Coffee with the Savior is Coming!

Dear Sweet Friends in Blogland,

It's coming!

I have been waiting to announce these beautiful words for some time:

Coffee with the Savior is officially scheduled for release in January 2010 at www.cph.org.

I received the final pages and the picture of the front cover from my editor this week. I jumped and shouted for joy like a teenage girl who was asked to her senior prom!

I have to admit that until this point, I think I still doubted that this dream God placed in my heart would become a reality.

All I can say is that God is faithful. Through Him alone (and lots of hard work from the Concordia Publishing House staff), Coffee with the Savior is being published.

Would you join me in prayer as the printing starts and the marketing begins?

Sweet friends, please pray that the Holy Spirit would move in the heart of each woman who will hold Coffee with the Savior in her hands. Please pray that Jesus would become undeniably real and that His love would overflow into the corners and crevices of each lonely heart. Most of all, please pray that God would be glorified, and that He may increase so I may decrease!

And if you would like, you can join me in the jumping for joy!

The Christmas Picture

I recently read about families taking their annual Christmas card pictures on this blog. The entire post made me start thinking about which photo I should use for our Christmas card. Then BigGuy came home from school yesterday with this drawing.

I think I found the one! He even included our cat, Henry, and Perry the Robo dwarf hamster! 

What do you think?

May your day be blessed with grace and laughter! 

The Competition Is On

I have always known that Bird was a competitive person. This past weekend, however, I realized exactly how strong this drive is in him.

Now don’t get me wrong. Hubby and I don’t really advocate competitiveness in our household. Having both taken our share of psychology classes, we learned not to compare siblings. We praise each child for their efforts more than for their results. We even encourage their individual interests.

At the same time however, we are realizing how much more “nature” (genetics, personality) plays a part in our sons' lives than we initially believed.

Let me explain.

On Saturday morning, BigGuy and Bird were playing indoor football together downstairs. Hubby was gone, helping a friend move. I was finishing getting ready for the day. That’s when I heard it.

Spitting.

It was not the “I’m brushing my teeth” kind of spitting, but the “I’m spitting on my brother” spitting – the kind of spitting that occurs when one sibling decides he is going to outdo his rivalry.

And it continued!

In a sheer moment of brilliance, at least that is what I thought initially, I came up with the perfect discipline for both BigGuy and Bird.

I calmly marched downstairs into the kitchen. There, I retrieved two small medicine cups - you know, the kind that comes on any child’s liquid acetaminophen or ibuprofen. I calmly asked the boys to come to me. Then I doled out their discipline.

I instructed BigGuy and Bird that they were to go into the bathroom, and could not come out, until they each filled their medicine cup (three teaspoons worth) with their spit.

There! This would definitely end the competition. I thought I would win the “2009 Most Creative Discipline Idea Award.” I basked in this daydream...until I heard Bird crying.

Wonderful, I thought. He is beginning to feel remorse for his actions. Bird is starting to understand that he does need to vie with his brother all the time. Yes! My discipline is remarkably effective.

I called Bird out of the bathroom.

As he walked toward me, I watched his tears fall. I awaited his apology, his decision to end the battle. I knew he would be finished contending with his brother for the day.

So I turned to him, so proud of his quick learning.

And this is what I heard, “Mom, BigGuy can spit more than I can. It’s not fair! I have to win.”

Well, so much for my award!

So much for said discipline taming the competitive monster! 

Nature: 1 - Mom's Discipline:0.

How do you or did you handle competiveness in your family? Please let me know. Believe me; I need all the help I can get.

Who Am I?

I am having one of those hormone-influenced days where all I can ask sometimes is "Who am I?"

Thankfully, Jesus has THE ANSWER!

Enjoy, with blessings on your weekend.

A New Pumpkin Recipe

I had the privilege this past weekend of taking BigGuy and Bird on a visit to their Grandma Myers. They always look forward to spending time with her, along with getting to do their favorite things with her - going to the park, riding Big Wheels, scavenger hunts, reading, playing games, and making pigs in a blanket for breakfast.

I always look forward to the time, too. I am very blessed to have a mother-in-law which I truly love and cherish. I am also blessed because she is a very good baker!

I thought I would share her latest new recipe. It is a pumpkin recipe which would be perfect for Thanksgiving company. It is so yummy!!

I am not sure of the copyright laws regarding the recipe, so rather than including it here, I am giving you the web page. Just click HERE and the wonders of the internet will take you to the recipe, which you can print easily.

