MY SON - Thoughts on how Mary must have felt.

Thinking back on how it all began, it seems so long ago,

I was so young, just sixteen years.  How quickly by years go.

One night the angel Gabriel spoke words that seemed so odd;

He said I’d conceive and bear a Son, for I had found favor with God.

I was amazed, bewildered and said, “How can this be?”

He said the Holy Spirit would overshadow me.

I said, “Father, I’m so unworthy, just a handmaid of the Lord,

But I’ll obey, yes, let it be according to your Word.”

I don’t know why the Lord chose me, it makes me shiver still;

But even then I knew enough to just obey His will.

 

We had to travel to Bethlehem at the time the child was due.

The night we arrived in the little town the prophecy came true.

The inns were full but we managed to find a stable in which to stay.

So I set clean cloths to make a bed in a troth we filled with hay.

And on that night I bore God’s Son - Oh, what a precious boy!

Already with eyes full of wisdom, He became my deepest joy.

As Jesus grew there never was a time when he was bad.

I never had the problems that the other mothers had.

When I felt discouraged, He always seemed to know.

I knew the time was coming when my Son would have to go,

But I had no way of knowing His impending agony.

Not even in horrible nightmares was my Son - nailed to a tree.

They had no case against Him.  They paid witnesses to lie.

When Pilot offered Him freedom, the crowd screamed for Him to die.

And so they ripped at my Son’s flesh with ruthless whips that tore.

That body I had nurtured, they battered o’re and o’re.

They hated Him and spat and pulled out handfuls of His hair.

But through that wretched torture, He loved all the people there.

See - He knew inside that vicious crowd was never going to win.

And as was written, in three day’s time my Jesus - rose again.

And finally I understood the sacrifice He made.

We’re free from sin; the penalty of death is finally paid!

 

If you my friend have ever had a child of your own,

Perhaps you’ve had an inkling of the pain that I have known.

For you in future ages, whom I have never met,

I beg you to accept my Son for He has paid your debt.

And now He rules from heaven and we His glory share.

My friend, accept His precious gift -

We’d love to see you there!

RECOGNIZING THE DANGER

I was out on my walk this morning enjoying the fall colors here in the mountains.  Occasionally, I stopped to take a picture with my camera-phone.

Glorious, Gorgeous, Magnificant artwork by my wonderful Creator!  He didn't create in black and white.  He didn't make food all one flavor.  He added fragrance and breezes.  He went abundantly beyond the "necessary" and lavished His creation with delicious, wonderful pleasures! 

As I saw these colorful trees and bushes, I was thinking that maybe we could plant some of these varieties within eyeshot of our living room windows - like the trees we have already aren't enough!?!

I came across this one and wondered, if I break off some clippings maybe they'll take root in water so we could plant them in the spring.



As I came close to choose a cluster to take home, I noticed that they had leaves of three.  That means one thing up here.  It's poison oak.  The plants that I recognize so easily in the spring and summer became deceptively beautiful in the fall; so much so that I nearly wanted them for my home.

My husband spends much of the spring trying to kill off any of this stuff that grows where our grandchildren might play or hike,  He sprays it and hacks at it and burns it - and here I am, going out and bringing it home!

How very much like sin!!

What we recognize clearly and reject in one season of our lives suddenly becomes attractive to us in another when we aren't preceptive enough to recognize its latest new presentation.

Knowing the shape of the leaf this morning saved me from a whole lot of grief and aggravation.

Knowing the deceptive nature of sin (and the one who tempts us) will help us recognize it's appearance in all its forms.  This knowledge or skill is developed by prayerfully renewing our minds in the Word and practicing restraint when the bait is dangled in front of us.

Hebrews 3:12-14

Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God.  But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.  For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end



A LOVE STORY TO LOVE!

   She giggled like she was being tickle-tortured by her daddy.  He wasn’t even touching her little underarm; merely suspending his index finger an inch away from it.  But she could hardly bear the anticipation of the touch that would send her into squeals of laughter.  Wasn’t that just a few years ago?  How is it possible that today is her fourteenth anniversary of being married to her wonderful, amazing husband??  And the three little ones that have come from this God-made union are little miracles; every one of them.

   She was 18 when she began to realize that her love was growing for this handsome young man of 25.  And then, that life-altering AVM in his brain began to bleed leaving him partially paralyzed on the right side of his body.  She only left his side when the hospital made her leave for the night.  But inside of that damaged brain, he was still in there – his mind clear, witty and good-humored as ever.  And her love grew still more.

