As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. (1 Pet.2:2-3)
Saturday, December 31, 2011
"Bloom where you're planted."
God has planted us in the best soil that we may grow as He desires us to grow. He has the beautiful end result in mind and he gently plants and prunes and waters to bring about the result he's fashioned us for. The environment, the climate, the nutrients in the soil. He knows our deficiencies. He alone knows what His creature is capable of and gently coaxes us towards that end. All by Him. All for His glory. He desires His gloriousness to shine through every facet of us in all it's radiance.
I'm starting to catch glimpses of a bigger picture, seeing how my life, my husband, my child, my circumstances, my surroundings, my joys, my longings can all help to shape and sharpen and mold me in the character and person that God has designed for His child to be. He knows what delights me most. He knows the things that are hardest for me. He gives me tastes of his greatest wonders and he lets my heart ache so that I'll be strengthened by grace.
Seeing only with eyes of flesh I may contentedly bask in the sun but grumble at the flavor of the rain.
But God is the master craftsmen. God is the Potter. He designed the perfect life to fit me into that I might flourish in the gifts he's given me. Also the perfect environment to train, shape, purify and purge away sin. He delights in me. Each circumstance I can accept as an opportunity for God to disciple and mold me.
In the last weeks and months I've found myself more and more deeply discouraged by my insecurities, my criticalness, and my short-comings. I resent the circumstances that draw these ugly things out into the light. I would much rather be seen as an angel and never know my sin or have others see and be hurt by it. God has been showing me that these circumstances are gifts from his loving hand to bring Light to each and every place of my heart so that it is made pleasing and beautiful to Him. Seeing there is purpose in each situation brightens my spirit and gives me strength and hope to accept all that God places in Andrew's and my life from His hand. The hand of the Lord in whom we can trust with every fiber of our being.
I'm starting to catch glimpses of a bigger picture, seeing how my life, my husband, my child, my circumstances, my surroundings, my joys, my longings can all help to shape and sharpen and mold me in the character and person that God has designed for His child to be. He knows what delights me most. He knows the things that are hardest for me. He gives me tastes of his greatest wonders and he lets my heart ache so that I'll be strengthened by grace.
Seeing only with eyes of flesh I may contentedly bask in the sun but grumble at the flavor of the rain.
But God is the master craftsmen. God is the Potter. He designed the perfect life to fit me into that I might flourish in the gifts he's given me. Also the perfect environment to train, shape, purify and purge away sin. He delights in me. Each circumstance I can accept as an opportunity for God to disciple and mold me.
In the last weeks and months I've found myself more and more deeply discouraged by my insecurities, my criticalness, and my short-comings. I resent the circumstances that draw these ugly things out into the light. I would much rather be seen as an angel and never know my sin or have others see and be hurt by it. God has been showing me that these circumstances are gifts from his loving hand to bring Light to each and every place of my heart so that it is made pleasing and beautiful to Him. Seeing there is purpose in each situation brightens my spirit and gives me strength and hope to accept all that God places in Andrew's and my life from His hand. The hand of the Lord in whom we can trust with every fiber of our being.
"For you, Lord, have made me glad
through Your work;
I will triumph in the works of Your
hands."
Ps 92:4
Saturday, December 24, 2011
A child is born in Bethlehem!
A couple days ago I was out for a stroll with Zeke and walked past a home. In the center of a very green yard and some pretty rose bushes sat a tree decorated for Christmas. It made me smile. I thought of taking a picture and making a New Zealand Christmas card. Rather than snow, icicles and candles in the window. The reds and greens of Christmas came from the fresh grass and the glow of a blazing sun. I also smiled when I found a New Zealand childrens' book with Santa in shorts and a T-shirt. :)
This year as I think of Christ's coming and the message of hope he embodied, I thank God for being so personal...coming to us in human form as a helpless babe. He cried and crawled and walked and talked "in our shoes."
The evening before last, I started reading through the book of John. In chapter two Jesus does his first miracle. Sometimes I've wondered why his first miracle was something so bizarre and seemingly trivial. Providing enough wine at a wedding. Aren't there worse things in the world than running out of wine at a wedding? As I was reading the story I noticed some things I've never seen before and it filled me with great excitement to see the gospel enfold through this beautiful passage.
