From My Heart

A site well worth visiting!

DK — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 01:06:42 +0000

Are you looking for great recipes and sound devotionals.
Wonderful food and food for the soul. That’s what Mennonite Girls Can Cook offer. And they have a great new cookbook just out. Check out their site at http://www.mennonitegirlscancook.ca

DK — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 02:26:30 +0000

Last evening my husband and I watched a video that was given to us of “The Cross Service”. This is a special service held at First Euless in Euless,Texas. On Good Friday each year, Pastor John Meador brings to life the story of the crucifixion with the construction of a life-size cross. With the sound of the axe hitting at the wood, you are taken back over 2,000 years to the moment when Jesus Christ was tortured and crucified, taking the punishment that should have been ours. Jesus endured this so that we may have a right relationship with God.

I knew/know the story. I’ve been told it many times over. Many years ago I “accepted” Jesus as my saviour. I remember when I saw the movie The Passion of the Christ and how that brought the realization of what was really done for me to light. But then as time went on and life happened I seem to have fallen back into complacently. It’s so much more than a story! It’s truth. Watching the Cross Service last evening once again so vividly reminded me of the torture He endured for my sin and how very much He loves us all. He took on the weight of our sin and our punishment.

I hope I don’t ever become complacent about what was done for me. Like the song says “I’ll never know how much it cost to see my sin upon that cross” I have a good idea but I don’t think I’ll ever understand completely.I do know I am so thankful.

A Quote to ponder this beautiful summer day

DK — Sat, 25 Aug 2012 21:42:37 +0000

“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time.” ~ John Lubbock

Running Focused

DK — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 15:33:06 +0000

“All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally.
I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.”1 Corinthians 9:25-27 The Message
I rarely use The Message when preparing for studies and writing. Today is an exception. As I read these verses I was struck by the reality of them in my life. Am I telling everyone else all about it but yet missing the mark myself? I say I’m running hard for the finish line with the prize in sight. Truly my heart’s desire is to hear those words “Well done”. But am I staying alert? Am I in top condition so I can give it everything I’m got? Or do I tend to be sloppy in my day to day living? Hmmm
In verse 25 the NIV translation uses the phrase “competes in the games”. That comes from the Greek word Agonizomai. It means to enter a contest, to contend, struggle, with difficulties and dangers, to endeavour with strenuous zeal, strive: to obtain something.
Why do athletes submit themselves to the extreme training? They know that everyone competes but only one person/team wins.
They do it for a gold medal, the trophy, the mention on the nightly news. Those things tarnish, fade away and are forgotten.
We are in a race and that there is a goal; a prize that won’t fade or diminish in value. Our prize is more than news for a day or two. The prize promised to us for our endurance will last for eternity. Our prize is worth contending for, worth times of difficulties, dangers and yes even agony. Like Jesus we should be willing to endure with our eyes on the prize that is before us.
One of my daughters was very involved in sports from a young age. In middle school she played basketball. Even at that age they trained hard and developed a deep sense of team camaraderie. They depended on each other and usually worked well together. One of them is very clear in my mind to this day. The score was close and those 12 year old girls were working hard in the 3rd quarter. One of the girls; my daughter’s best friend was open and got the ball. She started dribbling at a high rate of speed to the basket. Everyone was yelling; she thought they were cheering for her. She made the shot and the ball swished in perfectly. The problem? In her excitement she became confused and went to the opponents’ end. What she had mistaken for cheering was in reality a warning that she was going to the wrong basket. When she realized her error she stood there humiliated and began to cry. Everyone was silent. Then out of the bleachers came her big brother. He walked out onto the court, put his arm around her and led her away. He comforted her and she got back into the game for the last quarter. Her teammates forgave her and all was well.
That young girl had trained for many hours; she made the shot perfectly but was confused about her goal.
As women in ministry do we get caught up in the excitement of the game? Do we spend hours preparing to instruct others and then miss the mark ourselves? Like my daughter’s friend, are others “yelling” to warn us but we are so excited about the game that we don’t perceive it as a warning?
If you find yourself “making a basket” at the wrong end of the court there is hope. My daughter’s friend had a big brother to comfort her. We have a comforter too. He will calm us, mend our broken hearts, get us back in the game and point us to the right goal.
Once God points you to your goal keep your eyes focused. The world can be very distracting. There are so many things that can entice us. If we allow our focus to wander it can be confusing. I have days when I feel like Dug the dog from the movie Up. If you have seen the movie you know what I mean. Dug is trying his best then a squirrel catches his eye; he is distracted. Dug makes us laugh. But, like Dug we can be distracted even when we’re trying to do our best. That is a serious matter. Distractions can have eternal consequences.
How about you? Am I the only one who can be easily distracted at times? Give me your thoughts and tips on how you keep you eye on the prize before you.

