When God Interrupts Your Plans

                                                                         

Recently I picked up a book to re-read that has graced our book shelf for the past 8 years.  It is written by Guidepost author and editor John Sherrill, titled "They Speak In Other Tongues".  It was first written in 1965 and re-published with an addition in 2004.  I guess you could define this post as a book review with our personal story attached.  

This book came into our home and changed our lives after Joel was healed overnight from Lyme and several other health problems.  He was given a complete "divine overhaul" at 4 am on a January morning.  With his healing came a gift that he was not looking for~ his own prayer language.  Joel and I had watched two hours of a video from a pastor/teacher who spoke on "God wanting you well" the night before Joel was miraculously healed. He had mentioned speaking in tongues during his teaching so at that time I had asked Joel what he thought of the gift found in the New Testament and he told me, "I am Lutheran, I don't know what I would do with it."  But God had other plans.  With Holy Spirit showing up in a big way, I began to do some research for Joel on "what to do with it" and this book by John Sherrill came to my attention.  I am so glad it did.

John Sherrill and his wife Elizabeth have both written several best sellers and started their own publishing company.  They were also editors at Guideposts magazine in NYC.  John began learning about speaking in tongues through his interactions with Ruth Peale whose husband Norman Vincent Peale is well known for his work as a pastor, author of "The Power of Positive Thinking", and creator of Guideposts Magazine.  (we have gotten this monthly magazine for decades).  When Sherrill began his research he was a skeptic who was writing a story and had no interest at all in the gifts of the Spirit, but his quest to find out what this was all about changed their lives forever.  God interrupted their plans for His own.  And the book he wrote changed our lives forever too.  It gave us a deeper understanding of what a prayer language is and how God uses it to build us up and bring us closer to Him.  

I have had people tell me with a dismissive air that "it is the least of the gifts, you know."  Others have said they wondered if it was from the devil.  Was it really real?  We cannot deny that it is right there in our Bibles or that it existed then and still exists today.  When Joel first spoke of it to our Synod here, they were disturbed by what he had to say.  Later on we learned that 5 of Joel's pastor colleagues had this "gift" but did not talk about it to others.  It certainly can stir things up when it is mentioned in our Lutheran world.  And yet, there it is in Acts and in I Corinthians where Paul speaks about it.

I have been enjoying Sherrill's book once again as I read about his research, his experiences, his conclusions and how it all shaped their lives.  God never leaves us where we are, He has bigger plans for us than we could ever imagine.  We are both grateful for the gift of a prayer language as a way to worship and praise God, a way to pray when we don't know what to pray, a way to grow and "edify" ourselves as the scripture claims.  It may seem a  "little to the right of crazy" for some, but for us it is now just part of our prayer life.  For us it is a time when "one's own spirit and the Holy Spirit are in communion and that is a good thing.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is curious or interested in what having the gift of speaking in tongues is all about.  John Sherrill has passed away now, but he and his wife "Tib" have a firm faith and solid foundation behind them.  They co-authored such books as Brother Andrew's "God's Smugglers" and Corrie TenBoom's book "The Hiding Place".  They are the kind of people you wish you could sit down with for a long visit and listen to all they have experienced in their lives.  

Covid Blessings?

Joel and I often watch Max Lucado's video devotionals on his Facebook page.  On Memorial Day morning I found his video with The UK Blessing attached to it.  It blessed us so much, that I sent it on to others via texts and shared it on Facebook.  I wanted to share it here. Enjoy the gift it brings.

This video is an example of what I have come to define as a "Covid Blessing"!  Covid-19 has brought with it fear, depression, financial crises, and death.  The enemy is Covid, but the enemy behind this virus, is Satan who has come to "steal, kill, and destroy".   (Not for one minute do I believe God created this virus)  The destruction that has come with this pandemic is hard to grasp.  Yet in the midst of it, God keeps showing up.  He shows up in how people are caring for each other.  He is heard in the beautiful music coming out virtually.  He shows up in the many online opportunities to worship and praise Him.  He is revealed in the first responders doing all they can to save lives, while putting their own a risk.  He is present in so many beautiful blessings that have come, and "The UK Blessing" video is on the list of "things" that I have called "Covid Blessings". I believe God's promise to work all things out for good, as stated in Romans 8:28.  If we search for them we can see God moving every day in our lives.  It is so helpful to do so!

On Memorial Day we drove over to a state park about 20 minutes from our home.  We sat by the lake and enjoyed watching all the people out fishing from their boats.  We walked along the road that goes through the woods and a duck pond, listening to all the birds singing, the ducks and geese "talking" and the gentle winds moving the new leaves on the trees.  With 18 months of cancer treatments and surgeries behind us, and now with the pandemic in 2020, we are especially enjoying being getting out and into nature~ ~yet another blessing we are grateful for.

Our family lives in the Midwest, but no one lives near us.  Even though we mostly see each other only a couple times a year, we have never done a virtual gathering until Covid shook up our world.  We both know that our Zoom gatherings are another blessing that has come from Covid.

I am sure you can list your own blessings that have come in the midst of this pandemic.  It is so easy to focus on what has changed, or on what we have "lost".  There is no denying what has happened to the economy, what is happening in ICU's across our country, the grief and loss that people are experiencing. But in the middle of it all, God is.  God is here.  God is with us.  God has a plan.  God will work all things out for good.

One Brave Step Up The Mountain

"It is a new week and you just keep being brave

 because blessed is the one who perseveres, 

who does the hard thing and puts feet to the floor and just begins, 

who doesn't stop putting one brave step in front of another.  

Because tough times never last

 but those who hang on tight to God always do."

