Annie's Gleanings

Fire Fall Down

2012-02-14T04:14:00.000-08:00

My daughter has a close friend her age who goes to a Christian high school. We'll call her friend, 'Kelly' for lack of identity protection creativity this morning. Kelly said that when two of her school friends are having a verbal conflict, she stands there, with her one hand raised and with reverent humor, sings, "Jesus reigns in this place...Showers of mercy and grace..." Susan said, "Huh! I would sing, "Fire, fall down..Fire Fall Down...on them we pray...!" Which just strikes me funny every time I think about it.

There are several stories about fire falling down in the Bible.
One of them is written up in 11 Kings chapter one.
Here goes.
Please grant me some creative license
as I retell the stories.

Ahaziah was the 8th ruler in the northern kingdom of Israel.

He was at home when he had his accident.
There was a lattice around his upper balcony
in order to provide him with some privacy.
He could see out. Others couldn't see in.
And somehow, the poor guy fell through this lattice
and took quite a tumble. What in the world
was he doing? Oh well, don't think about
that too much.

He injured himself severely and thought that
it was possible that he wasn't going to make it.
So he sent some messengers to ask Baal-Zebub,
the god of Ekron, whether or not he was going to
live or die.

Meanwhile, an angel of the LORD told Elijah
to go meet these same messengers and say to them,
and I quote, because I love the godly sarcasm here,
"Is it because there is no God in Israel that you
are going to inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?"

And then he continued giving the LORD's message,
"You are not even going to be getting out of bed.
You're going to die, man!"
Great news for a Monday morning,
or any morning for that matter.

With that, Elijah was finished, so he left
and the messengers returned to Ahaziah and he said,
"Back so soon?!"
And they told him all about Elijah
and his encouraging word.

So Ahaziah grew suspicious and said,
"Give me a description of this man you met."
And they said, "Dude! He was so hairy!
And he had a leather belt around his waist."
Ahaziah said, "I'd recognize him anywhere.
This man is Elijah the Tishbite."

How would you like to be known as
say, "Lindsay, the Tishbite?" or
"Judy, the Tishbite?"

Anyway,
Ahaziah decides to bring him in.
He sent a captain with fifty men
to Elijah who was sitting on top of a hill.

They called up to him,
"Man of God, the king wants you to come down NOW!"
Elijah spits out a few sunflower seeds
and says without alot of drama,
"If I am a man of God, let fire fall down from
heaven and burn you up."

They didn't even have time to put on
their fire proof jumpsuits.
Just like that,
Fire Fell Down.
And there was nothing left but
a pile of ashes.

Somehow,
the king heard about this,
(perhaps the surrounding trees
caught fire and the fire company
had to come out)-
so he asked for volunteers...
no, not really-
he actually sent another captain,
with another fifty men,
and the same thing happened all
over again!

He sent a third captain
who was beginning to see
a pattern developing here
and this captain didn't even bother
calling out to Elijah.
He scrambled up the hill
and fell on his knees before Elijah
and pled for his life and the life
of his men.

(I personally think that this was a wise move
to go right up to Elijah like that
because it wouldn't have been smart
for Elijah to call down fire when
they were in such close proximity
of each other.)

And God's Angel told Elijah to go ahead
and go back with the man
and so he did,
and Elijah delivered his
message of doom eyeball to eyeball
and the king died, just as Elijah
said he would.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I had to tell that story because it ties in
with the next story.
I woke up thinking about this one.
It's recorded in Luke chapter nine.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
First, a history lesson, taken right out of
my Bible notes written under Luke 9.
"The Jews and the Samaritans had been
enemies for centuries. Pilgrims to Jerusalem
ordinarily avoided Samaria."

Jesus was headed towards Jerusalem
because He knew the time was near.
And He turned His dear face towards
the very city where He would die.
The scriptures say that He
'steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem.'
(Thank you, Jesus, for showing us what our faces
should look like when we are facing our cross.)

He and the disciples were going to go through Samaria
in order to get to Jerusalem.
Messengers were sent before Him to prepare
for His coming. Perhaps they wanted a place
for Him to rest. Perhaps they wanted to
let them know that they could bring their sick
to Him. We can only surmise.

But because the Samaritans didn't want to have
anything to do with Jews,
and especially those who were headed to Jerusalem,
they refused to receive Jesus.

James and John,
sons of thunder,
got a little mad about this.
They rubbed their hands eagerly together
and asked,
"Jesus, how about we do what Elijah did.
How about we call down fire from heaven
to consume them?"
And they were chaffing at the bit
in their zeal for God,
wanting to use their authority
to take spiritual revenge
on those who rejected Jesus.

But Jesus turned and looked at them
and said, with rebuke,
"You do not know what manner
of spirit you are of.
I have come to save people;
not destroy them."

And so the pyromaniacs felt
the fire of His words as it purged them
and they received a bit more of His heart
and they turned and went with Him
to another village.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What can we learn from this story?

We must not allow an offense against our ministry
to cause us to react with a different spirit
than Christ's.

Jesus responded with love and acceptance
to those who had rejected Him.
James and John reacted to the rejection
with a desire to retaliate.
They had taken things personally.
They thought they could change a people's way
of doing things even though they had done those
things for years and years.

It is always God's will to save and to restore.
It is always His will to reconcile men to Himself.

It is not His way to call down the heat of shame
on someone who does not receive our ministry
or Christ's ministry the way we want them to.
It is not His spirit that rises up in us
and says, "Yeah! Give it to them!"

And Jesus didn't shame the disciples either.
He just said, "You don't know what spirit you are of.
I want to save lives, not destroy them."

He didn't make a big deal out of any of it.

He knew Who He was and Where He was going
and Why He was going there.

And the disciples
saw their mistake,
got ahold of His mercy,
and went on with Him
and later died for Him
because they were so filled with that
same spirit of Christ's that wants
everyone to be saved.

Sometimes,
we get it wrong.

I am so thankful that I can go to Jesus
in the wrong spirit and say what I have
to say,
and He straightens me out
in His humble kind way,
and keeps me on as a friend along His journey.

Sleepover #4-Feb. 9, 2012

2012-02-10T06:34:00.000-08:00

Every few months, we have a sleepover. Abby, 12, and her sister, Serena, 10, and their cousin, Micah, 8, come over to their Auntie Annette's house for movies and fun. We do this to celebrate their birthdays. It is my birthday gift to them. We are already thinking about when we will have the next one. Probably in April.

Last night, they came around 5:00. We finished making the pizza's that Aunt Helen sent our way. Meanwhile, each of them picked out a movie to watch. First we watched 'Balto.' Then we watched 'Cats and Dogs.' "Dogs Rule! And last but not least, we watched "Blank Check" which all of us would love to receive some day soon. We ate lots of pizza and popcorn and drank root beer.

I made a big bed on the floor with about 5 thick blankets. Sometime in the night, our dog, Angel, snuggled up to them and went to sleep at Abby's feet. They woke up around 5:00 while Phil was walking around. Micah woke up shortly after. I slept in, amazingly, until 7:30. I found out later, they were making plans to scare me. Plan A was to sit on the couch and have a blanket over their legs and stare at me with solemn faces. Plan B was to get each of their blankets and put them over their heads so they'd look like little hills. Plan C was to have Serena sit on the big chair and Micah would curl up beside her under the blanket and Abby would sit under where her feet were under the blanket and Serena would say,"Look at my feet, Aunt Annette, and then Abby would poke her head out."

I made them sausage and pancakes for breakfast while they watched "Three Stooges." Abby said they were the best ever in the whole wide world. We then decided to blog about our time and they have some stories/jokes that they would like to share now. I am not responsible for the stories told. I say this after hearing the first joke.

Serena is first.
"Under the Bleachers By C. Moore Butts"
That's it for that one!
What did the cow say to the horse?
Why the long face, Bub?

How did the seashells go to the beach?
They went in a shellevator.

How does a shoe eat ice cream?
With its tongue.

What did the mommy potato call
her baby potato?
Tater Tot.
~~~~~~~~
There were all these guys and they had just
gotten out of jail and they were all sitting around
telling why they had gotten in jail.
Well, anyways, one man said he went to a house
and he wanted to steal some jewelry because his
mother was sick and he didn't have any money.
It so happened, that a wife was in the house and her
husband was away at work.
He was getting the jewelry and heard a car motor.
The wife come in the door and gasped,
"You'd better hide or my husband will think
I am cheating on him!"
And at first he said, "I'll hide behind the door."
"No, don't do that," she said.
"That's the first place he's going to look."
And then, he saw a big box,
and he wanted to hide in that,
but she said, "No! That's the second place
he'll look!"
And he saw a closet door and was going to hide
in there but she said, "No! That's the third place he's
going to look!"
And then they heard the car door slam.
And without saying a word, the man
jumped out the window and held onto
the window sill.
Then the husband came in and said,
"Whose car is out there? Have you been
cheating on me?"
And she said, "NO!"
Then he looked behind the door, in the box,
and in the closet.
And the man continued telling the story,
"And then he saw my dirty fingernails
holding onto the windowsill!"
One of his friends said,
"That must have made you mad!"
"No, no, no, not that. The man ran
and got a brick and smashed my fingers!"
Another friend said, "Well, that must have
made you really mad."
"Nope."
"Well, what made you mad?"
"What made me mad was when I looked down
and saw that my feet were only three inches off the ground!"
The End.

Abby is next.
Do you want to hear a joke?
An alien fell out of a space ship.

Do you want to hear a corny joke?
He fell in a patch of corn.

Do you want to hear a lame joke?
He broke his leg.

Do you want to hear a dirty joke?
He fell in a pile of mud.

Do you want to hear a clean joke?
He washed himself off.

Do you want to hear another dirty joke?
It wasn't mud.
~~~~~~~
What game do baby deer play?
Buck, Buck, Moose.
(Abby made that one up.)

Micah's next.
Where does a book surf?
On a title wave.

Why couldn't the flower ride its bike?
Because it lost its pedals.

There was a general leading a battle
and he cried, "Fire at will!"
The problem was that there was a man
named Will on their side
and everyone began firing at Will!
Poor Will!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
That's all for now!

Shared Treasure

2012-02-08T17:39:00.000-08:00

I bought a book at the thrift store entitled, "Stories for the Heart." It holds 100 stories compiled by Alice Gray. Every writing is very special but there are two that I have returned to again and again. I share them here with you.

Bullets or Seeds-by Richard C. Halverson-
Former Chaplain of the United States Senate

You can offer your ideas as bullets or seeds.
You can shoot them, or sow them;
hit people in the head with them,
or plant them in their hearts.

Ideas used as bullets will kill inspiration
and neutralize motivation.
Used as seeds, they take root,
grow, and become reality
in the life in which they are planted.

The only risk in the seed approach:
Once it grows and becomes part of those
in whom it's planted,
you probably will get no credit for
originating the idea.

But if you're willing to do
without the credit...
you'll reap a rich harvest.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And the other story-

'He Listened' by Joseph Bayly~
Written after he laid three of his
sons in the grave.

"I was sitting, torn by grief.
Someone came and talked to me
of God's dealings, of why it happened,
of hope beyond the grave.
He talked constantly, he said things
I knew were true.
I was unmoved except to wish he'd go away.
He finally did.

Another came and sat beside me.
He just sat beside me for an hour and more,
listened when I said something,
answered briefly,
prayed simply, left.
I was moved.
I was comforted.
I hated to see him go."

The Gospel

2012-02-08T17:19:00.000-08:00

I've been reading and talking about the book, "Jesus+Nothing=Everything" by Tullian Tchividjian. It is so refreshing to be reminded about what the gospel really is. I want to write down a few excerpts but I don't know where to begin. Yesterday, I was struggling with something, and picked it up and began reading where I had left off. Perhaps those are the words I should borrow to share.

"Even as believers, we don't adequately realize how Jesus is enough to meet our deepest needs, so we're always pursuing an add-on approach-Jesus plus something. All these somethings we look to immediately become our idols. They're exactly what God warned us about again and again in Scripture, assuring us of their total worthlessness. But we still pour ourselves into these black holes-especially the deep, dark abyss of what can be called "performancism"-the moralistic legalism that has such a powerful death grip on so many believers and churches and pastors. In Christless Christianity, Michael Horton identifies "the regular diet in many churches across America today: 'Do more, try harder'....The focus still seems to be on us and our activity rather than on God and His work in Jesus Christ." This is indeed, our greatest threat to the gospel."

Another line I love is this: "The gospel's secret of maturity is this: we become more spiritually mature when we focus less on what we need to do for God and focus more on all that God has already done for us. "

If I could, I'd copy the whole book here for you.
Buy one.
It is worth its' weight in gold.

Hertzler Doings~Feb.6-12, 2012

2012-02-08T16:13:00.000-08:00

Decided to start printing these as soon as I write them, because while the days await each other in bloggerville, the words drift down, down, down, and it's hard to get them back into a nice order. This doesn't happen if I print them right away. The verses that I share are verses that I read that morning or that I woke up with in my heart.

Mon.-1 Peter 5:7-"Casting all your care on Him, for He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7) Perhaps that is what happens when we worship. Perhaps this is worship-to trust Him with our cares. Thinking about Joseph today. His brothers threw him into the pit and then sold him into slavery and later he was thrown into prison on a false charge. And God was with Him and eventually, through him, saved the nation where he was held captive and saved the nation that sold him to his distant step-relatives and through the line of the brother who came up with the idea of selling him into slavery, Jesus came, and thus, through Joseph's life, Christ's line was preserved. And what men meant for evil, God meant for good, and if Joseph had not been where he was, we would most likely not be where we are today. Oh, the sovereignty of God, who can make a way for us to be free even in the midst of slavery. Oh that we could and would trust Him and praise Him before we see the end result of His goodness and ways.

Read a gazillion verses on praise, adoration, worship, etc. My heart overflows. Praise Him for His mighty acts. Praise Him for His mighty name. Worship Him for He is holy, just, and true. For praise is beautiful when the upright praise. I think all of these verses on praise and worship should be read and recorded on CD's and dispersed. It would help us love Him more and worship Him more and I think He'd like that.

Did Monday work. Chapel time with Susan is always sweet. I am exercising an hour a day-making it one of my top three priorities. Susan's counsel to me in regards to healthy eating was this today, "Whenever you are tempted to eat something that is bad for you, think, 'Do I want this or do I want to live a long, healthy life and hold my grandchildren?'" That's actually working for me pretty good. I tell her she should become a life coach.

Tues.-Heb. 4:16-"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Happy Birthday, dear Lindsay! I am so thankful you were born!!! Took Susan to homeschool co-op and ran errands. Sent YWtheJ to TN/WRC. Scared Ruth at the bank. I came in the door and ducked down and then popped my head into her teller window. She jumped and gasped. I laughed so hard I almost passed out. Good thing that there were only other workers in there who are used to our shenanigans and no other customers. Helen took Susan to New Life's basketball games in the eve. and I ran over and got to be with the KNIT group. They met a few miles from here in an empty furnished house. KNIT stands for Keeping Neighbors In Touch. They actually cheered when I walked through the door. It's good to be with these Pa. friends, studying Ann's book-"A Thousand Gifts." After we went through the chapter, we planned a girl's night out/sleepover, and ate snacks and laughed and gabbed into the night. The part of me that is still homesick was comforted. I scared the wits out of Angie as we left, howling like a coyote. She thought one was coming at her from around the corner. We are going to read 'What Women Fear' for our next timely book.

615-Today, when I looked at my picture of Jesus, I asked Him, "Bottom line, what do you want from me?" I needed wisdom and help and I'm quite sure He said, "I want to be your friend in the midst of your trouble." And I cried and kissed His face and stopped trying so hard to fix things. Grace words, like life lines, pull me out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Wed.-We count them happy who endure. (James 5:11) I saw the glow of deep pink through my blinds and quickly pulled them up, thinking, "Praising God is like pulling up the blinds in my soul so I can see the glory of God." I turn off my desk lamp and it is dark and I can see His pink splendor more gloriously. A full moon at my back and a new day dawning. God is beautiful and He does all things well.

Went to Mom's and More and got to hold Little Guy for the whole time. He kept me warm and took a nap. Went to Ruby Tuesdays with Michelle, Susan, and Amber. Michelle and I discussed the book, "Jesus+Nothing=Everything" by Tullian. That's his first name. I need to read this book every day. Everyone should have this book. It tells the 'gospel truth.' Ran errands and took Amber to Carleen's work place. She's right at home there and doing a great job.

Alone at home for the first time in ages. Finally getting to catch up on Hertzler Doings.

Thurs.-Phil 1:10-"...that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ..."

Thinking about Jesus' prayer for us recorded in John 17...that we would be one as He and the Father are one...brought to complete unity...so that the world might believe God has sent Him...and it is within this unity that God commands a blessing...whether it be in our home, our church...our nation...our hearts, if it is unity that is based on truth; a unity based on Him being in us and us being in Him. We won't ever agree on everything, but we can love one another, as Christ loves us. People will travel miles to see signs and wonders, but sometimes, the people in responsible roles start having issues with each other and lose their unity, and people will go look for God at work elsewhere, because human pride got in the way of portraying the love of Jesus with sincerity and without offense, so that the world might truly know He has been sent to them. The real sign and wonder to the world is unity among believers. And then, watch out for the commanded blessing of God. Sometimes, we can be so right, we're wrong. Honor one another. Serve one another. Do unto others as you would have them do to you, and so fulfill the royal law. Can you imagine what kind of unity would be brought forth if we would follow that Golden Rule?If we wouldn't be so worried about whether we were being honored, but our focus was on honoring and serving one another? Not only would this change our homes, churches, and community; it would change our world. Didn't mean to get so lengthy there. I'm preaching to myself and sometimes it takes awhile for me to get it.

Phil was home today working on blue prints. Freeman was building a large storage shelf in the long barn. Susan and Philip went to pick up a large pig. Some work was done in the barn to get ready to pour concrete. We're hoping to finish building a shop to replace the one that burned down Thanksgiving a year ago. Micah, Serena, and Abbey came for our fourth sleepover. I wrote about it on a separate blog.

Fri.-Slept in today. I took the kiddies home a bit before lunch and got to see Helen. I am not sure if we've seen each other since Christmas which is absolutely ridiculous. When I dropped Micah off, Janelle gifted me with a signed copy of one of Frank Schaeffer's books. He wrote, "To Annette, with love," and then his signature which I couldn't read. She got to hear him speak at Longwood last eve. She said that he redeemed his parents in her eyes. That's always nice to hear. I read some excerpts as she looked over my shoulder and nearly passed out laughing again. What's with that? I don't think this book can be left lying around for the general public around here to pick up. I have it face down on my desk for now. Janelle is always bent on broadening my God box. I am not sure what I am doing to hers. Watched a movie Helen had sent because the girl looked a lot like Susan. I mean, that's why Helen had sent it. I guess that's why we watched it too. Susan made us a lunch of fish and salad that was earth shattering in its goodness and we watched and ate. Then I cleaned the kitchen, vacuumed, washed the floors, and started working on the computer. Mom called and let me know that Enos Shirk passed away. Also, they buried Dave Hanlon today, and I hadn't known he died. His wife, Audrey, is/was my mentor and friend, and when I called her a few weeks ago, it was like no time had passed since we last talked. Her husband had a heart attack a few days later, and then he got pneumonia. What a gracious couple. Dear Audrey. I long to talk with you, but it's your family day.

616. I'm thankful for the connection with family today, and the reminder to remember the youngest nieces and nephew in my own back yard.

617. I'm thankful for Susan's black and white outfit. She's ready to serve at CC's Valentine Banquet tonight.

Sat.-(Susan spent last night and all day with Jenny L. Had the time of her life.) Thinking about the Oneness of God this morning. James 2:19-"You believe their is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe and tremble." Deut. 6:4-"The LORD our God is one." Jn. 17-"That they may be one even as You and I are one." Ps. 86:11-"Unite my heart (make it one with itself) to fear Your name." Jer. 32:39-"Then I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for the good of them and their children after them." If our loyalties are required to be given to a person then our hearts will be divided. We will love the good in them and despise the not so good. But if our loyalties are given to God, who is all good, our hearts will not be divided within us, and indeed, we will have unity among ourselves, and will have God's grace to give grace even to those with whom our hearts are double-minded. We must shift our focus, therefore, on the oneness of God and not think so much on the dichotomy of others and then we won't be nearly as confused. Having faith to love God with all of our hearts will show itself in the works of loving our neighbor as ourselves. Again, if our loyalties are required to be given to one person or institution, "like me or leave me" kind of loyalty, these kind of loyalties can grow a reluctant and resentful form of idol worship, and there is nothing left but for that idol to fall. God forbid! So let's take the "I" out of our words and see what is left to stand on. And let our focus be on the one true God who alone can give us a united heart.

Phil and I went to AACC's marriage conference in Lynchburg. There were over 2,000 people there. Saw three other couples we knew. Tim Clinton, The Duggers, Ted Cunningham, and Joe White spoke. We ate a boxed lunch with others there and I bought book on 40 topics for counselling women. I heard a lot of good things and need to think about them for awhile. Cleaned up the house a bit when I got home. Michael and Philip are house-sitting at Rich's tonight. The temperatures dropping and the wind is rising. It's a good night to go to bed early and listen to the sounds of winter's night.

Sun.-Began to read Ps. 105 and came upon verses about Joseph. Verses 17-19 read, "He sent a man before them-Joseph-who was sold as a slave. They hurt his feet with fetters, He was laid in irons. Until the time that his word came to pass, the word of the LORD tested him." The word he was waiting on was the fulfillment of his dreams-the ones about him being promoted and his brothers bowing down to him. And while he waited for his word to come to pass, the word of the LORD tested and strengthened and proved his character. I bet it tested his motives in regards to wanting that dream to be fulfilled. And while he waited, he kept busy, being faithful and true-loved by God and loving him back. He adapted to his environment, but kept to the teachings of his childhood, just as Daniel did during his exile for a lifetime. I was reminded of the verse in Peter that says something like, "After you have suffered awhile, God Himself will strengthen, restore, and stabilize you."

Went out to eat after church with Steve, Dianna, Laurel, Alex, and Henry. Over eight years ago, when we first came to New Life, Steve, Dianna, and Laurel, took us out to eat at the same Chinese restaurant. Laurel had us read our little pieces of paper inside the cookies out loud and add, "In the bathroom." I remember Dianna about fell off her chair laughing and as we left I said, "We're going to be great friends." We did the same thing today and I cannot believe what some people said! Came home. Alli and Freeman came over for a bit. We went back to church in the eve. for a meeting.

Thinking also about bullets, seeds, and a critical spirit. A critical spirit can create defensiveness, in a marriage, church, etc. And defensiveness can create a critical spirit. I criticize that which I don't understand and that which feels misunderstood, criticizes me back and round and round we go, shooting bullets of shame and blame instead of planting seeds of grace and forgiveness. (One of the speakers at the marriage conference yesterday said that when a spouse is verbally critical of their spouse, they are actually trying to get that spouse to be close to them again although it usually has the opposite effect.)

Someone needs to step out of the cycle and have salt in themselves and give the salt of grace to the bitter waters and then fruit can grow because the people around will drink from that living water and begin to benefit from the seed of God's Word instead of being wounded by bullets from so called 'friendly fire.'

It will take inhuman strength because it is only natural to defend what is being attacked. Jesus, when He was reviled, reviled not back, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly. He did not entrust Himself to man because He knew what was in the heart of man.

Therefore, perhaps it is best that we don't assume we are right. If we assume we are right, then we'll assume others are being critical of us when they have a different perspective. Perhaps we should stop trying to control the reactions and behaviors of others, and allow people to think things through in their own timing without coercing them with graceless guilt-inducing words that can only produce the fruit of fight or flight. (Which we then blame them for when they choose one or the other.)

Anytime there is firing between 'us' and 'them', innocent people intercept the bullets and are wounded. People look at one another with suspicion and ask the internal question, "Are you us or are you them?" Time spent shooting robs time spent building.

Stop! Step out of the downward cyclone, and set yourself and others free. Insecurity begats a critical spirit. A critical spirit begats sarcasm. Sarcasm begats insecurity. And so on and so on. Not every spirit is of God. Sometimes it takes time to discern things. Hesitation does not mean one is being critical. It may mean one is being careful.

And please, God, we need people who won't jump into everything that flows. David Ravenhill wrote a book entitled, "They drank from the river and died in the Wilderness." His premise is this. 'We are to enjoy the river of God and be refreshed in it. (No one likes being pushed into water when you're not sure how to swim. And some may have had a bad experience in another river.(my thoughts)) But we are not made to live in the river. We are to cross over to the other side and go into the Promised Land and fulfill the purposes of God for our lives.'

So give grace. Give a hug and call someone "Sweetie." You'll never know how far that little bit of grace travels. One does not have to 'fight or flight' grace. Grace is like salt in bitter waters. Grace, at the source of the flow, can purify an entire sewer plant. Give a reassuring smile, a thank you, and liberty. Give liberty to others. Don't box them into an only way of expressing their love or need for God. Grace brings unity. And where there is unity, you will have the commanded blessing of God.

Hidden From View

2012-02-04T13:17:00.000-08:00

I was in the mood to clean up outside yesterday.
It was sunny, warm, three-quarter-length-shirt-sleeve kind of weather.

I began to dig around in the garden with a metal rake.
Lo, and behold, I came upon a fully blooming purple hyacinth,
hidden in a protected corner of my flower bed.

I uncovered it and showed it off to whoever would stop and look.
Phil said, 'It never would have bloomed if it had not be protected
by all those weeds and dead leaves.'

Perhaps we can take a lesson from the hyacinth.

We may be hidden from view.
We may be covered with the 'dead leaves' and 'weeds'
of life.

But we can still bloom.

We can bloom even though no one's tool comes
along to uncover our beauty.

We can still bloom for God.
We can still do what we were created to do.

We can be spring in the midst of winter.
We can be beauty in the midst of death.
We can give fragrance even if no one
takes the time to kneel
down to breathe us in.

My mother wrote a poem about hyacinth's years ago.

"Oh, gathered clumps of the rainbows hue,
Though it was enough,
He gave perfume too."

Oh, the extravagance of God,
to give me a purple hyacinth
as a reminder that soon
this winter will be past
and that spring will come
with all its beauty.

Thank you, dear, holy, caring,
God of all hope and God of all comfort.

Thank you for your royal love;
purple, in all its splendor.

An article to share

2012-02-02T17:19:00.000-08:00

My Uncle Paul sent me an article he wrote that was printed in the Woodcrest Villager. I found it interesting and wanted to share it with you. I also want to document it for my children.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A DAY WITH DR MARTIN LUTHER KING

December 3, 1959

As Director of Mennonite Voluntary Service for EMM, I developed programs in Central America to assist small villages in poor, undeveloped areas to start gardens and small agricultural projects to supplement family health in areas that had lost their land to large sugar plantations. We saw large improvements and help in a few years. We also had other service programs in the south of USA. I had a growing vision to use the same methods in poor Black farming communities.

While on an administrative visit to Atlanta, Georgia, I made a visit to Rev. Martin Luther King, Sr. who was pastor of the nearby Ebenezer Baptist Church.
This kind Christian gentleman listened with kind interest and encouraged me in that vision. But he said, “This program has lots of potential, but I feel you should share this vision with my son Martin ( Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr) before proceeding.” He picked up his telephone and called his son. Dr King told him to send me down to Montgomery, Alabama, the next day.

I flew to Montgomery, Alabama, and was warmly welcomed by Rev. King at his office in the Montgomery Baptist Church. I found him to be a warm, caring brother, who spent most of the morning listening and sharing , but finally told me he felt the current situation was too dangerous in the rural areas. It would not be safe for young enthusiastic volunteers, because of the reaction by the white community. As he shared the dangers and unrest, I agreed with his wisdom.

Rev. King told me he was moving the next day to Atlanta to serve as Director of the Southern Christian Leadership Movement for a broader program in the South and to assist his father as pastor of the Ebenezer Baptist Church. He invited me to go with him to the Farewell program by the Montgomery Improvement Program and community. I was happy to go with him, and was surprised at the large attendance of over 3,000. I felt like a “minority” as maybe being the only white face there.

