Pray For The Persecuted

Voice of the Martyrs has called all Believers to pray for those who are being persecuted for their faith in Jesus Christ. More information can be found here. Persecution of Believers occurs on a daily basis and even though it is rarely shown on the secular media. Do not embrace apathy, Liberty is maintained only through vigilance and in the US, Christians face attack in different ways. Pray for the persecuted and the families of the Martyrs and pray for the maintenance of Liberty and the Freedom to share His Word around the globe! A hat tip goes to Amanda who wrote an article at Growing In Grace, an online magazine for Christian young women for making me aware of this important cause.

Thankful On Thursdays

Well, I planned to do gratitude lists this month and I knew I wouldn't be able to do it every day and keep up. Then I would feel guilty about missing. So I am doing seven things each Thursday this month.



1. I am so thankful to see God working in my children's hearts and that God gives me glimpses of that work to encourage me in what some days feels like an eternal up hill battle.

2. I am grateful that I can still home school my children in spite of legal attacks this year.

3. I am thankful for digital scrapbooking which has given me a stress releaser and a lot of creative fun.

4. I am thankful for all the health changes we have made this year and that even though I am stuck on a plateau at the moment, I have made a lot of progress!

5. I am thankful for my Bible and God's word that comforts, teaches and guides me every day.

6. I am thankful for the apple seeds growing on my kitchen windowsill (homeschool project).

7. I am thankful for the man who calls me Mrs. L and loves me in spite of all my ideosyncrasies, but continually encourages me to better myself.

Faith on Friday

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24


11 Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. 12 It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, "Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?" 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, "Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?" 14 No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.
15 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. 16 For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.
17 But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, 18 I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.
19 This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Deuteronomy 30:11-20


16Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man's sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 17For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.
18Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. Romans 5:16-18


6Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

On Faith and Politics

While I openly share my faith here, I do try to avoid politics. In general I hate them and consider them a "necessary evil." I hate the lies, the compromising, the system - it doesn't matter what candidate or party, you have to admit, politics are basically "dirty". My Mom sent me something though that reflects what I've been reading on different blogs and hearing in discussions. This list by Pastor Mark Cox of Sterry Church in Roswell Idaho, hits the nail on the head as far as I am concerned.


Ten Predictions No Matter Who Wins The Election

1. The Bible will still have ALL the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God anointed preaching.
6. There will be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.



How Great Is Our God by Chris Tomlin



VERSE(1):The splendor of a King,Clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice,
All the earth rejoice
He wraps himself in light,
And darkness tries to hide,
And trembles at his voice,
And trembles at his voice


CHORUS(1):
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God,and all will see How great,
How great
Is our God


VERSE(2):
Age to age he stands
And time is in His Hands
Beginning and the End,
Beginning and the End
The Godhead, Three in one
Father, Spirit, Son
The Lion and the Lamb,The Lion and the Lamb


CHORUS(1):
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God,and all will see
How great, How great
Is our God


CHORUS(2)
Name above all names
You are Worthy of all praise and
My heart will sing how great
Is our God
(x2)


CHORUS(1):
How great is our God,
Sing with me
How great is our God,and all will see
How great,
How great
Is our God


CHORUS(1):
How great is our God,
Sing with me
How great is our God,and all will see
How great,
How great
Is our God



Pray and Vote. Vote your conscience. Our HOPE is in God.


Psalm 62
For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.

1 My soul finds rest in God alone;
my salvation comes from him.
2 He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
3 How long will you assault a man?
Would all of you throw him down—
this leaning wall, this tottering fence?
4 They fully intend to topple him
from his lofty place;
they take delight in lies.
With their mouths they bless,
but in their hearts they curse.

Selah

5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from him.
6 He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.
7 My salvation and my honor depend on God;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
8 Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.

Selah

9 Lowborn men are but a breath,
the highborn are but a lie;
if weighed on a balance, they are nothing;
together they are only a breath.
10 Do not trust in extortion
or take pride in stolen goods;
though your riches increase,
do not set your heart on them.
11 One thing God has spoken,
two things have I heard:
that you, O God, are strong,
12 and that you, O Lord, are loving.
Surely you will reward each person
according to what he has done.

Faith On Friday

This week's journey with Abram brings us to Genesis chapter 16 and the story of Hagar. My friend Susan has a great post today on waiting for God. I don't think it's possible to be alive and not experience waiting for God at some point in time. Through the years, I have lost count of how many times I have sat in God's waiting room. Yet again, here we sit, waiting for his word on whether or not we can move back to Washington. We've been waiting about 9 years now. Still, I would like to hope that my Husband and I would not go to the measures that Abram and Sarai took!

Naturally, in our day and age and in our culture, we would not find it acceptable for my Husband to acquire a concubine like Hagar. But, can you say that you have never taken an action to rush God's timing or will? Put in that perspective, I feel humbled. Some of the biggest messes I have found myself in, have occurred when I tried to take over from God and figure things out myself.

The mess Abram and Sarai find themselves in is a result of Abram's earlier lies and adventures in Egypt. Hagar, an Egyptian slave, likely was one of the maidservants gifted to them by Pharaoh. Can you imagine how you would feel if you had to share your home and husband with his mistress? In Sarai's shoes, I think I would have wanted to scratch Hagar's eyes out. Hagar may have taunted Sarai, but her conception of a child with Abram was not a sin the culture of the day. She did as her mistress commanded her. The law of the time allowed Sarai to punish Hagar, but not kill her.

Admittedly, I find it hard to relate to Hagar, but God showed amazing compassion and love (in spite of liberal interpretations of the Bible saying that the God of the OT was a misogynist!) to her. She must have felt alone, abandoned, lost, scared and that quite possibly she could die on her way to Egypt or when she arrived.

God heard Hagar's cry. He met her in the desert and spoke with her face to face. Our pastor said that this is the only place in the bible where someone gives God a name - El Roi - The God Who Sees Me! The name He gives her son - Ishmael - means God hears.

Wow!

He sees me.

He sees you.

How powerful is that? I have spent most of my life feeling "invisible", insignificant and misunderstood, but the God of all the Universe sees me! Doesn't it feel good to know that we are not really invisible, forgotten and misunderstood. The God who created us is watching, working things together for good in our lives and sees our needs even before we can verbalize them. My job is to trust that He does know what He is doing and to wait for His will and His timing.

