The Mom I Want to Be:
Rising Above Your Past to Give
Your Kids a Great Future,
by T. Suzanne Eller
(Harvest House 2006)

Author and mom of three, T. Suzanne Eller, takes readers on a journey exploring her painful past as the daughter of a single mom who survived abuse and years of depression. Eller’s passion is to enable today’s women to face and overcome negative memories in order to become the moms they long to be. Her candid story includes end-of-chapter questions, making this a great book for group study.

How many flowers are you able to name? I recognize common flowers like roses, tulips, mums, violets, lilies, and daffodils, but if you propped me behind the microphone on a game show and drilled me with floral flashcards, my brain would short-circuit.

Botanists claim that they’ve documented more than 270,000 different species of flowers. That’s quite a bouquet! Paleobotanists (those who have dedicated their lives to the study of fossilized plants and animals) have discovered fossilized flowers that resemble magnolias. Imagine the moment a sweet-scented magnolia broke free from its stem and fluttered to the ground. Through a time-consuming process—perhaps from being buried in volcanic ash or sand—that flower’s shape and structural details were later embedded in a rock, which eventually found its way into a museum for visitors to enjoy. The journey is said to have taken thousands of years from tree to display case. God only knows the exact amount of time.

Take a few minutes to read up on the history of your favorite flowers and you might be surprised by how far they’ve come. Did you know, for example, the lowly peony arrived in America with the early settlers? It survived long, cruel winters and scorching summers, poor soil and relentless rain. Yet it flourished, and it has been called the flower that “makes artists of us all.” It will thrive just about anywhere.

Here are a couple more flowery factoids: In 1929, a document about herbal remedies was discovered. Written in Latin, this sixteenth-century record described how the Aztecs in Mexico used dahlias as a prime treatment for epilepsy. Because insulin had not yet been discovered, diabetics were often given a special sugar tonic made from the tubers of dahlias.

Napoleon’s wife, Josephine, always wore violets, so on each anniversary, he would give her a bouquet of the pretty purple blossoms. Before his 1814 exile to the Island of St. Helena, Napoleon had one wish: to visit Josephine’s tomb. After his death, they discovered he was wearing a locket containing violets he’d picked at Josephine’s gravesite.

Like far-reaching flowers, each of us is on a journey. No doubt your life’s journey includes a few proverbial cliffs and canyons, slippery slopes and potholes. But tough times shape us. Trials and tribulations are nothing new; Jesus experienced them, too. I Corinthians 1:3-5 assures us of God’s abiding presence no matter what we encounter: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. (NKJV)

Take time to review your unique life’s journey. Do you see evidence of His faithful provision? shelter from the storm? timely promises from his Word? precious friendships He intentionally planted across your path? Do you recall compassionate smiles He delivered via strangers at the exact moment you needed an encouraging touch?

The journey of life grows sweeter each year, as we pause to acknowledge God’s hand on our shoulder and His light spilling across our path. He’s the fragrant flowers from a loved one, and the arm around your shoulder when you think you can’t go on. He’s the Beginning and the End.

What could be sweeter than that?

©2008, Bonnie Bruno

For more slice-of-life stories, visit Bonnie’s Macromoments blog: http://macromoments.blogspot.com

There is just something about the arrival of spring that makes most of us want to fluff our nests! We’ve been sitting inside all winter feeling snug as a bug, when suddenly the sun shines through our dirty windows to reveal dust we didn’t even know we had! Yikes! Our little nests need some attention. Yes, my friends, it is time to start fluffing, so let’s get to it!

Here are ten creative ways that you can start fluffing your nest this Spring:

