How Sweet the Sound

Grace. God's Grace. 

Defined as the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings. It is underserving mercy, kindness and patience. It is strength, divine help,  and forgiveness from God for our misgivings and our sins.

We need forgiveness for our sins, healing for our ailing bodies and souls, provision for where we lack, strength for our weakness, and light for our path.

God gives them all and more.

"From the fullness of grace, we have all received one blessing 
after another. ~ John 1:16"

Grace. God's Amazing Grace.

Experiencing his grace and glory on a mountain top. 

"Amazing Grace. How sweet the sound." Oh, how I love the words of the age old hymn that touches my soul. John Newton (1725-1807) got it right when he penned the words that speak of soul deliverance, redemption and forgiveness. His life and a series of experiences (along with the prayers of a Christian mother) led him to spiritual conversion and an awakening of his soul. The greatness of God and the impact of this song spans the ages and is evident in the multiple remakes and variations of the song as it has been sung and recorded by many individuals and groups through the years. One arrangement has become a current favorite of mine. I love it when a particular song speaks to my soul and brings the comfort and peace of God and his promises to me. The simplistic beauty and the words of "How Sweet the Sound", by Citizen Way cause me to lift my hands in glorious praise to our wonderful creator! "It's a beautiful, beautiful sound." "Hallelujah, you restore my soul." 

How Sweet the Sound by Citizen Way  (Click here to view and listen.) 

Throughout our lives we face many trials and triumphs, defeats and victories, sorrows and joys. It's sometimes easy for us to forget about God's amazing grace when life is rolling along smoothly and things are going our way. It's when the bricks of our lives come tumbling down around us that we pause and question, "Why?".  It's when the routine and normal and the "what's always been" suddenly changes and sends your life reeling out of control. It is during those times that we are forced to dig deep in search of the strength we need to carry us through. It is during those times that God reminds us that He is the strength we need; that He is the grace that delivers us. His grace covers us always and his blessings abound aplenty, if we just take notice. He simply wants us to raise our hands to Him and praise Him. His blessings are plentiful, especially in the trials of life. 

The past year has brought me many reasons to take notice of His grace. My year has been filled with an abundance of happiness and many reasons to celebrate, including the marriage of my oldest daughter to a young man we are now proud to call "son".  What a glorious day it was. And through the year, we have also had many other celebrations and joyous family events to praise God for, however, in the midst of joy,  I have been dealt some challenges. The normal in life suddenly became abnormal. Things that were easy for me suddenly became very difficult. And so, the past few months have been a struggle of health concerns and a reminder of my human weaknesses in more ways that I like to admit. Through much prayer and lots of medical appointments, I am seeking answers. Answers that elude me. I have found myself often frustrated and wondering why I have been dealt this challenge. What changed and how can I make it better? In my frustration, God frequently reminds me that he is sovereign and that he has my life under control. It is not up to me to figure it out or to "fix it". He reminds me that is His job. He simply wants me to rely on Him. To trust in Him. He will be the one to make it better and to give me the answers. He also reminds me that my new challenges are small. Small by comparison to the challenges I have watched friends and family members endure over this same period of time. He reminds me that HE is my refuge and that he will carry me. He is bigger than all of it. His grace covers me. 

"The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are 
the everlasting arms. ~ Deut 33:27"

God is my fortress and my deliverer. The Old Testament word for grace is "chesed", which means "deliverance". He delivers me daily from my pain, my afflictions, my sins. The New Testament word for grace is "charis", which mean "provision of salvation." How perfect is that? He delivers us and he provides for us. He is our salvation. Not earned, but given because we have faith. He provides everything we need, always.

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith ~ 
and this is not from yourselves,it is a gift of God ... 
~ Eph. 2:8-9"

And so, I continue on in my daily walk with Him. Knowing that his gifts freely flow. His blessings are many, each and every day ~ even in the midst of challenges. We live in a world created by Him. He never promised us that we wouldn't struggle. He never promised us an easy life. What He did promise was that He would care for us, save us, and provide for us if only we would believe. His grace and beauty are plentiful. I look out at this glorious world He designed and I lift my hands in praise to Him that created all. He leaves me breathless in awe and wonder. He daily sends down grace to cover me.

"His grace flows down and covers me... ~ Christy Nockels, "Grace Flows Down"

Seeking and praising Him on the mountain.
Photo credit to Lisa Lococo-Shipp @ Photography by Lisa

Whether it is at home, at work or on some mountain trail. I continue on. Not giving up. Not giving in. Trusting Him. I seek Him wherever and whenever I can. I speak to Him, I question Him, I listen to Him, I rely on Him, I worship Him with all that I am. He gives me peace and comfort. He restores my soul. He is the King of Glory. The great "I AM". The wonderful counselor. He is grace. Amazing grace. I look at God's beauty and I see grace. I lift my hands in praise to Him that created all and daily sends down grace to cover me.

Let His grace flow over you and cleanse you. Let it free you from the snares of this world.

Let grace cover you. Let Him restore your soul.

God's grace. God's Amazing Grace.

How sweet the sound.

Grace.

Legacy of Love Tribute

Legacy of Love.

It all began on a cold January day in 1966. The 29th day of January to be exact. Fifty years ago. One-half of a century. A dapper young groom and beautiful young bride were married. Joined together in holy matrimony before friends, family and God. The day was snowy and cold ~ But not even the bite of winter could chill the tender love that was formed by the union of two hearts on that day. It was a love that was just the beginning of a beautiful legacy. A legacy of love.

Lawrence Martin Lauer and Carol Jo Reigenborn. Sweethearts. Joined together on that day to begin a legacy that would span five decades that is marked this day, this week, this year, January 29, 2016. That day was the beginning of an amazing love that would endure many trials, struggles, challenges, joys, accomplishments and celebrations. A love that would create a legacy. A love built on a strong foundation and grounded in faith with God at the center.

