Last weeks blog “Faith and God’s Creation” honored God and His handiwork through His magnificent creation. When He created man in His image He gave each of the ability to be creative as well.  We each may use those gifts in a different way, with different mediums but we have been given the ability to be creative.

I want to honor my son in law Timothy Haslet.  Tim received an amazing ability to paint.  His ability to take acrylic or oil based paints and transform them into amazing masterpieces is inspiring.  He took his gift–painting and with training (an art degree from Whitworth College) and began to paint.

God sent him a wife who understands his need to paint.  Every place they have lived in their seventeen years of marriage they have “found a studio” for Tim to paint.  He painted in an attic, part of their laundry room and now in their home office. I am amazed how he makes it work.  It has taken time to hew his talent, it has taken money to fund his supplies and it has taken perseverance to keep painting.

Always he encourages others in their creativity.  God has brought him artistic friends and I have watched how they have mutually supported each other to stretch their creative ways.  He enters art shows–won second place the first year and first place this year!  Others are hearing of his skill and have invited him to use them to paint a fire hydrant here in Oak Harbor for the city beautification project.  God has favored him, because he has not buried his talent under a bushel he brings glory to the Lord.  By day currently he is a landscaper.  He paints with stone, plants and hard work.  Yards are transformed into beautiful creations where their owners can enjoy God’s handiwork.

This week end he has been invited to participate in the Whidbey Working Artists Open Studio Tour.  They are part of fifty artists on Whidbey Island who will be opening their “studio” or home to the public to share their art and creativity.  As they have prepared for this event I have watched Tim overcome many obstacles.  They have four children who love to live life!  They are taming their yard and creating and fulfilling their vision for their own home–reading it for all visitors who choose to come their way.  Of course we are praying for sales, but they are preparing a sanctuary to greet their new guests.  (I get the privilege of hosting the four lively children during this event!)

I can’t paint or draw, but when I teach God’s Word I am amazed at how He puts things together.  Images, object lessons and thoughts spring forth from my soul as I wait on Him.  How does your creativity reveal itself?  i spent last night helping some friends make apple pies for the homeless!  My friend has chosen this way to give back to her community.  She takes excess apples and turns them into a taste of love and caring.  Do not bury your talent in the ground.  Take it out and ask God how He wants to use it to show forth His glory.  Do not fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others, but honor the gift He has given you.  It will bring Him glory and touch lives as I know Tim’s art will this coming weekend.

Those of you who are observant might have noticed that there was no Blog from me last week!  I was away camping with some of my children and grandchildren.  We had a wonderful time making memories and enjoying God’s handiwork.

As we walked through the HOH Rain Forest (no rain in sight and 80+ degrees!) I was amazed once again at how specific and intentional God was when He created creation and established the varied cycles of life that keep our universe functioning so amazing!  Last year I taught botany to three of my grandchildren and it was fun for me to remember some of those lessons as we walked through the forest.  We learned lichens (a complex life form of algae and fungus) are great indicators of how clean the air is–the more they prosper the greater the indication of healthy air quality!  We saw gigantic big leaf maple trees providing ephiphytes–or plants growing on other pants which had mosses, , spike mosses, ferns and lichens all growing on them!  Nurse logs which help provide germination for the next generation of trees.

I was fascinated by the variety of plants and trees in our short 3/4 of a mile walk.  I was also fascinated by the variety of languages we heard as other tourists joined our trek.  German, French, Asian and (plus the various American dialects) and those are just the ones I heard as we marveled at God’s handiwork.  It was crowded, hot and not quite what we expected, but it was still a great day for me.  (My daughter Elizabeth commented, “I didn’t know we came to Disneyland!”

My soul was restored by the trip. When we returned home to church the next Sunday, Pastor Rich Irwin, a guest speaker from Anchorage, Alaska spoke a message entitled “Beauty in the Glory of God”.  As he walked us through Psalm 104, the memories of those beautiful moss covered sunlit trees kept coming to my mind.  He discussed the difference between useful, efficient and beautiful, and how we need both.  At the end of the message, he brought it all home. If we only judge things useful or efficient then we rob ourselves from God’s joy and purpose–especially if we do that to people.  Years ago we were part of a nursing home ministry.  Some of the lovely people there were believers and I asked the Lord why He did not just take them home.  He told me they are still serving my purpose.  I am using them to help you not be selfish and to learn to think about others.  There are no throw away people to our God.

