Happy New Year

 

My husband gave me roses for our anniversary... 27 years.  May the coming new year be a time of refreshing for you and your loved ones...

Almost Christmas

“...I will watch expectantly for the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation...”  --Micah 7:7

While doing our Christmas photos for Christmas cards today... yeah, I know, it’s two days before Christmas -- talk about last minute, huh?  Anyway, I took the opportunity to get a few shots of my daughter;  seems like just yesterday she was still a little girl, who couldn’t wait to grow up.  That was me years and years ago, but I still can’t wait to be ‘grown up’... perfected.  It’s almost Christmas, a day that has been set aside to remember our Savior’s birth.  And the older I get, the more I realize my need for His salvation.  It is the greatest gift I have ever received.

Sweet Gift

“And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.”   --Ecclesiastes 3:13

My first attempt at making fudge.  Mmmm!  The recipe was AllRecipes.com's 'Easiest Peanut Butter Fudge'.  It was pretty easy and didn't take as long as I'd thought it would.  Next, I'm going to try maple!

Part of the Family

“For the body is not one member, but many... And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.”  --1 Corinthians 12:14, 21

 

Beneath the Snow

"And like seeds dreaming beneath the snow
your heart dreams of spring."

--Kahlil Gibran

Dried Queen Anne's Lace... a wildflower whose individual flower stems curl inward to keep its precious cargo as the tiny seeds ripen... like a mother protecting her children... or a woman her heart...

Adding a Special Touch

“Give, and it shall be given unto you...”  --Luke 6:38

Josh, a young man from our church, celebrated his seventeenth birthday yesterday.  My oldest son held a gaming day in our home in his honor, and my daughter made a scrumptiously rich chocolate ganache cake for him.

Do you ever find yourself wanting to go the extra mile or add that special touch for someone?  Why?  My daughter, Tiffany, is very creative and likes to add special touches to things, so maybe you’re just one of those people.  But isn’t it easier to do it for someone who is either kind and lovable or who seems to need it?  Josh is both kind and lovable, even though he can be a bit weird at times... but what teenaged boy isn’t?  So although Tiffany probably would have added that special touch for almost anyone, Josh has made it easy to find delight in doing so.  Happy birthday, Josh!

Ting-a-Ling-a-Ling

“Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.”  --Matthew 13:52

My son, Max, caught the flu.  His new wife recently became pregnant, so most everyone thought it best for them to be apart until he is no longer contagious.  She went to stay with her parents, while he came to stay with us.


Our pastor has on occasion lightheartedly teased our family for communicating to each other through e-mail while living in the same household, not to mention those who text each other while in close proximity.  Although I think he’d perfectly understand, I can only imagine his amused expression to learn that my son has been using his cell phone instead of a ‘sick bell’ while he has been under ‘quarantine’.  Hey, while it may not be as nostalgic and cute as a ‘sick bell’, it’s more timely.  And I can still set my alert tone to sound like a bell if I become wistful.

My Friend Mya

“A righteous man has regard for the life of his animal, But even the compassion of the wicked is cruel.”  --Proverbs 12:10

Have you ever noticed that look of love and trust in the eyes of a horse or a dog when its owner approaches?  You’ll usually also see it nuzzle its owner as it tries to get as close as possible to him or her.

I was pondering the second half of Proverbs 12:10, “... but even the compassion of the wicked is cruel”.  How can that be?  How can compassion or tender mercies be cruel?  They are cruel when they are inconsistent and mixed with indifference and callousness, because the recipient doesn’t know what to expect.  Instead of love, trust, and nuzzles, you’ll find apprehension and distance.  I'd rather have nuzzles, wouldn't you?

Keep the Fire Burning?

“...if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?”  --Ecclesiastes 4:11

As I was preparing to build a fire in the fireplace on this chilly morning, I thought about what it takes to start and make a good fire, and how a fire burns more efficiently when two or more pieces burn together.  I don’t understand all the physics behind it, but they seem to ‘reflect’ the heat toward each other and help to sustain the fire hotter and longer.

Well, if you know me, although I tend to think concretely and wish I could think more abstractly on the spur of the moment, I also tend to ponder things and form analogies from the things I observe and experience.  Fire seeks to consume, and because it is a form of energy and is fluid, it moves.  I do know that much about physics.  The same is true with strong emotions moving within and between people, because emotions can be quite fluid... and consuming.

Anger consumes and destroys.  Proverbs 26:21 says, “As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife”.  One angry, bitter person can create a firestorm if others join him in his cause, and then they all end up getting burned.  Proverbs 22:24 says, “Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go.”  Be careful to keep your distance from someone given to anger, lest you become fuel and begin to reflect it also.

