Tonight is our first Oh, For Fun (OFF) on Friday women events at our church. So many prayers, so many hands and hearts at work with love, so many faithful women saying yes to this possibility. God has provided all of these things so we may present His love to our friends, our family, the women of our church, the women of our community. My heart is FULL! This song has been in front of me all day and I think it says it all. ..
Matt Redman - Heart of Worship - click here to see video and to hear the song.
It's all about you, Jesus!
Friday, April 23, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Pay attention, Grasshopper!
I was at the park yesterday all by myself. I NEVER, EVER go there alone. However, it was an absolutely perfect day and I was killing time as I was waiting to pick up my friend. Besides, it was the park behind the new Bass Pro Shop; so, there were lots of people milling around and I wasn't too worried about lurkers or weirdos preying on my lack of awareness.
How did I know that God was going to send me a lesson while I was sitting there minding my own business? I hate it and love it when this happens. But, it was like I had surround sound throughout my head and tugging on my heart telling me, "OK, Peggy, pay attention here because this is important and I don't want you to miss it". Sometimes I feel like I'm a living "Grasshopper" in my own Kung Fu drama - "Ah, Grasshopper, here is lesson for you" and I reply, "OK, master, I'm paying attention." and, then, muttering under my breath - "Holy cow! I hope I get it".
Anyway, I'm rambling...actually, there were two lessons (that I was aware of)...
The first was this young man and his awesome dog. He had three dogs, two scampering wiener dogs and some sort of golden retriever/yellow lab mix. His big dog was the one I was smitten with. The young man was working with him on his obedience training while the other two "hot dogs" were nearby, playing with each other and looking like little badgers in the grass.
This dog was amazing. For about 20 minutes I watched as his master never uttered a sound and the dog followed his every move - always obedient, always gazing lovingly into his master's eyes, always staying by his side, his desire to please his master the focus of every step and every action he took. This relationship was so in-tune and the intimacy between this man and his dog was beautiful.
I watched and watched, paying close attention, because this lesson I understood. I sat there watching this scene unfold and, all the while, these questions were rolling through my mind - how do I please my Master? Do I follow His instructions obediently and keep my focus on Him so I know the next move? Do I wait patiently, yet with great anticipation, for some sign of what I am to do next? Do I wait for him to clap his hands, indicating the lesson is over, and then run to Him like He is the very reason for my being, relishing in His lavish love and praise? Those questions are still rolling through my mind.
The second lesson was pretty profound for me, as well. I was watching a group of children playing and climbing on this huge rock formation (built for little ones). They were about 3-5 yrs. old - not yet school age and big enough to play and climb, rough and tumble without a lot of help.
Their mothers were just a few feet away as they were all climbing on this big rock. Three of the little energy hounds jumped off the rock and ran off to the next adventure. However, one was left behind, still climbing on the rock. She was climbing diligently and then she turned around and got STUCK. She couldn't go up or down because, instead of facing the wall, she had turned her back to it and lost her focus. She was worried and scared and she couldn't move. She yelled "Help me" and the mothers were busy keeping track of the other kids and not really listening to her. Finally, she got the attention of one of them. This mom did the most amazing thing. Instead of just lifting her down, as I expected, she gently turned her around, took hold of her little foot and gently placed it on the next step and then, again, patiently showed her where her next step should go. I watched as the little girl trusted the directions and her mom guided her from that rock, step by step, with her help.
I've felt like that lately - stuck on the rock, yelling for help and not being able to grab anyone's attention. It's silly. It's just that I lost my focus and I let fear and frustration guide my steps or paralyze me. The past couple of weeks I have had to ask God, once more and again (sigh), to guide me and to lead me where I should go.
So, lesson #1 - God loves me and desires an intimate relationship with me. He showers His extravagant love over me; and, He relishes in my obedience. To be in-tune with my Master is a beautiful thing.
And, lesson #2 - It's easy to get distracted, to lose focus, to let fear paralyze me and to get Stuck! Even during those times, God continues to love me and gently turns me around, shows me the way, holds my hands and guides my steps.
I hope my Master is looking at me with a laughing heart and smiling eyes. I imagine Him telling me, "Well done, Grasshopper, you did, indeed, pay attention. Now, show me what you have learned."
How did I know that God was going to send me a lesson while I was sitting there minding my own business? I hate it and love it when this happens. But, it was like I had surround sound throughout my head and tugging on my heart telling me, "OK, Peggy, pay attention here because this is important and I don't want you to miss it". Sometimes I feel like I'm a living "Grasshopper" in my own Kung Fu drama - "Ah, Grasshopper, here is lesson for you" and I reply, "OK, master, I'm paying attention." and, then, muttering under my breath - "Holy cow! I hope I get it".
Anyway, I'm rambling...actually, there were two lessons (that I was aware of)...
The first was this young man and his awesome dog. He had three dogs, two scampering wiener dogs and some sort of golden retriever/yellow lab mix. His big dog was the one I was smitten with. The young man was working with him on his obedience training while the other two "hot dogs" were nearby, playing with each other and looking like little badgers in the grass.
