Elisabeth Elliot

I was introduced to Elisabeth Elliot, the speaker and author many years ago. We were living in Utica, NY and my first three boys were young back then. Dave and I been invited to hear her speak near by and we went. She was mainly speaking to women (not preaching) that night. I connected with her right away. I have read everything she has ever written since then. She has a heart for Christ and a 'trusting' walk with her God faithfully through the years, always depending on him and his grace. She has been widowed twice. She is now in her late 80s and lives in New England along the shore.

Elisabeth once said she had ladies ask her all the time "why has God not given me a husband and yet He has given you three?" She does not know, she says. God does. She never went looking for them, they found her. I appreciate that answer in a day and age when it seems so many young women are on the 'prowl'......even ones who call themselves believers. Rare is the young lady who waits for God's timing.

Many blessing have I received from Elisabeth. I do not personally know her (although I do have books signed by her hand) yet have stored up much practical wisdom for my life from her sharing. When my boys were little, I would get so overwhelmed, so frustrated with 'daily-ness', so tired, so wanting adult conversation and yes, maybe felt a little sorry for myself that I was in the trenches always with too much to do and not enough time. We had one car back then, so getting out was not easy. I love being home, I love homeschooling, yet some days were just so routine and mundane. I sometimes would get 'stuck' ~ until I came across this poem Elizabeth loved back then and shared on the radio many many times. (she used to be on the radio everyday...I loved it)

Here is a quote of hers from her radio program many year ago:

"Have you had the experience of feeling as if you've got far too many burdens to bear, far too many people to take care of, far too many things on your list to do? You just can't possibly do it, and you get in a panic and you just want to sit down and collapse in a pile and feel sorry for yourself?

Well, I've felt that way a good many times in my life, and I go back over and over again to an old Saxon legend, which I'm told is carved in an old English parson somewhere by the sea. I don't know where this is. But this is a poem which was written about that legend. The legend is "Do the next thing." And it's spelled in what I suppose is Saxon spelling. "D-O-E" for "do," "the," and then next, "N-E-X-T." "Thing"-"T-H-Y-N-G-E."

I hope it will encourage and strengthen you for the next day you may get 'stuck'.

DO THE NEXT THING

At an old English parsonage down by the sea,

There came in the twilight a message to me.

Its quaint Saxon legend deeply engraven

That, as it seems to me, teaching from heaven.

And all through the hours the quiet words ring,

Like a low inspiration, do the next thing.

Many a questioning, many a fear,

Many a doubt hath its quieting here.

Moment by moment, let down from heaven,

Time, opportunity, and guidance are given.

Fear not tomorrows, child of the King,

Trust them with Jesus, do the next thing.

Do it immediately, do it with prayer;

Do it reliantly, casting all care.

Do it with reverence, tracing His hand,

Who placed it before thee with earnest command.

Stayed on Omnipotence, safe ‘neath His wing,

Leave all results, do the next thing.

Looking to Jesus, ever serener,

Working or suffering be thy demeanor;

In His dear presence, the rest of His calm,

The light of His countenance, be thy psalm,

Strong in His faithfulness, praise and sing.

Then, as He beckons, do the next thing.

I cannot count the times this poem has kept me on the right path. Helped when I was worn out, helped when I wanted to quit, helped when I wanted to run away, helped when I was selfish or sad. Helped me when I didn't know what to do first. As the burdens seemed so big, I would remember Elisabeth and this poem. The haunting words would come sweetly......"Sherry, do the next thing."

Do you ever struggle and want to know what to do? Sweep the kitchen, hug that child, smile at the mailman, fold that laundry.....just do the next thing! Leave the results to Jesus!

Gratefully His, Lynette

Emotions~

I came across this quote by Jonathan Edwards in Treatise on Religious Affections. "It is vain to contend with anything that hath the power of our affections at its disposal; it will prevail at the last." He is right. When you feel something strongly, you are very confident in whatever that emotion says about you, other people and God.

Try disagreeing with any strong emotion that you have and see how long you can last.

~ Try telling anger that it might be wrong.
~ Try telling fear that there will be grace for tomorrow.
~ Try telling guilt that there is forgiveness in Christ, which means that God does not see us according to our sins. Yes, you know the words, but when guilt is loud the words are silent.
~ Try telling shame that Christ, through faith, accepts, washes and makes us holy.
~ Try telling mania that its choices might have horrible consequences.
~ Try telling depression.....anything good.

