tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88471058289563149282024-03-14T05:57:41.903-07:00Be Still and Know That I AmThoughts on the journey and destination of this life.tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17998277122897481611noreply@blogger.comBlogger143125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847105828956314928.post-49131151898699913542016-02-07T19:36:00.000-08:002016-02-07T19:37:12.475-08:00Mission Statement<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">"Praise the Lord, all nations! Extol him, all peoples! For great is his steadfast love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!" (Psalm 117:1-2).</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Earlier this morning the pastor was talking about each of us having a mission not suggested but commanded by the Lord. We are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, and soul.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We can consider it our mission statement from Jesus.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It seems that all clubs, groups, organizations, and businesses have mission statements--communication to one and all of just what the organization is all about; the most effective mission statements are those that are simple, direct, and to the point. Isn't that just like the perfection of our Lord? Our mission statement can be found in Matthew 22: 37-38: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. this is the first and greatest commandment." Direct, specific, and a true challenge to each and every one of us.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Just how do we carry out this mission? Of course, we love the Lord our God--but we are to love Him with <i>all </i>our heart...<i>all </i>our soul...<i>all </i>our mind. Not some...all.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Quite a mission. This is not a typical mission statement that exists for a very finite amount of time to be revisited and edited. This mission statement is perfection from the beginning. It is eternal. It is our duty.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So how do we live up to this ultimate mission statement? I feel very inadequate to give any suggestions. The longer I thought about this all afternoon, the more I decided that prayer is my only answer. Meditation is needed throughout the day; upon rising in the morning, mindful prayers as the day carries on, and at the end of the evening before going off to sleep. Our mission challenges--no commands--us to <i>love</i>--truly love. In order for us to work toward this greatest command, we need to work diligently...perhaps the most diligently we will ever work on anything in our lives. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Let's accept the mission as well as the mission statement. What better work in the world is there for us to do?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Peace be with you. </span><br />
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tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17998277122897481611noreply@blogger.com0Otwell, IN 47564, USA38.4547728 -87.09222769999996712.9327383 -128.40082169999997 63.976807300000004 -45.783633699999967tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847105828956314928.post-76081354375286102012016-01-21T07:12:00.002-08:002016-01-21T07:12:38.941-08:00Gifts<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Having gifts that differ according to
the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our
faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the
one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity;
the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with
cheerfulness” (Romans 12:6-8). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gifts. I
don’t know about you, but I have a bit of a complicated relationship with the
whole idea of gifts. I’m pretty much a low-clutter person, so sometimes a gift,
no matter how well-intentioned, can be a bit intimidating. I don’t care for
having a great deal of anything material; I’m much more content with opening a
drawer or cabinet and being able to see everything rather than combing through
numerous items. Just a few helpful, meaningful pieces keep me quite content.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would like
to think that I am a better gift giver than a receiver. However, after
listening to a very good sermon last weekend, I’m wondering if I try to keep my
gift giving a little too low clutter as well. Romans 12:6-8 very clearly tells
us that we all are given the best gifts in the world—given from God to share
with the world. Yet, how many times have I convinced myself that I wasn’t
“gifted” enough to share my gifts from God with others? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I believe
that God has given me a gift of expression through writing. Nevertheless, there
are so many times that I convince myself that what I put down on paper is of
little worth. There are, after all, tremendous writers out there with much
greater talent and training than I possess. But is talent and training really
what is concerned with gracious gifts from God? I don’t necessarily think so. I
know last year while Kurt was going through the pre- and post-transplant
process, it wasn’t my talent or training that drove me every day to write about
the experience. It was a practice in something much more important—it was my
daily practice of faith in God. These words were my prayers; what entered into
my heart during these prayers was God’s love that was so over-whelmingly
generous that it literally overflowed onto the page. What a gift indeed.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, this is
my belief concerning gifts—the everyday ones are fine and, if given with
thought rather than obligation, are appreciated. If I give one of these
material gifts to someone and, later, it becomes a gift that should be passed
on to another as a thoughtful gesture, so be it. These are tokens, after all.
