Do not fear!

Do not fear, for I am with you! Do not anxiously look about you,  For I am your God! I will strengthen you, I will help you,

Surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  Isaiah 41: 10

Recently we had lunch with some of our very dearest friends and they related to us a story. A sweet young couple had decided to kayak from Maine down to Florida. They planned their trip, got sponsors to support them, and blogged and wrote about their trip. With all of the seasons and storms, it took them a year to finish their trip. 

Storms of great magnitude arose amidst their journey, and would send the waves crashing all around them. Often the rain would pelt continuously on their weary bodies and soak them to the bone. Discouragement would overwhelm them and they would think, "Why did we undertake this? We will never finish. It is too difficult. No one can do it!"

One time, however, in the midst of one such storm, they made a pact with each other. "We will never make a decision to quit when we are in the midst of a rain storm." 

A simple, but profound commitment. I decided that this was a statement worth following. 

So many dear friends are surrounded by storms in their lives right now--economic, illness, weariness, loneliness, no support systems or anyone to help; difficult marriages, prodigal children, fear of the future, despair because of the times we are in, ......... The list goes on and on. 

I have been through so many storms in my own life when I felt I could not go on---3 out of 4 asthmatics with constant illness and emergency room situations; 17 moves and loneliness; 4 children to homeschool and very few or no support systems over the years and years of exhaustion; stress in finances, ministry, marriage, "giants" within our family that caused great difficulty and despair, about which I may never write, because I believe in honor and loyalty in family relationships.

Often, I would think, "I cannot go on. My circumstances will turn out for the worst. There is no hope. Where has God gone."

And yet, it is in the midst of the storms of life, that our faith is most precious. It is in these times when we can say to Satan, "You would have me fear, but I choose to believe in the goodness of God and in His provision."

I love the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Nebuchadnezzar had commanded them to bow down to the serve his idols and to worship them. The three godly men refused to bow down to his gods. The king then said that he would throw them into the fiery furnace and there would be no one to deliver them. 

This is the threat of Satan, "There will be no one to deliver you." 

Yet, their response is what I desire to be the response of my own heart, "Our God whom we serve, is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire, ..., but even if He does not, let it be known to you, Oh king, that we are not going to serve your gods." Daniel 3 gives the story.

Of course the result is that the great king found out who was really God and made a proclamation to the whole land of God's greatness and never ending kingdom.

We are told very clearly in scripture that difficult times will come. We know from the warnings of scripture that at the end of the times, earthquakes will increase--and so they have. We know that many Christians will be persecuted all over the world. Great economic troubles, shaking our foundations as we know them, have been predicted  and are coming true before our eyes. That as Paul has told us, immorality and wickedness and godlessness will be rampant. We know from Revelation that, Satan, knowing his time is short, is pouring out great wrath. (Revelation 12:13)

This, then, could from God's eyes of history, be one of the finest hours for Christians to stay true, to be faithful until the end, to endure hardship, to rejoice in His reality, to live by faith, "assurance of things hoped for, convictions of things not seen."

When I was working in Communist countries many years ago, where there were constant persecutions and imprisonments, I was so surprised to see the fervor of so many Christians in their worship of God and their delight in His reality, their praise of Him in music was heavenly. I asked an old woman about it and she said to me, "You Americans have had so much heaven on earth, that you have not known what it is to long for and hope for the heavenly Kingdom of God, where righteousness will rule, where our real longings will be satisfied, and we will see our precious Lord face to face." 

And so, when our hearts are surrounded with fear and discouragement in the storms of life, let us look to the face of Jesus, our king, our savior and our Lord. He is with us. He will not abandon us. He will carry us through. Today is the best time, to believe, to hold fast, to worship by faith and to rest in His strength.

He is coming. We don not know when, but  if He has seen fit to "born" us into these times, then these times are the best place where we have the opportunity to live our story of faith, which will be a testimony for eternity, that He is our trustworthy God. 

May our hearts be as David's,

"The Lord is my light and salvation; Whom shall I fear.

The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread? 

When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh, My adversaries and enemies,

they stumbled and fell.

Though a host encamp against me, My heart will not fear.