This is the lesson that Abram and Sarai had to learn in heartache and trial. We would do good to watch their missteps and not re-create them, but it seems like it is human nature to learn through mistakes.

Do you see a theme here? Abram/Abraham needs to learn to trust God. It doesn't come naturally does it? There are trials in life that test our trust and faith. In the end (see Hebrews) Abraham is considered faithful and his faithfulness is credited to Him as righteousness. Our righteousness comes from Christ alone, but it is no less important for us to believe, trust and walk in faith. For me there is comfort in knowing that Abraham was not successful in his first test, but that he improved in time. That means there is hope for me! :o)

Pastor Mike has done an excellent job each week summarizing how we can apply the Biblical truths in each lesson to our lives today:



1. We should wait patiently on God's timing to fulfill His promises. (2 Peter 3:8-9) If we are waiting there is a good reason. God isn't just "twiddling" His thumbs.

2. We should not think that God needs our help to fulfill His promises. (Ecclesiastes 3:11) He makes everything beautiful in His time.

3. We should trust God to fulfill His promises even if it will take a miracle. (Genesis 18:14a)

4. We should be comforted by this reminder that God sees our troubles and desires to rescue us.



Lastly, he shared a quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a wise Christian martyr:



"But everything has its time, and the main thing is that we keep in step with God, and do not keep on pressing a few steps ahead - nor keep dawdling a step behind. It's presumptuous to want everything at once..." (Letters and Papers From Prison, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, page 169)

An Apt word...

Thank you to those who have shared so kindly. Several of you wrote me Scripture to encourage me and I looked them up and appreciated that so much - words from the WORD, alive, living, vibrant, healing.

Last night I was able to spend some time talking with my wonderful God-Gift of a Husband, pouring out my heart and praying with him and that really helped.

I appreciate you! I'll leave you with a Scripture that has long been a comfort to me:


22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." Lamentations 3:22-24 courtesy of Biblegateway.com

Faith On Friday

This week I have had sick children, sick me, doctors appointments for me and physical therapy. I was unable to go to church or Bible study and by the end of this type of week... I am dragging! Yes, I'm dragging physically because it's just hard, but I'm also dragging spiritually. If I kept in contact with my Husband the way I sometimes do with God, then I would probably be divorced!

In my youthful days as a Christian, I believed all the teachings of "thou musteth getteth upeth at 4:30eth and readeth thineth Bible..." etc. Now if you do this, that's awesome. For many of us that is just not possible! That doesn't mean I think I don't need a daily devotional time - I do! But having a devotional time with God can happen in many different ways. How you do it today doesn't have to be the same way you did it yesterday or how your Pastor does it or how your friend does it. God created each of us uniquely and we each worship and share with Him in a unique relationship.

Some days the Holy Spirit may prompt you to pray - be obedient. Other times you are nudged to look up a specific topic and research it. Perhaps you just want to sit quietly and absorb one Psalm. At various times in my life when I became overwhelmed, I put a praise CD in, sat on the floor and rocked and sang my heart out until the tears fell, release came and His peace flowed over me. I was thinking about my previous post when J said she'd "snuggle" with Jesus. I think the above is an example of how I can snuggle with Him!

However you do it, take time out to be with your Father God, who loves you more than anyone on earth ever could, who understands, who listens, who cares, who works everything together for good and in His purpose. He does not "need" us - He is God, but He desires us! Do you hear Him calling?

This week we began establishing a spiritual rhythm in our school time. We always have prayer and devotion, but I wanted to put in something special to train them in the way they should go. Our 24 Family Ways is an awesome tool to use in helping your children develop, not only faith, but compassionate, respectful traits in interacting with other people and the world. The 24 family ways are separated into areas concerning authorities in our family, relationships in our family, possessions in our family, work in our family, attitudes in our family and choices in our family.

My children are 5.5 and 7 and occasionally one of the questions is difficult, but not hard when explained. I would say it would probably work preschool to high school. There are thought provoking questions each day which put the concept into the perspective of the child's life and world. There is a time to read the Bible and then there are 2 or 3 questions after reading with an application time where the child prays and asks God to help them attain the character traits discussed. This usually takes about 20 minutes unless the children are extra talkative! :o)

The first family way is "We love and obey our Lord, Jesus Christ, with wholehearted devotion." I will leave you with our memory verse:




Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment." Matthew 6:37-38

Wellness Wednesday

Hi Everyone. Still not much to report. Our whole family has been down with either virus or stomach bug and we are all dragging. I'm behind on answering email. I am a bad friend. I have been learning how to digital scrapbook instead! Sorry!

Digital scrapbooking has saved my sanity this week. I have been overwhelmed by kids who are super emotional when they are sick and my nerves are raw. The other night I knew I just needed to spend some time in the Word - the best wellness tool I know of! I took my Grandma Hopkins' Bible, which I love to read because of all her notes in it, and read the first couple chapters of Ephesians, making a list of all the things God has done or blessed me with as a Believer. I highly recommend this. It's pretty eye opening.

Today during devotionals in school, we had a question about what we would give Jesus if he was here right now. D answered immediately, "some" of his Legos! LOL The girls, at 5 couldn't quite understand. So, I said, "If Jesus was sitting on the couch with you, what would you give him or do for him." J said, "I'd snuggle with Jesus!" Out of the mouths of babes. Couldn't we all use a snuggle with Jesus? I know I sure could!

What picks you up when you are down?

Faith On Friday

Today's Faith on Friday post will be short. (Do I hear a collective sigh of relief? lol) Friday just happens to be the birthday of my favorite 7 yo... naturally pictures are to follow! :o)

This week's lessons on Abram focused on his rescue of Lot when Sodom was attacked (Genesis 14) and Abram's subsequent meeting with the King of Melchizedek. Now this chapter gets into some deep theology that I will not even begin to tackle regarding the identity and significance of Melchizedek. Some say he is a foreshadowing of Christ, others say that he is Christ. What we do know is that Christ was a priest in the order of Melchizedek.

Abram obviously loved Lot to take his men and go after the powerful kings who had taken him and his family. That we know of, Lot had not shown much thanks or allegiance to Abram and had become an inhabitant of the evil Sodom. And the King of Sodom approached Abram in a slinky, used car salesman kind of a way, as if he had any standing to make an agreement with Abram after Abram rescued all his people and their belongings.

