The Blame Game and My Friends, the Lepers

Sometimes I open the Word and "bam" get hit right away with His Word for me...and it doesn't take rocket science to realize He is saying something.  That bolt of lightening (or revelation) just happened as I perused the words of 2 Kings 6 and 7.


2 Kings 6 is the chapter in the Old Testament where the prophet king of Aram is once again getting too close for comfort to the king of Israel - camping near his turf.  Elisha, the servant and prophet of God, who has the listening ear of the king of Israel, is awakened by his servant one morning to be told they are surrounded by the enemy.  (This was probably before he even had his first cup of coffee!!)  Elisha, in turn, tells his servant to not be afraid..."Those who are with us are more than those who are with them."  Don't you just love it??!!  And Elisha prays for his servant's eyes to be opened to see "those who are with them".  God strikes the Arameans with blindness and Elisha leads them right into the king of Israel's territory.  Then the king of Israel asks Elisha (and this is the part I like) what to do with his enemy...should he kill them?  Elisha basically tells him no, to respond in the "opposite spirit" (the natural way our flesh would respond)...and feed them (a feast it says) and send them on their way.  An opportunity presents itself and God says to do something totally against what our natural mind would perceive.  Hmmm....  the king obeys and the king of Aram leaves and stops harassing the king of Israel.  And all is right with the world...for a moment.


HOWEVER, trouble doesn't stay away for long, and "some time later" that same enemy is back and once again lays siege on the city.  We don't get a lot of "rest" in this battle, do we?  Now, however, the king is quick to blame Elisha for his trouble (vs. 31).  If only he had killed him when he had the chance, this wouldn't be happening (however disobedient to God's command....).  He goes to Elisha to complain and blame.  Do we (I) find ourselves in situations where we did what we knew was obedience to something God told us to do....and the situation only gets worse or doesn't see any improvement at all?  The battle comes back to say fight some more?  My friends, sometimes it takes time to see the blessings of obedience.   Elisha then tells the king, don't worry, by this time tomorrow you will see differently (chpt. 7:1).....(open my eyes, Lord!!)


Then.....and this verse jumps out at us....verse 2....the officer on whose arm "the king was leaning"...says how can this be?  Whoa!  On whose Arm am I leaning??  Do I have voices that say...how can this be...how can God turn this around?  ON WHOSE ARM AM I LEANING??


I'm going to move this quickly now....in a nutshell (read the rest of chapter 7...) 4 lepers (rather dirty people) decide they have nothing to lose and go into the Aramean camp to solve their problem.  The camp is deserted and all the food and plunder left behind (God sent the enemy running!) The lepers begin to gather and decide to inform the royal palace of the unexpected and rather miraculous event. (again the king has a rather difficult time believing and seeing).  But...it happened, the city is rescued.  And the arm on whom the king was leaning is no more.


Do we blame God (really, that is what we tend to do at times) and complain things are not as we thought they would be (even though we were obedient....friends, the battle is not finished yet and the scenario not completed).


Do we lean on an arm of what we "see" rather than on Whom we do not see? 


Are we missing where the blessings might really be....among something dirty or not pleasant that is an unlikely place to see a blessing (the lepers were the least likely to bring good news).  The lepers were the first to be blessed and fed...they had nothing to lose and no expectations but HOPE!  Are we looking in the wrong places for the "blessings"?


Do we need to get off the bench of blame (I trusted You and now look where I am?) and lean on His Arm (Deut. 33:27) and pray "Open my eyes, Lord, so I may see!" (2 Kings 6:17). 


Are you praying for work/jobs in this unstable economy, healing in bodies, unsaved husbands or children no longer walking with Him, believing God for miracles on the battlefield or any number of unthinkable and extremely difficult sieges upon our "city" of life... or simply trusting God for your future?  Lord, help us to see the blessings in all the right places.


My friends, in those circumstances of our lives where we are living faithfully, praying and yet to see.....I pray for OPEN EYES OF OUR SPIRIT TO SEE....Only HE can scatter the enemy and leave the plunder to bless us. 