I also am only referring to the recipe as "A Pumpkin Recipe." You will see its true name when you click on the web page. Since internet search engines base their results on key words, I didn't want to give others the impression that my blog is about that!! :-)

Hope you have a wonderful day. Please feel free to share your pumpkin recipes in the comments section. I am sure we could all use some new ideas for the upcoming holidays.

Have You Ever Wondered?

Have you ever wondered if a difficulty in your life served a purpose? Have you ever wondered if any good would come from it?

Some of the difficulties I wonder about are serious illnesses, complicated relationships, perfectionistic tendencies, writer’s block, challenging children, and responsibilities that appear insurmountable.

Do they truly serve a purpose except to frustrate and discourage? Is there truly more?

As I read yesterday in Acts 3, I believe I found the answer.

Read with me.

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. ²Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. ³When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. ⁴Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, "Look at us!" ⁵So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

 ⁶Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." ⁷Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. ⁸He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. ⁹When all the people saw him walking and praising God, ¹⁰they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

¹¹While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon's Colonnade.

Did you see that this crippled beggar had this condition since birth! He had spent his life being carried to a place where he had to beg for money to live? Do you think he ever wondered what the purpose of his life was?

If we read closely in verses 9 - 11, we can see the purpose...

If this man had not been crippled, he would have never had need for healing.

And if he had never had need for healing, he never would have experienced the power of Jesus.

If he had never experienced the power of Jesus in his life, all the people would not have seen the difference in him.

But, because they saw the difference in him and his new life, everyone wanted to know more about his Jesus!

Sweet friends, God does not want you to waste time wondering if there is a purpose in your problems. We can confidently know that with Him, nothing is wasted. There is a higher purpose!

And as we give our lives to Him, we are healed and problems are diminished, whether here on earth or someday in heaven. Then, as we become different, just as with the beggar, others will want to know about our Jesus!

Advent Conspiracy

Maybe it is the face of the stranger with the suitcases that is haunting me. Or just maybe, it is the Holy Spirit's continual nudge to do something different this year for Christmas. Either way, I am realizing that many people need things and frankly, I don't need them nearly as much, if at all.

With the stores already filled with Christmas gifts, mailboxes filled with Christmas catalogs, and credit card companies filled with credit limit extension requests, how are you going to approach buying gifts this Christmas?

Before you decide, please watch the video below and click on www.adventconspiracy.org. See what buying one less gift this year could do when you give that money to a worthy cause for Christ. May we all "worship fully, spend less, give more, and love all."

Ponderings

Thought I would share some quotes with you that I am pondering today.

Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do... but how much love we put in that action. Mother Teresa 

If you want the blessing, you have to take the burdens that go along with it. Kurt and Brenda Warner

Courage is doing what you're afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you're scared. Eddie Rickenbacker

Practice does not make perfect. Practice makes progress. Unknown

What is your favorite inspirational quote? I would love to hear it!

A Day in the Life of...

I guess you can take the girl out of psychology, but you can't take the psychologist out of the girl.

Thought you might enjoy seeing the project that BigGuy, Bird, and I made this weekend.

The little creature is the one and only Perry the Robo Dwarf Hamster. (He's not biting anymore!)

Dear Stranger with the Suitcases

Dear Stranger with the Suitcases,

I drove past you two weeks ago. I was on my hurried way to pick up my son from school. You were strolling on the sidewalk…in the rain.

Your presence piqued my curiosity. I don’t often see women walking in the rain with no umbrella, much less pulling two suitcases alongside.

I had a brief talk with Jesus as I drove by and promised Him that if you were still on the side of the busy road, I would stop and offer you a ride.

Then, I happily pulled into the pick-up line at my son’s school, never imagining that the possibility of picking up a complete stranger would preoccupy my mind.

As we pulled out of the school’s drive, you were there on the opposite side. I immediately turned the other way, but quickly felt the conviction in my heart of the promise I had made.

I turned the car around, as I explained to my children what we would do next. They responded in excitement. I responded with hesitation and fear. My selfishness wouldn’t ordinarily allow me to react this way.

As I stopped the car and pulled out the umbrella, I sent up a quick prayer for guidance and reassurance. After all, this wasn’t my idea. I thought however, that maybe God was getting ready to do a mighty work.

I was wrong…maybe.

