whether you are together or apart, individual roles of one another in the home, who the main provider will be and how much supplemental income may be needed from the other spouse. Other things to consider agreeing upon early on the marriage are whether to make major purchases individually or not, who is responsible for balancing the checkbook as well as paying bills, whether education will play a role in either spouse’s life after the wedding or how many children to have and when to begin having them. Discipline of the children, life and death decisions involving insurance, retirement funds and inheritance issues, friendships after marriage, television and music influences in the home are all issues that will arise after the wedding. If an agreement has not been made over these issues prior to encountering them, friction can lead to misunderstanding, quarreling and finally dysfunction. Being in agreement with your spouse creates stability in the relationship, happiness in the home and peace within the soul. Agreeing to disagree on notable topics can make a marriage strong and pliable.
Common Interests
What normally bring two people together are common interests. Where you met, what you were doing and who you were with all have a bearing on whether you want to get to know someone better or not. If the chemistry is not there, chances are you cannot create it later on. Laws of attraction are powerful. As people grow older, changes occur; not just physically but quite often emotionally and socially. It is important to remain involved in some way with some of your spouse’s interests and hobbies. While you both may not have everything in common, enjoying some things together will create harmony and a sense of togetherness into your marriage. When one spouse wants to do something the other does not, often it is a sacrifice of love for the spouse who would rather be fishing than scrapbooking or vice versa to willingly engage in the sometimes dreadful event. Couples still need time alone to enjoy activities apart from their spouses. The blending of two lives in to one does not mean the individual spouse loses them self altogether in their mate. It just means a new life for the both of them takes place and they are joined as one with their own personalities, likes, dislikes and lifestyles blending to complete each other more fully. Taking the time to share in your spouse’s joys and sorrows, fun and sometimes boring events can cause the relationship to grow deeper and closer than ever before.
Forgiving Forever
This is probably one of the hardest tasks to accomplish in one’s life let alone in a marriage. Forgiveness breaks through barriers, speaks in a multitude of languages and is an extremely important factor in a marriage.
Whether you’ve been wronged through an offense on purpose or accidentally, offenses hurt and sometimes they cut to the deepest core of your inner being. Time does heal, but often, time is not enough. Forgiveness does not condone an offense; it only wipes it away, puts it in the past and keeps it there. This is what makes forgiveness such a vital component in a marriage. While married, there will be offenses dealt as well as unfortunate misunderstandings that can lead to feelings of deep pain and trust being tested. Without forgiveness, offenses can be held in the heart, dangled over heads, and used as a weapon against the other spouse causing further complications. Forgiveness paves the way for healing and restoration. Without this essential ingredient, it is just a matter of time before the marriage becomes too burdened down by past offenses that prevent spouses from living in the present or hoping for a future together. Eventually the relationship may dissolve and each spouse goes their own way. Forgiveness is tough usually needs a supernatural element from God to ensure it is final. Both spouses must be willing to seek forgiveness at any cost. Just as love can last a lifetime, forgiveness needs to be forever with no looking back, bringing up old offenses, or holding grudges.
Throughout marriage there can be many reasons forgiveness will be needed. Broken trust is a common occurrence in most marriages. When forgiveness is genuinely offered and accepted, and wayward actions confessed and turned from, the marriage can become stronger and spouses can become closer than they had been before trust was broken between them. Forgiveness is refreshing and may not always be deserved but is truly a treasured gift shared within the marriage.
Communication
Communication is transmission of information and can make or break a marriage. Spouses hold their own opinions to things, have fresh ideas, can encourage, strengthen, comfort, provide insightful thoughts, as well as share deep issues of their hearts. Good communication promotes a healthy marriage in which the couple can grow and succeed in their relationship. Bad communication can rip apart the bond between husband and wife leaving both spouses feeling empty and looking for an escape route.
Many things can break down communication in a marriage such as lack of good listening skills, unclear messages, gender differences and preconceived ideas. Good listening skills are of utmost importance requiring and include eye to eye contact, feedback (asking if what the listener heard was what the speaker was actually saying), timing of the chosen topic to communicate is considered, transparency on the part of both speaker and listener, careful thought in the way the subject matter is presented as well as gesturing by a nod or similar action you are hearing what the speaker is saying. With these steps in mind, decisions can be made harmoniously and conflicts resolved immediately. Issues of major concern might be how many children you want and when to begin having them, where you will live and what careers you both want to purse with each other’s blessing and support, a decision involving the health of a spouse, a change in employment or if an in law should move in, require communication that is both clear and concise. When poor communication takes place there are misunderstandings and fault seeking which commonly leads to blame-shifting. Frustration and high anxiety as well as a distance between the couple that develops and further bridges the gap over time naturally occurs. Communication is like the glue that provides a solid binding material to permanently support indifferences and accomplishments within a marriage. Just as glue hardens and becomes inseparable, so it should be with the covenants made within a marriage.
Being Thankful
Last, but not least, is thankfulness. Gratitude goes far and is remembered long after it is offered. There are so many things in life to be thankful for, and our spouse should be at the top of the list. When we are thankful, it gives us a sense of appreciation we can get from nothing else in life. Through good times and in bad, thankfulness for having met our spouse and committing our lives to them through marriage deepens the relationship.
Think of the times you were thankful and those you were not. Times of thankfulness were far more fulfilling than those times we sulked in our self-pity. Why not choose to be thankful rather than ungrateful? Being thankful humbles and reminds us to look around and be content with such things that we have (Phil. 4:11). Making thankfulness a high priority in our lives not only makes us feel good, but it also makes our spouse feel appreciated which in turn reaps a harvest of gratitude in return. This concept is a wonderful, endless cycle to get caught up in. It seems when we are not thankful, everything in life looks bitter. Skies are darker, flowers lose their scents, people irritate us more and life just seems depressing. Thankfulness in a marriage makes life sweeter and the rewards are bountiful.
Seven Steps to a Healthy Marriage was written with all marriages in mind. Maybe you are newlyweds just setting out on this great adventure with the one you love. Or possibly you are celebrating your twenty-fifth anniversary and want to make changes that would allow you to grow closer to the one you have spent so much of your life with. Perhaps you have less time with your spouse ahead of you than what is left behind you and the richness in your relationship has been thinned to immeasurable amounts. The success of your marriage relies heavily upon the weight of its benefactors. Marriage is not only sacred but is a covenant between you, your spouse and God; the original designer of marriage. If when committing to marriage you are vowing to truly remain married in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, ‘til death do you part - than the health of your marriage is just a matter of exercising these profound steps that will ensure the best chance possible of a rich and loving life together.
Be Committed
Commitment is the foremost decision to make before you are wed, beginning with, “from this day forward...” It has been proven that couples with a mind set of believing they are marrying “until death do us part” have a fifty percent greater chance of weathering storms that come their way during their marriage than those who marry believing if the relationship becomes too turbulent, divorce is always an option.
Going into marriage with the attitude that you are committed for life with the one you have married, will make a drastic impact on how every conflict is handled therefore reducing the chances of divorce.
When we marry, we are deeply in love, wishing only the best for our spouses and expecting only the best from them. When we dated our spouses, we always put them first, giving 100% of ourselves, our time and our attention. Their needs, wants and desires became ours. We thought alike, laughed over the same things, and enjoyed believing in one another. Every day was new and fresh with the excitement of what it may have held. Selfishness was not in either spouse’s vocabulary, for each one did everything they could to please the other.
After the wedding, it is easy to get comfortable and think about our relationships as being planted firmly and unshakable. All too soon, the other spouse is no longer top priority. Other things come into play, such as a new job, hobby or interest. One spouse slacks off with responsibilities, and the other feels they are carrying more than half the weight in the relationship. If this is you, a check and balance system should be adopted and both spouses need to comply. Giving 100% at all times means there are no gaps. Both spouses are cared for completely. One spouse may have to change jobs and more hours at work are involved. The spouse with the same routine may need to pick up some of the slack of the other for a time. Giving 100% allows there to be an overlap when one spouse cannot give as much as the other for a time. This system allows needs to be met, responsibilities to be covered providing a peaceful home and joyful relationship that can remain even when tides shift and waters are turbulent. If either spouse neglects more than their fair share, burdens are felt by both spouses and patience grows thin between the couple. If the weight of one spouse is carried for too long, the other will crumble while animosity and grudges can form. Just as a jackhammer is destructive in breaking up good soil, so it can be if spouses do not cover one another in hard times and soften the blows of change. Marriages are give and take relationships. There is always giving, but once in a while, one may need to give more than the other for the time being. This sacrifice of giving makes up for slack, holds things together for a time, and maintains balance long enough for the couple to return to their routines or make the necessary adjustments while depositing richly into their reserves once again. This is what helps weather storms that would ordinarily sink a marriage temporarily treading on shaky ground. Giving 100% never sees gaps, always covers for bumps in the road of life and ensures there is always enough to sustain the marriage.
