Psalm 100

A psalm. For giving thanks.

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.

Worship the Lord with gladness;
come before him with joyful
songs.

Know that the Lord is God.

It is he who made us,
and not we are ourselves;
we are his people, the sheep of his
pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with
praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good
and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Congratulations! It's a...

When I left for my appointment this morning, I asked my husband, "Do you want to know if it's a boy or a girl?" He responded, "I'll be surprised!"

As the ultrasound technician moved the wand over my abdomen, I was amused with the irony of the situation. I was having an ultrasound this morning to locate any wayward gall stones in my abdomen, all in preparation for my surgery scheduled for Monday. I was chuckling at the thought that this was my first "real" ultrasound! I went through 4 pregnancies and births without ever having an ultrasound. Well, I take that back. I had a very brief ultrasound with my first son, but it was a total fluke. The doctor was testing out some new equipment and I happened to be an available belly. The woman using the equipment wasn't even quite sure about what she was doing, but I do recall catching a quick glimpse of what they said was our baby! These days pregnant woman have routine ultrasounds and actually see their babies before they hold them in their arms. I'll admit I'm a little sad I missed that cool part of technology when having my babies.

But this morning, there I was, having my ultrasound with a sense of awe and anticipation. I even asked if I could see the display screen... but was told it wasn't practical the way they had the room set up! I found myself thinking similar things an expectant mother would want to know; How many? How big? Does everything look okay?

At the conclusion of the exam, the technician was very clinical and of course wouldn't tell me anything she detected. She didn't offer a, "Congratulations, you're having a ....", but said in a rather matter-of-fact manner, that she'd send the ultrasound results to my surgeon. I felt a little disappointed. I was really hoping to leave the testing room with more information, anything...something.

But no. Looks like I really have to wait until Monday to get the results from the surgeon! Like my husband said, we're going to be surprised!

Savory Samplings

"O taste and see that the Lord is good." Psalm 34:8

This verse from the Bible hangs by my front door. It is part of a large picture that shows a bountiful fruit bowl in bright, appealing colors that invites the observer to have a taste.

The imagery of having a taste of the Lord's goodness--perhaps one of those small spoon-sized samplings one gets at Baskin & Robbins of an intriguing ice cream flavor--has always appealed to me. It conveys the notion that once you have a little taste, a savory sample, a nibble if you will, you'll get hooked and want more, coming back, sampling larger portions each time, creating an insatiable appetite for Him.

I would say that my journey with the Lord began very much like that, entrusting Him with the little things of my life, experiencing just a taste of His goodness. Through the years as I've seen and experienced His care and faithfulness, grace, provision and direction, my trust and faith have continually grown. I entrust more of myself and my life to Him with assurance that He is more than able, and much more capable, of directing my life than I am! The more I trust Him, the more I see Him at work, the more I see His power and sovereignty. It keeps me coming back and asking for more!

Recently, God has been overwhelming me with His power, faithfulness, grace and sovereignty. I'm not just experiencing a taste of God's goodness, but a whole banquet. The abundant portions of blessings, answered prayers, direction and encouragement, are almost indigestible! He has brought about so many amazing things all in a two week period! I'm nearly exhausted. I'm filled with so much gratitude, and such a keen awareness of a powerful God meeting me on such a personal level. And not only for me, but for my family.

Here's a small sampling of what has been served:

A new home. We had stopped looking and resigned ourselves to staying put for the next school year. God plopped this house in our lap through some dear friends who are moving into a new home. We didn't even know they were moving! Same school district, same commute, same everything--we'll be moving mid-August and settled by the first of September!

The joy of sharing Christ and His gift of salvation with a dear young woman

Young men and woman "owning" their faith

Wise doctors and spare parts(!)

Long talks with adult children

Children filled with joy and compassion for others

2 new kittens

Thank you, Lord!
O, won't you join me and taste and see that the Lord is GOOD!

At My Age

Something I wasn't prepared for as I entered these "middle" years is how often I would hear the phrase, "at your age" or some derivative thereof.

For example, last time I went to the eye doctor for my vision exam, I was told, "at your age" it is common to need bi- or even tri-focals.

When I began putting on weight with no real change in eating habits, I read in my 'weight- management-in-your-40's' book that "at your age" metabolism slows and weight gain is common.

While reading my 'getting-rid-of-unwanted-weight-in-your-40's' book, it tells me that, "at your age" weight loss will be slow, so be happy with 1 pound a week...at the most!

Upon waking in the morning and feeling the need to move because my body aches all over from sleeping in one position too long, I remember hearing that this is somewhat normal 'at my age' .

When visiting the ER this past weekend for extreme abdominal pain, I was examined and tested for appendicitis. After all the test results and CT scan came back, the doctor proclaimed the good news was that I didn't have appendicitis, the "moderate" news was that I had a gall stone "attack" and from the looks of things, I have a sick gall bladder. Evidently this is quite common 'for my age', especially in females. He elaborated and said that "at my age" it would be good to have my gall bladder removed ASAP as there could be complications if I wait.