Once during our house ministry days someone came to me complaining about a child and their behavior.  I admit I was a little short with them and I said “what do you want the parents to do? Throw them away?”  All of God’s creation works together to reveal His glory.  He desires our attitude, character and actions do the same.  Thank you Lord for your mercy and grace as we grow in your ways.  Help me to not dismiss others because of what I think their usefulness may or may not be.  I may be a nurse log for others to grow upon.  And Lord, especially help me when I deem myself useless.

Right after I published last weeks blog (Faith and Salvation Joy), I was made aware of someone going through very a very difficult challenge.  As I joined her in prayer for the situation I saw her in the middle of a wilderness with no clear path around her.  She felt lost and hopeless.  My time in the Word and with Jesus equipped me to have hope that what she saw as impossibilities, God saw as an opportunity to make some changes.

The scripture that came to my mind as we prayed was Psalm 16:11 you will show me the path of life.  This is just a phrase out of the entire verse, but it is the phrase that has brought me through my own wilderness places.  As I continued to pray for the situation, I felt inadequate and actually wondered if I was making things worse for her.  The hopeless darkness that enveloped her was so strong.  I actually got out my phone and read that blog post to her!  I felt things start to shift and at least a glimmer of light began to breakthrough.

Things are better, but not fixed or even settled, but she is on the more sure fitting of God’s love and hope.  I have encountered many others who are fighting their own spiritual warfare during this time.  There seems to be warfare against hope.  Hope that God knows, understands and cares about our situation.  Hope that God’s love and concern reaches through our own sinful actions (mercy) and restores damaged souls.

I came across this scripture in the Message version, through the YouVersion app.  Romans 15:13

Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope!

That word green stood out to me–the hope we are trusting in is alive.  We serve the God of All Hope, who is trustworthy and is growing within each of us as we fertilize it with faith and trust.  Imagine my chagrin when I opened my Logos Bible program and looked up the same scripture and it read

Oh! May the God of great hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope!

So I found a typo in the YouVersion app–but God still used it!  It is still accurate.  The hope we have is living–do not let the cares of this world cheat you out of that hope.  Cling to Him, He is faithful!  This is my prayer–that the God of great hope will fill us all with joy, peace and we will walk with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit.

 

I am so thankful I have a Savior!  Someone who rescues me (when I let Him!) from myself and my sins, shortcomings and struggles.  What a blessing it is to simply sit back and enjoy my relationship with Him. I confess that sometimes I get too stuck in my head about “what more should I be doing”, “am I doing enough”, “am I praying enough, reading enough, seeking Him enough” treadmill that I lose the joy of my relationship with Him.

But when I stop and simply rest in His love, taking time to remember HIM, not some taskmaster image my own mind conjures up–peace returns.  Joy comes and my devotional/prayer time with Him increases as a natural flow.  There is the rest my soul needs that settles in and an expectation of His intervening power and might that happens that helps release my faith in new measures.

He becomes bigger than any problems or situations.  We begin to see the opportunities rather than the impossibilities which helps us pray and believe for even a greater manifestation of His love and care.  Romans 14:13  I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust him.  Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.  It is my prayer that we take the time to let him fill us completely with His joy and peace as we learn to trust Him.  This takes faith-which we know comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ (Romans 10:17)  As we read, meditate and enjoy the presence of the Lord through His word and worship He leads us to discover who He really is.  It is humbling to realize the God who created the universe loves us intentionally and specifically.

Psalms 23, written by King David gives us a glimpse of who David discovered Him to be and we can experience these same truths.

The Lord is my shepherd: I have all I need.   He lets me rest in green meadows: He leads me beside peaceful streams.  He renews my strength.  He guides me along right paths, bringing me honor to his name.  Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.  Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.  You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.  You honor me by anointing my head with oil My cup overflows with blessings.  Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.

