Come See Me at My New Address!

I've moved!  Not physically but electronically.  I'm excited to announce that I will be blogging from within my own website!  Whoo Hoo!  This is such an exciting achievement involving the time and talents of two wonderful people that have made this possible.  I'll tell you more about that process later...but for now come see me at my new address!  I won't be blogging here anymore.

Where Have I Been?

Where have I been for the past year?  On a journey. Sometimes it was an exterior, physical journey but mostly it has been an interior one. A journey of the heart.  One of deep significance that is beginning to show on my exterior in subtle ways.  God has been about the business of remaking me from the inside out.  I am ready and challenged to take up the proverbial electronic pen and write of my journey...won't you join me?

Images of Love

With Valentine's Day around the corner we see red and pink hearts everywhere!

But are those symbols true images of love?

What does love look like anyway?  Red velvet cupcakes?  Red hearts?  The Eiffel Tower?
Vintage linens or glassware?

You might think of a couple walking holding hands; a child looking up lovingly at a grandparent; brand new parents holding their infant tenderly.  All those definitely conjure a comforting image for me, but what if you don't have another half?  Or your grandparents have passed away?  Or you are a childless couple?  My image suggestions would be painful and not full of love.

What images of love transcend the brokenness of our lives here?

 You may be familiar with this Celtic symbol of the Trinity from ancient times.  It is called the triquetra meaning a shape with three corners.  Various histories claim the symbol so it is not primarily a Christian symbol in origin, but it has been associated with the Trinity since the Celtic revival in the 19th century.

I share all this by way of sharing something I have recently come to appreciate as an image of love.  The unity of God in three Persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit is pictured in this symbol.  No beginning, no end, flowing One into Another.  You may know that Jesus the Son prayed in John 17
"that they also may be in Us".  When we are "in Christ" we are "in God", in the Trinity. 

I am a visual learner.  At the center of this symbol is a space surrounded by the flow of the Three in One.  That's where we are invited to live.  In the center of God.  Surrounded, protected, empowered, loved.

I want to be right there in the center don't you?  Not center stage.  Not even!  But in the middle of the Love of God from the foundation of the world!  Forgiven, Redeemed, Accepted, Loved.

That's an image I can stand on.

How about you?

Thoughts from Solitude

 One morning last fall, I happened to look out in our backyard as I was washing the breakfast dishes.  I saw something pink out of the corner of my eye.  It was a balloon floating over our fence.  It settled in our gone to seed garden bed.  I grabbed my camera and ran outside to capture the random event.

 I was able to get one stationary shot and then the balloon started moving on.  It gently floated across the beds and then suddenly caught an updraft.

The last image I took was just before it floated out of our yard.  The whole event was only about ten minutes, but the images and the randomness have stayed with me.


The pink was lovely and sweet; in an all male household there's not a lot of that color floating around!  The randomness was obviously unplanned; if my batteries weren't charged I would have missed the photos.  I need to be prepared to respond to the unexpected gifts of time with others or calls to action that the Spirit may bring my Way.  The gentleness and quiet movement of the balloon reminded me of the Way that the Holy Spirit often moves; I need to be attentive or I miss the opportunity of His gifts.

What have you learned in your solitude lately?

Just Want Y'all to Know

The cyber world has been a bit of a mystery to me since my DH, the computer engineer, first explained what the World Wide Web would be able to do waaaay back in ancient history around 1995.  But in spite of the mystery I have learned enough to be a user and consumer of sorts over the years!  And so have you since you are reading this blog!

 One of the things I have LOVED about the web is the possibility to use this amazing technology for the glory of God and the good of others.  I endeavor to do so in my blogging, my facebook and my tweets.  But I am really a nube compared to the women I enjoy following through A Woman Inspired.

 For the month of January, these women are committing themselves to blog very intentionally for God's glory and on topics that will be for our good as well.  I encourage you to hop on over and get connected.... you really won't regret it!