Power of Apology
The simple word, “I’m Sorry”, is quite powerful actually. Saying you’re sorry can be healing and opens the door to restoration. What could take years to overcome when ignored can be forgiven and forgotten in a moment’s time if only a few words are sincerely spoken. When an apology is left unsaid, bitterness can easily grow in the heart leaving little room for love and kindness to emerge.
Simply say you’re sorry and be willing to make the needed changes to prove your sincerity. The event may or may not have been your fault. Either way, whatever touches our spouse touches us as well. If we are to maintain a healthy relationship with those we love, particularly our spouses, sorry should not only roll naturally but immediately off of our tongues. In marriages, a spouse normally does not want to hurt their beloved partner, but desires to help heal and restore them when they have been wronged. Apologizing does not allow buried offenses to harden and corrode the very walls of the heart. Saying sorry cuts through the pain and opens the wound to heal. A soft answer turns away wrath (Prov. 15:1). When you are approached with a gentle, caring apology, it makes it difficult to remain angry and cold to the one offering reconciliation. Saying you’re sorry begins the necessary process of healing and forgiveness. Saying you’re sorry for offenses you’ve committed makes good relationships better and great relationships outstanding.
Agreement
Being in agreement with one another is very important. Without this vital key in a marriage, boiling arguments are inevitable. Disagreements can create conflict, strife and unnecessary anxiety. Stress will literally rot your bones therefore why not prevent excessive stress from getting the best of you by setting some guidelines for agreement right from the beginning?
Important areas to agree on in the relationship are spending limits whether you are together or apart, individual roles of one another in the home, who the main provider will be and how much supplemental income may be needed from the other spouse. Other things to consider agreeing upon early on the marriage are whether to make major purchases individually or not, who is responsible for balancing the checkbook as well as paying bills, whether education will play a role in either spouse’s life after the wedding or how many children to have and when to begin having them. Discipline of the children, life and death decisions involving insurance, retirement funds and inheritance issues, friendships after marriage, television and music influences in the home are all issues that will arise after the wedding. If an agreement has not been made over these issues prior to encountering them, friction can lead to misunderstanding, quarreling and finally dysfunction. Being in agreement with your spouse creates stability in the relationship, happiness in the home and peace within the soul. Agreeing to disagree on notable topics can make a marriage strong and pliable.
Common Interests
What normally bring two people together are common interests. Where you met, what you were doing and who you were with all have a bearing on whether you want to get to know someone better or not. If the chemistry is not there, chances are you cannot create it later on. Laws of attraction are powerful. As people grow older, changes occur; not just physically but quite often emotionally and socially. It is important to remain involved in some way with some of your spouse’s interests and hobbies. While you both may not have everything in common, enjoying some things together will create harmony and a sense of togetherness into your marriage. When one spouse wants to do something the other does not, often it is a sacrifice of love for the spouse who would rather be fishing than scrapbooking or vice versa to willingly engage in the sometimes dreadful event. Couples still need time alone to enjoy activities apart from their spouses. The blending of two lives in to one does not mean the individual spouse loses them self altogether in their mate. It just means a new life for the both of them takes place and they are joined as one with their own personalities, likes, dislikes and lifestyles blending to complete each other more fully. Taking the time to share in your spouse’s joys and sorrows, fun and sometimes boring events can cause the relationship to grow deeper and closer than ever before.
Forgiving Forever
This is probably one of the hardest tasks to accomplish in one’s life let alone in a marriage. Forgiveness breaks through barriers, speaks in a multitude of languages and is an extremely important factor in a marriage.
Whether you’ve been wronged through an offense on purpose or accidentally, offenses hurt and sometimes they cut to the deepest core of your inner being. Time does heal, but often, time is not enough. Forgiveness does not condone an offense; it only wipes it away, puts it in the past and keeps it there. This is what makes forgiveness such a vital component in a marriage. While married, there will be offenses dealt as well as unfortunate misunderstandings that can lead to feelings of deep pain and trust being tested. Without forgiveness, offenses can be held in the heart, dangled over heads, and used as a weapon against the other spouse causing further complications. Forgiveness paves the way for healing and restoration. Without this essential ingredient, it is just a matter of time before the marriage becomes too burdened down by past offenses that prevent spouses from living in the present or hoping for a future together. Eventually the relationship may dissolve and each spouse goes their own way. Forgiveness is tough usually needs a supernatural element from God to ensure it is final. Both spouses must be willing to seek forgiveness at any cost. Just as love can last a lifetime, forgiveness needs to be forever with no looking back, bringing up old offenses, or holding grudges.
Throughout marriage there can be many reasons forgiveness will be needed. Broken trust is a common occurrence in most marriages. When forgiveness is genuinely offered and accepted, and wayward actions confessed and turned from, the marriage can become stronger and spouses can become closer than they had been before trust was broken between them. Forgiveness is refreshing and may not always be deserved but is truly a treasured gift shared within the marriage.
Communication
Communication is transmission of information and can make or break a marriage. Spouses hold their own opinions to things, have fresh ideas, can encourage, strengthen, comfort, provide insightful thoughts, as well as share deep issues of their hearts. Good communication promotes a healthy marriage in which the couple can grow and succeed in their relationship. Bad communication can rip apart the bond between husband and wife leaving both spouses feeling empty and looking for an escape route.
Many things can break down communication in a marriage such as lack of good listening skills, unclear messages, gender differences and preconceived ideas. Good listening skills are of utmost importance requiring and include eye to eye contact, feedback (asking if what the listener heard was what the speaker was actually saying), timing of the chosen topic to communicate is considered, transparency on the part of both speaker and listener, careful thought in the way the subject matter is presented as well as gesturing by a nod or similar action you are hearing what the speaker is saying. With these steps in mind, decisions can be made harmoniously and conflicts resolved immediately. Issues of major concern might be how many children you want and when to begin having them, where you will live and what careers you both want to purse with each other’s blessing and support, a decision involving the health of a spouse, a change in employment or if an in law should move in, require communication that is both clear and concise. When poor communication takes place there are misunderstandings and fault seeking which commonly leads to blame-shifting. Frustration and high anxiety as well as a distance between the couple that develops and further bridges the gap over time naturally occurs. Communication is like the glue that provides a solid binding material to permanently support indifferences and accomplishments within a marriage. Just as glue hardens and becomes inseparable, so it should be with the covenants made within a marriage.
Being Thankful
Last, but not least, is thankfulness. Gratitude goes far and is remembered long after it is offered. There are so many things in life to be thankful for, and our spouse should be at the top of the list. When we are thankful, it gives us a sense of appreciation we can get from nothing else in life. Through good times and in bad, thankfulness for having met our spouse and committing our lives to them through marriage deepens the relationship.
Think of the times you were thankful and those you were not. Times of thankfulness were far more fulfilling than those times we sulked in our self-pity. Why not choose to be thankful rather than ungrateful? Being thankful humbles and reminds us to look around and be content with such things that we have (Phil. 4:11). Making thankfulness a high priority in our lives not only makes us feel good, but it also makes our spouse feel appreciated which in turn reaps a harvest of gratitude in return. This concept is a wonderful, endless cycle to get caught up in. It seems when we are not thankful, everything in life looks bitter. Skies are darker, flowers lose their scents, people irritate us more and life just seems depressing. Thankfulness in a marriage makes life sweeter and the rewards are bountiful.
Seven Steps to a Healthy Marriage was written with all marriages in mind. Maybe you are newlyweds just setting out on this great adventure with the one you love. Or possibly you are celebrating your twenty-fifth anniversary and want to make changes that would allow you to grow closer to the one you have spent so much of your life with. Perhaps you have less time with your spouse ahead of you than what is left behind you and the richness in your relationship has been thinned to immeasurable amounts. The success of your marriage relies heavily upon the weight of its benefactors. Marriage is not only sacred but is a covenant between you, your spouse and God; the original designer of marriage. If when committing to marriage you are vowing to truly remain married in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, ‘til death do you part - than the health of your marriage is just a matter of exercising these profound steps that will ensure the best chance possible of a rich and loving life together.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
The Power of God In Our Midst
Ephesians 6:10-13
Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principalities , against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, stand. Stand therefore, having your loins gird about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God.
I can recall a time in my life when this verse was never more real to me. I had gotten a call from my oldest son the night before going on a family vacation to California. Doug told me of a dream he had that left his dad, three siblings and myself dead. There had been a terrible accident and we were killed instantly. Funny thing, that same night, I had the same dream. We shared our thoughts of hesitation to continue the vacation, but decided to pray for divine protection instead and to leave as planned. The next morning, I helped everyone get packed. and After we loaded things into our Datsun 510, we gathered around and prayed for safety and divine protection. As we began our journey south, peace flooded our vehicle as well as our hearts and we put the anxiousness of the dreams behind us.
