Week of the Groundhog Day Blizzard

I don't care where you are from (even though I am curious as to who my St. Louis visitor is), you probably got hit with the Groundhog Day blizzard.  You may have gotten hit before or after February 2nd, but I know the blizzard we had plowing through Michigan was not unique to us alone.  In fact, I think we got off a lot easier than the states that have I-70 running through them.  We had about 18" of snow or so, and it was blustery as it was coming down, but we didn't have all the ice and sleet that the states below us had.  


We had a very nice time in Indianapolis last weekend.  We stayed at the downtown historical Canterbury Hotel, which had it's own private entrance into Circle Center Mall...a three story mall in the center of town.   While hubby was in his meeting on Monday, I was able to browse the mall.  I'm not a shopper, per say, but it was nice to leisurely stroll through the mall, and take advantage of some of those final clearance markdowns...up to 80% off.  


We went down a little early on Sunday so we had time to drive through one of our sister camps just southwest of Indy...Camp Camby.  We enjoy visiting other campgrounds for inspiration and ideas.  Sunday night we were treated by friends to a wonderful meal at the Turner House Restaurant, connected to the Canterbury.  Very classy, very delicious!  We sat and chatted for about three hours...a relaxing conversation that flowed from one subject to another, with much for me to learn as I listened.  


We left in the early afternoon Monday and were back in time before the storm came in.  Our friends who had met us in Indy had to travel back home to St. Louis, and I'm sure they drove straight into the ice and sleet.  We got back home in time on Monday to pick up our two dogs from "doggie camp".  They love going there, and we appreciate their good care.  But, of course, they are always happy to come back home and be with us in their familiar environment.  


Tuesday I took a couple of hours to run to Portage to get supplies before the storm hit.  I was glad I did, for we didn't go anywhere on Wednesday.  It was a good day to just sit back and look out the windows.  I did go for a nice walk with a friend that afternoon.  The storm had receded, and the sun was shining.  I even shoveled out a neighbor's driveway...me and Jesus.  He kept me from having a heart attack by making the snow load light.  I had also shoveled out a path in the back yard for our doggies, since the snow was deeper than they were high (lots of drifted snow, sometimes up over my knees).  And I shoveled off the front porch and a path down our sidewalk to the road.  The cats didn't show up for a couple of days, and I worried about them, but they are all back again.  I guess they must have a place to hunker down in that they can get in and out of, despite the snow piling up.


Church services were cancelled Wednesday night due to the snow storm, so I didn't get to my second Dave Ramsey "Financial Peace" class.  I had my homework done and I was ready for it.  I had read my four chapters, planned my budget, and I started an emergency fund. I feel like I am on my way.  I am determined to make the necessary changes to give us financial freedom.  We are too near retirement to not get our affairs in order!!  I highly recommend these classes to anyone struggling to make ends meet.  Classes are occurring all over the US.  Check out his web site for more information...for lots more information!  www.daveramsey.com


Thursday and Friday were busy days at the office.  We had a group of 40+ men in for a spiritual retreat this weekend.  We joined them for meals all day Saturday and dinner today.  Tonight, of course, is the Super Bowl.  Hubby is planted in his chair, and I am providing the snacks.  We started out with a bowl of fruit.  Then we had chicken wing dings from GFS...very good.  More like nuggets...white chicken meat with very little breading.  Juicy.  Mouth popping.  Precooked, so I just had to warm them up in the oven.  We are on our third course now...not that healthy, but still good:  tortilla chips and velveeta cheese dip made with salsa and browned ground beef.  Final course for me will be a root beer float.  


What can I say....it's Super Bowl.  Special night of treats.  Of course I am blogging, not watching the game.  Suits me just fine!!  I know it's party night for a lot of people, but we aren't really party people.  We live a more quiet life.  My evening entertainment, besides blogging and reading, is to watch the cats and kittens come to eat and play on our front porch.  I rearranged their cat camp yesterday, washing all the blankets and towels and rugs.  It was getting a little smelly.  


I had made a pledge with Subaru that I would walk my dogs on Super Bowl Sunday.  We did take an afternoon walk.  It wasn't too cold (20's), but when I took a second walk later to go visit a shut-in it was slightly sleeting.  It was still nice to be out.  


