New Year Plans Proverbs 14:22

Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness. Proverbs 14:22



Before you make those New Year resolutions, please watch this video.


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My Manger

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19

I live in this day because my Creator wants me to. Today is special. I will love the situation in which God has placed me. I will love my manger.

Waiting for Him

You will be with child and give birth to a son, you are to give to him the name Jesus. He will be great and be called Son of the Most High. The Lord will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end. Luke 1:31-33

God bless us while we await the birth of a new Spirit in us, AMEN

Golfing in the Wind

let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance...Proverbs 1:5

Supposed to play this morning, but when I went outside to check on the weather I was about blown off my feet. So I called and cancelled. I hated to do it as I haven't played in a week!! I don't mind playing in a little wind, but this is too much.

Actually, there are some tips you can use when playing in the wind. If you are playing in a headwind remember what Greg Norman said at the British open in 1996 (he won!) "Swing with ease into the breeze". I think he was quoting another great??? Good tips: 1) Select more club to decrease the height of the shot 2) Play the ball back in your stance 3) Slow down to 80% of your regular swing speed.

If you are lucky and have a tailwind remember: 1) Play the ball forward in your stance 2) hit it higher (less club) 3) remember it will roll on you.

Guidance and tips...we love them. In this busy Christmas season have you remembered to get out the book that gives the best guidance of all? Get it out and reread Luke. Please.

Mary Answered

"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered."May it be to me as you have said." Luke 1:38

I believe. But I don't always listen, nor answer. What a wonderful life I could have if I would listen more often. How much better would the world be if I answered? What would it be like if I acted as Mary did?
I believe that if Mary had not stopped to listen, or if she had heard but not accepted, the Creator would have gone to another. But, she did accept the angel's words and became our Lord's mother. What an amazing woman, what a glorious servant.
Would I learn to stop, listen, accept and act as Mary. May it be to me as You say, not as I want.

Prayer Friday 1 Corinthians 1:9

God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful. 1 Corinthians 1:9

Lord, thank you for the many blessings you have given us in this life. We overlook so many, and refuse to see many, and forget to thank you for many.
Please help us to remember that Christmas is a walk toward fellowship with the Living Christ. Lead us deeper into that fellowship, closer to living our lives in your will.
We know, Lord, that you are faithful. You are always here with us. Help us, this Advent, to truly find you in our hearts, minds and spirits. Guide us to your peace and joy, and help us spread it into our homes and families.
In our Living Christ, AMEN.

Bearing Witness

He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. John 1:8

Today, all day, I will bear witness to the Spirit working through others. I will look for good and positive actions, recognize them, and acknowledging them. In this way I will be searching out and moving toward seeing the Living Christ at work in my life and others. Walking toward a birthing of Christ in my world.

Advent Listening

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, "This is the way; walk in it." Isaiah 30:21

Am I listening this Advent? I have been praying, because I have friends that are hurting, some that are scared, one that is lost. I have been entertaining and making our home a welcome to friends. I have been shopping and wrapping gifts for those I love. I have worked, rested, exercised, golfed, cried, laughed, slept, shopped, read, knitted...

I am "looking" forward to Christmas. I am thinking about the birthing in me of a closer walk with the Living Christ...but...how much time am I spending listening?

A motive in the human heart is like deep water, and a person who has understanding draws it out. Proverbs 20:5

My Mother's very best friend died just a few moments ago. I know in the very fiber of my being and deep in my soul they are together right now. They loved and totally understood each other. They had different personalities, but absolutely, shared love and beauty in their souls. They were two of the most gracious women I have ever known. The deep waters of their hearts flowed with love.

The motive, or as another translation of this verse reads "the designs in a man's mind" should always be love. With love comes understanding and patience. As we approach Christmas through the Advent season, let's work on that. As we head toward the end of the year, let's put aside the busy, the past, the silly, the hurts. Let's look past the motives of the ego, ours and other's, past the motives of personalities, ours and other's. Let's look for, and find, the deep waters of love with which God has graced our souls. Let's slow down and be still and really look for the Spirit of love in ourselves and know that we will find it in others.

These two women left behind four daughters. May we four look on each other as love our Moms left behind on this side.

Red Kettle Giving

A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great. Proverbs 18:16

There are many ways to share our blessings this Christmas season. One of my favorites is the Salvation Army and their Red Kettles. I was overjoyed to find that I could put one of their kettles right here in this site! Please join me in supporting this great organization. All you have to do is click on the Red Kettle over there on the right and follow the directions. Thank you for helping and God bless you and yours.

Thanksgiving Day Psalms 108:5

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and let your glory be all over the earth. Psalm 108:5

I am so thankful that this is true. God's glory is everywhere. May God be with you today.

Prayer Friday Psalm 108:4

For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Psalm 108:4



Mighty Creator, Living Christ, Searching Holy Spirit, We are so blessed.

Lord, you provide us with amazing blessings all around us, yet we are so dense as to not recognize them. You give us all, starting with life, and we don't look.

Please open our bodies, our minds, our spirits, so we can perceive your glory and care.

Lord please protect all who travel this busy week.

We love you, our Living Christ. Holy Spirit, lead our actions to fit that love.

Lord, yours is the earth and heavens, help us be faithful to you and yours.

Amen

The Bountiful Storehouse

The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and bless all the work of your hands. Deuteronomy 28:12

I love Christmas, however, I refuse to get caught up in the "process". More on that later. Right now, my thought is I love Thanksgiving. When I think of this celebration I think of the song whose words include "Bless this house oh Lord I pray. Keep it safe by night and day." I think of the word bounty, of storehouse, of the words yellow, orange and brown.

In this passage in Deuteronomy the Israelites are learning what God will do for them if they obey the Lord their God and carefully follow all his commandments. Well, God opened the storehouse of his heavens and out of his bounty God sent us Jesus. God will send us the flowing water of the Holy Spirit and bless our works of love if we obey the greatest commandment brought by our Living Christ. Love our Creator with all our heart and love our neighbor as we love our self.

God's bounty is timeless and limitless, our love should be also. As we go into Thanksgiving let's dwell on and in our Creator's bountiful storehouse and be so thankful that it spills out through us to all those around us.

Prayer Friday

At that time Jesus said, "I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth." Matthew 11:25

Loving Creator, Living Christ, Wonderful Holy Spirit, please hear our prayer.
We are blessed with such a beautiful day to which we wake up. Thank You for all the opportunities You will put before us. We are surrounded with Your love every second of this day.
Lord, thank You for all of the workers in the health field. We know that it is with Your wisdom that they are trained and the skill they have comes from You. You are not only the healing, but the healer. Thank You for the discovered knowledge that guide these people, and for the wisdom yet to be discovered. We are truly blessed by these workers.
Please be with all that are going though medical test today and those that are being treated.
We are aware all day that You give us our breath, don't let us waste it. In the name of the Living Christ, AMEN.

A Little More on Witnessing

Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me. Isaiah 46:9

The tournament is over, I was nothing but consistent, improved one shot the second day! But, I had a great time. I really enjoyed the three gals with whom I was paired, there was a lot of laughter.
A couple of thoughts about yesterday's post...witnessing is a perfect time to "remember the things I have done". Not only do you have a chance to lead another closer to God, you yourself have a chance to remember, as you relate your beliefs, all the things God has done for you. All the times God has shown you the way. So it is a two way path, side by side; tell/remember. What a beautiful path to walk.
Also, keep in mind your witness is added to all the other ones God has arranged for this person. It is not all up to you, you may be the first to share with the other or the last, so don't get discouraged. You are one of a great cloud of witnesses. That always gives me comfort and strength when I tell some one else the Great Story.
We don't have to shout or get in someones face...we just need to listen for the right question, remember what God has done for us, answer the question, and then thank God for the opportunity and all the others in the cloud with you.

