WHY?

My mom sent this to me a week or so ago. There is such a great message here for each of us. So often we don't understand why. But, God does know why and we can be assured there is a reason and it is for the best. We may never know "WHY?", but God does and He has it all in His mighty and powerful and loving hands.


Have a great weekend!
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We all wonder many many many times over WHY?

Sometimes we wonder, "What did I do to deserve this?" or "Why did God have to do this to me?" Here is a wonderful explanation! A daughter is telling her Mother how everything is going wrong, she's failing algebra, her boyfriend broke up with her and her best friend is moving away.

Meanwhile, her Mother is baking a cake and asks her daughter if she would like a snack, and the daughter says, "Absolutely Mom, I love your cake."

"Here, have some cooking oil," her Mother offers.
"Yuck" says her daughter..
"How about a couple raw eggs?" "Gross, Mom!"
"Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?"
"Mom, those are all yucky!"

To which the mother replies: "Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake!"

God works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful!

God is crazy about you. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart.

He Lifts Me Up!

This year in Vacation Bible School our kids learned this song by Audio Adrenaline. Can I just tell you that it is a wonderful thing to see a sanctuary of children singing "I get down and He lifts me up!" at the top of their voices?! An added blessing? My kids have continued to sing it at home since then!

This week I am so thankful that when I get down that HE lifts me up! And, I'm thankful that my kids are learning this wonderful truth at such a young age!



To join us in sharing our thanksgivings this week, visit Lynn at "Spiritually Unequal Marriage".

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake,
I am still with you.
Psalm 139:13-18


We live in a world that so often tells us that who we are is because of what we do, what we say or how we look. But, look at these words from the book of Psalm... what I read here is the exact opposite.

God formed us. He created our inmost being. God purposefully created us JUST THE WAY WE ARE. He loves us JUST THE WAY WE ARE. In fact, we are "fearfully and wonderfully made". It doesn't matter what we look like or what we do. Regardless of any of those things, we are wonderful in God's eyes.

God knew before He created us exactly what we would do and how we would look. He knew every single one of our days. And, yet, He still loves us.... JUST THE WAY WE ARE.

How about the next time we find ourselves finding fault with how we look or other similar things, that instead we remember that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made"? How about we remember that we are the person God created us to be? How about we remember that God loves us and it is only His desires to which we should attempt to aspire?

Looking Beyond the Surface

A few years ago my department at work went thru many changes. One of those changes was bringing on a number of consultants to work with us on a large project. They are all a great group of people to work with, but in the beginning there was one man in particular that really bothered me. In my dealings with him (which were few) he seemed to be condescending (both to me and our clients) and he could be rude and inconsiderate. I wondered more than once why he had even been hired... an hour on a conference call with him would make me want to pull my hair out!

However, just because I didn't care for him didn't mean that I didn't have to work with him. At times this proved difficult, but I hung in there.. finally reaching the point where I was determined to make it work even though I was convinced that he was the one with the problem (never once thinking that my perception might be "off").

Over time, I have found that what my intial opinion is actually not true at all. He is very knowledgeable about his job and how to get it done, he has a great sense of humor, and our clients really like him and respect him. Totally different than what I thought initially, huh?

You see, I failed to recognize several factors early on when I first began to work with him. The project we were working on was high stress with long hours and unreasonable deadlines. And, the time that I actually spent working with him amounted to maybe one conference call a week and a few emails here and there... hardly enough to really be able to determine what a person is really like, right? Plus, how many of us react in a negative manner during times of high stress and long work hours? Any one of these things could have make the best of persons react in a negative manner at times.

I was discussing this with my husband earlier this week and telling him how wrong I had been in my initial feelings. How I felt that I should have been alot more open to the situation from the beginning... maybe "giving him a break" due to the nature of the project at the time. Maybe being more open to the fact that management did make a good call when hiring him even if I couldn't figure out why.

As we talked I remembered something that our pastor had shared with us in church on Sunday. He has been preaching a series of sermons on the Apostle Paul. In looking at the life of Paul, he shared the following that was in a 'Dear Abby' column on December 19, 1981. It is a great reminder of how we so often only look at the surface, the labels, and not the person. It is a great reminder of how we should look at people more like God might.

DEAR ABBY: One of the toughest tasks a church faces is choosing a good minister. A member of an official board undergoing this painful process finally lost patience. He'd watched the Pastoral Relations Committee reject applicant after applicant for some fault, alleged or otherwise. It was time for a bit of soul-searching on the part of the committee. So he stood up and read a letter purporting to be from another applicant.