The <i>true </i>gifts that God gives us
through the sharing of faith, mercy, support, or enlightenment of God’s
love—share them and they will never go away from the original one gifted. They
continue for as long as they are shared. Amen!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Peace be
with you all.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17998277122897481611noreply@blogger.com0Otwell, IN 47564, USA38.4547728 -87.09222769999996713.355652800000001 -128.40082169999997 63.5538928 -45.783633699999967tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847105828956314928.post-65245858761870886702016-01-10T09:45:00.001-08:002016-01-10T09:45:57.121-08:00Precious Snippets<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">January is a cleaning up and clearing out month for me. Like many people, I find myself encouraged to "freshen up" the house with the arrival of the New Year. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yesterday evening, as I was clearing out a section of the downstairs study, I took down a bulletin board in anticipation of eventually painting the wall. The board had pretty much taken on a life of its own in becoming a memory book of sorts. Among the many addresses of old friends, items from various occasions, and assorted old pictures, I started unearthing a number of snippets and short items of a Biblical nature. I halted my cleaning for the next several minutes and sat down to read these precious snippets. Once I read each one, becoming more energized by the beautiful messages of God's love through Jesus that were penned on these various pieces of paper, I decided they were "Bible worthy"...those of you who have a Bible that is well-used know what that means. Just as our favorite cookbooks that we've had for decades or have been passed down to us are stuffed with precious bits and pieces of generations-old scraps of paper that carry on them prized recipes that appear at family gatherings and other special occasions, our Bibles are full of similar bits of paper that contain "recipes" for better living.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My recipe books and my Bibles get a reprieve from the annual "cleaning out"; there's nothing but precious snippets in each one.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Peace be with you. </span></span>tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17998277122897481611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847105828956314928.post-43233903019127535042015-07-13T06:59:00.000-07:002015-07-13T06:59:22.081-07:00Called to Serve--Anyone, Anywhere<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> "Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God" (I Corinthians 4:1)<br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In church this morning, we were treated to a special speaker. Our friend and neighbor John Gray shared his work with us as a Gideon. For anyone not familiar with the Gideons, all one needs to do is check the nightstand at the next hotel where a Gideon Bible will be found. Over two billion of these Bibles (including millions of New Testaments distributed throughout the world at schools, events, and within the military) are available to anyone, anywhere at no cost. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And the Gideons? Just regular guys with regular families...called to serve and answering that call to be "stewards of the mysteries of God".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We are all called--but do we answer? Who are the daily servants of Christ? How is one a steward of the mysteries of God? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Just look around...these good folks are everywhere.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And you're probably one of them, too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Every time we do something for our family, our neighbors, or our friends--no matter how small the deed--and do it in stewardship to God, as a servant of Christ, we are putting into practice the call. No matter what the deed, we are following the instruction of our Lord and increasing the Kingdom of God on earth.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Peace be with you.</span>tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17998277122897481611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847105828956314928.post-34184289002474573692015-07-02T11:42:00.000-07:002015-07-02T11:42:02.602-07:00In the Garden<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I come to the garden alone,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While the dew is still on the roses;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And the voice I hear, falling on my ear,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Son of God discloses"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">--from <em>In the Garden </em>by Austin Miles</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I know of few things in this world that put me more in communion with the Lord than being in my gardens. In the summertime, I like to go out early in the morning just after sunrise. There's always a wonderful quietness at that time of day; the world is just waking up, with the birdsong of a few early-risers like me. As I walk through the grass, my shoes always get as wet as standing in a rain. But, you know, that's a good thing--that same dew gives life to all the flowers, the bushes, the trees, and the plants growing in the vegetable garden. When there's a healthy dew on the roses, the roses grow well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">There is a blessed stillness in the early morning hours in the garden. All my thoughts and meditations for the day are as fresh as the air I breathe. "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" (Psalm 118:24). It is the perfect time to hear the voice of God in my prayers. Working in the life-giving soil puts me so very close to our Lord. He gives us all good things.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">"And He walks with me, and He talks with me,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And He tells me I am His own;</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">And the joy we share as we tarry there,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">None other can ever know."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">There in the garden I share my every thought, concern, and joy with the Lord. I know I am His own and blessed with His perfect love. To be a child of God is the greatest joy we'll ever know.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Peace be with you.</span></div>
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tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17998277122897481611noreply@blogger.com0Otwell, IN 47564, USA38.4547728 -87.09222769999996712.9327383 -128.40082169999997 63.976807300000004 -45.783633699999967tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847105828956314928.post-40561748502071245582015-06-28T19:40:00.001-07:002015-06-28T19:40:27.292-07:00This is My Command<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's been far too long since I've written on this blog. Spring arrived and with it all the wonderful things that my favorite time of year brings, namely tending to gardens. So now, on this rainy late June evening, sections of the garden are freshly planted with some late summer veggies, while the rest grows on with its towering celery and sunflowers, its many herbs, late lettuce, peppers, and a plethora of tomato vines bearing green promises of scrumptious red tomatoes to come in the next few weeks. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">In the midst of all this joyous time outside among the veggies, the flowers, the fruit trees and bushes and brambles, the world took some turns. For those of us who hold our Christian beliefs near and dear, it's a time of pause. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Our world, with the whoosh of a pen, became quite different. And, to give us greater pause, those of us who hold our tightly to our precious Christian beliefs became less liked and tolerated. We are living in a time when we are shamed by our friends, neighbors, acquaintances, and even family for not being tolerant, yet we are not tolerated. We are aware that, with the bang of the gavel of a judge, we immediately became hard-hearted and, according to many, we just don't get it.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We get it. We've been told this would happen. It's okay. We're in good hands. <span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>"You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved</i>"</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> (Matthew 10:22).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Are we hard-hearted and hateful because we don't join in hardy agreement with ideas that contradict tenets from our Bible? I don't think so. Please take a moment and read the following passages:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. This is my command: Love one another" (John 15:9-13, 17).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">So, you see, we love all--it is commanded of us by our Savior and we obey. We may not agree with what our brothers and sisters on this blessed Earth choose to believe, but we love all, nonetheless. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We pray all will know this love. Blessings. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span class="red"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span>tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17998277122897481611noreply@blogger.com0Otwell, IN 47564, USA38.4547728 -87.09222769999996712.9327383 -128.40082169999997 63.976807300000004 -45.783633699999967tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847105828956314928.post-88554153257205124912015-03-08T18:24:00.001-07:002015-03-08T18:24:06.302-07:00Shedding a Layer<br />
