spirit for life's hard balls ...

Mom told me over the weekend that Dad is struggling with work.  The boss came in and wants to bring a younger guy to head up the team that my Dad is in charge of.  My Dad is very diligent and puts a lot of pride into what he does.  Now he has a weight on his heart.  I am frustrated.  He doesn't need anymore health issues to kick up at this time of his life.

Then I realized what Chuck Swindoll had said about Daniel ~ "The employer will notice your spirit before he will notice your diligence." ~ is right on.  When the hard balls or the fast balls come into your life, your diligence will not rise up and meet it rather it is your spirit.  You can cop a bad attitude or you can choose to be more relaxed and soft.  I totally got it.

I was a bit concerned because diligence is such a good word and such a good characteristic to have.  I am tenacious and I think it is a kin to persistence.  However, if you can keep love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control (Galatians 5:16-22) on the front lines then it makes room for the diligence and tenacity to cover the rear guard.

I've been whispering under my breath that a gentle spirit comes before diligence to keep reminding myself when the boss gets a bit feisty.  My prayer for my Dad during this time is for his spirit to reflect the Fruit of the Spirit along with that heaviness on his heart to go away...

Dolphin Tale

"Dolphin Tale" is wonderful story and a 9.5 for me.  It is a great mix of laughter and I must admit a smidgen of tears.  If you like an underdog story like me, this is for you.

I did go to this movie with a heavy heart.  I had just heard that a dear young lady that I had been praying for is finished with cancer treatments and nothing more can be done.  Her wish is to swim with the dolphins before she goes home to see Jesus.  I haven't met this girl but her smile is warm and irresistible.  So I was a bit preoccupied.

Good ol' Rufus just about steals the show from Winter, the dolphin.  Who is Rufus?  A pelican who loves mischief and will make you laugh.

So what is this story about?  It is about dealing with loss... and rising above it to smile again.

You will have a choice to see it in 2D or 3D.  I prefer 2D and why would you have to see it in 3D?  It is a story and it enough for me.

spirit before diligence ...

I was in a terrible state of mind.  The backlog of work and the cantankerous computer was weighing on my thoughts as I felt my world was sliding down the drain.  I was all excited with the new system update because I could do it.  I wasn't afraid.  I wanted to let it rip.  I had a week's work to put in the system because the higher ups didn't shut down production even with a shaky economy.  I would have done things differently so my employees could be more successful and happy.  Opps, I'm the employee not the boss so I had to work with what was given.  Last week I felt that this new update was like having a bright red shiny car with no engine.  The desk that I like leaving clean was messy with things not done.  Requests were filling up my conscious.  Would I ever catch up?  Would I ever be on top and ahead of the game so that the nagging would stop?

Needless, to say this gentle quiet spirit that dislikes drama felt the fire kicking up to a full roar.  It showed too.  Not good at all.  It has taken a long time to have this calm and here I was feeling the friction between the boss and me.  I was coming home mad at myself.  I knew better and yet I was letting this get to me.  I know that this drama would not matter in Eternity only how I handled myself would.

Yesterday I did catch up for the most part.  Today I feel even better.  I am back to the gentle quiet spirit. I hate having learned the long tough way and feel I like I have fallen backwards.  I think I discovered something.  Chuck Swindoll has been talking about Daniel yesterday and today.  Swindoll said something that really got me to thinking about my spirit and how my boss is seeing me.

I work for a very challenging female boss.  Her basic demeanor is gruff.  A lot of times she shoots from the hip and comes off in an accusing manner.  She can be abusive even though I am sure she doesn't mean to be.  I tried to get away from her and was able to work in another department for awhile until the economy tanked and I was let go.  In order to have a job I had to work for her.  I was hoping for a temporary time of it but it doesn't look like there will be any way of escape.  I have come to terms with it all by the language of thanksgiving.  When I thanked God for the job I hated and for the boss that was making the me seethe, then God gave me a calm.

So what did Swindoll say that got me to thinking about these past two weeks?  "The employer will notice your spirit before he will notice your diligence."  (Chuck Swindoll on Daniel's behavior)  I had to think about this and I still am.  See, I notice if I can stay even keel and calm and not respond negatively to the terse words the boss flings about like free candy thrown at the local fair parade, she doesn't get mad at me and let lose.  I think that just might be the spirit Chuck was talking about.  I don't understand why diligence would be second to spirit but I know when I pose this question to God, He comes with epiphanies and lessons to get excited about learning it.
（*＾〜＾*）

'precautious'

My life is a bit chaotic all because they updated the operating system that my work is using.  I have no fear when it comes to computers so that isn't the problem.  I do fear the boss.  I am under such a backlog that drives me insane.  So to keep my tiny nose just above the rushing water all around me, I keep my precious nose pointed towards anything that buoy's my sorry backside.  Last Wednesday it was the beautiful dusky sunset that my Heavenly Father gave me after the computer and the rainy dash to the stores.  This Wednesday morning it came in the form of the love or silliness of words.

