Valentine Gifts and Friends (friends are year round gifts!)

Well, I just finished off my Valentine box of candy...a box of chocolate covered cherries.  It was a dollar at the dollar store, so I splurged on myself as a celebration of Valentine's Day.  I bought my hubby his favorite candy bar - a large size Hershey's bar with almonds.  I also gave him the scrapbook I made for him a couple of weeks ago at the weekend scrap-booking event here at the camp.  He really liked it, as I knew he would.  It's filled with pictures of his passions:  family/trips, grandchildren, dogs, and ILNC camp.


I was able to purchase a table and four chairs on Craig's List this week.  I've been shopping for a table for quite a while, and decided for the price ($100) it was a good deal.  It will make a great craft table eventually when I am able to find the table I really want, and able to afford it!  I want a counter height table with a butterfly leaf.  I'm really picky about the style and the color and wood.  I found what I like at a local furniture store, but not ready to spend $600 on it.  Our previous table seated two of us...a little round one.  Now I have a table that seats six of us, which means now I can get back into entertaining once again.  


I consider the table and chairs another Valentine gift to me.  Therefore I needed to get something for my husband, and yesterday found the perfect gift.  He was with me, and he agreed it was what he wanted.  After all, it's Valentine's.  He wanted to be warm and cozy in bed, so he now has a dual controlled electric mattress pad.  He's happy.  Also bought him a couple of Henley style shirts that are warm and cozy.  It had been so long since we were out shopping at a mall together, it was almost nostalgia to do so.  Of course, we only went to Penney's, but still....  We don't eat out often either, so it was a treat to share some chicken fajita nachos at a local Mexican restaurant.  


On top of all that Valentine celebration/shopping...we also attended the ILNC annual Candle Lake Dinner on Friday night.  We had about 60 in attendance for the dinner and a concert afterwards by an Olivet Nazarene University brass trio.  So I think we did more than enough to share our hearts this Valentine time!!!


We were invited to a white chicken chili supper with our camp director friends from Georgia at their son's house the other night.  The chili was delicious, but it was nice to be with our friends again.  We don't see them very often since they live in Georgia, but when they do show up to visit their son and his family (and see their grandson!!), it's nice to be included in one of their family meals.  We usually hang out with this couple when we attend the annual Nazarene Camp Assn. conferences.  


We had a friend in for dinner today after church.  Afterwards she and I went to visit her brother at Alpha and Omega, a church organized housing complex for homeless men.  It is an interesting set-up, and I commend the church for having such a ministry.  They have a waiting list of men wanting to get in, but they are limited in how many they can house.  The men must meet certain qualifications, and keep certain rules.  Each day they must attend Bible study in the morning and in the evening (unless they are working), and they are given chores each day they must do.  So it's not a free ride, but it does provide ministry to each person, and assistance in so many ways.  I had never heard about it before my friend's brother was able to get in.  


I'm very sheltered from the world, it seems.  I worry about cats keeping fed and staying warm, when there are humans out there night after night freezing and starving to death.  That's why I get excited when I hear about ministries that are helping the less fortunate in life, giving them food and a bed and a new life by helping them find their way in this world again.


And that leads me to this week's devotional notes...a reminder of what God is teaching me through my daily readings from "The Word for You Today" and The Living Bible translation.


Continuing last week's theme:  "Become God's Friend":
I have called you friends  (John 15:15)


1.  Prayer

• pray simple conversational prayers throughout the day rather than long complex prayers
• when you discipline yourself to speak with God throughout the day, it will change your attitude and actions
• it is not a feeling of God's presence that prompts you to pray, but rather an awareness that He is always with you
• friendship with God brings answered prayers and abundant living

2.  Meditation

• meditation strengthens your relationship with God, as it is focused thinking 
• worry is being focused on a problem, mediation is being focused on the solution/God

3.  Honesty

• be honest with God - share your true feelings with Him
• God uses everything for good in our lives, so releasing resentment to Him is a step to wholeness
• just as we want our friends to be open and honest with us and not mask their feelings, God wants a deeper intimacy with us

4.  Obedience

• choose to obey God
• What pleases the Lord more...sacrifices or obedience...it is better to obey.  (I Sam. 15:22)

5.  Passion

• you are as close to God as you desire and discipline yourself to be
• friendship with God must become your passion
• If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me.  (Jer. 29:13-14)

From Proverbs:

