The Rhythm of Life....

Spending time at the beach (or the shore as they say on the east coast), brings a lot of things to a head.  There are the months of anticipation, coupled with the hours of packing, rushing, traveling, driving, unpacking and then the moment you've been anticipating is finally there.  The "aaaahhhh" as your feet hit the sand and the sea breeze smacks you right in the face, its rather glorious!
I've long been puzzled by the term "ebb and flow" of the waves.  When I first heard that term years ago, I was looking for something melodic or rhythmic, but waves mostly seem sporadic and unpredictable to me.  Sure, they are reliable, you always know when they are coming (or that they are coming), but they aren't 'by the clock', they dance to their own rhythm as if they have their own drumbeat.
When I think about that it reminds me of life, in a way.  We all seem to march to our own drumbeat.  Each individual is as unique as the thumbprint God placed on our hearts and lives and thumbs.  We start out in life rather disorderly and clumsy, but it seems that the older one gets, the more solidified the rhythm becomes.  I am fifty now, the big five-oh! And at this point in my life, I realize that if I haven't grown up yet, there isn't much hope of doing any more of that.  I do not see myself as fifty.  I see myself as the awkward yet sturdy woman that I've become charging through the peaks and valleys of my life.  For the first half of my life, I thought that I flew it solo.  I did not become a Christian until the age of twenty five. Its amazing that I survived that long, but thankfully the Lord had a plan (and He is still working it out in me today)!
At fifty, I am more confident and comfortable in my own skin.  I wasn't always like that.  I recently had someone comment that they see me as a strong and confident woman.  It really surprised me, as that is not how I see myself; strong, yes, but confident? no!  But I guess I really am.  I've been smacked around by life my fair share and remarkably it didn't make me calloused but drew me more to the Lord.  The bumps and bruises and scars that I carry are all battle wounds that Jesus and I fought together.
And slowly over the years, I have been finding my rhythm.  When we first moved to Kansas (my husband and I refer to it as our mission field), I was bored and unmotivated.  Jobs for a woman who wasn't into agriculture were not easy to come by.  I stumbled into a little yarn shop one day that offered to teach me to knit for free!  Now I had tried knitting numerous years ago, or better to say, that my dear Grandmother had tried to teach me!  But I was impatient and awkward and would knit stitches so tight that it became unbearable to continue.  So I quit.  But there was something inside me that was determined to learn this mysterious art of intertwining yarn.  So I started to go for lessons.  I can't tell you how many times I tried to knit, unraveled yarn, and tried again!  It became such a scene that even my husband asked me if I was ever going to finish the dishcloth I was working on!  But I knew that I had to get it right, I had to find my rhythm.  My teacher (bless her soul) said sometimes undoing what we do helps us to learn, so I took that advice and kept knitting rows, unraveling them, and then knitting again.  And Voila, I actually finished the dishcloth!  It was a glorious moment in my life!  I hung in there, I didn't quit, and wouldn't you know, I actually found my rhythm!
It's no different in the grand scheme of things, over time, we do find our rhythm!  Granted no one else on this green earth hears our drummer, but us and the Lord!  But hanging in there and not giving up really makes a difference and sooner or later you actually figure out who you are, what you were created for and why!
And I actually really enjoy knitting!  It's something I especially like to do at the beach...

