Articles by MJ

This past weekend, my extended family gathered here in town to celebrate my aunt and uncle’s 40th wedding anniversary. What an exciting time!

The gathering made me stop and think how blessed our family truly is. It is rare in these times for a marriage to last that long. Yet, many of the couples in my family have been married that long. I thank God for a family whose goal is to serve our precious Lord and Saviour.

It was good to see my cousins and their families, catch up on what is happening in everyone’s lives, and reminisce over the many good times we have had together.

Thank you Lord, for this wonderful blessing!

Change. None of us like it. But, the Psalmist said, “…Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.” (Psalm 55:19b) The path on which God sometimes takes us involves change. This change is not always easy for us as it may not be something we like or may remove us completely from our comfort zone and will force us to depend totally on God.

Six weeks ago, God began working on my heart about a change that He wanted me to make. I did not understand it. This change was not in my plans and not only would force me completely out of my comfort zone and mean a time of loneliness, but also would force me to depend totally on God instead of the help… and approval of men. (This is a good thing although extremely hard.)

As I went through the process of seeking God and praying about this change, it was a time of revival in my own heart. (Good thing number two although not always pleasant during the process.) I am ashamed to say that I still did not want to make the change - even after getting other things right in my life. Then, I read the story of Joseph’s obedience to his father when he was instructed to take supplies to the very brothers who hated him. Genesis 37:13 Joseph’s response? “Here I am.” And, the story of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane. “…O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” (Matthew 26:39b) They both were asked to obey in situations much, much worse than mine. But, you don’t see skid marks as they dig in their heels resisting God’s will. As my Dad would say, “That sat down hard and took up a lot of pew.”

Yes, my obedience may be misunderstood. It may cause hurt feelings. It will not be easy for me or others. It will take me completely out of my comfort zone. However, I must obey. It will make me totally dependent upon God. I must yield to His will.

So, even as my heart is breaking (and maybe my will), I yield to His will. It is not easy and may not be for awhile. God brought Jeremiah 29:11 to my mind. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11 Now, although I don’t know what the outcome will be, I have a sweet peace.

Several songs come to mind: “Trust and Obey,” “If Jesus Goes With Me I’ll Go Anywhere,” and “I Surrender All.” Also, this chorus I learned in college.

“I need You, Lord, in all I do.
I can’t get by unless I lean on You.
You light my way, You keep me out of the dark.

The Lord has a will and I have a need to follow that will,To humbly be still,
To rest in it, nest in it, fully be blest in it, Following my Father’s will.”

So, as a friend of mine said this past week, I now continue to walk this ever-surprising adventure that is life with the Lord. And what a precious adventure it is as He walks beside me and carries me through.

Check out some photos here.

Romans 8:28-29 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

This cayenne pepper grew in my “garden.” It’s “lovely” shape was caused by growing against the wire surrounding the plant.

Do I stay close enough to my Saviour to be conformed to His image?
Do I let the trials He sends mold my life into His image?

What an object lesson!

After considerable pondering of a question that perplexed me, God showed me an answer this past week. Since a few friends have voiced the same question, I posted what God is teaching me on my chronic warrior blog. The answer is simple yet complex and a “work in progress” so to speak, but I hope it will help others as it has helped me.

So, I just recently moved into another apartment and am learning its little quirks. I am very thankful to have a roof over my head and a great place to live. I am also thankful for food to eat. And, finally, I’m thankful for the little things that God does in our lives to make us smile, build character, and teach us wonderful lessons - even if the lesson in this case is patience and keeping one’s sense of humor!

The first cause to laugh is my refrigerator. It has character. Translation: several shelves are broken along with the crisper so you have to be a bit careful what you set where. That is no problem. I just need cold food. It also has its own little song - it heralds each cycles entrance and exit with a “drum roll”. Again, this is not normally a problem except when I have a migraine and each cycle finds me scraping my body off the ceiling. Did I mention that I typically have two migraines a week? But, can I fault my appliance for its joy at being called into service and then being allowed a rest?

Let’s move on to the stove/oven. I must admit that the stove in this new apartment looks rather dubious. It is extremely old. A knob is missing for the clock and I don’t trust the time bake. But, I didn’t want to pronounce it guilty without a trial so I withheld judgment and gave it a fair chance. I mean, what does it matter if it looks old as long as it bakes and cooks, right?

