Category: Potpourri

When God Intervenes

teacuppamela

Do you ever stop and wonder what the Lord has spared you from facing or what things He prevented or protected you from?  Have you ever wondered about ‘near misses’ or things that would have happened had God not intervened on your behalf? 

I’ve been thinking about these sorts of things again today as I reflect on an incident that happened yesterday.  I’d changed the sheets and bedding and was just finishing tucking in the quilt when something caught on my shoe.  Looking down to see what it was, I could find nothing and so I got down to smooth my hand over the carpet to feel for whatever it was that had caught on my shoe.  Much to my surprise (and amazement, really!), there on the carpet was a needle.  I marveled… here I had been sick in bed for days, many times a day up to the bathroom or out to the kitchen and back to bed again, day after day.  And, day after day that needle had to have been right there — right there were I stepped down over and over again — but, obviously, I never stepped on it.

Now, if you know me, you’d know that this is one of the things I am nearly psycho over: needles.  Sewing needles, that is.   I’m generally meticulously careful to keep them put away, and everyone in my family hears this line when anyone is sewing:  Have you ever heard about the times when I was a little girl?  They glaze over and nod, mmm hmmm — probably thankful I don’t repeat the whole tale.  But they know it.

For when I was a little girl, we’d just moved into a new home and as I was putting things away in my new bedroom closet, I felt the stick of a needle in my foot.  Shocked, I went to tell my mother that I thought I’d just stepped on a needle!   Thus, a trip to the hospital where an x-ray revealed that, indeed, I’d stepped on that needle and it had broken in my foot and needed to be surgically removed.   Obviously not too traumatized by the incident, I continued to go barefoot — it was Southern California, after all.    

Well,  just a couple of weeks later, while visiting my father in a nearby city and after being there a just a few days, I again stepped on a needle — in the other foot.  I didn’t know it at the time and would later learn that he couldn’t handle and/or was very dramatic about anything having to do with pain or blood or crying.   I was taken to the hospital to, again, have a needle surgically removed from my foot.   Interestingly, what I really recall from that was that the needle insertion for the anesthetic was more painful than stepping on and breaking that needle in my foot.  And, the ride home included ice cream and the next day for a preplanned trip to Disneyland, I had to ride in a wheelchair and be carried onto each of the rides. 

So the point is that that needle had been right there beside our bed for some time… a week? two weeks? longer?  And the Lord had protected me from what has been a lifetime concern.  I took time to acknowledge that yesterday when it happened and have many times since… just thanking the Lord for His watchcare over me, for His mercy and kindness and for saving me from and protecting me from things I’ll never know.   And today I’ve continued to think on different things that He’s spared me from, different “near misses” from accidents, to missteps, to consequences for foolish actions and on and on.

Last night as I went upstairs to the different beds to say goodnight to the children (I know… they’re mostly all grown now, but since they’re still home I try to be there to tell them goodnight).  As I walked around the girl’s bedroom where they were all ready for sleep, I said to them how grateful to God I am for giving them such a safe and peaceful room, such a pleasant place to rest — that He has been guarding and guiding them. 

And as I returned to our room, the thought washed over me that God has done this for all of us.  Wherever we are, whatever we’re doing, wherever we go… He’s already there – already watching over us.  He’s already gone before us and whatever happens has first sifted through His capable Hands and has already been part of His providential plan for us.

Maybe you can think of different times where you know that God clearly intervened on your behalf and spared you or provided for you providentially such that you know that you know  that only He could have done that… that He alone is the Lord.

Whose Plans?

teacuppamela It’s sure a beautiful Springtime day here in the Snohomish Valley — it’s the kind of day that puts thoughts of rains and flooding to a very distant memory — though such a great possibility  only a few short months ago.  It’s funny how quickly a current reality can totally erase or totally eclipse another, isn’t it?

