Seasons

 I have titled this blog "SEASONS".  As my life propels forward it somehow keeps adding events to my life that have forced me to view life from a different perspective.

I have been asked often, "How are your doing?  How are you holding up?"

Well, because, I am human and live in a sinful world, I am not holding up as well as I would like.

There have been seasons of depression and anxiety.
There have been seasons of discouragement.
There have been seasons of not being able to concentrate on the task at hand and difficulty focusing.
There are some seasons that remain in a perpetual state of Ground Hog Day yet days are a constant change, an oxymoron.

If this is the Golden Age, then there is nothing about it that appears to be golden except for God's Word that remains the same. I hold on to His gold nuggets.
And that my friends is my motivation, the goal, the eternal perspective.

 I have had to turn to the Psalms for comfort and strength just to make it another day.
"I cry out to God most high,to God who fulfills his purpose for me."ps.57:2

SEASONS OF PRAYER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"I CALL upon you,for you will answer me,Oh God; incline your ear to me,hear my words." Ps.17:6

"In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help..." Ps.18:6

"For who is God, but the Lord? And who equipped me with strength."  Ps. 18:31,32"The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped." Ps.28:7

"As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me.You are my help and my deliverer..."  Ps.4017

"The Lord sustains him on his sick bed; in his illness you restore him to full health." Ps.41:3

"He chose our heritage for us."  Ps. 47:4

I chose to use the above pictures as a tool for focusing on certain areas of prayer as I was having a hard time focusing and was so disorganized that I needed something to help me.  I will probably be visiting this blog often.

GOD, OUR GOOD SHEPHERD

So today, I have chosen to reflect on God as Our Shepherd.  This has been inspired by the current events in my life as well as preparation for the next AD newsletter which we will hopefully be sending out in the near future.

Although this topic was presented by Ryan as a devotional to encourage many of us who are going through some rough trials, it was I who was taking notes and trying to keep up with wisdom nuggets presented.

So, I have attempted here to gather my thoughts and draw attention to the fact that "The Lord Is MY Shepherd" try to recall what was presented not only to encourage my readers but to encourage and comfort myself. 

Following are the notes which I took of that devotional:

 We are currently following the theme of GOD AS A SHEPHERD.

Four key passages support this COMFORTING image.
1.  Genesis 48:15  "And he blessed Joseph and said
                              'The God before whom my fathers
                              Abraham and Isaac walked, the God
                              who has been my shepherd all my
                              life long to this day.'
                              The point being made that God as                              Shepherd has been busy caring for
                              our needs consistently.
2.  Psalm 23           We were reminded of David, one of
                              the most famous shepherds of all, a
                              faithful leader, an imperfect man who
                              walked in The Valley of the Shadow of
                              death, his incredible journey with so
                              many ups and downs, and intense
                              difficulties.
                              "I shall not want." the emphasis on God
                              leading me.  How can I lack anything?
                              God is the one shepherding me.  What
                              can I ever need?
3.  John 10:7-16     We are to keep thinking about Him as
                              our shepherd.  

4.  Rev.7:14-17      Our Shepherd will guide through eternity.
                              We were encouraged to HOLD ON TILL THE FINISH.


Reflecting again on the metaphor of "God as Shepherd", it brings, we as
sheep, incredible COMFORT throughout life.
What is the purpose of this imagery? (Ps.23:3)  To glorify the role of the
shepherd, to exalt/magnify the Lord.  Happy sheep reflect on God's glory.  

The ultimate goal on these reflections and meditations on God as Shepherd
is to cause us to worship so others recognize his glory, character, and
attributes:
                  His wisdom is on display
                  Strength & Power on display- He is someone who helps us fight
                  in our weaknesses
                  His goodness & grace, our souls are at peace.

So how is God leading you in difficulties?  These are opportunities to explain
how God is showing himself as a good shepherd in our lives.  God's shepherding
is on display in our lives through our adversity and difficulties and even a death in the family.

                            Ligonier.org/learn/articles/grief-and-christian/

The Priceless Grace of Pressure | Desiring God

I have noticed a pattern that when I ask God for more — to know more of
his grace, to trust his promises more than my perceptions (faith), for a
deeper understanding of his word, for greater discernment and wisdom,
for more love for others, for more self-control, for more of his Holy
Spirit’s empowerment — what I receive is more pressure. And frequently
the kind of pressure I receive is often not what I thought I was asking
for, so I am at first confused and sometimes sinfully frustrated.
Because my conception (my imagination) of what “more” I needed was
different than God’s.      
Double click on words to read the rest of the article.

