June is a moody month up in these hills.
We live in the midst of a mountain range stretching through this northeastern state.
One minute we see the brilliance of a sunny day with dots of clouds.
The next minute those small dots have expanded into mega-puffs of gray ready to pour huge drops onto God's gorgeous vegetation.
One rain storm and my peonies were gone.
Just like that.
Oh, moody June.
June 1, 2017
He was from Samaria, that area that any good Jew would not walk through but would spend an extra two days skirting around if they were traveling from Jerusalem to Galilee.
Justin was a pagan who was well versed in the philosophies he taught to many. He had good rhetoric, was articulate and exceedingly persuasive in his arguments.
He knew what he believed.
But, in his adult years he encountered those who called themselves Christian.
He listened and learned and came to believe in the Son of God so vehemently that his goal was to challenge any 'philosophical' pagan on the subject of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Justin eventually moved to Rome and began a school of
In fact, he was so good that the emperor of Rome had him arrested and demanded he bow down to this 'god' of Rome.
Of course he could not . . . and was beheaded.
I think of Justin, the martyred one, and then think of my lack of bravery.
Would I be willing to stand firm in my faith knowing full well I might die doing so?
Too many have already set this example of bravery for the sake of Christ in the past few years.
More Christians have been killed in the past ten years than all the martyrs in history.
Yet, my JOY is in the Lord.
I choose to live each day with the JOY of Christ rather than return to the bland nothingness of daily living before I believed.
We are each called to a purpose.
Justin was called to speak out boldly even onto death.
I breathe deep and ask for Holy boldness so that I can do the same.
6-2:: Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread
When we say rote prayers, I often focus in on one word or stanza and let my mind wander.
Give us this day . . . as I thank the Lord for another day of life.
Give us this day our daily bread . . . as I thank the Lord for our daily provision.
Then my mind wanders back to the first salvation experience of the Hebrew people just after the Passover and after they made their exodus from Egypt and crossed the sea into the dry land of the desert.
God gave them daily provision but not one morsel more.
They were given enough manna to pick up and feed on daily.
If they gleaned more than they could eat in order to save it for the next day it would go bad and would be inedible.
Only the day before sabbath did God allow them to glean two day's worth so they would have enough to eat the day of their sabbath rest.
So, with Costco and the grocery and fast foot take-out and
I know I will never go without food as we have plenty stored in the pantry if we cannot shop.
We purchase some items in bulk 'just in case.'
Yet, we seem to forever run out of bananas . . . our daily habit.
Life is so incredibly easy for us and yet we sometimes run out of certain 'manna' when we have no time to shop.
Do we suffer? No way.
Do we starve? Of course not.
Do we have any idea how it feels to go hungry? Not in the least.
We live in a place where abundance is in our back yard.
Home grown is our summer source . . . from farmers down the street.
Give us this day, our daily bread?
I don't even have to ask and God has provided.
We know we are blessed and we give thanks daily.
Thank you, God, for giving us life in this century, in this country, in this state, in this county, in this township.
Your Grace is our abundance.
6-3:: Pentecost Prep
I'm preparing words for tomorrow's celebration of Pentecost.
Fifty days or seven weeks after the hebrew people fled Egypt, God gave them the Law, through Moses, in order for God's Chosen People to remain focused on their one true God.
Over the centuries, this required feast day was remembered each year, fifty days after the celebration of the first Passover.
Passover to Pentecost . . . two of the major fast/feast requirements of the year . . . were the template God used to provide another salvation experience for His Chosen People.
God wanted his chosen ones to experience a New Covenant through His Son, Jesus Christ.
This 'new' covenant would bring resurrected power into the lives of those chosen by God, those who chose to say YES to belief in God through His Son.
Pentecost, a new beginning.
Pentecost not only became the feast of weeks, the bread offering,
The sky opened up to the thunderous clap of God's presence and tongues of fire spread through the crowd.
Three thousand were baptized the next day.
What an experience.
Pentecost was seen in new light and continues to be a power-filled day.
6-4:: Seven Weeks
Most churches in the U.S. celebrate this "Feast of Weeks" . . . the seven weeks . . . or Pentecost . . . 50 days . . . on Sunday.
But the Amish are very correct in celebrating Pentecost . . . 50 days . . . on the 50th day, which is Monday.