I am grateful for the upbringing that my siblings and I had. We grew up in a home based on strong Christian principles and a devoted love for God. From a very young age, I can remember the big black bible that had it's place on the coffee table. I remember being intrigued when my parents would read it to me. Mom and dad taught us the importance of a personal relationship with our God and Savior and the importance of prayer. They taught us to live by biblical commandments. In keeping with the 5th commandment, I continue to honor my parents, not just because God tells me to, but because they are worthy of honor from me, and from my siblings, their children. We honor them on this day as they celebrate their Golden Anniversary and celebrate 50 years together.

God purposely placed them in each others lives. Before time began, God had already ordained that they would be man and wife and that they would be the parents of Lareen, Melani, Tamara and Nathaniel. God had a plan long before they ever dreamed it. I am grateful that he chose them to be our parents. Only God knew that together, Larry and Carol would be strong. That they would endure hard times and celebrate good times ~ all for the sake of their family.

I remember growing up on the farm and being proud that we were farm kids. There is nothing more rewarding that good, hard farm work and seeing the fruits of your labors. I remember many days of dad leaving the house before the sun was up and returning home as the sun was setting or later. On those days, I remember mom packing a lunch and we would go meet dad in the field to take him his lunch. I remember many, many long hot days of summer. Irrigating. Alfalfa harvest. Wheat harvest. Herding cattle. Just to name a few. As kids we always looked forward to the evenings when dad would come home early after a hard day of work. On the spur of the moment, mom would pack up a cooler of food and dad would grab the giant tractor inner tube. Off to the lake we would go. We would swim in the water and play in the sand and enjoy our evening picnic. A refreshing end to a hot summer day. Family time at its best.

I remember summer outings and family vacations. We never took big fancy vacations. We didn't need to. Going to Denver for a few days of fun at the zoo and Waterworld or driving through the Colorado mountains and enjoying God's creations and quaint little towns were all we needed. The highlight for us was staying in a hotel with a swimming pool every night! A trip to Iowa and being awed by the mighty Mississippi River and a trip to South Dakota to visit Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills stand out as milestone vacations too! Good times.

I won't ever forget the blizzard of 1975. I remember the fear I felt watching dad go out into the blizzard to care for the livestock. I remember praying that he would make it back in okay. I recall multiple days and nights without electricity. Mom cooked noodle soup over the fire to feed us. We read or played cards together by candlelight. We slept by the fireplace at night to keep warm. When the storm cleared, we experienced sadness because of livestock lost. Joy because there were snowdrifts that reached from rooftop to rooftop. It was a child's sledding wonderland.

Then there was the time that dad talks of having enough money to purchase a particular tool that would make farming life easier for my him. Dad took the money and went to town to purchase the tool, but instead came home with a brand new, red, shiny swing set for me. It caught his eye when he walked in the store and suddenly the tool didn't mean as much as bringing joy to his child. That exact swing set moved from the farm with them to their current home. It still sits in the backyard. It has been enjoyed by all four of us kids, numerous cousins and friends and is still enjoyed by grandkids.

One of my favorite stories comes from early in mom and dad's marriage. Dad recalls that they really wanted to see a new movie that had come out, but they didn't even have enough money to go. It just so happened that a man knocked on the door that day and had gotten his vehicle stuck in mud up the road and needed assistance. My dad wouldn't normally accept payment when helping someone in need, but on this particular day, dad accepted just enough money to treat mom to that night out at the movies!

I will never, ever forget the first signs of a raging summer storm in the western sky and the storm warnings that followed. Mom would light the holy candles and we would pray that we would be spared from the severe weather. Sometimes our prayers were answered. Sometimes we stood at the windows and cried while we watched the seasons' work and crops get pummeled into the ground by the hail and wind. It hurt, but mom and dad were always optimistic, knowing God had a plan and would provide.

I remember the hours we spent in the hospital waiting room, praying, while dad was having heart valve replacement surgery. We prayed mom through not one, but two major back surgeries and the recoveries that followed all. We have an amazing, healing God who has restored them to health each time they have endured health issues.

I remember the decision my parents made for dad to give up farming after his heart surgery. The sadness and realization of giving up the farm and watching it all go on that cold January day of the farm sale. But the memories of the farm are many and we learned so much from mom and dad, from the crops and livestock and the outdoor things like taking time to go fishing and enjoy God's beauty in each little thing. We learned of indoor things too ~ Cooking, cleaning, and providing a warm and welcoming home for all. There was nothing like coming home from school and being greeted by the sweet aroma of fresh baked bread, chocolate chip cookies, cabbage pockets, cinnamon rolls, or dinner on the stove.

Mom and dad taught us all the art of gardening, but I am pretty sure none of us kids will ever master it they way they have! We all yearly reap the bountiful blessings that abound from their garden in the summer. I have loved watching my kids get excited about going to grandma and grandpa's just so they can pick the veggies and eat them!

I remember their generosity always and their willingness to send each one of us to college. Mom and dad instilled in us the importance of education, learning, responsibility and integrity. After the expenses of college, they dipped into their savings once again to provide first class weddings for each of us girls.

I remember their joy when each and every one of the grandchildren have entered the world and the family. They now have 12 grandchildren! They are proud of each and every one of them individually and even accepted one more this summer when their oldest granddaughter got married.

Mom and Dad ~
Oh the memories. I could go on forever, but these are some of the ones that come to mind right now. All of these memories reflect the values you have taught us and the value of family, togetherness and love. You instilled in each one of us a strong work ethic and the desire to succeed at whatever we set out to do. You taught us to persevere in the face of adversity. You taught us the importance of respect for others. You taught us the importance of honoring your parents and honoring your spouse. You taught us how to care for and provide for our children. You taught not only with words, but by example in the life you have lived. Life on the farm is a hard life, but as hard as times were, you two never let on to us that times were tough. You always managed to provide for us no matter what. We never knew the sacrifices you made. You sacrificed with your time, your money, and your love so we could grow up not wanting for anything. You always provided for us and you still do. You provide warm, open and loving arms for us to come home to. Even though "home" is no longer on the farm, YOU are what coming home to is.