The Priceless Grace of Pressure | Desiring God

Thriving in Crisis

I am writing this blog at work while the Merry Maids are busy scrubbing the tile floor and chatting to each other in Spanish.  I was also in the process of cleaning out my e-mails and reviewing the flagged ones and came upon this devotional by William Varner.  He is a favored teacher of God's Word and I believe he teaches at the TMC as well as a fellowship group (AKA SS) that my husband attends Sunday mornings.
His advice on Thriving in Crisis comes at a time when it is so difficult to comprehend what in the world is going on.  Difficult to go on with some normalcy because it does not seem that there never really is a sense of normalcy



Psalm 34 Thriving in Crisis
The psalm title gives the background: David’s strange behavior before Achish, king of Gath. The Biblical text is 1 Sam 21:1–22:2. After this problematic behavior, David hid out in the Cave of Adullam where he was joined by his “mighty men.” This background will help us see the significance of some of his statements.

David’s advice to those in crisis is fivefold:
1. Praise the Lord (vv. 1–3). The emphasis here is not that we praise the Lord at expected times (Temple, Church, Chapel), but that we praise Him “at all times.” Read Hab. 3:17–18 to see the testimony of a prophet who had learned to do this even when the enemy had destroyed every visible thing in which he trusted!

2. Trust the Lord (vv. 4–7). If we have said “trust the Lord” once in these devotionals, we have said it a dozen times. David tells us what trusting really means. It means to “seek” Him (v. 4), to “look to” Him (v. 5), to “cry out” to Him. When you do this, the angel of the Lord encamps around you. This is illustrated by the calm eye in the midst of a powerful hurricane.

3. Taste the Lord (vv. 8–10). To taste is to personally experience. David’s knowledge of God was evidenced by his intense personal relationship with him. Are you sometimes afraid that people will think you are “too spiritual” and that “you are so heavenly minded you are no earthly good?” Frankly I have never met such a person. Would that we were cursed with such heavenly minded people!

4. Fear the Lord (vv. 11–14). You fear the Lord by watching your words (v. 13) and by watching your walk (v. 14). This passage is quoted and applied by Peter (1 Pet. 3:10–11). Is this what David taught the mighty men in the Cave of Adullam? David was at his best when he was on the run from Saul.

5. Flee to the Lord (vv. 15–22). It is the troubled and crushed and broken that the Lord hears and delivers and keeps. The high and lofty one comes down to the level of our need (Isa. 57:15) (Jeff Eckert).

Verse 22 is the final promise in this acrostic poem and the author focuses our attention on God’s deliverance of His servants who take refuge in Him. “This verse links the psalm to a larger Messianic theme in Psalm 2:12 which uses the very same language about the blessedness of those who take refuge in the Son of God who is also the Messianic Son of David” (Varner

OUR MOUNTAIN MAN, MATT

Our Mountain Man Matt

Our family has just gone through a surreal heavy time.  We have been left wondering at God's purposes in choosing this time to transport our son to his more permanent home.

He had just purchased a home, an extreme fixer-upper, and was just beginning to enjoy the fruits of his labor and plans for a future.

Our hearts have been comforted by our faith in God and faithful praying family and friends who have come along side us.

We thank the Lord for all the memories and the ability to capture so much in the tangible way of photos.

We thank the Lord for His peace and care.

We thank the Lord for his strength and hope for our future.

Even though our hearts are heavy and grief comes in waves, we rejoice over Heavens gain.

We know Matt is worshiping the God of ALL creation.  He was a special treasure to his family and extended family.  And yes, we will miss him.  The camp especially misses him as God chose to take him during the peak campers season.  

Matt was one-of-a-kind.   He gave me a run for my money when he was young as his activity levels ebbed and flowed.

The out pouring of love toward us has been phenomenal.

"Matt was a gentle, quiet presence at Grace Bible.  His consistent ministry in the sound booth on Sunday mornings is all the more significant when one hears the great lengths (not to mention the distance) he went to serve the body, especially in the snowy season."

