Wednesday, March 31, 2010
While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus asked him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" Luke 22:47,48
Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. But when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, "This man was with him." But he denied it. "Woman, I don't know him," he said. Luke 22:54-57
Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, and said to them, "You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. ...But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. So Pilate decided to grant their demand. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will. Luke 23:13-16 and 23-25.
Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. But when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, "This man was with him." But he denied it. "Woman, I don't know him," he said. Luke 22:54-57
Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, and said to them, "You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. ...But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. So Pilate decided to grant their demand. He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will. Luke 23:13-16 and 23-25.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation. He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. Luke 22:39-43.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
tensions on Sunday
On sunday nights there is this tension between savoring the end of the weekend, and looking ahead to the week. There is a tension between standing on sunday being sunday until midnight versus turning sunday night into the preamble for the work week. sigh.
My sitter has a sick child. I can't find my planner to tell me when I am scheduled to start my work day tomorrow so I don't know who to cancel when. I want to stay up and watch meaningless television because the kids are sleeping and I am finally, finally sitting. I want to flip through cook books and enjoy a burning candle and some wine and I want to sit in the quiet of my home while it is still the weekend...for a couple more hours. But my sitter has a sick child and I need to set up my work week so that I can still get things done before thursday when the kids are off for Easter break. I don't want to work while they are on break. I want to do fun stuff with them. Tension.
There is tension between going for a sunday afternoon walk and taking a sunday nap. For the record, I always choose the walk. Fresh air trumps bed head every week. Speaking of sunday walk, I have a new walking buddy. She called me last week, asking if I could walk with her in the mornings. She is a neighbor I have wanted to get to know and she called me so we are now walking at 6am during the week and on sundays. God was good to me and gave me an exercise buddy and a new friend all in one shot.
Its Palm Sunday and a week until Easter and I am acutely aware of the presence of Jesus Christ and how he acted out my salvation. I am very grateful.
My sitter has a sick child. I can't find my planner to tell me when I am scheduled to start my work day tomorrow so I don't know who to cancel when. I want to stay up and watch meaningless television because the kids are sleeping and I am finally, finally sitting. I want to flip through cook books and enjoy a burning candle and some wine and I want to sit in the quiet of my home while it is still the weekend...for a couple more hours. But my sitter has a sick child and I need to set up my work week so that I can still get things done before thursday when the kids are off for Easter break. I don't want to work while they are on break. I want to do fun stuff with them. Tension.
There is tension between going for a sunday afternoon walk and taking a sunday nap. For the record, I always choose the walk. Fresh air trumps bed head every week. Speaking of sunday walk, I have a new walking buddy. She called me last week, asking if I could walk with her in the mornings. She is a neighbor I have wanted to get to know and she called me so we are now walking at 6am during the week and on sundays. God was good to me and gave me an exercise buddy and a new friend all in one shot.
Its Palm Sunday and a week until Easter and I am acutely aware of the presence of Jesus Christ and how he acted out my salvation. I am very grateful.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Saturday smiles
I got these from a mailing and Roger and I laughed out loud as I read them to him this morning. Saturdays should be for smiling:
Did you ever stop and Wonder:
Why Noah didn't swat those two mosquitoes?
Why there isn't mouse flavored cat food?
Why Doctors call what they do "practice"?
Why there is a light in the fridge and not in the freezer?
Why the sun lightens our hair, but darkens our skin?
Why you don't see the headline: "Psychic Wins Lottery"?
Why do we press harder on a remote when we know the batteries are flat?
If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?
Did you ever stop and Wonder:
Why Noah didn't swat those two mosquitoes?
Why there isn't mouse flavored cat food?
Why Doctors call what they do "practice"?
Why there is a light in the fridge and not in the freezer?
Why the sun lightens our hair, but darkens our skin?
Why you don't see the headline: "Psychic Wins Lottery"?
Why do we press harder on a remote when we know the batteries are flat?
If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?
The I Have a Dream Speech - The U.S. Constitution Online - USConstitution.net
The I Have a Dream Speech - The U.S. Constitution Online - USConstitution.net I wanted to put a quote on the side of my blog from Martin Luther King but I wanted to get it right so I went to the speech to verify what he said about little black boys and girls holding hands with little white boys and girls as brothers and sisters. It would be unfair to just put the quote on there. Please take some time to click on the speech and actually read it yourself. I'm sure I did so in school. I know for a fact my children have listened to it in their classroom this year already. The words are powerful and I hope he is in heaven smiling that his dream was also God's dream and it is coming true.
