Ever since one of our 13-year-old cats came up missing this spring, we have been debating whether or not to get a new cat, as our one remaining cat has been very lonely since her sister has been gone. Well, last evening we took the plunge.
We were visiting our friends, who had a new kitten. He was beautiful--part Siamese with sparkling, ice-blue eyes. Our friends commented that their neighbor, where they got their new kitten, had several more. We went next door to look at them, and we found two that we just couldn't leave without.
But there was a problem: the kittens were infested with fleas. We didn't want to take them home covered in fleas, as we have never had any fleas on our property or on any of our pets. So, we decided to bathe them before we brought them home. They were not thrilled.
Our friends did not have any flea soap, but we thought that a good soak in a tub of water would still help. We were able to wash off at least a couple dozen fleas, but they were still covered. We decided that we would have to stop on the way home and pick up some flea soap, powder, collars, drops, or something, on the way home.
Then we had another problem: How would we get them home? We had travelled to our friends' home on our motorcycle. Our friends offered us a pillow case that served well as a cat carrier, and we were on our way. Did you know that cats don't like motorcycles? We found that out in a hurry!
When we finally made it home with our new bundle of not-so-joyous furballs, we quickly gave them yet another bath, this time with flea soap. Then we dried them off, and put some drops on their necks to keep the fleas from coming back. So, after two baths and a scary motorcycle ride home, they were ready for a meal and a nap. This morning, they are quite enjoying exploring their new home.
This reminded me of our journey home with Jesus. He finds us, all infested with sin. We need to be washed clean, but not just with water, but with special sin medicine -- his blood. Then, he sometimes keeps us in the dark, like the cats in the pillow case, while we travel down a scary road, like the cats on the motorcycle. But eventually, after the journey and the washing, we will enjoy a great feast and have endless time enjoying our new home with God.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Monday, August 4, 2008
Uncomfortable
The husband of one of my patients is a pastor. After reading one of my books, he asked me to speak at his church. Somehow, I agreed (not I, but Christ who lives within me???) One of my greatest fears is public speaking, second only to being eaten by a bear--but that is a topic for another day!
I have a month to prepare for the message I am to deliver, which should be plenty of time. But in my carnal nature, I have been spending sleepless nights trying to figure out how to use this time to scheme some plan to get out of my "assignment."
You see, God has been leading me down uncomfortable paths for the last year or so, helping me to grow in ways I never imagined. But, the process is slow and painful, as growth usually is. So, last Monday morning, after spending most of the night coming up with excuses to get me out of this task, I got into my car and headed to work.
I turned on the radio, and Dr. Charles Stanley was speaking. The message was that when the Holy Spirit leads us in a direction that is uncomfortable, we must follow. He then systematically deflated all of the excuses I had dreamed up just that night! He explained what a sin it would be to refuse to follow where God is leading me, just because I am uncomfortable with it. I got the message.
As the week progressed, I began to hesitate again. I wondered if each of us, as Christians, actually have the assignment to go and teach and make disciples, as Jesus had commanded, or if that task was only for the disciples and for "the church" but not necessarily for me.
When I went to church this week, guess what the topic was? That's right, it was a direct answer to this question! Yes, we are all commissioned to share the gospel and to go where God leads us. So, no more excuses. I will go where God is leading me. When my tongue stops working and I am dripping with perspiration and my knees are shaking, then in my weakness, He will be my strength, and He will deliver His message through me.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
I have a month to prepare for the message I am to deliver, which should be plenty of time. But in my carnal nature, I have been spending sleepless nights trying to figure out how to use this time to scheme some plan to get out of my "assignment."
You see, God has been leading me down uncomfortable paths for the last year or so, helping me to grow in ways I never imagined. But, the process is slow and painful, as growth usually is. So, last Monday morning, after spending most of the night coming up with excuses to get me out of this task, I got into my car and headed to work.