As I approached you and offered you a ride, you bluntly declined my offer and boldly stated I had nothing to give you. I offered to pray with you. You informed me you wanted nothing to do with my God. You began to walk away. I ambled back to my car wondering if I had misheard the nudge to stop and speak with you.

As I reentered my car and debriefed my sons on your response, I felt deterred. My sons thought otherwise.

They reminded me that even if someone does not want help or prayer, we could still request it from Jesus. So we did just that – we prayed for you and for help to come to you in a way that you could accept and receive.

Then life went on…

Dear Stranger with the Suitcases, I saw you again this week in a completely different part of the city. You only had one suitcase this time. You were still walking in the rain.

I prayed for you again and wondered if I could help you this time.

I drove past.

Your face however, still lingers each hour in my mind. I worry for your safety, your well-being, and your missing suitcase. Did someone steal it? Or did you have to leave it somewhere as you rushed off?

I wanted to let you know that I am still praying, despite your refusal or perceived need.

And as crazy as I may sound, I hope someday soon I can see you again.  

For God is doing a mighty work.

I just realized today that it is occurring in me!

Then these righteous ones will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?

"And the King will say, 'I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!' (Matthew 25:37-40, NLT).

He Is!!!!

If you sat in my car today, checked my computer, or heard me singing, this is the song you would hear. And if you saw me listening to it, you would see me with hands lifted up, praising our amazing God.

Turn up your volume. The message is so powerful. Thank you Mark Schultz for recording this amazing worship song.

I pray you find it as worship-filled as I do! I would love to hear what you think!

She Did What She Could

I love the fact that the Word of God is “living and active” (Hebrews 4:12). Based on the advice of Bible teacher, Wendy Pope, each time I read God's Word, I ask the Holy Spirit to reveal His “nugget of truth” that God wishes to teach or show me for that day.

I want to share with you the “nugget” that spoke volumes to me last week.

On Friday, my chronological reading included the accounts in the books of Mark, Matthew, and John of a woman anointing the feet of Jesus. (John 12 says it was Mary of Bethany, Martha and Lazarus’ sister.) 

Mark 14:3-9 (NLT) reads

 3 Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard. She broke open the jar and poured the perfume over his head.

 4 Some of those at the table were indignant. “Why waste such expensive perfume?” they asked. 5 “It could have been sold for a year’s wages and the money given to the poor!” So they scolded her harshly.

 6 But Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. Why criticize her for doing such a good thing to me? 7 You will always have the poor among you, and you can help them whenever you want to. But you will not always have me. 8 She has done what she could and has anointed my body for burial ahead of time. 9 I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.”

As I read this familiar story, the first part of verse eight jumped out and touched me like a warm, soothing blanket handed to a shivering child.

Read it again with me.

“She did what she could...”

Sweet friends, this verse brings such healing to my weary soul. The fact that Jesus realized that Mary simply did what she could. No more. No less. She gave her all in the place and time that God made her. Not only was Jesus touched and satisfied. He promised others throughout the world would remember and discuss her act of devotion.

So often, I think that I have to do more, be more, give more in order to be remembered. If I was this woman, I probably would have been trying to sell that alabaster jar on ebay just so that I could have more to give. :-)

But Jesus says "No. Give me what you can. I know where you are in life. I know your heart. And all I ask is for you to give me what you can. You!"

Oh sweet friends, may we all kneel in humble devotion today, giving Jesus what is priceless in His eyes - ourselves!

A Biting Problem

Recently, my life never seems to have a dull moment. In the midst of flu recovery, "phantoming" the neighbor children, and preparing for another women's rally this weekend, BigGuy's hamster has started biting.

Now, you may not think a hamster, much less a "robo" dwarf hamster, could chomp through an almost forty-year old's calloused, dry hands.

Let me reassure you.

HE CAN!

Perry the hamster, after all, is a rodent - a fellow member of the mice, rat, and all other chewing animal family. Their teeth continue to grow ya'll. That's why rodent owners buy chew sticks and hard food, such as dried corn and super-vitamin packed large pellets.

In an attempt to remedy our small problem, I spent time looking on the internet for answers to why a once very friendly hamster is now attempting to bite the very hand that feeds it and cleans its abode.

I read through various articles. Nothing made sense until I read the words "dwarf hamsters may begin biting when they sense a new threat in their environment."

Then it hit me!!

For the past week we have been lax about closing the door to the guest room where Perry is placed at night. (Yes, I realize we do strange things all in the name of a good night's sleep. And yes, we have been a little preoccupied.)