Duty

http://instagram.com/p/qXP5dHFlj0/During the recent BIC General Conference I declined from being a delegate (once every 10 years is enough for me!).  However I was willing to help out in some capacity... my volunteerism landed on the ears of the children's pastor who was in need of nursery workers.  Having recently returned from a 'Grandma tour' with my own little ones, I gleefully accepted!
Spending time with the wee ones during conference reminded me of what was going on in the next building with the delegates and conference attendees.  A lot of the personalities and conflicts are the same whether I was attending conference or working in the nursery!
Allow me to illustrate... first there were the workers themselves; a nice mixture of 'older and wiser' mixed with the 'young and eager'... I was greeted by the children's pastor who was excited that I had volunteered and ready to tell me everything I needed to know to be an informed nursery worker.
Then there was the seasoned vet, a grandma herself, who also has a job driving a school bus for special needs kids.  She was a dynamo, let me tell you!  She had a pun for everything and a story to back it up!  What fun!  Kind of like a children's missionary!  She truly had a heart for kids and Jesus!
Then there were the various interns and the regular mom with her teenage daughter.  The interns were fun and the kids loved them (they could actually get down on the floor and play!).  The mom and daughter duo were quiet and probably just trying to figure out what had happened to cause them to say 'yes' the day they were asked to help out in the nursery for a session!
 So there we were, the team that was brought together for this special occasion (granted, not all were there the entire time)!  Next were the children (and their parents, lets not forget the parents)!  Each parent had there own style from Nine West diapers bags to eco friendly everything under the sun to I make everything from scratch, including my children!  It was interesting, to say the least... there was A LOT of crying (I call it separation anxiety) as the parents each tried (in vain) to ease there child into this foreign land called "the makeshift nursery".  Some of the Dads were noticeably tender and almost coddling... which was surprising to me.  The moms, who were more seasoned at separation anxiety from there children, were more apt to 'rip the band-aid off' and just make a run for it when their toddler wasn't looking!
Then there were the children themselves, those sweet little sinners!  Angelic faces, so trusting and tear stained... but quickly it was realized these kids would play with everything in the room and then look for something more to explore.  It was during play time that their true selves would come to light.  Each child is the center of their own universe, not considering for a minute, that the other children in the room were just as much the center of THEIR own universe, too!  Our selfishness is innate, we can't help it... and apparently we don't really ever learn how to squelch it, we only think we do!
I still remember the personalities that were prevalent at General Conference 2012, each person showing their true colors and leaning as they spoke into the microphone.  Having never attended a BIC conference before and new to the BIC in general, I was really amazed at just how boorish some of the microphone speakers were.  I don't doubt their passion, but I quickly realized how difficult being a moderator would be in that setting!
As my husband would share insights from General Conference 2014 with me each evening, I realized that it was pretty much the same scenario (making me reaffirm how glad I was to be in the nursery, this time).
So I've been thinking about 'the church' mainly the people of the church.  God must shake His beloved head a lot.  We are so opinionated and mixed up, at times.  Pushing agendas when we could be promoting Jesus.  Not trusting each other, when we should be showing people the God whom you can trust.  It makes me sad to hear the stories of some of the 'microphone speakers' at General Conference.  Why can't we trust each other and especially the leadership that God has called?  It's no different than trying to convince a toddler to trust a nursery worker who is willingly there to lead them, isn't it?  I mean in the grand scheme of things, those with a heart to be where God places them should be trusted to do what only God can enable them to do, right?
Now I realize that those attending General Conference are 'hopefully' all believers... but I am still sensitive to the fact that words are l-o-n-g remembered and unless they are prayerfully spoken can have a lasting effect.
It seems difficult for some to accept change.  Whether you are a toddler being left in the nursery or an adult having to deal with changes in leadership within an organization.  Just as sometimes a toddler cries, solely to be heard (I actually watched a little girl keep moving herself around the room, while crying so someone would look at her),  it is my opinion that some adults are merely seeking an audience as well.  Even negative attention soothes the cranky beast...
It also seems difficult for some to accept differences in each other and here is where the similarities die between toddlers and homogenized adults.  Children are more than willing to accept differences in each other and look for the similar in which to relish in; just watch children in any given nursery...  But not so with so many adults who find it their sole duty in life to segregate and judge others because of a lack of similar background or heritage.  This kind of thinking stinks and makes for drawing lines. To me, this kind of thinking is not what Jesus had in mind for His church.  Jesus was the master at bringing together an odd lot of folk and teaching them that their differences come from and are to glorify Him.  He took a bunch of unschooled fishermen and pious religious folk to change history and document HIS story!  I am thankful for that.
Being a Christian is not about legacy... we all have a sordid past when you get right down to it.  Being a Christian is about redemption, and lets never forget that.

If I Die Today...

So I've been experiencing shortness of breath and chest pain for quite some time; always excusing it as 'my asthma'... but after a visit to the dr this week, it may be something more serious. For the first time in my life I have high blood pressure and coincidentally (not) I am the heaviest I have ever been.
This year has been bumpy from the start.  Losing my step-daughter to leukemia in February really took the wind out of our sails, to say the least.  Plus the fact that I turned the big 5-0 in March.
Jessica was just 28.  I have lived 22 more years than she did.  And I selfishly want more.  But there comes a realization in life that we do not control squat.  The Lord has the controls.  And He has a remarkable and gracious plan.
One of the last messages I got from Jessica has stuck with me... we knew she was going downhill fast and I had asked her if there was something she had always wanted to do (because, at the time, I was determined to make it happen, whatever it was).  Here is her reply...
Learn to play the guitar,I went to a few music stores but they are so expensive! I really don't know, shoot, right now I'd like to just be able to wake up and make me breakfast without being winded and needing my oxygen,lol.I don't know,I have difficulty just doing daily stuff now,I just try to be content with the days I have. I just can't believe this cancer came back, it hurts my heart,I always thought I'd get married again and have a child, but that's not gonna happen. So there's really not anything else I wanted anyways. 
Obviously Jessica had come to grips with the fact that God is in control. She had learned the secret of peace- being content... fully realizing that God's mission for her life was coming to an end.  Sure she was disappointed, who wouldn't be, but she had moved to that special place of acceptance.
Who am I to argue with the God of the universe?  Whether I live to a ripe old age or not, I must ask myself, am I living today as if it were my last?  Do I have peace with God?  Have I done all that God has for me to do?
I can't honestly say yes to my first question or my last, but as to whether or not I have peace with God, that is an absolute YES!  Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, Romans 5:1
The peace of God that comes through knowing Jesus as my Lord and Savior is really all that matters.  His forgiveness is what all are seeking, whether they realize it or not.  For about half my life now, I have had that glorious peace.  Sure, I question God at times, but even when I don't  understand, I still trust Him!
So here I sit, knowing full well that my days are numbered by the Lord God, I can't add one or take one away.  But at the same time, I realize that I can take better care of myself, in order to live each day to the fullest, and live for Him!  His purpose for all human life is relationship with Him through accepting the redeeming sacrifice of Christ.  Surely I can share that good news with someone today!