Ann Voskamp

Today I read a few powerful thoughts from Ann Voskamp, the author of One Thousand Gifts.  She spoke about doing the "hard things".  About putting our feet to the floor and just beginning.  She wrote about taking one brave step and starting up the mountain we face.  That God will take the mountain, all we need to do is take courage and take the next step.  She reminded us to lean in and take that next step.

I have been hearing a lot about leaning in lately.  It began last week when I faced the fact I needed surgery again for this large ugly kidney stone that is one big mountain of trouble in my right kidney.  Between the stone and the stents I am fighting infections and my body is already dealing with a lower white count from the breast cancer treatments.  I did not want to deal with it, but it is what it is.  And God is who He says He is!  Through devotionals He keeps reminding me to lean in to Him.  Trust Him in this season.

A week ago I had a visual encounter where I was standing arm in arm next to Jesus, leaning against Him.  I was shaking from head to toe but I was standing firm with Jesus keeping me upright.  I remember thinking, well if Jesus is on my right, who is on my left side then....and when I turned I realized Joel was linking arms with me too.  Of course, he has always been my support.  my earthly rock provided by God.  Beyond Joel, much to my surprise, I saw Dr. M, the urologist.  It shocked me.  My thought was, okay, he is part of this healing journey too.  Then I looked around and saw faded out faces of who I knew to be friends and family.  Those praying and sending their love.

The mountains can look so big.  They can be so big.  BUT GOD......... We need to have the courage to take the first step up the mountain.  Maybe for you it is a financial burden.........or chemo........or trusting someone when it is hard to trust. For me this time it is yet another surgery this Wednesday afternoon to rid the stone from my kidney.  (Going up through the urethra to laser the stone) Everyone's mountain is different, but the source of our strength is not.  Our strength comes from God.

"The great ones are simply the ones who believe God can.  

In Him, you. can. do. this.  

The hopeful stare up the steps.  

The faithful step up the stairs."

I am always amazed at the courage people display in difficult circumstances.  Ordinary people, living ordinary lives, who are hit by circumstances that are in no way ordinary.  Ordinary people who dig deep, finding courage and strength to face the worst of the worst and who do so with hope and faith in their God, in our Lord who tells us to lean in.  "Lean in, trust, and see Me move mountains".  

Today I am asking for your continued prayers for the surgery Wednesday afternoon.  Praying that the long tedious process of lasering the large stone into small ones will go well and swiftly.  That I will come home that evening and recover well.  I also ask for prayers for all those who fight their own battles with God by their sides. Those who persevere and faithfully keep taking that one brave step up the mountain they face.  

This Too Shall Pass

We woke up today to -28 degree weather with a -58 windchill.  Yes, that is correct.  No typo....it is that cold here in northern Iowa.  So cold that not only are all schools and colleges closed, but mail delivery has been suspended in our state and surrounding states as well.  This is as bad as it gets.  Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois have declared states of emergency......This is record breaking cold.  Joel and I cannot remember -58 wind chills, ever.  And we have a few memories of cold weather over the years!

Like when we went to Malta Montana for Internship and woke up to -30 in late October.  We quickly discovered there were no heat vents in the small kids bedroom so we went to a local hardware store and purchased electric wall heaters!  Montana has some cold winters!  Or when our middle daughter was married on Epiphany in north central Minnesota and the actual temperature that evening was -37.  Yeah.  Cold.  But -58 is a new one.

Nature has a way of stopping our world from moving forward, and extreme cold is no exemption.  So grateful for our warm house, good furnace, and gas fireplace.  As we sit this morning reading in the quiet (our cable is experiencing an "outage") we are nice and warm, snuggled in under quilts and staring at a toasty fire.  We have soup to warm our stomachs and books to warm our souls.  We are blessed.

I think of the firefighters who brave the cold.........our police officers who still work to keep our cities safe.............emergency workers and more.  At risk for those who are at risk or risky.  Again, we are so blessed.

Sometimes life also throws things at us that seem to stop our world from moving forward.  I read today of the death of a friend's brother.  His long battle with cancer is over and he is with Jesus this day, but those left behind feel his loss greatly.  Another woman I know was recently diagnosed with an aggressive cancer, and her world is now at war with an enemy of the body.  Maybe the hopes you had for a child or a loved one seem lost.  Maybe the dreams for yourself seem far away.  The world, our world stops momentarily, a shift occurs and we prepare for what is ahead, just as we do for cold weather. 

But we are not alone.  God is with us, and nothing.......not one thing surprises Him.  Not one thing is too big for Him.  Not one thing prevents God from moving forward..........Today, if your world seems to have stopped, take a deep breath.  Pick up the Word and seek peace.  Stay warm wrapped in His love.  Remember that God is bigger than any problem we face.  This too shall pass.  Just like this brutally cold weather, this too shall pass. 

Unique And Quirky

I have been reading a Jan Karon book in her Father Tim series titled, "Shepherd'z Abiding". Jan Karon's Mitford series are such a delight to read.  Good, clean, faith based fiction books that give pause and bring joy.  You can even buy a book of "Father Tim quotes", there are so many treasures to hold on to.  Over 20 years ago Jan Karon spoke at Luther Seminary in St. Paul MN and Joel and I drove up to listen to her speak and to have the few books we had by her back then, autographed.  It was a great experience.

It has been quite awhile since I picked up one of her books, but I have been thoroughly enjoying it.  Father Tim and his wife Cynthia are now retired in the small town of Mitford North Carolina where he served as an Episcopalian priest to his unique and sometimes quirky congregation.

I cannot help but look back at the many churches Joel served over the years, each one unique with a few quirky members at times.  And are we not all unique and quirky in our own ways?  Each congregation with its own personality and purpose.  Oh what great memories we have for every place we called home, for every congregation that welcomed us.

