Category: Relationship

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Which Child Are You?

About a week ago now, we had an interesting FaceTime call with our youngest daughter and three youngest grandchildren. It was so good to see all their faces.

However, each one of them had a different reaction to seeing Besta and Pappy on screen. Our youngest wanted to be the one holding the screen, kissing our faces and touching us.

Our grandson, who had just been picked up at school, wanted us to see all his papers with his good grades. He wanted us to see how much he was learning.

Our middle granddaughter was shy and didn’t want to be on camera. She peeked at us occasionally but was happy to be tucked out of view behind her Momma.

Those three reactions got me to thinking about how we relate in our relationship with our Heavenly Father. Some of us are so grateful for all He has done for us. We are constantly praising Him and expressing our love.

“44 He turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Have you noticed this woman? When I came into your home, you didn’t give me any water so I could wash my feet. But she has washed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. 45 You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but from the time I came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You didn’t even pour olive oil on my head, but she has poured expensive perfume on my feet. 47 So I tell you that all her sins are forgiven, and that is why she has shown great love. But anyone who has been forgiven for only a little will show only a little love.” Luke 7:44-47 CEV

Then, there are those of us who do all we can to encourage others and see that we are walking in all that the Father has planned for us. We aren’t serving the Father to gain His love, we already have that. We want Him to know that we are doing our best with all we have.

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” II Timothy 2:15 NIV

And finally, there are some of us who are timid and shy when it comes to our relationship with the Father. We are uncertain about coming into His presence. We need to be coaxed and encouraged. We need to be reassured that the Father’s presence is a safe place and we can be ourselves.

“16 So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:16 CEV

What a great example these three little ones were to me!

I have been like all three of them in my relationship with the Lord. So, let me ask you…which child are you?

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Dave’s Tree

When we first moved to this campsite in mid-June, it took us a couple days to get completely set up and then we could focus on the beauty around us. One of the first things that caught Dave’s eye was this tree. It isn’t the most stately tree of the woods but it stands out from the rest.

When we look across the way, we see this tree with no fullness at its top. Only a couple of branches but those branches form the shape of a cross. Dave says this cross is like the steeple of God’s wooded cathedral. To us, it is a reminder that no matter where we are, God is present and His love is outpoured everywhere on earth.

There’s a song we used to sing at Cowboy Cathedral years ago when we ministered at youth rodeos and ranches across Arizona. It was written in the 1940’s. It goes something like this:

Oh, the place where I worship is the wide open spaces
Built by the hand of the Lord
Where the trees of the forrest are like pipes of an organ
And the breeze plays an amen choir.

All the stars are the candles and they light up the mountains
Mountains are altars of God
Oh, the place where I worship is the wide open spaces
Built by the hand of the Lord.

This tree has become a church to us. As we sit and watch the sunrise break over the tree line or see the clouds rolling in, we feel that we are in the place that God has called us too. We are here for a purpose. We enjoy the beauty that God has created but we are also here to share God’s love with those around us.

“ We have only one God, and he is the Father. He created everything, and we live for him. Jesus Christ is our only Lord. Everything was made by him, and by him life was given to us.” I Corinthians 8:6 CEV

God has given life, a new and abundant life. His desire is that people everywhere experience His love and forgiveness. You may be country folk who have lived rurally like we have for years or you may be city dwellers who feel more comfortable with bustling traffic and high rise buildings but no matter your surroundings the Father is there reaching out to touch you with His love.

“Each of you is now a new person. You are becoming more and more like your Creator, and you will understand him better. 11 It doesn’t matter if you are a Greek or a Jew, or if you are circumcised or not. You may even be a barbarian or a Scythian, and you may be a slave or a free person. Yet Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us. 12 God loves you and has chosen you as his own special people. So be gentle, kind, humble, meek, and patient.” Colossians 3:10-12 CEV

Social standing, nationality, religious or not doesn’t make a difference. The life changing fact is that God loves us and has chosen us, we are special to him.

You may not have a tree like Dave’s but if you look around I know you will find something special that God has placed within your view to remind you of His love and watchful care.

