Musings and Marvelings on my Jesus Journey

  I am marveling about... Sourdough Bread Our daughter has been caring for her sourdough starter for over three years. It is a process of dicipline and love in a way; love for the the taste and enjoyment of the bread itself and a labor of love in providing and caring for her hubby and  their three growing boys! I have to hand it to her. It has required ongoing care and attention; "feeding" it, providing appropriate storage, timely "stirring". And then, there is the part where she continues to seek out ways to use it, ways to enjoy it and to consume and share it. She is often looking for different recipes, trying new things, all under the "sourdough umbrella". So, now, how is this somewhat over-the-top writer of random analogies going to apply this all today? This is what the Lord has laid on my heart... We, as His children have been provided the living Holy Spirit. It resides within us. It is the "starter" as we are unable to be saved without the...

  I am musing about... Intentionality and chicken broth The other morning I almost put chicken broth in my coffee. I was in a hurry. Grabbed my coffee cup, reached into the frig and pulled out the "creamer" and poured it into my cup. Ewww... what? It's .....I looked at the carton. What? Chicken broth! It was basically the same shape as my oat creamer container and happened to be placed adjacent to it in the frig door. And I obviously had not been paying attention, had not been intentional. Was likely preoccupied. So it is in this culture where there is a wide array of "Christian" perspectives, narratives, commentaries and podcasts for the grabbing. We need to be intentional, prayerful, careful and aware. We need to read the "fine print", the fine print of God's Word. We need to compare what we are reading and hearing to the original recipe, the appropriate carton, the milk of the Word or better yet, the meat! There is a variety of "creamers...

I am musing about... June bugs in July. I am ready for them to think it is....well, let's say September. Whenever it is that means they are gone. They can be downright annoying. Almost frightening. I just got in from a walk around the neighborhood. It is almost 9:30. A good time to take a walk after a hot summer day. Things have cooled down a bit, it is quiet and peaceful outside, the stars twinkle in the night sky, the occasional sounds of children laughing and playing together during this more relaxed season of warmth and fun, ....what is there not to love about small town life in the summer? June bugs :) (and yes, I know that they exist in places other then "small towns" :) ) Tonight on my walk, I felt almost attacked. You see, I walk with lights held in each hand. A safety thing. Helping me to be seen while also lighting my way. But...you guessed it, the light attracts bugs. They were buzzing around my ears, flying into my face, bumping into me...annoying. Even alarmi...

  From Paralyzed to Empowered Do you ever feel paralyzed? Unable to take the "next step"? Maybe not knowing what that "next step" might even be? We all have been there! Have you heard things like "We all have a God given gift and purpose" only to find yourself, on the "struggle bus"*? "I do"? you wonder. "What is it"? you wonder. "What is wrong with me"? you wonder."Oh no, I am not fulfilling my pupose," you fear. Oh please. Do not fear. Rest in God's love for you. Do not feel overwhelmed or intimidated or discouraged. But rather, just rest in Him. Rest in His love for you. Rest in the fact, that what He wants most is relationship . To be with you. To commune with you. To lavish His peace and love and joy on you. Your God given purpose is to be with Him. To delight in Him. To love Him. To trust Him. And as you do, as you spend time, reflecting on His Word and on who He is.... He will meet you there.  An...

   I am meditating on.... 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24   Have you ever felt God opening a door for you, and found yourself walking through it and into a place that you never thought you would be? A good place, but a new challenge, nonetheless. Have you ever felt peaceful about saying yes to an opportunity, only to find yourself asking..."What did I just sign up for?" Such has happened to me recently. I know that the LORD has provided an opportunity that can only be from Him! I feel peaceful, needy and excited. I am thankful, but somewhat apprehensive. It is one of those times, when I know that God has shown me a path and has kindly and yet decisively placed me upon it, carried me there on the "wings of prayer". So, as I sat in my car in front of a park, prior to showing up for my "first day", the LORD provided the perfect verse. Once again. A verse that I want to share with you. Because don't we all find ourselves, at times, in places of peaceful uncertaint...

  I am musing about... Dependence Day! As I contemplate the history behind our national Independence Day, of how it ushered in a future of freedom and opportunity for the nation that was birthed on that day, I see some parallels to our Spiritual stories. Parallels as well as differences. As our founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence in which they separated themselves from  Great Britain, their homeland, they consequently gained new found independence and opportunity to grow, thrive and become. To become a great nation. It was an independence that needed to be fought for in order to become a reality. Many gave their very lives for the hope of this desired freedom! Likewise, on the day that we each made our Declaration of Dependence on Jesus, it is on that day that we finally found spiritual freedom. Freedom from the clutches of Satan and his powerful and deceptive ways. As we admitted our helplessness and our need for our "Big Brother" and our "Founding (...