Showing posts with label Faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Faith. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Daddy and the "Big Picture"


My dear, sweet daddy turned 90 on November 2nd. We celebrated it with lots of cake, love and family. He loved it. Then, on November 8th, he woke up in the morning, saying he didn't feel "Quite up to par", took a deep breath, and joined his Savior and my mom in heaven. It was unexpected, but he went quietly and peacefully, just as he lived his life. I will miss him dearly. I was a "Daddy's girl" all of my life. 

So on Monday, we again celebrated my dad. Old friends and loved ones came to remember the life of this quiet, loving man. How blessed we were to have him as the leader of our family for so many years. Here's a photo of some of our family. (That's Jordan, btw, standing in front of my husband, 4th from the left, in the turquoise plaid. Some might remember praying for him after he stepped on an IED in Afghanistan almost 5 years ago. He's doing well!)


"I will think of him as I always knew him; kind, loving thoughtful of everyone but himself, a blessing wherever he went and a strength and comfort to all with whom he came in contact. A constant example of all that a husband, father, and Christian should be." 
(This quote was about the missionary Hudson Taylor, but it fits my dad perfectly).

So I want to tell a little story. Some might call this irony, but stay with me for just a minute. This Fall, for the first time in many years, I signed up to help with junior high girls at my church. It's a very large church, and they paired up leaders. I was thankful that they paired me up with a young woman who had experience, because I felt out of my element. We bonded quickly, though we had only met a few times before. After my dad passed away last week, I called her, and her gentle compassion meant so much.

We couldn't know that 4 days later, her own father would pass away and she would be calling me. This pairing seemed so God ordained, and we marveled that He saw the big picture far in advance of us. However the other night she shared with me that our lives had even more in common than I knew. You see, she told me that she was born on the very day my husband and I were married. Some may think one has nothing to do with the other, and this is just coincidence. I don't see it that way. I am realizing more and more that God sees the "big picture" in ways we can never understand. He doesn't see backward or forward, He just sees aerially, and He says that is enough, that He's got "this", whatever "this" may be. He knew on the day she was born and I was married, that we would someday lose our dads the same week. He knew that we would become friends, though she is young enough to be my daughter. He keeps teaching me that He knows what the future holds and my job is simply to trust. 

As we prepared for both of our dads memorial services this week, I am reminded that ours is a "big picture" God, and I'm so thankful for that, and for a friend named Tammy, who has helped me see that He is so much bigger than my mind can possibly fathom.

 If anyone remembers the post about my mom's passing in August of 2014, they will notice that when I was preparing for her service, I found a very important letter from my grandmother, written to my mom, on the day before my grandmother died, which also "happened" to be my anniversary date, although that time, 30 years earlier. As I am writing this tonight, I am reminded that nothing in our lives is by chance, that God has all of the details worked out, and sometimes He gives a glimpse of just how much attention He pays to even the smallest of details, just to reassure us that His word is true, and heaven is real.

“Life is but a Weaving”
“My life is but a weaving
Between my God and me.
I cannot choose the colors
He weaveth steadily.
Oft’ times He weaveth sorrow;
And I in foolish pride
Forget He sees the upper
And I the underside.
Not ’til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly
Will God unroll the canvas
And reveal the reason why.
The dark threads are as needful
In the weaver’s skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned
He knows, He loves, He cares;
Nothing this truth can dim.
He gives the very best to those
Who leave the choice to Him.” 
― Corrie ten Boom


I love you Daddy. I know I will see you again!

Friday, October 23, 2015

A Tandem Ride With God


A Tandem Ride With God 

I used to think of God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there, sort of like a president. I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I didn't really know Him.

But later on, when I met Jesus, it seemed as though life was rather like a bike, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that Jesus was in the back helping me pedal. I didn't know just when it was He suggested we change, but life has not been the same since I took the back-seat to Jesus, my Lord. He makes life exciting. When I had control, I thought I knew the way. It was rather boring, but predictable. It was the shortest distance between two points. 