I think that completes my "diary" update of what I've been up to this week.  Can't believe anyone really cares, but when I blog, it's like I'm talking to a friend.  I also like to share what God is saying to me through my daily devotions.  So here goes:


Lessons from Noah:

• honor God, no matter what others do or say
• obey God...understanding can wait, obedience must be instant
• partial obedience is disobedience
• if we love God, we are going to obey His commandments
• use your energies and talents for God's pleasure

Your attitude must be like my own, for I, the Messiah, did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give my life as a ransom for many.  (Mt 20:28)   I can tell you that my attitude is often NOT like Jesus, and it's the one area I must conquer if I want to represent Him well.  I'm an idealist, and when things are not ideal (like most of the time??), I can easily adopt an air of "you are wrong, I am right".  Well, that boils down to pride...and guess what.  God HATES pride!!!  So...still working in this department!

Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him.  With them alone he shares the secrets of his promises.  (Ps 25:14)  Assign me Godliness and Integrity as my bodyguards...  (Ps 25:21)  Whoa, now there's a pair of body guards!!  Godliness (purity, wisdom) and Integrity (a person of honor who keeps his word)...would that I would be possessed by those two character traits!!

I have called you friends.  (Jn 15:15)

• you become a friend of God's through constant conversation
• make Him part of every activity by talking with Him about what you are doing
• cultivate the presence of God in all things, in all places
• delight in God as He delights in you
• Brother Lawrence says, "The key to friendship with God is not changing what you do, but changing your attitude toward what you do.  What you normally do for yourself, you now are doing for God, whether it is eating, bathing, relaxing, or taking out trash."

Sometimes what seems to be the worst thing ever, turns out to be a blessing in disguise...check out Joseph's story in Genesis.    I love his attitude in everything he went through...and God honored him.  What an amazing story he has!  Check out my Reflections on Genesis Blog to read more about Joseph.  (I am amazed at all the visitors to that blog, since it's been a few years since I wrote it.  It gets the most hits, and they are from all over the world!  I don't know how they find the blog, but my guess is they put in a passage from Genesis, and my blog comes up as a reference to read.)  


The Importance of Loving Others:

• Everyone who loves is born of God.  (I John 4:7)
• it's easier to label people than love them
• if you don't love people, you don't love God
• the greatest gift I have to give others is love and acceptance...just as Jesus would

Live...as temporary residents on earth.  (I Peter 1:17)

• God allows us to feel a certain amount of discontent in this life because this is not our final destination
• at death you don't leave home, you go home
  

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  The second most important is similar:  Love your neighbor as much as you love yourself.  All the other commandments and all the demands of the prophets stem from these two laws and are fulfilled if you obey them.  Keep only these and you will find you are obeying all the others.  (Mt 22:37-40)  My basic problem stems from not loving myself as I should.  I'm insecure at times, and tend to keep in the background to avoid rejection.  I do like to reach out to others who seem to be left out or struggle with the same insignificance that I battle.  But I tend to avoid popular people, people who crave all the attention (because they themselves are insecure!), and those who are just too busy.  This is one of those issues that comes and goes for me.  Sometimes I'm on top of my world, and all is well.  At other times I would like to escape the world and go on home to be with Mom and Dad (heaven).  But for now, I am here.  I make it a matter of morning prayer daily that I would treat others as Christ would and learn to accept myself as He does.  I am so far from perfect, yet I am complete in Christ. 

Are you feeling like a victim?

• forgive the past so it no longer controls you
• cry out to God to heal your heart and clear your perceptions
• face the pain/crisis
• find God in it
• follow Him
• He will give you a better tomorrow

...as lightening flashes across the sky from east to west, so shall my coming be, when I, the Messiah, return.  (Mt 24:28) 

But no one knows the date and hour when the end will be---not even the angels.  No, nor even God's Son.  Only the Father knows.  (Mt 24:36)  So be prepared, for you don't know what day your Lord is coming.  (Mt 24:42)

Every time someone says they know when Jesus is coming back, they predict the date, the day, even the hour, I think of this verse.  How can a person miss these words of Jesus when they are studying to determine such a time frame?  So...when the prediction is made, I can pretty well be sure when Jesus is NOT coming back!  I just need to live as though Jesus is coming back momentarily...and be ready for whenever He surprises me!!


Walk with God this week, trusting Him in all situations!  I'll be back again next week!

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.

Welcome to 2011

Here it is...the First Sunday of the New Year.  Welcome to 2011 and all of its promises.  For just this one year, lets you and me focus on the promises, and turn the problems over to God.  He's better equipped to handle them than we are, and He already knows the outcome anyway.   

