Wednesday, July 30, 2008

The mere edges of His ways !I found this wonderful site, 'Astronomy Picture of the Day' . The photo's are so awesome and cause my heart to worship .

All creation declares He exists and I love this God who is not only into the big details, but the wee small details that concern me just as much if not more.

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This is a picture of the international space station passing in front of the sun. It's that tiny little speck in the picture.

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Zep 3:17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

He will Joy over thee....and me.... JOY....

H1523
גּוּל גּיל
A primitive root; properly to spin around (under the influence of any violent emotion), that is, usually rejoice, be glad, joy, be joyful, rejoice.

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God displays His affections so abundantly and all creation is His witness.

Me too Jesus, keep me spinning and redeem the places the enemy has ruined.

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Good Sabbath

Friday, July 25, 2008

Surviving Your Story

I just read this article by John Paul Jackson. I feel it is worth posting.


Surviving Your Story


Do you remember a time when you first got saved, and somebody said you were “overzealous”?

Perhaps you were, in some ways. You were a baby in your faith, and like any young person, you had to learn wisdom.

But here’s the issue: Nothing says you have to lose your dream while gaining wisdom. In a strange and twisted way, some people view having wisdom as a lack of courage, but that just isn’t true. As a brand new believer in Jesus, you dared to be great. You dared to give Him everything and not care what others thought. However, in the process of growing in wisdom, many of us lost our ability to dream of what we could be, of what we are: the hero or heroine of the story God is writing.

That is what we are called to be. A hero. A heroine. Most of us know this at the beginning of the story, but as life treads forward and we’re bogged down in the middle, in the details, it isn’t so easy to remember.

Several times in my life — that’s a conservative estimate — I have wished that my story was different. You know what I’m talking about: sitting down, burying your head in your hands and wishing that the story of your life was, perhaps, more bookish — meaning, you could flip to the end and read the last page and make sure that, at the conclusion of all things, everybody’s still alive; you succeeded in everything you wanted to do; and that for much of the story, you were happy, contented and peaceful.

Yeah. Right.

Some people are like that — last-page readers, and I am pretty sure that all of us, at some time or another, have wished to be like that. There are a few things in particular that drive us toward that end. A cross-country move. A new job. A new relationship. A fresh divorce. A divorce in progress. A layoff. A disappointment. A fear.

Actually, when have you not wanted to flip to the last page and read the ending of the book first? Maybe, if we knew what the ending was, we would have enough grace to get us through all the middle pages. Through the details. Through the hard times. “Just give me hope!” we cry to God. “I need hope.”

The best stories have the darkest trials, the most points of probable failure, the worst ways to die. But they also have the best climaxes, the greatest hope and the likeliest potential of changing the world. Great tests produce great men and women of God.

Think about Jesus’ story. Worst moment: the cross. Best moment: His bride, forever. That’s you. You are part of His climax. What if, at the darkest point of His life, He decided to give up instead of pressing through? What kind of story would that be? Great tests produce great people, kings and queens in God.

Story middles are difficult to traverse and we tend to forget what we knew with all our hearts at the beginning. When I ask people how their “story” is going, most tell me, “God’s not speaking any more! He’s not near me.”

“Are you doing what you used to be doing?” I ask.

“Well, no,” they reply. “I’m not.” And even if they say they are, you can see in their eyes that they really aren’t. In the process of growing up, we forget how to be children. Our childlike faith is left on the back burner as we get our hands dirty trying to balance all the things we feel we have to balance and keep completely under control in order to survive: family, ministry, the office, the books, everything.

But perhaps it is time to read the beginning of the story again.

In this book of life, all of us already know the ending. We live, because He made us to live. We succeed, because He succeeded. We have hope, because we are in love with Him and He takes care of us and our futures. We have this promise, all of us. No matter what happens in the middle of our stories, all of us are promised this ending!

And so, here and now, I would like to bless you in your story. Wherever you are in the book God has written for you, may you find the strength necessary to be the able, in-love hero or heroine He’s called you to be. May you find your feet exactly where they need to be, taking the exact steps He’s set for you to take. May you not be afraid, and may you not be overcome.

