Within

Last week God used this verse I've been praying with for months to show me his protection around me when I choose to live in him. He holds up his arms to take the beatings aimed at me.

Dear Lord,
Thank you for the stripes you took on my behalf. To me, they have come to mean healing in invisible places. They mean my pain is deflected by your love. They mean that no matter how much I think I'm hurting, I will never bear the full force of agony intended for me. In the name of your sweet son, let that healing continue to flow into diseased bodies and diseased minds. Let your grace cover over diseased lives. Let us learn to step out from behind our bars to hide within your stripes. As always, I thank you for your continuing healing of Arlene and for the privilege to come to you with our needs. Bless Arlene and Barry today, may they be given many more year to take the stripes of your son behind the bars of man-made prisons. Be glorified in us. I remain within your stripes.
Thank you.

Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Spanking Good Times!

My friend was telling a story about her childhood and it was so grand I had to repeat. If only I'd heard this principle of discipline seventeen or so years ago....
Dee's dad would spank them with a paddle. Every time a child got a spanking, a mark was recorded. At the end of the month, whomever had the most marks got a bonus whack for good measure!
Brilliant!

Yes, it's true. I spanked daboyz. Get over it.

Tagged!! Argh!

So Kathy tags me something about eight random facts about me, which should be riveting. Since basically I give you at least ten random facts every Saturday and several bonuses throughout the week. Which reminds me; why do you keep coming back here?
In case you're wondering why Kathy would bother to tag me being that I never call her; consider the picture on your left. That's K with the funky hair cut and me being infantile. Clearly, she adores me.

1. I am chronically constipated. Interestingly; we have a secretary named Michelle filling in while our secretary Marsha is on vacation. I have pooped every day since Michelle has been at work.
2. I have insomnia too. This is from spending the night with Kathy as a child; resulting in hypervigilance carrying over from being told that there are aliens landing in the back yard or being convinced to go "ask grandma for a midnight snack" resulting in worse terror than the alien invasion. I have PTSD now.
3. I have recently realized I look like the mail man as played by Fred Astaire in Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.
4. I invented Margie.
5. My mom promised me a hamster when we moved to our new house when I was in the seventh grade. My mom is a liar.
6. I really want to work in the prison system on a forensic unit.
7. There may be a hit on me as we speak. Checking my bed for a horse head on a daily basis.
8. I wouldn't mind being an assassin.
9. My head always hurts. Probably it's sad from being attached to my Fred Astaire claymation face.
10. I inadvertantly posted nine facts but refused to post the rules so all in all; I did a poor job of responding to the tag. I also am not tagging 8 people. If you read this; you're tagged.
Please be sure to include your bowel pattern in your responses.

July 29, 2007

Pslam 74:16, 17 The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon. It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter.

About Summer

1. Too short.
2. Grilled hotdogs & hamburgers.
3. Feels like vacation even when you're working.
4. No snow on my car in the morning.
5. Not freezing constantly.
6. Fresh green beans, corn, tomatoes...
7. Sunny mornings.
8. Sunny evenings.
9. Smell of freshly mowed grass.
10. Up north.

Salmonella

If on Thursday, you bring your salmon LeanCuisine to eat for lunch and do not eat it. And if you put the frozen entree in the fridge at work and not in the freezer. And if on Friday you decide to eat it. And if you remove it from the fridge and notice it is no longer frozen. And if you eat it anyway.
You will have a bad stomach ache after work on Friday.
Stupid unfrozen salmon LeanCuisine.

Striped

Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

How much pain do we carry around because we simply forget to live within the stripes?
Or maybe because we are so proud of our stripes that we kind of like to show them off? Battle scars anyone?

Good Grief

All of life's worries and tragedies have lately been boiled down to a single statement, "God is good." My choices and judgement are not always good. My instinct and reactions are usually not good. Sometimes, other people aren't good.
But God is good. You think about that enough, you come down to one conclusion.
It's all good.