My musing for the day

DK — Sun, 19 Aug 2012 17:17:23 +0000

This last week I read a comment about a woman from my home town, “sincerely she moves on her way in hours of trial and dismay”.
I’ve been pondering that thought. Do I keep moving on during my trials and dismay? Or do I allow them to stop me in my tracks?
If I am moving on is it with a sincere heart to serve God wherever/whenever He instructs me to? Or am I just going through the motions?

Musing for the day

DK — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 18:28:42 +0000

Sometimes I find myself waiting for God to speak and wondering why He is silent.

Perhaps I am spending too much time wondering instead of listening. Hmmmm

Quote for the Day

DK — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 03:45:46 +0000

“God knows our situation; He will not judge us as if we had no difficulties to overcome. What matters is the sincerity and perseverance of our will to overcome them.” ~ C.S. Lewis

Quote for Today

DK — Sat, 21 Jul 2012 03:47:17 +0000

“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.” ~ Corrie Ten Boom

Directions , Landmarks and Home

DK — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 22:53:39 +0000

It was the mid 1940’s when my parents purchased a partially completed 2 story house situated on 5 acres of land. They were able to live there while my father being the carpenter (not by trade- just skill) finished the construction. After that came a 2-car garage, a barn and a couple of other out buildings.
That house and property became home to four children. All 4 of us took advantage of the room to wander the field, orchard, barn and visit neighbors with no fear.
We made our roots there and gained our sense of direction from the landmarks. Just about ½ a mile north you could make out our elementary school, you looked to the west and you would see Peterson’s Butte, to the east you would see the Cascade mountain range, and if you walked south and around the bend you would come to Oak Creek one of my favorite places to spend a summer afternoon splashing in the water. Of course I didn’t mind the half mile walk to Crowfoot Grocery for a cold glass bottle of Nehi or an ice cream sandwich. The country roads were very safe and somehow calming. My best friend Diana and I knew that if we followed them they would always loop past folks we knew and eventually back to our home. The only thing we feared was the occasional dog that we kept our distance from.
When you wanted to tell someone where to go you would use directions like “just past Mrs. Summers house you take a left and go up the hill a ways”.
That was my home that was where I felt grounded. I had my bearings there.
And even though I am very content where God has placed me; far away from the view of Peterson’s Butte and Mt. Hood I still have a sense of home when I think of that place.
I knew how to get where I needed to go back then. But if you took me away from my landmarks that was another story entirely. If I couldn’t see Peterson’s Butte, the Coast Range, Three Sisters, Mt. Hood or Mt. Jefferson off in the distance I was in real pickle. My husband often teases my about my “directionally challenged” condition. It’s true and I am very thankful for the GPS my daughters recently purchased for me. I really think they thought I may someday get hopelessly lost…..could happen.
I tend to become directionally challenged in my spiritual life as well. I wandered for many years without any landmarks. I eventually learned that God had given me safe roads, important things to keep my eye on and wonderful directions.
If I wander away from those things even momentarily I find myself in a “real pickle” very quickly. I don’t think I’m alone in this. I believe God wired us all to rely on His landmarks. It’s not a bad thing to need Him. As with country roads of my childhood God’s road is very safe and calming. If we follow it always loop past folks we know and eventually to our home. Of course there will be the occasional “dog” or should I say occasional danger that we should keep our distance from. God is faithful to warn us about those things just like my mother warned me. Heed the warnings and He will keep you on the safe road.
My sense of direction regarding North, South, East and West may not be good. But I know where I’ve been and where I belong. I know where I’m going and I know Who is with me. No need to fear here.
Just a side note, one of my brothers bought our family home from my mother. He has made some changes and made it his home. It’s a very good thing to know that the house and property is in good hands and still in the family. There has been some new construction on the road but each neighbor still has five acre plots. As I drive that road I smile, remember and can almost hear Mom calling me for supper.
Click for a view of the road I grew up on as it is today.

