He knows my every thought even before I speak it

My babysitter (and adopted daughter), Emily, got a good glimpse of just how much God cares about her today! It was so very cool!

One of the reasons I love to go camping is that I’m always overwhelmed by the hugeness of what I see when I stargaze, but sometimes I let my thoughts wander even further.

When I do, I realize I am but one of billions of people who populate this planet. I’m just this tiny speck amidst billions of tiny specks on a speck of a planet amidst billions upon billions of other planets and stars.

Yet God cares about me and my life. And he cares about YOU, too.

Psalm 139 says He knows my every thought even before I speak it—that God formed me in my mother’s womb and knows what each of my days hold.

Hard to believe, I know. But it is TRUE! Now on to telling my fun story of the day!!!

Today I had to go into the office in southfield for media and staff meetings. As I was on my way home, a random thought hit me to stop at the party store just a few miles from my house and get something to drink.

Now, normally I wouldn't have stopped especially since I was almost home...not to mention the fact that I had already texted Emily to tell her that I would be home in 15 minutes and knew that she had to go to back the barn where she and her boyfriend, drummer boy Chris, work to finish up the chores that the farm owner had waiting for them to get done.

But, for some reason I really felt like I should stop and grab a drink. Okay, no biggie. A drink. I especially liked their frozen coffee drinks, so perhaps I could get one of those. It had been a while since I had one...but, it sounded good to me. I figured that it only would take a minute right? So I went into the corner store to get my frozen coffee.

However, when I walked in, I quickly recognized that something was missing...yep, you guessed it, there was NO frozen coffee anywhere to be seen. Thinking this was quite weird, I asked the store clerk/owner where the frozen coffee machine went? He said, "We don't have any frozen coffee machine...and haven't had one in several years." Now, I knew it had been awhile since I had gotten coffee there, but several years? That didn't seem right to me. (and I asked Randy about it when I got home and he was as surprised as I was! and said he didn't think it had been years either...so who knows?) Anyhow, what was a gal to do now?

So, looking around I spotted the frozen cherry and coke machine. Hum, well it wasn't quite what I wanted, but since it was a hot day and all - it seemed like a good choice.

As I began to pour my drink the thought suddenly came to me to get one for Emily and Chris, too. I thought to myself... how am I going to seriously balance 4 drinks and get them safely to the car all while walking in heeled sandals that were killing my feet? (Four drinks, as I would have to get one for my 5 year old, little Emily, too -- if everyone else had them right?) But, I thought, okay...it will be a nice treat for them since it is a hot day.

Honestly, I think the crew of painters who had also stopped in to buy drinks got a good laugh at this crazy women, trying to fill 4 drinks (mixing each of them with just the right mixture of frozen coke, then the frozen cherry, and then topping it off with coke.)

Since there wasn't any counter space to actually set these cups on...I had to get intuitive and use the busch 6-pack display to set them on. It was quite funny, now that I think about it!

I paid for the drinks and headed home. As I was walking in garage, the door to our house opened and there stood Babysitter Emily with her purse in hand ready to go to the farm and finish her chores. She looked at me and the drinks in my hand and made a weird face. I thought 'hum, wonder what that was about?" I said, "Hi, these are for you and Chris..." and handed her the drinks.

She said something to this effect, "Wow, that is weird! I seriously was just watching a commercial that had slurpee/slushes on it and thought about how great a slushy drink would be to have. She continued on to say that one of the things she enjoyed about going to the movies was getting a slushy and that she had JUST thought of maybe going to the movies to get one but then decided that might not work out for her after all.

She was bummed, cause she really wanted one. And then -- there I was with the drink in hand. :) Think about it... God gently cued me in to get the drinks for them 15 minutes BEFORE Emily even saw that slurpy commercial or thought how much she would enjoy having it!

Do you remember the scripture I posted above? Psalm 139 says He (God) knows my every thought even before I speak it—
Well, he proved it in a very gentle, wonderful way to a young woman and her sweet boyfriend...as well as to a busy business lady and mom.

