EARLY MORNING THOUGHTS

Scrolling through my "thoughts" folder this morning and I found this. I may have used it before on the blog, but if so I can't find it and it seems worth repeating. I feel this way so often and pray each day that I can be a witness for Christ. We have had RAIN in Illinois and this morning's bright sky is such a blessing. May each of you stop for just a minute and think how God has blessed you. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE FOR ME LORD. Amen

I put sheets in the washer before my walk this morning, and as I reach for the clothespins to hang them on the line I glance up at the early morning sky. Little white puffy cotton clouds float easily and white ribbon jet streams make curly bows in the clear blue of the sky.

Before my walk this morning, the sky was a dull pewter gray, but as I walked it began to clear, and now the day has come forth in all its glory. Another of God’s gifts to His creation. For a moment here by the clothes line I stand and reflect on how good God is to me. And my question as always is “Why me, Lord?” Why should I be so blessed?

I praise you for all my blessings...specifically for a husband who loves and understands me (most of the time), for the ability to walk without pain, for children and grandchildren who call us often, for friends who are healing from sickness, for this country where we can worship you openly, for the freedom to choose our leaders (even though I don’t always agree with any of them), and always for the gift of your Son for my salvation. I pray I can be worthy today of his sacrifice.

WALKING WITH CHURCH FAMILY

MY FAMILY WHO ARE ALL A PART OF GOD'S FAMILY

I almost feel as though this is a new beginning. It has been some time since I have posted and longer still since I have been able to write about my personal walking with any regularity. Perhaps a bit of explanation about the physical is necessary. I am certainly still able to walk a mile or so a day, but do not do it as consistently as I once did. I do try to protect the hip as it has not been a year since it dislocated and I feel it may not be totally healed. I will return to surgeon in May when we go back to Illinois.However, I am still walking spiritually and it is this walk I intend to write about in this blog.

One of the areas of spiritual growth that has been on my mind recently is the area of relationships with other people-our spouse, our family, our church family and our extended family. Several years ago I wrote a series of lessons for the Altamont Christian Church to use as a study guide with my book JUST WALKING. The workbook was never published and I had almost forgotten about it. However, many of the points that we covered in that study have been on my heart and it is those things that I will be writing about in the next few weeks.

WALKING WITH YOUR CHURCH FAMILY

"Encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." I Thessalonians 5:11

If we are to grow spiritually, we must love one another. We need to remember that we are a family. My own family is filled with adopted children. I have a niece, a nephew and two grandchildren who are a part of our immediate family. They are our children and are treated no differently than birth children. We love each child in our family differently, but we love them all the same. To God, we are just like that. We are his adopted children and we belong to the same family. Think about your church family. I encourage you to list at least five people who you feel truly are your brothers and sisters. Thank God for them and pray for them as you do your physical family.

So often in our church family as in our physical family people are hurt by careless or thoughtless actions and words. If we are to grow spiritually we need to be careful with our words and actions toward our church family. This week I encourage you to list three things you can do personally to keep members of your church family from being hurt either physically or spiritually.

Have you hurt someone in your church family unintentionally? Today is the day for forgiveness. Ask for forgiveness from the person and from God. Pray for the person. And then leave it there at the foot of the cross. Burdens are not meant to be carried forever. Grudges, hurt feelings and unforgiving attitudes are not meant to be a part of the family of God. When our relationship with God's children increases and becomes more loving so then does our love for God.

Pray that God will present you with the opportunity to encourage someone this week. Pray for your church family that you might walk with them on the road to spiritual growth that the world may see Christ and the you may walk in the abundant life Christ wants you to have.

Praying and making my lists too.

WALKING WITH HIM Clella

WHAT'S AGE GOT TO DO WITH IT?

I had received this book before Christmas and was supposed to review it. Thomas Nelson offers this program of free books to those who will read and review them. Of course it is to be done rather soon after the book is released. Because of so many life "things" I am only now fulfilling that obligation, but it is a worthwhile and fun book and I do want to recommend it. I will be posting again next week. Thank you to all my readers who have been praying for me. I have felt your love. Clella Age Doesn't Matter, March 10, 2009 By Clella Camp "Clella" - See all my reviews "Gran, this is a good book. You will like it." from my 22 year old granddaughter who had picked Robin's book from my stack. And I did. Sections that truly spoke to me as an "older" woman were her comments and suggestions about skin care. Her little personal prescriptions entitled "Robins' RX" are fun and some actually work as she says they might. Robin writes, "I had to accept the fact that my body is going to continue to age every day of my life-and it's going to happen whether I like it or not (and whether I wear shorts or not), so there's no reason to let it control me." This was her concept throughout each separate chapter. What she is saying to her reader is Take care of yourself and be the best that you can be. She does it in such an entertaining but informative manner that even we who are in our 70's begin to ask her question..."What does age have to do with it?" Good answers are found in Robin's book.