Beginnings

I love the newness that comes with the first day of school, the smell of new binders and paper, the fresh bulletin boards and newly sharpened pencils.  Can you remember the joy of the first day of marriage, or the first day of life for your first child (or second, or third, etc.)?  All these firsts bring such excitement and anticipation!

But do you celebrate the newness of opportunity that the turning of the first page of a new calendar brings?  Are you looking forward to doing new things?  Or in doing old things in a new way?  There are so many thoughts bouncing around in my mind! 

One thing I am aspiring to do is persevere: true confessions, I am a great starter, but often lack the perseverance to go the distance.  I have been attempting to change this characteristic though.  Last year I became a cyclist and rode two century event rides with my DH on our tandem.  There is a lot of training that goes into being able to go out and ride one hundred miles in one sitting!  This year I am attempting to ride 3000 miles over the year.  A worthy goal for a middle age woman, don't you think?

I am reading through the Bible using You Version and am on Day 160.  I am so thankful to have this on my phone so that no matter where I am, I can keep up without excuse!  This goal is so beneficial to me and everyone I come in contact with because I am changed by interacting with God's Word on a daily basis.  And changing to be more Christlike today than I was yesterday is a good goal!  I have a partner Who will never let me down too!

Those two goals bring excitement to this New Year for me.  Growing in perseverance will be challenging for sure but I know that perseverance brings proven character, and thus hope!  "and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (Romans 5:5)

1/1/11 Beginnings.  What are your goals for this New Year?

 

Already...and Not Yet (part 2)

So it's the last day of 2010 Already! It's the trend to speak of the top things of the year passing away and then to look forward with a resolute heart (hence "resolutions") to the year to come.

So not to be left out... My 2010 Tops:
1) Road trips! I loved driving across country from Chicago to SLO and through Utah twice this past year!

2) Becoming a cyclist with my DH, who has always been a cyclist (hence great legs!) We rode almost 2,000 miles in 2010!

My Resolute Heart for 2011:
1) Cycle 3,000 miles

2) The dreams, desires and goals of this year would be guided by listening well to
the Holy Spirit Who lives in me.

I would really encourage you to write down your resolutions, your goals. Commit to them. Review them. Step toward them daily.

You can write them here!

Now seriously people, I want to know what your thoughts are!

Je t'adore

What does this mean? It's not all that mysterious-- "I adore you" in French. No offense please, but I don't mean I adore You, but I am exploring how I express my adoration for God to God. Daily. During various activities. In many ways.

I have found that when I am alone in the house (or the men are all still asleep--it is vacation for those still in school!) I speak out loud to God. I include Him in what I am doing, like vacuuming or washing dishes. When I have forgotten where I left something I will say out loud "I wonder where that is?" and when the picture of where it is sitting comes to mind then I say out loud, "Thank You Lord!" and go off to find the misplaced item. Sure enough, there it is!

Sometimes I stare out the window at the birds hopping from one plant to another seeking bugs. I am especially drawn to hummingbirds and have learned to listen for the whirring sound of their wings when I am gardening. Being still in the yard has given me many close encounters with hummingbirds and I am filled with both awe and joy then I whisper Thank You to Him Who sent them my way.

Other times the warmth of the sunlight streaming through the window draws our cat to lounge on the floor, basking in comfort. That picture reminds me of being "in the Light" and I am moved to thank God again.

I am trying to learn how to show God love. He has poured out His love for me in so many ways, the most significant is His Presence. I am learning to be present to His Presence.

What ways have you learned to show God you love Him?

Already...and Not Yet

(above photo is from Zion National Park, Utah. Taken August, 2010)

I have been offline intentionally; college son home for the holidays; AFS German son in town for two weeks; high school son home during break. Enough said.

