Hello Mayberry

Life is funny.  I’ve been a lot of places, met a lot of amazing people, seen a lot of really cool stuff, had a chance to be part of some brilliant work places.  Now here I am, livin’ the simple, quiet life (figuratively speaking of course as most of the time it’s anything but quiet around here). 

Our home in Italy was reminiscent of any Tuscan villa you would see in any movie with a Florentine setting, with sweeping vistas of sunflower fields, olive groves and vineyards falling and rising in all directions.  Yet these fields that surround me here have just as much intrigue and beauty as any Tuscan landscape.  And so much more.

Whenever people hear about where we’ve come from, and where we live now, they inevitably gasp and ask, “What brought you HERE?”  And I just smile, and get all sentimental inside, and a favorite song starts drumming away in my head.

I don’t have to “miss” Mayberry.  Cause I live there.  And I literally live on that old dirt road that isn’t listed on the map.  *grin*.  And I’m lovin’ it.

Mayberry - Rascal Flatts

“Sometimes it feels like this world is spinning faster
Than it did in the old days 
So naturally, we have more natural disasters 
From the strain of a fast pace

Sunday was a day of rest
Now, it’s one more day for progress
And we can’t slow down ‘cause more is best
It’s all an endless process

I miss Mayberry
Sitting on the porch drinking ice-cold cherry Coke
Where everything is black & white                       

Picking on a six string
Where people pass by & you call them by their first name
Watching the clouds roll by
Bye, bye

Sometimes I can hear this old earth shouting
Through the trees as the wind blows
That’s when I climb up here on this mountain
To look through God’s window
Now I can’t fly
But I got two feet that get me high up here
Above the noise and city streets
My worries disappear

I miss Mayberry
Sitting on the porch drinking ice-cold cherry Coke
Where everything is black & white                       

Picking on a six string
Where people pass by & you call them by their first name
Watching the clouds roll by
Bye, bye

Sometimes I dream I’m driving down an old dirt road
Not even listed on a map
I pass a dad and son carrying a fishing pole
But I always wake up every time I try to turn back

I miss Mayberry
Sitting on the porch drinking ice-cold cherry Coke
Where everything is black & white                       

Picking on a six string
Where people pass by & you call them by their first name
Watching the clouds roll by

Bye, bye.

Or in our case.  “Hello.”

Secrets of Successful Living

I’m purging my bookshelves.  This is not something that comes easy to me, but hey, life is tough.  I’ve accumulated a small pile of books that I don’t feel need take up valuable space on my limited shelves and have leafed through them and am packing them in a box for my next stop at Value Village.  One of these particular books held my attention a bit longer than the others, probably because it ties in with a lot of the things I have been focusing on in recent months.  Although I found it rather off the wall in parts, and this post is not meant to be an endorsement in any way, shape or form, I thought it might be beneficial to jot down a few of the thoughts that did impress themselves upon me. 

Wholeness is health, unity, sufficiency, and the peace that comes from having enough of everything you need in your life. 

Balance is having the various parts of your life in proper proportion to each other.  The two terms are vitally interrelated.  Success, by definition of this book, is “balanced wholeness.”

The book visualizes the circle of our life as an eight sectioned wheel divided into the following categories in no particular order;

Recreational, Mental, Community, Professional, Material, Financial, Family and Physical with SPIRITUAL as the core of the circle, all other categories branching out from the core on the premise that;

“One is not a human being having spiritual experiences.  One is a spiritual being have human experiences.” 

The book is a “planner”  and states;

“If you simply take life as it comes and never seek to conform your will to God’s will or your ways to His ways, your life will meander without a strong sense of direction, purpose or fulfillment.”

“The Lord isn’t at all against our making plans.  He’s against our worshiping our plans.  And He’s against our making plans that leave Him out.  To be more precise, we must ask the Lord to give us our plans…

We ask and believe that God will reveal His desires to us and plant His dreams in us.  We then make our goals based on the desires and dreams.  We forge the goals into a plan, and we begin to work on the plan and along the way, we continually ask the Lord, “Am I on the right track?  Am I pursuing this as quickly as You want it pursued?  Am I becoming the person You want me to be?” 

It beckons a person to dream. 

“Dreams invite you to see a future that is better than the present.  Dreams compel you to grow and to develop yourself in ways you haven’t thus far.  Dreams give you energy and enthusiasm.”

