Cover to Cover

Here are some thoughts that lingered from my Chronological reading Hosted by Bev.

Isaiah 57:13 - "When you cry out let your collections of Idols deliver you" Because of doing the other Bible study "No other gods" and because we have been reading so much the last couple of weeks about the people having Idols, I have been really trying to examine how I am looking at things and people. I want to be right with God so I'm doing the "Lynn is that an Idol in your life? :) So this part of the scripture really hit. Then as you continue the scripture "But the wind will carry them away, a breath will take them". If your honest with yourself these things we look up to are temporal - God is the only one that is lasting . Then the scripture ends with "But he who puts his trust in Me shall possess the land, and shall inherit My holy mountain". .

We need to make sure we keep our focus in the right place.

Jeremiah 1:5 - Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you, I ordained you a __________ He was talking to Jeremiah and he ordained him to be a prophet to the nations. But what about you and I. What has God sanctified us for. What is our holy purpose are we walking in the full of what God had planned for us?

The rest that lingers is sort of general, the book of Zephaniah and 2 Chronicles 33 reminded me of me as a parent wanting so much for my children to do the right thing. How God loving his people so much wanted so much for the people to repent. I can remember saying "Please do the right thing Pleeeeese. :) God in His mercy did not want to bring judgement and gave warning after warning. In 2 Chronicles I noticed how Hezekiah's son Manasseh built up the idols and wooden images which his father had broken down. So after the Lord sent the army in to destroy them Manasseh got wise and repented and made things right with God. Then Manasseh's son Amon who took over after his death, did the same thing by worshiping the wooden images and Idols however he did not humble himself before the Lord as his father and grandfather had. Look what was was passed down. But Family curses can be broken, look at Amon's Son Josiah.

2 Chronicles 34:2-3

2 He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.

3 In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David. In his twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of high places, Asherah poles, carved idols and cast images.

When things have been strongholds in your family for generations, these scriptures are encouraging. I unfortunately passed some of my insecurities down before I overcame them. But I am praying and encouraging my daughter to break the cycle before it is passed down again.

Be encouraged and Blessed this week.

Lynn

I've been tagged

Well, I've been tagged! AliceE and by Plant Lady have tagged me for a new game going on out here in "Bloggy Land." I am supposed to give you 6 tidbits of info about me.
Since I was double tagged so does that mean that I need to give 12 random things about me? :)


Here are the tag rules:
1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them.
5. Let each person know they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.


Okay now to the juicy stuff.
1. I had a job pumping gas at a service station when I was in high school. I even learned how to change tires, do oil changes and tune-ups. (don't tell my honey though he takes care of that for me now)

2. My Mother and I flew on a Navy Jet from Portland to Ashland to attend the dedication of the VFW hall in honor of my Great Grandfather who had been awarded the Congressional Medal of honor. And while we were waiting for the jet to be ready to fly us back to Portland there was a 2 hour wait. So a General and a Commander escorted us through Lythia Park. They were in their full Military dress and of Course we had dressed up for the occasion so it was kind of fun watching people watch us. I had fun imagining who they thought we must be to have Military escorts. :) There is also a statue at the Oregon State capitol in Salem with a plaque describing him and his honors. Here's a link to a post about him what they did. "Frank C. High".

3. I raised a Seeing Eye Dog when I was 11 and got to present her to her Blind Owner. (See my previous posts labeled Hula)

4. I played Flute in a marching band. I was in a parade two years in a row. "The Spud Festival"
Now remember I grew up in a small farming community. I also was in a marching band here in the Portland area and we did half time at a football game at our High School.

5. I was held hostage at gun point by our neighbor when I was 17. (That story would probably make a good post for praising God)

6. I was a Cheerleader and FFA Queen but never got to perform any duties because we moved 3 weeks into the school year.


Now I get to tag someone else. Now this is hard because two of the people I would tag tagged me. I may tag them anyway... We'll see.


1. I tag Sharon. She has a sweet loving spirit. I would think she's the type to stand in the background waiting to see who needs something done. She'll have to let me know if I am right.

2. I tag Paula She has been growing so much by going through her own personal trials. She has been breaking down the word right and left.

3. I tag Debrah I'm just getting to know her and she is going to do my Bible Study with me. I'm eager to get to know her better.