• For the value of wisdom is far above rubies, nothing can be compared with it.
• Wisdom and good judgment live together, for wisdom knows where to discover knowledge and understanding.  If anyone respects and fears God, he will hate evil, for wisdom hates pride, arrogance, corruption, and deceit of every kind.  (Prov. 8:12-13)
• I, Wisdom, give good advice and common sense...  I love all who love me.   Those who search for me shall surely find me...  My paths are those of justice and right.  those who love and follow me are indeed wealthy.  I fill their treasures.  (Prov. 8:14-22)
• For whoever finds me (wisdom) finds life and wins approval from the Lord. (Prov. 8:33-36)

From Matthew:

• For I was hungry, and you fed me; I was thirsty, and you gave me water; I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home; naked, and you clothed me; sick and in prison, and you visited me...when you did it to these my brothers, you were doing it to me!  (Matt. 25:35-36, 40)
• Keep alert and pray.  Otherwise temptation will overpower you.  For the spirit indeed is willing, but how weak the body is! (Matt. 26:41)

From Psalms:

• You alone are my God; my times are in your hands.  (Ps. 31:15)
• Blessed is the Lord, for he has shown me that his never failing love protects me like the walls of a fort!  (Ps. 31:21)
• Oh, love the Lord, all of you who are his people, for the Lord protects those who are loyal to him, but harshly punishes all who haughtily reject him.  So, cheer up!  Take courage if you are depending on the Lord.  (Ps. 31:23-24)
• You are my hiding place from every storm of life; you even keep me from getting into trouble!  You surround me with songs of victory.  I will instruct you (says the Lord) and guide you along the best pathway for your life; I will advise you and watch your progress.  (Ps. 32:7-8)
• ...abiding love surrounds those who trust in the Lord.  So rejoice in him, all those who are his, and shout for joy, all those who try to obey Him.  (Ps. 32:10-11)
• But the eyes of the Lord are watching over those who fear him, who rely upon his steady love.  (Ps. 33:18)
• We depend upon the Lord alone to save us.  Only he can help us; he protects us like a shield.  No wonder we are happy in the Lord!  For we are trusting him.  We trust his holy name.  Yes, Lord, let your constant love surround us.  For our hopes are in your alone.  (Ps. 33:20-22)
• If you belong to the Lord, reverence him; for everyone who does this has everything he needs.  Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those of us who reverence the Lord will never lack any good thing.  (Ps. 34:9-10)

From Exodus:

• Rest on the Sabbath, for it is holy.  (Ex 31:14)
• For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and rested on the seventh day, and was refreshed.  (Ex 31:17)
• ...you say you are my friend, and that I have found favor before you; please, if this is really so, guide me clearly along the way you want me to travel so that I will understand you and walk acceptably before you.  (Ex. 33:12-13)

I would take time to make comments on my readings, but most verses speak for themselves, and they ministered to me as I read them.  My husband, my Valentine, is waiting to play Sequence.  He wants to get beat again!!  

Make time for your spouse this week in many special ways.  And if you don't have a spouse, make time for yourself.  Indulge yourself...get some flowers, some candy, have lunch with a friend, take a walk in the fresh air, do something special for someone else, and most of all, know that Jesus loves you and wants to spend time with you!

God Still Speaks - and I Still Need to Hear Him!

When we woke up this morning, it was ONE degree out.  It was so cold last night I put out extra food and blankets on the porch for the camp cats.  I feel so sorry for them.  I continually put warm water in their water dishes to help them warm up on the inside.  The dogs like to just sit in their chair at the window and watch the cats come and go.    A few of them seem to be staying in the "Cat Camp" I set up for them.  They have been a source of winter entertainment for me.  Oh, by the way, by 3 p.m. it was 30 degrees out and I took the dogs for a longer walk.  They enjoyed that!  They experience cabin fever too if we don't get out now and then.


It's been a busy week at the office, but I like it that way.  The days go more quickly when I am busy.  I was ecstatic to complete most of the tax related items.  Another week and I will have the end of the year, once a year, duties completed.  That will feel good!!


I've enjoyed reading The Living Bible version of God's Word.  It reads more like a story...very understandable.  When I first wanted to read the Bible through, back when I was a teenager, I couldn't grasp much of what was written in the King James Version.  It just wasn't that interesting to me...the language seemed so archaic.  When I was given a New Testament in The Living Bible version, I read through it with no problem.  I've since read through the Bible in other versions, but it's relaxing to come back to The Living Bible.  Even a child could comprehend it.


Notes from my personal devotions this past week:


Travel light, practice personal discipline, avoid distractions, keep focused on Jesus.