Trouble Witnessing? Just Listen

A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies. Proverbs 12:17

I am in the second day of a two day tounament. Didn't do too good yesterday. No, that is not the truth, I did very well on 15 holes and very poorly on three. On most of the good holes I couldn't have done better, but, boy oh boy, on those stinky ones I could half my scores and still improve! Bad.
To me these two days of golf are a great chance to witness. Now, four or five years ago I could not have said that. I was afraid to witness, I was embarrassed. Basically I didn't know how to do it. I was afraid I would say the wrong thing or give the wrong information. But I think I have now found the key, at least for me. Listening and telling the truth.
First, I usually don't initiate the subject. I listen for The Question. When you spend time with folks, have conversation say on the golf course, in waiting rooms, at parties there are usually many chances to listen. Really focus on what the other is saying. Most often they will ask you what you would do about something or other. How you would respond to a friend causing a problem, what would you do about a child that is going astray. People really like to talk about their hurts and problems. Listen to them, first, this is a chance to show them someone cares. Second, it is a chance to speak of love and forgiveness.
As far as giving the correct information, all you can do is give honest testimony about how love and forgiveness have worked in your life. The Holy Spirit will take what you say and make it useful to the other.
Just listen to what others are saying and asking. Then honestly respond to them with God's love. That is a witness.

Pray With Me Friday: Psalm 9:10

Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. Psalm 9:10

Most loving Creator, Living Christ, Great Counselor hear our prayer.
You have surely blessed us with a beautiful day. Whether we have crisp, cold air, rain, snow, clouds or sunny skies we know You are there. We are blessed with the breath we take in, the sights of our eyes and the beat of our heart. Thank You for life. Thank You for a friend or many friends, for we know you have put them in our lives.
Lord, in those times we forget You or think we cannot feel Your presence, help us to remember this Psalm. You never forsake us. You are here with us now and will be with us forever.
Lord, let us be a light to this world, that those You bring to us see You shining in our lives and faces. Put in our mouths the answers to their questions about You. Let us turn no one away from You, because of our actions. We who know your love want all to know it.
In the name of our Living Christ, AMEN.

The Greatest Gift Is Love

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1Corinthians 13:13

As this day progresses, I want all of you to know that I love each of you beyond politics, beyond national boundaries, beyond church ties and religious beliefs. We are all the children of a gracious and loving Creator, who is beyond our imagination to grasp. We are loved in a manner so huge we cannot wrap words or thoughts around it.
So love and be loved today.

His Patients

The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you. 2Peter 3:9

I am slowly getting back into shape after a while off from golf because of my ankle. Slowly getting back into shape after two many meals consumed on the trip to New York. Slowly getting the house back into shape after too many days away. I control the "slowly" in these sentences. I can speed all of them up by my actions or throw myself a curve and slow them down. I have done both.
How impatient do you get when you turn a problem over to God and it is not resolved quickly enough for your satisfaction? Do you stew, worry, whine, pout? Are you going thorough one of those waiting periods right now? Are you waiting for a healing in your body, mind, spirit; deep down in your soul?
"The Lord is not slow". Wait, pray, wait, pray. Your Creator loves you and will take care of you with love and grace in God's will. Don't count your impatiences as God's slowness.
Step out in faith that you are loved and God is and will be with you in every step.

Family Time

God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. Psalm 68:6



I was in New York visiting family. I love and am loved in my family. Husband, three children, three grandchildren, a sister, two uncles and cousins, (most play or have played golf!). We have our off moments now and then, but for the goodly percent of time we are friends and always family.

"Most and goodly percent" are terms that apply to the degree of believers in our family. We have one or two that do not believe (right now). They will eventually, I have no doubt. These one or two are prisoners of their stubborn hold on some old baggage. We are a loyal family, sometimes holding on to things a bit too long.

I have faith that God is working in the hearts, minds and spirits of all our family to see that our "prisoners" are led forth singing. We will all be singing when that happens. We don't plan on leaving any one of us in the sun-scorched land of not knowing. We will all praise God in the light of love before this journey is over.

Prayer Friday

Who is this coming up from the desert leaning on her lover? Song of Songs 8:5

Loving Creator, Living Christ, Help of the Holy Spirit...
I am so blessed. Glory be for the beautiful creation you have set around us. Thank you for all the beautiful souls you have placed in my life.
May I please always recognize love and return it with care and tenderness in the Spirit. Where I fail to see love may I bring it to the situation, asking not why, but what would you have me do?
Please bless all who come to this page with open eyes, ears and hearts.
In the name of our Living Christ, through the Holy Spirit...AMEN

I Love This Honesty

As the music picks up I hope you notice I added a new song. I love the honesty in this Kenny Chesney song. We all want to go to heaven, just not today !! Why not? Why not now? As I get deeper into my walk will I long to go today? I am not afraid to die. I have faith that death is the ultimate transformation into a glorious beyond. I don't believe that the Creator of this beautiful universe is just going to cut us off at death. I believe that The Creator has planned something else for my soul. I love and believe in the Living Christ. So I guess I need some work on this.
If you don't like this song, or just get tired of it, go over to the Playlist on the right side of this site and choose another one, please. I think I will leave it on for a while so I can listen to it, let it work its thought down into my deep spot.
God bless you and yours today and everyday.

Healing and Wholeness

"See how God winked at weakness and overlooked failures as He poured upon His servants grace and blessing untold. Let it be Abraham, Jacob, David, Daniel, Elijah or whom you will; honor followed honor as harvest the seed. The man of God set his heart to exalt God above all; God accepted his intention as fact and acted accordingly. Not perfection, but holy intention made the difference." p. 99 The Pursuit of God, A.W. Tozer.

A breathtakingly beautiful day here in south central New Mexico and I am still not back on the golf course. One reason is that I am still resting my ankle. I hope the lesson I take out of this sprain is to slow down; the phone will ring long enough for me to get there, if not, so be it, the answering machine will get it.
This time off has given me time to relive the Conference on Healing and Wholeness I attended Friday and Saturday. I have been back over my handouts and notes and bought a book by a doctor the speaker recognized as helpful. I have also finished up the Tozer book.
We have a prayer ministry at our church and have held healing services, however, we have the need to reevaluate what we are doing and in which direction we need to move. Hence, the conference with Dr. James K. Wagner. We need to focus in on our intentions. What we intend to do, how we intend to do it, why we intend to do it, all important. We will make mistakes, but God won't.
The new book I bought is Healing Words by Larry Dossey, M.D. I really am learning a lot from it. The copyright is 1993, so after I finish this post I am going to see what he has written since.
Reading Tozer and Dossey at the same time is very helpful. I love the fact that I was brought to these two books at the same time. My intention is to really listen to God's voice in this learning process. Give it over to the Holy Spirit to guide me down the path. Learning leads to knowledge which leads to wisdom which will guide my actions.

Prayer Friday

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. James 1:5-6

Loving Creator, Living Christ, Surrounding Holy Spirit...
Thank you for drawing me nearer and nearer to you each day. Your Grace is so wide and deep to fit in some one like me. I am in awe of the many signs of your loving care and in wonder over your mighty creations.
Please strengthen me in wisdom this week, the wisdom I need to walk Christ's path not my own. I am blown and tossed to often like a wave of indecision and inattention.
Please open the eyes, ears and hearts of those who have trouble finding you, Lord, so they might see the people you have already placed around them to guide them. Soften them so they may recognize you love them and have already provided their fellow travelers.
Please bless the Healing and Wellness Conference this weekend.
I pray this prayer through Christ, AMEN

Reverence Of The Lord

He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure. Isaiah 33:6



Sorry I have not been here. It has been a busy week. No golf as my ankle sprain is still bothering me. As I played through it in last week's tournament, I thought I had better treat it better this week. So ice is the name of the game. However, I have still had "places to go and people to see"! Today I help register the men playing in a tournament at our course. They donated a putter to our raffle, so this is gratitude day. Thanks fellows.

Gratitude day. Wouldn't it be nice if we treated every day as a "gratitude day"? If we payed special attention to being thankful for every little thing others do for us? Really meant our "Thank yous"?

I have spent much time this week thinking about how our Creator is the sure foundation of my life and how to share that with non-believers. How to recognize the chances God puts in front of me to witness. To explain that "fear of the Lord" means reverence not a boo/scare.

The closer we get to God, the easier it is to understand and soak in the wisdom, knowledge and love of our Maker. I want others to realize the joy of learning to sit still and just make their life open to the wonder of the Maker that made them.

May you take that time today; be filled with the wonder and love.