The vacation was wonderful and we were bringing an abundance of memories and play toys home. My husband's parents had given the kids Odysseys that were in need of some repair but nothing beyond what we could tackle. Attached behind our 2,200 pound vehicle was a 2,500 pound trailer full to the brim with tools, garage sale items and two large Odyssey's homebound for Oregon. Before leaving my parents-in-laws' driveway, we put on our spiritual armour said another prayer for safe traveling and divine mercy on the road ahead of us.
Most of the trip was behind us and I wondered what had been the meaning behind the dreams since it appeared their was no apparent threat to our safety on this vacation were falsely interpreted. Shortly thereafter, the kids noticed a helicopter overhead. Surprisingly, we watched in amazement as this aircraft hovered almost directly over our vehicle. It was slightly moving ahead along the winding Interstate 5 between the Siskiyou Mountains of northern California and Oregon. A car approaching rather hastily from behind immediately shown in my husband's rear view mirror and I turned to look behind us after I noticed the confusion in my husband's eyes. As I twisted my body around to scan what was happening, I quickly assessed the car racing upon us and realized this vehicle was only a few feet from our car. Suddenly, the dreams my son and I had encompassed my every thought, and all I had time to do was to gaze lovingly at my three children in the back seat. Within seconds, this vehicle on the run became invisible as it began to enter our car from the rear, passing the children, my husband and myself and then finally exiting the front of our car as it continued in our lane. What we all had noticed, was an unrestrained infant lying on a woman's lap in the front passenger seat as the car moved effortlessly through the middle of ours. Everything was moving in slow motion and we had no time to contemplate what to do or make any decisions on how to avoid this catastrophe. As we gazed in astonishment and tears came to my eyes, we watched the vehicle flee rapidly ahead of us while closing the distance between our car and theirs. In a semi-frightened yet bewildered state, we were left trying to make some sense of the event that should have claimed all of our lives, but didn't. We settled down, thanked God for hearing our prayers and for His divine protection on our lives.
So this was the disaster that Satan had planned for our family, but God had intervened and said, “No, I don't 'think so.” This is the power of God seen in our lives today. Power that is equal to no other. It is by this same power we have salvation (I Cor. 1:18), the ability to forgive sins (Matt. 9:6), are filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8), have power to heal the sick (Mark 3:15), to cast out demons (Luke 1:9) and to resist the devil (James 4:7). Through this power God has delivered us from darkness (Col 1:13), His power works within us (Eph. 3:20) and we have been given a spirit of power, love and a sound mind (II Tim. 2:12). Finally, “Blessing, and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and the Lamb, forever and ever!”. May God's power be with you today!
by Denise Spooner
copyright 2008
Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against principalities , against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, stand. Stand therefore, having your loins gird about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God.
I can recall a time in my life when this verse was never more real to me. I had gotten a call from my oldest son the night before going on a family vacation to California. Doug told me of a dream he had that left his dad, three siblings and myself dead. There had been a terrible accident and we were killed instantly. Funny thing, that same night, I had the same dream. We shared our thoughts of hesitation to continue the vacation, but decided to pray for divine protection instead and to leave as planned. The next morning, I helped everyone get packed. and After we loaded things into our Datsun 510, we gathered around and prayed for safety and divine protection. As we began our journey south, peace flooded our vehicle as well as our hearts and we put the anxiousness of the dreams behind us.
The vacation was wonderful and we were bringing an abundance of memories and play toys home. My husband's parents had given the kids Odysseys that were in need of some repair but nothing beyond what we could tackle. Attached behind our 2,200 pound vehicle was a 2,500 pound trailer full to the brim with tools, garage sale items and two large Odyssey's homebound for Oregon. Before leaving my parents-in-laws' driveway, we put on our spiritual armour said another prayer for safe traveling and divine mercy on the road ahead of us.
Most of the trip was behind us and I wondered what had been the meaning behind the dreams since it appeared their was no apparent threat to our safety on this vacation were falsely interpreted. Shortly thereafter, the kids noticed a helicopter overhead. Surprisingly, we watched in amazement as this aircraft hovered almost directly over our vehicle. It was slightly moving ahead along the winding Interstate 5 between the Siskiyou Mountains of northern California and Oregon. A car approaching rather hastily from behind immediately shown in my husband's rear view mirror and I turned to look behind us after I noticed the confusion in my husband's eyes. As I twisted my body around to scan what was happening, I quickly assessed the car racing upon us and realized this vehicle was only a few feet from our car. Suddenly, the dreams my son and I had encompassed my every thought, and all I had time to do was to gaze lovingly at my three children in the back seat. Within seconds, this vehicle on the run became invisible as it began to enter our car from the rear, passing the children, my husband and myself and then finally exiting the front of our car as it continued in our lane. What we all had noticed, was an unrestrained infant lying on a woman's lap in the front passenger seat as the car moved effortlessly through the middle of ours. Everything was moving in slow motion and we had no time to contemplate what to do or make any decisions on how to avoid this catastrophe. As we gazed in astonishment and tears came to my eyes, we watched the vehicle flee rapidly ahead of us while closing the distance between our car and theirs. In a semi-frightened yet bewildered state, we were left trying to make some sense of the event that should have claimed all of our lives, but didn't. We settled down, thanked God for hearing our prayers and for His divine protection on our lives.
So this was the disaster that Satan had planned for our family, but God had intervened and said, “No, I don't 'think so.” This is the power of God seen in our lives today. Power that is equal to no other. It is by this same power we have salvation (I Cor. 1:18), the ability to forgive sins (Matt. 9:6), are filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8), have power to heal the sick (Mark 3:15), to cast out demons (Luke 1:9) and to resist the devil (James 4:7). Through this power God has delivered us from darkness (Col 1:13), His power works within us (Eph. 3:20) and we have been given a spirit of power, love and a sound mind (II Tim. 2:12). Finally, “Blessing, and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and the Lamb, forever and ever!”. May God's power be with you today!
by Denise Spooner
copyright 2008
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Wisdom Comes From God
I can remember in days gone by being a teacher for Vacation Bible school. I had an entire class of third graders for one week and one week only. With eyes to see and ears to hear, these dear children I was entrusted with sang songs of joy and words of wisdom as they shouted gleefully to the Lord. I gazed at each innocent expression with a tender smile on my face, remembering how my childhood also had been so innocent and full of splendor. WOW! How adulthood sure seems to redesign our thinking and leave us empty and often dissatisfied.
My class sang, “Wisdom comes from God”, (Proverbs 2:6) and sang it with full assurance that what we spoke was plain ‘ol truth. Listening to our songs and words we sang made me realize, as we proceed along life’s hidden highway, how quaint of us to think for a moment, that we could ever do anything worthwhile on our own. We are so very limited in the capacity our brain’s have to rationalize or ignore, create or design. What ever makes us think as mere humans, we don’t need the wisdom from our Creator?
Wisdom is defined in many concordances, as the understanding that comes from God. Men such as Luke, James, and Solomon knew the benefits of wisdom. Luke 2:52 tells us, “Jesus grew in wisdom, stature and favor with God.” James encourages us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, Who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to them”, James 1:5. Solomon shares several thoughts of having wisdom. He begins to tell us in Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” In Proverbs 2:10 he says, “Wisdom will enter our hearts, and knowledge will be pleasant to our souls.” Wisdom and knowledge are coupled together quite often and with great results. Proverbs 3:13 reminds us, “Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding”, and in Proverbs 3:19 & 20, Solomon says, “By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding He set the heaven’s in place; by His knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew.” And we believe at any given time we can accomplish what tasks are set before us without the divine help of a being Who created the entire earth and all that is in it? What foolish minds we truly can have.
Proverbs 4:7 tells us that, “Wisdom is the principle thing and to get it.” It leads you in the right path (Prov. 4:11), it is better than rubies (prov. 8:11), and best of all, Prov. 9:10, says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Wisdom comes from God, that is the whole truth and nothing but the truth. If we are to have knowledge and understanding ,we must get wisdom.
I think of wisdom as being words of wealth, initiating the knowledge of God, sound advice, deliverer of understanding, opening the gates of heaven, and manifesting in our daily walk.
Wisdom cries out amongst the city gates, she raises her voice in the open squares, (Prov. 1:20). We must listen, we must ask, and get it now! Wisdom is what we need, understanding is what we receive, and knowledge is our reward. The choice is yours.
By Denise Spooner Copyright 2008
My class sang, “Wisdom comes from God”, (Proverbs 2:6) and sang it with full assurance that what we spoke was plain ‘ol truth. Listening to our songs and words we sang made me realize, as we proceed along life’s hidden highway, how quaint of us to think for a moment, that we could ever do anything worthwhile on our own. We are so very limited in the capacity our brain’s have to rationalize or ignore, create or design. What ever makes us think as mere humans, we don’t need the wisdom from our Creator?
