Fall is here...

We all have seasons in life. Yes, spring, summer, fall and winter. If you are like me, maybe you have certain seasons you like better than others. I prefer spring and summer having grown up in the southwest, we didn't have snowy winters. We didn't have the gorgeous changes of fall either. We had green and brown, that was it. I have come to love fall and all the 'changes' and yes, I am finding things about winter that I enjoy too.

Yet, there are other kinds of 'seasons' also. I am talking about seasons of life. Life is a process. We go through many changes and seasons. How easily we enjoyed 'childhood'. I loved my dolls. I loved my friends. I loved to play 'house' with anyone who would play...even my brother. Hours spent playing house and having tea parties and making mud pies and of 'pretending'.

Then came adolescence. Something inside 'woke up' and the reality that I was no longer a child. Life was no longer about dressing my babies and finding someone to play with. Junior high was not my best school years. I did not fit in. I had to wear corrective shoes when all the other girls wore flats. In fact I remember very little of those years except for a few 'bad' memories. One very bright memory though, probably the 'BRIGHTEST' of my life, was becoming a child of God. Oh how happy I am that God saw fit to shed HIS love abroad in my heart as a 12 year old.

Seasons......of growing in the Lord too. We never stand still in our relationship with our God. We are either growing.....or wilting.

I love to garden. I see so many analogies in the world of gardening. I have two pots on my walkway by the front door. They are pretty, I think so anyway. They have to be watered 'everyday' in the summer. Everyday!!! Our house faces south and the sun beats on them. If I skip a day or forget to give them water, they wilt. They revive and are pretty once again when I pour water on them. No, they do not die, even if I miss two days. But they sure wilt .......waiting for me to give them water.

Over the summer God revealed to me that I am just like those plants. If I spend time with Jesus everyday, reading His word, praying and talking with him, I am not wilted. But when I neglect or forget to spend that time, I wilt. I do not die, but I wilt. The more days I forget to 'water' my inner life, I wilt more and more. As God pours on His life giving words to me, I revive.

I woke so many days in the summer with the first thought, I am thirsty for you God. His mercies to me. I spend much time reading and rejoicing in who he is.....I loved it, cherished those moments.

Do you ever feel 'thirsty' for hearing God's words to you?? Start with five minutes and read one Proverb for the day. Today is Sept. 26th. So read Provberbs 26. Or read Psalms 26 and add 30 to that number all the way through Psalms. (26, 56, 86 etc.) I have a Bible Reading Plan I follow for the year and I love it. I have tried many different ones through the years and right now I am using The Discipleship Journal Bible Reading Plan. If you want a copy, leave a message and I will mail you one. (more about this later)

For the summer I did not blog. It was a season of rest from writing! I love to write and write often in my journal. (How fun starting a new one too) I felt the Lord asking me to 'let it go' for a bit. What a great summer HE gave me. So much fullness of HIS love in my heart.

So here I am towards the end of September and I begin blogging again. I am excited to see all God will do in me this fall ~ for HE is faithful! 2Thessalonians 3:3

Happy New Year!

Beginnings are nice. New shoes. New baby. New house. New friend. New day. New week. New Year. Starting off fresh is motivating. We have now entered 2011. Wow.....2011. I remember in 1980 thinking how long away the year 2000 seemed to be. We had 3 little boys. Darlings. Cute. Full of energy and vim and vinegar. I was tired most nights too. I loved being Mommy to them.

So as I begin another NEW year ~ it causes me to pause and think. I think about 2010 and all the Lord did in and around me. I count my blessings. I see HIS hand at work. I see changes. I see how much my kiddos have matured in this last year, all they have accomplished too. I see the many mercies given undeservedly to me over and over again. I see forgiveness granted and given. I see love expressed in hundreds of ways. I see the goodness of a loving heavenly Father that gives, and gives, and gives again of HIS measureless goodness and presence in my life. So much to be thankful for. So much to be grateful for. Isn't HE wonderful and full of grace, love and mercies!

