I Got My DO~OVER!

I got my do~over! However my self-appointed Happy New Year did not turn out exactly as I had imagined. (What does?) From February 1 – 3, I was determined to look for God in unusual places. I chose something I could offer as a sacrifice of worship to God during these three days. (No details here.)
Nevertheless, the Mom/Wife life continued and, for the most part, my special three days to seek and hear from God looked much the same as the previous three weeks!

I rose early to take TechSon to his school, taught my morning high school Spanish classes at another school, drove One Fine Man to treatment and homeschooled Skate~Boy in the van while we waited. We picked TechSon up from school and then finally home again to prepare dinner!

In between I did what so many of you also do daily: put chicken/beef/pork in the crockpot, fed/walked/watered the pup, swept/washed/assisted with a 9th grade Middle Ages history project and talked with Guitar Girl about a possible change in her college major.

Amid the "dailies," I grabbed snatches of time to pray, ponder and prepare my heart to hear from God. My three days passed and I was beginning to think I would have to declare yet another Happy New Year and a second do~over!
But Day Four…
On the afternoon of the fourth day, I sat at my desk and thought how even though I had made a small sacrifice and tried to make myself more available to God’s voice, I felt I had not hit the mark for the purpose of my appointed days.

And then God interrupted my thoughts. He brought to mind two separate occasions…both occurring on the fourth day. On the first occasion I felt God leading me to do something but since it involved anther person I felt a bit hesitant but jumped in anyway.

On the second occasion, I felt God leading me to NOT do a thing. It was regarding something that is very opposite to what I would normally do in the given situation. But I obeyed and refrained. God reminded me of these two acts of obedience and brought this scripture to mind, “[Obedience] is greater than sacrifice" I Samuel 15:22.
I thanked God for His word and His reassurance that I had not spent my do-over in vain.
That in and of itself was a blessing to me.
But then there was the desire I have for my yearly theme. What about that I wondered? This is one time that I didn’t have to wait on the answer to that question.

No sooner did my thought wing its way upward than God gave me my theme. And what He gave me was One Word. Was I disappointed that all I got was one word?
No! All it takes is ONE WORD. One word from God can give you renewed hope, a new piece to your dream puzzle, and a punch of color for your purpose! God has ignited a new fire in my belly for 2009. There is stirring a hunger and a thirst for MORE, MORE, MORE…OF HIM.

I would love to share my ONE WORD with you but that will have to wait for the appointed time and another word from HIM on that one. That next word? GO!
(There is a hint here somewhere as to the ONE WORD if you can find it.)

Now I must share with you what happened on Day Five…

(photo by Linda Charlene)

Happy New Year to Me! ~ A Do~Over

Happy New Year!

If you’ve been following my posts since this year began, then you know about our ski trip, my husband’s accident, his skin graft and pain, my terror driving through high winds in snowy mountain passes…and all of the other stuff that has come our way!

You may also remember that weeks before the ski trip God spoke to me in a way that prepared my heart for what would come. The thing that resonates over and again with me is this thought: Sometimes God prepares your heart in ways you cannot fathom for events you would never choose. The theme of His preparation of my heart was love.
For several years now around the first week of January, I have prayed about the theme of my life for the coming year. Last year my theme was “My Times are in His Hands” based on the passage in Psalms 31:15.

Recently I told a friend that I would never have chosen for this accident to happen but I am so grateful that God has spoken to me through it. In all of my impatience, He has been patient with me. Patiently listening. Patiently speaking. Patiently guiding.

Last week while at a doctor’s appointment, the nurse asked us when the accident occurred. “January 1st,” I responded.

She said, “What a way to start the New Year!”
“Yeah,” I answered. “I want a do-over.”
That is when I began thinking, “Why not a do-over?” The more I thought about it, the more it felt right. So February 1 is the official beginning of my New Year.

Inspired by my dear friend, I am starting my new year with 3 days of intentionality toward God. I will intentionally look for God in unusual places. I will intentionally choose more time with Him. I will intentionally listen to His voice. I will intentionally choose love over any other option. I will intentionally deny myself and offer it as a sacrifice of worship to Him.

Bonus~Since an intention is a resolve, I have my New Year's resolutions, too!

