Star-fish

     " To sell out, take second best or settle," all are terms that mean, to me, that I've given up. I don't believe God to be the God of the universe, to be strong, powerful and almighty. It means I'm doubting God and His creation...me.      I know when I'm settling because there is no peace in selling myself and God short. There is no rest in second best. I tell myself it would be easier if...I rationalize why I might as well...but ultimately deep breaths and heavy sighs are two different reactions to life. One says I'm going to wait this out and pray for today is the day that God has made. The other says I've resigned myself to a life of hopelessness and helplessness. There is no way out, I choose to be a victim rather than a victor.      I've been in both places in my life. Choosing hope, choosing life in Christ was my way out of a life of heavy sighs, dark days and endless sin. May you reach out to Him today and see the light that may ...

      What, were you born in a barn? Did you ever hear that when you were a kid? I did, I've even said it, especially when we lived in Oregon and leaving the door wide open meant all the heat was pouring outside. Of course the phrase really doesn't make any sense, since why would you leave a barn door open and let all the animals out?      Anyway, animals are on my mind tonight as they are such a blessing to me. If you think about the Bible, God must love animals as well. He created them to wander in the Garden of Eden, saved them from the flood on the ark, and then surrounded His new born Son with them while He lay in a manager. So I guess that might not be such a bad thing to be born in a barn, since that's where our Savior first lay His head to rest. An ancient manger in Megiddo, Israel. They were craved in stone, not made of wood. Luke 2:11 " Today in the town of David a Savior  has been born to you; he is the Messiah,  the Lord.  ...

    There is nothing like a day off, when you work full-time. After being "retired" for the last couple of years, I had forgotten how wonderful it is to wake up without the alarm blaring in my ear, putter around the house and then sit down to a steaming cup of coffee. Ahhhhh, God's simple blessings...time to be still, rest, and appreciate His goodness.      As I wandered around our yard, there were fresh lemons and limes on the ground waiting to be collected. I pictured a dreamy key lime pie or fresh tangy lemon bars. Our blooming flowers attracted racing hummingbirds trying to be the first ones to collect the nectar. And the air has cooled down in our desert state, so it's briskness was refreshing on my face. Ahhhhh, God is good...always. Cup of coffee overlooking the Dead Sea. If that doesn't float your boat, nothing will:) Psalm 23:5 You prepare a table  before me   in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup ...

      I saw two car accidents today, one on my way to work and the other on the way home. Both were on side streets and not on the freeway. So, of course, I was a bit paranoid as I drove and was so relieved to be home this evening safe and sound. The drivers seemed to be unharmed, but their cars were crunched. I began to think what would I do if someone hit me in the middle of an intersection and where was my insurance card and Motor Vehicle registration?      It's interesting how I often don't begin to plan until I see someone else having a problem. Then that problem seems more likely to happen and becomes a cause for alarm. The problem I see many having in this world today is being too dependent on themselves, their work, and their finances. Where is their insurance card when any one of those areas of confidence get crunched? Our best vehicle for motoring through life is faith in Jesus Christ and dependence on the Word of God as our navigation system. ...

      As I watched a show on television tonight a woman was competing for a cause dear to her heart. She had gone to some extreme measures to bring her agenda to the notice of the judges. When one judge delivered the news she had been cut from the competition, the woman began to cry. The judge noted that it's a heavy responsibility to "carry the weight of the world" on her shoulders. The woman had made that comment earlier that she couldn't bear losing and letting people down as she "had the weight of the world" on her shoulders.      This scene was poignant to me as I sometimes fear letting people down and even letting God down. I have a friend that is always reminding me of the grace that comes from living in Christ and although my head knows what she's saying, my heart feels burdened for the world. It occurred to me tonight as I saw this woman who had sacrificed a lot for her beliefs, appear to be weighed down by the very purpose that she was living ...

      My desk looked like a paper storm had hit due to a presentation tomorrow. I couldn't call long distance on my office phone (hadn't been given access). The receipt I got at the hotel last week was not one my company would accept. I still couldn't check my phone messages due to my password not working. And then I couldn't find my note with my odometer readings so I could get reimbursed for my mileage. I was ready to explode, but knew I couldn't. "Lord," I said, "I can't take much more, I'm about to cry, please give me a break here and help me find the note with my mileage on it."      As I sat still in my chair it occurred to me where the note was and I retrieved it, breathing a sign of relief. I'm not sure what is going on with my equipment problems at work, but it has made me depend on the Lord to make things happen in a way they wouldn't happen without Him. He has been faithful and today as I finished my notebook for the p...

      If you've been rebuffed lately, what was your reaction to it? Did you feel embarrassed, angry, or vengeful? It's hard to have someone treat you with disrespect and not come out fighting or fleeing, whatever way you cope with conflict. What does God say to us about dealing with those that take advantage of us or harm us?  Luke 6: 7  “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,   28  bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.  29  If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic.   30  Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.   31  Do to others as you would have them do to you. 32  “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?  Even ‘sinners’ love those who love them.   33  And if you do good to ...