The many affirmations of Dr. King’s ministry there and the enthusiastic singing made this an unforgettable experience . Dr King spoke with passion on the theme, “We will overcome the white man’s hatred with LOVE.” He challenged the Black community to change anything that is unlovable to being lovable persons. “ Never let any person drag you so low as to make you hate him.”. He concluded his message with, 'I know we will overcome the white man’s hatred with love, because “Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord. GLORY, Glory, HALLELUJAH, His truth is marching on.”' Paul G. Landis

(Uncle Paul went on to tell his experiences after the event with a hostile cab driver who wanted nothing to do with my uncle or his money once he found out he had been to the Farewell program for Dr. King.)

This article was reprinted with permission from my Uncle Paul. I hope he soon writes a book about his experiences around the world.

Hertzler Doings~Jan. 30-Feb.5, 2012

2012-02-01T15:22:00.000-08:00

Mon.-At Mother's. Woke up early and couldn't go back to sleep, so I picked up some of Mother's journals and began reading about myself as a babe. It is rather interesting and somewhat invigorating to read about what one was like at 1-2 years old of age. Mother wrote, "What a sunbeam she is! Pure Joy!" and "...I carried Annette to bed and wondered what's ahead for that precious bit of angelic humanity.'The future is as bright as the promises of God.'" Had a hard time leaving Mother. "Must you go?" she asked. Picked up Susan at Mom and Dad's. She had a nice few days with them-playing Rummikube, getting to see David and Jonathan, being with Brads, and his brothers, being Aunt Deb's 'girl fix.' She enjoyed going up to people at church and saying 'Hi' to them and they had no idea who she was. She had grown so much. Stopped at BB's for another grocery cart load of produce, hair products, etc. We need a discount grocery in Va. Maybe we'll have to do something about that. Great trip home. Made it back in 6 1/4 hours in spite of 5 quick stops. Had a carload of stuff to put away. Susan then worked with the calves and I put the house in semi-order. It wasn't too bad but I don't think the guys ever notice what is on the floor and Angel was in the house every night and she's shedding. Got to bed around 8 and slept until 7:30 the next morning.

607. I'm thankful that Phil missed me, kissed me, hugged me. I asked, "What did you miss about me?" And he said, "I missed having my friend around."

Tues.-Woke up with song from the GS church service on my mind. "For me, He lived...For me, He died..." Took Susan into Farmville for Homeschool co-op-Biology and Drama. Met Judy and Sammy Jo for lunch at Riverside where Judy treated me to a cheeseburger with onions, lettuce, and tomatoes, fries, and lemon chess pie. We talked a mile a minute and ate just as fast. We both were bear-hugged by an older gentleman friend of hers. He came over to me and said, "Stand up." And then I got one of the best hugs ever. What a dear friend Judy has been these past 8 1/2 years we've been in Va. She was one of the first people who reached out to me at New Life and made me feel welcome. Then we went to Motley's Emporium where some things are more expensive then when they were new a few years ago. We parted ways and I went to Roses where I bought Phil 14 boxes of the manager's special-a set of 3 reading glasses per box at 2.50 per box. He said that if he can't use them, he'll give them to Johnny and Terry to take to Africa. I found Gloria Vanderbilt jeans for ten bucks, a black Coldwater Creek vest for 5 bucks, some Liz and Co. nightwear for 6 bucks and 2 Fashion Bug shirts for a few dollars. That place is worth checking out if you have the time.

Wed.-Ps. 102:13,16,17-"I will arise and have mercy on Zion; For the time to favor her, Yes, the set time, has come...For the LORD shall build up Zion; He shall appear in His glory. He shall regard the prayer of the destitute, and shall not despise their prayer." O Lord, let it be so.

Was reading about Jesus being taken to the temple as a baby and His parents needed to offer a sacrifice-a lamb if they were wealthy enough; turtle doves if they were too poor. Mary and Joseph offered turtledoves, but they carried in the Lamb of God. Worked on trip plans, tickets, dates, passports, etc. Worked on CS and caught up on computer correspondence. Finished reading 'The Heart Mender' and 'The Noticer' by Andy Andrews. His books are all excellent.

608. Thankful for my husband's hand to hold as he drapes it over my shoulder at night.

609. Thankful for a nice long talk with Mother. I told her I left my cot there to let her know that I was coming back soon. She said, "I saw it there and thought, 'She must be coming back soon.'

Thurs.-Still trying to catch up. Working on passports. Decided to exercise an hour a day to try to strengthen my foot before I head to a podiatrist. Watched 'Seven Alone' while exercising to see if it would be something Micah would be interested in. He came today. Took him down to the river to 'fish' with his bamboo rod and string and hook and plastic worm. He got wet feet almost right away. He sailed his egg carton boats with a string attached. After awhile, I thought it best if we returned and felt his hands. They were ice cold but he held my hand as we drove and soon his little hand was warm again. His 'Gone Fishin'' hat had blown off on the way down and we searched the meadow only to find it nestled in the back of the gator amidst farming supplies.

Fri.-James 1:17-Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning." What does that mean, that there is no variation or shadow of turning with the Father of lights? Does it mean that He does nothing out of moodiness or changeableness of character? That He is always good and perfect and that His thoughts toward us are always for good and not for evil, to give us a future and a hope? He never turns away? His shadow stays with us? I am doing Beth Moore's study on James. It is so good and deep it makes me weep. I love learning something that never crossed my mind before.
Worked on catching up and preparing for what's ahead.

610. I am thankful that Susan cleaned out the car and the laundry room. She's thankful for the money she earned by doing so. She does jobs around the house but the extra things are opportunities to earn some cash.

Sat.-Habakkuk 3:19-"He makes my feet like hind's feet and will make me to walk-not to stand still in terror, but to walk-and make spiritual progress upon my high places of trouble, suffering, or responsibility."

Washed clothes, vacuumed and washed floors, visited Dr. F. and learned more about myself, picked out a few movies at the library, looked at my surprise hyacinth, took pictures of the sunrise, (before I did anything else), worked on some booking, and listened to the pitter patter of cold spring rain. They spread chicken manure on the farm today so I have been burning a vanilla candle and am hungry now for sugar cookies or white cake. Put Lindsay's birthday card in the mail.

611. Thankful for Phil's grace regarding my booking mistake.

Sun.-God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, and has given us this same ministry of reconciliation. Out to eat after church with Ray and Ruth. Nice visit with Michael while Philip was at Benson's watching the Super Bowl and Susan was at CC.

612. I am so thankful that God so loved this messed up world that He gave His only begotten Son to us, that whosoever believes on Him, shall not perish, but have everlasting life.

613. I am so thankful that God is All and in All and He fills up the dry wells and the valleys with Himself and that wherever we are, He is with us and He will never forsake us.

614. I am thankful for the special needs gentle man who stood behind me near the back row of church during worship. I stopped singing and listened to his beautiful sweet voice, as he sang in perfect melody.

Hertzler Doings~Jan. 23-29, 2012

2012-02-01T13:59:00.000-08:00

Mon.~Woke up with this snippet of verse in my mind repeating itself,"Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times." Found it in Is. 33:6. I'm writing this a week and a half after this date so I will write it as Thank you's.

#591-Phil sent blog on intimidation to Nolte.
#592-a catch up phone call with a friend.
#593-MM's severe mercy answer of a prayer
#594-Set up the mini trampoline-5 min. of jumping=1 hour of aerobics
#595-Dutch Blitz games at noon break
#596-Susan's 'You should assign me an essay to write.' "OK. Write an essay." 'What on?' "Health." 'How long?' "10 paragraphs, and include your own personal goals." A few hours later, she emerged from her room with a well-written essay that only needs a bit of editing.
#597-Phil here today.
#598-Susan and I make up face book statuses daily that we wouldn't dare to print, but they serve their purpose by leaving us in hysterics.
#599-"Great Expectations" and the warning it holds for me.
#600-The red cardinal outside my window. My mother often reminds me of the red cardinal that was singing outside her window the day I was born.

Tues.-Ps. 95:4-"In His hand are the deep places of the earth; The heights of the hills are His also."

601-Thank you for Lindsay's kind words and friendship and that she had me write on her blog as a guest.
602-Susan's casual classy hair-do
603-Susan went into the health food store in Farmville. "No school today?" they asked. "I'm homeschooled," she replied. "That's beautiful," said the sweet wife of the sweet man. "Yes, I get to go horseback riding, etc. etc." said Susan. (If you need a healthy dose of sugar, go see this kind man and his kind wife. Nicest people you'll ever want to meet.)
604-Susan made an 8 photo framed gift of her own pictures for Grandpa H. for his 82nd birthday? I think that's right.

Wed.-Deut. 20:3,4,14c-"...Today you are on the verge of battle with your enemies. Do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, and do not tremble or be terrified because of them; for the LORD your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you...and you shall eat the enemies' plunder which the LORD your God gives you."

Susan and I went to Lynchburg to get the car worked on-heater blower and cruise control. It was going to be a long wait so they offered to drive us around. First they took us to the mall. Shopped and got Susan's nails done. Then we called and they took us to Goodwill where we made out like bandits. Car finally done at 3:10. Good thing we didn't have to sit there from 9:30-3:00.
Came home, washed clothes, packed, Susan and Philip went to Calvary. She likes telling me about their get acquainted games, Bible Study, and group discussions.

Thurs.-Phil made breakfast for Freeman, Philip, Susan, and I. Susan and I left around 6:30 for Pa. Got to Mother's around 1:30. After a visit with Mother, I took Susan to Morgantown where we made a quick stop at Re-uzit and a moderate stop at BB's and then we looked around for boxer puppy for sale signs. Took Susan to Grandma and Grandpa H's for the next few days. Grandpa liked her gift and hung it above their kitchen table. He always took good pictures. I have two that he took in Germany blown up poster size and hanging down at my cottage. My grandmother had a little brownie camera. She took photos of my mother that would win prizes. My brother blew them up to 8x10's and framed them in black frames and made his own little gallery of them. That was the plan anyway. I came back to M's and watched TV-Jeopardy and religious programs. Got to bed around 9.

Fri.-Studying James with Beth Moore. She said to think about your hardships and list three responses you could have towards them, one being to 'count it all joy.' Consider the end of all those responses. The end of counting it all joy is perfection and completeness, nothing lacking. Thinking about what my chiro./nutritionalist said about my foot problem. She said that people with feet problems are afraid to take a step forward. She got in my face and said, "What are you afraid of?" and I said, "Well, you're pretty scary right now." We laughed and I said, "Can I get back to you on that?" So I'm thinking about what I am afraid of. Why am I afraid to take the next step. I think I have it figured out. I wrote it down in my blog book and there it will most likely stay. Busy day with Mother. Three people in for 'at home' care and 3 others in for other duties, including the nurse and the physical therapist. When I grow up, I want to be a physical therapist. I was so impressed with this woman. PT's help give a person confidence and hope. Hey-maybe I can be a spiritual 'physical therapist.' Watched World Revival Church on Daystore from 9-10. Interesting to see the people my friend had talked to about YWtheJ.

Sat.-Went to LBC to watch "The Sound of Music" with Karen and Susan. Katrina, my niece, did a top-notch job at playing Baronness Schrader. The singing and acting was so professional. I had to cry I was so stinkin' proud of her. Karen gave Katrina flowers. Katrina dedicated the play to her brother, Abie, who had played one of the boys in a local theatre group. My brother, Abe, stayed with my mother while I was gone. I brought Susan back to Mother's for a quick visit and she kept calling Susan, "Sweetie." Took Susan back to Hertzler's. Stopped at Yoder's market for her to get supper at the salad bar. Watched Gaither Revival in the eve.

Sun.-Watched GS's church service on TV. Asked Mother if she could quote Colossians for me. Years ago she had memorized it. She wrote it out on an index flip chart in her own translation by taking favorite segments from her favorite translations. She did rattle off quite a bit of it for me. I slept off and on on the sofa. Buffy kept me company and wanted me to pet her. She'd jump up on the sofa beside me. I was so flattered because I think she only behaves this way with Mother. Others can pet her but they have to pet her on her terms. But she came to me when I called. Uncle Paul and Aunt Ann came to visit in the afternoon. I always enjoy talking with them. I am going to blog one of his stories about his meeting with Martin Luther King Jr. Jim and Rosalee came in the eve. and watched some of the political news. Last night here for awhile...

605-Thankful for Grandparents who take care of their grand-daughter so their daughter-in-law can spend time with her mother.
606-Thankful for my sister-in-law, Debra, who took Susan to the thrift shop with her and then gave her what she picked out and said we could just treat her to lunch when she comes down.

Out of the Depths

2012-01-24T05:26:00.000-08:00

I read a Psalm or two every day and this morning a verse in Psalm 95 slowed me down and asked me to stay awhile. Verse four sang, "In His hand are the deep places of the earth; the heights of the hills are His also."

I began to think about the depths of God and looked up verses in my Strong's concordance under the words 'deep' and 'depths.' I like to read verses about the same theme all at one time. It refreshes me, like standing under a gentle waterfall on a hot summer's day.

Let these verses wash over your soul. I write them here in the order they appear in the Bible.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gen. 49:25~"...And the Almighty will bless you with blessings of heaven above, and blessings of the deep that lies beneath,..."

Job 12:22~"He uncovers deep things out of darkness, And brings the shadow of death to light."

Ps. 36:6~"...Your judgments are a great deep;.."

Ps. 42:7~"Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls; all Your waves and billows have gone over me."

Ps. 69:1~"Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink; Let me be delivered from those who hate me, And out of the deep waters."

Ps. 92:5~"...Your thoughts are very deep..."

Ps. 106:9~"..so He led them through the depths, as through the wilderness..."

Ps. 130:1,2~"Out of the depths I have cried to You, O LORD; Lord, hear my voice! "

Ps. 39:8-12~"...if I make my bed in hell, behold you are there..if I dwell in the uttermost part of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me. If I say, "Surely the darkness shall fall on me," even the night shall be light about me; Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, but the night shines as the day; the darkness and the light are both alike to You."

Dan. 2:22~"He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him."

Luke 5:4~"...Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch."

Rom. 8:39~"...nor height nor depth...shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Rom. 11:33~"Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!"

1 Cor. 2:10~"...For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God."

Eph. 3:18,19~"..that you may be able to comprehend...what is the width and length and depth and height...of the love of Christ..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

God is in our deep places.
He reveals Himself to us there.
So don't be afraid of the deep places,
for His love is everywhere.

"Ephphata"

2012-01-22T03:07:00.000-08:00

Mark 7.

Some caring people brought to Jesus a deaf man with a speech impediment and begged Him to put His hand on him. Jesus pulled him away from the crowd, put His fingers in the man's ears, spat, and touched the man's tongue. Then He looked up to heaven, and sighed, and said to the man, "Ephphata," that is, "Be opened."

Immediately, his ears were opened and his tongue was set free and he could speak plainly. Everyone was astonished beyond measure and they said, "He has done all things well. He makes even the deaf to hear and the mute to speak."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From the time I was twelve and on up into my early twenties, I attended a deaf church with my family. The pastor was hearing and he signed and spoke at the same time. He was a wonderful man and I have fond memories of that community of deaf and hearing believers. Above the pulpit on the wall were written beautiful words, "In that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book," from Isaiah's prophecy about the coming Savior.

My sister got her master's degree in deaf education and later married a man who was instrumental in rescuing deaf people from mental institutions and setting up homes for them to live in. He was their go-between; helping them acclimate themselves to a 'normal' world. Later, he and my sister adopted a 8 or 9 year old Korean deaf boy who has since grown up and married a deaf woman and they have two children-both deaf. My brother-in-law is finishing up his doctorate and it has something to do with deafness as well.

When I was in high school, I took sign language classes to better communicate with my deaf friends. Two of my close friends in high school were twin deaf boys who could speak and communicate without a great deal of sign language. I would help them when they didn't understand something that was going on. I also found that knowing how to read lips had its advantages.

I always thought that the deaf people I knew in church had good marriages because they could never turn their backs on one another if they wanted to communicate a message. Face to face, eyes reading eyes, lips reading lips, hands reading hands, in their own private world.

I say all this to say that the world of deafness is not foreign to me, but I only know it from the outside looking in. I can only imagine what it must have felt like to have Jesus' fingers in my ears, watch Him spit, feel His touch on my tongue and the warm breath of His heavenward sigh on my face, and watch His mouth say, "Ephphatha. Be opened."

I love that Jesus took that man away from the noise of the crowd so His voice would be the first voice he heard.

Perhaps we too, must be taken away from the crowd in order that we may first hear His voice.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I like these verses about our ears and our tongue.

Isaiah 50:4,5~"The Lord God has given Me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to hear as the learned. The Lord GOD has opened My ear and I was not rebellious, nor did I turn away."

These words were prophetic about Jesus' relationship with His Father
and His kind way with weary people,
but I think God would delight in giving us a learned tongue
to speak a word to the weary as well.
He would like to open our ears to hear as the learned.

John 10:3,4~"The sheep hear His voice...and they follow Him, for they know His voice."

The reason a child responds to its parent's voice in a crowd
is because it knows that voice from being alone with its parent at home.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

God is not deaf. Not only does He hear us; He heeds us.
The word 'heed' or 'hearken' means to give careful attention to;
to listen carefully.

Psalm 34:4 says, "I sought the LORD and He heard me and delivered me from all my fears."

Isaiah 65:24-"It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear."

God is eager to answer our prayers.
Sometimes He answers our thoughts
before they turn into words of prayer.

And Romans 8:26 says, "...for we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."

Too often we think that because God is Sovereign, God will do what God will do. But His Sovereignty gives Him the freedom to heed what we are saying and to change circumstances and hearts because of our words. Just look at what Moses did for the Children of Israel with his intervening words.

Sometimes, life strikes us dumb with its cruelty and pain. Our mouths are shut up and we have no idea what to say or how to pray. But God hears even our groanings which cannot be uttered. God does not have human ears. He hears the broken heart that cannot even make a sound,
and for this, I fall at His feet and love Him all the more.

Thank you
Dear Merciful Hearing God.

Intended End

2012-01-21T06:32:00.000-08:00

Jeremiah 29:11 is a popular verse among believers these days. "For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "Plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

It is popular because we need the hope it gives us.

These words of the LORD were originally spoken through the prophet Jeremiah to the Children of Israel who were exiled in Babylon. They had been torn from their homes in Jerusalem and taken captive by King Nebuchadnezzar and were now strangers in a strange land. Their captivity was God's discipline for their rebellion against Him.

God exhorted the captives to "Build houses and dwell in them. Plant gardens and eat what grows. Let your children marry and have children. Multiply. Seek the peace and the welfare of the city in which you are held captive. Ask God to bless it. And after 70 years, I will visit you and keep My good promise to you and cause you to return back to your Jerusalem, your home."

And then He said, "For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you. Thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. Then you will call upon me and I will hear you and heed you. Then when you seek me with all your heart, you will find Me. And I will release you from captivity and bring you back to the place from which I caused you to be carried away captive."

I find it interesting that their captivity was basically for a life time as we know it now. Psalm 90:10 says, "The days of our years are threescore and ten."

Perhaps this is why I, for one, (and I suspect there are many),
am so homesick for 'Jerusalem', my heavenly home.

Perhaps this is why I always feel a bit odd;
a bit out of place; like I am on the outside looking in.

Perhaps this is why I rejoice that I am
closer to being 70 than I am 35.
I long with every fiber of my being to go back to the city
where the Lamb is the light and where all cry, "Holy, Holy!"

Meanwhile, back in 'Babylon', there is sorrow in this captivity.
Thank God it is only for a designated season.

What a comfort it is to know that He has promised
us freedom in the midst of this captivity.

He says,"Make your home here and enjoy your life, for your light affliction is just for a moment, and is working for you a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. This captivity is temporary, but what it works in you is eternal.
So count it all joy when you fall into these trials, for the trying of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, so you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. Blessed are you who endure. You know the endurance of Job and have seen the end I intended for him; the abundance of compassion and mercy I poured out on him.
And I, who am rich in mercy and love, raise you up as well, and I seat you with My Son in the heavenly places, in order that in the ages to come, I might show the exceeding riches of My grace in My kindness towards you in Christ Jesus." (11 Cor. 4:16-18; James 1:2-4; 5:11; Eph. 2:4-7)

Even when we sin and our captivity is a result of the Lord's discipline in our lives, His intentions toward us are for good and not for evil; to give us a future and a hope. It fact, that may be the very reason He disciplines us. If He left us to ourselves, we wouldn't have much of a future or a hope.

Perhaps then,
it is time that we stop searching for our old normal.

It is, I believe, normal not to feel normal.

We must stop longing for what was.

We must put our roots down deep in Him
and 'build houses' and have natural and spiritual children
and know that our captivity is just for a season;
that every temporary heartache and trouble
is working within us an eternal good,
and that His intended end for us-whether it be
at the end of a trial or a time of chastening,
or the end of our lives-is rich
in kindness, goodness, mercy, and freedom.

For He will not keep our soul in the grave.
He who promised is Faithful.

No Longer Intimidated

2012-01-20T03:30:00.000-08:00

This morning I read 1 Samuel 17. It tells the story about David and Goliath. Every time I read a scripture I haven't read for awhile, I read it with a new perspective due to life's circumstances that have taken place since I read it last.

I noticed several things.

David killed Goliath four times.

First, he killed him with his words.

Check out verse 46.

David says to Goliath, "This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you! And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel!"

I am quite sure he shouted this loud enough for both armies to hear.

Then he killed him with a stone from his sling.

He ran towards Goliath, put his hand in his leather bag and pulled out a smooth stone he had gathered from a nearby brook, slung that stone in his sling and struck Goliath in the most vulnerable exposed spot on his body-his forehead, and Goliath fell face down on the earth. Dead.

Then, having no sword of his own, and being sure that Goliath was not tricking him by playing dead, David ran over to Goliath, and took G's own sword and killed him with it. I'm not sure where he ran it through but there was no doubt in David's mind that his enemy would no longer taunt him.

And number four. He took that bloody sword and chopped off Goliath's head with it. He held it high for the enemies to see and then the enemy knew they were in trouble. They ran away as fast as they could.

The Israelites, taking courage from the events of the past five minutes, pursued their enemies for quite a ways. When they returned, they went to the enemies camp and plundered what was in their tents; perhaps taking back the things that had been stolen from them, but also, taking the goods that belonged to their enemies fair and square.

What gave David the courage to do these exploits?

He was certain of two things.

#1-That God, who not only protected him from the mouths of the lion and the bear but helped him destroy them, would also protect and help him destroy this enemy as well.

#2-That anyone who defies the armies of the living God, defies God Himself, and is therefore, already doomed.

David had been faithful in what he would call the little things-protecting his flock from a lion and a bear. The situation he walked into felt familiar. Someone was trying to destroy the flock of God. How dare they destroy what was God's?! And in the fury and zeal that comes to the one who knows His God and the love God has for His people, he acted with courage and might and destroyed the enemy of his people. This gave courage to the trembling souls around him and they in turn pursued their enemies, destroying them, and upon returning, plundered what had once been in their enemies possession. Oh God, help me get this!

My dear people, we have been intimidated far too long. We've been created, not to just exist, but to win! And not just to win, but to be victorious! And not just to be victorious, but to overcome and plunder that which belongs to the enemy! Jesus did this very thing for us on the cross and on those days we thought He was in the tomb. He destroyed the enemy and plundered his goods and brought back that which had been held captive in the enemies camp. Then He dispersed goods to His people. These gifts equip us for the work of the ministry so we can edify one another in order that we will come into a unity of faith and know God and be full of Him, growing up in Him and being strengthened with love.

Rise up O Child of God!

David could have gone home.
He could have been safe.
And that I understand.
I am a lover, not a fighter.

But it's not so much about who we are;
It's about Whose we are.

How dare the enemy destroy those who belong to the Living God?
How dare the enemy intimidate and berate and tyrannize
those whom God holds in the palm of His hand?

God has won!
He has won in spite of the failures of His army, His people.

God has won!
And we are God's.
Therefore, we win too.

So lift up your heads and your hearts
and let the King of Glory come in.
Who is this King of Glory?
The LORD strong and mighty!
The LORD mighty in battle!
This is Our King of Glory!

