Please check out Internet Cafe at: https://www.internetcafedevotions.com/2009/09/cheerful-heart.html
website. I am the Guest Barista for the day.
Blessings,
Teresa
Blog
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Watch for 9/12 devotional!
Be on the look out for a guest barista devotional featured on https://www.internetcafedevotions.com/
You just might recognize a familiar writer featured this coming Saturday, September 12, 2009.
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FOR LOVE
FOR LOVE
Do all the good you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.
-John Wesley
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Solitude Tea Time
I chose this herbal tea bag for a purpose. Just listen to the description on the tea bag:
“Enjoy the delicious flavors of luscious peaches, tangy hibiscus, and delicate rosehips.”
Don’t those words speak autumn or fall (whichever way you describe September days) to you? They did to me. Colored leaves, chilly sweater evenings, and bonfires. As much as I adore summer, fall and spring are my favorite seasons of the entire year.
One of my favorite activities is to sit with a cup of tea and a book in the other. Solitude time to savor the written word.
“Make silence your friend.”
“Nature teaches us the dignity of being without motive.” (quotes from “A Weekend to Change Your Life,” by Joan Anderson.
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Where do you run to?
Drowning. Despair, Suffocation. Ever feel it? Sense it? Deep down within your every pore, every fiber of your being? Like you cannot go on down this path another day, hour, or minute?
I have. And it’s not a comfortable position. Circumstances overwhelm. For me, it doesn’t even have to be my own circumstances. They can be family or friend’s seemingly unfair circumstance.
For example: Stage 4 cancer. Yesterday I learned a dear cousin discovered she’s now (already) in Stage 4 cancer. Do I dare whisper the words, “It’s not fair?” I know in my head that His thoughts are not my thoughts and His ways are not my ways.
Right now, life feels like one too many straws stacked up on this ole’ camel’s back. I might topple over unless I escape. Run, run away from it all—at least temporarily. I am at a point where I cannot see straight, breathe, or focus on one more issue. And so I pack my bags with the essentials, grab my car keys and drive away.
I retreated to the lake where the water spoke peace and calmness. Not verbally, but in my spirit. Rejuvenating springs of living water. Refreshment came as I poured my woes, disappointments, and yes my doubts, out to the One who created flowing waters of contentment. I run to my strong tower and run into it. My safe refuge–straight into His arms of compassion. He knows all. He cares if my soul is upset beyond words. Softly, I hear “This too shall pass. Another day will come tomorrow and today won’t look so bleak.” Not audibly, but yet I feel comfort and reassurance.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10 (NIV)
God sees the big picture. I see only a teeny-tiny peephole of this timeline called life. If God were to open the whole lens, my eyes would be blinded. I could not handle the entire picture. He allows only a snippet for my own self preservation, not to withhold information or punish me.
I love these words to one of my favorite songs, “Our God is an awesome God.”
Our God(our God) is an awesome God
He reigns(He reigns) from heaven above
With wisdom(with wisdom) pow’r and love
our God is an awesome GodJust wondering, where is your quiet place? your solace? Where do you find solitude, peace, rest? I’d love to hear from you.
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Mums the Word!
Mums the Word! Mums the Word and Fall is in the Air!
Am I ready? I certainly am not ready! Do I have a choice? Not really. Actually (my granddaughter likes to say the word “actually”), I love September and October…the fall leaves appearing from seemingly nowhere. Plus, October has a hidden benefit: it’s my birthday month. My birthday is on the 8th of October, so I extend it out just as long as I possibly can. That’s why I call October my birthday MONTH! I extend it out with birthday lunches, dinners, any type of get togethers for an excuse for dessert and a card or gift–works for me!
Remember that old song, “Seasons change and so do I?” Don’t remember any other words to the song, but those I do. Birthdays, anniversaries, season changes are all good times to evaluate just how far I’ve come since the last one.
Have I met my short-term goals? long-term goals? Am I a kinder or more gentler human being than last year? Have I learned a new skill or noteworthy trait? Do I love my neighbor as myself? Have I given my all in whatever project my hands found to do?
How do you rate? I come along further in some areas, but have a long ways to go in other areas.
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“The Missionary” by David Lambert & William Carmichael (book review)
How far or deep should a missionary or those in God’s service get involved in the political realm? The main character, David Eller, lives out this question through this page turner novel. “Yesterday he was an American missionary serving the poor. Today, he’s an international fugitive.” Normally, I’m not a thriller/espionage type book reader, but this read proved rewarding.
The real-to-life situations could happen in today’s news. Characters wrestled with their personal faith put to the test through life choices. Good intentions sometimes go awry.
I’d already recommended this book to several people before I’d even finished it myself. Suspense remained until the very end of the book. Great read!
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Thots on Humility
“What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.” – Psalm 8: 4,5
To feel small is a healthy way to get back to reality, but God does not want us to dwell on our smallness. Humility means proper respect for God, not self-depreciation. (Life Application Bible)
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Reflections on Edward Kennedy’s death
Edward Kennedy died from a prolonged brain tumor diagnosed just 15 months ago. I’m looking at this scenario from a different perspective than most. I was diagnosed with a brain tumor last November. No one knows how long it grew on the left side of my temporal brain near my optic nerve. Mine could have been cancerous. In my case, it was not. Kennedy’s was cancerous, and proved fatal to him.
Many family members and extended family and friends are mourning. Regardless of my political beliefs, he was a human being. A son, brother, husband, father, uncle, and grandfather.
His results could have been mine as well. I don’t know why God chose to allow me to live. I do know His ways are not my ways and His thoughts are not my thoughts.
Proof life is fragile and precious. I don’t know from one day to the next if I will still be walking and talking on Planet Earth. I do need to be sure I make each day count and take every opportunity to let others know the hope that resides inside my heart. The Creator of the entire universe is in control and has my best interests in mind. God said it, I believe it, and that settles it for me!
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Four Midnight Riders We made it back to Grand Rapids and in one piece! We were grateful the rain held off the majority of the time. When it did rain, it was light and misty. Temps didn’t go below 50 degrees, so the clothing we chose proved adequate. When riding, one has to remember to factor in the speed at which you are moving which decreases the air temperature for the motorcycle rider.
Layers assisted our bodies to hold in body heat: long underwear (top and bottom), long sleeve top, zippered hoodie, electric liner jacket and black leather coat to top all off. Later; we added an additional top and bottom rain gear forming a waterproof layer.
This was Amanda’s first year riding her own bike on the Midnight Ride. Last year, she accompanied her dad as a passenger on his bike. She liked it so much, she enrolled in a motorcycle safety course, passed the class, then bought her own bike. This was Austin’s first ever Midnight Ride. He loved it! We enjoyed getting to know him better and in a different setting. Together, we sampled Michigan’s famous whitefish at “The Galley” and “B.C. Pizza” at night sharing with my sister and her family who camped in Mackinaw City. All of our bodies were weary and a bit sore by the time Sunday night rolled around.
Steve and Austin joined in the evening light parade of motorcycles with showy LED lights. Some donned crazy hats as they rode through the town of St. Ignace with flashing lights and horns. The evening culminated with dashes of fireworks over Lake Huron.
We took our time traveling south on the bikes toward home on Sunday. We treated Amanda and Austin to one of our favorite Polish eateries in Cross Village: “Legs Inn.”
Being part Polish, he was pleasantly impressed with the quality of food. Good food and good fellowship.