"<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery" (Galatians 5:1).</span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Today was one of those first glorious days of late winter. After church, I actually took my coat off before heading into a restaurant for lunch with my mom. I always feel a particular sense of freedom--shedding that layer that clearly defines a time of the year that is certainly far from my favorite. I feel lighter, in both weight and spirit. Released from the feeling of being "bounded" by a bulky coat, hat, and/or gloves is such a feeling of liberation. I step more lively, and I just feel better in general. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">When we think about it, God allows us to "take our coats off" and enjoy the lightness of a new spirit in His love. Most of the time we walk around in those moth-eaten old coats of despair, short-sightedness, and frustration with ourselves as well as with others. We don't like those ratty old "coats" of living lives that are less than Christ-centered, yet we continue to keep the buttons done up, the collar pulled up around our ears. We're not comfortable, yet we are familiar with the feeling of being encumbered by our being tethered by our everyday habits. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">As more and more coat shedding days present themselves in the near future, let's keep in mind that just as we can free ourselves from the yoke of the heavy old coat, we can free ourselves permanently from the yoke of our sins through the love and sacrifice of Christ our Savior. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Peace be with you.</span>tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17998277122897481611noreply@blogger.com0Otwell, IN 47564, USA38.4547728 -87.09222769999996712.9327383 -128.40082169999997 63.976807300000004 -45.783633699999967tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847105828956314928.post-78817029659891549902015-02-22T15:21:00.001-08:002015-02-22T15:21:16.535-08:00God's Love Knows No Season<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.” ~Genesis 18:22</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">This time of year is a tough one for most of us. It takes a pretty hard-core winter lover to still be tolerating mid-February weather without feeling just a little cabin fever or just plain grumpy and impatient for warmer days--or at least not so frigid days. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">On these days that seem to last forever (wonder why the summer days, although longer in their daylight hours actually seem shorter than these long, cold days?), we can look to the beautiful verse from Genesis: "As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease". </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We're in the depths of the deepfreeze at the present, but we know that seedtime warmth will be here--we thank God for his beautiful world, no matter what the season.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Peace be with you.</span></div>
tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17998277122897481611noreply@blogger.com0Otwell, IN 47564, USA38.4547728 -87.09222769999996712.9327383 -128.40082169999997 63.976807300000004 -45.783633699999967tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847105828956314928.post-1627737113807977752015-02-14T11:55:00.001-08:002015-02-14T11:55:26.108-08:00Our Ultimate Valentine<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"For the eyes of the
Lord are intently watching all who live good lives, and he gives attention when
they cry to him. Yes the Lord hears the good man when he calls to him for help,
and saves him out of all his troubles" (Psalm 34:15,17). </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">What is the ideal
Valentine, we ponder...someone who thinks of us always, has our best interest
in mind, loves us unconditionally, is always there for us. To find someone like
this is the ultimate hope of most everyone who walks this Earth. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Isn't it odd that we
can't always see and always know that <span style="font-style: italic;">we
already</span> have someone who has loved us unconditionally since we came into
existence? Our Lord is surely intently
watching us--all He asks in return is that we live good lives. It's a sometimes
difficult thing to do, but certainly not impossible...our Lord never asks us to
do the impossible. We are safe with
him. He saves us from all of our troubles.
We all have periods in our lives when the road seems rough, but if we
believe--<span style="font-style: italic;">truly</span> believe--we will be
sheltered by his ultimate love. Granted, our life's story may not always play
out as we have formulated it, but surrounded by His love, it will be the way it
should be--because of living in His light. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Happy Valentine's
Day to all ...and even though you may not have someone showering you with
cards, candy, and flowers at the moment, know full well that you are loved
today and every day more than you'll ever realize . We have been chosen to be
loved. <span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span></div>
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tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17998277122897481611noreply@blogger.com1Otwell, IN 47564, USA38.4547728 -87.09222769999996712.9327383 -128.40082169999997 63.976807300000004 -45.783633699999967tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847105828956314928.post-82959544585612113682015-02-08T16:02:00.002-08:002015-02-08T16:02:45.413-08:00Looking to the Mustard Seed<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"He replied,
'Because you have so little faith, I tell you the truth, if you have faith as
small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, '<span style="font-style: italic;">Move from here to there' </span>and it will move. Nothing will be
impossible for you'" (Matthew 17:20).</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> It's that time of
year when I start getting the itch to begin gardening. Of course, all gardening
that I do is within the confines of looking over seed catalogs, beginning the
purchase of seed, and planting a few items that need early germination time to
put into the early spring garden. Nothing too major league here, but still a
great deal of fun.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> As I was putting
some tiny seeds into their germination pods earlier this week, I started thinking
about the parable of the mustard seed. That drew me to go upstairs to the
kitchen and examine the mustard seeds in my spice cabinet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How tiny they are! And yet...if we only have
faith in our Lord of that size, we will be able to achieve great things in His
name. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> It just doesn't seem
that it should be that difficult, but wow is it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every morning I wake up, I know that today
will be a day that my faith will be at least as big as that tiny little seed;
alas, by the end of the day, I've not achieved that very<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>reasonable goal our Lord asks of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I pray at night that the next day will be
more successful. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> I guess just having
the faith that someday I'll have the faith the size of a mustard seed is a good
start. God is good to us that way...He gives us hope anew each day to get just
a little closer to heaven. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Peace be with you.</span></div>
tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17998277122897481611noreply@blogger.com0Otwell, IN 47564, USA38.4547728 -87.09222769999996712.9327383 -128.40082169999997 63.976807300000004 -45.783633699999967tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847105828956314928.post-21298310749508611212015-02-01T15:02:00.000-08:002015-02-01T15:02:05.734-08:00The Gift of Stewardhip<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Stewardship. Sounds like a fancy word for work, doesn't it? Even the dictionary would agree. Among the various definitions, the words <em>responsibility, duty, "put in charge", </em>and even <em>moral responsibility </em>are listed to describe this word. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So how on earth can stewardship ever be described as a gift? How is work, responsibility, or duty a gift?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Well, for one thing, having responsibility makes us humble. Being "put in charge" can be a bit daunting. Our performance is in the spotlight; it is certainly not an opportunity to boast, but rather to keep our proverbial noses to that proverbial grindstone. And, believe it or not, that is truly a gift we are given. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">How so?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">In the book of Matthew, Jesus tells his disciples that "therefore anyone who humbles himself as [this] little child is the greatest in the kingdom of Heaven" (18:4). In our daily lives we are not often given chances to act with pure humbleness and humility. Our egos many times get into the way. We play out the "I'm in charge" aspect of Stewardship, but we are missing the point. Anyone can say he or she is in charge of a situation, a group of people, or an event. But a true <em>steward</em> purposely takes the back seat and becomes the humble servant, assuming grave responsibility for the task or the group with whom he or she has been entrusted . It truly teaches us the lesson Christ gives us of being as humble as a child.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It's a new month, and a new week--what better time for us to practice afresh the true meaning of stewardship? We'll discover anew this precious gift.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Peace be with you.</span>tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17998277122897481611noreply@blogger.com0Otwell, IN 47564, USA38.4547728 -87.09222769999996712.9327383 -128.40082169999997 63.976807300000004 -45.783633699999967tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847105828956314928.post-1377810752344616692015-01-18T09:41:00.000-08:002015-01-18T09:41:57.901-08:00Slipping and Sliding<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 17.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">Psalm
15:1</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">-5--"Lord, who may go and find refuge and shelter in your tabernacle up on your holy hill? Anyone who leads a blameless life and is truly sincere. Anyone
who refuses to slander others, does not listen to gossip, never harms his
neighbor, speaks out against sin, criticizes those committing it, commends the
faithful followers of the Lord, keeps a promise even it if ruins him, does not
crush his debtors with high interest rates, and refuses to testify against the
innocent despite the bribes offered against him--such a man shall stand firm
forever."</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
As I write this,
we're experiencing one of those blessed respites from the deep-freeze of
January. Sunshine, temperatures in the 50s--no slipping and sliding out there
for awhile, and I know you're as happy with that as I am.</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
The Bible verses
listed above give a different view of
slipping and sliding. These words are expectations of all of us to live a truly
Godly life. I don't know about you, but
I've been doing some major slipping and sliding. As I read these words this
morning, I felt pretty lowly. I know I've fallen short time and again--you,
too, perhaps? Worse yet, how would we treat a person who was able to keep close
to these words? It sounds, well, heavenly to be around this type of person, but
the world in which we currently live has slipped and slid so much morally and
ethically these days to the point where a person faithfully practicing these
charges might seem more the
politically-incorrect pariah than a good person. </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
If we live a truly
Christ-filled life, we have been warned by Christ himself that we will not be
the life of party...or likely even
invited to the party. It's not a popular view to speak out against
secularly-accepted but Biblically disapproved ways of living. And just as we've all experienced some
slipping and sliding on cold, icy January days, we know just how difficult it
can be to walk steadily and securely without taking a tumble. It's the same
with our words and actions. We need to "brace" ourselves with our
faith and looking to others with similar resolve to share support.</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
Peace be with you. </div>
tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17998277122897481611noreply@blogger.com0Otwell, IN 47564, USA38.4547728 -87.09222769999996712.9327383 -128.40082169999997 63.976807300000004 -45.783633699999967tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847105828956314928.post-32518525884551239702015-01-11T19:39:00.002-08:002015-01-11T19:39:16.407-08:00Faith--What Else Do We Have? What More Do We Need?<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Matthew 8: 5-13--"When Jesus arrived in Capernaum, a Roman army captain came and pled with him to come to his home and heal his servant boy who was in bed paralyzed and wracked with pain. 'Yes,' Jesus said, 'I will come and heal him.' Then the officer said, 'Sir, I am not worthy to have you in my home; {and it isn't necessary to come}. If you will only stand here and say, 'Be healed,' my servant will get well! I know, because I am under the authority of the superior officers and I have authority over my soldiers, and I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my slave boy 'Do this or that,' and he does it. And I know you have authority to tell his sickness to go--and it will go!' Jesus stood there amazed! Turning to the crowd he said, 'I haven't seen faith like this in all the land of Israel! And I tell you this, that many Gentiles {like this Roman officer}, shall come from all over the world and sit down in the Kingdom of Heaven with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. And many an Israelite--those for whom the Kingdom was prepared--shall be cast into outer darkness, into the place of weeping and torment.' Then Jesus said to the Roman officer, 'Go on home. What you have believed has happened!' And the boy was healed that same hour!"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The above account is one of my favorite reports of Christ's journey while on Earth amongst the people of Israel. Here we have a Roman soldier, a very unlikely candidate to tolerate this trouble-causer Jesus, much less to actually come to him for help in his time of great need. Greater yet, this was a show of true and undeniable FAITH that Christ would heal the servant boy when the child wasn't even in Christ's midst, but rather back at the Roman soldier's home. This was a beautiful example of true faith from a soldier who thought and acted as a true soldier; one who understood the practicality of authority. He also clearly understood something that Christ's contemporaries failed to see--Christ was the ultimate authority.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">How much smoother our lives would be if we lived with the belief system of this Roman soldier. If only we faithfully followed the sacred prayer, "Thy will be done." Truly, what else do we have in this life that is so trustworthy? More importantly, what more do we truly need?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">This week, let's give ourselves a break and know that we don't need to be in charge. We need only to trust. And pray. And believe.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Peace be with you.</span>tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17998277122897481611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847105828956314928.post-21333705140680396352015-01-06T11:30:00.001-08:002015-01-06T11:30:56.551-08:00New Year, New Insights<br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Happy New Year! This
is that fun period of time when we're in the "infancy" stage of a new
year. We pretty much are given a blank slate; the possibilities we are told on
TV commercials, ads online and in paper media, are endless.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">
Crazily, within
about a week of this heady excitement we're back into many of our old
habits--good and not so good.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> This year I propose
a challenge to all --including myself. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Read your Bible.