Having thought about 2010, I ponder the gift of 2011. A NEW YEAR!!! A year of expectations. What are my expectations? Since I know my God is good and HE is FAITHFUL.....I know the plans HE has for me are for His glory and my good.

Joys? Yes.....walking with HIM is pure joy. Disappointments? I am sure...yet they cause me to run to HIM. Hope? Always.....for my hope lies in Christ. Struggles? Maybe....but they cause me to grow in faith. Love? Sure...for they will know we are HIS by the love we have for one another. Heartache....we will see. I will enter into HIS sufferings and know HIM better.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Therefore all fear can flee away. I know whom I have believed and HE is able to do so much more than I can even imagine! My faith is rooted in HIM, not myself, not my circumstances, not my family, not my place in time. It is in HIM! What a year to look forward too! To HIM be all Praise!

Happy New Year, it all belongs to HIM, Lynette

Keep Your Heart

"Keep your heart with all diligence." Proverbs 4:23

As we think about marriage today, since it is 'Marriage Monday' this verse comes to my mind. Why? Because in order to cultivate and keep a tender love for my husband I must guard my heart against sin.

When my emotions roar up, as they did this week, and I feel less loving towards my hubby, a blinking red light in my mind should warn me. I can ignore it if I so desire. Yet, I don't want to ignore it because I desire to desire the truth. I have learned to 'fight' the good fight. How easily I can fall into sin and not tell myself the truth!

I keep a copy of one of Jonathan Edwards resolutions in my journal. He wrote: "Resolved, whenever my feelings begin to appear in the least out of order, when I am conscious of the least uneasiness within, or the least irregularity without, I will then subject myself to the strictest examination."

When that alarm goes off, I must examine my heart and repent of any sin. I run to the Cross. This is the way to maintain a tender love for our husband. When we agree with the diagnosis of Scripture as seen in Romans 3:23 , we can also receive the remedy. The forgiveness of Christ becomes ours and the power to change right along with it.

Charles Spurgeon wrote this:

"He who grows in grace remembers that he is but dust, and he therefore does not expect his fellow Christians to be anything more. He overlooks ten thousand of their faults, because he knows his God overlooks twenty thousand in his own case. He does not expect perfection in the creature, and, therefore, he is not disappointed when he does not find it." (Sermon "Ripe Fruit" #945)

I remember my husband is a sinner. BUT I AM TOO ~ my sins are great...who am I to point out the speck in his eye when I have a 'boulder of a log' in my eye? God's truth sets us free. He always tells us the truth ~ that to first take the log out of my eye and then gently attend to the speck in his. Often as I remove the log from my own eye....the speck disappears! Amazing! What great affection I have for the love of my life although I do not always show it. How easily my sin blinds me to my own heart condition.

So my thought today is "Keep watch on your heart ~ for out of the heart flow the issues of life." Proverbs 4:23

Easy? No.

Good? Yes.

Worth it? Always.

Fighting the good fight this week, though not me, but HE...who is faithful...on my behalf ~ Lynette

~Marriage Monday on Thursday~

Since I missed Monday to blog on marriage, I thought today I would! Flexible is good!

I answered the phones at work today. I was in the outer office enjoying the comings and goings all day long as I typed or answered the ringing phones. One of my friends came in and said "Hi" as she was going about her business, not as 'peppy' as usual. So I asked "things okay?". She alluded to the fact that things go haywire once in awhile in marriage. This was one of those days. We chatted for just a minute or two about marriage and I reminded her we don't always have to agree with each other to have a fabulous marriage.....differences are good and that is okay.

I just have to say it!

Life is messy. We don't live 'perfect' lives, or live in a 'perfect' world.

Cars break.

Kids vomit,

Water heaters leak,

Friends forget.

