Overtaking Blessings

Reading Through the Bible in 2010 (Deut. 28)

“And all these blessings shall come upon you, and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God. (Deut. 28:2)

“Kayla,” I said gazing incredulously at my 10 year old granddaughter, “When did you write all these poems?”

“Oh, at school,” she replied nonchalantly.

“They’re wonderful,” I exclaimed, “I love them!”

“Well,” she responded, warming to my enthusiasm, “I’m writing a longer story now. It’s about an ice skater who has had a bad fall and is nervous about starting to skate again.”

“May I read it?” I asked.

“Sure….. but,” she added looking around warningly, “please not out loud.”

There was a teenage brother in the room looking harmless enough as he watched ESPN. However, I understood. Most of us writers feel just like that about our work. Is 98% of what we say garbage? Are people going to look at our stuff and laugh their heads off?

As I read about Shannon, the ice skater, my heart rejoiced. Each page pulled me into the next. “Kayla,” I lamented, “How can I go back to Wisconsin and not know how this story ends?”

“I’ll send it to you when it’s done,” she responded reassuringly.

What a blessing for a grandmother to read her grandchild’s talented writing! We see these great bends in our children and grandchildren and they are incredible blessings. They surprise us and overtake us. They are gifts from God.

In today’s reading, the nation of Israel is given the beginning of Moses’ third message to them. He predicts what will happen to Israel in the future. I love the concept that their obedience to God’s standards will result in blessings that will overtake them. His blessings will chase after them and literally run them down.

Did they obey God? Yes, at first, but.... well, we'll just have to keep reading to see what happens in God's great story of the nation of Israel.

This morning I called Kayla and asked, “Are you poems copyrighted or may I publish one on my blog?”

“Of course,” she responded cheerily, “Which do you want to post?”

“Turquoise,” I said. “It reflects the prolific blessings of your favorite color.”

Here it is, a poem lavish with God’s overtaking blessings, written by a fifth grade girl who has noticed them.

The Life of the Color Turquoise

Turquoise…

Is born in a clear sky

Makes me feel joyful, serene, thoughtful

Feels like a pillow, water, a flower petal

Looks like the sky, a morning glory, water

Is my friend because it makes me calm, alive, thoughtful

Smells like birthday cake, fresh air, a flower

Behaves peacefully, gently, joyfully

Tastes like fresh air, icing

Sounds like birds chirping, breezes blowing

Dies when the sun sets and darkness enters

Kayla

God is chasing us down with His overtaking blessings. Will you, like Kayla, watch for them today? Look behind you, look above you, look around you. They are everywhere.

Oh, stay tuned for Kayla’s future blog address!

Two Classes of People

Reading Through the Bible in 2010 (Lev. 26-27)

"These are the commandments which the Lord commanded Moses for the children of Israel on Mount Sinai." Lev. 27:34

At a church where D. L. Moody was invited to preach, he was warned that some of the congregation usually left before the end of the sermon. When Mr. Moody rose to begin his sermon, he announced, "I am going to speak to two classes of people this morning: first to the sinners, and then to the saints."

He proceeded to address the "sinners" for a while, and then he said they could leave. For once, every member of the congregation stayed to the end of the sermon.

Congratulations on finishing the book of Leviticus - the book of holiness. It has been said that it took God only one night to get Israel out of Egypt, but it took forty years to get Egypt out of Israel. Leviticus was used to guide a newly redeemed people into worship, service and obedience to God. You persevered - you stayed for the whole service - and tomorrow we can enter the book of Numbers.

Levity From Leviticus

Reading Through the Bible in 2010 (Lev. 6-9)

After reading the first nine chapters of the book of Leviticus, you might need a little humor to spur you on. I thought this was very funny.

Charlie and I and my friend, Betsy all went to high school together. Yesterday she sent me an e-mail. (I'll call her Betsy "I" to avoid confusion.) She was chit chatting and encouraging me to keep writing this blog. Then she asked,

"Charlie, did I ever mention my encounter with our dear little advanced algebra teacher a number of years ago?" (She didn't address me because I'm sure she remembered that my English major type mind never ventured to0 close to higher math classes.)

Betsy "I" proceeded, " I was visiting Oakridge Gardens' - the convalescent home - and there she was sitting up straight and erect in a wheelchair in the hall. I approached her with a greeting and introduced myself. She was very sweet and polite. She looked at me and said, "Let me see, I may have forgotten ...ah, just WHO is your coefficient???"

Betsy went on to say, "I no longer knew what that word MEANT but I knew she was referring to my husband. She was asking me who I'd married."