...that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. John 17:21

I love most golf courses. I find the diversity interesting. Some are green, hilly with lots of trees. Some are brown, flat and treeless. Some are a mix of those pieces and parts of nature. They all have sand traps, greens for putting, tees for driving, paths and trails. I love most churches. I love mine most of the time. Sometimes I am let down and sometimes lifted up until I seem to soar.
Today, after church, I have been reading A.W. Tozer's The Pursuit of God, The Human Thirst for The Divine. On page thirty-six he wrote the best words I think I have ever come across about church and the church. I'll let him tell you what I feel.
"The world is perishing for lack of the knowledge of God and the Church is famishing for want of his presence. The instant cure of most of our religious ills would be to enter the Presence in spiritual experience, to become suddenly aware that we are in God and God is in us. This would lift us out of our pitiful narrowness and cause our hearts to be enlarged. This would burn away the impurities from our lives as the bugs and fungi were burned away by the fire that dwelt in the bush".

Walk In The Light

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 1John 1:5

Sorry I have been remiss in writing. I was visited this week by my oldest and dearest friend. "Oldest" meaning longest, don't want problems in our friendship over terms! She came to town to play with me in a golf tournament. We had a great time. Lots of golf, food, laughter, talk. We wore ourselves out. That's the good news; I twisted my ankle and fell two days before all this happened, so my golf was pretty stinky. Hard to swing the club when you are anticipating the jolt of pain that will inevitably be visited upon you. Until you hurt your right ankle, you tend to forget how much weight you place on your right side :( Oh well, you always need an excuse when you don't win a tournament.
So today, after I run a couple of really necessary errands, I am going to have some devotional quiet time. First I am going to meditate on 1John 1:1-7. I am not going to beat myself up, however, I am going to look over the past week to see where I slipped out of the light. Either by getting too involve in what was going on around me and forgetting or by letting my frustration make me a little edgy so I was not as "nice" as I could have been.
I love my Creator and want to always keep that first in my sight. But I slip into forgetting so often. I will not dwell on lost opportunities while I go over this today, but I will remind myself how easy it is to slip into the shadows of life's walk. We are human and we lose our light every now and then, but God doesn't. That light shines on us all the time, we just have to step back on to the course.
Shine your light on me today, O Lord, and I will run to get into it.

Golfing

Playing in a golf tournament this week, so I won't be around. Please reread some posts and wait, I'll be back.

Slow Down, Honey

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. Psalm 103:8

Played with the Thursday girls today, first time in 10 days. You should have seen me. I think it was such a beautiful day and I was so happy to be there that I just whipped through every swing. I mean at warp speed. Now if you are new to golf, I need to tell you this is not a good thing :( Your swing should be slow and easy. Just let the club head do the work. I was so fast on my swings I sware Sister Judy said "Slow down, honey". Kinda like "Whoa, Nellie". I finally listened, but I was on a fast roll there for a while.
So when I got home I thought I would get out my Strong's and see how the word "slow" was used in the Bible. Shows up 14 times and 10 of those have to do with anger or wrath. It comes down from a Hebrew root word meaning "long". So I need to take a long time letting my anger build. Maybe I can take so long I forget what I am upset about. Easy to do as my memory is getting shorter and shorter.
I love it when a thought on the golf course leads me to the Bible to look for a word or topic. So, today I found out I need to take a long time letting my back swing build and a long time letting it release for a good shot. I found out I need to take a long time thinking about what I am upset about and maybe I'll take so long to get angry, I won't :)

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

This is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I have my date already for my mammogram. Have you made yours or has your wife? Do it!

Check out http://www.birdiesforbreastcancer.com/. Get involved and bless someone with your care and concern.

Love ya and Birdy on.

I Didn't Sign The Sheet

"They all joined together constantly in prayer," Acts 1:14

Got up early, had coffee, drove to the course, opened my locker, put on golf shoes, went through the pro shop saying hello to everyone, stopped in front of the posted list of threesomes who were to play together, didn't see my name. Read it once, twice, on the third time I was convinced my name was not there. Went back to my locker, put up shoes, drove home, finished my cold coffee I had not poured out before. I had forgotten to sign up!!
If you don't sign up you are left out of a lot of things. Joining your fine self up is a big deal. If you don't sign up, join, involve yourself you get left out. Our Creator has made a beautiful Kingdom for us to join, but it is our responsibility to get our name on the list of membership. We have to commit to joining the process of finding the Kingdom, looking for it all around us everyday. God provides, however, we must join ourselves to what is provided. Take an active part in the beautiful Grace with which God has gifted us.
In the passage above, Mary has joined with other women and the brothers of Jesus to pray. Wonder who put out the sign up sheet? There are so many ways to take an active part in the Kingdom, so many ways to learn about the Kingdom, so many ways to live a Kingdom life. Are you signed up? Do you know where to find the sign up sheet?

Retreats Change Lives

"Before the Lord God made man upon the earth He first prepared for him a world of useful and pleasant things for his sustenance and delight. In the Genesis account of the creation these are simply "things". They were made for man's use, but they were meant always to be external to the man and subservient to him. In the deep heart of man was a shrine where none but God was worthy to come. Within him was God; without, a thousand gifts which God had showered upon him." From The Pursuit Of God by A.W. Tozer

As you will recall, I asked you last Thursday to pray for my retreat weekend. Well, THANK YOU. Words can never describe what an incredible weekend I had. I have never been covered with such Christ like love in my entire life. If anyone ever approaches you concerning sponsoring you for a Walk to Emmaus...do not take a breath before you say yes. On second thought, don't say yes SHOUT YES PLEASE!! Know that that person loves you so much.
I came home with a new book. I have heard A.W. Tozer quoted many times, but I have never read anything by him. So when I saw this book I grabbed it up. It is wonderful. The part I used above really struck me in a deep place. Not only was I showered with "a thousand" of God's gifts this weekend, I was able to clear out my altar space inside my heart.
If you are looking for a meaningful book to add to your study time, I am highly recommending this one.
God bless you and thank you for those prayers.

Walking and Talking

They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. Luke 24:14

I will be leaving to go into the beautiful Sacramento Mountains this afternoon for a retreat weekend. Please pray for me and the others as we study together for three days.
No cell phone, no cameras, no TVs or radios, what a joy to look forward to. The list of equipment to include says "and your favorite Bible"...now, that is a mighty fine item to take.
Have a blessed weekend, I know I will.

Callaway and L'Oreal help Ovarian Cancer Research

I guess I have missed this information, but now that I have found it I will pass it along. Callaway Golf is supporting the Ovarian Cancer Foundation with a number of items for sale. From drivers to towels, all with the familiar ribbon, but in teal not pink. Here is the site for the towels: http://www.callawaygolf.com/Global/en-US/Products/Accessories/C.G.Collection/LimitedEditionPlayersTowel.html Really classy looking.
As I read farther along in this article I see that L'Oreal has a new makeup line called Color of Hope Makeup. $2 per sale will go to ovarian cancer research.
Sorry to be so far behind, however there it is. Love it when shopping dovetails with a great cause!

Work For The Correct Food

Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the son of man will give you. John 6:27

This weekend the spouse and I played in a couples golf tournament. We were paired with a couple we had not previously met and were expected to "work" together to win the prize. It turned out we were a good team. When one of us faltered the other three picked up the load and carried on. We matched weakness with strengths, with laughter, understanding, and you know what we won!
Now winning a golf tournament is not something that is going to help us too far along the path towards eternal life. But the use of team work sure will. We used all the positive qualities and abilities God has given us to achieve a goal. We can take this same pattern and use it for much bigger things.
How beautiful if we would all pull together to work for the "food that endures". Jesus says that that work is "to believe in the one he has sent". If you are finding it hard to work alone on this job, then find a group. Get yourself a team. Join your seeking with others, the work is easier and certainly more joyous.

Prayer Friday Ephesians 4:3

Make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:3



Thank you to wayfarerjon at http://walking-with-father.blogspot.com/ for the reminder of this verse. His story will lead us into our weekly prayer.

Loving Creator, Living Christ, Bold and Caring Holy Spirit,

Thank you for all the blessings that have flowed into my life this week and every week. I am sure I have not noticed many because I was too busy or inattentive to recognize them. But they are there.

I want so much to keep the bond of peace alive in my life at every breath. I know it starts with me. Help me do nothing to endanger the love that should and can flow between and in all of your creation.

I believe in the Living Christ and the Body of Christ. I will do no harm. I will look for those you have put in my life to help keep the unity. I will make every effort to guard my mind and my mouth from doing anything to upset the Peace beyond all understanding.