Though a war arise against me, 

In spite of this I shall be confident." Psalm 27: 1-3

Today, He would say to us, "Fear not, for I am with you. Be not anxious, for I am your God."

Today, may His love, strength, wisdom, and overcoming spirit be ours.

Snowy day vacation party and celebration

View from my bedroom window (tree house in background)

Many years ago, we determined that all the days when we were snowed in would become some kind of a vacation day for us. I am still getting back to normal anyway, and was in the mood to celebrate home, and to spoil my girls for working so hard, and traveling so much the last couple of months. I believe in helping children to learn to work hard and then we always play hard--a sort of reward for work well done. I have seen so many children over the years who grow up resenting ministry or missions or their mother's careers--so I have a filter in my heart that seeks to notice when I see any burn out coming from having too much of an outreaching or public life as a family or too many activities and then I draw my family in and refresh them and also myself, before we give of ourselves to the point of total burn out or exhaustion. 

 

Sarah, Joy and I, pajama'd and fresh from long sleep, squatted in front of the fireplace, with shawls to keep warm. Since it was closer to lunch than breakfast, I looked in the fridge to see what was available. A sweet friend had brought a meal to spoil us the night before, and I had a small bag of pasta, left, so I cut it into small pieces with scissors. It became a pasta salad--tuna, English peas, chopped onions with a small amount of ranch dressing and mayonnaise mixed. Yumm--think I will do that again. fruit salad, cherry scones, (in my heart shaped pans--acquired at a sale after Valentine's day years ago), also,  (I keep a stash of Sticky Fingers in my cupboard for easy scones when I do not feel like following a recipe) apricot raspberry jam and real clotted cream from the cupboard recently acquired; egg salad sandwiches on a whole grain baguette from the afore mentioned  dinner; and maple ham sandwiches on my own loaf of homemade bread. 

Passionately discussing amidst munchings and "this is great, let's do it again--can I have this for my girls at our picnic next week" covered such subjects as:

*why homes, beauty, love, relationships, friendship traditions speak to unanchored, wounded who long to see the touch of God but have never felt it in their own homes--and preaching will not help until they have felt the real love and compassion of God from a real person so they can understand, by experiencing what God is really like."

*how excellence cannot be passed on to children and youth unless they have seen it and had it intentionally been trained by it over and over again from parents. How different the very souls are of those who have not tasted the reality of discipleship as a way of life.

*I hope I marry a man who wants to have a life-giving home so we can reach out to those who have never experienced this kind of life--I want to marry someone who wants to have a little land for gardens and roaming for our millions of children and places to play for hours. Me, too. Wonder where we will find such men?!" 

*education, and intelligence are not really acquired unless ideas are discussed, mulled around, digested in the mind, and owned by the one hearing such ideas--that education is a way of life and being--not just a curriculum to be followed"

*we should start a cooking club

*we should have a party for all of the dancers in my section of The Thorne (Easter production) so we can reach out to some of them.

*And then, reading out loud 2 picture books that celebrate Ireland--one by each girl and all done with an Irish lilt

And all of this as I sat and quietly drank my tea, allowing the princesses to pontificate to each other and the world--saying all those "Clarkson things" that have become a part of their own souls, watching them have fun, think, build bridges to each other's hearts, and rest. I do think more education has taken place at our tea parties and dinners than through almost anything else we have done. We set the stage and the Holy Spirit and life and fun seem to show up. 

Then, all princesses had to help me clean the kitchen--to loud music, of course as we danced around the kitchen singing at the top of our lungs. a good time was had by all.......

Wall art! http://www.wallquotes.com/

So happy to be home. I feel as though I have crossed a finish line of a race--5 conferences in 7 weeks, suitcases, hauling book boxes, waiting in airports, eating unusual, unfamiliar food, and dealing with hotel staff of all sorts and then of course having the privilege of being with, sharing with, speaking to hundreds and hundreds of women. Again the grace of God carried us through. And still the conviction burns in our hearts even stronger that the consequences of what takes place in the home will indeed determine the soul and character of the next generation.  And of course, thoughts, ideas, convictions are stirring in me anew--but most of all, and first of all, I get to make my home a real home again--a place of life and beauty and love and stability and refresh my sweet ones who have been working by our sides. My best work is my children and my husband and my home for others to come to and sense the life-giving, sweet fragrance of Christ in our home.