1. Start with your windows. You can have the cleanest house and most lovely spring décor, but if you are looking through cloudy dirty glass to the sunshine outside, nothing will look clean inside. Trust me, I know this to be true. Right now, my windows are frightful, so I am speaking to myself—well, actually to my husband (I hope he reads this!) Make your windows sparkle inside and out and your nest will be a happier place.
2. Put away wintry throw blankets and dark heavy pillows. Accent pillows can be an excellent way change the look of your furnishings for the seasons. You can find pillow covers to slip right over the winter versions, so there’s no need to buy entirely new pillows! You can also use square scarves to fold over and tie around a pillow to create your own custom cover.
3. Take down heavier curtains and either leave windows bare or replace panels with lighter weight fabric. Attractive valances, inexpensive bamboo shades or sheers can be great stand-ins for heavier curtains, and will give your room a more springtime feel. Now that those windows are clean there is no need to cover them up with heavy fabric!
4. Next, shake out winter rugs! Dusty rugs could use a good cleaning, vacuuming, or shaking to be ready for spring. If you have hardwoods, consider rolling up some rugs and just having bare floors for the warmer months. Sisal rugs are also a great choice for a less-formal warm-weather style.
5. Bring in the outdoors! Spring foliage cut from your yard, branches, potted flowers, nests, seashells, moss, faux birds, garden gates and birdcages can all bring the warmth of spring inside. Using picnic baskets for storage can evoke the feeling of a sunny day. Make sure you edit out any winter decorations before bringing the outdoors in!
6. Mixing things up can revitalize a stale winter room. Save money by shopping for a new spring look right in your own house. Find related accessories from different rooms and bring them together for more impact. If you really want to have some fun, mix up your furniture! Put your bedroom dresser in the dining room and your living room chair in your kitchen. It is amazing how much better familiar rooms can look by simply changing things around.
7. Is your room still stuck in the winter doldrums? Paint can transform just about anything. Try a lively new color on the walls (be adventurous and try a spring green, robin’s egg blue or sunny yellow!) or unify some dowdy furniture with black, white or a color you love. Accessories can also be renewed with a coat of paint. Try spray-painting light fixtures to give a room a new look without buying anything but the paint can.
8. Freshen up your entry and front door! Take down any remaining winter decorations and wreaths from outside. Plant some spring flowers in pots by your front door. Sweep your porch and wipe off the door to remove winter grime. Clean off your doormat or replace it with a new one.
9. When temperatures are warm enough, pack away winter gloves, scarves and parkas hanging in the front closet. Do the same for your clothes closet. Nothing is more dreary or frustrating than opening your closet in the summer and seeing it stuffed full of winter attire. De-cluttering our closets for the warmer weather provides room for summer clothes and space for items like beach bags, coolers, frisbees and outdoor gear. You can store winter items in containers under beds, in garages or basements so they are out of sight.
10. Throw perfection out of your freshly cleaned windows. If you labor too long on each detail, you’ll miss out on experiencing the beauty of spring. Things don’t have to be perfect—just pleasant! The objective here is to enjoy your home, not to have the most perfectly decorated and organized house in the neighborhood! It just takes a little bit of fluffing to give your nest a sunny new look for the brighter days ahead!

God richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
- 1 Tim. 6:17, NIV

©2008, Melissa Michaels
Photo credit, Melissa Michaels

Mother ducks pick feathers from their chests to line their nests

Houses may be bought, built, or borrowed. But homes can only be made, and that with ourselves. Or so the ducks told me.

They told me without a sound, just simply as they preened and nestled, oil on canvas. The children press in close too, for a better look at Alexander Max Koester’s painting Ducks, and I read aloud the caption below the brushes of color.

“Mother ducks pick feathers from their chests to line their nests.”

I pause and the children gaze thoughtfully at a clutch of plump white, blizzard of feathers fallen down. But it’s those words that mesmerize me: “pick feathers from their chests, to line their nests.”

Eyes fixed on a duck breast puffed, mother plunging beak in deep, I question wondering self: “How else did you think nests were lined?”

With leftovers. With the discarded, the molted, the not-so-necessary feathers. I thought mother ducks picked feathers up from what was laying about, scraps, lining nests with what simply could be mustered after the fact.

But no. (Is that only the way of other mothers?) No, a mother duck plucks each feather out from the heart of her bosom, warm and soft. She lines the nest with bits of herself. The best of her, from the deep spots. She cups her young in her sacrifice.

Children pull at the corner of the page, anxious to see the next painting, and, reluctantly, I move on. But for weeks, part of me lives among Koester’s ducks. (Koester, captivated, painted dozens of duck paintings throughout the course of his life. I’ve come to understand.)

Days later, I am scrubbing out the arches of muffin tins after breakfast, the clock ticking insufferably loud in my ears. Children need books and learning, and I’m tuned for the expected chime of the doorbell, a service personnel’s scheduled visit. And the words rise near to the surface, “I don’t have time for this! No muffins tomorrow morning!”