Amen

Manna

"I will rain down bread from heaven for you. Exodus 16:4

I really know in my heart of hearts God gives us just the right amount of direction, blessings and love we need each day. More than we ever pay attention to or grasp. Look for your manna today, all day.
Here are three cooking sites I think look really good and fun. (Don't tell my husband, or he might expect me to cook instead of being on the course!) Actually, I have some yellow squash on the stove right now, being steamed for a dish.
www.cookwithme.today.com
www.peanutbutterandjulie.typepad.com
www.cookingwithanne.blogspot.com
ENJOY !!

Sorry On My Lips, But In My Heart?

Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. Proverbs 22:17-18

Yesterday's golf format was a Scotch twosome. You and your partner each hit drives, then you pick the best one to play and alternate shots until you have putted out. My partner and I weren't having one of our best performances on the course. We had one spectacular hole, but that was about it. The two fun ladies with whom we played were in the same boat. All of us hit some beautiful shots, plus some very poor ones. Nothing is worse than messing up your partner's great shot with a really stinky follow up. I did it more than once. If the four of us said "I'm sorry" once, we said it fifty times. Finally, we all agreed to quit saying it. We knew we were sorry, and we were sure equal in the times we needed to pass the apology back and forth.
Three things came to mind later as I was thinking about the day.
One, how routine it became to say that phrase in the short time we played. How easy it was to say... ready on our lips. We really felt badly, wanted our partner to know it, and deep down were embarrassed and wanted to be forgiven.
Two, the apologies were for such a little thing in the big picture of our lives. I am really good at saying I am sorry over these little inconsequential golf shots. Good grief it wasn't for big bucks like the pros play for! Why is it so easy to say "I'm sorry" over the little things, not the big ones, if it is right there on our lips? Maybe I don't have the real ideal of forgiveness far enough down in my heart to be able to quickly apologise for my big mistakes.
Three, when you start really paying attention to a "saying of the wise" it is amazing how often it crops up in your life. Chances to apply it. We have been pondering forgiveness here for a while. Now I see it in little happenstances, like on the golf course, and in telephone calls from an old school chum who called this week to apologise for an occurrence that happened years ago.
The deeper in my heart I put the will of God, the more I let God's will work on me, the quicker it travels from my heart to my lips. How about you?

Waiting To Play The Course Psalm 130:5

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope. Psalm 130:5

There they are, all lined up waiting to be put on the carts, so they can play the course. I love to see the bags of the other golfers. Some so generic, some all fancied up. Of course they are not of much good until their player comes along and uses them. Just sitting there, looking cute.

What am I doing? Do I just sit around waiting for the Lord to come? Maybe not looking cute, but maybe...useless. Don't get me wrong, I love this verse, I believe this verse. My soul does wait, I wait. But are we just supposed to sit there?

I don't think so. I think along with the waiting we are here to be used, to be "played". Sometimes I get wrapped up in the waiting for God to show me something big that needs to be done. I forget that all the things I think of as little everyday duties or routines that are not so important, really are important. I need to remind myself that all the small "niceties" I do for others are a show of love and concern. A glass of water fetched, a sock picked up...a prayer said.

This week, while our souls wait, let's be mindful that every act of kindness we do for another is an act of love for one of God's creations. You have no one to help? You are laid up in that chair or bed? How about some prayers for your neighbors, helpers, our country, thank you for the birds, the sun, the air you breathe?

Let's wait for the Lord, let's put all our hope in his word. Let's let him play us while we wait.

9/11 Forgiveness

Do not be over come by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21

Too rainy to play golf this morning so I took my coffee to the front porch to sit and think.

9/11...forgiveness...9/11...forgiveness. How far have I come since that morning of nine-eleven? This summer I was privileged to stand in the Pentagon office where the airplane came diving in. It was one of the most...I don't know the right word to put here...no word can tell you what I felt. Just picture yourself there and I think you will find the word. Have I forgiven? Those pilots had such crippled egos, such warped senses of who God is. God is the judge, not me. I am told to forgive. I pray. How far along the path of forgiveness are you?

This is where I need the Holy Spirit to lead. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. Romans 8:26. Lord help me to forgive. Help me to repay evil with good.

Scattering Among Your Neighbors

Love does no harm to its neighbors. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. Romans 13:10

My friend Judy and I were playing a twosome the other day and I brought my camera along. We had our usual fun and laughs, a little serious talk, and some conversation about applying Bible study to our everyday walk. I always come away from time spent with her with such a lovely feeling of peace and friendship. Real "you can talk about anything" friendship. She makes it easy to love your neighbor.

The picture above could be used for all sorts of Bible truths and stories. For Jesus talking about scattering seeds over the ground, or Old Testament stories about grain and planting. I have a better picture for those on another day. This sign is guiding us to drive the golf carts into grass that is not so worn. Scatter into other areas that have not been so well traveled.

It is usually pretty easy to love your family and those friends you choose to keep close around. OK, not always, but usually. However, what about our neighbors that are strangers, or those folks that look at first glance to be unlovable? How do we start, in a first step sort of way, to love these people as ourselves?

How about the step mentioned in today's verse from Romans...do no harm. Maybe you cannot, yet, find it in your heart to let them into your closest confidence, nor greet them with open arms. How about just doing away with the negative thoughts you might harbor about them, how about not joining in the talk about them, how about giving them the benefit of the doubt. Start with do no harm, then work up to doing something good for them. A smile, a kind word, a help. The type of love Paul is talking about is agape. A service, helping kind of love.

Scatter among your neighbors, near and far, and bring a helping kind of love. God revealed love through Christ, you and I reveal Christ's love through our actions. Scatter love, please, into some new paths not so well worn.

Prayer Friday

The God of peace be with you all. Amen. Romans 15:33

Most Loving Creator, Living Christ, Guiding Holy Spirit,

Thank you for blessing me with this day. Thank you for the many people you have put in my life to love. Thank you for the time to pray and enjoy your creation.
Lord, let me be ever mindful this week of living in and spreading your peace. I was made in your image and you are the peace and love of creation. In every conversation, in every action, in every thought lead me deeper and deeper into your peace.
Amen

Still Trying

Still Loving the Neighbor !!

You know when you sincerely start to work on this it is really hard, and I hate to admit that. It hurts to admit you are having trouble with a direction from Christ that sounds so Christian-like. So basic. I always try to start these soul searching, walk the path improvements close to home. Family, then start practicing the "walk your talk" with your closest friends, then spread out to notice the people around you as you do your daily errands, work your job, commute. Then take it to the people outside your "beltway".
I am about politic-ed out. Two more nights of the second convention, plus all the hype and too many talking-head discussions. This is where loving your neighbor really gets hard. When will we learn we have one nation to love and take care of, protect and serve? Not divide and win, pull down and stomp on. How do I love (either side) people that look for the most damaging information they can find, just to use it to take someone else down. Where is forgiveness, patience, just plain old civility?
I know it starts with me. I need to overlook, forgive, realize these are egos vastly out of whack. Crippled egos that are not looking for guidance from the Holy Spirit. I need to look at these people as children of God, God's creations that God loves. Try to love them with Christlike love. I am really trying, but this is difficult. Only prayer and constant reminder of God's love for all will keep me trying to see past the horrible things that are being done in the cause of winning an election.

Prayer Friday

There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you-who are you to judge your neighbor? James 4:12

Loving Creator, Living Christ, Guiding Holy Spirit...
Thank you for the air I breathe and the ability to breathe it. I thank you, for I am alive and well because you desire me to be here and love. Thank you for all your children you put in my life this week. For the chance to look for the Living Christ in their eyes.
Lord forgive me for the times I relied on my quick judgement to make decisions and take action this week.
Lord I ask for help in the time to come. Please help me to see my neighbors in your light, not in my judgemental sight. Only you know the deepest secrets of their hearts, I do not.