2 Samuel 7:28 O Sovereign LORD, you are God! Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant.

Hate Me If You Must

Sometimes there is just nothing you can do to make things right. Sometimes, you aren't even the one who made them wrong. I've been thinking about this lately. There are people who I just can't make happy and in fact some people who openly hate me. I can't fix anything. I know I hold no blame and yet it feels like I'm drying up from the inside from the heat of someone else's anger. It would almost be easier if I was the wrong-doer, at least then there would be something for me to undo.
The good thing about bad days is that they always end with me getting serious about talking to Jesus. After several in a row the Lord pushed aside the various ugly emotions that were swirling around me like a dark hurricane and got down to the truth. I don't need to accept the condemnation or attacks of any man if my heart is right with God. I can walk away with my head high and take my joy from knowing I am right with heaven.
In the case of those who want to hate us for reasons we can't control, it's just not our problem. You don't have to like me. You can even concentrate all the energy of life on wanting to destroy me. In the end; it's your spirit that dies a little more every day.
I don't negotiate with terrorists. So I'm done thinking about this.
Jesus loves me, this I know.

1 Corinthians 4:2-4 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.

Nothing But the Blood

I am starting a new study that will expand on something I taught many years ago as a youth leader; the blood of Christ. I feel that God is leading me to help format a study that ultimately teaches the foundations of Christianity and I am starting with the significance of blood. When I delved into this often spoken but rarely understood aspect of salvation years ago, I was shocked at how much I myself didn't really appreciate about the significance of this concept to redemption.
So today I'm again, asking you for a few things.
Will you pray for me as I start to create this foundations of Christianity teaching series that God would be in it, give me wisdom and use this to reach those already Christians but lacking understanding as well as those not yet converted?
Secondly, I am looking for your input. Whether you have accepted the blood of Christ for your own salvation or not; what do you understand or not understand about the significance of blood to Christianity?

Romans 3:25 God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—

July 22, 2007

Isaiah 25:9 In that day they will say, "Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the LORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation."

On The Bright Side

1. Got some flowers from my girl Margie; thanks sweet pea! You made my day.
2. Went out for a dinner date with the Mr. last night.
3. Lost three pounds.
4. Finally found a pair of shoes that feel good for work; New Balance.
5. Court is over! Don't ask.
6. Boss bought everybody lunch at work.
7. Excited about a new Bible study I'm starting.
8. Really felt Jesus all week.
9. Not constipated!
10. Beautiful weather for the weekend.

Hidden

Psalm 27: 5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.

Today God, I come to you and ask you to hide me. You are my strong tower and within you, I am safe. I ask you to set your angels as guard around me. Let my enemies be confused and defeated before they even begin to come against me. Let those who would harm me lose interest in me. Let my life serve only to glorify you and allow no man to interfere with your will. If there are brothers and sisters today in battle, I ask you to hide them as well. Give us shelter oh God, in your dwelling place. Let us stand in the shadow of the Most High. Let the world see only you when they look on us so that our enemies would be driven back and the lost would be drawn to your throne. I am yours, completely. Amen.

Power

Psalm 77: 11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
Has God ever failed you? Do you have anything at all you could tell us about that he did in addition to saving you (which is quite enough!)?
I was worrying about a few different things when it occurred to me that I was trying to earn the right to God taking care of me. Can't be done. It's only because I am his that I dare ask for his favor. The cool thing is that when I started thinking back over all the times I have been saved from myself and circumstances despite my unworthiness, I started praising him all over again.
Praise is power, in case you didn't know.
Today I am not going to ask for anything. I am just going to praise my God.

He Touched Me

Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed

On Sunday I woke up hungry to praise. I turned on the radio to our local Christian station because I couldn't wait to get to church for worship. Being Sunday morning, the station was turned over to various churches and Sunday morning programs. None of these were representative of the modern worship music I listen to. I almost flipped it off but paused for just a moment, a memory of my heart made me take in what I was hearing. An old song from childhood. A church full of people with arms raised. Cool air around us, an organ and piano the only accompaniment. An agreement being sung together by believers. The sound of my childhood. Of days with my parents and sister; Barry and Arlene and so many others. The song I needed then is the song that defines me today. And so I stood again to worship with the familiar refrain.
Sing with me.

He touched me, O he touched me,
And O the joy that floods my soul!
Something happened, and now I know,
He touched me and made me whole.

