Adeui to you 2009

I'm packing it up and putting it away. That's it. I'll look one more time but that's it. 'Just once more.

As I look over my memories of 2009, there are those I will hold onto and wrap up, placing in a safe place in my memory. I know I will think about them and unwrap them from time to time... sweet, joyful memories.

There are other memories I glance at. I will wrap them up and put them away as quick as I can...never to be re-opened again. Anyway, I shouldn't re-open them again. Those are the 'somebody done somebody wrong' memories...they need to be let go.

2009 had it's share of difficulties..there were things I didn't think I could face, but had to. Those are the memories that become part of me. Those are the memories where I cried out to God and said, "I cannot do this...". He stepped in like He does, and filled me with His strength, His grace and unmerited favor; and because of His great love, I made it through. Those memories solidify in my heart and build my faith in My Lord. Those memories I wear and will carry with me into 2010.

As I am looking over these 2009 blasts to the past I find more tender memories than I can count. I will carefully wrap them and hold them close - family, friendships...all the times we spent together...priceless,timeless. They accumulate over the years and sweeten my life, year to year.

There was the now famous slogan, "Change" in 2009. Indeed, it was a year of change. Changes in our world, changes that brought challenges. 'Guess I can't wrap them up and put them away! 'Looks like they're here to stay. 'Not that change is a bad thing. 2009 was a time to remember/reset priorities - going back to what is important. That is a good thing.

I sigh as I realize this is it. But, it's ok. When I look at what I am packing up and taking into 2010, I see that 2009 has been a profitable year. This may be the end, but it's only the beginning. Let's see, 2010, what change can I bring to make our world a better place?

My prayer: My Heavenly Father - Thank You for the time You give us. Thank You for Your great love. Thank You for 2009. Thank You for Your blessings and victory. Thank You for Your love and mercy. In this new year, 2010, may we, Your people, be the change the world needs. Changed by Your Holy Spirit, by Your Word - changed to make a difference. In Jesus' name - Amen.

What wondrous love is this!!

It was to be a life of paradise! Living and loving every minute of life! In the beginning God spoke the living Word and created Man in His image. What great plans He had! "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth..." God blessed them - male and female (Genesis 1:26,27). They were to live in the Garden of Eden...and enjoy. Man and woman were created to have fellowship with their Creator, God, who loved them with an everlasting love.

But, when Adam and Eve listened to the lies of Satan, God had no choice but to banish His creation from the lovely Garden He created just for them. His original design was for Man to rule and enjoy...but Man gave his rule to Satan by listening to him and choosing his lies.

They chose their own fate by turning away from God. Oh, God still loved them, but because He is light and life, He couldn't look on the darkness and death they had chosen (Genesis 3).

From then on, Man tried to please God. He tried to reach his Creator. Man sacrificed animals and tried to do right. There were laws written by the hand of God and Man was unable to keep them. Man would try and fall short, over and over. He was weak, sick, poor, in trouble, dying and lost.

That is when I can imagine, God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit had a talk. I imagine it could've gone something like this:

Father: "Son, You know how I love these people we created."
Son: "Father, I know...I love them very, very much too."
Holy Spirit: "It grieves Me so, to watch them fail over and over."
Father: "We have seen the sacrifice of lambs...the blood that has been shed to cover and atone for their sins.
Son: "But, we know it is only temporary.
Holy Spirit: They have no power to do what is right."

They sat and watched a little longer as Man fumbled and stumbled. They knew what needed to be done.

Father: "Son, We know what We must do."
Son: "Father, I will go."
Holy Spirit: "I empower and will descend."
Father: "Then, it is settled."
Father,Son and Holy Spirit: "AMEN!"

God rejoiced over Man because of the victory He knew He had over Satan. He rejoiced for the victory Man could have again...what He had intended for Man to have from the beginning...victory that would be his again through His Son.

Jesus came to this world as a baby.