I turned on the radio, and Dr. Charles Stanley was speaking. The message was that when the Holy Spirit leads us in a direction that is uncomfortable, we must follow. He then systematically deflated all of the excuses I had dreamed up just that night! He explained what a sin it would be to refuse to follow where God is leading me, just because I am uncomfortable with it. I got the message.
As the week progressed, I began to hesitate again. I wondered if each of us, as Christians, actually have the assignment to go and teach and make disciples, as Jesus had commanded, or if that task was only for the disciples and for "the church" but not necessarily for me.
When I went to church this week, guess what the topic was? That's right, it was a direct answer to this question! Yes, we are all commissioned to share the gospel and to go where God leads us. So, no more excuses. I will go where God is leading me. When my tongue stops working and I am dripping with perspiration and my knees are shaking, then in my weakness, He will be my strength, and He will deliver His message through me.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13
Friday, July 25, 2008
Red Lodge Rally part 2
Inside the park, we saw thousands of bison. They had many babies within their herds -- a rare sight. Some of the bison were crossing the road or standing so near our bike that we could have touched them, had we dared. I had never seen so many of them in my life! We also saw a herd of elk swimming across a river as we rode through one of the valleys, and we saw many deer grazing in the meadows and along the edges of the road as we traversed the park.
The natural scenery in the park was also amazing! We rode to Artist point, and took photos of the spectacular Lower Falls on the Yellowstone River. We saw the Old Faithful geyser blow, in an exciting show of nature’s power, and many bubbling pools of mud and volcanic steam in various places throughout the park. We cruised by Yellowstone Lake and saw a
great variety of birds, and we could see the Grand Teton Mountains in the not so distant background. Our experience was so much more exciting from the seat of our bike than it would have ever been from a car, where we would have to stop and get out every time we wanted to see something. We completed our ride through Yellowstone at about 7:30 in the evening. By 9:00 p.m. we were at a place called the “top of the world,” high in the Beartooth Mountains, in Wyoming. It was sunset, and the sky glowed red along the crest of rock, forming the peaks of the mountain range to our west. We were at timberline, and we were surrounded by glaciers on all sides. It was spectacular! As we were taking in the breathtaking scenery, we stopped suddenly, as a mother moose crossed the road right in front of us, joining her calf on the left side of the road. I had never seen a moose before!
We continued to ascend the pass for another half hour. I don’t know why we had to keep going up from the “top of the world,” but we finally reached the summit, at just under 11,000 feet in elevation, at 9:30 p.m. It was certainly getting cold, but that didn’t matter, because all around us were glaciers and alpine lakes. Everything was glowing pink and purple all around us, as the setting sun cast its glow on the ice and snow in the glaciers between the craggy peaks. It was the most amazing thing I have ever seen! I could have stayed there forever, if it were just a little warmer!
We made it back down the other side, as darkness continued to descend upon us, but I think God made the sunset last extra long that night, just for us, as it stayed light long enough for us to safely find our route. We made it back to our hotel for the night at 11:30. It was the best ride of my life!
We left for home on Sunday morning. Our group split in half part way back, as we each decided to take a different route home. We chose to take the scenic highway 12 from Missoula into Idaho. As we rode along the Clearwater River, the scenery was again amazing! And, as dusk began to creep in on us, we saw the wildlife coming to life along the river. We again had the rare opportunity to see a young moose at the river’s edge.
We arrived home on Monday evening, ending a most amazing journey. I will always remember the beauty of nature and the bonds of friendship that I experienced on this remarkable adventure.
Red Lodge Rally Part 1
We left for Montana early on a Wednesday morning. It started off a little cold but quickly warmed up. It was a beautiful, sunny day. We stopped for the first night in St. Regis, Montana. From there, on Thursday morning, we crossed the Rocky Mountains in the early morning. As we rode through Montana, we saw so much wildlife. We saw a nest with an Osprey and her two chicks on top of a utility pole. We saw a herd of pronghorn in a field, under a large shady tree. There were many pronghorn and deer scattered throughout the fields as we rode through miles of farmland and pastures interspersed between the mountain ranges. I also saw my first prairie dog, standing watch next to its mound. The scenery was spectacular.We made it to our destination in Red Lodge, Montana, on Thursday evening. We had reserved a room in nearby Laurel, about 40 miles outside of Red Lodge. Our friends were able to stay in town, some in a hotel right on Main Street, and the others in a rental property on the other side of town.