I have started to catch up on news and such from DownUnder because the RadioAlarm App on my iPod has made it easy to stay tuned in to my friend's world.  I happened upon this little show called Adventures in English with Sue Belinda Meehan.  If I can't listen to it because it is early morning for me, I will catch it later online.  I get a kick out how fun it makes English and it helps that I am a bit partial.

Do you know what 'to poodle' means?  It is two words put together - putter and tootle.

put•ter (Brit. pot•ter) verb
occupy oneself in a desultory but pleasant manner, doing a number of small tasks or not concentrating on anything particular : late nights is the best time of the day to putter around the craft room.
• [with adverbial of direction] move or go in a casual, unhurried way : the duck putters on the surface of the pond.


too•tle verb  (I thought Sue Belinda said this word came from England too)
[intrans.] informal go or travel in a leisurely way : they were tootling along the coast.


Sue Belinda said 'to poodle' has origins from England.  I think her mother would use the term a lot.  This is the first time I have heard it used this way.  I think it is quite enjoyable!  I now have three fun words that are related and I shall have a ball using them.

One of the questions posed to Sue Belinda had a running theme through out the hour.  Of course us bad yanks just messed up the language.  ARgh!  So is precautious a word?  The answer was no!  It is doubling up on a word.  If you are already cautious, how can you be cautious beforehand?  Ok, understood.  If you write the word, spell check says it isn't a word but it is in the American Dictionaries especially the older ones.  The newer dictionaries are moving away from them.  I did get out of my nice comfy bed to see if my dictionary had it.  It sure did.  I kept thinking about the word.  It is a bit weird on the tongue but I think I have heard it used in everyday language.  I know I have heard precaution and precautionary before and a lot.  I fired off a tweet but they didn't respond.  It was a hoot.  I think I will try to pay more attention to those silly words.

The other intriguing conversation was this blind man who was teaching young blind children a computer language program.  He was using a program from America and the kids were having a hard time spelling words because of the American accent.  My ears perked and my eyes rolled as a Yank hearing Aussies yack on about how they use 'r' and 'shaw' sounds as extras where in America we just pronounce the words with no extra sounds.  I am thinking how hard spelling must be in Australia with all those extra sounds that are not in the word.  They were making it sound that their extra sounds was the best and there should be no problems with spelling.  Did you know that Aussies pronounce calf with a 'r' in it?

Anyways I latched on what a delight it was to learn about English and the nuances that come from England, Australia, and America.  I love words.  I love learning.  This was a treat and a thanksgiving to carry with me though the stressful days I have been having.

One last interesting tidbit:
English is the most spoken second language.

Welcome Riley Jane

By the light of the oil lamp Jessica nursed baby Shalom.  The flickering flames streaked her hair in light and dark.  It cast shadows across her profile as she smiled tenderly down at him, and illuminated her bare shoulder and the top of his downy head.  She saw me watching and smiled.  "You never know," she said.
"What?"
"How much God loves you until you have one of these of your own.  Then you begin to understand."
~a conversation between two sisters, Jessica and Loralei in Brock and Bodie Thorne's book "The Gathering Storm."

I have been praying for a young mother and for the little girl that made her arrive afternoon today this very thing.  Baby Riley has made safe passage into this world and I am praying that her young mother and young father would be sooooo moved to be overwhelmed by the miracle of life and to seek out the Author of Life.

I received the welcomed news from baby Riley's grandfather.  I could just picture this 6'4" man holding this tiny bundle of 7lbs 12oz much like my own father and grandfather held the baby me so long ago.  There is a sense of time stopping and the an awe of something precious that tugs at the heart making everything still.  

"I was holding her most of the evening.  Riley fell asleep on my chest for a couple of hours."


oh!!!!!!!!!!

churlish

I enjoy a good word when I hear one.   The other day I heard this one and I had to indulge myself in a bit of word candy.