I did some research and found that, until the 1960s, Pentecost was celebrated in Europe on the 50th day AND this 'secular' holiday was for all people.
Only recently have the governments in the Western European countries ceased from giving this weekday off.
However, Pentecost Monday is still a 'holy day of obligation' in the Catholic church in Germany.
Another interesting name for Pentecost Sunday is WhitSunday or WhitMonday (for whichever day Pentecost is observed.)
The past century there has been a strong tradition to baptize on the Pentecost Sunday and when doing so, each one to be baptized is dressed in white.
The main reason we Christians celebrate Pentecost is to remind us that the power of the Holy Spirit is actually planted in each person who believes that Jesus is God, died and rose again so that we may also have resurrected life eternally.
When we invite God, through His Son, into our lives and believe in the promises stated in scripture, the Holy Spirit, given to us through baptism, will reside in our lives and preside over our lives eternally, never to leave us.
We each have different gifts that can be used to further the kingdom of God.
It's up to us to call upon the Holy Spirit to given us that boldness to use the gifts we might use according to God's purpose for us.
Seven weeks . . . Pentecost . . . power within . . . it's all good.
6-5:: An Incredible Man
We will celebrate dad's life this week.
Below is an edited version of what my brother wrote regarding this pillar in the community::
Orem Olford Robbins, February 5,1915 - May 1,2017
Orem Robbins was a big man. He was imposing physically, but it was his big heart that made him seem so big. With big vision he thought nothing was impossible. His big smile and positive outlook were undiminished by age and adversity.
Born in Minneapolis to Douglas Ford Robbins and Grace Rorem Robbins, he was the second of three children. Family experience helped form two key aspects of his character: The iron willpower to rise above his circumstances and the commitment to live happily within his means.
As an Eagle Scout he learned lessons that stayed with him until the end of his life. He graduated Cum Laude from the University of Minnesota, got his Bachelor of Law degree and Juris Doctor and was admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court and U.S. Court of Military Appeals.
Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army in 1941, he worked on General McArthur’s staff in the Philippines ending his active duty as Lt. Colonel, retired from the reserves in 1966 as a full Colonel and was awarded the Legion of Merit, the nation’s second highest service award.
As an agent for Connecticut General Life Ins. Co. he achieved Chartered Life Underwriter and Million Dollar Round Table designations, National Assoc. of Securities Dealers and so much more.
May 1956 he started Security Life Ins Co. of America, the first life insurance company chartered in the state of Minnesota in over 30 years. It grew into Security American Financial Enterprises or SAFE. He was also president of Life Ins. Leaders of Minnesota and a chapter of Chartered Life Underwriters.
He was Chairman of the board of Hamline University, where the Orem O. Robbins Science Center resides and where he sponsored a scholarship for Eagle Scout applicants each year. He was chairman of the Methodist Hospital Foundation, a member of the board and treasurer for Good Will Industries, was a life member of Family and Children’s Services and supported a family in Kenya for 20 years.
The family gathered at the hotel so we were all 'on time' as we followed each other to the very large church in town.
Hubby and I went early so that we could meet Boy Scout
Before I knew it there were swarms of people entering the very large room on the way to the church sanctuary.
My long lost cousin with second and third cousins at her side seemed to appear out of nowhere.
Our 'small' family exploded into about thirty!
Oh JOY!
What a delight to see so many faces that I'd missed over the decades.
Even my high school friend I'd not seen in fifty years came
We all had so little time with each other because the interment was shortly after the service.
As part of the service, various family members shared a very small vignette of their lives with dad.
Memories were made that will have to last quite some time.
This was, indeed, a special day.
6-7:: The Dinner
Although some family members flew home right after the funeral, interment and luncheon, most of us remained for the night.
One brother from that area suggested we enjoy his favorite Italian restaurant.
What a family dinner we had.
Noisy, endless conversation, food for the tummy and food for thought.
Everyone was fully engaged.
We drove two of the 'singles' back to the hotel and ended up sharing deep insights among ourselves while sitting in the car in the hotel parking lot . . . for over an hour!
I do believe the Lord was opening up hearts, orchestrating
Life happens.
We get too busy.
We cocoon into our own busy worlds and hang on as we spin through our own wonderful adventures.
It's so nice to burst through that self-created boundary, spread our wings and flit about as we discover other's life challenges.
God is so good.
A great time to reflect on this special time the night before.