GRIEF

Using the modern method again to report the family news. My mother, Betty Martin, went home to be with our Lord on December 28, 2008. She had not been sick before that Saturday and we felt she had developed congestion from a cold. I will write to share with my readers before too long. Right now I am working through the legal and mental processes of losing a parent. Very few people are blessed to have their mother with them for so long. She was a true Christian lady and a blessing to all who knew here. My family and I appreciate your prayers. Praising God for His blessings during this time.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Using this modern method to wish all of my friends and family a blessed holiday. May you feel the spirit of Christ in all your celebrations and may His love and peace be a part of all your life in 2009. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE BLESSED MY LIFE IN SO MANY WAYS THIS YEAR . GOD HAS BEEN SO GOOD TO ME, AND I GIVE HIM ALL THE PRAISE AND GLORY. I THANK HIM DAILY FOR THE GIFT OF HIS SON JESUS AND KNOW MY LIFE WOULD BE NOTHING WITHOUT THIS GIFT OF LOVE. BLESSINGS AND LOVE TO ALL CLELLA

BOOK REVIEW

Reflections of God’s Holy Land (A personal journey through Israel) is exactly what the title describes-a personal reflection. Eva Marie Everson, a Christian, and Miriam Vamosh, a Jew, combine their personal knowledge and emotions to produce a personal experience for their reader. As one opens the cover, the photography leaps from the page to engulf the reader in the time and place of each Biblical location. Beautiful colored photographs draw one to the printed pages of both authors. Vamosh, with her, Jewish heritage and her experience as a tour guide for Christian pilgrimages educates the reader in the Did You Know? section, and Eva Marie lets us fall with her into the emotional journey of visiting the Holy Land. Scripture references for each site visited give added knowledge and realism to the journey through Israel. These verses gave the added personal touch for my journey with Everson and Vamosh. My knowledge of Old Testament history is somewhat limited, and the clear, concise vignettes provided by Miriam are explicit. Her description of the Elah Valley and the history which is hidden in this valley gave me new insight about this area. “Elah was literally the ‘wild west’ and saw more drama than any Hollywood western could ever dream of.” And then she portrays the dramatic stories of Joshua, the Jewish exile, and of course the well-known battle of David and the Philistine giant. Again and again I am aware of the Israel of the Bible, and as I continued reading I was filled with anticipation and excitement about my personal journey through these pages. Though I was appreciative of the knowledge and insight provided by Vamosh, it is Eva Marie’s emotional response kept me focused. After skimming the book when it first arrived, I decided to use it as a personal daily devotion. This method provided me both knowledge and spiritual uplifting for each day. Many memories remain with me, but one I recall is Eva’s response to her visit to the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and the Fishes. She admits to hunger as the morning meal is long behind her. She describes the chapel with “flourish of symbols” “holy water”, “flickering novena”, mosaic of a bread-filled basket rising between two fishes” and her mind takes her to “We only have five loaves,…We only have two fish.” But is this response that stays with me. Eva writes,” Isn’t this the way of it? We think of what we ‘only have’ rather than what it might become in Jesus’ hands. Not enough, we think, and so we hold back.” And as Eva responds throughout the journey she says,” I am guilty, I realize of holding on to what I have. Not trusting my Lord with what I’ve got. I stretch my hand toward the lump of rugged stone beneath the altar. If only I could place what little I have to offer upon it, Jesus would feed others. Jesus would feed me.” Personal, emotional response at each historical visit creates within the reader a sense of “having been there too.” Everson’s and Vamosh’s Reflections of God’s Holy Land is a personal journey that I encourage for any reader interested in increasing both mentally and spiritually the knowledge of God’s holy land.

WHO IS IN CONTROL HERE?

It’s that time again! I walked in the evening one day this week and the faint smell of burning leaves floated up from along the bank of the lake. A flock of honking geese rose up from the water and flew into the southern sky. As I started up Laurel Lane, the hazy dust of the harvest spread itself through the late afternoon air and one red tree stood etched against the sunset.

The dusty harvest air always smells reminiscent of home to me. Memories of other harvests drifted through my mind, and I reminded myself of the unchanging pattern of the harvest and the realization of the year’s work. Ageless and constant, harvest season is always there as is the time for planting, and the time for rest. We who live in this part of the world understand what the writer of Ecclesiastes meant when he wrote “There is an appointed time for everything.”(Ecclesiastes 3:1)

And in these stressful times, not only of the harvest season, but of the season in our country and in our economy perhaps we need to go again to God’s Word. We need to remind ourselves that some things do remain steadfast and sure in this ever-changing world. God’s Word and His promises are the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.