Lord, you are my shield, my glory, and my only hope.  (Ps 3:3)


I will lie down in peace and sleep, for though I am alone, O Lord, you will keep me safe.  (Ps 4:8)


The death stage:  no funds, no friends, no fight left within you.  When this occurs to you, recall the words of Jesus:  Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies (to self) it produces much grain.  (Jn 12:24)


Under the laws of Moses the rule was, "If you murder, you must die."  But I have added to that rule, and tell you that if you are only angry, even in your own home, you are in danger of judgement!  (Matt 5:22)


Come, O Lord, and make me well (my mind is filled with apprehension and gloom - vs 3).  In your kindness save me.  (Ps 6:4)


Your hopes may be nonexistent and your soul parched, but if you will pay attention to what God is saying to you, your dreams will come to life again.


When you pray, go away by yourself, all alone, and shut the door behind you and pray to your Father secretly, and your Father, who knows your secrets, will reward you.  (Matt 6:6)


The power of prayer is not dependent on how good the person is who is praying, rather the power of prayer comes from God who hears the prayers and loves the person praying.  


So don't be anxious about tomorrow.  God will take care of your tomorrows too.  Live one day at a time.  (Matt 6:34)


Faithful means to be trustworthy and reliable, and it means showing up daily with a good attitude.


Well, that's pretty much what God hi-lighted to me this week in my Bible and devotional reading, in response to my prayers to Him about where I am at in life.  I've got lots to work on...lots of ground to regain.  I think I am border lined depressed, but trying to avoid a complete fallout.  My time with God is what brings me peace and balance.  I start my day with Him, and take Him down through the day with me, and then end my day in communication with Him.  He knows my present, my past, my future, and He holds my hand through it all.  I still trust Him, always.

A Time to Pause...

What a restful week I have had! Our office was only open one day this week, but we were able to get several behind the scenes things taken care of. I'm thankful for slow times at the office to prepare for a new year, a new camping season ahead. It's that time we clean our desks, our closets, our basement, and get reorganized. We are switching from Outlook to Google Apps for our email, and from Internet Explorer to Chrome for our web sites/viewing/searching. Always something new to learn to keep up with technology!

We witnessed a powerful answer to prayer this week. We were called to pray and fast last weekend for a ministry that was operating in a mall kiosk. It appeared it was going to be shut down, but what satan intended to do resulted in God opening up a new space for the ministry. Instead of a small center-of-the-mall kiosk where the Jesus Film was being played, the mall management offered them a 2,500 square foot store with multi-faceted windows just outside the entrance to Macy's...huge space with lots of opportunities, a place they had hoped to move to in a couple of years. With that much space, the ministry has great needs, physical and financial, let alone spiritual. We were glad as a camp to donate chairs and a welcome desk, and are preparing computers for use in displaying the Jesus Film in up to 1,090 languages. I'm quite certain satan won't give up, so I am being somewhat vague about some of the details. Prayer power must surround this ministry so that it can continue.

Speaking of prayer, one of my devotionals this week was on prayer. I made the following notes:

• the place of prayer is where you meet God so He can teach you, correct you, cleanse you, and love you
• through prayer you are prepared to do His will
• through prayer you operate in God's strength and not on your own
• whether you pray or not shows up in your attitudes and actions

Some more thoughts:

• God uses tough times like a refining process to bring out the best in us
• God isn't out to destroy us, but to develop us

I have been using this past week as a time to organize myself, my winter schedule. Days are shorter and colder...I'll be inside more and have more time in the evenings. I have started back on my Greek studies, and my study of First Peter. There will be occasional blogs on First Peter, as I complete a passage and write my synopsis/overview. Check my other blog for that.

I also took time the past few days to put a Christmas tree up at the office and decorate our house for the holiday season ahead. This year I am giving out gifts early...gave to our kids and grandkids on our trip in October...gave to our Michigan family on Thanksgiving Day...in the process of giving gifts out to staff members this week. One reason for the early gifts is because the gifts are deco items for this season, and they need to be opened and displayed. Another big reason is that I want to keep the focus off gift giving at Christmas. I want that time to be all about being together and enjoying each other's company.

I find that each year I am putting out less decorations, focusing on keeping things simple. I love the sights and sounds of Christmas, but I just want to keep commercialism out of the picture as much as possible. Shopping is behind me, gift giving will be behind me, and I can spend the month enjoying the lights, the trees, the music, the laughter, the stories, and quiet moments with Jesus. I love my early morning time with Him. I want His birthday to be special to Him. I hope many will draw aside and spend time with Him in the days ahead. For we are a people desperate for His presence!