This is the life!

DK — Fri, 25 May 2012 19:18:37 +0000

Last week I talked about the “tricks of the thief” and how they can steal our joy and kill our love for life. We know we have a Helper that can lead us into a full and abundant life. He knows our needs and He will give us the strength to make it through.
We have Jesus whose purpose is not to steal, kill or destroy but to give us Life.
Do the math: Reliance on God = Abundant Life
I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 b NIV
That’s a good Christian calculation but how does that play out in day to day living?
Do you have a bucket list?
You know a list of must do and must see before the end of our days on earth. That is how some measure the fullness and completeness of their lives. Now don’t get me wrong. As I said a few days ago there are many places I would love to see and things I would love to experience in this wonderful world. But would that make my life fulfilling?
We can tick off every item on our bucket list, land the job we want and build the house of our dreams. Those are our plans. They can still leave us feeling empty, lacking and a sense of dissatisfaction.
God has a plan for each of us. Our part in that plan is to connect with Him so we can hear Him clearly.
The never ending to do list. I used to spend my days working on what seemed most important that morning. I often felt overwhelmed. That list never ended and at times my efforts seemed fruitless. I was busy; Martha like busy. Not taking nearly enough time to sit at His feet. I needed more Mary traits.
Follow your heart; I once read that is a key to living a fulfilling life. It sounds right in theory. I’ll pose this question today. What is your heart condition?
A friend of mine, Connie Cavanaugh, spoke at a retreat at my church a couple of years ago. She said we all have the need for a healed heart, a clean heart, and then we can have a heart like no other. She said “After God cleans out our hearts; He wants to replace all the lies in our hearts with truth from His word.”
If we follow our hearts like the world’s wisdom dictates must be sure that our hearts are filled with the truth from God’s word. Align your heart with the plans He has for you. Quiet your mind and shut out all the demands of others. Listen to that still small voice and let Him be your GPS.
So forget your plans. When you do it frees you up and replaces the desires of you heart with the desires of His heart. Be open to endless possibilities be because we serve a God of endless power. His passions will quickly become yours and you will be living a life that is so abundant.
As my very wise husband once told me “life in ministry is a roller coaster ride. Keep you hands and feet in and hang on for the ride. God’s got this”.
We are all in different phases of life. Some are raising families and some are empty-nesters. Some of us are full of joy and energy and some are in difficult even discouraging times of ministry. I found no matter what season of life I’m in if I check my “heart condition” and replace the lies with the truth from God’s word I will have that peace and abundant life He promises.
God often speaks to me through music.
There are two songs that come to mind as I write this.
The first is by Pam Thum- Life is Hard. The lyrics say that “Life is hard but God is good. Jesus never said it was an easy road to travel. He only said that you would never be alone.”
For those of you in a discouraging season of life that is a promise you can cling to.
I’ll date myself with the second song. It is more upbeat and speaks the truth of the hope we have in a life in step with Him. This Is The Life by Phillips Craig and Dean says”This is the life. I’m where I wanna be livin’ from the center of a heart that’s free. Oh, I’m feelin’ alright. Day or night, rain or shine this is the life.”
For a good chuckle check this out old video of the Phillips,Craig & Dean. Good message but oh the hair and clothes!
God gives us a “heart like no other” and a “heart that’s free”.