So, I am off today to regroup, have a long tea time breakfast with Joy to share hearts and ideas and make plans for the next months ahead and to declutter and to just enjoy the deep pleasures of my family

My sweet friend is such a resource of interesting places to find and use and she knows I love having pictures, prints and such on my walls. This is a great source of meaningful and fun decor you can use in your home and especially in bedrooms for your sweet ones. 

I love the many designs and options.

Enjoy

Bold and Wise, the legacy of St. Patrick

St. Patrick

An amazing man with a great story--in the 400's, captured by PIrates, taken to pagan Ireland as a slave, escaped from being chased at threat of death; became so committed to Christ and was moved by the Holy Spirit to go back to the land to bring Christ's redemption to the very people who had enslaved him. And below is the powerful Hymn, or commitment that he penned so many years ago--strengthened my own faith this morning. May you be blessed.

St. Patrick's Breastplate

I bind unto myself today The strong Name of the Trinity, By invocation of the same The Three in One and One in Three.

I bind this today to me forever By power of faith, Christ's incarnation; His baptism in Jordan river, His death on Cross for my salvation; His bursting from the spicèd tomb, His riding up the heavenly way, His coming at the day of doom I bind unto myself today.

I bind unto myself the power Of the great love of cherubim; The sweet 'Well done' in judgment hour, The service of the seraphim, Confessors' faith, Apostles' word, The Patriarchs' prayers, the prophets' scrolls, All good deeds done unto the Lord And purity of virgin souls.

I bind unto myself today The virtues of the star lit heaven, The glorious sun's life giving ray, The whiteness of the moon at even, The flashing of the lightning free, The whirling wind's tempestuous shocks, The stable earth, the deep salt sea Around the old eternal rocks.

I bind unto myself today The power of God to hold and lead, His eye to watch, His might to stay, His ear to hearken to my need. The wisdom of my God to teach, His hand to guide, His shield to ward; The word of God to give me speech, His heavenly host to be my guard.

Against the demon snares of sin, The vice that gives temptation force, The natural lusts that war within, The hostile men that mar my course; Or few or many, far or nigh, In every place and in all hours, Against their fierce hostility I bind to me these holy powers.

Against all Satan's spells and whiles, Against false words of heresy, Against the knowledge that defiles, Against the heart's idolatry, Against the wizard's evil craft, Against the death wound and the burning, The choking wave, the poisoned shaft, Protect me, Christ, till Thy returning.

Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me. Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself the Name, The strong Name of the Trinity, By invocation of the same, The Three in One and One in Three. By Whom all nature hath creation, Eternal Father, Spirit, Word: Praise to the Lord of my salvation, Salvation is of Christ the Lord.

St Patrick's breastplate is a remarkable hymn. It is a tremendous call to follow Paul's exhortation to “put on the whole armor of God” (Ephesians 6:10 – 18). Patrick put on this Trinitarian armor in the face of human-sacrificing Druids, wizards, deadly tyrants, and worst of all, “the heart's idolatry.” Despite its nine verse length, it is worthy of congregational singing. My congregation, All Saints Presbyterian, sings it with vigor. When we sing it, we sing verses 1-7 as our opening hymn and then close with verses 8-9 as the benediction hymn. We end our service singing, “Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me...”

This magnificent hymn reflects the life and faith of Patrick. The original hymn, the Lorica of St. Patrick (meaning breastplate or armor) is found in the Book of Armagh. Historian Philip Schaff says it is “called S. Patricii Canticum Scotticum, which Patrick is said to have written when he was about to convert the chief monarch of the island (Laoghaire or Loegaire)” (Schaff, History of the Christian Church IV, 49). The metrical hymn version is a translation of the ancient Irish hymn by Mrs. Cecil Francis Alexander, wife of the Anglican Bishop of Londenderry, Ireland (1889). 

It is helpful to know more about Patrick to appreciate some of the lyrics of this masterful hymn.

