Working Out

In January I was contacted by Abi Correale, a junior at Biola.  Abi is my niece Lisa's daughter.  Abi is in the nursing program at Biola.  One of her classes is regarding geriatrics and she has an assignment to interview a "senior adult".  She is to do 5 interviews.  As of this writing we have concluded 4 and we will finish in March.  Her assignment is due in April.

These interviews have been interesting and I told Abi she will know me better than my own sister knows me!  We discuss physical, mental and spiritual health.  As we discussed physical I told her about my decline in this area - especially in my muscle tone and ability to walk well.  Long story short as a result of this discussion, I contacted a friend who is a personal trainer with a very, very small gym.  In the first week of March 2018 I began a 2 x a week, one hour each session work out with him.  I am SO ENCOURAGED and EXCITED to see improvement.  I'm grateful to God for this.

Prayer from Facebook site

The words in this prayer came from a site I follow on Facebook. The words are partial because I left out the parts about a family attacked because of their faith. I LOVE the words of this prayer. It explodes with truth, faith in our Abba Father and speaks of our need for HIS mercy. Read it. Pray it...for the HIS global church:
"Abba Father, Lord of Hosts! We rejoice that you protect and cover with your mighty shield! Please drench with your loving kindness; bring merciful healing to all places of trauma in the church. Defeat the enemy at every turn. Explode the growth of your church as your saints continue living the gospel 'by faith!' In the Name and for the Glory of Jesus Christ, amen."
"When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him." Isaiah 59:19

PAIN

"The Problem of Pain" by C.S. Lewis. "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts in our pains; it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world."

A Finished Work

From August, 2016

"A Christian trusts a finished work". I read that in a devotional book today and the words seemed to jump off the page. A finished work. And Jesus said (from the cross) "It is finished". Is this the finished work I am trusting? Yes and No. Strange that I would read that sentence just one day after a VERY bad day. In some ways, pain is my enemy. Yesterday it raised its ugly head. Kyla and I were building something together and it was quite a project. We were finishing it on the floor when she looked at me and said, "This is a really good day". Then she smiled and continued her work. It was shortly after those sweet words when pain in my lower back screamed at me. Gingerly I stood and told Kyla I had to stop. "Mimi's back is hurting". How well can a 5 year old understand that? Try as I could, I couldn't get the pain to let up --- Tylenol, ice, lying down --- nothing helped. I needed to move slowly through the house. But what we built was blocking my movement so I showed her how to easily separate the pieces so I could walk. She said no. So I did it for her. With my foot. I kicked and the beautiful structure fell into smaller pieces. To emphasize my anger and frustration I yelled at her. Oh how quickly a sweet relationship can crumble. Pain or not, I scolded myself, internally and tried to repair the structure. "Do you want to help me, Kyla?" "NO!" she said with tears, "You hurt my feelings."

Do I trust the finished work of Jesus on the cross. Yes. I believe He died for me because of days like yesterday. But also No. I don't trust Him to guide me to a safer place when I am standing on the edge of the cliff of anger. Because I have had experience with this cliff in different circumstances I have learned to hear His words of warning and words of wisdom of "Come to Me and I will help you with this." I heard those words of warning on and off yesterday. In those instances, pain was my friend...part of the warning. But I chose to not heed His gentle calling me back. Anger and stubbornness hang out together. Yesterday, they won.
Today is a better day...less pain. But, best of all, I went to that place of forgiveness. At the cross, I experienced once again His gentle grace. Now, for the hard part...to restore the broken relationship with my precious Kyla. Charlie said, "Gini, she will forgive you. It will just take time." I began mending the bridge of forgiveness for her today. I rebuilt, as best I could the structure. Hopefully tomorrow she will build again and I look forward to those sweet words, "This is a good day, Mimi."

America The Beautiful

This is a LONG email I sent out several years ago.  Since then, Dr. Carson ran for public office and was considered for presidency of our great land.  Since then, God has ordained (in my opinion) Donald Trump to be our president.  Since then, in different ways, America seems to be regaining her beauty.  In other ways, we still need to hang our heads in shame before God.  But, my love of this amazing country hasn't changed.  Since those over 50 years ago days of my high school Civics class  I continue to debate and struggle in sharing.  So when I read this again, I felt it appropriate to put on my worship blog.  God and Country will ALWAYS be a unified issue for me.