Brethren, I pray that you will take time to let Him renew the joy of your salvation and for living life without it isn’t the life He has called us to live!

During my regular Bible reading plan I came across our dear friend Elijah and how the writer of 1 Kings (possibly Jeremiah) showed both his strong faith and also his weaker side.  The story of the battle between the prophets of God and the prophets of Baal is one of the epic stories of the word.  You can refresh your memory of this story by reading 1 King 18.

Moving to 1 Kings 19 we find a  very different side of Elijah, a man running for his life, praying that he might die.  Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day.  He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said.  “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.”  God heard his heart cry, but obviously did not answer his prayer.  He had an angel feed him some fresh baked bread and a jar of water and he laid down and slept again.  Once again He fed him saying “get up and eat some more, or the journey ahead will be too much for you.”  So he got up and ate and drank, and the food gave him enough strength to travel forty days and forty nights to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God.  There he came to a cave, where he spent the night.

He first ran to Beersheba and then about 200 more miles to Mount Sinai.  Mount Sinai was the place where the Lord revealed himself to Moss and the children of Israel, so maybe Elijah was running in hope that he, too, would have an encounter with the Lord.  In my reading and thinking, I wonder what happened to the prophet community after that great victory?  Was there no one that could have gone with Elijah either to celebrate with or share and encourage him during Jezebel’s threat?

Elijah was alone.  God’s love, care and concern for him was abundantly revealed during this dark hour, but where were his buddies?    I am so appreciative that in the gospels we find Jesus sending out the disciples two by two.  When we go through things we need each others.  This past week I was diagnosed with pneumonia.  The weariness I mentioned last week had a root!  As an active person it has been quite challenging to be forced to REST.  To be honest, I do not have an option.  Living alone is great for resting, but when you are exhausted it forces you to depend on others.

I am so fortunate to have not only my local children helping me, but also my sisters have showed up, ran errands and simply gave their support.  I also have had some sweet church sisters bring food, phone, text to show their love and care.  We need each other.  What a blessing to have these practical loving actions extended to me.  It took me a few days to admit how sick and needy I was.  During that time I spent a lot of time thanking the Lord for my healing, praying in the spirit for answers and trusting His Word.  Was that a waste?  Of course not.  God was listening to my heart cry and sent the help I needed.  Once again I want to remind us to reach out to others during their time of need.  Prayer is so needed and helpful so that is our minimum response.  Sometimes we can’t be the hands or feet  but just sending a text, email or phone call helps!  Every like, smile or praying on Facebook  lifted my spirits and I want to thank each of you for your extended love and care through technology!

Those of you who have been following this blog for a year–may remember my bathroom challenge!  Last year I was faced with the necessity of redo my bathroom due to cracked and missing grout which led to mold etc.  I started praying with what I came to think of as “negative faith”…starting in the minus section.  But praying I did–asking Our Dear God who is the husband of the widow to help me figure out what to do and how to do it.  His miraculous solution was to send an old friend from Florida who spear-headed the work and now I have a wonderful clean and healthy bathroom.

So this years challenge is the exterior of my house needed painting.  This is something I have put off for many years–going next year I will really do it.  I talked with my family and my daughter Elizabeth offered to do it.  I have been struggling with some health issues which has caused me to be tired and weary, so even though she offered to do the job, I felt a bit overwhelmed, well a lot overwhelmed.  This is where and why I love His Word.  As I was dealing with these emotions I came across these scriptures in Isaiah 41:14-16  Do you feel like lowly worm, Jacob?  Don’t be afraid.  Feel like a fragile insect, Israel?  I’ll help you.  I, God, want to reassure you.  The God who buys you back,  The Holy of Israel, I’m transforming you from worm to harrow, from insect to iron,  As a sharp-toothed harrow you’ll smooth out the mountains, turn those tough old hills into loamy soil.  You’ll open the rough ground to the weather, to the blasts of sun and wind and rain. But you’ll be confident and exuberant, expansive in the Holy of Israel!   