4. I tag Karen. She doesn't have her blog completely set up but we have been e-mailing and maybe I can get her to finish it. She is so sweet and full of life. She also likes to quilt.

5. I tag LaTonya She's so thoughtful and caring. Good to give an encouraging word.

6. I tag Sallye. I met her through the "I am" Study, and she is also going to to do my Study. I am also eager to get to know her better.

Well I think I did it. Hope you enjoy my "Random Tid Bits"

Be Blessed,
Lynn

Monday's Cover to Cover

I'm posting early this week. :) I usually can't post until I get home from work and my 5-6pm on the west coast is late for the others Hope that's okay! Plus I had the time now.

Okay I am going to refer back to last week for a little bit so I can add to it. Last week King Hezekiah tore his clothes (a sign of humbling himself) then went and prayed to God. He wanted God to be offended by what was being said about Him from King Sennacherib through Rabshakeh (which stands for army leader). God told Hezekiah that He did hear him and that He would take care of Sennacherib and Assyria. So one morning the people wake up and 185,000 have died in the night. (the death angel had come). Well Sennacherib tucked his tail between his legs and ran back home to Neneveh, but he obviously wasn't scared enough because he was worshiping in the temple of Nisroch- (his god). Well God took care of that too, Sennacherib was killed by two of his sons, and then yet another of his sons ended up reigning in his place.
See God told Hezekiah He would take care of him and he did. Time and time again God's word tells us that He will take care of us but we still have trouble releasing our cares to God.

Isaiah 40:2 When it says Double for all her sins, I wasn't sure was meant but looking in to commentary it means, double coverage. Not just covering the sin like the law, but taking it away like we have now in the New Testament with the blood of Jesus.

Isaiah 40:3-5 Prepare the Highway - Meaning God's work in our heart
vs 4 Every valley shall be exalted and every mountain and hill brought low. The crooked places shall be made straight.
God knows what each of us need to make our hearts right for Him - then in the beginning of vs 5 "The glory of the Lord shall be revealed." Once our hearts are right Gods glory can shine through.

Isaiah 40:31 A favorite of mine:
But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

Do you know why God references Eagles - they fly above the storms, we should too. God should be our everything, Is He?

Isaiah 43:1 "Fear Not" I've heard that it says fear not or do not fear 365 times in the Bible, once for each day. Then the verse goes on to say "I have called you by name" God named us in the womb, what was your name? Love, peace, strength, warrior, teacher, joyous, - when God looks at us do we live up to the name that He gave us in the womb?

Isaiah 43:18-19
“ Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. 19 Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the Wilderness And rivers in the desert.
vs 25
I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; And I will not remember your sins.
How many of us are still living in the past? What are we holding onto good or bad that is hindering the path of our future? How can God give us increase if we can't step forward to receive it?

What lingers this week is that we need to cast our cares, we need to trust God more to do the things He has so many times promised that He will do. And as much as God forgets our transgressions to Him and His children that we do, we need to let go of those done to us. We need to walk upright so that He can do a work in us that shines for other to see. Be the salt and light that bring others to God.

Have a Blessed Week!
Lynn

Award from the Heart

I was given this award by Sharon. I was so surprised when she left me a comment that said I have something for you but you need to come to my blog to see it. So of course I went there to see this "The Award from the Heart" because I have inspired her in some way.

Well the deal is now I need to pick 5 people that I like their blog and they have inspired me in some way either by content or design, and since I know some of who have already received the award I will try to pick others.

1. Plant Lady - She and I have some amazing things in common and I feel very close to her in a special way. I have never met her however with her stories I feel like we've known each other for years.

2. Mary - We don't correspond a lot, but she has such a sweet spirit. She is a wealth of life and experience. So much tragedy in her life, and she always remembers to seek God.

3. Lisa - aka The Preachers Wife - She's is so open and honest and real. she tells you what's going on day by day. It's refreshing to know others deal with the day to day. She's funny, She's sweet, and she has a heart for God. She also has written a Bible Study called "I Am so you don't have to be" If you have time do it, its great.

4. Bev - She's the one that hosts the "Cover to Cover" that I do. I don't really know her that well, but she has such insight when we do the reading that it inspires me to learn more. In just the few weeks that I have been doing the reading I am already learning so much more about God.

