34-Faithful Friend

Noelle, you are an amazing and beautiful person.  We met to help our sons find a friend, and we became friends.  The rest is history!  Words are what we bonded over, spoken words in the stories and poems we love to read and discuss and remember.  Thank you for loving your children, family and friends deeply and sacrificially, you encourage me to do the same.  Thank you for so many memories of simply hanging out and sharing life together.  Here’s to many more!!

33-Orchard Dale Family

Thank you Orchard Dale family, for teaching and caring for my children and the children in our community.  Your commitment to working hard and never giving up despite difficult circumstances that were out of your control is inspiring!!  My children love to learn about the world around them, I have you to thank for that!!  We had such a positive experience with all your teachers and staff,  you are greatly missed!!   Words are too few to express all you have done for our family… I will try to use just a few to capture my thanks.

Tina La Carra: my neighbor, first link to Orchard Dale, confidence-booster, a friend in my many “hours-of-need”.  Thank you for your constant assurances that everything will be ok, and for listening to my woes of being a first time mom!  =)

Nora:  your voice of experience when I was new to Orchard Dale was a constant source of encouragement, thank you for caring for my children after school, you helped me out more than you know.  Thank you!!!

Sheila Maldonado: a kindergarten teacher whose calming, firm presence was just what my children needed.

Jeanie Stuart: your humor was a much needed balm to my soul, I always knew I could count on you to lighten my spirits!!

Kaycee:  you reveal Christ to me, my friend.  Though I only knew you for a short time, you spoke truth at a time when I desperately needed it.  Thank you!!!  You are right, hard work is good for you!!!

Leticia:  Thanks for watching out for Anna and Dillon while I was running late. Thank  you for your countless volunteer hours.  Orchard Dale is blessed to have you!!!

Susan Williams:  You were the perfect 5th grade teacher for my daughter.  You hold high standards with grace.  Thank you for teaching and caring for my daughter and making her 5th grade year so memorable.

Joseph Lamb: teacher extraordinaire.  You pour your heart and soul into teaching.  Your gift of seeing each child as unique and important is priceless.  You taught me so much about teaching, even though you were first my student!!  Now you are my friend.  Thank you for teaching and caring for my children.

All others, too numerous to mention, who were part of my treasured Orchard Dale years!!  Thank you!!

32-Teachers of TRUTH

Thank you Women's Bible study teachers at WHBC.  Our times spent sharing our thoughts and questions and insight into the week’s Bible passage will be remembered forever!!  Ladies, you challenged me to think deeply about the essential truth of each passage and how it applies to our lives today.  Your courageous commitment to teaching truth is an example that continues to encourage me.  Too many to list, yet I want to thank those who were with me the longest.

Davette:  you took a chance on me, thank you for your faith.  I never knew I could teach the Bible!  Thank you for always listening and asking great questions.  Your prayers for me, my marriage and my family encourage me to remember the TRUTH.

Trudi, my teaching partner: Thank for all the laughs and tears, great stories, and gentle hugs.  You always get to the heart of the issue.  Thank you for your honesty and love.

Luann: your sweet joy and honesty always encourages me, I know I can tell you anything and you will listen and not judge.  Your words bless me and relieve my anxiety.

Rosa: you always greet me with such joy.  You care deeply for others and for God.  Thank you for living life with passion, joy, and honesty.You laugh at yourself and honestly admit your imperfections.  

Dana: you care so deeply for others and are willing to give your all to create beauty around you.  Thank you for your devotion to the women and children of WHBC.  Thank you for persisting and not giving up.  Your expressions of raw honesty and yet clinging to hope have been such an encouragement to me.  

31-Joyful Vision

Annmarie, your joy for family changed how I viewed my family, especially in my idealistic early years of parenting.  You taught, (and continue to teach) me to express joy and delight in all things.  I too often look at what is wrong and requires correction, you look at what is good and lovely and true.  Thank you for your example, my friend.  Thank you for your love and graciousness.  I miss you and hope after everything settles down we can visit you soon!

30-Dillon

Dillon, my precious son!  Thank you for your loyal and faithful love for family and friends.  You see and listen more than you speak, reminding me to carefully consider my words.  Thank you for your forgiveness of my hastily spoken words.  Your humor and honest questions bring joy to my heart.  I love to see how you view the world. Thank you, Dillon.

29-Grandma Marty

Marty, “Grandma Marty”.  You were such a source of encouragement and help during my years at Biola, especially  in those early years of parenting!!  Thank you for loving me and loving my family.  I always knew that seeing you would instantly brighten my day!  You encouraged me in teaching, parenting and life.  You reminded me not to take life too seriously, that my momentary trials will soon pass, and to laugh.  =) Thank you Marty, I miss you!!

28-Creative Firstborn

Anna, my firstborn, my precious daughter!!  Thank you for your boldness in loving and living and for sharing and showing your creativity and eye for beauty.   Your refusal to “stay in the lines” is refreshing and challenges me to see life in a new way.  Thank you for forgiving my parenting mistakes.  When things are tough, you step up and help out.  I know I can count on you in difficult moments, thank you, my daughter!!

intermission

...this is proving to be even more difficult than I imagined... a great and powerful experience, but rather exhausting. 

After Dillon (30), the chronology breaks down a bit... but that is what I am learning... to be flexible in my plans... so they will bend to accommodate the unexpected... to bend but not break!!

I knew there were positive aspects to my stubbornness!!

This is my promise:  I will finish by Friday!!!

27-Special early-HoF Friends

Thank you Dennis and Krista, special WHBC and (former) HoF friends!!  Dennis, you bring such joy and passion to life, thank you!!  Krista, you bring quiet strength.  You are friends we know we can always count on to share our joys and our burdens.  We miss you!!  Thank you for your devotion to family and friends.  Your example of stepping out in faith is a testimony to how God works through his people to bless others.  Thank you for sharing your passion for God and others and for stepping out in faith to follow God’s leading.   