We all have a place where we can worship the Father who loves us and gives us life!

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This Old House

This Old House

Several weeks ago, Dave and I went to tour an old Cavalry fort in the area, Fort Apache. We were amazed by how many old buildings were still standing. The Fort was built in the 1800’s and has been operating in one form or another since then.

In the early 1900’s, President Roosevelt commissioned an Indian School to be built on the property. When we were there, even though it was summer, class was in session and some remodeling work was being done to the girls’ dormitory.

It was a nice snapshot of history.

This morning, we will be driving into Show Low to do some shopping. Along the way we will past some old log cabins. Most of them were probably built well over one hundred years ago. Some have fallen into a serious state of disrepair, but others still stand strong and are useful, viable homes.

As I was thinking about these old houses this morning, the words of a song, This Old House, came to mind.

This Old House has seen some good times

This old house has seen some bad times

But this old house will stand the test of time

Cuz it’s built upon God’s Word.

And those lyrics reminded me of a Scripture.

“Anyone who hears and obeys these teachings of mine is like a wise person who built a house on solid rock. 25 Rain poured down, rivers flooded, and winds beat against that house. But it did not fall, because it was built on solid rock.” Matthew 7:24 CEV

Our lives are like those old houses.  My old house, my life, has been standing quite some time. Most of my years are behind me. There is a legacy of longevity in my family, so I am looking forward to many more good years, but the truth of the matter is I have more years behind me than I do before me. I need to make sure that my old house stands strong, that it stands the test of time.

Being built on the word of God, I know I have a firm foundation and that I will be secure when life’s storms come. I want to be a place of shelter for my family and friends. As the years pass, if the Lord delays His coming, I want my life to be a legacy for God’s goodness and His provision. If my life were a house I would want my family – my children, my grandchildren and my great grandchildren to view its structure and say, “her old house has stood strong through the years and the storms were not able to destroy it, it was built on a firm foundation”.

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He Did It Again!

It amazes me how my Father, my God, delights in ending my day! Last night He gave me this great display as I was getting off work!

Spectacular!!

I went to sleep last night with an old song running through my mind. I’ve shared it with you before but it was so appropriate.

“Our God is an awesome God, He reigns from heaven above, With wisdom, power and love, Our God is an awesome God.”

Oh, and He is certainly that! Amazing and awesome!!

Then this morning as I gazed at this picture from last night’s sunset another song came to mind. I really can’t think of a better way to start any morning than in song of praise to the Father.

“Way Maker, Miracle Worker, Promise Keeper, Light in the Darkness, My God that is who You are“

Isn’t it mind boggling that God wants us to know Him in such a dramatic way. Each one of those characteristics of God are spelled out for us in Scripture.

“God is no mere human! He doesn’t tell lies or change his mind. God always keeps his promises.” Numbers 23:19 CEV

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19 NIV

“Once again Jesus spoke to the people. This time he said, “I am the light for the world! Follow me, and you won’t be walking in the dark. You will have the light that gives life.” John 8:12 CEV

“Our Lord, no other gods compare with you— Majestic and holy!  Fearsome and glorious!
Miracle worker!” Exodus 15:11 CEV

Do you need to know the right way to go or to depend on Someone who will never lie? Do you feel you are groping around in the darkness? Maybe you just need a miracle. If any of those apply, come to Almighty God, our gracious heavenly Father, in Him you will find all you need.

He did all this for those in the Bible as an example for us and He will do it again!

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A Hurting Heart

As parents, we all know what it’s like to have our hearts ache for our children.

When they are little and run a fever, break a bone or even go to bed hungry we hurt. As they grow and encounter their first bully or insensitive comment that causes them to cry and question their self-worth, we immediately speak words of love and healing but our hearts ache.

Then there are the times they work so hard and fail to make the team, the choir, the squad; they fail to advance in some academic, artistic or agricultural competition and we hurt. All the time reassuring them that they did their best and we are proud of them. There maybe times when they face overwhelming sickness and we volunteer to take their place.

