His Game Plan is Perfect

 My precious Daddy died almost 30 years ago, yet memories of my 6 foot 4 inch hero are perfectly clear.  His love and patience fill my mind and heart.

 Daddy coached the church softball team, and because I was the coach’s daughter, I was the official scorekeeper.  During those hours in the dugout I watched firsthand as my Daddy demonstrated the tenderness of Jesus.  When tempers would occasionally flare,  Daddy took players aside and explained the responsibility they assumed by wearing a uniform with the church name displayed.  That was the beginning of my understanding of 2 Corinthians 3:2.  We are letters read by all men.

 Daddy modeled for me appropriate responses to my heavenly Father.  He insisted that I be very detailed with the scorebook and took time to teach me the rules of the game.  He coached me with tenderness and consistency through each phase of life, and because he believed in me, I was confident I could do anything.

 My heavenly Father coaches me daily. When I feel pulled in many directions, I like to get away to a quiet spot and talk to Him.  Answers don’t always come quickly, but as I walk in the confidence of His love, I find that His game plan is perfect.  I can live with confidence in who I am in Christ.  I know Jesus has everything in control.

 Perhaps you did not have a father who modeled Christ’s love.  Your heavenly Father is eager to love and nurture you.  Spending time reading God’s Word will reveal His love letters to you.

 I like the way The Message describes Paul’s words to believers in Corinth.

 2 Corinthians  3:1-3

Does it sound like we're patting ourselves on the back, insisting on our credentials, asserting our authority? Well, we're not. Neither do we need letters of endorsement, either to you or from you. You yourselves are all the endorsement we need. Your very lives are a letter that anyone can read by just looking at you. Christ himself wrote it — not with ink, but with God's living Spirit; not chiseled into stone, but carved into human lives — and we publish it.

(from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)

A Growing Faith

Matthew 17:19-20

19 Afterward the disciples asked Jesus privately, "Why couldn't we cast out that demon?"

20 "You don't have enough faith," Jesus told them. "I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it would move. Nothing would be impossible." 

Have you heard someone refer to "growing faith?"  Is it possible to arrive at a place where faith is completely mature and the growing cycle complete?  I know I haven't arrived at full spiritual maturity, but I do want my faith to increase. 

I sat this morning looking out the window and praying, asking the Lord for faith enough to trust Him to fulfill His purpose in my life and allow me to experience real growth in my spiritual maturity.  When I stopped praying I glanced around the back yard and found myself a little overwhelmed by all the work that needs to be done. We have been in our home a year and there has been so much work to do inside, the yard had to take second priority.  It is also too hot to work outside in the summer heat.

When we purchased our home it came with seven fruit trees.  Unfortunately the previous owners had not fed or adequately watered the trees.  Without proper care they were not producing fruit.  We have fed and watered the trees and they are coming back to life.  Interesting isn't it, struggling to produce fruit, but without proper care the end product was less than desirable.

I want the fruit of my life to be pleasing to God, and I know without constant attention to God's Word and sensitivity to His spirit my faith cannot grow and I will not produce pleasing fruit.  If Jesus told his disciples they didn't have enough faith, I'm certain He would want my faith to grow.

Share my prayer that we will cultivate our faith and grow fruit that reflects His beauty.

Lovingly,

Brenda

                                                          Strength from Weakness

 2 Corinthians 12:8-10

Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, 8 so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That's why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

 For most of us this is a very familiar passage.  We admire Paul’s courage to endure hardship.  Today, for me, I am struggling to find the strength in my weakness.  One year ago this month my precious husband left this world for his eternal reward.  I’m grateful for the legacy he left and the life we enjoyed; however there have been times when it has been impossible for me to find the strength to stand.  My legs will become weak and I fold into a fetal position and weep.  I do call out to God and I know in my mind He hears me, but when your emotions are shattered and your world feels empty it is hard to find strength to breath.

Grief is a never ending emotion and I certainly don’t have advice to offer, I just know that without the Lord it would be impossible to face tomorrow.