6-8:: Hubby and me
So much happened on our trip that I reflect upon it for several days.
Family came . . . shared . . . and returned home.
Hubby and I stayed in the city of my youth so we could linger a bit where I grew up over fifty years ago.
We saw our old houses and school and lakes and parks and so many familiar sights.
Just hubby and me.
It was nice but a bit sad that family lives in so many states.
I found, hidden in a box, one piece of paper that seemed profound.
"SAFE Principles" were printed and placed in a simple plexiglass frame.
I bet all the employees received a copy when his insurance company was named "Security American Financial Enterprises."
These principles seem to reflect Wesley's quote, above.
I'm excited to recreate them digitally and send them to the family.
What a precious treasure which reminds us that dad always made 'rules to live by' so that everything would run smoothly.
Just like dad.
A great discovery by hubby and me.
6-9:: Reflection on my beginnings
While flying home I began to reflect upon my Christian
I've been gone over fifty years.
It was big then.
Now, with the addition and modernization, it's immense.
That said, the basic worship area has changed little.
Same pews, same rows, same chancel but with a huge set of organ pipes and the organ as the central focus.
It's beautiful . . . but different.
The vestments, hand woven by a local Scandinavian, were displayed for all to see when not in use.
What a fabulous idea!!
Jesus Christ is very much alive at this church which is active all day, every day.
We especially loved the artistic representation of the Ten Commandments.
Each 'tablet' represents the mountain upon which Moses met with YHWH and received God's Law.The triangle that embraces the Ten Commandments is the symbol many use to represent God.
What a glorious way to remind us that Jesus came, not to abolish the Law but to show us how the Law alone is not enough.
We know that, no matter how hard we try to 'do' good works, we cannot 'work' our way into God's kingdom.
Our faith shall make us free.
6-10:: The Old House
I had not seen our old house for several decades.
The old house a few pictures previous to this one was our residence for just a few years.
Right across the park, on the way to the house that remains filled with wonderful memories, I spotted this old water tower.
What an icon of an era well over 150 years ago.
I can only surmise that the residence to its right may also own this tower. It sure looks well kept.
Just a couple blocks further is the house that I recall, in far better condition than I expected.
I remember dad and mom spending years redoing the entire 150 year old edifice inside and out.
Dad re-lanscaped the front after he tore off the rickety front
The front steps and the sidewalk leading up to them were hand laid, one stone at a time.
Not only did they keep the front steps but they added nice landscaping around the same front yard we played on for decades.
The house gleams with fresh paint and looks oh so well loved.
NICE!
6-11:: Trinity Sunday
We flew home just in time to celebrate Trinity Sunday.
It's my favorite celebration after Pentecost and ushers in six
It's difficult to imagine YHWH being fully three persons from before the beginning of creation but it's right there in the book of Genesis.
God:Father, Son and Holy Spirit . . . breathed into nothingness and created.
God, the Son, was not yet made manifest so the 'human' part of the Son did not yet exist.
Each part of God was separately divine yet they were one, in community, not ever to be separated.
Unlike other gods, we must trust the words of scripture, so well known for centuries before actually written onto scrolls.
We must trust that our God exists without seeing Him . . . at least before and after Jesus was . . . begotten, not made, of one being with the Father.
Every year I hear . . . or share . . . the Trinity, our Triune God.
Each year I see something new to digest and gain better understanding.
I must trust what God has told us through the prophets, through His Son, through the Holy Spirit.
It's the only way we can call ourselves Christian.
We cannot be Christ followers unless we believe in the Trinity.
I'm always surprised at the number of people who cannot believe in the triune God but who also insist they are Christians.
"I and the Father are one," says Jesus.
John 3:16 tells us all we need to know: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, so that whosoever believes in him shall not parish but shall have everlasting life."
As an added bonus, we celebrated twenty-nine years of marriage today. Our celebration was extended time in the city of my youth. Today we celebrate with the Lord's blessings.
6-12:: Flying High
I guess packing up to move north for six months, three weeks serving at a church while our friends go on vacation and then flying to dad's funeral have left us wondering where we are.
It's weird to step out of bed in the middle of the night, wondering which direction to walk to the bathroom.
I wonder if, without Jesus as my 'stake in the ground' I would feel the same way simply walking through life.
Wherever I am I feel grounded and know my daily purpose after morning prayer.