Another person upon hearing about his passing had this to say "I was convinced I had missed the open door to really get to know my brother in Christ.  My time with Matt was short, but these character traits of Christ I have seen in Matt.  He was loving, quiet, gentle and a kind man.  He was dependable, faithful, honest, and humble."

From a letter received:  "...Not sure where to begin but let me start by saying what an amazing son you have.  I am not sure when I first met Matt but it most likely was at church.  I got to know Matt best though by seeing him and chatting with him while here at our house-dropping off invoices, picking up checks, bringing back receipts, painting our entire home on the outside and numerous other jobs employed to do.

I always enjoyed talking with Matt.  In the times I got to talk with him over the years, I came to appreciate his love for the outdoors and the skills God gifted him with.

When I think of your son, I think-quiet gentle-strength.  Not necessarily physical strength (which he had) but a God given strength and conviction to always do the right thing.

Matt was a man of integrity and this showed over and over again in how he lived his life and through his work.  He always smiled and never complained.  He always seemed content and loved what he did.

Matt found a church he liked in Roseville and often would stop by the house on his way there or back on Sunday night before heading up the hill.

He loved the truth he received there and looked forward to going each Sunday.

I often wondered how he juggled it all but nothing seemed like an effort to Matt.  The last time I talked with Matt was no different.  He greeted us with a smile and took a break to chat.  I loved the color of paint he was using and asked if he knew the name of it.   Not only did he hand me paint samples but the name and number for me to order that color.  He had shared that he put that same color in his new home and liked it too.

In short, my life has been blessed by knowing your son.  We miss him.  I know God has a plan and I certainly will not question Him but I guess the Good Lord needed him more than all of us.

Matt was a good and faithful servant.  We grieve the loss of a good friend and a sweet and awesome man.  We miss him-not because he was so faithful and good at his work but more because he felt like a son to us too."

Just want to thank you all for grieving along with us and we are feeling the comfort pouring over us.

MY MOTHER'S NOTEBOOK: 10 Commandments For Vacation

I thought it very appropriate to post this entry from one of my mother's notebook entries as many are making plans for vacations and such.
It gets more difficult to make those plans as one is more tied to the responsibilities of home and work.
My parents made many trips, however, they never really called them vacations as they entailed one thing or another.
Here is the entry, titled, TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR VACATION.

1. Thou SHOULD take a vacation; make it a GOOD Vacation.  Refresh yourself and enjoy your family.  Then come back eager to give your best for God's Work.
2. Thou SHOULD not go as far as you can.  That approach is exhaustive rather than relaxing.
3. Thou SHOULD plan with your family well in advance.  Order brochures, read a lot, let everyone help plan.  Many times the anticipation is more fun than the actual trip.
4. Thou SHOULD secure replacements for your Leadership positions in the church well in advance for adequate preparations.
5. Thou SHOULD plan one good trip rather than several so-so-ones.  Traveling in itself is usually not refreshing.  Refreshing comes from what you do after you arrive.
6. Thou SHOULD not use God's money to pay for your vacation.
7. Thou SHOULD take good short trips.  Stop early in the day.  Swim with the family.  Eat a leisurely evening meal.
8. Thou SHALT bring folks who spend vacation with you to church.
9. If thou remaineth at home for your vacation then thou SHALT not take the week-end for running around.
10. Thou SHOULD not vacation from the Lord's house on the Lord's day.  Plan where you will be at the house of worship.  Select outstanding churches in the area and attend worship.  Observe and bring back helpful suggestions to your church.

 

MY MOTHER'S NOTEBOOK: TIME PASSES & YESTERDAY FADES

 Time Passes & Yesterday Fades
 As much as we enjoy remembering days and places how easily it is to forget God's role in our past.  Time passes, yesterday fades and we are consumed with the present because that's where we are now.
How important is it to recall what God did for me when I lived in Mexico.  It is so refreshing to be reminded of what God did for our family in those earlier days.
 >
For protection:
I spent my childhood days romping around the mountain filled with pine trees, spaces of winding paths, open windy patches and random spots of neatly hoed corn rows dotting the country side.
 The town center below and the cottage-like-huts with spirals of smoke also dotted the mountain side.