But when He took the lead, He knew delightful long cuts, up mountains, and through rocky places and at break-through speeds; it was all I could do to hang on! Even though it often looked like madness, He said, "Pedal!" I was worried and anxious and asked, "Where are you taking me?" He laughed and didn't answer and I started to learn to trust. I forgot my boring life and entered into adventure. And when I'd say, "I'm scared", He'd lean back and touch my hand. 

He took me to people with gifts that I needed, gifts of healing, acceptance and joy. They gave me their gifts to take on my journey, our journey, my Lord's and mine. And we were off again. He said, "Give the gifts away; they're extra baggage, too much weight." So I did, to the people we met, and I found in giving I received, and still our burden was light. 

I did not trust Him, at first, in control of my life. I thought He'd wreck it, but He knows bike secrets, knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners, jump to clear high rocks, fly to shorten scary passages. And I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places, and I'm beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion, Jesus. 

And when I'm sure I just can't do any more, He just smiles and says... "Pedal." 
(Author unknown) 

photo via google search

Sunday, July 26, 2015

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Brother Bravery

The first fight I ever remember seeing, took place on the playground 
of my school when I was in first grade.

I was spinning around on "the bars", as they called them,
and a 5th grader and known bully, walked up and started throwing a football 
at me and a couple of the other girls playing there.
He hit me hard and I started to cry.

Within about a minute, my brother, a 4th grader, was there beside me.
Someone had told him I'd been hurt, and he was checking on me,
...and then he asked me who did it.

I pointed to the boy, who was bigger and older than my brother,
and the next thing I knew,
my brother had thrown his jacket off 
and was challenging this boy to a fight.
He didn't wait for him to answer. 
He let him know that he crossed the line when he hit his sister.

I watched in shock. My brother took on this boy...for me.
My brother, who was known as a kind boy...
was going to tear this bully up. 
I loved him more in that moment than I ever had before.

A teacher showed up quickly and broke up the fight.
And then, almost even worse,
the boys were taken to the dreaded "Principal's Office".
I yelled that he was protecting me,
that the boy was bad...
but both of them were taken away.
It was back in the days when a Principal had a paddle...
and everyone feared it.

I watched him walk away, and I cried again.
This time it was for what might be coming his way.

As it turned out, the Principal was a wise man.
He listened to the story of "why" it had happened,
and he understood boys...and honor. 
He just made them shake hands and make up, which they did.

They never fought again, and I don't remember that boy giving
anyone else any trouble. 
I know things would be handled differently now, 
but I'm not sure the results would be any more successful.

My big brother has always been there for me. I've always known he had my back.


I can't say that I've done the same. 
I'm the younger one, and a girl,
and all too often, I didn't think that way,
but he did.

When our mom passed away last summer,
my big brother took care of everything...once again,
 just as he always had, because that's the kind of person he is.

He's experienced his fair share of trials.
For those who might remember, a few years ago, his son Jordan,
lost his legs when he stepped on an IED in Afghanistan. It is difficult
to watch your own child going through such pain.
We were thankful that Jordan survived.
He had a long, hard road ahead of him, which he has walked 
with dignity, never giving up. He is doing well now.

Earlier this year, my brother was diagnosed with cancer.
That terrible disease that everyone hates. Cancer is an awful word.
He has undergone radiation and chemo,
and thankfully, his prognosis looks good, but the treatment has been hard.
I am so proud of him for facing this cancer bully...
and fighting it just like he fought the bully on the playground so many years ago.
He too, has faced this challenge head-on, with dignity.

A few days ago I was able to hang out with him.
I'm so thankful that he's starting to feel better,
and especially thankful for the best big brother God could've ever provided...
I love you Kev!!



There is a song I want to share by NeedtoBreathe called "Brother".
The words express the love and thankfulness I have for my big brother.