26-HoF: The Beginning

Thank you members of HoF who were there at the beginning of our married life.  Thank you for your companionship as we started our journey as two-become-one.  You loved us like family and supported us through the joys and struggles of those early married years. Thanks for the memories of camping trips, Bible studies, and life shared together. If I ever unpack my pictures I’ll find one of the first HoF group pictures and post it here  Those early years were a memorable, never-to-be-repeated time. Thank you friends!

25-My Friend 'til The End

Thank you Robin, for meaningful conversations, asking good questions and always listening.  Your passion for the Lord and people encourage me to live a life devoted to loving God and loving people. Thank you for inspiring me to finish what I start and  to live a life of purpose. You see me and know me and still love me.  Your friendship is a gift that has shaped me, I am a better person for having been your friend.  Thank you!!

24-Team Artesia

Thank you Artesia Math Department! You quickly accepted me as part of the team, despite my youth and inexperience. Knowing I had a team to support me and to provide helpful suggestions and a sympathetic ear eased the stress of my first-years as a teacher.   Thank you Carm for your faithful leadership, Marie for your sarcastic humor (we all knew you cared for your students), Karen for your quiet strength, Dianne, for your honest words of encouragement and Sharon for being my partner and friend.  Your commitment to teaching our students inspired me to be a better teacher, to work hard to improve my skills, and ultimately to continue my studies in Math education.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.

23-Counselor---Mentor---Friend

Jackie-after all these years you still listen to my adventures and frustrations, ready to speak truth, ask the tough questions, and hold me accountable to the change I say I want to make.  My marriage is 1000 times better because of  your influence, honest perspective and listening ear.  Thank you for your humor, encouragement, constant prayers, and love.

22-Biola Mentor and Friend

Stella-thank you for living your life in front of me with honesty and integrity, challenging me to care for my soul. Through your words and example you consistently taught and reminded me that who we are, the kind of people we are and what we value, determines the actions we take and the choices we make. Your love of others’ souls gave me a glimpse of how God looks at the heart of people. Thank you for revealing God’s heart for His people in tangible and practical ways.

21-Biola teachers & Dr. Woo

To my Biola professors, you challenged me to think deeply about my faith, my world, and the people in my world.  You helped me to consider what I grew up believing and decide what I truly believed.  You asked great questions and helped me develop the tools to support my answers.  

A special thank you to Dr. Peter Woo.  Your passion for mathematics (and especially geometry) is only surpassed by your passion for people and passion for God.  Every chance meeting means a new problem or help with one of my own. You will always be my professor!  Thank you for your passion and encouragement and for sharing that passion with me.

20-Biola-Math and More

My kindred spirits, instant friends, how could I have survived through all our math classes without you??  Karen, Crystal, Daphne, we are still friends despite time and distance, thank you for always picking up where we left off!!  Thank you for listening, for your encouragement, and for helping me think through everything from math education and parenting to politics.  You model loving God and loving others, time and time again.  Crystal, I will make it up there to hang out!!  I hope it won’t be too long before we can all share the same space again!!!

19-Biola-Yours, Mine and Ours

I want to thank the friends Todd made his first year at Biola.  You only knew about me, yet I knew I had a group of friends even before coming the following year!  Will, Edwin, Sandra, Linnea, Brian, and so many more!!  Thank you for welcoming me to Biola.

Sandra, thank you for your love and smiles and listening ear. Linnea, my heart is too full, what can I say? Thank you for your words of truth, your encouragement, accountability, and so much more.  Thank you both for teaching me how to be a good friend who cares, asks hard questions, and who listens.  

Edwin, my friend for life.  You are a truth-speaker, happiness-bringer, laugh-out-loud and love-out-loud friend. Thank you, Thank you!

18-Leaders and Friends

Thank you, leaders and friends at Cedar Mill Bible Church.  Dan and LeeAnn for your generosity in sharing your home and your life with crazy teens, Dina for your love, encouragement & hugs, Carol for your honesty and straightforward-truth-speaking love, Beth for sticking with me through college, knowing I could call and chat and pour out my heart was a true blessing. John, Jon, Mike and Becky, and all the rest. I know I’m forgetting so many!! Thank you, Thank you!!

Thank you to all (I tried listing names, but it was too overwhelming) in our group for being a part of our spiritual family.  Even though we were new to the church you accepted us a family.  Thank you!!

17-Inspiring Teachers

Thank you, Sunset High teachers. My words are so inadequate to express what I feel. You challenged me to think deeply, to work hard, and to have fun learning.  I truly feel blessed to have had such a memorable and valuable high school experience.  Your influence, dedication, and encouragement inspired me to be a teacher.  I am forever in your debt.  I love teachers and I love teaching!

16-Inspiring Friends

I want to thank my friends at Cedar Park/Sunset High.  I loved taking classes with you, hearing your thoughts on all topics, from history to current events. I felt honored to be included even though I was new to the school. (I know you all grew up with one another.)  You challenged me to see life through a different perspective, thank you!  I also want to thank all SAMBA members… such great memories made.  As a “grown-up” I see the value in encouraging a group of teens to work hard together to create a spectacular show, and we did it three years in a row!!  I hope my children will have a similar experience.  Thanks for the memories!!

15-Laughter and Peace

So… when I began this personal challenge… I had a list of people I wanted to include.  (I did not list everyone I could think of and then rank them, thus this list does not represent my “Top 40”.)  This list is heavily influenced by where I am right now, recently moved and thinking about friends I used to see regularly, as well as thinking about my own jr. high experiences as I seek to parent my own jr. higher.

To give my list an order, I  decided to write chronologically… more or less… and thus, today’s “person of the day”, (I know I am one day late =P) is a boy I met when I was just 15.  A boy who would one day become my boyfriend, fiance, husband, and father of my children.  