Thank you for the sacrifices you made. Thank you for the Christian values you instilled in us. We never questioned why we were going to church. We knew God was number one and we better make him that too. You set the example by making God the center of your marriage. Thank you for making family time important. Thank you for the heritage and for teaching us about your families. We have pictures, stories, recipes, and memories from each that are priceless treasures. We look forward to passing this heritage down to our children and grandchildren.

I thank you for the legacy of love, faith and commitment that has been instilled in each one of us kids and is evident in the strength of our marriages. You taught us well to rely on and thank God always.

And as your story, your legacy of love continues, we thank you ~

Thank you for the sacrifices.
Thank you for the heritage.
Thank you for the legacy.
Thank you for the love.

Happy Golden Anniversary, Mom and Dad! We love you!

Todah

Todah.

Thanksgiving.

Another school year is done and summertime is upon us. The sun is high in the sky. RV's and campers dot the highways on their way to the mountains for summer excursions. Local pools and lakes are teeming with those ready to enjoy some summer time water fun. It may seem a bit premature to be thinking about Thanksgiving. I mean really, it is still roughly 5 months away. It seems that November rolls around and we are all suddenly ready to really focus on the things we are thankful for. But what about during the rest of the year? Are we thankful? Do we pause to even think about all the things we can be thankful for? 

Each and every day, God blesses us. He doesn't have to. We certainly don't deserve his blessing. But he chooses to continually bless us with his love for us; with his mercies; with his grace. I am thankful for a tender, loving God. I am thankful for a God who is wise, just, sovereign and above all else, immutable. He never changes. He is the same yesterday, today and forever! Just the same God every day. What an amazing thing to be thankful for! In spite of my shortcomings and my "human-ness", God continues to love me! He loves you too! 

Toda leCHa elohim 

(Hebrew for thank you God).

The voice of God speaks.

Todah.

On this morning, in the middle of the year, I pause to give thanks for a few things that I am thankful for. I am pleased that in the stillness of the morning, I can hear the voice of God. He whispers through the rustling of the leaves on the trees. He reassures me that HE is in control. That no matter what good and goodness, no matter what trials or troubles come my way, that he has already gone ahead of me. He has it and I am in the palm of his hand. 

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, 

I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

~ Isaiah 41:10

Just as we take care of our children, when we follow God and his ways, he takes care of us. He has a plan for us He will guide us every step and help us navigate the things that come our way. 

"In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose

of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will..." 

~ Ephesians 1:11

In my excitement for this summer that has finally arrived, I anticipate so many wonderful things and I am thankful. I am filled with thanks for the time off from work and for down time to focus on my family and faith. As I pray and write this morning, I am overcome with emotion as I think of the ways God has blessed my life and the lives of my loved ones! I am thankful for the time this summer to focus on the exciting things that lie ahead. 

  ~ We are in the midst of wedding planning! My oldest daughter will be getting married on August 1. I am forever grateful for Katie and the wonderful, christian man she will marry. God truly knew what he was doing when he brought these two together! I look forward to soon having Aaron as my son-in-law and to the celebration of their marriage coming soon!

Photo credit to Photography by Lisa.

   ~ As I write this morning, my daughter Aubrie is somewhere over the Pacific Ocean on her way home from a seven week teaching and mission trip in Indonesia! I am forever grateful for the time abroad she has had to follow God's will for her life and share the love of God around the world. I cannot wait to welcome her home tonight and to hear of God's amazing work.

Princes and Princesses of the one true KING! 

And so summer is here! I am ready to enjoy it. God has provided this time as respite from work and I will use it. I am blessed. Blessed beyond measure. By a God who loves me more than I ever deserve. Thanking Him ever so much on this beautiful June day in the middle of the year! 

Take some time this morning to pause, to think, to pray and to give thanks to God for the wonderful ways he has blessed your life. 

Be blessed.

"Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!" 

~ Psalm 107:1

Toda leCHa elohim.

Meet with God

My meeting place with God at our mountain prayer retreat.

"My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. Where can I go and meet with God?
 ~ Psalm 42:2"

Where do you meet with God? Do you meet him in the morning? The evening? In the small, quiet places? In the great big outdoor spaces? Where do you meet Him? 

Or, do you meet him? Do you take the time for Him in the hustle and bustle of our busy world? Do you really meet with Him and talk with Him?

The scriptures teach us that God really wants to meet with us. Individually. He longs for us to desire a personal, one on one relationship with Him. He wants us to make time for Him ~ Just like we make time to watch football, go to the movies, use social media, hang out in the gym, or whatever the things are that we do that consume our time. Time that God would LOVE to have us share with Him. He longs for us to come to Him in prayer and petition. Likewise He loves for us to praise Him for the wondrous deeds he performs in our lives. 

" ...in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ~ Philippians 4:6"

He commands us to pray. To Him. The one and only true God. He is a loving God. He is a passionate God. He is passionate about His relationship with us. He desires for us to depend on Him. To trust Him. He simply asks that we become one with Him.

"I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one. ~ John 17:22"

We live in a society that simply wants to be wealthy without earning the wealth. Much the same way, so often we expect that God will bless us without earning the blessing. Even Moses experienced this with the Israelites! In Exodus 19:17, Moses led the people from the camp to meet with God. God wanted the people to experience His presence and power and to know that they could meet with Him. While God was indeed providing for Moses and the people by delivering them out of Egypt, "God's first purpose was to bring them to the mount so that they could get a revelation of Him. Israel feared and stood far off. People want the promise of provision without first meeting God. The emphasis today is not any different. ~Pastor George Belobaba." 

