Two In A Manger

Two In A Manger


We were overseas for a short-term missions trip and it was nearing the holiday season, time for our orphans to hear, for the first time, the traditional story of Christmas. We told them about Mary and Joseph arriving in Bethlehem . Finding no room in the inn , the couple went to a stable, where the baby Jesus was born and placed in a manger.

Throughout the story, the children and orphanage staff sat in amazement as they listened. Some sat on the edges of their stools, trying to grasp every word. Completing the story, we gave the children three small pieces of cardboard to make a crude manger. Each child was given a small paper square, cut from yellow napkins I had brought with me. No colored paper was available in the city.

Following instructions, the children tore the paper and carefully laid trips in the manger for straw. Small squares of flannel were used for the baby's blanket a doll-like baby was cut from tan felt we brought from the United States.

The orphans were busy assembling their manger as I walked among them to see if they needed any help. All went well until I got to one table where a little boy sat. He looked to be about 6-years-old and had finished his project. I was startled to see not one, but two babies in the manger.

Quickly, I called for the translator to ask the lad why there were two babies in the manger. Crossing his arms in front of him and looking at this completed manger scene, the child began to repeat the story very seriously.


For such a young boy, who had only heard the Christmas story once, he related the happenings accurately -- until he came to the part where Mary put the baby Jesus in the manger. Then he started to ad-lib.

He made up his own ending to the story as he said, "And when Mary laid the baby in the manger, Jesus looked at me and asked me if I had a place to stay. I told him I have no mamma and I have no papa, so I don't have any place to stay.

"Then Jesus told me I could stay with Him. But I told him I couldn't, because I didn't have a gift to give Him like everybody else did. But I wanted to stay with Jesus so much, so I thought about what I had that maybe I could use for a gift. I thought maybe if I kept Him warm, that would be a good gift."
"So I asked Jesus, 'If I keep You warm, will that be a good enough gift?' And Jesus told me, 'If you keep Me warm, that will be the best gift anybody ever gave Me.' So I got into the manger, and then Jesus looked at me and He told me I could st ay with Him -- for always."

As he finished his story, his eyes brimmed full of tears that splashed down his little cheeks. Putting his hand over his face, his head dropped to the table and his shoulders shook as he sobbed and sobbed. The little orphan had found someone who would never abandon nor leave him, Someone who would stay with him -- for always!

And the Americans? They had learned the lesson they had come to teach --- that it is not what you have in life, but Who you have in your life, that really counts.

Do You Desire God?

Do You Desire God? - Paul Washer from I'll Be Honest on Vimeo.

Beauty

Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me,

All His wonders, compassion and purity;

Oh, Thou, the Spirit divine,

All my nature refine --

Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.

From God, to His Children

O my child, give Me your heart, for out of it are the issues of life. For I say to you, My hand is on you, and I will keep you in all places wherever you go. Yes, I am your God, and I am your Father, and I will care for you and provide for you according to all that you need. Yes, and I will be at your side, ready to help you whenever you will call on Me.

I am not unmindful of any of your needs, and My concern is for you. You do not need to carry your own load, for I will be happy to help you carry it and to also bear you up as well. You do not walk alone or meet any situation alone, for I am with you, and I will give you wisdom and I will give you strength, and My blessing will be on you. Only keep your heart set on Me, and your affection on things above; for I cannot bless you unless you ask Me, and I cannot answer if you do not call, and I cannot come to you except you come to Me.

Do not wait to feel more worthy, for no man is worthy of My blessings. My grace bypasses all your shortcomings that you hate, and I give to My children because they ask of Me and because I love them, and I do not love one more than another. I give most liberally to those who ask the most of Me. For I love to have you depend on Me. This is why the Spirit within you cries 'Abba-Father'.

As your Father I anticipate your dependence on Me. You may, by maturity outgrow your dependence on human parentage, but as My child, you will never "outgrow" your spiritual sonship, nor will I ever cast you out on your own resources, even when you will yourself come into this position of father in human relationship. You will then appreciate even more fully My feelings toward you. For you will know by your own human experience the love of a father, and the desire o care for and provide, and you will know more fully how much I love you, and how ready I am to help you, and how available I am to counsel with you and give you My support.
Heaven's resources are at your command, and you need never to want, so long as I am your Shepherd. Think not in your heart that since I know all about you, you need not tell Me. It is true that I know, but you need to tell Me so that in the telling, you may experience the release of an open heart, and the fellowship of a Friend.

Fir as you open your heart to Me, I will come to you. As you speak to Me, I will speak to you. As you reveal yourself to Me, I will reveal Myself to you. This is a law of life. There must be action to bring reaction. There must be a question to bring an answer. There must be an expression of love and confidence on the part of one person to arouse a corresponding response in another person.

Never presume upon My presence. Never assume that knowing your need, I will automatically supply. Ask, and it will be given. Call on Me, and I will answer you. Tell Me that you love Me, and I will make your heart to know in a very real way My love for you and My nearness, and you will never feel alone.

A godly woman...

My Dad and I have not always had the best relationship.

Things have been very rough between us over the years, as the Lord was working on him in some major areas of his life, and things were very complicated and oftentimes grievous. And at the same time, He was working on me, in areas of submission, respect for authority (whether the authority figure is always right, or not), unconditional love, and developing in me a servant's heart (and believe me, He's still working on me in each of these areas! :). My Dad and I are a lot alike -- and that is part of what has made things hard over the years!

But the Lord, always faithful!, has been working overtime on each one of us :), particularly in this last year and a half. And one of the many things He's been doing is cultivating my Dad and my relationship into something beautiful -- slowly, but surely. And we're not anywhere near arrived yet, but are confident that the Lord will keep His promise to us, to complete the good work He has begun! Thank you, Jesus! :)

But at any rate, as our relationship continues to heal, even through a lot of rocky stretches, we become closer and get to know each other better. A young lady's relationship with her parents, especially with her Dad, is so extremely important -- it's critical to her view of God, and other men. And it's detrimental to her emotional and spiritual well-being when her relationship with her father is in shambles, as mine was for so long. And I am so thankful to the Lord for His tender love and care to me, even when I rejected Him for a time, while all this junk was going on!