This dog was amazing. For about 20 minutes I watched as his master never uttered a sound and the dog followed his every move - always obedient, always gazing lovingly into his master's eyes, always staying by his side, his desire to please his master the focus of every step and every action he took. This relationship was so in-tune and the intimacy between this man and his dog was beautiful.
I watched and watched, paying close attention, because this lesson I understood. I sat there watching this scene unfold and, all the while, these questions were rolling through my mind - how do I please my Master? Do I follow His instructions obediently and keep my focus on Him so I know the next move? Do I wait patiently, yet with great anticipation, for some sign of what I am to do next? Do I wait for him to clap his hands, indicating the lesson is over, and then run to Him like He is the very reason for my being, relishing in His lavish love and praise? Those questions are still rolling through my mind.
The second lesson was pretty profound for me, as well. I was watching a group of children playing and climbing on this huge rock formation (built for little ones). They were about 3-5 yrs. old - not yet school age and big enough to play and climb, rough and tumble without a lot of help.
Their mothers were just a few feet away as they were all climbing on this big rock. Three of the little energy hounds jumped off the rock and ran off to the next adventure. However, one was left behind, still climbing on the rock. She was climbing diligently and then she turned around and got STUCK. She couldn't go up or down because, instead of facing the wall, she had turned her back to it and lost her focus. She was worried and scared and she couldn't move. She yelled "Help me" and the mothers were busy keeping track of the other kids and not really listening to her. Finally, she got the attention of one of them. This mom did the most amazing thing. Instead of just lifting her down, as I expected, she gently turned her around, took hold of her little foot and gently placed it on the next step and then, again, patiently showed her where her next step should go. I watched as the little girl trusted the directions and her mom guided her from that rock, step by step, with her help.
I've felt like that lately - stuck on the rock, yelling for help and not being able to grab anyone's attention. It's silly. It's just that I lost my focus and I let fear and frustration guide my steps or paralyze me. The past couple of weeks I have had to ask God, once more and again (sigh), to guide me and to lead me where I should go.
So, lesson #1 - God loves me and desires an intimate relationship with me. He showers His extravagant love over me; and, He relishes in my obedience. To be in-tune with my Master is a beautiful thing.
And, lesson #2 - It's easy to get distracted, to lose focus, to let fear paralyze me and to get Stuck! Even during those times, God continues to love me and gently turns me around, shows me the way, holds my hands and guides my steps.
I hope my Master is looking at me with a laughing heart and smiling eyes. I imagine Him telling me, "Well done, Grasshopper, you did, indeed, pay attention. Now, show me what you have learned."
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
50 new things update
Well, it seems as if everyday of the past week or so has found me doing something new; so, here I go:
1. I have cooked Penne Pasta with shrimp - yum! (recipe from The Pioneer Woman cookbook)
2. I have roasted potatoes on the grill prepared with every herb I have in my cabinet - yum! The good thing about preparing potatoes this way - they never taste the same and they are always great. It's a new dish every time I make it.
3. I am, with several others from my church, in the process of preparing the first of our Oh, For Fun (OFF) on Friday events - happens April 23rd - and we are so excited. It will be a fun time to connect and make new friends. This is just for the ladies. And, we've had lots of interest. The goal is 50 women and I already have 24+ commitments before invites even went out the door. And, something new - I actually designed and produced the invites, posters and flyers. Please forgive me for tooting my own horn. Seriously, a lot of people have provided a lot of hard work and love into this project and I am so thankful for the opportunity to begin this ministry. And, I'm thankful for all of the hands that have been a part of it. If you are in the neighborhood on the 23rd, stop in for a while - it's bring a friend and meet a friend night and we'd love for you to join us:
4. I planted my pansies in the planter next to my front door - I hope they grow. They are happy little flowers and smell great. The wind NEVER quits on the hill where we live; so, it is a lesson in tenacity and, sometimes frustration, that I keep trying to grow stuff.
5. As I was planting flowers yesterday, I hung out with a little lizard (5" or so - not as big as the one shown below) that was sunning himself on my porch. I'm glad my husband had warned me that we have a couple of these creatures lurking in our yard. Evidently, Joe believes they are skinks (sp). It has bright colored stripes from the tip of the nose to end of the tail. They grow anywhere from 5-10 inches long and the females are more brightly colored than the males. I thought that was interesting. I did, however, make it very clear to this lizard that I was not going to share space with it INSIDE my house. It has got to stay outside or very bad things will happen - to the lizard, maybe to my husband - and, not to me! Don't you think the front half looks like a snake? Yikes!
6. I went with a couple of folks from our church to the Harvester's food pantry to pick up food for our Necessity pantry. An amazing experience. I always wondered how it is possible to feed a family of four for a month, for $20 bucks. Now, I know. Harvesters is run very efficiently and I was very impressed. I was happy to see that a lot of the fresh produce and bakery items are donated by area grocery stores. I always wondered what happened to the stuff that was a couple of days old. I'm glad it doesn't go to waste.
7. I applied for a couple of jobs outside of my familiar line of work. I hope something comes through. I was a little disappointed last week that the two jobs I was SURE were going to come through for me did not even extend an offer. And, it was a long, long wait to receive that news. A very real lesson in humility. I believe this must be God's way of telling me to look for something different than what I know and what I am comfortable doing. So, we will see. Hope this job situation turns soon...however, we are still trusting God is opening the doors for us, directing us and is walking with us throughout this journey. UPDATE - As I was writing this very paragraph, the phone rang. I now have an interview Thursday at 9AM - Yippee! See, God always provides just when I am least expecting it. That is so cool! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!.
8. On Sunday, we went on the Parade of Homes tour with our friends. We saw some very beautiful homes for some very beautiful prices. Had a great time with our friends and laughed a lot.
9. We have a new member of our family. This past Sunday morning, my niece gave birth to a sweet baby boy - Welcome, Bobby William, to the family. It's going to be so fun to watch you grow. And, you have two awesome big sisters and a big brother to watch out for you! I love your big, baby cheeks.
10. My juddi bush (it's some kind of viburnum and, in my opinion, better than a Korean Spice Lilac) is blooming. It is beautiful and smells delicious - my favorite time of Spring is when this bush blooms. Actually, it blooms for only a very few days. Its fragrance is intoxicating and rides on the wind throughout our yard. Nothing better!
All in all, a good bunch of stuff to put on my list of 50. Opportunities provided every day by God who loves me and continues to shower me with His bountiful blessings. Joe and I will continue to praise Him in this storm and thank Him for His care.
Share His Love...
1. I have cooked Penne Pasta with shrimp - yum! (recipe from The Pioneer Woman cookbook)
2. I have roasted potatoes on the grill prepared with every herb I have in my cabinet - yum! The good thing about preparing potatoes this way - they never taste the same and they are always great. It's a new dish every time I make it.
3. I am, with several others from my church, in the process of preparing the first of our Oh, For Fun (OFF) on Friday events - happens April 23rd - and we are so excited. It will be a fun time to connect and make new friends. This is just for the ladies. And, we've had lots of interest. The goal is 50 women and I already have 24+ commitments before invites even went out the door. And, something new - I actually designed and produced the invites, posters and flyers. Please forgive me for tooting my own horn. Seriously, a lot of people have provided a lot of hard work and love into this project and I am so thankful for the opportunity to begin this ministry. And, I'm thankful for all of the hands that have been a part of it. If you are in the neighborhood on the 23rd, stop in for a while - it's bring a friend and meet a friend night and we'd love for you to join us:
4. I planted my pansies in the planter next to my front door - I hope they grow. They are happy little flowers and smell great. The wind NEVER quits on the hill where we live; so, it is a lesson in tenacity and, sometimes frustration, that I keep trying to grow stuff.
5. As I was planting flowers yesterday, I hung out with a little lizard (5" or so - not as big as the one shown below) that was sunning himself on my porch. I'm glad my husband had warned me that we have a couple of these creatures lurking in our yard. Evidently, Joe believes they are skinks (sp). It has bright colored stripes from the tip of the nose to end of the tail. They grow anywhere from 5-10 inches long and the females are more brightly colored than the males. I thought that was interesting. I did, however, make it very clear to this lizard that I was not going to share space with it INSIDE my house. It has got to stay outside or very bad things will happen - to the lizard, maybe to my husband - and, not to me! Don't you think the front half looks like a snake? Yikes!
6. I went with a couple of folks from our church to the Harvester's food pantry to pick up food for our Necessity pantry. An amazing experience. I always wondered how it is possible to feed a family of four for a month, for $20 bucks. Now, I know. Harvesters is run very efficiently and I was very impressed. I was happy to see that a lot of the fresh produce and bakery items are donated by area grocery stores. I always wondered what happened to the stuff that was a couple of days old. I'm glad it doesn't go to waste.
7. I applied for a couple of jobs outside of my familiar line of work. I hope something comes through. I was a little disappointed last week that the two jobs I was SURE were going to come through for me did not even extend an offer. And, it was a long, long wait to receive that news. A very real lesson in humility. I believe this must be God's way of telling me to look for something different than what I know and what I am comfortable doing. So, we will see. Hope this job situation turns soon...however, we are still trusting God is opening the doors for us, directing us and is walking with us throughout this journey. UPDATE - As I was writing this very paragraph, the phone rang. I now have an interview Thursday at 9AM - Yippee! See, God always provides just when I am least expecting it. That is so cool! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!.
8. On Sunday, we went on the Parade of Homes tour with our friends. We saw some very beautiful homes for some very beautiful prices. Had a great time with our friends and laughed a lot.
9. We have a new member of our family. This past Sunday morning, my niece gave birth to a sweet baby boy - Welcome, Bobby William, to the family. It's going to be so fun to watch you grow. And, you have two awesome big sisters and a big brother to watch out for you! I love your big, baby cheeks.
All in all, a good bunch of stuff to put on my list of 50. Opportunities provided every day by God who loves me and continues to shower me with His bountiful blessings. Joe and I will continue to praise Him in this storm and thank Him for His care.
Share His Love...
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