The Proper Way to End a School Day

Puppy training has been hard work, and the day I took this picture, both Boomer and Madison were "pooped" after school (pun intended!).  Honestly, she gets this from her mother (my beatiful daughter in the pic that is...), as that's exactly what I love to do after the school day is through.  Naptime has to be my favorite subject!  One of the many reasons we love, love, LOVE homeschooling!

Boomer has been quite the challenge when it comes to house breaking.  Sunday Quinn was trying to get him to go outside and he wee'd all through the house until he hit the back door.  I don't think I've ever seen Quinn quite so, well,...ticked.  It's a good thing he's cute, or he'd have been a goner!  He keeps us laughing too...he was howling in his sleep the other morning.  I haven't heard him do that awake!  What a cool sound they can make...but I ran upstairs as quickly as possible so my morning quiet time wasn't completely derailed by the kids waking up too early.  :0)

Anyone else have issues training a beagle???  We'd love some feedback.  He is sleeping through the night now (finally!) that we've made him stay in his kennel, so that's a big plus.  Seriously though, if you've had (or have!) a beagle we'd love the input.

Puppy Love

Recently one of our homeschool families sent out an SOS email.  They had adopted two new puppies, Blue Tick Beagles, for the purpose of hunting in the Fall.  Avid animal lovers, they already had three dogs, one of which is a very bossy Yorkshire Terrier.  Of course, this yorkie was just fine with all the females running around, but decided that the new male puppy was just too much for him to tolerate.  So he terrorized this poor puppy, hence the email to find the puppy new digs.

At first when I brought the issue to my husband's attention he balked at the idea of one more pet.  Actually, his exact words have been, "If you bring one more animal into this house I'm LEAVING!"  We currently have 1 cat, 1 dog, 1 fish, 1 guinea pig, and 3 hermit crabs.  I can't say I blame him.  Well, I mentioned it to him, said it would make a great dog for him, and didn't say another word.  My friend gave me some pics of the puppy, and he took a look at those also.  Nope, he wasn't budging.

Then on Friday as he was walking through the door after work (I don't believe he even had the door shut yet) he said, "Hey Hon, let's go look at that puppy."  No, "Hi Honey...how was your day."  Oi!  He'd been talking with some friends at work, and they went on and on about what great dogs they are...yadda-yadda.  We went over to see the puppy, and we're now the proud owners of this sweet baby, who Quinn has named "Boomer".  It quite fits him I believe...see what you think:

Isn't he absolutely adorable???

Merry Christmas Dear Ones...

Hope you and yours have a very Merry Christmas.  Don't forget to open the most important present of all...the gift of JESUS!

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life."  John 3:16

Do Not Worry...

~ Do Not Worry ~

“See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”  Matthew 6:28-33

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I started painting again a few months ago, and I'm hoping to post a few that I really love.  I have several ideas running around in my head that I plan to paint soon.  Just thought I'd share one of them with you.

This is actually only a portion of the painting I created that I could scan, but overall I am pleased my scanner could capture this much of the pic!  The scripture above is the one the Lord gave to me when He gave me the idea for this painting.  He has definately had me on a creative journey, and I can't wait to see where it leads.

I chose this particular picture to show everyone first, because I thought it would be an excellent reminder as Christmas approaches.  Sometimes I believe our worries carry the beauty of the holiday away, and we have the opportunity daily to lay all those cares at His feet.  Enjoy the season!

Blessings,

Lori

Glowing

My littlest daughter Rebecca loves to take pictures.  In fact, she is the one who took this amazing pic of her older sister.  This has to be my all-time favorite picture of Madison, because it speaks so many things to my mother's heart.

Madison is on the very cusp of womanhood...with all the emotion that entails, with all the pushing of the envelope that often precipitates, with brief moments of uncertainty mixed in for good measure.  She is confident in who she is becoming, because she is learning to see herself through the eyes of God - not the latest fad or social pandering that happens in the teen culture of our nation.  She has an easy way with adults and children alike, and a personality that draws out the best in others.

I adore her, and I'm so proud to be her mother.

She believes she can do just about anything she sets her heart (and her mind) to do.  She believes she is loved unconditionally, and has enjoyed her childhood.  She loves completely.  She laughs with abandon.  She is passionate about life, friends, family, cooking, and her faith.

She is becoming a woman of God.  She is infinitely farther along in her journey with her Lord than what I ever thought of being at her age, and it humbles me. 

God has been gracious indeed to bless our lives with her presence.  And as much as I've enjoyed calling her "Daughter" over the years, I'm looking forward to the day I can look her in the eye and call her "Friend" as well.

Just in Time for Christmas...Cookie Recipes!

Just click on the cookie name, and PRESTO! you get the recipe...