Cookie Advent week 3 1/2

Cookie Advent day 15 - Almond Crescent cookies
Drenched in almonds and dusty in powdered sugar = yummy
Thinking about these cookie ingredients leads my mosaic brain (as my husband calls it) to thoughts of ingredients of a different kind; namely our hearts at Christmas.
Allow me to explain... you mix a little of Christmas carols with crowded stores and than throw in some children singing those Christmas carols and Salvation Army bell ringers with stacks of Christmas cards to address and send and then reading Christmas cards as they arrive in your mailbox. Next you add in church, with timely sermons and refreshing hymns and people being just a little more friendly than their usual friendly. All dusty with an occasional snowstorm and viola, you've got Christmas; American style...
A far cry from the original Christmas to say the least!
I believe that Jesus is not impressed with this style of celebrating His birth. Wouldn't he just much rather sit down with us in a cozy room and listen to what's really on our hearts or even better; perhaps He would like to share with us what is on His heart? He doesn't require glitzy decorations or Christmas pageants... but just a simple and humble heartfelt Hug of a relationship... something that is two-way, and seeking to glorify all that He is...

Cooke Advent day 16 - Choffee (Chocolate Chip Toffee) cookies
Today's recipe comes from a sweet lady in Minnesota who learned the recipe from her Grandmother.
Recently someone asked me about my baking heritage; this is truly something passed down to me from my Grandma (Perry). I have many fond memories of baking cookies with her in her kitchen...
I was also asked about what inspires my baking; truly the answer to that question is love. This time of year, there is a lot of baking going on! I like to think that all the baking traditions originate with love. Giving of oneself to another through time and sacrifice. Jesus is our original example of this. His life and death truly epitomize love. His gift to us was more than we will ever receive on any fancy plate or decorated package.

Cookie Advent day 17 - Italian Rainbow cookies
What is your heritage? Mine is French. I don't speak the language nor have I ever been to France (although I have dreams of going there some day http://www.pinterest.com/aj64/france-someday/).
America is a melting pot of people groups. Since I have been on earth (pushing 50 years)... I have noticed a morph happen, over the years, during the Christmas season...
Now a days people believe it is more 'politically correct' to say "Happy Holidays" or "Season's Greetings" because we certainly don't want to offend or exclude anyone by simply saying "Merry Christmas".
But what about Jesus? It's His birth that is the whole point of the Christmas season. I choose not to offend Him! I say "Merry Christmas" daily to all I come in contact with.
Merry = laughter, joy, praise
CHRISTmas = I choose to celebrate Jesus Christ!
Celebrate HIM today and throughout this glorious season!

Cookie Advent day 18 - Chocolate Crinkle cookies
Today on this cookie journey I wish to speak about fasting... I know it's rather unusual, but bear with me.
Being raised in a strict religion (which required fasting of two entire meals in one day each month and the money saved by not eating, to be given to the religious organization), I didn't approach fasting as a true believer in Christ with a very good impression. I truly did not see any connection between worship and fasting. I only saw it as a money transaction for that particular organization.
But my loving husband has helped me to understand the worship component of fasting. The art of excluding something from my normal daily life for the sole reason of drawing nearer to the Lord. Not a forced pious sacrifice. So now I choose to fast... to draw near to the Lord of heaven and earth.To give up some convenience or indulgence without drawing attention to this fact; simply keeping it between my Lord and myself. Our little intimate secret.

Cookie Advent day 19 - Royal Icing
For Today I have the recipe for Royal Icing. Not a cookie; but a cookie adornment of the "royal" kind.
Makes me think of royalty... something that isn't really emphasized here in America. Yet, overall, I believe everyone has some sense of what that means.
Royalty=not common, an elite class, regal character, members of a royal family (blood-line).
Some of the references given to Jesus are King, the Messiah, the Lord of Lords. The Bible teaches us that He sits on the right hand of God who sits on a heavenly throne. God has heavenly attendants (i.e. angels) who worship Him. When I take the time to really focus on the royal emphasis of heaven, my life begins to take perspective. In my own heart of hearts I realize just how far away from royalty my meager life is... and yet, not only does the Lord of heaven and earth notice little old me; He pursued me. He stopped at nothing (and gave everything) to purchase my miry clay of a life and set apart that which He created for His glory.
I am bought with a price and adopted into the family of God... simply for having asked Jesus to forgive me and was open to receive His life giving sacrifice.
Now THAT is the greatest gift ever!