Spaghetti sauce splashes all over the new wallpaper,

Kids break lamps,

Dogs pee where they are not supposed to,

Children color on newly painted walls,

Hubbies get tied up at work,

Moms get loud,

We get tired and cranky,

Teenagers don't call,

Homework gets eaten by the dog,

Cookies for a surprise get burned,

A friend doesn't show up,

Broken bones happen,

People over sleep,

Rain ruins the hair-do for the date,

Sickness hits at an inopportune time,

Repairs take the money we planned for a surprise,

Spills leave stains.

Clothes rip.

Sweaters get lost.

We miss the bus.

Arguments erupt.

We lose our way.

Friends die.

We get disappointed.

We forget a bill.

Someone misunderstands us.

.......Lots and lots of things HAPPEN!

To all of us!

Life happens.

Messy at times--I remember so many times one of our babies filling a diaper to overflowing just as we got them strapped into the car seat~ dripping 'stuff' all over the car seat and our clean outfit ~ already running late for Church and my hubby is the Pastor! Whoa.....what can I say? Life happens.

I said to my friend, "Dave and I don't always agree on everything. If we did, one of us is un-necessary. Hey---I don't even agree with myself all the time.....ask my kids. I have been known to change my own opinion more than once!!"

Agreement is not what makes a fabulous marriage.

Commitment is.

Love is.

Respect is.

Forgiveness is.

A willingness to work through the things that really matter and let the 'little things' life is made of 'go'.

We are not perfect yet we know 'the Perfect One'. He gave HIS life for us. As a wife and Mom I am investing my life in those I love as I come to know HIM better and better each day. Center on HIM and the things that have eternal value.

Allow yourself to laugh at yourself and the funny things that happen around you. Love people and not 'things'. Tell them you love them, even when you don't agree!

Life is short. What do you want to be remembered for? Grouchy and impatient? Or loving and fun to be with? Short-tempered or long suffering? Sweet or bitter? Frowning or smiling (ugh!)..".did my kids really ask me why I had my mad face on?" (yes...to my shame..)

Life happens.

How will you respond? How will I respond?

I am glad 'chatting' with my friend reminded me of something today. My day does not have to go well for me; or my hubby and I to fully agree about everything to be happy! I already am happy because of WHO lives in me! How delightful!

Happy to be a daughter of the KING ~ Lynette

Stand by your MAN~

Then the Lord God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone, I will make a helper fit for him." Genesis 2:18

"For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man." 1 Corinthians 11:8-9

Marriage ~ we love it. We talk about it. We get frustrated at times in it. We invest in it. We enjoy it. We are happy when others join in it. We cry when people break it. We are surprised by it. We are hurt by it. We are enriched by it. We grow in it. We struggle at times in it. We love it.

1. Watch your Man
~What is a friend? One who will be a 'real' blessing to my soul? One who tells me that which I desire to hear? "Is it enough that he would spend his time and energies in my service? This comes far short of my desire....The friend for my case is one, who will watch over me with open rebuke....the genuineness of friendship without this mark is more than doubtful, its usefulness utterly paralyzed." ~ Charles Bridges, Proverbs

~Make your husband your friend....there is a difference you know!

~God has gifted you to watch your man.

2. Watch how you watch

~Do not nag, harp and bark

It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife. Proverb 21:9

A continual dripping on a rainy day and a quarrelsome wife are alike. Proverbs 27:15

"Quarrelsomeness is the habitual critiquing of male leadership, expressed in the tone and spirit of of sarcasm rather than respect for male leadership. It is how the good gift of female guidance expresses itself when twisted and controlled by sinful self centered-ness rather than by the Spirit and by love. It harps and barks and nags and belittles the man and his position as leader." --John Ensor ~ Doing Things Right in Matters of the Heart (I believe every woman should read this book before she gets married and every year there after ~ it should be required!)

~Take the log out of your own eye.

"Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, "let me take the speck out of your eye," when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye." Matthew 7:3-5

Convicting isn't it? I need to hear this often, you need to hear this often, we all need to hear it often. Enough for today......more tomorrow!