That's it. Just read.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Several years ago, I
discovered a good perpetual calendar-type Bible with an Old Testament, New
Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs section set for each day. The Bible is pretty
dog-eared and, for the most part, I've switched to a Kindle version so I can
read on the road or on the treadmill. Needless to say, over the years that I
read through these sacred texts, I have learned a great deal...but oh, how much
more I have to learn. And I'll continue to re-read and re-read for as many
years as I'm given.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Every<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>day I read, I learn something new that I've
never noticed before--no other book will ever give me this<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>challenge. For example, even though I've read
the story of Genesis so very many times, just the other<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>day I learned that the animals that were
herded onto the ark were more in number than I always though. There were
actually seven pairs of some animals--those for food and sacrifices. Makes
sense. But then I also read that with several of the birds there were seven
pairs as well. All the times I've read this...all the Sunday School lessons I sat through...all the discussions of Noah...seven pairs!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Interesting. I'm
sure the Biblical scholars have wrung their hands over this over the
years...I'm going to just believe that God had this under control.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Another segment in
Genesis that had me doing a double take was when<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I read that God
stated that the newly-created man and woman were like
"us"…"us". Was God speaking to an angel? A cherub? It
doesn't really matter to me who it was...I just find it fascinating--and it
makes me happy to know that God had someone far more matured than these new and
mistake-ridden human children to discuss their foibles with and doing some
thinking out loud.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">
</span><br />
<div style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"> So, if you're
looking for some good, riveting reading in 2015, pick up a Bible. If you've not
read one for awhile, give it another try. Ah, the blessings you will receive!</span></div>
tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17998277122897481611noreply@blogger.com0Otwell, IN 47564, USA38.4547728 -87.09222769999996712.9327383 -128.40082169999997 63.976807300000004 -45.783633699999967tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847105828956314928.post-62937280470473305082014-11-24T09:38:00.001-08:002014-11-24T09:38:45.419-08:00For Dave and Mary Sue<div style="color: grey; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I scrolled down
through Facebook posts this morning, I noticed the sad news on the local
newspaper site telling of a fatal auto accident. I automatically sent a prayer. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I read on after
clicking the link, that prayer turned to an audible gasp as I read that good
friends of mine had lost their 18 year-old son in this accident. The sadness I
initially felt turned to horror. The story took on a personal tone. The intense sting of my own memories of the near loss of a child came flooding back to me; and my own feelings, as
devastating as they were, were for the <i>near</i> loss of a child--not a loss.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I began praying
without ceasing for them. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I pray that they
will immediately feel the peace that passes all understanding that comes from
our loving God, our ever-lasting source of infinite comfort. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I pray that they
physically and emotionally feel the thousands of prayers that are being prayed
for them as they face this indescribable grief. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And I know</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...that Christ
is at their sides, embracing them with comfort none of us can begin to match.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">...that God has
them firmly in the palm of His wondrous hand, giving them the strength to face
each day, each hour, each minute. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A child of God has
been welcomed Home; those of us left here find it nearly impossible to feel
anything but sadness...but thanks be to God that we know that Home awaits where
all is safe...</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">all is well...</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">all is at peace...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We love you, Dave
and Mary Sue...feel our prayers and lean on us. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">God's love be with you.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Peace
be with you.</span></div>
tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17998277122897481611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847105828956314928.post-9381053296953909842014-08-10T17:03:00.001-07:002014-08-10T17:03:53.103-07:00Every Detail<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Every detail works to your advantage and to God's glory: more and more grace, more and more people, more and more praise! So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace."--2 Corinthians 4:15-16</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This past week has been a week of details to say the least. Monday morning, August 4, Kurt's life (as well as ours) changed forever...and the details made it happen. Talented people blessed with innumerable skills from God worked miracle after miracle over the past few days. In less than 24 hours, Kurt went from walking into a pre-op prep room to being placed in a regular post-transplant room. In less than 2 1/2 hours, his liver was removed and a donor's liver replaced it and his life began again.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These details certainly worked to his advantage and to God's glory--there was certainly more and more people and definitely more and more praise!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There were times during Kurt's first hospital stay, as these verses state, that "looked like things were falling apart on us". We were completely unprepared for the seriousness and the speed at which the illness came upon him. We were told that extreme measures would need to be taken to save him. Our world <i>was</i> falling apart on us. Little did we know that God was indeed making a new life for him. He allowed a miracle--he was saved and regained his health stronger than it had been in a long time; it was just in time to receive the call for the liver transplant. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I can guarantee you that "not a day goes by without his unfolding grace". We are blessed beyond belief; Kurt has been blessed with a second chance at life. He knows that his life reads as a testament to God's grace.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And, with God on our side, we'll never, <i>ever</i> give up. Thanks be to God.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Peace be with you.</span>tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17998277122897481611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847105828956314928.post-79337393046369667422014-07-27T12:37:00.000-07:002014-07-27T12:38:28.166-07:00Where Are We Without Hope?<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future"--Jeremiah 29:11</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Earlier today I read a daily devotion that talked about hope. It took me back to when we first arrived in Indianapolis at University Hospital and I had a doctor ask me if I wanted them to do everything possible for Kurt. He tried to ask the question very delicately, and I could tell that he already knew the answer. My answer was, "Of course." Later he came back and spoke to me for awhile during the middle of the night while getting more signatures from me for blood transfusions. He talked about what all was being done. The word "hope" came up. I told him that hope and faith was all I had at that moment. He gently agreed that these were two important things to have indeed.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now, as I watch Kurt prepare for the next phase of his life, I think about hope quite a lot. I find myself "hoping" that the call will come soon; I "hope" that he will stay well as he awaits the transplant. I know that, according to Jeremiah, that "hope and a future" is attainable for us all, no matter what the issue we confront. What I have also learned is that sometimes our narrow idea of "hope" is not nearly as expansive as God's. Jesus' "hope" for us in his death and resurrection emcompasses all of mankind. My daily affirmations of "hope" usually have pretty short measurement on the scale. Nevertheless, I know that God, through his beautiful Son, has given me and everyone else the opportunity to feel the refreshing feeling that hope can bring when we embrace it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I "hope" for all of you a blessed day...peace be with you.</span>tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17998277122897481611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847105828956314928.post-59739381034383091942014-07-20T16:05:00.000-07:002014-07-20T16:05:30.622-07:00Just the Right Words, Just When I Need Them<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Philippians 4:6-7--"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."</span><br />
<br />
Since Kurt's discharge from the hospital, I know he is in the best place on earth he could be. How many people can move into a welcoming, loving home with a built-in critical care nurse? We are indeed blessed.<br />
<br />
Still, especially the first night or two, I would lie awake at night listening to Kurt cough, or stir in his sleep, or wonder if the oxygen was working correctly and oxygen saturation was strong enough. I felt very helpless, even surrounded by help.<br />
<br />
Ann loaned me a daily devotion book that I would read to Kurt many mornings while he was in the hospital; the morning after one of my more awake than asleep nights, I picked up the book and read the devotion for that day. The first line was , "Do not worry about tomorrow!" I was instantly calmed. As I read through the devotion, the words I have read time and again in the Bible came to me in comforting waves.<br />
<br />
I know I'm not in charge of this part of Kurt's journey--I'm here to be Mom. God has blessed us beyond words in allowing us brilliant doctors, nurses, facilities, and now a warm and loving temporary home. Tom is able to make trips up to see us; Kurt and I can communicate with family members freely on the phone. He is in an environment that encourages improving health.<br />
<br />
So...whenever those little pangs of anxiousness come knocking (and they still do), I go to these beautiful verses at the top of this blog and I rest...and thank God.<br />
<br />
Peace be with you.tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17998277122897481611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847105828956314928.post-69254078307651191952014-05-04T09:15:00.001-07:002014-05-04T09:15:11.482-07:00With God, All Things are Possible<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Matthew 19:26--"Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'" (NIV)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kurt and I were on our way home from one of our road trips to Indy this past week and were chit chatting about one thing then another. I told him about a post I saw on Facebook that had a drawing of a young man sitting on one end of a park bench and Jesus sitting on the other end. The young man was asking Jesus why he allowed there to be violence, disease, starvation, and all other horrid things on Earth. Jesus' reply was, "I was just about to ask you the same thing." We both said, "Ah."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lots of truth in that simple reply. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Think of all the times the brilliant minds on this Earth are not at work to find better ways to catch diseases earlier, but rather working diligently on new ways to destroy life. Great minds that could be working together for peaceful co-existence rather work against one another to be in power. People starve each day while bags of relief food sit on docks, rotting. Clearly, when we turn away from one another we have turned away from God.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But there are still many times...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">when God's children do work together for the better. My sister-in-law is currently in Africa working side-by-side with others helping those who are faced with poor health care. Kurt, despite his current situation, is happily employed by a company that cares about him and lets him go to his various appointments. And Kurt, who could easily just sit and pity his situation, is volunteering some time as he can to his beloved WonderLab and making sure a young autistic boy he befriended is talked to most everyday via text and taken out for some yogurt and some Game World time when Kurt is in town. With God, these things are possible.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My mind and my senses have been heightened these past couple of weeks. Places we've never seen in hospitals are now a part of our everyday world. And, in all these places, I see that with God, all things are possible. It's humbling and it makes me, I hope, more kind and patient with others. I ask myself and I ask all of you to remember that with man alone, we must use the word impossible; with God, however, we need never use the word. Because, with God, all things <i>are</i> possible.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17998277122897481611noreply@blogger.com0Otwell, IN 47564, USA38.4547728 -87.09222769999996712.9327383 -128.40082169999997 63.976807300000004 -45.783633699999967tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847105828956314928.post-20454704660896762662014-04-20T06:38:00.000-07:002014-04-20T06:38:00.890-07:00And Then God Gave Me Easter<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
Mark
16:4-6--"But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very
large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man
dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.
'Don't be alarmed,' he said. 'You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was
crucified. He has risen! He is not here. '"</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
This weekend has
been kind of a rough one. A long-time friend was tragically killed in a fire in
his home; his wife was injured and lost her home and the love of her life in a matter
of minutes. Further, I'm concerned that through a number of medical missteps and negligence
that someone very dear to me is more physically ill than necessary.</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
Yesterday, the weather was beautiful beyond belief, yet my heart was too heavy to truly acknowledge its
beauty. I spent the afternoon Saturday out among the gardens, a favorite
springtime activity that normally makes me smile just thinking about it.
Nevertheless, my mind tended to stray away from the blooms and blossoms of the
new season to the fading and wilting
shadows of frustration and sadness. I went to bed last night tired
inside and out.</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
And then God gave me
Easter. I woke up to another beautiful sky, just as I did yesterday
morning...but this morning was different. Truly different. </div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
I said the Lord's
Prayer with gusto--<span style="font-style: italic;">Thy Will Be Done</span>--and
I could feel the strength in those words
that had been lacking the day before. My spirit lifted along with my soul. It
truly is going to be alright. God is in charge; Christ is with me always. And
He is with you as well. Hallelujah.</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
"And the arms
that hold the universe are holding you tonight</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
So you can rest
inside; it's gonna be alright.</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
And the voice that
calms the raging sea is calling you His child</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
So be still and know
He's in control,</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">He will never let
you go."--</span><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic;">Arms that Hold the Universe by
33 Miles</span></div>
tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17998277122897481611noreply@blogger.com0Otwell, IN 47564, USA38.4547728 -87.09222769999996712.9327383 -128.40082169999997 63.976807300000004 -45.783633699999967tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847105828956314928.post-67836925367506957012014-03-30T08:22:00.001-07:002014-03-30T08:22:17.536-07:00And a Child Shall Lead Them<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We attend church on Saturday nights, so I'm normally sitting with a cup of coffee about the time the show <i>CBS Sunday Morning </i>come on...and I'm a huge fan. It's so nice to watch a show that's intelligent, informative, and good natured--a rarity these days.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A few weeks back, there was a really neat story about a young man who, along with too many other kids in our country, was without a dad due to war. His dad was killed when the little guy was only 5 weeks old. He has photos, stories, and memories.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And a legacy that he is fulfilling in a beautiful way.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The story goes that this little guy was all excited one day because as he and his family were walking into a restaurant to eat, he found a 20 dollar bill in the parking lot. Even in today's inflationary world, twenty dollars is, in a kid's world...a <i>bunch.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What did he buy? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A legacy. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He thought about, like any of us, what that $20 would buy. But then he saw a serviceman in the restaurant and something wonderful in that little 8-year-old guy took over. He took a piece of paper, wrote a note to this servicemen giving him the $20 explaining to him that his dad was killed in Iraq and was in heaven. He also told the serviceman that his family believed in paying it forward, so he wanted him to have this money as a thank you for his service to the country. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And forward it went. The story that was aired touched the hearts of so many people...kindness is indeed not dead--we recognize and embrace it. We just need to be reminded of it from time to time. Isaiah 11:6 says, "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kids; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sometimes it takes the littlest of us to truly lead us back on the path of pure love for one another.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Peace be with you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17998277122897481611noreply@blogger.com0Otwell, IN 47564, USA38.4547728 -87.09222769999996712.9327383 -128.40082169999997 63.976807300000004 -45.783633699999967tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847105828956314928.post-16034462217716091242014-03-23T10:17:00.000-07:002014-03-23T10:17:21.828-07:00Practicing the Sabbath<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today I decided to actively and mindfully practice the Sabbath in regard to Exodus 20:8-9: "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God." I fully intended it to be a day of study and reflection, with little minimal labor.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And then the day actually began. My mom wasn't feeling too well, and I decided that going out to see her was more important than sitting and reading to myself. Besides, I figured some reflexology might help her body with healing. Bringing her some relief was important.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Next a lovely young lady that I share Reiki healing with that has a serious illness texted me and told me that she needed some Reiki and prayers sent to her--she wasn't feeling very well,either. I decided that doing this was important if it would give her comfort and relief.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then another friend texted with a frustration that vexed her; I decided that looking up something online for her that might make her day a little brighter seemed the decent thing to do--I know if I were in her predicament, I'd appreciate the gesture.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And all that was before noon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then I thought about the New Testament and Mark 2:27: "And then he said to them, 'The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.'" By the time Jesus and his disciples were traveling about sharing the gospel, Jewish tradition had made it practically impossible to keep the Sabbath successfully. The Pharisees spotted Jesus and some of the disciples pulling some grain heads to eat as they walked by the fields. As a result, Jesus was approached and accused of being unlawful on the Sabbath. The verse above was his response. The Sabbath was indeed originally created for us to have a day of rest--a gift from God. Nevertheless, Christ pointed out that sometimes there is God's work to be done as well. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am grateful that I am at a time in my life where I can practice a bit of the Sabbath most every day in prayer and meditation. I am also grateful that God allows me to help others when needed...no matter what day of the week.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Peace be with you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17998277122897481611noreply@blogger.com0Otwell, IN 47564, USA38.4547728 -87.09222769999996712.9327383 -128.40082169999997 63.976807300000004 -45.783633699999967tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847105828956314928.post-90160590228067232632014-03-16T12:48:00.000-07:002014-03-16T12:48:29.370-07:00Pictures<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I Corinthians 13:12--"For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With the simple click of a button, a picture can be created--a moment in time preserved for the life of the picture itself. Those pictures can become very precious to us, giving us a glimpse of a memory of a loved one, a treasured thing, or a treasured place in time. These representations are, many times, priceless.