The Plan: To save a lost and dying world - to bring us into the knowledge of who He is - our Savior and Lord! He was God become man for us.(John 1:14)

For God so loved the world He sent His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

What a GIFT! He gives and gives...loves and loves. Why? So we can have life more abundantly (John 10:10). It is the life He originally intended us to have - victorious through Him... yes, through it all.

NO VACANCY

The innkeeper was a reputable man. He owned the 'Hilton' of Bethlehem,a popular resting place. Once he heard the census of the entire Roman world was to be taken, he added more rooms to his inn, preparing for the descendants of King David to arrive. They were returning to their roots.

He followed every move of his hired help with a keen eye, wanting everything to be perfect. If he 'played his cards right' he knew the influx of people would build his reputation as an innkeeper, 'and then one day, I will be a rich man, a very rich man', he told himself.

At the same time, in Nazareth, a young couple, Joseph and Mary were getting ready to make the 70 mile journey to Bethlehem. "Oh, Mary," Joseph touched her round stomach, "I am sorry we have to make this trip, now, so close to the time for the birth of our child." Mary smiled and nodded. "Joseph, it is ok. I know the Lord will take care of us." Then she laughed. "I am worried about the donkey! Will he be able to carry me in this condition!" They both thought about that and laughed.

On their journey, Mary pondered, as she did everyday, what the angel said to her. She knew this baby's name would be Jesus. 'He will be great', the angel said. 'He will be called the 'Son of the Highest'. 'He will be given the throne of David. He will be the Holy, Son of God and His kingdom will never end'. It was overwhelming just to think about, let alone understand.

It took six days to get to Bethlehem. Anyone who began the journey with Joseph and Mary had gone on ahead. "I'm sorry, it's taking so long, Joseph," Mary said as she tried to get comfortable on the back of the donkey.

"Mary, I know we have to stop and rest. It is fine. Don't worry." Joseph looked at Mary, his heart full of love. An angel had assured him,the woman he married was called of God to give birth to a son, Jesus, and He would save His people from their sins.

People traveling to Bethlehem either stayed with family, or at an inn. Of course, the 'Hilton' of inns filled up quickly. The innkeeper smiled to himself as he sat in his own room. 'I, the innkeeper, deserve the best room,' he thought to himself. He sat in a chair fit for royalty,covered in velvet, with a high back. He looked at the nice bed, made for him and his wife. He couldn't wait to sleep in it.

"Joseph, I see Bethlehem. I pray we make it to an inn, soon. I am so tired... and, I have begun having contractions."

Joseph was a calm man and prayed that God would help them find a resting place, soon. He didn't want a lot of people listening to Mary while she was in labor, but he saw no way they could find a quiet room in an inn. A woman in labor would draw attention to herself. Joseph didn't want that for Mary. "My Lord..You will make a way," Joseph said to himself as they entered Bethlehem.

Since the journey had taken them so long,every inn was filled-NO VACANCY.

"There is the inn of Azariah. Word had it in Nazareth that he added many rooms for the census. That is the last place in Bethlehem, Mary." Joseph was weary from the long trip and from walking from inn to inn only to be turned away.

"The Lord will provide, Joseph," Mary felt the tightness of her stomach again and took in a deep breath, holding it until the contraction stopped. She would not worry Joseph by telling him the contractions were closer.

Joseph knocked at the door of the inn. Azariah was preparing for bed. "Who could that be?" He grumbled to his wife, who was already in bed. "Orphah, you check and tell them to go away. We have no more room," he growled.

Orphah pulled back the small door on the window and saw a very young couple. The girl was very pregnant and looked like she was in pain. Her heart went out to the couple.
"We are looking for a room. I know it is late, and I have a feeling our child will be born soon. Could you find room for us anywhere in your inn?"

Orphah wanted to say yes, but knew she had to talk to Azariah. "Stay, there. I will return shortly,' she said and went to the spacious room where Azariah was getting into bed.

