As unto the LORD (via Mowser)

Thursday, July 24, 2008

JESUS IS COMING

Every morning at about 6:30, my friend Linda Brown and I walk 2 1/2 miles. We try to do this in the evening also. This morning we started out right before sunrise. I had my camera and took a picture of daylight just breaking. Then suddenly a few seconds later the sun burst through the clouds and the dark sky. It was a beautiful sight! Fortunately I had my camera out of my pocket and took another picture. What really amazed me was how quickly the sun appeared. It was almost in an instant. WOW! I was reminded of the Scripture that tells us of the Lord's return to earth. Luke 21:27-28 says, "Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to happen look up and lift up your heads , your redemption draws near." Taking these pictures this morning made me realize the importance of "being ready." The Scripture says Christ's return will be "in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye." For an instant right before I snapped the second picture I thought I could Jesus in clouds. I know I was looking for Him. One of these days it will happen! Hope you enjoy these pictures.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS! I am not sure where that old saying originated but it's so true. My dear friend, Jim Welborn emailed me a picture that spoke more than a thousand words to me. As I viewed the picture he sent I had a flash back of the last 36 1/2 years of God's faithfulness. Someone took this picture of my son-in-law, John Palmer, and his grand son, Grant Andrew Baker.

There were four things that spoke volumes to me. Number one; Grant's little eyes are intently focused on John. Number two, Grant's little hands are reaching out to John. Number three, the picture that spoke so powerfully, John's large capable hand holding firmly on to Grant. Finally, number four; there was the 'look of love and joy' coming from John into his little grand son's eyes and look of 'trust in being held' coming from Grant's eyes.

I can identify with Grant in knowing that my Father's hands have kept me safe, secure, and confident during my years as a widow and a single parent. There were times when I felt unsure, uncertain, frustrated, lonely and shaky in my circumstances, but all I had to do was refocus off of my situation, reach out and look to Jesus and then I could feel His firm hand of love holding me steady.

I love the chorus of the old hymn that says, "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace." THANK YOU JOHN, THANK YOU GRANT FOR THE PICTURE THAT HAS BEEN WORTH MORE THAN A THOUSAND WORDS TO ME!

Sunday, July 06, 2008

"THIS OL' HOUSE"

Two of my special friends, Kathy Hiatt, Ginny Penney, and myself spent the day together. After church we drove to Archbold, Ohio and had a lovely dinner at Das Essen House. On our way I happened to see 'this old house' at the side of the road. For some reason I couldn't get the picture of the dilapidated building out of my mind. I begin to wonder how many families had lived in the old house. Had any babies been born there? Had any of the family members died there? What had happened that it had gotten so neglected through the years? It would have been interesting if the ol' house could have talked to us. Since I have been a home owner for many years, I do know the time and energy it takes to keep a house from deteriorating. In my 50 years of living in this house I have had 3 new roofs, new siding twice, a new driveway, new windows, new furnace, new doors and on and on the list goes. My house does look pretty good because I have invested time and effort, (money too) in trying to keep it renewed and refreshed.

Thinking about the old house, brought this question to my mind....am I making a continual and conscious effort in keeping my spiritual house renewed and refreshed? I hope and pray that I will always be aware of repairs that need to take place in my the areas of my spiritual home. (my heart) Such as, when my attitude becomes shabby and needs another coat of paint (God's love), or when I neglect building the principles of God's word into the foundation of my life each day; My prayer is that the people that pass by me each day will see the joy of the Lord in my countenance and know that Jesus lives in my heart house.

Friday, June 27, 2008

THIS IS NOT A RECYCLED BLOG

This blog is dedicated to my son Doug and my granddaughter Bethany. As you know, if you have read Bethany's blog, Bethany and Doug have decided to leave the world of Blogging. Among other reasons given was the fact that Gram's blogs are even starting to be recycled. So...I am sharing an incident that happened today between the Lord and me and it is new, fresh, exciting, never-been-used experience. Hope you two enjoy reading this!

The regular route that I take to church has been changed. There is a bridge out and there are no plans to build until 2010. As a result I have to drive 2 miles extra. One route takes me through town and traffic and the other route takes me the back way, no traffic, country roads and I usually choose the latter. The back road route takes me directly past the little cemetery where our baby girl is buried. I am not a "cemetery person" so have not visited there often. However this morning on my way to prayer meeting, I began thinking about little Deanna and wondering what she would be doing had she lived. That stirred up memories of my husband and I began to feel, not depressed, but weepy and alone. Instantly I began to talk to my Heavenly Father and acknowledge His goodness throughout the years. I had just said to Him, "Lord, I know you are listening to me and you do love me and you do care about me. Would you let me see something on this drive that affirms this?" AT THAT VERY MOMENT, what I saw thrilled me. Some people had put a large white rock at the edge of the road with these words painted on it, GOD BLESS YOU." God spoke to my heart and said, "that message is from Me to you.!" WOW, what a thrill!