   Through months of physical therapy and tender-loving care from his precious family, he began to recover much of the use of his weakened right-side; a walker, a cane and then independent walking.  His right shoulder, arm and eventually the dexterity of his hand was restored.

   But what was permanently destroyed was the dream he had for his future career.  Matt had been a pilot; actually he was a flight instructor.  This he would never do again.  He redirected his future career to the one God had planned instead.

   He loved to fly and it was gone - but when God takes something treasured away, He often graces us with something even more precious.  For Matt, it was our daughter.  She joyfully loved him and committed herself to being his help-meet for life.

   Her dad and I just trusted God for their future lives together and He, once again, has exceeded our wildest expectations.  We can only thank Him and praise Him for His marvelous, amazing grace!!

 

Ephesians 3:20-21 

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.

--AND AMEN!!

I AM EVE - Seeing myself in the women I've come to know in the Bible

 

 

I Am Eve

I am Eve:  I defy the One Who created me.  I choose to do the very things that separate me from living in oneness with Him.

I am Rahab:  I seek satisfaction in things and people that bring no fulfillment.

I am Bathsheba:  Breaking my promises.

I am Sarai:  I have trouble believing that God can keep his promises.

I am Naomi:  Feeling at times abandoned.

I am Ruth: Seeing that there is one true God and He is to be followed no matter what the cost.

I am Esther:  Pleading before my Heavenly Father’s throne for strength and guidance when my actions will impact others.

I am Sarah:  Following my husband to a new land knowing God has a wonderful, but unknown plan for us there.

I am Mary:  Astonished that God chose me to be a vessel through which He would do His work.

I am Martha:  Getting distracted with all the busy activities and missing what really matters.

I am Sally:  Lost, Blind, Found, Saved, Doubting, Struggling, Faithless, Faithful, Prayerless, Prayerful, Astonished, Distracted, Transformed, Hopeful, Growing, God’s Woman – Eternally!



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



AND THEY WERE WATCHING... a poem about integrity

And They Were Watching
S. Bentley

He went to work and did his job
And now and then shared his faith in God
And those around all watched his life
His love for God, his kids, his wife
And they were drawn, not by his words
But by what their eyes could see

And they were watching - they always do
You never notice but it’s true
Watching me and watching you
What is it they see?

He preached the gospel on T.V.
“The Lord shall bring thee victory!”
But many tender souls were crushed
When news arose of his crimes of lust
They were repelled not by his words
But by what their eyes could see

 

She was the mom of one small boy
She taught him faith in God with joy
And as he matured that boy could view
That in fact his mother’s faith was true
And he was drawn, not by her words
But by what his eyes could see

 

He was a man who shared his thoughts
Then lived it out before those he taught
He asked them all to come follow Him
Then laid down His life to free them from sin
And they were drawn, not just by His words
But by His magnificent deeds!

 

And they were watching - they always do
You never notice but it’s true
Watching me and watching you
What is it they see?

LIKE A TREE FIRMLY PLANTED

 

LIKE A TREE

 

My husband and I just had a wonderful vacation in Costa Rica!  It was so relaxing.  We did NOTHING adventurous.  We checked into a lovely resort and didn't tour any farther than our feet could carry us.  We walked into the nearby village and ate lots of (too much) wonderful food.

We took long walks on a gorgeous almost empty beach with aqua blue ocean waves crashing on the white sand. 

On one of our walks we saw this amazing tree clinging precariously to a cliff.

 

 

It's roots have become wooded tenacles stretching, reaching, pushing into every possible crack and crevice in order to survive without succumbing to gravity's pressure to bring it down.

 

How different is the tree described in Psalm 1

How blessed is the man... (whose) delight is in the law of the Lord.  He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water...Its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he propers.

 

What am I delighting in?  Am I craving the delicious warmth of my sweet Savior's presence?  Am I comforted and rejoicing in peace with the One who loves me so?

 

Well, maybe ... Sometimes I am.

But I want to more.

 

 



 

 

 



FOLLOWING BY FAITH

Following by Faith

Last Sunday I did music at church.  That always means that my husband and I have to drive separate cars because I have to be there so early.  After church we were going out with a group of friends for lunch.  I took my "gear" to my car while my husband found out where everybody was going to eat.  He got into his truck and waved me to follow him.  He pulled his truck out of the church parking lot and I set my eyes on his bumper and followed.  I had no idea where we were going but I knew he did.  I knew that if I got caught behind a slower vehicle, he'd pull over and wait for me.  He'd make sure I didn't get lost along the way.  He would keep me in his mirror and guide me where ever we headed.

How like this is our walk through this life?

We know the ultimate destination is eternal life in the Lord's presence. 

