Prayer by Gary Chapman

A MAN (CHILD) AFTER GOD'S OWN HEART

O God, Father in heaven and earth
I call to You like deep calls to deep over water
Show me Your endless measure of grace
Let tender mercies shine once again from Your holy face

Deep in my soul there's a craving
to please the One who has saved me
O God, though I have fallen so far 
You know I'm still a man (child) after Your own heart

I am driven by rivers of pride
You are my rescue the Maker and Keeper of my life
Lead me by the still waters again
Use me in spite of the prodigal child that You know I am

Just as a deer runs to water so does my soul to you, Father
O God, though I have wandered so far
You know that I'm still a man (child) after Your own heart...
I'm still a man (child) after Your own heart.

AGE

As I get close to 70, I have decided I need to change my negative attitude about aging.  So, as I sat with Landon and Kyla I announced "I'm not old!  I won't be old until I am 100!"  In response, Landon said "Mimi, when you are 100, you will be dead."  Then, Kyla walked up close, with serious intent, as if on a mission.  She placed her hand on my neck and moved it around.  Then, she stepped back and looked directly into my eyes and said, "Mimi... you're OLD!"

Happy Independance Day America

            HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free." Galations 5:1a

Glorious Wedding Day

GRATITUDE TO YOU ABBA FATHER FOR AN INCREDIBLY BEAUTIFUL WEDDING DAY FOR LOREN AND RYAN

Worship In The Day

"Open your hands and your heart to receive this day as a precious gift from Me. I begin each day with a sunrise, announcing My radiant Presence. By the time you rise from your bed, I have already prepared the way before you.I eagerly await your first conscious thought. I rejoice when you glance My way.
Bring Me the gift of thanksgiving, which opens your heart to rich communion with Me. Because I am God, from whom all blessings flow, thankfulness is the best way to draw near Me. Sing praise songs to Me; tell of My wondrous works. Remember that I take great delight in you; I rejoice over you with singing."
- Jesus Calling, June 25 (Zephaniah 3:17)

Happy Father's Day

Celebrating Charlie's #70

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My letter to Brooks about their son...

I have the little note Anna sent not long ago...and with the picture of the two of you in Latvia, I pray over you and your son.  I am so delighted for you.  Boys are so incredible!   Sooooooooo on the subject of names:  Yes, no doubt it would be hard to have a name that fits both languages!   I remember 39 years ago when we chose Brian's name there was no particular reason for our choice, except that we really liked the name Brian.  It was rather amusing.  As we waited for him, we kept hearing this name...seems it was a favorite that year for boys.  Brian means virtuous.  Interesting how the name today actually fits who he is.

Anna, I'm praying for your pregnancy...delivery...and health of your wee one.  Oh, what an adventure that awaits you two as parents.  Isn't it, indeed, an awesome thought to consider God choosing you to raise him.  Keep that in mind and never let it leave you.  You will be his advocate.  You will be his comforter.  You will be his example.  You will be his encourager.  You will dry many tears.  You will shed many tears.  You will hug.  You will cuddle. And, best of all, you will have the joy and pleasure of telling him about his heavenly Father and loving Savior.  Bless you as you consider all that lies ahead in this journey.  Can't wait to see pictures of him.  Love and hugs.  Charlie and Gini

The Bolt

                                                                  THE BOLT

Charlie is a gifted mechanic.  He has understood car engines since his youth.  During our life together, he has often repaired our cars, without the help of other mechanics.  But, he is wise and well as gifted.  He knows when the repair job requires the expertise of others.

He recently got new tires for his car.  An important aspect of this is having the car aligned and this required a mechanic.  Before taking the car in, Charlie jacked it up to do a bit of work himself.  In this effort, he dropped a bolt.  He looked.  He felt around.  He searched on the ground.  The bolt was not to be found.  And the longer he searched, the more frustrated he became.  Charlie came in the house for a bit of a break and told me what happened and expressed that without finding the bolt, he wouldn’t be able to take the car in for repair.  I made the mistake of offering a suggestion.  The tone of his voice was not pleasant and I felt frustrated and angry.

After a bit of time he said he was going to return to the garage and continue his search.  But, before he did, he asked that I would pray for his search.  Alone and silently I prayed: “God, you know where that bolt is.  You know how frustrated Charlie is.  Please allow him to find it without searching.  As he finds it quickly, let it be that we know You directed him right to it.”  Within only a couple of minutes he came in with a big smile.  He went under the car and reaching both hands directly above him.  His right hand moved a bit and didn’t feel it.  Then, without moving his body, his left hand felt the area he had placed it.  And THERE WAS THE BOLT!  When he told me I ran to his arms and shared HOW CLOSE I FELT GOD AT THAT MOMENT.  God was showing us that even in this “small circumstance of life”, HE saw and heard us.  He granted HIS favor to encourage us.  THANK YOU ABBA FATHER!

It is what it is...