I experience new things all the time -- things to rejoice about, as a precious relationship is restored and renewed! Just this morning, Daddy and I started a Bible study together -- an important one, a special one. I told Daddy that I was wanting to, over time, go through the entire Bible (one book at a time, though not in any certain order) and take note of and write down the traits of a Godly woman. He thought that was a great idea! :) I asked him if he'd want to do it with me, and he was all for it -- and suggested that as we go through it, he would write down things that he observed as traits of a Godly man. This is a special blessing to me, and I treasure this study very much!

I was thinking of sharing these special observations with my blog readers as well! Would anybody be interested in keeping up with this?? :)

This morning we started with Ephesians chapter one, and it's amazing, and wonderful, how much we came up with in just the first chapter of Ephesians!

A Godly Woman (and most apply to a Godly Man as well :)...

• is faithful in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 1:1)
• wishes grace and peace on her brothers and sisters in Christ. (Ephesians 1:2)
• praises God the Father. (Ephesians 1:3)
• recognizes and lives in the fact that she has been blessed in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3)
• was chosen in Him to be holy and blameless in His sight before the creation of the world. (Ephesians 1:4)
• is redeemed and forgiven of her sins because of God's grace. (Ephesians 1:7)
• has been chosen and predestined according to God's perfect plan. (Ephesians 1:11)
• is marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 1:13)
• is God's posession. (Ephesians 1:14)
• has faith in the Lord Jesus, and love for all the saints. (Ephesians 1:15)
• gives thanks for her brothers and sisters in Christ, and remembers them in her prayers. (Ephesians 1:16)
• is persistent in asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ may give her brothers and sisters the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, that they may know Him better. (Ephesians 1:17)
• understands the hope to which He has called her, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe (Ephesians 1:18-19)
• knows the resurrection power is at work in her life. (Ephesians 1:20)

Amen! Thank you, Jesus!

My October...

...has been busy!

Dear Friends!

I have finally returned, once again! Maybe I'll try and work on being a more steady blogger -- what do ya'll say? :P

Life has been full and busy, and very much incredible! My heart is overflowing, and I praise the Lord for the work He is faithful to continue, and one day to complete, in our lives!

These last several months have been hard, but very exciting as well. Many blessings, as well as trials, have been coming my way. But when the trials come, the Lord is faithful to bring me through them, as He has done for His children throughout the centuries. He is bringing me through the Refiner's Fire, as He is all of His sons and daughters!

I was blessed to be able to spend 15 days with the Herrlinger family at the beginning of the month. The Lord used that time in a big way in my life, teaching me lessons, encouraging, inspiring, and strengthening me. The Herrlinger's are such an amazing family -- their love for the Lord, their strength and stamina, their heart for others -- it's a huge blessing! And no, they're no more perfect than any one of us :) And they are not ashamed to admit that fact, and that is what is so refreshing!
Love you muchly, you guys!!! (((hugs)))

Here are a few pictures from my visit with them :)

Hiking trip at beautiful Hoffmann Hills in Menomonie, WI.

Friends <3

Allison at a moment of great exuberance! :)

Coffee and a movie make the miles pass quickly (right, Annie?? :)

Making supper at the Metz's.

It tasted great -- after it was cooked!! :P

Learning how to milk goats. :)

...And experiencing the beauty of new life!

Jamming!! :)

Adventures...

More jamming :)

Walking to the back pasture on my last day with them...

And taking pictures of each other! :) (Miss you, Andrea!)

LOVE you guys! :D

Thanks so much for everything! :)

(Photo credits: Andrea Herrlinger, and Laurissa Herrlinger :)

Don't waste your life

Tribute to a hurting child

I see you, child, I look into your eyes, and I know the pain that those liquid depths hold...I feel your hurt, I feel your heart, and I can sense the passion that your soul haunts you with. I can relate. The unwarranted guilt, the mistrust of every being, the connection that you long to feel...

Hurt, hide, flee...

Child, if only you could know what your life could be if you could only let go...surrender...fall into His strong arms...

He is strong, He is loving, He is secure. But you're afraid of Him. Afraid of me. Afraid of yourself. These chains that haggle with your soul are thick and they are strong. Are you afraid to be without them?

Hurt, hide, flee...

Open your heart, sweet child...let even a small shaft of Light in, and then you will know...you cannot survive any longer without it. Open up. Listen. Understand. Love will hold you to the very end...

...and back.

--Noelle Mathison, September 2009

A Late Summer's Evening

I sit atop this mountain
Breathing in the grandeur
Away from the hassles of life
And the desolate heartache
That clouds my view

With a piece of wheatgrass in my mouth
And the sun's warm, tender embrace,
I am lost in dreams of time gone by
I am soothed
I am at peace

A gentle breeze teases with my hair
And far below, the wolves howl their misery
But I am at peace

I sit atop a Rock that is higher than I
And from the ends of the earth, I cry out to Him
I plant my feet in the firm crevices of His love
He Who is the Rock that has been cleft for me

My heart soars like an eagle and yet is strengthened
And at night, it is refreshed

The Father, in His love, gently holds my young dreams
And molds them to fit into His will
Perfectly
Perfectly
Peacefully

Soothe me, O Beautiful Rock.

~Noelle Mathison, 9/12/09

I have returned :)

Wow is all I can say.


Wow, I've been gone a long time. And wow, am I glad I was!


It's been an awesome "vacation". Everyone should take one once in a while. :) You get a new perspective, a new outlook...and a lot of exciting things can happen while you're gone, as was the case with me!


The Lord has used this sabbatical to "prune" my spiritual life, so to speak. He is constantly breaking the old "us" and making us into something more beautiful, isn't He?? Preparing us to be used to His glory. Making us into vessels fit for the Master's use! Amen! Thank You, Lord!


At any rate, I'll be writing a longer post in the near future -- but for now, while I'm getting my thoughts together :), I wanted to leave you all with a link -- my Mom and I's homeschool-book store! We had a huge load of books given to us by our friends at Keepers of the Faith. We are blessed to be neighbors up here in the beautiful Northwoods, where we get so much of our inspiration for photography!

So, if you're interested in taking a look at all kinds of books and videos all for $3/piece -- click here! They are all so wonderful!