The Town Center Below

 My childhood pleasures were many, though so simple, a little girl today would think it boring. We played with dolls, built houses of scrap lumber and branches from trees. We climbed trees, waded in tumultuous brooks and rivers and played briefly in deep quiet pool along the way on trips to visit other villages. Many trees and bushes bordered the thin trails we took.
 My home had none of the modern conveniences that we deem necessary now days.

>For provision
The following:
Edited & summarized from the note book as that was our life in Mexico.

We had all the necessities of life.  We didn't have electricity.  By kerosene lamp we read.  We listened to the news on the radio when the battery was not dead.
Our dresses, pajamas, aprons, and curtains were made from the print chicken feed bags, sewn on a treadle sewing machine.
We ironed our clothes with a charcoal filled iron.

Back Side View of House-Tile roof

We did not run to the doctor with each scrape and fall. (In an earlier post I described an incident that occurred when my brother broke his leg.}
We never knew we were poor.
Since we didn't have it, we didn't need it.

Our Adobe House-Front View

My Mothers's Note Book: Lord, You Know I Am Getting Older

I was very bemused at this entry.  I am sure my mother was beginning to think on this topic, of getting older.
Many of these entries from doing some detective work would have been around the later 1980's.  One entry was dated 1988.  This was during the time they lived in Castaic, California.
All of us kids were busy adding to the family tree.  And it was the summer my father had his heart attack and sent my mother into care giving mode as well as thoughts of how life fragile is. 

So back to the note book.  The entry has no title and is written by an anonymous author.
  "Lord, thou knowest better than I know that
   I am growing older, will some day BE OLD.

   Keep me from getting talkative, and particularly from
   the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on
   every subject and every occasion.
   (My mother loved to talk and perhaps knew that she
   had a tendency to being overly talkative and that is 
   what might have drawn her to these writings.)

   Release me from craving to try to straighten out
   everybody's affairs.

   Make me thoughtful, but not moody, helpful but not
   bossy.  With my vast store of wisdom it seems a pity
   not to use it all, but thou knowest, Lord, that I want
   a few friends at the end of my life.

   Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details,
   give me wings to get to the point.

   Seal my lips on my aches and pains.  They are
   increasing and my love of rehearsing them is 
   becoming sweeter as the years go by.

   I ask for grace enough to listen to the tales of others
   pain.  Help me endure them patiently.

   Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally it is 
   possible that I may be mistaken.

   Keep me reasonably sweet.  I do not want to be a saint
   some are hard to live with, but a sour old person
   is one of the crowning works of the devil.

   Help me to exact all possible fun out of life.
   There are so many funny things around us and
   I don't want to miss any of them."           Anonymous  

And now, I find my self wanting to ask the Lord for some of those same qualities as I get older or when I am older and find myself talkative and rehearsing my aches and pains.
 

My Mother's Notebook: Constructive Power of Praise

 My mother and father were always active members in The Christian Missionary Alliance churches  when ever they found one.  Each place they moved found them searching for the nearest Alliance church until it became to difficult to travel and they ended up making First Baptist Church of Auburn (California) their church home for many years.
They still kept up with all the Alliance news and received the Alliance Life magazine regularly.  Dad still gets it.
The second entry to My Mother's Note Book, written in her own handwriting was taken from the Nov.23 '88 Alliance Life by R.Jenks.

The Constructive Power of Praise:
SPECIFIC REASONS TO PRAISE
1. Praise fills God's 
   purpose in our live.
   Isa.43:7
2. Praise teaches us to be 
   obedient! Ps.67:5
   Heb.13:15
3. Praise increases our 
   faith and faith comes by
   hearing the Word of God.
   Ps.22:3 "He is present."
   Ex.15:2
4. Praise purifies our 
   thought life.
5. Praise breaks a 
   complaining spirit.
   Rom.l Acts 16
6. Praise moves us to reach
   out to others.
7. Praise increases our
   love for the Lord.

 

My Mother's Note Book

What treasures I have been finding.  My father handed me a note book to look at one day.

