Though we are slaves, our God has not deserted us in our bondage. He has shown us kindness in the sight of the kings of Persia. He has granted us new life to rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins, and he has give us a wall of protection in Judah and Jerusalem.   Ezra 9:9 NIV

Welcome to 2009. A new year has arrived. We are now that much closer to the return of our Lord, Jesus Christ.  In just a few months I will celebrate my 50th birthday. Fifty?!?!  I never imagined I would see 50.  Like every other generation I was sure He would return and I would join him “in the twinkling of an eye” (1 Cor 15:51).  But I patiently await.

Also this year, my grandparents will celebrate their 80th anniversary. Can you believe it!!  I am sure this is a record, but haven’t yet found how to confirm it.

Every day is a new day in Christ. We are asked to do three things in First Thessalonians 5:

• be joyful always
• pray continually
• give thanks in all circumstances.

When times are hard it is difficult to think of being joyful and thankful. Often these circumstances are the only time we pray.

I once heard Joni Earickson Tada speak about a time she was very short with those around her. Joni was paralyzed from the neck down after a diving accident when she was a teen.  She said she apologized saying this wasn’t like her.  Her husband responded, yes it is.  You see, how we respond in times of pain shows who we really are. It is very easy to hide behind a mask and offer up a good appearance when is going well. But it is in those trying times, when our emotions are loosed and anxiety reigns that our true self comes out.

That is why we must pray always, not just in the bad times. How do you feel about that “friend” that calls you only to cry about their problems then doesn’t speak to you during the good times? 

Be joyful no matter is going on. I find it very difficult to smile when the back pain is overwhelming but I know I must overcome this. In her book ” Mama Get the Hammer! There’s A Fly on Pap’s Head” Barbara Johnson give 5 practical ways to live a joyful life.  My husband what my goals were for 2009. I think this list best describes them:

• Smile
• Be an Encourager
• Avoid gumbling, don’t speak whinese
• Be thankful for anything
• Learn to Laugh

Simple enough when things are going my way, but when life happens I need to be reminded of them. So I am setting a goal, something to achieve.  I am not making a resolution because that denotes failure. See, I am already looking at things differently.

Finally I must be thankful.  We are starting 2009 in a difficult manner with my husband being laid off work just before Thanksgiving. We must encourage each other and name something to be thankful for every day in order not to allow discouragement to overtake us.  We still have a home, some of our friends do not. We must tighten the budget, but we can do that as well.

Yes, it is a decision to be thankful. It is a decision to be joyful. It is a decision to trust God in all circumstances.

What decisions are you making?

Mama Get The Hammer! There’s A Fly On Papa’s Head! Barbara Johnson insists that laughing in the face of adversity is not a form of denial, but a proven tool for managing stress, coping with pain, and maintaining hope. She zeros directly in on the spiritual benefit of a smile, a giggle, and a good, old-fashioned belly laugh.

Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  Eph 6:11 

Several years ago I was studying the “Armor of God” and set out to make it a fun and crafting experience.  Using a small sized teddy bear I had (many of the TY bears are similar in size) I created a plastic canvas pattern.  Each piece is worked and the scripture studied.  It makes a wonderful sharing time for mother and daughter, father and daughter, friends, mother and son… you get the idea. 

I posted the pattern for free on the website asking that anyone who made it please let me know their thoughts.  Recently I received this email.

When I first saw this, after hours of searching for new plastic canvas patterns, I just had to make this. It was easy and fun to make. It is one of my favorite bible lessons. I am hoping to pass it on to church for use in teaching children the lesson I so love. Thank you for making the pattern free for all to use it was a joy to make. Have a blessed day.  Sincerely, Jennifer

If you are looking for a last minute gift you can put together, how about making the kit by printing the pattern and adding the supplies.  Set a time with the recipient to work on it together.  (Click here to view website.)

The weather is getting brisk, the leaves are turning beautiful colors as they gently fall from their branches to cover the ground. The election is finally over. Fall is officially here.