Friday, March 26, 2010
I am aching to go somewhere wonderful to take fabulous pictures. I am longing to see the beauty of the earth, to preserve it in photographs and to celebrate God's amazing art work. Since I don't have the time or the money to travel with my camera, I will try to make artwork of words and children and life.
Today, the children had a half day at school. They rode their bikes home for the first time in 6 months and I met them at home with Precious, after a morning at the office. We made sub sandwiches and sat down to eat and as we were munching, Jeremiah, who is almost 6, said, "So mom, how was your day?" His big hazel eyes blinked and he chomped on a chip and was so serious. My heart skipped a beat. Here was my son, my little boy, making dinner talk and eating and actually interested in what my day was like. I thanked him for the question and said that I knew it meant he cared about me. The kids were itching to spend some of their money on toys so we went to the store and then we went to visit my grandma who is 91. I have not spent enough time with her and I want to change that. It is immensely important that she is 91 and a half, lives in her own home and is very sound and clear in her mind. I want my children, and myself, to experience how amazing she is.
I also made plans to take dinner to my other grandma on sunday. I will blog separately about this grandma sometime, but for now, suffice it to say that she is the true example of motherhood to me. I jumped on our trampoline with the boys before supper (yes, photos would have been very entertaining) and they were thrilled that I could move that way and do a "back to feet" move.) Hello...I may be almost 42 but I'm not dead!
I am craving the photos of the details of creation, the color and definition and depth and visual interest but when I look at my day, its all there. Its not flowers or vineyards or oceans, but rather eyes and hands and food and laughter. None of us can capture these on film but we all appreciate the beauty of them. Lets celebrate the artistic flair of the people in our lives and if we see a great picture, its just a bonus. Art is what we live and what we cherish. Share it with others, through pictures or words or better yet, real time
Today, the children had a half day at school. They rode their bikes home for the first time in 6 months and I met them at home with Precious, after a morning at the office. We made sub sandwiches and sat down to eat and as we were munching, Jeremiah, who is almost 6, said, "So mom, how was your day?" His big hazel eyes blinked and he chomped on a chip and was so serious. My heart skipped a beat. Here was my son, my little boy, making dinner talk and eating and actually interested in what my day was like. I thanked him for the question and said that I knew it meant he cared about me. The kids were itching to spend some of their money on toys so we went to the store and then we went to visit my grandma who is 91. I have not spent enough time with her and I want to change that. It is immensely important that she is 91 and a half, lives in her own home and is very sound and clear in her mind. I want my children, and myself, to experience how amazing she is.
I also made plans to take dinner to my other grandma on sunday. I will blog separately about this grandma sometime, but for now, suffice it to say that she is the true example of motherhood to me. I jumped on our trampoline with the boys before supper (yes, photos would have been very entertaining) and they were thrilled that I could move that way and do a "back to feet" move.) Hello...I may be almost 42 but I'm not dead!
I am craving the photos of the details of creation, the color and definition and depth and visual interest but when I look at my day, its all there. Its not flowers or vineyards or oceans, but rather eyes and hands and food and laughter. None of us can capture these on film but we all appreciate the beauty of them. Lets celebrate the artistic flair of the people in our lives and if we see a great picture, its just a bonus. Art is what we live and what we cherish. Share it with others, through pictures or words or better yet, real time
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Dear Lord, it was work getting this song on the playlist so I am choosing to believe that was because it is very worth it to have it here. I pray for me, all my loved ones and everyone reading blogs today that you would bring restoration. I pray you would restore us to a place of intimacy and fellowship with you, Jesus. I pray that you would give us laughter, joy, peace and your Presence in this day. Heal what is sick, fix what is broken, mend relationships. You give me Joy in my Soul. Thank you Jesus for the blessing and gift of music, the contemporaty psalms that we can plant deep in our hearts like new seeds in spring soil. Grow these seeds in us, as worship, as communion with you, Lord. I pray a blessing and an offering of praise over this day in Jesus Holy Name. Amen.
