Amazing Creatures

I saw this while browsing a couple of weeks ago - truly amazing. I wonder what other animals have such great perspective...


Elephant Paints Self-Portrait

I couldn't figure out how to link from the pic (great pic, even, hmm?) but I can add the video link here

Enjoy one of God's masterpieces ~

By God's Design

I love how God is in the little things every day. When we forget He is sovereign and cares about our every need, (well, I do that often enough, you may not) He sends us a gift of experience to show us that He truly is orchestrater of all things.

Today (actually, last week now since I am finishing this post from a draft) I went to a ladies Bible study I had not been attending regularly. I did not do the homework, though I have the book; I didn't even know what week they were on. When I woke up, my intention was not to go, but to stay home and catch up on the many things that needed to be done...but as my morning geared up today, I felt God leading me there, so I changed plans.

The study itself was wonderful (Beth Moore study, this week about submitting to Christ's yoke and allowing Him to be the potter in our lives - very good teaching and inspiring thoughts), but the week's topic was not the main reason I was called to be there (I had thought perhaps it would be). At the end, as I was preparing to leave, one of the ladies asked if there was anywhere in town to purchase dyeable shoes for a formal wedding. Many ladies shared ideas and information, but each was something she had already tried (with the exception of ordering online, but her feet are hard to fit and she needed them by this weekend). She had been to the local store that was suggested, where another lady had just purchased a pair last week, and was told by the manager that they did not have any.

Would you believe (well, of course you would believe, but this tickles me!) that I had seen a pair in my daughter's garage cubby just days before, and had taken note of it for some reason. They had been playing dress up and pulled out some old shoes I had worn in a wedding, that I had never dyed, that had been in one of the kids closets for YEARS. The girls had only recently moved them down to their dress up box, and who knows how they got outside where I would see and notice them...

I asked what size she needed, of course it was my exact size. I encouraged her that this must be the reason I had arrived and had seen the shoes a few days prior - because God was saving them for her. She wasn't certain as she had specifics - She couldn't wear high heels, and also required a looser fit in the back as she had a brace that needed to be fit into the right shoe. I was just certain this would work out for her since it was such "coincidence" all the way around. Sure enough, they fit perfectly, were comfortable with the brace, and she was amazed and delighted. I smiled so widely as she drove away. God is SOOOO good to us! It tickles me when he answers our needs that way.

When sharing this with a friend the next day, she shared her story of His divine prompts. She had been grocery shopping the day before, had been buying milk and decided to buy a gallon extra of her regular brand. Now, she has never bought extra, but recently our grocery store has been going through renovations and she had forgotten milk once because of not seeing it on her regular route through, so she felt prompted to get another gallon and just assumed it was because she was concerned she might forget again before renovations were completed (as they have moved the milk two or three times at this point).

She was just completing checkout when the lady behind her, who looked very frazzled with two toddlers and fatigued eyes said "Oh, no, I forgot to get milk..." Jenny looked at her and said "What kind do you buy?" Of course, same brand, same type (1%) ~ Jenny smiled, handed her the already paid for gallon, and told her to have a wonderful day ~

The God we worship is amazing. Each day He reminds me more deeply how much we are incredibly loved. Wow. I am thrilled to be a part of His divine plan, and so blessed to be used at times. Thank YOU, most gracious, magnificent One. Your are beyond compare! Bless You.

The Gift of Submission

I have been reading some wonderful books lately ~ wonderful in how they are written, and wonderful in how they help me refocus on what is real and eternal. In Mary Kassian's book Women, Creation and the Fall, she states:

"Submission is the key concept to understand, for everyone is called upon to submit to God (James 4:7-10, Hebrews 12:9), and all at one time or another must submit to human authority. Believers who cannot submit to human authority do not know how to submit to God, for it is God who demands submission within human relationships. Conversely, believers will be ineffective leaders, incapable of fulfilling human authority roles, until they learn to submit to others. Submission is for everyone."