As I walked around outside for the first time in a week, I stopped at each of the different garden beds and then on out to the vegetable garden where my initial delight was slightly dimmed by the vision of all the weeds… all that needs to be done.  And you know what song came to mind?  The House at Pooh Corner song:  “… So help me if you can, I’ve got to get – Back to the house at Pooh Corner by one – You’d be surprised, there’s so much to be done – Count all the bees in the hive – Chase all the clouds from the sky – Back to the days of Christopher Robin and Pooh…”

And then it stuck me that there’s nothing more to be done than what’s been needed in years past.  Same thing.  From the beginning, year after year, it’s the same thing: we pull the weeds, we till the ground, we plant the seeds and water them well.  Yet, each year I say the very same thing… sort of the inane, “you’d be surprised there’s so much to be done…” statement.  And then I smiled at the thought of counting all the bees in the hive.  But life’s like that — the surprising things that need to be done are generally more than we can do — like counting the bees in the hive.  And yet, has God truly given us more than we can do?  I think we’re the ones who lay on ourselves more than we can do and what God gives us to do is not more than we can do — because if we would remember: it is God that works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure.  In that same passage, the following verses admonish us to:  “…do all things without murmurings and disputings:  That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.” — Philippians 2.14-15

So what does the simple storybook song have to teach me in this?  The things I fret over getting done: I cannot possibly get done.  But what God gives me to do, I will seek to do without murmuring or complaining — for what He calls me to do: He will equip me to do.  Ergo, if He hasn’t called me to do it, He hasn’t expected me to do it and, at this moment, hasn’t equipped me to do it and those frets and expectations came not from Him but from somewhere else!  So then, I have to ask, if I’m fretting, murmuring or disputing over things I’m doing: am I doing what I’ supposed to be doing?  Or, perhaps, am I doing things out of selfishness? fear? pride? envy? guilt?  

Now, there are times when we do things or must do things that we feel we cannot possibly do but we know we’re to do them — I can think of many examples of this, and you probably can, too.  These are steps we take in faith — but inherent in this is the fact that we lean on the everlasting Arms and trust in Him for His provision.  These are the:  “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” times.  You see? If we’re doing we’ve been called to do, even if we feel as though we cannot do them,  He’s already there, and by faith, we are IN Christ by the faith OF Christ and HE has said HE work in us to will and do to of His good pleasure.  That’s great and blessed assurance. 

So when I see all that needs to be done, when I think of the many other things that also need doing, I have a couple of options.  I can (and very easily so!) become overwhelmed at all there is to be done –OR– I can observe all these things, and acknowledge they are out there and evaluate them for what they are.  And then, the Lord being my helper (calling to mind again, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” –philippians 4.13), I will do that which He guides me to do and leave off doing those things which are motivated by those other sources that are not of Him.   This is hard sometimes because the spirit is willing, but the flesh is so weak.  We’re so often more controlled by what others think than what God thinks — but, truly, you and  I must consider our motivation when we list out all that we (think) we must do.

It’s been brought to mind so many times for me over the last week as I’ve not been well and have spent so much time in bed… all my fretting over what I shouldda, couldda, wouldda been doing had I not been laid low all these days… all my fretting didn’t get those things done and didn’t get me out of that bed any sooner.   I realized as I was reading in the Book of John several days ago that the Lord had something for me there (and for such a time as this)… something for me to let sink down in my ears, to really take in:  Jesus repeated, on many occasions, that He did only the will of the Father.  And so must I: for the express purpose of being Christlike: doing that which the Father directs–doing the will of God.   As I purpose to concentrate on health, I must also concentrate on motivations — the what and why of all my doings.  I hope you’ll be encouraged as I am for the will and work of the Lord in each of our lives… and that you’ll join me in waiting on His plan and purposes in His time.  So let your light shine…

Seasons of Life

teacuppamela

Have you noticed that you tend to think of things or do things sort of by rote or without giving much thought to what you’re doing or thinking?  I’m doing this a lot lately… and I didn’t want to do this – be this – act this way.  I didn’t want to just make it through life – you know, bide my time and let the days pass by.   I always wanted my life to be something, mean something and not just be run of the mill or mediocre.  I remember as a little girl thinking that one day I’d be famous — that I’d do or make something great. 