And it describes the brother he's always been to me.
The one who's there for you, no matter what. 
Please listen, it's beautiful. The lyrics are included below.


"Brother"

Ramblers in the wilderness we can’t find what we need
Get a little restless from the searching 
Get a little worn down in between
Like a bull chasing the matador is the man left to his own schemes
Everybody needs someone beside em’ shining like a lighthouse from the sea

Brother let me be your shelter
I’ll never leave you all alone
I can be the one you call
When you’re low
Brother let me be your fortress
When the night winds are driving on
Be the one to light the way
Bring you home

Face down in the desert now there’s a cage locked around my heart
I found a way to drop the keys where my failures were 
Now my hands can’t reach that far
I ain’t made for a rivalry I could never take the world alone
I know that in my weakness I am strong, but
It’s your love that brings me home

Brother let me be your shelter
I’ll never leave you all alone
I can be the one you call
When you’re low
Brother let me be your fortress
When the night winds are driving on
Be the one to light the way
Bring you home

And when you call and need me near
Sayin' where'd you go?
Brother I'm right here
And on those days when the sky begins to fall
You're the blood of my blood
We can get through it all

Brother let me be your shelter
I’ll never leave you all alone
I can be the one you call
When you’re feelin' low
Brother let me be your fortress
When the night winds are driving on
Be the one to light the way
Bring you home

Brother let me be your shelter
I’ll never leave you all alone
I can be the one you call
When you’re low
Brother let me be your fortress
When the night winds are driving on
Be the one to light the way
Bring you home
Be the one to light the way
Bring you home


...I love you Kevin :)
Signed,
Your Little Sister

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Fear, Faith, Oceans, Snakes and...Miracles


I always loved missionary stories as a kid. 
God seemed to do amazing things through people who stepped out in faith.
I feared the stories too. I feared that I loved them so much
that it might mean God was going to send me somewhere...
like Africa. 
I feared Africa. I feared the snakes in Africa.
I feared the heat in Africa. I feared the scorpions in Africa. 
I really feared that I might be going to the African desert :)

When I was 18 years old I signed up to go on a one month mission trip 
with a group called Teens With a Purpose..TWAPS for short.
They sang in churches, did construction work,
and generally served where they were needed.

My motives weren't pure though.
The mission trip was to Hawaii, 
a long time dream location for this Cali beach gal.
A place I didn't fear. A place I longed for.
I went, and spent a month there,
falling in love with the people and the place.

I distinctly remember standing in the airport in Maui 
waiting to get on the plane to go home 
and hearing that little voice inside my head say "STAY, just STAY." 

I didn't.

I had paradise in my grasp, but I didn't trust the voice. I wasn't brave.
Fear of being on my own at that young age was just too strong,
and my faith wasn't strong enough.
As it turns out, I wound up in the desert after all,
instead of paradise.

In the desert where there is heat, and snakes and scorpions.
Oh, the irony :)
Kind of like the Israelites in the wilderness...
"Don't obey...you get the desert. You missed the Promised Land.
You get Plan B."
(which He knew I was going to take the whole time)

I think that God must have a great sense of humor
when dealing with our foolishness :)

However, even after growing up a beach girl,
now residing in the desert for oh so many years,
(with surfboards stacked in my bedroom)
and missing my early "opportunity" to live in Hawaii,
I've found the desert isn't so bad.
In fact, it's home, even if it isn't Hawaii.
I have still been very blessed.

I have children who are much braver than I was,
and have traveled to many corners of the world,
serving where God has led them.

I have friends who have done the same.
People who are brave.
Cody and Tiffany are two of these people.
They are friends of ours who have lived their lives in faith, not fear.

They have a blog called Hurting Hearts, Helping Hands.