Cookie Advent day 20 - Coconut Joys
Do you remember the first time it 'clicked' in your heart about Jesus? My memory is a beautiful sunny day at a park watching my children play. I was reading a small gospel of John; which is remarkable since I barely knew anything about the Bible. But for some reason, at that precise moment in time; I got it and my heart was flooded with joy!
Have you experienced that joy? Do you 'get' the whole meaning of Jesus? If not, my friend, I am praying for you...
Let's start at the beginning...
The Word Became Flesh
In the beginning was the Word (another name for Jesus), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it... continue reading here https://www.bible.com/bible/59/jhn.1.esv

Cookie Advent day 21 - Shortbread Linzer with Cranberry filling
Ahhh the cranberry. A plump berry packed with antioxidants and nutrients and enjoyed all over North America (and Canada). I did a little research this morning and found that the cranberry is actually a type of evergreen (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cranberry). A beautiful red and green plant where the berries are actually bigger than the leaves.
God designed this little gem of a berry. Actually the berry was His unique idea! We can thank Him for the bounty of the earth of all kinds.
We can thank Him for the different seasons and regions of the earth as well (like Scotland where the Shortbread originated)!
Actually once we get started thanking God for the bounty of the eart and all our blessings of life, it builds momentum! There is truly SO MUCH to thank Him for!
Thank you God for Jesus; the reason for this splendid season!

Cookie Advent day 22 - Nutmeg Sticks
It's not so much the cookie (although these sound yummy), but the sweet tradition that really caught my attention. The author of the recipe and their 25 year tradition of getting together every year at her mother in laws house to bake Christmas cookies together...
Ahhh tradition... this time of year is steeped in traditions of all kinds. And family get togethers are usually at the top of the list. A funny friend recently said 'it's always good to see visiting family pull in the drive way and even better to see their tail-lights as they leave'! (let's be honest, you laughed a little!)
Thank the good Lord that He doesn't feel that way about us! God loves us so much, He pursues us! He seeks us out! He stopped at nothing (including all that Jesus is and did and does) to offer us reconciliation and adoption into His family! He wants us! He loves us! He wants us to want and need Him... He longs to be our everything...
Just dwell on that for a few moments, then read Psalm https://www.bible.com/bible/59/psa.100.esv

Cookie Advent day 23 - Peppermint Candy Christmas cookies
Oh me oh my, these little gems may look like ordinary heart shaped cookies, but they have a sweet secret tucked inside! A peppermint cream cheese filling!
Makes me think about how many of us believers can be today; we may look like your basic ordinary person on the outside, but there is the sweet Spirit of God tucked inside us.
The problem is, God doesn't want His Spirit simply tucked inside, but oozing out through us! When one receives Christ and His forgiveness, not only does He take up residence in our heart, He wants to live in us and Shine through us.

Cookie Advent day 24 - Mexican Chocolate Icebox cookies
Sweet and spicy and chocolate! It's interesting how a little heat (spice) can really bring out the flavor and sweetness.
What about you? When the heat is on in your life are you sweeter? I love the story of the gold refiners pot. In order to produce pure gold, the heat must be really hot to pull out the dross and impurities of the molten liquid. The way the gold refiner can tell if the gold is pure is to be able to look down into the pot of gold and see their reflection.
That what God is doing to us, He is refining us through trials and testings and tribulations. Not to destroy us, but to draw us close to Him.
Today is Christmas Eve... a day for us to reflect and bask in His glory! The glory that came down from heaven in the former of an innocent and vulnerable infant. He was dependent on us and now we are to be dependent on Him for life and salvation.

Cookie Advent day 25 - Frosted Cashew cookies
This cookie advent has been my pleasure! Each day I began with a timely message from the bible (https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/26-rediscovering-the-christmas-season)
Then I would click on over to the wonderful cookie blog page!
Today I am very thankful for Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith!
I am also thankful to be literate. It's truly a gift; earthly allbeit, but still a gift... I can pick up the bible (or click to it on the internet) and viola! there it is, God's true word for all the world to see!
The internet definitely has its draw backs, but there is one hidden gem... God's Word; His love letter to the world - for free!
That is a GREAT gift! The God of the universe loves us and transcribed some wonderful news for us! He didn't rush through, He took His time... and it was worth it! You can read it for yourself here; https://www.bible.com/bible/59/jhn.3.16-21.esv
Merry Christmas dear reader!
recipes can be found at http://www.thisheartofmineblog.com/2011/11/16/25-days/, http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/holidays/christmas/cookie-rainbow-chocolate-almond7, and http://www.saveur.com/article/Recipes/Mexican-Chocolate-Icebox-Cookies-1000068795

Cookie Advent week 2

Cookie Advent day 8 - Peppermint Meringues. A delicate little bite of wonderful! No flour in this little gem of a recipe...
The Lord, who is powerful and mighty and awesome. Is also delicate and loves beauty. Just take a close look at any flower that He designed!
He is also intimate in His love for His sheep. He longs so much for an intimate and close relationship that He held nothing back to purchase it!
He loves us. Just dwell in that thought... the God who created heaven and earth, loves YOU!