In need of God's Grace today, faithfully 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

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

~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

Sounds~

I am hearing chain saws buzzing very loudly this morning! Tracey, our next door neighbor is having his huge, big, dead oak tree taken down today. It sounds like a large bee hive outside! As I watched and heard the huge tree come down in one huge swoop, I was amazed at the way the ground literally shook! It's a pretty breezing morning.....but it will get hot cutting up all that wood.

I am thinking how blessed we are to 'hear'. The saw buzzing is unique! The beach waves are soothing. The cry of a new born baby is sweet. The sound of a lovers voice is pure gold. The noise of children arguing can be irritating. The sound of thunder can frighten. The music of your choice is fun. The praise of God's people for HIM is worship. The sound of a piano being played is pure joy (Thank you Hannah). The guitar humming away is beautiful (Thank you Rebekah). The chatter of a happy son is delightful (Thank you Caleb). Songs sung with gusto is thrilling (Thank you Dave ~ my favorite person in the whole world). The sound of a friends voice on the phone is encouraging. Water splashing in the pool full of kids is cheery. The sound of cars crashing is terrifying. Hearing your name called with love is wonderful Soooo many sounds we take for granted!

THINK!

How blessed we are!

You can use your voice to 'bless' or you can use your voice to 'curse'. Which will it be today? What 'sounds' will you make today? I hope to be a voice that 'blesses' my God, my family and friends, and others. Look around today and see how YOU can make a difference. Make a joyful noise today. You CAN you know. Just open your ears and listen. Then make a sound that blesses......I know I will!

Grateful to be HIS, Sherry

Spurgeon Quote~

I love to read Charles Spurgeon ~ he is easy to understand and his words speak straight to the issues of life. Here is a quote from one of his sermons. We can learn much from such devoted men of God from ages past! Discernment in faith is good!

When you know a man, if he be your intimate friend, you trust him, you love him, you esteem him, you are on speaking terms with him; you not only bow to him in the street, but you go to his house, you sit down with him at his table; at other times, you hold counsel with him, or you ask his assistance; and he comes to your house, and you hold familiar association the one with the other. Such the good understanding there is between you and the man of whom it may be truly said that you know him. On such terms must the soul be with Christ. He must not be merely an historic personage of whom we read in the page of Scripture; but a real person, with whom we can speak in spirit, commune in heart, and be united in the bonds of love. We must know him, his very person, so as to love and to trust him as a real Lord to us. Judge, then, each one yourselves, whether you really and indeed in this sense “know” Christ.

Do distinguish, however, between knowing about Christ and knowing Christ. We may know very much about many of our great men, though we do not know them. Now, it will never save a soul to know about Christ. The only saving knowledge is to know him, his very self, and to trust him, the living Savior, who is now at the right hand of God. To him it is we speak. With him in very deed we commune.

From a sermon entitled "Sincerity And Duplicity," delivered March 6, 1870 by Charles Spurgeon

Tuesday Thinkings~

As I sit here and pray for Aunt Barbara Rehnert ~ I am reminded of God's FAITHFULNESS! She loves Jesus with all her heart. She has been a 'bright spot' in my life ~ in the way she talks about the Lord and her love for HIM!

She is in the hospital now. She has congestive heart disease. Jesus is with her and her constant companion. How I wish I was there in town to frequently stop by and 'chat'. But I'm not, and I can't. But I write. I have written her 3 times this week. To say all those things we never take the time to say. To say them from the depths of my heart. To get them on paper and into her heart. I love you Aunt Barbara for sharing your love of Jesus with me and with soooo many down through the years! Our HOPE is in HIM! Wait for me.....I can't wait to sing at the feet of Jesus with YOU!

Grateful to be HIS, Sherry

Chihuahua Blessings~

So far away and yet so near!

That is how I am feeling about Mexico right now~ My heart is very much there and my body is very much here. I have been praying, thinking, praying and dreaming about Mexico.

Mexico is now in my blood stream. What can I say? That is the best analogy I can say to explain how I am now. All the things that I was afraid of were as nothing. Those things I had heard and thought "oh no".....were less than nothing. The LORD is in Mexico doing an amazing job through amazing people. It is all HIM....yet HE uses who HE chooses!