"We can give them our bed, Azariah," Orphah begged her husband. "The young woman is so big with child. They need a bed and privacy. They will have both, here."

"No, woman. It will not be. I shall not give up my bed for these two strangers. I have worked hard. I am sleeping here. Now, go. Tell them to be on their way." When he saw that Orphah was in tears, he flung back his covers and stomped to the door himself.

"There is no room, here. None. Now be gone," he growled to the young man at the door.

"Sir, we are near time to having a baby."

"What is that to me?" Azariah spat at the young man. He had no use for the lineage of David and they didn't look like they could offer him due payment for his spacious room.

"Sir, it is very late. We don't need much - just a place to lay our heads. A place where my wife can give birth to our child." Joseph tried to reason with Azariah.

"Oh, be gone. Oh, go, then. I have a stable near the inn. Stay there for all I care. I am tired and in need of sleep. Sleep there." Azariah slammed the door on the window.

Joseph and Mary were elated at the privacy of the stable. It was warm and quiet...just what they needed.

In the meantime, Azariah lay down his head on his royal bed, thinking himself fit to be a king.

If only Azariah knew...the King of all Kings was born in a manger in his stable.

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This is a very quiet morning - unusually quiet for our windy little town. Somehow I get the feeling there are angels on assignment here. I'm sure of it.

They are everywhere this morning. They are beside beds, standing beside breakfast tables. They are standing in hallways and livingrooms. As magnificent as they are, they are unseen. But, they are present.

Angels... in the power of silence, are ministering comfort and strength. They go forth with compassion and whisper words of hope as they lean over and catch the tears, fears, questions falling from hearts, worn with the shortcomings of this world.

Angels, on mission from heaven, sent to breathe unspeakable peace and love to the lost and hurting with invisible embraces that can be felt yet not touched.

Angels, God's messengers of His Word of Love to a world, so needy, so loved.

There is a hush of gentle encouragement in our midst today, touching brokeness in understanding.

In the quietness of our souls, our hurts and sorrows lay bare, God cares. He knows.

They are here. Most definitely. These angels on assignment.

No need for a picture here.

No, there is no need for a picture here. None. There are hardly words to convey the feelings being shared at this very moment.

My young friends... Hug each other tight. Cry and talk. Cry and talk some more...go ahead and laugh. It's ok to be mad, to be sad, to feel confused.

My parent friends. The numbness and extreme sadness is shared by all. We are only older children, with the same feelings as our children. Maybe we understand how to cope a little better...maybe not. But, it's ok, too.

Many of us saw each other today. All we had to do was look at each other and we knew. It's the bond of the broken. We've been here before. Some of us, too many times. Whether this was the first time, or the tenth, it doesn't matter. The pain sucks our hearts out of our chests and we gasp for air. A young life snuffed out is heart-wrenching.

A community as small as ours knows suffering and loss all too well. The blessing in the dark is knowing there is a hand reaching out and an arm extended. Understanding and compassion become cushioning, in a sense.

We embrace each other and whisper, "I care". The words don't have to be verbalized, but they are there. We've watched each other's children grow up. We've been involved in each other's lives, simply because it's part of living in a small community.

We can't be anything but real right now. We can't do anything to take the pain away, but....
Mitchek family, we love you. We are so sorry. We are here for you, to support you, to hug you and pray.

My friends, we will pull together like we do. We will lend a shoulder and share this sorrow, like we do. We will love this family, like we do. We will do what we can do. Most of all we will just be there for them, for each other. Because we care, we do.

It's a brand new day...no ground hogs present.

Every day is a new day. I would hate to wake up to the same day - every day! If you've seen the movie, "Groundhog Day", you know what I'm talking about. Day after day Bill Murray, the disgruntled weatherman, woke up to the same day! Of course, he needed to change a few things in his life, which is why he was in that predicament. When he finally had a change of heart, he was able to go on with his life and the week progressed.

