DANCERS

9/1/11 Can you clearly read the inscription on this "Hallmark" card? "In this world, there are DANCERS and there are critics." The inside reads, "Happy Birthday to one of the DANCERS."
Do you ever wonder how others would classify you? I do. When I received this card years ago from my friend Ellen, I was humbled. Humbled because I knew what a critical spirit resided within me and so did my family, especially my children. I think I rationalized that I needed to be realistic with them and too often I think it robbed them of the simple joy of being a child with big dreams and hopes----which I probably dashed with said realism.

So what does constitute a dancer? In my life "dancers" are defined by spirit, more than moves on a dance floor. I have many in my life and I aspire to be like them. I hope to introduce a few of them to my blogging world as I delineate just what makes them stand out in my life. The fact that I have seen two of them recently has all of this on my mind.

How 'bout you, reader? Are you a dancer? Or, do you justify criticism as you "rain on someone else's parade?" Psalm 149:3 speaks of "praising His name with dancing." I can only imagine the praise and delight that is lifted heavenward every time our steps/action are seen as a those of a "dancer" in someone's life.

PRAYER PURSUIT

8/31/11 "THOU INCOMPREHENSIBLE BUT PRAYER-HEARING GOD,"----that first line (Valley of Vision, p. 11) hooked me yesterday. It was another affirmation that I might be struggling with "perfect prayer" but God....takes me as I am.

"To Thee I come in my difficulties, neccessitites, distresses;
possess me with Thyself,
with a spirit of grace and supplication,
with a prayerful attitude of mind,
with access into warmth of fellowship,
so that in my ordinary concerns of life my thoughts and desires may arise to Thee and in habitual devotion I may find a resource that will soothe my sorrows, sanctify my successes, and qualify me with all my dealings with my fellow man."

So much more in that short page that spoke to my concerns about my prayer life. A page out of a book that was Martha Bank's gift to our summer book club group. A gift from a real prayer warrior to a "wannabe" prayer warrior----a gift that is helping me in my prayer pursuit. May I find glory in this valley.

SILENCE

8/30/11 As I mentioned in yesterday's blog, silence in conversation makes me a little nervous. My sad admission is that I too often suffer that malady even in my prayer times.

Silence seems to "pile up" as I try to "be still and know that He is God." (Psalm 46:10) Listening is hard. Distraction is easy. Supplication begins to flow, as if I need to jump in and ask, in order to fill the void.

I know that the "asking" is not the entire purpose of prayer. Prayer is so much more than the getting things/answers for ourselves----though I rationalize that mostly I'm asking for others. The purpose of prayer is to get to know God. As Oswald Chambers reminds me, (My Utmost for His Highest, 8/28) "It is not so true that 'prayer changes things' as that prayer changes me."

I need to try to get over trying to alter things externally and allow the silences to alter me internally as I listen for more of Him.

WORDS

8/29/11 What does one do when there is a “break in the conversation?” When the silence seems deafening? I, for one, too often take it upon myself to fill that void with words---probably more often than not, words classified in the inane category rather than profound.

Flavia de Luce, the 11 yr. old heroine in The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag, (A. Bradley) states “silence is the best primer for a conversational pump.” For me, that rings true. Sometimes I talk just to fill in an uncomfortable silence. But God….has been teaching me that words, for the sake of words/talking is not always a good thing and the conversation that ensues can be utterly worthless. God’s word reinforces that.

There are man’s words. Peverse. (Proverbs 2:2) Flattering and seductive. (Proverbs 2:16) Grievous. (Proverbs 15:1) Gossiping. (Proverbs 26:22) Hasty . (Proverbs 29:20) The outcome of these often impulsive words can damage relationships with both mankind and God.

Reflect on fitting words, (Prov. 25:11) gracious words, (Prov. 16:1) pleasant words, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones, (Prov. 16:24) words of wisdom---few words. (Prov. 17:27)

When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise. (Prov. 10:19)

The more the words, the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone? (Ecclesiastes 6:11)

Wait for His words. Words given by Him. That’s scriptural. (Psalm 119:47)

The words of wise men are like goads, and masters of these collections are like well-driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd. (Ecclesiastes 12:11)

Lighthouse Learnings

8/24/11 Lots of info from the lighthouses we saw on our trip gave insight to their importance in days of old when navigational instruments were the the sky at night and the sun by day.

The captain was always looking up for heavenly light, especially when no earthly ones were available.
Streams in the Desert alluded to that in yesterday's entry. (8/23) But, it was the verse that caught my attention.

By faith, Abraham...obeyed and went even when he did not know where he was going. (Hebrews 11:8)

As I have been prayerfully trying to plot my "retirement course, I realize that I don't have a clue where I am going. I do sense "service" tugging at my heart but so far, I have no heavenly indication. Like the early captains I will just have to keep "looking up" as I sail along, try to avoid rocks and disasters along the way and continue to seek guidance from God's Son.

From moaning to meditating…….

8/22/11….is not always easy for me but it is necessary in order to receive the benefits of a quiet time.

Returning home last night after two weeks on the road, I was anxious to catch up with e-mail and even a couple of phone calls. That however was not possible due to ongoing Comcast™ problems. As the erratic connections continued throughout today, posting has been difficult. Will it never end? Un-verse where are you? I need you & you are not in my area. Enough moaning----time for meditating-----impossible to do both at once.

Solomon’s words remind me of God’s love for me. Knowing that, makes it easier to follow His way---with all my heart.

“LORD, the God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below—You who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way. (I Kings 8:23)

Glad I chose to meditate----somehow moaning & groaning seem to be the antithesis of continuing wholeheartedly in God’s way.

Links to......

8/19/11 ..... the internet. (not golf courses) for the grandboys. Info to follow after a breakfast in the Ruddick-Nugent B&B (1884) in Columbus, IN.
Trouble uploading our images & creating links----will finish "sometime"

Where did Pop-Pop see a bald eagle?


Where is Jiffy Mix made---that Shug puts in her corn pudding?


What is the southern most point in mainland Canada where the mosquitos attacked Pop-Pop?
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Where is the kite museum located?











Where is an old ice cream parlor (1900) with a calliope where Shug and Pop-Pop met the Hezleps?







What “artsy” indoor playground did Shug take lots of pictures of for her grandboys? Wait ‘til the picture changes to see the playground.

Ann Arbor

8/16/11 These pix are for our "culinary kids," Josh & Megan----more info later

Light in the Mist

8/15/11 Through the early morning mist I could see it. The Marblehead lighthouse---the oldest, (1822) continually-operating lighthouse, on all the Great Lakes. Lake Erie. Indeed it has an important purpose. Provide the light for lost and needy vessels. Dispel the darkness. Clearly show the way. Guide on the right path.

God’s Word is a lighthouse. It dispels the darkness of this world. It provides light for the lost and shows the way to the One who is the Light. It remains steadfast---a lamp in the storms. It clearly shows the way to abundant life on earth. It guides us to the truth of eternal light with Him.

Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. (Psalm 119:105)

May meditation on this verse be a light for you today.

ROOM WITH A VIEW

8/14/11 EVENING POST----picture taken from our window, per Texans' request, as out trip has become a geography lesson of of sorts for them.
Location: Port Clinton, OH overlooking Lake Erie, USA side----will post Canadian side on Tuesday or Wednesday from Kingsville, Ontario and Pelee Island. See if you can find those locations as well. Use an atlas----not the internet.