The exact dates of his life are not certain, but about 390 – 461. His day has been memorialized as a Feast Day in the West on March 17. We know of the revelry of this green day, but we should know more of the Patron Saint of Ireland. 

He was the son of a Romano-British Christian kidnapped from his home in Scotland at 16 to be a slave in Ireland.  He escaped to Gaul where he became a monk and then devoted his life to go back to the place of his captivity to bring them the gospel.  

He knew the free grace of God which comes through faith in Christ. He wrote in his Confessio,

"I, Patrick, a sinner, a most simple countryman, the least of all the faithful and most contemptible to many...I was taken captive. I was at that time about sixteen years of age. I did not, indeed, know the true God; and I was taken into captivity in Ireland with many thousands of people....And there the Lord opened my mind to an awareness of my unbelief, in order that, even so late, I might remember my transgressions and turn with all my heart to the Lord my God, who had regard for my insignificance and pitied my youth and ignorance. And he watched over me before I knew him, and before I learned sense or even distinguished between good and evil, and he protected me, and consoled me as a father would his son. Therefore, indeed, I cannot keep silent, nor would it be proper, so many favors and graces has the Lord deigned to bestow on me in the land of my captivity."

Enjoy some corned beef and cabbage; soda bread, potatoes or fish and chips; tea and scones and celebrate the grace of another story of one who lived boldly for our Lord.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Freckle Bread, St. Pat's and more

Irish Blessing

 May the road rise to meet you.  May the wind be always at your back.  May the sun shine warm upon your face.  May the rains fall soft upon your fields.  And until we meet again, May God hold you in the hollow of His hand!

I couldn't resist putting some St. Patrick Day favorite quotes and recipes on my blog today. HIs story is one of my favorite biographies I read to the kids over the years. So be sure to research him and tell about him at your dinner table in the next couple of days.

Now that we have made it through the marathon of 5 conferences in 7 weeks, we are taking our own advice and seeking rest in Asheville, NC--the place that, as Sarah says, "This feels so much like home to us!" We have done this for a number of years, so we go back to all of our favorite places and rest and restore--though I think we could use a year of days and maybe just then begin catching up! Sleeping, eating, sleeping, walking, sleeping, eating--seems to be the order. As an introvert, though I love conferences, sometimes it takes it out of me--so I am grateful to be here.

The Early Girl Eatery, recommended by Rachel Ray, was a first stop--lots of great veggie dishes--black bean and sweet potato cakes, spinach salad with apples, goat cheese and pecans was the first order of our little 3 day spree. Then on to the Biltmore to hike and the next stop was crab and corn chowder at the Corner Kitchen--and splitting a Reuben sandwich. 

So, we are slowly catching up on rest and just seeking to refresh and do nothing taxing. 

Last week, the girls and I went to our friend's home for a St. Patrick Day cooking demonstration. She does this several times a year and we never miss. I wanted to pass on a bread recipe that I loved and have never had. It is Irish and if you want to delight your children, you can even put just a tiny bit--few drops--of green food coloring and make it green bread. 

Irish Freckle Bread

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees

In the Bosch bowl with dough hook, place:

4 cups hot water            2 cups unbleached white flour

4 Tbsp. yeast                                    

                                     2/3 cups maple syrup or honey

Mix thoroughly.  Then add:

4 slightly beaten eggs   1 cups dried currants

2 Tbsp. Real salt              2 cups of grated carrots

½ cup oil                          1 cup dried pineapple snipped in small pieces

1 ½ cups golden raisins

Add 8-9 cups freshly ground flour to very slightly clean the sides of the bowl.  If you add too much, it will be too dry--so just slowly add it at the last until the dough starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl as it is mixing. The dough should be a bit sticky.  Knead 5 minutes.  Shape into 2 free-formed loaves or place in loaf pans.  Brush with egg was (1 egg beaten with 1 Tbsp. water.)  Let bread rise until double in size.

It makes lovely, large round loaves.

Lower heat to 350 degrees.  Bake for 35-40 minutes.

Enjoy!

He is able.....

Encouraging words from my little devotional book today: I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed to Him. 

II Tim. 1:12

Able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or think.