"Gentlemen: Understanding your pulpit is vacant, I should like to apply for the position. I have many qualifications... I've been a preacher with much success and also some success as a writer. Some say I'm a good organizer. I've been a leader most places I've been.

"I'm over 50 year of age. I have never preached in one place for more than three years. In some places I have left town after my work has caused riots and disturbances. I must admit I have been in jail three or four times, but not because of any real wrongdoing. My health is not too good, though I still get a great deal done. The churches I have preached in have been small, though located in several large cities. I've not got along well with religious leaders in towns where I have preached. In fact, some have threatened me and even attacked me physically. I am not too good at keeping records. I have been known to forget whom I have baptized.

"However, if you can use me, I shall do my best for you."


The board member looked over the committee. "Well, what do you think? Shall we call him?"

The good church folks were aghast. Call an unhealthy, trouble-making, absent-minded ex-jailbird? Was the board member crazy? Who signed that application? Who had such colossal nerve?

The board member eyed them all keenly before he answered. "It's signed, 'The Apostle Paul.'"

(AUTHOR UNKNOWN Submitted by the Rev C. W. Kirkpatrick, Ludlow, Mass.)

Thankful for the Seasons

"There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace."
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8


There are many seasons that we go through as part of our life on earth. Happy times, sad times, times of growing, times of need, a time as children, a time as parents, teachers, friends, and on and on.

There truly is a time for everything.. a time for all these seasons. And, if we choose to live our lives fully, following the Lord and seeking His will, we will find each and every season (yes, even the difficult ones) to be well worth the journey. For, even in times of difficulty, if we are looking to God we will grow and mature and move forward to times that are all the more joyful because we made it thru that difficult period.

Tonight, I am thankful for the many seasons of life that God has given to me and for the ones that lie ahead. With God leading the way, while they may not be all be easy, they will be well worth the journey.

To join us in sharing our thanksgivings this week, visit Lynn at "Spiritually Unequal Marriage".

Wherever We Go

Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.

If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,"
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
Psalm 139:7-12

Have you ever felt alone? Afraid? Hopeless? If so, reassurance can be found in this passage to the promise from God that we are never alone. God is never far, but always right alongside us each and every day.

That doesn't mean we will always feel close to God. However, when we feel like God isn't there, it's not because God has left our side. He doesn't turn away... it is us that turn away. It is us that makes it feel as if God is far away. It is our decision to no longer seek God, put something else in a place of greater importance, or just determine that God cannot or will not help us.

Regardless of any of that, God stays with us. He never leaves and he never gives up. No matter where we go or how far we may run... He is always with us. Even when we purposely run away from Him, He is still there. He patiently waits for us to turn to Him and allow Him to comfort us, to bring us peace, to shine His light in our life and make it whole.

He is ALWAYS with us WHEREVER WE GO.

God's Amazing Grace

Ever since I was a young child I have loved the hymn "Amazing Grace". If possible, I grew to love it and appreciate it more after this arrangement by Chris Tomlin was released several years ago. The message in this song is so powerful... there is so much to be found in the amazing grace we are given by God! His grace saves us, releases us from chains of this earth that ties us down, and truly sets us free.

The Gift of a New Day

Last week was “one of those” kind of weeks at our house. On Sunday Josh started running a fever. Monday night I came home feeling sick. On Tuesday, Josh seemed better so went back to school, but that evening after dinner began running a fever again. Later that night, Jeff came in from a meeting sick, Wednesday Josh and Jeff were both sick with me trailing close behind (well enough to help them, but still not up to par), Thursday was more of the same with Friday being a bit better as Josh was able to go back to school and I went on to work. Jeff finally made it back to the “land of the living” sometime Friday afternoon.

Abby was the only one in the family that remained healthy (lucky girl! And, YES, she was quite the trooper in dealing with all of us being sick!). As I’m sure many of you know, though, when the healthiest person in the house is just 5 yrs old, it can be a bit challenging! :)

I, unfortunately, do not fare well when I’ve had little sleep and it just gets worse when I am also sick. So, by the time Josh came down to our room about 2:00am Thursday morning needing some snuggle time ‘cause that ‘ole fever wasn’t letting him sleep much, my weary body was about done in. Of course, I didn’t let it stop me from jumping up (okay, maybe more like rolled out of bed SLOWLY) and snuggling up with him first on the sofa and then back in his own bed until he fell asleep.

However, once he had fallen back asleep and seemed more comfortable and then I discovered that I couldn’t get back to sleep, I started to feel myself giving in to the sick and weary feelings. I wasn’t sure I could get up the next morning and do it all over again…. get Abby moving and on to preschool (I figured she would have more fun if she kept with her normal routine instead of hanging out with all us sick people), take care of both Josh and Jeff, keep a few of the most important household type things going, and also try to rest myself.