1-2-3 Cookies 7 Layer Cookies Allie Nelson's Famous Snickerdoodle Cookies Almond Crescent Shortbread Amish Sugar Cookies Andies Candies Cookies Angel Crisps Angenets Applesauce Cookies Apricot Fold-Overs Aunt Edy's Molasses Crinkles Auntie Linda's Ginger Gems Bakeless Dream Cookies Banana Drop Cookies Best Chocolate Chip Cookies in the World Biscotti Biscotti Blueberry Cookies Boiled Chocolate Oatmeal Drop Cookies Bronwnies Brown Sugar Shortbread Brownie Cookies Brownie Delight Brownies Buccaneer Snowballs Buried Cherry Cookies Butter Cookies Butter Nut Balls Butterballs Butterscotch Haystacks C.O.P. Cookies Candy Cane Cookies Candy Cookies Caramel Shortbread Cheesecake Brownies Cherry Buns Cherry Crowns Cherry Winks Chewies Chewy Noels Chinese Chews/Haystacks Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars Chocolate Chip Cookies Chocolate Chip Meltaways Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies Chocolate Christmas Trees Chocolate Cream Cheese Squares Chocolate Crinkles Chocolate Mint Snow-Top Cookies Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies (no bake) Chocolate Snowball Cookies Chocolate Streusel Bars Chocolate Sundae Cookies Chocolate Walnut Crumb Bars Choco-Scotch Crunchies Choose A Cookie Dough Recipe Christmas Crackers Christmas Crunch Bars Christmas Ginger Snaps Christmas Macaroons Christmas Mice Cookies Christmas Shaped Cookies Church Window Cookies Coconut Cookies Congo Squares Cookie in a Jar Corn Flakes Cookies Cornflake Christmas Wreaths Cowboy Cookies (oatmeal) Cream Cheese Cookies with Apricot Filling Crème De Menthe Chocolate Squares Crème Wafers Crescent Cookies Crispy Crunchies Date Nut Balls Date-nut Pinwheel Cookies Diabetic Peanut Butter Cookies Disgustingly Rich Brownies Doodles Double chocolate chip cookies Double-Chocolate Crinkles Eatmore Cookies Eggnog Cookies Elizabeth's Sugar Cookies Elves Quick Fudge Brownies Emily Dickinson's Gingerbread Cookie Recipe Emily's Best Brownies Famous Oatmeal Cookies Firemen Cookies Fluffy Shortbread Cookies Forgotten Cookies Frosted Peanut Butter Brownies Fruit Cake Cookies Fruitcake Squares Fry Pan Cookies Gems Ginger Cookies Ginger Crinkles Gingerbread Baby Gingerbread Cookies with Butter Cream Icing Gingerbread Men Gingerbread Men Ginny's Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies Glory's Golden Graham Squares Glory's Sugar Cookies Gramma Chapman's chocolate coconut drops Grandma Elsie's Zimt (cinnamon) Cookies Grandma J's Butter Cookies Grandma Olson's Parkay Cookies Great Grandmothers Sugar Cookies Gum Drop Cookies Gumdrop Gems Haystack Cookies Ho-Ho Bars Holiday Cereal Snaps Holiday Chocolate Butter Cookies Holiday Raisin Walnut Bars Holly Cookies Hungarian Cookies (Little Nut Rolls) Ice Box Cookies Irresistible Peanut Butter Cookies Italian Cookies Jacob's Peppermint Snowballs Jam Bars Jessica's Famous Brownies Jessie's Chocolate Chip Cookies Jubilee Jumbles Juliet's Peanut Butter Blossoms Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookies Kentucky Colonels Kiefle (cream cheese cookies with jam filling) Kifflings Kiss Cookies Lacy Swedish Almond Wafers Lemon Angel Bar Cookies Lemon Bars Lemon Cake Cookies Lemon Cream Cheese Cookies Lemon Squares Linzer Tarts Log Cabin Cookies Luscious Lemon Squares M&M Cookies Magic Cookie Bars Melt in Your Mouth Cutout Sugar Cookies Melting Shortbread Meme's Cream Cheese Cookies Milk Chocolate Florentine Cookies Mincemeat Cookies Mincemeat Goodies Molasses Cookies Molasses Forest Cookies Molasses Sugar Cookies Mom Mom's Crescent Cookies Mom-Mom's Ginger Cookies Mom's Nutmeg Sugar Cookies Mom's Old Fashion 'Puffy' Sugar Cookies Monster Cookies Moravian Christmas Cookies Nana's Famous Soft Southern Cookies Nitey Nite Cookies No Bake Chocolate Cookies No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies No Bake Cookies No Bake Cookies No Bake Peanut Butter Cookies No-Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies No-Bake Cookies Norwegian Sugar Cookies Nut Balls Oatmeal Bars Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Nut Cookies Oatmeal Coconut Crisps Oatmeal Cookies Oatmeal Scotchies Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies Ooey Gooey Caramel Chocolate Dunk Ooey Gooey Squares Orange Slice Cookies Parking Lot Cookies Peanut Blossoms Peanut Butter Bars Peanut Butter Blossoms Peanut Butter Cereal Cookies Peanut Butter Chewies Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars Peanut Butter Cookies Peanut Butter Cookies Peanut butter fingers Peanut Butter Reindeer Peanut Butter Surprises

Rebecca's New Smile

Years ago when my oldest daughter was losing her teeth, she had the most amazing jack-o-lantern grin.  Now her littlest sister is following in her footsteps with a very unique smile all her own.  Now her first two teeth came out a bit early, due to an accident with a football (caught with her mouth instead of her hands!  LOL!), but her little tooth on the bottom came out like it was supposed to, with much fanfare all around.  Let the fleecing of our bank account begin! 

Teens On Target ~ Parents on a Mission!

Recently my friend Cindy and I started a group for our Homeschool Teens called "Teens On Target".  We currently have about 35 teens on roster, ranging from grades 7th - 12th.  Yesterday we had our kick-off pool party at Cindy's house, and it was a blast!

At the beginning of this year God placed an amazing love in me for teens.  I love their energy, their music, and the way they hunger to know what truth really is.  They can see past your facade, and will not pander to adults who are not real.  They face some humongous obstacles, but the Lord has a plan specifically for this generation - just as He does for ours.  What an amazing opportunity to influence the next generation for Christ!

I read a lot.  And when Cindy and I decided to start this group I picked up a couple of books on teen ministry.  Honestly, with 3 kids in the house being homeschooled, and other responsibilities (can I get an AMEN sisters?), I had no desire to recreate the wheel.  I wasn't sure where to even start!  But God in His faithfulness placed an amazing book in my hand called "Ministry Mutiny" by Greg Stier of Dare2Share Teen Ministries.  This book has absolutely turned my world upside down!  To have this book before we even started our teen ministry was a true God-send. 

Did you know 2 out of 3 Christian teens will, according to George Barna, participate in a "graduation evacuation" from the body of Christ once they graduate high school? Here is a list of 30 Core Truths (in question form) that teens should know, live, and own by the time they graduate from high school:

30 CORE TRUTHS EVERY CHRISTIAN SHOULD KNOW

By Dare2Share Ministries 

1. Who is God and what is He like?
2. What is the Trinity?
3. Who is Jesus?
4. Why did He die on the cross?
5. How do I know He really rose from the dead?
6. Who is the Holy Spirit and what does He do?
7. How do I get plugged in to the power of the Holy Spirit?
8. Is the Bible really God’s Word and does it relate to my life?
9. What is truth and can I know it with certainty?
10. What is sin and how does it impact my life and my relationship with others?
11. Why does God allow evil in this world?
12. What is a Christian and how does a person become one?
13. If Jesus is the only way to heaven, are all other religions wrong?
14. What about people who have never heard about the gospel?
15. What is the Great Commission and how does it relate to me?
16. Is there a real heaven and hell and what are they like?
17. Is there a judgement day and what difference should it make in my life?
18. Can I really be forgiven for all my sins, even the really bad ones?
19. Will God ever leave me or forsake me?
20. Who are Satan and his demons?
21. How do I engage in spiritual warfare?
22. What is the church and why should I be involved?
23. What are spiritual gifts and how do I discover mine?
24. How should the return of Christ impact my life?
25. What is prayer and how do I do it?
26. Why should I study my Bible and how do I do it?
27. How do I defend my faith?
28. Who am I, where did I come from, and what is my purpose?
29. Which is true, creation or evolution, and why does it matter?
30. How can I worship God in everything I do?