It would be frustrating to wake up to yesterday, day after day! Maybe yesterday was a grand day, but I wouldn't want to live it everyday. I know, I've said, 'I never wanted that day to end', when talking about a special memory. But,really? Day after day after day? No matter how great and wonderful it was, I imagine eventually even it would get old, if the great day didn't change at some point.

Thankfully, we don't ever have to worry, or look forward to yesterday being today, and today never ending.

God gives us a new day, everyday. Lamentations says, His mercies are new every morning. I like that. I may have 'messed up' yesterday, but instead of having a repeat of yesterday till I get it right, God is merciful and gives us His mercies, fresh and new every morning. We get a fresh start every single day of our lives!

When we wake up we can say,like the psalmist, "This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it." There is a new sunrise, everyday. There is a new beginning, everyday.

What a loving, gracious, God we serve.

Let's rejoice and be glad in this day. It's the only "today" we get today.

Veterans Day

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you! In the midst of all the confusion in the world, we still have men and women who are willing to go through rigorous training to defend our constitution. There are people who willingly serve, putting their lives on the line, daily - for us.

Isn't it amazingly awesome?! I attended my son's graduation from bootcamp - my initiation to military life, and I was overcome with emotion. The dedication, discipline and demeanor of these men was incredible. I shall never forget that day.

I remember the day my son returned from Iraq. We were there with a huge banner, anticipating the arrival of our deployed. When these men marched onto the parade deck, there was screaming and cheering..but there was also silence and reverance. They had returned.

Today, I remember those I've met, those I don't know. I remember those who didn't return.

How can I take this day for granted? How can I complain about anything? With all it's problems, the United States is still the best place to live...because of the brave who have served and presently serve in our armed forces.

They go through hell to do what they do. But, they do it. I know there are days they would rather just not get up...days they wonder...and yet, they put their 'best foot' forward every morning, because they're trained that way. They give above the hundred percent they think they're capable of because they are compelled to do so. They know how to sacrifice and not give in under pressure - because they've been trained.

These men and women represent our country, our values, our roots. Let's not forget the integrity, morals, and love of God and country that have sustained our nation. Let us stand together with those who serve,as one nation under God,valuing the rights and freedoms that have been bought with a great price.

I read the title. I had to say something. "Is Elvis the Richest Dead Celebrity?" No. He's in fourth place after Michael Jackson. But, what do dead men care about money? I know the article is talking about the amount of money still being made - even after he's passed on, but it just seemed strange to me. 'Trivial info. Does Elvis care?

Is the same importance put on money in heaven? I can see St. Peter (since we have him manning the pearly gates). "Hmmm...Elvis..wow! Is it really you?! 'You the man - according to my book here, you have money, holy moley. Everybody, listen up! This is Elvis Presley and he made so much money on earth - he was rich, rich, rich. Let's hear it for Elvis!" Is everyone impressed with earthly riches in heaven?

I doubt it. The streets in heaven are paved in gold. The foundations of the walls are garnished in precious stones - jasper, sapphire, emerald, just to name a few! And the gates are pearl - 12 of them! Twelve huge pearls.

I'm not saying we don't need money while we live here -it is necessary - period. Money doesn't make the worth of a man. It isn't even what a man does with his money that determines his worth. Elvis's friends and family said he was generous to a fault. He was known to give cadillacs away - he wanted no recognition. He gave a crippled woman a mechanical wheel chair once and when her daughter said she liked his car, he gave it to her.

But, St. Peter didn't pat him on the back and let him in because of his generosity.

Elvis was idolized. People called him the king. "Long live the king." Elvis didn't see himself as the king. In fact,when he heard a fan shout 'you're the king', he said, "I am not the king. Jesus Christ is the King. I'm just an entertainer." Elvis Presley had a spiritual mentor - minister/evenagelist, Rex Humbard, spent time listening and praying for Elvis.

