I am not sure why I abandoned it for a little while.

No matter the reason ,

I know without a doubt I need the psalms.

I could live on just a few verses a day.

I am back to reading them according to the date and every

30th one that follows.

An extra bonus for 2012  is that February has 29 days, allowing you to

read Psalm 119 every month if you consume your psalms

with this diet.

( If Psalm 119 is too much to digest while reading several

other psalms, then just read 5-7 verses a day and you will finish it each month.)

All that rambling to say that I really love reading several  psalms each morning along with

anything else I read.

Do you feel the same way?

This week, as I have continued to focus on being fixed on Jesus, I kept encountering two words, seemingly

everywhere I looked.

Those two words are earnestly remember.

What captured me this week is that it is something

God does

and we are to  follow His lead.

Have you ever felt like this?

God sees you and He remembers.

He remembers the past.

He resides in your today.

He knows the future.

He knows our alignment.

He knows our sorrows and fears.

He reflects on our victories and joys.

 "To Him Who [earnestly] remembered us,
in our low estate and imprinted us [on His heart],
for  His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever."
Psalm 136: 23

What have others remembered?

"By the rivers of Babylon, there we [captives] sat down,
yes, we wept when we [earnestly] remembered Zion [the city of our God]
imprinted on our hearts!"
Psalm 137: 1

What are we to remember?

"I will [earnestly] recall the deeds of the Lord,
yes, I will [earnestly] remember the wonders
[You performed for our fathers] of old."
Psalm 77: 11

When we earnestly remember Who God is and all that

He has done and continues to do,

we remained fixed.

It is easy to rehearse our problems.

It should be easier to remind ourselves of His goodness.

We need to remember.

This week, Carl and I talked about a person precious to us and

as we reflected with years that have swept past, all we could

say in agreement was that God had protected this loved one.

We knew it years ago.

We knew it even deeper with the passage of time.

Our remembrance enlarged our hearts for His  outstretched hands.

We  see in part so we must stay fixed.

I love the word earnest coupled with remembering.

We have to practice.

Earnest remembering is pledging the intent to be serious

about the aim.

I pledge to take serious aim at remembering my God.

We may forget on occasion  to rave about  His character,

mercy and love, but when we are earnest about

this endeavor, I dare say, one day,

we may survey our landscape and find ourselves

squarely in Zion, the city of our God.

The place of worship and joy.

"Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth if
I remember not, if I prefer not Jerusalem above my
chief joy."
Psalm 137: 6

Read Psalm 136.

A psalm comprised of earnestly remembering God,

whose mercy and loving-kindness endure forever.

What are you earnestly remembering about God today?

we chatted about the day’s happenings.

The fact that all recesses were

indoors due to the weather.

A two recess day is cause for celebration in the life of an 8-year old.

We drove down our street and I mentioned that The  David Crowder Band’s

final  cd had arrived in the mail.

Turning into our driveway, I didn’t need to turn my head to know

that Caleb threw his head back in his seat as he bellowed,

“What?!”

I set the parking brake and said,

“I know.”

“But why?” and

“What are they going to do?”

he wondered out loud as we ran to the porch to avoid the

pelting of slush from above.

Before I could give any suggestion, Caleb’s despair turned

to a calm resolve.

“I guess they will live life with their families.”

Once more before I could venture a response, he added,

“But I don’t think they will make a lot of money!”

I smile at  the second statement.

I thought about the first declaration often last night.

I remember last week, the kids and I arranging blocks to proclaim

our existence within these walls.

I watch as Caleb left his homework to press the volume UP button

on the kitchen cd player.

I sigh with joy as  big flakes find a home on our lawn.

When I asked Carl to take a walk in the snow instead

of turning back the covers and setting alarms.

Our footprints and happy paw prints invade  the quiet winter storm.

Hearing night sounds as I read just one more

page before the stroke of midnight.

Gazing out the window at the street light illuminating

the snow as  if tossed from heaven.

I witness merriment as a  snow man is formed and

spheres of frozen tundra are lobbed with mischievous  glee.

I found an easy yes to hot chocolate and a fire for a boy with

rosy cheeks.

And a second serving of whipped cream despite the absence

of a level change of hot liquid.

I think living life is saying yes without reservation.

I think it is messy.

It’s about getting up early even when it is cold or you might miss the fun.

I think it is about dreams.

Dreams that remain and those that melt.

I think it is all about  second helpings.

It’s about do over’s.

It’s about embracing that disruptions  don’t have to create breakdowns.

A weather pattern may mean  a different route for

a new destination.

Decisions that make us ask why yet are necessary and good.

What will we miss if we don’t fully  live life.

Thank you David Crowder Band for  living your life with us by offering

great music.

Music that made a 3-year-old call your  Illuminate  album the

“la-de-dah” songs.

I am grateful that you get to live life with your families.

I will make sure that I live life fully with my family and loved ones .

I endeavor to keep pressing that volume button up!

Check out this post by Ann Voskamp  about how to build a house of prayer.

It’s all about shelter.

One of the best ways to live life with those you love.

It is hard to believe that January is halfway moving towards

February.

How are your pursuits treating you?

The evening after I wrote about morning fuel,

my pursuits became a bit challenging.

Maybe I am older or wiser,  I am the former definitely.

I didn’t get  hot and bothered.

I simply lived life even with its setbacks.

I know many have the pursuit of consistent Bible reading

or reading through the Bible this year.

You may already be “behind”.

I want to encourage you to remember that God’s mercies

are new every morning.

Mercy…His overarching magnificent work that He has poured over our lives.

Mercies…the plurality of each time we are allowed to start anew.

There is one that wants to stop the tracks of those who trudge along with a clucking

tongue of judgment.

Cover your ears and begin again.

A fresh day.

New mercies.

New treasures to uncover.

I  read this encouraging article by Noel Piper.

A reminder that struggle is common.

I am grateful  for her honesty.

Read how her yearly pursuit became a reality.

A chart  to  keep track of  the gems you have mined.

This plan has a name that will make you smile.

An explanation about the plan with the smile-worthy name.

One more pursuit  for good measure.

May all your pursuit of Him be  anything but halfway.

13/366

Today is National Delurking Day in the blog world.

Who knew?

It sounds a bit ominous and like a chore doesn’t it?

It is meant to be fun!

What this means is that it is the perfect day to say hello if you

have never left a comment.

There is not one shred of judgment attached to not leaving comments.

Not one bit.

I would love to know you even if just in cyberspace.

I will be doing the same.

I lurk in the shadows on a few blogs and I need to comment as well.

Even if you leave comments regularly, please say hello.

I feel a bit out of the posting mode as I get over this cold.

Help me ease back into the routine.

Say hello

or

tell me what you are reading

or

what you are listening to

or

your favorite coffee or tea

or

favorite movie or one you saw recently

or

what the weather is like where you sit

or

simply say hi!

Hello to you all…

Right now I am reading this book.

I have been listening to this cd

as I wait for this cd to arrive.

Patience…patience…patience, I repeat quietly.

I have been drinking vast quantities

of Earl and Lady Grey teas.

The last movie I saw was Tintin and

it was a fun and wild ride.

It’s raining here in Portland, Oregon

and supposedly snow is in the forecast,

which in these parts means lots of news

coverage and the masses scurrying to

stores to prepare for the inch of fluff that

might visit.

I am teasing with a tab bit of seriousness.

But anyway…

hello!

the inability to cease from hugging him.

Another side effect of snuggling with Caleb is that

I have gotten his cold.

I am drinking a lot of tea.

I have been a bit grumpy.

Maybe more than a bit.

It seems like time to take up Ann on her dare.

These are two pieces of joy that were added to my

life yesterday and today helping to trump this grump!

• Mail from a friend…a sacrifice of time when one has not an ounce extra is a gift in the highest.
• Enjoying season one of Downton Abbey.  Season Two begins on Sunday on PBS.

Both are the perfect accompaniment to a cup of Earl Grey.

What is bringing you joy today?

Care for a spot  o’ joy?

Watch all episodes of Downton Abbey here.

Yes, he is sick again.

Poor  little guy.

We discovered yesterday that he may have had scarlet fever

as a result of his strep throat following stomach flu, he developed

crazy peeling hands that alerted us.

Thankfully the treatment is the same for the strep and the

scarlet fever.

It feels a bit weird saying scarlet fever, kind of like we are living

life on Little House on the Prairie.

Please pray for my little guy that his body will get stronger and not

so susceptible to the bugs flying around.

So while I am home…I am watching and listening to the live streams

from Passion 2012.

I am impressed with the quality of the feeds.

I am too late to see Session One but just watched Session Two with

Beth Moore and Session Five…WOW!

Here’s the link.

Enjoy and be blessed!

My friend Lisa just purchased the e-book I talked about yesterday.

It is currently a dollar off with the code HAPPYNEWYEAR.

The offer is good through Saturday the 6th.

4 bucks people!

Go here for details.

Here’s an easy way to daily journal.

Fun little challenge for shutter bugs or aspiring ones.

Blog that I starting  reading just prior to beginning the 31 day challenge.

Scary Hope free e-book here.

This ends the tidbit portion of the day!