Jesus had the servants fill jars with water. The same jars that were used for ceremonial cleansing. Then he turns the water to wine. The water needed for cleansing in order to keep the law is replaced with the blood of Christ. Wine represents Christ's blood as in the Lord's supper. Law is usurped by grace. The servants bring the wine to the master of the banquet and he is satisfied. God, is satisfied with the substitute Lamb of God. The servants see the miracle and Christ's disciples see "the glory of God" revealed and place their faith in him. Once again Christ gives front row seats to the babes and the servants in the crowd. Thank you Lord! "Wine gladdens the heart of man." Christ brings hope and joy when it looked as if it had run out. Sometimes I look around and struggle to see the light and the hope but the wine of his presence has not run out. In fact the water turned to wine is "as if he saved the very best for last."
Hearing the gospel with fresh ears makes me want to jump in and be a part of the story he's begun. With a new year comes fresh hope and vigor to follow after Christ.
Andrew's work with Prison Care Ministries is going well. He continues to meet guys and spend hours with them on a day to day basis. Christmas can be a lonely and sad time of year for a man just out of prison who is without family and friends. Please cry out to God that he would powerfully work in the lives of these men and draw them close to Himself.
Lets storm the gates of heaven together with our prayers and praises this Christmas! :)
Much love to you both near and especially far! I miss you and think of you often in these sentimental special days of celebrating our Lord's love. My heart holds you close!
Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!!!
A couple days ago I was out for a stroll with Zeke and walked past a home. In the center of a very green yard and some pretty rose bushes sat a tree decorated for Christmas. It made me smile. I thought of taking a picture and making a New Zealand Christmas card. Rather than snow, icicles and candles in the window. The reds and greens of Christmas came from the fresh grass and the glow of a blazing sun. I also smiled when I found a New Zealand childrens' book with Santa in shorts and a T-shirt. :)
This year as I think of Christ's coming and the message of hope he embodied, I thank God for being so personal...coming to us in human form as a helpless babe. He cried and crawled and walked and talked "in our shoes."
The evening before last, I started reading through the book of John. In chapter two Jesus does his first miracle. Sometimes I've wondered why his first miracle was something so bizarre and seemingly trivial. Providing enough wine at a wedding. Aren't there worse things in the world than running out of wine at a wedding? As I was reading the story I noticed some things I've never seen before and it filled me with great excitement to see the gospel enfold through this beautiful passage.
Jesus had the servants fill jars with water. The same jars that were used for ceremonial cleansing. Then he turns the water to wine. The water needed for cleansing in order to keep the law is replaced with the blood of Christ. Wine represents Christ's blood as in the Lord's supper. Law is usurped by grace. The servants bring the wine to the master of the banquet and he is satisfied. God, is satisfied with the substitute Lamb of God. The servants see the miracle and Christ's disciples see "the glory of God" revealed and place their faith in him. Once again Christ gives front row seats to the babes and the servants in the crowd. Thank you Lord! "Wine gladdens the heart of man." Christ brings hope and joy when it looked as if it had run out. Sometimes I look around and struggle to see the light and the hope but the wine of his presence has not run out. In fact the water turned to wine is "as if he saved the very best for last."
Hearing the gospel with fresh ears makes me want to jump in and be a part of the story he's begun. With a new year comes fresh hope and vigor to follow after Christ.
Andrew's work with Prison Care Ministries is going well. He continues to meet guys and spend hours with them on a day to day basis. Christmas can be a lonely and sad time of year for a man just out of prison who is without family and friends. Please cry out to God that he would powerfully work in the lives of these men and draw them close to Himself.
Lets storm the gates of heaven together with our prayers and praises this Christmas! :)
Much love to you both near and especially far! I miss you and think of you often in these sentimental special days of celebrating our Lord's love. My heart holds you close!
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Cookin..
Cast on the heat
Tenderly spitting meat
Cracking up, egging on
Sunny side up shone
Oiling our appetite
Feeds a healthy fight
Over pan-fried fishes
And wiping the dishes.