I walked on around my route in this mindset and continued to be aware of the unchanging force of God in the world around me. I walked by leaf covered yards filled with children’s playthings and thought of the birth of children and the death of loved ones and the change this brings to our lives. The toys belong to my great-nephews and I think of the generations before us and the promises of their generation. What will their world be?

But I am convinced that the geese will fly, the planting will happen, the harvest will occur, the sun will come up and God will be in control. “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven-“(Ecclesiastes 3:1)

Our stress and our concerns with the every day life are certainly important and need our attention; however, as I walk on towards home, I pray for wisdom and the age old prayer of serenity.” God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.” Reinhold Niebuhr

BE PATIENT

This is a four generation picture taken at Christmas. The woman on the right is my 90 year old mother. A beautiful example of a woman of PATIENCE.

The Second BE Attitude I recommend is BE PATIENT.

"Lord, I'm praying for patience, and I want it now." I smile when some one makes that statement but still I am guilty of that very thing. The love chapter 1 Corinthians 13 tells us in verse 4 that "Love is patient." James tells his readers to "be patient,stand firm" (James5:8) We are such an instant society. So much of our day is involved with things that happen instantly and if they don't we become very stressed out. I once had dial-up internet and was so thrilled when I got it, but now I have DSL and it still isn't as fast as I would like.I want my messages now.

We are the same way about our church,our family, our job and our recreation. All things will happen in God's time, but we have our plans for right this minute.God tells us often to "wait upon the Lord." and the promise of "wings like eagles" Isiaah 40:13 is one of my favorite verses. But we want to "fly" this instant.

Our society insists our children grow up so quickly. We plan so many activities (even in the church) that our children have no time to play. We seem to push them to fly from the nest before they really have grown wings. One my favorite writings is Wet Oatmeal Kisses(credited often to Erma Bombeck) and I want to share it.

Wet Oatmeal Kisses "The baby is teething; the children are fighting. My husband just called- to eat dinner without him."

Okay, one of these days you'll shout! "Why don't you grow up and act your age!" And they will. Or: "You guys get outside and find yourselves something to do...and don't slam the door!" And they won't.

You'll straighten up their bedrooms neat and tidy...bedspreads tucked and smooth...toys displayed on the shelves. Hangers in the closet. Animals caged. And you'll say out loud: "Now I want it to stay this way." And it will.

You'll prepare a perfect dinner with a salad that hasn't been picked to death and a cake with no finger traces in the icing and you'll say: "Now there's a meal for company." But you'll eat it alone.

You'll say: "I want complete privacy on the phone. No dancing around. No demolition crews. Silence! Do you hear!" And you'll have it.

No more plastic tablecloths stained with spaghetti. No more anxious nights under a vaporizer tent. No more dandelion bouquets; or wet, knotted shoestrings; tight boots, or rubber bands for pony tails.

Imagine. A lipstick with a point. No baby-sitter for New Year's Eve.washing clothes only once a week. No PTA meetings. No car pools. No blaring radios. No more Christmas presents out of toothpicks and library paste. No more wet oatmeal kisses. No more tooth fairy. No giggles in the dark. No knees to heal.

Only a voice crying, "Why don't you grow up."

And the silence echoing, "I did."

So many times I have shared this with a young mother bemoaning her fate in life. All of us who have raised children know about patience or the lack thereof. If you have grandchildren, or perhaps those beautiful great-grandchildren share the message of patience. Be an encourager to the young parents around you. They need to know our experiences of the past. Share Isiaah 40:31 with them. "But those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint."

Isiaah's advice is not just for the young people of the world. In this past year of hip replacements and broken ankles I have often claimed his promise. I prayed for Patience for bones to heal and strength to return that I might walk and not grow faint. I dream of soaring on wings like eagles. Even though my bones will never let me run very fast my spirit can soar if only I will keep an attitude of patience.

Our God is a God of patience. I think daily what patience he must have as he forgives me day after day for the same foolish mistakes. And in our hurry-up society we quarrel and fuss and are so impatient about much that really isn't very important. Patience is a fruit of the spirit. Let me be reminded daily to "Wait upon the Lord." May you too wait as you walk with Him. Enjoy your Walk.

JUST A QUOTE

"How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live." - H.D. Thoreau

I am just posting this tonight and intend to give it much more thought. I have always appreciated Thoreau's writings, but this particular statement has not been one I have noticed before. I want to think about it before I begin my writing for 2008.I may be asking myself if I "have stood up to live". Rather an interesting idea isn't it?

May all of you enjoy blessings in 2008. Posting will begin soon.