So, how many can you answer?  I'm sure you may have a few more you could add to the list.  Think of these core truths as a safety net, with each one representing an individual rope in a net.  If one area is weak, or several areas together are weak, when our teens face the challenges of life they could "fall through".  We want them to have a firm net to fall into when faced with difficult decisions and situations.  We want them to know WHY they believe!

Ministering to teens is an awesome responsibility, but can be very rewarding.  Let God make you aware of the teens He's placed around you that may need ministry in the coming weeks.  Be sensitive to His voice and prompting.  This generation needs us if they're going to fulfill the plans God has for them.

What a Fine, Fine Day

For all of you wondering if I've dropped off the face of the earth...never fear - I'm still here!  LOL!  Thanks for your care and concern.  I'll try to update when I can, but this is already turning into a VERY busy season, and we're only two weeks into the school year.

I have a friend who's been instructed not to drive by her MD for health reasons, so I offered to take her to Wal-Mart today.  I honestly didn't remember we were supposed to go until I checked my Microsoft Calendar (Thanks Bill Gates!).  If it's not on the calendar, it just doesn't exist.  :0)  I decided to bring my youngest DD Rebecca with me, and off we went!  We picked up my friend at her house, along with her 6mo son and headed to Wallie World for another adventurous day.  I knew my friend had a lot of shopping to do, so I brought along our extra cell phone, handed it to her, gave her a crash course in cell technology, and left her at Wal-Mart.

Where did I go?  Starbucks!

You see I had already planned my "escape" as it were from Wal-Mart (I really can't stand being there for too long - my wallet starts screaming for mercy), and I also needed to do some schoolwork with my budding Kindergartener.  What a perfect place to go for "school".  I ordered an Iced Caramel Macchiato (grande size), and Becca got a M&M cookie with a double espresso - uh, I mean iced water.  :0)  We did a bit of school work, then my friend called and announced she was in the check-out line.  I even got a front-row parking spot when I returned to Wal-Mart, so she found me right away.  Ah...life is good.

Oh, and just to rub a few of my peeps, I emailed a picture of Becca doing schoolwork there.  ;0)  Hope a few of you got the pic.  If I figure out how to get the pic off my cell phone I'll post it sometime soon.

You know, the joys of homeschooling just keep piling up.  Hope your year is starting well.  If it gets too stressful, go somewhere fun!  Push yourself to think outside of the box this year.  You'll be glad you did.

Blessings,

Lori

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Ha!  Figured out how to send this pic to hubby's cell phone and then transfer to internet.  Here's the proof:

Just gotta love technology!  L~

Encouragement for New Homeschoolers

It's a whole new school year, and I've been thinking about the very first day of our homeschooling journey.  It brought back a rush of memories for me, especially since I've been speaking to a lot of brand new homeschoolers over the summer.  I just want to stop and encourage you as I know many of you have started school sometime during the past couple of weeks.  If you haven't started yet, please don't feel pressured!  You set the pace and tone for your homeschool, and we all tend to start at different times.

1. Studies show that homeschooled children average between the 80th and 90th percentile, regardless of the socio-economic background, or educational level of the parents.
2. Great student to teacher ratio.
3. Very good communication between the student, teacher and parents.
4. You can homeschool in your PJs every day!
5. The curriculum is in perfect agreement with the values of the parents.
6. The children will not bring bad habits home from school.
7. The pace of learning will be geared to the ability of each child, not the lowest common denominator.
8. You don’t have to fix lunch in the morning.
9. No waiting for the school bus at 6:00am in the morning (or whenever).
10. Without peer pressure, they learn to think for themselves, not just parrot what the “group wants to hear”.
11. Every educator agrees that parental involvement is the key to success in a child’s education. How could one be more involved?
12. Your child will never be “just a number” in your classroom. 
13. You get to capture those "teachable moments" as they happen so your values are reinforced in your child.
14. Field Trips!

Strength vs. Weakness

Psalm 109:21-25 (NIV)

 But you, O Sovereign LORD,
       deal well with me for your name's sake;
       out of the goodness of your love, deliver me.

 For I am poor and needy,
       and my heart is wounded within me.

 I fade away like an evening shadow;
       I am shaken off like a locust.

 My knees give way from fasting;
       my body is thin and gaunt.

 I am an object of scorn to my accusers;
       when they see me, they shake their heads.

This morning when I first read Psalm 109 the thought ran through my head, "This does not apply to me...I don't feel weak and sickly and needy today."  Then I felt the Spirit gently nudge me to take a closer look.  I know that all scripture is God-breathed and "useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16)

As I meditated on these words, the Lord began to give me His perspective.  I began to understand that even though I do not physically feel weak and needy, compared to the strength of God I am hopelessly weak.  It is only through the goodness of my Father's love that I am not destroyed.  Just as David had physical accusers I have an invisible accuser that is no less real.  I am but a shadow to the one who would gladly take my life and everything the Lord has ever blessed me with.  After all, Satan's job description is to "steal, and kill, and destroy". (John 10:10)

Perhaps the "strength" I have in myself hinders God from working fully on the inside of me.  When I perceive myself as strong, and allow pride to reign in my life, I believe the false assumption that I am in charge.  I endeavor to do great things for God at the expense of relationship with Him.  I over-reach, over-extend, and over-draw in many areas of my life when I perceive I am strong.  But when I see myself as weak, I cling to Him as the only One Who can truly save me.  I open my heart to His love and provision for my life.  I begin to walk in the fullness of His Presence and His strength.  "He gives grace to the humble, but resists the proud." (Proverbs 3:34)

Later in Psalm 109 David begins to declare:

"With my mouth I will greatly extol the Lord; in the great throng I will praise Him.  For He stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save his life from those who condemn him."  Psalm 109:30-31

God's protection and provision over David's life elicits joyful praise.  God does not sit idly by, but stands at the right hand of the "needy one".  The enemies that shook their head at David in his affliciton are now shaking in fear as the Lover of his soul rises up to protect His weak child.  Just as with David, His power and glory consumes our weakness, and we are able to face our accuser with boldness and confidence.  We must remove our "strength" to discover His.  We must remember that "no flesh will glory in His Presence"! (1 Corinthians 1:29)

The Apostle Paul had an incredible revelation concerning strength and weakness.  Faced with a "thorn" of adversity, the Lord encouraged him with these words found in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10:

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

And Paul's response:

"I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.  For when I am weak, then I am strong."

The accuser may shake his head at us in our weakness, but when our Father rises up in response to a heart of humility, His shadow replaces our own.  He stands in defense of His children even at their right hand.  How our accuser must shake from head to toe in fear!

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Father, help us to fully trust in, lean on, and entirely love You.  Remove the spirit of pride and self-sufficiency from our hearts.  Remind us again and again through the power of Your Holy Spirit that we are but a breath.  We have no true power apart from You.  Help us to understand that the strength of our flesh only serves to hinder the work and power You desire to give to us, and pour through us.  As we stand in humility in Your Presence, stand at our right hand and make our accuser tremble.  We choose to stand under Your shadow and rest under Your wings.  Pour Your strength into our weaknesses, and may our flesh never glory in Your Presence.  In Jesus' Name, Amen

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"For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.

Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him." 

1 Corinthians 1:25-29

High Places

"Come up higher."

How many times have I heard those words over the past couple of months?  They follow me around and pursue me at every turn.  I'm being called to higher places...places of understanding, places of intimacy, places of cliff-hanging faith.  The air is thin up here, and I'm left entirely breathless in His Presence.  He consumes me.

Twice over the past couple of weeks I've had the pleasure of someone describing the joy of flying in an airplane for the first time, and being confronted with the majesty of our Creator you can only see from "up there".  It is awe-inspiring, and humbling all at once.  It is often fearful and exhilirating and will ultimately leave you with a deep appreciation of the men in the cockpit.  Amen?

And so it is with us.  In this season He is calling all of us to higher places with Him so we can escape the regular, mundane, and monotonous drone of the lives we live here on planet Earth.  If you didn't know, we are aliens here - this is not our home.  Christ has called us to sit in heavenly places with Him, and to establish the Kingdom and authority of Heaven here on Earth.  (Ephesians 2:6, Matthew 28:18-20)

So why is He calling us higher?  Perhaps He calls us because He wants to share His thoughts with us.  Perhaps He's aware that we're in desperate need emotionally, spiritually or even physically.  I assure you that He wants to lovingly address every need.  Perhaps He wants to reveal the Father to us, or show us the good things He's prepared in advance for us to do.  But perhaps, as wonderful as all these things are, His greatest desire is to pour His love and His heart into us...to consume us as it were from "the inside-out".  To remind us who we are in Him, and to light a fire inside of us that burns, but does not destroy.  Remember Moses and the burning bush? Moses turned aside to investigate a most curious phenomenon on an ordinary sheep-tending day.  The humble bush consumed by the glory of God drew Moses away from his everyday life, and brought him face to face with the great I AM.

God calls us higher to light our fire!  We are called to be lights in the darkness (Ephesians 5:8-9), and cities set on a hill (Matthew 5:14).  And as those around us see us consumed and lit with His love, we do become a curiosity of sorts.  But as they creep closer to "investigate", many are quickly drawn into His embrace, and finally discover His plans and purposes for their lives.  It is an amazing thing.  If God can set a simple bush on fire with His glory, just think what He could do with each of our hearts! 

There's also another reason He calls us to higher places with Him:

"It is God who arms me with strength,
And makes my way perfect.
He makes my feet like the feet of deer,
And sets me on my high places.
He teaches my hands to make war,
So that my arms can bend a bow of bronze."  (Psalm 18:32-34)

He calls us to higher places in Him so we are equipped to fight and push against the plans and purposes of the enemy.  In the high places He teaches our hands "to make war" and gives us His strength so we can "bend a bow of bronze".  His vision for the Church is much greater than ours.  He sees His Church as strong and victorious, not downcast and defeated.  The enemy is just an annoying fly in His Presence.  He's overcome the world and the enemy Dear One, and He's calling us to do the same.  Not by our own might or power, but by His Spirit!  (Zechariah 4:6) 

Father, light a fire in each of us that draws others to You.  Consume us in Your amazing love!  We choose to set our hearts to know You more intimately, and climb to higher places with You.  Teach our hands to war, and equip us to take back those places the enemy has gained ground in our lives, and the lives you've placed around us.  We give you all the praise for the victory in Jesus' Name.  Lord, take us higher!

Rabbits, Daddies, and a Miracle

We had quite the adventure at my house the other day, so without any further ado, here's the story from my five-year-olds perspective as dictated to her mother...

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A baby rabbit came into my house today.  CG (our cat) brought the baby rabbit into the house.  CG was starting to eat the baby rabbit, and Madison smacked CG.  She picked up the baby rabbit under the kitchen table.  We ran upstairs quickly to show the rabbit to Mom.  Mom listened to us and we showed her the rabbit.  I picked out a name for him and called him "Thunder".  Maddie called the rabbit "Cookie".  But I wanted to call him "Thunder", and Madison wouldn't listen to me.  We put the baby rabbit in a cage with grass, piggy food, hay, and water.  He was afraid of us.  I think we were scaring him and he thought we would kill him.  We put him downstairs on the kitchen table to watch him, and I got to pet the baby rabbit gently.  Then Austin took the rabbit up to Madison's room and they took him out.  The baby rabbit couldn't stay with us because he needed to be with his mommy, or he could die in our house.  So we took him outside and I let him go out of his cage and he came out and quickly ran away as fast as he could, just like me!

By Rebecca Bowen

May 8, 2007

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Rebecca was quite taken with this rabbit, and decided immediately that if she couldn't have a "wild" one, then she wanted one from the pet store.  We're still hedging about it, as our family already has a plethora of creatures we care for, including 2 guinea pigs, a dog, the offending feline mentioned above, one fish (the others mysteriously died)...I think that is it.  Whew!  But she doesn't feel as if anything is truly "hers", and wants a pet of her own.  My darling husband has announced he'd leave us to the animals if one more comes into this house, but somehow Rebecca is softening his heart like most little girls eventually do.  My 200+ pound man turns into a pile of jelly when my 45 pound daughter turns her beautiful pleading eyes toward him. 

You know, I have the distinct impression our Heavenly Father feels just that way when our gaze turns to Him as well.  I can't tell you how many times the Holy Spirit has spoken to my heart as I've watched the relationship between my husband and our children unfold.  My father was nowhere in the picture when I grew up, and my concept of a loving and protective Heavenly Father was stunted as a result.  Many of us have had this experience.  Unbeknownst to my beloved man, he's given me an incredibly clear picture of the love of God to hold on to.  I've seen my kids jump into his arms without fear, run to him when they're hurt or afraid, seen him wipe their tears away.  Quinn adores his children.

Our Heavenly Father adores His kids as well.  And unlike many human fathers, He is forever faithful, will never leave us or forsake us, and brings chastisement into our lives only so we'll grow into the men and women of God He's called us to.  Everything He does is infused with life, because He is the very Source of Life.  The most amazing adventure lies right before us when we choose to take His hand.  He is amazing, and worthy of all our praise!

Now I want to share the most exciting event that has happened over the past couple of days.  We have a family that we've been doing life with that recently pulled their daughter out of public school to homeschool.  She tutors with me some days, and is a good friend of my oldest daughter Madison.  She comes to many of the group events, has made some wonderful friends, and is surrounded by people who love her and love the Lord.  To make a long story short, she gave her life to Christ yesterday!  Madison has been planting seeds for months, I've been planting seeds as well, and a couple of days ago I sensed she was closer than ever to making this life-changing decision.  During our recent Keepers at Home class we were discussing her older sister's salvation experience from two months ago just between the two of us.  I looked at her and told her, "You know, He'll turn your world upside-down girl."  I meant every word I said.  And the very next day, she took His hand and has begun her journey.  She just turned 13 last week.  She asked Him all on her own, sitting in Madison's chair she usually does her schoolwork in.  Madison was away with her grandmother for the day, so the usual distractions were not there.  And God showed up!  Hallelujah!  No greater miracle has ever happened in this home.  She immediately came to me and threw her arms around my neck and told me what she had done.  What a privelege to watch her walk into the arms of Jesus yesterday.

Hope you've had a wonderful week Dear One.  Even if you haven't, know God is faithful, and intimately aquainted with every burden you may be bearing today.  Your adventure has only just begun.

Stinkin' Fruit

Just in case you have the vague notion that I have a perfect *ahem* walk with the Lord, and don't frequently fall on my face, let me share with you how my day has gone.

God gives us opportunities each new day...we wake up in the morning with a smile on our face, with wonderful thoughts in our head about how our day is going to go, envision quality and quantity time with our husband and kids (we are homeschoolers are we not?), and believe that a myriad of other ambitious dreams are surely to be realized on THIS day.  So far today we have not spoken harshly or offended anyone...it's a GREAT day!

Then...we get out of bed.

I've been studying Beth Moore's Bible study on the Fruit of the Spirit called "Living Beyond Yourself".  We've carefully studied each fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23.  I can even tell you how to say it in sign language for crying out loud!  Today I have "fruit" laying all over the ground rotting.  I was a miserable wife today.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23 NIV)

My husband has a wonderful job, and sometimes he's required to travel.  He's had two business trips back-to-back, one for 4 days, home for two, and gone again for five days.  Today he finally flew home, unpacked his dirty clothes, packed some clean clothes, and is currently on a 4 hour road trip to be with his Mom for the weekend.  I tried everything not to be upset with him for going.  It's not that my kids have been horrible, or that I need a break...I just MISS him!  And the enemy is telling me he's choosing to be with his mom over me.  Ugh!  (Stinkin' devil...I can't wait to roast marshmallows over his eternal fire one day soon!)  I happened to notice while we were speaking that he had "shadows" on his face.  He says, "Oh, by the way Honey, I had to put the donut on the back of the car because the back tire has gone flat.  What you're seeing is just dirt."  I'm sure at this point you can imagine what was going through my head.  The thought of being stranded on the side of the road with 3 kids is a mother's nightmare come true.  Funny thing was I had a "feeling" that when he came back off this trip he'd find his tire flat before he came home from the airport.  We've had issues with it before he left on that last trip and you know...Murphy's Law struck again.

He gets in the truck to get ready to leave and I check one last time to make sure there's not anything I've left I might need over the weekend.  I lean over and tell him, "Please don't tell your Mom what an attitude I've had this afternoon...I really just miss you."  I swear I was not trying to make him feel guilty!  It was the honest truth.  And then I started crying, just to add insult to injury.  He hates it when I cry (most men do), and he asked if I was going to be okay.  I couldn't answer...only nodded my head and went into the house.  Then he just left.  *sigh* 

I knew this trip was coming.  He's had it planned for several weeks now.  I totally sided with my flesh and the enemy on this issue in my actions AND my attitude!  Today could have gone so much better.  He's going to a special event with his mom tomorrow morning, and bringing home a 1973 VW Bug for him and the kids to work on together.  He's an awesome man, and a great husband and father.  I have much to be thankful for today. If I had thought this way sooner instead of driving my mind straight into the ditch of self-pity I wouldn't be sitting here feeling like a dolt now would I?!?  I neglected to guard my heart against the lies of the enemy.

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. (Proverbs 4:23 NIV)

So God, what do I do with this one?  I totally allowed the enemy to steal moments of joy I could have had while he was here, but instead I took offense and pouted like a baby.  Where's my fruit?  It's gotta be around here somewhere...

"Lord, help me to remember that Your mercies are new every morning.  Forgive me for falling short and missing the mark you set for me today.  I humbly submit to Your correction and Your council.  Help me to know and completely understand that LOVE never fails, JOY cometh, PEACE rules, PATIENCE waits, KINDNESS tenders, GOODNESS does, FAITH fights, GENTLENESS bows, and SELF-CONTROL stops.  These are the fruit I want manifested in my life.  Cast out envy, strife, pride, and anything else in my heart that would stop your Spirit from fully flowing in my life.  I love You Lord, and choose to submit to You in this issue.  In Jesus' Name, Amen."

Spoiled for the Ordinary

Last week Quinn and I were invited to an outdoor concert performed by our local symphony orchestra.  They are totally amazing and brilliant in their mastery of various musical compositions.  They played perfectly...with one heart and mind.  They were magnificent.  But to the ears of my heart it was dead and lifeless.  There was no glory given to the Creator of music, no music magnificent enough to even pretend to praise Him.  I left feeling like I had totally wasted my time.  We rushed in with tons of food and bug spray and chairs, listened to the performance, watched the fireworks, packed up, and rushed right back to our vehicles. 

On the way back I began wondering to myself, "Why didn't I enjoy that?  I love music of all venues, and especially live orchestras.  What is wrong with me?"  Then it occurred to me that my Father has totally spoiled me for the ordinary.  Even what is considered "extraordinary" by human standards can never compare to the glory of God and what He can accomplish in the human heart.  In drawing away, and setting my heart on Him, I've found the One Who is truly Extraordinary.  As my attention focuses on Him and His love, the desires of the world do not hold the appeal they once did.  I am spoiled in regards to worldly things.  The only time my heart thrills within me is if He is in it somehow.

I have to admit though, as I was looking across the sea of faces in the crowd I had the incredible urge to draw and capture what my heart was "seeing".  God has designed each of us so uniquely, and each of us bear His image...even if we are totally unaware of the fact.  I saw this couple that was so exquisitely beautiful together I wished I had brought my camera with me so I could study their features later.  There was a woman wearing a beanie hat with black hair with shocks of red highlights that caught my attention.  Everywhere I looked I saw images of God looking back at me.   The children captured my heart most of all.  As the music played they would dance and twirl and jump and laugh.  They brought life to an otherwise dead performance.  They were unhindered in their joy of the music, and their small bodies resonated with youthful exhuberance.  They were absolutely enchanting, and remarkably free.  We were asked by our hosts not to bring our own children, and I couldn't help but feel that somehow it would have been more enjoyable with them there.

I suppose I did find God there that night...but He was in the people, not the performance.  Each person there carried His image, and each one is called by God for His purposes and His plan.  And each one has been given the right to tell Him, "No".  The father of this world is a master at convincing us that the world we see is all there is...when God is saying, "Come to Me and I will show you My wonders!"  He lies and deceives and convinces us we need this or that, when all we need is the One Who could rescue us from wasting our precious lives.  We drink, we dance, we chase after our false gods and lose our footing and fall.  Some of us find God in the bottom of the pit...some of us don't find Him at all.  Some choose to walk away and ignore the priceless gift of redemption extended by the nail-scarred hands of Jesus Christ.  He cries out to us even now to choose Wisdom and follow her ways (Proverbs 1:20-28), but instead we follow after folly.  If we do not follow Him, we end up following the enemy of our souls by "default".  We are led to believe we are "doing our own thing", when we're actually being led to the slaughter.  It is not in a man to direct his own steps:

O Lord [pleads Jeremiah in the name of the people], I know that [the determination of] the way of a man is not in himself; it is not in man [even in a strong man or in a man at his best] to direct his [own] steps. (Jeremiah 10:23 AMP)

The steps of a [good] man are directed and established by the Lord when He delights in his way [and He busies Himself with his every step]. (Psalm 37:23 AMP)

I felt displaced that evening...in the world, but not a part of the world.  It was both disconcerting and reassuring.  This isn't my home, and it's alright to feel like a stranger from the outside "looking in".  As His children we are called and required to be set apart.  And one day we will stand in our heavenly home, surrounded by the Orchestra of Heaven itself, and join with the multitudes and sing His praises.  Hallelujah!

You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you. (Nehemiah 9:6)

Lord, lead our steps toward Your abundant LIFE, and far away from folly.  Order our footsteps each day, for we fail miserably at directing our own steps.  Let our hearts seek after Wisdom, and open our eyes to recognize Your handiwork in the people You've created to bear Your image.  You truly are Magnificent and worthy of all our praise and adoration.  Come and reign and rule in our hearts this day in Jesus' Name, Amen.

Do You Still Love Me?

My youngest daughter Rebecca found a picture of her and her brother lying together on the futon when she was less than two.  He was holding her and hugging her, and seemed to enjoy being with his baby sister.  And she was enraptured by his attention.  All of a sudden she burst into tears!  I asked her what was wrong and she replied,

"He doesn't love me anymore!"

"Oh Sweetheart", I said, "of course your brother still loves you!"  The tears kept coursing down her now-reddened cheeks.  She refused to believe me.  So, I went to wake her brother to resolve this situation.  Nothing I said to her would stop her from crying.  When I told him what was happening he was quite dumbfounded by the whole matter.  I took a load of laundry into the laundry room and began sorting clothes, with one ear toward the dining room where I could hear them talking.  At first she acted angry toward him and wouldn't talk to him or look at him.  I silently prayed that God would give Austin the wisdom to reach his little sister to let her know he still loved her.  In just a few moments I heard her giggling, then begin to laugh like she usually does when he amuses her.  The storm had passed and their relationship was restored.

How often do we do the same thing with God?  We look back at our past...our "mountain-top" experiences and the times we felt so close to God and we wonder,

"Does He still love me?  Does He still have a purpose for my life?  I'm consumed by dishes, dirty laundry, endless e-mails, to-do lists, errands and runny noses.  Does He really care?  I want to go back to the mountain-top to find Him again." 

I think it absolutely dumbfounds God.  And like Rebecca, when our Father gets down on His knees to embrace us we often wrap our arms around ourselves, look down at the floor and pull away.  At some point we've chosen to believe the lie that He really doesn't love us like He used to...somehow in our own eyes we don't measure up to the "picture" we have in our heads, and neither does He.  Unknowingly, we have placed Him in a box.

"I've been through so much, I've made bad choices, I don't have a steady quiet-time anymore, I'm a disappointment to Him, I'm not a good wife or mom, I've changed..." 

But somehow by His grace He lifts our heads once more and loves us as only He can.  He knows just what it takes to minister to our deepest needs, if we will only fall back into His arms again. 

On this side of Heaven we cannot live forever on our past "mountain-top" experiences.  The mountain is where we receive His dreams and promises for our lives.  It is a place of new beginnings.  But it is in the valley that our character is developed, along with the faith that is necessary to see those dreams come to pass.  He promises to walk through the valley with us (Psalm 23).  He has promised to never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6).  He is an every-day God...not just a "mountain-top" dweller.  He took on the lowly form of a servant, and washed the feet of His disciples.  He touched and healed the lame, the sick, and the leper.  He's not afraid of the dirt.  He's not intimidated by our problems and He is faithful even when we are faithless.  He is passionately in love with His people.  He created you for intimacy with Him, and He desires for you to know who you are in Him - each and every moment.

And lest we forget, it was for the "joy set before Him" that He endured the shame of the cross.  Wonder what the "joy" was?  It was you...and me.  Passionate, Outrageous Love - hanging on a tree.  We were there, hiding in His heart. 

Can you hear Him calling your name?  Run, don't walk Dear One and fall into His arms once more.  Yes, He still loves you.  See yourself as a well-loved child in the humble heart of the King of Kings!

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

Tattooed

I was driving down the road a few weeks ago.  Spring had finally come here to the Sunny South, and everywhere I looked it was verdant and full of life.  There's this one stretch of road on the way to my house that I especially love. It goes on for a couple of miles, is full of old magnificent trees, dotted with churches, and just beautiful in a quaint kind of way.  It was on this road I got an incredible "urge".

I want a tattoo.

After the shock of that realization hit my mind like a freight-train, tears began to spill from my eyes.  You see, I don't want a tattoo with just any old picture, or my husband's name, or any funky design.  I want 3 simple letters, spelled across my forehead:

H-I-S

I want everyone who looks at me to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I am HIS!  He is the most magnificent, glorious, immeasurable, gracious, loving God and Father there ever was or will be, and I am HIS!  My heart wanted to burst out of my chest as I began to think how I could possibly get away with having a tattoo on my forehead.  I have to admit I was a bit out of my head at that moment.  But the joy that hit me that day has stayed with me since.  And as I walk by people day after day I often wonder, "Do you see Him?"  When I touch someone I think, "Do you feel Him?"  This is my heart's greatest desire.

This morning during my quiet time I found an amazing scripture:

Dust!

Dust

Dust! Precious dust - cover and envelop me

       from head-to-toe until I cannot see

       my very own reflection

Precious dust! I breathe it slowly in - out

       and somewhere begin to find a shout

       of praise and pause to dance

"Dust? But you must stand up! You must be clean!"

       Oh precious friend, it's not as it seems

       Come! Sit! Give ear to my wonder -

This dust on me is from just One

       my heart's desire - God's precious Son

       I'll sit at His feet 'til I finish my race

I will sit at His feet

       I will seek His face

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The devotion by David Jeremiah below is what prompted me to write the above poem.  Oh that I may always be covered by the dust of His feet!    Blessings, Lori

That I may know Him . . .
Philippians 3:10

An ancient Jewish proverb instructs disciples to "Follow the rabbi, drink in his words, and be covered with the dust of his feet." According to Jewish history, disciples were expected to spend twenty-four hours a day learning from the rabbi, following so closely that they would be covered with the dust from the rabbi's feet.

In today's world it seems impossible to follow Jesus so closely because of our obligations at work, at home, and to our families. But following Christ 24/7 doesn't mean neglecting our everyday responsibilities. In fact, one of the objectives disciples had in following their rabbi was to become intimately involved in his day-to-day activities so that they would know how to live.

As Christians we have the same objective in our relationship with Christ. The only way to become more like Him is to study His Word, talk to Him through prayer, and follow Him throughout each day as He teaches us how to live. God is with us in every moment; follow Him, drink in His words, and be covered with the dust of His feet.

By Dr. David Jeremiah

Gob-smacked? God-smacked!

This has been a long-time-a-comin'.  Where to begin?  I hardly even know.  Please bear with me, as this is a long post.  I have so much to share with you!

I've written before how God has had me in this very intimate place.  I rush to get up in the morning to meet with Him, and I'm never disappointed.  So this year when I went to our Ladies Retreat I didn't go desperately hungry...I'd been spending time at his feet for 3 months before we left for North Carolina to meet at the Billy Graham Training Center.  But oh, how He met me there!  I was reminded of dreams and visions He had given me from over the past ten years...things I had forgotten about or shoved out of my mind because "surely that wasn't for ME!".  But then somewhere deep inside my heart began crying out, "There has to be something bigger than this!  I was born for something more than THIS!".

There is a reason why our hearts cry out in protest to the mundane of our lives.  We are children of the Most High God.  He has called us to His eternal Kingdom to be Princes, Princesses and Priests to serve Jesus and the Father.  We are to inherit a Kingdom...not a make-believe castle in the sky, but one whose very foundations are of precious stones with streets paved with the finest gold!  It is more real than this world we currently traverse.  We walk around as mere men, when we are called to be greater.  Somehow - only God knows how - we are walking, talking, living, breathing containers of the eternal power of God. 

It's hard for me to wrap my brain around the thought that Jesus, and the power He possesses to lay down His life and take it up once more, lives inside my mortal body!  Hallelujah!  Truly this is the message and hope of Easter.  And now there is no division between God and man, as Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice "for the joy set before Him".  He saw my face while He hung on the cross...and He saw yours too.  We are His joy and He passionately loves us.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)

I came back from the retreat with my vision re-focused.  My confession the week before was that, "My eyes are opened, my sight is restored and I see everything clearly."  (Mark 8:25)  Now admittedly, I've been believing for the Lord to physically touch my eyes.  I felt led to pray that prayer in faith.  Only in looking back did I see how remarkably He did answer that prayer, but in a much more profound way.  He has restored my vision - my spiritual vision - and I do see things VERY clearly right now...especially as it pertains to my own sin. 

