A couple of weeks ago my younger daughter and I loaded up 6 crates of books for the area wide homeschool used curriculum sale. Fall begins our last year of homeschooling so we cleaned out much of our homeschool storage corner in the basement.
We didn't price anything higher then $30.00 and even gave away several things. Still we made $300.00. It's neat to see someone excited about finding an item they are searching for on your table.
It makes letting go of this part of our lives a little easier. I know much of our curriculum is going to good homes and will continue to be used. One lady was so excited I had a sign language book and a box of flash cards. Her family is adopting a little girl from China who is hard of hearing.
Another lady has a daughter who is house-bound with an anti-immune disorder. Her daughter is only 10 years old and loves to read. We send her home with an arm load of books that should keep her daughter busy for months.
It’s neat when God opens unexpected doors through which we can bless others.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
"Desert Island Days"
God is Good . . . even when we don't "feel" His goodness at the moment.
Today I'm having one of my "desert island" days. Those are the days I don't want to be near anyone and would be happier on a desert island for a few hours while the hormones or whatever is going on with me settles down.
Friends tell me this is normal for women my age so I try not to let it get me too discouraged. This evening the last thing I wanted to do was be around other people, but I made myself go to church anyway. And, I'm glad I did.
I'm so thankful our standing with God is not determined by how we "feel" at a given moment, but on God's
Today I'm having one of my "desert island" days. Those are the days I don't want to be near anyone and would be happier on a desert island for a few hours while the hormones or whatever is going on with me settles down.
Friends tell me this is normal for women my age so I try not to let it get me too discouraged. This evening the last thing I wanted to do was be around other people, but I made myself go to church anyway. And, I'm glad I did.
I'm so thankful our standing with God is not determined by how we "feel" at a given moment, but on God's
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Fear . . . Worry . . . Anxiety
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You Because he trusts in You.(Isaiah 26:3, NKJV)
It doesn’t matter what name we give the emotion that ties our gut up in knots. The effects are the same. This crippling emotion is the opposite of trusting God. It robs us of the peace God desires to reign in our hearts. Lack of joy and lack of thankfulness follow close behind.
Jerry Bridges in his book Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate writes,
Anxiety is “in effect, believing that God does not care for me and that He will not take care of me in the particular circumstance that triggers my anxiety of the moment.”
“Anxiety is a sin . . . because it is a lack of acceptance of God’s providence in our lives.”
Ouch!
He goes on to define God’s providence “as God’s orchestrating all circumstances on events in his His universe for His glory and the good of His people.”
The last few days the circumstances that tested my faith was waiting for the results of a biopsy, and I didn’t do so well.
Last night was the worst. I read a few more chapters of my book and finished another quilt square while the rest of the family was sound asleep. The rising stomach acid wouldn’t let me join them. The author’s plot speed closer to a finish, and my quilt top moved closer to completion, but by 5 a.m. I was exhausted.
God didn’t give me the results of the feared outcome until I handed my sinful doubts over to Him. In the wee hours of the morning I finally confessed my inability to conquer the battle of worry storming in my heart to God. In His mercy a few hours later, and a couple of days earlier then expected, the doctor’s office called with the results.
“Mrs. Dickhoner, your biopsy came back normal.”
Relief along with regret I wasted all that energy worrying flood my emotions as I write. I still have surgery facing me in a few weeks, but it will be less involved than feared.
“Lord, I long to trust You with whole heart, yet I continue to fight for control. Teach me to rest in Your goodness regardless the circumstances You bring into my life.”
It doesn’t matter what name we give the emotion that ties our gut up in knots. The effects are the same. This crippling emotion is the opposite of trusting God. It robs us of the peace God desires to reign in our hearts. Lack of joy and lack of thankfulness follow close behind.
Jerry Bridges in his book Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate writes,
Anxiety is “in effect, believing that God does not care for me and that He will not take care of me in the particular circumstance that triggers my anxiety of the moment.”
“Anxiety is a sin . . . because it is a lack of acceptance of God’s providence in our lives.”
Ouch!
He goes on to define God’s providence “as God’s orchestrating all circumstances on events in his His universe for His glory and the good of His people.”
The last few days the circumstances that tested my faith was waiting for the results of a biopsy, and I didn’t do so well.