Shackled By a Heavy burden,
'Neath a load of guilt and shame,
Then the hand of Jesus touched me,
And now I am no longer the same.

He touched me, O he touched me,
And O the joy that floods my soul!
Something happened, and now I know,
He touched me and made me whole.

Since I met this Blessed Savior,
Since he cleansed and made me whole,
I will never cease to Praise him;
I'll shout it while eternity rolls.

He touched me, O he touched me,
And O the joy that floods my soul!
Something happened, and now I know,
He touched me and made me whole.

No Weapon

Isaiah 54: 17 ...no weapon forged against you will prevail,and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me," declares the LORD.

What tries to destroy you?
My emotions usually lead the attack. My eating takes their lead. My faith grows weak. I get tired of praying and try to just gut it out. I start fighting my own battles without deciding to.
I'm in a warfare state of mind this week. It came over me Sunday morning and I welcomed it. The righteous anger of realizing that satan has dared to try to come against me finally rose up inside of me. Fear got pushed so far into the background that it disappeared. My God is mighty to save.
I am standing, speaking and living the word of the Lord in bold letters this week. There is no need to add anything to them. I spend too much time trying to figure things out when it's already been written, in the Bible and across my soul.
NO WEAPON formed against me will prevail.
I am bullet-proof.
Hell can give whatever it's got. I am in Christ so I'll tell you what, those who want to hurt me or mine; disease that tries to settle in and define our future; doubt that tries to steal our potential...you have just been given notice.
Bring it.

Cowboy Up

2 Corinthians 10:4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

I'm looking at a week of war in front of me. I have some stuff that just won't go away at work to deal with. I have friends fighting a variety of battles. I am so grateful to be reminded that I am a warrior by nature, and victor by blood right.

I do hope that satan is reading my blog. Here is a message just for him...

Step off loser.

Sincerely,
The Army of the Lord

Garden Party

I come to the garden alone, While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear, The Son of God discloses

And He walks with me, And He talks with me, And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever known

He speaks and the sound of His voice, Is so sweet the birds hush their singing
And the melody that He gave to me, Within my heart is ringing

And He walks with me, And He talks with me, And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever known

I'd stay in the garden with Him',Tho the night around me be falling
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe, His voice to me is calling

And He walks with me, And He talks with me, And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever known
- Words and Music by Charles Austin Miles, 1913

Happy birthday to woman who has tended the garden of her family for over forty years. Thank you for the soil of Christ in which you planted my life.
I didn’t write this old hymn, I’m giving it to you for your birthday anyway.
We love you!

I Enjoy...

1. Them rotisserie chickens what you buy pre-cooked at the grocery store.
2. My new kicky haircut.
3. Moisturizing lotion with a hint of tanner.
4. The new books my friend at work let me borrow.
5. Entertainment Weekly.
6. Seinfeld reruns.
7. Open windows.
8. Digital cameras.
9. Painting my toe nails but not my finger nails.
10. "I"ll Be" by Edwin McCain

Interceding

“Discernment is God's call to intercession, never to faultfinding.” Corrie Ten Boom

Do you ever look at someone and realize immediately that there's something a little "off" there? Are you a good judge of character? Good instinct? Trust your gut?
When someone lies, do you kind of know it somewhere deep down? Can you "read" people?
Maybe you are a good judge of character, as the saying goes.
I'd say I am all of the above. I'm rarely proven wrong. That's not boasting, it just is. One of the aspect of the abilities God has given me so I can do what he made me to do. I do know this gift, if that's what it is, causes me some times of tension and even debate. The debate is, once I know someone is a little shifty, why do I still stay involved with them?
Believe it or not, Christians have a definite tendency to back away from the problem children out there. Some part of us (some of us at least) is still hooked on consequences while we're living on grace. I'm not above doing the same. It's a sincerely generated idea that with a little pain, we'll learn not to repeat our mistakes. It isn't entirely a crazy idea.
Then again, I have found the most satisfying relationships I have with people are grounded in recognizing the person with their luggage. Not increasing my suspicion or looking through their purse while they're in the bathroom. I have a current favorite saying, "It is what it is." This is entirely liberating relationally.
No one who refuses to see the hidden side of the heart can help shed light there. It is our particular challenge to shed light to dispel the darkness instead of to reveal the sinner. Such a subtle thing, yet so enormous.
Are you a good judge of character? Could you use that insight to pray for and love the shifty characters you discover? Let it be a call to intercession when we realize some heart is far from God.