Hertzler Doings~Jan.16-22,2012

2012-01-16T14:34:00.000-08:00

Mon.~"For since the beginning of the world men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, nor has the eye seen any God besides You, who acts for the one who waits for Him." (Is. 64:4) Have been praying desperate and large prayers this past week. Aware that the answers may contain pain before they bring joy. And so I wait.
Cold, blustery day, inside and out. Heating system not working. Dressed in double and triple layers and wore the brown hat Mother knit me for most of the day. Unmotivated to do much. It's strange how no heat, or no water, or no electricity, seems to freeze up my ability to work. Read and wrote. Talked with Susan. Read 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' under the covers and ate tortilla chips. I wonder if I am the only one who might gain weight on this Daniel Fast. Took a nap. Played a rousing game of Dutch Blitz with Susan and warmed up. We wore matching pink camouflage sweat shirts. She won. Lindsay said that Gil misses 'The Hertzler Doings' and that she would love if I wrote them again. I'll incorporate thank you gifts at the end of each days writing.
~~~~~~~
Thanksgivings continued:

567. Kara's blog. She's writing thanksgivings too, inspired from Ann's book-'A Thousand Gifts', even as I was.

568. Last night's visit from Dianna, Laurel, and Ivan. Laurel made us baked red peppers filled with quinoa, black beans, spinach, onions, cumin, etc. Delicious. Delightful visit. Ivan entertained for us. He went through his repertoire of tricks; dancing, running his fingers over his lips and going 'brrh, brrh, brrh.." and laughing and clapping after each little show. I haven't laughed that hard for a long time. I hope they come back soon.

569. The beautiful sunrise. I was reading my Bible but felt it would be rude if I looked away for even a second. "Thank you God. I love you, too." And He said, "Thank you." I read today, (not in the Bible) that He says 'Thank you," every time we tell Him we love Him. I'd be surprised if that wasn't true.

570. For the movie afternoon last week with Ilsa and Janelle. We watched 'Higher Ground' and a Jane Austen movie whose name escapes me at the moment. (Jane Eyre) I keep thinking about 'Higher Ground' and I wonder how I portray Jesus and Christianity to others in the faith who are struggling and those outside the faith who might be interested in Jesus if church people weren't so self-righteous. Most people had no problem with Jesus. It was the religious people who thought He wasn't 'Christian' enough. He was far to free to fit into their little God boxes that they had sewn into their spirits. Just a note about 'Higher Ground.' There are a few places that may make you uncomfortable in its content but I was more uncomfortable with her experience in Christendom. Remember that it is a memoir. But for the most part, it is a thought provoking movie that has made me want to be 'real.' People just want 'real' and I think Jesus wants 'real' too.

571. (P.S. Just read this in Brennan Mannings book-"Souvenirs of Solitude"-"There are some real problems with projecting the perfect image. First of all, it's simply not true-we are not always happy, optimistic, in command. Second, projecting the flawless image keeps us from reaching people who feel we just wouldn't understand them. And third, even if we could live a life with no conflict, suffering, or mistake, it would be a shallow existence. The Christian with depth is the person who has failed and learned to live with his failure.")

572. (P.S.S.-Just heard Beth Moore say in her James study-And I cannot quote it exactly-"Every mistake, heartache, things that we hate, etc. leaves in our souls a hollow empty spot that God fills with His grace.)

Between the movie, these writers/teachers, and life, I am thinking alot about the difference between coercion with guilt and the invitation with grace and what brings people to His arms of mercy and keeps them there.

Tues.-Ps. 90:14-17~"Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days! Make us glad according to the days in which You have afflicted us, the years in which we have seen evil. Let Your work appear to Your servants, and Your glory to their children. And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us, And establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands."

Took Susan to homeschool co-op. Biology and Drama readings. She read Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken." I ran errands and visited Ginger. Took Susan to Zumba and then we spent the eve. with Betty and Kelly. I made toasted cheese sandwiches with Ezekiel bread and veggie soy cheese and soy butter. Also homemade cream of tomato soup with almond milk which gave it a unique flavor. I was glad Betty was happy to keep the leftovers. Finished 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame.' Well-written classic but I have no desire to read it again.

573. Thank you for the friend who looks deep in my eyes to see the message written there and calls to check on me.

574. Thank you for the golden offerings from the hens, one so fresh it kept my hand warm as I walked back to the house.

575. Thank you for 60 degree weather after 20 degree weather.

576. Thank you for the sweetness I get from all the clerks at Kroger. "Honey this, Dear that," and one clerk serenades me. He serenades everyone but I take it personally.

Wed.-Ps. 91:14-16-"Because you have set your love upon Me, therefore I will deliver you; I will set you on high because you have known my name. You shall call upon Me, and I will answer you; I will be with you in trouble; I will deliver you and honor you. With long life I will satisfy you, and show you My salvation."

Met Judy at Dr. F's and exchanged Christmas gifts finally and hugs and kisses, too. Went over to pick up a large package at the Post Office and the gentleman behind the counter came around the back with the package and said, "Lead on, O woman of God" and followed me to the car. I wanted to ask him "What did you just say?," but I was afraid maybe I had heard wrong and I wanted to believe that I had heard correctly. And now I keep hearing those words like a song in my soul. My eyebrows are still curly from when I singed them on Monday after I carelessly opened the outdoor furnace but no one but Susan and I seem to notice.

Thinking of the risks and sorrows that come with farm life and that's all I can say about that for now.

577. Thank you for children who love each other.

578. Thank you that I don't have to fix things and that I can just say, "I'm so sorry that happened" and sit in sorrowed silence with the griever, like Mary did with Jesus. She let Him be sad.

579. Thank you that Jessica Z. from our church back in Pa. got to experience some American Idol and a friend of Buddy's from Appomattox will be participating in the competition. Wish we had TV after all.

Thurs.-Ps. 57:1-3~"Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until these calamities have passed by. I will cry out to God Most High, To God who performs all things for me. He shall send from heaven and save me; He reproaches the one who would swallow me up. God shall send forth His mercy and His truth."

Didn't do much today. Wrote as guest blogger for Lindsay on enjoying our children. Watched a movie with Susan. Cleaned a bit and made some supper. Alli's bridesmaid dress was sent to our place and she was relieved when she found out. Stopped here on the way home and modeled it for us.
580. Thankful for my record of words for 2011-Themes in my life for last year grouped in their own little months of learning-obedience, humility, simplicity, community; and love, grace, truth, perseverance; and humility, gratitude, and wholeness.

581. 2012's themes so far? Strength and grace.

Friday-1 Sam. 17:45,46-"Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

Went to Lynchburg with Alli to get my car looked at and to drop off her sewing machine to get worked on. Shopped at Joanne Fabrics, Lifeway, Walmart, Kroger, and Five Guys. Stopped at Appomattox and got my tires rotated on the way home. Watched a movie with Susan and Alli after we made some homemade soap. The cherry-almond fragrance reminded Alli of her grandmother and I of my mother. Jergens hand lotion memories.

582. I am thankful for Freeman's words to Alli as we got in the car in the morning, "Buy whatever you want."

583. I am also thankful for her words she said back to him, "I don't want anything.

Generosity and contentment go hand in hand.

584. Freeman built me a beautiful shelf for the living room wall while we were gone.

585. I am thankful for a 14 year old daughter who almost daily says, "Let's sit down and talk."

Sat.-1 Sam. 18:12-"Now Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, but had departed from Saul."

It was nice to have Michael home today. We made some twice baked potatoes with Philip's help. Michael spent some time with Chase after admitting the freezing rain made splitting wood difficult. Susan worked on feeling better-some sort of respiratory thing going on, and cleaning her room. She accompanied Phil into town to pick up a tractor piece for Philip's project. Philip's busy with farm work today. I did some writing, cleaning, washing, de-cluttering, and catching up with Janelle and Rosalee on the phone.

586. For the classics just waiting to be read on my book shelf. Finished "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" by Victor Hugo and have started "Great Expectations" by Dickens. As sober as Dickens write, he has much dry humor scattered throughout his depiction of life at that time. It would be a good book to read aloud but it is rather thick.

Sun.-Mark 7:37-"And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, "He has done all things well. He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak." Light snow with individual six-sided flakes visible. Went to church and then out to Appomattox for lunch and visited with Jerry and Sheila. Phone rang alot today. Watched a movie with Susan and Phil and went to bed.

587. Stability, grace, truth, and depth. Prayers I trust He will answer.

588. The first snow fall.

589. Hugs and "I love you's."

590. For His defense of me.

January Thanksgivings-2012

2012-01-09T13:43:00.000-08:00

(In Pa. with my mother)

425. For the amazing children my mother gave birth to and raised
426. Watching David Jeremiah on TV with mother and having the fleeting thought, "I wonder if he reads my blog?" (Because so much sounded familiar and I had not read his books or heard his teachings) and grinning at the audacity of such a thought. Actually, we both read the Bible and that's where we get our ideas.
427. For Michael and Susan holding down the home front; cooking, cleaning, washing clothes,..
428. That the majority of mother's cats like me!
429. For the invention of the machine that manufactures oxygen for those whose lungs do not.
430. For Rosalee's tender tenacity, Abie's objectivity and grace, Alan's compassion and way with words, David's wisdom and knowledge, and my peace and contentment.
431. For the loving generous neighbors surrounding my mother like guardian angels. Everyone loves my mother.
432. For mother's sun room with her plants, white wicker chairs, white statuette of little girl reading a book while lying on her stomach and legs in the air, and Naomi visiting me there in the afternoon sunlight.
433. cell phones
434. for Mother's desire for dignity and beauty
435. Phil's parents praying for my mother
436. For mother's words, when I went to go back and check on her in the eve., "I was just thanking God for you."
437. For one of mother's poems I've never read before, found in a little red notebook-taken from Mk. 9:36,37-"He held me, He held me, This wonderful, wonderful man. He held me, He held me, O can you understand? His arms were so gentle, His voice soft and low, His love I'll remember wherever I go. This Jesus, Precious Jesus, loved and held us little children In His arms."
I read it to her and said, "Just like He's holding you now."
438. Lunch with Phil's Mom at Yoder's-her treat
439. Finding 2 button down shirts for Mother at Re-uzit-one a Talbot and the other LLBean. Soft and pretty blues.
440. A husband who loves my mother almost as much as I do.
441. Mother's 'I never noticed the difference' when I was comparing my smartness with that of my much smarter siblings.
442. Talking with Mother about worrying about the future, etc. She said she had been thinking of this song, and then she gifted me by singing! "Many things about tomorrow, I don't seem to understand...but I know who holds the future, and I know who holds my hand." I can't say enough how thankful I am that she sang this for me. I thank God for her bravery.
443. Visits from neighbors and Annie and her little David
444. Notes received in the mail to mother make me weep. One friend wrote, who did not know she was ill, and thanked her for saving her life many years ago. And that she did.
445. For WRC's interest in 'You Were the Joy.'
446. 70 mph speed limits
447. Heaven's air
448. A hard good-bye and a safe trip home
449. A Sabbath rest in bed
450. For the repeating of words, "I'm so glad you're home."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
451. For Mom's and More and 'Grace Based Parenting.'
452. Solomon's Songs
453. Susan's request at youth group that God would comfort her mother regarding her mother.
454. For Lee's reply, "Beulah Diffenbach-what a beautiful name."
455. That kindnesses such as the two thank you's above make me cry.
456. For answered prayer
457. For new friends, new beginnings, and new hopes
458. For a movie afternoon at my house with Ilsa and Janelle
459. A day off of work for Philip to catch up on sleep and farm work
560. That the 'heart attack' "report" was false
561. That my significance, purpose, and hope is all wrapped up in one thing only-Jesus Christ loves me. From the cradle to the grave. Like the writer, Tullian says, "Jesus + Nothing = Everything. Grace and grace alone, lest any man should boast. Lest we say, "If we fast and pray, then..." or "If we sing loud enough and long enough, then..." What can bring us closer to God than the cross? What can give us greater access to His presence than the torn veil? Alleluia, alleluia. It is done. If only we lived in the 'doneness.' Help us. We so desire to earn our way and live by rules. It is our human nature to want a formula with our efforts affecting the outcome. And in everything, but the cross, what we do may affect the outcome. But the cross is all about Him.
562. Sovereign Graces' worship CD-songs of the cross
563. Packages at the Post Office
564. Days at home
565. For siblings who brag on each other
566. The largeness and expansiveness of the Body of Christ
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To be continued...under Hertzler Doings-back by popular Demand. Okay...maybe just one person said that they'd like it back...after I asked them...

Christmas~2011

2011-12-26T13:05:00.000-08:00

Christmas started early this year when the Bantons showed up on December 17th. (We knew they were coming.) They stayed until Dec. 21st and it was a hard good-bye. They were the best gifts ever.

We celebrated Christmas as a family on Dec. 23rd. The boys made a huge breakfast of biscuits-compliments of Freeman; scrapple, sausage, hash browns, and scrambled eggs. Phil and I recited the Christmas story-"And there were in the same country..." We exchanged gifts and sang. A few of us played some games and a few did some farm chores and got packed. In the eve., Phil, Susan, and I watched 'Sea Biscuit.' It was a lovely day.

Dec. 24th-Left home between 9 and 10 and headed north. Phil, Susan, and I, stopped in to see Mother for a short visit. Then we headed to Hotel 8-Joe and Karen's. We got settled in and joined nearly 60 others for Christmas caroling in the eve. The after party was a great time to catch up with friends and neighbors. I fell asleep to the hum of voices sometime after 10:30.

Dec. 25-Had a nice breakfast of cinnamon rolls and orange julius. Watched Jonathan open up his gifts. Went to Jim's for church. We sang for a good hour and then Freeman preached the best Christmas sermon I've ever heard. It was based on 1 Peter 5:7-'Casting all your care on Him...' and Phil. 4:6-8-'Be anxious for nothing..' And the way to be anxious for nothing is to meditate on the One who is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and praise worthy.
It is because Jesus came as a baby and lived His life as a man and died and rose again that we can cast all our cares on Him and be anxious for nothing.
We also sang "The Hallelujah Chorus" as a family, with Paul leading, with his good hand. He had cut off his thumb (accidently) and had it reattached a week ago. Taylor played his guitar-'Eruption' and Jordan played a magnificent piece on the organ. Several shared testimonies. We were all grateful for our heritage and God's blessing of unity and friendship in this wonderful family.
We then ate a great big lunch together-ham balls, green beans, mashed potatoes, sw. pot. casserole, 7 layer salad, cabbage slaw, and much more. Then we went upstairs and had the sibling male/female gift exchange. Debra liked my gift of a scarf and Susan's cards and I liked Helen's gift of a painting of a country house at Christmas. Phil got Dave's box of goods-Turkey Hill gift card, beef jerky, sunflower seeds, gloves, and Arbonne body butter for the female in his life and Dad liked his orange fluorescent cap with furred ear flaps. We passed out the traditional candy canes. Micah gave his uncles homemade soap with big plastic bugs inside and his aunties received homemade soap with pieces of colorful soap inside. We all were enjoying little Jonathan and David's antics. They are the dearest little one year olds in the world and they are both miracles in every sense of the word. We enjoyed conversations, games, etc. Our family left around 5 to head to my families gathering.'
We arrived at my brother's around 6. He had pork, turkey, and ham with the fixings for a sandwich-chewy fresh rolls, onions, tomatoes, lettuce, mayo, and mustard. He also made his fabulous seafood chowder, asparagus and mushrooms, corn, and I'm sure I am missing something. The rest of us brought desserts but I am still too full to mention all the cakes and cookies. Our family sang some of the Mast/Hertzler songs for Mother. She sang along when we came to the more traditional songs of 'Silent Night' and 'Joy to the World.' I held Kelly's Baby Grace and put her to sleep while we sang. She is only 7 weeks old. Abby brought out her menagerie of guinea pigs and rabbits and it was obvious that we were all descendants of my mother, the greatest animal lover that ever lived. Uncle Jim noticed that the squealing of one guinea pig quieted down when he 'played' his musical tie. I will always treasure that time with Mother, listening to her sing, and watching her hold the guinea pig runt who 'was slightly deformed.'

Freeman and Alli headed back to Aunt Anne's and Michael and Philip headed back to Uncle Bubba's. (They wanted to go to Shady Maple Smorgasbord in the morning but it was overflowing and they were turned away. Went to Yoder's instead.)
Phil, Susan, and I headed towards Carlisle and checked into the Super 8 there. The next morning, it took us only 4 hours to get home instead of 6. The Christmas spirit continues here today. Susan cooked sauteed cucumbers from 'The Joy of Cooking' book that our friend, Teri, gave her. She also got a cookbook from Gpa Hertzler's. We'd like to cook through that one since it is called 'Simply in Season' and we think that would be fun to do. She wants to have her own garden next year. Phil's reading the book Michael gave him that I read on the way up. 'The Final Summit', which I think everyone in the world should read. I just took a nap and then decided to write a bit even though it's freezing back here.

I think this has been one of my most favorite Christmas' ever. Between Christmas caroling and singing at both places, we probably sang 4 hours. Oh-we are thankful that no one was hurt when a car when hurtling by all the parked cars along side of the road. (Christmas caroling) They slid on some black ice and ended up in the ditch. There was some unpleasantness involved because of the condition the driver was in, but we are thankful that no one was harmed.
Something else I forgot to mention was Paul's gratitude for our prayers. He said that he knows that whatever use he recovers from his thumb is due to our prayers.
Another fond memory is something funny Alli said. Someone said something to her about singing the alto part to a song and she said something like, "I'm making up my own part." She has a lot of new songs to learn and I know exactly how she feels because I felt the same way nearly 30 years ago as a new bride in the Hertzler family. But it's worth it to learn those songs that have been passed down for at least four generations that so few other people know. My mother said that she keeps hearing the different parts coming in 'in her head' but she doesn't know the words. I think we need to make her a recording.

Merry Christmas everyone
and may you know His peace and goodwill
towards you in this coming year.

Let

2011-12-21T04:36:00.000-08:00

Webster's-'Let'-to allow, permit; to give opportunity for

Notice how Jesus has given us everything we need.
It is up to us to allow what He's given to have its place
in our lives.
~~~~~~~~~~~
1 Cor. 2:16b-"...But we have the mind of Christ."

Phil. 2:5-"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus...made Himself of no reputation...taking the form of a servant...humbled Himself unto death..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
John 14:27-"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you;..."

Col. 3:15-"Let the peace of God rule in your hearts,..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Deut. 30:14-"But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it."

Col. 3:16-"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Rom. 8:35-"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?"

John 14:1-"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in me."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Let His mind be in us. Allow it. Permit it to be so.
Let His peace rule. Allow it. Permit it to be so.
Let His word dwell in us. Allow it. Permit it to be so.
Let not our hearts be troubled. Allow it not. Permit it not to be so.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I sat down early this morning to be Mary and my mind is Martha,
troubled, scattered, list-making, weary.

And I think of this little word-'let'-allow.

"Let (allow) My peace, My mind, My word, My untroubledness,
be in you, rule in you, dwell in you."

Help me Jesus,
to choose the better part;
To not only sit at Your feet like Mary
but to have my mind be Yours as well.

In this busyness that comes with the celebration
of Your birth,
help me not to forget that You came,
not for a visit,
but to make Your home in our hearts.

Oh, please, be at home in my heart.

Sifting or Praying

2011-12-18T17:18:00.000-08:00

I've been watching some dear friends go through
an extended period of rough times.

I have often thought of them in connection
with the words Jesus spoke to Peter,
"Simon, Simon, Satan has desired to sift you like wheat,
but I have prayed for you,
that your faith will not fail,
and when you have returned,
strengthen the brethren."

Satan has been asking to do a lot of sifting lately.
He could not do it, unless God allowed it.
He has to ask.

Jesus doesn't sift.
He prays.

How comforting to know that He prays
that our faith will not fail us,
and then He assures us
that one day,
we will strengthen others.

He who has the power and the right to sift us,
prays for us, instead.

You know what?
We can be sifters
or we can pray.

We can look at people and take them apart
and say,"They've got some good wheat about them
but they've got a lot of chaff too."

Or we can pray for them,
that their faith will not fail them.

I sure hope people are not sifting me.
I hope they are praying for me instead of judging
what I am made of.

What would happen to the Body of Christ
if we joined Jesus and prayed for each other's faith,
and we left the sifting to the one
who has to ask God's permission to do so?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A few days after writing the above,
I read a prayer in Ken Gire's book,
"Intimate Moments with the Savior."

I share a portion of it with you here.

"I love you for all that I am because of you.
I love you because with your tender hands
you lift the crushed pile Satan
leaves behind when he winnows,
and you blow away the chaff.
I love you that you don't focus
on those husked failures but rather on the kernel,
however small,
of genuine love left in your palm.
And seeing it, you take great delight."

Stay Focused

2011-12-18T16:53:00.000-08:00

Sheriff, my German Shepherd puppy, is about 9 months old, and he looks like a wolf. I don't think I have ever been adored by any person or any thing quite like this dog adores me. He looks me in the eyes and worships me.

The other day, I was petting him, and adoring him back, and his other two siblings tried to get in on the loving. I focused on Sheriff and kept talking to him, but he was so distracted by the other two, that he broke eye contact with me. He whined anxiously and tried to get them to go away. I had given him nothing to worry about, but he was distracted and troubled by the possibility of divided attention.

I love God. I worship Him. He gives me His undivided attention
and His loving words of kindness.
Distractions lurk all around me and I whine anxiously,
worried that I have lost God's attention because of pressing circumstances.

And again, I think of Martha and Mary.
Martha was a good gal.
She loved Jesus.
She showed Him her love by her actions.
She became distracted by her acts of service.
She was troubled by Mary's lack of service.

Mary loved Jesus too.
She sat at His feet and looked in His eyes
and worshipped Him.

She showed Him her love by listening
and receiving what He had to say.
She believed Him when He said that He was going
to go through a rough time.

Shortly, afterward, at another dinner party,
she broke open an alabaster jar of oil,
worth a year's wages,
and by so doing, in Jesus' words,
'anointed me for my burial.'

She believed and validated His words
by her actions.

What a relief it must have been to Him
to have someone believe Him
instead of saying,
"This shall never happen to you!"
and "I will stand by and guard You with my sword!"

She listened to Jesus' swan song-
the words one says before He dies.
I wonder what all He told her.

I love how He defended her behavior
to Martha and then later, to Judas
and some others.

Mary didn't much care what people thought of her.
She had One on her mind.
She was a liberated woman.

I pray that Jesus will help me be more like Mary.
I want to ask Him what is on His heart and mind.

His heart must get heavy at times.

Surely, He longs to tell someone
what is about to take place to His Spirit
and to His Body.

Perhaps, we too, can anoint His Body, the church,
with oil.
Perhaps, we can bring healing to its soul.

Perhaps, the fragrance from the oil of kindness and gladness
will remain with our brother and sister
as they wrestle in their own Garden of Gethsemane
and carry their cross to the Hill.

Simplify

2011-12-17T14:56:00.000-08:00

I put a verse on face book the other day. Words that Jesus said. "Martha, Martha, you are worried about many things. But Mary has chosen the best part and it will not be taken from her." The story is written in Luke 10:38-42.

Basically what happened was this. Martha was making a nice supper for Jesus and Mary wasn't helping her. She was sitting at Jesus feet, listening to what He had to say. Martha says to Jesus, "Tell Mary to help me. I'm doing all this work for you all by myself." And that's when Jesus told Martha about the differences between her and Mary.

I had several joking responses which got me to thinking. Basically, people were wondering who was going to do all their work if they just sat at Jesus' feet. Who is going to do the washing, cleaning, and cooking?

So, I looked at the story again and I noticed that the key words Jesus used in His rebuke to Martha were these. "You are distracted, troubled, and worried about many things."

What does this say to me?

It says, "Simplify my work for Jesus."
He does not want me 'slaving in the kitchen'
getting hot and bothered as I 'cook a three-course-meal'
when He would be deeply satisfied with 'almonds and raisins'
and a listening quiet loving friend to enjoy it with Him.

We do big things for God and want to influence people to love Him
and we wear ourselves out and offend others in the process
and we wouldn't want anyone to see how we act when we leave
the limelight of duty and collapse at home
where those who love us most pay dearly for our work for God.
(I speak as an 'expert' on my own humanity.)

Think of the simplicity of God.

Clay became man.
A stick parted waters.
A cloud led by day and
a pillar of fire by night.
A whale swallowed a prophet.
And a manger held God.

Natural things becoming spiritual.

We want to add unnatural things
to spiritual things.
Blinking lights and man's applause
to everything we do for Him.

And He just wants simple.
He just wants you.
He just wants me.

So turn off the music.
Turn off the drama.
Turn off the worries, the troubles, the distractions.

And take a little piece of bread
and a little cup of juice
and sit with Him.

For after all things are said
and after all things are done
it is you that He wants,
not what You do for Him.

Two Voices

2011-12-14T18:21:00.000-08:00

I found a paper folded in a old Christmas book my mother had given me from her library. It gave me a thrill to read the words written on the paper and it was nice to see a handwritten note at the top that said, "Beulah-part A is yours. Thanks for helping. Lorrie" Beulah is my mother. The scripture reading is entitled, "King of the Jews" and was arranged by Dale E. Jones.
It was written for two voices. 'VOICE A should be read by a soft voice-this is the traditional Christmas story. VOICE B should be in contrast, a more strident tone-the story of Christ's rejection, crucifixion-with a jubilant tone as the resurrection is told.'

A: And it came to pass in those days, that there went up a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed...and all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

B: He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

A: And Joseph also went up from Galilee.

B: When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man was a Galilean, and as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod.

A: Out of the city of Nazareth

B: Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?

A: Into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem. Behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he that is born king of the Jews?"

B: "If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself."

A: "For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him."

B: And all his acquaintances stood afar off, beholding these things.

A: And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them and the glory of the Lord shone round about them.

B: From the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.

A: And they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, "Fear not; for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people."

B: For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles.

A: "For unto you is born this day..."

B: And shall be mocked.

A: "In the city of David..."

B: And spitefully entreated.

A: "A Saviour..."

B: And spit on

A: "Which is Christ the Lord."

B: "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit."

A: And so it was, that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

B: And having said this, he gave up the ghost.

A: And she brought forth her firstborn son,

B: And when Joseph had taken the body

A: And wrapped him in swaddling clothes

B: And wrapped it in a clean linen cloth

A: And laid him in a manger

B: And laid it in his own new tomb

A: Because there was no room for them in the inn

B: Wherein never man before was laid.

A: And when they were come into the house,

B: Upon the first day of the week,

A: They saw the young child with Mary his mother

B: They came unto the sepulchre,

A: and...they presented unto him gifts

B: Bringing the spices which they had prepared.

A: Gold and frankincense, and myrrh.

B: They found the stone rolled away. Behold, two men stood by them in shining garments;

A: And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host

B: They said; "Why seek ye the living among the dead?"

A: "Glory to God in the highest,"

B: "He is not here."

A: "And on earth, peace, good will toward men."

B: "He is risen!"

A: But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I just got Phil to read it with me. It's like seeing the Alpha and the Omega all at the same time; Christ's beginnings on earth and His ending. And Mary was there at His birth and at His death. And she was there at Pentecost, too, when He sent His Spirit to take the place of His flesh here on earth. And someday soon, I will get to meet this Blessed of All Women, who was the first to feel God stirring in her womb; who was first to hold God in her arms and on her lap.

O God, I want to know what that was like!
I want to hold You as a baby in my arms.

And I hear You say, "Whatever you do to the least of these,
that you do to me."
And I am comforted.
For when I hold the little ones,
I am holding You.

FIRST

2011-12-14T04:18:00.000-08:00

WELL, I CAN'T TURN OFF THE CAPS BUT MAYBE THAT'S OK WITH THIS SUBJECT. I'VE BEEN OUT OF SORTS FOR A FEW WEEKS AND JUST HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FOCUS AND BE STILL WHAT WITH LIFE GOING ON AND CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY BUSYNESS COMPETING WITH THE MARYNESS WITHIN.

THIS MORNING I STARTED THINKING ABOUT PRIORITIES AND THESE VERSES CAME TO MIND AND WITH THEM CAME THE PEACE I'VE BEEN SEEKING.

THESE WORDS ANSWER THE QUESTION,"WHAT REALLY MATTERS AND WHAT SHOULD MY FOCUS BE?" I WRITE THEM HERE AS A REMINDER TO MYSELF. PERHAPS YOU'LL ENJOY THEM AS WELL.

MATT. 22:38~"YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, WITH ALL YOUR MIND." 'THIS IS THE FIRST AND GREATEST COMMANDMENT.'-JESUS

MATT. 6:33~"SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED UNTO YOU."-JESUS

PS.37:4~"DELIGHT YOURSELF ALSO IN THE LORD AND HE SHALL GIVE YOU THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART."-DAVID

REV. 2:4~"NEVERTHELESS, I HAVE THIS AGAINST YOU, THAT YOU HAVE LEFT YOUR FIRST LOVE."~JESUS

PHIL. 3:8~"YET INDEED I ALSO COUNT ALL THINGS LOSS FOR THE EXCELLENCE OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST JESUS MY LORD, FOR WHOM I HAVE SUFFERED THE LOSS OF ALL THINGS, AND COUNT THEM AS RUBBISH, THAT I MAY GAIN CHRIST AND BE FOUND IN HIM,..."-PAUL

LUKE 10:42~"MARTHA, MARTHA, YOU ARE TROUBLED ABOUT MANY THINGS. BUT ONE THING IS NEEDED, AND MARY HAS CHOSEN THAT GOOD PART, WHICH WILL NOT BE TAKEN AWAY FROM HER." -JESUS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SO TODAY, AS I HEAD OUT FOR A DAY OF SHOPPING,
I HOPE TO REMEMBER TO LOVE HIM WITH ALL MY HEART,
TO SEEK FIRST HIS KINGDOM AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS,
TO DELIGHT MYSELF IN HIM,
TO RETURN MINUTE BY MINUTE TO MY FIRST LOVE,
TO COUNT ALL ELSE AS NOTHING COMPARED TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIM,
AND TO SIT AT HIS FEET IN THE MIDST OF THE BUSYNESS AND PRESSURE TO JOIN IN WITH THE WAY THE WORLD 'CELEBRATES' HIS COMING.

"PEACE ON EARTH.
GOODWILL TOWARDS MEN"
ARE WORDS THE ANGELS PROCLAIMED
TO THE SHEPHERDS IN THE FIELDS
THE NIGHT CHRIST WAS BORN.

AND THEY ARE WORDS THAT ECHO
THROUGH THE AGES-ETERNAL WORDS,
GIVEN TO YOU.
GIVEN TO ME.

PEACE TO ME!
GOODWILL TO ME!

I OPEN MY HEART TO RECEIVE WHAT HE WENT
TO SUCH DRASTIC MEASURES TO GIVE.
HOLY, HOLY GOD.

A Parable of Sorts

2011-12-09T04:58:00.000-08:00

There was a farmer who had a little plot of soil.
He dug it up and stirred it around and prepared the soil to receive the seed.

He reverently placed the seed two inches deep into the soil.

Every day he came out and stirred up the soil,
hoping to inspire the seed to grow.

And every day, the seed lost its place in the soil
and had to start over again.

Day after day, the farmer stirred the soil,
frantically trying to grow the seed.

Finally, the seed had enough.
He spoke up, much to the farmer's surprise.

"It was good of you, dear farmer,
to stir up the sod and prepare for my planting,
but now you must allow the sun and the rain
to do its work. I cannot grow without their consistent
presence in my life. I cannot grow if you continue
to stir up the soil. I will develop no roots.
If I grow, I will be spindly at best, and I will not bear fruit."

The farmer heeded the seed's gentle chiding
and stopped stirring up the soil.
He worked on other plots of land on his property
and prepared other soil to receive the seed.

And the stillness, the sun, and the rain,
did it's work,
and the seed grew and developed good deep roots,
and produced fruit of the sweetest kind.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Eph. 4:11-16~"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head-Christ-from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth to the body for the edifying of itself in love."

Col. 2:6,7~"As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving."

Double Talk

2011-12-09T04:44:00.000-08:00

Usually, when someone says your name twice in a row, you tend to sit up and listen. I've been noticing the times that Jesus said names twice.

"Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:41,42)

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem...how often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing!"(Luke 13:34)

"Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren." (Luke 22:31)

"Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" (Acts 9:4)

I wonder if He says my name twice.

As He says it, does He invite me to sit at His feet and be gathered under His wings?

Does He warn me that Satan has asked to sift me as wheat, but assures me of His very own prayers that my faith will not fail?

Does He chide me for the way I fight against Him rather than surrendering to His goodness?

For truly, truly, it could be my name in those verses and His voice that I hear.

December Thanksgivings

2011-12-05T14:28:00.000-08:00

340. Colonial Williamsburg-where time moved slowly for Susan, Bethany, and I. We enjoyed the deluxe Time Share complete with King size bed, two twins, dining room, kitchen, living room, two bathrooms, and jacuzzi room. We walked and shopped in downtown and old town Willliamsburg and had plenty of time to rest in the jacuzzi. Watched three movies and ate when we felt like it. Relaxing time. So thankful for this gift. Oh, the front desk clerk looked and acted just like Nanette, so we felt at home right away.
341. Nine hours of sleep in a king sized bed.
342. Friends who were so happy for our good fortune
343. Time alone in the morning, drinking tea, and reading my collection of scriptures from the past three months, while sitting at a colonial style desk
344. Pictures of unhappy looking Bethany and Susan doing time in the stocks
345. Drinking sparkling grape cider in the jacuzzi and Susan getting silly
346. Talking to Phil from a King sized bed and finding he was nearly at his parent's home
347. Phil's opportunity to run up to Pa. to hunt and visit family and friends
348. Susan's plaque she bought Phil at the first store we came to. It says, "The Greatest Gift I Ever Had Came From God...I Call Him Dad!"
349. Michael's excitement about flying two days in a row
350. Michael brought three friends home from Liberty for the weekend. They went over to Happy Valley and built a fire and went cat fishing. One of them wanted to quit school, get a part-time job, and camp out here the rest of the time.
351. I became a great-aunt twice in one day! Two little boys born on Dec. 3.
352. God's protection over Freeman and Philip. Both fell through the roof of the house they were working on within half an hour of each other. Scraped up and sore but nothing permanent.
353. First two eggs from chickens. Small but miraculous!
354. People asking Jesus into their hearts and accepting Him as Savior. I'm happy for them and I'm happy for Him.
355. I showed Susan piano chords in the key of G-G, D, Em, and C. I played them and she said, "That sounds like a song!" I said that it was the chord progression of 'Blessed Be Your Name.' Not long afterwards, she was playing it and singing along. It's amazing to teach someone what little I know and have them run with it and go much further.
356. John 14:23,21-Visitation, Habitation and Manifestation!-"If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him."
~~~~~~
357. The Christmas musical highlights-Freeman and Alli playing Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head-their funny accents, cute ways and dancing, and Freeman playing Tobias the shepherd and his human humorous song. I loved Kara's sweet voice, singing as Mary, lullabying over a peaceful, baby girl Jesus. Got a kick out of Missi playing Pastor Alvin's mother in the play.
358. For Shepherds who watch over their flocks by 'night', making sure that though we are scattered, we are all present.
359. My first practice with the community choir. Wow! Sounds like a professional choir. Everyone so friendly, too.
360. That He shall pu-ri-fy-y-y-y-y the sons of Le-vi so they may offer to the LORD and offering in righteousness.
361. The weather outside is as warm as the house temperature!
362. The singing guitarist standing beside the Salvation Army bucket spreading goodwill to Walmart shoppers.
363. Going over to Betty and Kelly's. Perching at the stool, watching Betty make chicken potpie. Susan talking to Betty and while I rested beside Kelly in bed chatting away. Giggling girls making music videos. Betty's chocolate covered Ritz cracker chocolate mouse Cool Whip dessert. Catching up with a dear friend.
364. Lunch with Michelle. Thankful for her gift of time and depth of conversation.
365. Susan and Micah's baking project resulted in two Christmas scenes-sleigh, 4 reindeer, snowman, and a tree. My brother, Abe, had given Susan this cookie cutter kit a few years ago.
366. Micah and Phil's delight in seeing each other.
367. Gil and Lindsay's new house and pictures to prove it!
368. Time to write and how happy it makes me.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
369. The goodness ahead in the land of the living for our friend's whose house was pretty much totalled by a fire this weekend.
370. A day at home to rest and make cookies before life gets overly busy in the next two weeks.
371. Susan's extra credit project for Biology-a nucleus cake
372. Michael's 96% on an aviation final
373. The Guild/Jones traditional Christmas party
374. The feel of snow in the air
375. Open doors, open windows, Christmas lights, Handel's Messiah, cookies baking, Michael home...
376. Michael's outstretched arms and reassuring words, "You're a good mommy."
377. God's sense of humor and the music and words that overwhelm all sense of conflict
378. Shielding Shepherds
379. That God is in control of whatever is about to happen
380. It is with a cup of sorrow in one hand and a cup of joy in that other, that we go through life, one day at a time
381. One piece sock monkey hat, scarf, and gloves, that Susan knows she is getting for Christmas and she gets so happy every time she thinks about it
382. The gray, pink, turquoise, and orange of morning emerging and eyes with which to see its beauty
383. The freedom to let go, because underneath it all, are the everlasting arms
384. That the Bible is so smart.
385. Michael, taking acoustic guitar lessons next semester and the promise to teach Susan all that he is learning
386. Spending half a day with Susan and Alli decorating sugar cookies
387. Annual Grunert party
388. Baked Ham and homemade rolls all ready for Sunday lunch tomorrow
389. For the beautiful tenor voice singing 'Comfort ye...'
390. Man cave is as clean as it gets and 'beds' are made and ready for the Bantons and a fire is going in the wood stove.
391. For six little piggies who think the world is their home. I should not be this attached to them. They are so cute but they scream bloody murder when you try to hold them.
~~~~~~~~
392. The opportunity to sing with the Appomattox Community Chorale. Handel's Messiah. Full House. Front row-Michael, Susan with Adi on her lap, Philip with Emma on her lap, Lindsay, Erin. Seeing Tom's come in. Jeff and Chris in audience. Absolutely thrilling experience.
393. The Potter's House and people who are happy to see you come and sorry to see you go
394. Erin eating her birthday cake. She used to have a wheat allergy but God healed her and she can eat what she wants. It's a miracle. Last time she ingested some wheat at our place, she had to spent the night, curled up on the sofa, and I wasn't sure if I should take her to the hospital or not. Someone prayed for her a few weeks ago. God had healed him of a dairy allergy and he wanted to pray for her. It is a great freedom for her and she doesn't have to lug her own food around wherever she goes or be fearful of accidentally ingesting wheat.
395. Several days with Gil, Lindsay, Emma, and Adi
396. Emma, Adi, in the big bathtub. Lindsay back with them. All singing, "Away in a Manger."
397. Hearing "Auntie Annette!" over and over again
398. Rock-a-bying the little girls
399. Susan, resting on the sofa, with her head on Lindsay's shoulder
400. Lindsay, braiding Susan's hair into a waterfall french braid
401. A humongous flashlight crashed onto my bare foot when I climbed into bed after getting home late from Mom's and More party. Excruciating pain for about 5 min. and Phil's kind words, and then sleep, and no more pain from it at all.
402. Idea about writing Bible stories for new adult believers who have literacy challenges.
403. Dr. Stanley's idea, recorded in my mother's diary-'spend time in prayer. Take a notebook and on one side, write down your request-with the date, and on the other side, write down the answer and date it. Your faith will be built as you see the answers.'
404. Comforting words for the Marthas-'Whatever you do, do it with all your might, for it is the Lord you are serving.'
405. Michael making breakfast for Susan and I and the Banton's on their last morning here.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
406. Philip and Michael pretending to have their own cooking show while making Christmas breakfast-hash browns, eggs, scrapple, sausage. Freeman brought biscuits. I think their show would be a hit, what with their mix of jokes, insults, unusual music, pretending to run overtime, etc. All this while I was attempting to have a Christmas morning Quiet Time, but I think that these moments are God's gifts to me and I gladly give up the quiet this time.
407. Best Christmas ever in Pa. with Christmas eve. caroling and Christmas Day with the Hertzler's and my side of the family.
408. Mom's tears while we sang "The Hallelujah Chorus".
409. Freeman's Christmas sermon. My first time of hearing any of his sermons. Short. Sweet. Profound.
410. Protection on Christmas eve.-drunk driver careening within inches of Michael's car. Bradley shut his door quickly. Cars and people unharmed. The driver ended up in the ditch.
411. Mother's look of delight when Abby brought out her guinea pigs. She reached up her hands to hold one right away.
412. Mother's pretty alto voice singing, "Silent Night."
413. Abby's request to sing 'Silent Night' again.
414. The diplomacy, objectivity, compassion, and wisdom of my siblings.
415. Susan's and Anne's mutual joy in being told that they act, look, and sing like one another.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
416. Philip's note on kitchen counter-"I love you, Mom. You are the best." In spite of the fact that last night, my dog, killed his littlest pig.
417. The movie, "The King's Speech" and the inspiration it gave me that I, too, have a voice. Found out why it was rated 'R'. Phil covered his ears and asked me to tell him when it was over. Said he heard enough of those words at work.
418. Andy Andrew's wise, captivating, and potentially life-changing books-'The Traveler's Gift' and 'The Final Summit.' Michael heard him speak and got him to sign some books.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
419. After finding out my mother and sister needed me in Pa., my schedule and my family set me free to 'go' and 'stay as long as you need to' because 'we'll take care of things here.'
420. For the gaunt, majestic, white sycamore tree silhouetted against billowing clouds of winter grays and dark distant mountains en route to Pa.
421. Safe trip to Pa.
422. Time
423. Susan's opportunity to go with Betty and Kelly to Winterfest
424. Philip's desire to get bees and fruit trees for our farm

At the root of Gratitude

2011-11-26T13:10:00.000-08:00

On Wed. eve. my husband and I went to the neighborhood church for a quiet Thanksgiving service. When the pastor asked for the sharing of thanks, Mitch, our neighbor, who has special challenges of his own, spoke up and said he was thankful that we came. Everyone looked at us and the pastor acknowledged his words.
During the evening, the pastor shared the story about the 10 lepers. (Luke 17)
Brief synopsis:
There were 10 lepers who cried out to Jesus to be healed and He sent them on their way to show the Priests in order to be pronounced 'clean' and as they went, they were all healed, but only one, a Samaritan, returned to give thanks.

The pastor shared that leprosy was the common thread that united these ten men of different ethnic backgrounds. When our own pastor recently spoke about this story, He emphasized the cries of the ten lepers. "Unclean! Unclean!" and "Have mercy!"
But only the tenth leper, a Samaritan, came back to cry out with the same intensity of his first two cries, "Thank you!"

I've been thinking about why the Samaritan came back.

I'm not sure that the others were ungrateful.
I think that after the Priest's pronounced them 'clean',
they were so happy and excited they went home to their
families and were accepted right back into society's graces.

But the Samaritan did not so quickly forget
how it felt to be an outcast.
He had been an outcast since birth
because of his race and the Jews had no dealings with the Samaritans.

Perhaps, even as the ten were traveling toward the Priests,
and discovered their healing,
they began to divide back into their ethnic groups.
Jews with Jews.
The Samaritan with himself.
Perhaps they had all been united in their sickness,
but when healed, they could not remain united in their joy.

I don't know. We can only guess about the nine.

But we do know that the Samaritan returned to give thanks.
The nine received and kept their healing.
But the healed Samaritan received fellowship with Jesus and wholeness.
"Your faith has made you whole," Jesus said.

I think that humility is at the root of gratitude.
And I think that gratitude is at the root of wholeness.

I think there is a remembering of who and what we were before
Jesus came on the scene.
Before He heard our cries "Unclean!"
and "Have Mercy!"

Gratitude says,
"Without You, I would still be a leper."
"Without You, I would still be on the wrong side of the tracks."
"Without You, I would still be without a song."

Surely, He has called us out of darkness
into His marvelous light.
Surely, we love Him so very much
because we have been forgiven so very much.

We must not dwell on from where He's brought us
nor from what we've been cleansed
but we must not forget it either.

I want to be one who returns to thank Him
after He's healed me.
I don't want to forget to thank Him just because
I am accepted by others and no longer feel the pain
of rejection.
I don't want to forget Him after He's made me look good.

Thank You for cleansing me.
Thank You for accepting me.
Thank You for knowing me.
Thank You for calling me 'friend.'
Thank You, Dear and Holy God.

WHO I AM IN CHRIST-Part 3 of 3

2011-11-21T14:12:00.000-08:00

I AM SIGNIFICANT~

I AM A BRANCH OF HIS VINE,
A CHANNEL OF HIS LIFE.
John 15:5~I am the vine,
you are the branches.
He who abides in Me,
and I in him,
bears much fruit;
For without Me, you can do nothing.

I AM A PERSONAL WITNESS
OF CHRIST.
Acts 1:8~But you shall receive
power when the Holy Spirit
has come upon you;
and you shall be witnesses
to Me in Jerusalem,
and in all Judea and Samaria,
and to the end of the earth.

I AM GOD'S CO-WORKER.
1 Cor. 3:9~For we are God's
fellow workers;
you are God's field,
you are God's building.

I AM SEATED WITH CHRIST
IN THE HEAVENLY REALMS.
Eph. 2:6,7~...and raised us up
together in the heavenly places
in Christ Jesus,
that in the ages to come
He might show the exceeding
riches of His grace
in His kindness toward us
in Christ Jesus.

I AM GOD'S WORKMANSHIP.
Eph. 2:10~For we are His
workmanship, created in Christ
Jesus for good works,
which God prepared beforehand
that we should walk in them.

I MAY APPROACH GOD WITH
FREEDOM AND CONFIDENCE.
Eph. 3:12~...in whom we have
boldness and access
with confidence
through faith in Him.

I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH
CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME.
Phil. 4:13~I can do all things
through Christ
who strengthens me.

WHO I AM IN CHRIST-Part 2 of 3

2011-11-21T13:29:00.000-08:00

I AM SECURE

I AM FREE FROM CONDEMNATION.
Romans 8:1~There is therefore now no
condemnation to those who are in
Christ Jesus,
who do not walk according to the flesh,
but according to the Spirit.

I AM ASSURED THAT ALL THINGS
WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD.
Romans 8:28~And we know that all
things work together for good
to those who love God,
to those who are the called
according to His purpose.

I CANNOT BE SEPARATED FROM
GOD'S LOVE.
Romans 8:38,39~For I am persuaded
that neither death nor life,
nor angels nor principalities
nor powers, nor things present
nor things to come,
nor height nor depth nor any created thing,
shall be able to separate us
from the love of God
which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I AM CONFIDENT THAT THE GOOD
WORK GOD HAS BEGUN IN ME
WILL BE PERFECTED.
Phil. 1:6~Being confident of this very thing,
that He who has begun a good work in you
will complete it until the day
of Jesus Christ.

I AM HIDDEN WITH CHRIST IN GOD.
Col. 3:3~For you died
and your life is hidden
with Christ in God.

I HAVE NOT BEEN GIVEN A SPIRIT
OF FEAR, BUT OF POWER,
LOVE, AND A SOUND MIND.
11 Tim. 1:7~(Amplified version)
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity-
of cowardice, of craven and cringing and
fawning fear, but He has given us
a spirit of power and of love
and of calm and well-balanced mind,
and discipline and self-control.

I AM BORN OF GOD AND THE
EVIL ONE CANNOT TOUCH ME.
1 Jn. 5:18,20~We know that whoever
is born of God does not sin;
but he who has been born of God
keeps himself,
and the wicked one does not touch him.
We know Him who is true;
and we are in Him who is true.

WHO I AM IN CHRIST-Part 1 of 3

2011-11-21T13:06:00.000-08:00

I AM ACCEPTED~

I AM GOD'S CHILD.
John 1:12~But as many received Him,
to them He gave the right
to become children of God,
to those who believe in His name.

I AM JESUS' FRIEND.
John 15:15~No longer do I call you servants,
for a servant does not know what His master
is doing; but I have called you friends,
for all things that I heard from My Father
I have made known to you.

I HAVE BEEN JUSTIFIED.
I AM FREE FROM BLAME AND GUILT.
Romans 5:1~Therefore, having been
justified by faith,
we have peace with God
through our LORD Jesus Christ.

I HAVE BEEN BOUGHT WITH A PRICE.
I BELONG TO GOD.
1 Cor. 6:20~For you were bought at a price;
therefore glorify God in your body
and in your spirit,
which are God's.

I HAVE BEEN ADOPTED AS GOD'S CHILD.
Eph. 1:4-6~...He chose us in Him
before the foundation of the world,
that we should be holy and without blame
before Him in love,
having predestined us to adoption as sons
by Jesus Christ to Himself,
according to the good pleasure of His will,
to the praise of His glorious grace,
by which He made us
accepted in the Beloved.

I HAVE BEEN REDEEMED AND
FORGIVEN OF ALL MY SIN.
Col. 1:13,14~He has delivered us from
the power of darkness and conveyed
us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,
in whom we have redemption
through His blood,
the forgiveness of sins.

I AM COMPLETE IN CHRIST.
Col. 2:9,10~For in Him dwells all the
fullness of the Godhead bodily;
and you are complete in Him,
who is the head of all
principality and power.

Who am I?

2011-11-21T12:04:00.000-08:00

I've been spending some extra time in the book of Ephesians. The first three chapters are all about who we are in Christ and what God has given to us. The last three chapters are all about our behavior in light of who we are and what we have. Too often, we put the cart before the horse. We come up with a list of Christian behaviors and highlight the law rather than focusing on who we are under the grace of God.

I think if we really knew who we were in Christ and understood that Christ's own righteous life has actually been imputed onto us-given as a gift to have in and on us, we would not strive to attain a righteousness of our own by doing everything right according to the law. We won't ever do everything right on our own strength. But thanks be to God, we are under grace, and He has given us everything we need for life and godliness.

We have right standing with God because Jesus has given us His righteousness and paid for our sin by giving His life in exchange for ours. We are bought with a price; the precious blood of Christ, and the life we now live, we live by His faith. We face temptations with His life within us facing them. We forgive our enemies the same way He forgave His enemies-by praying, "Father, forgive them. They have no idea what they have done." We are yoked with Him. He is the vine, we are the branches. He is in us and we are in Him. We are never alone. The life of God is within us through the Holy Spirit because of the gift of Jesus Christ.

Too often, we think that temptation is sin. But Jesus was tempted and He was without sin. He knew He who was and His purpose in life. If we know who we are and our purpose in life, we can say to temptation when it knocks at our door, "Go away. I am the righteouness of God in Christ Jesus. I don't do those things. I don't think those thoughts. Because Christ is in me and He's not like that. I know who I am and this sin doesn't fit with who I am." We can be so horrified that we had a tempting thought and can get discouraged and fight it with our own strength instead of exposing it to the light of God and turning to the life of Jesus within us. We get to feeling condemned and sometimes finally give up and yield to the temptation because we thought we were sinning to have the temptation in the first place. But thoughts will come to our door and knock. We sometimes open the door to see who is there, but we must not invite them in for a cup of tea. Close the door and go on and do something in keeping with who you truly are. Turning on the light is the best way to deal with darkness.

I went online and printed out some verses about who we are in Christ. The list is taken from Dr. Neil Anderson's book 'Victory over the Darkness.' I wrote out the truth and the verses on little index cards and I want to make them available to you. Print them out and think about them. Meditate, digest, and commit them to memory. And then live a life full of grace and freedom, being who you are in Him, rather than focusing on what you should or should not do or on what you should or should not have done.

Continued on next blog...(All verses are quoted in the NKJV with the exception of one.)

Michael's notes on Success

2011-11-21T11:36:00.000-08:00

Michael was sharing with me some notes he took in his aviation class and I asked him if I could blog them so I could re-read them. He was sure that his instructor, Ernie Rodgers, would not mind if I shared the following with you. These are keys to being successful in aviation but they can be applied across the board.

1. Education opens doors

2. Respect Everyone

3. Be dependable-do what you say

4. Be quick to listen, slow to speak

5. Don't make big things out of little things. As a pilot, this is really important.

6. Be real in life

7. Life is a marathon; not a sprint. In aviation, you will want to work your way up.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hmm...that's good.

Hearing

2011-11-15T05:43:00.000-08:00

We have choices in what we hear. We can hear the words of fear and doubt or we can hear God's words saying, "Take the land." This morning, I was reading the story in Numbers 13 and 14 about the twelve spies who went in to check out the land of Canaan.

I will try to tell it to you in my own words, but I am sure the New King James Version will slip in there once in awhile.

The children of Israel had been delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians and were led by God through the wilderness by following His cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night and He was teaching them His ways and showing them His miraculous provision and He brought them closer to the Land He had promised to give to them.

The LORD told Moses that it was time to send a man from each tribe to go into spy out the land of Canaan which He was giving to the children of Israel. He, Himself, said that He was GIVING it to them. So Moses gave them directions on how to get there and everyone wished them the best. Moses gave them instructions and told them to check out the richness of the land, the quality of people, the strength of their cities, and the amount of trees. He also said, "Bring back some fruit for us to sample."

Off they went complete with bravery and butterflies in their stomachs, thrilled at being chosen, anxious to go and anxious to come back and get this show on the road.

First off, they found some grapes that were so large that one cluster had to be carried between two of them on a pole. They also found some pomegranates and figs.

After forty days they came back and showed everyone their gigantic fruit.
Everyone was excited.
Some of the spies began to talk.

"It's true that the land you send us to is a land flowing with milk and honey. There are cows and bees all over the place and just look at this fruit."

The people looked at each other excitedly and clapped for joy.

"But," they continued, "The people who live in this beautiful land are really strong and some are actually gigantic. The cities are well-protected and are of tremendous size." And their faces showed grave concern and fear.

The people looked at each other and noisily reacted to this bad news.

Caleb got up and said, "Quiet down, everybody."And they quieted down.
"We can do this,"he said. "Let's do it right away. Let's go take possession of the land that God has already promised to give us."
And his face showed bravery and hope.

But his voice was outnumbered by the naysayers.
"There is no possible way that we can go against these people. They are much stronger than we are." Blah, blah, blah. They went on. "The very land devours those who live in it and there are huge people living there. We looked like grasshoppers next to them. We thought so and they thought so too."

So everyone freaked out.
They freaked out all night long, wailing and working themselves into a general frenzy.
They started verbally attacking Moses and Aaron and said things like,
"If only we had died in Egypt! If only we had died in the wilderness! Why did the LORD bring us this far only to have us killed by the people in this land? Shouldn't we go back into Egypt so we can at least die in slavery?" And so on.

They convinced themselves with their own words that they should select a leader and head back to Egypt. That's just horrible, I know, but I wonder how many times we do something just as stupid.

Moses and Aaron fell down on their faces before the people perhaps in despair and/or intercession and Joshua and Caleb, the good spies, tore their clothes and tried to reason with the hysterical people, saying, "This land is really a good land. We've never seen anything like it. Don't give it up so easily! If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us. It's a beautiful land, flowing with milk and honey! Only don't rebel like this against the LORD, and don't fear the people of the land, because they are our bread-we will consume them- because their protection has gone from them and the LORD is with us. Don't be afraid of them!"

My heart is racing with the intensity of their entreaty and the anguish they must have been experiencing.

The people hated these words of encouragement so much that they wanted to stone the four of them and then the glory of the LORD appeared in the tabernacle before all the people.
The LORD had had it.
The people were screaming at Moses and then the LORD vented on him as well.

"How long will these people reject Me and not believe Me in spite of all the signs I've given them? I'm going to strike them with a pestilence and disinherit them as my people and I will make of you a nation greater and mightier than they."

And Moses said, "Have at it."
No, not really.
If my name was Moses, that's what I would have said.

Actually, Moses said to the LORD, "What will people think of You if you did such a thing? The Egyptians will hear about it and tell it to everyone and say that You weren't able to deliver Your people like You promised. They'll say that you weren't able to bring them to the land so You killed them off in the wilderness. So show Your great power and may I remind You, that You, the LORD, are longsuffering and full of mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, etc. so please pardon the iniquity of these people according to the greatness of Your mercy, just as You have been forgiving them all along."

And the LORD listened to Moses and said, " Okay, I have pardoned them, according to Your word, but because these people, who have seen My glory, have tested Me and not heeded My voice, there will be a time that the earth shall be filled with My glory. As for these people, they will not ever see the land that I swore to give to their fathers, nor shall any of those who rejected Me see it."
And He said to the people,
"You will all die in the wilderness, but your little ones, 19 years old and under, whom you said would be victims, I will bring in and they shall know the land which you have despised. But they will have to be shepherds and bear the brunt of your infidelity until your carcasses fall in this wilderness. They'll have to wait forty years-one year for each day that you spied out the land-, and you will bear your guilt for forty years, and you will know My rejection."

"But Caleb has a different spirit than the others, and He follows me fully. Therefore, I will bring him into the land where he went and his descendants will inherit it."

And then, the spies who had given the bad report, and so changed the shape of the intended history of Israel, died by the plague before the LORD.
But Joshua and Caleb remained very much alive.

And believe it or not, the people realized that they had sinned and decided to try to obey the LORD too late. They presumptuously headed up to the mountains to fight the Amelekites and the Canaanites. But Moses and the ark of the covenant (the presence of the LORD) stayed at the camp. Moses tried to warn them, saying, "Don't do that! It won't work!" And he was right. It caused nothing but trouble.
Their enemies swarmed them and attacked them, and drove them back farther into the wilderness.
And they lived a nomadic life for forty more years in the wilderness, instead of being established in the Promised Land.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There are many lessons to be learned here.

I am going to focus on the lesson of hearing.

The Scriptures say that we should be careful to hear what
the Spirit is saying to the churches and that he that has
an ear, let him hear. It also says that the person who hears
will be given more to hear.

The Spirit speaks to us and we want to hear what He has to say.
But there are other voices speaking to us as well,
and we should be discerning in regards to whose voice
is speaking and what we allow ourselves to hear.

God had already spoken and told the people that He was giving
them this land.
Caleb and Joshua gave a wonderful report that matched
up with God's promise.
But the majority of voices were full of fear
and those were the voices the people of God
listened to.

Who are we going to listen to?
We are all listening.
Who are we going to listen to?
It is time to listen to The Promiser
and to those who speak His Words.
It is time to walk into our Promised Land
and receive our inheritance.
So be careful little ears what you hear.

Tables

2011-11-14T11:37:00.000-08:00

Psalm 23:5~Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies...

Psalm 78:19, 20~Yes, they spoke against God: They said, "Can God prepare a table in the wilderness? Behold, He struck the rock, so that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed, Can He give bread also? Can He provide meat for His people?"

Matthew 15:27~"But even the little dogs eat of the crumbs that fall from their master's table..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
God prepares a table for us in the very presence of our enemies. We don't wait until they are gone before we start eating or we'd never eat.

Sometimes, we focus on the face and the intimidation of our enemy instead of focusing on the abundance of His table.

We need to focus on His table.
Why?
Because, there will always be enemies.
Because, there will always be a wilderness.
Because, there will always be others who are more worthy
to eat at the table.

I can be so distracted by the enemies of self-pity, self-doubt, self-depreciation
that I miss the platters of thanksgiving, freedom from fear, and acceptance in the Beloved.

I can be so distracted by a person's posture, or facial expression, or nasty words
that I miss the dishes brim full of approval from God. I miss Him smiling at me at the head of the table. I miss His words of grace and blessing.

I don't know if I'm expressing myself well.
I am just thinking this through.

Every day we have a choice.

We can focus on the presence of our enemies in the wilderness of our lives,
or we can focus on His table laden with the Bread of Life
and the Wine of fellowship and cheer.

In this world we will have tribulation
and we can focus on that tribulation
or we can focus on the One who says,
"But be of good cheer.
I have overcome the world."

I am working on ignoring my enemies of remorse and regret.
I am gazing at the table spread for me.
Please pass the dish full of grace and mercy this way.
And would you refill my cup with the wine of joy?

I look at Him who serves me.
I see the scars in His hand.
He smiles at me with eternal love
and stands up and fills my plate and my cup.
I catch His hands and cover my face
and weep into His rough gentle flesh.
He wipes my tears and looks at them thoughtfully.
Oh, He's counting them.
He validates their salty worth.

He sits across from me and watches me eat.
And now it's only His face I see.
I love His smile.
I love the crinkles around His lips.
I love His all-knowing eyes full of humor,
sorrow, understanding, wisdom, kindness,
love, joy...

To sit at a table with One such as this-
to gaze at His beauty
and eat His food...

or to try to make out my enemies in the background
ever hovering in the wilderness;
trying to scare me into bolting from the table
into their darkness...

This is my daily choice.
And I choose Him.
I choose His table spread for me.

Spreading

2011-11-02T13:41:00.000-07:00

11 Cor. 4:15~"For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God."

Hebrews 12:14, 15~"Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully, lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The 'all things' Paul was referring to were the difficulties he experienced in life. He was saying, in essence, "I am carrying around in my body, the dying of the Lord Jesus, in order to manifest the life of Jesus in my body. And I am willing to suffer for your sakes, so that grace many spread through all of you, and may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God."

If we fall short of the grace of God, it will be likely that a root of bitterness will spring up to cause and spread trouble and defile many.

The verses are somewhat opposites.

Grace that spreads vs. a shortage of grace

Grace that causes thanksgiving to abound vs.
bitterness that causes trouble and defilement to spread

So, we understand, that we must be willing to suffer for each other,
and go through the difficult times,
(His strength
being made perfect in our weakness),
so that His sufficient
grace will spread
and cause thanksgiving to abound,
and we must pursue peace with all people,
and pursue holiness, so we may see the Lord.

We must keep a careful watch on our church life with each other
and make sure that no one falls short of the grace of God.
For without the grace up God,
we will have bitterness springing up
causing all kinds of spreading trouble.

Grace leads to thanksgiving.
Lack of grace leads to a root of bitterness.

Paul had experienced the grace of Jesus.
No wonder so many of his words captured the grace of Christ.

"Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father,
and the Lord Jesus Christ..." (11 Cor. 1:2)

"The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the communion
of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen." (11 Cor. 13:14)

"But as you abound in everything-in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us-see that you abound in grace also." (11 Cor. 8:7)

November Thanksgivings

2011-11-02T13:29:00.000-07:00

On my way to a thousand thanks...

226. My daughter's beautiful hair and her beautiful straight teeth, "Cause if I didn't have straight teeth, I would cost you a lot of money." (Susan's contribution to Nov.'s thanks)
227. 15 Rhode Island Red Chickens who will begin laying eggs before long
228. The guys working around home
229. Dr. F's comment re: Susan-"This is the healthiest I have seen you!"
230. For the realization that the deeper the pit, the deeper the well.
231. Lindsay's phone call
232. For His yoke
233. That grace can abound or bitterness can spread
234. That "God is bigger than the boogey man."
235. The opportunity to rest when I am not feeling well
236. For trusting and trustworthy friends
237. For Johnny's birthday and sweet reflections on his life
238. That More than Conquerors have more to conquer
239. That God uses the enemies attack against us to make us more
like Himself and so destroys the purpose of the enemy, which is
to make us more like himself.
240. That my calling is to love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength
241. That God's purpose for my life is to transform me into the image of
His Son
241. That my calling and God's purpose does not change even though
life circumstances do.
242. A happy day for Susan with the homeschool co-op;
practicing their play, walking to McD's, watching the Jr. play
in the eve.
242. A happy day for me, visiting with Dianna, Laurel, Isaac,
and Henry, making potato soup, snuggling with little baby boys
243. Phil's safe trip to Pa. and back for Harold K's Memorial service
244. A hunting day for Philip and Freeman
245. Michael cutting firewood
246. That those of us who are in a mess of our own making
are the very people Jesus came to save
247. For leisurely Sunday breakfasts of sausage, potatoes, and eggs
made by the boys
248. Phil helping Susan practice her shooting
249. 'Sound of Music' with Alli, Freeman, Phil, and Susan
250. Travis's birthday and Red Lobster tradition
251. For Philip's assertion that he is cleaning his room
252. Work for Phil
253. Visit from Judy and Sammy Jo
254. Freeman's success with the biggest buck in Hertzler History
255. good days
256. For the lady stocking shelves in Walmart singing a melodic reminder,
"Soon and very soon, we are going to see the King."
257. For Susan's serenade
the whole way home from voting
and for her song, "My chains are gone, I've been set free..."
as we drove down our lane towards home
258. That happiness is more happy than it used to be
259. For baked potatoes hot and ready in the crockpot
after a day of being out in town
260. That our sewer system didn't break down until now even though
it was on its last leg when we bought our farm
261. Two separate conversations with Philip and Michael-
both saying what a lucky guy Susan's husband will be-
Philip, because she knows how to farm and Michael, because
she knows how to cook
262. Everyone working on the farm. Michael-firewood;
Phil and Philip-silage and tractors; Susan-calves and aluminum;
Me-Yard and house clean-up plus chili prep for Chi Alpha party tonight
263. For the frost around the edges of fallen red leaves
264. sunny happy day
265. That there is an obedience to God like the fear and trembling a servant gives his Master, and an obedience to God that comes out of loving Him because you're His friend, and there is an obedience to God that comes out of abiding in Him-living and moving and having our being in Him-so that our nature is overwhelmed by His and out of our innermost being flows rivers of living water, and we don't even think of the word 'obey.'
266. Chi Alpha here for the eve. Some of the students have never been on a farm. They enjoyed the chickens and the calves. Annabelle, or is it Isabelle, was in labor so we let her be. (pig) Cooked chili. hot dogs, and s'mores over the fire. Soap carving contest-theme-'fall'. Will's pumpkin won. Sang worship songs accompanied with guitar. Alli and Freeman came after helping her parents move. She likes her pink Cabela's hoodie.
267. Six baby piglets!!!! Solid muscle. So adorably cute!!!!
268. During worship at church, God talked me into letting go of all my remorses and when I did so, my insecurities went with them. Holy, holy God. Thank you.
269. For the cry of the leper-"Unclean!" "Have Mercy!" and "Thank You!"
270. For the challenging conversation with a sorter-outer that made me realize that too often we present a gospel for the crippled when really we should be presenting a gospel of the truth regarding Jesus Christ.
271. Being able to sing and talk without going into a coughing spasm for the first time in two weeks
272. Phil and Susan, sitting side by side on the sofa, holding hands
273. Michael remembering creative discipline-when he and Philip would fight, sometimes I would get them to discipline each other. Michael would 'discipline' Philip very lightly in hopes of returned mercy. They would get to laughing so hard that they'd forget what they were fighting about. Michael said, "I'm going to get you to raise my children."
~~~~11/15/11~~~~
274. The bank teller, whose name I do not know, called me by my first name when I drove up to her window, and asked me how I was. Next time, I will make sure I know her name.
275. Sweet smiling people everywhere I went today in Farmville-Post Office, Belks, Millers, the bank. I don't know why this always surprises me, but I am always pleasantly surprised by everyone's friendliness. In Appomattox, the shop keeper of B&L gave me a hug and told me how pretty my hair was. It was a mess. I was just about to get my hair cut. The lady who cut my hair put special conditioner on my hair when she realized I was going straight home and wouldn't see anyone. Kindness upon kindness. Balm upon balm.
276. Doreen and Graham pulled in at Liberty Baptist when they saw Susan and I there. We caught up quickly and promised to see each other soon.
277. Nice long chat with Judy in the eve. She wanted to know who took Susan's pictures posted on face book. I said, "Yours truly," and she said, "You missed your calling."
278. Phil and Philip's opportunity to see Susan's drama practice this eve. since they won't be able to attend the performances.
279. Groceries in the fridge and on the counter
280. The meat I pulled out from the freezer is actually labeled-'Bear' along with the date. No mystery meat for supper tomorrow night.
281. That we can judge people by their fruit.
282. That the Promised Land is the 'land' promised us. The Promiser keeps His promises.
283. That no one can judge the heart of a man but God who knows all things.
284. Beautiful spring-like days
285. For my neighbor who I saw at Krogers. She said, "You never gain any weight, do you." I almost kissed her right then and there. It's been a long time since I've almost been called skinny. 65 pounds ago, in fact.
286. For Susan's desire to cook the entire Thanksgiving meal by herself. She's planned a menu, made a shopping list, and is typing out recipes. She has written down what she needs to make on Wed. and times she needs to bake/cook things on Thursday. We have given her our requests and she is making all of them plus more. I will be available for consultation and will set the table and help keep dishes clean. Michael will help chop vegetables with his Cutco knives and will carve the turkey. But Susan will put it all together. "I just want to see if I can do it, " she said.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
287. Michael sold a Cutco homemaker set tonight. I don't know if I'm more excited for him or for my friend, who desperately needed some knives!
288. For lovely homeschooled girls who are so kind to my daughter
289. For the privilege of watching 'Les Miserables' with the CCA middle and high schoolers. It was great to see the kids and observe their social and physical growth.
290. For mothers who deeply love their children
291. For time to shop at the mall alone for some Christmas gifts and shoes
292. Michael's Thanksgiving break!
293. That Susan can dance a waltz in a beautiful pink dress and come home and change into coveralls and a sweat shirt and go feed her 16 calves. She's got skills.
294. For book club at Janelle's today and the way we eat, drink tea, discuss a book, and solve life's problems for each other. The grand finale today was watching some Grey's Anatomy (TV show).
295. That the giving of thanks is an outward expression of inner gratitude
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
296. Susan listed Phil as her hero on facebook
297. As I began to read Romans, I saw this note in my Bible that says, "Expositions on Romans has sparked many revivals as people become aware of the magnificence of God and His grace toward us." I believe that and I know it.
298. One of my past students I transported back to CCA from the play told me that she and her brother accepted Christ last week
299. Because Jesus took our sin on His own body on the cross, He knows what it feels like to be the vilest of sinners. He knows what it means to be separated from God
300. For the Farmville homeschool co-op and the wonderful friends we have made
301. Susan's excellent performance in 'Les Miserables'. Everyone else also performed marvelously.
302. Last week's sermon on the lepers cry-"Unclean!""Have mercy!" and "Thank-you!" that continues to reside in my spirit
303. This week's sermon on the revelation of the Father through the life of Jesus Christ
304. This week's sermon on Hab. 3:16-19-That even though it does not seem that life is going as it should, we have the privilege of joying in the God of our salvation and knowing Him as our strength. We are grateful for who He is and not just for what He does. He will make our feet like Hind's feet. He will enable us to walk on our high hills of challenge, difficulty, and trouble with the sure-footed certainty of one who was created to do just that.
305. For the wonderful worship song, "The Great I Am". It is a song that is all about Him.
306. He is my hiding place. He shall preserve me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Ps. 32:7
307. Praise from the upright is beautiful. Ps. 33:1
308. For the difficult understanding that if my mercy is more merciful than God's, it is no longer mercy; it is unhealthy tolerance.
309. For this beautiful warm short-sleeve-short-pant day and the mood we are in to clean up inside and out
310. Ephesians=Know we are holy by God's grace and His gift of righteousness and do the good things God gives us to do.
311. For two sweet uplifting notes from Betty in one week's time
312. For the safe return of our magnificent men from bear hunting in Pa. They saw no bear but enjoyed a much needed vacation.
313. Michael's roommate, Ben, is spending Liberty's Thanksgiving Break with us.
314. For the already received and the yet to come promised compensation from God-Is.35
~~~~~~~~~
315. Susan's Thanksgiving meal! I kept the dishes cleaned up for two days of cooking and set the table and was available for advice. Michael and Ben cut up vegetables and Michael carved the turkey. The menu? Turkey, mashed potatoes, mac. and cheese (Mike's request), glazed carrots (Freeman's request), homemade rolls (Alli's request), oyster filling (Phil's request), broccoli salad (my request), sausage biscuits (Philip's request), green beans with bacon, corn, 7-layer salad, cranberry from the can, pecan/apple pie, pumpkin pie, Cool Whip, vanilla ice cream, mushroom gravy, giblet gravy, and turkey gravy. I think that's it. It was really good. She was exhausted.
316. Susan's Thanksgiving post on face book. Phil's cousin, Ed, read it to us over the phone.
317. Ben's laughter as he watched 'The Three Stooges' for the first time in his life.
318. Ben thought that everything was beautiful-our home, the property, the river, my chapel.
319. Ivan Henry and his sweet loving ways and his wonderful belly laugh
320. Sat. eve. Hertzler gathering with Janelle's parents and Uncle Ollie and Aunt Barbie and Austin joining us. I had hot dogs and s'more fixin's, Janelle brought a veggie tray and drinks, and then Helen pulled up. She had broccoli soup, filling balls, applesauce, apple crisp, cranberry/pineapple fluff, chocolate chip cookies, and mint tea. The younger children went inside after supper and watched 'The Voyage of the Dawn Treador.' Tom's came in after everyone left and some of us drank tea and we caught up a bit on life. They left some time after 10. Phil had fallen asleep.
321. Christmas decorations are up and they are beautiful!
322. For Phil and the way he is our rock and the way he loves us all.
323. When wisdom takes the place of insecurity, relationships heal and grow.
324. Handel's Messiah in its entirety for 9.99 from CBD!
325. He is our very present help in time of need.
326. His words of hope where there is despair
327. That people are important but their true or false evaluation of my character pales in comparison to the thoughts He thinks of me.
328. My wise and loving husband, Freeman, Alli, Philip, Michael and Susan
329. I graduated from the insurance program today! Now I can eat whatever I want! Just joking!
330. For our chiropractor who made a house call on Sunday and put Phil's shoulder back in place. It had dropped an inch and a half and his collar bone was sticking out.
331. Naomi's phone call.
332. That we chose to homeschool this year
333. Meredith's birthday! 22. Lunch with Tom's on Sunday.
334. Phil's getting me a camera for Christmas! Hot pink one with lime green case! Just like Susan's but not water proof or bang up proof and so much cheaper. Also bought on cyber Monday. Really good deal! So excited!
335. For the opportunity to sing in a community choir-Christmas portion of Handel's Messiah. Phil's been wanting to do it for years.
336. Holding little Hannah in church, second row from the front, and just like our children would do, she jumped on the front row chair in time to the music and raised her little hands and sang with all her might. I could feel her vibrations through her chest.
337. Judy, being a witness while under fire
338. Meeting a friend at the chiro. who offered us a free trip to Williamsburg from Thurs.-Sat. This was Wed. and we took her up on it.
339. For the birth of a grand niece Gracie, born at the beginning of this month. Her brother's name is Noah. 'Noah found Grace in the sight of the Lord.'

To Be Continued...

Yoked

2011-11-02T13:09:00.000-07:00

Matthew 11:28-30-"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and my burden is light."

I was thinking about the whole idea of being yoked to Jesus.
We share emotions, experiences, personalities.

If I am sad, He carries my sorrows and shares His joys.
If life is overwhelming, He carries the weight on His shoulders and does the overcoming.
If who I am is gone, He is the Great I Am.

I've been finding rest for my soul.
For His yoke is easy
and His burden is light.

I am finding it so.
Slowly, but surely.
Finding it so.

October Thanksgivings

2011-10-26T11:34:00.001-07:00

On my way to a thousand thanks...

94. Sunrise view from my desk window
95. Cheese omelets made by Phil
96. My chapel where God dwells and time to be there
97. The Appomattox RailRoad Festival
98. Kelly G. and Susan
99. Meeting the author of the book I had picked up
while waiting for the parade and hearing about his life
first hand
100. That all authority has been given to Jesus on heaven and earth
101. Sunday afternoon naps
102. Hertzler gathering in eve. with Tom's and Mom and Dad
103. Freeman and Alli being Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head in the Christmas Musical
104. 11 Tim. 4:18
105. The sound of coffee making itself
106. Well spoken righteous anger
107. For the awe-full realization that if I don't trust Him
I'll become a control freak
108. The bald eagle at Happy Valley
109. Taking pictures at O'Briens
110. Susan cleaning up Happy Valley rooms
111. Susan's first handmade card-a picture of my mother and her
with a handwritten note sent to her grandmother
112. That someday God will wipe away all tears from our eyes
113. For Shepherds and their prayers
114. That God's grace and mercy are more than enough to cover our
mistakes, sins, and the works of the enemy
115. For the dark sanctuary and that Jesus was there
116. For the many wonderful kind people in Farmville today
117. Rough nights that turn into glorious days
118. The story of grace and redemption in Victor Hugo's Les Miserables
119. Friends who answer when we call
120. Mom and Dad coming and taking a nap first thing
121. Susan learning Spanish and her desire to learn a number of languages
122. That life experiences don't define us to God;
His names for us define who we are.
123. That thanking God for the answers to our prayers
help make us whole
124. Philip calling his grandma, "Doll-Baby"
and her laughter
125. Dad's prayer before they left
126. Crawling into bed at 9 and sleeping well until 5
127. Micah being here with G'ma and G'pa
128. Fitz and horses
129. Susan's posture after riding
130. Micah's monopolization of the Monopoly game
131. Eating supper around the game pieces
132. Truth bringing freedom
133. The clearing of the sky after rain
134. Phil's gift of a manger scene from the Abbey gift shop.
Three big boxes. Wisemen with hinged little boxes containing
real gold, frankincense and myrrh. Made me cry.
Had to kiss baby Jesus. He's so sweet.
135. The feeling of Christmas with Mom, Dad, Alli, Freeman,
Michael home from college, and the rest of us here-
laughing, carrying on, talking
136. The sweet mama in Walmart telling her toddler
how beautiful she is and how lovely her curls
137. All 5 of our children snuggling and wrestling on blankets
under the Milky Way with Grandma and Grandpa and other
relatives looking on
138. That the love we have for each other increases
139. Micah, hesitating, and then with all of our encouragement,
jumping into the tussle that the 3 big boys were having
on the ground
140. For the gospel-I am a sinner saved by grace
141. Lunch with Michelle
142. Patio time with Ginger
143. Supper with Betty and Kelly
144. Getting home late and Philip coming over to say hello
and playing a game with his sister before heading to bed
145. For another morning and another evening
146. A friendly phone call on a rainy blue day
147. 5 new calves for Philip and Susan's business venture-
she takes care of them in the morning and he at night and
they'll split the profits
148. Time with Micah, melting pressed leaves between wax paper
to make the ultimate stained glass door decoration;
making playdough which he played with for hours,
and the traditional Thurs. eve. activity-
watching The Three Stooges with Uncle Phil
and eating popcorn-it looked like it had snowed
on the living room floor
149. Fitz's horse farm in all its fall beauty
150. Time to walk
151. Hunter Safety Course for Susan
152. Time to catch up with paper work in the sun-
picnic table behind the library in Appomattox
153. Courage
154. Corn Combining time
155. 5 more calves
156. So many kind people everywhere I go
157. Bobcat's scream in the middle of the night
158. Warmer temperatures outside than inside the house
159. God's consistent still small voice-
"Don't worry. Trust Me."
169. Corn harvest finished
179. The planting of rye in its place
180. Freeman building a very large chicken grazing area.
Little roosting barn is in place. Chickens are about to arrive.
181. A talkative teenager
182. Watching Susan spontaneously give someone a hug
who used to have to pay her a dollar to get a hug from her
183. Thank you notes written to Phil
184. That Jesus was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief
and He was a man of joy above all His brethren
185. For Jamie's statement that the DNA of Christ
is the DNA of the body of Christ, the church
186. For the low voices of our men chatting early in the morning
187. That I am the apple of His eye and He sings over me with joy
188. That I am an oak of righteousness, a planting of the LORD
that He might be glorified
189. That His thoughts toward me are too many to count
190. That Jesus is my friend sticking closer than a brother
191. Lunch and a walk with DDF
192. Friends I can trust
193. Michael flying twice a week
194. The nice surprise of seeing Alli at Chick Fillet
195. Time to sit by myself and read sustaining Words
196. Mom's and More
197. Esther's Courage in the face of danger
198. For the fun sweet ladies at the eye glass place
who sent some wild glasses home with me yesterday to surprise Susan
and then called today to find out her reaction
199. For DR getting a week off and how much I miss her
200. For Philip taking Susan with him where he goes
201. That Susan now has brown boots and red boots
due to the 50% off sale
202. That last week I had said that I wish we could watch
'I love Lucy' and when I went to Salvation Army a few days later,
I found two DVD sets-one never opened-for $2.00 each
and now we have 56 episodes to watch
203. Chicken corn noodle soup made with organic chicken
and our own 'incredible' sweet corn
204. For those who give their time to help us
205. That eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
nor has it entered into the heart of man
the things which God has prepared for those
who love Him
206. Quick trip to Farmville with Phil to make a bank deposit
and to get ice cream cones from Dairy Queen
207. Afternoon/eve. with Micah, getting pinecones from O'Brien's, attaching a pipe cleaner at their tops, spreading pb on them, and rolling them in bird seed-a gift for the birds this early winter;
making chocolate chocolate chip cookies, putting cookies and cream ice cream in between two of them, wrapping them in wax paper and freezing them in honor of his daddy's birthday coming up Nov. 4, and as always, 3 Stooges and popcorn in the eve. Oh-Philip made Micah his very own bow and arrow too.
208. Missi sharing Ps. 42
209. Glorious sunrise
211. Photo shoot in the rain with Susan dressed in red boots, jeans, white shirt, black jacket, and sporting a red umbrella taken against red fall foliage over at O'Brien's. Almost every photo a winner.
212. Michael tooting horn loud and long when he comes home from college.
213. Michael spending time with Susan editing and enhancing the photos we just took.
Blues guitar playing as they work.
214. Phil and Philip taking load of scrap metal from fire to recycling dump, picking up Micah on the way, stopping at McD's afterwards, giving him his own money to spend, helping him to order.
215. Family night-watching The Two Towers, eating popcorn
216. Phil's cheerful love
217. NLAG
218. Chinese food
219. Sunday afternoon of watching "I love Lucy Show"
220. Susan's invitation to watch her feed calves and Philip's invitation to watch his pigs eat
221. Philip's praying over sick calf while he fed it electrolytes and his dry statement, "I shouldn't have called him 'Goliath.'
222. That a dear old friend of ours, born without legs, and experiencing many trials in life, is now walking and leaping and praising God in heaven! But we still had to cry.
223. For the book, "In the Footsteps of Jesus" written by the actor who played Jesus in the movie 'Matthew'
224. Good discussions at home
225. Mom and Dad's 8 inches of snow and absence of electricity!

More from Matthew

2011-10-25T07:25:00.001-07:00

I can't seem to get out of Matthew 15.

After Jesus left the region of Tyre and Sidon;
after He had healed the 'Little-Dog-Woman-of-Great-Faith's' daughter;
He skirted around the Sea of Galilee and went up into the mountain
and sat down.

Over 4,000 people came to Him there,
bringing their sick, lame, blind,
and otherwise needy friends and family,
and they laid them at Jesus' feet
and He healed them all.

Can you imagine the party and the
faith flowing freely
as one person after another was healed?

Jesus didn't 'do' a mass healing.
He ministered personal healing
with personal touches and words.
This took a good three days
and even after everyone was healed,
no one wanted to leave this mountain
of heaven on earth.

Jesus, however, knew it was time for Him to move on
but first He wanted to feed everyone
because it is one thing to not be hungry
amidst joy and wholeness
and quite another thing
to journey back down the mountain
toward home on an empty stomach.

So, He put the problem of food to the disciples
and they asked Him, "Where could we possibly
get enough food in the wilderness to feed all
of these people?

Their question reminds me of the Psalmist's
writings in Chapter 78.
He recorded the miracles that God performed
for the Children of Israel,
and then, when they had another need,
they said things like,
"Sure, He gave us streams of water from a rock,
but can He give bread also?
Can God provide a table in the wilderness?"
And this made God furious
because they did not believe Him
or trust in His salvation.

And here again,
Jesus had down all these great things
for His children,
and yet the disciples wondered where they
would find enough food to put on this
table in this wilderness.

And I realize, sadly, how many times I do this to Him.
"Yes, you have helped me through many troubles,
but I am not sure if You are big enough to help
me through this one."
Sometimes,
I am more of an atheist with fearful controlling ways
than I am a trusting thankful believer.

Lord, I believe.
Help my unbelief.

And that's what He did for the disciples.
He helped their unbelief.
He didn't get mad this time.

"How many loaves of bread do you have?" He asked.
"Seven, and a few fish," they answered.

And Jesus blessed what little they had
and fed the multitude
and from the seven loaves of bread
came seven baskets of leftovers.

I wonder if the people took food with them on their journey home.
Their hands would have been free to carry bread
because they were no longer using crutches,
or carrying litters, or leading the blind.
I wonder if they shared their miracle bread
with others they met on the way.

Sometimes,
the needs of the multitude overwhelm us.
We think they are taken care of-
healed and made whole-
and then Someone points out that
they are also hungry and then we've got
to worry about feeding them.
With humans,
it's always one thing or another.

Jesus took the time to relate to people on a personal
level when He healed them,
but He fed them enmasse.
He put His disciples to work to organize the multitude,
then He gave thanks, broke the bread,
gave the food to His disciples,
and they passed it out to the people.
His personal touch was obvious
but so were His administrative skills.

God and Jesus have asked interesting questions
over the years.
To Moses, God asked,
"What's that in your hand?
You think it is just a rod,
but it is really a serpent
that will swallow other serpents.
It will part waters so My people
can walk on dry land across the sea.
You think it is a piece of wood,
but by trusting Me,
and obeying Me by using what you have,
you will come to see it as
the arm of the LORD,
working wonders for My people."

To the obviously blind and lame, Jesus asked,
"What do you want Me to do for you?"
and "Do you want to be whole?"

Sometimes,
we want Christ's forgiveness
but we don't want to be whole.
We want the attention our sickness affords.
We don't want the responsibility
that comes with being made whole.

And to the disciples He asked,
"How many loaves do you have?"
And their answer held the obvious answer,
"Not enough to feed this crowd."

We are human.
We've only got a rod,
the excuse of sickness,
and a measly seven loaves of bread to feed thousands.
We don't have enough.
We're not going to always get it right.

And even though I thought I loved and trusted Christ
for years,
I am realizing anew,
that if I don't trust Him now,
I will become an absolute control freak.

That if I don't really believe that He is bigger than life's problems
and that He has conquered sin and death
and that nothing can separate me from His love
and that He works everything together for good-
if I don't really trust Him,-
then the rod I hold in my hand
will be nothing but an earthly weapon to use out of fear,
and I will choose to pull the covers over my head
and remain in hiding
because I don't want to face life
and be made whole,
and I will hoard my seven loaves and few fishes
until they are eaten by bugs and rodents.

All of this comes down to one question.
Two actually.

Do I trust Him?
And,
Will I obey Him?
For Moses had to use his rod in the way God commanded him;
the lame had to get up;
the blind had to wash the mud off their eyes;
and the disciples had to break the loaves
and start passing them out.

There comes a crisis moment when God says to us,
"Throw down your rod, get up and walk, and break the bread."
"What if's" want to take dominance.
"What if nothing happens when I do what He says?
What if my rod stays a rod?
What if it makes just a silly little splash in the "Red Sea?"
What if I wash the mud off my eyes and I am still blind?
What if I can only feed 14 people when I break the loaves
in half?

Faith is risky.
Presumption is dangerous.
And sometimes they look the same.
We must know His word and His ways.
We must know His voice.
And we must know Him.

He works outside of man's box
but He works within the perimeter's of
His Father's Kingdom and His rules
of authority, wisdom, and honor.

He won't ask us to do things contrary to His Word.
Many a saint's faith has been ship-wrecked when they
acted on something they thought God had told them to do
when God would never consider saying
such a thing in the first place.

But even in the mistakes we make discerning
hearing His voice, He teaches and redeems,
saying, "This is what My voice really sounds like
and this is My Word on the matter."
So even in our mistakes,
we can better learn to know
the voice of the Shepherd.

Sometimes,
life happens,
and our itty-bitty God boxes get
blown to bits.

Sometimes,
I feel like I am just starting
my walk of faith.

I am thinking anew
about trusting Him
and obeying Him.

The choices to trust and obey
are minute by minute choices.
Do I trust or do I worry?
Do I obey or do I shrink back?

One thing I do know is this.
I have never regretted trusting Him.
And I always wish I had trusted Him more.

And with obedience
comes a cross,
but with obedience,
also comes joy.

Little Dog Worship

2011-10-21T15:31:00.000-07:00

One of my least favorite stories about Jesus is also one of my most favorite. (Matt. 15:21)

Remember when the Canaanite woman came to Jesus, saying,
"Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David. My daughter is severely demon-possessed."

And Jesus just plain ignored her.
The disciples urged Him to send her away because the way she kept crying after them
was getting on their last nerve.

So Jesus answered her and said something like, "I didn't come to earth to help you.
I just came to help the Children of Israel-not a Canaanite like you. (See notes at end.)

But then she came and worshiped Him, saying,---
She worshiped Him with a request.
Did she bow down?
Probably. I would have.
But she said, somehow, worshipfully,
"LORD, help me!"

Isn't it a thrill to realize that worship is acknowledging
that He is the LORD who can help me now?!

That asking Him to help me and proclaiming His Lordship
is indeed 'Worship.'

My need. His strength.
His strength. My need.
All in the same sentence as 'worship.'

But Jesus answered her saying, "I really shouldn't be giving
the Children of Israel's bread to the little dogs."

And she said, "That's true, but even little dogs eat the crumbs
that fall from their Master's table."

Isn't she something?
She didn't try to pretend that she was anything other
than a little dog.
She knew that a crumb from Jesus' hand would be enough
to heal her daughter.

Jesus thought she was something too.

"O Woman," He said. "Great is your faith.
Let it be as you desire."

And her daughter was healed even as He spoke.

Worship with persistent personal request moved Jesus outside
of His ministry box in order to honor her great faith.

Perhaps it is when we have great need,
or great love for someone in great need,
and merge that need with our great faith
in Someone who can meet that need-
perhaps, that is when we truly worship.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Notes from The New Spirit Filled Life Bible:
"The restriction on His mission did not involve racial exclusivism, but was strictly a matter of His limitations as a person and distinct priorities set by the Father. In God's plan the gospel must first be offered to the Old Covenant people, because of their calling and the responsibilities it entailed. The gathering of Israel must precede and prepare for the gathering of Gentiles (Rom 1:16).

2011-10-20T16:23:00.000-07:00

Intercession

2011-10-20T15:30:00.000-07:00

Matthew 15:30,31~"Then great multitudes came to Him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others; and they laid them down at Jesus' feet, and He healed them. So the multitude marveled when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There are times in our lives when we are part of the multitude which brings others to Jesus, and there are other times, when we are the maimed, the shamed, the lame, being brought to Jesus by the multitude.

And isn't it a wonder that we can bring ourselves and lay ourselves down at Jesus' feet; mute,-struck dumb as it were by life's disasters; maimed in soul; deprived of usefulness; crippled, disabled; reeling from the results of being blind-sided.

When I was younger, I would lay on one side of my bed, and hold out my hand, so Jesus could hold it while He slept with me. And now that I am older, I don't always think of holding His hand. But I lay there in bed, and I say, 'Oh, Jesus. I receive all of Your ministry for which You came." And I hold out my heart and receive the anointing of His life. I take it in for myself and my loved ones and for those who mourn in Zion. Because He preaches good news to our poverty and heals our broken hearts. He proclaims liberty to the captive and the opening of prison to those who are bound. He proclaims favor and the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God. He comforts and consoles all of us who mourn in Zion. He gives us beauty for ashes and the oil of joy for mourning. He clothes us with new garments of praise and takes the burdens off of our shoulders. He calls us trees of righteousness; His planting of strength, so He might be glorified."

And just as Isaiah proclaimed 700 years before Christ came that Jesus would come and do these things and that God would be glorified, so it happened. The multitudes glorified God when they experienced the ministry of Jesus.

Unless we receive the ministry of Jesus for ourselves, we cannot pass on His ministry to others. Sometimes, it really is about us. Sometimes, life happens, and we must learn the lesson we must learn. We cannot learn someone else's lesson. For Jesus came for me. His ministry is for me. And if I look around at others and think they are in harsher prisons and worse pain and more broken-hearted than I am and I talk myself out of my own sorrow in a guilty sort of way because I am not in as much trouble as others, then I short-change what God could do in my life. I belittle my need for Him and then I don't learn what He wants from me in life's circumstances and I definitely don't receive His ministry. And then He is not glorified.

Sometimes, when people come to us, full of life's pain, we want to delve into the why's and wherefore's of their condition. And sometimes that is necessary for wisdom's sake, in order to prevent future injury and to gain understanding.

But Jesus didn't spend alot of time figuring out why people were lamed or shamed. He just healed them and said things like, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more."

I hope,
when people leave our church doors,
when they walk out of our home,
when our children leave our bedroom,
when a friend hangs up the phone-

I hope that they are healed by Jesus in us
and I pray that they are fed and sustained with bread from heaven,
so they have strength for the journey towards Home.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Matthew 15:32~"Now Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said, "I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way."

Catch up Gift List for September into Kentucky Trip/Oct.3

2011-10-08T15:02:00.000-07:00

37.-That we overcome satan by the blood of the Lamb and by the Word of our testimony, which is really all about the life and the blood of Christ and what He has done for us. My testimony is not about my righteous life, but about His righteous, spotless life. Thanks be to God for His speakable gift.
38.-Les Miserables-a story of grace and redemption-Susan's homeschool drama group performing it in November.
39.-Zumba

40.-A lender repaid.

41.-That dear kind lender and his dear kind words, 'We have prayed to have friends like you.

42.-"Thunder" and "Lightning"-our two new baby calves

43.-The wild light show tonight-Dark clouds with red and yellow lightning-three different areas of constant showing off

44. Suitcases waiting eagerly in the trunk since yesterday

45.-Safe travels to Kentucky. (Sept.28-Oct.3)
46. Changing leaves and foggy mountain

47. All Caps Texts between Makenzie and Susan as they 'scream' about our soon arrival

48. Country music with a good message

49. Girls wrestling and Jackson barking

50. Sitting wrapped in a blanket on a back porch in the mountains of Kentucky

51. A bowl full of Reeses peanut butter cup

52. A Whirlpool bath

53. The peace of now

54. Being hungry
55. The Holy Word of God that still creates-
safety, peace, justice, compassion, wholeness, beauty, double honor, good, a spotless bride
56. Waking up and realizing I had slept 8 hours straight!
57. A long walk with Lynn through 'the holler'
58. Suz and Mak riding double bareback on gentle old horse
59. Happy laughter and "we need to video-tape everything we do today!"
60. Sitting in the sun on the front porch rocker with nothing to do but read
61. Air conditioning and heat all turned on sometime in the past 24 hours
62.My favorite dead men, John and Isaiah, come back to be with me today with their old familiar living words.
63. Girls on job box in back of truck as we drove down windy back roads to see the 'holler'
64.Teisha and baby
65. Susan's cheery inquiry into Phil's day over the phone
66. Phil's shirt to sleep with...
67...photo of Jesus tucked inside it
68. 12 hours in bed almost all of it asleep!
69. 50 degree weather!
70. Being able to hear the girls in the fitting room at JCPenney's no matter where we walked in the store.
71. Great sales at JCP. $2.30 for $30+ shirts
72. Cheese fries with Ranch dressing at greasy spoon diner
73. Sam's sister, Kathy, a "kind soul"
74. High School football in small town America
75. Aaron who reminds us of Philip
76. That darkness and light are both alike to God. Ps. 139
77. Lynn's gift to Susan-a silver charm bracelet with meaningful charms
Oct. 1~Kentucky continued...
78. Rainy, cloudy days
79. Electricity going off
80. First fire of the season in the fireplace
81. Peanut butter eggs coated in chocolate
82. no-bake chocolate oatmeal cookies
83. Calling home and hearing a party going on
84. Phil's "It will be nice when you are home."
85. Beautiful giggling girls getting gussied up for photo shoot
86. Meeting Makenzie's extended family
87. Safe, not stressful ride back home-a good 8 hour trip
88. A house to clean up
89. Laundry to do
90. Susan making supper
91. Philip excited about archery season-camouflaged!
92. The flaming sword welcome home
93. Cold night in which to snuggle

Sept. 26, 2011- Gift List

2011-09-26T06:19:00.001-07:00

1. The thu-thump of green nuts falling from weary walnut trees

2. That I wasn't under the tree

3. Hannah W. Smith

4. Dear sweet friends

5. Homemade mac and cheese

6. The many shades of gray

7. A future and a hope

8. 30 min. eating the 'ugliest frog'-(cleaning an area of the old house)

(Reading the book-"Eat That Frog"-Helps with procrastination and achieving set goals.)

9. 30 min. eating another 'ugly frog'-cleaning out back room closet

10. Susan's pleasant piano playing

11. Dogs drinking out of the entryway toilet

12. Mighty Merciful Men on their way home from work and our anticipation for their return

Sept.25, 2011-Gift List

2011-09-26T06:01:00.000-07:00

1. The boys and their friends late night return to their mancave. Mosquito bites chasing them in from God's open room to the safety and dryness of their own.

2. Boys having church on front porch

3. Life still living

4. For His severe and tender mercies

5. Worship songs that heal the worshipper

6. Surrounding prayers

7. That there is no opposite of God. Satan is the opposite of Michael the Archangel. God is above all.

8. That Philip's 'broken' ankle was only swollen and sprained and that his 'dislocated' shoulder got 'relocated' again. (playing football)

9. For the hours spent picking chestnuts and processing them this afternoon with Suz and Phil.

10. For God's dare to "Trust Him."

11. For this quote I just read from John Foster in an old devotional book-..."Do not altogether turn away from sweet Hope, with her promises and smiles. Do not refuse to believe that this dark hour will pass away, and the heavens will shine again."

12. That the heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds understanding to his lips.

Gift List #1-(New Hertzler Doings)

2011-09-24T14:19:00.000-07:00

Today's thankful list. Today's Daily Dozen-would that be a good title?

I am thankful for....

1. Lone bird flying in gray morning fog

2. Red head boy home from college for the weekend,
clothes wet from morning farm chores

3. Photo of Jesus, brown eyes looking at me

4. 14 year old fingers playing a new song on the piano

5. Husband in farm boots running hard to take phone from my hands
when he realized his life long friend had experienced deep sorrow

6. Open windows, fall breeze, comforting sound of towels dancing to dry themselves

7.The kiss of God on my face when I smiled at Him just now

8. An idea for Sunday lunch

9. Big brothers playing Monopoly with younger sister

10. Pizza dough resting on counter, not made by me

11. Discovery of the grains infested with bugs and happy pigs turn loss into bacon

12. Junk aluminum turned into cash

A New Kind of Hertzler Doings

2011-09-21T13:42:00.000-07:00

Life has been a tad busy and my pathway to the computer is blocked by a queen sized bed so the writing has been slim. I've been reading a book called 'A Thousand Gifts' written by the same woman who writes 'a holy experience' on my sidebar-Ann Voskamp. To be honest, when I first started reading her book, I felt something unfamiliar. I felt jealousy. I wished I could write like her. My mother told me long ago that I was born without the jealous gene, so don't think that my lack of familiarity with that feeling makes me a spiritual giant or anything. If I was born without it, I did nothing to not receive it, just like I did nothing to receive naturally curly hair.

I didn't like that green eyed feeling so I went to Jesus and He said, "Pray for her." And as soon as I did, I became her friend, and felt proud of her, and now I want to take a road trip to visit her. Anyone who writes with such depth and beauty has been through deep pain, and I pray for her pain and her sensitive heart that receives both the ugly and the beautiful as gifts from His hands. I was struck by her insight about the 10 lepers who were all healed by Jesus, but only one came back to thank Him. Jesus said to that thankful one, 'Your faith has made you whole.' Jesus can and does heal us.

But a thankful faith can make us whole.

I want to be whole.

Lately, I've been thinking about three things.

1. Forgetting what is past and pressing forward to what is ahead.

2. Having courage.

3. And being thankful.

So for right now, I am not going to be writing about the daily doings of the Hertzler Family and just adding the three things I am thankful for at the end of each day.

I am going to write about what I am thankful for and 'the doings' will be mixed in with my thankful words. I've started my notebook and it lays open on my newly cleaned up desk.

Here's to "one thousand gifts." I accept the challenge to cultivate a thankful faith. Thank you, dear friend, Ann, for being here just when I need you most.

In One Week's Time

2011-09-08T11:43:00.000-07:00

In one week's time,
we experienced an earthquake,
a hurricane,
and a fire.

I think Elijah experienced all those things in one day.

He was running from trouble
and hid out in a cave.
Scared to death about the possibility
of dying.

"Elijah, what are you doing hiding in this cave?"
asked God.

"I have been hard at work for You
and I am the only one alive still working hard for You
and now they want to kill me too."

"Come outside the cave, Elijah," said God.

And strong wind came and beat upon the side of the mountain
and rocks were flying everywhere
before the Lord,
but the Lord wasn't in the strong wind.

And then, the earth shook,
and it was scary,
but God wasn't in the earthquake.

And then there was a fire,
and Elijah felt its heat,
but God wasn't in the fire.

And then, there was a still small voice
and Elijah came out of the cave
so he could hear it better.

"What are you doing here, Elijah?"
asked God.

And again,
Elijah told God how hard he had worked for him
and that because of his godly work,
there were those who wanted to kill him.

And God didn't tell him he was silly for being afraid.
He gave him jobs to do.
And Elijah did those jobs
and did more jobs for God after those jobs were finished.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In this world,
there will be hurricanes, earthquake, and fires.

We might not find God in the strong winds
and shaking ground and fires flames.

But we will find God
in the still small voice.

I couldn't see Him in the earthquake, hurricane, or fire.

But I heard His still small voice as I sat on a job box
in another building, watching the fire men do their work.
He said,
"Watch what I will do. Watch for the good I will bring
from this destruction."

One of my sons heard, "If God is for you,
who can be against you."
The thought came almost as soon
as he first saw the fire eating up
labor, sweat, hay, and equipment.

And another loved one, watching, with tears streaming down his face,
repented of having critical thoughts of others.
And surely,
in that repentance,
the still small voice of God was heard.

A fireman came and sat beside my daughter
and asked her how she was.
She said, "I don't know."
And he said, "I know how you feel.
I was about your age when our family
experienced a fire."

And again,
the still small voice of God,
spoke compassion and understanding
through the voice of one
who took time to care.

My friend and her husband came in the early hours
of the morning.
After awhile we went into the house
and she sat with me in the dark
and sometimes we talked
and sometimes we didn't
and in that dark and quiet
I heard His voice as well.

"I am not in the hurricane,
or the earthquake,
or the fire.
But I am with you
in the strong winds,
and the shaking grounds,
and the fires of this life.
I stand before you
and behind you
and hem you in on every side.
My hand of blessing covers your head.
Don't be afraid.
I have work for you to do."

There is a real temptation to stay in the cave and hide
from the enemy of my soul.

I am intimidated by the quake, wind, and fire.

I like being safe and invisible.

But just like water trumps fire,
so God's voice trumps fear.

I will come out of my cave
so I can hear Him better,
and I will trust and obey Him
even though I am afraid.

Hertzler Doings~Sept.5-11, 2011

2011-09-08T11:05:00.000-07:00

Mon.-Overcast sky. Washed many loads of wash, cleaned up the house, and unpacked. Michael came home for supper and did his wash and retrieved his towel. He and Susan played Monopoly and we gave her suggestions for her audition tomorrow. I found the story he suggested on-line. The idea of the story is this. A miserly man wanted his wife to bury his money with him when she died. When he died, she put a shoebox into his coffin. Her friend was abhorred that she would bury his money with him. The wife said, "I am a good Christian and I cannot lie. I promised him. I deposited his money in my account and wrote him a check." Philip bought 30 head of cattle today. Phil's out working in the rain and lightning. ///I am thankful for the happy surprise of Michael's visit and his desire to spend time with Susan. I am thankful for a day to catch up. I am thankful for the resilient spirits God gives to the men around here. I am thankful for such an amazing week in Pa.

Tues.-The cattle were bawling all night long-missing their mama's. Little sleep. Fighting fears of future fires and horrible 'what if's.' The rain helped me relax and calm down. Water trumps fire. Had a great day with Susan. We ran out to Farmville for her first Biology course with Dr. T. and about 6 or 7 other homeschoolers. I ran some errands and came back to Faith Bible to observe the drama try-outs. We celebrated her first official day of school by going to the Japanese Restaurant at Sun Chase. After we put groceries away, we crashed in front of one of the free videos that were offered today on the back pew. (Stuart Little, Heidi with Shirley Temple, Pollyanna, Charlotte's Web, and Parent Trap.) I thought Micah would enjoy these. Phil and Susan had never seen Pollyanna. But they act like they have. The movie shaped my life growing up and has helped me to always try to find the good-play the glad game with life. ///I am thankful that I got to catch up with Judy at Walmart. I am thankful for this new segment of life-being involved with the Farmville homeschool co-op, renewing some old friendships and making new ones. I am thankful that Susan thoroughly enjoyed her day.

Wed.-Went to Appomattox Court House in the morning to pay court cost and plead guilty to an overdue inspection sticker. I just don't notice these things and Phil didn't either this time. Went to CCA and picked up a Latin book for Susan to review. Had a nice time visiting with Marcie. Picked up some groceries. Tried to catch up on blogging when I got home. Picked up Kelli S. on way to Women's Ministry meeting. She and Susan hung out and after the meeting, we met Michelle at the new frozen yogurt place-'flip flops'-right across from McD's. After saying good-bye to Michelle, the girls and I went back to church. There was an 'extravaganza' Royal Rangers and Missionettes award evening complete with roving lights and limos. Pastor Frank and Lisa officiated the evening and they reminded me of the host and hostess of the Miss America Pageant in 'Miss Congeniality.' I hope he eventually got to drive one of the limo's. It was alot of fun and I had to think about heaven and the awards that will be given to each person for their deeds. I liked the ending when confetti was puffed out over all of us on the ground floor and little lights were swirling over the ceiling of the sanctuary. Kelli, Susan, and I went to Walmart afterwards and then we took Kelli home before heading home ourselves.///I am thankful for a Children's Pastor who goes all out to honor what is important-the children and their efforts. I am thankful for dark chocolate frozen yogurt. I am thankful for Phil.

Thurs.-Last night I was honest with those who asked me how I was regarding the fire, etc. and I asked them to pray, because I wasn't sleeping. Fearful of another fire. Checking out noises. Not resting. And then, I bought more smoke alarms at Walmart to do my part. The boys didn't have one over in their room. And doing what I could in the natural, added to the prayers of the saints, well, I slept like a baby and I slept in as well. I feel like I could sleep all day. Having a hard time switching into the new school year schedule after the fire, and being away, and being exhausted, etc. Went to the chiro. Susan's been studying. We watched 'Heidi' over lunch. I made some English Toffee for the ladies meeting tomorrow eve. Caught up with 'Hertzler Doings' finally. Making a big pot of vegetable soup for supper and bagging some gift bags from donated gifts. Hoping to have a quiet time and do exercises before the day is over. Getting up late throws my schedule. Phil went to work without bandages for the first time since he got burned. He sounded so cheerful today. Has more work lined up with the Abbey. Janelle called. The decisions been made. She is homeschooling Micah-starting tomorrow. She came over to collect some books for him to read. He's going to be involved with a homeschool co-op every other week and I hope to have him a half a day a week. We'll watch Science videos and go to the river and read 'Little House on the Prairie' books. Everyone is excited about this in our family.///I am thankful for Micah's freedom from the chair and piles of paper work. I am thankful that the resulting situation will give me time with my favorite little man. I am thankful that he still tries to sit beside me on the easy chair, even though it's getting harder to fit because one of us is getting larger. I am thankful for the gaping hole in his mouth where his baby tooth once was. I am thankful that Naomi called.

Fri.-Another good night of sleep. Got up early and had time to read and exercise. Made a huge pot of vegetable soup using brussel sprouts, canned tomatoes, parsnips, carrots, onions, celery, spinach, arugula, black eyed peas, turnips, potatoes, garlic, parsley, turnip greens, collards, broccoli, zucchini, yellow squash, kale, and I think that's it. Susan did her school work and made supper for Phil, Philip, Michael, Chace, and Eric. This will all go under 'cooking' under 'Home Ec. She made oven fried sliced potatoes, sausage biscuits from scratch, corn, sausage balls in a sweet and sour sauce, and candy bar cookies-chocolate chip cookie dough with candy bars from BB's cut up into it instead of chocolate chips. I missed out. Alli came over and we went to help set up for the "Girlfriends Expo" at church. Seventy some women came, bringing finger foods. We had four generations mingling with each other at the tables and questions to answer to promote understanding of the differences and similarities between the generations of Builders, Boomers, GenX-ers, and Millennials Lisa shared about how the WM group met and discussed the different generations and their needs and strengths and how we came up with the new name and focus for Women's Ministry. We had affinity group tables set up and the women browsed and signed up for the fall sessions. I am going to be involved with a book club discussion on 'A Thousand Gifts' on Wed. nights and on Wed. mornings I'll be a mentor mom for Mom's and More. The WM team had on their black tee shirts with the word 'Embrace' featured on the front and back. Alli designed them and they look sharp. The t-shirts are available for purchase for $15. Alli and I got home here around 11, just as Chace was bringing Michael back from catfishing. They remarked about Susan's great supper before they said 'good-night.' ///I am thankful for the women at New Life. I am thankful that Susan did a good job of cleaning up after supper. I am thankful for the mighty force of team work.

Sat.-Did the boys wash today since they didn't have time. Cleaned the house. Went to the Lapp wedding in the afternoon. It was good to see many of our Pa. friends. It was a beautiful wedding. Philip stayed until 1:00 in the morning, having fun with his friends and helping them to clean up. ///I am thankful for Philip's kind words to Susan today. "You are the kindest person I know and Jenny is the second. You should get to know her." Jenny's oldest brother got married today. I am thankful for the plane that flew over during the wedding. They were about 2 min. early and buzzed us during the prayer instead of the Recessional. I am thankful for the richness of our heritage and for the reminder to get together with our 'old' friends whenever the occasion arises.

Sun.-Happy 23rd Birthday to Philip! I made him a chocolate marvel cake yesterday with cut up snickers bars in between the layers. It's even better if it sits for a day. In church today, we honored the students of all ages, and also the first responders. Meredith's group was at church today and received a standing ovation. We remembered 9/11 and the lives that were lost and the reasons they were lost. We sang a song today that was new but it felt familiar. The words were, "Blow, Mighty Breath of God, Move upon this place..Move in power and grace..Let your wind blow...Let your fire fall.." And I thought about how the hurricane winds blew on our hay and the friction caused fire to burn up our hay barn. Everything that was wood, hay, and stubble, burned up. And everything of metal was not consumed. When we sing a song like this, we are asking God to blow His breath and create friction amidst the things in our lives that can be burned. And after the perishable is burned, the precious remains. We had no gold in our barn, but it is true, that the bent metal is going to be cashed in, and we will get some money back from what was not consumed. How much better it is when what remains after the fire of God is a faith made out of precious gold. After the first fire we had in November of last year, I thought, "First the natural, then the spiritual. I wonder what is going to happen." And now I wonder the same. Shaking. Wind. Fire. What can be shaken, will be shaken. What can be blown away, will be blown away. And what can be burned, will be burned. On Christ the solid Rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand. Help us, God our Father. He is moved with compassion to remove the distractions from our lives so we can be close to Him and know His goodness and love. Because of the blood of Christ, we are separated from sin and from what is common, and that makes us holy. The shaking, blowing, and burning are sanctification's work, as God works in our lives practically, where we are positionally. Pastor Frank said it better than this but I am trying to convey some of his words. God loves us as much as He loves Jesus. His kingdom is a 'now' kingdom and He judges the things that are 'now' separating me from loving Him. The more we understand His love for us, the more we can love Him and love others. Just as the lovers in the book, 'Song of Solomon', were ravished with each others love, so Christ is overwhelmed with His love for us and the beauty He sees in us.

We got to hold little Hannah in church for awhile. She wanted Phil. Philip held her for a little while and I thought that was a nice birthday gift for him. He told Emma that he has no little girls to love him now. She said, "Well, come up here and Adi and I will love you." They called him today because it was his birthday. (Adi and Emma gave each other quite the hair cuts yesterday.) Susan got to hold Hannah too. Philip met with some of his Calvary friends for lunch and basketball. Michael went to the college luncheon and then to the guys house. Susan hung out with Kelly Gibbs and then went to the musical information meeting and human video and small groups. Phil's meeting her now at Calvary Chapel. Charity drives her there. So, Phil and I ate some vegetable soup and salad for lunch and made popcorn and watched 'The trail of the Pink Panther.' Then we took a nap and Freeman and Alli came and we almost missed them. The guys came back and so we got to have some of Philip's birthday cake and butterfinger ice cream. Susan will have to get some when she comes back. Freeman said that I could win prizes with this cake. I think the recipe already won prizes because it's from Taste of Home. Michael headed back to Liberty tonight and Philip headed to an early bedtime. ///I am thankful for another great night of sleep last night. We overslept in the morning and got to S.S. late. I am thankful for the church service this morning. I am thankful for the way God bends over backward to keep me from becoming discouraged every time I am headed in that direction.

Hertzler Doings~Aug. 29-Sept. 4, 2011

2011-09-07T11:01:00.000-07:00

Mon.-I thought maybe I should stay home this week and not go to Pa. but Phil said, "Go. I won't even be here." And so we went and it was nice to get away from the smoldering fire that burned all last night. I kept looking out and seeing the orange flames. Before we pulled out to go, Phil said, "Don't hug me; I'll hug you." His burns are getting more defined and are worse than we first thought. The guys went to Richmond to work and some others checked on the fire for us during the day. Susan and I stopped at a mall and got some end of season buys from JCPenneys. We arrived at my friend, Diane H's around 3, just as we planned. They had to boil any water they used and their electricity was turned off deliberately for 2 hours later in the day. She made roasted vegetables tossed with pesto sauce and serve it over penne pasta. Also had crusty cheese bread, salad, tea, and tandy cakes. We laughed so hard we could barely breathe as Susan explained to Diane the difference between cows, heifers, steers, and bulls. I got some things straightened out in my own mind. They are all cows. Heifers are girl cows. Steers and bulls are boy cows but the bulls have more fun. Zach called as did Diane's mother and I talked with them both and they both said "I love you", etc. Zach is at main campus Penn State and is studying industrial engineering. Meg is finishing up two degrees and working on her masters all at the same time. Caleb is in 10th grade I think and gives us hugs when he leaves or goes to bed. ///I am thankful for the jacuzzi bathtub in Diane's master bathroom and that there was electricity to run it. I am thankful for the way Diane's mother makes me feel like a million bucks. So encouraging and full of praise. I am thankful for an inground pool and a cushy outdoor lounge chair and the way Diane tucked a blanket all around me and had me 'sleep' while she and Susan went inside and made supper.

Tues.-Woke up at 6 and came down and had coffee with Diane. This is a time we always look forward to and we quickly tell each other anything we want the other to know before anyone else wakes up. Meg joined us and then Susan, and we had bagels with all kinds of unusual cheese spreads and unique olives for breakfast. Diane helped Susan and I discern our personality types. Susan is choleric. I am melancholy with some sanguine but I am more phlegmatic than I earlier thought. I think it is the season of life. I'd rather have peace than be the life of the party. Diane and I have known each other before we had children. They came to the church our mother church planted in Downingtown and we've known each other's children all of our lives. We pick up where we left off since neither of us are phone people and neither of us make the other feel guilty for not keeping in better contact. Left Diane's and went to my mother's where Rosalee and Karen spent a few hours with us. That was nice. Susan and I headed for Morgantown and got a kidsized waffle cone at Rita's and then went to Jim and Deb's and visited awhile. Mom and Dad were at Bible Study. Went over to Joe and Karen's and played with Jonathan while they finished up their Bible Study. Jonathan is a people lover. He loves everyone at 7 months. He makes grunting sounds, lik he's clearing his throat. He looks like he is about to get his crawling act together.///I am thankful that I was in bed around 10. I am thankful for family and friends that are a permanent fixture in my heart. I am thankful that Phil seems to be doing okay.

Wed.-Spent the day with Naomi. Had good times with Ashley and Chrissy before heading to the outlets. Naomi has an anointing for shopping. Van Heusen had terrific sales. 70% off and then 30% off of that. I figured that was 100% off. She treated me to Red Robin where we got blue cheese burgers and endless fries. She took me to her counselling work center and showed me the offices. Lancaster County was really hit with this storm. Many are still out of electricity and some of the corn fields are laying flat down. Oh-first of all, Naomi bought humongous apple fritters and we had those with milk and took some into Mabe and his helper who were working on Zach's families roof in Lanc. City. Susan spent the day at Re-uzit with her Aunt Debra, Aunt Karen, and Teri M. She helped them make displays, etc. Debra had put back some things for both of us to try on and Susan found three pairs of jeans-(two aeropostale), a hat, shoes, etc. I went from Naomi's to Mother's and had a precious two hours alone with her. She's so beautiful. I stopped in to see Mom and Dad. Abby, Serena, and Michelle came up this week. Michelle is Karalee's wedding coordinator and the girls are having some time with mom and dad. I love mom's hair cut. She is just cute. Watched a little of America's Got Talent with Joe, Karen, and Jonathan. Talked with Phil. His burns are hurting him badly. I wish I was there to help him more.///I am thankful that Jonathan got his crawling act together today. I am thankful that although Joe's water was coming in brown today, they still have electricity. I am thankful that I feel so at home at Hertzler Hotel 8.

Thurs.-Susan and I stopped in to see Bev on our way to Mary W's. Susan loves to see everyone's surprise about how much she has grown. Mary served us tea and scones and then Susan watched a movie while Mary and I caught up on life, church, and her travels around the world, speaking to those who need hope. What a dear friend. Susan and I stopped in at BB's on the way home and stocked up on gum and hair products. Then we met Debra at Re-uzit where I tried on the pile of clothes she had put aside for me. She should be a personal shopper. I came away with several bags of clothing. Pearl had Bev and I over in the eve. around 7:30 and we had a great time, drinking tea, eating pretzels and watermelon, and sitting wrapped up with blankets on rocking chairs out on the front porch. Got home around 11.///I am thankful that as I sang, "Jesus loves the little ones like me, me, me.." Jonathan hit his tupperware lid and container together in perfect rhythm. I am thankful that Phil's burned skin has come off and that he has a new layer of skin growing and that he is in less pain. I am thankful for dear, close friends and family.

Fri.-Busy day. Met Naomi at Yoder's and then went to her place to see her grandbaby. What a beautiful child. Naomi served us a delicious lunch of sandwiches, chips, and watermelon. Then we headed over to Anne's to see the new developments in her house and to snuggle with David. He slaps low five's and high five's and when he was going towards the stereo, she said, "No." He stopped. She said, "Come." And he scooted over the blanket and came to her. He's 7 months old too. Then we picked up mother and went to my sister Rosalee's. My brother, Abe, and his wife, Karen were there. Abie tore his Achilles tendon a day or two ago and has to wait two weeks for surgery due to medication in his system and his busy schedule. He was cheerful and talkative and we had a great time over pizza, reminiscing about family vacations, etc. Karen asked me which of my Hertzler sis-in-laws I am closest to and I had no idea. I said, "They are all so very wonderful. I like them all." Which is completely true. Got back to Hotel 8 around 9:15. Called Phil. He was making a list of losses from the fire to be able to hand in to the insurance adjuster. Burns are feeling better. It takes him a long time to dress them.///I am thankful for the curly haired blue-eyed little boy of God's redemptive work. I am thankful for go-getter babies and for snuggly babies and the way they are perfectly formed for the work God has for them. I am thankful for the effort my family took to get together with Susan and I this eve.

Sat.-Went with Debra to Weaver's Orchard to work on centerpieces for Karalee's wedding. Met Suzie-Brandon's girlfriend, and Luke, Katie's boyfriend. The orchard grove was all set up with a tent and tables. Chairs were lined up on the dock overlooking the lake/pond. Landscaping surrounded the wedding scene. Beautiful mums and other flowers. Came home and washed the car, rested, and got ready. Phil, Philip, and Michael got there around 4. They spent about an hour with Andy and Lucille. They have experienced 6 fires in their lifetime. I remember two of them vividly. My favorite parts about the wedding? The violin/guitar duet. Karalee, walking down the aisle with her proud papa, saying 'hi' to everyone as she floated down the stairs in her ivory strapless dream of a wedding dress, hair up with diamonds glittering in her dark tresses. Completely beautiful and at ease. Both fathers getting emotional during the parental blessing time. Brandon and Katie singing while Paul played. Linda's face, as she stood there in her classy navy blue, watching her loved ones drawing nearer. Little David reaching for Michael so he could get to me and chew on my necklace. Hugging Alli after not seeing her for 'such a long time.' Visiting with friends and family. Taking a family photo for Christmas in the dress up area.///I am thankful for the way Karalee wriggled with delight when Jeff described himself in his vows as her 'soon to be lover.' I am thankful for the purity of her expression and for the ripple of laughter that grew louder and louder as the observers 'caught' what happened. I am thankful for the delicious wedding fare-chicken cordon bleu, gourmet potatoes, corn?, green beans, salad, bread, pie, and ice cream. I am thankful for the floating candles in the pond and for children celebrating with sparklers after the sun went down.

Sun. Had a breakfast of coffee cake and fresh peaches at Joe and Karens. Went to mother's for church. Alli, Freeman, Philip, and Michael joined us. We asked mother if she had a sermon and she said, "No..!" and so Phil asked her if she had a verse and she said, "Casting all your care upon Him for He careth for you." Perfect for all of us. We sang two Hertzler/Mast Christmas songs for her because I've always wanted her to hear them. "Glory be to God" and "There were shepherds abiding in the Fields." Then we sang Amazing Grace and Freeman led us in prayer. Too soon, we had to say Good-bye. We came back to Joe's and packed our things and went over to Jim and Deb's for a delicious lunch of burgers, hot dogs, salad, corn, butternut squash casserole, potato salad, apple crisp and ice cream, watermelon, salsa, chips, meadow tea, lemonade, etc. Tom's were all there and Paul's came a bit later. All there but Janelle and Micah and Jeff and Karalee. Charlie and Joyce brought Kelsey over and we took her home with us, leaving around 2:30. Michael and Philip left just a bit earlier and stopped in at Joanna Store, seeing the very person Michael had hoped to see on this trip up-Zach L. Meredith rode back home with Freeman and Alli. They checked out Cabela's before heading south. We got rather silly on the way home. Susan repeated, "I've been holdin' my love for a lo-o-ong time, Charlie." A quote from a movie that she and Phil have been making fun of ever since they heard it.///I am thankful that it only took us 5 1/2 hours to get home and we stopped several times. I am thankful that when I couldn't get settled in to sleeping, I just finally got up and checked emails, weather, facebook, etc. I am thankful for a wonderful week away. I am thankful to be home. The fire still smolders.

Hertzler Doings-Aug. 22-28, 2011

2011-08-22T16:24:00.000-07:00

Mon.-Good day. Walked to the river with four dogs. When I sat down on the tree limb down there, they all wanted me to pet them. Washed 4 loads. Canned 4 quarts of tomato juice. Wrote up WM minutes. Had a nice talk with Lindsay and befriended the pastor's wife on face book where they are staying. Alli came over to walk after work and it's always nice to see her. Michael came home to attend to some car business and Phil and Philip came home as well. Susan enjoys her brothers so much. They were hungry for chocolate chip cookies so guess what we made them.///I am thankful for a good Monday. I am thankful for the 'gang' shirts/hoodies the guys made with their friends at a local clothing print shop. "Sons of Saints" with a smiling skull. Yeah. I am thankful for the possibility of having Susan take her biology course from a real doctor. I am thankful for the way Phil's gray hair sticks out around his cap and when he takes it off, he doesn't look gray at all. I am thankful that the white dove was there on top of the long barn today, as I was reading the Bible. Perhaps, he's come to stay.

Tues.-Great day. Met with Lori K. to brainstorm about Susan's year of homeschooling. Ordered some things on line. Around 2:00, while there, the house began to shake and tremble. I said, "Get outside." She went back in to see if her washer was off-kilter. It was a 6.0 earthquake midway between Richmond and Ch.... Cell service was down for some but we managed to get through to Phil and the guys. They were working in Richmond. Freeman said that the petty bone was swinging its hips like a belly dancer and the window panes were trembling. When we got home, we thought the dogs had gotten into something. It looked like wood scattered over the yard. But here, bricks had fallen from the old chimney. It looks very fragile now. The dogs were hiding under the porch and refused to come out. Two pictures had fallen off the shelves in the house and my deodorant had flown across the room. Around 8:30 in the eve. we felt an aftershock as did others. Rosalee called. Katrina had felt it at Shady Maple. Rosalee was outside at the time and didn't feel it. Meredith, who is in Colorado, felt it also. It was felt in NC, NY, OH, Mass, PA, and who knows where else. They are calling for a hurricane to hit us about the time I want to leave for Pa. ///I am thankful that today I went from not having a plan, to having an excellent plan. I am thankful that Susan has been accepted into the Biology class taught by a home school dad who is also a Dr. I am thankful for Lori K. and all of her fun and inspirational help that she gave me today. I am thankful for God's protection during the earthquake. It was a little scary. It sounded like the time the oil pipe blew only it felt like their house was going to blow up. I remembered the earthquake from almost 8 years ago. It sounded and felt like that one. I am thankful to discover the source of that awful smell. 14 canned jars of kidney beans gone bad. Unsealed. Yuck! But glad to find out sooner than later!

Wed.-Reading Leviticus and the requirements for the high priest. Jesus, our High Priest, both the Offering and the Offerer. Spotless Lamb-perfect sacrifice. But then, He became sin. For us. He became our sin. Dare I say it? Did His offering up of Himself become profane because of our sin? For the wrath of God was poured out on Him and consumed both the Offering and the Offerer. Rom. 4:25-"Jesus...was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification," which He Himself brought about. And now, we can boldly approach the throne of God to fine grace in our time of need. It boggles my mind.

We had a great day in Appomattox, starting with the chiropractor, then to Geneses to get hair cuts, Salvation Army to drop things off, Walmart, Peebles, CCA to say Hello, Produce stand, tire rotator place where we met Loys and they took us to Baine's where we spent a pleasant hour catching up over ice tea. Came back home for a pit stop. Went out to town for youth group and a quick bite to eat with Dianna who just had a birthday and would not let me treat her. Went to Walmart. Picked up Susan. She treated us to ice cream cones. And went to walmart. Seriously? Three times? Picked up big stuff like massive amounts of dog food, paper towels, etc. the first time. Food, etc. the second time. And Susan picked out her own school notebooks the third time. Got home after 10:30. Didn't sleep well without Phil. Oh-another aftershock around 1 in the morning so they say. ///Thankful for Kelli's happy news. I'm thankful for a school headmistress who says, 'Let me know if I can help you with anything.' I am thankful that when the Holy Spirit comes upon us, we shall give evidence in honor of Jesus Christ.' ( I looked up the words 'witness' and 'to'. )

Thurs.-Took pencil crayons one day this week and colored the layers of the 12 foundations written about in Revelation about the place where God dwells. There is no need of light there, because the Lamb of God and God the Father are the lights. They shine through the walls of translucent gold and the gates of pearl, and the foundational stones. From the bottom up, there are blues and greens and then reds and oranges and then blues, yellows, and greens, and then another splash of red and orange and then purple. It sounds so effervescent and ethereal and exciting and here I've just want a little cottage by the sea. I'm not a city girl myself but I'll adapt I'm sure. ///I'm thankful for Ilsa's energizing visit and the way her face lights up when she talks about Grace, her niece. I am thankful for the wild and splendid storm that impressed me with its strength. I am thankful that Michael came home tonight, as did Phil and Philip and I made them one of their favorite meals-Lettuce Tomato with Beef, or venison, as in this case. I am thankful that Freeman had gone out the lane and then discovered his flat tire. Thankful he wasn't far away. I am thankful for Angela who rescheduled our 'counselling' session because of the storm and then the phone went dead.

Fri-Was reading the description of Aaron's robe. Linen trousers and holy linen robe. Dressed just like Jesus was in my dream about Him walking along Longwood College Avenue-my name for the pathways where the fountains are. I also want to make the observation that 'no wonder Song of Solomon is not read aloud in church!' And it is my humble opinion that it (SoS) is what it is and that's plenty. Got ready for the storm today by doing wash, preparing some water, cutting paper towel roll in half and inserting it in a bucket of soapy water, making some food, froze large buckets of water, and brought the cooler to the porch, etc. But my major accomplishment today? Got my home school notebook all together with plans written out for the next four years. Plus made a daily schedule. Took several hours. Susan and I are excited and will get started Sept. 5. I still want to make baked oatmeal and shoo fly cake. Easy to eat with milk. Michael got home from Liberty and put on 'Fiddler on the Roof.' Susan made supper. Browned sausage with cheese sauce. Mixed it with corn and pasta and is baking it in the oven. She is a force to be reckoned with in the kitchen. She is doing a major clean up job in her room, and I have a lump in my throat, because she is putting away childish things, and getting ready to attack her high school years with great intent and purpose. ///I am thankful that we will most likely only get hit with a tropical storm here. I am concerned about my brother and his wife who live near the shore in Del. I am thankful that we'll all be together when the winds and rains hit tonight. I am thankful that even though the house owner cannot be located, God knows where the Bantons will live.

Sat.-Rainy and windy. We're experiencing the soft edge of Hurricane Irene. Didn't lose power. Took a mid-day nap. We all feel like sleeping. Cleaned up the house a little, but not much. We're going away for a week. Baked fruited baked oatmeal, shoo-fly cake, and peanut butter cookie bars. Packed some for trip. Did paper work. No satellite for computer.///I am thankful that we didn't lose power. I am thankful for a lazy day. I am thankful that next week is full of happy plans.

Sun.-Dogs barked alot last night. Loose hunting dogs make them jumpy. Woke up to Phil shouting, "The barns on fire!" Angel's insistent barking outside our window woke him up. He ran over to get the boys while I called 911. Philip managed to move out the John Deere tractor, receiving first and second degree burns on his back. Phil tried to move another tractor out but it was too hot and he received second degree burns on his back, right arm, and right hand. The Pamplin, Appomattox, and Prospect fire companies and emergency vehicles showed up quickly and doused the fire that was beginning on the well roof. They worked hard to put out most of the fire, and left around 8 after letting us know that the fire would burn for at least a week. Steve and Dianna braved the busy lane and came to be with us. The flashing lights began to affect my equilibrium and Dianna sat with me in the dark house. Several of the workers came to talk with Susan and were so kind to her. Michael video-taped the fire and put it on face book. The fire company is sure it was started by spontaneous combustion. The fire was burning the hay when we woke up and then moved to the equipment. The higher winds caused more friction and with the humidity, the hay was a breeding ground for fire. We lost two tractors, a dump truck, the lane grader, equipment to harvest corn, the generator to the farm, and over 100 round bales of hay, etc. Susan and I went to church. People were so kind and loving and full of prayer. PR preached on knowing the will of God. How do you know if you are hearing from God? People stopped in throughout the day. Bob N., Doreen with bags of food, Chris and Jeff, guys from the fire dept., and Tom's, plus people were calling. Alli and Freeman had Kelli, Emilee, Michael, and Susan over for lunch and a fun afternoon. Philip had other plans.///I am thankful that this is not a lonely fire. I am thankful for all the kind offers of help. I am thankful that Phil said that he is not going to rebuild the hay/equipment barn where it was. He likes the view too much without it there.

The Pressures On

2011-08-18T14:26:00.000-07:00

These things I have spoken to you,
that in Me you may have peace.
In the world you will have tribulation;
but be of good cheer,
I have overcome the world.
~Jesus

There are notes in my Bible
that explain the word tribulation.
I quote from The New Spirit Filled Life Bible
Study Notes NKJV.
"Tribulation-thlipsis-
Pressure, oppression, stress,
anguish, tribulation, adversity,
affliction, crushing, squashing,
squeezing, distress.

Imagine placing your hand on
a stack of loose items
and manually compressing them.
That is thlipsis,
putting a lot of pressure on that
which is free and unfettered.

Thlipsis is like spiritual bench-pressing.
The word is used of crushing grapes
or olives in a press."

Does this describe what you've been going through?
And Jesus tells us to be of good cheer
in the midst of this kind of
overwhelming pressure.
Why?
Because in spite of the fact that being human
and being alive in this world
causes us much grief and pain,
He has, in fact,
overcome the world.

Overcome-to get the better of;
to gain the superiority

So, we don't cheer up because tribulation
will come to an end.
We cheer up because He has gotten
the better of it all.
He has gained the superiority
over our tribulation.

Holy God!
Help us understand!

Sometimes,
the pressures we are under
come from other people.
And sometimes,
we're the ones who
put pressure on other people.

I'd just as soon stay out of both the
human giving
and receiving of tribulation
when at all possible.

But regardless,
God is in charge.
He is in control of the tribulation
because He is over it.
It hasn't come as any surprise to Him.

And He uses this crushing to turn
our harvest of wheat into palatable flour
with which we can make bread
to feed the hungry.

He uses this trampling to crush
the grapes of our lives
to make wine that makes
hearts glad around us.

(It really is no fun.
I'm just trying to cheer us up.)

I keep thinking of two things to do
in the midst of the confusion
that comes when we don't know
which end is up;
when we feel like the whole
world is against us.

I've been thinking about it all night
and woke up with it again this morning.

It comes from Psalm 37.
I'm not going to tell you which verse
because I want you to read the whole thing.
It is wonderful.

The two things are this:
(Drum roll please.)

Trust in the LORD
and do good.

Think about it.
You can not possibly fix the mess you are in.

So, trust in the LORD.

Trust, says Webster, is
'assured reliance on the character, ability,
strength, or truth of someone in whom
your confidence is placed.'

Oh man, that's good.

So...
Stop defending yourself.
Stop fighting back.
Stop adding fuel to the fire.

STOP!

Now,
GO AHEAD!

Do good.
Do those things which produce favorable results.
Do what is beneficial.
Do what is valid, genuine, and honorable.
Do what is worthy, enjoyable, and happy.
Do what is dependable, reliable, and well-behaved.
(Thanks again, Mr. Webster.)

It reminds me of what Jesus' brother James said-
"Faith without works is dead."
Trust in the LORD=Faith
Do good=Works

Maybe this isn't what you wanted to hear.
Maybe you wanted validation.
Maybe you wanted some sympathy.
Maybe you wanted to go lop off a few heads.

I'm with you on that.
But what good would it do?
There are people who are watching.
And while we aren't supposed to care
about what people think of us,
we are supposed to care about what
they think of God because of us.
And we are supposed to care for them.

Paul said it to Timothy this way,
"...endure hardship as a good soldier
of Jesus Christ.
No one engaged in warfare
entangles himself with the affairs
of this life,
that he may please him
who enlisted him as a soldier...
...endure all things
for the sake of the elect,
that they also may obtain the
salvation which is in Christ Jesus
with eternal glory."

Endure.
Don't get tangled up in the mess.
Don't jump into the fray.
So you can please God.

Endure.
For the sake of others
who need a Savior
and are headed
towards belief in Him.

Trust in the LORD
and do good.

And this is His promise to you.

He will bring forth your righteousness
as the light,
and your justice
as the noon day.

And what is so special about noon day?
There are no shadows at noon.

We can create shadows on Christ's name
and on our own reputations
when we don't trust Him
and when we don't do good.

And even if we are doing it right
but others think we are doing it wrong,
there is no possible way we can justify
ourselves and prove that we are acting
responsibly with the knowledge
that we have.

But if we commit our way to Him
and trust in Him,
He shall bring it to pass.
He shall bring forth our righteousness
as the light,
and our justice as the noonday.
And our righteousness will be shadow free.
Our good will not be spoken of as evil.

For the LORD loves justice,
And does not forsake His saints.

Thank you, Dear Overcomer
of our tribulations.
Help us to trust You
and do good.

Peach Scones

2011-08-17T10:13:00.000-07:00

I just turned to my favorite segment of Lancaster Farming, which we still get down here, and discovered a recipe for Peach Scones. Doesn't that sound like the perfect food to serve with a cup of tea at a neighborhood book club?

Ingredients:
3 cups plus 3 Tablespoons flour
3/4 cup sugar
5 teasp. baking powder
1/2 teasp. baking soda
1 stick butter, cut into small pieces
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 egg
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 cups peaches, chopped small

Glaze:
1/3 cup sugar
2 Tablespoons milk

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Mix scone ingred. in order listed.
Add buttermilk to make mixture adhere
into scone shapes.
(Can add more but mixture should
not be too wet.)
Shape into 10-12 scones
and place on greased cookie sheet.

Mix glaze. Brush glaze mixture onto
scones with a pastry brush
or drizzle on with a spoon.

Bake scones for 22 minutes,
or until light brown on the bottom.
Serve after cooling.

(I make buttermilk by adding lemon juice
or vinegar to milk. I'd add a Tablespoon
or two to this amount of milk and allow
it to sit for a few minutes.)

The recipe doesn't say to do it this way,
but I would mix together the dry ingredients
by hand, cut in the butter until
the pieces are smaller,
then mix in an already beaten egg
and vanilla,
and then add as much buttermilk as needed.
Do not over mix.
It will toughen your end results.

There is no contributor's name at the end of the recipe
so I give the credit to Lancaster Farming.

Swan Song

2011-08-17T04:27:00.000-07:00

My Father-in-law, Truman, talks about people's swan songs.
It is what people say before they die.
It may be a week or more before they die
or just moments before they die,
but their swan song carries the words
they want you to really remember.

It is important to hear your loved one's Swan Song.

Jesus' Swan Song is recorded in John's book, Chapters 13-17.
If I could only have five pages of my Bible,
these are the pages I would choose.

Today I was reading Chapter 16 and I noticed that Jesus
was saying, "These things I have spoken to you,
that you should not be made to stumble."

I very much dislike stumbling
in myself or anyone else,
so I took a closer look at the surrounding verses.

What did He say so that we wouldn't be taken
by surprise and be offended in Him?
What were these important last words?

Jesus was warning His disciples about the
persecutions that would come because
of their connections with Him.

"The world hates me; it will hate you also.
If they persecuted me, they'll persecute you.
They may kick you out of the synagogue
and kill you,
and think they are doing Me a favor by doing so.
They will do these things because they
do not know the Father
nor do they know Me."

Along with the Promise of Persecution
He gave them a Promise of Peace.

"After I go to the Father,
I will send you another Helper,
The Comforter,
The Holy Spirit,
who will do in My absence
what I would do if I was still here.
He is the Spirit of Truth
who proceeds from the Father,
and He will tell you all about me.
He will guide you into all truth
and will speak what He hears from
the Father.
He will tell you of things to come.
He will glorify Me
and will take what is Mine
and give it to you.

I give you My peace.
Don't let your heart be troubled.
Neither let it be afraid.

I will not leave you orphans.
I will come to you.

Abide in Me and bear much fruit.
Ask what you desire and it shall be
done for you.

Abide in My love and love one another
as I have loved you.
So shall My joy remain in you
and your joy will be full."

From the Last Supper
to His journey to the Garden,
The Great Balancer of All Things
goes back and forth
between warnings
and comfortings.
"There will be hard times ahead.
But I will be with you.
In this world, you'll have tribulation,
but be of good cheer,
I have overcome the world."

It's the bad surprises of life
that can cause us to be disillusioned
with God and His people.

But because He doesn't want us
to become bitter or live in offense
He warned us
that these kind of things happen.

For some believers,
in other countries,
suffering is a way of life.
They don't have a lifetime
to get over offenses or betrayals.
Today might be the day they die.

Suffering is not an obstacle for them.
Therefore, they don't stumble over it.

We can recognize the suffering,
the persecutions,
as a fulfillment of what Jesus said would take place.

And we can dwell on His eternal promise
that He will not leave us orphans.
He will never leave us or forsake us.
He is with us through the Holy Spirit
and He's praying for us in Heaven.

The Final Verse of Jesus' Swan Song
is what we call 'The High Priestly Prayer.'

I can hear Him sing it now.

Father, the time has come
Glorify your Son, that Your Son may glorify You.
Life everlasting I give to Your children
So they may know You and they may know Me.
I have finished My work.
I want to come Home.
Father, glorify Your Son.

I pray for these You have given to Me,
For they have believed and accepted Me,
And they have glorified Me.
Protect them, Father, by the power of Your name,
So they may be one even as You and I are one.
Sanctify them by truth.
Your Word is the truth.
Father, purify Your sons.

I pray for those who will someday believe
through the message of these men,
May they be brought to complete unity.
So that the world may believe You have sent Me,
And have loved them even as You have loved Me.
I want them by My side
To see all of My glory.
Father, give them unity.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hertzler Doings~Aug. 15-21, 2011

2011-08-16T12:58:00.000-07:00

Mon.-An intense day. A day of changes and communication of all kinds. ///I am thankful that Monday's come only once a week. I am thankful that if we ask for wisdom, He gives it quickly. I am thankful for what I learned today-the difference between an observation and an evaluation. I am thankful for the keys that were given to me today on how to stop a downward spiral in my thinking. I am thankful for Angela, my health care counsellor, who is making me spend time thinking about myself in a healthy way.

Tues.-Truly weeping may endure for a night, or for a Monday, in this case, but joy comes in the morning. Answers are falling into place. A plan is coming together and I am pulled back home where I belong. What was I thinking? It's so easy to fall prey to the urgent rather than invest time in the most important.
Canned lots of kidney beans today. Due to our difficulty with getting high speed internet here, we are having to change our plans in schooling for next year. A friend has offered her help and I am going through all our homeschooling things and making a list of what I have. Michael is tying up loose ends and plans to move into Liberty tonight. He has a conference he must attend this week with Cutco and will miss the Freshmen activities but they told him he can make it up in Jan. after he told them he is running a business and has meetings he must attend. He has encouraged Susan to see if she can finish high school in three years so they can have a year at Liberty together. She likes that idea. Alli came over after work to check out the box of material we inherited and then she took me to Pamplin Exxon to pick up my car. They charged me 10 bucks for thoroughly checking out the car. Not once did it misbehave for them. The air conditioning has been temperamental as is the starting up of the engine. I stopped at Grunerts on the way home and picked several ice cream buckets of their tomatoes. They also sent me home with some peppers, eggplant, and fresh herbs. I love their garden and their house and their land. I thought I had driven into heaven when I pulled into their driveway. I made some taco salad for supper and since the table was full of various items, we sat and watched a bit of 'Lord of the Rings' while we ate. The boys can't believe I haven't read the books. They said the movies are boring compared to the books. I just can't read anything that is scarier than the movie. Scary looking creatures scare me and so do scary sounds. What can I say? Michael, Philip, and Susan played real Monopoly at the one end of the cleared off table. Phil worked on some things outside. He missed me 'too much' being away overnight at the Abbey last night. I missed him too. ///I am thankful that Susan is on her second day of guitar and is already picking out tunes on the strings. I am thankful for the happy chatter of the three as they sing along with the songs that are playing and call each other good natured names and argue about their own made up rules of the game. A long time ago, when the boys were young, they got my mother to play with them. She asked me, "Have you ever played with them? They have their own set of rules." It's a one-of-a-kind experience-Hertzler Monopoly.

Wed.-Went out to Walmart in the eve. and connected with Michelle over ice cream after dropping Susan off at church. Met Candi for Japanese. I've been plugging my way through Exodus and Leviticus and am moved by all the care that went into making the high priestly robe. The 12 tribes of Israel's names were engraved on stone and woven into the shoulders of the high priest's robe and I thought of how Jesus is our high priest and how it was said of Him that the government would be upon His shoulders. We, too, are kings and priests unto God. Which means we have authority and we can intercede for ourselves and others. Also, there was so much detail that went into the building and furnishing of the temple and now we are His temple where He dwells. And all that law...and Jesus fulfilled all that law and fulfilled all the prophets prophecy's. He is the embodiment of the Word of God. ///I am thankful that Michael could be home part of this day and that Chace helped him move to Liberty and that he had a peaceful night there. I am thankful for the clarity that comes when righteous anger is expressed in a logical manner. I am thankful for a hot bath and a good book and a deep sleep.

Thurs.-Kept thinking of these words last night and this morning. Trust the LORD and do good. Don't get caught up in conflict. Trust in the LORD and do good. Don't choose sides against anyone. Trust in the LORD and do good. Don't defend yourself. Feed His sheep. Do what's right even if others have wronged you. Trust in the LORD and do good. Canned two batches of salsa and 6 pint of black beans. Watched 'The Little Princess' with Susan. ///I am thankful that God gives answers and direction and truth and light. I am thankful for the strength He pours into human spirits. I am thankful that He is interceding for His church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.

Fri.-Nice long time to study and exercise. Made 6 quarts of salsa. Watched 'The Secret Garden' with Susan. Mickey and Oran came down to see the puppies. They frightened him with their loud aggressive barking. Got a second wind in the eve. and cleaned up the kitchen better than its been for awhile.///I am thankful for 'The Mitford Series'. I am thankful that Phil is home tonight. I am thankful for a hot bath, a good book, and an early bedtime. I am thankful for what I read in Leviticus today. When the sacrifice pleased God, His fire came out from His presence to consume the sacrifice. But when Aaron's sons offered profane fire, having gotten it from a source other than what was commanded, and also being intoxicated with strong drink, the fire came out and consumed them. I'm not thankful that they were consumed. I am thankful for the reminder to be holy and to fear a holy and awesome God.

Sat.-Had coffee and conversation with Michael about Liberty this morning. Cleaned the house. Susan mowed the lawn and a pathway to the river. Phil, Susan and I had a sweet time at the river with a dear friend and her mother. A White Dove showed up on our property to make the time even sweeter. Phil and Susan headed to the Abbey to get a load of windows/aluminum. I rested a bit and made peach scones, beef roasts, and homemade corn chips. In the eve., we went to New Life to see their Comedy Theatre. Every actor was good on their own and also as a group. Kelly Gibbs came home with us for the night. ///I am thankful for the way the Holy Spirit came down like a dove and rested on Jesus when He was baptized. I am thankful for fresh peach scones and a cup of tea in the middle of the afternoon. I am thankful that Sheriff is calming down. I am thankful for Dianna and for a peek into her life 20+ years from now.

Sun.-Let Kelly G. and Susan sleep in and got into the sanctuary a bit late. Got to hold little Isaac and he fell asleep for me which surprised his mama. She said they can never get him to sleep in church. She said that he's never taken to anyone like this and I told her that we have been flirting for quite some time and that we've only now gotten together. He was 'what the doctor ordered' since this day was a bag of mixed emotions for me. Some of our church family is moving on and if we weren't 'related' I'd feel even sadder but I have hopes of continued contact. PFrank preached a sermon about our flesh, soul, and spirit. Before Christ, we are ruled by our flesh. After Christ, our struggle is more with our souls-our minds, will and emotions. We must renew our minds through truth. His word is truth. But the great thing is, the actual mystery is this-when we ask the Spirit of God to come and reside in us, He does, and He makes us new creations in Him. Old things are passed away; all things are become new. And the life we now live in the flesh, we live by His faith. The faith, power, life, and presence of God is in us working to do that which pleases Him. (I didn't get to write notes down, but this is what I took away.) Susan stayed in town with the Gibb's and Cassidy and checked out human video. Phil picked her up at Calvary where Charity dropped her off. I read more of 'A New Song' by Jan Karon. I love her books about an Anglican priest. Phil was reading too. Michael headed out to Liberty. His first class starts tomorrow.///I am thankful that Susan got to spend time with her friends. I am thankful for a day of rest. I am thankful that I can see and that I can read. I am thankful for the deep and foundational word that was given this morning. I am thankful that I do not need to consider matters that are too complicated for me. I have calmed my soul, like Isaac was calm with me, and I am carried between the shoulders of God, resting on His chest, trusting Him to take care of His church and make it whole.

Testing

2011-08-14T04:02:00.000-07:00

John 6:15-"Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone."

John 7:1-"After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We are tested in many ways.
Sometimes, we are tested by the criticism of man
and sometimes,
we are tested by the praises of men.
The "praises of man" test
is by far the hardest test.

When we see someone do something well
and go beyond the call of ordinary,
it is human nature to want to
make them 'king.'

We as a people long to gaze upward.
We long to rest our minds and let someone
else do our thinking.
"Tell me what to do.
Tell me how to think.
And I'll give you love and adoration.
I'll be loyal to you.
I won't sift through your words to find
truth or falsehood.
I won't risk your anger
by questioning your motives and methods.
Just be my 'king.'"

The pedestal of people's praises
perches on a perilous platform
of perfect performance.

We tend to want the praises that come
with a public image
but want to side step
the criticism
that accompanies public responsibility.

Jesus avoided the praises of man.
When they wanted to make Him king,
He went up into the mountains to be alone.

He avoided being crucified before His time as well.
He was not moved by the praises or criticism of man.

He was however, moved with compassion.
And He laid His life down for all-
including those who wanted to take Him by force
and crown Him as earthly king
and those who wanted to crown Him with thorns.

If you are one they want to 'crown as king'
or if you are one they want to 'crucify,'
run to the hills!

Sleep on the dirt and use a rock for a pillow.
Taste the dew of the morning
and listen to the sounds of night.
Don't leave until you realize
how susceptible you are to both
the praises and the fear of man.

Don't leave until you see how much you miss
the ringing of your cell phone
and how empty you feel
when you are not responding to a crisis.

And then stay longer.
Stay until you want to hear only
the praises of God;
until man made stimuli seems
like a nuisance rather than a necessity;
until you forget your name.

And then stay longer,
and eat the fruit of the field,
catch the fish from the lake,
swim in the reflection of the moon,
become reacquainted with the dirt
from whence you were formed.

Until you can say of man's criticism,
"They were right about some things.
Lord, defend in me what you can
and cleanse me from what you cannot."

Until your heart is broken
with the love and grace God
has poured out on "a sinner
such as I."

Until you know His call.
Until you know that you are not
that important and that it is not about you.

Until you know you are a king and priest
unto God.
Until you know that you are less than the least
and that you are only a servant
doing what your master has asked you to do.

Until you know He has called you His friend.

And then come back down the mountain.
Full of grace and love and truth.
Full of compassion for those who
praise and crucify you.
Full of God Himself,
ready to lay your life down
for His sheep.

Erin's Blog

2011-08-10T08:47:00.000-07:00

Dear Blogger Friends,

Please read Erin's blog-"There is no Random"-on my blog list.
She went on a trip to China.
Read about her departure and then read about her return.
It will be well worth your time.

Thank you, Erin, for opening up my eyes
to another world just 12 hours away.
Thank you, for helping me to be grateful
for this country where I can say His name
and speak His Word without fear of imprisonment.
Thank you for helping me love Him more.

Sincerely,
A~

Hertzler Doings~Aug. 8-14, 2011

2011-08-10T04:37:00.000-07:00

Mon.-Susan and I went to Chick Fillet at noon and met Michelle and the Banton's for lunch. The girls were sitting on Susan's and my laps. Adi snuggled in and I asked her if she was sad because she seemed to be sad. She nodded yes and then I asked her if she was sad because she was moving and she nodded again and tucked her head in closer like a little baby and I pretended she was. It was a rough good bye in the parking lot. Emma looked back at us from her vantage point in the van and said, "What are you doing?" Gil said, "We just need a moment." And Emma said, "Silly Friends" which made us all laugh through our tears. It helps to know that they are coming back for Christmas and I've heard some talk about flying up in Oct. We ran some errands and later we made homemade pizza's for supper. ///I am thankful that Lindsay gave Susan her gold amethyst ring that she's had since she was 15. She also gave her the Bible that Gil had given her the first year they were married. She had looked for gifts for Susan that were full of meaning. Lindsay always felt like she and Susan were much alike. I am so thankful for Gil and Lindsay, Emma and Adi, and the blessings they have been to us. I am thankful that I've learned to know Michelle through them. And Erin, too.

Tues.-Went to Dr. F. with Susan. Had eaten a salad from a bag before we went and by the time we got home, I was really sick in my stomach. I guess I cannot eat any salad that I don't make fresh myself. It must be the sprays. It takes a good 24 hours until I feel better. Susan and I made plans for the school year and realized we had to drop the homeschool co-op. With the on-line program, she'll need to be on the computer nearly 5 hours a day, plus she wants to play sports, and be involved with some other things. We are waiting to get our high speed internet set up. Apparently there is some sort of strike going on.///I am thankful for Susan and for who she is and the way she thinks. I am thankful for the phone call I received this morning from someone who knew it was a rough day for me. I am thankful that the Banton's got their truck packed up and are safely on their way to Conn. I am thankful for all the friends they have and for all the love they received in tangible ways on their last day in Farmville.

Wed.-Busy day plus two meetings in Farmville in the eve. Drove by the empty Banton house and called Lindsay. They are camping. ///I am thankful that God is always working to keep me balanced and objective. I am thankful for friends I can be brain dead with. That is not a good sentence but it's as good as it gets right now. I am thankful that I got to see Carleen and Amber at Walmart. Had been thinking about them alot. I am thankful for the purifying fire. Not really, but I am thankful for the results that are just around the corner.

Thurs.-I don't know what I did today. Just a numb blur of a day.///I am thankful for a day to not have to go anywhere or do much of anything even though there is much I could be doing. I am thankful that God has my back. I am thankful that it is not about me.

Fri.-Storm woke Phil up around 1 this morning and he and Philip went to the abbey to close some things up and then slept there and ate at McD's. for breakfast. I couldn't go back to sleep for an hour or two and then his alarm woke me up at 5. Had a great morning studying, exercising, cleaning up outside and the old house, doing wash, canning pinto beans, making pizza crusts, creating a bed on the floor for Serena, Abby, and Micah. Susan mowed for four hours over at Happy Valley and did some chores around here before I took her to Holliday Lake for Jeremy's birthday party. Michael drove tractor for Rich to sow some seed and then later went to a party at Calvary and then had some time with the guys. Philip spent the eve. with him. Phil went to pick up Susan at Holliday Lake and then took her to the outdoor theatre in Farmville for Kelli's birthday hang-out. They watched 'True Grit' with the family. Phil was so exhausted. He tried to sleep in the car while he waited for her. Abby, Serena, and Micah were here by the time I got back from Holliday Lake. Michael had made them popcorn and they were watching 3 Stooges with Phil. I had them make their own little pizzas. I had baked the dough earlier. We ate pizza and had rootbeer and orange soda vanilla ice cream floats while we watched 'Ice Age 2' and 'Cats and Dog.' I read to them a little bit before I went to bed. ("Fox in Sox" and "The Biggest Bear.")I didn't notice if they stayed up late or not because I fell asleep.

Sat.-I heard the kids waking up around 7 so we got up and made sausage and buckwheat pancakes-regular, blueberry, and chocolate chip. They watched 'Scrat' and more Stooges I think and then we packed up and went down to the river from 10:30-12:30. The sky was gray, as it has been, from smoke from a fire in a swamp some 150 miles away. It's been burning since Aug. 4 and has burned 6,000 acres so far. It kept thundering as they played in the water and while we roasted hot dogs and s'mores. They made a clay slide down the bank and their behinds looked like an otters belly after a day of playing along the river bank. Finally the thunder began in earnest and we doused out the fire and jumped into the gator. The 5 dogs were our enemies, as they were on the way down, and we fired our guns at them, for we were in the jungle, and the tigers were trying to eat us. The dogs were invigorated by our shouting and 'POW! POW! POWS!' and they strode innocently ahead of us, completely ignorant of their identities and internal injuries. (In the beginning of our adventure, they turned from tigers to alligators when they got into the river, and we avoided that segment of the water for awhile.) We unloaded the gator in the rain and I insisted they take showers and pack their things before one last movie-'The Ant Bullies'. Then we loaded the car around 2:30 and I took the girls home first and they said how they wished they could stay longer and one even suggested we do this every 6 days. I think she may have wanted to escape Sat. chores. Micah took my hand when we got to his house and he showed me his skink. The drowning meal worms-skink food- have threatened to curb Janelle's creative processing since they are back in her office, but the increase in the number of post-a-notes on the wall proved to me that she is still plugging away at her book and before you know it, she'll be a published author again. I came home and cleaned up the kitchen, did some wash, and washed the floors. Alli and Freeman stopped by and we received a beautiful anniversary gift that they had made together. They gave us a double hanging plaque painted by Alli's skillful hand and it says, "HERTZLER HOME" on the top and "EST. Aug. 14, '82" on the bottom. They also got us a digital rain gauge which Phil has been wanting for awhile. Chace has been here today and the boys made a big pot of Philip's famous chili over the fire outside. They fished and floated on the pond in the late afternoon and spent some time with the other guys in the eve. They are holding on to life as they know it before Mike starts college next week.///I am thankful for my neighbor, Mickey, and the material she gave me tonight. I am thankful for the belated idea I got for an anniversary gift for Freeman and Alli. I am thankful that 29 years ago, I was not at all worried about getting married the next day. I am thankful for nieces and nephews and especially Serena, Abby, and Micah. I wouldn't mind waking up to their happy chatter and pillow fighting on a more consistent basis. I am thankful for Phil's enjoyment of local Appomattox politics. I am thankful that the storm system that came in today changed the direction of the wind, and now the smoke will blow out to sea.

Sun.-Second Sunday in a row that we didn't race off to S.S. in the morning. It's kind of nice for a change. It's interesting; if I don't get to really have a deep conversation with several people, I don't feel like I had church. For me, it's the relationships I have with people that make me feel part of Christ's body. We are being fit together to build His body just as the stones were laid on top of each other to build the temple. Sharp tools are used to chisel off the rough edges so we can fit together better. This is generally a painful experience. Pastor Frank preached from Romans-the grace of God. We have received an abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness. Therefore, we will reign in life through Christ Jesus. He has gone to the cross for our sins and gifted us with righteousness. Sin no longer rules our lives. I need to hear this again and again. It is when we abide in Him that we'll bring forth fruit. The fruit does not show itself in our style of worship or how many people are in the pews. The fruit shows itself in the love and kindness in or lives toward one another. It will look like love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, meekness, patience, and faith in attitude and action. It is from the overflow of the heart that the mouth speaks. If our words are bitter, our hearts are bitter. If our words are sweet, our hearts are sweet. Our words reveal our character and our spirit. We can sow words of discord or words of unity. The body of Christ will reap what we sow. A root of bitterness defiles many. There are ways to speak truth without destroying people in the process. If we do not need grace, then we don't need to extend it to others. But if we are not perfect, then we too, need grace. Grace is to be received as a gift from God. And grace is to be given. Those who are not gracious need our grace the most. John says it this way, "Of His fullness, we have all received, and grace for grace." We need grace to receive grace, and we need grace to give it. Grace is one of my favorite words. Grace is the meaning of my name and I have always been overwhelmed by His grace and I have always longed to gracious.
Judy came back into church after the service. She said she was the whole way to her car when Sammy Jo insisted on coming back in to see me. I got to hold her for awhile.
Phil and I went to the Babcock House to celebrate our 29th anniversary and then we came back home and took naps and watched a movie and made popcorn and ate ice cream. DDF called today and offered me the key to their house while they are on vacation in case I want time away. Philip spent some time working on his food plot on his property across the road. Michael went over to have some time with Meredith, his cousin, before college starts next week. It was good to have Erin here and we made the beginnings of connections with our relatives in England to make some contacts for Erin for her year of study there. This may be the last time we see her for awhile. She pulled gifts from China out of her woven Chinese bag and gave them to us as we chatted around the table. She gave us silk balls hung on ribbon with beautiful colors and designs. One for each of us. She gave us a painting that says, "Jesus is Lord" in another language. She said, "Summer buddies," to Susan and Philip as she presented them drawings of their names in Chinese. Earlier she had given us exotic foods such as pickled duck tongues and the same kind of coconut candy that Johnny would bring home to us. And she gave us her smile and after we had gathered around her and prayed, she gave me her strong hug and said, "See you later," and so gave me a way out of overwhelming sadness amidst my tears.///I am thankful for the grace of God and that He longs to be gracious towards us. I am thankful for DDF's encouragement about my writing. I am thankful for Phil, who never criticizes me or makes me feel bad about anything. I am thankful for his steadfast love and his blind eyes that see beauty and grace whenever he looks at me. I am thankful for his keen mind, objective wisdom, and energizing optimism. I am thankful that we got married in a sweet simple ceremony 29 years ago. I am thankful for the four wonderful children who are the fruits of our love. And I am thankful for Alli, too.

Never Give Up

2011-08-03T06:39:00.000-07:00

Perseverance

Ponder the path of your feet,
And let all your ways be established.
Do not turn to the right or the left;
Remove your foot from evil.
(Prov. 4:26,27)

He who endures to the end
shall be saved.
(Mark 13:13b)

But none of these things move me;
nor do I count my life dear to myself,
so that I may finish my race with joy,
and the ministry which I received
from the Lord Jesus,
to testify to the gospel
of the grace of God.
(Acts 20:24)

And let us not grow weary while doing good,
for in due season we shall reap
if we do not lose heart.
(Gal. 6:9)

Therefore take up the whole armor of God,
that you may be able to withstand
in the evil day,
and having done all, to stand...
...praying always with all prayer
and supplication in the Spirit,
being watchful to this end
with all perseverance
and supplication for all the saints-
(Eph.6:13,18)

Because you have kept My command
to persevere, I also will keep you
from the hour of trial
which shall come upon the whole world,
to test those who dwell on the earth.
Behold, I am coming quickly!
Hold fast what you have,
that no one may take your crown.
(Rev. 3:10,11)

(Due to blogger wanting to add large spaces between my lines at this point,
I will continue later. These verses can be printed out and mounted to another
sheet of paper and inserted into a plastic sleeve, or they can be printed out, cut apart,
and mounted onto 4x6 index cards.)

Perseverance

2011-08-03T06:20:00.001-07:00

I've been thinking about that verse that ends with the words, "This calls for the patient endurance of the saints." I can't seem to find it but I am sure it is in the Bible somewhere.

Jesus persevered.

He endured the cross for the joy that was set before Him.
He didn't regard the shame that went with the cross.
He thought about what was ahead.
I believe that it was the thought of having us with Him in His Father's presence
that was the very joy that kept Him going.

Hebrews 11 gives quite a list of those who persevered in the midst of trials.
Some of those who persevered, received the things they hoped for.
Others died without receiving the promise,
but they persevered anyway.

I checked with my friend Webster, today.
He said that perseverance means to continue doing something in spite of difficulty or opposition;
refusing to give up; endure; remain constant; persist.

Everywhere I look, in every avenue of our lives,
the quality of persistence and perseverance
is being tested.

I looked up many verses on perseverance and steadfastness.
I will write them by themselves in my next blog.
Then we can print them out and read them and absorb them.
Hopefully,
they will help us all persevere in the areas of our lives that are being tested.

So, my dear friends,
persevere during this rough patch in your marriage.
Read books about marriage.
Humble yourself.
Endure.
Those marriages you admire
have been through tough times
and have come out the other side.
Do your part to live peaceably.
Do your part to build.
Be kind.

Persevere during this time of awkwardness
in your church life.
Trust in the Lord and do good;
Dwell in the land and feed on His faithfulness.
Speak a word of encouragement to him who is weary
even though you yourself are tired.

Persevere during this time of lack.
Use what you have.
Be content with such things as you have,
for He has promised never to leave you or forsake you.

Jesus says, "To Him who overcomes, I will give..."
Don't give up swimming because it's too foggy to
see where you are.
The shore is only a few feet away.

Persevere.
Be steadfast.
Stand firm.
You're almost home.

Hertzler Doings~Aug.1-7, 2011

2011-08-01T16:25:00.000-07:00

Mon.-Got lots of paper work and phone calls done today. Washed 3 loads. Made bruschetta for supper. Why are Monday's so tough? ///I am thankful for Susan's notes from girl's camp on forgiveness. "Forgiveness is God's grace coming in and destroying what the enemy is doing." I am thankful for how much fun Susan and Philip have together. I am thankful that Michael will be home this weekend and soon we'll see him every weekend. I am thankful for the verses that someone shared with me-Ps. 71:20,21-and that I had just sent those same verses in a card to a friend today.

Tues.-Janelle and Micah picked me up around 10:30 and we went to the free movie at the theatre in Farmville-'Hop'-about an Easter Bunny, etc. Then we went to the Bank, P.O., and Banton's to pick up a wax return and directions to the dentist. We grabbed a quick lunch at Burger King and Janelle entrusted my drugged body to the dentist and went off to a nearby book store for an hour and a half. My front tooth no longer looks like its an implant and he also did some other dental work. Then we returned Lindsay's big block of wax to Hobby Lobby and shopped at Whole Foods and Trader Joes. Janelle and I ate the whole little container of chocolate covered sunflower seeds on the way home. Got back home around 8:30. Put things away and hit the sack. ///I am thankful for the snowy and gray egrets floating beautifully in the air above our swamp. I am thankful for the wild life in our area, including a bear and her cubs who are moving in on Philip's corn planted over at O'Briens. I am thankful for the good feeling I get when a little boy accompanies me around a grocery store.

Wed.-Took Susan to doctor today. Running tests on various things. Concerned about thyroid. Went to Women's Ministry meeting and discussed upcoming events. Talked with a friend all evening and left inspired and hopeful.///I am thankful for the prayers of friends. I am thankful that conflict doesn't mean that there is a lack of love. I am thankful that God is our Provision.

Thurs.-Cleaning house. Washing clothes. Susan baking peanutbutter cheese cake for Michael's homecoming. She is not as tired and is able to breathe better. Puppies got ahold of Red, our rooster, and several hens and they are no more. Now puppies can only be free one at a time. Otherwise, they adopt a pack mentality. It is a relief not to have to watch my back every time I go out. Red even had attacked Susan on the front porch. Thinking about what it means to love not only in word but in deed. How do people know that we love them? Do we love only those who agree with us and don't cause waves? Make us people who lead others with knowledge and understanding. Make us people after Your own heart. You do not push people away. You restore and reconcile. Oh, help us love as you love. Susan hit her little toe hard on the door jam and I had to cry with her and then I couldn't stop. Cried about other things while I was at it. Wept for the wounded women in my world. Went out to Farmville in the eve. and picked up the children's book that our neighborhood book club is reading first. Went with Lindsay and the girls to Michelles to watch 'Steel Magnolia's'. Laughed and cried. It was fun to pick out who each of us were in the movie and we also assigned other friends to the other actors. It was a bittersweet night. My last movie night with Linds.///I am thankful for the chance to have a weepy day. I am thankful for a soft sofa and snuggly little darlings trying to get comfortable next to me. I am thankful that 'steel magnolias' is a good description of the company I keep. I am thankful that the words my father spoke to me over 30 years ago came back to me tonight. "You have nerves of steel."

Fri.-Micah came over nice and early to spend the day with me. I read him some Jan Brett books. We took a gator ride and saw the snowy and gray egrets and checked out the fire at Happy Valley. Philip was tending it and came back to get Susan to operate the lever of the petty bone so he could retrieve the tree trunks and branches from the pond. Drs. office called and Susan's blood work is normal but they will make an appt. with an ENT if she continues to have a lump in her throat. She is definitely feeling better after that breathing treatment and Claritin and the natural things she's taking. I am relieved and thankful for the prayers of the women on Wed. night. Micah watched The Three Stooges while I worked on the computer. We watched 'Blank Check' later in the day. He had to cry a little when it was time to leave. Made me sad and glad. Today I had a front row seat to a miracle. A Tsunami of grace if you will. If I wasn't already a Christian, I would believe because of what I saw and heard today. But it's not my story to tell. So I just keep crying and thanking Him over and over. Banton's came over in the eve. for their 'Last Supper.' Fed them chicken/salsa/apricot over rice plus salad and creme cheese/choc.chip/cupcakes. Took Lindsay over to Happy Valley on the gator to show her the progress. She was filming our lane as we went in and out and I sang 'Country Roads' loudly and off-key as we drove back in while she giggled away. Alli drew and painted pictures with the girls and I showed Adi how to paint wet coffee filters. Gil and Freeman tried to set up our high speed Internet. Freeman also laid on the floor while the little girls attacked him and he said, "I can't wait to be an Uncle. I'll get the kids all riled up and then give them back to their parents." It was a lovely eve. They brought Lyzza to us to take care of as long as she lives. (She seems to have revived actually. Maybe she likes 3 adolescent German shepherds barking threateningly at her.)

Lindsay told me later that she cried the whole way home. I've been a mess for days. Wondering how Sunday will go for all of us.///I am thankful for Alli's happy laughter as she watched Freeman be a wild man on the floor with the little scared girls. I am thankful that Phil is cheerful even though he has a miserable cold. I am thankful for my mother in law's new hair do and that she called us first before we saw it on facebook although Susan forgot to tell me that she called.

Sat.-Nice morning of study and exercise. Then I cooked up all the veggies in the fridge into a Chinese Stir fry with rice and made baked potato salad for tomorrow night. Vacuumed and washed the floors. Susan mowed the lawn and did other chores. We watched 'Italian Job' later in the afternoon. Michael came home around 6. Susan pulled out the peanut butter chocolate chip cheese cake she had made him. She could get rich from making these. Oh Mylanta! Michael gave Philip alot of knives in thanks for his generosity in sharing his car with him and the good deal he gave him when they decided Michael could buy it. Phil is out working in the fields. Earlier today, he went to play bass for 'Second Time Around' at a fire companies fund raiser in Vera. Alli and Freeman came over this morning and Alli sewed a bag holder out of a rectangle of material. It's brown with pink flowers and she did a great job. Lindsay gave me her serger via Philip today. He got their large screen TV and sofa and he put it over in the mancave. ///I am thankful for the status Susan put on facebook about how much she liked waking up to hearing her dad softly playing the blues on the guitar. I am thankful for the rumbling thunder and the promise of a storm. I am thankful that where sin abounds, grace does much more abound.

Sun.-The sermon was on grace. The church said good-bye to the Banton's today. Took up a love offering for them and introduced Michelle as their Chi Alpha replacement. Erin is back from China. It was great to see her. Philip, Michael, and their friends, and Susan and Erin went to a Mexican Restaurant in town. Phil and I came home and ate Chinese leftovers. Susan and Erin soon came back and spent the day. In the eve., Pearl and Kevin Beiler, Johnny and Lily Stoltzfus, and David Burkholder, stopped in on their way back to Pa. They had been to a family reunion in Georgia. I showed them around our property before dark and then they joined Tom's and Janelle and all of the children in the house for supper. The kids went over to the old house to play a board game. Serena and Abbi and Micah played Uno at the kitchen table. We women sat there too while the men dominated the living room. It was a great time with dear old friends. David B. described me as his other daughter. I lived next to them in Red Lake in 1976-77. Pearl and I were pregnant with each of our children together. It was with our first born that we started a Mother taught pre-school at Hopewell. Eight women were a part of that start-up group. It continued until last year. Pearl and I talked about what we took for granted in those days. Besides the preschool, there were the young mom retreats where everyone took 2 year turns on being on the planning committee, Women Proclaiming Christ-the one Monday night a month testimony nights where one woman from the church shared her story, the mother taught SS class in the nursery held there for nursing mothers and their other little ones. It was for a season in our lives and we are thankful for what used to be and recognize this new season in our lives. It was great to catch up with her and she wants to plan a get together with some others when I come up. They stayed after 10:30 and headed towards Appomattox, wanting to travel a bit towards their way home.///I am thankful that Alli and Freeman had their first anniversary today and that they shared some of their time with us this evening. I am thankful for the kind of friends where you can pick up where you left off. I am thankful that everyone loved our farm and thought it was so beautiful. Even the clouds were showing off our landscape before dark.