Pluck.

The words sharply sink. And I, learning, line this nest with a feather. Not a leftover. But one decidedly plucked. The service man meets me with muffin tins still in the sink, and a circle of happy young. Whose tummies next morning fill with another batch of muffins.

The sun’s perfect globe of glow nears the horizon when boys, glint in eyes, recalibrate vacuum cleaner to fire socks. Weary, I have food to find, laundry awaiting escort, math sheets to mark. They fire.

And I Pluck.

Bellies jiggle, peals of giggles, as old mother chases after future men, wrestling them down, tying them up in tickles. We warm here in laughter. It feels good, wild and alive. So again they fire, and again I pluck, and we pile high, one atop the other, nesting down into sacrifice, soft and small.

Some feathers for this nest have hurt, pain of the plucking lingering long. But why speak of the details? And was it really sacrifice, or just this too-tender skin? It’s done, it was necessary, it was for something better. Some nights, when all sleep, I feel along the hidden bald patches.

There are times, too many, when they call, “Read me a story?”  “Wanna play a game with me?” “Can you come help me?”

And this mother refuses to pluck. Something, some task, someone (me?), rates as more pressing, more important. I deem the nest acceptable. Then comes the pecking, the scratching, the squawking. With lining wearing thin, the nest chafes hard. We hurt and cry. Nests need  feathers deep.

Someone must pluck.

When will I learn that down sacrificed settles and soothes? For scraps won’t suffice. Snippets of time, leftover me, a trinket, a diversion, tossed. Mother ducks don’t line nests with feathers, dirty and trampled, the molted and unnecessary. Why would I? Nests need feathers fresh, warm with mother’s life.

Night descends and calls children to dreams. I lead them to their gate, arms and legs under quilts worn from the ride. I read stories, stroke hair, say prayers. Prayers to Him who plucked hard from His own heart. A sacrifice, staggering and true, for love of His very own. We learn love from His laid down.

Tired heads nestle into pillows, pillows of down.

On feathers plucked, we rest.

©2008, Ann Voskamp

Related resources: May the Children Eat First

The original Koester painting, “Moulting Ducks,” is part of the collection at the Frye Art Museum in Seattle www.fryemuseum.org

There’s never a dull moment in the Y’Barbo household! From hockey and cheer mom to publicist to bestselling author, Kathleen Y’Barbo somehow manages to do it all—and do it well. While wearing her publicist’s hat, Kathleen has secured interviews with radio, television, and print media for clients at NavPress, Hatchette, Integrity, Barbour Publishing, and Broadman & Holman, to name a few. She also brings her own unique blend of Southern charm and witty prose to the more than 350,000 award-winning novels and novellas currently in print. Her novels have been nominated for American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year in 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2006; and 2007 will see the release of her 25th book. In everything she does, whether seeking media attention for her clients at Glass Road Public Relations or penning her next novel, Kathleen’s love of the Lord and her penchant for demanding the best in herself shines through.

Kathleen is a tenth-generation Texan and a mother of three grown sons and a teenage daughter. She is a graduate of Texas A&M University and an award-winning novelist of Christian fiction whose first published work jumped onto the Christian Booksellers Association bestseller list in its first month of release. Kathleen is a former treasurer for the American Christian Fiction Writers, and is a member of the Author’s Guild, Inspirational Writers Alive, Words for the Journey Christian Writers Guild, and the Fellowship of Christian Authors. In addition, she is a sought-after speaker, and her kids think she’s a pretty cool mom, too—most of the time, anyway.

As I am writing this column about springtime, a blizzard is swirling, hurling snow and wind against my warm and snug house. Spring seems like such a long way off. But its promises beckon me to contemplate the next season–the promise of new birth, of an awakening of the earth from the dead of winter into the aliveness of spring, of shaking away the dirt and mustiness of my life and opening up to God’s refreshing light and His promise of a new life with Him.

Spring offers us the chance to start anew, to let go of the past, and to plant seeds for the future. As a mother, I have had to “plant seeds” within my daughters as they have grown through many seasons–from sweet little babies, to temperamental toddlers, to curious kids, and to turbulent (yet terrific!) teenagers. Some of these seeds were tossed to the side, others have already blossomed, and many are still taking root. This natural progression of growing through seasons can be painful, at times, but exciting to watch and challenging to manage.