Jesus gave us the divine example for this ~ despite being God himself, he submitted himself to God's order ~ often stating that "I do nothing on my own, but speak just what the Father has taught me...I always do what pleases Him." (John 8:28-30).

If Jesus himself was always submissive to our heavenly Father, how much more should we be seeking to humble ourselves! How can we begin to know what is good and right and God's perfect will if we are colored by our culture and jaded by our own feelings and thoughts? The paragraph quoted above was referenced in Barbara Hughes' book Disciplines of a Godly Woman, which I have been enjoying tremendously. God has illumined me to senses that I had not (in my own self-centered approach to relationship with Him) fully considered. Mary's words are written near the beginning of a chapter on the discipline of submission. While reading this chapter, words and scripture leaped out at me and burned in my soul. I found myself excitedly putting the book down several times to begin writing down the scriptures that I so obviously needed to meditate upon and learn for deeper understanding.

The scripture in John, quoted above, is one I have mulled over throughout the years. I have understood its intention intellectually as well as softly in my heart, but have never grasped the depth and intricacies of its worth. What jumped out at me first, causing me to pause to re-read what I had been absorbing in this chapter, was this ~

"During the days of Jesus' life on earth, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission." (Hebrews 5:8)."

Get that! Jesus was heard BECAUSE HE WAS SUBMISSIVE!! Wow! I would have assumed He was heard because He was God ~ but, NO! That is clearly shown to be not true. Even Jesus Christ, God's own son, was listened to because He loved and submitted to the Father (not to mention that God did not honor all of His requests, either ~ but that is another topic).

Our instinct is to please and serve ourselves. It is natural in our bodies and mind. We easily rebel against anything that is not pleasing to us. Submission is something we must work on learning and refining. If even Jesus Christ, God's sinless son, had to obey, how much more do I, a wretched, sin-filled human, need to depend upon God to come into obedience? Jesus' prayers reveal the intensity of His desire to submit to God's will, no matter the cost. I have to look at myself and wonder if I am anywhere near that pure of heart. Do I seek God's will no matter the cost to myself? Do I humble myself in prayer in order to be heard by the Creator of the universe?! I fall so far short of this glorious opportunity. I don't think it is in me to be so willing to give up all that I am for Him. Yet all that I am comes from Him, and is for His glory and pleasure. Thank God He provides us with the desire as well as the ability, provided we seek Him to do so.

What privilege we have to be allowed to speak to God on such a personal and intimate level! What grace He has given us to allow us to be called His children and friend! If I truly seek to be a godly woman, I must fervently pray each day that I will submit to God's will and not my own desires or ways...and I must mean it. I must reject the popular cultural myth that happiness comes from putting myself and my percieved needs near the top of my list of things. Though I am fairly adept at putting my children's needs before my own, and serving my husband at his requests, I still tend to think my desires are important.

What I must seek to remember is that God knows my desires ~ He has placed many of them in my heart ~ and He longs to fulfill me. My fulfillment will not come through my own desires, and His longings for me are not ones that sacrifice holiness or godliness. He takes no pleasure in fulfilling desires that will lead me to misrepresent His divine witness in my life. I am created to work for Him ~ through Christ Jesus enabling me, empowering, guiding and directing with His Spirit. Oh Lord, please let this be forefront upon my mind and heart. May my prayers be heard by You, that You may make all things in my life truly "good." May my heart be a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving for all that You are and all that You give...and all that You have given, that we might be holy and righteous before you. Thank you, dear Lord. Bless you and Praise You. May my heart's only will be to lift you up and serve Your holy Name. Amen.

A Week of Things ~

It has been one of those weeks where God has been the anchor as I have had to seek Him to keep my emotions on an even keel in order to support the family members around me. I have not been perfect, but He has been faithful. I am so grateful that I have Him to turn to...