Melchizedek on the other hand came to Abram as the Priest of the Most High God and blessed him. Abram tithed 10% of his "loot" to Melchizedek as God's Priest, long before the Mosaic law gave instructions on how to do this. Our sermon compared and contrasted Melchizedek which means "The King of Righteousness" to Bera, the King of Sodom whose name means "Be Evil." During our class on Tuesday we discussed Lot and Abram's rescue of him and what it is like to love someone who makes poor choices in their life. This struck home for me and tears sprang to my eyes easily. There are many in my Dad's family who are in desperate situations, some of their own creation, unwilling to change or help themselves. It's pretty hard to love someone who chooses ugliness and evil. But it's hard not to love them when you know they need His saving Love!

I will leave you with some application taken straight from Pastor Mike's sermon on Sunday.

1. Don't be indebted to the world. Do not flirt with the world like Lot did. First he pitched his tent near Sodom, then he was in Sodom.

2. God will lead us in victory! 1 John 5:3-5 Everyone born of God overcomes the world. We may not be able to do it ourselves, but He can. Abram only had a few more than 300 to face the armies of several kings, but God gave him the victory! (Victory in Jesus! My Savior forever!)

3. Worshipping God with a tenth of our material goods is an enduring principle in the Bible. Tithing happened before the Law and is an act of worship, not an obligation or a chain of legalism. It thanks Him for His blessings. (And it all belongs to Him anyway!)

Homesick...

This week I have felt so homesick. Perhaps it is because it's October and the AC still goes on. Maybe it's because our allergies are bad. Likely having to cancel our Monterey trip because we had to get new brakes, tipped it over the edge. Whatever the reason...

I am homesick...




My heart wants to be here. My heart wants to breathe fresh, salty air. My heart wants to live where this could be a short car ride away and where the mountains rise up out of the sea.



I know He hears my heart's cry. I know He senses the suffocation I feel; my wings are clipped and I ache like a bird that cannot fly.



For whatever reason, He is not sending down any neon signs to direct us where to go. The economy is greatly effecting our chances of being able to leave California, just when it was beginning to be hopeful. I don't want to whine, but I had to express these feelings before they exploded inside of me.




I want to learn, like Paul, to be content in all things.



11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. (Philippians 4:11-12 NIV)




6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. (1 Timothy 6:6-7 NIV)



4Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. 5Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." 6So we say with confidence,"The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" (Hebrews 13:4-6 NIV)



(All photographs are Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington)

Songs On Sunday

"Disclaimer" - I realize that a lot of my posts have been "heavy" lately and for those of you who have known this primarily as a "knitting blog" you are probably wondering if I still knit! Yes I do, I just haven't had energy to block my lace, photograph finished objects and post. That will be coming soon. I am in a season of my life where God is asking me deep questions, causing me to think through things that I thought I had already figured out and sorting through the clutter in my emotional and mental attic! I understand if you are not interested in reading. I enjoy my interactions with other women in the blogosphere, but I also write to help my own growing progress. I hope that makes sense. My posts won't always be so heavy, but life isn't sweetness and fluff all the time!

Today was Communion Sunday. Our church chooses to celebrate this the first Sunday of each month as did my church in Washington. For me this is nice - not so often that it becomes rote and not so seldom that we forget. Ironically in our sermon series on Abraham, this Sunday covered Melchizedek, the High Priest of God, meeting with Abram after the recapture of Lot and the return of the spoils of Sodom. Melchizedek brought bread and wine - the food of kings at the time, but also the ingredients for performing a Covenant.

Sadly, in this day and age and in western culture, we do not understand the idea of a covenant. Thus we so easily break them - marriages, commitments to God, promises to those we love. In ancient times the breaking of a covenant meant death. Today it's an every day occurence. Sad.




My Mom took this picture at Laurel Church, the church I attended through most of my 20s and my early 30s. At the foot of this cross (behind us), Hubby and I made a Covenant. As you can see 9+ years later, we have fulfilled our promise to be fruitful and multiply! :o) L to R, J, D and A. I wanted a picture here because our tenth wedding anniversary is coming up.

As we made our eternal Covenant with God, we took Communion together for the first time. Today, it was so odd, when the tray came to me I wanted to serve my Husband. That's not what we normally do, it's not something I thought out but something that I felt compelled to do at the moment. I chickened out when the wafers came, but did pass him the grape juice. I'm not sure what this meant and I'm still digesting it. But one thing I know, that I NEVER get tired of taking communion with my husband.

This is one of those things I did not think of when I was single and dreaming of marriage - you think of physical intimacy, someone to go to the movies with, snuggle with etc. Don't get me wrong, those things are nice, but I praise God every day for the man who prays with me, takes communion with me, teaches my children about God and loves me even if I don't deserve it! Let me tell you ladies, I lived in an unequally yoked home, a single parent home, I was single long enough and in enough BAD relationships to appreciate what I have. And young ladies, waiting for God's choice for you, PLEASE WAIT! What He has planned for you is better than you can ever imagine. No relationship is perfect, but when God is the Head of your household, He does amazing work in your lives! And if your heart is broken from the pain of a sad or unhealthy relationship, God is the place to go for comfort and healing! I know!



One of the joys of having children has been seeing my Mom, Ruth, and my step Dad, Jack interact with them... not only as loving Grandparents but as torchbearers to the next generation! This picture was taken while Hubby and I were on our "honeymoon" and the kids went to church alone with Grandma and Grandpa. J is in my Mom's lap and A on Grandpa Jack's lap and naturally D is in between.

As for Songs On Sunday, we sang beautiful Hymns today - both old and contemporary - How Great Is Our God, My Jesus I Love Thee, The Wonderful Cross, Untitled Hymn (Come To Jesus) and In Christ Alone. The woman who sang Untitled Hymn as a solo during Communion was so LOVELY. By the time she was done, the tears were streaming down my face. I relate to so many of the words and then through my grief journey I cling to the end "fly to Jesus" and it gives me HOPE.

This is A getting ready for church at Grandma's. She is wearing for the first time a dress I made her. It started out as a top from a vintage pattern that was too short for modesty. I didn't have enough to make a dress so I found some coordinating green and had just enough of the main print to put a band at the bottom of the front only... oh well, at least she has a unique, one of a kind outfit! :o) She loves it!

