Tracing Rainbows

Photo by Laura Kee Clouse

Do children know eight colors on a pallet hold promise of rainbows? Our grandkids do. Their eyes fill with excitement when they open the paintbox, dab wet brushes into teetering water cups, smoosh bristles over and over onto colors, and stroke paint across otherwise plain sheets of paper. I cringe and imagine the mess, but they don't. They paint butterflies, flowers, animals, and rainbows. Mostly rainbows. I'm glad my grandkids create rainbows. They're lives haven't been rainbow-makers, yet they pull from these colorful ovals great beauty. 

Photo by Michelle L. Smallwood

Did my friend know, when she rounded a rocky curve on miserably rainy day, God would surprise her with this gift? So stunned she was that she jerked to the shoulder of the road, threw her car into park, found her camera, and captured this wonder. God not only painted the rainbow in the sky but also the smile on her face. This friend played an important part in our son's life, helping him trace rainbows in his storms. She knew how. She's traced rainbows before.

Photo used with permission.

Did this mom and her soul-mate glimpse a rainbow when doctor's shared news their child would face storms, as would they? Did she imagine then her arms were filled with promised joy, God's paint already having dried?

And how about the gentleman who penned the hymn below? He couldn't even see rainbows. His finance' had refused to marry him, knowing he was going blind; and then his care-giver sister married, leaving him alone.

O Love that wilt not let me go, I rest my weary soul in thee;
I give thee back the life I owe, that in thine ocean depths its flow may richer, fuller be.
O Light that followest all my way, I yield my flickering torch to thee;
My heart restores its borrowed ray, that in thy sunshine's blaze its day my brighter, fairer be.
O Joy that seekest me through pain, I cannot close my heart to thee;
I trace the rainbow thru the rain, and feel the promise is not vain, that morn shall tearless be.
O Cross that liftest up my head, I dare not ask to fly from thee;
I lay in dust life's glory dead, and from the ground there blossoms
red life that shall endless be.*

Do I forget the rainbows when facing storms, even though I know my great God certainly paints them? So often I miss the joy until I round the next corner, and I fail to acknowledge the love of He who promised there'd be one. I'm such a slow-learner. 

Rainbow-Maker, Love, Light, Joy, and yes, Cross-bearer ~ Thank you for holding my hand and helping me trace what I cannot see without You. May I wait brush in hand so that, when the next storm arises, I'll not wallow but rather sweep color-filled arched-strokes onto the gray pallet and behold the rainbow You've already painted. In the precious Name of Jesus, Amen.

*Hymn O LOVE THAT WILT NOT LET ME GO ~ Lyrics by George Matheson (1842-1906) ~ Public Domain

 

Something God Cannot Do

I love to play Scrabble ~ perhaps inheriting this from Mom who, back in the day, became my rival whenever the crossword game hit the table. No nurturing there. Game on!

Times have changed. Mom's gone. I now play on-line with other folk. The tougher the opponent, the better. With these die-hard Scrabblers I must scrutinize every move, realizing one mistake can cost a win.

Ah! I study my rack of A, I, M, L, G, D, F tiles. My opponent plays A-C-T. Opportunity! I place my F on the triple letter spot followed by A-I-L. FAIL. FACT. A whoppin' 32. Then I think, That's something God cannot do ~ Fail. 

As a girl I believed that, and over the decades since I questioned just once. My premise: God was either Who He said He was or He was the biggest egomaniac Who ever lived. Yes, this sounds terribly irreverent; and if I'd truly contemplated the second thought, then I would have been the egomaniac. Ones who've questioned God and determined to prove Him wrong, using His Word to do so, have found they were in gross error.

This Book of books has not been disproved. With there being no error in His Word, everything He claimed to be is true. He Himself is Truth. Thus, He states Who He is and gives promises that will not be broken because He cannot fail.

"...He never fails..." Zephaniah 3:5 NKJV Because The Bible is The Word of Truth Himself speaking to us, I know He doesn't fail. He never will. And so I can rest in Him when calamity hits, as it often does. I can hope in Him Who is Hope. And Hope does not disappoint.

So if you thought God could do everything, you're wrong. He cannot FAIL. That's FACT. And that's HOPE ~ also a great Scrabble word!

And Oh So Much More

I don't know about you, but I've stepped into 2013 with fear and trepidation. And although I know I should not be worried, I am. God knew I would be from time to time. He's told me in His Word. He also promised to be my stay, strong tower, refuge, comfort, peace, presence, and oh so much more.