I love that.  I’m a dreamer, a reacher, a planner, an achiever.  And maybe, just maybe… God made me that way.  May I be all, in a wholesome and balanced way, for His glory. 

 

random notes taken while leafing through “Nine Empowering Secrets of Successful Living” by Denis Waitley.

Out of This World

"The greatest enemy of hunger for God is not poison but apple pie. It is not the banquet of the wicked that dulls our appetite for heaven, but endless nibbling at the table of the world. It is not the X-rated video, but the prime-time dribble of triviality we drink in every night. For all the ill that Satan can do, when God describes what keeps us from the banquet table of his love, it is a piece of land, a yoke of oxen, and a wife (Luke 14:18-20). ….the most deadly appetites are not for the poison of evil, but for the simple pleasures of earth.”

John Piper

Mack Truck. Right in the forehead. Been reeling from that one all week. Balance is such a tricky thing, isn't it? To learn to live joyfully, with the hope and assurance of His goodness and care, and not to be weighed down with burdens and cares that aren't ours to shoulder, but then at the same time, not to grow apathetic and numbed to the simple pleasures that can distract and draw us away from the His Pure Goodness.

I used to look around and see evil lurking behind every corner, and I lived with the daily burdens of depression, oppression, aggression, regression, you name it. Then I came to see how God wants me to be full of His hope. His light. His goodness. Not to be overwhelmed by the BAD stuff. But to pursue the GOOD stuff. Okay. Lesson learned. I'm diggin' it. But then I read this.

The only ultimate disaster that can befall us, I have come to realize, is to feel ourselves to be home on earth. As long as we are aliens, we cannot forget our true homeland. Unhappiness on earth cultivates a hunger for heaven. By gracing us with a deep dis-satisfaction, God holds our attention. The only tragedy, then, is to be satisfied prematurely. To settle for earth. To be content in a strange land.

We are not happy here because we are not at home here. We are not happy here because we are not supposed to be happy here. We are "like foreigners and strangers in this world" (1 Peter 2:11).

Take a fish and place him on the beach. Watch his gills gasp and scales dry. Is he happy? No! How do you make him happy?.... You put him back in his element. You put him back in the water. He will never be happy on the beach simply because he was not made for the beach.

And you will never be completely happy on earth simply because you were not made for earth. Oh, you will have moments of joy. You will catch glimpses of light. You will know moments or even days of peace. But they simply do not compare with the happiness that lies ahead.

When God Whispers Your Name, Max Lucado

And I wonder if maybe I'm not a little TOO happy. If maybe I haven't gotten a little TOO comfortable. If maybe I've set my heart so much on recognizing the temporal reasons for joy and thankfulness down HERE, I'm forgetting to long for the eternal joys that I was created for. That are my inheritance. That He is preparing for me even now.

But just one word, just one little reminder, and my heart skips a beat. He has gone to prepare a place. For me. He loves me. He wants to spend eternity with me. And all of "this" fades to gray.

"....but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." Luke 10:20

Auschwitz Horrors

We are getting lots of glimpses into hell on earth as we study WWII. I learned something new today. Why shave the hair off of the people you are just going to gas and cremate? I always just assumed it was to prevent lice and other atrocities in the bunkers, but there is another very disturbing element involved here that I had never heard before. The hair was shaved off of ALL the prisoners, even those that were in line for immediate extermination and the hair was not disposed of, it was used for a practical purpose that about chilled the blood in my veins. Any ideas what?

Just Breathe

When autumnal tempests
within me rage
and angst and worry
fill this page
of my life
I pause
shake brittle leaves out of my hair
and surrender softly every care
I sigh
and breathe.

Just breathe.

When invernal flurries
my clarity clouds
and the habit of urgency
my peace enshrouds
I pause
slow down
like a treadmill being toggled down
I wipe the ice from my lashes and face
so I can look again on grace
I sigh
and breathe.

Just breathe.

When primaveral showers
'round me pour
and waves pound madly
on this shore
of my existence
I step back
withdraw
to higher ground
I pause
where I can gaze around
I sigh
and breathe.

Just breathe.

When summer drought
my soul does suffer
and against this thirst
I find no buffer
or reprieve
I wearily crawl
to water's edge
beneath the shadow
of Your hedge
and lay me down
on hallowed ground
where all is calm
and still
and Your voice
is heard at will
I sigh
and breathe.