Well, the oven is a bit fickle. Its moods vary from workaholic (50 degrees above temp.) to sluggard (25 degrees below temp.) during any one use. Since variety is the spice of life, my food is well seasoned!

Finally, the crowning glory- the stovetop. Each burner has five settings: warm, low, medium, medium high, and high. However, this old stove really has its own language. The settings really are: “somewhat almost warm,” “slightly warm,” “lukewarm,” “warm,” and “smoke alarm in 60 seconds or less.” Since on “warm” (medium high) water takes longer than thirty minutes to boil (I was too hungry to wait to see how much longer it was going to take to boil), I am frequently testing my smoke alarm. (Hmmmm….maybe I need to keep allowing God to work on my patience!) Thankfully, there are not many people living in this building this summer.

The apartment management is working to solve these difficulties. I know they will be resolved soon. However, in the meantime, I’m enjoying my companionable appliances - I mean, who else has appliances that take the time to make you chuckle while you work in the kitchen?

My how time flies!

This past week, my niece turned three! It seems as if it were just yesterday that we were waiting for her to make her appearance into the world. Now, she is three. (Pictures of her birthday are posted here.)

Her party was a wonderful family time with croquet, cake, and, her favorite, presents! Afterwards, the birthday girl and big brother (4 years old) helped me get groceries. Soon, my other niece will also turn three and two more children will join the family.

I’m so thankful that God has granted me such a wonderful (and crazy!) family!

Yesterday as my roommate and I were driving through a poor neighborhood in our city, I commented on the mission field it is. The people there are close-knit with even their own culture. Many children live in the neighborhood. It is definitely a mission field. I know that several churches have endeavored to reach people in this neighborhood with a few people trusting Christ. As I pondered what it would take to really reach these people, it hit me. You would have to be willing to live among them as missionaries live among the people groups with whom they work.

Then, it hit me. Christ did that for us. He dwelt among us in order to save us. John 1:14

Am I willing to do the same?

A few weeks ago I had the privilege of attending my parent’s church in Middleville, Michigan. That day, the Pastor exhorted us to have true Biblical Fellowship with other Christians as it is commanded in Scripture. He started with Acts 2:42, “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” and pointed out that the church then grew by leaps and bounds.

He gave some sample questions that could be used in fellowship. These questions and this type of fellowship is sadly much different than your typical potluck fellowship conversation in American churches today.
1. How often did you meet with God this week?
2. What has God been saying to you through His Word?
3. What sins/temptations did you experience this week that you need to confess?
4. Are you giving to the Lord’s work proportionately to how God has blessed you?
5. What internet, TV, etc… did you see this week that blessed you or that you shouldn’t have?
6. How did you influence your family/close friends this week? positively or negatively?
7. Did you pray for me this week?
8. What challenges or struggles are weighing on your mind?
9. What lives did you influence for Christ this week?
10. Did you just lie to me?
While I do not believe the questions are an end in themselves, I do think that we as God’s people need to be having more of this type of fellowship as we love Him with our all. (Luke 10:27) Why is it that questions about our spiritual walk and about God become awkward to us even in church?

The pastor went on to say that they would be doing a study on the “one anothers” of the New Testament. Since I wouldn’t be there for it, I looked up these one anothers and was a little surprised at what I found. There are many more of them than I had realized and a lot that I hadn’t thought about in our Christian walk. I want to study this out more, but here’s a very “raw” list of what I found.