And the road there - well - Jesus leads us all along the way.

We follow

We don't turn to the right or left

We set our sights on Him

Even when He seems so far ahead

Almost out of our line of sight sometimes

He slows

And leads

Tenderly

Patiently

Gently

Fixing our eyes on Jesus the Author and Perfector of our faith.

A LITTLE PRESPECTIVE - Seeing what matters

   As a little girl, I can remember one summer playing on the front lawn when something on the sidewalk caught my eye.  There was a trail of ants marching dutifully in a line across the pavement.  Some were heading one way and some coming the other.  Some had cumbersome loads of useful bits of leaves and dead bug carcasses that they were hauling into their little ant kingdom down a hole in a crack in the cement.

   So busy … so constructive … so focused.

  They were completely unaware that this little seven year old girl would spend the next half hour trying to make the trip a little more challenging for them.  First I placed my little pink clip-clop in their way.  They seemed a bit distressed but soon found their way around the sides and continued their trek.  Then there was a garden hose, a leaf and finally a little water.

   Very determined little creatures, ants are!

   Never could they begin to understand the complexities of my world.  Ants think that bringing treasures to their queen is all that matters.

 

   We are ants.  No.  Not the bug kind of ants.  The little earthly creatures that hustle about thinking what we’re doing is so very important.  But God looks down and wants us to understand Him.  He wants us to acknowledge Him as Master and Creator.

   Sometimes, I look up.  And I begin to understand HIS world.  It’s huge and amazing.  It’s wonderful … mostly because …

  He loves this little silly ant; this worthless, pitiful   …and busy ant.

 

Colossians 3:1-3 Reminds me –

   Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Click HERE to hear us sing it (may take a few minutes to load) 

THE (not-so) GREAT WALL OF COARSEGOLD - a cautionary tale



~****~

In a little town down the mountain from us, a retired couple bought a lot on a hill to build their dream.  They thought if they could spend all their retirement savings and build a storage facility it would bring them good income for the rest of their lives.  Of course the county made their dream more difficult because they would be required to build a huge retaining wall to assure the business below them no danger of landslides.  So they did what was necessary to make their dreams happen.



That was ten or eleven years ago.  Now the wall is crumbling away, it started buckling at the base and eventually it has become an unsightly nightmare.  A small wall of cement rails keep auto & foot traffic away from imminent danger of being crushed by it.  Twisted rebar and crushed cinderblock protrude from the base like some kind of disemboweled dinosaur.  A few years ago they began to cover it with plastic in hopes that slowing the rain erosion might prevent  the destruction.  Instead, plastic sheeting is being shredded as the falling block rips and tears at it.

How much like this is a person whose intent and purpose is to build all their hopes and dreams on anything less than a foundation with eternal solidity.  You work, scrimp and save to build a dream.  You pour your blood, sweat and tears into designing it and you give shape to the structure of your imagination.  The only problem is, it’s being constructed on the weakest, most vulnerable of undergirdings. 

The God Who created us, designed a rock-solid foundation for a life to be built upon.  He could have no friendship with sinful man so he became sinless man to bear the cost for that sin.  He invites the lost, the blind, the dying to build where our structure will stand, unharmed by the wind, floods and earthquakes of life.

Why do people not understand this?  I simply don’t understand what is SO great about a life that is destined to end up like the Great Wall of Coarsegold? 

Whenever we drive through that little town, it reminds me to pray for those who don’t understand; the lost, the defiant, the confused, the rebellious.

Oh Father, please open their eyes!  And please use me in any way that might help!

 ********************************************************************************

Matthew 7:24 – 27  “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. ²⁶ Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. ²⁷ The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.”

I SURRENDER ALL - with a new bridge and chord arrangement

Click https://valleybible.net/MusicMinistry/Music/Audio/ISurrenderAll.mp3 
to hear us singing it at Valley Bible Church

All to Jesus I surrender, All to Him I freely give

I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily live.

I surrender all, I surrender all

All to Thee my blessed Savior,

I surrender all

All to Jesus I surrender, Humbly at His feet I bow

Worldly pleasures all forsaken;

take me Jesus, take me now.

All to Jesus I surrender, Make me Savior wholly Thine.

Let me feel the Holy Spirit, Truly know that Thou art mine.

Is there anything I wouldn't do, if You asked me to?

Is there anyplace I wouldn't go? Tell me if it's so.

All to Jesus I surrender, Lord, I give myself to Thee;Fill me with Thy love and power, Let Thy blessing fall on me.

SALLY'S BACON JAM SPREAD

Yup, that's right. Bacon Jam Spread

I saw that you can buy it on the net for some ridiclous price so here's my version of the same thing - for a LOT less.  And it's pretty darn good.

It goes in sandwiches, burgers, on toast or eggs.  It can be tossed in a salad.  Get creative!

Ingredients:

1 pound of bacon

1 yellow onion

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 Tablespoon cornstarch

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

1/4 cup water

Unwrap the bacon and cut the whole block in four pieces across the slices.  Place in large skillet.  Chop the onion and toss in with the bacon to brown together.

  Cook over medium heat until bacon is done.  The pan will get sticky but we'll deglaze it later.

Toss in the brown sugar and sprinkle in the cornstarch while stirring.  It looks like a goopy mess.  Don't worry, it's supposed to. 

Now stir in the water and the balsamic vinegar scraping the pan until it's  deglazed.  That's the good tasting stuff so scrape it good.

It should look something like this:

When the glaze is thickened pull it off the heat so it doesn't burn.  Now at this point I spooned out some of the extra clear fat.  This stuff is certainly not lowfat but I got several tablespoons out of the mix that doesn't end up in our veins.

Now let it cool a bit...stop nibbling!

Now just spoon it into your food processor bowl.

And give it a few spins to grind up the big chunks. Remember that this is spread so it needs to be ... spreadable. Not smooth but spreadable.

Like this:

I put mine in a sealable plastic container and place it in the fridge but it's really best at room temperature.

ENJOY!



I MET WITH YOU - Rejoicing in the privilege of casting all my cares on HIM!

I met with You alone in wakeful hours last night

Just a bit discouraged at my unworthy fight

Again as ever always You welled up deep within

My heart laid bare before You and You forgave again

I met with You this morning; came to worship with the saints

The children sang Your praises in full voice without restraints

They wriggled, danced and lifted hands in such abandoned way

It nearly broke my heart in two to hear you loved that way

I met with You today as my shepherd taught Your Word

He faithfully etched into me the truths I read and heard

Unfolding wondrous mysteries; enlightening corners dark

The hating world - the loving Lord; the contrast ever stark

I met with You this afternoon while praying for those I love

A growing peace seemed to increase I’m so unworthy of

The lost, the sick, the weak, the blind weigh heavy on my heart

Your yoke is easy; weight is light if shared right from the start

I’ll meet with You this evening when day turns into night

Prepare a meal, relax and heal but always keeping sight

Of why I love to live a life that’s set on honoring You

For late last night I feared the fight.  I’m glad I met with You!

THE GATE - a story based on Matthew 7:13-14

The Gate - Matthew 7:13-14

Sally Bentley

                               

                You know when you're not quite awake and yet you are certainly not asleep and thoughts fill your mind.  Images of people and places cross the scene set there.  I was in such a state this morning and a vivid scene played out before me.  I saw myself walking down this huge highway that was packed with what must have been millions of other people walking along it.  Have you ever been to Disneyland when it's so crowded that you really have no choice as to where you were going?  This road was like that.  Everyone was just moving along in mass packed in like cattle and I'm certain that everyone, like myself wondered where we were all headed.  I also had a vague sense that something was making this walk terribly difficult. It was then that I realized that I was carrying this huge bundle of stuff that, for some reason, I don't really know what, I considered to be extremely valuable.  Everyone else was carrying their huge treasure as well.  The sad thing was that often times, someone would collapse under their load and although the rest of us felt sorry for him, we could not afford to loosen the grasp on our own bundles long enough to help the misfortunate person.  So eventually he was trampled under the feet of the throng who were pressed along, almost as if against their own wills, in the inevitable movement forward. (Amos 2:7)

                As I walked along, relieved that it was not I who fell, I noticed a fork in the road ahead.  Well, it wasn't a fork really - there was just sort of a path that diverged from the main road.  No one else seemed to notice it at all.  Several yards down the path there was some sort of unusual gate and standing beside it was a man unlike any I've ever met. 

                There wasn't anything particularly unusual about his appearance but there was something about his demeanor and his eyes that fascinated me.  As I was briefly studying him, suddenly I realized that his eyes were locked onto ME.  I saw his lips move but I couldn't quite be sure what he was saying and then somehow through the din of the crowd I heard it as plain as day.  It was only a whisper but somehow it broke through and I heard it.  He called MY name. (John 10:27)  I was drawn to him and I desperately fought to make it to the side of the highway where the path cut off before we passed it.  I barely made it there in time to see another person stumble and crushed by the crowd.  Then I turned my eyes back to the man at the gate and he was now reaching a hand out toward me as if he wanted me to come.  The nearer I came to him the more I noticed his hands.  They were healing from some horrible wounds.  As I approached, I had to ask him about them. 