Anger is the obvious example. Right or wrong, anger is always, always confident. No shades of gray. No ambivalence. Anger is very sure of itself.

Depression? You might disagree with this one. After all, depression is infused with self-doubt. Depressed people feel like failures and failures are not very confident. But is there any interpretation of reality that is more stubborn than depression? You hear a depressed person speak of the futility of life, and nine times our of ten, Scripture isn't going to jar the person back into thinking God's thoughts. I am not trying to be critical of depressed people with these observations. I am, however, trying to raise some warning flags for all of us. The stronger the emotion, the harder it is to hear the truth, and depression, if anything, is a very strong emotion. Strong emotions have much in common with delusions. Delusions insist on their interpretation despite clear reason, all contrary to evidence or a consensus among friends for a different interpretation.

Think about it.

"Emotions portray what is happening in our hearts. They tell us what we really want.

Emotions speak to our hearts. Sometimes they speak to us. You are frustrated, add a bit of tiredness and you might get anger. The anger tells you that the mess the kids made yesterday, which was merely a nuisance, is now catastrophic. In short, your emotions lied to you. They told you that something was a big deal when it was not.

How do we manage all of this? It can get complicated, but that doesn't mean the answer is complicated. A wise person listens to the Truth and listens to other people. A wise person listens. This is no simple listening, as the book of James reminds us. It is really hearing, which doesn't come naturally.

I am part of a larger body and I need the larger body. I don't have all wisdom and knowledge in myself. When there is a difference of opinion between my feelings and what God says, God's words win. I gladly submit to him. When there is a difference of opinion between my feelings and what many wise friends and counselors have said to me, I submit to the wisdom of the community. We need others around us who are wise and say wise things to our life.

Yes, this sounds good on paper. Right now my emotions are not raging in a particular direction. The good news is that I can practice humility today. I can listen to God......really listen. I can consider the interests of others as more important than my own. That will prepare me for the times when my strong feelings don't tell me the whole story."

(Taken from an article by Ed Welch~Biblical Counselor and author)

Good words for me and you today ~ emotions are real and sometimes they lie to us. May we have the discernment to know the difference, and if not, have wise ones near who do.

Gratefully His, Sherry Lynette

DayBook~

DayBook

Outside my window~ it is dark as I was up at 6am ~ today I go to Church with my hubby for a day of work. I love my part time job.....2 days a week. I answer the phones, greet visitors, help little ones, and do lots of other things to help those around me, plus some computer work too. It is more ministry than 'work'.

I am thinking ~ God is so good. He gives good sleep. He is with me. He loves me and has a plan for today. How blessed I am to belong to HIM. He is my life and I am so grateful HE is in control of everything that comes my way, even the things He with holds.

I am wearing~ pink capris, sandals and a pink plaid blouse, and most importantly a big smile!

I am thankful for~ my hubby who just made a big pot of his delicious coffee and even poured me a cup, I am married to the most wonderful man in the whole world. He has a servants heart galore, is smart, godly, and loves me unconditionally! God is so good to give me such a kind and loving husband!

From the learning rooms ~ we are working on practical skills this year more this year. Hannah is a junior and so she is doing extra things like learning to cook, sew and make gifts for others. She is already a great 'homemaker' in that she can manage laundry, cleaning, gardening, making a shopping list and shopping and many other skills. Yes, academics are important, but so many young ladies never learn how to make a 'home' a haven for their family. She is even good at making a budget already! I like that!

From the kitchen ~ homemade soup this week. Hannah will make dinner tonight since I don't get home til 4:30pm.

I am creating ~ cards this week to send to others as encouragements.

I am going ~ to the Orchard this week to get apples to teach Hannah how to make applesauce and freeze it for winter.

I am reading ~ 3 books at once. My usual practice! Harder to read during the school year. So it goes much much slower than summer time.

I am hoping ~ the LORD saves those I am praying for!

I am hearing ~ the shower run as Caleb just jumped in as he prepares to go to work today at Panera Bread, Rebekah rooting around getting ready for college and Hannah singing as she is getting ready to go with me and her dad to Church (she does school there on tuesdays and thursdays in the mornings)

Around our home ~ organizing and getting ready for winter outside.

One of my favorite things ~ laying on the bed in either Hannah's room or Rebekah's room and chatting away with them. Girl time ~ I love it!

Grateful to be HIS, Sherry

Struggle?

Today is Monday and it is raining here. We need it...we REALLY need it. As a gardener, I love the rain because the flowers need it! God knows we need it too.

