It's that time of the year...again!

Need to shorten my "essays!" It's raining, well, not really raining but it's sprinkling off and on. We need it but not TOMORROW. Saturday will be just fine. Tomorrow is our annual Trunk or Treat Party. People and their families come from all over. We had close to 1500 last year. This year we've made some wonderful changes, as in, not selling food, having more for the little kids to do, Big slides, bounce houses, etc., and we have all of the local offices involved. It's great fun and a great kick-off to the holidays.
No scary costumes, very family oriented, and lots and lots of that horrible candy to rev your kids up with. Thankfully for you, it's on a Friday this year. If you are in the area be sure to stop by. Your kids will love it! Have a great week-end.

What a gift!

It's still morning and as I look over to see who of my friends has "blogged" today, the thought came to mind that this undoubtedly is another way for God to remind me to pray for someone. I firmly believe that our prayers for one another, altho we may not know what in particular they are dealing with, are necessary not only for their well-being but ours as "intercessors." Since my family and I relocated to the central valley almost ten years ago, we came following that unmistakeable 'hand-holding' of God. We didn't really know too many people or the city or schools. We left our home church in San Luis Obispo with the task to find a new church body to plug into. It was certainly an adventure and has continued to be the same. All that said, the main focus that we had was to be able to invest our lives into others as God led. I could write a book, but have seen that it isn't necessarily important to remember all the details of how God has led, instead it is to see the differences He's made because we followed His lead. What I value most is the fact that I have seen Him not only take myself and others face to face with challenges and barriers in life, but continually gives the grace to walk through it. That sounds almost trite doesn't it? So here is the word picture...It is when we are at our end that He literally wants to pick us up in his strong capable arms, and carry us. If I were asked today what I am most thankful for in my life, and were told that everything else would be taken away, I would opt out for the people that are "God-placed" in my heart. I have laughed, and cried with them. I have sat and listened and prayed with them. I have hurt and mended with them, and will continue to recognize that the most effective tool I have to use in their behalf is to pray for them. I like it that the word PRAYER can sometimes be defined as having a conversation with God. Sometimes we are embarrassed that we will say something wrong, but that can't be when we are talking with God, can it? I've changed the title of my blog to 'Practicing His Presence.' I see that there really isn't any learning curve in talking with God. He just wants to be a part of our lives, enjoys our company and having a conversation with us. So may I encourage you to just go for it...Start your morning with Him...tell Him about your day...Spend a little time in His love letter to you...You'll be glad you did, as well as learn what a real friend is along the way!

New Leaf!

Have you ever done this? Turn over a "new leaf," that is. God gave me a gift over the past twenty-four hours or so, that I didn't see at first sight. These past two months have been a time in my life when I know that God is doing some intensive surgery on my heart and life. It's been painful some days, confusing, and I've questioned absolutely everything including my ability to see clearly the fruition of "here is the way, walk ye in it." Studying Genesis and now entering Exodus has given me just enough light through the curtains to see, but just a shadow that it is I Am, that I Am, who walks ahead of me. Amazingly, He never gets completely out of my sight, but wants me to keep coming towards the sound of his steps. Much like that of someone in the woods at night as they walk over the pine needles and the rocks on their way. You can't see them but you can hear and sense that they are there. This life of faith is nearly impossible, and I see that more than ever before. Scripture states that "we see through a glass darkly" until we finally see Jesus face to face. Abraham waited for over a century to have his son of promise by the woman he loved, and then his long-standing faith in his God was stretched again when he was told to take his only son, Isaac, as a sacrifice. Moses' mother, Jochobed, only was able to keep her baby for three months before she was driven to put him in a hand-made basket and send him sailing down the river. She didn't know what would happen to him, she only knew she needed to do something in order to save his life from the reigning Pharaoh. Joseph grew as a boy within the boundaries of the faith of his father, Jacob, and depended solely on what he had been taught to be true. The complexities of Gods' requirements of us are often in such sharp contrast to the simplicity of the faith of a child. The thought & song that has continued to run through my mind this evening is Holy, Holy, Holy. Above all else God is Holy. You will hear it while you read this post. I am awestruck by God's holiness tonight as it compares to my frequent faithlessness. How can He even bear to look at my lack of trust so often? Undeserving doesn't even scratch the surface, does it?

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity!

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
Who was, and is, and evermore shall be.

Holy, holy, holy! though the darkness hide Thee,
Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see;
Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,
Perfect in power, in love, and purity.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise Thy Name, in earth, and sky, and sea;
Holy, holy, holy; merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessèd Trinity!

Maybe recognizing His Holiness is what we need to begin understanding it all. I think it's a start...;-)

HE'S GOD ... I'M NOT ... and IT WORKS!

Pretty short, plain and simple. Don't you agree? Started the book of Exodus this last Tuesday. You know the part where God meets Moses at the bush, and as he is doing his best to get out of the position that God is placing him, Moses asks God "Who shall I say that sent me?" God answers "tell them it is I am, that I am, that sends you." Whoa! How's that for clear cut instructions? I have to chuckle (nervously) as I go on reading that Moses' balks again and asks "Why me?" How he has even the clarity of thought to tell God that he can't speak well and it should be his brother that should take the job of leading his people out of the slavery of Egypt is mind boggling. Wayne always says that I have to have the last word most times (I'm getting better,) but even I can't imagine being able to do much more than stutter at a time like that. Why do you think it is that when we think we want a clear, even audible word from God, that we shrink back from really listening to what he has to say. Do you see this like I do? We do the very same thing that Moses did. We make excuses, justify ourselves, play the blame game, discount the fact that God really wants to use us when we are most needy ourselves, perhaps at our lowest physically and/or emotionally (I call it "running on fumes,) or just plain don't want to do it.
I guess I'm not really trying to make a point, nor do I have an agenda, but I am struck with the fact that it doesn't really matter who or where we are. People have always been the same as far as I can see. I'm learning to read a little between the lines as I study these Old Testament men and women. Was their faith great? Not all the time, but God knew it and kneaded and stretched and pushed and pulled, all patiently, to get them where He knew they wanted and needed to be. Can you imagine approx. 2 million people walking in a circle for 40 years in the desert after being in slavery for 430 yrs. in Egypt. They must have thought that things would instantly be better for them, but what a shocker. The whining and fighting must have been outrageous. The lack of loyalty to their leader, the killing, and the complaining never ended until they saw the Promised Land. All that God had provided them on a daily basis still didn't convince them that He was in control and would only protect and care for them. I'm beginning to think that heaven might be mostly for Him...Perfect people, perfect place prepared for his faulty children. Go figure! I can only come to the conclusion again that God was, is, and always will be Good...All the Time. HE NEVER FAILS!

P.S. I was tagged today by a friend (from SLO) blogger who is now living in Austin, TX. The task, if you should decide to take it, is to to to your picture program, then count down to your sixth file and open it. See what you find. You will see mine at the top of this post. One of my most favorite places on earth, taken this past summer while visiting my niece at Hume Lake.