Friends, as you go about your day, remember that our Lord knows what it holds. The Bible says He walks with us through everything—that He goes before us, follows us, and places His hand of blessing upon our heads.

Psalm 139:5-6 (NLT) says, "You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!"

I concur...it is too great to understand... but, wonderful to behold and know. Thank you Lord for your many blessings in our lives and that you desire to know each one of us, caring about us as individuals, and walking with us through our daily joys and trials.

It is truly a miracle that the God of the universe surrounds our tiny, little lives with His loving care. Listen for Him as you pray this week. Look for the miracle of answered prayer -- or blessing. It’s not always big and showy, but it is no less a miracle when the God of the universe chooses to commune with us in a very real way.

Ps. I would love to hear your story of answered prayer or unexpecting blessings!

The Trapped Bee... A crazy little story...

Crazy little story...

Yesterday, I noticed a bee stuck in our bedroom window between the screen and the glass... honestly, I don't care much for bees...(had an 'incident' with a hive when I was little) so I quickly shut the window so that it couldn't fly into the house.

All evening and into the night I thought about that silly little bee. I ... See Morerecalled the stories I have heard about how bees are dissapearing and that this is causing great damage to flowers and crops due to lack of pollenation. I have to admit that I peaked at that bee at various times.

This am I looked again and noticed that this little bee was growing much weaker. It crawled up and down on that screen desparately seeking a way out. I couldn't stand it any longer. (crazy, I know) So I called Randy and asked him to help me get this bee out by lifting up both the window inside and the screen outside. (he expressed his disdane at assisting me for a silly bee - but was good to his crazy wife and helped!) Carefully, Randy and I worked together to get the bee out the screen without hurting it or us getting stung.

The bee being so used to that screen -- began crawling up and down the outside of that screen not recognizing that it was free. It had become to accustomed to its situation that it continued to climb up and down.

Funny, how God can use a situation like this to make one think about things (then again, maybe it is just me, lol). I thought of how many times I became comfortable where I was at (whether in a good place in life or not so great) and soon resolved myself to where I was at.

It is only for the grace of God that that 'screen' is lifted and I am set free by his mercy. Eph 2:3-5 (NIV) ...Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved.

As that bee finally flew away and recognized its freedom, so shall I bask in the Freedom of the Cross. Bee stuck in window = priceless object lesson.

Thank you, Jesus. :)

To Season or not to Season - that is the question!

Happy Thanksgiving (a few days late)!
If you are anything like me - you just had your fill of leftover turkey and are happily (?) contemplating the next 'season' of Christmas. Well, maybe NOT. Today, while I was in my thoughts of getting ready for the chaos of the impending holiday, you know --- the chill of winter, shopping, tinsel, bows, gift wrap, snow, and all that jazz, I began to feel that old familiar tension creeping up my back and into the usual holding tank of stress in my shoulders and neck area.

It was at this moment that the phrase, "To Season or not to Season, that is the question..." flashed through my mind. After chuckling to myself for a few minutes at this funny little quip, especially since I had just finished spicing up some food that I had been preparing a few moments earlier, my thoughts quickly raced ahead searching for an answer - any answer - to satisfy that question.

Being ever curious, I posted that very phrase on my Face book profile. And being ever creative, a good friend of mine quipped back, "It depends on the reason for the season." Well, isn't that what friends are for - to challenge us? LOL. So what does "To season or not to season" mean to me and what is the 'reason'? Hum... let's see... concerning gift buying, our economy most certainly was not lending itself to the most lucrative Christmas ever, as a matter of fact, I have about 30 dozen cookies to bake and candy to make, all going to be gifts given this year due to that ever squeaky penny. And as for the excitement of the season -- let's just say that I am still working on that.