Today, I thank Todd.  You are the one who makes me laugh, who calms me down when I am overwhelmed, and who reminds me that God is in control.  I love this adventure we are sharing together.  It is strange how working together, yet being so often apart, has brought us closer together.  

Above all, this is an official “Thank you”  for supporting and encouraging me through my classes so I could earn a Masters Degree. Thank you for sacrificing time with me as I wrote papers and solved statistics problems.   I couldn’t have finished without you.  I love you!!!

14-Memories of Laughter

I have one more memorable friend to thank from our years in Seattle.  Julie.  Your smile lit up the room!!  You were always ready to laugh, at yourself as much as with others.  My daughter is in Jr. High now, giving new insight into the blessings of our friendship.  I want to thank your mom, too.  She always welcomed my sister and I into your home and made us feel like part of the family.  Thank you for your friendship, for laughter, and for sharing your life with me!

13-Radical Challenge

Thank you Steve Allen, for your encouragement to live a "Radical" life.  Thank you for your inspiring passion for the Lord and for people. As a young teen I loved our youth group and the friendships that grew in the community you helped to develop. You challenged us to take our faith seriously and to think deeply about what it means to follow the Lord, setting high expectations and encouraging us in our efforts to reach them. You made my Jr. High experience meaningful and memorable.  Thank you!

12-Potential Named

"Brenda, a uniquely kind and gifted young lady whose desire to please God is evident in all aspects of her life." ~Mrs. Geren, 1988

I'm not sure how you saw this in me, an arrogant and self-centered Jr. Higher.  You looked beyond that, saw what I could be, and blessed me with an expectation that I, 26 years later, still seek to meet.  Mrs. Geren, you taught me so much more than Bible and Art. Thank you for seeing & naming my potential and inspiring me in my journey to reach that lofty goal.

11-Life Lessons

Before I continue on to my Jr. High years, I want to thank Tom and Ginny Swann, friends of my parents with whom we shared many happy camping trips.  Ginny, thank you for your encouragement and special gifts. I always knew you were so happy to see me and spend time with my family.  You taught us to say “Big Whoop” when we were “making much ado about nothing”, teaching by example of how to parent with humor.  Tom, you taught me how to eat crackers without leaving crumbs.  More importantly, you taught me that dads who are stern and don’t want crumbs in their cars still deeply love their children, and their friends’children. You were a special part of my life, thank you!

10-Truth Speakers

Gretchen and Tom Glover will complete the list of the first ten people from my first ten years of life.  First friends of my parents that I can remember, You taught me the Good News and supported and encouraged our family through so many joys and struggles.  You faithfully prayed with and for us and encouraged us when we made the move to Portland.  Moving as a 14 year old was completely overwhelming and I found great comfort in your encouragement that God had a purpose for us in our move to Portland.  Thank you for speaking the truth in love.

9-First Friend

Jennifer.  I have always admired your quirkiness and pride in being uniquely you!  I don’t think I will ever be able to fully appreciate growing up with a friend like you.  You are my first friend!  I am thankful for our friendship that began so long ago on our first day of Kindergarten.   Thanks for the fun memories of making up plays using Stop Thief! for sound effects, slumber parties and Michael Jackson, birthday celebrations, Girl Scout camping trips and Jr. High camps with church.  I loved living our early years together, I’m glad facebook has given us a chance to reconnect and I hope to get up to Seattle to see you soon!!!

8-Faithful & Creative

I want to thank my Aunt Carolyn and Uncle Ric.  Your love of God and family, shared camping trips, creativity and family fun give me a tangible example of how to include these qualities in my own family.  Thank you for your example of regular family devotions, creative and sometimes crazy activities, and holiday celebrations.  I love you and look forward to when we can all be together again!

7-Servant’s heart

I want to thank my Aunt Joanne for your example of a servant’s heart.  You have blessed so many others by using your gifts and talents to serve others.  Thank you for your example of how God uses His people to love and serve others from all cultures all over the world.  Your example reminds me of the bigger picture of how God is at work in this world, working through His people to love and serve “the least of these”.

6-Life Legacy

I want to thank my grandparents, John and Eleanor Gates.  Your lives of quiet faith, trusting in the Lord in every circumstance, inspire me to continue your legacy.  Thank you for family gatherings, for shared meals and for teaching me to enjoy the too-brief times we share together.  Thank you “Grammy” and “Gramps” for your amazing legacy of a life lived well.

5-Heart Vision

Mark, you look beyond the external and see a person’s heart.  You inspire me to care for others, especially those who are struggling with life choices and circumstances.  I am so excited to see the man you have become, a steady job, soon to be married, a real grown-up!!  Thank you for teaching me to enjoy the present, to live life to the fullest in every moment.  You help me to remember not to take life too seriously, except when necessary.

4-Loved All

I want to thank my brother, J-J (James-John).  You loved your friends regardless of their choices.  It didn't matter who they were or what they did, you loved without judgement, the way Jesus said we were to love others.  I am profoundly changed and inspired by your too-short-story of life on this planet.  I pray that I will live as you lived and love as you loved, without judgement and with passion, faith, and integrity.

3-Faithful Disciple/Teacher

I want to thank my dad, David Avery.  By your example and in your words you taught me to be a faithful disciple and teacher.  Through all the joys and sorrows of life’s circumstances you have remained faithful to honor God in all you do.  Thank you for being a "faithful man" who "teaches others". (2 Timothy 2:2)

2-Prayer Warrior

Next, I want to thank my mom, Louise Avery.  From my earliest memories you prayed for us and for others.  You taught me and continue to teach me that God is in control of all of life and desires to know our hearts through prayer.  In ways that are often mysterious, God chooses to accomplish His work through prayer.  You “help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.”  ( 2 Corinthians 1:11) Words are not enough to thank you for this gift of prayer!!