In the meantime, Perry the hamster has had a new friend visiting him up close and personal while he sleeps. More than once, we have found Henry the cat sitting right next to Perry's cage meowing and attempting to place a small paw through the spaces between the cage wires.

Oh! I guess I would get a little defensive too if a huge predator stood at my door and attempted to come through my window!

Everything is making sense now.

So, let's just say over the next week or two, we are going to start keeping a better eye on the guest room door and a better sense of where each critter is in the house.

Hopefully, with increased security and better boundaries, our little rodent will become our little, kind friend again.  And I can quit wearing the only band-aids available in our house - the ones with the green camoflauge covering.

Blessings on your weekend everyone!

Friendship

What would we do without friends?

I have been thinking about my friends so much this week. We are all undergoing such different life scenarios – illness, child difficulties, marriage upsets, and new jobs. Yet in the midst of all life throws at us, we are able to find commonalities and comfort. Without each other, our hearts would have uniquely-shaped empty holes that no other person could fill.

For this reason, friendships are a treasure to guard and keep.

What about our friendship with God?

How well are we guarding and keeping it?

Now, don’t get me wrong. I realize that God is the giver of eternal friendship when we receive His Son, Jesus, as our Savior. But how are we doing in keeping up our day to day friendship with Him?

What are we doing to keep up our side of the connection?

Are we allowing God to fill that uniquely shaped hole made by Him and for Him? Or are we attempting to fill it with other things, even people?

Hmmm. How are you doing?

If you haven’t connected with Your Friend lately, try calling on Him today. He is always ready to re-connect!

(If having a closer friendship with Jesus is something you have always desired, I have some exciting news about a resource that just might help you. Stay tuned and I will announce it soon!)

Smile and Hallelujah

I apologize for my tardiness in posting today.

To tell you the truth, I am exhausted and coming down off of an amazing Sunday.

Thank you to all the wonderful women at the Altenburg Zone LWML rally for making yesterday so special. I can't wait to get to know you even more as you visit the blog and as I return in November for Concordia's Advent by Candlelight. You are some very special women!

Because I am lacking in words today, and actually in voice, I am posting a great video sent to me. I hope you enjoy this version of the Hallelujah Chorus as much as I did!

Blessings on your Monday!

What's in a Name?

Can you name all twelve disciples?

Most of us can name Matthew, Peter, Andrew, James, John, and Judas. But what about the other six (Matthew 10:2-4)?

Can you recite any names of the seventy-two that Jesus commissioned and sent out ahead of Him into all the places He planned to visit (Luke 10:1)?

You shouldn’t be able to answer this one. Their names aren’t mentioned.

Which brings me to the purpose of this blog post.

Last night I received some news about an aspect of my ministry. I found out my name was minimally inlcuded on a significant marketing tool.

As I ingested this little piece of information, my initial reaction was tearfulness.

My second reaction was anger. What about all the work I had done?

My third reaction was realization. Realization that the presentation I am giving this weekend focuses on making sure our service and missions point others to Christ, not ourselves.

Oh! Ouch!

My fourth reaction was immediate confession and handing the entire situation over to God to use for His glory alone. What else could I do?

And in the quiet moment after letting go, my heart asked my head the questions that I asked you.

Can you name all twelve disciples? Can you recite any of the names of the seventy-two?

And then I realized, my name is not what matters.

Serving Jesus Christ and making His name known does! I want this truth to be at the center of everything I do!

Where are you struggling today? Whose name is most important to you?

Flu, Flu, Go Away, Come Again Some Other Day

Hey sweet friends. I am sorry I am without inspiring words today.

I am knee deep in preparing for a wonderful women's rally that I am presenting at this weekend, and Bird has come down with what is probably the flu (or at least something similar with coughing, fever, headache, and achiness). Ugh!!

Could you please pray for Christ's peace and healing to rule in this house today and this week? (Okay, and next week too. I have another women's rally on the 24th.)

As always, I know God uses these times of unexpected difficulties to remind us of our dependence on Him alone.

I know God is always faithful, in the midst of the chaos, to grant us small reassurances of His loving control, too.

For example, BigGuy ran into me accidentally on Sunday and broke my glasses. I am wearing taped up glasses and suffering from a sore ear and headache due to their uneven fit. Guess what the title of the presentation I am giving on Sunday is?