Here J contemplates the butterflies on her new jumper that I made her. (All photos today taken by my Mom Ruth)

In Christ Alone

Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townsend

Copyright © 2001 Kingsway Thankyou Music

In Christ alone my hope is found;

He is my light, my strength, my song;

This cornerstone, this solid ground,

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.

What heights of love, what depths of peace,

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!

My comforter, my all in all—

Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone,

Who took on flesh,

Fullness of God in helpless babe!

This gift of love and righteousness,

Scorned by the ones He came to save.

Till on that cross as Jesus died,

The wrath of God was satisfied;

For ev'ry sin on Him was laid—

Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,

Light of the world by darkness slain;

Then bursting forth in glorious day,

Up from the grave

He rose again!

And as He stands in victory,

Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;

For I am His and He is mine—

Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death—

This is the pow'r of Christ in me;

From life's first cry to final breath,

Jesus commands my destiny.

No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,

Can ever pluck me from His hand;

Till He returns or calls me home—

Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.

Grandpa and his kids! J, A and D with Grandpa Jack.

A and J watching brother and the big kids practice their musical performance. The kids really clicked quickly with the kids at Laurel and had a blast with teacher R!

Untitled Hymn by Chris Rice

Weak and wounded sinner

Lost and left to die

O, raise your head, for love is passing by

Come to Jesus

Come to Jesus

Come to Jesus and live!

Now your burden's lifted

And carried far away

And precious blood has washed away the stain, so

Sing to Jesus

Sing to Jesus

Sing to Jesus and live!

And like a newborn baby

Don't be afraid to crawl

And remember when you walk

Sometimes we fall...so

Fall on Jesus

Fall on Jesus

Fall on Jesus and live!

Sometimes the way is lonely

And steep and filled with pain

So if your sky is dark and pours the rain, then

Cry to Jesus

Cry to Jesus

Cry to Jesus and live!

O, and when the love spills over

And music fills the night

And when you can't contain your joy inside, then

Dance for Jesus

Dance for Jesus

Dance for Jesus and live!

And with your final heartbeat

Kiss the world goodbye

Then go in peace, and laugh on Glory's side, and

Fly to Jesus

Fly to Jesus

Fly to Jesus and live!

Faith On Friday - Abram Back On Track

Last week our sermon and Bible study focused on Abram's lies about Sarai being his sister and his sojourn and exit from Egypt. Our lovely teacher Elise pointed out that we know the process for Esther to be "purified" and ready to be presented to the king, took about a year. We wondered if that were also true in Egypt and therefore that Abram, Sarai, Lot and all their peoples had been in Egypt for quite some time. At any rate, by the events in Genesis 13, we know that the famine was gone or conditions had at least improved. Abram was back in Canaan with more wealth than he had when he left. This week we focused on how Abram began to turn his faith and life in the right direction.

Genesis 13:4 tells us that when Abram came back to where he had first built an altar, he called on the name of the Lord.

When we blow it and we recognize it - the FIRST thing we need to do is call on the name of the Lord! Even if we are not ready to repent (change our ways) or ask for forgiveness - we still need His help and wisdom to get out of the messes we make for ourselves. Don't you think that's true, that most of the time, we are the ones making our own mess? I realize that many people are harmed by others and have injustices against them, but sometimes even then, we make it worse for ourselves. My theory is that it boils down to our number one sin of PRIDE - ever since Eve failed in the garden, we have been trying to be in charge of our own lives, ignoring God until we cry out. I am not writing this against anyone else, but just admitting that sadly, too many times in my own life I have found this to be true.

But, Abram had learned a lesson, or so we think, and now he is seeking God. After he has sought God's wisdom, he does an amazing thing. He totally humbles himself before Lot. Now, Abram is Lot's elder and possibly his guardian after the death of his father, Abram's brother. Lot's wealth has already been acquired through the blessings upon Abram. There is no human reason why, nor a cultural reason why he would do this.

Our teacher told us that many theologians compare this to Christ who "humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross!" (Philippians 2:8 NIV). There is much in the Old Testament that foreshadows the coming of Christ. The more I read it the more I see it and it has almost become a treasure hunt. It is a pet peeve of mine that many Christians dismiss the Old Testament. They are forgetting 2 Tim 3:16-17 where Paul tells his protege Timothy that ALL Scripture is inspired by God. As a matter of fact that is my children's SS memory verse. When Paul wrote that, Scripture was primarily the Old Testament. So, I encourage you to go hunting for jewels in the richness of the history of God's relationship with His children.

Abram humbled himself before Lot and gave him a choice. Lot chose what he could see. Instant gratification with little effort required to prosper. He looked out and saw the green pastures and fertile land.

I've never really liked Lot. Is that okay to admit, that you don't like someone in the Bible?! His story is just so "eww" in so many ways. Judas Iscariot compels me to more compassion than Lot. Of course this is purely emotional observation. I was surprised when our teacher read 2 Peter 2:6-8 which proclaims Lot a righteous man. Hmmm... now I am the one humbled. It's a good thing that I am not personally under the microscope; perhaps I would not fare as well as Lot!

Lot goes one to greener pastures :o) and there is no record of grumbling or complaint on Abram's part. He settles in Canaan and the Lord tells him to look as far as he can see - north, south, east and west - all the land would belong to him and his offspring. The EAST where Lot had chosen the prime real estate was even promised to Abram.

Abram had consulted with God, worshipped God and chosen God's path for his life, therefore he could humble himself before Lot and wait and trust on the Lord. Abram exemplified in this circumstance, the truth of Matthew 6:25+... that we seek first Him and His Kingdom and all these things (all the things we need and even sometimes wants are thrown in to delight us!) are given to us. He did not worry.

Lot trusted in what he could see.

Abram trusted in God.

2 Corinthians 5:1-10 shares Paul's views. He fully grasped the limitations of his humanness and the hugeness of his God.

"We live by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7

The writer of Hebrews tells us that Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness.

So, this week I have been thinking about that. And you know what? Right away it was tested. It was like the enemy said, "AHA! You can't trust Him, look what's going to happen! What will you do?"