It was a note book that my mother had written many poems, and quotes she had come upon.
I really did not know my mother very well as I had spent much time in boarding schools and then when I was thirteen went to live with my grandparents.
I had to share her when I was just 13 months as by then my brother came along.
I regret not making more of an effort to nourish the relationship so finding this note book gave me some insight as to her relationship with the Lord and what was important to her at the time of the entries.
I also encountered a rough copy of some family history titled "Grandma Remembers" dedicated to her 6 children in which she gives a historical account of her life.  She began these accounts at the age of 70 and wished to continue them before her memory faded to be read to any as of yet unborn grandchildren and beyond.
 Well anyway, back to Mothers note book.  I thought it very interesting that I like my mother and before internet wrote out many poems,quotes and misc. just like she had.  It gave me a little more of an understanding of where her heart was during the times of those note book entries, struggling with perhaps many of life's issues as I in the present and needing encouragement from its composers.

Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to an all-knowing God

These entries have been  both interesting and encouragingly good reads that I will attempt to share some.
The first entry quoted from Orin L. Crain.   

SLOW ME DOWN, LORD

"Slow me down, Lord!  Ease the pounding of my heart by the quieting of my mind. Steady my harried pace with a vision of the eternal reach of time. Give me, amidst the confusions of my day, the calmness of the everlasting hills.
Break the tensions of my nerves with the soothing music of the sighing streams that live in my memory. Help me to know the magical restoring power of sleep.
Teach me the art Of taking minute vacations of slowing down to look at a flower; To chat with an old friend or to make a new one; To pat a stray dog, To watch a spider build a web; To smile at a child; Or to read a few lines from a good book.
Remind me each day that the race is not always to the swift; that there is more to life than increasing its speed. Let me look upward into the branches of the towering oak and know that it grew slowly and well.
Slow me down, Lord, And inspire me to send my roots deep Into the soil of life’s enduring values That I may grow toward the stars Of my great destiny.
~~~ Orin L Crain

My Mother in 1948

 

An Incredible Father, A Daughters Memories

Reflecting again on the fact that I have an incredible father, and I am blessed beyond measure that he was the man the Lord saw fit to place in my life.
Granted, he admits, to many failures and unwise choices in his 92 years of life but he was a man who loved God's Word.  Many times, I have observed him reading God's Word and remember being called for prayer and the reading of God's Word before bedtime in my very early years when he was home.  I remember how uncomfortable I was and in my immature wild heart wanting to be under the covers with a flashlight reading some other book instead of sitting on a hard chair listening to words I did not understand.
Because of my father, many in Mexico, would have perished in their sins.  My father and mothers choice to forsake all the comforts of home to minister to the Aztec and Totonac Indians in very rural Mexico in the State of Puebla in 1948 doing pioneer work.

Dad in pith helmet, Uncle Larry Puckett next to Joaquin

Those early days were not easy by any standards.  I was a part of those early days, as I was born shortly after they arrived, not knowing the language or anybody there.  At Tamazunchale, they began Spanish classes, 7 hrs. a day, every day during the week and eventually mastering the language.  It was hot and rainy and very   little electricity at night.  They cooked on a two-burner kerosene stove and washed the clothes by hand in cold water and then had to sit by them as they dried otherwise the clothes would get stolen right outside your door especially the underwear.
Dad's strong point learning Spanish was speaking and my mother's was hearing and understanding so together they learned to work as a team until they both got across what they wanted. 
They both learned to eat many new things and to this day Dad enjoys a variety of foods and is game to try new things.
Well here, I am rambling on about other things but what I had really set out to write about was how much time Dad spent hiking into remote villages, to present the gospel and encourage the believers.  I was recently reminded of this as I read a letter he had written to my grandparents, recalling a recent trip he had made in October of 1954.
"I came back from my trip Tuesday.  Perhaps you will be interested to know about it.  I left on a Sunday after the morning service, here in Cuautempan and arrived in Zapotitlan at dusk for the evening service.  The building was packed to the doors and there isn't room any more for the crowds that attend.  The church building isn't finished yet.  When completed will hold 350…Don Lucas of Zapotitlan went with me to carry my baggage.  We arrived their in good time (Monday) for a service.  The chicken was put on to boil while we had a time of Bible Study.  Oh, how these people need instruction in the word.  In this important town there are only about 20 converted Indians, but the Lord is opening others hearts…