I have found time for reading though and am musing a bit about what I've read and what the Biola student has shared from his courses this fall. This post's title sums it up: Already and Not Yet. This references the inaugurated Kingdom of God actually. I am already a part of God's Kingdom through the completed work of Christ at Calvary. But His Kingdom has also not yet been completed in our time frame and I am also not yet complete in my sanctification. I am no theology student but my take aways from my listening have been deepening me as I think more about what I have been reading.

Sacred Pathways by Gary Thomas is a book written to encourage and help each one of us to discover the spiritual route we were individually made to travel, marked by growth and filled with the riches of a close walk with God. I don't know about you, but whether I am greedy or it's hungering and thirsting for righteousness, I want more of God! I don't want more head knowledge; I want Him.

In Thomas' book he shares 9 different pathways of connecting with God. Now lest you think this is merely a metaphysical book, his foundational premise is the Word of God. The full counsel from Genesis to Revelation showing the Trinity in action and His people relating to Him throughout time. In fact, one particular statement referencing Mark 12:30 has prompted me to share my musings and invite you into the conversation. (go read the link; it will make sense of what follows!)

Quoting from Sacred Pathways: "Complete Christians-which all of us are called to be- should exhibit adoration, belief, divine guidance and service."

Part of this mysterious journey called "Life" is discovering what it looks like for me to love God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. I like Thomas' words: adoration, belief, divine guidance, and service. I want to explore each of these ideas to identify ways for me to acknowledge God throughout my day. For example, in what real, practical ways can I or do I show God that I adore Him?

How about you? Please let me know what ways you adore God in your days. Join me in this journey!

First Week of Advent: Your Preparations?

The first week of Advent is almost over. What have you been doing in the area of preparations?

If your life is like mine, you've spent time converting the seasonal colors from golds, oranges, browns and reds to your family's traditional holiday colors and decorations. Could be lots of busyness or it could be a sweet time of memories and reflections.

The season of Advent is intended to help us slow our rhythms down and focus our hearts toward Christmas. The first week's emphasis is on HOPE.

I am full of HOPE for a quiet season inside me. I want to go deep under the surface of activities and be at peace. Today has been a terrific start of that internal peace for me; walk on the beach, time of reflection and time of recognition of the One Who calls to me in the middle of the hustle and bustle quietly.

So what do you HOPE for at this time?

Opera Company of Philadelphia "Hallelujah!" Random Act of Culture

You may know I love learning! I also like to know answers to "Why...?" Lately on Facebook there have been posts to a food court impromptu singing of the Hallelujah Chorus. I got to thinking about why that piece of Handel's Messiah has become so famous and why we stand at its singing. So here is a little history for you...

And now a different treat courtesy of singers in Philadelphia:

Advent or Christmas Season?

What is the difference between Advent and the Christmas Season?


I had the opportunity to spend an evening at Disneyland during Veteran's Day weekend earlier in November. Although my phone photo is a little blurry you might be able to make out the Christmas tree on Main Street. Everywhere we looked there were Christmas decorations! White lights, colored ornaments, bows and Disney characters in their Christmas attire made the experience so festive! I look forward to the annual transformation from fall decor to Christmas decor at Disneyland. The little kid in me gets so excited about the coming season!










The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival."
For Christians who follow the liturgical church calendar Advent is the beginning of the year. As some protestant churches have left traditions behind, the meaning and emphasis on the seasons of the year have also been lost. Advent has traditionally been a time of preparation: hearts and homes making room for the celebration of the birth of the baby Jesus.





I have a question for you: is it possible to enter into both the Christmas season and the season of Advent at the same time? How do you integrate Advent traditions with childlike fun and frivolity?

What's Happening in Your Neck of the Woods?

Oh my! I just looked up and a month has passed since the last time I blogged!

Life has been a little like this photo from a hillside near our home. Somewhat shady and comfortable but full of distractions on every side! Some beautiful distractions, some messy but it's been hard to stay the path and keep moving forward. Yet here it is, a month later.