I am reminded of a verse from Psalms 126:5, “Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy”. There have been many tears shed as I have tried to sow the seeds of wisdom and discipline, but now I can see where those tears were well worth the pain because my daughters are becoming beautiful Christian women who bring joy to those whom they touch. They have learned that suffering consequences–while not “fun”–has helped to build their character and shape their values.  “Sow for yourself righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord.” – Hosea 10:12

My daughters are in the spring of their lives, where their whole lives lie ahead of them, full of promise.  It is their time to begin sowing their own seeds, and to seek the Lord in their lives every day.

“For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; the flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of the birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land; the fig tree putteth forth her green figs, and the vine with the tender grape, give a good smell.  Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away”.
~ Song of Solomon chII, v. 11-12

So, arise, my loves, my fair ones, and follow God’s springtime promise of everlasting life by following his commandments and allowing those seeds of love and faith to blossom in your hearts and souls.  I shall watch over you and pray for you and love you for now and forever, and delight in watching you grow strong in God’s graces.

©2008, Valerie Wolff

I read your article from “Broward Family Life,” and was very enlightened. I grew up watching you on “Full House,” and now my daughter Nicole, who is 8, is watching you too. She has every season. How funny is that?

In the article I read that you are involved with 4 Kids of South Florida. I very much wanted to be a foster mother, but they want you to attend some 40 hours of classes at night, which is impossible for me since I have an 8-yr-old and I work fulltime. Is there anyway you could possibly help me become a foster mother without the classes? I have raised a 23-yr-old son, and an intelligent daughter, who is very helpful and well liked in school.

Any advice you could give me would help me, and maybe some lucky foster child. My daughter always said she would like a sister, but I can’t have any more children so why not be a foster mother? Look forward to hearing from you soon.

_________________________

Thank you so much for writing. I’m glad you enjoyed the article in “Broward County Life” magazine.

Unfortunately, I don’t know of any way to become a foster parent and skip the training hours. Most foster parents are more than capable but the training is to ensure that those wanting to become foster parents really are right for it, willing and able. It’s crazy to think that some people may foster with impure motives, but I’m sure the state and counties have seen these cases and do everything they can to make sure it doesn’t happen. Also, with an organization like 4 Kids of South Florida, it’s also important that the children are placed in loving Christian homes. Again, people can say anything they want on an application, so the training is a must to protect the children. I think the only type of full time care that wouldn’t require training would be adoption.

If you’re really serious about fostering, prayerfully consider the 40 hours of training. God can make it happen even with your work schedule. What may seem impossible for us is never impossible with Him. Ask Him, and be prepared for Him to answer you.

Do you feel it?  Spring is in the air! For some of you I wish I could say all your cold weather is gone, but then I would have to follow up with an “April Fools.”  Soon, very soon, it will be summer. Unless you are like me and live in sunny Florida where winter only lasts one month. Here in the US, April is also tax season; some of you are waiting until the last minute to remit, because you may owe, and some of you have already received your returns and put the money to good use. With some of that tax money, let me suggest some very worthy books.

This month my review list is a bit longer than usual. This is for two reasons: one, I have some awesome author interviews coming up in the next several months that you will not want to miss; and two, I want to give you a head start on your summer reading list.  Each one of these books would make a wonderful summer read! I try to only bring books to you that I know you’ll enjoy, and that will also touch your heart. You don’t want to miss the debut novel of Michael Landon Jr, who is the son of late Michael Landon from Little House On The Prairie. Sharon Hinck brings us a light hearted book with a message of God wooing us to Him. The Sentinel by Landel Bilbrey is a must read for any family with young sons. Kathryn Cushman brings us a book of God working in impossible situations. And Jan Watson brings us a heartwarming story from the hills of Kentucky. And lastly Beverly Coggins  helps us with our spring cleaning that we all dread. What wonderful stories to read while on vacation or just relaxing at home during the summer.

One More Sunrise
by Michael Landon Jr.
& Tracie Peterson
Bethany House Publishing
368 pages

One More Sunrise is the debut novel of Michael Landon Jr., son of Michael Landon.  This is a great first novel!  It is the story of a man who deals with life, not going as he planned, making some serious life changing mistakes and still finding redemption.