In order to truly experience the blessings and the grace that only God can give, we must make time for Him. We must meet with Him. We must go to Him. God doesn't care "where" or "how" or "when". He simply wants us to make the time. I want to be like David and the other writers of the Psalms. I want to pour out my love and gratitude to my God who gives me life, breath and all that I have. I want to drop to my knees and come before my God in prayer and petition for the things of this life and world that trouble me. I want to be consistent. I want to make the time. I want to be one with God by giving Him the time he commands me to give. 

"I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;

I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.

I will be filled with the joy because of you.

I will sing praises to your name, O Most High." 

~ Psalm 9:1-2 

My view last evening while meeting with my God on a sunset worship walk. 

If you are like me, you meet with God all throughout your day with small prayers and praises as you go about your work or play. Those are the easy times. When a thought or person pops in to my head, I pause to speak to God. However, there are those times each day when I just need to sit and be quiet and meet with God. It is usually in the quiet dark or dawn of the early morning where I find it is easy to open up my heart and soul and mind and pour out my thoughts to God. 

My most favorite place to meet Him is on the trail. It is where I find peace. It is where I feel the closest to God. Whether walking, running or hiking, there is nothing like absorbing all of God around you and being able to praise him with all of your heart and soul while the wondrous morsels of his creation penetrate your heart, soul and mind.

It does not matter where we go to meet with God. What does matter is that He wants us to meet. He calls us to meet. He is ALWAYS there waiting for us! Let us meet with Him. 

As I make my way through these 40 days of Lent on the way to a wondrous Celebration of God's gift of his resurrected son, I profess to make more time to meet with my God. To slow down enough to give him the time. To fill my heart and mind with more of Him and his glory. To set aside some of the things of this world and let God lead me to the ways he wants me to spend my time. I am excited to see what God has in store and how He responds to my faithfulness. 

Won't you join me? Let's meet with God! 

Enough

Enough.

I pray that I have done enough.

On this beautiful late August morning, I ponder what exactly is enough. The glorious sun is shining through the trees reaching out to touch me as I breathe in the freshness of the air. I sit on the deck and breathe in the crispness that hints of Autumn around the corner. I enjoy some quiet time; unexpected quiet time as I have been given a time out from work already. Three weeks into the school year and at least one of the 560 students I work with managed to share some sick germs with me. While I am not pleased about the sickness, I am grateful to have some time this morning to rest and wonder if I have truly done enough. 

The last few weeks have been an absolute whirlwind as we moved both of our college daughters home for the summer. A summer that I realized would probably be the last summer that our entire family would be home together. Their coming and going with the school years ends and beginnings would not dictate our family time anymore. Our oldest daughter graduated from college and used her summer to prepare to enter the work force and move into her own apartment four hours from us. The reality that this may be the last time we move our oldest out really hit me! Our other daughter prepared for her summer mission trip to Kenya, her sophomore year and explored whether or not she has chosen the right major. As I spent time with these two special young ladies this summer, I wondered if I had done enough.

Our family had a wonderful (yet fast and furious) summer together. We camped together. We fished together. We prayed together. We worshiped at church together. We spent evenings around the firepit together. We laughed together. We played cards together. We worked together. We loved each other, together. Was it enough?

One would think it would get easier. As they come and go with each school year.  Moving your children out of the house. Sending them off to college. Sending them out in to their own adult lives.

It. Never. Gets. Easier.

Ever.

Each time I leave them, I leave a piece of my heart. The heartstrings tug and the tears flow. I am happy, sad and proud all at the same time. They are mine ... lent to me by God, for this special season of time. Precious gifts that I cherish.

  

Behold, Children are a heritage from the Lord, 

The fruit of the womb, a reward. 

~ Psalm 127:3

And so, August has come and both of my girls are moved out again. My nest is emptier, quieter, sadder. My heart aches to see them each day. I know they are where they are supposed to be right now, just as God has ordained for them. I still wonder, "Have I done enough?"

I look back over the years. Did I love them enough? Did I pray with them enough? Did I encourage them enough? Did I support them enough? Did I listen to them enough? Did I cry with them enough? Did I laugh with them enough? Did I talk with them enough? Did I show them enough?  Did I teach and explore with them enough? Did I hug them enough? Did I enjoy the special moments enough? Did I give them enough? Did I prepare them enough for life? Did I do any of it enough?

Was it all enough? Probably not.

One thing I know for certain is that I loved them enough.

I. Loved. Them.

 I loved them enough to give them the most important piece of  knowledge they need in this life. The knowledge and acceptance of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. And with this foundation, they shall not fail!

Train up a child in the way he should go; 

even when he is old he will not depart from it. 

~ Proverbs 22:6 

And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 

~Deut. 6:6-7

I. Loved. Them.

I. Will. Always. Love. Them.

 A mother's love goes on forever. A mother's heart bursts with pride and excitement at the sound of her child's voice, the touch of their hand, the sight of their face. A mother's love is unconditional. A mother's love never fails. From the moment of conception, that precious life is forever joined to the heart of the mother.

And so, life goes on. I have a sophomore son still at home. I have time to continue trying to do enough to prepare him for adulthood. I pray for God to give me the strength and knowledge to do enough. I will continue to love all of my children enough.

I. Will. Love. Them.

Enough.

**(Special thanks to author and friend, Michelle Nelson-Schmidt for helping me ponder "enough". )

Joy

May Day. O Blessed Beautiful May Morning. How did we arrive here so quickly? It seems that December and Winter's worst just left us.

Sitting on my deck in the warm sunshine. Crisp. Fresh. The scent of springtime in the air. Fresh soil. Greening prairie. Majestic mountains on the horizon.

Birds chirping. A rooster crowing in the distance. Cottontail babies on my lawn.

The stillness is refreshing. Rejuvenating after many consecutive days of tormenting wind have plagued us. This early May morning is a gift as I feel the warmth of the sun penetrate my bones. I soak it in and let it settle. In my heart. In my soul. Into my whole being. It takes hold. I am warmed.