I praise God that no matter where I am physically, my soul is always oriented as I focus on my Lord.
My sister is the historian of the family until someone from the next generation volunteers.It's a pretty big job but she is the best.
Some of the family photos were given to her after dad's apartment was cleaned out.
So glad as she is the best at archiving.
Pictures of Grace and Douglas Ford on their wedding day.
Dad's mother and father married June 13, 1908.
109 years ago today!
This black and white picture couldn't quite pick up his red hair.
And we thought putting baby on a rug for an 'all in all' picture was a new thing?
The trend almost 102 years ago!
6-14:: Flag Day!
Flag day began June 14, 1777.
The Second Continental Congress called for an official U.S.
The resolution called for the flag to have thirteen stripes, alternating red and white.
The Continental Union, now with thirteen states, was represented by a constellation of thirteen white stars on a blue background.
As states were added to the Union, stars were added.
So, flying the official United States Flag on this day reminds us all that we are one nation . . . under God . . . indivisible . . . with liberty and justice for all.
I have learned that respecting one another means respecting our flag.
Respecting our flag first comes from respect of God.
Only when we honor our God, can we honor one another and remain one nation . . . under God.
Flag day.
It's a good thing.
6-15:: My Choice
I look at this new vista in my life and wonder what life has in store for me.
They took blood, not too much.
Yet, in that one sample of blood lies my future.
Sadness fills me as 'levels' are lower than anticipated.
I'd worked so hard over the last six months to eat certain foods and eliminate others.
Yet, it was not enough.
I'll have a consultation next week so we can discuss my future.
Yet, no matter what I learn, I have a choice.
I can choose to 'stress' over my prognosis.
OR I can choose JOY for each day.
I can choose to make my life count by giving it away.
Or, I can count for nothing and cocoon in a corner.
Once I stop feeling sorry for myself I will take a deep breath, stretch out my arms, drink in God's goodness and move on.
I have a hubby who loves me.
I have a gorgeous garden that needs me a few months each year.
I have a legacy to leave behind even if it is tiny. . .
teaching one woman at a time to be all she can be.
God will hold us up so we don't drown.
The righteous right hand of my Lord will hold me tight and direct my path daily . . . when I choose to call upon his name.
It's my choice.
I choose to be busy with intention, at a moderate pace.
I choose to blow away stress.
I choose to live in JOY.
6-16:: US
Two letters . . . US
Add two dots . . . U.S.
The thought came to me that there should be no difference.
Most all of US either came from ancestors who immigrated to the U.S. to become US, or we are new immigrants.
Our parents, grand parents, great grandparents etc. did not want to leave the country where they were born and raised.
Their children, who came with them, had no choice but to follow.
There must have been a reason.
Was life more difficult where they came from?
For my ancestors, that was the case.
Lack of work and famine for the lower class made another place of residence not only inviting but a necessity.
For many it was religious persecution.
If they did not follow the state religion they were persecuted, or worse, martyred.
People were breaking away from 'religion' as they embraced a deeper understanding of their faith.
They wanted more.
They wanted to be more and do more and pave the way for the next generation to have greater religious . . . and political . . . freedom.
Little did most poor immigrants understand that they would face the same over in the U.S.
But there was a difference.
There was possibility, opportunity through hard work, options for family.
The U.S. became a melting pot of US.
Eventually, each who came to the shores of the U.S. managed to move to a place where they could take advantage of opportunities.
There was no 'class' system per se.
Indeed, one could move from the 'lower' class upward.
People were not locked in if they were willing to learn and persevere and live by the standards set by fellow citizens.
Yes, they became citizens and were proud of it.
In fact, our family lost many traditions because we now lived in the U.S.
We are part of US . . . AMERICANS.
We have become part of US in the U.S. yet we have taken the opportunity to learn about our heritage and incorporate it into the life of US in the U.S.
Christmas and Easter traditions from 'the old country' as well as costumes and crafts add to the wonder of being part of US yet different.
It's a good thing to be a unique individual who has made a distinct contribution to the part of US in my sphere of influence, to be a thriving citizen in the U.S.
6-17:: Hebrews
I chose this book in the bible to study this summer.
I must admit that I've been a bit slow getting into it.
The Hebrew people wandered into Egypt 450 years prior to their miraculous release because of famine.
Egypt had always been gracious to the Israelites.