I guess you could say one of my strong traits is organization.  I like to keep an orderly house and office.  I like to know where things are and what's coming up on the calendar.  I am a planner, but I can also be spontaneous.  I like surprises (good ones!).  So this past week I have been archiving files at the office and setting up for the new year.  Today I went through the household files, doing the same things.  I am ready to prepare the tax papers (have to wait on the W-2's...which is my responsibility at work.  I'll have them out this next week hopefully.)  It's just a good feeling to start afresh at the beginning of each year.

I also like to start afresh each morning.  I'm a routine person...it helps me keep balance in my life.  My day starts out with my quiet time with God.  I am fortunate to have a small (and I mean very small) office, which I call my study...my Son-Room.  I have a chair at which I can kneel and start my day out talking with my Father.  My desk takes up the rest of the room, but this is where I read my daily devotional material and write in my journal and check in on my daily computer sites (weather, bank, music, Greek, email, and blog). Seems like whenever I come in this room, one or both of my dogs join me.  Tuxedo usually comes in to pray with me, and Kefli comes in and sits on the pillow near my feet.  They are such good companions.  

After my daily quiet time, I walk the dogs (if weather permits).  Then I get ready for the rest of my day.  I like to walk to work if it's not too cold or icy out.  I walk home at lunch.  Often I take the dogs with me to work.  They get bored at the house, and I like having walking companions.  Walking is my form of physical exercise...I don't belong to a gym or Curves because I know I wouldn't be faithful to go.  I like doing what comes naturally, and walking is a very natural way to exercise.

Our office is open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, but I often go in on Mondays and/or Wednesdays.  Since this is tax month, and I'm the one who does the taxes and sends out the annual forms, this will be a busy month for me.  I need to work on the off days so I am not disturbed by customers.  I will also do my shopping on either Mondays or Wednesdays...my once a week outing.  I look forward to that time...a break from the camp grounds.  During the evenings after supper I tend to use the computer for a while and then kick back and read until bedtime.  

Saturdays are my days to do housework or join hubby in whatever he is doing.  Laundry for me is whenever the basket is full...so it could happen any day of the week, except Sunday.  Saturday is  usually a very flexible day, but we like it to end with pizza and ice cream.  Our once a week treat!!

Sundays we attend corporate worship, have a large lunch, and then just relax the rest of the day...take a nap, read the paper, use the computer for various activities.  This is the day I also like to write my weekly general journal blog and work on my I Peter blog.  I tend to plan for the week ahead:  choose clothes for each day, plan the weekly menu, check my calendar, prepare for what's ahead the next several days.  

So that's a little insight to how I organize my life.  I truly live a laid-back life, even if it sounds structured.  It just helps me keep my balance when I follow routines, allowing for some flexibility.  I live a quiet life, home most of the time, not much activity.  I could probably use a few more outlets.  I keep looking for what interests me.

Had a good weekend.  We spent New Year's Eve with about 20 other people at a neighbor's house.  Lots of finger foods, games, sharing the highlight of 2010.  For me my 2010 highlight was my granddaughter accepting Jesus into her heart.  Somehow it makes my time living and working on this campground worth it all.  New Year's Day we opened our Learning Center building on the campgrounds and invited people to bring in a finger food pot luck lunch.  We had the big screen set up for the Rose Bowl Parade and the football games after lunch.  Some of us played games instead of watching football.  Several attended...lots of food.  It was a nice time.

Okay...time to check back in my journal for the highlights of my devotional reading this week.  What is God saying to me?

See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.  (Rev 3:7)  I love open doors...I am always looking for them, for I love changes (especially moving).  We've been here 7 years now, and that's a long time for me to stay in one place.  But I am asking for contentment to live here as long as God wants us here.  Hubby is totally content here...he has a vision for the future of this campground, and he sees so many things coming about.  2010 was a good year for Indian Lake Nazarene Campground.

I am coming soon.  Hold on to what you have... Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline.  So be earnest, and repent.  Here I am!  I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.  (Rev 3:12...21)  Oh, I would love for Jesus to come soon.  I've been waiting for Him.  I want to see Mom and Dad again.  But meanwhile I want to be the person God wants me to be...I want to be disciplined, and I want to dine with Him in His daily Word to me.