Just reading those few lines gave me a can-do spirit and I began to see how it could be done.  My fifteen year old grandson, Aaron offered to come and help during his only vacation week from football practice.  We worked together–even Elizabeth’s children (11, 9, 7 and 5) all helped scrub and even did some painting.  My house is transformed.  We still need to do the trim, and we will get that done, but just like my bathroom project, God sent the right people for the job.

Maybe you don’t have a physical project that is trying to overwhelm you, but maybe it is financial, emotional or relational. Those situations are the exact transforming challenges that God desires to help you go from lowly worm to a sharp-toothed harrow.  He wants to use us to change the landscape of our environment for His Kingdom sake.  How amazing is it to allow Him to use us in such a manner.

I did some painting, helped feed the workers and to be honest, but also  had to take some rest time.  I had to trust my daughter and her family desires to help me by using the gifts they have been given.  It was a joy to have my grandson here, interacting with his cousins and setting an example for them.  When my 11 year old asked to paint, I thought why not?  But when my daughter set up the 7 year old?  I was a bit apprehensive…but she did a great job.  They all felt pride in their work–even the 5 year old painted for a few minutes, until she realized it wasn’t as fun as she thought.  My project was not just about me.  It was an opportunity for my grandchildren to learn to work and help others.  My daughter is very good at painting (like her dad).

Maybe your project seems overwhelming because you have not let others in on it–and asked the Lord for His solution.  It was a bit humbling to have to need their help–but it was also such a blessing to let them express their love to me through these actions.  I am very grateful for my adult children and their care for me.  Not everyone has such a blessing, but you still have a God who loves you and will send help from His sanctuary.  Look up, dear friends, our help comes from the Lord!

Last weekend I had the privilege of sharing a weekend with some very special ladies from Vancouver, Washington.  They rented a beautiful home in Oceanside, Oregon and we had the opportunity to share His Word and use our words to encourage each other.

As I prepared for this time together, the Lord spoke to me that He wanted to add potency to their words.  He also told me that most people will never have the opportunity to speak to crowds, but everyone has their ones and twos.  Someone did a study and discovered that the average person will over their lifetime (from age 5 to 78.3 years) will interact to over 800,000  people.  That is a lot of opportunity to speak encouraging words and share Jesus and His hope!

I also learned that it is a lie that women speak more words than women.  Women average a little over 16,000 words a day, men just under 16,000!  So we are not much different from each other.  We each have been given the treasure of words.  If we value those word treasures (out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks) then we will be more careful how we use them.

There is an old adage “think before you speak” is still a good rule to live by. Many are careful not to speak harmful words–but I believe we can add potency to our words in some very intentional ways.

1. Edit your speech.   2 Timothy 2: 16 Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior

2.  Guard your heart from all bitterness.  Letting the peace of God rule your heart.

Col 3:15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

3 .  Be consistent.  For bitter water and sweet water cannot flow out of the same tree.

  Luke 6:45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

4.  Be careful of the tone of voice you use.  How does the Spirit of God speak to you?  Try to develop this  tone as you speak to others.

5.   Read, study and meditate on the Word of God.  It helps clear our heart from our own ideas and helps us think God thoughts.

6.  Learn to speak the “language” of those we are talking with to make sure you are communicating well.

7.  Practice looking outward–it really is not all about you.  When others sense you really care through your actions, they will listen and receive easier.

8.  Relax!  You are part of God’s plan for someone, but not the whole plan!  Apologize when necessary, express your love and care.  Forgive yourself and move on.

When I am talking about “potent” words, I am not talking necessarily about using religious words, but words that are filled with His life, love and mercy.  Yes there may be times we need to exhort or correct, but that is probably not our responsibility for most of our 800,000 people!  Sharing  the good news is our first call.  Learning to love others with our words is the opportunity we all have.  May the Lord helps us develop potent words for His Kingdom-sake.

Are you aware of the powerful treasure that you possess?  The amazing gift God has entrusted in us?  I am talking about the wonderful gift of words.  We hold in our mouth the ability to encourage, affirm, give vision, release hope.  These treasures are all under our control. We choose to use them for His Kingdom or not.