Last Thursday evening we had a tragedy in our home. Our dear hamster, Cookie, not only escaped her cage, but also escaped Michelle's room ~ and the cats found her before we even knew she was gone. I can't begin to explain the pain I had from that...Michelle was absolutely devastated and I didn't know how to comfort her. I was even more devastated with guilty feelings as I should have considered that she does not do well in focusing when her step-siblings are here (things are much more chaotic and off schedule, and they had arrived on Tuesday last week). I also knew this new habitrail home she got for her birthday was less secure (the hamster had escaped a couple of times, but usually when in my room with the door closed so it didn't amount to life challenges). I should have made the executive decision to bring Cookie back to my room during their visit. I really struggled that evening with the sadness of my daughter, and my own lack of foresight. It was nearly excruciating. Even now I feel terrible ~ Cookie trusted us to care for her and she was totally behaving normal, as were the cats. It was strictly error in caretaking. Owww...

That same day in the earlier afternoon, my stepson had recieved a call from his mother telling him that he would probably be going to a military (or similar to this, I couldn't tell from the web site and he didn't know much) high school. He was devastated ~ but trying to rally and make the best of it. He is not a difficult kid by any stretch of the imagination. He is quite obedient and works hard ~ but the County in Florida where he lives has mediocre public schools and they have many private school options that can be "lotteried" for students. They don't cost extra, just require securing a position. The school he was won placement in was one of the two his folks had put his name in for. He had really wanted to go to the local public school, play in the band, and perhaps try out for football (which, from the appearances, was not as bad as some, but I don't live there so cannot know), but they were not for the extracurricular activities, and had recently told him they changed their mind in allowing that school as an option.

He has been to three different schools in the four years he has lived in Florida. Now he will probably be moving to another school where none of his friends will be following (as he did when he entered his current middle school from his first middle school). My heart was sad for him - he expressed feeling trapped and defeated, but then rallied and said that it would probably be great...and there was nothing I could say except that he should submit it to the Lord in prayer. Bless him, oh Lord - guide his heart and mind and direct his paths.

The next day my mother-in-law was admitted to the hospital with congestive heart failure. We were supposed to go visit she and my father-in-law to share dinner and celebrate my stepdaughter's birthday on Saturday afternoon as she hadn't been feeling up to joining us at our house ~ instead we visited her in the hospital Saturday morning. She actually looked better than she had on Wednesday when the kids visited her home while I worked, but she wasn't doing great. Today is six days from her admission date and I just got off of the phone with her; she was discharged home an hour ago. Originally she wanted to go home on Sunday. Her time on earth is shortening ~ only God knows the hour, but she has been struggling with many health ailments over the past few years, and visits to the hospital getting closer together, healthy days fewer. I keep praying she can release it all to our Lord and draw closer to Him ~ she is so unhappy with her health status and resigned to feeling bad. It is not fun for older people whose bodies are shutting down ~ she suffers from lupus, diabetes, and heart challenges (all related). I wish I could do more, but it is in His hands.

My stepdaughter got a call on Saturday informing her that she needed to choose which two of her family's five cats she wanted to keep. Apparently they were making too many messes and costing too much time/energy and expense for her parents. My heart grieved as I watched her struggle to come to grips with the terrible news as well as try to decide which cats had the best chance for being adopted out again by a family once they were given to the shelter. This was so hard for her - she is truly an animal lover. She had cried for nearly a day during her last visit when we told her that we had lost a calf over the winter (one that she had fed two times during her Thanksgiving visit, and seen once at Christmas). She is tender toward God's creatures - it is one of her beautiful gifts. I pulled her into my arms after she got done sharing the news...and cried with her in my heart - I really could not say anything that would help. Oh, the angst of a mother's heart. I can't describe what was going through my being - Praise God that He knows our hearts and hears the depths of prayers we cannot even speak.