 

Dear Friends and Family

My favorite class in high school was my senior Civics class.  It was my favorite for two reasons: the subject fascinated me and the teacher I had was excellent.  The study of American government at that young age was probably fascinating because of his teaching skills.  By far I was not the smartest senior that year but this teacher sought me out after class one day to tell me something very special.  On that particular day in class, he did a "this is how I would set up our government" on the chalkboard.  The idea he wrote spread across the entire board and his presentation took the whole class hour.  When he finished I raised my hand and said "that won't work" and gave the reason why.  For several weeks we had been discussing and studying the balance of power (checks and balances) of the three branches of government.  He wanted to challenge this with his idea.  So, I challenged him right back.  I'll never forget his response.  He put the chalk down, wiped the chalk dust from his hands and said, "she's right".  In the library, after the school day ended, he found me and said, "you were the only one in all my classes who challenged me - great job!"

If Dr. Ben Carson, author of America The Beautiful, had been a high school teacher and not a pediatric neurosurgeon at Johns Hopkins, he undoubtedly could have inspired students as my civic teacher did that year, long ago.  In the second chapter of his book, Dr. Carson explains the brilliant idea of "checks and balances of our three branch government".  But he doesn't challenge this idea.  He affirms it.  Dr. Carson has been the key note speaker at the Washington Prayer Breakfast several times.  And, who was in the audience?  The President.  The Vice President.  Members of congress. Just to name a few.

From his book, America The Beautiful, here is a bit about Dr. Carson's growing up years.   In the chapter - Capitalism: Its Pros and Cons, he wrote: "The neighborhood housing projects I walked through when I began attending school in Boston were in even worse shape than ours.  Some of the houses were abandoned, some were burned, and others were literally falling down altogether.  But worse than the structural decay was the angry, aggressive attitude spawned by the conditions of poverty around us...My brother, Curtis and I were frequently bullied and with Dad gone, Mom had to work multiple jobs just to provide.  She never failed to put food on the table, however, and believed fervently that God would keep us going."  Is this the same Ben Carson who later spoke at several Washington Prayer Breakfast meetings?  Is this the same Ben Carson who was flunking 5th grade until his Mom inquired of God about what she should do?  Is this the same Ben Carson who became Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions.  Yes.  But how?  Good question.

So, why am I sending this email to everyone in my email address book?   I'm writing you to recommend his book America The Beautiful because I love my country and I love our freedoms.  I know you do, too.  Politics, among other subjects is hard for me to talk to others about.  I get a brain freeze.  I get tongue tied.  Although I know what I believe, I just can't seem to verbalize it.  So, when I heard about Dr. Ben Carson's book America The Beautiful, I bought it.   After reading it, I thought, "Finally, a means to share my views with others."  On some future date, I will not ask you what you think about Dr. Carson's views. I'm not looking to debate our differences or agreeing points.  Probably what I appreciate most about Dr. Carson is the fact he doesn't bash others who oppose his views.  And, in his sharing, he points out the "good and bad ideas, attitudes, methods, etc" on both sides.  Again and again he talks about using logic and common sense to resolve our national problems.

So, read his book --- then do what you will with Dr. Ben Carson's view of America the beautiful.  
                            Blessings of God's grace, mercy and peace to you and yours.  Gini

Recalling A Fleeting African Experience

On a safari experience I had with Charlie and a small group, our vehicle got stuck in a mud rut. We all had to get out and there I stood in a steamy open area of the Mara. It was like a dream. The smell of animal dung was heavy in the air as were the flies and their buzzing. I could feel the low grass tickle my exposed legs. My eyes kept darting back and forth as any movement near or far caused goose bumps to surface on my arms and neck. No lions. No hyenas. No threats before we continued our journey. But I will forever remember those few minutes in God's amazing creation. 

Never Count God Out

Holy Week - RESURRECTION SUNDAY
 
HE IS RISEN...HE IS RISEN INDEED!
A thought from Philip Yancey...Those disciples who lived through Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday knew God in a new way.

When God seemed most absent He was closest of all; when He seemed most powerless He was most powerful; when God seemed most dead, He was most alive. NEVER COUNT GOD OUT OF YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES.