❀ Speak to me Lord...

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"... the Lord was not in the wind... the Lord was not in the earthquake... the Lord was not in the fire... " 1 Kings 19:11-12 KJV
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Monday morning was an amazing morning. It was one of those times when hands are busy with the mundane tasks of house keeping, washing, wiping, straightening. And just like that - God.
It happened at the bathroom sink. I looked up and saw my face with rivers pouring from my eyes as I heard my voice say " I won't pull back". I cannot explain in words exactly what happened, but I know it was the Spirit of the Lord speaking to my soul. Something happened. I changed. A door opened and I went thru it. I will not be afraid, I will not pull back. I did before... almost 10 years ago. Not this time. Oh, I know it won't be easy. But Jesus will be with me - that's all I need to know.
It's a funny thing, I was going over a mental list of "must haves" if I should go without all that I have right now. The list was actually quite short and it surprised me. That's when I felt the Potter's Hand.
I took my time with the Lord. He let me. Me and Jesus.

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"Lead me Lord! I'll follow, anywhere You open up the door
Let me know your wisdom, show me things I've never seen before
Lord I want to be Your witness, You can take what's wrong and make it right
Daystar shine down on me, let Your love shine thru me in the night.

Lord I see a world that's dying, wounded by the Master of deceit
Groping in the darkness, haunted by the years of past defeat
Then I see you standing near Lord, shining with compassion in Your eyes
Jesus, shine down on me, let Your love shine through me in the night."

❀ Sweet scent

Ahhh! The smell of freshly mowed grass! I don't know about you, but I love it.

It brings me back to my tender childhood years in Switzerland. My mother's parents and everyone in the family had yards, gardens, lawns - some lived right next to parks, school grounds and what-have-you. In those days everything was well kept and trash free. Push lawnmowers and fresh cut grass were part of our summer days. In the effervescence of the post-war days, life was at its best because we survived and it was over.

I was watching my grandson work the machine, keeping a bottle of water handy for him. It was hot, the small lawn slightly uphill - hard work for a young boy. Memories flooded my mind but instantaneously my thoughts were on the condition of my heart. It must stay clean and "freshly mowed" for my spirit to be right and a sweet savor to rise up in worship.

Sometimes an overgrown lawn has to be cut so short that it looks brown and half dead. But it'll come back with enough water. Why is it that we are reluctant to be trimmed way down by the Master? He knows not to cut too low and kill us! The Living Water will flow and lush growth will occur!

I think that God loves the smell of freshly mowed grass...

❀ First word...

This picture was taken Mother's Day 2007. These boys and girls have grown much in stature. Much has happened in their lives also. Too old for their years.
(The handsome little fellow on the left is Sister Philana's son Anthony)

When a little one is just babbling away, we wait for the first clear word. Sometimes it's "mama", sometimes it's "papa".
Is there anything sweeter that the first time it falls upon our ears? Our hearts are so full and nearly bursting at that moment, the whole world's got to know! Well, at least the whole family!

Do you know that God loves to hear babbling? I cannot begin to imagine how much He anticipates the first clear words of a new babe... Abba Father...

I've had this written down for several weeks now, just didn't post it. But as the Preacher preached on Sunday morning and children went to the altar, I remembered the draft.

❀ The field

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"But the wisdom that is from above is pure, then peaceable, gentle and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." JAMES 3:17 KJV
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It happened again. Eyes filled with tears because of children.
My daughter was talking to me about her day at work - Head Start Program in the Irvine School District. The little ones that come are so young - and spend so much time away from home. She was relating to me about this particular small boy - in her class only sporadically. His mother is a good mom. He is always very clean - his food is carefully packed and home made. But mom works and goes to school - single mom. That little one needs hugs and kisses and love. He has some difficulties and simply needs a soft touch and encouragement.
You will meet people who will need hugs and kisses, a gentle touch and a lot of love. They are the outcast ones, the hurting ones, the ones with horrible, dark secrets.
I remember the young girl who wouldn't let anyone love her. Then in a powerful service, God showed me her pain. Like a burn victim, the slightest touch brought her excruciating pain... I cried and felt so helpless and inadequate.
Without godly wisdom, godly love and the leading of the Spirit, it is impossible to minister to such as these. And they will come, they are here.

❀ Bees, honey and manna

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"And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven.
Man did eat angels food..."Psalm 79:24-25 KJV
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Bees are marvelous. While they buzz from bloom to bloom for their own needs and survival, they assure part of ours through pollination. Without pollination, fruit trees would remain barren. From the pollen of flowers mixed with nectar and through a divinely designed process, bees give us honey.

Honey is nature's perfect food.

Honey is a great sweetener for all kinds of drinks besides hot tea, a sugar substitute for baked goods or cereals - delicious on buttered bread - a dip for fruits of all sorts or meats ( I like it with chicken tenders or ham) - and is used widely in ethnic dishes.
Honey has wonderful medicinal values for the relief of sore throat. As a topical application for wounds, it is antimicrobial, antibacterial and antiseptic. It's also a fantastic beauty mask.

Honey has been a staple of man's diet for thousands of years. John the Baptist lived on locusts and honey.
In ancient history, it could be used instead of gold to pay taxes and ranked high on the trading list - 100 jars exchanged for an ox - that's very valuable stuff!
Small amounts of edible honey have been found in the pharaoh's tombs - amazingly preserved.
Yet it can be altered, even become spoiled by improper care. Absorption of outside elements like moisture, even in minute amounts, have a direct effect on the quality and potency of honey.

Manna from above, perfect food.
My soul hungers for the deep things of God - I cannot afford to let "junk food" creep in and spoil my diet.
Unadulterated - the only way to remain strong and effective.
That's how I see the church, each one of it's member adding to the whole, striving to keep it pure.

❀ The right time, in the right place

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"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Matt. 18:20 KJV
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The hostess lead us to an empty booth. We choose another one, next to a lively group. It quickly appeared clear that it was grandma, great-grandma and three small children. My back was turned to them, but I could hear them - lovely children's voices. Crystal faced in their direction. Lots of smiles were exchanged between her and the little kids. We were talking about the children in her class. She loves them. Precious little ones.
We lingered long after dinner was finished. Then, the little group next to us started to gather up to leave. As the children stood close by, waiting for great-grandma to get up, I said a few words, asked their names. Oh, how they could talk!!! So we all introduced ourselves. We invited them to church - sunday school for the kids - we gave invite cards. Great-grandma now stood next to me. I extended my hand, she took it. I expressed how I would love to bring her to church. She mentioned a medical test coming up very soon - she is worried. I asked if she would like me to pray and motion for her to sit next to me. She agreed and bowed her head. I put my arm around her shoulders and held her hand. Crystal reached over and joined us.
And the Lord touched her, right there, at Denny's. His peace was there. His love was speaking to her soul.

❀ Just one touch...

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Who forgives all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases."
Psalm 103 2-3 KJV
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In less time than it takes to tell about it, the sky changed from ugly to...


A marvelous display! One sunset's unique grand finale! An absolute delight!

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In less time than it takes to tell about it, the body is freed from pain and sickness, the mind delivered from torment and the heart filled with peace.
Just one touch from the Master's Hand. How wonderful is our God!!!