What to do when I don't have enough thoughts!

God is good. HE is not really concerned about the volume of my thoughts. It is HIS desire that I turn my thoughts towards HIM. I found myself thinking of HIM at several different times today. The Bible says HIS eye is always upon me...I believe that means I am always in HIS thoughts. How awesome that is! My God loves me and thinks about me all the time. I hope my life causes HIM joy. Tomorrow is the 4th birthday of one of my grandsons...I am rejoicing because I know God loves him and thinks good thoughts towards him. He is a wonderful young man with a Godly heritage! I pray that tomorrow is a delight to his heart! No matter who you are or where you have been, connecting with God as a follower of HIS son, Jesus Christ, gets you 24/7 visual observance by the creator of the universe. Now that is an AWESOME thought!

A penny for my thoughts tonight would be expensive

I have not fully enjoyed today. I keep thinking that today was a day of brain fogginess. The SON never fully peaked over the horizon of my life. I knew the light was there, I just could never fully wrap my brain around the spiritual thought processes. Pressure has a way of obscuring the clarity of purpose in our lives. God is still trying to teach me to follow HIM more closely...even when all the world is vying for my time. I am encouraged in the final hours of January 27, 2007, to know that God is well able to meet every need I have today or will have tomorrow. HIS thoughts towards me are clear, kind, and good. HE does not have days of brain fog. HE is well acquainted with my emotions...HE is able to help me bring my thoughts into captivity and subjection to the Holy Spirit. There is peace in following HIM wherever HE leads. Are you a good follower?

If I could just get paid for my thoughts...

Somedays I realize that my poor brain is on overload...I have filtered so many thoughts that I can barely remember them all. Thoughts provoked by the Holy Spirit are the thoughts I want to zoom in on. God is always probing the Spirit within me...HE wants my thoughts to more closely mirror HIS thoughts about everything. It is difficult to harness the flesh man and strictly adhere to the ways of God. Being a follower of Jesus Christ is an exciting life. I pray that I am a good ambassador for HIM! My soul yearns even pants after the living water HE has to offer. Take heart fellow Jesus disciples...God knows our every thought and HE still chooses to use us. HE needs us to represent HIM in the earth today. OH! Happy Day! God is interested in my playing a part in HIS script for planet earth today. How about those thoughts?

My thoughts are not your thoughts, Oh God!

Popa has been sick since July of 1991. The beginning years were difficult emotionally because we were so impacted by the diagnosis. The middle years were traversed with caution but with gladness of heart. Popa was able to see the girls married, the grandchildren delivered, and our confidence in God grow. These last few years have been more difficult, emotionally we have been able to walk the tight rope, spiritually we have grown in our knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, but physically we've seen a decline almost daily. The confession of our faith has been strong. I have marvelled down through the years at Popa's ability to dwell on the healing rather than the disease. I have had many thoughts of late, what is God's ultimate plan for Popa, should or would God really take away both the Popas' of two precious little boys, and what is my role in all of this? Good questions, there are no answers. I have finally been able to place my beloved husband in the hands of the Lord. I will trust God to do that which HE desires. I cannot worry about whether my thougths are pure, holy, or emotional...I can only commit them to the Lord. Popa was devastated to hear that blindness was eminent unless a miracle took place. He loves to read the word of God and all the spiritual books he can find. He cannot imagine not being able to enjoy God's beauty on his motorcylce. How does one traverse through illness without growing bitter or weary? I do not know the answers to these thought provoking questions. I only know I have been upset emotionally with the doctor's facts, I have been weary from days of tending to a man in pain, I have been bitter at the progressiveness of the disease, I have even been disappointed in God's decisions, and yet I believe that the Maker of Heaven meant it when HE said that HIS thoughts are not my thoughts, neither are HIS ways my ways. So, I am back to the simple truth I know, I CAN TRUST GOD.

I am full!

