Glory kind of day

Friday morning started in wonder. I woke before my alarm and went early to be with Jesus. The world was softened by a blanket of mist, I was enchanted.

In a few hours the sun evaporated the clinging vapor and beauty changed faces. My family, along with our friends Mike and Terry, reveled in the freedom to enjoy. First we went to Magee Marsh for a little bird watching and nature soaking. Unable to capture tiny warblers flitting from tree to tree, I did enjoy photographing a variety of nature's other beauties. I loved watching Maggie and especially Max's enjoyment.

Finally we ended our day with a visit to Lakeside, a place of charm, beauty and tranquility. Our friends have vacationed at the quaint summer resort for decades. We walked by the water, enjoyed streets lined with lovely houses and ate delicious pizza.

After a treat of ice cream we began our drive home, my heart was full and content. And then just one more display of beauty.

  Praise the LORD, my soul.

   LORD my God, you are very great;
   you are clothed with splendor and majesty. 

He made the moon to mark the seasons,
   and the sun knows when to go down. 

 How many are your works, LORD!
   In wisdom you made them all;
   the earth is full of your creatures. 

Psalm 104:1,19,24

Friday Favorites: Godology, by Christian George, reviewed

I have read a fair share of theology in my life time, and must confess to enjoying it when written in an approachable manner, which isn't necessarily easy to come by. Godology is like no theology book I've ever read before. I wouldn't specifically call it theology light, Christian George is adept at handling aspects of the nature of God and addresses weighty topics. However, I forgot I was reading a theology book all together. It's more like a worship experience. And isn't that what reflecting on the character of God should be. "Because", after all, "knowing God changes everything"!

Christian writes in a very modern, up beat, pop culture sort of way, with analogies that speak to a younger generation and make you go hmmm. The style and readability make it great for high school students, but I think the seasoned Jesus follower will appreciate the seriousness and unique perspective with which he discusses God's nature. As I read I felt like I was kept off balance, but in a good way, because I don't want approaching God to ever be predictable. Christian's excitement about encountering the truth of who God is and how that affects our everyday lives is contagious.

Here's one example of how he ties an attribute of God's character to our need and ability to experience that attribute in our lives, from the chapter Chocolate for the Soul; God's Holiness. He says of our need to create holy spaces: "Even in our churches, silence is an unwelcome visitor. Though well intentioned, our performance - driven gatherings hush our sensitivity to silence. We drench ourselves with sound. It spills down the stage, irrigating the aisles and pooling into pews. It soaks and surrounds every inch of us... This is one reason so many people are finding refreshment in the monastic traditions... monks splurge in silence every day, realizing the seriousness of worshiping God and the frivolousness of empty chatter... God is always talking but our ears are full of wax. Silence is our Q-tip. Granted, there will always be a place for upbeat, ear-popping praise. But when the ringing stops, when the ramblings cease, we find ourselves alone with the still small voice that whispers,  "My presence is enough for you."... Silence feeds a full-throttle addiction to God. It transforms secular space into sacred space."

If you are looking for a fresh encounter with God's nature and a renewed desire to worship him, this book is a great place to start. Godology is definitely on my list of future re-reads. To check out Godology on line go here or to go to Christian George's web site go here. As always I'd love to hear from you. Have you recently read a great book, leave a comment and tell me about it.

Ohio, will you adopt me...

Though not a native, my heart wants to expound upon the charm of Ohio, won't you indulge me! The last couple of posts have been weighty, today delight. I have not always lived in, known or loved Ohio, but I do now. Words, or are they emotions, that come to mind; wholesome, apple pie, homey, lovely, welcoming, industrious, family, all American, verdant. Scoffers need not reply, nothing will dampen my enjoyment.

Early morning dew jewels.

Dogwood blooming white, pure.

Happy tulip border.

Charming! Can I come sit a while?!

Cascading pink.

All American, apple pie; with a guardian angel?!

What can I say, I laughed out loud.

One of the many reasons I love trees, majestic.

Weeping willow, do you see who's hiding in the background?

Here he is,  Great Egret.

Lovely home, decked out in her spring finery.

Bold, making a statement.

Ahhh, trees!

Nobody likes a spanking

"And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said,
   “My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline,
      and don’t give up when he corrects you.
   For the Lord disciplines those he loves,
      and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”

No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong." Hebrews 12:5-6, 11-13

Encouraging eh, ask any 7 year old if they feel encouraged after having been "instructed" in the ways of obedience with a spoon to the back side. May not be their first response. And yet I've seen in my 7 year old, Max, a surprising willingness to co-operate with our discipline lately. We're working on some areas of self-control at the moment, which have needed regular correction.

He's tired of the continued discipline I'm sure, I know I am. But I'm looking forward to "a peaceful harvest of right living" once he's been "trained". Right now the lack of training has resulted in a lack of peace for the whole household. In submitting to our discipline there is growth in his understanding of right behavior.