Do you ever struggle with the sovereignty of God? Do you wonder why he has planned the things in your life the way He has? Do you doubt his love and goodness for you? When your relationships are messy and your circumstances are difficult, do you question his love for you?

I have been thinking a lot lately about the sovereignty of God. His ways. His plans. His work in me. His work in his world. The plans he has for all of us, me, my kids, my grand kids, my family, my friends, my Church.

My hubby and I had six children who many times thought they didn't need us. They resisted us over and over again. We'd say "NO-NO" and they would reach for the hot stove anyway. We said "No-no" when they wanted to run into the street. They wanted self rule many times. Like us, they often assumed their intentions were good and their plans sound. Like us, they tended to think they were capable of knowing what was best, even when they lacked important information and experience.

Our children did not have the ability to grasp the abstract reasons we said "No No". They were too young to know the purposes of the command or the plans for why we did what we did. Like we often do, they simply felt they knew a better way, their way.

So we often took our child by the face and said "look at me. Do you know how much I love you? Do you know I would never ask you to do something that would hurt you or make you sick? Do you trust me? I am so sorry you do not understand, and one day you will, yet I want you to obey me. You are too young to understand but I want you to trust me. Say to yourself.....my mommy loves me...I trust my mommy". Over and over and over again, I had this talk with my kids. Over and over again with each one.

God does the same thing with me and you, over and over and over again. He meets us in one of the difficult hallways (or driveways) of our lives. He kneels down before us and in love, asks us to trust his loving and wise rule, even though we do not have a clue what he is doing.

He knows there are times and moments when our life does not look like there is anyone ruling it, let alone someone wise and good. He knows there will be times when we will wish we could be the author of our own story. He knows that at times we are overwhelmed by what is on our plate or what we face. He knows that we are confused by His plan. He knows there are times we do not understand what is going on. Yet, we can trust him. Just like my children learned that our plans were for their good, God's plans are even better for our good.

I do not have to understand. I do not have to have my way. Real rest is found in trusting the PERSON who is in control of things I don't understand. So I trust HIM!!!

Lots to think about, don't you agree?

"Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases." Psalm 115:3

"...all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, "What have you done?" Daniel 4:35

Enjoy your rainy day today, I know I will !

Trusting HIM, with a most grateful heart, Sherry Lynette

1st Day of FALL 2010

Well, Summer is over....my favorite season! It was a tremendous, wonderful, exciting summer for our whole family! My girls were able to travel extensively. Mexico, California, North Carolina, New England and Pennsylvania. We all went on a Missions Trip to Mexico together....that was the highlight for me....I loved it, the kids, the people, the Gospel sharing!

Fall or Autumn (as some desire to call it ---same thing) is here to stay. Cool nights, warm days. the coolness has arrived here, although Bekah just told me it is supposed to be 91 degrees here on Friday. Flowers are fading, although my zinnias still look fresh and in the pink. Our mums from last year are budding though not in bloom yet. Our dogs, Emma and Taffy are running around with extra energy when they go out, due to the cooler temperatures. They enjoy the 'crisp air' too. I have NOT put my shorts, flip flops or capri's away yet though. I am hanging in there as long as I can......savoring the last vestiges of summer time on the East Coast. I grew up in California and we always had an Indian summer in October....temps as high as 100 degrees! November always brought the sweaters out back then. I'll be looking for mine next week~

So for the first full Fall day here, Hannah and I took down all the 'Beach' pics and flowers and put out our fall 'fake' flowers, pumpkins and hung our Fall wreaths up. I was a little sad, but not too much. My hubby's favorite color is ORANGE....so I was happy to put lots of orange things out today. Even the small clay pumpkin that says "Always Give Thanks, for Everything" ~ a good reminder to this 'ol summer time girl! Two pots of soup simmering all day on the stove, Tomato and also Turkey Noodle (my families favorite) --homemade of course! Smells like FALL!!

Yes!
Fall
Has
Arrived,
And
I
WILL
Give
THANKS
Always
For
Everything!
Thank YOU Lord for you are GOOD! That turkey soup will taste so good tonight!

With a grateful heart, Lynette

~Women of Faith ~ 2010

This past week end, my daughter, Rebekah, and I attended "Women of Faith 2010" in Philadelphia, PA. What a tremendous blessing!!!

There were 11,000 girls and ladies of all ages, singing praises to GOD to the utmost of their hearts! During "In Christ Alone" I had a huge knot in my throat with tears streaming down my face !!! It was a taste of what Heaven will be like, singing PRAISE to the Jesus!!!! Actually, I cried a lot during the singing!