I left behind so many dear friends as we drove away from Chihuahua. I loved being with LightShine ......and wish we could of been there more. The kids. The staff. Hearts opening to God's love. The love and affection and all the diverse personalities....what joy!

Being there for the Marriage Conference was really really a blessing. If you are married you never will (or should never) out grow hearing about biblical marriage and all the challenges, struggles, joys and blessings of walking with your spouse hand in hand with your God. I was amazed at the honest questions asked at the Q&A session. People really do want to know how to live for Jesus Christ. Dave and I enjoyed getting to know Marcos and Alma (Dave's translator) and thank the LORD for them. Of course getting to know Heather & Chris and Lisa and Sean was a true blessing. God has his servants all over this globe serving HIM and HIS people.

My heart and life will never be the same. I am changed. I am humbled. I came face to face with my own selfishness of heart. I saw with new eyes. My heart beats differently now. I see the LORD's heart in a new way. Chihuahua is in me now. I pray, I think, I pray for Chihuahua and all those whom I love there!

Do your work, Oh Lord, and be glorified!

Gratefully His, Lynette

Clinging

"Nothing in my hands I bring,
Simply to thy cross I cling;
Naked, look to thee for dress;
Helpless, come to thee for grace;
Black ('Black enough!') I to
the fountain fly,
Wash me, Savior, or I die."

"Generally, the people who repent the most think they are impenitent. People feel their need most when they think they do not feel at all, for we are no judges of our feelings. Hence the gospel invitation is not put upon the ground of anything of which we can be a judge. It is put on the basis of our being sinners, and nothing but sinners." ~ Charles Spurgeon from 'Faith' page 33.

I love Charles Spurgeon. Even though he is dead, I consider him a great christian friend. He resonates with me as I read his words. He says it like it is. Very concise and to the point. I am blessed in that Dave and my son Rob have many of his books and gladly lend them to me to read and ponder.

What he is saying is so true in my own life daily. I will not and cannot depend on my own 'feelings' to determine my hearts state of affairs. The Holy Spirit leads me to the truth. Sometimes when I think I am doing okay, I am in most danger. Somedays, I struggle and wiggle and beat my breast and am just where HE wants me. I have many times been reading along and 'boom---the words jump off the paper and straight into my heart with deep conviction and awareness of my sin.' I wasn't looking for it, seeking it, yet God showed me my errors. So I run to the cross!

I for one am so thankful for the power of the Lord. He can break the hold sin has in my heart. He cares for me. He leads me in the truth. I hear HIS voice, I know HIM and follow HIM daily! Thank you Lord for your marvelous grace and mercy to me.....a sinner!

Yes, Charles Spurgeon, I must not depend on feelings to know where I stand ~ I am most miserable if I do!

Clinging to the Cross ~ my only hope in this life!
Delighting in Jesus, hugs, Lynette

My counselors ~

"Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors." Psalm 119:24

How I have struggled so many times with things in my life when all I needed do was turn to my 'true and faithful counselors' ~ hidden in God's word.

What life it brings. What peace it gives. What help I find. What grace bestowed on me. What soothing of my mind I find. What true joy is mine. What hope is there. What protection is near. What strength is given. What steadfast love endures forever!

Take the time to read all of Psalm 119 today and REJOICE ~ HE can be your favorite 'counselor' today too!

In Jesus is my delight ~ hugs, Lynette

Everyday

Everyday I preach the gospel to myself. Why??? Here is what Martin Luther had to say about it.

“The gospel cannot be preached and heard enough, for it cannot be grasped well enough,” wrote Martin Luther.

I love the Gospel for it is my only HOPE! Yet, I find I don't "grasp it well enough".

I cannot 'earn' God's favor....even if I read my Bible everyday and memorized scripture all day long. NO ~ it is a free gift, given to me by a most grace giving GOD! He accepts me when I error. He accepts me when I fail. He accepts me when I'm ugly to others. He accepts me when I don't accept myself. He is FOR me because Jesus paid the penalty.