Of course, being so tired and not feeling well, it felt so much worse than what it really was, but those were my feelings at that particular point in time.

Morning did come and I did get make it thru Thursday and on to Friday. And, by the end of the day on Friday, Jeff was feeling well enough to pitch in and help so I could get more rest. (On Saturday, he also took both kids on a scout camp trip so I could have the house to myself to rest and re-coup... pretty neat guy, isn't he? :) )

As I went about my day on Thursday it struck me how much better I felt than I had in the early morning hours. Yes, I was still tired and, yes, I was still not feeling well. However, gone were the feelings of “How can I keep on moving?” and “How can I take care of all of us on my own?”, etc.

It was alot like the days when both my kids were babies and I’d be up with them all night… nights feeling so very tired and knowing that I had to get up the next morning and keep going on regardless. The time after I had gotten them back into bed and they were sleeping was always the hardest. Many times I was unable to easily go back to sleep and I would lie in bed feeling so tired and knowing that life was just going to keep on moving… regardless of how tired I was, I had to find a way to get up the next morning, take care of those sweet little babies, plus the many others things that I do in the course of a day. No matter how awful it seemed in those early morning hours, it was always MUCH better once I got up and got moving the next morning with the sun shining and the world alive around me.




It reminds me of how God takes our lives and turns them from lives of darkness to a life that is filled with light. He takes our fears and our frustrations and turns them into incredible and joyful journeys. He takes our darknesses and turns them to light. Every new morning we experience is a true gift from God… the gift of another day with our loved ones, the gift of a new day with a new perspective, the gift of a new day to be lived for HIM.


God's faithfulness in on display every single day. Every new morning is a gift from God, and a sign of His eternal presence. Lamentations 3:22-23



How about you? Have you experienced similar situations where you found the dawn of a new day brought about a new attitude and/or perspective for you? Do you see how God works in your life to make the darkness become bright again?

He Knows Me

"O Lord, You have searched me and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O Lord.

You hem me in -- behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain."


As I read over these scriptures from Psalm I'm sitting in my very quiet house... no noise except for the sound of the rain outside my window. It's just me this afternoon... the kids are at school, Jeff is out working. I'm home for the day trying to give myself a little TLC as I think my sweet Josh shared a not so sweet virus with me over the weekend. :)

While I read these words from David I am particularly touched (along with a bit in awe) of the fact that God knows me so very well. Even as I sit in the quiet of my bedroom with no one else physically in this room with me, HE IS WITH ME. He is right here beside me, he knows the words I will type, the thoughts I will share. He knows my heart, my intent, my desires.

In some ways, it is a bit scarry. After all, I don't even know what I will do 15 minutes from now. And, the thought that I might know is a bit.. oh, I don't know... a bit like something from The Twilight Zone.

Oh, but let me very quickly say, God is not a part of The Twilight Zone... His ways are so far from anything like that. And, while many of this world may feel that the "concept" of God is a bit "Twilight Zone-ish"... we that call Him our Father know Him to be the exact opposite. We know a Heavenly Father that knows us so well that He knew -- before we were even created -- what we would look like, the things we would do, and who we would choose as friends. He knew the many good things that we would do and He knew the many bad things we would do. And, regardless of what He knew, He did not hesitate to give us life and He does not hesitate to love us exactly the way that we are. He does not hesitate to call us His own.

As I try to soak this in and understand the enormity of it all, I feel a bit like David must have felt as he wrote the words in verse 6 -- "Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain".

Reign In Us

Reign In Us
sung by Starfield

You thought of us before the world began to breathe
You knew our names before we came to be
You saw the very day we fall away from You
and how desperately we need to be redeemed

Lord Jesus
come lead us
we're desperate for Your touch

Oh great and mighty one
with one desire we come
that You would reign that You would reign in us
we're offering up our lives
a living sacrifice
that You would reign that You would reign in us

Spirit of the living God fall fresh again
come search our hearts and purify our lives
we need Your perfect love we need Your discipline
we're lost unless You guide us with Your light

Lord Jesus
come lead us
we're desperate for Your touch

Oh great and mighty one
with one desire we come
that You would reign that You would reign in us
we're offering up our lives
a living sacrifice
that You would reign that You would reign in us

we cry out for Your life to revive us cry out
for Your love to define us cry out
for Your mercy to keep us
blameless until You return

oh great and mighty one
with one desire we come
that You would reign that You would reign in us
we're offering up our lives
a living sacrifice
that You would reign that You would reign in us