My oldest son worked with Cody for awhile,
and the stories he would come home and tell are legendary in our household.
We hold Tiffany in equally high esteem because it takes
a very strong woman to be married to such a daring man :)

Cody and Tiffany went to Sri Lanka to help
right after the Dec. 2004 tsunami hit.
They fell in love with the people and the place,
and THEY listened to the voice that told them to go back.
We met them during the time they were waiting to go.
They were working hard towards that goal.
And they finally made it, several years ago.

They are surfers giving back...
through an organization called Surfing the Nations,
ironically based out of my beloved Hawaii :)
Over the last 4 summers, my youngest daughter has
also volunteered with STN. They are reaching into all corners of the world.
They have even gone to North Korea to teach surfing there.
Yes, you read that right. NORTH Korea.
(You'll see their little icon there on the side of my blog,
along with my favorite music apps) :)

Last year, while in Sri Lanka, Cody was bit by one of the deadliest
snakes in the world...the Russell Pit Viper.
I'm including his post, which breaks down what happened.
When he was bit, word was spread to his friends worldwide via Facebook.
We didn't know if he would survive...because few do.

Snake Bite

Russell Pit Viper: Based on several factors, including lethality of venom, aggressive behavior and number of human fatalities it is responsible for, it is commonly agreed upon by herpetologists that the most dangerous snake in the world is the Russell's Viper. Also known as the Chain Viper, the Russell's Viper ("Daboia russelli") causes thousands of deaths each year. When the Russell's Viper bites a victim, it can deliver up to 112 mg of venom which can cause pain, swelling of the area around the bite, vomiting, 
kidney failure and an inability for the blood to coagulate. 
These symptoms or even death can occur very quickly, within 
two and a half to 10 minutes from the time of first being bitten.

My miraculous story as I look back over this death defying week…. It was a normal night here in Sri Lanka and my family was headed over to our friendJohnson's house for dinner. It was 7:30pm and I opened my shed and reached around the door to grab my motorcycle helmet. As I reached in, I felt something bite me on my ankle and made it feel like it was on fire. I quickly turned on the light to find nothing but my clean shed room that I had been working in all day. Still not knowing what bit me, I asked Tiff to bring me a flashlight and our snake bite kit. I turned my shed upside-down and looked in every corner as I had the venom suction syringe attached to my ankle. I have been bit/stung by snakes, spiders, jellyfish, scorpions, stingrays, sea urchins, and centipedes; so maybe I was a little bit calloused to the reality, but after not finding anything I just shrugged it off as most likely being a centipede. So I said "lets go to dinner." 

I let everyone around know what happened so they could keep an eye on me and then we proceeded to have an amazing meal of shrimp hand caught by Johnson,Babu , Spencer, and myself. During our time there a National Geographic commercial came on about poisonous snakes and I jokingly said "maybe it's a sign." Two hours later we were headed home to go to bed after a long day. As we all unloaded off my motorcycle, Koda said "Mom there's a snake. I thought it was a big pile of dog poop, but it's not, it's a snake." It was at our front door step under our brightest outdoor light in a place that we could not miss it. (Miracle #1; I was headed to sleep; if we didn't find this snake literally on our front door step I would have not gone to the hospital). 

Thousands of emotions and feelings flooded through me as I recognized it as being one of the top 4 most lethal snakes in the world, a Russell Pit Viper. I knew I needed to stay calm to prevent the poison that had already been in my body way too long, not to be pumped throughout my body; but I also knew I needed to kill the snake so that I could take it to let the doctors identify it. As soon as we saw the snake, Tiff called Johnson to come pick us up and take us to the hospital. Johnson said over and over on the phone to not kill the snake, because one of the Sri Lankan myths about snake bites is if you kill the snake that bit you, you will surely die. (Johnson's big brother was bit and killed by this viper or one very similar). You can imagine how scared he was for us. 

We dropped off our kids with Johnson's wife and it was then when I felt the emotions of "this might me the last time my boys will get to see me." They were already scared and I didn't want to scare them more, so I lightheartedly gave them hugs, told them I loved them and wished them sweet dreams. "Hardest moment in my life thus far." 