Some notes from "The Word for You Today" (see side bar) on becoming more and more like Christ:

• It is your character, not your personality, that is transformed as you become more like Christ.
• Having life abundantly doesn't mean a lack of adversity, but rather it means growing more like Christ in the midst of adversity.
• God's power is unleashed in obedience.  When we make the right choices, He gives wisdom and faith and power and love to follow through with those choices.
• When we surrender our weaknesses and fears to God, the Holy Spirit works in us to develop us more in the image of Christ.
• Our responsibility in becoming more like Christ:  1) Letting go of our old ways  2) Having our thoughts renewed through prayer and reading/applying God's Word  3) Developing new habits that please God  4) Taking our focus off ourselves and focusing on Christ so that our outlooks change  5) Trusting God in every situation.

Oh, the joys of those who...delight in doing everything God wants them to... For the Lord watches over all the plans and paths of godly men... (Psalm 1:1...6)  I so want God to watch over me, therefore I want to live finding delight in pleasing Him.  

How does a man become wise?  The first step is to trust and reverence the Lord.  (Prov 1:7)  That verse matches up with the final point in becoming more Christ-like.  It's always interesting to me how what I read in a devotional magazine tends to line up with what I am reading that day in God's Word.  It's like God reinforcing to me what He wants me to hear...to learn.  

I finished reading The Daily Bible, which took me through the Bible in one year in chronological order in the New International Version. This year I am reading The One Year Bible, reading through the complete Bible again, but this time I am reading from The Living Bible version...a very easy to read translation.  Each day I will read a portion from the Old Testament, the New Testament, the Psalms, and Proverbs.  That will be a nice variation from last year.  

I do believe that's enough for this Sunday's blog.  Check back next week!

Memorial Day Weekend

We live in a great county. Thus far we are still considered "free". That freedom which we experience cost many families the loss of their sons, their husbands, their fathers, and women who have also served our country in the armed forces. We must never forget the cost of freedom, we must never take freedom for granted, and we must never take it lightly. With gratitude and respect I honor those who have given their lives so that we might be free.

Christ gave His life for our ultimate freedom, and I give Him my heart and soul and life in return. May all I do and say honor Him. Today may petty jealousies and selfish ambitions and foolish pride all melt away as I pledge Him my allegiance.

What has He been teaching me this past week?

• it is God's approval that I must seek...not those about me
• everybody needs a friend they can trust...may I be a trusted friend

Turn away from evil and do good. Work hard at living in peace with others. The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil. (I Peter 3:11-23)

For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. (Ephesians 2:10)

Trust God:

• when you are in a cave...a situation you cannot fix or change or escape...TRUST GOD!
• if your security is based on success, it is fragile
• if your security is placed in God, even in the dark caves of life you will find strength

Mind Your Mouth:

• words have the power to build relationships or destroy them

Real Religion:

• brings heart satisfaction (seeking and finding Jesus)
• brings us into worship (personal adoration of God)
• brings us to total consecration (personal giving of ourselves to God)

Wise men and women:

• seek Christ
• find and worship Christ
• give of their best to Christ

We must give Christ the same gifts the wise men gave him:

• Gold - all things of value (health, money, relationships, strengths)
• Frankincense - passion from the heart (love and loyalty)
• Myrrh - those things that bring us pain, sorrow, and suffering

We are in the midst of a terrific weekend here at Indian Lake Nazarene Camp...our traditional "opening weekend". We just came through a week where we had 30 senior adults come for "Work and Win" to help us get the buildings and grounds spruced up for this weekend. We were able to get over 80 acres mowed (in the same week), and the 150 +/- tabernacle pews all polished, plus cleaning down the Dining Hall and Snack Bar and spray washing many of our buildings. The boardwalk to the beach had boards replaced and horse shoe pits were built. A few of the women were busy planting flowers around the grounds.

A month ago we had about 80 teenagers come for a work day and they got our camper cabins and duplexes cleaned out and beds wiped down for a new season of youth camps. We had a crew who reroofed three of our white cabins. Many hands across the age spectrum have been crucial to being ready for the season upon us. We are blessed to have volunteers who care and are willing to give of their time and talents to keep Indian Lake Nazarene Camp looking good and prepared for a whole summer of activities.

This weekend our 150 RV lots are almost full with campers. We had the Climbing Tower and Zip-line opened on Saturday afternoon. Our first service in the Tabernacle occurred this morning. The snack bar and dining hall have been open for meals. I so enjoy seeing families and friends gathering here at ILNC to enjoy time together and to create memories. May they sense God's presence on these grounds, and not take for granted the freedom and safety we feel here. This is a unique place, and we are blessed to be serving God on these grounds. Visit the camp web site at www.nazcamp.org