I have had the privilege of preparing to teach at our church's women's Bible study so a lot of this month has been full of reading, study, prayer and writing in addition to being my normal self (that's a relative statement!) Just today I have had sweet, intimate fellowship with the Holy Spirit as I sat in the doctor's office having some multi-syllabic word for cancer carved out of my arm. Now I have a Frankenstein gash/stitch that will heal (Lord willing) and only leave a 3 inch line on my arm! But my time there was so sweet as I talked with the doctor of his time living in San Antonio and being a part of worship teams at his church; all the sweet distraction from the activity and centered on the work of the Lord in this world! What a gift! As my friend Sue reminded us this morning, "God is in the details". He knows us so well!

Where have you seen God at work in your life lately? How much has changed in your life in the last month?

Facing Fears--Again!

Don't have a photo for this post; you really need the authentic image of me in my lycra with my bike helmet to fully appreciate this adventure!

You may or may not know this about me, but I make a habit of feeling fear and facing it down. I am not talking about doing crazy antics but facing a fear that keeps me paralyzed from living life fully. Everyone around me gets to hear about how scared I am about whatever it is, but I have found dealing with fear face to face has helped me develop trust.

Two things I want to be clear on--
1.) I don't trust myself--I have grown in my trust of God.
2.) You can't be brave without being afraid

So how has facing fear helped me to trust God? I literally remind myself of several truths about Him:
* I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength (Phil 4:13)
* My times are in His hands (Ps. 31:15)
* Perfect love casts out fear (1 Jn 4:18)
...to name a few.

You can't be brave without being afraid. This statement has become a family truism over the years. When our eldest was 10 he would NOT go on roller coasters. A family friend took him aside at a theme park and asked him if he believed that God is all powerful and all knowing. Matt said yes... and the friend encouraged him with the fact that nothing is outside God's awareness so go ahead and take the risk; if it is your time to go, you'll go!

SO my big scary fear that I faced on Tuesday (and will face again I am sure) was riding my new road bike. This may sound really ridiculous to some but I am less afraid of riding the tandem with my husband than I am of riding my own bike! I have learned to trust him! Remember, I don't trust myself! The anticipation of traffic, mechanical issues, high speed wobbles on downhills, all gave me a sick stomach ache! But rather than allowing my fears to paralyze me and keep me from getting out there and riding, I confessed my fears to several people, asked them to pray for me and then I went out to ride.

I rode 20 miles without my husband anywhere around! (He was watching me via satellite though and he knew when I had arrived at Starbucks!)

Thankfully for my first venture there were no issues! A good friend was there to encourage my progress and be patient with me.

Will I do it again? Absolutely!

Will I be afraid? Probably until I get more comfortable with handling potential issues.

Did I get to know God more through this? Indeed! The peace that passes all understanding guarded my heart and my mind.

How about you? What fear is keeping you from participating in life fully?

New Understandings

I don't know about you, but for me every once in awhile something that I thought I understood suddenly takes on a whole new meaning. A light bulb moment goes off in my brain.

I had one of those experiences this weekend as we sat outdoors listening to the ancient words of King David in Psalm 63:

"O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly;
My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You,
in a dry and weary land where there is no water."

We were sitting in the shade on a well watered lawn, but the surrounding campground area was a dry desert. With that vista it wasn't hard to imagine the wilderness where David was hiding from his conspiring son Absalom. The entire psalm, or prayer, flows in a progression of praise to God, not because of David's circumstances but in spite of them.

It was pointed out that David was characterized by seeking God through the whole course of his lifetime, not just when things were tough. We were reminded of what Samuel said of David in 1 Samuel 13:14 " The Lord has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart,..."

That's when it occurred to me: David didn't follow God perfectly to be "a man after God's own heart" like I had previously thought. David was after God's heart. David wanted to know God. He wanted to have God's heart for His people, for his enemies. David was seeking God.

And that's what God wants! A heart that is sincerely seeking Him! Not a perfectly behaved, Norman Rockwell kind of a woman (or man in David's case) but a person who really wants to know God and to love Him and glorify His name through their days.