BE ATTITUDES..Be Joyful

Since this post is going to discuss joy I want to share these pictures with you. We attended our granddaughter's graduation from boot camp at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina during the Thanksgiving week and this is a picture of her joy at seeing her grandparents. Please pray for all our soldiers in foreign countries and away from their homes at this time of the year. Pray for their parents and their families that God would bless them all.

I removed my "lovely" walking boot on Friday. I jokingly have told people that boots are in style for the Fall season and I certainly always want to be "in" with my clothes. The best news is that on Monday I WALKED nine holes of golf.I know many of my readers would not find that very exciting, but it was thrilling for me, and even better I did not have any pain. It has been more than a year since I could say with all honesty that I didn't hurt. First, it was my back and a sciatic nerve-then it was my hip and the culminating hip replacement-then it was my broken ankle. All in all it has been some time since I have been the woman I want to be physically. I am praising God for His healing power. I realize that many people have constant pain, and that my aches and pains have been minor in comparison.I certainly have more compassion for those suffering individuals.

I prayed often in these past months that God would guide my attitude about my physical weaknesses. Paul writes to the Ephesians in the second chapter about how God has prepared us in advance for the special purposes He has created us to accomplish. Purpose is still a buzz word in Christianity and if we are pursuing His purpose for us what should our attitude be? Our attitude can change our life. I have heard my daughter more than once tell her young daughter that she "needs to change her attitude". Maybe God, my Father, is admonishing me to change my attitude.

A change of attitude can often make a big difference. So I want to share my own personal Be Attitude list.

BE JOYFUL

"Be joyful always." 1 Thessalonians 5:6 "Again I say rejoice. "Philippians 4:4

One of the fruits of the Spirit is joy. So many women in today's society seem to be unhappy. And not just the women of the World. I personally am acquainted with Christian women who never seem to be happy. The mood of the home is usually the mood of the wife and mother. "If momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy" is one of those funny but true statements. Our chidren and our husbands often reflect what is felt in the home. "A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day." Proverbs 27:15. Criticism and nagging can become a habit. We don't even realize we are doing it,and our family becomes hardened in their hearts to the drip, drip drip of little criticsms. We really only want them to be the best they can be,but each of us must be careful with our words. We often take the joy out of small pleasures for our children, our husbands and our friends.

We worry too much about outward appearances and what people may think. How often have you said to your husband or your teenager, "You surely aren't wearing that outfit are you?" And only after it is out of my mouth and I see the look on their face do I realize what I have done. I have humiliated and hurt the one I love and it really isn't an important issue at all. Teenagers and clothes are always a point of distress.Many times we are making it more important that it needs to be. A rule of thumb at our home "If it isn't illegal, immoral or indecent then we can talk about it." Everyone needs some form of self-expression. A cutting comment from Mom can steal the joy from the moment for your teenager.

And so what if my husband has worn that shirt to church for the past three Sundays. I am probably the only one who knows what shirt he wore last week anyway. Does it matter if there is paint on the pants he has on? He's just going to the store. Each little nagging comment takes a bit of joy from his life that moment.

I once watched a little boy playing in a glass of Kool-Aid with a spoon .Red Kool-Aid is such fun to stir and when it splashes it makes lovely puddles on the table. I saw his mother go to the faucet, get a glass of water and replace the Kool-Aid with the clean water. "Here now stir to your heart's delight" she smiled. What a lovely way to handle the situation. I am sure I would have grabbed the Kool-Aid glass, quarreled at the youngster for making a mess and sent him on his way. No joy in that scenario. We must learn to enjoy the moment.

Proverbs 17:7 reads "A cheerful heart is good medicine." Joy is catching. When we demonstrate the inner contentment and true joy that comes with Christ we are sharing the attitude of Joy. When we leave a group do the people feel lifted up? I want people to feel such joy when they are with me that their comment becomes,"whatever she has I want it." And then we can share Jesus.

My next post will be my second BE ATTITUDE I pray that you will share joy and that you will know joy in the days ahead. Just an added footnote: I plan to start my daily walking in the new year. I have no words to tell you how much I have missed my morning walks. My hip and leg both feel strong enough to do this now, but we are leaving for Illinois on 15th and will return to Florida on 30th. May all of you continue to walk with me as I walk both physically and spiritually. I pray my limping days are finished for awhile.