Once Again With the Love Your Neighbor

...love your neighbor as yourself. Leviticus 19:18

Played golf yesterday for the third time since the summer travels. One of our Thursday group won the day's event. It was as much fun to have her win, as it would have been if I had won. She said it had been a number of years since she had taken that specific prize. Good going, friend!
As I think about the various threesomes and foursomes that played, it was a very mixed group of people. Religiously, economically, politically, ages, each one different. Some people paired together are so happy to get to play with each other. Some groups have a little tension, maybe a past hurt or slight, former misunderstandings or embarrassment over different skill levels. So how do you bring "love for your neighbor" into one of these groups? How do we bring our peace and calm into the situation?
I have noticed that usually during the round of golf there is a spot of laughter, a little smile, a time when one player sincerely compliments the other on a good shot. Maybe, these are little openings where the path to love your neighbor can start. Maybe it starts with one little step towards sharing a good moment, one little space of time where we can let down our guard and bring a little peace to the situation. Hopefully that one "piece of peace" can grow into a longer space of getting along, into a step towards understanding that we are all God's children.
I hope so. I have faith that that is what we are supposed to do. I will still work on it.

Uproot and Plant

a time to plant and a time to uproot, Ecclesiastes 3:2

Sometimes you can get by with pruning a little bit. However, when you know something is really dead you have to dig it up. Painful and sad, but, you have to do it. Sometimes it takes a long time, a lifetime, sometimes a couple of hours.

When you are landscaping your interior spiritual life, do you start by pruning the little things or do you go right to the pic-ax? What are we going to clean out today?

We must be sure to clean up the ground so we can plant a new seed.

Fellowship

Let us not give up meeting together,... Hebrews10:25

Yesterday I had beautiful and blessed fellowship in the mountains about two hours from this desert valley. A very dear couple, who happen to be retired ministers, invited me to tag along with them to meet and study with another retired minister in Hill Top, NM. What a treat and joy. We spent about two hours discussing two articles from the publication "Weavings" and some time at lunch.
One of the questions posed was do we put more of our attention into private prayer and meditation or sharing our time in fellowship. To which do we feel more drawn? I guess we need to be equal as we are called to do both. However, I had to say I am much more drawn to quiet, private study, to the still moments of prayer and meditation.
On rethinking this this morning, I believe I need to balance the two a bit better. Not lessen my private time, by make more time for group fellowship. Develop a deeper appreciation for get togethers in the Body of Christ.

Prayer Friday

Each one should test his own actions. Galatians 6:4

Loving Creator, Living Christ
Thank you for the many blessings and graces received. Thank you for the breath you supply me, for vision and love.
Lord, as I walk this week please guide me to look at every thought I think, word I speak, and action I take. Let me be aware of my thoughts so that I can remove the negative hurtful ones and replace them with seeds of your love. Let only words of love and sweetness come out of my mouth. Guide my every action to do no harm.
Bless the children of God that read these pages. May we be aware we live in your love and light.
All God's children say, AMEN

Consistent Golf

And we,...are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2Corinthians 3:18

Golf again today with my Thursday buddies. We had a jolly time of it. My name is consistency, had the same score as Tuesday. Not the same configuration of nine hole scores, but they still added up to the same total. I think I am a pretty consistent person, never too far off the path from yesterday. My devotional practices are pretty predictable, same pattern as yesterday, do it again tomorrow.
Yet in my life I can see where this consistency is leading to a transformation. I am not the same person I was when I started my faith walk. It seems the Holy Spirit takes you where you are and leads you deeper and deeper along the path. So where my golf stays the same, my life gets closer and closer to my Creator. Consistency in my prayer and devotional life lead to big changes.
Maybe I should be a little more consistent with my use of the practice range at the golf course.

Live A Life Of Love

Be imitators of love, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us...Ephesians 5:2

I did it and all is well. After 7 weeks of no golf I was back on the course yesterday and it was great. Better score than I expected to post, beautiful day, a fun format for some team play and a really gracious group with which to play.
I guess gracious sounds like a funny word to apply to a golf foresome, but golf can be a gracious and polite sport. When you are a young tike learning to play, part of the lessons always involve golf etiquette. How to treat the course, how to comport yourself on the course. From the beginning you are taught to stand still and be quiet when someone else is hitting the ball, don't step on the green in the line between your opponents ball and the hole, the golfer with the farthest distance to the whole hits next. In friendly, weekly golf matches some rules are put aside in the effort for speedier play; ready-up golf so to speak, but only after everyone agrees on it. Many rules are sort of a do unto others type thing. You don't want people yelling while you are trying to concentrate on a birdy putt, you don't want a big foot print in the green to throw your ball off line...so on and so forth.
I was reminded this morning in my devotional time that there is a difference between living in the Kingdom and living in the real, natural world. I am one that believes that the Kingdom is here, all around us. That there is a way to live my life that is closer to the Kingdom, than if I just do exactly what my ego tells me to do. Seems to me that Ephesians 4:17 through 5:21 makes for a great rule and etiquette book on how to live closer to the kingdom and how to live a "life of love".
Like new golfers we need to have a guideline on how to play the game so as to enjoy it and then spread the joy. We have to start small and try to remember one "rule" at a time.
Go ahead, reread these verses and pick one to start on today. I'm working on 4: 32...Be kind and compassionate to one another...I'm going to mindfully try to "do no harm". Be a blessing to someone today. Let me know how it goes.

Self Righteous Forgiveness

...forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

In golf, after you hit a crummy shot that lands 42 yards to the left of your target in the bushes covered with prickly things, you are supposed to shake it off and forget it. Don't let it bother you or it will affect your next shot. I noticed in many of the Olympic events the commentators saying "so-in-so" gymnast/swimmer/runner should forget some error in their performance and get on with it. Forgive your self for the mistake and go on. Forgive and forget.
I have been spending a lot of time in my prayer chair lately doing the forgive and forget thing. I heard a sermon not long ago on the Lord's Prayer and the part on forgiveness. "Forgive as..." I think all Pastors preach on that now and again. So I have been forgiving right and left. Little slights, big earth shattering hurts, heartbreaking hurts, bringing up memories and making lists. Forgiving everybody for everything. Boy, did I feel good.
This morning something I read triggered my spirit to show me how self righteous I had become about my forgiving. I seemed to have left out a huge part of this process. Whom did I need to ask to forgive me. I have been so wrapped up in my forgiving and forgetting, I forgot to make a list of those I have hurt, slighted, ignored or just plain been mean to. Bet I can tell you right now which list will be longer !!
Now, I am not belittling the time I spent in my chair praying for the Holy Spirit to help me forgive and forget with Christ's love in my heart. No siree. I really know with the help of the Spirit I have come a long way in putting the past behind me. But I have been so one side these last few days.
Back to the chair to look into my heart for those situations I need to lay bare and put before the Throne. Thank you Creator, that you forgive and forget, help me be honest in my plea for forgiveness and bless those that forgive me.

Thessalonians

give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1Thessalonians 5:18



Oh my what a beautiful day! First it rained in the middle of the night for over an hour. Hard and heavy, cool winds, big puddles, just what the desert needs now and then. Second, first time we had a chance to hear the new Pastor at our church. Sounds as if he is able to tell the stories of the Bible in a strong, storytelling voice and then back them up with practical application. God first, last and always. I have not yet met him, as we were out of town and then he took off. Looking forward to it though.

Then we took ourselves to the practice range at the course to see if I can handle a swing yet. Good news is I can. So Tuesday I'll be back with the girls teeing off at 8 AM. Cannot wait. Course there maybe some asprin in the intervening hours.

So thanks are given up for rain, a healing back, and a new Pastor to get to know. Big things and little things, all God given and arranged.

Prayer Friday

Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. 1Samuel 1:13

Loving Creator, Living Christ
Teach me to pray in my heart at all times. Teach me to pray continually not just at moments when I think I need something.
You give me every breath I take, may I give it back to you in prayer.
Today may I please see you in all my brothers and sisters. May I love with your love and forgive with your forgiveness.
Thank you for the Holy Spirit you have sent to guide me. May I be open and listen and watch. May I know and follow your will for my life today.
Through Jesus, AMEN

In the Presence

May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. John 17:21

That is my intention today. Christ expects me to be in Them today, so today I am going to stay in this awareness of Them. That means living this day in Love. No dwelling in the past, no grudges, no worry about tomorrow. Walk my talk, practice what I read and believe. Act in love not react in judgement. One breath at a time, be aware of the Love in the Trinity.
Breathe with me today. OK?

When the Tree Blooms, Then What?

Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. Isaiah 35:1-2

OK, so it's not a picture of a crocus. It does, however, show how the desert and parched land can be glad when rain comes!

It's not an almond tree either. This morning I was reminded in my reading of St. Francis confronting the almond tree.

When we burst out of our wilderness and blossom, we rejoice and feel great joy. When the Holy Spirit leads me deep into a truth, I feel so good and warm and lovely. But how do I show my flower, my blossom? I spent some time this morning in my prayer chair with this question.

My blossom will turn into fruit, unless I only bloom superficially.

I've studied the fruits of the spirit before...Galatians 5:22-23...love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Today, though, I touched them in another place. I need to see the blossoms on other brothers and sisters. I need to look at the blooms on others so I can see them on me. We bloom together; almond trees, crocuses, roses, cow cacti. Me, you, us. I am going to look all day for the goodness blooming on everyone God puts in my path. Then they will see it burst forth on me.

New Friend

Please check out www.jeffbakertalks.blogspot.com . His last post is ... cannot think of a perfect word here. Go read it and you tell me the perfect word!

Martha and Mary

"Martha, Martha" the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the better part, and it will not be taken away from her."

I still cannot play golf!! My back is slowly getting back in shape, but it is going to be at least next week before I will be able to try to swing a club. On the good side, no big housework tasks can be taken on either, just small ones. This forced down time has got me really missing my golf buddies. Two of my golfing sisters are going though some rough times right now. One with her daughter's health and one over her aging father. I wish I could be right in the middle of it helping them in some practical way. I know the two of them are wishing they could do something to "fix" their loved ones. We are all three good Marthas. We do good work, we are helpers, fixers, doers.
I did too much on my trip and did too much when I tried to move something 30 minutes after driving 950 miles in 13 1/2 hours. Now I have time to do nothing. Not really. Now is my Mary time. I have spent a week and two days reading, meditating, praying, getting my thoughts and priorities straighten out. I see so much ego-will in the last two months, not enough of God's will. I see too many of my fixes, not enough of God's.
My back pain will go away, it will heal. I will be physically healthy soon. But, more importantly, I have something better, something that cannot be taken away. I am deeper into my walk. I am slowed and mindful of the moments. I can "do" something very special for my two golf buddies. I can hold them in God's love through prayer. I can hold them in my heart and let the Holy Spirit take it where it where it is supposed to go.

Prayer Friday

he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Matthew 14:23

Living Christ
Way to salvation
Thank you for sending the Holy Spirit
Please guide me into a closer fellowship and walk with you today
I pray I remain aware of walking every step in your shadow
That I remember that I live in God's very breath
I want to recognize and do your will for me not mine
Please guide me so that my light will shine for you today

Pain In The Back

Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. Job 5:17



Cannot play golf today because my back is having spasms. I strained it last week leaning over to move something heavy out of the way. I know I made my back vulnerable by driving over 7,000 miles in four weeks. All that sitting and the stress that settles in your lower back can only cause you problems.

Now, I didn't chose that Bible passage because I think that God smote me in the back. I think the Creator fashioned this human body I live in and God made it so that, with the choices of free will, I can take care of it or harm it. My pain is the indication that I did not treat it well. Same with my life. If I make the wrong choices, I usually see it in some form and level of discomfort.

God corrects me by letting me feel some pain. I do not despise the pain in my back. I am relaxing it and stretching it out in a swimming pool. The Creator pulls me back with some discomfort, yet leads me to lay down the stress or problem and rest.

The quest is to live here on earth trusting that my Creator wants me feeling peace and joy and comfort. As the rest of the passage goes: his hands also heal.

Garment of Praise

...and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Isaiah 61:3

I try to never miss a day checking in on Lorna at see-through faith. She is an inspiration to me and always makes me think, stretches me. This morning she is talking about praise. Too much, not enough, good reading. I thought about the friends with whom I play golf. One, I have played with for a long time, praises every shot even before it gets off the ground. I mean immediately. She has no idea where it will go, if it is going to end up in the sand, fairway, rough, on the green. She does not take the time to see any results, you just hear her say "Good shot". Needless to say it becomes a phrase you tune out. On the other end of the continuum, is another player that never, and I mean never, praises you on a shot. I could hit a hole in one and she would not open her mouth to compliment the shot. Too much, too little, none at all...what is praise anyway?
To me praise is showing that I appreciated the gift or talent another has received from our Creator. It is a way to bring love into the world. If a child or grandchild has made an A on a spelling test, your praise is an acknowledgement that God has given this person an intelligent brain and memory, or perseverance to learn something. If a friend can take apart an engine and put it back to gather, that is a praise situation. A good golf shot shows practice and good muscle memory. God gives us gifts and talents and the ability to see them in others. Use that recognition as a way to praise God by praising your friends, family and anyone else.
Isaiah said that the spirit of the Lord was on him to bestow a garment of praise on those who were grieving in Zion. So like Isaiah's gift, put on a garment of praise and let it shine. Bask in the praise of others and hand out that praise that is deserved. You are thanking God for the blessings, gifts and talents that you can recognize. When you praise God's creations you are praising God.
Have a blessed day in Vancouver, you know who you are.

Home Course

Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Proverbs 4:25

Hey friends, I'm back!! Safely drove around 7,620 miles. We saw so much of this beautiful country and had contact with so many beautiful souls. I know we are supposed to be in hard times, however, almost every gas station and motel were busy. Restaurants had diners, store parking lots were full and golf courses had players. Amazing how I did this with my eyes directly straight ahead, on the road all the time. Well, maybe I peeked over now and then.
We saw some really interesting golf courses as we flew by, didn't have time to stop at any. Courses where the grass was so green because of all this years rain in parts of the country, others that were brown and dry as a bone. Hilly ones, flat ones, some with lots of trees, some with none. All a home course to someone. I'll be so glad to play my home course next week for the first time in about four weeks.
Yes, we are to keep our eyes looking straight ahead, focused on the Jesus way to the Kingdom, but that path goes through an amazingly beautiful place. God's created world and its people are diverse and beautiful, don't miss that on your walk. Look straight and directly at all the good and beauty around you. Enjoy it and praise the Creator that you are walking through it. Enjoy your home course.

Time To Love

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven; Ecclesiastes 3:1

Time. My internal clock is so out of whack right now. On our trip we have crossed three time zones so many times, it makes your head spin. Mountain, central, eastern, central, mountain. Yesterday my sister and I found ourselves parked in front of a store that wouldn't open for an hour. This morning everyone in this house was awake at 4am; three dogs and three humans were all out of bed by 5:15. We are early risers, but this is ridiculous! Makes you wonder...which time zone is "God's time"? Is daylight savings central time zone the real one? Summer time or winter time, before the last week in April or is it the first Sunday ???? Is it 7:02am or 6:o2? Help.
Nice to know that at a time of confusion such at this I can go to good old Ecclesiastes 3. It doesn't matter what time the clock shows, it is all God's time. Right now God has given us time to share love. Three humans, three dogs, 5:30am, assembled on the sun porch, coffee in hand, anticipating a glorious sunrise, appreciating each other. God blessed us with the extra time this morning to laugh and to enjoy. God blessed us this morning with a memory to keep when things settle down, when the trip time is over, for when we are miles apart and miss each other.

Home

The name of the Lord is a strong tower. A righteous person runs to it and is safe. Proverbs 18:10

Home to the towering mountains of southern New Mexico for a week and then back on the road. My sister and I started in Missouri, traveled to New York, then down to Florida, and across to New Mexico. We will head back to Missouri Sunday. I will be there a week with two of the grandsons and then back here. What a lot of travel and time away from home. It could not be done without the blessings and goodwill of my spouse. He understands the need for my sister and I to spend time together and for the family visits along the way. God bless him.

We have been kept safe on this journey by the many prayers of friends and family. Like a strong tower with a light sweeping out to follow us, God has had us in His sight the whole trip.

Pick A Psalm

Hear, O Lord, my righteous plea; listen to my cry. Psalm 17:1

OK, so I miss calculated on the days to go through Psalm 16! Pick another Psalm and continue until I get back, I am going to!

Psalm 16:11

You have made know to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11

Am I aware that I am always in the Presence?

Psalm 16:10

because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. Psalm 16:10

Do I believe God's promises?

Psalm 16:9

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, Psalm 16:9

Show your joy all day to everyone!

Psalm 16:8

I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:8

What do I let shake me?

Pslam 16:7

I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. Psalm 16:7

Do I praise or do I ask? Do I listen to my heart?

Psalm 16:6

The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. Psalm 16:6

Do I spread my inheritance or keep it to tight to my chest?

Psalm 16:5

Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. Psalm 16:5

Am I grateful?

Psalm 16:4

The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods. I will not pour out their libations of blood or take up their names on my lips. Psalm 16:4

Do I have other Gods?

Psalm 16:3

As for the Saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight. Psalm 16:3

How great is it to be God's delight? His light?

Psalm 16:2

I said to the Lord, "you are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing." Psalm 16:2

Is this not the truest statement we can make?

Keep Me Safe

Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge. Psalm 16:1

Back and gone again!! Wedding was beautiful. Any rough spots that were anticipated did not occur. It was truly a blessed occasion.
My sister and I take a "Wally World" trip each summer. As we live in different states this is our one chance to spend quality time with each other. We drive more miles than I want to say to visit family and friends. We are blessed to be able to do this each year. I will be away from the blog until June 14th. I know I will really miss it.
While I am gone, please reread the old postings, click on the hunger site, visit my friends over there on the right who will be around.
Maybe in this away time we could study and pray on Psalm 16. It has 11 verses and that just about covers the days. Tell you what...I'll go ahead and write one for each day, then schedule the postings. Then we can do it together, me on the road and you here. It is a beautiful Psalm with much to pray over and on which to meditate.
God bless you while I am gone and please keep me in your prayers.

Please Click

A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presenceof the great. Proverbs 18:16



June is Survior Month on the Breast Cancer site. Please go over to the right of this blogsite and click on the Hunger button, it will take you to the site where you can click the tab for Breast Cancer. Last I looked they had 54.8% of the clicks they need to get a $10,000 donation for free mammograms. It is all free, so visit the other organizations also. Thank you.

Love Your Neighbor

"Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:18

We will be leaving in the morning to attend the wedding of the daughter of my oldest and dearest friend. (Don't mean she is oldest in age...longest in friendship...she might get upset if she read it wrong!!) So I was thinking what would be good advice for a couple starting out on what I pray will be the long road of marriage. I cannot think of better than Leviticus 19:18.
Andrea and Patrick, if you really consider it, beginning Saturday you will be each others closest neighbor. Closer than those folks next door or the ones across the street. You will be each others "people". So treat each other with love and respect, let those little moments of irritation go. When you look at each other see yourself in their eyes. Treat each other as the thought of our Creator that you are. We were made to love, so love.
Love to both of you and may God bless you and yours forever and ever.

Relax in The Presence

...and made him glad with the joy of your presence. Psalm 21:6

Two days of golf and I am done in. Hot, tired, stiff and very, very happy. The last two days I played with 6 of the nicest ladies I have ever played with. Funny and laid back. When I am in the presence of such nice people it makes my golf better. I was so relaxed and at ease, I couldn't help but play better golf. My swing was easy, I wasn't tense on my putts, it was like a dream. That is not to say my usual group is not fun nor nice, they are both. However, you tend to take that for granted and that is not right. I should never forget to always appreciate the regular weekly play group.
God blessed David and gave him joy in his presence. That's the way we should live every moment, blessed with the joy of being in the presence of our Creator. I tend to take that for granted, also. I forget how relaxed and peaceful it is to really be aware of God's presence. I get too busy, to focused on something else. Then I loose my peace, my calmness. But, you know the best part, God is always there waiting for us to wise up, waiting for us to remember where we are and in whose presence we are. Always there to fill us with peace and love. I will stop and remember that now.

Kepp Us Safe

Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge. Paslm 16:1

Headed north in a few hours to play in a golf tournament tomorrow. Happy Father's Day to all you Dads. Dad's remember in your weakness is your strength. When your heart melts over the laughter of your child, your love wells up and bursts through. Use that strength, the strong flowing of love to guide those children. Children, thank your father for all the hours of hard work he has put into raising and caring for you.
For those of us whose fathers have passed on, may their souls be in the refuge of our God.
My last conversation with my Dad was about golf. Yep, believe it or not it was. He was at home and I called to tell him of some feat I had accomplished on the course. He thought it was so funny he called me back in about an hour to make me tell him again. One time he took me out on our home course to a grove of trees on the fourth fairway. He taught me a shot to get out of those trees. He said if I was always going to hit into trees I might as well know how to get out from under them. I still get under trees and I think of him every time I hit a low shot out!

Prayer Friday

I thank my God every time I remember you. Philippians 1:3

Most Gracious and Loving Creator, thank you for the bounty of your love, for the blessings you have showered on us this week and for the blessings that are already waiting for today and the week to come. We are in awe that all our needs are taken care of already, we want not when we are in your care.
Please help us learn to live in your kingdom, in eternity, in Your All. We forget so easily and try to live in the past or the future, not in the present. Help us shed our egos and listen to your will for us.
Please help us listen, also, for the cry of our bothers and sisters who are hurt, scared, worried and lost so we can be your light to shine on them. We are your creation, yet we separate ourselves from each other. Help us see each other as yours. Guide us back to you and teach us to truly love one another.
As one we ask these things in the spirit, through Christ our Lord, AMEN

Treasures Here or There

Do not store up for yourself treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. Matthew 6:19

There was a fire today. A house on the golf course went up as we played past. I mean on one hole workman were on the roof, on the next hole it was burning, by the next it was obvious it was not to be saved. So sad to think that this family lost their home so quickly. I cannot get over how fast it was.
No other reminder is so clear as a house fire. Our treasures here in this world can go in a heart beat. Treasure love and family and friends. Treasure your walk with the Lord. Treasure the gift of the Holy Spirit. My heart goes out to these people, I pray that their real treasure was already planted in the kingdom of heaven not the kingdom of earth.

Seek The Kingdom

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

OK, so how do you seek the kingdom at the golf course? How do you see the kingdom at the golf course? Can you find the kingdom at the golf course? Is the kingdom at the golf course?
You drive through the gate, use the big parking lot of asphalt to park the car. Pass through the entrance hall, go down the steps next to the dining room, then around the corner into the locker room, get your golf shoes on and then proceed to the pro shop. Now, get the cart with your clubs, go to the hill where the practice range is, loosen up by hitting some shots with your seven iron. Back in the cart, ride to the first tee, play your round of golf. Finish round, back to the pro shop to record your score, locker room, shoes off, dining room, lunch, parking lot, car, home.
So where is this kingdom in all of this? How do I see it, find it?
You could substitute grocery store, school, office, church, movies, restaurant, anything you want for golf course. So how do you see it? I can only tell you how I have started trying. The key to me is in the next chapter of Matthew, 7:3-4. I have to get the plank out of my eye so I can see. My plank is my ego. The kingdom is where God rules, not my self will or big ego. God's rule is love. I need to start seeing all the places I go, situations I am in, people I am around, through eyes that are clear. Eyes that see with love. All acts I perform need to be done in loving kindness. The more I see with eyes of love, the more I do with loving kindness, the closer I get to perceiving the world around me as the Kingdom of God. God's rule without the interference of me, me, me and my will.
It is slow work, but with the help of the Holy Spirit who is always there, it can be done. It will be done.

Kiva

Let nothing be wasted. John 6:12



When Jesus feed the 5,000 Andrew worried "...how far will they go among so many?". Jesus showed how a little can go so far to help. In my reading I came across an opportunity for giving that can start with as little as $25, yet does so much when joined with others. http://www.kiva.org/. You will notice the new link over to the right. If you feel so inclined please look over their site. Kiva works with carefully vetted third-party field agents. As with any charity, read it all before you decide to give. I just thought this site looked promising.

Dancing Carts

...hide me in the shadow of your wings... Psalm 17:8

When you live in the desert of the southwest you get used to sunny skies. As I look around me on this hilltop this morning there are maybe three or four puffy little clouds in the whole sky. It is funny on the golf course to watch the dance of the golf carts. That's what I call the scurry and maneuvering of the the cart drivers to find shade. Going from shot to shot, carts pull into the closest shade they can find. Sometimes it is just a pee wee suggestion of a shadow. Hard to find places of comfort and relief.
We are blessed that our Creator has big wide wings under which we can find peace and relief. Whether we are looking for a place to hide from "the wicked who assail me", or a loving embrace, it is always there. However, you need to look for it. You must seek it out and then put your attention and intention on the presence in which you find yourself. Give your mind, body and spirit over to the safety of the shadow.
If you have trouble finding this shadow of peace and comfort, start with centering prayer. Go to the site over under Links called Contemplative Outreach and click on the information it gives you on centering prayer.
Let's spend this day walking under the shadow of God's wings, always mindful of being in the apple of our Creator's eye.