Joe Daley, married his childhood sweetheart Meg, and had dreams of becoming a WWII fighter pilot in the military.  Fifteen years later, Joe is a crop duster and dealing with the dark depression of the way his life has turned out.  This depression has affected his marriage, and the type of father he has become.

What appears to be a normal day in the cockpit, becomes the flight of his life. Joe is suddenly forced to face many of the demons he has been running away from. Is it to late to save his marriage? Will his children forgive him for being a distant father? But more importantly, will God?

This book is a must read for your summer reading list. I look forward to more books from Michael Landon Jr. He displays real characters, facing real consequences for their actions. But what will God do with our mistakes?  Praise God we serve a God of redemption!

Symphony of Secrets
By Sharon Hinck
Bethany House
304 pages

Have you ever lived your whole life chasing after a dream?   Amy’s dream is to play in a symphony.  After many, many years her dream finally becomes a reality, only to realize that someone on the symphony is trying to ruin it.  Amy uses her haphazard sleuth abilities to uncover the mystery.

Amy Johnson is a single mom of a teen-age daughter.  She is cranky, with few people skills.  Her drive to be successful only results in a strained relationship with the people closest to her. Amy has kept family secrets from her daughter, and in order to restore her relationship with her daughter and to solve the mystery of the symphony Amy is finally forced to face them.

Sharon gives us a glimpse inside the mind of a non-Christian viewing Christians around them. She displays how Amy comes to feel God pursuing her through her passion of music. As a reader we can see past Amy’s lack of people skills, to a desire to aggressively go after what matters. No matter where our interests lie, music, literature, sports, etc., God finds a way to communicate to us. This book will make you laugh, and you will see the underlying theme that God loves us so much that He will meet us right where we are.

The Sentinel
By Landel Bilbrey
Bridgemaker Books
324 pages

A father from the land of Terrenea, the city of Callow, tells the story of his twin sons’ (Jaden and Jerol) quest for Sentinel, the city of destiny. On the way, they must collect the 4 keys to mettle (manhood): vision, courage, integrity and service.

But Azrael awaits.

Driven by an ancient vow to stop any boy from entering the sacred city. His plans are evil, his minions are many, and his aim is sure… Keep all seekers, at all costs, from finding the royal keys.

This book is a mixture of The Chronicles of Narnia and Pilgrim’s Progress. If your boys are anything like mine, a good battle helps keep them involved. This story will give parents or teachers a great platform to share about the struggles common to all men with a Christian perspective.  My middle son (age 13) highly recommends this book.  Perfect summer reading!

Torrent Falls
by Jan Watson
Tyndale House Publishers
416 pages

The year is 1886 and Copper just lost her husband to a buggy accident. Copper has decided to move herself and her young daughter Lily back to her childhood home in Troublesome Creek. Copper was not sure how she was going to operate the run down farm she inherited from her father and raise her daughter by herself. But God answers prayers and Darcy and Dimmert entered her life suddenly. Darcy helped Copper with the cooking and cleaning, Dimmert help Copper with fields and farm animals. Copper’s late husband was a doctor, so Copper became a skilled midwife and with these skills was able to reach out to the women in this little Kentucky area.

Also waiting back in Troublesome Creek is her long ago sweetheart John Pelfry. Copper is not sure she can ever love again, but when she begins to open up, things from the past come between Copper and John. Copper is faced with many difficulties and begins to renew the faith in God she had as a child. Where does one find God’s peace and direction in the mountains of Troublesome Creek?

Watson does such a beautiful job making this book come alive. The scenery described in the book is breath-taking, and you feel like you have become part of Copper’s family. Some of the characters are not always likable, but Jan shows us that there is God’s beauty in each one of us. Also Jan demonstrates when things go according to God’s plan there is abundant blessings in the end. This book was such a joy to read!

It is Spring that means spring cleaning, so I wanted to give one resource to help. Let me introduce you to Professional Organizer, Beverly Coggins, she wrote a series of seven mini books to help you get organized.  They are easy to follow, and help you every step of the way.

The seven books are:

• Three Steps to Organizing your Child’s Room
• Three Steps to Decluttering
• Three Steps to Organizing your Kitchen
• Three Steps to Organizing your Office
• Three Steps to Time Management
  for the Stay-at-Home Mom
• Three Steps to Clever Cleaning
• Three Steps to Time Management at the Office

In some of her work books she includes a Hassel Free Dinner CD.