The word was used about Abigail's husband, Nabal who was churlish.  The use was a big give away and has a negative meaning.  I sure wouldn't want that label.  What I like about this word is the way it comes out over the tongue.

I was listening to Sue-Belinda/Adventures in English on 612 Brisbane.  She said that spelling needs to be taught in five ways.
1.  the way it looks
2.  the way it sounds
3.  the way it feels as you write it
4.  word family - what other words are related to it
5.  memory tricks

If I don't pay attention to the way it looks, the 'h' would hide and I would see curl and say it that way.  Opps!  I love the way it sounds and you really can push out the 'ch' and 'r' which makes it sound rude like its meaning.  I can hear the sneer.

churl  noun.  \ˈchər(-ə)l\   rude person
Churl used to mean an ordinary man opposed to royalty.


churlish adj. \ˈchər-lish\ rude


A memory trick for me almost sounds like vomit.  Instead of hurling how about 'churling'.  Ok, I know that isn't a word but it should be.  


Hope you like this word as much as I have!!!!

Call Upon Me

I am quite frustrated that the NYC mayor has decided to keep all religions out the 911 10th Anniversary Reflection Memorial. I do not mind all the religions part but the ultimate COST is the taking out of God and having a personal relationship with the Almighty in a great time of need.

Who better than God to call on when fire and destruction are licking at your heels? Why take Him out of the equation when He still can be found? What a disservice to our founding fathers and those who ran through the man made fire and hell here on earth and straight into the Mighty Arms of God because they had a personal relationship with the God of Salvation?

"For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You." Psalm 86:5

"Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.h Psalm 50:15

"The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth." Psalm 145:18

"As for me, I will call upon God, And the Lord shall save me." Psalm 55:16

"Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live." Psalm 116:2

"He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him." Psalm 91:15

"Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near." Isaiah 55:6

What a sad day it is when we remember the tragic day but refuse to remember the God Most High with our trust and obedience.

"The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You." Psalm 9:9&10

what a way to go!

Whew!  All the 911 stuff brings up a lot of feelings.  A question has come to mind as I hear the stories all over again.  If I had a hubby who called me to tell me good bye before he met the Lord, what would I say?

The answer comes quickly.  Psalms 23 seems top on everyone's list but for me it would be Psalms 100.  This particular Psalms gives such strength and gives you something constructive to do when chaos is raining down all around you and when you feel the fires heat bear down your neck and when you feel the foundations give way .....

Psalms 100
Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands.

The battle is the Lord's.  What is a joyful shout but a battle cry?  

Serve the Lord with gladness;

... even in difficult times, even in a blaze of fire, even when you storm the terrorist in a plane headed for the White House, even if you are all alone gasping for the next breath of air,...

come before His Presence with singing.

Singing changes your brain for the better even if all you can get out is a few whimpering notes... He hears you.  He is with you.  He is singing over you.  Can't you hear Him singing?

Know that the Lord, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

We were made by His Hand and He has plans for us.  We are weak.  He is strong.  He is our Hope and all we have to do is trust and obey Him.  What a Great Shepherd He is.  We are NEVER EVER FORSAKEN!  Keep marching onward! 

Enter into His Gates with Thanksgiving, and into His Courts with Praise, be thankful to Him, and bless His Holy Name.

If is time to go on into Glory what better way to do so than with thanksgiving when meeting God face to face.  If is time to stay here and come before Him in prayer and all is taken from my hand, it is His plan not my own and I will come before Him and thank Him for what I did have and will wait upon the Lord for what is and is to come.

For the Lord is good; His Mercy is everlasting, and His Truth endures to all generations.

Yes, the kids will know not only their earthy father but their Heavenly Father as well.  God is both Protector and Provider.  We shall meet again.  I have the memories.  We serve and love the One True God.  Those who come behind us will know of our love for each other but more importantly for our Lord and Master.

The visuals are overloading my mind as I step into the 'shoes'.  I am sure the emotions would be raw and the cracks would be in my voice but what strength I find in Psalms 100 and would want to give it out to my loved ones whether or not it was me facing the my final (finest) hours or it was my loves ones.  

O to enter HIS GATES a shouting!!!!!  with all the JOY within me bursting out of all my seams!  What a way to go!!!!  