Brushgate

You may recall the Mr.'s recent frustration at having found his toothbrush in the shower only to learn that Jay has been using it at his leisure. This prompted said Mr. to replace his toothbrush and give stern warning that persons must use their own personal brushes from now on.
Well, yesterday I noticed there were three toothbrushes in the toothbrush holder. Four people live here. No one could identify which brush was missing. Or when it disappeared. Or for that matter, which brush they believe to be their own. Except me, mine's pink.
So we had another toothbrush tirade followed by four new replacement brushes, strict toothbrush assignment and threats of severe beatings for those who do not abide by the expected toothbrush guidelines.
This is a high tension household we live in. No wonder I'm so tired.
Proverbs 3:1 My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments...

Supply

Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

We were upnorth grocery shopping in the only grocery store north of Saginaw, namely Glen's. It's a nice enough store but a bit pricier than those closer to home. I guess they figure they have the market cornered, being the only corner market within a two hour drive.
Anyhoo, was walking down the aisle when lo and behold! A gluten-free section! Not a large one, but just about as much to offer as the one in my local Kroger! This may not seem like much to you, but in this family it's comparable to manna from heaven. We have had two choices when headed up north for Jay; extreme creativity (aka boring meals of meat and taters) or packing a giant box of groceries to haul with us. Either option would ultimately leave me, at some point in the week, frustrated because some necessary item had been forgotten or couldn't be found. Yeah, I'll admit to a few trips to the porch swing to sniffle at my inability to deal with my son's disease.
As of the present moment, Glen's gluten-free offerings coupled with my own ongoing education about how to feed the boy; the world is his gluten-free oyster. I can make cornbread or brownies. I can fry chicken in corn meal and whip up some peanut butter cookies. And this time, no sniffles on the swing. It's a big deal, trust me. This year the kid ate and ate and ate. This year we stopped at Zhender's in Frankenmuth for lunch on the way home and I had remembered to put some gluten-free bread into my purse so he could enjoy the fresh raspberry preserves and cheese spreads that he usually sits patiently by watching us eat. No knot in my stomach.
It's getting easier to live with this nasty disease that I still refuse to accept. God is providing the means of escape he always does for his children. On the way home daboyz took turn riding shotgun and I sat in back. When it was Jay and I in the back after our big Bavarian lunch, he laid sideways on the seat and put his head in my lap, "I'm stuffed and sleepy." I put my hand on his head which is what I do whenever I get the chance to say a silent prayer over his or his brother's life. And of course, in Jay's case the prayer always includes a request for healing. Then I noticed his tummy just the slightest big protruding over the waist of his size 32 jeans and I grinned. This too, a big deal.
God does indeed supply all of our needs according to his riches. And sometimes, the riches are gluten- free. And oh, the glory of it!

Hair I Come Again

Whilst purchasing hair products at Bo Rics's; I noticed a special on body/facial waxing. This begs the question; is one better to be hairy in need of denuding or nude in need of hair?
I am nigh on hair-free. No moustache, sparse arm hair, three leg hairs total and all existing hair is blond and relatively transparent. My pit hair (yes, we're going there) is not worth mentioning although I shave that daily being that I am not a yeti. I do not pluck my eye brows except for the stray ones that pop up on occasion beneath the brow line, I am forced to draw them in daily with my handy dandy Sofia Shish Kafka Target brow pencil. My head-hairs are fine, heavy and oppositional.
So here, my friends, is the question...is it better to have hair that needs removing or none to begin with? I'm thinking you waxers out there have the better deal.
Preach on sistas.

Genesis 27:11 Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, "But my brother Esau is a hairy man, and I'm a man with smooth skin.

