Thanks Punxsutawney Phil!

Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog, saw his shadow this morning. We best be prepared. Don't think about putting winter apparel in storage quite yet. Leave the shovels and snow blowers in convenient spots and by all means, don't plant gardens or uncover the air conditioner. According to Punxsutawney Phil we are in for six more weeks of winter.

Seriously?

 Do we really believe it's up to ol' Mr. Groundhog? When I was in grade school, I remember hearing about Groundhog Day on the radio - when my mom was driving me to school. I didn't ask any questions.

But imagine the thoughts that ran through my young mind. A groundhog? I had never seen one and imagined just that - a ground 'hog'. I thought he must live in a big burrow and have a time of it, trying to get out to let us know what weather we would encounter for the next six weeks. I wondered if he sat in his recliner eating nuts or smoking his pipe, the second day of February wondering...'should I or shouldn't I? It's up to me. All I have to do is step outside my burrow.' I used to wonder how scientific the appearance of a groundhog was. I  thought it was amazing that grown-ups believed a groundhog was predicting the weather. (Ah, the mind of a child).

People all over America (and elsewhere) await the appearance of the groundhog. If he doesn't see his shadow, there are exuberant shouts, "Spring is in the air!" If he sees his shadow, it's "Bah, six more weeks of winter."

We are funny people. We want a reason to celebrate and a reason to complain. Leave it up to a groundhog named Punxsutawny Phil to make sure we have something to talk about. (Hmmm.... could it be that our weathermen/meteorologists anticipate the second day of February to be able to rest from taking the blame for the weather for six weeks each year?)

What would happen if Mr. Groundhog went on strike and decided not come out for his usual holiday? Think about it. With all the publicity, he hasn't gotten any great perks for his appearances!  After all, he still lives in that burrow.

Have you ever been in one of life's ruts?

I've been in a rut. It's not like I have been depressed and distressed. It's just one of those 'ruts' where I have felt kind of disconnected...not really from anything in particular, just a feeling in general.That is, until today.

I took my Writer's Magazine to the gym with me. It was exactly what I needed. (We do have a gym in our small community and it is actually quite nice).  I had my water bottle, and my magazine. I was the only one in the cardio room...that's what I call the room with the treadmills, elliptical machines and bikes.  I changed channels from 9 News on the TV to a Soul Station (purely accidental - I just click till I find music I like). I got on the treadmill, set it to uphill and began my trek. I read, listened to music and hiked. When I finished there I got on a bike...set my magazine in a place on the screen, drank some water and began pedaling.

During my 'bicycling', as I was listening to "House of Clowns" I realized I was enjoying myself, immensely. I thought to myself, 'how much better can it get?' I was listening to music, and reading - two of my favorite hobbies - and I was working out at the same time (working out is something I need to do...maybe it will become another favorite hobby in time).

While in the 'rut' I didn't feel like I had anything to say about anything. I was telling myself, 'everybody's heard everything there is to say'. I didn't think I had any inspiring wisdom to lend to anyone. \

However, reading the articles while I 'hiked' and pedaled, filled me with hope for myself. I worked myself right out of the rut!

Number one: Ruts happen. The article said to keep writing anyway and gave some helpful hints on motivation and imagination.
Number two: Maintain proper perspective. While in a rut, things seem mundane. Keep writing anyway, it said. Write and write and write.
Number three: Don't give up.Don't stop. Keep writing. Write through. 
One, two, three...simple steps. I should've known them on my own. But, I lost perspective.  I needed a boost.

Sometimes we need a boost....just because.

'Reminded me of words from a Bob Dylan song, 'The only thing I know to do is to keep on keeping on.' I can say to myself, 'When I've done all to write, I need to write and write some more'! Words of wisdom - Press on.

I'm ready, now. I was energized by my trip to the gym. Who would've thought?! I found a perfect place to study - a place of solitude and refreshing! I learned a lot at the gym, today. I can't wait until tomorrow.

I am so in awe of You. Words can't express how I feel. You are altogether glorious. You are Almighty God. You held me when I felt so alone. You gave me new Life. You took the ashes of my life and gave me dancing and joy.

Oh, my Lord. You raise me up in the morning and I praise You for a new day. I am grateful for everyday. There were days when darkness closed in and You came, and the Son overcame the darkness filling me with hope.  You have filled my life with good things. My life is renewed daily. In You, I am eternally grateful.
Will I dance and shout Your name? Yes! I will proclaim the wonders of my God. I will not be ashamed but will pronouce that Jesus is my Lord. 

There is no other name under heaven  to whom  I will bow, no, only Jesus is Lord. He has taken chains of bondage and He has set me free! Chains are broken and thrown into the sea of forgetfulness.

Lord, it is glorious to follow You. No matter what ....though the mountains fall into the oceans....I will bless Your name, Abba, Father.

