Hide n' Seek

When I was 8 I wrote in my Holly Hobby diary that I was going to "read my bible everyday."  I had received a bible clothed in a snazzy denim bible cover that Christmas from my first step-dad.  Somehow I knew it was a treasure that would lead me to Something bigger than myself.  But roller-skates, Barbies, and watching The Flintstones trumped flipping through the pages of that sacred book, and it would be 30 years before I actually followed through on the desires penciled into Holly Hobby's pages.

It isn't that I haven't read my bible. I have, just never all the way through,  and not consistently. I meant to, everyday I meant to... but most days I just didn't.  Eventually, I was ashamed that I had neglected drawing near to God through His word, so like Adam and Eve, I hid.  My Bible, which was always handy, and giving the impression it was being faithfully consumed, would call out to me like God called out to Adam and Eve, "Where are you?" The Author knew I was hiding; avoiding my shame behind a few more minutes of sleep, dishes, laundry, home-schooling, church activity, blogging, t.v., and anything else that could prevent me from "having the time."

And I don't know how, but a little over a year ago I got sick of playing Hide n' Seek with my bible, and wanted to be found reading it.  

I was determined to not only read my bible daily, but to also read through it in 1 year. Because I function best with structure and accountability, The Daily Message, by Eugene Peterson was the perfect fit  (it's available for $3.00 here, and available for download  here). 

It took me 1 yr and 17 days, but I did it!  Because "old habits die hard,"  the 17 additional days were needed to polish off the 2.5 of the 66 books that I had put off reading. Also, you should know that there was a number of times I'd have to cram in days of reading I'd neglected (just keep'n it real folks).

These words from C.S. Lewis sum up why it's important for believers to read the word of God.    

As I read, God magnified Himself to me in ways that I would have missed had I not sought Him in his word. Instead of remaining as C.S. Lewis said, " a man glimpsing the Atlantic," I joined the masses of those (Moses, Joseph, Daniel, Esther, Jeremiah, Matthew, Peter, Paul, John... to name a few), who have gone before me and experienced and charted the "Atlantic" first hand. 
    
As a result, I've come to a greater understanding of God as Sovereign Lord. I've experienced that He is  "more than I can fathom, more than I can guess, and more than I can see with human sight." (Sara Groves)

Live in Peace!

Avoid Hiking Alone

 This weekend we took a break from the spin-cycle of life, 
which requires us to

do do do, go go go, be be be, 

and took a hike on the Lewis Creek Trail.

  Josie, our resident noise maker, reduced our chances of surprising a mountain lion.   

The trek was a bit icy, but the sights were beautiful. 

We "avoided hiking alone" and called on Papa Dan, Mama Holly, and "Brodie Law Dog" to join us.   
We love them!
They're our family, and are always available to trek with us through 
all of life's ups and downs. 
(Do you have folks like that in your life?) 

The fragrant pines smell delicious, and take me back to 1993, when I was first dating this guy, when we both worked at Emerald Cove Camp (sometimes I miss 1993).

The sound of Lewis Creek racing beside our trail was serene.

Discovering a colony of ladybugs soaking up the sun was a highlight (especially for Josie). 

We'd like to thank Charles & Diana for capturing this Kodak family moment. 

After our hike, we headed over to Mama Holly & Papa Dan's, 

 where we played a comical round of Cranium, 

then  feasted on a casual meal of 

homemade potpie, salad, beets (Yick! Emilie wanted to try them), and brownies. 

Years ago, Cranium's humdinger revealed that I am the worst hummer EVER!
  It's fingernails scraping a chalkboard BAD.

I am however an exceptional artist when drawing with my eyes closed. 

Who knew.

That's underware Noah sculpted from playdough. 

Noah's teammate Micahel didn't get it.  

     Mama Holly helping a reluctant Noah act out Justin Timberlake. 
Michael didn't get that either. 

So that's a snippet from our  weekend. 

How did you take a breather from spin-cycle  

on this 3 day weekend? 

  Live in Peace! 

 

...to really want something

My word for 2013.

 I didn't choose Peace. It has, over time, been choosing me; whispering in my ear to "take hold" of it.

The thing is for a long time I didn't want it. Taking hold of Peace meant relinquishing control, and nestling into Sovereign God.  And as much as I wanted the later, this control-freak couldn't give up the reign over her own life.  

BUT GOD. 

Sometimes the way God communicates mercy is by allowing us to experience some turbulence.  Discomfort is often the quickest way to get this knucklehead to recognize she needs the God-of-the-universe to step in and take over. 

Here are just a handful of areas where I have held onto the reigns and missed out on the peace I have so desperately NEEDED: 
Relationship
Insecurity
God's will
Finances 
Health

I'm tired just recalling for a moment the emotional agitation just one of these areas have caused me (and my family- sadly, the 4 I love the most have had the ugly consequences of my lack of peace projected onto them).

I'm also grateful for the turbulence.  I think a person has to really want something before they can fully receive it.  It took a long season of being emotionally weary and frenzied to cause this girl to finally WANT Peace! 

And this year, I BELIEVE Peace can AND will be mine.

I believe it because Jesus gave peace to me (and you) for the taking.

