Kidnapped and Captivated

This past Saturday, because of a cancelled baseball game, my husband kidnapped the family for a trip to Wyoming. "Pitter Patter" the drops fell on the windshield and I asked, "Are you sure this is a good idea. . . .it's raining?" "Oh yes!" David said, "It's a great day!" He lifted his shoulders like a large rooster - proud and content.

By the time we found our spot the rain had stopped and the Lord brought a glorious day. While visiting Register Cliff, I noticed something I had never seen. There, at the top of the rocks, were very unusual birds nests filled with birds. I became so facsinated with them that everyone else grew tired and moved on. 

The nests were delicately crafted and shaped so perfectly. I thought of the warmth and the shade the nests must provide for the birds. I gazed upon the community and how they nested near each other.



The birds were swift and flew in and out of their nests so gracefully.

"Wow Lord - you created this," I thought.





 At one point it felt as if I were standing in the "Birds" movie. Birds flew everywhere!

Cliff Swallows - They collect mud pellets to make their nests. They work long and hard even though the rain could wash it away in an instant. 

I stood in the midst of their great journey and thought of how ours is so similar. People work hard to build their homes - just like these birds. People have busy lives looking so much like this - in and out - flying here and there - unsettled it seems. The babies stayed in the nest while the adults flew out. When do they rest?

I began to thank God for shelter that covers us in the cold and warm seasons. For a place to nest - to raise our children - and make it a home - unique in every way. I thanked Him for a community of people - who help us along the way.

I thought of how the birds nested above a place where others traveled so long ago to find a better home land. The birds carved their nests where others carved their names. I stood where hundreds of wagons passed by and children from the 1800s climbed on the rocks and played in the nearby river. I stood on the ground where weary and exhausted settlers stood wiping their brows and shielding their faces from the hot sun.  

"What a journey," I thought. "What a journey."

Our journeys can feel difficult, strenuous, tiresome, and chaotic. We see the swallows who find a particular place to nest and at the same time reflect upon the settlers from the Oregon Trail striving to do the same. Though someone else's journey may appear better than ours, we are not so different. We all want the same things, a secure place to rest our heads and raise our families.

As we made our own journey back home, I gleamed at the view in front of me. "Thank you for my journey Lord," I whispered, "May it be just as wonderful."

May Your Journeys Be Filled With Captivating Moments

My Father's World

This morning I sat and focused on a picture of my father holding his great catch - catfish. My father loved to fish. He taught me how to bait a hook and remove the fish from the line. It wasn't unusual for him to lead us through the woods to his secret fishing hole. I loved seeing him smile. 


For the past few weeks I have been sitting in my quiet sanctuary at home. I sometimes stare at the black and white keys and ask, "What should I sing today?" but not lately. I stared at my father's picture sitting elegantly on top of the piano and allowed my thoughts to turn toward a song:  "This is My Father's World." 


I am not sure why it moves me so much. The song was written by, Maltbie Davenport Babcock, a Minister from New York who loved nature, walks, and writing. He often told his wife,"I'm going out to see the Father's world." His love for nature and God shines through in this song. The verses are filled with emotion, wisdom, and care.  But there is one verse I sing over and over again.   

This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget

That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.

This is my Father’s world: the battle is not done:

Jesus Who died shall be satisfied,

And earth and Heav’n be one.

When I think of my earthly father I am reminded of the battles he not only endured but instigated, I am reminded of the hardships, pain, and suffering he lived through, and I am reminded of the wrongs he committed and those committed against him. 


As I gaze upon the picture my mind takes me to another place; a place beside my heavenly Father. Through the song I am reminded that my heavenly Father is strength. 


Though the wrongs seem strong, God reminds me, "I am the ruler yet!" 


Though it feels we have lost the battles, God says, "They're not done!"  


Though the world appears satisfied, God boasts, "I will be satisfied." 


Like a mighty wind God swept down and enveloped my earthly father, moving him, working in him, and changing him. For years the battles raged but God said, "It's not over." Spiritually my father accepted Christ and it changed his heart and life. Physically my father was taken home after a long battle with illness. In the end God's victory prevailed. 


When I think about my earthly father I can't help but think about my heavenly Father. When I think about my heavenly Father I can't help but think about my earthly father. They are joined in heaven, united, walking, talking, and enjoying one another. 


My Father was satisfied  . . . . . and thank you Lord that we could be satisfied here on earth as well. 


Whatever you are facing today know that the battle is not over - - - - God will have the victory. 

May Your Journey Be Filled With God's Satisfaction. 

Burning Desire to Praise

What is it about a sunset or sunrise that takes our breaths away? The glistening glow or dimmer hanging overhead captures us. It is the hand that controls it that grabs my attention.

I stand in its grandeur - I stand in awe - I stand and allow it to penetrate my soul.

My eyes receive its glorious splendor

My body swells with emotion - - not only of its magnificence but of its love - - yes a love for the one who created it.

The colors sift through my flesh - floating deep within - like a cloud. It is lovely in every way.

I praise Him oh my soul 

I picture Him there 

The great artist from above painting on His large canvas

The mountain burns like fire

I feel its warmth  

The heavens, the sky, the clouds - - they all praise him 

I praise Him

"Praise the Lord. 

Praise the Lord, you his servants;
praise the name of the Lord.
Let the name of the Lord be praised,
both now and forevermore. 
From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
the name of the Lord is to be praised.

The Lord is exalted over all the nations,
his glory above the heavens. 
Who is like the Lord our God,
the One who sits enthroned on high,  
who stoops down to look
on the heavens and the earth?"