Last night was the worst. I read a few more chapters of my book and finished another quilt square while the rest of the family was sound asleep. The rising stomach acid wouldn’t let me join them. The author’s plot speed closer to a finish, and my quilt top moved closer to completion, but by 5 a.m. I was exhausted.
God didn’t give me the results of the feared outcome until I handed my sinful doubts over to Him. In the wee hours of the morning I finally confessed my inability to conquer the battle of worry storming in my heart to God. In His mercy a few hours later, and a couple of days earlier then expected, the doctor’s office called with the results.
“Mrs. Dickhoner, your biopsy came back normal.”
Relief along with regret I wasted all that energy worrying flood my emotions as I write. I still have surgery facing me in a few weeks, but it will be less involved than feared.
“Lord, I long to trust You with whole heart, yet I continue to fight for control. Teach me to rest in Your goodness regardless the circumstances You bring into my life.”
Sunday, May 24, 2009
"Mountain Breezes"
Recently a friend and I exchanged books. I loaned him my biography of Amy Carmichael and he loaned me a bound collection of Amy Carmichael's poetry. I loved it so much I ordered my own copy.
Amy Carmichael (1867-1951) lived a life of dedicated service. She opened an orphanage in India where she served without a furlough for more then fifty years. Her poetry flows from a keen mind and an unwavering devotion to God.
The title of the collection is “Mountain Breezes: The Collected Poems of Amy Carmichael”. Amazon.com carries it.
If you enjoy poetry, I encouraged you to get a copy and read for yourself. The collection contains hundreds of poems divided into seven different subject areas: worship, petition, surrender, ministry, wartime, encouragement, and youthful thoughts. It is hard to share only one favorite so I’ll share the one that encouraged me this weekend.
Love Traveling (by Amy Carmichael)
Love, traveling in the greatness of His strength,
Found me alone,
Wearied a little by the journey’s length,
Though I had known,
All the long way, many a kindly air,
And flowers had blossomed for me everywhere.
And yet Love found me fearful, and He stayed;
Love stayed by me.
“Let not thy heart be troubled or dismayed,
My child,” said He.
Slipped from me then all troubles, all alarms;
For Love had gathered me into His arms.
Amy Carmichael (1867-1951) lived a life of dedicated service. She opened an orphanage in India where she served without a furlough for more then fifty years. Her poetry flows from a keen mind and an unwavering devotion to God.
The title of the collection is “Mountain Breezes: The Collected Poems of Amy Carmichael”. Amazon.com carries it.
If you enjoy poetry, I encouraged you to get a copy and read for yourself. The collection contains hundreds of poems divided into seven different subject areas: worship, petition, surrender, ministry, wartime, encouragement, and youthful thoughts. It is hard to share only one favorite so I’ll share the one that encouraged me this weekend.
Love Traveling (by Amy Carmichael)
Love, traveling in the greatness of His strength,
Found me alone,
Wearied a little by the journey’s length,
Though I had known,
All the long way, many a kindly air,
And flowers had blossomed for me everywhere.
And yet Love found me fearful, and He stayed;
Love stayed by me.
“Let not thy heart be troubled or dismayed,
My child,” said He.
Slipped from me then all troubles, all alarms;
For Love had gathered me into His arms.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Memorial Day
Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day. It was first established to honor Union soldiers who had died during the American Civil War (1861-1865).
As a small girl, I remember going to Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, on Memorial Day. Decoration Day was personal to our family, because Mama’s oldest brother died in Okinawa (April 1945). He was one of more then 72,000 Americans who lost their lives taking the Island of Okinawa near the close of WWII.
We would watch as Grandma McClintock put flowers one Uncle Wayne’s grave then gather around the flag pole as an honor guard fired the 21 gun salute in honor of all the soldiers buried at Fort Leavenworth and a brass band played Taps.
This year Memorial Day has a different face. For the first time a couple of weeks ago I heard an 87 year old veteran opening up for the first time about the death he witnessed all around him serving in the South Pacific during that same war.
Many of our WWII veterans are just starting to talk. How long have they suffered under the shadows of their memories in silence? The served out of honor and duty giving the best years of their young adult lives to defend this Nation. Now as these veterans are coming to the end of their lives the memories are beginning to trickle out.
It is our duty as the next generation to listen.
As a small girl, I remember going to Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, on Memorial Day. Decoration Day was personal to our family, because Mama’s oldest brother died in Okinawa (April 1945). He was one of more then 72,000 Americans who lost their lives taking the Island of Okinawa near the close of WWII.
