Saturday, May 30, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
morning pages
My daughter Carrie sent this to me this week in an email. I thought it was such a powerful picture of Christ's love for us that it was worthy of sharing ...
At church on Sunday the pastor shared an email that I want to pass along to you. A woman was a part of a Bible Study and after reading Malachi 3:3 another woman asked a question. The verse reads, "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver..."The woman asked, "What is that? What does it mean to refine silver?" So the woman who wrote the email said that she would find out everything she could about refining silver and she would bring the info back to the group next week.She proceeded to call a silver smith and without telling him why, she asked if she could come and witness his work. He agreed and the next day she went to his shop.She watched as he took a piece of silver held it in the center of an open flame."The hottest part of the fire!" he exclaimed, "that's where it needs to be." She sat quietly and watched when she spoke again she asked,"When do you know it is done?"He smiled, "Oh, that's easy. When I can see my image in it!"I haven't ever heard an example that brought me to my knees, like this one.It was obvious that the pastor thought it was important to make two points.
1. the silver being held in the middle of the fire. (aka. the hottest part)
2. that the silver is fully purified when he can see his image in the silver I got an extra point out of this beautiful picture.
I closed my eyes and imagined my God sitting there holding me in the center of a fire. What came to mind was God's knuckles. When I saw them I noticed that there wasn't any hair on his knuckles.Strange you may think but I have a point.He is right there holding me in the fire, he is feeling the heat of my circumstances,emotions, frustrations, valley's and mountaintops.I have always known that "God is with me."But now I know it in a pure form of this picture of a God that is in it with me!
Holding me In His Arms, B.
morning pages
My daughter Carrie sent this to me this week in an email. I thought it was such a powerful picture of Christ's love for us that it was worthy of sharing ...
At church on Sunday the pastor shared an email that I want to pass along to you. A woman was a part of a Bible Study and after reading Malachi 3:3 another woman asked a question. The verse reads, "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver..."The woman asked, "What is that? What does it mean to refine silver?" So the woman who wrote the email said that she would find out everything she could about refining silver and she would bring the info back to the group next week.She proceeded to call a silver smith and without telling him why, she asked if she could come and witness his work. He agreed and the next day she went to his shop.She watched as he took a piece of silver held it in the center of an open flame."The hottest part of the fire!" he exclaimed, "that's where it needs to be." She sat quietly and watched when she spoke again she asked,"When do you know it is done?"He smiled, "Oh, that's easy. When I can see my image in it!"I haven't ever heard an example that brought me to my knees, like this one.It was obvious that the pastor thought it was important to make two points.
1. the silver being held in the middle of the fire. (aka. the hottest part)
2. that the silver is fully purified when he can see his image in the silver I got an extra point out of this beautiful picture.
I closed my eyes and imagined my God sitting there holding me in the center of a fire. What came to mind was God's knuckles. When I saw them I noticed that there wasn't any hair on his knuckles.Strange you may think but I have a point.He is right there holding me in the fire, he is feeling the heat of my circumstances,emotions, frustrations, valley's and mountaintops.I have always known that "God is with me."But now I know it in a pure form of this picture of a God that is in it with me!
Holding me In His Arms, B.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Monday May 25, 2009Morning Pages
A picture thought I am sharing with you ... hard to believe this was already 2 years ago!
Outside my window ... I am enjoying the green, green, grass of summer
I am thinking ... about how excited I am to spend the afternoon with my family
From the Learning Rooms ... I have learned that one cannot spend a whole 3-day weekend studying
I am thankful for ... a new grand baby on the way
From my kitchen ... bacon, eggs and toast made by my awesome husband
I am wearing ... black shorts (with a black belt) red hand-me-down shirt from my daughter Carrie that says "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" and bare feet
I am reading ... the last 5 pages of YaYa Prayer Group Gets Tough
I am hoping ... to loose some weight this summer
I am creating ... absolutely nothing
I am praying ... for those who have lost loved ones fighting for my freedom
Around the house ... I hear the washing machine washing the white load
One of my favorite things ... is bike riding in the summer
A few plans for the rest of the week ... send cards to friends, school work and pick up a new novel to read
Saturday, May 23, 2009
I simply...
... see a bird trying to go into the bird house in my backyard.
... hear the sound of the microwave saying my chai is ready to drink.
... smell my candle in front of me on the kitchen table (a mother's day gift from my only son).
... taste Trader Joe's strawberry jam on gluten-free toast.
... touch the page of my Bible turning to proverbs 23.
... hear the sound of the microwave saying my chai is ready to drink.
... smell my candle in front of me on the kitchen table (a mother's day gift from my only son).
... taste Trader Joe's strawberry jam on gluten-free toast.
... touch the page of my Bible turning to proverbs 23.
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Tuesday Thoughts
There was a sadness and a hurt that overwhelmed me last night at class ... then today I was reminded that in peace I will both lie down and sleep for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety and in truth!
Finding myself In His Arms again, B.