And an ending note....there were four lepers ...friends...support....grab those friends who can pray and believe with you and TOGETHER you will reap the plunder :) It's more rewarding with friends anyway!  You are not alone in this battle!

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Ode to Rain

I live in the Pacific Northwest and I woke up this morning (again) to another very grey and rainy morning (again).  I will confess....I am very tired of this weather as most of us in the Pacific NW are.  I preface by saying...I am VERY THANKFUL we don't have the tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes (mild ones so far!) and flooding (again fairly mild) that other states have and my heart is often burdened for those who suffer from the devastating effects of their weather.  We pray for them often! So in that my heart is grateful; but my spirit and soul really need some continual sunshine!!!  I can almost hear a resounding "AMEN" from those here in my side of the States!  So after looking out the window and moaning (again), the words "ode to rain" came to me.  Thus....today's blog...


Rain according to Wikipedia is "liquid precipitation as opposed to non-liquid precipitation such as snow, hail & sleet"...I am so glad for the wisdom of Wikipedia :)   Rain is water-saturated air....don't I know it!!


Rain also.....
*gives life to plants, animals, humans - our entire ecological system would die if it were not for rain.
*refreshes the mind and body (we need this in a drought-physically & spiritually)
*gives life to weary souls
*makes children smile and play (remember jumping in puddles...FUN!)
*gives us mud...again FUN!
*entices us to dance and sing.....made for a good movie title anyway :)
*keeps us loving the color green
*comes in a variety of forms...pelting, downpour, showers, that misty, falling rain that can be so delightful
*is romantic...remember all those movie scenes where couples are caught in the rain...I love the gazebo scene in Sound of Music :)
*gives weathermen a job
*substitutes for washing your car
*keeps our food growing and farmers employed, again necessary for life
*gives us beautiful rain forests
*provides the necessary ingredients for those science experiments with your kids
*a nice reprieve when you've had a dry, hot summer
*keeps the umbrella industry in tact (okay...now I am reaching)


Sometimes we just need to look on the bright side (pun intended!) and see the positives.....a pat on the back to me today!!


God is good, He showers down blessings on us daily :)


I WILL remember this!!  And I may go sing, dance or jump in some puddles !


And Mr. Sunshine....I look forward to writing a blog on you very soon!! After all, the first day is summer is only 8 days away and I may throw a party on that day!


For those of you who find yourself a bit disheartened by the weather (and we can definitely be affected by it) and you are still looking for summer to appear, embrace this while we must...

Perhaps go a step further...

And remember, we still have this...

Have an awesome sunshiny day and week, and find some special moments to enjoy God and embrace His goodness in all that awaits you!

A small side note....I don't want to discourage tourism....the Pacific NW is one of the most beautiful places in the world and I love living here...you need to come and visit sometime (just come in July, August or September :)

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It Doesn't Take Much To Move A Feather

I have a habit....I tend to run right into something and say things, often without thinking first (God is tempering me in this :) but today that is what I am about to do in this blog...run right into it.  In doing so, I am borrowing some incredible insight I just read in a "newsletter" from a ministry I deeply respect, "Ransomed Heart".  Many thanks to John for his thoughts in his May letter, as it further confirmed in my own heart what has been a constant thread of concern over the past months.  (If you don't know of this ministry...check it out...


www.RansomedHeart.com. and get their newsletter; each month it is filled with huge boulders of insight (in comparison to nuggets :) and will deeply bless you!


Over my years of ministry and mentoring women, I have tried to convey from my heart the urgent, important, life-saving need of being in the Word and His Truth being our guiding Light.  Nothing else will help us navigate the junk that life throws at us.  During the last year I have read twice "The Divine Mentor" by Wayne Cordeiro and the past six weeks led a small group of women reading, discussing this book as well as sharing from the Word together and what the Master is teaching us.  It has been food to our soul!  (again...read it if you haven't!)