The world we face spirals downward. The depravity of man surrounds us. We could be consumed, yet God is our all-in-all, ever-present help, shepherd, guide, light, and oh so much more.

Today as I write, this Scripture comforts...

...do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? ... And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field ... will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore, do not be anxious ... your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow wil be anxious for itself. Matthew 6:25-34 ESV

We face troubled times, ruled by ones who do not honor God. Still, Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords. This sovereign, benevolent Ruler will care for our needs. He's promised.

May I, instead of facing tomorrow with fear, seek first God's Kingdom~casting away all that is worrisome. For then I will focus on God Who is my provider, joy, hope, best friend, anchor, and oh so much more.

Jesus Shall Reign

Photo by Dave Bothwell

The past two weeks I've fought writing. Although my head-knowledge shouts God is in control, my heart-knowledge blocks that truth. This trips me, and I wallow in discouragement. I cry.

No, there's nothing wrong with crying. Sometimes it's a great release and also appropriate. I grieve for our nation and uncertainty "we the people" face, I weep for Israel ~ the apple of God's Eye and my sister's adopted homeland. I wonder and, yes, (hate to admit) worry about our son's future when evaluations are less than "flattering." I doubt when my husband's health declines even more ~ all this comsuming me.

Yet my failure to cling doesn't alter the Almighty's sovereignty. It is I who falls short on a morning-by-morning basis. I must cling to the Hope Rope extended from Jesus' nail-scarred Hands to mine. As discouraged as I was with all the above mentioned, I woke up the day before elections with a hymn on my heart and have made this my Thanksgiving praise...

JESUS SHALL REIGN

By Issac Watts

Jesus shall reign where'er the sun does his successive journeys run;

His Kingdom stretch from shore to shore, till suns shall rise and set no more.

To Jesus endless prayer be made, and praises throng to crown His Head;

His Name like sweet perfume shall rise with every morning sacrifice.

People and realms of every tongue dwell on His Love with sweetest song;

And infant voices shall proclaim their young Hosannas to His Name.

Blessings abound where'er He reigns; the prisoner leaps to lose his chains;

the weary find eternal rest, and all the sons of want are blessed.

Where He displays His healing power death and the curse are known no more;

In Him the tribes of Adam boast more blessings than their father lost.

Let every creature rise and bring its grateful honors to our King'

Angels descend with songs again, and earth prolong the loud amen!

Great God, Whose universal sway the known and unknown worlds obey,

Now give the Kingdom to Thy Son, extend His power, exalt His Throne.

The scepter well becomes His Hands; all Heaven submits to His Commands;

His justice shall avenge the poor, and pride and rage prevail no more.

With power He vindicates the just, and treads the oppressor in the dust;

His worship and His fear shall last till the full course of time be past.

As rain on meadows newly mown, so shall He send His Influence down;

His Grace on fainting souls distills like heavenly dw on thirsty hills.

The heathen lands, that lie beneath the shades of overspreading death,

Revive at His first dawning light; and deserts blossom at the sight.

The saints shall flourish in His days, decked in the robes of joy and praise;

Peace, like a river, from His Throne shall flow to nations yet unknown.

Follow The Leader

Photo by Laura Kee Clouse

Does the tot in the photo want to catch up with the pumpkins or with his dad? He may relish the prizes they picked from the patch that day, but ultimately he needs his daddy ~ the leader, the one who helped find these big round orange wonders that now have faces carved in them.

I've been thinking a lot these pre-election days. Who will we chose to follow the next four years? What do I look for in a leader? Here are some thoughts:

~ I want a leader who is honest, no matter how bad the news. I can trust someone who doesn't lie. If a person deceives once, he may again. Being able to trust is vital.

~ I need a leader who knows what he's talking about, has proven it, and doesn't give empty promises (which are no better than lies).

~ I desire a leader of good moral character. What is in one's heart reflects through his life and actions, and one's faith guides how he does both. Some say character and faith don't matter, but what seed is rooted in the heart always grows either into a good plant or terrible weed.

This election like no other in our nation's history will decide our fate ~ whether we will journey down a deteriorating path or hope for another period of grace on this God-founded country. Who will I chose?

Photo by Stephen Brower

Ultimately, I'll follow Truth ~ no matter what happens at the polls. Our sovereign God is over all. I pray He grants us favor and once again "sheds His grace on thee," America. No matter what the voting outcome, I have a Leader I can follow, One who will lead me to the heavenly prize and hold my hand the whole way.

"Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD; look unto the Rock whence ye are hewn..." 
Isaiah 51:1

Sunflowers

Photo by Joanna Sensenig

I'm a city girl who grew up in a "brown thumb" family. Oh, Mom and Dad occasionally grew tomatoes in a tiny patch of earth. These endeavors generally yielded little to nothing. I, too, have tried from time to time raising a garden. Sadly, I inherited my parents' gardening gene. Yet I'm still fascinated with all God's given to enjoy in His creation ~ one of these being sunflowers.

Not until a few years ago, while researching a story idea, did I realize the wonder of these giants. I had assumed one planted them to face the direction where they'd receive the most admiration from passers by. Silly city girl! Instead, the magnificent flowers follow the sun east to west all day long every day. That amazed me. They don't stand at attention to me or anyone else, instead, totally yielding to the Creator's sun as if their life depends on this. And, indeed, it does.

If I focus on the things and people about me and fail to keep my eyes on Jesus, I become down-trodden and discouraged. Surely this life yields its share of difficulties. But if I fix my eyes on my Savior, Who is always there and never fails, my hope is renewed ~ just like the sunflower that gathers it's nutrients from following the sun.

Used with Christian Charisma's permission

"Looking unto Jesus the Author and finisher of our faith..." (Hebrews 12:2) The One Who died and rose again is the same One on Whom I can depend no matter what. If I take my eyes off the Lord, I sink just like the disciple Peter, when Jesus bid him to walk on the water. As long as Peter focused on His Savior, he continued toward Jesus. But when the disciple looked down at the fearful waves about him, he began sinking. (I'm so like this.)

My prayer for you is that you'll look to Jesus ~ not just when times distress and waves toss you about ~ but that your face will always follow the Son. Then when the travails of life hit, you will still draw life-giving Hope from the Savior.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus ~ Look full in His wonderful Face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His Glory and Grace.

(Public Domain ~ Helen H. Lemmel ~ 1922)

Helen Keller ~ Giver Of Hope

Helen Keller & Anne Sullivan

Last week I attempted to eliminate some children's books from my collection. A few tattered paperbacks minus covers and pages certainly didn't add beauty to the shelves. I pulled those first, deciding to read them before discarding. One particularly dilapidated early Scholastic edition was about Helen Keller. Although I knew much about Miss Keller, she being a prominent inspiring individual, I learned more.

Helen's indomitable will fought against her as a young girl trapped in a silent, dark world. Yet that same spirit worked on her behalf, once Anne Sullivan entered six-year-old Helen's life. Helen's parents pitied her and didn't think her capable of living civilly in a hearing/seeing world. They left her untrained. Then Anne Sullivan arrived. "Teacher," as Helen dubbed her, expected much more and practiced tough-love with this child. Once Helen's strong will yielded to Teacher's demands, the young girl soared.

By the time Miss Sullivan had been with the Kellers four months, she taught Helen to finger spell (manual alphabet), form sentences, write on paper in an understandable fashion, read and type braille ~ all this from a child not thought capable of learning. Within the next few years, Helen (who didn't want to be "dumb") learned to speak understandably enough to ones who knew her.

Helen at Radcliffe

Helen determined to attend Radcliffe (Harvard's women's division). They didn't initially want her. Minds changed, however, when Helen wrote to them saying, "I realize that the obstacles in the way of my receiving a college education are very great. But a true soldier does not admit defeat before the battle." She was accepted (with Teacher at her side), wrote The Story Of My Life during those years, and graduated with honors.

Once graduated, this young woman desired to earn her way in life. She did so by writing, touring the lecture circuit, and "performing" in Vaudeville (harshly criticized but wanting to earn enough to sponsor Anne Sullivan for life, in gratitude for what Teacher had done for her).

Helen wanted to offer the world what Anne Sullivan had given her ~ hope. She promised Teacher she'd do just that. When World War II ended, Helen and new companion Polly went to hospitals to encourage soldiers and citizens blinded in battle and air raids. She advocated for the sightless worldwide, raising funds and petitioning for better disability laws.

Helen "listening" to President Eisenhower

Helen Keller, known and respected by countless thousands, held audience with royalty, celebrities, and Presidents. She learned to understand those who could not communicate with her by reading their lips. What a remarkable individual!