1. love one another - 1 John 3:11; 3:23; 4:7, 11, 12; 2 John 1:5; 1 Thessalonians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 4:9; 1 Peter 1:22; Romans 13:8; John 13:34; John 15:12; John 15:17
2. bear one another’s burdens - Galatians 6:2
3. forbearing one another in love - Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 3:13
4. care one for another - 1 Corinthians 12:25
5. pray one for another - James 5:16
6. have compassion one of another - 1 Peter 3:8
7. comfort one another - 1 Thessalonians 4:18
8. hospitality one to another - 1 Peter 4:9
9. greet one another with kiss of charity - 1 Peter 5:14; Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12
10. fellowship one with another - 1 John 1:7
11. receive one another - Romans 15:7
12. minister gift one to another - 1 Peter 4:10
13. serve one another - Galatians 5:13
14. wash one another’s feet - John 13:14
15. be subject one to another - 1 Peter 5:5;
16. submit one to another Ephesians 5:21
17. edify one another - 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Romans 14:19
18. exhort one another daily - Hebrews 3:13, Hebrews 10:25
19. admonish one another - Romans 15:14
20. be kind one to another - Ephesians 4:32; Romans 12:10
21. forgiving one another - Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13
22. teaching and admonishing one another - Colossians 3:16
23. consider one another to provoke unto love and good works - Hebrews 10:24
24. speak truth to one another - Ephesians 4:25; Colossians 3:9
25. speak not evil one of another - James 4:11
26. grudge not one against another - James 5:9
27. don’t judge one another - Romans 14:13
28. confess faults one to another - James 5:16
29. in honor preferring one another - Romans 12:10
30. tarry one for another - 1 Corinthians 11:33
31. same mind one toward another - Romans 12:16; Romans 15:5
32. be not puffed up one against another - 1 Corinthians 4:6

And, it is implied that we used to but no longer:
bite and devour one another - Galatians 5:15
provoke one another - Galatians 5:16
envy one another - Galatians 5:16
hate one another - Titus 3:3

What difference would this kind of fellowship make in our churches today and in the world around us?

There have been a couple passages of Scripture that have encouraged and blessed my heart the past couple weeks. I just wanted to share a bit of what I have been learning.

First, in John 4:6-8 Jesus was weary and had to rest while his disciples went on ahead to “serve” by getting food. While he was resting, God had a plan for Him to reach someone else. God had a plan for His rest as He then met and witnessed to the woman at the well. Simple, yet profound!

When I shared this with Anita, she reminded me of the time Jesus was actually sleeping in the boat while the disciples were rowing. As I was looking at those and related verses, I came to the following passages in Mark 6 and Matthew 14. I have heard and read these verses many times, but God really brought out several lessons that helped me when I studies them over the course of many days. I thought I would share them in hopes that they will encourage you, too.

Mark 6:45-52; Matthew 14:22-33

1. Jesus sent them to sea - He sent them into what He knew was going to be a hardship as He knew it was also going to be best for them.
2. Even though He must have been exhausted after ministering to people all day, He went to pray. That was convicting to me!
3. Jesus saw them toiling on the sea, but didn’t come immediately. He didn’t come until the fourth watch.
4. He would have passed by them. He knew they were ok and that this trial would show them His power. But, when they cried out in fear, He was there for them. We (at least I) want out of trials immediately. God has a greater purpose. Also, He will not give me more than I can bear! (1 Cor 10:13; Psalm 103:14)
5. The disciples were afraid and in the midst of the storm. When Jesus came, at first they didn’t recognize His presence but thought their trial had gotten worse (a spirit on the waters). How often do I not recognize God’s hand of intervention in my life?
6. Jesus took the faith that Peter did show and acted on it. When Peter faltered again, He reached out to Him, rebuked His lack of faith, but still helped Him - this time immediately. This was a great comfort to me as I struggle on this journey.
7. The storm was still raging until Jesus got into the ship.
8. After the storm, the disciples then worshipped, praised, and wondered at who Jesus was.

These passages really spoke to my heart this past week. They also taught me a lot about the heart of Christ.

This year was our first year at Mom and Dad’s new house. All 17 of us were there. It was a very special time with family as we celebrated our Savior’s birth!

Pictures are posted here. As I get more from other family members, I will update them.

In the last few weeks in our teen class, we have been learning how to love God with all our hearts (Luke 10:27) as we grow to know Him better. We are burdened that our teens fully understand what it means to truly love God with our all and to realize how amazing His grace and mercy are!

I had been praying for an example to really help the teens understand how rotten our sins are - even the little ones - and how they affect our lives even when we don’t realize that we are sinning. God gave me that example in a very unusual way - one of my chronic illnesses. I wanted to share that along with some of our lesson.

One of my illnesses is called celiac sprue - an auto-immune disease that damages my small intestine and prevents my absorbing nutrients. There is one treatment for this disease - stay away from certain foods - wheat, rye, barley, oats, and several others. It is my choice. I can either avoid these foods and live a fairly healthy life or eat them and get very, very sick. Hmmm…doesn’t that sound like our choice whether to obey God or sin?

