Gateways to Joy

T his past month I seem to have been drawn and have parked myself over in Exodus.  One thing out of many have caused me to slow down and take long moments of pause.  One verse has really kept me up late at night, and I've been dwelling on it throughout my days.  That verse reads: "Now when Pharaoh had let the people go, God did not lead them by the way of land of the Philistines, even though it was near; for God said, 'The people might change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt."Hence God led the people around by the way of the wilderness to the Red Sea ..." ~ Ex. 13 18, NASB In this situation the wilderness was a blessing to Israel.  And if you're in the wilderness right now—be careful how you respond because you just may be in the middle of your blessing. In thinking about this passage it reminded me about an experience I went through some years ago when my husband and I purchased some land.  We'd moved out of our apartment i...

I wasn't going to participate in this:  writing about "The practice of marriage." as Ann asked.  Why?  It's too hard.  There are so many hurts that run deep.  But after sitting back thinking, I've come to realize, as I always realize:  My husband is my friend.  My best friend. We've struggled a lot along the way, and even after 20 years it seems like we still struggle.  It does seem as if it is a little easier now, oppose to when we first began our journey.  Even though times aren't perfect I can also say that, "I can't imagine my life without him."  The man I began dating at 16. What helps me?  Remembering what Ann always says: "All is grace." God bestows grace on us...our marriage, our family.  My husband bestows grace on me, and I on him, and we keep moving.  Keep breathing.  Keep trying to work it out and figure out how to be a success in this thing called marriage and family.  We...

"W hen there is deep misunderstanding which has led to the erection of barriers between two who once were close, every day brings the strengthening of those barriers if they are not, by God's grace, breached.  One prays and finds no way at all to break through.  Love seems to "backfire" every time.  Explanations become impossible.  New accusations arise, it seems, from nowhere {though it is well to recall who is named the Accuser of the brethren}.  The situation becomes ever more complex and insoluble, and the mind goes round and round, seeking the place where things went wrong, brooding over the words which were like daggers, regretting the failures and mistakes, wondering {most painfully} how it could have been different.  Much spiritual and emotional energy is drained in this way—but the Lord wants to teach us to commit, trust, and rest. "Leave him to me this afternoon, is what his word is.  There is nothing else that I am asking of you this ...

Y esterday we shared our gratitude list...counting to our one thousand gifts.   Today is Tuesday, which means we will talk about our "words" and how we use them. Our words, our utterances, are used to convey messages in our spoken or written language.  For example: the Word of God.  God's written Word.  His language to mankind conveys various messages some being: How the world & its contents came about What His plan was & is for us How we're to live The consequences of living or not living as He wants and so forth In His written Word we learn that "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." ~ Proverbs 15:1 In my personal experiences I've seen arguments dissipate right in front of me when I chose to speak gentle words and use a gentle manner.  However, I've also seen the opposite happen when I chose harsher words. I purposely say, "chose" because our word choice is simply that: our choice.  We ...

I t's dark out. Quite in here.  The only sound I hear is the refrigerator humming and my fingers hitting the keys on the computer.  Early morning...late nights—I adore them.  It is in these moments that I am able to reflect on the day gone by... I thank Him for the gifts. One of my greatest delights: being able to open His Word to meditate.  Think.  Ponder.  Sit still. My reading comes from the book of Mark: "In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place and was praying." ~ Mark 1:35 ~ My List # 38 - 50 Thankful for my alone time.  A time to rekindle, refocus and think. Thankful for life ... health & the ability to reflect Thankful for warm beverages A glowing fire lotion after a good bath! early morning rising & late nights. my husbands kindness prayer The duties which fulfill my days. grace Christian radio The ability "to live fully right wher...

T his is one of my most favorite stories—it's tragic and triumph on so many levels.  It's remarkable to see how the lives (and death) of  such (extra) ordinary men and what they lived and died for are still touching the lives of millions world-wide today. If you click on this link, Valerie Elliot Shepard Interview, you can read my interview with Jim Elliot's daughter Valerie and see a few pictures of his grand kids.  Jim (Val's son) resembles his grandfather tremendously. I will post part 2, next Saturday

H ere's a good way we can forfeit (give it away...interrupt) our peace: The hymn says, "O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, all because we don't carry everything to God in prayer." Prayerlessness, is one of the many ways we forfeit the peace of God.  But Elisabeth Elliot has a list of other things that causes us to loose and find our peace: ~ resent God's ways. ~ worry as much as possible ~ pray only about things you can't manage by yourself ~ refuse to accept what God gives ~ look for peace elsewhere than in Him ~ try to rule your own life ~ doubt God's Word ~ carry all your cares How to find your peace ~ Don't worry about anything (Phil 4:6) ~ "In everything make your requests known to God in prayer and petition with thanksgiving .  Then the peace of God ... will guard your hearts." (Phil 4: 6-7) ~ "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me...and you will find rest." (Matt. 11:29) ~ ...