From what I understand, he loved the Lord Jesus. Yes, he struggled. But, like Elvis said, "Don't critize what you don't understand son. You never walked in that man's shoes." "The image is one thing and the human being is another. It's very hard to live up to that image."

He was just a man. He was human and made mistakes. He loved to sing. He loved gospel music. He loved to entertain. Maybe his was bigger than life because of his success. But, in the end, he left this earth like we will someday.

Is Elvis the richest dead celebrity? He is richer than the richest on earth, if he is in heaven. No riches on this earth could compare. 'Nothing greater than standing in the presence of the Lord Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of Lords!

I'm certain, St. Peter would agree.

I said good bye to a good friend yesterday.Good bye for now anyway.
Mary Lou was 81 and though she had some pretty tough times in this
life, she always had a smile and a kind word. She always wanted to know
what was going on in my life when I saw her. She had a servant's
heart; a heart filled with the love of Jesus.

When I was a single parent with five children, we had Thanksgiving
with her family. That was pretty special in my book. It is a
sweet memory that is now a treasure in my heart.

She loved to cook and had made bierocks the day before she went home
to Jesus.

Mary Lou loved to dance. I never saw her dance, but she would tell
me all about it.
Her eyes would light up and she'd
laugh and laugh.
Her husband died some eight or nine years ago
and she didn't think she'd laugh again.

But God brought her a friend.She and Glen went fishing, like she and
her husband used to do.
They went dancing.
They visited and laughed.

At the funeral, Glen told me, "I will never find a better friend
than Mary Lou."

Proverbs 17:17 says, "A friend loves at all times."
Mary Lou was that kind of woman.

My prayer: Lord, there is a great cloud of witnesses in heaven (Hebrews 12:1). Witnesses who fought the good fight of faith, who finished the race. Great men and women, like Moses, David, Mary, and those we knew here on earth who were such a testimony of Your great Love.
When I think of those I knew here, like Mary Lou, I think...these are big shoes to fill. Lord, guide those of us here on earth, to be sold out to You in every area of our lives, so that when we leave, we can leave a legacy of Your great love to others. In Jesus' name. Amen

Picture Perfect

I love pictures of my family. I'm the mom with the camera - "Smile!" "Look over here!" Some of my kids are ok with my fanaticism, others merely tolerate picture taking. I love the memories. "Remember this?" I want to capture the moments I have with them. I want them to capture moments in their lives and send them to me. (Like the picture here, of my beautiful daughter - the one on the end, and her friends at a style show where they modeled their designer friend's clothes.) Why am I this way? Because I love to capture life as it happens! Our moments pass so quickly, sometimes they are like dreams. Pictures bring back the reality.
My heavenly Father is like that. He looks at us every day and says, 'Smile!' 'Look over here!' He loves to keep us ever before Him. He doesn't need a camera. He can see us. He loves to capture the moments with us. Why is He that way? Because He loves us with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). Psalms 139 tells us God sees us and is with us everywhere! He loves us, wants to bless us and wants to share moments in life with us! Doesn't it make you want to smile?

It's a busy life. It just is. I can't recall being or hearing, "I'm bored" for a long time. The only time I can recall being 'bored' was once when my flight was detained near the runway for three hours. I usually have a book with me wherever I go...well, not this time. I was flying nonstop from California to Colorado so I grabbed a magazine at the airport. I read the magazine from cover to cover. The lady sitting beside me had her book so she was not much for company. It was the longest three hours I have ever spent.
Life in general is busy and it's a good thing. We should be productive, 'living life' creatures. Most everyone I know is busy with something.
When Jesus was twelve, His family traveled to Jerusalem. On their way home, Mary and Joseph noticed He was missing, so they went back to Jerusalem where they found Jesus in the temple. When they questioned Him, He said, "I must be about my Father's business." He had a mission. He left that mission to us when He said, "Go and make disciples of all men..." Be busy about the Father's business. But what is it? How do we go about it?
Sometimes the busyness of life takes awy from the business of the Father.
We need to stop, spend time with our heavenly Father in prayer, meditating on the Word and just sitting in His presence - praising, worshipping and just being with Him. Then, His life and love will spill out to those around us. We will be in tune with the Holy Spirit and have the words to speak to someone in need. Our lives will draw others to Him - that is the Father's business.
Lord, there are so many hurting, lonely, lost people around us everyday. May we take the time to sit at Your feet, to be still and know that You are God. May we stop and walk along the still waters so You can restore our souls. May we be Your witnesses in a world that is lost without You. May we put Your business above our busyness. In Jesus' name Amen.

