How the month has flown by and I have not been able to write my thoughts. Birthday celebrations, travel to and from each activity and a growing puppy to keep me sharp and on track to teach him his boundaries. He loves leather shoes, my husbands, guests or mine. I have given him my slippers and a variety if shoes, one at a time! Maybe that is the problem. Never give him a shoe he has destroyed to play with for then he feels shoes are his territory...Good idea. My resolve to lose some weight and tighten up the muscle tone by walking has been encouraged by joining a gym to help me realize my goal by mid-July, has started to show some signs of progress. I will be filming a television cooking school then with a very dear gal friend who will help and encourage me to be ready...Thoughts race through my mind regarding my title of a cook book expose' "Thoughts from a Born Again Health Nut" sharing the roller coaster ride of eating meat, to eating vegetarian, to being a vegan and back again several times in my life. So this time I pray that it is the final choice that will help me no longer be on the up and down ride. I want victory for my own body, mind and spirit.
Oh Lord of kitchen, spoon and knife-
Please give me victory in my life.
Make of me a person pure
For in this fight I must endure.
Not for position, place or fame
But to be a credit for Thy name.
Please help me as I loose this weight,
For I will be just what I ate...
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Monday, April 2, 2007
Time Out
The last several weeks have been busy ones for us. Grand daughters wedding in another state, travel to and fro. Safety in coming and going...Company staying over night and the joy of raising a now four month Great Dane puppy...He has grown with great amazement, as I watch his huge front paws seem to become bigger every day. Friends and family enjoying his awkward going up and down steps and learning to grasp the reality of the word. NO!!! He has carved a place in our hearts as we watch him become larger almost moment by moment... The buds are blooming and the leaves sway in the soft breeze...The tulips and other bulbs speak in color that is is spring...Working with my remaining wool and knitting with my knitting circle of friends who have gathered monthly to spin, knit or bring something to show and tell from the weavers loom inspired me to write this poem
Threads of Promise
Weave O Lord of heaven and hearth, a thread of promise,
Dropped from the spindle of Thy word. Shuttled with Hope,
Encouragement, Love and Joy. Prompting my heart with
Compassion, to reach and touch the cord of humanity.
As You create a tapestry of beauty in each life this day.
Threads of Promise
Weave O Lord of heaven and hearth, a thread of promise,
Dropped from the spindle of Thy word. Shuttled with Hope,
Encouragement, Love and Joy. Prompting my heart with
Compassion, to reach and touch the cord of humanity.
As You create a tapestry of beauty in each life this day.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Faithful
The vacation had been short. The trip was relaxing with mountains and streams beckoning to my emotions. Alfalfa fields were green with expectation of a rich fall crop.
We had been looking for a summer home or a getaway from the scorching valley heat. Finding an oasis of a cozy cabin and a small trout-filled lake with wild Canadian geese afloat the glistening water, cried out to my heart and soul.
This was the place of our dreams, more than my mind could grasp. Could this be for us? We would have to wait patiently for the Lord to create a way for all the legal maze we would have to go through to acquire this beautiful piece of property.
Arriving home in the late afternoon, I soon discovered that the horses had no water and the temperature was hovering around the 100 decree mark. My first response was anger for the person who had said they would water the horses. Somehow they were unable to follow through with their commitment. However the tub was still empty, good intentions or not, my horses were thirsty.
Then my frustration turned to the realization that I had done that to my Lord on different occasions. When asked to be a helping hand, or a friend in deed, to a friend in need, I had either forgotten or was too busy. "Oh Father, I pled, please forgive me for I have been an unfaithful servant too. Not going where you wanted me to go, watching things on T.V. that was unhealthful to my thoughts and emotions. Also eating food that was unhealthful for the temple of Your Holy Spirit. So I come to ask forgiveness again. Please help me to be a servant who truly listens to You and then faithfully follows the instruction given by Your gracious promptings, for I long to hear those precious words spoken to my heart." "Well done thou good and faithful servant, thou has been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord" Matthew 25:21
p.s. The land and log home were subsequently sold on the court house steps at auction to someone else several years later.