In closing, I share with you several quotes from the woman who "spoke" well: "I never fight, except against difficulties ... I seldom think about my limitations, and they never make me sad. Perhaps there is just a thought of yearning at times, but it is vague, like a breeze among flowers ... I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble ... Believe, when you are most unhappy, that there is something for you to do in the world. So long as you can sweeten another's pain, life is not in vain." ~ Helen Keller

(Photos ~ Public Domain)

Solid Ground ~ Part 3

Photo by Liz Marr

Our hope is based on solid ground whether talking about life, faith, or politics. Storms will come in all areas of life, but what's founded on rock holds. Remember the example in Part 1 where a foolish man's house built on sand cannot withstand the tiniest wave, like my childhood sand castles? But the wise man who builds his house on a solid foundation stands much greater rate of survival.

Over the years, many churches have weakened their message in hopes of bringing in greater numbers, diverse age groups, or a trendier crowd. The very people searching for a firm foundation cannot find it. They may become believers, but they're not grounded in Biblical teaching. So how can they grow strong and stand when trials hit? Bible doctrines, God's principles for living, are essential for us to grow and stand firm in the Lord Jesus Christ.

What does this have to do with politics? Same principle holds true. About 100 years ago in our nation's history, men who ruled strayed from our founding father's intent, putting into play a whole new philosophy to weaken our republic. Although we've had a few presidents since who've tried to rescue us and place us back on freedom's trail, the ones who've undone have succeeded in weakening our nation. None has done so as drastically as our present leader.

Our founding fathers birthed us a country with a strong Constitution. These men didn't haphazardly throw together what they like for convenience or self-aggrandizement. Quite the opposite, despite what modern-day textbooks may tell us. They sacrificed much ~ they and their families, knowing full well it might cost them the ultimate price. And the key? They based their beliefs on God, Lord and Creator of the very ground on which they stood.

To uproot a nation built on such principles and plant it on sandy soil of feel-goodism, lies, and anti-God rhetoric is to doom what blood bought and paid for ~ not only military blood but Jesus' as well. For our founding fathers reverenced the Almighty and understood the importance of centering our government on Him.

The farther a people stray from our Solid Rock, the closer they come to destruction ~ whether we're speaking of their personal lives, their faith, or their political choices for governing us all. Now more than ever it's essential we understand our future lies in the balance. Will we chose solid foundation or crumbling sand? This individual choice will affect us all, come election day. May we look to the Lord for His discernment in every decision.

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly trust in Jesus' Name.

When darkness seems to hide His face, I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale my anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, His covenant, His blood support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my Hope and Stay.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand...all other ground is sinking sand.
(Edward Mote ~ 1836)

Solid Ground ~ Part 2

Firm foundations are essential. I'm convinced we can only survive if we are anchored in solid ground. As I reflected on the subject of hope, I realized this is key.

Back to doctrine (mentioned in part 1) ~ Foundations of our faith based on God's Word, the Bible, serve as building blocks for everything else in our lives. If we trust Jesus as Savior, Who Himself is the Rock and Cornerstone, then we've taken the first step toward building that foundation. But is that enough?

Yes, it's enough to seal our salvation from sin and destination to Heaven ~ also our escape from hell. No, we should not stop once sealed by the Holy Spirit even though our salvation is complete. We need to grow ~ become anchored. That's why God instructs us to learn more of Him through His Word. By reading and memorizing the Bible, we grow in our relationship with Him and remain on solid ground. God speaks truth. Truth is hope's foundation.

All through history false teachers have risen up and attempted to convince people there are other foundations. But all these, based on false gods, have failed. Like building a house on sand. The only one Who has stood the test of time is the Trinity ~ God the Father, Son, Holy Spirit. Why? Go back to the cross. Jesus, God the Son, not only took our sin on Himself and shed blood for our forgiveness but rose again and lives. Had He not risen again, would He be any different from the others? His grave is empty. Truth lives. Hope lives.

My faith is not only founded on solid doctrines/teachings/ground, but I can say without a doubt I serve and love the Living God. You may ask what that has to do with hope, truth, and doctrine. My answer? Everything. By learning God's Character through time spent in His Word, I realize one of God's attributes is that He Is Truth ~ thus He Is Hope. If I don't learn more of Him, I could easily waver when other "gods" try to sway me.

So learning about God's attributes and growing in Him is essential for my life, faith, and how I carry out my civic duty. Some will argue that character, morals, and wishy-washy beliefs do not affect who we are as a people, body of Christ, and nation. I disagree...