So Happy New Year to me! I may even light a firecracker tonight…after all it is New Year’s Eve!
How about you? Anyone else need a do-over? I'd love to hear about it. Do Tell!

"I Attest" by Melanie Dorsey

I Attest

by Melanie Dorsey (Bella~Mella)

To Your friendship that keeps me day and night.

To hope, even when expressed in sighs so deep.

To the kindness borne of You in another's eyes.

To flutters of joy pushing through hard places.

To Your Word that tells me A New Day Comes.

I At...Test~Attest of YOU.

attest - to affirm to be true or genuine

Written on a day which overflowed with things to do, places to go, people to help, meals to cook, thoughts to think, tears to cry, songs to sing & praise to give.

(Photography by Linda Charlene)

Part Two - From the Top of the Mountain

(To read part one, scroll down.)

Continued - Yet, with all of my thoughts of planning and preparation for the New Year, it was God who had done the planning. He had prepared my heart weeks before.
A day after the accident, I was standing in the hospital room and a memory flooded my mind. I was back in my bedroom, a few weeks before our trip, putting away clothes and God spoke to my heart. I remember the deep emotion that came with such a personal and humbling word that God spoke to me.

In room 205 at St. Anthony Summit Medical Center, after the first surgery of four, I stood looking at my husband lying in the hospital bed. The memory of the words from God pierced my thoughts. Silently I responded to God, “So this is why You spoke those words to me a few weeks ago. This is it.”

In an instant, I understood why God had spoken that particular message to me. At the time, I thought I would simply try to do better than I had lately. Yes, I would add it to the growing list of my New Year’s resolutions.

Now, blinking back tears and swallowing hard, I promised God, “I will do it. I will do what you told me only I can do.” What He spoke to me as I was in my bedroom weeks earlier is so personal that I hesitate to share it.

I remember exactly where I was standing when God directed my thoughts toward the losses my husband has endured.

When he was sixteen, his father died after suffering from leukemia, believed to be a result of Agent Orange while serving in Vietnam.

A few years ago, his oldest sister passed away from the cancer that had ravaged her body for months. My husband and his oldest sister had a bond that comes from sharing the same faith in God. Although my husband has three more siblings, unfortunately they don’t see one another often.

In the spring of 2008, his mother passed away. She, too, had been in and out of the hospital several times before she passed from this life.

Although my parents have their health challenges, especially my precious mother, they are still on this earth and I can call them anytime for a quick chat or a long conversation. I never doubt their love and they tell me frequently they are proud of me. It was my parents who drove hours to our home to stay with our children when I returned to the hospital in CO.

When God pointed out the losses my husband has dealt with, He also pointed something else out.

He started with a question. "If you don’t love him with everything you have, who will? No one else on this earth can love him like you can. LOVE HIM LIKE NO ONE ELSE."

And that was it. But with that, I thought about the times my actions were right but my heart was not. I thought about instances where I did not honor my husband like I should have. I thought about times I had turned away from him instead of to him.

Of course I know there is no perfect marriage because there are no perfect people. And even healthy relationships have their peaks and valleys. Ours certainly has. But there was not just a do~ing better that was needed here. Yet not the extreme requirement of a heart transplant. Just something of a heart make-over. Soften the lines, smooth out the creases, bring the color back, plump it up...A heart~lift.

Someone asked me recently why I think this happened. This is my response to that question. “Accidents happen. I don’t believe God caused it and I don’t believe it was an attack of the enemy. Accidents happen because we live in this world. But God knew it was going to take place. And in His kindness, He prepared me in advance to care for my husband through the healing process. Through the good times in life and through the bad, we have the opportunity to grow and to learn. If we are teachable, we will learn. God will redeem the right and the best from anything we experience. Will the enemy try to take advantage of the situation? He will most certainly use every trick he can. But we are always the victors through Christ.”

These past few days One Fine Man has been in a lot of pain. The pain at the wound site wakes him up. Last night he suffered terribly and we watched the clock for when he could take another pain pill. I moved closer to him, warming him and resting my hand on his chest. I began to pray for God to intervene. I hated to see him suffer and hated my helplessness. I asked if there was any thing I could do for him. He said, “Just stay beside me.” In the dark, tears sprang to my eyes and I shifted closer. I thought again about God’s words to me. LOVE HIM LIKE NO ONE ELSE.

