“I’d rather clean up after a teenage party,” I complained to a co-worker. Legos, farm animals, dishes and plastic food; add pipecleaners and puzzle pieces, markers (without lids), and plastic people. Don’t forget the plastic people! Or the piles of books.

Yup. I was dressed up and ready for war. My mom would have stood over me with a paddle until I picked up every last piece. And to be fair, there are thoughtful and fun parents and grandparents, in the library, training their children to be courteous and responsible.

But not this day. So, I did my 100 toe-touches and knee slides.

And, I crabbed . . .

Then, I got in the car to drive home. Bible verses started flying through my head.

Bible verse memory has it’s downside.

It allows God to say,

“Okay, My turn.”

I turned the radio down. It didn’t work. This Voice wasn’t going away.

“Do all things without grumbling or arguing ( Philippians 2:14 NIV).

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve . . . (Mark 10:45 NIV)

This walk with Jesus is not a sprint, but a marathon. I don’t know how quickly my coworkers will see change in me. But Jesus is on the case. And He lives within me. You’ve heard it said He loves us JUST AS WE ARE, but Too Much to leave us that way. Here I am, right in the middle of that.

“For this correction is a lamp, this teaching is light, and correction and instruction are the way of life ( Proverbs).”

To be honest, I am grateful. See you at the finish line.

lonnie

“If you join me in being grateful that we don’t live in a one-party state, then by definition you must be grateful for people who disagree with you. They are the ones who make pluralism and democracy possible.”

Arthur C. Brooks; Love Your Enemies p. 62; Broadside Books 2019

If I understand correctly, we are more accurately called a republic. Either way, it’s not a dictatorship.

I read once that we should read or listen to opposing views. It will either cause us to seal our convictions or change our mind. I’ve tried. I find it difficult. But I have found speakers and writers who don’t stand solidly on one side of the line. They are not afraid to compliment or critisize either side.

I’m grateful for them.

lonnie

“When asked to keep a gratitude journal for three weeks, researchers found it ‘also improved people’s amount of sleep and the quality of sleep’ and that ‘the effects on well-being (positive effect and life satisfaction) were apparent to the participant’s spouse or significant other.'”

Arthur C. Brooks; Love Your Enemies p. 61; Broadside Books 2019

Who knew?

Are you up for the challenge?

lonnie

“Cinderella is beautiful, yes, but she is also good. Her outward beauty would be hollow were it not for the beauty of her heart. In The Sound Of Music, the Countess has Maria beat in the looks department, and they both know it. But Maria has a rare and beautiful depth of spirit. She has the capacity to love snowflakes on kittens and mean-spirited children . . . ” (John and Stasi Eldrege ; Captivating p. 16; Nelson Books 2005

Who of us women doesn’t want to be beautiful? To look nice in that dress? To feel comfortable in a swim suit — ANY swim suit!? But, I have to say, while I’ve never wished to be Cinderella, I would love to have the beauty of Maria: innocence, kindness, even shyness– fun, love, gentleness.

“Ruth may have been a lovely, strong woman, but it is to her unrelenting courage and vulnerability and faith in God that Boaz is drawn. Esther is the most beautiful woman in the land, but it is her bravery and her cunning, good heart that moves the king to spare her people.” (P.17)

While the world seeks such a different kind of beauty, I find my heart aching for this kind of beauty. And . . . the more of my heart I let Jesus reside and rule in, the more likely my desire will become reality.

EverGrowing–EverDependent on Him,

lonnie

Four puppies, in a pet store window, up to their chins in white paper scraps, BUT . . . one puppy had one scrap in his mouth. The other 3 puppies yapped and jumped right on top of him, trying to get that one piece of paper. The one that someone else had. The one that was like the hundreds laying at their feet.

They say that dogs are almost human. I guess they’re right.

Just Sayin’,

lonnie

“God was pleased with Jeremiah, not because he was successful but because he was faithful.”

(Erwin W. Lutzer; The Church in Babylon p. 40; Moody Publishers 2018)

God certainly desired success, because that would mean the people listened to Jeremiah’s message, responded with repentance, and spared themselves judgment. But Jeremiah’s task was only to deliver the message, and he was faithful to do so.

We can do what God calls us to do or say; but we can’t control the outcome. Either way, our faithfulness pleases God.

lonnie

“Based on satellite images and the high rainfall totals, a flood should have taken place . . . the storm had been worse than the one that had brought about the flood years before.

But . . . God . . .

Crystal and Sol continue to hold Bible studies in the same home.

Halleluah!!

Sol and Crystal had moved to the area to birth a church, the very area now being threatened by floodwaters.

“It seemed wrong to just get in their car and leave. They knew God could save their home–but would he? They were familiar with Hebrews 11, the chapter of faith, and they knew the same faith that rescued some made martyrs of others.”

Murray Andrew Pura

Streams:Reflections on the Waters in Scriptures p.45; Zondervan 2010

Going or Staying

Both Require Faith . . . And Obedience.

lonnie

“One night the Lord spoke to Paul:

‘Do not be afraid;

Keep on speaking,

Do not be silent.” (Acts 18:9 NIV)

Have I talked to anyone about Jesus lately? His love? Or about the strength and hope He gives me? Have I told of how He has answered prayers.

I don’t need to prepare a presentation.

I just need to let Jesus be a natural part of my conversation.

Help me, God,

lonnie

“You don’t need to have all your questions answered to come to faith,” William Lane told Lee Strobel. “You just have to say, ‘The weight of the evidence seems to show this is true, so even though I don’t have answers to all my questions, I’m going to believe and hope for answers in the long run.'”

Lee Strobel, The Case For Faith p.83; Zondervan 2000

Just yesterday, I was walking a beautiful tree-lined nature path and talking to God. Weeks before, I’d heard Him give me direction for my future–a big step; one I’d been waiting for. But since that time, the clarity of His voice faded and my anticipation and reasons for taking the step seemed to had vanished.

I always think a layed-out plan comes with a guarantee. So, I began asking God about “whys” and “next steps.” His voice was as clear as the first time–but it was different. “You don’t need those answers yet. Take the first step first.”

And so . . . Get ready, get set . . .

lonnie