Solid Ground ~ Part 1 of 3

Photo by Marion Tripp

When I was a child, my family traveled crowded Jersey highways to the shore. I tip-toed across the beach, hoping to avoid shells and what-nots from hurting my tender soles. Then I reached the ocean's damp edge and took baby steps toward the Atlantic.

Others about me charged in, splashing cold salt water on this chicken. I jumped back and then inched forward until I stood waist-high in water ~ at which point a wave would undoubtedly knocked me down. Initiation completed.

The relationship between me and the ocean was a daunting one. I entered this wet world with fear, recalling a couple times when I'd gone too deep for my non-swimming body, only to fight for air until waves carried me ashore.

Most of my beach time I parked securely not too distant from the tide line, shoveling damp sand to form moats about molded walls and towers. My imagination soared, like the seagulls overhead!

As the hours passed and sun burned, the tide made its way to my real estate and within minutes washed it away. I knew it would. I hated to see it go. So it was, building on sand. And, yes, it always reminded me of the Sunday school song about the foolish man building upon sand and the wise man establishing his house on the rock.

Until I reached the know-it-all teen years, I thought this song was about nothing more than a stupid man vs. a much smarter one. Of course the third verse held a big clue ~ So build your life on the Lord Jesus Christ. But I didn't realize this went beyond "Lord Jesus, come into my life."

Then I went to Christian college and heard the word doctrine for the first time. I'd been brought up in a Christian home and church, where parents and teachers taught us Bible stories and verses, missions, and importance of prayer. Yet somehow this single-minded girl didn't grasp the whole "doctrine thing."

Much later in life I realized how all the pieces fit together and that my Christian life isn't just about salvation. These doctrines were the foundation stones God laid so my life gripped the Solid Rock, Jesus, when waves of trouble struck me.

I now see the importance of firm grounding in every aspect of life. Without these, we cannot stand as a people or a nation...

Does Jesus Care?

Summer 2012 ~ I'd rather not repeat this one ... full to overflowing with significant difficulties. Actually not just this summer, but well into last year. Death of a brother-in-law, note from our prodigal saying never to contact her again, unexpected marriage of a son, another mini-stroke for my husband, bullying at school to the nth degree for our youngest, suspected cancer (praise God not full-blown), and now 96-year-old Mom-in-love hospitalized after a fall and fracture.

Have you endured weeks, months, years like this? Some ask, "Does Jesus care?"

If I truly believe God's Word and promises, then I know He's planned the ultimate good for us all. Does that make these situations easier? In one way, no. In another, yes. Pain is pain, and grief is grief. Yet, knowing God goes through this with us and understands what we endure, comforts and gives hope.

A hymn that helped us this week is Does Jesus Care? written by Frank E. Graeff in 1901. May these words lift you also.

Does Jesus care when my heart is pained too deeply for mirth or song,

As the burdens press, and the cares distress, and the way grows weary and long?

Does Jesus care when my way is dark with a nameless dread and fear?

As the daylight fades into deep night shades, does He care enough to be near?

Does Jesus care when I’ve tried and failed to resist some temptation strong;

When for my deep grief there is no relief, though my tears flow all the night long?

Does Jesus care when I’ve said “goodbye”to the dearest on earth to me,

And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks~Is it aught to Him? Does He see?

Oh, yes, He cares, I know He cares.

His heart is touched with my grief;

When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,

I know my Savior cares.

Work vs. Passion

Photo by Jess Kvarta

My husband, son, and I attended an all-day conference Saturday where doctors, researchers, and families with neurofibromatosis types 1 & 2 ~(NF, for short) came together to learn what's the latest help for those afflicted with this genetic disease. NF changed our son's summer when he was admitted for surgery to have one of its "affects" removed. We know other tumors may require future surgeries.


I was particularly taken aback when a research doctor announced a breakthrough in the form of a clinical trial for a drug that seems to shrink NF tumors ~ #15 in the long list of ones studied over the past decades. Simply put, that means 14 others failed to show such promise up until this one.

I thought of all the years dedicated to finding a cure or at least a help for thousands affected by NF. What drove researchers to stay with it? Funding? The fact that this is their work and they get paid for it? Rewards for their efforts? Perhaps, but I saw in this woman a passion for her work. Imagine studying 14 drugs (a full clinical trial takes up to 20 years) and finally finding one with promise!

Then I thought about work and ministry, in particular. There are years my husband and I have served on the U.S. mission field with seemingly small results. Then after a dry spell we might see a few who accept Jesus as Savior and hunger to know Him better. Yet my husband not only "works" but has a passion to reach people for Jesus Christ. So we become weary and sometimes discouraged, yet we don't quit.