While anger consumes and destroys, love provides life and healing.  1 John 3:16 says, “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren,” and Proverbs 17:22 says, “A merry heart does good like a medicine”.  For love to spread, it must touch the lives of others, just as a fire needs fuel to continuously generate warmth and light.

What’s the difference between a fire providing warmth and comfort versus the raging, consuming firestorm resulting in destruction?  Caution and control.  If we recognize the flames for what they are and how they are used, we will recognize the danger when the flames move and spread, and we will prevent it from burning and destroying that which it was never intended to touch.

The Spreading of the Clouds

 "And can any understand the spreadings of the clouds...?"  --Job 36:29a

On Friday, we drove to Lancaster, Pennsylvania to see the Sight & Sound production In the Beginning.  It was amazing!  The way the story was told and performed brought to life the events of the Creation and Fall to the death of Adam.  Tears streamed down my face, and I felt like weeping.

On the ride home, the play went through my head... the life of peace, fellowship, and blessing Adam and Eve enjoyed before the Fall, and the fear, isolation, and suffering they endured afterward.  I thought about my own struggles, and a song went through my head that had come to mind the day before on the ride up... Rejoice in the Lord  by Ron Hamilton.

God never moves without purpose or plan
When trying His servant and molding a man.
Give thanks to the LORD though your testing seems long;
In darkness He giveth a song.

I could not see through the shadows ahead;
So I looked at the cross of my Savior instead.
I bowed to the will of the Master that day;
Then peace came and tears fled away.

Now I can see testing comes from above;
God strengthens His children and purges in love.
My Father knows best, and I trust in His care;
Through purging more fruit I will bear.

O Rejoice in the LORD
He makes no mistake,
He knoweth the end of each path that I take,
For when I am tried
And purified,
I shall come forth as gold.

I had asked Max and Emily if they'd like to sing it together in light of the fact our church hasn't had choir since the change from an evening service to an afternoon one.  It's difficult to get everyone together to practice.  They agreed.

I was feeling so unworthy to serve the Lord, and as I prayed, I looked up into the blue sky to see a cloud with a void in the middle with the shape of the number 5.  Five... five what?  It was a distinct shape, and as I continued looking and wondering, a cloud formation beside it slowly formed the numbers 1 and 3 in the same manner... a void, and when I looked back at the 5, it had turned into a 6.  "What does it mean?" I wondered.  The numbers were too distinct to be a mere coincidence, but I told myself that we shouldn't trust in signs and seek to hear from the Lord that way.  I couldn't help praying to ask if it was significant, and as I did, a car passed by, and I just happened to notice the last three numbers of it's license plate... 613.  Another coincidence?  It was too much, so I asked what it meant, and a thought came to mind.  The 5 represented the fifth book of the Bible, and the 6 and 13 represented the chapter and verse.  I asked Matt, who was sitting across the aisle from me, if I could borrow his Bible for a minute.  This is what Deuteronomy 6:13 says, "Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name."   Is it just a coincidence that it directed me to God's Word and fit the occasion of my prayer?  I don't think so.

Reminders

A macro shot of red berries on an American barberry bush. This bush also has thorns in the midst of the green leaves. When the leaves drop off in the winter, leaving the thorns and red berries, it reminds me of the crown of thorns put upon Jesus' head and the drops of blood He shed on our behalf. I actually made a mini crown of thorns from parts of a barberry bush. You can see the photo of the little crown of thorns and read a dialogue between a Roman and me as to why Jesus came to die if you click here: This Is Love.

Cow Brain & Pregnancy

My teenage daughter had been experiencing unusual fatigue, along with some dizziness and nausea, so like any good mother would, I took her to the doctor.  Although my daughter assured her she wasn’t pregnant, the doctor had her pee in a cup and tested her for pregnancy without her knowledge.  I found out about it later when I saw the itemized bill.  I called the doctor’s office expressing my displeasure and politely refused to pay that portion of the bill.  A blood test was also done and revealed nothing out of the ordinary.

After doing some research online, trying a few things at home and not really being able to pinpoint the problem, we visited the doctor again a couple of months later.  The nurse asked a series of questions suggested by her laptop, and the findings were still inconclusive.  The doctor came in and asked more questions, and because my daughter mentioned some ‘burning’ in her stomach, the doctor prescribed an antacid and recommended a few therapists.  Have you ever been told, “It’s all in your head”?