5. On this one I want to use it as honorable mention for so many that have inspired me in one way or another. Sharon (thanks for the award), Paula, Alice, Donna, Katrina, Michelle V., Holly, and God's Ladie all of which you can link to on my side bar. There are more I'm sure .....

Now you need to pick 5 people and their blogs that inspire you and pass the award on. Make sure you link to their blog.

Be Blessed,

Lynn

Frog in a Pan

Do you know about the Frog in the Pan? I first heard of this about 12 years ago at a church I was going to at the time.

If you put a frog in a pan of cold water he can be content and stay there, then you gradually turn the heat up just a little. Then you wait a while and turn the heat on a little more. And after waiting you turn the heat on even a little more. After doing this for a long time you will eventually get the water to boil and the frog will not jump out because you have done this so slowly that at each stage it has had time to adjust to the difference.

Now I use this term a lot in my life for various reasons however the point that the Pastor was trying to get across that night was that is how complacency comes and overtakes us. We don't always start out making these radical changes and accepting them. But in time we become desensitised. Little by little we are changing to accept things that maybe we wouldn't have thought we would.

Our eyes, ears and mouth are portholes to our heart. Our heart is where treasure is laid up.

What are we allowing our eyes to see? What do we allow our ears to hear. Lets not talk about the mouth. :) Subjecting ourselves to worldly ways and trying to stay pure for God is like being in a pool that someone urinated in. It eventually gets on you.

So now I do my balance speech again. We have to have balance, we need to go into the world to affect others lives, but we need to spend time fellow shipping with other like minded Christians.

Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching.

I knew someone that was working on their reading. As they read they were being corrected, to which their comment was "I read fine when I read to myself, I just can't read aloud" They read fine to themselves because they had no one to check their work. They obviously thought they were fine. I heard another story that a man had eaten spaghetti and gotten it on his shirt but didn't has a mirror to look in. So he went around for a long while thinking he was all that until someone came over and saw his shirt to let him know that he had the spot.

Ladies we are good at deceiving ourselves and justifying what we do and see and say. In areas that I may struggle, I am thankful that my husband and friends around me gently remind me to get back on track. (I have a post-it note on my desk that says "KMS" - (keep mouth shut))

Don't let complacency overtake you. Don't let the worlds ways influence the decisions you make. We can't stay in the 1920's but that doesn't mean we have to compromise our integrity, just to stay up with the times.

Don't be the Frog in the pan! :)

Be Blessed,

Lynn

PS Check out my other Blog and as always please leave a comment so I know you stopped by.

Lynn

A Little About Me

Well Plant Lady got this from Christi so I'm playing along.

1.What is in the back of your car? Golf Clubs
2.What color is your toothbrush? White with Lime Green
3.Name one person who made you smile today. My Husband
4.What were you doing at 8:00 AM? Having my yogurt on Break at work (I start at 6am)
5.What were you doing 45 minutes ago? Reading my e-mails
6. What is your favorite candy? Licorice or Butterfingers or anything with peanuts and choc.
7. What is the last thing your said aloud? What is that? Oh I see!
8. What is the best ice cream flavor? Choc Peanut butter/Black Walnut/Tillamook Strawberry
9. What is the last thing you had to drink? Coke
10. What are you wearing right now? It's not pretty. Navy shorts and turquoise tank top it's hot here.
11. What is the last thing you ate? Soft Tostada, and Taquitos (Yum Yum)
12. Have you bought any new clothes this week? no
13. When was the last time you ran? In my Saturday exercise class 2 weeks ago.
14. What was the last sporting event you watched? Golf ( and yes I like it... Football too!)
15. Ever go camping? Yes Love it - going in August want to come, I'll cook. :)
16. Do you have a tan? Not much very white by nature usually tan before Vac so I don't burn.
17. Do you take vitamins daily? Yes – when I remember
18. Do you go to church? Yes – Life Christian Center - Milwaukie OR Yahoo Our Pastor is the greatest.
19. Do you like Chinese food more than pizza? No Mexican, then Pizza, then everything else.
20. Do you drink your soda with a straw? Yes all the time.
21. Are you someones best friend? Yes my Husbands, I'm sooooooo blessed. He's mine too.
22. What are you doing tomorrow? Working at the job God blessed me with. Get to have meetings with the CPA ... Big Fun. :)
23. Where is your dad? At home - Ophir OR
24. Can you say the alphabet backwards? If I try hard ...
25. Do you have a maid service clean your home? No - however my oldest daughter has been helping out to earn extra money. She is between jobs so I am so happy to have the help.
26. Do you have a favorite pair of shoes you wear all the time? Yeah pretty much...
27. What color is your car? Black
28. How do you like your popcorn? Little bit of butter and salt
29. How did you get your worst scar? Hysterectomy!
30. Look to your left. What do you see? The wall that has a collage of family pictures. :)
31. What color is your watch? Black and gold
32. What do you think of when you think of Australia? Man from Snowy River and Return to Snowy River
33. Do you use chap stick? Yes but not a lot
34. Do you have a dog? Not anymore.
35. Last person you talked to on the phone? My Husband
36. Have you met anyone famous? Tanya Harding (the skater incident) Lisa Bevere
37. Any plans today? We're almost ready for bed... 3:00 am is real early.
38. How many states have you lived in? Just One for now... Oregon
39. Do you dye your hair? I have should do it again.... those mature blonds are poking thru :)
40. Do you like cats? Used to not so sure anymore.. the neighbors 15 have burnt me out I think.