With the two weeks of Christmas break and the month before dealing

with Caleb’s off and on again sickness, I have gotten a bit out of a normal

morning routine.

The new year seems like the perfect time to get back to business.

It is a great time to peel off what isn’t working and add what is vital.

I have been reading this great  e-book which is also available as a pdf.

It may be the best 5 bucks I spend all year.

It is a year’s worth of mini-projects to help simplify your life.

Many of the projects are not new to me but it is nice to have a compiled list to give me direction.

Currently I am working on my morning routine.

We all have one even if it is jumping out bed, talking back to the alarm,

throwing on some clothes and speed eating a piece of toast at a stop light.

Last night, I wrote down several areas that I wanted to include in my morning.

I decided what time I wanted to set the alarm and how much time  before I needed

to get Caleb to school.

My morning went very well, I am pleased to report.

The key was that I started  preparing last night.

It meant making a lunch, prepping for breakfast, boiling hot water (I will explain) and a couple other tasks

that made this morning run smoothly.

These were the items for my morning routine:

• drink hot water with lemon
• devotions
• get dressed in work out clothes
• breakfast/vitamins
• exercise
• pray with Caleb

For years, I have struggled with getting in exercise AND devotional time in the morning.

Years ago, I have to admit that exercise took precedence.

Devotional time found itself somewhere else in my day or night.

I was lean of body but I know that I was lean in spirit as well.

The last many years have found me stronger in spirit (I hope) but

anything but lean in body.

As I look at these six little items, I see that they are all necessary fuel for my

day.

My morning fuel will be their collective name.

The hot beverage as I have some liver issues and this is a natural

way to detox.

I hope this “elixir”  and other changes will cause

my blood levels to  be normal a year from now.

( I boiled water and poured it into a small thermos, set next to a mug and a lemon.)

All I had to do was pour and squeeze and drink…ahhh!

Devotions as I need fuel spiritually, emotionally and mentally to enter the fray of the day.

Breakfast does a body good and helps to fuel my family for their days.

Prayer with Caleb is short and sweet, just like him, but it sends him out the door feeling

covered and less rushed.

Exercise fuels my body, my soul and clears my head and gives me extra time to pray.

I dropped Caleb at school and then took my walk before I drove home.

I know that for my morning fuel to become a reality, I will have to start the night before.

It may mean going to bed at a reasonable time.

It might have to  skip a television show.

It will take a bit of forethought and planning.

I found this quote on Pinterest

a few months ago:

A year from now I hope for normal blood work.

I hope for a more active lifestyle.

I hope that I have remained fixed.

What is the fuel that you need to start today, so a year from now,

you can rejoice because you took the biggest step…starting?

Is it…

reading the Bible?

exercising?

developing your prayer life?

getting rid of the clutter?

drinking more water?

drinking less coffee?

getting more sleep?

inviting friends over for a meal more often?

eating more fruits and vegetables?

taking a character inventory and working on just one area?

listening more?

rekindling a friendship?

planning more fun?

regular dates with your husband? your kids?

How are you desiring to fuel your year?

On the sidebar, I have placed my chosen word for the year… ”fixed”.

I also have one of my favorite snapshots from the past year.

I wrote about the little blue scooter here.

I am praying that I will be like that little scooter this year,

prepared and with a fixed course.

I pray the same for you!

Click here.

Last year, I decided to remove the word resolution from my

new year vocabulary and instead use the word pursuits.

I think  it helped make me less fearful of falling flat or

giving up completely.

Over the last couple of months, I feel like God has been telling

me a few things.

One is that I have been seeking the Father more than the Son.

I feel very vulnerable admitting this but it is valid nonetheless.

He was tender  towards me as He knows my ways and needs

intimately.

This year will be spent more in the Gospels, kindling my

love for my Savior.

For this word-loving girl, I will be hanging out in  this Bible.

I  ”cheated” and started last month.

I  loved spending December  reading and reflecting on

this book, it has been the most gentle catapult as I have meditated

on my Redeemer.

Which points to the word that I hope to lead me into the year ahead.

I encourage you to pray for a word or a verse for your year.

I know many of you do this every year.

But I also want to add, that there is no magic in having a particular

word.

I have had years when I haven’t had a specific word or phrase or scripture,

but can you believe it, God was still there

It’s more important to seek Him, not a word.

Next week (I hope) to share about a rule of life.

But that is for another time, not today.

God has also been showing me that I don’t know everything.

Are you surprised?

In fact, I don’t know a lot.

I only see in part and sometimes not at all.

He has shown me day after day that what I think I see

isn’t the whole story or even close to what He has designed for completion.

I could look at a day and see blue skies and rejoice only

to look up moments later and see the fog rolling in and vision

obscured.

It is  easy to leap to a conclusion that is faulty resulting in

hopes dashed and discouragement, a permanent resident.

I must admit that I am weary of craning my neck to

see what I long to witness.

I am sore from whipping my head back and forth

looking for pieces of a puzzle that I am not assigned to

assemble.

His ways are better.

God whispered to surrender,

cease all  extraneous movements,

for He is King of an unchangeable  kingdom.

fixed

• secure

• immovable

• not subject to change

• firmly in position

• stationary

• determined

• established

• set

• steady

• resolute

I don’t need to look to the left or right,

I need to remain fixed.

I want my line of sight to be set on Him,

the One that holds the beginning in one hand

and the end in the other.

He calls me  to pitch my tent in the expanse  of those hands.

A few verses to hold before my eyes:

But my eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign LORD; 
   in you I take refuge—do not give me over to death.

Psalm 141:8

Let your eyes look straight ahead; 
   fix your gaze directly before you.

Proverbs 4:25

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen,
but on what is unseen,
since what is seen is temporary,
but what is unseen is eternal.

II Corinthians 4:18

Therefore, holy brothers and sisters,
who share in the heavenly calling,
fix your thoughts on Jesus,
whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest.

Hebrews 3: 1

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,
let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.
And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,  
fixing our eyes on Jesus,
the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
For the joy set before him he endured the cross,
scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12: 1-2

This is my last post of the year.

Thank you so much for taking the time

to visit, read and leave comments on

A Work of Heart.

I have been forever blessed by your kindness.

I hope you will keep visiting in 2012.

Happy New Year to each and every one of you,

Helen

snowman: a representative of a human figure created with 
                     compressed snow; usually formed by piling large
                     snowballs on top of each other.

Alright, you probably didn’t need a definition for this perpetual winter symbol of fun and frolic.

No matter where you live, I hope that at least once in your life you have built a snowman.

If you reflect, the constructing was  full of fun, laughter and labor intensive.

You might have stood back and gazed at your creation with a smile, very wet clothes and icy blue fingers.

What if you looked at your life as represented by a snowman?

Has your life been  carefully built snowball by snowball?

Is each feature put in exactly the right place?

A carrot here, a few buttons there with sticks outstretched.

Do you fear that your  designed life might one day melt as quickly as it was assembled?

Have you looked around and seen others with melted lives and worried that you might be next?

Have you hidden your life behind a cage for safe keeping?

Or maybe your snowman is misshapen or out of alignment?

Is your snowman thawing before your eyes?

Snowmen are designed for winter.

The new year begins with winter when trees are bare and the air is cold.

Winter is not meant to last.

Yet winter is  necessary.

Snowmen are not meant to be caged*

and neither are you.

Jesus came to free us from the cages of our making.

As this year of newness begins, ask Jesus what parts

of your life are caged and  let Him touch them.

Let him open the door and release you.

Remind yourself of these words of truth that are

for each one of us:

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, 
   because the LORD has anointed me 
   to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, 
   to proclaim freedom for the captives 
   and release from darkness for the prisoners, 
 to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor 
   and the day of vengeance of our God, 
to comfort all who mourn, 
  and provide for those who grieve in Zion— 
to bestow on them a crown of beauty 
   instead of ashes, 
the oil of joy 
   instead of mourning, 
and a garment of praise 
   instead of a spirit of despair. 

They will be called oaks of righteousness, 
   a planting of the LORD 
   for the display of his splendor.

Isaiah 61: 1-3

*this little snowman was made by Caleb’s teacher

for Caleb because he missed school when they were

made. He was able to paint his which delighted him.

I changed the mantle this week and placed a birdcage

at one end.  Caleb played with the door and then decided

that the cage needed to be filled with his snowman.

One never knows how a blog post will be born.

During {31 days}, I wrote a post called the dailies.

Today Ann at A Holy Experience  has a wonderful post with equally wonderful

print-ables to help with organizing your dailies.

Somehow a nicely printed page evokes a sense of

fun over a legal pad of scribbles.

Enjoy and click here.

One of the dailies that I pursued during 2011

involved taking more pictures.

This next year, I want to make sure that the pictures

leave the confines of a memory card and are displayed.

During a cleaning adventure of my office space, I found

a neglected card/photo holder.

I plan to swap pictures often creating our own personal

gallery.

What are some of your dailies?

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas celebration yesterday!

At the end of our day, my first paper white bud opened…it completed

the day in splendid fashion.

The days between Christmas and New Year’s Day are kind of

interesting aren’t they?