I close my eyes. Breathe in. Breathe out. Peace. Joy. I am filled with joy.  Pure joy. This morning brings me joy. There is nothing like the morning that awakens my senses so sharply. O wonderful May morning, I have waited for you.

In the morning

give us your mercy in full measure,

So that we may have joy

and delight all our days.

  ~ Psalm 90:14

Joy. Joy because I am blessed.  Blessed beyond measure. Blessed.

I find my joy in my God and the gifts he has given me. The intangible gifts.

His sacrifice. His unfailing love. His grace. His mercy. His "faithfulness stretches to the sky." ("Your Love Oh Lord" by Third Day).

Each day we are given is a true gift. A abounding gift. A gift.

A simple gift. A simple pleasure that I stop to ponder. Ponder. Ponder deeply the ultimate gift of  truth that leads to my joy. A gift that means so much and has such a profound and everlasting impact on all of humanity. A gift that all can receive. Receive His gift. Receive life. Experience joy.

A gift that makes me realize I find amazing joy in knowing my God.  Joy that He saves. Joy that He redeems. Joy that He loves. Joy that He lives. Joy that He walks beside me every step of the way. Joy that He delights in me. In me. ME. How amazing is that?

The LORD your God is with you, 

the Mighty Warrior who saves. 

He will take great delight in you;

 in his love he will no longer rebuke you, 

but will rejoice over you with singing."

~ Zephaniah 3:17

He rejoices. Rejoice with Him. Rejoice.

 My heart overflows. With joy. I am  humbled by His gifts and the joy He gives me. I am blessed. Blessed with time, friends, family and the pure love that comes from recognizing these gifts.

Sight. Sound. Touch. Taste. Feel.

Live. Love. Laugh.

 Sing to the LORD a new song;

 sing to the LORD, all the earth.

~ Psalm 96:1

Rejoice. Delight. Sing.

 You make known to me the path of life; 

you will fill me with joy in your presence...

~Psalm 16:11

Experience Joy. Joy that only come from Him. Joy from his gifts. Joy.

Happy May. Happy springtime. Let the blessings pour out from your Joy in all that he has given.

Be joyful.

Be blessed my friends.

Open Trail

I woke up this morning and before my feet had hit the floor, God was speaking to me. His words to me were that he and I need some alone time. REAL alone time. Not me, my bible, my comfy chair and my coffee cup kind of time. Alone time. Solitude. Where He and I could be together and chat. To me, that has to mean leaving the house and getting outside to be with God and God alone. My first thought, as I could hear the gusty, roaring whistle of the wind whipping against my windows, was really? Today? But God, it's windy out there! Like 40mph gusts kind of windy! And cold, too! Any other day, I would jump at the opportunity to enjoy solitude and be outdoors with God. I don't really get along well with the wind. I hate walking, jogging or running in it and really didn't want to venture out in it today. I wanted to stay in, with my coffee and the subtle calm of my nice warm house. A quiet, empty house, I might add.  I argued with God for awhile and with myself. However, God was speaking! So, I decided (with God's insistence) that this was a PERFECT Friday morning to try a new adventure! An open trail. Wind and all! After all, I had been wanting to check out some trails in a different section of our local recreation area, so I packed up my gear and decided that perhaps a nice trail jog would do me good this morning. God ALWAYS knows what is best for me! I wish I listened to Him better! 

"Whoever has ears, let them hear."

 ~ Matthew 13:9

Friday morning solitude. Off to the open trail I headed this morning. To enjoy my solitude. My alone time with God. The trail before me, my physical gifts from God which allow me to run, and God's beauty around me. The rocks of the trail crunched beneath my feet and the jagged cliffs rose above me as I descended on the trail, step by step. Unsure of this trail ahead of me, so like our lives! Unsure of what is around the next corner or down the next step. I allowed him to lead me on this trail and I allowed Him to talk to me. I reveled in his Glory all around me. As I jogged, I looked out and saw the gorgeous lake with it's frothy white caps being whipped up by the February morning wind. Looking up I saw a gorgeous blue Colorado sky. The magnificent Rocky Mountains lined my horizon with purple mountain majesty. How majestic it was this morning ~ even in the wind. God had called me to spend time with Him. Oh, how he knew what I needed today! I felt so alive with Him leading me. He has called me to love Him and let Him lead, just as he calls each one of us specifically!

 

My open trail today that God leadeth me on!

 I often wonder what it is I am so afraid of. Why don't I let God have more control of my heart, my mind, my soul, my life. What am I waiting for? After all, he is my maker, my sustainer. The giver of life. When I let God have control of my life, it is apparent that he knows what he is doing. Life is suddenly more meaningful. More satisfying. More invigorating. God has me. Always! He knows when to challenge me, when to test me, when to cheer me on, when to let me glory, when to stumble and when to let me fall. He is the God of my life and I need not fear anything. 

" So I'm headed down the open road unknown ...
...And we find what we're made of
Through the open door
Is it fear you're afraid of?
What are you waiting for"

~Lyrics from "Love Alone is Worth the Fight" by Switchfoot. 

It is my prayer that I can cast out my fears and insecurities and give glory to God in all that I do, each and every day. It truly is a daily struggle to keep Him foremost in my thoughts and to give him thanks for all things, good and bad. In my daily walk with Him, I struggle. I struggle to give Him complete control of my life. Everyday is a brand new battle. I battle with myself to do the things that please God and the things that I know are right. I am human. We all deal with daily battles, but God has assured us that he is there for us. After all, he sent his son, Jesus to die on the cross for us. The ultimate sacrifice has been made and the price has been paid so that we can live in the Spirit and look forward to eternity in Heaven.

 

"Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives."

 ~ Galatians 5:25.