HELP! I'VE FALLEN

I realize that my posting is sporadic recently; perhaps this will explain part of the situation. I will now have plenty of time to write. I couldn't resist sending the picture of the cast. For those of you who know me, it doesn't match a thing I have to wear. It would seem to me they would make these in colors and just a bit more decorative. You can't even sign your name on this. :-) Obviously the title of the book I am working on now is rather ironic STILL WALKING (But Sometimes I Limp). I just can't help but think that God is smiling...not that I believe He caused the fall...it was my own fault. Just stepped in a hole and turned my ankle. I always have walking experiences to write about it seems. I have no idea what 8-12 weeks of no driving will do for my life. May you enjoy your walking. HELP! I’VE FALLEN... A touch of cool almost-autumn breeze ruffled the trees at the golf course last Friday morning. The grass on #3 tee is fading into the dry straw texture of fall and we are getting more roll from the ball as it hits the fairway. I had just hit a rather decent drive (not excellent but better than my drive on #2). Four of us were playing the front nine, and then as usual planned to eat lunch at a local restaurant. Nothing new or unusual about the day. My life is quite predictable. Life was going well, and then I stumbled. Suddenly I landed on the ground and my predictable life changed. Just last week I wrote for this column that “everyone stumbles”. And that very day I did. My ankle is broken. My life is totally disrupted. I need to depend on my family and my friends. Because I am not allowed to drive I cannot even control my own coming and going. I must cancel plans. I sit here in my wheelchair with crutches by my side and ask myself how this could have happened. Everything seemed to be going so well for me. If I had moved more slowly or been more observant, I might have avoided this fall. My physical world turned around rather quickly. We are so sure everything is just fine and then we fall. Sometimes our spiritual life can be the same. Everything is good. Our prayer life seems strong. Our Bible study is regular (nothing extra but we are reading it). We attend church most Sundays, and sometimes we even stay for Sunday school class or go to an extra service during the week. Nothing new or challenging in our spiritual journey. Our Christian journey follows the same day-to-day path that we have always traveled. And then we stumble. Because we aren’t paying attention we become lazy and Sunday is a good day to rest or get caught up on the work we need to do at home. We start to fall into the patterns of the world around us. Throwing harsh words at a family member in a fit of anger or taking those left-over supplies on the job, or telling the lie that covers our mistake all seem so easy the first time they happen. But suddenly (like my fall) because of some sinful action that causes us pain or loss, we suddenly realize we have stumbled and fallen. Trouble enters our world and with it comes a need for spiritual help. When I fell, my friend did not push me back down, but immediately jumped to assist me. If we are the healthy one, we need to reach out to the fallen and help them up. Why don’t we to do that when we know someone has fallen spiritually? Just as my family and friends reach out to me in my physical need, Christians should be there for a fallen friend. A fallen or injured friend needs the crutch of God’s forgiveness and the support of His people. And as it will take time for my leg to heal, it takes time for spiritual ‘breaks” to heal. Christians all stumble and the crutch of God’s love and forgiveness is available to each of us if we will just lean on it. Sometimes prides keeps us from reaching out for this crutch. Paul wrote to the church at Rome that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) Any one of us can fall at any time if we don’t stay alert to the world around us, and when we do we can accept that love and forgiveness are there for us to lean on. PRAYER: Help me be the one who reaches down to help someone up whether they have fallen physically or spiritually. Let me remember that it takes time to heal from a fall, and that people need my support and encouragement, but most of all they need my love. In Jesus name, Amen

HAND IN HAND

Remember, we all stumble, every one of us. That's why it's a comfort to go hand in hand."~ Emily Kimbrough ~

I found the previous quote in my notes last week and have been keeping it on my desk for the perfect spot in my writing. It surfaced again when I came back from my walk this morning.

I cut across the school yard because it is a safe way for me to get home without walking the edge of the highway. As I walked through the grass, I watched the children jump from the bus and run toward the playground. Two little girls rushed hand in hand to the swings swaying in the morning breeze – a new year of school has begun and the future is out there someplace. They go hand in hand to what the new school year brings.

Scenes from past walking times flash in my mind as I watch the little girls hold hands crossing the playground.

Lovers walking on the Florida beach as the sun silhouettes them against the evening sky. Young lovers strolling hand in hand toward the parking lot after a day at the beach. They have no thought that they might stumble, but holding hands keeps them connected and the future is out there someplace, so they go hand in hand to what the night may bring.

Parents cautioning and children laughing as they push their way to the entrance of the Disney World©, mother, father, daughter, son hurrying toward a day of family fun. Holding hands so they won’t get separated. The future is out there someplace, but they go hand in hand to meet it unafraid of what years may bring.

White haired lady and upright man carrying his cane as they walk toward the door of the hospital-leaning one on the other as they have done for the past fifty years. They push open the door and the future is out there someplace, but they enter hand in hand for what the visit may bring.

What a comfort it is to go hand in hand with someone else through the experiences of life because we know we will stumble, and those of us who have a hand to hold realize what a security it is when we stumble. And we will stumble. Remember “every one of us stumbles” as we come from that past or go to that future. The only hand we really can truly trust is God’s hand. He never stumbles. He can always hold us up. Holding hands with Him will always keep us safe for what ever the future brings. And that knowledge is my comfort in life.