No matter what, in God’s story, the Boy gets the girl (Revelation 21:9); the enemy is vanquished; lives are set right; joy is found; and everything, in the end, is always more and better than we could ever ask or even imagine (Ephesians 3:20). You and I, we have this promise. So love like you used to love. Give Him time, like you used to give Him time. And dare to be great, because you were made for this.

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Suspicion ?

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Sometimes a mango is really just a mango. This one is on me.

The other day at work a call came in for my boss from someone I shall call Sahid... Tell...so and so...(my boss,) that his mangoes are in.

Hmmmm.... she said to her already stressed and a bit demented brain...his mangoes are in ??? I wonder what that really means ?

Today my boss came in and asked me if I liked mangoes .

'I don't know ' I said, 'I don't think I have ever had one.'
(Actually, I am very slow to try something new.)


Then he handed me a mango.

So....sometimes a mango is just a mango. And the joke is on me ....again. Too funny !



Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Monday, July 21, 2008

One Year

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Today is the first anniversary of my last day with Sam . In the above picture, I prayed for him...and me.... I don't know how I did it ???? still....

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Our last walk in the very early morning. He had the best tail..... and the cutest face. He was perfect for me.

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Waiting in the car for me, our last ride together. He loved the car and together we travelled many thousand miles . I still miss him. My arms still feel empty and the need to have a pet to love and care for is still part of who the Lord created me to be.

Soon I pray that I will find my next perfect little companion ....and a landlord who will let me have him. I am grateful to the Lord for the abundance of grace that has carried me through this last year.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

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This is a wedding picture of Min and Bertha taken 67 years ago yesterday.

B's funeral was a celebration of her life and brought many smiles as well as tears , especially for me , from the songs she had chosen , 'He's got the whole world in His hands' to The Old Rugged Cross, and even the scripture reading John 14."don't let your hearts be troubled'. I was truly undone .

Yesterday I cared for Min. At one point he asked where Bertha was . I gently reminded him . The Alzheimer's has robbed him of his memory to a point, but I think it is the silence that makes him wonder where did she go ? Me too. Though I know where she is now, I was acutely aware of where she isn't any longer. With us... making us smile at her joy over winning a game of 'go fish', or singing along with Lawrence Welk, considerably off key, but not bad for one so hearing impaired.

As one day blurs into another in this life, death and eternity make an intense intervention . I am once again reminded that this life is a breath, a vapor, and eternity is where Real Life finally begins.

I can't help wondering at all the Wonder that surrounds Bertha at this moment and I wish I could see her face as she gazes with joy on her Savior.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Remembering Bertha

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My Lady Bertha passed away on Monday evening . Her heart just stopped, and she went to Jesus . She died holding Min's hand, just like always,only four days before their 67th. wedding anniversary. Amazing !

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I just happened to drop out to visit them last week. B. had suffered two TIA's and had pneumonia, but she was sitting there chipper as ever.

She was seeing things like angels, 'people out there on the water' and that 'little dog'.

These two lovely people have been the greatest gift to me in the last two years. I discovered the wonderful fulfillment of serving in the hidden place, and I miss that.

I am scheduled to work there this Saturday, and now it will just be Min.

I wonder....

Bertha was an amazing Lady and every time I would tell her that she would giggle. It was an honor to love and care for her.

Happy Birthday Aila !

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I hope you have a very special day Aila. I love you very much. Gramma :)

Tuesday, July 01, 2008

Weekend Pic's

Safely back after a lovely time with my family. Many highlights, and lots of memories. Jason did a great job on the grill and Yvonne created an amazing chocolate cake. Can we talk about the corn on the cob ? So yummy !
Hours spent watching movies and cuddling with the girls. Lots of love.

On Sunday we checked out a Vineyard church located by a park and lovely river. The girls were thrilled , and I was so happy to be with my family.

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Yesterday we went to the famous By Ward Market, and ice cream and cookies were a big hit.

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At the war memorial and the tomb of the Unknown Soldier there were two guards, and so naturally we had to have a picture.

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Such beauty in these little ladies

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Aila tried on my old reading glasses...now I look like you Gramma!

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Leaving is always a sad moment for me , but I am thankful to have had a great few days . Thanks guys. I love you.