At any rate, hope you all had a great summer, and are having a wonderful early fall! :)


More to come soon! Stay tuned! :)

Taking a sabbatical...

Hello Friends,

I know it's already been an incredibly long time since I've posted, but I'm going to have to tell you it'll be at least another 30 days before I post again...the Lord has laid on my heart to take a 30-day internet "vacation". While it's going to be somewhat difficult for me, I believe it'll bear good fruit. The Lord has been doing so much in my heart lately, and I believe that this is going to be just another step toward fullness in Christ!

In the meantime, keep the faith, brothers and sisters!

Many, many blessings to you!

~Noelle

A beautiful reminder (and don't forget to scroll to the bottom of the page and turn off the music before watching this :)

Encourage one another daily...

No distractions

No matter how big or how small, there are things in everybody's life -- including mine -- that dwell on the sidelines of our devotion...screaming, waving their arms, jumping up and down...vying furiously for your attention.

As they say, the Lord is a Gentleman (THE perfect One :), and He doesn't rip things out of your mind and heart that are, to one degree or another in an unhealthy way, dear to you. BUT -- He loves us too much to leave us the way we are.

He also doesn't work against our will. Often, the reason that things in our lives, that we are anxious to have worked out in our minds and hearts, take so long is this: because no matter how much we think we're ready to give up and give all to the Lord, no matter how much we think we're ready to submit, surrender, yield to the workings of His glory -- we are still stubborn, prideful, and rebellious in nature (thanks Adam and Eve! :P). And so even if we'd like to think we've given up and given all to God, it usually takes a lot longer than we think.

But God knows what He's doing, and in His Mercy, He works things out in our lives, always in different ways, that He knows is going to bring us to a point where we're ready to give Him all the glory and all our lives. Our hearts -- our affections...everything. He wants it all. He doesn't want half-hearted, wimpy Christianity, or folks that are Christians on Sundays, and "regular people" the rest of the week. No -- He wants all of us, all the time. And if we're truly "in it" (our lives) for Him, He gives us the desire for Him -- all of Him, all the time.

So that's a huge lesson I've been learning lately -- one that, in this case, is taking a lot of pain and tears.

Come quickly, Lord Jesus!

No comment :)

Healthy, devoted relationships

Hello Friends,

This is an excerpt from a booklet put out by "A Church in Indianapolis". We love these folks and have talked with certain members of the "church", a little bit, on and off throughout the years. They have put out many excellent books/booklets, teaching tapes, and music CDs. And much more -- click here to explore their website (and please take the time to watch the slideshow on the front page!)!

I know this is a somewhat long 'excerpt', but it'll really only take a couple minutes to read. I beseech you to read it! It's so powerful, so inspirational...and convicting. If you care about your relationship with God and with others, and are striving to live your life in the way that God has called you, as His child, to live...you'll find this very intriguing. :)

Blessings to you! I pray you read this with an open mind!

~Noelle

Lord Jesus, You're our Teacher and our Pattern. It is our prayer as we're gathered around You that the seeds of Your Word about devotion to one another would clarify our hearts and our minds and our actions. Our desire is that all
of Your Work be done Your Way, in peace and in love and humility, with diligence but with all the sensitivity You had. We want to follow after You in the Way that You functioned in raising up men. Please help us. We trust You that You
will. You have not left us without a shepherd, but You are our Shepherd and our Teacher. We're glad that we don't have to shoulder the burden of understanding exactly how everything needs to be. Instead, we can follow the Lamb wherever He
goes. We will follow You, Jesus. You'll help us. Please let Your Word increase and reign in our hearts and in our minds. Teach us how to submit to You, Your Spirit, and Your eternal, immutable Word. Amen.

Birth Pains for Each Other

Paul said to the Galatian Christians, "I'm in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you." And to the Colossians he said, "I want to fill up in my own flesh the afflictions of Christ as it relates to you, the church, His body." That's passion! He also said that he was "wrestling to present every man perfect in Christ."

That kind of commitment requires more than a dipsy-doodle life of sitting in a chair, singing choruses, and then just waiting until the next meeting is called. Shame on you if your life doesn't consist of anything more than that! You're making a serious mistake. Unfortunately, that mistake has been made for generations on all six inhabitable continents in the Name of Christ. But it is unbiblical and wrong, so I want to encourage you to snap that habit! Pursue making a difference in people's lives in a real way.

Every last person who reads these words is a priest of God, if he or she is truly a believer. And that calling doesn't have to do with chiming in during a meeting every so often -- that's not what a priest is. A priest, as the Bible defines the term, is a servant of God with the assignment of bringing God to man and man to God. That responsibility doesn't mean you are going to save anybody! "There is one mediator between God and man, Jesus." I don't mean that anybody can ever be Jesus for someone else. But you can do what Paul did: wrestle to present everyone perfect in Christ. Like him, you can be in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in people who are already believers. You can say with him, "I'm in the pains of childbirth until the Anointed One is formed in you -- until you are brought into the image and the fullness and grace and freedom of the Son of God. I cannot leave it alone! I'm dying a thousand deaths until I see true Life in you."

Now if you picture yourself solely on the receiving end of that statement, you are making a mistake. It's not that everyone else should be in the pains of childbirth for you. If that's how you are thinking, then you are walking in the Old Covenant instead of the New. In the Old Covenant you had a core group of mediators out there someplace -- a collection of prophets, priests, and kings -- and you basically sat around
and let them serve you. But that's not the way it is in God's New Covenant, where He is building a kingdom of priests (1 Peter 2:4-10, Revelation 1:6). Active participation in that priesthood is God's intent for you.

You'll never know what it means to be free in your own life unless you devote yourself to helping other people know God better. You'll never even know what it means to abide in Christ if you don't live for that purpose. Really, if you think you have a relationship with God and you're not living to bring others
closer to Him, that you are self-deceived. On the authority of the Word of God, you don't really have a relationship with Him if you don't have the heart for others that Jesus had.

As Jesus Himself put it, "If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, you will bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." A life of devotion to God's work in the world around you is the fruit and the overflow of abiding in Christ. You're not truly remaining in Him if deep down inside your heart isn't stirring towards that end. You're missing the heart of God in a serious way if you don't genuinely
care for others. Your prayer time isn't directed entirely to the God of the Bible! You might spend a lot of time praying, but according to Jesus, abiding in the God of the Bible will yield a clear result: having a heart for serving others and bringing them higher into His ways. That's "bearing much fruit to the Father's glory -- fruit that will last."