When Jacob sent his sons to seek enough grain to last another season of famine he knew they would return with enough to live on.
But little did Jacob know what would actually happen.
The amazing story unfolds in the book of Genesis . . . including their discovery that Jacob's son, Joseph, was not only still alive but was the prime leader of Egypt under Pharaoh.
Little did this family know that, because of Joseph, they
And it became comfortable . . . very comfortable . . . and they forgot all about God's promise to Abraham and the land of Canaan, promised to Abraham if he would go and inhabit this dry land.
Abraham's descendants forgot God's promises over these 450 years . . . all but a few who continued to pray but were not allowed to worship the way God called them to worship.
And so was the beginning of the long story of the Hebrew people.
And so God sent his only begotten Son, Jesus to live with us and die for us and be resurrected for us . . . the ultimate sacrifice so we would no longer have to give sacrifice for our sins.
Jesus came to the Hebrew people to bring them back to the very presence of God.
Instead of practicing the 'religion' of sacrifice and rules and 'doing' what was dictated, God sent his son to show God's chosen people to simply believe, have faith that God will do it, 'be' who God called them to be . . . and be willing to die for the sake of God, living eternally with God.
And so, we fast-forward to the book of Hebrews, a new
Hebrews . . . the book . . . for christians . . . those who were grafted into these wanderers, God's chosen people.
6-18:: Father's Day
Hubby's dad was a gem but he died years ago.
But my dad had a very long life.
I feel an emptiness within me this Father's Day.
As one can tell by most of the posts this month, dad died and his life was given a grand celebration.We were blessed to have him so long.
Indeed, we could not do much with dad these past few years.
He was mostly taken care of by others, could no longer communicate as he did and was pretty much focused on his tiny world where he lived.
We were well aware of that and, when he died, we were thankful that he simply slipped into the arms of the Lord in his sleep.
Yet mentally, we are adjusting to no father figure present.
We enter a new era . . . without dad.
Yet, it's the memories that have filled us, dad's legacy to us which formed his children to be who we are.
I am definitely my father's daughter and proud of it.
I miss you, dad, even though I know you are having a grand time where you are.
6-19:: Corpus Christi Celebration
The body and blood of Christ Jesus.
Why a special day?
We protestants might wonder why so much fuss is made about the body and blood of Christ.
After all, some of us enjoy 'communion' a few times each year at the very least.
When we do, it is a pretty special time of remembrance.
We might ask ourselves what we are remembering since we celebrate Christ's resurrection every single Sunday.
Most say, "Isn't the celebrating Christ's resurrection the most important?"
After all, if it were not for resurrection, we would not have inherited God's treasure of eternal life . . . the gift of living forever in the kingdom of God.
Is it important to set aside a day to remember the blood of Christ, poured out for us, covering our sins, as the once-for-all sacrifice for us?
"Don't even go there," many say.
If, indeed, we celebrate the resurrected Christ, there is no way we can do so unless we also walk into the bloody crucifixion of Christ.
There is no resurrection without crucifixion.
No life after death unless we recognize Christ's death.
Christ's body was resurrected after his blood was poured out of him.
Miracle!!!
To show us His Presence . . . to pour His Presence into us.
If, indeed, we understand the divine gift of the precious body and blood of Christ, sacrificed for us, we may be more willing to seek deeper understanding of Corpus Christi.
Refer to John 6:52-58 "Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood you have no life in you." [NIV]
Think about this.
When we commune with God in Christ, and receive the sacrament of his body and blood, consecrated and changed by the Holy Spirit, we are consuming the very Presence of God . . . in different form, in different matter, God's Presence received and consumed by us as often as possible so that the work of the Holy Spirit can continue to form us, lead us, direct us, renew us to be 'one' with God as Christ is One with God . . . and so that we might be strengthened to walk the path that God gave each of us according to His will.
6-20:: Keep Walking
He walked about with a limp trying to be 'normal', regular,
But his body was tilting.
His ankle and knee caused too much pain.
He is totally surprised that with one swift turn and the knee did not follow his body.
His knee remained in place as the body turned.
OOPS!
Walking seemed painful, becoming a challenging option.
Oh how our bodies seem to fall apart in an instant.
Yet, it took over seventy years for his body to go on tilt . . . if you want to call a gimpy knee going on tilt.
Why are we so surprised when our bodies fail at a certain age?
Did we stretch before running when we were kids?