So, "at my age" I'm having surgery in a little over a week for something that seemingly a lot of people like me do at this age.

UGH! At my age, I still don't like these kinds of surprises.

Heavenly Impulses

You are probably like me and all too aware of the heartache, tragedy, hardships and trials going on around us in every day life. If one looks in their own life there are plenty to be had, and then as the circle expands to extended family, friends, church family, community, country and world...well, it is potentially overwhelming if we take it upon ourselves to be the ones to tend to all these issues. I'm thankful for a sovereign God who holds it all in His hand, all-powerful, all knowing, always present everywhere.

What I have been struck with recently, and have had the privilege to be a part of, is how God calls His "saints"--His followers--to join Him in being the giver of grace, love, help and comfort. He doesn't need us to to do these things, but He invites us to be a part of what He is doing, as a blessing to others and to us, and for our growth.

This morning I found myself singing parts of the hymn, "Take My Life and Let It Be". A couple of lines in particular have continued to stream through my brain,

Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of Thy love;
Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee.

As I have talked with family members and friends this week, I am reminded of how my life is blessed when others 'move at the impulse of [His] love, and how I am blessed when I am in tune with the Spirit and allow myself to be moved by this same impulse.

A few blog posts back, ("Safely Home"), I wrote about Elliot, the teenager who had been swept out to sea. Two of my children were there, along with several other friends who had gathered around the two teens left crying on the beach after losing their friend. This group of teens were 'moved at the impulse of God's love' to reach out to the friends and mother. Sure there was some hesitation on the kids to enter into that space and approach the two laying on the beach, crying. In fact, they almost didn't approach the two distraught teens because they didn't want to intrude, and there was a fair measure of awkwardness. This was clearly out of everyone's comfort zone. None had experienced anything like this before. But they felt compelled to ask if there was anything they could do. They gave comfort (as much as possible), gathered around them in prayer, covered them in warm coats and walked with them on the beach. This group of 10 teenagers were Jesus' hands and feet in this moment of despair.

In a conversation with my sister this past week, she told me about a phone call she had just received informing her that some old friends of hers had lost their son in the ocean the week prior. The son was Elliot, and the parents were a couple that my sister had been close to many years ago when they attended the same church as young marrieds. I told her about our kids being there and praying with the mom (my sister's friend) and the two teens on the beach. My sister told me that the family had been overwhelmed by God's presence that day and since. It was clear He had been surrounding them with the family of God from the very beginning. They were so touched and thankful for the prayers from "family" members they didn't even know...but conscious that this is what was sustaining them.

I'm so thankful this group of teens, 'moved at the impulses' of God's love. Just think if they had given into those feelings of self-consciousness and awkwardness.

I have been intently praying for a sister who has been undergoing prolonged financial stress and health issues. Her faith has amazed me and has been such a testimony to me, as she is confident of God's faithfulness and provision and is waiting, watching and trusting Him to take care of her. I talked with her yesterday and she gave me a joyful report of how the Lord had opened the flood gates and blessed her through various "family" members. Each "giver" independently told her that they felt so heavily impressed by the Spirit of God to do these things, whether it be the giving of some dollars, or a bag full of groceries, or an invitation out to dinner. Each were clearly moved by the 'impulses of [His] love'. What a blessing they were to this sister, and how blessed each of them were for their obedience and listening the Lord; following through when they had no guarantee of how their gifts would be received, and for my dear sister who set aside any pride and received, acknowledging God's faithfulness and goodness.

I have seen the movement of God's love and presence in my own life in very specific ways this week, all through the hands of others who are in tune with His Spirit, willingly moving when and where He directs; Heavenly impulses that bless, that are a physical extension of God's presence.

How many times have I experienced those promptings? Have I followed through on those "non-sense-ical" times it has been placed on my mind and heart to send an email of encouragement to someone I don't know very well; or when I feel "impulsively" that I should hug someone; or when I "randomly" feel like I should take action and take some flowers to someone? Will I look foolish? Will the recipient think I'm odd or "out there"? What if I've mis-read these "promptings" and I'm overstepping some kind of line?

I find as I hum this hymn today, I continue to pray that the Lord will take my life and let it be consecrated to Him only. I want to move at the impulses of His love. I want to be His hands and feet. What a joy to be invited to be involved in what He is doing, as a blessing to others and to be blessed.


Take My Life and Let It Be
By Fran­ces R. Ha­ver­gal, Feb­ru­a­ry 1874.

Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee.

Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King.
Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect, and use every power as Thou shalt choose.

Take my will, and make it Thine; it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love, my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.

Free Slurpee Day

Today 7/11/07 is free slurpee day at all 7/11 convenience stores to celebrate their birthday; 80 years! Wow!

Today is also a special day in our family. My sweet daughter, Miss H, turns 15 today! A driver's permit will be following shortly!

Happy Birthday my sweet girl!