 I have listened to this song almost daily and I trust God to continue His work in me as He perfects His strength.

 I CAN DO ALL THINGS...

 I can do all things

Through Christ who gives me strength

But sometimes I wonder what He can do through me

No great success to show

No glory of my own

Yet in my weakness He is there to let me know

 

His strength is perfect when our strength is gone

He'll carry us when we can't carry on

Raised in His power, the weak become strong

His strength is perfect, His strength is perfect

 

We can only know

The power that He holds

When we truly see how deep our weakness goes

His strength in us begins

Where ours comes to an end

He hears our humble cry and proves again

 

His strength is perfect when our strength is gone

He'll carry us when we can't carry on

Raised in His power, the weak become strong

His strength is perfect, His strength is perfect

 

 

Do You Really Know?

 Have you ever said to someone at a time of crisis “I know exactly how you feel?”  What a foolish statement, and yes, I have said it many times.  But we cannot know exactly how anyone else feels because we are each so wonderfully and mysteriously designed and our environmental circumstances are so different that we can never be “exactly the same.”

 It has taken me many years to understand that I can empathize with a friend without knowing ‘exactly’ how they feel.  In recent years I have had the joy of getting to know two wonderful women who have become very dear friends.  The depth of our friendship is demonstrated in various forms from buddies, allies, confidents, encouragers and yes, chastisers.  They challenge me when I’m wrong and encourage me when I’m down.

I credit the strength of our friendship to our spiritual bond.  I can’t expect them to know “exactly how I feel;"  however, they know the One who does, Jesus, and they talk to Him on my behalf.

 Jesus wants to be our friend; but we must pursue Him.  Developing a trusting friendship takes time, and the best time you will ever spend is your time in God’s Word.  The more you know about God and His Son, the greater friendship you will feel toward Jesus.  Jesus not only knows exactly how we feel, His love can help us through any experience.  Start now and cultivate the greatest friendship of your lifetime.

 The following Hymn was written in 1898 – some of you may be able to sing it.

o   Refrain:
Friendship with Jesus!
Fellowship divine!
Oh, what blessed, sweet communion!
Jesus is a Friend of mine.

2.   A Friend when other friendships cease,
A Friend when others fail,
A Friend who gives me joy and peace,
A Friend when foes assail!

3.   A Friend when sickness lays me low,
A Friend when death draws near,
A Friend as through the vale I go,
A Friend to help and cheer!

4.   A Friend when life’s short race is o’er
A Friend when earth is past,
A Friend to meet on Heaven’s shore,
A Friend when home at last!

 

John 15:15

I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn't confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.

 

Proverbs 18:24

There are "friends" who destroy each other, But a real friend sticks closer than a brother.  NLT

 

                                       Lessons I Learned in the Orchard

 

It is a very warm August day and I’m sitting nestled in an orchard in Washington State.  The beauty and symmetry of the orchard would be awe inspiring without the fruit, but the abundance of the bright red cherries and the vivid orange apricots make all my efforts at seasonal decorations pale.

I learned a lesson from God’s creation that has motivated me to put more energy into sharing my faith.  Walking down a row of cherry trees I observed that one tree had a different variety of cherries.  I inquired of the owner and he told me that was a pollinator tree.  The different variety of cherry tree pollinated the other variety causing it to produce more fruit. 

Here’s my takeaway from my relaxing time in the orchard.  A lot of work goes in to having a good crop of fruit.  I have watched the workers carefully control the amount of water and thin the branches to allow the sun to ripen the fruit at just the right time.  This orchard is 80 years old and the trees are mature and sturdy continuing to produce an amazing crop.

I too am mature (and sturdy).  I want to be a pollinator for Jesus.  Girls, our faith can empower us to pollinate with the gospel everyone we meet without a spoken word.  Our world today is so crazy and people are stressed and many are fearfilled.   Let’s make every effort to live in a way that demonstrates the Love of Jesus in the most basic of life’s activities.

There are so many scriptural passages referring to fruit.  I do want my actions to reflect Christ in a way that produces fruit.  There is no greater joy than to share my faith with someone and have them pray to receive Christ into their life. Are you living in a way that would draw someone to inquire about your life and why you are so peaceful?

 

Matthew 7:17-20

17 A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can't produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can't produce good fruit. 19 So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. 20 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.  NLT

 

Hebrews 13:15-16

15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. 16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. NKJV

 

 

 

Improve What You Can

Today was a special day.  I had not been to the nail salon for 3 months.  I keep my fingernails short because I work at the computer every day, wash dishes, and dig in the dirt when possible.  As I watched the girl work on my nails I made an observation.  Every lady in the salon was over 50 years of age and probably over 60…I’m not a good judge of age.  Most of us had wrinkles, colored hair and comfortable clothes and shoes.  This caused me to question, ‘why is so important what my fingernails look like?’  My conclusion may not merit an article in a psychology magazine but here are my thoughts. The aging process affects each of us differently, most of the results are genetically inspired. Having brightly colored nails that stay beautiful for a couple of weeks without attention gives me a sense of confidence in my appearance and I somehow look past the brown age spots and wrinkles and focus on the shine and color of many manicured nails.

 So I ask myself, what am I doing to spiffy up my spiritual life?  I want to shine for Jesus.  I want people to know how much I love my Savior and what joy He can bring to any life.  I think I’ll add something new to my daily encounter with Jesus and attempt to shine a little more brightly. Join me in this personal improvement process and let’s show the world what it looks like to glow in the dark. 

 

Psalms 25:4-7

 

4 Show me the right path, O Lord;

point out the road for me to follow.

5 Lead me by your truth and teach me,

for you are the God who saves me.

All day long I put my hope in you.

6 Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love,

which you have shown from long ages past.

7 Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth.

Remember me in the light of your unfailing love,

for you are merciful, O Lord.   NLT

 Well, as you can tell I'm not doing well at keeping up with a weekly post.  I will try to be more consistent.  Yesterday was a difficult day since it was my first Father's Day with Steve in heaven and also the day my Mama went to heaven twelve years ago.  I have learned  the true meaning of God's mercies being new every morning.  As I embrace each day of my 'new reality' I ask God for strength and grace to live in a way worthy of my calling.  Did you know you are called?  For some reason most believe that being 'called' is only for those in full time ministry or missionaries.  Every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ is called to walk worthy of her calling.

Ephesian 4:1-4

Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. 4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. NLT

That's it girls, we must walk WORTHY of our calling and the only way I know to do that is to daily allow the Holy Spirit to guide and guard our every thought and action.  Our mature age does not give us the right to be passive in our faith. Please join with me as we aggressively pursue to actively engage in anything God brings across our path as we wait for that 'glorious hope for the future'!

I'd love to hear from you if you have thoughts to share. I received this quote from a friend and wanted to share it.

Grief never ends...but it changes.  It's a passage, not a place to stay.  Grief is not a sign of weakness, nor a lack of faith.  It is the price of LOVE!

 Secure Yet Searching

Finding security in our world today is a challenge.  We read or hear information stated as factual only to find out  tomorrow it was proven to be untrue.  Girls, as we age it is normal to feel less secure.  I remind myself when walking down the sidewalk with my dog to watch my steps carefully or when driving my car I’m more cautious than I used to be.  Security is a basic human need and I am learning that in this temporal world security can be quite elusive.

I’m  so grateful that in my spiritual life I can find security and confidence to live peacefully. 

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love.  No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Romans 8:38&39   NLT

Spiritual maturity is a lifelong journey and even though I feel totally confident in my salvation, I continue to search out the deeper truth in God’s Word.

"And don't be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don't worry about such things.  These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. “ Luke 12:29-31   NLT

Now to be practical, how do we continue on this lifelong journey of spiritual maturity.  Maybe it’s time to develop some spiritual discipline that has been neglected.  Try talking to God multiple times throughout your day as you go about routine activities.  Remember, talking to Him is important but listening to Him is the key to spiritual growth.