We arrived at our local hospital to find out they couldn't help, and sent us on an hour and a half ambulance ride to a bigger city hospital in Ampara. Babu begged to come in the ambulance with us and I am so glad they let him so he could be with Tiff and help translate. In the ambulance Tiff got on the phone to get family and friends praying and to get our Doctor friend Matt's number. Within five minutes Matt was on the phone with Tiff walking her through everything she needed to know as I was copying and pasting on our computer things she or the doctors might need if I was to go into shock or pass out. 

When we arrived the doctors looked at the snake and looked at me and didn't understand why I was not dead. At this point they assumed that it must have been a dry bite without venom or else I would either be having severe reactions or be dead. Therefore they didn't want to give me the anti venom. They started running blood and urine tests and thats when they realized I did have venom in my blood. However, they still didn't believe it so they ran the same test again with the same results. (Miracle #2- I should have been going through death like side effects, but nothing.) 

They were finally convinced and immediately gave me 10 viles of viper anti venom, which they also said would have really bad side affects. With epinephrin shot in hand, all the nurses and doctors watched in amazement. Thirty viles of anti venom later and there were still no severe side effects. (Miracle # 3- No side effects to the anti venom). 

Soon my blood was back to normal and as they were still continuing to monitor all my systems for effects, they were convinced that my brain, heart, kidneys and other organs were miraculously unaffected- ( Miracle #4). Three days later I'm at home, back on my feet, entertaining all of my loving Sri Lankan family/friends who have come to see this walking, living Miracle. What do I have to say about all of this? 

Well….. my Jesus Rocks and I give him all the credit he deserves, even when some might say "why would he let you get bit in the first place?" My response is this: Jesus wanted to show off and to show others that don't know him how much he loves his people and how he can do the impossible, the supernatural. Thank you first off to Jesus for saving my life. Tiff you were amazing and I am so proud of how you handled the situation; I am so lucky to have you. Dr. Matt, you are my hero and my family and my life has been so, so blessed by you. Thank you for doing what you do. Friends, family, and people that I don't even know who prayed for me, I am overwhelmed by your love. Your prayers were answered and you now have a personal testimony of Jesus's amazing healing power. Share it with everyone you know. I love you all. I love you Jesus. 
Some scriptures people shared that were powerful during this time. 
Psalms 91, James 5:16, Acts 28. Psalms 56:3. 


Miracles...they happen when we least expect them.
They remind us WHO is in control.

My favorite song in the world is called Oceans....
(surprise, surprise)
It's beautiful, and I have listened to it hundreds of times.
It's about trust, and being brave...
I especially love the line that says
"Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders"
I think it represents Cody, Tiffany and Surfing the Nations 
very well, along with many others 
who ARE brave...

Enjoy :)



Hillsong United ~ Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)

You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand

And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You've never failed and You won't start now

So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

[6x]
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior

Oh, Jesus, you're my God!

I will call upon Your name
Keep my eyes above the waves
My soul will rest in Your embrace
I am Yours and You are mine...

Btw, the photo at the top of the page is of the
Surfing the Nations Sri Lanka Surf Club :)

Sunday, April 12, 2015

Broken Together...

Photo courtesy of Larry Massey

29 years ago today, we said "I do". We had no idea what that meant at the time.
We were two broken people. We still are.
We're starting to get one thing though,
we are realizing that through good times and bad,
this marriage is not about us.
It was never supposed to be.
We've been slow to get this, and though we fail every day,
God has still blessed us, in spite of ourselves.
We have no idea what tomorrow will bring,
because tomorrow is never guaranteed,
but today
we just want to wake up and be grateful for all that Christ has done.
Happy Anniversary RussMyHoney,
I love you, always and forever...
I am so thankful that we are broken together.


These are the words on the website that describe this song. I think it says it so well.

“Marriage is tough. We bring a lot of fairytales to the picture when it comes to marriage. We bring them to the altar with us [thinking]: ‘This is going to be perfect. We don’t have to be apart. We can just wake up together every morning and no one is going to have morning breath. We’re not going to have any problems.’ And then the problems hit and you don’t know where to file those into your picture. . . The idea I’m trying to say is: ‘Can you lay down who you thought I was and love the ‘me’ that is? Can we take this from where we are now and realize that I can’t be that person?’ Only God is going to be able to make this work and broken people can be broken together. To me, it’s probably the most important song on the record.”


"Broken Together"
What do you think about when you look at me
I know we're not the fairytale you dreamed we'd be
You wore the veil, you walked the aisle, you took my hand
And we dove into a mystery

How I wish we could go back to simpler times
Before all our scars and all our secrets were in the light
Now on this hallowed ground, weve drawn the battle lines
Will we make it through the night

Its going to take much more than promises this time
Only God can change our minds

Maybe you and I were never meant to be complete
Could we just be broken together
If you can bring your shattered dreams and I'll bring mine
Could healing still be spoken and save us
The only way we'll last forever is broken together

How it must have been so lonely by my side
We were building kingdoms and chasing dreams and left love behind
Im praying God will help our broken hearts align
And we won't give up the fight

Maybe you and I were never meant to be complete
Could we just be broken together
If you can bring your shattered dreams and Ill bring mine
Could healing still be spoken and save us
The only way we'll last forever is broken together

Saturday, April 4, 2015

Betrayal

I am Judas' kiss, but You love me anyway.
~Sidewalk Prophets~

Betrayal...
Coming to terms with the fact that you can't change 
what someone else has done to you...
Is a huge feat.

Living with that fact...
Is a giant challenge.

But dying for the one who has betrayed you...
Is a true MIRACLE!


Betrayal is one of the most painful things in life to endure.
It can seem worse than illness, worse even than death.
The betrayer may never express remorse, they may
never even acknowledge that the betrayal has taken place. 
I am guilty of this. We are all guilty of this.
"See, I am the one who yelled out from the crowd
For Your blood to be spilled on this earth shaking ground,
Yes, then I turned away with a smile on my face,
with this sin in my heart, tried to bury your grace"
~Sidewalk Prophets~ "You Loved Me Anyway"


I'd like to think this wouldn't be me, 
that I wouldn't have betrayed Him, 
but the truth is, I am not capable of His kind of love.
I am nothing more than one of His betrayers.  
Yet, Jesus took this betrayal of Him,
and gave His life for it. 
"And He loved me anyway."

I cannot comprehend His love.
Not at all. 
His Word tells us over and over of His love for us. 
Yet, understanding that kind of love, that kind of grace,
that kind of sacrifice, for my freedom, for your freedom,
to break my chains, to break your chains,
to right the wrongs of His enemies,
to right the wrongs of my enemies,
of those who betrayed him, of those who have betrayed me,
and of those who have betrayed you,
is more than I will ever be able to comprehend. 

So I'll just share the words and music to this beautiful song,
that say it better than I ever could :)

"How Can It Be"

I am guilty
Ashamed of what I've done, what I've become
These hands are dirty
I dare not lift them up to the Holy one

You plead my cause
You right my wrongs
You break my chains
You overcome
You gave Your life
To give me mine
You say that I am free
How can it be
How can it be

I've been hiding
Afraid I've let you down, inside I doubt
That You still love me
But in Your eyes there's only grace now

You plead my cause
Your right my wrongs
You break my chains
You overcome
You gave Your life
To give me mine
You say that I am free
How can it be
How can it be

Though I fall, You can make me new
From this death I will rise with You
Oh the grace reaching out for me
How can it be
How can it be

You plead my cause
You right my wrongs
You break my chains
You overcome
You gave your life
To give me mine
You say that I am free
How can it be
How can it be


"Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." 
Romans 5: 7-8


Friday, March 20, 2015

The Storm


During a walk in the woods, we came around a corner and saw this tree.
I was awestruck when I first saw it. Standing tall, 
with so many roots exposed. 
Alive.
It had not died from the wind and the storms that had obviously ravaged it. 
Instead, it dug deeper, finding the life giving water that 
would continue to help it grow. 

I knew there were lessons in this tree.
One of those lessons is in the words I added below it.
Not my words, just a simple quote that seemed to fit.

So often, the storms of life toss us back and forth,
and they leave us uprooted, broken, damaged, defeated,
and sometimes we even feel dead inside. 

Christians aren't given a pass on this. We go through the storms too.
Sometimes we are stoic, while really thinking we should be stronger than we are.
Sometimes we break under the pain and pressure,
and forget that there is living water, that will never run dry.

And other times, we call out to the One who calms the storm.

Last week I heard a man by the name of Mark Hall speak about this.
He's the lead singer of a band called "Casting Crowns."

He's in a storm. 
He recently found out he has a cancerous tumor on his kidney. 
He's a husband, a father, a musician, and a minister.
He is also remembering WHO is in control of this. 
I was moved by his words.

You see, one of Casting Crowns biggest hits, cowritten by Mark Hall, is called:

"Praise You in This Storm"
"I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

[Chorus:]
And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to you
And you raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away"

There's a little more too.
Here's the link for this beautiful song, with Mark Hall singing the words.
I hope you have a few minutes to listen.

Maybe some of you have a friend or loved one 
going through a similar storm, like I do. 
Or maybe you're going through a storm yourself. 
I frequently fail during trials and storms. 
I forget WHO'S got this.
Or if I remember, I ask Him WHY He doesn't do it MY way.
He's all powerful, He can fix this. He can make it go away.
That's MY way.

And He just says
"Rest in Me. Can't you get that? I'm with you."

But all too often, I don't rest in Him. I forget to. I rest in fear.
I rest in self-pity. I rest in others. I rest in sadness. I rest in anger. I rest in shame. 
I rest in....(fill in the blank, there are so many others).

Wait.
That's not rest. 
None of those things feel like rest. They feel like...What?

They feel like...I'm stuck in something I can't get myself out of,
and I'm spinning out of control.
Then He gently reminds me that HE has this,
Whatever "this" may be. 
And I can rest in Him.

The last words of the song are straight out of scripture:
"I lift my eyes up to the hills,
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth.
Ps. 121: 1-2

Oh, that I could remember these words every time a storm comes!

A couple of days ago Mark Hall had surgery, and now he's recovering.
His family is praising God that they caught it early.
I believe they'd be praising Him if they didn't, too.
"For You are who You are, no matter where I am"
is a line from the song.

One of my favorite "storm" verses is Luke 22: 31-32, although it doesn't 
use the word "storm" at all.
"Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat,
but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you,
when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers."

That is Christ talking to Simon Peter. 
He's telling him that Satan is going to sift him like wheat.
(Think about the process of "sifting"...it's "storm like" stuff!)
Then he's telling him that Satan had to ask His permission first.
(God is in control, remember that Satan
had to ask for permission to "sift" Job, too).
He's also telling him that He didn't tell Satan "No"
(that would be my choice!)
but instead, He (Christ) prayed for Peter.
He Intervened...
on Peter's behalf. 
(Just like He intervenes on our behalf).
And then He tells Peter that He prayed that his faith wouldn't fail,
and that when his (Peter's) faith is strong again,
he should use what he's learned to strengthen others.

I love that :) 
It's not always easy to share our storms,
they're painful, they show our vulnerability, they expose the real us,
but they can also help someone who is facing a similar storm.
I'm thankful that Mark Hall was willing to expose his.
He reminds us that storms hit everyone,
but we never have to be alone in the midst of one.
"and every tear I've cried,
You hold in your hand
You never left my side"

Btw, here's a photo of Casting Crowns newest album cover.