John Eldredge shares about the lack of substance in our souls today; the move towards finding a deeper sense of self, of being.  We engage in an assortment of activities to make an individual statement of who we are, everything from tattooing to a more liturgical church experience....but what we are really doing is reaching for substance and groundedness.  He also shared that while people are moving in that direction, they also are becoming more susceptible to anxiety disorders, mental distresses - being blown by every wind that comes along.  Hence, the phrase IT DOESN'T TAKE MUCH TO MOVE A FEATHER !


"Wikipedia" says that "in electrical engineering, ground or earth may be the reference point in an electrical circuit from which other voltages are measured  or a common return path for electrical current, or a direct physical connection to earth/ground.  Oooh, we can take so much from this definition...who is my reference point; who am I directly physically connected to?


John asked, "What are you doing for groundedness?"  My question with that is "Who are we grounded to?"  If I am not connected to my Source....grounded into earth (JESUS),  I will be blown by every wind, tossed by every wave.  


Wikipedia also stated that "being connected to ground is to prevent contact with dangerous voltage".  If I am not connected and grounded in the Word and my relationship with Jesus, I can come into contact and be burnt by some pretty dangerous voltage (that's a word picture!) in this life.


Jesus was a man who was grounded.  Look at His life...he withdrew to spend time with His Father.  He prayed.  He navigated some pretty tough people, crowds and opposition this world threw at Him.  Yes, He was/is God, but when He was flesh, He knew WHO His source was.  I like how John stated from the book of John 8::31-32 , Jesus saying "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free."  We like the second half of the verse...we want to be free.  But the first half is the key...the truth doesn't set you free until you know it, hold fast to it and put it into regular practice.  We like to pick and choose our truth. If we are to be grounded, we need to hold to His teaching.  It is the only way. (A study of the Gospels and Jesus' teaching is a real eye-opener....the parables a host of meals to chew on :)


John states that we need to be grounded in the truth (His Word/the Bible) daily. I love the verse from Jeremiah 15:16 "Your words were found and I ate them, and Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart."  He agrees that yes, there are other things we need to do for groundness...cut the insane busy-ness, do not live for tweets, texts, facebook or email (whoa, this will cut to the quick for some of us!).  Here's a challenge to move towards groundedness....let's spend more time cultivating our relationship with the Father and Son, than tweeting, texting, phoning.  These are not "bad"....just can be a major distraction and time-consuming to say the least.  Let's practice some good old solitude and silence with the Father....even for a few minutes each day.


I am preaching to myself here....I want to be grounded, not a feather moved by the slightest wind that comes my way.  I want to be a tree (Psalm 1:3; Jeremiah 17:8) where my roots go so deep that I am directly grounded - that direct physical connection - to My Father.  I hope and pray you will join me in this :)  (and thank you, John, and Ransomed Heart Ministries for another encouragement in running the race and staying on course!)


P.S.  A side note...in case you were "wondering"...doctor appointment last week and my #'s were down!!!  Yeah!!  Still a ways to go to be where I need to be, but 5 weeks of healthy eating and I am one happy (healthy) lady!!  (and I did make that soup...substituting the fat and cream...and it was DELICIOUS! I'll share my tips on how to knock out fat if you want...this is not a cooking blog, but we are woman2woman and this is important for us :)  

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Sugar-free, Fat-free and JESUS

I must admit, I am a little bit disappointed at the moment....happy, but disappointed.  Let me explain....for the past month I have been rigidly watching what goes in my mouth.  Not dieting, just eating healthy.  The annual doctor visit and lab tests in April delivered shocking numbers and left me in a place of needing to adjust my diet even further than I had done in the past.  For the last year I have deleted a lot of sugar and white flour from my diet, as well as high-fat foods (or so I thought).  Well, I won't drag this out....suffice it to say, I was not eating as healthy as I had convinced myself.  So with a month of being a good girl and keeping a food journal, I am sensing I have done well....a doctor visit just around the corner and encouraged in that there should be some changes in my cholesterol and sugar levels.  I "feel" good, lost some weight in the process and know that at this point in my life, I am on a healthy journey for the long run....