There is a phrase often used today: “It is what it is.”   This is a favorite of mine.  I don’t see any IF, AND or BUT connected with this thought.  It, whatever that may be…is what it is.    It challenges me to see the reality of the “it”.   Like “it” or not, I must deal with the reality.  I can’t deny it.  I can’t run from it.  I can’t change it.  I believe the Bible is the God-breathed Word of our heavenly Father, creator and lover of my soul.  It doesn’t hold truth.  It IS truth.  “It is what it is”.  Actually, this brings me GREAT comfort.

I recently saw a powerfully gifted teacher of the Bible (Kay Arthur) do an illustration regarding God’s Word.  She held her Bible against the side of her head to show the importance of having His Word in our brain.  She then held the Bible against her heart to again illustrate the importance of having His Word in our heart.  Someday I may be challenged to reject the “It is what it is” or die.  Am I ready?  How can I be ready? Tough questions.  Maybe it would be easier to say, “Hey, I’m too busy with my life.  I want to choose what is and what isn’t and not have someone else tell me.”  And, then, time ends.  And, “it is what it is” still remains.

Oh, What It Could Have Been...

I've often thought about how wonderful America's years COULD have been with the Obamas in the White House.  What a disappointment.  Barack and Michele had the opportunity to unite our country as never before and bring pride to our black communities.  This picture really is beautiful but such a heart break.  Our nation is now living with the name Icabod: The Glory Has Departed.  God is removed from much of our public life and sin abounds.  God, please touch the hearts of this family.  Draw them to you...It isn't too late.   June 5, 2015 Facebook posted picture from one of my Facebook contacts.

What Do I Feed?

God's Paint Brush...

Taking a wee bit of time to watch the changes brought to the foliage in back yard as the sun rose and the light came on the trees. I was seeing more than a flat green - there was green which was almost white and green that was almost black and all the in between shades. Then the sunlight on the tree trunk was amazing to watch as one side was patched in spots on light and brown with the other side where the sun light didn't touch was like a strip of brown from top to bottom. Sun light brings depth to the colors it touches...then as I watched the changes, a cloud would cover the sun and the dance of colors stood still. AMAZING. A nice scene to carry in my memory during my busy day ahead. Thank you God for Your wonders in nature.

How HE Sees It All...

Dancing In Gratitude

Remembering on Memorial Day

Simple Gratitude

Be Here Now...My little Puzzle Piece

I like to envision the whole world as a jigsaw puzzle. If you look at the whole picture, it is overwhelming and terrifying. But if you work on your little part of the jigsaw and know that people all over the world are working on their little bits, that's what will give you hope."
- Jane Goodall    (I sort of agree with this - BUT my hope is in JESUS, not the puzzle pieces and people of the world --- Gini)

Psalm 57:11

Amazing Love...

Greater is HE...

The Battle for Religious Liberty

American Center for Law and Justice

Law Practice

1,643,286 people like this.

ALWAYS in the season of Easter...

First BIG rain in a LONG time

Essential Time

"Spending time alone with Me is essential for your well-being. It is not a luxury or an option; it is essential. Come near to Me and I will come near to you."
- Jesus Calling, May 15

I Peter 5: 8-11

Randi McNiel said: "With all that's going on in the world right now, it puts my own personal challenges into perspective. My devotion this morning hit me between the eyes:"
"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power forever and ever. Amen."
- 1 Peter 5:8-11

R and R

"Many of my precious children have fallen prey to burnout. You are among these weary ones, who are like wounded soldiers needing R&R. Take time to rest in the Love-Light of my Presence. I will gradually restore you to the energy that you have lost over the years. Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and you will find rest for your souls."
- Jesus Calling, May 12 (Matthew 11:28-29)

Fidelity Faith

From Yancey's book Disappointment With God
Chapter 26:
"Psalm 23 models childlike faith; Psalm 22 models fidelity, a deeper, more mysterious kind of faith.  Life with God may include both.  We may experience times of unusual closeness, when every prayer is answered in an obvious way and God seems intimate and caring.  And we may also experience "fog times," when God stays silent, when nothing works according to formula and all the Bible's promises seem glaringly false.  Fidelity involved learning to trust that, out beyond the perimeter of fog, God still reigns and has not abandoned us, no matter how it may appear."

Moment by Moment...

YOU ARE MY STRENGTH IN WEAKNESS, 
BUT I HAVE TO CALL ON YOUR STRENGTH AND THEN I HAVE TO ACCEPT IT...
TRULY A MOMENT BY MOMENT EXISTENCE

Forever Friends

Disappointed With God?

Reading (again) Philip Yancey's book "Disappointment With God" has blessed and fed the longings of my soul.  I remember my first read reaction - "finally a book that deals with issues of disappointment with God - and those questions: Is God unfair? Is God silent? Is God hidden?

For me, these issues seemed SO personal and relevant only to the here and now...they mattered only in regards to me and my world.  I never considered His feelings.  God is too "God" to consider what HE may have felt or feels.  But as Yancey has led me to consider those feelings, those three questions lost their accusatory base. 

