August 28, 2008
morning prayer (so simple but so profound)
Father,
Help me to live today in purity, in humility and in love, through Jesus Christ my Lord.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Sunday, August 17, 2008
The Fisherman
Sunday
August 17, 2008
evening pages
Yesterday, I decided it was time to get some exercise and go for a walk. I walked down and around to a near by park and pond area and ended up at Bass Lake, one of the 10,000 lakes in Minnesota. As I walked I came to a bench overlooking the lake where I stopped to sit for awhile. I noticed in front of me on the rocks near the shore a fisherman. I don't really know a lot about fishing but as I watched I saw this young man cast out his line only to reel it back in to see weeds on his hook. He cleaned off his hook and cast his line out a different direction. He watched with a careful eye and as soon as the little red and white ball sank he reeled his line back in once again only to find weeds on his hook. As I sat and watched he did this several times. All the time I watched he did not catch a fish. But as I sat and looked on I was impressed by how patient and persistent this young man had been while fishing. I thought of Jesus calling the disciples and asking them to put down their nets and follow Him. Jesus was teaching us about becoming fishers of men. I began to think about my faithfulness or better yet my lack of faithfulness in "catching fish" ie; praying for those who still do not know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. I was reminded that I have not been patient or persistent as I believe Jesus would want me to be in praying for and reaching out to the lost. As I got up and continued my walk home I pondered on these thoughts and began to pray more and to pray harder for those who do not know Jesus. When I returned home I gathered my Bible, Journal and Pilgrimage of the Heart a Bible Study that I have been working through. My study for the day, you guessed it ... Matthew 4:18-5:1, Matthew 14:22:36 and Matthew 26:6-13. I love how Holy Spirit works through all things, my walk, the fisherman, and the Word.
Finding myself once again In His Arms, B.
August 17, 2008
evening pages
Yesterday, I decided it was time to get some exercise and go for a walk. I walked down and around to a near by park and pond area and ended up at Bass Lake, one of the 10,000 lakes in Minnesota. As I walked I came to a bench overlooking the lake where I stopped to sit for awhile. I noticed in front of me on the rocks near the shore a fisherman. I don't really know a lot about fishing but as I watched I saw this young man cast out his line only to reel it back in to see weeds on his hook. He cleaned off his hook and cast his line out a different direction. He watched with a careful eye and as soon as the little red and white ball sank he reeled his line back in once again only to find weeds on his hook. As I sat and watched he did this several times. All the time I watched he did not catch a fish. But as I sat and looked on I was impressed by how patient and persistent this young man had been while fishing. I thought of Jesus calling the disciples and asking them to put down their nets and follow Him. Jesus was teaching us about becoming fishers of men. I began to think about my faithfulness or better yet my lack of faithfulness in "catching fish" ie; praying for those who still do not know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. I was reminded that I have not been patient or persistent as I believe Jesus would want me to be in praying for and reaching out to the lost. As I got up and continued my walk home I pondered on these thoughts and began to pray more and to pray harder for those who do not know Jesus. When I returned home I gathered my Bible, Journal and Pilgrimage of the Heart a Bible Study that I have been working through. My study for the day, you guessed it ... Matthew 4:18-5:1, Matthew 14:22:36 and Matthew 26:6-13. I love how Holy Spirit works through all things, my walk, the fisherman, and the Word.
Finding myself once again In His Arms, B.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Thursday
August 14, 2008
morning pages
I feel as if it is time to write an update journal entry on my ongoing health issue .... The following is an e-mail that I sent out just one week ago followed by a couple of prayers written and sent by friends ...
"Some know but for others I want you to know that I have not felt well since April of this year. My symptoms have been nausea, loss of appetite, and loss of weight, As I have gone to the doctor and then on to a specialist, one test result has lead to yet another test.
It seems they have found 2 cysts one 5mm and the other 2 mm on my liver and a spot on the tail of my pancreas which is somewhat larger than the remainder of the pancreas.
I will be going in on Thursday, August 7 at 10:30 am for an Endoscopic Ultrasound at Hennepin County Medical Center.