1-Christ Compass

I want to thank my sister, Rebecca Bailey, for always pointing me to Christ.  No matter what challenges you face or joys you experience, you consistently point to Christ.  From as far back as I can remember, you have inspired me to strive for excellence.  You  inspire me to “lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely” and to “run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith”. (Hebrews 12:1-2) Thank you for your example, my sister, my twin.

My First Forty

Authors officially acknowledge that their story was only possible through the help of others.  In the same way, my story is inseparable from the many “characters” who have shaped and influenced me, imaging Christ in real and tangible ways.  

Tomorrow is the first of the last 40 days of my first forty years of life on this planet.  

The Plan?  Take 40 days to thank 40 people.  

Tomorrow I begin my “Acknowledgements”  for the story of My First Forty.

Enjoy the story!!

My favorite birthday greeting =)

"If you believe that each of us was designed by God for a specific reason, then you know there's no such thing as an ordinary person. So happy birthday, extraordinary person.

Don't ever forget how truly unique, how essential, how important you are. I know I won't."

I am learning that it is ok to be me, that it is good to be me... with all my passion (thanks RF) and craziness and drama and failings (thanks JT).

I want to live with this view of others as well. This is how I want to live my life, by considering others as truly unique, essential, important... extraordinary. And the really challenging part?? Intentionally remembering that this is true of my children and husband as well.

God, please help me to intentionally love my children, especially when they are struggling to make good choices, and especially I am weary with parenting. And thank you for making me... me.

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."

Galatians 6:9

My secret New Year's Resolutions

I just read a suggestion to not share your resolutions... because sometimes people only share them to feel like they are doing something.... but then never do them. So, most of mine will remain a secret this year... maybe I will reveal them to you at the end of the year??? Who knows!!!

I have been reading some fantastic books, and i wanted to share a few quotes to inspire you today!!

From Nehemiah: a great way to start each morning!!

"...stand up and bless the Lord your God from everlasting to everlasting. Blessed be your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise. You alone are the Lord, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you."

From my new favorite book: Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller

"If you don't love somebody, it gets annoying when they tell you what to do or what to feel. When you love them you get pleasure from their pleasure, and it makes it easy to serve. I didn't love God because I didn't know God."

Also... he tells a beautiful story on p. 33-34... maybe i will post it tomorrow.

And finally... from Harry Potter Book 2 (I know this is an unusual combination... =) )

"It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities."

oh... one more... along the theme of choices, from Blue Like Jazz

"I believe the greatest trick of the devil is not to get us into some sort of evil but rather have us wasting time."

A challenge for us all: How are you using your time... how are you choosing to use your time?

Happy New Year!!!!

God Hears

I heard three sad stories yesterday... I don't know what to do about it. How do I still live and enjoy my life with such pain present... touching me. I am glad I am here, glad to have provided a listening and sympathetic ear. Yet I go home, interact with my children... in my happy life where my biggest struggle is my children not doing their homework, cleaning their room, or trying to keep my house clean and my family fed. I think about their stories... the neglect in her childhood that haunts and touches her present, the irresponsible biological mom she must share a step child with, the judgmental and non supportive husband she tries to love.... and I once again claim faith. A faith that God alone can heal these wounds, and faith that my prayers and theirs will touch the heart of God... that God hears... and loves.

"And God heard their groaning,

and God remembered his covenant ...

God saw the people of Israel—and God knew."

Exodus 2:24 & 25

A reason to celebrate!!

Happy Birthday Anna!!

It is my precious daughter's birthday. My daughter who is impulsive and creative and fills my heart with joy!!

Thank you Lord, for this precious gift!!

Psalm 26-32: what inspires me

Here they are, I can't keep them to myself!!

"O Lord, I love the habitation of your house

and the place where your glory dwells."

26:8

"One thing I have asked of the Lord,

that will I seek after;

that I may dwell in the house of the Lord

all the days of my life,

to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord

and to inquire in his temple."

27:4

"The Lord is my strength and my shield;

in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;

my heart exults,

and with my song I give thanks to him."

28:7

"Ascribe to the Lord,

O heavenly beings,

Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;

worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness."

29:1-2

"O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,

and you have healed me."

30:2

"Into your hand I commit my spirit;

you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God."

31:5

"I acknowledged my sin to you,

and I did not cover my iniquity;

I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,'

and you forgave the impurity of my sin."

32:5

I am amazed and awed just by going back through and writing these words. Wow!! God is so full of love, and I am in such need of His forgiveness.

Thank you, My Lord and Savior. You truly have saved me.

I love this book!!

The Jesus I Never Knew

Phillip Yancy

"A political movement by nature draws lines, makes distinctions, pronounces judgment; in contrast, Jesus' love cuts across lines, transcends distinctions, and dispenses grace. Regardless of the merits of a given issue--whether a pro-life lobby out of the Right or a peace-and justice lobby out of the Left--political movements risk pulling onto themselves the mantle of power that smothers love. From Jesus I learn that, whatever activism I get involved in, it must not drive out love and humility, or otherwise I betray the kingdom of heaven."

"If a century from now all that historians can say about evangelicals of the 1990s is that they stood for family values, then we will have failed the mission Jesus gave us to accomplish; to communicate God's reconciling love to sinners."

"A society that welcomes people of all races and social classes, that is characterized by love and not polarization, that cares most for its weakest members, that stands for justice and righteousness in a world enamored with selfishness and decadence, a society in which members compete for the privilege of serving one another--this is what Jesus meant by the kingdom of God."

Beautiful!!!

A brief intermission from the Psalms...

I blinked, and now it is May!!! Yikes!!! My son is 7, my daughter is just 2 months away from being 9... did you read that?? 9!!! How did that happen?? I am not old enough, or wise enough, to have a 9 year old. God please help me!!!