There Is a Mystery in Human Hearts

There is a mystery in human hearts,
And though we be encircled by a host
Of those who love us well and are beloved,
To every one of us, from time to time,
There comes a sense of utter loneliness.
Our dearest friend is 'stranger' to our joy,
And cannot realize our bitterness.
"There is no one who really understands,
No one to enter in all I feel";
Such is the cry of each of us in turn
We wander in a 'solitary way.'
No matter what or where our lot may be,
Each heart, mysterious even to itself,
Must live its inner life in solitude.
And would you know the reason why this is?
It is because the Lord desires our love,
In every heart He wishes to be first,
He therefore keeps the secret key Himself,
To open all its chambers and to bless
With perfect sympathy and holy peace,
Each solitary soul which comes to Him.
And when beneath some heavy cross you faint,
And say, "I cannot bear this load alone," you say the truth.
God made it purposely
So heavy that you must return to Him,
The bitter grief, which 'no one understands,'
Conveys a secret message from the King,
Entreating you to come to Him again.
You cannot come too often or too near.
The God of Mercy is infinite in grace,
His Presence satisfies the longing soul
And those who walk with Him from day to day
Can never have 'a solitary way.'
~author unknown


I groin heavily in my solitary way.  There is something distinctive about presence especially when it someone captures your mind, heart and soul.  When that presence is gone for too many days, an undertow pulls the heart down.  What a comfort that there is a PRESENCE that is bigger than any other.  What fullness of JOY.  What a pleasure to bask in His Smile and to have His Arms enfold me close.  {joyful sigh}  Psalms 16:11

keep the faith ...

Our new church of a year has celebrated its 175th birthday yesterday.  Hearing all the cool history was great and seeing it was cool.  This was back before Abraham Lincoln was known.  There was a 200 year old Bible from one of the members that was written in Old English.  WOW!!  As I was taking it all in a whisper kept calling me so much so that I had to tell it here.

~~~ Huge photos of yesteryear blown up huge on either side of me on walls.  The eyes are drawing me in and I am trying to hear what they are trying to say to me. Can you hear what they are saying?  Could it be the same thing the early church said and echos through the channels of history?
"Keep the faaaaaaith....  Keeeeep the faaaaaaith ..... keeeeeep the faith..... KEEP THE FAITH! Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap a harvest if we faint not. " Galatians 6:9 ~~~

I know a bit "Dead Poet's Society" but that was what I was hearing inside my head.  Matthew 24 has been on my mind lately.  All around me I see the Love growing cold and it makes me shiver inside.  I don't know how are young are going to survive!

Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,  but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.  Matthew 24:12&13


What a tall order in these days but I must keep the faith.  I must keep the love.  I must keep the gratitude.  I want that crown of JOY.  I want those behind me to see His Path.... and want His Love for themselves....

presence ...

"Thy Presence is fullness of Joy."

When that special someone walks into the room, you feel like your insides are inside out beaming.  A twinkle flashes in your eyes.  A smile rests upon your lips.  After the flutter a peaceful calm overtakes your beating heart.  Everything is alright.

When the presence is gone for awhile, you begin to wilt and fade.  Life is harder.  Choices make no sense.  The feet begin to drag.  The eyes begin to weep.  

Today I knew that work was going to be a bit crazy and for some reason I am feeling a bit soft.  I think it is the stage of life I am going through and the allergies I am trying to get through this hot miserable summer make me extra tired and frustrated.  I am doing pretty good yet I feel a fragile crack could surface.  

I have a special someone that makes me feel full and 'purry' (made up word!) like a cat with a tummy full of milk.  I like the hearing him laugh through the email.  I enjoy him.  I love his presence.  He is a bit out of pocket at the moment but I don't want that add to the drag I am feeling.

I kept whispering "Thy Presence is fullness of JOY" ~ Psalms 16:11.  I needed God today.  At nighttime I feel His Comfort when I remember that He will never leave me nor forsake me.  I will curl up under the covers and fall asleep assured of His Faithfulness every night. ~ Psalms 92:2  That is good for evening but I wanted to feel that glow of LovingKindness come walking through the door.  I want that Hello and that Hand in my hand.  I want His Mighty Arms around me.  That is why I am so thankful for the Most High.  Morning and evening He is Ever near.  I need to remember to greet Him with open arms every morning and pull Him close every evening.  

Thank You for loving me and keeping me, oh My Savior!

It is good to give thanks to the Lord,

and to sing praises to Your Name, O Most High;

To declare Your LovingKindness in the morning,

and Your Faithfulness every night.

~ Psalms 92:1&2


You have made known to me the path of life;
You will fill me with JOY in Your Presence,
with Eternal Pleasures at Your Right Hand.
~Psalms 16:11