Next morning we didn't get a very early start.  Pedro Tirso invited us to his house for coffee.  Arriving we found no less than 10 people waiting for us.  One young mother, brought her sick child for prayer and a young fellow, a recent convert wanted advice as to how long he should wait before marrying his sweetheart.  His mother wanted him to marry immediately so she would have a maid to help her in the kitchen.
The girl's folks wanted him to wait until the girl was of age as she was only 14.  They marry at a very young age.  After prayer, I advised them to wait at least a year.  The boy took the advice but his mother went away angry.
     It was ten o'clock before we left.  Antonio decided to come along with us.  To complicate matters, one of the horses shoes fell off.  The cobbler in Chapahutlan didn't have nails to put it back on.  We finally found someone who had a few nails so we could continue along that rocky trail.
     To make things more interesting, we met the Roman Catholic priest of Alintla, on his way from Dimas Lopez where we were headed.  He merely greeted us and went on but he must have been greatly displeased because he was the priest that vainly tried to stop the work in Dimas Lopez.  In spite of the rain that night, a number gathered for a service.
     The next morning I sent Lucas back to Zapotitlan with the horse as the river was too high for him to cross.  Antonio stayed with me and we crossed the river by cable, a chair like affair attached to a cable and someone pulls you across with a rope and pulley.  Antonio had never crossed this way before and was somewhat frightened.
     Across the river we began that long climb of 4 hours up Mecatlan Mountain.  The river is the State Line and except for Mecatlan is extremely hot country.
     We arrived in Mecatlan at 5 o'clock and were greeted at our Gospel Center by our two lady evangelists Celia and Delfina.  After a time of fellowship with the brethren we retired for the night.  Next day was Thursday and market day…We were so thrilled at the enthusiasm these believers showed.  The work is new and the first baptisms took place recently.  The girls in charge of the work until Manuel graduates from Bible School.IN THE HOLLOW OF HIS HANDS: PUCKETT WEB SITE CLICK HERE
     Friday morning Antonio left for his home and Mattheo served as carrier.  Celia & Delfina accompanied us to Reyes (Kings), a little village alongside the river about 3 hours walk.  We arrived at brother Raphael Cano's house.  Although they weren't expecting us we were greeted with turkey and mole for dinner.  It was his youngest daughter's birthday. Raphael is a rich merchant, but wholly consecrated to the Lord's service, has been faithful.  The presence of the Lord was felt in a real way.  Present were a family who had never been to the services before.  The Lord touched their hearts and we pray for their salvation.
     …….We had to cross the river again, this time, in a canoe.  Again it was uphill against the afternoon sun."

The above accounts spanned about a week.  And I am sure my mother counted the days until he would be back.  There were only three of us children at the time.  I was only five at the time.
      There were many, many, many other trips similar to these.
My Father has had a very colorful life and continues his prayer ministry and encouragement to others when the occasion  arises. 

REFLECTIONS ON SUFFERING

 I have never been fond of the book of Job.  I am not fond of suffering.  I am sure that I studied the book of Job as part of my biblical studies at Multnomah University and then promptly tucked it away in the recesses of my mind.
As a young person, I did go through mild periods of suffering depending on ones definition of suffering, however, now as my years continue, I have seen many friends in the throws of suffering.
It is going on two years since I have been attending the Alzheimer's support group at my church.  I originally went with the sole purpose of getting out of the house.   I had just lost my job and I after all had been taking care of a lady with Alzheimer's for five years.
Attending, I have found encouragement on all fronts and consider it a blessing to be in the company of those who are suffering and struggling in their care for a loved one.  The greatest impact on my life has been the devotionals, most that are related to the struggles in the care we give.
      We have recently been going through some studies from the book of Job.

 Ryan Dougherty has been presenting some very deep thoughts from that book.



 We were excited and encouraged by Ryan to view Job's suffering in a different light.
The question was posed as to why Job's friends got so much attention and how can this book be more meaningful to us in our situation.
We looked at chapter 28 wisdom as being the focal point of the whole book, being that no amount of effort, even as demanding as mining for precious treasures, will let us understand the depths of God's wisdom.  There is a limit to what we can understand when entering in to the realm of the deeper, hidden, mysteries of what God is doing behind the scenes.  In the challenges of caring for our loved ones, we can get trapped into the "what ifs" and we try to apply the practical type of wisdom found in the Proverbs which is understandable to all. The divine wisdom necessary to explain suffering is sometimes inaccessible to man.  (Last month)