I know this is not Psalms, but please read and meditate on this verse our pastor shared yesterday.

Zephaniah 3:17

"The Lord your God is with you,

He is mighty to save.

He will take great delight in you,

He will quiet you with his love,

He will rejoice over you with singing."

Isn't that beautiful?? God wasn't talking to perfect people either, these are the Israelites. The ones who sin over and over and over again.

Our pastor challenged us to think about how God views us... do we think of God as taking great delight in us? Do we think of God as rejoicing over us??

He gave his son for us... to save us... knowing what sinners we all are. That is how valuable God considers us.

Know that you are cherished and loved today by a Great and Mighty God!!!

Psalm 25:4-5

"Make me to know your ways, O Lord;

teach me your paths.

Lead me in your truth and teach me,

for you are the God of my salvation;

for you I wait all the day long."

This is the prayer of my heart, for myself, my children, my loved ones. Commit this passage to memory and pray it for those you love.

Enjoy your day!

Psalm 24:1-3 for Monday

"The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof,

the world and those who dwell therein,

for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers."

Too much fun!!!

Hanging out with Mom and Dad, How to Train a Dragon (great movie!!), more hanging out, hiking in Idyllwild, indoor rock climbing in Arcadia... who has time to blog??? What fun we all had!!!

Now, I am back. Re-entry has been hard... but we are adjusting. It was nice to vacation and relax!!!

Pictures coming soon.....

Love you all!!!

Psalm 23

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still water.

He restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake."

Thank you Father, for caring for my physical needs and my spiritual needs. May I be led by You to still waters that restore my soul.

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies,

you anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows."

I love that image... that my cup overflows. I pray I may always remember this truth.

And now, my favorite part...

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life,

and I shall swell in the house of the Lord forever."

Psalm 22:22-24

"You who fear the Lord, praise him!

all you offspring of Jacob, glorify him,

and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!

for he has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted,

and he has not hidden his face from him,

but has heard, when he cried to him."

Stand in awe, for He has heard your cry.

Beautiful!

Psalm 21:13 for Tuesday

"Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength!

We will sing and praise your power."

It is an interesting contrast, isn't it?? Singing of the Lord's power, on this week, the passion week of Christ? Our idea of power is so different from that of Our Lord.

Psalm 20:1-2, 7 for Monday

...for GS and family, and others who are experiencing trials...

"May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble!

may the name of the God of Jacob protect you!

May he send you help from the sanctuary

and give you support from Zion!"

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses,

be we trust in the name of the Lord our God."

What chariots and horses are you trusting in today??

Trust in the name of the Lord our God, trust in His character, His plan, and His Sovereignty.

Psalm 19:14 for Sunday

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

be acceptable in your sight,

O Lord, my rock and my redeemer."

May it be so, O Lord, may it be so.

Psalm 18: 31, 46

TS died last night. Please be in prayer for their family, and for those who loved him.

"For who is God, but the Lord?

And who is a rock, except our God?

the God who equipped me with strength

and made my way blameless."

"The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock,

an exalted be the God of my salvation..."

Psalm 18:30

"This God--His way is perfect;

the word of the Lord proves true;

he is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him."

It is a challenge, isn't it? To remember that God is our shield? So often I look to other things to "shield" me. May I remember that God is my shield... he is sufficient. His word is true.

Psalm 17:6-7 for Thursday

"I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;

incline your ear to me; hear my words.

Wonderously show your steadfast love,

O Savior of those who seek refuge

from their adversaries at your right hand."

I am challenged to expect God... to look for Him to "wonderously show his love". I wonder how many acts of love I miss, because I do not have eyes to see?

Psalm 16:11

"You make known to me the path of life;

in your presence there is fullness of joy;

at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

I cannot read this verse without crying. God wants good things for us. We must come to him with teachable heart. Life is so different than what we want... but it is what God wants for us because He wants good things for us... and those good things are often found on the other side of trials... and in the midst of trials. We are studying James now. This book is full of teaching on trials, their purpose, and God's purpose for trials. Read it if you are going though a trial, and be encouraged, read it for a friend who is going through a trial, and encourage them.

But above all, remember...

At God's right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 16:8 for Tuesday

"I have set the Lord always before me;

because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken."

Everyone should memorize this verse. I love this passage, and I love this verse. What a picture of strength and hope!!!

I remember when I first "found" this verse. I wrote it on a card and placed it in my car... so I could remind myself of where my security lies.

Please pray for our family friends, GS and TS. TS is battling cancer... and GS is really struggling with hope. Pray for hope for her, pray this verse for her.

Psalm 15:1-2 for Monday

"O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent?

Who shall dwell on our holy hill?

He who walks blamelessly and does what is right

and speaks truth in his heart;"

This is what God requires... to walk blamelessly, to speak truth... in our heart, even. It is hard to speak truth in our hearts... it involves admitting what we often do not want to omit. Wrong motives, selfish thoughts...

I am so thankful that God desires honesty. This is where I want to live.

Psalm 14: 2 (Today =) Yay!!)

"The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man,

to see if there are any who understand,

who seek after God."

God wants us to seek Him. That is how we are changed from corrupt sinners to redeemed and restored children of God.

Seek Him today.

Psalm 13:6 (Thursday)

"But I have trusted in your steadfast love,

my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.

I will sing to the Lord,

because he has dealt bountifully with me."

O Lord, may I stay in this place, with this awareness, always.

Memorize this passage, friends and family, near and far.

Memorize this to quote in your fight against anxious fears that threaten your peace.

Psalm 12:5-6 (Wednesday)

"'Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan,

I will now arise,' says the Lord.

'I will place him in the safety for which he longs.'

The words of the Lord are pure words,

like silver refined in a furnace on the ground,

purified seven times."

Psalm 11: 7 (Tuesday)

Opps!! I skipped Monday!!!