 So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

2 Corinthians 4:18   NLT

 

My New Reality

It’s May of 2021 and the date on my one and only blog is February 2017.  I don’t know what that says about my ability to follow through but thanks to the loyal friendship of Nancy Moser I am ready to move forward and attempt to blog on a consistent basis.  I’m really writing more for me than you.  I know that sounds selfish but let me explain.

I have spent most of my adult life in Christian Publishing as a background person.  I have enjoyed every moment of the journey and have been blessed to work with amazing people, called by God to communicate His Word.  Sometimes my role has been very minor and on rare occasions I’ve invested all my creative energy in a major way.

On February 10, 2019 my world was turned upside down.  I stood beside the hospital bed of my husband of 53 years as we were told he had a mass in his abdomen.  Extensive testing concluded that he had Peripheral T Cell Lymphoma.   We moved rapidly into a course of treatment that proved to be agonizing for him and we were truly sustained by God’s power and the love and prayers of family and friends.  My husband was the most courageous person I know and through 19 months of chemotherapy he never complained.  We held tightly to the hope of divine healing for him and daily expressed our gratitude to God for one more day of life.  On September 17, 2020 surrounded by his family, Steve graduated to his heavenly reward.  My journey of grief was just beginning.  I read numerous books and spoke with other widows. I had walked along side Vonette Bright when her husband Bill graduated to heaven and watched the grace and courage she displayed as she drew strength from her deep faith and assurance of Bill’s joy of being in the presence of the Lord.  I was relieved that Steve was no longer in pain and I knew he was in heaven, but the natural woman and spiritual woman had to reconcile how to live in victory in my new reality.  I confess, some days are better than others.  God’s Word has been more precious to me than ever before and sometimes I find myself sitting with my Bible open on my lap, both hands on the pages just praying to somehow absorb the truth into my innermost being.  The Living Word of God has proven to be my greatest source of strength.  We don’t grieve as those who have no hope. (1 Thes 4:13) Grief is real and unique to each individual.  Friends encouraged me to find a new ‘normal’, and I struggled with the concept of ‘normal.’  At the age of 74 and 53 years of marriage my life would never be ‘normal’ again.  I decided to seek God for his guidance in my new ‘reality.’  The faithfulness of God never changes and I awake each morning grasping for His presence and leading.

 I have lots of thoughts I want to share with you so I will definitely not wait 4 years to write again. As always, my thoughts will be in ‘bits'...that's just me.

 I look forward to sharing the realities of life with you.  I pray my words may encourage you to cling a little more closely to our wonderful Savior.

 

Just FYI – my life verse is Galatians 2:20

My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. NLT

 

Hello!

Well, here we are, I just celebrated a milestone birthday and my dear friend Nancy Moser has pushed me into writing a blog.  She is convinced I have something to say and it will always be 'Bits and Pieces' because that is how I live.  Nancy and I have worked together for many years even though we are eight years different in age and 1500 miles apart in geography.  Female friendships are strange like that.  We have that 'ah ha' moment of "I think I like you" and then off we go to form a lasting bond.  I've watched Nancy grow as a fiction writer, getting kids through college, and blossom into a grandmother of seven.

She has encouraged me as I have faced writing deadlines, a son getting married and grandchildren being born and growing up.  Friendships forged in the process of living are precious and to be treasured.  Life is in the details.  We somehow find the courage and strength to grapple with the big things in life but its the 'bits and pieces' where we need our girlfriends to hang in there with us.

Nancy and I believe and have taught women that friendships forged in faith are the ones that nurture our souls and make us better.

I am going to share my heart with you in this blog and I'll say it up front...I'll be talking to women who have scaled the heights and gone 'over the hill.'  This stage of life is liberating...I'm not afraid to speak my mind and admit what I don't know.  This is a savy circle of sisters - come along with us and let's talk.