My heart and brain learn it over and over again and I still don't 'grasp' it well enough. It doesn't matter what others think of me, only what GOD knows! He knows the whole lot and loves me for Jesus' sake.

Now that is something to 'yell' from the housetops! It frees me to walk in HIS delight. Our world is waiting for this good news. Your kids are waiting for this good news. Your family is waiting for this good news.

It really does affect the way in which I accept and love others...you cannot give to others (especially our children) what you yourself do not have. Stop trying to 'do it' and allow God to use you as HIS vessel ~ HIS life flowing through you!

Preach the gospel to yourself today too....you'll be glad!

The secret !

Yesterday was "First Wednesday Fast" here in Baltimore. Not a fast to win God's favor, but a fast so we have more time to pray.

Dave and I spent our lunch time praying outside together. It was rather warm and breezy. What I would call an average day for us. I am not often given to 'fasting', although this was not my first time doing it.

I must say though that the time spent praying was just wonderful. Time spent with the Lord bringing praises to Him, telling HIM how wonderful HE really really is. Then praying for others. Heart work.

This morning during devotions, I was praying for my husband. I have a book entitled "Prayers of an Excellent Wife" by Andrew Case, that I am praying through over my favorite person, Dave. On page 124 ~ there it was! A very powerful quote ~ "Prayer--secret, fervent, believing prayer--lies at the root of all personal godliness." ~ William Carey

So many times we think 'doing' things for the Lord is at the root ~ but NO ~ it is prayer, so I go into my 'closet' and I pray, no fanfare, no announcement, no telling....just praying! Not to win favor but because "I love the lover of my soul" ~ Just me and my Lord!

Delighting in Jesus today, hugs, Lynette

A well ordered life~

Drop thy still dews of of quietness
Till all our strivings cease.
Take from our souls the strain and stress,
And let our ordered lives confess
The beauty of Thy peace. ~ John Greenleaf Whittier

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He that hears my Word and does it, he it is that loves me. If you love me, keep my commandments. His commandments are not grievous.

As I watched a pretty cardinal bathing in our bird bath today, I was amazed. How precious to see that little bird washing and then shaking his wings, then washing again, putting his whole little body in the water. Shaking again, he flapped his wings and then flew off. What a sweet picture of diligence in an everyday task.

No fretting. No worries. Just trust. I want to be like that pretty little cardinal. Trusting, going about my daily tasks and rejoicing in my maker and guide. What a great God to send me this sweet reminder!

Delighting in Jesus, hugs, Lynette

Meditating during the day---

Someone asked me 'how' I meditate.

There are many different styles. I have two. I will share one today and the other another day!

Well, it is rather easy. We all think about stuff. We let our minds wander the halls of our thoughts. As I put the dishes away, as I load the washer and drier, as I water my plants, as I go up the steps to put away 'stuff' for the hundredth time today, as I dress, wash my face, as I undress and put my PJs on; my mind is thinking! I might be thinking about the kids, I might be thinking what to make for dinner. I may be thinking about my hubby or my college kids, or my Grandkids. Any number of things could fill my mind.

So I 'choose' in those moments to think 'scripture'. I have a little spiral tablet that is full of memory verses that I personally need to remember. We all have them. 1Peter 5:7 ~ "Casting all your cares on Jesus, for He cares for you!" (One of the very first I had my kids memorize years ago) Psalm 42:5 when I'm 'blue'. My girls and I have memorized Psalm 131, Psalm 100 etc. together.

Then when I am going about my work, I think, I turn over in my thoughts those verses. When I first was learning to do this, I taped up the verses over my kitchen sink to memorize them, to help me. I carried verses in my pockets. Over time I have gotten a bit better at memorization, yet I still at times revert back to this method (taped over the kitchen sink) to really nail down the verses I am learning or reviewing.

