For a man’s ways are in full view of the Lord,

and he examines all his paths.

The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him;

the cords of his sin hold him fast.

He will die for lack of discipline,

led astray by his own great folly.

We all make choices.  That’s God’s plan–we have free will.  I really don’t like making New Year’s Resolutions.  I tend to make goals on my birthday instead.   This year, I need a new start.  I never lack for ideas but certainly lack of discipline has been my downfall many times.  Some of the words from my September list are:

Bible, Create, Initiate, Donate, Relax, Learn, Encourage, Plant, Finish.

May your path of 2012 not lead you astray.

“Keep a sharp eye out for those who take bits and pieces of the teaching that you learned and then use them to make trouble.… They aren’t above using pious sweet talk to dupe unsuspecting innocents.”

Romans 16:17-18 Message

What’s up with people?  Why are we so deceitful?  Why does it take a huge misstep to come clean?  The phrase “don’t judge a book by its cover” is so much more than that.  Ever wonder about the people who seem to have it all?  Seem is the key word.  What happens behind closed doors?  What happens when they are left alone?  Sin.

It is so disturbing to think that so many are cheating and lying for self gratification!

Of course, I am not without fault.

“For there is no difference between us and them in this.  Since we’ve compiled this long and sorry record as sinners (both us and them) and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us.”  Romans 3: 23 Message

I have been naïve. Thinking that trying to do the right thing is common.  Normal.  Expected. It’s still shocking.  It’s rare.  Guess that’s the point of learning of someone else’s misstep; to be shocked into reality and humility.  Examine my own life.

God has given me a gift.  Today.  Hope I make him glad he went to the trouble!

We’ve all heard the phrase “I am nothing without God”.  Living as if He is with me is something else!  This passage makes me see that in a new way:

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 (The Message)

^11-12Because we know that this extraordinary day is just ahead, we pray for you all the time—pray that our God will make you fit for what he’s called you to be, pray that he’ll fill your good ideas and acts of faith with his own energy so that it all amounts to something. If your life honors the name of Jesus, he will honor you. Grace is behind and through all of this, our God giving himself freely, the Master, Jesus Christ, giving himself freely.

Pray for and expect extraordinary things this year.

God will give freely– I could use something for free!

When death comes knocking it always makes us answer. We think that we should learn from death, but it was pointed out to me today that we really must learn from life.

I have been fortunate to have to face very few deaths in my life.

Distinct memories of my Dad’s tears at his father’s graveside when I was very young. The first funeral I’d ever been to. I am still touched by my Dad’s sorrow.

I felt extreme loss and pain at my grandmother’s death followed only a few weeks later by her husband. Watching my mom loose both of her parents so quickly was tragic. I remember thinking how much they loved each other and were so interdependent. Nana and Grandad were foundational in our family. I still feel emptiness in their absence.

Today was the memorial service for a friend. A peer. Janet was only 35 years old. She was a wife. A mother of three. Just like me…

Her battle with cancer was long. I have prayed to God countless times that she would be healed as have many others. Prayer for her and her family has been a regular announcement at church for a very long time. It has felt very hard to understand why God would take such a vibrant, happy, fun, and faithful lady. We cannot understand. We can try to learn from her example.

So many scriptures were shared today that not only exemplified Janet, but that are a reminder of how to live a faith-filled life. I am inspired by her. I Am encouraged by her even in her death. I know that she would want that.

I will quote here a poem that her oldest son, a 7^th grader, read today.

I’m Free

Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free

I’m following the path God has chosen for me.

I took His hand when I heard Him call;

I tuned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day,

To laugh, to love, to work, or play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way;

I’ve now found peace at the end of day.

If my parting has left a void,

Then fill it with remembered joys.

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss;

Oh yes, these things, I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow

Look for the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life’s been full, I savored much;

Good friends, good time, a loved ones touch.

Perhaps my time seems all too brief;

Don’t lengthen your pain with undue grief.

Life up your heart and peace to thee,

God wanted me now, He set me free.

–Shannon Lee Moseley

I am grateful to have been one of the many who was touched by Janet’s love and life. She will be carried with me always.