Wisdom is defined in many concordances, as the understanding that comes from God. Men such as Luke, James, and Solomon knew the benefits of wisdom. Luke 2:52 tells us, “Jesus grew in wisdom, stature and favor with God.” James encourages us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, Who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to them”, James 1:5. Solomon shares several thoughts of having wisdom. He begins to tell us in Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” In Proverbs 2:10 he says, “Wisdom will enter our hearts, and knowledge will be pleasant to our souls.” Wisdom and knowledge are coupled together quite often and with great results. Proverbs 3:13 reminds us, “Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding”, and in Proverbs 3:19 & 20, Solomon says, “By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding He set the heaven’s in place; by His knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew.” And we believe at any given time we can accomplish what tasks are set before us without the divine help of a being Who created the entire earth and all that is in it? What foolish minds we truly can have.
Proverbs 4:7 tells us that, “Wisdom is the principle thing and to get it.” It leads you in the right path (Prov. 4:11), it is better than rubies (prov. 8:11), and best of all, Prov. 9:10, says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Wisdom comes from God, that is the whole truth and nothing but the truth. If we are to have knowledge and understanding ,we must get wisdom.
I think of wisdom as being words of wealth, initiating the knowledge of God, sound advice, deliverer of understanding, opening the gates of heaven, and manifesting in our daily walk.
Wisdom cries out amongst the city gates, she raises her voice in the open squares, (Prov. 1:20). We must listen, we must ask, and get it now! Wisdom is what we need, understanding is what we receive, and knowledge is our reward. The choice is yours.
By Denise Spooner Copyright 2008
Monday, November 05, 2007
Pieces Worthy of Tweeking
I wonder when the online publishing market changed from
seeking out great pieces of writing full of quality and
character, to publishing anything they thought might be read
and produce a stream of income.
I wrote a piece on steps to a better marriage and it was
immediately published online to the first place I presented it
to. Now, I had written this for a writing class I had taken during
the summer and it did not get stupendous marks from my
teacher, but she did like it. I had some tweeking to do but
rather take this piece further and make it more of a quality
piece rather than just a great reading piece, I sent it in. After
going online and reading this myself from the view point of
any other reader, I discovered how very unhappy I was with the
piece. I was mad I had sent it in and others were reading a
piece lacking quality and character. Reader’s deserve the best
by the time it gets in front of their eyes, and what I had
produced, at best, was a work in progress. I was quite
frustrated at the publishing company that had chosen to
publish it and realized, the piece has made money, but was
not ready to be read by anyone else’s eyes but mine.
I guess I assumed the publisher would know whether it was
really ready to go online or not. I was very wrong. Mind you, it
was good and one could glean a great deal of Godly wisdom
from it, but what tweeking I had yet to do with it. I was
disappointed at the very least.
So, I decided to work with it quite a bit more. Removing a
category I had created for a topic, and move the finest points
of that topic to a different category already created. The
Imaginative Writing and English classes I was currently taking
at the local college were helping me a great deal in seeing
what is truly a quality writing piece, and that which needs quite
a bit of tweeking.
I am not done tweeking yet, but when I am, I know it will be a
piece I can be proud to have published. Because God is a first
rate God, why should I take His words and make them
anything less?
I am thankful God gave me the gift of writing that I might
impart His words to others in ways that soothe their souls,
calm their spirits and help them grow to become more like
Jesus. My ultimate goal for all who read anything I write in the
first place. But I must do a lot more tweeking before touching
other’s lives.
seeking out great pieces of writing full of quality and
character, to publishing anything they thought might be read
and produce a stream of income.
I wrote a piece on steps to a better marriage and it was
immediately published online to the first place I presented it
to. Now, I had written this for a writing class I had taken during
the summer and it did not get stupendous marks from my
teacher, but she did like it. I had some tweeking to do but
rather take this piece further and make it more of a quality
piece rather than just a great reading piece, I sent it in. After
going online and reading this myself from the view point of
any other reader, I discovered how very unhappy I was with the
piece. I was mad I had sent it in and others were reading a
piece lacking quality and character. Reader’s deserve the best
by the time it gets in front of their eyes, and what I had
produced, at best, was a work in progress. I was quite
frustrated at the publishing company that had chosen to
publish it and realized, the piece has made money, but was
not ready to be read by anyone else’s eyes but mine.
I guess I assumed the publisher would know whether it was
really ready to go online or not. I was very wrong. Mind you, it
was good and one could glean a great deal of Godly wisdom
from it, but what tweeking I had yet to do with it. I was
disappointed at the very least.
So, I decided to work with it quite a bit more. Removing a
category I had created for a topic, and move the finest points
of that topic to a different category already created. The
Imaginative Writing and English classes I was currently taking
at the local college were helping me a great deal in seeing
what is truly a quality writing piece, and that which needs quite
a bit of tweeking.
I am not done tweeking yet, but when I am, I know it will be a
piece I can be proud to have published. Because God is a first
rate God, why should I take His words and make them
anything less?
I am thankful God gave me the gift of writing that I might
impart His words to others in ways that soothe their souls,
calm their spirits and help them grow to become more like
Jesus. My ultimate goal for all who read anything I write in the
first place. But I must do a lot more tweeking before touching
other’s lives.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
7 Ways to Overcome Depression
1. Fight it! Fight the urge to feel depressed. Hit it with everything you've got!
Don’t allow yourself to indulge in thoughts of sadness, sorrow, regret, hate, misfortune, anxiety, confusion or defeat. Stand tall, head up, shoulders back, and declare you were made for a purpose, others are looking up to you, victory is in your blood and new opportunities are in your hands.
2. Get involved! Get involved in helping someone else, and do it now!
Do look for opportunities to help someone less fortunate who has realistic needs. Reach out to them with open arms and lend them a hand or two. Smile and be thankful you are alive and able to lend a hand. It will make an enormous difference to that someone you thought didn’t even know you existed.
3. Count your blessings! Begin counting all the blessings bestowed upon you!
Don’t concentrate on what you don’t have, who you don’t know or why you are in the place you are in right now. Fix your eyes on those things that are of good report. Remember the simple joys in life and be thankful you have had them. Spend time reminiscing the past victories and realize you are blessed!
4. Look forward not backward! Look to the future and what it can hold for you!
Do see new possibilities and shoot for them. Tell yourself you can do anything you put your mind and heart to. Never give up, keep pressing on and do everything to the best of your abilities. Stop doubting yourself and see yourself as others see you. You are successful at whatever you put your hands to.
5. Be confident! See yourself as confident and carry yourself like a winner!
Don’t ever associate yourself again with the term, “loser”. Throw that word out of your vocabulary. You are a winner! Refuse to listen to anyone, including yourself, speak negative words to you. Speak and listen to only positive things and communicate words of victory and not defeat. Meditate on the unquestionable fact that you were born to win.
6. Take risks! Try new and risky things on for size and watch how great they fit!
Do experiment with new ideas, create new challenges, expect more from yourself and get ready for the results that will change your life. Believe in yourself like no one else ever has before. Rise to the expectations of your most wildest dreams! Go for it, and never look back!
7. Enjoy the ride! Life is an adventure and only gets better as the ride gets longer!
Sit back for a moment and laugh ‘til you can’t anymore. Delight yourself in the aspirations that drive you. Allow motivation to take you for the ride of your life. Hang on and let life inspire, fulfill and reward you with its passions, contentment and joyful surprises!
Don’t allow yourself to indulge in thoughts of sadness, sorrow, regret, hate, misfortune, anxiety, confusion or defeat. Stand tall, head up, shoulders back, and declare you were made for a purpose, others are looking up to you, victory is in your blood and new opportunities are in your hands.
2. Get involved! Get involved in helping someone else, and do it now!
Do look for opportunities to help someone less fortunate who has realistic needs. Reach out to them with open arms and lend them a hand or two. Smile and be thankful you are alive and able to lend a hand. It will make an enormous difference to that someone you thought didn’t even know you existed.
3. Count your blessings! Begin counting all the blessings bestowed upon you!
Don’t concentrate on what you don’t have, who you don’t know or why you are in the place you are in right now. Fix your eyes on those things that are of good report. Remember the simple joys in life and be thankful you have had them. Spend time reminiscing the past victories and realize you are blessed!
4. Look forward not backward! Look to the future and what it can hold for you!
Do see new possibilities and shoot for them. Tell yourself you can do anything you put your mind and heart to. Never give up, keep pressing on and do everything to the best of your abilities. Stop doubting yourself and see yourself as others see you. You are successful at whatever you put your hands to.
5. Be confident! See yourself as confident and carry yourself like a winner!
Don’t ever associate yourself again with the term, “loser”. Throw that word out of your vocabulary. You are a winner! Refuse to listen to anyone, including yourself, speak negative words to you. Speak and listen to only positive things and communicate words of victory and not defeat. Meditate on the unquestionable fact that you were born to win.
6. Take risks! Try new and risky things on for size and watch how great they fit!
Do experiment with new ideas, create new challenges, expect more from yourself and get ready for the results that will change your life. Believe in yourself like no one else ever has before. Rise to the expectations of your most wildest dreams! Go for it, and never look back!
