Thursday, January 31, 2013

God

Three things stand out to me today as I reflect on God's attributes and promises:

1.  He chose me and loves me.


Isaiah 43:1a-3, 4a
Rocky Mountain National Park
Do not fear for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers they will not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched,
Nor will the flame burn you.
Since you are precious in my sight.
Since you are honored and I love you.


2.  He is my Rock in times of difficulty.


Alyssa on the rock at Rocky Mountain National Park
Deuteronomy 32:4
He is the rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. 
A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.
2 Samuel 22:2
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation.
Isaiah 26:4
Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord the Lord, is the Rock eternal.


3.  He gives me the strength power through the Holy Spirit when I step out in trust and obedience to Him and it is all for His glory.

1 Peter 4:11
Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, the utterances of God:  whoever serves, let him do so as by the strength which God supplies:  so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen

2 Corinthians 12:9
..."My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakiness."...


Gem Lake Trail at Rocky Mountain National Park
Meditating on God and his attributes leaves me to #LIVEWONDERSTRUCK



Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Rest

I rest best when the work for the day is accomplished, any major problem has been solved to the best of my ability and I can sit with a good novel, a crossword puzzle or watch a good movie.  Then, after a good nights rest I am rejuvenated to see what God has for me for the day and #LIVEWONDERSTRUCK.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Sunset

Sunset tonight on Beswick Way, Ashland

God's creation opens our eyes to ten thousand wonders!
Margaret Feinberg

#LIVEWONDERSTRUCK

Monday, January 28, 2013

You (or Me)

Northern Flicker on my backyard feeder.
The challenge is to spend time today doing something that makes me happy.  Since I am fighting off a virus and my back went out, I had to think about that.  So, after the brain fuzziness from the muscle relaxing pill wore off I grabbed my Yak wool shawl from Nepal and sat with my Bible, a cup of Chai tea and my Wonderstruck study and sat in front of the window to the backyard and enjoyed God's presence and the birds swarming around the birdfeeder.  Lovely time to experience #LIVEWONDERSTRUCK.

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Letter

A Thankful Letter to God:

I sat down and made a list of all that came to mind of the things you, God, have done for me in my 60+ years of life.  It is an amazing list and reminds me that I can have no regrets for choosing to embrace the cross and atoning death of Christ and to live for You.  Even through the tougher times, you have taught me to trust in You and have learned to share your forgiveness and grace with others.  You have taught me to engage with my family and friends and have taken me to lands far away to form relationships with people of different cultures.

I am looking forward to all that you have in store for me this year and the years to come. I am especially anticipating your work in BIO and Women's Bible Study and where you would have me engage in the community.  Nepal and its new and vibrant church, the needs of the women and the funeral and burial needs still tug at my hear.

Tim and Andy, Jr.

I am especially thankful for my husband and everything about him.  His godly character, creativity, fix-it mentality, love for family and servant's heart have impacted my life so greatly I cannot put it into words.
Use me, Lord, and keep me #WONDERSTRUCK and so grateful for your wonderful gifts in my life.  #1000GIFTS

Prayer

Three word prayer:  Health, wonder, trust  

#LIVEWONDERSTRUCK

Friday, January 25, 2013

Dream

To dream....

In August I wrote in my journal:

My dream:  To be part of a community of believers to grow together as we grow in our faith and make a difference in the world.

In November a prayer:

That I would rely on God's power to impact women's lives for change and growth.  Help me step out in faith to accomplish that.

I can believe that God is powerful enough to accomplish these dreams and He is beginning to fulfill those dreams in BIO and Women's Bible Study at FBC.  There were times that I thought these were impossible, but thanks to a group of couples and church and the vision of Karlee I can see God moving!  #LIVEWONDERSTRUCK

Dream fulfilled for my 60th birthday last year...my whole family together.


Together at Wind River Ranch in Colorado
A future dream is to volunteer on a biblical archaeological dig in Israel.


Biblical Tamar

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Relationship


Here is me and my dear friend Jinny after our walk together this afternoon.  So special to have friends to share with that you have known for over 35 years!  I also had lunch with a new friend, Amy, today and am looking forward to being an encouragement and support to her.  It is so worth it to have these relationships and #LIVEWONDERSTRUCK.

Stillness

I am thankful that God reaches out to me when I am still and He lets me know that He is wonderful!  He brings to mind all that I am to thank Him for that day.  Without stillness and quiet we are unable to hear His voice.  Thank you, Lord, for these 21 days to seek to #LIVEWONDERSTRUCK.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Sky


Beautiful early morning sky with its surreal light!