On Friday morning, we rode into Red Lodge and spent the day checking out the town and all of the vendors that came for the Rally. We were able to relax and get to know the other people in our group that we rode down with, as we only knew one couple to begin with, and the rest were friends of theirs, that we will now be able to call our friends, too. We went to the rental house in the evening and barbecued with our new friends. We had a great time.
On Saturday, we went on a poker run through the Beartooth Mountains that run along the border between Montana and Wyoming and traveled the historic Chief Joseph highway. It was a breathtaking ride! The wildflowers were in bloom, and the mountainsides were covered in yellow, red, and purple. The air was sweet with their fragrance, and there was an exciting new view with each corner that we turned, as we ascended one mountain and descended into another valley. We saw canyons and mountain peaks, and beautiful rock formations of many colors.
We finished our run in Cooke City, Montana, which was near the northeast entrance of Yellowstone National Park. From there, we separated from the rally group and headed off into the Park.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Note in a Tin Can
I got this off the web, the author is unknown, but I really liked it and wanted to share:
"Years ago, near a seldom-used trail in the Amargosa Desert in California, there stood a rundown hut. Nearby was a well, the only source of water for miles around. Attached to the pump was a tin baking powder can with a message inside, written in pencil on a sheet of brown wrapping paper. This was the message:
"This pump is all right as of June 1932. I put a new sucker washer into it and it ought to last five years. But the washer dries out and the pump has got to be primed. Under the white rock I buried a bottle of water, out of the sun and cork end up. There's enough water in it to prime this pump, but not if you drink some first. Pour in about 1/4 and let her soak to wet the leather. Then pour in the rest medium fast and pump like hell. You'll git water. The well never has ran dry. Have Faith"
"when you git watered up, fill the bottle and put it back like you found it for the next feller.
signed: Desert Pete.
"P.S. Don't go drinkin the water first! Prime the pump with it and you'll git all you can hold. And next time you pray, remember that God is like the pump. He has to be primed. I've given my last dime away a dozen times to prime the pump of my prayers, and I've fed my last beans to a stranger while saying Amen. It never failed yet to git me an answer. You got to git your heart fixed to give before you can be give to."
I think this fits nicely with what I have been learning about prayer this past year. I hope you have been blessed, like I have.
"Years ago, near a seldom-used trail in the Amargosa Desert in California, there stood a rundown hut. Nearby was a well, the only source of water for miles around. Attached to the pump was a tin baking powder can with a message inside, written in pencil on a sheet of brown wrapping paper. This was the message:
"This pump is all right as of June 1932. I put a new sucker washer into it and it ought to last five years. But the washer dries out and the pump has got to be primed. Under the white rock I buried a bottle of water, out of the sun and cork end up. There's enough water in it to prime this pump, but not if you drink some first. Pour in about 1/4 and let her soak to wet the leather. Then pour in the rest medium fast and pump like hell. You'll git water. The well never has ran dry. Have Faith"
"when you git watered up, fill the bottle and put it back like you found it for the next feller.
signed: Desert Pete.
"P.S. Don't go drinkin the water first! Prime the pump with it and you'll git all you can hold. And next time you pray, remember that God is like the pump. He has to be primed. I've given my last dime away a dozen times to prime the pump of my prayers, and I've fed my last beans to a stranger while saying Amen. It never failed yet to git me an answer. You got to git your heart fixed to give before you can be give to."
I think this fits nicely with what I have been learning about prayer this past year. I hope you have been blessed, like I have.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Listening to God
I was just catching up on some reading, when I found this short piece, in "The Week" magazine, June 6, 2008:
"Good week for devine intervention, after two New Zealand pilots ran out of fuel in midflight and prayed for God's help. The microlight plane came to a safe landing next to a 20-foot sign that said, 'Jesus is Lord.'"