7. Enjoy the ride! Life is an adventure and only gets better as the ride gets longer!
Sit back for a moment and laugh ‘til you can’t anymore. Delight yourself in the aspirations that drive you. Allow motivation to take you for the ride of your life. Hang on and let life inspire, fulfill and reward you with its passions, contentment and joyful surprises!
Thursday, September 27, 2007
BRANDEN'S CALLING
Today is Branden's first day of working at Merlin Airport.
At fourteen, Branden came home from being at a Bible camp for a week with his youth group. He was excited beyond measure. He told my husband and I he felt God was calling to be a pilot. I must admit I was at first, alittle worried. But when I began to think back in Branden's life the things he was most interested in. I began to see how this calling seemed to mimic Branden's interests and passions. He was always interested in other's lives, enjoyed sharing Jesus with strangers and never had a problem talking to adults, even when he was only five years old. He loved missions and at very young ages he was able to leave Mom and Dad without any problems. When he was two years old, I caught his arm as he was attempting to run across the street to get his skateboard that flew out between his legs and landed in the middle of the street. I told him he could get hit by a car and die. He replied, "Then I would go home to be with Jesus in heaven, Mommy". All I could do was hold him and thank God for this little boy with a heart so close to Jesus. As he got older, he became a bit more daring in the way he played. We had a trampoline, and one day I looked out my kitchen window to see the trampoline mysteriously moving toward the middle of our house across the lawn. I saw no one pushing it, or pulling it. I put the dishes down I was washing, and went to the door to see this small boy yanking on the legs of the trampoline, inching it near the side of the house and almost directly under the overhand on our roof. Not understanding why he has carefully placed the trampoline in this spot, I went back in but watched eagerly out the window. The next thing I knew, I saw this little body free falling from nowhere. It was like Branden had catapulted himself off the highest point of our roof above the attic and was in a full front flip as he sped past my window. I didn't have time to even get outside before I saw this same body happily bouncing up high above my window, only to come falling down and bouncing up again a few more times. I briskly went outside and let him know this was not going to happen again. Well, it didn't off the house onto the trampoline, but he is twenty years old now, and I marvel at the days I look up on the sky with a smile on my face, peace in my heart usually, and joy in my soul knowing he is where he is suppose to be. He is only ten hours away from getting his private license, and then onto bigger and better things.
I hope he had a great day at the airport. I hope he was reminded of the calling Jesus put on his heart so many years ago. But most of all, I hope and pray he is at peace knowing he is right where God wants him to be.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Revelation at Last!
This afternoon, I was driving in town while listening to a CD of a friend of mine. She had spoke at a conference in Washington about bitter root judgments and had the conference recorded. Since I am editing her book on bitter root judgments, she thought if I listened to her CD I would thoroughly understand about the topic at hand. As I was going through the prayers and asking the Lord to show me where some of my bitter root judgments had been, He reminded me of my prayer for my youngest son, Branden. I had begged God to show me why, in times past, was I not aggressive in protecting Branden and coming to his aid? I have many deep rooted regrets for not being there as I should have for him but I could not understand why, when I love him with my life, did I often come to his rescue as I should have. God brought me back some thirty years earlier when my Mother and Father both had failed to protect me from very serious conditions. I was mad at God and my parents, and felt it was so unfair and could not understand why my Mother would deny the sexual abuse that I had endured and why my Father chose to leave my Mother, sister and I and remain distant in our lives. I was angry with God for giving me parents that would not do whatever it took to make their marriage work. I was frustrated to no end at my parents for not protecting me and standing up for me. I felt so betrayed by God, wondering where was he was in all of this. I immediately confessed my bitter root judgments towards them, asked God to forgive me for having these bitter root judgments, though they may have been true and valid. Then I cut, severed and broke the reaping of these brj's (bitter root judgments), and because what is bound on earth is bound in heaven, I loosed God in heaven to deal with them and the situations of the reaping in my son that came from my judging. I asked God for a divine reversal and thanked Him for it. I felt God's peace swarm over me and knew heaven had heard. I spoke protection where there was none, healing where there had been a breech, and knew God begin working to reverse things at that very moment.
I challenge you today. Take a look in the past at where you might have done the same as me. You can rewrite your future, and it can begin today! Phil. 4:13
I challenge you today. Take a look in the past at where you might have done the same as me. You can rewrite your future, and it can begin today! Phil. 4:13
Saturday, August 18, 2007
7 Steps to a Healthy Marriage
Commitment
Commitment is the foremost important decision to make before you are wed, beginning with, “ from this day forward..” Statistics show, those with a mind set of believing they are marrying ‘until do us part’ have a 50% greater chance of weathering storms that come their way during their marriages. With over half of all marriages ending in divorce within the first three years, that doubles your chances of marriage survival.
Going into marriage knowing you are basically stuck for life with the one you have chosen, will make a drastic impact on decisions you make together with your spouse, how you handle conflict, how many children you both want if any, where you want to spend your lives together, career choices and much more.
Be committed from day one, make the choice to stick it out no matter what. With this in mind, all decision will be made together, all conflicts will be resolved, you will agree on how many children you want, where you want to live together and what careers you both want to purse with each other’s blessing and support.
Agreement
Being in agreement with one another is very important as well. Without this vital key in a marriage, boiling arguments are inevitable. Decisions will be made without the other knowing, and often will conflict with one another causing strife and undue anxiety. Stress will rot your bones as is mentioned in the Bible, therefore why not prevent excessive stress from getting the best of you by setting some guidelines right form the beginning.
Areas of most importance to agree on are spending limits when you are together or apart, what is expected of one another in the home, who the main supporter will be and how much supplemental income may be needed by the other spouse, major purchases, who is responsible for balancing checkbooks and sending payments, if education will play a role in either spouse’s life after the wedding, how many children and when to begin having them, discipline of the children, life and death decisions involving insurance, retirement funds and inheritance issues, friendships after marriage, television and music influences in the home, etc. These are all issues that will arise after the wedding and if an agreement has not been made, there is not unity and balance which will surely lead to dysfunction, quarreling and misjudgments. Having agreement brings about stability in the couple, happiness and peace. Things that make a marriage strong and last a lifetime.
Common Interests
What normally brings two people together are common interests. Where you met, what you were doing and who you were with all have a bearing on whether you want to get to know someone better or not. If the ‘click’ is not there, chances are you cannot create it later on.Laws of attraction kick in immediately and whatever you were doing when you met your spouse, however serious or fun it may have been, will likely be the glue that holds you together through thick and thin.
As people grow older changes occur. Not just physically but emotionally and socially. It is important to know what your spouse likes to do and not do. While you both may not like everything the same, enjoying several things together will bring harmony, closeness and a sense of togetherness into your marriage. While there must be things you both like to do or places you both like to go, when one spouse wants to do something the other does not, often it is a sacrifice of love for the spouse who would rather be fishing than scrapbooking or visa versa. Couples still need time alone as well, to enjoy activities apart from their spouses. The blending of two lives in to one, does not mean the individual spouse loses themself altogether in their mate. It just means a new life for the both of them takes place and they are joined as one with their own personalities, likes, dislikes and lifestyles blending to complete eachother more fully. Taking the time to share in your spouse’s joys and sorrows, fun and sometimes boring events of life grows a relationship deeper and closer than ever before. It solidifies the marriage and a sense of oneness just happens naturally. This oneness cannot easily be broken and therefore brings security and stability to a marriage.
Forgiving Forever
This is probably one of the hardest things to do in one’s life let alone in a marriage. Trust is a very important factor in a marriage and once it is broke, it is hard to earn it back, but it is not impossible with forgiveness.
Whether you’ve been wronged on purpose or an accident, offenses hurt, and sometimes they hurt deeply. Time does heal, but often, time is not enough. Forgiveness does not say the offense was okay, it only wipes it away, puts it in the past and keeps it there. This is what makes forgiveness such a necessary component in a marriage. In the time you are wed, there will be wrongs experienced, offenses dealt and unfortunate misunderstandings happen that lead to feelings being hurt and trust being tested. Without forgiveness, offenses can be held in the heart, dangled over heads, and used as a weapon against the other spouse and further offenses can take place. Forgiveness paves the way for healing and restoration. Two things every marriage must have actively working in it or it is just a matter of time for the marriage to dissolve and each go his/her own way. Forgiveness is tough, usually needing a supernatural touch from God to ensure forgiveness is forever. It must be reciprocated, all the time. Both spouses must be willing to seek forgiveness before closing the issues and moving on. Just as love can last a lifetime, forgiveness needs to be forever. No looking back, bringing up old offenses, or holding grudges. Trust can be rebuilt when forgiveness is genuinely offered and accepted. The marriage can become stronger and spouses can feel closer than ever, when forgiveness is present in the relationship.
