Serving

There was a chance of severe thunderstorms last thursday night, according to the weatherman, but nothing was going to deter us from going to church. Our choir had been practicing for this worship service for weeks, and we were not going to miss it.

Earlier in the day our church played host to a one day song writing conference. Some of the most influential song writers of our time were there to teach seminars and evaluate the songs the attendees had written. The evening session was to be the highlight of the conference.

We gathered in the huge sanctuary of our church and listened as the artists who had written the songs that have ministered in churches all over the world sang. There was such a sweet sense of the Spirit's presence as the familiar words wafted over us.

It was an informal setting, each one stepping to the microphone or sitting at the piano with such humility and grace, inviting everyone to sing along:
Lenny LeBlanc - "Above All"
Glenn Pakiam - "Your Name"
Jennie Lee Riddle - "Revelation Song"
Laura Story - "Indescribable"

When Laura finished her beautiful song, it was our turn. The choir, about 250 of us, filed onto the stage and into the choir loft. My friend Jan and I climbed the stairs to the very highest row - tiny little specks when viewed from the seats.

Tommy Walker ("Only A God Like You," "He Knows My Name") stepped onto center stage and the worship service began. He is not only a gifted singer/song writer, he is a gifted worship leader. It was an amazing time of praise and worship. We all, every person in that place, sang our hearts out.

For just a fleeting moment, as I looked down from my high perch and thought about the way these gifted artists were being used by the Lord to bless so many and bring glory and honor to Him, I felt rather insignificant.

Just as quickly, I saw with the eyes of my heart a picture of Jesus standing beside me. He gently put His arm around me and said, "I am so pleased with what you are doing for Me." Then my eyes traveled down the long length of that loft to where Tommy Walker was standing. Jesus was there too, with His arm around Tommy's shoulders, whispering in his ear, "I am so pleased with what you are doing for me."

"For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. And since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let each exercise them accordingly..."
Romans 12:4-6

Blessings,
Linda

If you would like to see pictures of our worship service, there are a few on our church website.

The Rest of Your Story

This is Holley. If you have never met her, you are in for a real treat. For the past few months I have been reading her blog. Most days it reads like a devotional just for me. She is a gifted, award-winning writer, and she has begun a series you just don't want to miss.

She is writing about the phenomenal privilege each of us has of writing the story of our lives in cooperation with the greatest Writer in the universe. Here is just a little of what she has written so far:


"Today is always the starting place for the rest of your story."
The idea that even as I begin the sixth decade of my life, I can have a fresh start writing the story the Father wants to write with my life excites me.
Then Holley questions what our role in the writing of our life story is:

"What does a good and faithful servant do?

I paused, considering...

Listens and obeys.

And just like that, the answer came—both to the question and the striving in my story.

You see, we are not the Author...we are much-loved servants. We listen to the voice of our Master and live out what we hear. Because of Jesus, we don't have to do, be, strive MORE.

We're already accepted. We're already loved. We're already enough.

When we explore our story from that place, it becomes not a burden but an ADVENTURE—a glorious unfolding of all God has in store.

I've heard novelists declare they don't know how a story will end until they write it. They say this with a smile and it's clearly the part of the process that most delights them.

I hope we can be that way too...not forcing our story, lining up plans, demanding our plot. But instead receiving, rejoicing, reveling in the truth that the Author LOVES us."

Each day Holley asks us a question, going ever deeper into the question of how we will write the unique story of our lives.

Thursday's question had to do with our wanting to change our lives so that they measure up to what we think the Lord wants them to be. We desperately want to edit out the parts where we have failed; the parts where we have made wrong choices and not been the person we know we should be. She asks:

TODAY'S QUESTION: What's one little thing that helps you give God the red pen and make peace with who you are?

Ah - that is a very good question. For so long I have struggled over my sins of the past. The feelings of shame and disappointment can paralyze me - keeping me from going forward and finding what it is the Lord would have me do with today. The little accusing voice echoes in my ears, "Who are you to think you can do that? Look at all the things you've done wrong. You have no business thinking you can do something good now."

Years ago, at a Women's Retreat, the speaker asked us to write down the sins in our lives we simply cannot seem to forgive ourselves for on a piece of paper. She then collected them and prayed a deeply moving prayer over us. Then she said that she was going to take those papers outdoors and burn each and every one of them. Something happened in my heart that evening. I suddenly understood how thoroughly the Father removes my sins, and that it is essential for me to forgive myself. Intellectually I always knew that. Emotionally my heart just had never cooperated. That night I felt a huge weight being lifted from it.