Did we take time to warm our ligaments before we did yard work for umpteen years?
Did we pace ourselves walking up and down hills carrying a heavy load when we hiked?
Most likely we pushed through pain, soaked aching joints in ice or heat and simply moved on.
Years of taking our bodies for granted seem to be bearing fruit.
Even though hubby and I exercise almost daily, eat right, live a balanced life today, it does not mean it was always that way.
I often wonder how those who are avid in sports bear up in later years.
We'll do our therapy exercises to help joint strength return.
We'll do what it takes to stay as young as we can but this 'aging' process is purely physical.
Mentally, we feel like young adults.
We still have grand imagination and sense of purpose and a long list of what we have yet to do.
So, in the mean time, while our bodies decay, we'll keep moving forward.
We'll keep walking as we enjoy every aching moment.
Hubby will heal eventually.
6-21:: The Longest Day
I think there is a movie with that title . . . a pretty good one.
But today is truly the longest day of the year.
I LOVE it.
Each day, as the sun has set a little later and the pink sky sweeps up the light, I marvel at the length of the day.
Each day I wake to bright sun piercing my sleep way too early in the morning.
Yet I love those extra hours that I am free to linger over tea or read an extra news article or study scripture.
I love the light.
I love the energy I feel as the sun's rays fill the day.
This bright light, sometimes peaking in and out of clouds, lingers into the later hours of the day.
I'm usually getting ready for bed at this late hour but the sun beckons me to do one more thing, read one more page, enjoy one more blog note.I feel energy beyond measure after a very long day.
Perhaps that's another reason I so love summer.
The longest day enables me to linger longer just for the fun of it.
I wish I could hold on to this longest day but . . . I'll simply embrace it, hold on for an instant, breathe deep and enjoy.
6-22:: In and Out
It's been a dizzy day today.
We seem to be going in and out all day.One minute I'm planting last-minute Zinnias in my last empty spot in the garden.
The next minute we are carting a huge load of groceries into the house.
Before I know it there is just one more errand.
And, by the way, what about that surprise visitor late in the day?
In and out I go, barely settling anywhere.
I've been yearning to simply sit and read and study and do whatever I love to do on my back porch.
Not yet.
I'm still going in and out.
It's all good but I'm ready to stop.
I'm ready to become an immovable bundle on my porch.
I'm getting there.
Can't wait.
6-23:: Books
We are sorting through old books.
Our stash is endless.
Hubby has science text books from decades ago that are totally obsolete.
It's sad to throw them but no library wants them.
We love books.
I love my tactile need to hold onto pages and turn them carefully letting the stiff paper touch my fingers so that I feel every fiber.
It's the smell of mustiness from being on the shelf, unopened for years, that I so love when returning to a good read.
Words seem new . . . fresh.
I connect with thoughts and ideas from a more mature perspective when I re-read certain books.
I grasp concepts that seemed so beyond me.
But it's the look and feel and slow page-movement of books taken down from the bookshelf that touch my soul.
I also read electronically . . . daily . . . for a good amount of time.
But, I much prefer to delight in some books with delicate illustrations . . . in color . . . or via line drawings.
The books I own vary from theology texts to volumes of commentaries to frivolous fictions series to children's books.
I cherish the art in the children's books and delight in the treasure of old stories with unique illustrations.
I'm 'over the moon' about any and all books illustrated by Tomi dePeola.
He's written over 250 books and I have about twenty, all of which I love.
Books.
I'll forever love 'em.
6-25:: Purpose
I write on this subject often because it usually comes up in a
I look at 'purpose' as the reason I get up in the morning.
Therefore, I choose to have a "grand" purpose, a life-purpose, and many sub-purposes, depending on the day, time of year or ever-changing life circumstances.
My GRAND PURPOSE is for me to glorify God in all I say and
Easier said than done.
I mess up daily.
An unkind glance at hubby when I'm needing some space or forgetting to affirm others periodically when I think of them seems to be the most challenging.
I've been known as the encourager . . . my sub-purpose.
I try to inspire others with encouraging words but there are so many dear ones whose images flit through my head when I am completing a necessary task.
I need to stop immediately and call or text or write a note.
But, if I did so, I would rarely complete the fundamental tasks that seem to be my 'job' in the household.
Cooking, laundry, keeping order and my passion, gardening, seem to employ most of my 'wandering-mind' moments.