So who caught the catch
In this best match?
Mine to spread a toast
Butter her up boast
Sheden sizzles hot
I sure lucked the pot.
Tenderly spitting meat
Cracking up, egging on
Sunny side up shone
Oiling our appetite
Feeds a healthy fight
Over pan-fried fishes
And wiping the dishes.
So who caught the catch
In this best match?
Mine to spread a toast
Butter her up boast
Sheden sizzles hot
I sure lucked the pot.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Woman's Plight
Every other day...
The sun shouts hosanna and the flowers dance to the melody of the wind.
Praises slide from my tongue like rain from a roof.
My husband is clad in steel armor covering a heart of gold.
The bible opens with life pouring out of it- i cup my hands and drink it in.
My heart is full with ambition, vision and purpose.
I see my life in full color and beauty, perfectly cropped and framed.
I feel loved and adored and I'm the happiest girl in the world.
But that day is tomorrow.
Today...
I dig for flower bulbs and find worms.
The sun hides from the earth and the trees cower in the rain.
I hang the laundry out and it pours.
I say "I'm sorry" in place of "I love you."
A smile hurts and "thank you" sounds empty.
The bible opens and tears blur the words.
My heart is still full but needs a decluttering.
So Lord, fill up the "thank you's" and heal the smiles. Erase the reasons for the sorry and multiply the "I love you's!" Its alright if the laundry gets showered but let the sun smile afterwards. Give sight to my blind eyes to see and believe. Touch my deaf ears so they might hear and understand. Purify and soften my heart that it may be touched by the things you are touched by. Let me feel the things that you feel and see the fullness that you see. The lessons and the cares of today are different then yesterday and tomorrow but let me thrive and learn from both. Thanks. Lala Salama.
your Eden
The sun shouts hosanna and the flowers dance to the melody of the wind.
Praises slide from my tongue like rain from a roof.
My husband is clad in steel armor covering a heart of gold.
The bible opens with life pouring out of it- i cup my hands and drink it in.
My heart is full with ambition, vision and purpose.
I see my life in full color and beauty, perfectly cropped and framed.
I feel loved and adored and I'm the happiest girl in the world.
But that day is tomorrow.
Today...
I dig for flower bulbs and find worms.
The sun hides from the earth and the trees cower in the rain.
I hang the laundry out and it pours.
I say "I'm sorry" in place of "I love you."
A smile hurts and "thank you" sounds empty.
The bible opens and tears blur the words.
My heart is still full but needs a decluttering.
So Lord, fill up the "thank you's" and heal the smiles. Erase the reasons for the sorry and multiply the "I love you's!" Its alright if the laundry gets showered but let the sun smile afterwards. Give sight to my blind eyes to see and believe. Touch my deaf ears so they might hear and understand. Purify and soften my heart that it may be touched by the things you are touched by. Let me feel the things that you feel and see the fullness that you see. The lessons and the cares of today are different then yesterday and tomorrow but let me thrive and learn from both. Thanks. Lala Salama.
your Eden
Monday, December 12, 2011
What is love?
 |
| Andrew wheel-standing at Raglan Beach |
There's a fire and there's a passion.
But what is love when the embers die down?
Love is talking.
Love is a smile.
Love is someone being there.
Love is doing ordinary things together.
Love looks with seeing eyes.
Love is pausing.
Love is continuing.
Love is being kind again today.
Love is laughing or letting go because...
the person over-rides the annoyance.
Love is asking.
Love looks after and takes care of.
Love grows.
Love keeps on loving.
Love doesn't stop believing.
Love mends.
Love speaks.
Love is powerful.
Love waits.
Love is quiet and love is loud.
Love screams and whispers.
Love is masculine and feminine.
Love is Andrew and love is Eden.
Love is God.
And He has created us in His image.
Love grows.
Love keeps on pouring.
Love relights the fire.
He multiplies Himself in us.
 |
| June, 2010 Queenstown, South Island |
 |
| Bridal Veil Falls |
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Christmas in New Zealand
I'm still waiting for it to hit me that Christmas is just around the corner. I see on Facebook from US friends that Christmas lights are being put out, Christmas music's on the radio, and the sweet virus of special memories and family cheer is spreading rapidly.