Full of thoughts, full of questions, full of revelation, full of joy, full of faith, and fully knowing there is always room for more of God in my life and less of me. The less of me cannot take place until there is more of HIM! So, my prayer is for more of HIM! It is all too apparent that HE is more anxious to invade me than I am to let HIM. I was reading Isaiah 58 today and was struck by verse 8 for Popa, it says "and your health shall come forth speedily." Yeah God! I do not know what that looks like and neither do you. We all use to think we knew what the word of the Lord meant, now we know for sure we do not! The acceptance of choosing to trust in HIM no matter what....is where there is true joy! Even when I cannot trust myself, I can trust God. It is so awesome to personally know the author of heaven and earth. I am overwhelmed by HIS faithfulness and goodness in our daily lives. Popa and I are enjoying not having to keep so many doctor appointments this week. We did have interactions with three different physicians so far this week but that is a huge releif from the past several months when we have kept approximately 11-12 doctor's visits per week. We are excited about getting our lives back and possibly moving towards normalcy. I continue to type Popa's notes for the Restoration Class. He sure does use a lot of scripture. I know God will faithfully meet him in this assignment. So, if your life is as busy as ever, take heart, God knows and is interested in what concerns you today. HE delights to sing over you with joy. May you find HIS peace a comfort in all the hectic moments of life.

Always room for improvement

For those of you who have been wondering if I would ever correct all the typing errors in my blog....you should be encouraged. I tried to go through and fix all the ones I could find. I realize that I think much faster than I type. That is a good thing as I see it. A better thing might be to proof read my work. Don't you love it, there is always the good, the better and the best. Jesus was always mindful of the best solution in every situation HE encountered. The best was always to find himself partnered with HIS heavenly Father. I am aware that what God is requiring is more and more of me...he wants me to partner with HIM. It is so easy to run in our own strength and our own perspective, but God is stepping into my life louder and louder to ensure that I am in step with him. Being made into HIS likeness is invaluable; help me Holy Spirit to willing engage in the truth you want to share with me each day. I must daily die to myself and realize that until Jesus returns to earth there will always be room for improvement.

The Confirmation of the Holy Spirit

A few weeks back I felt challenged by the Holy Spirit to spend more time alone with God. So, I have purposed that my a.m. time with HIM is a priority...and yet yesterday HE challenged me again, HE wants even more of my time and priorities. It is because the need to minsiter out of the overflow of the Spirit is so vital to life in the Spirit. I choose to live an abundant life in the here and now, to see my circle of influence deeply impacted by the annointing of God. Holy Spirit rub in the oil of annointing, so that it is so deeply ingrained in me that the cares of everyday life will not wear it off or dilute it down. One of my favorite preachers in the whole world preached this rubbed in annointing to a group of believers who are in the process of seeing what God put in his pastor's heart years ago. Thank you God for a faithful shepherd who so freely shared the richness of your annointing. May the Willamette Valley be forever changed by a pastor's willingness to fly into the head winds. We, his family, declare sight for this man of God...so that he might read the beloved word of God. He is a man who loves your word oh God, extend the brightness of your light in his natural eyes and may complete restoration take place. We bless you and say YOU, and YOU alone oh God do all things well. We trust in you and your unfailing love for us.

God 1st; then Good Family and Friends

I am totally amazed at God's design to make genetic characteristics pass from one generation to another! I am equally delighted at HIS design to cause our spiritual giftings and callings to pass from one generation to another. Just let me say I am "one proud Momma". My youngest daughter is an awesome woman of God and I am honored to be her mother. Her heart for God inspires me on a daily basis. The God-factor in my daughters is truly one of the greatest joys of my life. My heavenly Father continues to make room for each of us to be exactly what HE designed us to be. I was once criticized for using my daughters as an example in a message I was preaching...I am saddened for the other person as I reflect back. Her criticizm stemmed out of pain, it is my prayer that God cause her to be whole in her relationships with her children and that God redeem her off-spring because of HIS great love and grace. Forgiveness is sometimes walked out in steps...we can think we have forgiven others and yet we find traces of the offense much later. Lord, teach me to forgive as you forgive. Hallelujah, Jesus Christ totally forgave me...there is NO trace of unforgivenss in HIS divine nature. You too can walk free!

To Be or Not to Be?

For me there is no choice, I must be a follower of Christ. It is so rewarding to know God, as my heavenly Father; His Son, Jesus Christ, as my Savior and Redeemer to walk with the precious Holy Spirit as my teacher, my guide, the illuminator of all truth, and my ever present Comforter. God by HIS spirit is so eager to commune with us, I pray that I will be able to tune into HIS frequency with all of my being. It is so exciting to serve HIM, to know HIM, to love HIM, to walk with HIM, to talk with HIM! HE is truly my all in all. I am tired tonight, I had a full day and can honestly say God was so very faithful! May your heart leap at HIS voice as HE calls to you!

I was reading my daughters blogs tonight and was amazed at their thought processes and their writing ability. By my daughters, I mean all three of them. It was thought provoking and inspiring, not to mention, it made this "momma's" heart proud. I am always reminded of my Heavenly Father's heart for me. I am convinced God is delighted by my mere existence, its wonderful to know HE loves me with a love that never ends. I am always challenged by HIS unconditional love to be more like HIS son, Jesus Christ. As such, I was out and about today, in the mall no less, I must tell you I am not a shopper or a looker. Today, however, I found myself purchasing numerous items. Not necessarily expensive items but lots of little needed objects. Like pump soap for the upstairs bathroom in a new fragrance. I was proud of myself for venturing out. I bought some sale items that will make nice birthday gifts throughout the year. I bought some skin care products and spent a gift certificate on myself, I felt totally indulgent in my own personal wants. As I have reflected on that this evening, I realized there are not any instances in Scripture where I find Christ totally indulging in his own well-being. HE was always about HIS Father's business...I am challenged in this moment in my quest to be more like Christ. To begin to see what God sees as important! Help me God to clearly see what it is that you want me to do. My prayer is that God will reveal HIS heart to you as you seek HIM!

5 days without a blog....what's up?

Well, for one thing we have had some extreme weather conditions in our part of the U.S. The first day of snow is oh so lovely, the 2nd day...the snow gets a little dirty. This time the 3rd day it froze and was miserable...ice everywhere. People sliding up and down the hill in front of our house slipping and a sliding. Someone said it was suppose to warm up so I did not shovel the driveway...Big Mistake! We finally got a break in the weather, the snow did not melt but it was sure good to get out of the house. Sunday came, we went to church and out to lunch, we even traveled about 75 miles Sunday night to be in church with some old friends. It was delightful, if you want to read my journal about the encounter, contact me. Then we woke up Monday morning to an additional 5-6 inches of snow...for a few minutes I was upset and then I realized...God controls all, even the weather so, I decided to rejoice in HIS plan to once again blanket our part of the earth with the purity of snow. Then yesterday my daughter and her boys helped shovel off the driveway. It was a feat but fun to be with all of them. Then we went out to dinner with some friends. It was all and all a lovely day. What a joy it is to simple rest in the care of our Heavenly Father, knowing HE does all things well. I bless you in HIS wonderful matchless name as you pursue HIM in all HIS splendor and glory.

Early morning nona-rise

My body needs rest...my brain is busy...so my body is up. My spirit is soaring...so my brain has engaged to try to download what the spirit is sending on HIS worldwide web. Sometimes there are a lots of cookies clogging up the browser. A little Prayer is the perfect defragmentor. Have any of you ever noticed the "high-speed" capabilites of the HOLY SPIRIT? The capabilities of HIS browser are endless, the best quality music...I have found myself singing HIS faithfulness. I have found myself declaring HIS word. I actually woke up this morning at around 4 a.m. and tried to remember every scripture I knew with its corresponding address. I have gotten lazy lately, I usually just rely on my friend, Linda, to give the biblical address. So, she would be delighted to know that God is requiring more of me. I am not only trying to hide HIs word in my heart, I'm trying to put it in the context HE provided. My oh my, Popa and I have been watching 'LOST' the past couple of evenings. Our son-in-law up the street has been bringing them to Popa, they are quite entertaining. I always see the spiritual parallel and am struck by the fact that so often our society does not realize the reality of God's eternal purposes. I woke up today with lots of new thoughts on my mind three hours ago and I am counting on God to make them all make sense in HIS timing. I am easily provoked by HIM and excited to hear HIM speak to me. May you find yourselves always in HIS care, for HE cares for you.

White as Snow

I awoke this morning to a beautiful snow covered outdoors. I was awestruck by how perfect everything looked. The ground was covered in several inches of white snow. Everywhere I looked there was this beautiful pure white snow. I couldn't help but remember "Tho your sins be as scarlet, they shall be whiter than snow". The a questions ran through my brain, could anything be whiter than snow? Yes, the sins that God forgives are transformed by his power and we are made pure in HIS sight....HE sees me purer and whiter than the snow that covered our community in the night. I am impressed by HIS infinite desire to make me into something better than I was yesterday, an hour ago and even a minute ago. HE accepts me just as I am. Oh, to live out that attribute in my circle of influence...to love others as HE has loved me. The grandsons came down, a slippery walk down the hill this morning, they were delighted to grab handfuls of the pure white substance and throw it at one another. The kids in the neighborhood were out in force, running up and down the sidewalks, throwing snowballs, building snowmen, and sliding down the driveways. As they played in the snow, it lost its sense of purity, whiteness, and the ability to cover up everything. I thought how much our lifes do the same to the grace of God. We muck it up with our playing around with sin, with our attempts to somehow get the upperhand on our fellow mankind, gossip, finding fault, and generally disregard for the command to love one another. God is ever faithful and HE never runs out of grace. May you find yourselves lving out the "whiter than snow" grace of our Savior.

I am not sure what day it is!

The week has been full! Several doctor appointments for Popa and I. Some of the news was not good, I am so glad the doctors are not in control of our destiny. It is hard not to get caught up in their diagnosis. I keep saying that we trust God and that HE is our only hope. This is truth....help me to buy truth for myself, Lord. Our family has been sick for the last month now. 1st one daughter and her children and now Popa, myself, eldest daughter and her three children, along with baby daughter, her husband, and their two sons. Middle daughter and her husband have escaped thus far. I know I must be sick, my children have needed my help this week and I find myself unable to muster the strength to provide the help they need. Surely, God will raise us all up again and reverse our current situation. An old friend showed up yesterday unannounced, she heard the doctor's report on Popa and decided to spend a couple of hours with me. It was a wonderful respite! Thank You, God, for sending someone to town for another reason and yet I benefitted from her trip. You are an awesome God, no doubt about it, I will rejoice and be glad in your faithfulness and goodness. Much is not said about how to traverse through a fatal diagnosis, but I can tell you almost 15 years into Popa's illness I could write a book. He has lived 12 years past their longest predicitions, not without complications and some very difficult days...yet here we are. Only God can make a way where there seems to be no way! Boy, am I glad Popa and I are known personally by HIM! Take heart my family and friends, encourage one another today in the Lord!

Oh, what a difference a day makes!

Yesterday's bad news doesn't seem so dramatic today! The doctor's report seems less daunting after 24 little hours. The human spirit is resilient to say the least. We adapt without much outside influence. The dark clouds of yesterday blown away by the slightest breeze of hope today. I sometimes wonder at the creativity of our Maker, the God of all the universe knows every little detail about me and has built into my being the will to continue on even in the hours of dark despair. My aim in 2007 is to trust HIM more, to embrace HIS sovereign plan for my life and to simply enjoy the little seasons of respite HE provides. Today's facts don't dictate HIS truth for me! HE is the God of all HOPE, of all PEACE, of all JOY, of all FAITH, and HE knows my name. Tomorrow is looking better already!

My husband's birthday!

It is amazing to me how quickly time moves by. Seems like only yesterday I saw this really good looking guy drive by in a 1969 Ford Mustang. Something in my heart leaped that day and I can honestly say, that good looking man can still make my heart leap. The psychologist say that the feeling of being "in love" passes and then we must choose to love...I, however, believe that being "in love" and the feelings it evokes are richer and deeper as the years go by. I have loved this man since I was 17 years old and I cannot imagine loving any other. He is a wonderful husband, my best friend, he provokes me to try new things, he initiates change when it will lead to something better, he is a wonderful affirming father to our fantastic 3 daughters and a great Popa to the 5 granchildren, he loves God with all of his heart, and he remains positive in the midst of great physcial challenges. He is a man of great faith and I am blessed to be his wife. I pray that God grant him peace and that he prospers even as his soul prospers. Happy Birthday, my darling! NONA

And so the New Year Begins!

I was in a place at midnight with other Christians enjoying one another's company but very much aware of what a joy the passing of time is when God is the focus. We welcomed the New Year by praying for our city. What a joy! God is for us and there is no defeat in Jesus, HE purchased the victory for us. Tomorrow is a day of promise and I eagerly await the unfolding of God's plan for my life in the first day of 2007. Visiting with old friends, passing through the countryside very much aware that life is precious and enjoying the company of family is priceless. Whatever your lot...Trust in God, the creator of heaven and earth. In HIM and HIM alone our rest is complete. Even my faith to believe that HE is comes from HIM! I am awed by that revisited revelation. HE chose to impart the very measure of faith that provided my salvation. HE is a giving God, giving of HIMSELF, giving HIS only begotten SON, giving me faith to believe that HE is, and giving me a hope and a future. My friend, Linda, encouraged me to go around again. Sisters provoke each other to good works. Provoke on you faithful servants of God. We will see the glory of God made mannifest in the earth. I want to go again, anywhere Jesus leads me!