Pinterest Strikes Again

WHEW! MAY.DAY! 

After four years without Daylight Savings Time, this change is whipping us! 

This is the story of another pinterest project.....and it will be as cute as the last one...but...um....it's not as QUICK as I'd thought. 

Just LOOK at that girl.....she's displaying all the colors of the rainbow. 

It takes more time than one would imagine to sort skittles into piles of various colors....

No, the Skittles are NOT why Arielle looks like this.....the little bars below are the culprits. The wrappers are supposed to be GREEN. I asked her to go change the ink in the printer! ::snort::  We are making these for neighbors....and I wanted a little treat for our Bible study....I decided they wouldn't care if they were blue and we won't be meeting again before St. Patrick's -  so there you have it. LOL

 

 Michael watched me for a bit of time and then set up an assembly line to make wrapping these little peppies quicker. The Skittle treat is turning out cute. I'll post photos of that later...like maybe AFTER Michael takes them to the staff. ::snort::

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Imitating the Teacher

A pupil is not above his teacher, but everyone, after he has been fully trained will be like his teacher. Luke 6:40

Jesus is my teacher. Do I see Him as my teacher? Do I turn to Him when I'm perplexed? Do I turn to Him over other sources of information? Do I act like I believe Jesus is relevant to MY  life in the 21st century?

Made this myself!!!!

My heart's desire is to be like my Teacher. I want to imitate Him, reflect Him, emulate Him, resemble Him, live like Him, follow Him - be His disciple.

I will do this as  I am "fully trained" by Him. I can be transformed into His image; I only have to surrender to the training regimen. There is no room for apathy or laziness in this course. I am enrolled in this course through grace, I will complete this course by grace.

God has graced me with the spiritual gift of teaching. I dare not attempt to teach until I've been taught by the Teacher.

I've been reading The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard and some quotes had me thinking about Jesus as  my teacher before I read this verse. 

"Where we spontaneously look for "information" on how to live shows how we truly feel and who we really have confidence in. And nothing more forcibly demonstrates the extent to which we automatically assume the irrelevance of Jesus as teacher for our "real" lives." (page 56)

We settle back into defacto alienation of our religion from Jesus as a friend and teacher, and from our moment to moment existence as a holy calling or appointment with God. Some will substitute ritual behavior for divine vitality and personal integrity; others, may be content with an isolated string of "experiences" rather than transformation of character. (page 55)

And since I'm on a Dallas role - these three questions are SO good for evaluating many things: what I share with my children,  what I share with a mentor group, what I speak at a retreat, what I teach at  PWOC etc.

• Does the gospel I preach and teach have a natural tendency to cause people who hear it to become full-time students of Jesus?
• Would those who believe it become His apprentices as a natural "next step"?
• What can we reasonably expect would result from people actually believing the substance of my message? (page 58)

Interesting that the above was written on 6 Mar (Yeah, I don't always type each a.m.), before any PWOC theme brainstorming. ::snort::  This topic of discipleship, following, imitating has been recurring as I read through the gospels, hasn't it? 

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

We Remember Tohoku on 3.11.2014

March 11.2014.  It's been three years.  How many years before we forget the significance of March 11th - 2:46 p.m.? 

My heart still breaks for the nation of Japan. Over 15,000 people died that day. 1,500 still missing. There are very few words to capture the feelings of this day. 

I remember where I was. 

I remember the helplessness of being in Tokyo and unable to communicate with my family -  which was without power, communication and running short on essentials.

I remember the C 130 which finally got us HOME. Then the evacuation and our choice to stay in Japan.

I remember the weeks of relief work...the recovery and relief missions in the snow.

I remember watching people search through the rubble for loved ones, a piece of home.

I remember the fear and grief we felt.

I remember the relationships! The Japanese neighbors who thanked us for staying. The dear friend who acted as translator while we delivered relief kits. The chapel team which worked tirelessly to prepare home kits. The deep relationships which grew from sharing this moment in history together. We have all since finished our assignments and moved from Japan,  but I'm quite sure we all still remember this day with our hearts in Japan.

I remember the dignity and the resilience shown by the Japanese people. One such example - which I heartily recommend -  is the Nozomi Project. These ladies make jewelry from shards of broken pottery left after the tsunami.

I feel like I should have profound words to share; but my heart is too full.