"My peace I leave with you; my peace I give you." 

John 14:27a

"Peace, peace, to those far and near," says the LORD. "And I will heal them." 
Isaiah 57:19

(these are just two of the more than 200 verses that speak of God's Shalom-peace). 

Since His peace is mine for the taking- by faith I grab hold of that peace-gift, and of the VICTORY I already have in Christ my Savior, and I...

A hurtful relationship can't take His peace from me. 
Comparison or fear that I don't measure up cannot take my God-given peace from me.
A change in financial circumstances or in my health can't take His peace from me.
The liar Satan cannot take the LORD God Almighty's peace from me.


With His peace ruling my heart 2013 is going to be a very good year! 


Live in Peace! 

  

Be Still, My Soul

These words, my prayer, this new year~

Be still, my soul; the Lord is on your side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to your God to order and provide;
In every change he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; your best, your heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul; your God will undertake
To guide the future as he has the past.
Your hope, your confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul; the waves and wind still know
His voice who ruled them while he dwelt below.

Be still, my soul; though dearest friends depart
And all is darkened in the vale of tears;
Then you will better know his love, his heart,
Who comes to soothe your sorrows and your fears.
Be still, my soul; your Jesus can repay
From his own fullness all he takes away.

Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Find the painting here. 
Listen to the song here.  

2012 Favorites

2012 Favorite People, Moments, and Posts

Rooted

"and the tree doesn't even know it- that all that root is there supporting it." - Noah

On His Own
"He said that last year he wasn't sure about God.
He looked at us like we would be disappointed.
We weren't.
We told him questioning was good, and that he needed to find the Truth on his own."

Meaningful

"Mommy, you should go on the swing! 

Come on, I'll help you.

As she helps we giggle...

I put down my not-important and took hold of my so-important.  

Full Containers
"We can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit."

Comfort Food

When I say the name "Jesus" I remember Who's in charge, and who and what is not... and I love his name. His name is comfort food.  I eat his saving-name and my 

hungry soul is nourished. 

Sweet 16

16 years ago Michael picked me up and carried me out of the church after we were announced "Mr. & Mrs."  He's still carrying me.

All That I Have

There's a wealth of things I long to share with you... but one saving name 

is the Sum of all I long to say... "Jesus"

(Day 31 from 31 days of God-giving)

Hush
"It's noisy in my head...because I ache for Shalom. 
Shalom means- completeness, wholeness, health, 
peace, absence of agitation, perfect, full...
The noise: over-thinking, scheming, plotting...it's all my own effort to find shalom. 
Vain attempts which leave me shalomless."

 Live in Peace!

It's the Final Countdown

Counting my 100 joys his Christmas season. 

#87. Watching "Christmas Story" for the first time, snuggled together with an excessive amount of the white stuff -popcorn! 

#88. For a family that works hard together, even during Christmas break.

#89. "Hammer time" good bye bedroom wall and most of the third car garage, hello family room!(Thankful for my b.i.l., Steve who came to lend a hand, and to my nephews who"helped us" demolish  the wall).

#90. Watching my nephews happily venture off to our "waterfall" (water trickle) and wooded backyard with their big cousins.

#91. 1300lbs loaded in the truck by all 3 kids to haul off to the dump.

#92. Watching Emilie and Michael walk off hand in hand for their date to see "The Hobbit" and have yogurt. The sweetest.

#93. Giggling with Josie while playing Scrabble Flash. Busting up at our 5 letter word "sporc" which should have been "crops." (apparently, Scrabble Flash is unaware that a "sporc" is a spoon/fork).    

#94. Hot peppermint tea delivered to me in bed and reading the word first thing in the morning. (I'll miss your quiet mornings Christmas vacation).

#95. Listening to Noah play "Frederick" (his electric guitar).  I swoon, and he knows it!

#96. Silly graffiti on the new family room walls.

#97. Feeling thankful for peace (shalom- wholeness, completeness, rest), and hopeful that I will embrace and live in more peace in 2013.

#98. Thinking of all the things the LORD has crowned his people (me) with: glory, splendor (dignity), steadfast love, peace... all these things he has "wrapped around my mind" that I NEED.  I love how He cares for me (for His people). Considering how someday I will lay my crown down at His feet, taking in that I won't need the crown and all it signifies because I will have ALL OF HIM.
JOY! JOY! JOY!

#99. A message stream on New Years Eve including "Pastor Steve" (my youth pastor) recalling my "enthusiasm and drive," followed by being reminded of leading David to Christ on the streets of Hollywood 20+ yrs ago, and a drawing that one of the girls with us at the time still has in which David stated, "I'm going to make it!"  Joy at the thought of God's Spirit bringing David to mind for prayer.  Joy at the communion of people I love and miss dearly on New Years Eve.  Joy at being reminded of a girl I use to be,  and hearing the Spirit tell me I still am.

#100. After attending an East Coast New Year's Eve party, coming home to close out 2012 surrounded by my family- listening to Noah play "I Love You Lord" on the guitar, laughter, playfulness, cuddles, last kisses and whispered "Jesus" of the year.  Feeling stuffed with the awareness  that I AM BLESSED.

 HAPPY NEW YEAR!