True North

Today, "Inger", "Marie", and I embarked on our last science class for this year at Crystal Springs Preserve. It was an awesome class teaching all the fundamentals of using a compass and eventually taking us on a geo cache scavenger hunt. I am a tad behind the times, as I do not have an iphone, ipad or even texting on my phone. I have never geo cached, although I would love to after experiencing our fun today. The most intriguing thing to me was the raw basics of the compass. I'm sure sometime in my life I have learned this, but certainly don't remember. (Sorry 3rd grade teacher somewhere who reads this.)

As we learned about the magnetism of the earth, my thoughts went immediately to our Great Creator. And to the wisdom He gives to men to work with His awesome handiwork.

Using a compass is much more difficult than a computerized thingy (not sure the name) you use to geo cache. But it is much more accurate. The key is to keep the needle of the compass directly on due north. AT ALL TIMES!

This brought to mind many songs and poems I have heard comparing Christ to True North.

So I started asking myself questions:
When I feel far away from Christ, where is my soul's "needle" pointed toward? Many times it is pointed south towards ME.
When I'm feeling lost and afraid, is my needle aimed on my True North? Most of the time, I need to change my posture and align it back up.
How can I find my way out of sin and despair? By locating my True North. Less of me; All of Him.

When we have our aim solely on Christ, securing our focus on Him, lining up our "needle" on North, we can dispel fear, anxiety, worry, and sin. We have a Refuge and Strength who can direct us back on track.

I'm so thankful for this! Aren't you?

The Stiff-Necked (Like Me)

"Lord, open my eyes to the wonderful things in Your Law."

This is my prayer so often as I sit down to open God's Word each morning. Today was wonderful, yet not so wonderful. You know, days when deep conviction sets in. Yet, at the same time seeing God's amazing mercy. This God who showers us with new mercies every day.

I started reading the book of Mark last week. The second Gospel of the Life of Jesus. I don't know about about you,  but sometimes self-righteousness rears its ugly head and I think, "I know all these Bible stories. I learned them from the time I was knee high to a grasshopper." (O.K. Now I am sounding a tad like my grandpa.) As I read, I encountered over and over again the amazing unbelief that followed Jesus around in the form of His very disciples. Not the mass of followers. His beloved twelve.

There I found myself. 

Mark 4:35-41 recounts the storm being stilled by its very Creator. Now to be clear, many other healings took place before this, but the response of his close followers was fear. Fear of the waves. Fear of the wind. Fear of perishing. Their Savior stilled it instantly. He questioned them as to why they were afraid. He asked them, "Do you still have no faith?" There response: "they became VERY much afraid and said to one another,"Who then is this, that even the wind and sea obey Him?"

Many more healings took place and five thousand (or more) are fed with very little. Another miracle before their very eyes. They leave the mountain side to take a boat to the other side. During this ride, Jesus comes walking on the water to them. Their response: FEAR! Utter Astonishment! And we are told that "they had gained no insight from the feeding of the five thousand, but their hearts were hardened."

More miracles, feedings and healings. The Pharisees enter the picture. Jesus warns His disciples of the "leaven of the Pharisees", and yet, all they can think about is food; real bread. Jesus gently reminds them of all He has done. He asks them several questions to jog their minds about what they have just been a part of. It's useless. They are helpless. At this point, I think to myself, "Can you believe it? Such unbelief!" 

Surely they have to start understanding. No. Not yet, Now enters Peter. Jesus is expressing to them what is about to happen to Him. Mark 8:32 says, "And He was stating the matter plainly. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him." Peter rebuked Jesus! Can you believe it? If I was Jesus, I'm pretty sure I would have zapped them all.

Then my heart condemns me. I find myself wondering what I would do. What I do now? God is faithful. God is everpresent. I forget. I fear. I distrust. I even....rebuke. "God, You really don't know what You're doing!" Do I say these words? No! But I live them out.

I praise Jesus for His amazing mercy! Thankful He doesn't give up on me and zap me. In awe that He reaches down so often in His gentle, loving way and nudges me to keep going. To keep believing. To keep loving Him.

Never, Ever Alone

I don't know about you, but I flit and fly through so many of my days forgetting the Presence that is ever with me. I make decisions based on me. My mouth certainly speaks out of a heart that forgets this Presence too often.