Japan still needs your prayers. Many are currently facing the requirement to move out of temporary housing - though their towns and everything they owned disappeared in a moment. How do you save enough to move on, while paying for a home which no longer exists? How do you rebuild a lifetime of equity in 3 years? How do you work when your town is gone? And the town up the road? Most of all Japan still needs an awakening to the heart of God. Please join me in praying for this land we love.

If you desire to read more about what that time was like for our family click the "tsunamis and other disasters" link in the side bar. 

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

What About Enemies????

"God says I have to love you, but I don't have to like you."

 The first time this was said to me, it took my breath away. This person had no intention of giving me a second chance to win back trust or rebuild that which was broken.  There was no attempt to move into a mutually blessed relationship. There were boundaries - tall, thick and impenetrable. I was forgiven, because God commanded it, but I was never to be a friend. I learned much in this season. I learned to love with no expectation of reciprocation. I learned I am STILL, at heart, a people-pleaser and gave this person far too much power over my thoughts and emotions. I learned it is SIN to allow another to define my worth - God has defined my worth. I learned it is dangerous and sinful to accept another's labels - that role also belongs to God. I learned it is possible to love the Lord and set boundaries with others...but those boundaries shouldn't be set in stone. Boundaries should be open to the softening of the Holy Spirit as all grow in grace and wisdom. I learned this person was correct - God does not command me to like my enemies.  I also learned we are far to quick to label those we don't like as "enemies."  I learned it takes minute by minute dependence on God to obey His commands on how we are to treat our enemies.

An enemy (Strong's #2190) is one who hates you. There is real enmity and hostility. Yes, I've had enemies, as I'm sure you have. Not every person who disagrees with me or doesn't succumb to  warm fuzzies in my presence is my enemy. ::grin::

The Old Testament commanded we love our neighbors. We  struggle with THAT concept. Jesus, however, took things to a new level. He tells us to love our enemies!  This post will not be short and pithy. Neither, will  it thoroughly cover the topic. Here are some life lessons I've learned at Jesus' feet, centering on

Luke 6:27-36.

How do I Biblically Treat "Enemies"? 

Love Your Enemies (27) - Agape (Strong's #26) them. My friend was right. This is NOT the warm fuzzies. This is not like. I find peace in that. I try to love all - but you know there are some who are just plain mean and hard to like. Jesus isn't calling us to deny our situation or feelings. He is not calling us to hypocritically say we "love" someone, who in fact,  we cannot "stand."  He IS calling us to Agape. What does that mean? I don't have to FEEL it. It's a choice of my will. I direct myself to lay down my life for another. I direct my energies to their good. I serve another. It's the same love God has for ME and YOU....it may be harder than "liking" another. This is possible because the Holy Spirit pours this love into my heart - Romans 5:5.

Do good to them (27) -  Instead of grumbling, gossiping, plotting revenge - I'm to do good (Strong's #2573). My actions are to be "suitable, proper and beneficial."

Bless those who curse you (28) - I am to BLESS my enemies. WHAT does this mean? I'm to make them cookies? I'm to send them cheerful notes? I pray God gives them all manner of good things even as they continue to be hostile?  It is interesting the word used here is NOT the same word used in the beatitudes a few moments earlier (Luke 6:20-26). That blessed is to declare someone to possess the full favor of God. That is not my job.  To bless (#2127) in this verse means to "invoke God's action and intervention in their lives to accomplish His will!" It is "invoking God's blessing upon them by praying that they may be turned from their ways through God's intervention in their lives." Dr. Zodhiates.  Can I do this? Yes. It is how I hope others are praying for me.

Curse (#2672) in this verse is simply to wish something bad to happen. I've been guilty of cursing others rather than blessing them. I know others are guilty of cursing me - and my response is to be to bless them - to pray for God's intervention in their lives.

Pray for those who mistreat you (28)- I pray for them as I'd like others to pray for me. I pray for God's purposes to be unleashed in their life. I pray for continued growth in all areas of their life. I pray for peace in the relationship - and sometimes it happens -  sometimes I simply walk in peace through the relational turmoil.

Treat enemies the way you want to be treated (31) I want others to  forgive. I must forgive. I choose to forgive even those who act spitefully. I am learning it is o.k. to set boundaries while forgiving and loving....as long as they are "soft" boundaries and I remain alert to the Holy Spirit's work in the situation.