Michigan to Alabama & Back

The Mr. and Mac left right after church on Sunday for the 12 hour drive to Alabama. Dean's parent's moved there from Michigan just after Mac was born. Last year they made the trip here for Jay's graduation party but this year they weren't up to the drive for Mac and so my men are headed South.
Dean's dad will be eighty in a few months and his mom is not in good health. For the first several years they lived in Alabama, they would come back this way to see family (Dean's grandmother lives here, as do his aunts). As time has gone by, it's become harder and Dean has tried to make it there at least every few years. Now, there is an unspoken urgency for him. Now, we aren't sure year by year what the future holds. Will this be the "last time?" Morbid but reality at this stage in life. So he goes.
Jay and I have to work so it's just Dean and Mac on the road. They will visit a few days and head back on Wednesday so Mac can register for classes on Thursday. It'll be a quick and tiring trip. I suspect that it will be as emotionally taxing as it will be physically. Dean said to me, "I think this will be a sad trip." I hope not. But my parents are younger and healthier and they live three blocks away. I imagine that saying good bye now for Dean and his folks will always be with a little sadness and wondering...
Please pray for safe travel to and from Alabama. Pray for a good visit, whatever that might mean to the entire family.
Maybe today we can all take a moment to pray for families. Whether it's aging parents or rebellious teenagers; it only hurts because of love.
May God bless your family today.

Proverbs 17: 6 Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.

July 8, 2007

Psalm 4:6 Many are asking, "Who can show us any good?" Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD.

Pet Names

1. Superman
2. Underpants
3. Fidel
4. Snoopy (for a cat)
5. Guidot
6. Lew (for Lewiston and CS Lewis)
7. Levi (both a denim trouser and a high priest!)
8. Metro (southdog or cat)
9. Blues (we've had Jazz already)
10.Your vote here!

Super Man & Underpants

Whilst up north daboyz and I assaulted the Mr. continously with demands for a new pet. Actually, before we went up north Mac and I forced said Mr. to check out three different pet stores. He stands firm, no more pets! Probably! Maybe a smallish dog! Ok, we'll get a dog!
So we went to a pet shop and chose a kitten.
The Mr. does not want a cat, kitten or otherwise. He is allergic. Wimp. Mac thinks that this is an emotional cat reaction or else his dad is faking just to make us sad. The particular cat in question was named Candy (that must change immediately!) and was very sweet and lonesome hermetically sealed in the Petsmart Adopt-a-Pet box. Mac and I asked if we could simply rub Candy on him to see if he had a reaction. He refused. Jerk.
So up north we went badgering him with pet demands. We thought a cat would be fun because we've never had one and they are rather lower maintenance than a dog being that we are all coming and going constantly around here. He still refuses to even consider the cat rub test.
When we got to the cottage there were dogs a'plenty as they run free around Moon Lake and hang out at whatever cottage seems the friendliest at the moment. In particular this year were two dogs that were having a grand time together. A golden retriever and a white Jack Russell looking thing. Not knowing their names, we immediately dubbed them Super Man and Underpants respectively.
Being currently dogless we were hungry for a little canine company and so when Super Man and Underpants went whipping past the front windows, I went outside and called them with the internationally recognized dog call, "Hey you guys!"
They stopped immediately and came up on the porch for a little visit. They were very wet and smelly having recently gone swimming in Moon Lake. Super Man's long hair was muddy and caked but Underpants, being shorter-furred was drying more quickly. Super Man was clearly the senior of the duo and immediately settled in to bond with us by falling straight to sleep in mid-pet. Mac immediately fell in love with him.
Underpants was still quite the puppy and trotted around the porch and eventually, into the cottage. Don't tell my mom.
The Mr. gave them each a marshmallow. Super Man rolled around on his and fell back to sleep without indulging. Underpants ate both. They enjoyed a bowl of cold water. Don't tell my mom that either. (And mom, if you're reading...guess which bowl they drank from? Heh heh heh)
Later that day they came back 'round for another visit clomping onto the porch and appearing in the sliding glass doors. But! What's this then? Bloody paw prints! Underpants is injured! After several minutes of discussion and close assessment, we decided he was strong enough to walk it off but not before trailing red Underpants prints all over the porch. I think you'd dance a Cha Cha if you went out there and followed them. Off they went for more adventures.
I hosed off the porch and the prints pretty much faded away. Later in the day the pair was seen chasing one another off into the woods several times.
I am jealous of the people who get to live with Super Man and Underpants. I wish they were my dogs. Again, the Mr. would not let me keep them. Even just Underpants, who would've fit nicely in the back seat. Jerk.
I didn't get to take a pic of them because the next day they were no where to be found. Off to another adventure on the other side of the lake, I'm sure.
But let me tell you, if you ever need a dog fix, drive to Moon Lake and look them up.

p.s. I did not meet the above pictured dogs although from the background, I am pretty sure they live in Lewiston. I'm going to keep my eyes out. I am so bringing them home when I find them.

