One Thing Every Day

I raise my eyes toward the mountains.
Where will my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth. Ps. 121:1-2



I heard a quote this morning that was attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt:
"Do one thing every day that scares you."
Does that statement give you the shivers like it does me? What a prescription for living life fully, out from under the jailer named 'Fear.'

A few people asked me why I was going skiing again after 23 years, and at the age of 55. I might answer the question with, "Because I am scared, but really want to do it again, and am not going to let fear stop me." Believe me, at the top of the mountain facing 3.5 miles to the bottom, I was scared and excited. When I made it to the bottom without a fall, I was on cloud 9.

Here is a partial list of things I've done in my life that scared me, but am grateful God provided courage for walking them out:

~getting married
~having children
~raising children
~finding a way to go to college
~getting jobs
~taking steps to follow my dreams
~getting out of unhealthy relationships
~being present in good ones
~staying with a person when they were dying
~going to the doctor or dentist
~having surgeries
~having blood drawn
~setting boundaries
~holding boundaries
~going on hot air balloon ride (twice!)
~sliding down a mountain on two sticks =(-:
~going to Paris all by myself
~learning how to do new things on the computer
~believing God
~walking out my faith, telling people about Jesus

He did not give us a spirit of fear but of power and love and a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7

Freedom

We were driving through the Ft. Worth Nature Center recently when we saw this huge bird perched in a limb hanging over the road. As we got closer, he effortlessly lifted off the branch and seemed to be suspended in the air. He had caught the currents, and barely moved left or right for what seemed like a very long time. Usually, catching a wingspan of a larger bird is not an easy task. But in this case, his lack of motion as he hovered above us gave me opportunity to capture his beautiful wings. After looking at several possible matches, I think he is a hawk. If you know otherwise, please let me know.

I can't help but think of freedom when I see large birds fly so gracefully through the air. Then to see one seemingly stop, yet still be suspended in the air, is quite beautiful to behold.

I know that the legacy of freedom-stealers is strong in generations past. Believe me, there are plenty that daily search for a chance to drag me back into the pit. But I know my inheritance in Christ is freedom. In my weakness He is strong. Greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Galations 5:1

Happy Feet

I couldn't take my eyes off this young ice skater on the rink at the base of one of the ski resorts. Of course, the turquoise crazy pants caught my eye. But I stayed to watch the skill and joy exhibited by this young lady. She was having so much fun! Her pleasure just spilled on to everyone who watched her.

I pray for my grandchildren to have wonderful times outside playing games and honing skills. Their shouts and giggles as they race to kick balls, swim for the pool's edge, or even inside with a game of Wii bowling, gives me such joy.

From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise.
Psalm 8:2

Above the Earth

When I saw clouds above mountains from the airplane, being able to look down on our beautiful planet Earth, I could not fully fathom the magnitude of these scriptures:

He waters the mountains from his upper chambers;
the earth is satisfied by the fruit of his work.
Psalm 104:13

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him.
Psalm 103:11

We are but specks on this planet, and the planet is but a speck in the universe.
His love is unending and vast beyond our comprehension. Amazing God!

Snow Days

Heavy snows in Utah captured on dormer windows and roofs brought back childhood memories in Nebraska. I still don't enjoy scooping it or driving in it, but I am complelled to go play in freshly fallen snow. We lived 7 miles out in the country, and occasionally would have a cancelled day of school due to heavy snow. I remember one blizzard on March 22 that literally covered telephone poles. We were out of school for a few weeks because buses could not get to the country houses. We had propane for cooking and melting water, and plenty of candles and propane lamps for reading.

Our children were amazed when we moved to Texas that school would be cancelled because it was very cold, or there was a small amount of ice on the roads. The sparce flurries here will find my daughters, me, and my grandchildren outside playing, and catching flakes on our tongues. We will diligently try to make snowmen out of two inches of snow.

A ton of pristine snow is not a reason to stay inside when the 'child' is calling out to make the first snow angels or snowmen. Those days of heavy snow on the farm in Nebraska would only find us inside seeking some hot chocolate or warming our back sides enough to go out again. We would find various things to use as sleds, or make snow forts from which to attack the other team of siblings with a ton of snow balls.


Makes me wonder...how have you 'played' lately, and come as a child to give
giggling thanks to the SNOWMAKER, or RAINMAKER, or SUNMAKER, the author of it all, for giving you the desire to go out and enjoy His creation?

Shout for joy to the Lord!
Psalm 100:1