"For the Lord is righteous;

he loves righteous deeds;

the upright shall behold his face."

"Behold his face"

... unbelievable

... unbelievable.

Psalm 10: 1, 17 (Sunday)

"Why, O Lord, do you stand afar off?

Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?"

Life feels like this at times, doesn't it? I so appreciate the raw emotion in the Psalms.

But... that is not the end of the story... this is...

"O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted;

you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear..."

What a great ending!!!

Psalm 9: 1-2 (Saturday)

"I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart;

I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.

I will be glad and exult in you;

I will sing praise to your name,

O Most High."

I love that I can recount wonderful deeds, that the telling of God's goodness gladdens my heart.

Recount all of God's wonderful deeds... tell everyone of His goodness!!!

Psalm 9: 9-10 (Friday)

"The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed,

a stronghold in times of trouble.

And those who know your name put their trust in you,

for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you."

Beautiful, encouraging words... especially when I think about those around the world who are oppressed. The Lord has not forsaken those who seek him, what a promise!!

Something Different

Yikes!! Over a week!! My parents came to visit and we were so busy having so much fun, that I didn't bother blogging!!!

I have been faithfully reading a Psalm a day, now I want to record the verses that God used to encourage me.

But first... I did it!!! I went for a change!! What do you think??

Psalm 8:9

"O Lord, Our Lord,

how majestic is your name in all the earth!"

Psalm 7:17

I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness,

and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.

Psalm 6:9

"The Lord has heard my plea;

the Lord accepts my prayer."

Beautiful, what more can be said?

Psalm 5: 11

" But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;

let them ever sing for joy,

and spread your protection over them,

that those who love your name may exult in you.

This past Sunday I was witness to the power of God, and I am amazed. Simply amazed. After preaching on Matthew 25: 31-46, our pastor stepped aside and invited 40 men, women, and children, to give their "cardboard testimonies" of how God had intervened in their life, how their simple-yet-often-difficult act of placing their faith in Him had changed their life. A "cardboard testimony" is a simple phrase written on one side of a piece of cardboard, explaining what you were like before. On the other side you write what you are now like, as a result of God's intervention in you life, after having placed your faith in Him alone.

It was an amazing testimony to the power of God, to His real-ness, to His transforming power. God's power changes complacent teens, drug addicts, troubled marriages, and adopted children whose testimony showed their change from "abandoned" to "being a part of a loving family". Wow... God is amazing!!!

May we take refuge in God, may we rejoice, and may we exult in the Lord!!

Wow... how easily I stray and "take refuge" in other things... in seeing my plans fulfilled, my children doing what I want... etc. I pray that I will take refuge in God.

I love the promise that we will rejoice and that we will be protected!!!

Exult in the Lord today!!! Be the one who takes refuge in God and who loves His name!!

Psalm 4:8

"In peace I will both lie down and sleep,

for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety."

I have always loved this passage for the security and peace it represents. I think of a sleeping child, how they appear so angelic and pure.

Now I see that I am safe, safe from worries and fears, because God is gracious (v. 1), he hears me when i call (v. 3), he is trustworthy (v. 5), and he is the joy-giver (v. 7).

I remember praying this for my children, and I meditate on this when I struggle to sleep.

Be encouraged today, God makes you dwell in safety!!

Psalm 3:3

"But you, O Lord, are a shield about me,

my glory, and the lifter of my head."

Beautiful!! The Lord is my shield, I place my security and trust in Him. Not a clean house, obedient children, or stable emotions.

When I depend on circumstances or people for my security and sense of well being, I am frustrated and disappointed. God, please help me to remember that You are my shield, you are my glory, you are the lifter of my head!!!

I encourage you, if you have not already, to memorize this verse today. Write it on a sticky note and place it in an obvious place. Meditate on this verse today.

Psalm 2:10-11

"Now therefore, O kings, be wise;

be warned, O rulers of the earth.

Serve the Lord with fear and rejoice with trembling."

This is a good reminder to pray for the "rulers of the earth". Have you prayed for your rulers today??

Psalm 1: 2-3

for yesterday...

"but his delight is in the law of the Lord,

and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water

that yields its fruit in its season,

and its leaf does not wither.

In all that he does, he prospers."

I love this image of delighting in the law of the Lord. I am so thankful that I have seen such a change in my own delight of God's law. Praise God!!

I love the image of a tree planted by streams of water, yielding fruit. Lord, help me to yield fruit!!!

Jeremiah 17:8.

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,

and whose trust is the Lord.

He is like a tree planted by water,

that sends out its roots by the stream,

and does not fear when heat comes,

for its leaves remain green,

and is not anxious in the year of drought,

for it does not cease to bear fruit."

Are your leaves green??? =)

Psalm 150:6

"Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord!

What could be better than that?? What an amazing ending to the Psalms!!

Praise God for creating us with the ability and desire to enjoy the sweet gift of friendship!! We spent Sunday with friends.... what a blessing! Friends at church, and we hung out with friends at the beach. What could be greater than that?? =)

Psalm 149:4

"For the Lord takes pleasure in his people;

he adorns the humble with salvation."

I want to meditate on this truth... that the humble are adorned with salvation. As many of you know, I have been studying Romans this year. That is one big lesson that I have learned... to better understand the amazing gift of salvation by faith that God has given us. It is too easy in our culture... growing up in the church, to take this gift for granted. I am constantly challenged to teach our children to stand in awe of the precious gift of salvation.

God takes pleasure in us!

Be amazed to day.

Psalm 148: 5-6, 14

"Let them praise the name of the Lord!

For he commanded and they were created.

And he established them forever and ever,

he gave a decree, and it shall not pas away."

Everything we have is created, everything that we are is created. Contemplating this, really understanding this truth, will result in praise to God. The created praises its Creator!!

Even the difficult trials work in our hearts and lives to make us more like him.

So, in all things,

Praise the Lord!!!