Eph. 3:20

Able to aid those who are tempted. 2 Cor. 9:8

Able to make grace about toward you. Hebrews 2:18

Able to save to the uttermost. Hebrews 7: 25

Able to keep you from stumbling. Jude 24

Able to subdue all things unto Himself. Phil. 1:12

"Do you believe that I am able to do this? They said to Him, "Yes, Lord."

According to your faith, be it done to you. Matt. (:28-29

May we, today, trust Him who is able.

I'm missing my superman

Superman

I can't stand to fly,

I'm not that naive.

I'm just out to find the better part of me.

I'm more than a bird, I'm more than a plane, 

I'm more than a pretty face beside a train. 

It's not easy to be me................Five for Fighting

He always wanted to be superman--always--"Jesus was like superman. He came from another place to save people. I want to be superman when I grow up, mom." And so I told him he would.

As a little boy, he loved hero stories. He loved the children's Homer,

the biography of historical heroes, Colonel Travis, Audi Murphy, tales of heroism.

He couldn't sit still, he played hard, giggled hard, challenged thoughts and ideas always, never, ever liked or could do math,

was creative and an artist and made up costumes, 

sang out loud all the time, brought me roses on Christmas eve--

sat with me on his secret place at sunset; told me his secrets. always attracted other kids, a pied piper sort of child.

loved my cinnamon rolls and loved for me to "tickle his soft back" and always closed the evening with 

"I love you, you're the best."

If only I could have him here today, one more time, to tell him what a delight he is to me, what fond memories I have, how I am glad he was my little boy.......

But I fear he is gone, probably forever--he is a man now--paying bills, trying hard to get a permanent job, finding his legs in the world and I can't be a "mama" to him even one more day--that part is over. 

Now I am "mom", his friend, and far away cheerleader, but he is too big for me to hold on my knee, and I think he will be moving on and on--Hollywood is a bigger place than Monument, Co. But I think it may be where God has taken him and in time he will find his superman arena, because I still think God will answer his dream of being a superman.

It all came back to me through one song--we had ridden in the car with windows down, blazing through the highway in Tennessee with the music turned up too loud and him singing this at the top of his lungs--this superman song, when he had been a teenager.

And yesterday when I heard it, playing loudly on Joy's computer--it all came back to me in an unexpected moment--all these feelings and thoughts--and I wish I had paid more attention to my ride with him through life--to take clearer photographs for my heart to store--to enjoy each minute allotted. Maybe I will be better at savoring all the moments yet ahead when I get to be with him--just one more time.

In honor of Nathan, superman, please pray for him today--thanks for his wonderful heart for us and God, thanks for his church and community of friends, and praying for a stable job--but most of all that God would show him the work he was created to do for his glory. I love my superman.

One more to go!

Worshipping together.

 As I reflect on the privilege it has been to grow in the Lord and to share these encouragements with moms over the years, I feel so very humbled and blessed. I am not the know all be all by any means. But there is something miraculous that happens when like-minded women who are committed to God's ideals for their lives gather all in one place and sing worship music, and listen to speakers who encourage us in our walk with God and eat and cry and talk and share hearts---God amazingly shows up through the body of fellowship--and all of us are changed. 

book tables--oh boy!  

The women in Dallas, being the oldest conference for Whole Heart, always bless me beyond words. Besides coming to the conference, they also send notes, sweets, food during the conference upstairs in our room that all the teens who serve gobble up;  give me mad money for my secret drawer that I sneak money into all year, so that when we need to splurge on something as a family--I have planned and saved for it. But they have blessed me in these ways to keep me going. Their love and grace in my life helps me to keep being grace to others.

And so, in "not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together" we have kept each other going over the years. 

Sweet Tracy Klicka 

I also love how God gives you friends as you serve Him in ministry. Many years ago, I met Tracy Klicka in Raleigh. It was soon after that when our family invaded her home and we shared sweet fellowship over meals and a passionate devotion that Chris shared one morning and heart conversations that knit our hearts together.

You can imagine how excited I am that Tracy will be sharing her heart with us in Raleigh. I love having women who have walked with God, through life, trials, seasons and still love Him--and so you will see that in her heart this next weekend as she shares more personally of her own story of walking beside Chris in his battle in MS and how she learned even in that place to see the goodness of God. So if any of you are still thinking about coming, it is not too late, but we will have to close registration soon. 

