Written on
November 28, 2010 by
Mary in
Blog
“Martha, what do you think of the idea that we throw a nice Christmas party instead of giving each other gifts?” Mary asked her college roommate.
“That’s a great idea!” responded Martha. “I love having a special occasion to try new dishes, and it will be fun to invite a few good friends over and have an excuse to dress up.”
Mary and Martha chose a date, looked through cookbooks and planned the menu. Mary decided on a couple of family-favorite cookie recipes and Martha chose a couple of hot appetizers and a chocolate mint ice cream cake (with a from-scratch brownie base and homemade hot fudge) she wanted to try.
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As I sit in my cluttered office, my mind is beginning to release some of its own clutter…
My heart is always full this time of year with thoughts of family and friends. Much of my past seems to rear its ugly head this time of year too, and I generally struggle with a sort of seasonal depression. (I am putting my Vitamin D lamp on as I type.)
This year, a lot of healing has taken place in my life in the form of being able to help others through hard times. It always amazes me what the Lord can do in my own heart when I fight the good fight along with my sisters and brothers in Christ.
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If you have children, you are probably familiar with the stage they go through where everything has “why?” attached to it.
“Why is the sky blue?” “Why do dogs bark?” “Why do I have to go to bed?” It’s been some time since my children have been through this stage, but they still ask why quite often. Usually it’s when I tell them they can’t do something.
Last night I was at Redbox renting a movie. There was a father with two boys who looked to be about ages 6 and 12. They kept suggesting movies to rent to which the father would reply no, and then they would argue, “But why can’t we watch that movie, Daddy?”
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When it seems as if the whole world is against you,
the bills are piling up,
the laundry is never ending,
the dishes have formed a mountain in the sink,
the job you used to love is now a chain around your ankle,
the friends you thought would be there forever have stabbed you in the back,
the storms of life blow you from side to side as if you are merely a paper boat in the midst of a perfect storm.
When you feel like no one is left that really cares, cling to the words that David spoke as he prayed to God in Psalm 17:1-8 NIV;
1 Hear me, LORD, my plea is just;
listen to my cry.
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Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27 NIV
Never did I think a girl that grew up in a small town of rural Kentucky would ever have a heart for missions. Let’s face it; I grew up in a tiny little place that had one blinking red light, a roller rink, and a main street that was lined up with lots of mom & pop stores.
I loved growing up in a small town and still wish I had a chance to raise my boys in that small town life, but God had other plans.
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I have been reflecting on God’s goodness over the past couple of months. There are so many ways that He has blessed, encouraged, brought healing, provision, strength, hope and joy to my life. In all of these areas, I have seen His immeasurable goodness towards me and I am so grateful.
Over the last couple of days I have been meditating on this Psalm:
Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. (Psalm 34:8 NIV)
I don’t just want to SEE the goodness of the Lord, but I want to TASTE it!
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Our children are in the process of potty-training our two and a half year old grandson. He is a willing and happy learner, but he is definitely still in a work in progress. A few weeks ago they shared the following story with me:
“Your grandson is trying, but lately when he misses his potty chair and leaves a little puddle on the floor, he goes and finds Zoe. (Their new puppy, who is still little enough for a two and a half year old boy to carry and is still in training herself).
JJ carries Zoe to the puddle, puts her nose by it, and scolds her.
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