Dust to Dust

A day of indulgence on Fat Tuesday followed by smudged foreheads of ash. Today is Ash Wednesday. A day when priests and pastors mark parishioners foreheads or the palm of the hand with a black smudge of ash. It is the first day of Lent in which many take the six weeks before Easter to prepare their hearts for resurrection day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The distribution of ashes is to remind us all that the life we live now will end and we need to seek repentance for our sins....do an about face turning from our sinful nature. It is a time to focus on our spiritual lives and maybe even set some spiritual goals for ourselves. Hopefully the goals we set will become a habit and thus continue far beyond the Easter season. So, I challenge you all to set three goals for yourself this Lent.

Tenacity

I was told by my uncle this past weekend that I have "tenacity". I've pondered his statement for most of this week wondering if my personality reflected this word. Tenacity is derived from the root word tenacious. The definition of tenacious has some good things, but maybe some things that aren't so good as a reflection of ones character. The synonyms for tenacious are very animal like...bullheaded, dogged, pigheaded, and mulish. I prefer not to relate myself to these snorting, barking, oinking, he hawing creatures.

So let's just say I tend to hold persistently to my Jesus and cling to the nail pierced hand of my Master. I hold fast to the Word of God and try earnestly to retain it to memory. If I am obstinate or stubborn, it is only because I truly believe in the my Immanuel and His great and precious promises.

I am a tenacious child of God!

Gift or Talent?

When I'm down I love to dance! So today I put one of my most loved Christian groups, Selah, into the player and blasted the music. I sang. I danced. I praised my Father. It was an awesome time with my Lord. I held the mic, pointed to the crowd (even though I was the singer and the audience), and tears flowed freely as I thanked my Jesus. The whole half hour was a grand time and made me think of the one gift I had not yet touched since we moved to Pennsylvania. Actually, I had not opened this gift in nearly two years. The last time I held the gift in my hands, Satan made me feel...I allowed Satan to make me feel terribly unworthy and incapable of the gift. The kids came home and I once again pushed the desire of the gift to the back of my brain.

Later, after dinner, I wanted to listen to my music again. I sent the kiddos upstairs to study AWANA books and read their Bibles and I pushed the play button. As I listened, quite restrained from earlier, the urge came back to get my much loved gift out. I raised my body from the couch, climbed the stairs, went through my bedroom, got on the floor in my walk in closet, and began to search for my gift. It didn't take long to find the black case. It had seen it's better years and no longer has a handle. So I picked it up, cradled it in my arms, carried it to my bed, and opened the case.

The red crushed velvet kept the the stringed instrument clean. I just stared at the beauty of the violin for a moment and then glanced at the two bows with loose horse strands that needed a good pulling. I placed the chin pad on the instrument and then the fiddle in the crook of my neck. I plucked the strings and fine tuned it. The "A" peg still slipped as I remembered. I began to play..."I Need Thee"...fiddled "Power in the Blood"...went into "Dance"...then ended with "I Love You Lord". I attempted "Old Rugged Cross" and then played my favorite..."Amazing Grace".

Some might say to play a violin is a talent and maybe not a gift. I should have to agree. The gift the Lord has given me is...I do not use music...I play by ear. I can read music, but I just like to see if I can kick the tune out without the music. Actually, the talent and the gift probably intermix with each other, but all I know is...I pleased my Heavenly Father tonight. I played for Him.

Petition Congress for a Bailout

Two chocolate cupcakes with butter cream frosting, four chocolate chip cookies, two handfuls of m & m’s, and countless pieces of pepperoni and cheese has been my indulgence or should I say my comfort the last four hours. Do you think I’m stressed? Apparently the Lord feels I need a little character development at this point in my life. I strongly disagree with Him and continue to plead for a resolution to our current situation.

I’m distraught, tired, tearful, and angry all in one breath and the next breath is followed by the same until I’m left gasping for air and feeling as though I’m going to suffocate. I just want to hide in a corner with a blanket over me, close my eyes, and hope for a kiss from my King to make all things better. I just want to get away from the madness around me.

Here is the scenario. Imagine 24 below zero with a wind chill factor of -44. The furnace trips, the pipes freeze, followed by pipes bursting, and 4,000 gallons of water gushing in epic proportions from the second floor down to the basement. Have you ever seen the movie Titanic? The unexpected water flow was not found for days. Hence, ice everywhere and four foot of water in the basement. This is what happened to our vacant home in Iowa that we have been trying to sell since April 2008. We were just days away from selling it to the company and ending our tumultuous double mortgage payments. It’s been a struggle to say the least. If this were not enough, the company will only give us until February 22nd (three weeks away) to have the home in top condition or we loose the opportunity to have them buy us out. The damage to the home is extensive. The insurance company is dragging their feet and our cash flow is dwindling. I’m thinking about going to congress and petition for a bailout. It they can give out billions to dishonest people who made bad choices, what about the honest American who is trying desperately hard to stay afloat and make good choices. My husband and I have actually discussed letting the home foreclose, but know as Christians it is not an option.