This month, Ryan continued our study in Job.  We explored the source of Jobs suffering because God was contesting Satan, however, Job nor his friends knew it at the time and were attempting to explain it from their earthly perspectives.
God's perspective was that he knew what was going on and had everything under control of Job's situation.
From Job' s perspective he is wondering if his suffering is because he had done something wrong.  Then in Job 9:33, a turning point, Job is beginning to understand that he needs a mediator, an advocate.  Job 16:18.
Job 19:23,25, We learned that there is a redemptive purpose to what is happening in our suffering.  Suffering helps us understand that we have a Redeemer, a hope in the after life.  SUFFERING HAS A REDEMPTIVE PURPOSE.

So my involvement led to my present job as well as contributing to the newsletter we put out each month.  So does that make me an editor?
I would encourage those of you who are living within the distance of Grace Church to join us in encouraging each other through your presence.
You don't need to have a loved one to attend.  You can adopt one.

Benefits of Blogging (Journaling)

The Benefits of Journaling for Stress Management

By Elizabeth Scott, M.S.

Updated July 01, 2013

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exploration tool

What Is Journaling?:

Journaling is a term coined for the practice of keeping a diary or journal that explores thoughts and feelings surrounding the events of one’s life. Journaling, as a stress management and self-exploration tool, is not the same as simply recording the happenings in one’s life, like keeping a log. To be most helpful, one must write in detail about feelings and cognitions related to stressful events, as one would discuss topics in therapy.

What Are The Benefits of Journaling?:

Journaling allows people to clarify their thoughts and feelings, thereby gaining valuable self-knowledge. It’s also a good problem-solving tool; oftentimes, one can hash out a problem and come up with solutions more easily on paper. Journaling about traumatic events helps one process them by fully exploring and releasing the emotions involved, and by engaging both hemispheres of the brain in the process, allowing the experience to become fully integrated in one’s mind.

As for the health benefits of journaling, they've been scientifically proven. Research shows the following:

• Journaling decreases the symptoms of asthma, arthritis, and other health conditions.
• It improves cognitive functioning.
• It strengthens the immune system, preventing a host of illnesses.
• It counteracts many of the negative effects of stress.

What Are The Drawbacks to Journaling?:

Those with learning disabilities may find it difficult to deal with the act of writing itself. Perfectionists may be so concerned with the readability of their work, their penmanship, or other periphery factors that they can’t focus on the thoughts and emotions they’re trying to access. Others may get tired hands, or be reluctant to relive negative experiences. And, journaling only about your negative feelings without incorporating thoughts or plans may actually cause more stress.

How Does Journaling Compare to Other Stress Management Practices?:

Unlike more physical stress management techniques such as yoga or exercise, journaling is a viable option for the disabled. And, although some prefer to use a computer, journaling requires only a pen and paper, so it’s less expensive than techniques that require the aid of a class, book, teacher or therapist, like techniques such as biofeedback or yoga. Journaling doesn’t release tension from your body like progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery and other physical and meditative techniques, however. But it’s a great practice for overall stress reduction as well as self-knowledge and emotional healing. Email This Page To A Friend
_{Sources: Anderson CM. Writing and Healing: Toward an Informed Practice. 1999.
Ullrich, Philip M., M.A.; Lutgendorf, Susan K., Ph.D. Journaling About Stressful Events: Effects of Cognitive Processing and Emotional Expression. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, Vol. 24, No. 3, 2002.}

Learn How To Start Journaling

• How To Use Journaling for Stress Management
• Getting Started with Journaling: Selecting a Journal
• More Introspective Stress Relievers to Address The Cause of Stress

Other Techniques to Try

• Different Types of Meditation
• Yoga
• Karate Breathing Meditation

More on Journaling and Other Resources

• Journaling and 24 More Stress Relievers
• 5 Ways to Calm Down Quickly
• Take the Stress Reliever Personality Test

Related Articles

• Journaling for Health and Stress Management
• Journaling For Emotional Stress Relief
• Stress Relief For Tired People
• Which Stress Relief Methods Work Best for Your Personality? Video
• How To Create An Effective Stress Management Plan

Elizabeth Scott, M.S.
About.com Stress Management

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Reflections: On Stress

This month being Stress Awareness month has had me reflecting on the stressors in life as well as its consequences.
Although the Scriptures don't specifically use the word stress, it does help me deal with those stressors in my life

.