The theme for our time together was from Romans 11:33 ~ "Have you ever come on anything quite like this extravagant generosity of God......?" The title was "Over the Top"....meaning God's love for us is 'over the top'.

The singing was overwhelmingly beautiful, full of emotion and the presence of the Lord! There were two songs we did not know....but most we did. We even sang one of my all time very favorite hymns...."Come Thou Fount"!!!! It was sung a little different than the original but just a tiny bit different. "Prone to wander, Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love........take my heart and seal it, seal it for thy courts above......." love, love, love that song....

We laughed, we cried, we listened, we sang, we prayed.......we came away encouraged in our faith and walk with our precious Lord and Savior. If you ever get the opportunity to go......please do....you won't be sorry!

It was especially special to me because Rebekah and I got to do it together. Next year (Lord willing --that is) I hope Hannah can come too. How special! How glad I will be!

God is so good and HE has a plan and a purpose for each of us that love HIM ~ HE is what life really is about....HIS plans, HIS purposes, HIS work, HIS glory!!!! We are just HIS daughters with a deep desire of seeing HIM in all HIS GLORY!!!!

With a grateful heart, Sherry Lynette

Family Beach Vacation 2010

(Taken just before leaving early due to hurricane Earl!)

Fun at the BEACH!!!

Our family vacation for 2010 was at Nags Head, North Carolina and was a very special celebration as a family and of my Birthday!

We planned, we shopped for groceries, we packed up, we secured things at home like the mail being stopped, we made sure we had lots and lots of sun lotions (from 4 all the way up to 70 ~ we don't like sun burns), we even took 20 beach towels with us!

We are planners. Our family tends to be organized. I guess that comes from having a large family....things don't get done if we don't organize and plan. When we get there though.....we put all the groceries away, everyone makes their bed up, unpack and then we RELAX!!! We know how to relax....

We all love sweet tea, so the pitcher never ran dry. We love water too, so we went through how many cases, I do not know. Matthew & Natascha had their Cherry Dr. Pepper which is hard to find in North Carolina! NOT in PA though ~ and they like to share!

We spent our days on the sand, in the ocean water and in the pool. We took turns cooking ~ we do have great cooks, I must say ~ and Matthew is the Grill Master!

After dinner we had family devotions together. Ask one of my kids to tell you about the 'lie bucket' example Dave demonstrated to everyone about what happens when we lie. We cannot have a relationship with the LORD or others if we are not truthful. Relationships are based on trust and there is NO trust when we lie. So we seek forgiveness if we lie and then purpose to speak the truth even if it hurts.

After devotions, it was game time. We ALL love game time. Our family loves to play games. So the first night we played "Signs".....everyone had so much fun! The next night we played "Four on a Couch" ~ guys against the girls. The girls won and were challenged to another one ~ the guys won! We have the pictures to prove it...ha! I laughed til my side hurt. In fact I laughed so hard everyday! We played "WhoNu", "Life", "Wizard", "Mexican Train" (my favorite), and lots of others too. In fact we never turned the TV on (except Caleb to get his SPORTS updates) and Cartoons for Joschua~

Sunday Night we watched the LightShine DVD together that Chad gave us from Mexico.

Wednesday night we all went to Millers Wharf-front Restaurant for dinner out on Dad; Mom's Birthday Dinner. Yummy Steak and Fish! Love those 'hush puppies'! Back to the Beach house and cake and gifts. WOW! At the end I was presented by Rebekah a "Celebrate Sherry" book. I cried ~ as I read loving birthday greetings and memories! From my family and friends! So many happy happy memories and encouragements! I am over whelmed at the love in that book!

We had great moments together, good food, good fellowship, good fun like playing basketball, riding bikes, riding the waves, eating nachos, swimming in the pool, chatting, telling stories, praying together, eating snacks, and staying up late laughing!

We missed those who were not with us, Nat, Tara, Noe, Jeannette, and Sammy ~ yet our time together was precious. How blessed we are!

We woke up Thursday morning to a mandatory evacuation notice! See, the plans we make are held lightly....because there is Someone who holds all our todays and tomorrows in HIS hands. HE holds our lives in HIS hands. Were we sad?...yes. Yet we were joyful inside because we KNEW HE is in control and HIS plans are always for our good and HIS glory! Thank you LORD for 5 glorious, fun, spirit filled days together ~ we love YOU and we are very glad we are YOURS!!!!