I know and believe that God can completely heal as He has in the past, yet I also know how important it is to pray according to the will of my Father who has given me such peace throughout the past 4 months. thank you for joining me in prayer on my behalf!"
Blessings, Beth
"But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more, my mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day for their number is past my knowledge." Psalm 71:14-15 ESV
Dear Gracious God, I pray for Beth and Terry and al the Pederson family today. May Your perfect peace which does pass all understanding be theirs as they await this next test. I pray that each moment that anxiety or fear tries to rear their ugly heads, that You will quietly calm their fears and strengthen their faith. You have graciously reminded us that Your ways are so much higher that ours and we rest in that today. In the powerful, precious name of Jesus, who will raise us up on tha tday, I pray. Amen. B.F.
Lord Jesus, you are the one we love, honor, worship and serve. your are our King and our Lord and the master of our lives. We acknowledge your ability to completely heal Beth in this very moment and we ask that you do just that. We ask for peace for Terry and Beth, wisdom for the doctors, and the comfort of the Holy Spirit to be more present that ever. In Your powerful name. Amen. Love you, friend. B.F.
It may seem like these prayers were written by the same person but these prayers came by e-mail from two different friends with the same intials. Have you considered sending an actual prayer like these by e-mail.?These have been powerful in fact ....
I am happy to report that my size and shape of my pancreas are indeed different but to no concern and they found a benign tumor in the surrounding area again of no concern. So you may be thinking how am I feeling? Well about the same so I am going to experiment with some changes in my diet and see if this makes a difference in how I feel. I will keep you posted.
In His Arms, Beth
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Love Sundays
Love Sunday
August 10, 2008
Celebrating 35 Years of Marriage
Love celebrating 35 years of Marriage
Love my best friend, Terry
Love that we celebrate our faith together on Sundays and other days of the week
Love the flowers, balloon, and coffee Terry brought to me at work today
Love sharing a steak together
Love that we enjoy the simple things in life
Love that we still kiss at red lights
Love that we like to hold hands and hug one another
Love that we know what one another is thinking
Love just silently spending time with Terry
Love you more T.
B.
August 10, 2008
Celebrating 35 Years of Marriage
Love celebrating 35 years of Marriage
Love my best friend, Terry
Love that we celebrate our faith together on Sundays and other days of the week
Love the flowers, balloon, and coffee Terry brought to me at work today
Love sharing a steak together
Love that we enjoy the simple things in life
Love that we still kiss at red lights
Love that we like to hold hands and hug one another
Love that we know what one another is thinking
Love just silently spending time with Terry
Love you more T.
B.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Love Sundays ... but dont' like how I feel !
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Afternoon Pages
OK ... so usually on Sundays I love to write about what I love about the day and I still intend on doing some of that but like the title of this blog says I don't like the way I feel physically. This is precisely why I have not written the last 2 weeks in addition to the fact that time has been flying by.
So ... I did love the prayer time with friends today and especially having Russ, Ken and Ginny pray over me for healing. This past week has been especially hard as I have had so much more nausea and lack of energy. In spite of this I loved singing worship songs today that remind me of Your faithfulness. Even when I do not feel good, You are good all the time, all the time You are good.
So ... I love when one of the children reminded me through her prayers that You are always by our side and then Pastor Steve confirmed this in the preaching when he said You would never leave us or forsake us.
So ... I love continuing my reading in The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges
As for me "liver blog" dated back to May 3, my liver is still not quite working normal in fact not only my liver is involved but my pancreas is not doing it's job either. I mean really it's a Sunday and I don't especially like getting up and fixing a morning drink that includes, green food, fiber seed, yogurt, 1/2 banana and almond milk although this is what seems to agree with my stomach these days.
I found out through a series of tests that I now have 2 cysts on my liver and an abnormal spot on the tail of my pancreas. Although I am anxious to have the doctors get to the bottom of what is exactly going on in my body and making me feel the way I currently do, I have learned a lot of lessons along the way. I am also confident that this is not about the doctors but is rather about the Great Physician.
Here are just a few of the lessons I have learned
1) I have learned to control my appetite for physical food and replace this with spiritual food
2) I have learned that it has not been all bad losing the weight I have put on over the years. I'm just not sure I would have chose this way to lose it.