We had been looking for a summer home or a getaway from the scorching valley heat. Finding an oasis of a cozy cabin and a small trout-filled lake with wild Canadian geese afloat the glistening water, cried out to my heart and soul.
This was the place of our dreams, more than my mind could grasp. Could this be for us? We would have to wait patiently for the Lord to create a way for all the legal maze we would have to go through to acquire this beautiful piece of property.
Arriving home in the late afternoon, I soon discovered that the horses had no water and the temperature was hovering around the 100 decree mark. My first response was anger for the person who had said they would water the horses. Somehow they were unable to follow through with their commitment. However the tub was still empty, good intentions or not, my horses were thirsty.
Then my frustration turned to the realization that I had done that to my Lord on different occasions. When asked to be a helping hand, or a friend in deed, to a friend in need, I had either forgotten or was too busy. "Oh Father, I pled, please forgive me for I have been an unfaithful servant too. Not going where you wanted me to go, watching things on T.V. that was unhealthful to my thoughts and emotions. Also eating food that was unhealthful for the temple of Your Holy Spirit. So I come to ask forgiveness again. Please help me to be a servant who truly listens to You and then faithfully follows the instruction given by Your gracious promptings, for I long to hear those precious words spoken to my heart." "Well done thou good and faithful servant, thou has been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord" Matthew 25:21
p.s. The land and log home were subsequently sold on the court house steps at auction to someone else several years later.
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
The Glossy Image
The image on glossy photographic paper stirred my imagination. It was a small lodge like building, beautiful in the woods, mirrored by a lake and lush green grass in abundance. The trees looked full and tall as if standing as sentinels around the meadow. Perfect for sheep I thought. So far away. Could we travel that distance to a new home? Would our family come to visit for the holidays? I continued to look longingly at the picture in the brochure the agent had sent. The roof line was steep suggesting snowy winters. The windows large, inviting sunlight to travel across the rooms. How delightful I thought. I had been drawn into the picture. The forest beckoned, also the boat on the dock called to me. The sunlight drew shadows through the trees creating streams of brightness that played across the path. I longed to be on the path...
I heard my husband call me back to reality. "Let's go and look for ourselves." He encouraged me. So we went on the journey seeking a new place to live.
But photos and dreams are different than real life. The house was ordinary, the pond could not be seen even from the third floor bedroom window. The path and trees were so small and uninviting. Oh how disappointed I was.
"Father, I'm so thankful that this earth is not our home. That You truly are preparing a place for us, where the trees do stand as sentinels about the meadow, making safe pastures for the sheep of Your fold. Where the lakes and water will be abundant.
Where the River of Life flows for all to drink. Where the lush verdant grass will be like carpet under our feet. Until then, You give us a small glimpse, even if taken by a clever photographer to sell some real estate, to allow us to see a vision of Your handiwork in the heavenly land. Where eye hath not seen nor ear heard what You have gone to prepare for us.* Praises for imagination and beauty and the constant whisper in my heart that Your love is more precious than houses and lands. Keep my eyes fixed on You as I continue on the journey to my heavenly home."
*1 Cor.2:9 KJV
I heard my husband call me back to reality. "Let's go and look for ourselves." He encouraged me. So we went on the journey seeking a new place to live.
But photos and dreams are different than real life. The house was ordinary, the pond could not be seen even from the third floor bedroom window. The path and trees were so small and uninviting. Oh how disappointed I was.
"Father, I'm so thankful that this earth is not our home. That You truly are preparing a place for us, where the trees do stand as sentinels about the meadow, making safe pastures for the sheep of Your fold. Where the lakes and water will be abundant.
Where the River of Life flows for all to drink. Where the lush verdant grass will be like carpet under our feet. Until then, You give us a small glimpse, even if taken by a clever photographer to sell some real estate, to allow us to see a vision of Your handiwork in the heavenly land. Where eye hath not seen nor ear heard what You have gone to prepare for us.* Praises for imagination and beauty and the constant whisper in my heart that Your love is more precious than houses and lands. Keep my eyes fixed on You as I continue on the journey to my heavenly home."
*1 Cor.2:9 KJV
Monday, March 5, 2007
Lot's Wife
I am Lot's wife I know it...