And such adventures as we traveled in northern Montana where hawks, eagles, and antelope outnumbered the people.  And in Eastern Montana where Joel was able to baptize a 75 year old man and celebrate the eternal life that awaited him.  We still chuckle over one council meeting where it was put in the notes that the new pastor was wearing "inappropriate footwear" (square toed boots).  Joel was in need of new boots, so at the next council meeting he took off his new pointed toe boot put it on the table, asking the secretary to note that the new pastor now had appropriate footwear!  We ran into some very quirky people, and it was not always fun.......but the joy we experienced in the churches we served far outnumbered any negative experiences.

I love how Father Tim sees the good in all people.  How he quietly stands firm in what he believes without judging others.  For are we not all broken people, unique people, and even at times quirky?  God created each one of us as a masterpiece of His own making.  Our uniqueness is planned and used for God's purposes.  We can embrace who we are and trust God to guide us on our journey.

Do you have a congregation you sit among on Sunday mornings?  Do you observe the unique or quirky in the pews.........are you one of them?  Having served 7 churches and filled in or worked at 24 more over the years, we cannot help but smile at all the memories we have of those congregations that welcomed us.  Unique and sometimes even quirky as the members were......and us amongst them!

If you are looking for a good read.........a series that touches the soul, pick up a Jan Karon book.  You won't be disappointed, and it may give you a new perspective of your own home church!

God's People Packages

Recently during my quiet time, I visualized an angel handing me a shofar.  From what I understand, in the Old Testament a shofar was made from a ram's horn and was used for special occasions, for confusing the enemy, and for declaring God's goodness.  After I was handed a shofar I heard the words, "Declare the works of the Lord".   It is always a good idea to do what God instructs! so I am sharing a recent story of God's goodness today.

A couple of weeks ago at our group Bible Study a woman stated she wanted to pray for me.  She asked everyone to lay hands on me and they did.  She said the enemy was trying hard to stop me from doing the ministry God has for me.  She commanded weakness to leave, the devil to get lost, and asked Jesus for healing.  She then prayed for Joel telling him "it has been a trying time for you.  God has something new for you. He knows you need a purpose.  It is coming."  She new about the Vit. D toxicity but did not know about Joel's desire for a new purpose.  I did not see much change at that time but we were grateful for the prayers.  There is nothing like prayer to bring comfort to a situation.

The next week I shared I was going to Mayo for help with the Vit. D toxicity.  Later when most people were gone, she and a couple others lay hands on me again and prayed over my body, sharing words of knowledge from God.  She said to me, "Something is happening tomorrow, and you will know it.  You will know!"  I went home that night ready for a change.  The next day I felt better than I had in a long long time. As the days went on my energy returned and strength came back into my body.  I began walking again, 20 minutes at a time.  I feel the best now that I have felt since February when this whole D drama began.  So today I am declaring God's healing work in me and I am so grateful.  Thank you Jesus!

This woman who prayed for me is quite a character.  She comes from the deep south, and after decades in Iowa she still has quite an accent.  She was not always the easiest person for me to be around......until God opened my eyes.  And after she started sharing words from God with others and they were "spot on" I gained a high respect for her.  And when she prayed and my energy returned, I became more than grateful for her gifts she willingly shares.  She is a unique vessel blessed to be a blessing.

This is not the first time that God has used someone that I have "struggled with" to change my life.  There was a man a few years ago whom we met at church here in town.  I talked to God about him because he liked Joel so much,  and truthfully, he scared me.  Then one night after services he tells me he needs to come over to our house because God gave him a dream about us.  He also spoke about a ministry God had for me and he had many others words to share.  It was quite powerful.  Later after he left I asked God why he chose a burly biker guy like R. to share His plan for us.  God said, "You need to see my people the way I seem them."    Needless to say, I was humbled by this.

How often do we brush off what God is saying to us because we are not comfortable with the person who is sharing?  Or maybe we are not comfortable with what is being shared?

Do you ever ponder if God can use you?  Too often we see ourselves through our own eyes, and not God's.  He sees us as we are called to be, and as His kids, He loves us so deeply, seeing us at our best....expecting the best.....knowing what we can be even when we can't imagine it. He sees all His children through His Fatherly eyes.

God comes to us in so many different ways.  We get this idea of how He speaks to us or of who He uses to speak to us and if we get stuck there, we can miss so many blessings God has instore.  It is so important that we keep our hearts open to all that God has for us

I remember hearing a story about Bethel, when God began to bring big changes to that church.  One of the elders came to Pastor Bill Johnson and said, "I have to leave this church.  I know God is moving here.  I know that what is happening is from God, but it makes me uncomfortable and scared, and I just can't deal with it so I am leaving."  This man knew God was moving in the lives of Bethel members, but he walked away from it because it came in people packages he was not familiar or comfortable with.

I wonder how much we miss out on when we judge people by how they look or how they come across.  I just wonder how many of us would embrace Jesus if He came into our world today as a radical man speaking in parables, performing miracles of healing and multiplying food, and raising the dead.  Or casting out demons?  You can go online and see how such men and women are spoken of.  They are often "crucified" as false prophets or liars.  We look at them with a skeptical, critical mind, so would we do the same with Jesus?

I began this post writing about declaring God's goodness.  Sharing our testimonies, our stories with God, brings Him glory.  He likes that.  Today I am more than grateful for the healing that continues to come and I am grateful that God sees fit to let me see Him working through others like myself,  people who come in different packages.