3) It could be expensive to lose weight because it requires a new wardrobe but my daughters have taught me to be a thrifty shopper and shop at second hand stores and thrift stores.
4) I have learned and have chosen to eat organic food which overall is so much better for me.
5) I have learned that suffering causing me to lean hard into the arms of Jesus.
6) I have learned the peace that comes from having friends and family praying.
7) Once again I have learned that it can be helpful to write as I contine to journal about the faithfulness of God.
Remaining In His Arms, B.
Afternoon Pages
OK ... so usually on Sundays I love to write about what I love about the day and I still intend on doing some of that but like the title of this blog says I don't like the way I feel physically. This is precisely why I have not written the last 2 weeks in addition to the fact that time has been flying by.
So ... I did love the prayer time with friends today and especially having Russ, Ken and Ginny pray over me for healing. This past week has been especially hard as I have had so much more nausea and lack of energy. In spite of this I loved singing worship songs today that remind me of Your faithfulness. Even when I do not feel good, You are good all the time, all the time You are good.
So ... I love when one of the children reminded me through her prayers that You are always by our side and then Pastor Steve confirmed this in the preaching when he said You would never leave us or forsake us.
So ... I love continuing my reading in The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges
As for me "liver blog" dated back to May 3, my liver is still not quite working normal in fact not only my liver is involved but my pancreas is not doing it's job either. I mean really it's a Sunday and I don't especially like getting up and fixing a morning drink that includes, green food, fiber seed, yogurt, 1/2 banana and almond milk although this is what seems to agree with my stomach these days.
I found out through a series of tests that I now have 2 cysts on my liver and an abnormal spot on the tail of my pancreas. Although I am anxious to have the doctors get to the bottom of what is exactly going on in my body and making me feel the way I currently do, I have learned a lot of lessons along the way. I am also confident that this is not about the doctors but is rather about the Great Physician.
Here are just a few of the lessons I have learned
1) I have learned to control my appetite for physical food and replace this with spiritual food
2) I have learned that it has not been all bad losing the weight I have put on over the years. I'm just not sure I would have chose this way to lose it.
3) It could be expensive to lose weight because it requires a new wardrobe but my daughters have taught me to be a thrifty shopper and shop at second hand stores and thrift stores.
4) I have learned and have chosen to eat organic food which overall is so much better for me.
5) I have learned that suffering causing me to lean hard into the arms of Jesus.
6) I have learned the peace that comes from having friends and family praying.
7) Once again I have learned that it can be helpful to write as I contine to journal about the faithfulness of God.
Remaining In His Arms, B.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Love Sundays con't
Totally forgot to put these pictures from our fun time with my neice on my first Love Sunday post. Again Catherine, thanks so much for planning this outing with first and second cousins ...
Love Sundays
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June 29, 2008
Sunday evening pages
LOVE Sundays when I can reflect on the past week and wow what a week it has been. Carrie and Annika were here for a visit and even though she came to help Kelley who is now pregnant (LOVE that I will be a grandma again) some family members made plans to visit with us. She came in late Monday night and Tuesday morning my niece, Catherine planned a get-together with the cousins and now second cousins. We LOVED seeing Catherine and Jackson along with my sister Mary Catherine and sharing Annika with them. On Wednesday, I LOVED that we met up with Ashley at work, had coffee together, and went to her apartment and then back to our home and just hung out as girls with Sid and Terry close by. Thursday was the day that papa enjoyed the US open so Carrie, Annika, Kelley, Sid and me hung out at Kelley's house. LOVED the opportunity to grocery shop and cook dinner that evening for Terry and Josh. Friday was such a fun day as we were able to hang out as a family because Adam was home for several hours.
LOVE family time
LOVE Friday night pizza
Usually Love eating all the chocolate goodies Carrie made
LOVE watching the babies
LOVE playing Apples to Apples and winning
LOVE that we took so many pictures to remember these times together
Don't love it when we have to say goodbye to Carrie and Annika but I do know how much Jacob will LOVE to have Carrie and Annika home.
We miss you big, We love you big, and we are praying for you lots.