On Sunday evening, Michelle got home with a bit more pep and distraction than usual. She had eaten foods containing milk products for both lunch and dinner on Sunday. (Which we had discovered at the end of December she is highly allergic to). This not only made home challenging, but school for her on Monday and yesterday was more difficult. She could not stay as focused and could not think as clearly. She tends to be more anxious and internally agitated as well as not sleep good. She also wets her bed for three nights each time she ingests anything cotnaining a milk product (even chocolate ~ it takes that long to get out of her system). This after she had been dry for nearly two full weeks was not fun for her. My former husband has always thought me to be rigid and wrong with the protective efforts I have instilled around Michelle related to foods. He has never fully complied with her dietary needs in the past which I had given up explaining, but this one I have been really clear about. I do believe he tries pretty hard but he is not fully understanding. I can understand how hard it is to get it re: what happens to a child related to foods if you are not living with her full time ~ but I wish he would honor things any way. I feel so badly for Michelle when she loses her abilities simply because of something she has ingested...and that it always takes so long for her to bounce back (three days is a long time for a child). It seems unfair ~ but not an unusual product of divorce. Praise God that He is faithful to deliver us, heal us, and bind up our broken hearts. Hallelujah that He is sovereign and wise.

Now, on the good news front (and there were many, many good moments over the last week, too - please don't misunderstand! I am just tired from the trying ones). Rose is doing better with the "loss" of her siblings this time around. She had so much anxiety around them coming to visit (counting the seconds and saying that we are not a full family until they arrive, telling me that she does not like caring because it hurts...). People from our church have been praying for her heart this time ~ Oh Lord, thank you that You answer our prayers and care for the smallest details of our lives. I am so blessed to see less stress and heartache than I have seen in the past in Rosie's actions and adjustments. Oh, thank you that we have a friend in heaven who knows us and cares for our every need. I am so blessed to be in Christ. I would not know how to begin to deal with daily life without Him. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for all you have done for us. May I look at my daily challenges as opportunities to grow and glorify You. Amen.

Wise Words

Our church sponsored a Sweetheart Dance on Valentine's Day. One gentleman who attended by himself was quite interesting to listen to and share thoughts with. His appearance was non-descript; the type of person one would rarely give a thought about had they seen him on the street ~ he looked to be a bit shabby and weatherworn, if I am going to share cultural truth (e.g. what we as a culture would label him)...but his heart, oh, his heart was genuine and kind.

As we were wrapping up the evening, we were talking about the changes in our culture with respect to speaking and self-promotion. He told me that someone had once share some words with him that he tried to keep in mind whenever interacting with others. What he shared was so easy to remember, yet poignant to consider, that I went home and wrote it down. I wanted to share with those who stop in...

Before we speak to others we must stop and THINK....

Is what we are saying...

Truthful (or is it partially true, and partially our own embelleshment)
Helpful (can this exhort or support the person we are speaking with)
Inspiring (will what we have to say provide encouragement or refreshment)
Necessary (speaks for itself)
Kind (or is it self-serving)

Wow ~ thank you, dear gentleman whose name I cannot recall ~ for your thoughtful words of wisdom. If only we would all consider these things prior to opening our mouths. What a wonderful world it could be. I pray that God put a bit in my mouth, and a hand upon my heart at all times. May He restrain my thoughts, which tend to race in eagerness because I love to share and interact and discuss things...and may He guide and direct my words to be pleasing to our Lord.

As for God, His way is perfect (Psalm 18:30)

This Is the God We Serve

I subscribe to a site called "Godspeak" . The words submitted are prayerfully reviewed for accuracy to the Word of God as well as reviewed for theme and timliness. It is always interesting to see how a theme plays out from those who submit words from all over our country and world.

This site provides encouragement and heart challenging words...The word below was submitted today by the owner of the site, Teres Seputis. She has recently returned from a mission trip overseas that was filled with incredible blessings and wonders. I wanted to share what she prophesied as I know God deeply desires all of His people to respond to His call.

I Will Exceed Your Expectations

"Child of Mine, it is time to stop limiting Me in your thinking and in your expectations. It is time to stop setting goals based on your estimation of your own ability and resources. It is time to start seeing what it is that I want to do, and then set your expectations accordingly.

I am the God of all power and all might, and I can do all things. I am able to do far more than you can think or imagine. And I am inviting you to do amazing things with Me.