"He has raised up a horn for his people,

praise for all his saints,

for the people of Israel who are near to him.

praise the Lord!"

The horn represents power and strength, a power and strength that saves, and ultimately Jesus as our Savior. This is why we ultimately praise the Lord!!

Read this psalm with your family today!!

Psalm 147: 5, 8

I will do this!!!! I won't give up!!! =)

"Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;

his understanding is beyond measure."

The Psalms are amazing!!! I am so glad that God is abundant in power, so thankful for this reminder when life is chaotic and terrible things happen.

"He covers the heavens with clouds;

he prepares rain for the earth;

he makes grass grow on the hills."

This is where we went this weekend... what an appropriate passage for this weekend!! It rained Friday night, so we decided not to go hiking in the mud. There was still a chance of rain... or so they said... so we chose to drive to the beach instead. Wow!!! What amazing clouds, what beautiful hills, and the ocean!!! We missed hiking, but the alternative was equally amazing.

Enjoy your Monday!!!

Tell your children, your friends, your family, everyone you meet. God is amazing!!!

Psalm 146:5

Yikes!!! It is a good thing that I am an optimist, otherwise I would never do anything!!

"Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,

whose hope is in the Lord his God."

I am so thankful that my hope is in the Lord, and not in circumstances, people, or a clean house and obedient children!!

What a great reminder... I needed this today.

Psalm 145: 14-16

"The Lord upholds all who are falling

and raises up all who are bowed down.

The eyes of all look to you,

and you give them their food in due season.

You open your hand;

you satisfy the desire of every living thing."

Did you catch that? "...in due season." God has his timing. He will give us what we need, our food, in due season. I love that reminder.

And also... he will satisfy my desires. Wow. I can't say anything else but Wow.

Psalm 145: 11-12, day 1, for Wednesday

"They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom

and tell of your power,

to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds,

and the glorious splendor of your kingdom."

I love this Psalm, I will spend a few days in it. I am reminded of the need to tell my children God's mighty deeds and to talk about the glorious splendor of His kingdom. I get so busy with daily life that I forget to stop and talk... I forget to "enjoy the story"... to enjoy His Story!!

Talk to your children about God's mighty deeds, today!!

Psalm 144:1-2

If at first you don't succeed... try and try again!!

So... forgive the hiatus, and allow me to begin again!!!

"Blessed be the Lord, my rock,

who trains my hands for war,

and my fingers for battle;

he is my steadfast love and my fortress,

my stronghold and my deliverer,

my shield and he in whom I take refuge,

who subdues peoples under me."

This is a Psalm of war, a prayer for deliverance, equipping for battle, and strength. War is what David was trained for. I need training for strength in my daily routine of homework, reading, piano practice, math facts practice... etc. All this while getting a yummy, or at least edible, meal on the table!!!

So today I want to recognize that I see my prayers for training for this battle are beginning to be answered. While some days are better than others, overall I think my percentage of good days is much higher than last year. Praise God for continuing to train me to be more like Him!!!

Psalm 143: 8

(ok... now I am caught up to today!! =) Hopefully this will go back to being a daily blog again!!!)

I love David's boldness in calling on the Lord to answer him, in stating truth in his prayer. This inspires me to share in David's boldness in my own prayers.

"Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,

for in you I trust.

Make me know the way I should go,

for to you I lift up my soul."

I pray that this will be my continual prayer every morning. What a way to start my day!!! Join with me in beginning your day with this prayer. Write it on a sticky note and place it by your clock, toothbrush or kitchen sink. Commit to daily praying this prayer.

February 4th, J-J's day

Speaking of yesterday....

February 4th is my brother's birthday. The day passed uneventfully... which is always strange to me, that the day seems so ordinary. Every year I wonder how we can celebrate and remember my precious brother's life. My sister baked a cake and prayed for his friends. I like her idea, and plan on starting this tradition. I think we will do that tonight, in his honor.

How do you remember your loved ones who are no longer with you???

Psalm 142: 7b for yesterday...

"The righteous will surround me,

for you will deal bountifully with me."

Wow!! I am so thankful that this is true in my life. God has surrounded me with the righteous, righteous men and women who love God and who mentor me. I love how God uses His imperfect people to make us more like Him!!

Praise the Lord!!!

Psalm 141:3

"Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth;

keep watch over the door of my lips!"

This was an obvious choice. Anyone who knows me, knows that this is a prayer I must pray on a regular basis to maintain peace in my family. Wow... the consequence of unguarded words... it is a sobering thought. Yet, I continue to realize that guarded words come from right thinking, and unguarded words from sinful thinking. I must "be transformed by the renewing of my mind..." that is how the Lord guards my mouth. That, combined with simply listening to His still, small voice... that sometimes isn't so still or small... saying... "be quiet!", or, "BE QUIET!! JUST DON'T SPEAK."

Psalm 140: 12... for Tuesday

"I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted,

and will execute justice for the needy."

...the question is... will we?

Too often we as a Christian community are too quick to tell others that they are wrong, and too slow to exhibit Christ-like actions.

So... this verse gives me hope, and brings conviction.

Psalm 139:24

What a privilege and blessing to read this psalm today!!! What love the Father has for us!!

I love that this final verse comes in the context of God's love, of David's proclamation of his faith and trust in God's love for Him. What an encouragement for us today!!

"Search me, O God, and know my heart!

Try me and know my thoughts!

and see if there be any grievous way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting!"

Lead me in the way everlasting...

Psalm 138:8

"The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;

your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.

do not forsake the work of your hands."

I love the thought that God has a purpose for me, and that He will fulfill it. What love!!

May we be sensitive to God's leading, to the purpose he has for us, and may we submit to that purpose. May we wait patiently as God reveals this purpose to us, and may we always remember that His love endures forever. Amen!