So, to sum up: having that passionate heart, caring deeply for others, and being involved in their lives means taking risks. We dare not sit back, thinking we're to be the one on the receiving end of that kind of passion. We must thrust forward
in faith and in humility -- and it does take both. Trusting God and laying down our lives for other people is a rare thing, but it's inseparable from biblical Christianity.


The book of Acts says that the early Christians went everywhere "gossiping" the Word of God. The Greek word for
"speaking" there is literally "gossiping." Sharing God's Word and His love was their heart and passion. They lived for it. So reject the idea that you can sit in your home with a scripture verse hung over your toaster and a plaque on your front door, have a great prayer time in the morning, listen to praise and
worship songs all day, and show up at a meeting every now and then, and that's what Christianity is all about. Frankly, you haven't had a great prayer time if it doesn't result in a passionate heart to heal the wounds of the broken hearted and to loose the chains of those in bondage to
sin. That is the heart of Jesus of Nazareth, and that is your heart if you are connected to the Head. It's automatic.

So really stretch yourself. Search deeply within to root out anything that would hinder that kind of heart. Crucify the fear and the selfishness and the lifestyle expectations and the busyness that the world and satan would want to impose on you. Reject any self-righteousness or laziness that would stand in the way. Get rid of all the excuses. Begin by "'fessing up." Then get rid of all the excuses in your life that would keep you from really being about the Father's business.

Jesus actually lives inside of you if you are really born from above, and His heart is consumed by zeal for the Father's house. It's a consuming fire -- not a religious, glassy-eyed stare into the heavens every morning followed by a few pious statements at a meeting,
offering some platitude or trite religious wisdom. Instead, lay down your life and make a difference, even in unglamorous ways. That's just basic
Christianity.

We really have to be about our Father's business,
for real, in our own lives, personally -- not just as part of some group. We're not talking about a group; we're talking about your personal life. Don't hide behind "I'm a mother" or "I'm this" or "I'm that, and so it won't work for me." All those excuses have been tried. But in the end, it is only the Jesus who lives inside of you being released that threatens satan to no end. Let me encourage you to be that kind of person, by God's grace. With a heart that is open to Him, to let go of everything that stands in your way.

Panny Joy & Olivia Lise

Aliveness is addictive

"Why choose God's dangerous journey into grace? In a word, the reason is life. God invites us into pain because loving always costs us pain. He offers us danger, because fighting evil is never safe. He promises us persecution because God's people -- including His beloved Son -- have always been misunderstood and opposed. Resting in Jesus is infinitely harder than accomplishing our own agendas. Trusting grace feels more demeaning than earning our Salvation. Coming alive to hope is more painful and cruel than being dead to our emotions. But it is life. And once we've tasted being alive, we can't go back to being dead. Aliveness in God is addictive." --Nancy Groom

Walnuts and Brain Power -- a must-read!

Most nuts and seeds, in their raw state, are excellent whole foods that literally contain "the stuff of life." Raw, organic walnuts have many health benefits. One of the major nutritional characteristics of the walnut is its ability to nourish and support brain and nervous system function. Walnuts are also composed of a slew of other phytonutrients that boost the health of the entire body, and act as excellent disease prevention measures to boot (if we are smart enough to eat them. Tip: eat more walnuts!).

The walnut, fruit of the walnut tree, has been valued for thousands of years for both its delicious, nutty flavor and for its medicinal value. The walnut tree has been highly esteemed in many cultures. It is a beautiful tree, often prized for ornamental usage, with a life span that can last several hundred years. Three main varieties exist: the English walnut (originally from the Indian continent), and the black and white walnuts, native to North America. Most commercially grown walnuts (in the U.S.) are white walnuts (sometimes called "butternut"), but the black walnut is a special treat known for its strong rich taste.

Traditional peoples enjoyed walnuts and instinctively knew that among its many other uses, the walnut was a great source of "brain food." Today we have the scientific understanding as to why this is true. However, it is very interesting how closely the walnut resembles the human brain. The wrinkly shell definitely looks like a brain, and the meat inside is split into two "lobes," just like the brain. Possibly our Creator used this design to give us a hint, and apparently more primitive cultures picked up on this.

Why Are Walnuts So Good For the Brain?

The main reason is the walnut's high content of omega-3 fatty acids. These types of fats are necessary for many functions in the body, but are particularly critical for proper brain and nervous system performance. Researchers have discovered that the membranes of all of our cells, including the brain, are composed primarily of fats -- omega-3, omega-6, and others. Omega-3 fats optimize brain function at the cellular level because they create an atmosphere that makes neurons and other nervous system cells react more effectively due to health elastic membranes that allow nutrients to enter and wastes to be eliminated most efficiently. Brain cells exposed to adequate amounts of omega-3 are also able to receive and transmit electrical signals to and from the nervous system better, thus the increase in brain function. Our brains are a very fatty organ, being made up of about 60% fats. Most Americans who eat a typical high-fat (high in the wrong kinds of fat) diet have too much omega-6 and way too little omega-3. In fact, one recent study found that 20% of the participants had so little omega-3 in their systems that it didn't even register in blood tests.

How Can Walnuts Help the Brain?

Deficiency in omega-3 fatty acids has been linked to a myriad of cognitive problems in both children and adults including:

-ADHD
-Hyperactivity
-Depression
-Learning disabilities
-Memory loss
-Sleep disorders
-Poor problem-solving skills

An interesting body of evidence has also been assembled that shows eating walnuts can be of great help to prevent and treat Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia in the elderly. In addition to the omega-3's, walnuts are also rich in many antioxidants that help to prevent and repair brain damage due to free-radicals. Walnuts truly are an excellent food source to boost your mood, clear your mind, and help it to perform at its best. They can also help avoid cognitive dysfunction as we age.