LOVE that we are all constantly In His Arms, B
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Love Sundays
June 22, 2008 afternoon pages
So have you ever spent a great deal of time writing a wonderful blog only to lose power on your computer … yes, it happened but maybe it is only me that thinks this was a wonderful writing anyways, I choose to begin again ....So what I love about this Sunday, is that I woke up early to join others in prayer and I was excited to have 4 of our HopeWatchers (members from the children's prayer team) in the prayer room praying this prayer with me … I praise you God that you love me even if …. He is indeed so great that He loves us even if we disobey, even if we get mad, even if we don't read the Bible, even if we forget to pray. even if ....
Today I love this Sunday, because Terry and I traveled to Fort Ripley to enjoy an Army National Guard Family Picnic with Ashley. We met a few of the other soldiers and enjoyed food and fellowship with one another.
Today I love this Sunday, because when we returned home I took a long afternoon nap. You see, I usually don't get the opportunity to take a nap because I serve as a receptionist at our church each Sunday.
Today I love this Sunday, because after my nap I was able to get 3 assignments and I quiz done for my online health course that I am currently taking at Crown College.
Today I love this Sunday, as I begin my second week on the Maker's Diet. Even though I still struggle with my health it felt good to learn more about good foods for my body and to begin to think about what goes into this temple that my Maker has created. I would recommend Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon, another good read for those of you interested in nutrition. The book contains an immense amount of information of the culinary customs of our ancestors and ideas for a future of great health for young and old.
What I love the VERY most about this Sunday, is that tomorrow Carrie and Annika come for the week to visit. I am so excited to see Carrie and also to see how much Annika has changed and grown since March when I went out to CA to see her. Unfortunately, Jacob will be unable to be with us this week. Jacob we will miss you and wish you could be here ... although I am at peace knowing you are In His Arms, B.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Love Sundays
Sunday, June 15, 2008
afternoon pages
Well I am finding myself not only in Love with Sunday but in Love with Summer as well. It is great to have extra time to read the books that I want to read and not necessarily books that I have to read. This leads me to my post about a book I am currently reading as a part of a book study. The book: The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges. I am reading a bit ahead and have been pondering the following statement ... "It is our habit to live for ourselves and not for God". This statement struck a cord in my thoughts because I believe this to be true of my life many times. One of those habits of mine that I have been studying and learning so much more about is the habit of eating. Why do I eat? What do I eat? What is emotional eating? How was food intended to be used for the body and soul? How do I get fed ... is it spiritual food? Is it milk or is it meat? Does what I eat have anything to do with making every effort to be Holy? How is one to be holy and blameless in his sight and eat at McDonald's? Sorry but I could not resist this last statement as I think about how many unhealthy food choices I have made in the past. Well, suffice this to say that this is the day the Lord has made and I will be glad and rejoice in it ... for this Sunday I love because I will make a deliberate intentional action towards greater health according to the Maker.
Because I have been so sick for 2 months I simply know that there is a purpose for everything. The purpose of the last two months have been for me take the challenge to read more about health and diet. The book recommended by my daughter's Lisa and Kelley, who often make healthy choices has been The Makers Diet. The book makes sense because as a believer who reads and studies the scriptures I can see how the author brings me back in time to the foods of the Bible and how food was intended to be used to nourish my body.
OK Time says that I need to close for now but more thoughts on this to come so stay posted ....
B.
afternoon pages
Well I am finding myself not only in Love with Sunday but in Love with Summer as well. It is great to have extra time to read the books that I want to read and not necessarily books that I have to read. This leads me to my post about a book I am currently reading as a part of a book study. The book: The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges. I am reading a bit ahead and have been pondering the following statement ... "It is our habit to live for ourselves and not for God". This statement struck a cord in my thoughts because I believe this to be true of my life many times. One of those habits of mine that I have been studying and learning so much more about is the habit of eating. Why do I eat? What do I eat? What is emotional eating? How was food intended to be used for the body and soul? How do I get fed ... is it spiritual food? Is it milk or is it meat? Does what I eat have anything to do with making every effort to be Holy? How is one to be holy and blameless in his sight and eat at McDonald's? Sorry but I could not resist this last statement as I think about how many unhealthy food choices I have made in the past. Well, suffice this to say that this is the day the Lord has made and I will be glad and rejoice in it ... for this Sunday I love because I will make a deliberate intentional action towards greater health according to the Maker.