Not satisfied with the diagnosis of teenage girl angst, I called a naturopathic doctor upon the recommendation of my sister-in-law.  He asked several questions and seemed a bit puzzled but undaunted.  He gave her a vitamin B shot and a few general suggestions, and we made an appointment to see him again in a week.

When we went back to see him, it was obvious he had done some research.  He wanted to test a theory, so he had her lie on the exam table, checked her blood pressure and pulse, had her stand up, and did the same.  Hmmm... it appeared she was experiencing some form of orthostatic hypotension... or in layman’s terms, ‘standing low blood pressure’.  You know when you stand up really quickly from a reclined position and you feel momentarily dizzy?  Well, it’s like that, except her blood pressure and pulse did not recover as quickly as it should have.  He suggested she increase her salt intake.  Now, how many doctors do you know would suggest you eat more salt?  He also suggested we have her blood tested for food allergies and then follow a month long prescribed diet according to the findings of the test.

She followed the diet, and while she did feel a little better, she still didn’t feel quite right, so we went back to the doctor again.  This time he suggested we do an adrenal test that is more accurate than the blood test.  She had to fill four small vials with saliva at different times throughout the day.  The results revealed lower than normal cortisol levels, so he prescribed an adrenal support supplement.  On the way home, my daughter looked at the ingredients, because she checks ingredients more now after having done the food allergy diet.  Anyway, she slowly read, “Adrenal whole bovine”.

“Bovine?” I queried.  “That’s cow!”

“What?  Cow?  Are you sure?”  she skeptically asked.  She sounded out the next ingredient, “Adrenal cortex bovine."

“Cortex?” I laughed.  “That’s brain!  Cow brain!”

“You’re joking with me, right?” she asked.

“No, I’m serious,” I replied as I continued to laugh.

There were other ingredients as well, but she didn’t hesitate to do a Google search when we returned home and found, indeed, that I was right... well, sort of.

A couple of mornings later, I read an article in the magazine Above Rubies, and I proceeded to tell my daughter about it.  The article contained scientific evidences that support the physical side of the Bible verse in 1 Timothy 2:15 which says, “Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.”  The part that caught my eye was for the section subtitled “Adrenal Fatigue”.

“Yeah,” I continued, “The article went on to say that a woman, who had experienced panic attacks due to adrenal burn out, was afraid to get pregnant until she read that pregnancy actually helps heal adrenals.”

When my 18-year-old daughter reacted with a look of puzzled disbelief, I laughed and continued, “Not that I’m suggesting you get pregnant.  I just found it interesting.”

Anyway, she's been feeling even better since taking the adrenal support supplement.  So, if you’ve been feeling unusually tired, weak, dizzy, nauseous, or having random feelings of anxiety for no apparent reason, don’t believe the doctor who suggests it’s all in your head.

Bearing Blossoms and Fruit

He shall cause them that come of Jacob to take root: Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit.  --Isaiah 27:6

 

[Jesus] spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none.  Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground?  And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:  And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.  --Luke 13:6-9

How would you feel if you planted a tree or bush and it never bore any fruit... especially if you had to pay a price for it?  We bought our plum tree, a cherry tree, and two pear trees about four years ago.  Our cherry tree produced a lot of blossoms and cherries this year.  Our pear trees have one miniature-sized pear between the pair of them despite the abundance of spring blossoms, and our plum tree had this one lone purple jewel.  While I don’t fully understand why the other twelve baby plums abandoned the tree early on, and even though the one that remained was slightly smaller than a ping-pong ball, I am grateful it bore fruit again this year.  It gives me hope for the future.

Have I borne any fruit this year?  I think so... although I’m sure I haven’t been as productive as I could’ve or should’ve been.  The Lord is gracious and slow to anger, but I sure hope He doesn’t find it necessary to dig about and ‘dung’ me in order to make me more fruitful.

Happy National Creme-Filled Doughnut Day!

 

"Of the first of your dough ye shall give unto the LORD an heave offering in your generations."  --Numbers 15:21

Sometimes when I want to be inspired to take a picture or to make an ordinary day not so ordinary, I look to see if the day has been designated as a national holiday.  What does it take for a day to become designated as a national holiday?  Doesn't a resolution or something have to be passed by Congress?  And why would anyone designate a day to become National Creme-Filled Doughnut Day?  Or National Goof Off Day?  Or National Sea Monkey Day?  I don't know, but I thoroughly enjoyed my creme-filled donut this morning.  Maybe I'll even hug a crabby stranger today or eat a hoagie.  By the way, what is doodle soup?