I do. I will.

Sometimes God prepares our hearts in ways we cannot fathom for events we would not choose. What is God preparing your heart for?

From The Top of the Mountain

Did you start ’09 with big plans, projects or platitudes? Or did you avoid thoughts and conversations about resolutions, change and challenges?

January will soon be over. Have you already faced failure, fallen short, fought back tears or let them flow? I can answer yes to all of these.

A few days leading up to January 1st, we were, as I have previously posted, on our annual ski trip in CO. We were skiing, the boys were snowboarding and I had lots of fun taping my Ski Tips for Living.

It was all great - until my husband, One Fine Man, had a traumatic accident on New Year’s Day.
The day before the accident, I had called my mother on my cell phone from the top of the mountain. Enjoying its significance, I remember telling her, “I just wanted to call you from the top of the mountain.” I related to her how beautiful the day was…blue skies…sunshine…fresh powder…and what fun we were having!

I also told her it was my last day to ski but One Fine Man and the boys had one more day to go. She asked me what I would do and if would I be bored. Me? Bored? Hardly ever! With a couple of books to finish reading, some research to do for the literature class I teach and my plans to set some goals, challenges and scheduling for 2009, I had plenty to do. In fact, with the alone time to pray, think and plan I would be in heaven with this time of preparation.

What a difference a day makes! I won’t repeat what I have already posted about concerning the accident. (It is in the first five posts of January if you care to read about it).

Platitudes? Now pleading prayers.
Planning? Flight changes, calls to make, rental car return, school starting...
Resolutions? Do what has to be done now; then do the next thing.
Change? YES!
Challenges? Continue.
Tears? Some held back. Some hidden. Some flowed silently until a stranger pressed tissues into my hand.

And I’ve been disappointed but mainly in my own shortcomings – impatience heading the list.
Yet, with all of my thoughts of planning and preparation for the New Year, it was God who had done the planning. He had prepared my heart weeks before our trip.

A day after the accident, I was standing in the hospital room and a memory flooded my mind. I was back in my bedroom, a few weeks before our trip, putting away clothes and God spoke to my heart. I remember the deep emotion that came with such a personal and humbling word that God spoke to me. What He spoke is so personal that I...

Part Two to follow...

(Photo by Linda Charlene)

I Gave My Book Away - part two

(To read part one first, scroll down.)

The day after we returned home from the hospital in CO, those words came back to me at a most unusual time. “I’ll make it up to you.” I was on my way to the grocery store and as I drove I thought about my feelings of disappointment. Huge disappointment in myself. In the first few days following One Fine Man’s injury, I was occupied with his immediate care, rebooking flights, packing, the hour and half drive to the airport…I was taking care of business. Every other breath was a prayer. I stayed positive and as focused as possible so the boys would not be unduly upset.

Once home I had two days to prepare for another day’s flight to Denver. There were bills to pay. Clothes to wash. Things that only The Mom knows need to be done. My day began at 4:45 a.m. After two flights and a layover, I arrived in Denver. I picked up my rental car and the most frightening ride of my life began. The first half hour was not bad. The rest of the trip was a nightmare.

The winds were so high in the mountain passes I thought at any moment my vehicle would be blown over the divider to plunge how far - I had no clue. Later I heard the winds were gusting in excess of 85 - 100 mph. Then it began to snow. I have lived in Florida for 19 years. Enough said. White knuckling the steering wheel, I prayed. I sang. I cried. I told myself to focus, focus, focus. I thought about pulling over for a while but the idea of driving the rest of the way in the dark was scary, too. Then there were the signs: Gusty winds, Avalanche, Falling rocks, Icy roads.
Finally, I arrived at the hospital. I sat in the car a few minutes thanking God I had made it.

When I got to the 2nd floor and stopped at the nurses desk, several of the staff on duty looked at me, their mouths open. “You drove in this?” they asked. One nurse hugged me and asked if I was all right. With her kindness, I could only nod, my tears threatening to spill.