Finding myself In His Arms again, B.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Morning Pages
As one of Jesus' followers when I read this devotional by Anne Graham Lotz this morning I was struck by the fact that I really want this to be my prayer as I continue to learn to follow Him. I want to serve Him and by serving Him serve others, my husband, my children, my grandchildren, my extended family, my friends, my students, my co-workers with this in mind that Nothing more than being with and doing for Jesus matters!
Jesus encouraged His disciples by promising, "where I am, my servant also will be." There is nothing in this world that I desire more than the presence of Jesus in my life.
Nothing . . .
not houses or honors or health,
not cars or careers or children,
not money or marriage or ministry,
not fame or family or freedom,
not promotion or pleasures or position,
not strength or success,
not ability or achievement,
not even love or life itself.
Nothing!
Constantly striving to be In His Arms, B.
Morning Pages
As one of Jesus' followers when I read this devotional by Anne Graham Lotz this morning I was struck by the fact that I really want this to be my prayer as I continue to learn to follow Him. I want to serve Him and by serving Him serve others, my husband, my children, my grandchildren, my extended family, my friends, my students, my co-workers with this in mind that Nothing more than being with and doing for Jesus matters!
Jesus encouraged His disciples by promising, "where I am, my servant also will be." There is nothing in this world that I desire more than the presence of Jesus in my life.
Nothing . . .
not houses or honors or health,
not cars or careers or children,
not money or marriage or ministry,
not fame or family or freedom,
not promotion or pleasures or position,
not strength or success,
not ability or achievement,
not even love or life itself.
Nothing!
Constantly striving to be In His Arms, B.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Happy Spring!
Monday April 13, 2009
Well it is getting to be spring in Minnesota and I thought I would update my blog with this precious picture of my 3 grandchildren! I loved spending time with them last week in TX and I hope you enjoy the update!
Annika 1 year
Prudence 10 weeks
Sidney 19 months
Well it is getting to be spring in Minnesota and I thought I would update my blog with this precious picture of my 3 grandchildren! I loved spending time with them last week in TX and I hope you enjoy the update!
Annika 1 year
Prudence 10 weeks
Sidney 19 months
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Love Sunday, Especially Easter Sunday (Questions to Probe My Soul towards a deeper Love Relationship with my Risen Savior)
OK, so now I am currently reading Humility True Greatness and I came across an author who I looked up on the web today ... this author pointed me to another author (Whitefield) and these questions by George Whitefield.
Probe Your Soul with Questions
George Whitefield (1714-1770) was "the best-known evangelist of the eighteenth century and one of the greatest itinerant preachers in the history of Protestantism." Before he retired each night, he opened his journal and probed his soul with questions such as these he'd placed in the flyleaf:
Have I,
Been fervent in prayer?
After or before every deliberate conversation or action, considered how it might tend to God's glory?
After any pleasure, immediately given thanks?
Planned business for the day?
Been simple and recollected in everything?
Been meek, cheerful, affable in everything I said or did?
Been proud, vain, unchaste, or enviable of others?
Recollected in eating and drinking? Thankful? Temperate in sleep?
Thought or spoken unkindly of anyone?
Confessed all sins?
It seemed to be something I wanted to remember so I choose to copy and paste the journal ideas which are indeed soul searching questions on my blog rather than just posting them in my personal journal. I post also in hopes that these questions to be asked by me at the end of the day may spur others on to think more deeply and to allow me more accountability for my words and deeds.
For the "pleasure" of family time, Thank You Father! The past week I have throughly enjoyed ... children, grandchildren, celebrating Annika's first birthday in TX, reading, writing and more reading and writing ... I could choose to be "down" today knowing that this time is coming to a quick end as I am done with spring break tomorrow and back to work, and school with less time to spend with family and doing what I love best reading and writing or I can choose this day and tomorrow and here after to look forward to what is ahead walks with Terry ... adding a daughter to my family ... another grandchild ... (Carrie's pg with baby number 2) ... Adam's graduation from Teen Challenge ... and on it goes ...
I choose to look forward to the days ahead and all that God has in store for me and my precious family.
Father, as I probe my soul, just for today, may I be mindful to be "humble and contrite in spirit." Is 66:2
Constantly running into Your arms for confession, and forgiveness because You were forsaken!
He is Risen!
He is Risen Indeed!
A very Blessed Easter to All! B.
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Howdy-Hi from sunny Texas
Hey All,
I almost forgot to blog about the news we received before coming to TX. Our family is growing. We will soon receive into our family another daughter. No, I am not pregnant ... smile but I am excited to share with you that our son Adam is engaged to a beautiful young women, who then becomes our daughter ( I don't really think in terms of in-laws). This is how to grow a family when you are 57 years young.
I am so excited to see this relationship between Adam and Renee grow to where they are so in love with the Lord and each other.