Yancey began his book with the disappointment of other people, giving me that "YES!" attitude...sorta like saying "Sic 'um" to a dog.  But, then, as late as chapter 5 Yancey shared about his two week, totally-isolated-straight-through reading of the Bible.  As he shared his findings, I found myself pausing on nearly every page as I was led to consider my God in a whole new light - how patient, how full of love, how shy to use HIS powers, how hurt, how full of regret, how full of emotions I never considered when I thought about HIM.  Issues I am considering are, once again, affecting my prayer life.

About Faith

Lesson from Yancey's book "Disappointment With God"

                        FAITH is what pleases God

Good devotional thought...

"Trust Me, and don't be afraid. Many things feel out of control. Your routines are not running smoothly. You tend to feel more secure when your life is predictable. Let me lead you to the rock that is higher than you and your circumstances. Take refuge in the shelter of My wings, where you are absolutely secure.
When you are shaken out of your comfortable routines, grip My hand tightly and look for growth opportunities. Instead of bemoaning the loss of your comfort, accept the challenge of something new. I lead you on from glory to glory, making you fit for My kingdom. Say yes to the ways I work in your life. Trust Me, and don't be afraid."
- Jesus Calling, April 15

II Corinthians 10:5

"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God AND WE TAKE CAPTIVE  EVERY THOUGHT TO MAKE IT OBEDIENT TO CHRIST."

A Prayer...

The God Who Sees Us...

Thank you God, for your amazing timing in our lives and the lives of friends.

When they heard Charlie's conversation with Per Larsen, two medical people commented on their interest in Jeff Hubali's Endurance House business.

Angel pitcher Hector Santiago gave Landon his medal for the Fun Run at Angel Stadium and was very gracious about having his picture taken with Landon.

To me, these are not coincidences but God's timing of showing HIS watchful care over our lives.

Prayer For America

Sweet Gifts of Love

Kyla gave me a little rock at church on Easter Sunday.  I will treasure it.
It now sits on my desk in a special spot to remind me of that moment.

Grace For All (Me Too!)

Easter Monday

As I have thought about the glorious celebration of Resurrection Sunday and Pastor Doug's challenge to move from the dark side of Easter and live on the light side of Easter, I am CHALLENGED because of the stress of Easter Monday, just 24 hours later.  Reminds me of eating something that tastes SO good and then having intestinal issues a few hours later, and being robbed of the great taste and pleasure of that food.

In mid afternoon Monday we received a phone call that a dear friend of Charlie's was taken to the hospital in an ambulance.  Charlie went to the hospital and then arrived home at 2 am, 11 hours later.  He never left his friend's side (name intentionally omitted).  Now Charlie is back there to encourage and comfort his friend as we wait for tests in this life threatening time.

Possibly this quick downward spiral into life's issues would cause those who don't trust or believe in Jesus to have that bitter after taste like the meal lost I mentioned above.  "Why believe?  Now, where is your Jesus?  The joy didn't last long, did it? Why bother, nothing changed"  But for me, if I didn't have the joy and promises of Resurrection Sunday to carry in my heart through these downward spirals, I would NEVER taste Easter again!  When I accepted Jesus into my life, He didn't say, "ok, Gini, now ALL of life is going to be great!"  But He did promise to be with me ALWAYS, to the end - through the stresses and sorrows, through the fun times with family.  LET ME NEVER FORGET HIS FAITHFUL PROMISE.

Living on the Light Side of Easter...

                                                       MY STORY

When my dad heard my mom was pregnant with me in the mid 1940’s he said, “I could have done without that”… not easy news for a man with an 8^th grade education, barely making ends meet with three children, one of which had severe physical disabilities.  I grew up knowing Dad loved Jesus -  Yet, his hot temper and deeply felt emotions were the traits I took as my own.  I remember him telling me as a young adult, “You need to give the Holy Spirit your temper”.

I grew up totally saturated in church.  At an early age I wanted Jesus in my heart but I grew up with doubts about HIS love for me.  How could Jesus love this strong willed, explosive, insecure being?  It wasn’t until the early years of my married life with Charlie I settled those doubts.  Then I knew I belonged to HIM. But my rebelliousness kept me wandering.  I had settled the eternal destination of heaven or hell, but I hadn’t given Jesus that rebelliousness of “I want to live my way”.

 The Book of Psalms in the Bible speak to me – particularly these words “Know HE is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and great in loving kindness, hearing my cries and keeping me.”  God cares about my day to day existence.  So, He took the initiative.  THE PIVITAL POINT , I call my MY AWAKENING was in 1999 – I had a growth in my brain.  I believe  “GOD TOUCHED MY BRAIN AND SAID – I WANT YOUR ATTENTION.”  I survived this growth but I was left with movement issues and a slight double vision…I accept this as a reminder of HIS touch.  Now, the longings of the Psalms fill my heart. The rebellious issues are still there but more words from the Psalms  help keep me centered.   “Be gracious to ME O God, according to YOUR loving kindness, according to the greatness of YOUR compassions, blot out my transgressions.”         

Again and again HIS timing in my life has been impeccable…I am so glad HE took the initiative because in 2005 our son Brian married Kelsi and in 2008 and 2011 our two grand children, Landon and Kyla were born.  What I would be missing if I continued my wanderings!