Three days passed. After four surgeries, One Fine Man was released from the hospital. Again the day started early – 3:45 a.m. I dropped OFM off before returning the rental and boarded a shuttle to return to the airport. Even with our early start, we were running late. We had an early morning flight with crutches, carry on bags and, of all things, One Fine Man was selected for a secondary search at security in the Denver airport. They examined his shoe! One shoe. They body searched him as he sat in a wheel chair. I held three bags, his crutches and my tears. Can you spell stress? We checked 2 bags but the 3 carry on bags were my tote bag, his backpack w/laptop and a plastic bag holding 2 cumbersome boxes of injections.

Somewhere between returning the car and returning home, something came loose in me. I did not feel merciful. I did not feel good. I did not feel kind. I did not feel.
By Monday feeling returned but not the kind I hoped for. I felt mean. Selfish. Confused. Tired. Annoyed. Pulled.
Several times I asked God what was wrong with me. This is when I found myself sitting in the parking lot of Publix. Just sitting. I needed groceries but I couldn’t get out of the van. I just sat there.

In the dark, those words again. “I’ll make it up to you.” A stirring in me.

“When and what, God?” I felt the choice was mine. All of my feelings of selfishness, confusion, exhaustion, annoyance and guilt (for feeling selfish, confused, exhausted and annoyed) washed over me.

“God, I choose this - I choose for you to do through me what I cannot do on my own. I choose a heart of compassion and mercy. I choose love. I know this is a short-term situation and it’s not life or death, but I need help in the here and now. I choose this. I choose now."

In that moment, something else came loose and the wilderness of my heart became a pool of water (Isaiah 41:18).

God did make it up to me. In the parking lot of Publix. He gave me a choice. To take His strength. To lean heavy on Him. To wade into His pool of water when my heart is a desert.

Those words... I will keep choosing this.

Do It Anyway...

Yesterday was a tough one. I was feeling isolated and cold. Cold physically and emotionally. Although normally I am interested in people and what is going on in their lives, yesterday I avoided all eye contact. I didn't want to touch anyone and I didn't want to be touched. My mind was weighted by how life in the short term would change...how new responsibilities would affect prior commitments. No answers.

My own negative thoughts were my enemy. I tasted my meaness.

In the midst of the crowd I retreated to a solitary place. Stand Strong, the book I had dropped in my bag before leaving home elicited a mixed response. Though I knew I was reading truth, I didn't want to do the work of standing strong.
I stand anyway...

I thumbed through various passages in my Bible, thinking how just the day before these same passages had brought life and hope. But now I felt hollow and empty. A fleeting thought of gratitude for the lamenting Psalms.
I read anyway...

By nightfall I had no eloquent words, no bright thoughts...just a borrowed bed for the hope of solace in sleep. I fell asleep cold.
I slept anyway...

Today is a new day. The words of truth from the day of despondency bypassed intellect, bypassed emotion. Dove deep into spirit. Deep called to deep.

Yesterday was Friday...but Sunday's coming. Grateful for His presence even when I don't run to Him.
I praise Him anyway...

(Stand Strong - Judy Jacobs)

Monday Magnificat - A New Day ~ A New Door

Do you sense a new day dawning? Do you wonder what lies on the other side of the door you have yet to open? I don’t know what opportunities may be on the other side for you. I don't know what your potential or your passion is. I don’t know what God has been speaking to your heart lately.
But I do know that God has a plan for each of us and that He formed us each for a purpose. Your purpose is what you were born to accomplish. God places within our hearts His desires. He may put several things in your mind or heart that He wants you to do, each one for a different season of your life.

Do you have an interest or a vision? A "vision" without passion is just an interest.

• Interests come and go.

When my daughter was little I had an interest in making hair bows and trimming out her socks to match! Yes...I have pictures. No...I'm not posting those! That interest lasted long enough to make and trim 5 sets.

I also had an interest in stenciling walls. That interest lasted until the pain in my neck and shoulders became unbearable as did my resemblance to Quasimoto.
The stenciled wall project? Never finished. And no pictures. Thank goodness!
I was interested in those things and many others for a short while. Somehow my interest waned or haulted completely.

Vision is long-term.

• Vision stays with you.