To get you started here is a link to download a free dinner menu: Click here

And you can visit her daily at her blog 1-2-3-Get Organized, where she gives daily tips for helping you stay organized.

Happy reading and spring cleaning!

©2008, Laurel Wreath

We recently had a few inches of snow here in the Dallas area, reminding us that winter is not quite over and yet spring is knocking at the door. The “snow” came and went in a matter of a few hours, very unlike the snow I’d been accustomed to seeing in March and early April while living in Minnesota.

Spring is beginning to bud in the gardens around my neighborhood and I’m thinking of all the things this new season brings. What comes immediately to my mind are change and new beginnings. Some changes are brought about by the seasons of life, some we embrace and can’t wait to start, others are consequences to previous events, and some cause us to go kicking and screaming our way through them…hopefully with a big dose of prayer along the way too.

Regardless of what we want, or don’t want, change happens (sounds like a bumper sticker) every second of every minute of every hour of every day.

A major change will soon be happening in the life of my only child and in my life as a mother as well. By the time you read this, we will know the outcome from his April 1 sentencing hearing. He is currently in jail in Minnesota. We have no idea what lies ahead for Chris as he experiences change and begins a new season of his life. I’m anxious to know what the decision will be and yet I’m unsure that I’m ready for what that might mean for my only child. Good or bad, he is experiencing the consequences of his actions and after April 1 his life will change from months of sitting in a county jail to either spending years in a state prison (Stillwater) or serving his time while attending the Teen Challenge program.

Have you ever experienced a new beginning or change and because you didn’t know what was ahead, you became a very unwilling participant? You felt pulled in two different directions – to stay where you were or to move forward?

In Windows of the Soul: Experiencing God in New Ways, Ken Gire describes a picture by Norman Rockwell, titled Girl in the Mirror. “There is something about this girl, this girl whose arms are held close and whose hands are curled inward like the petals of a flower. She is somewhere between bud and blossom.” He goes on to relate this image with how we face change, or as he calls them, thresholds.

We go from threshold to threshold with something pulling us forward and something pulling us back. We sit in front of the mirror, tentative, hesitant, and unsure.

How does God feel about us when He sees us at one of those thresholds, sitting in front of one of those mirrors? What is He wanting to tell us at those very insecure, very fearful times? “Grow up. Get a grip. Get up and get on with your life.” Is that what He is wanting to say?

Or is He waiting to sit beside us, put an arm around our waist, and tell us a story of the thresholds His own son had to step across, at Bethlehem, at the Jordan River, and at Gethsemane? Times when His son also felt something pulling Him forward and something pulling Him back. Times when He also was tentative, unsure and yes, even afraid.

I have had many thresholds in my life and there will no doubt be many more to come. I’m thankful that with each one, regardless of whether they are easy or difficult, God is there to give me the strength to walk across that threshold and experience what lies ahead. I’m not sure that I’m ready to embrace the unknown change for Chris. I do know that I can embrace the truth and hope from my heavenly father when he says in Isaiah 43:19, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”

Are you sitting at one of those thresholds, not sure which way you want to go? If so, please say this prayer with me:

Dear Heavenly Father, Please empower me to be strong as I start making the changes that are necessary in my life. Please give me the courage to see that You can do a new thing in my life. I open the desert of my heart so that your healing streams can flow through me. Thank you for giving Your Son as a sacrifice for my sins, that I might not die but have eternal life with You. Fill me with Your love and the power of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

©2008, Allison Bottke

Available now from Harvest House Publishers
Setting Boundaries with Your Adult Children
Six Steps to Hope and Healing for Struggling Parents
by Allison Bottke
For more information visit: www.SanitySupport.com

And as it was budding, its blossoms came out, and its clusters produced ripe grapes. Genesis 40:10b (NAS)

As winter memories fade we begin to see new life springing forth everywhere we look. Tender shoots once again push their way through soil as the sun’s warm beams beckon.  The trees look ready to burst into green lusciousness at any moment. The sounds are different, the smells are different. Spring is bursting forth!

There is a newness, a freshness and a feeling of freedom that comes with spring.  The world around us is transformed.