I can give a very recent example. Mark 9:23-24 "And Jesus said to him, "If you can! All things are possible for one who believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!" ESV

So for the day I mulled these two verses over and over and over.
Do I believe?
What is "crying out" about?
What pockets of unbelief do I have?
Do I know what they are?
Does Jesus hear me?
Help! I need help!
What was Jesus thinking?
All?
possible?
What does that mean?
How desperate was the father?
and on and on and on........
How does this apply to me Lord?

All day long, thinking about this father and his encounter with Jesus. Asking the Lord,
talking to the Lord.
Talking to myself.
Looking, really looking at each word and what it means to my life.

In the beginning as I was learning to meditate it took effort. Now it just comes. I wish I had written all the verses down that I had done this with but alas, I did not. I have enjoyed my hours with the Lord doing this. I especially enjoy doing this as I work outside in the open air. I even can then talk out loud.

At home around others, in my free minutes I do it silently. It is not a "leave me alone, I meditating" kind of thing. It is more a back and forth, back and forth. Minutes at a time. After telling Hannah to move onto the next subject, or in between tests, I am meditating. Others may not even know I am doing this! My children are growing up, so my minutes to meditate during the day and at night when I can't sleep or wake up at night are more plentiful. When they were little it was more challenging.

Just do it! Driving, walking, standing, alone, with others, even in crowds. Don't just wander all over with your thoughts, have a verse to meditate on. If you can't remember, stick a verse in your purse to look at while waiting in line at the grocery store. Pull it out! Bring every thought captive to the obedience of Jesus Christ.

I can not tell you the delight of it all. It really isn't all that complicated, just pick one verse, memorize it and then go to town. Pick another one if you want. I sometimes jump from one and then it leads to another and I am having a blast!

Then stop and listen to what the Lord tells you. HE wants you to do this and HE will give you answers to your questions or discussion with HIM!

I am HIS sheep and I hear HIS voice. I know the Shepherd's voice. I hear HIM call me. I hear HIM speak. You can too.

Happy Meditating ~ delighting in Jesus today, hugs, Lynette

PS. If you try this method, let me know how it went ~ share the blessing! Keep at it ~ you too will find delight!

Marriage Monday~

I have been thinking and pondering a great deal lately about marriage. All sorts of aspects of marriage have been moving through my brain like waves on the ocean. Affections, responsibilities, companionship, sex, joys, irritations, helps, " honey do" lists for me and he, loves, dislikes, thoughts, cares and hopes. Like great heaving waves ~ flowing in and out like the tides of blue ocean waters.

How I love being married. I too like to read, caught that habit from my hubby. He got me started in loving to read good books about marriage, godly books, when we were in our early years. How many many books down through the years I have read. Some he read to me, after a long day with our littles. Many we have read to each other or together separately. Dave has always said one of the reasons we have such a close, deep relationship is because we 'work' at it~He has always had a 'marriage book' on his night table, either starting it, in the middle of it or just finished reading it. Some were fun ones, talking about sex. Some were deep theological ones.

I know we are blessed by God's grace in our relationship. It isn't us ~ it really really is the Lord. I am not just saying this, it is true. We often at night 'say it' to each other. I am a real sinner. He is a real sinner. We manufacture 'idols' so easily. So constantly. So without thought, we sin. But for the grace of God we each could be sour, bitter, angry, and hateful partners. Yet, because HE died for me and my honey, we have a sweet, yielding, deep, abiding, loving and forgiving relationship. One the Lord smiles on. It is amazing to consider, HE gives us the the GRACE and then HE blesses us for having it!

5 years into marriage I realized it was me, the one who the Lord was interested in changing. I was selfish and self centered. The LORD woke me up! It isn't about what I want, need, hope for or even see. It is about being what the Lord wants me to be. I am so thankful HE did wake me up! Marriage brings out the good and the bad in all of us. It is a sanctifying tool the Lord uses to show us our own black hearts. I cringe when I hear someone 'complaining' about their husband. When I dare think to complain the LORD says "Sherry, it is you". Take that huge log out of your own eye and then you can see the splinter in your honeys eye~ it is all perspective!