Lately I have been hubby's chauffeur as his knee is not mending as quickly as he'd hoped.
A sense of daily purpose enables me to not only accomplish parts of my grand list of objectives but also gives me a sense that I've spent my day well.
It's all good but I need to follow through: take action on my wonderful intentions.
She is so accomplished as a botanical artist.
Her framed art is all over our house so I think of her daily.
It has been a purpose-filled day.
All good.
6-26:: Love One Another
We each have a story to tell . . . our personal story.
One part of our story might be called, "inspiration."
Do we have an image or a name of one who has been our
It is said that most people are inspired by those who have given selfless love to others.
That person may have had a few selfish moments, as we all do, but that person provided an example of giving to another even if this action was done at one's own expense or sacrifice.
To be mentored by such a person is even better.
My aunt, who died this year at the age of 104, did not mentor me per se but was a great influence in my life.
The first experience was when my sister and I (ages 8 & 10) stayed with her for two weeks while my parents took a vacation.
She sewed cute shirts for us and served us cold cereal in cute little boxes.
We played in the basement in a fortress made with old army blankets that were set up for the Girl Scout troop she led.
We were too young to be Girl Scouts so we felt pretty special.
Over the decades I was blessed to to receive notes and the annual birthday card, as did all her 'children.'
She made special cloth dolls with fabric clothes as shown above.
I sent them back to her a couple years ago to give to her great grandchildren. This was an incredible gift she made for me and my sister (we each received a set).
I felt as if I were the 'special' one.
Yet, she made dozens of people in her sphere of influence seem special.
For a few years I was able to live close to her so visited with her periodically.
She was very crafty.
Until she was about 102, she was an avid computer geek.
We shared pictures and notes and adventures with her rather large following.
From her 'love in action' toward me, I am learning to do the same.
I send birthday cards to all the nieces and nephews even if I never hear from them.My hope is that they know that I love them unconditionally, no matter how they think, act or live.
Loving others enough to sacrifice a bit of time or energy is important to me.
I learned this from my aunt and my aunt is part of my story.
6-27:: Purpose and suffering
We are each born with a need for purpose.
Sometimes it takes decades to understand that, with some sort of purpose looming in our lives, we can enjoy a better life.
Suffering, without seeing a purpose in our midst, leads to anger, depression, self-pity, destructive attitude and sometimes death.
Unless we are mentored or have one person in our lives who can lead by example, we have a difficult time understanding why our life journey might zig when we want it to zag.
Life is filled with challenges . . . and not one single person is immune to them.
In fact, that person over there who we think 'has it made' or
Suffering can be defined in a myriad of ways . . . according to the one suffering.
A tooth ache may cause suffering but, with some dental help, one can deal with it.
But a chronic ailment or addiction or depression or even disfigurement of any sort may cause unendurable suffering for many.
If we look at our own, personal situation, how do we deal with suffering without understanding our purpose that will help us endure?
I recall, decades ago, being at a luncheon with mostly married women.
I was still single.
One woman came up to me and said that I must have the 'gift of celibacy'.
What she meant was, since I was quite old at the time and
I very politely shot back, "God has graced me with the ability to retain a celibate life-style until I meet and marry my future husband."
Because I did not marry until I was in my 40s I was asked often if I suffered much being celibate.
To this day I still do not understand how 'suffering' has anything to do with being celibate.
If, indeed, my purpose at the time I became a Christian was to remain celibate until I married . . . which is following God's purpose for my life . . . why must I suffer?
God's grace enabled me to focus on others and serve God in many capacities as a very busy woman in the secular world.
I was able to ride the waves of self-pity when they came.
I lived according to God's purpose set before me at the time.
Indeed, I prayed for a husband for years but I found that I truly was not ready to marry until my fourth decade of life.
Hindsight makes me think that I might have been divorced about four times if I'd married in my 20s.
Of course, now, after decades as a married woman, I can marvel at the years I've lived with varied purposes.
Each adventure, each challenge, each heartbreak or joy-filled moment has been part of God's purpose for me and my purpose for living.
I continue to experience ups and downs, ins and outs, topsy and upright, wrenching sadness and exuberant joy as I see my purpose in all the areas of life I continue to explore.
God is good.
Life is good.
I am good.
I don't feel the suffering as I focus on my life-purpose.
And my life-purpose is good.