I've worked on a memoir for more than a decade. The writing and editing are grueling at times. And when my editor sends back the manuscript with more marks than I can count, I cry. Real tears. Then I begin again, trying to see how this work can be better ~ driven by my passion to write well.

Work is one thing, but passion quite another. Some go to work each day and "just do their job." Others pour theirs hearts into the task ~ for pay or not ~ and burn to do it well. When the two are intertwined, then hope is born out of each failure.

A researcher seeing promise after 14 failed tries. My husband discipling a handful of saved souls after telling multitudes the Gospel. And a lover of writing who wants to share her story in the way that most pleases her God. All have a passion for this work set before us.

My prayer for you this day? May your work and passion be so intertwined that you press on to see it completed. May what you do for eternal value make the trials worth going through. If your work is done for the Savior, then "He Who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6 ESV

Worth Living ~ Worth Dying ~ Part 2

If a nation's ideals are worth dying for, how much more important are the people who make up that nation ~ or all the nations, for that matter? We sent men and women to war to preserve our freedoms and liberties, and those who volunteer to serve know full well they may pay the ultimate price.

God loved this world (people) so much that He sent His only Son to die for us. (John 3:16) Why did Jesus have to die? Our sin. God said in the Old Testament that blood had to be shed as forgiveness of sin. He provided a way for that through the sacrifice of lambs. But then again the ultimate sacrifice comes into the picture. Lamb's blood had to be shed repeatedly.

God had a once-for-all plan before the beginning of time, knowing we'd fail. Fulfilled how? He would die for the sins of us all. But God is spirit, and spirit doesn't have blood. So He did what only God could do and sent a part of Himself (not a piece ~ God the Son) to the world through Mary. And because God the Son, named Jesus, came through a human line, He became the ultimate Blood-sacrifice.

Willing to die because we were worth living? Hard for me to comprehend God loving me enough to do this. Jesus faced agony going to the cross and even more agony on it. Yet He was obedient to God the Father and sacrificed for the sins of us all. Wow.

I've thought a lot about being willing to die so someone else can live. I say to myself I'd do that. But, if the situation called for that, would I truly die for someone else? I don't know. I think I'd die for someone I loved, like my husband or children. I also figure it would be easier to say I'd do this for someone who loved me as much. But die for who-knows-who, a person who doesn't care about me, God, or even him/herself? Hmm.

Yet God did this. "For one will scarcely die for a righteous person ~ though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die ~ but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:7,8 ESV

We're worth living? God thinks so and proved it. And not only did Jesus give the ultimate sacrifice, He rose again! May my life make His dying known to others who have yet to know their lives are worth the living.

Worth Living ~ Worth Dying

If something is worth preserving, it's also worth dying for. Such is true of our country. Some attack our freedom. How can men of power crush what shed blood preserved, cheapening the mission of those who've fought, been wounded, and given the ultimate sacrifice? I cannot comprehend this.

America: 236 years young. It's lived a good life, suffered periods of harm, and sickened by means of immoral, godless beings who say, "Let her die. She's had a good life. She's old and not worth much. What need have we of her?"

No! I, for one, am not willing to think our fathers, sons and countless other troops fought in vain for liberty. There's another element to this fight to keep our United States alive and well. This lies in the hands of the believers. A nation is only as strong as its faith, destined to fail without God. As a believer in Jesus Christ, I promise to pray for my country and to implore God to have mercy on us when our leaders fail to seek true Wisdom.

Those who love our God, cry out to Him in this seemingly hopeless time. He has promised "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14

We're wounded but not dead, and we're worth the living. God shed His grace on us. May God again have reason to bless America!

"The Weaver"

So much of this week's news devastates. In times like these it's easy to become overwhelmed by nature's havoc and man's blunders. Yet God is in control. I know this because I know Him. Still, looking about me I can easily forget He has a plan. After all, one of our sons and his wife live in Colorado Springs. My mind and heart ache for them and all who wait for that disaster to end.

No, I do not attribute raging wildfires and flooding halfway around the world to God. Nor do I think the mind of man always seeks His wisdom before making decisions that affect us all. The prince of the power of the air ~ the devil ~ destroys and has his way. Yet God allows. Why? I don't know. I only know God is God, and He has a plan. He can make beauty out of ashes ~ even in the lives of us all.

The Weaver

By Grant Colfax Tullar

My life is but a weaving between my Lord and me.

