A Special January Day

Today is a very special day in our lives. Thirty eight years ago today I walked down the aisle to join the man-of-my-dreams and become his wife. Oh, the dreams we had and the things we planned to do. We accomplished some of them and others may still happen in the future. Some of our dreams and plans would never become reality because God took us to places we never dreamed possible. Others were, perhaps, the dreams of youth that would be rethought and improved and enhanced and would take on new meaning. 'His love is perfected in us’ (I John 4: 12), a Bible verse that was very special to us, was the theme of our wedding. It was our desire then and it has been our prayer through the years we have walked through life together. We want it to be true through the years ahead. We are blessed. Every day.

Because my dear little mother is experiencing some health issues we’ve chosen not to go far from home this weekend. We are officially ‘away from home’ to the general public but our family knows that we are doing things close to home and spending nights at our favorite Bed and Breakfast – home! Early next week I’ll share our adventures. Until then, I’m just spending time with my sweetheart – enjoying the gift of time together. What a treasure!

Through The Glass

Several months ago my dear mother, my cousin and I happened upon an estate sale near my home. We arrived fairly close to the end of the sale and, oh, how we wished we had been there earlier! When we left that day I carried away a treasure - a wonderful stained glass piece to hang in my dining room. I had envisioned a piece hanging on the ‘stationary’ side of the double sliding door to the patio for a long time . I often looked at beautiful pieces that I couldn’t afford and at quite a few I could afford but knew just were not right! The moment I saw this one I knew it would be perfect. The colors were right, the size was right and my heart knew it was what I had waited for! Soon after I returned home my sweetheart hung it for me and now it seems as if it has been there forever.

I would love to take the wooden frame off and just have the delicate stained glass hanging there but I don’t want to try to remove it. I’m afraid I will break the whole piece. A friend does stained glass and I’ve considered asking his advice and help but the time hasn’t been right when we’ve been together. (I think taking it to church and asking him during the sermon would be a bit distracting!) The frame is handmade but the finish is not in tip-top condition. I plan to paint it the same off-white as the woodwork in my home and the corner hutch nearby. I hoped it would be done by now but a bout of tendonitis in my right wrist (I’m right-handed!) has slowed me down. I’ll show it to you when I decide what to do.

These photos were taken late last summer. Our winter days here in Oregon haven’t been this bright and sunny lately – and the grass isn’t that green anymore. The hanging flowers are long gone and the patio furniture has been put away until summer comes again. But my beautiful stained glass piece remains – no matter what the weather. Today, for just a bit, the sun tried to peek through and it called to me. It was there – and then gone. But in that moment I caught a glimpse of it to share with you.

People are like stained glass windows.
They sparkle and shine when the sun is out,
but when the darkness sets in,
their true beauty is revealed
only if there is a light from within.
Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

Quiet Strength

My words:

Need quiet heart and spirit
many thoughts
ministry decisions to make
change needed
much need for prayer and direction

HIS words:

In quietness and in confidence
shall be your strength
Isaiah 30:15

Blessed quietness, holy quietness,
Blest assurance in my soul!
On the stormy sea He speaks peace to me,
And the billows cease to roll.

Scripture from King James Version
’Blessed Quietness’ written by Manie P. Ferguson

In Times Like These

In times like these you need a Savior,
In times like these you need an anchor;
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

This Rock is Jesus, yes He' the One;
This Rock is Jesus, the only One!
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

In times like these you need the Bible,
In times like these, oh be not idle;
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

This Rock is Jesus, yes He' the One;
This Rock is Jesus, the only One!
Be very sure, be very sure
Your anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

In times like these I have a Savior,
In times like these I have an anchor;
I'm very sure, I'm very sure
My anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

This Rock is Jesus, yes, He's the One;
This Rock is Jesus, the only One!
I'm very sure, I'm very sure
My anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!

‘I am the Lord, and I do not change.’
Malachi 3:6

Song: 'In Times Like These'
Words and music by Ruth Caye Jones

A Gift From The Heart

A few weeks before Christmas my sweetheart and I discussed what we would like for Christmas and we gave each other some gift suggestions. That’s always been a fun thing to do even though we never know what the other one has in mind or what we will really find under the tree on Christmas morning.

If you have been reading my blog for awhile you know that I’m a chaplain in care centers, assisted living facilities and have done some work with Hospice. Some of the men chaplains wear cross pins or tie-tacks and some of the ladies wear a cross necklace or pin. Not all chaplains wear jewelry that symbolizes their faith or their calling but it is something that is common to see. For awhile I didn’t own or want to wear any cross jewelry - I felt that most crosses made the true meaning of the cross seem too ‘beautiful’ or ‘flashy’. Too many of them were just jewelry. Many of them shouted ‘religious’ or ‘clergy’ - and I didn’t want to wear anything that would offend or detract from the relationships I treasure with the folks to which I minister. But recently I changed my mind. It all started at a meeting of chaplains last month where two lady chaplains were wearing absolutely wonderful cross necklaces that were simple but stunning. They were certainly a symbol but in no way offensive or over-the-top ‘glitzy’. Not long after that I began to search for the perfect cross necklace - one that had meaning and, at the same time, didn’t look pretentious or out-of-place. When I found it I let my sweetheart know and I added it to my Christmas wish list. That’s what happened – on Christmas morning I found this under the tree:

Just what I wanted! Perfect. And the meaning? The cross is the symbol of God’s love – from His heart – to us. A perfect gift at Christmas!

My sweetheart knows that I often love to wear long necklaces so he included an extra chain that is longer than the one that came with the necklace. Two gifts in one! I am thrilled and every time I wear my new necklace someone comments on it. And I love the joy I see in his eyes when I wear his special gift to me. That’s worth more than the gift itself – joy in the eyes of the giver!

True Resolutions

I then shall live as one who’s been forgiven;
I’ll walk with joy to know my debts are paid.
I know my name is clear before my Father;
I am His child, and I am not afraid.
So greatly pardoned, I’ll forgive my brother,
The law of love I gladly will obey.

I then shall live as one who’s learned compassion;
I’ve been so loved that I’ll risk loving too.
I know how fear builds walls instead of bridges;
I’ll dare to see another’s point of view.
And when relationship demands commitment,
Then I’ll be there to care and follow through.

Your kingdom come around and through and in me;
Your power and glory, let them shine through me;
Your Hallowed name - oh, may I bear with honor,
And may Your living Kingdom come in me.
The Bread of Life - oh, may I share with honor,
And may You feed a hungry world through me.

Amen.

Song: ‘I Then Shall Live’
Words by Gloria Gaither
Music: ‘Finlandia’ by Jean Sibelius

A New Year’s Prayer

Dear Father,

God of our yesterdays,
our today,
and our tomorrows.

Thank You for the year behind us
and for the year ahead.

Help us in the new year
to fret less and laugh more.

To teach our children to laugh
by laughing with them.

To teach others to love by loving them.

Knowing, when You came to the stable
in Bethlehem, You came for us

So that You could be with us,
and we could know You.
and share You with others.

Help us to see You in every sunrise,
in the beauty of the flowers all around us,
in the stories of our old folks,
and the fantasies of our children.

Help us to stop and listen to Your voice
so we may know You more and more.

Thank You for another new year
and for new mercies every morning.

Fill us with peace,
and love, and hope,
that we might spread them to others.

We leave the past in your hands,
and step out into the unknown new year
knowing You will go with us.

We accept this new year as a gift from You
and we rejoice in what's ahead,
depending on You to help us
do exactly what You want us to do.

Because of You our hearts are filled with joy!

In Jesus name,
Amen.

adapted from unknown