6-28:: Creed
This word comes from the Greek word, credo, which means "I believe."
A creed, or belief, is a set statement that defines that belief.
I've been studying the origin of creeds that developed our
"I believe in God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit" is a creed.
It's a statement of my belief in the Trinity.
God is three persons . . . individually . . . each with his own specifications.
Our triune God is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
If I say, "I believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob" I am stating another creed.
This statement says I believe in the same God that the Hebrew people, Jews of today, believe in.
The God of the Hebrew people is no different than the God of the Christian people.
The fact that people choose not to believe what God stated throughout the Old and New Covenants does not make this fact any different.
Just because some do not believe in the 'creed' . . . God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit . . . does not make this statement of belief false.
The Nicene Creed, created by a large council of theologians in the the early 300s, expanded this simple sentence by further defining the meaning of: "Father, Son and Holy Spirit" as well as the community of believers in this doctrine of faith.
We repeat this Creed weekly as we consume the Presence of
The Creed says "I believe."
We must believe before we can receive God's Presence into our lives.
If we do not believe, we simply do not receive the voluminous love God has for us.
To believe in the "I believe" the creed, credo . . . is to know a love that surpasses all understanding.
Can't beat that.
I do believe!
6-29:: Saint Peter and Saint Paul
This is the day that we celebrate the lives of Peter and Paul as foundational leaders of the Christian faith.
Tradition says that both were martyred in Rome on the same day.
Peter was crucified upside down and buried where St. Peter's
Paul was beheaded and buried outside the city walls of Rome in Ostia, where St. Paul's church was built.
Peter, the rock, was chosen by Jesus to be the steadfast one, the leader of the Apostles after Jesus was crucified.
He was a powerful figure but became more so after the Holy Spirit moved him to preach to thousands of Jews on Pentecost, the Jews feast day when the Holy Spirit was sent to be the 'comforter' fifty days after Jesus' crucifixion.
3000 Jews repented, believed in Christ Jesus and were baptized that day.
Peter went on to help evangelize those in Samaria, guide those seeking the Truth and maintained a stabilizing team who helped the thousands of new 'believers' become grounded in the 'Way' . . . later known as Christianity.
Paul, a devout jewish pharisee, began his encounter with Christians being determined to kill those "heretics" who were Christ followers.
God turned Paul's life around in an instant when he "saw the light," understood God's plan, repented and gained a new perspective in his relationship with God.
Paul was as powerful a preacher and teacher as Peter.
He took at least three missionary journeys to 'the outer parts of the world,' Rome, and brought thousands into God's kingdom, both jews and gentiles.
Both Peter and Paul were power houses for the Lord.
Yet, they had very different beginnings and ministered to
They seemed as far apart as A is to Z.
Yet, God knew that each of them would have that holy boldness that is so very necessary to draw thousands into the presence of our loving God, into a personal relationship with the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Different personalities who led completely different lives yet with the same purpose died on the same day in the same place while standing firm in their same commitment to God.
As Paul said (and Peter also believed), "To live is Christ and to die is gain."
They truly were saints.
Saint Peter and Saint Paul . . . what a pair!
6-30:: The Grand Finale
Today is not only the end of June but the end of my daily blogging.
I've become pithy on many days and far too theological on others.
That's how my life is for me right now.
More often than not, I have no need to share that which no one else may find interest.
For most months, some days are mundane: vacuum, laundry, kill Japanese beetles by the drove on my roses, fix food for hubby, fix more food for hubby, go to a doctor's appointment and fall into a chair exhausted . . . way before the sun goes down.
Of course, up in these parts, the sun does not go down until
I love that part.
Up too early due to sun opening my eyes, no time for a nap (I don't do well with naps) and then become limp while the sun still tickles the senses.
Boring.
But I'm learning to love boring.
I'm exhausted in a good way because I'm doodling around with a little reading here and a little theological research there and a little relaxing on the porch and sipping vege juice.
I spent most of one day simply reading maps of the entire eastern part of the United States.
How exciting is that to write about?
Sometimes there is little to write about on my most satisfying days.
When I write I want to spill out words faster than my hands
It's those special moments that I want to remember on paper . . . or on a blog.
Therefore, I say a fond farewell to daily writing.
I'll write something next month if I have a story to tell.
Until then, so long, farewell, . . . goodbye . . . ado.