The dictionary defines stress as "physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension."  Stress takes a toll on us to varying degrees as I became very familiar with about six weeks ago.  "God has created us and knows that, because of our fallen natures, we can sometimes allow stress to rule our lives."
I find my self questioning what could be contributing to the stressors in my life.
  Could it be that I am not trusting God to provide? 
Could it be that I have become anxious and worrisome?
 Am I being consumed by maintaining a life style that was not meant for me at this season in my life?
Am I being disobedient and sinful that it has cut me off from peace and joy?
Am I lifting all things to God in prayer?
Am I filling my mind with His Word?
Is the stress I am feeling indicating an area of my life where my flesh is still on the throne?
I have found that one of the ways to counteract those stressors is to thank God for His countless blessings in my life.   "Count your blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done."
The world's way of relieving stress is through alcohol or drugs, or mindless entertainment and other ways which in itself are not necessarily detrimental to our lives.
Matthew 6:25,27
"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life,what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on.  Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?  And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?"  Classic example of why we get stressed out.
John 14:1
"Let not your hearts be troubled.  Believe in God; believe also in me."    A life with out God makes coping with stress impossible.
Proverbs 3:5-6
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding…"
Philippians 4:6-7  "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication…"   Turn everything over to Him.
Psalm 55:22
"Cast all your cares on Him because He will sustain us…"  He will sustain us through burdens and circumstances.
 

Tired of Waiting (Part 1)

Tired of Waiting (Part 1)   



Wow!  Much to think about waiting.  Part 2 of this article is also worth the read and reread.

"Be still and know that I am God."  

Waiting is not my favorite activity, however, unfortunately, it IS a daily occurance in my life. 

Behind THAT door

DOORS

Tonight, I have been thinking of doors.  Yes, you heard it right, doors.  Perhaps it is because we really need a new back door and doors are important.
Well, then one thought led another as I recalled an incident from my childhood and then from a story out of The Little House On The Prairie book.

When I was about eight or so, our family was building a new adobe house up on the mountain side in the outbacks of Mexico.  The house was not quite finished when we moved in and our steel bunk bed and a crib were set up on the dirt floor in what would later become the living room.  There was no door and my father had propped up some planks to act as a temporary door, however, it allowed enough space for a wild dog to enter scaring us to death one early morning.  It sent me scrambling up to the top bunk to join my brother, leaving my baby sister screaming in the crib.  Then I remember us all screaming until my father came to chase it out.

"Laura Ingalls Wilder tells a similar story in “Little House on the Prairie” as she described their home-in-progress on the plains of Kansas. The cabin was complete, except for the door. Her mother hung a quilt over the opening, and in the meantime all that stood between the vast prairie and the Ingalls family was their watchdog and Pa Ingalls’ gun. Laura writes of a night where the howl of a wolf woke her from her sleep, and she quickly realized that as her father and their dog stood guard in the open doorway, a pack of wolves had entirely surrounded the little cabin. They dared not come near so long as Pa stood guard, but it was glaringly obvious they had come for a meal. Needless to say, the very next day, Pa finished “two stout doors;”one for the house and one for the stable."
So then I got to thinking how important doors are as I close,open, lock them before I leave, before I sleep to ensure the safety of everything and everyone.

So then I got to thinking how do I  ensure the safety of my body,soul, and mind.
What kind of doors am I  leaving open

I find doors very interesting.  There are many kinds and one never knows what one will find for certain.

"As you place your hand on the doorknob to enter a room do you ever stop to think about what you might encounter on the other side of that door? What will you find or experience as you step over the threshold? Anytime we are about to walk into a room what waits for us on the other side of the door may be an expected scene or perhaps something so surprising and unanticipated that it may change our life or the life of someone else! As caregivers, regardless of whether we are caring for someone in our home, a nursing home, hospital or hospice, we probably experience these moments of not knowing what to expect each and every time we walk through the door to extend care for our patient or loved one. Learning ways to cope with what often times is unexpected is an important aspect of care giving."
The above excerpt from some random place rings out much truth because in life so much is unpredictable and every time I go through a door to work may yield pleasant surprises or challenges.