But at the same time, you must understand that I am not interested in the agenda of man; I have My own agenda and it is very important to Me. I am looking for those who are willing to set aside their own plans and goals in order to embrace Mine, just as My Son did when He walked this earth. My kingdom is advancing forcefully on this earth, and it must continue to advance. Yes, dear one, I am looking for those who want to advance it with Me. Are you one of these?

It is My desire that My own dear children work with Me to accomplish My purposes. I am looking for those who say to Me, "Here I am Lord, send me. Here I am Lord, use me." I am going to empower these ones to advance My kingdom, and I am going to change their thinking to better line up with Mine. I am going to show them what it means to walk in the supernatural and to accomplish the impossible. I am going to teach them what it means live in the realm of faith, and to see the mountains move before them.

This is a season where I am removing all limitations off of My people; I am opening their thinking to expect greater things. This is a time and a season where I want to show My glory and My power and My great love to all men, so that many who are lost might come to believe.

I am looking for sons and daughters who are willing to embrace faith and do this with Me. I am looking for those who are willing to learn to trust Me, to know My voice and to believe that I really mean the things that I have said in My word. I am looking for those who will stop being limited by the constraints of this world and who will start moving according to the constraints of My will.

Dear one, learn to trust Me. Then watch and see how I will bring My glory into your life. What need do you have that I cannot meet? What obstacle is before you that is too hard for Me to overcome? There isn't any such thing--for I am greater than all, and I can indeed do all things through My own great power and might.

But despite all My power, My might and all My great strength, there Is still one that that limits Me. That thing is the faith and expectations of My own people. They think too small and they limit what they are willing to allow Me to accomplish through them. That must change, because I have great plans. It is time for My people to put off their the things that hold them back. It is time to for them to expand their tent pegs and embrace a larger vision. It is time for them to walk in faith.

My people, I am able to exceed your expectations, if only you will learn to put your trust in Me."

Amen?! Praise God!

Awaiting Easter

I love this time of year...the flowers beginning to bloom, refreshment in the air. As I drive around town, I look eagerly for the colors that are emerging, signifying new life and hope. God is always with us ~ He can so clearly be seen in nature.

The other day my seven year old took me outside to look at our daffodils, crocus, hyacinth and emerging tulips and azaleas. I was saddened to see that the deer had already eaten the heads off of many of my favorite tulips and some of the stems on my azalea bushes. I pray that next year God will resurrect the ones the deer have eaten; I am not sure if all of the energy of the plant is in the growing part or if some is still stored in the bulb. I will see... God can do all things, I am praying He blesses me with this one. Squirrels have also been busy and have dug up some of the smaller bulbs I planted late in the fall; there are a variety of holes in my flower beds these days. I pray they left enough that we have some joyful color to share with our neighbors. Meanwhile, I am spraying the beds with a natural deer and squirrel repellent...spring snuck up on me this year, and I did not spray soon enough.

That is so like our lives, I believe. While paying attention to the day in and day out events that are necessary to focus upon, we keep the upcoming possibilities and needs on our radars, but not in full focus. I believe this is actually how we ought to be, rather than trying to control and predict all things ~ submitting each day to our Lord and letting Him prioritize. However, often I realize a bit too late that I have missed opportunities to share His glory in some way ~ this, for instance. Had I sprayed a week earlier, the plants would have been saved and His beautiful creation would have sprung forth with a vivid beauty in parts of my yard that will not express such enthusiasm this spring. Is it terribly important? No, not really. Is it something I am saddened by? Yes, I do love the intricacies of Creation, especially in the delicacies of a flower. And, as I reflect upon why I went outside (my daughter's request) to look at the flowers, I realize that the still small voice inside had suggested this path at a time several days earlier, but it had been easy to push aside when dropped among the events of that moment.

God cares about what is important to us. He will keep us on a path that delights us while reflecting His face and glorifying His name through us ~ if only we would listen. Our job is to be available to His interruptions. Each day we need to temper our hearts and minds to be alert to God's prompts; ever ready to respond to His Spirit's whispers within. As the truth of the Resurrection is celebrated this weekend, I am recommitting myself to a more focused effort at attending to God each moment, versus being distracted by the life in front of me. Won't you join me?