Cookie Advent day 9 - Italian Ricotta cookies. These cookies look a little lumpy and bumpy, but taste wonderful ! (or so I hear)
Isn't that a lot like life; lumpy and bumpy? Looking at this cookie picture reminds me of two things; life is messy, but we need to give it our all, no matter what!
The Lord wants to take our lumps and bumps and use them to His glory. He can create something wonderful out of chaos and brings beauty out of ashes. I know this for a fact, because that is exactly what he has done (and is doing) in my life! Praise God from whom all blessings flow...

Cookie Advent day 10 - Gingerbread cookies. Did you ever make gingerbread men when you were a kid? Wasn't it easy to have that special cookie cutter that made uniform shapes of little people? How thankful we should be that God didn't shape us out of the same cookie cutter...
You are unique, one of kind, not made with a cookie cutter! You are you. God loves you just the way you are with all your quirks and eccentricities. He designed you with love. He knew you before you were born and He (God of the universe) planned YOU.
Are you comfortable in your own skin? Are you striving to be someone or something else? Don't. God loves you for you.
Today just reflect on that realization... and talk to Him about those personal issues that you are trying to deal with... He is the great Counselor!

Cookie Advent day 11 - Oreos
The cookie with something for everyone; chocolate and vanilla, it's a classic!
Because of our colorful household, my hubby and I joke about having a "White" and "Black" Christmas... (perhaps you need to know us to really 'get' it!). But recently we were driving some kids home from church and I mentioned that our household has an "Oreo Christmas"!
People can get so hung up on skin color... now granted, respect for all ethnic groups is a must, but deep down we are all the same. Sinners in need of a Savior.
I used to say that when it came to people, I was 'color-blind', but corrected myself when I realized that ethnicity needs to be respected. It's disrespectful to sum everyone up and not recognize the struggles that have brought our America to the melting pot that it is today. Not all American's came here willingly. And those that were traditionally here first were ostracized and treated like 3rd class citizens. These facts are truly a blight on our nation's history.
Having said all that, I will step down from my soapbox and simply Praise the Lord that He loves us all the same. Jesus died for us, all the same. God has a longing desire to save us, all the same.

Cookie Advent day 12 - Cocoa Thumbprints
Have you ever seen artwork that included a thumbprint from the artist? Often this is seen in primitive stoneware. An artist that works with their hands, can't help but leave their unique identification on their designs.
I often say that each individual life is as unique as the respective persons thumbprint. No two people are exactly the same.
God did this. He has uniquely crafted each and every person. He also does this in nature; i.e. leaves, snowflakes, flower petals, etc...
You are you, uniquely designed by God to have a personal and intimate relationship with your Creator.
Just bask in that realization today... and enjoy a cookie!

Cookie Advent day 13 - Brown Sugar cookies with Mint Chocolate Glaze
Not your average sugar cookie...
As a person, are you the 'typical' or the 'not your average' person? Especially this time of year, the typical impulse is to be overwhelmed, over stretched and over extended... totally lacking Joy and Merriment.
Have you noticed that it takes effort to say "Merry Christmas"? Personally I've been trying to say that as I meet up with people throughout the day.
Merry Christmas = strange looks because it's not yet the actual day of; but I believe it should be the heart of this season. To celebrate and relax and be merry.
So today I say to YOU, Merry Christmas!

Cookie Advent day 14 - Nutella Hazelnut cookies
I know a young man who loves Nutella so much that he asks for his own jar of it for his birthday! That made me smile when he shared that with me recently...
We 'love' a lot of things now a days... cell phones, tv shows,shoes, etc... I think you get the point. I am at great fault for overusing this sentiment on the material things in life, too.
But true love is sacrificial. True love says "I love so much that I am willing to give up something just to secure it or to prove it". Jesus is the ultimate example of sacrificial love. God demonstrated His sacrificial love through Jesus... His birth was miraculous, that is a fact. But His life and death were entirely for the benefit of others. Jesus lived His life as an example of sacrificial love. He gave up His life in the ultimate sacrifice. Now that IS love!

Oh how I am enjoying this season!  Each day I read "rediscovering-the-christmas-season" on YouVersion... then I launch into posting on facebook the cookie of the day.  It's really fun!  I am trying to have 'fun' this month. Bound and determined to not let anything steal my JOY!  How about you?

This weeks cookie recipes are located at  http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/cocoa-thumbprints-recipe/index.html  and http://www.thisheartofmineblog.com/2011/11/16/25-days/

Cookie Advent week 1

This is a first for me, as far as celebrating Advent goes.  It's something that I truly have never experienced.  But I've been studying the reason for Advent and this is how it is being manifested so far!  
I started this Cookie Advent on a whim... each day in December, I've been changing my facebook https://www.facebook.com/alisa.johnson.735 profile picture to the cookie of the day and sharing the recipe and a few random thoughts about Jesus and cookies... I can see that I began slowly, but each day my heart is getting more full (and my thoughts more focused)!

Cookie advent day 1 - English Toffee cookies. Jesus is THE sweet in life! We should anticipate Him like we do anticipate when the house is filled with wonderful smells!
 