It feels like a holding pattern, caught between the

majesty of His birth and the beckoning of a new year.

It can be a time of looking back and feeling uneasy.

Perhaps you thought you would be farther along when it comes to

___________________.

Only you can fill in that blank.

Might I suggest that you are exactly in the right place

at this specific time?

There can be fear or joy about looking ahead.

Another suggestion, grip Jesus tightly as you tiptoe into 2012.

He will hold your hand in fearful times as well as those

that overflow with joy!

I thought that I would post a few of my favorite reads of the past year.

Later this week, I will write about pursuits.

Do you remember that post?

I will wrap up the week with a glimpse at what I believe my

personal word for 2012 is and why.

These are the last days that this little blog will have lightly falling

snow gracing the pages.

Snow falls so quietly…I would love it if you would share some of your

favorite reads of the year, your pursuits and your words if you are so

inclined over the next week. One friend surprised me by sending me her

personal stack of books via email…I love that!

Share away!

Create a snow storm…I won’t mind shoveling!

This was  last year’s list.

Here are a few books that made my list of good reads.

It has been a year of a lot of words.

Instead of lots of commentary on each book as each

link will give you the 411.

I am going to type a few words that sum up each pick.

Bittersweet

I wrote about it along with a wonderful quote.

food

fellowship

suffering

losses

grace

Craving Grace

devoured

exposed

authentic

hysterical

grace grace grace

The End of the Beginning by Avi
(not pictured…on loan)

Caleb and I read this fable about Avon the snail and Edward the ant.

life

lessons

for

all

ages

Hinds Feet on High Places Devotional

allegory

Much Afraid

the heights

the Shepherd

The Hunger Games 

riveting

the future

page turner

Just Give Me Jesus

The

best

desire

ever

One Thousand Gifts

Eucharisteo (thanksgiving)

always

always

precedes

the

miracle.

Shed Chic

My mom had this from her library

during a visit this summer.

We had such a fun time looking at all

these sheds…really small retreats.

I put the book on hold at my library before

we left.

Carl and I had fun dreaming and pouring over the

pages.

Soon I will share about  a very small “shed” project

I am  tickled to begin.

So You Want To Be Like Jesus

solid

teaching

spiritual

disciplines

I

heart

Chuck

Spiritual Discipline Handbook

simply

the

best

approachable

guide

I

have

found

be happy

tiny

pages

full

of

giant

wisdom

Throw a snowball in the comments

and tell me your favorite reads or

a book that you are planning to read.

 **photo courtesy of Courtney

Oops!

Spiritual Rhythm

seasons

change

Jesus

remains

unchanged

fully

able

So

grateful.

another link to add to Hallelujah party.

I laughed as tears rolled down.

I think that is the definition of worship.

Great joy mixed with reverence.

May you feel great emotion in all its

many facets as you celebrate our

Savior’s grand entrance.

Merriest Christmas to you!

Dollar Tree Vases

Dollar Tree Stones

Paper White bulbs ready to be released from dormancy
half-off for those who have tarried

Assemble and add water to level of bulb
and place in a sunny window.
(planted December 10th)

Joy Joy Joy!

Free printable here!

Note: Using a tall vase helps the shoots not grow so tall and topple.

I might add a wide bow around bottom of vase for decoration and

to hide the roots…as some members of my family find them “creepy”.

In the midst of all the decorations

that declare Christmas, lay these

action figures.

Caleb calls them his “guys”.

I sat on one last night no fewer than

three separate times.

The third time I was not thrilled as

I started searching the space between cushion

and frame to rid myself of any further culprits.

Do these hard and sharp pieces of plastic belong amongst

the twinkling lights that fill this home?

What about another scene depicted in plastic?

Caleb has created the huddled mass gazing

upon the Babe.

Last year, I believe  there was a bit of a battle among

members of this group.

This year, Caleb has used the camel’s rope to help

the angel fly.

Do you notice the lowered gift for Jesus as well?

Jesus came for this boy who loves superheroes and is prone

to not put his things away.

He came for this mom who prefers not to be  poked by mislaid

sharp objects yet deep down  knows,

Jesus is not a  Savior for the tidy.

He came to invade our lives.

He welcomes the mess.

He came not for just December 25th but for

each and every day that surrounds the day we celebrate.

Worship Him while the fir needles drop at your feet.

Lift your voice in thanksgiving as you fold clothes while candles dance.

Pause and feel His grace that cannot be held back,

despite our hurried pace and endless lists.

Jesus in the flesh,

choosing to enter the harshness of our world,

the messes, the dusty corners and  sharp jabs.

Jesus with us each and

everyday.

Jesus the Light.

Welcome the Light,

not as one who wants to expose

your junk drawers but instead

wants to bring freedom from the

mountains of “to do’s” and “should’s”.

All the pieces we add to the Christmas story,

that don’t belong and inhibit the Prince

from bringing us sweet peace.

As He tenderly spoke to the disciples,

He whispers to us.

"While you have the Light, believe in the Light
have faith in it,
hold to it,
rely on it,
that you may become sons of the Light and
be filled with Light." **

Let the Light clear your path and

lighten your load.

Unburden yourself from the weight you were

never intended to lift.

Jesus,

our everyday Light!

**John 12: 36

I have been reading  Just Give Me Jesus  during my devotions.

Each chapter a different section from the book of John.

It has been a rich way to spend time firmly fixed on Jesus.

It’s hard to walk on sand, whether you are barefoot or in shoes.

I don’t have the coordination to traverse across the grains without missteps

and stumbles.

If I stand very still and let those sandy pieces form and interlock

beneath my soles, my footing is made secure.

This weekend, sit or stand very still,

let yourself be woven by His hands…

wooed by His nearness…

comforted by His love…

His grace…

His peace.

Be fixed.

If you don’t know where to fix your thoughts…

this might help…

It drenched me with a wave of gratitude this week.

Soak awhile and be fixed.

 
For out of His fullness (abundance)
 we have all received
 [all had a share and we were all supplied with] 
one grace after another
 and 
spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing
 and
 even favor upon favor
 and
 gift [heaped] upon gift.

John 1: 16 (AMP)
 

Care to guess at  my

word for 2012?

Have you asked God for a word

to mark your days to come?

Sit awhile and He might just

whisper it in the stillness.

As Caleb  dealt with different “bugs,

time snuggled under blankets was plentiful.

Caleb, an often snoozing dog and me watching

inordinate amounts of television and movies.

There were a few Hallmark Christmas movies as well.

The interesting part is that no matter the premise, each movie ends

the same way.

I suppose that is the point.

Every plot point needs to be resolved.

The missing dog is found.

The disenchanted couple finds love again.

A person sees the future and changes their present ways.

We all know the ending.

In fact, we long and wait for that happy ending.

If the ending includes pieces of redemption, it

makes those two hours worthy.

One such movie was  A Christmas Carol refurbished.

The closing quote caught my attention:

Life can only be understood backwards.
Unfortunately, it must be lived forward."
--Kierkegaard

We often want to fast forward life to see how

each facet resolves.

Perhaps at different junctures, we want our days

to slow to a crawl.

As believers we know the ending.

We know the beginning as well.

It’s the living in the middle that can prove

to be a challenge.

The middle can be filled with grief and longings.

We believe that God will work it all out…somehow,

but we look at the premise and it seems daunting.

No truer words than Solomon’s:

"He has made everything beautiful in its time.
He has also set eternity in the human heart;
yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end."
Ecclesiastes 3: 11

In the beginning was God.

In the end is God.

In the middle is still God with us.

God can and will make EVERYTHING of this middle

beautiful.

We may not understand it completely.

We may be blinded in this middle place.

What  stretches from beginning

to end and intersect the middle is a

redemption so vast that we cannot fathom

the preciseness of his aim.

Longings reside within us because

our hearts were carved by and for eternity.

Yet the end for us is truly another beginning.

In this glorious season, our minds ponder on Mary,

heavy laden with eternity within began

traveling a lengthy dusty road that would seal our redemption.

A circular trail of beginnings and endings

etching towards eternity.

May these middle days find you more deeply believing

that your story will have the beautiful eternity ending

that He has promised.

May you give Him all the longings for your eternal home…

hear Him call your name…

pitch His tent over you…

Immanuel…

God with you…

here in the middle.

Thank you  Little Bear  for making a little boy with

strep throat feel like laughing!

When I hear him laugh, it fills me with joy as well.

You were a favorite at age 4 and you still are at age 8!

Hopefully Penicillin will blow all the “bugs” away!

surrounding Christmas.

I can close my eyes and remember that music echoed through our

home at all times of the year.

My mom, a crystal clear soprano and pianist and my dad

with an equally clear whistle.

All types of music papered the walls of our home.

One Christmas, my parents played this exquisite

recording of  solo piano that became a part of my soul.

I loved its beauty and the peace that it evoked.

Among the hustle and bustle, the hurry and scurry,

I seek peace in the walls of my home today.

This evening, Carl and I were out doing errands and 

I asked a store clerk if he happened to have an old cd.

I gave him the name and as quickly as I said it, he

tilted his head back and said with great joy,

“That is my all-time favorite Christmas CD!”

He thought he had two left but there was actually

just one.