The vision of my heart was present when I was a young child. Looking back I can remember snapshots in time in which I play-acted my vision. Since that time I have had pictures in my mind's eye in which I play out my vision or destiny. Sure, I have had some opportunities that have trained me and helped develop gifts. I'm thankful for those. But there is more. I know it. I can feel it. I can see it.

I hope you are aware of the purpose for which God created you. I hope you have clear vision. Perhaps your season in life has changed and your spiritual eyes have caught a glimpse of a new day, a new door. Do you see the Lord beckoning you to enter through another door? If He is calling you, you must rise up and go toward that calling. One thing is for sure, stepping through that new door requires faith and action on your part. It may, at first, be uncomfortable and perhaps disconcerting.

But realize that as you step through the door, there is One who walks with you. And your obedience to go through the door opens wide the door of faith for others to stream through to a relationship with Him. That's the way vision works. On arrival, they got the church together and reported on their trip, telling in detail how God had used them to throw the door of faith wide open so people of all nations could come streaming in" Acts 14:27, MSG.

God designs you with a purpose and places a vision in your heart to live out that purpose. It is a blessing to you but it is not just for you!

Stepping through the doors God opens for you opens doors for many more!
Is there a new door in your future? I'd love to hear about it. Do Tell!

My Monday Magnificat? Jesus opens the door. He walks me through the door. He IS the door. For this, I utter my praise!

Magnificat - an utterance of praise from the Latin magnificare - to magnify (photo by Linda Charlene)

Monday Magnificant - The AH in SistAH.

Sistah Ruth and Melahnie aka Bellah~MellahThis is Ruth. Notice the family resemblance? She's my sistah. Not my sister. My sistah. We are not related in the ordinary sense of the word. So we are not sisters. But we are related in the spiritual sense. Thus we are sistahs. Ah...now you get it. We are family not by flesh but by spirit.


When God changed Abram's name to Abraham and Sarai's name to Sarah He gave them each a part of His own name, the ah in Yahweh. God changed their names as one of the signs of His covenant with them.



Very simply put, God's covenant was one of blessing on the lives of Abraham and Sarah and their descendants. And we, their spiritual descendants, are recipients of that same blessing. "Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all..." (Romans 4:16).

Isn't she beautiful?

My sistah Ruth is such a treasure to me. As a Bible teacher herself, she is a gracious supporter of my teaching and speaking. A couple of weeks ago, I concluded a teaching series that I wrote, entitled Spirit~Filled & Spirit~Led. My Sistah Ruth was there every week right up front nodding, taking notes and encouraging me. This month she is leading a Bible study through the book of Romans. And I am there. Taking notes. Nodding. Listening. Loving the Word she brings. What a wonderful example she is to me! My covenant sistah Ruth.

How about you? Do you have covenant sistahs who support and encourage you? Are you a covenant sistah to someone? I'd love to hear about it. Do Tell!

My Monday Magnificat? I praise God for sistahs in the faith! For this I utter my praise.

Magnificat - an utterance of praise ~ from the Latin magnificare to magnify

Monday Magnificat - A Change of Seasons

"To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose..."
Have you ever sensed that your season is about to change?


I believe that when you are just at the point of rounding the corner that leads to a new path, there are signs that indicate a change in your season is imminent.

One of the signs is a holy tug to spend time alone with God. Not necessarily for the purposes of your talking but for listening to that still, small voice of the Spirit. "As the deer pants for the water brook, so pants my soul for you, O God...Deep calls unto deep at the noise of your waterfalls..." (Psalm 42:1,7).

Another sign is that the same message comes to you in various forms illuminating God's plan for you. You get confirmation of God's rhema Word to you in His Word, in a song, in a conversation with a friend, in an inspiring message, in a Dove chocolate wrapper...it's happened to me! "The entrance of Your words gives light..." (Psalm 119:130).

You may also have unexplained moments of anticipation and excitement even though there is not yet tangible proof of your new season. Sometimes in anticipation of what I believe in my heart God is going to do, I can't help but clap my hands! "Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph! For the Lord Most High is awesome..." (Psalm 47:1 -2)

I believe that when you are led by the Spirit in your Christian walk, God takes you through different seasons of service or ministry. But you have the choice to stay in your present, perhaps comfortable, season or you can step out in faith, take hold of courage and walk confidently into the new season God is ushering in.

