Choosing the Path Before Me

I made a decision yesterday. I have known of God's calling in my life to write, but have been dragging my heels when it came to actively writing. Of course I've been busy with things that have to do with writing, but I was afraid to actually start the process. That fear of failure and unknown was plaguing my thoughts and consuming me.

Yesterday I decided to take the plunge and trust that God was going to be there, and you know what? He showed up! I shouldn't have been surprised. I know He always has my best interest at heart.

So I have chosen to take the path that God has set before me. I pray that it will eventually lead to publication, so that others can read the story He has given me. But for this day, I choose to walk in the way before me by faithfully completing my characterization charts and then moving on to the actual writing process. I choose to follow His will for my life.

Carry the Light

My husband just sent me an email with this link to a video from 1987. Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3af9US_D0Is 
I guess this video dates me, since I remember it quite well. It came out the year I graduated from college and got married! :) It was a music video of various Christian artists at the time. Even though the hairstyles are a bit outdated, the words of the song written by Twila Paris still ring true.

Verse 1
In this world of darkness
We are given light
Hope for all the dying
How will they know
How will they know
That Jesus loves them
And He died to save them

Chorus
Carry the Light
Carry the Light
Go and tell the children
They are precious in His sight
Carry the Light
Carry the Light
Go and preach the gospel
'Til there is no more night
In the name of Jesus Christ
Carry the Light

Verse 2
Count them by the millions
Blinded slaves to sin
Inside they are dying
How will they know
How will they know
That Jesus loves them
And His heart is breaking

Ending
Go ye into all the world
Go ye into all the world
And carry the Light the Light
Carry the Light

Each of us who are Christians have this commission to carry God's light to those that we meet. Perhaps that is why the idea of being a 'keeper of the light' has reverberated in my own heart. We are called to let our lights shine before men and not to hide them under a basket! How are you doing today with boldly letting your light shine for Him?

A Call to Prayer

I listened to a Christian radio station this morning on my way to my podiatrist appointment. On the 'Haven Today' program they mentioned that Joni Eareckson Tada, who has been a quadriplegic for 43 years, is now facing breast cancer. On Monday she will undergo surgery to have her breast removed.

So today I decided to do something a little different for my blog post. I am asking each of you to be in prayer for Joni over the next few days. If you would like to write a prayer in the comments, I'll make sure that it is forwarded to her in some way or other. Also here is the link to her website if you are interested. http://www.joniandfriends.org

Storms of Life

A rip snorting storm blazed through our area this afternoon. I had a dear friend over for lunch today and we were surprised when the sky darkened and opened up relentlessly. Thunder boomed and lightning flashed as buckets of water seemed to be poured from heaven. In it's wake we have been blessed with cooler temperatures, but still high humidity.

When my friend arrived the sun was shining brightly, but shortly afterward it was a different story. Now again as I write this, the sun is warming the earth. It amazes me how quickly things can change with the weather and with life too.

Perhaps you feel you are smooth sailing and then you get that phone call that changes everything, or you hear unwanted news from the doctor, or some other myriad of problems. It's when we are in the midst of those storms that we need to make sure we have a secure anchor in the Lord. Only He can help us through situations that we face. He is our solid rock and firm foundation. I pray that whatever you are facing today, you will rest in the assurance that you have a Heavenly Father that cares for you and loves you deeply.

Fill My Cup Lord

Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up, Lord!
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul;
Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more--
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole!


I'm not exactly sure who wrote this chorus. I thought of it today after meeting a dear friend for lunch. Even though it was hot outside, we sat in the shade, and there was a breeze blowing. We ate our packed lunches and caught up on what has been happening in our lives the past week or so. We try and meet together once a week if we are able. She works at the local college, which is just minutes from my home. It provides a nice break for me to be able to meet together. I find she is a real blessing in my life.


Our time of sharing and conversation reminded me of the different ways that God fills our cup. Sometimes it can be from a conversation with a friend, it could be through a phone call, spending time with the Lord, reading a book, soaking in a tub, a hug,  or a smile. There are many ways and situations that God uses in my life to give me a glimpse of Him.


I praise God for this dear woman that in some ways is just a few steps ahead of me on this path that I am treading. I appreciate her wisdom and encouragement and those times when she can relate to me even in the midst of crazy hormones and schedules. I find her friendship is one that I was needing even when I didn't recognize that I did. But God knew! I thank God for those friends in my life who regularly help to 'fill my cup.'

Who is the friend or friends in your life that do this? I am extremely blessed to have several friends that fulfill this role. One of them lives here in the same town that I do. My other dear friend lives in Georgia. We regularly keep in contact each week through phone calls and time in prayer together. She is my biggest prayer supporter and encourager. I praise God for these two women.


There are other friends I appreciate too. Some of them I don't see as often, but we still connect when we are together. I am regularly blessed by my Perfect Harmony girls. They are a real treasure. Whenever we have been together, I come home with sore face muscles from all of our times of laughter. There also have been times of tears and times of drawing our hearts together through prayer for each other. I praise God for the friendships that He has brought into my life. My friend in Georgia commented that I have become 'the social butterfly.' :) It's funny, a year ago I would never have pictured that of me!