I look so forward to next weekend, being at Raleigh with many women from our very last mom's conference of the year. The hotel has made some special concessions for us and will have a continental breakfast buffet Saturday morning, two coffee breaks, a luncheon buffet and afternoon cookies along with the great speakers and music. I think it will be a wonderful getaway for any moms who come. 

I am so looking forward to being with all of my friends and speakers, but am especially blessed that Tracy Klicka will be joining us to share with us her story of walking with God through the journey of her precious husband, Chris, who so recently went to be with the Lord.  You can still register here

Tracy

I so enjoyed many letters and encouragements and FB comments after Dallas as in the midst of some of our own personal battles, you all have kept me going!

 I thought I would share a few stories with you--and also to let you moms know that you are not alone in the adventures of what can happen in a day.......:)

 a great post here  with Debi Chapman at lifeaboveandbeyond.com about the conference! (thanks for sending it to me.) 

 Also, a few stories from moms who also need some rest, as real life struck them when they returned home:

"I took my girls to drama class for the afternoon and I so looked forward to a much needed rest. As I lay down on my bed, I looked over and because my dog was at the vet all weekend, it was quite nervous and stood right in my eyesight and used my brand new carpet for the place to wet all over the floor. I took him outside to finish the job and just as I was finally resting in bed again, I looked up and he laid a package of pooh in the same place. After finally dealing with him harshly and taking him outside again, I went back into my bedroom, at which point, I lay down, and suddenly heard a "belch" and looked over and he had thrown up all over the carpet. Needless to say, I did not get to lay down and wondered why we had ever gotten this dog."

Another:

When I walked in the door from the conference, my youngest threw up all over herself, and I spent the night on her floor while she was sick all night. I literally felt so recharged from the conference that instead of being frustrated, I prayed over her and felt challenged to nurture the way I'm called to! You know it's a life-giving conference when even vomit is seen as a blessing :)

and another--seems a lot of stomach stuff attacked the sweet moms!

So, after spending a weekend being encouraged by Wholeheart Ministries on how to be a mom who loves Jesus.I came home.  At first, the welcome was perfect. Then as I walked in to put my stuff down I noticed just a few things that

weren't so perfect.  The dirty dishes (from before I left) were still in the sink.  Mud was all over the floor.and my boys.  A huge pile of miniscule legos flooded the kitchen floor that my 20mo old was putting in her mouth. Ketchup had glue-ized (not an official Webster word but should be) to the kitchen counter, and I found chocolate smeared on the seal of my refrigerator. Lastly, my sister was watching my children because my husband had to leave on a trip to work all weekend.  Oh, and plus, there were toys everywhere!

So.as a result of my Mom's conference, I decided to forget the mess, the dishes, the toys, the laundry, the mail pile, etc.  I went off to play with those bubble sets!  I spent time praising & rewarding my son for going to take a break instead of getting more frustrated.  We threw caution to the wind and had "Livingston Dinner Theatre" on our Twister mat dipping Octopus hotdogs into mounds of ketchup and mustard, and almost consumed an entire cantaloupe for dessert. I had plans for us!  I wanted to remember what it feels like to be grateful to be a mother, to relish having my three wonderful children all to myself, to laugh and be silly, and rejoice in the day that my Lord had made.

And in one second everything changed. It began when my younger son showed me where the dog bit him.  His thigh not only was swelling and bruising, but was red with a mark shaped like a mouth full of sharp teeth. Then my daughter began to become fussy, shake and run a 103 fever.  I could hear Sally in my head."You have to be a private before you can be a general." "You have to win battles before you can lead others in war."  "You have to be faithful when no one is looking."  Why did God only gave me a few minutes of harmony before the battles began?  And why did it have to be when no one was watching.literally? My husband and best friend still wouldn't be home for another 48 hours. 