Wholehearted pursuit. Not "well maybe I will try this out and see if this Christianity thing works for me" but really being ALL IN. Following Him is an adventure of epic proportions. And it's okay to make mistakes along the Way! God expects us to actually. That's why He sent His Spirit to guide us on the Way.

So really, it's all about God. He desires a wholehearted relationship with us, He provides the means through His Son and He provides the strength and guidance for us to actually follow! And He gives us a heart of flesh and not of stone that we are able to love Him even a little. What a fabulous God we can serve!

I want to be a woman after God's heart. How about you?

Sayings

Do you ever find yourself using a phrase again and again? I've been told I have "signature" phrases I use repeatedly:

"There is that" (in agreement with someone in a conversation)

"Be that as it may" (acknowledging a point in discussion that I probably don't agree with)

"Nevertheless" or "Regardless" (listening to our sons but then laying down the law)

I turned my daily prayer themed calendar today and the saying is pithy (good economic word--look it up)

"Let prayer be the key of the morning and the bolt at night" quoted of Philip Henry (1631-1696; British Nonconformist clergyman and father to Matthew Henry renowned Bible commentator)

His simple words give such a clear picture of the importance of prayer: unlock your day with and to God and close the door to the day locking it into God as well.

Now I would much rather be known for reminders to pray or to look to God in faith through life's challenges.


How about you?

Loss

I just learned of the passing of a young man from eternity present to eternity future. He had turned 21 a month ago.

The details of his death are not as important as the loss of his life here. I cannot fully comprehend the depth of grief a mother feels at the death of a child; that path has not been mine to walk as yet. I have learned several truths about grief that I've experienced:

"We do not grieve as those without hope..." (1 Thess. 4:13)

Those who know Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord will be with Him in Paradise

"For to be absent from the body is to be at home with the Lord" (2 Cor. 5:8)

So we are with Him face to face!

God will not waste our grief no matter how deep and how long we grieve.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; who comforts us in all our affliction so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." (2 Cor. 1:3-4)

And that the mystery of this following passage will make sense in a way that it may not yet have:

"Consider it all joy my brethren when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance." (James 1:2-3)

I am still learning the depth of the truths the Apostle Paul conveyed in his letter to the Philippians (for us it's referred to as Phil. 3:8-14)

But for now, I have tears. Momma tears, imagining never getting a hug and kiss from this son again. Imagining the empty chair at the holidays. Grieving as only One can fully comprehend.

"Jesus wept." Shortest verse with greatest depth.

Wistful

It's that time of year... Back to School.

Conflicting emotions abound for mothers. Some are rejoicing that they will have time to themselves without being the Great Entertainer.

Some will be shedding tears as their too soon grown to Kindergarten age child goes off to school for the first time.

Some are panicking over the realization that they have taken on the daunting task of home schooling their child(ren).

And some, like me, are wistful for the little hands that are now able to hold mine rather than the other way around. For the times when walking to the mailbox together was a big adventure. When seeing a butterfly caused a moment of silent wonder that would be followed by a conversation of foundation laying faith.

Now our conversations include doctrine and theology or statistics for Giants baseball. Bigger ideas and passions. Man sized concerns. This is how it should be.

I would not trade who they are now for the little boys they were then. But I do miss them.