The day after Bible study we found out that the brakes on our van ALL need to be replaced and are metal to metal. Part of me panicked momentarily because we have had this nice little trip for D's birthday planned - going to Monterrey and the Aquarium and the Ocean! I looked at Hubby and said "Let's not freak. Let's sit down and pray." Their were only 2 ways we could get brakes (a priority) and go on our trip. The first was to not pay our tithe. The second was to max out our credit card. Neither of these would honor our Lord! After praying, I remembered that the Steinhart Aquarium at the California Academy of Sciences just reopened after lengthy repairs post earthquake damage (1989 I believe). So, instead of a three day even with a motel stay, we can make a day trip and see some of the same things. Praise God we had that money set aside for the trip... if we had not, then we would just be without the van until we could come up with that huge sum! It would have been do-able, but difficult. And another praise God! We safely made it home, FULLY LOADED, over several passes in August!

It reminded me of something from my high school years. Andy, my stepfather, whom I called "Dad", always had connections. He was a people person, a good manager and always loved helping people. Through one of these connections he had a car for me. He told me that this person he knew had a car that I could have for $300 and he was willing to do that for me. Okay, slap my silly teenage brain! I said, "What kind of car can it be for $300?" Later I found out it was something really desirable... something like a little Cougar, I can't remember but it was at the time a really cool car, well taken care of and only $300 as a favor to Andy. He taught me a lesson. No, he did not buy me the car because I had a bad attitude. That lesson was hard learned but has stuck with me and has come to mind several times since then as I have more carefully chosen my words! I could not trust my Dad who wanted to give me something good. I could only trust what I could "see" with my brain - an old falling apart jalopy for $300!

How many times have I also done that with my Heavenly Father, who desires to give me only good? Instead I do not trust Him. The Creator of the entire Universe and I cannot trust Him! If I cannot trust Him, who can I trust? Sometimes I get too big for my britches and I think that I know what's best for me. Sometimes my pride grows like Pinocchio's nose! And just like I missed out on a really cool car (and didn't have a car of my own until college, after Andy died), I know that I have missed out on some really cool things my Abba Daddy wanted to do for me because I thought I knew better. Patiently He waits for me. I don't want to try that patience. He is a LOVING God but He is also HOLY and JUST!

Oddly, in all the years of Bible study, I have never studied Abram/Abraham before. I'm enjoying the class taught by one of our pastors wives and learning from the women of all age that are joined together to share. It's such a beautiful way to learn. On Sunday we hear the message from the pulpit and on Tuesday we discuss it further. I'm surprised that each week, something new touches me in these old stories. But then again, some things He has had to teach me over and over. Growing in faith is that way. The key thing is to pick ourselves back up when we fall, brush ourselves off and keep moving forward with Him.

If you have found yourself drifting from your relationship with Him or sinning in such a way that keeps your pride from letting you come back, please don't be afraid. The Bible is full of examples of people who did not deserve the Lord's mercy and yet He gave it freely and still does today. He knows your heart and He misses you. If you would like me to pray for you, please feel free to email me off blog (upper right hand corner on the sidebar) and I will sincerely be honored to pray for you in confidence. God be with you all this weekend as you hear His Word and/or praise and fellowship with other Believers.

Stormy Weather

My friend The Virginia Queen Bee has been posting pictures of Sky Watch Friday for awhile now and been encouraging me to do so, since I obviously love to photograph God's Creation! :o) In the past I have also been drawn to the Saturday Sky posts, but have not joined that either. Right now the Friday would conflict with my Faith on Friday, but I still haven't ruled it out.

Anyway, today was HARD. There are just some days as moms where the battle seems to rage and all forces are aiming their attack at you! We all survived, but I am exhausted. I sent out a cry for prayer help to my friends on the Christian Artisans list and had a good cry on the phone with my Mom during her lunch break (thanks Mom!). When Hubby was taking out the trash he said, "Hey! There's a rainbow!" By the time I hobbled out it was gone, but I felt comforted knowing it was there. God has a pattern of putting rainbows in my life to remind me that just like He promised Noah that He would never again destroy the word by flood, He will NEVER give me more than I can bear. It feels pretty close at times. Boy howdy! But it is never too much!

Here is what it looks like when I stand in front of our trailer and face the neighbor catty corner to us. This is not photoshopped! Isn't it gorgeous. The air was warm and charged and alive with the storm passing through. Before I went in, slow, heavy raindrops began to fall. The kind that are huge and go plop! plop! No wonder I have had a sinus migraine. Now that it has rained a little this morning and this evening, it seems the pressure is breaking up.

As I was watching the storm roll in I thought of a poem/song, that I wrote when I was in high school. It's corny - the kind of sappy, romantic thing a petulant and moody teenager would write. It started out:

Stormy weather,

Tossed by the seas of life,

Only Jesus,

Can comfort in strife.

Corny! Yes, but so true! I need to "practice what I preach" and when I am overwhelmed I know that no matter what comfort I seek elsewhere, ultimately I need to go to the source. Isn't it nice how God encourages us through these gentle nudges? (Even when we sometimes deserve to be "zapped" by the storm!)

Songs On Sunday

Lake Crescent, Olympic National Park, Washington

Today during our worship service, I felt bathed in the love of the Lord. I don't believe how I feel is important to worshipping the Lord. Singing the songs and participating in corporate worship is not meant to be for me, but I think too often in this day and age we are looking for what we can get out of the experience. That is normal to a point and I think there are some reasons that are appropriate for leaving a church. During the last year I have been trying to focus on God and my relationship with Him as I worship. Posting Songs On Sunday has come out of that. There are some Sundays when I need to close my eyes to keep my brain thinking about my family, my comfort level, my clothes, what other people are doing, what I need to do that afternoon or during the week etc. Since doing this I find that I can appreciate my time worshipping Him more.

Then there are days like today.

Today I felt bathed in the presence of the Holy Spirit and wanted to sing my heart out! Unfortunately allergies are making my voice crack, but I felt the joy anyway, more than I usually do. After a stressful week of doctor appointments, kids going crazy with allergy symptoms and a lot of other things going on, this JOY felt like a gift from HIM!

A fawn deer near Lake Crescent.

