Point of View

VIEW

As always with defining a word, I want to go to different directions.

I think of view when I'm out on a road trip trying to capture the beauty of God's creation with my camera.

I also thought of view in the sense of "point of view."  I have a sound track of a Priscilla McGruder song that I love called, "Heaven's Point of View."  I love this line in the song:

"What's a mountain to this eagle flying high,

 from Heaven's point of view?"

If we could just take a step back and look at things the way Heaven views them, we would not be near as worried and stressed about things as we are.  In Heaven, the end is known from the beginning.  God already knows exactly what  will happen and He has it under control.

For instance, when my house was flooded in 2011, it didn't take Him by surprise and He already knew that He was going to use the flood as a way to bless me and my family.

And He did just that.

So when you are facing a mountain of trouble, pray and ask God how He views the whole thing.  If you abide in Him, there will be a lot less fear and uncertainty.  Because your mountain looks like an ant hill to Him.

STOP

On Fridays, I join the community at 5 Minute Friday who write for 5 minutes on the word selected by Lisa-Jo Baker.  Here are the rules:

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

Sounds like fun, yes?  If you want to join us, go to Lisa-Jo Baker.com.

F.F.F. - 05.24.13

What a great day!  The air is cool and crisp for a late spring day.  It's Friday which means I can wear jeans.  I've had a great work-out.  I'm refreshed and ready to start my day.

Actually, it's been a good week.

1. It started with last Saturday's road trip with our friends, Wayne and Glenda. We went on a road trip and visited The Iris Farm.  The Iris Farm is run by a sweet Mennonite family.  When in peak seasons, there can be as many as 40,000 blooms.  I took a ton of photos - the irises against the beautiful blue sky surrounded by green fields was irresistible.  Here are a few of my favorites:  

Field of Flowers

Wayne and Glenda

Jim

Wouldn't you love to be a kid and have this playhouse amongst the flowers?

Of course, we each bought some irises to take home and plant.  Hopefully, next spring, we will have a colorful reminder of this spring afternoon road trip. Then we headed to our favorite pizza place and had our favorite, The Saluki Special.

2,  Last week, I mentioned the knock-out rose bush in my yard had started to bloom.  I estimated their were eight blooms on it.  This week, I got to take a picture of it:

Way More Than 8!

Close up

3.  This week I continued the momentum of my exercise program and made it consistent for 3 weeks now.  For a non-athlete such as I, this is a good thing!  I do have to admit that I'm feeling better and having a little more energy.


4. Quote of the week:


“Jesus… said,” Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you.” … ~Mark 5:19


I'm struck by the phrase "to your own people."  Testifying to our friends and family is sometimes the hardest - but we're still called to do it!



5.  Anticipation:  I'm so looking forward to this weekend.  There will be a picnic on Saturday, worship on Sunday, and a mini road trip and grilling out on Monday.  Life is good!

And so another week on the Journey ends.  If you'd like to share your week, go to Susanne's blog, Living to Tell the Story, and link up!

6 Things About Me

We are all unique.  It's amazing to see the different personalities that God has put together in all the individuals of the world.

Yes, I've learned I march to the beat of a different drummer.  For instance ...

Sunrise in Our Backyard

1.  I'm an early riser.  My biorhythms seem to work best in the early morning hours. Lately, I've been learning to exercise first thing in the morning when I have the most energy and the least excuses. I work well all morning long until about mid-afternoon where I begin to get sleepy.  I get my second wind about 4 p.m. and feel pretty good until about 8 p.m.  After that, don't ask for much out of me.  And if, for some reason, I stay up after 10 p.m. you will hear nothing but nonsense from me.  My brain has powered down for the night.

But while I'm an early bird, my whole family are night owls. Yes, my family does their best work at night.  The midnight hours are for writing term papers, doing laundry, making brownies, remodeling projects - you name it.  One night I woke up to go to the bathroom and discovered my husband had moved the china cabinet and was mopping and waxing where it had stood.  Yep, that's how they roll.

2.  I gauge my comfort level on my toes.  If my toes are hot, air-conditioning and bare feet is the remedy.  If my toes are cold, then I'm freezing.  I must have socks, my heaviest afghan and a cup of hot tea. If I don't get those things, my feet will cramp and then nobody is a happy camper.