Well hope you have fun reading! I have a few of these maybe I'll dig one out and pass it around too.

Be Blessed,
Lynn

My Girls Day

Hi Everyone

As I was looking for something yesterday I came across some letters that I had written to my "girls". A couple of years ago I took my daughter by marriage SL, her daughter CC, my daughter CT, and our daughter in law MF to lunch and a theatrical play "Peter Pan". It was Princess Day. I made them little goodie bags and put special hand written cards inside to each of them. I'm not sure why but I feel compelled to share them with you I guess as I write God will lead where I need to go with this.

My Dearest SL
Full of caring kindness. Always wanting to do more for everyone she loves. I've seen you step out of your comfort zones and you're becoming a bolder person. I see you with your children, the love and compassion that you have for them. The kind of love that God has for his children. Delight yourself in Him - He will give you the desires of your heart.
You are beautiful inside and out. Thanks for your friendship, I love you with all my heart.
Lynnie

My Sweet CC
What a pleasure it has been for me to watch you grow into a beautiful young lady. Don't be in too big of a hurry to finish growing up, it will come soon enough. But today will never come again, enjoy each day, there is something good in each of them. Always seek to see yourself through Gods eyes. He sees you much differently than your natural eyes see you. Seek Him first in all that you do and His blessings will overtake you. Thank you for spending your day with me, I love you with all my heart, Grandma

My Peaceful CT
Full of mercy and grace. Always seeking the good in everyone. Quick to forgive and excuse - Blessed are the peacemakers. I know you best as you know yourself. But I see you the way that God sees you. Beautiful, Kind, Sweet and Loving. None of us are where we need to be, but thanks to Jesus we're not where we used to be. Cherish yourself and your family. You have blossomed with motherhood. Thanks for all you are, I love you with all my heart, Mom

My Wonderful MF
Always eager to please. Our best daughter in law. She cooks, She cleans, She's all that and a bag of chips. God knew you in your Mothers womb - and what was your name? Joyful, Faithful, Patient, Overcomer... God has placed you where you are at such a time for a reason. All your struggles in life can make you stronger if you let them. A diligent man prospers. Hold fast to your confessions and don't grow weary. Thanks for all you are, I love you with all my heart. Mom #3

My other girl CT's daughter was only 2 at the time so she did not come with us. But Baby J's letter would have talked of her beauty and inquisitiveness. Full of energy and life, and encouraging her to funnel it towards Jesus.

Each one of my girls, have their own uniqueness that crafted what I said to them. We all have our things in life that we have to overcome, that's why God called us over comers. Some are shy, some battle health, some addictions, some insecurity, some depression. I have been fortunate that I have not had to deal with a lot of depression in my life. However I do have some friends that have had bouts that have caused them to be bed ridden for days. My first advice to them was they needed more Jesus, but secondly and I've heard several speakers and Pastors state, if you are busy helping others you don't have time to think about yourself and whatever you think you are missing.
I gained so much joy that day watching my "girls" bask in the encouragement I gave them. To see themselves through Gods eyes. And the lunch and the play were just a bonus.