Thanks, Betsy "I" for taking time to give me a great laugh as I progressed along my joyful journey through Leviticus.

Do greet your "Coefficient" for me!

Love, Betsy "II"

A Celebration of Finishing

“So Moses finished the work. Then, the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle."” (Ex. 40:33b,34)

Reading Through the Bible in 2010 (Ex. 39-40)

Yesterday evening our favorite north wood’s logger and his wife came over to eat with us. Shadows were lengthening across the lake as they arrived. They had just walked in when the telephone rang. Our “neighbor” across the lake was stuck in a snowdrift. Could Charlie come? Charlie and Brent drove over and pulled her out with a towrope attached to Brent’s truck and she headed back to civilization. The men returned –mission accomplished, task completed – to find Martha and I curled up in front of the fire, glasses of cranberry juice in hand, catching up on life’s latest happenings.

I could tell you more about our time together. About how I made meat loaf and mashed potatoes and “southern” beans, like Mrs. Hartley taught me as a young bride in South Carolina many years ago. About how Martha brought a cherry pie made with cherries from their very own tree and applesauce grown from fruit picked in their back yard. About how much we laughed as we ate our dinner.

Afterwards, Ethan called from Alaska and Ted called from Appleton –just to check in. When they heard that Brent was here, they wanted to talk to him about chain saws and deer feed and trees they planned to plant. Lots of camaraderie and hilarity and good conversation. When they left, we had a prayer time. As we finished praying, I looked up at the peaceful fire glowing with the crackling wood that Brent had cut for us last summer, and I thought again about what a gift friends are as we travel along the joyful journey toward heaven.

My friend, Annabelle, once gave me a plaque that said, “I didn’t choose my friends, the Lord gave them to me.” So true!

Later, the dishes were put away and the house was quiet. A huge full moon was shining over the lake. Charlie and I read Exodus 40 together.

“Why, we’re done!” I said. “We’ve finished Genesis and Exodus. I think God gave us tonight’s dinner as a feast to celebrate being one twelfth of the way through the Bible in 2010! ”

As he reached up and turned off the light, Charlie smiled and said, “Maybe, Betsy.” As I drifted off to sleep, I knew it was.

“So Moses finished the work.” The extensive work of completing the tabernacle was accomplished in nine short months. The people worked together and they did it. They must have been very excited. We are told that “the cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.”

Isn’t there a great joy in finishing something? Whether it’s a little task or a big project, it’s always “a fight to the finish” to get it done. But what a wonderful feeling to be able to say, “I’ve finished.”

Today we leave Exodus, the book that mean’s departure. As we exit Exodus we head toward Leviticus, the book of holiness. Leviticus shows how God’s people are to fulfill their priestly calling in their worship and walk. Let’s plunge in and see what new lessons God will teach us about “our Joyful Journey.” February 1st is a great time to start reading through the Bible with us.

Maybe we can look forward to another celebration at the end of February!

Golden Bells and Pomegranates

Reading Through the Bible in 2010 (Ex. 26-28)

"a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe all around." Ex. 28:34

I was asked to do the decorations for our writer's group's 25th anniversary in February. Last night I stopped by a local florists because I had a coupon for a plant. "Maybe I can use it as part of the decorations," I thought as I entered the store.

The peace lily that I bought was lovely - and a great buy! The salesperson wrapped it in silver foil and put a wonderful red bow on the front. Perfect for the colors silver, red, and white that we're planning to use!

As I was leaving, I was led to go by the marked down Christmas items on the 75% off table. There were three creations that I thought would go great with our theme. One even had red tulips. Who uses red tulips for Christmas? I bought all three and took them home, delighted with "my finds." But, think about it.

Who had sent me the coupon? Who had prompted me to go to Memorial Florists? Who had shown me the peace lily with one white blossom? Who had led me to the mark down table? Who was smiling at me saying, "Isn't this fun?"

Who else but the God of detail, of course.

How intricate are His instructions to Moses in today's reading. Up on the mountain, for forty days and forty nights, God gave Moses the details about the tabernacle where He would meet with men on earth. He gave him instruction on what Aaron and his sons would wear when they ministered to Him, down to the last detail of Aaron's robe. Pomegranates were to be made with blue and purple and scarlet yarn. They'd be sewn on the hem of the garment all around - "a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate."

The sound of the golden bells would tell those waiting outside the Holy Place that Aaron was still alive and was moving around doing his duties. He would be alive in the presence of God by the grace of God. Like us!

Michael and Christopher brought a pomegranate over the other day. When they enthusiastically cut it open, I was amazed at the amount of seeds in the fruit. Seeds, seeds, seeds! However, with two boys working feverishly, it wasn't long before they had removed them all and were munching away.