Thrive :)
and a tree showing it's deep roots.

 I hadn't seen this until after I started writing this post.
After, I'd chosen that old, deep rooted tree for the photo :)

Share the song with someone who's going through a storm,
because I'm pretty sure it will strengthen them too :)




Wednesday, February 25, 2015

To Russia With Love


I have a thing about pier shots. 
I guess it's because I spent many summers with this as my view. Sitting with my friends, next to the pier, bodysurfing, watching the boys surf, and laying out, working on our tans. 
It's still one of my favorite views. 

Which brings me to views. 
Blog views...
Oh wait, I'll backtrack a little first.
I'll start by saying that I'm not on here very often anymore. I know that's stating the obvious, lol. Like many other bloggers, I had moved on to other things and this blog seemed to take a backseat in my life. I've never been much of a writer anyway. I can remember sitting down to write a story for a school assignment, and thinking, "No, let me draw a picture instead." 
Art was my easy "A" class, not English. 

In fact, the only thing I remember writing that didn't stump me was poetry, which is kind of a written form of "Art" class. I guess that photography is now my "Art" of choice, hiding behind the lens of a camera instead of using pencils, pens or paint, sitting in the shadow of a pier, or waiting for the sun to pass just below the horizon to get the most vivid colors of a sunset. 

However, I come from a long line of storytellers. My mom's side of the family has always told stories. True stories. Oral history though, not the written word. My kids have heard my stories so many times they can tell them for me. I've written a few of them here on the blog, but my strength is not in the writing, it's in the telling. When I tell someone about the day I was held up, you will probably laugh about the ineptness of both myself and the robber. My next job was working for spies..no lie. I can tell you that one with a whole slew of websites to back me up :) I then worked for an actress, and I think a sitcom could be created from all of the stories I tell about that job. 

So what does pier views, storytelling and blog views have to do with one another? Well, the "pier views" comment was really just because I wanted to include a photo. I always want to include a photo. (Btw, that's my hubby on the surfboard. I'm still watching the boys surf, lol). The "storytelling" is because I haven't been telling any, and the "blog views" is because I'm always surprised when I check in here and see the stats on my blog.

First of all, I'm surprised that anyone is still checking. You are all wonderful to keep doing that. Secondly though, I'm surprised at the amount of visits coming from places like Russia...and Iran. Blogging has broadened my world, or shrunk it, depending on how you look at it. When I was blogging regularly, I "met" people from many countries who have come to be my friends.  So I started thinking, "If Russia is my second biggest viewing audience, what could I give them that would be meaningful?" 

I didn't know the answer. I wasn't even blogging anymore. The last post about my mom was going to be it. I'd lost the desire to share online. I'd lost my biggest cheerleader. I didn't know how much life could hurt without your mom in it. I didn't have any idea what this change was going to look like. My family has been very supportive, and I realize that people lose loved ones everyday. It just looks different when you're the one saying goodbye, doesn't it? 
So I've been learning to grieve. 
Hard stuff.

My mom was never one to let her kids wallow in their problems. Give them to God, she always said. Count your blessings. I can still hear her singing that song while she worked in the kitchen. I began to think about how I have it so easy. My goodness, I have it so easy! I have a roof over my head, food in my cupboards, and clothes on my back along with many more in my closet. My kids have never gone hungry, my husband has always had a job...
and I'm free to worship my God.

So I've decided that's what I'll share. I don't have the gift of writing, but oh, how I love the written word. My musical background is 'forced piano lessons for 5 years, and singing in a praise band."
I know enough to know how little I know. 

But I know what speaks to me. So I'm going to share that. The photos I hide behind. 
The stories that glorify Him. The songs and the lyrics that teach me, that inspire me, 
that remind me there is another view. 
An aerial view. 
His view.

"Lord I'm Ready Now
All the walls are down,
Time is running out
And I want to make this count."

Listen to the rest of this song if you have a couple of minutes. It's beautiful.