3.  I'm an inveterate laugher.  I get tickled at the most random things and at the most random times.  I've had to leave many a church service, wedding or funeral because something would strike me funny and I couldn't keep from laughing.  Also, I recycle old jokes.  What I mean by that is that I can suddenly remember something amusing that happened in the past and enjoy it all over again ... all day long. While I'm admitting all these things, I might as well 'fess up and tell you that if I get really tickled, I've been known to snort.  Loudly.

4.  I'm a voracious reader.  I not only read books constantly, but anything and everything that has the written word on it.  Even the backs of cereal boxes must be read - even if I've read it before.

5. I'm addicted to McDonald's sweet tea. I try to limit myself but it is verra verra hard! (Imagine a Scottish brogue as you read the word "verra.")

6.  I'm deathly afraid of mice - more afraid of them when they are dead then when they are alive.  Because, after all, if they are dead, someone has to dispose of them.  I try to make sure it's not me!

 This post was written in response to Writer's Workshop prompt 2.) List six random facts about yourself.  If you'd like to read other responses, or link up, go to Kat's blog, Mama's Losin' It.

Post-storm Musings

It's ironic that I wrote about an Epic Storm last week .... and then Monday, a tornado hit Oklahoma.

*A meteorologist for the local news station KFOR called the tornado “the worst tornado in the history of the world.”

There have been storms where more lives were lost, but in terms of size, strength and duration of the twister, the Moore, Oklahoma, tornado definitely qualifies as one of the worst.

As I watched the television news reports of the devastation wrought by the twister, I felt so heartbroken for the victims.  In 40 minutes, the tornado had devastated life for those who lived in Moore.  Nothing again would ever be the same.

I've been through a flood which was devastating to me, yet when it was over, at least we still had the frame of our house to guide us in our rebuilding.  Moore residents have nothing but piles of rubble.

The epic storm I described was a spiritual storm.  The Oklahoma storm was a terrifyingly physical storm ... but there will be spiritual consequences. Will people seek God for comfort? Or will they blame Him?

I watched several interviews of survivors and also Oklahoma officials.  Nearly all of them mentioned prayers.  Funny how in times of trouble, people mention prayer.  (Of course, they don't mention Jesus; still, I'm glad their minds do focus on prayer.)

During that storm, it would have been more than natural to fear.  We are, after all, human beings.  Our mortality is never more evident than during a physical crisis. When the storm was over, I pray that many gave God thanks for His protection. 

Last week, I wrote, "Until the call on our lives is accomplished, no storm can overtake us, no matter how epic its proportions."  I still believe that. I know some died, but I know many were spared. Spared for a purpose, I believe.

Join me in praying that Oklahomans will seek God for wisdom in rebuilding their lives.  May a move of God's Holy Spirit minister in Moore like never before. It wouldn't be the first time He brought something beautiful out of ashes.

For those whose lives ended yesterday, I'm praying their families find comfort only He can give.  I can write no words of wisdom here except to point people to God when tragedy strikes.

After all, He knows how it feels to lose a child.  