Cookie advent day 2 - Almond Toffee cookies. Some eyes are almond shaped. God did this on purpose! He knows every hair on your head and you are the apple of HIS eye!

Cookie Advent day 3 - Cake Cookies. Jesus doesn't play favorites like people do. He accepts us just the way we are. I always taught my children that people come in all different colors and sizes. What a blessing to know that Jesus loves us!

Cookie Advent day 4 - Candy Cane S'mores. What's not to love about the candy cane? I would guess it's THE most popular candy this time of year. My favorites are Bob's brand!
The hard candy symbolizes the Solid Rock of Jesus Christ. The traditional two colors represent the sinless birth of Jesus and HIS shed blood.
The shape can be thought of in two ways; "J" for Jesus or the shepherds staff which He uses to guide His wayward sheep. " Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved..." (Romans 10:13)

Cookie Advent day 5 - Ginger Cookies. Ahhh... ginger. The smell and thought of gingerbread is very much a Christmas smile. God made ginger, it was His idea! A root, actually. The flowering plant is beautiful, and then tucked underground is this wonderful medicinal, soothing, root.
When God created the earth and all the plant life, He had a perfect design. He likes to get to the root of things. He's not so much interested in externals. He knows the treasure lies within.
Our hearts are important to Him, he knows that there lies what he treasure most in us! This wonderful season is all about how He seeks us; came to earth to redeem us, longs for us to receive Him.

Cookie Advent day 6 - A Cup of Everything Cookies! Luke 6:38 "give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” Giving seems to be the theme on my heart this morning... These delicious cookies remind me to throw it all in the mixing bowl of life; put your all in there! Whatever we have to give, can be a blessing no matter how meager.
It is truly more blessed to give than receive! God gave us the ultimate example when He sent Jesus to give His life for us, no one can top that gift!
  
Cookie Advent day 7 - Sour Cream Sugar Cookies.  It's funny how at the busiest time of the year, we often take time to decorate sugar cookies!  This is not an easy task, but with beautiful results!. 
We also decorate our homes (some people even decorate their car)!  God is the master designer and decorator, all one must do is simply look at a flower (like the poinsettia) to see that.
Last year I decided on a 'theme' for my Christmas decorations.  It's the word JOY (Jesus-Others-You).  All my Christmas decorations include that word or theme.  It's a good reminder to me that Jesus is the provider of my joy!  Joy is not like happiness... happiness is fleeting (and usually tied to material things), but joy goes deep into the soul.  Joy is something that one can have in their heart even when everything around them is chaos.  Joy is peace personified! It truly comes from putting Jesus and Others before self.

These recipes can be found at http://www.thisheartofmineblog.com/2011/11/16/25-days/ and http://www.roxanashomebaking.com/candy-cane-smores-recipe/    

JOY

Jesus and Others and You - what a a wonderful way to spell JOY!  Did you ever learn that song?  I learned it when I was first saved and it has left a lasting impression on my life.

J is for Jesus, for He gets first place
O is for others we meet face to face
Y is for you, in whatever you do
put yourself last and spell JOY!

I can't type those words without singing them in my head!

At Christmas time I decorate the house with all JOY ornaments and decorations because of this little song.  Whenever I see the word joy or meet someone named Joy my mind automatically says Jesus Others and You...
It's really a good perspective to have in the Christian life.  The Bible teaches us quite a bit about joy.  Telling us to be filled with it.  Mind you we are not told to be filled with 'happiness' but the joy of the Lord.  For quite some time I was confused about this, I'm not always 'happy' but I do have peace in my heart thanks to Jesus.  Even when I don't feel like it, I have His Spirit within me.  I have been filled with Jesus since the day of my salvation (whether I feel it or not).
I esteemed myself and tried to create a career woman out of myself.  Thinking that I must climb the corporate ladder  in order to 'be somebody'.  The glass ceiling exists as well as the realization that without a degree I was a glorified 'nobody' in my corporate life...
All of this, lock, stock, and barrel left me feeling flat.  Now, mind you, I became a Christian as an adult, but it took years before I realized that all those life aspirations I had about that proverbial ladder were simply a lie.
I already was 'somebody' and in Christ I AM somebody!  Praise God!
Now my life has balance.  I am a worker, administration is in my nature, which God gave me.  And now, I can use this gift to further His kingdom!  I am a worker, an assistant to my spouse, whom God gave me.  And now I can use that gift to further His kingdom!  It's all relative.  My abilities are not my doing, God placed them there and then gave me opportunities to hone them and make them useful.
Life is a beautiful thing, like a well tuned orchestra, when one allows the Lord to be the conductor.
So, as the song says,  
Jesus is first.  When we allow Jesus to take first place in our life and heart, order can begin there.
Others, those that the Lord has placed around us, in our home, in our workplace, in our neighborhood and so on.  They are there for a reason; His reason(s).
You, we matter... but, we are not the center of the universe.
We have the privilege of being His ambassador, My prayer for you, dear reader, is that JOY may fill your hearts and homes during this Christmas season and throughout the coming years.