I cannot choose the colors He worketh steadily.

Ofttimes He weaveth sorrow, and I in foolish pride

Forget He sees the upper and I, the underside.

Not till the loom is silent and the shuttles cease to fly

Shall God unroll the canvas and explain the reason why.

The dark threads are as needful in the Weaver's skillful Hand

As the threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned.

All of us go through good, joyful times as well as the much harder ones. Until we reach Heaven, we cannot see "the completed tapestry." So for today, trust the Weaver. Even when the enemy tries to devastate, God is sovereign ... and one day, believer, we will understand it all.

God ~ My Under-Rower

The lady pictured is Murlene. She held a national record ~ the longest living Canadian with cancer. What a record. This dear servant of the Most High God struggled several decades with the dreaded disease and did so with grace and joy. Did she tire along the way? To be sure. Yet look at her smile. This was the Murlene we knew and loved. This month she went to Heaven.

I attended a mission-sponsored learning-styles seminar back in the mid-1990s, and Murlene was there. When the instructor asked us to complete the sentence "God is my...", many of the missionaries volunteered answers like Refuge, Strong Tower, Help, Best Friend, Savior, and more. But we were all taken aback when Murlene spoke with confidence, "God is my Under-Rower."

This dear lady explained that in biblical times slaves were chained in the belly of the ship's bottom-most tier and rowed to the beat of a drum. These men had the most difficult task of plowing oars through the water's depths "three-stories" under. Although they received no recognition and knew they could well die at their posts, these men were essential.

Those of us who knew all Murlene endured understood the depth of that statement. And her Under-Rower carried her through another decade plus of cancer until He carried her Home. But there's more I'd like you to know about this precious sister in Christ. She became our under-rower.

Three months after that learning styles seminar began the toughest period in our lives. Our 16-year-old daughter ran away from home, she accused us of child abuse, department of social services tried to take all our children away, our to-be-adopted special-needs son nearly faced deportment, and much of our church leadership (and ones we thought were friends) turned their backs on us. To this day I cannot fully express in words the horror of those nightmare years.

We shared this pain with our mission board, and they put us on the prayer chain. Several wrote to us, but the most poignant letters we received were from Murlene who expressed her deep sorrow at all the pain we were going through and said she wished she could take that pain and carry it for us.


Wow. When my husband and I read this, we wept. What kind of servant ~ one who suffers every minute she breathes ~ says she'd do this for us if she could? An under-rower ~ one who knows the importance of having someone in your life who will carry you across the rough sea when you cannot travel it yourself. Murlene would bless us with several more letters over those turbulent years.


Thank You, God, for being Murlene's Under-Rower and, in turn, her being that to us. Lord and Savior, thank You for taking on the form of a servant and coming to this earth to die for our sins so that we could be adopted into Your family. And thank you for going through the rough waters with us and rowing when we have no strength to do so. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Our A-Typical God

Last month doctors discovered our son had a grapefruit-sized tumor under his kidney. Tests before surgery didn't alleviate our fears. The PET scan showed an active tumor, most often associated with cancer. Our son has neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1), a genetic tumor-growing disease, and this mass was a result of that. These particular tumors are transformers and often become cancerous.

We waited three hours before our son's surgeon approached us in the waiting area. There he told us our son's mass was an a-typical NF1 tumor ~ that most of these tend to spread tentacles into other areas, making them much harder to remove. Our son's had not done this. "It was as if it were all patted into a neat ball-like object," the surgeon shared. As he demonstrated with his hands, one question came to mind.

Had God cupped Min's tumor in His Hands and commanded, "you aren't going anywhere"? This is what this "nicely" formed, a-typical growth meant to me. I believe God chose to do that. Not only did He command that mass to stay put, but He also surprised us with the amazing news that the tumor, although precancerous, hadn't developed into full-blown cancer. How we praise our God!

I've heard the term a-typical before in our family's medical journeys. I've come to think of this as a God-description, not unlike the word "miracle." Truly the one who formed the world in His Hands and scooped up clay and breathed life into it could very well have ordered that awful tumor to stop. He's been known to command the elements, and even the wind obeyed.

Although the past few weeks have been a whirlwind of shock, exhaustion, and more, we thank God for being the Miracle-worker ~ God of the a-typical ~ One we can trust even when facing threat of cancer. It's likely we'll take this same journey again, as our son has other plexiform neurofibromas. May we remember what the Great Physician has done and continue to place our son in His Hands.