Oh my, God understands!

When His son was here on earth He lived among a hostile people. Many people were drawn to Jesus, they followed Him and learned from Him but those who seemed most vocal were the ones who hated Him and plotted His death. They were relentless.

I can only imagine how the Father must have felt when He heard Jesus praying in the garden. His Son was in such anguish, the pain was almost unbearable. Jesus had never been separated from the presence of His Father’s love, it was something He considered inconceivable but it was about to happen and He was in great turmoil. Jesus had to make the decision to be obedient to the Father’s plan, for our salvation, which also meant He would be separated from the Father because He was carrying our sin.

His heart ached and so did the Father’s.

“When Jesus had said these things, He looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the time has come! Honor Your Son so Your Son may honor You. 2 You have given Him power over all men. He is to give life that lasts forever to all You have given to Him. 3 This is life that lasts forever. It is to know You, the only true God, and to know Jesus Christ Whom You have sent.” John 17:1-3 NLV

How the Father’s heart must have ached! He saw His Son die so that we could have a restored relationship with Him. We are welcome in His presence; we are invited to come with our broken hearts and with our tears for our children. He promises to give us the help and comfort we need.

“ We have a great high priest, who has gone into heaven, and he is Jesus the Son of God. That is why we must hold on to what we have said about him. 15 Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin! 16 So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:14-16 CEV

Mothers, Fathers, never hesitate to bring your heart for your children to God’s throne. He knows the anguish and He promises to give us undeserved kindness and help in our time of need.

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In My Own Little Chair

Did you every see the 1960’s musical by Rogers and Hammerstein called “Cinderella”? It was one of my favorites.

I would dance around the living room and spend days singing the songs from the musical score. The one that struck a particular cord took place in the great kitchen, next to the hearth. There sat Cinderella in a small wooden chair. She lifted her head and her voice as she sang:

“In my own little corner, In my own little chair, I can be whatever I want to be. On the wings of my fancy I can fly anywhere, and the world will open its arms to me…”

This morning,I am at home in my own little corner, in my own rocking chair and as I sat down those lyrics began to fill my thoughts. We are only home for 36 hours and then we’ll return to the mountains. For years, I’ve sat in this chair praying and writing, it’s from here I have been able to encourage all of you to be all our heavenly Father has created us to be.

“What can we say about all this? If God is on our side, can anyone be against us? 32 God did not keep back his own Son, but he gave him for us. If God did this, won’t he freely give us everything else? 33 If God says his chosen ones are acceptable to him, can anyone bring charges against them? 34 Or can anyone condemn them? No indeed! Christ died and was raised to life, and now he is at God’s right side,speaking to him for us. 35 Can anything separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble, suffering, and hard times, or hunger and nakedness, or danger and death? 36 It is exactly as the Scriptures say,

“For you we face death all day long. We are like sheep on their way to be butchered.”

37 In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us. 38 I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love—not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future, 39 and not powers above or powers below. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord!” Romans 8:31-39 CEV

God is on our side, how can we fail? “In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us”. Those are life changing words! Those are the words that encourage us to be more – more loving, more bold, more forgiving, more courageous!

More of who God wants us to be without shame or timidity. We aren’t given the promise of a battle free life but we are given His word that we will be victorious in those battles. Young David had to face Goliath, Peter faced down the pharisees, Paul encountered persecution in nearly every town but all of them were victorious.

“I am grateful that God always makes it possible for Christ to lead us to victory. God also helps us spread the knowledge about Christ everywhere, and this knowledge is like the smell of perfume.” II Corinthians 2:14 CEV

Find your own little corner, your own little chair and sit there for a while. Wait on the Lord to show you what His plan is for your day and then follow it. The Father is on your side and He will see that you succeed.

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It Never Gets Old

Sometimes we take things for granted. They become mundane or expected. Things lose their ability to inspire and/or be appreciated.

Several years ago I damaged my back and lived in constant pain for over two years. Since that time I have never taken a pain-free day for granted. It is something I am always grateful for.

