The Things We Cling To

Entrance to Neighborhood

Looking from inside the house into the yard

Neighbors leaving with their important belongings

The above pictures are of the flooding in Bangkok, Thailand in the Province of Nonthaburi where our daughter and her family live.  Our son-in-law Jeff wrote this concerning the flood waters:

"As much as we prepared and tried, we couldn’t keep the flood waters from coming. As we watched districts all around us succumb to the floods, it became clear we wouldn’t be spared.  Our neighborhood received about three feet of water in just over two hours, and since our house is raised just a little bit, we have about 6 inches of water standing in the first floor." 

As I've read the reports and looked at all the devastation in pictures from Thailand Newspapers and Internet News Websites.... I seemed to be focused on the devastation of all the things these people have lost.  The Lord has such a way of teaching us lessons... and this evening I read something that I felt the Lord placed into my path of view.  As I read the following words my heart was so convicted:

He doesn't want us clinging to His gifts,

He wants us clinging tightly to Him.

 "My soul clings to you;
   your right hand upholds me." 
Psalm 63:8

 

Here is one of the last posts our son-in-law made before leaving Thailand to come to the States for a long awaited furlough (which will be interrupted in a few weeks for him to return to Thailand to clean up the mess): 

Is there any better way for us to evaluate our first term on the mission field than to lose some temporary, material possessions? What have we accumulated that is of eternal value? Thankfully, we can look back at souls won for Christ that water can't touch, no matter how high it rises.

 

Thank you Lord for your tender teaching!  

May all who read this... please pray for the people of Thailand whose lives have been affected by this devastating disaster and pray their hearts will be drawn to cling to the Lord!

 

BUILT ON THE "ROCK"

Today as the flood waters rise in Eastern Bangkok Thailand in the Province of Nonthaburi, the home where our daughter and her family live is being surrounded by water.  As I talked with our son-in-law Jeff this morning, I could hear concern in his words.  When I asked how they were doing... his reply was "not too well". They had gone back to Nonthaburi on Monday afternoon to check things out as the water came closer to where they call "home".  Jeff had Jessie and the children leave to go back to the Hotel where they are staying until time to return to the U.S. later this week and he was going to stay the night.  After placing sandbags & plastic at all the doors and gate... and watching the water rise even more... he decided it best for him to leave also.  This was his comment:  "Well, when the water comes, there's nothing you can do. Not in the house yet, but can't imagine it not being in the morning. It's all in God's hands."

We all have sang the children's song, "The Wise Man Built His House Upon the Rock"... but this truly is an example of just that.  Although most of their "earthly belongings" reside in that house... that is not where their "HOPE" lies... because their house is built on "The Rock" and like Jeff said... "It's all in God's hands."

I have thought and prayed so much about this the last several days and for the Thai people whose lives have been devastated by this disaster.  It is so easy being on the outside to "glibly" say:  "As long as you all are safe... THINGS can be replaced." - but when it is "YOUR THINGS" it takes on a whole new light.  We watched as they prepared to go to the mission field several years back and got rid of most of what they had here in the U.S.  For me it was emotional watching them have to part with things they loved because they could not take them.  They left with only things that could be packed in suitcases.  For them though... it was what had to be done to follow the calling the Lord had placed on their lives.  Now to see them have to face losing the things they have purchased there... it just rips this momma's heart out.  

I must say... it is evident that the Lord gives them strength and it puts me to shame at my lack of faith.  So proud of them and what the Lord is doing in their lives and through them there in Thailand.  Can't wait until they are here with us but I'm sure that their hearts will remain with the people they love in Thailand.   Please pray for the Gordon Family and the Thai People!

"My Hope is Built on Nothing Less"
by Edward Mote, 1797-1874

1. My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

2. When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

3. His oath, His covenant, and blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When every earthly prop gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

 

Lord, Carve Me Into Your Image

I just love the "fall season" and can't help but get excited about all the things going on around me this time of year.  Leaves are falling, the harvesters are in the fields, the air is cooler, crockpots every where are filled to their brims with homemade soups, the aroma of cinnamon and cloves simmering in pots of cider, outside firepits are filled with wood for chilly evenings under the trees, mums of all colors line steps and porches and decks, and children (and adults) are enjoying the fun of decorating and carving pumpkins.  Even the ladies at our last fellowship meeting at church seemed to get in the "fall spirit" with a Pumpkin decorating contest (Me Included).

I listened to a song the other day that reminded me of pumpkin carving and of my desire for the Lord to shine His light through me.  It is called "Sun and Moon" by Paul Wickham... here are part of the lyrics:

If You are the sun -Then I wanna be the moon 
I want to reflect the light - That shines from You 
And if this is war - Then I'm gonna draw my sword 
This time I know what I'm fighting for  
God I wanna let You know I want everything You are 
I'm waiting for the morning light 
To show a fire in the dark  
Shine Your light - I want to feel You now 
God I need a miracle - Take my heart, make it glow 
Shine Your light - From the inside out 
I wanna be more like You
If You are the sun Then I wanna be the moon
If love is a choice - Then I need You to hear my voice 
I'm the one knocking on Your door - Making all this noise 
Whatever it takes - I'd give it all away 
I want to show my love in a thousand ways  
God I want to let You know I love everything You are 
I'm waiting for the morning light To show a fire in the dark

And I can't live a single day without You
And I don't even want to try
And I won't take another step without Your light

If You are the sun - Then I wanna be the moon
I want to reflect the light - That shines from You

  

There are times in our Christian walk that we must "be still" and "carve out" quiet moments in our day, in order to discern what is from the hand of the Lord and what is diversions handed us by our "too busyness".  Without the quiet moments the waves of our own desires, the deceptions of the devil, or the opinions of others... are a current that can easily sweep us away, washing us off course and out of His will.