How to Choose Quality Walnuts

Like most nuts, walnuts are easily prone to rancidity if they are not fresh and properly stored. Be sure to use raw, organically-grown nuts that have been stored in a cool, dry place that is protected from light. Fresh walnuts in the shell are best, but shelled ones are OK if they have been well-cared for. Shells should not be cracked or stained (a sign of mold), and the nutmeat should be crunchy, not wrinkled or rubbery.Whether it be eating them by the handful or incorporating them into your favorite recipes, raw walnuts are an excellent whole-food addition to your diet. They come highly-recommended from some of the "smartest" people in the world!

--My Dad, Tom Mathison :)

Reminder...

Hi Friends!

Don't forget about the giveaway going on right now! The drawing will be this Wednesday -- only 3 days left as of now. Don't miss the opportunity to read this book that will change your life, and the lives of many others through you! I believe this is a book that every Christian should be reading. It's revolutionizing!



I have 3 books to give away, and 3 of my commentors will be randomly chosen this Wednesday to get a copy of this wonderful book.

Blessings to you all, and have a beautiful Lord's Day!

~Noelle

P.S. If you would like to enter in this giveaway, you can either leave me a comment here, or on the original post. :)

Photo credit: Jupiterimages.com

Happy Birthday Mommy! :)

MOM! I LOVE you! :) I am so incredibly blessed to have you as my Momma'...I have learned so very much from you -- I don't think you can even imagine!

"A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies....She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue....Her chidren arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.' Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."

The Lord is doing so much in our lives right now, and I am so excited as to what He has done so far, and what I know He's going to do in the future -- in ALL of our lives!

Mom, one thing I'll always think of when I think of you are your favorite Scriptures...which are high on my favorite's list too! Here are just a few of them:

"In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength." (Isaiah 30:15b)

"If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?" (Jeremiah 12:5)

"Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him." (Psalm 126:5-6)

"Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain." (Psalm 127:1)

"'Even now,' declares the Lord, 'return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.' Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. Who knows? He may turn and have pity and leave behind a blessing -- grain offerings and drink offerings for the Lord your God." (Joel 2:12-14)

"I will restore the years the locusts have eaten..." (Joel 2:25)

"...To bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair." (Isaiah 61:3)

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)

Mom, these Scriptures have always spoken to me in a huge way, too. These are a few of the commonly-quoted Scriptures I grew up with, and I have grown to love them, and take enormous comfort in them! I have always loved reading your Bible, because half of it is marked up -- and what is marked up is usually what speaks to me the most, too ;)

Mom, I love you so much and I am so blessed to be your daughter.

I hope you have a great rest of the day, and a wonderful year ahead!

