Pumpkin Pie, Twinkle Lights & Peace

It's been ten days since my last post, and what a ten days it has been. Thanksgiving came and went, and we had a full table with friends from church who joined us for dinner. We ate too much, tried to justify it with a walk around the neighborhood, then came back and stayed up too late talking over pumpkin and cherry pie. All in all, it was a wonderful evening that I would not trade.

As is my usual tradition since David and I were married, I used the long weekend to put the tree up and decorate the house for Christmas. I have this secret love affair with little twinkling lights, and to me, the more the merrier. I have placed white lights in the kitchen (laid on top of the cabinets so they create a soft glow near the ceiling), in the dining room (draped on the baker's rack to help illuminate the nativity scene that now resides on the shelf), and all over the tree, where they are joined by a couple of strands of multicolored lights. I still have a couple more places to put them (living room on top of the entertainment center) and in the office window (the only window in our house that faces the street). As I said, the more the merrier.

It's been a rather relaxing weekend overall, having no particular schedule to adhere to and not being one to take part in the black Friday craziness that has permeated our culture. I did do a little shopping, mostly online, the rest as I stumbled upon a few gifts items while I was picking up more decorations for the house. David and I watched a lot of Christmas movies on the Hallmark channel and ate Thanksgiving leftovers. Relaxation reigned in our house this weekend.

This morning at church, Craig had several couples and individuals share what they were thankful for this year, and almost invariably, despite whatever difficult circumstances, hardships or losses they were introduced to this past year, the underlying theme was peace. Peace in the face of uncertain economic times, serious illness, loss of loved ones, and other unnamed personal struggles. We are a people thankful for God's peace.

Regardless of what we face as individuals, families, communities, or as a nation, let us all be thankful for the sweet peace that we enjoy day after day, moment by moment. For tonight's music from the heart, I am leaving Rachael Lampa's Blessed up a little longer. The lyrics are simple and powerful at the same time, as is the peace that we are so blessed with.

As we run full-speed ahead into this holiday season, please remember to take a few moments daily to be thankful for the simple things, for little daily blessings, and for the most precious gift we received two-thousand years ago when the Prince of Peace arrived on the scene and changed everything.

"The God of peace be with you all.
Amen."
Romans 15:33

Ten Things I'm Thankful For

Tonight's Music from the Heart: Rachael Lampa - Blessed

With Thanksgiving being a week away, our thoughts are turned, naturally, to all the things that the holiday has come mean in our fast-paced modern culture; things like The Dinner (planning, shopping, cooking), travel, decorating, a few days off of work and school, and of course - Black Friday.

Well, indulge me, if you will, as I rebel against the modern interpretation of Thanksgiving and construct a short list of just some of the things for which I am truly thankful, and encourage you to do the same.

Here they are, just a few of the things I am thankful for:

(1) The priceless gift of Jesus' ultimate sacrifice, making it possible for me to embrace a rich and personal relationship with the Creator of all.

(2) My husband, David, the man who pursued and captured my heart and now shares my life and is the object of my love and affection.

(3) A safe, warm house to come home to in a world that is cold in more ways than one.

(4) Every moment with the people I love.

(5) Memories that live on long after the people in them have passed through or passed on.

(6) Laughter.

(7) Music.

(8) Friends who know me well and love me anyway.

(9) Babies.

(10) Parents and grandparents who taught me to give generously, receive graciously, hug often, laugh heartily, and love deeply.

What are ten things for
which you are truly thankful?

Stay Close to Me

Tonight's Music from the Heart: Selah - O, Draw Me Lord

It's late in the evening, and I've been sitting at the computer for a while now, catching up on some work that I brought home from the office. As usual when I am sitting here, Sheba is stretched out next to my chair.

Even though she's a dog, this canine friend teaches me little life lessons whenever I'll take the time to listen. Tonight's lesson is about closeness.

Sheba is all about attention and affection, and she is never happier than when she is either touching or being touched by David or myself. She will approach me when I'm working and nudge my arm to let me know she needs some attention, then once she has been sufficiently petted, she lies down contentedly at my feet.

When she wants to go outside, she doesn't bark or fuss. She simply comes up to where I'm sitting and stands in front of me looking straight into my eyes with a look of expectancy, wagging her tail the entire time. She knows that I know what she wants.

One of my favorite things she does is to walk up to me and lean into me, bowing her head slightly, just getting in as close as she can. She knows I can't resist loving on her when she does this.

So here I am, being reminded again, that my Father desires the same from me - for me to want to be near Him and to press in as close to Him as I can. He knows me well, and all I have to do is gaze into His face with expectancy, knowing that He knows my heart's desire and delights in giving good gifts to His children.

Why, then, do I tend to make things so much more complicated than that? It seems that no matter what is going on in my life, when I find myself at the end of myself crumbling at His feet in desperation, asking for some kind of solution to whatever quandry I have found myself in, the answer is almost always the same. "Stay close to Me."

I know this. I really know this. But I don't always do it. I want to be of such a simple, childlike faith that His lap is the first place I run to out of a deep desire to be close to Him, not the last place I end up when I've exhausted all other possibilities.