So You Won't Go Through This Alone

Last Sunday should have been our son's high school graduation. That's what's marked on the calendar. But what actually took place was abdominal surgery. Of course, God knew this all ahead of time. He even knew before we adopted Min that he would one day face surgery due to his genetic disease.

Week ago Monday our son had an ultrasound to study his kidneys, which can become problematic for kids with neurofibromatosis, type 1. During that scan, a large mass was found. We spent the rest of that week helping Min through additional tests, resulting in surgery by week's end. Now that the grapefruit-sized mass is removed, our son lies recovering ~ very slowly and not so smoothly.

Because of our son's other life-struggle, Asperger's, we are staying with him around-the-clock, attempting to keep his busy hands from undoing IV's, stopping him from removing tubes that must stay in place, and protecting his incision. It's a 24/7 task.

A thought occurred to me when doctors told us our son would have a large active tumor removed ... This is why we adopted Min ~ so he wouldn't go through this alone. Oh sure, there are other reason we adopted him, but perhaps non so important as this (with exception to teaching him about the Savior so he could one day accept Jesus into his life).

Did we adopt Min because we needed him? Not in one sense of the word. Did we want him? Yes. If we hadn't adopted Min, he was slated to go to an orphanage for the "unadoptable." I thought about what it might have been like if Min had faced this surgery and rough aftermath in a hospital without family ... perhaps alone and so full of fear.

I've also reflected how my relationship with God, Who adopted me, is similar. Did He need me? Not really. Did He want me? Yes. And He is with me through all the trials I go through. That's a great reason to be adopted. I'm so glad my loving Father took me in and made me a part of His family so I don't have to go through ANYTHING alone.

During Min's struggles with testing, surgery, and rough post-op period, he cried, "I'm so glad you are here to help me."

Min, we are too ... and we're also grateful that God is with us all so we don't have to go through this alone.

*During our time at the hospital, I'm not able to get into this browser and respond or post additional blogs. We are going on week two there. Please be patient with me. I shall return! And thank you so much for your prayers. We certainly need them.

Forgotten Treasures

Our on-going effort to remove clutter and unused items from our home resulted in my husband purchasing a USB turntable ~ spending countless hours converting well over 100 vinyl LP records into digital format and burned onto CDs.

Weeks later, thanks to hubby's hard work, I enjoy beautifully performed classical music ~ a collection once belonging to his parents and one they treasured. No wonder. Even now as I write, my heart and mind are calmed by the works of Bach, Handel, Liszt, Schubert, Haydn, Brahms, Mozart, and many more.

Not only do I enjoy this, but I love hearing those melody lines used in songs found in our hymnals. Then there are others that live in songs of our day and age, walking me down memory lane. So this phase of Operation Downsize has been (other than boxes of records and stacks of electronic equipment all over our living room) pure pleasure.

For years these records sat in boxes, were stored in closets, and filled our bottom bookshelf  six feet from where I new write. Unused.

I liken this to my Bible. God gave His precious Word to us century's ago. We have many Bibles filling our bookshelves. This holy Book is filled with treasures and within fingertip grasp. Yet if I leave them as "objects" filling our shelves, I miss the treasures God has for me.

In the pages of God's Word are life, hope, blessing, love, and ~ oh ~ so much more! Through reading what God wrote to me, I build a relationship with my Savior and become more like Him through the time we spend together.

Today I will not only treasure the beautiful music filling our home, but I will also wonder in the life-giving, hope-breathing words God has given.

Master Designer

Photo by Heidi Beukema Hurley

Maybe it's my art-trained eye, but I tend to see design in everything around me. Symmetry, patterns, positive and negative spaces, lights and darks creating affects where color doesn't exist.

Or is it that God intended His creation to reflect beauty and design? Unlike me who uses her eyes and hands to make something out of nothing, the Master Designer spoke all He made into being. How fitting of The Word!

Photo by Mitchell Williams

This past weekend seemed horrible, to put it bluntly. My little world spun out of control. Pattern, beauty, symmetry, design? Not visible to me until I washed my eyes with tears, called out to God, and took a ride. Then I saw it all around me. God's reminders. His creations shouting from both sides of the road!

This same God Who spoke design, patterns, symmetry, and positive and negative spaces into being also cares about my broken heart. May I never forget that. He is interested in every detail. And while my world seems to spiral out of control, His does not. I can rest in Him. Trust Him. See in the negatives the beauty and purpose of the positives.