"Wherever you are spiritually whatever you have been through emotionally, you are already wrapped in the Lord's embrace. Held close by nail-scarred hands."~ Liz Curtis Higgs~

JUST WALKING

I am posting this on Sunday this week as I have finished the devotion and I have time! Sometimes on Tuesday, which is my Bible Study group, I forget until late in the evening that I have not posted my devotion. The pictures I am sharing were taken by Mitch Camp,my son who serves at Pine Haven Christian Children's Ranch near St. Ignatius, MT. The top is Montana in the morning (much like the view I write about) and this is the view they have from their front window. The other view was taken in Glacier National Park. If you enjoy these pictures, let me know. I will try to share pictures relevant to the devotion. Mitch and I are working on a book with this idea in mind. Let us know what you think. May you enjoy your walk this week. Clella

THE WALL

I hit the wall today. I have heard the term used many times when reading about marathon runners and always thought the expression was a phrase to describe the physical sensation of being unable to move ahead. Now I realize it is more than a physical sensation, it becomes an inability to think as well as move and getting through it seems an impossible task.

I felt I could not walk another step, but I did–and another, and another, one foot in front of the other until I seemed to go right through the wall. I discovered that once this has been accomplished exhilaration becomes the prevailing emotion. Perhaps I am exaggerating a bit to make a point, but I have been pushing myself each day to walk farther than the day before, and today I thought I had pushed too far.

I remember walking in the mountains of Montana early one morning and the same feeling came upon me. Walking on the mountain takes your breath away-figuratively and literally. The mountains were beautiful in the early morning. That morning I walked down the hill for quite awhile, not thinking that if I wanted to get home, it would be necessary to walk back up the hill.

Going uphill is difficult. In fact, so difficult that I quit at one point, and decided I would wait for someone to come along and pick me up. It was here that the imaginary wall showed up. I felt I must go on. Physically I was depleted, but I needed to walk on up to the top. I pushed through the wall. I rested often, but as I rested I still had this wonderful view of the Mission mountains and the valley below. Even in my resting time I was aware of God’s presence in those mountains.

What an analogy of the Christian walk. When a person first starts walking with Christ, the walk is not too difficult; we are on the top of the hill. We start down the hill just a step or two. We aren’t going far, but we want to test ourselves just a bit. How easy it is to wander on our way admiring the beauty surrounding us, oblivious to how far down the path we have traveled. We have gone too far away from Christ. We are walking an unknown path. Realization hits and we recognize that we need to get back to where we started.

We decide to start back. Traveling back isn't easy. We often need to take a breather. Prayer becomes necessary if we are to continue. Our time with God’s Word increases as we realize the need for spiritual food. Friendship and encouragement from our friends is the crutch we lean on. Just like the beauty of the mountains was still surrounding me so the spirit of Christ still is with us.

We recover our spiritual breath, take a new look at the situation and go on toward the top. We continue struggling with the determination to go back to where we began this downhill journey.

Physical walking and spiritual walking have so much in common. The Spirit keeps pushing us to walk a little farther, to become a little stronger in the knowledge of the Lord. We walk through that wall. Certainly it is a struggle. Sometimes the struggle is a daily thing; sometimes it goes on for years.

The top of the hill is worth it.

JUST WALKING

In searching through my writings I discovered this and felt it might be worth sharing on my blog this week. My walking this week is somewhat curtailed. I have “overdone” my physical capabilities and find that my body is responding to my recent surgery. As usual I have pushed too hard too fast. I confess this is not an unusual action on my part. So instead of writing about walking I will just share some thoughts I have had. Do keep walking with our Lord...I am. AN INVISIBLE FLAVOR My husband always makes a survey of the dinner table before we bow for prayer. And I know what he is looking for...salt. If by some slip, I have forgotten to put it within his reach or even more unthinkable have not even put it on the table, he rises before we pray to retrieve the salt.(Please note that is a somewhat tongue in cheek statement, but also true.) It is that invisible flavor of life that so many of us crave and miss so much if it isn't there. Sometimes we don't even know what's missing, but the food just doesn't "taste right". We all know someone whose presence brings a glow to the environment...the club meeting goes better, the luncheon group is happier, the church board meeting is pleasant. That is the dissolved salt of Christ's love in the environment they live in. My prayer today is that Christ's love is made evident to others when they get a taste of my life.