My disappointment arrived this morning when I finally found the recipe of a soup I have been dying to try.....and I discovered I could probably die if I made it.  A cream of asparagus soup made with applewood smoked bacon.  Frying bacon....using the bacon grease as a base and later on adding cream to complete this incredible soup - not to mention the butter-laden bread they tell you to eat with the soup!  My joy at finding the recipe dissipated when I realized "there is no way I can eat this!"  (now, I have been tweaking recipes all month and know that I can make this work...without all the fat and cream).  My thought process, however initially was "why are all the really delicious things so bad for me??"  Hmmm......


Tossing the recipe aside, Bible and coffee mug in hand, I settled in for my time with the Lord....and the Holy Spirit showed up.  Why does sin seem so enticing at the moment....really fun....instant gratification.....yet so bad for us.  (I'm not talking food here, but the analogy is appropriate).   We want to do something or have something that is not in our best interest, but yet we go ahead because we want it now.  We are extremely short-sighted.  In the book of Proverbs, lady Wisdom over and over again calls us from the road of foolishness and beckons us to take the road of wisdom and life.  Yet, so often, the road of foolishness is taken and we pay for it in the long run.  


1 Timothy 4:8 says ....train yourself to be godly.  For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.  Spiritually speaking, if I forsake those things that are not good for me (as delicious as they may seem at the moment) and set my eyes on seeking godliness, righteousness and taking the road of wisdom and life, my long-term outlook has promise....in this life and the life to come.  This encompasses everything from spending time in the Word daily, prayer, my relationships, my tongue - how I talk about people, how I spend my time, honesty/integrity....just reading the book of Proverbs sets out a course to take for our lives.  


If I am short-sighted and want to eat that soup now.....I will pay down the road with my health.  If I am short-sighted and decide to take a detour in my journey with God and pursue something that is not good for me but will give me a measure of "happiness" at the moment.....I will pay in the long run.  I want the JOY, not the momentary happiness.


Oh, how I want to be looking further down that road and not in the moment....making decisions that have eternal ramifications.  Hebrews 12: 1-3 says "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses (cheering us on, yeah!!), let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so EASILY ENTANGLES and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us FIX OUR EYES ON JESUS....."   And the only way, I am going to be able to have the wisdom, strength and grace to run and stay on this road, is by spending time daily with the One who can guide me.  And that, my friend, tastes tastes pretty delicious day to day!!!!!  What He has for us is incomparable to what this earth offers.  I develop a taste for the things of God (just as I develop a taste over time for the sugar-free, non-fat life...our physical body does adjust and you eventually dislike the sugary and fatty foods).  In the same way, the more we spend time pursuing godliness, the more uncomfortable we become with ungodliness in our own lives.


Thank you, Jesus, that not only do I learn something about short-sightedness in my eating habits (by not eating that soup...I will be healthier and my test results will reflect that :), but I also heard from You about looking long-term down that road of life pursuing godliness both in this present life and the life to come!  And that tastes sooooooo good!

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Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens....

Why do I feel like Julie Andrews when the sun comes out....and I want to run through a green meadow in the mountains and break out into singing "the hills are alive".   For most of us here in the Pacific NW, when that yellow orb appears in the sky...we want to drop everything and spend those valuable moments outside.  Today is one of those days and as soon as I finish writing and do a bit of demanding housework, I am going to enjoy that sunshine....please still be there!!


There is nothing like a beautiful sunny day in Oregon!  It makes me appreciate life and all those treasures He places in mine.  That song "A Few of My Favorite Things" keeps running through my mind and I have to share.  (the other "nugget" I planned on indulging in today from the Word is a bit heavier in content, so perhaps on my next cloudy day....)


Yes, I do love...cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels...doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles; snowflakes, silver white winters that melt into spring.....picture yourself dancing around on a down-filled bed, pillows flying and Julie singing in the background....now, that I have your attention...these are a few of my favorite things...in the springtime....


** brilliant blue sky with fluffy white clouds
** the smell of daffodils in early spring
** fresh springtime vegetables & fruits to try in new recipes
** cooking and baking 
** pasta, actually anything Italian
** cherry blossoms
** tulips (which I don't plant because the deer will eat them)
** those lovely tulip-eating deer that come into our yard :)
** the birds that feast on our birdhouse outside my bedroom window
** green grass
** the sound of that grass being mowed...means outdoor weather is near!
** cup of hot coffee in the early peaceful morning sitting on the deck with my  Bible waiting for God to speak
** girl time with friends over lunch
** the colors that come out in the spring/summer fashions - pastels or vibrant mixes that chase away the grey of winter (I bought some new coffee mugs the other day just so I could have some new color in my kitchen :)
** opening the windows to let in the fresh air 
** lambs frolicking with their moms....just down the road from our house
** new springtime babies....chicks, kittens, puppies, and the human kind :)


And....

Love rainbows....they took on a whole new meaning for me once I've seen Mt. Ararat....

My lilacs are almost ready to bloom and I absolutely LOVE their smell! That is springtime for me!!

And one of my favorite bushes in our yard...

The color of this rhododendron is a beautiful purple and I adore it!

And of course....besides the man of my life whom I also adore....my all-time favorites ....

This photo is a couple of years old - taken @ Crater Lake but they are so much fun in my life!  And I don't get to spend nearly enough time with all four of them at one time in one place anymore.  They just grew up too quickly!

Springtime, when the sun is out, always invokes musings of what is truly beautiful in our lives.  Springtime to me is color, new life, new smells, new beginnings, and some of our favorite things.  Today, wherever you are, if that sun is shining, take a walk and breathe in the beauty around you (even if it is that tall building and sidewalk...someone creative designed and built it :) - people watch (another of my favorite things).  And if by chance (reality) the sun is not shining where you are...it will, I promise!  God, our Father, gave us senses.....today let that sense of smell and sight overwhelm us as we enjoy His gift of life and remember a few of your favorite springtime things!

(sorry if I repeated myself in this post from past posts...the sunshine does that to me!  :)

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He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not....

Remember being in middle or high school and taking that flower, picking off the petals reciting, "he loves me, he loves me not"?  Remember the drama of that best friend liking you one minute and the next day is upset at you.  Or that boy paying attention one minute and gone the next?  The confusion, rejection and misunderstanding that played itself out daily...drama, drama, drama.


Have you been in ministry, leadership or relationships where you were going along doing what you were supposed to do and discovering you made a decision that didn't please someone and they now turn their back on you?


Our friend, David the King, experienced this constantly. In 2 Samuel 15 - 20 we see "friends"  (and family) dropping off the radar right and left. David loses his son (not only physically, but his relationship with him) where at one time he probably bounced this boy on his knee laughing. When you read these chapters, you see betrayal, disloyalty and much heartache.  At the point in chapter 19, when the king returns to Jerusalem, you see several men coming out to make sure their past behavior with the king won't be held against them.  When David sends out his "trusted" to accomplish his purposes....they didn't always do to the letter what he'd asked (I'm not so sure I could have trusted Joab). 


Not much has changed since David's time; people still betray and change their loyalties day to day.  There is still misunderstanding amongst peers, family and even close friends.  (btw...I am not currently experiencing any of this...just impressed with how the "man after God's own heart" handles what life throws at him and it was in my daily reading....had to write down my thoughts!)  Also, it needs to be noted, that David was not perfect....he had his dysfunction, was not the best father or husband, and he definitely had to live with the consequences of his decisions and behavior.


Look ahead to Psalm 55....this are the words David cries out to his God in anguish at betrayal and confusion from those he loved and trusted.  He wants to fly away and be at rest (how many times have we wished the same?).  But he calls out to God and the Lord saves him (vs. 16)  Then David tells us to "cast our cares on the Lord and He will sustain us" (vs. 22) and finally, "but as for me, I will trust in YOU."  (vs. 23)  Here's a man that knew where to go when his heart was in anguish.  He knew where to go when he was misunderstood.  He knew who to turn to when he felt unloved and even betrayed.  David knew WHO was his source of life, joy, comfort, understanding and forgiveness .  I am amazed at how David could forgive....I believe it is because he had himself been forgiven so often by his Father.  


Here's a "mentor" for us....our friend, David.  We can all learn from his life because we will all have rejection, misunderstanding and disloyalty at some point in our lives.  Wherever you are today, dear friend, I hope you will go to the One who can touch that place in your heart that no one else can.

Ending on a lighter note for today.....has Springtime reached your area....I am still watching for it...we get a day here and there.  My lilacs haven't completely bloomed yet (and it is May!), they usually bloom by my daughter's birthday in mid-April.  So here is a bit of Springtime to brighten your day...at least visually...

Okay...these palm trees are not in my yard..but I love blue skies, palm trees and warm weather!  Hope your day is full of sunshine.

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30 hours, 8,270 miles and home :)

I know....I am a little too specific in the details with the title, but it was a very long trip home.  And considering I am still recovering from jet-lag (yes, it does get harder to readjust once you are over a certain age...:), and caught a slam-bang cold in the midst of it all, the details make me understand why I feel as I do.  However, in the midst of my muddled mind, stuffy head and sore throat.....my heart is glad and singing...."We had an INCREDIBLE trip!"  God was so good, faithful and fatherly in all His ways.  I thought I would take a couple of minutes before my pillow starts calling my name (again)....and share some photos and thoughts.


We made so many new friends in Armenia and God showed His fatherheart to each and every one.  My husband was awesome in his sharing and teaching in the DTS (Discipleship Training School with Youth With A Mission), and the times of prayer with the students was just as incredible.  God reaches out to the fatherless (and the motherless!) and He revealed His never ending love and commitment to each student who shared their past hurts, wounds and opened their lives to us.  We were honored and humbled to be a part of praying with them as they received a glimpse of God's heart for them and His words that He has never or will never abandon them.  Many stories and testimonies came out of this time, and not enough room or time to tell all.  Suffice it to say....to God be the glory...He is their Father, Poppa and in many ways...Mother to a beautiful group of students we had the privilege of getting to know.  This was only the second week of their school - God has so much more for them!!


We also had the adventure of seeing parts of Armenia during this week.  I'll only include a few photos...

This incredible mountain is Mt. Ararat (you cannot imagine the immensity of this mountain until you see it in person and up close....awesome!!  Can you see the ark there in the snow ?? :)  And that handsome other figure is my man :)

We saw so ancient buildings, churches and monasteries dating back thousands of years....this is one ancient country!!  We felt like we were seeing history before our very eyes!

And the food....

Oh yes, we tried all variety of Armenian dishes....we are not one to go to the local McDonald's like some Americans when they travel overseas...give us the local culture and cuisine and we are happy campers!!  We ate in a couple of homes and it was a special treat!


But our best and favorite moments were the people we have come to love....

Andrei, Marlin and Katya - the YWAM base leaders in Yerevan, Armenia.

Lena, Paul and Gracie (Gracie stole our hearts!)

Lena was in first DTS in Armenia when Jim spoke 4 years ago

The students and some staff of the DTS & YWAM work

I hope to share more in the coming weeks as it was a full week with good times and stories of new friends and life in Armenia.  Our hearts are grateful and blessed to be a part of this new family!  And since our last full day there was a holiday (May 1st) and the monument/park we wanted to see was closed....we have to go back :)  Plus, there will be more babies next time we go that we absolutely must hold in our arms!!

This weekend is Mother's Day....snuck up on me.....can't wait to spend time with  my own "babies" who are now grown up and bring me a whole new level of joy.  May you be blessed - whether or not you are a mom - knowing God our Father has good things in store for our lives and hope for a future held in His hands!

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