I am a co-heir with Christ!

Thank you Sharon Jaynes for this mornings post http://sharonjaynes.com/the-horsehead-wallet/#comment-16251!  It is simply the ribbon on top of the package that the Lord has been building in my heart for this post.
In a recent small group (Navigators 2:7 series-I highly recommend this!) we are working on our testimony in 4 minutes.  One of our senior group members shared a wonderful tidbit from his life.  He said he and his wife were struggling financially because of some medical bills at one time.  It came down to the fact that if he paid his tithe for this particular month, it would literally take their bank account to a zero balance.  Being the provider of his household, he really struggled with the decision.  But he went for it, paid the full tithe, and lived on faith!  Of course, they survived and never looked back!
Then yesterday a dear friend and I were visiting and this same subject came up.  She and I both have experienced being a single parent in our lives.  One story she shared was a memory she had about $6.  That was her tithe from a $60 paycheck.  She had diapers to buy.  But on Sunday it just so happened that the $6 was all she had left.  She prayerfully placed the $6 in the offering plate.  On Monday her tax refund check arrived - 3 weeks early!  We both laughed at that story!
In thinking through my testimony, I was reminded of a time early on; literally the first time I realized God provides... allow me to explain.  I had two children and was really struggling financially at the same time that the Lord was calling me.  I had begun attending a biblical church right after a time that I had swallowed my pride and actually applied for food stamps-only to be denied.
The Lord was truly dealing with my hardened heart at this point in my life and He began to soften me to the point I could trust Him.  I wasn't the type of person to ask for help easily and I never let on to anyone about my struggle.  But lo and behold, the next month (after starting to faithfully attend church) my food stamps came through!  Now let me tell you, I had literally been to the point where the only means I had for food was WIC vouchers.  I will never forget the envy I felt when grocery shopping and only being able to get the items listed on the vouchers while others filled their carts.  So when those food stamps came through I was thrilled and realized that they had come straight from the Lord!  This was the first time that I gave God the credit He deserved!
Despite these stories of trust, my friend and I both shared memories of times that we didn't tithe... literally gave in to the temptation to not tithe.  We both agreed that those were always the l-o-n-g-e-s-t times between paychecks!
My husband always reminds me that God doesn't test our faith so He can see if we have any.  He tests our faith for our benefit, so WE can see if we have any!
Does God need our tithe?  Well no, he owns the cattle on a thousand hills! What He does want is our trust and our devotion and our willingness to serve Him with the bounty (financial and physical) which He provides.  Nothing is ours, it is all His.  Once a Christian gets a firm grasp on that reality; I believe that's a pivotal point in ones faith experience.
Our selfish hearts wish to have us believe that we earn the money, we hold the talent, we have the knowledge.  But the truth is, God provides all of it!
So today I am going to remember this every time I pay a bill; thank you Lord.  When I fill my gas tank; thank you Lord.  When I meet a deadline; thank you Lord!  It's all for His glory!

Uncluttered Lives

One of our Core Doctrines in the BIC is simple living "We value uncluttered lives, which

free us to love boldly, give generously, and serve joyfully". I have been a member of a few churches in my day and I must say, this doctrine was a new concept to me upon joining the BIC.  I had to really think about this one.

Let me explain... I'm not the best housekeeper.  I'm not the worst either.  So at first I thought 'if I have to be a better housekeeper, I better not join"! Thankfully my loving husband (who is very 'uncluttered') explained that this is referring to the heart, mostly.

In today's world, clutter happens.  The amount of junk mail that my household receives in one week is staggering.  At this very moment, there are three days worth of mail for me to sift through to make sure I don't throw away something important!  Then there are the weekly trips to the grocery store and the endless bags that ensue. (Ironically, while we were honeymooning several years ago, my husband and I both expressed how we wanted to save the planet by eliminating all grocery sacks from our home and only use the reusable ones!  That didn't ever amount to much being as I constantly either leave the bags at home, or in the trunk of the car - and don't remember them until I'm standing in the checkout line)!

 But clutter of the heart is not so easily noticed nor recognizable.  How often do I let the 'stinkin' thinkin' in... those thoughts that pop up when I am tired and overworked?  I am beginning to see that 'uncluttered living' requires a concentrated effort to free oneself of mental as well as literal stuff.  And to do this in order to be available for the service of the Holy Spirit.
So lets evaluate this doctrine, one step at a time; first we must VALUE uncluttered living.  In other words we must recognize the beauty in living an uncluttered (or less busy) life.  To recognize that less is best, whether were talking about shoes or types of cereal or material possessions.  But I believe this also refers to how we spend our time.  Are we freed up in our day to meet someone at their point of need?
Uncluttered to free us to love boldly... if I'm too busy doing everything, I rarely take the time to consider those around me and their need of bold love.  I consider 'bold' love that which I couldn't do in my own strength, but through the Holy Spirit.
Uncluttered to give generously... are my resources so tapped because of my own selfish needs and wants that I am unable to give my time, talent, or treasure to those in need?
Uncluttered enough to serve joyfully...here again, am I so busy doing stuff that I have no more time to serve others in the name of Jesus?
The more I thought about all of this, the more I realized my need to do some housekeeping in my heart and in my agenda.  Thoughtfully (and prayerfully) considering each day how the Lord wants to use my day; literally, the day He has supplied!
It's really not difficult once the right perspective is achieved.  I can be clutter free when I remove 'self' from my plate.  The plate that the Lord provided should be filled with what He would place there!