This is where the rubber meets the road.  He knows I trust Him implicitly and I've thrown the doors of my heart wide-open for Him to come and do as He will.  But I was not prepared for what He showed me and the "table-turning" He has done in the sanctuary of my heart.  Remember the story in Matthew 21?  He became angry and overturned the tables of those selling in the Temple.  He said His "house" was to be called a house of "prayer" - a place to commune with God.  He declared that it was full of "robbers". 

"Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. "It is written," he said to them, " 'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it a 'den of robbers.'" (Matthew 21:12-13)

And after He cleansed the temple look what happened:

"The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them." (Matthew 21:14)

He healed the blind and the lame!  He cleansed, and then He healed.  Now think about this: because Christ dwells in us we are now His "house" (1 Corinthians 6:19).  How much more jealous do you think He is concerning the temple of our hearts where His Spirit resides.  He is more than willing to deal with those attitudes and sins that would "rob" us of our fellowship - our intimate communion - with Him.

I was entirely blind-sided to my own sins...the first being Unforgiveness.  I didn't even realize she was there.  And when He began dragging her kicking and screaming before me I was mortified.  She had been there for the past two years...perhaps even longer.  Along with this traitor in my heart was her companion of Self-Righteousness.  She came out well-coifed and self-assured, confident that she would return to her throne.  Jesus quickly took care of her too, and I'm happy to say these "robbers" have vacated the premises.  This has probably been one of the hardest things I've had to do - see my heart and the condition it was in.  King David, a "man after God's own heart", long ago exclaimed:

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." (Psalm 139:23-24)

This has got to be the most dangerous (and most liberating) prayer anyone could ever pray.  I cried out to God and told Him to break these things in me hard, because I didn't want to go here again.  I didn't want those things cluttering my heart and fogging my mind.  A heart filled with unforgiveness and self-righteousness is not a heart prepared for the Spirit to flow through.  He gently reminded me that when a bone is broken, then entirely healed, it becomes the strongest point of the bone.  But let a storm start brewing and that bone will begin to "ache".  That's where I want to be spiritually.  When unforgiveness and self-righteousness want to sneak in, I want to spiritually "ache" on the inside and quickly deal with the issues at hand.  Where the Lord "breaks" us He is faithful to heal us once again.  His discipline - though difficult - bears much fruit.

"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." (Hebrews 12:11)

"Come, let us return to the LORD.
       He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us;
       he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds." (Hosea 6:1)

You want to know the most humbling part of this ordeal?  Knowing that He has been intimate with me and drawn me close to Him (and even spoken to me!) while knowing fully well the condition of my heart.  To use a very southern expression it "gobsmacks" me.  Perhaps "God-smacked" is more like it.  His love is so profound and so very different from ours.  His love covers.  It covers our sins, our shame and our constant failures.  And lest we forget, by His grace we have been saved.  He chose to draw near, even with the gross sin in my life.  He drew me to intimacy because of His great love for me, and to deal with those sins that were hindering His work in my life.  If I had not learned to trust Him, this experience could have crushed me.

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8)

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)

If He can save me, He can save anyone.  I know this now.  And until the day I draw my last breathe I want to have a teachable spirit.  I trust Him.  I owe my very life to Him.  He is everything to me, and He has restored my soul.

May you allow the Lord to "roll away the stone" from your heart this Easter.  Ask Him to come in and search for those things that wish to blind-side you.  Ask Him to breathe His life into the dreams He gave you long ago.  You can trust Him...He is faithful, and He has come to bring you Resurrection Life!

Lori

Can Mary Survive in a Martha World?

I'm going through a wonderful, and at times frustrating, season of life.  I cry easily right now, and my heart fills with longing to just sit and be still.  We are commanded to "Be still, and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10)  And yet, how often do we find our feet hit the floor in the morning and groan inwardly at the day ahead.  Our lives are filled with the mundane, the everyday, the bits and pieces of dreams shattered as another pile of laundry is accumulating on the bathroom floor.  We lose ourselves to the everyday drip of bills, phone calls, emails, schedules, orthodontist appointments and sibling arguments.  We sit, we stand, we cry, we keep going. Depression sits on our hearts like a lead blanket.  Another morning comes.  And somewhere deep in our souls, Mary is crying.  She is being held against her will from the One she so desperately loves and needs.

Every time I choose my way before seeking His, and each time I ignore that pleading within my soul to "be still"...she cries.  I hear her voice.  At the beginning of the year I became aware of her spirit residing in me...that spirit that would rather spend hours at the feet of my Lord, than wash dishes, or laundry, or mindlessly sit in front of a computer screen.  Mary found abundant L-I-F-E at the feet of Jesus.  I've found that same heart-pounding joy at His feet as well.  But how often do the demands of my day continue their perpetual whine..."choose ME first - you'll have time to be with Him later".  But later often never comes.  It is a sly deception that the enemy of our souls places before us on a silver platter each new morning.  It comes with the morning paper and a hot cup of coffee.  We are deceived into thinking we will be here forever, when our lives are "but a breath".

I still walk around this tree of failure...not placing Him first each new day.  But the time I spend going around is becoming shorter, and I am grateful.  I'm recognizing it sooner, and He is always faithful to show me I'm straying off the good path He's provided for me.  His forgiveness is amazing, and His constant love is unfathomable.  He took me to Psalm 103 this morning, and I read each word and soaked it in...a love letter just for me from my Savior.  After spending an exhausting week in "Martha's" shoes I feel like I can breathe again.

Have you noticed that when we have Mary's heart, we have God's strength to deal with our day instead of Martha's?  Notice how fretful she is about her responsibilities in this story and Jesus' response:

At the Home of Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42)

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.  She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said.  But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"

"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

Mary was doing the right thing!  She was sitting at the feet of Jesus, soaking in His every word.  Martha was rebuked - not Mary.  Martha somehow forgot that the very One she was preparing to serve provided bread and fish for over 5000 men and women on a hillside with a small boy's lunch!  She could have stopped at any time, plopped down at the feet of Jesus, and He would have made sure there was enough to eat for everyone present.  Mary had chosen the one thing "needed".  We should do no less.

Yes, Mary can survive in a Martha world.  It is uncomfortable though, as many "Martha's" - our never-ending responsibilities - whine and complain we're not doing "enough".  Sitting at His feet is the only thing we "need".  He will provide the rest.