Windows closed for months are finally opened to welcome in the elements. Heavy coats and boots are shed for lighter jackets and shoes. Outdoors you find friends and neighbors that seem to have been hidden away for months.

Things are changing–even our diet. Tired of soups and stews that warmed us through winter we look for foods that reflect the new life around us. Fresh fruits and salads are once again craved.

Everything seems transformed.

As we look on in awe we remember… “He changes times and seasons!” (Daniel 2:21a (NIV) What an awesome God we serve!  A God who would put so much attention into the smallest details knowing just how each would stimulate all our wonderful senses He blessed us with.  Who can fathom that kind of love?

Ecclesiastes 3:1 promises that TO EVERYTHING there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven. Have you every really thought about that?  The God who put so much detail into the sights, sounds, and smells of spring puts the same care and attention into each season of your life that He wants you to walk through.

Just like Spring, embrace the season in your life God has brought you to. Take time to absorb all that season has to offer and to soak in the blessings that come with it.

Just like the earth’s seasons, we know that some seasons are harder to bear. Yet, each is beautiful in its own way and each season will end. Don’t miss the blessing of the season you are in, by always looking back. Embrace God where He has you now.

There is both sadness and joy when seasons end. Sadness for what is behind and anticipation for what is to come.  Until then embrace Spring for all it has to offer!

Tantalize your senses with one of these…

27 Variations of Spinach Salad:

Do you hope to lose weight but fail time and again? Do you lust after food, and lack self control? If so, you’re not alone. Results from the 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), indicate that an estimated 66 percent of U.S. adults are either overweight or obese.ⁱ Startling statistics like that cause us to wonder where the heart of our modern society lies.

This month, we’re talking about self-discipline: the nitty-gritty business of controlling our actions, that most of us would rather ignore than put a microscope to. In scripture after scripture, the Bible stresses the importance of controlling our bodies, our tongues and our thoughts, by exercising just that: self-discipline.

To get a biblical example of discipline in action, let’s take a closer look at the self-disciplined side of the woman personified in Proverbs chapter 31:

• Works with eager hands (verse 13)
• Brings food from afar (verse 14)
• Gets up while it’s still dark (verse 15)
• Plants a vineyard (verse 16)
• Works vigorously (verse 17)
• Is clothed with strength and dignity (verse 25)
• Speaks with wisdom (verse 26)
• Doesn’t sit idle (verse 27)

Do some of those characteristics speak to you? Have you refused to work out because it would mean getting up a little earlier? Do you grab something quick to eat because you don’t want to take the time to get your food from afar? Do you waste too much idle time on the computer or television when you could be enriching your mind? Are you clothed with strength and dignity, or do you throw on a ball cap, slip on a ratty old t-shirt, and head out of the door praying that no one will see?

Self-disciplines when applied to our life not only bring self-respect, they also bring respect from others around us:

• Her husband has full confidence in her (verse 11)
• Her husband is respected at the city gate,
  where he takes his seat among the elders of the land (verse 23)
• Her children arise and call her blessed;
  her husband also, and he praises her (verse 28)
• Let her works bring her praise at the city gate (verse 31)

When self-discipline is called for, many of us step back immediately, and although we may not outright admit what we’re thinking, what we’d like to say is, “Uh—no. I’m not going to sign on to anything that requires sacrifice on my part, I’d rather wait until an easier plan comes along.” And so we wait for the next quick fix that promises weight loss at no cost—perhaps it’s an all you can eat soup diet, or licking the pounds away on an ice cream diet—but we fail time and time again, because a quick fix doesn’t set the stage for tomorrow, it satisfies and gratifies the body today.

Losing weight is simple. There’s no rock that hasn’t been turned, no magic pill that waits to be found. If you struggle with weight gain and a lust toward food, then it’s a battle that needs to be fought; the only question remains “Are you willing to fight?” If you stop for a minute to find an excuse, you’ve hesitated too long. If you put it off until tomorrow, you’re waiting too long. Romans 12:1, tells us that living a life of sacrifice is an “act of spiritual worship.” Some versions call it, “your reasonable service.” Reasonable. There’s nothing unreasonable about bringing our bodies to the point where they yield to the Spirit.