I did some research and it is estimated that one person in their lifetime of remembrance (from the age of five) will interact with over 800,000 people!  The Holy Spirit talked to me the other day and said, most people do not have access to speak to crowds, but everyone has their ones and twos!  It is how we see them and how we use this treasure of words that God has given us to dispense that can make a difference.

Most of us know the scripture Psalm 18:21 Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who live it will eat its fruit.   Some of us remember this scripture during our prayers–but can forget it when we interact with our children our spouses!  A good person produces good things from the treasure of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart.  What you say flows from what is in your heart.  Luke 6:45

Meditating on how your kids frustrate you, or how hard you have it at work fills your heart with frustration and that’s what comes out of the mouth.  Praying out our frustrations and asking God for His wisdom, insight and help shifts our heart thoughts to solutions, rather than feeling stuck. It helps us stop feeling out of control and moves us into an attitude and atmosphere of faith.  Getting God’s perspective through His Word also helps filter out the useless or even harmful words that could spew forth when we are frustrated.  But we must make a decision to renew our minds in these areas, if not it is too easy to speak from our old man.  It is often easy to conform to those around you who complain about husbands, wives or children–instead of choosing to speak honorably about them.

Please understand, this is a process and takes time to grow these skills. One of the perspectives that comes from growing older is that you understand your days are finite on this earth.  It is my desire to plant seeds of life into my children and grandchildren. I do not want to do it with a religious spirit–or religious speak. It is my prayer that as we talk and walk this life, I will be so full of His grace, wisdom and insight that they will get the overflow.  A big goal, but it is one worthy to set, I believe.

Father, I ask that you help us see our words as treasure.  We will spend them wisely into others lives as you word our mouths.  If we can’t say anything uplifting, faith-filled, encouraging we will keep our mouths closed until we can.  Give us your perspective on these truths.  Holy Spirit guard out hearts and our mouths so we can bring honor to you through our lips.  In Jesus Name, amen.

 

A few weeks ago I talked with my son about some physical repair my home needs.  It will be fifty years old next year and has born the test of time fairly well, but like all of us some areas are showing wear and needs help to continue on.  We picked a day that was good for their family-hoping it would be open for my other children to help as well.  Unfortunately that wasn’t the case.

A couple of weeks ago, I received a phone call from the son of some dear friends who also has become our family friend, David Freeman.  When figuring out his schedule, I warned him that the weekend he picked was our working weekend!  He was up for it!

Andrew noticed that there was some rotting boards under the overhang of my roof.  He also knew I needed some new downspouts installed. However, Andrew was not sure how to proceed with the board replacement.  What I knew was that David had worked with his dad on side painting jobs for years and I was sure they had encountered that type of thing before.  Enter David–and his wisdom from experience.  He and Andrew assessed the situation and made a plan.  David had to work for his company that day, but took time to share his wisdom.

I know Andrew was a bit unsure of how to accomplish the work. The interesting thing was I had never noticed that section of rot before.  I was shocked how bad it was when Andrew showed me. David’s timing was on point.  He was able to share his wisdom enough for Andrew to gain confidence to do the work.  I so appreciate God sending us the specific help we needed.  Sometimes God just wants us to share our story to help others gain confidence to get their “job” done.

David wished he could have helped more physically, but he shared what we needed.  Putting myself in the place of the disciples when Jesus said He must go away, but that He would send another Helper–I would have thought we don’t need another helper, we just need you.  The familiar, the known our friend and miracle worker.  How could there be something better?  But He knew what they and we needed.  The Holy Spirit is/was and amazing gift to lead, teach, comfort, convict and direct our steps.  Make sure you take the time to utilize Him!

As a mom, I always like all my children around me-so my perfect scenario would have been for all of them to come and help.  But they did not have the skills and experience to do the job.  If they had come, there would not have been room for David!  Trusting Him to send the perfect help our way, in the time we need it takes faith and trust.

As we worked on the house, I realized I can’t put off painting the exterior another year–so that is on the agenda!  Guess what–my daughter Elizabeth is good at it!  God is already sending help. t\Thank you Lord for your great grace and care for each of us.  I thank you for sending the right help at the right time to all who read this–whether it be physically, spiritually or emotionally.