I made this list of things to help me through the next zooming along year.  It’s not exactly like a Bucket List or a New Year’s Resolution.  I don’t want the disappointment and failure.  Instead–Inspiration.  I hope that accomplishing these things will  alleviate stress not cause it!

41 Things

1. Create something every day

2. Have a date once a month

3. Call a friend once a week

4. Knit a sweater

5. Re-do the spice cabinet

6. paint and decorate the laundry room

7. Garden plan

8. make Dr. appointments

9. Make living room curtain

10. re-upholster living room chair

11. Sell Granny’s sofa

12. Kiss the kids every day

13. Read more books

14. burn candles

15. encourage the BT women

16. learn something new about photography

17. draw at least one picture in pastel

18. do 31 pondered proverbs

19. Bake cookies

20. bake bread

21. eliminate plastic bags

22. make a blurb book for ‘09

23. teach each kid something about homemaking

24. write

25. every month—take a bag to goodwill

26. slim the middle

27. make gifts

28. find the positive in the day

29. return calls

30. Encourage the kids with scripture

31. GPS-Growing peaceful and secure

32. explore new ways of relaxation

33. make time with the kids they want

34. Shadow bath x4

35. listen to new music

36. plant a fruit tree

37. work on relationship with Mom

38. Plant bulbs

39. Make myself an outfit

40. Host a party

41. Dream for the future

Retreeeeet!  I left out of the house in the opposite direction of my family for a weekend away.  It was fabulous.

Kir and I went to our church Women’s Retreat a day early so as to unplug from the summer and be able to focus.  The theme was GPS: Growing Peaceful and Secure.

We arrived in the early afternoon and walked across the parking lot to a shopping plaza that had a HUGE used bookstore where we could have spent a week, a shoe store where we both came out with new sandles, and a Dollar General where we found deals on things we didn’t even know we needed/wanted!  The afternoon had dissolved into evening and our hunt for a place of dinning ensued…without a GPS!  We drove around “nowhere’sville” for an hour before coming back to our plaza Burger King for take out!   But God is so encouraging and gave us a FULL rainbow to gaze at while munching from our room.

The conference was filled with friends, song, fellowship, lessons, discussions, laughter and tears, prayer and worship, food, and talent.  And despite the lack of a working air conditioner (and only 2 huge fans) we had a great journey!  I learned how important my relationships are, with those both older and younger than me.  We have so much to offer each other.

The sound of the ocean is constant.  We can hear it at first, but then we ignore it as background noise until we consciously listen.  In the same way, we must consciously listen to God’s voice for direction.  I realized that my peace and security are dependent on my surrender to God… Growing Peaceful and Secure!

A Grotto is by definition a cave or cavern.  This one is a shrine to Mary.    I enjoyed the peaceful walk leading around the monuments and icons.

Here is the link to the place these pix are from:

www.grottooflourdesemmitsburg.com

Proverbs 20:4

NIV:

A sluggard does not plow in season;
so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing.

The Message:

A farmer too lazy to plant in the spring

has nothing to harvest in the fall.

I remember a friend in high school first telling me KISS–Keep It Simple Stupid.  I have always remembered it as a great way to think of things.  Some people change the last “S” to something more positive like silly, but I think it’s fine as is.

I have been reflecting on what simple means to me.  Simplify.  Do less?  Do the same things differently?  Say no to activities and events?  Slow down?  Back to basics?  (whatever that means!)

There are lots of ideas to simplify out in the world.   Many are valid.  Slow down.  Smell the flowers. Take time to make pictures.  Enjoy the sights and sounds around you.  Say no.

After having an extremely busy week, I am acutely aware of needing to say no.  I can’t do it all.  Something or someone always suffers!

Basics…to me that is about learning, growing, adapting. I am learning to knit because it is a life skill I think is timeless.  I am fighting the critters to grow food for them my family.  I am changing how I do laundry by making laundry soap and hanging the clothes on a line outside whenever I can.  I am thoughtful about the meals I make.  I fill a bird feeder and provide a bird house. Both of which are always occupied!  I shop at the thrift store for almost everything…

Yesterday in church there was a point made about having so much “stuff” that we forget what we have.  Matthew 4:18-19 is about not being able to be fruitful because of materialism.  I think  stuff does get in my way!