My Monday Magnificat? - In each new Season of my life, He alone is the power enabling me to walk no-SOAR!-in confidence and courage.

Magnificat - an utterance of praise from the Latin magnificare - to magnify (photography by Linda Charlene)

Addendum: The word rhema refers to a specific scripture or word from God (always in alignment with scripture), that the Holy Spirit brings to the believer as encouragement, direction, comfort or confirmation. In contrast, logos refers to the Scripture as a whole. John 1:1 tells us that Jesus is the living logos. "And the Word (logos) became flesh and dwelt among us..." (John 1:14). While rhema is referenced in Ephesians 6:17 as that portion of scripture which the believer wields as a sword in the time of need. "And take...the sword of the Spirit, which is the word (rhema) of God..."

Further, logos is the message; rhema is the communication of the message.

Wings To Soar

Perhaps you've noticed and maybe even wondered about the wings in my sidebar. At first I even had the wings in my header but it made it hard to read my quote Thoughts Soar with Words for Wings...

For many years, I have had an affinity for the symbolism of wings. A friend reminded me a few years ago that when I was a pageant contestant in our college days, my personal question from the emcee was, "If you could be any animal, what would it be and why?" I had totally forgotten all about the question much less my response. But my friend didn't forget. She said my answer was, "I would be a bird because then I could soar." Now while I don't care much for airline travel, I do enjoy those flying dreams I have on occasion. Right above the tree tops! And for home school science, I enjoyed the study of birds way more than my 3 students.
Recently I bought some framed bird prints for my bedroom and I have a few cool bird figurines I enjoy using for tablescapes.

But the reason I am drawn to wings is because it speaks to how Jesus freed me. He broke chains, bonds, and the gravity of sin and fear and set me free to soar! Even higher than the tree tops! While sometimes the dictates of culture and religiosity would clip the wings of women, it is Jesus who says, spread your wings and soar!
You see, when the wings of a bird in flight are widely outstretched, it circles round, rising without a single wingbeat, as if lifted by some invisible hand, higher and higher until it disappears from view. The beautiful dance it seems to be performing is known as soaring.

WINGS is an acronym that God gave me on a little walk and talk we shared one afternoon. I am a Woman In God's Shadow who soars high not in my own power but on the current of His love which sets me free to soar!

The beautiful photo above is by my friend, L~C, who has graciously offered me the use of her photographs. Many of her pieces of art have a spiritual connotation that draws my heart to the heart of God. I especially love this photograph because of the wings...do you see them?

But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles...

I'd love to hear how Jesus has given you wings to soar! Do tell.

Monday Magnificat ~ The Living Water Waits

Once Jesus was on His way to Galilee. But, the Scripture says, He needed to go through Samaria. This need was not a geographical consideration - not a shortcut. The ONE who was sent of God, who spoke the words of God and had the Spirit without limit was divinely led to Samaria.

Why? For an encounter with a Samaritan...a Samaritan woman...a woman with a past... spilling into her present.

He sat by the well. Waiting. She came seeking water.

He asked for a drink and she argued with him over whether He should even be speaking to her. A Samaritan. A woman. With a past. With a present.

He offered her a chance for a drink of His water. Living Water.

The woman said to Him, "Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw." Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband and come here." The woman answered and said, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You have well said, 'I have no husband', for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly."

The Living Water and the Water Seeker wade deeper in discussion.


Then the Water Seeker with the past spilling into the present left her waterpot and went into the city, and said to the men, "Come see a man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?"


But the Living Water did not tell the Water Seeker everything she ever did. Yet what He did tell her revealed the source of brokenness in her life. Her past and present relationships colored everything so that there was nothing to her any longer but the brokenness of past spilling into present. To the Water Seeker - that was her all.


The Living Water chose to reveal what He came to heal. He needed to go through Samaria to keep a divine appointment. And so He went. And so He sat. By the well. Waiting for the Water Seeker.
(John 4:1-42)
* Excerpt from a Bible study I wrote entitled Spirit-Filled ~ Spirit-Led

My Monday Magnificat? He fills the seeker! For this, I utter my praise.