It was the beginning of truly understanding how much the Father loves me - of getting it from my head down to the depths of my heart. There are certain passages of scripture that do that for me. One in particular is Psalm 139. Verse 16 forever changed the way I look at my life:

"You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in Your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."

What an astounding thought. Not only has He made me uniquely His own creation, He has already written the story of my life. There may be parts I would wish to edit out, things about myself I wish I could change, but I know that in His hands the story will be a good story. He has made me just exactly the way He wants me to be - not like any other person. Somehow, as He works in my life, all the chapters will come together into a lovely whole.

Please consider joining us in this journey of discovering "The Rest Of Your Story".

Blessings,

Linda

Little Girl

Little Girl

Just a little motherless girl
living in a simpler time

running to keep up with a brother whose-
brilliance
courage
unflinching loyalty
and iron will
filled her with frustration and admiration.

loved unconditionally by a father whose-
gentleness
humility
absolute integrity
and deep wisdom
grounded and sustained her.

taught by a "different" neighbor
what it means
to "walk a mile
in another's shoes"
and who,
one dark night,
rescued her from evil.

I am Scout*


Blessings,
Linda

*"To Kill A Mockingbird" Harper Lee

This is my contribution to the R.A.P. at L.L. Barkat's blog.

Random Acts of Poetry Prompt:
Choose a character from a book— children's, grownup's, matters not. Write a poem to, from, or just about the character.

And The Winner Is....

So we had the big drawing last night. My husband reached into the little basket with all the names:


And drew out this one:


Diane is the winner of the grill!!

Thank you all so much for taking part and for visiting me. It really was fun to have something special to give away.

Blessings,
Linda

What Will I Do In Heaven?

As we sit around my parents' kitchen table sharing coffee, something yummy from Mom's oven, and good conversation, the talk has - on more than one occasion - turned to heaven. What will it be like? What, exactly, will we do for eternity? Eternity, after all, is quite a long time.

I must sheepishly confess that I have had some reservations about singing songs of praise forever. I hasten to explain that I love worship. There have often been times when I wish our worship time in church could just go on for - well - forever.

Many years ago, I read a little paragraph in a Bible Study that changed my view of heaven and gave me a little thrill of excitement. The author said that in spite of what we may have been taught she believed that we would have jobs to do in heaven. And not just any jobs. Each of our jobs would be tailored to fit us perfectly.

I immediately had visions of my Mom quilting away, making a quilt fit for a King; of my husband hard at work building something that would last for eternity; of myself writing something that would glorify and edify.

For the past two days my little devotional, "Joy and Strength" (a gift from a sweet friend), has talked about this very thing. Isn't it amazing the way the Lord works this sort of thing out?

Here are a few quotes:

" We are taught to believe of the Blessed, that they 'serve Him day and night in His temple,'...And this must be with powers and endowments developed in harmony with higher worlds, so that all the tastes, the desires, the affections, the artistic powers, the intellectual gifts, which belong to each individual, each with his own special capacities, trained and developed and exercised in spiritual modes of life, will be suited to that higher world, where they dwell in the presence of the Almighty God..."
Thomas Thelluson Carter

"And doubtless unto thee is given
A life that bears immortal fruit
In such great offices as suit
The full grown energies of heaven."
Alfred Tennyson

"May not instruments thus formed, when this passing scene is over, and we appear in God's presence, cleansed and disciplined, with the true workman's hand, may we not be set to work in higher spheres, in grander ministries, in a world of nobler service? We speak of heaven as a sort of rest, of sweet consolation, of communion with God, such as we cannot know on earth; but consistently with this perfect sweetness, heaven is full of activity, of ministrations infinite."
T.T. Carter

I am delighted with this picture of heaven. I cannot quite imagine the glorious sound of every ransomed soul singing praises to the King of Kings. I am sure, I will feel as though I want it to go on forever. He is more than worthy of such endless praise. But I find great joy in the thought of serving Him as well - serving with a heart free from the limitations of this life.

Blessings,
Linda

Please scroll down one more post if you would like to enter the Giveaway. I'll pick a winner on Monday night.

A GIVEAWAY!

There was a time when a trip to the mailbox held a bit of anticipation, that hope that I might find a letter waiting for me. These days it is my in-box that creates that air of anticipation. It is fun to open an email from a friend.

This past week I received an email from someone I had never met before. She was a representative from CSN stores and offered me the opportunity to host a giveaway. I've never done one before and was excited about the idea of being able to give away something special.

There is so much to chose from - so many wonderful things. I thought this would be a good thing to win:


It is the Total Chef 4 - in - 1 grill, a sandwich maker, waffle maker, grill and griddle all in one compact little machine. Here is the link so that you can read all about it.

All you need to do to enter to win is leave me a comment with your name and email so I can let you know if you're the winner. I'll leave it open until Monday night at 9:00 p.m. (central time)

I am so pleased to be able to do this.

Blessings,
Linda

Choices

When we hold their tiny bodies close to ours and look at such sweet innocence it is difficult to imagine how quickly the day will come when they will, in one way or another, fly from the nest.

We watch them go with a confusing combination of joy and sorrow, taking with them years of a kind love we never thought we were capable of - a love that will never fail. It is time to stand back and let them make the choices we cannot foresee but for which we have tried our best to prepare them. We have given them everything we know to give. We long for them to walk in the way we have shown them, knowing full well we can no longer make those decisions for the; knowing how just one wrong choice can have consequences that will last a lifetime.

I am in such a season. I stand and watch and pray. I can see the way a bit clearer, share from my experience the pitfalls and dangers that lie in the way - but I cannot keep them from doing what they want to do.

The Father, through the verses I have been memorizing this month, has used this to speak something to my heart. He has given me the freedom to choose. He has given me all that I need to walk wisely. He has drawn me to Himself, freed me from the grip of sin, and filled me with His Spirit. He has graciously filled my life with Godly people, profound teaching, and wise counsel. Then He has allowed me to choose the way in which I will walk.

I hear the cry of His heart as He longs for me to walk with Him. He will not force me to come. I have given Him reason to grieve over the choices I have made. I can see Him longing to give me His best while I chose to do what I thought was best. He has always welcomed me back with open arms and unfailing love, but I look back and feel great sorrow for having hurt His heart.

I still struggle with so many things, but I want desperately to walk in obedience to Him. He understands and reaches down to take my hand, leading, helping, guiding, forgiving. He asks only that I make the choice to put my hand in His.

"The Lord says, 'I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep him under control.' Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord. So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey Him! Shout for joy all you whose hearts are pure!"
Psalm 32: 8-11


Every Wednesday, we Walk with Him, posting a spiritual practice that draws us nearer to His heart. Please visit Ann's blog to read all the contributions. You will be blessed.

Blessings,
Linda

Multitude Monday

" Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; Who pardons all your iniquities; Who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from the pit; Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; Who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle."
Psalm 103: 1-5 (NAS)

What great things the Lord has done for us. I read verses like the ones above and my heart is overwhelmed with gratitude. He has given me more than I could ever possibly deserve.

What more could we ask? Yet He doesn't stop there. He delights to give us good things. He showers us daily with blessings poured out of His great heart of love.

With the horrific loss we witness daily as the tragic story in Haiti unfolds, I look around me and wonder at all that I have been given. Out of my abundance, I am compelled to give - and to give thanks for all of the things He has allowed me to enjoy.

Aside from those things mentioned in the verses and the people in my life - my most treasured gifts - He blesses with so many other things:

Bible Study and a group of women who edify and encourage - and fill my life with joy and love.



Precious books filled with long-ago prayers that touch my heart - a gift from a dear, dear friend.


A place to write and a place where I have found new friends who have enriched and blessed my life more than I can say.



Books - how I love to read good books.



Music - learning to play the piano.


Knitting - making lovely things while finding such peace and comfort.


Quilts - this one I made and the ones my mother has made for us. There is something so warm and homey about a quilt - each stitch lovingly sewn in to make beautiful designs.


Handmade gifts from my mother to make the bedroom pretty and inviting.



My antique doll Jenny. I have had her for over fifty years. She isn't alone for I have never outgrown my love of dolls.


My favorite teacup. I love a hot cup of tea in the evening or late afternoon. A pretty teacup makes it taste so much better. The saucer broke a long time ago, but I love it anyway. It reminds me that although I am far from perfect, I am still loved.



A comfy place to sit in the evenings - while I read, knit, write or watch tv.


Treasured pieces that tie us to our past. My Mom used to sit in this little chair when she was a little girl.


Pretty things to make our home warm and cozy.


For these, and so much more, I am thankful.

A visit to Ann's will introduce you to the other members of the Gratitude Community where there is always room for one more.

Blessings,
Linda

A Haiku

Robin has challenged us at (in)courage to stretch ourselves creatively and write a Haiku.
Here is my contribution:





Secure

Hard, as cold as ice,
Evil crouches at the door.
I hide in His warmth.

Why not give it a try. Hop on over to (in)courage and add your Haiku to the list!

Blessings,
Linda

A Little Getaway

This past thursday was our forty-third wedding anniversary (really?). My sweet husband decided that was a good reason to take a little getaway. We just traveled up the road a piece to one of our favorite little towns. We browsed through the shops and then went to our B & B log cabin. It was absolutely perfect. It is an original Texas log cabin ( a rare find according to our delightful host and hostess - who prepared the best breakfast for us!) that they moved to the property.

They restored it beautifully, leaving much of the original cabin while adding some modern touches - like a wonderful jacuzzi.





It was a rainy couple of days so we didn't get to relax on the porch swing. I think we'll have to come back some time when the weather is more conducive to swinging and relaxing with a cup of coffee.


This fireplace was my favorite thing. We don't have one at home, and I just love sitting by a fire.



Comfy and beautiful!

There were so many warm little touches throughout the cabin. After spending time talking with our hosts, I know they come from a real love for this little place.












We had a sweet time together. It all just gets better and better.

Blessings,
Linda

A Holy Lord

I walked, clutching my little spiral book of index cards filled with my memory verses, reciting those I had already learned by heart:

“Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!” Psalm 32: 1,2 (NLT)

I thought about living life in complete honesty. Am I living that way? Do I come before the Lord with open heart and confess my sins – even the ones hidden in the darkest corners of my heart?

The rest of this devotional is here, at Laced With Grace. Please join me there?

Blessings,
Linda
Linda

In This Is Love

"In this is love, not that we have loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."
I John 4: 10,11

In This Is Love

Knowing, before creation,
the path that He would walk,
He chose love
And came.

Knowing my bent for sinning,
for selfish choices and willful pride,
He chose love
And called my name.

Seeing the gift held lightly,
grace and mercy trampled underfoot,
He chose love
And forgave.

Grieving for loss,
wasted years and needless pain,
He chose love
And restored the years the locusts had eaten.

Knowing such love, lavish and unconditional
Poured into my undeserving heart
I must chose love
And love others as He has loved me.



For more thoughts on the Father's Love, visit Ann's blog.

Blessings,
Linda

Contentment Revisited

It isn't something new for me. I have struggled with it all of my life - this need for approval. When we studied contentment in our Bible Study, it spoke volumes to me. I wrote about it here, hoping that I had settled the issue once and for all.

However, as with so many things that I understand intellectually the difficult part is getting it settled in my heart and living it out. I identify with Paul when he says:
"For the good that I wish, I do not do; but I practice the very evil that I do not wish." (Romans 7:19)
So while it isn't something new, it is something the Lord wants to change in my life. I am so humbled by the grace and patient love He extends to me, by the gentle way He reminds me of the truth He wants to graft into my heart. This morning I read this in my devotional "Joy and Strength:"

"If your sphere is outwardly humble, if it even appears to be quite insignificant, God understands it better than you do, and it is a part of His wisdom to bring out great sentiments in humble conditions, great principles in works that are outwardly trivial, great characters under great adversities and heavy loads of encumbrance. Let it fill you with cheerfulness and exalted feeling, however deep in obscurity your lot may be, that God is leading you on, girding you for a work, preparing you for a good that is worthy of His divine magnificence. If God is really preparing us all to become that which is the very highest and best thing possible, there ought never to be a discouraged or uncheerful being in the world."
Horace Bushnell

It is a curious thing that, for me at least, when we do the thing we love it is not fulfilling without the approval of others - without some sort of tangible evidence of its worth. My desire is to quietly walk in obedience, seeking only His approval. I humbly admit that it is a difficult thing. It ought not to be. It is far too easy to get caught up in the here and now, forgetting the eternal things.

I am placing another marker on the path that I might remember to walk in contentment, knowing He is working all things together for good in my life.

Blessings,
Linda

Something New

Having chosen "new" as my word for this year, my fertile imagination cast around for the amazing new things the Lord might possibly want to do in my life. I won't embarrass myself by going into detail; suffice it to say I always dream on a grand scale.

The Lord's dreams are invariably quite different from my own. I know His are better, and they usually involve a little serving of humble pie.

He began a little stirring in my heart concerning a new way of speaking. I sort of knew this was coming. For some reason taming my tongue has always been a bit of a challenge for me.

It is especially true in the midst of those "difficult" conversations (sometimes known as disagreements). So often I hear a gentle whisper, "Don't say what you're thinking right now. It is neither glorifying or edifying."

My usual response is to acknowledge the wisdom of this advice and then to stand back in absolute amazement as those very words come tripping lightly off my tongue. They have the predictable result, and I end up fervently wishing I had listened.

"Let's do it differently from now on," I hear Him say. "Let's break the old pattern and do it My way." Yes, it is time to do something new. The old way simply doesn't work. It ends in misunderstanding and hurt feelings, in time wasted in deafening silence.

I had a Pastor once who advised, "If it is not glorifying or edifying, don't say it." If I can simply take a moment to consider my words, I will either speak more wisely or simply say nothing at all.

I smiled sheepishly when I first read this verse:

"Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent."
Proverbs 17:28 (NLT)

And then there's:

" Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble."
Proverbs 21:23 (NLT)

I long to be a woman whose words are "... like honey, sweet to the soul and healthy for the body."
Proverbs 16:24(NLT)

I think that is a "new" thing to be excited about.

Blessings,
Linda

Mega Memory Month

I am a few days late getting started, but I am taking part in Ann Kroeker's Mega Memory Month. She has things all set up on her blog - tips to help with memorizing, places to post progress and links to others who will share in this adventure. We can encourage one another along the way.

I did some memory work last year, memorizing a verse or two every other week. It made such a difference in my life, and I am eager to take on a little more. I find it really helpful to write out the verses on index cards and then carry them with me as I go for my walk. That gives me about 45 minutes to go over the verses. And I actually learned them - me!!

The best part was the way the Lord used each verse to speak to me all through the year. Each one had such relevance to the places I was walking. I encourage you to participate. The blessings are immeasurable.

Blessings,
Linda

NEW

I have a big callous on the side of my left foot. I faithfully rub it with a pumice stone when I take my bath and then slather on lotion or cream - all to no avail. The callous remains.

I think it is the way I walk. I don't know what I'm doing wrong, making it virtually impossible to correct. The callous remains.

I have come to realize, that in spit of my best efforts and resolutions to change, I have a problem with my spiritual walk as well. In this case I do know what the problem is. I have a tendency to look back. It is very difficult to walk well when I am constantly turning around to see the places I've been. It causes me to stumble and sometimes to fall. Often I stop walking altogether, overwhelmed by discouragement and guilt.

I thought perhaps I wouldn't even bother asking the Lord for a word this year, but He had other plans. He began to whisper something into my spirit that simply could not be silenced. It didn't seem quite right to me. There are so many things I need to change in my life, so many failings I need to correct, so many besetting sins that need to be repented of. I thought of words like "self-control" or "priorities" or "balance." He whispered, "New."

I heard it first in my last memory verses for 2009:
"Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past.
Behold I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness,



rivers in the desert." Isaiah 43:18,19

Over and over again the beautiful words spoke to my heart - "I will do something new..."

Then I heard the gentle whisper as I read the last page of my devotional for this past year:

"Our yesterdays present irreparable things to us; it true that we have lost opportunities which will never return, but God can transform this destructive anxiety into a constructive thoughtfulness for the future. Let the past sleep, but let it sleep on the bosom of Christ.
Leave the irreparable Past in His hands, and step out into the Irresistible Future with Him."
"My Utmost For His Highest" Oswald Chambers

Knowing this child, full of uncertainties and doubt, He leaned in once more, speaking through the second page of my new devotional for 2010:

"How could I be anything but quite happy if I believed always that all the past is forgiven,and all the present furnished with power, and the future bright with hope, because of the same abiding facts, which don't change with my mood, do not crumble, because I totter and stagger at the promise through unbelief but stand firm and clear with their peaks of pearl cleaving the air of Eternity, and the bases of their hills rooted unfathomably in the Rock of God?"
James Smetham

Last night in church: "He came to make all things new."

He has imprinted "new" on my heart over these past several days, and I eagerly embrace it. Yes, there are so many things that need to change in my life, but I am going to allow the Father to take control of the agenda. My part is to lean into Him.

I am so weary of false starts, of good beginnings that end in discouragement and failure, of trying and failing and looking back and feeling hopeless. He desires to do something new. I want to be aware of it, not so distracted by the past that I fail to see or hear.

I know that I will not be made perfect, just new. I will still stumble and sometimes fall, but I won't keep looking back because He is waiting just ahead. He waits with forgiveness and grace. He is waiting to make all things new.

Blessings,
Linda