The Floodgates

The water just keeps rising....record floods.....record rain falls.......causing record 911 calls......record rescues.... yes, the water just keeps rising.  It is heartbreaking to watch homes hidden under dark liquid that is relentless in it's pursuit to go where it wills.  I am caught up in the stories shared by those rescued, and the willingness of volunteers to risk their own lives to save those who are desperate for help.  We hear and read about such a "us against them" mentality in our country, it is comforting to see people put politics and prejudice aside to do what they can to help those in their city.

I expect there are some who question where God is in this disaster.  Some may believe He has caused it and that is certainly not close to being true.  Ann Voskamp spoke of God's tears mingled in with those of His children during this or any terrible catastrophe.  He is not surprised by this, but He did not orchestrate it.  Our world is broken, choices are made, nature gets out of control, weather is affected by climate change and more.  He weeps with His children.

It is still going on, this relentless storm that keeps circling Texas, going out over water and gaining power and then heading back to land.  It is hard to comprehend the 50 plus inches of rain and I cannot imagine the despair in places like Rockport TX where everything is gone.  The landscape has changed to the point that citizens are grieving a world that no longer exists.  God have mercy.

I read a post today about a Baptist college professor who is in his home with his wife and five young children.  Triplets under age 1, an 8 year old and 5 year old.  They are staying in their master bedroom, watching the water close in on their home.  Tornado warnings find them in the bedroom closet.  It is heartbreaking to hear him question, "If we flood, how can I get on my roof with 3 babies and two young kids?  Lisa Buffaloe has written about her own family in Texas and Beth Moore has written a beautiful article about "her Houston".  She mentions agencies where people can offer help of all kinds. Wonderful relief agencies are heading to Texas, and there are many reputable ones where you can give from your pocketbook if you cannot give of yourselves.

Our hearts ache for Texas, and parts of Louisiana.  The challenges ahead for everyone will be long lasting and so so difficult.  It may be hard for people to believe that God is with them.  It brings to mind the woman who was separated from her teenage girls.  She was rescued from the water by volunteers with a boat and reunited with her girls.  She kept saying, "God is good.  God is so good."

It may be difficult to grasp in the midst of tragedy, but God is bending His ear to hear the prayers,  and God is releasing His love and power for all those walking through this valley.  When I watched the endless stream of people walking through water to dry land, the boats rescuing people from their homes, and the helicopters rescuing desperate people from their rooftops, I could not help but see God working through the people who are reaching out their hands.  Thank you God for the goodness of people.

The floodgates have been opened with a 500 year flood.  As we join together in prayer I believe God will continue to open HIS floodgates, His blessings over His created ones.  Hurricane Harvey has  been persistent in his destruction.........but God.  God will be persistent in His blessings.  We live in the hope for a better day ahead.

Surprise!!!

My sister Jan just turned 80.  Looking at the picture below she is the one on your left (just in case it is hard to tell).  It is pretty obvious she looks younger than most 80 year old women.  No offense to anyone in their eighth decade of life.  She looks younger than me and I am 11 years behind her.

 Recently her husband Lanny gave her a surprise birthday gathering in Nashville....it was a surprise because all of her kids and his, along with spouses and a girlfriend came to celebrate with her.  Most of them showed up at their condo door to say...."Surprise!"  She had no clue.  Absolutely none.  She opened the door and there they stood.  She said it took her a while to process........  From all the pictures I have seen it looks like they had a great time celebrating!  As it should be.  It is a wonderful feeling to be surrounded by your people and blanketed with love.

Blanketed with love.....this is what God does for us, too.  And sometimes he knocks on our door and says "surprise".  I can't help but think back about when we first "found" Praise Church here in town.  God knew what was coming and I believe 100% that he sent us there in preparation for the months to come.  We thought we were moving to Arizona, so when we first went to Praise I remember saying to Joel..."Why would God give us this church now when we are leaving?"  Well, of course cancer showed up on a mammogram and the rest is as they say, history.  Was cancer the surprise from God?  Nope.  Nada.  Never.  The enemy attacked me with the cancer, but GOD'S surprise was the provision of His blessings through a church where we could express our love of Christ in the praise music, the charismatic, the prophetic, and especially the healing.   He is always ahead of us preparing the way, fighting our battles, making all things work out for good.  He just loves us that much.

Just the other day Joel was driving back roads to a church and saw for the first time a red fox in a white field along the side of the road.  He loves red foxes.  God often surprises Him with an animal in nature when he least expects it, but definitely needs a love tap from His Father.  It is a way they communicate......through nature.  God telling Joel, I've got this.  Just enjoy the blessings.  Joel was delighted with God's surprise of a red fox greeting his Sunday morning!

Another surprise?  Joel's immediate, one-minute-sick- next minute-well healing.  Recently we celebrated the 5th anniversary of the miracle and I gave him a cute card I had found in Arizona 2 years ago.

Inside it says, "There, all better!  Can I get an Amen!"  It is meant to be funny.....but it was just about the way it happened for Joel.  That fast.  That simple.  A revelation of God's love and Holy's power within us, released.  Healing and Holy gifts.  Wow!   Surprise!  Now go out and surprise others with what you have learned.

Our Papa God delights in surprising us with an abundance of His love blessings all around us.  Some cannot be contained and must be shared.  Some come in the form of a red fox........a place of the prophetic and healing......a gathering of family blanketing you with love.  Look for His surprise blessings on your life today.......they are all around you just waiting to be discovered.  Surprise!

A Spirit of Generosity

It was a good Thanksgiving, with the house filled with grandchildren, kids and in-laws last Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  Our oldest son and his family did not come (Matt was working), but the rest were here and "our cup ran over" with good fellowship, food, football, cribbage and card games, and even a bit of shopping.  We are blessed.