This made me think of all the times that I have prayed to God for an answer to a specific problem or for guidance in making choices. I have asked so many times for a clear answer, like the example above, but usually all I get is that "still small voice" barely noticeable, barely audible. I often think that life would be so much easier if God would use billboards and thunder to get our attention.
But, then, would we really get it? When God speaks to us softly, hinting at his presence, it makes us have to search for him. We have to exercise our spiritual muscles to grow closer to God. If God were more "out there," we might get lazy. Would we really try to get to know and understand Him? Would we spend the time we need, learning to listen, if He didn't continually respond in a whisper? I am glad that He stays just below the surface, where I know that He is there, but I have to quiet the racing thoughts in my mind in order to hear His voice and feel His presence.
"Good week for devine intervention, after two New Zealand pilots ran out of fuel in midflight and prayed for God's help. The microlight plane came to a safe landing next to a 20-foot sign that said, 'Jesus is Lord.'"
This made me think of all the times that I have prayed to God for an answer to a specific problem or for guidance in making choices. I have asked so many times for a clear answer, like the example above, but usually all I get is that "still small voice" barely noticeable, barely audible. I often think that life would be so much easier if God would use billboards and thunder to get our attention.
But, then, would we really get it? When God speaks to us softly, hinting at his presence, it makes us have to search for him. We have to exercise our spiritual muscles to grow closer to God. If God were more "out there," we might get lazy. Would we really try to get to know and understand Him? Would we spend the time we need, learning to listen, if He didn't continually respond in a whisper? I am glad that He stays just below the surface, where I know that He is there, but I have to quiet the racing thoughts in my mind in order to hear His voice and feel His presence.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
What a week!
Well, my oldest daughter got married this week! It was a beautiful ceremony outdoors, at a local waterfall. The beach below the falls was flooded, due to all of the rain we have been getting, as well as an enormous amount of snow melt, so we had to use squeeze together at the overlook above the falls. The sun actually came out, and the rain stayed away until very late in the day, so everything was just perfect! God's blessings were abundant, even though I had spent much of the week before worrying over every detail. (I am more Martha than Mary --Luke 10:38 -42)
I got to meet my new son-in law just the day before, when we picked them both up at the airport. I was determined to like him no matter what, but I was pleased that he was easy to like. He is very kind, respectful, and funny. He treats my daughter very well, and they are very happy together. I had no problem offering them my blessing. They are now visiting his family in California, before they return to the Navy base to continue their studies.
After having my son and then my daughter and son-in-law home from the Navy, having a birthday party last week for my youngest daughter, and finally the wedding this week, I was almost too tired to go to church this morning, but I am glad that I went. We had a guest speaker, whose message today was on intercessory prayer. If you have been reading this blog, you know that this is where I have been struggling for a while now. It was exactly what I needed. It seems that the pastor had struggled with the same questions that have kept me in the dark, and he was prepared with just the answers I needed. How great that God would use just such a time to reach out to meet my needs!
I got to meet my new son-in law just the day before, when we picked them both up at the airport. I was determined to like him no matter what, but I was pleased that he was easy to like. He is very kind, respectful, and funny. He treats my daughter very well, and they are very happy together. I had no problem offering them my blessing. They are now visiting his family in California, before they return to the Navy base to continue their studies.
After having my son and then my daughter and son-in-law home from the Navy, having a birthday party last week for my youngest daughter, and finally the wedding this week, I was almost too tired to go to church this morning, but I am glad that I went. We had a guest speaker, whose message today was on intercessory prayer. If you have been reading this blog, you know that this is where I have been struggling for a while now. It was exactly what I needed. It seems that the pastor had struggled with the same questions that have kept me in the dark, and he was prepared with just the answers I needed. How great that God would use just such a time to reach out to meet my needs!
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