Merry Christmas Everyone! It's already here again...man, it seems the older I get, the faster time flies! Here we are, my husband and I, with all our grandchildren! They are what make the Holidays magical and we are blessed to have our "crew".

Remembering to give thanks to Jesus, the reason we celebrate Christmas, for all He has done for humanity and for each of us as individuals. Without His complete sacrifice for our collective sin and His willingness to give himself completely for our redemption, the holidays would not be joyous or bright.

"With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God, all things are possible." Mark 10:27

"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, to day and for ever." Hebrews 13:8

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all of His benefits." Psalms 103:2

Thank you Lord for all of these sweet babies. These precious gifts from God the Father. We are truely thankful for each one and for the joy they bring us.

Years ago, one of my favorite shows on T.V. was “Kung Fu”. The lead role was that of a wandering Kung Fu Master named, Kwai Chang Caine, played by the late David Carradine. He used to have these wonderful quotes of wisdom given to his apprentice or “grasshopper”. He comes to mind tonight because I’m thinking of self-discipline and my lack of it lately in regard my eating habits.

Development of the mind can be accomplished only when the body has been disciplined. -- Master Kan

“Oh, grasshopper! You must have dissaaaprinn!”, I am telling myself.

Well, as nice as it is to take a nostalgic look back and as humorous as it is to think about taking advice as a “grasshopper”, I’m not a spring chicken. I know what it takes, I just need to make the decision, set my goal, make a plan, take action and stay with it.  
Sounds so simple, doesn't it?
I guess it can be described as a simple decision, but you and I both know that it is a series of “simple decisions” all day, every day that lead to success or failure.

He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. --Proverbs 25:28

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. --I Corinthians 9:24-27\

It’s been a crazy first couple of months in 2015 weather wise. Temperature fluctuations from freezing to 70’s and back to freezing. It has been hard to stay with a steady workout program with roads too dangerous to drive one day, holiday events and illnesses the next and so on. I’m looking forward to get back into a pattern of some kind. I am also looking forward to nice weather because I love to be outside. I must say “thank you” to the Lord for the ice, snow, sleet and freezing rain because every drop of moisture is much needed.

Time to get busy....I'll pray for you as you pray for me!

His Mercies Are New Every Morning

"It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."
Lamentations 3:22-23


I have hope in the knowledge that my Lord loves me and that I am forgiven.

These past months have been a struggle. A grandparent should not have to watch a beautiful grandchild fight for life and fail....but sometimes, that is just what happens.
I praise Jesus for all of my grandchildren and for the brief time I was able to share this life with my sweet Corbin. What a precious, pure and beautiful soul. Corbin went to meet Jesus at the tender age of three after having fought from birth for each day of life due to a heart defect that he had from birth. He never lost his smile or his ability to love everyone despite multiple surgeries, long hospital stays and other struggles. He touched lives everywhere he went. What a testimony. What an example to us all - to love our fellow man, to enjoy the simple things in life like firetrucks and police cars, to treasure each other and to trust completely in the Lord's tender mercies. We laid Corbin to rest on Saturday, August 2nd. Words cannot describe how much that child was loved here on earth and I look forward to seeing his dimpled grin when I reach glory.

"But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies." Lamentations 3:32

I find such peace watching water cascade over rocks and move downstream. I love the sound....it's soothing to me. It is amazing to me how God can give me comfort in His creation whether it is in a waterfall, a glorious rainstorm, a magnificent sky or a beautiful bird...maybe it is a fawn scampering across the road in front of me on my way to work, or the flock of wild turkey's I get to see...sometimes it is a beautiful hawk soaring above or perched on a fence post...to me - it's all one big love letter to me (to us all) and I am so thankful.

"The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him." Lamentations 3: 24-25

Praise the Lord for His tender mercies....

Unto Him That Is Able To Keep You From Falling...

"Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

And of some have compassion, making a difference:

And other save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen". Jude 21-25 kjv

I love verse 22..."And of some have compassion, making a difference." Isn't that what we all want to do? I love the Word. Each time I read the Bible, I see something new. This morning I decided to read Jude....and these verses really spoke to me. 