I don’t often ask this on my blog, actually I’ve never asked this before, but please pray for us. It is an unprecedented amount of stress for us and our marriage. I keep thinking, today God will bring an answer…give us hope, but it seems to hide from our sight. But then again, maybe I’m just not seeing so well. So pray we see the hand of our Savior and feel King kisses gently upon our cheeks and that we might continue press on toward the goal to win the prize for that which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Kathy Trocolli is singing in my ear right now..."that's how much I love you, that's how much I want you, I gave up my own life that you might live...that's how much I love...that's how much I want you to see that you are my child and you mean so much to me"....Thank you Lord for the sweet kiss goodnight!

The Birthday Girl

The flames flickered on the five candles which stood tall atop the fanciful cake. The chin of the birthday girl rested upon her hands as she stared with a broad smile at the sweet treat. The orange flames flickered as others around her sang...happy birthday...and they watched the candles light dance in her jubilant hazel eyes.

The picture was so clear and the colors so vivid. The joy could be felt and love could be seen even though I was only the dreamer. I was in a close up frame watching a birthday celebration for a five year old according to the candles on the cake, but the birthday girl...she was much older indeed with a familiar sense as if I should know her. She was stunningly beautiful and perfect in every way from the strands of her long hair to the white of her manicured nails.

The Giver of the dream panned the camera out so I might capture the view from a further distance. As the picture grew larger, more birthday cakes began to appear, more candles flickered, and more birthday girls but also birthday boys sat in front of their specially prepared cake. The room was massive unlike nothing I had ever seen. There was so much joy...so much glory I could hardly take it all in.

I scanned the room and my eye caught hold of Him. He was donned in a purple robe, crowned with gold and diamonds, and breathtakingly beautiful. It was my Jesus! He lifted his arms with definitive gracefulness in an upward motion and delightfully said,

"Happy birthday my children!"

I knew it was heaven and Christ the King was celebrating the anniversary of the day some of his children finally came home. I realized this must happen every day for every day new souls enter His presence.

The camera panned back in for a close up of the first birthday girl in the beginning of the dream. This time the picture focused on the name which appeared on the top of the cake. It said,

"Happy Birthday Mayme!"

~

I still grieve with a heavy heart some days the loss of my grandmother, Mayme Dominica Bowser, who with no doubt walked through the pearly gates nearly five years ago. Unfortunately, I realize it is for my own selfish reasons that I wish she were still here with me. I realized through the image of the dream I was looking at the anniversary of her death all wrong. I should not mourn, but celebrate the anniversary of her birth to heaven's home!

I love you grandma and can't wait to walk the winding river holding your hand and sit under the tree of life and talk awhile with you!

Tomorrow, Now, and Yesterday

Life simply happens sometimes and we have no control over circumstances, but events which have occurred in the past week or so have left my husband and I scratching our heads and thinking...could it possibly get any worse. I've overheard my husband comment to his sister,

"It can only go up from here."

We've had some sleepless nights. We've been angry. I've cried alot.

I was awakened last night with the words of a song I loved years ago by Amy Grant..."First Love" from her Never Alone album. The words go like this...

You are my first love sweet and gentle as the night

Just being near You now is like a lullaby

All that I have I'd give away to follow You

I can't imagine having life without you

Oh. When all these worldly battles seem to never cease

You simply lift me up and rest me in Your peace

I heard some people say you're only in my mind

I hope that someday You choose to find them.

All other loves will slowly fade like dying flame

Tomorrow, now, and yesterday You're still the same

I wait with longing heart to see You come again

Your sweet and tender love will never end.

I thank my Lord for his brilliance and light amidst the tears! I am grateful that even though my circumstances may change...My Jesus never does! This song was just a reminder to me from Him about what is important and this too shall pass.

Hope Floats

I’ve been pushed in the ocean where the current is fast and I feel like I’m being sucked under. I tread…I tread with all my might to stay above the waves which crash upon me and throw me to and fro. My hands flap frantically back and forth, back and forth just below the surface of the water.

I suddenly remember someone had told me once, when you struggle in the water and feel as though you may drown…just float on your back…conserve your energy….and help will arrive soon. I did. I relaxed my body frame and became buoyant. As my head rested in the water, I looked up. And there He was…my Jesus. He seemed to come from nowhere appearing from the clouds of blue. He said,

“Here I am…just keep your eyes on me. I will not allow you to drown in your struggle. I never leave…I never forsake…those who call me friend and Father for, I AM. I’m greater than any person, any problem, any obstacle which tries to hinder or harm you for, I AM. There are none who have come before me and none which shall come after me who are mightier than I for, I AM. And because I AM and you are my child, you are more than a conqueror in me…Christ Jesus!”

When we take our eyes off of Jesus, we begin to tread water thinking we can save ourselves. But all too soon tiredness sets in and we feel we might drown in the problems life brings. Remember…just float…turn your eyes towards Jesus…and help will arrive soon for our Savior never leaves nor forsakes us in our greatest time of need!

Sandwich Spread of Life

When I stayed at my Grandma and Pap-Pap Romigh’s as a youngster, lunch time was my favorite meal. My Grandmother was a diabetic and had to eat regularly, so lunch was served promptly at noon. We always sat at the table, dishes were set in quaint style, and the Virginia ham and cheese placed on a platter. The freshest white bread was always used, crisp lettuce, and neatly sliced tomatoes. I stacked all the fixings between the slices of bread, but what really made the sandwich delightfully tasty was the sandwich spread which I thought could only be found in Grandma’s fridge. The special mayonnaise spread melded together all the flavors in my mouth and my taste buds would anticipate the next bite with eagerness.

How long has it been in your Christian walk since your heart thirsted for Jesus with eagerness? How long has it been since you open the Bible and spent time in His word? How long has it been since you took the time to pray sincerely with adoration to a Father who longs to hear from you? How long has it been?

Maybe God seems so far away, because you have distanced yourself from Him. He sets the table for you everyday as my Grandparents did for me. He showers us with the smallest details of His glory such as waking up for a new day. He says,

“I’m here.”

Yet you threw the covers off in anguish because morning had arrived too soon and your husband forgot to set the alarm. He tried the giggles of your children as you slumbered to the coffee pot, but you didn’t hear Him. You just grumbled because there was no cream for your java. Then the race began to get the children ready, to get you ready, and then conquer the quest of the day. All the while He kept whispering,

“I’m here…..talk to me… I long for you today…”

You just kept going. He provided a rain the night before which made everything look so green and full of life. He put the lilacs in bloom and made them fragrant for you to smell, but you didn’t even notice His perfume. He sent many smiles your way, but no smile was returned back from you. Then He attempted to get your attention with the beautiful sunset. It was a barrage of majestic colors ranging from deep orange to brilliant purple. This would surely get your attention and remind you of the Savior, even if the day was almost ending. No, you just thought of tomorrow and missed his knock on your door once again. Yes, He set the table for you. He made everything appealing to get your attention, but Jesus wasn’t important. He was at the bottom of your list. You went to bed earlier than expected…….tired…….irritated…… and angry you hadn’t accomplished enough during the day. You couldn’t sleep well. You kept waking up with thoughts racing through your mind about the list you had already prepared for tomorrow.

Let me tell you a little secret. If you’re in the presence of the Lord everyday in prayer, reading His word, in thought, and in deed………it’s the sandwich spread of life. Remember, the sandwich spread made the sandwich with all the fixings just meld together in my mouth as my taste buds anticipated the next bite with eagerness. You already know and believe in Jesus (the sandwich and all the fixings), but being in His presence(the sandwich spread) on a daily basis makes life meld together with a peaceful contentment that can only come from knowing and loving Him.


“Come near to God and He will come near to you.” James 4:8


“Sense”sational Thought for Today...
Take five minutes today and the rest of this week to just sit in quietness. Don’t read the word of God or pray during the five minutes. Just sit and think about Christ. Let God through His Holy Spirit reveal to you His agenda for your day or for your tomorrow. After doing this for a week, increase the time spent in a quiet moment with Jesus. It will change your life and bring peace and contentment.

A Prayer for Today...
Let me walk with you this day my Lord. Help me to see you always…even in the simple things. Please bring to my attention the beautiful gifts you give in the laughter of children and the smile of a friend. Make my heart desire you…thirst for you…long for a quiet moment with you. Amen.

Chains Loosed, Freedom Abounds

My friend was excited yesterday because her mother was coming for a visit. It brought such pleasure to my heart to see the spark of joy in her eyes and the bounce in her voice as she eagerly anticipated a chance to catch up with the one who held her in the womb...her mother. I only stayed a short while and as I traveled back home in the car my mind wondered what it would be like to joyfully anticipate my mom's arrival for a visit.

O how I long for a mothers love. I want to imagine the touch of pure joy upon my face from the stroke of her hand and sweet eyes of adoration that pierce the soul. Despite this deep longing within, I have to find the joy, have peace, and understand what I am to learn from my Heavenly Father in the midst of the pain.

This I know...MY JESUS LOVES ME and I have felt the touch of the Master's hand! He has blessed me with three wonderful gifts in my children. He has entrusted me with their care for they truly belong to Him. My children will know the touch of a mother's love upon their cheek. They have already seen the eyes of mom's adoration piercing their hearts with praise. They know they are loved not just by me and their father, but more importantly by Jesus. The generational chains have been loosed and freedom does abound and the vicious cycle has been broken! Praise be to God!

A Kiss Before the Womb

As the pastor prayed over the anniversary couple, he requested they be blessed from eternity from which they came until eternity to which they will return. Most people probably heard this spoken the same as I, but maybe none other than myself have pondered this thought since.

Why can’t I remember eternity from which I came or does the Lord give me glimpses and I miss his sweet message of love and adoration? Jesus also came from eternity, has returned, and sits at the right hand of the Father. Did God hold me sweetly in His arms and kiss my forehead before placing me in my mother’s womb? After all, God tells Jeremiah in Jeremiah 1:5,

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,…”

He must have known me as well! He must have known you!

Think me a fool for my thoughts…than a fool I am for the sake of Christ and loving it!