You are my Father. In You I trust. In You I have rest. In You I have victory. Oh, the Love You have shown me. I cannot repay. I cannot.   Yet, You Love...
You sent Jesus, the Word of Love. Because of Him, I live.

You are worthy...so worthy of my praise. I praise You for who You are. You have shown Yourself strong on my behalf. Over and over and over....You have shown Yourself faithful.  You are my Faithful Father.

Thank You. Thank You. Thank You. Yes, it is all new every morning.  The greatness of Your love and the wonder of Your greatness. I will ever be grateful. Amen and so be it.

I have a dream

Ok, 'where do I go from here?' The way seems dim, the path, unclear. Yesterday was all mapped out; the future seemed bright. Then, life took a turn, and nothing remained the same. Absolutely nothing. Not only is everything different, it is horrible, dark and lonely.

Joseph went through times like that - Joseph, as in the coat of many colors. Jacob's favorite son. Jacob made him a special coat. God spoke to him in dreams about his brothers bowing down and serving him. Joseph had a bright future ahead of him.  And then it happened.

His brothers were jealous of him and wanted him dead.
They threw him in a pit and sold him into slavery, later leading their father to believe he was dead
He was bought by Ishmaelites who then sold him to Potipher
He was falsely accused of raping Potipher's wife - when she was the one who was after him
He was put in prison  for the crime he didn't commit
He spent years separated from his father, from his family

He  felt horrible, alone and in the dark. "God, You said all these wonderful things were going to happen to me. What is going on?" 

'Been there! Well, I haven't been in a literal prison. I haven't been accused of crimes. But, I have been in that place of darkness and loneliness. I have been falsely accused and misunderstood. I have felt separated from those I love. I have felt like the dreams I had, flitted away like feathers in the breeze. There have been times when I felt like I was in the bottom of the pit. Yet,in those hours, those dark and lonely hours, I knew who I belonged to.
I knew, and  I know that I know that I know. Those seeds planted in my heart, dreams put there by Almighty God, will happen. The  God who was with Joseph is my God.

After being in Egypt for 20 years, working with Pharaoh and storing food for a time of famine, Joseph witnessed his dreams. Joseph's brothers  came for assistance.They didn't recognize him, but Joseph knew them immediately.  They didn't know this man, equal to Pharaoh, who they were bowing down to, was their brother.

Joseph was in the right place, at the right time. He made a difference in Egypt. He made a difference in his family and was there to deliver them - it was the stuff his dreams were made of. It was the dreams his God had given him, many years before.

The story of Joseph....
 I think of it when things go awry in my life. When things don't go the way I think they should. I turn my eyes to my God. He is the keeper of my dreams.  I can continue in what I know to do, working and occupying; remaining focused on Him, until that day, that fine day, when dreams come true. And they will. 

New Year's Resolutions!!

New Year's resolutions. Yes,I will! No,I won't! This year I really will. I am so serious this time. Work out, eat less, spend less, work more, work less. Read more, play less, no smoke, no drink, lose weight, be nice, break up. I resolve. I WILL keep these resolutions. I AM DETERMINED AND I WILL NOT FAIL!

Intentions are good. Our minds are made up. We have never been more serious.
We are hyped and do well for a time. Then, our wagon hits a bump and we fall off.
"No big deal,I can do this. I'll just get back on, tomorrow." We may or may not get back on tomorrow, or the day after, or the day after that.

Oh well. It's human nature. We only live once. What's the big deal, anyway? I'll start again later. When our neighbor,(remember...the one we told about working out faithfully) asks, "How's it going?" We think she's being nosy and it's none of her business, anyway. Defenses go up as we huff into our house with a twelve pack of Cherry Pepsi and a box of Twinkies.

I am just as guilty as anyone. As I listened to others talk about resolutions, laughing about how long they would last, I wondered why it's so difficult to be faithful, longterm.

Resolution: a determination or resolve; to be determined to do something..firmness of purpose. There was a firmness in purpose. But, there was that determination every year.

How could this year be different?

I listened to a minister speak at a New Year's Eve service. The emphasis was committing to the things of God in 2010. 'Good idea..good resolution for the new year, I thought.

What about commitment? Commitment:loyalty, devotion,dedication.

I can make a resolution to change some aspect of my life for the New Year. I can do it. I can grit my teeth, pinch myself and make myself sick doing it. But,I can do it - for a time. Some have more tenacity than others and can stay miserable longer.
Commitment is deeper. Commitment takes a heart decision-remaining loyal. Loyalty is more binding than resolve.

In all my resolve, I fall short, feel guilty and give up.
When all my resolve caved in, is when I made a commitment to Jesus. All the resolve didn't change a thing. Committing my life to Jesus made all the difference! He came in and became what I needed.

Sometimes, I just don't have the ability in myself alone, but, with Jesus as my strength - all things are possible!

Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ, Who is my strength."

Number one commitment - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path." (Proverbs 3:5)"Commit your way to the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass." (Psalm 37:5)

2010 - BEGIN AGAIN!

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.