JUST WALKING

WALK (Even When You Don’t Want To) `I really didn’t even want to get up this morning. My body was achy...nothing major just “old-age” aches and pains that usually disappear once I am up and moving. But this morning seemed a good morning to turn on my other side, wrap my arms around my pillow, pull the sheet a little closer to my chin and just snuggle down for another few minutes. I knew if I did, my walk wouldn’t happen. I have promised myself I will walk each day this week, so I made myself get up, get dressed and start down the blacktop toward the highway. I would not describe my steps as lively or my face as joyful, but I am walking. I plod along my usual route, and just as I turn the corner to start the last lap of my journey there they are in front of me...right in the middle of the road. A doe and her little fawn are also taking their morning stroll. Batting their eyes and twitching their white tails, they stand ears-up alert, poised to run at the slightest indication of danger. Obviously not feeling I am too dangerous, the mother and baby wander slowly across the road, turn once to check me out and then bound into the corn field behind Crestwood School. And even though I know deer are rampant in this county, cause many automobile accidents and eat our crops, they are still a beautiful early morning surprise. The sun is shining, the birds are singing and God’s creation is all around me. Seeing the deer, I stop for a minute, enjoy my surroundings and thank God that I am physically able to walk as a part of His creation. I continue on towards home just thankful that even though I didn’t really want to walk, I had trudged the path and turned the corner and experienced the sudden beauty of the mother and her child of nature. Again God reminds me in His own way that “this is the day that the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it.” I wonder if this isn’t also true about our daily spiritual walk. Many times I start the day not really too anxious to do the God “things” I know I should do. Reading my Bible, praying, calling on the sick, sending the cards, talking to my neighbor about Jesus are not things I want to do. I would much rather pull the sheet of the world around me and go on with my life of pleasure. And yet when I take the time and make the effort, I find many lovely surprises just waiting for me as I turn the corner. I realize how God’s Word speaks to me so personally; how much I enjoyed visiting with the lady in the nursing home; how talking to my neighbor has brought me a new friend and most of all the joy I feel when the day is done. Again His Word comes “Ask where the good way is and walk in it and you will find rest for your soul.” And I have. Enjoy your walk.

A PLANNED CELEBRATION Of course I danced at the wedding reception!!! Before my hip replacement on May 29,I had promised myself and my grandson that I would do that very thing. And because of many prayers and God’s physical healing I was there in my high-heeled dancing shoes for a dance with my grandson when the celebration music began to play. The weather was perfect for July, the church was overflowing and the ceremony performed by the groom’s uncle was a tribute to God and His love for these children. Vows were made and pledges for eternity were given. As I walk and think on the weekend’s festivities I pray that “what God has joined together let no man put asunder.” The ceremony and the reception reflected the planning that had been made for the six months prior to the event. During that time, the bride carried a notebook and made a list for each detail of the event. She studied magazines, talked to others and listened to experts so that when her wedding day arrived she would be guaranteed the celebration of her dreams. As the day grew closer, she was patient but insistent that all things would be as she intended. Her guidelines were clear. I am amazed at the exactness of her plans. Nothing had been left to chance. Nothing left to chance! Why wouldn’t we do the same with our plans for eternity? Why don’t we make sure of our future by studying, talking with others and listening to experts? God certainly has provided us the plans and the people to instruct us about the future. Not only has He given directives for the future but also instructions about how to prepare for it as we live our life here on earth. He too is patient but persistent that His plans are followed. Perhaps as Paige planned for a celebration that she so wanted to be “perfect”, we too should plan for that day when as a part of the bride of Christ we join the bridegroom for eternity. What a day that will be for those who have heard and accepted his invitation! May we all walk in such a way that we can dance at the "WEDDING". Enjoy your walk today.

COME TO THE WEDDING

As I walk in the early morning air, I look forward to the week ahead. Our oldest grandson is getting married on Saturday, and all my children are coming home. My 90 year old mother is visiting and many relatives of both families will be traveling to celebrate with the young couple as they start a life together. I am so excited. The church building will be covered with candles and flowers. The invitations have been sent. The feast is being prepared for everyone receiving an invitation. The finest facilities are rented and the large candles, the rose bowls, the m&m candies and the chocolate fountain are just waiting for the big day. A beautiful multi-tiered bride’s cake elaborately decorated with pearls and ribbons will grace the refreshment table and on the adjoining table the groom’s cake all decked out in a camouflage icing to honor the deer hunting groom will be sliced to serve his friends. And the responses have been made. Many have indicated they will be part of our celebration. Some have not responded yet and it is getting rather close to the date of the wedding. We are uncertain about these people. Others have received their invitations but have declined. They don’t specify a reason, just “sorry we will not be attending”. And we regret they won’t be a part of our joy, but they were invited and have chosen to be absent from us. I’m sure they have what they feel are good reasons for declining our invitation. I anticipate visiting with the family I have not seen for awhile. Our daughter-in-law (the mother of the groom) will arrive tonight and then later in the week our son, our granddaughter and her friend will leave their jobs and join the family to prepare for the week-end. What joy to be together for such an occasion! God has also prepared such an occasion for His bride the church. He has made the plans; the decorations are finished and placed in readiness for the guests. Everyone has been invited to the wedding feast and yet many have not responded to the personal invitation even though the day is quickly approaching All who have already reserved a place at the celebration are anticipating the gathering. It will be a time for renewal of acquaintance, a time to share with relatives we haven’t seen for awhile, a time for joy as we assemble with so many familiar faces and surprised delight as we recognize an old friend that we didn’t expect to be there. God’s preparations are constant and unchanging and His invitation is always ready. I wonder why people refuse an invitation to celebrate God’s love for his bride throughout eternity. Much like those who sent refusals to the wedding we are planning, they are just too busy. For many, it isn’t that they haven’t been offered the invitation, just that they haven’t realized its importance. Life gets in the way of eternity. I pray today that someone will accept the invitation that God is offering to be a part of the eternal celebration when God welcomes His bride the church into eternity.