One shard of nostalgia waiting to be taken home to spread

peace over and through our walls.

As we were leaving, I thanked the man and said,

“Now Christmas can begin!”

I  listened to this  as I prepared dinner tonight

and in the midst of the mundane, it beckoned

peace and opened up a  sacred space set apart

just for Him.

Here’s to December!

(the 20th Anniversary Edition has 2 bonus recordings for a total of 14 tracks!)

What music or tradition sets the tone for you?

Oh I know it is December now…it’s snowing on the blog again!

Click the link above to find two sizes of this gorgeous

desktop to celebrate December!

OH OH OH…

The Monday before Thanksgiving, I found myself with several hours

of uninterrupted time.

I couldn’t let my closet and portions of our bedroom remain in their

state of clutter and confusion.

I could blame it on the glorious fall weather that created competition

between warm and cold weather clothes.

I could excuse the stack of books next to my bed and on my bookcase

as just for the love of reading.

The bottom line was that I need to get some control over this area of my

home that is supposed to be a sanctuary.

I organized my clothes and my stacks and I felt renewed.

Two of the four shelves of our shared small bookshelf are mine.

I could easily use all four

One shelf, I devoted to books that I had uncovered

in my cleaning mission.

I will admit, they comprised books that I thought I had finished.

The scraps of paper marking pages declared that I was wrong.

One book placed on that shelf was  One Thousand Gifts.

Now rewind to a week prior to the great clean-up.

I saw an ad for a mobile phone application for the above book.

What caught my eyes was not the application as my phone is

old school.

This quote caught by eyes because I didn’t remember reading it:

Stress can be an addiction and worry can be a lunge for control. 
But the answer to every moment is always  yes because of Jesus.

I would find that I had no recollection as I had stopped reading

just pages before my eyes would have landed.

I read the last three chapters of the book over the next two

days.

They were chapters that I needed to read at just those moments.

As this book is devoted to gratitude and giving thanks, it was

perfect to read at Thanksgiving.

My ingrained  knee-jerk response would be to chide myself for not

finishing this book when it first was laid in my hands.

But the recovering Helen can exhale and know that perhaps these pages

were not meant to be consumed until now.

What might be uncovered if we each cleared away the clutter?

I will close with a few of my favorite quotes contained in the

last chapters.

They each seem like rich reminders for today and this season.

Worry is the facade of taking action when prayer really is. 
And stressed, this pitched word that punctuates every conversation, 
is it really my attempt to prove how indispensable I am? 
Or is it more? 
Maybe disguising my deep fears as stress seems braver somehow.
 
Fear keeps a life small.
 
Stress and anxiety seem easier.
Easier to let a mind run wild with the worry than to exercise discipline,
to reign her in, slip the blinders on and train her to walk steady ahead.
Are stress and worry evidences of a soul too lazy, 
too undisciplined, 
to keep gaze fixed on God?

To stay in love?
I don't like to ask these questions, 
sweep out these corners where eyes glare
from shadows. 
But this I must ask and I do, out loud.
Isn't joy worth the effort of trust?
Because I kid no one: 
stress brings no joy.

Trust is the bridge from yesterday to tomorrow,
built with planks of thanks.  
Remembering frames up gratitude.  

Gratitude lays out planks of trust.

I can walk the planks--from known to unknown--and know:  
He holds.

I love that a book uncovered can be opened at just the right time

and encourage.

I love even more that each time I open up the Word…

it is always the right time,

it is always full of encouragement,

and it helps me uncover new truths, promises,

perspective and more layers of grace and love.

What will you uncover this week?

At all times and for everything

giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

to God the Father.

Ephesians 5: 20

O give thanks to the Lord, 

for He is good;

for his mercy and loving-kindness

endures forever.

Psalm 118: 1

 On your feet now—applaud God!
      Bring a gift of laughter, 
      sing yourselves into his presence. 

  Know this: God is God, and God, God. 
      He made us; we didn’t make him. 
      We’re his people, his well-tended sheep. 

  Enter with the password: “Thank you!” 
      Make yourselves at home, talking praise. 
      Thank him. Worship him. 

  For God is sheer beauty, 
      all-generous in love, 
      loyal always and ever.

Psalm 100 (The Message)

It has been quite awhile since I have a posted a list of favorites.

Here are a few of my favorite things:

1. That leaf in the photo.

I saw this vibrant leaf clinging to our suddenly bare tree 

after two days of off and on rain and wind.

Despite its companions, it is hanging on.

Whatever the weather in our lives from day-to-day, we can

choose to remain anchored  and stand out against a stark and tangle

world.

2.  This tea

I love this tea!

It is the quickest way to have the taste of hot apple cider BUT 

without all the sugar and concocting.

Perfect on these increasingly cold days and nights.

3. This smile

Yes this is an extreme close-up of all the comings

and goings in our Caleb’s mouth.

I love his smile and his laugh so it is even more fun

to look at his mouth as it changes seemingly each day.

4.  This candle’s scent

It smells wonderful.

I have  a very small jar.

Yankee candles can be a bit pricey although they burn

forever.

Click  here for a great coupon for your smelling pleasure.

5.  This camera

This camera because it is my camera.

It is just a nice little digital camera.

It has become a favorite because it has been allowing me

to document our life.

This time of year, I start the process of putting together our

annual photo calendar and it is fun to see the year pass before

my eyes in picture.

I will admit that I am years behind in keeping my photos in order.

But at least once a year, I get a peek at the year that we have lived.

I try to keep my camera with me because I never know when a great

photo occasion will strike.

We have a lot of crazy yummy pictures of the food we order when we eat out

or even the beverages.

The pictures may not mean anything to anyone  but us.

That’s okay.

Life is all about shared moments.

Take your camera with you and just click away.

The more you do, the more it becomes a habit.

6.  This movie

We went to see this movie during the summer.

We laughed so much.

We laughed until we cried.

Oh how I love Winnie the Pooh.

Not every movie needs to be in 3-D.

I am hoping that we will watch it again over the

Thanksgiving week.

7. This help for the scarf challenged.

I love scarves.

You might wear them with ease as if

you just tossed the fabric in the air

and it lands  properly tossled but

not me.

Help has come to the rescue!

Click here.

What are your favorites?

{caution: long post-itis}

You might think this is amusing.

In fact, when I reflect, I giggle a bit.

Rewind life 18 years ago,

I had given birth to Courtney and as I looked ahead to her

first birthday, I realized that I was reaching a milestone

age as well.

I thought to myself, I need a physical challenge.

What manner of hormones coursed through my body,

I have no idea the combination.

To think that after giving birth, I needed a challenge of

any sort is a bit puzzling.

But I did.

My running days were long behind me and I decided

to walk the Portland Marathon.

As I began to casually mention this to other friends,

they caught the fire.

Before I knew it there was a group of about 12 women who

wanted to take this physical challenge.

We trained for months and rose early Saturdays

and walked until we couldn’t.

There were 12 of us and then there were 10,

then about 4 and on race day there was just me

and one friend.

Training is hard.

Life is hard.

There were valid reasons that many unlaced their shoes.

Some faced illness.

Some had life upheavals.

Some just got tired of training.

Some lost enthusiasm.

We two showed up in the wee hours of the morning in downtown Portland.

I remember a man asked what my longest training walk had been and

I embellished lied and said 20 miles.

It had only been 16.

His look told me that I might be in serious peril.

The gun went off and adrenalin took control.

Arlene and I walked until our feet were raw

and despite the fact that we discovered halfway, that our personal paces were

different, we crossed the finish line together.

We beamed as our names were called and were engulfed in space blankets. 

 We gazed at our tightly clutched roses, t-shirts and medals.

We had finished.

For a few days, post-marathon, I couldn’t wear regular shoes because

my feet were  swollen, tender and blistered.

The bath I soaked in had also burst a few vessels in my feet  but

you gotta love those endorphins because I thought I was queen of the world.

Would you like to know an interesting tidbit?

I didn’t walk for about 2 months after that marathon.

Was it because I was still healing?

I wish that I could say yes.

The truth is that I set a  goal, completed it but neglected

to set another one.

Last month I wrote about it here.

My pastor has been challenging our church  to look

ahead and ponder areas to work on in 2012.

One of the lessons I learned from the marathon was

the importance of setting goals continually.

I also learned that there is value in the pursuit no matter the outcome.

The women that couldn’t get to the finish line still trained.

They still gained strength

Three years ago, I rehearsed  a bit of scripture.

It’s hard to believe because it feels like it was just last year.

The amazing part is not in the memorizing.

I could not recite it perfectly today, but  those verses have become apart of me.

I can’t tell you how often a single verse will come to mind.

It’s the pursuit  in the midst of finishing.

Setting the goal, helped strengthen my journey. 

Once again I am encouraging you and me to think ahead and see

how God would like to move us along  our path with Him.

Discipline is hard.

Training is hard.

In fact, it can require crazy hours and lonely stretches of time.

There may be those that question your resolve.

Others who try to point to apparent insufficiency

to cause you to question your abilities.

I didn’t need to walk 26.2 miles before I walked the marathon.

I just needed to show up because I had put in the time and the effort.