You see this is the way I have prayed for my children for years. That God would allow them to meet just the right person He has intended for them. I have seen amazing growth in my son Adam and my future daughter Renee in the last year! They have been wholeheartedly dependent on God through the many hardships their lives have taken through treatment at Teen Challenge. I have never seen a partner so committed to someone quite like Renee and I am happy to see, no matter how hard the last year has been for them that God has carried them through together and I look forward to all God has in store for them in the future.
Continuing to rejoice in the fact that "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." 3 John verse 4
In His Arms again and again, B.
I almost forgot to blog about the news we received before coming to TX. Our family is growing. We will soon receive into our family another daughter. No, I am not pregnant ... smile but I am excited to share with you that our son Adam is engaged to a beautiful young women, who then becomes our daughter ( I don't really think in terms of in-laws). This is how to grow a family when you are 57 years young.
I am so excited to see this relationship between Adam and Renee grow to where they are so in love with the Lord and each other.
You see this is the way I have prayed for my children for years. That God would allow them to meet just the right person He has intended for them. I have seen amazing growth in my son Adam and my future daughter Renee in the last year! They have been wholeheartedly dependent on God through the many hardships their lives have taken through treatment at Teen Challenge. I have never seen a partner so committed to someone quite like Renee and I am happy to see, no matter how hard the last year has been for them that God has carried them through together and I look forward to all God has in store for them in the future.
Continuing to rejoice in the fact that "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." 3 John verse 4
In His Arms again and again, B.
Monday, April 06, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
evening pages
On Sunday of last week I asked the children's prayer team to pray for me because as my Pastor said that morning I had a desire for "the real gospel to provide transformational change in the believer" me of course, being the believer he was speaking of.
I then e-mailed a friend to let her know that I was turning off the TV from Monday-Friday. I told her about my decision to turn off the TV and about how I had asked my kids to pray for me ... then I told my friend I was going on vacation and was looking for some books to read in addition to the Word, as this friend believes in reading, living, and applying the gospel first before extra circular reading. I also knew that I wanted to be in the word more and wanted to grow in the word more .... so might I just add that I wholeheartedly agree with this position to prioritize the reading of the Word of God first!
When I met up with her after work last Tuesday she asked what type of reading I was looking for ... "something good for my heart, my mind, or my hands?" I said I was not sure so ... she recommended one book saying she might be using it this summer to pour into her leaders. (something she does very well by the way). The book Humility by C.J. Mahaney. Then she handed me another book Crazy Love by Fancis Chan and said she had not read it but had heard it was good ... she said I could borrow it but not mark it up ... she knows me every so well!
So then I am about to walk out of her office door when she stops me to say," Oh I have this book too ... I've read most of it she says" ... I took one look at the title and said I'll take it too ... the title Worldliness, Resisting the Seduction of a Fallen World, edited by C. J. Mahaney.
Just to give you a glimpse into this last book which is the one I choose to read first ... The entire book is based on one Bible verse that is indeed in your Bible too
"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world the love of the Father is not in him." 1 John 2:13
Can I just prompt you to pick up the book and read it too ... it has become an answer to the children's prayer for God to allow transformational change in my life. I am so excited at what the Lord has done this past week both through the word and the reading of this book and others provided to me from my friend ...
In His Arms reading His Word and books written by and for His people ... B.
evening pages
On Sunday of last week I asked the children's prayer team to pray for me because as my Pastor said that morning I had a desire for "the real gospel to provide transformational change in the believer" me of course, being the believer he was speaking of.
I then e-mailed a friend to let her know that I was turning off the TV from Monday-Friday. I told her about my decision to turn off the TV and about how I had asked my kids to pray for me ... then I told my friend I was going on vacation and was looking for some books to read in addition to the Word, as this friend believes in reading, living, and applying the gospel first before extra circular reading. I also knew that I wanted to be in the word more and wanted to grow in the word more .... so might I just add that I wholeheartedly agree with this position to prioritize the reading of the Word of God first!
When I met up with her after work last Tuesday she asked what type of reading I was looking for ... "something good for my heart, my mind, or my hands?" I said I was not sure so ... she recommended one book saying she might be using it this summer to pour into her leaders. (something she does very well by the way). The book Humility by C.J. Mahaney. Then she handed me another book Crazy Love by Fancis Chan and said she had not read it but had heard it was good ... she said I could borrow it but not mark it up ... she knows me every so well!
So then I am about to walk out of her office door when she stops me to say," Oh I have this book too ... I've read most of it she says" ... I took one look at the title and said I'll take it too ... the title Worldliness, Resisting the Seduction of a Fallen World, edited by C. J. Mahaney.
Just to give you a glimpse into this last book which is the one I choose to read first ... The entire book is based on one Bible verse that is indeed in your Bible too
"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world the love of the Father is not in him." 1 John 2:13
Can I just prompt you to pick up the book and read it too ... it has become an answer to the children's prayer for God to allow transformational change in my life. I am so excited at what the Lord has done this past week both through the word and the reading of this book and others provided to me from my friend ...
In His Arms reading His Word and books written by and for His people ... B.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)