But alas, that didn’t happen — the famous part, that is.  But you know, what did happen is that the Lord used me to be part of something great: He gave me the blessing of being called Sweetheart by one extraordinary man and Mama by eleven terrific children.  There are more blessings than I could ever count or recall and more incredible stories of God’s merciful kindness than I could ever relate.  But, I’d like to begin telling you about some of them in this, my autumn season of life.  As I share different things with you, I hope the Lord will use my stories as a sort of springboard for you to recall your own.  And, maybe in this way, you’ll see Him in ways you’ve not seen Him before or in ways you’ve forgotten.  The power of story is intense… I hope mine will be used to give Him glory and be of some encouragement to others.  That would be something greater than all the great things I used to think would be great things to be or do.
 

♥ Today’s Quick! and Tip Time!

teacuppamela I’ve been using a little ‘bloglet’ on FaceBook to give Quick! cleaning incentives, tips and encouragement to mothers at home each day.  I’m going to post them here first and they’ll show up there, too.  In this way, my Twitter friends can join in.

So, here you go:  ♥ Quick! ♥  100 things! ♥  As quick as you can, put away 100 things!  Then, clean one drawer or one shelf.  Ready, steady, Go! Quick!

See you tomorrow! 

Desiring God 2.18.13 – reprint

The Day Luther Died

By Jonathan Parnell | Feb 18, 2013 12:00 am

OriginalIn Germany 467 years ago, in a small, backwater town called Eisleben, the shaking hand of a dying man scribbled this simple line: We are beggars. This is true.

Martin Luther died on February 18, 1546. These last words of weakness echoed the life-changing truth he’d unearthed in the Scriptures: we don’t bring anything to the table of our justification. Jesus truly died for the ungodly.

Luther came to understand that if we are to be accepted by God, we need a perfect righteousness we can’t produce — we need an alien righteousness given to us by Another.

But this discovery didn’t just happen. It came after hours of the painstaking study of Scripture. Luther gave himself to the Book, which he later explained as the primary actor in the Protestant Reformation. And a great movement of God in our day won’t happen apart from that same ingredient. Pastors and Christian leaders must be devoted to God’s word.

So we have much to learn from Luther, says John Piper.

Luther was the subject of Piper’s biographical message at the 1995 Conference for Pastors. We’ve since reformatted that message into a five-chapter ebook, which presents a sketch of Luther’s life and distills relevant lessons for not only pastors and leaders, but all Christians.

Get a free download of Martin Luther: Lessons from His Life and Labor (available in PDF, MOBI, or EPUB).

The Truth (About Abortion) Will Set You Free

By John Piper | Feb 17, 2013 12:00 am

Facts help us grasp abortion in our communities. With the internet no one is innocently ignorant. Here are some facts from the Twin Cities to San Antonio. There are no grizzly pictures here. But there are some miracles. I won’t show you what the babies look like after they are killed, but before.

Start with the on-the-ground facts. There are five places to get elective abortions in the Twin Cities, Planned Parenthood (671 Vandalia St.,
 St. Paul), Robbinsdale Clinic (3819 West Broadway, Minneapolis), Mildred Hanson (710 East 24th St., Minneapolis) and two locations of the Whole Woman’s Health (33 South 5th St, Minneapolis, and 825 S. 8th St. #1018 Minneapolis). I encourage you to visit them and pray, or perhaps see if any of the workers will talk with you.

All of them do abortions up to 13 weeks gestation. Here is what the baby looks like at 13 weeks.

Mildred Hanson advertises that she does abortions to twenty weeks. Two pictures show the babies she is willing to dismember.

Whole Woman’s Health advertises that they do abortions to 22 weeks. This little fellow, at 22 weeks, is ready to fight for his life.

In addition, Whole Woman’s Health advertises that their San Antonio facility will do surgical abortions through 24 weeks.

But at 24 weeks babies are being born and thriving. Here are a few examples. (If you want to see the 23 week babies when born and then years later go here.) If you want names and ages check out the L’il Aussie Prems Foundation.