Giving 110%
When we marry, we are deeply in love, wishing only the best for our spouses, and expecting only the best from them. When we dated our spouses, we always put them first, giving 100% of ourselves, our time and attention. Their needs, wants and desires became ours. We thought alike, laughed over the same things, and enjoyed believing in one another. Every day was new and fresh with excitement of what it may hold. Selfishness was not in either spouses vocabulary, for each spouse did everything they could to please the other. After the wedding, it is easy to get comfortable and think about our relationship as being planted firmly and unshakable. All too soon, the other spouse is no longer top priority. Other things come into play, such as a new job, hobby or interest. One spouse slacks off with responsibilities, and the other feels they are carrying more than half the weight in the relationship. If this is you, a check and balance system needs to be adopted and both spouses need to comply.
Giving 100% at all times means there are no gaps. Both spouses are cared for completely. Not all the time will one spouse be able to give 100%. This is where the spouse will need to give 110% and actually make up for the lack of the other spouse. Maybe one spouse is having to change jobs and more hours at work are involved. The spouse with the same routine may need to pick up some of the slack of the other spouse for a time. Agreeing on how long and knowing what extra duties must rest on the spouse without the job change for instance is extremely important. At this time, one spouse may be giving 110% while the other can only give 90%, Thus having the overlap where needs can still be met, responsibilities are taken care of and peace and joy can remain between the couple. If either spouse slacks off more than their fair share, burdens are felt by both spouses, patience falls and if the weight of one spouse is carried for too long, the one will crumble and animosity and grudges can form and be very hard to break through. Marriages are give and take relationships. Both are always giving, but once in a while, one may need to give more than the other for a time. This 110% makes up for slack, holds things together for a time, and keeps things in balance long enough for couples to return to routines and deposit into their reserves once again. This is what helps whether storms that would ordinarily shake a marriage and set it on the rocks. Giving 110% never sees gaps, it is always covering for bumps and being sure there is always enough to sustain the marriage.
Power of Apology
The simple word is quite powerful actually. Saying your sorry covers a multitude of sins and can lead to immediate healing and restoration. What could take years to overcome, can happen in a matter of a few words, I’m truly sorry. These are words to live by, to love by and to die by.
When an apology is left unsaid, bitterness can easily grow in the heart leaving little room for love and kindness.
Simply say your sorry. The event may not have been your fault, or it may have been. Either way, whatever touches our spouse touches us as well. If we are to maintain a healthy relationship with those we love, particularly our spouses, sorry should not only roll naturally out of our mouths, but immediately. In a marriage, a spouse normally does not want to hurt their beloved partner, but to help heal and restore them. Apologizing right away leaves little room for hurt to bury itself within the walls of the heart. Saying sorry cuts through the pain and opens wounds to heal while helping to avoid any festering. A soft answer does turn away wrath, and if troubled by anger, you are approached with a gentle, caring apology, it make sit very hard to remain hard and cold. Saying you’re sorry, begins the necessary healing and forgiveness process, that makes good relationships better and great relationships outstanding.
Being Thankful
Last, but not least, is thankfulness. Gratitude goes far and is remembered long after it is offered. There are so many things in life to be thankful for, and our spouse should be at the top of the list. When we are thankful, it gives us a sense of appreciation we can get from nothing else in life. Through good times and in bad times, thankfulness for having met our spouse, marrying and committing our lives to them deepens our walk with them. The world is viewed as a better place just because of thankfulness.
Think of the times you were thankful and those you were not. Were not the times of thankfulness far more fulfilling than those times we sulked in our self-pity? So why not choose to be thankful rather than ungrateful? Being thankful humbles and reminds us to look around and be content with such things that we have. Putting thankfulness at the top of our list not only makes us feel good, but it also makes your spouse feel that you are putting them first.. Which in return makes them want to put you above them. It is a wonderful, endless cycle to get caught up in. It seems when we are not thankful, everything in life looks bitter. Skies are darker, flowers lose their sweet scents, people irritate us more and life just seems depressing. Being thankful truly is a wonderful way of life, of looking at things and experiencing life’s greatest rewards, no matter how small or how large. Being thankful is always worth it.
Commitment is the foremost important decision to make before you are wed, beginning with, “ from this day forward..” Statistics show, those with a mind set of believing they are marrying ‘until do us part’ have a 50% greater chance of weathering storms that come their way during their marriages. With over half of all marriages ending in divorce within the first three years, that doubles your chances of marriage survival.
Going into marriage knowing you are basically stuck for life with the one you have chosen, will make a drastic impact on decisions you make together with your spouse, how you handle conflict, how many children you both want if any, where you want to spend your lives together, career choices and much more.
Be committed from day one, make the choice to stick it out no matter what. With this in mind, all decision will be made together, all conflicts will be resolved, you will agree on how many children you want, where you want to live together and what careers you both want to purse with each other’s blessing and support.
Agreement
Being in agreement with one another is very important as well. Without this vital key in a marriage, boiling arguments are inevitable. Decisions will be made without the other knowing, and often will conflict with one another causing strife and undue anxiety. Stress will rot your bones as is mentioned in the Bible, therefore why not prevent excessive stress from getting the best of you by setting some guidelines right form the beginning.
Areas of most importance to agree on are spending limits when you are together or apart, what is expected of one another in the home, who the main supporter will be and how much supplemental income may be needed by the other spouse, major purchases, who is responsible for balancing checkbooks and sending payments, if education will play a role in either spouse’s life after the wedding, how many children and when to begin having them, discipline of the children, life and death decisions involving insurance, retirement funds and inheritance issues, friendships after marriage, television and music influences in the home, etc. These are all issues that will arise after the wedding and if an agreement has not been made, there is not unity and balance which will surely lead to dysfunction, quarreling and misjudgments. Having agreement brings about stability in the couple, happiness and peace. Things that make a marriage strong and last a lifetime.
Common Interests
What normally brings two people together are common interests. Where you met, what you were doing and who you were with all have a bearing on whether you want to get to know someone better or not. If the ‘click’ is not there, chances are you cannot create it later on.Laws of attraction kick in immediately and whatever you were doing when you met your spouse, however serious or fun it may have been, will likely be the glue that holds you together through thick and thin.
As people grow older changes occur. Not just physically but emotionally and socially. It is important to know what your spouse likes to do and not do. While you both may not like everything the same, enjoying several things together will bring harmony, closeness and a sense of togetherness into your marriage. While there must be things you both like to do or places you both like to go, when one spouse wants to do something the other does not, often it is a sacrifice of love for the spouse who would rather be fishing than scrapbooking or visa versa. Couples still need time alone as well, to enjoy activities apart from their spouses. The blending of two lives in to one, does not mean the individual spouse loses themself altogether in their mate. It just means a new life for the both of them takes place and they are joined as one with their own personalities, likes, dislikes and lifestyles blending to complete eachother more fully. Taking the time to share in your spouse’s joys and sorrows, fun and sometimes boring events of life grows a relationship deeper and closer than ever before. It solidifies the marriage and a sense of oneness just happens naturally. This oneness cannot easily be broken and therefore brings security and stability to a marriage.
Forgiving Forever
This is probably one of the hardest things to do in one’s life let alone in a marriage. Trust is a very important factor in a marriage and once it is broke, it is hard to earn it back, but it is not impossible with forgiveness.
Whether you’ve been wronged on purpose or an accident, offenses hurt, and sometimes they hurt deeply. Time does heal, but often, time is not enough. Forgiveness does not say the offense was okay, it only wipes it away, puts it in the past and keeps it there. This is what makes forgiveness such a necessary component in a marriage. In the time you are wed, there will be wrongs experienced, offenses dealt and unfortunate misunderstandings happen that lead to feelings being hurt and trust being tested. Without forgiveness, offenses can be held in the heart, dangled over heads, and used as a weapon against the other spouse and further offenses can take place. Forgiveness paves the way for healing and restoration. Two things every marriage must have actively working in it or it is just a matter of time for the marriage to dissolve and each go his/her own way. Forgiveness is tough, usually needing a supernatural touch from God to ensure forgiveness is forever. It must be reciprocated, all the time. Both spouses must be willing to seek forgiveness before closing the issues and moving on. Just as love can last a lifetime, forgiveness needs to be forever. No looking back, bringing up old offenses, or holding grudges. Trust can be rebuilt when forgiveness is genuinely offered and accepted. The marriage can become stronger and spouses can feel closer than ever, when forgiveness is present in the relationship.
Giving 110%
When we marry, we are deeply in love, wishing only the best for our spouses, and expecting only the best from them. When we dated our spouses, we always put them first, giving 100% of ourselves, our time and attention. Their needs, wants and desires became ours. We thought alike, laughed over the same things, and enjoyed believing in one another. Every day was new and fresh with excitement of what it may hold. Selfishness was not in either spouses vocabulary, for each spouse did everything they could to please the other. After the wedding, it is easy to get comfortable and think about our relationship as being planted firmly and unshakable. All too soon, the other spouse is no longer top priority. Other things come into play, such as a new job, hobby or interest. One spouse slacks off with responsibilities, and the other feels they are carrying more than half the weight in the relationship. If this is you, a check and balance system needs to be adopted and both spouses need to comply.