So what else? What is the Reason for the Season. Ah, now there is something that is a bit more familiar and friendly to me... The very thought brings great joy into my heart and a warmth all the way down to my toes! One reason for the season is people. They always seem to come into our lives at just the right time, for a reason, a season, a lifetime. Relationships can be so fun and also very sad when things come to an end. Regardless, relationships teach a lifetime of lessons helping each of us to have a solid emotional foundation. Awesome! So what else? Ah, tradition. (Reminds me of 'Fiddler on the Roof'...lol) This is another thing that comes with the season. And oh, how I love many of our great American and/or family traditions...like our Christmas tree, making snowmen with the kids, stringing up the lights, eating popcorn, and so much more!

But, the best thing that comes to mind is the celebration of my loving savior, Jesus. For me, Christ's birth gives me a joy that transforms my life - every day, all year long. Before I came to know and understand his mercy, grace and glory, I had been walking around like a blind man in my own sin and transgressions - until one day I was given clear sight by what he did through the shedding of his blood on that ol' rugged cross. I was an enemy of God and held captive to Satan - But, in an instant Jesus freed me - not figuratively - but literally! I have personally found that He truly loves with an everlasting love... and all my faith and trust is in him alone. What started as a simple statement of belief has blossomed into years of an incredibly awesome adventure. In John 3:16 - one of the paramount scriptures for Christians... it says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Freedom! That is it...really, it's that simple... just a simple belief that Jesus is who he says he is...the Son of God - and that he hung on a cross for you and me due to his great love for us, as a sacrifice for our wrong doing! A REAL gift. Actually, the BEST gift a person could ever receive. Not only was I given instant eternal life - it was at this very moment that 'real seasoning' came in. That 'ol seasoning of Amazing Grace... it is just as John Newton wrote about in that famous song, "Amazing Grace" way back in the 1800's... yes, I once was blind but now am found, was blind but now I see.

You know what?
I really think that this season is going to be one of the most flavorful 'seasons' ever - YES, I have concluded that I am going forward headlong into those upcoming holidays with zest and zip! Sounds like it is time to bake some cookies! LOL.

SO WHAT ABOUT YOU? What have you decided?

And so I challenge you... "To Season or not to Season - that is the question..."

Be blessed my friends! Love to hear your thoughts!

Perspective...

Someone said to me today, "...it's all about your perspective..."

And I thought, huh really, so exactly what does that mean? Perspective...in today's world.

So, I decided to look up what "perspective" meant... here were the basic definations:

A view or vista.
A mental view or outlook: “It is useful occasionally to look at the past to gain a perspective on the present” (Fabian Linden).


Okay - look to the past to gain a perspective on the present. That sounds reasonable. Again, I asked myself, so just how does that apply to us here in today's world... Quite honestly, from the way things are going lately in Washington, Hollywood, and the average American's lifestyle, I'd say we actually LACK perspective. Why? Well, when I think about it, I don't see much 'looking at the past to gain perspective on the present' do you?

I mean, seriously, in Washington I have yet to really hear "Wow, look at (this president, administration, ecomonic depression, etc.) did (this thing) and here's how we can learn from them and move forward carefully sidestepping what was done before AND/OR better than that even, "This is what (that president, administration, economic depression) did and how it worked for them - so let's duplicate that part of what they did right." Nope, all I hear is, "Well, they were of this particular party, so we certainly can't admit they did anything right".


As the 'ol saying goes, "History repeats itself". And do you know why it does? History repeats itself because no one was listening the first time". Ouch. We tend to think our ideas are new, fresh, or that THIS TIME it will be different, because it's us, we are in control - I mean really now -don't we?


Instead of Hollywood learning from so many stars that have gone before them - that have crashed and burned - either through drug use, burn out, anexoria, pressure, corruption, divorce or just pick another situation, a deaf ear is turned and Hollywood continues marching on to their own drum beat of selffishness, pride, greed, lust, disgust and mistrust. Tell me I am wrong. After all, one just needs to turn on the tv for 5 minutes to prove my point. Wow.


And what about the average American? The one who is up to their eyeballs in high mortgage payments because they overextended themselves on a house that was "not only huge, but a good buy" at the time - and after all, they could afford it because their job was safe, secure and paid great... not to mention our maxed out credit cards spent on...what? Can't remember...well, that's all right, we had fun, didn't we? And that's what it is all about, FUN, right? Besides - it was cool, there was money, for all of the 'stuff' right?


Sigh. How do we get so off course when the voices of our past - yes, our perspective - are screaming loudly throughout the pages of time and history? The recent unrest in Iran is bringing back memories for those who were there for the chaos 30-years ago, a time that changed Iran's history. People need to be alerted to the probability that if society ignores the past, someone will get hurt.

For example, an examination of the famous 1929 Stock Market crash shows that the conditions and the depression are similar to those of today. However, time represses painful memories and allows historians and others to distort the truth and act as if the 1920s never happened and the depression was an aberration. In today's world, very few Americans remember the depression or for that matter care. EXCEPT when it starts to affect their pocketbook. But, then again - the government will assist us, right? (Will we ever learn!!??)


What about Hitler and the oppression of the Jews? No one would have dreamed such a nightmare could have happened before - and many don't believe it could ever happen again. We need to be watchful. So many countries hate the America's with a passion, and although I am all for diplomacty, sometimes more is needed.. We are foolish to think that if we play nice - so will the rest of the world. It would be wonderful if that was the case, but unfortunately it just is not the way human nature is. And we would be ignorant to think so. And it is even more ridiculous to believe (like some are now claiming) that the Holocost never even happened! (are you kidding me!?)

Then couple all of these things with the fact that we have removed God from just about every American business, our government, schools, most recently our currency, and sadly our family life - and even some churches. So where does that leave us?

Singer, Carman, has a song that sums it up well, "We need God in America again":

Here is a link to a video of the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vW_l55MTpqI

Here are the lyrics:

George Washington, Thomas Jefferson Samuel Adams, First Chief Justice John Jay -
Names synonymous with the spirit of our country, Founding fathers of the U.S.A. Over 200 years ago they shook off the chains of tyranny from Great Britain by divine call. Citing 27 biblical violations they wrote the Declaration of Independence With liberty and justice for all.

But something happened since Jefferson called the 'Bible' the cornerstone for American liberty then put it in our schools as a light, or since "Give me liberty or give me death...", Patrick Henry said, "...Our country was founded on the Gospel of Jesus Christ."

We eliminated God from the equation of American life, thus eliminating the reason this nation first began. From beyond the grave I hear the voices of our founding fathers plead, "You need God in America again!"

Of the 55 men who formed the Constitution, Fifty-two were active members of their church. Founding fathers like, Noah Webster, who wrote the first dictionary - could literally quote the Bible chapter and verse. James Madison said, "We've staked our future on our ability to follow The Ten Commandments with all our heart..." These men believed you couldn't even call yourself an American - If you subvert the Word of God.

In his farewell address, Washington said, "You can't have National morality apart from religious principle," and it's true. 'Cause right now we have nearly 150,000 kids carrying guns to these war zones we call 'public schools'. In the '40's and '50's student problems were chewing gum and talking - In the '90's, rape and murder are the trend. The only way this nation can even hope to last this decade is to put God in America again!

The only hope for America is Jesus, the only hope for America is him, If we repent of our ways stand firm, and say, "We need God in America again!"

Abe Lincoln said, "The philosophy of the schoolroom in one generation, will be the philosophy of the government of the next" So when you eliminate the Word of God from the classroom and politics, you eliminate the nation that Word protects.

America is now number one in teen pregnancy and violent crime, number one in illiteracy, drug use, and divorce. Every day, a new holocaust of 5,000 unborn die, while pornography floods our streets like open sewers. It's time to send the alarm from the Church house to The White House And say, "We want God in America again."

My prayer is that we will hear the voices of the history and have true perspective. A biblical perspective like our HEAVENLY FATHER and our earthly founding father's intended.

Your thoughts welcomed and encouraged.

May God Bless America!