So today’s Pondered Proverb is:

Proverbs 30:8-9
Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.

Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
and say, ‘who is the Lord?’
Or I may become poor and steal,
and so dishonor the name of my God.

I offer no excuse for my mess… just know I am simplifying.

We started a new series at church this week as a continuation on the theme of “On to Maturity”.  There is always room for growth.

The passage for suggested study is 2 Peter 1: 1-11.  After much pondering, I think I will work on my patience.  Now, the NIV version uses the word perseverance; the Message version uses passionate patience.  I am interested in how the words persevere and patient relate to one another.  Since there are so many things in my life that require them both.

The kids provide endless opportunities for growth–so I am focused this week on not yelling.  At all.  It’s hard!

The garden requires patience.  I want flowers.  The don’t grow.  Or they get trampled.  Or eatten by critters…

I am passionately waiting for the summer produce.  Remember when I planted the first seeds.  Soon they can go outside…Here they are now:

And then there’s this lady who inspires me to simplify.  And if ever I need patience, it’s in simplifying my life!  I live in a clutter filled, undisciplined, and generally convenient home.  This list, I copy from her site and I am going to chip away at it!

1. Stop spending on wants – this is ALWAYS at the top of the list.
2. Write up a spending plan/budget that will show you where you stand financially.
3. Pay off debt. The previous step will help with this.
4. Declutter your home.
5. Give away or sell everything that is not useful or precious to you.
6. Give more and expect less.
7. Smile.
8. Start a change jar.
9. Start an emergency fund.
10. Learn how to bake bread.
11. Learn how to make preserves.
12. Grow some of your own food, even if it’s sprouts. Everyone can grow something.
13. Use up all your chemical cleaners and start a green cleaning routine.
14. Conserve electricity.
15. Conserve water.
16. Learn how to read your electricity and water metres.
17. Stop using the car for short trips. Make every trip out count and do as much as you can so you can cut down on the number kilometres/miles you drive.
18. Stop buying disposable products.
19. Stop accepting plastic carry bags at the shops.
20. Make your own cotton shopping bags.
21. Make sure you take your shopping bags with you every time you go out.
22. Learn how to make simple cheese.
23. Shop locally and support your local neighbourhood.
24. Be generous.
25. Keep some chickens in your back yard for eggs, and if you eat meat, for meat.
26. Plant fruit trees.
27. Learn how to make soap.
28. Grow loofahs.
29. Slow down and relax. The world will not stop if you have a break.
30. Teach your children well. You are their role model, be the person you want them to be.
31. Learn how to mend clothes.
32. Learn to knit.
33. Cook from scratch. This means cooking from non-processed foods, not cooking with tinned soups and mixes.
34. Get rid of toxic friends. They will drain the living daylights out of you.
35. Start making gifts for friends.
36. Change your idea of what success is.
37. Reinvent yourself. Do something different today.
38. Get rid of as many spray cans as possible in your home. Make your own products and put them in pump bottles.
39. Make an apron.
40. Wear it.
41. Explain what you’re trying to do to your children.
42. Tell as many people as you can what you’re doing, and why.
43. Reduce the amount of everything you use. Less salt, less sugar, less meat, less butter, less bread, less fuel, less electricity, fewer clothes and shoes.
44. Increase the amount of things you do for others. Generosity always returns to you.
45. Stockpile and shop mindfully for groceries.
46. Talk to your neighbours. Try to develop a friendly and helpful relationship with them.
47. Talk to your children. Ask them what they think about global warming, I bet they surprise you.
48. Save seeds from heirloom vegetables. Unless we do this, our old vegetables will disappear under the weight of corporatised hybrid vegetables, and you will have to buy new seeds every year.
49. Keep pure breed chickens. They, like the hybrid vegies, are in danger of being lost with hybrid chickens just bred to lay eggs, and not to go broody and raise chicks.
50. And finally, as that wise man, Mahatma Gandhi once said: be the change you want to see in the world.

So…On to Maturity in Perseverance/Passionate Patience!  I’ll keep you posted!