Tip of the Day 7/20/12

99 Days of Summer:  I hope that based on my tip for yesterday you have chosen a mini-vacation destination for an up coming weekend. My choice is Italy. I don't know that we will ever actually make it there, but I am putting together plans for us to enjoy a weekend immersed in the culture, food, and music. Here are my ideas so far. I am going to attempt to make some basic pasta. The owner of the little veggie stand down the road says it is easy. She said to serve it with veggies cooked lightly in olive oil for an authentic dish. A stroll on the beach will be like walking the shore of the Mediterranean. An evening at one of our local vineyards strolling the grounds will be a great addition to the atmosphere. Walking to our local grocer and buying fresh bread, cheese and meat, then dining out on the balcony is a perfect Italian breakfast. Renting Vespa's from the shop downtown will be a great way to spend the afternoon, followed by a late lunch at the authentic Italian restaurant in town. We will buy Italian Ice and Pellegrino to enjoy while we watch "Roman Holiday" and a Rick Steves guided tour. And to top it off we will read highlighted passages from 'Under the Tuscan Sun" out loud. Please share what your plans are. Maybe we will go "visit" your favorite destination.

 Word for Today, Charity: Sometimes I wonder why things come into my mind in the middle of the night and I lie here thinking about them. Last night the word charity came into my mind, so I contemplated it. Some translations of the Bible use the word charity instead of love in 1 Corinthians 13 which is often called the "love chapter" of the Bible. So, my thought was they are a definition of each other. The word was probably in my mind because the past few weeks I have been reading about Louisa Mae Alcott. Her father held some very odd beliefs, but one thing that he did right was while their family lived in virtual poverty they continually gave to others. Charity is something that is usually hard for the receiver to accept, but is something the giver believes they must do. This is a true picture of God's love and Jesus' sacrifice for us. It is hard for many to accept His free gift of love. It seems too good to be true and so beyond what we deserve. But Jesus chose to give us this free gift of love and it breaks His heart when it is rejected. Have you accepted His charity? "Such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners." "That you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation." "Jesus went about doing good."

Tip of the Day 7/19/12

99 Days of Summer: Let's take a mini vacation this weekend. Think of a place you have always dreamed of going, or a place you have been that you would love to return to, and plan a trip there this weekend. Gather pictures, books from the library, and videos to watch. Include videos like travel logs by Rick Steves or Burt Wolf as well as movies that take place in the location you have chosen. Plan meals for the weekend just like you would eat if you were there. Dress like you are there and plan activities that you would do if you were there. Immerse yourself in it and you will feel like you are a part of it.

 Word for Today, Rain: For those of you that live near me, I am sure you are not surprised to see my word today. Just like so much of the country, we have been experiencing a horrible drought and were blessed with a little relief through the night. As I lay in bed last night seeing the flashes of lightening and hearing the rolling of thunder my mind drifted to thoughts of how, if we listen, we can hear the sounds of God's voice rolling around us, but are we crying out for Him to pour His truth down on us. The thunder and lightening were wonderful to hear and see, but without rain to follow they didn't do any good. They actually could have brought fire on the land. What happens if we do not head the sound of God's voice? Will He continue to pour out His blessings on a dry and thirsty land? Are we listening as He speaks, are we heeding His direction, are we crying to Him to rain down justice and truth? I believe God is calling us to listen to Him. How long can we survive if we stop up our ears like a scared child when we hear the thunder and see the lightening. Now is time, today is the day, to stand up for what you believe and pray for God's truth to rain on a dry and thirsty land in need of His mercy and love. "As the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."

Tip of the Day 7/18/12

99 Days of Summer: Well, we have certainly entered "the dog days of summer." This would be a great time to visit your local dog shelter. Drop off a bag of food or treats, volunteer for a couple of hours, decide if a new pet is appropriate for your home. Remember to take extra care of the pets you have. The sidewalk can burn their paws if going for a walk, they should not be left outside for long periods of time, make sure they are staying hydrated, NEVER leave them in a vehicle. Love them, they love you.

 Word for Today, Tattoo: There has always been a lot of discussion within the church about whether tattoos are wrong. I believe it is a personal choice, just like getting your ears pierced. I have seen some beautiful tattoos and am not offended by having someone in a place of business wait on me unless the tattoo is offensive. But I wouldn't want someone waiting on me wearing a shirt with something offensive written on it. Some tattoos are deeply personal. Many parents have the names of their children or a tribute to a loved one. One of my favorite images in the Bible is that God has "inscribed me in the palm of His hand" and I am told to "set Him as a seal upon my heart." What could be more personal than that? So, if anyone asks about tattoos, I guess my answer is, I have one on my heart.

Tip of the Day 7/17/12

99 Days of Summer: Remember friendship bracelets? We braided them using embroidery floss and exchanged them with our friends Then we wore them until the fell apart. A few weeks ago I had the kids in Sunday School make a friendship bracelet and then choose a person to send it to that they wanted to tell about their friend, Jesus. They included a note asking if they had met Him. Facebook and other social media has reunited us with so many friends that we haven't talked to in years. Why not send a special note to one of those friends today telling them how much you appreciate their friendship. Have the kids make a bracelet and give it to someone that is a friend, or they would like to be their friend. I am grateful for all of you in my life, whether we have met in person, or only through FB, my life is enriched because you are in it.