Pomegranates symbolize fruitfulness. God would not only meet with men on earth in the tabernacle. He would make His people fruitful. He had promised Abram that his descendants would be as many as the stars of heaven.

I'd love to have seen Aaron's high priestly outfit. It was not only beautiful, but every detail represented something in God's great plan for His people.

On our joyful journey we get to walk hand in hand with the awesome Lord of life's most intricate details. He is concerned with everything about our lives - even buying decorations for a writers' anniversary party.

"A golden bell and a pomegranate" and tulips at Christmas!

Turning Life's Corners

Reading Through the Bible in 2010 ( Gen.19-21)

"Then he (Lot) made them a feast, and baked unleavened bread, and they ate." Gen.19:3

"Did Lot even begin to suspect it would be his last dinner in Sodom? So simply, so without observation, do we turn the corner of the road of life but as yet we do not know that we have turned the corner." Amy Carmichael

When I was six years old, my father was in a terrible auto accident. I can vividly remember being in my parents' bedroom, playing on the floor with my 18 month old brother, when the phone rang. My mother answered it and as I looked at her, I watched the blood drain out of her face. I knew that something awful had happened.

When she hung up the phone I questioned, "Mom, what is it?"

She took a deep breath and said carefully, "Your father's car has been hit by a milk truck in the snowstorm. He probably has a broken leg or something."

That night my grandmother tucked us into bed and told us not to worry. I wasn't that concerned because who worries about a broken leg when your grandmother is giving you love and a cookie? But as I munched away and cuddled up in my grandmother's arms, I didn't know that our lives had turned a corner after that phone call. I didn't have a clue. Just like Lot!

It was much more than a broken leg. My father's life hung fragilely, as if it were dangling from a string, for the next month. After it was determined that he would live, he spent five more months in St. Agnes Hospital in Fond du lac. My mother took the train to be with him every morning and she came back on the train to be with us late every evening. My two grandmothers came and took care of Robert and me. Two nights before the accident - we all came to refer to it as "the accident," my father had told me one of his fine stories. Now there were no stories, no father and, most of the time, no mother. Just us and two grandmothers who had very different views on child raising.

But there was joy even in that journey. We got to know our grandparents really well. One day Dad was improved enough that WE could take the train and visit him in the hospital. Staying up late and waiting to see my mom became the norm.

When Dad came home, we were a family again. I can clearly recall sitting on the couch and looking out the window. It was summer now and my father had put a harness around my two year old brother to take him for a walk. He looked like the Tin Woodman jerking slowly along the sidewalk as his child pulled him along. I was incredulous! Is that my Dad? Will he ever look normal again?

He did. It took time-years-but he recovered. He had pins in his leg and a jagged scar on his face. But he pushed through the pain and went on to be a big influence in his grandchildren's lives - living to the age of 84.

Turning that corner taught me a lot about healing and patience and the value of an intact family - something we take for granted until it's not there anymore. It helped me understand what people go through when their families are under huge strains. It was a big lesson on life's journey.

We turn corners unexpectedly. We don't ask to. Usually we don't want to. But they are often just a phone call away and our lives are forever changed. Corners are, and will always be, a part of "The Joyful Journey."

Temporarily In the Office

"Now the Angel of the Lord found her by a spring of water in the wilderness...and He said, "Hagar, Sarai's maid, where have you come from, and where are you going?" Gen. 16:7,8

THERE WILL BE NO BLOG TODAY BECAUSE I AM TEMPORARILY IN THE OFFICE! (That is all I was going to write on my post today!)

This morning Valley Cabinets appeared with my new office bookshelves. It was very exciting to watch them install cabinetry just for me! Just for my stuff! (Charlie said it was even more exciting for him because it meant he was getting more room in his office.)

After the installers left, I spent the afternoon organizing - putting my precious books and photos and CD's away in their new shelves and cabinets. Now I knew where everything was!

Why does being temporarily in the office mean so much to me? Because we have moved so much!!!

Brown cardboard boxes and orange moving vans have been a huge part of our married life. Over the short forty-five years of our marriage, we have lived in South Carolina, Mississippi, Georgia, Arkansas, Connecticut, Alabama, and in several parts of Wisconsin. If you have ever moved, you know that moving throws your life into mislabeled boxes. You think you know where things are, but you really don't. One time I carefully unpacked a box inscribed: "Fragile! Dining Room China!" - only to find a long piece of carefully wrapped dryer pipe.

I shook my head and discarded it. I had no use for dryer pipe!

But now, no more mislabeled boxes! From today forward, a place for everything and everything in its place-unpacked-IN MY OFFICE!