Love ya!~

~Noelle

~~~

Years are lost on the wind, like stray embers from a fire

Remnants of smoke give testament to a love that never tires.

A million memories light up the road that she has traveled,

Along with faded snapshots of a woman, once a child.

Everyday she adds pages to the life she's made her own

An endless quilt of patches, tattered and then re-sewn.

Life has no perfect number, to which we can assign,

A moment or an afternoon that makes an entire life.

It's a brief slideshow of pictures forgotten and then replayed

Like the first time she read the Bible, or knelt down to pray

There's the day that she let her childhood slip into the past,

Beautiful in white—she gave her hand to a love that still lasts.

She watched her son's first at bat, her daughter's first ballet,

I envision the first tear she cried over dreams that never came.

Her laugh is louder and stronger, every day she truly gives,

Which adds depth and color to the quality of life she lives.

Fifty diamonds sparkle, each gem a cornerstone to shine,

Building blocks that create a window through passing time.

Embrace the moments that made you who you are today,

Because, dear friend, I wouldn't want a mother any other way.

--Megan Marie Munroe

Random sweetness

TOO CUTE not to share :)

Part two of an important question...and a special giveaway for my special blog readers!

Hey there, all!

I'm back again, with part 2 of yesterday's post. :)

The Lord has been doing such an incredible, beautiful, exciting work in my heart lately, and I am so invigorated. I feel physically charged with a strange sense of "spiritual electricity"! :) I feel like the Lord is preparing me for something...and by His grace, I'm willing to go to the ends of the earth with my Savior..."wherever He leads me, I will follow". And I have a strange feeling that He is going to take me up on that "offer". I'm ready, Lord!

All of us, that have repented of our sin and surrendered our lives to Father, that have been born again, washed, refreshed, wiped clean, beautified with the Master's touch, are a part of the incredible Body of Christ. He is the head, and we are each a part and play a special role in the interworkings of the Christian life. We are not our own; we have been bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

"Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be
ignorant.....There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are
different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of
working, but the same God works in all of them in all men. Now to each one the
manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given
through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by
means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts
of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another
prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in
different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.
All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each
one, just as he determines. The body is a unit, although it is made up of many
parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with
Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body -- whether Jews or
Greeks, slaves or free -- and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Now the
body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, 'Because I
am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,' it would not for that
reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, 'Because I am
not an eye, I do not belong to the body,' it would not for that reason cease to
be part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of
hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?
But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as
he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it
is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I don't
need you!' And the head cannot say to the feet, 'I don't need
you!'.....But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater
honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the
body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part
suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices
with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. "
(1 Corinthians 12:1-27)

So is that clear enough, or what?

We are ALL a part of the body of Christ, and we each have responsibilities. Why, then, are so many of us bent over in complacency, bored with our Christian lives, dull and insensitive to the Spirit's leading and conviction, and ignorant to our calling, and to Spiritual Warfare? Christians, we need to get up! To open our eyes! We are asleep in the light. What does the Lord have to do to get our attention? He has given us a detailed manual for our entire lives, and we ignore it, leaving it to sit upon the shelf to gather dust!
People are dying, and so many of us sit in the midst of the battlefield, relaxing, doing nothing. I have been SO guilty of this, and the Lord is convicting me so intensely of this sin -- and the cool thing is that AS He's convicting me, He's also inspiring me. He doesn't just leave me feeling bad about what I haven't done -- He equips me for the future! That is so like Him, and this is what He promises! :)

Friends, we need to READ our Bibles, ask the Lord to SHOW us what we're doing, and OBEY His leading!

We all struggle, we all fail. We all mess up. The Lord knows that. But the Lord has thrown your sins into the depth of the seas, and fishing is not allowed. It's time to get over the past, get up off of our knees (or our pillows, if that's the case) and MOVE ON! Upward and onward, and the LORD will hem us in, from behind and before. And He will bless our obedience. That is His promise. That is His solemn Word.

By the way, as an aside...did you know that not too long ago, a certain crusade obtained
380,000 decisions for Christ, but later found only 14,000 in fellowship? That means that they couldn't account for 366,000 decisions for Christ. They concluded that it was a lack of follow-up that resulted in this massive fall-away rate.

Lack of follow-up? Really?

Yeah, maybe in part. But supposedly, 14,000 of those people did find a Biblically sound
church to become a part of. So what about the other 366,000 people? They couldn't find a church? That doesn't really seem to make sense. If the smaller group could, you'd think these people would too.

Could it be something else, other than a "lack of follow-up"? (Besides, how are you
supposed to follow up on 380,000 people anyway??)

I would like to introduce you, ladies and gentlemen, to The Way of the Master ministries.
(Also known as Living Waters.) I would like to go more into this in another post, but for now, suffice it to say, I am hosting a giveaway on my blog...Ray Comfort & Kirk Cameron's life-changing, earth-shaking, blow-your-mind radical book -- Revival's Golden Key.

Leave me a comment on this post (it's ok if you've never commented before), and out of all my commentors, three will be randomly chosen to get a free copy of this excellent book.

Believe me. This will change your life. It did mine -- forever. I give this book a 10,000
star rating. :)

THE DRAWING WILL BE WEDNESDAY, MAY 20th, so if you want to have a chance of
winning this book, leave a comment on this post!

Blessings to all of you, and may you have a beautiful day! This is the day that the Lord has made; we will be GLAD, and REJOICE in it!

Right?! :)

Part one of an important question...

So. Friends.

I have an important question for you.

First off, I am aware that "tonight" has come and gone. :) Sorry about that...things just get really hectic sometimes!

So, my question.

How many of us have more than one (sometimes a lot more than one) unBelievers in our families?

And I'm not talking brothers and sisters, parents, grandparents, etc. I'm talking each and every one of our immediate and distant relatives.

I, for one, have very few family members that have repented of and turned away from their sins, and trusted Jesus Christ with their entire lives. This grives me deeply, and I'm praying for opportunities to speak to my family, to let them know what's up, and where they're heading. Even my own brother and sister are not Believers -- and this makes me extremely sad. I hurt for them, and I so desire to have my brother and sister as my Brother and Sister in Christ, which means so much more than the fact that we are blood relatives. Do you agree?

Okay, so a lot of us have family members that aren't Believers. Let's go a little further. How many of us have friends that aren't Believers? (I trust that those of us that are truly walking in Holiness with the Father obey His command in Scripture to (granted, this is a paraphrase) not be "buddy-buddy" with those who are not born again, and so I speak of friends as...oh...neighbors; those of us in small towns (like me) who are "friends" with cashiers in the grocery stores, fast-food restaurants, our doctors, etc.; these kinds of people.) How many of us know people, people that we see very often (maybe even every day), that are not realizing the path they're heading down, and don't see that their sin is, according to Romans 7:13, "exceeding sinful". How many?

Did you know that statistics prove that their are 150,000 people whose spirits depart from this world every 24 hours? That's one hundred and fifty thousand people. And the majority of that 150,000 every day is entering hell. Matthew 7:13-14 says (emphasis added), "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

Okay, let's get radical. Not that it should be radical, but unfortunately, for many in the contemporary Christianity scene, it is.
How about your enemies?