This is my prayer for God to carve and mold my life into the likeness of His Son... so that I may reflect the Light that Shines from Him!

{cut off top of pumpkin}  Lord, open my mind so I can learn new things about you.  {remove innards}  Remove the things in my life that don’t please you.  Forgive the wrong things I do and help me to forgive others.  {cut open eyes}  Open my eyes to see the beauty you’ve made in the world around me and to see others through your eyes.  {cut out nose}  I’m sorry for the times I’ve turned my nose at the blessings you provide.  {cut out mouth}  Let everything I say be pleasing unto You.  {light the candle}  Lord, help me show your light to others through the things I do. Amen

"For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."  2 Corinthians 4:6-7

"HIDE & SEEK"

"Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah."  (Psalm 32:7)

Every time I read this scripture... it reminds me of the game we all played as a child... "Hide and Seek."  I remember when my children were very small they would go in the bedroom - stick their heads under the bed (bottoms and legs out) - and then yell... "Mommy, come find me."  Of course like all "good mothers", I would hold back my chuckles when I saw their little legs and butt wiggling in plain view from excitement... and would search all over the room saying "Where are you - I can't find you!"  The older we became, the more intense the game became... we had to find the BEST hiding place where NO-ONE could find you!  For me though, being the "big chicken" that I am... it had to be a "SAFE" place - away from anything that could creep or crawl or jump on me.  

After having some devastating hurts in my life from people and events that have occurred... I often view myself in a "turtle shell".  Having the protection of my home to withdraw to my "safe-place" where the torrents of life cannot beat down on me.  When I feel that the storm or danger has passed... and safety has returned... I stick my head and legs out and move forward. 

It is in the Lord that I find that "shell of protection."  At those times - I "HIDE" in HIM - I "SEEK" HIS face... HIS protection... HIS guidance... HIS direction.

"Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God. Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope."  (Psalm 119: 114-116)

"He who dwells in the Shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  (Psalm 91:1) 

You (LORD) are my hiding place

You always fill my heart

With songs of deliverance

Whenever I am afraid

I will trust in YOU!

Creating a "No Drama Zone"

Ever had those people in your life that drain you emotionally and raise your blood pressure and anxiety levels to the top of the charts????  

Whether it is perpetual drama in a family, home, workplace, school, social gathering, church, or anywhere else... it causes unneeded stress and can ultimately lead to a miserable life.  "Drama Queens or Kings" have a way of simply sucking the life out of - well life.

Even in the Bible there were Drama Queens:

• Vashti - thought more highly of herself than she ought.
• Jezebel - wanted control; to run things without God, it's all about her.
• Delilah - brought a great man down because she knew his secret (and used it against him).

Drama is consuming... It destroys relationships... It opens a door for hurt and devastation!  Drama most often involves a variety of other sins:
Gossip - Slander - Lack of self-control - Fits of rage - Hatred - Envy - Spite - Jealousy - Exaggerations - Selfishness - etc.

But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. (Galatians 5:15)

There was a time in my life that I could not function without "DRAMA" following me around.  I hated it yes... but loved it at the same time.  I felt important.  I thought I was so important people involved me in ALL their junk.  Now I realize that I had invited myself into their junk.  I had opened the door with my big mouth after a "thought bubble" or "probing question" popped out.  The sad reality in all of this is the fact that the substance of most drama is often so ludicrous and inconsequential that you just want to bang your head against a wall.

Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. (Proverbs 26:20)

In short, drama only survives if you feed it.  It will consume your time, your conversations, your thought life, all your energy, and eventually your community as well.  Like a fire, the trick to extinguishing it is to cut off its nourishment.  To end drama, you have to starve it!  There are far greater things that the Lord has for us to do than to be so "sucked into" the "Drama Queen's" in our lives spectacles, that we lose sight of what really matters..  

"PAIN IS INEVITABLE... MISERY AND BEING FRAZZLED IS OPTIONAL."

  

Create for yourself a 
NO DRAMA ZONE ;)
You'll be happy you did!

THINGS AREN'T ALWAYS AS THEY SEEM

In my attempt to see that Steve & I eat healthier... one day last week to go along with our Salmon and fresh green beans that I had cooked - I also made "mashed cauliflower"!  This is something that I have grown to really like (thanks to Ruby Tuesday's), but Steve has not gotten the nerve to even taste it to see if it is palatable to his taste-buds ;)  If prepared correctly... it does have the appearance of "mashed potatoes" which is one of Steve's favorites.  When he came home from work... dinner was prepared and all evidence of the cauliflowers outside leaves and stalk were no where in sight.  He questioned what was for dinner and I just said "good stuff" so he began to fill his plate.  Upon one taste... he knew that was not the "creamy mashed potatoes" that he was use to.  The appearance may have mimicked them, but the taste left something to be desired.

I got a few good laughs as I watched his facial expressions... and couldn't help but think of the fact.... THINGS AREN'T ALWAYS AS THEY SEEM!  We judge so quickly by sight and then when we dig a little deeper we realize that sight often fails us.  We meet people everyday and don't see the inner cries of despair that may lie behind their very "together" smile.  We often judge when store clerks are not friendly, or the drive thru attendant doesn't say thank you... but instead of being unfriendly back to them - why not stop and consider what may be going on in their life that has made them that way.  There are those of us (me for one) who have the ability to never show what is going on in the inside... while others can't hide the turmoil.  People we meet everyday are hurting... have needs... and carry burdens and heartaches.  

I'm so thankful that with our Heavenly Father we don't have to wait until our emotions are in check before we can come to Him.  He wants us to come as we are, broken and bruised with tear-stained faces and no masquerades, ragged at the edges, splattered by the mud of life, we are invited to approach the "throne of grace."

"The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth."  (Psalm 145:18)