I can feel it in my bones.
I keep looking back to Sodom
Where my children are alone.
Or is it just my children
My friends they are there too,
O dear Lord in mercy
Help me turn my face toward You.
And there's my house I treasure
With furnishings so fine
Please heal in my affliction,
So the praise can all be Thine
Help me make this journey
For these problems are my fault.
Please don't let me be paralyzed
In a pillar turned to salt.
(all rights reserved)
brc
I can feel it in my bones.
I keep looking back to Sodom
Where my children are alone.
Or is it just my children
My friends they are there too,
O dear Lord in mercy
Help me turn my face toward You.
And there's my house I treasure
With furnishings so fine
Please heal in my affliction,
So the praise can all be Thine
Help me make this journey
For these problems are my fault.
Please don't let me be paralyzed
In a pillar turned to salt.
(all rights reserved)
brc
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Snow
The fence posts are white on top. Large soft snowflakes drift earthward to fall gently on the ground. Winter weaves her beauty between the barren lilac bushes. Leafless oak trees look like and unseen hand has just painted them with an artists' brush. Beauty is drifting downward. Help those Lord who have no chains for this unusual change of weather, for this morning the sky was a cloudless blue, the sun warming the crisp winter day. Just a few hours can change everything. Do I have food enough to weather this storm?. Plenty of water stored in the cupboards . Am I ever prepared for an emergency? We have no snow removal equipment. But for now I bask in the beauty of it all. And trust.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Hope (part 3)
She emerged from the barn door as if walking on stilts. Slowly like a robot she walked in front of us as we sat there with tears welling up in our eyes. Hope was walking! Praises to God. The work and prayers and effort had been honored by the Lord. She was a walking miracle.
About six weeks later a beautiful ewe lamb was born with an unusual silver colored fleece. I names her Miracle. Hope had provided two miracles...Herself and her new born lamb.
How true it is in daily life, hope does provide a miracle! But the lesson I learned from watching the drama being played out on my farm those months, was one the Lord taught me about standing. Hope stood during her attack which helped her not be gutted!
"Oh Lord, I thought, is it not that way with us, too? The enemy of our souls comes upon us like a roaring lion or a pack of wild dogs, seeking to kill and devour. But You tell us to stand. The fruit of a relationship with You, born by us, is the fruit of Thy sweet spirit. Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and self Control. The devil wants to"gut" us so we no longer bear these attributes of intimacy! Oh. Father, praises You spoke to me in the drama of my farm, speaking also in the words of scripture that made sense to my heart. You place these armor parts upon my soul as I choose to accept them and stand. That You fight our battles, the battles is the Lord's and I am safe in Your tender care. When I fell and was damaged You cared and made me whole again, and thus a miracle was born.
"Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet filled with the readiness that comes form the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." Ephesians 6:11-18 NIV
"He said: 'Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's..You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you'" 2 Chronicles 2015.17 NIV
About six weeks later a beautiful ewe lamb was born with an unusual silver colored fleece. I names her Miracle. Hope had provided two miracles...Herself and her new born lamb.
How true it is in daily life, hope does provide a miracle! But the lesson I learned from watching the drama being played out on my farm those months, was one the Lord taught me about standing. Hope stood during her attack which helped her not be gutted!
"Oh Lord, I thought, is it not that way with us, too? The enemy of our souls comes upon us like a roaring lion or a pack of wild dogs, seeking to kill and devour. But You tell us to stand. The fruit of a relationship with You, born by us, is the fruit of Thy sweet spirit. Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and self Control. The devil wants to"gut" us so we no longer bear these attributes of intimacy! Oh. Father, praises You spoke to me in the drama of my farm, speaking also in the words of scripture that made sense to my heart. You place these armor parts upon my soul as I choose to accept them and stand. That You fight our battles, the battles is the Lord's and I am safe in Your tender care. When I fell and was damaged You cared and made me whole again, and thus a miracle was born.
"Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet filled with the readiness that comes form the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints." Ephesians 6:11-18 NIV
"He said: 'Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's..You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you'" 2 Chronicles 2015.17 NIV
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