I am starting to go through the holiday bins to see what decorations are usable; going through my yarn stash to see how many hand made gifts will be inspired – then a list of what to make for whom – then a smile as I realize they probably won’t get finished because I look at my wall of totes with each one carrying a project already started.  So, come gift opening time no one will know what to expect   

Christmas music is already being played full time on local radio stations.  I heard a news report this week about a group protesting that Christmas is too religious.  I go to the stores adorned with brightly colored decorations, trees and imitation gifts wrapped. Sales are announced everywhere with pictures of family members excited to receive them.  The music played is about toys and gifts and family gatherings.  People are lined up fighting for the last item on the rack as the “perfect must have present”.  And it is only the middle of November.   WHERE, I ask you, is the too much religion?

Come to my house and I pray you will find that religion. I do participate with the tree and the presents. My teddy bears dress up and share in the happiness of the season.  And foremost in the decor is a nativity, actually 2 or 3. My heart is filled with the promise of a savior sent from heaven to offer us salvation.  That is the ultimate gift.

Read this fantastic account in Luke 2. Click here for an online version.

Let me be among the first to wish you a  “Merry Christmas”.  

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.  John 1:6

In a corner of my bedroom, where I can see him when waking or resting, is a Helzberg Diamonds Teddy Bear.  On his sweater are the words “You Are Loved”. Over his shoulder is a messenger bag. This messenger is bringing me good news that someone loves me.

He reminds me of another messenger, 200 years ago. His name was John the Baptist.

“There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a messenger to bear witness of the Light that all might believe.”  (John 1:6.7)

John was not the Light, He was not the Messiah, the Saviour of the world. He was the messenger. When asked John told them he was “the voice crying in the wilderness to make straight the way of the Lord” (John 1:23).

John went before Jesus and prepared others for Christ’s appearance. He told the people of God becoming man and how much God loves us.

He was the messenger.  My bear reminds me  that I am loved, not by the diamond company, but by God. And this particular messenger just happens to be a teddy bear.

A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.    ~ Ecclesiastes 4:12, NLT

October is Pastor Appreciation Month.  I am not certain that one month is enough time to say “thank you” to my pastoral staff, but it is a beginning. How do you thank a pastor? A pastors life is public. Bystanders see him at the local Walmart and watch how he speaks to other shoppers,his comments to the checker, the way his disposes of his cart. A day in the park playing with his children becomes a center of discussion for all as to how he interacts with his child, even how he throws a ball.  Each speaking engagement becomes the center of conversation and critical review over lunch. “What do you mean he has family obligations? I am sick and want him here now” becomes the shout when a personal need arises.

And what about his wife and children.  A group of children are playing, all running and shouting and acting alike. How often do you focus in on the pastor’s child and comment about how “wild that pastor’s child is”? Ever do that?  Do you watch to see where the pastor’s wife is sitting and what she is wearing and how she is speaking to those around her?  Where are you when they are in need of emotional support?

How often do you stop and say “thank you” ? If you haven’t yet, perhaps you could take a moment to write a note telling your pastor of how you have been encouraged by his presence, his life and his words. Maybe you could send along a gift card for dinner at a local restaurant offering a chance for relaxation. 

Lift your pastor in prayer.  I pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy…   (Colossians 1:11 NLT)

Thank you God, for Doug and the pastoral team that teach me each week. These people encourage me to keep my eyes focused on You alone, not on them. I thank you for their strength and courage to stand up as a representative of You each day. I pray you will give then the endurance and patience needed, and give them joy.  They have been a blessing to me and demonstrated your love.

Say a prayer for your pastor today. Thank your pastor for stepping out for God.

Click the picture for a pastoral gift idea.

Click picture for another gift idea.

In an effort to expand my reading comprehension and enjoyment I joined a bookclub. One of the first books read was “ The Shack “.  I found it very interesting, though there is an extremely sad portion I wanted to avoid (because I avoid sad situations) but while tragic it was not gory (as it would have been had today’s tv or movie writers done it). 

I came away with one exciting revelation from this fiction novel; God wants a relationship with me. The others in the group all came away with the same thought and we thoroughly enjoyed the book and the way it protrayed this relationship. The Shack is a fiction novel and we read it as such.