We would watch as Grandma McClintock put flowers one Uncle Wayne’s grave then gather around the flag pole as an honor guard fired the 21 gun salute in honor of all the soldiers buried at Fort Leavenworth and a brass band played Taps.
This year Memorial Day has a different face. For the first time a couple of weeks ago I heard an 87 year old veteran opening up for the first time about the death he witnessed all around him serving in the South Pacific during that same war.
Many of our WWII veterans are just starting to talk. How long have they suffered under the shadows of their memories in silence? The served out of honor and duty giving the best years of their young adult lives to defend this Nation. Now as these veterans are coming to the end of their lives the memories are beginning to trickle out.
It is our duty as the next generation to listen.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
A Heart for Our Audience
“For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers” (Romans 1:9, NKJV).
Paul doesn’t bar any punches in Romans; but, he doesn’t put himself on a plane above his readers either. Instead, Paul comes along side them in a real and personal way. He prays continually for the individuals to whom he is writing. He seeks to address their individual needs.
Is there a lesson here for us as writers?
I think there is. We cannot claim divine inspiration, but God knew what He was doing when He directed Paul’s pen. The Book of Romans is full of hard words and steadfast promises seasoned with the heart of an author who cared deeply about the people he was writing to.
Do we think about our audience when we are writing? Do we pray for people we may never meet who read what we write? I have to admit there are times I get more involved with getting my thoughts posted then with the people who may read them.
Paul doesn’t bar any punches in Romans; but, he doesn’t put himself on a plane above his readers either. Instead, Paul comes along side them in a real and personal way. He prays continually for the individuals to whom he is writing. He seeks to address their individual needs.
Is there a lesson here for us as writers?
I think there is. We cannot claim divine inspiration, but God knew what He was doing when He directed Paul’s pen. The Book of Romans is full of hard words and steadfast promises seasoned with the heart of an author who cared deeply about the people he was writing to.
Do we think about our audience when we are writing? Do we pray for people we may never meet who read what we write? I have to admit there are times I get more involved with getting my thoughts posted then with the people who may read them.
Gentle Showers and Torrential Downpours
Trials and testing come in all sizes. I’m surprised though how it is easier to turn to God for strength in a torrential downpour then a gentle shower.
Something about gentle showers deceive us into thinking we can handle the situation on our own. Satan misleads us into thinking God is too busy to be bothered with such trifles.
But, let a torrential downpour over take us. The magnitude of the situation is more likely to bring us to the throne of grace for God’s help.
For that reason, gentle showers are often more dangerous then downpours.
When Mama was diagnosed with terminal cancer I knew the situation was too big for an eighteen year old to handle alone. I fled to my Heavenly Father for comfort. The same was true when our younger daughter was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis when she was only six days old. My arms were too weak to carry such a load, and I knew it.
But, what about the gentle showers of daily life? Those are the times when I try to pull myself up by the boot straps and bear the load in my own strength. The hot water tank needs replaced the week after a daughter needs new glasses. I have medical tests and minor surgery scheduled the following week. This is a gentle shower, but I’m getting wet!
Finally, I admit I need my Heavenly Father to come along side me and take the mounting load. Spring flowers grow best under the steady soaking of a gentle shower. The same is often true of our faith.
“Lord, Help us turn to You when the rain drops first start to fall.”
Something about gentle showers deceive us into thinking we can handle the situation on our own. Satan misleads us into thinking God is too busy to be bothered with such trifles.
But, let a torrential downpour over take us. The magnitude of the situation is more likely to bring us to the throne of grace for God’s help.
For that reason, gentle showers are often more dangerous then downpours.
When Mama was diagnosed with terminal cancer I knew the situation was too big for an eighteen year old to handle alone. I fled to my Heavenly Father for comfort. The same was true when our younger daughter was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis when she was only six days old. My arms were too weak to carry such a load, and I knew it.
But, what about the gentle showers of daily life? Those are the times when I try to pull myself up by the boot straps and bear the load in my own strength. The hot water tank needs replaced the week after a daughter needs new glasses. I have medical tests and minor surgery scheduled the following week. This is a gentle shower, but I’m getting wet!
Finally, I admit I need my Heavenly Father to come along side me and take the mounting load. Spring flowers grow best under the steady soaking of a gentle shower. The same is often true of our faith.
“Lord, Help us turn to You when the rain drops first start to fall.”
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