Just before the setting of the sun
It is somewhat of a stormy, rainy day today, so wasn't able to see the stars in the sky this morning.  But the sky was beautiful with its clouds and slight swirl of light.  One star did peek through...was that God acknowledging my search to #LIVEWONDERSTRUCK?

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Silence

Spending 20 minutes in silence is something I never do!  My mind is thinking of a hundred different things that need to be done.  But I did it and it is amazing the thoughts and prayers that God brought to me.

Psalm 46:10
"Be still (cease striving, let go, relax) and know that I am God."

I know this verse, but I do what it says so rarely.

So many people came to mind that I could pray for:  friends on the mission field, friends I met in Sierra Leone and Nepal, friends reaching outside themselves to serve in ministry here in Ashland.

Thankfulness overwhelmed me.  God has given me so many good gifts: family, Christian friends, people to serve and a fulfilled life in Jesus and the opportunity to #LIVEWONDERSTRUCK.

Monday, January 21, 2013

Forgiveness

Sunrise, living looking forward to the light of a new day!
I can #LIVEWONDERSTRUCK because I am forgiven.  I don't have to continue to beat myself up for my inadequacies.  God made me to be the woman I am and I can rest in His unchanging love.  It is OK to fail, for I am God's forgiven daughter.  There is new life each day to live for Him and enjoy all He has for me.  It is a privilege to love and serve others in any way that He asks.

Hope

Hope is what gives me purpose for each new day.  Hope is Jesus.  Jesus made a way for me to have clean slate, gives me living water to nourish me each day and His word for my food.  But I also have a future based on his completion of God's requirement of death in order to be reconciled with Him.  It is done...there is no need to dwell on failures and disappointments.  There is hope for each new day and each new minute.

I noticed today many people sitting with their cardboard signs asking for money and food.    Give me your heart Lord for these people.  I did decide to give what I had to one man and then only had one dollar!  How sad.  But he was very thankful and said, "God bless you!"  Give me your love for people and a desire that they also can #LIVEWONDERSTRUCK.

Favorite song:  Blessings, Laura Story

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Creation


Karen, Tim & Kerry

Me and Tim

Mt. McLoughlin
God's Creation-What a day of snow, sunshine, mountains and a great husband and friends to share the day with!  All created by an awesome God! Thank you God for allowing me to #LIVEWONDERSTRUCK.

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Time

Time...I am blessed to have time to set my own schedule.  Children are grown, parents are relatively healthy, I am retired from work.  Looking at my schedule the next few weeks shows me that I have things that I enjoy, places to serve, and people to connect with.  I need to be careful that I am not doing only "sea shell collecting", but also giving to others.  I was #WONDERSTRUCK today as I went showshoeing with friends...not only at the beauty of the snow and mountains, but to be with sweet friends.  I am glad I took the TIME!

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Reflection

Lord, help me to just enjoy you and not feel inadequate in your eyes and mine.  Keep reminding me that you have forgiven me and your sacrifice on the cross has released me from the prison of sin and darkness.  I live a new life as a new creation in you.  My life is hidden in Christ.  Christ lives in me and I live by faith in God's son...who loves ME!

Galations 2:20, Colossians 3:2-3

I want to live #WONDERSTRUCK

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Beauty

Today with my camera in tow I sought to document God's unmatchable beauty.  I went to Ashland Pond in search of the beautiful Great Egret and the many Hooded Mergansers and other ducks that were there last week, but alas the pond was frozen and not a sole on the solid pond.  But there was a beautiful Lesser Goldfinch in a tree and the rosy colored Purple Finches.  Then a  noisy Red-shouldered Hawk flew by in all its magnificence!  God definitely use His creativity in creating the many shapes, sizes and colors of birds.  


Lesser Goldfinch
I went to Lithia Park hoping to find the Varied Thrush I saw last week...but again disappointment.  But the Upper Duck Pond was half frozen over which concentrated the ducks in a smaller area and one of my favorite ducks, the Wood Duck was there in all its glory.  What a gift from God!  Ashland Creek is beautiful every time of year and even now with water frozen on rocks as the water flows downstream.


Wood Duck
Ashland Creek, Lithia Park
After coming home, there were several birds bathing in our water feature since many of their normal water sources are frozen.  Lovely Robins, Lesser Goldfinches, Chestnut-back Chickadees and Dark-eyed Juncos. 
Lesser Goldfinch bathing


Thank you #LIVEWONDERSTRUCK for the challenge to seek God's wonder each of the next 21 days.

Monday, January 14, 2013

21 Days of Wonder Challenge

God, I am excited to see your wonder each day.  Show me glimpses of you and how awesome you are in ways I haven't seen you before.  #livewonderstruck