How long will it be before one of your enemies' souls "enters the road to destruction", as thousands upon thousands of people do every day? Do you want their blood on your hands, because you were too stubborn, proud, afraid, angry (whatever your excuse is) to forgive them, when you've been forgiven so much, to let them know where they're heading?

Ok. One step further. What about all the people you don't know, in the very least, but that you pass by in the streets, the stores, come across on the internet, talk to on the phone, etc., every single day? What about them?

We take seriously the commandment in Exodus chapter 20, verse 13, that says, "You shall not murder." But we justify our sin of ignoring His command in Mark 16:15, where He says, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation."

My question is, how can we, how DO we, obey one command in Scripture and ignore the other, or if not ignore it, justify our lack of obedience with lame excuses like, "I'm too afraid to share my faith" or "I'm too afraid of 'rejection'" or "I don't want to be pushy" or "I don't feel ready" or "I'm afraid I'll say something wrong and drive them away"? How can we do it?

• "I'm too afraid to share my faith" -- Well, the Lord has two things to say about that. First off, He says in Matthew 10:32-33, "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven." And to go hand-in-hand with that command, He gives a solemn promise in Isaiah 41:10: "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." So the Lord blew the cover on that excuse, didn't He?! :)
• "I'm too afraid of 'rejection'" -- The Lord says in Matthew chapter five, verse ten (emphasis added), "BLESSED are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Amen?!
• "I don't want to be pushy" -- Again, the answer -- and the problem with your excuse -- is in the living and active Word of the Lord. "You are the salt of the earth...You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:13-16)
• "I don't feel ready" -- "'For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; for I will help you. Do not be afraid, O worm Jacob, O little Israel, for I myself will help you,' declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel." (Isaiah 41:13-14)
• "I'm afraid I'll say something wrong and drive them away" -- "'Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.'" (Exodus 4:11-12)

And the exciting, amazing thought is that there are SO many more promises, just like this, in the Word of God.

Let me leave you with this beautiful thought -- and stay tuned for part two of this post!

"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." (Zephaniah 3:17)

For me, this is enough! :)

New post(s)...

...coming tonight, friends! :)

The driving power

"God has appointed a Day in which He will judge the world, and we sigh and cry until it shall end the reign of wickedness, and give rest to the oppressed. Brethren, we must preach the coming of the Lord, and preach it somwhat more than we have done; because it is the driving power of the
gospel. Too many have kept back these truths, and thus the bone has been taken out of the arm of the gospel. Its point has been broken; its edge has been blunted. The doctrine of judgment to come is the power by which men are to
be aroused. There is another life; the Lord will come a second time; judgment will arrive; the wrath of God will be revealed. Where this is not preached, I am bold to say the gospel is not preached. It is absolutely necessary to the preaching of the gospel of Christ that men be warned as to what will happen if they continue in their sins.
"Ho, ho sir surgeon, you are too delicate to tell the man
he is ill! You hope to heal the sick without their knowing it. You therefore flatter them; and what happens? They laugh at you; they dance upon their own graves. At last they die! Your delicacy is cruelty; your flatteries are poisons; you are a murderer. Shall we keep men in a fool's paradise?
Shall we lull them into soft slumbers from which they will awake in hell? Are we to become helpers of the their damnation by our smooth speeches?
"In the name of God, we will not."

--Charles Spurgeon

(Photo credit: JupiterImages.org)

A soft conscience

This was so convicting, and so good, and so true, I just had to share it with you all.

May we all be inspired to live by these principles each and every day!

How to Keep Your Conscience Soft

(from the article "A Seared Conscience" by Charles Finney)

1. Embrace reason. Listen to and love wisdom and light. Move towards and lean into correction.
2. Quickly turn from anything that you get a "prick in your heart" about.
3. Keep the promises you make to God.
4. Examine and notice the quality of your speech and actions. "Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks." and "A tree is known by its fruit."
5. Do not indulge in known sin.
6. Do not make hypocritical professions of love and friendship. Don't do things just because they are "socially polite".
7. Love the truth even if and when it isn't comfortable or "flattering" to your ego.
8. Do not be self-indulgent.
9. Keep your heart a beautiful place. Avoid, at all cost: pride, vanity, jealousy, ambition.
10. Always let your words be encouraging and helpful to others. Build others up.
11. Don't make excuses for sin.
12. Be quick to do your duty.
13. Always side with the truth. Do not defend error.
14. Be quick to recognize and remove the plank in your own eye, and then help your brother if needed.
15. Reprove and correct those who are in sin. Don't let "things" go.
16. Love correction yourself.
17. Honor God in your speech and actions.
18. Embrace the Holy Spirit and His direction. Lean into, warm up to it, to HIM.
19. Desire to be holy in all areas of your life and find ways to sow the Spirit in every area.
20. Keep things plain and simple when you talk.
21. Be honest in everything.
22. Do good to all men. Be thankful for everything people do for you, and look for ways to bless them.

(Photo credit: JupiterImages.org)

To all of my blog readers...

"May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the
God of Jacob protect you.

May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from
Zion.

May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans
succeed.

We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our
banners in the name of our God.

May the Lord grant all your requests.

Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he answers him from
his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand.

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name
of the Lord our God.

They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm."

(Psalm 20:1-2,4-8)

(photo credit: JupiterImages.org)

Life is so short

Me and my Aunt Sally. Boy, did I love my Aunt Sally. As you can see, the bonding began early :)

My Aunt Sally passed away about six months ago, when she was only 66 years old. It came as quite a shock, and I was pretty much devastated when I heard the news. We weren't expecting her to die so soon. I mean, we knew she wasn't all that healthy, but I didn't think she was that bad off.

Now it's too late.

Too late to tell her I love her one last time. Too late to thank her for the care she showed to me through the years. Too late to give her one last hug.

And too late to make sure she knew where she was going.

We had all told her about the Lord many times; I remember once, when I was still pretty young (about 9, I would say), we were at the wake of...ummm...I think she was my great aunt? Or great great aunt? I'm not sure. But anyway, I hardly knew her, so that's why I don't exactly remember! :S But at any rate, we were there, and so was Aunt Sally. We both wanted to take a breather, so we went outside and sat on the front porch swing of the funeral home. She began asking questions, and we both sat and talked for a good hour or so, as I shared with her, in simple, childlike words, my faith and the faith that could be hers, too. I believe a seed was really planted that day, and I can only hope that she heard and received the Word of the Lord.

We talked to her a few more times in the years that passed between that day and the day she died, but we didn't have many opportunities to see her. I wrote her letters every now and then, and we did our best.

But one day, about a month before she died, I suddenly had a feeling I should write to her, giving her the Lord's Good News once again. I just had a strange feeling that I should.

And, I'm very ashamed to say, I ignored that feeling.

I wish I hadn't. So badly. I'm ashamed of it, I've cried over it, and I've repented of it. And I know I'm forgiven; but it still hurts.

So the day we got the phone call from my Grandma, telling us that she had died, I was heartbroken. I sobbed from the bottom of my heart; shedding tears for what may have been, and what I had ignored. And hoping that she still heard and received the Lord before it was too late.

Looking at this picture of me and my Aunt Sally today brings back a flood of memories. Good ones, and not-so-good ones. Happy laughter with her, and the realization that she wasn't doing so well, and probably wouldn't live to see my children, young as she was.

And I ask this question of you, my dear reader: What have you done today to influence the heavenly Kingdom of the Father? Honestly. I know that sounds cliche, but be honest with yourself.

At any minute of any day, any family member or friend (or even enemy, folks) could slip away into hell, to be tormented and separated from God forever and ever. Hell never ends; there is no dying, no relief. And that is all anyone has to look forward to in the second life, if they don't realize the path they're heading down and repent, accepting the gift the Lord has graciously offered to them. Jesus didn't die for our sins to earn some kind of brownie points with His Father. He didn't have to do what He did. There was nobody, nothing forcing Him to do it. There were no personal benefits to be gained with that choice. There was nothing.