The worship was enhanced by some awesome news that Pastor Mike shared with us. Our church has an Arabic sister church which meets in our building in the afternoon. Today an 18 year old Iraqi refugee was baptized. AMEN! This is a HUGE thing. So amazing. God is so awesome. It's easy to feel at times that people do not want to know about Jesus, especially people who come from places like Iraq. It's also easy to think that the person in the cubicle next to you at work doesn't want to hear about God. Maybe that's true, maybe that's not. When I was in the working world, I found it difficult to share my faith with people. I don't think that my life was a very good witness at that point either. Today a man was sharing about his son and I asked him if his son had accepted Christ. He didn't know, but felt that he was getting good influence in the youth group. I encouraged him to ask! It might be the most important question he ever asks his son!

I am thinking about whether there is someone in my life I need to ask or share the Lord with.

I can't help but believe there is truth to the idea that angel's dance every time someone asks Jesus in their heart. It makes my heart sing every time I hear someone's testimony and I see the miracle working power of God's love. It's a reminder that He is in control - not the enemy who is the prince of this world, but GOD! Amen!

We stand and lift up our hands

For the joy of the Lord is our strength

We bow down and worship Him now

How great, how awesome is He

And together we sing

[Chorus]

Holy is the Lord God Almighty

The earth is filled with His glory

Holy is the Lord God Almighty

The earth is filled with His glory

The earth is filled with His glory

We stand and lift up our hands

For the joy of the Lord is our strength

We bow down and worship Him now

How great, how awesome is He

And together we sing

Everyone sing

[Chorus]

Holy is the Lord God Almighty

The earth is filled with His glory

Holy is the Lord God Almighty

The earth is filled with His glory

The earth is filled with His glory

It's rising up all around

It's the anthem of the Lord's renown

Repeat

Chris Tomlin

Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington

For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:20

Bumblebee and Fireweed

"Praise to the Lord, the Almighty"

by Joachim Neander, 1650-1680

Translated by Catherine Winkworth, 1829-1878

1. Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!

O my soul, praise Him, for He is Thy Health and Salvation!

Join the full throng:

Wake, harp and psalter and song;

Sound forth in glad adoration!

2. Praise to the Lord, who o'er all things so wondrously reigneth,

Who, as on wings of an eagle, uplifteth, sustaineth.

Hast thou not seen

How thy desires all have been

Granted in what He ordaineth?

3. Praise to the Lord, who hath fearfully, wondrously, made thee;

Health hath vouchsafed and, when heedlessly falling, hath stayed thee.

What need or grief

Ever hath failed of relief?--

Wings of His mercy did shade thee.

4. Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee,

Who from the heavens the streams of His mercy doth send thee.

Ponder anew

What the Almighty can do,

Who with His love doth befriend thee.

5. Praise to the Lord! Oh, let all that is in me adore Him!

All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him!

Let the Amen

Sound from His people again;

Gladly for aye we adore Him.

Doe and Fawn, Hurricane Ridge, Olympic National Park, Washington

What can I add to that old German Lutheran hymn! Isn't it beautiful? It's rich and beautiful and wonderful and I can't help but think that the author had a heart bursting with joy, trying to express his love for God.

Psalm 100
A psalm.

For giving thanks.

1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
2 Worship the LORD with gladness;

come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the LORD is God.

It is he who made us, and we are his;

we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving

and his courts with praise;

give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;

his faithfulness continues through all generations.

From NIV courtesy of Bible Gateway

I'm sorry that blogger makes the lines come across weird. We read this responsively as a congregation. This is a practice that many modern churches have written off as old fashioned or too "stiff". Personally, I think there is something powerful about all those voices joined together speaking His Living Word.

Deer at Hurricane Ridge, Olympic National Park, Washington

One of the things I am looking forward to when God restores us to a new Earth is seeing how the animals will be different - when they will be how God created them to be, as we will be. The Bible says that if we fail to praise Him, even the stones will cry out. The Psalms write about Creation singing praises to its Creator. Everything that God created is already so amazing, I can't wait to see His original Design!

Mount Olympus from Hurricane Ridge, Olympic National Park

Give thanks to the Lord

Our God and King

His love endures forever

For He is good, He is above all things

His love endures forever

Sing praise, sing praise

With a mighty hand and outstretched arm

His love endures forever

For the life that's been reborn

His love endures forever

Sing praise, sing praise

Sing praise, sing praise

Yeah

Forever God is faithful

Forever God is strong

Forever God is with us

Forever

Forever

From the rising to the setting sun

His love endures forever

By the grace of God

We will carry on

His love endures forever

Sing praise, sing praise

Sing praise, sing praise

Yeah

Forever God is faithful

Forever God is strong

Forever God is with us

Forever

Forever

Forever God is faithful

Forever God is strong

Forever God is with us

Forever

Forever

Forever

His love endures forever

His love endures forever

His love endures forever

Forever

Sing praise, sing praise

Sing praise, sing praise

Yeah

Forever you are faithful

Forever you are strong

Forever you are with us

Forever

And ever

Chris Tomlin

Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington

6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made,

their starry host by the breath of his mouth.

7 He gathers the waters of the sea into jars;

he puts the deep into storehouses.

8 Let all the earth fear the LORD;

let all the people of the world revere him.

Psalm 36:6-8

Three of the most precious gifts He has given me - D, J, A.

Maybe as you read this, you don't feel like praising Him. We all feel like that at times. As in our earthly relationships, it's not about what we feel. Love is when the relationship keeps on going and growing in spite of how you "feel". Be patient. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you!

Faith on Friday

Our church is continuing the sermon series and Bible study on Abram/Abraham, this week focusing on Genesis 12:10-20 when Abram went to Egypt. This is one of those passages of Scripture that has bothered me. It doesn't alter my faith, but as a woman growing up in our time period, it really irritates me. My first reaction is, "What kind of a creep let's his wife be taken off by another man like that just to protect himself??!!" If you didn't read the passage, undoubtedly you now recognize it as the time Abram told Pharaoh that Sarai was his sister, but neglected to say that she was also his wife.



Apparently in the Egyptian culture of that time, adultery was unacceptable, but killing a man and taking his widow was okay. Okay! So, with that in mind, it is somewhat understandable, but it poses the question, "Is it ever okay to lie?" My gut response is to say quite emphatically, "NO!"