I had a friend who was once homeless. Devastating circumstances had them on the streets with no place to call home. She was young and felt completely alone. She told me that sleeping in her car night after night brought on a depression she thought she would never be able to break. Then a kind and loving person took her in and gave her a place to stay. She says she remembers that first long, hot shower – it was life affirming. She has never taken living in a home, with clean sheets and warm water for granted again.

Maybe you’ve had experiences like these or something similar. These memories are triggers of joy – not for the circumstance but for the deliverance from them.

“Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same.” James 1:17 ERV

Our Father is the giver of every good gift!

We should be living life expectantly; never taking these gifts for granted. Look for the joy in each day, the opportunity to give and to share what the Lord has blessed us with.

Each time I see a sunset like I did last night or watch the sunrise over the pines, my heart is filled with wonder and awe that the God who paints the sky is my Father and He fills my life with blessings.

That truth, dear friend, never gets old!

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Living With Purpose

This morning I would like to introduce you to two younger women I know. Each one of them has a heart for the Lord.

They are both wives, mothers, devoted Christians and have the ability to convey what the Lord puts on their heart with the written word. 

I met Hollie while we were living in Montana. She came to Dillon with her husband and two young sons. They bought some property and began building their dream home right across the canyon from our home. During those years Hollie faced some very real medical challenges but she always had a smile on her face, a love for Jesus in her heart and a desire to be a source of encouragement to her husband and to raise her sons to love the Lord and all He had made.

Her sons are now teenagers, almost, and they are maturing into young men who stand strong for the Lord. Hollie conveys the truths the Lord has taught her in a simplistic and heart-warming way. Here’s Hollie’s link: LivingLovingandWriting.com

The other young women I would like you to meet is Brooke. I have yet to meet her face-to-face but she is the daughter-in-law of our dear friends. Brooke and her husband have three small children and have just launched out on a great adventure, following the Lord’s leading and traveling through the country, sharing the love of Jesus in small churches everywhere they go.

Brooke also has a heart to raise her family to love and honor the Lord. She is a gifted poet and writer. The truths she shares are an encouragement to mothers of young children and to us who are grandparents of young children. Here’s Brooke’s link: www.brookelouvier.com

The word of God has no limits or boundaries in who it reaches with instruction and encouragement. These two ladies are willing ambassadors and share God’s word with candor and honesty. It been years since I had the joy of raising small children and teenagers so I appreciate the openness of these ladies. I hope that you will find practical truth as you read what these ladies share.

This past year I have been developing a study on “Bold Women of the Bible” for a teaching I will be doing in September. The stories of these women’s lives are truly encouraging – young, old, married, single, mothers, childless, respectable and those of disrepute. God used them all to bring the message of hope, redemption, grace, mercy and salvation to families, neighbors and to the world.  

“The plan of the fullness of times is to bring all things together in the Messiah—both things in heaven and things on earth, all in Him. 11 In Him we also were chosen, predestined according to His plan. He keeps working out all things according to the purpose of His will— 12 so that we, who were first to put our hope in Messiah, might be for His glorious praise.” Ephesians 1:10-12 TLV

We have all been given a story. There isn’t one of us that the Lord doesn’t want to use to touch the lives of others. Not one of us has been disqualified for service. No one has a story exactly like yours, no one can touch those in your circle like you can.

Be willing to be used just like Hollie and Brooke. Reach out and let the Lord touch others through you!

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Looking for Perfect

The last few days Dave and I have spent a lot of time talking about how much we enjoy being here in the mountains, not just any mountains, these mountains and this place, this place called Big Lake.

When we started planning our summer, months back, the first place we put on our list was this campground. It holds special memories for both of us. My folks came here over 50 years ago. It was one of Dad’s favorite places to come and although the high altitude was hard on Mom she loved coming here too.

After Dave and I were married, Dad brought Dave up here for some special days when just the two of them would fish together. The love of fishing is something the two of them shared. It was their bond.