While shopping last week, I saw and smelled some delicious looking samples. I dutifully checked the ingredient list - twice - to make sure I could eat it. I didn’t see any off-limits foods. Ohhh, wow, that mini-taco was good! They were hot and cheesy and wonderful. I picked up a box of them to buy. Then, it tasted so good that I wondered if I had checked the ingredients thoroughly enough. When I reread the ingredients, I groaned inside. There it was, buried in the list. I had somehow missed it - wheat flour.

It was just a little bit of wheat flour. I had obviously read the ingredient list too quickly. Would that change the results? No, it wouldn’t. The pleasure of that taco for a moment on my tongue will affect me for the next three to six months. It will affect every part of my life, not just my intestines. My other chronic illnesses will begin to flare up as I get weak which means that in the next few weeks, I will battle stomach-virus like symptoms. Then, for the next three to six months, I will

* gradually become weaker
* have trouble sleeping
* experience weakness in my lungs bringing a constant battle to stay ahead of my asthma
* have increased problems with migraines
* battle cramps and weakness in my muscles
* have bruises all over my body
* have painful sores on my skin
* have the skin on the roof of my mouth peel away
* have pain throughout my body
* have to miss things that I would like to do because I am so tired
* have some of my hair fall out

At first, I look fine - no one can tell anything is wrong. Then, it becomes obvious. Was it worth it? NO! I choose not to eat those foods for a reason. This time, I missed it - not on purpose, but the results are the same.

Sin is very similar. We can choose whether to obey God or to sin. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it].” So, we do have a choice. If we decide to sin, it will

* keep us from the Bread of Life/from learning His Word
* provide momentary pleasure
* make us malnourished spiritually even if we are studying His Word and praying - going through the motions
* have long-term consequences
* affect every area of our life and those around us
* affect us even when we don’t realize that we are sinning by either neglecting His Word or just not paying attention to His Word, our Pastor, Sunday School teachers, parents, etc.
* allow us to “fake” being spiritual for awhile, but then problems will definitely show.

In Isaiah 59:2, it states that our iniquity separates between us and God. Even a small sin, a small moment of disobedience will affect us until we make it right. It is very serious. This sin could be anything that does not honour what God has commanded.

Wow, you say, this is sad and depressing. But wait….that is not the end of the story. Think about 1 John 1:9! “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” For sin, God provides forgiveness, mercy in not giving us the punishment we deserve, and grace in restoring a relationship with Him! What an awesome, wonderful God! This restoration of fellowship is amazing even as we suffer the consequences of our sin. God is patient with us and longs to help us - how awesome!

God is gracious, merciful and patient (Ephesians 1:7, Psalm 69:16, 1Timothy 1:15, 16). As we know Him more, we should draw closer to Him (Ephesians 3:14-20), strive to live a holy life (Romans 6), and treat others with grace, mercy, and patience (Matthew 18:21-35)

What about you? Are you loving God with all your heart, keeping a short account of sin, studying His Word, obeying His commands, and showing His love to others? He has given us so much. He deserves our love! What joy and peace come when we are restored with Him, love Him with our all, and let Him control our lives!

Earlier this week, I felt like the old Cheerios commercial where the guy answered the phone, “Hello, I lowered my cholesterol.” My answer would have been, “Hello, I can walk WITHOUT pain!”

A visit to a new physical therapist offered much relief and comfort in walking as they taped my kneecap in place. I could not get over the ability to walk without pain and just kept walking and walking that night until my muscles wore out! There is promise of more help as they evaluated how many decades of my strange stroke-related gait is affecting my joints and causing my pain and inflammation. Within just days of having my kneecap taped in place, my inflammation and pain are greatly reduced! Praise the Lord!

As I thought about this and praised my Lord for it, I began to think how it is similar to our spiritual walk. How many times do we allow a small sin, weakness, or burden to stay in our life without asking God for forgiveness or help. After a time, we don’t even realize how it is affecting us just as I didn’t realize how much pain I was in until it was gone. This thing we have allowed hampers our spiritual walk with God and our joy. The answer is simple - God has the answer in His Word - 1John 1:9 and 1Peter 5:7 to name just two verses.