Drumroll, please.

"What is Your Focus? Finding 20/20 Vision." (I know. Are you smiling too?)

Thankfully, I now have stories to use that I never would have had if this craziness had not happened.

God is amazing!

Only He could orchestrate such good out of what initially appeared bad. He is so great.

By the way, I would love to pray for you! Please leave your prayer request in the comments section, and we can all rest easier knowing we are prayed for.

Blessings on your day!

Living in a Lived In House

With papers scattered across the kitchen island, toys strewn on the floor, and the smell of jambalaya sandwiches still lingering from Saturday night, this poem makes me feel less guilty about the current state of our home. I thought maybe it could help you today, too.

I Love a House That's Lived In

I love a house that's "lived in"
with clutter here and there
a magazine left open
a jacket on a chair
a smell of something cooking
a special recipe
an over eager offer
of hospitality.
I love a house that's "lived in"
it seems to stand apart
for in it is a woman
who has a loving heart.   

Exciting News!!

I am so excited to share some wonderful news today.

First, I am celebrating one year of blogging this week. When my friend, Alicia, blessed me with the set-up of these pages, little did I know that God would provide a whole year of words and ideas. To Him be all the glory in this endeavor!

Second, as most of you know, I am a huge fan of contemporary Christian music and of the hope and encouragement it provides to all who listen. Since 2001, I have listened to our local listener-supported Christian radio station JOYFM (94.1 and 97.7). This station is near and dear to my heart. I tell everyone about it, and even have a decal on my window advertising it. Unfortunately, even though it broadcasts on two signals, not everyone in the St. Louis and surrounding area can pick it up.

That is all about to change!

This week, JOYFM announced they have worked with the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) and will be purchasing their signal 99.1 FM (KFUO). JOYFM will be able to reach 2.7 million people with their message of hope and joy, reaching out 100 miles in every direction from St. Louis. The LCMS will be able to use the proceeds to reach even more people through increased funding for their programs, too.

I was so thrilled that I just cried and cried with joyful tears when I heard this news. God is so amazing! He provided a win-win situation for two missions in my life which so strongly influence my daily walk with HIM!

Please join me in praying and even supporting this growing mission field.

After all, how often do you get the chance to influence 2.7 million people who need Jesus?!

Find out more information by clicking on www.joyfmonline.org and by watching the amazing video below.

Would you also please join me in prayer for the large number of people who will miss the classical music of KFUO? Please pray that God would provide a new signal to broadcast this beautiful offering of music for all to enjoy.

May we all remember that God is in control as we look outward and upward! 

Learning to Receive Part 2

Happy Wednesday!

I promised you in Monday’s post that I would answer the question I posed – “If I struggle to receive gifts from loving, caring friends, what else am I struggling to accept?”

You may be surprised at this Christian speaker and author’s answer – it’s God’s grace.

You see, from little on, I have believed that our eternal salvation is purely a gift from God – a gift of pure grace. I can do nothing to earn it. I can never pay it back. I understand this and freely accept it. I get this.

Where I struggle is in receiving God’s gifts of daily grace – the blessings of speaking, the blessing of authoring a book, the blessings of two incredible children, the blessing of a loving, faithful husband, the blessings of having what we need, the blessings of friends with which to share this journey.

Somehow, in the living of my life, I started believing myself “not worthy” of God’s loving hand. I started struggling to accept His intimate, daily blessings without feeling a need to pay Him back.

So, I started to “prove myself” worthy of His love. I somehow began to believe that I needed to show Him I could repay His generosity.

Just like when a friend offers childsitting and I insist her children come to my house twice, when God blessed me, I attempted to pray more, read His Word more, give more, open myself up to doing more. All this was to prove my worthiness.

Unfortunately, it never seemed enough.

Then last week occurred, and I really couldn’t do anything to prove myself to God. I had no extra energy. My prayers seemed stilted. His Word was just words. And do you know what?

I felt more loved by God as I sat at His feet with nothing to give, just hands open wide, hoping to receive. My heart became overwhelmed with the truth of His compassion, His caring, and His intimate desire just to love me!

Oh sweet friends, if you find yourself in the same situation I was in – struggling to prove yourself to God and to accept His grace, I pray that you take time to just simply sit and receive! Through open hands and open confession of your faulty efforts, YOU WILL EXPERIENCE THE TRUE LOVE AND PEACE OF THE FATHER.             

You don’t have to prove a thing!