I was surprised, then, when I started reading reviews on the book.  It seems people are reading this book as “The Gospel” instead of fictional “The Shack”.   The story tells of Mac going to a shack where tragedy struck his family. Here he meets God in the form of large black women named ”papa’.  As separate characters you also meet Jesus and the Holy Spirit. While three separate characters they also appear in relationship as one. 

Author WIlliam P. Young takes us through an inviting weekend where he speaks directly with God and gets close to Him, talking about all kinds of things. He asks many questions.  He develops a close knit relationship with God. It is this that God desires most.

This book should in no way be considered a replacement of the Bible. It is an interesting read, but as my friend Fawn Brents says “If you want to know what the Bible says, read the Bible, not books about the Bible”.

I recommend the book as a fictional novel, just like the “ Left Behind ” series. While story ideas may come from an interpretation of the Bible, they are novels written for reading entertainment.  I do, however, disagree with Eugene Peterson who endorses the book with the words “this book has the potential to do for our generation what John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress did for his”.  Sorry, Mr. Peterson, but with all due respect, it is not of that caliber.

So my recommendation: read it make up your own mind as to the authenticity or fictionality of “The Shack”. 

Other reviews of this book may be found at:

Christianity Today dot com

Christianity Today Blog

Breakpoint dot org

The Shack Mackenzie Allen Philip’s youngest daughter, Missy, has been abducted during a family vacation, and evidence that she might have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Four years later, in the midst of his Great Sadness, Mack receives a suspicious note, apparently from God, inviting him back to that shack for a weekend. Against his better judgment, he arrives at the shack on a wintry afternoon and walks back into his darkest nightmare. What he finds there will change Mack’s world forever. In a world where religion seems to grow increasingly irrelevant The Shack wrestles with the timeless question, “Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain?” The answers Mack gets will astound you, and perhaps transform you as much as it did him. You’ll want everyone you know to read this book!

My favorite wacky holiday (though I do not claim it to be wacky) is National Teddy Bear Day.  A national day set aside to especially enjoy our teddy bears. This year it is September 9.

Here are a few “Teddy Bear Day” activities for you:

at Crosswalk dot com you can find this e-card to send

at A Kids Heart dot com there are many fun activities and printable color pages

About dot com offers a list of things to do to make the day filled with fun

e-How author AuntPhyl has prepared some wonderful ideas to celebrate the day.

You are never too old for a teddy bear. So grab your favorite and spend the day enjoying the love and comfort he/she has to offer.

Remember, too, there is One who loves us even more than our teddy bear does.  Jesus Christ.

In the midst of the hustle and bustle of San Francisco we found this Japanese Tea Garden, a quiet setting of beautiful flowers and greenery.

We walked on paths through beautiful flowers and streams.

That’s my hubby.   ReedyBear

There was a sign telling us to follow the path through the garden

And a statue of Buddah to guide those following his path

And through all the beauty I was reminded of the One who created the rivers and streams, the plants, flowers and trees.

The One true path to heaven, Jesus Christ.

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

I have had the pleasure of spending a few day in the San Francisco area.  There is so much to see. I don’t know if my pictures and descriptions can do it justice but I plan to give it a try over several postings.

To start out the trip my knitted teddy bear “Purl” helped pack my bags and jumped into my carry on so she wouldn’t be left behind.  She was excited when over the past 2 days we visited not 1, not 2, but 3, yes 3 Build A Bear Workshops.   In each she was able to purchase another accessory for herself and view the latest fashions. I know she will go back to the bears at home and brag about her visits.

Because I am unable to walk any distance comfortably hubby bear pushed me and Purl across the Golden Gate Bridge in a wheelchair. We went 1/2 way then turned around and headed back. It was windy, and cold (remember I left Kansas City at 100 degrees the previous day) but we completed the walk. It was a great adventure.

Purl posed at several stops along the way. 

A recent news report commented on the number of suicides by jumping from this great bridge.  We saw several of these Crisis Counseling phones along the path.  Sometimes it is easy to dwell on hopelessness when it appears everything in your life is failing.  It is important to remember there IS hope. His name is Jesus Christ.  “For God so loved the world He gave His only begotton Son, that whoever believes will have everlasting life.”   John 3:16.

There is much more to see. 

Until next posting,