'Got a cell phone? 'Got High Technology?

I remember watching the 1995 movie, Clueless, with my, then twelve year old daughter. It was entertaining with valley girls, valley talk and cell phones.
I laughed when I saw students on phones during class. I thought, "Whatever!" It was ridiculous to think of a phone fitting in a purse. More absurd was the idea of a cell phone in the classroom. Ha! Well, the laugh was on me. I have chuckled to myself when I have walked in the halls during school, noticing students texting/calling each other on colorful cell phones. Of course,phones are quickly slipped into purses and bags before being 'caught'. I have been justifiably guilty for having my cell phone in class (when my son was in Iraq). A music professor told me how he counted over a hundred cell phones in his class in one day. Needless to say, we're living in a cell phone society. I can't imagine being without mine. It is my lifeline to family and friends. It fits nicely in my pocket and purse. It serves multiple purposes - texting, navigating, saving addresses, taking pictures. It is great to have in an emergency. It is unbelievable! My cell phone, my friend.

However, the first place I go in an emergency is not my cell phone. Our modern technology isn't powerful enough to meet my needs. It is outdated, compared to the Almighty God I serve. I go to the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. He is El Shaddai, Jehovah Jireh and so much more. I don't have to text Him or save Him in my contacts list. I don't even have to keep Him on speed dial. I have auto answer because He always hears me. He not only saves my messages, He writes on the tablet of my heart. I have a High Tower. I have a signal at all times. He is the Way the Truth and the Life. He is Jesus. He is my answer. He is my Friend who sticks closer than a brother. He is my Navigator Who shows me the way. He is my Abba Father. He is more than enough to get me through any situation at any time.
'Got a cell phone? 'Got Jesus?

Sometimes I'm like Peter

Sometimes someone says something intentionally, or unintentionally and I get my feelings hurt. Recently, someone said something to me that cut to the core. But, I wasn't going to let it bother me. I took it to the cross and 'left it there'. I forgave the person-until someone else came to me with a similar complaint about the same person. I jumped on the wagon and added my two cents. In my heart I heard that Small Voice telling me not to say anything,but I didn't listen. It didn't stop there. I shared my sorrow with the next person I spoke to. I was justified in my hurt.
Then, I happened to bump into the person I had already 'forgiven'. I felt horrible. I wanted to run and hide, like Peter when the rooster crowed, confronting him with his sin.
Jesus had told Peter he would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed in the morning. Peter said "I would never!" But, when the rooster crowed, he realized he had denied Jesus, just as He said. He had gotten lost in the hurt and betrayal of the moment and forgotten what Jesus had said. Peter cried bitterly.
The Holy Spirit speaks to our hearts. He spoke to mine. I should have said nothing, since I had already taken the hurt to the cross. Yet, I chose to ignore the voice of the Holy Spirit in the hurt of the moment,partaking in someone else's offense.
Like Peter, I realized what I had done. I got on my knees and wept. 'Lord,forgive me'. The Lord forgave me, just as He forgave Peter.
My lesson in repentance leads me to His green pastures of mercy. Our Lord is faithful to forgive us our sins. I am grateful.
My prayer today: Lord, my desire is to open my heart, not only to sincerely listen, but to obey Your voice. In Jesus' name. Amen.