When we have asked His forgiveness, strength, or help, what joy and peace we experience! It reminds me of the song “What a Friend We Have In Jesus.”

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.

Spend time in His Word and in prayer today. He has the answer for all your needs. The reward is great!

Finally, I am posting the pictures of my Grand Prix car. As Anita so aptly pointed out, “It still needs wheels.”

The “real” Tux 500 can be seen here.

By the way, the penguin on the car can be seen clearly on my main site.

I stumbled across this hymn in a blog and was touched by its words. When we trust God completely, we can echo the words of this hymn and experience the peace that only He can give!

WHATE’ER MY GOD ORDAINS IS RIGHT, Words: Sam­u­el Rod­i­gast Music: Gas­tor­i­us, Sev­er­us Gas­tor­i­us

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
His holy will abideth;
I will be still whate’er He doth;
And follow where He guideth;
He is my God; though dark my road,
He holds me that I shall not fall:
Wherefore to Him I leave it all.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
He never will deceive me;
He leads me by the proper path:
I know He will not leave me.
I take, content, what He hath sent;
His hand can turn my griefs away,
And patiently I wait His day.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
His loving thought attends me;
No poison can be in the cup
That my Physician sends me.
My God is true; each morn anew
I’ll trust His grace unending,
My life to Him commending.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
He is my Friend and Father;
He suffers naught to do me harm,
Though many storms may gather,
Now I may know both joy and woe,
Some day I shall see clearly
That He hath loved me dearly.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
Though now this cup, in drinking,
May bitter seem to my faint heart,
I take it, all unshrinking.
My God is true; each morn anew
Sweet comfort yet shall fill my heart,
And pain and sorrow shall depart.

Whate’er my God ordains is right:
Here shall my stand be taken;
Though sorrow, need, or death be mine,
Yet I am not forsaken.
My Father’s care is round me there;
He holds me that I shall not fall:
And so to Him I leave it all.

This morning, very early, my new little nephew joined us. How precious this new life is!

Landon Lucas

So many thoughts came as we awaited his arrival. What will he be like? What wonderful purpose does God have for his life? What amazing preparation and care that his parents have put into his coming! The nursery is ready; his siblings have been lovingly prepared for his arrival; our family has been called with the news. How much we all love this little one already!

While we waited, my little niece awoke from her sleep. She did not understand why her parents were not there during the night and was at first disturbed. After many words of reassurance and a long time of cuddling her close, she settled down. She was being cared for just not as she had expected. Her parents had provided for her even when she did not fully comprehend what was happening. She was able to talk to her Daddy on the phone which brought giggles and a great big grin. Soon, she would be back to sleep.

Then I thought of our Heavenly Father and His care for us. It far exceeds the best care that any parent here could give. He loves, protects, and provides for us before we have needs even when we don’t understand why or what, even though we have done nothing to deserve it. He is with us at all times - He will never leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5) How can we have anything but peace knowing how much He loves us and cares for us?
Jeremiah 31:3 “I have loved thee with an everlasting love.”
John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Ephesians 3:19 “And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”

What Wondrous Love Is This!
(Hymn by William Walker)

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul.

When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down beneath God’s righteous frown,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul, for my soul,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul.

To God and to the Lamb, I will sing, I will sing;
To God and to the Lamb, I will sing.
To God and to the Lamb Who is the great “I Am”;
While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing;
While millions join the theme, I will sing.

And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on;
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on.
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing and joyful be;
And through eternity, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on;
And through eternity, I’ll sing on.

This week, I began work on my version of Tux 500 for an Awana Grand Prix next spring. My brother is helping me with it. Yesterday, we cut out the different pieces, using various saws in the process. (Yes, I have all my fingers yet - Randy made a special tool so that my shaky left hand wouldn’t have to be near the blade.) Today, I used sanders to polish the wood.

As I was working on sanding the pieces, it reminded me of what God has been doing in my life. First, He created me with all the different pieces and materials that would make up my life. However, there were (and are) rough edges that need to come off. So, He used the coarse sander to polish those. He applied just the correct amount of pressure to knock off imperfections and make a better finish.

However, He wasn’t satisfied there. Next, He has been going deeper. He is taking the fine sander and polishing again. This one goes into the deeper crevices and hurts more, but the finish will reflect more of His handiwork. For, the finished product is a reflection of Him, not of the piece of wood. The piece of wood is just an old block on its own - basically worthless.