He chose do die for us. Because He chose to obey His Father, Who was His Life and His very fulfillment.

And, because He loved us.

Now that is the punch-line. Because He loved us. And mind you, we didn't love Him first.

His only reason for being tortured in our place was L-O-V-E. And that is love to the ultimate.

But it didn't stop there. He was raised from the dead, and is now seated in heaven at the Right Hand of the Father, interceding on our behalf. His love didn't stop at Calvary. No, it continues on just as strong, just as sure, just as full, and just as beautiful, today. His love never changes, it never fails, it never runs out. However, if we want to accept His gift and take part in a beautiful, divine relationship with Him, He expects us to do our part, too. But even there, He doesn't want us to do it ourselves. He wants to be our lifeline; our shield; the Horn of our Salvation. Our rock; our fortress; our deliverer. He says that no temptation has befallen us except that which is common to man; and even Jesus Himself was tempted with everything you have been tempted with. Only He did not sin, and He wants to be there, right at our side, to enable us to do the same. Inevitably, we will fall at times. But that's only because our stubborn, rebellious wills will not always accept His help, and will charge right into sin anyway, like it or not. But even then, His love never fails. His love is unconditional, and He promises that if we repent of, and confess, our sins, He is faithful and just, to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness. That's a promise, and He also promises never to break His promises.

So my question is, how can we, having accepted the gift He's given to us, thank Him occasionally, then go on with our busy lives and not spreading the word? Don't you think that if someone pulled up in their driveway to find a brand-new, sparkling Mercedes in their driveway with an offer to give a brand-new, sparkling Mercedes to all your friends, family (and even your enemies), if they wanted it, you would be telling them about it, and with great gusto?

So why do we find it so hard to spread the word about something even better than a brand-new, sparkling Mercedes?

That's my question.

And that's my challenge.

To myself -- and to you.

Are you amazed?

Happy Resurrection Day, dear friends of mine!

Sugar and spice and everything nice...

...that's what little nieces are made of.

Stormy hearts

Have any of you ever heard of The O'Neill Brothers?

As I type, I listen to the soulful strokes of the piano keys...such beauty that is drawn out from the huge box of wood and ivory! :) I am a huge fan of piano music. However, I'm not necessarily into 'classical' music. I prefer the spontaneous, beautiful, passionate tunes that express one's heart, not one's knowlege of rhythym and the theory of music. Not that rhythym and music theory are less beautiful; they're simply not my style. I like the stuff that keeps you guessing, if you know what I mean. You never know what will come out of the instrument next. :)

But, back to my original point...The O'Neill Brothers are two (somewhat young) brothers who have produced many albums of beautiful, passionate music -- for every occasion, preference, and time. They have everything from lullabies, beautiful wedding/reception pieces, heartfelt funeral pieces, hymns, instrumental 'oldies', Holiday music, love songs -- you name it! They even have an album with fitting pieces for summer, winter, spring, and fall. I love the summer album. :) There is one particular song that I adore. It's called Stormy Weather. So full of passion, sorrow, joy, ecstasy, and pain at the same time. Sound strange? Well, it is rather hard to explain. In a small way, it seems to cover all the moments in life. The reminiscent ponderings, the joyous moments when you're ready to scream you're so happy you're alive; the tears that come from deep, deep inside you, and the incredible sorrows that life sometimes, inevitably, brings one's way.

I relate to this song, especially at this time in my life. It seems that around every corner, there are extremes that jump out at me. Reminiscent ponderings -- yes, very much. Joyous moments? Yes! Tears and sorrow, Yes, yes. Each of these have been flooding my heart as of late.

Sometimes it's just a gentle drizzle of rain. Now don't even try to tell me that sometimes, when it's been raining for what seems like a month, and sunshine hasn't showed its face in what seems forever, it isn't easy to end up feeling a little glum. And such is life.
And then there is the joy of several fingers of sunlight reaching through the clouds, making the rain seem like diamonds falling from the cloudy skies.
And then comes the rainbow. Promise. Hope. Relief floods you, as you realize the rain truly may not go on forever!
And then there are the real storms, when the blasts of thunder shiver through your entire body. Lightning rips through the sky, slashing the blackness in two. The hair on the back of your neck stands up as electrons shimmie through the atmosphere. The winds whip and race and cackle through the trees, and you shiver as you try to sleep through the blackness of the night.
Suddenly the light falls across your face as a warm hand on your forehead. You slowly open your eyes and realize that the storm is over, and morning has come. You throw the window open and take in the fresh, clean breeze. The earth is refreshed, washed of the dust and heat. You step outside into the cool, damp grass and feel the warm, damp, clean earth beneath your feet. You run to the sunrise and spread your arms out. Throwing your head back, you laugh.

The storm will always be there. The rain, the wind, lightning, thunder -- all of it. The fear, passion and anger of the fury brewing charge you with volatile emotions. And then it's all over, and you are reminded once again that God is there with you, even in the midst of the storms.

And eventually, after you've been through enough storms, the fear and volatile feelings melt away and you remember that no matter what happens, God is always there, and He knows what has happened, what is happening -- and best of all, what will happen. But the trust doesn't always develop fully till you've seen enough storms, and seen the outcome.

"For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with deep compassion I will
bring
you back. In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment, but
with
everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you," says the Lord your
Redeemer. "To me this is like the days of Noah, when I swore that the waters
of
Noah would never again cover the earth. So now I have sworn not to be
angry with
you, never to rebuke you again. Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be
removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of
peace be removed," says the Lord, who has compassion on
you. "O afflicted city,
lashed by storms and not comforted, I will build you
with stones of turquoise,
your foundations with sapphires. I will make your
battlements of rubies, your
gates of sparkling jewels, and all your walls of
precious stones. All your sons
will be taught by the Lord, and great will be
your children's peace. In
righteousness you will be established: Tyranny
will be far from you; you will
have nothing to fear. Terror will be far
removed; it will not come near you. If
anyone does attack you, it will not
be my doing; whoever attacks you will
surrender to you. See, it is I who
created the blacksmith who fans the coals
into flame and forges a weapon fit
for its work. And it is I who have created
the destroyer to work havoc; no
weapon forged against you will prevail, and you
will refute every tongue
that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants
of the Lord, and this
is their vindication from me," declares the Lord. "Come,
all you who are
thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come,
buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend
money on
what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen,
listen
to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of
fare. Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live. I will make
an
everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. See, I
have made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander of the
peoples.
Surely you will summon nations you know not, and nations that do
not know you
will hasten to you, because of the Lord your God, the Holy One
of Israel, for he
has endowed you with splendor." Seek the Lord while he may
be found; call on him
while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and
the evil man his thoughts.
Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy
on him, and to our God, for he
will freely pardon. For my thoughts are not
your thoughts, neither are your ways
my ways," declares the Lord. "As the
heavens are higher than the earth, so are
my ways higher than your ways and
my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain
and the snow come down from
heaven, and do not return to it without watering the
earth and making it bud
and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and
bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not
return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose
for which I sent
it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the
mountains and
hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the
field will
clap their hands. Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree,
and
instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord's renown,
for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed." (Isaiah
54:7-55:13)