Lunch mingle

Well today marked the first official 'monthly lunch' of the BIC Kansas Pastor's Wives!  We met at The Dish in Abilene, KS.  Although not everyone could make it, it blessed my heart that we at least had all tried to get together.
Its amazing when we talk about all the different hats that we wear as Pastor's Wives!  Also how much stuff we do purely to help out our husbands and our church family.  Personally I have been struggling with being able to actually worship on Sunday because I am so heavily involved in ministry (and because I am the church administrative assistant).  I have decided that I need to be more diligent in not 'talking business' or even worse, 'conducting business' when I am at church on Sunday.  I am simply going to have to say to everyone who is asking things of me to send me an email or put a note on my desk or in my church mailbox so I can focus on worship and can get to it during the work week.
One of the Wives whose husband pastors a striving 'fledgling' church said how difficult it is right now because they aren't to the point where they have deacons yet to help share the work of ministry.  It is hard on both her husband and herself.  She too has lots of 'where is the stapler and can you help me make some copies' statements on Sundays.
All in all, I really like the idea of getting together on a regular basis, we Pastor spouses.  I say 'spouses' because in the BIC not every Pastor is male... there are actually Pastor husbands out there that I certainly don't wish to exclude, but am pretty convinced that they may not want to mingle with a bunch of women!
I have been sorting through thoughts as to whether or not this blog and my facebook group should be BICPSC (BIC Pastor Spouse Club)... not convinced yet that I need to change anything.
The goal is to have a 'safe and private' place for spouses of Pastor's to share burdens and lift each other in prayer without the threat of being exposed.  Not that we have anything to hide, but at times, being a pastoral couple (i.e. family) is like living in a fishbowl.  People are watching... its a vulnerable spot to be in.
That's why I like to remember Jesus in all things... how would (did) he handle being in the frontline of ministry?  He did it with both grit and salt... he was a servant's servant that truly pierced to the heart of the people he ministered to.  He was always thinking about 'the big picture' at times even to the point of being misunderstood.  But it didn't slow him down one bit.
Now, truly, I am not God and will never be entirely like Jesus.  But He is my guide in ministry.  I want to mirror His heart to those around me.  And especially to my comrades in arms (meaning fellow ministry spouses). So at our lunch we swapped a personal and a spiritual prayer request with each other for the month, until we meet again.
This first lunch meeting was a blessing and I look forward to many more.

Camouflaged Families

My head is full and my heart is aching.  I just spent the better part of the day attending a seminar on ways to best minister to those in the military (put on by a local Chamber of Commerce).  What I learned has overwhelmed my heart and caused me to pray about what the Lord wants me to do with this information.
Before living in Kansas, military life was obscure to me, its only been in the last 4 years that I've even stopped to consider what military life would be like.  I have a friend that I met a few years back when she was pregnant with her 2nd child and was living on base.  About the time her husband was deployed, they bought a home and where moving off base to more of a civilian life.  She faced the move and the pregnancy all on her own without the convenience of being on base and having the support of their 'green family' that is available there.
Since that time her husband returned home the baby was born and then he was deployed again.  She kicked it in to high gear and now was living life (on all accounts) as a full time working mother of two with no husband to help.
When her husband returned home again, I remember her mentioning how difficult it was to let him 'lead' and she take the 2nd rank in their home.  Of course that would be difficult!  Over this past year, her husband has developed depression and been hospitalized on three separate occasions for PTSD.  My heart aches for her and their children and I've been praying for his recovery.
So now today, after attending this seminar, I recognize the deep spiritual need this young man must have and the lack of resources available to help him with the spiritual aspect of all that he has encountered in military life.
Being a part of the Brethren in Christ, and knowing full well our 'peace' position I am left grappling with what is the best approach to reach military families with the love of Jesus?  Don't we have a responsibility to ignore the 'elephant in the room' namely war and get down to ministry?
After hearing a lot of statistics on suicide (the military has a higher % than the national average) and the cycle of home life, training, deployment, returning to home life, training, etc... that families in the military face, I have a lot of questions on my heart.
So I will begin where I can... I plan to share the info that I learned today about resources that may help my friend and her husband.  Then I will continue to pray about what the Lord would have me to do.
Our church is within proximity of a military base and more and more military families are choosing to live off base.  I am not aware of any support within my county for those families.  I plan to research this more as well as ask my friend some pointed questions as to what would best help her family.
The "Pollyanna" in me wants to host a military appreciation supper in my community as well.  At least its a start...