He still isn’t finished. He needs to put together the pieces of my life, sand and polish some more, add a coat of paint, and decoration before I will be a finished product. However, the more He works in my life, the more I will reflect His handiwork and my time with Him on His workbench.

Unlike my car which will not race until it is finished, He has me running the race now. He has a specific course/purpose in mind for me to do now as well as later after more work is done. What an awesome God!

The following Scriptures and the song “Molding a Masterpiece” (Ron Hamilton) came to mind while I was working on my car.
Job 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: [when] he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Jeremiah 18:1-4 The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words. Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make [it].

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

My vacation this year was in two parts. This past week, I was able to take a trip to the U.P. and Mackinac Island with Anita. We stayed with my cousins and then went to the island. It was wonderful!

Here are some pictures from our trip.
1 - Cool car we saw in our backroad travels
2 - A wonderful ice cream parlor in the middle of nowhere
3 - Houghton Lake
4 - George, the stalking seagull
5 - Big Mac
6 - Amazing picture in a church on the island
7 - Anita’s butterfly friend
8 - Cool bugs
9 - Scenery from our bike trip around the island
10 - Ladies of the Lake
11 - With the pilot/expert of our plane trip

This past week I was privileged to spend a week with Anita and her Grandma on Gun Lake. It was a wonderful week of fishing (yes, I caught one), swimming, boating, walking, talking, playing games….just relaxing. The weather was gorgeous throughout the week with beautiful sunrises and sunsets. It made me remember how much I love country living - making it difficult to return to the city!

During the week I was able to visit my parents twice and see their new home. We had opportunity to catch up on all the news and just spend some time together.

The week was truly a blessing as it provided a time of renewal both spiritually and physically. As I reflected on all that God did for me during that week away, it reminded me of Psalm 23:1-3.

A Psalm of David.
1. The LORD [is] my shepherd; I shall not want.
2. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Praise the Lord for providing just what we need!

A couple weeks ago the teens went to a bonfire at one of our church member’s homes. We roasted hotdogs, had old-fashioned relays, a Bible scavenger hunt in the woods, devotions, and then roasted marshmallows.

The teens thought it was great fun to spread the marshmallow all over my face.

A great time was had by all.

Typically the first words I hear from Dale and Madi are “Ride! Ride!”. Not everyone has an aunt with a hugo.

When these pictures were taken, we were still settling in, but it gives you an idea of what our apartment looks like. Ummm….as many of you know, I am not a photographer.

This past week Techcrunch had an article on ClipMarks. ClipMarks is a service/plugin for Firefox which allows you to “clip” portions of web pages and either save them, email them, share them with your social network, or organize them. (For those of you who are not yet Firefox users, this service is just one more great reason to switch!) I tried it and found it to have a simple user interface and to efficiently save only the information you need from a page in whatever format you wish!

The past few weeks - ok, months really, have brought many changes, difficulties, and storms to my life. Through them, God is pruning me, purging me, and drawing me closer to Himself. Unfortunately, part of the time, I had my eyes on the storm instead of on Christ.

Sunday evening, our speaker spoke on Psalm 3:3 where David calls God the lifter up of His head. It really encouraged my heart to trust in God although the future seems so uncertain. That night in my devotions, I was reading John 6 and came across the story of the disciples in the ship when a storm comes up. The storm was overwhelming. Then, they saw Jesus. They did not recognize Him at first. Then, He said, “It is I; be not afraid.” (John 6:20) The next verse shows that all was well after He came.

Wow! That really spoke to my heart. Oh, the storms are still there, but when I focus on the lifter up of my head I no longer have reason to fear. Jesus is here. He will take care of the storms of life for me! What a wonderful promise!

Greetings from a snowy, cold Michigan! After so many years in Florida, I must admit I love looking at the snow while I am inside. It does make getting out and about a challenge. A friend of mine who is soon moving from Florida to Michigan stated that she has decided that she will be staying inside from October to May. Some of these days, I am inclined to join her.

The new-fallen snow is gorgeous though and reminds me of how God forgives our sins and makes are hearts white as snow. His grace is so amazing as He forgives us for our failings and sins! We are so fallible, but His forgiveness and grace are greater than all our sin!