Sheba's fast asleep, actually snoring now. When I finish here and toddle off to bed, she'll get up and follow me, making sure not to let me get too far away from her. When I move, she moves, but that's a lesson for another time.

Precious Father, my prayer tonight is simple.
Teach me to stay close to You at all times,
in all things, and in every way.
I need Your constant touch.
Hold me, as I lean wholly on You.
Amen.

Meteorites, Medications & Jello

It's Friday evening, and I've been a little under the weather the last couple of days, courtesy of a freak sinus infection that slammed into my world yesterday like a flaming meteorite. Okay, so maybe it wasn't quite as dramatic as all that, but it has certainly made an impact on how I've spent my time the last couple of days, nonetheless.

Namely, much of it has been spent semi-prone in a recliner trying to find the right position so I could breathe and hence, sleep. Today, part of my afternoon was spent in the doctor's office, one of my least favorite places on the planet. Not that I have anything against doctors, of course. It just isn't my favorite place to hang out for several hours, which is inevitable, regardless of whether you have a scheduled appointment or not.

Anyway, enough complaining about that. I'm starting to feel a little better, thanks to a carefully selected cocktail of prescription medications. For this, I am truly thankful. A little rest over the weekend, and I'll be good as new.

Now, on to more significant matters. What flavor jello shall I make - strawberry/banana or black cherry?

Autumn Rain

Today's Music from the Heart: Phil Keaggy - The Wind and the Wheat

Two of my favorite words (and favorite things) are "autumn" and "rain." Put the two together, and you're looking at one happy girl. There was a sweet autumn rain falling most of yesterday and into the after-dark hours, and I loved it. Granted, trying to juggle purse, umbrella, a spiced vanilla chai, and whatever else I might have in tow can prove to be quite the challenge, but from the inside looking out, an autumn rain stirs up the cozy-maker in me. I want to put on sweats and fluffy slippers, burn a pumpkin spice candle and bake something. Or perhaps curl up on the couch under a fluffy blanket, sipping the aforementioned spiced vanilla chai, and put on a movie (a good, sappy love story, of course, or perhaps a feel-good holiday flick).

However these cozy indoor hours are spent, I send out my heartfelt thanks to the autumn rain, for inspiring me to slow down a little, to break away from the routine, even if only for a few moments or a few hours, and enjoy a little precious downtime. As we enter into the holiday season full speed ahead, may we be inspired to invest in more of these stolen moments to pause, reflect, and simply enjoy the life we have been given.

Father in heaven, You are the Rainmaker.
Thank You for the autumn rain, and for
precious moments spent with You and
the people who share my life.
Help me not to take either for granted.
I love You. Amen.

A Little Chat with Myself

Tonight I am feeling a bit introspective as I consider the fact that while time continues to march on, historically measured in years, decades & centuries, our lives are made up of moments. One by one they tiptoe past us, quietly becoming a part of our past just as swiftly as they arrived. Tonight, my mood is a little sullen and my heart is a little heavy.

I feel no need to delve into the details of the events and circumstances behind my current mood. What I need is a little self-talk, to address my spirit face-to-face. I'm inviting you to listen in.

I need to remind myself that my moments rest in the hands of the Almighty. The same God who spoke the universe into existence and who governs eternity with wisdom and justice, this same God is still standing right here beside me, inviting me to rest my head on His chest as He wraps His arms around me in a gentle yet strong embrace that both comforts me and protects me from whatever it is that I imagine might try to swallow me up.

I need to remind myself that no matter what my emotions tell me, my joy is found in the One who rejoices over me with singing, and His joy actually strengthens me. The Hope of the Nations is my own personal source of hope.

My peace (that crazy peace that flies up in the face of circumstance that would dictate otherwise) lies buried deep inside, in a wellspring that trickles, then flows, then forges its way up to the surface as a rushing river, overtaking me like a raging torrent. Sweet waters of peace - life-giving waters ...

If talking to yourself is a mark of insanity, then I guess I'm in good company. The psalmist David spoke to himself, with such admonitions as:

"Why so downcast, o my soul? Put your hope in God."

Well, to my spirit, I say:

"Do not be downcast another moment. Put your hope in God. Remember Who your source is. Get your emotions in check, and remember Whose you are. Turn your gaze fully on His face, and everything else will melt away. Stop looking for something to do, and simply be. Stand firmly and quietly in His presence, and the answers will come."

I feel better now. I'm glad we had this little talk.

Tonight's music from my heart is
"Worth It All" by Rita Springer.

Modern Day Saul?

Last night our country changed. The world watched as the nation founded two hundred plus years ago on the principals of personal responsibility and freedom, recognition and acknowledgment of Divine guidance, and limited government intervention into the lives of its people elected as its forty-fourth president a man who has vowed to fundamentally transform our treasured homeland into a society that more resembles old world socialistic and communistic regimes than the land of the free and home of the brave that we have come to love and take for granted. For the first time in my life, I have been moved to tears over the result of a national election.