Magnificat - an utterance of praise from the Latin magnificare - to magnify

Monday Magnificat - More ME in HIM

A white-tailed deer drinks from the creek; I want to drink God, deep draughts of God. I'm thirsty for God-alive.
I wonder, "Will I make it ~ arrive and drink in God's presence?" (Psalm 42:1-2, MSG)


Lately I have been asking God for a lot of input in my endeavors. I know...that sounds like the normal way to live a Christian life. But what I mean is this: I crave God. I thirst for Him. I hunger for more Him and what I have discovered is the way to have more Him in me is to offer more me to Him. I want more than a drink...I want to wade in deep. Deep in God.


To God I want...To be more available. To be more attentive. To be more intentional.


To others I want...To be more approachable. To be more vulnerable. To be more Me in God.


You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God. He's food and drink in the best meal you'll ever eat. (Matthew 5:6, MSG)

My Monday Magnificat? He is both the bread of life and the living water. For this I utter my praise.

Magnificat - an utterance of praise from the Latin magnificare - to magnify

Thumbs Up 2 - Mac & My Trash to Treasure

Today's Thumbs Up 2 goes to Mac.

This is Mac. He works at Crispers. Mac has to be one of the friendliest and happiest people I have come across in a while! When my friend, Vikki, and I went out to lunch on Halloween, he took our order and continued to check on us throughout our meal. Always with a smile.

Maybe he was smiling because of the hilarity of his Halloween costume. Mac came as trash. But under that disguise, Mac's true personality shone clean through. With his friendliness, helpfulness and good humor on display, Mac is a real treasure!

Now I don't claim to know anything about Mac's heart or what his relationship is with God.

But what I do know is this. A long time ago I went from digging through the trash heap of life to seeking the treasure in God's Word. Perhaps you, too, have experienced digging around in less than the best...looking for acceptance, affection and value in a pile of trash. As for me, God's grace picked me up, dusted me off and took me on a treasure hunt. The hunt takes me through His Word where I often find nuggets and, at times, chests overflowing with treasure! God's Word is a treasure trove. Follow it and you will live a rich life. One of depth and Holy destiny.

Listen to this:

Good friend, take to heart what I'm telling you; collect my counsels and guard them with your life. Tune your ears to the world of Wisdom; set your heart on a life of Understanding, That's right-if you make Insight your priority, and won't take no for an answer, Searching for it like a prospector panning for gold, like an adventurer on a treasure hunt, Believe me, before you know it Fear-of-God will be yours; you'll have come upon the Knowledge of God (Proverbs 2:1-5).

Every Thursday I do a Thumbs Up 2 post. Of course, Mac didn't know that. The ironic thing about Mac's pose in this photo is his "thumbs-up" gesture. See it up there?

So, Mac, (even in your "trick-or-treat" trash costume) YOU are a treasure and my thumbs-up 2 you!

What treasure have you found in God's Word lately? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

My friend, Vikki, and me. Out to lunch (literally, not figuratively!)

And if you knew me well, then you'd know I like to take pictures of food. So just for grins, here is what I had at Crispers (Mac-endorsed of course!) The description is below just in case you are menu-challenged like I am...ah...but that's another post for another day.Bistro Vegetable Sandwich 5.49
Crisp lettuce, tomato, red pepper, red onion rings, crunchy cucumbers, fresh basil and spinach artichoke spread followed by smooth red pepper pesto and topped with the nutty flavor of avocado served on our hearty multigrain.

Purpose, Plans, & the Power of the Holy Spirit

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven...(Ecclesiastes 3:1)

God moves on an eternal time table that is not always readily evident to His people. He works within seasons, and time frames for His own purposes. And yet, He is also a God of the suddenly. Don't be surprised when in a certain season, out-of-the-blue, comes one of God's suddenly-s.

When a suddenly occurs, it may be a bit of a shock but don't let it take you by surprise. Have you ever jumped into a pool on a summer's day? The cold water is shocking but you are not surprised by it.

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. (Proverbs 19:21)

It is right and good to plan. It is necessary for it gives direction and allows you to set priorities. However, yield some white space on your agenda for the purpose of God to prevail. This may mean you have to readjust from time to time. (See Monday's post Plan B.)