Just breathe.

My contribution for L.L.'s poetry prompt at Seedlings In Stone.

The Symphony of Grace

If life were a symphony
conducted from above

humanity an orchestra,
the score entitled “Love"

Each life would be an instrument
with a cardinal part to play

Each element designed to be
essential in some way.

It wouldn’t be the soloist
taking centre stage

or certain proud ensembles
that dominate the page

But the harmony of one and all
that would cause a shiver

to run up the spine of the spectator
and set their soul aquiver

To each and every one of us
is assigned a special place

a spot designed for us just so
in the Symphony of Grace.

Sometimes I fear I play alone,
that none play my same page

Oft tone deaf to the harmony
that graces this vast stage

But then again, at times someone
pulls up a seat close by

whose score is quite familiar,
with an instrument like mine

Oh joy! I do not play alone,
a misfit set at large

I’m at once part of a greater corps
and smaller entourage

I rejoice you play beside me
and for the melody that results

when we each take up our instrument
and let our hearts exult

in this exuberant crescendo
that sets our souls ablaze

For we are His workmanship,
ordained to bring Him Praise.

I discovered the first draft of this poem buried deep in my archives, something I was working on some time ago. Now, as I took a second go at it I found it to be such a fitting illustration for my recent reflections on grace. Truly we play a beautiful tune when we learn to appreciate and relish the beauty of our diversity and to compliment one another in heavenly harmony.

Teddy Bear History

The Teddy Bear is named after a famous person who loved real bear cubs. Know who?

Now That's a Long Flight

For a period of time early in their lives, until they are old enough to breed, Swifts fly NON-STOP. They eat and drink while flying. At night, they rest on thermal currents high in the sky, maintaining a gliding position. Any guesses as to how long these birdies stay up in the air?

No Weapon Formed

Excerpts from Psalm 59

"Those who come against me... men waiting to ambush me... cruel men attack me, but I have not sinned or done wrong... I have done nothing wrong, but they are ready to attack me... Notice what comes from their mouths... insults come from their lips... they sin by what they say, they sin with their words... let their pride trap them.They come back at night, like dogs they growl and roam around the city. They wander about looking for food and they howl if they do not find enough."

Seriously, when "you know who" went off on me the other day, I literally felt like a snarling dog was stalking me, looking for "bait" to rip his teeth into and tear me apart with. Watching that one day as he spent hours perusing 48 pages of archives (that word prowling above really hit home), a horrible weight of fear came over me. I felt violated, vulnerable... and felt like a bullied little girl who wanted nothing more than to run and hide in a bathroom stall, safe from critical judgment and cruel scrutiny.

But I didn't give in to that fear (that made me want to take my blog private or make it disappear into oblivion). I pulled on my armor, HIS armor, and took on the mentality of a warrior. Not a warrior who comes out swinging and is out to pay retribution. But a warrior who stands strong, knowing her defender is up to the challenge. I love that last part of the chapter,

"But I will sing about YOUR strength. In the morning I will sing about your love. You are my defender, my place of safety in times of trouble. God, my strength, I will sing praises to you. God, my defender, you are the God who loves me."

I will keep singing. And I will not be afraid of the arrows that fly.

No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from Me,” says the LORD. Isaiah 54:17

Loving rebuke is not to be ignored. Scathing judgement and criticism is not from the Lord. It is dripping poison on the arrowheads of the enemy. We have been given all we need to deflect such attack and stand strong.

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:14

August and Lovely.

No, sadly that is not the month, or the forecast. The ground is covered with snow, it’s cold. Winter seems to have chased fall off the stage leaving little hope for even an encore. Such a dreary and cool summer we had, with a fall cut short, it does tempt one to lament, but I will choose a thankful heart as only thus will I live with a joyful spirit and who wants to knowingly choose misery?

But back to August and Lovely. What *am* I referring to? Sweet words in the introduction to Good Wives (Louisa May Alcott) painting a picture of Mr. March who was absent for most of the duration of Little Women. I must say my heart warmed to him immediately.

The war is over, and Mr. March safely at home, busy with his books and the small parish which found in him a minister by nature as by grace, a quiet, studious man, rich in the wisdom that is better than learning, the charity which calls all mankind `brother', the piety that blossoms into character, making it august and lovely.