Have you tried to read the Bible through in a year and gotten weighed

down in Numbers?

Try again.

Even if you don’t make it to the last reading, think of how much you have

gained in the process?

God wants your heart not your tortured perfection.

Are your personal devotion times non-existent?

Commit to reading one Psalm a day until it becomes the norm again.

Read a verse or two from Psalm 119 each day for a month.

I guarantee your love for His word will swell in the best possible way. 

Grab an accountability partner to walk the road with you.

This post has lots of suggestions if you need more ideas.

We are all different and God will speak to us personally.

There is no need to keep up with anyone else’s pace other than your own. 

I see so many who are walking away from the Lord.

It breaks my heart because when life gets hard, we need Him.

When life is relatively smooth, we need Him.

Sometimes our walk may cause blisters,

but remember, a blister becomes a callous.

Callouses allow our feet to absorb the pressure and length of

the long distance journey.

We all benefit from training. 

If we aren’t determined to know Him, it is easy to leave Him behind.

I am pondering right along with you about this year to come.

I don’t know all that God is beckoning me to pursue.

I do know that I will be using the Amplified Bible for my devotions.

In fact, I have already started.

Perhaps it is as easy as a new translation to deepen your love.

I am not the first person to say that life is not a sprint but

a marathon.

I pray that we all make it our aim to pursue Him with abandon

and with a determined purpose.

Let me close with one of my life verses.

Meditate on it this week and see where God wants you

to grow in knowing Him more.

[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him 
[that I may progressively become 
more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, 
perceiving and recognizing and understanding 
the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], 
and that I may in that same way come to know 
the power outflowing from His resurrection 
[which it exerts over believers],
 and that I may so share His sufferings 
as to be continually transformed 
[in spirit into His likeness even] to His death. 
 Philippians 3: 10 (AMP) 

The forecast of rain.

The inevitable gray, sunless days.

But for

today,

I rejoice.

I look to my left and right

and behold the glorious

autumn bursting in all its

majestic beauty.

I know some day soon,

I will be tempted to sigh

and mutter about the state of the

weather but for

today…

I rejoice that my eyes glow in

hues of yellow, gold, orange

and red.

Are you taking a moment to bask in the beauty that is defined by fall?

I hope you are kicking up your heels in the leaves and exhaling your thanks and praise!

Joyous fall days to you!

How could I forget?

I meant to add Psalm 19:1 but I forgot.

Then I read Caleb some of his Jesus Storybook Bible

and was pleasantly reminded…

The Heavens are singing

about how great God is;

and the skies are shouting it out,

“See what God has made!”

Day after day…Night after night…

They are speaking to us.” 

I took this picture out and about in my neighborhood.

I saw this scene a couple of weeks ago and didn’t have my camera.

I happened to pass by yesterday and was ready this time.

Do you see what I see?

Do you love what I love about the owner of this little blue scooter?

This owner is prepared.

I am believing that the owner is a hip chick.

She buckles her helmet and takes off on her journey.

She never knows how long she might ride so she is ready with

a vessel to hold necessary fuel.

Maybe she is a veteran  of leaving home with the wind in her hair only to

find her tiny tank empty.

There have been other trips that have needed different intervention,

enter the quart of oil.

Make no mistake…it’s an awfully cute scooter but

the power comes from the gas and the ride is made

smooth because of the oil.

Otherwise, it is just a lot of metal and rubber.

I don’t know what verses come to mind for you.

Maybe not one and that is perfectly fine.

Perhaps I am trying to grasp the spiritual from the natural

but these are the two scriptures that

lodged in my brain waves.

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, 
to show that the surpassing power belongs to God 
and not to us."
2 Corinthians 4:7 (ESV)

It’s not about us people!

It’s all about the surpassing power that allows us to be illuminated!

And also…

"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. 
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you 
to give the reason for the hope that you have. 
But do this with gentleness and respect,"
1 Peter 3: 15 (NIV)

but here is November’s bounty!

Click this link and scroll to bottom of post to find two sizes of desktops.

Enjoy the beauty of November.

Today is the final post of 31 days of encouragement.

31 days doesn’t seem very long…today.

On day 9, it seemed a lifetime away.

Last night, Carl drove  Courtney back to campus

after a visit, I found Caleb at the dining room table.

He had his school lunch menu calendar and a calculator.

He was figuring out how many days before Thanksgiving break.

How long would Courtney be home for Christmas.

It was at once adorable and heartbreaking.

Adorable as I reflected on the hugs hello and goodbye that

he gave her that just had no endpoint.

They were of a clinging variety…in the best possible way.

It was heartbreaking because I don’t want him or any of us

to put living on hold because we are just waiting.

God doesn’t call us to a “grin and bear it” life.

He calls us to an abundant overflowing one.

It is easy to try to look out over the horizon and believe

that whatever is just out of sight must be easier than

what resides in today.

There is that gnawing ache for what we don’t have or

long to possess.

A month from now all will be fixed.

A year from now, this pain will end.

What if the other side isn’t  different or

even harder?

6 years ago, I stood  behind a pulpit and declared

that it had been the hardest year of our lives.

Yet the unthinkable  happened, as quickly as I

had ascended and descended those stairs,

life got even harder.

I had looked out to an envisioned point that was called

better and  was blindsided when I couldn’t conjure up its appearance.

I didn’t allow myself to live in the middle ground.

I clung to  perceived ease of the past and the prospect of a neatly 

paved road  in the future.

In the midst of shambles, God didn’t change.

God stayed.

God comforted.

God protected.

God came near.

Loved ones stayed.

Loved ones comforted.

Loved ones encouraged.

In this cycle of life, we are always in need of

encouragement or we know one who needs to

be encouraged.

My prayer for this past 31 days has been that God

would give you new eyes to see those that hover in

and around your lives who need encouragement.

It can be so simple but it can ministry immensely.

I also prayed that if you were in need of encouragement,

that you would go to the Source first.

Let Him comfort.

Let His Word sustain you.

Also let yourself be known and loved.

Seek and deepen friendships so you can share

this stretch of road together.

We desperately need each other.

Most of all,

be brave.

Be honest before God.

Your friendships will grow.

Be willing to be vulnerable with others.

Your closeness will deepen.

Your bravery to connect with another person,

infuses them with courage to keep taking each

hesitant step.

Be brave enough to offer the gifts He has graciously

given so they can be sown in the lives of others.

I guarantee when you encourage, you will be

encouraged as well.

It is the ultimate win-win situation.

Encouragement truly  is a boomerang blessing.

Be brave and live fully in today.

Thank you so much for reading this past month.

I am honored by your presence.

How were you encouraged during these last 31 days?

You can read the entire 31 days series here.

May I suggest subscribing to A Work of Heart

at the sidebar to the right

and never miss a post?

Welcome to all you new subscribers during this last month,

you encouraged me right back…a boomerang!

Be encouraged my friends!

Morning fueling

The best part of the Sunday paper

Sharing the journey together

Time with volumes that have become old friends

The pull of fuzzy socks in crimson and grey

The potential of a new favorite

A soft place to land

Flickering light and the scent of pumpkin spice

More of that laundry I don’t mind so much

A vivid reminder of God’s intricate detail of creation

Last week, I stepped out of my car and was just about to step over the curb 
onto the grass strip when I noticed the above dragonfly.
It was head first sticking straight up.
It was completely intact.
I suppose that it died in mid-air.

You might think this is weird, but I have an affinity for dragonflies.
Look at the wings, how beautiful the Lord made this insect.
There was care and creativity in every part.
How humbled am I to know that the God that would take the time
and effort to craft a dragonfly with wings that are like cellophane,
can easily take care of every single detail of my life...even the parts
that are paper thin and fragile.
To God be the glory...forever!

What ingredients made up the recipe of your Sunday?

Tomorrow  brings 31 days of encouragement to a close.

Read all the posts here.

God must bring us to a point–I cannot tell you how it will be,
but he will do it–where, through a deep and dark experience,
our natural power is touched and fundamentally weakened,
so that we no longer dare trust ourselves.

He has had to deal with some of us very strangely, and
take us through difficult and painful ways, in order to get us there…
But then at last it is that he can begin to use us…

We would like to have death and resurrection put together within
one-hour of each other.  We cannot face the thought that God will keep us
aside for so long a time; we cannot bear to wait.  And of course I cannot
tell you how long he will take, but in principle I think it is quite safe
to say this, that there will be a definite period when he will keep you there…

All is in darkness, but it is only for a night.  It must indeed be
a full night, but that is all.  Afterwards you will find that everything is
given back to you in glorious resurrection; and nothing can  measure
the difference between what was before and what now is!

~~~Watchman Nee

whenever you are enveloped in

or encounter trials

of any sort

or fall into various temptations.

Be assured and understand that the trial

and proving of your faith

bring out endurance

and

steadfastness

and

patience.

But

let

endurance

and

steadfastness

and

patience

have full play

and do a thorough work,

so that you may be [people] perfectly

and

fully developed [with no defects],

lacking in nothing.

James 1: 2-4 (AMP)

Dearest Helen,

You have read these verses

many times.

I suppose that you could recite

them at a moment’s notice.

Oh how well, I know you, my dear child.

I know where you are prone to let your

mind and your actions dwell.

What you can do.

Not who you can be.

Helen,

you have looked at choosing joy in the midst of trials

as part of an ever-increasing

list of what makes you acceptable.

One more thing to muscle your way through in 

your life with me.

That list is written by your hand not mine.

Dear one,

I am not saying that as you face hardship that your

first response is to be filled with joy.

Don’t forget I am intimately acquainted with you 

and your ways.

When hard comes your way, I want to be your

Rock,

Hiding Place,

Comforter,

Deliverer

to name a few.

You would have no need of my resources if you put on a smiling

face in the midst of despair.

Be honest with Me.

That’s what  friends of the heart do with one another.

You have gotten it a bit mixed-up.  

But that’s alright because many others have as well.

So from now on , Helen,

whenever you come upon a trial or

continue to walk in  one that just doesn’t seem to want to 

leave your side,

know that there is something bigger going on.

There is something beyond the biggest life struggles.

I want you to be complete.

I want you to be whole.

Helen,

I want you to be perfect, my way of looking at perfect,

not your way of trying to be perfect. 

I want your faith to be strong.

In fact, I want your faith to show the muscles of

endurance

and

patience

and 

steadfastness.

Trials will come. 

Trials will remain.

Trials will go.

Your response is to let it be.

Let endurance

and 

patience

and 

steadfastness

have their way.

As you let me do the work,

the joy will come.

Joy in the midst of trials comes

from the depths of knowing that there is greater, deeper,

life-changing work happening beyond what

is visible.

Helen,

let me be God.

Remind yourself as often as it

takes,

that I am good and I do good.**

Hear these words of  complete and perfect love from Me to you.

Love,

Your Heavenly Father

**Psalm 119: 68

God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts.

Use them well to serve one another.

I Peter 4: 10 (NLT)

Caleb memorized this verse last week for church.

I got the chance to help him which means I memorized it as well.

We had great fun with the verse.

Especially trying to help him say “variety”.

I guess we don’t use that word often and missing

teeth seemed to make it a tongue twister.

We talked about how this verse is like God reaching into

a huge box of gifts and  giving each one of us at least

one.

Each gift will look different in each person’s life.

How I love that picture.

There was a time in my life when I looked at others

and fell in love with their gifts.

Now I look at the giftedness of others and fall more

in love with the giver of those gifts.

If we fully realized the gifts that we have been given

and used them as designed, it would be a vision to

behold.

One or many would be served.

God would be glorified.

There is no one else that has your gift.

No one can display your gift the way you can.

The world is better when our gifts are unwrapped

and shared.

God has outstretched his arms to hand you a gift,

will you accept it and use it fully?

If you have accepted the gift, how can you serve

others this week by exposing it?

This little 31 day experiment has been all about

encouragement.

I hope there has been something that has brought 

encouragement but if not there is still time

Oh the pressure!

Today will be very brief.

I read this quote yesterday and it continues

in the vein of planning.

I keep tossing around the words in my head and I hope that

the truth behind the words will not only resonate

but drive deeply into my daily life and pursuit of Him.

For you as well.

Unless I’m badly mistaken,
one of the main reasons so many of God’s children
don’t have a significant life of prayer is not so much that we don’t want to,
but that we don’t plan to.

If you want to take a four-week vacation,
you don’t just get up one summer morning and say,
“Hey, let’s go today!”
You won’t have anything ready.
You won’t know where to go.
Nothing has been planned.

But that is how many of us treat prayer.
We get up day after day and
realize that significant times of prayer should be a part of our life,
but nothing’s ever ready.
We don’t know where to go.
Nothing has been planned.
No time.
No place.
No procedure.

And we all know that the opposite of planning
is not a wonderful flow of deep, spontaneous experiences in prayer.
The opposite of planning is the rut.
If you don’t plan a vacation, you will probably stay home and watch TV.
The natural, unplanned flow of spiritual life sinks to the lowest ebb of vitality.
There is a race to be run and a fight to be fought.
If you want renewal in your life of prayer,
you must plan to see it.

John Piper  Desiring God

We also ventured into a corn maze.

Truth be told, they kind of creep me out.

You know, children of the corn and all.

Oh and yes, although the day was clear

and beautiful,when the wind rustled through

the stalks,we all stopped in our tracks.

Back to the maze, we were armed with our

maps and we started out strong but

with each passing step found ourselves more

mixed-up.

We re-traced our steps and looked for tell-tale clues,

but we only found 3 of the 6 check points and

not in the correct order.

But we did find our way out!

There were moments when we would hear

voices beyond the rows of corn and we abandoned reason 

and cut through the maze in hope of finding

our way.

Funny thing, those voices on the other side were just as lost.

Somehow, hearing voices made us believe

in something that wasn’t real.

It’s easy to do that in life.

It’s tempting to try to find our way by looking to 

others that appear to have “it” figured out.

Desperation can take over when we feel lost.

Our sense of direction has evaporated, we look outside instead

of looking to the compass that never leaves.

My life now feels a bit like a maze.

Sometimes I  choose a path that seems right.

There are days that I want to take a shortcut,

and avoid some of  the check-in points. 

When I reach a dead-end, I feel defeated.

Yesterday, I felt a bit discouraged because as much as I told

myself not to keep my eyes focused on a  shaky hope, I did.

It feels strenuous to turn around and start over.

But I must get my eyes back on my unshakeable hope. 

A whisper grows with each small step.

Leaving behind muddy footprints, a voice grows 

stronger…

Trust in the LORD with all your heart 
   and lean not on your own understanding; 
 in all your ways submit to him, 
   and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3: 5-6 (NIV)

Repeat…

Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.

    In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.

(Amplified)

One more time for good measure…

Trust God from the bottom of your heart; 
   don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; 
   he’s the one who will keep you on track.
Don’t assume that you know it all. 

(The Message)

I mentioned how it might be a great idea to plan ahead

for the new year as far as spiritual goals.

Carl and I chatted about that post (I know, isn’t it nice

that he reads my blog…swoon).

Anyway, he said that he agreed with me and

that he liked how I said we don’t have to wait, we can start now.

Well, I didn’t really write that part (I wish I had) but I love his thinking.

With that thought in mind, I wanted to encourage you, in the

same way Carl encouraged me, that you don’t have to wait until

the stroke of midnight of a new year to implement a new course

of action.

I have been meaning to write a review of a new devotional I received

months ago.

The publishers of the Life Application Study Bible present a year of digging deeper into the life of Jesus.

Every week focuses on a different event in Jesus’ ministry.

There is a reading for each weekday and one reading for the weekend.

Each reading consists of:

READING THE WORD:  The day’s selection from the Gospels

SETTING THE SCENE:  A reflection of the passage and highlighting points of significance

GETTING PERSONAL:  Brief notes and questions to make each lesson personal

TALKING TO GOD:  Suggestions for shaping extended time of conversation with God each day

I really like this devotional.

I like that it is meaty.

If you do not own a study Bible with extra notes, this devotional would be a great tool.

The devotional contains wonderful  history and background information.

There are also questions that will allow time for reflection.

I think it is easy to read a devotional and let the book do all the thinking.

This devotional provides a focused look at Jesus but it also invites participation.

I anticipate that one might want to open their journals and write their thoughts

and prayers and ultimately thanksgiving as the life of Jesus is unfolded week by

week.

Need more convincing?

Read the first chapter here.

Thinking about delving more into the life of our Savior?

This devotional might just be a great way to start digging.

Tyndale House Publishers were gracious enough to send me a complimentary
copy of the above book with the understanding that I would give my honest
opinion.

Thank you Tyndale House Publishers!

Weekend Encouragement:

A beautiful autumn drive to retrieve Courtney.

An equally beautiful autumn drive back to Portland
but with much more talking.

The reunion of all five of us plus some tail wagging happiness.

The laughter of sisters.

The content smile of a little brother.

The knowing glances between parents.

Extra laundry makes me smile…it’s a daily! 

Pumpkin patches and a bit of carving.

Elephant ears, cider, corn dogs and even a gyros. 

A soccer game without any subs…six tired boys.

A surprise visit from friends to add to the cheering section.