Lend - expecting nothing in return (35) This expecting means that I give without looking for an earthly return. I expect nothing in return.

Via Google Images

Be merciful just as your Father is merciful (36) - A son is expected to exemplify his father's character. Our Father is merciful (Strong's #3629). Our father is actively compassionate.

God is not calling me to be schizophrenic. He calls me to direct my will to the benefit of those who are hostile towards me. He knows I won't have warm brotherly feelings towards these people, but I AM to lay down my life for them. He calls me to do good, invoke His presence in their lives, pray for them,  lend as needed, and to be merciful.

I obey His clear teaching, not because I hope my enemies will eventually love me. I obey simply because our Father has done this for me. I am to imitate Him even in this hard place - where some truly do not like me and are actively hostile.

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Of Memorials, Farewells and High Water

Saturday was a tough day.  The memorial service was longer than John S thought it would be - quite a bit, actually.  Bob Burt was an amazing person.  He was local to the Springfield OR area before joining the Navy's Chaplain Corps.  He eventually rose to be the Navy's 24th Chief of Navy Chaplains - a 2-star Admiral.  He just was all that and more.  I was really looking forward to getting to know him, but God's plans have a way trumping our plans.  He knows better even when we do not understand.  He loves fully whether I see it or not.  He cares for us completely even when I feel alone.  That is just the way it is.

The reception was a fun meet and greet with many old friends of Open Bible.  It was fun to see where the Lord has led them through the many years.

The day to go home finally came.  We decided to make a slight detour on the way home and stop in to see G-Ma G, my Mom.  We did not get a particularly early start on the way out of town.  Nolan and I went to Church at Calvary and then we went to Krista's church on the other side of town.  It was nice to see so many before we left town.  Still managed to miss some, though.

Next time when there is a bit more time we will make sure to catch up with everyone.

We hit the highway around 2 PM and headed for CEC.  The rain had been coming down very steadily.  Usually in such times, the river has a tendency to show its other personality.  The rain brings out its schizophrenic nature.  It transforms the river from a lilting lady to a brash, loud, mean, raging street fighter in just a short amount of time.  We were expecting the street fighter.  We rolled in a bit later than we wanted, after all, we had to stop at DQ to do our duty to ensure their quality was up to specs.  The DQ corp. office should be more thankful that we are diligent about this self-imposed responsibility by supplying us with coupons or something...

It was mostly dark by the time we rolled in.  You could hear that the "street brawler" was trying to make an appearance, but it did not sound like the transformation was quite complete.  Mom had a nice fire going in the wood stove.  When that thing is fed enough wood, it can heat that entire house.

We had a fun evening looking through more pictures and talking about old times.  Those conversations are always fun.  We had brought a plate of lasagna with us so we threw it into the microwave and toasted the bread we had brought as well.  It was a good evening.  Nolan and I retired to the upstairs where we were able crash out in the big bedroom as we listened to the river quietly rage through the night.

Big Rock is barely visible as the waters are mostly pouring over it.

In the AM we worked a bunch of smaller projects for Mom and then went for a walk.  Yeah, the rain had stopped the day before and the lilting lady was slowly making a come back.  The river was up to about fifteen feet short of the bottom of the trail - far below "street fighter" level.

Nolan and I walked down the road into the Redwoods a ways.  We wanted to get a good look at Big Rock.  It was mostly covered by water.


We walked down a ways further to the old cable car crossing.  They finally figured out how to lock it up so kids cannot take it out for midnight rides - not that I would know that much about such a thing...  We walked up the other way a ways and then headed for the house to say our farewell and hit the road.  

It was a good trip, but it was good to be home, too.


The river needs to come up another 15 feet before the "street fighter" really makes a showing.  That is a sight and sound to behold.  It simply roars with rage ready to brawl with any that would dare to cross it.

I included this Madrone tree just because...

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

ALL NIGHT

It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray and He spent the whole night in prayer to God. Luke 6:12 

Again! Jesus retreats again. I'm seeing a pattern. 

Via Google Images

He prayed ALL NIGHT. We are tempted to say, "But HE is God!"  And yet, it was fairly common even into the early 1980's for churches to hold all night prayer meetings, actually filled with PRAYER. How have we gotten too busy and too grace-oriented for these sorts of "Church Programs?" 