These attributes, in spite of poverty and the strict integrity which shut him out from the more worldly successes, attracted to him many admirable persons, as naturally as sweet herbs draw bees, and as naturally he gave them the honey into which fifty years of hard experience had distilled no bitter drop. Earnest young men found the gray-headed scholar as young at heart as they, thoughtful or troubled women instinctively brought their doubts to him, sure of finding the gentlest sympathy, the wisest counsel. Sinners told their sins to the pure-hearted old man and were both rebuked and saved. Gifted men found a companion in him. Ambitious men caught glimpses of nobler ambitions than their own, and even worldlings confessed that his beliefs were beautiful and true…”

Good Wives, Chapter One.

As naturally as sweet herbs draw bees… *sigh*. A lovely sentiment. An all around picture of loveliness and grace, really. I think this is such a wonderful picture of Christlikeness in so many ways. Mmmmm.... emotionally delicious.

Happy Thoughts

Can’t bear to leave that ugliness at the forefront of this place that I desire to be a haven of grace and peace and encouragement.

I’ve been reading and re-reading these verses all day. Truth is the best therapy. His Truth is healing and beautiful and inspiring.

“But the Spirit produces the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self control. There is no law that says these things are wrong.” Galatians 5:22-23

“Wish good for those who harm you, wish them well and do not curse them. Be happy with those who are happy, and be sad with those who are sad. Live in peace with each other. Do not be proud, but make friends with those who seem unimportant. Do not think how smart you are. If someone does wrong to you, do not pay him back by doing wrong to him. Try to do what everyone thinks is right. Do your best to live in peace with everyone.” Romans 12:14-18

“Look for peace and pursue it.” Proverbs 34:14

“Those who are humble, are happy, because the earth will belong to them. Those who show mercy to others are happy, because God will show mercy to them. Those who are pure in their thinking are happy, because they will be with God. Those who work to bring peace are happy because God will call them his children. Those who are treated badly for doing good are happy because the kingdom of heaven belongs to them. “ Matthew 5:3-10

“Are there those among you that are truly wise and understanding? Then they should show it by living right and doing good things with gentleness that comes from wisdom…. Where jealousy and selfishness are there will be confusion and every kind of evil. But the wisdom that comes from God is first of all pure, then peaceful, gentle, and easy to please. This wisdom is always ready to help those who are troubled and to do good for others. It is always fair and honest. People who work for peace in a peaceful way plant a good crop of right living.” James 3:13-18

Amen.

In Response to Keystone

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Phillipians 4:8

Keystone received my response. His judgements and criticism have no place here and I think serve only as a smokescreen to cloud the truth and beauty of a message of grace and hope. As such I have removed the body of this post and every other comment by Keystone and by me in response to Keystone in these last two posts.

Grace and Peace.

Prairie Chick

Grace Wins (John MacArthur and John Piper on Mark Driscoll.)

Alternately titled "I Saw the Light" or "First John, Second John"; in which I ponder two diverse attitudes from two men I honor and respect towards another man I.... respect.

Mark Driscoll is a regular staple around here. We listen to his sermons alot. My husband when he is on the road, me when I am washing dishes or cleaning house. He gets us thinking. He gets us talking. He makes us laugh but has been known to make me cry and move my husband to deep places emotionally. His sermon series "Christ on the Cross" is hands down the BEST sermon series I have ever listened to when it comes to understanding the doctrines concerning Jesus. I'm a bit of a doctrine junkie. I want to know what I believe and why.

Mark is not your standard suit and tie pastor... in any way, shape or form. If he would have been in Jesus' crowd I think he would have hit it off smashingly with the Sons of Thunder who liked to rumble. He's a stirrer, a shaker, a more than a little rough around the edges personality who isn't afraid to get down and dirty and face the crap in this world head on. And when I mean head on, I mean he talks about it and he talks about it clearly, and sometimes I have to admit it's shocking to hear someone be so direct and bold. Shocking... but refreshing. This guy is wild about Jesus and revealing Jesus to those on the wild side.