We celebrated Christmas on Friday and one of the gifts we received was a new microwave!  Our microwave was not that old, but we had purchased it at a Habitat for Humanity store and it was not long before a problem revealed itself.  We could not have it on for more than 4 minutes or it shut down.  The core element would get so hot, the automatic shut down would occur to prevent a fire. It would take around 45 minutes before it would cool down enough to restore itself. We learned not to cook anything over 4 minutes, so if we needed to warm up food, it had to be under 4 minutes total.  It mean lukewarm or 75% cooked food at times.  No biggy.  We are adaptable!  It shut down when the kids were home, and Joel put two ice packs inside to help it cool off like he always does. We explained what was happening and ended up warming up food in the oven and on the stove top.  Where there is a will, there is a way. We were used to it's quirkiness and planned to replace in the future, but it freaked out our oldest daughter ~ she was worried about a fire starting.

So, surprise!   We have a new microwave!  We can steam our bags of veggies the full amount of time so they are not so crunchy.  Ha.... And we can do a full bag of popcorn, or warm two bowls of soup.  Oh, yeah, we are feeling pretty happy with our new appliance right about now!  And very thankful that our son-in-laws went out on black Friday and bought us a microwave and spent an afternoon installing it with Joel!  We are blessed by their generous spirits.

Generosity.  The Bible tells us it is rewarded.  We don't give so that we will receive, but God does bless those who give out of the goodness of their heart.  I think about what Rick Warren, "The Purpose Driven Life" author and pastor says about giving.  "You cannot out give God!"  Rick and his wife Kay given away 90 percent of their income.  ALL the money, millions, that came in from his well known book was given away.  Pastor Warren says, "No matter how much we give, God blesses us with more.  You cannot out give God."

We are blessed to have a family that understands this concept.  Over the years we have been on the receiving end of their generosity, and many others have also been blessed by their spirits of generosity.  I think they have learned the secret of giving.  Giving blesses the giver and the receiver.  Our money, our time, our stuff......all temporary and ALL from God.  We steward what God has given us.  We don't "own it", we manage it for God as His stewards.

Thanksgiving is a great time to contemplate and activate a spirit of generosity.  We give thanks for the abundance we are surrounded with, and we give to others out of the abundance we have been given.  In it all, we are blessed.

Military Memories

Today is Veteran's day and it has had me remembering the 8 years Joel served in the Air Force and how much it shaped our lives.  When Joel was 18 he went to Junior College to get a two year degree in Wildlife management after which he decided to go to Bible College at The Lutheran Bible Institute (which became Golden Valley Lutheran College our second year).  We met while both attending, and were married just a few weeks after we graduated from their two year program. 

Joel was pretty sure he wanted to be a minister but when he received his draft notice right before our wedding, he did not feel right about getting a deferment.  He also knew he did not want to go into the Army, so he enlisted in the Air Force.  He went to basic training in Texas and then we moved to Rantoul, Illinois where he went to more training.  We then moved across the country to Albuquerque, New Mexico to work on the planes that were collecting data to be used for intelligence.  This is where our oldest daughter, Beth was born. 

While stationed in NM Joel heard about an education program he could apply for, which sounded great.  Even though they tried to discourage him, saying most of his credits from his 4 previous years of school would not transfer, he still applied and 96% transferred!  The program was set up so that if Joel qualified for further education, which he did, they would send him to get his college degree and then he would serve them 4 more years in the field of their choosing.  They asked what our first choice was for college.  .......we said  the University of Wisconsin.  They sent us to Salt Lake City Utah!  Pretty typical of the military at that time.  Salt Lake is where our oldest son Matt was born. 

The Air Force sent him to the University of Utah to be a meteorologist.  The math was tough, but he did well..  He enlisted as an Airman, then while in college they bumped him up to a sergeant.  When he graduated, he went to officers training and became a Lieutenant!  Unusual way to be promoted, but all part of God's plan.

After officers training we were stationed in Duluth MN where he forecast weather for pilots.  It was nice to be in our home state and spend more time with family, but after nearly two years there, Joel was due for a remote transfer where family would not be allowed to go.  Several times Joel was called by the office that sent out orders, and "asked" about certain openings they had.  We had never heard of anyone asking....just telling you where you would go, so we felt God was making sure His plan unfolded.  There was a place in Korea, one off the coast of Alaska, and one base in Nam but Joel said no to all of those since we could not go as a family.  It was at this time that we talked about him getting out early out to attend seminary, but when he went in to apply they told him he had orders for Clark Air Force Base in The Philippine Islands.  His only question was "accompanied or unaccompanied?"  It was a relief to hear the family could go with. 

We left Duluth in 1974, drove to CA and then flew to The Philippines where Joel spent 2 years forecasting weather for pilots, many of which were going to Nam.  We were at Clark when Saigon fell, and I helped in the Baby Lift when hundreds of children were taken out of the country to be adopted by families in the states and around the world.  It was a wonderful experience for me to be a part of.  When we first heard we were going overseas, we immediately began praying about adopting.  It had always been in our hearts to do so, and while we were in the P.I. God blessed us with our two middle children, Mark, and our daughter, N.  (she prefers to remain anonymous on my blog).  I just love how God works things out according to His plan.

After 8 years in the Air Force, Joel still felt strongly he wanted to go to seminary, so he left the Air Force and we headed back to MN in the spring of 1976. 

Those 8 years shaped our world in many ways.  We met so many people from different places and we experienced living in a third world country.  Our four older children were welcomed home through birth and through adoption during those years. We saw first hand how our soldiers were sacrificing to help others and keep our country free.   We lived in  4 states and 1 third world country during those years.  We are so grateful for it all.