He is not just a thought. He is not just faith. He is a person. His presence is always with me. I think that I control the outcome my decisions so much more than I really do.

What's even more amazing is He desires to be with me. Yucky old me. Me who dismisses Him too often. So this brings me to my knees in faith thanking Him for remaining faithful. God knew from the beginning of time with the first covenant made with Abraham that we will not follow through.

In the days of the Old Testament, when someone made a covenant with another person, they slaughtered an animal, cut it in half, then walked together in between the pieces to signify the vow. When God made His covenant with Abram, he put Abram into a deep sleep and walked between the pieces of animal alone. It was as if God was saying, "I am the only One able to keep this promise. I know you will fail, sin and be faithless, but I am faithful."

So my prayer today and forever is to be ever aware of Jesus' presence in my life, day, and  circumstances. That I would strive to live in light of this presence in my decisions, thoughts, words and deeds.

This is my prayer for you too, friend.

My New Favorite Christmas Book for Children

Library Day is an eventful day at our home here on the Ponderosa. We always have at least 50 books checked out at any time. My little princesses love to sit and have me read to them.

Sometimes for more than an hour.

We happened to come upon a Christmas book that I had never seen or read. It was a fairly large book for a picture book. To sit down and read it in one sitting took at least 30 minutes.

It was the best 30 minutes of our day that particular day.

Ruth Bell Graham is the author of One Wintry Night.

This beautiful illustrated book will take you from before the Creation of the World to the manger. From the manger it will lead you to that wonderful, horrible day of Christ's death. And in the end you peer into the empty tomb.

This is the story I want my children to know deep down into their souls. For Christmas is not just about presents, candy, or even Jesus' birth.

For without His death and resurreciton, his birth means nothing....is pointless.

Comparisons

Well, it has been 16 months since my oldest little lamb had to go away for awhile. We just received his school pictures. The first picture is from last year. The second from this year. What a difference! There is something "there" that was missing at this time last year. We continue to trust our Lord for the outcome. We pray He does mighty things in our son's life and for His glory.

He is Everything!

The King of Kings who rules this earth rules my heart and mind.




Despite the heartache I feel at times, there is One who is my Prince of Peace.




The darkness invades the world around us, but the Light of the World dispels all.




When I am in need of Someone to comfort me, I can find assurance in my Wonderful Counselor.



Without my Redeemer, I would have no hope in this life or the one to come.



The incarnation brought us the gift of Emmanuel, God with us. This is when true life entered the world.

My Savior was born, died and rose again three days later to redeem me and adopt me into His family.

The Anointed One sits down at the right hand of my Abba Father and makes intercession for me.

There is no other name like Jesus. Those who believe in Him, He will in no wise cast out. Those who love Him, fear Him and keep His commandments.

The Linden Tree

The Puebla Ponderosa enjoys reading immensely. I usually read an out-loud read during lunch time. I randomly picked the most current book off of my library shelf. I noticed it was labeled "historical fiction". Looked good. Sounded interesting. I think the Lord had other plans in using this book.

The Linden Tree takes place in Iowa in 1948. Katy Sue's mother has died from meningitis. She is buried underneath a linden tree on the family's 80 acre farm. This story is the journey that takes place afterwards as she works through this hole in her heart. I had no idea how this gentle story would be used in our lives.

As I read through the first chapter, my heart felt like it was in my throat. At once I could not see the words. Everything was a blur and the water poured forth from my eyes. I closed the book intending to explain to my children that we couldn't read this right now. But, there was a soft and gentle prodding in my soul that led me to believe otherwise.

We were able to finish the first chapter. I looked up at my precious lambs and said, "This book will be good for us. Mommy needs to still work through her grief, and you need to know it is o.k. to cry."

My littlest boy has a hard time talking through things and has not cried over the death of his ,Gran.

I thought, "hearing Katy Sue work through her grief will probably we helpful to 'Little Joe'".

And helpful to me. You see, she is a lot like me. She stays busy and tries not to think about the pain of losing her mom. For when she lets the thoughts that are pursuing her catch up, she loses her breath. This is where I find myself too often.

But I know this thing of grief is a process.

I have been able to cry, laugh and thankfully keep reading The Linden Tree.

I have a friend that she does not have, though. His name is Jesus, the ultimate healer.