The Spirit of God lives in us and longs to flow through us. Not just in our spiritual lives, but in our emotional, social, work, and physical life. Every part of our life is important to God. And significant. He wants us to call on Him and share our life with him. He longs for us to open our heart and let Him in. He longs for us to not only listen to Him, but to listen for Him. He is with us always. Open your heart and open your ears. He is speaking! Listen. Let Him speak. Let Him speak to you. Solitude. You and God.

Blessings to you, my friends on this windy February day.

Carpe Diem

Sieze the day. Grasp life by the hand and live it. Enjoy the moment. Now. Today. Don't let time slip away. Enjoy the here and now. Tomorrow is not promised us.

Our days on earth are like grass; 

like wildflowers, we bloom and die.

The wind blows and we are gone ~

As though we had never been here.  

   ~Psalm 103:15-16

Tis the season of Thanksgiving and thankfulness. I am thankful for this day. The day that I have been given right now. I shall enjoy it. For what it is.

I am thankful for this gorgeous November day that I have opportunity to seize and enjoy. The sun is shimmering in the bright Colorado sky. Wispy, white, feathery cloud tufts spot the beautiful azure.  I sit on my deck in the warming rays with my son. He is home from school this week with whooping cough due to an unfortunate outbreak in his high school. While I am sad that he is ill, I am ever grateful for a day to spend at home with him. We enjoy the fall breeze together and listen to the sounds around us. The crispy, brown and yellow leaves cling to the trees and rustle against the branches. I enjoy his teenage conversation and the sound of his laughter. His deep voice and changing facial characteristics captivate me. Where has my little boy gone? The day he was born is vivid in my mind. I sometimes call his phone just to hear his voicemail message that is yet to be changed. The squeaky little eleven year old voice speaks to me. I laugh. I cry. I am holding on tight to this boy turning into man. He is my youngest and I am not ready for him to grow up. However, he is quickly proving to me that time moves ever so fast. As if I didn't already know it with two daughters off in college.

Our days on this earth are numbered and we often move too fast to really enjoy them; too fast to count our blessings; too fast to take a moment and to enjoy it. To really soak it up by listening, feeling, seeing and experiencing the realm of emotion that we are created to know and experience. Scripture tells us that emotions are real and there is a time for them.

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance;

~ Ecclesiastes 3:4

In the "busy-ness" of life I am trying to slow down and listen to the things that matter. To experience the emotion in all things. To feel what God has created me to feel. To take it all in. To enjoy just today. To enjoy the small things because moments slip away so quickly. They are here and gone with no thought of tomorrow.

Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow.

You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.

~ James 4:14

Today. I enjoy today. I enjoy my son. My time. The sunshine. The fall breeze. Our walk. Our talk. Our deck time. Time together. Tomorrow is of no concern. God has it. He has it handled. 

Enjoy today.

Tomorrow. God. Is. Already. There. 

Carpe Diem.

Autumn Renewal

Sitting here this morning feeling a little melancholy, but blessed. I am missing my two daughters who are off at college. Wishing they were here to share the morning with me. As I sit thinking of the memories, the rich, warm aroma of coffee soothes me and my favorite coffee cup is filled to the brim just inches from my hand. I sit here in the dark and gaze out my back yard window. I watch the early morning sky lighten as the sun comes up. There is no colorful, beaming sunrise this morning, rather the sky is heavy, gray and overcast. The sturdy, old cottonwood tree in my backyard hints of the season we are in. The ever fading green leaves are sprinkled with yellow and gold splashes. I watch individual leaves flutter gracefully to the ground in the still morning air and join the scattering piles that are accumulating beneath the towering tree and those that stand around it. The early morning air breathes of crispness and is filled with a hint of wood smoke and moisture as I watch tiny droplets pelt my window.

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.

~ Albert Camus

Fall. Winter. Fall. Winter. October is in the air. The month that is ever confused about the season. My favorite season of the year. For me, autumn has a freshness to it. A calm, cool, rustic, earthy smell of change. A preparing freshness. Preparing for the blustery winter that lies ahead. A reminding freshness of what is to come. Plants wither, leaves change and fall, and the grass turns to brown. I am reminded of the newness that will come after fall has finished and winter has shared its wrath. The things of nature die and will be renewed.

No spring nor summer beauty hath such grace

As I have seen in one autumnal face.

~ John Donne

 Renewed. Restored. Revived. Reborn. The beauty of autumn is the reminder of the restoration that is yet to come. So very much like the restoration we have in Christ. What an amazing gift we have in Christ and the sacrifice he made for us. In Christ, we have newness of life. When we commit our lives to Christ, we are renewed, restored, revived, reborn and transformed in Him. Each day is a reminder of the newness we have. While we cannot undo what has been done in our past, we are forgiven. Each and every day we can start anew because Christ has paid the price for us. We are reborn and renewed through the living Word of God.

...he saved us, not because of the righteous things we have done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and a new life through the Holy Spirit.

~ Titus 3:5

Renewal. Restoration. Revival. Rebirth. While so many think of autumn as the death of a season. I think of it as a rebirth. A cleansing of what is old being washed away. A preparation for restoration and renewal to take place. A reminder of what the Lord has in store for us. As we enjoy and breathe in the blessings and aromas of this autumn season, I am reminded of the lyrics of one of my favorite Keith Green songs which are taken from Psalm 51. 

"Create in me a clean heart, Oh God

and renew a right spirit within me."

"Restore unto me, the joy of thy salvation

and renew a right spirit within me."

~ "Create in me a Clean Heart, Keith Green"

Renewed. Restored. Revived. Blessed. I am blessed in countless ways. I pray for blessings on all of you my friends as we breathe in the graces of this autumn season.  May you experience renewal, restoration and revival through this season and in our savior, Jesus Christ. 

Pray for Colorado!

Sitting on my deck enjoying a beautiful June morning. Baby bunnies in the grass, baby birds in the bird house, birds chirping in the trees, leaves rustling in the morning breeze, and a wonderful cup of coffee in my hand. Reveling in the fact that the air is still cool this morning before our arid, desert heat hits and the gusty summer wind begins to warm up our day to hundred degree heat.