These pictures are of babies born at the age when they are being legally killed. The irrationality of our legal system is that we are expected to believe that a seven inch movement down the birth canal transforms a child from one with no right to life into a person under law with full rights of protection. This is the kind of reasoning that creates Gulags and death camps. Whatever else may be said of these children, if they had been dismembered and evacuated one hour before they were born at 24 weeks, it would not have been tissue that was lost.

I encourage you to do your part by putting the facts before as many people as you can. You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.

Related resources from John Piper:

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2013… Endeavors

teacuppamela

It’s a new year, a clean, fresh start… be done with lesser things, be a woman who seeks joy, peace and love — start today doing foundational things… and what are these, where can they be found, Who is the Source?  The source is Jesus… Faith in the Living Lord Jesus and being found in Him… daily looking to Him; daily abiding in Him; daily watching at His gates and following in His Steps.  All of these “Endeavor-To-Be’s” are nothing if not founded upon the Faith of Jesus and His Life in and through us — know this “in my head” and I seek to know it — truly know it practically: in my heart.

I pray as you read this that you’ll join me in this endeavor… that you’ll join me in seeking to press on toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Jesus Christ.  We read this in Philippians 3.14   And for this calling, I seek to have my heart fixed: endeavoring to be, and do, these things in a renewed desire to be a living testimony of the Mercy and Grace of God… for He alone is Worthy.  In the end, I know I want my life to be a living sacrifice.  This has come to mind in recalling different women in my life whose lives were truly a living sacrifice of praise and because they were faithful women it was always evident that their lives were worthy of emulation.  And so, when I think of these women — along with women whose life stories I’ve read — it’s as though God gave me living pictures to bring to remembrance.

And so, today as I was mentally gathering the different virtues that characterized them — I realized there are so many qualities I have long desired to see bear fruit in my life and in order for that to happen,  it occurred to me that I must prayerfully set my life on the altar that I might die to self, die to past failures and regrets, unmet expectations, disappointments, bitterness, shame, envy — all of these things, for they stand in the way of the fruit of the Spirit.  When I allow any of these things ‘place’ in my life, it’s as though I invite the devil in for tea… to do and say, act and control anything he wants… it’s as if I let him set up housekeeping in my life — and I know that I know that I know I don’t want this to be the case. And so, God being my strength and my guide, my help and my source… I lay my life down at His feet that He might raise me up to be a vessel He uses, a vessel that gives Him glory and honour.  Thus,  my resolve is to have a life well lived and fully yielded to Him…

I Endeavor to…

Be in the Word daily.
Be in prayer daily.
Be thankful for each day and for whatever each day brings.

I Endeavor to…

Be a woman of the Word.
Be a woman of Prayer.
Be a woman who Seeks the Lord.
Be a woman who Listens for His Voice.
Be a woman who Obeys His commands.
Be a woman who is Faithful.
Be a woman who Believes.
Be a woman who Trusts and is Trustworthy.
Be a woman who Loves her Husband.
Be a woman who Loves her Children.
Be a woman who is Wise.
Be a woman who is Discreet.
Be a woman who is Respectful and Respectable.
Be a woman who is Thankful.
Be a woman who is Godly.
Be a woman who is Content.
Be a woman who is Chaste.
Be a woman who is Discerning.
Be a woman who is Kind.
Be a woman who is Honest.
Be a woman who is Gentle.
Be a woman who is Charitable.
Be a woman who is Modest.
Be a woman who is Grateful.
Be a woman who is Hospitable.
Be a woman who is Generous.
Be a woman who is Prudent.
Be a woman who is Merciful.
Be a woman who is Industrious.
Be a woman who is Courteous.
Be a woman who is Careful.
Be a woman who is Thorough.
Be a woman who is Honourable.
Be a woman who is Just.
Be a woman who is Good.
Be a woman who is Considerate.
Be a woman who is Forbearing.
Be a woman who is Honest.
Be a woman who is Resourceful.
Be a woman who is Meek.
Be a woman who Waits.
Be a woman who Listens.
Be a woman who is Gracious.
Be a woman who is Healthful.
Be a woman who is Diligent.
Be a woman who has a Tender Heart.
Be a woman who is a Living Legacy.