I thought the photo I took last month from an airplane window of snow capped mountains was an appropriate visual for the beautifully written 24th verse; 

"Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,"

Wow...unto Christ who is able to keep me from falling and who is willing to present me faultless before the presence of his glory by the covering of His blood....with exceeding joy.....I find it incredible to think that Christ loves me enough to keep me from falling and very humbling to realize that He presents me faultless before the presence of his glory...me...someone so unworthy and so broken. I'm so glad my Saviour is merciful and loves me.

Two Roads & Dried Leaves

Robert Frost's Poem, "The Road Not Taken", has always been one of my favorite poems.

"TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;	5
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,	10
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.	15
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."

Isn't that beautiful? I love it. When I was young, a great friend wrote this poem on the first page of a journal she gifted me. I remember goofing around, reading it to her and acting silly so I could make her laugh. Terri had the best laugh (and I'm sure she still does). Her laugh filled the room and her eyes would overflow with tears...it was awesome. She was - and is - awesome....great memories around this poem. 

Year's later, as a teacher, I would assign this poem to my class for typing practice or as a Word Processing assignment....I loved sharing with my students. 

Tonight, I just read it to my oldest daughter. She loved it. Isn't is great how words live on? Isn't it amazing the power words have on us? Their impact, whether written or spoken, should not be taken without thoughtful consideration and the realization of the responsibility each author bears to the reader.

I've always felt that "I took the road less traveled by"....and it has made all the difference in my life. The Bible also talks about the "narrow way" and the choice between two paths. In Matthew 7: 13-14 kjv

"¹³ Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in there at:

¹⁴ Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."

There are no words spoken or written that have more power than the Holy Word of God.

"⁵ Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
⁶ In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3: 5-6

Put your feet to the narrow path, the road less traveled, and put your trust in the Lord.

Keep on keep'n on...

The Detours We Take....

This beautiful peacock was my lunch companion one day last year. I had taken a detour on the way to the airport and stopped outside a local zoo to have a bit to eat. He was patrolling the grounds sounding the alarm at intruders. He would not tolerate my direct approach, but came right up to me while I sat quietly eating a snack at the empty pavilion. It was just the two of us and I was honored to enjoy his company for a few minutes.

Now, as I look through the photos and remember that day, I'm even more amazed how perfectly this beautiful bird is made. Look at the color he displays and how the patterns are put together...feather by beautiful feather....WOW!

I wonder, "Who could look at such a beautiful creature and deny the presence of an all mighty creator God?"

King David put it best in Psalm 8:1, 3 & 4
"O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! Who hast set thy glory above the heavens."

"When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou has ordained;
What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?"

"Thank you, Lord, for this earth and all the wonderful creatures you made for us to enjoy. Thank you for showing your love for us in your creation. Thank you for the detours you give me. Help me to slow down and enjoy the scenery."

You're as Young as Your Faith

General Douglas MacArthur said,

"Nobody grows old by merely living a number of years.

People grow old by deserting their ideals.

You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt;

as young your self-confidence, as old as your fear;

as young as your hope, as old as your despair."

Wow, reading that really made me think about the difference between faith and doubt. How would living in doubt shorten a person's life? How would living in faith add to a life? When I reflect on my own life, I remember the times when fear and doubt consumed my thoughts. A black, oppressive fog consumed me. I was scared, depressed, angry and unsure. My inner voice spoke in a negative loop, constantly playing the tape that reminded me of my failures, all the painful rejections and my feeling of guilt for not being stronger. Living in this state of doubt robbed me of my joy, zest and vision.

It would be in the night, much like this beautiful night, that I would walk outside and look up at the incredible sky. On full mooned nights there would be no need for a flashlight of any kind. Like the photo above, shot without a flash, the moon provides enough light to see everything around me. 

My favorite night sky is one with no moon - only stars. Wow...just incredible....I would begin to thank the Lord for His blessings. I would force myself to think of the things I could be thankful for. I would praise Him and thank Him. Always, and without fail, I would instantly begin to feel my spirit lift. The black fog would dissipate and my heart would begin to sing. The joy of the Lord was my strength when I had no strength of my own. 

"My soul shall be joyful in the Lord: it shall rejoice in his salvation." Psalm 35:9