What Abram shared was only a half lie because Sarai was his half sister, but obviously the half not shared was important. What if telling the truth would cost someone's life? Gulp! That one is a little more difficult. I have never been placed in that position, but have met people who lived behind the Iron Curtain or survived the Holocaust in Europe and there were times for them when telling the truth or the whole truth would have had dire consequences.



Let me clearly state that I do not believe in "situational ethics", but I sure hope I am not put in the position of trying to decide that for myself. I am not sure that I can even answer my own question. Recently I studied both the Gospel of Mark and the Gospel of John and so I thought about Jesus' responses to leadership. He never lied, but some times he never answered the question. Perhaps that would need to be my response if I were ever put in that type of position.



It's easy to judge Abram or other characters in the Bible and think, "How stupid are you?!" But we have the retrospect of time and scholarly wisdom, the indwelling Holy Spirit and the example of their historic mistakes. When I give it thought, I cannot be the one to cast the proverbial first stone.



Abram's biggest mistake was to rely on his own understanding and his own means, not God's. Doing this, he fell flat on his face. Poor Sarai and even Pharaoh and his household suffered the consequences of Abram's actions.



During my twenties, I made many mistakes like this. Fortunately (depending on how you look at it), I suffered most of the consequences. The fall out hit me. Nearly a decade was lost before I righted myself and listened fully to His voice. It is senseless to dwell on that time as He has forgiven me and there isn't much I can do now, but as I grow older, I realize how precious that time was that was lost. Like Abram, I failed the same "test" more than once. Like Abram, God blessed me afterwards in spite of myself and I do not take that for granted.



Proverbs 3:5-6 are verses I hold dear. I believe I have shared on here before that they are my life verses. The wisdom of the writer applies to Abram's situation and to my every waking hours, so I leave you with those thoughts:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make your paths straight.

Alzheimer's Awareness Day and Songs On Sunday

I apologize in advance for another heavy post, but this was timely for the calendar. This is a little long, but I wanted to share some of my experiences with Alzheimer's Disease and put a face to it, because it is something that people still joke about and don't really understand.

One of my blog friends, Snowbird, reminded me that today is Alzheimer's Awareness Day. The photo above was taken on my vacation, at Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park and I chose it because it serves as a metaphor for the havoc Alzheimer's wreaks in a person's mind. The fog rolls in. Occasionally it parts and there are a few lucid moments, but eventually the fog is so thick, one cannot even recognize one's self. If you check Snowbird's post, you will find excellent links and information.

In today's post I want to share with you a little bit of my experience with Alzheimer's Disease, as well as how praising God in song can be a ministry to others.

An important woman in my life was Dorothy Lucille/Ann Larimore (aka Clancy)Duren Johnson. As her name indicates, she had a complicated and stressful life. Born January 2, 1920 in Yakima, Washington, she was christened Dorothy Lucille Larimore. Her parents were poor, an incorrigible mostly Irish man named Melville Larimore and a feisty Polish/Slovakian woman named Annie Dipko. Her early life was marred with arguments, alcoholism, financial distress, the deaths of a sister and an infant half brother, a divorce, time in Seattle Children's Home after running away, and an often harsh stepfather. As a young woman she held her 4 month old daughter Patty in her arms while they rushed to the hospital. Baby Patty never made it there. Her marriage was disappointing. She made a lot of poor choices, one of which led to my father being born out of wedlock. Later she married my Grandpa and they raised three sons - all three of which went on to bring heart ache to their parents. This is the sad part of the story. If I left you with this impression, she would be flat, tragic and unmemorable.

Dot, as she was called by her friends and family, LOVED life! Sometimes I think those who survive great heartaches, live life fuller once they put their minds to it. She was stubborn - if she put her mind to it, she got it done.

She was a mother to four children and grandma to 7. None of her great grandchildren were born when she was alive. In the above picture she is with my Uncle Larry on the left and my Dad on the right, about 1950.

During WWII Grandma organized bomb shelters and helped at the Catholic school where her son attended. She was a volunteer and organizer, a baker and a lover of dance and music, especially from the swing era. Dot was the "go to gal" if someone was sick or injured, which earned her the nickname "Doctor Johnson."

Dot embraced life and was not afraid to work hard, get dirty or have fun. As a girl, I loved to hear tales of Grandma standing on a chair to have an eyebrow pencil line drawn down the back of her legs as she prepared to go to a dance (no nylons during WWII and this mimicked the seam). My favorite story was how she killed her mother's favorite turkey who was mean and chased the children to the outhouse. One night she had it! She beat the turkey with a broom stick. Part of her punishment was plucking him, but she never had to run from the meany again. In the above picture she is helping Grandpa's cousin Ray Beigle carry supplies in for hunting camp.

Dot was a hunter, fisher, camper, hiker, joker,Cribbage player and all around great cook. Having worked hard during the war (her sister Eve was a "Rosie the Riveter"), she held her own in a tough world and wasn't afraid to work and hunt with the men. I believe everyone in this picture is now gone. This is hunting camp about 1948. The old man in the front is my great great grandfather, Loren Harmon Smith from Newaygo county Michigan. He brought that branch of the family to Washington about 1907. He died the year after this picture. His son, daughters and grandchildren don't know it, but the deer head they had mounted as his last - Dot actually shot, but used his tags! He maintained the bragging rights!

As I said, there wasn't much she couldn't do if she put her mind to it. From her I learned to crochet, enjoy looking in second hand stores and garage sales (my daughters sleep under a butterfly quilt she bought me once at a garage sale) and from her I also picked up the bad habit of eating for comfort. And I'll admit it, she spoiled me! At the time I was the only granddaughter and she enjoyed having a little girl. When I was little, I loved nothing better than to spend time with Grandma Johnson and thought of her as my "fun Grandma", though in my later years I realized that was unfair to both of my grandmas.

She was one of the most stubborn people I ever met. When she was mad, watch out! One of my favorite stories about her stubbornness comes from my Mom. She hated Elvis and would complain about his music and gripe that he couldn't sing. Turn him off! Then she went in the kitchen and started working and a song came on the radio. She just had to pipe in, "Now, there's somebody who can sing!" What she didn't know is that the man on the radio WAS ELVIS! LOL

She was stubborn, but she was also a Mother in Law. She is pictured above with one of her daughters in law, my Mom and my beloved kitty Cinders. Although I'm sure she was frustrating at times, she taught my Mom a lot as a young woman, wife and mother.