I Endeavor to…

Be a woman of Hope.
Be a woman of Joy.
Be a woman of Peace.
Be a woman of Patience.
Be a woman of Kindness.
Be a woman of Gentleness.
Be a woman of Temperance.
Be a woman of Inner Beauty.
Be a woman of Purity.
Be a woman of Grace.

I Endeavor to…

Be a sweet woman… a woman who seeks to be a sweet, fragrant offering… a memory maker… a sweet, sweet, memory maker.  I want to gracefully move through the seasons of my life… fully in season… fully engaged… everywhere I am, I want to BE there…all there.

Empty Spaces

I don’t know what it is about “empty spaces” and my (and maybe your) insatiable need to fill them, but both are there: the empty spaces and the insatiable need to fill them.  I guess I attempt to fill full spaces, too… but that’s another story for another day.

I was tempted to take the beautiful new calendar my daughter bought for me and insert it into the oak calendar frame and rehang it clean and fresh — empty — for awhile.  But before I knew it, I was filling in birthdays — deciding to limit the notations to ‘family’ birthdays (and use my day-planner for these and everyone else’s birthdays) and other significant dates and events.

That’s when I began to think about the insatiable filling of space… spaces in rooms, on shelves, closets, cabinets… and: scheduling.   While considering  all this,  it struck me: I cannot recall ever scheduling empty space — making time for nothing; read: no thing.   Through all the many years of homeschooling, I’ve never scheduled time for “nothing.”  I’ve scheduled “free time” but it was not for *no-thing* it was/is for all the stuff that couldn’t be done in a day and somehow the hope was to get it done during what’s loosely called free-time.  I always find ways to fill and overload my “free time” so I’ll seem more productive.

Now, I know I’ve had days “off” with no real plans and I’ve frittered away the time doing nothing important and so I guess, to some, this would constitute a day of nothing — and — I have set aside days for which there are to be no “outside commitments” or no appointments, etc. But a day or a portion of time set aside for “nothing” on purpose?!?! — this, I don’t recall ever doing.  Generally, when there’s down-time, it’s a result of cancelled plans or sickness or whatever — but not something scheduled on purpose — and it seems to immediately get filled.

My dear old friend, Florence, used to say that she scheduled a day of NO THINGS after each retreat or workshop for which she was the guest speaker.   She’d do this to recharge — to rejuvenate — after speaking engagements that always tended to run long and require much “counseling” with attendees — generally coupled with long distance travel.  I always knew this was her great joy and passion, but it took its toll on her — both physically and emotionally.  I admired her careful planning and ordered life.  But, truly, I also knew that her days of doing “no” thing were anything but days of *no* things.  I know they were times of recharging, refocusing, resting in the Lord, thinking on His Word, listening to restful music and mulling over what all had transpired before the day of “no things.”

It was good for me to remember this as I was gathering my thoughts for this blog post… and I’m needing to consider this a bit more as I plan for the days ahead and all the different needs of this home and family.  And… just like I’m trying to eliminate clutter from our home’s cabinets, closets and drawers, so also, I want to eliminate clutter from our schedules — AND — to plan for more *do no thing*  times — scheduling some empty space times. I want us to be careful to follow the Lord in this so that it doesn’t become a time of silly things or a time for irresponsibility…  I believe prayerful consideration and wisdom will be key in this.

And, as an aside, while I know there’s a good place for scheduling in different seasons of life — and some seasons will have some fairly intense scheduling — but when it’s all said and done, I’ve come to think it’s wisest to simply make a list of things that must be accomplished by certain times each day – and do them.  And then a list of things that should be done at least every-other-day — and do them.  And then a list of things that must be done weekly — and do them. You see?  This way, we are trained and our children are trained to accomplish important things — decently and in order.  I think it takes some times of *no* things to focus on, be ready for and appreciate the times of more things.

So… I’m working on creating some more ’empty spaces’ from time to time…