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This weekend has been all about those priceless, precious memories captured by a careful eye in the viewfinder. In conversation with a good friend about her recent discovery of the new love of photography, we spoke of the pleasure that comes with finding the "just right" view of a subject that, in turn, creates the treasure. Attending the concert of another friend who had written and performed a remarkable song about the feelings evoked by a photo collection I had taken a few years ago, I smiled at how she created with words what I had created with the eye.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are afforded the perfect canvas on which to create our memories. Our creator gives us the beauty of nature that unfolds every day, season after season. He also gives us a loving soul and a heart that grasps the idea of love in a way that allows us to see clearly the love of others in pictures we create.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just imagine how clearly someday we will truly see everything when we are living in eternity. The finest lens known to man will not compare to our crystal clear view of all the beauty before our eyes. We'll also be able to clearly "see" answers to those questions that plague us all our mortal lives.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Peace be with you. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
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tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17998277122897481611noreply@blogger.com0Otwell, IN 47564, USA38.4547728 -87.09222769999996712.9327383 -128.40082169999997 63.976807300000004 -45.783633699999967tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847105828956314928.post-18684038783030113352014-03-09T09:49:00.001-07:002014-03-09T09:49:34.235-07:00Frustration to Patience<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Colossians 3:12-15--"So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since becoming interested in and actively working with healthy living practices, I've seen the remarkable difference it's made in my life and in the lives of some of those around me. I also deal with levels of frustration each day when working with clients who could, with a few simple and direct changes in their daily habits, enhance the quality of their health immensely. And yet, they don't change.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Frustration for them--frustration for me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's very easy for me to have an opinion of "why don't they just help themselves?" "Why don't they want to feel better?" They could make their lives so much easier and comfortable.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And then I think of how I must appear to God.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know He's bound to be wondering the same thing about me. And yes, I'm bound to be creating some of the same frustrations. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">God has given me a simple set of rules to live a good life; following them should be a pleasure and something I pursue every day. Nevertheless, I come up short every day of my existence. I fail at these simple rules. He has also given me His own Son to be my constant companion on the road to eternity. But do I faithfully follow Christ? Sadly, no. Like I said, I must cause a lot of frustration.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have learned not to judge those who I work with through reflexology and Reiki. I give thanks each time that they come to me for healing; I know that I have no special power. Everything that happens is God at work. When I forget that from time to time and become a bit too independent, I'm the same to Him as my most stubborn client. I thank God that He is so very patient with me and allows me to come around on my own time. I am also thankful that He gives me lessons in patience each day with those I serve.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, the next time we're totally frustrated with someone, we need to remember to be patient; we're more than likely looking at a mirror image of ourselves in God's eyes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Peace be with you. </span>tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17998277122897481611noreply@blogger.com0Otwell, IN 47564, USA38.4547728 -87.09222769999996712.9327383 -128.40082169999997 63.976807300000004 -45.783633699999967tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8847105828956314928.post-50980410318683376772014-03-02T14:29:00.000-08:002014-03-02T14:29:11.878-08:00Ash Wednesday--Giving Up or Giving In?<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 17.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Reading: Romans
12:2--"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the
renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God,
what is good and acceptable and perfect." (ESV)</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This coming
Wednesday is Ash Wednesday. For many years I have chosen to given up something
for Lent. The days before Ash Wednesday have always been spent pondering what
would constitute a good "sacrifice" for the Lenten season. With my
former less-than-stellar eating habits, I've been known to go without
cheeseburgers on white fluffy buns, sugar, or some other junk food that would
be just enough of a culinary sacrifice to make me feel the pinch of
"giving up" something.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now, as Ash
Wednesday and Lent once again approaches, my thoughts have turned more from
"giving up" to "giving in". What does this mean? Perhaps
"giving in" is a deeper, more spiritual approach to better appreciate just how much
more quality one's life can have on this Earth during one's short time here. We
have a limited number of days here at "Earth School". During that
short time, we have a lot to learn and to discover. Too many times we get
caught up in the mundane, virtually meaningless drivel of day-to-day existence.
As the old saying goes, we live life a "mile wide and an inch deep". </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't want that
anymore--I search to live a mile deep, if only an inch wide. </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think, for me,
"giving in" will help me find that greater depth. So what will I "give up and give in"?</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On a base level, I
plan to give up foods and habits that keep my temple from being at its
best. I will mindfully "give
up" the glue of gluten and practice yoga faithfully. My prayer is that
these two determined practices will allow me to obtain the next
phase--"giving in". I want to
consciously "give in" to the wisdom that surrounds me that is of God
and his son, Jesus Christ. Taking time to take care of my bodily temple, I will
take the time to learn the wisdom and patience that is required to not just go
through the motions. Learning this skill and honing it will allow me to expand
my conscious day-to-day thoughts and actions. I will be able to walk closer
with Christ in this earthly journey.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="font-size: 11pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, on this
approaching blessed Ash Wednesday, I invite you to allow yourself and
"give up" and "give in"...and peace be with you. </span></div>
tinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17998277122897481611noreply@blogger.com0Otwell, IN 47564, USA38.4547728 -87.09222769999996712.9327383 -128.40082169999997 63.976807300000004 -45.783633699999967