I guess the reason I am thinking so much about marriage is, our 40th is next month. If I could do it all over again ~ a thousand times ~ YES....I would marry the love of my life. Hard at times, but fruit gained through it all.

But oh the JOY!
~ through the years,
~ in love,
~ in struggles,
~ in funny moments,
~through the losses,
~ in cares,
~ in sorrows,
~ in victories,
~ through separations,
~ always together in hearts,
~through the hard times
~ in our gains,
~ in our tears,
~ in our delights

God has made us knit together like a beautiful tapestry. How we thank HIM ~ How we praise HIM ~ How GREAT the Fathers Love!

If you are married ~ stop today ~ and tell the one God has given you ~ how grateful, how thankful, how delighted you are that GOD has given this one to you. Remember you are a sinner and so is he. God has made a way! Do as we do ~ let your sweet voices ring together thanking our Father for HIS GREAT love to YOU as husband and wife! Make that be the last words you say ~ as you go to sleep at night ~ we do!

Delighting in Jesus today, hugs, Lynette

Marriage Monday~

I was thinking Monday would be a good day to 'journal' about Marriage!

What girl doesn't like to think, talk, or read about marriage? I know I do. My Mom did not tell me much about marriage before I got married. I don't know why. She was a quiet person and was rather private ~ even with me and my sister Robyn. She told me later after I had been married awhile that her Mom never said one word about marriage or being a wife.

After turning to my Bible to see what God said, I needed application ideas. I was blessed to be living at a time in history when books on marriage were plenty at the book store and in the library. So I read all I could find the first year of marriage. I read lots and lots. I think back and am amazed at how naive I was as I walked down the aisle to get married. I must add some of the authors were very good and godly, some were worldly and nasty. I tried to stay away from the nasty ones.

A very very very good book I would recommend to every older girl to read is "Let Me Be a Woman" by Elisabeth Elliot. My girls will each be given their own copy soon. It is a book written from Elisabeth to her daughter, Valerie the year before she marries. It is packed full of wisdom, insight and things girls should know about men. I found it a delightful read.

One thing I have been thinking a lot about is love and respect. The Bible tells husbands to 'love' their wives. God knows that is what we NEED. It also tells us as wives to 'respect' our husbands. Go back and look up the passage, it doesn't say for the wife to 'love' her husband. Respect is to men what love is to women. I love my own husband so much. YET---he NEEDS my respect. Showing respect is different than showing him love.

How so, you ask! Well, respect is what HE needs....so as a wife I should be studying how to show my husband respect. I could make a list a page and half long. You see, I have learned the hard way! I have many times blundered in this area.

• Do I interrupt him as he speaks?
• Do I interject as he explains?
  
• Do I say 'turn here' as he drives?
• Do I frown at him when I should be smiling at him?
• Do I say 'don't forget.....' ---I am not his mother!
• Do I say 'yes, sir--please--thank you and you are right often!
  
• If I need help do I 'tell' him to do such and such or do I ask sweetly?
• How many times have I contradicted something....even little things? Very disrespectful!
• How easily do I defer to his choice.
• Do I build him up in front of the kids?
• How often do I compliment him, esteem him, tell him how great he is?
• What do I do to show him I appreciate his manhood?
• Look for manly things to compliment...not feminine~
• Did you know being 'unhappy' in public is a public rebuke to your husband?
  

These are just some of the biggies for me. For you the list would be different. This is just a very tiny list of ways I can show respect or fail to do so. I have failed many times. God forgives me and so does my hubby. I have learned to humble myself and ask forgiveness, which is a very good thing.

Let's give our husbands what they NEED, what they desire. Remember respect to your man is like love ...only different! HE will love you for it! This is a lifelong process....keep at it!

Enjoy your marriage today ~ God's gift to YOU!

Delighting in Jesus today, hugs, Lynette