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

May everyone know the joy of Home for the holiday...whether it be in your heart or in reality. We all have a spot within our soul that needs to be filled with Jesus and when that large hole is filled we have home in our hearts. I pray this space in your heart is full of the Savior and his love HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS Home for the holidays-isn’t that a beautiful phrase? For some, home is the light display around the lake, the gold coin in the Salvation Army kettle and the Bell Ridge church children’s program. For others home is the carol floating from the church steeple, Santa’s house on the corner of the Courthouse lawn, and the smiling faces of people who nod in recognition at the Wal-Mart. For many it’s the lunch with friends, and best of all, the family gathering under the same roof to celebrate the birth of the Savior who means so much to all of us. Home has a different association to each of us, but for me it is all of these things and more. Home is Edgar County, Illinois. Here in Edgar County we can still enjoy the manger scene displayed in so many different ways. I enjoy the living nativity at the church drive-thru, but whether the nativity is cast in fancy marble or displayed as a small crèche on the coffee table, it is still a reminder of our Savior’s home when He came into this world. Not a palace, but a stable. Not a home of great renown and wealth, but the lowly dwelling of a teenager and a carpenter. Isn’t it amazing when you think about it? That God would expect a young teenage woman and her carpenter husband to raise the Savior of the world? And yet, it was in this home where Jesus “grew in wisdom and in stature” (Luke 2:52) and became all that He was meant to be. My childhood home and family memories flood my heart during this time of year. I realize how past experiences have shaped me into the woman I have become. I pray that those of us who are parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts remember that as Jesus grew and was influenced by these young parents in their home, so the children around us are influenced by what they are witnessing in us. All are touched by the world’s concept of Christmas. We can enjoy cooking, shopping, and the partying of the holidays. However, my wish for children is that their family memories be centered on the celebration of Jesus’ birth and the knowledge that He came to be the Savior. May your home and your family be a place of celebration and joy for the birth of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. May you enjoy your walk with Him in 2007. Enjoy your walk. Jeremiah 6:16

1000 GIFTS

11/14/06 e-mails from friends, fresh baked apple pie,positive comments about blog entry, husband, internet pictures of ship that grandson-to-be (August 18) is on, gift of prayer,

LUCKY?

No gift unrecognized as coming from God is at its own best... when in all gifts we find Him, then in Him we shall find all things."~ George MacDonald~ “Your family is just so lucky!” “You just seem to have all the luck.” “You don’t know about problems” Throughout my life my friends have made comments about “how lucky” I am. Usually I try to indicate that luck has had nothing to do with our life, and that God has had everything to do with it. Not that we haven’t struggled or known disappointment; of course we have. We all do. But, we have attempted to recognize that God is in control, and if we allow Him, He will take charge of all things. Putting Him first is not always easy, and we have not always been successful at this, but when we have done this, our days are easier and smoother. We have claimed his promise of “All things work together for good to those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.”(Romans 8:28) Fifty year of marriage, two children, two in-law children and four grandchildren are gifts that we recognize as coming from God, and because of this recognition we have found all things. A marriage without Christ as its center can be good but not great! Great marriage relationships grow when they are Christ centered. When both partners recognize that the love they share is based in their love for Christ, it is then they gain the gift of “all things.” The good and perfect gift of God’s love becomes a reality in the marriage. Children of a marriage are gifts from God, and when we acknowledge this and raise them as gifts fit to give back to Him, it is then we can truly know the pleasure of all things. As our children and grandchildren continue to grow and serve Him, they give us the gift of their love and His love, and it is then we begin to understand our purpose in life. Our purpose is to acknowledge to the world around us that our family is a gift from God. We must treasure that gift, thank Him for it, and use it in the way He planned.My prayer is that as we watch our grandchildren begin to marry and start families that they will recognize and acknowledge to the world around them that God is the center of their home. By doing this they too will be able to “find all things in Him.”