Psalm 113

A Call Worth Making

This past week while working on a chapter for my book, I read something I had read a million times, worked through something I had heard preached more than once, and understood the miracle of the moment - yet again. But this time something struck me in a different way.

Lazarus died and was raised from the dead.  With great authority - Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”  (John 11:43 NIV)  Lazarus came forward without hesitation. While driving home that day I thought about the details of that moment. In the silence I heard God say, "I can do the same for others."

"You can do what Lord, " I asked.

"Speak it - Proclaim it - Believe it, " He said.

Suddenly I heard the words being shouted at me, "Come out! Come out!"

I understood this, I had heard it said before, I believe it can happen - but this time it was different. God said fill in the blank   "                       Come out!"

Whatever it is that we are struggling with - having a hard time living with - "Come Out!"

Sickness - Fear, Depression - "Come Out!"

Sadness - Loss - Isolation - "Come Out!"

Insecurities - Anger - Disappointments - "Come out!"

Bitterness - Jealousy - Anxiety - "Come Out!"

Rise up and speak it with conviction and an overwhelming desire to have it. Speak it in Jesus' Name! Through Christ it can happen. Want it - fight for it. Jesus wants to free us from the dark tomb where we have kept those things buried and raise us up to live - just like he did for Lazarus. Make the call my friend -

I can't imagine what went through Lazarus' mind when he walked out of the dark tomb and into the glorious light. Now that was a moment worth living.

May Your Journey Be Filled With Living 

Map of Melodies

Our days are filled with mapping and preparation. We map out our journeys. We take great effort in preparing for that vacation or trip. We decide what steps we will take, what paths we will clear, what roads we will travel. A month ago I thought I had a pretty good plan and mapped out a pretty good journey for myself. My plan was to come to Texas and help my mother move to a new town and a new home. Two weeks into it my mother became very ill. So now I sit beside her hospital bed. Eleven days so far is enough to wear anyone out. "What is going on God?" I often ask. My plan was to pack - to sort - to move. God had another plan for my coming.

I am so thankful to be sitting beside her bed. On good days we reminisce about her childhood, laugh about the crazy things that have happened in her life thus far, and sometimes sing. In some of her weakest moments when asked, "How are you doing?" She almost shouts, "Wonderful!" (even though we all know how sick she has been; she knows it too) but what amazes me is when after shouting "Wonderful!" she breaks out into song - "Wonderful! Wonderful! Isn't He wonderful!" - A song she learned many years ago about her Lord and Savior.

The nurses and therapist smile and my heart turns with emotion. What a testimony as I am reminded of how I often complain about every little pain in my life and yet during her sickest moments  she finds a way to sing.

"But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress,
my refuge in times of trouble. You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress,
my God on whom I can rely."  Psalm 59: 16-17

King David sang quite a bit in the midst of his trials and tribulations as well. Psalm 59 is just one of those many moments where he declared he would sing to the Lord. God is the one who maps our journeys. God is the one who sees our future and declares our steps. Is there a way to sing through each turn, road block, and bump? Can we map our journeys with song leaving behind sweet melodies? As I travel behind where my mother has journeyed I grab hold of those melodies she has so gracefully left behind.

I have no idea where this journey will lead but my prayer is that I will rise up to sing like a king and declare my praises to the world like a queen . . . my sweet mother.

May your Journey be filled with Singing

Angry Daddy Protecting His Young

"Arise, LORD! Lift up your hand, O God.
Do not forget the helpless.
Why does the wicked man revile God?
Why does he say to himself,
“He won’t call me to account”?
But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted;
you consider their grief and take it in hand.
The victims commit themselves to you;
you are the helper of the fatherless."

Psalm 10: 12-14

Can you see the Lord rising up in our defense?

Can you see the Lord lifting His hand?

As I read this scripture I could just see God rising up and lifting his massive hand. Like a mother hen who ruffles her feathers to protect her young, like a mother bear protecting her cubs, like a rhino, or large mother elephant that have killed other animals and people to protect their babies – all of these have risen up in their own ways. But in truth I cannot even fathom the sight of such a powerful God rising up to protect His children. The Psalmist paints an amazing picture of what it might look like . . .

"In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.

The earth trembled and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains shook; they trembled because he was angry.

Smoke rose from his nostrils; consuming fire came from his mouth, burning coals blazed out of it.
He parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under his feet. He mounted the cherubim and flew; he soared on the wings of the wind.
He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him— the dark rain clouds of the sky.  Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced, with hailstones and bolts of lightning.
The LORD thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded.
He shot his arrows and scattered the enemy, with great bolts of lightning he routed them.
The valleys of the sea were exposed and the foundations of the earth laid bare
at your rebuke, LORD, at the blast of breath from your nostrils.

He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters.
He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me.
They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the LORD was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me."

Psalm 18

May Your Journey Be Filled with God's Protection

My Christmas Chaos

In the last week of Christmas my life as a Pastor’s Wife looked like  . . .

Twelve  . . . Christmas Eve candles (to purchase  - plus some)

Eleven . . . people needing prayer.

Ten . . . trips to my front door.

Nine . . . phone calls to return.

Eight . . .  food gift cards (to distribute).

Seven . . . gifts to wrap (for the needy plus baskets).

Six . . . pans of popcorn (to make)

Five . . . food box deliveries!

Four . . . staff members for dinner (and their children!)

Three . . . bags of milk (to give out)

 Two . . . slips on the ice.

And . . . One . . . trip to the E.R! (not for me – though it should have been.)