This heartsick feeling I am experiencing is attributed to two things. First, there is genuine sense of apprehension regarding where our new President will lead us as a people and as a nation in the coming months and years. His agenda has been made clear on matters ranging from the economy & taxation to the military & national security to moral issues such as abortion and the sanctity of marriage. None of his positions and agendas are in the best interest of our people or our country.

Second, and perhaps more sobering, is the resemblance our country has to an ancient society, the chosen people of God, Israel, who turned their back on God and clamored for a king until the Lord gave them one. The man the people chose was one who had an impressive outward appearance but who in reality was a man of great insecurity whose drive to maintain his position and keep up his image destroyed his kingdom, his family and his very life. His flagrant disobedience to the Lord and pathetic attempts to cover it up are gut-wrenching. He died broken and alone.

As our nation has turned its back on God and demanded a king, we have been given what we have clamored for. Our only hope now is that the Church will awaken from her slumber, arise to her post and pray. We must pray that the Lord will send our modern-day Saul a Samuel, one who will declare the clear and precise word of the Lord. May Samuels arise all over this great nation, boldly proclaiming truth and justice to the people of God and to our leaders. May the Lord raise up David's, men who are humble and valiant and whose strength comes from time spent in the presence of the Almighty, men who stand firmly in front of Goliath, unafraid of anything or anyone who dares to defy our God.

As David honored and respected Saul's authority, we must find it in ourselves to honor and respect the position of our new President. We may not agree with his policies and agendas, but we are instructed in scripture to pray for those in authority. We must pray for Barack Obama, his family, his cabinet, and his staff. We must continue to send up a prayer of repentance and a cry for mercy. This is a time to be alert and aware of the battle in the heavenly places as never before. It's time to rend our hearts and return to our first Love.

Rend your heart and not your garments.
Return to the LORD your God,
for he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love,
and he relents from sending calamity.
Joel 2:13

Picture This

I've finally figured out how to create online photo albums using Picassa, and I have now posted my first two here for you to peruse. You'll find the links under the heading "Pics" on the left side of the page under the post archive. Take a peek and let me know what you think.

Enjoy ...

grace & peace,
rachael

Hope for Dusty Dreams

Last night something happened to me that surprised me. David turned on the television to find the last few minutes of Sister Act 2 on the air. This is one of my favorite movies, and I didn't really realize why until last night.

If you're not familiar with the movie, Whoopi Goldberg stars as a lounge singer who has been summoned by a group of nuns (old friends of hers from the first movie) to come and help them salvage the remnants of an inner-city Catholic high school. The school and the neighborhood are gasping for final breaths as the sisters and their male counterparts try desperately to inspire hope and inspiration in the young hearts and minds entrusted to them. Sister Mary Clarence (Goldberg) breathes new life into the near-dead music program and in the process plants, waters and nurtures the dreams of a better life into the hearts of her gifted students as she teaches them to sing together as a stage choir.

As the youngsters prepare for a state-wide choir competition, they reclaim an old music room, scrubbing walls and windows, and making it their own by repairing an old piano and painting the walls. In the process, the sisters discover an old box of trophies and awards that the school choir had earned in decades past. It seemed the destiny of the school was to produce an award-winning choir. But years of deterioration in the community and a mindset of settling for less than what they were capable of had reduced the school's former achievements to a dusty box filled with forgotten glory.

This brings us to last night. As the choir was waiting to take the stage at the contest, a larger, more experienced and much more formidable choir performed the same song our group of dreamers had prepared. The other choir's arrangement was traditional and stuffy - impressive, yes, but definitely old-school. Like the spies who reported to Moses of giants in the land, Goldberg's choir saw the other group and wanted to quit out of fear and intimidation. A quick pep talk from their favorite teacher, and the group decided to go on.

There is much more to the individual stories of the characters and their personal insecurities, aspirations and secret fears than I can get into now, but as the group took the stage and the auditorium was filled with color, light and unbelievable harmonies, tears filled my eyes. I have seen this movie I don't know how many times, and while it is one of my favorites, I have never had this reaction before. I watched as a group of young people, inspired to greatness by a teacher who managed to see just a glimpse of their potential, shed their choir robes and danced and sang their way to a first-place finish with all the exuberance and passion and energy they had inside them.

Even now, as I write this, my eyes are filled again, as my heart yearns to see more and more people (in real life) stepping out of the stuffy traditions and dream-killing mindsets that have held them back, and dancing their way into their God-breathed destiny.

So to you, dear reader, if you have dusty dreams that have become little more than an empty shell of a would-be memory, if you know that you have not yet stepped into a destiny that has been long-since packed up and forgotten, if you are ready to shed the ill-fitting robes of conformity that hide your beautiful individuality, this prayer is for you.

Father God, Giver of dreams and Designer of destinies,
please come and breathe new life into our dreams.
Blow away the dust accumulated by years of waiting
and listening to dream-killing lies that our lives will
never account for more than they already have.
Restore hope, resurrect dreams and rebuild destinies
and teach us to dance and sing our way into the
fullness of what You have created us to be and to do.
Ignite a passion within us that we have never known before -
a passion for more of You, for seeing Your Kingdom come,
and for being a vital part of Your will being done on
earth as it is in heaven.
Amen.