So today, I give thanks for those who sacrifice to make our world here so much easier.  I/we give thanks for how God guided our lives every step of the way.  We give thanks for our family.  We give thanks for the life long friends we made during those years.  And we remember......with joy....with pride...with thankfulness. 

A Little Girl's Blessing

The pastor shared the peace of God with the congregation and then asked the people to greet others by "passing the peace".  We stood up and greeted those in front of us and behind us with handshakes, brief eye contact and a "peace be with you.".  Not many moved up and down the aisles in this particular church, so in short order we were all sitting back down in our pews.......except for one young girl who was around 4 years old. 

As we watched, she continued to come down the aisle and shake hands with those on the end of the pews.  Her face lit up with joy with every handshake.  She shook Joel's hand and moved on.  Very quickly I felt a little tap on my shoulder and turned to see her small little hand reaching out to me from the pew behind.   I turned and took her hand, blessing her, before she moved on.

It was not long before her mom came down the aisle and took her hand, whispering to her.  As moms do, she firmly tried to get her to go back to their seat.  The little one stubbornly stood firm until mom picked her up.  The dismay on her sweet face let us know she was not happy about being interrupted from her morning task of reaching out to all the people she could and blessing them with the peace of God.

As I looked at her mom, I thought.....yes, that would have been me or Joel when our kids were small.  Keep still, don't disrupt, and don't draw attention to yourself.  But as a grandparent we saw things differently..  Truthfully, this child brought more life and joy to the service than anyone else had that morning!  She was doing "the Father's business" by reaching out and putting a smile on everyone's face she greeted.

Such a simple way to share God's love.  Blessing someone else with God's peace.  Sometimes it may be the only verbal blessing a person receives on a given day.  Often it is the only touch for those who live alone.  And as it was with this little girl, she blessed these grandparents and probably a few more with an added dose of joy on a missing-our-family type of Sunday morning.  I believe we were all changed in a small way by this child's desire to share the peace of God.

That is all it takes.  A smile.  Eye contact.  A voice.  A gentle  touch.  We were blessed to see the Father's love in the eyes of a child, passing the peace of God to all she could reach.

Seasons

Today, even with or maybe because of temperatures in the low seventies, you can sense Fall has arrived.  It did not come according to man's calendar,, but according to nature's schedule.

The air has lost the density of summer, seeming to heighten the sounds and smells.  Often there is a faint odor of wood smoke and leaves are starting to grace the ground, rustling with movement.  At the end of our block a harvested oat field is now a gathering place for more geese than I can count.  I imagine they are making travel plans, talking about what 4 star hotels to stay at along the way! Seasons come and seasons go as a reminder that life is about moving forward.  Still, I would love to drag out Fall.  It is my favorite time of year.

In the midst of taking in all that Autumn offers, I have been porch sitting while pondering where I find myself.  Another infection requiring drugs that abuse as much as help.  Pain that has my pink tennies anticipating but not experiencing walks along the river.  Restless nights brought on by complaining joints and nerve endings.   Even though it has only been a couple of days, these familiar and unwelcome guests have left me spent.  I so dislike the return of old symptoms.

Autumn is another matter entirely.  I love the return of Fall.  Watching squirrels gather acorns.  Stopping to lift my eyes as geese fly overhead.  If they are low enough you can hear their wings beat in rhythm.  Trees are starting to share their leaves with the dry ground cover.  From our house we hear the crowds cheer the home team on in football.  And the colors?  Oh how I love the colors ~ rusts, browns, oranges, and deep reds that paint the landscape.  I am so grateful that God blessed us with the Fall season here in our corner of the world.

 God takes the heat of summer and transforms it into a brilliant season of harvest.  So it is with circumstances that entrap us in our lives. Not everything that comes to us is welcome.  Not everything we experience is beautiful.  Our own personal seasons of heat can be very trying, but God can take our intense seasons and turn them into harvest blessings as we keep our eyes on Him.  He meets us where we are at, transforms and heals us, and blesses us beyond what we can ask or think.   He brings the Harvest into our lives.

Recalling The Good

This week has been challenging for me.  I have been struggling with major sinus issues, headaches and an increase of symptoms for about a week. So not okay.

Last Friday my laptop stopped connecting to the Internet. Several days, three hours on the phone with support people and a technician here in our city,  and we are good to go.  The only fun part of talking with online technicians that 100% of the time speak English as a second language was today, when I asked where the guy named "Eugene" was from and he told me The  Philippines.  I commented that we had lived there for two years long ago, and we had a short conversation on the beauty of the country. I used to get frustrated with those who spoke unusual English as they tried to help this granny warrior, until I realized that I must sound strange to them with my Minnesota accent.  When they talk computer talk I do not understand no matter how well they speak English!  It is all gobbly-gook to me, although I am getting better at IP numbers, serial codes, modem speak and the like!  Ha!

So between the increase of symptoms and the decrease of Internet time, I have been pretty darn crabby, frustrated, and scared.  The scared part is only connected to the symptoms.  The crabby part is from lack of connection with the online world. 

Don't get me wrong, I am very aware of how blessed we are...Joel has a computer I can use if necessary and I have an iPad and Smart Phone.  Okay, now I feel like I should apologize for having too many toys!  Bottom line, it is difficult to type long emails or posts on the phone or iPad due to my eyes needing rest right now.  I have missed my laptop.  Yep, spoiled.

Then I remembered it was September 11th.  The anniversary of 9-11.  We can all recall that day, the planes, the death and devastation, the loss of security for America.  But just like the good and bad of having so many devices and just like the good and bad of my healing journey, there is good and bad on September 11.  You see, our oldest grandson was born this day 15 years ago.  He is a great young man, kind, funny, caring, and just plain awesome.  Okay, I may be a bit prejudice, but we are grandparents after all!

Grandson Evan with his sister Abbi

At this moment I am remembering the heroes of the September 11th attacks.  I am recalling the birth of our first grandchild.  I am remembering where my health used to be and where it is now, and I am remembering again our two years in The Philippines thanks to a young man named Eugene who crossed the ocean via satellite and came into my home to help out.

Our life becomes what we focus on and today I am focusing on the good.  I am blessed.

What Do You Think?

Yesterday Joel and I watched two hours worth of teaching by a self-proclaimed evangelist.  He was very charismatic, bringing humor into his preaching, but somewhere under the surface of his showmanship rose disturbing teachings of God's Word.  Very quickly we both became more than a little uncomfortable and upset, but we kept watching.  Why?  Because we both felt led by God to do so.

He spoke about God wanting to bless us richly with not just what we need but what we desire, and then went on to brag about living in the biggest house in the state of Louisiana-which a google search estimated to be a 36,000 square foot mansion. (That is not a type-o).  He spoke about how he is such a just man that he goes for days without sinning.  Okay, isn't bragging and being prideful a sin??  He also made what we considered to be anti- semantic jokes.  Not OK.

There was sound teaching woven into some of his message, but it did not erase the arrogance with which we felt he spoke.  And hearing the gospel used to promote personal financial gain was very disturbing, but we kept watching because we felt God had led us to so do.  This man is bringing the gospel to millions on TV and when he travels around the world.  On Monday he was a guest speaker at one of our favorite ministries. This in itself was disturbing.

The Bible tells us God wants the best for us.  He delights in us!  Rejoices over us. Does  the best include a mansion?  I struggle with that.  I find those who preach this kind of prosperity gospel ......okay, I will say it.......disgusting.......because I can't help but wonder how many average people who live on an average or below average income are providing for this man's lavish lifestyle.  I could be wrong.  We could be wrong. It could be our own "issues" getting in the way.   So we are leaving his message in God's hands and focusing on what God's message is for us.

We just have to get past our discomfort and disgust to figure it out!

Just what do you think of the prosperity gospel that is being preached by so many?  Let me know.....I would love to hear.

Count The Fish

I have been reading a book by Darlene Deibler Rose entitled "Evidence Not Seen".  She writes about her internment as a prisoner of war when the Japanese invaded New Guinea after bombing Pearl Harbor.  Newly married, and new to the mission field, they were eager to begin the work they felt God had for them.  World War II  brought a swift end to those plans and it also brought with it the death of her husband and four long years of suffering in an internment camp.  I have been humbled by the faith of these missionaries and more, who stood on God's promises in unbelievable tough times. 

I also watched  by video as Rick and Kay Warren spoke about how they are getting through the tough times since the death by suicide of their son Matthew four months ago.  Last Sunday they shard their pain and deep sorrow and what they are doing to walk through this tragedy.  They spoke about God  always loving us.  How God weeps with them, and how it is the enemy that took Matt from them, NOT God.  They are walking in hope, standing on God's promises and His love for them during extremely difficult times.

Today I read Monday's post at Ann Voskamp's Blog, A Holy Experience.  Another powerful writing on how we manage the pain, the struggles, the unwanted circumstances that we face in a broken world.  She shared the story of when Jesus told Peter and the others to go out in their boat again and throw their net down on the right side this time.  How their net was FULL but did not break when they obeyed Him and they came back with 153 fish. 

They counted the fish.  They counted the BLESSINGS that God had given them.  Just Like Ann invites all of us to do on a daily basis by keeping a list of the small, seemingly unimportant and the big things we can be grateful for.  How "counting the fish" keeps our focus on God and reminds us that we can trust Him every single day no matter what we face. 

In more ways than I realize , I expect these encounters today are speaking to me deep in my soul. God is gently reminding me to count the fish.  It seems too simple to be affective.  Just write down throughout the day all you observe and see them for what they are~ gifts from a loving God.  The Bible tells us over and over to praise Him.  Give thanks.  Keep your eyes upon Jesus.  Trust and obey.  

Count the fish.

It is all about perspective, and we have so much to be grateful for.  So. very. much.  And God in His infinite wisdom knows that as we praise and give thanks we are doubly blessed.  I am going to make a sign to frame and hang on our wall as a daily reminder from our loving G.od.

Count the fish.

Because Of And In Spite Of

As Baby Boomers, we have been blessed to see our children grow up to be responsible, caring, faith-full adults with loving spouses who have given us the greatest grandchildren in the world.  Okay, I might be a bit prejudice, but in all seriousness, we are so very grateful for who they are and Whose they are!  Children of the King!!

There are plenty of things we would have done differently in raising our kids, but we tried to instill in them a love for God and others.  We can look in the mirror and know we were good parents most of the time, and even though our role has shifted, we continue to try our best to be parents and grandparents that make our kids proud and grateful.

It was not all a bed of roses growing up in our family.  We have raised seven children (2 birth and 5 adopted) and also did therapeutic foster care at one time.  Some of our children came into the family carrying a lot of baggage. I was dealing with a mysterious debilitating illness that turned out to be Lyme and co-infections, and we were a pastor's family, which usually meant living in a fish bowl of some sort!

Our three younger children came older with too many challenges to name.  Our youngest daughter has made some important changes to her life, surviving a difficult past. Our younger two sons are gone......one from a virus that attacked his heart and caused his death at age 25 and the other from chosing a life of violence and abuse that made boundaries necessary. As an adult he eventually returned to his family of birth.

Joel and I used to wonder if the atmosphere in our home would turn our healthy kids away from our lifestyle.  We prayed it would not and it seems it has not.  Because of and in spite of it all, our four older are active in church and making sure their children are being raised to know Jesus.  They have a compassion for hurting children and those in need.

We also moved a lot, first as a military family and then as a pastor's family.  We went through a very traumatic extended time of stress when Joel's life was threatened by a dysfunctional man in one of our congregations.  Having the police guarding your home with guns drawn and whisking us out of town escorted by 6 police cars is not something children get over easily.  We stood firm through ongoing threats and concerns for six years and our faith was tested and strengthened.  As I said before, it was not always an easy life.

I do not want to sound like we are bragging.......we are just very thankful for the people our children have become.  They have not had perfect lives and they have each in their own way struggled at times like the rest of us.  I guess what I am trying to say is that God weaved His own plan into their lives.  And the trauma they went through as children, the ongoing difficulties with struggling siblings and a sick mom,  the moving around the country and across the world, seems to have helped shape them into being strong believers and people with purpose. Thank you Jesus.

We all have stories to tell of surviving and thriving.....because of and in spite of.  God is our strength!   He alone is our place of safety.  He has a plan for our lives that is for good and not for evil.  He hears our prayers and invites us to step out on the water with Him for a life of adventure and promise. We survive and we thrive......becoming strong believers and people with purpose.

Because of and in spite of.

Even Then...We Are So Very Blessed

"Let all that I am praise the Lord

with my whole heart I will praise His holy name.

Let all that I am praise the Lord

may I never forget the good things He does for me."

Psalm 103:1,2

I listened to a song on Debi's blog, Jeremiah 29:11, that spoke to what I wanted to write about today.... the chorus caught my attention:

"Even when the rain falls,

even when the floods start rising.....

even when the storm comes .....

I am washed by the water". 

A Bible teacher I listened to today spoke on the same thing.  It just resonated within me as I realized once again how very grateful I am for the many blessings God bestows on us, His children.   How many extras I have in my own life!

 EVEN at our WORST, 

EVEN in our WORST,

we are so very

BLESSED !

Trials come, the storms rage, discouragement raises its ugly head, and hope begins to evaporate.  Even when we are brought to our knees and are begging God for mercy.....Even then.....

At our very worst

 WE ARE SO VERY BLESSED!

Do we have a home to call our own?  Do we have a vehicle to drive, food to eat, clothes to wear?  Do we have someone who loves us? Do we have $15 in our pockets?   Do we have freedom to worship?  Bibles to read at our leisure?  Then we have much more than 75% of the world!

EVEN at our WORST

EVEN in our worst

WE are so very

BLESSED!

A Trip To The River

Yesterday we took a trip to the river!

Granted our river is only 3 blocks away by foot path

and one mile by car~

But it was the first time I had left our home in 28 days.

It felt wonderful!

Our cleaning lady was here so we grabbed my devotional basket

and headed out to the van for a short trip to the river park

where we drove in under a tree,

cracked the windows

took in the fresh air

and enjoyed the view of the river.

For at least 15 years whenever we would travel I would

take along with me my basket.

My handwoven basket holds my devotional books, a Bible,

a couple of tablets and pens and pencils.

It was made by a tribe that lives up in the mountains of Baguio

in The Philippines.

We spent 2 yrs living there.

I have had this basket for over 30 years

and carried it with me in the car for over 15,

The rest of the time it sits in my living room~

It is a companion so to speak~

It holds things most dear to me

It holds memories I cherish.

I have hope and dreams for the days ahead

when I can pack it up and travel once again.

For now I am just thankful I was able to take a trip to the river!

Delight In The Day

"Don't take a single day for granted. 

Take delight in each light-filled hour!"

Ecc. 11:8

The Message

Isn't this a great verse to start our day with~ I like to begin my days by saying a favorite verse..."This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.."  This verse in Ecc. that I read recently on a notecard,  goes right along with that. 

So often we get caught up in the busyness of life, no matter our age or abilities.  We often take our tomorrows for granted..or wish for tomorrow, losing what is offered to us today.  Certainly, there is a precious gift offered to us each day~ and as this verse implies, we can really find something to be delighted about every single hour.  We need only look around us to be inspired.

I can see my neighbor out trimming his lilac bushes while his sweet grandson plays at his feet.  I miss my own grandchildren so much, and am delighted to watch this little toddler move about, 

We have a bird feeder and hanging basket of flowers right outside our window to enjoy throughout the day.  So far I have seen finches, sparrows, cardinals, a morning dove and an Oriole eating there.  The squirrels have given us more than a few laughs, too, as they try to eat from the feeder. 

 I can look over and see our 11 yr old miniature schnauzer sleeping on the loveseat.  He brings me companionship every day.

The phone connects me to all those I love and care about around the country! 

 To my left is a pile of books I am reading and re-reading. Do we realize how many people do not own one single book?  I am so thankful to have a friend whom I call my "book fairy" who sends me book cards as special gifts. She has no idea the joy her gifts bring to me. 

 I can watch TV, turn on the radio, or put in a CD all at my fingertips.

Hearing the doctor tell me "everything looks normal" gives me more reason to delight in all the days I have been given.   

 My husband is on disability due to Lyme disease so he is home quite a bit of the time.  I love having him home and even though I do not desire for him to be sick, I truly delight in his company. 

My laptop connects me to the world and my blog to all of you.  I delight in knowing you and writing until my heart is content. 

 I could go on and on and on.....

Yes, each day is a gift from God.  Don't take a single one for granted.  DELIGHT in each light-filled hour!

An Old Irish Prayer

Deep peace of the running waves to you.

Deep peace of the flowing air to you.

Deep peace of the smiling stars to you.

Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.

~~~~~~~

Deep peace of the watching shepherds to you

Deep peace of the Son of Peace to you.

~~~~~~~