It's December 6th and the weather is hot and humid here with occasional fitful showers. It's hard to picture sipping hot chocolate and warming fingers after a vicious snow ball fight. Sharing stories around a lit tree in the evening with soft Christmas music playing looses its magical romance when the sun's peering in to be a part of it. The sun keeps houses lit nearly til bedtime these days.
Maybe if I wait for the Christmas's I've known to arrive it will never come, but if I look around I see many joyous wonders to thank God for surrounding this special time of year when the world joins in celebrating our Savior's glorious appearance on earth as a wee babe.
With summer/Christmas holidays letting loose in New Zealand, Kate was off school and Olivia has graduated. Yesterday before lunch the two of them walked up with a couple games and a homemade slice of cheese cake for me. :) We ate lunch together out on the trampoline. When the sun was blazing we woke Zeke up and walked down the farm for a swim in Mum and Dad's pool. Zeke played on the lounge floor, Mum keeping an eye on him, while the gals and I had a wonderfully refreshing afternoon swim. Jack arrived back from school on his bike and joined us for some afternoon tea and Mum's famous queen cakes.
Around Mum and Dad's table with Zeke sitting on my knee and Olivia, Kate and Jack keeping everyone in stitches with impersonations of Mr. Bean, I felt very blessed and very much in a Christmas spirit.
No snow ball fights going on around this house this season but I did get playfully tossed out in the rain yesterday evening by my husband during a violent downpour.
I didn't pile on the couch with siblings and little nieces and nephews to watch Elf or ride downtown as Papa pointed out Streets and Houses dressed for Christmas but...the New Zealand skyline was clothed in splendor as the sun bid us ado. At nearly nine o'clock Zeke slept soundly as Andrew and I went out to enjoy the Light show and drink in the fresh, clear spring air just after the rain.
Thank you Lord for spoiling me with people to love both near and far! Thank you for taking the time to create beautiful rain showers and sunsets, hot summer days and cool clear water, beautiful farms and dancing hillsides. Most of all, thank you for coming to earth to save and restore what is good and beautiful and to rescue and defeat what is evil and sinful. Teach my heart contentment that my spirit may bathe in your joy day by day.
It's December 6th and the weather is hot and humid here with occasional fitful showers. It's hard to picture sipping hot chocolate and warming fingers after a vicious snow ball fight. Sharing stories around a lit tree in the evening with soft Christmas music playing looses its magical romance when the sun's peering in to be a part of it. The sun keeps houses lit nearly til bedtime these days.
Maybe if I wait for the Christmas's I've known to arrive it will never come, but if I look around I see many joyous wonders to thank God for surrounding this special time of year when the world joins in celebrating our Savior's glorious appearance on earth as a wee babe.
With summer/Christmas holidays letting loose in New Zealand, Kate was off school and Olivia has graduated. Yesterday before lunch the two of them walked up with a couple games and a homemade slice of cheese cake for me. :) We ate lunch together out on the trampoline. When the sun was blazing we woke Zeke up and walked down the farm for a swim in Mum and Dad's pool. Zeke played on the lounge floor, Mum keeping an eye on him, while the gals and I had a wonderfully refreshing afternoon swim. Jack arrived back from school on his bike and joined us for some afternoon tea and Mum's famous queen cakes.
Around Mum and Dad's table with Zeke sitting on my knee and Olivia, Kate and Jack keeping everyone in stitches with impersonations of Mr. Bean, I felt very blessed and very much in a Christmas spirit.
No snow ball fights going on around this house this season but I did get playfully tossed out in the rain yesterday evening by my husband during a violent downpour.
I didn't pile on the couch with siblings and little nieces and nephews to watch Elf or ride downtown as Papa pointed out Streets and Houses dressed for Christmas but...the New Zealand skyline was clothed in splendor as the sun bid us ado. At nearly nine o'clock Zeke slept soundly as Andrew and I went out to enjoy the Light show and drink in the fresh, clear spring air just after the rain.
 |
| ...from a couple nights earlier. |
 |
| Sunset pics with Zeke... |
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