The theme verse for our prayer meeting was Hebrews 4:16 "Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace, (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy (for our failures) and find grace to help in good time for every need (appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it.)

Doug and Bethany...I am so thankful that I found His well-timed, grace and guess what???...it was not recycled it came brand new, just when I needed it, on a little country road just past the cemetary!

Thursday, June 19, 2008

A CRAVING, THREE CANS AND A PIE!

Have you ever had a craving for something to eat. When I was pregnant with my children I had very strange cravings; To name just a few, puffed wheat, ice, ivory soap, (yes, when taking showers I would lather up and drink.) Maybe that's what's wrong with Doug!!! (Just kidding Doug!) This afternoon I got a craving for a pie. I had nothing in the house to make a pie, so I thought. I began to search cupboards and found one can of peaches, one can of apricots and one can of crushed pineapple. I couldn't find a recipe so made up my own. It turned out great...it is delicious!!!! Wish you all could stop by and have a piece, but hurry because I am eating it like crazy.

I began to think..."there are some pretty good things that come in cans!" With just a touch of flavoring, thickening and a good flaky crust...yummy, yummy.

Now here it comes!!! With a touch of the Holy Spirit, the flavoring of Jesus' love in our lives, "We CAN do all things through Christ who strengthens us.!" I want the people that I come in contact with who have never tasted the good things of the Lord to begin to crave Him.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

STAY CONNECTED !

What a storm! Sunday night a 20 foot branch fell off the tree in the front of my house. Then on Monday it happened again...another big wind and another huge 30 foot branch broke from the top of the tree and twisted around one of the other big branches and is hanging, hooked over several branches. The branch that is broken off is so twisted around the other branches that I will probably have to call some tree people to come and get the mess straightened out. HOWEVER IN ALL OF THIS...I DO SEE A GREAT SPIRITUAL APPLICATION FOR US CHRISTIANS!

At the moment the big branch that is broken away from the trunk is filled with green leaves and helicopters.(that's what I call those little whirly gigs) It looks very healthy. However I know in just a few days there will be no life flowing through that branch and the green will turn to brown and become pretty ugly. This reminded me of people who do not stay connected to Jesus. Jesus said in John 15 the He is the real Vine and when we are joined with Him and He with us the harvest is sure to be abundant. Anyone who separates from Him will be as deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. We can go to church and look good for awhile but without that personal connection to Jesus, our spiritual lives will die and we will be as useless to the Kingdom of God as that branch is hanging in my tree. There is only one way to stay connected to Jesus and that is by reading His Word, praying, seeking His guidance on a daily basis. Then when the storms of life come and the winds of adversity blow, we may bend but Praise God we won't break.

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

A BIRTHDAY BLOG TO MY SON-IN-LOVE

Dear John:

Thank you for blessing me, your mother-in-law, with so many special gifts. There are too many to count but I am going to mention 56 in honor of your 56 years.
First … thank you for marrying Debbie and giving me the gift of a wonderful son-in-law.
Second…thank you for my first grand child, Amy, who put laughter back in my heart after losing my dear husband.
Third…thank you for Jonathan, another delightful grand child who treats this gram so special.
Fourth…thank you for sweet Bethany Joy, who definitely has brought joy to my heart by choosing to spend time with me.
Fifth...thank you for teaching your children to be responsible and as you see by the picture of Bethany, you made sure they each carried their share of the load.
Sixth..thank you for always making me feel welcome in your home. I never once felt unwanted or unloved.
Seventh…thank you for taking me on vacations and staying calm when we got stranded out in the middle of lake at low tide.
Eighth..thank you for the many plane tickets you purchased for me.
Ninth…thank you for all the great sermons that I was privileged to hear you preach.
Tenth…thank you for praying for me.
Eleventh…thank you for investing into the lives of my two sons when they had lost their father.
Twelfth…thank you for letting them come to your church and work with you in the ministry.
Thirteen…thank you for all the peaceful nights I have slept knowing that my daughter and her children were well cared for in every area of their lives.
Fourteenth…thank you for the many times you drove all night on Christmas eve. From DesMoines, IA to Adrian so I could have my family on Christmas.
Fifteenth…thank for being a great spiritual leader in our family and seeking God’s direction for every decision.
This is getting a little long so let me say 30 times over and over, which would be 16 through 56…I love you…thank you for being the greatest son-in-law in the world.

The pictures above are of you and the priceless gifts you have given me, including yourself.

As unto the LORD