But I just needed to hear Sally's gentle reminder that I have to trust God in the darkness.  I have to choose to fix my eyes on Jesus.not on my son's leg, not on the temperature on the thermometer, not on the absence of my husband, not on worrying if the breathing treatments will open her lungs or if I'll have to make an ER run in the middle of the night.  So.I will go to sleep this evening drawing near to God, full of hope that God will draw near to me, because He is faithful.And the last one, a sweet friend of mine from Colorado, had a great time in Dallas and then Saturday evening, she had a call from home, that her thoughtful husband had taken her kids skiing and had an accident and crushed both of his heals. He will be in bed in her home for the next 10 weeks! Please pray for her and her precious family.

I do think spiritual warfare can actually take place through the details--as the saying goes, "The devil is in the details." Let's ask God's grace to extend to all these sweet moms and others who are tempted to be discouraged in the midst of life. May He bring His light and grace even into these situations.

Thanks for all of your encouraging letters and emails--really, really! Please keep these precious moms in your prayers!

We are all (Clarksons who are at home!)  going to have a chocolate tasting event, so I will let you know how it turns out. The sun is finally out here, so I know a walk will also be in order. May God's grace and joy be yours in the midst

Anything of true beauty casts away darkness.

"The more I study the character of God, the more I see that God is not a kill-joy grump. Rather, in some ways, he is wild, whimsical, transcendent, and like a playful dancer, weaving steps and songs into the pattern of our days. As the author of humor, delight, tastes, sounds, feelings, touch, and affection, he tucks beauty along our pathway to show us more of his artistry." 

"God's personality is to be a provider of beauty as the very expression of his nature." from Dancing With My Father

This afternoon, I am sitting in my little blue, Queen Anne chair with my legs propped up, looking at these tall, elegant flowers in front of me on a table ablaze with flickering candles. Celtic Vision, a favorite violin album is bringing me great comfort, as my mind sings along with  the familiar tunes.  

Since I was a little girl, I have delighted in purple iris. I won a blue ribbon at a garden show, (my only show!) when I was a little girl, with a cut iris from our garden lovingly placed in a vase. Perhaps all the children won blue ribbons, I don't know. But from that time I have loved them--they are elegant, vibrant, touching deep places in my heart that celebrates beauty.

I find I am in need of drinking this tonic into my weary heart and soul. Getting back to my center is what I long for---as I well know that I cannot long give out without replenishing or I will become dry. There is not and has never been a lot of time for quiet in my life, but I have to make it happen--I have to be the one who carves out time, gets away, ponders and rests and dreams--so that I can finish well. 

It happens to be one of the topics I have spoken on repeatedly the past few conferences--but it also always true for me. There is no one else who will see that I get what I need to continue conducting the symphony of the Clarkson's lives, so I must take care to keep myself in tune with the life I have been given.

And so, as I find myself a little worn at the edges, I am seeking to figure out just how the Lord wants me to plan my time in the next week before our last conference in Raleigh--amidst our busy life--so that I can be and remain refreshed at the core of my life--for me it will mean seeing that I get enough sleep--leaving some things undone as I can get to them when I get home; simplifying life and meals; staying away from the emails and internet more--even if I am letting a million emails and letters fall by the wayside--but keeping my family, me and the Lord first. It is essential to a enduring long distance run--to shed what is unnecessary and to run intentionally and with diligence and simplicity. 

Everyone have a grace-filled and refreshing weekend. Take time to rest! Blessings.............

The Danger of Guilt......

We all have fragile points. One of mine is that I struggle, especially when I am tired and worn, with a feeling of guilt. "I should be more mature by this time. I can't believe I did this or that again." And then I let the cloud of feelings determine how I feel that God feels about me. It is one of the areas of joy that I am learning about over the last few years--that of remaining in God's great love and celebrating His forgiveness and provision for me every day, every moment--living there and not allowing Satan to diminish His gift of redemption in my life. 

 I read a great article this morning that I thought spoke to this issue very well. My friend Lynn subscribed me to this as something that comes into my in box every day--you might enjoy this, too. 

Find this great article 

Off to a day of my Tuesday morning Bible study, and my monthly Tuesday night monthly group in my home--what a group of welcome friends to come home to in order to get back into normal life. I love being home. The suitcases will have to wait for a few days. I have lift to live today.