After this extended time of prayer Jesus selected twelve apostles from his disciples (Luke 6:13-16). 

After this extended time of prayer Jesus preached an amazing sermon on the Kingdom of Heaven, what it looks like and it's availability to all (Luke 6:17-49).

Why would I attempt anything in my life, or ministry, without first spending extended time in prayer? Jesus is GOD and He needed this time of prayer. I need it even more. 

Time alone with God is essential. 

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Fasting? Isn't that legalistic?

But the days will come; and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days.  Luke 5:35 

The disciples of John the Baptist OFTEN  fast and pray. (5:33)

The disciples of the Pharisees often fast and pray. (5:33).

A rabbi was held responsible for the actions of his disciples - why weren't Jesus' disciples fasting?

Jesus responds that the wedding party doesn't fast while the bridegroom is with them. Weddings were seven days of feasting at this time. There was no be no hard work done, no mourning - just feasting.  (5:34)

Jesus says there will be a day when He is no longer physically with his disciples - and THEN they will fast. That day continues to this day. (5:35)

Yes, Jesus addressed abuses of fasting (Matt 6:16). However, he gives instructions for private fasts (Matt 6:16) and  we see the early church fasting (Acts 13:3; 14:23; 2 Cor. 6:5).

The word fasting, as used in the Scripture, refers to abstaining from food. Yes, fasting has been abused by religious legalism - but so has giving, praying, studying-  and we continue these disciplines. Jesus clearly states there will come a day when His disciples will fast. I wonder why more don't fast.

Via Google Images

Fasting focuses my appetites on His appetites. Fasting provides more time* in my day to seek His face. Fasting seems to clear the communication channels with God - the Word  comes alive, I sense His presence quickly....I suspect as rewards to obedience.  Hunger becomes a prayer prompt. When I fast I am focused....Fasting has added much to my life.

It is popular today to fast many things other than food. I've heard of TV fasts, technology fasts, Internet fasts, movie fasts, manicure fasts, sports fasts....some say abstaining from food is a MUST to be a Biblical fast. Personally? I think if God is calling you to abstain from one of the non-food items; you should. I think you should be aware of parading before men or thinking you are earning "heavenly gold stars" - in other words - treat it as a fast. I think God always blesses for obedience.  If you are bargaining with God - say you feel pressed to fast and yet you don't want to give up food and so you substitute one of these other fasts - you need to quit bargaining and obey.

I began fasting weekly for our children's future spouses 7.5 years ago; this continues and has expanded as a focus on immediate and extended family to this day. A Daniel Fast was the start of an incredible personal journey to freedom from food addiction. I've seen God move me through fasting. I've seen the power of God released to fulfill the purposes of God on earth. I continue a variety of fasts as Jesus leads. I currently wrestle with when a fast has become a lifestyle - as many of you know I've moved to a Vegan/Nutritarian eating style which is very close to a Daniel Fast.

The topic is far too big to discuss fully today. I always hesitate to discuss fasting publicly as I never want to be guilty of parading before men - but I am a teacher and here is a passage speaking on the topic.

Some do not fast as they worry it is unhealthy in their situation. If God is calling you to fast - maybe you can fast one meal...or maybe you can fast one food item (pregnancy, diabetic)...or maybe a Daniel Fast....if God is leading you to fast, He can reveal how to fast as well.

I first began to consider fasting when reading the chapters on this discipline in  Intimate Faith by Jan Winebrenner and Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster.  The first is an easier read; the later is a meatier read.

Other books which have helped me understand the spiritual discipline of fasting and how to worship Jesus through it are:
God's Chosen Fast - Arthur Wallis
A Woman's Guide to Fasting - Lisa Neelson (PWOC gal! Woot, woot!)
The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast - Kristen Feola

If you are looking for one comprehensive book on fasting, I recommend, A Woman's Guide to Fasting. 

This is a helpful website for those participating in a Daniel Fast.

*Note fasting creates time for me because my family is at a stage where they can get their own breakfast and lunch and so I free up my time and focus if I'm not getting food for me at those meal times. I still cook dinner...and if you have a young family fasting is probably not going to magically create time for you. I could never understand HOW it created more time for me until recent years. 

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...