Giving 100% at all times means there are no gaps. Both spouses are cared for completely. Not all the time will one spouse be able to give 100%. This is where the spouse will need to give 110% and actually make up for the lack of the other spouse. Maybe one spouse is having to change jobs and more hours at work are involved. The spouse with the same routine may need to pick up some of the slack of the other spouse for a time. Agreeing on how long and knowing what extra duties must rest on the spouse without the job change for instance is extremely important. At this time, one spouse may be giving 110% while the other can only give 90%, Thus having the overlap where needs can still be met, responsibilities are taken care of and peace and joy can remain between the couple. If either spouse slacks off more than their fair share, burdens are felt by both spouses, patience falls and if the weight of one spouse is carried for too long, the one will crumble and animosity and grudges can form and be very hard to break through. Marriages are give and take relationships. Both are always giving, but once in a while, one may need to give more than the other for a time. This 110% makes up for slack, holds things together for a time, and keeps things in balance long enough for couples to return to routines and deposit into their reserves once again. This is what helps whether storms that would ordinarily shake a marriage and set it on the rocks. Giving 110% never sees gaps, it is always covering for bumps and being sure there is always enough to sustain the marriage.
Power of Apology
The simple word is quite powerful actually. Saying your sorry covers a multitude of sins and can lead to immediate healing and restoration. What could take years to overcome, can happen in a matter of a few words, I’m truly sorry. These are words to live by, to love by and to die by.
When an apology is left unsaid, bitterness can easily grow in the heart leaving little room for love and kindness.
Simply say your sorry. The event may not have been your fault, or it may have been. Either way, whatever touches our spouse touches us as well. If we are to maintain a healthy relationship with those we love, particularly our spouses, sorry should not only roll naturally out of our mouths, but immediately. In a marriage, a spouse normally does not want to hurt their beloved partner, but to help heal and restore them. Apologizing right away leaves little room for hurt to bury itself within the walls of the heart. Saying sorry cuts through the pain and opens wounds to heal while helping to avoid any festering. A soft answer does turn away wrath, and if troubled by anger, you are approached with a gentle, caring apology, it make sit very hard to remain hard and cold. Saying you’re sorry, begins the necessary healing and forgiveness process, that makes good relationships better and great relationships outstanding.
Being Thankful
Last, but not least, is thankfulness. Gratitude goes far and is remembered long after it is offered. There are so many things in life to be thankful for, and our spouse should be at the top of the list. When we are thankful, it gives us a sense of appreciation we can get from nothing else in life. Through good times and in bad times, thankfulness for having met our spouse, marrying and committing our lives to them deepens our walk with them. The world is viewed as a better place just because of thankfulness.
Think of the times you were thankful and those you were not. Were not the times of thankfulness far more fulfilling than those times we sulked in our self-pity? So why not choose to be thankful rather than ungrateful? Being thankful humbles and reminds us to look around and be content with such things that we have. Putting thankfulness at the top of our list not only makes us feel good, but it also makes your spouse feel that you are putting them first.. Which in return makes them want to put you above them. It is a wonderful, endless cycle to get caught up in. It seems when we are not thankful, everything in life looks bitter. Skies are darker, flowers lose their sweet scents, people irritate us more and life just seems depressing. Being thankful truly is a wonderful way of life, of looking at things and experiencing life’s greatest rewards, no matter how small or how large. Being thankful is always worth it.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Where Are You Lord?
I don't understand. You can move mountains, separate and walk on water, even raise a dead man. I know You have cured illnesses and provided comfort in times of distress. Your love has encompassed in stressful times of trials, and You have sent peace in the midst of great storms. Why , Oh why are you not sparing my sweet Tiffany of her horrid ailments? Where are You Lord?
She kneels in great distress with aching stomach, throwing up acid and shaking uncontrollably. You hear her cries, we both know this. You see her pain and truly care. How I ache along with her, as I kneel behind her and look up to You for comfort. My eyes fill with tears silently, not knowing what You are doing in her life right now. Are You testing her faith or building it up?
You see her deep devotion to You Lord. You are her God, the lifter of her head. She seeks You and only You in times of tribulation and uncertainty. She is not shaken by the pangs and weakness in her body. Patiently, she waits for an answer. Are You coming to her rescue?
Her mind wanders off in between the gut wrenching heaves, to her bosses who need her desperately in less than three hours time. All she can think of is the work set before her. She needs Your strength just to make it through this night. Her breathing becomes labored like a woman giving birth. But she has no hope for a child from this adversity, only feelings of great anguish and torment. Is this truly of You?
We take authority over the strong man and bind him in his steps. Releasing peace, and comfort, wellness and hope. My eyes shift to her frailness and back to You, Oh Lord. We will sit at Your feet and wait on Your presence to take her away from this place. Where You want her to be, fully whole and complete. Is she there yet?
Time lapses into early morning light. Still, she waits on You for healing, comfort and calm. Finally, she rests in Your everlasting peace and gentle stillness. Her eyes close as she slowly falls off to sleep. Our hearts are so thankful that this trial is through. We're trusting she will have strength, needed strength to please those she must go to shortly, believing You have multiplied the hours of her rest. Graciously You have shown up and once again; she has trusted in One so worthy of this expectation. Might You come again Lord?
She kneels in great distress with aching stomach, throwing up acid and shaking uncontrollably. You hear her cries, we both know this. You see her pain and truly care. How I ache along with her, as I kneel behind her and look up to You for comfort. My eyes fill with tears silently, not knowing what You are doing in her life right now. Are You testing her faith or building it up?
You see her deep devotion to You Lord. You are her God, the lifter of her head. She seeks You and only You in times of tribulation and uncertainty. She is not shaken by the pangs and weakness in her body. Patiently, she waits for an answer. Are You coming to her rescue?
Her mind wanders off in between the gut wrenching heaves, to her bosses who need her desperately in less than three hours time. All she can think of is the work set before her. She needs Your strength just to make it through this night. Her breathing becomes labored like a woman giving birth. But she has no hope for a child from this adversity, only feelings of great anguish and torment. Is this truly of You?
We take authority over the strong man and bind him in his steps. Releasing peace, and comfort, wellness and hope. My eyes shift to her frailness and back to You, Oh Lord. We will sit at Your feet and wait on Your presence to take her away from this place. Where You want her to be, fully whole and complete. Is she there yet?
Time lapses into early morning light. Still, she waits on You for healing, comfort and calm. Finally, she rests in Your everlasting peace and gentle stillness. Her eyes close as she slowly falls off to sleep. Our hearts are so thankful that this trial is through. We're trusting she will have strength, needed strength to please those she must go to shortly, believing You have multiplied the hours of her rest. Graciously You have shown up and once again; she has trusted in One so worthy of this expectation. Might You come again Lord?
Thursday, July 05, 2007
TRIBUTE TO KIMRON~
This is a tribute to one of my most favorite Lhasa's in the world .... Kimron.
Today, my precious Kimron, has gone onto heaven.
Less than an hour ago, Kimie was looking up at me, with painstricken eyes yet full of peace and contentment. She was so thin, would not eat for me, and was scarcely drinking her water. I had given her an immodium for the runs, and she was still thowing up white foam. I was there when she was born, and there when she died. She never made a sound although she was only 5 five feet from me.
Let me tell you a little about my Kimron~
She was a beautiful white coated Lhasa with carmel on her ears. Such a sweet girl. Kimron was lengthy, tall and a fabulous mommy. Her babies were always so healthy and beautiful. She loved her baths, as she always fell asleep in the sink. I would put warm water all over her and massage her back. To rinse her off, I would need to wake her up. She would slowly open her eyes and give me a look of true appreciation. I would have to rub her more because she loved it so much. She was a Lhasa with a tender spirit, enjoyed playing with the other doggies, so gentle with any puppy, loved my grandchildren and was a comfort to me as I was to her.
Recently, she was diagnosed with kidney stones. I found it hard to believe as none of my Lhasa's had ever had this problem. Atleast not four generations back. And then I thought, "NO! Not our Kimie!".
Well, we had her tested and taken to a Veterinary specialist who did not give us the success prognosis we wanted to hear. We kept her on antibiotics for a time until she seemed much better. The pain meds allowed her to play, run and enjoy life still, so we waited. I dreaded the day we would have to take her in and put her to sleep so she would no longer be in pain and discomfort. I guess God had other plans. I am thankful that plan was to peacefully bring Kimron home to Him.