Psalm 137:4... for yesterday

"How shall we sing the Lord's song in a foreign land?"

This psalm is a little strange, and ends on a really terrible note, but I was really struck by this verse. We are in a foreign land, and it does seem impossible to "sing the Lord's song". I am often struck by the differences between my beliefs and the world's... they are so different than me, they have such different standards. Also, Christianity, belief in God, is so often portrayed in such a negative light. This seems impossible... impossible seems to be the answer to this question.

I want to spend more time, effort, and prayer considering this very question... because there is an answer. There is a way to sing the Lord's song in this foreign land. God is an all-powerful God and will answer this question... He will one day sing his song, and all the world will know that He is Lord!!!

Psalm 136:26

for today...

"Give thanks to the God of Heaven,

for His steadfast love endures forever."

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.

Read this Psalm out loud, and give thanks.

Insert your own history of God's love for you, shown in your triumphs and tragedies.

God is a good God and all that he does is out of love for His people. This is the rock we can rely on and the hope that motivates us to pray and worship and live.

Psalm 135:5

For yesterday...

"For I know that the Lord is great,

and that our Lord is above all gods"

The Psalmist talks about God's great power, what He has done, and the weakness of gods made by men.

I want to be aware of any gods that have crept into my life, things that I am tempted to rely on or worship. I want to only rely on and worship our great Lord!!!

Psalm 134:1-3

Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord,

who stand by night in the house of the Lord!

Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the Lord!

May the Lord bless you from Zion,

he who made heaven and earth!

Psalm 133:1

"Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!"

I trust that all of us have experienced the joy of being together as a family. Whether it is your biological family or family of friends... the sweet fellowship of loved ones is truly good and pleasant. I am so thankful that God is a relational God who cares about... and blesses us with... family.

Thank God for your family, or "family", today.

Psalm 132:11

"The Lord swore to David a sure oath from which he will not turn back"

I am so thankful that we serve a promise keeping God. God's word is true and his promises never fail. This is what my hope is in.

Psalm 131:2

"But I have calmed and quieted my soul,

like a weaned child with its mother;

like a weaned child is my soul within me."

This verse paints a beautiful, tangible picture. This is how God wants me to live, how he wants me to hope in him.

Calm and quiet your soul today.

Psalm 130:5

"I wait for the Lord, my soul waits and in his word I hope"

I love that we can hope in God's word, that it is true. Our hope is based on truth. That is what I love about studying God's word. As my understanding of His word increases, so does my awe and amazement and confidence in God's Sovereignty and in His plan. He truly is working out His plan for His glory and for my.. for our... good.

This verse also reminds me of the value in waiting. There is growth and much to be learned by waiting for the Lord.

Speaking of Psalms...

Here is Jennifer Knapp's take on Psalm 27. It is truly beautiful... I highly recommend purchasing this song!!!!

He is my Light and my Salvation
whom have i to fear
in His secret place i'll hide and pray
that i might hear a simple word

oh, how I would have despaired
if You had not come found me there
i can lean against Your throne and find my peace
find my peace

and when my enemies draw near
i pray that they will find
that i'm protected and secure
all tempests He will bind with a mighty word

oh, how I would have despaired
if You had not come found me there
i can lean against Your throne and find my peace
find my peace

He is my Light and my Salvation whom have i to fear?

Psalm 129: 2b

"...yet they have not prevailed against me."

What a comfort that, though our enemies rise up against us, they will not prevail. We know the End, with a capital "E".

I am studying Romans 11 right now, and I was meditating on how Paul talks about the beginning, middle, and end of God's plan for Israel. The entire Bible points to the "End"... yes, there are applications for temporary "ends" along the way... but the final ultimate "End" is what counts. No matter how terrible and hard life seems... there is always an end... and ultimately... an End. They... all the wickedness and evil that we see... will one day END with Our Great and Sovereign Lord's Victory!!! What hope that gives me!!!

I can't resist adding a few verses from Romans...

Romans 5:3-5 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance... character... hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Romans 8:18, 24a For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing to the glory that is to be revealed to us... For in the hope we were saved.

Romans 11:33, 36 Oh the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!... For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

Amen!!

Psalm 128:1-2

Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways!

this is what God wants for us... to experience the blessing that comes from walking in His ways...

You shall eat of the fruit of the labor of your hands;

Life is hard work... and God wants me to enjoy the fruit of that hard work. So often I finish one task and am on to the next, without enjoying the "fruit"...

you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.

I am so glad that I serve a God that desires me to live a life that is blessed. This blessing is a result of work and labor... this hope encourages me as I struggle to walk in the spirit and refuse to listen to the temptations of losing my temper, being lazy, or getting discouraged when I see so much left undone.

I pray that I will turn my gaze on the Lord, receive his blessing, labor, fear Him, and walk in His ways.

The Plan: A Pslam a Day until 20 Jan 2011

I have been inspired by the movie Julia and Julie... or is it Julie and Julia?? I can't remember. What I do remember is the inspiration to commit to a daily task, for an entire year. I am great at starting things... not so great at finishing. So, this is the plan. To read a Psalm a day, to meditate on this psalm, and to share with you how God used that psalm to encourage me this day.

Perhaps, I will also include photographs and stories of my story... but I can't commit to that right now. That is just a teaser to encourage you to continue reading.

so... I have been reading the occasional psalm... and I am actually on Psalm 127, so that is where I begin today, this 20th day of January, in the year 2010. May you also be blessed by my little "experiment" in the effect of instituting a little discipline and accountability into my life. Who knows where I will be in 2011!!!

Psalm 127: wow!! what a great Psalm to start off with!!! I could list the entire psalm, but I will write what verse pierced me to the heart... God's Spirit lovingly convicting me and speaking truth in the place I most needed to hear it... God's timing is amazing!!

verse 2: "It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep."

Lord, may I accept and appreciate and use your precious gift of sleep!!!