Good Morning, Summer

It's Thursday morning, our first back after our mini-vacation up north. Jay will head to work this afternoon but the Mr. and I are still off for a few more days. As usual, I'm the first one awake. Have had one cup of coffee and I'm on to my second. It's almost seventy degrees here at 8:15 this morning and I've opened the windows wide and pushed back the curtains. It's my own little corner of the day. Once the Mr. and daboyz are up and around, the windows will be slammed shut, air will be cranked high and the quiet will flee to parts unknown.
This morning, home with everyone, has me thinking about my plans of childhood. Does one ever outgrow the child's perspective of summertime really being meant for three month's off? It always assaults my sensibilities that I, or my children, should work during the dog days. As for the Mr., his working doesn't bother me ;)
Back in my little girl days, the plan for many years was to become a school teacher. I never changed the plan so much as didn't plan to fulfill it very well and it rather slipped through my fingers. Young marriage, babies right away and lack of determination on my part kind of pushed the teacher plan back into a place where it wasn't so much a plan as a wish, and then a sigh for unfulfilled dreams. This morning I was again reminded that people should not get up and go to work on muggy breezy summer mornings. They should sip coffee and then slowly rouse themselves to gardening, walks and grilling dinner in the twilight. It all fits quite nicely if one is a teacher who has summers off, as God intended. Perhaps a short jaunt to a local state park for a beach-side picnic or on a very hot day, a stroll around a cool cavernous museum. Ahh, this was all the stuff that was supposed to be.
Well, come Monday morning at 5:00 my alarm clock will sound and it's into scrubs and back to the hospital at which I never planned to work. And the remainder of Monday through Fridays of summer will be sacrificed to nursing. Summer will roll away into Fall, Winter, Spring...the demarcation between the seasons is no longer announced with holiday vacations or bulletin boards to announce the changes. All the stuff that was supposed to decorate my life has been relegated to childhood thoughts on a top bunk during summers off.
I won't tell you that on humid summer mornings like this, I don't have a plate of regret with my coffee. Happily, God is a good God and so what he gave me despite myself is a job I enjoy with people I like that pays pretty good for an unemployed school teacher masquerading as a nurse. I don't dread going to work in the mornings. I'm proud of myself for what I've done with my days.
I'll tell you a little secret, I suspect that this is indeed God's plan. I don't know why he'd make such a plan. But since I've always been his, I am subject to his hand on my life and have more than once realized he steered me away from my own daydreams into the reality I was born for. This is the glory of Christianity. To live in this day and know it has been planned all along by someone greater than myself. It is a life that allows summer morning second thoughts to roll away and peace to settle in. Because I am his, even my missteps are figured in the map that leads me home.
This morning I'm thinking about regrets and deciding that on a such a special day there are better ways to spend my time. Being that these perfect summer mornings are so few and precious to a working girl like myself, I won't waste it on wishing but on gratitude for the moment. I think regret was made to turn us back to Jesus so we would be spared the weight of it.
As the world awakens to these precious warm and breezy mornings, I realize I have nothing to regret. It takes up moments meant for worship.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Pic: Northern Michigan sky over Lewiston. Summer morning, 2006

Happy Fourth!

hey guys,
we're home from the great northern michigan wilderness; aka my parents' cottage! had a very quiet and restful few days. not really ready to head home but working man jay has to return to the job tomorrow. think i'll spend tomorrow doing some much needed housework catch-up. we're tired from driving but feeling a little less weary than a few days ago. will write more later. think i'll go do some blog hopping to see what you guys have been up to!

for arlene:
Isaiah 53:5
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.