Eat, Drive, Laugh ~ A Real Life Experience part 1

Just returned from a 5 day road trip from Chicago back to the Central Coast of California. My sweet friend had driven her one and only son to Moody Bible Institute to begin his collegiate career and I had the privilege of flying in and joining her on her journey back. Truly my post title says it all!
I arrived at her hotel at 11:45 p.m. after a day of 6:45 a.m. train trip to LA and a short car trip (truck actually!) from the train station to the airport (thanks to my son who is in his senior year at Biola) and a flight to O'Hare. One would think I would opt for sleep but NO! We decided to take a walk on the streets of Chicago at almost midnight! What did we do you might ask? We walked to Portillo's, a famous Chicago eatery and had a Chocolate Cake shake. Not just the flavor of a chocolate cake mind you; blended slice of chocolate cake! Oh my we were off to a good (or bad) start for our trip home!
When we had planned our road trip we decided to look up some of Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives locations between Chicago and SLO Town. We decided to make three of them destinations for our road trip experience. Portillo's wasn't on the list so our shake was just an added extravagance! Our first destination for dining was in Kenosha WI. A historic train car converted to a diner two blocks from the shore of Lake Michigan, Frank's Diner serves some crazy breakfast and lunch dishes. We shared a signature "Garbage Plate" made that day with chorizo. We only ordered the half size because not wanting to miss out on a gastronomic experience we also ordered "Banana Bread French Toast". A.Ma.Zing! This is the view back toward Kenosha from the breakwater on Lake Michigan.


Driving across country is a long arduous trip; we have a big, beautiful country to traverse! In order to get home by a certain time we knew we would have to have long days of driving with minimal breaks so we tried to plan our final day's destination around some type of noteworthy stop. Our first day began with the fun destination however. We ended our day's travels near the western border of Minnesota! Three states in one day. Almost as much driving as San Diego to Eureka CA.

Some of you might be more adept at the self-portrait shots that my sons' generation can do so well but here for your enjoyment is one of our attempts at the same: hence the Laugh part of my post title!


What we were really trying to capture was our arrival at this world famous destination!

We had so much fun looking at the state and territory flags, eating (yes again!) and staying for the lighting ceremony which I highly recommend.

It was a surprise when the ranger leading the evening's events asked all current and former service men and women to come forward to participate in the retiring of the colors. There were over 100 veterans and current military in the audience on a Sunday evening in late August. It was a privilege to clap for all of them as they made their way forward to the stage area. It was a memorable evening recognizing and remembering that the freedoms we have in this country were hard fought and definitely not free.


The next morning the weather had changed; the temperature was much cooler and the cloud cover made a beautiful sunrise:

Doesn't God do amazing work for us? Have you ever stopped to think about how He creates beauty for us to enjoy on a regular basis? Really awe inspiring vistas, colors, sounds, wildlife... truly amazing!

What recent experience caused you to stop and marvel at the goodness of God?

reservations

Ever make plans to do something and as the time approaches have "reservations"?

It's funny that word~reservations. It can mean several different things as a noun but as a plural noun mean only one thing~hesitation.

Imagine yourself at summer camp. Your friends want to spend free time going on the High Adventure course. (Hume Lake anyone?) You may not be a big fan but you want to hang out with your friends so you go along. When you get there and see what it really looks like you have "reservations".

Or your child is taking swimming lessons and doesn't want to go off the diving board. They may not really be afraid; it may be a childlike expression of "reservations".

You may not realize this but having that hesitation is actually a good thing; a gift that God has given us. Solomon expressed it in this way: "The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty." (Prov. 21:5)

This is not to say that all spontaneity is foolishness. But the real issue is what do we do when we have "reservations" about a decision, a plan, a commitment?

Personally, like most of life, I think there is a process to walk through. At the risk of over simplifying the mystery of a personal walk with the Living God, I think there are some steps laid out for us in God's Word. Again Solomon: "Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed." (Prov. 15:22)

Step 1: Pray "If any of you lacks wisdom let him ask God..."(James 1: 5)
Step 2: Ask for the wisdom of others in decision making
Step 3: Pray "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding;in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." (Prov 3:5-6)
Step 4: Make your decision based on what you have learned from the first three steps
Step 5: When you have a sense of reservation again, remember: "Do not be afraid of sudden fear nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes; for the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught." (Prov. 3:25-26)

A sense of restraint is a gift to slow us down, to consider our way, to examine our heart before God through the power and influence of the Holy Spirit, and then step out in faith that our life and times are in God's very capable hands.

SO after all those steps perhaps you can Do the ropes course!