He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3

~~~

*Read more: http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/smartnews/2013/05/how-to-understand-the-scale-of-todays-oklahoma-tornado/#ixzz2Txa7VTQC
Follow us: @SmithsonianMag on Twitter

I'm sharing this post at the #TellHisStory community of writers because His story is that He cares about your broken heart. You can link up at JenniferDukesLee.com

Daybook-05.20.13

FOR TODAY, MONDAY, MAY 20th

Outside my window... overcast and warm, 76°

I am thinking...about my new daily schedule. Today begins week 3 of exercising continuously every morning before work.  The first week I did the Walk Away the Pounds video one mile walk.  The second week, I did the one mile walk while doing the weights.  This week, I'm doing the two mile.  Let me just say the two mile is more intense!

I am thankful...for grace.  How I need it!

In the kitchen... broiled pork steak

I am wearing... black dress with turquoise shrug

I am creating... new work habits.  I've already shared the exercise part of my new schedule.  I'm also working from home on my second job each evening instead of working all day Saturday. This is my second week of working from home and it seems to be going well.

I am going... to a picnic Saturday.

I am reading... book three of the Secrets of Crittenden County series, "Found," by Shelley Shepard Gray.

I am hoping...to have time to plant my containers on my porch soon.

I am looking forward to... Memorial Day ... another day off!

 Around the house... peace and tranquility

I am pondering... my next post ...

A favorite quote for today...

because what messes our life up most — is the expectation of what our life is supposed to look like … ANN VOSKAMP, A HOLY EXPERIENCE, Why Mother's Day is for the Birds

So true... I thought my life would turn out a certain way, and it was way the other direction ... at least, so far! Who knows what my life will be like by the end of my earthly journey?

One of my favorite things...using binders to organize various things.  I especially love binders with a clear pocket where you can use colored paper to make a pretty cover.

A few plans for the rest of the week: sticking with my new schedule ... and hopefully put up winter clothes and find my capris!

A peek into my day...

Bridge at the Iris Farm where we spent a lovely Saturday afternoon.

The daybook is a concept created by Peggy Hostetler.  You can link up at her blog, The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Sing A New Song

SONG

Oh, sing to the Lord a new song!
Sing to the Lord, all the earth.

Psalm 96:1 

I'm the reluctant worship leader at my church.  It's not that I don't want to worship, I love worship, it's just that I don't feel qualified and I wish God would send someone else to do it.  

Since He hasn't, yet, then I find that songs are on my mind.  All. The. Time.

I'm always wondering what song would be a good song to open with, and which song is good for closing?  Which more-contemporary-song can I introduce to our used-to-hymn-singing crowd?

Oh, there is much to think about.

I personally think we need to be singing all the time, and the songs that flow up out of your spirit are the best ones.

When I'm feeling happy there is often a song on my lips.  Maybe not even a spiritual song - sometimes it might just be a happy song.  "The Hills are Alive with the Sound of Music," can often be heard around my house just as much as "Love is a Many-Splendored Thing."

When I feel the presence of God, often the song "He Touched Me," is on my mind.

Hey, there's even days when a little "Don't Worry, Be Happy," can be heard on my lips!

STOP

On Fridays, I join the community at 5 Minute Friday who write for 5 minutes on the word selected by Lisa-Jo Baker.  Here are the rules:

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

Sounds like fun, yes?  If you want to join us, go to Lisa-Jo Baker.com.
 

F.F.F.-05.17.13

Another beautiful week draws to a close, and it is time to reflect on the highlights of my days.

1.  On Saturday, the first person in our families to hold a Master's degree, our daughter, Elissa, graduated from SIU at Carbondale.  We are very proud of her, not only for her hard work in education, but also for her persistence and dedication to going after the things in life that she wants. Best of all?  She loves Jesus, which is the main thing I want for all my daughters.

Our Fabuliss

Liss and Jim

Me and Liss

She's now a Saluki!

2.  The next day was that favorite of all days, Mother's Day.  I remember the years before my children were born when I struggled with infertility.  Then, Mother's Day was something to be avoided at all costs.  But now, no matter what happens, each second Sunday in May, I can celebrate the three gifts God gave me, my daughters. This year we celebrated at Red Lobster.  We hadn't been there in a while and really enjoyed it.  It seems like all our friends had the same idea; it was like old home week in the lobby, greeting everyone.


Usually, I say that if you want to see old friends, just hang around Wal-Mart, you're bound to see someone you know!


3.  Maybe I should write about this next week, after 21 days of establishing a new habit, but I'm excited now.  I have re-done my daily schedule to fit in exercising before work each morning, and doing a lot of my work for my second job at home in the evenings in order to have more of my Saturdays free.  Today marks the second consecutive week that I've went by my schedule every day.  No excuses!  (I've never consistently exercised for two weeks straight in my life.)

4.  Today, my knock-out rose bush started blooming.  I didn't have time to count the flowers or take a photo but my estimate is that there are 8 roses.  I'm noticing roses blooming all around me in my part of the world.  Love the color!


5.  I'm looking forward to tomorrow... It will be a full day, starting with our first yard-saling trip of the season, then worship team practice, followed by a road trip with our friends, Glenda and Wayne.  It's sure to make the list of favorites on next week's Friday's Fave Five.

This ends another week on the Journey.  What about you?  Do you have 5 favorites from your week to share?  Join the fun at Susanne's blog, Living to Tell the Story.