The Etymology of Hypocrite

"An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbor: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered."  --Proverbs 11:9 KJV

While reading Proverbs 11 yesterday, as I came across verse 9, it struck me how apropos it was.  Just a few days ago,  President Obama addressed a joint session of Congress concerning the health care issue.  When he stated the plan would not insure illegal immigrants, one of the representatives shouted out, "You lie".  Then yesterday morning, I learned that commentators like Glenn Beck were revealing several lies being told by the present administration regarding the president's plan.  Another one is no government funding for abortion.  Interestingly, I understand that some government funds are already being used in both cases.  Many people in our country and even others are making the observation that this present administration is attempting to transform the U.S. into a socialist nation.  Thank God for people like Glenn Beck and media outlets like Fox News who are researching and sharing knowledge of the truth.

As I read verse 9 again this morning, having been a homeschool mom and one who enjoys the study of language, I noticed the prefix hypo- in hypocrite.  Hypo- means "under".  "Under what?" I wondered, so I researched the etymology of hypocrite.  I knew the Greeks used it as a word for actors, but I wanted to know what crites means.  It comes from the Greek krinein , which means "to separate, sift, decide, or judge".  The sense is like an actor, who knows what s(he) is going to say beforehand , but must wait to say it in response to and after sifting or judging what his/her fellow actor or the audience has said.  I find it interesting and a bit scary to consider a double meaning... that hypocrites are 'under judgment'.  Hasn't there been a bit of pretense in all of us at one time or another?

Black Mission Figs

 

For Isaiah had said, Let them take a lump of figs, and lay it for a plaster... and [Hezekiah] shall recover. --Isaiah 38:21

My daughter wanted to try a fresh fig, so I bought some at the co-op a few days ago.  The very first bite is a bit unusual, but they are actually very tasty... and they're really good for you too.  They have lots of potassium, calcium, fiber, Vitamin A, protein, and fiber.  Even the Bible mentions using them for healing.  So try some.  They're sure to do some good, and I think you just might enjoy them too.

 

Afraid You'll Miss Something?

Today was Labor Day.  Did you have plans to do anything special or to simply get together with family or friends?  Did you have that one last summer fling?  Or did you feel restless, thinking that everyone else had something to do except you?

I helped some friends do some painting in their pizzeria today.  It was kind of a spur of the moment thing, because... well, my family didn’t have anything planned.  And besides, I couldn’t see my friends doing so much work by themselves, so I offered to help.  It was so nice seeing them again.  My friend, Keith made subs for lunch, and we ate outside on the green in the gazebo.  Then  later, he made three pizzas for me to take home to my family.  Each one was specially made, including one without cheese for my daughter.  He makes the best pizza, and both he and his wife are wonderful people.  Although it wasn’t anything I would’ve planned for Labor Day, I was blessed.

After enjoying the pizza with my family, I wanted to get caught up with other friends and family on Facebook.  I was surprised to see that many others had not made plans for the day either and had been wondering what to do, but isn’t that what most of our lives really look like most of the time?  And it’s not like we didn’t do anything this Labor Day weekend.  Our pastor and his wife hosted a BBQ and ice cream social at their home yesterday.  So why the need to do something today?  Perhaps it has something to do with something our pastor said in one of his sermons:  “Resistance to rest is a mark of immaturity.”  Are we sometimes like two-year-olds who don’t want to take a nap, because we’re afraid we’ll miss something?

God's Goodness

 

"He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth."  --Psalm 104:4 

I milled some parsley from our garden this morning, and I have some dried oregano waiting to be milled.  Spices can be expensive, but God has blessed our garden this year, and it is so rewarding to enjoy the fruit of one's labor.  Isn't it?

"Tips For College & Marriage"

No, this isn’t an advice column on college and married life.  I never went to college, except for taking a few classes through a community college.

My daughter and I made a three-hour drive to the beach yesterday.  While ordering some lunch, I noticed a paper cup sitting on top of the counter for tips.  It read “Tips for College & Marriage”.  Apparently, the cashier is going to college, and the cook is getting married.  The cook was a young college age man, and I thought of my own son who was recently married.  I want to say I gave them a tip, but I didn't have any small bills, and I wanted to give more than the little bit of change I had.  I would come back.

Later, while making the traditional purchase of salt water taffy before heading home, I noticed another tip cup that read, “Tips for College”.  I was tempted to pull out a pen and paper, but I didn’t, because I remembered that I hadn't really gone to college.  Instead, I pulled out a single green piece of ‘paper’ and put it in the cup.  I wonder if it really was for college since the boy behind the counter looked about fourteen, but I guess it’s never too early to start planning, right?  Perhaps I should have told him that the best tips, "... all things that pertain to life and godliness..." can be found in God's Word.