THE GREATEST MOVE EVER MADE
When God decided to move to earth, He chose a young woman. We all know the story:

God loved us so much He gave His only Son.

Hi Son, Jesus had to be born so God sent an angel to inform Mary that she would be the vessel He would use to move to earth. WOW!

Have you ever considered that God might choose YOU to move His Word into your new neighborhood?

I have been so guilty of wrapping everything emotional around me, myself, and I. I’ve been so selfish as to only consider my own feelings, desires, and pain!
Once I got over myself and realized God moves us for his purpose, changes and uncomfortable circumstances began to take on a new and surprisingly adventurous journey.
Mary amazes me. She inspires me. She only asked one question: “How can this be?”
I wonder- “Is God waiting to answer my prayers because He knows my heart is not ready to submit like Mary’s did?”

This is my new Christmas wish: To respond to God’s calling like Mary did.

I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said."

(Luke 1:38)

It's Christmas!
Shine!

I digress...

Worth the wait
Got home from work yesterday afternoon and what I had been waiting for filled my heart with such joy! There in the driveway was my son’s car. He had made it home from college – home for Thanksgiving. I couldn’t get into the house fast enough. There he was – and as my grandmother liked to say – “A sight for sore eyes.” I had forgotten how handsome he is – how tall, confident, peaceful. I just don’t want to be too far away from him.

Well – that is one wait that is over. He is home, home for many days. Now we can enjoy Thanksgiving and time together.

I guess it was worth the wait- waiting for him to come home has paid off.

I wish all other waits would come to an end like this one. =

Yes- worth the wait.

I hope all your expectations will be met as you celebrate this special time of year.

Shine,

UP AGAINST THE RED SEA

I’m back to movin’ with Moses again. Can’t get enough of the man.

We are reading through Exodus in our Sunday morning sermons and, although I have studied Moses’ journey from every angle, I am still learning! That is why I love the Bible!!!

Do you ever wonder why God takes you on long round about journeys? “Why can’t I just stay put, “I often ask myself. “I don’t want to move again!”
So He moves me and very soon I find myself up against the Red Sea – trapped with nowhere to go but forward. Even forward doesn’t seem like a good option for me at the time. I just want to stay put or go back home.

Not an option. Gotta’ move forward even though it seems there is no where to go. .

When the pilgrims found themselves on the edge of the sea, they must have wondered “Where do we go now? Moses, is this a joke? We can’t just go marching into the sea! We will drown along with our families, animals, and all the goods we brought out of Egypt. "

Looking behind themselves they realized they couldn’t turn around either. Pharoah was gaining ground, rapidly approaching.

Where do you go when God has brought you up against the Red Sea?

Not able to tread water nor return you may find yourself trapped. Maybe like the weary pilgrims you cry out – "why did you move me from my home- just to bring me to this place- a dead end, a desert. I feel I might die here." Maybe the place you find yourself in feels like a trap.

God told Moses, “Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today… the Lord will fight for you. You need only be still. ”

Allrighty then. Maybe sometimes I must move so I can be forced to get quiet and still. When I find myself up against my own personal Red Sea, then maybe then I will see God’s glory and thank Him.

Psalm 136 is a Psalm of praise and thanksgiving – so appropriate for this week:
Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures forever…

To Him who divided the Sea asunder,

His love endures forever.

So - go ahead, give thanks in your agaisnt the Red Sea moment and

Shine!













But God has ordained that I move so I go…



The Israelites found themselves up against the red sea.

See my door?  Behind this door two people happily wait. We can't wait to open next week to see our son walk through. He will be home for Thanksgiving and did I say - we can't wait to see him? I think this time around is the longest time in his life we have gone without seeing him - 3 and 1/2 months. I know that is not long in the eyes of some and believe me I am thankful for my situation and I also pray for those families who are separated during this time of year - especially separated by great distances and long months. My heart weighs heavy for you - I know some waits are heavy - may you bear the Wait of the World in peace, surrounded by God's compassion, secure in the fact that He is in control of all our circumstances.

...and while we wait we: Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,



give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus ...


1 Thessalonians 5:16-18


 Shine!

I moved into my home ten years ago. I didn't plan on staying very long. We had moved 12 times and this house was our 7th house.  I didn't plan on living here very long.  And for that reason I didn't decorate. I didn't hang window treatments. I left many of my pictures in the packaging carefully designed for them by professional packers. I have left the flooring as it was, although we desperately need new carpeting. 

Every once in a while DH and I scout the sales for  fabric - thinking about posible window treatments, carpeting - drooling at the latest floor fashions, and from time to time I consider going through boxes full of lovely wall hangings - but I lose interest. 

I lose interest because I have found the most incredible Decorator ever!

Ever since last week when I finished my “pilgrim” posts I have been asking myself, “Why do I feel more connected to Moses and the pilgrims he lead across the desert than I do those pilgrims who sailed across the sea? You know the very ones who are my forefathers and mothers? After all they are my relatives!”

My mother has spent lots of time looking into her past studying our family tree -those brave people who came to this “new world” sacrificing their own lives and laying down foundations for my life.

And I wonder… “What sort of foundations am I laying down for future generations?”
What sacrifices have I made for others?

God gives me a bit of grace when I am reminded that each move had its sacrifice and each move kept old traditions or laid down new traditions. Either way memories were made that strengthened and taught our family lessons we could each use for the future.

During the month of November as I prepare for Thanksgiving I am going to be thinking about my forefather pilgrims for whom I am very thankful.
They made a huge move that allowed me to live in the greatest nation in the world. Their move made it possible for me to freely learn all I know about the mighty God I know. Their move opened doors for free education for all. And their move set up an experiment in government that brought seekers of refuge to a place of future hope where dreams so often come true.

I’m asking God to show me His dream for my life and meanwhile I strive to

Shine,