Prayer Friday

Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 2Peter 1:2

Gracious and loving Creator, we thank you for all of the blessings and graces you have poured out on us this week. We know that every breath we take we take because you give it to us. You are our ground and our air. Thank you for forgiving us when we stray away from that knowledge. Help us stay in the awareness of you all the time, we seem to have a problem doing that.
Lord, don't let us be a stumbling block to those you put in our path. Let us recognize them as a gift from you. Remind us that we are all the same, made of the same, body, mind and spirit.
Let us be generous with the gifts you have given us. Let our every thought be one of love and kindness.
Help us forgive as we are forgiven.
We are yours and you are ours, we are blessed in that.
Holy Spirit please take our prayers through Christ, Amen
Please feel free to add your prayers in the comments. If you have requests, I will be happy to add your prayers to mine and take them to my prayer group.

Cleaning Out The Never Ending Dust

How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! Psalm 133:1

No golf today. The group is scattered and it is too windy anyway. Windy, windy, windy. That translates to dust, dust, dust.
Yeasterday I cleaned with a vengences. I mean I got into places that had been ignored for weeks... OK, months. I cleaned, threw out, put back what was left and then cleaned some more. Now you have to think of something while you clean, so I did some attitude cleaning. I took out some relationships, looked at the dirt that had accumalated around them, cleaned them up and then looked at them as new and shiny.
I don't find it easy to live in unity with my friends and family when there are rough edges or little dirty spots adhering to the surfaces. I know the relationships are good and clean and pure under the fuzzy stuff I let get in the way. So periodically I need to clear off the dirt and dust that has gotten in the way. Maybe dirt is too harsh a word, but I cannot think of another right now. Anyway, yesterday I sorted out a lot of thoughts in my mind that were getting in the way of love. Fortunately none of them were huge, just little spots that were not needed nor useful. As I did that I of course found that a lot of those spots were imaginary, of my own making.
Now today there is more wind and I can see a fine line of dust on some surfaces. But, as you get older and see the dust build up, you realize that it is a lot easier to clean when you first see it. Don't let that dust build, on your shelves or your relationships. Clean it all up. Then you can function in unity. In clean, pure love.

The Way Is Love

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." Isaiah 30:21

This is to be a busy week. Today I help a dear one set up for a member/guest golf tournament. Tomorrow is the tournament. I think this weekend we are having a visit from an old friend. I say "think" because he is on the road and said he might swing by our town. So, as I was sitting here doing my devotion and prayer I was a little preoccupied with the week's work. My devotion was primarily concerned with walking closer to Jesus, in the hands of the Holy Spirit. How do I let go of tension and worry and busy stuff... put the devotion to work?
As I put the dishes in the dish washer, pondering this question it became clear...I do it Jesus's way, and we know Jesus's Way is love. I realized I need to help make this tournament an opportunity for these lady golfers to have fun, fellowship, laughter. So every task I undertake needs to be done in love to shine love on the situation. Change the word task to gift.
I need to prepare the house and guest room for our friend so it will be filled with a feeling of welcome and love. So all tasks must be done in love and gratitude that we are available for our friend, who needs some unconditional love right now.
Let's walk this week, our hand in the hand of the Holy Spirit. Each task done in Jesus's love for the objective of shining love on the whole situation. Bet we will have a better week than last!

I Knew IT Would Be Beautiful

Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. Psalm 57:8



I knew it would be a beautiful day! The dogs started playing at 5:30 this morning. Waking me up as all three of them chased each other through the house. Barking and running as if they could just not keep the energy in. They were so joyful I couldn't get angry over the interrupted sleep. I just felt as if the day was starting out with fun, love and energy. Then the computer brought me an "I love You" message from the spouse far away in Florida.

THEN...I went to a site I love, but has been silent for oh, so long, and hallelujah there it was...a new posting. And it was about letting your soul sing out LOUD! Visit it at http://www.anewlifeemerging.blogspot.com.%20my/My day is just getting better and better by the moment.

I cannot wait to see what the Merciful one has put in front of me today. I know it will be joyous and probably noisy.

Support

My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. Psalm 63:8

Golf tees. When I was a little girl, just starting to play golf, golf tees were predictable little tools. White wood, 2 inches long, pointy on one end, scooped out top, holders for your ball to rest on when teeing off. They held up your ball so your driver could get better contact. No choice, white 2 inches, usually free in the pro shop. Need I tell you in this day and age we have revolutionized the little tee into a complicated utensil that can cost more than casual change ?? First they added color, then logos, or your name if you had that big of an ego. Then the material changed, plastic or some such polymer. The simple scooped round top now has prongs...three prongs or four. They are three inches long or an inch and a half. There are as many choices as there are choices in deodorants. Good grief. You should see me trying to get my ball to sit still on a three inch, three pronged tee in the wind. It is not a pretty sight. Still, you need the support under the ball to complete a successful drive. A sturdy foundation on which your ball can rest.

OK, I know you know where I am going with this. Praise be we have the strong right hand of our Creator to uphold us. It is ageless and does not change. Same now as when I was a little girl. My soul clings to to it and rests in its support. Thanks be to God.

Prayer Friday

I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer. Pslam 17:6

Today the smell of onions from the field down below is surrounding me as I write. I cannot see the onions fields from where I sit, but I know they are there by the essence of their odor.
My spouse left this morning for a short business trip, yet his "feel" is still here in the room with me. His essence is left behind to remind me of him.
When you pray know that the essence of that prayer is around you all day. Its "feel", its spirit and power is carried by the Holy Spirit through the heart of our Lord.
Mighty and Wondrous Creator, we are so blessed to be in your creation today. We praise and thank you for all you have given us, all you have taken away and all you have left with us. Please open our eyes, ears and hearts today so we can be aware of you at all times of the day. We want to live in your will. Thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit, who will not leave us. Please guide us to recognise those people you have put in our path today that need your love and help. We pray all of this in the name of our Christ, AMEN.

Essential Church

Let us not give up meeting together... Hebrews 10:25

The author of one of my favorite blogs, www.walkingwithfather , gave me a wonderful chance to ponder a very good question. If there was no Christian church in your area, what would be important to you in starting one up. I started thinking, what would I really miss not having? So I came up with my essentials: Risen Christ and Holy Spirit, prayer group, love and warmth shown to each other among gathers, Communion served weekly, outreach mission, a sermon and altar call, altar made easy for kneeling, music.
What about you? Let me know and go visit the Walker. He has a partial list for you to think about. Let him know what you think also. Even if you don't want to share, it is a good idea to mull over and his site is really good.
God bless you when you ponder (or mull if you are a better muller!).

Don't Lose It

Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. 2John 1:8

Yesterday I played in a golf tournament called the Orange Blossom Special. We had four player teams with the task of finishing the round with a ball marked with a large orange spot still in our possession. Each player had to substitute this special ball for their own every fourth hole. If you lost this ball your team was out of the major part of the competition. Talk about pressure! I mean we have water holes on this course people, desert terrain, sticker bushes, rabbit holes. You've seen nothing until you have seen 4 women over the age of...(OK that I won't tell, some of them read this blog!) wade into nasty water up to their shorts to find a stupid golf ball. Well, we finished the round with the orange ball, but we didn't win a reward. As Judy said, "we set our goal to low, we came in with the ball, but we forgot to score well with it"!
We came in with the ball, for one good reason...we protected it. We kept our eyes on it continually, we chased it down into difficult places, some of us didn't hit it too hard as we were afraid to hurt it.
In the passage above John is talking about losing what you have learned of God's truth to false teachers. Once God has led you to sense of peace and calm about a situation, or has helped you uncover an important truth through Bible study or a life lesson, protect it. Keep your eyes on it at all times so you don't lose it. If it starts to slip away from you chase it down in prayer and hold on to it in your heart.
We do it for a silly golf ball in a game. How much more important it is to do it for God's truth in real life.