Wow it's been too long, sounds like I better whip up another girls day and this time we'll include Baby J.

Be encouraged and Be an encourager.
Blessings,
Lynn

Just wondering

Do you ever have those times when you are really struggling in an area that you still meditate on it daily but quit actually praying about it? And then because God knows it is so important to you He gives you the answer.

I have this one person that I really struggle with my love walk with. I have been praying and talking with God and my Husband and my Pastor for years.... about wanting to be obedient to God and walk in Love but it wasn't working. (At least that I can see) I would try to walk in love and then it was like this person would slap me in the face & run over me in a mack truck. This person deals with insecurity (I think) because they boss everyone around and treat them subservient. They talk to you like you are 4yrs old. eerrrrgggg!!! Can you tell that pushes my buttons.

71/2 years of refining fires later I think I got the message. Wow sometimes it just takes that 2 X 4 up side the head to get it through.

I don't have to have warm fuzzy's about this person, or FEEL the love - I just need to keep holding them up in prayer and SHUT UP. Now I have heard this 100 times but finally it rang a bell and I got it. No slow reflexes here. :) Love is not a feeling it is a choice.

Then you know it's real hard for me to listen to someone talk about this person and say what they do and have done - which is true - and keep my mouth shut. I even had a post-it note on my computer KMS (Keep Mouth Shut) :)
You know there's something about the tongue being like the rudder on a ship and guiding your whole body... whoops! :) (James 3:3-5)

See in the natural this person xxxxx xxxxx xxxx and xxxxxxx then claims to be a Christian. But hey... That is between God and that person. See I'm getting better. :)

Well I'm doing better with it I have seen the person a couple times in the last couple of days, prayed for them, helped them carry a box. It's looking up. So I guess this whole blog is about wondering ... do you struggle?
Do you quit praying but still meditate?
And does God always come through? That one better be a yes! :)

Have a blessed night!
Lynn


PS - Another Just wondering? Should I keep this blog for my regular posts and just use the other one "Growing in His Love" for my Bible Study Posts (or vice versus) or should I randomly keep posting on both blogs? Let me know what you think!
Loves,
Lynn

Fun Weekend

Hello All,
Just a quick post to let you know I had a wonderful weekend. My Husband and I went to the southern Oregon coast to be with my Dad and his wife. (She's a wonderful lady great cook and takes good care of my Dad, so she's not a step Mom she's a Mom by marriage.)
We got there on Friday just in time to hook up with them and see some awesome fireworks.
So M-Mom made us an awesome brunch bake (kind of like a quiche) and fresh fruit. Then we hung out all day Saturday did some sight seeing of local attractions. My Dad is retired and volunteers at a Indian Fish Hatchery so we got to feed the baby fish and take a tour and get a little education on how they grow the fish from Egg to release. Then we had dinner (We ate too much all day)then visited the rest of the evening.
Next morning we hooked up again... you guessed it to eat breakfast. Do you see a pattern here?:) Then said good bye.

It was a great time good fellowship. Nice to relax and refuel and continue to build those family ties.

Hope all of your weekends were fun too. ( I know Plant Lady's she had homemade Ice Cream. :) )

Be Blessed,
Lynn

Lynn

Great Expectations

You know we all have them - great and small.

So what causes them?

A desire - Do we expect because we desire or hope?
A conditioning from our past - Do we expect our life to go a certain way because of what has happened to us in the past.
A feeling of entitlement - Do you expect because by golly you deserve it and life owes you something.

Do your expectations let you down, leaving you angry, sad, deprived or empty?

We can still be executor's with out the baggage if we learn to have the right expectations. We need to focus our expectations on God. God gives us so many promises of peace, love, joy, and prosperity. He has told us that He will cover all of our needs and give us the desires of our hearts. We only have to delight ourselves in Him and be obedient to His word.

Cast your cares on God for He cares for you. Turn your expectations towards Him who can greatly reward you.

Have a Blessed Day!
Lynn


PS I have a new post on the other blog too! Please check them both out and leave comments it's nice to see who's visiting. :)