There is a place for John MacArthur in this kingdom, and there's a place for Mark Driscoll. Of that I am certain because they both speak to me, challenge me and grace me with truth. So imagine my surprise when I hear that MacArthur, who I love, is speaking out against Driscoll, who I also love. How can that be? When I read MacArthur's words against Driscoll I just recoiled and was horrified. He doesn't get it, I thought. He's focusing on peripherals, on rough edges, and he's missing the man... the heart of this man. Grunge (slang for grittiness) can be associated with Mark, because he's not one to keep his hands lily white and avoid talking about the grunge of our day. BUT, he, more than anyone I know names it, identifies it, and calls it out as exactly what it is... GRUNGY lies. And he points to the living water that wants to wash us clean and make us holy. You can not listen to one sermon by this guy and truly accuse him of watering down the gospel or wanting to conform to culture. He uses culture to point to our need for Jesus. I thought about it alot today, this divide, this misunderstanding between two evangelists and my heart was really saddened by it.

I prayed that God would help me to have discernment and to see clearly, I prayed for both of these men, that MacArthur, the founder of "Grace to you" after all... would be given God's grace to see Driscoll through God's eyes. That Driscoll would be given the grace to see areas that he really can grow and mature and set a stellar example as a young evangelist to the masses (heaven knows a little refining wouldn't hurt the guy), and for God to bring someone into their lives to speak truth into both of these men's lives and help breathe unity and grace and love into this ugly situation.

Then I listened to this. John Piper. I've always loved this man. He, like MacArthur, has such wisdom and experience and has spoken so many direct and challenging words over this generation. And tonight I listened to him again, and I cried. This is grace. This is beautiful. He speaks truth, but he doesn't do it to cut down, he does it to build up. And I saw the light. Comparing these two reactions side by side I saw legalism and grace in action. And as someone who has wrestled with legalism for many years, it stunned me. And it challenged me.

Grace wins.

"Beauty and Grace command the world. " Park Benjamin

"I do not understand the mystery of grace. Only that it meets us where we are, but does not leave us where it found us." Anne Lamott

photo by arteram

Aw Shucks… I’m so Corny

So, you know me.  I’m all about simple and practical.  Found a new trick with corn this year and am SO excited.  Pick the ears, peel off any outer leaves that are not laying flat and break off the stalk.  Gently peel tips of leaves back about 1/3 the length of the ear, pull out silk, pull leaves back into place, package in super size ziploc containers and freeze.  Just like that!

To cook just thaw enough to shuck, then pop in boiling water as you would fresh corn on the cob.  Seriously, you can NOT tell the difference!  No mountain of shucking debris, no mess in the kitchen, practically from the stalk to the freezer.  Only con is that 6 rows of corn takes up a LOT of freezer space!

Energy

photo by Trinamole


One piece of buttered toast contains about 315 kilojoules of energy.

How long do you think that energy would last to run a car at 80 km per hour?

How long do you think it could run a 60 watt light bulb?

Fascinating! That will make me think twice before eating a second slice of buttered toast.

A Song From The Suds

I'm alive. I'm well. It would appear my life has finally caught up with me and all of a sudden I am going full throttle and barely managing to keep up. It' s not that I'm not thinking. It's not that funny and beautiful and preposterous things aren't happening around here. It's just that in pursuing a disciplined life of balance, my computer time got shoved squarely down to the bottom of the priority list where it's REALLY hard to get at =) I know you will all understand. So for those of you who were kind and concerned enough to email me and beg information; just know that I am here, washin' dishes, hangin' laundry, shuckin' corn, diggin' potatoes, carrots, pickin' apples... teachin' these rugrats and building up lots of "health and hope and strength" through good hard toil as Jo would say. I leave you with her little poem that about sums up my life and my mentality at present.

(Know that tomorrow could very well find me in a completely different state of mind, namely INSANE. Be that as it may, I am a firm proponent of the statement "Unto each day sufficient is the evil thereof. " and as such, I'm takin' one day at a blessed time.)

Queen of my tub, I merrily sing,
While the white foam rises high,
And sturdily wash and rinse and wring,
And fasten the clothes to dry.
Then out in the free fresh air they swing,
Under the sunny sky.

I wish we could wash from our hearts and souls
The stains of the week away,
And let water and air by their magic make
Ourselves as pure as they.
Then on the earth there would be indeed,
A glorious washing day!

Along the path of a useful life,
Shall heartsease surely bloom
The busy mind has no time to think
Of sorrow or care or gloom.
And anxious thoughts may be swept away,
As we bravely wield a broom.

I am glad a task to me is given,
To labor at day by day,
For it brings me health and strength and hope,
And I cheerfully learn to say,
"Head, you may think, Heart, you may feel,
But, Hand, you shall work alway!"

Jo, Little Women