 Word for Today, Iniquity: This is a word that is not used very often in modern speech. Often it is translated in the Bible as sin. I decided to look up the meaning of it since the verses in my devotion time this morning centered on it. The meaning that really struck me was, the twisting and bending of the truth. What a picture of man. This is not new behavior, man has always tried to bend the truth to fit his wants and desires. Whether the twisting is something as simple as justifying using the company Fax machine for personal use or taking home pens and paper clips or giving our own definition to a word to justify our actions, according to God, it is sin. Sadly we see Christians taking God's Word and twisting it to justify actions whether it is people protesting at a fallen soldiers funeral or living with someone when not married to them, in God's eyes it is all sin. We are ALL guilty. We tell ourselves, "i am not as bad as ...", but God doesn't measure our sin against another man, the standard is Jesus, and none of us can measure up to Him. I am so grateful that by simply asking, ALL of my failings, whether on purpose or inadvertently, are forgiven by the one without spot or blemish and are remembered no more. "If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared."

Tip of the Day 7/16/12

99 Days of Summer: I love wildflowers. One of my favorites here in our part of the world in chicory. It is so beautiful and this time of year the roadsides are covered with it and with Queen Anne's lace. They make a drive through town even prettier. When I was a little girl I remember taking walks with my mom and we would bring home cat tails to decorate with. Today would be a great day to pick some wildflowers and make an arrangement. If you have Queen Anne's lace, add food coloring to the water, snip the end of the flower and watch the flower change color. Try boiling the chicory and making "coffee" from it like they did during the great depression. Check out a book from the library on your local wildflowers and learn their names. There is a so much beauty all around us to enjoy.

Word for Today, Knowledge: The older I get, it seems the more I want to know and the more there is to learn. My granddaughter, Rachel, and I were discussing her college schedule last week. She will be working to help pay her way through school and she was concerned about having enough time to study and do her best. We talked about getting distracted by so many activities and she mentioned how she heard so many kids talking about how they can't wait to party. Her desire is truly to get a good education and not waste the money it will cost for that education. I felt the same way in college, working my way through made me study harder. Maybe that is why we are told to, "work out our salvation." The gift of eternal life is available to anyone who desires it, but the living it out can take work. We need to make good choices about what we are involved in. We need to not squander the knowledge we are given, because it came at a great price, Jesus very life. If we learn from the Great Teacher and do not live out the lessons, it is wasted knowledge. Our lives can be so full when we live out the knowledge we are given. "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."

Tip of the Day 7/15/12

Thirty Two years ago I stood beside the man I had chosen to be my husband and spoke vows that I believed I could and would be true to. I did this in my own strength and because of the desires of my own heart. As my heart, and Richard's, surrendered to the Lord and to His will for us He made "the two one" and those vows became our true pledge to each other. A few years ago we visited an artist colony and purchased a vase that the artist had used ashes to create a beautiful design from. This vase represents what God has done in our lives and marriage and I am forever grateful. He has made us "vessels of honor, fit for His use" and brought "beauty from ashes." Today we will go to His house together and partake of communion as we worship and thank the One who is faithful and true.

 Most important non-Biblical lesson learned at church today: Never pick up your flute and try to play the intro to a song after JUST finishing an art project with the kids in Sunday School that involves using glue. Your fingers WILL stick to the keys and you will play a whole note instead of a sixteenth note which throws your timing off and you can't figure out how to unstick your fingers and then you have completely lost your place in the song. I am sure none of you will ever find yourself in this position, but just in case, now you know.

Tip of the Day 7/14/12

99 Days of Summer: Saturday is a day of fun and play, when we shake off the cares of the week and pursue an experience. Do not waste the days given you to make memories. If everyone pitches in, housework and laundry can be accomplished quickly and the important things like waffles for breakfast, feeding the ducks at the pond, a hike on a trail, picking wildflowers, running in the sprinkler, swimming in the lake, grilling hot dogs on a stick, eating S'mores, making snowcones, swinging on the swings at the park, can all be pursued. Notice that these are all free and for every age. The greatest memories are not always the ones that cost money. Enjoy the day and make some fun.

Word for Today, Guard. There are so many things in this world that easily make their way into our hearts and minds. Often we aren't even aware that they have until we have a thought to speak a word that stems from something we have heard, seen, or read. It could be an innocent action on our part; thumbing through a magazine in a doctors office, a song playing in the mall as we are shopping, a commercial as we are watching TV. All of the images and words that pass before us imprint themselves on us. Have you ever noticed you can hear the first few chords of a song from 25 years ago and be able to sing every word? We need to be aware of everything we allow our selves to see and hear. There will always be those things we cannot avoid, but we all have choices to make about what we allow into our minds and hearts. They are there forever. Protect your heart and mind, guard your children, and pursue what is good, just, true, peaceable, and lovely. You will be glad you did. "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life."