She was passionate, giving, teaching, loving and fun!

She grieved greatly for the losses in her life and I have often thought that she would be one who would truly understand the ache of my grieving. Underneath the gruff exterior and all her capabilities was a tender heart that few saw. Raised a Catholic, she always longed for greater connection to God, but I believe her own actions/guilt kept her from attending mass or moving forward in her faith.

And then, after Grandpa almost died of heart infection, she became a patient. Back in 1982 Alzheimer's Disease wasn't commonly known. All we knew is that the color had drained from her life. The fog crept in. At first it was embarrassing, awkward and confusing. That's how it felt for us. I can only begin to imagine how she felt inside, knowing that something wasn't quite right and losing a battle to keep all of what she knew to be herself. Initially we could still interact with Grandma and enjoy spending time with her. Later she became paranoid, physically violent and angry.

Before Grandpa took her to the nursing home, where she lived only one week before dying, I would go out to their house to give Grandpa a break and take care of some of her personal hygiene. Grandma had always been nicely dressed and loved to accessorize. Her hair was styled and she always wore the right shade of lipstick. Having extremely wavy/curly hair that I spent hours straightening with a hair dryer and curling iron, I had no idea how to put curlers in her hair. I fumbled and learned. It was hard for me to bathe her as she looked up at me helplessly, somehow knowing that I should not be bathing her as she had bathed me as a child.

Some days I hid my tears. I knew if she saw my pain, it would concern her and worry her. But, gradually I looked forward to those bathing times. Behind the closed door of the bathroom I could speak to her, woman to woman and gently love her in ways that I was not confident to do in front of a family of men who sneered at God. I sang. I didn't know what to sing, but I knew she loved music. So I sang...

Jesus loves me, this I know.

For the Bible tells me so.

Little ones to Him belong,

They are weak but He is strong.

Her body visibly relaxed and I continued with The Old Rugged Cross, Amazing Grace and whatever other hymns came to mind. I didn't know what Catholics sang, so I didn't know what or if she would recognize any of them. So many times she rocked me, cuddled me and sang to me as a little girl and now as I sang hymns to her, we both felt some of the fear melting away. She was a captive audience in the bath tub. So I told her that God would always be with her and that when she was afraid, she could ask Jesus to help her. My faith was still young in those days and if I had to do it again, I would have read the Scripture to her boldly and I would not have cared how many godless men were listening to me!

One of my most reassuring memories was when we were in the hallway and she pointed to a picture. It was a gaudy, horrible 3D pictures of Jesus praying at Gethsemane in an even gaudier gilt frame. A faded palm leaf from Palm Sunday long past, rested behind the corner. She stopped and pointed and looked at me. She pointed again, repeatedly with her index finger, but in spite of her best efforts could only utter in awe, "Him!" My eyes welled and I nodded affirmation. Him. That's who I had been singing about. That's who I had told her would protect her and comfort her. Him. She repeated, "Oh! Him!" in an admiring and loving tone. It was then that I knew and understood that God transcends time, disease, modern medicine, our understanding and He never abandons us even if by all outward appearances it seems that we could never understand!

Shortly after that she became sick and it was time to place her in a nursing home. Grandpa couldn't handle it alone anymore and in a couple months I was off to college in another city. It was too much.

Towards the end, she knew Grandpa's name and my name most of the time, but not always. She knew we belonged to her and searched our faces for help, recognition and escape. She loathed the nursing home and hours before she died, she grabbed my dress, nearly ripping it and screamed, "Theresa! Don't leave me!" It was the hardest thing I ever did - walking down that hall and out the door as she screamed my name! That evening we received a call. She had been strapped in a wheel chair because she was so agitated and angry; she rocked herself to the point where she had a heart attack. She loathed being caged, imprisoned and neglected.

If you know a caregiver of someone with Alzheimer's Disease, please take the time to stop and talk to them. If appropriate, check and see if you can assist them in some way. Today there are all kinds of programs, some free and some paid, for caregivers to have respite. Our church has one called The Club. Many state and county agencies can provide assistance, but most of all families with Alzheimer's need love from every day people. Prayers are always welcomed and this is something anyone can do!

If you know someone with Alzheimer's Disease, do not avoid them. Treat them like a human being. After all they really are! Do not embarrass them or shame them. Do not assume that because the wires are scrambled in their brains that they do not on some level understand how you are treating them. If appropriate give them a HUG! Sing to them the praises of the Lord. Read God's Word to them which is Living and Active! I am thoroughly convinced that people with brain disease and altered states of consciousness can still hear God speaking to them!

Please, if you lose your keys or misplace your papers, don't make a joke about having Alzheimer's Disease. It's a serious disease. It's no joke. And it certainly isn't funny.

Sadly, our society in general is very rude and lacking in their care of the elderly and anyone different. Alzheimer's Disease can strike anyone. It is not only the disease of the aged. My Grandmother likely began having symptoms in her late 40s. She died at the young age of 67. Alzheimer's is no respecter of race, age, bank account, creed or religion. There is some evidence that an active brain can prolong the onset of symptoms. Knitting is one of the activities that can be helpful! But there are no guarantees. The medical community doesn't know as much as they would like to about Alzheimer's Disease, but there is at least one type which is hereditary. That is a scary sentence for those of us who have lost loved ones in the fog. My neurologist told me that the testing is not generally advised unless Alzheimer's Disease is suspected as a diagnosis because a person could have the gene and never have the disease. Having a positive result could cause a person to live in terrifying fear. So, I have not been tested and likely never will.

A good read about Alzheimer's Disease is Aging With Grace, which chronicles the Nun Study. And a fiction film from Billy Graham's World Wide Pictures, A Vow To Cherish, is a heart wrenching portrayal of early onset Alzheimer's Disease as well as an example of how love is an action, not a feeling.

I hope you never experience it in your family or in your person. But, if you do, please do not isolate yourself. You are not alone. People care. Sometimes people don't know what to say. Sometimes they are afraid. But don't try to go it alone. And by all means, don't try to do it without God!

Today, Grandma, I remember YOU for all those whose memories are buried. Today I lifted my voice and hands to Heaven as I sang and I remembered you.