Twisted Lives

I was just reading about a builder who uses junk and other people's castoffs to build houses in Texas for the poor. The story tells of broken glass, twisted wood and even bones that he has artfully arranged to build lovely housing. All of this he has done because he cares for the poor. Not thinking of himself he has invested his life to make something out of nothing. I am so glad God did this for me. He made something out of nothing. He took my castoffs and my junk, used them to make something that "surprise!" pleases Him. We are His temple, a living example of "God making all things new." I see so many people who think they are castoffs, rejected and worthless. It is so comforting to know that our God is a God who specializes in restoring broken and twisted lives... "Behold, I Make All Things New" (Rev. 21:5).

I know it has been several days since I have written. It seems like my days blend into each other and then all of a sudden I have lost a whole week. Oh dear...I don't like losing things.

Looking at my cat the other day made me think about what a cushy life he has. He doesn't have to worry about comfort. My whole house is at his disposal. When I am not looking he takes advantage of places he shouldn't be and with no cares in the world, he spends his life sleeping and chasing imaginary friends. He sits by the door and looks at the world outside but he never seems to want to leave the house. He must know how good he has it. What a life, no worries or cares. I would hold him more and give him a lot more attention but he doesn't want it. He is a little snooty and aloof and yet he does get lonely and seems to indicate to me that he likes me to be around but just not too close. I think that may cat and I are a lot like my relationship with God. He meets my needs and I have access to His presence whenever I want. I like having God around but not too close. I have no desire to leave Him but I can't help but see the world as it passes by my front door every day. It makes me realize how nice it is to be inside of God’s house and not outside. I too have a cushy life. God has given me enough to eat and plenty of love and protection. Sometimes I too forget how good I have it.

Update

I was pondering my busy life and realized that I have entered a whirlwind season. Often people ask me, "So what are you doing now?" Well.... let me tell you.

We just returned from New Hampshire and also Virginia. Yes I know they are not really connected however we did connect them in an asphalt kind of way....driving that is. Ha ha. While we were in Virginia we prayed for and sent our Daughter-in-law, Tina, off to Guatemala. She will be gone for about 2 weeks. Our Son Chris leaves on Saturday to join her.

On Tuesday/Wednesday, the 18th and 19th of August, Fred and I travel to NYC to pick up Dorcas Coulebly from Mali. She will become our "adopted daughter" for the next 4 years while she attends school in Olean NY. She was able to obtain a 4 year student visa.

On Friday (August 21st)we will take Marie-Louise to East Liverpool, Ohio. She will be traveling to Honduras with Mike and Becky Ingole on her first mission trip without mom and dad.

On Sunday the 23rd Chris and Tina return from their trip.

On Wednesday the 26th Fred leaves for Africa. He will not return till mid October.

Marie-Louise returns September 5th just in time for her to start school.

In the mean time, I have churches to visit and some ladies conferences planned. October 28th I leave to Palawan, Philippines. I have a feeling that I will sleep well on the plane. Ha ha!!!

Quality Time or Quantity Time

Ah the great debate between quality time and quantity time. Is it better to have a lot of devoted time to a person or project or is it the quality of time that is greater? In pondering this I have discovered that both are true and they both demand commitment. Of course individual situations often dictate whether it is quantity or quality. Even for myself it is hard to determine which I prefer. With our lifestyle so busy and unpredictable having family time is sometimes a difficult task. I have discovered that I want both quality and quantity. I want the five minute talks and the quick little e-mails but I also long for the extended moments when nothing is said but we are all in the same room together, breathing the same air, knowing everyone is close. Our relationship with God is like that. God desires our day to day devotion time be it long or short. The fact that we designate some time to Him each day is pleasing to Him and yet He longs for those times when we retreat to a hidden place for an extended amount of time and just focus on being in His presence, breathing His air and knowing He is close. "Remember the Sabbath day" isn't legalism, it's a commitment. I don't have to be legalistic to devote quality or quantity time to God, I just have to do it.

Outside

Yesterday I painted some of the outdoor white trim on my house. I do not enjoy being outside so painting the outdoor trim was not pleasant. I do like to paint but only inside. Generally speaking I enjoy any kind of painting but for some reason painting outside took most of the fun out of the job. I know most people look for a reason to be outside and even enjoy it but this was not my idea of a good time. I love projects and I am not afraid of a challenge but they are all inside. As I painted, wishing that the sun would stop glaring in my face, I thought about how we all have to do things we don't like to do. Life isn't always fun, easy or comfortable. I'm different, I know that. I feel at home in an airport and I feel my best eating food I have never had before. Yet being outside in the sun irritates me. God knew just what I needed yesterday. He was stretching me, taking me outside of my comfort zone, making me go "outside". It's good for us to do things we don't want to do. I guess it's called growing up.

In the Trash!

I was reading in Hebrews this morning and my eye seemed stuck on this one verse, " So watch your step, friends. Make sure there's no evil unbelief lying around that will trip you up and throw you off course, diverting you from the living God."(Hebrews 3:12 Message)
I kept reading the part that says "unbelief lying around" and began imagining "unbelief" as if it were old socks, dirty dishes, or newspapers lying around my house. You know... the stuff no one wants to pick up and take care of. I could visualize the dishes, socks, and newspapers but what about "unbelief"? And yet it is true, we leave it lying around in our mind and in our heard. Sometimes the worst thing we do is pick it up only to speak our "unbelief" and lay it inside of someone else's heart and mind. Lets make it a point today to pick up our junk. I don't want to get tripped up and I certainly don't want to trip someone else up. Lets put "unbelief" where it belongs...in the trash!

Cake

I made a huge cake for my sister's 25th wedding anniversary. It was so big that half way into decorating I had to have my friend Bill Hoffman carry it to the church. I finished it in the basement of the church and hoped that my sister wouldn't get a peek of it before it was finished. It was 12 layers of cake with 3 layers of white chocolate and raspberry filling and 6 layers of marzipan.
Happy Anniversary Cheri!