Blessed to have a table full of food for a hungry group.

Wonderful worship.

Filled up once again.

All the last-minute tidbits to share.

No one wants to look at the clock.

Another beautiful autumn drive.

A weekend that encouraged my soul.

What encouraged you this weekend?

Your path led through the sea, 
   your way through the mighty waters, 
   though your footprints were not seen.

Psalm 77: 19

I know that many of you are encountering walls of your own.

Walls can lead to discouragement.

Walls distract  focus.

Walls can feel insurmountable.

What if I encouraged you to:

Be brave.

Be strong.

Don’t give up.

Expect GOD to get here soon.

Would you believe me?

These are words I borrowed from David.

The last verse of Psalm 31 as written

in The Message.

Psalm 31  reveals how David dealt with

a trial or a wall.

I am not a Bible scholar.

When I study a scripture and it catches my attention,

I read and re-read the passage.

Then I read it in many translations.

When encountering a wall, use

the Word

In You, O LORD, I put my trust.

God has a counterattack for every wall.

He would never let David be put to shame.
He would deliver David in His righteousness.
He came close and listened to David.
He would deliver David speedily.
He was David's rock of refuge.
He was a fortress of defense to save David.
He would lead David.
He would guide David.
He would pull David out of the net set by others.
He would strengthen David.
He would redeem David.
He knew David's anguish/affliction/adversity.
He hadn't let David be completely handed over to the enemy.
He set David's feet in a wide place.

Replace David’s name with your own and read the list again, 

changing each line to present tense.

When encountering a wall,

TRUST.

This psalm shows  that in the midst of
firmly trusting,
focus can quickly become obscured.

David remembers what he is experiencing.

For five verses, he lets his eyes land on the wall.

David shuts out the wall and aligns his vision

on God which reaffirms his trust in God.

“But as for me, I trust in You,

O LORD;

I say, “You are my God.

My times are in Your hand;” 

Be honest with God about your trial,
but quickly remind yourself of who
you trust.

When encountering a wall,

REFLECT then RE-ENLIST.

Psalm 31 concludes with David’s expression

of praise for God’s deliverance and care.

“Oh how great is Your goodness,

Which You have laid up for those who fear You,

Which You have prepared for those who trust

in You

in the presence of the sons of men!” 

When encountering a wall,

REVEL IN GOD’S GOODNESS

AND TRIUMPH. 

Walls have a way of  feeling so high and wide that they 

block any prospect of escape.

David reminds us that we can trust God to 

deal with our walls and help us even when they remain.

We can expect it.

Be brave.

Be strong.

Don’t give up.

Expect GOD to get here soon.

October has less than two weeks remaining.

Autumn is in full force.

The days will flow into Thanksgiving,

Christmas and point to the new year.

It is never too early to think of ways

to recharge the next year.

What will you do to encourage your

spirit?

What if you thought about it now

and had your direction mapped? 

A course of action that didn’t come at the 

tail end of a season  full in every way.

There is something about January 1st

that carries such promise and hope.

But often after the confetti has been swept,

all those lofty goals seem out of reach.

Goals made due to a deadline sometimes

are easily cast aside.

• Choose a new devotional. 

• Read through the Bible. 

• Click here to pick a new reading plan. 

• Read a different Bible translation. 

• Set a memorization goal. 

• Become an "expert" on a book of the Bible. 

• Begin a prayer journal. 

• Keep a blessings list. 

• Find a prayer partner. 

• Join a Bible study. 

• Study one name of God each week. 

• Pray through the Psalms. 

• Read a Psalm a day.

• Work on an absent spiritual discipline. 

• Establish a consistent devotional time. 

• Attend church regularly. 

Start thinking about ways that can
add freshness to your spiritual life as you
approach the new year.

You can always change your mind.

Pray and reflect and then pick something
that you will look forward to doing.

Our spiritual lives are not meant to be a drudgery
but a way to draw closer to God.

Ask a friend what they are doing, if you still feel stumped.

Often I have grabbed someone’s grand idea and was

all the better for it.

Share the wealth when your well

seems to be dry. 

I would love to hear any ideas you have.

Embrace and enjoy each day but do a little dreaming about

the new year too. 

A wall that was about 5 foot four inches.

Just tall enough that I couldn’t see over it.

When did I realize that I was blocked by this invisible

yet real wall?

Exactly when I decided not to write a post about stink bugs.

You think I am kidding.

I. am. not.

So there stands the wall not willing to budge.

But I did learn that I am a die-hard

encourager as I glanced at a line written while

trying to face down that wall,

How sad for a stink bug to be called such an unpleasant

name when it is doing what it was created for?

Yes, I decided to spare you  more musings

about little creatures.

Where do we run when we hit a wall?

Who do  we turn to for  encouragement?

When perspective has vanished?

I was at a gathering yesterday and at one

point in our time together, the Word was presented.

The Word was read out loud.

The responses were varied.

Tears flowed.

Mouths opened wide.

Eyes fixed firmly on the one reading.

There were lots of “oohs” and “aahs”.

The Word of God is living and active.

This is the Word I took home with me:

Your words are what sustains me.

They bring me great joy and are

my heart’s delight, 

for I bear your name,

O LORD God Almighty.

Jeremiah 15: 16 

What words are helping you encounter a wall

in your life?

Leave me a comment.

Tell me what words are sustaining you

and keeping you company. 

Ask me a question, perhaps I will compile

a few answers to help scale the wall

during the last

of these  31 days.

“The Creator arranged things so that we need each other.”

~~Basil of Caesarea

I mentioned recently that I was reading this book.

This book is crammed with spiritual disciplines.

Today I read about spiritual friendships, how

we share our lives with others.

Before each discipline there is chart, followed by a brief chapter,

ending with reflection questions and spiritual exercises.

I thought I would share the chart about spiritual friendships for you

to ponder today along with a meaningful quote.

DESIRE:

• to develop a friendship that encourages and challenges me
  to love God with all my heart, soul, strength and mind.

DEFINITION:

• Spiritual friendship involves cultivating a covenant friendship
  where I can naturally share about my life with God. 
• It is grounded in relationship to God and a commitment to support,
  encourage, and pray for one another.

SCRIPTURE:

• “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
  Proverbs. 17: 17
• “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you,
  in order to bring praise to God.”
  Romans 15: 7
• “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”
  Proverbs 27: 17

 PRACTICES INCLUDE:

• journeying with another so you mutually grow in faith,
  hope and love
• covenanting to pray for and receiving one another in love
• playing together and praying together
• knowing another well enough to be a support,
  encouragement and word of God to them
• developing a healthy, interdependent friendship that encourages
  and grows the soul
• inviting a friend into the journey of recognizing your blind spots

GOD-GIVEN FRUIT:

• gaining the perspective and support of a trusted Christian friend
• being open about your highs, lows, temptations and joys
• experiencing God’s love through the love of a friend
• appreciating and being thankful for the giftedness of your spiritual friend
• allowing a trusted friend to stretch and challenge you
• laying down your life for love of another
• having more than allies, colleagues and acquaintances in your journey

Do you have spiritual friendships?

How can you continue to build those relationships?

Do you long for a deeper friendship?

Pray for God to lead you to the right person to pursue

a covenant friendship.

Someone may be waiting for you to be courageous

to ask.

“Spiritual friendship adds another dimension to the wonderful
gift of friendship.  As friends open their spiritual journeys to
another in the presence of Christ, they both step onto holy ground.

Spirit connects with spirit.  And the deep place where our spirit
touches the Spirit of God becomes shared territory.  Spiritual friends
donate themselves to one another in love.  They go out of their way to
practice “one anothers” together.  Because of the bond of love, friends can
hear truths from each other that they can’t with nonfriends.  Furthermore,
loyal spiritual friends help one another experience their true belovedness.
Spiritual friendship is not an easy path.  It winds through the rigors of giving
and receiving love to the very end.  It lays down convenience and dies to self for
the sake of the friend.

While spiritual friends are chosen and unique, they do not cut themselves off from
others, refusing to invite them into the depths of their friendships.

Spiritual friends want their relationships to reflect the love of the Trinity.

The Father, Son and Holy Spirit invite others in to their divine community.  So true
spiritual friends invite others into their shared loving and knowing.
Loving another doesn’t create less love to share out–it creates more.”

Share your life with another and then scatter and spread the love. 

THE PROBLEM WITH LIFE IS THAT IT IS SO DAILY.

I am not sure who the above quote can be attributed.

Have you ever felt like that?

I found myself feeling that way as I smoothed

the covers of our bed.

Once again.

Only to need to be remade overnight.

Or when I pack a lunch

or

plan the menus

or sweep up dog hair

or fold clothes

or

a multitude of other tasks

and activities that are

so daily.

As simple as clearing one’s desk only

to find it piled high the next day.

It doesn’t have to be a problem.

I am sure that there is someone in your

life that rejoices in the daily because

maybe their  daily is suddenly different.

It might even be you.

My mom just had shoulder surgery

and I know that tying her shoes

would be reason to celebrate.

The person who has received an

unwelcome diagnosis perhaps

views the daily with renewed reverence

and gratitude.

This is the day that the Lord

has made,

let us rejoice and be glad in it.

We can view the mundane

as a chore.

God tells us to look at these

daily routines as cause for

joy.

For the sole reason that He made the day.

Each day presents opportunities to serve.

A place for contentment to grow and

perspectives to change.

A quick push of the broom,

every speck of dust wiped away,

all the tasks that will beckon tomorrow,

can emerge as  a landscape of grace

and gratitude.

The blessing of life is that is so daily.

Weekend reflections in living color

A fun game to watch…and then it was not so fun.

Oil Can Carl to the rescue.

Apparently the game of Punto was a blur.
The reason for the fruit above…it all balances out.

The weekend is not over yet…keep making memories!

Need to catch up on the 31 Days of  Encouragement?

Check out the tab on the top of the blog.

Click here. 

Weekends are perfect for…

• lingering over  morning coffee or tea
• reading a book
• watching a soccer game
• playing a board game
• riding a bike
• laughing at a comedy
• cooking comfort food
• making a telephone call
• writing a letter
• cheering for your favorite football team
• walking through the fallen leaves
• planning
• dreaming
• resting
• giving thanks for the past week
• breathing in
• breathing out

I am praying that whatever your weekend holds,

it will be filled with love and laughter.

Thank you for spending the last 14 days with me as I embarked

on this crazy 31 day challenge.

It has been crazy but it has also been a wonderful

stretch of trusting that there wouldn’t be blank

days.

So far…there have been words.

They may have come very late at night,

before I fell asleep or in the early or not

so early morning.

I have no idea what the next 17 days will

reveal but I am excited to see.

I hope you will keep reading.

Thanks for the comments.

Bless you for sharing verses that filled you up

and even a haiku.

I am grateful for your presence and 

introducing yourselves.

This 31 days is a short stretch of road on 

my life journey.

It will be over soon. 

Although there are days that it seems quite

lengthy.

Our lives are filled with month-long curves along the trail.

What would you like to pack for your faith

journey?

Not actually items that would fit in a suitcase

or two but what do you need now as you

look at the terrain ahead.

For this very reason,
 
make every effort to add to your faith

 goodness;

 and to goodness,

 knowledge;

 and to knowledge,

 self-control;

and to self-control,

 perseverance;

 and to perseverance,

 godliness;

 and to godliness,

 mutual affection;
 
and to mutual affection,
 
love.
 
For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure,

 they will keep you from being ineffective and
 
unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

II Peter 1: 5-8

Don’t  forget to pack what is essential for your faith journey.

Check out the other 31 Dayers here.

WARNING:  There is a YouTube video that somehow shows up at the bottom

of this post.  I do not see it on my page but on the page that readers view.

Please do not click on the video as it is a bit off-color.

I have since enabled the safety mode on my computer so hopefully

this won’t happen again.

Sorry!

The first two weeks of school for Caleb were quite eventful.

He blew out two pairs of new shoes.

He somehow outgrew two new pairs of jeans.

On the second day of school, he lost his water bottle that

matches his lunchbox.

I dealt with the shoe and jeans situation.

However, for the rest of that first week of school,

I checked the lost and found to locate the 

bottle without success.

We found a substitute.

Problem solved.

Or so I thought.

This past Tuesday, Caleb announced before he

went to school that he thought he knew where to find

his missing bottle.

I asked where and he replied the lost and found.

I told him that I had already looked several times and

I doubted that it would be there.

It had been six weeks.

After school, he told me he had a surprise.

He opened his backpack and presented the missing 

water bottle with a salute.

I was surprised and I was pleased.

I was delighted because he was thrilled at his discovery.

Caleb’s pursuit of what was lost this week made me ponder over

what I believe about things that are lost.

Do I believe that somethings can be found…even if it has been

a long time?

Do I think that finding is only for others?

Or have I read the verses and parables about being lost

and  found so often the meaning has been diminished?

Is there anyone that I think will always be lost?

What parts of my life  have I drawn the 

conclusion will always remain out of view?

What substitute am I using in place of the original? 

Spend a little time meditating on these verses and allow 

the Lord to breath new life into each word.

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.

Luke 19: 10

Keep on asking and it will be given you;  

keep on seeking and you will find; 

keep on knocking reverently

and the door will be opened to you.

For everyone who keeps on asking receives;

and he who keeps on seeking finds;

and to him who keeps on knocking,

the door will be opened.

Matt. 7: 7-8

Caleb gave me a snapshot of what faith

without doubt looks like this week.

To him it was obvious where to look.

It should be clear to me as well.

He reminded me  to be relentless in 

the pursuit.

I didn’t think he even remembered about the

lost bottle or that it concerned him.

Caleb helped me see that God always remembers

the lost and He is concerned and has not forgotten.

Don’t ever give up.

take Courtney to college.

As it happened, the day for this momentous event landed on my 

birthday.

I promise, this is the last time I will mention it.

I shared after the fact, that God surprised us with such a wonderful

two days despite feeling like we had left part of the cadence of our heart

at Linfield College.

About a week later, on a Friday to be exact, Carl hadn’t returned from work.

Caleb had been whisked away for a birthday adventure out-of-town and Carlen

was heading to work.

As Carlen stepped out the front door, she almost fell over a large box that had

been left on our porch.

She carried it in and announced that it was for me.

I surveyed the box and discovered it was from my brother and his family.

As I looked at the box closer, one side looked like this:

{THANK YOU BILL, CARMEN, HILARY AND COCO}

Behold the artistic skills of my niece Hilary and nephew Coco.

By now, I am grinning big time.

I cut open the box to discover whatever “big something” was inside.

As I pulled back each cardboard flap, I discovered not a “big something”

but a lot of “big and small somethings”.

Inside were so many gifts.

But I was alone.

Somehow, that just didn’t seem right. 

I closed the box , placed it on the dining room table and waited for

Carl to come home.

Gifts are meant to share.

Wouldn’t you agree? 

It was one of those beautiful evenings, when the calendar had barely

blinked September into existence.

It was warm but not too warm.

It was sunny but not blinding.

It was still because I found myself alone.

A rare evening indeed.

Well, Carl came home and couldn’t miss the box

on our table and surmised that it was just the two 

of us.

Stomachs growled and could we possibly have a dinner date?

But first we opened the gift.

It was filled with all things fun and wonderful.

It contained things to make me laugh and to make me

feel pampered.

It held things that we might have given Courtney to take

with her, leaving us lacking.

There were truffles and a Magic 8 ball (that has since

been claimed by Caleb.)

The Princess Bride, among other movies and popcorn.

A coffee press, a tea press and some amazing

loose teas.

Books to make me laugh and to make me think.

Candles  and bath goodies.

I could go on and on.

There were gift cards and special cards from those

that I love and who love me.

I smiled and laughed through tears.

I felt thoroughly loved.

By the time we opened the last gift and 

gasped at all the gifts that filled our dining room,

all we could do was shake our heads and smile at one another.

Then we went out to eat.

Carpe diem in all it’s glory. 

That box of gifts was so much fun.

More than the contents of the box and it was

really something, was the deep abiding

realization that I was:

LOVED

KNOWN

THOUGHT ABOUT

I can believe it but I have to also allow myself

to feel it as well.

Let the love trickle down and settle into my soul. 

Many times it is easier for me to be the one 

giving gifts  yet  difficult to  be the

one receiving.

My challenge to you and to me included, is

to let yourself be loved.

Let yourself be known.

Do you know that you are a gift to be opened?

The gift of you is not meant to be opened in private.

It is meant to be shared and spread  throughout your surroundings. 

You are filled with all things big and small and wonderful!

Let yourself be known.

Know that others think about you…in very good ways.

For me, it is a knee jerk reflex to operate in strong mode.

To project an image, that I can muddle through life’s

hard stuff all by myself. 

Those who I allow to know me, see and know the truth.

They love me anyway. 

Let yourself be known

and loved

and thought about

by others and 

by Him.

Don’t muddle along when you need God

to cuddle you and others to huddle

around you.

LET YOURSELF BE KNOWN.

LET YOURSELF BE LOVED.

neglected to drink water?

Perhaps you intended to stop at a fountain and take a few sips.

Or reach for the water bottle you packed.

It could have been your plan from the moment your feet

landed on the floor this morning but that intoxicating

aroma of coffee became the victor.

Somehow and someway one of the most essential

needs in life can be easily pushed aside for whatever has become

more pressing.

By the time, your body can bear it no longer and you realize that

something doesn’t feel right and draw the conclusion that you

are just plain thirsty.

You take a glass of water in your hands, chug the cool liquid down

your throat without allowing your mouth or tongue to be anymore 

involved than a doorway to quenching your thirst.

Have you ever done this?

Have you ever drank water so fast that you barely tasted the refreshment?

I know I have.

It is only when we drink that we realize how thirsty we have become.

I have also chosen other beverages over water and although I was drinking

throughout the day, I was left weak and dehydrated.

Have you ever felt spiritually dehydrated?

The body can live only a short time without water.

Sadly we can deprive ourselves of living water for longer.

A day can turn into months and what used to be our routine source

of filling has become a distant memory.

Maybe that has become the problem.

The routine has become too routine.

I am the LORD your God,
who brought you out of the land of Egypt,
Open wide  your mouth and I will fill it.

Psalm 81: 10

The God who has continually kept his promises to each

generation, will keep his promise to you.

Open wide

He will fill you.

Change your routine.

• Read a psalm
• Read a proverb
• Pick one verse and meditate upon it
• Choose a favorite verse and memorize it this week
• Look at your concordance and read a verse a day on a topic of choice 
• Write a verse on an index card and keep it with you throughout your day 
• Read your Bible at lunch time
• Open your Bible before you go to bed
• Ask someone what they are reading in the Word

Is there something that has replaced your
intake of the Word?

Now may be the time to perform a gentle
surgery and remove it.

Psalm 63 speaks to thirst that only
God can fill. 

Reflect on a few of these…

Psalm 46

Psalm 61

Psalm 62

Psalm 100

Psalm 103

Psalm 150

Might you share in the comments, verses
that quench your thirst?
It might just help one that is 
parched today.