Isn't that true of us in the body of Christ. How we endure discipline, teaching, correcting affects the whole family. How we live our lives as trained, disciplined children of God affects the "weak and lame" who are following after us. If we're honest, which of us isn't weak or lame in some way, we need each other to be muscular, well trained Christians.

Are there areas of your life that have gone untrained, that God would like to correct as your Father? I know there are some in my life. Can you see how those area's affect those in your physical or spiritual family? I plan to spend time today asking God to reveal the spiritual flab in my life and then yield to him for training. Will you join me?

Women who Inspire: The Sisterhood

Sister -  (from dictionary.com)
adjective

12. being or considered a sister; related by or as if by sisterhood: sister ships.

13. having a close relationship with another because of shared interests, problems, or the like.

I have been undeniably blessed by precious women in my life. Some close family, some that lived before my time, some have rubbed me hard smoothing away jagged edges, some young, some old, some who know my heart deeply and still love me, some I've never met. But all sharing a common relation, fellowship birthed from the blood of Jesus. Sweet family, a gift. These women have so energized my Christian walk I just had to introduce some of them to you. (I hope you will post a comment and tell me about the women who have blessed your life.)

This week's Sister:

It is an honor to introduce you to a woman that I'm not only related to by Spirit but also by earthly blood. My Aunt Jeanne, she is one of my Dad's six siblings. My immediate family was rather transient as I grew up, so I didn't have the close family relationships of someone living in the same town or even state with their relatives. Now that I'm older I'm sorry for that because I have some really cool family members. Anyhow. My Aunt Jeanne always made me feel special and loved when we were at family gatherings, like I mattered, and I'm thankful for that.


I wanted to begin with Aunt Jeanne this week because her story of inspiration is unfolding before my eyes daily, and it's a big one. My cousin Beau, her third of four children, was diagnosed with cancer a couple of years ago. Sadly Beau completed his race on earth this April and was ushered into the presence of our sweet Jesus. He left behind a Mom and Dad, three siblings and a wife, all beautiful and grieving in their own way.


How does a mama say goodbye to her precious son? She was the first person to feel his movements, she knew his smell, his laugh, his weaknesses. She has memories no one else shares, they're locked in her heart. How does she do it? Faith. I'm not sure I've ever seen anything quite like it, it's super natural, gutsy. It causes me to worship, because a God that can hold a mother's heart in a time of suffering so that what comes out is beauty and not bitterness, that God is big and deserves my praise. Even though I've witnessed her testimony from a distance the power and beauty of a trusting heart have not gone unnoticed.

"Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation." Hebrews 11:1-2

Aunt Jeanne

I imagine there are moments that aren't so pretty, that's real life, the walking out of trust in the messy here and now. But there is no denying the mark of soul surrender in her words and attitude. Without doubt holiness and faithfulness are being worked out in the crucible of suffering and I'm astounded. I believe and pray the ripple effects of a mother's heart bowed to Jesus will continue for many years and the fruit will last into eternity.

Will you join in praying with me today for my Aunt Jeanne and her dear family. Let us ask Jesus to "heal the broken hearted and bind up their wounds, that he will sustain the humble." (Psalm 147) I'm grateful to serve a God who hears and answers, who honors those who honor him. 

Is there a woman in your family that has inspired you? Or perhaps you have known a woman who has born grief with graciousness. I would love to hear about it. Leave a comment on this post honoring her today.

A Basket Full of Thanks {Mondays}

I've decided to jump in and join the hundreds of other women participating in Ann Voskamp's One Thousand Gifts; A Dare to Live Fully. She invites the readers of her blog and new book to take the challenge of living life recognizing and recording God's presence and gifts given. So on Monday's I'll be counting up to 1,000 God gifts in my every day life.

As I've been reading Ann's book on a life of gratitude I've found my heart more open to joy, which is something I want to share with my kids. I decided to involve Max (7) and Maggie (2), so we picked out some pretty paper and have started a Basket Full of Thanks.

Our basket filled with praise and rosemary

In preparation for our adventure I read Psalm 100 and Philippians 4:6-7 to them. I explained about looking for the good things, the God things, in our lives that we are thankful for and how that pleases God and brings us joy. I was so touched with Max's enthusiasm, and even little Maggie's, for this opportunity. Actually we talk about things we're thankful for, things that make our hearts glad all day long now.

Max is thankful for moles, weasels, squirrels, army men, police and family!

Here are some things on our shared list:

1. Bird songs in the early morning light
2. Wrapping my fingers around a mug of Golden French Toast Coffee
3. Friends who 'get' us
4. Ice cream cones (Maggie)
5. Cameras for capturing special moments of beauty
6. Wii games (Max)
7. Cookies (Maggie, she likes her food)
8. Quiet time with Jesus while everyone else is still in bed
9. Love (Maggie)
10. Golden days of sunshine and warm breezes

How about you, what are you thankful for, how have you seen God in the ordinary moments of your day?