What Do Your Walls Say?

While the enemy smothered, overwhelmed and struck with seemingly unending power, Habakkuk cried out to the Lord in utter helplessness.  Nothing seemed to ease the suffering.  No help hung over the horizon.

And then God spoke.

God knew every detail, every hint of evil in the hearts of the Chaldeans.  And in the end, God reigned.

In His message of woe to the enemy, one single verse struck a chord deep in my heart... 

"The very stones in the walls cry out against you, and the beams in the ceiling echo the complaint."
Habakkuk 2:11

Even the walls of their homes sensed the evil.  I imagine the eariness one might feel walking through the doors of their big houses built through dishonest gain.

But before I could go on any further, splattering judgement on their homes, God turned it around and, in my heart, asked me the question:  What do your walls say?

As my children grow older and create more memories, what will they remember?  Someday, they will leave our home to begin their own families...what will our walls speak to them?

Laughter in the Walls

by Bob Benson

I pass a lot of houses on my way home,

some pretty,

some expensive,

some inviting -

but my heart always skips a beat

when I turn down the road

and see my house nestled against the hill.

I guess I'm especially proud

of the house and the way it looks because

I drew the plans myself.

It started out large enough for us -

I even had a study -

two teenaged boys now reside in there.

And it had a guest room -

my girl and nine dolls are now permanent guests.

It had a small room Peg

had hoped would be her sewing room-

the two boys swinging on the dutch door

have claimed this room as their own.

So it really doesn't look now

as if I am much of an architect.

But it will get larger again-

one by one they will go away

to work,

to college,

to service,

to their own houses,

and then there will be room-

a guest room,

a study,

and a sewing room

for just the two of us.

But it won't be empty-

every corner,

every room,

every nick

in the coffee table

will be crowded with memories.

Memories of picnics,

parties, Christmases,

bedside vigils, summers,

fires, winters, going barefoot,

leaving for vacation, cats,

graduations, first dates,

ballgames, arguments,

washing dishes, bicycles,

dogs, boat rides,

getting home from vacation,

meals, rabbits and

a thousand other things

that fill the lives

of those who would raise five.

And Peg and I will sit

quietly by the fire

and listen to the

laughter in the walls.

Almost A Stifle

The most stressful moments of a single day always insist of moving my children from point A to point B...in a parking lot! 

"Hold my hand!" 
"Watch out!" 
"Car!!!"

Blood pressure rises.  Tone of voice, serious.  Not to mention the heavy burden of trying to appear to be the perfect mom by keeping my cool, all the while my insides run wild!

Many times, I miss a precious moment tucked in between these hair raising experiences.  For instance...

We finally approached the door yet my motherly control still wanted knowledge of every finger and toe's whereabouts.  My youngest, age 3, darted away from me with all the confidence of the world.  My heart pounded.  Frustration elevated.  And in that brief moment, I just about missed it.

He approached the door, spread out his arms as though he were just about to embrace the world with a giant hug, his chest puffed out with confidence as he stood facing the door...waiting for "the force".  Sure enough, the doors swung open simply through the power of his presence! 

Right at the moment I about landed into him for running off, a stranger giggled at the humor of this little child.  The eyes of my heart opened at the sound of the giggle and I realized I almost missed it.  Consumed with things going exactly as I had planned, I almost missed a humorous and memorable moment.  My need to control almost stifled a memory.

And then I remembered...

"Do not stifle the Holy Spirit."
(1 Thessalonians 5:19)

The need to control my life interferes often.  I wonder how many moments I have missed because of my tight fist hold on life.  And I question how many times have I stifled the Holy Spirit, stuffing him down into the depths, ignoring his prompting, all for my control's sake, only to miss an opportunity...

to grow.
to evangelize.
to encourage.
to endure with peace.
to walk forward with joy.
to be in God's will.

I leave you with this prayer...

"I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.  Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him.  Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong."
Ephesians 3:16-17

The Command of Courage

It chokes, steals, robs.

Suffocates, drowns, overwhelms.

Fear.

The word itself strikes a nerve deep within my soul.

Fear consumes my thoughts and actions everyday, even beyond consciousness.

As my little ones innocently play at the local park, fear sits right alongside of me...

My thoughts run rampant...

Please don't fall!

Is he "stranger danger"?

Our family calling to homeschool, a blessing yet a potential home for the enemy of fear.

My worries run wild...

Am I doing everything right?

Will I ruin my children?

At the moment of desperation...

in the deepest depths of fear,

the Holy Spirit simply whispers to my heart the same words he spoke to Joshua, thousands of years ago...

"This is my command - be strong and courageous!  Do not be afraid or discouraged.  For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Joshua 1:9

Terror to Joy

The time is here.

A time in which no one wants to come face to face.

A time people wander in darkness...

shallowness

emptiness.

Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

News Headline:
"Massachusetts Man Plotted to Blow Up Pentagon..."

There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. 

News Headline
"At Least 16 Dead After Massive Typhoon..."

These are the beginning of birth pains.
“You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them.  And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

News Headline:
"Iranian Pastor Faces Execution for Refusing to Recant Christian Faith"

“Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.

News Headline:
"Colorado Boy Pleads Guilty to Killing Parents"

Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved."
Mark 13:5-13


What are we going to do about it?

"I trembled inside when I heard this;
my lips quivered with fear.
My legs gave way beneath me,
and I shook in terror...
yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!
The Sovereign Lord is my strength!
He makes me as surefooted as a deer,
able to tread upon the heights."
Habakkuk 3:16, 18-19

Faithful Abundant True

Today marks a beginning...a new Bible study.

My eyes have scanned over many Bible studies and the ink of my pen has marked, circled and written various and numerous answers.  But have I truly grasped the depth and richness of

God's Word?

I pray the following words from

Faithful Abundant True

will grab your heart and change you as it has me.

(All Scripture is from the New American Standard Version)

"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."

2 Timothy 3:16-17

"But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God."

2 Peter 1:20-21

"For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you receive the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe."

1 Thessalonians 2:13

"If the Bible is what it says it is - and comes straight from the mouth of God - how important is it that you pay close attention to it?  Have you?  Have you honored it as it should be honored?  Or have you preferred the writings - the books of men and women - above God's Word?"

(Kay Arthur)

May we never replace the holy Word of God with anything!

No blog, no book, no magazine, will ever change us like the

Word of God!

No calendar, no schedule, no job could ever be as important as the

Word of God!

No person, no place, no thing will ever penetrate our hearts as the

Word of God!

It's a simple truth.

We must live and breathe

God's Word.

Strike Three...You're Not Out!

After piling in the car on a hot, Saturday afternoon, determined to have a fun and free afternoon, our family headed to the state park.  Anticipating the fresh, soothing smell of salt water combined with the attempt of skipping a few rocks over the beautiful Puget Sound water, smiles decorated each face. 

A curve here and a curve there, through the tall evergreens of the northwest (which always tempts me to bellow out, "Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house we'd go...") we traveled to our destination.

The excitement grew thick in our car the closer and closer we got...finally arriving only to find a blow to our plans.  To park a car, a $10 pass must be attained.  So much for our free entertainment.

Strike one.

An exit followed by whines and whimpers led us to a ride through the countryside.  (Once again, the bellowing temptation surfaced yet I still overcame it...my children would thank me, if they only knew!)  Plan B: enjoy the sights and sounds of the local Farmer's Market.  After pulling out our family's best friend, Gracie (our GPS), she led us out of the country and back to the city.  Upon arriving and parking, we soon found out we arrived 15 minutes late...all the cinnamon rolls and flowers, soaps and fine meats, herbs and crafts were being packed away as we walked up to the market.

Strike two.

No worries, another great idea surfaced!  "Let's go see the boats!"  Just walking distance away, sailboats of every kind docked for the evening.  This particular dock has become a family favorite.  Yet, once again, our plans squashed right before our very eyes.  The unanticipated, frustrating sign loomed ahead of us, "Closed for private party."

Strike three.

So we headed home.

Disheveled.  Disappointed.  Down right frustrated.  Back home without a single plan coming into reality.  A "Woe is me!" attitude thickened the atmosphere.  The protests began, "But we didn't get to do anything!"..."I don't wanna go home!"..."I wanted to see the water!"

How many times we get knocked over in our days because our plans just don't work out the way we had hoped.  I find that usually the small things do the most damage in my heart.  But God has a gentle way of reminding of the simples things...

A family made of three absolutely precious children and the most loving husband ever!
A home, as dated as it is, to keep us warm in the winter and cool in the summers.
The opportunity to see my children learn and grow daily, right before my very eyes.
Living in a state drenched in beauty all around.

And the list goes on and on and on.

And then I remember...I am so blessed! 

How has God blessed your day?

Friday's Favorite: A Rain Shower

Early Thursday morning, as the sun was rising in the east, the morning sky's hue displayed baby blue with soft fluffy clouds like the cotton my children use for their sheep crafts.  An ideal morning to bring in the start of a new day. 

Sitting in my cozy "Tent of Meeting", listening to the Word of God speak, a simple surprise gifted the moment.

A rain shower.

Blue sky and all, the rain watered the dry, end of the summer ground bringing refreshment to the grass and flowers.  It was as though the Lord sent the rain for my house only...a gift from above.  And then the Lord reminded me...

"Let my teaching fall on you like rain;

let my speech settle like dew.

Let my words fall like rain on tender grass,

like gentle showers on young plants."

Deuteronomy 32:2

Do you have a favorite moment from this past week?  Please share!!