Monday, March 22, 2010
The season of Lent is something I have chosen to observe in the last few years, by way of weekly sacrifice. I came up with my own version and fasted something different each week for the 6 weeks of lent since I am far too weak and indulgent to give up any one thing for 40 days. Each year I have done this I have been so richly blessed by God. He has shown me alot about myself, about Him and about denying the comforts of the world and replacing them with focus on HIm. It has been very good to practice this discipline. I approached this season of lent with more confidence since I had done this before. What I found, early into it, was that daily I stuggled and faught and wrestled with my desire to fix my eyes on Jesus, versus my life right now which often is just about keeping all things together and moving forward. ( I promised, no more duck analogies but you get the point.) In short, I was miserable and felt more like a rule-keeping pharisee than a Godly woman, trying to focus on Jesus and the cross. Last week I gave it up. I just quit. I am not a quitter and it was hard for me to admit I did not have the strength or fortitude to press into this thing right now. It is humbling to write it out here and now.
The last few days, I have heard dark little messages of condemnation, reminding me that I failed at lent, that I am weak and in way over my head...I have taken these thoughts captive in obedience to Christ and refused to let them define me but it was still a reminder of what I could not do this year. Maybe next year. I will try again and rely more on God's strength in me than my own and maybe with more sleep at night and a better handle on my daily responsibilities, I will get back to how I remember it, a close walk with my Lord.
This morning I had some quiet time with God in the dark hours of dawn and He, the great Shephard, led me to this wonderful scripture. Hosea 6:6 says this, " For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." I am by now means suggesting that everyone should break their fast, but for me, Mercy ruled the day and God gave me the assurance that it's ok. He will reward my best effort because I truly did the best I could. He desires mercy, for me, from me, through me. His heart's desire is not for what I decide is a worthy sacrifice, but rather for the recognition of who He is and where I stand in relationship to HIm. He, the God of the universe, desires that I acknowledge Him.
That I can do in this season. I can see the Lord and hear his song and worship Him and give him honor and glory and praise. I can do this whether I am rested or not, cleaned up or filthy, fit or lazy. He wants my attention. Amazing. I am so grateful for the living Word of God that I get to read whenever I want and that this Word will silence the dark voices that want to discredit me and rip me apart. Holy Spirit lives and fights for me. Amazing. The Word of God is a powerful weapon, a true sword. One little sentence slayed all the yuck. Amazing. Thank you, God.
The last few days, I have heard dark little messages of condemnation, reminding me that I failed at lent, that I am weak and in way over my head...I have taken these thoughts captive in obedience to Christ and refused to let them define me but it was still a reminder of what I could not do this year. Maybe next year. I will try again and rely more on God's strength in me than my own and maybe with more sleep at night and a better handle on my daily responsibilities, I will get back to how I remember it, a close walk with my Lord.
This morning I had some quiet time with God in the dark hours of dawn and He, the great Shephard, led me to this wonderful scripture. Hosea 6:6 says this, " For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." I am by now means suggesting that everyone should break their fast, but for me, Mercy ruled the day and God gave me the assurance that it's ok. He will reward my best effort because I truly did the best I could. He desires mercy, for me, from me, through me. His heart's desire is not for what I decide is a worthy sacrifice, but rather for the recognition of who He is and where I stand in relationship to HIm. He, the God of the universe, desires that I acknowledge Him.
That I can do in this season. I can see the Lord and hear his song and worship Him and give him honor and glory and praise. I can do this whether I am rested or not, cleaned up or filthy, fit or lazy. He wants my attention. Amazing. I am so grateful for the living Word of God that I get to read whenever I want and that this Word will silence the dark voices that want to discredit me and rip me apart. Holy Spirit lives and fights for me. Amazing. The Word of God is a powerful weapon, a true sword. One little sentence slayed all the yuck. Amazing. Thank you, God.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Here's Isaac ready to take the blocks. I taught him this mantra: "I'm here to swim, I'm here to swim, I'm here to swim." I wonder if he remembered it or if he was thinking "get me out of here!" he did great. Beat his times in all 3 events and we had fun watching him and cheering him on. I know that at age 8 I would not have had this much courage.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
I have travel amnesia. 3 weeks ago we went to Minneapolis for the weekend and stayed in a hotel. I was so excited for our get-away, even with the kids. I was eager to do the hotel thing, relax and enjoy my family. I was anxious to make memories and all of those things did happen but it was busy, stressful and crowded. When we got home I was exhausted and at the end of my rope. I definitely have travel amnesia because we are setting out again tomorrow and I am so excited. I cannot wait to pack up and get out of town for a few days. We're going to Omaha for Isaac's last swim meet. Unfortunately Claire will not be coming because her cousin has a birthday and she wouldn't miss that for anything. I don't even remember how frustrated and irritated I was just a few weeks ago. I'm anxious to hang out with the family and cheer Isaac on and be away. Crazy. At this point he says he's not doing swim teem next year which would really be too bad because he's a great swimmer. I think he's just sick of it so hopefully we can convince him to sign up again, at least once more. What can I say, I'm a glutton for punishment.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
You know how there have been the horse whisperer and the baby whisperer? They have a way with their created thing, that tames it and blesses it and makes it beautiful again. Guess who I found? The duck whisperer. He quietly moves about, gathering the ducks, setting them back up, drawing the line they should stand on, feeding and tending them, purposeful in his way, steadfast and patient. He's been here all along and who knew he had this hidden skill. The little people in my house call him dad, I call him Hun and he is my husband. He lined up the ducks today. All of them. He is a very good man, and he has a hidden skill. He is the duck whisperer.
By the mercy of God, I went to the office and dug for my stack of verified continuing education papers. I had enough. I could recertify my license and continue to practice nursing. Phew! I'm a credible source of health information once again.
Precious went to visit our beloved "Papa Doc" again, via her daddy because I was out doing visits. She's on another course of antibiotics and steroids for the same bronchiolitis, round two. I'll take night-time parenting duty tonight because dear duck whisperer did the last 2 nights so that I could catch up on sleep and now he is very tired and has a sore throat...and a big day tomorrow.
Dear Lord, you showed me that you desire health and wellness for us all, you do not rejoice in sickness. Please remove the sickness from our home, from our bodies. When you walked the earth, Jesus, you healed all who came. I bring my family before you tonight, as if we were standing on the shores of the sea, and we are here for you to encounter us and heal us and make us well. Thank you, Jesus.
By the mercy of God, I went to the office and dug for my stack of verified continuing education papers. I had enough. I could recertify my license and continue to practice nursing. Phew! I'm a credible source of health information once again.
Precious went to visit our beloved "Papa Doc" again, via her daddy because I was out doing visits. She's on another course of antibiotics and steroids for the same bronchiolitis, round two. I'll take night-time parenting duty tonight because dear duck whisperer did the last 2 nights so that I could catch up on sleep and now he is very tired and has a sore throat...and a big day tomorrow.
Dear Lord, you showed me that you desire health and wellness for us all, you do not rejoice in sickness. Please remove the sickness from our home, from our bodies. When you walked the earth, Jesus, you healed all who came. I bring my family before you tonight, as if we were standing on the shores of the sea, and we are here for you to encounter us and heal us and make us well. Thank you, Jesus.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
I've missed a few days of writing, mostly due to the living of life. The healing and deliverance conference was amazing but since I spent many, many hours away from home, home then needed many, many hours back from me. The same applies to work. There's this great song by James Tayler that talks about "In line, in line its all in a line, my ducks are all in a row"...I just love that song. Maybe I'll add it to the blog tunes just because. My ducks are seldom...well, never really, in a row. I picture them in a row, I strive for the row of ducks. They won't line up. They just won't. I start to line my ducks up in a row and a stray goose or chicken or blue jay shows up to get in the way or knock a duck down or screw up my line. I back up and start to arrange my ducks again and then "Wham!" ducks off the ledge, floating in the water...time to round up the ducks again. One swims this way, the other "ducks" down to feed, another drifts off the other direction. Yep. This is what its come to. Ducks.
I am trying to not be whiney or complain or give in to dispair. I am trying not to think about my need to find CEUs for my nursing license which are hard to get, and I need them NOW. That duck definitely got side-tracked. I'm really hoping for a few hours to straighten up the house and sweep the floors before our social worker comes for our home study tomorrow. More ducks. My good intentions to eat well and get fit and wholistically healthy are drowning ducks. I fell completely off the duck wagon and inhaled a fast food mushroom and swiss burger WITH fries today for lunch. Darn it.
Precious continues to struggle with a full, snotty nose and rattling or wheezing chest. I'll take her in again if she's not improving later in the week and see if it could be allergies or something. We're not sleeping.
OK, I think I'm not setting a very perky tone anymore so I'd better close up the window and start shopping for fast and loaded nursing credits while I still have a license.
Jesus, I know you are here in the big storms and you are here in the steady rain and you are definitely here in the "dibble dibble dibble dop" of less intense but equally draining metaphorical weather. I know you know that when the ducks are all in a row there is a measure of peace and contentment. Lord, lets just skip the ducks and rain down the peace and contentment in spite of my feathered friends. Forgive my weakness and meet me there with your strength. My Strength, my Redeemer, forever I will love you. No one whose hope is in the Lord will ever be put to shame, you are the rock that is higher than I. Your name is above every other name!
I am trying to not be whiney or complain or give in to dispair. I am trying not to think about my need to find CEUs for my nursing license which are hard to get, and I need them NOW. That duck definitely got side-tracked. I'm really hoping for a few hours to straighten up the house and sweep the floors before our social worker comes for our home study tomorrow. More ducks. My good intentions to eat well and get fit and wholistically healthy are drowning ducks. I fell completely off the duck wagon and inhaled a fast food mushroom and swiss burger WITH fries today for lunch. Darn it.
Precious continues to struggle with a full, snotty nose and rattling or wheezing chest. I'll take her in again if she's not improving later in the week and see if it could be allergies or something. We're not sleeping.
OK, I think I'm not setting a very perky tone anymore so I'd better close up the window and start shopping for fast and loaded nursing credits while I still have a license.
Jesus, I know you are here in the big storms and you are here in the steady rain and you are definitely here in the "dibble dibble dibble dop" of less intense but equally draining metaphorical weather. I know you know that when the ducks are all in a row there is a measure of peace and contentment. Lord, lets just skip the ducks and rain down the peace and contentment in spite of my feathered friends. Forgive my weakness and meet me there with your strength. My Strength, my Redeemer, forever I will love you. No one whose hope is in the Lord will ever be put to shame, you are the rock that is higher than I. Your name is above every other name!
Saturday, March 13, 2010
2 
years ago Roger and I took a trip to northern California to visit our dear sister Lois. It was an amazing week of grown-up time with beautiful scenery, time with eachother and wonderful wines. I've been thinking about that trip lately. Many of my exquisite photos are from there and in a season where everything in the midwest is dead and lifeless, Northern California is bursting with spring beauty. Oh how I wish I was there! A season of beauty and new birth somewhere is a season of sleeping or dormacy elsewhere. Isn't that just God's way? As we were driving around Napa in our convertible that week, the song of my heart daily was "savior He can move the mountains, my God is mighty to save..." and now in this season 2 years later, I am blessed with memories. Tonight we sang that song and I was able to remember the beauty and wonder and joy and restoration I felt when my hunny and I vacationed in Napa...that song and my wonderful pictures are helping me survive my current season of ...well, you all know what. Kids, diapers, work, snow, fog, laundry.....so please indulge me in the pictures and enjoy the beauty of God's creation!
years ago Roger and I took a trip to northern California to visit our dear sister Lois. It was an amazing week of grown-up time with beautiful scenery, time with eachother and wonderful wines. I've been thinking about that trip lately. Many of my exquisite photos are from there and in a season where everything in the midwest is dead and lifeless, Northern California is bursting with spring beauty. Oh how I wish I was there! A season of beauty and new birth somewhere is a season of sleeping or dormacy elsewhere. Isn't that just God's way? As we were driving around Napa in our convertible that week, the song of my heart daily was "savior He can move the mountains, my God is mighty to save..." and now in this season 2 years later, I am blessed with memories. Tonight we sang that song and I was able to remember the beauty and wonder and joy and restoration I felt when my hunny and I vacationed in Napa...that song and my wonderful pictures are helping me survive my current season of ...well, you all know what. Kids, diapers, work, snow, fog, laundry.....so please indulge me in the pictures and enjoy the beauty of God's creation!
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