Cleaning Out the Clutter - Blessing in Disguise

This past weekend we were blessed to have our roof replaced for us, free of charge. Before the work on the roof began, a dumpster was delivered to our home. The workers were able to throw all the old shingles, rotted boards, nails, debris, etc into it. When the last worker was leaving, he commented that we have until this Thursday to have the dumpster. There was quite a bit of room remaining inside of it. He encouraged us to feel free to fill it up and utilize it.

So this week finds my husband and I busily working on our house. I admit, I didn't get much accomplished yesterday. I had a wonderful time meeting with a friend in the morning, and by afternoon I was feeling pretty tired and my feet were hurting. My dear husband spent several hours pulling things out of the attic yesterday. He sorted, cleaned and trashed things that had been accumulating up there for years. I'm sure there still is a bit to accomplish, but he started making a dent up there.

Today found me working hard as well. I sorted through all of my clothes and then dropped off unwanted items at a local charity. Next I sifted through accumulations in my hope chest. Most of the items were things that I still desired to keep, but I did manage to part with some items there as well.

As I sort and clean up our home, I am continually reminded of the importance of making sure that my heart is right with God - that there are no hidden areas from Him. Just as we are exposing some of the hidden areas in our home (the hope chest, attic, etc.) and desiring to clean them up, so too I desire for God to clear out any sin or cobwebs of doubt that may be trying to roost in my heart. I pray that this dumpster will be a blessing in disguise - perhaps in more ways than one!

A Circle of Giving

Today was day two of the roof replacement on our home. Temperatures were predicted to be in the 90's with high humidity, so the guys decided to start work at 6 AM again. They had hoped to have the job completed by supper time. As the morning rolled around, more and more guys (and some ladies) appeared, eager and willing to help.

By 11:30 AM they were finishing up the capping at the peak of the roof. Shortly afterwards, we all gathered for prayer and lunch. My husband and I expressed our deep appreciation for all they have each done to help us. It has been an overwhelming blessing. As the guys filed through the line, my husband and I were rearranging chairs so they would be in the shade instead of sunlight.

To our surprise, a young man came up to us and thanked us for the opportunity to serve. He shared how he had been in a similar situation where he and his wife needed help, and the church had provided for them. Now he was blessed to be one of the individuals serving and giving. It made me think of how much it must please God when He sees us reaching out and helping others. Perhaps that is when we are the biggest blessing, when we are going beyond ourselves.

Living Out the Servant Life

Jesus spoke many times about the importance of being a servant. Jesus' life was an example of this. I can't help but think about this today. I realize that there are two ends to the story - we can be the one serving and helping, or at times we are the ones on the receiving end. Both positions are humbling.

I guess if I had the choice, I would prefer serving others. But today (and tomorrow) finds our family on the receiving end. Over a year ago, when my husband experienced his pelvis fracture and months without work, we also had a leaky roof at the same time. There were no funds to replace it. We were blessed to have some individuals come and patch it for us as a temporary fix. Funds continue to be tight, so we were overwhelmed that a local church has raised the money to replace our roof. Individuals are giving up a vacation day so they can tear off the roof today. Tomorrow the new shingles will be installed.

I continue to be amazed at how God provides for our needs in ways we least expect it. It is extremely humbling to be on the receiving end. I know we feel incredibly blessed by the situation. I pray that those working on our roof will also be blessed in the process of serving. Today I am seeing Jesus lived out in the lives of those giving up their time for us. I pray that when the roles are reversed, I will be faithful as well.

How Bright Is Your Light?

"Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people." Philippians 2:14-15

In the early 1800's, a Frenchman invented what is now known as the Fresnel lens. These lenses were installed in lighthouses. They are made out of a series of prisms. Quite a few lighthouses still have this unique and irreplaceable lens.

Special care was needed to keep the lens working smoothly. Lighthouse keepers would carefully clean each individual prism several times a week, removing dirt and debris. The intensity of sunlight shining through the prisms was capable of starting fires, so lighthouse keepers often would cover the lens during daylight hours.

I thought of these facts as I read this verse this morning. We are to be shining like bright lights to the world around us. We can only do this when our glass is clear and clean. When we have dirt smudges (sin) in our life, it affects the light that shines out of us.

I pray that my light (Christ in me) shines brightly for all to see.

Words...Set a Guard on My Lips Lord!

"Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD;
       keep watch over the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3


"He who guards his lips guards his life,
       but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin." Proverbs 13:3

I like words. I guess that's because I love to write. I recently signed up to receive a 'word a day' in my inbox from dictionary.com. It's a way to help me learn new words, but also refresh my rusty memory of words I may have learned years ago and since forgotten.

I typically do better with the written word versus the spoken word. The words flow on paper, but seem to get stuck when I open my mouth. I try to be careful in the things I say - both written and spoken. But there are times when I mess up. Perhaps I write something that I think means one thing, but it is taken another way, or I say something that is meant to be funny, but instead is hurtful. Don't you hate when that happens? When I was younger we called it, "Open mouth, insert foot disease."

I pray that in all I do, say and write that God will put a guard on my lips. May His love, hope and forgiveness shine through me. May I follow admonishing of James 1:19-20. "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires."