Intro: Meeting God in Quiet Places ~ 2

As I was saying...you can decide to make your life more meaningful and worthwhile. But once you make that decision, Satan will send his legions to make it difficult for you to take that first step. Without your strong desire to stand firm in your conviction--that at this point in your life, you want a better life, and a happier and more satisfying life--it will not happen!

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There are some things you can do to get yourself started, if you can outsmart the voice of your ego. You'll hear this voice immediately upon deciding to change something. It will spread doubt and fear all over everything. It will also perpetrate a fatigue--a mental malaise--which you may never have experienced in such huge quantities before. You have the advantage because you are expecting it, but you may not be expecting the tirelessness of your opponent.

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It may take some time for you to get the upper hand, and you must become the Captain of your own soul in order to defeat such a force. Don't let that scare you. You must know by now that Satan is always strong at first and wins quickly or not at all. But you have God on your side!

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To fake out your ego, you can go slowly. Do something mundane, like putting a note to yourself on the refrigerator, reminding you to read or listen to some Bible verses. Or even just to give your mother or a friend a call--you get the idea, I think.

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I found some wonderful recordings of the Bible called the Word of Promise. Actors read the scriptures while appropriate music or sounds are happening in the background. You can listen to a sample if you go to their web site. On the way to or from work, to school, or anywhere you have to travel, you can still make the scriptures part of your day. I promise it will change your life. I bought my set from a Family Christian Store. You can even buy the Old and New Testaments separately. And they have sales! I listen before going to sleep or while in the tub...you choose what is most beneficial to you.

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Blessings...Mimi

Intro: Meeting God in Quiet Places by F. LaGard Smith

In searching for books which may touch your heart and change your life as they have mine, I pulled Meeting God in Quiet Places: The Cotswold Parables off the bookshelf. Written by F. LaGard Smith, it is one of my favorites. I have already been sharing the chapters on my original web site, and so this is a repeated blog, but I want to make sure that the people who are only interested in spiritual thoughts would have the opportunity to read it.

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The picture is of a church outside of Buckland, where LaGard's home is. I mostly want to show you the lay of the land, because it is a factor in the mental pictures given--analogies from life to compare to the spiritual. You may call them parables, if you prefer, much like the parables in the New Testament, which Jesus used to teach. I find them both beautiful and practical, and that's why I determined to summarize them and share them with you with LaGard's permission. This is a devotional book, which will move you closer to your Creator than you may ever have been before.

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LaGard says in his introduction: "The Scriptures tell us that Enoch 'walked with God,' as also did Noah. It's the way of the righteous to walk each day with God. As the prophet Micah saw it, walking with God leads us to the very heart of our purpose for living. 'He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.' How could we not be humble, knowing that our Maker has invited us to share each day with him, whether we are literally taking a walk or perhaps unable to walk at all?" He ends by saying that it is his hope that you'll "experience new depths of love and new heights of faith in your daily walk with God." I echo that hope.

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The life which includes quiet villages and tranquil hills is going to teach you about yourself and your purpose for living. You have a purpose, you know! Are you fulfilling your purpose? If you can't answer that with a yes, take some time to ask yourself, why not. I believe that many of us live a life stuck in survival mode. We feel lucky to get through a day, much less think about its purpose. You are the only one who can change that mode of operation. Only you can decide to make your life more meaningful and worthwhile.

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This is half the original blog I put on the other site. In an effort to shorten my blogs, I'll put the rest on tomorrow. I think I'll go take a walk!

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Blessings...Mimi

10 Things You May Not Know About Jesus

Like me, you may suffer from a lack of complete understanding when it comes to some of the most revealing facts about Jesus. How can we grasp the fact that God sent His only Son to give us His salvation?
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I believe it takes contemplation over time to touch the meaning of Jesus' life...His life of teaching, His willingness to be crucified as the blood sacrifice for our sins, and His death and resurrection. So it's toward that valuable goal, I'm giving these 10 things for you to consider. Yes, they're short and unexplained, but as scripture, you may use them as a source for meditation and reflection, or as a beginning point for further study. The main idea is to study and understand more about Jesus and the gift of salvation. Each point is awesome!
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1)   Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit.

"But while he (Joseph) thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." Matthew 1:20-2

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2)   Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit.

"Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being tempted for forty days by the devil." Luke 4:1-2
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3)   Jesus is the Light of the World.

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." John 8:12

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4)   Jesus is the Door.

Then Jesus said to them again, "Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10:7-10
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5)   Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way? Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me'." John 14:5-6

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6)   Jesus is the True Vine.

"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me. and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples." John 15:1-7

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7)   Jesus Is A Priest After the Order of Melchizedek

"For this Melchizedek, King of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated 'king of righteousness,' and then also king of Salem, meaning 'king of peace,' without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually." Hebrews 7:1-3

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8)   Jesus Christ Himself Is the Word of Life

"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life--the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us--that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full." 1 John 1:1-4

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9)   Jesus is our Advocate with the Father.

"My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world." 1 John 2:1-2

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10)  Jesus is the Bread of Life.

And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst." John 6:35

As I said, these descriptions of Jesus are awesome in their scope and power. I pray that many of you will be blessed by a new look at these attributes.

Blessings...Mimi

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Human Destiny ~ C. S. Lewis

September 27, 1996 is the date on which my husband, Richard Houston Childress, died. Our 39th wedding anniversary was September 26, 1996--the day before. I simply want to honor him today by mentioning his life. As I have said before, we all miss him as he was our rock. I think it's appropriate to have an essay on Human Destiny for this occasion.

~An Essay: Human Destiny from "The Problem of Pain"
by C. S. Lewis

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The Christian doctrine of suffering explains, I believe, a very curious fact about the world we live in. The settled happiness and security which we all desire, God withholds from us by the very nature of the world: but joy, pleasure, and merriment He has scattered broadcast. We are never safe, but we have plenty of fun, and some ecstasy. It is not hard to see why. The security we crave would teach us to rest our hearts in this world and oppose an obstacle to our return to God: a few moments of happy love, a landscape, a symphony, a merry meeting with our friends, a bathe or a football match, have no such tendency. Our Father refreshes us on the journey with some pleasant inns, but will not encourage us to mistake them for home.

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Blessings...Mimi

Finding Grace in A Winter Snowfall - Part 2

"Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all mankind will see God's salvation." This is a prophecy from Isaiah that's repeated in the Gospels. It's telling you what happens because of God's grace: His love fills in where you are weak and smooths the way before you; His life fills your emptiness and makes rough times smoother. Isn't that what we're all searching for...some way to make our lives easier? LaGard's analogy is clearly appealing.

You may be thinking of a sin that you can't undo...a sin that still haunts you after months or years of regret. But that's what God's love is about...covering sins of the past...sins that can't be undone. That's what God's grace is about...it covers. No, not a cover-up, but true forgiveness. But it doesn't end there.

Amazingly, grace covers the brokenness your heart is feeling. In it's gentle, caring way, grace protects you from more harm. And as if that isn't enough, grace gives you hope that you can walk with Christ on those snow-covered fields and remain as white as snow. Now you can stay out of the muck and mud that you were in and walk in a cleaner, smoother way.

And before you start worrying about how you're going to do that, you realize that grace has another side. It not only covers...it provides. You may have forgotten that we're talking about the Good Shepherd! Now you can say with David: "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want." Now you are both covered and nourished!

These are beautiful pictures of the way God's love and grace operate for your good. You only have to believe in His word...that He loves you so much He sent His only Son to die for you! And the death of His Son is what shows His love and provides His grace.

How will you spend today? I hope it's not only fun or relaxing, but sobering as well, as you contemplate the grace of God. Another chapter from LaGard's Meeting God in Quiet Places has helped me, and I pray it helps you.

Blessings...Mimi

Finding Grace in A Winter Snowfall

"Where sin increased, grace increased all the more." Roman 5:20

Is there anything more thoroughly satisfying than a snowfall? There is nothing which compares to the way it smooths and calms both you and the world you live in. In Chapter 6 of Meeting God in Quiet Places: The Cotswold Parables,  F. LaGard Smith compares a winter snowfall to the grace of God. The characteristics they share may surprise you.

For one thing, both snow and grace are so much more than anything in our "normal" world. Snow seems magical as it softly falls and turns everything in sight to a perfection unknown before. Grace also feels magical because it covers your sin--which is so dark and staining that you feel guilty and lost. Yes, you can be free of your guilty stain because of God's promise: "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be like wool." The stark whiteness and cleanness of snow and wool represent God's grace.

David knew that only God's grace could help him as he pleaded with God for forgiveness: "Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow." He had his sin always before him, for he was guilty of not only adultery, but murder. How does one wash THAT sin away? Only God can make you white as snow.

Look in your heart and see if there are sins hiding there...haunting you and keeping you from being the person God wants you to be. He will cover your sins completely, as with a newly fallen snow. I'll tell you the rest of the story tomorrow.

I had lunch with my friend, Alice, today at Cracker Barrel. It's really nice to be out and about after the rain. It's cooler...and reminds us that Fall has just come around the corner. The moon is a very beautiful harvest moon with Jupiter sitting close by, both shining brightly.

Blessings...Mimi

10 Things You May Not Know About Poetry and Psalms

What is Mortality
But things relating to the Body,
Which dies?
What is Immortality
But things relating to the Spirit,
Which Lives Eternally?
William Blake 1757-1827

This poem is from a book by Dr. John Diamond, M.D., titled The Healing Power of Blake: A Distillation. Dr. Diamond has taken Blake's very long poems and made them readable in his book. He uses poetry to heal his patients, and he believes that Blake was one of the best at writing poetry that heals, especially when it is sung. Diamond suggests to his patients that they write poetry, and that they also read the masters of poetry out loud, and to sing the poems.

This reminds me of David, as he was a master of poetry writing, and used his songs to heal King Saul's malady. Here are 10 things you may not know about Poetry & Psalms:

1) David gave us one of the most glorious collections of poetry ever written. We call it the Book of Psalms, the Jews call it the Book of Praises. It is often called the Psalms of David.

2) David had a great talent for playing an instrument, and writing and singing songs.

3) David's true character is revealed in his songs: his love of God, his care for people, his anguish at his own failings, and his trust and faith in God's forgiveness and deliverance.

4) David's poetry serves as a journal for his life experiences and a history of his people.

5) David's love of God spills over not only in his expressions of God's love and mercy, but also His presence with him, His holiness, His power, and His faithfulness.

6) All of God's attributes can be found in the songs of David.

7) In the Psalms, we learn the value of knowing God, what it means to be righteous, as well as vanity found in the way of the unrighteous, and what their end will be.

8) David wrote 150 songs, which were written to be sung by a large choir accompanied by thousands of musicians.

9) David organized all the music for worship in Jerusalem.

10) The Psalms are read, chanted and sung every day of the year. No other book of hymns has been used for such a long period of time by so many people.

No wonder David is called "the sweet Psalmist of Israel." The Psalms have come down to us as a blessing--their healing power and influence is impossible to calculate. But even a cursory look at their depth and meaning will convince you that they are worth contemplating. Once again, we realize we have been given great gifts from God? What will you do with them?

Albuquerque has had more rain than at any time in the last 20 years! It's truly wonderful to experience the rain here, because it doesn't fall very often as we're a high desert. I love the sunshine and I love the dry air, but the rain is always very welcome!

Blessings...Mimi

A Grief Observed by C. S. Lewis

It's Wednesday! I hope today marks a feeling of accomplishment toward your goal of being a better person~ Today I'm dedicating this page to my sister-in-law, Carolyn, who lost her husband--my brother Nelson--last year. And their son Geoff has expressed his need for some thoughts toward getting past the pain. I'm not sure at all that this observation from C.S. Lewis will help in any way to heal their grief, but it's a start. And that's what I wanted to do--give them all the caring I'm able to by moving in a thoughtful direction. So Carolyn & Geoff, I hope this expression of grief from Lewis helps.
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Lewis is grieving the loss of his wife, Joy, when he says: Grief still feels like fear. Perhaps, more strictly, like suspense. Or like waiting; just hanging about waiting for something to happen. It gives life a permanaently provisional feeling. It doesn't seem worth starting anything. I can't settle down. I yawn, I fidget , I smoke too much. Up till this I always had too little time. Almost pure time, empty successiveness.
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Lewis says: I think I am beginning to understand why grief feels like suspense. It comes from the frustration of so many impulses that had become habitual. Thought after thought, feeling after feeling, action after action, had H. for their object. Now their traget is gone. I keep on through habit fitting an arrow to the string; then I remember and have to lay the bow down. So many roads lead thought to H. I set out on one of them. But now there's an impassable frontier-post across it. So many roads once; now so many culs de sac.
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I'm thinking of everyone who has lost a loved one, including myself. My husband died September 27, 1996. His family needs him, as we are going through some family troubles, and we all miss his bright light of reason which suddenly made us feel calm. It's still hard to believe that Nelson is not here with us. God be with you all as you cope with your grief. Remember how very much God loves you.

Blessings...Mimi

10 Things You May Not Know About David & Prophecy

David was an unusal man for his times in so many ways, that I wonder if you understand the magnitude of his life. No king--before or after him--loved God as much... he was a man after God's own heart. And when he failed to please God and sinned, he was humble and contrite, begging forgiveness. But David was not only a king, warrior and ruler, he was also a prophet. In II Samuel 22:23, as David was about to die, he spoke these words: "The spirit of the Lord hath spoken by me and his word by my tongue." You may learn more about the importance of David and his reign from these 10 facts about his prophecies.

1) David's prophecies are Messianic.
2) David's prophecies refer to the suffering of Christ.
3) David's prophecies refer to the persecution of Christ.
4) David's prophecies refer to the triumphant deliverance of Christ.
5) David's prophecies refer to the hereditary rights given Jesus by the Father.
6) David's prophecies were written 1,000 years before Christ, but many make reference to and foreshadow him.
7) David was a king after God's own heart; his qualities are of the Messiah.
8) Foreshadowing of Christ: David & Christ both born in Bethlehem; David's shepherd life points to Jesus, the Good Shepherd.
9) Both David and Christ were betrayed by friends and had to make a sad passage.
10) The Davidic Psalms are clearly typical of the future Messiah, of which David was a type.

In the Psalms, David speaks as a prophet, which his last words acknowledge. Many of the 100 direct references to Jesus in Messianic passages of the Psalms are quoted in the New Testament. They are used to explain the character and message of Jesus as Messiah and refer to all of the above. When we think of David, we should think of him as a man after God's own heart, and a type of the Messiah.

I hope everyone is having a good week.
Blessings...Mimi

Challah: A Traditional Jewish Bread

Challah, pronounced "hallah" and meaning literally "a loaf of bread," has special meaning. This braided bread is eaten by many Jews on the Sabbath and holidays. I make it for special occasions--usually at Christmas--but it's so beautiful and easy to make that it should be made more often.

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According to Jewish tradition, the three Sabbath meals on Friday night, Saturday at lunch, and Saturday late afternoon, as well as two holidays meals--one at night and then lunch the next day--all begin with two complete loaves of bread. This "double loaf" commemorates the miraculous manna that fell from the heavens when the Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years after the Exodus from Egypt. (Ex.16) The manna didn't fall on the Sabbath, a day of holiness, but a double portion would fall the day before Sabbath. This bread, whether braided or not, is called challah.

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Each morning the Israelites found the manna on the ground with the dew, encased in two layers of dew to preserve its freshness. To represent the two layers of dew, the challahs are placed beneath a challah cover and over a tablecloth--or perhaps a challah board, thus re-creating the miracle of the manna in the desert. They gathered enough manna for one day except on Fridays, when they picked up enough for two days.

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In Exodus 16: 14, manna is described as hoarfrost in size--about 1/8 inch in diameter. It had to be collected before the sun melted it, and was white like coriander seed or pale amber, tasting like wafers made with honey as described in Numbers. The Israelites were to gather only enough manna for one day, about an omer (two dry quarts), and if they gathered too much, it bred worms and stank. Only the manna gathered on Fridays did not spoil. It could be ground up and used as flour for baking into cakes of bread. The manna was a sign of God's continuing provision for His people.

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An omer of manna was placed in a jar and kept in the tabernacle as a physical reminder of God's care--the total dependence of the people on God. As Moses reminded the children of Israel in Deut. 8:3: "So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord." These same words were quoted by Jesus to the devil in the book of Luke, when the devil tempted Him to turn stone into bread after fasting for 40 days and nights.

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Traditional challah recipes use a large number of eggs, fine white flour, water, and a little sugar. Modern recipes may use fewer eggs--or even no eggs--and whole wheat, oat, or spelt flour. Sometimes honey or molasses is the preferred sweetener. The dough is rolled into rope-shaped pieces, braided together and brushed with an egg wash. Challah is usually non-dairy--no milk--unlike the French Brioche that calls for both milk and butter. And since many Jews do not eat meat and dairy together, this bread can be eaten with any meal.

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The term challah may also refer to a small piece of dough that is traditionally separated from the rest of the dough before braiding. In biblical times, this portion of dough was set aside as a tithe for the Jewish priesthood, or "kohanim," as found in Num. 15:17-21. In Hebrew, the ritual is called "hafrashat challah." The challah was a means of sustenance for the priests, who had no income of their own.

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Today separating a piece of the challah is often a symbol for an act of kindness, and is referred to in symbolic terms. Separating the challah is traditionally a mitzvah (an act of kindness) performed especially by women. It is one of three mitzvot which women perform, the other two being the lighting of the Shabbat candles and family purity. Before the meal, there is a blessing said over the two loaves: "Blessed are you, Lord our God, king of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth."

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This is the tradition of the challah. I have given a recipe for challah on my blog at http://memosfromimi.blogspot.com/. It is a delicious, light egg bread that makes wonderful French toast. It's easy to make, not much kneading at all, and the result is rather spectacular. If you want to lift your ordinary holiday bread into the extraordinary--try making challah. You can find many good recipes online and lots of beautiful pictures.

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Have a great week. Remember your Creator, His Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit every day of your life. Be thankful and humble as you move through this world!

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Blessings...Mimi

Living Stones: Sages Among Us

"Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?" Job 12:12
In Chapter 5 of "Meeting God in Quiet Places," F. LaGard Smith compares the beauty underneath all the dirt, ivy, grass, weeds and brambles on an old stone wall after it's cleared to uncovering gifts and talents--"gemstones of character"--within every person. We tend to be shallow when looking for treasures in other people, don't we?

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When you see an old person--perhaps not even a very attractive old person--have you thought about what that old person might have learned in their life? When you think of the tales the stones in an old wall could tell, as we say, "If only stones could talk," you might remember that old people are living stones who have a lot to say: not only have they seen it all, but they still have the ability to get back to basics and true values.

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It's what I call my lifetime of learning, so that I can share wisdom with others. As I've said repeatedly: I enjoy being older because I have finally learned to do some things well. And I've learned not to try and run other people's lives. Yes, I fail sometimes, but I'm aware that I shouldn't do it, and back off sooner. Now I'm able to see "through" things and don't take them at face value.

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And that's what LaGard is saying here: many people have trouble letting their inner beauty show. Circumstances beyond their control, such as child abuse, or an alcoholic parent, or an abused wife, who has spent most of her marriage trying to cope--all hide the inner beauty of people in your life. These people have a story to tell. I have a story to tell. You have a story to tell. Painful? Yes. Scarring? Yes. Blighting? Yes. So blighting of your true value, it's hidden beneath briars and brambles. Only One can uncover your true self.

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Only Jesus can bring out your true beauty. It was something He specialized in. Whether Jesus was talking to a hated tax collector, a beggar, a cripple, or even a prostitute, each person was important, and each person had a story to tell. Each person had wounds to heal and sins to be forgiven. Shame? Yes. Guilt? Yes. But that is what Jesus came to do! He came to take away the guilt and sin. Jesus saw through their suffering to a penitent heart.

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Once a person had been with Jesus, they were never the same. Not only was their body transformed, but their mind and spirit. Would they ever have a lapse in faith? Yes. Would they ever need to renew their faith and weed out the evil thoughts and deeds? Yes. But the difference would be that they would never again completely give in to the ways of the world. And now they knew where to turn for the reassurance to go on with their lives.

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It's one thing to uncover an old stone wall. And while it's worth doing and is gratifying, think how much more wonderful it is to uncover the beauty that is hidden all around you! If you had the eyes of Jesus, you too could see the people around you with His eyes. You could touch the hearts of those who are forgotten, because their problems isolate them. It is just those people who need to feel a sense of belonging. It is just those people who want to feel useful and get a bit of encouragement from you. And many times, that is all they need to move on.

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Then what happens? When you allow the love of Jesus to move through you to others, YOU are never the same. You will blossom as well! This beautiful hymn says it all:

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Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me,
All His wonderful passion and purity;
May His Spirit divine all my being refine.
Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me.

George L. Johnson

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Will you see things in yourself that you must keep weeding out? Yes. But have you noticed a big difference since you took the time to clear out most of the debris? I believe you'll say YES! The attention you give to your spiritual life makes a difference in the beauty that is seen by other people. And eventually by you, looking at yourself. Unlikely people can be shown to be so much more than you ever imagined. Look at unlikely people and see if you can uncover their story and their beauty. You'll be adding gems to your collection!

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If you're feeling disconnected, it is your own lack at the moment. God is waiting for you to approach Him! He will reward you with His healing warmth.

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This blog is dedicated to my grand-daughter-in-law, Jill, because she read my blog "Church Bells: Reminders of Holiness" and said she would like to feel holier. The message of this blog will help her--and all of us--to do that.

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Blessings...Mimi