      What does it mean in Hebrews to "Keep on loving each other as brothers"? Are we really supposed to help strangers, prisoners and those who are mistreated or are we exempt from those responsibilities today due to the dangers that may be involved with such people?       Take marriage for example, where is the loyalty today? The high percentage of divorce or single parent homes is telling, as a society, of where we put our loyalties. We are loyal to ourselves first and foremost. We want to be comfortable and kept from responsibilities to others. We love money, don't want to share it and are not content with how much we have or what we already have on hand.      But that is human nature, that is not the nature of God. He warns us about loving money, sexual immorality, and ourselves over others. He reminds us that He is our helper, regardless of what man does to us. So take heart, even if "friends" seem more concerned with their own l...

     I left for work early this morning and viewed the sun just peeking over the horizon. Of course as my commute continued the subtle pink sky became a blazing orange sphere. How beautiful it was to watch nature celebrate the new day! Yet I was cranky and complaining to myself about the traffic. Forgive me Lord, for not starting my day praising You and thanking You.  Psalm 113:3 From the rising of the sun  to the place where it sets,   the name of the  Lord  is to be praised.

     Since I have an hour commute to and from work each morning, I've been doing a lot of praying and talking to God. Since I started this new job last week, I've been trying let God be my day planner. I ask Him to show me how to learn this new job by bringing me the information I need through the people and situations in my day as He sees fit. He has been faithful in all kinds of ways.      Part of my job is to visit schools and five of my "Priority" schools needed to be contacted and visited before the end of November. My computer hasn't worked yet and the first week my phone was out. A colleague had a list of schools she had already scheduled appointments with, prior to me even being hired. On her list were four of my five "Priority" schools! So I met her at the schools and introduced myself without ever making a phone call or sending an email.      Today I attended a required conference and had heard that few schools were attending due ...

      I'm a scrapbooker. In my scrapbooking group are women who have survived breast cancer. My good friend, Laura, is a breast cancer survivor. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. I had a conversation with a woman at work this last week about hand sanitizer. Another person had mentioned that it destroyed the good with the bad bacteria and this woman was concerned about using it. I told her what I heard a pastor say one time, "The statistics are in, one out of every one person dies. You have a 100% chance of dying."       I didn't say that to make light of the suffering of others, but rather as a reality check. Each of us will die, but the important thing is how we live. Do we live to serve ourselves and our singular focus of the world? Or are we living to do God's will, live for a bigger purpose and have the hope of heaven?  A scrapbook page on display at a conference. Psalm 62:5 Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes fr...

      Today I got dressed and changed clothes several times trying to find the outfit that looked professional, yet was still comfortable and didn't make me look fat! Now that's quite a tall order for any outfit, but finally dressed, I added heels. Having not worked in a couple of years, I have avoided high heeled shoes like the plague. After a long day of walking in the heels, I was reminded why I had these avoidance issues. My feet were killing me!      Now that I'm busy as a bee, I'm asking God for clothes and shoes that are work appropriate, but don't cause me to limp in the door at the end of the day. And the thing is, I know God cares even about such a little thing and I'm grateful for a big God that cares about little old me:) By the way, He cares just as much about you. Ask Him for what you need and see if He doesn't give you what is His best for you. A bee pollinating a flower in the Luther Burbank Gardens in Santa Rosa, California. Matthe...

     This is day three of my new job and the technology department hasn't been able to get my computer or phone working. Our administrative assistant has given it a gallant try, but still no phone and the computer is as fast an the old dial-up Internet. But this lack of technology has allowed me to network with past colleagues, learn the new policies and procedures as well as organize my work space!      So many things had gone wrong with the efforts to get my phone and computer up and running that our assistant noted it must be the ghost that haunts our floor! "What? Is that true that our floor is haunted?" I asked. She said that employees have had things moved around on their desks, others had things missing and still one said late one evening her door slammed shut. Yikes! Although it sounds to me like busy night custodial staff and the air conditioning coming on, only God knows. Never-the-less, I'll say my prayers for my office technology because IT is ...

     To get to my new job in downtown Phoenix, Arizona it takes one hour, but my office is only 20 miles from my home. Due to a population of over three million people and few of them who actually live downtown, many people commute into the city. As I was parked on the I-10 Freeway, one of only a few interstates that run from the west to the east coast, I began to pray. Prayers for family and friends filled my thoughts. On my way home this evening, I called my parents and a girlfriend and we had a wonderful time chatting and catching up.      In the past, I would get impatient with the two hour commute and lose my joy and the opportunity to just "be still and know that [He is] God." Am I through getting upset with careless drivers or road closures? Probably not, but I'm working on being more patient, less reactive and more appreciative of the time that I used to say was lost, when in fact, it's one-on-one time I've found to spend with the Lord. Here we...

     I have missed all of you! I started a new job today, so that's why I didn't get back on my blog as expected. My life needed rearranging to get ready to go back to work. As I lay awake last night, unable to sleep, I talked (in my head so I wouldn't wake my husband:) to the Lord. After a wonderful, but food-filled two weeks with my family, I managed to pack on four pounds! The problem is that those four pounds already had friends from previous food indulgences over the last couple of months:(      So Lord, now what, since my buttons are literally popping off my pants? He, of course, didn't talk out loud either, but I felt He was reminding me to take my focus off my exterior looks and pay more attention to my inner beauty and spiritual growth. He reminded me that we don't care about the husks on the corn, the peel on the grapefruit (and some other things that I remembered at 3:00am, but have been lost since:). He said that those exterior coverings are si...