                "Sir, how did you get these injuries?" 

                His voice came back, "I received them when I was building this gate for you." (Isa. 53:5)

                "For me?"  I said.  "You don't even know me."

                "I knew you and I chose you before the creation of the world." He replied.  (Eph1:4)

                "Chose me  - for what?"

                "To be my disciple.  Come follow me along this narrow path. (Matt. 11:28-30) The wide highway that you have been traveling on leads to a cliff over which everyone who travels it will fall and die.  It's a far easier road to take but it leads to death and destruction.  This gate opens onto a very narrow and treacherous path but it leads you right into the Father's loving arms. Come and we'll walk it together."

                "Who is the Father and why would he want to love me?" I asked.

                "He is the One who made all things and He has sent me here to bring you to Him.  We love you because we have chosen to do so and our reasons are beyond your understanding. (John 15:16) The question is - Will you enter through the gate?"

                I thought for a moment.  Who wouldn't want to go through it?  The path may be hard but the highway would only lead to death.  "Yes - Yes I want to come through!" I answered with joy. 

                I walked up to the gate and tried to pass through but I couldn't seem to fit.  All of the things I was holding onto made me too large to enter.  No matter how I struggled, turned and twisted I simply couldn't get through the opening with all my stuff.  I looked up in frustration at the man who smiled patiently at me. 

                "You must leave all of that behind." He said.  (Matt. 6:19-21)

                "But it's mine.  I've worked for years to acquire all of this.  How can I just leave it?" 

                "If you want to come through the gate you must lay it all down." He replied. (Mark 8:36)

                Just then I thought of a great idea.  Maybe I can fit part of it through.  I looked carefully at my treasures and decided that maybe I could do without a couple of them.  I selected a few of the least precious ones and dropped them on the ground.  First I picked one that was labeled MONEY and then I thought I'd really sacrifice and I laid down two more labeled CAR and HOUSE. (Matt. 6:24) Then I tightened my grip on everything else and tried again.  No luck.  The man looked at me wistfully and said "You've got to let go of everything."  So I looked again at my precious bundles and couldn't decide which would go next.  I even considered just walking back and getting on the main highway with everyone else but somehow I was drawn to go through the narrow gate down the small path. 

                "Here sir," I said, "This is a large parcel." and I laid down one called PRIDE.  "And how about these?"  and I let go of PLEASURE and SELF INDULGENCE.  (Mark 8:34-35)  I now only had a few precious packages left and I really couldn't believe he would want me to leave these behind.  I pressed on the gate.  I squeezed and strained but no matter what I did I couldn't fit through.  

                I looked up at this man who had called me out from the rest of the world.  I looked into his eyes - his beautiful loving eyes and I realized that nothing I had was more precious than walking through the narrow gate and down the rugged path with this man.  I suddenly wanted to run into the Father's arms more than anything I had ever desired in life.  (Phlp 3:8)

                I dropped the last two parcels that I was holding onto.  The packages labeled HUSBAND and CHILDREN dropped from my hands (Luke 14:26) but I couldn't help but ask the man if he would call them to walk down the path after me one day too.  "They will hear my voice and they must choose to follow for themselves." 

                I turned toward the gate and the man placed his hand on my shoulder to stop me.  "My hands are empty sir.  I should be able to fit through now." 

                "One thing more" He said.  "Look at the clothes you're wearing." 

                I looked down.  "I made this outfit myself!  What's wrong with it?" I asked.  "These are the rags of SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS" He replied. (Isa. 64:6) "They cannot be worn on the other side of the gate.  I have made for you a very special robe called THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF CHRIST.(Isa. 61:10)  As soon as you pass through the gate I will place it on you and so my Father can accept you into His Holy Presence."

                The thought of leaving behind these garments that I had worked so methodically to piece together frightened me and yet I knew in my heart that the robe now offered to me was beyond comparing to the meager clothes I was wearing.  It was by far the most humbling thing I have ever done but I dropped my clothes there and the kind and gentle man opened the gate before me.  Trembling with joy mixed with a little fear I passed through the gate easily.  And as I crossed over the threshold, my new loving friend placed a robe on my shoulders that was the most radiant and glorious garment I have ever seen!  I stood there beyond the gate with a heart of gratitude for being saved from certain death and for being relieved of my heavy burdens. 

                And so began the adventure down the path that will one day lead to untold riches in the Everlasting Kingdom of Light. (Isa. 35:8-10)                           

THE BEGINNING!