This summer is giving me a sense of deja vu. Rain and moisture have eluded our state. I feel like I have been here before, on my knees, pleading with our God to have mercy on our state that is breaking out in wildfires. Nasty wicked fires rolling through our majestic mountains fueled by gusting winds, ninety to one hundred degree heat and low humidity days. Turning on the television brings one to tears to see the devastation being wrought on our beautiful state of "Colorful Colorado".

From where I sit, the Royal Gorge fire, 40 miles to my west, has burned 3100 acres and damaged a historical Colorado icon. Fifty miles to my north, another fire storms through the beautiful Black Forest. Over 15,000 acres have been charred and nearly 400 homes have been lost. To my south, a smaller, yet damaging fire burns as do many other smaller fires throughout our state. These fires rage on. Burning. Devastating. Incinerating. Wreaking havoc. On land. On homes. On families. On lives.

Where is God? Where is he in all of this? Where is God when tragedy strikes? When turmoil hits? We tend to wonder why God allows these things to happen. I turn on the news or open up the newspaper and I see negative statements being made about God allowing this to happen. Whether or not it just happens or is allowed to happen, the point is that God is in control. Perhaps he is keeping it from becoming a more tragic situation than what it currently is. It is not for us to know. God has a plan for us. A plan bigger than you or I. A plan beyond our comprehension. For each one of our lives. For our cities. For our state. For our nation. For our world. Trust him.

Where does my help come from? It comes from the Lord.

I life up my eyes to the mountains ~ where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. ~ Psalm 121:1~2

I know my God is with me! He will not leave me nor forsake me!  God's love for us burns just like the fires that rage through our majestic state right now. He is our help. He loves us. Forever. Always. I am not a bible scholar and I do not have all of the answers. What I do know for certain is that God loves me. He loves each one of us. Through tragedy. Through trial. Through glory and good.  He is always there. Even when bad things happen.

You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. ~ Psalm 63:1

My God is right beside me. He is with me. He is with you. I pray to him. I pray for our firefighters. I pray for those whose lives are in turmoil because of the fires. I pray for rain. I pray for Colorado. Won't you please join me?

Be Still

"Be still," says God! My response, "But God! I have so much to do and so many things I want to do!" Again, God says, "Be still my child." And again, I run to do the things I want to do. I get caught up in the chaos and the madness and the selfishness of what I want and not what God wants. God knows what is best for me. You would think I would have learned that by now! Actually, I have learned it, but it appears I have trouble applying it!

I know that God doesn't deliberately cause bad things to happen to us. I do believe however that he does "allow" things to happen to us. Seemingly in my life, those things happen to me when I am not listening to God telling me to slow down, pay more attention and BE STILL!

I have spent the last three weeks being "stiller" than I have been for quite some time! I am trying to be grateful for this down time that has been given me.

Given. To. Me. In an odd sort of way!

You see, it all started with our family getting a new puppy a little over three weeks ago. At 5 a.m. one morning that puppy needed to go out.  I managed to miss a couple of steps going downstairs. The scenario that followed was not a pleasant one and the outcome is not so pleasant either! I managed to fracture my ankle and my foot and have been in a non-weight bearing cast since then. I guess God captured my attention. This is really not how I would have preferred he get it, but it worked. Needless to say, God and I have had an opportunity to spend a little more time together. He has made it known that he is God and he is good. (Of course I already knew that, but needed a reminder!)

I am seriously on the go 24-7, 7 days a week. If there isn't work, school, church or some extracurricular activity to attend, then I am looking for a trail to hike, mountain to climb or some way to totally enjoy the great outdoors. I truly love spending time with family and friends doing the things that I love ... outdoors. I do anything I can to make that happen and consequently my life is probably way more turbulent than it needs to be as I try to make things happen. I really think that is the bottom line that God is trying to get at for me! If I would simply be still and spend more time with Him, He will give me the pleasures I seek! In the right time. In His time!

Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. ~ Psalm 37:4

Being still truly is difficult for me. While some people would welcome the down time I have been given, (certainly not the fractures) I don't like this kind of down time! It truly is a difficulty for me. A trial. At the one week mark after my little accident, I had truly descended into a pit of despair and depression over my current state. I was totally enveloped in my own little pity party of emotions and had a few minutes to spare that morning while waiting for my sweet friend turned taxi driver to pick me up to go to work. (Thanks Jules!) Those extra minutes and tears of desperation led me to pick up one of my devotionals and turn it to that days devotion. "Come to me," it read, "and rest in my loving presence. You know that this day will bring difficulties, and you are trying to think your way through those trials." "As you anticipate what is ahead of you, you forget that I AM WITH YOU ~ now and always." (Sarah Young in Jesus Calling) This hit me like a ton of bricks! It's not that I forget He is with me, it's that I forget to let Him have control. I forget to rely on Him in my times of discouragement and dismay.

Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. ~ Joshua 1:9

As I sit on the back deck on this gorgeous 68 degree January day in Colorado, it is very clear to see our great God is all around us. His glory abounds in the warm rays of the sunshine, in the deep blue hues of the sky, in the puffy, white, heavenly clouds floating overhead, the chirping of the birds, and even in the yipping of that sweet little puppy in my back yard. Yes, the same one who is semi-responsible for the cast on my leg and foot! I am trying to be positive, because normally on a day like today, you would find me on a trail somewhere, hiking! I wouldn't be sitting on my back deck with my foot in the air! But, this is God's plan for me right now. I am still and am soaking up the glory of God all around me.

God is with me. God is with you. He is with each and every one of us. He is good and his blessings abound in a world gone mad with activity and craziness and an inability to slow down. He really asks so very little of us. So little of me. The least we can do is "be still" for a bit, retreat and revel in the glory of a great God who is abounding in love, grace and mercy.

Be still. Be still my child.
I. Am. Still.

Thank Full

Thank full. Full of thanks.

There is nothing like the month of November to bring to light the many things I am thankful for in my life. I must admit that I am extremely grateful for the religious history that our country holds ... even when so many deny the very principles our country was founded on!

In 1621, the Wampanoag Indians and the Plymouth colonists (pilgrims) celebrated the first Thanksgiving as an Autumn harvest feast of thanks. The second Thanksgiving celebration was two years later and marked the end of a long drought. Governor Bradford called for a religious fast. Days of fasting and thanksgiving became quite common. During the American Revolution there were often one or more days of thanksgiving celebrated in a year. In 1789, George Washington issued the very first Thanksgiving proclamation. He asked Americans to show their gratitude for the end of the war that declared our nation's independence. Succeeding presidents also declared days of Thanksgiving throughout their presidencies. It wasn't until 1863 that Abraham Lincoln proclaimed that the final Thursday of November each year should be a holiday and that all Americans should ask God to "commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife and heal the wounds of the nation." In 1941, Franklin D. Roosevelt officially signed a bill making Thanksgiving the fourth Thursday of November each year.  While Thanksgiving has religious roots, our American culture has lost that significance and focuses more on the feast of food  that is shared with family and friends right before the insanity of Black Friday hits.

History lesson aside, I choose to reflect on the bountiful blessings I have in my life. God has richly blessed us, through both joy and sorrow and 2012 has brought us both.

March brought us a tremendous trial when George was critically injured in a dirt bike accident. While his injuries were severe and could have been life threatening (unbeknownst to us at the time), God protected him and healed him. We are so fortunate that God has blessed him with a job that allowed him the month off of work to heal and the luxury of returning to light duty at work before going back in full swing. Praise God for his protection over Geo and our family.  Shortly after returning back to work, were also very blessed by George being awarded a new position. This blessing allows George to work regular daytime hours without weekends, holidays or shift work involved! Amen to family time and being able to spend our weekends and worship time together again every week!

The month of May brought us to the graduation of our oldest daughter Katie and her decision to go off to college. While it is difficult as a parent to watch each of my children grow up and leave, I am very, very proud of her.

July brought us the loss of one very special lady this year. The loss of Grandma Ellen is especially felt at this time of year because of all the wonderful memories we have of her. I remember many Thanksgiving weekends spent with Gram (and Grandad too). She was always cooking up her wonderful Thanksgiving dishes for the family. When the cooking was done and the meal complete, the rest of the afternoon and evening were spent playing cards around the kitchen table. Memories ... years gone by and a chapter of our lives has closed. Through it all, God has been faithful to me and my family. He sustains us always.

August bought us face to face with the reality of losing our pastor and his family to a church in California. They were also very special friends!  They are family to our family. Our children have grown up together. We have gone on camping trips together. We have spent many nights around a table playing cards or marbles or just sharing dinner and friendship. After being in our lives for the last 10 years, we feel their absence tremendously, but we know God works out his plans for good! Dave and Anne answered a call. A call from God. They were obedient in answering.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  (Jeremiah 29:11)  

This verse applies to every aspect of our lives! God is in control. I realize that even more with one daughter in college, another daughter in her senior year (and discerning a life of commitment to the Lord through missionary work) and my son in his final year of middle school. Oh, how the years roll by!

I sit here reflecting on this past year and I am ever thankful for the fullness of life I experience through the sustenance I find through  Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior.  I am so thankful for this week and the reminder that it is of so many blessings. I am thankful for the birth of our Savior 2000 years ago. The sacrifice God made in giving up his son. The sacrifice Christ made in giving up his own life. The pain and agony of the crucifixtion that our Lord suffered that makes us realize the magnitude of the GIFT we are given. Thank you Jesus.

I am thankful for the country we live in and the freedom we have. The soldiers past, present and future – those who have fought in wars, died in war, will fight in war all to preserve the freedom that we luxuriously live in. We are blessed to be free because of those who have fought and died preserving that freedom!

I am thankful for sunsets and sunrises – I have witnessed both this week in glorious fashion! God is a most magnficent artist! I am thankful for the mountains that I love to hike and camp in. For the Eastern plains which I grew up on. For the farmers and ranchers around the world who grow the food we are fortunate to have and eat. I am thankful for having grown up on a farm and for having experienced life in a farm family in rural America. My roots run deep! I am thankful for my spiritual heritage and christian upbringing! (Thank you mom and dad!)

I am thankful for my family. For parents who love us and are involved in my children's lives. For my siblings and the children they have raised so my children can grown up with cousins like I did. What a blessing to have family! I am thankful for George. God knew what he was doing when he sent me a Christian man! I am thankful for George leading our family and providing for us and for being a Godly father to our children. I am thankful for each one of my children ~ unique and special in their own ways. I am thankful for their love and devotion to our God and Savior.

I am thankful for my friends! Friends both near and far. Without them, life would not be so fun! I am grateful that they love me for who I am. Who else would I hike with, camp with, laugh with, gather with, shop with, worship with, enjoy life with? (Besides my family!)

I am thankful for Christian friends, church family and the luxury of worshipping our Lord freely. I am thankful for the fellowship, the friendships, the family I have through my brothers and sisters in Christ.

I am thankful for my good health and the health of family and friends. We are blessed when so many are suffering from health problems.

I am thankful for my job where I have opportunity to touch, influence, teach and love on over 500 students a day.  A job … that even when it frustrates me, I am lucky to have when so many are in need of work. 

I am thankful for my home. A roof over my head, food on the table, a family to love, a family to love me back.

My list could run on and on, but the point can be made right here. I am thankful for all that I am and all that I have. God is good.

I am Blessed. Blessed. I am Full ... to the brim of blessings. I am Full. Full of Thanks. 

Thank Full.

Thankful.

May you and your family enjoy a most blessed Thanksgiving holiday together.