Because I have been so sick for 2 months I simply know that there is a purpose for everything. The purpose of the last two months have been for me take the challenge to read more about health and diet. The book recommended by my daughter's Lisa and Kelley, who often make healthy choices has been The Makers Diet. The book makes sense because as a believer who reads and studies the scriptures I can see how the author brings me back in time to the foods of the Bible and how food was intended to be used to nourish my body.
OK Time says that I need to close for now but more thoughts on this to come so stay posted ....
B.
Sunday, June 01, 2008
Love Sundays
June 1, 2008
Sunday Afternoon Pages
Wow, today was a very different Sunday morning. It brought back memories of the past when I had to get both myself and my kids ready for church and did not get up early enough to read and pray before dashing off to church. Well, today was the first morning, shall I say weekend that we had our grandson Sid stay with us for the weekend so ...... when I got up at 6 am, I quick got into the bath tub and took a rather short, hurried, bath while grandpa slept and Sid talked and played in his bed. When I was done, I got Sid out of his bed and let him crawl around while I got myself dressed and ready for church. Once I was done, it was Sid's turn. I fed him his breakfast of cereal, raw egg yolk and applesauce and then I got him dressed in his Sunday best. Shortly after this he went back to bed for his morning nap and I was off to church.
At 10:30 I met grandpa at the main door and took over. Grandpa seemed a bit disorganized himself as I am sure he did not quite remember the extra time it would take to put his grandson in and out of the car seat.
And what I especially loved about this Sunday is that I was able to "show off" my grandson and all he can do .... make the Indian sounds when you tap his mouth, clap his hands when you say pat-a-cake and crawl which is a newly acquired skill as of
Friday, May 30.
But what I especially don't love about Sunday is when we can not be together as a whole family. I miss having Jacob, Carrie and Annika around. I am happy to be just a phone call away and was so sorry I did not know how to get her connected on her computer, which seems to be on the blink today. I miss seeing Annika grow but am thankful that Carrie is so good about updating her blog even with live video occasionally.
Well, I have just 3 and 1/2 days of school left and then I anticipate having more time to sit at my new desk and write my heart out.
Constantly holding all of my children, their spouses, futures spouses, and grandchildren in my prayers and always wanting them to be In His Arms, B.
Happy Sunday to all!
Sunday Afternoon Pages
Wow, today was a very different Sunday morning. It brought back memories of the past when I had to get both myself and my kids ready for church and did not get up early enough to read and pray before dashing off to church. Well, today was the first morning, shall I say weekend that we had our grandson Sid stay with us for the weekend so ...... when I got up at 6 am, I quick got into the bath tub and took a rather short, hurried, bath while grandpa slept and Sid talked and played in his bed. When I was done, I got Sid out of his bed and let him crawl around while I got myself dressed and ready for church. Once I was done, it was Sid's turn. I fed him his breakfast of cereal, raw egg yolk and applesauce and then I got him dressed in his Sunday best. Shortly after this he went back to bed for his morning nap and I was off to church.
At 10:30 I met grandpa at the main door and took over. Grandpa seemed a bit disorganized himself as I am sure he did not quite remember the extra time it would take to put his grandson in and out of the car seat.
And what I especially loved about this Sunday is that I was able to "show off" my grandson and all he can do .... make the Indian sounds when you tap his mouth, clap his hands when you say pat-a-cake and crawl which is a newly acquired skill as of
Friday, May 30.
But what I especially don't love about Sunday is when we can not be together as a whole family. I miss having Jacob, Carrie and Annika around. I am happy to be just a phone call away and was so sorry I did not know how to get her connected on her computer, which seems to be on the blink today. I miss seeing Annika grow but am thankful that Carrie is so good about updating her blog even with live video occasionally.
Well, I have just 3 and 1/2 days of school left and then I anticipate having more time to sit at my new desk and write my heart out.
Constantly holding all of my children, their spouses, futures spouses, and grandchildren in my prayers and always wanting them to be In His Arms, B.
Happy Sunday to all!
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