So why is there more on my blog than I had intended?

As I reached up onto an empty shelf, I started thinking about Hagar. There she was, pregnant, fleeing from her mistress in the wilderness, abandoned by her master, Abram. But the Angel of the Lord found her and stopped her up short with His question; "Hagar, Sarai's maid, where have you come from and where are you going?"

It was a theophany. The Angel of the Lord was Jesus and He had found her! He had not only found her but God had a plan for her life that involved a mighty nation. She wasn't a piece of dryer pipe to be cast off as worthless. God knew where she came from and He knew exactly what He was going to do for her.

I know where I came from. I was dead in my trespasses and sins and He found me! I know where I'm going because even though I was dead, God made me alive in Christ! I'm going on to an eternal city whose builder and maker is God.

I am in this office, but only temporarily. As happy as it makes me to "nest" today, it is still for just a little while. But, what euphoria will I feel when I am finally there? What joy will I have when I see the heavenly bookshelves the Carpenter has built for me in the mansion that He has prepared - just for me?

Jesus found Hagar. Jesus found me. Jesus found YOU! He has a plan for our lives just like he did for Hagar's. But one day we're going to be out of our temporary earthly offices and gloriously situated in our permanent custom built heavenly homes
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While we're still here though, why not keep on keeping on reading through the Bible with me?

Oh, and before you go offblog, say it with me: We are not dryer pipe!!!

Smiling At the Future In the North Woods

"Strength and dignity are her clothing and she smiles at the future." Prov. 31:25 NAS

Our family spent Christmas together at our lake house in the north woods of Wisconsin. Four out of our five families were able to make it up there to celebrate the holidays. Our oldest son, Ethan, couldn't come. He pastors a church in Alaska. Christmas is a big time for churches. so we always miss his family during our Christmas gatherings. But, even without them, we had a week of nineteen of us living together under one roof. A lot came out of that time. Our children are old enough now that I am surprised at how much I learn from them.

I was talking to Katie. She and Norman and their four children are planning a trip to Zambia with the Navigators in June. So I asked her, "Katie, that seems like a lot to take a family of six to Africa. Are you scared?"

She replied, "Mom, Last year I got breast cancer smack dab in the middle of an Illinois corn field. That seems like the safest place on earth. Now I want to live my life to the fullest! We are as safe in Africa as we are in the midwest if we're in the Lord's will. I just want to be where God wants me to be."

I looked at her and realized that God had done a work in her through her cancer. Instead of becoming a fearful apprehensive person, she was "smiling at the future." How does God do that? His ways are so much higher than ours. He really does take our afflictions and make us more like Him if we walk "through the valley" with our hand in His - trusting Him.

"But, Katie! Malaria, AIDS, snakes, your children. You hate spiders!"

I didn't say that. I was ashamed of my own fear. What about me? Have I come through this nightmare of her cancer "smiling at the future?" Or, am I going to shrink back from life in a spirit of fear thinking, "Woe is me, what next?"

When the children were growing up I told them, "Troubles can make you bitter or better. Either choice takes an equal amount of energy."

When we choose to trust God and make the choice to be like the Proverbs 31 woman and "smile at the future," we know that whatever God allows into our lives, He will use to make us better people - and so much more useful to Him.

Thanks for reminding me, my dear daughter, that I believe that. Thanks for teaching me. Onward to Africa!!

Once Upon A Time In the Midwest

Are you a New Year's resolution person? Do you get excited about living in a year that nobody has ever lived in before?

We enter today into the unknown territory that's called 2010. Are you looking forward to this step on your life journey or are you embarking with trepidation wondering what's ahead? I think all of us have a little of both as we start January, 2010.

I am a New Year's resolution person. One of my goals for the upcoming year is to read through the Bible. Being a people person, I'd like to invite you to accompany me on my journey through God's Word this year. Three chapters a day and we can make it.

As I write, I can see the New Year's moon rising over the snow covered lake. A New Year's moon only occurs once every nine years. That makes this year special. Maybe you've been making resolutions for nine years to read through the Bible. Let this be the year that we do it together.

A new moon, a new year, a new blog! And, how about a new trip through the Bible?

There's a wonderful song that includes the words:

"Come on along, it's the song of Jesus,
Day after day, I hear His song."

That's the way I feel about the Word of God. It's His map through life. Day after day, we can hear His song if we read together everyday. His song is the song of joy as we enter the unknown days that await us.

We don't have to enter the new year alone. His word can be the lamp to our feet and the light to our path.

Let's enter the new year together as we read His word everyday.

I'll be reporting in along my journey.

Happy New Year!

Betsy