And then as our family grew, Mom and Dad brought our oldest daughter and son here as well. They weren’t much more than toddlers. Out of diapers and able to climb over the boulders they spent time at this mountain lake. Our hearts are rooted here and we love it.

Each week we have many of the campers tell us their stories of coming here, some for more than 40 years. They are similar to ours – brought here as chidren by their parents and what a great time it was and now they are bringing their children and grandchildren to enjoy this place. What a blessing!

We spent most of the afternoon visiting with a new friend and fellow camp host yesterday. Her experiences in this area are very similar as well. The more we talked, we agreed that the Lord had brought us to this place and His ways are perfect.

“ God makes everything happen at the right time. Yet none of us can ever fully understand all he has done, and he puts questions in our minds about the past and the future. 12 I know the best thing we can do is to always enjoy life, 13 because God’s gift to us is the happiness we get from our food and drink and from the work we do.” Ecclesiastes 3:11-13 CEV

Many people look for perfect. The perfect job, home, mate…and end up disappointed. If we were only looking at external factors we would miss the perfect that God has placed before us. Others have a newer, bigger, better RV than ours but when we look at where the Lord has called us we find perfection and He never disappoints.

“In Christ, he chose us before the world was made. He chose us in love to be his holy people—people who could stand before him without any fault. 5 And before the world was made, God decided to make us his own children through Jesus Christ. This was what God wanted, and it pleased him to do it. 6 And this brings praise to God because of his wonderful grace. God gave that grace to us freely. He gave us that grace in Christ, the one he loves. 7 In Christ we are made free by his blood sacrifice. We have forgiveness of sins because of God’s rich grace.” Ephesians 1:4-7 ERV

He has placed a calling, a destiny, within each one of us. His plan is for our good.

When we look for perfect we will always find it in Jesus! We are loved and chosen by Almighty God and there is nothing more perfect than that!

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Heart & Soul

How many of you were like me and went to summer camp in the mountains? Ours was a church camp in the pine woods of Prescott, Arizona, Prescott Pines.

There are many things I remember fondly about Prescott Pines. The cabins, mess hall, swimming pool…the ball field, the big A-framed recreation hall, mail call. Learning to play Heart & Soul on the rec hall piano, the camaraderie…

The chapel services and the chalet-style prayer chapel where we could go to be alone and pray. Year after year, it was something I looked forward to. It was the place that I felt closest to the Lord in the early years of my life.

Last night my heart was filled with those memories as I sat under the pines with Dave. Looking up, as darkness fell, the trees began to make their silhouette against the night sky, the first stars glistened like diamonds, the air was fresh and clear and I could imagine the Lord smiling as we enjoyed all He had created.

I began to ask the question “Who made…

  • the stars to shine
  • the moon to reflect the sun
  • the planets to fill the heavens
  • the oceans ebb and flow
  • the seasons to change

Of course I knew the answer. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth!

“In the past God spoke to our people through the prophets. He spoke to them many times and in many different ways. 2 And now in these last days, God has spoken to us again through his Son. He made the whole world through his Son. And he has chosen his Son to have all things. 3 The Son shows the glory of God. He is a perfect copy of God’s nature, and he holds everything together by his powerful command. The Son made people clean from their sins. Then he sat down at the right side of God, the Great One in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1-3 ERV

Our great God, Almighty God and Heavenly Father, created this world with His Son and now it is Jesus who holds it all together through His powerful words. The One who made all that we see and enjoy is the same Jesus who made us clean by paying the penalty for our sins!

“God—the one who made all things and for whose glory all things exist—wanted many people to be his children and share his glory. So he did what he needed to do. He made perfect the one who leads those people to salvation. He made Jesus a perfect Savior through his suffering. 11 Jesus, the one who makes people holy, and those who are made holy are from the same family. So he is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters.” Hebrrews 2:10-11 ERV

Jesus, who was there at creation; Jesus, who gave His life for me, is not ashamed to call us brothers and sisters. His love for us is so great, so amazing!

Yes, those few summers at camp made a lasting impact because they gave me an awareness of God’s greatness and it was there I fell in love with Him, heart and soul!

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