Today, is a very sad, sad day for me. Please keep our family in your prayers. Today is not an ordinary day for us here at the Spooner's home. There is much grief and deep sorrow, but for Kimie, lets celebrate! She is home, finally. Running, lying at the feet of Jesus, where we all long to be. And one day, soon, we will meet her there. I am sure, she will then run swiftly to me and jump up to be loved in my arms once again. But until then, her love and peacefulness, her joyful heart and love for us, will be remembered, each and every day.
John 3:16
Today, my precious Kimron, has gone onto heaven.
Less than an hour ago, Kimie was looking up at me, with painstricken eyes yet full of peace and contentment. She was so thin, would not eat for me, and was scarcely drinking her water. I had given her an immodium for the runs, and she was still thowing up white foam. I was there when she was born, and there when she died. She never made a sound although she was only 5 five feet from me.
Let me tell you a little about my Kimron~
She was a beautiful white coated Lhasa with carmel on her ears. Such a sweet girl. Kimron was lengthy, tall and a fabulous mommy. Her babies were always so healthy and beautiful. She loved her baths, as she always fell asleep in the sink. I would put warm water all over her and massage her back. To rinse her off, I would need to wake her up. She would slowly open her eyes and give me a look of true appreciation. I would have to rub her more because she loved it so much. She was a Lhasa with a tender spirit, enjoyed playing with the other doggies, so gentle with any puppy, loved my grandchildren and was a comfort to me as I was to her.
Recently, she was diagnosed with kidney stones. I found it hard to believe as none of my Lhasa's had ever had this problem. Atleast not four generations back. And then I thought, "NO! Not our Kimie!".
Well, we had her tested and taken to a Veterinary specialist who did not give us the success prognosis we wanted to hear. We kept her on antibiotics for a time until she seemed much better. The pain meds allowed her to play, run and enjoy life still, so we waited. I dreaded the day we would have to take her in and put her to sleep so she would no longer be in pain and discomfort. I guess God had other plans. I am thankful that plan was to peacefully bring Kimron home to Him.
Today, is a very sad, sad day for me. Please keep our family in your prayers. Today is not an ordinary day for us here at the Spooner's home. There is much grief and deep sorrow, but for Kimie, lets celebrate! She is home, finally. Running, lying at the feet of Jesus, where we all long to be. And one day, soon, we will meet her there. I am sure, she will then run swiftly to me and jump up to be loved in my arms once again. But until then, her love and peacefulness, her joyful heart and love for us, will be remembered, each and every day.
John 3:16
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Conversations With God
I have had many this past week or so. Wondering if He has been listening or even cares. It has been tough, and I have definitely been challenged.
A couple weekends ago, my husband and I went on a four day trip to the coast. It was wonderful. The drive was half the trip as my youngest son, Branden puts it, and boy was it beautiful....and fun. We shot pictures of bridges, the sky, mountains, trees and rivers flowing heavily with fresh rainwater from the north. We traveled in our newer Honda Accord that gave us a most enjoyable and smooth ride around sharp corners and distant highways.
We spent two days relaxing in the quiet beach house of a friend we know, waking to the calming sound of rushing waves splashing against the sun beaten shore. Hearing the sea gulls singing their songs and conversing with one another soaring high in the sky and then anxiously descending just above the waters searching for their own meals. It was wonderful.
We headed south into California along 101 and so enjoyed the views and conversation with one another. Life at home had gotten a bit hectic with members of our family moving back home so my days seemed to be filled with a bit of chaos. The peaceful drive across Highway 299 towards Shasta was as gorgeous as my friend had told me about. I was so happy we had taken this route. The trees were as green as I had ever seen. The mountains were wide and tall and lush with majestic trees and thick brush everywhere. It reminded me of a great big head of broccoli.
The third day we reached Redding, the place we were going to finally visit a highly respected church that even those in Oregon had often heard about. We were excited and decided to find it before services in the morning so we would now when to arrive. It was big and set upon a hill. A stately woman warmly welcomed me in the foyer and informed me of the service times and that there was an auction/dinner going on that very night to help raise funds for the Christian school that operated out of the church. Oh gee, our weakness most definitely. An auction and food to boot. So we said we'd return in an hour or so and that we did.
The auction was fun, food was great and we ended up loading our goods in our car and headed off to find a hotel nearby. We were exhausted and yet excited with great anticipation for our next days events. The trip was almost over and I wanted it to go on for weeks longer. this was the first time my husband and I truly enjoyed our alone time with one another in twenty four years.
That night while turning into bed, we got a phone call from my oldest daughter, saying that one of my pregnant Lhasa Apso mama's was needing to be seen at the vet's office immediately. Cheyanne, my Lhasa mama, was in partial labor and would not proceed to pushing the baby along that she had in her birth canal. An emergency C section was inevitable but she was very sickly and the vet said she would surely die. After hours of bring her vitals up, eight tiny babies emerged from her womb and entered the world for the first time.
They did not come in the usual fashion, kicking and making alot of noise. They were quiet, still and in need of intensive care. Only one was born still born and one other just was not strong enough to survive the first few moments. I called my daughter in the morning and heard the news, but also knew we had to head home early. My oldest daughter and her brother-in-law had been up all night helping the vet and tech stabilize the puppies while my youngest daughter slept in the car. We were needed at home asap and it was still another three hours before we could walk in the door to our house. So with only an hour and a half left before Bethel Church services began. we packed up, and started our anxiety filled trek home.
We listened to a few wonderful Christian CD's by John Eldredge and passed out time in God's word and presence. We prayed and tried to stay in the calm of the storm, atleast until we arrived back home. It seemed the most logical thing to do at the time. We wanted to end our trip as nice as we began it. t seemed so short lived, but we were both so thankful we had this enriching time together. The Lord knew we were going to need it to get through the stress-filled weeks ahead.
Concludes chapter one of several in my new book~
Check back for more soon!
A couple weekends ago, my husband and I went on a four day trip to the coast. It was wonderful. The drive was half the trip as my youngest son, Branden puts it, and boy was it beautiful....and fun. We shot pictures of bridges, the sky, mountains, trees and rivers flowing heavily with fresh rainwater from the north. We traveled in our newer Honda Accord that gave us a most enjoyable and smooth ride around sharp corners and distant highways.
We spent two days relaxing in the quiet beach house of a friend we know, waking to the calming sound of rushing waves splashing against the sun beaten shore. Hearing the sea gulls singing their songs and conversing with one another soaring high in the sky and then anxiously descending just above the waters searching for their own meals. It was wonderful.
We headed south into California along 101 and so enjoyed the views and conversation with one another. Life at home had gotten a bit hectic with members of our family moving back home so my days seemed to be filled with a bit of chaos. The peaceful drive across Highway 299 towards Shasta was as gorgeous as my friend had told me about. I was so happy we had taken this route. The trees were as green as I had ever seen. The mountains were wide and tall and lush with majestic trees and thick brush everywhere. It reminded me of a great big head of broccoli.
The third day we reached Redding, the place we were going to finally visit a highly respected church that even those in Oregon had often heard about. We were excited and decided to find it before services in the morning so we would now when to arrive. It was big and set upon a hill. A stately woman warmly welcomed me in the foyer and informed me of the service times and that there was an auction/dinner going on that very night to help raise funds for the Christian school that operated out of the church. Oh gee, our weakness most definitely. An auction and food to boot. So we said we'd return in an hour or so and that we did.
The auction was fun, food was great and we ended up loading our goods in our car and headed off to find a hotel nearby. We were exhausted and yet excited with great anticipation for our next days events. The trip was almost over and I wanted it to go on for weeks longer. this was the first time my husband and I truly enjoyed our alone time with one another in twenty four years.
That night while turning into bed, we got a phone call from my oldest daughter, saying that one of my pregnant Lhasa Apso mama's was needing to be seen at the vet's office immediately. Cheyanne, my Lhasa mama, was in partial labor and would not proceed to pushing the baby along that she had in her birth canal. An emergency C section was inevitable but she was very sickly and the vet said she would surely die. After hours of bring her vitals up, eight tiny babies emerged from her womb and entered the world for the first time.
They did not come in the usual fashion, kicking and making alot of noise. They were quiet, still and in need of intensive care. Only one was born still born and one other just was not strong enough to survive the first few moments. I called my daughter in the morning and heard the news, but also knew we had to head home early. My oldest daughter and her brother-in-law had been up all night helping the vet and tech stabilize the puppies while my youngest daughter slept in the car. We were needed at home asap and it was still another three hours before we could walk in the door to our house. So with only an hour and a half left before Bethel Church services began. we packed up, and started our anxiety filled trek home.
We listened to a few wonderful Christian CD's by John Eldredge and passed out time in God's word and presence. We prayed and tried to stay in the calm of the storm, atleast until we arrived back home. It seemed the most logical thing to do at the time. We wanted to end our trip as nice as we began it. t seemed so short lived, but we were both so thankful we had this enriching time together. The Lord knew we were going to need it to get through the stress-filled weeks ahead.
Concludes chapter one of several in my new book~
Check back for more soon!
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