This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, Says the lord of hosts. (Zechariah 4:6)

Zerubbabel is representative of a person chosen by God, from whose yielded nature God causes to flow life, leadership,and ministry. In this verse, might refers to military strength, and power refers to one's own ability. But spirit is the power of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer who yields to the purposes of God.

The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water, He turns it wherever He wishes. (Proverbs 21:1)

We should never look to physical strength, political power or our own personal ability to carry out God's purpose in His kingdom. At this present time His kingdom is an invisible, spiritual kingdom. Jesus said, "The Kingdom of God is within you. " (Luke 17:21)

In this season, at this time, and for His purposes - go ahead and plan, yield to his prevailing will and do it all in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Monday Magnificat-PLAN B

Do you ever wonder why sometimes your Plan A doesn't work out like you'd thought it would? I can look back to specific times in my life when I truly believed in my heart that I was doing the right thing in following my Plan A only to soon realize that I needed to adjust and move on to Plan B. So why not Plan B from the beginning?! Then that could have been Plan A!

Maybe it's because I would never have willingly gone down the path of Plan B. Sometimes Plan A is all about getting to Plan B...yeah, let that one sink in a moment. It seems to me that the A in Plan A could often stand for Adapt. Plan Adapt. And Plan B? Well, that's just got to be Plan Better! Oh, but not as in you should have planned better. Rather, as in it's a better plan.

'Works for me!

My Monday Magnificat? *Even though I plan my way, the Lord directs my steps! For this I utter my praise.

*See Proverbs 16:9.

Magnificat - an utterance of praise from the Latin magnificare - to magnify

Monday Magnificat - La Paloma (the dove)

"When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.'" (Matthew 3:16,17).

God the Father sent Jesus and introduced Him into the world - "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son..." And Jesus always points us to the Father. Once one of the disciples asked, "Lord, show us the Father" and Jesus replied, "He who has seen Me has seen the Father..." He went on to say, "The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works."

Before the ascension of Jesus, He introduced the Holy Spirit. He spoke to His disciples concerning the role of the Holy Spirit, "But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me."

The Trinity works together to redeem fallen man. God wooed His people in the Old Testament. That was a period of time when God spoke directly to men, or through angels bearing messages and through the mouths of prophets. This was the administration of law and sacrifice-the Old Covenant.

Then in the fullness of time, the Word-Jesus-was made flesh and dwelled among [them]. His birth initiated the dispensation of the Son-the New Covenant of grace.

Now, because Jesus sent the Holy Spirit, the Promise of the Father, we are living in the dispensation of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is bringing into experience that which Jesus made possible.

My Monday Magnificat? I thank God for the Holy Spirit who is a comforter, teacher, revealer, intercessor, and the One who indwells the believer to produce fruit in her life. He is all that and much more. I am also thankful for my church who makes room for the presence and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. For all of this I utter my praise.

MAGNIFICAT - an utterance of praise from the Latin magnificare - to magnify

MONDAY MAGNIFICAT - Shake it Off

Ever have to tell yourself to "shake it off"? When you feel you've fallen short, disappointed, or not given your best, it is tempting to dwell on your shortcomings--especially when you know you could have done better. I used to be my own worst critic when I found myself coming up short. But through prayer, insight and learning to be my own best friend rather than my own worst enemy, I can now "gimme a break" and, to use another cliche, "shake it off."

So rather than getting bogged down and distracted from the next opportunity to get it right, I say with Paul, "Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward--to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back" (Philippians 3:12-14 The Message).

My Monday Magnificat? I praise God that I can shake it off, keep on running and not turn back!

MAGNIFICAT - an utterance of praise from the Latin magnificare - to magnify

What I Love About Jesus

What I love about Jesus...He puts me in my place. When I read in the Gospels what Jesus did and what He said, my heart grows wings.

Jesus liberated women. He set them free to be real. When Jesus walked the earth, women had little status. There were cultural restrictions on male and female interactions. Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well. He spoke truths that set her free and gave her wings. She was given a voice to speak those truths to the inhabitants of her city. She was privileged to invite others to, "Come, see a man!" All because "the man-Jesus" saw her. He put her in her place. He gave her a voice. He gave her wings! I love that about Jesus. (To read the biblical account referenced here, see John 4.)