I don’t suppose that the Proverbs 31 woman particularly enjoyed getting up while it was still dark, or lighting a fire while the others remained warm in their beds. And I don’t suppose that it will be easy for you either, the first time, you pass up a bag of potato chips, turn down some chocolate, or settle for water instead of a pop. But I do believe with no uncertainty that in time you will be happy with the changes you’ve made.

Perhaps the key portion of that verse, which speaks to our heart and moves us to obedience, is the word, “worship.” Imagine that—being able to worship God by giving up a part of yourself. Being able to give up the bondage that you have with food, as an act of worship to God.

All things die that we might have life. Nearly every bit of food we put in our mouth is a sacrifice in some way or another. Beef, chicken, pork, fish, lettuce, carrots, berries, nuts, and the list goes on; all once living things that have died so that we can live. Nature itself typifies the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, bringing glory to God.

Dying to ones self is an act of worship because each time we do, we reflect the passion of our Lord. And with each part we give, we reap peace in abundance.

Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?”
~ Luke 9:23-25, NIV
ⁱNCHS Website, article “Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity Among Adults: United States, 2003-2004“

©2008, Darlene Schacht

*We advise that you always consult your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program.

The only things I can move right now, without wincing, are my fingertips. If you watched me walk across the room this morning, you’d think I was trying to recover from injuries I sustained when I failed to jump my motorcycle over twenty brand new Mini Coopers down at Bellowin’ Bob’s Autos. Or at the very least, a mugging. But no. Mine are “exercise wounds,” and lest we all forget–it’s a “good” pain.

It’s been a week of water aerobics, weight lifting, elliptical riding, walking and biking. No, I’m not training for the Iron Man. I’m trying to get back into my spring clothes.

I’d already had my belly full of exercise by yesterday afternoon, but Dave came home and said, “I brought you a surprise. Come outside and see.” I followed him out to his truck and saw a new (to us) 14 speed, automatic shift bicycle–with shocks. It’s really a beautiful bike, and I was so taken by his gesture that the words “Hey! Let’s go for a ride!” popped out of my mouth before I saw the calamity coming.

He was all over that. “Yeah! Let’s see how far down the trail we can get.” Several months ago, a paved, 9 or so mile trail opened along our property. At any time of the day or night, you can watch a sea of roller bladers, bicyclists, walkers, and horse riders meander past our pasture.

Last week, an old shirtless guy with a santa beard came riding up on his bike and told us there’d been reports of bear and bobcat sightings along the trail. I’ve never yet known a shirtless, santa-bearded biker to lie, so when I went inside to grab my cell phone, I also grabbed my mace. Geared up, I headed back out and found that Dave had hooked up the air compressor and was filling the tire on my old bike. It was once beautiful, but the law of entropy has had its way with it. Parts of the shiny burgundy paint are covered with rust; the seat is somewhat moldy and ripped in one spot (the rip screams “Zac,” our son’s name–but that won’t hold up in court), and the kick stand wobbles.

I felt terrible that Dave was going to ride that old bike while I had this beautiful new bike, and I told him so. His answer? “I don’t mind–I just like knowing you have a good, dependable bike.”

He’s like that. He’ll take the dilapidated bike so I can ride the nice, new one. He was happy to take my old, simple cell phone so I could have the nice, new, picture-taking  phone. He was perfectly content to take my old lap top so I could have a nice, new, faster model. He’s very good to me.

So we had our ride. We went all the way to Lake Cassidy and then some. And sometime during the ride, maybe 50 minutes into it, I began to think about Dave’s sacrifices and how often he puts me in mind of my other Groom–the One who was willing to take the punishment of the cross so I could have a new nature, a new name, and a brand new hope for the future.

I don’t deserve to be this loved; I know that. But I’m glad … and grateful.

The Trade
by Brett Williams

Mine was Your only sin
Yours is my only righteousness
Mine was Your only shame
Yours is my only confidence
You took all of me; I want all of You

Mine was the pain You bore
Yours is the healing I received
Mine was the nails and thorns
Yours is my life abundantly
You took all of me; I want all of You

I’m waiting here to feel Your touch
The weight of sin it seems so much
The freedom that You offer me is You

Mine was the the victory
Yours is the blood that purchased me
Mine is a blessed way
Yours is my love eternally
You took all of me; I want all of You

©2008, Shannon Woodward